Tedrick Welcome Center at Southern Illinois University
The New Front Porch of SIU Carbondale Campus
Behold the Tedrick Welcome Center, the new front porch for SIU Carbondale. Approaching campus from U.S. Highway 51, it acts as a beacon for students and visitors alike. Thanks to a generous $6 million lead gift from Roger and Sally Tedrick, the welcome center is set to become the launching pad for recruitment visits, alumni events, and numerous university activities.
Progress Update: Week Ending February 13, 2026
The Tedrick Welcome Center continues to take shape as interior systems are trimmed out and finishes advance throughout the building. Recent progress includes ceiling work, flooring, glass installation, wall panels, and continued elevator construction.
Progress Update: Week Ending January 30, 2026
Much of the work happening behind the walls and above the ceilings is nearing completion, and the interior spaces continue to take shape in meaningful ways.
A&W kept momentum in the basement by advancing overhead plumbing and HVAC rough-ins while also continuing work on ceiling trim-out throughout the building. Burke made parallel progress by completing additional basement rough-ins and continuing to run low-voltage cabling that will support the building’s future technology needs.
Interior finishes continued to develop as TJ Wies wrapped up attic spray foam insulation and moved forward with drywall taping, along with installing ceiling grids and tiles. RP Coatings pushed the project closer to a finished look by completing final painting on both floors and sealing the exposed concrete flooring.
Richardet continued setting restroom tile and made strong progress installing carpet and base on both levels. Samron moved ahead with casework, FRP installation, and miscellaneous accessories, and also began adding wall panels, doors, and hardware that help define the character and function of the Welcome Center.
Arrow Glass continued setting interior frames and glass, along with storefront door hardware. These installations help clarify the flow of the building and bring transparency and light into the interior. TKE also continued its work on elevator installation as the project moves toward full accessibility.
Every stage of progress, from infrastructure work to finish details, brings the Tedrick Welcome Center closer to welcoming future Salukis, alumni, and visitors.
Progress Update: Week Ending January 9, 2026
Much of the effort focused on interior systems, finishes, and the early stages of bringing key spaces to life.
A&W made consistent progress in the basement by continuing overhead plumbing and HVAC rough-ins. Their team also moved forward with ceiling trim-out throughout the facility and completed the installation of second-floor restroom fixtures. Burke worked in parallel, extending basement rough-ins and adding more low-voltage cabling while also contributing to the ongoing ceiling trim-out.
Interior craftsmanship continued to develop across multiple spaces. TJ Wies carried on with attic spray foam insulation and advanced drywall taping as well as installation of ceiling grids and tiles. RP Coatings added significant visual progress with continued painting on the first floor and final finishes on the second floor.
Richardet maintained momentum with restroom tile work and began installing carpet on the second floor, followed by the addition of base trim the following week. Midwest Terrazzo also made steady headway with terrazzo installation, contributing another key finish element to the interior.
Samron continued installing casework, FRP, and various accessories, shaping both the look and functionality of the building. By January 9, the project saw an important delivery milestone when TKE brought the elevator to the site and began installation activities.
The project saw significant progress in mechanical systems, interior finishes, and essential building features.
Progress Update: Week Ending November 28, 2025
Both interior and exterior elements saw meaningful progress as crews advanced mechanical systems, structural details, and key finish components.
A&W moved forward with overhead plumbing and HVAC rough-ins in both the basement and the Welcome Center, helping establish the core infrastructure that will support the building’s long-term function. Meanwhile, Burke continued making progress on overhead and wall rough-ins across the basement, the Welcome Center, and the second floor. Their team also advanced site electrical work and continued installing exterior lighting around the building.
Interior development gained momentum as TJ Wies continued framing interior walls, installing insulation, hanging drywall, taping surfaces, and setting ceiling grid. RP Coatings followed closely behind, adding fresh layers of paint on both the first and second floors.
Several specialty contractors contributed to the building’s emerging character. Samron continued installing interior wall blocking and made progress with site concrete work. Ravensburg completed installation of the operable wall track, marking an important step toward supporting flexible interior spaces. Arrow Glass continued placing storefront doors, adding definition to the building’s entry points.
Site enhancements also moved forward. Burkey Excavating continued backfilling curbs and islands, preparing the surrounding areas for future landscaping and hardscape features. Inside, Richardet began tiling the restrooms, adding the first visible finish elements to these spaces. Martin Roofing continued installing gutters, downspouts, and coping, bringing additional structure and refinement to the exterior roofline.
Progress Update: Week Ending July 11, 2025
Crews at the Tedrick Welcome Center are making steady progress. This week saw continued roof decking, fireproofing completion, and the start of interior framing. Curtainwall and storefront installation are now underway, with masonry and overhead systems moving forward across multiple areas. More updates coming as the build advances.
Progress Update: Week Ending May 9, 2025
Construction continues on the future front porch of Southern Illinois University—where first impressions will be made for generations to come. Rising from the former site of McAndrew Stadium, the Tedrick Welcome Center will transform how prospective students, alumni, and visitors experience SIU. As the first major on-campus construction project in over a decade, it marks a bold step forward in shaping the university’s future.
During the week of May 9, construction crews made steady progress. Stair structures were completed, while steel framing and floor decking installation continued across the site. Additional stair access points were started, and the second-floor concrete slab was successfully poured. Teams also advanced piping installation and continued grouting and finishing work around key structural columns.
The Tedrick Welcome Center is made possible through a $6 million leadership gift from Roger and Sally Tedrick and is being fully funded by the SIU Foundation through a combination of reserves, fundraising, and borrowing. No taxpayer dollars, tuition, or student fees are being used.
When completed in May 2026, the center will feature a 300-person event space, a new home for the SIU Foundation, and serve as a vibrant hub for campus tours, student engagement, alumni visits, and donor events.
Stay tuned for continued updates as we build a lasting first impression for the next generation of Salukis.
Progress Update: A Vibrant Front Porch – Welcome to Tedrick Gardens
As Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s inviting new front porch, the Tedrick Welcome Center will greet students, faculty, staff and visitors with rich pops of color, enhanced green space and lush shrubbery. The Tedrick Gardens, a sea of greenery, ornamental flowers and trees, will showcase the natural beauty of our campus.
Sustainability is a pillar of the university’s Imagine SIU 2030 strategic plan, and we are steadfast in our dedication to that mission. The SIU Foundation is committed to planting a tree on campus for every tree removed during construction. Many of these trees will be on site at the Tedrick Welcome Center. SIU has long held the distinction as a tree-friendly campus, a reputation we will uphold.
The SIU Arboretum offers memorial trees as a living legacy and an investment in the beautification of campus. Memorial trees are a profoundly thoughtful way to commemorate alumni, loved ones, faculty and staff members or any others. With a donation of $500, you can memorialize an existing tree, and a donation of $1,000 will memorialize a new tree. For more information, contact arboretum@siu.edu.
A committee, led by Director of Sustainability Aimee Lemrise and Superintendent of Grounds Opie Piper, will meet regularly to discuss progress on this beautification plan. In October, the SIU Foundation will participate in a tree planting plan being implemented by SIU’s dedicated grounds crew. Many other greenery options will be considered as progress continues on the welcome center, which is scheduled to be completed in May of 2026.
Once completed, the Tedrick Gardens will enliven campus with fresh colors and an atmosphere that complements the scenic splendor of Southern Illinois. While offering ample parking and walkways, the Tedrick Welcome Center will move our campus forward while embracing nature’s grandeur.
A Symbol of the Future
This magnificent 44,000-square-foot building is more than just a structure; it symbolizes the future of SIU. The southern wing, home to the SIU Foundation, houses the new philanthropy center, marking a transformative era in the foundation’s role as a catalyst for SIU Carbondale.
The philanthropy center's front desk serves as the central hub for the SIU Foundation, situated within a 26,827-square-foot space that includes 53 offices. This area is designed to accommodate our growing staff and reflect the value of their work.
Square Foot Tedrick Welcome Center
Square Foot Philanthropy Center
Square Foot Visitor Center
East Lobby and Visitor Center
The east lobby serves as the access point for large groups, with interactive branding welcoming visiting students as they begin their tours.
The main visitor center is the crown jewel of the building—a 14,000-square-foot space capable of hosting conferences, lectures, seminars, and catered events for up to 300 people. Bathed in natural light, this area is where new Saluki memories are born.
Admissions and Alumni Gathering
Admissions tours will commence right here, providing a warm welcome for prospective students. Alumni and community members can gather to share their Saluki experiences.
Saluki Spirit on Display
The Tedrick Welcome Center will be emblazoned in Saluki maroon, showcasing our trademark logos and spirit for all to see.