SIU Today - October 15, 2026
SIU’s Theater and Dance tells the story of 9/12 in ‘Come From Away’
“Come From Away,” the astonishing story of how Gander, Newfoundland, provided love and compassion to nearly 7,000 people following one of the world’s deadliest terror attacks, comes to Shryock Auditorium next week. The production — a collaboration between SIU’s School of Theater and Dance and the School of Music — tells the story of the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.
Glassman Lecture will highlight Buckminster Fuller Institute work
The University Honors Program’s 2026 Glassman Lecture — “Designing Futures That Flourish: A Special Evening with the Buckminster Fuller Institute at SIU” — begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Morris Library’s Guyon Auditorium.
Music festival, SIU Homecoming traffic information
The City of Carbondale is providing traffic detour and closed street information for this weekend’s Homecoming Music Street Festival on Friday, Oct. 16 and the SIU Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 17.
COLA Career Week with Alumni begins Monday
The College of Liberal Arts will host its third annual COLA Career Week with Alumni, Monday through Friday, Oct. 19-23. Eleven former students from COLA majors are returning to talk with current students about their careers and how their liberal arts degrees laid the foundation for their current positions. All SIU students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.
Paul Simon Institute to host Metro East Youth Leadership Weekend
SIU Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute will host about 50 students in eighth through 12th grade for the 21st Metro East Youth Leadership Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, on campus and at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center.
From clay to community: SIU’s Empty Bowls returns Saturday
SIU Carbondale ceramics students and faculty will show their handiwork as they invite the community to purchase a handmade bowl and enjoy some soup on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. The drive is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the bowls sell out.
SIU Carbondale brings ‘AI Robot’ to the Kleinau Theatre
Artificial intelligence learns to imitate people — but in “AI Robot,” four SIU Carbondale students return the favor. Devised by the cast and Jonathan Gray, associate professor in the School of Communication Studies, the performances are at 7 p.m. today through Saturday, Oct. 15-17, in the Marion Kleinau Theatre.
Reminder: Virtual appointments for faculty, staff regalia sale is Wednesday
A virtual faculty and staff regalia sale for the December 2026 commencement is Wednesday, Oct. 21. The appointment link and additional information are on the Events and Outreach regalia webpage.
Reminder: Register now for the SIU System Technology and Innovation Expo
Faculty and staff can register for the SIU System’s Technology and Innovation Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at SIU Edwardsville’s Health Sciences Complex in Edwardsville. It’s free to attend. Register and learn more at tie.siu.edu.
Homecoming and a full slate of Saluki sports
During Homecoming Week there are plenty of opportunities to don maroon and support the Salukis. The Saluki football team hosts Illinois State in a nationally televised game on ESPNU at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Saluki Stadium. The Saluki women’s volleyball team hosts Bradley at 5 p.m. Saturday in Davies Gym. The Saluki baseball team hosts Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Itchy Jones Stadium, with the unveiling of a statue honoring legendary coach Richard “Itchy” Jones at the stadium at noon, Saturday, Oct. 17. The Saluki softball team hosts Three Rivers Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. It’s also time for basketball at Banterra Center. The Saluki men’s team exhibition opener is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, against Lindenwood. The Saluki women’s team opens the season with an exhibition game against Kentucky Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com
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