SIU in the News - October, 2026
Homecoming 2026
News outlets covered the Salukis' 2026 “Decades of the Dawg: 75 Years of Saluki Pride” Homecoming festivities.
SIU Homecoming brings together old and new memories — Southern Illinoisan — Oct. 16, 2026
SIU Homecoming Music Street Festival — WPSD-TV — Oct. 16, 2026
American Airlines lands in the region
Chancellor Austin Lane talks about the importance that American Airlines flights to Southern Illinois can have in recruiting students from outside the region to SIU.
Veterans Airport leaders see growth in partnership with American Airlines — WSIU News — Oct. 15, 2026
American Airlines opens new opportunities for Southern Illinois — Southern Illinoisan — Oct. 15, 2026
John Jackson, visiting professor, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, discusses topics including the Illinois gubernatorial debate between Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey, campaign ads and endorsements. Jackson’s comments start at 13:40 and 21:45.
WSIU-TV — Oct. 15, 2026
SIU Carbondale alumni Nick and Amanda Martin talk about “Coalesce,” a heart-shaped sculpture they funded that honors relationships — including theirs — that began at SIU.
Heartland News — Oct. 15, 2026
Molly Parker-Stephens, assistant professor, Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising, provides insight as part of a story into the region's news coverage, including the journalism school's work to increase coverage in downstate news deserts.
Seattle Times — Oct. 14, 2026
SIU's Homecoming celebration honoring the Saluki mascot is highlighted.
WPSD-TV/Southern Illinoisan — Oct. 14, 2026
Niki Davis, professor of practice and Stephanie Rhodes, assistant instructor, School of Management and Marketing, talk about their new TV show, “Our Local Table.” The show debuts at 7:30 p.m. today (Oct. 15) on WSIU-TV.
WSIU Radio — Oct. 14, 2026
Elizabeth Donoghue, assistant director, University Honors Program, talks about the Oct. 20 Glassman Lecture highlighting the work of the Buckminster Fuller Institute.
Southern Illinoisan — Oct. 13, 2026
The American Guild of Organists’ annual “Halloween Extravaganza” concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in Shryock Auditorium is featured. The free, public concert includes a concert contest at 6:30 p.m.
Southern Illinoisan — Oct. 12, 2026
The Impact Report from the SIU Foundation includes a preview of Homecoming 2026, along with highlights from the Saluki Takeover Tour Champaign, Saluki Women’s Weekend and the Gower Research Award Symposium. Other segments include the SIU College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics’ endowed professorship, the SIU School of Aviation, fall 2026 enrollment, the Week of Philanthropy and more.
WSIU-TV — Oct. 8, 2026
The relaunch of the River Region News is highlighted.
Heartland News — Oct. 8, 2026
Jacari Henderson, assistant dean of students and Shelly Ridgeway, associate director, Student Health Services, talk about Saluki Care Week.
WPSD-TV/Southern Illinoisan — Oct. 8, 2026
Sydney Allen, associate director of outdoor education and recreation, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, talks about this weekend's Little Grassy Get Down.
Heartland News — Oct. 6, 2026
Research by Billy Ram, assistant professor of precision agriculture, and doctoral student Samuel Singh, to design a robot and program its artificial intelligence models to detect soybean diseases before symptoms appear is highlighted.
Herald-Whig — Oct. 6, 2026
Insight provided by Gregory D. DeYong, associate professor of operations management, is included in this story on diesel prices.
The Beacon — Oct. 6, 2026
Turning trash into takeout
National media, including CNN and other media outlets, continue to report on Lahiru Jayakody's research into turning plastic and agricultural byproducts into edible proteins and food ingredients.
Turning trash into takeout: Scientists recycle plastic into edible cookies – CNN/CNN Newsource/WKRC-TV – Oct. 4, 2026
American researchers plan to “recycle” plastic by putting it in your food – Juno News – Oct. 4, 2026
Sri Lankan scientist leads NASA-backed research turning plastic waste into 3D-printed cookies – Newswire – Oct. 5, 2026
Kofi Akamani service
Faculty, staff, current and former students, and family came together to remember Kofi Akamani during a visitation and “Time of Sharing” memorial Oct. 1 at the SIU Student Center.
Community gathers to remember SIUC professor killed in Murphysboro — Heartland News — Oct. 1, 2026
Family, friends mourn SIU professor Kofi Akamani — WPSD-TV/Southern Illinoisan — Oct. 1, 2026
Marti Crothers, director, SIU Coffman-Crothers Training Program for Trauma and Psychological Health, talks about the two-day conference at SIU Simmons Law School.
Heartland News — Oct. 2, 2026
SIU in the News highlights selected media coverage featuring the work and contributions of the university and members of the SIU community. Contact Pete Rosenbery, University Communications and Marketing, prosen@siu.edu, 618-453-1439, to add or remove faculty and staff from the internal distribution list.
