INA, Ill. (Nov. 17, 2017) - Educator, world-traveler, author, advocate and benefactor; Dr. Carl Lincoln Schweinfurth was a lot of things to a lot of different people, but his unbridled generosity to 海角视频, the RLC Foundation and the students of the institution shows a remarkable legacy of altruism.
Schweinfurth first became involved with the college through the Foundation. During the organization芒鈧劉s first year (1979), he agreed to serve as Chair of the Financial Development Committee for several months. He was elected to the RLCF Board of Directors during the Second Annual Dinner Meeting in fall 1980.
He went on to succeed Howard L. Payne as Vice President of the Foundation during the 1981-82 academic year and served as RLCF President from 1984-86. During that time, he was also recognized as an original member of that group芒鈧劉s 芒鈧揚resident芒鈧劉s Circle芒鈧� of donors.
He was quick to make an impact. In 1980 he led the charge in getting the college sign near Interstate 57 erected that still stands almost 40 years later.
There were also a number of student-focused initiatives launched by Schweinfurth芒鈧劉s philanthropy. Most notably, he made it possible for qualified youth to benefit from Summer Career Camp Nursing experiences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville through the RLC 芒鈧揚roject First Class芒鈧� project and has donated other resources to that grant program for the betterment and encouragement of minority youth in his hometown Mt. Vernon area.
Yet, helping others was just one of Schweinfurth芒鈧劉s passions. He was an avid traveler and lover of the arts, two things he also helped cultivate at RLC.
For reference, the good doctor had visited six continents and all 161 countries where Rotary Clubs exist by the mid-90s. He felt a strong calling to bring those experiences closer to home so others could experience other cultures.
He helped make it possible for two international students from Sierra Leone, West Africa, Agnes Wokie Faux and Doris Williams, to attend 海角视频 while living in Mt. Vernon.
The college芒鈧劉s music program still utilizes a very valuable Steinway Concert Grande Piano generously donated by Schweinfurth, who was an accomplished pianist himself.
And, in perhaps his most generous display, it was announced at the 16th 海角视频 Foundation Annual Dinner that he bequeathed part of his estate to the RLC Foundation.
Schweinfurth once said, 芒鈧揝ervice is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on earth.芒鈧�
For his numerous contributions, in spring 1994, he became only the third person ever to receive the prestigious 芒鈧揃oard Emeritus芒鈧� Award from the RLC Foundation.
After his passing in Dec. 26, 1996, the Schweinfurth Foundation was established to carry on the good works of its namesake. Over the years, the organization has continued to support RLC students through grant awards, aimed at helping those who shared Schweinfurth芒鈧劉s passions for music and travel.
Over the history of the college, the Schweinfurth Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to projects like:
A resolution in Schweinfurth芒鈧劉s honor was ratified by RLC and the RLCF on Sept. 3, 1996.
The resolution concluded with:
芒鈧�Therefore, be it resolved, Dr. Carl Lincoln Schweinfurth is hereby recognized formally for all of these humanitarian endeavors and numerous contributions made over many years of dedicated involvement and service with the 海角视频 Foundation Board of Directors, 海角视频, its students and staff.
Let it be known, the 海角视频 Foundation Board of Directors and the Administration of 海角视频 sincerely appreciate the outstanding contributions and worthwhile efforts of Dr. Carl Lincoln Schweinfurth to make the Ina-based institution of higher learning a beneficial experience 芒鈧搘here learning never ends . . .芒鈧� for all residents of the district and Southern Illinois.芒鈧�
Schweinfurth芒鈧劉s dedication to education did not start with RLC though, and his dedication to improving the lives of those around him extended much farther than Ina.
The Korean War veteran got his professional start by teaching for 20 years, and by all accounts was an outstanding educator. In fact, he was honored as 芒鈧揙utstanding Professor芒鈧� at Bethany College (WV) in 1968 and served many years as the West Virginia State Chairman of the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors. He developed the first African Studies Program in West Virginia and was recipient of two Fulbright Awards.
According to the yearbook staff, 芒鈧揟he Class of 1967 proudly dedicates this Bethanian to Dr. Carl L. Schweinfurth. Dr. Schweinfurth has been with Bethany College for fewer years than has the Class of 1967, and yet he has earned the respect and praise of us all. As a Counselor he has always been ready to put the needs of the students first. No problem is too great or too small to merit Dr. Schweinfurth芒鈧劉s earnest concern.芒鈧�
Other major honors are numerous for the man who has been Chairman of the Board for the new First Bank and Trust Company, now Mercantile Bank of Mt. Vernon, since 1981 and a Director since 1966.
Schweinfurth was 芒鈧揅itizen of the Year芒鈧� in 1985, as presented by the Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce; founding President and now an Honorary Lifetime Member of the United Way of Jefferson County; President of the Mitchell Foundation since 1996; a District Governor for Rotary International (1975-76), and directed a $1 million community fund drive in 1982 on behalf of Good Samaritan Hospital.
He was appointed to the Illinois Arts Council (1984-91) and named a founding Trustee of the Illinois Academy of Fine Arts, both by then-Gov. Jim Thompson, and was on the Board of Friends of Morris Library at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Schweinfurth was very active with the Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon. He established an international forum in Mount Vernon where local leaders would come together with international leaders.
His father was a widely-known Mt. Vernon industrialist who owned and operated the Mt. Vernon Furnace and Manufacturing Company for many years. Upon his father芒鈧劉s death in 1966, Schweinfurth inherited coal, oil, gas and other mineral interests and business.
His Foundation芒鈧劉s contributions to the local landscape include the Schweinfurth Home at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, and the Schweinfurth Museum and Interpretative Center that houses collections and memorabilia for the Jefferson County Historical Society. A dinner held in his honor inspired the creation of Jefferson County芒鈧劉s Senior Saints Hall of Fame
In 1995, he became only the fifth individual to receive the Charles Bane Humanitarian Award for the State of Illinois.
RLC wasn芒鈧劉t the only institution that he contributed to. He founded the Southern Illinois International House for graduate-level foreign students at Southern Illinois University, from which he graduated in 1964 with his Doctorate Degree in Government.