This afternoon, Southern Illinois University of Carbondale renamed its LGBTQ+ Resource Center to The Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center. It was named in honor of the SIU professional who founded it in 2007.
Curkin earned a master's degree in education from SIU Carbondale in 1980, returning to the university 7 years later to work in University Housing and later to work as a student development coordinator. She served as the adviser for the Saluki Rainbow Network until her retirement in 2008.
The event, "Reclaimed: Celebrating the Center's History Future," was in Morris Library's Hall of Presidents and Chancellors. An Open House of the Pride Center will follow.
Chancellor Austin Lane said, "It is an honor to rename the center after a Saluki dedicated to the university and the LGBTQ+ community."
The event is sponsored by SIU's LGBTQ+ Resource Center, the Student Multicultural Resource Center, and other LGBTQ+ organizations throughout the region.
