This month, the College of Business and Analytics celebrates a season of powerful momentum, transformative generosity, and inspiring stories that reflect the heart of SIU. From a successful Texas alumni takeover tour where a proud Saluki donated $2.1 million to support our mission to groundbreaking faculty research and award-winning student and alumni achievements, CoBA continues to make waves on campus and across the nation.
We are honored to spotlight three outstanding alumni and 2025 Emerging Saluki Leader Award recipients:
Joel Hundelt, whose 17-year career stands as an example of consistency, integrity, and relationship-centered leadership in public accounting .
Jeff Schirmer, a first-generation SIU graduate whose leadership was forged on the track, now thriving at KPMG and inspiring future Salukis through mentorship.
Desmon Walker, whose journey from provisional admission to entrepreneurial leadership proves the power of resilience and mentorship.
These alumni stories embody CoBA’s mission: shaping leaders who lift others.
Mindset and Mergers: Dean’s SFRG Awardee Dr. Danni Tu Leads Breakthrough Research
This month’s faculty spotlight shines on Dr. Danni Tu, whose research explores how investor psychology influences mergers and acquisitions. With support from the Dean’s Summer Faculty Research Grant, Dr. Tu is uncovering how mindset affects billion-dollar decisions and work that elevates both our academic standing and our students’ experiential learning.
Her research embodies our belief that faculty innovation drives student opportunity.
The Saluki Student Investment Fund marked 25 years of student-led innovation, growing from a $25,000 seed investment into a portfolio worth over $4 million, managed entirely by students. This program remains a national model for experiential learning.
This year’s Grad Bash filled Rehn Hall with pride, celebration, and community support. With student-selected food trucks, warm faculty engagement, and a supportive “Wish Wall,” the event highlighted CoBA’s ongoing commitment to supporting students far beyond the classroom.