SIU Today - December 12, 2024

Aspiring lawyer to become 11th member of her family to graduate from SIU Carbondale

When SIU Carbondale political science senior Zeneya J’Claire Scott graduates on Saturday, Dec. 14, she will join thousands of Saluki graduates throughout the world. But she will join a more exclusive club: the 11th member of her family to earn an SIU Carbondale degree.

SIU student earns degree at age 72, keeping a promise he made to mom 

Perseverance is in Earl Henderson’s DNA. That “never-give-up” attitude will be rewarded when the 72-year-old man from Virginia Beach, Virginia, receives his bachelor’s degree in organizational learning, innovation and development.

Doctoral students research rare gray foxes in hopes of maintaining species

Max Larreur and Nadine Pershyn are working with SIU researchers to unlock the gray fox’s secrets in Southern Illinois using a multiphase approach called the Illinois Gray Fox Project. Their co-advisers are Clay Nielsen, professor of wildlife ecology and conservation with the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, and Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, assistant professor.

Fall 2024 commencement is Saturday  

Faculty and staff are reminded that the academic achievements of nearly 1,600 SIU Carbondale students will be celebrated at commencement exercises starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Banterra Center.

Campus building hours, mail service schedule over break  

Much of the university will be closed during winter break, Dec. 23-Jan. 1, and campus mail will run on an altered schedule.   

Title IX training will be offered in person Dec. 16; deadline extended 

The Office of Equity and Compliance is offering a moderator-led viewing of the Preventing Harassment and Discrimination: Supervisors + Clery Act and Title IX module training from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, in Grinnell Hall, Event Space A. 

Help SIU save energy, improve sustainability  

As students, faculty and staff prepare to leave campus for the holiday break, now is a good time to take simple steps to save energy, which will help the university improve sustainability, one of the five pillars of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan.  

2024 SIU senior student art exhibition on display 

An exhibition this week is highlighting the work of 10 seniors in SIU Carbondale’s School of Art and Design. The display is through Friday, Dec. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. in the Glove Factory Studio Art Building at the Surplus Gallery, with a reception in the gallery from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, following commencement ceremonies.

Children’s choir to present holiday concert Sunday 

The Southern Illinois Children’s Choir will present its holiday concert, “Joyful, Joyful,” beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Grace United Methodist Church, 220 N. Tower Road, Carbondale. The performance is free and open to the public.

Reminder: Faculty and Staff Excellence Award nominations 

The nomination deadline for Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2025.

Reminder on end of year payroll, W-2 forms  

Human Resources-Payroll wants to remind employees who are responsible for entering or reporting time or sending paperwork that December is a short month for processing all the necessary payrolls. Please note that all payrolls will be run in advance of the university’s holiday closure, which begins on Dec. 23. In addition, all employees are asked to review their mailing addresses via Human Resources Self-Service and make any necessary changes before Jan. 6. 

A festive maroon holiday with Saluki sports  

Banterra Center will be busy over the holiday stretch as the Saluki men’s and women’s basketball teams take to the court in the next three weeks. The Saluki men host High Point University at 1 p.m. Dec. 21, and Evansville at 1 p.m. Jan. 1 with special promotions for both games. The Saluki women host University of Alabama Birmingham at noon Dec. 22, Murray State at 6 p.m. Jan. 2 and Belmont at 2 p.m. Jan. 4. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com.

Winners of SIU’s 2024 business plan competition claim big prizes 

Three winners claimed cash and service prizes during SIU Carbondale’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase from a remarkable field of 92 businesses entered in the 2024 Southern Illinois Business Plan Competition Powered by Regions Bank.

SIU Air Force ROTC, aviation students host squadron from Florida   

SIU Air Force ROTC members and students from SIU aviation studies hosted a special operations squadron from Florida on Dec. 5.

Reminder: Staff leadership training workshops available in January 

Registration is open for another round of free leadership training workshops offered in January by the SIU System Staff Advisory Committee. The workshops are set for Jan. 21-24.

SIU Today to resume in January 

This is the last SIU Today issue before winter break. SIU Today will resume in January. 

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