SIUE Distinguished Service Award to Dixie Engelman

Dixie Engelman, dean emerita of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor emerita of speech pathology and audiology, is being honored with the University’s Distinguished Service Award.

SIUE will present the award to Engelman at the University’s Spring 2014 Commencement on May 10.

Engelman has been a community advocate and volunteer for more than 35 years. She was the first president and remains a charter member of the SIUE Meridian Society. The Society is a group of women who provide leadership through philanthropy and pool their resources to help assist SIUE community-based projects.

The Meridian Society makes annual grants each spring to fund SIUE projects that provide direct services in the community. Since 2003, the Meridian Society has distributed more than $207,000 in awards to more than 100 community projects.

SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe said Engelman’s loyal, tangible efforts in educating women on philanthropy, her inspiring commitment in supporting community causes and her participation in influencing SIUE and the community through annual Impact Fund Awards speaks volumes.

“Dixie has invested an incredible amount in this community and in the lives of countless students,” Furst-Bowe said. “She was an active leader during her tenure at SIUE and has continued that activism following her retirement.”

Engelman said she is humbled and grateful to receive the University’s Distinguished Service Award.

“While I realize that I am merely one more in a long list of women honorees, it is gratifying that another woman has been added to that list,” she said. “It is indeed humbling to be recognized for service that others regard as ‘distinguished,’ yet I regard as merely fulfilling my interests and capabilities.”

Engelman’s dedicated service to the University was exemplified in her willingness to return from retirement in 2005 and donate an extensive amount of time and work as the volunteer chairwoman of SIUE’s 50^th anniversary celebration. She devoted two years of planning and oversight of more than 100 volunteers from the University faculty, staff and students to make the year-long celebration a success.

The Distinguished Service Award recipient’s generosity extends to a number of worthy causes in addition to SIUE, according to Furst-Bowe.

“Dixie is an excellent example of the hard work and professionalism found at SIUE,” said Furst-Bowe. “Her leadership roles and her devotion to service have yielded exciting achievements and made her a highly respected member of the SIUE family.”

In addition to her legacy of service at SIUE, Engelman’s philanthropic support extends to volunteering on committees and governance groups at her local church. She also served as the first female trustee on the Roxana School Board and as its first female board president. During her winters in Florida, Engelman works closely with grade school children at an area school. A volunteer through the national program, Guideposts Knit for Kids, Engelman knits sweaters for children in need around the world.

Her commitment to the education and advancement of women inspired Engelman to organize an evening chapter of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization). The international nonprofit organization celebrates the advancement of women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship, motivating women to achieve their highest aspirations.

Photo:  Dixie Engelman.