Alumni Events
Check out upcoming events and recap of recent events!
Please join us at an event near you!
Upcoming Alumni Events
Punch Bowl Social - Chicago
Friday, April 19, 2024 | 6:30 pm
Punch Bowl Social Chicago is in a huge venue, which can still barely contain the fun. This 30,000-square-foot meatpacking factory turned grown-up playground is the place to perfect your game. Grab a bite of culinary nirvana, sip on some craft cocktails or show off your shuffleboard, marbles, ping pong, bocce, virtual reality or bowling skills.
Only $25 per person will include unlimited food, drinks AND games. Also including the opportunity to meet alumni in your area, and connect with Dr. Jerry Kruse, Dean & Provost.
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 16th
Springfield Muni Opera
Jersey Boys
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Pre-Show 6:00 pm | Showtime 8:30 pm
Pre-Show at the Muni Pavilion. Exclusively for our alumni, we will enjoy appetizers and wine or beer while socializing before the show.
Showtime will be about dusk (8:30 pm) when we will head from the pavilion to our reserved seats.
Registration fee of $25 includes your reserved ticket to the show with unlimited food and drinks during the pre-show.
Registration deadline is Wednesday, May 15th.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
From Beethoven to Beyoncé
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Dinner reservation at 5:00 pm | Show starts at 7:30 pm
From Beethoven to Beyoncé is a fantastical trip through an imaginary music festival curated by those two artists, combining the greatest composers of all-time with the best popular artists of today. Lady Gaga sings with Brahms; Bruno Mars improvises with Bach; Wagner conducts while Adele sings; Muse, Shostakovich and Chance the Rapper talk politics; Stravinsky and Daft Punk push the boundaries; John Mayer fanboys over Mahler; and Beethoven and Beyoncé bring it home with help from Mumford and Sons. Three vocal soloists, one also a multi-instrumentalist, join the full orchestra.
Lake Geneva Weekend Trip
We are gathering alumni for a summer getaway in Lake Geneva!
August 24-25, 2024 | Lake Geneva, WI
We will be gathering alumni in Lake Geneva for a private sunset boat cruise, ziplining, horseback riding, shopping, a nature walk and more!
Private boat cruise around Lake Geneva from 5:30 - 8:30 pm on Saturday, August 24. Enjoy the scenery as it melts into the sunset while we cruise the lake in Steam Yacht Louise. The cruise will include heavy food and a cash bar.
About Steam Yacht Louise: Built in 1902, the restored Steam Yacht Louise offers a unique glimpse into Lake Geneva's Golden Era, featuring polished brass, gleaming mahogany, and the enchantment of a vintage steam engine. With two decks and an enclosed cabin area boasting a wet bar and head, the Louise provides an extraordinary experience for guests seeking elegance on the water.
Adventure awaits! We would like to offer the opportunity for you to make a weekend of this trip!
Saturday |10 am - 12:30 pm | Zip Lining*
Saturday | 5:30 - 8:30 pm | Private sunset boat cruise
Sunday | 8:00 am | Nature walk along Lake Geneva shore path
Sunday | 11:00 am | Trail ride* at Dan Patch Stables
*Zip lining and trail rides will be purchased on your own. Times are tentative and subject to preferences of those attending. We will finalize times, set up groups rates and collect money prior to the event.
Registration fee is $125 per adult. Fee will cover the cost of renting the boat and food that evening. Children are welcome to join at no cost.
Registration deadline is Monday, July 1st.
Napa Valley Wine Trip
November 1-3, 2024
We will be gathering alumni in Napa Valley to explore the wine trail, earn CME credits, hike in Muir Woods, shop in downtown Napa, take a hot air balloon ride and so much more!
Wine trail will include Whitehall Lane Winery. Dr. Kriegh Moulton’s (Class of 1983) son is a wine maker at Whitehall Lane. We will also stop at several other vineyards for wine tastings.
CME credit topics for consideration: Salutary Health Benefits of Wine or How Much Alcohol is Okay?
Adventure awaits! One of the days will be an adventure day. Adventures being considered: Hot Air Balloon ride at sunrise or sunset, hiking in Muir Woods, shopping in Napa or a resort spa/golf day.
Tentative Schedule
• Thursday, October 31 | Travel day - check into hotel
• Friday, November 1 | Adventure Day & CME
• Saturday & Sunday, November 2 & 3 | Wine-tasting days*
• Monday, November 4 | Travel day - check out of hotel
*We will offer group transportation for our wine tasting days, so all can fully (and safely) enjoy the trip.
Registration fee is $175 per person. Fee will cover group transportation, setup and appetizers at the wineries. Meals, wine tastings and any wine bottles purchased at the wineries will be on your own.
Recap of recent events!
Check out the photo gallery for event pictures!
Alumni Dinners
SIU SOM Alumni gathered with Dr. Jerry Kruse, Dean & Provost to enjoy each other's company and fabulous food.
Haven | Tampa, FL | Tuesday, February 20, 2024
The Club at the Strand | Naples, FL | Friday, February 23, 2024
Kreis' Steakhouse | St. Louis, MO | Thursday, March 7, 2024
We hope to see you at a future alumni dinner in your area!
Six Week Step Challenge: Alumni vs Students
Overall 6-week step challenge winners
Alumni
1st Place - Dr. Mary Bengtson (Class of 1976) - 1,331,879 total steps (that’s over 585 miles in 6 weeks!)
Secured the top spot 6 weeks in a row for the alumni!!
2nd Place – Dr. Richard Dermody (Class of 1977) – 738,984 total steps!!
3rd Place – Dr. Kiran Kareti (Class of 1999) – 732,635 total steps!!
Students
1st Place - Hannah Johnson (Class of 2026)- 773,720 total steps (that’s over 340 miles in 6 weeks!)
Took the lead for students in total steps 5 out of the 6 weeks!!
2nd Place – Alex Kowalski (Class of 2027) – 640,457 total steps!!
3rd Place – Katie Ayres (Class of 2026) – 634,933 total steps!!
Overall Steps for all who participated:
Alumni – 12,643,845 - a collective 5,564 miles!!
Students - 9,997,127 - a collective 4,400 miles!!
Week 6 winners!
Alumni
1st Place - Dr. Mary Bengtson (Class of 1976) – 308,961 steps
2nd Place – Dr. Richard Dermody (Class of 1977) – 140,666 steps
3rd Place – Dr. Kiran Kareti (Class of 1999) – 138,205 steps
Students
1st Place - Hannah Johnson (Class of 2026) – 134,082 steps
2nd Place – Katie Ayres (Class of 2026) – 120,883 steps
3rd Place – Alex Kowalski (Class of 2027) – 120,322 steps
Week 5 winners!
Alumni
1st Place - Dr. Mary Bengtson (Class of 1976) – 253,727 steps
2nd Place – Dr. Kiran Kareti (Class of 1999) – 132,804 steps
3rd Place – Dr. Donna Sweetland (Class of 1991) – 129,587 steps
Students
1st Place - Taylor Justison (Class of 2025) – 129,023 steps
2nd Place – Hannah Johnson (Class of 2026) – 129,021 steps
3rd Place – Katie Ayres (Class of 2026) – 128,282 steps
Week 4 winners!
Alumni
1st Place - Dr. Mary Bengtson (Class of 1976) – 211,057 steps
2nd Place – Dr. Donna Sweetland (Class of 1991) – 125,128 steps
3rd Place – Dr. Kiran Kareti (Class of 1999) – 123,057 steps
Students
1st Place - Abi Knuckles (Class of 2024) – 127,195 steps
2nd Place – Hannah Johnson (Class of 2026) – 124,995 steps
3rd Place – Alex Kowalski (Class of 2027) – 120,166 steps
Week 3 winners!
Alumni
1st Place - Dr. Mary Bengtson (Class of 1976) – 207,146 steps
2nd Place – Dr. Richard Dermody (Class of 1977) – 125,933 steps
3rd Place – Dr. Donna Sweetland (Class of 1991) – 122,486 steps
Students
1st Place - Hannah Johnson (Class of 2026) – 150,463 steps
2nd Place – Kyra Webster (Class of 2026) – 109,895 steps
3rd Place – Nellie Roberts (Class of 2024) – 102,000 steps
Week 2 winners!
Alumni
1st Place - Dr. Mary Bengtson (Class of 1976) – 184,851 steps
2nd Place – Dr. Stephen Raben (Class of 1990) – 123,781 steps
3rd Place – Dr. Donna Sweetland (Class of 1991) – 118,546 steps
Students
1st Place - Hannah Johnson (Class of 2026) – 123,097 steps
2nd Place – Katie Ayres (Class of 2026) – 105,364 steps
3rd Place – Alex Kowalski (Class of 2027) – 101,374 steps
Week 1 winners!
Alumni
1st Place - Dr. Mary Bengtson (Class of 1976) – 166,127 steps
2nd Place – Dr. Brian Lewis (Class of 1997) – 146,544 steps
3rd Place – Dr. Jamie Ikeda (Class of 2003) – 144,372 steps
Students
1st Place - Hannah Johnson (Class of 2026) – 112,062 steps
2nd Place – Hannah Roberts (Class of 2025) – 99,186 steps
3rd Place – Nellie Roberts (Class of 2024) – 97,900 steps
Illinois Symphony Orchestra
Friday, December 15, 2023 | Springfield, IL
Alumni and guests gathered for dinner and drinks at Chesapeake Seafood House in Springfield. After a fun and delicious dinner, the party moved to UIS Performing Arts Center to witness the Illinois Symphony Orchestra preform Holiday Pops in the Heartland. The seats were great and the show put everyone in the Holiday spirit. We hope to see you next Orchestra season!
Topgolf
SIU SOM Alumni Night at Topgolf was so much fun!
Scottsdale, AZ | Friday, November 3, 2023
Chesterfield, MO | Thursday, November, 16, 2023
Schaumburg, IL | Friday, November 17, 2023
We hope to see you at our next Topgolf event!
Healthy Cooking & Mocktails
Alumni & Student Cooking Class
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Springfield, IL
Alumni and students worked together to learn how healthy fall-themed dinner dishes. The night was capped with an open mocktail-bar featuring 4 fall-themed mocktails. Everyone sat down together to enjoy the freshly made food and beverages while making lasting connections.
Junaia P. Carter, MD 5K Run/Walk & Kid's Fun Run
Saturday, October 28, 2023 | Springfield, IL
Development & Alumni Relations brought back the Junaia P. Carter, MD 5K after a break due to COVID. This race was a charitable event honoring Junaia P. Carter, MD '10, who passed away from metastatic breast cancer shortly after graduation. This event had 13 Sponsors and raised over $7,000. Proceeds from this event went to breast cancer research at the Simmons Cancer Institute.
There were over 85 runners and walkers registered for this 5K. Check out the results on our race website!
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Springfield Clinic Sports Medicine
Orange Theory Fitness
SIU Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
America Ambulance Service, Inc
Marti Hlafka, MD, SIU SOM Class of 2009
Lois & Jerry Kruse
Aziz & Tarfa Khan
Drs. Keith & Lisa Wichterman
County Market
Brandt
Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County
Bella Milano
Pepsi