Southern Illinois University Carbondale leaders spent April on the road visiting high schools, meeting with community members and hosting alumni events across all 17 counties during the annual Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois. 

The monthlong initiative combined student recruitment, alumni engagement and community outreach, reinforcing SIU’s commitment to the region. 

“This is a labor of love for us,” Chancellor Austin A. Lane said. “We are committed to Southern Illinois, and we’re going to continue showing up for these communities and for our students.” 

The tour included visits to approximately 55 high schools, where Lane and members of the SIU admissions team met with students, counselors and educators. The team also surprised admitted students with “Put a Lid on It” moments, recognizing their decision to attend SIU. 

In addition to school visits, the SIU Foundation hosted five Chancellor’s Receptions across Southern Illinois, bringing together alumni, students and community members for evenings of connection and university updates. 

The tour kicked off March 31 at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Makanda, where nearly 300 attendees gathered at Freeberg Hall to launch the initiative. 

The second stop took place April 7 at Pyramid Acres Marina at Lake of Egypt, where nearly 150 attendees gathered for a waterfront reception. 

The tour continued April 16 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Mount Vernon, hosted by SIU alumni Mike and Hope Carbonaro, where more than 50 guests attended the Chancellor’s Reception. 

On April 21, the tour stopped in Carterville at 62 Social House, owned by SIU alumnus Doug Deaton, welcoming nearly 250 attendees for the venue’s first official event. 

The final Southern Illinois stop was April 23 at 1860 Public House in Red Bud, where nearly 70 alumni, students and community members gathered to close out the regional tour. 

At each reception, Lane highlighted SIU’s national momentum, including its designation as a Research 1 university and Opportunity University. Southern is one of only 21 institutions nationwide to hold both designations from the Carnegie Classification. 

SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec emphasized the impact of donor support. 

“One in five students receives a scholarship because of the generosity of our donors,” Kupec said. “That support changes lives every day.” 

Throughout the tour, SIU leaders also met with community partners, local officials and education leaders to strengthen relationships and expand opportunities for collaboration. 

Lane said the tour reflects a long-term strategy to keep students in Southern Illinois and build stronger connections between the university and the region. 

“We heard concerns years ago about students leaving this area for college,” Lane said. “We made a commitment to change that, and this tour is part of that work.” 

University officials said the Saluki Takeover Tour continues to grow each year, with increasing attendance, stronger partnerships and expanded recruitment efforts. 

“This is about building something lasting,” Lane said. “We’re investing in our students, our communities and the future of Southern Illinois.” 

The Southern Illinois tour is part of a broader Saluki Takeover Tour initiative that includes stops across the country, connecting alumni and recruiting students while supporting the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised more than $467 million toward its $500 million goal. The tour began in 2021 and has expanded its reach each year, with past stops in Chicago, Springfield, Texas, Florida, St. Louis, Southern Illinois, Hollywood, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. 

In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to more than 2,100 students. 

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.

More than 50 alumni and community members gathered Thursday, April 16, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Mt. Vernon for a Chancellor’s Reception as part of the 3rd Annual Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois. 

The event brought Saluki Nation together for an evening of connection, conversation and university updates, as Chancellor Austin A. Lane and SIU leadership highlighted the continued momentum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

Lane emphasized the university’s commitment to connecting with communities across the region and strengthening its presence in Southern Illinois. 

“We have been all over Southern Illinois. Our commitment five, almost six years ago, was to maroon carpet the region,” he said. 

That effort is rooted in ensuring students understand they have access to a high-quality education close to home. 

“We thought we’d better make sure our students know they can stay right here at home at a first-class Research 1 and Opportunity University in their own backyard,” Lane said. 

He also highlighted SIU’s broader mission to expand access and create opportunity for students across the region. 

“We give students an opportunity, no matter where they come from, and we help them change their lives and go on to do great things,” he said. 

This special stop was made possible through the generosity of SIU alumnus and former Saluki football student-athlete Mike Carbonaro ’89 and his wife, Hope ’89, who provided the venue in support of the Saluki community. Mike Carbonaro is president of the DoubleTree by Hilton Mt. Vernon and its on-site restaurant, Double Overtime Grill, while Hope Carbonaro serves as chief program officer for Caritas Family Solutions. 

“As an alum, I really enjoyed my time at Southern Illinois, and it means a lot to be able to bring Salukis together here in Mt. Vernon,” Mike Carbonaro said. 

“We had an amazing experience there,” Hope Carbonaro added. “It’s where Mike and I met, and it’s special to be part of something that continues to bring people together.” 

Throughout the evening, alumni and community members shared personal stories of how SIU shaped their lives, careers and families, underscoring the university’s deep ties to Southern Illinois. Many reflected on the relationships, opportunities and sense of belonging that continue long after graduation. 

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 23 with stops designed to bring together alumni, donors, prospective students and community members across the region. The tour launched with a strong turnout March 31 at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, where nearly 300 gathered to kick off this year’s events. Nearly 150 attended the Chancellor’s Reception at Pyramid Acres Marina at Lake of Egypt. 

Remaining stops include: 

• Carterville: Tuesday, April 21, 6 to 8 p.m., The Historic 131 Building, 131 S. Division St. 

• Red Bud: Thursday, April 23, 6 to 8 p.m., 1860 Public House, 102 S. Main St. 

Learn more at siuf.org/southern-illinois. 

Nearly 300 alumni, students and friends gathered Tuesday, March 31, at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Makanda to launch the 3rd Annual Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois, kicking off a monthlong effort to celebrate SIU pride and strengthen recruitment across the region.

The tour will visit approximately 50 high schools across all 17 Southern Illinois counties, reinforcing SIU’s commitment to meeting students where they are.

Chancellor Austin A. Lane said the Southern Illinois tour serves as the capstone of the university’s broader Saluki Takeover efforts nationwide.

“There’s no place like home being right here in Southern Illinois,” Lane said.

The event marked the first of five regional stops scheduled throughout April, with additional receptions planned at Lake of Egypt in Marion on April 7, Mount Vernon on April 16, Carterville on April 21 and Red Bud on April 23.

Lane emphasized SIU’s focus on recruiting students locally and strengthening relationships with high schools and community colleges. He said the university has worked to address past concerns about outreach through consistent school visits and increased regional presence.

Dr. Joshua Stafford, superintendent of Vienna High School, said those efforts are making a difference.

“We now see students from our own communities choosing not just the university in their backyard, but an R1 university,” Stafford said.

Lane also highlighted SIU’s national standing as a Research 1 and Opportunity University.

“There are 4,000-plus universities across the country. Only 21 of them are Research 1 and an Opportunity University,” he said. “For our students in this area to have that opportunity in their own backyard, that is special.”

He encouraged attendees to share information about the Saluki Commitment, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Illinois students, including first-time freshmen and transfer students from families with annual incomes below approximately $120,000.

Brian Croft, director of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, highlighted the center’s long-standing impact on SIU students and the region, along with recent improvements made possible through university support, student fees and donor investment. He also emphasized partnerships with academic programs, youth camps and community organizations that expand the center’s reach beyond recreation.

“I think that’s what makes SIU special,” Croft said. “It’s what we’re learning in the classroom, but we’re learning outside the classroom, too.”

The event also showcased student creativity through the SIU Metalsmith Society, where students displayed and sold handcrafted items, demonstrated their craft and unveiled a wind chime to be auctioned at a later date. The group also announced plans to design and forge a commemorative sculpture for Touch of Nature, recognizing more than 50 years of metalsmithing at SIU.

After the program, attendees explored the grounds through tours, s’mores, food, drinks and hands-on activities, turning the evening into both a celebration and a showcase of the student experience.

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 23 with stops designed to bring together alumni, donors, prospective students and community members across the region.

Remaining stops include:

• Lake of Egypt (Marion): Tuesday, April 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Pyramid Acres Marina, 12057 Marina Road
• Mount Vernon: Thursday, April 16, 6 to 8 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 222 Potomac Blvd.
• Carterville: Tuesday, April 21, 6 to 8 p.m., The Historic 131 Building, 131 S. Division St.
• Red Bud: Thursday, April 23, 6 to 8 p.m., 1860 Public House, 102 S. Main St.

Learn more at siuf.org/southern-illinois.