Alumni

 
As part of a system-wide initiative, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has partnered with Google and the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) to provide Google Career Certificates to students as co-curricular offerings or embedded into academic programs. SIUE students, faculty and staff now have the opportunity to Grow with Google and earn no-cost training licenses in the form of Google Career Certificates and Specia...

On Saturday, March 7, SIU School of Dental Medicine hosted SIU SDM March Mimosas Brunch 2026 to introduce current students to members of the SIU SDM Alumni Association. The inaugural event brought together practitioners at all levels over chicken & waffles, fresh fruit and champagne.

The scene was set for a welcome break from classes and plenty of networking. 
 
“The SIU SDM March Mimosas Brunch 2026 was a great opportunity for r...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty, students and programs continue to gain regional and national media coverage for their expertise, innovation and community engagement. Recent coverage highlights faculty thought leadership, alumni achievement, student opportunity and the University’s growing role as a civic and cultural anchor across the region.

1. East St. Louis Alumni Panel Inspires Class of 2026
   
   Riverbender highlighted an SIUE alumni panel held at East St. Louis Seni...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Chancellor Emeritus and Former First Lady, philanthropists David and Kay Werner, have donated $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship in SIUE's School of Education Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). The first $5,000 award will be announced this semester.

“We are delighted to receive such a generous gift from the Werner family at such a critical time. Nationwide&#160...

Tremolos flared brilliantly at the Annual Jazz Alumni Concert performance in Dunham Hall Theater, Feb. 4. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Concert Jazz Band welcomed back star alumni bassist Carlos Henderson (’96), and trombonist Chris Leach (’96), to fill the theater with lively performances of reworked favorites and a touching tribute to former Professor Emeritus Rick Haydon.

Garrett Schmidt, conductor of the Concert Jazz Band and Jason Swagler, director of Jazz Stu...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor emeritus, jazz guitarist, recording artist and beloved colleague Rick Haydon died on Sunday, Jan. 11.  He was 75.

An SIUE alumnus (’82, ‘87), Haydon was the first to graduate from SIUE’s newly created Jazz Studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences. He began his career at SIUE in 1982 in the Department of Music as head...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred degrees upon 1050 eligible graduates during December 2025 commencement ceremonies, held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13 in the First Community Arena at Vadalabene Center. 

SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, welcomed graduates, guests and introduced Chancellor Minor who addressed the Class of 2025 with this message: “This moment marks a stage of growth in your pers...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Cole Milam, CFP, MBA, (’20, ’24), has built an impressive career defined by determination, discipline, and a drive to help others succeed. A former standout pitcher for SIUE Baseball, Milam’s journey from the Cougar mound to professional baseball and now to successful entrepreneur and wealth planner exemplifies SIUE’s mission of shaping leaders who make a lasting impact.

Milam’s time at SIUE was marked by both athle...

On Tuesday, August 26th, more than 60 students, faculty, staff, and administrators gathered in Lovejoy Library to celebrate the launch of the Hansen Humanities Network established by a generous endowed gift from Julia Y. and Stephen L. Hansen to the College of Arts and Sciences.

Highlighting  the Hansen’s many contributions to the College and University, Dean of the College, Kevin Leonard, PhD, noted that “Over the course of their long careers in the SIUE Department of History,...

“They cleaned my teeth really good, and now they feel a lot better,” said eight-year-old Kazan Mohammad who visited Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) during Give Kids A Smile (GKAS), a day of free comprehensive dental care for children aged three to 13. This day of care, which involved all D1 through D4 students, many graduate students, alumni, dental and biomedical faculty, is in its 20th year. The total value of treatment: $89,352.

“We’...

SIUE will host its fourth annual One Day One SIUE celebration on Thursday, April 24. The event, which combines the University's day of giving with a vibrant outdoor celebration, will take place on the Stratton Quadrangle and feature music from the Red Jackets Band, a BBQ buffet, and an INDYCAR showcase presented by World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) in a fun raceway themed celebration.

“The fundraising festival has rapidly evolved into one of the University’s most antici...

Alumni and friends of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came together for a fun weekend at the ballpark in Florida. Coordinated by the SIUE Alumni Association, the two-day event celebrated Cougar pride while giving alumni a chance to connect, reminisce on good times and cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals.

The fun began Saturday, March 22 at the Homewood Suites in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. Alumni and friends had a chance to sit down with friends, share stories and re-connect fueled by their ...

SIUE Alumnus is Credited for Work at SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School 

For being a positive influence and giving students a good view law of enforcement officials, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Sgt. Kasey Hoyd received Fox 2’s “Proud to Serve” award. 

SIUE alumnus Hoyd, who serves as the resource officer at the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School, accepted the station’s March award and $500 on a live segment that aired on Tuesday,...

A dazzling, unique display of theatrical performances are lined up for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 13^th Xfest from Monday -Thursday, Sept. 9-12. 

Xfest is a five-day festival in September featuring alternative theatre and dance that brings to campus an array of performing artists, who are nationally and internationally renowned, as well as regional emerging artists, according to Xfest Artistic Director Chuck Harper, professor of performance in the SIUE Department of T...

University Communications Intern Ashlyn Cross Went Behind the Cougar Theater Camp Curtain

"Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook,” Disney's “The Lion King JR.,” and “Alice in Wonderland" were the exciting summer musicals on stage for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougar Theater Camp. The Cougar Theater Camp allows children to gain technical skills as well as theater experience, and for some SIUE alum, these musicals are their first jobs after graduating.

In a momentous celebration at the 2024 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando, the Florida Dental Association (FDA) named Christopher Bulnes, DMD, of Tampa as the Dentist of the Year. This prestigious honor highlights his exceptional dedication and transformative contributions to the dental profession, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career. 

A dedicated leader in the dental community, Bulnes has held prominent positions at various levels, including serving as president of the H...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degrees upon 56 graduates of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) during their commencement ceremony held Saturday, June 3 at the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center on the Edwardsville campus.

“We are so impressed with what you have accomplished and how you have persevered during these challenging years,” said Saulius Dru...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) will present its annual Dinner Theater fundraiser on Tuesday, April 19.

Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by an exclusive preview of “Rent” produced by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Departments of Theater and Dance and Music. This will be the final rehearsal and an opportunity to be the first to see the show.

"We are looking forward to the 2022 FOTAD Dinner Theater,” said Oti...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is introducing three new concurrent degree programs to provide students with greater opportunities for learning and career advancement in the health sciences while saving time and money.

The new concurrent degree programs, which will begin in fall 2022, include:

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS)
• PharmD and Master of Public Health (MPH)
• MPH and Master of Business Administration (MBA)

“Today'...

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) has developed two post-baccalaureate certificates focused on public health. Beginning in summer 2023, the Department of Applied Health will offer certificates in public health emergency preparedness infectious disease outbreaks and surveillance and in global public health.

A post-baccalaureate certificate provides in-depth training that leads to a specifi...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor nine remarkable graduates at the 2021 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony, A Night Among the Stars, on Thursday, Sept. 23. The impressive alumni have made exceptional contributions in their chosen fields, in their communities and at SIUE through their leadership, character and hard work.

 “Those selected for the Alumni Hall of Fame represent the best of SIUE,” said Andrew Ravanelli, PhD, SIUE Alumni Association president. &#822...

With intense expressions and fast fingers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students were in multiplayer gaming heaven, engaging in both casual and competitive video play in the newly opened Esports Arena, located in Bluff Hall.

The Esports Arena was officially introduced during a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event held Thursday, Jan. 16. A crowd of excited students, alumni, SIUE faculty, staff and administrators, and representatives from Scott Air Force Base toured the new space...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook presented his second annual State of the University Address to the campus community on Thursday, Sept. 21 with the theme of “Big Questions.” Pembrook highlighted the University’s many successes, motivated future progress, and in light of two racially motivated incidents on campus last week, emphasized SIUE’s strong stance against hate crimes.

“We’re in a higher education setting, and that mea...