Saluki Stories: Oral Histories from SIU

Michael Tow grew up in Jackson County. While in high school he received a prestigious Horatio Alger scholarship that allowed him to attend John A. Logan College before transferring to SIUC. His studies lead him to a career as a high school teacher at Carbondale High School followed by a teaching career in Washington State. Michael is currently writing a biography of Joe Grace a baseball player fro...

In this episode Shawn talks about his life on campus as well as his career and life in Japan. His early influence came from another Saluki, Bill Barth, the long-time editor for the Beloit Daily News. As an undergraduate Shawn’s world widened when he came to SIU and met so many students from all around the world. Listen to him talk about meeting Paul Simon.

Shawn Clankie, talks about his life, studying at SIU, and how he came to live and teach in Japan. He started his undergraduate studies as a photography major then switched to French. Shawn had a deep interest in travel and learning about other lands and cultures. He credits many of his professors for influencing the pattern of his life. Some of those professors were Chuck Swedlund, Cinema and Phot...

Brian talks abut the friends he made in the SIU Marching Band, being Editor and Chief of the Daily Egyptian, and his career post-graduation.

This is the second part of my interview with renown sculptor, Richard Hunt in his studio in Chicago. We talk about books in the works that catalog his life's work and tell his personal story. He talks about how he works with metal and we discuss one of his colleagues in the studio, sculptor Gwen Yen Chiu.

Saluki Stories continues our summer wanderings off the path of pure alumni interviews. Don't worry we will be back on track beginning fall semester with Season 3. But summers are for fun. This week and next are dedicated to the Saluki Story of world renowned sculptor, Richard Howard Hunt. Here is the story behind this week's Saluki Story. Last year a gentleman who is in the process of creating a c...

In this special episode we speak with E. Faye Williams author of Dick Gregory, Wake up and Stay Woke: Running for Life. Dick Gregory Wake Up and Stay Woke: Running for Life: Williams, Dr. E. Faye: 9781735744728: Amazon.com: Books Dick Gregory was an SIU student athlete in the 1950s. He went on to become a comedian, civil rights activist, social activist, health and food activist who never stopped...

Jerry was a 1974 Art and Design Graduate that chose to take on a Self-determined major. In part one we discussed Jerry’s time on campus and his experiences as a Saluki. Today we will be covering the adventures of Jerry’s post-graduate life. Since graduating, Jerry created many opportunities for himself. He started off working for a furniture store in Chicago and went on to travel the world designi...

As this spring semester winds down the Saluki Stories team needs to put school work first.

Today we’re talking to Jerry Gelsomino 1974 Art and Design Graduate. Jerry worked as an RA and as a lighting technician in broadcasting during his time on campus. The majority of his course-load was in the Art of Design following the years of Buckminster Fuller's teachings. Jerry is one of SIUC’s exceptional students that chose to take on a Self-determined major. This autonomous decision to build...

Today we’re following up with Part 2 of Joe Wilkins episode. In this episode, we will be focused on Joe’s travels post-graduation and into retirement. Joe was a member of ROTC during his time on campus and worked for Don Mitchell as a radio announcer. He has gone on to travel the world and has even written a book called Gates of the Arctic National Park: Twelve Years of Wilderness Exploration from...

Today we’re talking to Joe Wilkins 1965 Liberal Arts Graduate. Joe was a member of ROTC during his time on campus and also worked for Don Mitchell as a radio announcer. He has gone on to travel the world and has even written a book called Gates of the Arctic National Park: Twelve Years of Wilderness Exploration from his days exploring Alaska. This week’s episode will be a two-part episode. The fir...

Today we’re talking to alumni, Lolita L. Mack. A 2004, fine arts graduate that majored in Graphic Design. After receiving her BFA Lolita went on to get her master's in Science and Education in 2006 and is now working on her Ph. D. in Work Force Development at SIU. Lolita is the definition of being involved on campus and in the community. She created and participated in many programs and events dur...

Lolita is the President of the Black Alumni Group, BAG.

Richard speaks about the great professors, poet Rodney Jones and novelist Richard Russo. Then he introduces us to his passion, space exploration. Richard is the co-author of Marketing the Moon: The Selling of the Apollo Lunar Program and author of The Ultimate Engineer: The Remarkable Life of NASA’s Visionary Leader George M. Low.

In this week's Valentine's Day Special, hear Doug and Linda Vincent talk about their days at SIUC and the origin story of their 44-year relationship that started on-campus at the Saluki Arena. The song Spell me your love by Monplaisir, has been used in this podcast. This song is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. Their music has been adapted to fit scenes in a pod...

Season 2 Episode 2 Hear Tim Atseff talk about his SIU in the '60s, the SIU Art Department, and his career as a political cartoonist and journalist. His art is currently on exhibit at the SIU University Museum. Read about it in the Daily Egyptian . The song B by Semaphore has been used in this podcast. This song is licensed under Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Their music has been adapt...

Season 2; Episode 1 Hear Bob Ferrar, 1973 Saluki Graduate, talk about his days in the dorms and his fondest memories of his time at SIUC. The song Zwetschge by Andy G. Cohen has been used in this podcast. This song is licensed under Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) . Their music has been adapted to fit scenes in a podcast using reverb and collaboration with other sound effects. This...

Alexandria Marlow, SIUC Political Science 2017

Barry Cupp, SIUC BS Management 1984, MBA 1985

Brynn Edwards, SIUC Criminology & Sociology, 2015 and Melissa McCord, SIUC University Studies 2000

Dr. Sandy Beebe, SIUC Dental Hygiene 1979, Education 1980, 1986, 2003

Gerald Worms, SIUC BS Mathematics, 1969

Jackie Biggs, SIUC Secondary Education 2018

Jenny McCollom, SIUC BA English 2015