Mr. Michael & Mrs. Diane Schumacher

This fund is being established by Diane Kosmach and Michael J. Schumacher in support of the first comprehensive campaign at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Diane is a member of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale College of Business External Advisory Board. She graduated from SIU Carbondale in 1974 with a degree in economics. She also received a Juris Doctorate degree in 1977 from DePaul University and completed an Advanced Management Program in 1994 from The Harvard Business School. She was inducted into the College of Business Hall of Fame in 1996.

Diane Kosmach Schumacher is the retired senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer for Cooper Industries, Ltd., a company that engages in the manufacture and sale of electrical products and tools worldwide. Schumacher joined Cooper in 1981 as a staff attorney. From 1995 to 2006, she served as the company’s senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer, during which time she was responsible for oversight of the company’s legal affairs, environmental affairs, risk management and shareholder relations, as well as compliance programs and employee training.

Michael graduated from SIUC in 1975 with a degree in marketing. Most of his career was in international logistics with positions at Allied Van Lines International, Panalpina and American Airlines Cargo. From 1995 to 2006, Michael was the sole proprietor of a food and beverage establishment in Houston, Texas.

The Schumachers’ financial gift and participation in the advisory board represent Diane’s belief in SIUC and her hope for its future. “SIU and the College have so much going for it, so much potential. But there’s always room for improvement. And, hopefully, I can provide good advice as well as funding to help ensure its success.”

Schumacher is very motivated to give financial support as well as time to her alma mater for many reasons. “I have a lot of links to SIU Carbondale. I’m an alumna, as well as my husband, my brother, and my sister. I have been very lucky to have so many opportunities. I have worked hard to achieve what I have, but I do feel an obligation to ‘give something back’ to the system that has helped my family and me so much. I’m committed to giving to education because the future is in the educational process. That’s where I believe my time and money can make the most difference.”