Southern Illinois University Carbondale will expand its national outreach efforts during the 2026-27 academic year with an expanded 6th Annual Saluki Takeover Tour schedule featuring stops across Illinois and the country.
The tour, which began in 2021, combines alumni engagement, student recruitment, corporate outreach and community partnerships. Since its launch, the initiative has expanded each year and now includes stops throughout the Midwest, South and West Coast.
The schedule includes 16 tour stops, including five new cities: Atlanta, Champaign, Detroit, Denver and Los Angeles.
“The Saluki Takeover Tour allows us to bring the university directly to our alumni, friends and future students,” Chancellor Austin A. Lane said. “These visits strengthen relationships, create opportunities and help us share the story of SIU’s continued growth and success.”
The tour begins Aug. 20 in Marion, Illinois, during Third Thursday festivities at Tower Square and concludes June 1-4 in Los Angeles.
The full tour schedule:
- Aug. 20, 2026 — Marion, Illinois
- Sept. 1-3, 2026 — Atlanta
- Sept. 17-19, 2026 — Champaign, Illinois
- Oct. 27-30, 2026 — Chicago
- Nov. 16-20, 2026 — Texas (Dallas and Houston)
- Feb. 10-12, 2027 — Florida (St. Petersburg and Naples)
- March 3, 2027 — St. Louis
- March 23-24, 2027 — Central Illinois
- March 30, 2027 — Detroit
- April 1-16, 2027 — Southern Illinois
- May 11-13, 2027 — Denver
- June 1-4, 2027 — Los Angeles
Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation, said the tour continues to strengthen connections between the university and its alumni, donors and supporters.
“Every year, we see the power of bringing Salukis together,” Kupec said. “The Takeover Tour creates meaningful connections with alumni, donors, students and community leaders while helping us strengthen support for future generations of Salukis.”
The tour also supports the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $469 million toward its $500 million goal. Through donor support, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to more than 2,100 students during the most recent fiscal year.
For more information about the Saluki Takeover Tour and upcoming events, visit siuf.org/takeovers.