Alumni

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...

Here are some of the recently published stories featuring Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, alumni, faculty and broader initiatives showcasing SIUE’s regional impact:

1. Four SIUE Alumni Named to St. Louis Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”

• Jenna Gorlewicz, BS Mechanical Engineering ’08, Associate Dean for Research a...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville raised a glass to its newest graduates on Thursday, Dec. 11, ahead of this weekend’s commencement ceremonies. The semiannual Always a Cougar Celebration welcomed members of the Class of ’25, along with their families and alumni, for an evening reception and champagne toast in the Meridian Ballroom of the Morris University Center.

Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, faculty, and staff met with graduating students and their guests.

“It is...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Engineering unveiled its newly created Wall of Fame on Wednesday evening, honoring Hall of Fame alumni whose achievements have shaped industries, strengthened communities and advanced the engineering profession. The installation, located along the curved inner wall of the Engineering Building atrium, features framed portraits, biographical plaques and decades of School of Engineering imagery.

Faculty, staff, alumni, industry partners...

Here are some of the recently published stories featuring Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, alumni, faculty and broader initiatives showcasing SIUE’s regional impact:

1. KSDK Archives Highlight Muhammad Ali’s 1971 Visit to SIUE
   
   Muhammad Ali at SIUE
   
   KSDK News revisited a historic moment from June 1, 1971, when boxing legend Muhammad Ali spoke at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. In the archival footage, Ali delivers his speech, “The Intoxication of Life...

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’...

Get Ready to Unleash the Spirit during SIUE Homecoming & Family Weekend, Sept. 24–28

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will “Unleash the Spirit” during Homecoming & Family Weekend, Sept. 24–28. The annual celebration invites alumni, students, families and community members to reconnect, recharge and enjoy a weekend packed with high-energy events and time-honored traditions.

“Homecoming & Family Weekend is one of my favorite times of the year,” said...

The Savannah Bananas brought their world-famous baseball entertainment to St. Louis for the first time, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville fans of Banana Ball were right in the middle of the action. With two sold-out nights at Busch Stadium and more than 90,000 fans in attendance, the SIUE Alumni Association hosted a memorable gathering for hundreds of alumni to celebrate the occasion and support fellow Cougar, Matt Graifer (’10), who now serves as Cast Director and Chief Pota...

Here are some of the recently published stories featuring Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, alumni, faculty, and broader initiatives showcasing SIUE’s regional impact:

1. Dr. Tandra Taylor Profiled as a St. Louis Character
   St. Louis Business Journal
   
   SIUE’s own Tandra Taylor, PhD, historian and director of the Institute for Community Justice and Racial Equity, was featured as a "St. Louis Character" for her community-based scholarship and leadership. The article highl...

Here are some of the recently published stories featuring Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, alumni, and initiatives:

1. WGEL: Clinton County 4-H Foundation Awards Scholarships to SIUE Students
    WGEL Radio highlighted the Clinton County 4-H Foundation’s 2025 scholarship recipients, including two SIUE students recognized for academic achievement and community service. The Foundation's support helps rural students access higher education, reinforcing SIUE’s stron...

Free Information, Screenings and Prizes; Fraternity Gives Clinic $7,000  

Metro East residents received valuable information, participated in health screenings, enjoyed free haircuts, beauty services, clothing, lunch, and major door prizes during the Spring Forward Health and Wellness Fair, co-hosted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing’s (SON) WE CARE Clinic in East St. Louis. 

The WE CARE Clinic partnered with the East St. Louis (IL) Alumni Cha...

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 ...

Craig Ohlau, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus and former student-athlete, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2004 and later earned his master’s degree at SIUE in educational administration in 2014. Ohlau has gone on to make a lasting impact in the Edwardsville community as an educator, award-winning author, and as a highly decorated coach for the Edwardsville High School Baseball team. Dedicating his life to making a lasting impact on and off the ...

SIUE’s Dunham Hall Theater resonated with vibrant sound of jazz as the SIUE Concert Jazz Band welcomed four celebrated alumni for the 2nd Annual SIUE Jazz Alumni Concert on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The evening brought together past and present Cougars in a dynamic showcase of jazz artistry, featuring a rotation of guest performances from four nationally recognized musicians who got their start at SIUE: Austin Cebulske, '12, saxophonist, Kara Baldus, '03, '05, pianist, Nick Jost, ‘08, &#8...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumni and friends are meeting in Florida for an exciting weekend at the ballpark this March. The SIUE Alumni Association is hosting a two-day event that will bring Cougars together to celebrate its community and to create memories.

The event kicks off Saturday, March 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Homewood Suites in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Alumni will enjoy a private gathering featuring appetizers, drinks and the opportunity to reconnect with old friend...

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Alumni Association and Athletics joined forces for an extraordinary evening of recognition and celebration for the 2025 Hall of Fame induction on Friday, Jan. 10. The event, held as part of the 2025 Alumni Weekend, highlighted the remarkable achievements of distinguished alumni and outstanding athletes, bringing together the SIUE community in a spirit of pride and camaraderie.

The 2025 Hall of Fame Ceremony was segmented after dinner with t...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville honored its graduating students in style at the biannual Always a Cougar celebration on Thursday, Dec. 12. Held the day before commencement weekend, the festive event welcomed the newest cohort of fall graduates into the SIUE Alumni Association while providing a well-deserved break after final exams.

Hosted by the Office of Alumni and Donor Relations, Student Affairs and SIUE Credit Union as the presenting sponsor, the celebration featured live music fr...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine and SIU Carbondale alumni and friends joined SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, and Chancellors Austin A. Lane, EdD, and James T. Minor, PhD, for an evening at Third Degree Glass Factory in St. Louis, Mo.

“It was a great evening of connection and creativity, bringing together alumni and friends from SIUE, SIUC, and the School of Medicine. More than just a reception, it showcased the stren...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced the 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, honoring distinguished alumni who have made exceptional contributions in their careers, communities and to the University. This year’s Alumni Association honorees are Brian J. Henry, Charles O. Myer, Christopher Larsen, DMD, Jonathan Fowler, Jacquelyn Clement, PhD, FNP, RN, and posthumous inductee Karen Morris Watkins.

The Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes graduates who exemplify leadership, cha...

The ninth annual SIUE Cougars Unleashed 5K/10K Run and Pancake Breakfast, a hallmark of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Homecoming & Family Weekend, is set to take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Organized by the SIUE Alumni Association, the event invites runners of all ages and skill levels to lace up their shoes and enjoy a morning of fitness, community spirit and fun.

Last year, the run attracted nearly 400 participants and organizers project to break that record thi...

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) was recently awarded with the national Innovation in Teaching Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy for their innovative project, "Making an ‘ImPaCT (Improving Patient Care for Tomorrow)’: A longitudinal, required innovation curriculum to address practice-based problems.” The program is led by Kate Newman, PharmD, Director of Experiential Education and a clinical associate professor wit...

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...

On the mornings of April 13 and April 20, a large group of students, staff, alumni, faculty, retired faculty and future Cougars from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) pitched in to clean and beautify the yards of 12 area senior citizens. The work ranged from small projects to large. After each shift, all homeowners were left with beautiful yards that they could safely enjoy.

The project was the idea of Chris Lynch, professor and director of clinical pr...