February 04, 2015
Students can thank donors on Feb. 26
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale is joining more than 100 educational institutions worldwide during February to participate in Student Engagement and Philanthropy Month. SIU Carbondale will participate with a day of thanks on Feb. 26.
The SIU Foundation and Student Alumni Council of the SIU Alumni Association will host stations at Morris Library, the Student Center and the Student Recreation Center, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., where students are invited to write brief thank you notes to SIU donors.
“One of the benefits of hosting this day at SIU is that our students learn how contributions have an impact upon their lives,” Jim Salmo, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation, said. “Once a student feels the generosity personally, they naturally want to say thank you, and donors love hearing from them.”
More than 24,100 alumni and friends donated to the university in 2014.
“Engaging our students in support of SIU is one of the roles of the SIU Alumni Association,” Michelle Suarez, executive director of the Association, said. “We appreciate the participation of the Student Alumni Council in managing this effort.”
Student Engagement and Philanthropy Month, organized by the Council For Advancement and Support of Education, is designed to increase student understanding of philanthropy and grow engagement on campuses. CASE has sponsored similar initiatives annually since 2013. Institutions from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other countries will participate.
“It’s important that students start taking steps to become the next group of philanthropic leaders,” Rob Henry, CASE’s executive director of emerging constituencies, said. “Throughout the entire month of February, we celebrate the value students bring to their institutions with their time, talent and treasure.”