SIC Foundation Honors Donors, Celebrates Student Success
Southeastern Illinois College Foundation hosted its annual Donor Recognition Celebration on April 25 in the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center, celebrating the individuals and businesses whose generosity helps provide life-changing opportunities for SIC students.
This year’s event embraced a Renaissance theme in honor of SIC Theatre’s spring production of Something Rotten! and featured live music by St. Louis-based harpist Zenitin Harbison, along with a buffet catered by Morello’s Restaurant & Catering.
SIC President Dr. Karen Weiss opened the evening by thanking donors for their continued support and emphasized the critical role they play in changing lives through education.
“Every scholarship awarded, every program funded, every opportunity created—it all starts with you,” Weiss said. “We strive to build futures, empower dreams, and lift our community through learning—and we cannot do that without you.”
The evening’s student speaker, Skyler Fae Edwards of Norris City, shared a powerful story about the impact scholarships have had on her life. Edwards, a sophomore psychology major, student government president, and officer in multiple campus organizations, was selected for the All-Illinois Academic Team and works in SIC’s President’s Office. A recipient of the Gladys and Raymond Carroll Memorial Scholarship, Edwards thanked donors for their belief in students like her and said that scholarship support has allowed her to focus on academics, serve her community, and pursue her goal of becoming a child psychologist or social worker.
Institutional Advancement Officer Adriana Lane reported that SIC awarded 283 scholarships totaling approximately $250,000 for the 2024-25 academic year. She also highlighted the renewal of the $20,000 Graves-Absher Scholarship and the establishment of the “WuWu” Lou Cooley King Nursing Scholarship, created by her family to support aspiring nurses.
Lane recognized a $50,000 contribution from the Mitchell Family of Carmi to the Stanford D. Williams Career & Training Center and announced that two fundraising events — Holiday Dinner and Concert for a Cause Dueling Pianos — grossed more than $40,000 combined. The net profit from these events are being matched through a federal Title III grant, doubling their impact.
SIC Foundation Board Chair Tim Scates and Secretary Hon. Ella Travelstead led the donor recognitions.
The Falcon Society includes donors who pledge $1,000 per year for 10 years to support scholarships and student programming. The Dream Maker Society honors donors who go beyond the Falcon Society by continuing to give until they reach a total of $20,000 or more. Both of these esteemed giving groups play a vital role in sustaining the college’s long-term scholarship funding efforts.
Scates emphasized that through 2026, all endowment gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Title III grant, effectively doubling the impact of every donation.
Falcon Society medallion and certificate recipients included Dr. Chris and Alicia Barr, Dr. Tyler Billman, Dr. Kyla and Jesse Burford, Hon. Ella and Jonathan Travelstead, Dr. Karen and Scot Weiss, and Banterra Bank, accepted by Debbie Hughes. Members honored in absentia included Daniel Paul Davis, Jeffrey Dunn, Jim Hayes Inc., Lisa Hite, HSG Mechanical, Marc and Anita Isaacs, Kristin Parks, Dr. Matthew and Dr. Laura Winkleman, and Dr. Travis Cripps.
Alan Dale and Erin Hicks were welcomed as new Falcon Society members. Gina and Mike Sirach were honored for completing their 10-year pledge and becoming Lifetime Falcon Society members, receiving a crystal falcon award. Returning Lifetime Falcon Society members in attendance were also recognized for their ongoing support.
Dream Maker Society recipients included Dr. Frank and Sandy Barbre, Dr. Dana and Bill Keating, Dennis and Lynn Murphy, Michael and Gloria Tison, and Dr. Pat and Mary York. Campus Living, Inc. was also recognized but not present. Gina and Mike Sirach were additionally honored as new Dream Maker Society members, having already fulfilled their Falcon Society commitment earlier in the year. Phyllis Kay Whitlock was named a new Dream Maker Society member as well.
Dr. Jonah and Megin Rice were recognized as Lifetime Dream Maker Society members for their cumulative giving of $20,000 or more. Though unable to attend, their milestone was celebrated with gratitude. Returning Lifetime Dream Maker Society members Dr. Betty and William Walton and Robert and Patti Wilson were present and received certificates of appreciation.
Guests then transitioned to the theater for the evening’s performance of Something Rotten!
For more information about the SIC Foundation or how to contribute to student scholarships and endowment opportunities, visit sic.edu/foundation.
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