Southern at 150 plan unveiled Friday night

Black-tie gala looks ahead to SIUC’s vision for 2019

Factoid:To see a complete copy of Southern at 150, log onto www.siuc.edu and click on the news link.

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It was an evening of finery, but also a time of looking ahead for close to 600 friends and members of SIUC who gathered Friday night at the Student Center to officially usher in Southern at 150.

Southern at 150, a set of goals for the University to reach by its 150th anniversary in 2019, was the spotlight of the black-tie gala event, which had guests that included many of the 215 people who spent months giving suggestions and feedback that helped form the final draft of the document.

Months were spent poring over ideas and suggestions, and the result is a glossy 90-page document outlines goals for SIUC. Although the Southern at 150 document is complete, Chancellor Walter Wendler said the plans will change as needed.

“This is not a plan that will sit on a shelf,” Wendler said at a press conference before the evening event. “This is a living document.”

And that was the focus of the evening for guests who gathered at the Student Center to look at how the University can become on par with aspirational peer institutions by 2019. These include Louisiana State, the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Kentucky and the University of Missouri Columbia.

A video presentation played after guests gathered in Student Center ballrooms at tables adorned with ice sculpture ornaments with Southern at 150 lettering carved on them. After dinner, frozen desserts were served on carved ice bowls that were lit with small, blue lights bulbs underneath them.

The film clip gave a recap of SIUC’s history and a look at what’s ahead as the University aims for the Southern at 150 goals, which include becoming one of the nation’s top 75 public research universities.

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Other goals of Southern at 150 include the following:Increase yearly federal research and development spending by an additional 13 percent.

Gain contributions that provide $20 million in endowed fellowships and 500 more research assistants and $10 million for graduate research scholarships.

Add new master’s degree programs and double the size of both applicants to the Graduate School and funds for graduation student stipends.

Construct 250,000 square feet of new buildings to the Southern Illinois Research Park, using the space to provide high-skill jobs for the region.

Have three capital campaigns with different goals-one to bring the Southern at 150 goals to reality, another to increase annual donations by 10 percent, and a third to increase the SIUC endowment.

And showing others the path of SIUC is important, U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, told the audience as he gave the keynote address. Costello commended the 215 who brought suggestions about Southern at 150 to the table.

“When I think that it takes us 218 votes to pass a bill in Congress – it’s amazing, I tell you,” he said. “I just want to commend everyone.”

Specifically, Costello said SIUC’s coal research is just one example of how the University can show leadership. Costello said he wants to continue pushing legislation that helps the University reach its goals.

Costello said he is currently working on a plan that gives SIUC a greater leadership role with the Delta Regional Authority.

“I think the rewards will be many if SIU stays the course,” he said. “Not only will I be a part of implementing this plan, I also will be proud to do so.”

He also made mention of two recent news items-a $4.5 million donation to construct an athletics building and the departure of SIU basketball coach Bruce Weber, who left the University to coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Although Weber will be missed, the University should still be proud that UIUC wanted him, Costello said.

“I hear more about the Salukis in Washington, D.C. than I’ve ever heard before,” Costello said, drawing loud applause from the audience.

Weber, in attendance at the event, garnered a standing ovation when Wendler spoke.

“Our basketball tradition will go on because Bruce laid a great tradition,” Wendler said. “We will welcome Matt Painter with open arms.”

Wendler also gave an overview of Southern at 150, thanking those who provided input. Molding students who are “citizen-leaders” should be an important focus of the University, he said.

“We will strive for excellence in everything that we do,” he said.

Reporter Ben Botkin can be reached at [email protected]