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SIU Today - April 20, 2026

2026 Big Muddy New Play Festival is April 23-26

Theater lovers will have myriad opportunities this week to embrace the works of SIU Carbondale’s talented student playwrights at the 14th annual Big Muddy New Play Festival. This year’s festival is Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26.

Saluki Pride: Julia Rendleman earns Teaching Excellence Award

Julia Rendleman’s drive to bring award-winning professional experience to students, help transform SIU Carbondale’s photojournalism program and succeed in her own work outside of the classroom, earned Rendleman the university’s 2026 Excellence Award for tenured and tenure-track faculty.

All-Hazards Plan exercise is April 27

The safety of SIU Carbondale students, faculty and staff is central to the Saluki experience. University leadership will test components of our All-Hazards Plan beginning around 9 a.m. on Monday, April 27. All students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled to receive alerts through their SIU email. To ensure you also receive text message alerts, it is important to confirm that your current mobile phone number is on file.

SIU System invites public and campus community to help shape next strategic plan

The SIU System is inviting faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to help shape the next chapter of its strategic plan, which will guide the system through 2031. The public is encouraged to participate in an online survey and a series of virtual town halls designed to gather input from across the region and state. The virtual town halls are scheduled for noon today (April 20) and 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23.

SIU Simmons Law School begins law scholars’ conversation series

The inaugural “Simmons Law School Scholars in Conversation” on Wednesday, April 22, will feature Sheila Simon as she shares insights on her research and reflects on her career. The virtual program will be available via Zoom at 5 p.m. April 22. Program registration is required.

Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois continues this week

There is still time to attend Saluki Takeover Tour Chancellor’s Receptions hosted by the SIU Foundation this week in Carterville and Red Bud as Chancellor Austin A. Lane and university leadership share updates on the momentum at SIU Carbondale. In addition, SIU’s admissions team continues the tour’s focus visiting local high schools and reaching students in all 17 Southern Illinois counties this month. Registration is available for the Tuesday, April 21, reception in Carterville and the Thursday, April 23, reception in Red Bud.

Everyone welcome to join SIU’s April 22 tree planting event

SIU Carbondale will continue its traditional celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Month with its annual tree planting event from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

SIU fashion studies students take center stage with fashion, merchandising concepts

The Fashion Studies program’s Student Showcase and Fashion Show, featuring works from students in the fashion design and merchandising specializations, is Thursday, April 23, in Student Center Ballroom D. The student showcase begins at 6 p.m. in the John W. Corker Lounge with the fashion show following.

Reminder: Roundtable talk on Wednesday to examine support for first-year students

Faculty, staff and graduate assistants are invited to attend the third in a series of first-year experience roundtable discussions on Wednesday, April 22. The sessions examine the unique transitions, challenges and experiences of first-time-in-college students and transfer students who are new to SIU Carbondale. The session is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Faculty Staff Lounge in the Student Center’s Old Main Room.

SIU Board of Trustees honors eight outstanding SIU students 

The Southern Illinois University System Board of Trustees and the Student Advisory Committee for the SIU System recognized eight outstanding students with the 2026 SIU System Distinguished Student Service Award. Students from SIU campuses in Carbondale, Edwardsville, Alton and Springfield were honored at the SIU board meeting on April 16.