Speakers Bureau
The SIU Speakers Bureau connects campus experts with community and school groups. Audiences may include service clubs, schools, senior centers, and other community groups across the state by request. Speakers can offer insights on a broad range of topics both local and global, cultural and political, scientific and literary.
Community members can request a SIU speaker to come to their scheduled event by submitting the request preferably at least four weeks in advance of the scheduled event date. Please note that events may be canceled due to weather or health concerns under the discretion of the speaker.
Edward Benyas
Email: benyas@siu.edu
Phone: (312) 560-2094
Topics:
- Southern Illinois Symphony and Music Festival season previews
- Music Literature from the Baroque to the Modern eras
- Mozart's DaPonte Operas
Audience: Adults, Senior Adults
Harvey Henson
Email: henson@siu.edu
Phone: (618) 453-4214
Topics:
- Earthquake and Geohazard Education and Outreach
- STEM Education
- Science Assessment
- Applied Geophysics
- Ground-penetrating Radar
- Trail of Tears
Audience: Elementary-age students, Middle-and high school-age students, Adults, Senior adults, Educators
John Jackson
Email: jsjacson@siu.edu
Phone: (618) 453-3106
Topics:
- Illinois Politics, Government and Public Policy
- Public opinion and political parties, especially presidential selection, primaries, and national conventions.
- State and local government, generically, as well as Illinois and Southern Illinois.
Audience: Middle-and high school-age students, Adults, Senior adults
Jeffrey Punske
Email: punske@siu.edu
Phone: (618) 536-3385
Topics:
- How to start a Con Lang
- Tolkien's Invented Languages
- Can we communicate with aliens? How?
Audience: Middle-and high school-age students, Adults
Laurie Ryznyk
Email: lryznyk@siu.edu
Phone: (618) 559-2713
Topics:
- Human Trafficking
- Problem-Based Learning
- Medical Cannabis
Audience: Adults, Senior adults
John Shaw
Email: john.shaw@siu.edu
Phone: (618) 453-4009
Topics:
- Illinois Politics
- National Politics
- Statesmanship
- Leadership
Audience: Middle-and high school-age students, Adults, Senior adults
Mark Wagner
Email: mjwagner@siu.edu
Phone: (618) 453-5055
Topics:
- Native American rock art
- Cherokee Trail of Tears
- Lewis and Clark Expedition
- French Colonial Archaeology
- African-American Archaeology and the Underground Railroad
- Early Shipwrecks in Southern Illinois
- Civil War in Southern Illinois
Audience: Adults, Senior adults