People. Programs. Places.
The College of Liberal Arts is the largest and most diverse academic unit on campus. Its core curriculum courses are the backbone of the undergraduate experience for all students. In this time of declining governmental support for higher education, generous donations from the private sector are needed to continue our tradition of excellence and to position the College for quality education in a rapidly changing world. Investments in the College of Liberal Arts will positively influence students throughout the University.
As part of the Opportunity Through Excellence Campaign for Southern, an unprecedented $100 million effort through the SIU Foundation, the College seeks to raise $7.75 million for the following purposes:
Undergraduate Scholarships, Graduate Fellowships,
Research and Professional Experience
$2.25 million
The College of Liberal Arts enrolls many students of exceptional academic talent and modest family income. Unfortunately, there is little funding for scholarships and fellowships. As tuition increases and state support diminishes, the need for private funding of scholarships becomes increasingly great. Endowments for scholarships and fellowships will help the College increase diversity, attract exceptional students, and provide funding for student research and travel.
Endowed Chairs, Endowed Professorships,
and Faculty Development
$2 million
Faculty endowments will help attract and retain top educators and positively impact the University’s national ranking. The College seeks to fund at least one new endowed faculty position in each of its three divisions: Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. We also plan to create a Faculty Development Fund to recognize excellence.
Academic Excellence & Outreach Initiatives
$500,000
Broad-based funding is needed to sustain programs and to launch initiatives that will better prepare our students for the global job market.
- Curriculum 2l is a new program to enhance writing and speaking skills; develop appreciation of research, scholarship, and creative work; and increase global awareness.
- The Writing Center is undertaking new efforts to improve writing skills—a universal prerequisite for professional success. Accomplished students can train to mentor peers.
- Awards are needed to promote students’ understanding of their disciplines through supervised research, scholarship, and creative work.
Community Outreach
The College seeks funding to continue to provide cultural, entertainment, and instructional venues for people in the region—venues that would not otherwise be available in a rural setting. These venues include the Summer Playhouse Theater, the Southern Illinois Music Festival, the John Thomas String Program, and the University Museum.
Technology and Equipment
$500,000
Today’s students must acquire advanced skills in technology. Access to up-to-date technology—computer hardware and software and other specialized equipment—is essential to most university-level courses of study. At present, there are no private endowment sources of support for technology and equipment.
Facilities
$2.5 million
The School of Art and Design is one of the largest programs at Southern. The program was recently listed in US News and World Report
among the top 50 programs granting an MFA.
The School of Art and Design is spread throughout campus in eleven retrofitted facilities. It is critically important for the School to have a well-designed facility to fulfill its academic mission and to elevate its national ranking. |
