March 2004

March 29, 2004

Retired Professor Has Formula For Predicting Hurricanes' Paths

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The conventional wisdom among those who live along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts is that the National Weather Service does a fair job of identifying hurricanes when they develop. But the same meteorologists aren't very good at predicting in what direction a powerful storm might travel.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Emeritus Physics Professor Ik-Ju Kang might be able to help.

Kang recently patented a mathematical formula for calculating the direction of a hurricane and he's hoping to develop software to market to meteorologists. "Although the National Weather Service has all the latest computer software that can project hurricanes, they really don't have a clear picture of how these storms move," Kang said.

Kang, who began his career in Seoul, Korea, as a meteorologist, said he has studied hurricanes as a "wave packet" and has developed mathematical formulas to predict the path hurricanes travel. "A hurricane is a collection of various wind currents," he explained. "However, if you look at the various components, they combine to make up what I call a 'wave packet,' Once you do that, you then have to develop a way to look at how this 'packet' moves."

The U.S. Patent Office awarded Kang his patent earlier this year. The patent abstract reads: "A method of predicting the future path of a hurricane using a wave model, isothermal or isobaric lines, and current hurricane direction." Isothermal and isobaric lines on a weather map indicate temperature and barometric readings, respectively.

Using the laws of reflection and refraction, Kang said he can not only determine how each wave pattern moves, but also how it moves as a packet. "These wave patterns within the hurricane react to surfaces much like light reflects and refracts," he said. "The waves that make up the packet are moving at different rates and reacting to reflection and refraction and up until now it has been very difficult to pinpoint how all that determines the path of a hurricane.

"My formula helps determine that path. This will make predictions more precise"

Kang said his efforts are aimed at trying to make life easier for coastal residents who must pack up and leave their homes when a hurricane is spotted. Kang hopes to minimize those troubles. For example, if a hurricane is heading for the Gulf Coast, meteorologists might announce that residents along a 100-mile strip of coast should evacuate. Using Kang's formulas, they might be able to warn residents along a 25-mile stretch of coastline.

In his patent application, Kang wrote: "The flight of these people can cause huge traffic congestion, as well as panic buying of emergency supplies …. I'm hoping my methods can help minimize the cost and inconvenience to many people living in coastal regions," Kang said.

"I'm hoping to have a software model ready for testing during the next hurricane season that begins in June and July.

"Meteorologists look at numerical solutions to predict the path of a hurricane," Kang said. "They use various models to arrive at these predictions, but I've approached the problem using very basic principles of physics. I began as a young meteorologist in Korea, but I spent 30 years at SIUE teaching physics, something that gave me a different way of looking at problems."

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March 25, 2004

Media Advisory

Museum Studies Graduate Students Mount Exhibition Featuring Historic Firearms

Who: Students in the SIUE Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program

What: "Cultural Trajectories: The Evolution of Firearms Technology," an exhibition of historical weapons from the SIUE Collection.

When: The exhibition continues through April 9, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays

Where: University Center Gallery, on the second floor of the Morris University Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

The firearms used in this exhibit were part of a large collection donated to The University Museum by Milton K. Harrington, of Belleville, beginning in 1991. Harrington was a successful businessman who spent much of his life traveling the world in search of interesting cultural artifacts. At the time of his death in 2000, Harrington had amassed nearly 100,000 items that ranged from fossils to folk art to weaponry. As a class project, graduate students from the Museum Studies program have organized, identified, and researched Harrington's eclectic assortment of firearms, and have designed this exhibit as a showcase for the pieces. Through them we can learn about firearm technology and how cultural forces shaped their design and function. For more information, call The University Museum at SIUE, (618) 650-2996.

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March 25, 2004

30th Annual Young Artists' Exhibition At SIUE Runs Through April 9

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The 30th Annual Young Artists' Exhibition, featuring works by elementary and middle school students, will continue through April 9 in the lobby of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Katherine Dunham Hall.

The invitational exhibit includes the artwork of K-9 public and private school students from both Missouri and Illinois. Approximately 90 pieces are on display, showcasing skills and creativity in drawing, painting, and collage.

Many of the students' instructors are alumni of the Art Education Program in the SIUE Department of Art and Design. There will be a reception for the young artists, their parents, and their art instructors from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 28, in the Dunham Hall lobby.

This exhibit coincides with Youth Art Month, a celebration of young artists across the country during the month of March. For more information, call the Art Education office, (618) 650-3183, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 3183.

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March 23, 2004

Chancellor Candidates Will Visit SIUE Campus

(EDWARDSVILLE) Three chancellor candidates will visit the SIUE campus and tour the area, beginning March 28.

The candidates are: Sharon Hahs, SIUE provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Aaron Podolefsky, Northern Iowa provost and vice president for academic affairs; and Vaughn Vandegrift, Georgia Southern provost and vice president for academic affairs/chief information officer. The schedule for visits to campus begins with Hahs on March 28-31; Vandegrift will visit April 4-7; and Podolefsky will visit April 14-17.

Hahs has been provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at SIUE since 2000. She had been dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1995-2000. She holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of New Mexico.

Podolefsky has been provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northern Iowa University since 1998. He had been dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northern Iowa from 1990-1998. He holds a PhD in anthropology from SUNY-Stony Brook.

Vandegrift has been provost and vice president at Georgia Southern University since 2000. He had been dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University (N.J.) from 1988-2000. He holds a PhD in chemistry from Ohio University.

Each candidate will participate in forums with various groups across campus during their visits. The candidates were chosen following a three-month process of screening and preliminary interviews by the chancellor search advisory committee. The committee is composed of representatives of various groups across the campus and the community.

For more information on the candidates, their visit schedules, and a list of committee members, see the Web site The site also can be reached by clicking the "chancellor search" link on the lower right corner of the SIUE homepage.

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March 22, 2004

'Celebration Of World Faiths' Set For April 3 At Religious Center

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Friends of the Religious Center (FRC), a support group for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Religious Center, is sponsoring the Second Annual A Celebration of World Faiths from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at the domed center, located between the Morris University Center and the Art and Design Building.

Spiritual leaders and groups from several Christian and non-Christian traditions will share music, scripture, prayer, and information about their faiths. The goal is an evening of learning and fellowship, and an opportunity to tell visitors more about the Friends of the Religious Center. The support group is dedicated to preserving the center as the place on campus for serving the spiritual needs of SIUE students, as well as preserving its architectural importance.

"The FRC board of directors is made up of about a dozen members of the university community and the surrounding community at-large," said Greg Fields, an associate professor of Philosophy at the university and FRC board chair. "Also included in the group are the three ministerial directors headquartered at the center. We all share an interest in the structure for its programming available to the university community and for its architectural significance."

Admission is free to the April 3 event, but donations will be accepted. Refreshments with ethnic themes will be served, and all are welcome.

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March 22, 2004

Arts & Issues Continues April 2 With Gus Giordano Dance Troupe

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, a troupe of dancers who have been called "a riotous explosion of color and enthusiasm" and "an accelerated onslaught of ecstasy," are coming to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Arts & Issues stage April 2.

Each year, Arts & Issues brings some of the best and brightest performers and speakers from around the world to Southwestern Illinois audiences for entertaining and thought-provoking presentations on the SIUE campus. Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago will appear at 7:30 p.m. that Friday in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall theater.

For more than 40 years critics have been raving about Giordano's dancers, calling them Chicago's most exciting jazz dance company. "Traditionally, our Arts & Issues audiences love dance concerts and the tickets tend to go very fast," said John Peecher, coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago will be one of the most exciting dance troupes we've had on our stage," Peecher said. "They take up where Bob Fosse left off. They are pure energy."

Beginning in 1962 as Dance Incorporated Chicago, the group was founded by Giordano and several other dancers, later changing its name to the Gus Giordano Dance Company. In 1974, the company toured the former Soviet Union upon invitation of the Bolshoi Ballet. It was the first time a jazz dance troupe had toured that country. The group eventually changed its name to Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.

With its mission to develop and preserve the indigenous American art form of jazz dance as a true artistic expression of American life, Giordano has brought that excitement to audiences around the world including Europe, Canada, Brazil, and Japan. Also performing throughout the United States, the troupe has a very active outreach education program with a Chicago Park District residency and teaching residences on many college campuses.

Jazz dance is an exciting mix of styles, as varied as jazz music itself, with elements of ballet, modern dance, percussive- and pop-based movements, as well as musical theater, wrapped in ethnic influences of every kind. Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago performs all of these styles in an energetic and highly physical way, while demonstrating amazing technique and skills.

Information about the April 2 appearance of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and how to order tickets may be found on the Arts & Issues Web site: artsandissues.com and in a printed brochure available through John Peecher, (618) 650-2626, or, by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu. Tickets for the April 2 event are $18; students, $9. Tickets also are available at the Morris Center Information Desk, (618) 650-5555.

The final Arts & Issues presentation of the 2003-04 season takes place April 20 with two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Norman Mailer, one of the most important writers of 20th century American letters.

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March 16, 2004

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Cynthia Holesko of Gillespie, a senior majoring in Accounting at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been named recipient of the university's Carol Kimmel Scholarship. The scholarship program is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.

The annual scholarship was established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, in addition to academic excellence. It is named for Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who for many years donated freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.

Holesko will be recognized Thursday, April 1, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. Tickets for the April 1 Kimmel banquet-scheduled at 7 p.m. in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center-are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.

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March 16, 2004

Design Firm CEO To Speak At SIUE For April 1 Kimmel Banquet

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Patricia Whitaker, president and CEO of Arcturis in St. Louis and a member of the boards of several organizations in the St. Louis area, will be the featured speaker for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 15th Annual Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1, in the Morris Center's Meridian Ballroom.

Arcturis, 1910 Pine St., is a full-service design firm founded by Whitaker in 1977. The firm offers planning, architecture, interiors, and technology for major corporations, higher education, developers, financial institutions, and public facilities.

The April 1 banquet honors recipients of the Kimmel Scholarship and the Kimmel Community Service Awards (see article below), all of whom have given time and effort to volunteerism. The awards are named for Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees who devoted most of her adult life to helping others.

Whitaker is an active member of the St. Louis civic and professional community, serving on the YMCA of Greater St. Louis Board, the Regional Business Council, the Regional Chamber and Growth Association Board, also serving on the Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, and Business Services Committee. She also serves as chair of the Business Service Committee.

In addition, Whitaker serves on Webster University's Technology Advisory Board and on the United Way of Greater St. Louis Board. She was appointed in 1997 to The Hawthorn Foundation, a state board that addresses Missouri's economic policies. She also takes a leadership role in various charitable events in and around the St. Louis area each year.

Corporate memberships include the St. Louis Art Museum, as chair of the Corporate Partners Committee and the Development Committee, the St. Louis Science Center Board, and the Dance St. Louis Board. She also is current past president of the St. Louis Forum, a professional women's organization.

Whitaker also is Forest Park Forever 2004 Luncheon co-chair.

Whitaker's professional certifications include the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Whitaker was the 1996 recipient of the prestigious McKendree College Excellence in Enterprise Award, which recognizes a member of the community who reflects the true spirit of enterprise and demonstrates the skills that make enterprising efforts successful.

Tickets for the April 1 banquet are $30 per person; for more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.

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March 16, 2004

Several Illinois Residents Are Recipients Of SIUE Kimmel Award

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Several Southwestern Illinois residents will receive Kimmel Community Service Awards at the April 1 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet, sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Belleville News-Democrat.

The annual award was established to recognize outstanding community members for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who for many years gave freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.

There are six award categories: education, social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency-organizational concerns, and special populations.

Those nominated for the Kimmel Community Service Award must have been a resident of Illinois or Missouri for at least two years, and volunteered for at least one agency, organization, or business for at least two or more continuous years.

In addition, nominees must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period and demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.

This year's winners are:

EDUCATION: Connie Barre of Belleville.

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP: J. Terry Dooling of Godfrey.

ENVIRONMENTAL-CIVIC BETTERMENT: Dennis Jacknewitz of Belleville.

SOCIAL SERVICE-SOCIAL WELFARE: Percy McKinney of Belleville.

SPECIAL POPULATIONS: Russell J. Krause of East St. Louis.

AGENCY/ORGANIZATIONAL CONCERNS: Jewell E. Backs of Granite City.

SIUE FACULTY/STAFF: Kim Kirn of Glen Carbon

Tickets for the April 1 Kimmel banquet-scheduled at 7 p.m. in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center-are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.

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March 15, 2004

'An Evening In Vienna' Set For March 27 In Meridian Ballroom

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Good music and good food are some of the highlights to be offered at "An Evening in Vienna," presented March 27 by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Music and the Friends of Music, a support organization for the department.

The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center.

The musical portion of the evening features the SIUE Symphony Orchestra, along with 25 vocalists, performing scenes from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss. Later, the SIUE Concert Jazz Band, featuring SIUE music students, performs music for dancing. Attire for the evening is "black tie optional."

Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of Music Scholarship Fund.

Jane Vest, president of the Friends group, said the event is the largest fund-raiser the group conducts. "An Evening in Vienna has become a tradition in the St. Louis area," Vest said. "The money raised through this annual event helps fund a large part of our scholarship program.

"These scholarships enable the Department of Music to recruit talented students who might otherwise not have an opportunity to attend SIUE."

Tickets are $60 and are available in person at or by mailing a check or money order to the Office of Conferences and Institutes, Morris University Center, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1036. Credit card ticket purchases must be made through the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3799.

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March 12, 2004

SIUE To Offer Educational Seminar On Immigration Law On March 26

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) An educational seminar, "Immigrants in our Midst: An Overview of U.S. Immigration Law." will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, March 26, at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Religious Center. Those who register by March 19 save $5 on the admission fee.

Marti Jones, director of the Immigration Project; Carol Hallstrom, liaison officer for the Department of Homeland Security; and Eloy Salazar, director of the Illinois Migration Council will speak about U.S. Immigration law and implications for organizations providing services to immigrants. The seminar also will provide information on current legislative proposals, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The Latino Roundtable of Metro East, Immigration Project, SIUE's Equal Opportunity Office, and the university's Student Leadership Development Program and Volunteer Service are co-sponsoring the workshop. For additional information, or to register, contact Diane Schilling, (618) 650-2610, or by e-mail: dschill@siue.edu.

Registration is $35; before March 19, $30. Each additional person from the same organization is $25. Continuing Education credit is available for an additional $3 per person. Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, program materials, and a parking pass.

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March 11, 2004

Forum To Explore History Of Brown v. Board Of Education

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) A community forum will explore the history of the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education-and its relevance to today's social issues-from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, in the Hickory-Hackberry Room, located on the second floor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Morris University Center.

The forum-moderated by attorney Dennis Orsey and co-sponsored by SIUE Student Legal Services, the Illinois Judge's Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Madison County Bar Association-will first explore "Brown v Board" itself and the impact it had on subsequent cases, and then will discuss current issues, such as race as a factor in school admissions, sex as a factor in marriage, and the interaction of the law and social issues.

Orsey, a past president of the Madison County Bar and a member of the Board of Governor's for the Illinois State Bar, will be joined on the panel by Alton attorney Lee Barron, Troy attorney James Drazen, Alton attorney Elizabeth Carrion, Edwardsville attorney Victoria Vasileff, and Madison County Associate Judge Barbara Crowder.

Admission is free and the public is invited; complimentary parking will be available in the Visitor's attendant lot behind the Morris Center.

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March 11, 2004

BOT Approves J. Baricevic For Distinguished Service Award At Commencement

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) John Baricevic, who has been chairman of the St. Clair County Board for the past 14 years, will receive a Distinguished Service Award during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's May 8 commencement, according to action taken today by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting conducted this month at SIU Carbondale.

Distinguished Service Awards have been given for more than 35 years at SIUE commencement exercises to those who have given outstanding or unusual service to the university, the region, or the state.

After earning a juris doctor from SIUC, Baricevic served as the St. Clair County state's attorney from 1980-1990 and was named county board chairman in 1990. He is retiring this year from the board. Baricevic also is in private practice specializing in family law, criminal law, and personal injury litigation.

Baricevic has been instrumental in promoting regionalism in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area, investing enormous amounts of time energy in a variety of projects to insure that the interests and welfare of Metro-East residents-one-quarter of the St. Louis region's population-will be provided for in planning decisions for the wider metropolitan area.

Some projects with which Baricevic has been involved include: expansion of MetroLink, development of MidAmerica Airport, maintaining Scott Air Force Base in the face of an uncertain economy, and helping secure funding for a new Mississippi River bridge.

He also lends his time and expertise to several regional organizations including Civic Progress, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, for which he is immediate past president, and the Greater St. Louis Economic Development Council.

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March 8, 2004

SIUE Students To Take Alternative Spring Break To Cherokee Nation

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Rather than participate in the stereotypical spring break trip to an ocean coastal region for fun and games, 18 SIUE students are traveling to Tahlequah and Kenwood, Okla., from March 7-11, on an alternative spring break to work on reservations of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma tribe. SIUE's spring break is scheduled March 8-14; classes resume Monday March 15.

The students will learn about social, economic, and cultural issues by participating in the tribal community in various projects. Before leaving for Oklahoma, the students took part in two orientation-training sessions in preparation.

The students will help in construction and clean-up at the elders' homes, and also work at tribal headquarters as well as at the Loyal Shawnee Ceremonial Stomp Grounds.

Members of the Cherokee Nation will prepare traditional meals and provide educational programs about tribal history, social issues, culture, and community development. The students also will visit the Cherokee Nation's principal chief and deputy chief, as well as the elders.

The experience will provide students with a hand-on experience to learn about outstanding community leaders who have been developing vision and affecting social change for tribal members. The alternative spring trip is co-sponsored by the SIUE Student Leadership Center, the United Campus Ministry and the Shurtleff Baptist Ministries, both headquartered at the SIUE Religious Center.

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March 8, 2004

Admission Deadlines Approaching For Incoming SIUE Freshmen; Enrollment Growth May Force Early Closing

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's nine-year growth trend is expected to continue in the fall; freshmen hoping to be admitted to SIUE should submit complete applications no later than May 31. The deadline for all other undergraduates is August 2; students wishing to live on campus should apply for housing by May 1.

"Although fall semester is still five months away, the deadline for freshman admission-May 31-is approaching," said Boyd Bradshaw, assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management. "The university is experiencing an unprecedented number of freshman applications for fall 2004 and may consider closing admissions prior to the May 31 deadline. Early projections indicate that our enrollment growth will continue in the fall, as will the demand for on-campus housing."

SIUE has grown from 10,938 students in 1994 to 13,295 last fall, an increase of about 22 percent.

Bradshaw said three new residence halls built since 1994 have served to draw even more attention to the quality education offered at SIUE. "More and more students and parents view SIUE as their first choice for a quality, affordable education," he said. "A strong faculty, small class sizes, community service opportunities, an active campus life, and some of the newest residence halls in the state continue to fuel SIUE's growth."

Bradshaw said the quickest and easiest way for students to apply for admission and pay the $30 application fee is to go online at www.siue.edu. Students interested in living on campus can download an application from www.siue.edu/HOUSING. The housing application and a deposit of $300 must be submitted by May 1.

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March 5, 2004

SIUE Nursing School Offers New Programs For Nurses Seeking to Enhance Management Skills

(EDWARDSVILLE) Two new certificate programs at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing will benefit nurses looking to move into management positions, and nurse managers who wish to enhance their management skills. Most of the course work will be offered online.

"The new programs are a response to an expressed need in the health care community for professional development opportunities," said Marcia Maurer, dean of the nursing school. "Our new nursing management education effort is designed to meet the needs of nurses with different educational backgrounds."

The nursing management option is open to RNs with an associate degree in nursing. RNs with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing or another discipline may enroll in the professional development sequence in nursing. About 20 students will be admitted annually to each of the options.

Beginning in fall 2004, the new certificate programs will offer 12 credit hours in four online courses, with a focus on nursing management. Each course will offer at least 80 percent of the course work online. "These programs can be completed within two semesters," Maurer said, "providing a foundation in management skills for nurses who work as nurse managers, and for nurses interested in pursuing a career in nursing management in acute care, primary care, long-term care and community agencies."

Interested nurses may call the SIUE School of Nursing, 618-650-3956 or 800-234-4844, for more information.

The SIUE School of Nursing is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The School of Nursing awards Bachelor of Science degrees with a major in nursing, including an RN-to-BS completion program.

Master of Science degrees are awarded with specializations in Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing, Public Health Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator, Health care and Nursing Administration. Classes are offered on the Edwardsville campus, online, and at the school's newest facility in Springfield.

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March 1, 2004

34th Annual Antiques Show Set for March 20-21 at SIUE

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) More than 65 dealers in antiques from the Midwest will display and sell a variety of items including furniture, fine glass, porcelain, china, tools, toys, and books Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, at the 34th Annual Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Antiques Show and Sale at SIUE's Vadalabene Center.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of Lovejoy Library and TheBANK of Edwardsville, will take place in the center's gymnasium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free informal appraisals with paid admission (2 item limit) will be offered Saturday from 2-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-3 p.m.

Tickets are $5 and are available at the door; tickets are good for both days. For a $10 fee, "early bird" patrons may enter the show between 9 and 10 a.m. Saturday. Children under 13 years of age are admitted free. For more information, call the Friends of Lovejoy Library, (618) 650-2730.

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K. Kirn Wins Faculty-Staff Kimmel Service Award

Kim Kirn, a volunteer with area organizations and her church, is recipient of the SIUE 2004 Kimmel Community Service Award for SIUE Faculty and Staff. An attorney, Kirn is associate general counsel for the university.

In her work with the Edwardsville chapter of the League of Women Voters, Kirn has led League efforts to improve recreational opportunities in the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon area, such as ongoing plans to establish an aquatic center. She also has served on several committees and has conducted workshops and acted as moderator for several candidate meetings and voters' forums in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon.

Kirn also has been involved in several other volunteer efforts including membership in the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Junior Service Club, the Montessori School Parent's Organization, and SIUE's International Host Program for international students.

Last year, Kirn was nominated to the Glen Carbon Zoning Board of Appeals, and has been very active in fund-raising for St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Glen Carbon.

Kirn will receive the award at the April 1 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet, sponsored by SIUE and the Belleville News-Democrat. She will join other volunteers from Southwestern Illinois, who will receive Kimmel awards in six categories.

The awards were established to recognize outstanding SIUE faculty or staff members, as well as others from the region, for dedication and contributions to volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees who for many years gave freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.

Kirn also believes in the concept of volunteerism as evidenced by her many activities in that regard. "I am a great believer in personal responsibility," she said. "I believe I am responsible for my successes and failures in life. Building on that philosophy, I believe I have responsibility for my community, my state, and my world.

"This extends into many areas, such as issues involving clean water, clean air, the education of my children, and the level of recreation offered to residents of my community, especially including the children and adolescents of this community," Kirn said. "While working in Springfield for more than four years, before moving to this region, I saw good works being discussed and sometimes being accomplished.

"This experience reinforced my idea that I could work for those issues I strongly believed in and really accomplish my goals," Kirn said. "I believe that I can make improvements in those areas where there is consensus within the community."

Tickets for the April 1 banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom, are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.

Kimmel Community Award Winners Announced

Several Southwestern Illinois residents will receive Kimmel Community Service Awards at the April 1 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet.

The annual award was established to recognize outstanding community members for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who for most of her adult life has given freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.

This year there were six winners in the following categories: social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency-organizational concerns, special populations, and education.

Those nominated must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.

This year's winners are:

Agency-Organizational Concerns: Jewell Backs
Special Populations: Russell Krause
Regional Leadership: J. Terry Dooling
Social Service-Social Welfare: Percy McKinney
Environmental-Civic Betterment: Dennie Jacknewitz
Education: Connie Barre

Kimmel Scholarship Winner Announced

Cynthia Holesko of Gillespie, a senior majoring in Accounting at SIUE, has been named recipient of the university's 2004 Carol Kimmel Scholarship. The scholarship program is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.

As a student senator in SIUE's Student Government, Holesko is required to volunteer in that office, attend student-funded events, and serve on at least two university committees. She currently is serving on three: Parking and Traffic, the Honorary Degree and Distinguished Service Award, the Resident Housing, and the Community Relations committees. She is a member of Beta Alpha Psi, a national accounting honor society, and the SIUE Accounting Club.

In the community, Holesko has served on the Prison Committee in Gillespie, helping the city's economy by working toward bringing a state prison facility to her hometown; served on the Make-A-Wish Foundation last fall in Edwardsville, helping to develop a budget and serving on the advertising committee; volunteering with Habitat for Humanity last year, helping to rehab a home in St. Louis.

In April, she will help chaperone the Gillespie High School Chorus on a trip to Memphis and is currently working with SIUE's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance through the School of Business, helping low-income residents prepare and file income tax forms.

In nominating Holesko for the Kimmel Scholarship, various community and university leaders commented on her maturity level and willingness to volunteer despite her work load as a student. "I have been very impressed with Cindy's ability to process the intricacies of the Parking and Traffic Committee," said Robert Vanzo, director of Administrative Services at SIUE.

"That she manages to balance her academic life, volunteer activities, and student employment is quite amazing, particularly considering the degree to which she excels at each."

Gillespie Mayor Dan Fisher, in support of Holesko's nomination, said she works "diligently" on a variety of community projects. "In regard to her Prison Committee service, Cindy did an exceptional job and she has continued to help us on similar items involving reaching out to the young people of our community," Fisher said. "She is an exceptional young woman."

Holesko said she believes in the concept of community service. "Ever since I can remember, my parents have been giving back to the community and I've learned a lot from their example," she said. "The community is the place where you grow up and it shapes the individuals that we become. In that regard, I believe it's only fair to give back what you've gained.

"Sometimes it's not easy to give up your free time, but bringing happiness to others makes it all worthwhile.

"As for service at SIUE, I take my leadership role as a student senator seriously to help insure every student has someone to come to with questions or to look to for guidance," she said. "I believe the best definition of a leader is a person to whom others go for guidance."

Admission Deadlines Approach For Incoming SIUE Freshmen

SIUE's nine-year growth trend is expected to continue in the fall; freshmen hoping to be admitted should submit complete applications no later than May 31. The deadline for all other undergraduates is August 2; students wishing to live on campus should apply for housing by May 1.

"Although fall semester is still five months away, the deadline for freshman admission-May 31-is approaching," said Boyd Bradshaw, assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management. "The university is experiencing an unprecedented number of freshman applications for fall 2004 and may consider closing admissions prior to the May 31 deadline. Early projections indicate that our enrollment growth will continue in the fall, as will the demand for on-campus housing."

SIUE has grown from 10,938 students in 1994 to 13,295 last fall, an increase of about 22 percent.

Bradshaw said three new residence halls built since 1994 have served to draw even more attention to the quality education offered at SIUE. "More and more students and parents view SIUE as their first choice for a quality, affordable education," he said.

"A strong faculty, small class sizes, community service opportunities, an active campus life, and some of the newest residence halls in the state continue to fuel SIUE's growth."

Bradshaw said the quickest and easiest way for students to apply for admission and pay the $30 application fee is to go online at www.siue.edu. Students interested in living on campus can download an application from www.siue.edu/HOUSING. The housing application and a deposit of $300 must be submitted by May 1.

Hays Named Chief; Takes Over After Harrison Retires

Except for that eight-year hiatus when she ran a tavern and operated a financial services business, Gina Hays has been in law enforcement since 1976.

That time frame includes two years as a dispatcher with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and making local history as the first female officer on the Edwardsville police force, where she served as a patrolwoman and as an officer in the department's juvenile division.

After her foray into the private sector, Hays returned to law enforcement and joined the SIUE police squad, where she became a captain in 1999.

Now she's making history again. Hays is not only the first police chief for SIUE but also is only the second woman to hold the top enforcement position on a college campus in Illinois.

"Women in law enforcement are becoming much more prevalent then when I started out," Hays said. "Now, around the country, there are quite a few women who are police chiefs. Granted, it's a nontraditional role, but more and more women are choosing to become part of law enforcement and proving themselves in the ranks."

Hays said there are five women out of 35 officers on the SIUE force. "That's very close to the national average," she said. "Many women with families struggle with whether or not to join because it's not a 9-to-5 job. So, how do you juggle things like daycare if the husband also works?"

Hays' husband has been a staunch supporter of her career. "We went through the same problems early on when the kids were younger, but we worked it out. Now, they're all older, so things are easier."

Two of her children are students at SIUE, which provides an added bonus in her work, Hays said. "I get the students point of view every day. It gives me insight into what the students are thinking."

Hays took over as chief in February after Rich Harrison retired. He had been with the force for more than 25 years, the last five of which as chief. "I am continuing the community policing spirit that was established by my predecessors as a customer service aspect," Hays said. "I'd also like to continue to forge partnerships with the Office of Student Affairs and University Housing because in most cases these are the offices that we have to work with.

"Rich used these ideas all along during his tenure as chief and always involved me in the processes. I plan to continue that kind of communication with my officers."

In addition to her work as chief, Hays is very involved in several statewide law enforcement organizations. And, she has held several leadership positions within the organizations. She also is chairman of Cops for Kids, the local chapter of officers in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois.

One of the few women graduates of the FBI's National Academy, Hays also joins and exclusive group of FBI-trained female police chiefs around the country.

But there seems to be one "blemish" on Hays' record. She's a Saluki. "I earned a bachelor of science in Administration of Justice with a minor in Psychology from SIU Carbondale," she said with a smile. "I also got an MPA from SIU Edwardsville."

Yet, that Carbondale thing still lingers. "Hey, I love the Cougars, but I'm a Saluki first."

Board Approves Robert Remini For Honorary Doctorate At Commencement

Robert Vincent Remini, a history professor emeritus at the University of Illinois-Chicago and official historian for that campus, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during SIUE's May 8 commencement, according to action taken recently by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting conducted in February at SIUE.

Honorary degrees have been awarded for more than 40 years at SIUE commencement exercises to those who have made significant contributions to cultural, educational, scientific, economic, social, or humanitarian fields, or other worthy fields of endeavor.

Remini is regarded as America's premier historian of the Jacksonian political era and of Andrew Jackson himself. In addition to his definitive works on Jackson, Remini, an award-winning author, has written biographies of John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Mormon leader Joseph Smith, Martin Van Buren, and Daniel Webster. In 2002, Remini was honored by the Library of Congress with an appointment to write a narrative history of the U.S. House of Representatives.

A member of the faculty at the U of I-Chicago since its inception in 1965, Remini earned a bachelor's at Fordham University and went on to receive a master's and a doctorate from Columbia University. He taught at Fordham for 18 years before joining the U of I history faculty at the Chicago campus, where he has served as a teacher and administrator.

In other business at the February meeting, the SIU Board approved a new fee for all predoctoral students at the SIU School of Dental Medicine to cover maintenance and updating of clinical training facilities, associated dental and sterilization equipment, and classroom and laboratory equipment.

The new fee-$1,600 each for fall and spring semesters and a pro-rated $711 fee for summer clinic sessions preceding years three and four of the curriculum-will go into effect in fall 2004.

BOT Approves J. Baricevic For Distinguished Service Award At Commencement

John Baricevic, who has been chairman of the St. Clair County Board for the past 14 years, will receive a Distinguished Service Award during SIUE's May 8 commencement, according to action taken last week by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting conducted this month at SIU Carbondale.

Distinguished Service Awards have been given for more than 35 years at SIUE commencement exercises to those who have performed outstanding or unusual service to the university, the region, or the state.

After earning a juris doctor from SIUC, Baricevic served as the St. Clair County state's attorney from 1980-1990 and was named county board chairman in 1990. He is retiring this year from the board. Baricevic also is in private practice specializing in family law, criminal law, and personal injury litigation.

Baricevic has been instrumental in promoting regionalism in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area, investing enormous amounts of time energy in a variety of projects to insure that the interests and welfare of Metro-East residents-one-quarter of the St. Louis region's population-will be provided for in planning decisions regarding the wider metropolitan area.

Some projects with which Baricevic has been involved include: expansion of Metro Link, development of MidAmerica Airport, maintaining Scott Air Force Base in the face of an uncertain economy, and helping secure funding for a new Mississippi River bridge.

He also lends his time and expertise to several regional organizations including Civic Progress, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, for which he is immediate past president, and the Greater St. Louis Economic Development Council.

Jackson Middle School Student Wins District TRIO Competition At ESTL

Deverica Spraggins, of A. M. Jackson Middle School in East St. Louis, won applause and Best in Show for her project, "What's in the Atmosphere?" at the East St. Louis Center's TRIO Programs' 20th Annual District-wide Science Fair.

Conducted last month at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Spraggins won the competition and will go to the regional competition on the SIUE campus later this spring.

She was one of 510 competitors from four school districts throughout the Metro-East. "It was a good turn out," said Richard Binder, TRIO program director. "There was a lot of parent and student support during the awards ceremony."

Awards were given for first, second, and third place, as well as outstanding and special categories, which included Scientific Impact, Visual Display, Originality and Scientific Research Paper.

"Next year we are looking into exploring other subject areas besides math and science," Binder said. "While math and science is our [TRIO] focus, we understand that students excel in other areas as well."

This year's participating districts included Cahokia School District No. 187, Brooklyn School District No. 188, East St. Louis School District No. 189, Venice School District No. 3, the East St. Louis Charter School and the St. Clair County Head Start program.

TRIO programs help individuals from low-income families, first-generation college students, or students with disabilities continue an education beyond high school.

Nursing Offers Programs For Nurses Seeking To Enhance Management Skills

Two new certificate programs in the School of Nursing will benefit nurses looking to move into management positions, and nurse managers who wish to enhance their management skills. Most of the course work will be offered online.

"The new programs are a response to an expressed need in the health care community for professional development opportunities," said Marcia Maurer, dean of the school. "Our new nursing management education effort is designed to meet the needs of nurses with different educational backgrounds."

The nursing management option is open to RNs with an associate degree in nursing. RNs with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing or another discipline may enroll in the professional development sequence in nursing. About 20 students will be admitted annually to each of the options.

Beginning in fall 2004, the new certificate programs will offer 12 credit hours in four online courses, with a focus on nursing management. Each course will offer at least 80 percent of the course work online.

"These programs can be completed within two semesters," Maurer said, "providing a foundation in management skills for nurses who work as nurse managers, and for nurses interested in pursuing a career in nursing management in acute care, primary care, long-term care and community agencies."

Interested nurses may call the SIUE School of Nursing, 618-650-3956 or 800-234-4844, for more information.

Community Forum To Explore Landmark Brown v. Board Of Education Case

A community forum will explore the history of the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education-and its relevance to today's social issues-from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, in the Hickory-Hackberry Room, in the Morris University Center.

The forum-moderated by attorney Dennis Orsey and co-sponsored by SIUE Student Legal Services, the Illinois Judge's Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Madison County Bar Association-will first explore Brown v Board itself and the impact it had on subsequent cases, and then will discuss current issues, such as race as a factor in school admissions, sex as a factor in marriage, and the interaction of the law and social issues.

Orsey, a past president of the Madison County Bar and a member of the Board of Governor's for the Illinois State Bar, will be joined on the panel by Alton attorney Lee Barron, Troy attorney James Drazen, Alton attorney Elizabeth Carrion, Edwardsville attorney Victoria Vasileff, and Madison County Associate Judge Barbara Crowder.

Admission is free and the public is invited; complimentary parking will be available in the Visitor's attendant lot behind the Morris Center.

SIUE Students Took Alternative Spring Break To Cherokee Nation

Rather than participate in the stereotypical spring break trip to an ocean coastal region for fun and games, 18 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students traveled to Tahlequah and Kenwood, Okla., last week on an alternative spring break to work on reservations of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma tribe.

The students learned about social, economic, and cultural issues by participating in the tribal community in various projects. Before leaving for Oklahoma, the students took part in two orientation-training sessions in preparation.

The students helped in construction and clean-up at the elders' homes, and also worked at tribal headquarters as well as at the Loyal Shawnee Ceremonial Stomp Grounds.

Members of the Cherokee Nation prepared traditional meals and provided educational programs about tribal history, social issues, culture, and community development. The students also visited the Cherokee Nation's principal chief and deputy chief, as well as the elders.

The experience provided students with a hand-on experience to learn about outstanding community leaders who have been developing vision and affecting social change for tribal members.

The alternative spring trip was co-sponsored by the SIUE Student Leadership Center, the United Campus Ministry and the Shurtleff Baptist Ministries, both headquartered at the SIUE Religious Center.

Softball Prepares For GLIAC Challenge

Despite just starting Great Lakes Valley Conference play and coming away with four consecutive victories, the SIU Edwardsville softball team must now take a break from league play.

The Cougars, 16-7 overall and 4-0 in the GLVC, will travel to East Peoria, Ill., for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)/GLVC Challenge.

The tournament pits 10 GLVC schools against 10 GLIAC teams. Each team will play five games in a span of three days.

SIUE opens play in the tournament on Friday (3/26) when it faces Ashland. It has games with Wayne State, Findlay and Grand Valley State on Saturday (3/27). It will wrap up the tournament on Sunday (3/28) in a game with Gannon.

Although these are not league games, they do have regional implications that could help SIUE's chances of qualifying for the NCAA Regional at the end of the season. "It is obviously an important weekend," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "But

since it is so early, it's not necessarily a make-or-break scenario. If we play well, it will definitely help us fight for a regional spot."

SIUE swept Saint Joseph's and Indianapolis last weekend in the GLVC opener. That was after the Cougars dropped both games of a doubleheader to Winona State on Friday (3/19).

"We did a nice job of handling adversity," Montgomery said. "The entire team bounced back after those two losses on Friday."

The Cougar pitching staff allowed only one run in all four games. Ashlea Hoheimer (Walton, Ind.) picked up two victories on the weekend. Missy Koenig (Mapleton) and Jessica Finch (LaSalle) each pitched complete-game shutouts.

SIUE's offense showed strides as well, banging out 33 hits in the four games. Jenny Esker (Steeleville) leads the team with a .338 batting average. Shannon Evans (Manhattan) and Alicia DeShasier (Carrollton) are close behind with .333 and .329 averages, respectively.

Baseball Returns To League Play

After a short break from Great Lakes Valley Conference play, the SIU Edwardsville baseball team will get back at it this week by playing six conference games.

The Cougars travel to Quincy for a Wednesday (3/24) doubleheader. Lewis will then come to town for doubleheaders on Saturday (3/27) and Sunday (3/28). At 4-15 overall and 1-5 in GLVC play, the Cougars need to find a way to win some games this week. "We need to play a lot better these next two weeks to get back into the conference race," Coach Gary Collins said.

SIUE's rescheduled game against Lincoln, which was to be played on Tuesday (3/23), has been postponed. The teams will try to hook up Wed., Apr. 28, for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Roy E. Lee Field at SIUE.

The Cougars are coming off a weekend in which they took two of three games from non-conference foe Wayne State (Mich.). The Cougars were an offensive juggernaut on Saturday (3/20), plating 26 total runs in the two seven-inning games.

But the Cougars dropped Sunday's (3/21) nine-inning game 3-2 in a pitcher's dual. "It looked as though we were coming out of our offensive slumber," Collins said, "but Sunday we fell right back into it."

Freshman Adam Tallman (Gillespie) leads the Cougars with a .333 batting average. He joined Jared Brueggeman (East Alton) and Luke Humphrey (Rantoul) as the only Cougars to hit safely in all three games against Wayne State. "I've been real happy with Tallman," Collins said. "I think he'll be a heck of a player for us."

The Cougars also got quality performances on the mound. Jared Rettberg (Divernon) pitched a one-hit shutout in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday (3/20). Kyle Jones (New Baden) and Pat Evers (St. Louis) combined to top the Wayne State offense in game two. Ryan Spurgeon (Bethalto) and Ron Jones (Kankakee) threw the ball well in Sunday's (3/21) game. "Our pitching has been good enough that we should be better than 4-15," Collins said.

Women's Golf Readies For Two Tournaments

In search of its second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance, the SIU Edwardsville women's golf team will open the main portion of its schedule this weekend.

The Cougars will play in the NKU Spring Invitational on Saturday (3/27) and Sunday (3/28). It will then enter the Bellarmine Invitational, which will be played next Monday (3/29) and Tuesday (3/30). "Both tournaments should be a good test for us," Coach Larry Bennett said.

"Most teams we are jockeying with for a position in the region should be there. If we put a solid effort in these next two tournaments, we should be in good shape to qualify for regionals."

The Cougars began the spring season at the Lady Emerald Invitational. Kallie Harrison (Decatur) finished the tournament tied for third. Katie Farrell (Princeton) finished one stroke back and tied for fifth. "We just needed to get out and play," Bennett said. "I knew we would have some rust, and we accomplished the goal of shaking it off before the heart of our schedule starts this weekend."

Men's Tennis Opens GLVC Play

The SIU Edwardsville men's tennis team opens Great Lakes Valley Conference competition this week.

The Cougars have prepared for league play by playing in eight non-conference events to begin the year. "We are ready to start conference play," Coach Bill Logan said. "I've been pleased with the team and the individual efforts of all the players."

After its final non-conference match with Northwest Missouri State on Monday (3/22), the Cougars play host to Quincy on Tuesday (3/23) at 3 p.m. in the GLVC opener. It then takes to the road for matches with Bellarmine and Southern Indiana on Friday (3/26) and Saturday (3/27), respectively.

Matt Warner (Arlington Hts.) and Justin Free (Danville) have been welcome additions to the team this year. They are the only newcomers to a team consisting of five returnees, including senior captain Doug Kummer (Fenton, Mo.) "Matt and Justin have really added strength to the team," Logan said. "Our returning letterman make it even stronger."

Chris Rigdon (Glen Carbon) has a team-high nine wins this season. Warner and Free are close by with eight each.

Women's Tennis Ends On Positive Note

The SIUE women's tennis season ended last Friday (3/19) on a positive note. The Cougars defeated Webster to cap a 3-0 spring season and a 13-5 overall record.

The Cougars nearly qualified for the NCAA Regional, but one-point losses to schools such as Lewis, Southern Indiana and Indianapolis hurt their cause. "We were just a breath away from qualifying for the regionals," Coach Bill Logan said. "I'm happy with what the women were able to accomplish."

The Cougars will hope to build on this year's success when it returns next fall. SIUE will welcome back six players currently on their roster, including Chrissy Yingst (Belleville) and Gina Wohltman (Effingham).

Men's Soccer Signs New Cougars For 2004 Season

SIUE men's soccer coach Ed Huneke bolstered his lineup with fresh faces eager to continue the Cougars' success.

SIUE has signed Grant Landon (St. Louis), Jarius Holmes (O'Fallon), Robert Ridder (Quincy) and Nicholas Frasca (St. Charles, Mo.) to national letters of intent. Huneke said he also expects to add transfers Tim Collico (St. Louis) from Missouri-Kansas City and Mike Zaegel (St. Louis) from Michigan State, both of whom have enrolled at SIUE. "In addition to winning, I enjoy attractive soccer, and these players will help bring that about," said Huneke.

Landon, a forward, set the career record for points at Marquette High School. Landon scored 13 goals, added 13 assists and won the "Best Offensive Award" two years in a row. "Grant has a good combination of deception and aggression," said Huneke.

Holmes, who played at O'Fallon High School under former Cougar defender Jason Turkington, was the Belleville News-Democrat Player of the Year and a two-time All-State selection in soccer. Holmes scored 20 goals and added 12 assists in his senior season for the Panthers.

"Jarius is fast, dynamic and recognized as one of the best in the state of Illinois," said Huneke.

Ridder, was an All-State forward at Quincy Notre Dame High School. He finished second all-time in points and goals for Quincy Notre Dame, which averaged 18 wins over the past three seasons. Ridder also is a two-time state qualifier in tennis. "Robert has flair coupled with statistical impact," said Huneke.

Frasca, a 5-foot-10-inch goalkeeper from St. Charles West High School, recorded 101 saves and a 0.78 goals against average in his senior season. A member of the 2003 Olympic Development Program, Frasca also an All-State selection.

"Nick is technically superior and is fun to watch," said Huneke.

The Cougars finished last season 16-4-1 with a school-record three All-Americans. SIUE has averaged more than 15 wins a season over the past three years.

Men's Basketball Looks To Build On Success

After qualifying for the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament for the first time in five years, SIUE men's basketball coach Marty Simmons and his players have a reason to be optimistic.

The Cougars, who finished 16-12 overall and 11-9 in GLVC play, entered the year with many new faces. Three of the Cougars' top four scorers were new to the team this year. Newcomer Tyler Hackstadt (Okawville) led the team in scoring, followed by junior college transfer Calvin Sykes (Chicago). Joel Jaye (Chicago), another junior college transfer, gave the Cougars an extra lift by coming off the bench. Nebraska transfer Dan Heimos (Waterloo) gave the Cougars a much-needed presence inside. All are slated to return for the 2004-2005 campaign.

"All those guys bring something different to the table," Simmons said. "It will be nice to have these guys come back."

One reason for SIUE's success this season was the execution of its defense. The Cougars finished first in the GLVC and 31st nationally with 65.2 points per game.

"Playing good defense takes a lot of effort," Simmons said. "Our guys did a great job of accepting our game plans and carrying them out."

The Cougars also came on strong late in the season, winning seven of their last nine regular season contests. But after being eliminated by Indianapolis in the first round of the GLVC Tournament, the Cougars were forced to look toward next year. "All the guys coming back all have areas they need to improve," Simmons said. "As coaches, we will help them define those areas and help the guys get better in the off-season."

Track And Field Excited About Two All-Americans

The 2004 SIUE indoor track and field season came to a close last weekend at the NCAA Championships. Jamie Thomas (Blue Island) and Richard Skirball (Granite City) each claimed All-American honors, making it a good ending to a record-breaking season.

Thomas, a freshman, entered both the triple jump and 60-meter hurdles. She came away with a sixth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles to earn All-American honors. "Jamie was a very talented athlete in high school," Frerker said. "We knew she'd be a major contender and that nationals would be a possibility for her."

Skirball, a senior who has competed in several NCAA Championships, finally earned All-American status after finishing sixth in the 800-meter run. "Richard's experiences gained from previous national championships attributed to the positive result," Frerker said.

This all capped an indoor season where both the men and women's teams were crowned Great Lakes Valley Conference champions. The Cougars will now prepare for the outdoor season, which kicks off April 2 at the SEMO Invitational.

"The combination of the conference championships and having two All-Americans proves it has been a great year," Frerker said, "and we are showing no signs of slowing down."

Softball Back On Track

SIUE's softball team got back to its winning ways last week, taking eight of 10 contests at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando. "We are playing well," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "But we have been a little inconsistent and still have to work some bugs out."

The spring break trip helped the Cougars improve its record to 10-5 overall. They will stay busy with eight games scheduled for this week.

The Cougars travel to Missouri-Rolla for a doubleheader on Tuesday (3/16), then will play host to a doubleheader with Winona State on Friday (3/19) at 1 p.m. The Cougars then open Great Lakes Valley Conference play with two games against Saint Joseph's on Saturday (3/20) and two with Indianapolis on Sunday (3/21). First pitch for both days is scheduled for noon.

Missy Koenig (Mapleton) hurled SIUE's 20th all-time no-hitter in a 2-0 victory against New Haven last week. She has started four games for the Cougars and boasts a 2-0 record and a team-low 0.90 earned run average. Jessica Finch (LaSalle) leads the pitching staff with a 4-0 record.

Offensively, Jenny Esker (Steeleville) leads the team with 20 hits and 10 RBI. Shannon Evans (Manhattan) came up big during the Rebel Spring Games and lifted her batting average to .353. Shanna Waldo (Peoria) sports a .349 average and Alicia DeShasier (Carrollton) is off to a good start with a .327 batting average.

"We are going to get better as the season progresses," Montgomery said." We are not yet as good as we are going to be. We are going to take it one game at a time and keep plugging along."

Baseball Gears For KWC, Wayne State

After a Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup at Kentucky Wesleyan on Wednesday (3/17), the SIU Edwardsville baseball team will play host to Wayne State (Mich.) in a three-game series at Roy Lee Field this weekend.

The Cougars travel to Owensboro, Ky., on Wednesday (3/17) to meet the Panthers of Kentucky Wesleyan in a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Cougars then play Wayne State (Mich.) in a doubleheader on Saturday (3/20) and a single game on Sunday (3/21). Both weekend games begin at noon.

SIUE will try to rebound from a weekend series against Saint Joseph's in which the Cougars dropped three of four. SIUE got quality innings from its starting pitchers in the series, but was unable to hold leads as the Cougars fell victim to Saint Joseph's timely hitting.

Coach Gary Collins said he has been impressed with the play of starting pitcher Jarad Rettberg (Divernon). "Rettberg has pitched well," Collins said. "He's been giving us quality innings all year."

The Cougars are struggling offensively, hitting only .246 as a team. Leading the team is Robert Rahn's (Wood River) .333 batting average. "Our starting pitching has been pretty good this year," Collins said. "We just need to score more runs."

Men's Tennis Continues GLVC Preparation

In preparation for the Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule, coach Bill Logan and his men's tennis team will play four non-conference matches this week. It is the last full week of non-conference matches before the Cougars open GLVC play next Tuesday (3/23).

The Cougars will play host to Rockhurst on Wednesday (3/17) in a 3:30 p.m. match. The Cougars play Webster on Friday (3/19) at 3 p.m. before hosting matches with Brandeis and Saint Francis at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, on Saturday (3/21). All matches will be played at SIUE's outdoor tennis courts.

The Cougars are 2-3 on the season after picking up against Illinois College and Illinois-Springfield. SIUE dropped a close 5-4 decision to Lindenwood. "These are all good matches in preparation for the GLVC season," Logan said. "We hope to keep improving as the conference season draws near."

Chris Rigdon (Glen Carbon) leads the team with seven wins. Matt Warner (Arlington Hts.) and Justin Free (Danville) follow with six wins each.

Women's Tennis Closes Against Webster

The SIU Edwardsville women's tennis team will close its 2003-2004 season Friday (3/19) when it plays host to Webster at SIUE's outdoor tennis courts. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Cougars, 12-5 overall on the season, have won all three of its matches during the spring season. "We hope to finish on a positive note," Coach Bill Logan said. "It will be something to build on for next year."

Gina Wohltman (Effingham) leads the Cougars with 14 wins on the year. Chrissy Yingst (Belleville) has gone 5-1 in singles play during the spring to move her overall record to 12-6.

Chancellor Candidates Visiting, Touring Campus

Two Chancellor candidates from out of town will be visiting campus and touring the area during April. Meanwhile, SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs, also a candidate, has been participating in forums with various groups across campus since March 28 in her part of the search process.

Hahs has been provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at SIUE since 2000. She had been dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1995-2000. She holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of New Mexico.

The two other candidates are: Vaughn Vandegrift, Georgia Southern University provost and vice president for academic affairs/chief information officer, and Aaron Podolefsky, Northern Iowa University provost and vice president for academic affairs. They are scheduled to visit campus April 4-7 and April 14-17, respectively.

Vandegrift will be available in an open forum for employees from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, April 5, in the Mississippi Room, on the second floor of the Morris Center; Podolefsky's open forum is scheduled from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in the adjacent Illinois Room.

Podolefsky has been provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northern Iowa since 1998. He had been dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northern Iowa from 1990-1998. He holds a doctorate in anthropology from SUNY-Stony Brook.

Vandegrift has been provost and vice president at Georgia Southern since 2000. He had been dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University (N.J.) from 1988-2000. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from Ohio University.

The candidates were chosen following a three-month process of screening and preliminary interviews by the chancellor search advisory committee. The committee is composed of representatives of various groups across the campus and the community.

For more information on the candidates, their visit schedules, and a list of committee members, see the Web site. The site also can be reached by clicking the "chancellor search" link on the lower right corner of the SIUE homepage.

Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Is Coming To Arts & Issues

Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, a troupe of dancers who have been called "a riotous explosion of color and enthusiasm" and "an accelerated onslaught of ecstasy," are coming to the Arts & Issues stage this Friday (April 2).The internationally known troupe will appear at 7:30 p.m. in Katherine Dunham Hall theater.

For more than 40 years critics have been raving about Giordano's dancers, calling them Chicago's most exciting jazz dance company. "Traditionally, our Arts & Issues audiences love dance concerts and the tickets tend to go very fast," said John Peecher, coordinator of the Arts & Issues series.

"Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago will be one of the most exciting dance troupes we've had on our stage," Peecher said. "They take up where Bob Fosse left off. They are pure energy."

Beginning in 1962 as Dance Incorporated Chicago, the group was founded by Giordano and several other dancers, later changing its name to the Gus Giordano Dance Company. In 1974, the company toured the former Soviet Union upon invitation of the Bolshoi Ballet. It was the first time a jazz dance troupe had toured that country. The group eventually changed its name to Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.

With its mission to develop and preserve the indigenous American art form of jazz dance as a true artistic expression of American life, Giordano has brought that excitement to audiences around the world including Europe, Canada, Brazil, and Japan. Also performing throughout the United States, the troupe has a very active outreach education program with a Chicago Park District residency and teaching residences on many college campuses.

Jazz dance is an exciting mix of styles, as varied as jazz music itself, with elements of ballet, modern dance, percussive- and pop-based movements, as well as musical theater, wrapped in ethnic influences of every kind. Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago performs all of these styles in an energetic and highly physical way, while demonstrating amazing technique and skills.

Information about the April 2 appearance of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and how to order tickets may be found on the Arts & Issues Web site: artsandissues.com and in a printed brochure available through John Peecher, (618) 650-2626, or, by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu.

Tickets are $18; students, $9, and also are available at the Morris Center Information Desk, (618) 650-5555.

The final Arts & Issues presentation of the 2003-04 season takes place April 20 with two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Norman Mailer, one of the most important writers of 20th century American letters.

Four Cougars Qualify In Opening Meet

Picking up right where it left off from its successful indoor season, the SIUE track and field team had four provisional qualifiers for the NCAA Division II Championships.

The Cougars used a steady stream of top-notch performances at the opening meet of the outdoor season, the Gatorade Classic, hosted by Southeast Missouri State University.

Tairisha Sawyer's (Chicago) 200-meter dash time of 24.74 seconds broke the school record and placed her name on the provisional-qualifying list.

Breanne Steffens (Moline) broke a school record and qualified for nationals in the 1,500-meter run after finishing the event in 4 minutes, 36.80 seconds.

Jamie Thomas (Blue Island), a two-event qualifier for nationals during the indoor season, broke a school record and provisionally -qualified in the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 14.64.

Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) provisionally qualified in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:28.05. She advanced to the national finals in the same event last season.

Although the men's team did not have any qualifiers, a few were close and will be expected to do so as the season progresses.

Provisional qualifying times place individuals on a national performance list by event. Only the top performers in the nation advance to the NCAA Championships.

SIUE will now look toward its own Cougar Classic on Saturday (4/10) at Korte Stadium. Field events will begin at 9 a.m. with the running events taking off at 10 a.m.

Baseball Looks Ahead To UMSL, NKU

After picking up two big wins Sunday (4/4) against Southern Indiana, the SIU Edwardsville baseball team hopes to ride some of that momentum when it travels to UM-St. Louis for two games and Northern Kentucky for a four-game weekend series.

The Cougars dropped the first two games of a weekend series with USI but stormed back and with the help of quality pitching and timely hitting swept the Screaming Eagles in Sunday's (4/4) doubleheader. With the two wins, the Cougars improved to 10-20 overall and 7-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

"We kept our hopes alive with those two wins," Coach Gary Collins said. "We are still in the hunt for a conference tournament spot."

Once again, it was the pitching staff that came up big for the Cougars. Ron Jones (Kankakee), who has eased through the transition from basketball to baseball, pitched his way into the starting rotation and did not disappoint. The junior pitched five innings in game one of Sunday's (4/4) doubleheader and allowed just two hits, both bunt singles, and struck out six while walking one.

Jones leads the pitching staff with a 3-0 record and a 1.04 earned run average. "He had a great outing against Southern Indiana; he won me over," Collins said. "I think he's going to continue to get better, although it will be hard for him to pitch any better than he did Sunday."

In game two, it was David Briesacher (Waterloo) who carried the load for the Cougars. Briesacher pitched seven innings in a relief role and allowed only one unearned run and scattered five hits. "Briesacher did a wonderful job," Collins said. "His velocity was up and that made him look like the Briesacher from last year."

The Cougars now look at another big week of baseball, playing six games against teams that are close to the Cougars in the GLVC standings. Missouri-St. Louis is four spots ahead of the Cougars with a 10-8 GLVC mark. The two teams split a doubleheader earlier this season at Roy Lee Field. Northern Kentucky enters the week 8-8 in the GLVC and two spots ahead of the Cougars in the standings.

Softball Prepares For Eight-Game Homestand

SIUE softball has a busy week ahead with two Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheaders sandwiching a non-conference doubleheader with Missouri Baptist.

The Cougars, 21-11 overall and 6-2 in the GLVC, begin the week Wednesday (4/7) when they play host to Missouri-St. Louis at 4 p.m. at Cougar Field in a make-up game. UMSL is eighth in the GLVC standings with a 3-5 conference record and a 15-16 overall mark.

SIUE will then step outside of the GLVC when it plays host to Missouri Baptist on Thursday (4/8). First pitch of that doubleheader is slated for 5 p.m. at Cougar Field.

Quincy will then come to Cougar Field for a Saturday (4/10) doubleheader slated for noon. Quincy begins the week fifth in the conference standings at 22-12 overall and 3-5 in the GLVC.

The Cougars were shut out in both games of a doubleheader with Lewis last Saturday. Then, SIUE's offense bounced back the next day to score 21 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Wisconsin-Parkside. "We didn't play well against Lewis," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "But they got the job done, and we didn't. We did bounce back nicely against Wisconsin-Parkside."

After this week of play, the Cougars will welcome Alabama-Huntsville to town to complete its eight-game homestand. "We've got to get on track," Montgomery said. "With our two losses against Lewis, we can't afford to slip up and lose to someone we should beat."

Veronica Schmidt (Westmont) and Shannon Evans (Manhattan) both played well against Wisconsin-Parkside. They both had two RBIs in game one of the doubleheader. Schmidt then drove in three runs in game two and Evans added two more RBI in the second game.

Men's Tennis Enters Final Tune-up

The SIU Edwardsville men's tennis team enters its last week of the regular season and will face Saint Joseph's and Lewis at home on Saturday (4/10).

The Saint Joseph match will begin at 9 a.m. and will be followed by the Lewis match at 3 p.m. Both matches will take place at the SIUE Tennis Courts adjacent to the Vadalabene Center.

Even though the Cougars dropped three matches last week, they are still a lock to advance to the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament, which begins Apr. 16 in Indianapolis.

SIUE, 6-9 overall and 2-4 in the GLVC, dropped matches against regional rivals Missouri-St. Louis, Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis last week. SIUE will try to halt a four-game losing skid before it starts the conference tournament.

"We had a tough week against some tough teams," Coach Bill Logan said. "We are just going to focus on closing out the season on a positive note to get ready for the conference tournament."

Justin Free (Danville) leads the Cougars with a 12-7 record, playing primarily at No. 3 singles. Chris Rigdon (Glen Carbon) has 10 wins on the season after playing mainly at the No. 5 singles spot.

Baseball Looks To Build On Momentum

After winning three of its last four games, the SIU Edwardsville baseball team will try to continue its string of good play when it plays host to Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday (3/31) and Thursday (4/1) at Roy Lee Field. First pitch for both games is slated for 2 p.m.

SIUE, 7-17 overall and 4-7 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, leaped to the eighth spot in the GLVC standings after picking up three conference wins last week. It will now focus on Missouri-St. Louis, which enters the week 11-14-1 overall and 6-6 in conference play. UMSL is coming off a doubleheader split against Southern Indiana.

SIUE will then play a home-and-home series with Southern Indiana on Saturday (4/3) and Sunday (4/4). USI, which enters the week 9-20 overall and 5-11 in the GLVC, visits Lee Field Sunday for a 1 p.m. start.

Things have looked to start coming together for the Cougars, who defeated Lewis in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday (3/27) to give Coach Gary Collins his 800th career win. "Winning 800 games is a very big testament to the players who have came through the program," Collins said.

The Cougars then won a rain-shortened game on Sunday (3/28) against Lewis in come-from-behind fashion. SIUE rallied from a 4-1 deficit to pick up the victory. "We swung the bats better last week," Collins said. "Craig Ohlau (Chester) is starting to hit and Eric Tritsch (Troy) is giving us something at second."

Freshman Adam Tallman (Gillespie) continues to lead the team in hitting with a .385 average and continues to receive praise from Collins. "Tallman has been very consistent all year," Collins said. "He has a great approach at the plate."

Jared Brueggeman (East Alton), who hit three home runs in a seven-inning game at Quincy, is hitting .352. Robert Rahn (Wood River) and Ohlau are hitting .312 and .304, respectively. Kyle Martin (Byron) drove in three runs in SIUE's win on Sunday.

The bullpen is another reason why the Cougars have been playing well as of late. Collins said the addition of Ron Jones (Kankakee) and the emergence of Jameson Sheley (Lincoln) and Pat Evers (St. Louis) has been a good complement to SIUE's starting pitching.

Softball Returns To GLVC Play

Coming off a 3-2 performance at the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge in East Peoria, the SIU Edwardsville softball team will now focus on conference play. The Cougars, 19-9 overall and 4-0 in the GLVC, begin a string of six consecutive conference games when they play host to Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday (3/31) at 4 p.m. The Riverwomen are 3-1 in conference play and 14-11 overall.

SIUE then travels for weekend doubleheaders to Lewis and Wisconsin-Parkside. Because it is still early in the conference season, Coach Sandy Montgomery understands every conference game is important. "We want to win the GLVC for the third straight year, but it will not be an easy task," Montgomery said. "There is definitely a lot of parity in the conference this year."

SIUE defeated Wayne State, Findlay and Gannon at last weekend's GLVC/GLIAC Challenge. Its losses came against Ashland and Grand Valley. The Cougars bounced back from its Saturday night loss to Grand Valley and defeated Gannon on Sunday morning. Gannon previously defeated Northern Kentucky, who is atop the GLVC standings, earlier in the tournament. "In my opinion, the Gannon game was a must win," Montgomery said. "I was very happy they were able to bounce back like they did after the loss to Grand Valley."

Jenny Esker (Steeleville), who had a seventh inning home run to tie the game in SIUE's loss against Ashland, continues to lead the team with a .368 average.

Jessica Finch (LaSalle) has allowed only six earned runs in 48.1 innings pitched to lead the pitching staff with a 0.87 earned run average. Finch picked up the victory against Wayne State after pitching 11 innings. She moved her overall record to 6-0 on the season.

Track And Field Opens Outdoor Season

The SIU Edwardsville men and women's track and field squads will open their outdoor portion of the schedule this weekend when they travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo., for the Gatorade Classic.

"It was a very good meet last year," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "Since it will mostly be Division I competition, it will be a good meet for us."

The Cougars are coming off an indoor season in which they advanced a school-record four athletes to the NCAA Championships. Frerker indicated the success of the indoor season not only builds strength, but increases confidence as well. "We will have athletes in events in an attempt for them to qualify," Frerker said. "For some others, we're looking for personal records and experience that will help us prepare for the conference meet."

Richard Skirball (Granite City) was an NCAA qualifier last year for the Cougars in the 800-meter run. Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) advanced to the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2003 and Jenny Jaquez (Aurora) qualified for nationals in the 400-meter hurdles.

Freshman Jamie Thomas (Blue Island) will make her outdoor debut after qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships in both the 60-meter hurdles and triple jump. After the Gatorade Classic, SIUE will play host to the Cougar Classic on Sat., Apr. 10, at Korte Stadium.

Men's Tennis Faces Crucial Test

The SIU Edwardsville men's tennis team will face three regionally ranked opponents this week in Missouri-St. Louis, Northern Kentucky, and Indianapolis.

The Cougars, who opened Great Lakes Valley Conference play last week with a 2-1 record, travel to face Missouri-St. Louis on Tuesday (3/30). UMSL, No. 6 in the region, dropped its first two conference matches of the year last week. SIUE then plays host to Northern Kentucky, ranked fifth regionally, on Friday (4/2) at 3 p.m. The Cougars then welcome Indianapolis, the 10th ranked team in the region, to the SIUE Tennis Courts for a Saturday (4/3) match also beginning at 3 p.m.

Coach Bill Logan is making no doubts that this could very well be the biggest week of play for his team. "Not only are these conference matches, but they are against opponents who are all regionally ranked," Logan said. "This week may determine whether or not we advance to the NCAA Regional."

The Cougars picked up impressive conference wins against Quincy and Bellarmine but dropped its match against Southern Indiana. Justin Free (Danville) and Chris Rigdon (Glen Carbon) each has a team-high 10 victories. Free has also posted a perfect 2-0 record in GLVC play.

After this week's three matches, the Cougars will only have two more before the GLVC Championships begin on Apr. 16-17 in Indianapolis.

FRC Offers Second Annual 'Celebration Of World Faiths'

The Friends of the Religious Center (FRC), a support group for the SIUE Religious Center, is sponsoring the Second Annual Celebration of World Faiths from 7-9 p.m. this Saturday, (April 3), at the domed center, located between the Morris University Center and the Art and Design Building.

Spiritual leaders and groups from several Christian and non-Christian traditions will share music, scripture, prayer, and information about their faiths. The goal is an evening of learning and fellowship, and an opportunity to tell visitors more about the Friends of the Religious Center.

The FRC is dedicated to preserving the center as the place on campus for serving the spiritual needs of SIUE students, as well as preserving its architectural importance.

"The FRC board of directors is made up of about a dozen members of the university community and the surrounding community at-large," said Greg Fields, an associate professor of Philosophy at the university and FRC board chair.

"Also included in the group are the three ministerial directors headquartered at the center. We all share an interest in the structure for its programming available to the university community and for its architectural significance."

Admission is free to the April 3 event, but donations will be accepted. Refreshments with ethnic themes will be served, and all are welcome.

SDM Program Provides Dental Care For Those With Severe Mental Disabilities

Providing dental care for a person with severe mental disabilities is not an easy proposition. In fact, dental hygiene may be nonexistent because in most cases people with severe mental problems cannot cooperate, nor in many cases will they even allow a dentist near them.

According to Dr. William Goebel, a professor at the SIU School of Dental Medicine at Alton, the need for dental care among the severely mentally disabled in Southern Illinois is an "unending" phenomenon. "We see more than 100 patients each year and we've been providing such care for about five years," Goebel said.

Goebel directs the hospital component of the SIU/SDM's Advanced Education in General Dentistry curriculum in which dentists are being trained to provide dental care in a hospital operating room environment. "In most severe cases, a patient must be taken to a hospital and put under general anesthetic before we can begin to provide dental care," Goebel said.

"These are patients who cannot or will not cooperate in the care of their mouths. Our program not only cares for these patients but also trains dentists to take this knowledge to their practices after completion of the residency program."

Goebel said the program is making inroads with hospitals in Southern Illinois but the need is great. "In Alton, we have an agreement with St. Anthony's Hospital to help these patients."

Goebel explained that a patient who qualifies under the program is brought to the SDM for an evaluation, but the actual dental care is done at St. Anthony's with SIU/SDM dentists.

"Until the patient is under a general anesthetic, we can't even completely assess their needs, he said. "Once they are asleep we can explore their problems using X-rays, determine their needs, and then provide definitive care."

The program is not for every person with mental disabilities. "Those with milder disabilities can usually receive care as an outpatient at their own dentist's office or at the SDM's outpatient clinics," Goebel said. "Our program is only for the severely disabled patient. We're providing a full range of care including, deep cleanings, cavity restoration and dental surgery.

"We reserve this service to those with the greatest need," Goebel said. "You or I might have access to dental care and we can participate in the day-to-day care of our teeth, but we're serving those who can't or won't.

For mental health caregivers, the SIU School of Dental Medicine is a last resort. "Many dentists are not equipped to handle these patients in their offices and are often untrained in how to provide care in a hospital environment. That's part of our goal-to train dentists in these procedures. And, from what I've seen over the past five years, there appears to be an unending need for this program."

Design Firm CEO To Speak At SIUE For Kimmel Banquet

Patricia Whitaker, president and CEO of Arcturis in St. Louis and a member of the boards of several organizations in the St. Louis area, will be the featured speaker for the 15th Annual Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at 7 p.m. this Thursday (April 1), in Meridian Ballroom.

Arcturis, 1910 Pine St., is a full-service design firm founded by Whitaker in 1977. The firm offers planning, architecture, interiors, and technology for major corporations, higher education, developers, financial institutions, and public facilities.

The April 1 banquet honors recipients of the Kimmel Scholarship and the Kimmel Community Service Awards (see other article), all of whom have given time and effort to volunteerism. The awards are named for Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees who devoted most of her adult life to helping others.

Whitaker is an active member of the St. Louis civic and professional community, serving on the YMCA of Greater St. Louis Board, the Regional Business Council, the Regional Chamber and Growth Association Board, also serving on the Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, and Business Services Committee. She also serves as chair of the Business Service Committee.

In addition, Whitaker serves on Webster University's Technology Advisory Board and on the United Way of Greater St. Louis Board. She was appointed in 1997 to The Hawthorn Foundation, a state board that addresses Missouri's economic policies. She also takes a leadership role in various charitable events in and around the St. Louis area each year.

Corporate memberships include the St. Louis Art Museum, as chair of the Corporate Partners Committee and the Development Committee, the St. Louis Science Center Board, and the Dance St. Louis Board. She also is current past president of the St. Louis Forum, a professional women's organization.

Whitaker also is Forest Park Forever 2004 Luncheon co-chair.

Whitaker's professional certifications include the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Whitaker was the 1996 recipient of the prestigious McKendree College Excellence in Enterprise Award, which recognizes a member of the community who reflects the true spirit of enterprise and demonstrates the skills that make enterprising efforts successful.

Tickets for the April 1 banquet are $30 per person; for more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.