Areas of Support

The Automotive Technology Program began at SIU in January 1952. In 1953, L. D. Willey was hired to lead the Program, which he did until his retirement in 1975.

Mr. Willey’s persistent drive to promote the Program during its formative years established industry connections that resulted in numerous component donations and the hiring of graduates. It is because of many of these industry connections that the Program survived and flourished.

The foundation that Mr. Willey developed allowed SIU to be recognized as this nation’s premier automotive technology program.

Through support of alumni, this endowment was developed to recognize the SIU Automotive Technology outstanding student each year. The faculty select the student whose conduct and performance meets the following criteria, as Mr. Willey would have sought:

• Attitude toward work
• Ability to work with peers
• Motivation to achieve
• Enthusiasm to learn
• Class attendance
• Grade point average

Download information on the L.D. Willey Outstanding Student Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

Jim White graduated from SIU Automotive Technology in 1956 and was hired to teach in the Program in 1961. Mr. White’s specialization was electronic emission and fuel controls during a time of rapid development in these areas of the industry.

When Mr. Willey, the father of the SIU Automotive Technology Program, retired in 1975, Mr. White became the second Coordinator of the Program.

Under Jim’s leadership, the Automotive Technology Program became the first in the State to attain Master level certification by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence. In 1991, with the development of a national level recognition program by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the SIU Automotive Technology Program was first named the “Number One” program in the country.

After 35 years of service and leadership, Jim retired in 1996. In recognition of his unwavering dedication to students and excellence in the classroom, this endowment was created from support of alumni, to exemplify his positive attitude and a passion to learn.

Download information on the Jim White Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

Jack Greer, a graduate of the SIU Automotive Technology Program was hired to teach in 1976. His specialty areas included automatic transmissions and electronic engine controls.

Jack was a dedicated teacher both in and out of the classroom spending numerous hours mentoring students. He served as faculty advisor for the Automotive Technology Registered Student Organization; took students on industry trips, arranged guest speakers, and worked diligently with the formation and growth of the student drag racing team.

With Jim White’s retirement in 1996, Jack was hired to become the third Chair of the Department. Under Jack’s leadership, the idea of new facilities for the Department continued to grow and flourish with funding being secured for the Transportation Education Center.

Even with Jack’s retirement in 2010, he continues that same passion for students and their learning. In his unwavering dedication, Jack continues to work with and mentor many of the SIU Automotive Technology students. This endowment was created with support of alumni to recognize his dedication to the development of students.

Download information on the Jack Greer Student Development Endowment (PDF)

Mike Behrmann was hired to teach at SIU in 1988. While teaching for SIU, Mike also taught professional technicians, managers, and international business owners various technical, sales, and management subjects.

At SIU, Mike helped spearhead the development of both automotive management and technical curriculum and lead the manufacturer cooperative education programs. In 2010, Mike became the fourth chair of SIU Automotive. As chair, the SIU Transportation Education Center was constructed and the program steadily grew enrollment. In 2017, Mike also assumed the role of Associate Dean for the college until his retirement in 2021.

This fund is inspired by a tradition of SIU graduates in his family that include his wife, daughter, sister, and brother. Much of the success of the family can be attributed to the strong work ethic passed on by his parents. This fund is to support students and their activities to help instill that same spirit.

Download information on the Behrmann Family Student Development Endowment (PDF)

SIU embarked on providing non-degree vocational training in auto mechanics in 1938 and further expanded it in 1941 under the National Defense Education Program.

Seeing a need for vocational teachers, in 1948 the State of Illinois began a survey of vocational programs in high schools. The head of this survey was Earnest J. (E.J.) Simon who also began discussions with university leaders about developing training for vocational education teachers.

SIU President Delyte Morris and E.J. Simon identified a gap in there was no vocational programs for students after high school except for a few junior colleges near large metropolitan areas of the country. Morris convinced E.J to come to SIU and develop the first university-level academic unit dedicated to technical training in the nation. The SIU Vocational Technical Institute (VTI) was born and E.J. served as Dean from 1951 to 1970. VTI set into motion a national transformation of vocational training in the nation.

As the first-degree program in VTI, this endowment was established by E.J. and his wife Mary to annually recognize the outstanding teachers of SIU Automotive.

Download information on the E.J. and Mary Simon Automotive Faculty Fund (PDF)

Dr. M. Keith Humble served as Director of the Vocational Technical Institute from 1955 to 1971. In working with VTI Dean Simon, their goal was to grow and expand the reach of what VTI was accomplishing both in the US and abroad.

From 1961 to 1965, Dr. Humble led a SIU and US State Department vocational education mission to South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). There, Dr. Humble served as head of the Phu Tho Technical Institute near Saigon. He was joined in this mission by L. D. Wiley, Chair of SIU Automotive.

Dr. Humble was proud of the work SIU Automotive accomplished in helping spearhead this initiative.

SIU Automotive was in the VTI Division of Applied Technologies at this time and he wanted to recognize and support that group with the establishment of this endowment.

Download information on the Keith & Alberta Humble Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

After graduating from the SIU Automotive Technology Program, Edward Wright led a successful career in the automotive industry.

The majority of his career was with Mitsubishi in their training and development group. Ed was an exceptional instructor and curriculum developer. He took on various leadership and management assignments as he was a skillful manager and mentor.

Ed was a strong supporter of students and their education. He was an active member of the SIU Automotive Advisory Board and he continually visited the Program promoting student and instructor learning. Ed was responsible for hiring many SIU automotive graduates into the industry and mentoring their growth and success.

Ed passed far too early in his career. Through his estate, he wanted to continue his passion of supporting students and their education with the development of this endowment. Many of Ed’s co-workers have also helped support this fund in his memory.

Download information on the Ed Wright Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

After finishing eighth grade in the early 1920's, Art worked on his parents’ farm south of Murphysboro. He did not get the opportunity to go to high school.

In the 1930's and 40's, he worked as an auto mechanic in Carbondale. With the growing consumer interest in gasoline engine powered lawn mowers, he began a small engine and lawn mower business.

Art had the remarkable ability to warmly relate to others. Treating people right and doing the work right were important to him.

He enjoyed helping mentor young individuals to learn those same values and to continue their education. He hired a number SIU automotive students, mentored them, and watched them grow into some of our industry’s leaders. Art’s last student was his grandson, Jon Ross (pictured above), who became Director of Automotive Technology at Parkland College.

Art’s family established this endowment upon his death to continue his mission of supporting young people of high moral fiber and great personal ambition.

Download information on the Arthur Ross Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

Ms. Dale Flener, a career civil service employee of SIUC, worked as the Administrative Assistant in the Automotive Program until her retirement in 2005 at age 82.

Dale developed lifelong friendships with faculty, staff, and students. She was the mom to many of the students during their stay at SIU. When former students returned as alumni, they were sure to stop in and say hello to Dale.

Being born, raised, and living her entire life in rural Mulkeytown, IL, Dale believed and displayed a true passion for hard work her entire life. She cut her own grass and even chopped her own wood to heat her home.

Upon her retirement, she established this endowment to help provide the financial assistance to students enrolled in the program and to demonstrate her continued and enthusiastic support of hard-working students.

Download information on the Dale Flener Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

As a student in the SIU Automotive Technology Program, Dale Hall displayed a motivation to achieve and enthusiasm to learn. In school, he was selected into a cooperative education program with Buick Motor Division of General Motors (GM).

Upon his graduation in 1988, he went to work with GM. Dale has held various field and home office assignments. Having been promoted into several of GM’s operations such as brand quality, warranty administration and technical assistance, Dale has successfully managed and led numerous individuals displaying a positive attitude toward work.

Dale and Coleen Hall established this endowment in the name of their family dog (Mossie) as a way to help recognize students who demonstrate a positive attitude; ability to work with peers; motivation to achieve and enthusiasm to learn.

Download information on the Mossie Oak Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

Duncan and Wilma came to SIU in 1954 to be part of the new venture at SIU called the Vocational Technical Institute (VTI).

VTI predated community colleges and was the development ground for technical training for the State and nation.

Duncan taught in the Machine Drafting and Design. Wilma became the first librarian for the VTI campus. Later, Wilma went on to also work in Morris Library and Admissions during her career at SIU.

VTI was housed on a former military facility near Carterville, IL. The campus was rundown, but with everyone pulling together and hard work, VTI grew into a very special place. If something needed to be done, they did not question it. They did it because it would help the programs and students. With Automotive being one of the very first-degree programs in VTI, the faculty, staff, and students displayed the exceptional hard work necessary to become a world class program.

In their retirement, the Lampman’s established this endowment to support students who display that same hard work, desire to learn, and passion for the University as those who developed VTI.

Download information on the Duncan & Wilma Lampman Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

The Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA of IL) Ralph Silverman Memorial Scholarship was established to help ensure the future success of the automotive aftermarket industry.

Ralph built a successful automotive parts store and became the first president of APSA of IL. He was a strong advocate of promoting quality and high standards in the industry through education. In his passing, he wanted to continue promoting the industry through the development of a memorial foundation.

The endowment provides scholarships to the most qualified students from Illinois who wish to pursue a successful career in the automotive aftermarket industry. The awards are applied toward tuition, fees, books, or housing costs incurred through a college or university.

Download information on the APSA of IL Ralph Silverman Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

A 1976 SIU Automotive graduate, Neil began his career as a technician in the retail sector. He stayed at SIU to earn his Baccalaureate degree. Upon graduation in 1978, he joined the former American Motors Corporation (AMC), and in 1985 he was recruited by Toyota Motor North America.

In each position, Neil has displayed his hard work and passion for the industry, the customer, and his employees. He is a skillful manager and dynamic leader. Today, Neil is Vice President, Parts Supply Chain, Toyota and based at their Plano, Texas headquarters.

Neil served as Co-Chair to the SIU Automotive National Advisory Board for many years, helping guide and direct it through many challenges. Neil was instrumental in promoting the concept and securing the funding for the SIU Transportation Education Center.

Neil is an active supporter of SIU Automotive students and graduates as they enter and progress in their careers at Toyota. Neil established this endowment to support well-deserving SIU Automotive students and the Program.

Download information on the Neil Swartz Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

James (Jim) Krudl taught Automotive Technology at the Technology Center of DuPage for 30 years before his retirement in 2005.

Jim always had a smile for everyone. He worked with his students to learn how to be considerate in life and successful in their careers.

Jim always felt he owed his successful career to SIU where he earned his bachelors and masters degrees. He was a huge supporter of SIU Automotive and he mentored many students to attend the program.

Jim was not only a teacher to his students, but a role model, fatherly image, and to some, a lifelong friend. Many of his former students would often return and comment, “If it weren’t for Jim Krudl, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Jim and his family established this endowment in his passing to continue his work in supporting well-deserving SIU Automotive students and the Program.

Download information on the Jim Krudl Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

The paths of Zac Winstead, Dan Corey, and Bryan Jenkins converged at SIU’s Automotive Technology program in the late 1990s. All three grew up in small towns across Illinois and Indiana. When they arrived on campus, they immediately knew it felt right. At first, they didn’t know each other’s names, but they knew each other’s trucks.

They became close friends and enjoyed spending time together, singing karaoke renditions of the Highwaymen country music group’s songs. However, they more enjoyed their friendship.

After graduation, their careers led each to different corporations and different parts of the world. Their ties with SIU Automotive and each other continued over the years. Today, their careers have located them close together once again in Michigan.

Zac, Dan, and Bryan developed the Highwaymen Automotive Scholarship to support students as they continue their journey through the SIU Automotive Technology program while forming life-long friendships. It is their belief that a successful life is built on a solid foundation of strategic planning, optimistic outlooks, extra effort, higher education, and strong friendships.

Download information on the Highwaymen Scholarship Endowment (PDF)

The Vocational Technical Institute (VTI) which housed SIU Automotive transformed overtime to become the College of Applied Sciences and Arts (CASA). CASA remained until the University underwent a reorganization in 2020 and it became the College of Health and Human Sciences.

During the time of CASA, the CASA Alumni Constituency Board raised funds to develop a scholarship endowment to assist students of the College. A portion of this endowment funds scholarships for Automotive students.

Recipients of this award must be a relative of a SIU graduate with preference given to relatives of programs that were in CASA.

Download information on the Alumni Constituency Society Automotive Scholarship Fund (PDF)

Adam Wolfe, owner of Boost Auto, was a 2016 graduate of the SIU Automotive Program. As a student in the program, Adam began his pursuit for aftermarket automotive parts, eCommerce, and entrepreneurship, right here in Carbondale.

Since 2016, Boost Auto has reached incredible heights of eCommerce success, striving to bring the most innovative products to the aftermarket, with an emphasis on retrofitting vehicles with evolving technologies.

As a further sign of success, Adam and Boost Auto have endowed this scholarship as a means of “paying it forward” for future students that show serious dedication toward their automotive pursuits.

A 1985 and 1986 graduate of SIU Automotive, Mr. Raines began his corporate career with Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, and has worked with Key Royal Automotive Company, Kia Motors America, Suzuki Motors America.

In 2013, Lee joined INFINITI Motor Company, LTD holding positions of Senior Manager Aftersales Operations and Aftersales Marketing, Global Head Infiniti Aftersales Operations and Strategy in Hong Kong. In his current position, he is responsible for INFINITI/Nissan Aftersales Parts Development for the Americas.

He credits the SIU Automotive program with giving him the knowledge and applied skills he needed to achieve lifelong career success.

After losing a parent at an early age, and therefore losing financial support for college, Lee is intent on assisting with the cost of school, for students who show serious career “Drive and Want to”. As was quoted to Lee during his early years - Mr. Jim White said “We’ll teach you the knowledge and skills, but you have to provide the ‘Drive and Want to’”

More information on this endowment coming soon