SIU in the News - September, 2026
Chancellor Austin Lane discusses topics including the passing of forestry Professor Kofi Akamani, as well as the university's budget, salary adjustments, the campus climate survey, fundraising and more.
WSIU Radio — Sept. 27, 2026
Disease detecting drone
Local and national broadcast and print media outlets utilized a release and accompanying video package by University Communications and Marketing highlighting 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. Here is a sample:
SIU creating disease-detecting drone for agricultural use — KVVU-TV (Las Vegas) — Sept. 24, 2026
SIU creating disease-detecting drone for agricultural use — KBTX-TV (Bryan, Texas) — Sept. 24, 2026
SIU researchers build robot, AI to detect soybean diseases before symptoms appear — Crop Life — Sept. 24, 2026
Advanced robot helps prevent crop losses — Illinois Ag Connection — Sept. 25, 2026
SIU’s new AI robot designed to protect soybeans from costly disease before symptoms appear — Heartland News/WPSD-TV — Sept. 24, 2026
AI-powered robot seeks to detect soybean diseases before symptoms appear — Mundo Agropecuario (Agricultural World) — Sept. 25, 2026
Josi Rawls, associate director of undergraduate admissions, talks about the Sept. 23 SIU Day. More than 900 high school students from the region attended this year's event.
KFVS-TV — Sept. 24, 2026
Gregory D. DeYong, associate professor of operations management, discusses the impact of higher diesel prices on farmers and the supply chain.
Heartland News — Sept. 24, 2026
Kofi Akamani vigil
Faculty, staff and students came together to remember Kofi Akamani, a professor of forest recreation and conservation social science
SIU Carbondale comes together for candlelight vigil for beloved professor — Heartland News — Sept. 22, 2026
SIU hosts vigil for 'kind, brilliant' professor — Southern Illinoisan — Sept. 22, 2026
Former students, colleagues pay tribute to professor known for positivity and smile — WPSD-TV — Sept. 22, 2026
Family, friends, colleagues and students honored the late SIU professor Kofi Akamani at a vigil on Tuesday — WSIU Radio — Sept. 23, 2026
Gregory D. DeYong, associate professor of operations management, discusses the rise in diesel prices and the ripple effect the higher transportation costs can have on supply chains.
KFVS-TV/MSN — Sept. 17, 2026
Linda Baker, interim director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, discusses the value of internships available through the internships while former internship recipients Shantel Franklin, Traseanda Jones and Will Feurer talk about their experiences.
WSIU InFocus — Sept. 21, 2026
Gregory D. DeYong, associate professor of operations management, shares his insight into the rising diesel prices.
Europe Says — Sept. 24, 2026
SIU Carbondale faculty and staff are highlighted in a play and panel discussion as part of the Sept. 18-20 performances of “The Lifespan of a Fact,” at The Varsity Center in Carbondale.
Southern Illinoisan — Sept. 21, 2026
Research into the bantam sunfish, a threatened species in Illinois, is featured.
Heartland News — Sept. 17, 2026
SIU Carbondale's 2026 fall enrollment achievement is highlighted.
Forbes – Sept. 15, 2026 (subscription required)
The Impact Report from the SIU Foundation includes a review of Saluki Takeover Tour Atlanta, the newly renovated Jim Hayes Stadium Club, the Giesen Family Achieve Student Hub, SIU Simmons Law School Wall of Philanthropy, interim director Linda Baker's vision for the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, the Hamilton Hangout ribbon cutting in the Mae Smith residence hall, the SIU swimming and diving team, College of Arts and Media Dean Hong Cheng on Communications Building renovations and more.
WSIU-TV — Sept. 10, 2026
James Conder, professor of geology, talks about the seismic activity in the region.
KFVS-TV — Sept. 16, 2026
Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s lecture on Sept. 15 is featured.
WSIU Radio — Sept. 16, 2026
The SIU Career Development Center's fall job and internship fair is featured.
WSIU Radio — Sept. 15, 2026
Saluki Stair Climb coverage
Local and regional media highlighted the Sept. 11 Saluki Stair Climb at Banterra Center that drew 700 people — the event commemorated the 25th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in the nation’s history and paid tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.
SIU stair climb pays tribute to first responders – Southern Illinoisan – Sept. 11, 2026
SIU Saluki Stair Climb commemorates 25th anniversary of 9/11 – KFVS-TV – Sept. 11, 2026
SIU to host Saluki Stair Climb in remembrance of 9/11 – WPSD-TV – Sept. 11, 2026
SIU hosts annual 9/11 Stair Climb to honor fallen first responders – WSIU Radio – Sept. 11, 2026
John Jackson, visiting professor, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, discusses topics including the Republican Mid-Term National Convention, the impact of statewide candidates visiting the Du Quoin State Fair, the state’s financial outlook, an upcoming Illinois Municipal League meeting and more. Jackson’s comments start at 1:15, 12:10 and 21:25
WSIU-TV — Sept. 10, 2026
Hong Cheng, dean of the College of Arts and Media, and Jeff Sutker, assistant lecturer, journalism, talk about renovations to the college and the restart of the River Region News student-run broadcasts.
KFVS-TV — Sept. 10, 2026
James Conder, professor of geology, talks about the Anak Krakatau volcano eruptions in Indonesia and the potential impact on weather in the region.
KFVS-TV — Sept. 9, 2026
Chancellor Austin Lane discusses topics including enrollment, retention, the Saluki Start Dual Enrollment program, Saluki Takeover Tour Atlanta and more.
WSIU Radio — Sept. 8, 2026
SIU fall enrollment
Local and regional media highlighted the university’s historic 2026 fall enrollment and retention.
SIU sees highest overall enrollment in eight years – WPSD-TV – Sept. 4, 2026
SIU sees biggest enrollment growth in eight years – Southern Illinoisan – Sept. 4, 2026
SIUC reports significant fall enrollment, retention growth – KFVS-TV – Sept. 3, 2026
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chay Derbigny, Air Force ROTC Detachment 205 commander and ROTC cadets Aryana Collins and Jaxson Houf talk about the 9/11 Saluki Stair Climb on Friday at Banterra Center.
KFVS-TV — Sept. 9, 2026
Continuing Lahiru Jayakody research coverage
National and local media continue to report on research by Lahiru Jayakody and his µBites project of programming yeast to turn plastic and agricultural waste into edible proteins and food ingredients.
SIU researchers discover way to covert plastic to food – WPSD-TV/Southern Illinoisan – Sept. 8, 2026
From plastic bottles to food: SIU research draws global attention – Heartland News – Sept. 3, 2026
How do you turn plastic waste into an edible cookie? Scientists found a way – Food & Wine/Yahoo News – Sept. 5, 2026
From bottles to bakery: How scientists create edible cookies from recycled plastic – WSIU Radio (and other outlets) – Sept. 5, 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.
