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SIU Today - May 09, 2024

Commencement weekend starts Friday

The academic achievements of nearly 1,850 SIU Carbondale students will be celebrated during spring 2024 commencement exercises Friday and Saturday, May 10-11. Festivities start with the SIU Simmons Law School commencement at 1 p.m. Friday at Shryock Auditorium. On Saturday, Banterra Center will host ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Benefit Choice open enrollment now underway until May 31

The deadline for the State Employees Group Insurance Program Benefit Choice open enrollment for all eligible employees is May 31. Employees are encouraged to review the Benefits Choice Booklet for details on all changes, benefit enhancements and premium costs. An on-campus Benefits Choice Fair will be held May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Student Center John W. Corker Lounge and Ballroom B.

SIU Athletics announces Pride of Little Egypt NIL collective

The SIU Athletics Department launched its name, image and likeness collective, Pride of Little Egypt, on May 8. The collective, which is independent from SIU, will support student-athletes in all 17 athletic programs. Alumni and friends can choose a monthly membership or one-time contributions.

Saluki Step Ahead pact with Illinois Valley Community College

The university strengthened its commitment to students in northern Illinois with an agreement to bring the expertise of a doctoral research university to qualified Illinois Valley Community College when Chancellor Austin A. Lane and IVCC President Tracy Morris signed the agreement for the Saluki Step Ahead program during a May 8 virtual ceremony.

Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders changes lives and communities

The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders assists children with autism and their families. Its positive impact extends to their hometowns and the entire region. The center and its staff are active in community outreach and involvement in a wide variety of ways.

Submit proposals now for new Saluki Success Scramble

A new event is coming to Saluki Startup on Aug. 15 at the Student Center, courtesy of Student Affairs, and organizers are asking faculty, staff, graduate students and returning undergraduates to submit proposals for the Saluki Success Scramble sessions by May 31.

Saluki Pride: Camille M. Davidson earns Women of Distinction Award

In her four years on campus, Simmons Law School Dean Camille M. Davidson has led efforts that have resulted in a historic $10 million gift to the law school, a six-figure gift to rename the courtroom, increased applications while maintaining high standards, and improvements in the ultimate bar passage rate and career placement. That, along with her work to advance antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives earned Davidson a 2024 Women of Distinction Award.

Saluki spring sports still hot

The semester may be winding down, but Andrew Thornton and the rest of the Saluki men’s golf team are gearing up to participate in the NCAA Division I Championship tournament for the fourth time in school history. The team competes Monday through Wednesday, May 13-15, in the West Lafayette Regional hosted by Purdue University. The SIU baseball team closes out the home portion of its regular season with three games at Itchy Jones Stadium against Bradley, Friday through Sunday, May 10-12, and Bellarmine at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. And the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season champion softball Salukis open the conference tournament today (May 9) at Illinois State University against Murray State, while the men’s and women’s track teams compete in the conference outdoor championships Friday through Sunday. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com.

Reminder: SIU System Faculty Collaboration Award nominations open

The deadline for online applications for the SIU System 2024 Faculty Collaboration Award is Friday, May 10. The award recognizes faculty for impactful collaborative endeavors across campuses in the areas of teaching, scholarship and creative activities, service and/or antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion.

SIU Today begins summer schedule May 16

After the spring semester ends on Saturday, May 11, SIU Today will begin its summer schedule and come out once a week, each Thursday, beginning May 16. Submission deadlines will remain the same: two business days before the desired publication date. The deadline for the May 16 edition will be May 14.

New Arts Jazztet will perform Sunday  

Members of the New Arts Jazztet, a Southern Illinois jazz group comprising SIU faculty, along with guests will perform at Jazz Vespers, an evening prayer service at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua St., Carbondale, at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 12. NAJ was formed in 1984 among several School of Music faculty and has been in residence from that time. The performance will feature works by Barry Harris, Gail Jhonson, Tetsuro Kawashima, Ben Patterson, Pharoah Sanders and Jessica Williams. The event will be available via livestream on the Jazz Vespers at Epiphany Facebook page.