Opportunity Through Excellence, an unprecedented $100 million effort through the SIU Foundation, is a campaign that begins the journey toward our sesquicentennial celebration—an inspired journey that will culminate in a revitalized Southern. The goal is divided into three distinct categories—people, programs, and places—which reflect the most pressing needs for each unit or division. A great deal of thought and time went into setting the first priorities for our journey to Southern at 150 in 2019.

Even though much will change as we increase our level of excellence, our mission will remain. We will never abandon our stalwart commitment to providing opportunities for first generation students, people from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds, and diamonds in the rough.