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.