Yes, and the Southern Illinois University mascot is the “Salukis”, probably best known for Walt Frazier, but they have an excellent School of Aviation.
A few other references to Egypt are scattered about the area...
Curiously, maps of the centerline of totality this time vary a bit. One puts it over the main dam at Crab Orchard Lake, but most (I think - I haven’t canvassed all) put it slightly ( ~ 1/2 mile) North, over the emergency spillway. Nice (mowed periodically to keep it in grass) open field there — I bet it will be packed.
Local cabins are pretty much already booked, and, look at the rates! (Scroll down)
I was there from 70-72. Party school. But Bucky Fuller was there and I took his World Game class. Lived for 10.00 a month rent in a small geodesic dome just outside town. It was built next to an old farmhouse, on telephone pole stilts, with a trap door in the floor for an entrance. I used to park my VW bug under the come and climbed on the fender then hood to get inside. Yes I was a sort of hippie. Outhouse on the farm and a pump for water. Water jugs on the back porch for showers.