Southern Illinois University Carbondale will recognize eight faculty and staff members for their outstanding achievements with the 2026 Excellence Awards, according to an announcement on April 2. The honorees will be celebrated during a ceremony scheduled for April 14 at Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium, followed by a reception in the library’s first-floor rotunda.
The annual awards highlight exceptional work in scholarship, creative endeavors, teaching, and service by university employees. The recognition is intended to showcase individuals who have made significant contributions both inside and outside the classroom.
Chancellor Austin A. Lane said, “The Excellence Award recipients embody the very heart of the Saluki spirit. They don’t just dream of a brighter future, they work tirelessly to ensure that our students are able to achieve their dreams, and turn their own individual aspirations into a tangible, positive impact on our community.”
This year’s Scholar Excellence Award goes to James E. Garvey, director of the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences in the School of Biological Sciences. Julia Rendleman receives the Teaching Excellence Award for tenured and tenure-track faculty as an assistant professor in the Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising within the College of Arts and Media. Jody Paulson is recognized with the Teaching Excellence Award for non-tenure track faculty as a clinical associate professor in the School of Art and Design.
Other honorees include Brent Pease with the Early Career Faculty Excellence Award; Maria Claudia Franca as Woman of Distinction; Marquitta Bowman with the Emerging Leader Award; Cay Gerlock with Staff Excellence; and Michael “Mickey” Soltys also receiving Staff Excellence recognition.
These awards reflect SIU Carbondale’s commitment to recognizing excellence among its faculty and staff across various disciplines.
