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SIU Today - October 01, 2026

LGBTQIA+ History Month in October features special events and celebrations

SIU Carbondale celebrates LGBTQIA+ History Month in October with numerous special events and activities. Paulette Curkin, the namesake and founder of the Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center, is the featured speaker at the kickoff celebration at 7 p.m. today (Oct. 1) in Morris Library’s third-floor rotunda.

SIU Foundation celebrates the impact of giving during first Week of Philanthropy

The SIU Foundation celebrated the impact of giving across SIU Carbondale during its first Week of Philanthropy, Sept. 21-25. At the center of the week was the 11th SIU Day of Giving on Sept. 23, where donors from all 50 states made gifts to SIU, successfully “Painting the Map Maroon.” In total, 1,085 donors contributed $1,029,459.

SIU researchers use AI to speed up, improve bacteria detection

Hui Li, assistant professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, and Spyros Tragoudas, professor and school director, are using artificial intelligence to speed up the detection of single-cell bacteria from up to five days to just a few hours. 

Kofi Akamani visitation is today

Visitation for SIU Carbondale College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences Professor Kofi Akamani begins at 5 p.m. today (Oct. 1) in the SIU Student Center Ballrooms. A “Time of Sharing” for faculty, staff, students and campus and community leaders to share their thoughts starts at 7 p.m. Read Professor Akamani’s obituary here.

Reminder: Campus Appreciation Cookout is Monday

In appreciation of the hard work across our university community that helped drive strong retention and enrollment increase this fall, all faculty, staff and students are invited to the traditional campus cookout. The cookout is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, in Faner Plaza — rain or shine.

SIU’s Morris Library hosts discussion on banned books Friday

A discussion on banned books by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois on Friday, Oct. 2, at Morris Library kicks off Banned Books Week. The free, public presentation is at 1 p.m. in the library, Room 752. Banned Books Week is Oct. 4-10.

SIU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra to perform Oct. 6

The SIU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Orchestra present a joint concert on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Shryock Auditorium. The free concert begins at 7 p.m.

Students can receive free flu shots

To protect SIU Carbondale students from the flu, Student Health Services is hosting eight flu clinics starting on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU celebrates contractors for National APEX Day

The Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU Carbondale celebrates National APEX Day 2026 on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Busy week ahead for Saluki sports

The Saluki football team hosts Youngstown State at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Saluki Stadium with a special Youth Day promotion. Fans can receive up to two free tickets for children ages 12 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. The women’s volleyball team hosts a pair of matches at Davies Gym — against Valparaiso at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 and the University of Illinois Chicago at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams open the 2026-27 season hosting Missouri State University Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, in Shea Natatorium. The Saluki softball team is also in action when they host Jefferson College in a rescheduled doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Charlotte West Stadium. Be sure to check team schedules at siusalukis.com.