Alumni

Mahony Talks with SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor and SIUC Chancellor Austin Lane

A doctor? A lawyer? A university chancellor? Though the third option is not one that most young people readily think of as a profession, Southern Illinois University (SIU) System President Dan Mahony, PhD, delved into the experiences and explored roads that led two successful men to their careers as administrators in higher education. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Chancellor James T. Mi...

 
Fresh off opening night of the Jazz Alumni Concert on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the SIUE Concert Jazz Band traveled across the river to take center stage at Jazz St. Louis, a top performance destination providing exceptional entertainment in the St. Louis Metro Area for three decades. “An Evening with the Chancellor” on Thursday, Feb. 6, brought together an audience of SIUE Alumni and members of The Chancellor’s Circle who contributed 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...

Jazz Artists from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Concert Jazz Band and four featured SIUE alumni will take the stage in both Edwardsville and midtown St. Louis in February for two stellar evenings. Opening night on the Edwardsville campus will precede “An Evening with the Chancellor at Jazz St. Louis.” The Edwardsville concert will also feature the inaugural Brett Stamps Jazz Alumni Award. Performances are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, ...

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...

Initiative Revived to Combat Violence in East St. Louis and Beyond  

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is one of many partners working with the 40 Days of Nonviolence and Beyond initiative in its ongoing mission to deter and ultimately eliminate violence in the East St. Louis area. The committee kicked off its campaign with a press conference, that included State Sen. Christopher Belt (D- 57^th District), on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Clyde C. Jordan Senior Citizen Center in the East ...

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...

Expanding on its previous and current dramatic offerings and education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will present the inaugural SIUE Performing Arts Initiative on Wednesday, Jan. 22, according to Marc Schapman, DMA, professor of voice and chair of the Department of Music. 

The new series of performances and workshops will begin on Jan. 22 in the Dunham Hall Theater and will feature Chamber Project Saint Louis (CPSTL), with the University’s own Professor of Cello Marta Si...

Lindy Noel is a corporate communications specialist for the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team in Ohio. Noel earned both her bachelor's degree in communication studies  (‘11) and her master’s degree in public administration and policy analysis (‘14) from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Then, in 2024, blood donor and, eventually, a bone marrow donor, Noel performed a selfless act of service when she donated her kidney to her colleague.

Noel noticed a post from ...

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...

This Native American/Indigenous Heritage Month, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville unveiled an encased display of indigenous art during the University’s presentation of its Land Acknowledgement. The art, created by alumna Susan Bostwick, MFA, and husband and wife artists Kilan Jacobs (Osage) and Mary Jacobs (Quapaw) is located at the north entrance of Morris University Center (MUC).

On display is Bostwick’s clay doll, a replica of an artifact found durin...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, shared financial information that touted the University’s remarkable influence in the Southern Illinois region and St. Louis Metropolitan area, such as the more than $1.3 billion of economic impact that includes the benefits of 12,178 jobs, the generation of $144.4 million in taxes and the alumni power of $516.3 million. 

View the story on SIUE's Economic Impact Report.

Minor released the University’s Ec...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s very own alumna Kimberly Gray (‘94), a rising star in the grocery retail sector, has recently been hired as Chief Merchant at Schnucks. Gray brings more than 20 years of leadership and experience to the retail powerhouse. She has already begun leading efforts to improve customer experience.

Gray’s career began when she graduated from SIUE in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management. She has held leadersh...

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...

SIUE Faculty Members Talk of Civil Rights Future Needs, Framing it by Former Deeds

The ebb and flow of political ramifications due to racial and economic equity gains following 1964 Landmark Civil Rights legislation, inform the need for ongoing, diligent work for civil liberties, as the country braces for the 2024 Presidential Election. 

The above view was held by four Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty members who made up the panel during Southern Illinois University (SI...

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...

Madison County Transit (MCT) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony the morning of October 29 on the newly opened MCT Yellowhammer Connector, a picturesque bike path, bridging the gap between the scenic MCT Trails and the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Watch Chancellor James T. Minor bicycle the new pathway.

“Madison County is one of the most bikeable, walkable places in the Midwest,” said SJ Morrison, an alumnus ('02) and Managing Director of Madison County Tran...

SIUE Alumna Spent her Life Championing Diversity Efforts

Thelma Watershed Wair, one of the historical Little Rock Nine who integrated an Arkansas high school in 1957 amidst an angry mob of white separationist and who later graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has died. She was 83. 

Wair’s sister, Grace Davis, confirmed to The Associated Press that Wair died Saturday at a hospital in Little Rock from complications of multiple sclerosis. 

Wair’s histo...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student Darren Luchetti, a recent Fontbonne transfer student studying applied mathematics, and the University’s transfer program were recently featured on Fox 2 News St. Louis. KMOV First Alert 4 also provided coverage of the program. The news broadcasts shared SIUE’s commitment as a designated teach-out institution for Fontbonne students who earlier this year learned of their college closing date summer 2025.

As Fox 2 reporter Jeff Ber...

Our cameras were everywhere during SIUE Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024. Captured having a great time:  a nation of Cougars!

Tune into our YouTube channel for a recap.

Roll Cougs!

Photos by Howard Ash. Video by Bikash Pokharel.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s WSIE 88.7 will wrap up its 2^nd Annual WSIE Music Series with Deacon Dan: A Tribute to Steely Dan from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Old Herald Brewery and Distillery in Collinsville. 

The 2024 WSIE series closeout was rescheduled from Sept. 28 due to weather conditions.    

The series has provided great entertainment for the community since April 2023, featuring live, local talent with great blends of blues, easy R&B and a ...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) leadership, the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), design-build firms Clayco + Poettker, and city and state officials gathered this morning to celebrate a significant construction milestone. A “final pour” ceremony marked the last structural concrete pour on the new $105 million health science building at the SIUE campus.

During the event, attendees toured the 176,000 square foot building that will accommodate the School of Pha...

Get ready to “Rock the Quad” as COUGARFEST returns to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Homecoming & Family Weekend, promising an even bigger and better event for its second year. The fun begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, on the Stratton Quad, offering live music, family-friendly activities and a food truck festival— all for free.

COUGARFEST aims to unite the SIUE community, alumni, students and local residents in a celebration of Cougar Nation. The evening...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Brett Sheroky is returning to his hometown of Belleville to showcase his musical talents, which have caught the attention of multiple top country music artists.

“I have had artists like Blake Shelton, Granger Smith, Jake Owen, and 2022 American Idol winner Noah Thompson record my songs,” said Sheroky, who moved to Nashville to pursue his passion for songwriting. “Matt Stell currently has my song ‘Man Made’ on cou...

As part of their development in becoming rising professionals contributing to society’s health and well-being, spring graduates of the nutrition program in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Department of Applied Health finished their undergraduate journey by successfully completing research investigating novel topics on dietetics and nutrition. The nine students, comprising two groups, presented their findings at an ind...