August 24, 2005

WSIU-TV program shows on campus progress

by Sue Davis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Walter V. Wendler will lead television viewers through exciting building and renovation projects this fall on SIU Connections, a television show that airs on SIUC's public television station, WSIU-TV.

The first show in the series airs from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, with a tour through recently renovated Altgeld Hall.

The Connections program showcases the talents and interests of the University's diverse student body, faculty, and staff. The chancellor is the regular host for the monthly half-hour program, which also provides viewers with a look at the many academic, research and service programs and activities of SIUC.

SIU Connections: The Future is Now: Altgeld Hall Expansion & Renovation, introduces viewers to historic Altgeld Hall, the oldest building on SIUC's campus. The campus landmark sparkles with new life and beauty after a $13 million expansion and renovation project added 20,000 square feet to the building and provided SIUC School of Music faculty and students with new and vastly improved facilities.

Wendler and School of Music Director Robert L. Weiss take viewers on a guided tour of Altgeld Hall for a closer look at how architects modernized the 1896 building without obscuring its tradition and history. The Altgeld program is the first in a series of SIU Connections episodes titled "The Future is Now," which will focus on the many projects that are part of the University's biggest building boom in decades.

"I think viewers in Southern Illinois will be pleased with the changes and will feel the excitement and pride we have in our new facilities," Wendler said. "SIUC has more than $160 million of recently completed, ongoing and planned building and renovation projects under way."

Throughout the fall season, viewers will take a look at the various improvements and will hear SIUC faculty and staff explain the advantages they offer to students and the citizens of Illinois.