Coming events

The SIUC Wellness Center, Student Health Center and Counseling Center are sponsoring a free depression/anxiety screening Thursday, Oct. 6 -- National Depression Screening Day. Screenings are taking place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Center's Student Health Assessment Center, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at Grinnell, Lentz and Trueblood residence halls. The screenings take about 10 minutes, are confidential and staffed by trained professionals. For more information call 618/536-4441.

Acclaimed ABC and CNN broadcast journalist and SIUC alum Walter C. Rodgers discusses "Embedded Journalists and the Iraq War" and his 40-year career from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in Communications Building, room 1032. Rodgers, an SIUC Distinguished Alumni, is presenting a free lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday in Student Center Ballroom D.

Dr. David A. Kessler, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, delivers the 2005 Dr. Arthur Grayson Distinguished Lecture at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6, in the law school auditorium. Kessler is currently dean of the School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs at the University of California, San Francisco. He is also former dean of the Yale University School of Medicine. Kessler served as commission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from November 1990 until March 1997. Admission is free.

Missouri State Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford speaks on "Creating Community," at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6, in the Student Center's Kaskaskia Room. Oxford is an ordained UCC minister and SIUC alum. Her appearance is part of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Month. Admission is free.

High school bands from throughout the area compete Saturday, Oct. 8, in "Music in Motion," a high school marching band field competition at McAndrew Stadium. Competition starts at 11 a.m. Fifteen marching bands from the area are expected. The on-field performance features the Marching Salukis. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens. The stadium opens at 10 a.m.

The SIUC men's and women's cross country teams host the Saluki Invitational, starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, at SIUC's cross country course.

The second annual "Inspiring Women of Achievement" gala is Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Student Center. The evening begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. In addition to the dinner and program, the evening's festivities include silent and live auctions. The program generates funds for scholarship endowments at SIUC. The 2005 Inspiring Women of Achievement are: Elaine H. Melby of Carterville; Margaret Nesbitt of Carbondale, Blanche Carlton Sloan of Carbondale, and Gloria Celesia Tison of Harrisburg. The Margaret H. Steele Scholarship will be presented to Justine Pruemer of Dieterich, and renewed for a second year for Diana Billingsley of Carterville. The first recipient of the Inspiring Women Scholarship is Sarah Panici of Dongola. The 2005 Alumna Achievement Award, will go to Beth A. Hinchee, a 1995 SIUC graduate in mechanical engineering and energy processes, who is now engineering recruiting manager for Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria. Tickets are $60 per person or $500 for a table of eight. Reservations are being accepted through Thursday, Oct. 6, by calling Jean Paratore at 618/453-1339. Individual stars that honor inspiring women you know may also be purchased for $20 and will be displayed at the gala.

Sandeep Pandey, a social leader of India, will speaks in a free lecture at 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, in the Student Center auditorium. Pandey is the 2002 recipient of Asia's prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in the Emergent Leadership category for his work towards uplifting the underprivileged in India.

SIUC Provost and Vice Chancellor John M. Dunn and College of Mass Communication and Media Arts Dean Manjunath Pendakur present results of the Ad-hoc Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Issues at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11 in the Student Center's Illinois Room. Admission is free.

Pilobolus -- one of the most acclaimed dance companies in the world, perform at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Shryock Auditorium. The company combines acrobatics and theater in creating a sensual and athletic experience. The performance is part of Shryock's Celebrity Series. Tickets are $28; $22 for children 15 and younger and senior citizens 60 and older. Tickets are available at the SIU Ticket Office in the SIU Arena or the Student Center Central Ticket Office. Tickets may also be ordered by phone at 618/453-2000, or through Ticketmaster at 866-646-8849.