By Jason Freund 19

Roland Burris, a 1959 SIUC graduate and former Illinois Attorney General, spoke nostalgically about the University’s quality Friday at the Recreation Center as the SIUC Alumni Association honored him and nine other successful University graduates.

The 10 graduates were the first group to be named to the Distinguished Alumni Wall.

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Burris, who manages the Jones, Ware and Grenard law firm in Chicago, enjoyed returning to see so many of his college friends, including Harvey Welch, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, who attended the ceremony.

I had some tremendous professors down here, Burris said. I got a great foundation at SIU.

About 50 people filled the Alumni Lounge Friday to dedicate the Distinguished Alumni Wall, located in the lower level of the Recreation Center across from the natatorium.

Three of the 10 honorees returned to SIUC and spoke at the ceremony.

L. Eudora Pettigrew, a 1964 graduate who also received a doctorate in 1966, is president of State University of New York at Old Westbury. She said the University faculty should receive recognition for allowing the honorees to achieve what they have.

I felt it was important, not so much for me, but for the faculty, Pettigrew told the audience. If you put my name on the wall, you should include those people (the faculty).

Marcia Bullard, a 1974 graduate and president and CEO of USA Weekend, spoke fondly of her alma mater, recalling the unique diversity of the school and the honor she felt in being recognized.

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After hearing the speakers, the audience moved to the natatorium hallway to unveil the wall.

These are the seven other honorees:Ted Cunningham, a 1968 graduate who is CEO and president of Chrysler Mexico.

Dennis Franz, a 1968 graduate and two-time Emmy award winner for NYPD Blue.

Walt Frazier, who left SIU and entered the NBA in 1968 and was named to the league’s 50 greatest players last winter.

Bob Gower, a 1958 graduate and 1960 master’s graduate who is president and CEO of Lyondell Petrochemical Co. in Houston.

Arnette Hubbard, a 1957 graduate and circuit court judge in Chicago.

Ken Pontikes, who graduated in 1963, was founder, president and CEO of Comdisco Inc. in Chicago. He died in 1994.

Judith Roales, who graduated in 1965 and is vice president and general manager of the St. Petersburg Times.

After the program, Doris Rottschalk, SIU Alumni Association president, said she hoped the wall will motivate students in the future.

I just hope they (the students) see the wall, and it inspires them to want their picture on the wall, she said.

Although there were no students at the program, Rottschalk said it did not bother her.

I think they’ll see it when they pass by, she said. I’d rather they be in class.

Rottschalk said the Association plans to add five new members to the wall each year.

Bill McMinn, Recreation Center director, said he was honored the wall was placed in the Center.

We wanted it in this building because we have representatives from all areas of the student body, he said. It will provide a great inspiration for them.

John Jackson, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost, attended the ceremony and said the wall shows that SIUC is a quality university.

It’s good to know a lot of leadership today did not go out east, he said. They went to a state university like SIU.

(Without the wall) a lot of people would not have known they were from SIU. Even if you don’t recognize their face, you’ll be inspired by their record.

Bullard said the wall demonstrates that SIUC can produce graduates who succeed.

SIU is in a small place, it isn’t really well known, but it’s not a detriment to going places, she said.

Burris said the wall shows that SIUC can give the necessary tools to succeed.

It’s not where you go necessarily, it’s what you do with it, he said. I hope it sends a message not only to students, but to alumni to try and achieve great things.

I hope it (the wall) shows that after leaving SIU, there is a future.