SIUC Public Policy Institute Reaches Milestone
By
Matt Baughman
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois
University Carbondale, which was established by former U.S. Sen.
Paul Simon in 1997, has reached a fund-raising milestone, the
Institute's Interim Director Mike Lawrence announced today.
We are pleased to announce that the Public Policy Institute reached
an important fund-raising objective at the end of 2003 by attaining
more than $7 million for its endowment through contributions,
grants, pledges and planned gifts," Lawrence said. "With
this plateau reached, Paul Simon better positioned the Institute
for future fund-raising efforts as we continue to work towards
the ultimate endowment goal of $10 million."
He added, "The funding also will go a long way toward assuring
the Institute continues to fulfill the mission that Paul so clearly
articulated."
SIUC Chancellor Walter V. Wendler said the endowment will allow
Simon's ideals to live on. "Paul was a man of vision. Those
who have contributed to the endowment and those who will contribute,
understand private funding will let us continue to look at pressing
issues such as world water resources, Social Security funding,
and health-care costs. We sincerely thank those who have helped
us reach the $7 million mark and look forward to coming back to
you with another announcement in the future."
During his lifetime, Simon said repeatedly that he wanted the
Institute to build a substantial endowment in order to assure
its long-term future at the University. He said a firm endowment
would also let the Institute take on controversial issues or projects
that might otherwise be ignored.
SIUC's "Southern Alumni" magazine once quoted Simon
as saying, "Endowment of the Institute will give us the autonomy
to continue tackling the tough and sometimes controversial issues
that the Institute must address. Financial independence will protect
our initiatives for years to come."
"Simon knew the Institute was quickly approaching this important
fund-raising milestone when he died late last year. He asked for
daily updates right up until his death - and was always optimistic
that the institute would reach the $7 million year-end target,"
Lawrence said. "His optimism, his hard work, and his personal
contributions to the Public Policy Institute helped us hit that
target."
In addition to tirelessly working to raise money from friends,
alumni, corporations, foundations and others, Simon provided his
own substantial financial support to the institute. He assured
his contribution would be felt even in death. The Simon family
said today that Paul's will provides for $100,000 for the Public
Policy Institute's endowment, bringing his total contributions
to nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
"We celebrate Paul's efforts at raising endowment funds
for the Public Policy Institute and look forward to helping the
Institute exceed its ultimate goal of building a $10 million endowment,"
said Paul's daughter, Sheila Simon, who attended the news conference
with Patti Simon, Simon's widow.
Patti Simon said, "We are proud to announce that Paul's
will provided a substantial gift to support the fund-raising efforts
he so tirelessly worked on, and we are hopeful that his generosity
will encourage others to give to good causes like the Institute."
Among the many major contributions to the Institute include a
$1 million pledge from John White, a Chicago area businessman
and former chairman of the Better Government Association.
As part of the University's ongoing fund-raising efforts that
will take place later this decade, the Institute is committed
to building its endowment until it surpasses Simon's original
$10 million goal.
Media & Communication Resources • siucnews@siu.edu
Southern Illinois University Carbondale • Mailcode 6519
Carbondale, IL 62901
618/453-2276 office • 618/453-2230 fax
Sue Davis, Executive Director
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