May 2008

5/29/08

SIU/SDM Graduates To Receive Diplomas June 7 At SIUE Campus

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Keith W. Dickey, president of the Illinois State Dental Society, (ISDS) will be the guest speaker at the June 7 commencement ceremony of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU/SDM). Dr. Dickey is an associate professor of Practice Management at the SIU dental school. He also is the School's director of Continuing Education and Alumni Services. Forty-nine students will receive a doctorate in Dental Medicine at the 10 a.m. event that Saturday in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIU Edwardsville's Morris University Center. A reception for students, faculty and family members will follow the ceremony.

Dr. Dickey, who joined the SIU dental school faculty in 1982, earned an undergraduate degree at Indiana State University and a dental degree at IU's School of Dentistry. After coming to SIU, he completed an MBA in the SIU Edwardsville School of Business. Besides his full-time appointment at the SIU/SDM, Dr. Dickey maintains a general dentistry practice in East Alton. Before his installation in September 2007 as Dental Society president, Dr. Dickey served as president of the Madison District Dental Society, ISDS Central Western District Trustee, delegate and alternate to the ISDS House of Delegates, and trustee and benefactor of the ISDS Foundation. He also has been a member of the DENT-IL-PAC Governor's Club and a member of the ISDS Committees on Dental Auxiliary Education, Duties of Dental Auxiliaries in Illinois, Dental Education and Allied Dental Personnel.

Dickey has served as chair of the ISDS House of Delegates Reference Committee on Communications and Health Affairs and has served as delegate and alternate to the American Dental Association Annual Session. He also has been a member of the ADA House of Delegates Standing Committee on Constitution and Bylaws; member of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs; consultant to the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation for allied personnel programs; president of the national Organization of Teachers of Dental Practice Administration; chair and councilor of the Section of Dental Practice Administration for the American Dental Education Association; and chair of the student award committee of the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, among many others.

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5/28/08

SIUE Nursing Alumna Making A Difference In DC And Beyond

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) When Dawn Reynolds-Olson graduated with a nursing degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1985, all she wanted was a good job and a "change in my life." What she got went far beyond what she hoped for. Reynolds-Olson is now a U. S. Navy Commander in Washington, DC, serving as a liaison between the Pentagon and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Her job involves case care management with severely wounded, ill or injured members of the Armed Forces, mostly service members who are returning from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Her team coordinates efforts among all four branches of the military, the V.A. and community-based programs such as the USO and Adopt-a-Soldier Ministry to ensure quality care for wounded soldiers and their families. The team is a direct response to a report written by former U.S. Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kansas) and Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, who were commissioned by U.S. President George W. Bush last year to recommend improvements to the military's health care and disability system.

Reynolds-Olson said she is "part of a line of action to look at case care of wounded service members, especially those in out-patient status. We're looking at how the whole policy integrates from the battlefield to re-integration into the civilian world. We're not implementing care; we're implementing a plan of action to get appropriate care at the right time in the right place in the right manner," she said.
It was a long path that Reynolds-Olson marched from her birth in St. Louis and childhood in Waterloo to DC. She joined the Navy after moving to California shortly after graduating from SIUE. It was there she met the man who would become her husband, Gregg Olson, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who is now a colonel in the Marine Corps.

She knew that wherever her groom was stationed, she wanted to be; and that led her to the Navy. "The Navy takes care of medical support for the Marine Corps," she said. "I was hoping that we both would be stationed at the same place, and it has worked out that way." That way has taken her to nursing jobs in fields such as orthopedics, geriatrics and recovery rooms, in civilian hospitals and on military bases in California, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Missouri, Illinois and her current gig in Virginia. And in July, she'll be packing again for a return to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., where she served early in her 18-year Navy career.

She began college at SIU Carbondale and soon switched to Eastern Illinois University when that school awarded her a spot on their swim team along with an athletics scholarship. After two years, she transferred to SIUE to join the nursing program and has never looked back. Without her experiences at SIUE, Reynolds-Olson said, she could not have accomplished what she has done. "To have this school so close to my home and to get the experience of a well-rounded nursing background is immeasurable," she said. "I was able to go to St. Louis where there was top-level health care being delivered even in 1985-that gave me the sense that I could work anywhere."

And it didn't hurt that, while a student at SIUE, she served as the first downstate president of the Illinois Student Nursing Association. Although Reynolds-Olson didn't seek the president's seat at first, she eventually ran and won the spot. It was the beginning of a career that would combine nursing and government.

Some days, Reynolds-Olson said she sits in her office in Washington, D.C., across the Potomac River from the Pentagon, and she has a "good feeling" about her accomplishments and her work improving the government's response to wounded veterans. On other days, "It's frustrating. But I'm an optimist. We are going to figure this out. Will it be perfect? No, but we will be better than we were."

Having a voice and a role in government is not something that Reynolds-Olson earned easily, she pointed out. But her willingness to work hard began when she was young, once she realized she "wanted to be a part of something." That desire grew as she built her life as a Navy nurse and has been enhanced by her experiences at SIUE as well as by a piece of advice her Dad gave her. "My father told me, 'You can put your mind to it and do it.' I keep doing that-taking the risk. And I got a lot of that right there in the SIUE School of Nursing."

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5/27/08

SIUE Pharmacy Students Receive Scholarships, Honors

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Several students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy recently received various scholarships and honors during the School's Scholarship Awards Program. "Scholarship gifts are a remarkable investment in the future of the SIUE School of Pharmacy students, and in the University itself," said Philip Medon, dean of the School. "These scholarship awards recognize a students' scholastic abilities as well as his or her interest in pursuing various careers in the pharmacy industry," he added.

Terri Andrews, director of development for the School, said donors who want to invest in the future, demonstrate their belief in the importance of pharmacy education through their gifts. "The Scholarship Awards program is a way to recognize outstanding students, to thank scholarship sponsors for their generosity, and to introduce them to the student receiving their scholarship," she said.

The SIUE School of Pharmacy, the only pharmacy program in downstate Illinois, offers a professional program leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). Excellence in teaching, pharmacy practice, research/scholarship and service are all valuable aspects of the program. The curriculum is based on current knowledge and technology from pharmacy and other disciplines and is delivered through a variety of innovative teaching strategies. The faculty, students, and staff are committed to collaborating with rural and urban health care institutions to meet the health care needs of Central and Southern Illinois and the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The vision, mission and goals of the SIUE School of Pharmacy reflect this commitment.

Below are the names of students who won recognition and the awards they won, along with cutlines for photos-also all photo IDs are from left to right and all photos are to be credited: (SIUE Photo)

Morrisa Branham, Virden, Ill.-Charles Dragovich Scholarship-Photo (from left) shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Morrisa; Sandra and Charles Dragovich; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Brandy Bratcher, Junction, Ill.-Illinois Pharmacists Association Foundation Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Brandy; Jerry Bailey, of the Illinois Pharmacists Association; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Beaux Cole, Springfield-Community Pharmacy Above and Beyond Award-Photo shows Teri McCullough, assistant director of Experiential Education for the Pharmacy School; Beaux Cole, a Shopko pharmacist; and Bill Wuller, director of Experiential Education for the SIUE School of Pharmacy.
Alex Duyvejonck, Rock Island-Illinois Council of Health System Pharmacists-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Alex; Scott Myers, of the Illinois Council of Health System Pharmacists; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Tim Gleason,Schaumburg-CVS/pharmacy Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Karma Deady and Heather Ratcliff of CVS; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Daniel Grohmann, Waterloo-Wal-Mart Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Daniel; Nancy King, a regional manager for Wal-Mart; Iqbal Atcha, regional talent specialist for Wal-Mart; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Jeremy Hanon, Centralia-Metro East Pharmacists Association Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Jeremy; Steve Peipert and Tony Budde, of the Metro East Pharmacists Association; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Brandon Hardiman, Robinson-Wal-Mart Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Brandon; Nancy King, a regional manager for Wal-Mart; Iqbal Atcha, regional talent specialist for Wal-Mart; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Diana Jason, Lincolnshire-Shop 'n Save Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Diana; Kristie Bruneman, a pharmacist recruiter for Supervalu; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Michelle Marek, St. Louis-NACDS Scholarship-Photo (from left) shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Michelle; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Greg McFarland, Thompsonville-Southern Illinois Scholarship-Photo (from left) shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Greg; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Kristen Ochs, Tuscola-NACDS Scholarship-Photo (from left) shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Kristen; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Gary Pinkley, Coffeen-CVS/pharmacy Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Gary; Beth Kaughman, Karma Deady and Heather Ratcliff, all of CVS; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Maggie Rodeffer, LaHarpe-Wal-Mart Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Maggie; Nancy King, a regional manager for Wal-Mart; Iqbal Atcha, regional talent specialist for Wal-Mart; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Brycen Short, Albion-Metro East Pharmacists Association Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Brycen; Steve Peipert and Tony Budde, both of the Metro East Pharmacists Association; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Kelly Smith, O'Fallon-CVS/pharmacy Scholarship-No photo available
Mary Janet Stunson, Elizabethtown-CVS/pharmacy Scholarship and Walgreens Student of the Year Award-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Stunson; Dennis Hunt, pharmacy supervisor, Kellye Holtgrave, pharmacy supervisor, and Phil Burgess, national director of pharmacy affairs, all with Walgreens; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Brian Thompson, Granite City-Health System Preceptor Above and Beyond Award-Photo shows Bill Wuller, director of Experiential Education for the SIUE School of Pharmacy; Thompson, who is director of pharmacy for Gateway Regional Medical Center; and Teri McCullough, assistant director of Experiential Education for the School.
Minh Tran, Aurora-Shop 'n' Save Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Minh; Kristie Bruneman, a pharmacist recruiter for Supervalu; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.
Amy Vennel, Chatham-CVS/pharmacy Scholarship-Photo shows Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon; Vennel; Beth Kaughman, Karma Deady and Heather Ratcliff, all of CVS; and SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.

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5/23/08

Summer Showbiz Offers Satire, Musical Fun From Tom Lehrer

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The musical satire of Tom Lehrer-the Harvard mathematician turned singer-songwriter-will open the 29th season of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Summer Showbiz, the University's summertime theater offering for Southwestern Illinois audiences. Summer Showbiz 2008 opens June 5 with Tomfoolery, a musical revue filled with the songs of Tom Lehrer, who had a great knack for poking fun at the issues of the day over a 20-year career that began in the 1950s. But, his comedy is so timely and universal that the jokes are just as fresh and as clever as ever.

SIUE's production opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, and continues at the same time through Saturday, June 7, and then again from June 12-14, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8 and 15, all in the James F. Metcalf Theater, just west and south of SIUE's Vadalabene Center.

Tomfoolery provides a nostalgic evening of laughs, satire, and memorable tunes that will also appeal to those who are hearing the songs for the first time. Lehrer just turned 80 in April and SIUE's show will be a great birthday tribute to the man who also wrote some of the early tunes for Sesame Street and The Electric Company, such as Lower Case n and Silent e. Though many of the songs in Tomfoolery were written in the 1960s, simply change a few of the names within the lyrics and they are ironically as pertinent today as then, says Director Peter Cocuzza. "We are still going off to war ( So Long Mom); still concerned about global warming ( Pollution); still wait all year to go on vacation ( In Old Mexico); still wrestle with a drug epidemic ( The Old Dope Peddler), racism ( I Wanna Go Back to Dixie), religious freedom ( Vatican Rag); and we're still bothered by all those pesky pigeons ( Poisoning Pigeons in the Park).

Cocuzza also points out Lehrer was a genius at finding ways to raise awareness of these issues through satiric song. "He never meant to change the world; he just enjoyed poking fun at it. Other Lehrer songs are just plain silly and help us forget for a moment how stressful each day can be and how necessary it is to laugh at ourselves in order to keep sane." During the 1950s and '60s, Lehrer surprised and amused audiences with his dry humor and not-so-average insights. Lehrer's songs are adapted for Tomfoolery by the Broadway impresario Cameron MacKintosh and also Robin Ray, with musical arrangements by Chris Walker and Robert Fisher.

For tickets or for more information, call the Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or toll free, (888) 328-5168, ext. 2774. Visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/THEATER.

Photo 1: The cast of Tomfoolery includes (from left): Kathy Piercy, of Collinsville; Philip Leveling, of Glen Carbon; Marc Bacus, of East Alton (foreground); Josh Douglas, of Granite City; and Leah Rachelle Milton, also of Collinsville. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

Photo 2: The cast of Tomfoolery includes (from left): Leah Rachelle Milton, of Collinsville; Josh Douglas, of Granite City; Philip Leveling, of Glen Carbon; Kathy Piercy, of Collinsville; and Marc Bacus, of East Alton (foreground). (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

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5/23/08

Patrick Hundley Named VC For University Relations At SIUE

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Patrick D. Hundley, recently executive vice president for the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) Alumni Foundation, has been named vice chancellor for University Relations at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, announced today by SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift. "We are excited about Patrick joining the SIUE family," Vandegrift said. "He will be invaluable to us in University Relations as we begin our next 50 years. Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge to the table that will serve the University well."

Hundley will begin duties at SIUE on July 1. He will oversee operations in University Relations, which includes development and marketing and communications, as well as alumni affairs.

Before joining MSUM in 2004, Hundley had been assistant chancellor for University Advancement and executive director of Major Gifts at the University of Wisconsin Platteville for nearly 10 years. From 1990-1995 he was director of development for the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Health and Human Performance at Oregon State University. Hundley also has held administrative development positions in higher education in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Washington and Oklahoma. He began his career as an assistant professor of English at the University of Arkansas Little Rock in 1978.

With a bachelor's in English from Tennessee Wesleyan College and a master's in English from Middle Tennessee State University, Hundley went on to post graduate work at Oklahoma State University. He also attended the National Planned Giving Institute at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. He currently is chair of the Northern Sky District of the Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of America, and is a member of the Red River Valley Estate Planning Council, the National Committee on Planned Giving, the Minnesota Planned Giving Council and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

Vandegrift also had praise for Gary Giamartino, dean of the SIUE School of Business, who took over the reins in University Relations on an interim basis. Giamartino also was a member of the search committee that helped choose Hundley. "I can't say enough about Gary and his willingness to take over University Relations for 18 months so that we could continue our important work in that area," Vandegrift said. "We greatly appreciate the efforts of Gary and members of the search committee who did an excellent job."

Hundley and his wife, Susan, have three grown children-David Norton, with wife, Molly, and son, Carter, who reside in Cleveland, Tenn.; Sarah, who is a construction engineer in Atlanta, Ga.; and Patrick, who is enrolled for fall at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Patrick and Susan plan to reside in Edwardsville-Glen Carbon.

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5/22/08

SIUE Meridian Scholars Chosen From Area High Schools

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Several high school seniors from around the state have accepted Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor's Scholarships and Presidential Scholarships-part of the Meridian Scholars Program-to enter SIUE in fall. Each year, SIUE makes available 20 Chancellor Scholarships and 11 Presidential Scholarships, both of which cover tuition, fees, and room and board for four years.

SIUE's Meridian Scholars Program encompasses the Chancellor'Zs Scholarships, offered to students with strong academic ability and a record of personal achievement, leadership and service, and the Presidential Scholars, entering freshmen interested in special academic opportunities as undergraduate students. "We offer a wide range of scholarships and study opportunities for academically strong students," said Scott Belobrajdic, SIUE's assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management. Belobrajdic said that once these high achievers enroll at SIUE, they will find academic programs that continually challenge their academic and intellectual abilities.

"SIUE offers programs that will put these students in a position to take charge of their education, and create a curriculum that will prepare them to excel in the next phase of their lives."

Since 1957, SIUE has prepared students to become leaders in their community and professionals in their fields of study. Beautifully situated on 2,660 acres, SIUE is a fully accredited public institution offering a broad choice of degrees and programs ranging from liberal arts to professional studies. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in the arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, and nursing. Professional degrees are available in dentistry and pharmacy. Meridian Scholars are listed below in alpha order by school:

Chancellor's Scholarships

Jordin Harth-Belleville Township East HS
Michael Sheppard-Blue Ridge HS, Mansfield
John Luker-Canton (IL) High School
Kate Campbell-Civic Memorial HS, Bethalto
Jenna Schneider-Civic Memorial HS, Cottage Hills
Marcus Mussatto-Gillespie HS
Kyle Adams-Granite City Senior HS
Kaydianne Legate-Jersey Community HS, Elsah
Alexandria Hawkins-Pinckneyville Community HS
Cody Dirks-Porta Jr-Sr HS, Petersburg
Stephanie Bloch-Quincy Senior HS
Nathan Rohner-Sandoval Senior HS
Erica Miller-Tremont HS
Brian Hamel-Winnebago HS

Presidential Scholarship

Mark Schmidt-Alton HS
Amanda Reinhart-East Peoria Community HS
Amy Ramlow-Lincoln Community HS
Kelsey Hines-Massac County HS, Belknap
Nicole Green-Newton Community HS, Wheeler
Andrew Foster-Sesser-Valier HS, Sesser
Hannah Schlemer-Triad HS, Troy

Missouri (Presidential)

Melissa Landwehr-Incarnate Word Academy, St. Louis

Click the bold-faced names to activate a link to the corresponding photo

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5/17/08

D. Goestenkors Named Employee Of The Month For May

Congratulations: Debra Goestenkors, a secretary in the business office of the Delyte W. Morris University Center, is the May recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. She is shown in the photo with Vice Chancellor Kenneth Neher, who presented the award. In addition to the plaque she received, Goestenkors was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, a parking spot close to her office for one month, and two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

Click here for photo

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5/13/08

ILCHF Awards $1.5 Million To SDM in Alton

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) has awarded $1.5 million to the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton as part of its $20 million, five-year initiative to expand access to oral health care for Illinois children. The Foundation, which also awarded the same amount to the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Dentistry, wants to give more awards to nonprofit oral health care organizations that provide primary care services directly to children or formally collaborate with primary care providers, desiring to establish a new oral health service, expanding existing services in a clinical setting or implementing a community planning process.

The grant awarded to SIU will, over the next six years, allow the University to better prepare dentists to provide care for underserved children, primarily in Southern Illinois. "We are committed to serving the rural health care needs of Illinois," said Ann Boyle, dean of the School of Dental Medicine. "It will give us the opportunity to address a problem in the rural part of the state-access to dental care for children. We're very pleased to receive such an award." Under the terms of the award, the dental school will design and implement a program that modifies the admission process, updates curriculum, provides mentoring and support to students, expands community-based, service-learning opportunities and assesses the outcomes of the program.

SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift said the University's affiliated health care education programs-dental medicine, nursing and pharmacy-have built a reputation of serving the region as major resources. "Our healthcare outreach in the dental health care field will be greatly enhanced by this award from the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation," Vandegrift said. "We have a distinctive mission and vision as a premier metropolitan university to fulfill human potential," Vandegrift said. "This award will help us enhance the quality of life for the citizens of rural Illinois."

Dr. Peter E. Doris, chair of the ILCHF board of directors, said "expanding access to quality oral health care for all children in Illinois is one of the Foundation's primary objectives. As a component of ILCHF's oral health care initiative, the Foundation supports programs that are designed to increase the number of oral health professionals caring for underserved children. We are fortunate to have such a willing and capable partner in the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine to help us fulfill our mission."

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5/13/08

Pandemic Flu-A Question Of 'When,' Not 'If'

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Some 130 healthcare representatives-educators, hospital personnel and government officials from Missouri and Illinois-were on hand recently at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to discuss what proactive measures need to be taken in anticipation of the next pandemic flu, which scientists say is "overdue." The last pandemic flu was in 1968-the Hong Kong Flu. Experts say the next one was predicted in the early 1990s but the world is still waiting, like a ticking time bomb. "It's a matter of time before another pandemic flu will occur," said Dr. Stuart B. Weiss, CEO of MedPrep Consulting Group LLC. "We have to think ahead so we're prepared."

Weiss was among several speakers at the all-day pandemic flu conference-Pandemic Flu: Are You Ready?-sponsored by the SIUE School of Nursing. His visit was sponsored by Roche Laboratories, makers of flu antiviral medications. Weiss and the other speakers offered a common theme: a pandemic flu will occur-and it's a question of "when," not "if." Don Schneider, Region IV coordinator for Illinois Emergency Medical Services, said the one-day seminar at SIUE was an important educational tool. "This pandemic flu program supported the educational planning for Region IV's needs assessment developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health."

Sander, a member of the SIUE Nursing faculty, pointed out that an integral part of SIUE's mission is to promote scholarly, creative activity of its faculty, staff and students through public service programming in the region. "In the event of an influenza pandemic, colleges and universities will play an important role in protecting the health and safety of students, employees and their families," Sander said. Sander and Lorraine Williams, another member of the SIUE Nursing faculty, said they hoped the conference would "provide a knowledge base for future program seminar development." The two also asked those in attendance to participate in an ongoing study by the School of Nursing to determine the extent of knowledge about pandemic flu and readiness of area healthcare personnel for the day it comes to the region.

The seminar's planning committee was made up of Riane Greenwalt, director of SIUE Health Services, Sander, Williams and Schneider, as well as co-chairs from Pandemicprep.org, a consortium of businesses, organizations, schools, universities, hospitals and government agencies from both Illinois and Missouri, working together to better prepare for a pandemic in the St. Louis region. Weiss pointed out that the current Avian flu (aka "bird flu") outbreak in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East has not yet made the jump to the Americas. "There's a 100-percent certainty that we will have a pandemic flu in our lifetime," Weiss pointed out. He explained that influenza virus mutates in order to survive. "Avian flu is passed to people from birds, but one day it will mutate so it can jump from person to person and then we will have a pandemic."

Weiss said Avian flu deaths since the outbreak began range from more than 100 deaths in Indonesia to 20 in China and one in Myanmar. "I think we're in 'pandemic fatigue' in which we've been inundated with information in the last three years," Weiss said. "That situation has made the general public complacent. But we have to remain diligent. The flu doesn't read newspapers and it continues to mutate."

David Culp, emergency officer and assistant deputy director of the Office of Preparedness and Response with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), spoke about the IDPH's preparedness planning. The IDPH has created a Pandemic Flu Work Group, a national response plan and an Illinois emergency operations plan, among other plans for a threatening health outbreak.

Weiss offered ways to protect against viral outbreaks, such as use of masks, flu vaccination, antiviral medications, cleaning surfaces in the home on a regular basis and hand washing. "The World Health Organization recommends antivirals for the prevention of the spread of pandemic influenza disease through household contacts," Weiss said. "The truth lies somewhere in between Chicken Little and the idea that a pandemic will never happen again," he said. "If we don't have a pandemic by 2017, it would mean that we've broken the record of time between pandemics throughout history. The odds are better that we'll have a pandemic before that date."

Click here for a photo suitable for print that depicts conference participants using antiviral equipment during a demonstration.

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5/12/08

Area High School Students Honored In SIUE Writing Contest*

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) ) Twelve area students are winners of the 14th Annual High School Writers' Contest sponsored by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Lovejoy Library, a support organization for the SIUE library. Contestants were high school juniors and seniors from the counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, St. Clair, and Washington.

Organizers of the contest said there were 487 entries, with 107 nonfiction entries, 173 poems and 207 fiction entries. Winners were formally announced recently at an awards banquet on the SIUE campus. First place winners in the three categories received $500 each, while second and third place winners in each category won $300 and $100, respectively. Those who won honorable mention in three categories received gift certificates and SIUE sweatshirt jackets. Cosponsors and contributors for the competition were State Farm Insurance Companies, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Charitable Giving Program and the Friends of Lovejoy Library.

First prize in the nonfiction category went to Gene Rodemich (photo not available), a senior at Belleville West Township High School, for his essay, Circle of Fifths. Angela Case, a senior at Edwardsville High School, was second prize winner in the same category for her essay, A Northern Paradise and a Family Tradition. Third prize was won by Benjamin Watts (no photo available), a senior at Belleville West, for his essay, eVirgin. The honorable mention went to Meara Dibadj, a senior at Belleville West, for her essay, Any Questions?

First prize in the poetry category was won by Anna Dennison, a senior at Highland High School, for "Chopin." Second prize went to Allison Schaefer, a senior at Belleville West, for "In the Upstairs Room." Kyle Newton, a junior at Columbia High School West, won third prize for "Mind Games." The honorable mention went to Chelsey Mertz, a senior at Gillespie High School, for her poem, "You Are: A Birthday Poem."

First prize in the fiction category was won by Victoria Thompson, a senior at Belleville West, for her story, Kirtland's Pond. Second prize went to Matt Mallon, a junior at Edwardsville, in the same category, for When a Star Burns Out. Samantha Schroeder, a senior at Columbia High School, won third prize for Making My Own Tracks. The honorable mention went to LeAndra Beadle, a senior at Granite City High School, for her story, Untitled.

All award-winning entries have been printed in a booklet that is available for purchase. For information about purchasing booklets or about next year's competition, call the Friends of Lovejoy Library, (618) 650-2730.

*Click on name links above to find photos suitable for print

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5/10/08

Chemistry Student From Rockford Has Accomplished Much At SIUE

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Darci Trader, of Rockford, graduated today from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and in August will begin pursuing a doctorate in organic chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington. She was awarded an associated instructorship at IU and will start research immediately upon arrival in August. But it's been an interesting career at SIUE for Darci and she's amassed several accolades along the way.

Trader was awarded a 2005-2006 SIUE Undergraduate Research Academy (URA) Fellowship on the basis of her research proposal as well as the quantity of her research before she even submitted her application. She was among very few lower level undergraduates ever admitted into the program. It was during her URA work that she decided to enter the Department of Chemistry's 3+2 program to continue her education and laboratory experience so that she not only could receive a master's in Chemistry but it would also help in applying to schools for doctoral study.

"While she was a graduate student in Chemistry and working on her own research agenda within the department, Darci also worked in the labs of Mike Crider in the School of Pharmacy, helping him on the synthesis aspects of his research," says Robert Dixon, associate professor of Chemistry at SIUE and chair of that department.

"While a 3+2 student in the department, Darci also applied for the Pfizer Global Research and Development (PGRD) Summer Internship in January 2007," Dixon pointed out. "More than 3,000 students applied and only 42 were selected. Out of those 42, only six positions were in chemistry and Darci was one of them. The students chosen were from the top institutions in the world, including Wash. U, MIT and Michigan State, to name a few."

While at PGRD for three months, Trader was under the supervision of SIUE Alumnus Jeffery Snyder, a senior research chemist at Pfizer. "During the course of her internship, Darci synthesized more than 75 compounds and learned countless new techniques," Dixon said. "She also had a chance to participate in the Pfizer Research Symposium Poster competition and was named one of the top five posters out of all 42 students in the summer internship program. Darci also was granted a rare honor from Pfizer-she was asked back the following summer to do another internship before she leaves to pursue her PhD."

Meanwhile, even through she had the offer from Pfizer in hand, Trader was offered an opportunity to intern at the Lake County corporate headquarters of Abbott Laboratories. She successfully applied for the internship and starts this week. "The Abbott Laboratories internship program has more than 300 interns worldwide and is very selective," Dixon said. "Abbott is ranked in several 2005 'best of' lists such as the Princeton Review for one of the Best Entry Level jobs and Top Internship Programs. For the second consecutive year, Scientist magazine ranked Abbott as one of the Top 10 Best Places to Work for Scientists.

"Abbott is one of the top performing health care companies in the world with industry leading pharmaceutical brands," Dixon said. "Darci will be working in the process chemistry department accomplishing work that should yield published articles, something she was unable to do at Pfizer," Dixon said.."Darci's research at SIU Edwardsville was recognized at this year's Department of Chemistry Probst Lectures, at which it was announced that Darci won the Thomas Bouman Award for the best graduate student research poster given during this celebration of Chemistry." Trader formally received her award at this year's SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Honors Convocation.

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5/10/08

SIUE Student From Belleville Receives PKP Fellowship

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Mallory Hensley, of Belleville, is recipient of a 2008 Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship. As the nation's oldest, largest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines, Phi Kappa Phi awards nationally 60 fellowships each worth worth $5,000. "We are proud that SIUE student Mallory Hensley won this award, said Wendy Shaw, associate dean of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences. "Mallory is majoring in Psychology with a minor in English Literature."

She has received a number of awards and honors including a Presidential Scholarship and membership in the Robert J. McLaughlin Undergraduate Honors Academy in Psychology. "On top of her academic loads and employment," Shaw pointed out, "Mallory has volunteered for numerous service activities on campus and in the community. She plans on pursuing a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis," Shaw said.

Mallory's letters of recommendations include statements such as 'Mallory's participation in class, intellectual curiosity, and work ethic have made her a welcome addition to the Honors Academy' and 'We encounter students who want to work with people, but Mallory is one of the few I've met who delights in the complexities and paradoxes of human behavior. She possesses a sense of empathy and imagination that are beyond her years.'

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5/9/08

SIU Campuses Join Forces on International Trade

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has opened a satellite office at SIU Carbondale within SIUC's Office of Economic and Regional Development (ERD). Located at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center in the Southern Illinois Research Park on the Carbondale campus, the alliance will leverage the resources of both campuses to serve small business in Southern Illinois in the area of international trade, according to Silvia Torres Bowman, director of the ITC.

"This expansion will help us reach out to more interested businesses in Southern Illinois," Bowman said. "For years, business owners, who we've helped in the past, have expressed a desire for us to be located further south, making us even more accessible." The ITC on the Edwardsville campus is located in SIUE's Alumni Hall.

SIU President Glenn Poshard said the expansion is indicative of how Southern Illinois University serves the region. "We are committed to this part of the state, an area that has had a great impact on all of Illinois," Poshard said. "Expanding our commitment to the needs of even more businesses throughout the entire Southern Illinois region is another way we can help drive economic development." The SIUE ITC, which has been helping small businesses throughout the southern 45 counties in Illinois, has been in existence on the Edwardsville campus for more than 20 years, assisting clients in the generation of more than $130 million in export sales through its consulting, training and research services.

SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift pointed out that the ITC has played an integral part in the economic development of Southwestern Illinois. "In addition to serving entrepreneurs for two decades throughout the region and helping them reach out to international markets, the ITC has helped educate our students in understanding the myriad aspects of the global economy," Vandegrift said. "This hands-on education provided through the ITC will supplement what students learn in textbooks and will serve them well in their careers."

The ITC offers counseling and the following services for small businesses:

• Individualized, free export consultation to Illinois businesses
• International market analysis to identify the most advantageous trading opportunities
• Identification of foreign buyers, agents and/or distributors through trade leads
• Seminars on international business practices, export procedures, distribution strategies and methods of payment, as well as the latest exporting trends
• Export finance assistance in coordination with the EX-IM Bank and the Small Business Administration's Export Working Capital Program
• Access to extensive export trade reference material, including powerful international trade statistics databases.

To make an appointment or for additional information, contact Silvia Torres Bowman, (618) 650-2452, or via e-mail: International-Trade-Center@siue.edu or visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/business/itc/.

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5/8/08

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Two Star General To Speak At SIUE Commissioning Ceremony
Four Army Officers To Be Commissioned

• Who: Maj. Gen. William H. Johnson To Speak At Commissioning Ceremony
• What: U.S. Army ROTC at SIU Edwardsville
• When: 2 p.m. Friday, May 9
• Where: Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris Center

The Army ROTC program at SIUE is commissioning four officers as second lieutenants who will lead some 40 soldiers and be responsible for thousands of dollars of equipment. The cadets to be commissioned are CDT Ryan Bull (BS political science, Transportation Corps), CDT George Fust (BA political science from McKendree, Military Intelligence), CDT Matthew Gordon (BA psychology, Military Police), CDT Antonio Thomas (BA political science, engineer).

Johnson is with the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott AFB, responsible for coordination of staff activities in a global command of 156,000 personnel. Johnson earned a bachelor's in business administration at North Georgia College, a master of science in business management at Boston (MA) University and has attended the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, the Transportation Officer Advanced Course and the U.S. Army War College.

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5/8/08

SIUE To Offer 'Overflow Room' At Saturday's Commencement

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is offering an "overflow room" in SIUE's Vadalabene Center to accommodate estimated larger than usual crowds at the University's commencement ceremonies at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Saturday's spring commencement will include additional students who have applied for graduation in summer 2008 but who will march in spring because of cancellation of summer commencement as a result of renovations scheduled at the Vadalabene Center.

Eligible candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the SIUE Graduate School will graduate at the 9 a.m. ceremony, while candidates in the Schools of Education and Nursing, as well as the Graduate School, will receive diplomas at the 1 p.m. ceremony, and candidates in the Schools of Business and Engineering, and the Graduate School, will receive degrees at the 5 p.m. ceremony.

If the main gymnasium is full at any of the ceremonies, audience members will be directed to sit in the "instructional gymnasium," adjacent to the northwest foyer of the Vadalabene Center. The instructional gymnasium will contain chairs and a large projection screen for showing the ceremonies taking place simultaneously in the main gymnasium across the hall. Facilities Management Director Robert Washburn said it is recommended that participants arrive early for each of the three ceremonies. "We are estimating that the 9 a.m. and the 1 p.m. ceremonies will be the most crowded," Washburn said.

SIUE emeritus Professor Eugene Redmond-a nationally known poet who founded Drumvoices Revue, a multicultural literary journal that has featured some of the most important literary voices of the 20th and 21st centuries-will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the 9 a.m. ceremony. This year's SIUE Distinguished Service Award is scheduled to be given to Carol Wetzel at the 5 p.m. ceremony. Wetzel is being honored for her significant contributions as a teacher in Collinsville and Edwardsville schools, and as a dedicated community volunteer.

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5/6/08

School of Engineering Concrete Canoe Team Places Second At ASCE Competition

The SIUE Concrete Canoe Team, Play Ball, placed second overall at the 2008 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Mid-Continent Concrete Canoe Competition held in Arkansas. Because of high individual scores in multiple categories, including a first in Final Product and several first-place race finishes, ASCE also invited the SIUE team to participate in the 21st Annual ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition to be held in Montreal, Quebec, June 19-21.

The team is composed of Co-Captains Jennifer Titchenal and Troy Turner plus four other female and four other male civil engineering students. Following final exams, the team will be practicing in Cougar Lake. Donations to offset travel expenses are being accepted. For more information, contact Brent Vaughn, the SIUE ASCE Student Chapter Advisor, by e-mail: bvaughn@siue.edu or by phone: (618) 650-3533.

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5/6/08

ME Students Compete In Off-Road Contest

A group of Mechanical Engineering students, known as Cougar Baja, designed an off-road vehicle and took it "on the road" to Tennessee Technical University where they competed against students from 95 other universities representing six countries. The SIUE team finished 15th overall thanks in part to a first place finish in the sled pull and a sixth place finish in the four hour endurance race. Team Co-Captain Justin Schnitker said, "We knew we would place high when only 20 cars remained operable after two hours, but sixth place was a very pleasant surprise.

"While final results are yet to be posted, it is safe to say that SIUE outperformed all Big Ten schools and all but one international school entered in the event," Schnitker. Team Co-Captain Miles Musick added, "Today…after performing that well, it's definitely a great time to be a Cougar."

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5/6/08

Curriculum and Instruction Professor To Serve At East St. Louis

Michael Afolayan, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, has been selected to serve as the School of Education's faculty in residence at the East St. Louis Charter School for the 2008-09 academic year. Afolayan was chosen for this honor by a selection committee made up of the School's Diversity Committee and personnel at the Charter School.

As faculty in residence, Afolayan will support the administration, faculty and students in the Charter School through professional development, curriculum revision, demonstration teaching and other activities. Afolayan's work will also help strengthen the partnership between the School and the Charter School.

Charter School Director Anthony Neal expressed his pleasure with Afolayan's acceptance of this honor. "We welcome Dr. Afolayan to our team and look forward to working with him next school year." A portion of Afolayan's teaching responsibilities for 2008-2009 will be reassigned to include his work at the Charter School.

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5/6/08

Housing Supervisor Wins Award From National Guard

Jessica Vanderwood, director for Bluff Residence Hall, has won the Patriot Award from the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization. The award is given to civilians who help members of the National Guard comply with existing employment laws protecting the rights of workers who serve in the Reserve component. ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

Vanderwood, who is a mentor for 11 residence assistants at SIUE, one of whom is Nathan Geist, a junior and a sergeant in the National Guard. Geist nominated Vanderwood for the award. "When I tell my boss, Jess, that I have a conflict fulfilling my commitments due to my military responsibilities, she never gets upset with me or the Army," Geist said. "She is willing to take on the extra burden in my absence because she understands the need for a National Guard." This support allows Geist to fulfill his obligation to the National Guard of one weekend per month during the year and several weeks during the summer months.

Geist recently learned that he will be deployed in the coming months to Afghanistan for a year-long tour of duty. "Nate mentioned I was one of the first people he told about the deployment because he felt I understood the role military service plays in his life," Vanderwood said.. "I am honored to provide an open mind and shoulder for him to lean on as he prepares for active duty." Vanderwood feels strongly that her role as Geist's supervisor is to help him put "all of the pieces together." She also said, "...serving in these multiple roles as a student, employee and soldier can be difficult. I hope to guide Nate in learning all he can from those experiences."

And, it is clear that Geist recognizes such support is worthy of recognition. He wrote in his nomination: "Jess, though not even a soldier, lives the Army values a lot better than many soldiers I know. She is a behind-the-scenes warrior who helps make the military run more smoothly."

According to the ESGR website, the nation's Reserve components (referring to the total of all National Guard members and Reserve forces from all branches of the military) comprise approximately 48 percent of total available military manpower. Reserve forces will spend more time away from the workplace defending the nation, supporting demanding operations and training to maintain their mission readiness.

Vanderwood joined SIUE in 2007 after spending the previous two years at Texas Tech. She earned both her bachelor's and master's at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. "I am humbled to be selected by the Army National Guard as a recipient of The Patriot Award...I really feel like I'm just doing my job in supporting Nate as his supervisor."

Click here for a photo of Vanderwood receiving the award.

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5/6/08

School Of Business Honors Nearly 50 Students During Honors Ceremony

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nearly 50 students recently received scholarship awards and recognition from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business during the School's annual Business Scholarships and Awards Program. "The School of Business is fortunate to have the support of individuals, corporations, and organizations that provide annual or endowed scholarships assisting deserving students," said Judy Woodruff, director of development for the School. "The Scholarship and Awards Program is a way to recognize outstanding students, to thank scholarship sponsors for their generosity, and to introduce them to the student receiving their scholarship."

The SIUE School of Business has held the prestigious seal of approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1975. The School is among an elite 15 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned this accreditation. Below are the winners, in alpha order (unless otherwise noted), with their awards and scholarships. Click on names for photos suitable for print; also see cutlines following each winner's award(s):

Amy L. Bach: Jerry F. Sitek Information Systems Award and the SyllogisTeks Scholarship (shown with Susan Yager, assistant profesor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Atticus J. Bailey-Stobbs: Harold Boeschenstein Award in Marketing (shown with Ralph Giacobbe, associate professor of management and marketing and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Miranda C. Behm: Sarah Sullivan Award in Management Science and the Outstanding Senior Accounting Student Award (shown with Ralph Giacobbe, associate professor of management and marketing and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Christopher A. Bethel: Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits Scholarship (shown with Pete Fornof, senior vice president of Hortica, and Connie Turner, an SIUE alumna and vice president of human resources for Hortica)
Marcos P. Carpizo: John W. Leonard Scholarship (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Jena L. Cook: Joseph F. Michlitsch, Ph.D. Scholarship (shown with Ralph Giacobbe, associate professor of management and marketing and chair of that department, Joseph Michlitsch, associate professor of management and marketing, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Claudia X. Correa: AmerenIP Scholarship (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Allison A. Darr: Beta Gamma Sigma Award and the Christian Ott Award in Finance (shown with Rik Hafer, distinguished research professor of economics and finance and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Hathor A. Dickerson: Messing Family Scholarship (shown with Maurice L. "Bud" Hirsch Jr., emeritus professor representing the Messing Family, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Laura A. Dietz: Edward K. Brennar Award in Business Management (no photo available)
Bryan B. Eversgerd: Jerome Hollenhorst Scholarship (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Cynthia J. Hamilton: R. Marty Burns Memorial Scholarship (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Eden B. Haycraft: Kloos Student Grant Fund (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Andrew M. Jones: Financial Executives International (FEI) Scholarship (shown with Michael Costigan, professor of accounting and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Sean J. Jordan: Darrell Lee Davidson Honors Award in Marketing and the Professional Achievement Scholarship (shown with Ralph Giacobbe, associate professor of management and marketing and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Anna Komperda: M.R.V. Iyengar Memorial Award in Economics (shown with Rik Hafer, distinguished research professor of economics and finance and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Amy M. Limbach: Rotary Club of Edwardsville Scholarship (shown with John Motley, general manager of Richards Brick and president-elect of Edwardsville Rotary Club, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Alex D. Mangoff: Frank Staggers Award for Excellence in Marketing Research (shown with Ralph Giacobbe, associate professor of management and marketing and chair of that department, Madhav Segal, professor of management and marketing, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Danielle E. Martin: Thomas DuHadway Memorial Award (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Laura A. Murphy: The Economics Alumni Graduate Student Award (shown with Rik Hafer, distinguished research professor of economics and finance and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Michael P. Pedersen: John F. Schrage Ph.D. Scholarship (shown with Susan Yager, assistant profesor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department, Emeritus Associate Professor John Schrage, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Monica R. Pour: Accounting Department Scholarship
Jacob K. Presley: E.R. Casstevens Award for Excellence in Business Communications (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Robin R. Quattlander: AMA Student Organization Scholarship (shown with Ralph Giacobbe, associate professor of management and marketing and chair of that department, Edmund Hershberger, assistant professor of management and marketing, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Kyle W. Reinneck: Wilbur L. Campbell Jr. Outstanding Student Leadership Award
Kevin F. Reynolds: James A. Yates Jr. Award in Accounting (shown with Michael Costigan, professor of accounting and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Jazmen J. Rose: James A. Yates Jr. Award in Economics (shown by herself)
Jennifer M. Sellman: Department of Management IBS Award and the John W. and Jane R. Mosser Scholarship for Creativity in Marketing (shown with Ralph Giacobbe, associate professor of management and marketing and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Fanglin Shen: Jensen Baeske Group Scholarship (shown with Paul Baeske, chair of the School's Alumni Board and co-sponsor of the award, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Esra M. Sokmen: Luan Memorial Scholarship in Economics (shown with Rik Hafer, distinguished research professor of economics and finance and chair of that department, David and Buo-Hwa Luan, co-sponsors of the award, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Dustin F. Sotnyk: Marian & Boulton Miller Award (shown with Susan Yager, assistant profesor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Nathan L. Tatum: Owen Jacquemin Sullivan Award in Business Administration (shown with Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Jodi L. Vogt: Jay Dunstan Memorial Scholarship (shown with Michael Costigan, professor of accounting and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Lindsay N. Wagner: BKD Scholarship (shown with Michael Costigan, professor of accounting and chair of that department, Joe Thompson of BKD, LLP, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Holly N. Wellen: Robert A. Schultheis, Ph.D. Scholarship (shown with Susan Yager, assistant profesor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)
Heather R. Wiesemeyer: Phoenix Fund Scholarship (shown with Michael Costigan, professor of accounting and chair of that department, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker)

William and Florence Schmidt Memorial Scholarship winners (from left): Brett A. Rapps, Lindsay D. Kennedy, Rachel L. Crouch and Corinne P. Boynton. At far right is Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker.

Waterways Management Scholarship winners (from left): Lindsay M. Myers and Adam W. Davis. At far right is Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker

The Boeing Company Scholarship: Stephanie J. Medhurst and Kristin E. Nolte, with Kathy Holmes, a representative from Boeing, and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker.

Phoenix Fund Scholarship: Winners are Heather Wiesemeyer, Lindsay Wagner and Amy Wake. They are flanked by Michael Costigan, professor of accounting and chair of that department and Interim School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker.

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5/5/08

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Autonomous Robotics Golf Cart Demonstration At SIUE
Or 'Look Ma, No Driver'

• Who: A team of SIUE Engineering students
• What: Demonstration of their entry in the Mini-Grand Challenge Competition
• When: 11 a.m. Friday, May 9
• Where: East side of the SIUE Engineering Building near the Meridian sculpture

The SIUE team, consisting of students from Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, retrofitted a single-person golf cart to navigate along the campus path using vision processing, GPS, sonar and sophisticated steering feedback. The team competed recently at Penn State Abington. Even though they did not place this year they did win the award for Most Creative Design. This is the first year SIUE has competed in this ambitious competition.

The competition is modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge whose goal is to get vehicles to navigate off-road and urban settings completely autonomously. Find out more by visiting the Web site: www.darpa.mil/GRANDCHALLENGE.

The demonstration is free and open to the public, who also will hear explanations of how the vehicle uses the various technologies to move around on its own. For more information about the competition visit the Web site: cede.psu.edu/~avanzato/robots/contests/outdoor/index.htm

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5/2/08

Area SIUE Students Take Alternative Spring Break

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nineteen Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and four staff members from SIUE's Kimmel Leadership Center recently spent spring break working on reservations of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Tribe and the Loyal Shawnee Tribe. Rather than participate in the stereotypical spring break trip to an ocean coastal region for fun and games, the SIUE students opted for an alternative experience. SIUE's spring break took place March 8-13; classes resumed Monday March 17.


The 19 students learned about social, economic, and cultural issues by participating in the tribal community in and educational-based volunteer project. Before leaving, the students took part in two orientation-training sessions. The students' volunteer work consisted of construction, painting, landscaping and clean-up at the Loyal Shawnee tribal headquarters and at the Loyal Shawnee Ceremonial Stomp Grounds. The Loyal Shawnee tribal members and Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma community services staff prepared traditional meals and provided educational programs about tribal history, governmental issues, cultural and music programs, and community development programs.

The students also visited the Cherokee Nation Interpretive Center and the Roy Rogers Museum. The trip provided students with a hands-on experience and an opportunity to learn about outstanding community leaders developing vision, and taking risks for social change for tribal members. The SIUE Student Leadership Development Program, the SIUE United Campus Ministry and the SIUE Intervarsity Campus Ministries sponsored the trip. Students who attended the trip are listed below by hometown:

BELLEVILLE: Andrea Franklin
BETHALTO: Nicole Kinnison
CENTRALIA: Stephen Garland
DAHLGREN: Ashley Aydt
DAWSON: Alisha Abbott
EDELSTEIN: Mary Catherine Foster
EDWARDSVILLE: Tara Hoppe,
Ashlee Oceguera
GALESBURG: Stephanie Medhurst
GRANITE CITY: Melissa E. Mullen
JACKSONVILLE: Hannah Burnett
MARION: Jon Kinworthy
MONTICELLO: Ashley O'Neal
NASHVILLE: Casey Snead
NEW LENOX: Stefanie George
O'FALLON: Keri Scheibel
TROY: Bianca Trejo
TUSCOLA: Kathryn Frye

OTHER COUNTRIES

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
BEIJING: Xu Xun

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5/1/08

Local, Regional Teachers Recognized By School Of Education

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Several teachers from throughout the region recently were recognized for education excellence by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education. The dozen teachers-from elementary, middle and high schools-were given the awards at a ceremony conducted in the Hickory-Hackberry Room, on the second floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. Each of the educators won a cash prize and were presented the awards by SIUE Education Dean Bette Bergeron.

The winners and their schools are listed below by category (Click on names for photos suitable for print):

Elementary Education (4-6)
Dolores Daniels, Centralia (IL) Junior High School
Janice Linenfelser, Marie Schaefer School, O'Fallon
Janice Fee, Meadowbrook Intermediate, Bethalto

Career/Technical Education
Chris Durbin, Highland (IL) High School
Tammie Hettenhausen, Belleville (IL) East Township High School
Patrick Goetten, Alton (IL) High School

Physical Education
Mark Beatty, Meadowbrook Intermediate and Parkside Primary, Bethalto
Lori Blade (no photo available), Edwardsville (IL) High School
Tamara Hudson, O'Fallon (IL) Township High School

Social Sciences
Michael Day, O'Fallon (IL) Township High School
Mary Louise Lofton, East St. Louis (IL) Senior High School
Justin Newell, Civic Memorial High School, Bethalto

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5/1/08

For The Third Year St. Mary's Wins Botball Tourney

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) It was a nail-biter. The smaller of the two robots managed to deploy the bridge on their side, make it across, then deploy their opponent's bridge so that the larger of their robots could also make it across. Then, in a last moment effort, the larger robot made it deftly through the narrow passage to win the day. Sounds like the latest Transformer's flick but it actually was the finale of the 2008 Greater St. Louis Botball Tournament hosted by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The regional tournament is where education, robotics and fun intersect. "This past Saturday, robots from four states converged on the campus to compete," said Jerry Weinberg, associate professor of computer science in the SIUE School of Engineering and coordinator of the tournament. The winner of this year's tournament was a team from St. Mary's Catholic School in Edwardsville. "In an exciting finish to the tournament, Edwardsville (IL) High School went into the championship round undefeated in the double elimination tournament," Weinberg explained, "then facing off with St. Mary's in a final round needed to be played after St. Mary's edged out a close match when both team's robots ran into problems. "During the final round, St. Mary's team of two robots performed perfectly."

Weinberg pointed out that autonomous robots were designed and built by 17 teams from middle and high schools across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri who competed in the head-to-head robotics tournament. Some 200 students "did battle" for a large crowd of teachers, parents, and the general public in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. "The tournament finale was the only time during the many tournament rounds of the day that a team of robots was able to pull off such a coordinated feat," Weinberg said.

"The maneuver scored significant points for the St. Mary's team giving them the solid win. St. Mary's is no stranger to success as this was the third year they competed in the Botball Regional, winning top honors all three years."

The final rankings for the first three places for all awards were:

Overall Winners:

• 1st place: St. Mary's Middle School, Edwardsville, IL
• 2nd place: Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville, IL
• 3rd place: Waterloo High School, Waterloo, IL

Double Elimination Winners:

• 1st place: St. Mary's Middle School, Edwardsville, IL
• 2nd place: Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville, IL
• 3rd place: Waterloo High School, Waterloo, IL

Documentation Winners:

• 1st place: Lakeshore Math & Science Center, Indianapolis, IN
• 2nd place: International School of Indiana, Indianapolis, IN
• 3rd place: Grandville Middle School, Grandville, MI

Seeding Rounds Winners:

• 1st place: St. Mary's Middle School, Edwardsville, IL
• 2nd place: Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville, IL
• 3rd place: Goshen Middle School, Goshen, IN

For more information, contact Weinberg, (618) 650-2368, or visit the Web site: www.botball.org.

Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 |-In photo 1, students from Grandville (MI) Middle School prepare their robot for a tournament round; Photo 2 depicts students from De Lasalle Middle School in St. Louis making last minute adjustments to their entry; and Photo 3 shows students from Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville calibrating their robot. (SIUE Photos by Bill Brinson)

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5/1/08

Political Science Professor Wins 2008 Teaching Excellence Award

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) An "ability to facilitate discussions" among students and his patience in answering students' questions, are some of the reasons Brian Harward, assistant professor of political science, recently won the 2008 Teaching Excellence Award at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It is the most prestigious teaching award a faculty member can receive at SIUE.

Harward received a $2,000 prize as part of the recognition determined by the Teaching Excellence Award Committee. The committee, which consists of faculty and students, also awarded Teaching Distinction Awards to two other faculty members: Jack Glassman, an assistant professor of physics, and Steve Brant, an instructor in the Department of Accounting. They each won $500.

In addition, three other faculty members were given $250 Teaching Recognition Awards-Amelia Siatkowski, an instructor in the School of Nursing; Wendy Cook Mucci, an instructor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies; and Riza Demirer, an assistant professor of economics and finance. All winners will be recognized at the May 10 commencement ceremonies.

Harward earned a master's and a doctorate in political science, both at the University of Georgia at Athens, in 1999 and 2003, respectively. He earned a baccalaureate in 1992 at Gettysburg (PA) College. Before joining the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences faculty in 2003, Harward held several teaching positions at the University of Georgia and also had been a special project assistant for the American Association for Higher Education in Washington, D. C. According to the committee, Harward was found to be "informative, articulate (and) engaging." One committee member said Harward "was very good at serving as the link between what students just read and what they would read before the next class meeting." Members of the committee said they were impressed with Harward's ability "to facilitate discussions among his students at all levels, from a basic American government class to his constitutional law class."

The committee went on to say Harward responds to student questions "very effectively" and that students feel challenged in his classes, "but thought that being challenged lead them to higher understanding of the material." According to the committee, one student summarized Harward's effect on classes: "He is so passionate about the law that he makes us passionate about the law."

Glassman was recognized by the committee for his "tremendous passion for physics." Committee members said Glassman's "enthusiasm attracted students' attention (until) the end of class." The committee also noted it was impressed by his "profound knowledge of the subject (that) allows him to break complex concepts down to simple notions." The committee members also said that Glassman has an ability to "promote critical thinking skills by challenging his students" and that he also shows patience by "allowing students to learn from their mistakes."

One committee member said that Brant "is not only knowledgeable and well prepared but also embodies enthusiasm in teaching." The committee went on to say Brant "motivates students by encouraging reading and using learning opportunities which include dialogue and discussion." The committee also noted Brant "influences (students') attitudes about the profession "and helps them to critically analyze the data presented."

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