SIU's 150th Anniversary

It’s our anniversary and you’re invited to celebrate with us! SIU is marking its 150th anniversary with a yearlong commemoration.

Born as a teacher’s college in 1869, we’re now a nationally ranked research institution with students from across the United States and around the world.

We launched our sesquicentennial celebration during the March 6, 2019, Day of Giving. Throughout the year, in countless ways large and small, we are recognizing what a special place – a place of great opportunity – SIU is.

Our themes say it all:

• Saluki TRADITION – paying homage to our remarkable past, our reputation for innovation, hands-on learning and strong research and our proven record of preparing students for successful lives.
• Saluki PRIDE – recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and campus community.
• Saluki PROMISE – looking forward to the next 150 years and beyond, confident that SIU and our incredible Salukis will continue to make their mark in a positive way on the world.

We hope you are celebrating this special milestone along with us and we invite you to explore this website and discover even more reasons to celebrate SIU at 150.

We want you to get creative in celebrating our 150^th Anniversary!

The 150 Challenge is about showing our Saluki Pride while celebrating our big anniversary. You can do a challenge alone or with friends. The important thing is to bring in the 150 theme to whatever challenge you choose.

Like Grey Dawg taking a picture with 150+ students, your challenge can be simple or as involved as you want to make it.

So grab a group of friends, roommates, coworkers, club members or anyone who wants to participate and show your Saluki Pride!

Fill out the form and let us know what you are planning. We will be sharing the challenges on our social media channels so everyone can see our 150 celebrations.

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It was a celebration 150 years in the making, and it didn’t disappoint.

On March 6, SIU’s alumni and friends gathered to honor the university during the third annual Day of Giving. Together, more than $900,000 was raised on a day marked by fun and philanthropy. As of press time, the official numbers were still being finalized.

In the Morris Library rotunda, dozens of Salukis and supporters enjoyed a surprise gift. An oversized gift box was opened, unveiling a surprise theater performance by Grey Dawg and students from the SIU theater department. Interim Chancellor John Dunn gave remarks and Mayor Mike Henry presented SIU with a city proclamation for the SIU Day of Giving. The event was capped off with birthday cake. 

“It was a wonderful day to be a Saluki.”

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