SIU Today - December 11, 2025

19-year-old to graduate SIU with aviation management degree

Senior Nathan Baskar’s passion for aviation and airplanes includes dressing as a pilot for Halloween when he was just 2 years old. Now, 17 years later, the 19-year-old from Imperial, Pennsylvania in SIU’s Online and Extended Campus program, will walk across SIU’s Banterra Center stage on Saturday, Dec. 13, to receive his bachelor’s degree in aviation management.

R1 Minute: Turning food waste into medicine 

In the latest R1 Minute, Lahiru N. Jayakody, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the Fermentation Science Institute, and doctoral student Bhagya Jayantha discuss their work to turn caffeine from spent tea leaves and coffee grounds into the medicine — for a tiny fraction of the current cost. Watch the one-minute video. To learn more, read the press release.  

Fall 2025 commencement is Saturday   

Faculty and staff are reminded that the academic achievements of about 1,550 SIU Carbondale students will be celebrated at commencement exercises starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Banterra Center. 

Campus building hours, mail service schedule over break 

Much of the university will be closed during winter break, Dec. 24-Jan. 2, and campus mail will run on an altered schedule.   

Reminders on end of year payroll, W-2 forms 

With the end of the 2025 calendar year quickly approaching, all university employees are asked to review their mailing address via Human Resources Self-Service and make any necessary changes before Jan. 6. Current and former employees and retirees are encouraged to maintain accurate addresses/contact information.  

Paul Simon Institute hosts leading diplomat to discuss global challenges

Jan Eliasson, a former Swedish and United Nations diplomat, will join the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Wednesday, Dec. 17, for a virtual discussion on the state of the world in 2025 and challenges facing the international system.

Help SIU save energy, improve sustainability 

As students, faculty and staff prepare to leave campus for the holiday break, now is a good time to take simple steps to save energy, which will help the university improve sustainability, one of the five pillars of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan.  

SIU’s SouthernTECH Food Incubator receiving $197K federal grant

The Delta Regional Authority has awarded $197,000 to SIU through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program for the purchase of specialized equipment for the university’s new SouthernTECH High-Tech Food Incubator.

Reminder: Faculty and Staff Excellence Award nominations  

The nomination deadline for Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23. 

Reminder: Mandatory annual Title IX, Ethics Act deadlines this month

Two deadlines are approaching for mandatory Title IX and Ethics Act training for SIU Carbondale employees. Title IX training is due Dec. 19. The link is available on the Office of Equity and Compliance website. The annual Ethics Act training is due by 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31 on the D2L platform. School of Medicine employees located on the Carbondale campus will complete training using HealthStream. Be aware that assistance will not be available when the university is closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 2.

Apply now to join SIU’s Sustainability Council 

The SIU Sustainability Council is seeking three new members. One staff and two faculty seats are open, and applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. Jan. 1. 

Get tickets for SIU Alumni Association’s ‘Yacht Rock the Dock’ 

Tickets are available for the SIU Alumni Association’s “Yacht Rock the Dock” on Jan. 16 at the Carson Center for the Performing Arts in Paducah, Kentucky. The deadline for purchasing tickets is  Dec. 31. 

A busy maroon holiday with Saluki sports 

Banterra Center will be busy over the holiday stretch as the Saluki men’s and women’s basketball teams take to the court. The Saluki men open Missouri Valley Conference play at 8 p.m. Dec. 18 against Illinois State and host Valparaiso at 2 p.m. Jan. 1. The Saluki women host Judson University at noon Dec. 20 and Belmont at 6 p.m. Dec. 29. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com.

New Arts Jazztet to perform Sunday  

Members of the New Arts Jazztet, a Southern Illinois jazz group comprising SIU faculty and guests, will perform at Jazz Vespers, an evening prayer service, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua St., Carbondale. NAJ was formed in 1984 by several School of Music faculty and has been in residence since that time. The performance will feature works by Pierre Chrétien, Joe Gallardo, Roland Hanna, Keith Jarrett and Gerry Niewood, along with a traditional hymn. The service will also be livestreamed on the Jazz Vespers at Epiphany Facebook page.

SIU Today to resume in January  

This is the last SIU Today issue before winter break. SIU Today will resume in January.  

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