SIU president donates $30,000 of pay raise to scholarship fund

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University President James E. Walker got a $50,000 raise, then donated most of it to his new scholarship fund.

In a move that caught the Southern Illinois University trustees off guard Thursday, Walker said he will earmark $30,000 of the salary increase for scholarships.

Last month, Walker announced the new scholarship program that will award $150,000 in scholarships to 30 of the brightest Illinois high school graduates each year. The scholarships will be $5,000 apiece.

"I really believe in those presidential scholarships, and it will help to get more of these top, bright Illinois students to come to SIU," Walker said at the trustees' meeting.

SIU Trustee John Brewster of Herrin said he was stunned.

"I don't know what to say," he said. "Your board is obviously very pleased with your performance during the past year ... and your performance here today just pays additional dividends for students and this institution."

Walker had an annual salary of $225,000, a housing allowance of $27,500, use of a university car and health and retirement benefits. The total package was worth $277,500.

The board completed Walker's first-year performance evaluation this week and agreed to give him a $50,000 salary increase. All other benefits stay the same, boosting the package's value to $327,500.