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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

VOL. 110, ISSUE 8

SIU community honors the life of professor Kofi Akamani JACKSON BRANDHORST students in the Agriculture Staff Reporter Building, Room 107, from 10 Southern Illinois University a.m. to 4 p.m., in addition to students, faculty and its regular locations. community members came In response to his death, together Tuesday evening to students and faculty in SIU’s remember the life and legacy forestry program hosted a of forestry professor Kofi candlelight vigil outside SIU’s Akamani, who was shot and agriculture building, where killed Saturday at a home those closest to Akamani between Murphysboro and remembered a professor Carbondale, Illinois. whose influence stretched His wife, Betty Akamani, from individual students in 35, has been arrested in Carbondale to communities the shooting. She faces two around the world. felony murder charges and Logan Park, an associate a misdemeanor charge for professor at SIU who child endangerment. began his career at the An email to students in university around the same SIU’s College of Agricultural, time as Akamani, recalled Life and Physical Sciences said traveling with him and Counseling and Psychological groups of students to places Services will be available for such as the Grand Canyon

and Acadia National Park more than a decade ago. Akamani, he said, could stand in front of a group of tired students, begin explaining the landscape around them and, without raising his voice, command their attention. “He raised the collective intelligence of any room he walked into, and he did it so gently that you didn’t notice it happening until afterward,” Park said. Akamani was born and raised in Ghana, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Family members of Kofi Akamani tear up while looking towards the speeches Science and Technology in 2003. He later earned a about Akamani Sept. 22, 2026 in front of the Agriculture building on SIU campus VIGIL | 5 in Carbondale, Illinois. cPeyton Cook | pcook@dailyegyptian.com

Local high schools perform in Wife charged with first-degree murder Music and Motion of SIU professor CARLY GIST Editor-in-Chief

The Marion High School Marching Wildcat Band take their places on the field Sept. 26, 2026 as they get ready for their performance for the SIU Music and Motion marching band competition at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com SEE MORE | PAGE 11

The wife of an SIU professor who was shot and killed on Saturday, Sept. 19 was arrested and charged in connection with her husband’s death. Betty Akamani, 35, faces two felony counts of firstdegree murder and one misdemeanor count of endangering the life or health of a child. Betty Akamani allegedly shot Kofi Akamani, 48, with a firearm multiple times, according to charging documents filed Sept. 21. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the shooting at a home off Lake Road, between Murphysboro and Carbondale, at

approximately 5 p.m. on Sept. 19. Jackson County State’s Attorney Marsha Cascio-Hale confirmed to the Daily Egyptian that the home belonged to Betty Akamani, and that she and their two daughters resided there. According to Judici, Kofi Akamani filed for divorce in February. Aside from a speeding ticket in 2023, Betty Akamani did not have a criminal history. “Mr. Akamani was returning the girls from his visitation time,” Cascio-Hale wrote in a text to the DE. “I’m unsure what occurred in the interim, but there were six holes in the vehicle, and according to the autopsy, Mr.

CHARGES | 4

‘No directive’: Chancellor denies an order was given to disable course registration module SFAREGS, which processes adds, drops and withdrawals, went dark on the registration and census deadline for ‘maintenance,’one administrator says CARLY GIST Editor-in-Chief

InsiDE

Weeks after a vital part of the SIU IT system shut down on the course-change and enrollment census deadline, Chancellor Austin Lane denied a directive was ever given to do so, and questions about the occurrence and the validity of SIU Carbondale’s reported numbers linger. The Illinois Board of Higher Education, known

as IBHE, collects fall enrollment data using a standardized, statewide process that all 12 public universities participate in by reporting official student enrollments measured on the 10th day of the fall semester, according to the board’s preliminary report of fall 2025 enrollment data. David Shirley, Lane’s chief of staff, told the Daily Egyptian that universities

have full discretion over census procedures and determining when enrollment is captured, though he said SIU enrollment for fall 2026 was still collected on the 10th class day, Aug. 28. The university reported fall 2026 enrollment at SIU Carbondale reached 12,066 students, the highest it’s been recorded in eight years. Lane said the university is excited about this number,

Du Quoin raises funds for fire relief Page 3

though it’s really a “PR number.” Their real focus, he said, is the credit-hour production, or number of classes degree-seeking students are taking. SIU students had until Aug. 28 to drop or add full-term courses for the semester and still receive a refund. While they can make changes to their schedule through the SelfService Banner in SalukiNet, the changes are processed

through SFAREGS, which, according to Wil Clark, chief information officer, is a “staff view” in the Ellucian Banner system “that allows functions like registration, change of major, schedule or status lookup.” Modify access to SFAREGS was disabled on Aug. 28, and remained inactive until at least noon on Monday, Aug. 31, according to emails provided to the DE and

Fire Dawgs celebrate 25th anniversary Pages 6-7

interviews with several SIU employees familiar with the process. But in an interview with the DE after the Sept. 17 Board of Trustees meeting in Alton, Illinois, Lane said “there is absolutely no truth in any system being stopped.” An Aug. 28 email from Rachel Frazier, director of the Registrar’s Office, which was provided to the DE, had the subject line REGISTRATION | 4

Salukis dominate weekend games Page 9

Page 2 | Entertainment and Culture

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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Follow Our SOcials

Second annual RSO karaoke cup kicks off GUS BODE Campus Legend The second annual RSO Karaoke Cup is officially underway at Hangar 9. Hosted in collaboration with the Daily Egyptian, the karaoke competition is running every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. from Sept.

23 to Nov. 18. Twenty SIU student organizations — split into two groups of 10 — are competing for a grand prize of $750 donated to their organization and a trophy, courtesy of Hangar 9. The runner-up will receive a $250 donation.

Night 1 saw performances from Group A. The high scores of the night were PRSSA with 61 points, Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society with 60 points and Black Art and Film with 59 points. The competition returns Sept. 30 for Group B’s debut performances.

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Published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis in print, and every day on dailyegyptian.com. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville and Springfield communities.

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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.

Black Art and Film perform at the 1st round of the 2nd annual Karaoke Cup at Hangar 9 Sept. 23, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin

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The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the School of Journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901.

@2026 The Daily Egyptian. All rights reserved. All content is property of the Daily Egyptian and may not be reproduced or transmitted without consent. The Daily Egyptian is a member of the Illinois College Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.

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Letters and guest columns must be submitted with author’s contact information, preferably via email. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship, but will not be published. Students must include their year and major. Faculty must include rank and department. Others include hometown. Submissions should be sent to editor@dailyegyptian.com

Who is Gus Bode?

Gus Bode was first introduced into print April 13, 1956 when the Daily Egyptian was just the Egyptian. Gus is the DE mascot, but he is also more. Gus is meant to be a voice for us, an outlet for us students when we can’t say what we want to say.

Puzzle Answers

Julian Brady from Timbersports RSO dances in front of panel judges at the 1st round of the 2nd annual Karaoke Cup at Hangar 9 Sept. 23, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

News | Page 3

SIU Foundation raises $1M for Day of Giving, falls short of 2025 numbers CALI ROY Staff Reporter

The SIU Foundation launched its first-ever Week of Philanthropy on Sept. 21 alongside SIU’s 11th annual Day of Giving, held on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The event raised just over $1 million dollars, falling $4.7 million below last year’s $5.7 million raised. Donations from the event are used to directly fund scholarships, programs and research opportunities for SIU students through the SIU Foundation. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts and Gift Planning Kathryn Sime said that while larger gifts are appreciated, that’s not the main focus of Day of Giving. “The great thing about Day of Giving is it’s the one time campus communities and Saluki Nation are really excited about giving,” Sime said. The slogan for this year’s Day of Giving was “Paint the Map Maroon,” highlighting SIU’s goal of receiving a donation from every state. The Foundation’s donation page featured a white map of the United States that darkened individual states in maroon as each donation came in. “I would say so far this year, our main goal is getting a donor from every state,” Kate Hanson, the foundation’s executive director of the integrated fundraising team, said. “It has been really fun to engage with folks that

maybe haven’t given in the past, and we are really trying to be intentional about reaching out to those alumni, whether they are in Alaska or Hawaii or Maine.” Overall, SIU received donations from 1,085 people in all 50 states. States with the most donations were Illinois with 630 donors, Missouri with 43 donors and Florida with 40 donors. On the foundation’s website, donors could directly select the specific school, program, scholarship or fund they wanted to contribute toward. Donors could also participate in scheduled challenges and dollar-for-dollar matching. Faculty and staff who chose to donate could also give via payroll deduction. The payroll deduction authorization form allows faculty and staff to take out an amount of their choosing from every paycheck for a certain period of time to donate to their school, program, scholarship or fund of choice. Colleges and programs that received significant donations were the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Math, earning $519,050; the Center for International Education, earning $110,000; and the College of Health and Human Sciences, which received $65,952. Day of Giving donations are a part of SIU’s broader IMAGiNE 2030 plan. This plan outlines five pillars of

betterment for SIU: student success and engagement; research and innovation; diversity, equity and inclusion; branding and partnerships; and sustainability. SIU’s goal is to raise $500 million by 2030, and has already achieved $448 million. According to the foundation blog, the Day of Giving has contributed more than $23.6 million to IMAGiNE 2030’s goal since 2017. The foundation’s plan is to use the $500 million to execute their five goals for SIU’s future state. According to the IMAGiNE 2030 plan, their goals are 15,000 students enrolled by 2025; a top 200 ranking by US News and World Report; a campus renowned for its diversity, inclusivity and where every student feels safe; a completely carbon-neutral campus; and SIU Carbondale no longer being a best-kept secret in the region. “Imagine 2030 is Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s answer for defining a direction for the future and showing a clear path for students, staff, alumni and partners within and outside the Carbondale community to follow,” the IMAGiNE 2030 strategic plan states. In addition to the annual Day of Giving event, the foundation launched its inaugural Week of Philanthropy. “We’ve been doing Day of Giving for a while, and so we wanted to try and reimagine

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts and Gift Kathryn Sime speaks about the semiannual Day of Giving total with Chancellor Austin A. Lane clapping to her right Sept. 25, 2026 in front of the Tedrick Welcome Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Cali Roy | croy@dailyegyptain.com

what the week could look like,” Hanson said. “This entire week we’ve decided to highlight different themes on each day and really use the time to provide stewardship opportunities for our students on campus and also to highlight stories of donors who we’ve had give throughout the years.” The week kicked off on Monday, Sept. 21, with faculty, staff and campus partners visiting the Tedrick Welcome Center to record video messages and pick up campaign materials. Each following day held a specific event dedicated to highlighting a certain aspect of philanthropy: On Tuesday, a Student Scholarship Festival was held to recognize the achievements

of foundation scholarship recipients. The Day of Giving itself took place digitally on Wednesday. Thursday celebrated faculty who donated via payroll deduction. And Friday concluded the week with a campuswide celebration at the Tedrick Welcome Center for all faculty, students and donors. Matt Kupec, CEO of the SIU Foundation, wrote on the foundation blog, “The Week of Philanthropy gives us an opportunity to celebrate the impact of generosity across SIU and, just as importantly, to thank the people who make that impact possible.” The Week of Philanthropy concluded with Friday’s

event outside the Tedrick Welcome Center, where foundation members, staff and students came together to celebrate the week’s achievements. Snacks and refreshments were provided, as well as free ice cream from American Ice Cream Truck. Chancellor Austin A. Lane made an appearance at the event around 2 p.m. to address the crowd. “We’re going to continue to keep our foot on the gas,” Lane said. “We’re going to continue to engage you and others as much as we can because we have even bigger goals for this university. We’re just getting started.” Staff Reporter Cali Roy can be reached at croy@dailyegyptian.com

Du Quoin residents organize relief benefit weeks after fire destroyed 3 businesses ORION WOLF Deputy Editor

A relief benefit was held on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Du Quoin Fairgrounds Exposition Hall to raise funds for businesses lost to the fire at the corner of South Chestnut Street and West Main Street on Sept. 2. BJ’s Garden and Cafe, Croessmann Wholesale and Home Lumber were completely lost to the fire, the auto parts store only sustained cosmetic issues, while the auto repair store was damaged but not destroyed. Staci Gooden, a native and resident of Du Quoin, co-organized the event. She and her husband own an insurance agency on Main Street. They’ve raised three kids in Du Quoin. Gooden remembered lying in bed with her husband the night after the fire and telling him that she believed she should do something for the community. With a combined effort of six women, the benefit was planned and executed in three weeks. “We had a committee put together and we’ve had other people that have stepped up. We have volunteers contacting us to come out, to serve food, to set up tables,” Gooden said. “We had people out here last

night, got these tables and chairs set up in an hour and a half.” There was food for all the attendees, as well as live music from Dave Clark, a musician from southern Illinois. There were also tables set with items up for silent auction, donated to be sold so the money could directly support the community. There were pieces of art, desserts and gift baskets up for auction. Attendees were given a number at the door and encouraged to walk around the auction tables to write down their numbers and the amount of money they were willing to spend on it. “It’s been all hands on deck,” Gooden said. “It’s not even just from Du Quoin. These people are from West Frankfort, Carterville, Christopher. A lot of people,” she said. Hailey Byrnes, a coorganizer for the event, said that most of these people have personal connections to Du Quoin. Gooden grew up in Du Quoin and had many memories of the businesses that were lost to the fire. “BJ’s mashed potatoes are my absolute favorite,” Gooden said. “They have been my favorite comfort food anytime I’ve ever

Sloan Melton points at one of the bidding sheets to Deb Melton at the Du Quoin Fire Relief Benefit and Fundraiser Sept. 26, 2026 in Du Quoin, Illinois. Soph Levinson | @hpos.artz

been sick. (My family) gets them for me because that’s what I always want.” Gooden told the Daily Egyptian that she and her family went to Home Lumber over the summer to get the shingles to reroof her house. They also used Croesseman Wholesale to buy candy for parades and the office. “I mean, every business, it’s been something that has been a part of my life since I’ve been a child and into my adult life,”

Gooden said. Guy Alongi, whose family has run Alongi Italian Restaurant across the street from BJ’s and Croesseman Wholesale since 1933, said that these businesses are “the fiber of the business district.” He recounted growing up with David Ciganovich, the owner of Croesseman’s Wholesale at the time of the fire. Although Alongi is a decade older than Ciganovich, he said their fathers had been close, so they spent weekends

together and had summer barbecues at the side of the pool. “To see this get put on in this short amount of time, to know that this money is gonna go and help these people and help them pay bills, and take care of their families,” Gooden said, “that’s just really special.” Tammy Gwaltney, a native of southern Illinois and professor of social work at SIU, represented the Southern Illinois Community

Foundation as the director of development. The SICF operates as a collection fund. Donors give to the organization, and the money is dispersed to the businesses and families that need it. “We’re all one when there’s a disaster in southern Illinois. It doesn’t matter what town we’re from,” Gwaltney said. Deputy Editor Orion Wolf can be reached at owolf@dailyegyptian.com and on Instagram @orionwolf_

Page 4 | News

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

REGISTRATION CONTINUED FROM 1

“Directive to Disable Modify Access.” “Central IT has been directed to disable SFAREGS today, for everyone who has modify access,” Frazier wrote. “This means we will have no functionality to add/ drop courses for students on the drop deadline/ refund period.” Lane, however, denied a directive was ever given. “Directive sounds heavy-handed. No directive,” Lane said. “I read that too about these directives, and there’s no such thing as that. We talk among my staff and cabinet; we have conversations about what we have to do to comply with the 10th class day, and that’s essentially what we always do.” Wendell Williams, vice chancellor for enrollment management, said during a Faculty Senate meeting on Sept. 8 that SFAREGS shut down for “maintenance and calculated assistance.” Frazier did not respond to emails or calls from the DE. Clark had previously declined to speak about the alleged directive. Seeking clarification, the DE on Sept. 13 submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for emails to or from various SIU officials related to disabling SFAREGS, Course Request Forms, SFAREGS functionality, withdrawals for Fall 2026, Fall 2026 enrollment count and/ or change of curriculum forms, but was asked to narrow down search requests. A condensed request was then denied, citing an “undue burden on the University by requiring the compiling, production, review and possible redaction of 1,980 emails.” The DE on Sept. 28 submitted a new request and is awaiting a response. Under Illinois FOIA law, the university has five business days to

“While we’re happy to see that enrollment growth, and while we’re proud of the work that so many across campus are doing to recruit more students, to retain more students, to educate students, trust in the data that’s being shared is quite important.” - David Johnson SIU Faculty Senate Budget Committee Chair

respond to requests for information. SFAREGS access was disabled for maintenance, Williams says A member of SIU’s Faculty Senate questioned administrators the day after the DE published its original story on the SFAREGS shutdown. Speaking during the Q&A session at the Sept. 8 Faculty Senate meeting, David Johnson, budget committee chair and professor of classics, pointed to the DE’s reporting and raised questions about the 10day census collection. SIU made it difficult for students to make changes to their registration, he said. “As a result, the 10-day numbers released aren’t 10-day numbers, they are nine-day numbers,” Johnson said. “And the nine-day number is presumably higher than the 10-day number would have been.” Though students were still able to get refunds for drops and withdrawals if they requested them before the deadline, Johnson said the hold on SFARGES resulted in “considerable consternation on campus.” “So what number are we reporting to the federal government and the IBHE?” he asked. “Is it the nine-day number masquerading as a 10day number? How is this compatible with our commitment to institutional integrity as required by our

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Akamani had five wounds in his body.” Betty Akamani was denied release at her first court appearance Monday, Sept. 21 and will be detained until her next hearing date, according to Judici. She was denied a public defender due to her income, though CascioHale said she mentioned having money to hire an attorney. She is set to appear in court again on Oct. 6 for a preliminary hearing. If found guilty of first-degree murder, Betty Akamani will face a mandatory sentence range of 20 to 60 years, followed by three years of mandatory supervised release, and will not be eligible for probation. If the jury finds that she personally fired the weapon, she may consecutively serve 25 years to life. Cascio-Hale declined to comment on whether she believed the act was premeditated and what possible motive Betty Akamani may have had.

Kofi Akamani, a longtime professor in the SIU Department of Forestry, is remembered by his students and colleagues as a supportive, modest teacher who was passionate about the southern Illinois community. A vigil was held outside of the Agriculture Building on SIU’s campus on Tuesday, Sept. 22. “Our goal is to ensure a fair trial for Ms. Akamani and to seek justice for the victim,” Cascio-Hale said. The Daily Egyptian will continue to follow this story. Editor-in-Chief Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@ dailyegyptian.com or on Instagram @gistofthestory

accreditors?” Williams responded, saying that students don’t stop and start withdrawing during the last week of the 10day period. Students can withdraw until the 10th week of a regular semester, according to the Registrar’s Office website, although a grade of W will be listed on their transcript if they withdraw after the 10th class day. While students are able to drop courses through SalukiNet, they must email the Registrar’s Office to fully withdraw. Wil Clark, chief information officer, said this has always been the standard. The requirement saw a change this year, Williams said during the meeting, as the university implemented that a student must be withdrawn as soon as they request. “Students were withdrawn on that Thursday evening (Aug. 27) before we left work,” Williams said. “The employee system was shut down for maintenance and calculated assistance, they report that next morning. The system was also open that day, where the registrar had the ability to adjust students’ schedules, and that was a request from the advisers. So I’m a little challenged by the allegations that the numbers that we report on are not accurate numbers.” Lane told the DE that he wishes they had the opportunity to keep the census open past the 10th class day, because “we would have registered probably another 50 students.” 30 withdrawals were requested when SFAREGS returned The registrar’s office entered zero withdrawal requests from students during the period SFAREGS went offline — Friday, Aug. 28 to

Sunday, Aug. 30 — according to documents obtained by the DE through a FOIA request. Twenty-one withdrawals, which had previously been requested, became effective on the 28, though zero became effective through the rest of the weekend. After SFAREGS came back online Monday, Aug. 31, three withdrawals became effective, and the registrar’s office entered 30 withdrawal requests from students into their system. During the Faculty Senate meeting, Williams said a total of 349 students withdrew this year through August. Last year, the number was 417, he said. The DE requested the number of course drops, university withdrawals and course adds requested between Aug. 27 - 31. The amount of courses dropped from Aug. 27 to Aug. 31 was as follows: • 173 on Aug. 27 • 205 on Aug. 28 • 6 on Aug. 29 • 11 on Aug. 30 • 52 on Aug. 31 The amount of course adds processed by new and existing students were as follows: • 137 on Aug. 27 • 120 on Aug. 28 • 3 on Aug. 29 • Zero on Aug. 30 •74 on Aug. 31 Enrollment headcounts are ‘PR numbers,’ Lane says At the Sept. 8 Faculty Senate meeting, administrators presented a breakdown of the enrollment numbers that were released to the public on Sept. 3 by student types, groups and demographics. While some groups, like transfer students and those living on campus, were mentioned in the press release, others, like international students and graduate students, were not. Johnson told the DE after the meeting that

he had no reason to doubt the accuracy of the individual groups presented, but is wary of the overall headcount included in the 10-day census. “While we’re happy to see that enrollment growth, and while we’re proud of the work that so many across campus are doing to recruit more students, to retain more students, to educate students, trust in the data that’s being shared is quite important,” Johnson said. “If we release data that’s not reliable, we risk undermining the hard work that people are doing to bring more students to campus and do a better job of educating and retaining them.” In the meeting, Lane said the overall enrollment number is a “PR number,” and that the university’s primary focus is the credithour production. He repeated this sentiment at the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 17. “Headcount essentially just tells you how many students are there with the 12,066,” Lane told the DE. “When we look at funding in terms of remodel, what we’re forecasting in our budget, you got to look at the credit hour production, so it’s the number of classes the student is taking, because that’s generating the tuition revenue and the fees.” Sarah Jiter, director of undergraduate admissions, previously told the DE that SIU counts every student in their headcount number, whether they’re degreeseeking or non-degreeseeking. This includes the 81 high school students taking courses through Saluki Start this fall. Lane said credit-hour production increased about 4% this year, growing from roughly

143,000 to 147,000. He said they’re always looking at credit hours to ensure students graduate on time. “We have a campaign called 15 hours to finish,” he said. “If you take 12 hours, you’re not gonna finish in four years. Take 15 hours, you’re gonna finish in four years. So we’re really trying to make sure students that are coming in are full time, are taking those hours. It’s gonna help them finish their degree in a timely manner so they don’t waste any money. That’s the idea.” Neither credit hour production increase nor group enrollment decreases were included in the university’s press release. Johnson said this could be misleading. “Every administration is going to put the best foot forward in enrollment numbers,” Johnson said. “There’s a judgment call to be made as to when you’re spinning (numbers) in a responsible way and when you’re blowing smoke. Different people are going to put that line in different places. I think the fact that the press release said nothing about graduate enrollment, which is down, said nothing about the controversial Risepoint program, which is responsible for a good chunk of our enrollment growth, arguably crosses the line into blowing smoke territory.” While most groups had increased, there was a 16% decrease of overall international students and a 17% decrease of international graduate students. The number of on-campus graduate students decreased by roughly 7.5%. Enrollment in Risepoint programs increased by 38.5%. SIU entered a contract with Risepoint, an online program manager, in 2023 to recruit students to master’s programs. Half of the tuition revenue from Risepoint-recruited programs goes back to the company, which is owned by a private equity firm, according to previous reporting by the DE. This article is part of a series. The Daily Egyptian will continue to follow this story. Editor-in-Chief Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian. com or on Instagram @gistofthestory.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2003. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of Oslo in Norway before coming to the United States to pursue a doctorate in natural resources at the University of Idaho. He completed that degree in May 2011 and joined SIU’s forestry faculty later that year, where he would stay for the rest of his career. One of Akamani’s current doctoral students recalled recently telling him that, with his credentials, he could be working at institutions such as Harvard or Oxford. Akamani told her he loved SIU, southern Illinois, the people, the research and valued being able to work in Carbondale while traveling around the world. Akamani helped write the ecosystems chapter of the U.S. government’s Fifth National Climate Assessment, a congressionally mandated report examining the effects of climate change across the country. He also served as a lead author on global assessments examining the relationships among biodiversity, climate, forests, water, food and human well-being, including work for the United Nations Environment Programme and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. In 2025, he contributed to an international assessment examining

how forests can help communities withstand environmental and economic disruption. Earlier this year, Akamani was elected secretary general of the International Union of Biological Sciences for a three-year term. He was also editor-inchief of the Journal of Sustainable Forestry. Karl Williard, an SIU forestry professor who was at the university when Akamani arrived from Idaho in 2011, said Akamani remained remarkably modest about his career. Williard recalled Akamani’s younger brother, Solomon Abache, telling him that despite the research, international travel and academic titles, Akamani did not describe himself to his family as a professor. “He was just a teacher,” Williard said. Current and former students remembered a professor who made time for them when they struggled, read late assignments in detail and helped students find new academic paths even when those paths took them away from his own program. One former student recalled worrying Akamani would be disappointed when she decided forestry was not right for her. Instead, he supported her decision and wanted her to find work that made her happy. Another described falling significantly behind in Akamani’s Forest Policy course during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than letting him fail, Akamani gave him

News | Page 5

Family members of Kofi Akamani and an SIU staff member look towards the amount of people gathered for Akamani’s vigil Sept. 22, 2026 in front of the Agriculture building on SIU campus in Carbondale, Illinois. Peyton Cook | pcook@dailyegyptian.com

another chance to finish the work and was still reading his late essays and sending detailed feedback in the days leading up to Christmas. A current doctoral student said Akamani helped her find support at SIU even when he did not have funding for her himself, reaching out to other professors on her behalf. About a week before his death, she said, he helped reorganize her doctoral research and gave her a clearer path forward. “He had an impact on his students that’s unparalleled, because he genuinely cared about the students, and it didn’t matter how much time it took,” Williard said.

Although he worked in forestry, Akamani was a conservation social scientist who studied the relationship between people and natural resources — particularly how communities dependent on forests, water and land adapt when environmental, economic or institutional conditions change. His research focused on “community resilience” and “adaptive governance,” including how decisions about natural resources affect the people who live around them and how governments, scientists and local communities can work together. Akamani explored those ideas in forestdependent communities in

Faculty, staff and community members gather for Kofi Akamani’s vigil Sept. 22, 2026 in front of the Agriculture Building on SIU campus in Carbondale, Illinois. Peyton Cook | pcook@dailyegyptian.com

Ghana, studying whether involving residents in forest management made communities more resilient. His work found that collaboration alone was not enough without meaningful participation, strong local institutions and policies that considered livelihoods and human well-being alongside conservation. He later applied many of the same ideas in southern Illinois through research involving the Cache River watershed, water governance, sustainable agriculture and the Shawnee National Forest. “There are actually millions of villages, towns and cities that will be safer because of the work he did,” Park said. “And their people will never know his name.” For Abache, growing up with an older brother known for being academically gifted created expectations for him as well, he said. Akamani studied planning as an undergraduate, and Abache eventually followed the same path. Even from the United States, Akamani remained involved in his younger brother’s education in Ghana, acting as an adviser from thousands of miles away and regularly sending him research articles to read. Abache said that even in emails dating back to his high school years, his older brother addressed him with a level of respect and courtesy that stuck with him. “He taught me politeness,” Abache said. Abache also recalled Akamani as attentive to his family. After realizing that he and his siblings had forgotten one of their sisters’ birthdays, he said Akamani pushed them to make a greater effort to check in with one another. He also spoke frequently and affectionately about his daughters, Abache said. “I really miss him,” he said. Segun Ojewuyi, an SIU theater professor and faculty adviser to the African Students Union, relied on Akamani during his time in university governance. Ojewuyi said Akamani would read complicated documents, study issues outside of his discipline and listen through

disagreements before offering a way forward. “He also gave tremendous service to this university,” Ojewuyi said. Nathaniel Mensah came to the vigil with other members of the Ghanaian community despite never having met Akamani himself. “Hearing about him made me reflect a lot about Ghanaian culture,” Mensah said. “And that is one of respect, one of being humble, one of humility, one of just going all out for the other person.” What surprised him was not that Akamani embodied those qualities, Mensah said, but the extent to which others described him going out of his way for students. “He overdid it,” Mensah said. “He really lived the Ghanaian culture, and even more than that.” After Akamani’s death, students and faculty began leaving flowers and other items near his office. One current doctoral student placed a piece of kente cloth she had brought back from Ghana there after keeping it for years without knowing what she would eventually do with it. Even while dealing with difficulties of his own, Akamani rarely allowed them to change how he treated the people around him, Willard said. “He invested his time in people,” Williard said. At the end of the vigil, those gathered heard “Damirifa Due,” an Akan dirge associated with mourning and remembrance. Mensah said the song is traditionally heard when “a hero has fallen.” “It reminds us that eternity will come calling one by one,” he said. “It’s just that we don’t know when and how.” For Akamani, Mensah said, those gathered could only wish that call had come later. “Probably, as we are living, we would say that it shouldn’t have been now for Dr. Kofi,” he said. “But unfortunately, that is what happened. The question for us, the living, is: At what point will yours be?” Staff Reporter Jackson Brandhorst can be reached at jbrandhorst@dailyegpyitan.com and on Instagram @jacksondothtml

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Page 6 | News

25 years ablaze: SIU’s ‘Fire Dawgs’ inspires land management careers More than 1,000 students have completed the program over the past quarter century

Nathan Speagle walks along the edge of a burn unit as he and other members of The Nature Conservancy’s Illinois Chapter control burn portions of the Shawnee March 25, 2026, in Makanda, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab

JOURNEY SHORT Saluki Local Reporting Lab On a clear spring morning in southern Illinois, a group of students stands at the edge of the woods near Lake Murphysboro in rural Jackson County. They wear bright yellow fire-resistant shirts, green pants, heavy boots and helmets. Each person carries a tool — a hoe, shovel or drip torch. Everything is calm for now. But that’s about to change. The group walks nearly a mile into the woods before reaching a burn site. Once there, they start clearing sticks and debris from the ground. They listen carefully to the directions called out by their experienced leader, Charles Ruffner, a professor with the Southern Illinois

University Carbondale School of Forestry and Horticulture. Ruffner also oversees the Fire Dawgs, a campus club that provides both hands-on experience and a community service for students interested in land management careers. Soon, students light their drip torches, tools that lay down a strip of fire along the ground. “I’m glad I’m on a small fire today,” one forestry student quips about the 91-acre burn. Smoke starts to rise — slowly at first, then thicker. For the rest of the day — one aptly named a “burn day” — Ruffner and the Fire Dawgs manage the blaze. The purpose of the prescribed burn, as it is

known in industry parlance, is to clear underbrush from the forest floor so that the region’s native hardwood can flourish. It also helps prevent wildfires by removing dead leaves and other debris. Now in its 25th year, Fire Dawgs at SIU Carbondale has become an important part of both student learning and land management in the region. Just over 1,000 students have gone through the program, many going on to land jobs with the U.S. Forest Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and in other government agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on land management. The program started in

2001, when Ruffner and a graduate student, Beth Davis, wanted students to get more than just classroom experience. They wanted them to actually work with fire in real situations. Over time, it has grown into one of the few programs like it in the Midwest. Ruffner said the program is a testament to the power of “experiential learning,” moving students beyond the classroom to practice what they’ve read about or heard in a lecture hall. Those lessons, he said, tend to stick. Some of the most meaningful notes Ruffner has received over the years have come from parents who weren’t sure how their son or daughter would fare in college, or even

whether they would make it through. Then, they joined the Fire Dawgs and thrived. “I’ve received notes saying you literally lit a fire under this kid and gave him a reason for living,” Ruffner said. “Thank you so much for opening up my child’s life.” For SIU alum and former Fire Dawg Ray Bieri, the experience made a huge difference in landing him a job upon graduation. “You get actual hands-on training. It’s a really great way to get experience with wildland fire,” Bieri said. Bieri graduated from SIU in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in forestry and in 2024, a master’s in forestry, and now works as the executive director of the Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development, a nonprofit that works with landowners

on conservation practices. He said the Fire Dawgs helped prepare him for the kind of work he does today. “There’s really no replacement for the Fire Dawgs,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re trying to get a seasonal job to get that experience.” Zach Stawicki, who earned his bachelor’s in forestry in 2023, echoed Bieri’s sentiments. Stawicki said he participated in all kinds of hands-on activities with Ruffner at SIU, including invasive species removal days and several seasons with Fire Dawgs — experiences he found invaluable in landing him the job he holds today as burn coordinator for the Southern Illinois Prescribed Burn Association, a nonprofit that assists private landowners in

“We help each other out. We work on each other’s fires. Maybe it’s because half of them are my former students and know each other. That could be part of it.” - Charles Ruffner

Professor with the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Forestry and Horticulture

Charles Ruffner leads students on a hike in early March at Touch of Nature in Makanda, Illinois. Cooper Wackerlin for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

prescribed burning on their properties. “His mentorship definitely helped me get that position,” Stawicki said. “That hands-on experience and professional development really put me a step ahead of people in my grade. It really played a huge part in creating my career path.” Before each burn, students gather for instructions. They stand with professionals, including people from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and go over safety rules and job roles. At the end, the message is simple: stay safe. Even though it’s serious, the mood isn’t tense. Some students talk quietly or joke a little. There are different experience levels. Some are new, others have done this before, but either way, once the fire starts, everyone focuses. Fire, after all, isn’t something to mess around with — even an intentional one. Flames spread across the ground, and smoke moves through the trees. For students who are new, the experience is memorable, sometimes even overwhelming. But Ruffer’s command of the situation keeps them calm. Bieri said that kind of environment is intentional. “He made sure that we were all comfortable,” he said. “You have to respect fire, but he created an environment where you could enjoy the experience rather than be fearful.” Students take on different roles during the burns. Some watch the fire line, some use

News | Page 7

tools to control flames, and others help light the fire. Bieri said rotating through these roles is an important part of learning. “He would cycle all of us

nutrients to the soil and reduce the risk of larger wildfires. Taryn Bieri, Ray Bieri’s wife, is a district forester with the Illinois Department of Natural

said Ruffner’s impact goes Still, there are already well beyond just one class moments when the significance or program. Bieri said that of stepping away hits him. Ruffner has been an invaluable In early September, Ruffner part of training a significant helped put on the Illinois

“You can learn a lot in the classroom, but said, “but it wasn’t really until I got in the field with the Fire Dawgs that things really clicked.” - Taryn Bieri

District Forester with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

through the different roles,” he said. “Whether that’s suppression, being a lookout, or actually being an igniter.” When it came time to apply for jobs, the diverse skill set he obtained here gave him a boost. “I can’t imagine that being in Fire Dawgs didn’t have an impact on hiring decisions,” Bieri said. “You’re gaining real, hands-on experience.” Now, Bieri helps organize prescribed burns across southern Illinois. His work includes partnering with groups like the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “It is a lot,” he said. “But it’s great work. I really like doing it.” The burns also serve an environmental purpose. Controlled fire helps remove invasive species, return

Resources who earned her bachelor’s in forestry from SIUC in 2020, and a master’s in 2024. Her job encompasses forest management in the southern Illinois counties of Williamson, Johnson, Alexander, Pulaski and Perry counties. “I took several classes with him that were focused on fire and learned a lot of the background on why we burn,” Taryn Bieri said of Ruffner. She and her husband, now of Vienna, are both from Prairie du Rocher and attended SIU undergraduate and graduate school together, both spending time in Fire Dawgs. “You can learn a lot in the classroom,” she said, “but it wasn’t really until I got in the field with the Fire Dawgs that things really clicked.” Looking back, Ray Bieri

SIPBA members unload a UTV March 20, 2026, during an interagency burn in Golconda, Illinois. Members pay $50 annually and are required to participate in one burn. In exchange, their land is also burned. Carly Gist for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab

part of the state, federal and nonprofit land management sector in the region. “He has impacted probably thousands of students in a meaningful way,” Bieri said. Ruffner has recently begun transitioning out of the SIU Forestry Department and, eventually, out of Fire Dawgs. In July 2025, he became director of the SIU Honors Program, which gives undergraduates the chance to take specialized courses, engage in volunteer and leadership opportunities, and earn an honors certificate alongside their degrees. His replacement in forestry recently arrived at SIU, but Ruffner said he plans to stay involved with Fire Dawgs until that person is ready to fully take over.

arms. It’s so nice to go out on a high note. It’s been wonderful. I’ve watched so many kids come out of their shells.” Then, many of them go on to work together in the field. Ruffner described the local fire community as tight-knit, joking that Midwestern fire people aren’t as uptight as their counterparts in the East or as convinced they know better than everyone else as those out West. The Midwest fire community, he said, hits a sweet spot. “We help each other out,” Ruffner said. “We work on each other’s fires.” “Maybe it’s because half of them are my former students and know each other,” he added with a laugh. “That could be part of it.” Molly Parker for Capitol News Illinois and Carly Gist for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab contributed reporting to this story.

Prescribed Fire Symposium, a biennial gathering that brought nearly 90 land managers from across the state to Giant City Lodge in Makanda. During the event, Scott Crist, fire management officer for the The Saluki Local Shawnee National Forest, told Reporting Lab is a Ruffner how much he had special project of the SIU shaped the fire community in School of Journalism and Illinois and across the Midwest. Advertising and is designed Crist told him to look to give students from diverse around the room. Many of the backgrounds practical people there were Ruffner’s reporting experience while former students, people who providing news coverage to had first picked up a drip underserved communities. torch because of him and who Capitol News Illinois is had gone on to build careers a nonprofit, nonpartisan in fire and land management. news service that distributes For Ruffner, it was a chance state government coverage to see the reach of Fire Dawgs to hundreds of news outlets gathered in one room. statewide. It is funded “He just said the nicest primarily by the Illinois Press things,” Ruffner said. “I went Foundation and the Robert R. home and just cried in my wife’s McCormick Foundation.

Women-in-Fire fellow Piper Morris looks on at Izaiah Lees while the two, both with The Nature Conservancy, wait for a unit to burn March 25, 2026, in Makanda, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab

Fire fellow Piper Morris walks through a thick cloud of smoke as she and other members of The Nature Conservancy begin a burn unit March 25, 2026, at Giant City Lodge in Makanda, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab

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Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Page 9

SPORTS

Salukis outrun Racers, beat Murray State 46-6 AARON CARNAHAN Sports Reporter

Ranked No. 24 in the FCS, Southern Illinois begins Missouri Valley Conference play on the road at Roy Stewart Stadium against the Murray State Racers on Saturday, Sept. 26. Both teams are coming off losses to FBS opponents in the prior week. SIU is 2-2 following a loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini. Murray State is 1-3 after a loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Racers won the toss and elected to begin the game. The weather was 73 degrees with clear skies at kickoff. Murray State moved the ball downfield and capped off an 11-play, 75yard drive with a threeyard touchdown pass to give Murray State a 6-0 advantage. The extra point was missed wide to the right, and the Racers’ lead was six after the first drive. The Saluki offense moved the ball against the Racers’ defense on their first possession. SIU quarterback DJ Williams found wide receiver Markell Quick for 18 yards and found wide receiver Allen Middleton for a gain of 23. SIU couldn’t capitalize in the red zone, and after kicker Weston Schofield made a 29-yard field goal to cut the Racers’ advantage to three. Murray State got the ball back with a 6-3 lead late in the first quarter. The Saluki defense made a stand and forced the Racers offense to punt. Wide receiver Blayne Sisson returned the Racers punt for 24 yards.

The Saluki offense returned to the field for their second drive of the game. Running back Chandler Chapman had an 18-yard run that helped set up Schofield for a successful 34-yard field goal attempt. End of Q1: SIU 6, MUR 6 Murray State punted back to the Salukis to begin the second quarter. Wide receiver Tae Marrero returned the punt for 22 yards. Marrero has been awaiting his fifth year of eligibility and was eligible to play shortly before kickoff. “Tae’s got a special gift for returning punts,” SIU football’s head coach Nick Hill said. “Not just what he can do when he gets the ball, but he judges balls in the air super well. He knows when to fair catch them, and when to not let the ball bounce and we lose yardage.” A big 42-yard pass from Williams to Quick set up the Dawgs in the red zone. Running back Lem Wash scored on a three-yard touchdown run to put SIU up 12-6. The extra point from Schofield was no good, and the Saluki lead was six. Murray State was forced to punt back to SIU for a third straight possession. Running back Quade Chatman broke off a 20yard run to begin the drive. The Salukis marched into the Racers’ red zone for the fourth time in the game. For the third time, the Salukis set up to attempt a field goal. Schofield’s field goal was good from 27 yards. The Salukis extended the lead to nine, and the score was 15-6. The Racers couldn’t

generate any offense yet again and set up for their fourth punt of the night. The Murray State punt was blocked by linebacker Miles Wash. Cornerback Joshua Newkirk recovered the ball and returned it 15 yards for a Saluki touchdown. Schofield’s extra point was good, and SIU was up 22-6 over the Racers. Murray State got the ball back on offense, now trailing by 15. The Racers drove into Saluki territory and attempted to convert a fourth-and-9 from the Saluki 22. The Racers pass was intercepted by cornerback Sebastian Vargas. Vargas returned the interception 67 yards to the Racers’ 29-yard line. Vargas now has interceptions in the last three games. The Salukis scored their third touchdown of the game on a Williams six-yard touchdown pass to running back Edward Robinson. Schofield’s point-after touchdown was successful, and the Salukis were up 29-6 late in the first half. The Salukis outscored the Racers 23-0 during the second quarter to build their 23-point advantage. Halftime: SIU 29, MUR 6 The Salukis received the kick to begin the second half. On third down, Williams found Quick for an explosive 75-yard touchdown. “I caught the ball, I was one-on-one. I took off on them,” Quick said post-game. Schofield made the extra point, and the Salukis were winning by a score of 36-6. Murray State’s offense

SIU running back Chandler Chapman (8) carries the ball during a game against Murray State Sept. 26, 2026 at Roy Stewart stadium in Murray, Kentucky. Riley Sembler | @riley_sembler

moved the chains once on the ensuing possession before the drive came to a halt, and they were forced to punt. SIU’s offense took the field with a commanding 30-point advantage. An eight-play, 36-yard drive ended with a fumble by Newkirk and was recovered by the Racers. Murray State gave the ball right back to the Salukis with linebacker Andrew Behm coming up with an interception. Although the Salukis got the ball at the Racers’ 43-yard line, the offense went threeand-out. The Salukis punted for the first time all night. Midway through the third quarter, Murray State’s offense went to work from their own 10. The Racers offense continued to struggle and punted the ball right back to Southern Illinois. Second-string SIU quarterback Jake Curry

entered the game for the Salukis on the next offensive possession late in the third quarter. End Q3: SIU 36, MUR 6 Curry scores for SIU on a one-yard touchdown run. Schofield’s extra point is good, and the Salukis lead the Racers 43-6 early in the fourth quarter. The Salukis extended the lead to forty on a 36-yard field goal made by Schofield. SIu was up 46-6. Since the opening touchdown, Murray State had only gained 115 yards. “All three phases, I think this game was probably our best performance so far”, Saluki safety Matt McClellan said. FINAL: SIU 46, MUR 6 Williams finished going 13/20 for 217 yards, two passing touchdowns and no interceptions. Chapman was the leading rusher for the Salukis with 63

yards on the ground. Quick was the leading receiver for Southern Illinois with four catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. Southern Illinois moves to 3-2 overall, and 1-0 in the MVC after the victory. Murray State falls to 1-4, and 0-1 in MVC play after the loss. The Salukis will host the Youngstown State Penguins on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Saluki Stadium. “I know we play Youngstown next. That’s got to be our focus. That’s got to be our singular focus,” Hill said postgame. “If you look at the big picture, I know we play eight Missouri Valley games. We’ll play with each other. It’s really about how we enjoy this one.” Sports Reporter Aaron Carnahan can be reached at acarnahan@dailyegyptian.com

Salukis sprint to 2-0 start in conference play NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor After going 1-6 over its last seven games, SIU volleyball began Missouri Valley Conference play in Indiana, taking on the University of Evansville Purple Aces and Indiana State University Sycamores on Sept. 25-26. The Salukis took care of business and swiped both matches, starting 2-0 in conference games. Sept. 25: SIU 3, UE 2 Looking to open conference play on a high note, the Salukis took on the Purple Aces of the University of Evansville. The Dawgs came out victorious after an exciting five-set bout. Set 1: SIU 25, UE 19

Opposite hitter Ella Swansiger tallied four kills before the Salukis reached 15 points, a hot start to her impressive match. The Purple Aces stuck with the Dawgs for most of the set, but three consecutive kills by outside hitter McKenzie Moeller propelled SIU to a firstset victory. Set 2: SIU 21, UE 25 The Purple Aces jumped out to a quick 9-4 lead on kills and SIU errors. The Salukis stormed back, tying the game at ten points apiece on a pair of aces. The two teams stayed close, but an Evansville fourpoint run was enough to win and tie the set. Set 3: SIU 20, UE 25

The Purple Aces got off to an early lead again, but more Swansiger kills gave the Salukis a brief 12-10 lead. Another four-point lategame run gave the Purple Aces a 2-1 match advantage. Set 4: SIU 25, UE 19 The Salukis fired off aces in the fourth set, putting up two in a row to give the Dawgs an 8-7 advantage. The SIU offense was strong in the fourth set, posting 10 kills and limiting the attack errors. Set 5: SIU 15, UE 13 In a do-or-die fifth set, the Salukis faced early adversity, down 4-0. Another pair of aces, this time from defensive specialist Isabella del Real,

gave the Dawgs momentum. The Purple Aces couldn’t clean up their mistakes, and the Dawgs swiped the last set and a match victory. Sept. 26: SIU 3, ISU 0 Looking for a weekend sweep, the Salukis traveled north to face the Indiana State Sycamores on Saturday night. The Dawgs left Indiana 2-0 in MVC play after a sweep over the Sycamores. Set 1: SIU 25, ISU 19 Swansiger continued her dominant weekend with two early kills. The Sycamores committed a flurry of attack errors early, allowing the Dawgs to jump ahead.

Kills from Moeller and opposite hitter Natalie Vance put an exclamation point on a first-set SIU victory. Set 2: SIU 25, ISU 23 Outside hitter Alexandria Arrington tallied two early kills to begin the second set. The Sycamores’ offense clicked midway through the set, propelling ISU to a dominant 13-8 lead. The Salukis capitalized on more opposing errors and stormed back to tie the set at 19-19. A block from middle blocker Chloe Anderson and setter Ella McFarland completed the comeback and put the Dawgs in position to sweep.

Set 3: SIU 27, ISU 25 Four straight kills and an ISU attack error put SIU up 5-0 to begin Set 3. The Sycamores answered and got within two points, until the Dawgs went on a four-point run. ISU got in a groove and forced late-game drama. After a Sycamores’ attack error, McFarland mashed the matchwinning kill. With these victories, SIU improves to 8-6 overall and 2-0 in MVC play. The Dawgs are back in action on Friday, Oct. 3, taking on Valparaiso at home. Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com

SIU soccer halts the Racers, beats Murray State 2-1 NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor Looking to continue its six-match win streak, SIU soccer welcomed the Murray State University Racers for a Saturday evening soccer match. Despite going down early, the Salukis came out victorious, 2-1. Within three minutes of kickoff, the Racers scored a goal, applying some early pressure that the Dawgs have not experienced much of this season. It did not take long for the resilient SIU offense to answer back with a penalty kick goal by forward Nao Katamoto, her second of the season. Seven minutes after Katamoto’s goal, she placed another one in the net, giving

SIU a quick 2-1 lead. Goalkeeper Reagan Miller notched two saves in the first half, and the Dawgs headed into the final 45 minutes up 2-1. The two teams entered a second-half offensive stalemate, and neither club could add to the first-half score. Miller tacked on another pair of saves en route to a 2-1 SIU victory. With this win, the Dawgs improve to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Racers fall to 1-82 on the season and 0-2 in conference games. Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.

com

Forward Maya Dixon (6) dribbles the ball around Erin O’Shea (7) during a game against Murray State Sept. 26, 2026 at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

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Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Entertainment and Culture Local artist Lindsey Nelson showcases surrealist work at Booby’s The local artist’s ‘Lost and Found’ exhibit explores dreams, memories and emotions through chalk pastel drawings YAHRI EDMOND Staff Reporter Local surrealist artist Lindsey Nelson is showcasing her latest artwork at Booby’s in Carbondale through the end of September. The exhibit, titled “Lost and Found,” features chalk pastel drawings inspired by lost memories, dreams, emotions and personal interactions. Nelson said she created the works as a way to recreate feelings and images that can fade over time. “A lot of it is dream-inspired,” Nelson said. “I try to find those again and recreate those.” The exhibit is different from Nelson’s usual work, which primarily consists of acrylic paintings. She said she became interested in chalk pastels after using the medium for class projects at John A. Logan College. Nelson said she hopes

viewers have their own genuine reactions to the artwork, even if the pieces make them feel unsettled. “I named it the ‘Lost and Found’ show because I feel like there are people or interactions or dreams that get lost over time that I try to kind of find again and recreate in a way,” Nelson said. “I enjoy walking a fine line between things being kind of unsettling but beautiful at the same time.” Chris McKinley, art curator at Booby’s, said Nelson’s work stands out because of its distinct surrealist style. “It’s distinctly hers,” McKinley said. “You can tell when you see it.” Nancy Lee, an SIU alumna and member of the local band Liar Liar, said she has followed Nelson’s work for years and was excited to see it displayed in a community space. Lee described Nelson’s work as whimsical, emotional and

sometimes creepy, while praising her use of shapes and colors. “Her work feels emotional in a way that makes me feel… good when I see it,” Lee said. Booby’s features a different local artist each month as part of its ongoing art series. McKinley said the business was excited to finally showcase Nelson’s work after wanting to feature her for some time. Nelson said she continues to work on various projects, including teaching art classes for children and adults and participating in local art fairs. “My form of dealing with the world, of being in the world, is doing art,” Nelson said. Staff Reporter Yahri Edmond can be reached at yahri.edmond@dailyegyptian.com

and on Instagram @yahri.edmond

Lindsey Nelson stands in front of her artwork on display at Booby’s in Carbondale. Provided by Lindsey Nelson.

Belgian architect Marcelle Rabinowicz visits SIU for guest lecture series Rabinowicz spoke to 50 students and faculty about her previous work at the CIVA public institute in Brussels MORRIGAN CAREY Staff Reporter SIU School of Architecture hosted Belgian architect and educator Marcelle Rabinowicz, as part of its public “guest lecture series,” on Monday, Sept 20. Rabinowicz is dean of the Faculty of Architecture La Cambre Horta at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), or the Free University of Brussels. Rabinowicz met with professors in the School of Architecture, as well as College of Arts and Media Dean Hong Cheng, who has previously spearheaded several of SIU’s international exchange programs. Not just an architecture educator, Rabinowicz is accomplished in the fields of art conservation as well as exhibit research and curation. She is on the Scientific Council for the National Gallery Prague, an art institute in Czechia and has organized several exhibits at CIVA, an archive, library and public research institute in Brussels dedicated to the study of architecture and urbanism. Rabinowicz spoke to a crowd of approximately 50 students and faculty about her experience curating exhibits at CIVA, discussing a different aspect of four exhibits, one on French architectural photographer Lucien Hervé in 2005, Italian Engineer and Architect Pier Luigi Nervi in 2010, Brusselsbased international architecture firm Xaveer de Geyter Architects, XDGA, in 2013

and Artist and Humanitarian François Schein in 2014. Her XDGA exhibit, called XDGA_160, was used in Rabinowicz’s lecture to demonstrate the importance of scale and layers, showing every aspect and layer of a design from the facade to the frame, presenting what would otherwise be a single project as “a series of choices, negotiations, conflicts and possibilities.” XDGA_160 also featured the firm’s unbuilt projects, such as those submitted for bids or design competitions, calling them “ideas which remain available for public discussion.” Apart from specific pointers on presentation and exhibition, Rabinowicz connected her experience to more general advice to the crowd about curating one’s point, or choosing exactly what one wants to “say” with their work. “What I see with students is that they have brilliant ideas, but they have so many, they don’t have that one idea that really drives a project,” Rabinowicz said. “ think students are afraid of making choices, which I understand. When I was a student, I was afraid of choosing, but there comes a turning point in your education where you really understand what it is you want to show.” Rabinowicz also focused heavily on perspective, discussing not just how one’s work is presented or perceived, but who it is perceived by. “I always try to put myself in

Marcelle Rabinowicz attends a meeting with SIU College of Arts and Media faculty Sept. 21, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin

the shoes of the person in the exhibition,” Rabinowicz said. “I am an architect, but maybe your father, your mother, your family, maybe I am someone with a different experience … We need to choose the documents and visuals that speak to people.” While SIU has official connections to other universities both in the United States and abroad, the university does not have a memorandum of understanding or similar agreement with ULB. Instead, Eric Farr, director

of graduate studies and head of the master of architecture program organized the visit. Farr explained the purpose of the guest lecture series, its importance to the architecture department, and his hopes for continued exchange with ULB to the DE. “We invite people with expertise across the full spectrum of the built environment; from architecture and design to construction, emerging technologies, automation, AI, and other related fields,” Farr said. “Hopefully, this recent

visit by Marcelle Rabinowicz will serve as an ignition for a future memorandum of understanding with Université libre de Bruxelles, while also expanding participation to architecture programs at other universities and to professional companies in the industry.” Rabinowicz expressed gratitude for being a part of the guest lecturer series and support for its overall impact on architecture education. “I think it’s terrific,” Rabinowicz said. “Not just terrific but necessary. If I had

given the same lecture in Brussels, everyone would have known who I was talking about and I would not have to explain that, but the same thing would happen there talking about American architects besides just the ‘important’ ones. “Exchanges like this, maybe shouldn’t be mandatory, but they are deeply important for our understanding,” Rabinowicz said..” Staff Reporter Morrigan Carey can be reached at mcarey@dailyegyptian.com

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Entertainment and Culture | Page 11

Local marching bands showcase their talent in Music and Motion OLIVIA LUESING Staff Photographer

Nine local high school marching bands and color guards performed Saturday, Sept. 26, in the SIU Music and Motion marching band competition at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale. Each band was divided into classes determined by size and judged by a seven-member panel, with the opportunity for each class to win awards. Every band got one performance to showcase their talent. The coordinator of the competition, Christopher Butler, runs the event with assistance from Ricky Spears, director of the Marching Salukis, and professor Eli Gillespie, the interim director of bands. Butler is also the assistant director of the SIU School of Music and teaches percussion and music technology. He has organized Music and Motion for two years, and his favorite part of the competition is seeing the hard work that goes into all the productions. “It’s just amazing to see all the different shows,

the concepts and the creativity,” Butler said. He said Music and Motion is a great way to bring students and community to SIU. “I think the mission of our school of music is to really strengthen music education throughout southern Illinois,” Butler said. “So this is an incredible event for us to have the outreach and build the community.” The seats in Saluki Stadium filled with parents who came to support their young musicians. Each marching band came with unique music, costumes, flags and props to establish their performances. Each band received a custommade participation award and had the chance to win a trophy A member of the Murphysboro High School Crimson Express plays the clarinet Sept. 26, 2026 during her band’s in different categories including performance for the SIU Music and Motion marching band competition at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. percussion, drum major and Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com color guard. Supporters in the stands cheered loudly as the Murphysboro High A member of the color School Crimson Express was guard from the Murphysboro announced as the competition’s grand champion. High School Crimson Express gets stands to Staff Photographer Olivia perform Sept. 26, 2026 for Luesing can be reached at the SIU Music and Motion oluesing@dailyegyptian.com marching band competition at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

One of the drum majors from the Murphysboro High School Crimson Express gets ready to lead her band Sept. 26, 2026 into their performance for the SIU Music and Motion marching band competition at Saluki stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

Members of the Marion High School Marching Wildcat Band play the flute Sept. 26, 2026 during their performance at the SIU Music and Motion marching band competition at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

A member of the color guard on the Marion High School Marching Wildcat Band lifts her flag Sept. 26, 2026 during her band’s performance at the SIU Music and Motion marching band competition at the Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

Evan Miranti, a drum major of the Carterville High School Pride of the Lions Marching Band, salutes the crowd Sept. 26, 2026 after his band’s performance for the SIU Music and Motion marching band competition at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

Page 12 | Puzzles

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Weekly PUZZLE PAGE

"Chilly" by Allen Vaughan 1

1. Stiff hair 2. Spoils

Answers on page 2

*To play Sudoku, fill a 9x9 grid with digits 1 through 9 so that each row, each column, and each 3x3 subgrid contains each number exactly once.

35 38 41

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3. French 101 verb 4. "Yikes!" 5. Introduction 6. Playwright Chekhov 7. Database command 8. Likewise 9. Investor's return 10. Does a less-than-thorough job 11. "Tosca" tune 12. Without purpose 13. Squirrel's stash 18. Days of ___ 23. Boar's mate 24. Tolstoy classic 25. Stick like a burr 26. European capital 27. Refrigerator brand 28. Boston airport 29. Spring sound 30. Singer's asset 31. John of rock 32. Cut of beef

34. Discover 37. Kitchen pest 41. Protective wall 43. Meadow sound 44. Actor's goal 46. Pasta choice 47. A synonym for the puzzle's title word, it may precede the first word of each of the long entries 48. Jai ___ 49. Blood vessel 50. Catchy part of a song 51. Fiber source 52. Drama divisions 53. Loafer, e.g. 56. Ipanema's city 57. Refinable rock

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Weekly Event Calendar Your guide to upcoming local events over the next 7 days!

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1. Ewes and rams 6. ___ Spumante 10. Genesis son 14. Gourmand 15. Palindromic time 16. Language of Lahore 17. Thanksgiving Day footrace 19. List 20. Bass, for one 21. Podiatrist's concern 22. College application parts 24. Sound the alarm 25. Gator's kin 26. Regal residence 29. Returned to a state of calm without consequence 33. Love, in Roma 34. Lane of the Daily Planet 35. Caramel candy brand 36. Sitar music 37. False move 38. Naldi of old films 39. ___ instant: immediately 40. Buzzed 41. River to the Rio Grande 42. "Chicago" poet 44. Responsible adult, often 45. Discomfort 46. Links numbers 47. Warning 50. Juno's Greek counterpart 51. Humanities degs. 54. Olive genus 55. Place to sit and rock 58. Nonclerical 59. Animal with a pride 60. Muse of poetry 61. Feast 62. Coupling 63. On edge

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