The Southern Illinois University (SIU) Board of Trustees meeting on September 18, 2025, highlighted significant achievements in innovation and collaboration among faculty members across the SIU System. The meeting featured the presentation of the SIU System Inventor of the Year Award and the Faculty Collaboration Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to research and community engagement.

Rob Pitino presented the SIU System Inventor of the Year Award to Dr. Ken Anderson, a professor of geology and director of the Advanced Energy Institute at SIU Carbondale. Dr. Anderson, who holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Melbourne, was honored for his innovative work in oxidative hydrothermal dissolution technology, which has led to multiple patents and commercial success through his company, Therm Aquatica. The award acknowledges faculty members who demonstrate exceptional innovation and societal contributions through their inventions.

Following this, the Faculty Collaboration Awards were presented by Dr. Wei Chia and Dr. Khalid Meksum, recognizing impactful collaborative efforts among faculty across SIU campuses. This year’s awardees included Dr. Sinan Onal and Dr. Kao Liu for their work on AI-driven gait phase detection, which addresses challenges in biomedical engineering and rehabilitative healthcare. Additionally, Dr. Eric Rooke and Dr. Jyotsna Kapoor were recognized for their collaboration in enhancing honors programs across campuses, fostering a rich educational experience for students.

The meeting also included a program quality assurance report, emphasizing the importance of periodic evaluations of academic programs to ensure high-quality education. The report outlined the status of accredited programs and flagged those requiring attention, reinforcing SIU's commitment to maintaining educational standards.

In a segment on research grants and contracts, SIUE's Dean Chris Slayton reported that the university secured $43 million in new awards for fiscal year 2025, marking a significant achievement despite a decrease in federal funding. Slayton highlighted community engagement initiatives, including a grant aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into society and a forensic science camp that involved collaboration with various institutions.

Overall, the meeting underscored SIU's dedication to innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, setting a positive tone for future initiatives and academic excellence within the university system.