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SIU Today - May 08, 2025

Sunset Concert Series begins June 12

One of the region’s most iconic events – the Sunset Concert Series – begins June 12 on the lawn of Shryock Auditorium and features six weeks of free diverse musical entertainment. The venue will alternate with Turley Park for the free, family-friendly outdoor performances each Thursday evening through July 24.

Flexible schedule summer program starts May 25 

The university is offering an employee flexible schedule program again this summer. The program will begin May 25 and will continue through July 26, 2025.

SIU initiative helps students stay in school, supporting academics, leadership and more  

SIU Carbondale launched Saluki Spectrum Students to improve student retention among groups most at risk of dropping out. Students from all racial, cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome to participate.

Check out SIU’s remarkable progress 

The Imagine 2030 progress report for 2024 highlights SIU Carbondale’s remarkable achievements in enrollment, research and more in the past year, including the major milestone of being named an R1 university. Read the report.

Commencement weekend starts Friday 

The academic achievements of nearly 2,000 SIU Carbondale students will be celebrated during spring 2025 commencement exercises Friday and Saturday, May 9-10. 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.

Saluki Pride: Mary Louise Cashel wins SIU Women of Distinction Award

In the classroom, within the mental health profession and in the greater community, Mary Louise Cashel, associate professor in the School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences and 2025 winner of SIU's Women of Distinction Award, has been making a difference, her colleagues say.

Communications Building on track to complete design by July  

The multimillion-dollar project to renovate the Communications Building is expected to reach a major milestone in July – the completion of the design and plans by design firm RATIO Architects. Following the completion of the design, the project is expected to go out for bid in fall 2025, and construction is tentatively slated to begin in spring 2026 and last about 30 months.

Community of Care webpage provides resources  

To help faculty, staff and students navigate uncertainty, SIU Carbondale has established the Community of Care webpage, which can be accessed from the siu.edu homepage. For recent updates, including a log of federal actions, click on the “Recent Updates” button at the top of the page.

Roger Tedrick retires from SIU Board of Trustees 

Roger B. Tedrick, whose association with SIU spans six decades — including as a 1970 SIU Carbondale graduate — is retiring from the SIU Board of Trustees, marking the conclusion of a remarkable era of leadership and dedication to the university system.

Salukis helping Salukis: SIU alum creates unique health care internship 

Brian Hawkins, president and chief executive officer of HHM Health and a 1991 SIU Carbondale graduate, hasn’t forgotten what it’s like to be a struggling student. So, he’s created an exceptional financial, educational and employment opportunity for current SIU students such as graduating senior Tori Slowick.

Campus Starbucks closing for updates; Delyte’s will be open this summer  

SIU’s Starbucks in the Student Center will be closed for renovations beginning Monday, May 12, but Delyte’s at Morris Library will remain open this summer to accommodate customers; hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. When Starbucks reopens in the fall, it will offer new perks and benefits.

Spring 2025 SIU senior art exhibition on display 

An exhibition this week is highlighting the work of 20 seniors in the School of Art and Design.

Automotive technology students show their skills in statewide competition 

SIU automotive technology students junior Ed Walenga and graduating senior Steven Komendanchik recently placed in the top three in automotive service technology in the SkillsUSA Illinois competition.

Reminder: Benefit Choice open enrollment deadline is June 2 

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. An on-campus Benefits Choice Fair is May 20 in the Student Center. 

Reminder: Encourage students to register for summer, fall classes

As the end of the spring semester nears, now is the time to remind students that a great way to stay on track and complete their degrees on time is to register for summer and fall classes for the 2025-2026 academic year before they leave for break.

Baseball, softball teams set for the weekend 

The Saluki men’s baseball team closes out its regular season home schedule this week, beginning Friday, May 9. The Salukis host Evansville for three games at Itchy Jones Stadium — 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 11, before hosting SIU Edwardsville at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13. The two-time defending regular season Missouri Valley Conference champion Saluki women’s softball team opens MVC conference tournament play at 11:35 a.m. today (May 8) against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com. 

New Arts Jazztet will perform Sunday 

Members of the New Arts Jazztet, a Southern Illinois jazz group comprising SIU faculty and guests, will perform at Jazz Vespers, an evening prayer service at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua St., Carbondale. NAJ was formed in 1984 by several School of Music faculty and has been in residence from that time. The performance will celebrate the music of Phil Brown, Mike LeDonne, Don Grolnick and Chris Potter. The service will also be livestreamed on the Jazz Vespers at Epiphany Facebook page.

SIU Today begins summer schedule May 15 

SIU Today will begin its summer schedule and come out once a week, each Thursday excluding holidays, beginning May 15. Submission deadlines will remain the same: two business days before the desired publication date. The deadline for the next edition will be Tuesday, May 13.