News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty, students and programs continue to gain regional and national media coverage for their expertise, innovation and community engagement. Recent coverage highlights faculty thought leadership, alumni achievement, student opportunity and the University’s growing role as a civic and cultural anchor across the region.

1. East St. Louis Alumni Panel Inspires Class of 2026
   
   Riverbender highlighted an SIUE alumni panel held at East St. Louis Seni...

On Feb.19, members of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty joined Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the ribbon-cutting of Teklab’s newly expanded laboratory facility in Collinsville. Teklab is a veteran-owned laboratory established in 1982, renowned for its analytical services in terms of air, wastewater, groundwater, drinking water and waste samples.

The celebrations included the Tek...

Two distinguished faculty members have been honored by the Southern Illinois University System for their longtime efforts to advance antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ADEI).

Marc E. Morris, PhD, JD, and Howard Rambsy II, PhD, each received the prestigious Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award during the SIU Board of Trustees meeting Feb. 5, on the SIU Edwardsville campus.

Rambsy is a faculty member in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's College of ...

Tremolos flared brilliantly at the Annual Jazz Alumni Concert performance in Dunham Hall Theater, Feb. 4. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Concert Jazz Band welcomed back star alumni bassist Carlos Henderson (’96), and trombonist Chris Leach (’96), to fill the theater with lively performances of reworked favorites and a touching tribute to former Professor Emeritus Rick Haydon.

Garrett Schmidt, conductor of the Concert Jazz Band and Jason Swagler, director of Jazz Stu...

 
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s presentation of “DANCE BREAK: Fancy Footwork” on Wednesday, Jan. 28, was a collaboration between University Dance Company and Chamber Project Saint Louis. The vibrant stage show celebrated the powerful partnership between live music and dance.

Inviting audiences to “shake your tail feathers,” the evening offered a global journey through dance-infused music, blendin...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is committed to developing future leaders through rigorous academic programs and dedicated faculty. Each semester, undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement are recognized on the Dean’s List.

To qualify, students must complete at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher. (An A is valued at 4.0, and a B at 3.0.)

The full list of honorees for fall 2025 is available on the SIUE...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has named Maurina L. Aranda, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, as the recipient of the 2025 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award. The annual award recognizes tenured faculty who contribute original research or creative activities and integrate that research or creative activity into their teaching activities. The award selection committee recognized Aranda’s strong commitment to inclusive teaching, student-c...

A signature event of SIUE’s 50th Anniversary Golden Season, the concert showcases the department’s legacy of innovation in dance.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Department of Theater and Dance continues its 50th Anniversary Golden Season with “Timeless Reflections: Performances in Dance,” a concert that transforms memory into motion and celebrates five decades of artistry through original choreography and vibrant student performance. Under the artist...

On Tuesday, August 26th, more than 60 students, faculty, staff, and administrators gathered in Lovejoy Library to celebrate the launch of the Hansen Humanities Network established by a generous endowed gift from Julia Y. and Stephen L. Hansen to the College of Arts and Sciences.

Highlighting  the Hansen’s many contributions to the College and University, Dean of the College, Kevin Leonard, PhD, noted that “Over the course of their long careers in the SIUE Department of History,...

Ground-breaking Research, Significant Student Mentorship and More Than $7M in Grant Funding Positions Tucker Among Prestigious Group   

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has presented its 2025-26 Hoppe Research Professor Award to Kevin R. Tucker, PhD, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry. 

“I’m honored to receive this year’s Hoppe Professor Award,” said Tucker. &#822...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Opera Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta The Pirates of Penzance for their spring production. Producers promise "a night of swashbuckling fun and delightful mischief” in a lively evening of family entertainment. Performances will be held on Friday, March 28 and Saturday March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Dunham Hall Theater. 

The operetta, which premiered in 1879, follows the story of Frederic, a young man mistakenly appr...

Lu’s Work in Enzyme Mimetic Chemistry is Acclaimed Nationwide

For his impressive and impactful research, teaching and mentoring in the area of enzyme mimetic chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Yun Lu, PhD, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry, has been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Research Professor of Chemistry. 

“I am thrilled to have been awarded the title of Distinguished Research Professor,”...

Oberweis Incorporates her Research on Criminal Justice Responses to Violence in the Classroom  

The impressive work of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Trish Oberweis, PhD, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Criminal Justice Studies, has earned her the 2025 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award.  

“I am honored to be counted in this esteemed group of award winners!” Oberweis said, of the Universi...

Explore the Spectrum of Dance: A Celebration of Choreographic Expression

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Theater and Dance is thrilled to announce its upcoming production, "Dance in Concert," under the artistic direction of Kristin Best Kinscherff, associate professor and head of dance. Performances will take place in Dunham Hall on the SIUE campus from Thursday, Nov. 14-Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., with a special matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, t...

In her first semester as faculty, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s newest assistant professor in the Department of Theater and Dance, Adrianna Jones, MM, is also making another debut: starring in the latest production of The Saint Louis Black Repertory Theatre titled “Blues In The Night.” The show marks her first as a performer with the company and her new teaching role returns her to her roots in the St. Louis Metro Area.

"I was able to hear about the auditions fro...

A dazzling, unique display of theatrical performances are lined up for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 13^th Xfest from Monday -Thursday, Sept. 9-12. 

Xfest is a five-day festival in September featuring alternative theatre and dance that brings to campus an array of performing artists, who are nationally and internationally renowned, as well as regional emerging artists, according to Xfest Artistic Director Chuck Harper, professor of performance in the SIUE Department of T...

University Communications Intern Ashlyn Cross Went Behind the Cougar Theater Camp Curtain

"Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook,” Disney's “The Lion King JR.,” and “Alice in Wonderland" were the exciting summer musicals on stage for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougar Theater Camp. The Cougar Theater Camp allows children to gain technical skills as well as theater experience, and for some SIUE alum, these musicals are their first jobs after graduating.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Geovonday Jones, assistant professor of performance in the Department of Theater and Dance, stars in The Black Rep’s theatre production of August Wilson’s “King Hedley II.” This play is the ninth installment in playwright Wilson’s renowned American Century Cycle of ten plays about the Black Experience. “King Hedley II” runs now through July 14 at The Edison Theatre in St. Louis, Mo. 

This show clo...

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School is pleased to announce the spring 2024 Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) award recipients.

The awards, valued at up to $500 each, support the research and creative activities of 39 graduate students studying in the College of Arts and Sciences and Schools of Pharmacy, Engineering and Education, Health and Human Behavior.

“By conducting original research and creative activities, graduate students at SIUE learn and ...