The Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois is coming to a town near you.
After successful events in Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield (Illinois), Florida and Nashville (Tennessee), the Saluki Takeover Tour will visit all 17 of the region’s counties from April 24 through May 4.
“Saluki spirit is evident everywhere we go, but it has its roots right here in Southern Illinois,” said Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane. “These takeover tour events are a terrific opportunity for our local alumni and friends to engage with our leadership and share their Saluki experience with others.”
Lane will host the keystone event, Southern Illinois Celebration, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort. The event will feature the recognition of multiple incoming and potential SIU Carbondale students. There will also be SIU Day of Giving trophy presentations, a celebration of the university’s recent successes and a chance to thank local partners. Many representatives from SIU Carbondale will be in attendance, including new men’s basketball coach Scott Nagy.
Before the Walker’s Bluff event, there will be many visits to local schools and five Chancellor’s Receptions across the region. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to register for each reception at siuf.org/southern-illinois.
The Office of Innovation and Economic Development at SIU and the Small Business Navigator Program are partnering with local organizations to offer Business Resource Meet Ups. The purpose of these events is to provide valuable insights into the Advantage Illinois Loan Program, along with detailed information on the services of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Illinois APEX Accelerator program at SIU. More information about these meet ups can be found at bizhelp.siu.edu.
All receptions and meet ups are free to attend. Southern Illinois Takeover Tour events include:
Wednesday, April 24
- School visits: Benton Consolidated High School, Hamilton County High School, Carmi-White County High School and Mount Vernon Township High School
- Business Resource Meet Up: 4:30 p.m., Innovation Hub, Mount Vernon
- Chancellor’s Reception: 6 to 8 p.m., The Granada Theatre, Mount Vernon
Thursday, April 25
- School visits: Marion High School, Johnston City High School, Gallatin County High School and Harrisburg High School
- Business Resource Meet Up: noon, MAN-TRA-CON Corp. and Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission offices, Marion, and 4:30 p.m. Morello’s, Harrisburg
- Chancellor’s Reception: 6 to 8 p.m., Morello’s, Harrisburg
Friday, April 26
- School visits: Murphysboro High School, Chester High School and Du Quoin High School
- Business Resource Meet Up: 4:30 p.m., Alongi’s Italian Restaurant, Du Quoin
- Chancellor’s Reception: 6 to 8 p.m., St. Nicholas Brewing Co., Du Quoin
Monday, April 29
- School visits: Vienna High School, Meridian High School, Cairo High School, Anna Jonesboro High School and Cobden High School
- Business Resource Meet Up: noon, First Baptist Missionary Church, Cairo, and 4:30 p.m., Media Center at Vienna High School
- Chancellor’s Reception: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Alto Vineyards
Tuesday, April 30
- Business Resource Meet Up: 4:30 p.m., Carbondale Civic Center
Wednesday, May 1
- School visits: Carterville High School, Carbondale Community High School, Herrin High School and John A. Logan College
- Business Resource Meet Up: 4:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Golconda
- Chancellor’s Reception: 6 to 8 p.m., Fat Edd’s Roadhouse, Metropolis
Saturday, May 4
- Southern Illinois Celebration: 6 to 8 p.m., Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, Carterville
For more information, call 618-453-4900 or email siuf@foundation.siu.edu.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers, and news crews are invited to cover any or all of the Southern Illinois Saluki Takeover Tour Chancellor’s Receptions and the Southern Illinois Celebration, where SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane will be available for interviews. For assistance with interviews with the chancellor, text or call Jeff Harmon, SIU’s chief communications and marketing officer, at 573-352-0035.
There will be six receptions at various locations from April 24 through May 4. The largest will be the May 4 Southern Illinois Celebration at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, which will feature the recognition of multiple incoming students, include a trophy presentation for the SIU Day of Giving and celebrate the university’s recent successes.
The schedule of receptions is:
Wednesday, April 24, 6 to 8 p.m., The Granada Theatre, Mount Vernon
Thursday, April 25, 6 to 8 p.m., Morello’s, Harrisburg
Friday, April 26, 6 to 8 p.m., St. Nicholas Brewing Co., Du Quoin
Monday, April 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Alto Vineyards
Wednesday, May 1, 6 to 8 p.m., Fat Edd’s Roadhouse, Metropolis
Wednesday, May 4, Southern Illinois Celebration, 6 to 8 p.m., Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, Carterville
