About the Association

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Last Updated: Nov 14, 2024, 01:40 PM

An Advocate for Excellence

As the largest and oldest organization on campus, the SIU Alumni Association has been proudly serving SIU alumni and friends since 1896. It seeks to engage alumni, students, and friends of the university by preserving SIU traditions, promoting pride in an SIU education, and facilitating opportunities for students and alumni to connect professionally.

Today, the Association has continued to grow and serve as a connection between more than 250,000 alumni in every state of the U.S. and in more than 100 countries, as well as family and friends of the university. This is done by the Association playing a major role in key University functions by working with various departments across campus, including SIU Career Services, Saluki Athletics, and the Chancellor’s Office, on events and programs that support the university’s mission.

The Association sponsors the Student Alumni Council, a student run organization linking students with alumni and friends of SIU, and offers a nationally-recognized Extern program, while also delivering financial assistance programs in the form of scholarships and textbooks. Reunions are also organized and steered by the Association in order to bring Salukis back home. These include the Black Alumni Group and the 50-Year Class Reunion.

All of this allows the Association to continue its mission of: "revealing to the world the excellence of Southern Illinois University."

A Long Proud History

The 1897 graduating class taken from "A Picture History" by Betty Mitchell.
The 1897 graduating class taken from "A Picture History" by Betty Mitchell.

In 1896, the Association was established by a group of students whose purpose was to continue the involvement with their alma mater and fellow graduates. Their first meeting was held on June 10, 1896. In 1897, annual membership dues cost a mere 25 cents.

Fifty years later, the organization was officially formed as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and now rests under the university’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations along with its sister organization, the SIU Foundation.

Alumni Association Strategic Plan

A Gateway for All Alumni

The Association has created a strategic vision for the future. In it, the organization affirms a mission to become a principal gateway for alumni engagement, using five guiding pillars for success.

  • Inclusive Alumni Engagement

    • Strengthen connections among all alumni with an understanding of their attitudes, needs, and expectations.

  • Campus Partnerships

    • Provide a unifying voice that inspires greater alumni engagement through partnerships awith university stakeholders.

  • Communications

    • Cement a clear brand of two-way communication across the media landscape to inform and engage alumni.

  • Organizational Sustainability

    • Ensure a sufficiently resourced framework built around enhanced support for alumni, students, and the university.

  • Future and New Alumni

    • Foster a culture of lifelong connection that turns current students and new graduates into an active alumni base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you no longer offering a dues-paying model of membership?

We are no longer soliciting new annual and life members. Instead, we're focusing on engaging as many alumni as possible in support of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The Association will, however, maintain many of the benefits afforded to its life members in recognition of their commitments.

I am currently an annual member. What do I do?

Alumni who are long-time annual members have been notified by mail about the membership program changes and instructions dependent upon their payment history and the length of time they have maintained an annual membership. Some are being offered the change to upgrade to a life membership. If you haven't received correspondence and think you may qualify, please contact the Association to check on your status.

I am currently an annual member on recurring payments. What do I do?

All membership renewals ceased as of July 1, 2023. If your renewal date arrives after this date, your credit or debit card will not be charged. If your renewal date arrived prior to this date, your membership may have been renewed automatically. Your benefits will be honored until the stated expiration date on your most recent membership.

What happens if I already have a life membership?

As a life member of the Association, your benefits will be maintained and, in some cases, enhanced going forward.

I am currently a life member on a payment plan. Will I be allowed to complete my payments?

Yes, individuals paying on a life installment have been notified by mail of changes to the membership program and instructions dependent upon their payment history.

I am not currently a member and either never have been, or my membership has lapsed. What does this mean for me?

In an effort to be more inclusive and engage as many alumni as possible, we are no longer asking for alumni to become dues-paying members. In fact, all alumni are part of the Association. You have access to any of the services we offer to our alumni, regardless of whether or not you've ever paid membership dues.

What does this mean for someone who just graduated?

New graduates have access to all the services we offer. In addition, our Young Alumni Group is ready and willing to connect with our newest alumni to help them through their early careers.

Do I receive benefits for being an alumnus?

Yes, you have access to a number of services and benefits. You can find out more about them by visiting siualumni.com. You can also expect to receive regular newsletters and SIU Alumni magazine twice a year.

What benefits are included if I am already a life member?

Enhanced benefits for life members include advance notice on upcoming events, including some with reduced ticket rates, additional options for our nationwide network of discounts, as well as recognition during alumni events.

Will the Alumni Association continue to offer events?

Yes, the Association will continue to host many of our traditional events, as well as new gatherings across the country and on campus.

Will the Alumni Association continue to offer a magazine?

Yes, SIU Alumni magazine will continue to be offered twice a year—once as a print and digital edition in the fall, and as a digital-only edition for the spring.

I want to continue to support the Alumni Association by giving. What are my options?

We hope you will consider future support for other important areas of our organization, such as local chapter scholarships, our Student Leadership Development Fund, and the Traditions Fund. You will find these giving opportunities and more available by selecting "Give Now" on the header of our website, siualumni.com.

Whom do I contact if I have questions?

Please contact Michelle Dirks, the Director of Student and Member Relations, at micheller@alumni.siu.edu.