SIU in the News - June, 2026
The heartfelt Father’s Day story of United Air Lines pilot Daniel Lustman helping his father, Rob Lustman, also a United Air Lines pilot, take his retirement flight after his aviation career was cut short by an ALS diagnosis. Both Rob (’89) and Daniel ('16) are SIU School of Aviation alumni.
ABC News World News Tonight — June 19, 2026
Xiaoqing “Frank” Liu, dean, College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, and Henry Hexmoor, professor, computer science, talk about how the program will operate and the opportunities it will provide for students.
WSIU InFocus — June 24, 2026
Honoring Buckminster Fuller
Elizabeth Donoghue, assistant director, University Honors Program, SIU Sustainability Council chair and president of the Fuller Dome Home Museum, talks about the importance of preserving the legacy of noted futurist, architect and designer R. Buckminster Fuller.
Cherry Street gets honorary naming as Buckminster Fuller Way — Southern Illinoisan — June 23, 2026
Portion of Carbondale street renamed to honor R. Buckminster Fuller — KFVS-TV — June 25, 2026
Cherry Street honored as Buckminster Fuller Way — WSIL-TV — June 24, 2026
Mark Wagner, SIU emeritus anthropology professor and former director for the Center for Archaeological Investigations, discusses the rediscovery of the Jackson County Poor Farm Cemetery.
WSIU Radio — June 19, 2026
Emerson Eads, director of choral studies, talks about the premiere of one of his works at Carnegie Hall in June 2027.
WSIU Radio — June 20, 2026
Athletics Director Tim Leonard talks about changes to the Missouri Valley Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
WPSD-TV — June 22, 2026
The 22nd SI Music Festival is highlighted.
KFVS-TV — June 18, 2026
The Impact Report from the SIU Foundation includes highlights of spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, Saluki alumnus and CNN senior international correspondent Jim Bittermann, the Southern Illinois Leaders Breakfast, University Farms, Women’s Leadership Council micro-grant award recipients, a Saluki Athletics update, the Flying Salukis 10th national title, and more.
WSIU-TV — June 12, 2026
Edward Benyas, SIFest artistic director, founder and conductor, talks about the ‘America at 250’ nationally recognized Southern Illinois Music Festival, which runs beginning today (June 18) through July 4.
WSIL-TV — June 17, 2026
Work by SIU’s Archaeology Field School in the unincorporated Lakeview community in Saline County — led by Matthew Greer, an assistant professor in anthropology — is featured.
WSIU Radio — June 16, 2026
A textile exhibition in Sharp Museum is highlighted.
WPSD-TV — June 13, 2026
Research by Ed Heist, associate director of the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, on the true origins of rainbow trout found in Missouri, is highlighted.
KZIM Radio — June 15, 2026
John Jackson, visiting professor, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, discusses topics pertaining to the end of Illinois’ legislative session, including a deep divide among Democratic legislators, higher education funding, and Pope Leo’s visit to Chicago. Jackson’s comments start at 6:55, 17:20 and 22:10.
WSIU-TV — June 4, 2026
Xiaoqing “Frank” Liu, dean of the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, talks about the new Artificial Intelligence Plus Bachelor of Science degree that will be offered starting with the fall 2026 semester.
WSIL-TV — June 5, 2026
Tina Sickinger, interim director, SIU Carbondale Student Engagement and Campus Life, and Charles Walker, associate director, New Student Programs, talk about the 47th annual Sunset Concert Series that kicks off at 7 p.m. today (June 11) on the lawn of Shryock Auditorium.
WSIL-TV — June 8, 2026
Matthew Greer, assistant professor, anthropology, discusses SIU’s 2026 Archaeology Field School in the unincorporated Lakeview community in Saline County.
WSIL-TV — June 5, 2026
Work by students in SIU’s Archaeology Field School is featured.
KFVS-TV — June 5, 2026
Brian Croft, director of SIU’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center and the Office of Sustainability, talks about precautions needed when going outdoors.
WSIL-TV — June 8, 2026
A textile exhibition from artist Dawn Murtaugh that opened June 9 in Sharp Museum is highlighted.
WPSD-TV — June 8, 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.
