Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day

Thursday, May 14, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Becker Pavilion & Campus Lake Area

Rain Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

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Last Updated: May 13, 2026, 01:53 PM

Take the Afternoon to Recharge, Connect & Have Fun

SIU faculty and staff are invited to step away from the day-to-day and join us for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and well-deserved fun. This event is all about you—your work, your impact, and the community we share.

Come as you are, or better yet—dress to play—and enjoy a relaxed, come-and-go atmosphere at Becker Pavilion and around Campus Lake.

On that day, you can also visit the new Tedrick Welcome Center. Shuttles will be running between Becker Pavilion and the Tedrick Welcome Center throughout the event.

What to Expect

Whether you stop by for a quick break or spend the whole afternoon, we hope you’ll join colleagues from across campus to relax, recharge, and celebrate the incredible work happening at SIU every day.

Campus Walk: Join us at 2:00 p.m. starting at Becker Pavilion and ending at the Tedrick Welcome Center.

Shuttle Service: Shuttles will run back and forth between Becker Pavilion and the Tedrick Welcome Center throughout the event.

  • Becker Pavilion & Campus Lake

    • Outdoor Games & Recreation: Enjoy volleyball, lawn games, and the climbing wall. Canoeing, kayaking, and boating will be available from 1:00–3:30 p.m.

    • Dunk Tank: Take your shot at dunking SIU celebrity guests in exchange for a donated item to our food pantry.

    • Live Music: Featuring DJ Richard Jones.

    • Food & Treats: Local favorites including Dave’s Bagels and American Ice Cream will be available (FOR FREE of course!)

  • Tedrick Welcome Center

    • Wellness Zone: Relax with chair massages, therapy dogs, and mindfulness activities.
    • Photo Opportunities: Snap a photo with our Brown and Grey Dawg mascots.
    • Refreshments: Enjoy healthy snacks and water throughout the event.
    • Center Tours: Take advantage of ongoing tours of the new Tedrick Welcome Center.

  • Grab a Snack and Stay a While

    Two food trucks parked side by side, one serving bagels and the other serving ice cream, with vendors assisting customers outdoors.

  • Dunk Tank Schedule

    • 1:30–1:45 PM -Nick Wortman
    • 1:45–2:00 PM -David Shirley
    • 2:00–2:15 PM - Mark Owens
    • 2:15–2:30 PM - Priscilla Pimentel
    • 2:30–2:45 PM - Molly Hudgins
    • 2:45–3:00 PM - (Open)
    • 3:00–3:15 PM - Wil Clark
    • 3:15–3:30 PM - Eric Massey

Supervisors are encouraged to plan for minimal office coverage during this time, and some offices may even close, with the approval of appropriate cabinet level leadership. Employees should be given every opportunity to participate in the day’s events. If office coverage is needed, supervisors should maintain rotating coverage during the day to avoid anyone missing out on the event. Questions regarding operational need and release time should be funneled through the chain of command to the appropriate cabinet level leader.