SIU Today | SIU News

SIU Today - May 15, 2025

SIU Carbondale among 21 U.S. universities named top for research and opportunity 

SIU Carbondale is part of an extraordinary group. It is one of only 21 institutions in the country to be included on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Education’s lists for Research 1 and Opportunity Colleges and Universities.

SIU researcher seeks to upcycle food waste into biodegradable packaging

Bhagya Jayantha, a doctoral student in molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry, is working on a process for upcycling food waste into biodegradable food packaging material. He is working with Lahiru Jayakody, associate professor of microbiology.

SIU researchers study ways to improve how all students learn chemistry

A National Science Foundation grant is enabling SIU Carbondale faculty Senetta Bancroft, Heidi Bacon and Jennifer Koran to study ways for improving how undergraduate students learn chemistry.

Reminder: Benefits Choice Fair is Tuesday

An on-campus Benefits Choice Fair is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the Student Center John W. Corker Lounge and Ballroom B. The deadline for the State Employees Group Insurance Program Benefit Choice open enrollment for all eligible employees is June 2. Employees can review the Benefits Choice Booklet for details on all changes, benefit enhancements and premium costs. 

Saluki Pride: Robert Hahn earns Teaching Excellence Award

For 2025 Excellence Award recipient Robert Hahn, professor of philosophy, emeritus, his innovative and creative 42-year career at SIU Carbondale has been a “teacher’s dream come true.”

SIFest’s 21st season promises magical operas, tribute to Haydn and more

Powerful operas by Italian master composer Gaetano Donizetti, along with celebrating the first two of Austrian composer Joseph Haydn’s “London Symphonies,” are among the highlights for the 21st Southern Illinois Music Festival (SIFest), May 23-June 8.

Numerous New Student Orientation sessions happening this summer

Several sessions of New Student Orientation, a one-day on-campus program for incoming Salukis and their supporters, will be held throughout the summer on campus, beginning on Monday, May 19, and the campus community is encouraged to welcome the visitors.

SIU’s Father Brown: First American pope a leader “this complicated age needs”

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, will likely carry on the mission of his predecessor and serve as an inspiration to young people to “make a positive difference,” says Father Joseph A. Brown, a professor and coordinator of  SIU Carbondale’s Africana studies program and director of the School of Africana & Multicultural Studies.

SIU agribusiness majors earn degrees at accelerated pace

Some people are just in a hurry to get their lives started and make a difference. Take SIU Carbondale students Cambell Douglas and Morgan Young. On May 10, Young, 20, of Benton, earned a Master of Science in agribusiness economics, while Douglas, 19, of Karnak, received a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness economics, with a minor in agrisystems.

Alumni Association’s Chicagoland Scholarship reaches endowment goal

The SIU Alumni Association’s Chicagoland Scholarship has reached its $25,000 endowment goal, officially securing the fund’s future as a permanent source of financial support for area students to attend SIU Carbondale.

Run wild with the Dawgs this weekend

The men’s and women’s track teams host the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex. Events start at 9:30 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. The Saluki men’s baseball team plays three games at Valparaiso Thursday through Saturday, before the MVC tournament starts Tuesday, May 20, at Illinois State University.  Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com.