By Jeff Wilson

ST. LOUIS – Hundreds of SIU’s alumni and friends came together during another incredible Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis during the week of the Arch Madness MVC Tournament.

Chancellor Austin Lane and many other representatives from campus visited six high schools and one college. The SIU Foundation hosted two corporate and networking events, 12 donor visits, and the Chancellor’s Reception on Wednesday, March 5, at the Budweiser 703 Club inside Busch Stadium.

“We have been all over the place promoting what it means to be a Saluki and recruiting students to come here,” Lane said to the record-breaking crowd of 275.

Lane highlighted the university Research 1 designation and its continued commitment to affordability and student success, including:

• Out-of-State Tuition Eliminated – All U.S. undergraduates now pay in-state tuition.
• Saluki Step Ahead – A seamless transfer pathway for community college students.
• Saluki Legacy Discount – Tuition savings for children and grandchildren of alumni.
• Saluki Commitment – Covers tuition and fees for eligible in-state students.
• Scholarships – Multiple options to help fund education.

Southern is one of only three public Illinois universities to be recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 institution.

“Our alumni should be walking tall. There are only 187 Research 1 institutions out of 4,000-plus universities. That is a big deal,” Lane said.

For the SIU Foundation, the takeover tours are an opportunity to connect with donors as it progresses through the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. With a goal of raising $500 million by June 2028, it is the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois higher education. More than $390 million has already been raised, and the Saluki Takeover Tour helps spread the excitement.

The Saluki Men’s Basketball team and coaching staff stopped by the Chancellor’s Reception to thank the fans for their support during the MVC Tournament and throughout the season.

“When we started to put this thing together, hardly anybody – from the staff to the players – knew each other. We built this thing from the ground up, and this is just the start,” said Saluki Men’s Basketball Coach Scott Nagy. “We have such a great fanbase. Thank you all for coming out.”

Other events

The SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council hosted “Connect & Inspire,” an event celebrating Saluki women.

Dozens of women gathered on Tuesday, March 4, for the event, which kicked off the takeover tour by celebrating Women’s History Month.

Hosted by SIU Foundation Board President Diane Compardo ’91 and Dr. Dawn Korte ’91, a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council, the event at the Saint Louis Club featured Dr. Korte, who has had an impressive career in human resources, sharing powerful negotiation strategies for women in the workforce. Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for development & alumni relations, anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighted the growing impact of the Women’s Leadership Council.

On the morning of Wednesday March 5, SIU leaders and St. Louis-area corporations came together at the Greater St. Louis Inc. Andrew C. Taylor Center for Civic Collaboration to explore opportunities at the Saluki Corporate Engagement Takeover event.

With 22,000+ SIU alumni in the St. Louis area, this event highlighted the many ways corporations can connect with SIU to recruit top talent and invest in innovation.

This collaboration strengthens SIU’s role in workforce development, research, and economic growth, ensuring a strong future for both our students and corporate partners.

Interested in partnering with SIU? Contact Sherrica Hunt at sherricah@foundation.siu.edu or Shane Bennett at shaneb@foundation.siu.edu.

The SIU Alumni Association hosted pregame events at PBR St. Louis inside Ballpark Village before each basketball game, and the Young Alumni Group hosted an all-ages event at McGurk’s Irish Pub on the evening of Friday, March 7.

On the court, the Salukis won their first-round matchup against Indiana State in thrilling fashion with a last-second 86-85 victory. The Dawgs ultimately ended their season with a 70-53 loss to No. 1-ranked Drake in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tournament.

By Jeff Wilson

The Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois returns for a second trip through the state’s southernmost 17 counties.

After an incredible inaugural year in 2024, excitement is building for this year’s events. Chancellor Austin Lane and other campus leaders will meet with students and educational partners throughout the region, and there will be six Chancellor’s Receptions:

• Thursday, April 3 – Apple Creek Country Club, 503 Stone Creek Drive, Makanda – REGISTER HERE
• Tuesday, April 8 – TJ’s Diamond Club, Mtn Dew Park, 1000 Miners Drive, Marion – REGISTER HERE
• Thursday, April 10 – Café Bloom, 1104 Public Square, Benton – REGISTER HERE
• Tuesday, April 15 – St. Nicholas Landmark Brewery, 111 Ferry Street, Chester – REGISTER HERE
• Thursday, April 17 – Pizza Villa, 169 E. Vienna Street, Anna – REGISTER HERE
• Tuesday, April 22 – Faye, 1616 Walnut Street, Murphysboro – REGISTER HERE

There is no cost to attend any of these events. Each reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets per registered attendee. These events are hosted by the SIU Foundation.

“Southern Illinois is a very large area, and we have been all over,” Lane said during last year’s takeover tour. “It has been amazing to see all the students and administrators from Chester to Mount Vernon, from Pope County to Cairo.”

While visiting more than 20 high schools and community colleges during the Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois last year, Lane and admissions staff promoted programs such as the Saluki Commitment, which guarantees that tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered for four (transfer students) or eight (freshman students) consecutive  semesters at no cost to students or families.

Recipients must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a first-time incoming freshman enrolling full-time on-campus in the fall 2021 semester or later.
• Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Have an annual family income less than $103,040 with assets less than $50,000 based on your FAFSA.
• Be an Illinois resident who attended an Illinois high school.
• Be a dependent student under age 24.
• Be eligible for federal financial aid.

SIU recently joined the ranks of the Ivy League, being named a Research 1 (R1) university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Southern is one of only three public universities in Illinois with that designation, and it is the only one within 100 miles of Carbondale.

“There is no reason in the world for a student from any county in Southern Illinois to attend any other university than the one in their backyard,” Lane said. “You’re not going to find another school that’s close to you that’s an R1 higher research institution.”

The Saluki Takeover Tour has also visited Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield, Hollywood, Tampa, Miami, Naples, West Palm Beach, St. Petersburg, The Villages, Houston, Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville. Last year’s events in Southern Illinois took place in Mount Vernon, Harrisburg, Carterville, Metropolis, Alto Pass, and Du Quoin. The objective is clear: Take the SIU campus on the road and engage with prospective students, fellow educators, alumni, and donors. Each stop on the takeover tour is packed with visits to schools, campus, and events that connect SIU’s leaders with corporate leaders and friends of the university.

“We bring the campus, and we plant the flag in the ground, and we say, ‘This is Saluki Country!’” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation.

For the SIU Foundation, the takeover tours are an opportunity to connect with donors as it progresses through the record-breaking Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. With a goal of raising $500 million by June 2028, it is the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois higher education. More than $390 million has already been raised, and the Saluki Takeover Tour helps spread the excitement.

Suggested attire for these events is business casual, but Saluki gear is always appropriate, too. For more information, visit siuf.org/southern-illinois.

The Saluki Takeover Tour Florida has grown each of its three years, creating more excitement with each event.

Hosted by the SIU Foundation, the takeover tour brings SIU administrators to local high schools and community colleges to foster partnerships and recruit future Salukis. It also brings together alumni and friends to celebrate Southern’s success and enjoy the Saluki spirit together.

The takeover tour included two Chancellor’s Reception, seven high school visits, 25 donor visit and will hit seven cities in all. Each reception featured record-breaking attendance with well over 100 guests in Tampa and Naples.

During the many stops, Chancellor Austin Lane highlighted the Imagine SIU 2030 strategic plan and recent increases in enrollment.

“There are some exciting things that are going on,” he said. “We have some increases in enrollment over the last couple of years. It would be even better if we can get more students out of the state of Florida. That’s why we’re here.”

St. Petersburg

Events for this year’s Florida takeover began Tuesday, Feb. 11, with a night aboard La Dolce Vita, a yacht owned by SIU alumnus James Jannetides ’89. His journey from SIU student to founder & CEO of University Loft Co. is a true Saluki success story.

While at SIU in 1984, he built his first loft bed—an innovative design that maximized dorm space. That idea launched University Loft Company, now a leading provider of durable, high-quality furniture for student housing, military, and multi-family residences. With headquarters in Greenfield, Indiana, an upholstery plant in Morristown, Tennessee, and a global supply chain, Jannetides has built a company known for its craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability.

Chancellor Lane, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations and SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Wendell Williams, Director of Athletics Tim Leonard, College of Business and Analytics Dean Marc Morris, and many others gathered with the Jannetides family, Saluki Lifetime Achievement recipient Phil Pfeffer ’65 ’66, and many other alumni for an evening on the water in St. Petersburg.

Tampa

More than 100 alumni gathered Wednesday, Feb. 12, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for the second night of the Saluki Takeover Tour. The gorgeous weather set a perfect backdrop for an evening of camaraderie among the SIU faithful.

When addressing the crowd, Kupec lauded the fundraising efforts of the SIU Foundation.

“We have a $500 million campaign going on. That’s a half billion dollars,” he said. “We’ve raised $388 million to date! It’s the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois!”

Many Salukis stuck around after the Chancellor’s Reception for a Saluki Basketball watch party on the stadium scoreboard as the Dawgs took on Bradley, ultimately falling, 78-64.

The Villages

The SIU Alumni Association hosted a golf scramble and happy hour event on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Palmer Legends Championship Golf Course in The Villages.

Dozens of alumni showed up to play a round and enjoy some food and drinks with fellow Salukis.

Naples

The second Chancellor’s Reception during the Saluki Takeover Tour Florida took place the evening of Thursday, Feb. 13, at Windstar on Naples Bay. With 113 guests, it was the most well attended Naples event in Saluki Takeover Tour history.

Alumnus Ollie Dorn ’67 graciously hosted the event at this beautiful venue—the only private club in Naples offering golf along the bay, a marina, and a private beach. It was the perfect setting to reconnect, celebrate, and share the Saluki spirit.

“Things in Carbondale are really going great right now,” SIU System President Dan Mahony said. “Over the last several years, we have seen a lot of things improve. Our enrollment is improving. Our fundraising is setting records. We are giving out a record number of scholarships to students.”

As each guest took a moment to speak about their Saluki experience, Chancellor Lane was inspired by the impact SIU has had on so many.

“What incredible stories! That’s why we pass the mic around. We learn a lot from all the stories and the history,” Lane said. “When we come back next year, tell everyone how much fun you had.”