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SIU Today - May 04, 2026

SIU Simmons Law School commencement ceremony is Friday

J. Phil Gilbert, a senior judge with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, will deliver the keynote address during commencement ceremonies for the SIU Simmons Law School on Friday, May 8, in Shryock Auditorium. The ceremony will honor 87 graduates in the Class of 2026 — and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the law school’s first graduating class in 1976, a cohort that enrolled in fall 1973.

Saluki Pride: Mickey Soltys, “silent wizard,” receives SIU’s Civil Service Staff Excellence Award

Described by colleagues as a “silent wizard of the institution,” Mickey Soltys works quietly in the background at SIU Carbondale, fixing problems before anyone realizes they could become problems. As an instructional evaluation specialist for the Center for Teaching Excellence, he also helps students succeed and goes above and beyond the requirements of his job to help anyone on campus. In recognition of his quiet but invaluable service Soltys has been named a recipient of SIU’s 2026 university-level Staff (Civil Service) Excellence Award.

SIU Carbondale twins are designing their futures through art

Graduating seniors Kassidee and Kennadee Gabby didn’t need to go too far to find their niche and success in college. The 22-year-old twins from Marion, Illinois, drew upon their interest in art since childhood to capitalize on their individual creativity to flourish in School of Art and Design programs. They graduate on Saturday, May 9.

SIU Carbondale recognizes outstanding thesis, dissertation winners 

The Graduate School is recognizing two former graduate students and a former doctoral student for their outstanding research and contributions to their fields.

SIU, City of Carbondale to celebrate ‘America at 250’ 

SIU Carbondale, in partnership with the City of Carbondale, has launched a new webpage, “America at 250,” to serve as a central place to share campus and community events connected to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Community partners, along with SIU units and student organizations may add programs, discussions, performances, exhibits and other activities related to the celebration. The page will be updated periodically as events and opportunities are announced.

SIU’s newest teachers will be pinned May 6 

More than 120 teachers of tomorrow will be honored at SIU Carbondale during a special pinning ceremony at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, in Shryock Auditorium.

SIU President Dan Mahony: “Who’s the Boss: Inside University Power & Governance” 

SIU System President Dan Mahony’s latest “Office Hours” podcast is “Who’s the Boss: Inside University Power & Governance.” The podcast takes a closer look at the complex question of who is in charge of a university. While university presidents play a visible leadership role, they are guided by a broader structure that includes governing boards, faculty, staff and others — all working together to support the institution’s mission. Mahony talks with Felecia Commodore of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a national expert in higher education governance, and SIU System Board Chair Judge J. Phil Gilbert and former Chair Roger Tedrick, who share both research and real-world perspective.

Reminder: SIU Today begins summer schedule May 14

After the spring semester ends on Saturday, May 9, SIU Today will begin its summer schedule and come out once a week, each Thursday except for holidays, beginning May 14. Submission deadlines will remain the same. Tomorrow (May 5) is the deadline for the Thursday, May 7, edition.