Tedrick Welcome Center at Southern Illinois University
The New Front Porch of SIU Carbondale Campus
Behold the Tedrick Welcome Center, the new front porch for SIU Carbondale. Approaching campus from U.S. Highway 51, it acts as a beacon for students and visitors alike. Thanks to a generous $6 million lead gift from Roger and Sally Tedrick, the welcome center is set to become the launching pad for recruitment visits, alumni events, and numerous university activities.
Progress Update: Week Ending May 9, 2025
Construction continues on the future front porch of Southern Illinois University—where first impressions will be made for generations to come. Rising from the former site of McAndrew Stadium, the Tedrick Welcome Center will transform how prospective students, alumni, and visitors experience SIU. As the first major on-campus construction project in over a decade, it marks a bold step forward in shaping the university’s future.
During the week of May 9, construction crews made steady progress. Stair structures were completed, while steel framing and floor decking installation continued across the site. Additional stair access points were started, and the second-floor concrete slab was successfully poured. Teams also advanced piping installation and continued grouting and finishing work around key structural columns.
The Tedrick Welcome Center is made possible through a $6 million leadership gift from Roger and Sally Tedrick and is being fully funded by the SIU Foundation through a combination of reserves, fundraising, and borrowing. No taxpayer dollars, tuition, or student fees are being used.
When completed in May 2026, the center will feature a 300-person event space, a new home for the SIU Foundation, and serve as a vibrant hub for campus tours, student engagement, alumni visits, and donor events.
Stay tuned for continued updates as we build a lasting first impression for the next generation of Salukis.
Progress Update: A Vibrant Front Porch – Welcome to Tedrick Gardens
As Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s inviting new front porch, the Tedrick Welcome Center will greet students, faculty, staff and visitors with rich pops of color, enhanced green space and lush shrubbery. The Tedrick Gardens, a sea of greenery, ornamental flowers and trees, will showcase the natural beauty of our campus.
Sustainability is a pillar of the university’s Imagine SIU 2030 strategic plan, and we are steadfast in our dedication to that mission. The SIU Foundation is committed to planting a tree on campus for every tree removed during construction. Many of these trees will be on site at the Tedrick Welcome Center. SIU has long held the distinction as a tree-friendly campus, a reputation we will uphold.
The SIU Arboretum offers memorial trees as a living legacy and an investment in the beautification of campus. Memorial trees are a profoundly thoughtful way to commemorate alumni, loved ones, faculty and staff members or any others. With a donation of $500, you can memorialize an existing tree, and a donation of $1,000 will memorialize a new tree. For more information, contact arboretum@siu.edu.
A committee, led by Director of Sustainability Aimee Lemrise and Superintendent of Grounds Opie Piper, will meet regularly to discuss progress on this beautification plan. In October, the SIU Foundation will participate in a tree planting plan being implemented by SIU’s dedicated grounds crew. Many other greenery options will be considered as progress continues on the welcome center, which is scheduled to be completed in May of 2026.
Once completed, the Tedrick Gardens will enliven campus with fresh colors and an atmosphere that complements the scenic splendor of Southern Illinois. While offering ample parking and walkways, the Tedrick Welcome Center will move our campus forward while embracing nature’s grandeur.
A Symbol of the Future
This magnificent 44,000-square-foot building is more than just a structure; it symbolizes the future of SIU. The southern wing, home to the SIU Foundation, houses the new philanthropy center, marking a transformative era in the foundation’s role as a catalyst for SIU Carbondale.
The philanthropy center's front desk serves as the central hub for the SIU Foundation, situated within a 26,827-square-foot space that includes 53 offices. This area is designed to accommodate our growing staff and reflect the value of their work.
Square Foot Tedrick Welcome Center
Square Foot Philanthropy Center
Square Foot Visitor Center
East Lobby and Visitor Center
The east lobby serves as the access point for large groups, with interactive branding welcoming visiting students as they begin their tours.
The main visitor center is the crown jewel of the building—a 14,000-square-foot space capable of hosting conferences, lectures, seminars, and catered events for up to 300 people. Bathed in natural light, this area is where new Saluki memories are born.
Admissions and Alumni Gathering
Admissions tours will commence right here, providing a warm welcome for prospective students. Alumni and community members can gather to share their Saluki experiences.
Saluki Spirit on Display
The Tedrick Welcome Center will be emblazoned in Saluki maroon, showcasing our trademark logos and spirit for all to see.