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SIU Today - August 25, 2025

SIU research finds birds in light polluted areas stay up late

Research by Brent Pease, an assistant professor in the School of Forestry and Horticulture, and his colleague Neil Gilbert, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Oklahoma State University, shows that birds that are active during the day sing later into the night in places with significant light pollution. Their findings, an example of what makes SIU Carbondale a Research 1 University, were published Aug. 21 in Science magazine.

SIU Carbondale accepting honorary degree/service award nominations 

SIU Carbondale is accepting nominations for honorary degrees and distinguished service awards that will be presented at May 2026 commencement ceremonies. The nomination deadline is Oct. 15.

Simon Institute’s fall 2025 agenda focuses on diplomacy, politics and philanthropy

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute will bring leaders in diplomacy, politics and philanthropy to campus this fall, including former Illinois Senator and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand Carol Moseley Braun.

Families invited to enter 2025 Family of the Year contest

Entries are now being accepted for the 2025 SIU Carbondale Family of the Year contest. Family Weekend is Oct. 3-5, and recognition will go to a “legacy” Saluki Family of the Year and one “non-legacy” Family of the Year. All entries are due by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

SIU President Mahony: How Universities Power Economic Growth and Community Partnerships

SIU System President Dan Mahony’s “Office Hours” latest podcast is “How Universities Power Economic Growth and Community Partnerships.” Mahony discusses how SIU fosters entrepreneurship, builds partnerships with local communities and creates opportunities for students that strengthen our region’s economy with Michael Jessup, director, Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIU Carbondale; Jo Ann DiMaggio May, director of the SBDC for the Metro East at SIU Edwardsville, and Connie Frey-Spurlock, director of community engagement for the SIU System.

SIU alumnus Chuck Trover funds $3M wildlife habitat education center 

Chuck Trover, a 1967 SIU Carbondale alumnus, recently committed $3 million to fund construction of the Wildlife Habitat Education Center at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. A public groundbreaking ceremony is set for 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29. 

Morris Library hosts blood drive on Friday

SIU Carbondale’s Morris Library is hosting a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Friday, Aug.29. The blood drive is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library’s rotunda. Online registration is available at redcrossblood.org and then entering SIUCMorrisLibrary in the “ZIP or sponsor code” section. Walk-ins are welcome. Donors will receive one of four mystery bags with a unique Snoopy design on a T-shirt.

Make Saluki Central a stop while at Du Quoin State Fair

Be sure and stop by Saluki Central — the roundhouse in front of the main grandstand — during the Du Quoin State Fair through Labor Day. Myriad units on campus will represent SIU Carbondale throughout the 10-day fair, which includes SIU Day/Coal Heritage Day on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Learn about emergency preparedness at SIU

As the fall semester gets underway, now is a good time to learn about emergency preparedness on campus. The university has outlined procedures for several scenarios. Visit the emergency preparedness website, emergency.siu.edu.

No SIU Today on Sept. 1

There will be no SIU Today on Monday, Sept. 1, due to the Labor Day holiday. SIU Today will resume on Thursday, Sept. 4. Submission deadlines will remain the same: two business days before the desired publication date. Tuesday, Aug. 26, is the deadline for this Thursday’s edition. The deadline for the Sept. 4 edition will be Sept. 2.