November 01, 2017

Media Advisory – AT&T Contribution Supports Students

Southern Illinois University Carbondale will recognize the continuing financial support from AT&T for two university programs at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Student Center’s Old Main Room. 

The university will celebrate AT&T’s significant contributions to Rising Scholars, a program that continues support for students who participated in the Saluki Summer Bridge to Success program, and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s East St. Louis Metro East Leadership Weekend.  

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are invited to attend the interactive event. Chancellor Carlo Montemagno and Jim Maurer, vice president of AT&T Illinois, along with university program directors and students will be available for interviews.  

The Summer Bridge program, now in its fourth year of support from AT&T, services students across a variety of disciplines, including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) each year. The Simon Institute’s leadership program just concluded its 15th annual event this fall. The Simon Institute program brings up to 45 African American junior high and high school students from the Illinois Metro East area to visit each fall for sessions on leadership and career awareness education. This is the third year of support from by AT&T for the leadership weekend.  

This year’s contribution brings AT&T’s total investment in the SIU Carbondale programs to $250,000 over four years.  

On Thursday, Renada Greer, the university’s Student Support Services director who oversees Saluki Summer Bridge, will discuss the program. In addition, two students will discuss their Summer Bridge experiences and the impact on their respective academic careers. In addition, a 10-minute presentation will showcase students who have participated in the program and who will graduate in May. 

Rising Scholars is a comprehensive college success program that provides mentoring, group tutoring, career coaching, work-study and scholarships. The program also helps improve retention, move students toward graduation and prepare them for the workforce. AT&T’s donations have helped provide annual scholarships, participation in co-curricular activities and exposure to undergraduate research experiences for 162 students.  

For more information, contact Matt Baughman, SIU Carbondale chief of staff, at 618/201-0082.