Alumni

More than one thousand Cougars will fill the stands at the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and alumni will join race fans for an exciting, televised NASCAR race, while the University’s School of Engineering (SOE), STEM Center, Alumni Association and enrollment team greet visitors on the Raceway’s STEM Lane. SIUE is a sponsor of the Infield Main Stage presenting music artists Dasha and Old Dominion set to headline the post-...

The Route 66 Centennial Celebration will become part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s own story during Homecoming & Family Weekend, Sept. 23–27. This year’s theme, “All Roads Lead Home,” celebrates the miles traveled, memories made and Cougar connections that continue to bring alumni, students, families and community members back to campus.

"'All Roads Lead Home' is more than a theme, it's an invitation to connect,” said Miriam Roccia, Vice Ch...

This summer, new sights on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville have been the perfect draw for summer campers, academic conferences and a walk down memory lane for Cougar alumni. One main attraction for recent reunions has been the Health Science Complex, which opened within three years of its initial groundbreaking. SIUE alumnus Charlie Dragovich, ‘86, who received his degre...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Steve Porter, ’73, has been selected as an inductee in the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

A veteran in print media, Porter worked as a sportswriter for 45 years with the Alton Telegraph, Alton AdVantage and Collinsville Herald. Throughout his distinguished career, he has been actively covering athletes, teams and events that had a la...

The SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is helping Illinois-based natural insect repellent manufacturer Skitopel® prepare for international growth by providing strategic export counseling, market research, and connections to trusted export resources.

Founded by SIUE alumna April Robbins in 2019, Skitopel was inspired by a simple observation made while working in her family garden in Bunker Hill, Ill. After discovering that herbs such as lavend...

Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean of SIU SDM, recently announced that the SIU School of Dental Medicine is launching its new Graduate Periodontics Program, as of July 1. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) discussed and granted an initial accreditation approval for the new program at SIU SDM at their meeting on February 5.

The new graduate specialty program at the SIU School of Dental Medicine has been in the planning and development stages for several years to ach...

 
On Thursday, July 9, 80 police officers departed as a sea of blue on wheels from the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, destined for Chicago. The 22nd annual four-day ride, along historic Route 66, is known as The 2026 Cycle Across Illinois. The monumental trek benefits Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), which supports families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

Cyclists a...

 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced 10 inductees to the 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame. The SIUE Alumni Association Hall of Fame honors distinguished alumni who have made exceptional contributions in their careers, communities and to the University. This year’s Alumni Association honorees are Lindy Noel, Kyle Anderson, Andy Manar, Scott Thoma, Ken Tilashalski, DMD, Sandy Montgomery, Ryan Freeman, Ve...

As part of its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, the Department of Theater and Dance has established a Hall of Fame honoring alumni whose achievements and contributions have helped shape the department's legacy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

During the annual Encore Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, Theater and Dance formally recognized the inaugural Hall of Fame class as part of "A Season of Gold," a historic season celebrating five decades of artistic excellence, creati...

In its tenth-year celebration of alumni who earned their degree 50 or more years ago, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted the 1976 class of Golden Graduates return to campus spring commencement weekend May 8-9. The annual reunion is a milestone that offers alumni an opportunity to reflect on how far they have come, some of whom say due to their time at SIUE.

The celebration kicked off with a luncheon where Golden Graduates&#...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville raised a record-breaking $3,221,709 during its fifth annual One Day, One SIUE celebration on Thursday, April 23, bringing together alumni, students and community supporters for an evening of philanthropy, pride and impact.

Held outside the University’s new Health Sciences Complex, this year’s theme, “Soaring to New Heights,” reflected both the spirit of the event and the growing momentum behind philanthropic support for SIUE st...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted its spring career fair series, connecting students and alumni with employers across multiple industries. 

Hosted by the SIUE Career Development Center, the events are held at the Morris University Center and are designed to support students in their job search and professional development. The fairs are open to SIUE students and alumni, as well as those from partner schools. 

Recent events include the Education Care...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host its fifth annual One Day, One SIUE celebration at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, bringing together alumni, partners and the campus community for a day of giving and an evening celebration that will glow.

In 2025, the SIUE community raised $2,880,842.81. The amount included seven new scholarship endowments, one new program endowment and more than 1,070 first-time donors. Gifts came from 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the United Kingdom, and ...

 
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...

It was a Time of Information to Inspiration, Engagement to Enjoyment  

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville concluded its annual Wom*n’s History Month (WHM) on Monday, March 31. This year’s theme was Moving Forward Together! Wom*n Educating and Inspiring Generations.  

Speakers, presentations, activities, observances and more were woven throughout March to acknowledge and celebrate women and their contributions. WHM was also a time to inform, inspire and chall...

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...

SIUE Athletics shot up the charts to finish in the top 100 of the 2014-15 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Division I Final Fall Standings.

With NCAA Tournament appearances by both men’s and women’s soccer, the Cougars earned 75 points in the rankings, which tied Oklahoma of the Big 12 Conference and Oakland of the Horizon League.

SIUE is tied for the No. 6 ranking in the nation among non-football schools, trailing only Providence (Big East), Iona (Metro Atlantic), Creighton (Bi...