January 24, 2007
Donation benefits SIUC graduate students
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Graduate students who demonstrate outstanding teaching ability will benefit from the generosity of a former chemistry professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science at SIUC recently received $30,000 from the estate of C. David Schmulbach. Schmulbach, a Carbondale resident who died in October, previously gave the University $20,000 for this effort, for a $50,000 total.
The C. David Schmulbach Endowed Fund will sponsor an annual summer fellowship for a graduate student who demonstrates outstanding teaching ability.
James Tyrrell, interim dean of the College of Science, said the donation affirms Schmulbach's long-standing commitment to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and its students.
"The focus on rewarding excellent performance as a teaching assistant is fully in line with Dave's dedication to a first-class experience for our students in the laboratory and the department's continuing commitment to strong instructional support for undergraduates," Tyrrell said.
Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement at SIUC, said Schmulbach contributed greatly to the University as a faculty member and department chair.
"The establishment of this endowment is his legacy to the students in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. It will also serve as a permanent reminder to everyone of the tremendous contributions he made to the University and the department."
Schmulbach joined the SIUC faculty in 1965 and became chairman of the department in 1975. He served in that capacity until 1982, when he asked to return to full-time teaching and research. He retired in 1993 after 28 years with the University.
A native of New Athens, Schmulbach held bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois.