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SIU Today - June 01, 2023

Gov. Pritzker visits campus

Following the passage of the fiscal year 2024 balanced budget, Gov. JB Pritzker and other state officials visited the SIU Carbondale campus to discuss key investments in higher education. The FY24 budget includes an additional $100 million in MAP grant funding and increases funding for AIM High merit-based scholarships by $15 million to reach $50 million. Universities and community colleges are receiving a historic 7% operations increase over FY23, which totals $100 million over all higher education sectors, and the SIU System will receive $280 million in Rebuild Illinois funds, including Communications Building renovations. View a video of the visit.

SIU’s economic development leaders foster entrepreneurship, business growth

For decades, the university's Office of Innovation and Economic Development has provided help to area businesses in countless ways. Several new leaders have joined the team, bringing decades of experience and expertise.

Sarah Jiter named undergraduate admissions interim director

An SIU Carbondale employee with more than 15 years of experience in higher education admissions, enrollment and recruitment efforts, has recently been appointed to fill a key administrative post to bolster the university’s enrollment.

SIU doctoral student explores how engineered microbes may upcycle plastic

With the aid of her doctoral adviser, Lahiru Jayakody, an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, SIU microbiology student Lakshika Dissanayake is developing biological technology aimed at keeping that water bottle you bought last week out of the landfill or worse – the ocean – where it will remain virtually forever. She is working on an economical and environmentally friendly process that uses microbial factories to turn plastic waste into a value-added material. 

Saluki Pride: Sabrina Nilufar wins SIU’s Early Career Faculty Excellence Award

Sabrina Nilufar, assistant professor in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Materials Engineering, is this year’s recipient of the university-level Early Career Faculty Excellence Award.

OIT upgrades will limit telecommunication resources this summer

The Office of Information Technology is advising the university community that upgrades to provide high-quality internet access to residential housing in Thompson Point this summer will limit Telecommunications’ services to emergency work only until at least July 31.

Survey to look at preventing underage tobacco, nicotine use

A survey led by Dr. Wasantha Jayawardene, an assistant professor in the School of Human Sciences, is asking retail store managers and owners in the region’s 16 southernmost counties their ideas to prevent underage tobacco and electronic nicotine product sales. The voluntary and anonymous survey will continue through July. Read the news release from SIH.

SIU Carbondale awards Provost’s Scholarships to community college students

Sixteen high achieving community college students from Illinois, Arkansas and Kansas have received 2023 Provost’s Scholarships, which cover tuition and mandatory fees for two years.

Concert to feature composer Lionel Semiatin, donation to SIU’s Morris Library

A chamber music concert that celebrates the work of American composer Lionel Semiatin, along with the dedication of a substantial portion of his work to SIU Carbondale’s Morris Library Special Collections Research Center, is set for Wednesday, June 7.

SIU offering summer craft workshops for adults in 2023  

The summer fun isn’t just for youths at SIU Carbondale. For the first time, at least in recent history, the Student Center’s Craft Shop will be offering a few adult workshops for people age 16 and older this summer, in addition to the large lineup of children and youth camps, both at the Craft Shop and across campus. 

Paul Simon Institute to host journalist, foreign policy expert

John Walcott, an award-winning journalist and foreign policy expert teaching at Georgetown University, will join the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual conversation at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 8.