{"id":5232,"date":"2026-09-03T23:59:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T23:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=5232"},"modified":"2026-09-03T23:59:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T23:59:07","slug":"6th-annual-saluki-takeover-tour-makes-first-stop-in-atlanta-draws-more-than-200-to-reception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=5232","title":{"rendered":"6th Annual Saluki Takeover Tour makes first stop in Atlanta, draws more than 200 to reception"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SIU<\/p>\n

ATLANTA \u2014 Southern Illinois University Carbondale made its first Saluki Takeover Tour stop in Atlanta Sept. 1-4, kicking off the sixth annual tour with four days of student recruitment, educational outreach and alumni engagement across the metropolitan area.<\/p>\n

The inaugural Atlanta stop drew an enthusiastic response from the Saluki community, with more than 200 alumni, donors, university leaders and friends of SIU packing SweetWater Brewing Company for the Chancellor\u2019s Reception on Wednesday, Sept. 2.<\/p>\n

The reception brought Salukis together to reconnect, hear the latest from Carbondale and celebrate SIU\u2019s growing presence in Georgia. The strong turnout underscored the alumni network already established in the region and the opportunity university leaders see to expand SIU\u2019s reach in the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been targeting Georgia for quite some time, just like we did Texas a few years ago,\u201d SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane said. \u201cWe knew that we could come down to Georgia and compete.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lane encouraged Atlanta-area alumni to play an active role in that effort by connecting SIU with local schools, sharing their Saluki stories and helping prospective students discover opportunities in Carbondale.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen our alumni reach out to us and say, \u2018You need to get to Georgia,\u2019 our alumni are going to get us in the door,\u201d Lane said.<\/p>\n

SIU System President Dan Mahony thanked Atlanta-area alumni for supporting the university and emphasized the importance of alumni engagement as SIU continues building momentum.<\/p>\n

\u201cClearly, there are a lot of people here in Atlanta who are behind us,\u201d Mahony said. \u201cWe appreciate all your support. That makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the reception, university leaders shared updates about SIU and highlighted advantages available to prospective students, including SIU\u2019s elimination of the out-of-state tuition differential and scholarship opportunities.<\/p>\n

They also highlighted SIU\u2019s recognition by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as both a Research 1 university and an Opportunity University. SIU is one of only 21 universities out of 4,000 nationwide to hold both designations.<\/p>\n

Building a Saluki pipeline in Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\n

The energy of the Chancellor\u2019s Reception complemented an extensive recruitment effort throughout the Atlanta area. University leaders, admissions staff, SIU Foundation representatives and other campus partners spent four days meeting directly with students, educators and community leaders.<\/p>\n

\"\"The visit included recruitment stops at Carver Early College, Booker T. Washington High School, South Atlanta High School, Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School, Westlake High School, Kell High School, Phoenix Academy and North Springs Charter High School, among others.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

SIU leaders also met with representatives from Atlanta Metropolitan State College, the National Institute for Student Success, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Goodwill of North Georgia and school districts throughout the region. The meetings focused on developing relationships and pathways that can connect more Georgia students with opportunities at SIU.<\/p>\n

Lane pointed to the success of the Saluki Takeover Tour in Texas as an example of what sustained outreach in a new market can accomplish. After SIU added Dallas, Austin and Houston to the tour, Texas grew to become one of the university\u2019s leading states for applications.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think Atlanta and Georgia are going to fit in that same space, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re here,\u201d Lane said.<\/p>\n

Lane said the Saluki Takeover Tour grew from a desire to take SIU directly into communities and proudly share the university\u2019s story.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started the Saluki Takeover Tour about five years ago, and the plan was to put the Saluki flag in the ground in an unapologetic way,\u201d Lane said. \u201cWe thought we needed to brag about this institution. We needed to brag about you and what you have done to make this institution what it is today.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first Atlanta stop marked the beginning of SIU\u2019s efforts to establish a stronger presence in Georgia. University leaders plan to return as they continue developing relationships with schools, prospective students, alumni and community partners throughout the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will be back,\u201d Lane said. \u201cWe need your help when we send those students off to Carbondale.\u201d<\/p>\n

About the Saluki Takeover Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Atlanta event marked the first stop of the 2026-27 Saluki Takeover Tour. Hosted by the SIU Foundation, the tour began in 2021 and has expanded its reach each year, with previous stops in Chicago, Springfield, Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, Florida, Texas, St. Louis, Southern Illinois, Hollywood and Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

The Saluki Takeover Tour strengthens alumni engagement, supports student recruitment and builds momentum for the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. The campaign has raised more than $490 million toward its $500 million goal, making it the fifth-largest fundraising campaign in Illinois higher education. Approximately two years remain in the campaign.<\/p>\n

In fiscal year 2026, the SIU Foundation awarded $6.9 million in scholarships to more than 2,200 students, representing nearly 19% of the student body.<\/p>\n

Through stops across the country, the tour brings SIU leaders together with alumni, prospective students, donors and community partners while sharing the university\u2019s momentum and expanding the Saluki network nationwide.<\/p>\n

The 2026-27 Saluki Takeover Tour continues with:<\/p>\n