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SIU Today - March 24, 2025

SIU researcher gets $175K grant to make AI ecosystems more efficient

Xiaopeng Jiang, assistant professor of computer science, has received a $175,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Computer and Information Science and Engineering Research Initiation Initiative to pursue “united learning.” The computing approach allows users to leverage diverse computing power together, including PCs, smartphones and Internet-of-Things devices, to train large AI models – avoiding the need for costly new processors.

Big Muddy Film Festival returns in 2025 with 85 films

The longstanding Big Muddy Film Festival, one of the nation’s oldest film festivals affiliated with a university, returns Thursday through Saturday, March 27-29, and will showcase some of the finest works of independent filmmakers and students.

SIU President Mahony: ‘Improving Student Success’

SIU System President Dan Mahony’s “Office Hours” podcast episode “Improving Student Success” focuses on strategies to improve student success and the impact of anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ADEI) initiatives.

Green Fund grant application deadline extended to April 1

Members of the SIU campus community now have additional time to apply for a 2025 Green Fund grant. The deadline for submitting proposals has been extended to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, April 1. Any SIU student, faculty or staff member may submit a Green Fund Grant proposal, as can registered student organizations, offices and departments.

New Oxford University Press license provides more access, support for open access publishing

Morris Library and the SIU School of Medicine’s Medical Library have a “read and publish agreement” with Oxford University Press (OUP), which enables all corresponding authors affiliated with SIU Carbondale to publish open access in more than 500 OUP journals.

Signup underway for April 19 Sibs and Kids Day

SIU’s annual Sibs and Kids Day, set for April 19, gives siblings and children of current students the chance to experience for themselves the fun, adventure and excitement of Saluki life.

SIU students attend ‘Women in Leadership’ event in Springfield 

About 20 SIU Carbondale undergraduate and graduate female students participated March 19 in the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s annual “Women in Leadership, Public Service, and Civic Engagement Day” at the Illinois State Capitol and Illinois State Library in Springfield. 

Eight finalists vie for SIU’s 2025 Rickert-Ziebold Award

Eight graduating seniors in the School of Art and Design are preparing to compete for the university’s most prestigious art prize — the Rickert-Ziebold Trust Award. The exhibition is from April 28 through May 3 in the SIU Surplus Gallery, 432 S. Washington St., Carbondale. Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. April 28.

Honoring two Saluki women who give back to SIU 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the SIU Foundation is putting the spotlight on SIU Carbondale alumnae who are giving back — attorney Jennifer Franklin, who established the Franklin Perseverance Fund, which provides scholarships to transfer students in financial need with a special focus on Black women, and Dawn Korte, a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council.  

Spring 2025 SIU Alumni Magazine is now available

The spring 2025 issue of the SIU Alumni Magazine is available online and highlights achievements, including the university’s new R1 designation, which signifies it’s among the top research schools in the nation; a look at the 50-year history of the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta, and remembering legendary Saluki baseball coach Richard “Itchy” Jones.

Reminder: SIU System Faculty Collaboration Award nominations open

The Faculty Advisory Committee for the SIU System (FACSS) welcomes online applications for the 2025 Faculty Collaboration Award. The deadline is April 18.