SIU School of Automotive students get hands-on learning. (Photo by Deangelo Handley)
March 13, 2025
2025 Celebrate Women raises funds for scholarships
The 28th annual Celebrate Women event will feature a Southern Illinois University Carbondale automotive technology instructor who will speak on the theme, “Driving Us Forward: Women in Automotive.”
The event will be from 4:45-7:30 p.m. March 27 at the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center, with special guest Lana Rizzo, associate instructor of automotive technology. Proceeds go toward women’s scholarships awarded by American Association of University Women (AAUW) Carbondale Branch.
Rizzo is a three-degree alumna of SIU, working on her doctorate in education administration and higher education. Before her arrival at SIU in 2018, she worked more than 12 years in the automotive field in various positions at local dealerships and stores.
Celebrate Women begins with a silent auction from 4:45 to 6 p.m., and there will be a light dinner reception 5-6 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony. SIU System President Dan Mahony will provide the welcome. Sheila Caldwell, SIU System vice president for anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion, is the honorary chair.
Tickets are $30 per person, $15 per SIU student with ID and $150 per table of six. Contact Martha Ellert at msellert@aol.com or 618-521-0613 to purchase tickets.
The event is sponsored by SIU School of Human Sciences; SIU Office of the Vice Chancellor for Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; SIU College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics; Code 1 Aviation; Gator Automotive; E.T. Simonds Construction Co.; Crucial MRO; Cristina Pisoni State Farm; La Colina Linda Farm; Global Gourmet; SIU Credit Union; Confluence Books; Bobbi Knapp and Harbaugh's Cafe.