Following an exciting Preview SIUE session earlier this week, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is gearing up for two more opportunities for prospective students to explore campus and picture themselves as future Cougars this fall.

High school and transfer students, as well as their guests, are invited to attend the final fall Preview SIUE events on the Edwardsville campus, slated for Saturday, Oct. 24 and Nov. 7

The University’s most popular visit program, Preview SIUE gives visitors the opportunity to find out how SIUE students learn, live, and connect while exploring the academic programs and resources available across campus.

"Preview SIUE brings together faculty, staff, and students together from across campus to welcome prospective students and their guests and introduce them to everything SIUE has to offer,” said Alicia Taylor, associate director of admissions in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. “Our goal is to make sure very student has the opportunity to see themselves at SIUE.”

Throughout the day, visitors can customize their Preview SIUE experience based on their interests. They will have opportunities to:

• Explore SIUE’s academic programs and connect with faculty and current students.
• Tour campus, student housing, laboratories, creative spaces, and classrooms.
• Learn about financial aid, living on campus, and student resources.
• Discover the John Martinson Honors Program.
• Meet one-on-one with Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Transfer Center.

More than just a simple campus visit, Preview SIUE allows visitors to experience the Cougar community firsthand. By having conversations with faculty, staff, and current students, as well as taking tours and participating in academic activities, attendees can envision what their own SIUE experience could look like and gather information to help guide their college decision.

Register for Preview SIUE at siue.edu/visit.

Cochrane led SIUE to an unbeaten road weekend, allowing two goals over two games. He made four save Thursday at UIW securing a 1-1 draw for the Cougars. He made a single save Sunday to preserve a 2-1 road win at Houston Christian.

The award is the first of Cochrane's career. He shared the weekly honors with Western Illinois' Harvey Bolland. It is the third weekly honor this season for an SIUE player.

The Cougars sit atop the OVC standings and are back home for a pair of games at Korte Stadium. Thursday they'll face Lindenwood before playing host to UTRGV Sunday.

The rankings focus on programs offering online or hybrid learning options, with SIUE’s listing featuring its online psychology bachelor’s program and graduate specialization in exercise and sport psychology.

CounselingPsychology.org provides information about degree programs and careers in psychology and related fields. Its ranking methodology considers affordability, online and hybrid access, graduate earnings and debt, student success indicators, and program specialization and quality.

Dan Segrist, PhD, professor and chair of SIUE’s Department of Psychology in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, said the recognition highlights an online bachelor’s program built around strong teaching and meaningful faculty connections.

“We are very proud of our online baccalaureate program and are also excited to have it recognized in this way,” said Segrist.

Online students learn from the same faculty and meet the same degree requirements as their on-campus peers, receiving equivalent breadth and depth of study.

“Our online courses are taught by the same faculty who teach our on-ground courses—which means that our online students are being taught by faculty who are very passionate about teaching and mentoring.”

Students also have opportunities to connect with professors beyond regular coursework. Through PSYC 491, online students can participate in a faculty member’s research lab or serve as a teaching assistant, developing skills relevant to employment and graduate study.

The program was designed for students balancing their education with work, family and other responsibilities that may make attending classes on campus difficult.

“We would want them to know that this program was created specifically with their needs, goals and life circumstances in mind,” said Segrist. “We’re thrilled to offer a program that facilitates the educational, professional and personal goals of so many people who might not otherwise feel they have a route for pursuing these goals.”

For students already enrolled in SIUE’s online psychology program, Segrist hopes the recognition reinforces their confidence in the education they’re receiving.

“We hope that recognition like this affirms that they have chosen to pursue their education through an outstanding, distinguished and student-oriented program.”

Learn more about SIUE’s online psychology degree program and view the full rankings and methodology from CounselingPsychology.org.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center will expand its capacity to advance pioneering research, prepare a skilled workforce and help companies bring new bioproducts to market through a $17 million investment announced Friday, Oct. 9, at NCERC alongside state and federal leaders.

The investment includes $15 million from the State of Illinois and $2 million from the Illinois Corn Growers Association, building on more than two decades of research and industry partnerships. It will strengthen SIUE’s role in agricultural innovation, biomanufacturing and economic development in Southwestern Illinois.

“This announcement will usher in a new era for SIUE, for student researchers, for our corn growers, and for the future of the bioeconomy here in Illinois,” said U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “With this $17 million investment, NCERC will be able to expand research and training capacity and give businesses the skilled talent they need to grow.”

SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, said the expansion reflects the University’s commitment to developing talent and advancing industries that strengthen Illinois’ economy. He described a center whose opportunities had outgrown its available space, requiring NCERC to turn away contracts or refer projects elsewhere.

“This expansion creates an opportunity for innovation beyond traditional ethanol, unlocking the potential of renewable feedstocks, the acceleration of industry research and the ability to develop technologies that tomorrow’s bioeconomy will require such as sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel or cellulosic ethanol products,” said Minor.

The investment will increase research space and capabilities, allowing NCERC to support the development and commercialization of sustainable fuels and materials.

Designated a Biorefining Center of Excellence by the Illinois General Assembly, NCERC has the capacity to scale fermentation processes to 22,000 liters. It is the largest process development capacity provided by an academic institution in the United States. This capability helps a company determine whether technologies developed through research can succeed at commercial scale.

“The NCERC expansion represents a strategic investment in Illinois’ long-term competitiveness and the nation’s bioeconomy,” said Praveen Vadlani, Executive Director of NCERC. “By integrating advanced capabilities in agricultural feedstock utilization, AI, automation, and digital bioprocessing with hands-on workforce development, NCERC will accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies, attract private-sector investment, and prepare the skilled talent needed to advance the next generation of biomanufacturing.”

Since 2003, NCERC has partnered with startups, technology developers and other industry partners, contributing to the advancement of more than 100 innovative technologies toward commercial readiness, largely in the corn-to-ethanol industry. The expansion will build on that foundation while opening opportunities for the next generation of bioproducts, including sustainable aviation fuel.

The project will also expand workforce development through partnerships with SIUE and Lewis and Clark Community College. Expanded facilities and programming are expected to add capacity to train an additional 200 workers each year for Illinois’ growing biomanufacturing and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The expansion is expected to create approximately 25 new full-time positions at NCERC and support more than 100 construction jobs for local trades.

Deputy Governor Andy Manar, an SIUE alumnus, ’97, joined Chancellor Minor, Rep. Budzinski, State Senator Doris Turner, State Rep. Katie Stuart, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II and Illinois Corn Growers Association Executive Director Rodney Weinzierl at the announcement outside NCERC.

“An investment of this magnitude in the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center is an investment in the future economic competitiveness of Southwestern Illinois,” said Kyle Anderson, Executive Director, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, who attended the press conference.

“NCERC has a unique industry profile that few places in the country can match. Its ability to take emerging technologies from research and development through scale-up and toward commercialization gives companies a reason to look at our region when deciding where to innovate, invest and grow.”

“We thank Governor Pritzker for recognizing the importance of this investment and for his support,” said Mark Bunselmeyer, Illinois Corn Growers Association President. “NCERC has helped scale countless technologies, making ethanol production more efficient and lowering costs to the consumer over the last 23 years. With this investment in added scale-up capacity, we can continue improving ethanol efficiency while creating new bio-based products and building markets for the next generation of farmers.”

“Today we further our commitment to the state’s agriculture industry,” said State Senator Doris Turner. “The expansion will connect Illinois’ agriculture with the next generation of energy, manufacturing and technology, keeping the state as a national leader in agricultural innovation. More uses for corn can mean more opportunities for Illinois’ farmers, strengthening our agriculture economy.”
State Rep. Jay Hoffman supported the NCERC expansion with a statement.

“This is a significant public-private investment that is not only great for our region, but for entire industries across Illinois,” said Hoffman. “For more than two decades, the NCERC has been at the forefront of innovation. I’m excited to see what they can accomplish with expanded capabilities.”

By expanding the center’s ability to help companies develop and test new technologies, the investment will support research partnerships, attract private-sector investment and contribute to the continued growth of SIUE.

For SIUE alumnus and NCERC Research Fellow Elijah Switzer, the impact is already personal.

Switzer earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from SIUE in December 2022. After working in restaurant management, he wanted to return to science. A fellowship at NCERC offered a path back to the laboratory.

“Immediately, I started working independently in a research lab, leading my own projects and working directly with clients,” said Switzer.

Those experiences also renewed his interest in business, leading him back to SIUE to pursue a Master of Business Administration with NCERC’s support. Switzer described his growth into leading client and government-funded research projects, presenting his work at national conferences and building connections across the industry.

His experience illustrates the opportunities the expansion will extend to more students, researchers and workers.

“We have a talented group, exciting projects and more opportunities to come,” said Switzer. “However, in order to grow, we need more physical space so that we can expand our capabilities and welcome new opportunities.”

For Switzer and the researchers who will follow him, that space means room to turn scientific potential into progress at SIUE, Illinois and beyond.

Photo (top): Chancellor Minor, Nikki Budzinski, Andy Manar
Photo (bottom): Elijah Switzer, Doris Turner, Nikki Budzinski, Chancellor James T. Minor, Deputy Gov. of Illinois Andy Manar, Katie Stuart, Jerry Costello II, Rodney Weinzierl 

Launched in 2003 to serve roughly 200 first-year students from historically underrepresented populations, SOAR has grown into one of SIUE's most vital student success initiatives, now supporting nearly 1,000 students each year through academic advising, success coaching, mentoring and early intervention.

At the center of that growth is Earleen Patterson, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Opportunities, Equity and Diversity and Inclusion.

"How you start is very important to how you finish," Patterson said. "Our responsibility is to help students understand how to navigate the University, connect them with resources, and ensure they know they belong here."

That philosophy shows up most clearly in SOAR's first-year seminar, which teaches students to use campus resources, build study habits, and advocate for themselves. The course began with two sections, one for young men, and one for young women, each enrolling 25 students. Today it has grown to 16 sections, reflecting both the program's expansion and its enduring demand.

The results speak for themselves: SIUE data consistently show stronger retention and graduation rates among SOAR participants than their peers. But for Patterson, a first-generation college graduate herself, the impact is personal.

"Education doesn't just change individuals," she said. "It changes families."

She often points to a former student from Chicago who overcame significant personal and academic obstacles, earned his bachelor's and later his master's degree, and now serves as superintendent of an alternative public school system in Ohio. "Those are the kinds of stories that make the work worthwhile," she said.

That belief in relationships and belonging, "students learn from people they trust," Patterson noted, has now earned recognition well beyond campus. The St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education has selected Patterson for one of its 2026 honors, to be presented this October 17, celebrating her decades of work guiding young people toward graduation.

Patterson said she was humbled by the news, which came through an unexpected call from SIUE Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff Jessica Harris, PhD, who nominated her personally. Patterson admitted she'd nearly dismissed the Foundation's email as a subscription ad before realizing what it truly was. "Oh my God," she remembered saying.

The timing feels fitting: SIUE has just welcomed its largest incoming freshman class, and Patterson hopes it becomes the University's largest graduating class in four years.

"When we look toward the results, and not just the challenges, it helps us find the solutions," she said.

As SOAR looks ahead, adding a new success coach and expanding internship opportunities, Patterson's outlook remains steady.

"This generation is creative, innovative and willing to think differently," she said. "We believe in them, and we're committed to helping them succeed. Whatever lane we are assigned, there is work to do, and there are people to help. Never get weary in well-doing."

PHOTO: Earleen Patterson, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Opportunities, Equity and Diversity and Inclusion 

The awards come on the heels of a 4-0 rout this past weekend at Morehead State in which the Cougars improved to 2-0 in league play.

Bockstadter led the Cougars' attack with three of the team's 18 shots against the Eagles. She scored the game-winning goal at 13:54 with an assist from Claire Nieroda. Bockstadter also recorded assists in both of the next two goals from Nieroda at 15:09 and MaryClaire Imig at 60:21.

Czech powered the back line for the Cougars' defense. SIUE held Morehead State to one shot in the first half and five in the second half. Czech was a co-winner of the award with UT Martin's Nasti Tanninen.

The Cougars are back in action at Korte Stadium Saturday with a 6 p.m. contest against UT Martin.

Already present in more than 10 countries, Greenville manufacturer Nevco is partnering with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center to identify new markets and advance its international expansion strategy.

Founded in 1934, Nevco has grown from a scoreboard pioneer into the largest privately held scoreboard manufacturer in the world. Today, Nevco is a complete sports technology solutions provider, delivering LED video displays, electronic scoreboards, scoring technology, sound systems and integrated game-day systems that connect every part of the fan experience.

For an experienced exporter like Nevco, the challenge was not simply how to export, it was determining where to focus next. The ITC connected Nevco with SIUE Economics Instructor, Laura Wolff, and her students for a hands-on international market research project. Two teams comprising 10 students evaluated potential markets, customer segments, competitors, industry trends, regulatory considerations and market-entry strategies. The research provided Nevco with market intelligence that management could use to compare opportunities and begin developing a more focused strategy for its international division.

“Working with the SBDC has been a game changer for Nevco,” said Marc Fritsche Jr., Sales Consultant at Nevco. “Schneidine has been great to work with throughout the process, and the students delivered thorough research that helped us begin developing a strategy for building our international division. Their market research gave us a strong foundation to build on.”

The students' research was only the beginning. Following the project, the ITC worked directly with Nevco to review the findings, evaluate additional international opportunities and identify the next practical steps for continued global growth.

The ITC also connected Nevco with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Trade and Investment, providing access to additional export resources and international market-development support. As Nevco evaluates potential markets, ITC is also assisting with buyer identification, international trade-show research, market-entry considerations, and potential export funding opportunities through the Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) program.

“Our work with Nevco is about moving from information to execution,” said Schneidine Louis, Director of the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE. “The students provided market intelligence, and the ITC helps Nevco determine what comes next, whether that is evaluating a market-entry strategy, identifying the right international trade show, identifying potential buyers, connecting with the Office of Trade and Investment, or exploring ISTEP resources that could reduce the cost of international expansion.”

The collaboration demonstrates how university expertise and export assistance can work together to support Illinois companies. Ten SIUE students gained hands-on experience addressing a real international business challenge, while Nevco received market intelligence and recommendations to support its global strategy.

“My role is to guide students in applying the concepts and analytical tools they learn in the classroom to real business decisions,” said Laura Wolff. “Working with companies like Nevco challenges students to analyze complex market information, think strategically and develop recommendations that businesses can actually use.”

The ITC then helped translate that research into actionable next steps and connections to additional export-development resources.

Already present in more than 10 countries, Nevco is not beginning its export journey, it is preparing for its next phase of international growth. With more than 90 years of Illinois innovation behind it, Nevco is using research, strategy, university expertise, and export resources to evaluate where its technology can go next.

About Nevco Sports
Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Greenville, Illinois, Nevco Sports provides electronic scoreboards, LED video displays, scoring technology, sound systems, and integrated sports technology solutions. The company serves customers in the United States and international markets and continues to explore opportunities for global expansion. Visit their website for more information. Electronic Scoreboards for Every Sport | Nevco

About the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE
The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville helps Illinois small and medium-sized businesses compete successfully in the global marketplace. For more than 40 years, the ITC has provided export counseling, market intelligence, export compliance guidance, and connections to trusted state, federal, and international partners.

For more information, please contact us at International-Trade-Center@siue.edu or call (618) 650-3851 or visit International Trade Center - School of Business | SIUE


Read the full success story
Learn how the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE partnered with Nevco Sports to develop its export strategy, connect the company with international trade resources, and prepare for global expansion. Visit the full story.

PHOTOS: Laura Wolff, instructor in the SIUE School of Business, and Schneidine Louis, Director of the SIUE SBDC International Trade Center, are joined by SIUE students.

“Television and film have found a home in Illinois, and the industry growth into the Metro East is an exciting development,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Hollywood River Studios will be a huge economic driver in the region, all while supporting our ever-growing arts community.”

“I am extremely excited to bring this investment to the state of Illinois and the city of Wood River,” said Breakwell. “Because of the foresight of Governor Pritzker and the backing of the state legislature, we have a chance to build on an already booming film industry in Illinois. The enhanced film tax credits allow us to make the commitment and investment in the region and make Illinois a destination for all things media.”

According to DCEO Director Kristin Richards, the Illinois Film Office’s competitive tax credit and innovative first-in-the-nation sustainability incentive “were essential to Hollywood River Studios’ decision to choose Illinois for its state-of-the-art production facility.”

As part of the State’s efforts to help diversify the film industry outside of Chicago while boosting economic and workforce development across Illinois, the expanded Illinois Film Production Tax Credit offers a 5% additional credit on Illinois resident salaries for productions filming outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.

PHOTOS: SIUE Mass Communications chair Suman Mishra, PhD, Gov. JB Pritzker, Hollywood River Studios President and CEO Chris Breakwell, Theresa Pauli, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD; Breakwell, State Rep. Katie Stuart (112th District), Pritzker, State Rep. Jay Hoffman (113th District)

On Friday, October 2, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) recognized 50 first-year students (Class of 2030) and six international advanced placement program students (IAPP, Class of 2028) during the traditional White Coat Ceremony. Hundreds of family members filled the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom to celebrate the students as they pledged their professional oath with faculty.

The event opened with the evening’s emcee SIU SDM Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Dan Ketteman, DDS. “To me, the white coat ceremony represents three things: tradition, professionalism, and trust,” Ketteman stated. “For decades, health professions across the country have marked this occasion as a symbolic welcome into the caring professions. This ceremony recognizes the dedication and perseverance that brought you here, while also marking the beginning of your journey toward becoming a dental professional.”

SIUE Associate Provost Elza Ibroscheva, PhD, acknowledged the esteemed faculty on stage, and assured the class of first-year student practitioners that they were selected for this program amidst stiff competition.

“The 50 first-year dental students were selected from an incredibly competitive applicant pool of 982 qualified applicants. The six international students were themselves selected from among 350 highly qualified dentists who have earned international dental degrees,” said Ibroscheva. “I want to commend you for overcoming long odds, distinguishing yourself among your peers and embracing the opportunity to experience an excellent dental education at the SIU School of Dental Medicine.”

Also recognized on the stage was Sue Bishop, DMD, who represented the sponsorship of the Central Illinois Academy of General Dentistry, the Illinois section of the American College of Dentistry, the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) Foundation and the International College of Dentists Eighth District.

In reference to the faculty, keynote speaker and alumnus Keith Evans, DMD, ’01, shared his student experience with those who had his back during a “frustrating and tough time.”

“Here's the secret now: The school and the faculty want you all to graduate from dental school. You made it through that hard part. They want you to succeed. So, when you feel like they're picking on you or treating you harshly, making you redo assignments and projects, you’ve got to understand they're just trying to teach you,” Evans advised. “They're trying to teach you the necessary skills you need. They're trying to teach you the necessary mental fortitude it needs to get through challenging times. These are skills that you'll someday realize make you the dentist, the specialist, the business owner, the dental professional, the person that you do become.”

Evans continued to assure the future dentists: “We change lives. We change smiles. We change people's ability to eat and talk. We cure diseases. We relieve pain. It's truly powerful what we can do, and it's your responsibility to be able to perform these tasks and help these people. You need to be knowledgeable. You need to be confident. You need to be able to solve problems. You need to be compassionate. You need to be caring. Because remember, what you're doing is performing irreversible procedures on people, and they trust you to do this. And it's your responsibility not to abuse that trust.”

Faculty members Jennifer Rapini, DDS, Cathy Longos, DMD, ’89, and Ken Rawson, DMD, ’05, issued white coats to student practitioners.

Longos and Rawson each had the special treat of placing the white coat on one of their own.

Rawson’s daughter Brooke credits the family lineage for choosing to enter the profession: “His father was a dentist. Ever since I was small, I always thought that that’s what I wanted to do with my life. And when it came down to it, I didn’t have another answer.”

Longos’ son James took the long road to his dental school application, working in pharmaceutical research and development after graduating with a master’s degree in chemistry.

“So, I’m the old dad of the group,” said Longos. “One of my mentors from the company where I was working said, ‘What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here. You could be doing more with your abilities. And at the end of the day, money doesn’t matter. What matters is being able to see the difference that you’ve made in people’s lives when you look back at the work you’ve done.’ And that really was the driving factor that made me apply.”

Dean Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, recited with the class the Professional Oath based on the Hippocratic Oath, the Prayer of Maimonides, and the 1947 Declaration of Geneva.

Drukteinis first expressed how proud he was of the class and told them how privileged they were to develop the knowledge and skills to truly help those in need.

Fourth-year dental student Kelly Metcalf, president of the SIU SDM Student Council shared final thoughts for the evening.

“The people sitting next to you tonight—those are the ones that will get you through your 100th crown prep on a plastic tooth when you're questioning all your life choices. I truly could not have survived the past couple years without my dental school friends, who by now I consider family. No one understands the struggle quite like the person sitting in the next operator chair.”

Metcalf continued, “These next four years are truly what you make of them, there'll be bumps in the road, but you will make it to graduation, and you will have fun along the way.”

Photos by Howard Ash 

For 39 years, a quiet but powerful partnership has been changing lives on the SIUE campus: one scholarship, one garden bench, one handshake at a time. 

Musonda Kapatamoyo, PhD, current District Governor for Rotary District 6460 and past president of the Edwardsville Rotary Club, sat down recently to reflect on nearly four decades of collaboration between the club and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. This service has grown into one of the University's most enduring community investments. 

"The most important unit in Rotary is the individual member," Musonda explained. "Members belong to clubs, and clubs belong to a district. Our district, 6460, covers 50 clubs across Illinois." But it's at the local level, Edwardsville's own club, where the SIUE story has unfolded. 

Each year, the club presents an $8,000 scholarship to SIUE's School of Business, split between two incoming students from Edwardsville High School. The amount has held steady at $8,000 for the years Musonda has been a member, funding students who, in many cases, stay rooted in the community long after graduation. He points to one recipient, a local realtor named Connor Gramke, as a case in point--proof, he says, that investing in local youth pays the community back twice over. 

"Receiving a Rotary scholarship while attending SIUE meant a lot to me because it showed that my community was willing to invest in my future. SIUE gave me a strong foundation to build a career in Real Estate and Construction. I'm incredibly grateful for the support and the role the Rotary played in getting me to where I am today," Gramke said. 

The $228,800 amount in direct scholarship donations is only one thread in a much larger tapestry. Rotarians helped shape SIUE from its earliest days in the 1950s, when the club was already a quarter-century old. Their fingerprints are everywhere on campus, literally. Stroll through the university's arboretum and gardens, and you'll find benches and plaques bearing Rotarian names, memorials to members who funded the grounds simply because, as Kapatamoyo put it, "they wanted SIUE to be beautiful." 

That civic thread runs deep and wide: Rotarians serve on university committees, sit on the athletics department's advisory circles, and even hold seats as SIUE professors. The local credit union CEO, a Rotarian, helped install an ATM in the university's Morris University Center. A club member played a role in athletics fundraising that led to a facility being named in her honor. "I see their imprint everywhere,"  Kapatamoyo said. "We're all over the place intertwined." 

The Club’s fundraising engine, golf tournaments, its signature "criterium" event and other community drives, bring in close to $100,000 annually, all funneled back into local causes: scholarships, food pantries, parks, and music programs. 

Asked what he'd like to see in the next decade, Musonda did not hesitate: growth.  

"Everything's becoming more expensive," he said. "If we can increase the money, that would be nice. I'd like to help more kids." 

His message to other civic groups considering similar partnerships was simple: "You don't need a certain background to be a Rotarian. We just want people with a passion for community service to join us." 

Four decades in, the partnership between Edwardsville Rotary and SIUE shows no sign of slowing down. 

PHOTO: SIUE Mass Communications Department's Musonda Kapatamoyo, PhD, current District Governor for Rotary District 6460 and past president of the Edwardsville Rotary Club

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – SIUE senior golfer Preston Bily (Indianola, Iowa) has been named the Ohio Valley Conference co-Golfer of the Month for September.

In a pair of tournaments in September, Bily has turned in two top-10 finishes. He tied for eighth at UT Martin's Grover Page Classic with a 215 (-1) before tying for third at SIUE's Dolenc Invitational at 205 (-8). He helped SIUE finish with runner-up honors at the Dolenc Invitational.

All but one of his six rounds have been under par so far this season.

Bily's scoring average of 70.0 is second best in the OVC. He shared the award with Morehead State's Seamus Bogan.

SIUE golf returns to the course Oct. 12-13 at Arkansas State's Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Following a strong showing at the Dolenc Invitational, SIUE senior golfer Preston Bily (Indianola, Iowa) has been named the co-Golfer of the Week in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Bily came within a stroke of his best 54-hole total, finishing at 205 (-8) to take third place overall at SIUE's home event. He carded the second-lowest round of his career with a 67 in the second round.

Bily's round helped to lead SIUE to its 12th top-three finish in 16 years at the event. The award is the second OVC weekly award in Bily's career.

He shared the award with Morehead State's Seamus Bogan, who tied Bily for third at the Dolenc Invitational.

SIUE golf heads to Arkansas State Monday and Tuesday for the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate.

Hayden Devore, a junior history major with a pre-law minor, joined SIUE's fencing club after Thanksgiving break two years ago, knowing nothing about the sport. What kept them coming back wasn't just the fencing—it was weekends like the one at a tournament in their first year, when the team rented an Airbnb and went to see a movie together the night before competing.

"Anybody, any skill level, never touched a fencing sword or you've done it your whole life...anybody is welcome to show up," said Devore. "You can just show up to one, you can show up to all practices, it doesn't matter. We will teach you how to do it."

The club currently has around ten members. Devore mentioned the club doesn't have a single team captain; instead, its officers share teaching duties and help members improve together. "We all teach the new members, teach each other even," Devore said. "There's no like, 'oh, this is the best fencer.' We all are good at different things in fencing."

Last year, practices were held in Student Fitness Center's Court 4. Practices typically run twice a week, two hours at a time and begin with retrieving equipment from storage and stretching before members pair off to spar and work on technique. Devore also highlighted how footwork is the single most important skill for newcomers to focus on.

The club competes in a regional league alongside St. Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Central Missouri, Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University of Missouri, facing many of the same schools roughly once a month. Its season opened Sept. 26-27 at the University of Central Missouri. The club has even built a close relationship with St. Louis University's fencing club through joint practices and members travel together for tournaments, often grabbing team dinners along the way.

"It really helped me open up and communicate with people," Devore said of joining the club, describing early social nervousness that eased through fencing's tournament community. "It really helped me to open up and start meeting new people in the fencing community."

The club has an upcoming tournament at the University of Missouri on October 17 and 18.

The club's former president, Jude Azubuike, earned a B rating—the second-highest classification in fencing—a result Devore said reflected the program's resilience after pandemic-era disruptions. The club will host a tournament in April open for students to watch and try the sport firsthand.

That similar kind of camaraderie setup extends across campus to the SIEGE Ultimate Frisbee club. Formed in 2008, SIEGE has grown into one of SIUE's most active club sports programs, fielding 19 competitive members this season along with several more who join in for events on a less regular basis. 

"Most people, when you tell them you play ultimate frisbee, either don't know what it is or have a negative perception of the sport," said Augustino Ojeda, the club's fundraising chair. "At the same time, most people who actually try the sport love it."

The team is coached by Patrick LaVallee, a player for St. Louis’s competitive frisbee club team; Matthew Rehder, a professional Ultimate player with the Minnesota Windchill of the Ultimate Frisbee Association; and Evan Driscoll—an Edwardsville native and former SIEGE player. Ojeda also went on to highlight how the club has added about fourteen freshmen to its competitive roster this year ahead of its main competitive season in the spring semester—part of a broader effort to introduce more students to the sport.

"Many of my teammates and I played on Edwardsville High School's team and helped grow the program to now being one of the best teams in the nation," Ojeda said. "We are hoping the same thing can happen at SIUE."

SIEGE's season opens each spring with two or three non-sanctioned tournaments, including a trip to Columbia in November, in Missouri, hosted by the University of Missouri and the club’s own home tournament ‘E-Ville Migration’ held at SIUE. The spring slate typically includes five tournaments, culminating in Sectionals and Regionals—the club's playoff path toward a possible Nationals berth.

E-Ville Migration will be held on October 10-11 this year, roughly 9am-3pm on both days. 

Most tournament weekends bring seven or eight games across two days, against opponents ranging from regional rivals like Indiana University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago to out-of-region programs; the club recently played LSU, Michigan State and Mississippi State University at a single tournament.

The team practices at the RecPlex, meeting from 6 to 8 p.m., and Mondays and Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. 

Membership requirements for both clubs are minimal—students need only be enrolled at SIUE to join.

PHOTO: 1 and 2—SIUE's Fencing Team Members during a practice session on campus; 3 and 4—SIUE's SIEGE Ultimate Frisbee Club Team 

It was Nieroda's second weekly honor of the season, having previously earned the Offensive Player of the Week on August 18^th.

Nieroda led SIUE to a 4-2 victory Sunday over Eastern Illinois in the OVC opener for both squads.

Her first goal was on a penalty kick at 29:45 after video review determined there was a handball in the box. She added an assist three minutes later on Imogene Joseph's first career goal.

Nieroda's goal in the second half capped off SIUE's scoring at 61:48. She scored on a seven-yard shot after a quick side pass from MaryClaire Imig. Her eight shots were half of SIUE's total for the game and more than twice as many as any EIU offensive player.

Next up for SIUE women's soccer is its first OVC road contest at Morehead State on Sunday. Game time is scheduled for a 12 p.m. CT start.

Play starts Friday with three brackets of singles and two brackets of doubles.

The three-day event opens with two rounds of doubles and one round of singles. On Saturday, there will be two rounds of singles and one round of doubles.

The championship matches are set for Sunday. The A flight winners in both singles and doubles will advance to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Conference Masters Championships in Rome, Georgia, set for Nov. 6.

2026 OVC FALL INVITATIONAL BRACKETS

The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Morris University Center’s Legacy Room on the Edwardsville campus. Representatives from SIUE’s College of Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Dental Medicine; School of Education, Health and Human Behavior; School of Engineering; School of Nursing; and School of Pharmacy will be available to discuss graduate and professional degree programs, admission requirements, and potential career paths.

“Face-to-face discussions with faculty members allow prospective students to gain a better understanding of how an advanced degree can develop advanced knowledge and new competencies in a particular field,” said Jim Monahan, EdD, director of Graduate and International Admissions. “Research and hands-on learning experiences are woven into our programs, providing students with skills that are in demand in the workforce.”

Guests can also speak with representatives from the Office of Graduate Admissions about the application process, scholarships, assistantships, and resources available to support graduate students. Staff from Student Financial Aid and the Career Development Center will be available to answer questions about financing graduate education and preparing for the next steps in their professional journeys.

Attendees will also have a chance to take guided tours of select academic facilities in the Schools of Engineering, Pharmacy, and Nursing, as well as the Department of Art and Design. Faculty and staff from each program will lead the tours, giving prospective students a closer look at the spaces where they may learn, conduct research, and develop professional skills.

Attendees who apply during Graduate and Professional Programs Open House will receive an application fee waiver.

To learn more, visit siue.edu/graduate-open-house or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 618-650-3010.

PHOTO: SIUE alumni on commencement day