Pedestrian bridge at SIU Carbondale.

April 01, 2026

Media Advisory: SIU officials to visit local schools as part of Saluki Takeover Tour

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — This month’s Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois will include officials visiting many of the region’s high schools where seniors will celebrate their commitment to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale this fall. The visits begin Thursday, April 2, and continue through April 29.

Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to cover any or all visits, as incoming freshmen receive SIU-branded caps and learn about their next steps, such as registering for classes and signing up for orientation. SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane or Wendell Williams, vice chancellor for enrollment management, will be available for interviews.

“We’re proud of the talent in Southern Illinois and want our students to stay local,” Williams said. “We want them to know they have access to and can attend a world-class, R1 research university without leaving home. This is also a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation to our local superintendents, principals and guidance counselors for their continuing support.”

The Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois began March 31 and continues through April 29.

Here is a schedule of high school visits:

  • Thursday, April 2: 9 a.m., Agape Christian High School; 10:30 a.m., Carterville High School; 1:30 p.m., Trico High School.
  • Tuesday, April 7: 1:30 p.m., Johnston City High School.
  • Wednesday, April 8: 10 a.m., Pope County High School; 11 a.m., Hardin County High School; 1 p.m., Norris City-Omaha-Enfield (NCOE) Community High School.
  • Thursday, April 9: 9:30 a.m., Sesser-Valier High School; 10:30 a.m., Christopher High School; 11:30 a.m., Zeigler-Royalton High School; 12:30 p.m., Frankfort Community High School, West Frankfort; 1:15 p.m., Benton Consolidated High School.
  • Friday, April 10: 10:30 a.m., Eldorado High School; 11:30 a.m., Harrisburg High School; 2 p.m., Crab Orchard High School.
  • Monday, April 13: 9 a.m., Elverado High School; 10 a.m., Du Quoin High School; 11 a.m., Pinckneyville Community High School; 12:15 p.m., Nashville Community High School; 1:15 p.m., Okawville High School.
  • Tuesday, April 14: 9:30 a.m., Massac County High School; 10:30 a.m., Joppa High School; 11:30 a.m., Meridian High School; 1:15 p.m., Goreville High School.
  • Wednesday, April 15: 9 a.m., Cobden High School; 9:45 a.m., Shawnee High School; 10:30 a.m. Century High School; 11:15 a.m. Egyptian High School; noon, Cairo High School.
  • Thursday, April 16: 9 a.m., Thompsonville High School; 10:30 a.m., Carmi-White County High School; 11:15 a.m., Grayville High School.
  • Friday, April 17: 9 a.m., Murphysboro High School; 10 a.m., Trinity Christian School, Carbondale; 10:45 a.m., Carbondale Community High School.
  • Monday, April 20: 9:30 a.m., Webber Township High School; 10:30 a.m., Woodlawn High School; 11:15 a.m., Waltonville High School; noon, Mount Vernon Township High School.
  • Thursday, April 23: 9:15 a.m., Coulterville High School; 9:45 a.m., Steeleville High School; 10:30 a.m., Sparta High School; 11:15 a.m., Chester High School; 1 p.m., Red Bud High School.
  • Tuesday, April 28: 9:15 a.m., Anna-Jonesboro Community High School; 10:15 a.m., Vienna High School; 11:15 a.m., Pope County Community High School; 12:45 p.m., Gallatin County High School.
  • Wednesday, April 29: 9 a.m., Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School; 9:45 a.m., Galatia High School; 10:45 a.m., Hamilton County High School.

Please check in at the school’s administrative offices. Note that plans are subject to change, based on the weather and road conditions. For assistance with interviews, text or call Jeff Harmon, SIU’s chief communications and marketing officer, at 573-352-0035.