A Year of Transformational Gifts and Namings Strengthens SIU’s Momentum
In 2024–25, alumni and friends advanced Southern Illinois University Carbondale with major gifts and facility namings that elevate student success, fuel research, and honor pillars of the Saluki community. Highlights include a historic $10 million investment in the law school, a $2.5 million gift to power translational research, new support for Saluki Athletics, and spaces named for leaders whose service shaped the university and region.
SIU Simmons Law School
In February 2024, SIU announced a $10 million gift from John and Jayne Simmons to enhance access, services, and opportunities at the law school. The SIU Board of Trustees approved the SIU Simmons Law School name, which was unveiled at a ribbon cutting on Aug. 16.
“This mission is aligned with my personal and professional value system,” said John Simmons, founder of Simmons Hanly Conroy and member of the SIU Board of Trustees. “We are proud of this school and what it stands for. I owe a lot of my success to SIU and what it has given to my family. It has sent me on my way to success, expanded my world, my horizons, my view on life and my role in supporting my community.”
Chancellor Austin Lane called the gift “a historic moment that will allow our students and faculty to continue to imagine,” noting that the Simmons’ support will have a lasting impact on the future of legal education in Southern Illinois and beyond.
Gower gift powers research and new center
Dr. Bob and Beth Gower committed $2.5 million to accelerate research activity across campus. On Dec. 5, 2024, the Board of Trustees named the former McLafferty Annex the Gower Translational Research Center; a ribbon cutting followed on April 11.
“I expect SIU to be a leader here,” said Dr. Bob Gower. “Innovation, in the future, will come from research universities like SIU working in cooperation with entrepreneurs. This building may one day be considered the heart of SIU.”
“This is a really special day for our family,” added Beth Gower. “I love this university. What I hope other people see is this: These Gower people must have a lot of faith in Southern Illinois University. They must feel that translational research is exciting and important to the future of the world.”
Vice Chancellor and SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec said the gift “marks more than a new name on a building — it represents a legacy of vision, innovation, and generosity.”
Hayes family strengthens Saluki Athletics
Jamie and Netta Hayes made a $1 million gift that will name and revitalize the Jim Hayes Stadium Club inside Saluki Stadium, honoring Jamie’s father, a former Saluki football player whose support of SIU spanned decades.
“For my dad’s name to be further etched into Saluki history this way is incredible,” Jamie Hayes said. “We wanted to make a statement about how we feel about SIU and what the Salukis mean to us and this community. I think he would be proud.”
Director of Athletics Tim Leonard praised the family’s commitment: “They see the vision. They see the passion. They know how valuable Saluki Athletics is to SIU and all of Southern Illinois.”
DeMattei estate gift invests in local students
Dr. Clay and Leticia Soria DeMattei established a $1 million estate gift to create the Dr. Clay and Leticia Soria DeMattei Scholarship Endowment Fund, which will benefit students from Marion, Crab Orchard, and Goreville who major in art history or study in the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences.
“Those are the main towns where my patients have come from,” Dr. DeMattei said. “I wanted to give back to the communities that have given to me.”
A proud SIU alumnus and scholar-athlete, DeMattei credited the university with preparing him for medical school and his successful surgical career. “The university had a very good science department. I was more than prepared for medical school when I left SIU,” he said.
Gilbert honors his father and law legacy
Judge Phil Gilbert committed $250,000 to establish the Sen. John G. Gilbert Impact Fund at SIU Simmons Law School. On April 17, the school dedicated the Sen. John G. Gilbert Administrative Suite in recognition of his father, an “education senator” whose leadership helped advance SIU Edwardsville, the School of Medicine, and the establishment of the law school at Carbondale.
“Seeing the impact this law school has had on Southern Illinois, my father would be very proud,” said Judge Gilbert. “He was labeled as the ‘education senator,’ and that was not just because of what he did at SIU. He was a strong supporter of education at all levels.”
“This is an incredible gift,” said Chancellor Lane, “and Judge Gilbert’s legacy will live on through the students and faculty whose lives are transformed by this fund.”
Hanes Tower honors a band legend
During Homecoming weekend on Oct. 11, 2024, the School of Music dedicated the Mike Hanes Marching Salukis Band Tower on Sam Rinella Field, supported in part by a gift from Drs. Phil and Pam Pfeffer.
“The Marching Salukis have always been and will always be one great big family,” said Lisa Breithaupt, daughter of the late Mike Hanes. “Dad would truly be humbled. He’s smiling down on all of us.”
Chancellor Austin Lane said the tower is “a great tribute to Mike Hanes’ impact on our alumni.”
Craddock conference room supports business students
Oyd and Annette Craddock committed $25,000 to the COBA Dean’s Club Endowment Fund. In recognition, the College of Business and Analytics named the Oyd Craddock Dean’s Conference Room in Rehn Hall.
“I’m a first-generation college graduate,” Oyd Craddock said. “I didn’t have role models in my home or community of folks who had gone on to graduate from college. The opportunities for us in the Deep South just weren’t there. I was part of the generation that was going to break through.”
He credited SIU’s Placement Office for helping him secure his first job at IBM and said his experience at SIU inspired his ongoing philanthropy.
“From start to finish, I had a wonderful experience at SIU,” he said. “It has tremendous meaning for Black students who are there today and who we hope will experience SIU in the future.”
Jackson Lobby recognizes a lifetime of service
On Nov. 7, 2024, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute dedicated the John and Nancy Jackson Lobby, honoring more than five decades of service to SIU and the Carbondale community.
“SIU and Carbondale have been good to me and my family for over five decades,” Dr. John Jackson said. “This is especially gratifying because it connects us in a very tangible way to Paul and Jeanne Simon. I’m proud to be associated with those two. They were two of the very finest people and public servants I have ever known.”
The Jacksons also helped endow the John S. and Nancy Jackson Scholarship Endowment Fund for political science students, continuing their legacy of service and education.