A Message from the Dean - September 2020
The fall semester of 2020 has begun, and the new academic year has offered a unique experience for students, faculty and staff of the College of Arts and Sciences. The semester began without convocation or other face-to-face welcome events. Instead, staff and faculty welcomed new students in virtual receptions.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many face-to-face classes are being taught in the classrooms, labs and studios on the SIUE campus. While some students are taking only online courses, nearly 60 percent of our students have at least one course with a face-to-face component. Many staff and faculty have returned to their offices. Everyone is wearing face coverings in campus buildings, and people are keeping their distance from each other.
COVID-19 has disrupted the routines of campus life, but teaching, learning and research continue to occur on the campus. As we take precautions to protect ourselves and hope for a swift end to the pandemic, CAS continues to serve our students and plan for the future. If you want to learn more about my approach to leading the College, you may find this article of interest.
The pandemic is not the only misfortune faced by SIUE students. A recent fire at an off-campus apartment complex in Edwardsville destroyed the belongings of student residents. The SIUE General Student Emergency Assistance Fund is being used to support these students. For more information and to donate, visit siue.edu/student-emergency-assistance.
Congratulations are in order for a long-time CAS faculty member, Morris Taylor, PhD, who was recently named vice chancellor for administration (VCA) at SIUE. As VCA, Dr. Taylor, a member and former chair of the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis, is responsible for support functions of the University, including planning and budgeting, human resources, financial affairs, administrative services, facilities management and public safety.
SIUE deserves recognition, too, as a 2020 recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The HEED Award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. SIUE is one of only 33 institutions that have received the HEED Award for seven consecutive years.
CAS students, faculty and alumni continue to earn recognition and educate and serve the community. Abbi Ruppert was one of only twelve students worldwide to receive the International Sculpture Center’s Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award. On Friday, September 4, Carolina Rocha, PhD, director of women’s studies and professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, and Laurie Rice, PhD, professor in the Department of Political Science and coordinator of the Civic Education Project at SIUE, discussed the history and significance of women’s suffrage in a Zoom presentation.
Louis Damani Jones, who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in social work in May 2020, was appointed to the board of directors of the Catholic Charities of St. Louis. Jones is currently a student in the Master of Social Work program at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame member and celebrated artist Edna Patterson-Petty unveiled her restored work of art, “Monty, The Turtle,” at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus on September 4.
COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of all residents of the St. Louis area, but the SIUE Suzuki Strings Program is offering a new String Bridge program so developing string musicians can continue to pursue their training and express their love for music.
Please read more about these people and their actions in This Month in CAS.
Kevin Leonard, PhD
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
