CARBONDALE — Interim University President Kevin Dorsey has announced that Southern Chancellor Dr. Carlo Montemagno passed away earlier Thursday morning.

Dorsey says Montemagno was a visionary who worked tirelessly to advance SIU Carbondale since he joined the campus as chancellor in August 2017, that he created a roadmap to secure the university’s future; earned the respect and commitment of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members; was an unwavering proponent of the university’s mission; and was a distinguished, international expert in nanotechnology and bio-engineering.

His loss will be deeply felt at SIU, in Southern Illinois and in the scientific and academic communities. Please join me in sharing our thoughts and prayers with his wife Pam, family and many friends.

School officials will share information about honoring Dr. Montemagno in consultation with his family.

Dorsey has asked the Board of Trustees to convene a special meeting as soon as possible to appoint an interim chancellor.