By Britni Bateman

ST. LOUIS — A record-breaking crowd of nearly 400 alumni, students and friends gathered Wednesday, March 4, at Sports & Social St. Louis for the Chancellor’s Reception during the 5th Annual Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis, the largest attendance in the event’s history.

Hosted by the SIU Foundation, the reception brought together Salukis from across the St. Louis region for an evening of connection, university updates and celebration of Southern Illinois University Carbondale during Arch Madness.

Chancellor Austin Lane welcomed the crowd and highlighted the broader purpose of the Saluki Takeover Tour, which combines alumni engagement with student recruitment and community partnerships.

“It’s about the game, but it’s a lot more than just the game,” Lane said. “We’re interacting with principals, superintendents, counselors and prospective Salukis while we’re here, making sure we continue bringing new students into the Saluki family.”

The evening also highlighted the critical role philanthropy plays in expanding opportunities for SIU students. Leaders from the SIU Foundation shared updates about donor impact and ongoing efforts to grow scholarship support and student success initiatives.

“The foundation exists to help students like the ones we introduced earlier tonight,” said Dan Korte, president of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors. “We are raising more scholarships and more resources to change the trajectory of students’ lives, and we couldn’t do it without all of you.”

During the reception, Marc Morris, dean of the College of Business and Analytics, announced a new philanthropic commitment supporting the Harvey N. Michaels Center for Academic Success and Engagement in Rehn Hall.

Alumni Richard and Nancy Klassen are making a gift to name the Richard & Nancy Klassen Mentorship Lounge, a welcoming space where students can meet with mentors, advisers and alumni for guidance and career conversations.

Richard Klassen, a longtime member of the College of Business and Analytics Dean’s External Advisory Board and former member of the college’s Marketing Advisory Board, has mentored SIU business students for many years. He and Nancy, a 1957 SIU alumna, attended the reception to celebrate the announcement.

The mentorship lounge will feature comfortable seating and semi-private spaces designed to encourage face-to-face conversations between students and mentors.

Admissions efforts were also highlighted during the event. Josi Rawls, associate director for transfer relations in SIU Admissions, shared updates about recruitment initiatives taking place throughout the week and introduced two committed students who attended the reception as part of the tour’s outreach.

Earlier in the day, the SIU Alumni Association hosted “Salukis on the Run,” a corporate visit at Bayer’s North American headquarters in Chesterfield. SIU students toured the facility and participated in a panel discussion with Bayer professionals, gaining insights into career pathways and industry opportunities.

On Tuesday, March 3, the Women’s Leadership Council launched the St. Louis tour with Saluki Women Connect and Inspire, an event hosted by SIU Foundation Board member Diane Compardo at Moneta in Clayton.

The gathering celebrated Women’s History Month and featured nationally recognized stylist and confidence coach Laura Sawyier, founder and CEO of LKS Styling and Consulting. In her presentation, “The Power of Style: Designing the Way You Show Up,” Sawyier shared insights from her research on the psychology of style and how personal presentation can strengthen confidence, credibility and leadership.

Additional Saluki Takeover Tour activities included visits to area high schools, meetings with education partners and recruitment events designed to connect prospective students with SIU.

On Thursday, March 5, Chancellor Austin Lane joined Lewis and Clark Community College President Ken Trzaska to sign a new Saluki Step Ahead transfer agreement between the two institutions. The agreement strengthens pathways for Lewis and Clark students to transfer seamlessly to Southern and complete their bachelor’s degrees.

The partnership expands access to Saluki Step Ahead, a program that allows students to apply to SIU during their first year at a participating community college, secure a designated degree track and complete their bachelor’s degree through select online programs.

University leaders say the program helps remove barriers for transfer students who may not be able to relocate to Southern Illinois while still providing access to SIU’s research-level academic programs.

Through Saluki Step Ahead, students can secure a clear transfer pathway, benefit from lower costs and transition directly from community college to SIU as they work toward completing their bachelor’s degrees.

Saluki spirit continued throughout the day as alumni and fans gathered for a basketball pregame event hosted by the SIU Alumni Association at PBR St. Louis inside Ballpark Village. The gathering, held on the lower level of Ballpark Village, gave Salukis an opportunity to connect and build excitement ahead of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament game.

Later that afternoon, SIU faced Drake in the opening round of Arch Madness. The Salukis battled throughout the game but ultimately fell to Drake 67-63, ending their season.

Despite the loss, the week’s events highlighted the strong presence of the Saluki community in St. Louis, with alumni, students and university leaders coming together to celebrate SIU and strengthen connections across the region.

About the Tour

The Saluki Takeover Tour is part of SIU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen alumni engagement and build support for the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has approximately 2½ years remaining. To date, the campaign has raised more than $462 million toward its $500 million goal, making it the fifth-largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education.

In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17% of the student body.

The tour continues with stops across the country, bringing SIU’s mission, momentum and Saluki spirit directly to alumni and communities nationwide.

Upcoming Saluki Takeover Tour stops: 
Mar. 23–27 – Central Illinois (Peoria and Springfield) 
Mar. 31–Apr. 21 – Southern Illinois