Nearly 70 alumni, students and community members gathered Thursday, April 23, at 1860 Public House for a Chancellor’s Reception, hosted by the SIU Foundation, as part of the Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois.
“Good evening, Salukis,” Chancellor Austin A. Lane said as he opened the event, reflecting on the final stretch of the tour across the region.
Lane described the initiative as a long-term commitment to Southern Illinois and its students.
“This is a labor of love for us,” he said. “There’s so many people in this room who have worked hours to make sure that we maroon carpet this region and keep our students at home.”
The Red Bud stop followed weeks of travel across all 17 counties, where SIU leadership and admissions staff visited high schools and connected directly with prospective students.
Lane said the effort began nearly six years ago in response to concerns that students were leaving the region for college.
“We made the commitment because we heard we weren’t doing a good job recruiting in our own backyard,” he said. “We had students going across state lines instead of staying home and taking advantage of a research university in their own backyard.”
Local education leaders echoed the impact of that approach. Red Bud CUSD #132 Superintendent Jonathan Tallman said SIU’s presence in local schools has made a lasting impression.
“I’ve never seen any group like this come and recruit kids on campus,” Tallman said. “The fact that it is SIU makes me incredibly proud.”
He said seeing university leadership connect directly with students stands out.
“When Chancellor Lane was in our gym speaking to our students, I sat there and thought, I can’t believe this is happening,” Tallman said.
A highlight of the evening came when Lane recognized SIU ROTC student Adrienne Vallett, an animal science major who will commission as a second lieutenant in the National Guard on May 8. Because she will miss a university awards ceremony, Lane and Dr. Kristina Boone, dean of the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, presented her with her military honor cords and cum laude medallion.
“I’m an animal science major here at SIU. I joined the National Guard, and then I decided I wanted to be an officer to help make decisions,” Vallett said.
Vallett expressed gratitude for the opportunity and support she has received throughout her journey.
“I’m very grateful that I was able to do this this evening,” she said. “I also thank my mom and my parents in general for being here and always helping me study. It’s been wonderful.”
The recognition drew strong applause from the crowd and underscored SIU’s commitment to student success and leadership development.
Throughout the evening, alumni introduced themselves and shared their connections to the university, highlighting generations of Salukis and the deep ties between SIU and the region.
Lane closed by reinforcing the role alumni and community members play in sustaining that momentum.
“We don’t care if there are two students in a graduating class or 200,” he said. “Every future Saluki matters.”
The Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois included visits to 55 high schools across all 17 counties, reinforcing the university’s commitment to meeting students where they are and ensuring they understand the opportunities available close to home.
For the SIU Foundation, the takeover tours provide an opportunity to connect with donors as the record-breaking Imagine SIU 2030 campaign continues. The campaign aims to raise $500 million by June 2028 and has already surpassed $464 million.
The Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois continues through April, bringing together alumni, donors, prospective students and community members across the region. The tour launched March 31 at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, where nearly 300 attended. Nearly 150 attended the Chancellor’s Reception at Pyramid Acres Marina at Lake of Egypt, more than 50 attended the Mount Vernon stop at DoubleTree by Hilton Mt. Vernon, and nearly 250 attended the Carterville stop at 62 Social House.
The tour continues next week with more school visits throughout the 17 counties.
“We expect to win the league this next year,” Nagy said. “The culture is there, our staff is there, and we’re building something special.”
Matt Collinsworth joined the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute as associate director in February 2025. He is a 1993 graduate of Georgetown College and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Ohio State University in 1996. Before coming to SIU, Collinsworth served as executive director of Carbondale Main Street for two years. He previously led three museums: the Kentucky Folk Art Center at Morehead State University, the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota and the National Quilt Museum in Paducah. He also served as senior director of cultural outreach at Morehead State, interim director of the Lexington Art League and executive director of the Morehead Downtown Association.
Cole Steward joined Saluki Athletics as assistant director of development on April 1, 2026, where he works to enhance the donor experience through relationship-building and long-term support of Saluki Athletics. A native of Salem, Illinois, Steward is a Southern Illinois University graduate and former Saluki Football student-athlete who played under head coach Nick Hill from 2017 to 2021. Before returning to SIU, he spent four years at Western Kentucky University as athletic advising coordinator, supporting student-athletes through academic planning, eligibility oversight, and leadership and character development. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sport administration and a Master of Education in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport studies from SIU.
A phone call that changed everything
Building a family business
By Ava Steffens