SIU Day of Giving FY25 raises over $1 million
Mylee Walker MWalker@dailyegyptian coM
Raising over $1 million, SIU Day of Giving was held on Sept. 18, 2024. This number is significantly less than the amount raised in February, which was $3.15 million.
This year marks the ninth Day of Giving event held by SIU. While usually done in the spring, this is the first year that they have done it in the fall.
“I know it’s September this time around, a little bit of a different date,” Chancellor Austin Lane said on the Day of Giving livestream. “Out of the gate, it seems to be going pretty good.”
This means that there have been two SIU Day of Giving events in 2024. The last being Feb. 28, 2024.
“Over the last eight years, we have raised about $16 million,” Matt Kupec, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations, said on the Day of Giving Livestream. “Your gifts have really made a difference.”
This money is a part of the SIU’s IMAGiNE 2030 plan, which has five pillars of improvement for SIU. Those include student success and engagement; diversity, equity and inclusion; branding and partnerships; research and innovation; and sustainability. According to the SIU Foundation website, the money that is donated is put into foundation accounts for each individual school or organization.
There are multiple types of foundation accounts, some strictly for scholarships while others are for expenses of the schools. Donors can also put instructions of where they want the money to go and what they want it spent on.
“We set out four years ago to put together our IMAGiNE 2030 plan,” Lane said. “A big part
SEMO stuns Salukis on Family Weekend
nick pfannkuche npfannkuche@dailyegyptian coM
Down by two scores in the fourth, the Salukis needed a scoring drive to get back into a position to keep the wheel in Carbondale. It appeared as though they might get the answer they needed when they found themselves in enemy territory on two big plays, but a pass blocked at the line on fourth down sucked the air out of the nearly 13,400 in attendance.
“That’s probably my biggest disappointment,” Nick Hill said. “Not putting a better performance out for those that came out tonight.”
The attendance figure is the second most in Saluki Stadium history, the most since the stadium first opened and the most during Nick Hill’s tenure as head coach.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, SIU played host to the annual rivalry game against the Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) Redhawks, the War For The
Wheel. After securing the wheel last year in Cape Girardeau, the Salukis looked to keep the wheel in southern Illinois territory for Family Weekend but fell short with a final score of 38 SEMO,
21 SIU. SIU would get the ball with Hunter Simmons under center to start the game after losing starting quarterback DJ Williams against Incarnate Word in the
Sept. 14 home opener. Williams is out indefinitely on a hand injury.
The Dawgs went three-and-out on the first drive, a 32-yard punt
‘Phineas and Ferb’ creator Dan Povenmire kicks off SIU Family Weekend
carly gist
JaMilah leWis cgist@dailyegyptian coM JleWis@dailyegyptian coM
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes content related to suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988 or visiting the online chat at 988lifeline.org.
In a world in which arts are consistently undervalued, Dan Povenmire told the Daily Egyptian staff he believes entertainment is “the most important thing.”
“It speaks volumes…that and some illegal pursuits are the only things that really survived in, you know, the Great
Depression and the recessions and everything like that…and I think that it’s because people need entertainment,” he said. “They need just the release you get from laughing.”
Povenmire, who has lived in Champagne, Illinois, is an animator, voice actor, producer, director and writer most known for his work on the Disney Channel animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” In addition to co-creating the show alongside Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Povenmire served as executive producer and voiced evil scientist Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.
Povenmire was the celebrity speaker for Southern Illinois
Payton Brown (22) of SEMO runs down the field towards the end zone as he is tackled by Saluki Ben Bogle (35) Sept. 21, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Dan Povenmire smiles at a question during his appearance at SIU Sept. 19, 2024 at the Student Center in Carbondale, Illinois.
University’s 2024 Family Weekend. On Sept. 19, in the ballroom of SIU’s student center, Povenmire spoke to the students, families and community members about his time in the entertainment industry.
At the event, Povenmire said he had a passion for drawing and filmmaking at a young age, doodling in textbooks at school to fuel his creativity.
“Since I saw ‘Jaws’ and ‘Star Wars’ again, I was like, I definitely want to be a filmmaker,” Povenmire said. “Animation was something that sort of put those two together. I wasn’t trying to go into animation, I just sort of fell backwards into animation, and then just loved it.”
He also spoke about his first gig. While attending the University of Southern California, he worked at their newspaper, The Daily Trojan, making daily comics. He had decided to take his chances one day and went to the newsroom to share his work with the news editor.
Povenmire said, “He said, ‘These are really funny...I still can’t offer you a weekly strip, but if you want to do it daily, we can absolutely just budget that space, and that will be yours every day. We have to fill it. Can you do it daily?’”
It was this gig that helped him lean into comedy writing, Povenmire said. It felt like a solid step since he was able to make people laugh in only four panels.
Before the event, Povenmire took the time to meet with the Daily Egyptian, first speaking on his new season of “Hamster & Gretel” recently released on Disney Plus.
He said it’s his third show he’s created besides “Phineas and Ferb” and “Milo Murphy’s Law,” as well as the first one he’s worked on without close colleague Marsh.
The show is about a brother and sister duo who go on adventures with their uncle gaining superpowers after a run-in with an alien.
“It’s one of my favorite things that I’ve done,” Povenmire said. “I think it’s a really great show with really great characters and it’s the same sort of sense of humor as ‘Phineas and Ferb’, but maybe more heart.”
It’s based loosely off his own family, Povenmire said. The dad in the show is based on him and the mother is based on his ex-wife. He also works with his daughter on voice acting and making songs for the soundtrack of ‘Hamster & Gretel.’
“We’ve recorded pretty much all of her for the first two seasons…but we have a great time together,” Povenmire said. “She’s sitting next to me, and she knows the program I’m using well enough that she can be like, ‘OK, ready?’”
When “Phineas and Ferb” first came to a close, Povenmire said it was at a time where outside sales like merchandise were going down and the show was only getting more
Povenmire tears up as he recalls stories of fans who have said how his shows have helped them through difficult times Sept. 19, 2024 at the Student Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Povenmire recalled the outpour of messages he received on Twitter after the announcement of Phineas and Ferb’s series finale and how they made him sob right before going in for jury duty. Dominique Martinez-Powell | @dmartinez_powell.photography
seasons because of popularity.
“We (the crew) said, well, we don’t want to do that because we don’t want to have to try to find people who can do this show right again,” Povenmire said. “ It took us a lot to find the crew and the board artists and the writers that we had and so we said, if you are cooling off on it, we’re tired, we will just, you know, that’s OK with us.”
At the event, he said he was surprised to find out after all these years fans were still keeping the show alive on social media with trends. He even participated in some himself, he said.
“It’s cool to see that there’s a whole generation of people that still – that sort of still means something to them – because that was their ‘Scooby Doo,’” Povenmire said. “All the songs, like, the ‘Squirrels In My Pants’ – that big trend that was going on – I’d wake up in the morning and [see] like, oh, Lizzo is doing ‘Squirrels In My Pants’.”
He also shared a few stories with the DE about messages he has received from fans.
One message came from a young woman shortly after he shared a post online about his history teacher.
“I had written him a letter that he said
saved his life, that kind of thing,” he said.
“And she wrote and said, ‘You’ve saved my life, too.’”
Povenmire said the woman had been the victim of a violent crime and was suffering
Dan
SIU community remember 3 students who died
Jamilah lewis Jlewis@dailyegyptian com
EDITOR’S NOTE -- Mental health support is available to SIU students through Counseling and Psychological Services at 618-453-5371. An after-hours support line is available at 1-833-434-1217.
Members of the SIU community are remembering three students who died after Chancellor Austin Lane announced the deaths in emails on Sept. 18 and Sept. 23.
The morning of Sept. 18, Lane sent a school-wide email informing everyone on the deaths of two students; Ramesh Mutthina, a master’s student in health informatics, and senior psychology student Selena Hubbard.
Another email was sent by Lane on Sept. 23 updating the school of the death of SIU automotive technology student Henry “Hank” Souders, writing, “We understand this news, following the deaths of two other students, comes as a shock to many of our students.”
SIU’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Jeff Harmon was contacted through email confirming one student death was on campus and the other two were off campus with no additional information at this time.
Lane wrote in both emails to all students that “International Student and Scholar Services at the Center for International Education is available to provide additional guidance and support.” He also said Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available by calling 618-453-5371.
The SIU international student community gathered to Remember Ramesh Mutthina at a memorial Sept. 18 held in the Center for International Education office.
As many as 40 students, professors and colleagues of Mutthina’s gathered to share their grief and experiences with him, followed by a moment of silence and candle lighting ceremony.
In a place that usually hosts coffee hours, members of the international student community gathered to mourn the loss of a student who touched multiple lives on campus.
No information about causes of death have been released by SIU administration or SIU Police Department. SIU Police Chief Ben Neuman did not return calls for comment. Information on Hubbard’s memorial has yet to be announced.
from depression.
“She had started to sequester herself inside and hadn’t talked to people about it, hadn’t gotten the help she needed to get, and had become agoraphobic and suicidal, and had just gone down this horrible spiral of depression,” he said.
He continued: “And she had friends that were sort of staying with her on what she called ‘suicide watch,’ like somebody was always in her place, staying with her, and she hadn’t left her house in like a year and a half. And a friend came in and made her watch ‘Family Guy,’ and she said she laughed out loud for the first time in a year and a half and felt human.
“She felt part of humanity again, and she started living every day to get to nine o’clock at night when ‘Family Guy’ would play on Adult Swim. And the first episode that she saw was one that I had directed, and so she always counted me and the writer of that episode and Seth [MacFarlane, the creator of the show] as the people that saved her life.”
With the rise of social media, the messages have only proliferated.
“I get lots of stories of people who say that ‘your show is what got me and my kid through chemo.’ ‘Your show’s the show that got me through my parents’ divorce.’ I get that all the time. And I think that – that’s just the people that tell me that – I think that people are all going through things all over the world and need the escape of entertainment to do it,” Povenmire said.
He said he shares the stories with a lot of friends who are also comedy writers, as they often like to downplay their work.
“We’re not doing anything real,”
“Most of you all have known him for sharing the same class or lab, if not, then definitely the coffee hour,” speaker and friend of Mutthina’s Aleemuddin Mohammed said. “It was impossible to escape from him in the coffee hour with his joyful conversations being so involved with people after that long day and long weekends.”
Mohammed said Mutthina was the classmate that encouraged his peers to always work harder for future opportunities, and that many in attendance had collaborated with him on research papers.
“He was one of our very own members of [the] international community, just like you all are, and we are all here, one strong family of Salukis,” Mohammed said. “I know this is very hard for some of us to accept that he is no longer between us, and some of us are finding it hard to deal with this as well.”
Mohammed advised people to utilize mental health resources on campus if they feel the need to speak to someone.
After two other speakers briefly spoke about Mutthina, the minute of silence was held, followed by the candle lighting for
Student Association. Simeon Hardley | @simshardphotography
those who wanted to participate, which concluded the service.
Staff reporter Jamilah Lewis can be reached at jlewis@dailyegyptian.com.
Two fans dressed in homemade Phineas and Ferb cosplay sit amongst the crowd of fans and appreciators attending the Dan Povenmire Family Weekend event Sept. 19, 2024 at the Student Center in Carbondale, Illinois.
Dominique Martinez-Powell | @dmartinez-powell.photography
he said. “We’re not out there saving lives. We’re not a doctor…but I think we’re touching more lives sometimes than we know, because people need that.”
Povenmire said receiving the messages often make him cry. In the Office of Student Engagement, he teared up when telling the Daily Egyptian about the day he was allowed to announce that “Phineas and Ferb” was ending.
“I was at jury duty…and I’m sitting with a friend of mine’s wife who happens to be there at jury duty, and I get the ding,” he said. “They’ve announced it, and they said, ‘You guys can do it.’”
He went on Twitter and Instagram to make the announcement. While at the courthouse, waiting to go in for selection, he decided to check the responses. He said it was pages of similar testaments.
“I started crying like this, but much worse, and like, ugly crying, not like sniffling,” he said.
He added, “You forget how much
power TV and entertainment has until you get those kind of stories thrown at you a lot. And I’ve heard that hundreds and hundred of times…and that’s what you try to do. You try to lighten people’s lives.”
At the event, many students were excited to hear that “Phineas and Ferb” is getting revamped. Povenmire told them that fans should expect a fresh feel with the characters they know and love.
“[You want it] to feel like the original show, but you also sort of wanted to be a little bit like it’s a step up,” Povenmire said. “You want it to feel like you were watching the fourth season, and you just started in your fifth season. You wouldn’t even notice it [stopped], but you want it to feel fresh.”
Povenmire said he expects some of the new episodes to become fan favorites.
As for why Povenmire chose to come to SIU, he mentioned to the Daily Egyptian how much hearing from other professionals in the
entertainment industry meant to him when he was young.
“I always like to come and talk to students, because I like to hand down that kind of stuff,” he said.
He shared the first time he had an encounter with a professional creative. It was 1979, he was a teenager, and he went to a science fiction convention in Biloxi, Mississippi.
“It was a very, very small convention, but they had this guy who had just won the Hugo Award for his first novel, and he was reading a short story, and I got to hear somebody reading – like an actual author – reading their story,” he said.
“And I was just transfixed by him.”
After the convention, he had dinner with the author. For years after that, Povenmire said the author had stayed in his mind, serving as inspiration. But he could never remember his name.
“I was like, ‘I wish I had written down his name, because I can’t look him up to see if he has made it, if he’s
been able to continue to write for his life, and I hope he has.’”
Fast forward to 2017, he went to watch the total solar eclipse in Oregon with a friend. He said he was telling the friend about how seeing a total solar eclipse is a “life-changing experience.” He also said he related it to a show he had started watching, “Game of Thrones,” because the eclipse reminded him of “a big medieval kind of thing.”
Povenmire said, “And he [his friend] was like, ‘Well, you know, that’s that guy we met’...It was George R. R. Martin, the creator of ‘Game of Thrones.’”
He said as soon as his friend told him that, the images came flooding back.
“The eclipse makes you feel connected to the universe in a weird, like, really visceral way,” he said. “And then I’m also connected to George R. R. Martin in some way. And I was really loving his show, and it all just sort of came together in this wonderful way.”
The best advice Povenmire could give to aspiring animators is to continue to draw with it, helping to set a good foundation for the future.
“They need people to tell the story visually, and the people who understand animation intrinsically from drawing it all the time make better 3D animators, I think,” Povenmire said. “The hardest thing in the entertainment industry at all is getting that first gig, the first time that somebody pays you to do something creative. Then that gig gets you the next gig, which gets you the next gig.”
News editor Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian.com Staff reporter Jamilah Lewis can be reached at
Bhavya Sri Billuri places a candle in respect for Ramesh Mutthina Sept. 18, 2024 at the Center for International Education Office in Carbondale, Illinois. Mutthina was a master student in health informatics and a member of the Indian
Local grocery stores give Carbondale residents the opportunity to shop locally
Alli GoerinG AGoerinG@dAilyeGyptAin com
As you pick fresh produce from the grocery store and place it in the cart, do you ever think, where did this come from? In Carbondale, there are multiple sources of fresh produce from local farms in southern Illinois.
Local produce cuts the distance between the farmer and consumer allowing produce to ripen longer on the plant and grow based on the season, and purchasing local produce supports small business, promoting the overall local economy, according to Ph.D. student in plant biology Taylor Simmons.
Residents in southern Illinois can grab their keys and drive to the Murdale shopping center. The Neighborhood Co-op is located in the middle of Murdale Shopping Center and offers fresh, organic and local produce.
“Our produce comes from as little as one mile away, but a lot of it comes from about five miles just south of town. So we get it from farms that are either certified organic or exceed the requirements,” Produce Manager Chris Neville said.
Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Murdale has fresh produce that is available. The store is fully organic and co-owned by thousands of people. Anyone in southern Illinois who is interested can become an owner of the co-op.
“The co-op is not like most conventional businesses where there’s one owner or a group of owners. It’s anyone. You can be an owner… We have about 5,000 owners here entitled to different sales
in
Lessman | alessman@dailyegyptain.com
important for me. I believe in this and that’s something awesome.’”
Pink Tiger Farms is part of the Carbondale Farmers’ Market community. They are located south of Goreville and just started a couple years ago. They are expanding their business
“Best part about going to the farmers market, you can just talk to your farmer and ask him. I mean, that’s the best part, you can connect with exactly who you live with.”
- Brian Elias Owner of Pink Tiger Farms
around the store,” Neville said. “So if you’re shopping for basics, getting milk, getting cheese, there are owner buys around the store. It’s similar to how you’re a member at Kroger and the discounts that are available to families.”
The co-op isn’t the only place in Carbondale where people can go to get local produce. Every Saturday, the Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., March through early December. It is located at 200 W. Main St, Carbondale, Illinois.
Brian Elias, the owner of Pink Tiger Farms, said the Farmer’s Market is a place where people in the community can intersect.
“To me, it’s a place where people are voting with their dollars,” Elias said. “They’re saying, ‘Yes, this is
and growing multiple sources of organic produce.
“Our primary thing is spices we grow and grind,” Elias said. “We have eight or 10 kinds of chilies that are you know like heirloom peas, and all kinds of weird stuff; like we have a bunch of Korean chilies, Italian chilies, we grow tons of ginger turmeric, and so a bunch of different varieties of both we grind those, we dry them and we sell those fresh.”
When buying produce, consumers might not know exactly what is being used to grow the food they are eating. At the farmers market, buyers can speak to the person who is growing it.
“Best part about going to the farmers market, you can just talk to your farmer and ask him. I mean,
that’s the best part, you can connect with exactly who you live with,” Elias said.
Purchasing food from local farmers circulates money back into the community.
“So just like, when folks that have an opportunity to support their communities, like, literally every time they eat, right? Like, literally, all they have to do is, is shop locally and buy local food, and like, try to learn and understand seasonality,” Elias said.
The Farmers Market offers multiple things other than fresh produce. There are many booths and people who sell all kinds of products. It’s an opportunity for people to get to know local farmers, artists and sellers.
“I think the thing about the Farmers’ Market is it’s not just for old ladies. There’s so much great stuff there and I think people think that it’s either, you know, like I’m only gonna find some thing and there’s so much cool stuff I mean, like where I mean, you can find you know all kinds of like homemade syrups, vinegar, spices, produce – I mean it’s all from all locally made, all locally sourced. It’s awesome,” Elias said.
Purchasing fresh produce from the farmers market or the co-op can keep money in the community and is a choice for consumers.
“Purchasing fresh produce is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and your overall wellbeing. Fresh ripe produce is packed with all sorts of essential vitamins
and minerals. Plus, it’s delicious,” Simmons said.
Both options allow for consumers to be connected to agriculture and the people who are growing the food they eat.
“We should all care because we need food to eat and a planet to live. It’s important to educate yourself on where your food comes
from and how you can provide for yourself. In doing so you’re likely to make connections with local farmers and tradespeople, expanding your knowledge and community,” Simmons said.
Staff reporter Alli Goering can be reached at agoering@dailyegyptian.com
Locally grown produce sits
crates neatly displayed in the front of the store Sept. 17. 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Alexis
A pile of pumpkins sit on display in front of the Neighborhood Co-op.
Partial lunar eclipse attracts stargazers to campus rooftops
AnnAlise schmidt Aschmidt@dAilyegyptAin com
Tuesday night, students and community members gathered on the rooftop of Neckers for an astronomy event hosted by SIU’s School of Physics. The event featured a partial lunar eclipse, providing attendees the opportunity to see the moon and planets like Saturn through highpowered telescopes.
The free public observation drew a crowd eager to experience the celestial show.
Corinne Brevik, associate professor in the School of Physics, said, “People are always interested in astronomy. What this does is just give an opportunity for those who have the interest to have a chance to see what’s out there, and an eclipse is a great one, because you don’t even need the telescope to see it.”
The observation featured a partial lunar eclipse that was visible from 9:13-10:15 p.m. During this time, the moon transitioned from full to slightly obscured by Earth’s shadow, with maximum obscuration occurring at 9:46 p.m., affecting only a small portion of the lunar surface.
Keyann Wilson, a senior majoring in criminal justice, said, “It is open for everybody. It’s so easy to access. You’re learning, everyone is involved. You’re not just looking at the sky, but you know what you’re looking at.”
The observation deck had a slideshow presentation providing information about the night sky and the objects being observed. There was also a table with astrophotography equipment for people to interact with, along with two telescopes available for public use: one focused on the moon and one on Saturn.
“Experience has been great,” Wilson said. “I love this setup with the information on the board and them pointing out what you’re looking at. I’m excited to see the partial eclipse. I’ve never seen one before, never seen Saturn through a telescope. It’s a great experience that you can’t get on an everyday basis.”
The crowd’s curiosity was met with guidance from volunteers and faculty members, who helped point out constellations and planetary features.
Wilson said, “I learned about Saturn’s rings disappearing because of its rotation, and I learned about the constellation of Swan. I never knew about that before tonight. That’s very, very cool.”
For many attendees, this was a chance to engage with the night sky in a way they hadn’t before. Deaira Swanson, a sophomore majoring in accounting, reflected on her newfound passion for astronomy.
She said, “I took Dr. Brevik’s class last semester in astronomy
class, and it made me interested in astronomy, just looking up at the stars, and it’s humbling just to be involved in it all.”
Swanson also said that these events provide a valuable opportunity for people to connect with nature and each other.
“I think these events are very beneficial for a lot of people. A lot of people don’t even think to look up at the stars, too tunnel vision on what they’re doing. So we just take the time to look up and appreciate everything above us,” Swanson said.
While many participants were first-time attendees, third-year physics major Demetrius Smith offered insight into the importance of these events for public engagement.
Smith said, “I think there was a big disconnect between the public and scientific domain, mostly because people hear ‘science’ and think it can be overwhelming, it can be complex, they wouldn’t understand it. So events like these do a great deal to help public outreach.”
He said astronomy is for everyone, not just for scientists or those in academia.
“People have been doing astronomy since the dawn of civilization. They’re probably going to continue to do it going into the next couple of years. So I say it does a lot to just get interest in astronomy higher than it already is,” Smith said.
Throughout the night, professors and volunteers shared their knowledge, helping attendees make connections between what they were seeing and the broader context of astronomy.
“As far as guidance, we got more context about what we were looking at. But visuals speak for themselves,” Smith said. “The camera or the telescopes are pretty good quality, so you’re able to see a lot, especially some of these bigger ones, you can see the details on the moon.”
Brevik shared her enthusiasm for both teaching and bringing astronomy to the community.
“We do monthly astronomy events, even when we’re not having an eclipse, but when we’re having special astronomical events, we like to do extra activities,” Brevik said.
“The goal is to share what we’re seeing — there’s some amazing stuffing happening up there. We’d like people to get a chance to look at it, ask questions.”
Each event offers the chance to explore different celestial phenomena, keeping the experience new and engaging for attendees.
Brevik said, “When we don’t have a moon, and it’s really dark, then we will look at the deep sky objects like galaxies and Nebula. On nights like this though, we’re looking primarily at the planets and
Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
the moon. But it’s always fun to let people who’ve never seen these things before have an opportunity to see them through the telescope.”
Many participants said they leave events with a renewed perspective on the night sky. Whether it was their first time looking through a telescope or revisiting a long-held interest, each event celebrates the ongoing exploration of the universe beyond Earth.
Tuesday’s observation may have been a highlight of the fall schedule, but there is another event on the horizon for local stargazers.
“We have a community star party coming up during fall break,” Brevik said. “It’s out at the SIU farms, and it’s a great event to bring family to. We’ll have a whole field of telescopes, food trucks, handson activities, and speakers. It’s definitely the big event of the fall.”
“But when I hear about something cool, I like to come.”
Unlike the smaller events on the Neckers rooftop, the annual Southern Illinois Star Party offers a much larger space for participants and darker skies, which will improve viewing.
“Campus is fine, but the viewing out there is better and it’s a bigger area,” Brevik said. “We’re kind of limited on how many people can be up here. We usually have several hundred people at that event, and then we also live stream that event if someone can’t be here.”
This year’s Star Party will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 4:00-10:30 p.m. at the University Farms Astronomy Observation Area, located 2 miles west of SIU’s main campus.
Participants will have access to several telescopes operated by amateur astronomers and SIU faculty, staff and students, allowing
them to observe the sun, moon, and planets like Saturn and Jupiter. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets, and food and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Free shuttles will operate from SIU Parking Lot #63.
“I think we’d love people to enjoy what they are seeing and find it interesting,” Brevik said. “I think it’s important that people realize that we have an astronomy program as part of physics here at SIU, and we have a whole bunch of events happening. So part of it, too, is just helping people realize there are more of these coming up.”
For more information on upcoming astronomy events, visit SIU’s School of Physics website at https://physics.siu.edu/events/ astronomy.php.
SIU astronomy student Kaleb Yoast (left) and Carbondale native Betsy-Rose Weiss (right) view the moon during the partial lunar eclipse Sept. 17, 2024 from the observation deck on Necker’s Hall at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Weiss said that she doesn’t normally come to SIU,
Jeremiah McClendon (8) prays in the end zone alongside his teammates before the Salukis face the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State for Family Weekend Sept. 21, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
WAR for the WHEEL
return set the Redhawks up with a short field. A 12-yard pass from Paxton DeLaurent gave SEMO the first score of the night, but a blocked point after touchdown (PAT) would be brought the distance by Stephen Green to give the Salukis two points of their own.
On their next possession, the Salukis pushed into the red zone, but no further, forcing a field goal attempt. The try was pushed far right to leave the score at six to two.
Looking to extend their lead, the Redhawks moved the ball effectively, picking up 61 yards on six plays. On a first and goal from 19 following a holding penalty, DeLaurent bounced off the helmet of a defending Saluki and into the hands of Dorian Anderson for another SEMO touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, Vinson Davis found a seam and got taken down at the SIU 49. The Salukis,
unable to get the offense going, failed a try on a fourth down and gave the ball back to the Redhawks.
Vinson Davis was a key piece in the success of the offense on Saturday, putting up 132 yards on nine receptions and a touchdown.
Simmons said, “It’s great having [him] out there.”
SEMO, starting from their own 46, picked up a couple first downs before stalling out, setting up a 49yard field goal try that would miss to the right.
Simmons completed a bunch of short yardage passes to get into SEMO territory before dumping one off to Davis, who would break a tackle to get in the end zone.
Simmons, in his first career collegiate start, finished with a statline of 341 yards on 28 completions and the touchdown to Davis.
“I feel he played well,” Davis said, “he looked comfortable out there.”
On their next series, the Redhawks made it near midfield before punting the ball for the first time of the night.
Starting from their own 13, the Salukis drained nearly four minutes off the clock before Paul Geelen split the goal posts from 38 yards out to make the Saluki deficit a single point.
Operating under two with no time outs, DeLaurent found the soft zones in the defense to get the Redhawks into field goal range. DC Pippen nailed the 43-yard attempt to make the difference at halftime four in favor of SEMO.
SEMO got the ball out of the break and SIU pushed the Hawks backwards to force a three and out.
Simmons spread the ball around on the first SIU drive of the second half, highlighted by a 30-yard connection with Keontez Lewis. The drive ended with another Geelen field goal. The SEMO drive that followed showed promise, getting into SIU territory, but Desman Hearns jumped the route for an interception.
A pickup of 28 to Davis on third and 10 setup Willtrell Hartson to run in from two out to give the Salukis
their first lead of the night. Coach Hill elected to go for two to make the lead seven, but the attempt failed.
On the first play from scrimmage after the lead change, Payton Brown broke several tackles and rumbled for a gain of 52, setting up a touchdown pass to Anderson to reclaim the lead.
The Redhawks converted on the twopoint conversion to make the lead three.
“We got the lead and they quickly took the momentum back,” Hill said.
“We just can’t have that.”
A pair of penalties to start the drive gave SIU a lot of ground to cover, resulting in a three and out.
After converting on fourth down in Saluki territory, DeLaurent would connect with Tristan Smith, setting up a three yard touchdown pass to make it a two possession game.
Needing a scoring drive to get back into it, the Salukis would trust the arm of Simmons. Two big completions would get the Dawgs into SEMO’s half of the field, but a pass batted at the line on fourth down would give
the ball back to the Redhawks.
With the turnover on downs, the crowd that nearly filled Saluki Stadium, with a peak of 13,421, slowly started to fall apart.
On the drive that followed, the Redhawks drained more than six minutes from what little was left on the clock, and a one yard touchdown by Brown would all but seal the deal for SEMO, ensuring them the wheel.
SIU pushed to the SEMO goalline before turning the ball over on downs. The Redhawks ran out the rest of the clock and left Carbondale victorious, taking the coveted wheel with them.
The Salukis will be on the road next Saturday for their first Missouri Valley Conference matchup of the season as they will take on the University of South Dakota Coyotes.
Sports reporter Nick Pfannkuche can be reached at npfankuche@dailyegyptian.com
Brown Dawg runs across the field carrying a trumpet.
Keontez Lewis (1) runs down the field towards the end zone in an attempt to score a touchdown for SIU.
Nah’shawn Hezekiah (11) rushes the ball down the field as he is taken down by Redhawk Justus Johnson (18) as SIU faced SEMO in the annual War for the Wheel game.
Senior computer engineering major Christopher Catron cheers on the Salukis from the SIU student section, the Dawg Pound as the Salukis face the Redhawks in the annual War for the Wheel game.Catron is the Dawg Pound Vice President of Member Operations.
Attendees of the annual War for the Wheel game sit at the top of the stadium as the sun sets behind them.
Attendees fill the stands of Saluki Stadium to watch the annual rivalry game as the Salukis face the Redhawks.
The Flying Salukis fly over Saluki Stadium just before the start of the annual rivalry game against SEMO.
Golconda Hosts Shrimp Festival
Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
Golconda celebrated its 23rd annual Shrimp Festival on Sept. 21, 2024 with bounce houses, vendors, beer and live Creole music.
Although not known for its shrimp, the Ohio river is home to a small species of shrimp. The Mississippi grass shrimp which live in the Ohio river only grow about 2 inches long and aren’t desirable as food, which is why the shrimp served at the festival came from the gulf coast.
Visitors were invited to try the various shrimp-themed foods offered at the festival including garlic shrimp skewers and shrimp tacos or to stop by the museum in downtown Golconda. Many took their boats onto the Ohio river, went fishing or enjoyed time with their family at the corn hole or the bounce houses.
But people didn’t just come for Golconda’s food and fun. The Creole Stomp band played for festival goers throughout the afternoon where people could dance or simply soak in the music.
Source: https://www.mainstreetgolconda.org/shrimpfestival/
Daryl and Debbie Gittings dance to the music of the Creole Stomp band Sept. 17, 2024 at the Golconda Shrimp Festival in Golconda, Illinois. The Gittings traveled from Allendale Illinois to visit the shrimp festival.
Gabriel Falagan bastes skewered shrimp on a blacktop with Garlic butter for customers of Sinsi’s.
Ganesh ChaturthI
Photos taken by: Daylin Williams | dwilliams@dailyegyptian.com
A group SIU students held a celebration for Ganesh Chaturthi on Sept. 15, 2024 which featured a procession with music, students dancing and a festive atmosphere as they celebrated the occasion. Students lit flames, smashed coconut and danced together in celebration.
Ganesh Chaturthi, a nationally celebrated Hindu festival, took place on Sept. 6, 2024, honoring the birth of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom and prosperity. Devotees worship the idols of Ganesha in homes and public spaces, offering prayers and sweets such as modaks. The festival concluded with the visarjan, during which idols are immersed in water, symbolizing Ganesha’s return to his heavenly abode.
of the
his world,” Venkata Prakash said. “We have to send him off happy.”
Members of the Indian Student Association gather for Ganesh Chaturthi, Sept. 15, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Ganesh Chaturthi is an annual festival. “It’s one of the big festivals,” Venkata Prakash said. “We do this once a year, specifically in the month of September.”
DAY OF GIVING
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of that focus was the strategic enrollment management plan.”
The leader in the amount of donations on the morning of Sept. 19th was the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Math with a total of $153,190. The runner-up was the College of Health and Human Services with $146,795.
“You’ve been generous in the past and we’re grateful for that,” Kupec said, addressing alumni. “We are hopeful you will continue to do that.”
Staff reporter Mylee Walker can be reached at mwalker@dailyegyptian.com
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About Us
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville, and Springfield communities. The Daily Egyptian can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com or on the Daily Egyptian app!
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The Daily Egyptian, the student-run news organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.
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Members
Indian Student Association dance for Ganesh Chaturthi Sept. 15, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. During the festival, people dance and celebrate before sending Lord Ganehsa off. “It’s more like sending him off to
Salukis take win over Missouri state
Photos by Jason Isele | @iselephotography
Junior outside hitter Kelly Franklin (3) goes for a serve against Missouri State in the Saluki Invitational Sept. 19, 2024 at Davies Gym in Carbondale, Illinois.
Junior middle hitter Larissa Seger (16) and freshman middle hitter Avery Parris (14) successfully block a spike for a point against Missouri State.
Head coach Ed Allen and athletic trainer Samantha Schiess talk with the team during a challenge.
SIU and Missouri State Women’s Volleyball shake hands to say good luck before a Saluki Invitational game.
Salukis Draw with RedBirds for a 0-0 game
Libby Phelps | @libbyphelpsphoto
Riley Maulick (20) fights for the ball against a Redbird Sep. 19, 2024 at Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex in Carbondale, Illinois.
Olivia Anderson (3) chases after the ball.
McKensey Bench (28)
Kaya Durkee (27) of Illinois State.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
