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Camelle Logan establishes endowment

As a very successful businesswoman, Camelle W. Logan knows first-hand the importance of fostering entrepreneurial skill and business education. With that in mind, she has donated $25,000 to establish the Camelle Wilson Logan and Sonia Veronica Phelix Rowell Scholarship Endowment to benefit students at SIUC.

Camelle W. Logan

Logan earned her bachelor's degree in advanced technical studies in 1989 from the University's School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. Her lifelong friend and fellow scholarship namesake graduated the same year with a communications degree from SIUC.
 
Logan, who subsequently earned her MBA at the University of Phoenix, founded KC Management Group in 2002 and has been its president and CEO. KCMG helps clients across the nation implement adaptive original technology solutions for their businesses, non-profit organizations and for state and local government. Logan recently sold the company, now relocated to Atlanta, to Core Projects and Technologies. She remains the executive vice president of consulting services and product management.
 
"We naturally are very proud of Ms. Logan's great success as an international businesswoman and we're also very grateful to her," said Paul D. Sarvela, dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. "Her establishment of a scholarship endowment for the college's School of Information systems and Applied Technologies will benefit students in perpetuity and sets a splendid example which we hope other graduates will follow."
 
Through the years of business success, Logan has maintained many "great memories" of SIUC and of her longtime friend Sonia, who was killed in an automobile accident about five years ago.
 
"We started our first business venture together, as part of a club giving summer backyard parties, when we were about 10 or 11," Logan recalls. "Our parents and grandparents had been friends and we went to SIUC together. I have a lot of great memories as friends growing up in Chicago and at SIU."
 
She said she decided to establish the scholarship endowment because "I really want to support entrepreneurship and the technology program."
 
"I admire Ms. Logan for coming back to her alma mater and, with such generosity, honoring her lost friend Sonia and blessing our school with a gift that will live for perpetuity," said Will Devenport, director of the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies. "The scholarship will help young people not only meet the financial burden of college but also be an affirmation that we believe in their entrepreneurial spirit and potential to further the advancement of technology."
 
Logan announced the scholarship endowment during homecoming festivities. Margaret and Curtis Phelix, parents of Sonia Veronica Phelix Rowell, were on hand for the presentation.
 
The annual scholarship will go to an SIUC student in the Information Systems and Applied Technologies program who illustrates entrepreneurial skills and business acumen and interest, Logan said. Faculty, with input from Logan, will select the winner on the basis of a 1,000-word essay and application.
 
"First and foremost, this is truly a wonderful tribute to a person who clearly meant a great deal to Ms. Logan," said Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement and CEO of the SIU Foundation. "In addition, this is a fine example of an alumna who is grateful for the knowledge and skills she attained at SIU Carbondale en route to becoming a highly accomplished businesswoman. The University appreciates Ms. Logan's gesture to support the endeavors of our students."
 

- Christi Mathis

Alumna Elected NMA Trustee Chair

 
Nedra H. Joyner, MD '82, was recently elected Chair of the National Medical Association's Board of Trustees.  She will serve the national organization as they move forward to intervene on health care issues affecting minority patients.
 
Nedra first came to SIU as a member of the MedPrep program.  She later enrolled in and graduated from SIU's School of Medicine.  She is a board-certified otolaryngologist with the University of Chicago Hospitals.
 
The NMA is the nation's oldest and largest organization representing African American physicians and health professionals in the United States.  Established in 1895, the NMA is the collective voice of more than 25,000 African American physicians and the patients they serve. The NMA is a leading force for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities, and promotion of optimal health. 

Effort under way to enhance scholarship fund

(For those of you who were at the BAG Reunion Gala, this is the program President Poshard spoke about during his keynote.  The scholarship fund is named for the first Black president of SIU, the late Dr. James E. Walker.  Your contributions will certainly be appreciated by SIU students ( i.e., future BAG members).)

For some prospective college students, the ability and the desire to earn a diploma are strong, but the financing simply isn't available. Project Hope and Opportunity is a new initiative created by SIUC to help the dream come true for some deserving students.

"Project Hope and Opportunity is being created to provide equal opportunities and financial assistance to minority students and other traditionally underrepresented populations, including women," said Seymour L. Bryson, associate chancellor for diversity. "It's a focused, strategic campaign that will use a variety of methods to seek endowments and donations from individuals and corporations. This is the first time we've ever undertaken a project like this. We're all pretty excited to be able to return some of the help we received when we were students."

The goal is to raise $1 million to enhance the Dr. James E. Walker Presidential Scholarship Fund, created last year in honor of the late SIU president. Through the leadership of Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., SIU received a $1 million state appropriation for the fund. More than 150 students received assistance at Southern Illinois University's Carbondale and Edwardsville campuses, as well as the law school, MedPrep program and the School of Medicine in Springfield. SIU officials are working with the General Assembly to renew the appropriation this year.

Supporters of Project Hope and Opportunity hope to reach the goal within the next 18 months or so, but the campaign may extend beyond that as scholarship funding is sought to help address the short- and long-range needs of the institution and students, Bryson said. SIU President Glenn Poshard, Bryson's office, the School of Medicine's Medical Preparation Program and the Office of Institutional Advancement are initiating and supporting Project Hope and Opportunity. Financial need and academic achievement are the award criteria for the scholarships, according to Bryson.

Chairing the initiative, designed to assist SIUC students, are Bryson and fellow SIU alumni and supporters Dr. Wrophas Meeks, radiologist; Harold R. Bardo, director of the Medical-Dental Education Preparatory Program in the School of Medicine at SIU; William R. Norwood, former Board of Trustees member and retired captain and pilot for United Airlines; and Roland W. Burris, attorney and former Illinois comptroller and attorney general.

"I'm extremely grateful for the willingness of these gentlemen to head up such an important campaign," Poshard said. "Very bright students from low-income families need additional scholarships and this program will help many of them graduate from SIUC."

Bardo is proud of his long relationship with the University.

"This University has always been important to me," Bardo said. "I came here in 1957 as a student with help from an athletic scholarship. I came back in 1968 when they offered me a position and I obtained my advanced degrees here. This place is very special to me. In fact, it's my life. Some students are academically able but not financially able to come here, so it's time for us to give back in terms of funds to help it happen for them."

Norwood said he and his wife are alumni of the University and "we're trying to see if we can help others like people helped us. I see this as a way to help students who need the additional funds to attend the university. If each of us gives a little, it adds up to a lot."

Bryson said already commitments have come from some interested in developing endowed scholarships. Appeals for help to bolster the fundraising will go to alumni, friends of the University, faculty, staff, corporations and businesses.

"Funding a university education for deserving students has never been more important than at this time," SIUC Chancellor Fernando M. Treviño said. "I am delighted that Project Hope and Opportunity is helping us provide this critical support and that efforts are under way to assist even more needy students."

In fall 2006, minority students comprised nearly 23 percent of the undergraduate University enrollment and about 20.6 percent of the total student enrollment. SIUC ranks among the top 100 institutions in the country awarding degrees to African Americans and other minority students.

"I think Operation Hope and Opportunity will be a great opportunity for recruiting and retaining minorities at the University," Meeks said.

"Project Hope and Opportunity is recognition on the part of Dr. Poshard of the current and future student population who are in need of financial assistance and support," Bryson said. In fact, the name itself comes from Poshard's inaugural address in which he said, "To what were our children born? To hope, to opportunity, to the future that Southern Illinois University can offer."

- Christi Mathis

'Legacy of SIU' Campaign Unveiled

University Communications this week unveiled the inaugural "The Legacy of SIU" campaign. The annual celebration remembers all those who contributed to the University in the past, encourages current members of the campus community to take pride in the institution's history, and is designed to inspire faculty, staff and students to continue making contributions to the next "chapter" of our history.

The campaign includes a variety of activities. This week, there are historical displays in the SIU tent at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, which also will be in the tent during the Du Quoin State Fair, Aug. 25-Sept. 3. The displays also will be available in the Alumni Association's "Big Tent" on Homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 6.
 
Homecoming weekend will conclude the inaugural celebration.
 
Also, a special video will be shown during Welcome Fest at the SIU Arena on Friday, Aug. 17, part of that day's new student move-in activities.
 
Members of the campus community will begin seeing old University logos on apparel and other promotional materials.
 
"The University has re-invented itself many times since its inception as a teacher's college," Michael Ruiz, University Communications director, said. "The idea behind this campaign is to set aside time each year to look back at all of our successes and honor the people and remember the events that helped shaped the University's legacy."
 
Much more information is available on "The Legacy of SIU" Web site. You'll find a timeline, great photos, a place where you can submit your own favorite campus memories, fun page, and Dawg Tales and Legacy Webisodes. And, coming Monday, Aug. 20, the site will also feature an online store with lots of fun "Legacy" merchandise, including apparel, and much more.

Alumna Named Time-Warner Diversity VP

Teresa (Hudson-Handy) Williams '96, is joining Time Warner, Inc. as the Vice President of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs.  She will be based in New York.  This is a management role that will afford an extended opportunity to serve as a change agent and provide leadership in the multicultural arena.  She comes to Time Warner after an 11-year tenure with Toyota.

Achievement Award Honorees & Scholarship Winners

The Black alumni commitment to SIU is reflected in generous contributions to the university's scholarship programs.  This year your support resulted in 15 students being recognized for their academic achievement and contributions to the University. 

 
Black alumni gifts through the annual African-American telefund campaign resulted in $500 scholarships for 13 students for the upcoming (2007-08) academic year.  They are listed below.
 
Additionally, funds raised through the biennial BAG reunion have provided support for two students to receive $1500 scholarships in the form of Black Alumni Undergraduate Achievement Awards.  This year's recipients are Libra McNeese of Springfield and Rashi Kimbrew of Chicago.  They received their awards during the BAG Reunion Gala on Saturday, July 14th.
 
Black Alumni Undergraduate Achievement Award Honorees
 
bullet Libra is a senior majoring in music business with a marketing minor.  She has a 3.78 cumulative GPA and has been on the Dean's List for five semesters as well as a member of the SIU Honors Program.  She earned university Scholastic Honors in 2007.  She is an accomplished violinist and pianist who plays with the SIU Civic Orchestra.  She is a member of the Music Business Association and the National Association of Black Female Executive in Music & Entertainment.  She hopes to pursue a career in the music industry and has already performed with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and as an intern at Walt Disney World.
bullet Rashi is a senior majoring in CT/MRI radiologic sciences.  He carries a 3.48 GPA and was on the Dean's List last semester.  He transferred to SIU from Triton College where he was on the Presidential and Dean's Honors list for seven consecutive semester.  He plans to attend SIU School of Medicine.  He is an active member of Third Baptist Church of Chicago and the Young Adult Christians on the Move, a youth role model ministry volunteering at hospitals, nursing homes and shelters. 
 
African American Scholarship Winners
bulletAshley Allen - Country Club Hills, IL - Senior - Social Work
bulletTheresa Ballenger - Carbondale, IL - 2nd Semester Junior - Education
bulletShanika Cleveland - Centreville, IL - Junior - Accounting
bulletJamel Darling - Chicago, IL - Senior - Radio-TV
bulletDominique Johnson - Chicago, IL - Junior - Radio-TV
bulletAndrea Norris - Lisle, IL - Senior - Business Administration/Finance
bulletAlena Poe - Olympia Fields, IL - Senior - Biology
bulletVictoria Faith Ritchie - Lawrenceville, IL - Junior - Education
bulletNaketa Ross - Carbondale, IL - Senior - Psychology
bulletTaqi Salaam - Chicago, IL - Senior - Pre-Nursing
bulletLewis Stafford - Chicago, IL - 2nd Semester Sophomore - Radio-TV
bulletAshlee Trotter - Pleasanton, CA - Junior - Political Science
bulletBrittany Walls - Carbondale, IL - Junior - Architecture/Interior Design
The scholarship program was administered by Dr. Seymour Bryson, SIU Associate Chancellor (Diversity), and his assistant, Bernadette Summerville.
 
Pictured in the photos along with the Achievement Award Honorees are SIU President Dr. Glenn Poshard, immediate past SIU BAG President Susan Smith Ross, and Dr. Bryson.

Alumnus in Run for Cook County (IL) State's Attorney

Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. '85 (21st), who was recently elected to a second term on the City Council, says he plans to run for Cook County state's attorney next year. (http://www.aldermanhowardbrookinsjr.com)

Three-term State's Atty. Richard Devine has not decided if he will seek another four years in office. Devine, 64, is expected to make his decision by the end of the month, a source close to him said.

If Devine steps aside, the field of Democratic aspirants would likely get crowded quickly.

But Brookins, 43, said he intends to run regardless and is prepared to challenge Devine in the Feb. 5 Democratic primary.

"We're in this thing to win it," said Brookins, whose supporters created a new campaign committee last month. "We believe that the numbers are there. And we're going to give him a run."

Brookins said allegations of police brutality and criticisms that the state's attorney's office has not done enough to prosecute rogue police officers will be an issue in the campaign.

Brookins, who is African-American, said he expects to benefit from a higher turnout of black and liberal Democrats in the primary election as a result of the presidential candidacies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Brookins, the son of a former state legislator, worked as an assistant state's attorney for one year under the late State's Atty. Cecil Partee, the only African-American to hold the office. He also worked as an assistant public defender for a year but has spent the rest of his legal career in private practice.

First elected in 2003, Brookins was targeted by organized labor in his re-election campaign earlier this year for his unsuccessful push for a Wal-Mart store in his South Side ward and for his opposition to a proposal to mandate a higher minimum wage for workers in such "big box" stores.

Although he was elected as an independent and has shown willingness to criticize Mayor Richard Daley, Brookins received support from the mayor after he was forced into a run-off election this spring against a labor-backed candidate. Devine, however, is a close political ally of Daley's.

Brookins is more closely associated with U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) but said he has not secured the congressman's support for his run.

Another ally of Jackson's, Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers Jr., said he is also considering a run for state's attorney although it's unlikely he would challenge Devine. County Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) said he would run if Devine chooses to retire.

On the Republican side, County Commissioner Tony Peraica of Riverside said he is "very seriously considering" a run for the office. Peraica lost to Todd Stroger in last fall's election for Cook County Board president.

State's attorney is the last countywide office a Republican held in Cook County. Devine beat Republican State's Atty. Jack O'Malley in 1996.

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Last Updated 11/03/2007