PHOTO: The Lesser Key

Together with SIUE Fellow Sinan Onal, PhD, Tucker and Cox are members of the inaugural IIN Fellows cohort. Tucker and Cox are helping lead the 2026 IIN Annual Conference, “Powering Illinois’ Future Together,” which SIUE will host October 22–23.

The conference will unite researchers, students, university leaders, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, policymakers and community partners to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore solutions to challenges facing Illinois and the region.

In this Q&A, Tucker and Cox share their vision for the conference and discuss how interdisciplinary collaboration can strengthen research, workforce development and innovation across the state.

Kevin R. Tucker, PhD

What does being an IIN Fellow and co-chairing the conference mean to you?
The Fellows Program allows me to expand my statewide network and identify new collaborators. Previous IIN funding helped establish lasting partnerships, particularly with colleagues at Northern Illinois University. Personally, I value opportunities that encourage universities to think and work beyond institutional and regional boundaries.

What are the conference’s primary goals?
We want to showcase innovative work across Illinois, foster cross-institutional and cross-sector collaborations, and connect university expertise with the state’s economic and societal needs. The conference will focus on clean energy, next-generation agriculture, biotechnology, and social and economic innovation. 

In addition, the conference allows us to welcome colleagues from throughout the state, showcase the work of our students and faculty, and demonstrate the important role that SIUE and the Metro East region play in Illinois’ innovation landscape.

How does your background as a chemist influence your approach?
Chemistry teaches you to examine complex systems, identify important variables and make evidence-based decisions. Environmental challenges also require expertise from multiple disciplines. I approach the conference similarly: bring the right people together, establish shared objectives and allow their expertise to complement one another.

How will SIUE students and faculty benefit?
Students can present their work, explore research and career paths, and build professional networks. Faculty can develop collaborations, grant proposals and educational opportunities while showcasing SIUE’s expertise across Illinois.

What voices are essential in shaping Illinois’ future?
Scientists and engineers are essential, but so are educators, health professionals, economists, entrepreneurs, social scientists, policy experts, community organizations and students. The strongest solutions combine technical expertise with economic realities, human behavior, public policy, ethics and community priorities.

Diane Cox, PhD

What is the vision behind “Powering Illinois’ Future Together”?
The vision is to create a platform where ideas, expertise and partnerships converge to address pressing challenges facing Illinois and the region. We want the conference to serve as a catalyst for connection, collaboration and action.

How does your professional role support collaboration?
As Director of Proposal Development, I work with stakeholders to identify funding opportunities and develop interdisciplinary and interinstitutional teams to pursue them.

What are the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinary collaboration?
Identifying common goals and navigating differences in resources and timelines can be challenging. However, collaboration expands expertise, resources and networks, allowing teams to leverage their collective strengths and pursue larger opportunities.

How does collaboration align with your leadership philosophy?
Understanding stakeholders’ needs and working collaboratively have anchored my career. No single individual, discipline or organization has all the answers to the complex challenges facing Illinois and the region.

What future do you hope this project helps create?
I hope we create a lasting, scalable model for collaborative innovation conferences that strengthens partnerships and accelerates shared solutions. I am proud to be affiliated with an institution so committed to collaboration and service that its leadership stepped forward to host the IIN Conference.

 PHOTO: Kevin Tucker and Diane Cox

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has earned another notable distinction, ranking No. 7 among the Largest Research Universities in the St. Louis region, according to the St. Louis Business Journal's June 4, 2026 list.

The annual ranking recognizes universities based on research funding received in 2025, highlighting institutions that are advancing innovation, discovery and scholarship across a wide range of disciplines. Information for the list was provided by participating universities through institutional questionnaires.

The recognition reflects SIUE's continued commitment to fostering a vibrant research environment that benefits students, faculty and the communities it serves. Through groundbreaking research, interdisciplinary collaboration and strong partnerships with industry, government and community organizations, SIUE continues to expand opportunities for innovation while addressing real-world challenges.

The St. Louis Business Journal noted that its rankings are based on research funding reported by participating institutions and university representatives.

SIUE's placement among the region's leading research universities adds to the University's growing list of recognition and reflects its ongoing dedication to academic excellence, innovation and community impact.

Learn more at St. Louis Business Journal

PHOTO: SIUE Campus

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Solar Racing Team was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ahead of the team's return to national competition for the first time in years. The article details the team's preparation for the American Solar Challenge, a multiday, 1,500-mile road race from Minneapolis to Amarillo, Texas, beginning July 25. 

The roughly 25-member student team hand-built a new solar car, named Orion, largely from scratch, including hand-soldering their own solar panels — a practice few competing programs still undertake. The team, which qualified for the Formula Sun Grand Prix last summer after years away from competition, will attempt to qualify for the American Solar Challenge at a track race next week. 

The race route will pass through the SIUE campus on July 27, with cars expected to arrive between 2:30 and 6 p.m. via Illinois Route 157, marking the first stage stop of the multiday journey toward Amarillo. 

Read the full story in the STL Post-Dipatch  

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For a second year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is all set to host the collegiate competition known as the Electrek American Solar Challenge 2026 on July 27 and 28. More than 20 solar car teams travelling a 1500+ mile course in eight days along the Great River Road and Route 66 will encounter a festival at the SIUE stop, with food trucks, music, and more!

With teams traveling from Illinois State University before arriving in Edwardsville, SIUE's stop falls roughly at the event's midpoint. The teams will then continue on to Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla as the event works its way toward Route 66 stops in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The solar cars will arrive staggered at SIUE's Lot E beginning at 2 p.m. Monday, July 27, and will depart the following morning, Tuesday, July 28, after an overnight stage point that includes vehicle maintenance and public viewing.

“We're excited to bring the collegiate solar cars back to Edwardsville this summer as one of the stops along Route 66! Edwardsville marks the end of the three-day Stage I of the event, where teams will have traveled more than 650 miles through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois,” said Gail Lueck, FSGP/ASC Event Director and Operations Director for IEF.

“We would like to thank SIUE for hosting this stage point for the teams and opening their campus for the public to come view these innovative solar cars and meet the students who built them,” Leuck added.

While the cars charge and teams rest, SIUE is building a community festival around the stage point. A hospitality area for teams and a photo booth experience will also be provided for visitors to pose in the SIUE solar car cockpit for a keepsake photo, giving families and fans futuristic memories. Food trucks and a DJ will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our partnership and host the stage point for the Electrek American Solar Challenge. This event showcases the ingenuity and impact that our students experience both inside and outside of the curriculum at SIUE and the community that they form as they advance the frontier of solar technology," said Chris Gordon, Associate Dean, School of Engineering, SIUE.

The public viewing schedule includes the following:

Monday, July 27 

• 2:30-8 p.m. — Solar cars arrive staggered until 6 p.m., with lead, solar car and chase caravan pulling in together and an official time-in taken
• Teams serve a mandatory 30-minute stage point time, then have the option of additional loops or on-site solar charging until 8 p.m.
• Public is welcome to view the teams as they arrive
• 5-8 p.m. — Festival with food trucks and music
• Solar car arrival may be delayed due to weather, traffic or other conditions encountered en route 

Tuesday, July 28 

• 7-8:30 a.m. — Teams complete morning charging and maintenance; public is welcome to view the cars 
• 8:45 a.m. — Lead, chase, and solar cars line up for the start; public gathers to cheer on the teams 
• 9-9:30 a.m. — Solar car teams start staggered in one-minute intervals as the next stage of the American Solar Challenge begins 

For the full multi-state schedule and live tracking, visit americansolarchallenge.org.

Electrek American Solar Challenge 2026 
The American Solar Challenge (ASC) is a multi-day, 1,500–2,000 mile cross-country endurance competition held biennially during the summer, open to collegiate solar car teams from around the world. With a history stretching back to 1990, ASC has continually evolved in scale and complexity, with routes designed to demonstrate solar-powered vehicles under genuine driving conditions while testing the reliability of every onboard system. The event is organized by the Innovators Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is powered by a dedicated network of volunteers, sponsors, and host communities along the route.

PHOTOS: SIUE Solar car's rendering; SIUE Solar Car Team; ASC poster

Growing up in foster care, Bryon Pierson Jr. learned early how fragile stability can be, and by the time he reached college, that lesson had only deepened. During his years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, he moved seven times  lived with 22 different roommates. Pierson says he became heavily in debt  just to stay housed and enrolled. Those experiences, along with his leadership of the Gay-Straight Alliance and his senior capstone on student support systems, led him to found EDUrain—a housing technology company now serving more than 100,000 students and partners with colleges across the country. 

Today, EDUrain colleges manage off-campus and on campus housing, giving students verified listings, roommate matching and financial resources. EDUrain has raised more than $476,000 and secured more than $3 million in signed contracts, and the organization recently earned first place at DePaul University's Purpose Pitch Competition. 

Pierson initially began his SIUE career wanting to become a nurse, and believing healthcare was how he would help people. Academic suspension at SIUE ended that path.  

"At the time, it felt like one of the most difficult setbacks of my life," Pierson said. "Looking back, it became one of the turning points that forced me to ask a bigger question: How do I really want to make an impact?"  

He switched to political science with a minor in psychology, graduating from SIUE in 2018 with a bachelor's degree. 

Housing instability was not something Pierson studied, it was something he experienced. While a student, he waited tables at Red Lobster and The Pasta House Co. to cover rent, and still struggled to qualify for leases without a co-signer. That taught him that achieving success is not just about grades and motivation. It depends on whether a student has a safe place to sleep. 

That thought changed his life at the University. Pierson served as president of the Gay-Straight Alliance, advocating for LGBTQIA+ students on campus. Around the same time, he created his senior assignment, The Serenity Plan, named for his late sister, Serenity-Rain, examining how colleges could improve retention and support for LGBTQIA+ and other underserved students. Through collaboration with Blackburn College's LGBTQ+ student organization, The Serenity Plan was adopted on their campus. 

"As I researched student success, one issue kept appearing over and over again: housing," Pierson said. That realization became the foundation for EDUrain. Some people doubted that colleges would ever work with a new startup, or that housing was really a tech problem at all. Pierson kept going. He joined startup programs and pitch contests, including 4.0 Schools, TechRise by P33, Techstars, the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition, Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition, the Rice Business Plan Competition and DePaul University's Purpose Pitch Competition, and used them to turn his idea into a real company. 

None of it happened alone. Mentors like his professors Laurie Rice, PhD, Andrew Theising, PhD, and Timothy Lewis, PhD, have shaped his thinking, leadership and vision.  

"Their example is why my advice is simple," Pierson said. "Ask for help, build a circle of people you trust, and say yes to opportunities before you feel ready. No one ever knows which project or setback is preparing you for the work you are meant to do." 

Photos by EDUrain.

The new graduate specialty program at the SIU School of Dental Medicine has been in the planning and development stages for several years to achieve the initial accreditation status from CODA. The School has been very active over the past several months with the final details to launch the program for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. 

On June 2, Drukteinis announced that a critical affiliation agreement to help make the new Graduate Periodontics Program more feasible at SIU SDM was finalized. 

“I want to announce that we have officially formalized an affiliation with Alton Memorial Hospital in supporting an accredited Periodontics Residency Program on our campus,” said Drukteinis.  “SIU SDM will certainly benefit from this affiliation and be able to advance the health of our community with the addition of this service.”

Drukteinis added, “I'd like to thank SIUE Chancellor Minor and SIUE Provost Cobb for supporting this affiliation, as well as all the faculty and staff who worked to help put this program together.”

Soon thereafter, on June 5, Drukteinis announced that Mohamed Omran-Alfaituori, BDS, MS, would serve as Program Director of Graduate Periodontics at SIU SDM. Omran-Alfaituori had been serving as the Director of the Implant Dentistry Fellowship Program at SIU SDM before accepting this new role.

“I want to thank Dr. Omran for taking on this critical role at SIU SDM,” said Drukteinis. “He is uniquely qualified to help us launch this new program and to help ensure that it succeeds.”

In turn, Omran was able to formally extend an offer to two dentists to become the inaugural set of Graduate Periodontics residents at SIU SDM.

“I am happy to announce that Jay Niebrugge and Younghye Heo have accepted positions in our Graduate Periodontics Residency Program. We look forward to their contributions to our program and community,” said Omran.

Jay Niebrugge, DMD, graduated with the SIU SDM Class of 2026. His mother, Margaret Mary Niebrugge, DMD, graduated from SIU SDM with the Class of 1986. Dr. Younghye Heo, DMD, is presently completing her Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at SIU SDM. She graduated with the SIU SDM Class of 2025.

"I am excited to continue my education at SIU and to be part of a program that will expand access to periodontal care for the Alton community and surrounding areas,” said Niebrugge.

Heo shared her feelings of honor and responsibility as an inaugural resident of the new SIU SDM Graduate Periodontics Program.

“As one of the first residents of this new program, I feel both honored and responsible,” said Heo. “I hope to set a strong foundation by giving my very best, helping establish a positive path and making the journey a little smoother for the residents who will follow. I look forward to learning, growing, and contributing to a program that will continue to thrive for years to come.” 
 
PHOTOS: Mohamed Omran-Alfaituori, BDS, MS; Jay Niebrugge, DMD;  Younghye Heo, DMD  

As legalized sports betting becomes an increasingly visible part of professional athletics, questions about transparency, integrity, and public trust are taking on new business significance. Ariel Belasen, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Economics and Finance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, brings an economist’s perspective to that debate through research examining NBA officiating and betting markets.

Belasen’s article, “With the game on the (betting) line: NBA referee performance in the last two minutes,” published in the Journal of Sports Economics, studies whether gambling partnerships and betting-market conditions are associated with changes in referee performance. The study uses the NBA’s last two-minute reports, which review calls and non-calls late in close games for accuracy.

The results suggest that in games with narrower betting margins, referees made 23% fewer incorrect calls against visiting underdogs and 42% fewer incorrect calls against home underdogs. Belasen's research has attracted attention from the betting world. For example, nbarefbetting.com recently wrote, “It is like the referees are just trying not to be seen so they don’t have to decide the game with a whistle.” The findings do not suggest that referees intentionally favor underdogs or manipulate games. Instead, Belasen argues that they point to the need for more research into the external pressures that may shape officiating decisions.

The research has implications beyond the basketball court. As sports betting becomes more deeply embedded in the fan experience, professional leagues, gaming operators, advertisers, and consumers all have a stake in maintaining confidence in the fairness of competition. Even the perception that betting activity could influence outcomes may affect consumer trust, brand credibility, and the business model surrounding professional sports.

PHOTO: Ariel Belasen, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Economics and Finance at SIUE

For media inquiries, consulting opportunities or research collaborations related to this work or other areas of business expertise, contact Edmund Hershberger, Associate Dean of the SIUE School of Business, at ehershb@siue.edu. The School welcomes opportunities to connect faculty expertise with organizations, industry partners and community members seeking research-informed insight into today’s business challenges. 

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – For the eighth consecutive season under Head Coach Adam Albertsen, the SIUE women's tennis team has been honored for academic achievements by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).

"This team continued to raise the bar on the courts and in the classroom this past year," said Albertsen. "I am extremely proud of the work they put in as student-athletes and how they represent SIUE in the community. Go Cougars!"

Nine SIUE women's tennis players, who led the Cougars to the 2026 regular-season Ohio Valley Conference crown, were named Division I Women's ITA Scholar-Athletes, and the team was selected as one of the nation's All-Academic teams. Student-athletes must earn at least a 3.5 GPA for inclusion as an ITA scholar-athlete.

SIUE's ITA Scholar-Athletes are Elena Palioura, Chloe Koons, Margaux Guibal Britt, Stefaniya Anikina, Mya Bowe, Jessica Li, Emerson Metzger, Aliya Rector and Cydney Rogers. They were among 1,501 Division I women's student-athletes nationwide.

Photo: SIUE Women's Tennis

Cheng joins SIUE from the University of Toledo, where he has served as Department Chair and Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He previously served as a faculty member in Computer Science and Engineering at Lehigh University. As an accomplished scholar and leader, he brings a wealth of experience in developing academic programs, building strategic initiatives, and advancing research in cyber-physical systems and artificial intelligence. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and a successful track record of securing extramural funding.

Cheng received enthusiastic support from the university community during the search process. As SIUE continues to distinguish and grow the School of Engineering and its regional and national impact, his forward-thinking leadership will play a vital role in achieving the university’s strategic priorities and elevating academic excellence.

“As we embark on a new era for the School of Engineering, we have the opportunity to build on a strong foundation and rich history,” said Denise Cobb, PhD, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “Dr. Cheng’s enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment to building a collective vision will lead the School to stronger relationships with our partners in the region, fuel innovation, and position our students for even greater impact.  I am thrilled to welcome him to our academic leadership team.”

“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Karacal for his outstanding contributions to SIUE and the School of Engineering, as we make this transition,” said Cobb.

SIUE congratulates Cem Karacal, PhD, who now holds the title of Dean Emeritus after 33 years in the School of Engineering as a faculty member, Associate Dean, and Dean. 

PHOTO: Liang Cheng, PhD, SIUE's next Dean of the School of Engineering

 
On Thursday, July 9, 80 police officers departed as a sea of blue on wheels from the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, destined for Chicago. The 22nd annual four-day ride, along historic Route 66, is known as The 2026 Cycle Across Illinois. The monumental trek benefits Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), which supports families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

Cyclists and their support staff enjoyed a hearty dinner meal, sponsored by Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson, the night before the ride. Riders spent the night at the SIUE residence halls, partially sponsored by SIUE PD, a $10,000 savings on accommodations.

“They said our residence halls are one of the nicest places outside of the one hotel they get. They're so happy about it,” said Lieutenant Lisa Johnson, who coordinated the SIUE portion of the journey. Johnson recalled the inspiration for SIUE PD’s initial support: “We have a female officer whose husband was killed in the line of duty a couple years ago. This group raises so much money, their contribution allowed her to not work for a little bit.”

According to the COPS Illinois chapter information page, “During this journey, we meet with family members and other officers throughout the State of Illinois to let them know that their loved ones have not been forgotten.  The Illinois chapter uses this bike ride to unite, grief, heal and memorialize our fellow officers.”

Many of those riders involved have lost brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, colleagues, and friends in the line of duty. Before taking off, the cyclists held a brief memorial service, which included moments of silence in honor of three fallen officers: Patrolman George Fries (End of Watch, 1926), Patrolman William Otis Peebles (EOW, 1928), and Sergeant Charles Chandler (EOW, 1936).

It was then time for the Illinois cycling unit to line up for the group photo and mount dozens of bicycles.

“This has been a goal of mine,” said Captain G. Cale Becker, Captain of Special Operations at Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Becker is a nearly 25-year law enforcement veteran. He embarked on the journey with his son, Michael.

“It's kind of a father-son thing we want to do together, but at the same time honoring the fallen and the families because that's what this is about. It's about supporting the families who are survivors of fallen officers. And we just think it's a great cause. That's why we're doing this.”

Along for the ride is a 30-member support team. Cris Stacy has volunteered with COPS “since the beginning.” Her husband Sergeant Eric Stacy, now with Granite City PD, worked with Officer Jeremy Chambers at Cahokia PD when Chambers was killed in the line of duty in 2006.

“SIUE has been wonderful. With the dorms it just makes a difference,” said Cris Stacy. “The money raised goes for so many things. They have so many retreats now. We can host a retreat for children, fallen officers, spouses, significant others, as in fiancés, moms, parents, and siblings.”

State Sen. Erica Harriss, of the 56th District, usually catches the riders in transit while in Springfield, but this year she happened to be in Edwardsville. When she asked a local officer about the starting location, he replied, SIUE, 6 a.m. “I said, I’m pretty sure there's nothing else on my calendar at 6 a.m.,” said Harriss, who met the riders before they took off.

“I think it's impressive, and I'm glad to be here to be able to support it. I hope to try to bring some awareness to it because it's a great purpose.”

Harriss and Stacy noted how Edwardsville businesses like The Cyclery and Fitness Center see the cyclists and actively inquire about ways to help.

Ultimately the impressive gathering honors those who, due to tragic circumstances, must navigate a tough road ahead. “It's a club you don't want to belong to,” said Stacy, who is committed to her role as a volunteer. “I'm here, but I don't want to have to be here.”

Visit the COPS Illinois chapter website for donation information.

Photos by Howard Ash

The retreat will celebrate the grand opening of the Learning Resource Center’s new Meditation Quiet Room, a dedicated wellness space created to support stress reduction and well-being for members of the campus and surrounding community.

Guests can begin the morning with a continental breakfast before participating in guided meditation and creative activities offered through an SIUE Art Hive. Visitors will also have an opportunity to explore the new meditation space, which was made possible through funding awarded as part of SIUE’s 2025-26 Mental Health Incubator Challenge.

“Libraries have always been places of learning, but they are also places of belonging,” said Juliet Gray, biomedical learning director. “Creating spaces that encourage reflection, wellness and connection helps ensure that students have the resources they need to thrive both academically and personally.”

For Learning Resource Center Director Amber Davis, establishing a dedicated meditation space on the East St. Louis campus represents an investment in equity, accessibility and the well-being of the people the LRC serves.

“Mental wellness resources shouldn’t be a luxury,” said Davis. “Everyone deserves access to spaces where they can breathe, reset and care for themselves. My hope is that this room becomes a place where people feel safe, supported and encouraged to make their well-being a priority.”

The Meditation Quiet Room and Zen & Zest retreat grew from a collaborative effort among the Learning Resource Center, SIUE Counseling and Health Services and Library and Information Services. Together, the campus partners developed a retreat centered on mindfulness, creativity and connection.

“This project demonstrates what is possible when campus partners come together around a shared commitment to student success,” said Gray.

Graphic courtesy of the LRC.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE Athletics mourns the passing of Hall of Fame tennis coach Kent DeMars, who passed away Thursday, according to family. He was 82.

DeMars transformed the SIUE men's tennis program from club status to national powerhouse, coaching the Cougars to seven consecutive national championships from 1978-1984. 

"Kent built SIUE tennis into a national power that saw championship-level success," SIUE women's tennis Head Coach Adam Albertsen said. "Beyond the trophies and the wins, his ability to impact student-athletes on and off the court will always be remembered."

DeMars coached players who earned 56 All-American certificates from 1974 to 1984. Three different players won NCAA Division II singles titles from 1977 to 1983. Four different doubles teams earned national titles from 1979 to 1984.

"Kent was my friend as well as my mentor," SIUE Hall of Fame tennis coach Bob Meyers said. "Having the experience of coaching, running camps, and fundraising events with Kent helped to foster my long love and success in tennis, coaching, and teaching."

From 1984-2010 DeMars was the head coach at South Carolina, guiding the Gamecocks to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 13 consecutive appearances from 1994-2006.

DeMars was inducted into the SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. He was elected to the St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame in 2024.

A memorial service celebrating Kent's life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the University of South Carolina's Rutledge Chapel, 902 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Still Hopes Chaplain Discretionary Fund, for the benefit of the employees and caregivers. Online donations can be made here, or checks can be made out to "Chaplain's Discretionary Fund" and mailed to PO Box 2959, West Columbia, SC 29179.

KENT DEMARS OBITUARY

KENT DEMARS SIUE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Adam Albertsen, Kent DeMars, Bob Meyers, Andrew Gavin

WSIE 88.7 "The Sound" has been named a finalist in the Best Radio Station category of the 2026 St. Louis American Reader's Choice Awards, placing the station among the top four radio stations in the St. Louis area as voted by listeners.

The recognition comes from readers of the St. Louis American, who selected their favorite local radio stations as part of the publication's annual awards program celebrating the city's top businesses, services, and community institutions.

The honor reflects the continued support of WSIE's listener base across St. Louis and the Metro East, whose votes helped place the station among the city's top four.

WSIE 88.7 "The Sound" can be heard at 88.7 FM throughout St. Louis and the Metro East, streamed online at wsie.com, accessed worldwide through the TuneIn app, or played on request through smart speakers.

The St. Louis American Reader's Choice Awards recognize standout businesses and organizations across the region each year based on community voting.

Photo by Howard Ash

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Bond joined SIUE in 1966 as executive assistant to President John S. Rendleman, JD, during a pivotal period in which the Edwardsville campus was establishing autonomy within the Southern Illinois University System. Over the course of her career, she worked with six University chancellors and presidents and helped plan and carry out major SIUE events, including commencements and the famous Mississippi River Festival.

Her daughter, Julie Bond, described her mother as a devoted professional who embraced the University and its people wholeheartedly.

“My mother was a very dedicated and passionate professional. She has often been described as a force,” said Bond. “She loved everything about the University and all that it offered. Our lives, the faculty, the students and the community were all enriched, and she loved being a part of its growth and influence. I have many fond and happy childhood memories of friends, classes, events, concerts and time spent at SIUE with her.”

Bond’s reputation paired her warmth and loyalty with exceptional professionalism. A former staff member once recalled, “When you walked into Wilma Jene’s office, you better have walked in ‘correct.’”

In addition to her work in the President and Chancellor Offices, Bond served for several years on the SIUE Credit Union Board. In 1996, she became assistant executive director of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois as an “executive on loan” arrangement when it was housed on campus. Bond retired from the University in 1999.

Her service continued well beyond retirement. Bond held leadership and volunteer roles with the Edwardsville Mayor’s Beautification and Tree Commission, American Cancer Society, Colonial Benjamin Stephenson House, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Faith in Action, Grandview Homeowners Association and Madison County Arts Council. She chaired the Green Thumb Committee for six years, served six years as president of the Grandview Homeowners Association, and received the Rotary Paul Harris Award for community service.

She also maintained longtime memberships in Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Newcomers & Neighbors and the League of Women Voters.
Known affectionately as “GB,” Bond treasured her family above all else. Her passions also included gardening and nature, travel, reading, cooking, volunteerism, antiques, and old lace. Her kitchen was remembered as a place of joy, hospitality, and connection.

Bond is survived by her husband, Jack Butler; daughter, Julie Ann Bond; grandchildren, Lauren Bond (Maryann) Brickey and Jacob Bond Mudge; stepchildren, John (Kathleen) Butler, Tom Butler, and Anne Herrin; six step-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edwardsville Arts Center. Additional information is available in Bond’s family obituary through Weber & Rodney Funeral Home.

 SIU Board of Trustees member and SIUE alumnus John Simmons remembered Bond as a woman of quiet authority, deep institutional knowledge and extraordinary foresight. Simmons shared the following remembrance for Wilma Jene and her family:

“It took me a little time to fully appreciate that. I’d arrive early for my meetings with President Lazerson and find myself at Wilma Jene’s desk, waiting. I quickly learned that time with her was not time to waste. I would pick her brain about SIUE, its history, its people, its direction—and she knew everything. She had been there since the Chancellor’s Office was first established in 1966, and she carried that institutional knowledge with grace and quiet authority.

Photo: Wilma Jene Bond, courtesy of Weber & Rodney Funeral Home. SIUE legacy photos provided by Julie Bond.

The ICAE, which serves under the office of Illinois Deputy Governor for Education Martin Torres, advises the Illinois State Board of Education on agricultural education. The 13-member committee includes representatives from various educational sectors and agricultural organizations.

“This was a happy surprise,” said Butts-Wilmsmeyer, who learned the news from SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, that she had been requested to serve a one-year appointment on the committee.

“It’s super exciting for me, because the ag world is the reason I'm here today.”

During the past eight years, Butts-Wilmsmeyer as Principal Investigator has led three USDA education and workforce development programs across Illinois, focusing on undergraduate students. Two of the programs targeted undergraduates, and one involved a range of participants from junior high school students to the current workforce. Through C-PAN, she works with industries vital to the St. Louis and Illinois regions, emphasizing agriculture's significant contribution to the local GDP.

Butts-Wilmsmeyer, who grew up on a farm raising cattle and hay, has a personal connection to agricultural education. In high school she became a member of the National FFA, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, which taught food and science production, and leadership skills.

"The agricultural community provided me with educational opportunities and financial support as both an undergraduate and graduate student, but even more importantly, they gave me a place to belong and accepted me as one of their own," she said. "Serving on this committee is a chance to give back to a community that has meant so much to me."

In her committee role, Butts-Wilmsmeyer will collaborate with the Deputy Governor and the Illinois State Board of Education to review and recommend curricula for agricultural education, particularly at the high school level.

"SIUE's commitment to workforce development and preparing students for the future aligns with the goals of the ICAE," said Butts-Wilmsmeyer. "I'm excited to support our students and the agricultural community through this appointment."

PHOTO: Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, PhD, newly appointed to the Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education (ICAE) 

“Explore the Universe” is an event that offers participants of all ages the opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky during the day through an immersive astronomy presentation led by the SIUE STEM Center.

"I'm excited about bringing the inflatable planetarium back to the LRC,” said Sarah Kirkpatrick, director of the Learning Resource Center and Campus Engagement. “It was last here in fall of 2023. The SIUE STEM Center is a great campus partner, and we are grateful for their time and expertise in bringing such a unique and fun resource to the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus.”

The LRC will host local groups and youth organizations inside the planetarium for guided presentations. In addition to scheduled group visits, the event will include time for members of the public to experience the planetarium and discover the beauty of the night sky.

“We have groups from the community, as well as participants in our campus programs, coming to the planetarium, but we've also left time for the general public to come and gaze at the stars," said Kirkpatrick.

"The Learning Resource Center strives to create meaningful experiences that foster curiosity and a love of learning," said Amber Davis, LSW Learning Resource Coordinator. "Whether someone is visiting us for the first time as a preschooler or returning as an adult learner, our goal is to provide welcoming opportunities that encourage exploration, creativity and lifelong learning."

SIUE’s LRC continues its mission of providing engaging educational opportunities that inspire curiosity and foster community connection. The inflatable planetarium is one of many interactive programs designed to make science and discovery accessible to learners at every age and stage of life.

The event is free and open to the public. Because space is limited, advance registration is required. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact the Learning Resource Center at 618-874-8719 or siue.esl.library@siue.edu.

Photo: Young learners enjoy the view inside the Planetarium. Photo courtesy of Amber Davis.

When Jack Weber, DMD, addressed his Class of ’26 cohort as student speaker at commencement this spring, he shared gratitude for one of his strongest supporters, and pointed to the crowd.

The newly conferred Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) graduate acknowledged Chris Flamer, a Building Service Worker known to students not only for keeping their learning spaces ready, but also for being their favorite sports historian, steady encourager and source of support.

“The janitorial staff is why I was there until close more than probably anyone else,” said Weber, a SIUE ’22 alumnus and SIU SDM ’26 graduate, during his commencement address. “Chris is our sports historian. He knows more sports than anybody.”

The students cheered like the ceremony briefly transformed into a primetime ballgame.

Flamer, an Edwardsville native, has worked for the SDM for more than 15 years and did not expect the recognition. He has attended only a few ceremonies over the years, usually after students personally ask him. This year, that invitation came with a surprise public tribute.

“I was shocked,” said Flamer. “I didn’t know Jack and his classmates were going to do that. I didn’t even really want to come. That’s your time for your parents and for you all, but they said, ‘No— we want you to come!’”

At SDM, Flamer’s work takes him throughout the clinic and teaching areas. The Sisyphean cleaning, sanitization, restocking, and maintenance is a cherished need where spaces for oral surgery, radiology and students spend some of their most demanding hours. He often meets them early in their dental education, when they are learning the rhythms of the profession and the dauntless hours ahead of them.

This is when he puts on his sports historian hat in addition to his custodial service.

“The students go through a lot. They have a tremendous workload. Days are rough, and the staff and I want to try to keep them smiling.”

Flamer talks with students about sports, hometowns, music, school and life. Students know he follows Metro East athletes, Chicago teams, college sports and local legends with the precision of an archivist. He can talk Bears and Packers, Cubs and Cardinals, SIUE Athletics and high school rivalries, often using those conversations to build trust and lighten the intensity of the day.

“My teams are the Chicago teams,” Flamer said. “The students that have come down from Chicago, they treat me like royalty. But I’m still friends with the Cardinal fans and the Packer fans.”

His knowledge has earned him several unofficial titles.

“I’ve been called the singing custodian, a sports historian and the dancing custodian. Whenever they play music— hip-hop, R&B, rock, I’m out there enjoying it. It’s the little things, you know.”

The support is often lighthearted. Other times, it is deeply personal. Flamer said students occasionally come to him before a major test or after a difficult day, asking for encouragement and even prayer.

“They’ll come to me and say, ‘I’ve got this test coming up. I need some help.’ We just have a positive moment, refocus and go from there. I tell them, they wouldn’t have you in this school if you weren’t smart and didn’t have the ability.’”

That instinct to encourage others is rooted in Flamer’s own life of service. He served eight years in the U.S. Army.

“I know about the importance of family, your co-workers, your classmates, your fellow soldiers, uplifting each other. That’s why I’m passionate about these students.”

Flamer describes himself as “Cougar all the way through,” a legacy that began with his father, John H. Flamer Jr., who worked with former SIUE President John S. Rendleman after coming to Edwardsville from Carbondale. His father served the University in several roles, including as an assistant, compliance officer, and track and cross-country coach.

He grew up immersed in SIUE history, remembering campus traditions, old gathering places —“It’s Tower Lake not Cougar Lake,” he corrects. The University’s had a sense of possibility that shape the way he sees the institution and SIU SDM today.

“It’s not just working here. It’s about being a part of the SIU family, and I was born into that.”

That family feeling is especially strong for him on the Alton campus. Flamer said the School of Dental Medicine’s close-knit environment allows staff, faculty and students to know one another in a personal way.

“I like it because it’s personal,” said Flamer. “It’s smaller than the SIUE campus, and we get to know the students. We really get to interact with them. We see them.”

He also makes sure students know that creating messes and learning through difficult moments are part of the process. To Flamer, those messes are signs that students are learning. His role is not only to help keep the building ready for the next day, but to create an environment where students feel supported enough to keep going.

“If they make a mess, I say, ‘Don’t worry about that. This is what this building’s for,’” said Flamer. “You’re working on people’s mouths; you’re going to make messes.”

According to Flamer, the best part of his job is the people he meets.

“The students, faculty, staff and even the patients that come in become part of your family because you’re so used to seeing them.”

That family often lasts beyond graduation. Flamer said he regularly runs into former students in grocery stores, restaurants and community spaces. He remembers their names, their stories and, sometimes, the sports teams they loved to debate with him. Some students send photos when they see him out in the community. Others have paid for his meals without telling him first.

“I love these students,” Flamer said. “They’re around the same age as my kids, and I think that makes it easy for me to relate to them.”

In return, a generation of dental students have embraced him as part of their SDM experience. They see him not only as someone who cares for their learning spaces, but as someone who cares for them, Cardinals or Cubs allegiances aside.

“You’ve got to keep everybody positive. There’s enough negativity in this world already.”

PHOTO: Chris Flamer, SIU SDM Building Service Worker and students from the SDM Class of ’26. Photo by Howard Ash.

Burkart’s career in governmental affairs and cyber policy traces back to the intellectual foundation she built at SIUE. As a Meridian Scholar double-majoring in philosophy and political science, she didn’t just learn what to think — she learned how to think. That training in critical analysis and plain language communication has been one of the quiet secrets to her success.

A study abroad experience in Istanbul deepened that foundation, impressing on her the value of appreciating the perspectives very different from her own. Immersed in the philosophy of Islamic aesthetics and the culture around her, Burkart came home with an appreciation that has shaped her approach to diversity ever since.

“The experience reshaped how I think about other countries and cultures — not as ‘the other’ but as people we can understand, connect, and work with,” Burkart said. “That perspective has influenced how I approach diplomacy and foreign policy.”

After SIUE, she earned a master’s degree in international relations and national security studies from Georgetown University before beginning her 15-year career with the FBI, rising from an intelligence analyst to the agency’s Chief of Cyber Policy. Today, she is the senior director of cybersecurity policy and governmental affairs at Halcyon and one of the founding leaders of its Ransomware Research Center. She also volunteers as the deputy chief product officer at Cybersecurity Canon and teaches a self-developed graduate-level course at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service Security Studies Program.