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By Britni Bateman<\/p>\n
ST. LOUIS \u2014 A record-breaking crowd of nearly 400 alumni, students and friends gathered Wednesday, March 4, at Sports & Social St. Louis for the Chancellor\u2019s Reception during the 5th Annual Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis, the largest attendance in the event\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about the game, but it\u2019s a lot more than just the game,\u201d Lane said. \u201cWe\u2019re interacting with principals, superintendents, counselors and prospective Salukis while we\u2019re here, making sure we continue bringing new students into the Saluki family.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe foundation exists to help students like the ones we introduced earlier tonight,\u201d said Dan Korte, president of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors. \u201cWe are raising more scholarships and more resources to change the trajectory of students\u2019 lives, and we couldn\u2019t do it without all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Richard Klassen, a longtime member of the College of Business and Analytics Dean\u2019s External Advisory Board and former member of the college\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The mentorship lounge will feature comfortable seating and semi-private spaces designed to encourage face-to-face conversations between students and mentors.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s outreach.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, the SIU Alumni Association hosted \u201cSalukis on the Run,\u201d a corporate visit at Bayer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, March 3, the Women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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The gathering celebrated Women\u2019s History Month and featured nationally recognized stylist and confidence coach Laura Sawyier, founder and CEO of LKS Styling and Consulting. In her presentation, \u201cThe Power of Style: Designing the Way You Show Up,\u201d Sawyier shared insights from her research on the psychology of style and how personal presentation can strengthen confidence, credibility and leadership.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s degrees.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s degree through select online programs.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s research-level academic programs.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s degrees.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Despite the loss, the week\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The Saluki Takeover Tour is part of SIU\u2019s ongoing efforts to strengthen alumni engagement and build support for the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has approximately 2\u00bd 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The tour continues with stops across the country, bringing SIU\u2019s mission, momentum and Saluki spirit directly to alumni and communities nationwide.<\/p>\n
Upcoming Saluki Takeover Tour stops:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> By Britni Bateman ST. LOUIS \u2014 A record-breaking crowd of nearly 400 alumni, students and friends gathered Wednesday, March 4, at Sports & Social St. Louis for the Chancellor\u2019s Reception during the 5th Annual Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis, the largest attendance in the event\u2019s history. Hosted by the SIU Foundation, the reception brought together … Continue reading Record-breaking crowd attends Chancellor\u2019s Reception during Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis<\/span>
<\/span>Mar. 23\u201327 \u2013 Central Illinois (<\/span><\/span>Peoria<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Springfield<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span>Mar. 31\u2013Apr. 21 \u2013 Southern Illinois<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"