News

Poised to face the triumphs and challenges of a new year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift reflects on the accomplishments and high points of 2010.

It was an exciting year at the "e," Vandegrift said, recounting the top 10 best University stories of 2010:

For the second consecutive year the University was recognized by its peers and reported in U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2011 as one of 68 "up and coming schools" in the nation. SIUE was cited for making "innovative changes in the areas of faculty, student life, campus life and facilities."
A study by School of Business faculty revealed the University had a $471 million annual economic impact on the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, a 32 percent increase from five years ago. It also reported that SIUE is the second largest employer in Madison and St. Clair counties with nearly 2,500 full-time employees and a total yearly payroll of more than $130 million. The University completed half of a $250 million, Year 2012, construction and infrastructure improvement plan.
Fall 2010 enrollment stood at 14,133, representing the highest total in the University's history. Currently, 3,500 students reside on campus and nearly 4,000 students have relocated to the area to attend SIUE. With undergraduate tuition and fees held by the SIU Board of Trustees at $8,401, SIUE continued its position as the lowest cost public university in Illinois.
The Daily Beast , an online national news magazine, recognized SIUE as the 21st safest campus in the nation, as part of its top 50 safest colleges listing.
Washington Monthly ranked 551 master's universities nationally with SIUE placing in the top 50, citing its work with students and the University's contributions to the community it serves. Among the top 50, only 14 public universities were listed.
For the sixth consecutive year, the U.S. News edition of America's Best Colleges listed SIUE among 15 universities, including four public institutions, as having outstanding capstone experiences.
All SIUE athletics teams competed fully at the NCAA Division I level. The final certification self-study in the process of transitioning to Division I is scheduled for completion July 1, 2012.
For the seventh consecutive year, SIUE was ranked in the top tier of all Midwestern universities by U.S.News, including among the top 20 public Midwestern master's universities.
In FY10, SIUE faculty and staff won nearly $29 million in grants and contracts, a 40 percent increase from 2005, including $7.9 million for research, $3.5 million for academic instruction and support, and $17.3 million for public service projects.
The SIU Board of Trustees approved a plan to create the SIUE Nature Preserve, a 380-acre expanse of natural area on the western edge of campus between the campus core and along Stadium Drive and New Poag Road.

"We at the "e" realize we have experienced growth and good fortune during the last year despite difficult economic times," Vandegrift said.

"We recognize that our ability to continue to progress and thrive is a testament to the region's support of higher education in recognition of the importance of SIUE to the well-being and prosperity of the citizens of Southern Illinois."

FOTAD Trivia Night Jan. 15 Means Fun, Food And Prizes

22 December 2010, 4:20 pm

The 11 ^th Annual Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) Trivia Night is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the James F. Metcalf Theater on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. A mini-silent auction also will be available. FOTAD is a support organization for the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance. The doors will open at 6 p.m., with the game scheduled to begin promptly at 7. Proceeds from the event benefit FOTAD's student merit award fund for qualified SIUE students majoring in theater and dance at the University.

Winners of the competition will receive 1 ^st ($160), 2 ^nd ($80), or 3rd prize ($40) for scoring the most points per table. Reservations may be made for tables of eight. The evening will offer challenging trivia, during the regular question-and-answer sessions and during survivor trivia. Free popcorn and pretzels will be offered; also, soft drinks will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $10 per person; a table of eight, $80. A $40 deposit must be received by Jan. 14 to guarantee a table will be held. Make checks payable to the SIUE Foundation and send to Greg Conroy, 217 N. Buchanan St., Edwardsville, IL 62025-1740. To make reservations, call (618) 692-0874; participants must arrive by 6:50 p.m. or their reservation may be given away, unless a 50 percent deposit has been received.

St. Louis Television News Anchor To Speak Feb. 8 At MLK Luncheon

22 December 2010, 4:17 pm

Vickie Newton, news anchor for KMOV-TV (Ch. 4) News 4 in St. Louis and an instructor of mass communications at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will speak at SIUE's 28 ^th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Luncheon on Feb. 8.

The luncheon-with its theme of "We Are One: Building a Community of One"-is set for 11:30 a.m. that Tuesday in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. Winners of the MLK Jr. Scholarship and the SIUE faculty-staff and Community Humanitarian Awards will be announced. In addition, winners of the MLK Jr. Essay, Poetry and Visual Arts High School Competition will be announced.

The awards are given each year to recognize those who exemplify the philosophy of nonviolent social change as demonstrated by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A native of Arkansas, Newton has been with News 4 in St. Louis since 2002. She earned a master's in journalism at the University of Detroit and has spent more than 20 years in radio and television. Since childhood, Newton has harbored a passion for reading which she inherited from, and was encouraged by, her mother, an English teacher. This passion found expression in her formation of a partnership of organizations that promote literacy, such as The Literacy Roundtable, The St. Louis Rams book drive, and Reading is FUNdamental.

Her fervor has been rewarded by having a literacy grant named for her, being nominated for recognition by the Missouri Broadcasters Association and for an international award, to name a few. In her spare time, Newton reads to children and practices on her grand piano, a skill she has been enjoying since age seven.

For more information or to make reservations, call SIUE's Office of Educational Outreach, (618) 650-3210. Space is limited and fills quickly. Luncheon reservations will only be confirmed by receipt of payment by Feb. 1. Admission, which includes lunch, is $20; students, $15.

Two SIUE Business Students Are Finalists in Pitch Competition at Northwestern University

22 December 2010, 3:15 pm

Andrew Foster and Ryan McCullough, two business students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, were both finalists in the fourth annual business pitch competition, ENTREPRENEUR IDOL. The competition took place in mid-November at Northwestern University, where more than 30 teams from eight universities participated.

Foster first heard about the competition through Cougar Enterprises-a Focused Interest Community housed in Cougar Village. "The intent (of Cougar Enterprises) is geared at providing support and resources for aspiring entrepreneurs of various development stages," Foster said. When asked why he wanted to participate in the competition, Foster said it allowed him to work on public speaking. "The competition is helpful because it allows students the opportunity to perfect presentation skills, practice idea clarification, and receive critical advice and guidance on their potential venture," said Foster. He also added that "the contest provided a great sounding board for young entrepreneurs to explore each other's ideas, while building a potential network-partner relationship."

The pitch that gained Andrew recognition in the competition was an electronic entertainment kiosk that will focus primarily on the needs of college students. "DVDs, video games, local musician's CDs, and independent films will all be housed in these kiosks." Foster noted that his pitch was distinct because of his community focused business model. "For example, eight percent of all profits will go back to the community as voted on by university students. Additionally, each kiosk is custom designed by a university art student to give the machines true school spirit."

While Foster and McCullough were finalists, they did not receive a prize from the competition. "Just being recognized was truly an honor given the caliber of the businesses presented and the competitive nature of the contest." The winning team created an electronically integrated teddy bear that focused on teaching children how to administer insulin shots on their own, at an early age. "The concept was truly innovative and the product has a great outlook for future expansion," says Foster.

Foster also is president of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) at SIUE. Members of CEO learn about helpful resources for entrepreneurial research, local entrepreneurial successes, the start-up process, opportunities available to young entrepreneurs, as well as networking. The organization will be hosting SIUE's first business plan-pitch competition in spring 2011.

SIUE School of Nursing To Offer Doctorate In Nursing Program

21 December 2010, 5:30 pm

In a move to address the future needs of the nursing profession, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing is embarking on a new initiative, offering a doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), post-master's degree program beginning in the fall.

The new degree, a five-semester curriculum, is designed to address the new regulations proposed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Currently, 132 DNP programs, including SIUE, are enrolling students at schools of nursing nationwide; while an additional 160 DNP programs are in the planning stages.

Kathy Ketchum, assistant dean for graduate programs in the SIUE School of Nursing explained the DNP process. "Students will be immersed in doctoral education through on-campus week long intensives, focused coursework, experiential learning, self-assessment and reflection on learning and project management skill development," Ketchum stated.

SIUE Nursing Dean Marcia Maurer said the DNP will help master's prepared, advanced practice nurses move to the next level of expertise. "Nurses prepared at the doctorate level will be able to develop practice, organizational, economic and leadership skills," Maurer said.

"Building on their specialty practice, DNP graduates will be poised to become leaders as they design new models of nursing care, use evidence-based knowledge in decision-making, better evaluate health care outcomes, identify and manage health care needs of individuals, communities and populations, and use technology and information to create needed change in health care."

Admission requirements for the DNP program at SIUE include:

Application to the School of Nursing and the Graduate School;
Graduation from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited master's program in nursing;
RN licensing in good standing;
A minimum nursing graduate GPA of 3.0/4.0;
Narrative statements of applicant's goals for the DNP Program and project;
Three letters of reference, with at least one from a person with a graduate degree in nursing or related field; and a
Personal interview, among others pre-requisites.

Ketchum stated the SIUE School of Nursing DNP program would be a transformative learning process for all individuals involved. "The program will transform excellent nurses into the future leaders of the profession."

Visit the website for a full list of requirements and prerequisites. Applications from advanced nursing practice professionals will be open until March 1. For more information, please contact Pat Koehne, (618) 650-3930 or pkoehne@siue.edu.

Graduate School Workshop Slated Jan. 12 & 13

21 December 2010, 4:25 pm

Workshops to discuss Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) proposal preparation will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 12-13 in the Graduate School Conference Room, Rendleman Hall, room 2202.

RGGS awards are small grants up to $500 offered on a competitive basis to support research initiated and conducted by classified graduate students to enhance academic progress. While faculty advisors oversee the research, the program is to support graduate student research, particularly related to the thesis or final project.

Graduate students are eligible to apply for grants if they are in good academic standing, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA with at least 6 hours completed in the graduate program, and enrolled in graduate-level coursework as a degree-seeking graduate student during the term in which they apply. Previous grant recipients are not eligible for a second grant.

Students can find more information and applications online. The deadline for proposals is Feb. 7.

SIUE Alumni Association Accepting Applications For Scholarship

20 December 2010, 9:48 am

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association is now accepting applications for association's two scholarship programs, which provides assistance to the children, grandchildren, siblings, spouses and partners of association members. Each year, the association board awards two full scholarships-one to a current undergraduate student and another to an incoming SIUE freshman-in addition to five $100 scholarships.

The 2010-2011 Legacy Scholarship winners were Kristina Copeland and Lisa Mosby. Copeland found the scholarship to help ease the financial burden of college. "This scholarship greatly relieves my worries and even assures me that SIUE is the place for me," Copeland said.

The second scholarship program is the Stahlschmidt Family Legacy Scholarship. It was created by the Stahlschmidt in honor of their parents, Dorothy and Raymond. Eight of the 10 Stahlschmidt children attended SIUE and are thankful to their parents for their support. The Stahlschmidt Scholarship consists of two $1,500 scholarships to incoming SIUE students.

Last year's recipients of the Stahlschmidt award were Kristopher Klette of Edwardsville and Matya White of Neoga.

The association wants to provide beneficial assistance to as many SIUE students as possible. "Our alumni members know firsthand the value of their educational experience, and we are delighted to recognize scholarly achievement," said Bev George, president of the SIUE Alumni Association.

Applications for both scholarships are due by Friday, Feb. 25. For more information about the scholarships or to apply, visit the Awards and Scholarships page: www.siue.edu/alumni.

Psychology Student Wins Non-Traditional Student Award

17 December 2010, 12:18 am

Alec Macdonald, a psychology major at SIUE, is recipient of the 2010 Prestigious Non-Traditional Student Award for academic excellence and for meeting "the challenges of academe with determination and enthusiasm." A 3.5 cumulative GPA is required for this award.

Macdonald, 40, was nominated by Assistant Professor Thaddeus Meeks and also supported by Associate Professor Betsy Meinz, both psychology faculty members. Macdonald, who has a 3.8 GPA, is a research assistant in Meeks' laboratory.

"He is very eager to learn about the topics he researches," Meeks said. "Alec has consistently been one of the top performers (with) exam scores among the top in his class of 15 students. Alec picks up on material very quickly and seems to understand the information at a deeper level than most students. His research writing skills are beyond what is expected" and "his actions strongly support his native intellectual curiosity."

Meinz had this to say: "Alec MacDonald is performing at the top of my PSYC 221 course. Most impressive, however, is his sincere desire to understand the course material. His writing skills are top-notch," she said, "yet he continues to work to refine them. He asks insightful questions in class, and pushes his classmates (and me) to understand the material more deeply.

"Simply put, he isn't content to earn an A; his goal is to master the course material. On top of it all, he's a kind, generous and an exceedingly intellectually curious student. He's simply a joy to have in class."

A. Weeks Is December EOM

15 December 2010, 3:28 pm

Congratulations: Ann Weeks, an office support specialist for Instructional Services, is the December recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Weeks (center) holds the award that was given her by Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenn Neher (far right). In addition to the plaque she received, Weeks was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations and parking close to her office for the month. Also in the photo, Weeks is flanked by Raymond McDaniel, another IS instructor who nominated her, and Yvonne Mitkos, IS director who endorsed the nomination. At far left is Sherry Senkfor, director of Human Services. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

Leisure Learning Language Opportunities Offer International Exposure

15 December 2010, 3:14 pm

Leisure Learning Activities starting in February will provide adult learners exposure to international culture and language on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.

The SIUE Office of Educational Outreach is offering several courses to raise cultural awareness and give adult learners the chance to learn a new language. Beginning Latin II will kick off from 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 1-April 12 in SIUE's Peck Hall, room 2406.

Instructor Lyle Buettner will take students on a journey, focusing on vocabulary, simple sentence structure and an introduction to Roman life and culture. The 10-session course is $99; $114 after Jan. 25.

Intermediate Spanish, designed for individuals with a strong basic understanding of the language, is being offered to expand students' grasp of the Spanish culture and language. Classes will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 14-April 11 in SIUE's Peck Hall, room 0309.

Instructor Ana Harris will lead the course to enhance participants' ability to effectively communicate. The 8-session course is $59; $74 after Feb. 7.

A mix of language courses will be offered starting Wednesday, Feb. 16 including Advanced Italian Language from 4-6 p.m. at Manning Hall Library, St. Peter & Paul School, 239 Morrison in Collinsville by Instructor Barbara Klein; Beginning Italian Language from 6-8 p.m. in SIUE's Peck Hall, room 0309 led by Instructor Fabia D'Amore-Krug; Beginning German from 6-8 p.m. at Collinsville High School, room 140, 2201 S. Morrison in Collinsville led by Instructor Gabriele Steinhauff, and Conversation in Japanese from 7-8:30 p.m. in SIUE's Peck Hall, room 2410 led by Instructor Sachiko Kobayashi. Courses will run for 8-to-10 sessions. Fees vary by course, with early bird registration taking place before Feb. 9.

Also, 8-and-10-session courses will begin Thursday, Feb. 17 including Intermediate German from 6-8 p.m. at Collinsville High School led by Steinhauff; Introduction to Chinese (Mandarin) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in SIUE's Peck Hall, room 2409 led by Instructor Shu-Lin Englert, and Japanese for Beginners from 7-8:30 p.m. in SIUE's Peck Hall, room 2410 led by Kobayashi. Fees vary by course, with early bird registration taking place before Feb. 10.

Students are required to purchase texts for the Leisure Learning Activities courses. For more information, visit siue.edu/educationaloutreach or call (618) 650-3210. To register online, visit https://aceweb.siue.edu/WConnect/ace/.

No courses on campus will be offered the week of spring break, March 6-12.

SIU School of Dental Medicine Prepares To Give Kids a Smile

15 December 2010, 1:56 pm

Dental professionals through the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) in Alton are urging parents to bring their qualified children, ages three to 13, to the Give Kids A Smile Day on Friday, Feb. 4, for free examinations, necessary X-rays, cleanings and fluoride treatments, fillings, any necessary extractions and other dental care.

Children qualified to participate in the event are those eligible for free and reduced-priced meal programs. Give Kids A Smile Day will last all day, with registration of children to take place from 7:30 a.m.-noon on that Friday at the SDM Gymnasium, Building 281, while care will be administered in the Main Clinic, Building 263, both at 2800 College Ave.

The SDM, the Madison District Dental Society, the St. Clair District Dental Society and Lewis and Clark Community College (L&C) are sponsoring the event; professionals and volunteers from the community will participate. "While many area schools provide in-school dental programs, allowing students access to dentists and some dental services, qualified children who attend Give Kids a Smile Day have the ability to undergo dental work on the spot at no charge, said Dr. Poonam Jain, an associate professor at the SDM and director of Community and Preventive Dentistry for the School. She also is chair of the Feb. 4 event.

" Give Kids a Smile is a national program sponsored by the American Dental Association to raise awareness of oral health issues for the underserved children of our country, and to provide dental care for these children on the designated day," Jain said. "During past years, this event has attracted local dentists, hygienists and dental students, who have helped treat hundreds of children, providing thousands of dollars in free dental treatment."

Activities for children will take place throughout the day on Feb. 4. The L&C Dental Hygiene and Assisting programs will host a "Smile Station" on site, featuring games to help children learn the importance of keeping their teeth clean.

While registration for the event is required throughout the morning, dental work will be performed throughout the day. For more information, contact Sherie Gottlob, (618) 474-7200, or, by e-mail: sgottlo@siue.edu.

Senior Business Student Is Recipient of Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award

15 December 2010, 1:51 pm

Heather Fischer, a senior student in the SIUE School of Business, is recipient of this year's Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award. This award is presented by student government and is given to students who are "non-traditional," which is defined by the Illinois Board of Higher Education as an undergraduate student who is at least 24 years old and also meets at least one of the following criteria: is a parent, is employed full or part time, is married, or has delayed enrollment in higher education. The award is given to such students involved in leadership roles in the University or community and to those who demonstrate exemplary leadership by upholding the values of SIUE: citizenship, openness, integrity, excellence and wisdom.

Fischer was nominated by her strategic management (MGMT441) professor, Yuping Zeng. "Heather is highly qualified for the Non-Traditional Student Award. I nominated Heather because of her excellent academic performance and her commitment to her family and the community." Zeng sadi. In addition to her family responsibility and school work, Heather is a Girl Scout leader, Girl Scout co-leader and Girl Scout day camp co-director.

Debra Hoge Memorial Lecture Series Honors Lifetime Of Service

15 December 2010, 1:59 pm

An event recently held featuring noted sportscaster Bob Costas raised money in honor of the late Debra Hoge, a professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education's Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders (SECD.)

The Debra Hoge Memorial Lecture Series was established to carry on the efforts of the late professor, who was an outstanding teacher and child advocate. To honor her lifetime of service to education and children, and her dedication and passion to her work, the lecture series was organized. The money raised through events will be used to organize an all-day workshop for area school professionals about medically fragile infants and children and the role professionals can play in response to intervention. It also will be used for two on-campus assistive technology conferences for students, faculty and members of the community.

The focus and driving force behind every event in the Hoge Series is to embrace collaborative partnerships with the university and broader community, improve education for all students through professional development of school personnel, and provide opportunities for students, faculty, and community members to learn alongside one another.

For more information on the Dr. Debra Hoge Memorial Lecture Series or to make a donation, contact SIUE's Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, attn. Michelle Kreger, Campus Box 1147, Edwardsville, IL, 62026 or mkreger@siue.edu.

Bob Costas, front and center, surrounded by SIUE School of Education faculty.

BOT Gives Project, Budget Approval For $6.5M Greek Housing

9 December 2010, 5:42 pm

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today gave project and budget approval to renovate eight Cougar Village Apartment Complex buildings at SIUE to accommodate Greek organization housing at a cost of $6.5 million to be funded through the University Housing Repair and Replacement Reserve funds. The action was taken at the board's regular meeting conducted on the campus of SIU Carbondale and was among several affecting facilities at the Edwardsville campus.

The capital project, Greek Living and Learning Community, includes authorization to allow the board's Executive Committee to award contracts for the project, if such action would expedite the matter in lieu of scheduling full board action.

In planning the project, an analysis was done to determine demand and to develop program scenarios to meet those demands. University officials said the proposal represents a solution that would allow for the conversion of the apartment buildings with the intended users to be Greek student organizations.

SIUE's Greek Community consists of some 18 chapters and more than 650 members. A task force was established in fall semester 2009 to develop an action plan for those chapters that have an interest in living in a Greek life setting that promotes a sense of community. The model developed is unique to SIUE in that it complements the existing Housing Program, built on the concept of a living-learning environment.

The proposal involves some 60,768 square feet that would be located within the 400 side of Cougar Village Apartment Complex, adjacent to parking lot 4A, 4B and 4C. Each building would feature a mix of shared and single bedrooms, with a total accommodation of 176 beds.

The proposed area would be clustered together and would involve updating the facade of the buildings to give each building individual identity. The residential portion would be mostly on the second floor except for each organization's student leadership and accessible units on the first floor. The proposal calls for each community area to feature a study room, living room, multifunction room, storage, dining area and kitchen on the first floor.

The proposal also includes plans to promote academic success, to foster personal development, to encourage residential social responsibility, to contribute to campus life and to advance SIUE's commitment to excellence, officials said.

GreekCommunityProposal

BOT Awards Contracts For NCERC Equipment Installation Site Prep

9 December 2010, 5:34 pm

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today awarded $366,840 in contracts to three Illinois companies for site preparation at the SIU Edwardsville National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC). The project will prepare the facility for installation at a later date of the NCERC's new corn fractionation equipment.

The action was taken today by the SIU Board at its regular meeting conducted on the campus of SIU Carbondale and includes a provision to authorize the board's executive committee to award contracts for the purchase of the fractionation equipment and its installation, if it will expedite the project in lieu of scheduling full board action.

The NCERC action was among several affecting facilities at the Edwardsville campus. The board also gave project and budget approval to expand the Vadalabene Center with an Athletics Office addition at a $4.5 million cost to be funded through private donations and University construction funds. It will be named the Charles and Mary Lukas Athletics Annex.

In regard to the NCERC action, the companies awarded the contracts are:

River City Construction of Peoria, $154,000, for general contracting;
Lowry Electric of East St. Louis, $32,840, for electrical work; and
Amsco Mechanical of Granite City, $180,000, for heating.

University officials have noted the project will be funded through existing grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

The NCERC project includes:

Removing the existing wet mill system no longer used at the research center;
Clearing all process mechanical systems, electrical systems and accessory components associated with the wet mill process.

The NCERC performs research using emerging technologies and it has been determined by the Illinois Corn Growers Association that corn fractionation is a priority technology in the corn-to-ethanol industry. Corn fractionation is the process of separating a corn kernel into its three parts: endosperm (starch), germ (oil) and bran (fiber). That equipment will be installed under another contract at a later date.

In other business the board also approved a modification in the SIUE land use plan to create a 380-acre nature preserve on the 2,660-acre campus. Under the plan, the board designated the preserve to be located along the western edge of the campus between the campus core and Stadium Drive and between the campus core and New Poag Road. The area will be protected from development and will preserve the space for faculty and student research and educational opportunities.

The SIUE Nature Preserve is unique in the region and positions SIUE to compete for research funds and continue to attract superior faculty. This faculty-led initiative facilitates inter-disciplinary collaboration and joint projects with other universities, research foundations and government agencies.

The Nature Preserve designation will continue for 50 years in order to facilitate long-term research projects. At the end of the 50-year designation, the SIU Board will evaluate the efficacy of the preserve and decide whether to continue the designation. The approval also includes an administrative change to recognize the designation of The Gardens at SIUE, incorporating the Donal Myer Arboretum, south of East University Drive and along North University Drive.

In other action today, the SIU Board:

Gave project and budget approval to renovate 3,700 square feet of space in SIUE's Founders Hall to create the School of Business Resource Center at an estimated cost of $600,000 funded through private donations and University construction funds;
Gave planning approval for an indoor, off-season softball practice facility that would also be used for storage.

Nursing Students Offered Health Screenings, Clothing Drive for Underserved

8 December 2010, 3:27 pm

The Salvation Army in East Saint Louis received much-needed assistance on Tuesday, Nov. 23, through the charitable efforts of six Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing students. The public health clinical group of Kelley Humphrey, Mary Moran, Lauren Drahl, Emily Cowell, Katie Kolb and Emily Watson organized a clothing drive after completing their clinical rotation at the same Salvation Army location.

The initial clinical project included offering blood pressure and blood sugar screenings. While performing these services, the students recognized the need for assistance and realized they could do more to help this particular community. The students began organizing a clothing drive immediately. Four vehicles were filled with donated clothing and taken to the Nov. 23 event.

Nursing student Kelley Humphrey had worked diligently over several weeks with her clinical group to create a well-organized drive for the community. "The main thing that stuck with us the day of our clinical was that many residents are in need of additional resources," she explained. "We wanted this clothing drive to be really organized to ensure the maximum number of people was assisted."

The students' clinical professor, Kathi Thimsen, said initiatives like this prove that nursing students are not only committed to their education, but to the community around them. " Learning from Service goals were met beyond a doubt as the nursing students gave up precious holiday vacation time to provide the clothing and serve dinner to the individuals and families that were present."

Commenting on the experience, Humphrey said, "It was a lot of hard work, but it was extremely rewarding. We were all very excited to be a part of this effort to give back to the community."

In the photo (from left) are: Lauren Drahl, Emily Cowell, Salvation Army East St. Louis Core Administrator Lt. Katie Harris-Smith, East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks, Mary Moran, Kelley Humphrey and East St. Louis Program Coordinator Latoya Greenwood.

SIUE School of Engineering Professor Realizes His Vision with Sound Technology

7 December 2010, 1:50 pm

Andreas Stefik, assistant professor of computer science, turns his vision of helping the blind and visually impaired into reality. By using his passion in computer science and programming, Stefik continues to work with colleagues to create sound-infused programming languages to help people who are blind or visually impaired learn to program. He hopes it will ultimately assist them in obtaining careers as computer programmers.

Read more about how Stefik and his cutting-edge innovation in the interview, " Blind Usability with NetBeans IDE at World Usability Day."

University Staff Senate Recently Awarded Scholarship To Daughter Of Two Employees

3 December 2010, 4:33 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville University Staff Senate recently awarded a scholarship to Chelsie Lesicko, the daughter of Jeff Lesicko, a carpenter in Key Control for Facilities Management, and Donna Lesicko, an account technician in Accounts Payable.

The Staff Senate awards scholarships annually to qualifying students who apply, who are the son, daughter, grandchild or spouse of a current SIUE employee, as specified in the application.

Click here for the photo at right: In the photo, (from left) are: Jeff and Donna Lesicko; Chelsie Lesicko, who is receiving the award certificate from SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift; University Staff Senate President Michael Pulley; and Staff Senate Treasurer Jesse B. Harris Jr. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

Local Business, SIAM Collaborate On Revolutionary Machinery

3 December 2010, 2:31 pm

Hydrodynamic Technologies Inc. of Collinsville and the Southwest Illinois Advanced Manufacturing Center (SIAM) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are preparing locally to globally revolutionize the roughly $50 million bar feeding industry, a business segment related to metalworking and production machining.

For the last five years, Ray Varady, a graduate of SIU Carbondale with a bachelor of science in manufacturing engineering and owner of Hydrodynamic Technologies, has worked with SIAM Center Director Kevin Hubbard, SIUE associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, on research and development of a patented fluid that will allow companies to retrofit expensive machinery.

Such a move would save money, create jobs and improve efficiencies and productivity for industry leaders ranging from aerospace to electrical, plumbing, automotive and medical.

Varady said for machines that currently use hydraulic oil in a bar feeder for production-turning operations in a lathe, his invention will support the use of electromagnets to change the viscosity of magnetic rheological fluid. The fluid will support the bar stock at the required RPM, whatever the size, without the need to retool the barfeeder, reducing changeover time and the expense of additional guide channels.

"This will allow the machinery to be used to cut the materials to size to fit specification and use," Varady said. "Whether you want 10,000 pieces of a faucet part or valve, or 100,000, it will run seamlessly.

"And, it doesn't matter if you are changing your bar stock diameters from 3/8 of an inch to 2 inches. You won't have to change out parts. You can just adjust the viscosity of the fluid using the electromagnets."

The technology was introduced recently at the 2010 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago. Varady said his company is negotiating a licensing agreement.

"What makes SIAM unique is that it brings together every element necessary to make manufacturing work-the intellectual resources, the physical capacity to fabricate and test new technologies, and the academic programs necessary to enhance our technical workforce," Hubbard said.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Area is the nation's largest producer of military aircraft, and hosts the greatest concentration of automotive production outside Michigan. Hundreds of companies in Southwestern and Central Illinois serve as suppliers to the equipment and defense industry super-cluster.

The region also lies at the center of the emerging bio-belt. Enterprises in the bio-processing industry operate at the intersection of the region's two largest economic engines-manufacturing and agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) has funded the creation of the SIAM Center at SIUE. SIAM works with both established and start-up enterprises. The Center assists these technical enterprises in activities including:

• Product Design and Fabrication

• Product Development

• Process Optimization

• New Technology Development

The EDA provides matching funds for SIAM projects, allowing companies like Varady's to leverage their research and development investments. SIAM has achieved a return-on-investment ratio of more than 10, Hubbard said. For each dollar spent on SIAM projects, more than $10 is returned to the regional economy in the form of created and retained jobs, improved productivity and quality, and reduced production costs.

"The creation of the EDA-funded SIAM Center represents a total investment of more than $690,000 annually in the regional economy," he said.

For more information, contact Hubbard, (888) 708-7483, or visit the website: siue.edu/ENGINEER/SIAM.

Lovejoy Library Collection Digitizes SIUE Observer

3 December 2010, 2:28 pm

A new digital collection from Lovejoy Library at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville makes accessible and searchable the University community's once popular column-style communication piece that was published from 1978-1999.

The Observer started out as an administrative newsletter from the Office of the SIUE President. The late Pete Simpson, a former assistant to the president, served as the publication's editor from 1978-1986.

In a statement of purpose, Simpson declared the "attention of our columns will be directed to matters of general policy interest, the activities that salt the SIUE calendar, and reportage about all the people who make up our so-called 'community' on the Edwardsville campus." The intent of The Observer, he stated was to complement the student-produced newspaper, The Alestle.

As a weekly 8 ½-by-11-inch distribution with illustrations, the piece served as the primary administrative communication tool for staff, faculty and students. Focused on informing the University community about decisions made by administrators, The Observer also accepted submissions from its readers.

For two years, while Simpson battled cancer, several individuals were involved in contributing to and publishing The Observer. Then, in 1988 Gregory J. Conroy, then of University News Services and now director of SIUE Public Affairs, took over the prominent role as editor.

Conroy and Graphic Designer Ed Stan gave The Observer a new look within the existing paper format. Then in early 1989, the publication switched to a 4-page, 4-column tab-size newspaper format of 11 ½-by-14 ½ inches and was circulated every other week.

"In 1988, when I joined the SIUE Office of University News Service, then-director Sam Smith was so proud of the fact that he had just installed some Apple IIe computers with 256K-that's K, not M-of memory," Conroy said. "The floppy discs were indeed floppy and the monitor screen sported green lettering.

"But, like Sam, we all were impressed that it was all so much easier than dealing with typewriters, literally cutting out mistakes and pasting over them with new copy."

Conroy recalled how advances in technology paved the way for cost-savings and a reinvention of the publication. Prior to technological innovation, The Observer was printed and published by printers off campus with the help of SIUE's Ruth Armes-in what was known then as Graphics and Publications-producing the typesetting on galleys, which were then laid out by the graphics department.

"The cost to us for the typesetting and the layout were high," Conroy said. "Then I heard about the Macintosh, a computer with a tiny screen and a printer that would print out typesetter-quality galleys.

"I convinced Sam to purchase a Mac and a laser printer for a total of about $5,000."

Conroy said he and Stan took over the typesetting and layout using the new machines and considerably cut the cost of producing the newsletter. "Thank goodness the cost of that computer and printer was recaptured in the first year," Conroy said.

The next effort under Conroy was changing the newsletter to a newspaper-style layout and having it published by The Edwardsville Intelligencer. For nearly a decade the publication was produced in this way.

Declared a publication of record in 1993, The Observer would highlight "the activities of our faculty and staff through news and information reports, features, profiles, and through publication of policy matters," Conroy said.

In 1999, with the ever-growing popularity of e-mail and the Internet, Conroy made another change-publishing The Observer online, which became known as The O. "Gone were the days of newsprint, printer's ink and doing the mailing of some 2,500 of those papers every two weeks with the help of several student workers," he said.

The final change for The O came in 2004 when the content began being published as SIUE News in a linear format.

"We no longer tried to emulate a newspaper layout," Conroy said. "I'm happy to see the newsletter and the newspapers have been preserved digitally.

"Seeing these now brings back some great memories."

Conroy thanked Library & Information Services Dean Regina McBride and her staff, especially Steve Kerber, head of the Louisa H. Bowen University Archives & Special Collections at Lovejoy Library, for creating the new digital collection.

The digital version of the SIUE Observer, and other Library & Information Services Digital Collections and Exhibits, may be accessed at the website: www.siue.edu/lovejoylibrary/about/digital_collections.shtml.

K. Ledford Is August EOM

3 December 2010, 8:58 am

Congratulations: Katherine Ledford, an office support specialist in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the August recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. Because of scheduling conflicts, Ledford's award presentation did not occur until Thursday, Dec. 2, in the lobby of the Engineering Building. In the photo at right, Ledford is flanked by Professor Luis Youn, chair of the department, and Chris Gordon, assistant professor of construction and chair of that department. At far left is Engineering Dean Hasan Sevim. In addition to the plaque Ledford received, she was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations and parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

SIUE Housing Staff Member Wins Regional Case Study

23 November 2010, 4:30 pm

Jamie Matthews, the community director of Woodland Hall-one of four residence halls at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville-along with a colleague from Miami University of Ohio, were co-winners of the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) Regional Case Study Competition at the recent GLACUHO conference in Collinsville last month.

Matthews participated in the post-master's category of the competition-professionals with a master's and up to five years' experience. The case study is an opportunity for professionals to apply theory to practice in a competitive case study environment. The annual conference focuses on advancing professional knowledge and standards in the field of student housing. More than 70 educational program sessions were offered, with two keynote speakers who focused on partnerships with faculty and the economic impact on student housing, as well as the case study competition.

Thirteen teams participated in the post-Master's category of the competition. The teams represented all states within the GLACUHO region. Matthews and Phil Campbell, the co-winner from Miami University, completed two cases. They first completed a case against all teams in their division and then the top two teams had a "case off," which Matthews and Campbell won.

Commenting on the experience, Matthews said, "winning the case study competition was an honor. However, more than winning, the process was a great experience; providing an opportunity for feedback from fellow colleagues and peers in a challenging environment where we apply theory to practice."

For additional information on the GLACUHO conference, contact Amanda Stonecipher, (618) 650-4627 or by e-mail: astonec@siue.edu.

39th Annual SIUE Holiday Crafts Fair Set For Dec. 1-2

23 November 2010, 2:41 pm

The 39th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is set for 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 1-2, in SIUE's Morris University Center.

Sponsored by the Morris University Center Print and Design Shop, there is no admission charge to attend the fair and the public is invited.

Items at the fair will include original works produced by local and regional artists and crafts persons. Many types of handmade goods will be available for purchase, including ceramics, wood, weaving, fiber, metal and glass, among others. Selections for purchase will include many articles suitable for holiday gifts.

For more information about obtaining booth space or about the fair itself, call Tom Ostresh in the Print and Design Shop, (618) 650-2178.

SIUE Charter School Students Hear Some of Poetry's Finest

19 November 2010, 10:17 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School students recently "ego-tripped" their way through the writings of some of the most gifted poets of the 21 ^st Century.

A group of students got a chance to listen to recorded readings of Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton, Nikki Giovanni, Eugene B. Redmond and Margaret Walker, reading respectively, "Still I Rise," "Rhythm Blues," "We Real Cool," "Won't You Celebrate With Me," "ego-tripping," Milestones" and "Molly Means."

Howard Rambsy II, associate professor of English language and literature and director of the Black Studies Program at SIUE, presented his Black Poetry Mixed Media Project. Students participated in an interactive experience, mixing poetry and culture. The students used an audio device to listen to various African-American poets reading their own poetry.

While students listened, they also read the poems and looked at various pictures on poster board presentations. The pictures were from the Eugene B. Redmond Collection at SIUE's Lovejoy Library. Redmond, who is East St. Louis Poet Laureate, is a professor emeritus. The poster boards and plaques displayed photos, poetry and biographical information about each poet.

In the photo above: Discussing the value and contributions of black poets is Howard Rambsy II, associate professor of English language and literature and director of the Black Studies Program at SIUE, with Charter High School student Henrie Wicks.

Retired Assistant Provost Rudy Wilson To Be Honored Nov. 16

11 November 2010, 5:42 pm

Several educators, including those from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will gather from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, to pay tribute to retired SIUE Assistant Provost for Cultural and Social Diversity Rudy Wilson by presenting a book of essays that was published in his honor. The book, Multiculturalism in the Age of the Mosaic: Essays in Honor of Rudolph G. Wilson (Nova Publishing, 2010), will be presented at the ceremony in the Hickory-Hackberry Room on the second floor of SIUE's Morris University Center,

A collection of essays that address issues of multiculturalism and diversity, it was edited by Michael O. Afọláyan, a former SIUE faculty member who is now assistant director for Academic Affairs for the Illinois Board of Higher Education. "This collection is a festschrift (a book honoring a respected person) that takes scholarship in multiculturalism one step beyond stereotypical discourses and procedural dimensions," Afọláyan said. "With a conglomerate of scholars from fields of education, anthropology, linguistics, and allied professions around the world providing critical perspectives from their expertise, what we see here is a rare scholarship that accentuates humanities at its best.

"A meta-textual document, this work provides the definition of 'multiculturalism' in its contents as well as in its contexts. It is as practical as it is theoretical," Afọláyan said. "This is one book that will pass the test of time and broaden the horizon of scholarship in libraries as well as in classrooms, research desks and in international policy making activities."

During his tenure in the Provost's office, Assistant Provost Wilson was responsible for SIUE's Minority Recruitment and Retention Program designed to recruit and retain outstanding minority faculty and students. He also sponsored programs dealing with "at risk" learning, mentor training, pedagogy and research, and was coordinator of the Johnetta Haley Scholarship Academy. In addition, Wilson coordinated the University's initiative on diversity, "Pathways to Harmony," which helped promote greater sensitivity to and positive awareness of gender, race, culture, lifestyle and disability issues on the SIUE campus.

In addition to Wilson, the ceremony will include SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson; Northeastern Illinois University President Sharon Hahs, former SIUE Provost; SIUE Assistant Provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion Venessa Brown; and Eugene Redmond, poet laureate of East St. Louis and professor emeritus of English language and literature at SIUE, among several others.

Wagner Potters Association Hosts 34th Annual Turkey Feast

10 November 2010, 2:04 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Wagner Potters Association is hosting the 34th Annual Turkey Feast from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, Nov. 12 in the Art and Design Building Atrium on campus.

The event is a potluck turkey dinner and will conclude the ceramic area's visiting artist workshop, featuring Susan Beiner, professor of Art at Arizona State University. Grupo Bembe will provide live music during the event. The SIUE community is invited to attend and bring a dish.

The event is partly funded by Student Government. For more information contact the department of art and design, (618) 650-3146.

November 2010

K. Vollmer Is November Employee Of The Month

39th Annual SIUE Holiday Crafts Fair Set For Dec. 1-2

'A Season For The Child' Continues At SIUE With 'The Nutcracker'

SIUE School of Business Holds Sixth Annual Project Management Symposium

Student Government Launches We Are One, We Are The "e" Campaign

SIUE Collaborative Project Wins Regional Award

SIUE Resident Assistants Cited At Annual National Conference

SIUE Housing Staff Member Wins Regional Case Study

SIUE Opera Theater Presents Jack And The Beanstalk On The Road

39th Annual SIUE Holiday Crafts Fair Set For Dec. 1-2

SIUE East St. Louis Center For Performing Arts, SIUE Charter High School To Present Holiday Celebration

SIUE School of Engineering and Chemistry Professors Regionally Recognized

SIUE School of Nursing Faculty Awarded $5K Healthcare Research Grant

Dec. 15 George Winston Arts & Issues Event Sold Out

SIUE Charter School Students Hear Some of Poetry's Finest

Retired Assistant Provost Rudy Wilson To Be Honored Nov. 16

Wagner Potters Association Hosts 34th Annual Turkey Feast

Student Newspaper, The Alestle, Wins National College Journalism Award

Young American Muslims To Speak At SIUE

Ten SIUE Students To Be Inducted Into Red Storm Chapter Of NRHH

Engineering Students Offer the SIUE Community a True Turkish Experience

University Museum Helps In Fundraising Effort

Health Policy Summit To Identify Practical Steps For Sustainable Change

Project Safe Recovery Evaluated By SIUE Team

New National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Members to be Inducted

DRS Technologies Engineering Leaders Visit SIUE School Of Engineering

SIUE School Of Engineering Faculty Awarded $192K Grant

SIUE School of Engineering Graduate Stands Out And Wins

Professor Of International Security To Visit SIUE Campus

Nov. 16 Jazz Concert To Feature Big Band Music

K. Vollmer Is November Employee Of The Month

30 November 2010, 5:50 pm

Congratulations: Kenneth Vollmer, a grounds worker for Facilities Management, is the November recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Vollmer (at left) is being presented the award by Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenn Neher. In addition to the plaque Vollmer received, he was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations and parking close to his office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

39th Annual SIUE Holiday Crafts Fair Set For Dec. 1-2

23 November 2010, 2:41 pm

The 39th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is set for 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 1-2, in SIUE's Morris University Center.

Sponsored by the Morris University Center Print and Design Shop, there is no admission charge to attend the fair and the public is invited.

For more information about obtaining booth space or about the fair itself, call Tom Ostresh in the Print and Design Shop, (618) 650-2178.

'A Season For The Child' Continues At SIUE With 'The Nutcracker'

29 November 2010, 3:23 pm

Audiences will enter a fairytale dream world as the young Marie encounters adventures with evil mice, dancing fairies and distant lands in The Nutcracker, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) holiday show on Saturday, Dec. 4, part of the organization's A Season for the Child series.

The Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC), the traveling arm of the Repertory Theatre Company of St. Louis, will stage this classic show at 2 and 7 p.m. in SIUE's Dunham Hall theater. The ITC has been working with FOTAD for two decades to produce family-oriented theater for the Edwardsville area. The production is being offered twice so that families will have a chance to see the show during the busy holiday season.

The Nutcracker is E.T.A Hoffmann's beloved story that was immortalized in Tchaikovsky's legendary ballet. Although this production is not the ballet, it promises to be full of the same charm as ITC performs this wonderful adaptation for the stage, with new music, featuring the story of the little lonely girl, Marie, who finds magic in some unlikely places. She befriends a nutcracker who leads her on adventures, showing Marie that friends may not be so hard to find and that the magic of the holidays can last throughout the year.

The Nutcracker continues A Season for the Child, in its 21 ^st year of presenting family-oriented theater to Southwestern Illinois audiences. The series, sponsored by FOTAD, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, TheBANK of Edwardsville and Ameren Utilities, features professional theater troupes from St. Louis that stage adaptations of various children's stories, using interactive techniques that not only delight children and parents but also provide a learning experience.

In January, Piwacket Theatre Company will present its quirky take on an old fairytale classic- Snow White and the Eighth Dwarf-at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in Dunham Hall theater. All tickets for A Season for the Child are $5 per person and may be obtained through the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.

SIUE School of Business Holds Sixth Annual Project Management Symposium

29 November 2010, 3:16 pm

The Morris University Conference Center, on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, was the site of the annual Project Management Symposium, The Next Generation of Project Management: Are You Ready? This all-day event attracted more than 250 people from local corporations and businesses.

The symposium consisted of various presentations, break-out sessions, and roundtable and panel discussions. Topics from the break-out sessions included Stray Rescue: Making a Bad Project Good and The Impact of Social Networking on the Project Manager. Both focused on how virtual projects and teams have an impact on the way the project is managed as well as the new tools and processes involved. Maryellen Kliethermes, supervisor of the IT PMO at Ameren Missouri, attended the Social Networking break-out session. Kliethermes said, "I really enjoyed the break-out session. We discussed the value of Facebook, Twitter and other media possibly useful in business. The conversation was very lively because the topic can be a little controversial due to the broad base of understanding."

Many of those in attendance were also presenters in a break-out session or a facilitator for one of the roundtable discussions. Peter Fornof, CIO and senior vice president of Hortica, was a facilitator for the discussion on ethics. When asked why he attended the symposium, Fornof said: "Although Project Management is not my profession, I'm responsible for large, critical projects at my company. I find 'comparing notes' with other attendees is very helpful. I also learn about best practices that I can apply to projects."

This is the sixth year that the Project Management Symposium has been held at SIUE. The event was sponsored by Ameren, Edward Jones, CA Technologies, Microsoft Project 2010, Oracle, Scottrade, The Metro St. Louis Chapter of the Project Management Institute, and the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network.

Student Government Launches We Are One, We Are The "e" Campaign

29 November 2010, 1:48 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Student Government launched a campaign recently to promote diversity awareness and campus unity.

The We Are One, We Are The "e" campaign is a campus initiative to celebrate differences on the SIUE community and showcase the campus as a safe and welcoming place for students, faculty, staff and visitors. The campaign's goal is to cultivate a community of citizens dedicated to enrichment through encouraging race and international relations, as well as socioeconomic, sexual orientation, disability and age diversity on campus.

As part of the kick off celebration, Student Government provided "Free Hugs" T-shirts to students, faculty and staff.

Plans are underway to introduce a resource center with information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, sexual harassment, race-related issues and other topics. The resources also will be available online.

The final phase of the campaign will involve working with current programs hosted on campus to educate segments of the population, boost recruitment initiatives and attendance, and engage in marketing.

The campaign will be operated through Student Government's School Spirit and Pride committee and will be comprised of SIUE students, faculty and staff members.

SIUE Collaborative Project Wins Regional Award

23 November 2010, 4:50 pm

One Night, a program that was a collaborative effort between Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Housing office and other University departments and community agencies, was awarded the Outstanding Project Award at the recent Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) conference in Collinsville last month.

The annual conference focuses on advancing professional knowledge and standards in the field of student housing. In addition to the project competition, more than 70 educational program sessions were offered at the conference, along with two keynote speakers focusing on partnerships with faculty and the economic impact on student housing. The Outstanding Project Award is presented to recognize and share an outstanding project developed by a GLACUHO institution and implemented during a previous academic year for its residence hall community.

The One Night program was presented in fall of last year on the SIUE campus and was led by Cathy Passananti and Jessica Vanderwood, both University Housing community directors. Nearly 700 students attended the program that was aimed at shattering students' beliefs that they are invincible to the consequences of alcohol consumption.

"The program urged students to consider how their decisions concerning alcohol could land them in a hospital, a morgue, or in jail," said Molly Sidarous, a specialist in the Office of University Housing. "This particular program put the students in regular situations they may encounter when consuming alcohol, and then presented an extreme change of events to show how easy it can be for a fun evening to have a tragic ending."

Passananti commented on the award: "I have been attending GLACUHO for six years and always saw this as a beneficial conference. The board typically recognizes the truly outstanding members and initiatives within the housing profession," she said. "When I heard them start reading from the One Night nomination I was thrilled. I feel so strongly that this program is fantastic and I am pleased that we were able to share it with the conference attendees through our presentation, and later be recognized for all the hard work SIUE staff put into it."

For additional information about the GLACUHO conference, contact Amanda Stonecipher, (618) 650-4627, or by e-mail: astonec@siue.edu.

SIUE Resident Assistants Cited At Annual National Conference

23 November 2010, 4:35 pm

At the Annual Great Lakes Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (GLACURH) Conference recently, Amanda Woods of Winthrop Harbor and a resident assistant (RA) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, was named Communications Coordinator Of The Year, while Kolby Spiker of Effingham, an RA at SIUE's Prairie Hall, was awarded a Top 10 Program Award for his program session, True Colors.

Woods, a former National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Executive Assistant/Communications Coordinator, and Spiker, along with a group of SIUE Housing student leaders, attended the annual conference at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

Woods' award was the result of a vote by her peers and communications coordinators from other regional institutions. As the NRHH communications coordinator, Woods' responsibilities included representing NRHH at the state, regional and national level. She also serves as the Illinois Residence Hall Association (IRHA) vice president for membership and NRHH.

Kyle Rice, assistant director for training and development, said, "to be recognized out of all of the students that hold this position at schools in Michigan, Ontario, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois is a huge honor. Only eight of these awards are given out per year across the United States and Canada, one per region," Rice said.

"We are very proud of the hard work that Amanda did to earn this award. She has been a credit to our student leadership program."

True Colors was named one of the Top 10 programs at the conference, based on peer evaluation and feedback. The True Colors program evaluated personality differences among staff, communities and friendships, and provided an opportunity to learn traits and habits of all personalities, as well as effective communication styles for each color. The program included a presentation about each color and how those personalities could impact each individual's career and co-curricular decisions, and a discussion on how to implement new practices and strategies.

Rice also commented on the success of Spiker's program, "Kolby presented by himself, while most students choose to present with a partner," Rice said. "Out of almost 50 different program sessions, for his program to be named one of the Top 10 is an honor.

"Kolby researched this topic and provided the participants in his program with an opportunity for introspection, and a chance to learn not only about themselves but how they interact with the people around them."

When asked about the recognition, Spiker commented, "I was excited and surprised that I received a top program award at GLACURH; there were many quality programs in my category. Since the conference, other conference attendees have requested more information about True Colors, so it is awesome to see how the program is impacting campuses regionally."

Woods, along with C.J. Massie, of Dupo, were awarded the Four-Year Service pin at the conference. The pin represents the students' ongoing, continued support for regional and national organizations. For additional information about GLACURH or student leadership opportunities in housing, contact Kyle Rice by e-mail: klineba@siue.edu, or, by telephone: (618) 650-4629.

SIUE Housing Staff Member Wins Regional Case Study

23 November 2010, 4:30 pm

For additional information on the GLACUHO conference, contact Amanda Stonecipher, (618) 650-4627 or by e-mail: astonec@siue.edu.

SIUE Opera Theater Presents Jack And The Beanstalk On The Road

23 November 2010, 2:46 pm

Students at elementary schools in Collinsville and Edwardsville school districts and children at St. Louis Children's Hospital are being dazzled by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Opera Theater's performances of John Davies' Jack and the Beanstalk.

The cast of vocal performance majors for the Jack and the Beanstalk Tour 2010 includes Catherine Murray, Benjamin Rardin, Jacquelyn Trapp, Zachary Snyder and Richard Ladd. The pianist for the performance is Sarah Gallaher.

The performances are part of an outreach effort on behalf of the opera theater to offer the community and area youth a fun musical experience.

"The cast is doing an excellent job of bringing the characters to life," said Marc Schapman, assistant professor of music at SIUE. "It has been a great opportunity for them each to perform a role so many times. It grows more every time I see it."

The opera theater started offering its field trip performances in October. So far, it has received rave reviews.

"The show boasts a message of anti-bullying, an important theme for today's

society," Schapman said. "I'm sure it will be a musical experience these students, and myself, will never forget. It's been a joy to see so many smiles and hear so many laughs from the

children this semester, and I'm looking forward to keeping outreach as an element of SIUE Opera Theater."

Remaining performances scheduled to take place include:

• Thursday, Dec. 2 at Midway Elementary in Moro;

• 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4 at SIUE's Abbott Auditorium;

• Monday, Dec. 6 at St. Louis Children's Hospital;

• Thursday, Dec. 9 at Renfro Elementary in Collinsville.

Tickets for the SIUE performances are $10 for regular admission and $7 for students, children 18 and younger, and seniors, and can be purchased through the SIUE Fine Arts Box Office, (618) 650-2774. Admission is free for SIUE students with a valid ID.

SIUE East St. Louis Center For Performing Arts, SIUE Charter High School To Present Holiday Celebration

22 November 2010, 3:36 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts and the SIUE Charter High School will present "Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice: A Holiday Celebration Just For You," at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Both performances will be staged at the SIUE East St. Louis Center's Multipurpose Theater, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., Building D, East St. Louis.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. For ticket information, contact Debbie Randle, (618) 482-6908.

The holiday program will include traditional holiday songs accentuated with dance, theater and music. Theodore H. Jamison is program director for the SIUE East Louis Center for the Performing Arts. The production is choreographed by Performing Arts staff members Andrea Smythe, Jamila Ajanaku and Jack Williams, and Performing Arts parent Courtney Singleton of East St. Louis. Musical arrangements for the production were created by Performing Arts staff member E.L. Wilkes. Theatrical scenes were directed by SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School instructor Candice Jackson.

SIUE School of Engineering and Chemistry Professors Regionally Recognized

22 November 2010, 2:43 pm

The St. Louis Post Dispatch had its eyes on two SIUE scientists. " Inventions by SIUE Scientists Test for Heavy Metals in Blood" featured Bradley Noble, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Edward Navarre, assistant professor of chemistry, for their efficient and affordable invention-a portable electrothermal analyzer.

In the article published recently, the professors are pictured with their device, along with electrical engineering student Chris Edmiston who worked with them on the project as an Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) assistant. They also discuss how it tests small blood samples for heavy metal contamination and hope that the analyzer will eventually become a tool of everyday use in environmental agencies and health departments throughout the country and the world.

This is not Noble's only innovation. This year, he also teamed with SIUE chemistry professor Michael Shaw to create an inexpensive and portable potentiostat, a device used to investigate chemical reactions related to redox chemistry and other electrochemical phenomena. The highly reduced cost of the invention would make potentiostats available to more than just chemists and those in advanced chemistry studies; it would be accessible to industries in the electrochemical field, such as battery and fuel cell manufacturers, and also to anyone taking a collegiate chemistry course, including freshmen.

Noble said, "Applying engineering concepts in collaboration with my colleagues in other disciplines to create devices that help the public gives me great satisfaction."

SIUE School of Nursing Faculty Awarded $5K Healthcare Research Grant

22 November 2010, 2:38 pm

Roberta Harrison and Frank Lyerla, assistant professors of Primary Care and Health Systems, received the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) Phillips Healthcare Research Grant valued at $5,000. The grant was awarded to support research focusing on the efficient delivery of nursing services when dealing with hypoglycemia.

Harrison and Lyerla proposed innovative use of technology in the form of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) to improve adherence to protocol-based care of low blood glucose levels. A CDSS is a computerized program utilized within the health care setting to support decision making. The CDSS will activate when blood glucose levels of 70 or lower are entered by the nurse. A series of questions, determined Harrison and Lyerla, will then direct nursing interventions according to management guidelines.

"Our goal with this project is to improve nursing guideline adherence for managing hypoglycemia via the CDSS," explains Harrison. "This means improving patient outcomes immediately."

SIUE School of Nursing has teamed with Anderson Hospital in Maryville to create and implement this new technology. Harrison and Lyerla have fulfilled a portion of their study, and have an expected completion date of September 2011. Currently, plans are under way for related studies at larger healthcare facilities in the Midwest.

Dec. 15 George Winston Arts & Issues Event Sold Out

19 November 2010, 10:24 am

The Dec. 15 performance of renowned solo pianist George Winston, part of the 2010-11 Arts & Issues series at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is sold out. The evening is sponsored by the SIUE Credit Union.

"We are happy with the response to George Winston's appearance and we're sorry not everyone will have the opportunity to see this wonderful musician on our stage," said Grant Andree, director of the Arts & Issues series for the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences. "We're providing this information about the sold out concert so that other patrons will not make an unnecessary trip to campus for tickets."

Tickets still are available for the Jan. 29, 2011, appearance of Eisenhower Dance Ensemble's "On the Move" dance concert and are available through the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-5774, or through the Arts & Issues website: artsandissues.com.

SIUE Charter School Students Hear Some of Poetry's Finest

19 November 2010, 10:17 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School students recently "ego-tripped" their way through the writings of some of the most gifted poets of the 21 ^st Century.

A group of students got a chance to listen to recorded readings of Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton, Nikki Giovanni, Eugene B. Redmond and Margaret Walker, reading respectively, "Still I Rise," "RhythmBlues," "We Real Cool," "Won't You Celebrate With Me," "ego-tripping," Milestones" and "Molly Means."

Retired Assistant Provost Rudy Wilson To Be Honored Nov. 16

11 November 2010, 5:42 pm

Wagner Potters Association Hosts 34th Annual Turkey Feast

10 November 2010, 2:04 pm

The event is partly funded by Student Government. For more information contact the department of art and design, (618) 650-3146.

Student Newspaper, The Alestle, Wins National College Journalism Award

9 November 2010, 3:33 pm

The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's student newspaper, recently won a national award during the 89th annual Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Advisers National College Media Convention in Louisville, Ky.

The Alestle won third place for overall excellence in the Best of Show-Four-Year Weekly Tabloid category. Editor-in-Chief Aren Dow, a senior mass communications major, accepted the award on behalf of the staff. Managing Editor Rosemary Githinji, also a senior mass communications major, and Faculty Adviser Tammy Merrett-Murry also were at the ceremony, as well as other editors and staffers.

The Alestle competed nationally against several other four-year school newspapers from across the country, including top student newspapers from Wisconsin, New York, Nebraska, Vermont, Michigan, California, Florida and Missouri. Entries in the competition were judged for general excellence by members of the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers.

"Placing third for general excellence ahead of some student newspapers from prestigious journalism programs really shows the hard work and dedication of SIUE's journalism students to doing journalism and doing it well," Merrett-Murry said. "I have been waiting for this moment since joining the SIUE faculty two-and-a-half years ago. I knew the students could do it. I'm extremely proud."

The Alestle placed twice in recent years in national Best of Show competitions at the fall national college media convention in 2006 and 2007 in the Special Edition Four-Year category.

Other recent awards include an honorable mention in general excellence and four additional awards during the Spring 2010 collegiate media workshops of the Illinois College Press Association. The Alestle had not been honored for general excellence by the ICPA since 2006. For more information, contact Merrett-Murry, (618) 650-3597.

Young American Muslims To Speak At SIUE

9 November 2010, 2:41 pm

Three students will present Islamophobia in the U.S.: Young American Muslims Speak Out at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 in the Morris University Center Hickory/Hackberry Room on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.

The Saint Louis University students will talk about "Islamophobia" as the new racism and discuss how fellow Americans can challenge the stereotypes about Islam in American society. Born and raised in the United States, the students are offering the educational opportunity as part of the Islam 101 series, organized by the Middle East and Islamic Studies Initiatives at SIUE.

The students set to speak are Amenah Arther, a junior studying pre-med who is originally from New York; Imman Musa, a sophomore studying psychology and Spanish from Belleville, and Haariss Ilyas, a senior majoring in biology and economics from Chicago.

The program is made possible by funding from the SIUE Meridian Society. For more information, contact Steve Tamari, assistant professor of Middle Eastern history at SIUE, (618) 650-3967, stamari@siue.edu. The event is free and open to the public. Visitor parking is available at $1 per hour in lot B, the visitor's lot. For directions and parking information, visit siue.edu/maps.

Ten SIUE Students To Be Inducted Into Red Storm Chapter Of NRHH

9 November 2010, 1:08 pm

This Sunday, 10 University Housing residents will be inducted into the Red Storm Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). The induction ceremony will take place in Evergreen Hall at 2 p.m. Since 2006, 90 SIUE University Housing residents have been inducted.

The NRHH is the recognition branch of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH). NRHH chapters recognize top leaders by membership; NRHH inductees are considered a member of the Top 1 percent of residence hall leaders and are required to hold a minimum cumulative 2.3 grade point average, reside in housing for at least two semesters before the semester of selection, reside in housing during the semester of selection, must be a non-professional contract holding student, and exhibit outstanding leadership and service in University Housing.

Cathy Passananti, Prairie Hall community director and NRHH advisor said, "SIUE's Red Storm chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary is a small but mighty campus organization. The group represents the top 1 percent of on-campus leaders, totaling 35 members. There are four governing principles of NRHH: leadership, service, scholarship, and recognition," she said. "Our 35 members have worked diligently over the past year to build this organization through our on-and-off campus service events and recognition events.

"It is thrilling that the organization has grown so much in the past couple years. It means that our new inductees have amazing opportunities to make a difference through their membership in this organization."

Zach Sanderson, a current NRHH member, commented on the benefits of NRHH and what the new inductees can look forward to: "The NRHH has been a great way for me to interact with my peers on campus and has given me opportunities to do service and give back to the community. I appreciate the opportunities I have had to recognize others and be recognized myself. It feels good knowing that people see I am making an impact in the housing community."

The following residents will be inducted into NRHH as the 2010-2011 Red Storm Chapter: Alexa Creech, of Galesburg; Ruben Delgado, of Chicago; Crystal Harris, of Jerseyville; Mitchell Martineau, of Custer Park; Taylor McInerney, of St. Charles; Brittany Nichting, of Peoria; Gabby Shaw, of Homewood; Tori Taylor, of Belleville; Kelly Werthwein, of Springfield; and Nick Zyznieuski, also of Springfield.

Engineering Students Offer the SIUE Community a True Turkish Experience

9 November 2010, 12:24 pm

Fifteen SIUE students from the industrial and manufacturing engineering program and the SIUE Department of Historical Studies took an exciting trip abroad this summer to Istanbul, Turkey. They joined members of the School of Engineering Dual Diploma Program, Turkish students from Istanbul Technical University (ITU). The ITU students spend their freshman and junior years at ITU and their sophomore and senior years at SIUE earning degrees from both universities.

As a way to make more American friends during their time abroad and share their culture, ITU students Emre Savas, Yagmur Kahraman-from the Dual Diploma program-and graduate student Pelin Guvenc began teaching their American cohorts the Turkish language. The initial lessons went so well, the Turkish students decided to extend the opportunity to the SIUE community.

Language lessons are held on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Willow Room of the Morris University Center. Conversation hours are Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the University Center Starbucks. The student instructors not only prepare course materials and activities, but also cook traditional Turkish meals to enrich pupils' knowledge of the Turkish culture. "We are excited about teaching Turkish," Emre Savas said. "Anyone affiliated with SIUE is welcome to learn."

The SIUE School of Engineering Dual Diploma Program provides students from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) the opportunity to earn two diplomas while gaining international exposure. Earning a degree from a respected American university is a highly regarded accomplishment in Turkey. After the successful completion of the bachelor's program in industrial engineering, the ITU students will enter the Turkish job market with a huge advantage.

University Museum Helps In Fundraising Effort

5 November 2010, 1:28 pm

The University Museum of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently assembled and installed a display at the main branch of TheBANK of Edwardsville to help kick off the effort to raise funds for a memorial in city park that will pay tribute to Edwardsville-Glen Carbon area residents who have sacrificed their lives in the armed services since World War I.

The fundraising effort has been spearheaded by Douglas and Jill Garbs, parents of U.S. Army Ranger Spc. Ryan C. Garbs, who was killed in action in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. The Greater Edwardsville Area Community Foundation is accepting donations on behalf of the effort.

The monument will be constructed of two wings of granite and will display a bronze bust of a soldier to be modeled after Ryan Garbs but symbolizing those who made a similar sacrifice. The pocket tab on the bust will read "OUR SON" but will be representative of all 75 soldiers listed on the memorial wings.

TheBANK display features the bust that will eventually become part of the actual park memorial. Doug Garbs, who researched the names of the soldiers that will become part of the memorial, said he welcomes information from families to add other soldiers' names to the list.

Eric Barnett, director of The University Museum, said the display brings attention to the fund drive. The memorial's bust is at the centerpiece of the display that also includes the list of the fallen soldiers' names. "SIUE and the bank have a long-standing relationship during which they have helped support a wide variety of projects and programs at the University," Barnett pointed out. "So, when ( TheBANK Senior Vice President of Marketing) Grady Ambuel called and asked to borrow a sculpture stand on which to display the bust, I was more than happy to help.

"In fact, in addition to the pedestal, we expanded the idea to include the graphics and the list of names in the display," Barnett said. "Jill Garbs is a retiree of SIUE and part of our University family, so it was fitting that we help with this display." Jill Garbs is associate professor emerita of Library and Information Services.

According to Doug Garbs, the foundation's goal is to collect $40,000 to construct the monument. So far, he said, $11,750 has been collected from area businesses and residents, including TheBANK, which donated $2,500.

Kent Weber, president of TheEDGEBANK, has spearheaded a grass roots fundraising campaign for the monument through what is being called the Gold Star Banner Program. The banners are being offered at various area businesses to patrons who may purchase one for any donation $1 and above. "The intent of the banner program is to give every citizen in the (area) an opportunity to contribute to this monument," Weber told The Edwardsville Intelligencer.

"The Gold Star Monument is about the many brave soldiers who have no monument, no memorial to them," Garbs said. "For us, this is part of our healing and we hope it will serve a similar purpose for the families of these patriots of the Greater Edwardsville Area."

Thomas Holloway, president of TheBANK of Edwardsville, said TheBANK is "very proud to be among the businesses in the area that have supported this family's wish to memorialize their son and the solders of so many other families in the area who served their country with pride. We encourage other businesses to follow suit in support of these brave families that have given so much to our country and the local community," he said.

Donations for the memorial may be made to the Greater Edwardsville Area Community Foundation and mailed to: GEACF., P.O. Box 102, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Donors are asked to make a notation on their check that the funds are for the Ryan Garbs Memorial. For additional information about how to make a contribution to the memorial, contact Doug Garbs, (618) 656-5519.

In the photo above, (from left) Steve Grant, manager of TheBANK's main center; Eric Barnett, director of The University Museum at SIUE; Kent Weber, president of TheEDGEBANK; and Jill and Doug Garbs, parents of U.S. Army Ranger Spc. Ryan C. Garbs, who died in 2007 while on special mission in Zubul Province, Afghanistan.

Health Policy Summit To Identify Practical Steps For Sustainable Change

4 November 2010, 3:27 pm

The Get Up & Go! Campaign has announced the agenda for the Second Annual St. Clair County Health Policy Summit 2010-Food for Life, scheduled from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Westview Church in Swansea. The Summit, an event open to the public, will be a critical forum with a focus of healthy eating, physical activities and food access. An estimated 200 leaders from communities, schools and organizations will attend the Summit to explore the issue of food security in St. Clair County.

Rita Arras-Boyd, associate professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing and president of the Get Up & Go! Campaign, will follow with a facilitated discussion, "A Local Look at our Communities." Arras-Boyd said the event will bring the community together to work toward a common goal of health and wellness. "St. Clair County has embarked on a makeover, a transformation to become the healthiest county in the United States," she explained. "Fulfilling this vision will require more than individual effort. All interested parties are invited to our table to explore this important issue."

Mari Gallagher, principal of Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group, will open the summit with a morning keynote address on Healthy Eating and Active Living through Community Partnership. She will assist St. Clair County in identifying practical steps communities and schools can undertake to provide affordable opportunities for healthy eating.

Roundtable discussions and breakout sessions will complete the summit. The cost of attending the Health Policy Summit is $10 per person, which includes lunch and policy materials.

The summit was created by members of the St. Clair County Health Care Commission, the Get Up & Go! Campaign, the Pioneering Healthier Communities Initiative and the Willard C. Scrivner MD Public Health Foundation. The mission of the Get Up & Go! Campaign is to serve as a catalyst for transforming St. Clair County into the healthiest community in the state of Illinois by 2020. For more information on the Health Policy Summit, visit the website: www.getupandgo.info.

Project Safe Recovery Evaluated By SIUE Team

4 November 2010, 11:44 am

A program introduced in January by the Madison County Probation and Court Services Department helps women address addiction and abuse by providing a safe environment for treatment of themselves and their children, if they have them.

Professors at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are evaluating the effectiveness of Project Safe Recovery, which offers women screening for substance abuse and mental health disorders, transportation to intensive treatment that is provided several times per week and child care assistance to assure attendance. Participants in the program with a history of victimization and trauma receive intervention to improve coping skills, as well as skill building to help them, if applicable, to empathize with and manage their children's behaviors. All of this is facilitated through the Madison County (IL) enhanced Drug Court support and treatment program.

Project Safe Recovery has been funded by a three-year, $899,000 grant from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA,) part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SIUE received $150,000 to evaluate treatment data from clients.

"Project Safe Recovery has shown promising results in the 10 months that clients have been receiving treatment," said Jeremy Jewell, associate professor of psychology at SIUE and lead evaluator on the project. "The extensive support and services offered by Project Safe Recovery are beneficial in getting the clients into treatment, and increases the likelihood of the client remaining in treatment until graduation from the program."

Currently 43 clients have been served, with 29 remaining in active treatment groups. The program has an average 76-percent attendance rate, which strongly correlates with the percentage of clean drug tests, Jewell said.

"The more clients who attend treatment, the less likely they are to test positive for illegal substances when given a random drug test," he said.

The SIUE evaluation team is analyzing data from clients at intake, six months into treatment and upon discharge from the program. The team gathers demographics, current drug use and type of drug use, level of education completed, living arrangements, mental health needs and social support received. Team members also are analyzing data to the degree which an individual in the program recognizes she has a substance abuse problem; her desire for help; and readiness to participate in treatment, anxiety, depression and decision-making ability.

"Our data show that clients report a significant increase in self-esteem and ability to make good decisions, while also understanding that their drug use negatively impacts not only them and their families but also society as a whole," Jewell said.

The project goal is to help 110 clients during the three-year grant period. The group is currently on track to exceed that goal. The program is available to adult women through the county's drug court.

"I believe that the holistic approach of this program is what sets it apart from others," said Susan Taylor, director of Adult Substance Abuse Services with Chestnut Health Systems. "We address childcare, parenting, family bonding, trauma, mental health, substance abuse and community support. A recovery specialist, who is a graduate of Madison County Drug Court, works directly with the women to introduce them to 12-step meetings and aid in their understanding of the steps."

New National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Members to be Inducted

4 November 2010, 10:11 am

(Edwardsville, IL) - On Sunday, November 14, 2010, 10 University Housing residents will be inducted into the Red Storm Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). The induction ceremony will take place in Evergreen Hall at 2 p.m. Since 2006, 90 SIUE University Housing residents have been inducted.

National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) is the recognition branch of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH). NRHH chapters recognize top leaders by membership. NRHH inductees are considered a member of the Top 1% of residence hall leaders and are required to hold a minimum cumulative 2.3 grade point average, reside in housing for at least 2 semesters prior to the semester of selection, reside in housing during the semester of selection, must be a non-professional contract holding student and exhibit outstanding leadership and service in University Housing.

Cathy Passananti, Prairie Hall Community Director and NRHH Advisor comments, "SIUE's Red Storm chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary is a small but mighty campus organization! The group represents the top 1% of on campus leaders, totaling 35 members. There are 4 governing principles of NRHH: leadership, service, scholarship, and recognition. Our 35 members have worked diligently over the past year to build this organization through our on and off campus service events and recognition events. It is thrilling that the organization has grown so much in the past couple years. It means that our new inductees have amazing opportunities to make a difference through their membership in this organization."

Zach Sanderson, a current NRHH member, commented on the benefits of NRHH and what the new inductees can look forward to, "NRHH been a great way for me to interact with my peers on campus and has given me opportunities to do service and give back to the community. I appreciate the opportunities I have had to recognize others and be recognized myself. It feels good knowing that people see I am making an impact in the housing community."

The following residents will be inducted into NRHH as the 2010-2011 Red Storm Chapter: Alexa Creech - Galesburg, IL; Ruben Delgado - Chicago, IL; Crystal Harris - Jerseyville, IL; Mitchell Martineau - Custer Park, IL; Taylor McInerney - St. Charles, IL; Brittany Nichting - Peoria, IL; Gabby Shaw - Homewood, IL; Tori Taylor - Belleville, IL; Kelly Werthwein - Springfield, IL; and Nick Zyznieuski - Springfield, IL.

DRS Technologies Engineering Leaders Visit SIUE School Of Engineering

3 November 2010, 4:19 pm

A team of eight engineers from DRS Technologies, including Vice President John Wooten, Senior Design Engineer Greg Hobson and other departmental leaders, visited the SIUE School of Engineering and the School's Southwest Illinois Advanced Manufacturing (SIAM) to explore opportunities in collaborative research projects.

On Thursday, Oct. 21, the visiting engineering team toured various labs in the Engineering building and met faculty members whose expertise overlaps with those of DRS Technologies, a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to the military.

"DRS Technologies has recruited many School of Engineering graduates in recent years," Engineering Dean Hasan Sevim said. "We welcomed this visit by the various engineering division heads of DRS Technologies, and we're looking forward to a mutually beneficial collaboration in the near future."

SIUE School Of Engineering Faculty Awarded $192K Grant

3 November 2010, 4:09 pm

Sohyung Cho, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering, received the Major Research Instrumentation Award valued at $192,844. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Cho the grant for his research to construct a state-of-the-art supply chain test bed in the SIUE School of Engineering.

Cho has teamed with engineering professors Felix Lee, Kevin Hubbard and Louis Youn to make the test bed experience worthwhile and to ensure it serves its purposes. The device will be used for education, research and service opportunities, and will provide students, faculty and experts with the hands-on resources needed to investigate and implement solutions to manufacturing and supply chain problems currently facing the industry. The test bed will also be used to operate a student-managed, University-wide company-presently called "Cougaroar"-that will sell items through the SIUE Bookstore as a primary retailer.

In summer 2010, Cho also submitted an NSF CAREER proposal on biomechanics for substantial funding for five years. CAREER funding promotes research early in the careers of junior faculty members. Cho is awaiting the outcome of this pending proposal.

Recently, Cho along with surgeons at the School of Medicine at Washington University in Saint Louis submitted another project proposal to Intuitive Surgical Inc., the manufacturers of the surgical robot, for research focusing on ergonomic analysis of robotic surgery. Cho is expecting to learn soon, if he received the grant.

SIUE School of Engineering Graduate Stands Out And Wins

1 November 2010, 5:29 pm

Each school year, many are nominated, but only one is chosen. Reza Baghaei, an engineering teaching assistant, is that one this year. Baghaei claimed the SIUE's 2010-2011 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. His award included a framed certificate and monetary gift presented to him at the Graduate School Honors Day Luncheon on Oct. 27.

A graduate student in the engineering science doctoral program, Baghaei teaches thermal science laboratory (ME410L) to undergraduate seniors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He credits this honor to nominations from SIUE School of Engineering administration and professors in addition to his passion for sharing knowledge.

"I have always had a desire for teaching. My ultimate goal is to become a university professor and share what I have learned and what I am learning," Baghaei said. "I feel like all the effort I put into teaching thermal science laboratory has been noticed, and it certainly encourages me to further enrich my teaching skills. SIUE is a great place to do research and gain teaching experience simultaneously."

Majid Molki, professor of mechanical engineering and Baghaei's faculty advisor, was equally enthused about his mentee's recognition. Molki said, "I kept hearing good things from our undergraduate students about Reza's teaching, which makes me proud of him. His dedication to quality work is commendable. He truly deserves this recognition."

Professor Of International Security To Visit SIUE Campus

1 November 2010, 4:21 pm

Luis Bitencourt-Emilio, professor of international security at Washington's Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, will visit the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus from noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4.

Bitencourt-Emilio has served as dean of the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, as well as taught at Georgetown University and the Catholic University of Brasilia. He also directed Brazilian programs at the Smithsonian's Woodrow Wilson Center. For several years he was a senior advisor to the Brazilian government on strategic planning, international security, public administration, intelligence and more.

Bitencourt-Emilio earned masters' degrees from the University of Brasilia and Catholic University. He also earned a Ph.D. from Catholic University.

Nov. 16 Jazz Concert To Feature Big Band Music

1 November 2010, 3:42 pm

Big Band music will be featured at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Music's Annual Fall Big Band Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the theater of SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall. The evening will feature the SIUE Concert Jazz Band conducted by Brett Stamps, director of SIUE's Jazz Studies Program, and the SIUE Jazz Lab Band, directed by Nick Jost, a Jazz Studies graduate student.

A big band tribute, the evening will showcase talented SIUE students with arrangements from the Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis and Clayton Hamilton big bands. The concert also will feature a premiere performance of Mike Dee's arrangement of Kenny Garrett's Sing a Song of Songs, with the vocal stylings of SIUE students Zelina Bott-Goins, Nicole Jonas and Barry Moton.

Admission to the Nov. 16 concert at SIUE is $10; senior citizens and those 18 and younger, $7. SIUE students with a valid Cougar ID will be admitted free, compliments of Arts-For-All, a program sponsored by the SIUE Office of Student Affairs. For tickets, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.

October 2010

SIUE Head Start Parents And Teachers Quilt from the Heart

Reservations Being Accepted For Renaissance Madrigal Dinner

Cougar Village Hosted Successful Breast Cancer Awareness Run-Walk

Regional Conference Being Co-Hosted By SIUE University Housing

SIUE To Host The Third Annual Holiday Reception In Springfield

University Housing staff member awarded Regional Recognition

SIUE Plans For Teaching, Research Nature Preserve

SIUE Chancellor: Achieving National Recognition During The National Recession

SIUE's Dance In Concert 2010 Opens Nov. 10 In Dunham Hall

SIUE School Of Nursing Professor Receives $167K NIH/NINR Grant

Nov. 16 SIUE Jazz Concert To Feature Big Band Music

MEDIA ADVISORY: Annual Chancellor's Address Will Take Place Thursday

SIUE School Of Nursing Adopts New Look For Student Uniforms

Internationally Known Ballet Dancer Instructs SIUE East St. Louis Youth

SWIC, SIUE Offer Dual Admission Program; Help To Achieve Goals

Portable Electrothermal Analyzer Invented By Two SIUE Faculty Members

Kindermusik Classes Begin Saturdays in January

SIUE Engineering Career Fair: More than Just Landing a Job

SIUE Schools of Business, Engineering to Participate in Business Council's Mentor Network

Hundreds Of Students Expected To Attend Regional Fair At SIUE

School of Business Offers Panel Discussion on Accounting Fraud

SIUE Featured in the Princeton Review's "The Best 300 Business Schools:2011 Edition"

SIUE Engineers Without Borders Gaining Local Exposure

SIUE Presents Jazz Combos In Concert

Saturday Studio Returns To SIUE Art & Design Department

Jan-Patrick Schmitz Speaks At SIUE Power Breakfast Series

International Night 2010 Dinner Comes To SIUE

SIUE SBDC Announces Selection Of Director Mister As State Star

Kenyan Ambassador Is Guest At SIUE

Rwandan Ambassador Is Guest At SIUE Lunch

Beauty Products Entrepreneur Turns To ITC For Export Advice

SIUE School Of Engineering Graduate Skyrockets In Career

Engineering Freshman Class Average ACT Math Score At Historically High Level

Art & Design Department Presents Sculpture On Campus At SIUE

SIUE Women's Studies Hosts The Women Reigned Then

SIUE Prairie Portal And Garden Nearly Complete

SIUE Hosts Study Abroad Fair

Prijedor: Lives From The Bosnian Genocide, Exhibit On Display At SIUE

October Career Fair 2010 For Students, Alumni, Partners Comes To SIUE

Changes

Sharkey's In St. Charles To Play Host To Jazz Benefit For WSIE-FM

Jumping Frogs; Hard Landings

MEDIA ADVISORY: SIUE School Of Nursing To Offer Health Day Oct. 13

SIUE, Entrepreneurship Center Launch Cougar Enterprises

Learning Beyond the Lecture Hall

SIUE Homecoming Set For Saturday, Oct. 9

SIUE Head Start Parents And Teachers Quilt from the Heart

29 October 2010, 5:21 pm

Parents, teachers and students of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start recently spent a morning getting to know one another, all while fashioning a homemade quilt under the encouraging eye of noted fabric artist, Edna J. Patterson-Petty.

Patterson-Petty instructed the would-be quilters at Bluffview Head Start Center to interview their partners and then create symbols representing their interests and fitting their profiles. The symbols were fastened to red hearts and the more than 30 felt fabric pieces were glued to a white Unity Quilt. "The project, From the Heart, expresses and represents what unites parents, teachers and the community in which we live," said Ada Malvin, teacher at Bluffview Head Start. Kathleen Appleby is the Center Coordinator.

Art is an opportunity to bring people together, said Patterson-Petty, who devised the idea when asked to develop an arts and crafts project. "Everyone really got involved in both learning about their partners and in expressing their creativity," she said. Patterson-Petty, an East St. Louis resident, is a multi-media artist and one of nine artists chosen to create designs that will be replicated in art-glass triptychs for freestanding glass wall partitions in the Lambert St. Louis International Airport's A and C concourses. The artwork is scheduled for installation sometime between May and August of next year.

The nine art glass triptychs are the first public art commissions for Lambert as part of the Airport Experience Program. The Public Art and Culture Project is an art initiative to create gathering places and visual high points by commissioning permanent artwork installations and rotating exhibitions in the airport, Patterson-Petty said. All nine artists will go (in two groups) to Munich, Germany, on Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 to work at the world-renowned Franz Mayer, an architectural glass, mosaic studio established in 1847.

Photos at right: Photo 1: Fany Barrios (right) Bluffview Head Start parent reaches for material to add to her heart about her partner, Nancy Dunn (left), while Ms. Dunn cuts ribbon to be used on the heart for Ms. Barrios. Fany's two-year-old daughter, Ariana (seen in background), busily works on her arts and crafts project as well. Not shown is Ms. Dunn's four-year-old son Armandre.

Photo 2: Putting the finishing touches on her heart is Akia Moore (right) Bluffview Head Start parent, while her four-year-old daughter, Jayden, carefully crafts her contribution to the quilt.

Photo 3: Proudly displaying their finished product is the Bluffview Head Start team: (from left to right) Ana Liza Gonzales, teacher assistant; Ada Malvin, teacher ; Kathleen Appleby, Center Coordinator; Edna Patterson-Petty, celebrated fabric artist; and Diana Dykyj, art enrichment graduate student at SIUE.

Reservations Being Accepted For Renaissance Madrigal Dinner

29 October 2010, 4:03 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Madrigal Singers and Concert Choir will present entertainment during a renaissance madrigal dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 at Sunset Hills Country Club.

Along with entertainment a five-course meal will be served. The event is being held to support the SIUE Music Scholarship Fund.

Reservations can be made by calling (618) 650-3900. Tickets are $65 per person, with $25 from the sale of each ticket going toward the music scholarship fund.

Cougar Village Hosted Successful Breast Cancer Awareness Run-Walk

29 October 2010, 2:11 pm

More than 100 participants took part in the 5th Annual Cougar Village Breast Cancer Awareness Run-Walk recently on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.

The number of people involved in the event each year has more than doubled, taking the event outside Cougar Village into the campus community, said Stephanie Matteson, event planner and general assistant in University Housing.

"We have seen an increase in participants and donations the past few years," she

said. "This year there was an increase in participation from student organizations, which was exciting.

"We experienced a lot of support from the community and look forward to the next few years as the event grows."

Sarah Kirkpatrick, assistant director of Residence Life for Cougar Village, commented on the educational piece of the event, saying: "Over the last five years, this event has definitely grown and expanded beyond the Cougar Village community and into the larger SIUE community.

"It is great to be able to make a contribution to Susan G. Komen, but I also like that we are educating students on breast cancer and providing a way for them to be involved."

Participants met at the SIUE Arboretum by the Alpha House to run and/or walk The Gardens at SIUE and trails. Participation was free, but donations were accepted. More than $200 was donated to the Susan G. Komen Society and donations still are being collected. For more information, contact Matteson, 650-2163, smattes@siue.edu or Rex Jackson, 650-2961, rjackso@siue.edu.

Regional Conference Being Co-Hosted By SIUE University Housing

29 October 2010, 1:48 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville University Housing is co-hosting the regional Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) Annual Conference Sunday-Tuesday, Nov. 7-9.

The event will take place at the Gateway Center in Collinsville. The regional association is comprised of housing professionals from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The purpose of GLACUHO is to better prepare housing officers to meet the diverse and changing needs of college students.

This year's GLACUHO conference is a joint effort between SIUE, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Eastern Illinois University. More than 330 delegates are expected to attend. More than 70 educational program sessions will be offered, along with two keynote speakers talking about partnerships with faculty and the economic impact on student housing. About 35 exhibitors will showcase their products during the conference, and the traditional Monday Night on the Town event will take delegates to the St. Louis Arch.

"The GLACUHO annual conference is a great time for new and seasoned professionals to come together for professional development," Amanda Stonecipher, conference co-chair and assistant director of University Housing at SIUE. "Our seasoned members enjoy re-connecting with colleagues and giving back to the association through program presentations and mentorship. The newer members of our association will find many opportunities for continued professional and personal development."

For more information, contact Stonecipher, astonec@siue.edu, (618) 650-4627.

SIUE To Host The Third Annual Holiday Reception In Springfield

29 October 2010, 1:13 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association and SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift are hosting the Third Annual SIUE Alumni Holiday Reception at the Illinois Governor's Mansion on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Attendees will enjoy an evening of cocktails and appetizers in the elegant Governor's Mansion, 410 E. Jackson, which will be decorated in holiday decor. "This event will be a great opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, SIUE administrators and Alumni Association board members," said Steve Jankowski, director of SIUE Alumni Affairs

"The Illinois Governor's Mansion provides us with a beautiful backdrop for SIUE alumni to celebrate the holiday season, become acquainted with individuals who could very well have been their classmates, and enjoy a wonderful evening of great food and memories," he said.

The reception will be held from 6-9 p.m. Tickets for the event are $35 for Alumni Association members and $40 for non-members. Admission includes the appetizer buffet and host bar. Tickets may be purchased online, over the phone, (618) 650-2760, or in person at B. Barnard Birger Hall, 30 Circle Drive, on the SUE campus.

University Housing staff member awarded Regional Recognition

29 October 2010, 1:09 pm

Mallory Sidarous, University Housing Marketing Specialist at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently was awarded the August regional National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Faculty/Staff Of The Month (OTM) award.

Sidarous was nominated by Jamie Matthews, Woodland Hall Community director. After being recognized as the campus winner, the nomination was submitted regionally. The region includes campus winners from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

NRHH, which supports monthly recognition of student staff, programs, professional staff and faculty, is the recognition branch of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH).

Cathy Passananti, NRHH Advisor for SIUE, commented on the recognition process, saying: "(These) awards are the main recognition tool of NRHH on a campus. Students, staff and NRHH members have the opportunity to nominate an individual who has made an outstanding impact on some aspect of Residence Life.

"All OTMs are voted on at each nominating campus. Winning awards on each campus are submitted to a regional board where they are voted on once again. Regional winners, like Mallory, are few and far between and have the great honor of national submission. Nominations are touching to nominees and a testament to the quality of working coming from SIUE's campus and University Housing."

Matthews nominated Sidarous because of her involvement in quality service training, collaborative attitude and enthusiasm.

"As a new community director, I especially appreciated Mallory's enthusiasm and team spirit on opening day," Matthews said. "Throughout the day she communicated with staff members across campus to ensure things were going smoothly.

"From doing an interview for a web clip, to talking with anxious parents or reminding hall staff to take a break for lunch, no task/detail was too small or large for Mallory to assist with on opening day. Mallory's commitment to University Housing and SIUE is unending and evident in all that she does."

For more information about NRHH and OTMs, contact Passananti, cpassan@siue.edu, (618) 650-4652.

SIUE Plans For Teaching, Research Nature Preserve

28 October 2010, 12:05 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, in his annual address today to the University Community, announced plans to turn part of the SIUE campus into a 380-acre nature preserve for teaching and research purposes, pending approval by the SIU Board of Trustees. Vandegrift said the SIUE Nature Preserve would feature a dedicated location for scholarship activities, including externally funded faculty research, student research and projects, and course opportunities such as field trips, lab and class projects.

According to the Chancellor, the site would be home to Sweet William Woods and the Whiteside Prairie, along Whiteside Road down to Stadium Drive, featuring a relatively intact mature bluff forest and a restored prairie. Distinctive native Southern Illinois plants currently populate the region. The Western Habitat Corridor, along the west side of campus and bordered by Whiteside, Stadium and Old Poag Road, Vandegrift pointed out, would provide access to aquatic and other habitat features in the wooded area.

Under the proposal, the area would better contribute to the University's sustainability and energy plans, and would be protected from construction that interferes with ecosystem functions. It also would offer community green spaces, while complementing other on-campus areas of regional and historical significance, including The Gardens at SIUE and the former Mississippi River Festival site.

The 2,660-acre Edwardsville campus includes a core campus, which is home to the schools of Business, Education, Engineering, Nursing and Pharmacy; the Graduate School; the College of Arts and Sciences; Lovejoy Library; and three classroom buildings. The University also includes the SIUE East St. Louis Center and the School of Dental Medicine in Alton.

Some 3,500 students are housed in four residence halls and also the Cougar Village Apartment Complex, providing family and student housing. The Edwardsville campus also is home to The Gardens at SIUE, 35 acres that have been designated a signature garden by the Missouri Botanical Garden.

SIUE Chancellor: Achieving National Recognition During The National Recession

28 October 2010, 11:59 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor VaughnVandegrift delivered his annual address today, highlighting the important role SIUE is playing in enhancing the economy, attracting students and increasing the diversity of its student body. Vandegrift's address, Achieving National Recognition During the National Recession, was presented in SIUE's Meridian Ballroom this morning. He said that since 2005, the University has increased the size of its incoming freshman class by 18 percent-from 1,748 to 2,065 students-while maintaining an average ACT score of 22.5.

The number of minority students at SIUE has increased along with the overall student population growth.

On the heels of achieving record enrollment for fall 2010 at 14,133 students-up 5 percent from fall 2005-Vandegrift mentioned that for the second consecutive year SIUE received national recognition among 68 universities in the "Top Up-And-Coming Schools" category by U.S.News and World Report America's Best Colleges edition. For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News lists SIUE among 15 universities-including only four public institutions-for its outstanding capstone experiences, known at SIUE as a senior assignment program, which require students to integrate and synthesize what they have learned during their college experience.

"Our senior assignment program has contributed greatly to our emerging national recognition," Vandegrift said. "Additionally, and for seven consecutive years, we are ranked in the top tier of all Midwestern universities, including among the top 20 public Midwestern master's universities." He continued that the University has gained recognition nationally through its many rankings-as the 21 ^st safest campus in the nation in the on-line national news magazine, Daily Beast; ranked eighth nationally by Washington Monthly among 551 master's universities for its amount of research expenditures for federal work-study hours spent on service category; and the University's growth in faculty research during the last five years, increasing from $3.1 million to $7.9 million.

Nearly 40 percent of SIUE's full-time faculty has applied for and received grants and contracts, he said.

Vandegrift also commented on the University's regional economic impact, citing a study from the faculty in the SIUE School of Business through the Department of Economics and Finance. The study of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area revealed the University has a $471 million economic impact per year on the region, indicating a 32-percent increase from five years ago.

He also pointed out that the University is the second-largest employer in the Madison-St. Clair County region, with nearly 2,500 full-time employees, while boasting a payroll of more than $130 million. Furthermore, Vandegrift remarked on the completion of more than half of a $250 million campus construction and infrastructure improvement plan, and the remaining work to be done.

"SIUE expenditures in the region for goods and services totaled nearly $66M during FY10, and we brought more than 100,000 people into the St. Louis Metropolitan Area to visit, attend athletics events, conferences and shows," he said. "But our impact on the region is not only in direct spending. Our presence generates almost 9,000 additional jobs and over $250 million of labor income in the area. We also increase state and local tax revenues by almost $23 million, and students living on campus are responsible for nearly $400,000 of state reimbursements to the city of Edwardsville.

"Furthermore, each dollar of state appropriations creates about $5 of local spending and almost $7 of economic impact."

According to the fiscal year 2010 study, more than 9,000 SIUE students indicated they are in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area because of SIUE. Also, more than 43,000 SIUE alumni live in the St. Louis area. "In short, while our buildings and land are valued at almost $900 million and our economic impact on the region is $471 million per year, perhaps the greatest impact is what we do to improve the living and working environment of our region," Vandegrift said. "When you consider the impact of the Edwardsville campus, the East St. Louis Higher Education Center and the School of Dental Medicine, SIUE plain and simple is a good deal for taxpayers."

With a recent $4.2 million gift to the University from the Lukas estate, Vandegrift explained the University will make further revisions to the Vadalabene Center to provide office space and a state-of-the-art weight lifting and conditioning center in support of the University's transition to NCAA Division I, adding space for the SIUE Department of Kinesiology and health Education. "The addition to the Vadalabene Center will coincide with the completion of our transition to Division I and the certification process we are now undergoing from the NCAA," Vandegrift said.

Starting in spring 2011, Vandegrift said that upon approval by the SIU Board of Trustees the University will renovate part of Cougar Village to create a living and learning residential community for its fraternities and sororities. It is anticipated that about 175 students will reside in the renovated buildings allowing greater contributions by Greek organizations on campus.

He also talked about the groundbreaking of the Science Building project, which is expected to be completed in fall 2012; a proposed $14 million addition to the Art and Design Building, and a $12 million addition to the Engineering Building.

Also announced were plans for the proposed SIUE Nature Preserve; a 380-acre expanse of natural area along the western edge of the campus between the campus core and along Stadium Drive and New Poag Road. The area will be protected from development and available for faculty and student research, and educational opportunities. "The preserve will be unique in the region and will position SIUE faculty to compete for research funds," Vandegrift said. "This faculty-led initiative will also facilitate inter-disciplinary collaboration and joint projects with other universities, research foundations and government agencies.

"The SIUE Nature Preserve will be another example of our University value of citizenship, which includes environmental stewardship."

SIUE's Dance In Concert 2010 Opens Nov. 10 In Dunham Hall

27 October 2010, 5:23 pm

Dance in Concert 2010, produced annually by the dance program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, doesn't have a theme as in past years. However, there will be a focus on four guest artists-more than the program has ever featured. "I'm capitalizing on the fact that these guest artists are all working professionals and local choreographers, who can share their personal experiences with our students in addition to their choreography," says Kristin Best Kinscherff, an instructor in the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance.

The concert opens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, and continues through Saturday, Nov. 13 at the same time, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, all in the theater at SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall. The concert promises to be an exciting evening of fluid creative movement onstage, featuring SIUE dance students choreographed by SIUE dance faculty in addition to the guest artists.

"One of the artists owns a dance studio, another is a performer and an arts administrator, one is a company manager and two others are university professors-here at SIUE and at Lindenwood (University in St. Charles)," Kinscherff said. "They all have careers outside of teaching and choreographing, which has been an added bonus (during rehearsals) to our students who are trying to decide their own career paths. They have learned a lot from these artists."

Although Kinscherff has performed in Dance in Concert (DIC) as an SIUE dance student and then choreographed for the program after graduation, this is her first time as DIC artistic director. "I really wanted to highlight the talent we have at SIUE; the technique we work so hard to develop in our dance students," she said.

"I wanted to showcase how the students have worked so hard on their technique rather than the artistry of the choreography alone."

This year's pieces include:

• Moments of Inertia -a "partnering piece," that Kinscherff says is "not just guys lifting girls; it's also girls lifting girls and guys lifting guys. It's a very interesting piece by guest artist Diana Barrios, who is company manager of ATrek Dance Collective in St. Louis. Many of our dancers don't really have experience at partnering in dance onstage, so this has been very good for them," Kinscherff said. "And, there are a lot of beginning dancers in this piece."

• Little Black Book-a dance choreographed by Dianna Andrews Gaither-who owns Turning Pointe Dance Studio in Maryville-that Kinscherff calls "borderline musical theater; it's the most theatrical piece of the evening. It also features some great blues music."

• conSOULed-five women dancers choreographed by Loryl Breitenbach-a dance performer in the area-and who use masks and move to Latin-style music. "There is a lot of dancing during the whole concert," Kinscherff said, "but this one has a great amount of movement. It also has a feeling of empowerment for women."

• Kai Mana-choreographed by Kinscherff herself with some 15 dancers. "I've never choreographed that many dancers in one piece before," she said. "It's about the ocean and was inspired by trips I've made to Hawai'i. It seems we do a piece with a large number of dancers each year, so this year I decided it was my turn."

• Reverie-a piece by dance student Shannon McCarkel that won the 2010 SIUE Choreography Award. "Usually we choose a piece from the annual student dance concert," Kinscherff pointed out, "but this year we saw Shannon's piece in our informal spring concert (BYOD-Bring Your Own Dance) and we were just blown away by it. It's another really strong piece."

• A Floydian Slip-is choreographed by guest artist Lindsay Kelly Stewart, an adjunct professor at Lindenwood, to the Vitamin String Quartet's tribute to Pink Floyd. "It's a very classical piece; it is ballet," Kinscherff said, "which is something we don't see very often in Dance In Concert. It's strictly modern."

• Moving On-Choreographed by SIUE Associate Theater and Dance Professor Kerry Shaul, this dance is based on the hit series Lost that just ended a wildly popular six-season run earlier this year.

Tickets for Dance in Concert 2010 are $10; senior citizens, $8; non-SIUE students with valid ID as well as SIUE employees, retirees and alumni, $8; SIUE students with valid Cougar ID, no charge, courtesy of the Arts for All program funded through the SIUE Campus Activities Board.

SIUE School Of Nursing Professor Receives $167K NIH/NINR Grant

25 October 2010, 8:00 pm

Pam Newland, an assistant professor of primary care and health systems nursing, has been awarded a $167,000 National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research post-doctorate grant for her proposal, "Characterization of Symptom Occurrence in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)."

Considered a highly competitive grant, not only for Professor Newland but also for the SIUE School of Nursing, Department Chair Laura Bernaix said: "In addition to reviewing the quality of the proposal and the principal investigator's potential for success, the principal investigator's institution is evaluated for its ability to support such a grant."

Newland said she is honored to receive this Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship. "The importance of understanding how symptoms may occur together (symptom clusters) can assist nursing and other healthcare providers to manage and improve care in the lives of those with MS," Newland said. "The future promise of discovering symptom clusters holds promise for future assessment and therapies for specific subgroups of persons with MS."

Bernaix also applauded Newland's effort. "We are so excited for Pam and extremely proud of this major achievement. Her tenacity in pursuing her dream, as well as the commitment to contribute to nursing science," Bernaix said, "is indeed admirable and inspiring."

Nov. 16 SIUE Jazz Concert To Feature Big Band Music

25 October 2010, 7:55 pm

Big Band music will be featured at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Music's Annual Fall Big Band Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the theater in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall. The evening will feature the SIUE Concert Jazz Band directed by Brett Stamps, director of SIUE's Jazz Studies Program, and the SIUE Jazz Lab Band, directed by Nick Jost, a Jazz Studies student.

The evening will showcase talented SIUE students performing arrangements from the Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis and Clayton Hamilton big bands. The concert also will feature a premiere performance of Mike Dee's arrangement of Kenny Garrett's Sing a Song of Songs, with the vocal stylings of SIUE students Zelina Bott-Goins, Nicole Jonas and Barry Moton.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Annual Chancellor's Address Will Take Place Thursday

25 October 2010, 7:49 pm

Who: SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift

What: Chancellor's Report to the University

When: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28

Where: Meridian Ballroom, SIUE Morris University Center

Chancellor Vandegrift will address the University community and guests, during his Annual Report to the University. This year's speech- "Achieving National Recognition during the National Recession"-will focus on the University's economic impact, the proposed SIUE Nature Preserve and several construction projects. Each year the Chancellor's speech examines the institution's mission, vision and values, and highlights immediate and future plans.

An informal media conference will immediately follow the address.

SIUE School Of Nursing Adopts New Look For Student Uniforms

25 October 2010, 4:32 pm

The SIUE School of Nursing has adopted a new look to create a clearer sense of individuality by "shedding" the maroon student nurse uniforms and replacing them with SIUE red. Over time, many of the area hospitals, in which the students complete their clinical education, adopted a maroon uniform for specific personnel. "At BJC, for example, the assisted care technicians wear maroon scrubs similar to the current uniform in which the SIUE student nurses are attired," Dean Marcia Maurer said. "In many instances, this created confusion in the workplace."

The SIUE regional nursing program on the SIU Carbondale campus also has adopted the new uniform color. A distinctive look was necessary on the SIUC campus due to the current dental hygiene students wearing maroon," Maurer pointed out.

SIUE current nursing student leadership was consulted for their selection of color. "Red was chosen because it shows school spirit and it stands out from the crowd," said Rachel Holtgrave, president of the SIUE Student Nurses Association. "There is no doubt that SIUE nursing students will be a standout," she said, "not only in their performance in the clinical, but in their 'look' as well."

The SIUE School of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the gold standard for baccalaureate and graduate degree nursing programs. With a dynamic environment to learn and study the profession of nursing, the School has proven its commitment to providing students with educational excellence through teaching and curriculum, mentoring, simulation, clinical experience and student service.

In the photo at right, Septembre' Williams (far left), a sophomore nursing student, and Rachel Holtgrave (far right), a senior nursing student, model the new and the old nursing uniforms at SIUE. They are with School of Nursing Dean Marcia Maurer and SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift.

Internationally Known Ballet Dancer Instructs SIUE East St. Louis Youth

25 October 2010, 12:23 pm

Sandra Organ Solis, founder of her own dance company and one-time international ballet dancer, spent two weeks recently teaching East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts youth how to keep on their toes. "These are some of the best young people I've trained during this trip," Solis said. "They are well trained and very disciplined." Solis said she enjoyed sharing her expertise with students in the after school performing arts program at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center.

The feeling was mutual, according to Theodore H. Jamison, program director of the SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts. "When we told our students that Ms. Solis would be able to teach ballet classes in East St. Louis, while she was here doing dance workshops, they were very excited." Solis met with the students for two, two-hour classes.

"Hopefully, I was able to help give them a better appreciation for ballet as one of the forms of dance that will help them reach their goals in dance," said Solis.

Solis was the first African-American ballerina with the Houston Ballet Company. She enjoyed an international career with the Houston Ballet Company and then founded her own company, Earthern Vessels, The Sandra Organ Dance Company, in 1995.

In the photo at right, Sandra Organ Solis encourages Antonio Mosley during a ballet sequence. Other SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts students from left to right: Gia Mosley, Shakrya Payne and Ahmah Gladney.

SWIC, SIUE Offer Dual Admission Program; Help To Achieve Goals

25 October 2010, 11:47 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Southwestern Illinois College offer a Dual Admission Program to help students in their first year at SWIC make transferring to SIUE as seamless as possible when the time comes. "We created this program as a framework to help qualified students complete an associate's and a bachelor's in four years," said Darlene Wagen, assistant coordinator of the program through the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach.

"The program is designed to help students achieve their goals in higher education."

According to Wagen, students who are in their first 30 hours at SWIC-with a 2.0 GPA or higher-may qualify for the Dual Admission Program. "Benefits of the program include admission to SIUE while still attending SWIC," Wagen said, "as well as waiver of the $30 SIUE application fee, and a greater likelihood of completing associate's and bachelor's degrees in timely fashion."

An informational open house is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, on the SWIC Belleville campus. Those interested may visit the website to RSVP: siue.edu/dualadmission. For more information, call Wagen, (618) 650-2630.

Portable Electrothermal Analyzer Invented By Two SIUE Faculty Members

20 October 2010, 4:31 pm

A prototype developed by two Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty members will allow clinical samples to be tested for toxic heavy metals, like mercury and lead.

The portable electrothermal analyzer was showcased recently at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Technology and Innovation Expo Fall 2010. SIUE Associate Professor Brad Noble from the department of electrical and computer engineering and SIUE Assistant Professor Edward Navarre from the department of chemistry collaborated to produce the inexpensive, portable device, which will be used for clinical applications such as blood and urine testing.

"The target cost of the completed instrument is less than $10,000, which is several times less expensive than most commercial instruments," Navarre said. "Inexpensive instrumentation will generate a wide variety of analysis and teaching opportunities."

Navarre continued that his collaborative work with Noble was inspired by the need to improve the timeliness of testing and implementation of treatment efforts to combat blood poisoning from lead and other toxic metals. The instrument will have national and international significance, Navarre said, adding that the device will allow more people to be tested, as well as reduce the cost of testing.

"We are trying to automate blood analysis so that the test operator doesn't need as much training to get viable results," he said.

Unlike traditional elemental analyzers, which are limited to laboratory environments and require highly skilled operators, the device can function in areas where traditional instruments cannot be used due to lack of sophisticated laboratories, funding or infrastructure.

Kindermusik Classes Begin Saturdays in January

20 October 2010, 4:00 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Suzuki Program will begin offering Winter/Spring 2011 Kindermusik in January.

Kindermusik is a music and movement program for children ages birth through 7. Classes provide a holistic musical and learning experience for young children and their families. Guided by a proven methodology combing music and childhood development, the program provides an opportunity to enhance the child-parent relationship and enhances of lifelong love of music and learning.

The Village Class, an 8-week course for infants through 18 months, offers stress-free play and relaxation techniques that strengthen mind and body development during a 45-minute session. Parents can take materials home and incorporate activities into their daily routine. The semester theme is The Rhythm of My Day.

Our Time Class, a 10-week course for children ages 18 months to 3 years, allows children to meet many animal characters through books, activities and songs, chosen to meet a child's emerging interests and physical skills. Children will develop rhythm through interactive play and enhance their language skills.

Classes begin Jan. 15. The Village class will take place from 9-9:45 a.m. and two sessions of the Our Time Class will be held; from 10-10:45 a.m. and again from 12:30-1:15 p.m. Tuition for the Village Class is $132, which includes an at-home material package. Tuition for the Our Time Class is $155 and includes an at-home material package. For more information, call (618) 792-6190, e-mail desingh@juno.com or visit siue.edu/artsandsciences/music/suzuki.

SIUE Engineering Career Fair: More than Just Landing a Job

20 October 2010, 3:23 pm

Nearly 300 engineering, construction and computer science students made rounds to 43 employers in the SIUE Meridan Ballroom on Oct. 8 at a Career Day for the School of Engineering. While full-time, co-operative, and internship positions were available, the fair offered students more than job placement.

According to Tammy Dugan, assistant director for employer relations, in the Career Development Center, the fair served a purpose for all students even if they were uninterested in obtaining co-ops, internships or full-time jobs.

"The career fair is an excellent opportunity to network. We have found that, in general, many students fear networking. Networking is a skill, and it must be developed," Dugan said. "The fairs give students opportunities to enhance interview techniques, as well. When employers talk with students one-on-one, these interactions are essentially mini-interviews, which is excellent for skill-building."

Although not at the fair for jobs, Dean Hasan Sevim and Associate Dean Cem Karacal, of the School of Engineering, also strolled through the fair to assess student and employer attendance and greet company representatives.

"Considering the state of the economy, I am very pleased with the turn out," commented Sevim. "The School looks forward to working with the Career Development Center to attract even more companies for the next fair."

SIUE Schools of Business, Engineering to Participate in Business Council's Mentor Network

20 October 2010, 2:02 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will again be participating in the St. Louis Regional Business Council (RBC) mentor network. A network kick-off reception, set for Wednesday Oct. 27, will be an opportunity that creates professional connections between the region's most successful CEOs, top students and community leaders. Small group discussions with RBC executives, students and young professionals will focus on emerging opportunities in education, engineering, government, health care, and science and technology.

The kick-off reception is part of the RBC's higher education collaboration that has created partnerships with business and engineering schools at of leading colleges and universities in the St. Louis market. Every academic year, SIUE and other participating universities each recommends six students, based on academic performance, to participate in the RBC Mentor Network. These students are then individually paired with a CEO of an RBC company to receive practical, "real world" knowledge and post-graduate opportunities.

The purpose of the collaboration is to attract and retain a talented pool of employees in the region by giving students a direct link to our business community, and giving mentors an understanding of those entering the workforce.

Hundreds Of Students Expected To Attend Regional Fair At SIUE

18 October 2010, 4:14 pm

Representatives from approximately 100 colleges, universities and branches of the military, and as many as 2,000 high school students and their families are expected to converge at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, for the annual Illinois College Exposition (ICE) Regional College Fair.

The ICE Fair, sponsored by the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC), will be conducted in SIUE's Morris University Center. It is a result of a collaborative effort among area high school counselors and college admission professionals to best serve area students who are in the process of choosing a college or university. Registration is not required and there is no cost to attend. Free parking is available in campus lots P4-P9. Additional information is available in local high school guidance offices and in community college counseling centers.

The ICE Fair is a consolidated opportunity to explore a wide variety of higher education options. Pam French, ICE On-Site chairperson, said: "the regional college fair concept continues to support its ultimate goal to help students learn more about post secondary education options. "Designed for high school juniors, seniors and community college transfer students, the ICE Fair gives students and parents an opportunity to speak with nearly 100 private and public educational institutions in a well-structured setting." French said.

Marcia Hoagland, guidance counselor at Roxana High School, likes the regional concept. "The ICE Fair is the ideal scenario for high school students to speak with representatives of colleges and universities both in and out of state," Sparks said. "Speaking one-on-one with these representatives helps the students to attain information beneficial for final college selections.

"This is an event that should be attended by both students and parents," Sparks said.

School of Business Offers Panel Discussion on Accounting Fraud

18 October 2010, 3:28 pm

The SIUE School of Business presented a panel discussion breakfast: Law & Order Forensic Accounting Unit on Oct. 8, in B. Barnard Birger Hall. The panel was composed of three alumni from the School: John Saric (MBA '81), senior manager of audit for the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis; Christina Rother (BSA '04/MSA '05), audit manager at KMPG; and Scott Stringer (BSA '84), director of forensic and litigation services at Ostrow, Reisin, Berk & Abrams Ltd. The panel spoke to an audience of students, faculty and community guests.

With a presentation focus on accounting fraud, panel members spoke candidly about how they deal with accounting fraud in their respective professions. They provided examples of how fraud occurred and referenced the three major factors in most fraud cases: pressure, opportunity and rationalization. The breakfast concluded with a Q&A session in which participants learned more about this specialized field. Continuing education credit was offered to participants.

School of Business Alumni Panel Discussion- Accounting Unit

SIUE Featured in the Princeton Review's "The Best 300 Business Schools:2011 Edition"

18 October 2010, 3:21 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business is an outstanding business school, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company features the school in the new 2011 edition of its book, The Best 300 Business Schools (Random House).

According to Robert Franek, Princeton Review senior vice president for publishing, "We are pleased to recommend SIUE to readers of our book and users of our site, www.PrincetonReview.com, as one of the best institutions they could attend to earn an MBA. We chose the 300 business schools in this book based on our high opinion of their academic programs and offerings, as well as our review of institutional data we collect from the schools. We also strongly consider the candid opinions of students attending the schools who rate and report on their campus experiences at their schools on our survey for the book."

The Best 300 Business Schools: 2011 Edition has two-page profiles of the schools with write-ups on their academics, student life and admissions, plus ratings for their academics, selectivity and career placement services. In the profile about SIUE, Princeton Review editors describe the school as: "convenient and affordable." They quote from students attending SIUE who say "SIUE is relatively inexpensive for the type of education you get. This is great for students who want a great education but cannot afford to pay inflated tuition."

In a "Survey Says . . . " sidebar in the profile, The Princeton Review lists topics that SIUE students it surveyed were in most agreement about. The list includes: "Good peer network, solid preparation in general management, communication, interpersonal skills and doing business in a global economy." The 80-question survey asked students about themselves, their career plans and their schools' academics, student body and campus life.

The Princeton Review does not rank the business schools in the book on a single hierarchical list from 1 to 300, or name one business school best overall. Instead, the book has 11 ranking lists of the Top 10 business schools in various categories. Ten lists are based on the book's surveys of 19,000 students attending the 300 business schools profiled. (Only schools that permitted The Princeton Review to survey their students were eligible for consideration for these lists.) Conducted during the 2009-10, 2008-09, and 2007-08 academic years, the student surveys were primarily completed online. One list, "Toughest to Get Into," is based solely on institutional data. (All schools in the book were eligible for consideration for this list.) The lists are posted at www.PrincetonReview.com

The edition also has advice on applying to business schools and funding the degree. It is one of the more than165 Princeton Review books published by Random House. The line includes The Best 172 Law Schools: 2011 Edition, which also published earlier this month, and has 11 ranking lists of Top 10 schools largely based on surveys of students attending them. Other Princeton Review books include an annual guide to the best medical schools, plus guides to graduate school admission exams and application essays. The Princeton Review is also known for its guides to colleges and to standardized tests, its classroom and online test-prep courses, tutoring and other education services. The company is not affiliated with Princeton University, and it is not a magazine.

SIUE Engineers Without Borders Gaining Local Exposure

16 October 2010, 3:47 pm

The SIUE School of Engineering chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) gained recognition in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article ( www.stltoday.com). The article highlights the significance and value of the work EWB did within the Pimenta community in Honduras earlier this year. View "Taking It on the Road" here.

SIUE Presents Jazz Combos In Concert

14 October 2010, 2:03 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Music Department will present the second Fall 2010 Jazz Combo Concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20 in the theater in Dunham Hall.

Select SIUE students and jazz faculty will be showcased in a variety of undergraduate, graduate and independent study ensembles, including the Graduate Combo Music featuring vocalists Zelina Bott-Goins, Nicole Jonas and Barry Moton; the Marty Morrison Combo and the Reggie Thomas Combo. Music to be performed has been pulled from American Song and jazz repertoire.

SIUE Jazz Faculty Rick Haydon, Reggie Thomas, Jason Swagler and Brett Stamps are coordinators of the concert. Admission is $10; $7 for seniors. SIUE students with a student ID are admitted for free, compliments of Arts-for-All.

Tickets can be purchased through the SIUE Fine Arts Box Office. For more information, contact the music department, (618) 650-3900 or Stamps, (618) 650-2026.

Saturday Studio Returns To SIUE Art & Design Department

14 October 2010, 1:30 pm

The "Saturday Studio" morning art workshops for primary, intermediate, middle school students and high school students-conducted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Art and Design-continue Oct. 16-Dec. 11 in SIUE's Alumni Hall and the SIUE Art and Design Building.

According to SIUE Assistant Professor Alyssia Ruggiero, head of the art education area of the department, the studio experience is intended to stimulate the creative and aesthetic growth of students through the use of media and generating ideas for creative expression. "Students will learn about the development of themes and methods of creating art," Ruggiero said.

The Saturday morning art education program consists of three classes-Primary Children's, Ages 6-8, Room 3200 Alumni Hall, and Intermediate Art, ages 9-12; Room 3201 Alumni Hall, both from 9- 11:30 a.m.; and Drawing/Painting Jr./Sr. High, Ages 13-18, from 9:30 a.m.-

12:30 p.m., Room 2102, Art and Design Building.

No studio classes will be held Saturday, Nov. 27. More information about registration, class fee, availability of space, what each class offers, and scheduling may be obtained by calling the SIUE Department of Art and Design, (618) 650-3183, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 3183, or, by writing the department at SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1764.

Jan-Patrick Schmitz Speaks At SIUE Power Breakfast Series

13 October 2010, 12:27 pm

School of Business Power Breakfast Video - Jan-Patrick Schmitz
Jan-Patrick Schmitz (MBA '94), president and CEO of Montblanc North America, visited Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Thursday to speak as part of the Sixth Annual Power Breakfast series, sponsored by the SIUE School of Business The goal of the Power Breakfast series is to re-connect prominent SIUE alumni from around the country with their alma mater.

Schmitz spoke candidly to an audience of 95 people-including students, faculty and alumni from the School-about his experience at the University and his international work experience. He also emphasized the importance of communicating and cultivating people skills in addition to gaining knowledge of the increasing global marketplace as factors in becoming successful in a career.

Schmitz, a native of Germany, came to SIUE in 1992 as a graduate assistant in the School's MBA program. Before coming to the University, Schmitz had earned an undergraduate degree at the International Business School in Lipstadt, Germany. He said he chose SIUE for graduate school because his undergraduate university had an international partnership with SIUE.

After graduating from SIUE, Schmitz joined Montblanc, a global company known for creating fine writing instruments, in 1994. He served as CEO of Montblanc in Japan for six years before being named president and CEO of Montblanc North America in 2003. Schmitz currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and three children.

International Night 2010 Dinner Comes To SIUE

13 October 2010, 11:13 am

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville International Night 2010 Dinner will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom on campus.

Doors will open for the event at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. SIUE international students and friends will present international music, dance and entertainment. The event is co-sponsored by the International Student Council, Campus Activities Board and Student Government.

Tickets for the dinner are $12 for students; $13 for faculty, staff and the general public and will be on sale starting next week.

Also, professional performances by local international groups will take place in the Morris University Center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 2-4. During that time international student association members will be positioned in booths showcasing the cultures of their home countries.

For more information, contact the Center for International Programs, (618) 650-3785.

SIUE SBDC Announces Selection Of Director Mister As State Star

12 October 2010, 4:03 pm

The National Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) recently named Kwa Mister, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, one of the Association's 2010 State Stars.

Mister was among a select group from across the country recognized by the Association for demonstrating "exemplary" performance, "making significant contributions to … SBDC programs, and showing a strong commitment to small business." Mister and other winners were recognized at a special awards reception honoring the ASBDC 2010 State Stars in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with ASBDC's 30 ^th Annual Conference.

"I am delighted to make this announcement, and to recognize Kwa for extraordinary contributions to the work of the Illinois SBDC at SIUE and to small businesses throughout the region," said Gary Giamartino, dean of the SIUE School of Business.

"It is an honor to accept this award," Mister said, "and to have the opportunity everyday to assist so many entrepreneurs achieve the dream of starting and succeeding in their own business." The ASBDC Network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is the Small Business Administration's largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and enhance their own businesses.

The Illinois SBDC at SIUE is a service to the community supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the SIUE School of Business. The SIUE SBDC enhances Southwestern Illinois' economic interests providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses.

In the above photo, Kwa Mister (third from right) is shown receiving the award. From left are: Charles "Tee" Rowe, president/CEO, Association of Small Business Development Centers; Jerry Cartwright, state director, Florida SBDC; Mister with his award; Antonio Doss, associate administrator, Office of Small Business Development Centers, U. S. Small Business Administration; and Jim Mullery, vice president, ACT! Sales, Sage North America.

Kenyan Ambassador Is Guest At SIUE

12 October 2010, 10:27 am

Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S. Elkanah Odembo will be on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a 3 p.m. tea reception Thursday, Oct. 14 in the Engineering Building atrium.

The ambassador will be available for an informal chat, which is being held to strengthen the University's ties with Kenya. The Kenyan community of St. Louis is invited to attend.

The event is being hosted by the SIUE Center for International Programs.

Rwandan Ambassador Is Guest At SIUE Lunch

12 October 2010, 10:16 am

U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda W. Stuart Symington will be on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for lunch from noon-2 p.m. today, Oct. 12.

The ambassador will be available for an informal chat in the University Club next to the University Restaurant on the second floor of the Morris University Center.

Symington is an attorney and joined the Foreign Service in 1986. He has served in Spain and Latin America, including as a political officer in Honduras, Ecuador and Mexico. From 2001-2003 he was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Niger.

From 2006-2008, Symington served in Iraq as the U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti. He has served in his current capacity for Rwanda since 2009.

Beauty Products Entrepreneur Turns To ITC For Export Advice

12 October 2010, 10:15 am

Sherry Brianza of Carlinville began creating a new line of multicultural beauty products just about the time the U.S. economy tanked, but that didn't stop the determined entrepreneur from following through with her dream. She persisted and eventually negotiated a contract with Sears to carry her line of cosmetics for women of color-cleanser, toner, skin color correction, moisturizers and lotions. She's now negotiating with other major outlets in the United States.

But, when she realized that her products could be useful to women overseas, Brianza turned to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Small Business Development Center-International Trade Center (SBDC-ITC) late last year for help in exporting Brianza Bella LLC beauty products to various countries. And, now, things are beginning to happen.

"Within a few months, Brianza Bella was introduced to several offices of the Illinois Trade Network abroad," said Silvia Torres-Bowman, director of the SBDC-ITC at SIUE. "By spring of this year, Sherry received her first export interest from Mauritania, North Africa." Brianza said that arrangement is currently pending and it looks promising. Since then, Brianza also has explored trade with China, the Middle East and Brazil. "Sherry recently got back from a major cosmetics/skin care show in Sao Paulo, where she met with prospective distributors." Torres-Bowman and her staff helped arrange for Brianza to attend the show, just one of the services offered by the SBDC-ITC.

"As part of the ITC's International Consulting Project Series, participating clients receive at no cost a detailed international marketing plan for two countries that includes an analysis of the client's product potential, barriers and entry strategies for the target markets," Torres-Bowman said. "The target markets are chosen through a combination of global market research and client input.

"The relationships we can facilitate through our service give our clients free access to foreign market experts, industry specialists and international trade offices," Torres-Bowman said. "One of our clients, Natural Enrichment Industries (NEI), was the 2009 recipient of the Governor's Export Award in the category of New Exporter. NEI Vice President Bill Kuzma started working with us since the early days of NEI and has been able to participate in various trade missions to Europe, Latin America and Africa organized by the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment."

A successful entrepreneur, Brianza has been in the cosmetics industry more than 20 years, with Montgomery Ward in Chicago and then on to Revlon, eventually starting her own cosmetics brokerage firm. That work allowed her to make connections and expand her business base throughout the country. "A manufacturer I knew in California told me one day that I should start my own line," she said. "I was inspired by the idea that there is a need in the marketplace for a treatment line that will appeal to all women of color.

"The other inspiration in my life is the memory of my grandmother, a strong Italian immigrant who embraced life." In fact, it was a decorative picture on the wall that hung in her grandmother's home for many years that became the inspiration for the Brianza Bella logo, which depicts a woman in a flowing gown seated in front of a dresser and mirror, holding a cosmetics jar.

"Working with Silvia Torres and her staff has enabled my relatively new company to think globally, not just domestically," Brianza said. "It is so important in tough economic times to be able to find new revenue streams. We hope to be opening the Brazilian market within a year and that is something I would have never thought possible even six months ago.

"The SIUE center has helped me with determining which world markets show the best potential for my products, referred me to freight forwarders, attorneys to help us with trade agreements, financing and much more. The opportunity to export is not only good for my company but good for Illinois."

SIUE School Of Engineering Graduate Skyrockets In Career

8 October 2010, 3:19 pm

Joshua Butcher, a 2005 electrical engineering graduate who has been at The Boeing Co. since then, was recently presented with the Boeing Space Flight Awareness Honoree Award. The award is one of the highest recognitions given to NASA and industry employees for dedication to quality work and flight safety.

Joshua is part of the Electronic Power System team working on the International Space Station at Boeing in Houston. As a reward for his hard work, Joshua will visit a space facility as a NASA VIP and will have the opportunity to attend a shuttle launch alongside NASA executives and members of the Astronaut Corps.

Engineering Freshman Class Average ACT Math Score At Historically High Level

8 October 2010, 3:17 pm

The SIUE School of Engineering-reporting its second year of record high enrollment-currently has 138 first semester freshmen with average ACT Math and ACT Composite scores of 27.7 and 26.2, respectively. While the average high school ranking of the freshman class was at 76.7 percent, 36 of these students were at 90 percentiles in their high schools. In addition, 36 students scored 30 and above on the ACT Math test.

Of the total 1,243 engineering students currently enrolled, 1,002 are undergraduates and 241 are graduates. Dean Hasan Sevim credits team effort and excellent teaching by the School's faculty for attracting so many well-prepared students.

When asked the reason for attraction to the SIUE School of Engineering, Sevim said, "Recent successes of the University in all aspects of the collegiate life continue to bring increased numbers of well-prepared students to the campus to explore our programs. Once they are on campus, our faculty, staff, and students show extraordinary care and passion in introducing our programs, and in showcasing our facilities and student projects. Members of student chapters and design teams thoroughly enjoy presenting their projects to prospective students and convincing them that this is a University and School that they will enjoy attending to earn a valuable degree."

Art & Design Department Presents Sculpture On Campus At SIUE

7 October 2010, 12:23 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Art and Design will showcase student art during the annual sculpture walk at 4 p.m. Friday in front of the Art & Design Building on campus.

This year's display includes the artwork of 12 students that dot the campus landscape, including art students Rae Downing, Emily Dunlap, Rebecca Grant, Andy Magee, Tar Morton, Manda Remmen and Lauren Witschie. Internationally known sculptor Alice Aycock is acting as this year's guest juror.

The event is being held this year in memory of Nathan Miller, a sculpture student who graduated with his bachelor of fine arts from SIUE in 2008 and was the recipient of the Thomas D. Gipe Sculpture Award in spring 2007. His work was featured in the 2007-2008 Sculpture on Campus collection.

The generous support of the Gateway Foundation has enabled the Sculpture on Campus program to invite guest jurors and award cash prizes to the artists. The prize structure includes: $1,000 for Best Sculpture; $500 for second place and $250 for third place.

A banquet and awards ceremony will follow later in the evening. For more information contact the department, (618) 650-3071. To view the student artwork, visit siue.edu/artsandsciences/art/sculpture/sculpture_on_campus/.

SIUE Women's Studies Hosts The Women Reigned Then

7 October 2010, 12:17 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Women's Studies program will present a speaking engagement; The Women Reigned Then: the Female Artist in 18th Century Europe, from 11-12:15 p.m. on campus Tuesday, Oct. 12 at Peck Hall, room 1302.

Assistant Professor of Art and Design Katie Poole will be the event's featured speaker.

Women's Studies, a growing interdisciplinary field, emphasize gender perspectives and contributions of women. The program explores attitudes and values and the role of men and women in society. For more information visit siue.edu/artsandsciences/womensstudies/.

SIUE Prairie Portal And Garden Nearly Complete

5 October 2010, 2:42 pm

The Gardens at SIUE is alive and full of fall beauty, and visitors are welcome to take in the scenery Sunday, Oct. 10.

Discover The Gardens at SIUE, with family friendly activities and the sounds of man and nature, will come to life from 11 a.m.-5p.m.

Guests are welcome to come to The Gardens anytime throughout the day. Activities will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., including Watershed Nature Center and Children's Museum projects and events hosted by the Early Childhood Center. Garden discovery strolls, plastic pot recycling, birdhouse projects, a Prairie Maze and more will take place in the Family Garden.

A pancake brunch provided by The Friends of The Gardens will be held from noon-1:30 p.m., followed by the dedication of the Prairie Portal from 1-1:30 p.m. The University Dance Organization will be on site from 1-4 p.m., while the Suzuki Strings will perform from 1:30-2 p.m. and Tai Chi and Tai Yu Sword Demonstrations will take place from 2-2:45 p.m. Bob & Perry and The Original Mojo's will perform classic rock from 2-5 p.m.

Staff and volunteers have been busy planting and cultivating the Missouri Botanical Garden-recognized Shaw's Garden East Signature Garden. More than 200 new trees and shrubs dot the landscape and add to the site's aesthetic appeal. Thanks to a gift from the Rotary Club of Edwardsville, The Prairie Portal and Garden is now the largest display garden featured in the 35-acre attraction.

Also a new feature of the garden is Plants that Inspired Shakespeare, made possible through a collaborative partnership between The Gardens, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and faculty member Diane Sol of the Department of Theater and Dance. Benches now line President's Way, recognizing the terms of past SIUE Foundation presidents.

SIUE Hosts Study Abroad Fair

5 October 2010, 2:39 pm

Students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville can explore international educational opportunities at the annual SIUE Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 in the Morris University Center Goshen Lounge.

Information tables at the event will be staffed by representatives from the following organizations:

• The American Institute for Foreign Study;

• The Cultural Experiences Abroad;

• John Cabot University in Rome;

• Language Link Spanish Immersion Schools in Peru, Costa Rica and Ecuador;

• Monterrey Tech University in Cuernavaca, Mexico;

• Salzburg College in Austria;

• Swansea University in Wales;

• SIUE faculty-led programs to Syria, Italy and Spain 2011;

• SIUE Health Education Internship Program in Ghana 2011;

• SIUE School of Business programs to Germany and China 2011;

• SIUE School of Business Semester-Long Exchange programs;

• SIUE faculty-led program in International Public Relations in France and Romania, combined, proposed for summer 2012;

• SIUE Office of Financial Aid;

• Passport Health St. Louis Office, which is a travel medical service provider.

For more information on study abroad and the fair, contact Julie Beall-Marshall, jbeall@siue.edu or (618) 650-2419.

Prijedor: Lives From The Bosnian Genocide, Exhibit On Display At SIUE

5 October 2010, 2:37 pm

Prijedor: Lives from the Bosnian Genocide, an exhibition and multi-media presentation of first-hand survivor interviews, is being presented on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus in Morris University Center's Gallery and Mississippi-Illinois room now through Nov. 3.

An opening reception will take place at 5 p.m. with a presentation following at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12. For more information contact the Department of Art and Design, (618) 650-3183.

October Career Fair 2010 For Students, Alumni, Partners Comes To SIUE

5 October 2010, 2:31 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host October Career Fair 2010 Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 6-7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom.

The event is open to SIUE students and alumni, as well as partnering schools.

The College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business and non-teaching candidates in the School of Education are invited to attend Wednesday's fair. Those affiliated with the School of Engineering are encouraged to attend Thursday.

Students attending events are required to wear professional attire and bring current copies of their resumes.

For more information, visit the SIUE Career Development Center web site: siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter.

Changes

5 October 2010, 2:16 pm

Retirements (effective Aug. 31, 2010)

• Gary Denue, associate dean of Library and Information Services at Lovejoy and former dean of the library, after nearly 29 years of service.

• Roger Hill, professor of physics, after nearly 40 years of service.

• Laura Perkins, professor of speech communication, after nearly 22 years of service.

Sharkey's In St. Charles To Play Host To Jazz Benefit For WSIE-FM

5 October 2010, 8:51 am

The Original Sharkey's Restaurant, overlooking the majestic Mississippi River in St. Charles, Mo., will play host to Jazz at Sharkey's, a benefit Sunday, Oct. 24, for WSIE-FM (88.7) The Jazz Station, the NPR affiliate at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Three jazz bands, featuring several students who are part of the SIUE Jazz Studies program, will be featured at various times from 2-6 p.m. at the restaurant, where food and beverages will be available for purchase. Appearing are Tom Byrne & Co., the SIUE Student Jazz Combo and the Eric Slaughter Trio.

A $20 donation per person is suggested and all proceeds go to the radio station, which recently celebrated 40 years on the air broadcasting from the lower level of SIUE's Dunham Hall. WSIE Interim Director Greg Conroy said the event will not only be musically exciting but it will take place at the perfect time for fall colors. "What a great time of year to enjoy America's artform played by very talented performers," Conroy said. "And, it's that time of year when the river's magnificent fall foliage will be in full force.

"I'm not sure it gets any better-a relaxing afternoon in comfortable surroundings, on Sharkey's deck overlooking the river, good friends and the fall colors, not to mention live Modern American Jazz. It will be the perfect afternoon for a fall drive and a great destination," he said.

To reach Sharkey's, 601 N. Shore Drive, take I-270 to Missouri Highway 370 west, about five miles to Missouri Highway 94, then about seven miles to Blaze Station Road; after about two miles, left on North Shore to Sharkey's. For more information, call (636) 250-3300, or visit the website: sharkeysontheriver.com.

Jumping Frogs; Hard Landings

5 October 2010, 8:18 am

By Tim Dickison

Frogs belly flopping and face planting is not just funny to watch-it is interesting science with major implications. Just ask the world of biology. Right now, the buzz is all about these belly flopping and face planting frogs.

Talk escalated when SIUE Assistant Biological Sciences Professor Rick Essner submitted an article for review and publication. Naturwissenschaften, a German multidisciplinary journal, accepted and published the study. The study began as an examination of landing abilities of basal frogs, according to Essner. However, his interest stemmed from work as a master's student at Southeast Missouri State University and as a post-doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania.

There, Essner's interest grew toward an obscure group of frogs in the family Leiopelmatidae. These "primitive" frogs are still found in the Pacific Northwest (Tailed Frogs) and New Zealand (New Zealand Frogs). "The evolutionary split between "primitive" and "modern" frogs occurred over 200 million years ago prior to the breakup of the giant supercontinent Pangaea," Essner stated. Following this breakup, the Tailed Frog lineage was carried northward into North America while the New Zealand Frogs became isolated as New Zealand broke away from Australia.

Despite the great passage of time, "Tailed Frogs and New Zealand frogs held on to a number of ancestral anatomical features that were lost by other frogs. These include extra vertebrae, free ribs, a 'tail-wagging' muscle and a cartilaginous pad in the pelvic girdle," Essner continued.

Given this primitive anatomy, Essner wondered if the behavior of Leiopelmatidae frogs might be equally primitive. "Previous researchers noted that these frogs share unusual swimming behavior, moving their legs asynchronously, in a crawling-type gait, rather than flexing and extending their legs in unison like other frogs," Essner observed. However, no one had previously studied their jumping behavior. Essner thought comparing the jumping behavior of Leiopelmatidae frogs with more advanced frogs might provide insight into the evolution of jumping.

Essner and his graduate student, Dan Suffian, traveled to the Pacific Northwest to collect Tailed Frogs and brought them back to the lab at SIUE. Like most biologists interested in frog locomotion, Essner's focus began with the launch phase of jumping. However, as they began to film the frogs jumping with high-speed video, they soon realized that it was the unusual landing behavior of Tailed Frogs that set them apart. Other frogs are known to land on their forelimbs using them as a pivot to bring their flexed hind limbs into position beneath the body so that they are ready to jump again immediately.

In contrast, the Tailed Frogs kept their legs extended throughout the jump and never landed on their forelimbs, resulting in a belly flop or face plant landing. Essner contacted Phil Bishop, a researcher from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and verified that the New Zealand frogs exhibited similar landing behavior. Based on this evidence, they concluded that frogs evolved jumping in a stepwise manner, with controlled landings appearing after the split between "primitive" and "modern" frogs.

This observation gave Essner the direction he needed to push outside the box. "[His] work is one of those forehead slapping, gee-whiz! why didn't I think of that? moments," according to Paul Brunkow, department chair and associate professor at SIUE. Essner's observations and study will become part of textbooks soon, he added. It has great potential to add to base knowledge. Landings in smaller animals is not as important as they have less inertia when they fall. But when larger animals fly, landing safely and efficiently becomes much more important, he concluded.

Essner plans continuing work on this issue. He and several researchers from Ohio University and the University of Otago, New Zealand, are continuing a collaboration in order to push farther. The researchers will work to fill gaps between the "primitive" and "modern" frogs. The hope is to show how the evolution of frogs progressed. "The goal is to provide additional evidence that (evolution) occurs in a step-like pattern," said Essner. "Each step in the evolution of complex locomotion builds on prior steps," he said.

There are also undergraduate students working with Essner in his lab at SIUE. With guidance from Essner, the students will explore differences among frogs in their aquatic landing behavior. "The frogs keep us busy during experiments, as they are prone to not cooperating with us," said biological sciences major Andrew Bulla. "It's always interesting working in Dr. Essner's lab, whether it's doing experimental design, data collection, or analysis. It's exciting to be able to work on a project that may lead to a better understanding of anuran evolution."

MEDIA ADVISORY: SIUE School Of Nursing To Offer Health Day Oct. 13

4 October 2010, 2:33 pm

SIUE School Of Nursing To Offer Health Career and Education Day: Three State Legislators Plan To Attend

Who: SIUE School of Nursing

What: Health Career and Education Day For Seventh and Eighth Graders

When: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13

Where: SIUE Morris University Center

The purpose of the Health Career and Education Day is twofold: (1) to introduce students to the many health careers via a health fair activity and (2) to provide age-appropriate health education and health promotion activities. The program is aimed at providing students with an understanding of the options they have related to health careers, and encourage them to enroll in high school classes that will best prepare them for college courses in the health professions.

Both university and community college programs from the area will be represented at the Oct. 13 event. Illinois Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-49 ^th District), Illinois Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-112 ^th District) and Illinois Rep. Eddie Lee Jackson Sr. (D-114 ^th District) plan to attend the event. They are expected between 11:30 a.m. and noon. In addition, Ocheng Jany, associate director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), and IBHE Assistant Director for Diversity and Outreach Richard Tapia plan to attend.

The Oct. 13 health education program will focus on health issues, such as nutrition, activity and exercise, as well as drug and alcohol use. Activities will be taught by teams of faculty and students. Scheduled participating schools include Millstadt Consolidated Schools and East St. Louis Middle School. Some 180 students, teachers, guidance counselors and parents also are expected to attend.

SIUE, Entrepreneurship Center Launch Cougar Enterprises

4 October 2010, 2:02 pm

Students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are taking part in a pilot program that will help them gain an entrepreneurial edge upon graduation.

Nine students were selected to take part in Cougar Enterprises, a new focused interest community at SIUE. The students live in the same building in University Housing's Cougar Village and participate in an independent study opportunity in the area of entrepreneurship.

SIUE has been promoting entrepreneurship in the surrounding counties for many years with the SIUE Entrepreneurship Center located on campus, directed by Kristine Jarden. Now, SIUE and Jarden have teamed up to extend entrepreneurial guidance to its students. The opportunity goes beyond the classroom setting and teaches these young entrepreneurs about what it takes to further their ideas to promote successful businesses. Another purpose of this initiative is to create long-lasting partnerships among participants.

The students will use a special study lounge and resource center to work on homework and their business ideas in privacy, allowing them to capitalize on their creativity. The class, led by Jarden, focuses on building the basics of starting a business enterprise, from deciding if a business idea is feasible to writing a business plan. Participants also will hear from many prominent speakers and professionals who can advise them along the way.

The inaugural members of Cougar Enterprises include:

• Robert Bobbitt, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, who hopes to start his own engineering firm;

• Andrew Foster, a junior economics and finance major, who plans to make valuable contacts with fellow students and regional leaders;

• Charles Johnson, a sophomore computer engineering major, who welcomes the opportunity to spend time with like-minded individuals and gain access to the many resources available to participants;

• David Kling, a sophomore computer engineering major, who plans to make connections and learn new skills to help him run a major computer company;

• Ecem Kulaksiz, a sophomore industrial engineering major from Istanbul, Turkey. She plans to start her own business;

• Ryan McCullough, a junior marketing major, pursuing a minor in mass communications, who wants to further an entrepreneurial career in music through enhanced knowledge in business skills;

• Matthew McElwee, a sophomore business administration major, who wants to use the opportunity to network with individuals with the same goals and passion and increase his own drive to succeed;

• Carlos Reyes, a senior with dual majors in marketing and public relations, who also is pursuing a minor in mass communications. He plans to learn the skills necessary to start a fashion company;

• Jacob Waltrip, a sophomore marketing major, who plans to learn the skills necessary to take over his family's Real Estate company Waltrip Real Estate.

University Housing established focused interest communities, such as Cougar Enterprises, after the fire in Cougar Village in Building 529 in summer 2009.

Those interested in applying for Cougar Enterprises or who would like more information should contact Jarden, (618) 650-2166, kjarden@siue.edu.

Learning Beyond the Lecture Hall

4 October 2010, 12:20 pm

For students in the SIUE School of Engineering, learning occurs well beyond the four walls of the classroom. Recently, industrial and manufacturing engineering students in the Engineering Problem Solving course packed the Engineering Building atrium with their team-designed catapults. The students gave their best efforts in launching tennis balls a distance of 25 feet to hit a 2-feet-by-2-feet-square target, but this assignment aimed to do more than hit a target.

Engineering graduate assistant Nkere Eneyo helped facilitate the mass launching session. He commented, "This task was not about just hitting a target. It was meant to give students more of an understanding about what it takes to complete an engineering project from start to finish."

According to Adjunct Professor Ted Luhrs, the project fostered teamwork amongst students and taught them that a project must perform consistently while being aesthetically appealing and remaining within budget, which was $10 for this particular design task. Luhrs said, "It's an opportunity for students to work together and create something. Engineers have a tendency to want to do hands-on work. If everything happened to be theory in this class, the students would miss out on something."

SIUE Homecoming Set For Saturday, Oct. 9

4 October 2010, 11:15 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will present the University's traditional Homecoming on Saturday, Oct 9. To kick off the day, the SIUE Club Football team will play The Ohio State University Club Football team from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SIUE's Korte Stadium. the game will be broadcast live on KSLZ-FM (Z107.7).

Homecoming Cougar Fest-the new community festival that will fill the SIUE soccer fields with alumni reunion tents, local businesses, children's activities, games and more-is set from 2-6 p.m. The festival will feature live music from three area bands: Aaron Kamm and the One Drops (2-2:45 p.m.); Sheila Shahpari (3:15-4 p.m.); and Mr. Wizard (4:30-6 p.m.). The main stage will be sponsored by Liberty Mutual. SIUE students, alumni and community members may visit vendor booths to buy merchandise, food or participate in an activity. Vendors include: Washington Kettle Corn; Domino's; Caffé Avanti; and Cold Stone Creamery. Attendees may also enjoy free face painting and an appearance by Izzy the Grizzlie.

At 6 p.m., the Ninth Annual Chili Cook-off will start at Korte Stadium. The day will end with the SIUE Cougar men's soccer team playing Bradley University at 7 p.m., to be broadcast live on WSIE-FM (88.7) the Jazz Station, with a pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. The 2010 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at half-time.

More information may be found on the website: www.siue.edu/homecoming, or by calling (618) 650-2762.

September 2010

FOTAD Presents 'Murder On The Edwardsville Express' Nov. 7

The Bard's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Opens Oct. 13 At SIUE

SIUE Bike Share Program Mentioned In USA Today

SIUE School of Engineering To Host Robot Carnival

Assoc. Professor Chosen As 2010-2011 AACP ALFP Fellow

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville NSCS Chapter Receives Gold Award

Parents Learn About New Plans At SIUE Charter High School

Engineers Without Borders Makes an International Impact

D. Howard Is September Employee Of The Month

Chancellor Vandegrift Welcomes Dual Diploma Students From ITU

Renowned Concert Pianist Ruth Slenczynska Returns To SIUE

Alumni Board To Play Host To Networking, Social Gathering At Grafton

National Online Magazine Ranks SIUE One Of The Safest Campuses

Washington Monthly Ranks SIUE Among The Top 50 In The Country

SIUE School of Education Informational Meeting Oct. 14 At SWIC-Red Bud

Graduate Programs Highlighted At SIUE Open House

"A Season For The Child" Opens Its 2010-11 Season With "Treasure Island"

SIUE Fall Enrollment Largest In History; Also Record Freshman Class

EBR Writers Club Begins 24th Year Of Twice Monthly Meetings

Dual Diploma Students Welcomed with Open Arms

SIUE Business Major Appointed VP Of National Phi Kappa Phi

Fundraising Workshop 101 Set For Sept. 22 At SIUE

IERC Releases Six-Year Study On 2002 Illinois High School Class

FOTAD Presents 'Murder On The Edwardsville Express' Nov. 7

29 September 2010, 3:39 pm

Mysterious shenanigans will take center stage Nov. 7 as the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) presents Murder on the Edwardsville Express, a spoof on Agatha Christie novels, at FOTAD's 14 ^th Annual Mystery Dinner Theater and Silent Auction. FOTAD is the support organization for the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance. Proceeds from the Nov. 7 event will benefit the organization's scholarship fund for SIUE theater and dance majors. Reservations must be made by Nov. 4.

When a murder occurs on the Edwardsville Express, and the clues sound like an Agatha Christie novel, a frantic public relations staffer tries to cover up the crime and wade through the unusual cast of suspects with the help of an atypical expert. According to playwright S. J. Morrison, who has written several whodunit's for FOTAD's Annual Mystery Dinner Theater, it all adds up to a funny experience for the audience. "From the eccentric detective to the improbable murder and the larger-than-life characters, this comedic mystery farce promises to entertain," Morrison said.

" Murder on the Edwardsville Express is a comedic look at Agatha Christie's recipe for mystery novels," Morrison said. "If she were around today, she'd probably murder me. There's mystery and intrigue, but, more than anything, it's about making the audience laugh."

Murder on the Edwardsvile Express will be performed by FOTAD board members and several community supporters seen locally on stage. The 'whodunit' will be performed in the University Restaurant, on the second floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. Doors open at 6:15 for viewing auction items, the play starts around 7 p.m. and dinner is served shortly thereafter.

FOTAD President Greg Conroy said the evening will feature plenty of laughs and good food. "This will be the perfect evening to combine a nice dinner with shopping for that unique Christmas gift," Conroy said. "And, if you have ever entertained the urge to play detective, this is your big chance because participants at each table can guess 'whodunit' and go home with free tickets to one of the shows in FOTAD's annual family theater series, A Season for the Child," he said. Conroy also pointed out that several "fabulous" attendance prizes also will be awarded throughout the evening.

Tickets are $40 per person and include a full dinner. For reservation information, or to make a reservation with a credit card by Nov. 4, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2774.

The Bard's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Opens Oct. 13 At SIUE

29 September 2010, 3:33 pm

Lively sprites and one with attitude, lovely lovers, a duke, a king and queen of sorts, silly men, silly women, and a man transformed into a donkey. That about sums up one of William Shakespeare's most popular comedies- A Midsummer Night's Dream-and it will open Wednesday, Oct. 13, on the mainstage at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The show opens at 7:30 p.m. that Wednesday and continues at the same curtain time through Saturday, Oct. 16, and then plays at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, all in the theater at Katherine Dunham Hall. The SIUE Department of Theater and Dance also is planning a 10 a.m. matinee performance for high school students on Friday, Oct. 15, and the public could attend that for the price of a ticket. This wonderful show abounds with great characters and a delightful plot that celebrates magic, young love, old love, and also comments on the foibles of the human race. As Puck, the mischievous fairy, states: "Lord, what fools these mortals be."

"This show is one that Jim Wulfsong, director of our technical theater area, has wanted to design for many years," says Director Peter Cocuzza, chair of the department. He pointed out that this is the third time the department has mounted the show, but the last time it was produced at SIUE was in 1996. "I thought it was about time we resurrected it," he said. "It's a large-cast show and it gives a lot of our new students a chance to be in a show at the beginning of our season. In fact, about half the cast is made up of new students here-a big part in a big show…wow.

"It's exciting for them and it's an exciting show for any actor."

Cocuzza said the play will be updated to a "contemporary, nondescript time" and it will be set in Louisiana, with its mystery and folklore. "It also will allow us to use some Cajun music but we're not changing the Shakespearian language," he said. "We will change a word here or there because some of the passages are archaic and the audience night not understand, but the iambic pentameter will still be there.

"Mastering the language will be a challenge for the students; it also will be a good teaching opportunity for us."

With an idea at first to set the play in New England, Cocuzza said he recalled he had directed a show for the department earlier in the decade that was placed in the same location, so he changed his mind and decided on Louisiana. "I wanted the setting to help enhance the magic in the play and Louisiana is the perfect place with all of its stories and the mysterious bayou country," he said. "We've also made a few changes in the characters such as the Duke, who has become governor of a parish, for example."

Cocuzza also pointed out there will be some special effects onstage using various types of lighting but he doesn't want to give too much of the production ideas away. "People will find it very visually interesting and exciting," he said. "The rude mechanicals will be very funny and I think the audience will find the humor in all of it."

Tickets for all performances are $10; senior citizens, SIUE faculty and staff, non-SIUE students and SIUE alumni, $8; SIUE students with a valid Cougar ID, no admission charge. For ticket information, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774. Visit the website for more information: www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/theater. The photo includes members of the cast: Ryan Wiechmann, of Bloomington, as Lysander; Dana Szarzynski, of Roscoe, as Helena; Carrie Dougherty, of O'Fallon, as Hermia; and Spenser Greentree, of Lawrenceville, as Demetrius. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

SIUE Bike Share Program Mentioned In USA Today

28 September 2010, 2:15 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's new bike share program recently was mentioned in a story about bike sharing programs across the nation.

The article in USA Today featured sustainability initiatives on several college and university campuses. SIUE's program was highlighted as well as programs from universities such as Drury University, New York University and North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.

SIUE School of Engineering To Host Robot Carnival

28 September 2010, 1:38 pm

Members of the Edwardsville High School computer team will work with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering to offer a Robot Carnival from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11.

The event will allow 3-5 graders the opportunity to learn about designing and building robots. Students will gain hands-on experience working with robots during the Monday Morning Robotics Mini-Camp.

The cost to attend the camp is $35 and it is limited to the first 24 students. For more information, contact Scott Hagin, (618) 656-7100, ext. 20886. A registration form is available at http://www.ecusd7.org/ehs/ehsstaff/shagin/botball/campreg.doc.

Assoc. Professor Chosen As 2010-2011 AACP ALFP Fellow

28 September 2010, 12:16 pm

Erin Timpe, associate professor of pharmacy practice in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, recently was chosen as one of 30 fellows through the 2010-2011 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP.)

Director of the SIUE Drug Information and Wellness Center, Timpe completed a drug information specialty residency at The University of Tennessee (UT) in Memphis. During that time she also was involved with the Southern Poison Center and UT Family Medicine Clinic. She served as a UT faculty member before her appointment at SIUE.

Timpe earned a bachelor of science and a doctorate in pharmacy from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. She is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and an officer for the Drug Information Practice and Research Network through the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville NSCS Chapter Receives Gold Award

28 September 2010, 9:56 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's chapter of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) was awarded Gold Star status at the NSCS' Leadership Summit. An honors organization for high-achieving freshmen and sophomores, NSCS has more than 270 student chapters at universities across the country. Chapters may attain one of four STAR status levels; bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Each level is determined based on the quantity and quality of events a chapter conducted the previous year.

The award comes as no surprise, said Rachel Thornton, NSCS national staff representative who is familiar with the SIUE chapter and its officers. "The members of SIUE's chapter are amazing," she said. "They have gone above and beyond by creating innovative programs, while expanding and improving existing programs and providing an exceptional experience for their members. They have truly embraced the ideals of NSCS."

In addition to the award, the chapter also will receive a $250 Chapter Scholarship and a letter from NSCS leadership to SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift to commemorate the recognition. Thornton also pointed out the reward of attaining gold status is second only to the impact it has had on the community and the bonds it has strengthened between chapter members. "To attain gold status," Thornton said, "chapters are required to hold an induction ceremony for new members, create a student mentoring program, hold campus-wide events to support NSCS' integrity initiative, create an on-campus membership recruitment campaign and engage a campus office in a chapter event."

NSCS is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is the nation's only interdisciplinary honors organization to invite first- and second-year college students. Membership is by invitation only, based on grade point average and class standing. NSCS offers members exclusive access to scholarships, career resources, leadership and networking opportunities. NSCS has more than 750,000 members and 270 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Parents Learn About New Plans At SIUE Charter High School

21 September 2010, 9:19 pm

Open House

By Patricia Merritt
Public Relations Director
SIUE East St. Louis Center

(EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.) - Parents and guardians of students at the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High recently enjoyed an evening of information and had the opportunity to find out more about new administrators, faculty, policies and programs at the school's recent Open House.

"We're excited about the changes and improvements that have been made here at the Charter High School," said Frances Karanovich, SIUE Charter High School program director. "Our school is a place where hope happens for every student. We expect our students to be engaged in learning activities and strive for success."

Approximately half of the school's student population had parents and guardians turn out last week who heard Karanovich talk about the school's mission and goals for their children. "You are critical to your children's success," Karanovich said. "We won't be able to make the educational impact we need to without your help." Karanovich and Willis Young, assistant director at the SIUE Charter High School, discussed new policies, reviewed discipline expectations and highlighted upcoming events. The school's director also encouraged parents to regularly visit and participate in parent activities.

The evening also showcased the new Read 180 program, a state-of-the-art reading laboratory designed to increase reading comprehension scores among enrolled students. Charter High School teachers Stephanie Newton, Sherry Nelson, Edna Woods and Allison Tutor presented the Read 180 program to parents.

Parents and guardians also met with representatives of tutoring services in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The free tutoring services are available to qualifying students as part of the No Child Left Behind Support Educational Services (SES). Parents can learn more about SES programs by calling Mary Love, (618) 646-3073.

Engineers Without Borders Makes an International Impact

21 September 2010, 9:07 pm

By Professor Chris Gordon, Ph.D.
Assistant professor of construction and chair of that department
in the SIUE School of Engineering

In May, the SIUE Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and two professionals from the Gateway Professional Partners Chapter (GPPC) of St. Louis traveled to Pimienta, Honduras, to construct two drainage ditches, as well as gutters for houses in a community called "The Casitas." Group members included GPPC engineers Gina Gansman and Alice Haga and SIUE students Shane Richardson, Jamie Walker, Damien Di Vittorio, Tim Pirmann, Leslie Stallons, Irving Lucas, Nathen Leach and Eric Poettker.

Upon arriving in Honduras, they first learned that the Casitas community had been without running water for 10 days, which made it that much more apparent how important not just storm water management but water management is in their community. "In the U.S. we're so used to just turning on our faucet and getting running water," said EWB vice president Leslie Stallons. "The people here don't have that luxury, but that's one of the many things we hope to help them with in the future."

The group spent two weeks cutting, measuring and installing gutters on houses, as well as mixing, pouring and carrying blocks to construct the drainage ditches. With the help of the community and the mayor of Pimienta, Dr. Raul Ugarte, the group installed two drainage ditches and gutters for the community just in time. Only a week after the group returned to U.S. soil, tropical storm Agatha tore through Central America dropping large amounts of rainfall. Agatha put the EWB project to the test. "The timing of our project couldn't have been any better," said EWB President Damien Di Vittorio. "We've heard from our contacts in Pimienta that the drainage ditches held up amazingly well, which was what we were hoping to hear all along."

Last month, SIUE's Di Vittorio and Stallons returned to Pimienta with members of the GPPC and other members of the EWB chapter from the University. They helped complete an assessment on a joint project to reconstruct a bridge that was washed away when Hurricane Mitch hit in 1998. The project is expected to take two years to complete.

The EWB-SIUE student chapter is building more than infrastructure in partnership with this community and other EWB chapters. We're building global awareness, community and a skill set in sustainable development that you can't teach in a book. Our student leaders have made fantastic strides with this organization, and continue to make a substantial difference in Pimienta.

D. Howard Is September Employee Of The Month

21 September 2010, 6:40 pm

EOM

Congratulations: Debra Howard, a Mailing Services supervisor in the SIUE Post Office, is the September recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Howard (center) is flanked by her supervisor, Pat Devine, manager of Mailing Services, who nominated Howard for the award, and Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenn Neher, who presented the award. In addition to the plaque Howard was presented, she was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations, and parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

Chancellor Vandegrift Welcomes Dual Diploma Students From ITU

17 September 2010, 8:45 pm

ITU Reception

SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift welcomed 33 new and four returning students from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) at a recent reception. The students are enrolled in the Industrial Engineering Dual Diploma program between the SIUE School of Engineering and ITU. After the reception, several students commented that they sincerely appreciated the Chancellor taking the time to talk to them, enjoying his informal style at the gathering.

"The current number of students represent a significant increase in enrollment in the Industrial Engineering program, which mirrors the overall growth the School of Engineering has experienced in recent years," said Engineering Dean Hasan Sevim. The School achieved a record high enrollment in Fall 2010 semester with 995 undergraduate and 238 graduate students, respectively. The total number of students, 1,233, is the highest in the School's history.

When asked the reason for recent growth, Sevim said: "Passion of the faculty and staff for the School, enthusiasm of our student chapters and teams to represent the School professionally in all venues, and dedication of our new advisement office staff to go out of their way to help and serve prospective students have all been significant factors.

I want to also credit the excellent performance of our graduates in the workplace. Their dedication and hard work in the industry has elevated our degrees to a higher standard," Sevim said. "The collective efforts of our employees, current students, alumni and friends are also the keys to this success."

Renowned Concert Pianist Ruth Slenczynska Returns To SIUE

17 September 2010, 5:14 pm

Ruth Slenczynska, world-renowned concert pianist and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville music professor emerita, will perform works of Samuel Barber, Beethoven, Brahms and Schumann in a 7:30 p.m. concert Friday, Sept. 24, in the theater at SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall. Seating is limited. Miss Slenczynska's appearance-the first at SIUE since 2003-is being co-sponsored by the Department of Music and the Friends of Lovejoy Library. Tickets are $20 per person and may be obtained by calling the department, (618) 650-3900.

In addition, the celebrated pianist will be speaking from 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, in the John C. Abbott Auditorium on the lower level of SIUE's Lovejoy Library. Miss Slenczynska plans to share her memories of notable musicians and world leaders she met during her eight decades as a concert pianist. Tickets at $10 per person will be available at the door.

Hailed as one of the greatest musical prodigies, Miss Slenczynska made her debut in Berlin at age six and in Paris, with a full orchestra, at seven. She studied with celebrated pianists and composers Arthur Schnabel, Egon Petri, Alfred Cortot, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Madame Nadia Boulanger. Because of an intense touring schedule and the stress of rigorous practice at such a young age, she withdrew from public performance at 15. She resumed her career in 1951 and established herself as a pianist of impeccable technique and keen musical insight. She became artist-in-residence at SIUE in 1964 and retired in 1987, but continued to teach part time at the University.

Continuing her career after SIUE, Miss Slenczynska accepted a teaching position at Soochow University in Taipei, Taiwan for the 2002-03 academic year. She has since played concerts in Japan and recorded a highly-acclaimed series of CDs, The Art of Ruth Slenczynska, on the Liu MAER label, which features Brahms' complete piano character pieces, Chopin's scherzi, ballades, etudes and preludes, and sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.

She currently teaches privately in New York City, offering master classes and lectures, and also is juror for various piano competitions.

Alumni Board To Play Host To Networking, Social Gathering At Grafton

16 September 2010, 8:18 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association will play host to a networking and social gathering of alumni from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Grafton (IL) Winery and Brewhaus.

Each alumni participant will be offered a complimentary glass of wine to honor and celebrate former Alumni Board members, courtesy of the board. "This is a chance to reconnect with old friends and meet the current Board of Directors," said Steve Jankowski, director of SIUE Alumni Affairs.

"This also is a chance to network with SIUE alumni, faculty and staff, so we recommend bringing business cards."

Those interested may RSVP by Oct. 11 by contacting Katie Bennett, assistant director of Alumni Affairs, by phone: (618) 650-2762, or e-mail: kabenne@siue.edu.

National Online Magazine Ranks SIUE One Of The Safest Campuses

15 September 2010, 4:09 pm

The Daily Beast, a nationally recognized online news magazine, has ranked Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 21 ^st in the nation among its Top 50 Safest Colleges. The rankings were released recently by the news outlet as part of its Second Annual Daily Beast College Safety Rankings. The editors of the online magazine said they "pored over the three most recent calendar years of campus security and crime data (2006-08) compiled by the U.S. Department of Education, as well as the FBI and the Secret Service, in conjunction with the Clery Act, the federal mandate requiring all schools that receive federal funding to disclose crime information annually.

"The data reflect incidents reported to campus or local police, not convictions," the magazine states.

SIUE Police Chief Gina Hays said crime on the SIUE campus for the past several years has been very low. "I think it's a tribute to the daily hard work done by our officers on campus and the things we do to try and prevent crime from happening, such as the Community Policing program," Hays said. "In addition to regular squad car patrols, police on bicycles and foot patrols-which we believe provide a solid presence on campus-we also engage with student organizations on campus in an effort to become more a part of the student community."

Hays said SIUE Police also engage with the University community through annual discussions with potential students and their parents during the SIUE Springboard sessions each spring. "We also speak with new faculty and staff during employee orientations." In addition, Hays said, the police do "walks" with students every year to determine how they perceive various areas and where an emergency phone might be of most benefit. Under the SIUE Campus Violence Prevention Plan, there are more than 80 emergency phones on campus.

"We also have safety videos online to help students learn what to do in dangerous situations," Hays said. "Students may also sign up for the E-Lert system which provides a text message to a student's cell phone if an ongoing emergency situation is occurring."

"And, despite the current hiring freeze, we continue to hire new police officers when needed," she said.

In ranking the University as No. 21 among the safest 50 campuses in the country, The Daily Beast reported the 2006-08 SIUE crime statistics: no murders, negligent homicides, non-forcible rapes or arsons. SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift said he's not surprised by the findings. "At SIUE, we've known for quite some time that we are one of the safest campuses in the country," Vandegrift said. "Our police officers are academy trained, and we are proud of the work they do for the University.

"With such a great police presence on campus and the fact that our officers engage with our students and student organizations every day," Vandegrift said, "we're fortunate to have one of the safest campuses in the country."

Washington Monthly Ranks SIUE Among The Top 50 In The Country

14 September 2010, 4:23 pm

Washington Monthly, a national magazine, has ranked Southern Illinois University Edwardsville among the Top 50 master's granting colleges and universities in the nation, with SIUE coming in 14 ^th among public institutions on that list. The magazine's editors explained that the rankings are based on an institution's "contribution to the public good in three broad categories: Social Mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), Research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs), and Service (encouraging students to give something back to their country)."

These current rankings were released after similar rankings last month from U.S.News & World Report that put SIUE in the top 68 "Up-and-Coming" universities nationally. The U.S. News rankings are based on the academic preparedness of students, graduation rates, faculty characteristics and the reputation of SIUE in higher education. Washington Monthly ranks SIUE 46 ^th overall nationally among its Top 50 Master's Universities category, which includes public and private institutions. Overall, SIUE was eighth in expenditures for research and placed in the top half for community service performed by graduates.

Under the service sub-category, SIUE was ranked first in percent of federal work study funds spent on students employed in community service programs. During the past fiscal year, SIUE received more than $600,000 in federal work study funds, of which 85 percent were spent on the federal America Reads program the University offers at its East St. Louis Center.

The Washington Monthly editors say they believe higher education should be judged on how well students have been prepared to become dedicated citizens who serve their communities and the country rather than how much is spent by an institution on "fame and glory." For example, since 1987 the University has offered the Student Leadership Development Program, a series of modules about leadership and several service opportunities, such as volunteer projects on campus and within the region through the SIUE Kimmel Leadership Center.

"SIUE takes pride in how well our students have become productive members of society after graduation," SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift said. "One of our five institutional values, which are displayed for all to see in the Morris University Center, is Citizenship. In fact, Citizenship is first on the list because we feel it's important to foster that value by encouraging students in social, civic and political responsibility, globally, nationally, locally and within the University," he said. "At SIUE we believe if we do the right things and do them well, everyone benefits.

"The national recognitions we receive are an indication that we are doing the right things for our students. But, it's the students themselves doing well by doing good in the real world that are equally significant indicators."

SIUE School of Education Informational Meeting Oct. 14 At SWIC-Red Bud

14 September 2010, 1:13 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education will conduct an informational meeting in Red Bud about pursuing a master's in educational administration at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. A master's in educational administration offers teachers a program that could lead to general administration certification (Type 75) (GAC) in Illinois and/or initial administrative certification in Missouri. The GAC in Illinois covers such positions as assistant principal, principal, director and assistant superintendent.

The meeting will take place at the Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) campus in the Performing Arts Room, 500 West South Fourth, in Red Bud. By attending the informational meeting, prospective students will be able to have their questions answered, review courses that are required for program completion and learn about SIUE's administrative requirements. Because proposed state mandated changes to the educational administration program are coming soon, the SIUE School of Education recommends teachers take advantage of the program as soon as possible. A $30 fee, payable by check or credit card, is required for entry into the program. Cooperating teacher tuition waivers may be used from both SIUE and SIU Carbondale for the programs.

For more information, or if unable to attend the orientation program but interested in learning more about the program, contact Angie White, (618) 650-2433, or by e-mail: angewhi@siue.edu.

Graduate Programs Highlighted At SIUE Open House

10 September 2010, 2:29 pm

The Graduate School at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great resource to help find the advance knowledge and training to become a leader in your profession. From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, those interested in learning how to get started may attend at the Fourth Annual SIUE Graduate Open House. The event gives prospective students the facts about the 40 graduate programs offered at SIUE.

The open house will be conducted in Goshen Lounge, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center, providing information about graduate admission requirements such as deadlines and standardized tests, as well as graduate education financing options, graduate assistantships, competitive graduate awards and graduate scholar awards.

Graduate programs at SIUE are available in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the schools of Business, Education, Engineering and Nursing, according to Jerry Weinberg, acting associate provost for research and projects and acting dean of the Graduate School. "SIUE is an active research community where faculty attain funded grants from major agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institute for Health, NASA, the National Endowment for Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, among many others," Weinberg noted.

"At SIUE, graduate students have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty on their research and creative projects, while gaining practical knowledge and practice in their chosen field."

According to U.S.News & World Report, SIUE is ranked among the top 20 public universities in the Midwest-Master's category for the fourth consecutive year. The ranking's overall scores-included in the magazine's Best Colleges 2011 issue-are based on the academic preparedness of students, graduation rates, faculty characteristics and the reputation of SIUE in higher education.

"SIUE offers opportunities far beyond an undergraduate education," said Shelly Robinson, coordinator of graduate recruitment and the open house coordinator. "In addition to some of our more popular graduate programs, like the MBA and public administration, we offer some very specialized programs, such as art therapy counseling and a master's in marketing research, one of just a few in the nation.

"A few more years of study can make a world of difference to a career."

Free parking for the Sept. 30 event is available in Lot B, next to the Morris University Center. For more information, or to register, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/graduatestudents

"A Season For The Child" Opens Its 2010-11 Season With "Treasure Island"

10 September 2010, 11:44 am

Treasure Island

A Season for the Child (SfC)-the family-oriented live theater season sponsored by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD), TheBANK of Edwardsville, Ameren Utilities and the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation in St. Louis-opens its 21 ^st season with a delightful musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's beloved classic, Treasure Island, on Saturday, Oct. 23.

The performance will begin at 7 p.m. that Saturday in the theater in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall. The first FOTAD season premiered in 1990. SfC features professional theater troupes from St. Louis staging adaptations of various children's stories, using interactive techniques that not only delight children and parents, but also provide a learning experience.

Treasure Island, to be performed by Piwacket Theater for Children of St. Louis, extols a message of appreciation and encourages math skills as it tells the tale of young Jack Hawkins, who befriends the lovable rogue Long John Silver. It's a tale of high adventure known for its atmosphere, character and action. This particular performance is made possible by a grant from the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation in St. Louis.

FOTAD, a support group for the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance, uses proceeds from the family theater series to help fund merit awards for talented SIUE theater and dance students. Each year, the organization awards more than $5,000 in merit scholarships to qualified students. In addition, FOTAD funds scholarships for new freshmen entering the theater and dance program.

FOTAD also has an endowment to help fund the merit scholarship program. Those interested in donating to the endowment may contact Greg Conroy, (618) 692-0874.

Subscription tickets are $16 for four shows, a $4 savings; if purchased by Oct. 1, the season tickets are $12, an $8 savings. Individual tickets are $5; subscriptions and individual tickets are available through the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774. The holiday production of the 2010-11 season is The Nutcracker at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

SIUE Fall Enrollment Largest In History; Also Record Freshman Class

8 September 2010, 11:43 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has reached the largest overall enrollment in the history of the school at 14,107, representing a 1.2 percent increase over last fall's enrollment of 13,941. The record enrollment numbers were released on the heels of U.S.News & World Report ranking SIUE as one of the "Top Up-And-Coming Schools" in the nation for the second consecutive year and for the fourth consecutive year among the Top 20 of all public master's granting institutions in the Midwest.

In addition, the rankings cited SIUE for its excellence in the senior capstone (assessment) category as one of 15 schools-alongside Princeton, Stanford and Brown-for the sixth consecutive year.

In the "Top Up-And-Coming Schools" category, SIUE was cited by its peers and reported as one of only three Midwestern regional universities for recently making "innovative changes in the areas of faculty, student life, campus life and facilities." All the rankings are in the magazine's Best Colleges of 2011 issue.

SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson released the fall enrollment numbers today, which include undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. The new freshman class of 2,030 is up from 1,940 last year, representing the largest group of new freshmen ever, for total growth since 2005 of some 16 percent. "We continue to attract new students who are coming to SIUE as a first-choice, first-tier institution in Illinois," Ferguson said. He also noted "this national recognition strongly supports the commitment of SIUE to continuous quality improvement and academic innovation in all of our academic programs, and is a wonderful affirmation of the excellence of our faculty, staff and students."

According to Scott Belobrajdic, SIUE's assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management, this is the third consecutive year of overall enrollment growth at the University including new graduate students. "Overall, our graduate program is up 13 percent since 2007 and our new transfers are up 8.3 percent over last year from 1,107 to 1,196 this year," Belobrajdic said. "Our new freshman class-with a mean ACT score of 22.5- includes 44 valedictorians and students from 18 states," he said. The ACT average score is 20.7 in Illinois and 21.0 for the nation. "One third of the incoming freshman class has an interest in SIUE's pre-professional health programs including pre-med, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary medicine and the SIUE nursing program.

"Applications to SIUE undergraduate and graduate school programs reached 16,759 this year, up 9 percent from last year," Belobrajdic added. "Enrollment from traditional SIUE feeder high schools and the local region remained consistent with the past few years. We have experienced a significant increase in interest from Chicago and St. Louis," he pointed out. "The diversity of the class has increased again this year with 27 percent of the students coming from ethnic and cultural backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education in the state of Illinois."

Belobrajdic pointed out that SIUE's national recognition and low tuition may be factors in the University's growth. "Two factors which may be converging to support the recent growth in enrollment are the increasing national recognition of the academic program by U.S. News and others, and the institution's reasonable costs. "There was no tuition increase for first-year students this fall but the financial aid office has seen a 10 percent increase in requests for aid and they have distributed nearly $8 million more than this date in 2009."

Of the 3,500 students who live on campus, University Housing reports SIUE residence facilities house some 1,358 freshmen or about 67 percent of the freshman class.

EBR Writers Club Begins 24th Year Of Twice Monthly Meetings

2 September 2010, 9:47 am

The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club will begin its 24 ^th year of twice-monthly meetings at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, in Room 2083, Building B, of the East St. Louis Higher Education Center, 601 J. R.Thompson Drive. All writers, from beginners to professionals, are welcome. The EBR Writers Club, which offers year-round literary and cultural programming for the community and travels widely to present works by its members, co-publishes Drumvoices Revue, a multicultural journal, with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of English Language and Literature.

Founded in 1986 and named after East St. Louis Poet Laureate and SIUE emeritus professor Eugene B. Redmond, the EBR Writers Club trustees include Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, Walter Mosley, Quincy Troupe, Lena Weathers, Jerry Ward, and Avery Brooks. Trustees also serve on the editorial board of Drumvoices Revue. (Deceased trustees include Margaret Walker Alexander, Gwendolyn Brooks, Raymond Patterson, and Barbara Ann Teer.)

The group-whose charter members include Sherman Fowler, Redmond and Darlene Roy (president)-will celebrate its 25 ^th birthday next year. Notable among the Club's achievements is the invention of the kwansaba, a 49-word poetic form developed in 1995, consisting of seven lines of seven words each, with each word containing between one and seven letters. Exceptions to the seven-letter rule are proper nouns and some foreign terms.

Previous issues of Drumvoices have featured kwansabas for Katherine Dunham (2004), Amiri Baraka/Sonia Sanchez (2005), Jayne Cortez (2006), Maya Angelou/Quincy Troupe (2007) and Richard Wright/Centennial (2008). Issues of Drumvoices also contain scores of kwansabas plus writings by Angelou, Henry Dumas, Troupe and local authors such as Roy, Jason Braun, Takia Yates, Roscoe Crenshaw, Charlois Lumpkin, Jeffrey Skoblow, Patricia Merritt, Fowler, Michael Castro, Allison Funk and Redmond.

For more information about the EBR Writers Club, Drumvoices Revue or one of its special publication, Eighty Moods of Maya, write the Department of English Language and Literature, Campus Box 1431, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1431; or call (618) 650-3991; email: eredmon@siue.edu; FAX, (618) 650-3509, or write EBRWC, P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, IL 62202-6165.

Dual Diploma Students Welcomed with Open Arms

1 September 2010, 3:40 pm

The SIUE School of Engineering recently welcomed 33 more dual-diploma students from Istanbul Technical University with food and friendly faces during a picnic at Edwardsville Township

Dual Diploma Welcome Picnic

and Community Park. Hasan Sevim, dean of the School, as well as faculty and staff of the School and staff from International Student Programs, greeted the international students who will spend their sophomore and senior years at SIUE studying industrial engineering.

SIUE students were not in short supply as current seniors in the dual-diploma program and students who studied abroad in Turkey during the summer of 2010 were present to receive their peers and welcome them to the University. Cem Karacal, director of industrial and manufacturing engineering programs and coordinator of the dual-diploma program, said it was refreshing for the new sophomores to be welcomed by the current seniors in the program, who have already started to mentor their younger peers on the ins and outs of life at the University and life abroad.

When asked what he envisions for the program and its new students, Karacal said, "These students ranked at the 98th percentile on their national exams among 1.5 million high school students in Turkey. We want them to graduate with high honors from the program and become ambassadors for SIUE and the School of Engineering."

SIUE Business Major Appointed VP Of National Phi Kappa Phi

1 September 2010, 2:36 pm

Jeffry Harrison, a junior business administration major in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business and a vice president of the SIUE chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, was elected vice president for students last month to the society's national board.

Phi Kappa Phi, considered one of the nation's oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor societies, has chapters on more than 300 college and university campuses. Since its founding in 1897, more than a million members have been initiated, with about 30,000 inducted each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and top 7.5 percent of juniors.

Harrison, who was nominated by the SIUE chapter membership for the VP position, was elected in early August at the PKP's biennial convention in Kansas City, Mo. Earlier in the year, he was elected by his peers to the organization's first Council of Students, an advisory panel that was established to involve more students in issues of governance. "Students are the heart and soul of Phi Kappa Phi-the reason for the society's existence, the glory of its past and the hope of its future," said Phi Kappa Phi President William A. Bloodworth Jr. "With the emergence of the Council of Students and students as members of the board, that future is brighter than ever."

Harrison said he was humbled to have been chosen to serve on the national board. "It feels so incredible to be a part of history," Harrison said. "I hope to bring a student's perspective and energy to the board." He said he will be working to increase society enrollment through expanded promotions and networking.

As vice president for students, Harrison will serve for two years on the Society's national board of directors, co-chair the Council of Students and help lead the Society's efforts on behalf of current and prospective student members.

Jeff Harrison

Faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify for PKP membership. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, call (800) 804-9880 or visit the website: www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Fundraising Workshop 101 Set For Sept. 22 At SIUE

1 September 2010, 2:27 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association and the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach will play co-hosts to the Fundraising 101 Workshop from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, in SIUE's B. Barnard Birger Hall.

The Sept. 22 event will include a workshop, a Q&A session and a social/networking session. "This will be the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of fundraising from experienced panel members," says Steve Jankowski, director of SIUE Alumni Affairs. "Members of the panel will share their experiences with the following topics: building and maintaining a donor database; special event fundraising; annual fund; direct mail; and internet fundraising," he said.

The scheduled panel members are:

Julie Pietroburgo '98 MPA - SIUE Professor of public administration and policy analysis

Barbara Cempura - president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois

Kelly Millington - vice president, Financial Development, YMCA of Southwest Illinois

Greg Cox '09 MPA - president, Cox Non-Profit Consulting LLP and an SIUE Adjunct
Professor.

Terri Andrews '91 BS - director of Development, SIUE School of Pharmacy

The cost to attend is $20, which includes free parking and refreshments. Seating will be limited to 65 attendees. To register for this event, visit the website: www.siue.edu/alumni.

IERC Releases Six-Year Study On 2002 Illinois High School Class

1 September 2010, 1:27 pm

A recently released six-year study of Illinois' high school students purports that beginning a higher education career at a community college and then transferring to a four-year institution is a viable pathway to bachelor's completion. The study-released by the Illinois Education Research Council (IERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville-highlighted overall enrollment and graduation patterns from the class of 2002. The study follows 113,135 Illinois public high school students, who took the ACT in 2001, on their journeys through postsecondary education.

According to the study, the students' higher education enrollment and completion patterns were collected over a six-year period-fall 2002 through spring 2008-and analyzed for this report. The report states: "College readiness matters. The combination of ACT score and high school GPA was extremely important in terms of college enrollment and bachelor's completion."

The study also indicates that female students statistically outperform their male counterparts in almost all aspects of higher education enrollment and completion, and a high proportion of the students initially enrolling at a four-year institution do so out-of-state, most of which are public colleges. The study further asserts that at a time when the focus of many national and state policy initiatives has focused on completion of a college degree program, "Given this rich dataset, the IERC researchers made several important findings, many of which have direct policy implications. Though there is much more to be investigated…," the findings state.

"This report is a continuation of several IERC reports following the Illinois Class of 2002 and will become the basis of several future papers providing a more in-depth analysis of out-of-state enrollees, delayed starters, reverse transfers, patterns by sector, as well as, an examination of enrollment and completion patterns of disabled students and other underrepresented groups," the report states.

The following findings indicate patterns with this class, according to the IERC report:

79 percent of the students enrolled in higher education at some point in the six years, with 62 percent enrolling in the fall 2002 semester;
36 percent initially enrolled at a 4-year institution, with 67 percent graduating with a bachelor's degree within the 6-year-study period.
26 percent enrolled at a community college, with 51 percent transferring to a four-year institution, completing a certificate or earning an associate's degree.
74 percent of the students identified as "most ready" enrolled at 4-year institutions; 82 graduated with a bachelor's degree.
11 percent of students identified as "non/least ready" enrolled at 4-year institutions; 38 percent graduated with a bachelor's degree.
54 percent of the students who transferred from 2-year to 4-year institutions graduated with a bachelor's degree; an additional 25 percent were still enrolled in higher education at the end of the study.
Students identified as "not/least ready" upon graduating from high school attending a 2-year institution and then transferring to a 4-year institution had a slightly higher bachelor's completion rate than those who initially enrolled in a 4-year institution-40 percent to 38 percent, respectively.
Students who earned an associate's degree and transferred had a bachelor's completion rate of 64 percent.
Females enrolled in postsecondary programs at a higher rate than males-82 percent to 76 percent, respectively.
Females completed bachelor's degrees at a higher rate than males-70 percent to 63 percent, respectively.
29 percent of students who initially attend a 4-year institution attended out-of-state colleges.
54 percent of those attending out-of-state institutions attended public colleges.

About the Authors

David Smalley is assistant director for research at the IERC.

Eric Lichtenberger, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral fellow with the IERC and assistant research professor at SIUE.

Kathleen Sullivan Brown, Ph.D. is associate professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and former executive director of the IERC.

The complete report is available at http://ierc.siue.edu/

For more information, call the IERC, (618) 650-2840, or (866) 799-4372.

August 2010

Meet The New Faculty

SIUE Accounting Professor Attains CFE Designation, One Of Only A Few

Changes

Alumni Association To Play Host To Networking Breakfast In Fenton

Honorees Selected for the 2010 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame

Science Combines With Art To Produce Educational Comic Book

Media Advisory: Terrorism Expert To Speak Aug. 30 On SIUE Campus

"One Night" Program For SIUE Students Set For Sept. 1

A&I Kicks Off 2010-11 Season With Van Cliburn International Winner

Terrorism Expert And Law Professor To Speak On SIUE Campus

Neighborhood 'KA-Blooming' Scheduled For Aug. 28 In East St. Louis

10th District Illinois Nurses Association Legislative Night Set At SIUE

SIUE To Play Host To Design Exhibition Aug. 31-Sept. 2

SIUE Cited Again By U.S. News As A Leader 'In Innovative Changes'

Illinois Education Research Council Releases Study On Illinois Principals

Executive Committee Awards Contracts To Renovate Locker Rooms

Fun, Music, Food To Be Featured At The Aug. 27 Block Party

School of Nursing SNAP Program To Receive Nearly $900K Over Three Years

SIUE Friends Of Music Offering Jazz Cruise On The River

Gladys Mabunda Memorial Service

Meet The New Faculty

30 August 2010, 8:06 pm

During a new academic year, we not only welcome new and returning students, but we also enjoy meeting new faculty and staff. Below is a list of new faculty members with some bio information. If you click on their names, a photo will put a face with the name.

Jennifer Arnoldi- Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy/Pharmacy Practice

Jennifer Arnoldi earned a doctorate at the Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2006. Her research interests include internal medicine pharmacotherapy. Her teaching philosophy states: "My strategy for teaching comes from the belief that students not only need to learn the clinical knowledge and skills to become a pharmacist, but to also develop and cultivate a mindset of critical thinking and life-long learning." She continued: "As a pharmacy educator, another key role I play is to teach students how to become educators themselves and provide drug information to other health care professionals and the general public."

Chris Bulock- Electronic Resources Librarian, Library and Information Services

Chris Bulock earned a bachelor's at Occidental College in 2007 and a master's at UCLA in 2009. His research areas are electronic resource management and use of open access publications; and when asked about teaching philosophy writes, "Inspire students to search out knowledge, and give them the tools they need to find it and absorb it."

Xudong Fu - Assistant Professor, Economics and Finance

Xudong Fu earned a bachelor's at Fudan University in 1999; a master's at Texas Tech University in 2003; and a doctorate at the University of Alabama in 2008. His research areas include equity offerings, insider trading, capital structure, management incentive, earnings management and corporate governance. Fu's teaching philosophy is: 1) help students succeed in the classrooms and beyond; 2) get students involved; and 3) always be available when students need help.

Jennifer Gapin- Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Health Education

Jennifer Gapin received a bachelor's from Bryn Mawr College in 2003, a master's from University of Illinois in 2005, and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina in 2009. Research interests include sport and exercise psychology, mental skills training and performance enhancement, and exercise and cognitive function. Gapin states: "My teaching is focused on an interactive and collaborative learning environment that motivates students to be contributing members in the classroom and greater community." She continued: "Three key components of my philosophy include: 1) balancing individualized learning styles with teaching to the larger group; 2) applying knowledge outside the classroom; and 3) enhancing research and professional skills."

Jie Gong- Assistant Professor, Construction

Jie Gong earned a bachelor's at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1999; a master's at Texas Tech University in 2004; and a doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin in 2009. His research involves sensing systems for civil infrastructure.

Mark Grinter- Assistant Professor, Construction

Mark Grinter received a bachelor's from Western Washington University (1977) and a master's from SIUE in 2008. His research interest includes construction and environmental issues. Grinter's teaching philosophy is: "Tell me; show me; do it."

Andrew Griffin- Program Director, Nurse Anesthesia

Andrew Griffin earned a bachelor's at Saint Louis University/SIU Carbondale in 1992/1986; a master's at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia in 1997; and a doctorate at the University of Hawaii in 2010. His research interests include spiritual well-being and holistic care throughout the perioperative period. Griffin's teaching philosophy states: "Be respectful of the student. They are adults, with not only great potential, but also valuable past experience. As stated by (educator Paulo) Freire: 'be authoritative not authoritarian.'"

Brian Henderson- Assistant Professor, English Language and Literature

Brian Henderson earned a bachelor's at Francis Marion University in 1993; a master's at Western Carolina University in 1999; and a doctorate at the University of South Carolina in 2010. Research interests include composition pedagogy and rhetorical theory, with a focus on eco composition. His teaching philosophy states: "I approach teaching as an inventive process that derives its possibilities in large part from the students and institutional environment where it takes place."

Dayna Henry- Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Health Education

Dayna Henry received both a bachelor's (2002) and master's (2004) from the University of Guelph. She earned a doctorate at Indiana University earlier this year. Research interests include sexual health across the lifespan, sexuality education among adults, sexual relationships, couple relationships and satisfaction. Her teaching philosophy statement is: "Continual process of learning and adjusting my teaching to meet students' needs. It's my job to motivate students, address diverse learning styles, meet students where they are and self-evaluate my teaching."

Hsin-hsin Huang- Assistant Professor, Social Work

Hsin-hsin Huang earned a bachelor's at National Taiwan University in 1990; a master's at Washington University in St. Louis in 1992; and a doctorate at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2010. Her areas of research include trauma, multicultural counseling and women's issues. She said she believes in empowering students and honoring their individuality.

Bryan Jack- Assistant Professor, Historical Studies

Bryan Jack earned a bachelor's at Baker University in 1993; a master's at the University of Alabama in 1996; and a doctorate at Saint Louis University in 2004. His scholarly interests include African- American history, post reconstruction era. When asked about his teaching philosophy, he writes, "I want my students to be active learners who think critically about history and the world."

Candice Love Jackson- Assistant Professor, English

Candice Jackson received a bachelor's from Tougaloo College in 1997; and both a master's (1999) and a doctorate (2004) from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Research interests include African-American literature, Southern literature, and popular literature. As far as her teaching philosophy, Jackson believes in "rigorous teaching, a creative learning space and improving as an instructor." She also believes that teaching critical thinking and writing are most important to student development.

David Jennings- Assistant Professor, Biology

David Jennings received a bachelor's from Kansas State University in 1987; a master's from Rutgers University in 1990; and a doctorate from the University of Colorado in 1996. Research interests include hormonal control of development and life-history evolution.

Heather G.S. Johnson- Assistant Professor, English Language and Literature

Heather Johnson earned a bachelor's at the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo in 1998; a master's and doctorate (2008), both from Indiana University. Her research emphasis is in 17 ^th century British literature. When asked about her teaching philosophy, an important element she listed was "to treat students as adults and colleagues, engaging them in scholarly discourse."

Angela A. Kaiser- Assistant Professor, Social Work

Angela Kaiser received a bachelor's from the University of Michigan in 1995; and both a master's (1998) and a doctorate (2010) from Wayne State University. Research interests include concepts of social capital and civic engagement, especially among lower income and minority groups in urban environments; capacity building in faith-based and community organizations; and the connections between religion/spirituality and social action. Kaiser's philosophy of teaching states: "As a teacher and scholar … of social work, I hope to present a strong generalist perspective of social work practice and research that emphasizes the importance of social justice for individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations." She continued: "It is important for students to understand the comprehensive nature of the field of social work and the importance of addressing social problems on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Vincent Kieftenbeld - Assistant Professor, Mathematics and Statistics

Vincent Kieftenbeld earned two master's degrees at Universiteit van Amsterdam in 2005 and a doctorate at the University of North Texas in 2010. Kieftenbeld's research is in descriptive set theory and mathematics education. He wrote this about his teaching philosophy: "When teaching mathematics, I make an effort to let students relate mathematics to the real world, visualize mathematical concepts using technology and experience mathematical problem-solving themselves."

Barbara Levergood- Government Information and Cartographic Resources Librarian, Lovejoy Library

Barbara Levergood received a bachelor's from UC San Diego in 1982; a master's from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1995; and a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. Her research areas include U.S. government information resources, especially statistics, the Census Bureau, Congress, the budget and Social Security. When describing her teaching philosophy, she wrote, "My own approach to teaching is also deeply embedded in other aspects of my life. When I endeavor to learn something new, I approach my own learning process as being a process in which I teach myself." She continued: "I find it very easy to then quickly turn around to teach what I just learned to others."

Rebecca Luebbert- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Rebecca Luebbert received a bachelor's from Union University in 1995, and both a master's (2002) and a doctorate (2010) from Saint Louis University. Research interests are in research ethics, human subject protection and competency/informed consent.

M. Shawn Maxfield- Instructor, Department of Mass Communications

Shawn Maxfield earned both a bachelor's and a master's degrees at Missouri State University, and is currently ABD, pursuing a doctorate at SIU Carbondale. His research interests include convergent communications and new media. Maxfields writes this about his teaching philosophy: "I am guided by the goal of providing excellent service to my students, I strive to meet each student where he or she is, both educationally and developmentally, and to challenge each student to go further in performing to his or her full potential. I seek to highlight both practical and contextual aspects of their studies, so that my students may maximize their professional and community leadership efficacies."

Erin Murphy- Assistant Professor, Sociology

Erin Murphy received a bachelor's from Illinois State University in 2000; a master's (2003) and a doctorate (2009) from the University of Illinois. Scholarly interests include race, class, gender, social theory, historical sociology, Sociology of Empire, and political sociology. Murphy wrote the following about her teaching philosophy: "I believe the classroom should be an effective hub around which the rest of course learning is based. To do this I try to foster a constructive learning environment that utilizes multiple vantage points."

Joel T. Nadler- Assistant Professor, Psychology

Joel Nadler received a bachelor's (2004), a master's (2006), and a doctorate (2010) from SIU Carbondale. His research areas include stereotypes, gender roles and bias in workplace performance appraisals. He said he believes the best outcome of structured instruction is in motivating students to continue learning outside of the class setting, and he aspires to impart a desire for continued learning in his students.

Ann M. Popkess- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Ann Popkess earned a bachelor's at the University of Iowa in 1985, a master's at Saint Louis University in 1992, and a doctorate at Indiana University in 2010. Areas of research include nursing education, student engagement, and quality and safety in nursing education. She believes that " . . . good teachers design learning environments where there is a shared engagement of student and teacher knowledge."

Megan Robb- Assistant Professor, Art and Design/Art Therapy

Megan Robb received a bachelor's from Truman State University in 1996 and a master's from George Washington University in 2002. Research interests include art therapy-cross-cultural approaches, student learning and group dynamics. She pointed out that her teaching philosophy involves building curiosity and citizenship through questioning.

Ann K. Shelton- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Ann Shelton received a bachelor's (2004), a master's (2005), and a doctorate (2008) from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Research areas include informed consent, ethics, and genetics and genomics. Shelton said she believes in "a collaborative approach to education, based on Malcolm Knowles' Theory of Andragogy . . . to facilitate the development of student proficiencies in critical thinking, problem solving, research, writing, and the pursuit of lifelong learning resulting in a higher degree of confidence and satisfaction with educational preparation for career success."

Vicki VanTuyle- Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership

Vicki VanTuyle received a bachelor's from Illinois College in 1973, and both a master's (1979) and Ed.D (2008) from Western Illinois University. Her research areas are rural schools, and new teacher retention, mobility and attrition. Her teaching philosophy is: "No significant change in behavior occurs without the development of a meaningful relationship."

Janet Christine Whitworth- Assistant Professor, Nursing

Janet Whitworth received a bachelor's from Saint Louis University in 1996; a master's from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, in 2004; and a doctorate in nursing from Chatham University in 2009. Research interests include nursing education and genetics/genomics. Her teaching philosophy is based upon (educational theorist David) Kolb's theory of experiential learning. Whitworth writes, "By creating experiences for students to utilize knowledge and transform knowledge, we can bring a deeper meaning to classroom content and greatly enhance learning."

Susan Winters- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Susan Winters received a bachelor's from Clarion University of Pennsylvania (1985), and a master's (1987) and a doctorate (1997), all from University of Virginia. Her research areas include nursing history and nursing education. Winters believes ". . . nursing is an applied profession that is both art and science." She adds, "As a nurse educator, it is my responsibility to nurture those finer qualities, while also facilitating the acquisition of the skills, tools, and knowledge necessary to function as a highly competent nursing professional."

SIUE Accounting Professor Attains CFE Designation, One Of Only A Few

30 August 2010, 6:39 pm

Bernie Madoff, the now infamous investor who bilked hundreds of clients out of millions of dollars, was brought down by one certified fraud examiner (CFE) who warned of the Ponzi scheme-one of the biggest since Mr. Ponzi himself swindled investors out of thousands of dollars in the 1920s.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville now has a certified fraud examiner on its faculty-SIUE Professor Brad Reed, who is a member of the academic accounting faculty in the School of Business, recently became a CFE, a designation that demonstrates a level of knowledge and commitment to the profession. To even qualify for the CFE examination, there are certain educational prerequisites to be met as well as a two-year history of experience in the field.

Reed, who teaches two auditing courses at SIUE, said what he has learned about the subject of fraud he is imparting to students. "There are only a few accounting professors in the world who have obtained the CFE designation, but I think we'll see that number grow," Reed said. "More and more, accounting students who are becoming CPAs will be involved in auditing and this knowledge now will be helpful for them in the future."

CFEs are very useful in investigating an employee, for example, who is trying to defraud a company. "A company could bring in a CFE to investigate if the company believes an employee is creating fraudulent financial statements to obtain bank loans or to issue stock at a higher price." Reed said CFEs also may be brought in to help a company not only detect fraud but also to create accounting procedures so the company may guard against such fraud in the future.

"CFEs who are part of accounting firms provide just one of the many financial services the firm offers," Reed said. "If a company suspects fraud, they can bring in a CFE to investigate because sometimes law enforcement gives these kinds of activities a low priority. Also, some firms may wish to handle it all in house so they can have more control over the investigation in its early stages." Reed did say that should a criminal investigation occur, the CFE is trained to work closely with law enforcement officials. "But the company does have the option of handling it all in house."

Reed says that an accountant who does obtain a CFE becomes a trusted member of the investigative team. "All of the work done by a CFE is trusted by the police because the CFE is trained to perform an investigation in conjunction with law enforcement," Reed said. "A big part of the CFE exam is about how to follow chain of evidence guidelines, an important part of a police investigation, and also how to interview witnesses and/or suspects in an ongoing investigation."

The number of CFEs throughout the world, while still small, is growing as more and more accounting firms are adding CFEs, according to Reed, who also is a CPA. "Many CPAs are obtaining CFE designations to make themselves more marketable in the private sector." The licensing body is the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), called the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. According to the ACFE's website, the organization is helping reduce business fraud world-wide and "inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession."

According to Reed, the Bernie Madoff case was interesting in that a CFE who worked on Wall Street was asked by his own firm to discreetly investigate Madoff to see how he was able to have such an unbelievable investment record. "That CFE, Harry Markopolos, recognized that there was fraud some 10 years before Madoff was finally arrested," Reed said.

"In fact, Markopolos sent many notices to the SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) and was largely ignored because of bureaucracy. When it was all over and Madoff was convicted, Markopolos wrote a book about the case and has become famous," Reed said. According to the Wall Street Journal, Markopolos was asked by a Congressman to head a whistleblower program at the SEC, but Markopolos declined.

SIUE School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino said Reed's recognition is indicative of the business faculty's commitment to professionalism. "We are delighted that Professor Reed has pursued his interest in accounting fraud and has been recognized as a CFE," Giamartino said. "It is a measure of personal achievement and another indication of the exceptional expertise of our accounting faculty."

The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 5 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned prestigious accreditation of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). The School's accounting program at SIUE is one of only 173 accredited accounting programs in the world to hold specialized AACSB accreditation.

Changes

28 August 2010, 8:03 pm

Personnel

Paul Brunkow, associate professor of biological sciences was named chair July 1 of that department.

Christopher Bulock, an assistant professor at Lovejoy Library, was named an associate professor Dec. 1.

Brian Elkenhout joined the University July 1 as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences

Patricia Fazzone, a professor of family health and community health nursing and chair of that department, left the University Aug. 15 to accept a position elsewhere.

Carole Frick, a professor of historical studies, was named chair of that department July 1.

Danette Griffith joined the University July 1 as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Hsin-hsin Huang, an instructor of social work, was named an assistant professor Aug. 16.

Anastasios Kaburakis, an assistant professor of kinesiology and health education, left the University Aug. 10.

Vincent Kieftenbeld, an instructor of mathematics and statistics, was named an assistant professor Aug. 16.

Larry LaFond, an associate professor of English language and literature and chair of that department, was named associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences July 1.

Leslie Lattimore joined the University July 1 as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Sharon McGee, an associate professor of English language and literature, was named chair of that department effective July 1.

T.K Parthasarathy, professor of special education and communication disorders, was named chair of that department July 1.

William Retzlaff, associate professor of biological sciences and chair of that department, was named associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences effective July 1.

Steven Rigdon, professor of mathematics and statistics, was named a distinguished research professor effective July 1.

Cathryn Springer, an assistant professor of geography, left the University June 30.

Lucian Stone, assistant professor of philosophy, left the University Aug. 16 to accept a position elsewhere.

Huichun "Judy" Zhang, an assistant professor of chemistry, left the University Aug. 15 to accept a position elsewhere.

Retirements

Jacquelyn Clement, a professor in the School of Nursing who retired June 30 after nearly 26 years of service, has been named emerita faculty.

N. Kay Covington, associate professor of kinesiology and health education, effective Dec. 31, 2009, after more than 21 years of service.

Malcolm "Mal" Goldsmith, professor of kinesiology and health education, effective May 31.

Robert Froeming, an assistant professor of restorative dentistry, effective June 30 after nearly 33 years of service.

James Green , a coordinator in Information Technical Services, effective April 30 after nearly 15 years of service.

Jean Harrison, associate professor of special education and communication disorders and chair of that department, effective June 30 after nearly 31 years of service.

Philip Medon, founding dean of the School of Pharmacy, effective June 30 after seven years of service.

Allen Otsuka, associate professor of applied dental medicine, effective May 31 after nearly 31 years of service.

Jean Paterson, director of the Career Development Center, effective Dec. 31, 2oo9, after nearly 15 years of service.

Mickey Stanley, associate professor of primary care nursing, effective Dec. 31, 2009, after more than 12 years of service.

Alumni Association To Play Host To Networking Breakfast In Fenton

28 August 2010, 4:01 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association will play host to an Alumni Networking Breakfast from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Fr. Jim Kringes Conference Center of SSM St. Clare Health Care, 1015 Bowles Ave., Fenton, Mo. The event-to include a presentation by SIUE alumna Sherry Hausmann, president of St. Clare Health Care-will be an excellent opportunity to network with fellow SIUE alumni and enjoy a free breakfast of pastries, fruit and coffee.

With more than 270 SIUE alumni residing in the Fenton area, possible business opportunities could arise, so attendees are encouraged to bring business cards.

Hausmann received a bachelor's from the SIUE School of Nursing in 1987. Last year, Hausmann also was named Service Line executive for the SSM Neurosciences Institute for SSM St. Louis.

Parking for the free Sept. 15 breakfast will be available in the main parking lot at the front of the building. To register, visit: www.siue.edu/alumni. For other information, contact Katie Bennett, assistant director of SIUE Alumni Affairs, by e-mail: kabenne@siue.edu, or, by phone: (618) 650-2762.

Honorees Selected for the 2010 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame

28 August 2010, 3:23 pm

Since its inception in 1957, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has produced more than 85,000 graduates who have earned more than 90,000 degrees, in turn achieving tremendous success in their careers. To honor their successes, the SIUE Alumni Association-along with the deans of the Schools and College at SIUE- manages the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame with honorees receiving a plaque that will be displayed in a prominent place within each of the alum's respective Schools or College.

The 2010 honorees also will be recognized Oct. 8 at the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame Awards Dinner that begins with a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Center of the Morris University Center on the SIUE Campus. The dinner and awards presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each or $500 for a table of ten.

The 2010 honorees include:

Judge Milton Wharton, Belleville - 1969 BS, Business Administration/M.I.S.
Mara "Mitch" Meyers, Glen Carbon - 1976 BS, 1981 MBA - Entrepreneur
Alfred Hagemann, Leawood, Kan. - 1963 BS, Accounting
Dee Joyner, St. Louis - 1971 BA, 1973 MS Government
John Walker, Raleigh, NC - 1976 BS, 1978 MS, Math Studies
Gib Singleton, Albuquerque, NM - 1967 BS, Art & Design
Ted Garcia, Albuquerque, NM - 1971 BS, Mass Communications
Dewayne Staats, Clearwater, Fla.- 1975 BA, Mass Communications
Dr. John Markarian, Belleville - 1977 DMD
Bev George, Edwardsville - 1975 BA (CAS), 1979 MSED
Gary Swalley, Caseyville - 1974 BA (CAS), 1998 MSED
Hal Gentry, Clayton, Mo.- 1982 BS, Computer Sciences
Bruce Schopp, Freeburg - 1982 BSE, Civil Engineering
Carole Martz, Mt. Prospect- 1979 BSN, Nursing
James Cato, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.- 1978 BSN, Nursing

For more information, call the Alumni Affairs office, (618) 650-2762 or visit www.siue.edu/alumni.

Science Combines With Art To Produce Educational Comic Book

27 August 2010, 5:53 pm

The true story of Hanny's Voorwerp is now a comic book produced by two art and design students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under the guidance of researcher Pamela Gay in the SIUE Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research, Education and Outreach. It will be released nationally Sept. 3.

According to Gay, reality is sometimes "cooler than fiction," especially when it involves monster black holes, glowing green gas, and everyday people making extraordinary discoveries. "All of these realities came together in the story of "Hanny's Voorwerp," a real-life tale of scientific adventure that is being released at the Dragon*Con conference in Atlanta, which is considered the world's largest fantasy/science fiction convention.

"The comic book was produced at SIUE, with line art by Elea Braasch and color by Chris Spangler, both art majors here," Gay said. The comic book also was produced in collaboration with Bill Keel, a professor of astronomy at the University of Alabama.

Artists Braasch and Spangler transformed the story into a piece of art, drawing inspiration from Dave McKean's work on The Sandman comic book series. "I never thought I'd get a chance to turn a true story into what feels so much like a fantasy piece," Braasch said. "It's been an amazing experience."

The project also shows that science and art can make an interesting pairing. "I've always liked astronomy," Spangler said. "This project allowed me to learn so much while exploring how to combine Hubble images and my own artistic ideas."

Gay is known for her writings about astronomy and her involvement with Galaxy Zoo, an internationally recognized "citizen astronomy" project, and the highly acclaimed Astronomy Cast and the award-winning 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts. Both shows are produced as collaborations between SIUE and Astrosphere New Media Association.

"In summer 2007, Dutch schoolteacher Hanny van Arkel was exploring galaxies through the Galaxy Zoo citizen science project ," Gay explained. "In one image she saw a mysterious glowing blob of gas. She wasn't the first person to see this blob, but she was the first person to ask, 'What is the stuff?'

"Her simple question started her and a global team of astronomers on an adventure of discovery that would take them around the world and even into orbit," Gay said. "This story, including how the Hubble Space Telescope helped solve the mystery, is told in the comic book."

In the spirit of the "citizen science" nature of this discovery, the comic book was scripted through a citizen writing project. A team of authors was recruited at CONvergence, a three-day science fiction conference in Bloomington, Minn., in early July. Editing of this team project was provided by Gay and Kelly McCullough, author of the WebMage series.

The comic book will be released in digital and physical form at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Sept. 3 during a special event at Dragon*Con. Gay, Braasch and Spangler plan to be present, and the event will be streamed over the internet: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/voorwerp-comic-release.

The first 500 attendees of the event will receive copies of a special first printing of the comic. Online viewers will be able to download a PDF file from http://hannysvoorwerp.zooniverse.org. A second printing will be available for order via the website in mid-September.

Media Advisory: Terrorism Expert To Speak Aug. 30 On SIUE Campus

27 August 2010, 4:48 pm

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Terrorism Expert To Speak Aug. 30 On SIUE Campus

Pi Alpha Alpha To Sponsor Appearance

Who: Terrorism expert Amos Guiora-a distinguished law professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah

What: Professor Guiora will speak on the subject of terrorism

When: Noon-2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30

Where: Meridian Ballroom, no the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center

"Terrorism is such a timely topic and one of international concern," said Morris Taylor, associate professor of public administration and policy analysis at SIUE and moderator for the event. "Professor Guiora has first-hand dealings with global issues that threaten the safety and vitality of all human beings. This issue in the United States is complex and affects every aspect of our lives, challenging our freedoms and thoughts about free speech and religion."

Guiora was a senior specialist Fulbright fellow for The Netherlands in 2008 and has published many works about national security, limits to interrogation, and religion and terrorism, For 19 years, Guiora served in the Israel Defense Forces, holding a number of senior command positions, including commander of the IDF School of Military and legal advisor to the Gaza Strip, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Currently, Guiora teaches criminal procedure, international law and global perspectives on counterterrorism and religion and terrorism. A member of the American Bar Association's Law and National Security Advisory Committee, Guiora is a research fellow at the International Institute on Counter-Terrorism, the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzeliva, Israel. He also is a member of The Netherlands School of Human Rights Research at the University of Utrecht's School of Law.

"One Night" Program For SIUE Students Set For Sept. 1

25 August 2010, 4:50 pm

Several departments at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will play host to "One Night," an evening of presentations to "help shatter students' beliefs that they are invincible to the consequences of alcohol consumption." The event will take place at 6 p.m. that Wednesday in SIUE's Morris University Center. Last year's program was attended by more than 800 SIUE students.

Participating SIUE areas include: University Housing, Counseling Services, Health Services, the Office of Admissions, Campus Recreation, the Kimmel Leadership Center, University Police, the School of Nursing and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. A variety of local area organizations also have donated time and resources to the program.

Cathy Passananti, SIUE's Prairie Hall community director and co-coordinator of the Sept. 1 program, said participating professionals from each of the areas have a deep commitment to educating students in an engaging way. "The twists and changes we have made to the program this year speak to the commitment of our committee to continue to implement a life-changing program," Passananti said. "The goal of the One Night program is to help students reconsider how their decisions concerning alcohol could land them in a hospital, a morgue, or in jail," she said. "This particular program puts the students in regular situations they may encounter when consuming alcohol, and then presents an extreme change of events to show how easy it can be for a fun evening to have a tragic ending."

Jessica Vanderwood, SIUE's Bluff Hall community director and the event co-coordinator, said she believes the program breaks new ground because it is not preachy in its approach. "The program does not promote alcohol abstinence," she said, "yet it both educates and gives students something to remember. Most college students believe they are invincible to the effects of alcohol; this program brings to life the possibilities of what may transpire if they choose to make a poor decision concerning alcohol consumption," Vanderwood said.

All SIUE students are welcome; participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts at a "reflection table" at the end of the program. A variety of door prizes-including an iPad, gift certificates and more-will be offered throughout the program. For more information, call Vanderwood, (618) 650-0579, or e-mail: jevande@siue.edu, or Passananti, (618) 650-4652, or e-mail: cpassan@siue.edu.

A&I Kicks Off 2010-11 Season With Van Cliburn International Winner

24 August 2010, 4:30 pm

Concert pianist Haochen Zhang, International Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, will open the 2010-11 season of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Arts & Issues series Sept. 10 at the theater in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall. For more than a quarter of a century, SIUE's Arts & Issues series has brought great performers and distinguished speakers to Southwestern Illinois. Zhang will appear onstage at 7:30 p.m. that Friday. The official media sponsors for A&I are the Edwardsville Intelligencer and KWMU-FM, while the series official hotel sponsor is Hampton Inn and Suites.

Arts & Issues Director Grant Andree said Zhang's music is very compelling high art. "It is astonishing the level of performance Zhang has achieved at so young an age," Andree said. "I predict the audience will be amazed at this young man's talent at the keyboard."

A 2009 Gold Medalist at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Zhang has "demonstrated a musical maturity almost unimaginable in one so young," observed Scott Cantrell of The Dallas Morning News. The youngest participant in the Van Cliburn competition at 19, Zhang was previously recognized for his prodigious talent as the youngest winner of the 2007 China International Piano Competition when he was 17. Zhang is in demand worldwide for orchestral and recital engagements, an extraordinary musician.

Other Arts & Issues events for 2010-11 include:

An Evening With George Winston-

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., Dunham Hall theater

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble: "On the Move"-

Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, 7:30 p.m., Dunham Hall

Temple Grandin: "Visual Thinking: Autism and Design"

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2010, 7:30 p.m., Meridian Ballroom (on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center)

The Langston Hughes Project-"Jazz Montage: A Multimedia Concert Performance of Langston Hughes… Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz"

Thursday, March 24, 2011, 7:30 p.m., Meridian Ballroom

An homage in verse and music to the struggle for artistic and social freedom at home and abroad at the beginning of the 1960s, Hughes' 12-part epic poem is scored with musical cues drawn from blues and Dixieland, gospel songs, boogie-woogie, bebop and progressive jazz, Latin "cha cha" and Afro-Cuban mambo, German lieder, Jewish liturgy, West Indian calypso, and African drumming-a creative masterwork left unperformed at his death.

Simon Shaheen

Thursday, April 14, 2011, 7:30 p.m. ,Meridian Ballroom (Morris University Center)

Shaheen brings his quartet to the Arts & Issues stage to dazzle the audience as he deftly leaps from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz and Western classical styles. His soaring technique, melodic ingenuity, and unparalleled grace have earned him international acclaim as a virtuoso on the 'oud and violin. Called one of the most significant musicians, performers and composers of his generation.

Ken Burns: "The Civil War"-

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 7:30 p.m., Meridian Ballroom, Morris University Center

Arts & Issues and the SIUe Xfest present

500 Clown Frankenstein-

Saturday, June 4, 2011, 7:30 p.m., Dunham Hall Theater

Moving between planned elements and improvisation, this performance will leave its audiences excitedly uncertain as to what is and what is not planned. In each show, an innovatively designed set piece (with hi- and low-tech mechanics) propels the clowns into extreme physical behavior and rough-style acrobatics. Comic mayhem will be served abundantly to the Arts & Issues audience as our three clowns embark on a madcap journey to construct Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory.

For more information, be sure to pick up a copy of the new Arts & Issues season brochure available now to the public at several locations throughout the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon area or by calling (618) 650-5194. The brochure contains information about the events and subscription sales for the 2010-11 season. For additional information about the series, call Grant Andree, (618) 650-5774.

More information and tickets are available through the Web site: artsandissues.com .

EDITORS: The 2010-11 Arts & Issues photos suitable for print are available at http://www.siue.edu/artsandissues/PhotoIndex.shtml

Terrorism Expert And Law Professor To Speak On SIUE Campus

20 August 2010, 1:34 pm

Terrorism expert and professor of law, Amos Guiora-a distinguished law professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah-will speak from noon-2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30, in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Morris University Center. Pi Alpha Alpha is sponsoring this event.

Guiora was a senior specialist Fulbright fellow for The Netherlands in 2008 and has published many works in the United States and Europe about national security, limits to interrogation, and religion and terrorism, including Global Perspectives on Counterterrorism, Fundamentals of Counterterrorism, Constitutional Limits on Coercive Interrogation and Freedom From Religion: Rights and National Security. For 19 years, Guiora served in the Israel Defense Forces, holding a number of senior command positions, including commander of the IDF School of Military and legal advisor to the Gaza Strip, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

The SIUE Community and all students from any university can attend for free with valid student identification. All law enforcement, public safety and states' attorneys also can attend free of charge with valid identification. For others there will be a $10 fee. Reservations may be made by contacting the SIUE Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis, (618) 650-3762. Parking is available for visitors in SIUE's pay Lot B.

Neighborhood 'KA-Blooming' Scheduled For Aug. 28 In East St. Louis

20 August 2010, 1:14 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing's Community Nursing Services (SON/CNS) in East St. Louis is co-sponsoring a "KA-Blooming," which includes planting of a community garden at Jones Water Park, 2920 Argonne Drive, East St. Louis, from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 28. Volunteers are needed to help with planting and other activities. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing, work gloves and sturdy shoes. For more information or to volunteer, contact Kathi Thimsen, (618) 210-6484, or, by e-mail: kthimse@siue.edu.

Planning for the garden has been ongoing and is a continuation of the work done by the School of Nursing in the spring with residents of an 11-block area of East St. Louis that involved a neighborhood clean-up effort. The Aug. 28 gardens project at Jones Park-site of a greenhouse and adjacent gardening beds- will involve building 30 raised gardens including an educational garden for children and the proposed community garden, all open for "adoption" by local residents.

"This project involves the Public Health Nursing students from the SON working with the Washington University George Brown School of Social Work from St. Louis, the University of Illinois and the East Side Health District, as well as neighborhood residents and agencies in East St. Louis," says Thimsen, SON/CNS director. "After several months of planning, we've developed a strategic plan that addresses needs in East St. Louis neighborhoods and we are continuing to implement our plan," Thimsen said. She also said a work plan is being created to address additional property safety and street repair tasks. "The ultimate goals of the project are to improve the health and well being of the neighborhoods, developing a sense of pride of ownership."

Thimsen also noted the benefits for SON students. "Our students are gaining experience in project planning and management, needs assessment, community organizing and engagement, and teaching, along with service learning," she said. "The project also produces a tangible and real outcome that the students will see as a significant and lasting contribution to East St. Louis."

10th District Illinois Nurses Association Legislative Night Set At SIUE

20 August 2010, 8:31 am

Legislative Night 2010, sponsored by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing and the 10 ^th District Illinois Nurses Association, will take place from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. Registration information is available on the SIUE School of Nursing website: siue.edu/nursing/continuinged/index.shtml or by e-mail: kkelly@siue.edu. Registration deadline is Sept. 20; walk-in registrations will be accepted as space is available.

The event will feature a panel of speakers moderated by Donna Meyer, dean of Health Sciences and project director of Nurse-Managed Center for Healthcare and Education at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfey. Illinois Rep. Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville) will be on the panel along with educators as well as area and regional healthcare professionals. Other area legislators have been invited to attend.

The panel will:

1) Explore issues that support or impede access to health care to Southern Illinois residents;
2) Examine the role of health care organizations in improving access to health care services;
3) Discuss the role of the state in improving access to health care in Southern Illinois.

Registration is $20 for RNs and LPNs; $7 for pre-licensure students with valid identification. Continuing education contact hours will be awarded through the SIUE School of Nursing for attending the event. Onsite check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m.; exhibits from nursing organizations also will be displayed.

SIUE To Play Host To Design Exhibition Aug. 31-Sept. 2

17 August 2010, 3:29 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will provide a sneak peak at the designs of five finalists chosen in an international competition for the proposed revitalization of the grounds surrounding the St. Louis Gateway Arch and the Metro-East side of the Mississippi River. The City * The Arch * The River competition designs will be on display Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, in the University Gallery on the second floor of SIUE's Morris University Center.

Organized by national park supporters, the design community, and civic leaders from both Missouri and Illinois, the City Arch River Competition aims to "breathe new life" into the existing Gateway Arch and Riverfront area, said Tom Bradley, superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. "The challenge is great - to take one of America's first urban park sites and weave it into the fabric of the St. Louis region - as well as connect it more organically to the Illinois side of the river," Bradley said.

"Embracing the Mississippi River and extending the National Park into Illinois is imperative to the mission of this revitalization project," said Bradley. "The iconic Arch is meant to serve as a gateway for people and ideas to pass freely between East and West, and this project will aid the landmark in fulfilling that purpose."

"Members of the SIUE community continue to be a hearty source of intellectual, cultural and economic support to the city of St. Louis," says SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift. Vandegrift, a member of the Governance Group overseeing the competition, said this is "just one example of the important connection the university has with the city." Vandegrift is also a member of St. Louis Civic Progress, Innovate St. Louis, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association and the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

The exhibit will move on to various locations throughout the region during August and September. Winners of the competition will be announced Sept. 24. For more information, visit the competition website: http://www.cityarchrivercompetition.org

SIUE Cited Again By U.S. News As A Leader 'In Innovative Changes'

17 August 2010, 10:12 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has for the second consecutive year been cited by its peers and reported in U.S.News & World Report as an "up and coming school." SIUE was listed as one of only three Midwestern regional universities for recently making "innovative changes in the areas of faculty, student life, campus life and facilities." The listing is in the magazine's Best Colleges of 2011 issue that will hit newsstands next week. In addition, for the sixth consecutive year, SIUE was listed in the senior capstone experience category, among 15 universities-including Brown, Princeton and Stanford-for its comprehensive program measuring the competency of graduating seniors.

At SIUE, the program is called Senior Assignment and is a required culminating curriculum experience for all seniors to demonstrate their degree of general education knowledge, as well as knowledge within their disciplines prior to graduation.

Also, according to the U.S. News rankings released today, SIUE is among the top 20 public universities in the best Regional Universities Midwest (master's granting) category for the fourth consecutive year. The overall scores are based on the academic preparedness of students, graduation rates, faculty characteristics and the reputation of SIUE in higher education. SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift said he was "extremely pleased" with the recognition of SIUE as one of the "2011 Up-and-Comers" schools. "To have SIUE among the top three public universities in the Midwest in a category that touts innovation is a credit to this institution," Vandegrift said.

"We owe this recognition to a committed faculty of teacher/scholars as well as to strong programs, excellent staff support and a shared sense of community. It all adds up to a great educational experience at SIUE," Vandegrift said. The "Up-and-Comers" category includes a total listing of 68 colleges and universities throughout the country. Vandegrift said SIUE has embraced innovative change, pointing to improvements made in the general education curriculum to enhance the educational experience as well as the newly constructed Student Success Center that consolidates student services in one location, a new Science Building under construction, and planned additions to the SIUE Art and Design and Engineering buildings. SIUE is in the midst of a $250 million planned campus infrastructure update and construction phase.

He also cited the University's commitment to NCAA Division I certification in Intercollegiate Athletics as another indicator of excellence. "The E continues its strong dedication to providing a quality and affordable education to our students."

SIUE's Senior Assignment initiative has been recognized on several occasions as a model for other institutions across the nation. The Association of American Colleges and Universities has lauded SIUE's program as an effective tool in gauging the comprehensiveness of academic offerings. "This recognition speaks to the hard work, innovation, and commitment of the SIUE students and faculty," said Victoria Scott, Assistant Provost for Academic Innovation and Effectiveness at SIUE. "The Senior Assignment optimizes the role of a capstone experience by engaging students in an open-ended, holistic and authentic assessment of discipline specific outcomes as well as general education competencies.

"We are thrilled to receive this recognition for the sixth consecutive year."

In response to SIUE's U.S. News rankings, Paul Ferguson, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, commented, "this consistent national recognition from our peers and national associations strongly endorses the long term commitment of SIUE to continuous quality improvement and academic innovation in all of our academic programs, and is a wonderful affirmation of the excellence of our faculty, staff and students."

Illinois Education Research Council Releases Study On Illinois Principals

10 August 2010, 3:26 pm

A study of school principals in Illinois from 2001 to 2008 recently was released by the Illinois Education Research Council (IERC) located on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Leadership in schools has been identified as a critical indicator for school improvement and raising student achievement. The study analyzes data concerning school principals across the state in more than 3,900 public schools.

Kathleen S. Brown, executive director of the IERC, and Bradford R. White , senior researcher with the IERC, conducted the study in line with the council's mission of promoting educational attainment in the state through research and initiatives such as the P-20 Council, Comp lete College America and the American Diploma Project.

Brown said the study, coupled with other research the group has conducted, "is an analysis of changing trends in the characteristics of school leaders and will be useful as a baseline for further steps toward improvement.

"Our findings are divided into three major sections focused on principal characteristics: demographics, experience and academic background," Brown said. "The study finds that the Illinois principals corps became slightly more racially diverse between the years 2001 and 2008. The typical principal in 2008 was younger and less experienced than the typical principal in 2001.

"However, we also observed that the proportion of those with experience as an assistant principal is increasing and that more frequently than in the past principals come from a teaching background in academic core subjects." The study indicates research on the effectiveness of public school principals has not been as widely available as it has been on teachers. In line with the national Race to the Top initiative, the study focuses on school accountability and instructional leadership as it relates to principals in the state's public school systems.

The research is funded by a two-year grant from the Joyce Foundation. The complete report is available at http://ierc.siue.edu. For more information, call the IERC, (618) 650-2840, or (866) 799-4372.

Executive Committee Awards Contracts To Renovate Locker Rooms

10 August 2010, 3:16 pm

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees Executive Committee has awarded $580,652.58 in contracts to five Illinois companies, three in Belleville, to renovate the Intercollegiate Athletics locker rooms in the SIUE Vadalabene Center. The action was taken recently by the executive committee under authorization of the full board so that the project may proceed in timely fashion for opening before the basketball and wrestling seasons. The full board, which will not meet again until September, gave the authorization at its July 8 meeting.

The project includes renovation of the second floor men's and women's basketball and wrestling locker rooms. University officials said the current locker rooms, which have been heavily used since they were constructed in 1984, are outdated and no longer serve the needs of the Athletics program. The construction will include new student lockers, a study/lounge area, grooming/ shower/toilet facilities, laundry room, equipment and coaches' offices and shower/toilet facilities. Upgrades will include new heating and air-conditioning ductwork and controls, and new lighting, floor materials, and finishes.

University officials have noted the project will be funded through Intercollegiate Athletics revenues and donations, as well as University construction funds.

The companies awarded the contracts are:

• L. Wolf Co. of Granite City, $302,795, for general contracting;

• Pyramid Electrical Contractors of Fairview Heights, $75,583, for electrical work;

• Bel-O Sales and Service Inc., Belleville, $52,161, for heating;

• Ehret Inc., Belleville, $123,188.58, plumbing; and

• Bel-O Sales and Service Inc., Belleville, $26,925, ventilation system.

Fun, Music, Food To Be Featured At The Aug. 27 Block Party

10 August 2010, 3:12 pm

Edwardsville vendors, as well as the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville office of Intercollegiate Athletics, will be offering a variety of food and clothing for purchase at the 11 ^th Annual Welcome Back Block Party in downtown Edwardsville on Friday, Aug.27. Inflatables and a children's area also are available for family fun.

SIUE Athletics as well as Caffê Avanti and Bull and Bear are just three of the vendors providing food and beverage during the party that begins at 6 p.m. that Friday. Johnny Rock-itt will rock the block for late summer fun and entertainment as part of the celebration that every year welcomes back SIUE students at the intersection of Second and St. Louis streets. SIUE students, faculty, staff and the community are invited to the party-with no admission charge. A DJ will play music from 6-8 p.m. and Johnny Rock-itt will play from 8 p.m. to closing with great rock-n-roll music for dancing.

Desserts at the party will be available from Little Jimmy's Italian Ice and The Cup (formerly The Cupcakery), while Justiva will offer unique clothing and jewelry.

The Block Party has grown since it began in 2000, with some 2,500 people attending in 2009. The event is sponsored by the city of Edwardsville, SIUE, the SIUE Campus Activities Board and Student Government, the Ed-Glen Chamber of Commerce, the Edwardsville Intelligencer, SIUE Marketing and Communications, SIUE University Relations and PNC Bank.

School of Nursing SNAP Program To Receive Nearly $900K Over Three Years

10 August 2010, 3:06 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing's Student Nurse Achievement Program (SNAP) has been awarded a grant of $898,360 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. This grant will be administered over the next three years to increase student participation in SNAP, a part of the baccalaureate nursing program at SIUE that is committed to providing academic, financial and social support for students from underserved communities to achieve success in their pursuit of a career in nursing.

These future nurses will return to those same communities, from which they were recruited to provide excellence in health care needed by the residents of those communities.

Lorraine D. Williams, an associate professor in the SIUE School of Nursing will serve as the director of Project SNAP. "SNAP is dedicated to attracting high-achieving, graduating high school students from East St. Louis, Washington Park, Brooklyn, Cahokia, Granite City, Madison and Alton.

"SNAP will increase the presence of well-prepared, diverse, health care professionals in communities that are traditionally underserved by professional healthcare providers," Williams said. "The grant will support the achievement of specific outcomes of the program addressing the issues of eliminating healthcare barriers, while assuring the appropriate supply, diversity, composition and distribution of the professional nurses in the workforce.

"In addition to financial assistance for the students, SNAP provides mentoring, tutoring, and individual social attention to assist the students in navigating the challenging School of Nursing curricula," she said. "We provide behavioral lifestyle experiences that promote self-accountability and self-esteem."

Upon graduation from the program, the students return to work for one year in the communities from which they were recruited, Williams explained "Those communities are traditionally underserved by health care providers, especially professional nurses."

The HRSA funding awarded to SNAP will support the final three years for the current students in the program. "Upon completion of the freshman curricula," she said, "students are eligible to apply to the SIUE School of Nursing. Once they are accepted to the school, they complete the standard progression plan for the sophomore, junior and senior years. The juniors and seniors are eligible for scholarships. The sophomores are eligible for stipends."

Nursing Dean Marcia Maurer, who started SNAP as part of her Robert Wood Johnson Executive Fellowship project, said the program was aimed at addressing the nursing shortage and improving access to nursing. "Specifically, I wanted to focus on young men and women who would best represent the diverse populations that do not always have access to the means to attend nursing school," Maurer said.

"SNAP has become the way to support future nurses from regions that are typically underserved, while having a direct impact on their communities. Seeing SNAP move to the next level to achieve HRSA support is very gratifying, and we are excited to have Lorraine Williams serve as project director."

Students interested in SNAP may contact Natasha Matkins: nmatkin@siue.edu.

SIUE Friends Of Music Offering Jazz Cruise On The River

10 August 2010, 2:49 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Music, a support group for the SIUE Department of Music, is offering its annual jazz gala Sunday, Oct. 3, but this year the gala will be offered on a Mississippi River cruise boat so that participants can "Swing, Sail and Support" SIUE music students. Paid reservations must be made by Sept. 10.

The Jazz Cruise will take place aboard the Gateway Arch Riverboat, a replica of a 19 ^th century steamboat that combines the charm of the 1800s with modern conveniences of today. The evening includes dinner as well as dancing to the sounds of the SIUE Jazz Ensemble, while taking in the colors of autumn from 6-8:30 p.m.

Boarding begins at 5:30 at the foot of the St. Louis Gateway Arch on Wharf Street. Tickets are $75 per person ($65 if purchased by Aug. 27); children 12 and under, $30 each. A cash bar will be available. Each adult admission includes a $20 gift to the SIUE Friends of Music, which may be tax deductible. Proceeds will help build the Friends of Music Scholarship Fund for talented SIUE music students.

For reservations or for more information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, ext. 3900.

Gladys Mabunda Memorial Service

9 August 2010, 4:26 pm

Gladys Mabunda, PhD, RN

Memorial Service

To honor the memory of nursing faculty member, Gladys Mabunda,

who died this past June, the SIUE School of Nursing is holding a memorial service

From 2 to 4PM Friday, Aug. 27,

at the

SIUE Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (formerly the Religious Center)

For more information, contact Kim Becker ( kbecker@siue.edu), (618) 650-3969

July 2010

Illinois International Trade Center To Co-Sponsor Ex-Im Symposium

Acting Dean of SIUE School of Pharmacy Receives National Fellow Award

SIU Board Takes Action On Measures Affecting Edwardsville Campus

GCER Competition Produces A Local International Contender

Dunham Seminar July 24-Aug. 1 At SIUE; Other Festivities Also Planned

R. Albert Named July Employee Of The Month

Two SIUE Nursing Faculty Chosen For VA Award Two Years Running

AAHPM Endorses Pharmacy Care Recommendations From SIUE Summit

SIUE Art Student Receives International Contemporary Sculpture Award

Edwardsville Named Among 10 Best Towns for Families in 2010

Seussical The Musical Opens July 14 For SIUE Summer ShowBiz 2010

Illinois International Trade Center To Co-Sponsor Ex-Im Symposium

30 July 2010, 11:02 am

Because of the recently announced changes in export policies by President Barack Obama, the Illinois Small Business Development Center-International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SBDC-ITC) has been proactive in offering various seminars and roundtables, as well as individual counseling sessions, to help update local businesses in the new policies.

"In order to address these important issues and other points about the export-import rules for businesses," SBDC-ITC Director Silvia Torres Bowman pointed out, "Congressman Jerry Costello will be hosting an Export Symposium with the chairman of the U.S. Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank, Fred P. Hochberg.

"This exciting opportunity for area businesses, lending institutions and economic development professionals will be held at the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon from 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday Aug. 17."

She said the SBDC-ITC will be a sponsor of the event and will be available for one-on-one counseling meetings after presentations.

As the leader of the U.S. government's official export credit agency-with a multi-billion dollar capacity-Hochberg will discuss how the Ex-Im Bank can work with local businesses to increase capacity to sell U.S. made products in the global marketplace. "The programs offered by the Export-Import Bank are crucial to small businesses, especially during these challenging economic times, enabling small exporters to access working capital funds and to limit their international risk by offering credit to their global buyers," Torres Bowman said.

She said the SBDC-ITC unit at SIUE is dedicated to educating local and/or regional companies in the announced changes to help streamline current practices within exporting companies or to encourage businesses to enter the export market. The SBDC-ITC, a not-for-profit export information center, is funded through the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the University to serve exporters in 37 counties of Southern Illinois.

"In March, President Obama set out details of his National Export Initiative, a program that has a goal of doubling exports in five years and adding two million jobs," Torres Bowman said. "This will be accomplished through a combination of export promotion, opening markets abroad for U.S. goods and the reform of an outdated export control system. The plan, the president said, would jump-start the economy by helping 'farmers and small businesses increase their exports through sheer grit and determination.'

"Many businesses think they are too small to compete in the world market," she pointed out, "but in fact, 97 percent of all exporters are small businesses, according to the Small Business Administration. In fact, a recent study by the National Small Business Association in Washington, DC, showed that more than 40 percent of small companies not currently exporting would consider doing so if their concerns were addressed.

"Illinois ranks sixth in the nation as a leading exporting state. Last year, our state generated over $41 billion from exports sent to over 211 countries." During 2009, the Illinois SBDC-ITC at SIUE assisted in $29.8 million export sales from the region, the creation of nearly 53 jobs, retention of more than 658 jobs, and the counseling and training of nearly 255 clients.

The SBDC-ITC provides:

Free individualized export counseling and evaluation of a company's export readiness;
Customized international market research;
Identification of foreign buyers, agents, distributors and partners;
Export finance assistance;
Participation in trade missions and trade shows worldwide
An extensive library of international trade publications and databases

"Since 1984, our center has been working with small businesses in Southern Illinois to help them be successful in new and existing markets around the world," Torres Bowman said. The SBDC-International Trade Center at SIUE may be reached via e-mail: International-Trade-Center@siue.edu; by phone, (618) 650-3851, or by visiting the website: www.siue.edu/ITC.

Acting Dean of SIUE School of Pharmacy Receives National Fellow Award

26 July 2010, 3:05 pm

Gireesh Gupchup, acting dean of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, recently was designated a fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA.)

APhA, which was started in 1852, was the first national professional society of pharmacists formed in the U.S. According to its website, it is the largest association of pharmacists in the country with more than 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others dedicated to advancing the profession.

The award was established to honor APhA members for exemplary professional achievements in professional practice and outstanding service to the profession through activities in APhA and other organizations.

Gupchup recently was named acting dean of the School of Pharmacy. Prior to the designation, he held the position of associate dean for student affairs and is a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at SIUE.

SIU Board Takes Action On Measures Affecting Edwardsville Campus

20 July 2010, 9:28 am

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today gave project and budget approval for two major projects on the SIUE campus, totaling some $17.1 million.

The action was taken at the board's regular meeting conducted recently on the campus of the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.

The board also granted authorization to its executive committee to award contracts for the renovation of the 26-year-old, second-floor locker rooms at SIUE's Vadalabene Center. At its meeting in April, the board approved the project, estimated to cost some $920,000, to be funded by internal operating funds and Intercollegiate Athletics revenues and donations.

The executive committee authority was requested to expedite future action on the project since bids are anticipated in late July and the full board doesn't meet again until August. The locker room renovation must be completed in time for the basketball and wrestling seasons in late October.

The project and budget approvals given by the board today included a $14.3 million expansion of the SIUE Art and Design Building and a $2.8 million plan to replace the windows in the John Mason Peck Classroom Building, the first step in a multi-phase project to make core campus buildings more energy efficient.

The Art and Design Building renovation plan includes construction of a 29,000-square-foot building to house art history, art theory and art education classrooms and office, as well as a gallery space and space for the painting and drawing disciplines. The new building will then be connected to the existing building by an enclosed bridge. The plan also calls for renovation of the existing Art and Design Building.

The project, which will be funded by University operating funds and Facilities Fee revenues, is being designed by Trivers Architects.

In addition to the Peck Building window replacement, Rendleman Hall, Founders Hall and Alumni Hall also will be included in the energy efficiency renovation project as funding becomes available.

GCER Competition Produces A Local International Contender

16 July 2010, 1:44 pm

The competition portion of the Global Conference On Educational Robotics (GCER), which occurred on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus July 7-11, produced a double elimination round winner-St. Mary's Catholic School in Edwardsville-and that same team went on to become the second place overall international winner.

The overall winners were:

1st Place Overall Hanalani Schools, Hawai'i

2nd Place Overall St. Mary's School, Illinois

3rd Place Overall Dead Robot Society, Virginia

4th Place Overall Nease Robotics, Florida

5th Place Overall Explorer Post 1010, Maryland

The competition was an example of engineering imitating life as some 500 middle- and high-school students from around the U.S., the Middle East, Poland, Japan and Mexico-to name a few-used their robots to "clean up a lake" after an "oil spill." By the way, that theme was decided on long before the oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

The GCER competition showed the prowess of team members in building robots, programming them and accomplishing the goal of the competition. Four area teams were in the finals of the competition.

Each year the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Institute for Practical Robotics, a non-profit organization based in Norman, Okla., supplies the support materials for regional, national and international robotics competitions, using educational robotics programs to engage students in science, technology, engineering, math and project management.

SIUE has been the site for regional competitions but this is the first time the international competition has occurred on the campus. "This global event was very exciting and gave us a chance to play host to several hundred bright students from around the world," said Professor Jerry Weinberg, chair of the SIUE Department of Computer Science and soon to be acting dean of the SIUE Graduate School.

"This event accomplished several things," he said, "not the least of which was a chance to show off our incredible campus and, perhaps, attract some of these students here when it's time to decide on a university. But, there's also the educational component, the hope that some of these students will consider engineering and science as career choices because of these types of experiences."

Many of the GCER competitors were girls. That's interesting because there was a time when girls weren't encouraged to seek careers in science or engineering, but nowadays that situation is changing because over the past two decades or so educators have been coming up with ways to show middle-school-age girls that such careers are a possibility.

Over the years, Weinberg and other faculty members in SIUE School of Engineering have been reaching out to young boys and girls, offering workshops to peak their interests in various programs.

And, two local sisters have become involved in the SIUE robotics program, first through St. Mary's Catholic School in Edwardsville and then at Edwardsville High School. One of the sisters, Kathryn "Katie" Manning, 17, and a senior at EHS where she has been immersed in the robotics program since she's been in grade school, has plans to enroll in the SIUE Computer Science program.

Her sister, Margaret "Meg" Manning, 11, is a seventh-grader in the program at St. Mary's and is following in her big sister's footsteps. Although she didn't participate in the GCER competition, she was there to cheer as the team won the overall second-place slot in the competition.

Katie, who actually helped start a robotics team when she was a student at St. Mary's, said she was drawn to the SIUE program when she was in sixth grade. "I first became interested somewhat in robotics during one of the SIUE science camps," she said. "I was fascinated by the way an inanimate object could be programmed with a computer to allow it to move by itself."

She herself put together an all-girls' team at St. Mary's in 2006 and they took first place at the SIUE regional and then went to the nationals in Norman, Okla., where the team came in 8th place. The team's robot also won the judge's choice award at Norman.

They both can be proud of the team from Edwardsville that became an international contender.

Dunham Seminar July 24-Aug. 1 At SIUE; Other Festivities Also Planned

14 July 2010, 4:35 pm

The Katherine Dunham International Seminar 2010 is scheduled from Saturday, July 24 to Sunday, Aug. 1, on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. Proceeds will benefit the Katherine Dunham Museum in East St. Louis. The seminar will include sessions with certified Dunham Technique faculty including Glory Van Scott, Albirda Rose, Ruby Streate, Theo Jamison, Rachel Tavernier, Keith Williams, Halifu Osumare and Jeanne Speier. The nine-day seminar includes authentic Dunham Technique classes, panel discussions and networking opportunities, to name a few.

Registration is $495 for adults and $250 for youth and college students. A $75 non-refundable deposit is required. Visit the website, www.kdcah.com to download a registration form and for more information.

In addition to the seminar, other Katherine Dunham festivities are planned, including:

The Harambee Community Festival, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at the Katherine Dunham Museum, 1005 Pennsylvania Ave., East St. Louis;
The Katherine Dunham Legacy Gala, Saturday, July 31, in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. The black/white tie gala begins at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by performances by vocalist Greta Matthews and violinist Phillip Rayford, as well as the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe; and
The Katherine Dunham Seminar Closing ceremony from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, with exciting dance performances and an appreciation reception. Show tickets are $5; other donations accepted.

A native of Chicago, Miss Dunham-after a storied 35-year, worldwide career as a dancer and choreographer in the theater and in film-came to the SIU Carbondale campus in 1964 when she was invited to choreograph a student opera. It was during that time she first visited East St. Louis, which was to become her second home and base of operations.

In 1967, Miss Dunham was appointed visiting artist-in-residence in what was then known as the Fine Arts Division of SIUE. She became a University Professor and adjunct professor of Anthropology in 1975 She retired in 1982. Miss Dunham taught her dance technique for many years in East St. Louis before she died in 2006.

Miss Dunham founded the Katherine Dunham Center for Performing Arts at SIUE's East St. Louis Center when it was located in the old Broadview Hotel.

Tickets for the Legacy Gala are $50; a table is $400. For more information, contact Mona Brown, (618) 453-3069 or by e-mail: mdbrown@siu.edu, or contact Leverne Backstrom, (618) 875-3636, or (618) 795-5970, or by e-mail: levrnebackstrom@sbcglobal.net. The event is cosponsored by SIU, the Illinois Arts Council and Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts, St. Louis.

R. Albert Named July Employee Of The Month

13 July 2010, 4:45 pm

Rosie Albert

Congratulations: Rosemary "Rosie" Albert , an office support specialist in Food Service, is the July recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Albert (center) is flanked by her supervisor, Dennis Wobbe (at left), assistant director for Food Service, who nominated Albert for the award, and Joseph Pearson, director of the Morris University Center. In addition to the plaque Albert was presented, she was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations, and parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

Two SIUE Nursing Faculty Chosen For VA Award Two Years Running

9 July 2010, 5:00 pm

Virginia Cruz, an associate professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, has been selected as one of the "Outstanding Scholars" at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in St. Louis, only the second year the award has been given in this category-both to SIUE Nursing faculty. Last year, SIUE Assistant Professor Pamela Newland was the recipient.

Cruz received the award during a ceremony at which Joel Kupersmith, chief research and development officer for the Veterans Health Administration in Washington, DC, presided.

SIUE Nursing Dean Marcia Maurer said she was thrilled to hear the news. "Apparently, the VA considers the work of the SIUE nursing faculty as pretty outstanding if the school has been so honored two years in a row," she noted. The $1,000 award and a recognition plaque was given to Cruz based on her performance at the VAMC John Cochran Division facility in the city of St. Louis.

Cruz currently is an instructor for the Health Care and Nursing Administration specialization in the SIUE School of Nursing. She has received several honors within the nursing profession and and has contributed chapters to nursing textbooks. Before joining the SIUE nursing faculty in 2001, Cruz was director of the nursing program at Maryville University in St. Louis from 1998-2001, chair of the department of nursing at Rockford (IL) College from 1997-98, and was on faculty at the University of Dubuque (IA) including a stint as chair of the baccalaureate nursing department, all from 1981-1997. Cruz also held positions from 1971-78 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville and Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

She earned a doctorate in gerontological nursing at the University of Iowa in 1997, an MSN at SIUE in 1980, with a concentration in psychiatric/mental health nursing, and a BSN from Saint Louis University in 1973.

AAHPM Endorses Pharmacy Care Recommendations From SIUE Summit

9 July 2010, 1:51 pm

AAHPM Endorses Pharmacy Care Recommendations From SIUE Summit

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Recommendations made during a pain and palliative care summit held last fall on campus by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy recently were endorsed in their entirety by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM.)

The recommendations include:

* Requiring didactic, elective didactic, experiential and elective or selective experiential education for all coursework in pharmacy professional degree programs;

* An outline of collaborations between degree program accreditation bodies, state and national licensing boards and professional organizations representing pharmacy educators for pharmacy professional degree programs;

* Requiring that pharmacists pursuing formal post-graduate clinical training outside a pain and palliative care specialty have a core understanding of the practice area;

* Requiring that pharmacists providing patient care in practice settings have a core understanding of pain and palliative care;

* Outlining individual practice areas and subsequent skill sets for unique practice settings with specialization;

* Formally recognizing expertise for pharmacists with advanced understanding of pain and palliative care.

The AAHPM is the premier professional organization for physicians practicing in hospice and palliative care medicine.

"The AAHPM Board of Directors has voted to endorse the consensus recommendations from the Strategic Planning Summit for Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy," said Dale Lupu, an organization representative. "The AAHPM applauds the Planning Summit for leading the important work to produce these recommendations."

The Summit, which was held on the SIUE campus in October, drew more than 200 professionals from across the country. It was designed to bring representatives together from schools and colleges of pharmacy, post-graduate residency and fellowship programs, and practicing pharmacists to the area to make recommendations to shape the future of pain and palliative care.

A variety of topics were discussed during breakout sessions, including care standards and assessment, curriculum enhancement, residency and fellowship training, certificate program content development and credentialing.

The topics of the breakout sessions were the result of professional collaboration at the 2003 National Pain and Palliative Care Summit at The Ohio State University. SIUE School of Pharmacy Assistant Professor Chris Herndon secured funding for the national effort at the SIUE campus last fall through the Mayday Fund, which was established in 1992 and is committed to social and medical causes.

"The purpose of this summit was to improve pain and palliative care education for pharmacists of today and tomorrow," Herndon said. "A real need exists to enhance the care and direction provided by pharmacists.

"Through our combined effort and collaboration, I feel like we accomplished that purpose. We have come very far from our first meeting in 2003 and there is still more we can do. But we are making great strides in the pain and palliative care patients receive and the type of training and education medical professionals receive on a national level."

Herndon worked for nearly three years with a multi-disciplinary advisory board of pain and palliative care experts from across the country to organize the summit.

SIUE Art Student Receives International Contemporary Sculpture Award

8 July 2010, 3:47 pm

Tara Morton, a senior art and design major at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from O'Fallon, recently received the International Sculpture Center's (ISC) Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award for 2010.

Established by the ISC in 1994, the award recognizes young sculptors and encourages their commitment to the field. It also draws attention to the sculpture programs at participating universities, colleges and art schools.

More than 175 universities, colleges and art school sculpture programs from 16 countries participated in this year's competition, resulting in the nomination of 445 students.

There were 20 award recipients selected to take part in the Grounds For Sculpture's Fall/Winter Exhibition, which will be on view from Oct. 10, 2010 to Jan. 2, 2011 in Hamilton, N.J., adjacent to the ISC headquarters. The artists' work will be included in Grounds For Sculpture's 2010 Fall/Winter Exhibitions Catalogue and featured in the October 2010 issue of the International Sculpture Center's award winning publication, Sculpture magazine as well as on the ISC award winning website at www.sculpture.org.

A distinguished panel made up of artist and educator Creighton Michael, curator Rocio Aranda-Alvarado and artist Oliver Herring selected the winners, along with 15 honorable mentions through a competitive viewing process of the works submitted.

"The selection of the winners from a large pool of applicants, including international students, is a great accomplishment and testament to the artistic promise of the students' work," stated Johannah Hutchison, ISC executive director and publisher of Sculpture.

Edwardsville Named Among 10 Best Towns for Families in 2010

7 July 2010, 2:56 pm

The results of an annual roundup of the nation's best places to raise children are in. And Edwardsville is among Family Circle's Top 10 Best Towns for Families in 2010.

Towns are chosen based on several factors, including affordability, green spaces, excellent schools and philanthropic spirit.

Jennifer Gianaris, an Edwardsville resident and mother of six, was quoted in the article saying, "Even though this is a university town, it's the perfect place for all generations." She and her husband, Ted Gianaris, moved to the town in 1996. Today, their 21-year-old daughter, Annie, is a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and both sets of the couple's parents now call the community home.

One of Edwardsville's selling points referenced in the article was the YMCA's Meyer Center on Goshen Road, a new 116,000-square-foot recreational facility with an indoor climbing wall, tennis courts and a roller skating rink, which residents helped raise more than half the $10 million needed to build.

Other community activities that were applauded in the feature were volunteer solicitation of donations to turn an abandoned sewage facility into a 40-acre nature preserve with wetlands, prairies and forests, and student volunteer participation through visiting senior citizens or walking dogs for the Madison County Humane Society.

The article is in the latest issue of Family Circle and available to read online.

Seussical The Musical Opens July 14 For SIUE Summer ShowBiz 2010

7 July 2010, 1:50 pm

A person's a person, no matter how small

-Theodor Geisel

The words of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, are woven throughout Seussical The Musical and are given even more life by the musical theater writing team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. And, those inspirational stories of Dr. Seuss and all the musicality of the Flaherty and Ahrens duo come to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Summer ShowBiz stage July 14-18 in the theater of SIUE's Dunham Hall. Seussical is the third and final show in the three-play summer series.

The hit Broadway musical plays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, July 14-17, and at 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, July 17-18.

The whimsical world of Dr. Seuss swirls with characters such as JoJo and Horton from Horton Hears a Who! the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Judge Yertle the Turtle, who decides Horton's fate, and the infamous Cat in the Hat from the books with the same names. Other characters and settings appear through the musical from other Dr. Seuss books such as The Lorax, Green Eggs and Ham, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, and If I Ran the Circus.

For Seussical, Ahrens and Flaherty have won won Grammy and Drama Desk nominations, and it reported to be the most frequently performed show in America. They also won the Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards and received two Grammy nominations for their score of the Broadway musical Ragtime. They also garnered two Academy Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations for the songs and score of Twentieth Century Fox's animated feature film, Anastasia (Gold Record and Number One Song). They are cocreators of the Broadway musicals, Once On This Island (eight Tony Award nominations, London's Olivier Award for Best Musical). Other Broadway and off-Broadway credits include My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance (Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Musical); Dessa Rose (winner, 2005 Audelco Award for Best Musical, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations); Lucky Stiff (Helen Hayes Award, Best Musical); Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life and The Glorious Ones (five Drama Desk nominations including Best Musical). Ahrens and Flaherty were most recently represented on Broadway with the 2009 revival of Ragtime.

Director Joy Powell points out that Seussical is pure entertainment for young and old, but with a message. " Seussical is a great show for lots of reasons," Powell said. "Its characters have been recognized and loved by many generations. People who grew up with the books and the cartoons on television can now bring their children to see the same beloved characters come to life on stage."

Powell sites the powerful messages inherent within the play's lyrics. "The story is so powerful with lines like, 'it's possible, anything's possible' or 'a person's a person no matter how small.'

"I really love that one of the main characters, JoJo, is a young person. Throughout JoJo's journey, she realizes that her imagination is important and in the end her use of that fertile imagination ends up saving the day," Powell explained. "She learns that being unique and different make her special and that she must use her unique perspective on the world to better that world. The play's message has power and hope and I'm thrilled that this wonderful cast is breathing life into these characters."

Tickets for Seussical The Musical are $15; students, senior citizens (65+), SIUE faculty and staff: $12; SIUE Students registered for summer classes are free with valid ID. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, call (618) 650-2774.

Click on the photo above suitable for print. In the photo, from left, cast members include Chris Eubank, of Lovington, NM, as Horton the Elephant; Margaret French, of Nashville, Tenn., as Gertrude McFuzz; Roger Speidel, of Milbank, SD, as the infamous Cat in the Hat; and Lauren Harrison, of Collinsville, as JoJo.

June 2010

SIUE School Of Nursing Anesthesia Specialization Given Accreditation

SIUE Alumni Association To Play Host To Networking Breakfast In Granite City

SIUE Alumni Affairs To Offer Senior Send-Offs 2010 In Springfield

New Partnership Planned With ESL Charter High School

SIUE Hosts Global Robotics Conference

Robots to "Clean Up" Oil Spill

Robots Go to School

NSF Grant Helps Make Brain Pack For Robots A Reality

Chancellor Emeritus Werner Named To Interim Post

NCERC Is Key To USDA Biofuels Plan

'The Lady Cries Murder' Opens June 23 For SIUE Summer ShowBiz 2010

MFA Students Exhibit Art In Chicago

SIUE Geography Students Chase Tornadoes in Oklahoma

T. Ziegler Is June Employee Of The Month

SIUE Student From Marion Chosen For Vanderbilt Nursing Residency

SIUE School Of Nursing Anesthesia Specialization Given Accreditation

30 June 2010, 2:56 pm

Accreditation has been given to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing's Anesthesia Nursing Specialization for a 10-year period, the highest term available.

The accreditation decision, handed down by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), recognizes the SIUE program for providing a graduate level curriculum leading to the award of a master of science and a post-master's certificate, both in nursing anesthesia.

The COA's findings result from a comparison of the SIUE School of Nursing curriculum with outcomes for Nurse Anesthesia Specialization with the COA's Standards for Nurse Anesthesia programs. In addition, the COA interviews faculty and administrators in the SIUE School of Nursing and also interviews certified nurse anesthetists in other agencies, and surveys current nurse anesthesia students and alumni.

In making its decision about the SIUE program, the COA noted that very few programs "have achieved the maximum accreditation of 10 years." The COA directors also offered congratulations to "everyone at the (SIUE) program who has demonstrated their commitment to meeting the requirements for continued accreditation."

SIUE Alumni Association To Play Host To Networking Breakfast In Granite City

29 June 2010, 11:24 am

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association will play host to an Alumni Networking Breakfast from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, at the Community Center of the Granite City Housing Authority, 2517 Nameoki Road.

The hour-long event, which will include a presentation by noted SIUE alumnus Jonathan Ferry, will be an excellent opportunity to network with fellow SIUE alumni and enjoy a free breakfast of pastries, fruit and coffee.

With more than 1,600 SIUE alumni residing in the Granite City area, possible business opportunities could arise, so attendees are encouraged to bring business cards.

Ferry received a bachelor's in 2005 and a master's in 2008, both from the SIUE School of Business. He currently is economic development director for the city of Granite City and recently was featured by the Suburban Journals as one of 30 young people making a difference in the Metro East.

To register for this July 27 free event, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/alumni. For other information, call Katie Bennett, assistant director of SIUE Alumni Affairs, by e-mail: kabenne@siue.edu, or, by phone: (618) 650-2762.

SIUE Alumni Affairs To Offer Senior Send-Offs 2010 In Springfield

24 June 2010, 9:04 am

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association, the Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) organization, the SIUE Office of Admissions and the Cougar Parent and Family Association will join forces for the SIUE Senior Send-Offs 2010, from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield.

This event invites SIUE's newest Cougars from various cities to meet other incoming students, families and local alumni. The free, two-hour reception will help incoming students form a connection with the SIUE community before they arrive on campus. "It is our hope that the connection and relationships established during these events will continue for years to come," said SIUE Admissions Director Todd Burrell.

Steve Jankowski, director of SIUE Alumni Affairs, said incoming freshman and transfer students may bring up to two guests to the event. Local alumni are invited to attend and share some of their favorite memories of SIUE. "It's a great way to get our current alumni involved in direct engagement with incoming students, who are our future alumni," Jankowski said.

The July 20 event will include a free appetizer buffet and networking opportunities. For more information or to register, please visit the SIUE Alumni Affairs website: www.siue.edu/alumni.

New Partnership Planned With ESL Charter High School

23 June 2010, 3:52 pm

Frances Karanovich, an assistant professor of educational leadership at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a former school superintendent, will assume responsibilities as director of SIUE's East St. Louis Charter High School, effective July 1, according to SIUE Provost Paul Ferguson.

Reporting to SIUE School of Education Dean Bette Bergeron and to Venessa Brown, assistant provost for institutional diversity and inclusion, Karanovich's initial goals will include oversight of the charter school's use of instructional technologies to enhance learning, developing and implementing a curriculum that will prepare students to be college and career ready, and strengthening instruction in literacy.

Ferguson said the new partnership between the charter high school and the SIUE School of Education will strengthen the University's mission of furthering educational opportunities in the region and will continue SIUE's ongoing commitment to inclusiveness.

"We are very excited that Dr. Karanovich is bringing her wealth of expertise to this position of leadership at the East St. Louis Charter High School," Ferguson said. "SIUE will continue its dedication to academic excellence, which will be our focus going ahead with this new partnership, with Dr. Brown's involvement, and the School of Education, overseen by Dr. Bergeron, who has an excellent background in charter school concepts and curriculum.

"We also see this as an excellent opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with East St. Louis School District No. 189," Ferguson said. "We will continue to work closely with the district as we move forward with this educational effort. I am confident this collaboration will insure an excellent educational experience for our charter high school students."

With more than 30 years of teaching and administrative experience-ranging from elementary school to middle school, to high school and college-Karanovich will be working with charter school staff and appointed faculty scholars from the University's wide range academic disciplines to provide professional development for instructional staff as well as enrichment experiences for charter school students.

Karanovich is a recognized guest speaker presenting workshops, seminars and staff development courses on such topics as school climate, intra- and inter-school community strategies, school finance and educational leadership. She has received numerous awards including the 2005 Illinois Superintendent of the Year from the American Association of School Administrators and the 2000 "Break the Mold Award" for vision and leadership in educational excellence from the Illinois State Board of Education.

She also has served a variety of professional and community organizations including the Funding Information Accountability Committee of the Illinois State Board of Education, the state's Education Task Force and the McDonough County Housing Authority Board of Directors. She is a lifetime member of the SIUE Alumni Association and was inducted in 2008 to the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

SIUE Hosts Global Robotics Conference

16 June 2010, 3:23 pm

The SIUE School of Engineering will be the center of attention in the Botball world July 7-11 when the Global Conference on Educational Robotics (GCER) takes the Midwest by storm.

The GCER is an annual event which draws middle school and high school students, educators, robotics enthusiasts, and professionals from around the world to connect with peers, discuss technology-related ideas, and cheer on their favorite teams during two exciting autonomous robot tournaments.

"We're expecting 50-60 teams of students for the competition portion of the GCER," said Jerry Weinberg, professor of computer science and chair of that department in the SIUE School of Engineering. "We have teams from Kuwait and Poland, along with several teams from throughout the United States. We are so excited to host this global event on the SIUE campus."

BotBall is a competition that engages middle and high school aged students in a team-oriented robotics competition based on national science education standards. Students prepare for a BotBall event by designing, programming and building robots in a hands-on project that reinforces their learning.

In addition to the GCER, the four days include:

• The International Botball Robotics Tournament-for middle and high school teams to show off their robotics expertise to the general public

• The Kiss Institute for Practical Robotics (KIPR) Open Robotics Tournament-a robotics competition for college-age competitors and beyond, also open to the public

During the four-day event, guest speakers will include:

• Pam Gay, research associate lecturer, SIUE Department of Physics

Space Exploration and the Role of Robotics

• Jeffrey Rice, application architect and a vice president at The Boeing Co.

Robotics in the Aerospace Industry / How Boeing Utilizes Robotics

• James McLurkin, assistant professor, Rice University

Developing Small Robots as Wireless Networks

Educators and students will be presenting papers at the four-day event. "The teachers will be sharing new techniques proposed for the robotics classroom but the students also are encouraged to submit papers with their own views about robotics," Weinberg said.

Robots to "Clean Up" Oil Spill

16 June 2010, 3:21 pm

"Cleaning up an oil spill is the theme of this competition," said Jerry Weinberg, professor of computer science and chair of that department in the SIUE School of Engineering. "It's a timely topic even though it was created several months ago before the disaster currently occurring in the Gulf of Mexico." He is referring to Transocean's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, leased to BP oil, which exploded April 20 and has been sending untold amounts of oil into the Gulf.

In the GCER competition, robots will be programmed to help clean up a simulated oil spill in a "lake," which also will involve wildlife clean-up. "An earthquake has occurred and the robots will be used to absorb the oil slick and help clean the 'ducks' that use the lake," he said. "The ducks will need to be moved by the robots to a cleaning area and then moved again to a 'cleaned wetlands area.'

"The robots also will move sponges to various areas of the lake," Weinberg said. "The sponges represent absorbents to be used to clean the 'oil spill.'"

Robots Go to School

16 June 2010, 3:21 pm

Teaching robotics in the middle schools and high schools caught on in the late 1990s, according to Jerry Weinberg, professor of computer science at SIUE and chair of that department. "In 1998, new smaller and inexpensive computer technology was created and that made it possible to bring that technology into the classroom." Since then, hands-on robotics projects have become useful educational tools across a variety of subjects, he said.

Robots are integrated systems comprised of interdependent electrical, mechanical and computational components. Because of their multidisciplinary nature, the study of robotics in the classroom has become a valuable tool for the practical, hands-on application of concepts in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) topics at the K-12 and undergraduate educational levels.

"As the technology has improved over the past 12 years, it has allowed students to learn faster and more on their own," Weinberg said. "And, we have seen a 10-percent upswing in students majoring in all types of engineering since 1998. We'd like to think robotics had a hand in that."

Weinberg has been instrumental in involving local high schools in Botball tournaments on the SIUE campus, which has grown to include regional and Midwest tournaments for the past four years and now the international tournament coming in July.

"The KISS Institute has been watching our activities over the years and they've seen how the program has grown," Weinberg said. "They've seen the potential and that's why they decided to bring the international tournament to Edwardsville."

NSF Grant Helps Make Brain Pack For Robots A Reality

15 June 2010, 3:22 pm

Jerry Weinberg, professor of computer science and chair of that department in the SIUE School of Engineering, and William Yu, an associate professor in the same department, have been creating a "Brain Pack" for walking robots. The study is being funded by a $500,000 NSF grant, and the project is now in its second phase.

The two educators are working in partnership with Kim Wheeler and Robin Knight of Road Narrows LLC to create the new "Brain Pack."

Since 1999, Weinberg and Yu have been instrumental in bringing middle school, high school and college students together from throughout the region to study robotics and participate in robotics competitions.

The NSF grant, "General Robot Controller for Legged Mobile Robots with Integrated Open Source Software," will help develop a computer backpack or "Brain Pack" for two-, four-, and six-legged robots for teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses.

"The Brain Pack will provide an easy way to program a computer controller that connects sensors, such as foot touch sensors, to give a robot the 'sense' of walking and a color camera to give the robot 'eyesight,'" Weinberg said.

"It will be a general controller that can be used on any legged robot, providing it with sensors and computing power that walking robots on the market currently do not have."

Hands-on robotics projects have become useful educational tools across a variety of subjects, Weinberg pointed out.

"Robots are integrated systems comprised of interdependent electrical, mechanical, and computational components. Because of their multidisciplinary nature, the study of robotics in the classroom has become a valuable tool for the practical, hands-on application of concepts in various STEM topics at the K-12 and undergraduate educational levels.

"While there are wheeled robots that are easy to use for K-12 and undergraduate educators, there are no legged robot platforms with easy to use hardware and software," Weinberg said.

"The Brain Pack will have 'plug-and-play' sensors with straightforward software modules developed specifically for use in the classroom."

Weinberg recently conducted the Greater St. Louis Botball Tournament on the SIUE campus in April, where some 200 students, along with their teachers and parents from 20 schools throughout the Midwest, participated in the event. "This was a regional robotics competition for a national tournament conducted by the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics (KIPR)," Weinberg said.

The 2010 Global Conference on Educational Robotics (GCER) will take place on the SIUE campus in July.

"Our regional tournament in April started with a student/teacher workshop on building and programming robots and ended in an exciting head-to-head tournament seven weeks later," Weinberg explained. This was the fourth regional robotics tournament held at SIUE. The GCER in July will be the first time it has been conducted at SIUE.

Kim Wheeler-Smith and Robin Knight are the co-founders of Road Narrows LCC in Loveland, Colo. They earned engineering and mathematics degrees focused on robotics and computational intelligence, which led them to create a company to provide mobile robots to educators and researchers.

"The primary mission of Road Narrows is to participate in the robotics revolution by developing, manufacturing, and offering hardware and software platforms for purchase to further technical education and to enable related research and development," Weinberg said.

"The partnership between SIUE and Road Narrows is key to the successful development of the Brain Pack innovation. The educators at SIUE have considerable experience in developing curricula and software for using robots in the classroom, and Road Narrows has similarly considerable experience in engineering and marketing robot hardware for educators.

For more information, contact Professor Weinberg, (618) 650-2368. For more information about the GCER and Botball, visit the website: www.botball.org or for information about SIUE's robotics program, visit the website: www.siue.edu/robotics.

Chancellor Emeritus Werner Named To Interim Post

15 June 2010, 11:41 am

David Werner, chancellor emeritus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been named interim president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, effective Aug. 1, according to the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Werner previously served as IUP's interim provost during much of the 2007-08 academic year and was interim president of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania during 2005-06. In his newest position, Werner is replacing Tony Atwater, who will leave the university June 30 to assume a leadership role with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C. Atwater has served as IUP president since February 2005.

"These are challenging times for PASSHE and for all of our universities," said PASSHE Board Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin. "I am confident the strong leadership in place will allow us to successfully meet all of the challenges we face as we strive to continually enhance the quality of education our students receive."

In addition to his chancellorship at SIUE, the culmination of a 38-year career at SIUE, Werner spent a semester as a visiting researcher in human resources and public policy development at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan. He served as IUP's interim provost during much of the 2007-08 academic year. At SIUE Werner was a professor of computer management and information systems, dean of the School of Business and provost for the University before being named chancellor in 1997.

Werner has been a consultant-evaluator for the North Central Association and has been active in the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business and other scholarly and professional organizations. He also has served on the boards of directors of SIUE's University Park, FOCUS St. Louis, the Southwestern Illinois Higher Education Consortium, and the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market, as well as the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Council on Economic Education.

He received a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Saint Louis University, and both a master of science and a doctorate in industrial engineering and management science from Northwestern University.

The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester.

NCERC Is Key To USDA Biofuels Plan

15 June 2010, 8:28 am

The US Department of Agriculture is expecting to spend some $42 million nationally by 2011 for research in biofuel production and SIUE's National Corn-To-Ethanol Research Center plays a key role in the agency's plans, according to Larry Chandler, with the USDA's Agricultural Research division.

Chandler, who was speaking on campus to a group of NCERC supporters, said the USDA signed a five-year contract last fall with the SIUE research center to test various methods of biofuel refining developed by USDA scientists. John Caupert, director of the NCERC, says the contract is a win-win situation for both the center and the USDA. He explained that the USDA research coupled with the center's testing will ultimately lead to more efficient ways to produce ethanol, which could bring down the price and make it more available to the nation for use as a renewable fuel.

In the photo: SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift (at far left) chats with (from left) the USDA's Larry Chandler, National-Corn-To-Ethanol Research Center Director John Caupert and Tommy Schmidt of Burns and McDonnell, an engineering consulting firm. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

'The Lady Cries Murder' Opens June 23 For SIUE Summer ShowBiz 2010

15 June 2010, 8:13 am

The Lady Cries Murder

A handsome detective, a luscious secretary, a femme fatale and more twists than a pretzel are all part of the fun in John William See's comedy, The Lady Cries Murder, opening June 23 as the next offering in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Summer ShowBiz 2010 series.

The hilarious comedy, which pokes fun at the film noire genre and the hard-boiled detective novels of the 1930s and '40s, opens at 7:30 p.m. that Wednesday and continues at the same curtain time Thursday through Saturday, June 24-26, as well as at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27, all in the theater in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall.

See cleverly brings us into a shadowy world of sexy women, hard liquor, missing persons, guns and gumshoes, and lots of funny lines in late 1930s New York City as he weaves a tale that could have come right out of a Raymond Chandler novel or John Huston's screenplay for the Humphrey Bogart classic, The Maltese Falcon.

In his description of the play's setting, director Mark Bacus, of Alton, wrote: "The story opens in New York City, 1938, in the house and mind of famous radio producer and writer, Charles Sartone. We move on to San Francisco, to Los Angeles, and back to New York City-along the way visiting private eye offices, shabby apartments, seedy nightclubs and the bottom of a bottle of Scotch. The description sets the stage for the comedy to come.

Bacus, who has directed and acted in more than 120 stage productions in the Metro East, many with the old Piasa Players in Alton, says film noire detective dramas have been his favorite for much of his life. "It's more than just the straight talk, the fast relationships, and the solutions that are commonly solved with a smoke, a drink, and by smacking somebody in the chops," Bacus said. "We all wish life were that simple."

Bacus says hard-boiled detective fiction has earned the status of "genre" today because we see ourselves in the shoes of the hero who is a complex person and who must navigate myriad characters, solve the mystery, romance the woman, and do it all while maintaining the "ethical high road" and in the end live to do it all another day.

"The genre represents an acceleration of the way we do business, a reasonable mirror of how we navigate through our own challenges. So, why does See poke fun at the genre in this delightful comedy? Because that's what we do best. It keeps us grounded and sane," Bacus asserts.

"We are a nation of folks who have learned how healthy and valuable satire can be. When pressed for a tip on how he developed the plot twists in his crime detective stories, Chandler would wink and say: 'When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand.' See has filled his comedy with plenty of film noire characters," Bacus points out, "but then sets up a twist at the end that should have audience members talking for a few days after they leave the theater."

Tickets for The Lady Cries Murder are $15; students, senior citizens (65+), SIUE faculty and staff: $12; SIUE students registered for summer classes are free with valid ID. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, call (618) 650-2774.

In the photo, members of the cast include: (from left) Caroline Lawrence of Collinsville, who portrays Shanghai Sue; Emily Reutebuch of Granite City, as Miriam and Angel; Todd Moore of Evergreen Park, in the role of Phillip Diamond; and Claudia Clark of Godfrey, as Marsha and Grace. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

MFA Students Exhibit Art In Chicago

12 June 2010, 11:42 am

Eight graduate students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are making history for their department and the university this month. They will be holding their MFA exhibit in the Windy City.

Through June 27, the work of Kristen Bartel (printmaking), Ilene Berman (sculpture), Andy Magee (sculpture and mixed media), Jill Palone (metalsmithing), Katherine Perryman (painting), Amanda Pfister (digital arts), Nick Ramey (ceramics) and Evan Wagman (ceramics) will be on display at the Chicago Arts District Exhibitions Space. An opening reception of the work took place Friday, June 11.

John DenHouter, chair of the SIUE Department of Art and Design, said the exhibit is the first time SIUE students have displayed their works together in Chicago, a major art hub. The exhibit required monumental coordination to come together, he said, and is curated by Perryman.

"After much negotiation by Kate, our office staff, and the (College of Arts and Sciences) dean's office, the exhibit is finally a reality," DenHouter said. "Chicago and its greater metropolitan area is a key recruiting area for SIUE so we felt it would be a 'win-win' situation for our department as well as the University," he explained. "Kate really is to be congratulated for her efforts. Dean Al Romero has also supported the show via financial contributions and should also be specifically acknowledged in this endeavor."

SIUE's graduate studio art program has an excellent reputation and attracts students from around the country and the world. An MFA degree from SIUE requires 60 credit hours, a thesis, a final exam and exhibition of artwork which is designed, organized and installed by the graduate student. The Chicago Art District Exhibitions Space is located at 1915 S. Halsted.

SIUE Geography Students Chase Tornadoes in Oklahoma

11 June 2010, 9:20 am

Storm Chasers

Last month, there were at least nine confirmed tornadoes in the vicinity of Oklahoma City. Eleven SIUE students were eyewitnesses to the super cell associated with this tornado outbreak.

The tornado activity took place during the afternoon and evening hours as a cold front and dry line moved through central Oklahoma. The system generated baseball-size hail, intense lightning, heavy rain, and tornadoes. From a safe distance, the students saw several wall clouds, roll clouds, scud clouds and a funnel cloud.

The students, who at the time were enrolled in a Storm Chasing and Assessment class taught by Mark Hildebrandt, associate professor of geography, witnessed the development of the super cell. The field trip to Oklahoma enabled students to study first-hand the complex dynamics of the atmosphere, observe the power and beauty of nature, and apply their classroom knowledge to a successful learning adventure in the real world.

And not a single drop of hail touched any vehicles SIUE used during the more than two-hour chase.

T. Ziegler Is June Employee Of The Month

7 June 2010, 2:57 pm

Tracey Ziegler

Congratulations: Tracey Ziegler, a clerk in the Office of Campus Recreation, is the June recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Ziegler (second from left) received the award from Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenn Neher (center). Also shown is Human Resources Director Sherrie Senkfor (second from right); Mick Ostrander (far right), director of Campus Recreation; and Dave Hagedorn (far left), assistant director of Campus Recreation and the one who nominated Ziegler. In addition to the plaque Ziegler was presented, she was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations, and parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

SIUE Student From Marion Chosen For Vanderbilt Nursing Residency

2 June 2010, 3:16 pm

Sarah Jimenez of Marion, a recent graduate of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, has been selected for a nursing residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in Nashville, Tenn., beginning July 12.

Among all of the 800 online applications VUMC received for the residency, 600 were contacted for follow-up. Some 350 of those were asked to visit the campus. During that final phase of the process, Jimenez was among the approximately 100 chosen for the VUMC residency.

Jimenez explained the nursing residency is a way for VUMC to improve retention of first-year nursing graduates. She will participate in the Adult Critical Care residency, which will allow her to rotate through five ICUs, an emergency department and a burn unit, all in her first 12 weeks. For the remaining year, she will select a work setting preference from among any of her given rotations.

Jimenez is currently with the emergency department at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, which is similar to VUMC as a Level 1 Trauma Center with comparable patient volume.

May 2010

Local Medical Student Receives National Head Start Scholarship

Ruthless! Runs June 10-20 At SIUE; Part Of Summer ShowBiz

Dremuks' Generosity Helps Establish Two SIUE Graduate Fellowships

Two SIUE Scholars Receive Vaughnie Lindsay Awards

SIUE Yearbook Now Available In Digital Collection

Noted SIU/SDM Grad To Speak At June 5 Dental Commencement

P. Geiger Is Employee Of The Month For May

N. Kizzire Recipient Of Employee Of The Month for April

Two Students Receive Staff Senate Scholarships

Changes

SIUE Meridian Scholars Chosen From Area High Schools

SIUE Pharmacy Grad From Virden Shows Appreciation For Her Mom

'Da-Dum-Dun' Festival To Honor Three Talents Who Had Ties To ESL

SIU Board Of Trustees Approves SIUE Tuition Rates For AY10-11

SIUE Athletics, Pharmacy IT Fee Changes Approved By BOT

SIUE Fee, Rental Rate Change Voted By SIU Board Of Trustees

SIUE To Host International Math Conference

East St. Louis Head Start Teacher Wins National Award

Ceremony Honors SIU Faculty Who Became U.S. Citizens

Single Stream System Expected To Make Recycling Easier At SIUE

SIUE Pain Summit Recommendations Announced Today

SIUE Wastewater Facility Nominated For Statewide Recognition

SIUE Receives $572K NSF Grant For Microscopes In CAS

More Than 1,820 Eligible To Graduate During Spring Commencement

A. Matejka Receives William and Margaret Going Endowed Professorship

SIUE Alumni Association To Host Networking Breakfast May 25

SIUE Student Selected to Represent the Phi Kappa Phi Council of Students

Local Medical Student Receives National Head Start Scholarship

28 May 2010, 2:53 pm

Bolajoko Adeniyi has always wanted to assist people who were in need of, but couldn't afford, quality health care. But first the 28-year-old Belleville woman had to take on the high cost of studying medicine. So when the medical student learned that she had won the National Head Start Association's Dr. Scott Harkley Memorial Scholarship, she was grateful for the financial help. Adeniyi is a former participant in the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program, based at the SIUE East St. Louis Center.

"I have a house worth of loans to pay back," said Adeniyi, who recently won the award which comes with a $1,500 cash prize. Adeniyi was given the award at the recent Annual Head Start Awards Ceremony and Dinner in Dallas, Texas. Adeniyi's name was included in the national competition for the scholarship award after she was selected at the state level. "I was so surprised and excited to win," she said. "The money will certainly be put to good use and will get me that much closer to paying off my loans."

Dr. Scott Harkley Memorial Scholarship candidates are required to be Head Start graduates pursuing medical careers. Adeniyi said she received a great introduction to education as a preschool student at St. Joseph Head Start Center in East St. Louis, where her mother Mary Adeniyi was a volunteer. Her mother currently works at St. Joseph Head Start. "My mother has worked a long time for Head Start, and I volunteered at the Belleville Head Start Center when I was in high school," Adeniyi said. "I love children and we both realize the importance of good education."

Adeniyi is currently a fourth-year student at Ross University School of Medicine. She is finishing clinical work in gynecology at St. Anthony's Hospital in Chicago and is studying for medical board exams. The future doctor graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana/ Champaign in 2004 and worked at the Washington University Medical School Genome Sequencing Center, where she conducted DNA research. As a doctor, Adeniyi plans to help with the medical needs of children and adults and instruct them on good health care practices.

Ruthless! Runs June 10-20 At SIUE; Part Of Summer ShowBiz

28 May 2010, 11:47 am

Mother-daughter relationships can be stressful-think Mama Rose and her daughters in the smash hit musical Gypsy or Christine and her somewhat less than cherubic daughter, Rhoda, in the 1950s drama, The Bad Seed.

However, lyricist Joel Paley and composer Melvin Laird have shown us the comic side of such mother-daughter tensions with their 1992 off-Broadway spoof Ruthless! The Musical, the kick-off production for this year's Summer ShowBiz season opening June 10 in the James F. Metcalf Theater on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Ruthless! The Musical won the 1993 New York Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical and it has been entertaining audiences around the country ever since. The play runs at SIUE at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, June 10-12 and June 17-19, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 13 and 20.

SIUE's Summer ShowBiz is part of the Summer Arts program sponsored by the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences.

With an all-female cast, except for one actor who looks suspiciously like a man, we find Judy Denmark, mother of the talented eight-year-old Tina who declares "I was born to entertain." Enter Sylvia St. Croix, an overbearing and sleazy agent, who encourages Tina to audition for the school play , Pippi in Tahiti, The Musical. However, third-grade teacher and frustrated actress Miss Myrna Thorn, who is directing Pippi, casts an untalented but "parentally" connected girl, Louise Lerman, for the lead, making Tina the frustrated understudy. After "begging nicely and saying please," Tina "accidentally" hangs Louise from the catwalk with a rope so that she can get the part.

"We're doing the play as the playwright intended-a spoof on Broadway musicals and films," says director Peter Cocuzza, who is a professor of theater and dance at the University and chair of that department. "From a theater department perspective, what better play to do than one that makes fun of theater. Ruthless is campy and the audiences may feel like it's not very good acting, but it actually is. It's very stylized, down to the makeup and the costumes, taking a very satirical look at the 1950s and '60s," he said. "The musical also is meant as a comment on that time in America when many families were so picture perfect but we learned later that all was not as it seemed."

Cocuzza said he has a great cast able to convey the humor in the script. "In particular, we have two young actors who are very talented-our Tina Denmark is actually 12-year-old Sarah Hasse of Godfrey, while Louise is portrayed by Melissa Haberl of Waterloo. They are both very cute. The original off-Broadway production," he explained, "had an older woman playing the 14-year-old and then she was double cast as another character later. But I wanted a juxtaposition with the characters, so I cast two actors in those roles."

Cocuzza stressed that the storyline is written as an obvious satire and done in comedic fashion. "You have a young girl who is so sweet but her dark side shows that she's willing to do dastardly deeds to get what she wants." He also points out that the music is very melodic. "The music is easy to listen to; audiences will have a pleasurable experience." Captivated by the score when he heard it in 1993, Cocuzza said he thought it had very catchy tunes with an interesting storyline. "I haven't found any other musicals that tell this kind of story," he said.

"I've been wanting to do this play for more than 15 years, but the opportunity just never presented itself or we couldn't find the right cast. I originally thought we would produce it during the regular academic year but we've had such success in the past with small musicals in the Metcalf during Summer ShowBiz, such as Tomfoolery in 2008, that I thought this was now a good fit. I find that it's the perfect musical to do in the."

He also pointed out that the set for Ruthless is very colorful. "This is a quirky production, with a set that is cleverly done. When the audience walks into the Metcalf they will be excited by the set with all the colors.

"I don't want families to think they can't bring their pre-teens, because they can," Cocuzza said. "There are maybe one or two words that are off-color but it's not meant to be offensive. The play is meant to be in good fun and it's all done in a satirical way. Of course, it's not Seussical, which is the final production of this year's Summer ShowBiz, but Ruthless is an eclectic part of the summer season."

In the photo, Anna Skidis of Glen Carbon, portrays Judy Denmark, while Sarah Hasse of Godfrey plays the part of Judy's daughter, Tina. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

Dremuks' Generosity Helps Establish Two SIUE Graduate Fellowships

26 May 2010, 5:47 pm

The Dremuk-Watts Fellowship in Special Education and also in Finance, aimed at prospective international students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been established through the generosity of Richard Dremuk, retired assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management, and his wife, Patricia.

The couple not only helped foster the SIUE international student program more than 20 years ago but also has been among its staunch supporters.

The Dremuk-Watts Fellowship in Special Education will help an international student seeking a master of science in education with an emphasis in special education. The special education master's program is designed for students who already have a teaching certificate in special or general education, and who are seeking advanced professional development in special education.

The Dremuk-Watts Fellowship in Economics and Finance, with a concentration in finance, prepares students for positions as financial analysts and marketing researchers in corporations or government agencies as well as teaching. Students must have completed a baccalaureate or equivalent from an internationally recognized institution of higher learning with a GPA of meeting or exceeding a B-minus.

Dremuk said he and his wife have been helping international students in one way or another for some four decades. "I met my wife at NYU (New York University), where she worked with international students," Dremuk explained. "We've continued to be involved with helping international students for the past 40 years.

"At SIUE, Patricia and I helped develop the International Student Services office, so we established an endowment to fund scholarships for SIUE international students to support academic excellence and to foster leadership skills," Dremuk said. "These newest Fellowships are an extension of that effort."

Ron Schaefer, director of International Programs for the University, said the Dremuk-Watts Fund will encourage the further growth of the international program at SIUE and will help to enhance its reputation internationally. "Scholarship in its various manifestations is a central focus for our international students," he said.

"They have come here to broaden their education and to contribute to the intellectual rigor of our classrooms and laboratories. International students share their cultures and societies with the SIUE community in various ways, such as the International Student Council, International Night, Africa Night, International Week, Global Awareness Week and others," Schaefer said.

Narbeth Emmanuel, SIUE's vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said the Dremuk Fund honors those international students for their contributions to the University's commitment to diversity and campus life. "The Dremuks have been wonderful and true friends of SIUE and especially to our international community," Emmanuel said.

"This gift is an important contribution to what this University stands for."

Two SIUE Scholars Receive Vaughnie Lindsay Awards

26 May 2010, 3:07 pm

Two scholars at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are this year's recipients of the Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Awards, an award aimed at helping promising young faculty members further their research careers.

Edward Navarre, assistant professor of chemistry, and Jason Stacy, assistant professor of historical studies, will each receive one year of support to pursue a major research project in addition to their normal duties as faculty members. The awards recognize young professors who show potential to make significant contributions in their field through creative and empirical investigations. Navarre and Stacy will publish scholarly work and, ideally, receive additional externally sponsored grants to continue the project.

SIUE's Christa Johnson said the new winners were chosen after an arduous evaluation process. "We received many exciting applications, and these two stood out," said Johnson, associate dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

The two winners have already had impressive publication records in leading journals and publishing houses. Having been evaluated and recommended by their unit research committees and deans, the winners will be expected to "ramp up" their respective research projects, Johnson said. "They're both doing innovative research in their fields. The whole purpose of these New Investigator Awards is to support them so that they can have the chance to become more successful researchers," she said.

Since receiving a doctorate in 2002, Navarre has developed high-level work in the areas of analytical chemistry and atomic spectrometry, publishing in top journals as well as presenting at conferences nationally and internationally. For his Vaughnie Lindsay project, Navarre proposes to develop a portable, automated instrument for elemental analysis in disciplines such as art conservation, forensics, and public health Working with collaborators in SIUE's Department of Electrical Engineering, Navarre's lab will develop a power source and experiment with analytical methods for detecting trace elements in paints and physiological fluids.

The end result will be an energy-efficient, inexpensive, and portable instrument that will allow researchers to extract and analyze samples in the field or in the laboratory. The project not only offers exciting training opportunities for Navarre's students to work on a patentable product, it promises a solution to multidisciplinary problems that may be applied across academic, business and government research labs alike.

Stacy has been teaching in SIUE's Department of Historical Studies since 2006. As a professor of U.S. history, he has worked to establish expertise in antebellum American cultural and intellectual history.

Along with numerous peer-reviewed articles and presentations, Stacy's book, Walt Whitman's Multitudes: Labor Reform and Persona in Whitman's Journalism and the First Leaves of Grass 1840 - 1855 (Peter Lang Publishing Inc., 2008) and edited volume, Leaves of Grass 1860: The 150th Anniversary Facsimile Edition (University of Iowa Press, 2009), have enhanced his reputation as a rising star of Whitman studies.

Stacy's project focuses on his next book, The Future's Past: Experimental Histories in the Early American Republic. Stacy will trace the sometimes ambivalent and tense relationship between popular and professional history to the 1830s and 1840s, when Americans first began to wrestle with contested memories of their origins. The book explores how contemporary authors negotiated popular and traditional historical writing to create a particularly American history of the nation's origins.

The Award was created to honor Vaughnie J. Lindsay, who served as the dean of Graduate Studies and Research from 1973-1986 and who began the strong support of faculty research that continues today. Funding comes from private donations by faculty and emeritus faculty as well as the SIUE Graduate School, and collaborative funding from the awardees' respective school or college.

SIUE Yearbook Now Available In Digital Collection

25 May 2010, 4:14 pm

The SIUE yearbook, Muse, was first published in 1961, continuing annually through 1971. The majority of that time, Mildred Arnold, who was editor of SIUE's Alumnus magazine for many years until she died in 1997, was advisor to the student staff that produced the Muse. Arnold herself was a trained journalist.

Original copies of the yearbook have been maintained in the Louisa H. Bowen University Archives and Special Collections at SIUE's Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial Library for many years. The Muse has become available recently as a Lovejoy Library digital collection for the first time at the website: http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/cdm4/index_sie_muse.php?CISOROOT=/sie_muse.

The digital collection points out that on May 24, 1960, then- SIUE Director of Student Affairs Howard V. Davis announced the appointment of students to serve as staff members on a new University yearbook and a new campus newspaper that would later become The Alestle.

According to the digital collection, a student newspaper, the ARC, had been produced at the Alton Residence Center, the former Shurtleff College facility in Alton (now the SIU School of Dental Medicine). "In anticipation of the completion of the new central campus, the students of the East St. Louis and the Alton residence centers had decided to establish a common yearbook and a common newspaper that would serve the Edwardsville community on a continuing basis," the digital collection points out.

It continues: "The initial issue of the Muse yearbook, covering the 1960-1961school year, appeared during the second week of June 1961. The Muse continued to be published each year between 1961 and 1971, a total of 11 volumes in all."

Steve Kerber, University archivist and special collections librarian at Lovejoy, proposed the digitization of the SIUE yearbooks. "(Library and Information Services) Dean (Regina) McBride initiated a digitization program for the library's special collections," Kerber explained in an interview. "We now have several Lovejoy Library digital collections available.

"Digitizing the Muse is one project in a series," Kerber said. "I specifically suggested the Muse because the yearbooks are very meaningful to the people who went to school here at that time but they also are very useful historic resources in identifying people and events at that era."

Kerber pointed out that the digitization program began during the 50 ^th Anniversary of the University in 2007, and the Muse was added to the queue, awaiting its turn among several other collections at the library. "Even though they are typical yearbooks," Kerber said, "they are filled with wonderful historical background for us now, with photos and text that give a perspective of life at this institution at the time.

"These yearbooks have been studied frequently by alums while faculty members have used them as research resources for students in classes."

Donna Bardon of Edwardsville, one of the student staffers for three editions, as well as editor of the 1966 edition, wrote in a brief history on the website that the first yearbook staffs "struggled with a way to establish an identity separate from the main campus in Carbondale, (but) they also tried to present balanced reporting between the Alton and the East St. Louis campuses.

Bardon noted that the acknowledgements (in the Muse editions) "mentioned that Mildred Arnold, a writer at what was then known as SIUE University News Service, donated her time freely to the Muse, which included 'prodding the staff to meet deadlines as well as making sure the staff wasn't hungry.' Charlie Cox, University photographer, also was acknowledged for his work."

Bardon said in a separate interview that the Arnolds would invite the staff three weeks out of every academic quarter to their large home in Edwardsville. "Although we would work throughout a weekend with little sleep, we had great fun," Bardon remembered. "They had plenty of bedrooms, so we would stay there the entire weekend.

"In 1964, George, who was Mildred's husband, was working on his doctorate at the house and he must have been a saint to put up with us. We would have papers spread around on the living room floor as well as the parlor and the dining room," Bardon said. "He had to move his research to the basement.

"The note of appreciation in the 1964 Muse gave special thanks to George, for 'pleasantly putting up with a houseful of college students' while he was completing his doctoral dissertation and working full-time." George Arnold died earlier this year at the age of 93.

Bardon also wrote in the essay that the yearbook staff planned a dance and a Miss Muse contest to promote sales of the 1963 Muse, which sold for $3. She continued: "the yearbook mentioned the difficulty student staff members had covering three campus locations, meeting deadlines and keeping up with their academic work.

"That year the Muse received a First Class Award from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)," she noted. It was the first of many to come."

In the interview, Bardon noted that she valued her three years on the yearbook staff at SIUE. "The 1966 issue that I edited included a photo essay of the move from the residence centers to the main campus at Edwardsville, which opened in 1965," she pointed out. "I was very proud of that issue."

It also won an All American award, the top honor given by the ACP. "Producing such a large publication was a significant responsibility for students; not only did we gain valuable writing and editing skills, but we also the learned the importance of meeting deadlines," Bardon said

"I enjoyed my time on the staff because of the fun and camaraderie of working with other students. It also gave me a sense of the University's history."

Bardon commended the Lovejoy Library administration for including the Muse in the digitization program. "I appreciate that the library chose the Muse for the digitization," she said. "It will mean more alumni will have access to its pages."

Kerber pointed out that the political and social upheaval in 1971 and the years leading up to the volatile 1970s, may have helped in the demise of the Muse. "My understanding is that it succumbed to the changing viewpoints of the day and to economics," Kerber said. "In the late '60s and the early '70s there were tensions over the war in Vietnam, civil rights, women's rights, and enthusiasm for purchasing a traditional yearbook waned, so the decision was made."

Kerber said other projects being considered for the digitization program at Lovejoy are past academic catalogues. "We regularly hear from graduates who are applying to graduate programs at other schools and the catalogues often give them a better description of the classes they took at SIUE than the brief course titles on their academic transcripts."

He also pointed out that the old Alumnus magazine, published for nearly 30 years, and The Observer, an internal newsletter, also published for nearly 30 years, are likely future candidates for digitization.

Noted SIU/SDM Grad To Speak At June 5 Dental Commencement

25 May 2010, 3:31 pm

Dr. Samuel E. Lynch, founder, president and CEO of BioMimetic Therapeutics, will be the guest speaker at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU/SDM) commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 5. Dr. Lynch graduated from the SIU/SDM in 1985.

Forty-five students-some 18 with honors-will receive a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) at the event 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.

After receiving a DMD from the SIU/SDM and a certificate of specialty in periodontology-as well as a D.M.Sc. from Harvard Medical School in 1989-Lynch served on the faculty at Harvard School of Dental Medicine from 1989 to 1995. During this period he also served as the executive director of research and development at the Institute of Molecular Biology, a private institute affiliated with Harvard.

From 1995-1999 he served as vice president of a U.S. subsidiary of Daiichi-Sankyo Inc. with full P&L responsibility for the development, sales and marketing of that company's tissue regeneration products.

BioMimetic Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on the development of recombinant protein therapeutic-device combination products for the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues, including bone, cartilage, tendon and ligaments.

With nearly 100 full-time employees, BioMimetic markets one FDA-approved combination product for bone and periodontal regeneration and additional regenerative products for orthopedic applications in late stage clinical development in the United States, Canada and Europe.

In addition to his business accomplishments, Dr. Lynch has a strong scientific background. He is recognized worldwide as an authority in the biological principles and clinical applications of tissue engineering, combining protein therapeutics with tissue specific biomaterials.

He has published extensively, including some of the highest impact articles in the tissue repair and periodontal fields over the past 20 years, given hundreds of invited lectures, and has authored numerous issued patents, obtained National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, served as a reviewer on NIH study sections as well as for many scientific journals.

He also is the lead editor of both the first and second editions of Tissue Engineering: Applications in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontics (Quintessence Publishing, 1999; second edition, 2007).

P. Geiger Is Employee Of The Month For May

25 May 2010, 2:20 pm

Congratulations: Paula Geiger, collection specialist in the SIUE Office of the Bursar, is the May recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Geiger (center) received the award from Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenn Neher (second from right). Also shown is Human Resources Director Sherrie Senkfor (far right); Terri Huneidi (second from left), who nominated Geiger; and SIUE Bursar Catherine Foland. In addition to the plaque Geiger was presented, she was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations, and parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

Two Students Receive Staff Senate Scholarships

24 May 2010, 5:08 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Staff Senate recently awarded $500 scholarships to each of two Collinsville residents-Bonnie Brueggemann (center), who will graduate in August with a bachelor's in English language and literature, and Joel Niemerg (second from right), who is studying psychology at SIUE. Brueggemann's parents are Tom Brueggemann, assistant director of the SIUE Office of Emergency Management and Safety, and Deborah Brueggemann, an office administrator in the SIUE School of Business (third and fourth from left, respectively). Niemerg's wife, Jennifer (at far right), is a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice for the SIUE School of Pharmacy. The two students won the awards under the Staff Senate Scholarship program which provides scholarships to spouses, children or grandchildren of SIUE staff members. Also in the photo are Melanie Schoenborn, chair of the Staff Senate Scholarship Committee, and Jesse Harris, Staff Senate treasurer and a member of the Scholarship Committee (at far left and second from left, respectively). Fourth from right is Staff Senate President Brian Lotz and third from right is SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

Changes

21 May 2010, 5:21 pm

Personnel

Brink Chance joined the University April 1 as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Leslie Daugherty joined the University April 1 as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Brian Harward, associate professor of political science, left the University May 15 to accept a position elsewhere
Eric Lichtenberger, a post-doctoral fellow with the Illinois Educational Research Council at SIUE, was named a clinical research professor April 16
Mark Schoenherr joined the University April 1 as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Cheryle Tucker-Loewe, acting director of the Office of Academic Advising and Counseling, was named director May 16.

SIUE Meridian Scholars Chosen From Area High Schools

17 May 2010, 12:49 pm

Several high school seniors from Illinois, Missouri and other states have accepted Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor's Scholarships and Presidential Scholarships-part of the Meridian Scholars Program-to enter SIUE in the fall semester.

Each year, SIUE makes available the scholarships, which cover tuition, fees, and room and board for four years. SIUE's Meridian Scholars Program encompasses the Chancellor's 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. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a nationally recognized public university offering a broad choice of degrees and programs ranging from career-oriented fields of study to the essential, more traditional, liberal arts.

Known for an emphasis in health science education, SIUE offers a nursing school, pharmacy school and dental school. Additionally undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates are available in engineering programs, business programs, elementary education programs and secondary education programs.

Additional information about scholarship opportunities is available on-line: www.siue.edu/financialaid/scholarships/institutional.shtml.

Meridian Scholars are listed below in alpha order:

Presidential Scholarships

Illinois

Charmaine	Burrus	Triad High School in Troy
Caleb	Butler	Mascoutah HS
Sarah	Cook	Quincy Notre Dame HS
Jordyn	Harriger	Urbana HS
Maeve	Juenger	Waterloo HS
Megan	Lading	Triad HS
Jacob	Mahr	Macomb HS
Sarah	Marcotte	Herscher HS
Erica	Metheney	Marissa Junior-Senior HS
Christopher	Sobrino	O'Fallon Township HS

Chancellor's Scholarship

Illinois

Crystal	Chatfield	Triad HS
Cierra	Corby	Staunton Community HS
Peter	Gillen	Lincoln Community HS
Kourtney	Hake	Nashville Community HS
Alexa	Hillery	Alton HS
Tiffany	Maglasang	Columbia HS
Leslie	Smith	Belleville Township East HS

Missouri

Brian	Heger	St. Francis Borgia Regional HS in Pacific.

Indiana
Clarke	Hurt	Princeton HS

Kansas
Courtney	Doole	Topeka HS

SIUE Pharmacy Grad From Virden Shows Appreciation For Her Mom

14 May 2010, 10:05 am

Morissa LeAnn Reynolds recently graduated from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy and to show her appreciation to her Mom she did something very special. Visit the Springfield State-Journal Register on-line to read Dave Bakke's heartfelt article about what Morissa did for her Mom. Visit www.sj-r.com/bakke/x968906349/Dave-Bakke-Class-ring-means-more-now

'Da-Dum-Dun' Festival To Honor Three Talents Who Had Ties To ESL

13 May 2010, 7:13 pm

"Da-Dum-Dun," a free family festival honoring three talented people who had an impact on-and were influenced by-East St. Louis, will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, in Room 2083 of Bldg. B on the Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Dr., East St. Louis. The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club, affiliated with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of English Language and Literature, is coordinating and sponsoring the event. Redmond is an SIUE professor emeritus

The trio-the late legendary trumpeter Miles Dewey Davis III, who was raised in East St. Louis; the late poet Henry Lee Dumas, who taught for SIUE in the city; and the late venerated choreographer/anthropologist Katherine Dunham, who taught for SIUE and who considered East St. Louis her artistic home-will be celebrated in jazz, with saxophonist Kendrick Smith and pianist Brian Harrison; poetry, featuring Michael Castro, Roscoe Crenshaw, Byron Lee, Susan Lively, Patricia Merritt, Darlene Roy, Lena Weathers, Treasure Williams, Jaye Willis and Redmond himself; and dance, with Theo Jamison, director of SIUE's East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts.

In addition, "DavisDumasDunham," a multimodal exhibit from the EBR Collection and curated by Al Henderson II, will be featured.

Born in Alton in 1926 and raised in East St. Louis, Davis graduated from Lincoln Senior High School and joined Lincoln classmate Eugene Haynes Jr. at New York's Julliard School. A trumpeter whose career began with greats like Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, Davis is revered around the globe as a leader and re-shaper of musical tastes and styles. For several decades, his father, Dr. Miles Dewey Davis, practiced dentistry in East St. Louis and raised prize-winning horses and hogs on a family farm in nearby Millstadt. His sister, Dorothy Davis Wilburn, and brother, Vernon Davis, died in 1996 and 1999, respectively. Miles Davis died in 1991. Drumvoices Revue, a multicultural journal co-published by SIUE and the EBR Writers Club, has in past editions featured poetry and photographs honoring Davis.

A native of Sweet Home, Ark, Dumas was born in 1934 and grew up in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. He came to East St. Louis as a teacher-counselor for SIUE's Experiment in Higher Education (EHE) program in 1967. At EHE, he mentored local poet Sherman L. Fowler and was a colleague of Eugene B. Redmond, now his literary executor. Dumas wrote hundreds of stories and poems before his untimely death at age 33. Toni Morrison called him "a genius, an absolute genius." Patron saint of the EBR Writers Club, Dumas' writings has appeared in multiple issues of Drumvoices Revue. Among his posthumously published books are Ark of Bones, Knees of a Natural Man, Rope of Wind and Other Stories, and Echo Tree. His poetry about the city has appeared in Drumvoices.

For 30 years, Miss Dunham (1909-2006), a native of Joliet, performed in more than 60 countries in her lifetime. During the 1940s, she choreographed and/or starred in movies and stage productions such as Stormy Weather and Cabin in the Sky. Moving to East St. Louis in 1967, she taught with Dumas and Redmond in the EHE program and founded the Performing Arts Training Center at the old SIUE East St. Louis Center and now located on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus (ESLHEC), 601 Jr. Thompson Blvd. Katherine Dunham Hall on the SIUE campus also is named in her honor. East St. Louis's adopted matriarch was the first African-American dancer to choreograph for the New York City Metropolitan Opera ( Aida) and has been the subject of several volumes of Drumvoices.

Founded in 1986 and chartered by Fowler, Roy and Redmond, the EBR Writers Club meets on the first and third Tuesday, September-May, in Room 2083 of Bldg. B in the ESLHEC. Trustees include poets-dramatists Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka. For more information about the EBR Club or area cultural-literary activities, call (618) 650-3991 or write the EBR Writers Club, P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, IL 62201, or by e-mail: eredmon@siue.edu.

SIU Board Of Trustees Approves SIUE Tuition Rates For AY10-11

13 May 2010, 3:52 pm

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees approved a tuition plan today for the 2010-11 Academic Year that calls for no increase in the 2009-10 in-state tuition rate or the tuition rate for the SIUE Graduate School. In other words, new undergraduate students and graduate students entering SIU Edwardsville this fall will pay the same annual tuition as new freshmen and graduate students paid in fall 2009.

In addition, the board also approved other tuition change proposals that would mean an increase for continuing undergraduate students and students in the accelerated nursing bachelor's program as well as students in the Schools of Dental Medicine and Pharmacy. The overall tuition proposal was passed during the board's regular meeting conducted on the SIU dental school campus in Alton.

Under the guidelines approved today, the annual tuition rate will be $6,201 for new undergraduate students entering this coming fall. Continuing undergraduate students will pay $5,227.50 in tuition for AY2010-11, an increase of $469.50 over AY09-10. Students in the SIUE Graduate School will pay $6,012 in tuition, the same as last year.

The new plan also calls for a $19,674 annual tuition rate for the SIUE School of Pharmacy, a $24,910 annual tuition rate at the SIU School of Dental Medicine and $17,286 over 67 credit hours for the accelerated BSN program. Pharmacy students currently are paying $17,466 annually, while dental students currently are paying $23,284 annually. Accelerated BSN students are currently paying $16,783.50 tuition over 67 hours.

SIUE Athletics, Pharmacy IT Fee Changes Approved By BOT

13 May 2010, 3:48 pm

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees approved changes today in the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee and the Pharmacy Student Information Technology Fee, both at SIU Edwardsville. The fee changes were approved by the Board at its regular meeting conducted at on the SIU dental school campus in Alton.

Under the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee change proposal, a full-time undergraduate student (enrolled in 15 hours or more) for fall will pay $156.20 per semester as opposed to the current $146.20. In approving the athletics fee proposal, the board learned that the change will support the third-year operating expenses associated with the reclassification from NCAA Division II to Division I status and will move the program toward established fund balance targets.

The change in the SIUE School of Pharmacy student technology fee calls for $235 to be paid per semester compared with the $225 currently paid. The fee provides for laptop computers for each student along with risk insurance, replacement machines and replacement batteries, as well as the latest software and anti-virus protection while students are enrolled in the SIUE Pharmacy program.

SIUE Fee, Rental Rate Change Voted By SIU Board Of Trustees

13 May 2010, 3:42 pm

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today approved fee-related changes that will affect the SIU Edwardsville campus for the 2010-11 Academic Year, including changes in the student fees for Information Technology and the Student Success Center. Other student fee changes approved include those for the Student Fitness Center, the Student Welfare and Activity (SWAF) and Facilities. The fee changes were approved by the Board at its regular meeting conducted on the SIU dental school campus in Alton.

Other University fees were not changed for the 2010-11 Academic Year: the Textbook Rental fee, the Morris University fee, the Campus Housing Activity fee and the School of Nursing Program fee.

For a full-time undergraduate student (15 credit hours), the Student Success Center fee will change from its current rate of $67.80 per semester to $72.60 per semester in the fall. The center provides 68,000 square feet of space for all student services in one central location, adjacent to the Morris University Center. The Information Technology fee will change from $6.45 per credit hour to $6.55, resulting in a full-time undergraduate student paying $196.50 annually (two academic semesters of 15 hours each) compared with $193.50 that is paid currently for two semesters. This fee helps defray the costs of supporting computing resources and networking infrastructure on campus.

Below is a chart of the changes in other student fees that were approved today:

Annually (for a full-time student enrolled in 15 hours or more during fall and spring)

FY10 FY11 Change

• SWAF $202.40 $214.50 +$12.10

• Student Fitness Ctr. $152.60 $157.60 +$ 5.00

• Facilities Maint. $510.00 $525.00 +$15.00

The Board also approved changes in SIUE's housing rental fees and a change in the Housing Activity Fee, both for the fall term. Under the new plan, rental rates for a shared room at Woodland, Prairie and Bluff residence halls will be $2,485 per semester compared with the current charge of $2,345. A deluxe single room will cost $9,940 annually compared with $9,380 now. Housing rates at Evergreen Hall will be $5,280 annually for a shared apartment compared with $7,050 for a private apartment or a private suite rate of $5,980 annually. Meal plan fee changes for students in the residence halls will range from $80 more per year for Plan A (most popular) to $110 more annually for Plan B.

Upperclassmen residing in Cougar Village Apartments will pay $3,780 annually for a shared room compared with $3,670 paid currently per year, while a single room will cost $5,610 annually compared with $5,450 now. A deluxe single room will be assessed at $7,560 per year compared with $7,340 per year now. Families in Cougar Village, now paying $905 per month for a two-bedroom, unfurnished apartment, will pay $930 in the fall and $960 in fall 2011. The same family paying $1,030 per month now for a furnished two-bedroom apartment will pay $1,090 per month in fall and $1,125 in fall 2011. Families in a three-bedroom unfurnished apartment now paying $1,020 per month will pay $1,050 per month in fall and $1,080 in fall 2011; a three-bedroom furnished is now $1,190 per month and will be $1,225 in fall and $1,260 in fall 2011.

SIUE To Host International Math Conference

11 May 2010, 9:17 am

Nearly 100 mathematicians from around the globe will participate in the Sixth Conference on Functional Spaces, which will take place on the SIUE campus between May 18 and 22. The conference will focus on function algebras, Banach algebras and isometries of function spaces, among other topics. Department of Mathematics and Statistics Chairman and Distinguished Research Professor Krzysztof Jarosz is organizing the event, which has been held at SIUE since its inception.

"This conference will feature world experts, but also include young mathematicians, even graduate students," Jarosz said. "There will be more than 60 lectures taking place during the conference. As in previous conferences, we plan to publish the proceedings with the American Mathematical Society." Attendees from more than 30 countries have registered for the event, including Slovenia, Japan, South Africa and India, to name a few. On-campus housing will be provided. "In addition to providing research benefits for the mathematical community, the conference also will attract more graduate students to our campus and promote our University," he said.

The conference has received funding support from the National Science Foundation, SIUE's Graduate School, and the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences. For more information, visit the website: http://www.siue.edu/MATH/conference2010/index.html.

East St. Louis Head Start Teacher Wins National Award

10 May 2010, 3:54 pm

Sybifelita Cox takes time out after class with St. Joseph Head Start students Demarian Buchanan (left) and Devin Taylor (right). (SIUE Photo by ESL Center Public Relations Department)

Sybilfelita Cox's love for children is the driving force for her unapologetically pushing past the limits. Winning a national teacher award was quite beside the point for the long-time Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start instructor. "I make it my business to go beyond what is required for the purpose of helping kids learn, think and do for themselves," said Cox, winner of the National Head Start Association Teacher of the Year Award 2010. The award was presented to Cox on May 6 at the Annual Head Start Award Ceremony and Dinner in Dallas, Texas.

The national recognition came on the heels of Cox receiving the 2009/2010 Illinois Head Start Teacher of the Year in March. "I love working with children who have special needs, because I believe every child is teachable. I have seen those same kids learn and excel by the end of the school year," said Cox, a Head Start teacher for 32 years. Once when there was a child in the teacher's class who had no hands, Cox worked diligently with the child's mother in helping him learn how to use prosthetics.

For the preschooler, Cox feels learning should encompass more than Play-Doh and building blocks. In fact, she places such a high value on history that she prides herself on exposing the children to black history all year long. More specifically, she injects a black history fact into her weekly lessons. Her classroom features posters of notable figures such as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Obama.

"I want the children to learn about people who look like them and hear how they overcame great odds," she said. "I believe black history gives the children a great sense of pride."

Lutricia West, the coordinator at the St. Joseph Head Start Center in East St. Louis, describes Cox as a reflection of the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start mission and its commitment and loyalty to students. Among other duties, Cox plans center-wide educational activities, opens the building daily and performs monthly fire drills. According to West, Cox has been nothing but an asset to the St. Joseph Head Start. Cox says her work as a preschool instructor is one of the most important things she will ever do. "A child's first teacher away from home can make a critical and lasting impression," the Head Start teacher said. "I want to arm these children with the best possible start to education."

The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program provides children of low-income families with comprehensive services to meet their educational, social-emotional and health needs. Hazel Mallory is the program director.

Ceremony Honors SIU Faculty Who Became U.S. Citizens

10 May 2010, 11:29 am

SIU faculty among 93 who became U.S. citizens

Some faculty become citizens

At a recent ceremony at the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon, 93 immigrants became U.S. citizens, including several faculty members from the Southern Illinois University campuses of Edwardsville and Carbondale.

Single Stream System Expected To Make Recycling Easier At SIUE

7 May 2010, 2:27 pm

Administrators at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are introducing a new way to make recycling more convenient for the University community.

In an attempt to encourage recycling, the University's Department of Facilities Management has switched from a pre-sort recycling system, where items are separated by type plastic, aluminum and paper to a no-sort system. Items now are simply placed in recycle bins together. The University has contracted with Allied Waste Services to transport the recyclable goods off campus.

"The recycling now will be sorted off site," said Steve Brandenburg, assistant director for building services and grounds in the SIUE Department of Facilities Management. "It's much easier for our people to pick up one container instead of three. And it's easier for the faculty, staff and students to drop their recycled items into one container and not worry about whether they put the contents into the correct one."

Members of the University community still will be responsible for making sure recyclable items are properly dumped and rinsed, and have not been contaminated by non-recyclable items.

"We want people to know about this change because it will make it easier for them to recycle," Brandenburg said. "We don't want it to be a chore. We want it to be easy."

The system the University has implemented is one that is common in other universities and school systems, Brandenburg said, adding that it employee efficiency and hopefully will lead to an increase in recycled goods from campus.

Recyclable items include aluminum cans, soda, water and flavored beverage bottles and paper fiber items, including newspapers and inserts, cardboard, brown paper bags, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, office, computer, notebook and gift wrap paper, carrier stock including soft-drink and water-bottle carrying cases, mail, junk mail, envelopes and paperback books.

Items that cannot be recycled include plastic sleeves, waxed cardboard, metal clips, notebook spirals or binders, plastic cards, stick-on labels, unused stamps and hard-cover books.

Some changes that Facilities Management has made have resulted in a 40 percent increase in paper recycling in 2 months.

For more information, call Facilities Management, (618) 650-3711, or visit siue.edu/FACILITIES.

SIUE Pain Summit Recommendations Announced Today

6 May 2010, 3:31 pm

The advisory council of the Pharmacy Pain and Palliative Care Summit, conducted last fall by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, today released its 40-page list of recommendations about how to enhance pain management training for pharmacists. The recommendations were release at the 29 ^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society in Baltimore.

According to Chris Herndon, an assistant professor at the SIUE School, the pain summit was the first of its kind within the profession. "These recommendations are geared toward how we prepare pharmacists, as well as those already practicing, to deal with pain and symptom management, a course of training not offered at all pharmacy schools," Herndon said.

"We have found that the SIUE School of Pharmacy is one of the few schools in the United States that offers specialized training in this area."

Herndon, who coordinated the summit at SIUE in October, explained that the pain summit advisory council is calling for enhancement of pain management training for all pharmacy schools and post-graduate training programs. "The recommendations are aimed at schools that are training pharmacists, state boards that license pharmacists and organizations that accredit pharmacy schools," he said. "Adopting these recommendations would result in pharmacists becoming more of an active participant in treating these patients. Through improved education, pharmacists have the opportunity to contribute to the alleviation of pain and related symptoms," Herndon said.

Herndon pointed out that especially in some lower income areas pharmacists have either refused to stock certain pain medications or provide these medications for fear of contributing to addiction. These situations have been documented throughout certain regions of the country," he said. "We have to be cognizant if someone is abusing the pain medication but we also have to recognize that a patient's use of pain medication doesn't necessarily mean they're a drug addict.

Herndon said the pain summit advisory council represents an impressive array of health care professionals as well as representatives from pain and palliative care related professional organizations, including physicians who are well versed in pain and palliative care. "We can now take these recommendations to state boards around the country and show how pharmacy training needs to be beefed up in pain management." Herndon said the advisory council's plan is to further the recommendations on an international basis. Visit the website- pharmacypainsummit.com-for the full list of recommendations.

SIUE Wastewater Facility Nominated For Statewide Recognition

6 May 2010, 11:09 am

The SIUE wastewater facility on the northwest edge of campus was nominated as one of the "Best Operated Wastewater Treatment Works" among 257 Group Two plants in the state. Group Two plants are those servicing smaller towns or facilities. SIUE was one of seven plants to be nominated for the award by the Illinois EPA (IEPA) Division of Water Pollution Control. The winner was the Village of Warren. "It was a great honor just to be nominated," said Robert Washburn, director of SIUE Facilities Management. "Members of our staff at the wastewater plant are dedicated to an efficiently run operation. Hats off to them."

According to the IEPA, "The purpose of the annual awards is to emphasize the relationship between adequate wastewater treatment and clean receiving waters and to give public recognition and encouragement to communities, their officials and the operating personnel who have operated their wastewater facilities in an especially effective manner." Inspection teams made up of Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators and IEPA representatives visited all of the nominated facilities in the Group Two category before choosing a winner.

SIUE Receives $572K NSF Grant For Microscopes In CAS

6 May 2010, 10:37 am

Mike Shaw and Julie Holt

The National Science Foundation has awarded $572,417 to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences to purchase two, state-of-the-art microscopes to be used by SIUE researchers in Anthropology, Biological Sciences and Chemistry. The bulk of this grant will be used to purchase infrared and Raman microscopes. Grant project director Julie Holt, an associate professor of anthropology and chair of that department, said the new equipment will enhance research in a variety of areas. In addition to the two microscopes, the grant will be used to purchase published spectral libraries to aid in classification of materials.

"These are not the kind (of microscopes) used in high school biology," Holt explained. "Raman and infrared microscopy allows us to look at a sample and see its unique molecular fingerprint. This allows us to compare multiple samples and see what they are made of, what's in them, if they come from the same source, or if they have the same origin."

The microscopes should arrive by September; their care and use will be overseen by the SIUE Department of Chemistry, with access available to students in chemistry, biological sciences and anthropology. "This will provide students with an advantage in their studies," Holt said. "These microscopes will enable cutting edge research not just in Illinois archaeology and Native American studies, but more broadly they will enable study of archaeological and ethnographic materials from around the world that are curated by The University Museum at SIUE. Students engaged in this research will have a rare opportunity and will be building a solid foundation for their future, whether in an applied field such as cultural resource management or in a doctorate program elsewhere," Holt said. Once SIUE's new Science Complex is completed, the microscopes will be moved into the new building.

In the field of anthropology and archaeology, the microscopes will be valuable because they do not destroy the samples. Holt's research compares prehistoric pottery sherds with those from other archaeological field sites in Illinois. "In the past, archaeologist have made comparisons like this based primarily on the style of pottery," Holt said. "Raman and infrared microscopy will show if the clays and paints used to make the pots actually come from the same source-if they have the same molecular fingerprints, then they were made in the same place," Holt explained. She added that this type of examination allows researchers to tell the patterns of trade and migration in the prehistory of Illinois.

Assistant Anthropology Professor Cory Willmott also will put the new equipment to use, Holt said. "She will be looking at dyes and pigments on samples of Native American textiles and other artifacts from museums around the world to build new spectral libraries of historic color agents. This will enable museum professionals internationally to identify and date artifacts that have no provenance. For example, Willmott will try to discover if lead used in smoking pipes poisoned the 18th and 19th century Native Americans who used them.

SIUE Professors from other disciplines also will use the microscopes for various research projects. Assistant Biological Sciences Professor Luci Kohn will study heavy metal pollutants in animal tissues, which has applications for human health. Huichun "Judy" Zhang, assistant professor of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences will study metal pollutants in soils, while Chemistry Professor Michael Shaw will examine the HNO molecule and its identification and characterization. Shaw said that his goal is to improve the understanding of the physiological role of the HNO fragment. "HNO is a key molecule in biological processes. (It is) extremely elusive. (We are) going to try to make it and detect it before it disappears. (We) try to see what it looks like in biological processes," Shaw explained. He also is serving as co-director of the grant.

NSF grants are highly competitive with only a little more than 25 percent of the 40,000 proposals awarded each year. The interdisciplinary nature of the project was probably the reason why the SIUE grant was funded, Shaw said.

Holt pointed out that writing the grant was a collaborative process. "At the most basic level, our colleagues in Chemistry have promised to show us how to use the equipment and interpret the results. In addition, writing the grant showed us other ways in which our research interests intersect, opening the door for future collaboration." Shaw echoed Holt's thoughts on the ides of cooperation in the College of Arts and Sciences. "(This could be) the start of beautiful collaborations," he said. "The chemistry department has instruments that other departments don't know about and can be utilized with them."

More Than 1,820 Eligible To Graduate During Spring Commencement

6 May 2010, 12:00 am

The two-day Spring Commencement at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is scheduled for Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8. A total of 1,824 students are eligible to graduate during spring SIUE's commencement ceremonies for the School of Nursing, the School of Business and the Graduate School at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 7; the School of Education and the Graduate School at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 8; undergraduates of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), 1 p.m. Saturday; and the schools of Pharmacy and Engineering, the Graduate School and CAS graduate students only, at 5 p.m. Saturday, all in SIUE's Vadalabene Center.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, the SIUE School of Pharmacy will conduct its annual hooding ceremony for graduating candidates in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. This will be the second class to graduate from the four-year program which began in 2005. The SIUE School is the only one in downstate Illinois. The hooding ceremony reminds students of the professionalism they must maintain throughout their careers. The graduating candidates also will recite the Pharmacist's Oath.

As part of its annual commencement tradition, SIUE will bestow the SIUE Distinguished Service Award this year upon Charles Tosovsky, president of Home Nursery Inc., an award-winning leader in producing field and container-grown nursery stock and roses. Ralph Korte, who founded Korte Construction Co., a highly successful firm in Highland that has grown to become a national company, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Korte will receive the award and give the commencement address at the 9 a.m. and the 1 p.m. ceremonies on Saturday, May 8.

The SIUE Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Service Awards Committee actively solicits nominations from members of the University community to obtain a diverse pool of qualified candidates for these awards. A candidate for an Honorary Degree may be any person who has made significant contributions to cultural, educational, scientific, economic, social, and humanitarian or other worthy fields of endeavor.

Tosovsky has been a dedicated business owner and active community participant for decades. Home Nursery, founded in 1921, continues to be a family owned and operated business, serving a 12-state territory. Tosovsky is past president of the Illinois Green Industry Association (1980), a current member of the Edwardsville Rotary Club, and a sustaining member of the Greater Edwardsville Area Community Foundation, donating toward various funds and scholarships in support of the community.

His contributions are both present and future-oriented, as exemplified by the April 2008 establishment of the Chuck and Jean Tosovsky Family Fund for the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) in support of research and special projects that will perpetuate the horticultural industry for future generations. A strong proponent of higher education who has contributed a great deal of time and support to SIUE for more than 30 years, Tosovsky has been a member of the SIUE Foundation Board of Directors since 1977, serving as president from 1995-1997, and is currently a senior director.

Korte served as chairman of the Board of the Korte Company, an eco-conscious construction company, until his retirement in November 2008. He launched the company in 1958 and subsequently enrolled at SIUE. A strong supporter of the value of higher education, Korte pursued his own education on nights and weekends through the SIUE School of Business, graduating with a bachelor of science in 1968. The Korte Company has grown into a nationally recognized industry leader with more than 1,600 projects completed across the nation, including office buildings, schools, munitions plants, stadiums and more.

Korte also has been involved in the creation and implementation of a number of new initiatives on the SIUE campus. Guided by his passion for learning and helping others, Korte was instrumental in promoting the idea for the Department of Construction Management in the SIUE School of Engineering. He believes business skills, combined with strong construction and design knowledge, are essential to creating leaders in the construction industry.

Subsequent projects included the construction of SIUE's Ralph Korte Stadium; the donation of the Ralph and Donna Korte Classroom in the SIUE School of Business; the creation of the Ralph and Donna Korte Fund for Leadership and Innovation in Business Education in 1999; and the launch of the SIUE Construction Leadership Institute in 2004. Four years later, the Korte Company established the Ralph Korte Endowed Scholarship for students entering the Construction Management Program at SIUE. He and his wife, Donna, also helped fund SIUE's B. Barnard Birger Hall; subsequently, a wing of the building is named in their honor.

Visit the website: www.siue.edu/commencement for more information.

A. Matejka Receives William and Margaret Going Endowed Professorship

5 May 2010, 4:26 pm

A. Matejka & CAS Dean Aldemaro Romero

The year 2010 is proving to be very busy for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature Adrian Matejka, who recently received the 2010 William and Margaret Going Award Endowed Professorship from SIUE's College of Arts and Sciences. He called it "an incredible honor" to be selected for the award. "Professor (Emeritus of English Language and Literature) Eugene B. Redmond caught me up to speed on the history of the award," Matejka said. "Professor Going was one of the founders of the University and of the Department of English, so I just hope that I can live up to all that the award entails."

William Going established an endowment to fund the professorship in honor of his wife Margaret and himself in 2000 . Going began his career at SIUE in its first year, teaching at what was then known as the Alton Residence Center on the old Shurtleff College campus, which was used by SIU for classes and is now the SIU School of Dental Medicine. He served as the first dean of Instruction and Academic Affairs before returning to teaching literature at SIUE until his retirement in 1980. He died in 2008.

The award recognizes faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences who have outstanding teaching and scholarly accomplishments and/or have engaged in creative activity. The award is open to all full-time, tenure-track faculty and carries a stipend of $10,000. The endowed professorship lasts for one year and awardees provide a public lecture at the end of the appointed time. The selection committee stated "Professor Matejka has done a tremendous amount of work in his specialty area and is gaining a national reputation. His plans to bring his work to public attention were outstanding and include readings at SIUE, Chicago, Atlanta and New York."

As part of the application process, nominees outline their planned future work. Matejka's will be "Poetry for the People," a series of visits to Historically Black Colleges and Universities where he will work with professors and instructors to create mini-seminars in poetry with small groups of students. as inspired by poet and educator June Jordan. Jordan asserted that poetry is for everyone, "…teachers, plumbers, lawyers, couch potatoes-anyone who uses language thoughtfully," Matejka said.

"Through these workshops and readings, I hope to help foster a different appreciation for poetry within the communities."

This has been a year of accomplishment so far for Matejka. He was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the poetry division earlier this year. Among his other achievements, Matejka is a Cave Canem fellow and has won two Literary Awards from the Illinois Arts Council. His work has appeared, or is forthcoming in such literary journals, magazines, and anthologies including American Poetry Review, The Best American Poetry 2010, Crab Orchard Review, Gulf Coast, and Prairie Schooner.

"It is only through the support of my colleagues in creative writing and English, and the University as a whole, that I've been able to achieve what I have the past couple of years," he said. "Even though The William and Margaret Going Professorship Award is a bit different because it is bestowed directly by (CAS) Dean (Aldemaro) Romero and the College of Arts and Sciences, it is still emblematic of the community support I've received," Matejka explained.

Assistant department Chair Sharon James McGee commented, "Adrian's award-winning poetry collection, Mixology, swirls jazz and hip-hop rhythms with race, popular culture, and the changing mix of American life. His colleagues in the Department of English Language and Literature are very proud of his accomplishments, including most recently receiving the Going Award. It's unprecedented for an assistant professor to earn this award, and Adrian's work deserves this recognition."

Matejka earned an MFA from SIU Carbondale then came to SIUE in fall 2007, where he specializes in creative writing. For the spring semester he also is teaching a literature seminar focusing on the African Diaspora. "I enjoy teaching literature classes because they allow me to spend time thinking about the impact and influence writing can have, rather than thinking about how to craft words that impact or influence," Matejka explained. "Beyond that, we get to study texts that I wish I would have been exposed to as a student," Matejka added.

Along with teaching, Matejka also serves as poetry editor for Sou'wester, a national literary journal published by the department. He continues to work on a new collection, The Big Smoke. "It is comprised of persona poems in the voice of Jack Johnson, the first African-American World Heavyweight Champion," he said. "The collection is challenging because Johnson achieved the championship by beating Tommy Burns in 1909, only 13 years after the Supreme Court upheld Plessy vs. Ferguson," Matejka explained. That landmark case made racial segregation constitutional and began the "separate but equal" doctrine in the United States until it was overthrown in 1954 by Brown v. Board of Education, which paved the way for integration and the civil rights movement.

Upon hearing he was to be the 2010 award recipient, Matejka said he was humbled. "I still can't believe how fortunate I am to be a professor at this University. I get to spend my days talking with great students about things I love," he said.

SIUE Alumni Association To Host Networking Breakfast May 25

4 May 2010, 11:54 am

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association and Macy's will play host to a networking breakfast from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, on the 12 ^th floor of the Railway Exchange Building, 611 Olive St., St. Louis.

The free networking breakfast, one of a series the association has hosted in the region, will include a presentation from accomplished SIUE graduate Philesa White, vice president of Human Resources for MERS/Goodwill Industries. White earned a bachelor's in psychology from the SIUE School of Education in 2001.

"This will be the perfect opportunity to network with fellow alumni and enjoy a free breakfast of pastries, fruit and coffee before heading to work," said Steve Jankowski, director of SIUE Alumni Affairs. "There are more than 2,000 SIUE alumni working in downtown St. Louis," he pointed out, "and potential business opportunities could arise with other alumni at this event, so we recommend attendees bring business cards."

To register, visit the website: www.siue.edu/alumni, or call Katie Bennett, (618) 650-2762.

SIUE Student Selected to Represent the Phi Kappa Phi Council of Students

4 May 2010, 11:50 am

Jeffry Harrison of Redbud has been selected as a member of the inaugural Council of Students by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Harrison, a son of Steve and Mary Kay Harrison, is studying Business Administration with concentrations in Computer Management and Information Systems and Entrepreneurship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He plans to continue his graduate education in Business Administration at the University of Texas.

Harrison is one of 10 student vice presidents selected nationwide to serve as members of the 2010-12 Council of Students. Two student vice presidents were selected to represent each of the Society's five regions. The Council of Students will attend the 2010 Biennial Convention from August 5-7 in Kansas City, MO, during which they will gain valuable leadership skills and participate in Society governance sessions. They also will serve as the student advisory panel for the Society and will elect two members to serve as vice presidents for students on the Society's Board of Directors. The remaining members of the Council will act as liaisons to the vice presidents for students.

In order to be considered for the Council of Students, applicants had to be current student vice presidents in their local chapters. Interested students were required to be nominated by their chapter and had to submit an application that included an essay and letter of recommendation.

Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society, inducting annually more than 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify.

For more information, visit the website: www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

April 2010

SIUE's Xfest Brings Theater Companies From Both Coasts To Campus

SIUE Alumni Association To Host Wine Tasting At Crushed Grapes

The SIUE Cougar Gets In The Spirit Of Tradition

SIUE Roller Hockey Club Team Places Second In National Tourney

SIUE Business Students Honored For Their Accomplishments

Renowned Artist To Display Work At Alma Mater May 13-June 27

Inaugural SIUE Experimental Theater Festival To Explode On Campus May 12-15

SIUE School of Pharmacy, American Lung Association Hosting Lung Walk

SIUE Education Major Elected To Statewide Student IEA Position

Earth Day Celebration Slated at The Gardens At SIUE

Suzuki Strings To Present Its Spring Festival Concert April 25

SIUE Hosts 2010 Greater St. Louis & Global Tournaments, Conference

Neighborhood 'Tune-Up' Scheduled For April 24 In East St. Louis

SIUE Prepares To Showcase Best of Senior Assignment

SIUE Student From Belleville Recognized with Leadership Award

Student Employee Of The Year To Be Recognized At SIUE At Surprise Party

Small Business Development Center To Offer Workshop With SBA

SIUE Student Sportscaster Nominated For National Award

Intimate Apparel Weaves 'Life's Quilt' In Immigrant America

Nominations being accepted for 2010 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame

CAS To Offer "Hands-On Day" April 8

Nursing Associate Professor Wins 2010 SIUE Teaching Excellence Award

'Popular Science Prodigy' To Speak At SIUE CAS Colloquium April 14

Baylor Pediatric Dentistry Professor To Speak At SIU/SDM April 13

Exciting Count Basie Beat Comes To The A&I Stage May 1 At SIUE

Rotary Gift Launches Prairie Portal Garden At SIUE

Lovejoy Library's North Entrance Opening Brings Crowd To SIUE

SIUE Plays Host To Do The Right Thing Awards Ceremony

The SIUE Friends Of Art Organization Is Preparing Pieces For The April 8 Auction

Formula SAE Auto Race to be Held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

The SIUE Alumni Association To Host St. Charles Area Networking Breakfast

SIUE's Xfest Brings Theater Companies From Both Coasts To Campus

30 April 2010, 12:02 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's first experimental theater festival, Xfest, will bring an exciting array of talent to campus Wednesday-Saturday, May 12-15. The Xfest is planned as a festival of theatrical experimentation, often described as a presentation of innovative works as well as the development of new concepts and techniques in stage production.

Four theater companies from SIUE, Seattle and New York City will perform over four nights in SIUE's James F. Metcalf Theater, unless otherwise noted:

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12- Whammy!! The Seven Secrets to a Sane Self will be performed by members of the SIUE Theatre 310b class-Oprah Winfrey and Ethel Merman. Dr. Phil and Phil Silvers, Nietzche and The Shirelles? The artistic team that brought you The Probe: An Inquiry Into the Meteoric Rise and Spectacular Fall of Orson Welles in Hollywood rides again in this madcap multi-media dance-theatre comic exploration of self-help, sexual dysfunction, 1960s dance parties, obsessive-compulsive disorder, pharmaceutical bliss and suicide. Want to know the seven secrets to a sane self? You know you do. And there's only one way to find out. Dig?

• 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13-" [ ]" will be performed by Red Metal Mailbox, a New York-based company-When you try to define something important-capture it, pin it down-it simply shifts out of view. You can only see it properly if you don't look at it straight on. You have to squint a little. Look at it sideways. You see it in a flash of understanding and then it's gone, and you spend the rest of your life trying to remember what it was. Hailed by the New York Times as "fabulously strange, delicious, engaging and nuanced," Red Metal Mailbox's newest work premiered at The Chocolate Factory Theater in New York City in the spring 2009.

Red Metal Mailbox is a New York City based company that creates investigative performance. Their work has been presented at The Public Theater (365 Days/365 Plays), The Chocolate Factory Theater, Dixon Place, P.S. 122′s Homeroom, Dance Theater Workshop's 40Forward, and Galapagos Art Space among other venues in New York City, as well as at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and the Metcalf Experimental Theater at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Artistic director Sarah Maxfield is a graduate of the SIUE Department of Theatre and Dance.
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 14-The Medicine Showdown by The Flying Carpet Theatre Co., a New York-based company-Set in small-town Georgia during the 1918 global influenza pandemic, this original work pits a crusading doctor against an entourage of "snake oil" salesmen. Public health seems at odds with the town's economic interests as civic leaders debate shutting down all public gatherings-including the popular and lucrative local medicine show. Interwoven with the realistic play (inspired by Henrik Ibsen's classic Enemy of the People) are scenes from a period medicine show, complete with tap dance, old time melodrama, country music and vaudeville style comedy.

Based in New York City, The Flying Carpet Theatre (FCT) creates work that fuses vaudeville style entertainment-mime, circus, conjuring, puppetry, dance and clowning. With a special eye toward nurturing new bold voices, the FCT has introduced several important artists to New York. For its inaugural production, FCT presented 1001 Nights, an original musical by Robert Lopez who went on to win the Tony Award for Avenue Q and then followed with a mime and magic show called The Dancing Handkerchief, of which the New York Times raved, "you will fall under its spell."

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 15- Zen Tales by UMO Ensemble from Seattle, in the theater at SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall-During the past 23 years, UMO Ensemble has become known as one of the most innovative, compelling and critically acclaimed performance companies based in the Pacific Northwest. The ensemble has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. As its mission, the UMO Ensemble is dedicated to "providing awe, challenge and inspiration" to theater audiences. The group will not disappoint as they take the Arts & Issues stage in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall with their irreverent approach to Zen: share the experience of the red nose monk clowns tackling ancient Buddhist, Zen and Sufi stories through mask, puppetry, live music and laughter.

Talk back sessions will be conducted following each performance, with directors and cast members fielding audience questions. Xfest workshops on campus will be open to the public and students. For more information, visit the website: siue.edu/xfest, or call the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance (618) 650-5614.

SIUE Alumni Association To Host Wine Tasting At Crushed Grapes

28 April 2010, 8:48 am

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association will play host to a wine tasting from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Crushed Grapes Wine Shop in Edwardsville. Admission is $10 for unlimited wine and beer tasting, in addition to cheese and meat trays, crackers and fruit. "Those who attend may enjoy indoor seating or grab an outdoor table under the tents," says Bev George, president of the association's board of directors. "We are very excited to kick off the summer alumni events with this wine tasting at Crushed Grapes."

The popular wine shop, 1500 Troy Road, was opened in 1999 by Len and Arlene Scaturro, who have specialized in products from hundreds of wineries, distilleries and breweries throughout the world. The wine selection features an array of well known labels and boutique labels.

Those interested in attending may register on the SIUE Alumni Affairs Web site: www.siue.edu/alumni, or, by calling (618) 650-2760. For more information, contact Katie Bennett, assistant director of Alumni Affairs, (618) 650-2762, or by e-mail: kabenne@siue.edu.

The SIUE Cougar Gets In The Spirit Of Tradition

27 April 2010, 3:43 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's commencement is just around the corner and even the Cougar in the Stratton Quadrangle is getting in the spirit of things-with a little help from his friends.

In the photo, SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift and graduating Past Student Body President Laurie Estilette use ladders to help the Cougar don the traditional mortar board and tassel in honor of May 8 commencement exercises, where some 1,800 students will be eligible to graduate as the SIUE Class of 2010. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

SIUE Roller Hockey Club Team Places Second In National Tourney

27 April 2010, 3:14 pm

The SIUE Roller Hockey Club won second place in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey association national tournament earlier this month at San Jose, Calif. The Cougars club team, going 10-7-1 for the season, took out Brockport State University of New York in the "pool play" (round robin) 8-7 and Missouri State 4-3 but lost to Chico State 3-2.

In the elimination round, SIUE had wins over Kennesaw State 7-6, UC San Diego 7-4 and in the semi-final round 7-3 against the University of Tampa. But the club team lost to West Chester (Pa.) University 7-5 in the final game.

In the photo taken during Springfest recently, SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift (third from left) displays the club team's second-place plaque. He also is joined by Keith Becherer (far left), the group's advisor, and Coach Andrew Tucker (far right), of Edwardsville. Members of the team (from left) are Chance Webb, of Bolingbroke; Jason Walker, of Edwardsville; Lance Terstriep, of Quincy; William Shacklady, of O'Fallon; and Aaron Tucker, also of Edwardsville. (SIUE Photo by Bll Brinson)

SIUE Business Students Honored For Their Accomplishments

26 April 2010, 3:40 pm

The School of Business recently honored some 60 students for academic excellence and leadership at the School's Annual Scholarship 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."

Business Dean Gary Giamartino, speaking at the ceremony, said the School has 1,300 students enrolled and that the students being honored were receiving more than $80,000 in scholarships. "Therefore, it is apparent why it is crucial that our University secures additional scholarship funds, both annual and endowed, so that we can continue to attract and retain outstanding students by offering them the highest quality business education possible," Giarmartino said. He thanked the donors in the audience for their generous support. "Without this support, some of the students in this room today would have a difficult time continuing their education." The keynote speaker for the event was Connie J. Turner, vice president of Human Resources at Hortica Insurance and Employee Benefits in Edwardsville. Lindsay M. Myers, of Chillicothe, who won the St. Louis Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma Award, made remarks from a student's perspective.

The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 5 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). The accounting program at SIUE also has AACSB accreditation, among only 11 percent of business schools in the United States and Canada to hold that distinction.

Below are the students who were recognized listed by hometowns; clicking on the name(s) of the recipient(s) will bring up a photo of the recipient(s) and sponsor(s) of the award, unless otherwise noted:

ILLINOIS

BARTELSO: Elena Y. Taylor-The Stuart E. White Accounting Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Taylor, and Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting at SIUE.

BELLEVILLE: Heather Fischer-The Phoenix Fund Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Fischer, and Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting at SIUE.

April Heise-The AMA Student Organization Scholarship-In the photo, Heise is presented the award by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At far left is Edmund Hershberger, associate professor of management and marketing and adviser to the AMA Student Organization. At far left is Associate Management and Marketing Professor Ralph Giacobbe, chair of that department.

Theresa A. Pylka-The Jerry Frances Sitek Information Systems Award-In the photo, Pylka receives the award from School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At left is Computer Management and Information Systems Professor Douglas Bock, chair of that department. Allen Sitek is sponsor of this award.

Jasmine N. White-The Harry and Lena Rosner Memorial Scholarship-In the photo (from left to right) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, White, and Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting at SIUE.

CALUMET CITY: Dometi A. Pongo-The Messing Family Scholarship-In the photo, Pongo receives the award from School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. The late Wilma Messing and the Messing Family Foundation created this award.

CARLYLE: Michael A. Hopkins-The Department of Management IBS Award

CASEYVILLE: Elizabeth M. Huffman-The William and Florence Schmidt Memorial Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are a total of four winners: Rachel L. Crouch, of Staunton; Lauren N. Fairchild, of Mattoon; Huffman; and Lindsay D. Kennedy, of Rockford. In the center is School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. John and Peggy Schmidt and the William E. Schmidt Foundation are sponsors of the scholarship.

CENTRALIA: Curtis L. Huge-The George E. Arambula '81 CMIS Scholarship-In the photo, Huge receives the award from School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At left is Computer Management and Information Systems Professor Douglas Bock, chair of that department.

CHILLICOTHE: Lindsay M. Myers-St. Louis Area Alumni Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma Award and chosen as speaker for the student remarks during the ceremony. In the photo (from left to right) are Emeritus Professor David Ault, of economics and finance at SIUE, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Myers, and Paul Baeske, of the Beta Gamma Sigmna chapter. She also won an honorable mention in the Cougars Abroad International Photo Award. In this second photo, Myers is presented a certificate by the School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino with Associate Dean Janice R. Joplin, director of International Programs for the School of Business.

COLLINSVILLE: Kevin M. Hawkins-The AmerenIP Scholarship-In the photo (from left to right) are Rich Conner, of AmerenIP, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Hawkins, and Gussie Reed, also of AmerenIP.

COULTERVILLE: Sarah M. Parkinson-The Kloos Student Grant.

DEWEY: Kelsey N. Norris-The Jerome J. Hollenhorst Scholarship-In the photo are Norris and School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presenting the award.

EDELSTEIN: Anna N. Bishop-The E.R. Casstevens Award for Excellence in Business Communications-In the photo (from left to right) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino and Bishop.

EDWARDSVILLE: Kelly A. Ayres-The Economics Alumni Graduate Student Award-At the presentation, Ayres is flanked by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino (at left) and Economics and Finance Professor Rik Hafer, chair of that department.

Nicholas R. Clevenger-The Syllogis Teks Scholarship-In the photo, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, awards the certificate to Clevenger. At left is Douglas Bock, professor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department at SIUE.

Sheena M. Collins-The Financial Executives International Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Collins, and Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting at SIUE.

Kathleen K. Meehan-The Rotary Club of Edwardsville Scholarship-In the photo School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents the award to Meehan, joined by Greg Coffey, representing the Rotary Club of Edwardsville.

Nicole Kinnison-First Prize in Cougars Abroad International Photo Awards competition-In the photo, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents the award to Kinnison with Associate Dean Janice R. Joplin, director of International Programs for the School of Business.

Michael J. Missroon-The Wilbur L. Campbell Jr. Outstanding Student Leadership Award-In the photo (from left) are Roberta and Patrick Calvin, cosponsors of the award, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Missroon, and Marcy Pinnell, also co-sponsor of the award. Co-sponsors established the award to honor Professor Campbell, one of their former teachers.

Serhat Yildiz-Luan Memorial Scholarship in Economics-In the photo, Yildiz (holding certificate) is on the stage with (from left) School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, as well as Dr. and Mrs. David Luan, who, along with the late Hsaio-Wen Luan, sponsor the award. David Luan is an emeritus professor of economics. At far right is Economics and Finance Professor Rik Hafer, chair of that department.

EFFINGHAM: Kaylee Krischel-Homer and Helen L. Cox Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Andrew S. Foster of Sesser and Jeffry Harrison of Red Bud, who were two other winners; Krischel; and Douglas Bock, professor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department at SIUE.

FLORA: Trenton Harvey-Michael and Judith M. Blase '77 Woodruff Entrepreneurship Scholarship, and the Robert A. and Margaret K. Schultheis Scholarship. In the photo, Michael and Judith Blase Woodruff (far left and far right) endowed the scholarship; however, this year's award was made possible by Dr. John Mosser. Also shown (at center) is School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presenting the Entrepreneurship scholarship to Harvey. In a photo not shown, Giamartino also awarded Harvey the Schultheis scholarship. Dr. Schultheis is an emeritus professor of Computer Management and Systems Information who now resides in Florida.

FULTS: Quinn Rodenberg-The BKD, LLP Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are Joe Thompson, of BKD, LLP; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Rodenberg and Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting.

GALESBURG: Stephanie J. Medhurst-Second Honorable Mention in The Cougars Abroad International Photo Awards competition-She was unable to attend the ceremony.

GERMANTOWN: Lauren K. Dierkes-The Robert S. Hoeke Scholarship-In the photo are Dierkes and School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presenting the Hoeke Award, which is sponsored by friends, students and colleagues of Hoeke, a retired professor of Computer Management and Information Systems. In this second photo , Giamartino (left) presents The MRV Iyengar Memorial Award in Economics to Dierkes with Economics and Finance Professor Rik Hafer, chair of that department. Nick and Nalini Mysore, who reside in Texas, sponsor this award.

GODFREY: Sarah L. McPike -The Boeing Co. Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are Kay Guse, of The Boeing Co.; McPike; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, and Stephanie M. Bloch, of Quincy, another winner.

GRANITE CITY: Kyle D. Adams -Meridian Scholar-In the photo, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, who presented the awards, is at far left. Meridian Scholar Recipients (from left) are Adams, Stephanie Bloch of Quincy and Andrew S. Foster of Sesser.

HAMILTON: Emily C. Mast-The John W. Leonard Scholarship-In the photo is School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presenting the award to Mast. Dr. and Mrs. Kumar Jain created this scholarship.

JERSEYVILLE: Bethann M. Autery-The John W. and Jane R. Mosser Scholarship for Creativity in Marketing-In the photo, Autery is presented the award by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At right is Associate Management and Marketing Professor Ralph Giacobbe, chair of that department. John and Jane Mosser are sponsors of this award. They reside in Massachusetts. John is a 1981 SIUE marketing alumnus.

MARYVILLE: Randy G. Venhaus-The Jensen Baeske Group Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are Jodi L. Vogt, of Montrose, another winner; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Venhaus; and Paul Baeske, of the Jensen Beaske Group. Jason E. Jensen, also of the Jensen Baeske Group, could not attend.

MATTOON: Lauren N. Fairchild-The William and Florence Schmidt Memorial Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are a total of four winners: Fairchild, Rachel L. Crouch, of Staunton; Elizabeth M. Huffman, of Caseyville; and Lindsay D. Kennedy, of Rockford. In the center is School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. John and Peggy Schmidt and the William E. Schmidt Foundation are sponsors of the scholarship.

MONTROSE: Jodi L. Vogt-The Jensen Baeske Group Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are Vogt; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Randy G. Venhaus, of Maryville; and Paul Baeske, of the Jensen Beaske Group. Jason E. Jensen, also of the Jensen Baeske Group, could not attend.

MEDORA: Kseniya S. Petrova-The Beta Gamma Sigma Award-The award is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. David Ault, a professor emeritus of economics and finance in the School. In the photo (from left to right) are Ault, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, and Petrova.

NEW CANTON: Alison M. Elledge-The Darrell Lee Davidson Honors Award in Marketing-In the photo, Elledge is presented the award by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At right is Associate Management and Marketing Professor Ralph Giacobbe, chair of that department. The award is sponsored by Mrs. Robert Davidson.

NEW DOUGLAS: Andrea L. Kuttin-The RubinBrown LLP Accounting Scholarship and the R. Marty Burns Memorial Scholarship-In the photo (from left to right) are Kristen Smith, of RubinBrown, School of Business
Dean Gary Giamartino, Kuttin, Kate Vogel, also of RubinBrown, and Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting.

Chelsie A. Lesicko-The Thomas DuHadway Memorial Award-In the photo (from left) are Lesicko and School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presenting the award.

NEW WINDSOR: Emalie A. Whan-Grand Prize in The Cougars Abroad International Photo Awards competition-In the photo, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents the award to Whan with Associate Dean Janice R. Joplin, director of International Programs for the School of Business.

O'FALLON: Maria R. Llewellyn-Third Place Prize winner in The Cougars Abroad International Photo Award competition. In the photo, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents the award to Llewellyn with Associate Dean Janice R. Joplin, director of International Programs for the School of Business.

Michael E. McCarthy-The Sarah Sullivan Award in Management-In the photo, McCarthy is presented the award by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At right is Associate Management and Marketing Professor Ralph Giacobbe, chair of that department. The late Sarah Ott Sullivan created this award.

PEORIA: Jarrett Northington-Hortica Insurance and Employee Benefits Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Northington; and representatives of Hortica-Joan Lebkuecher and Connie Turner.

PONTIAC: Jeremy Peissig-The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Student Organization Leader Of The Semester Award-In the photo (from left) are Tom Pruesser and Lee Lewis, both of Enterprise; Peissig; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Kristofer Lafore, another Enterprise winner; and Tina Diehl and Steve Talbott, also both of Enterprise.

QUINCY: Stephanie M. Bloch-The Boeing Co. Scholarship and a Meridian Scholar-In the photo (from left) are Kay Guse, of The Boeing Co.; Sarah L. McPike, of Godfrey, another winner; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, and Bloch. In this second photo, Dean Giamartino (far left) presented SIUE's Meridian Scholar Awards to (from left) Kyle Adams, of Granite City; Bloch; and Andrew Foster, of Sesser.

RED BUD: Jeffry Harrison-Homer and Helen L. Cox Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Andrew S. Foster of Sesser, another winner; Harrison; Kaylee Krischel, a third winner; and Douglas Bock, professor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department at SIUE. Harrison also was one of only four regional winners of the Society for Information Management (SIM) Scholarship. In this second photo, Harrison (holding certificate) is flanked by Karen Tapy, an SIUE alumna and vice president for programs for the SIM Board of Directors, and School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At far left is Douglas Bock, professor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department at SIUE.

ROCKFORD: Lindsay D. Kennedy-The William and Florence Schmidt Memorial Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are a total of four winners: Lauren N. Fairchild, of Mattoon; Rachel L. Crouch, of Staunton; Elizabeth M. Huffman, of Caseyville; and Kennedy. In the center is School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. John and Peggy Schmidt and the William E. Schmidt Foundation are sponsors of the scholarship.

SESSER: Andrew S. Foster-Homer L. Cox Scholars Program and a Meridian Scholar-In the photo (from left) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Foster, Jeffrey Harrison of Red Bud and Kaylee Krischel of Effingham, who were two other winners, and Douglas Bock, professor of computer management and information systems and chair of that department at SIUE. In this second photo, School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents SIUE's Meridian Award to Kyle D. Adams, of Granite City; Stephanie Bloch of Quincy; and Foster.

SHUMWAY: Michael S. Ealy-The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Emerging Leader Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are Tom Pruesser and Lee Lewis, both of Enterprise; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Ealy; and Tina Diehl and Steve Talbott, also both of Enterprise.

Jeremy E. Lagerhausen-The John F. and Diane L. Schrage Scholarship-In the photo, Lagerhausen receives the award from School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At left is Computer Management and Information Systems Professor Douglas Bock, chair of that department. John Schrage is an emeritus professor; he and his wife reside in San Francisco.

SMITHTON: Lauren N. Jalinsky-The James A. Yates Jr. Award in Economics-In the photo, Jalinsky is flanked by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino and Economics and Finance Professor Rik Hafer, who chairs that department. The late Sarah Ott Sullivan created this scholarship.

SPRINGFIELD: Christopher S. West-The Marian & Boulton B. Miller Award in Computer Management and Information Systems-In the photo, West receives the award from School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At left is Computer Management and Information Systems Professor Douglas Bock, chair of that department. Dr. Boulton B. Miller, a former Computer Management and Information Systems faculty member at SIUE, is sponsor of this award.

Alexis M. White-The Professional Achievement Scholarship-In the photo School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents the award to White. The award is sponsored by Nancy S. Starnes, BS '85 in Business Administration and an MBA '87, who could not attend.

STAUNTON: Rachel L. Crouch-The William and Florence Schmidt Memorial Scholarship-In the photo (from left) are a total of four winners: Lauren N. Fairchild, of Mattoon; Crouch; Elizabeth M. Huffman, of Caseyville; and Lindsay D. Kennedy, of Rockford. In the center is School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. John and Peggy Schmidt and the William E. Schmidt Foundation are sponsors of the scholarship.

SWANSEA: Kristofer J. Lafore-The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Student Organization Leader Of The Semester Award-In the photo (from left) are Tom Pruesser and Lee Lewis, both of Enterprise; Jeremy Peissig, another Enterprise Award winner; School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino; Lafore; and Tina Diehl and Steve Talbott, also both of Enterprise.

TROY: Samuel C. Stowe-The Waterways Management Scholarship-In the photo School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents the award to Stowe. The Propeller Club of St. Louis sponsors this scholarship.

URBANA: Megan E. Barron-The Harold Boeschenstein Award in Marketing-In the photo, Barron is presented the award by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At right is Associate
Management and Marketing Professor Ralph Giacobbe, chair of that department. The award was created by friends of Mr. Boeschenstein.

VALMEYER: Frank J. Schiffner-The Edward K. Brennar Award in Business Management-In the photo, Schiffner is presented the award by School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. At right is Associate Management and Marketing Professor Ralph Giacobbe, chair of that department. The late Dale Blount, a retired SIUE professor, created this award.

VANDALIA: Sarah R. Hutchison-First Choice Scholar's Award.

WASHINGTON: Emily M. Corray-The Owen Jacquemin Sullivan Award in Business Administration-In the photo School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino presents the award to Corray. The late Sarah Ott Sullivan created the award.

WATERLOO: Cynthia M. Notter-The Denise L. Suhrenbrock '95 Scholarship-In the photo (from left to right) are School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino, Notter, and Allen Hunt, assistant professor of accounting at SIUE.

WORDEN: Rebecca L. Cassens-Second Place winner in The Cougars Abroad International Photo Awards competition. She could not attend the event.

All images are SIUE Photos by Bill Brinson.

Renowned Artist To Display Work At Alma Mater May 13-June 27

23 April 2010, 1:57 pm

Millions of people have seen the work of Gib Singleton, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate who may be best known for creating the crucifix atop the crosier of the late John Paul II during his time as Pope and now carried by Pope Benedict XVI.

Singleton's sculpture inspires in seemingly diverse locations, ranging from the Vatican Museum to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and from the Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority to private collections around the world.

For the first time, 28 of the artist's works-representing religious, western, and contemporary subjects-will be on display at his alma mater in the exhibit, From the Earth, from Thursday, May 13 ^th, through Sunday, June 27 ^th in SIUE's Morris University Center Gallery.

A native Missourian, Singleton was raised in Granite City and attended SIU Carbondale before enrolling at SIUE. He attended classes at what was then known as the Alton Residence Center and then at Edwardsville when the main campus opened in 1965. He graduated two years later and went on to study at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Singleon's efforts earned him a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Accademia di Bella Arti in Florence, Italy. While there, he was made part of the team responsible for the restoration of Michelangelo's Pieta, after it was damaged by a vandal in1972.

Now 74, Singleton lives and works in Santa Fe, NM, where much of his art is on display at Galerie Zűger, and he just completed life-size representations of the 14 Stations of the Cross, which will be loaned to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe for the next 25 years.

For more information on the exhibit or the artist, visit the website: www.siue.edu/alumni, or contact Steve Jankowski, director of Alumni Affairs, (618) 650-2346.

The exhibit is being presented through a partnership of the SIUE Alumni Association, the SIUE Meridian Society, the SIUE University Museum, the Morris University Center, SIUE Friends of Art, the Edwardsville Arts Council, and the Jacoby Arts Center in Alton.

Inaugural SIUE Experimental Theater Festival To Explode On Campus May 12-15

23 April 2010, 11:46 am

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's first experimental theater festival, Xfest, will explode on campus Wednesday-Saturday, May 12-15. The Xfest is a festival of theatrical experimentation, often described as a presentation of innovative works as well as the development of new concepts and techniques in stage production.

Four theater companies will perform over four nights in SIUE's James F. Metcalf Theater, unless otherwise noted:

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, Whammy!! The Seven Secrets to a Sane Self will be performed by members of the SIUE Theatre 310b class;
• 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13, " [ ]" will be performed by Red Metal Mailbox, a New York-based company;
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 14, The Medicine Showdown by The Flying Carpet Theatre Co., a New York-based company; and
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 15, Zen Tales by UMO Ensemble from Seattle, in the theater at SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall.

SIUE School of Pharmacy, American Lung Association Hosting Lung Walk

22 April 2010, 11:46 am

The American Lung Association's Edwardsville Lung Walk will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

This year's walk is co-sponsored by the American Lung Association Illinois and the SIUE School of Pharmacy. Community volunteers have paved the way for the event, which will start at the Technology Management Center in SIUE's University Park. The course follows a 3-mile path.

School of Pharmacy Dean Philip J. Medon will open the event with a ribbon cutting and make remarks about the importance of the function, which raises money for lung health and educational awareness initiatives.

SIUE faculty and staff members, as well as students, from all disciplines across campus have worked with community and organization volunteers throughout the area to make this year's event successful, organizing teams and raising money.

"Lung disease affects virtually everyone, whether directly or indirectly," Medon said. "Having SIUE School of Pharmacy students both organize and participate in the Lung Walk showcases the importance of this issue-both from a fundraising and advocacy standpoint."

Refreshments will be served the day of the event. Participants will receive free T-shirts.

Businesses that donate any amount will be recognized for their support and encouragement. To register a team or donate, visit lungil.org for more information.

SIUE Education Major Elected To Statewide Student IEA Position

22 April 2010, 11:44 am

Michael Ruggless of Alton, a junior studying secondary education-with an emphasis in geography and social science-at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is the Illinois Education Association's (IEA) Student Program chair-elect. Ruggless, who is a member of the SIUE chapter of the IEA, will serve in the state level position during 2010-11 beginning in July and will become chair for 2011-12, overseeing activities of the student association.

The student program is a pre-professional organization of undergraduate and graduate students preparing for careers in education. As a member of the IEA Student Program, students are also part of the larger Illinois Education Association, an educational professional organization representing more than 128,000 members in the state.

Earth Day Celebration Slated at The Gardens At SIUE

20 April 2010, 4:23 pm

The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday in The Gardens at SIUE.

Activities will include Take back the Turf, which will involve using newspaper to expand several flower beds throughout The Gardens, starting at the Myer Arboretum Plaza; Trash for Trinkets, in cooperation with the Student Organization for Sustainability (SOS,) which will involve cleaning up trash in the area and exchanging it for a trinket from SOS and Convert CO2 into O2, by planting trees and shrubs in designated areas.

Students, faculty members, staff and the community all are welcome to participate in the day's activities. Students can sign up through the Kimmel Leadership Center. Others interested in participating can call Doug Conley, director of The Gardens, (618) 650-3788.

Suzuki Strings To Present Its Spring Festival Concert April 25

20 April 2010, 4:21 pm

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The SIUE Suzuki Program will be hosting its annual Spring Festival Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at LeClaire Christian Church. This concert features all of the students in the program-from 3-year old beginners to high school seniors-all performing Suzuki literature. The Suzuki program at SIUE offers instruction in violin, viola, and cello, and each instrument will be well represented at the concert. Admission is free and the public is invited.

"We would especially like to invite families who are interested in lessons for their children, said Vera McCoy-Sulentic, director of the program. "This is a great chance for parents and their children to observe and find out more about the Suzuki philosophy and method of teaching stringed instruments. Adults also are welcome," she said. All ages of string students are strongly encouraged to enroll for private lessons; students may begin during summer and continue during the school year. They may also attend the Suzuki summer camp, July 20- 23. For information about any of these opportunities, call the Suzuki office, (618) 650-2839, or visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/music/suzuki.

SIUE Hosts 2010 Greater St. Louis & Global Tournaments, Conference

15 April 2010, 4:40 pm

Two exciting public events showcasing the latest in robotics and computer technology will put Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the spotlight this spring and summer.

SIUE will host the 2010 Greater St. Louis Botball Regional Tournament during a one-day event on Saturday, April 24 in the Morris University Center. The public is invited to attend seeding rounds starting at 10 a.m., during which time robotics teams will take their robots through a pre-designed course to determine team placement for the double-elimination round later in the day. Double elimination rounds begin at 1:30 p.m. and an awards presentation will follow the activities at 5:30 p.m.

For the fourth year the university will play host to 20 teams of about 200 middle- and high-school students, as well as parents and teachers from across Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Arkansas. The SIUE event is one of 13 regional tournaments held nationally.

In February, students and teachers attended a workshop at SIUE to learn about building and programming robots. Each team received a kit that included mechanical parts, various sensors and two computer controllers. Students had 8 weeks to design, build, program and test robots.

The robots are autonomous, said Jerry Weinberg, professor and department chair of computer science at SIUE: "Students must program their robots to react on their own to different situations using sensors and color camera. Sensors on the robots that are sensitive to touch and light, and use color camera technology and sensors to determine what's around them will direct the robots' movement."

Each year, objectives are presented for robotics' teams to achieve. This year's objective is for teams to program robots to rescue ducks and frogs from an oil-slick scenario. Robots will collect, clean and release ducks and frogs, and be judged based on responses.

Sensors will be used as if they are bumpers, Weinberg explained, adding, "The students will get to learn about computer science, mechanical and electrical engineering. They will be using some of the same concepts that NASA engineers used to build the Mars rovers."

All teams that compete at the regional level will be eligible to compete at the upcoming international competition. This year's International Botball Competition and Global Conference on Education Robotics will be held from July 7-11 on the SIUE campus. The events are expected to bring about 500 middle- and high-school students to campus, along with parents and teachers from across the U.S., as well as the Middle East, Poland, Japan and Mexico.

"I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish," Weinberg said. "It's going to be a really exciting time."

Neighborhood 'Tune-Up' Scheduled For April 24 In East St. Louis

14 April 2010, 5:45 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing's Community Nursing Services (SON/CNS) in East St. Louis is co-sponsoring "April Tune-Up" from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 24, consisting of a neighborhood clean-up effort, a free health fair with health screenings and information stations providing health promotion activities and medical condition information. Paulyn House, 1274 N. 37th St., East St. Louis, and residents of the neighborhood, where the event will take place, also are co-sponsoring the event. Refreshments also will be served during the Tune-Up that will concentrate on an 11-city-block area bordered by Caseyville Avenue on the north, Bunkum Road/Lynch Avenue/Argonne Drive on the east, N. 46th Street on the south and N. 26th on the west.

"This project involves the Public Health Nursing students from the SON working with the Paulyn House and neighborhood representatives as partners in a community/neighborhood assessment," says SON/CNS Director Kathi Thimsen. "They have developed a strategic plan that addresses needs identified in the assessment and from neighborhood focus groups, and they will now implement that plan." Thimsen added that the needs identified for the event are trash pick-up, weeding and gathering broken tree branches, and creation of a neighborhood garden. "We have been working with Paulyn House and the city of East St. Louis to create a collaborative atmosphere in which to accomplish these objectives," Thimsen said.

She also said a work plan is being created to address additional property safety and street repair tasks. "The ultimate goals of the project are to improve the health and well being of the neighborhood, develop a sense of pride of ownership and for CNS to establish an on-site health promotion center within the Paulyn House to serve residents," Thimsen said. She also noted the benefits for SON students. "Students will gain experience in project planning and management, needs assessment, community organizing and engagement, and teaching, along with service learning," she said. "The project also will produce a tangible and real outcome that the students will see as a significant and lasting contribution to East St. Louis."

SIUE Prepares To Showcase Best of Senior Assignment

14 April 2010, 5:43 pm

Research studies about storm water drainage in Honduras, bowling skills and post traumatic stress syndrome among college students who are veterans are just three of the projects that will be highlighted at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Wednesday, April 21, as part of the annual Senior Assignment Showcase. The event, scheduled from 2-4 p.m. that day, will feature presentations by more than 105 students from 27 undergraduate majors, representing the top senior assignment projects. At SIUE, the senior assignment program is required curriculum for all seniors to demonstrate their degree of general education knowledge, as well as knowledge within their disciplines prior to graduation.

"All of these students presenting on April 21 in SIUE's Morris University Center have won the outstanding Senior Assignment Award for their programs," said Victoria Scott, SIUE's assistant provost for academic innovation and effectiveness. The presentations will include posters, music, readings and multimedia presentations, among others.

SIUE has been featured in U.S.News & World Report among the nation's top schools, including Harvard, Princeton and Yale for five consecutive years for its Senior Assignment program. The program at SIUE also has been recognized by the Association of American Colleges and Universities as a model of a capstone undergraduate experience for the nation's institutions of higher learning.

SIUE Student From Belleville Recognized with Leadership Award

14 April 2010, 5:37 pm

Kristofer J. LaFore of Belleville, an accounting student in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business, recently was honored with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Student Leader of the Semester Award. The Enterprise Foundation award recognizes SIUE business students who are nominated by student organizations for outstanding participation and responsibility. LaFore's award cites his work as president of the SIUE Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) accounting student organization. As president, LaFore has ensured that the chapter has sent reports to the national organization in a timely fashion and that accounting firms are scheduled for monthly meetings with students.

LaFore was chosen for this award because he has excelled in leading the BAP officers and members "in a constant effort to improve organization performance." He also was recognized for organizing the highly successful "Meet the Firms" event designed to help accounting students at SIUE obtain employment with local accounting firms. He also aided in the cleanup of a local park, organized the annual golf outing and BBQ, and led the BAP team in Relay for Life. The award carries with it a $100 stipend and certificate. In addition, LaFore will be recognized at a reception later this month honoring all Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Award recipients, while providing SIUE business students an opportunity to network with Enterprise executives.

The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 10 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious seal of approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The School has been AACSB International accredited since 1975. This assures that students receive the highest quality in strategic resource management, interaction with faculty and achievement of learning goals. In addition, the SIUE Accounting Program also is accredited through AACSB International. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.

A photo of the award presentation suitable for print is available: Shown in the photo (from left) are: Lee E. Lewis, Jr., Human Resources Generalist Manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, presenting the award to Kristofer LaFore. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

Student Employee Of The Year To Be Recognized At SIUE At Surprise Party

14 April 2010, 5:32 pm

In honor of National Student Employee Appreciation Week, which is April 11-17, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville today recognized the Student Employee of the Year, Kristen Krahl, during a 1:30 p.m. celebration in the Vadalabene Center, room 1331.

Krahl, a senior accounting majoring in the SIUE School of Business, began working in the University's intercollegiate athletics department conducting typical tasks that are assigned to student workers across campus. According to her nominator, Assistant Athletic Director Bryan Belt, she proved herself throughout the last two years as a capable, reliable and focused employee and was asked to tackle more complex projects.

"Intercollegiate athletics is given the task annually of preparing financial information for the NCAA," Belt said. "The task is time consuming, tedious and requires a review of all revenues and expenditures with analysis as to how it applies to NCAA regulations.

"This requires both analytical and research skills well beyond typical student work. However, given the extraordinary skill set Kristen had shown throughout her tenure of the last two years, I assigned the task to her."

Belt said he was impressed with not only Krahl's ability, but also her positive attitude and confidence. Krahl also provides initial training for new student workers and supervises her peers for quality and content.

"I trust her," Belt said. "I trust that her work is detailed and complete; I trust that she will be at work and on time; I trust that she represents SIUE, intercollegiate athletics and me, personally, in an upstanding manner."

Krahl's coworkers in Intercollegiate Athletics threw a party for the honoree, who was presented with an SIUE beach towel, a $50 gift certificate to the campus bookstore, a certificate of recognition and a copy of the nomination letter from Belt. Representatives from the SIUE Office of the Provost and the Office of Student Financial Aid were on hand to bestow the award.

Photo: From left to right, SIUE Associate Provost Susan Thomas, Student of the Year Award recipient, Kristen Krahl, and Assistant Intercollegiate Athletics Director Bryan Belt, who nominated Krahl for the award.

Small Business Development Center To Offer Workshop With SBA

14 April 2010, 5:29 pm

Loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on hand April 29 to meet one-on-one with small business owners to discuss loan proposals at a seminar sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) through the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business. The workshop is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. that Thursday at the Four Points by Sheraton, 319 Fountains Parkway, Fairview Heights. SBA representatives will describe how loan program funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has allowed them to reach more small businesses that need help.

Those attending also will learn about loan programs available to small businesses from federal, state and community agencies. In addition to the SBA representatives, experts from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; the Illinois State Treasurer's Office; and the Illinois Ventures for Community Action also will be available. Business owners also will be able to talk with representatives from the Illinois SBDC at SIUE/ East St. Louis and SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business).

Seating is limited for the free seminar and advanced registration is required by calling Jane Bagent, (618) 650-2929, or by e-mail: jbagent@siue.edu. For more information about events sponsored by the Illinois SBDC through SIUE, as well as the Small Business Network Partners, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/business/sbdc.

SIUE Student Sportscaster Nominated For National Award

14 April 2010, 5:27 pm

Adam Young of Waterloo, who is expected to graduate in May with a bachelor of science in mass communications from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is among 20 top U.S. collegiate sportscasters nominated this year for the Jim Nantz Award. Young, who is a sportscaster and news reporter for WSIE-FM (88.7)-SIUE's NPR affiliate, also is the play-by-play announcer for the Fayetteville SwampDogs Baseball Club in Fayetteville, NC, and director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for that independent-league professional baseball team.

As part of his duties with the SwampDogs, Young broadcasts pre- and post-game shows, while also preparing game notes and statistical packs and roster inserts for scorecards at all home games. He also writes game articles and helps monitor the team's Web site. In addition, Young plays host to a half-hour television show on Time-Warner Cable, profiling SwampDogs team members.

The Jim Nantz Award, named for the award-winning CBS sportscaster, is given each year in June by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (STAA). The STAA All-America program recognizes outstanding U.S. collegiate radio sportscasters and encourages collegiate sportscasters nationwide to strive to achieve their best.

Intimate Apparel Weaves 'Life's Quilt' In Immigrant America

14 April 2010, 5:23 pm

At the turn of the 20th Century, immigrants flooded the United States from Europe, Russia and other parts of the world. It was truly a melting pot of diverse cultures. But life was very difficult for the new visitors; many of them were shunned and mistreated. African Americans who came from the south to the big cities of the north did not fare better. Intimate Apparel is the story of one young black woman's epic struggle to find her way in her new surroundings, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage tells this story with heart and compassion.

Highly acclaimed in its off-Broadway debut in 2004, Intimate Apparel is a touching drama set in the early 1900s when a talented African-American clothing designer, Esther Mills, creates intimate clothing for New York City society women and prostitutes alike. Her life becomes romantically intertwined with her clientele, challenging the sexual taboos of the era. The citizens-on both sides of the social coin-who wear Esther's undergarments also wear their emotional undergarments of beliefs, race, education class, hope or hopelessness. And, each of these clients and their values affect the lowly Esther, a maker of undergarments; albeit, elegant but unseen and seemingly not worthy. At 35, Esther is unmarried and yearning for compassion and affection, and to have a relationship with a man, no matter how unscrupulous he may turn out to be.

Audiences can enter Esther's world when Intimate Apparel opens in the theater in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Katherine Dunham Hall at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21; continuing at 7:30 from Thursday through Saturday, April 22-24, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25. Kathi Bentley, director of this final show in the University Theater 2009-10 season, said the play has been a highlight in her career at SIUE. "It is a wonderful feeling to have the opportunity to direct a well-written script," Bentley said. "Every reading is like opening a gift for the first time. Every rehearsal is like anxiously awaiting a visit from an old friend who, although you've known each other forever, will inevitably have fresh experiences to share," Bentley explained.

She said she greatly admires Nottage's work and has been looking forward to creating this newest production of the award-winning play. "There is always something that is new, intriguing and thought-provoking," she said. "I have admired Lynn Nottage's work for years. She is an extraordinary storyteller who creates characters so full of life that the creative process for the actors and director remains exciting up until the curtain closes on the final performance. Intimate Apparel is a beautifully woven story about a black seamstress and the people who each add some unique fabric to her life's quilt. This is a story about love and hope and disappointment and growth," Bentley said. "There is something in this story for everyone."

Bentley also had high praise for the cast and crew. "Our designers have created a world that allows us to be transformed to an era of grandeur. My cast of actors is equally talented, and I believe audiences will find this gem a lovely play," she said. "I appreciate that our patrons support live theater so that playwrights, such as Lynn Nottage, continue to be recognized for their contribution to the arts. I know the audiences will become enveloped by this beautiful, warm quilt."

A photo suitable for print is available. In the photo, cast members include (from left): Jeremy Brooks, portraying Mr. Marks; Olivia Neal, as Esther; Curtis Lewis, playing George; and Sharaina Turnage, as Mayme. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

Nominations being accepted for 2010 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame

14 April 2010, 5:20 pm

Since 1957, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has proudly produced more than 85,000 graduates who have earned some 95,000 degrees. The SIUE Alumni Association and the deans of the schools and college of SIUE created the Alumni Hall of Fame to honor deserving, successful graduates. The honorees are recognized with a commemorative plaque displayed in a prominent place within each of the respective schools or college. They also are honored at the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame Awards Dinner during Homecoming weekend.

Nominations are due no later than May 31; additional criteria for selection will vary based on the individual nominations forms, but could include recognition of the following achievements:

Established an outstanding professional career
Made significant contributions to their chosen profession
Demonstrated civic awareness and concern for their community
Established a distinguished reputation at either the local, state, national or international level which reflects great credit and honor upon SIUE

To nominate a deserving SIUE graduate for the Alumni Hall of Fame, please visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/alumni.

CAS To Offer "Hands-On Day" April 8

14 April 2010, 5:17 pm

Dancing lessons, auditioning for a spot as a television news anchor, and throwing spears are some of the activities that will be available at the College of Arts and Sciences' first ever "Hands-On Day" from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, April 8, in the Stratton Quad. Some 31 departments and programs within CAS will participate in the event and demonstrate activities unique to their disciplines. "This is an event in which students can actually get involved and learn about departments the College offers," explained CAS Associate Dean Wendy Shaw. The event will highlight some of the experiential learning opportunities within the College, she added.

Assistant Anthropology Professor Greg Vogel is coordinating the department's spear-throwing contest. "We will be showing students how early civilizations fought and hunted through atlatl, the ancient spear-throwing technology," he explained. Vogel will teach students the proper way to throw spears before allowing them to try on their own. "This will be a great way to experience what ancient people did to survive," Vogel said. He said he hopes to begin an atlatl club at SIUE this spring. The Department of Theater and Dance will allow students to try their hand at some of the Bard's craft through the "All the World's a Stage" experience. "Students will be able to get their picture taken as Shakespeare," explained professor Peter Cocuzza, chair of the department, "but only after submitting an original line of poetry. We'll put together all participating student's submissions, to make a large sonnet." The Dance Program also will provide a hip-hop class, showing students combinations of the dance art form.

Other activities include "News from the Quad: Your Shot at TV News" by the Deaprtment of Mass Communications, "Geocaching" by the Department of Geography and "Live Naked DNA!! The Code of Life Exposed" by the Department of Biological Sciences. In the event of rain, "Hands-On Day" will take place the same scheduled time on April 9. For a complete list of activities planned, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/artsandsciences.

Nursing Associate Professor Wins 2010 SIUE Teaching Excellence Award

14 April 2010, 5:14 pm

Valerie Yancey, associate professor of primary care and health systems nursing in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, recently won the 2010 Teaching Excellence Award. The nominating committee described Yancey as "a very knowledgeable educator who encourages students to see themselves as 'transformed thinkers.'" Yancey received a $2,000 prize as part of the recognition.

"She effectively uses her student's reflections and personal experiences to illustrate clear examples that result in a multi-modal approach to teaching and learning," the committee's report cited. The committee consists of faculty members and students. Yancey also has been instrumental in developing curriculum for the SIUE doctor of nursing practice program.

The committee also named four Teaching Distinction Award recipients for 2010, which included tenure-track faculty members Catherine Seltzer, assistant professor in the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature; David Cluphf, associate professor in the department of kinesiology and health education in the School of Education; and Yun Lu, assistant professor of chemistry. The committee also chose a non-tenure track faculty member for the Distinction Award: Cindy McAndrews, partnership supervisor and instructor in the SIUE School of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Each of the four Distinction Award recipients received $500.

Yancey earned a bachelor's at Valparaiso University, as well as a bachelor of science in Nursing and an MSN-R and a Ph.D., both from Saint Louis University. She has authored several scholarly publications and is a member of professional societies, including Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Theta Tau, the Epsilon Eta Chapter, Missouri Nurses Association, American Holistic Nurses Association and the American Critical Care Nurses Association as lifetime member.

Seltzer was described by the committee as a "gifted and passionate faculty member" who is "extremely articulate, enthusiastic and engaging." It was noted that Seltzer tailors her classes to meet the individual needs of her students. The committee said Cluphf was "a perfect example of an educator who practices what he preaches." It was further stated that he "demonstrates tremendous energy and commitment to student learning." Lu impressed the committee because of his role as a mentor for students pursuing advanced degrees in chemistry. The committee stated: "His research collaboration with students resulted in published papers in top-notch chemistry journals." The committee chose McAndrews for the non-tenure-track faculty award because she "provides an engaging classroom environment that allows active participation of students.' The committee stated further: "Her teaching philosophy shows a very thoughtful and learning-oriented educator that involves students in living the teaching/learning experience."

'Popular Science Prodigy' To Speak At SIUE CAS Colloquium April 14

14 April 2010, 5:11 pm

Jonah Lehrer, who the N.Y. Times called "a popular science prodigy," will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in the Conference Center on the second floor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Morris University Center (MUC). Lehrer is appearing as part of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Spring Colloquium.

With a theme of "How We Decide: The New Science of Decision Making," Lehrer will explain how leaders in various fields are taking advantage of new discoveries in neuroscience to make better television shows, win more football games and improve military intelligence, for example. In another way to look at it, he will speak about how defects in our decision-making apparatus led to, among other things, the current financial crisis, costly wars, and "how can we overcome these inherent flaws in our brain?"

Known for his verve and warmth, and the ability to clearly explain important and complex concepts, Lehrer will attempt to answer two interesting questions: "How does the human mind make decisions?" and "How can you make those decisions better?" The 27-year-old author and contributing editor to Wired magazine graduated from Columbia University and studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Lehrer's book, Proust Was a Neuroscientist (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007), talks about how great artists anticipated brain science. It is considered a modern classic.

In addition to his work with Wired, Lehrer has written for The New Yorker, SEED and The Washington Post, and is a contributing editor at Scientific American Mind and NPR's Radio Lab.

Two free tickets per person are available at the MUC Information Booth; the theme of this year's CAS Spring Colloquium is "Thinking About Evolution." It runs two days, April 14-15; for more information visit: siue.edu/artsandsciences/colloquia.

Baylor Pediatric Dentistry Professor To Speak At SIU/SDM April 13

14 April 2010, 5:09 pm

Dr. N. Sue Seale, Regents Professor of pediatric dentistry at Baylor College of Dentistry in the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Dallas, will be the guest speaker at the 2010 Research Day and Table Clinic competition Tuesday, April 13, at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. Speaking about "Pulp Therapy for Immature Permanent Teeth," Dr. Seale will appear at 1:15 p.m. that day in the auditorium of the SIU/SDM Center for Professional Advancement in Building 280 on the Alton campus.

Seale is a pediatric dentist who has devoted her career to research on the best practices for treating dental caries (cavities) in children. Compared to adult teeth, children's teeth present a challenge, because they are small and they are still developing. The "simple cavity" remains a major public health problem for Americans, especially children. Unsuccessful treatment of childhood caries may lead to poor nutrition, more severe dental problems and systemic illness in later life.

Dr. Seale received a DDS in 1970, a certificate in pediatric dentistry in 1972 and an MSD in 1979, all from Baylor where she has been a full-time faculty member since 1974. She was president of the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 1996-1997 and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Baylor College of Dentistry Alumni Association in 1997.

She also served on the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry from 1999-2002. In 2001 the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry named Dr. Seale Pediatric Dentist of the Year and presented her with the Merle C. Hunter Leadership Award in 2003. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and received Fellowship in the American College of Dentists in 1984 and in the International College of Dentists in 2001. She also was chairman of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Baylor from 1986 until 2009.

In January 2010, Dr. Seale became editor-in-chief of Pediatric Dentistry and Journal of Dentistry for Children. Her areas of research interest include pulp therapy for the primary and young permanent dentition, dental education and access to care.

Exciting Count Basie Beat Comes To The A&I Stage May 1 At SIUE

14 April 2010, 5:05 pm

The legendary big band jazz of the Count Basie Orchestra directed by Bill Hughes-the sound that helped the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett swing to an exciting beat-takes center stage for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Arts & Issues series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in SIUE's Meridian Ballroom.

The group has won every musical award imaginable, including 17 Grammies, and has been named to every respected jazz poll in the world at least once. The appearance will be part of the SIUE Jazz Festival, presented by the Department of Music as a non-competitive, educational event celebrating the music that is America's art form-jazz.

Each year, the festival features a jazz innovator and this year chose the Count Basie Orchestra. High school and middle school bands will perform throughout the day and receive immediate feedback from festival clinicians. Other festival highlights and opportunities will include SIUE Jazz Camp scholarship opportunities and a performance by the SIUE Concert Jazz Band.

A native of New Jersey, William "Count" Basie knocked around various New York City bands in the late 1920s until he visited Tulsa, Okla., and was asked to join Walter Page's Blue Devils. He then jumped to Benny Moton's Kansas City Orchestra and began to make a name for himself throughout that KC swing scene. After forming his own band, it wasn't long before Basie became widely regarded as one of the most important jazz bandleaders of his day. "This is the real Basie sound," says Arts & Issues Director Grant Andree.

"Many of these musicians joined since Basie died in 1984, but there also is a core of players in this group that was hand-picked by Basie himself," he said.

Hughes joined the Basie organization in 1953 and assumed leadership of the band in 2002. As a tenor and bass trombonist, Hughes anchored what music critics called "one of the finest trombone sections in jazz" in the Count Basie Band. He has carried on the Count's legacy well, Andree pointed out. With 19 performers, 17 sidemen, and a vocalist, the Count Basie Orchestra has lived on as America's premier jazz band. The group continues the legacy of Basie's trademark repertoire, with tunes such as One O'Clock Jump and April in Paris.

"It will be a great night for tapping your feet," Andree said.

Tickets for the Count Basie Orchestra directed by Bill Hughes are $27; SIUE employees and retirees, as well as all senior citizens, $25; SIUE students, $13. Ticket information, subscription rates and ticket sales are available on the Web site: artsandissues.com, or by calling (618) 650-5774.

A photo suitable for print is available. The next Arts and Issues series appearance will be The UMO Ensemble, presented in conjunction with the SIUE Xfest., at 2 p.m. AND 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 15, in Dunham Hall theater. As its mission, the UMO Ensemble is dedicated to "providing awe, challenge and inspiration" to theater audiences. The group will not disappoint as they take the Arts & Issues stage with their irreverent approach to Zen-share the experience of the red nose monk clowns tackling ancient Buddhist, Zen and Sufi stories through mask, puppetry, live music and laughter, all performed by a dance troupe that offers physical theater, improvisation in movement, character and vocalizing.

That entire weekend (May 12-15) the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance, in conjunction with the Arts & Issues series, will expand its offerings into the summer and present SIUE Xfest: A Festival of Theatrical Experimentation. For four days and nights, several experimental theaters and theater artists from around the nation will join with the UMO Ensemble to conduct a series of workshops, master classes and performances as part of the festival.

Rotary Gift Launches Prairie Portal Garden At SIUE

14 April 2010, 5:03 pm

Support from the Rotary Club of Edwardsville and local community members allowed Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in celebration of the future home of Prairie Portal Garden at The Gardens at SIUE.

Trees were planted during a Thursday evening event, which featured remarks from Ann Tosovsky, major projects officer for the Rotary, and Doug Conley, director of The Gardens at SIUE.

The one-acre garden will be the first large-scale development as part of The Gardens' master plan. The highly visible space will be nestled by gardens located at the intersection of the main path and the area known as the Prairie Loop.

Landscape beds will be connected by natural stone paths and bordered by retaining walls. The garden will feature "Plants of Merit," as designated by the Missouri Botanical Garden and will be installed and maintained by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners.

"The primary planting pattern emphasizes the "Plants of Merit" program, which features underutilized plant life that is suitable for, but not necessarily native to, this climate," Conley said. "These plants are screened to ensure they are not an invasive species being released in the area."

Conley said the University's master plan for The Gardens included the development of the site, which is a prominent location and serves as a central point for garden visitors.

"The design was an opportunity to do a fantastic display garden," he said.

The Gardens at SIUE is a 35-acre public garden fulfilling the mission to provide education, engagement and enjoyment opportunities for people. It has received Signature Garden status by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Development is guided by a professionally prepared master plan. Implementing the master plan depends on a combination of private philanthropy, partnerships and volunteerism to establish a regionally significant destination in the community.

For more information about the Portal project, contact Conley, director of The Gardens, (618) 650-3788.

Lovejoy Library's North Entrance Opening Brings Crowd To SIUE

14 April 2010, 4:59 pm

More "doors to success" opened on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus Thursday, as a ribbon cutting ceremony ushered in the opening of the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial Library's north entrance, after those doors had been closed for more than 40 years. Lovejoy Library was one of the first buildings to open on the SIU Edwardsville campus in 1965. The north entrance originally had been used as the main entrance; however, due to concerns about the security of library materials, the doors were permanently closed shortly after its opening.

The south entrance on the Stratton Quadrangle-known then as the Morris Quad-became the main point of access to the building for more than four decades. The library houses about 800,000 volumes; 1.3 million microforms; 540,000 U.S. documents, 150,000 maps and aerial photographs, and 34,000 sound recordings.

Regina McBride, dean of library and information services at SIUE, said the re-opening of the doors signals a new day for SIUE. "The library is the intellectual heart of campus," she said. "We are thrilled to have these doors opened today." McBride acknowledged the efforts of the philanthropic group, The Friends of Lovejoy Library, supporters who donate time and resources to improving information and academic services for students and faculty. She also introduced two alumnae who spoke at the ceremony-Dianne Winney and Carol Nativi, both Friends of Lovejoy Library Advisory Board members-and who were recognized for their contributions in making the project a reality. "This is a tribute to their love for SIUE and demonstrates what we can do when we work together," McBride said.

SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift also addressed the crowd of nearly 50 visitors, noting "We are greatly served by the Friends of the Library and this really does open new doors for the University. It's a great day for the library and a great day for SIUE." The St. Louis-based architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum designed the building as well as other buildings in the core campus. For more information about the event, or to find out more about the Friends of Lovejoy Library, contact Kyle Moore, director of development for SIUE library and information services, (618) 650-2714, or by e-mail: kymoore@siue.edu.

SIUE Plays Host To Do The Right Thing Awards Ceremony

14 April 2010, 4:51 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police recently played host to the Do The Right Thing awards ceremony that recognized 14 students from middle schools and high schools throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area for helping others in emergency and/or life-and-death situations. SIUE Police Chief Gina Hays was on hand as a member of the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association, one of the Do The Right Thing sponsors.

Do The Right Thing of Greater St. Louis, a non-profit organization, works with area law enforcement agencies, schools, media and businesses to recognize and promote the positive social behaviors of school-aged youth in the region. For many years, portions of the awards ceremonies have been broadcast by KMOV-TV Ch. 4 in St. Louis, promoters of the organization. Other sponsors include St. Louis Metropolitan Police, St. Louis County Police, Six Flags, McDonald's Restaurants, Whelan Security, Belleville (IL) Memorial Hospital, Sigma-Aldrich, Cooperating School Districts, Commerce Bank and St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.

Click here for a photo of the winners and representatives of sponsoring law enforcement agencies: (all left to right) First Row: Zachary Johnson, Lovejoy School, Alton (IL) School District; Tyrese Fields, Ackerman School, Special School District of St. Louis County; Donovan Johnson, also Lovejoy School in Alton; Jessica Kuca, St. Clare School, Diocese of Belleville, Ill.; and Brayden Prichard, Nike Elementary, Meramec Valley School District; Second Row: Madison Dehart and Trevor Dehart, both of Lindbergh High School, Lindbergh School District; Lamondra Beckley, Vashon High School, St. Louis Public School District; and Rayquell Hobson, Langston Middle School, also St. Louis Public Schools; Third Row: Morgan Ellerbrake, Amelia Carriel Junior High School, O'Fallon (IL) School District; Kristen Ohler, Sperring Middle School, Lindbergh School District; KMOV-TV anchor Robin Smith, who was emcee for the ceremony; Simeone Bernstein, Clayton (MO) High School, Clayton School District; and Garrett Sansoucie, Seckman Middle School, Fox C-6 School District; Fourth Row: Capt. Michael Caruso, St. Louis Metropolitan Police; Lt. Col. Kenneth Cox, St. Louis County Police; Col. John Betten, chief of O'Fallon (IL) Police; Collinsville (IL) Police Chief Scott Williams; and SIUE's Chief Hays.

The winners' stories may be found at dotherightthingstl.com. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

The SIUE Friends Of Art Organization Is Preparing Pieces For The April 8 Auction

14 April 2010, 4:49 pm

Who: The SIUE Friends of Art
What: The 32nd Annual Art Auction
When: Thursday, April 8
Where: The LeClaire Room of the Jay Hoffman Building on the N.O. Nelson campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, 600 Troy Road., Edwardsville

The N.O. Nelson campus of L&C was formerly the home of the SIUE Department of Art and Design and it was known as the Wagner Complex. This year's auction, with its theme of "Wagner Revisited," will feature original donated artwork, which may be previewed from 6 until 7 p.m. when professional auctioneer Gary Niemeier will begin the event. Admission is free to students and those who have donated pieces for the event, as well as members of the Friends of Art. Others are asked to pay $5 at the door.

Click here for a photo suitable for print. Shown in the photo are Jerry Stoeber, president of the SIUE Friends of Art, and Shawn-ta Ray, a graduate of the SIUE program and a member of the Friends of Art board. They are helping to prepare art pieces for the auction. For more information or directions, contact Dianne Lynch, (618) 650-3073, or by e-mail: dlynch@siue.edu; or Pam Decoteau, (618) 656-9521, or by e-mail: pdecote@siue.edu.

Formula SAE Auto Race to be Held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

14 April 2010, 4:47 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is bringing together local universities for Gateway Rush, the first-ever racing event on the University's campus. Gateway Rush will feature four separate races including acceleration, skid-pad, auto-cross and endurance.

What: Gateway Rush, A Formula SAE event inviting local schools for a friendly competition. The Illinois Army National Guard and SIUE ROTC are also displaying Humvees providing entertainment and music for the duration of the event.
Who: Local universities-Schools expected to participate include the SIUE Formula SAE Team, SIU Carbondale, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri, Saint Louis University, Missouri S&T, Iowa State University and Northern Illinois University
When: 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, April 10th. In the event of heavy rain, the contingency date and time is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April17th
Where: SIUE Parking lots P8 and P9. Parking will be available in parking lots P6 and P7.
Why: Providing SAE teams from universities in the Midwest the opportunity to test uniquely designed vehicles and bring competitors together one month prior to the national competition.

The SIUE Alumni Association To Host St. Charles Area Networking Breakfast

14 April 2010, 4:42 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association is excited to host a St. Charles area networking breakfast on Wednesday, April 28. This free event will be offered at the Hampton Inn, 3720 W. Clay St, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The networking breakfast, one of a series the association has hosted in the region, will include a presentation from accomplished SIUE graduate Jim Middleton, project leader for the newly proposed Mississippi River bridge. Middleton received a bachelor's from the SIUE School of Engineering in 1993.

"This will be the perfect opportunity to network with fellow alumni and enjoy a free breakfast of pastries, fruit and coffee before heading to work," said Steve Jankowski, director of SIUE Alumni Affairs. "There are 822 SIUE alumni residing in St. Charles," he pointed out, "and potential business opportunities could arise with other alumni at this event, so we recommend attendees bring business cards."

To register, visit the Alumni Affairs Web site: www.siue.edu/alumni.

March 2010

Rotary Gift Makes SIUE Prairie Portal Garden A Reality

SIU To Present System Technology & Innovation Expo March 30

Student Engineering Chapter Of Chi Epsilon Recently Honored

Projected Enrollment Increases, Continued Conservative Budgeting Will Help Keep SIUE In A Top Value Position

SIUE Resident Assistant Elected VP For Membership Of State Association

SIUE Big Band Concert Set For March 30 At Dunham Hall

SIUE NRHH Inductees To Be Honored For Achievement

The SIUE Alumni Association To Host St. Charles Area Networking Breakfast

Fed Chief Banking Accountant Speaks at SIUE Breakfast

Lovejoy Library To Open North Entrance Doors April 1 After 45 Years

Mackey Mitchell Wins International Award For SIUE Success Center Design

Gilbert & Sullivan's Opera, The Gondoliers, Takes Stage At SIUE

ESL Center, SWIC, Dunham Museum, CC Center Sponsoring Haiti Collection

SIUE 4 Haiti Effort Raises Funds; Collects Medical Supplies

'Speednetworking' Event Set For March 23 At SIUE

SIUE Students, Volunteer Services Proud Of National Recognition

D. Schilling Named Employee Of The Month For March

Writers Club Presentation Set For March 16 At ESL Higher Ed. Campus

SIUE Summer Session Registration Begins March 15; Come 'Dive In'

SIUE Named To 2009 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Rotary Gift Makes SIUE Prairie Portal Garden A Reality

29 March 2010, 3:18 pm

What: Prairie Portal Garden Groundbreaking and Tree Planting Ceremony

When: 5-6 p.m., Thursday, April 1

Where: The Portal Site at The Gardens at SIUE, 6 Arboretum Lane, followed by a site tour and question and answer session with the architects

Thanks to a gift from the Rotary Club of Edwardsville and the support of local community members, The Gardens at SIUE will hold a groundbreaking and tree planting ceremony to introduce the Prairie Portal Garden.

The soon-to-be constructed one-acre garden will be the first large-scale display installed as part of The Gardens' master plan. It will be a highly visible space, with surrounding gardens located at the intersection of the main path and what is known as the Prairie Loop.

SIU To Present System Technology & Innovation Expo March 30

29 March 2010, 3:16 pm

Who: The Southern Illinois University system, including SIU Edwardsville, SIU Carbondale and the SIU School of Medicine

What: Technology and Innovation Expo

When: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 30

Where: SIUE's Morris University Center

SIU System faculty inventors in the fields of biochemistry, engineering, medicine and pharmacy will combine forces to showcase the latest research under way on the three campuses. The Expo also will focus on opportunities for potential partners to help make this cutting-edge research a commercial reality.

The event will feature presentations by SIU faculty inventors who have technology to license. The event promises to bring together academics, entrepreneurs and business people to increase awareness of available technologies that can lead to new products and innovations in a networking environment.

SIUE's featured inventions range from new drugs for treatment of Alzheimer's to magnetic refrigeration, a promising energy technology. Event information-including the Expo agenda, speakers, sponsorship opportunities and registration-is available online: http://techtransfer.siuc.edu/tie/s10, or by calling (618) 650-2166.

Student Engineering Chapter Of Chi Epsilon Recently Honored

29 March 2010, 3:12 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student chapter of Chi Epsilon, a national honor society for civil engineers, recently was honored with the Susan C. Brown Outstanding Performance Award at the Chi Epsilon National Conclave. Members of Chi Epsilon, which was established in 1922 at the University of Illinois, are selected based on scholarship, character, practicality and sociability. The SIUE chapter received the award for the second consecutive conclave, which only approximately 10 percent of member chapters ever have achieved.

Every two years, Chi Epsilon holds a national conclave of chapter representatives to address business matters. This year's conclave took place at the University of Alabama earlier this month. Thr Brown Award is given to recognize chapters that continue to initiate members and that are in good standing with the national office over the interim period between conclaves. SIUE, which also won the recognition in 2008, was among 136 top engineering schools in the nation this year. The national council president referred to the winning chapters as "overachievers." He also pointed out that these awards will continue to bring national recognition to SIUE as a university with scholarly and dedicated engineering students.

Projected Enrollment Increases, Continued Conservative Budgeting Will Help Keep SIUE In A Top Value Position

28 March 2010, 8:17 pm

With the news that Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard will recommend to the SIU Board of Trustees an undergraduate tuition freeze for the 2010-11 academic year, SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift said SIUE will continue to weather the state's ongoing budget woes through conservative budget planning and continued growth in enrollment. The tuition freeze, if approved by the Board of Trustees, will be the second year in a row in which SIU has limited its tuition increase request. Last year, the University enacted its lowest tuition increase in seven years. SIU also is seeking legislative authority for borrowing, if needed, to get through the current shortfall experienced by the state.

"SIUE already has the lowest tuition and fee total among all 12 Illinois public colleges and universities, and a zero percent increase will only enhance the position of SIUE as a great educational value," Vandegrift said. Vandegrift said the state's revenue shortfalls since July 1 have been a challenge but one that has been met head on as shown by the steadfast cooperation from the SIUE University Planning and Budget Council (UPBC) and the sense of community and pride on campus. The UPBC is comprised of representatives from four constituency groups on campus: faculty, staff, students and administration. "With invaluable help from the UPBC, we have been able to successfully slow down our hiring, purchases, and renovation projects as well as doubling the normal contingency reserve from 2% to 4% in our budget funds," Vandegrift said.

"As a result of the slowdown, we have projected fiscal year-end savings in hiring ($1.5 million), purchasing ($2 million) and more through other budget actions. These savings, when added to funds from expected enrollment increases, should enable us to meet our 4% contingency goal of $5.6 million. Having made progress on the revenue slowdown problem, it now seems appropriate to take judicious actions to prepare for the more than 14,000 students we expect this fall.

Enrollment at SIUE has been increasing by an average of 2 percent each year since 2007 and applications have continued to rise during that same time frame, with current applications running ahead of this time last year. "We have allowed faculty searches to continue uninterrupted since they normally require a significant portion of the academic year to complete," Vandegrift said. "While our terrific staff have always performed admirably for SIUE, we certainly acknowledge that many have been stretched during the hiring freeze due to the temporary reduction in the workforce.

"We will move ahead, cautiously and carefully, to both meet our payroll and prepare for the 2010-11 school year. As I've said in the past, conservative budgeting by the UPBC, our enrollment increases, and our sense of community continue to be important factors as we work through difficult times. I continue to marvel at the good work done by our staff and faculty as they help our students become some of the most important contributors to society," he said. "Our students are making a difference and the people of Illinois have come to know that."

In announcing the recommendation he will make to the Board at its April 8 meeting, Poshard said state assisted universities in Illinois have reached a crossroads. "One path leads to the continued privatization of public higher education, the other to a solution to the state's drastic decline in state revenues that would allow this public university to honor its tradition of offering high quality degrees at affordable prices," Poshard commented. "This recommendation reflects my assessment that the constant cycle of state budget cuts to public higher education, followed by double digit tuition increases, must be broken if a college degree at Southern Illinois University is to remain affordable," Poshard continued. "The decision to freeze tuition is not an easy one, but it is a necessary one which will require additional sacrifices from our dedicated faculty and staff, who to their immense credit, continue to uphold the high quality of our academic programs."

SIUE Resident Assistant Elected VP For Membership Of State Association

28 March 2010, 8:12 pm

Amanda Woods, Evergreen Hall resident assistant at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) executive assistant/communications coordinator, was elected the Illinois Resident Assistant Association (IRHA) vice president for Membership and NRHH. This is the first time an SIUE student was elected a member of the IRHA executive board. The IRHA's purpose is to facilitate communication and cohesion among member schools, provide resources for programming, leadership and recognition of individuals and member schools. In her new position, Amanda is second in line for president, in charge of member retention and recruitment, and is responsible for student, program and organization recognition.

Sheila Coressel, assistant director of Training and Development for SIUE Housing, said, "Since starting her college career in August 2007, Amanda has been an amazing leader. She not only became involved with our office, but also on campus as a whole. She is a leader that others want to emulate," Coressel said. "This is an amazing opportunity for Amanda and University Housing couldn't be prouder of her accomplishments." Coressel and Woods traveled to the Annual IRHA Conference with nine other University Housing student leaders earlier this month.

SIUE Big Band Concert Set For March 30 At Dunham Hall

28 March 2010, 8:10 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Music will present its Annual Spring Big Band Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, in the theater at SIUE's Dunham Hall. Featured during the concert will be the SIUE Concert Jazz Band under the direction of Jason Swagler, a member of the SIUE Jazz Studies faculty, and the SIUE Jazz Lab Band conducted by Music Professor Brett Stamps, coordinator of the Jazz Studies Program for the University.

The concert also will feature the premier of Melodias De La Playa, a new composition by Jazz Studies sophomore Matt Bittles, sponsored by SIUE's Undergraduate Research Academy. SIUE vocal performance major Zelina Bott-Goins will be a featured soloist. In addition, the concert will include compositions and arrangements by Stamps and Jazz Studies Professor Rick Haydon. Other pieces will include a mini-tribute to jazz composer Oliver Nelson, as well as music from jazz artists such as Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Bobbie Brookmeyer, and a noted Fletcher Henderson arrangement of King Porter Stomp made famous by the Benny Goodman Orchestra.

Admission is $10; senior citizens and patrons under 18 years of age, $7; SIUE students with a valid Cougar ID, no charge, compliments of Arts-For-All. For more information, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.

SIUE NRHH Inductees To Be Honored For Achievement

28 March 2010, 8:08 pm

Ten Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Housing residents will be inducted into the University's Red Storm Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 21. The honorary is the recognition branch of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) and the Red Storm Chapter is the SIUE local chapter of the association. NRHH inductees are considered a member of the top 1 percent of residence hall leaders and are required to hold a minimum cumulative 2.3 grade point average, reside in housing for at least two semesters prior to the semester of selection, reside in housing during the semester of selection, must be a non-professional contract holding student and exhibit outstanding leadership and service in University Housing.

The 10 SIUE inductees are: Kolby Spiker, of Teutopolis; Allen Stout, of San Jose; Zach Sanderson, of Carthage; Paige Stephens, of New Baden; Nicole Green, of Wheeler; Jeff Harrison, of Red Bud; Callie Huffman, of Rossville; Max Orris, of Lonedell, Mo.; Laura McCulley, of Chicago; and Kaydi Legate, of Elsah.

Three honorary members also were inducted: Biological Sciences Professor William Retzlaff, chair of that department; Associate Political Science Professor Denise DeGarmo, chair of that department; and Mallory Sedarous, marketing specialist for University Housing. Honorary members are those who do not meet the requirements of being an active member but have contributed a great deal to housing and/or NRHH. Since 2006, 15 faculty/staff have been inducted as honorary members.

Cathy Passananti, Prairie Hall community director and NRHH advisor, pointed out that the SIUE chapter is small but, nonetheless, a vital student organization. "The group represents the top 1 percent of on-campus leaders, totaling 35 members," Passananti said. "There are four governing principles of NRHH: leadership, service, scholarship, and recognition. Our 35 members have worked diligently over the past year to build this organization through our on and off campus service events and recognition events. It is thrilling that the organization has grown so much in the past couple years," she said. "It means that our new inductees have amazing opportunities to make a difference through their membership in this organization."

The SIUE Alumni Association To Host St. Charles Area Networking Breakfast

28 March 2010, 8:05 pm

"This will be the perfect opportunity to network with fellow alumni and enjoy a free breakfast of pastries, fruit and coffee before heading to work," said Steve Jankowski, director of SIUE Alumni Affairs. "There are 822 SIUE alumni residing in St. Charles," he pointed out, "and potential business opportunities could arise with other alumni at this event, so we recommend attendees bring business cards."

To register, visit the Alumni Affairs Web site: www.siue.edu/alumni.

Fed Chief Banking Accountant Speaks at SIUE Breakfast

28 March 2010, 8:02 pm

Guest speaker Arthur Lindo, associate director and chief accountant of Banking Supervision and Regulation for the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., spoke recently at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville about Loan Losses & Illiquid Markets: Implications for Lending & Economic Recovery. During a breakfast, sponsored by the SIUE School of Business in SIUE's Meridian Ballroom, Lindo addressed a crowd of nearly 200 students, faculty and representatives of regional companies.

While discussing the challenges in developing regulatory policies that meet public policy initiatives and also comply with good accounting practices, Lindo pointed out that accountants and bankers should be able to "construct and de-construct" asset portfolios in ways that allow regulators and shareholders a clearer picture of the true value of assets. Lindo also asserted accounting needs to become more "forward-looking." As a profession, accounting has tended to look back at what happened to tell part of a story, he said. In order for regulation to be effective, Lindo pointed out, regulators need information from financial institutions that will enable them to better anticipate future practices that could lead to crises.

"The SIUE School of Business is pleased to be able to provide education to business professionals and students with programs such as Mr. Lindo's," said Dean Gary Giamartino. "We also appreciated Mr. Lindo spending the remainder of the day with our faculty and accounting students, delving more deeply into accounting regulatory issues."

The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 5 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB-I). The accounting program at SIUE also has AACSB-I accreditation, among only 11 percent of business schools in the United States and Canada to hold that distinction.

Click here for a photo of Arthur Lindo suitable for print. (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)

Lovejoy Library To Open North Entrance Doors April 1 After 45 Years

28 March 2010, 7:59 pm

At noon, April 1, Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial Library at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will open its north entrance doors for business-after 45 years of closure-to allow for more student, faculty and staff traffic from the north side of campus which has grown since 1965 when the building first opened. The opening will provide more convenient access for the students and scholars, who come to Lovejoy Library nearly 400,000 times each year, according to Regina McBride, dean of SIUE's Library and Information Services. "Lovejoy Library is the academic heart of our University, connecting our users to outstanding resources, while teaching information literacy skills and promoting lifelong learning.

"With the north entrance open," she said, "Lovejoy Library is now a vital link between the Quad and the north side of the campus." She pointed out the entrance patio will have wireless internet access and two tables with umbrellas for library users to enjoy during the warm weather months. "While the quad has always been the main entrance to the Library, users who park in the north lots will no longer have to walk around the building to gain access." When Lovejoy opened in 1965, there was no parking lot on the north side of the building.

The library has been at the center of SIUE campus life from the beginning. Architect Gyo Obata, of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabum, collaborated with then-SIU President Delyte Morris to design and build the library that was to become Lovejoy, as well as other buildings on the Edwardsville campus. When classes began on the Edwardsville campus, library activities occupied the first and second floors of Lovejoy; the third floor housed faculty offices, student government and student employment. The basement contained a food service area, health services and the textbook rental office.

During the first few months the north entryway was open briefly, but was closed out of concern for securing Library materials. Now, state of the art computer equipment is used in insuring books are checked out before leaving the building.

Mackey Mitchell Wins International Award For SIUE Success Center Design

24 March 2010, 2:40 pm

The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) recently honored Mackey Mitchell Architects with a prestigious facility design award for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Student Success Center.

The firm was chosen along with five others that worked on projects at universities and colleges across the nation. Awards were given at the annual ACUI conference, which was held this year in New York City's Times Square. Facility design award recipients are chosen based on the facilities' appearance, as well as the process used to arrive at the design, and the new or renovated structures' impact on the campus.

According to Mackey Mitchell Architects Senior Associate Kathy Ulkus, SIUE's Student Success Center "promotes a culture of student success by bringing a comprehensive support system, state-of-the-art learning resources, and small group learning communities together in one central location."

Centralizing services was the vision of SIUE Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel. The goal of the Student Success Center is to improve student recruitment, retention and graduation rates. The 66,000-square-foot, $16 million building is attached to the Morris University Center and houses services such as disability support services, career development, tutoring, testing, honors programming, health and counseling service, international services and more.

Students were involved in every aspect of the project, from its inception to the final result, said Lora Miles, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs. Volunteers from student leadership and across campus successfully rallied behind instituting a student fee to pay for the building.

"By having the students involved every step of the way, they were able to articulate their needs, furniture preferences and color palette into the building," Miles said. "Their active involvement has resulted in the development of a sense of ownership of the building." The project was completed within budget and according to the original time frame.

Students worked closely with the architects and SIUE administrators to implement various green features including light-colored roofing material to absorb less heat in the summer and retain heat in the winter; green roof blocks planted by students of the biology department to promote seasonal climate control and reduce environmental contamination through wastewater runoff; the installation of high-performance exterior walls and windows, as well as zoned HVAC systems; lighting controlled by photo sensors to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste; and installation of cradle-to-cradle lifecycle material carpet installation, which can allow for future reuse of the carpet and polished concrete flooring.

Exterior materials were produced regionally, which cut construction job site waste by 50 percent. Daylight also is streamed into the building through natural lighting fixtures, reducing energy reliance. Low-emissions finishes were used in the interior of the structure to enhance indoor air quality and 95-percent recycled furniture was purchased for offices, conference rooms, classrooms and other spaces.

Other firms that received awards for their work included KSS Architects for the Richard and Margot Warch Campus Center at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis.; Opsis Architecture for the Interactive Learning Center at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho; Sasaki Associates Inc. for The Commons at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine; and WTW Architects for the Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Gilbert & Sullivan's Opera, The Gondoliers, Takes Stage At SIUE

22 March 2010, 4:17 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will welcome W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera, The Gondoliers, to the theater in SIUE's Dunham Hall for performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 26-27.

The Savoy Opera style piece premiered in 1889 and ran for 554 performances, making it the fifth longest-running musical theater production in history at that time. The opera is a tale of mistaken identity, love and life infused with comic elements. It involves the young bride of the heir to the throne of Barataria. She travels to Venice to join her husband and a series of complicating factors arise.

As the story unfolds we find the king of Barataria's son, the prince, sent into hiding with a gondolier, who himself has two sons. The gondolier, a drunken sort, can't recall which baby is the prince. To make matters more interesting, years later, the King of Barataria dies, leaving the two gondolier's sons to rule the kingdom jointly until a nurse can determine which man is actually the rightful heir to the throne of Barataria.

Marc Schapman, assistant professor of voice in the SIUE Department of Music, is the show's stage director and conductor. He pointed out that he selected the piece to spark community interest in opera. "The music and the theme are very appropriate for young singers and I have a very talented cast doing this show," Schapman said.

"It gets a lot of people involved and I think the production also will stir an interest in opera on the SIUE campus." The Gondoliers, also known as The King of Barataria, is one of 14 comic opera collaborations between Gilbert and Sullivan.

Tickets are $12 general admission; $7 seniors and those under 18, and SIUE students with valid IDs receive one free ticket. For more information, contact the department, (618) 650-3900, or call toll free, (888) 328-5168, ext. 3900. To purchase tickets, call the SIUE Fine Arts Box Office, (618) 650-2774.

ESL Center, SWIC, Dunham Museum, CC Center Sponsoring Haiti Collection

12 March 2010, 4:34 pm

The SIUE East St. Louis Center, Southwestern Illinois College, the Katherine Dunham Museum and the East St. Louis Community College Center are sponsoring a joint effort to collect personal care items for the people of Haiti who have been devastated by the Jan. 12 earthquake and its aftershocks. The drive is scheduled from March 15 through April 30 with drop-off points on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Blvd., East St. Louis.

Items-such as toothpaste, soap, combs, hairbrushes, adhesive bandages, gauze, tape, foods (canned food and staple items), nonperishables, new blankets, clothing and bedding-may be brought to the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts and Charter School, both in Bldg. C; SWIC in Room 1021 in Bldg. A; or the Community College Center Cafeteria in Bldg. B. Items collected will be given to the American Red Cross for shipment to Haiti.

SIUE 4 Haiti Effort Raises Funds; Collects Medical Supplies

12 March 2010, 4:30 pm

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
SIUE 4 Haiti Effort Raises Funds; Collects Medical Supplies
Ceremony Scheduled To Present Check To ARC

Who: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel, Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, ARC Executive Director of Southwest Region
What: SIUE 4 Haiti Effort To Present Check To ARC and acknowledge those who helped collect and ship some $15,000 in medical supplies
When: 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 16
Where: Morris University Center Goshen Lounge

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty, staff and students worked together to collect $5,000 for the American Red Cross as well as $15,000 in medical supplies, all through the SIUE 4 Haitieffort to help the people of Haiti after a devastating earthquake rocked that island nation Jan. 12. Donation jars were set up in high traffic retail locations across campus, and several schools and departments sought donations of money, time and supplies to aid those in need.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel, who led the effort, said the March 16 event will acknowledge the time and effort of the campus community. Denise DeGarmo, who headed the "teach-inv component of the effort, pointed out that just a few dollars donated will go a long way in helping the effort. "For every dollar donated, you can buy three pills of an antibiotic or one jar of Tylenol, or a meal," said DeGarmo, associate professor of political science, department chair and coordinator of the peace and international studies minor on campus.

'Speednetworking' Event Set For March 23 At SIUE

12 March 2010, 4:28 pm

Sponsored by Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association and the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach, the second annual "Speednetworking" event is set for March 23. The event replicates speed dating, but in "Speednetworking" students are given the opportunity to network with SIUE alumni. "Speednetworking" is scheduled from 6-8:30 p.m. that Tuesday in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. "In an unstable job market, this is an excellent event for students to utilize,Ï" says Katie Bennett, assistant director of SIUE Alumni Affairs.

"Attendees will have 12 minutes to network with multiple alumni grouped at tables of eight. Once the 12 minutes are up," she said, "students will move to the next table and continue networking. Students will practice their 'elevator speech,' learn how to make a good impression in a short amount of time and will meet representatives from a variety of career fields," Bennett said.

Tickets are free for students, but pre-registration is required online: www.siue.edu/alumni. Volunteers are still needed as "Speednetworking" contacts. Those interested in participating may visit the same Web site to complete a registration form and view the "Speednetworking" schedule. A pre-reception will be offered for all SIUE alumni attending the March 23 event. Light refreshments will be served.

SIUE Students, Volunteer Services Proud Of National Recognition

12 March 2010, 4:11 pm

A total of 2,152 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students engaged in 23,019 hours of community service through volunteer efforts during 2009, a fact that recently earned them national recognition. The students' commitment through the Student Leadership Development Program and Volunteer Services earned them a spot on the 2009 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is the awarding agency that recently named SIUE to its 2009 list. The universities and colleges included on the list demonstrated a commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

The Corporation oversees the annual President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. departments of Education, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as Campus Compact and the American Council on Education. CNCS is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit the Web site: www.nationalservice.gov.

"I'm very proud of what these students have accomplished through the leadership program," said Suzanne Kutterer-Siburt, assistant director in the Kimmel Leadership Development Center and coordinator of Volunteer Services. Members of SIUE Volunteer Services took part in 153 projects last fiscal year, with the majority of activities taking place Saturdays. Through Volunteer Services, students provide many area agencies with volunteer help. One agency, the Call for Help, Inc. Sexual Assault unit, uses students as medical rape advocates who provide assistance to victims every day of the week, every day of the year, at 18 hospitals in the Metro East.

The students also have formed the SIUE Raise Your Voice Campus Compact, which is a student-led group that involves students in the community, providing training opportunities and promotional plans on local, regional and national levels. The group registered more than 1,500 voters last year. Some of the students through Volunteer Services routinely spend time working through the Catholic Urban Programs Holy Angels Shelter and the Continuum of Life Care Center's Paulyn House offering food, clothing and amenities to the area's homeless. Paulyn Snyder, a social worker with Holy Angels and one of the founders of Paulyn House, said the students' commitment to these organizations is vital to the community.

"They really make a difference in the community because they give hope," Synder said. "People need hope. They need hope to keep going and to keep living. Hope gives them a reason to live. These students are making a huge difference in our lives."

These experiences, which take place on and off campus, are an important part of an SIUE student's education and will help with academic and professional development. The Kimmel Center, under the purview of the SIUE Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, offers co-curricular experiences that promote personal growth, develop self-confidence and leadership abilities, and prepare students for life-long learning.

Mackenzie Smith, 20, of Paris, said students benefit from being involved in volunteer efforts. "I think we, as students, are blessed to have (the) Kimmel (Center) … because they provide us with so many resources when it comes to taking part in volunteer programs," said Smith, a sophomore majoring in nursing. "I have met a lot of friends and developed a lot of friendships through these opportunities as well." Smith completed the Student Leadership Development Training program last year and has spent many volunteer hours working with the homeless. "I've done a little bit of everything," she said.

"These programs have allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and have introduced me to different cultures."

D. Schilling Named Employee Of The Month For March

12 March 2010, 4:05 pm

Congratulations: Diane Schilling, office support specialist for the SIUE Center for International Programs, is the March recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Schilling (third from left) received the award from Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenneth Neher (second from left). She was nominated for the award by Geeteeca Vanaik (at far left), a Center advisor, and Julie Bobeall-Marshall (second from right), study abroad coordinator. Also shown is Center Director Ron Schaefer (far right), who also nominated Schilling. In addition to the plaque Schilling was presented, she was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations, and parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

Writers Club Presentation Set For March 16 At ESL Higher Ed. Campus

12 March 2010, 4:02 pm

The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club annual Women's Month feature, "Bouquet of Kwansabas for The Sisterhood," is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, in Room 2083, Building B, on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Drive, East St. Louis. Subtitled "A Conch/Us/Nest of Expressions for Women's History Month," the free public event is co-sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Drumvoices Revue, a multicultural journal published by the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature and the EBR Writers Club, as well as Black River Writers Press. The event also will be hosted by EBR Club President Darlene Roy.

Panelists-"drawing poetically upon 'herstory'"-will include poet-fiction author Charlois Lumpkin (a.k.a Mali Newman), poet-photographer Roscoe Crenshaw, poet-Jack and Jill administrator Jaye Willis, spoken word artist-open "mic" host Susan "Spit-Fire" Lively, journalist-poet Patricia Merritt, poet-English teacher Treasure Williams, psychologist Lena Weathers and others.

The "kwansaba," a 49-word poem of seven lines with each word containing no more than seven letters, was invented by the EBR Club in 1995 and is taught across the globe in classrooms, workshops, prisons, and churches. Eugene B. Redmond, Club namesake and SIUE emeritus Professor of English Language and Literature, also will share kwansabas with the audience. In addition, SIUE graduate student Al Henderson will curate a visual salute to women and an area performing arts troupe will offer dance to commemorate the month.

Founded in March 1986 and chartered by Sherman Fowler, Redmond, and Roy, the EBR Club is celebrating its 24th birthday in March. Club Trustees are: poets Maya Angelou and playwright Amiri Baraka, actor Avery Brooks, novelist Walter Mosley, poet-editor Quincy Troupe, scholar Jerry Ward Jr., and Dr. Weathers. Late trustees include Gwendolyn Brooks, Raymond R. Patterson, Barbara Ann Teer and Margaret Walker-Alexander. In addition to the periodical, SIUE and the Club also have co-published several books, among them Drumvoices Revue (The Richard Wright Centennial Issue/2008) and Eighty Moods of Maya & Other Photo-Poetic Moments from the EBR Collection (also 2008). Both will be available for sale at the March 16 event.

For more information about the Writers Club or other area cultural-literary activities, call SIUE, (618) 650-3991, or write the EBRWC, P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, IL 62201, or by e-mail: eredmon@siue.edu.

SIUE Summer Session Registration Begins March 15; Come 'Dive In'

12 March 2010, 3:59 pm

With more than 700 classes to choose from, now is the best time to "dive in" and enroll in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Summer Session, a smart move that could mean lighter class loads in the coming semesters and also a chance to attend classes with an even lower teacher-student ratio than usually offered at SIUE. According to Roger Maclean, executive director of SIUE's Office of Educational Outreach and coordinator of the summer session, attending class in the summer also helps keep students in a convenient course sequence. "We have structured pre-requisite courses so they do not overlap," Maclean said. "For example, a brand new student who starts SIUE in the summer could take the two required courses in biology needed to move up to the 200 level; in other words, they'd be ready to start a 200 level biology course in the fall.

"In addition, one of the most significant benefits of starting your academic experience in the summer is that you can lock in at the previous year's tuition rate," he said. "Then, your tuition cost for the next 48 consecutive months will be the same. By jumpstarting your academic career in the summer instead of the fall, your savings could be significant over the course of the next four years. As for continuing SIUE students, enrolling in summer session helps them stay on track to finish within the 48-month 'guaranteed tuition rate clock.'"

Maclean also pointed out other benefits to enrolling in summer session: \

Fees are less;
Housing is significantly less expensive;
An excellent time to take classes typically difficult to enroll in for fall or spring;
It's a beautiful time to be on the SIUE campus, with foliage in full bloom, lush green landscaping; a perfect setting for biking, walking, or swimming at the pool; and,
Also, a great time to break from studies to enjoy Summer Showbiz on the mainstage at SIUE's Dunham Hall, or any of the area attractions such as the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Zoo, and a variety of museums.
There are numerous student job opportunities on campus during the summer session.

Registration for SIUE's Summer Session begins Monday, March 15; visit the Web site for more information: www.siue.edu/summer, by phone, (618) 650-2080, or by e-mail: summersession@siue.edu. Those interested also may visit SIUE's Service Center on the first floor of Rendleman Hall for more information.

SIUE Named To 2009 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

12 March 2010, 3:53 pm

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has named Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to its 2009 list of colleges and universities that have demonstrated a commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

Many of the service projects and volunteerism opportunities afforded students at SIUE are coordinated through the SIUE Kimmel Student Leadership Center, offering a variety of student activities and leadership opportunities to assist in the personal and professional development of all students.

The Kimmel Center staff assists students with planning and coordinating programs that promote the educational, cultural and social enrichment of the University community. These events and programs include Welcome Week, Homecoming, Family Weekend, Black Heritage Month, International Night, Springfest and Activities Fairs, among many others.

"This national recognition is, indeed, an honor that reflects our commitment to creating a vibrant campus life, which includes civic engagement, service learning and community involvement," said SIUE Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel. "While it is further testament to our pledge to achieve excellence, it more importantly recognizes the invaluable contributions of our students to serve their communities.

"It is also a powerful promise to prospective students that SIUE fosters a climate where students become engaged and capable student leaders."

The CNCS honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

"Congratulations to the awardees and students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities," said Patrick Corvington, the Corporation's CEO. "Our nation's students are a critical part of the equation and vital to our efforts to tackle the most persistent challenges we face.

"They have achieved impactful results and demonstrated the value of putting knowledge into practice to help renew America through service."
More than 700 higher education institutions across the country received the federal recognition. CNCS is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit the Web site: www.nationalservice.gov.

February 2010

SIUE Associate Psychology Professor, Students Are Making A Difference

New Call Center Shows Early Successes At SIUE Foundation

SIUE Business Student Attends Leadership Forum in Tampa

NIRSA Elects SIUE Student To Board

$572K NSF Grant Helps SIUE Interdisciplinary Research

Metro St. Louis Urban League Honors SIUE's Heard

J. Kaikati Co-Writes Article About Bartering For WSJ

D. Selwood Named Employee Of The Month For February

Changes

SIUE Housing Staff Programs Receive Top 10, Outstanding Program Awards

Alumni Association To Play Host To Networking Breakfast In Collinsville

'SIUE 4 Haiti' Effort Collects Medical Materials For The Island Nation

SIU To Present System Technology & Innovation Expo March 30

Intellectual Property Seminar Set For Feb 25

Assoc. Dean Springer Returning To SIUE Faculty

'Summer ShowBiz 2010' Auditions Set For Feb. 19 At SIUE

NASA's Voice Of Mars Probe Steve Squyres To Speak At SIUE Feb. 17

SIUE Grad From Milwaukee Recognized With Leadership Award

SIUE Small Business Development Center Forms Alliance With ACCION

SIUE Annual Black Theater Workshop Opens Feb. 19 At The Metcalf

SIUE Associate Psychology Professor, Students Are Making A Difference

24 February 2010, 5:03 pm

Armed with tools that can help manage anger and frustration, juvenile offenders who spend time in the Madison County Detention Center in Edwardsville are finding ways to squelch bad habits and learning to live productive lives. And, it's in large part thanks to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and their mentor Jeremy Jewell, an associate professor of psychology in the SIUE School of Education.

Expanding on a master's thesis from two of his students about five years ago that studied the use of relaxation techniques among college students, Jewell decided to build a program targeting juvenile offenders within the detention center system. "I thought this was a great idea so we began to use it and in the last four years it has evolved into using undergraduates in my research class to help these kids in the detention center,' Jewell said. "We have about six to eight students involved and we go out Monday through Friday from 3-4 p.m. and teach these skills at the Madison County detention facility."

Jewell said he created a program of what we might call anger management techniques for those in a detention center. "We call it the Relaxation Skills Violence Prevention Program, or RSVP for short," Jewell explained. "We see a new group of kids each week, teaching them some coping skills for when they get upset with their friends or their parents. They can use these skills while in the detention center or for when they leave. We teach them to do more than act out-screaming, cursing, running away or punching someone-when they get angry."

Although using anger management and relaxation skills to help cope is not new, what makes Jewell's program unique is that it's built around five days of sessions because of the short amount of time that a juvenile offender is kept at the center. "There are three specific techniques," he said: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and also guided imagery. The kids can use these when they get angry at a teacher, in the home, or elsewhere. The idea is to have them practice these techniques, then review the techniques and then we encourage them to use their new skills when they get on the outside and for the rest of their lives."

Jewell said the age range of those in the detention center generally is 10-17. "Most of them are having trouble in the home, or at school; some are in alternative schools, some are chronically truant, some are trying to get their GED," Jewell pointed out. "And, some of these kids are accused of a range of offenses from shoplifting to domestic battery to murder."

According to Jewell's research, there is no other program published-either in the mass market or in the academic world-written specifically about using these skills with juvenile offenders in juvenile detention. "This is a unique population which almost always circulates every 30 days," Jewell said. "There are long-term programs about dealing with juvenile offenders but nothing specifically aimed at the juvenile detention center setting. This is the only kind of program in the country that I have been able to find."

One of Jewell's students who helps at the detention center, T. Allison Lawler, says she has grown personally because of her involvement in the program. "I have become not only a different person but I've also become a better and more appreciative person," Lawler said. "After hearing some of the stories the kids share, it made me realize how good I had it growing up and how good I still have it. I also thank God every day for making me a very open-minded and empathetic person because this helps me work well with the juveniles." Lawler said that when she first started the program at the center, she believed the juvenile offenders were "dangerous" and "bad" but the first session with them allayed her worst fears. "I realized that these were just kids who made a few bad decisions," she said. "Every day I work with them, I learn more about life and I am more and more thankful for what I have in life. I'm also thankful to SIUE for making this possible."

Jewell said RSVP seems to be working but he's in the process of writing a federal grant to help better track the results of the program. "We have found in the past four years that the students who go through the program, compared with those who are waiting to enter the program, tend to be less stressed, anxious and fearful. We seem to have had a very significant impact on their feelings about being fearful and anxious, and their abilities to manage their anger."

New Call Center Shows Early Successes At SIUE Foundation

24 February 2010, 4:57 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Student Call Center has been established in an effort to stay connected with alumni and friends, update records, and seek private support for the University, according to Josh Olmsted, assistant director of Annual Giving for the SIUE Foundation and manager of the call center.

"The Center has created 25 new student jobs on campus," said Olmsted, who joined the SIUE Foundation in August. "We have been able to hire a great mix of students representing a variety of majors and programs. The students are experiencing great 'conversations,' learning about the career paths our alumni have taken and sharing what campus looks like today. While our students are capturing information from our alumni, they are also gaining invaluable skills that will assist them in their professional careers down the road," Olmsted said. "All of our student callers have a passion for SIUE, and they are able to share that connection with our alumni."

Olmsted started his fundraising career at Indiana University, a nationally recognized leader in philanthropy, while obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees. SIUE Foundation Director of Annual Giving Julie Babington said Olmsted is a "phone-a-thon expert" and has done a remarkable job hiring and training students. "We are delighted to have his specialized 'caller coaching' expertise," Babington said. SIUE Vice Chancellor for University Relations Patrick Hundley said the phone program had been outsourced in the past. "Bringing the phone program back on campus has proven to be a success, as it has already surpassed the amount raised from last year," Hundley said. He also pointed out the program anticipates bringing in more than $190,000 in gifts and pledges this fiscal year.

Said Olmsted: "The next time your alma mater calls, we encourage you to pick up the phone, give a warm hello, and take a moment to share your SIUE experience with one of our SIUE student callers in the Call Center."

SIUE Business Student Attends Leadership Forum in Tampa

23 February 2010, 12:59 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business student Kseniya Petrova recently attended the Winter 2010 Beta Gamma Sigma Student Leadership Forum in Tampa, Fla.

Petrova, who is a senior, was chosen as a student representative to attend the biannual leadership event, which is hosted by Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society that serves business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB-I.)

Attendees participated in interactive individual and team activities throughout the event. The programs were organized to develop leadership styles.

NIRSA Elects SIUE Student To Board

23 February 2010, 12:56 pm

The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association recently announced the election of its new board members, with a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student leader among the mix, elected to represent a region of the country.

Dillon Thorne, a graduate student in the SIUE School of Education's kinesiology department, who works in campus recreation, was elected to serve as the region III student leader. Region III includes nearly all major colleges and universities in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and part of Canada. One representative is chosen for each region.

Thorne, who earned his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University, will assume his responsibilities, starting in April at the NIRSA annual conference in Anaheim, Calif.

NIRSA provides education and development for professional and student members. It also promotes the incorporation of quality recreational programs, facilities and services for diverse populations. The organization uses its resources to encourage ethical and healthy lifestyle choices.

According to its vision statement, NIRSA is committed to being internationally recognized for its leadership role in higher education, and is devoted to student and professional development, education, research and standards.

$572K NSF Grant Helps SIUE Interdisciplinary Research

23 February 2010, 12:53 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently learned it will receive $572,417 from the National Science Foundation to purchase Raman and infrared microscopes for interdisciplinary research.

The project, titled MRI-R2: Acquisition of Raman and Infrared Microscopes for Interdisciplinary Research, will aid anthropologists, biologists, chemist and professionals in other academic disciplines.

Julie Holt, associate professor and chair of the SIUE Department of Anthropology, acted as the principal on the grant proposal, requesting the money to buy the equipment. She stated in the proposal that the equipment will be used to "analyze samples, including bones and soil to look for the presence of poisons and other contaminants."

The proposal continued: "The results of (scientists') work will provide information about past human health, and will also provide timely information about the potential impact of environmental contaminants on the health of living humans…Using these microscopes will enable our students to realize broader research and career opportunities in anthropology, archaeology, biology, chemistry and environmental sciences."

The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Metro St. Louis Urban League Honors SIUE's Heard

23 February 2010, 12:49 pm

Cheryl Heard, president of Racial Harmony in Swansea and assistant director in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Kimmel Leadership Center, will be honored during a ceremony Monday, March 8, by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Inc. for her outstanding youth development initiatives and awareness.

Heard, who lives in Collinsville, is being recognized for her work with the Center for Racial Harmony for the last 15 years, as well as her community involvement and enhancement initiatives. As a coordinator of the annual Center for Racial Harmony Gathering, as well as her efforts to organize and lead community dialog series presentations monthly, and achieve financial support for the Challenge 12 program-an education and youth development program-Heard has made her mark as a strong community leader.

During her 15-year tenure with the center, Heard has served as a member of the education, youth development, membership and nominating committees, as well as on the board of directors. She also served as vice president of the organization and now is president.

As an administrator for the Kimmel Center, Heard has presented seminars on diversity, community service, leadership, motivation and staff development. She is a member of several civic, professional, honorary and advisory organizations.

Heard earned a master of science in education at SIUE and a baccalaureate at McKendree University. She also is a graduate of the Coro Women In Leadership Program in St. Louis.

J. Kaikati Co-Writes Article About Bartering For WSJ

19 February 2010, 4:35 pm

Jack G. Kaikati, professor emeritus of marketing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently co-wrote an article in the print edition of the Wall Street Journal about the resurgence of the practice of bartering, thought by many to be defunct. The article, published Jan. 25 in the WSJ's Journal Report, also was co-written by Andrew M. Kaikati, a doctoral candidate in marketing at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis.

The Kaikatis maintain that bartering-given the state of the global economic downturn-is a way to "secure goods and services, move excess inventory and attract new customers without laying out precious cash." They then list four ways of bartering that occur in the United States: Consumer-to-Consumer, Business-to-Consumer, Business-to-Business and Government-to-Business.

"The annual value of barter trade by North American companies expanded to $12 billion in 2008," they wrote, "from $7.78 billion in 2001," this according to the International Reciprocal Trade Association, a nonprofit group that promotes bartering as a form of commerce. They go on to note that bartering, with the predictions of future frugality because of the current recession, "we believe bartering activities in the U.S. will persist and flourish well after economic growth resumes."

D. Selwood Named Employee Of The Month For February

19 February 2010, 4:04 pm

Congratulations: Darlene Selwood, office support associate for the education area of the Department of Art and Design, is the February recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Selwood (center) received the award from Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenneth Neher (far left). She was nominated for the award by Patricia "Gussie" Klorer (second from left), a professor in the department, and Dianne Lynch (second from right), a superviser in the department. Also shown is College of Arts and Sciences Dean Aldemaro Romero. In addition to the plaque Selwood was presented, she was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore, two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations, and parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

Changes

19 February 2010, 3:30 pm

Personnel

Karen Bollinger, assistant director of Academic Marketing, was named associate director effective Jan. 6.
Jie Gong joined the Department of Construction Jan. 10 as an assistant professor.
Mark Grinter joined the Department of Construction Jan. 1 as an assistant professor.
Karen Montgomery, assistant director in the School of Nursing, was named coordinator of academic advising for the School on Jan. 31.
Scott Queener, a career counselor in the Career Development Center, left the University Jan. 8 to accept a position elsewhere.

Retirements

Arthur J. Braundmeier Jr., professor of physics, effective Oct. 31, after more than 39 years of service.

SIUE Housing Staff Programs Receive Top 10, Outstanding Program Awards

19 February 2010, 3:07 pm

Three University Housing staff programs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received "Top Ten Program" awards at the Illinois State Resident Assistant Association (ISRAA) conference from Feb. 5-7 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Founded in 1984 at Northern Illinois University, ISRAA is a member-operated organization dedicated to providing information, communication, recognition and collaboration for students employed as Resident Assistants (RAs). Any college or university in the state of Illinois with a residential housing program is eligible for membership.

The annual conference is a three-day event during which delegations from member schools meet to network and exchange ideas. Delegates participate in educational sessions to learn about issues facing college students and strategies for being successful in an RA role. Top 10 Program awards are voted by delegates who attend the conference. The Most Outstanding Program Award is determined by a vote of the ISRAA Resident Assistant Communication Chair and Executive Board.

University Housing staff members presented three of the Top 10 programs at the conference:

Kelsey Burrough, RA, Cougar Village; Ruben Delgado, RA, Cougar Village; and Nancy Lin, RA, Evergreen Hall-presented "Sex on the Beach: Play at Your Own Risk," in which they focused on new and interesting ways to make residents aware of social hazards present during spring break.
Michelle Farney, assistant community director; Paul Whittington, RA, Woodland Hall; C.J. Massie, RA Cougar Village; and Crystal Harris, RA, Bluff Hall, presented "Sink or Swim," an academic and career development program focusing on the role of RAs as role models for residents.
Allycia Drummond, RA, Prairie Hall; Molly O'Leary, RA, Woodland Hall; Kolby Spiker, RA, Prairie Hall, presented "Make a Splash with the Rainbow Fish," a diversity program highlighting various personalities and how individuals interpret various situations.
University Housing's program-One Night-was presented the Most Outstanding Program Award. Housing staff collaborated with a number of University and community partners to play host to the program in September of last year. The program,attended by more than 800 students, was aimed at alcohol awareness.

Laura McCulley, RA, Cougar Village; Zachary Sanderson, RA, Prairie Hall; Tashana Turner, RA, Cougar Village; and Rex Jackson, community director of the Cougar Village 500 Side, also attended the conference and presented their program: "Don't Get Burned," which highlights causes of both resident and RA "burn out," and identifies tools to effectively overcome the problem. A dozen SIUE Housing RAs attended the conference including Jackson and Farney, who served as advisors to the SIUE delegates.

SIUE University Housing has a long tradition of involvement with the ISRAA organization, including playing host to the 2005 annual conference at SIUE, says Housing Director Michael Schultz. "I feel it's very important to support our student leaders in the RA role," he said. "ISRAA gives students a chance to share experiences as well wisdom and stories with those in similar roles at other institutions. As the needs of residential students evolve, the information exchange provides resources and support to our student staff."

Alumni Association To Play Host To Networking Breakfast In Collinsville

19 February 2010, 3:03 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association will play host to an Alumni Networking Breakfast from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, at The Gateway Center, One Gateway Dr., Collinsville. The hour-long event will include an appearance and presentation by Congressman John Shimkus. The event will be an excellent opportunity to network with fellow SIUE alumni and enjoy a free breakfast of pastries, fruit and coffee. With 2,000 SIUE alumni residing in the Collinsville area, possible business opportunities could arise, so attendees are encouraged to bring business cards.

In 1990, Shimkus was elected Madison County treasurer and won his first term in 1996 as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 20th Congressional District. Following redistricting in 2002, he represents the 19th district. He earned an MBA at SIUE in 1997. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a member of the Army Reserves, Shimkus retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2008 after 28 years of military service.

Parking for this event is free; to register for this free event, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/alumni. For other information, call Katie Bennett, assistant director of Alumni Affairs, by e-mail: kabenne@siue.edu, or, by phone: (618) 650-2762.

'SIUE 4 Haiti' Effort Collects Medical Materials For The Island Nation

19 February 2010, 2:59 pm

The SIUE 4 Haiti effort collected materials for the ongoing medical effort in Haiti. The generous outpouring of support yielded nearly $15,000 in donated items that will be useful to the medical personnel in Haiti, according to Denise DeGarmo, associate professor of political science and chair of that department as well as head of the collection drive. "The collection drive for Haiti got off to a good start," she pointed out. "We retreived items from drop-off points in Rendleman, the MUC, and Peck, and we've been storing them in the Political Science conference and lab room. There were so many great items." DeGarmo said the medical materials will be shipped for dispersal to HIV/AIDs clinics in Haiti, which was rocked by a massive earthquake in January, virtually destoying the capital city of Port-au-Prince. In the photo, SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift visited to observe donors' generosity. He was joined (from left) by Narbeth Emmanuel, SIUE vice chancellor for Student Affairs and coordinator of the University-wide SIUE 4 Haiti effort; Michael Ruggless, a junior in the School of Education and a volunteer in the collection effort; Ken Moffett, assistant professor of political science; and, at far right, Kim Durr, executive assistant to the chancellor, also a volunteer in the collection drive. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

SIU To Present System Technology & Innovation Expo March 30

19 February 2010, 2:52 pm

The Southern Illinois University system, which for decades has provided a fertile environment for the development of major technologies, will showcase current research and inventions March 30 when the system presents the Technology and Innovation Expo on the SIU Edwardsville campus. Faculty inventors in the fields of biochemistry, engineering, medicine and pharmacy from SIU Carbondale, SIU Edwardsville and the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield will combine forces to showcase the latest research under way on the three campuses.

The Expo also will focus on opportunities for potential partners to help make this cutting-edge research a commercial reality. Scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. that Tuesday in SIUE's Morris University Center, the event will feature presentations by SIU faculty inventors who have technology to license. The event promises to bring together academics, entrepreneurs and business people to increase awareness of available technologies that can lead to new products and innovations in a networking environment. "American universities have carried much of the responsibility for technology transfer from the laboratory to the commercialization of ideas and inventions," said SIU President Glenn Poshard. "The SIU system is proud to have played a major role in this endeavor over many years. The SIU Technology and Innovation Expo allows the campuses to display our efforts in this process," he said.

Faculty inventors will present throughout the day, including SIU School of Medicine's William Halford, PhD, who will talk about the latest progress of his work in herpes vaccine. Inventors from SIU Carbondale will reveal the latest research in biofuels and advanced materials startup companies that have resulted from university research. SIU Edwardsville's featured inventions range from new drugs for treatment of Alzheimer's to magnetic refrigeration, a promising energy technology. Keynote talks will be given by successful industry collaborators James Bashkin, chemistry director/co-founder of NanoVir, and Matt Kulig, serial entrepreneur and currently COO for Aisle411.com

Also featured at the Expo in the afternoon will be a panel of experts discussing "Ideas to Markets: Successful Technology Commercialization." Panel members from industry, university administration, inventors and investors will provide insight into the technology commercialization process. Throughout the day exhibits and poster presentations by speakers, SIU faculty, students, and event sponsors will be on display in the common areas. The event will include lunch and a catered reception for attendees. Registration is required and tickets are $25 per person.
Event information-including the Expo agenda, speakers, sponsorship opportunities and registration-is available online: techtransfer.siuc.edu/tie/s10, or by calling (618) 650-2166.

Sponsors for the event include Ameren Economic Development, Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP, Madison County Community Development, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, the Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board, and Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. The event is being organized by the SIUC Technology Transfer Program, the SIU School of Medicine, the SIUE Graduate School, the SIUE Southwestern Entrepreneurship Center and SIUE's University Park, a research park on the campus.

Intellectual Property Seminar Set For Feb 25

9 February 2010, 4:21 pm

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy and the Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center, through the SIUE School of Business, will present a half-day Intellectual Property Seminar in partnership with Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP.

The event will focus on copyright, trademark and patent issues. Topics will be of interest to academic researchers, university technology managers, corporations and small businesses.

The seminar will be held at the SIUE Technology and Management Center, University Park, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Feb. 25. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and a continental breakfast will be served.

While attendance at the seminar is complimentary, registration is required to Stephanie Dorssom at rsvp-sl@huschblackwell.com.

Assoc. Dean Springer Returning To SIUE Faculty

9 February 2010, 4:19 pm

Carl Springer, the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a decade, has decided to return to the classroom to pursue scholarly interests in Classical Studies.

Springer, who has published numerous books and articles, will work on critical edition and translation of the collected works of Latin poet Sedulius, who was very popular in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. Springer also will edit and translate a book on Martin Luther's use of the fables of Aesop.

Coming to SIUE from Illinois State University in 2000, where he had been a professor and chair of the Foreign Language Department, Springer took on the role of associate dean for student development and general education in the College of Arts and Sciences.

During his tenure as associate dean, Springer has played a vital role in developing the Lincoln Plan, a serious attempt to reform General Education and SIUE. Springer also contributed largely to the design and implementation of the New Freshman Seminar requirements; increased the College's support for study abroad and directed the development for the College of Arts and Sciences colloquium series. The theme for the sixth CAS Colloquium, which will take place in April 2010 is "Thinking about Evolution."

Returning to his scholarly roots, Springer will teach courses through the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature in Latin, Ancient Greek and other subjects related to Classical Studies.

"Dr. Springer made incredible contributions to the College over the past 10 years," said SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Dean Aldemaro Romero. "He was always supportive of faculty and students among whom he gained a lot of respect and recognition. He has also been extremely helpful and insightful during my first few months as a Dean and I want to extend to him my most sincere gratitude for the tremendous job he has done."

'Summer ShowBiz 2010' Auditions Set For Feb. 19 At SIUE

4 February 2010, 9:20 am

Auditions for all ages for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Summer ShowBiz 2010 theater season are set for Friday, Feb. 19, in SIUE's Dunham Hall. For a musical theater part, participants must prepare 16-32 bars of a show tune; bring sheet music. For a non-musical role, prepare a one minute monologue. Call backs will take place Saturday, Feb. 20. To reserve an audition time, call (618) 650-2773 or drop by the Department of Theater and Dance in Dunham Hall.

The three Summer ShowBiz 2010 productions are:

Ruthless! The Musical, June 10-13 and 17-20, with music by Marvin Laird and book and lyrics by Joel Paley, is an all-female musical that spoofs Broadway musicals such as Gypsy and Mame, while incorporating story plots from films such as The Bad Seed and All About Eve. Among the roles are two young female parts for ages 10 and up.
The Lady Cries Murder by John William See, June 23-27, is best described as a "Raymond Chandler parody within a parody." This smart and funny comedy goes all out for the murder mystery genre. Roles are available for ages 16 and up.
Seussical, July 14-18, with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, is an imaginative romp through the world of Dr. Seuss, delivering "a cornucopia of laughter and imaginative story-telling." Many roles are available for all ages.

Summer Showbiz is a summer production program that has been offered by the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance for more than 30 years.

NASA's Voice Of Mars Probe Steve Squyres To Speak At SIUE Feb. 17

2 February 2010, 4:33 pm

Steve Squyres

"Spirit and Opportunity" have always been prominent in the life of Steve Squyres, the NASA scientist best known as the face and voice of the Mars exploration mission including the pioneering and spectacular drive across the Red Planet's surface by two high-tech robotic rovers. As the acclaimed scientist and principal investigator of NASA's Mars Exploration Program from 1988 to 2004 when the mission came to fruition, Squyres will be on campus as part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Arts & Issues series Feb. 17, with a theme of "Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and the Exploration of the Red Planet." He will appear at 7:30 p.m. that Wednesday in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center.

Squyres, who currently is the Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy at Cornell University, will detail to the Arts & Issues audience how he turned what seemed like an improbable dream into a successful $800 million reality. He will discuss the risks taken, the mistakes made and how the project's goals were ultimately achieved. Arts & Issues series Coordinator Grant Andree says he is excited about Squyres' presentation. "During Steve's appearance Feb. 17, the audience will enjoy never before seen photos of the Mars surface taken by those rovers," Andree said. "Our patrons may recall how similar NASA photos ignited a firestorm of interest in space exploration at the time of the mission.

"If you've never seen NASA's Mars photos before, you are in for a visual treat." In addition to his teaching duties at Cornell, Squyres has served as chair of the NASA Space Science Advisory Committee and participated in many of NASA's exploration missions. By applying his experience from the Mars mission in the corporate world, Squyres provides fresh approaches to managing large teams, working together under pressure and operating effectively in unpredictable environments.

Tickets for "Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and the Exploration of the Red Planet" are $27; SIUE employees and retirees, as well as all senior citizens, $25; SIUE students, $13. Ticket information, subscription rates and ticket sales are available on the Web site: artsandissues.com, or by calling (618) 650-5774.

SIUE Grad From Milwaukee Recognized With Leadership Award

2 February 2010, 1:09 pm

Jeremy Peissig of Milwaukee, who graduated in December with a bachelor's in international business from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business, recently was honored with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Student Leader of the Semester Award.

From left in the photo of the ceremony are Steven C. Talbott, talent acquisition manager with Enterprise Holdings; Peissig; Lee Lewis Jr., community relations manager with Enterprise Rent-A-Car; and SIUE School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

The award recognizes SIUE business students who are nominated by student organizations for outstanding participation and responsibility. Peissig's award recognizes his work in his final semester at SIUE as president of Emerging Leaders Influencing Through Experience (ELITE), a student organization that strives to foster relationships with fellow business majors as well as SIUE administrators and alumni.

Peissig was chosen for this award because of his hard work and dedication to ELITE, while achieving numerous accomplishments last semester including his representation of business students at various events such as the Dean's Society Dinner and SIUE Preview. He also was instrumental in organizing a "Welcome Back" BBQ for returning students, organizing T-shirt sales, organizing a membership drive for ELITE and also re-opening the third-floor student lounge in SIUE's Founders Hall.

The award carries with it a $100 stipend and certificate. In addition, Peissig will be recognized at a reception later this spring semester that will honor all Enterprise Rent-A-Car award recipients.

Peissig has worked on projects aimed at ELITE's two initiatives-acting as a liaison between students-faculty-alumni and working to develop professionally outside of the classroom. Peissig organized a Lunch & Learn program and corporate information hours, as well as participated in the School of Business Open House and orientation sessions. His commitment to the organization showed by ensuring a smooth leadership transition for ELITE upon his graduation.

In addition, the SIUE Accounting Program is accredited through AACSB-I. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-I accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.

SIUE Small Business Development Center Forms Alliance With ACCION

2 February 2010, 12:57 pm

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, operated by the SIUE School of Business in East St. Louis and Edwardsville, has announced formation of an alliance with ACCION USA-known as a leader in U.S. microfinance.

According to SBDC Director Kwa Mister, ACCION USA will be used by his office as a referral partner to provide access to capital, as well as business technical assistance and financial education to underserved small business owners in the region. "With this partnership we sought to bring more resources to Southwestern Illinois," Mister said, "in an effort to develop and support the growth of small business throughout the region."

ACCION USA "empowers low-to-moderate income business owners so that potential successful entrepreneurs-often minorities including women-can build assets, better provide for their families, create employment and strengthen communities," Mister pointed out.

Since its inception in 1991, ACCION USA has provided more than $119 million in small business loans, ranging from $500 to $50,000, offered nationwide via the ACCION USA on-line lending platform.

For more information about small business loans, call the SBDC at the East St. Louis office, (618) 482-8330, or the Edwardsville office, (618) 650-2929, or visit the SBDC Web site: www.siue.edu/business/sbdc, or the ACCION USA Web site: www.accionusa.org.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

SIUE Annual Black Theater Workshop Opens Feb. 19 At The Metcalf

2 February 2010, 12:52 pm

The Black Theater Workshop of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will present The Journey to Freedom, a production by students who wrote or selected the material to be performed. SIUE students Curtis Lewis and Sharaina Turnage are serving as production coordinators for the show; the faculty advisor for the workshop is Kathryn Bentley, an assistant professor of theater and dance at the University. Journey opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb.19, and continues at the same curtain time Saturday, Feb. 20, both in SIUE's Metcalf Theater. A 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, matinee performance also will be staged in the Metcalf.

This year's workshop will include "Freedom Means to Me," a poem written by Cassaundra Sampson, and a piece written by SIUE graduate Greg Fenner, Last of a Dying Breed, which looks toward change. "In life we all are going on a journey," Lewis said, "and sometimes the path leads to a dead end, but through the dead end there is one end that leads to a destination called freedom. It takes courage to have true freedom and the journey can be arduous." Lewis is a junior and theater performance major at SIUE.

Turnage points out that everyone has experienced a journey to freedom in their own lives. "It's not just a black thing," she said. " Journey to Freedom is about conquering your greatest fears and growing from them." Turnage is a sophomore who also is a theater performance major. Turnage and Lewis also say that the audience will be able "to travel along with the actors and through the journey there is a way to get freedom."

The late Lisa Colbert founded the Annual Black Theater Workshop at SIUE in 1998. She was an assistant professor in the Department of Theater and Dance and the artistic director at the time of her death in 2002. Colbert's family and friends, along with the department, have created a scholarship that is awarded annually to an exceptional theater student who must exemplify the life of Lisa Colbert. Donations may be made to the Black Theater Workshop Fund, which supports the annual production and allows the University to continue to nurture young artists in their quest for a creative and cultural outlet.

There is no admission fee to the workshop. For more information or directions to the Metcalf Theater, please call SIUE's Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or, toll free, (888) 328-5168, ext. 2774.

January 2010

SIUE Nursing Grad Heads For Haiti To Help In Relief Effort

SIUE Celebrating Black Heritage Month During February

East St. Louis Charter School Students Join Effort For Haiti Victims

SIUE’s STAT To Host Polar ‘Bare’ Fun Run For A Good Cause

SIUE Nursing Instructor Doing Her Part To Educate Caregivers

SIUE Suzuki Strings Tour Group To Offer Trivia Night Feb. 20

SIUE4Haiti Campaign Launches Information Web Page

SIUE English Professor Receives Nomination For NAACP Award

Faculty, Staff, Students Work Together At SIUE To Help Haiti

‘Journey Through Music’ Recalls A Swingin’ Time—Feb. 20 At The ESLHEC

Annual Antiques Show And Sale Set For March 13-14 At SIUE

MLK Jr. Award Winners Announced At SIU Edwardsville

A Season For The Child Continues With ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’

SIUE Friends Group To Give Spirituality/Sustainability Awards Feb. 6

PBS Documentary Wins Emmy; SIUE’s Theising Was Contributor

Carpe Diem String Quartet, Peter Soave To Appear At SIUE Jan. 30

Get A Jump On The Garden

P. Birke Named Employee Of The Month For January

SIUE Student From Carman Named Outstanding TA Of The Year

SIUE Art & Design Department Continues Saturday Studio

SIUE’s Woodruff Earns Distinction As Certified Fund-Raising Executive

SIU Dental Medicine Prepares to Give Kids A Smile

SIUE Nursing Grad Heads For Haiti To Help In Relief Effort

28 January 2010, 1:55 pm

After graduating from the SIUE School of Nursing in December, Emily Zimmerman was poised to start a new career as a nurse anesthetist in the general surgery area at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. But, a devastating earthquake Jan. 12 in the island nation of Haiti changed all that. Zimmerman’s cousin, Jesse Sullivan, who is with the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C., asked the graduate if she’d like to spend two weeks in Haiti to help the injured. Reports are that thousands are without adequate medical help and, despite the efforts of several nations to provide aid, it’s still an uphill battle.

“They are in great need of anesthesia providers,” Zimmerman said. “I’ve heard horror stories about surgery performed there with inadequate anesthesia and I want to do my part to help.” Zimmerman is leaving this week on a flight from Chicago with a group of medical personnel and she’s not sure what to expect from the experience. “The team that I will be working with is being flown out of Chicago by Airline Ambassadors International in affiliation with the United Nations,” Zimmerman explained. “The details are still coming each minute. Initially, I was told that we should expect to supply our own food and water for the duration, but I just discovered today that clean water should be available,” she said. “Even so, we have been told to bring our own food and to expect that we won’t be able to shower while down there. There may not be any bathrooms, either.

“I’m not really sure what to expect, so I’m just keeping an open mind. It’s all so last minute and spontaneous. I’m just going to take it in day by day,” she said. “There is a little fear of the unknown and uncertainty of the situation down in Haiti right now, but it’s where I feel I need to be right now,ö Zimmerman said. “Like I mentioned, it does worry me, the conditions that I only imagine might exist down there, but that is exactly why I feel the duty or responsibility to go to help in any way that I can.”

Zimmerman has been interviewed on the local Springfield television station and has attracted some attention. In fact, she’s spoken to so may about the trip that she lost her voice. “It’s getting stronger the more I rest it,” she said. As to the reason she’s going, Zimmerman said she could’’t refuse her cousin’s request. “It’s a little overwhelming right now, but this is why I went into health care—to help,” she said. “I’m kind of scared about what I’m getting into but that’s also the reason I feel I have to go because of what is happening down there in Haiti.” Her drive to help comes partially from her experience in the SIUE School of Nursing. “Aside from the obvious education, knowledge, and skills I received, SIUE’s nurse anesthesia program certainly prepared me to be flexible and open-minded in this dynamic field of healthcare.”

SIUE Celebrating Black Heritage Month During February

28 January 2010, 1:51 pm

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is presenting its 13th Annual Black Heritage Month Program during February, with its theme of Our Piece of the Mosaic: Bringing the Pieces Together. Below is a calendar of events:

Monday, February 1 Opening Ceremony 11:45 AM – 1 PM Goshen Lounge, Morris University Center
The opening program will feature SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, poetic readings by Assistant Professor Adrian Matejka, a performance by the African Drum and Dance Group from Wirth Middle School and Cahokia High School, and the SIUE Gospel Choir will lead the singing of the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Wednesday, February 3 Increase the Peace Noon – 1 PM Goshen Lounge, Morris University Center
A motivational pep rally will encourage students to get involved in their communities to serve as positive role models to stop the violence between today’s frustrated youth. Motivational speakers, poets, and artists will share with students small steps that they can take to “Increase the Peace.”

Speak on It 7 – 9:30 PM Goshen Lounge, Morris University Center
An evening of spoken word and poetic verse of the past, present and future exploring issues and solutions. Co-sponsored by One Mic Poetry.

Friday, February 5 Seventh Annual Gospel Explosion 7 – 10 PM Meridian Ballroom, Morris University Center
An inspirational evening will “spread the gospel of healing, reconciliation, and unity” to the campus and community. The event will feature poetry, rap, praise dance and gospel music. Co-sponsored by the SIUE Gospel Choir

Tuesday, February 9 Dr. King Jr. Birthday Celebration 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Meridian Ballroom, Morris University Center
SIUE’s annual birthday celebration to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King Jr. will feature guest speaker Circuit Judge Milton Wharton. The event will include lunch, special performances, and recognition of award recipients. Students: $15 general public: $20; call Conferences and Institutes (618) 650-2660 for tickets.

Thursday, February 11 Black Beauty in a Diverse Society Noon – 1 PM Goshen Lounge, Morris University Center
“Black is Beautiful” was the slogan of the Black Power Era, but what is Black Beauty? Angela Davis, an icon of that era, was a bit more fair skinned than average and had straighter hair than most African Americans. Today, African Americans such as the late Michael Jackson and Afro-Latinos such as Sammy Sosa, made headlines for lightening their skin. Discussion at this session will center on a question: To what degree is it acceptable for black standards of beauty to be affected by aesthetics that originate from outside of the black community? And, among blacks, what features are to be idealized or minimized?

Thursday, February 18 Health Fair: A Celebration of Health, 2010 10 AM – 2 PM Goshen Lounge, Morris University Center
A celebration of health through screenings and evaluations. Learn how simple lifestyle changes and familiarity with community health care providers may improve your health in 2010 and beyond.

Charles Drew Blood Drive Feb. 18 – 11 AM – 5 PM Conference Center, second floor, Morris University Center
Dr. Charles Drew, an African American physician and medical researcher, pioneered techniques for blood storage that made the development of large-scale blood banks possible. Dr. Drew also protested the practice of segregating blood on the basis of the race of the donor.

Saturday, February 20 Africa Night 6 – 10 PM Meridian Ballroom, Morris University Center
An evening of African culture through food, dance and entertainment. Contact the MUC Information Center, (618) 650-5555 for ticket information. This event is sponsored by the SIUE African Student Association

Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 21 Black Theater Workshop—The Journey to Freedom—Feb. 19 – 20 – 7:30 PM Feb. 21 – 2 PM Metcalf Theater
Artistic Director – Kathryn Bentley; Student Director – Curtis Lewis. This SIUE student -created, student-performed and student-directed production is a potpourri of scenes, monologues, songs and poetry.

Saturday, February 20 Cougar Kids Saturday: Voyage through Africa 10 AM Goshen Lounge, Morris University Center
Celebrate Black Heritage Month with Mama Katambwa. All participants will have an experience with stories, songs, dances, instruments and characters that will be remembered while learning about African cultures and traditions. Tickets are free for the children of SIUE students; $3 for children of faculty/staff. Tickets may be purchased at the MUC Information Desk.

Thursday, February 25 Demographic Changes and Their Impact on America Noon – 1 PM Goshen Lounge, Morris University Center
A panel discussion about how demographic shifts in the U.S. population will affect politics and culture in the coming decades.

Black Heritage Month Student Talent Show 7 – 10 PM Meridian Ballroom, Morris University Center
Watch SIUE students as they take their turn on stage showcasing their singing, dancing, poetic and musical talents.

All events are free unless otherwise noted; contact the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686 for additional information. All events are subject to change.

East St. Louis Charter School Students Join Effort For Haiti Victims

28 January 2010, 1:43 pm

By Patricia Merritt
Public Relations Director, East St. Louis Center

Three East St. Louis Charter School students—Aaliyah Hyde (left) and Dialla’ Burrage, along with Brianna Brown (stooping), as they revise their Haiti fundraising project. The students hope to raise $1,000 for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

(EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.) Fourteen-year-old Aaliyah Hyde makes her way gingerly toward her seat in her four-inch-high silver pumps and thankfully is able to down. She’s wearing her mom’s shoes on this Tuesday as part of her “professional attire” for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter School’s “Help for Haiti” week. Aaliyah came up with the idea to get her high school classmates involved in a fundraiser for the survivors of the Haitian earthquake, an event that has left thousands dead and tens of thousands injured. Aaliyah took her heartfelt concern to Charter School friends Dialla’ Burrage and Brianna Brown, and the three freshmen devised “Help for Haiti” week.

The 100 students at SIUE’s East St. Louis Charter School had the option of not wearing their required uniform from Jan. 25 though Jan. 29. Each day was a theme for their attire: Monday–Causal Day, Tuesday–Professional Day, Wednesday–Colorful Day, Thursday–Appropriate Pajama Day, and Friday–Mismatch Day. The cost to participate is $2 a day. All proceeds will be given to the American Red Cross. “Our goal was $1,000,” said Aaliyah. “We felt if everyone did their part, we could raise that amount in a week.” As of Jan. 26 the Charter School had raised $246.

The idea to raise the money is a good one, even if the goal is not reached, Brianna said. “It gives us an opportunity to help others. If an earthquake or something bad like that happened to us, we would want others to help us.” Dialla’ has started brainstorming with her two partners as to other ways to raise money for Haiti. “We’re going to keep working to raise the $1,000. I believe we can.”

A photo of the trio of friends is available here. Shown in the photo are SIUE East St. Louis Charter School students Aaliyah Hyde (left) and Dialla’ Burrage, along with Brianna Brown (stooping), as they revise their Haiti fundraising project. The students hope to raise $1,000 to send to help to victims of the Haiti earthquake. (Photo by East St. Louis Public Relations Department photo)

SIUE’s STAT To Host Polar ‘Bare’ Fun Run For A Good Cause

28 January 2010, 1:34 pm

Members of Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), a student alumni association at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will be embracing the frigid weather as they play host to the Polar “Bare” Fun Run on Sunday, Feb. 21, in SIUE’s Stratton Quadrangle. Participants will run a mile around the quad wearing “next to nothing.” While creativity is highly encouraged, attire must include at least swimsuit coverage.

The event kicks off with check-in at 7:30 p.m., followed by the run at 8 p.m. The registration fee—$10 plus one warm-clothing item that will be donated to the Glen-Ed Food Pantry—includes a Polar “Bare” Fun Run T-shirt, hot chocolate and cookies in the warm-up tent and live music from Smitty’s D.J. Service.

Participants are being asked to pre-register by Friday, Feb. 5, for a guaranteed T-shirt size (small-XL); final registration is Friday, Feb. 12. Registration may be done online, www.siue.edu/alumni/stat, at SIUE’s Birger Hall or with a STAT officer. STAT provides undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to interact with alumni before graduation and obtain great advice regarding their major plus create valuable career contacts for jobs and internships. STAT also offers the option to take part in the STAT Alumni Mentor program. Students are matched with alumni from their chosen field of study and given the opportunity to gain valuable career advice.

SIUE Nursing Instructor Doing Her Part To Educate Caregivers

28 January 2010, 1:29 pm

Patients who suffer from forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, present a wide variety of challenges for caregivers. However, Susan Gallagher, a member of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing faculty, has been trying for years to help alleviate those challenges and anxiety for caregivers and their clients. As an RN with a background as a certified geriatric clinical nurse specialist, Gallagher is currently one of the instructors teaching the care of older adult course to nursing students at SIUE. And, as part of her recertification as a geriatric clinical specialist, Gallagher, who has a master’s in nursing, is in the midst of hundreds of clinical practice hours with the education department in the St. Louis chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

And, because of a special program she has coordinated which teaches dental hygiene students at Missouri College in St. Louis about how to engage and care for those with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association was given an award from the college. The award recognized the Alzheimer’s Association as an Outstanding Community Partner for its efforts on this program. “This coming spring we will roll out the new curriculum for these dental hygiene students,” Gallagher said. “MC was not only looking for programming and content but they also have a clinic they operate as part of the dental hygiene program,” she explained, “asking for help from the Association, for guidance and for some assistance with special needs educational content to help hygiene students who might find themselves dealing with clients with special needs.”

Gallagher explained that Dr. Hubert Benitez, director of the dental hygiene program at Missouri College, “felt that because of my work with the association’s education department, I and the association would be a good resource. The new curriculum at Missouri College, to be rolled out during the next semester, will teach these students how to communicate with the client who exhibits these special needs symptoms. This is a pretty unique collaboration between the Association and Missouri College,” Gallagher said. “We know of no other dental training program that is in existence in this type of partnership to this extent.”

At the SIUE School of Nursing, Gallagher teaches nursing students about older adults who are experiencing a variety of symptoms related to dementia or delirium. “That’s why I originally began working with the Alzheimer’s Association,” she said. “Every nursing student should have this same training, especially at this current time when we’re finding an increase in these kinds of cases.”

Under the assessment portion of the nursing education at SIUE, there are tools used that teach students how to recognize clients with dementia or other special needs. “In this program we also will teach how to communicate with that client, how to handle challenging behavior and also how to advise family members in how to best cope with these clients,” Gallagher said.

A nurse for more than 13 years, three of those years teaching at SIUE, Gallagher also has been a teacher of licensed practical nursing students at Sanford Brown Business College in St. Louis and at the St. Louis College of Health Careers. She also has worked in the long-term care industry in the St. Louis area as a staff nurse and a charge nurse. She also has been an assistant director at a long-term care facility in St. Louis. “Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia many used to call senility, but there are several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s as well as dementia caused by cardiovascular problems,” Gallagher explained. “The thing about dementia,” Gallagher explained, “is it’s not really up to the client to communicate with the caregiver. Even though the client lives in our world, their reality and frame of reference is the world that exists in their memory. We have to make an effort as caregivers to enter that world to be able to effectively communicate with them.

“Two main goals of the program are to teach dementia-friendly care techniques and person-centered approaches to care,” Gallagher pointed out “The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased to be a community partner with Missouri College on this multidisciplinary educational program, and both organizations are looking forward to its further development and future growth.”

SIUE Suzuki Strings Tour Group To Offer Trivia Night Feb. 20

28 January 2010, 1:24 pm

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Suzuki Tour Group, a violin ensemble that is part of the Suzuki Strings program for community students, will present its Trivia Night on Saturday, Feb. 20, in the gymnasium at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School, 1802 Madison Ave., Edwardsville. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the trivia competition begins promptly at 7. Winners of the competition will receive 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place cash prizes—$200, $100 and $50, respectively—for scoring the most points per table. Reservations may be made for tables of 10. Participants may bring their own snacks and beverages; alcohol is allowed.

A silent auction and a 50-50 raffle also will be available. Tickets are $10 per person; $100 for a table of 10. Proceeds will support the SIUE Suzuki Tour Group. For more information, or for tickets, call (618) 542-7000.

SIUE4Haiti Campaign Launches Information Web Page

28 January 2010, 1:20 pm

The SIUE 4 Haiti campaign offers activities this week to raise awareness of the plight of Haitians after a devastating earthquake and aftershocks in the past two weeks in that island country. The Web site offers calendar information about events as well as links to Facebook pages and other lists detailing chances to donate money and/or medical supplies. Visit the Web site:www.siue.edu/siue4haiti. In addition to several activities to raise awareness, donation jars have been set up in high traffic retail locations across campus, and several schools and departments are seeking donations of money, time and supplies to aid people in need. Spread the word.

SIUE English Professor Receives Nomination For NAACP Award

28 January 2010, 1:11 pm

Adrian Matejka

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Assistant English Language and Literature Professor Adrian Matejka could share billing with actors Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Williams, Denzel Washington and other noted celebrities at the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards. Matejka has received an Image Awards nomination for an Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry for his book Mixology (Penguin Group, 2009) Although Mixology had already been selected for the 2008 National Poetry Series and won an Illinois Arts Council Literary Award, this new honor came as quite a surprise. “I was nominated for The Devil’s Garden (Alice James Book, 2003) back in 2004, but I wasn’t a finalist that year,” Matejka said.

“And, this year I had no idea I was in the running at all until I found out I was one of the final nominees.” The NAACP awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on Friday Feb. 26 and will be televised on the Fox network. Watch your local station listings for broadcast times.

Mixology differs from Matejka’s earlier work. “America is a very different place now, a place that requires a different kind of poem,” Matejka said. “I’m really drawn to the ways that race, history, and cultural identity influence pop culture. In Mixology, I tried to explore these ideas with proper deference,” Matejka said.

In the past, the NAACP Image Awards program has provided a venue or stage for people of color to receive accolades and recognition for their work in entertainment and literature. The awards celebrate “the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice,” according to the Image Awards Web site. A group of 300 NAACP leaders and industry professionals select nominees in 53 categories, focusing on motion pictures, television, writing and directing, recording and literature. Winners of the awards are selected through votes cast by NAACP members.

“Being one of the final nominees is humbling to say the least,” Matejka said of his award nomination. “The NAACP has advocated for the rights of people of color in the United States for over 100 years. Were it not for the work of the NAACP and of other socially conscious organizations and individuals, I wouldn’t have been able to do the things I’ve been able to do. So, as a teacher and a poet, in a lot of ways, I’m the result of the work they’ve done,” Matejka added.

Colleagues at SIUE have encouraged Matejka in his work, and are proud of his accomplishments. Associate Professor Larry LaFond, chair of the department, said his teaching staff is proud of Matejka’s work. “Faculty … were understandably very proud of Professor Matejka when he received national critical acclaim for his book, Mixology,” LaFond said. “However, this latest recognition is extraordinary—we could not be happier for Professor Matekja and consider SIUE very fortunate to have a poet of his caliber in our faculty ranks,” LaFond said. “Students who pursue a creative writing degree at SIUE are very fortunate to have nationally recognized writers like Professor Matejka teaching them.”

With support from SIUE’s Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Matejka is planning on attending the Feb. 26 event. “It goes without saying that this is a great honor,” he said. “It speaks both to the creative work I’ve been doing and the institutional support I’ve received,” he said. And, Matejka wouldn’t mind rubbing elbows with some of the stars and celebrities who will be at the ceremony. “I’d like to meet Denzel Washington. He gets a shout out in one of the poems in Mixology (“Domo Arigato, Mr. Mulatto”) and I’d like to give him a copy,” he added.
“If I make it to the red carpet, I’ll try not to trip,” Matejka quipped.

Faculty, Staff, Students Work Together At SIUE To Help Haiti

28 January 2010, 1:00 pm

Faculty, staff and students are doing their part to support recovery efforts in the island nation of Haiti, following a series of devastating earthquakes over the last few weeks. Donation jars have been set up in high traffic retail locations across campus, and several schools and departments are seeking donations of money, time and supplies to aid people in need. Official United Nations reports list the estimated Haitian death toll at more than 200,000, and expect this number to increase due to widespread disease exposure among the living. Further estimates suggest more than 1.5 million people are homeless, following the initial 7.0 quake that rocked the island Jan. 12 and subsequent aftershocks.

“Our natural instinct as individuals, and as a University, is to want to help in some way,” said SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift. “The goal of this initiative is to raise funds to be sent to the American Red Cross and the organization known as Doctors Without Borders.” Both of those organizations are part of the relief effort in Haiti.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel is leading the campus wide effort. He said during his time at the University, he has been repeatedly moved by the campus response to natural disasters here and abroad. “I am deeply moved by the initial response of the SIUE community,” he said. “I have always been impressed with their caring, kindness and generosity. SIUE has a rich tradition of giving support and helping those in times of crisis. Once again, we are called upon to respond to an unfortunate event that caused horrific and devastating conditions in an already underdeveloped and impoverished country. Even though this has happened far away from our campus,” Emmanuel said, ”the struggle of the Haitian people is close to our hearts and they are in our thoughts.”

Assistant Professor Ron Worthington, in the SIUE School of Pharmacy, has worked with students to raise $500 so far for the effort. The School of Nursing has set up donation boxes across campus for collection of medical supplies and other items for an AIDS clinic in Haiti that is operated through a St. Louis area organization. Other efforts include the collection of money at SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics events, as well as a fundraiser through the SIUE Office of Housing and the placement of donation containers in the Morris University Center Food Court by SIUE Dining Services. In addition, several activities are planned by the SIUE Greek Community, while SIUE Student Government is creating and distributing ribbons with the colors of the Haiti flag to raise awareness about the on-campus effort.

Kicking off the initiative from an educational standpoint to raise awareness, several “teach-in” segments—aimed at promoting societal, political and cultural awareness—will take place on campus next week. The sessions are open to the public in the Morris University Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 26-27, including:

Tuesday

10-10:30 a.m., Students Should Care About Haiti
10:30-11:30 a.m., The Social and Cultural Fabric of Haiti
1-2 p.m., Highlighting Cultural History & Addressing Troubling Myths
2-3 p.m., The Public Health Agenda & Population Needs in Haiti

Wednesday

1-2 p.m., The Relationship Between Poverty and Environmental Degradation in the Caribbean=
2-3 p.m., The Politics of Haiti

To put the fundraiser in perspective, Denise DeGarmo, who is heading the “teach-in” component, pointed out that just a few dollars donated can go a long way in helping the effort. “For every dollar donated, you can buy three pills of an antibiotic or one jar of Tylenol, or a meal,” said DeGarmo, associate professor of political science, department chair and coordinator of the peace and international studies minor on campus. “We have the power to change this situation and this is one way we can discover the power of e. The people in Haiti need our help.”

For more information, visit SIUE’s peace and international studies page on Facebook, DeGarmo said, as well as other SIUE Facebook sites. Emmanuel said the instruction shown below will explain how to donate to the effort on line:

To make an on-line gift to the SIUE Community Compassion Fund:

1) Go to the following link: https://relay-ccon.foundation.siue.edu/ccon/new_gift.do?action=newGift

2) When choosing where you want to give, type “Compassion” in the search box and click “Search fund”.

3) Click “SIUE Community Compassion Fund”

4) Continue following the instructions to make your gift.

‘Journey Through Music’ Recalls A Swingin’ Time—Feb. 20 At The ESLHEC

28 January 2010, 11:42 am

l.) Climb into a melodious, rhythmic and captivating “time capsule” and tap, bop and boogie through musical expressions by People of Color. The evening of music and nostalgia will be presented by the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts and the East St. Louis Charter School, with a theme of “Journey through Music” on Saturday, Feb. 20. Doors will open at 5 :30 p.m. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Theater on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., East St. Louis. The ticket cost of $25 includes dinner and an original theater production. The production begins at 7 p.m.

“Journey through Music” traces the history of dance from the 1940s to the present. Some celebrated artists to be remembered will include singer, actress and activist Lena Horne, known for her song, Stormy Weather, and her role in the 1943 film, Cabin in the Sky, and Nina Simone, recognized as a singer, pianist and activist, whose noted songs included: Four Women, Little Girl Blue, I Loves You, Porgy and To Be Young Gifted and Black. Other artists to be remembered on the East St. Louis stage include New Edition, Donna Summer, The Impressions, Marvin Gaye, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Yolanda Adams and Van McCoy. The performance also will contain a special tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

For ticket information, please call (618) 482-6912.

Annual Antiques Show And Sale Set For March 13-14 At SIUE

28 January 2010, 11:35 am

Some 70 local and national dealers in antiques will display and sell a variety of items including furniture, fine glass, porcelain, china, toys and books Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14, at the Annual Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Antiques Show and Sale in SIUE’s Student Fitness Center. Since the beginning, some 40 years ago, the show and sale has been conducted by the Friends of Lovejoy Library in support of the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial Library at SIUE. According to Kyle Moore, development director for Lovejoy, the event has grown dramatically and now raises more than $50,000 for the purchase of books and materials for the library. The annual show and sale is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.

The event will take place in the center’s gymnasiums from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Free appraisals with paid admission (two-item limit) will be offered from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $6 at the door and are good both days of the event; for a $10 admission (includes general admission cost), “early bird” patrons may enter between 9 and 10 a.m. Saturday. Children under 13 years of age will be admitted free. For more information, call the Friends of Lovejoy Library, (618) 650-2730.

MLK Jr. Award Winners Announced At SIU Edwardsville

28 January 2010, 11:34 am

Winner Of Visual Arts portion of the MLK High School competition

Winner of the Poetry potion of the MLK High School competition

Winner of the Essay portion of the MLK High School competition

The Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian and Scholarship Awards have been announced by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The awards will be presented at the University’s 27th annual celebration of the birthday of the Rev. King at SIUE on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The awards are given each year to recognize those who exemplify the philosophy of nonviolent social change as demonstrated by the Rev. King. This year’s guest speaker will be The Hon. Milton Wharton, judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit in Illinois which includes St. Clair, Monroe, Perry, Randolph and Washington counties. The luncheon program will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE’s Delyte W. Morris University Center, followed by a reception in the Goshen Lounge for the winners of the Scholarship and Humanitarian awards. Winners of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. High School Essay, Poetry, and Visual Arts Awards also will be honored.

Winners of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards include:
KeNicia Dones of East St. Louis-A 19-year-old sophomore pursuing a bachelor of science in Nursing at SIUE, who is recipient of the MLK Jr. Scholarship and Humanitarian Award
Jesse B. Harris Jr.of University City, Mo.-A counselor in the SIUE Office of Advising and Counseling and a member of the SIUE staff for nearly 42 years, who is recipient of the Faculty/Staff MLK Jr. Humanitarian Award.

Winners of the MLK high school competition awards are:
Emily Arnold of Waterloo, a junior at Waterloo High School—visual arts award;
Christine Soucy of University City, Mo., and a junior at Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves, Mo.—poetry award; and
Thomas Hildebrand of Alton, a freshman at Alton High School—essay award.

A member of the SIUE Staff Senate board as treasurer for more than 20 years, Harris also has been an untiring champion of the Staff Senate Scholarship Committee, which has awarded thousands of dollars in enrollment scholarships to children and grandchildren of SIUE employees since its inception in 1974. He also has been closely involved with the Staff Senate’s Collective Bargaining Scholarship program. “We’ve given in excess of 55 scholarships since 1974, starting out at $200 to $1,000 currently,” Harris said. “We’re very proud of that effort.” He also contributes his time and energy in planning new fund-raising initiatives through the Staff Senate.

Those nominating Harris for the MLK Jr. Award agree that he promotes harmony, respect and understanding in his work with the Staff Senate as well as in his private efforts in the John E. and Regina S. Nance scholarship program at Washington Tabernacle Baptist Church in St. Louis. Harris has served on the Nance Board since 1974 and provides academic readiness workshops for scholarship applicants. He also serves on various boards of directors including those of the Carver House, Legend Singers, Saint Louis University Student Success Center, the National Association of Developmental Education, the Midwest Regional Association for Developmental Education and the American College Personnel Association. Harris also is a supporter of the Annie Malone Children’s Home, also in St. Louis.

From the age of 18 until his mid-30s Harris was a church choir director and also has been involved in other programs since then involving his passion—music. “I’ve studied with (SIUE Music Professor Emeritus) Sarah Turner, with former SIUE music faculty member Dale Moore, as well as Kenneth Brown Billups at Sumner High School, and Henry Isenkramer and Wirt D. Walton, both at what was then known as Harris Teachers College,” Harris said. “These were some of the best vocal teachers in the area, some of which were known nationally. I love singing and I try to do that as much as I can.” Harris has been a featured entertainer at the Annual Staff Senate Ice Cream Social in August, a fund-raising effort he envisioned.

A native of small-town Cotton Plant, Ark., Harris was taught Southern hospitality and compassion for others early on. “My interest in trying to emulate Dr. King goes back to a family and faith argument,” Harris pointed out. “I live by the notion that if I can help someone as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain,” Harris said. “In the neighborhood and in the community, I have to acknowledge that if I don’t want to become part of the problem, I need to be part of the solution. This was the way I was brought up, and, after moving to the big city, I realized things would be different but I still held on to those values.”

KeNicia Dones has been active as a tutor with America Tutor Reads at Coolidge Middle School in Granite City, with East St. Louis Schools, and with the Small Steps Learning Center in East St. Louis. At SIUE, Dones has been a member of the Johnetta Haley Academy, on the Dean’s List since fall semester 2008 and she was involved in the Access and Excellence Scholarship during summer last year. Dones also is a member of the Student Nursing Achievement Program, the Student Nurses Association, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Phi Eta Sigma-Freshman Honor Society, the Evergreen Area Council and the SIUE Campus Activities Board.

For as long as she can remember, Dones says she has heard the stories about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to society. “I remember two values from Dr. King’s speeches: ‘…nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time’ and when he quotes from the U.S. Declaration of Independence: ‘…we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.’ I have made a commitment to these two values, especially because I have learned that we live in a society in which violent actions have seemingly become the norm,” Dones said. “Violence may seem to be an easy route to solve problems, but I have found it’s easier to take the non-violent way out. I believe in the second value because it helps me understand that no matter what the other person’s race, gender or belief system, we are all human and equal.”

Jesse Harris

KeNicia Dones

Tickets for the MLK luncheon are $20; students, $15. For reservations, call (618) 650-2660.

A Season For The Child Continues With ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’

28 January 2010, 11:19 am

The emperor has new clothes but there’s a problem. Find out what that is Saturday at a performance of the popular fairytale, The Emperor’s New Clothes, as the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) continue A Season for the Child, FOTAD’s annual series of family theater productions. Piwacket Theatre for Children will perform a delightful adaptation of the tale at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, in the theater at SIUE’s Dunham Hall. Piwacket has been working with FOTAD for nearly two decades, providing wholesome family-oriented theater. In Piwacket’s version of The Emperor’s New Clothes, audiences will have fun when they realize the joke as two tailors play out their ulterior motive with emperor. It’s a fast-paced retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.

FOTAD’s A Season for the Child is in its 20th year of presenting family-oriented theater to Southwestern Illinois audiences. The series, sponsored by FOTAD, TheBANK of Edwardsville and Ameren Illinois Utilities, features professional theater troupes from St. Louis that stage adaptations of various children’s stories, using interactive techniques that not only delight children and parents, but also provide a learning experience.

On March 20, The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis will perform All The World’s A Stage, adapted scenes from several of the bard’s best plays, all retold for young theater-goers. The performance is scheduled at 7 p.m. that Saturday in the theater in Dunham Hall. All tickets for A Season for the Child are $5 per person and may be obtained through the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.

SIUE Friends Group To Give Spirituality/Sustainability Awards Feb. 6

28 January 2010, 11:13 am

The Friends of the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (CSS) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the WoRKS Group Edwardsville will present the annual Sustainability Award to Peter H. Raven, director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the annual Spiritual Leadership Award to Doris Gvillo, religion columnist for the Edwardsville Intelligencer, both on Saturday, Feb. 6. The Friends of the CSS established the Spiritual Leadership Award in 2003 to recognize persons of faith who provide leadership and service to humanity. The Sustainability Leadership Award was established in 2009 with the first award going posthumously to R. Buckminster Fuller. The CSS was named an Edwardsville Local Landmark in 2008.

The WoRKS (World Religions, Knowledge and Science) Group Edwardsville is among more than 200 Science and Religion groups worldwide participating in the Metanexus project, Local Societies Initiatives. WoRKS Group Edwardsville programs on the SIUE campus have engaged interested faculty, students, and citizens in dialogue with scholars and renowned specialists in colloquium series, bringing regional and national specialists in areas such as philosophy, religion, physics, biology, medicine, psychology and other disciplines. The Feb. 6 awards dinner will take place in the University Restaurant on the second floor of SIUE’s Delyte W. Morris Center. The honored guest at this year’s event will be Allegra Fuller Snyder, daughter of R. Buckminster Fuller, designer of the geodesic-domed CSS.

In addition to his duties at the MoBOT, Raven, is the George Engelmann Professor of Botany at Washington University in St. Louis, a trustee of the National Geographic Society and chair of the Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration. A leading botanist and advocate of conservation and biodiversity, Time magazine has hailed Raven as a “Hero for the Planet.”

Gvillo has served the SIUE International Hospitality Program in several capacities since 1971 and has served as host family for many international students for some 30 years. In 2000, SIUE’s Kimmel Leadership Center honored her with the Kimmel Community Service Award. She is an active member of the Eden United Church of Christ, having taught church school and serving on the church council, and also has been active in the Women’s Guild, serving as both vice president and president. Gvillo currently is co-chair of Circle 3 of the Women’s Guild. Gvillo also has served as one of Eden’s representatives to the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chapter of Church Women United. In addition, she has been active in the Madison County Association for Home and Community Education and was a co-leader of a girl’s 4H Club for more than a decade. Gvillo has been very active with the SIUE CSS, at one time serving as secretary for the United Christian Foundation.

Allegra Fuller Snyder is professor emerita of dance and former director of the Dance Ethnology program at UCLA. She also has served on the dance program of the National Endowment for the Arts. Since 1983, Snyder has served as founder and executive director, then as president, and now as chair of the board of directors of the Buckminster Fuller Institute. She is the only living child of R. Buckminster Fuller.

Dinner reservations for the Feb. 6 awards dinner are $50 per plate. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the dinner beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/religion and download the reservation form. For more information please call the CSS, (618) 650-3246, or email jjacobso@siue.edu. There will be free parking in Visitor Lot B; maps and directions may be found at www.siue.edu.

PBS Documentary Wins Emmy; SIUE’s Theising Was Contributor

28 January 2010, 11:08 am

A four-part documentary from PBS about unemployment, a segment of which dealt with the current economic impact in East St. Louis, recently won an Emmy Award and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Associate Political Science Professor Andrew Theising was a big contributor to the production. Theising, head of SIUE’s Institute for Urban Research and who has himself studied the political and economic issues in East St. Louis, was instrumental in making the PBS segment a reality by arranging interviews and making production suggestions as well as appearing on camera as an East St. Louis expert. The documentary—aired last spring—was part of what was then known as The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, now known as The PBS Newshour.

Theising’s research—concerning the area of industrial suburbs and their economic plight—has been featured in media nationwide including The Atlantic Monthly and The New York Times. He is author of the award-winning book, Made in USA: East St. Louis (Virginia Publishing, 2003), called the first comprehensive scholarly account of East St. Louis and companion book to the Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary of the same name. The book is now in its second printing. He recently finished St. Louis Currents: The Bi-State Region after a Century of Planning (Reedy Press, 2009), an eBook on DVD, co-edited with Mark Abbott, a professor of history in the Department of Urban Specializations at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis.

A member of the faculty in the SIUE Department of Political Science since 2002, Theising teaches courses in urban politics and public administration. He was a 2007 recipient of the SIUE Teaching Recognition Award and is a member of the American Political Science Association, the Midwest Political Science Association, the Southern Historical Association, the Urban Affairs Association, the St. Louis chapter of the American Statistical Association, and the Greater East St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. Theising holds master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he was a Pierre Laclede Honors Scholar and studied under internationally-respected urban scholar Dennis R. Judd.

Carpe Diem String Quartet, Peter Soave To Appear At SIUE Jan. 30

28 January 2010, 10:57 am

The Carpe Diem String Quartet, whose recent CD was selected for the 2009 Grammy Award Entry List, and internationally acclaimed bandoneón and concert accordionist Peter Soave will perform the music of the late Aldemaro Romero Sr. at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, as part of the Arts & Issues series at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“Aldemaro Romero Sr. was an international recording star with RCA Victor and one of the foremost Latin music orchestra leaders in the world,” said Grant Andree, coordinator of the Arts & Issuesseries. “We are proud to have his son here to introduce the Arts & Issues audience to the important legacy his father left to the international world of music.” The composer’s son, Aldemaro Romero Jr., is dean of SIUE’s College of Arts and Sciences and will be conducting during the Jan. 30 concert on stage at the theater in SIUE’s Dunham Hall. “And, we’re pleased that the fine musicians of the Carpe Diem Quintet and Peter Soave himself will grace our stage to help Dean Romero in this important musical presentation,” Andree said. “This should be an entertaining as well as enlightening evening for our audience.”

The elder Romero’s reputation as a fine arranger-conductor led him to collaborate with popular orchestras and singers such as Dean Martin, big band bandleader Stan Kenton and popular Latin percussionist Tito Puente. Romero was credited with creating a new form of Venezuelan music, known as Onda Nueva (New Wave) that was influenced by Brazilian Bossa Nova rhythms. He also composed Five Paleontological Mysteries for accordion and string quartet that will be performed that evening by Carpe Diem and Soave, and will be conducted by Dean Romero. The piece, by the way, was dedicated to Soave and named in honor of Dean Romero, who, in his work as a research biologist, discovered the five new fossils.

Carpe Diem, in residence at Ohio Wesleyan University, is a musical group that has captured the imagination of audiences around the world, earning critical acclaim with its electrifying performances. Committed to revitalizing the chamber music concert experience, Carpe Diem is using innovative programming, thematic concerts and popular music for younger generations, cameras and video to assist in the visual presentation, as well as speaking from the stage to better engage the audience. The quartet continues its project of recording the nine string quartets of Sergey Taneyev on the Naxos label, selected for the aforementioned 51st Grammy Awards Entry List this past year in four categories—best classical album, best chamber music performance, best new artist, and best engineered album–classical.

The hallmark of Peter Soave’s performances is the excitement he generates on stage with his execution and sensitivity of touch while playing the bandoneón or the accordian. A native of Detroit, Soave was a young phenomenon on the international competition circuit by the age of 16. He is the only player to win a gold medal in all four major world championship accordion competitions. Deeply inspired by the Argentinean composer Astor Piazolla, Soave began including the characteristic bandoneón (also known as the tango accordion) in his performances as well, and now regularly performs on both instruments. He has recorded several CDs, both as a solo artist and with orchestras. He received the 2001 Detroit Music Award for best classical recording and in 2003 the Detroit Music Award for best classical instrumentation.

Tickets for Carpe Diem Quartet and Peter Soave are $27; SIUE students, $13; SIUE employees and retirees, as well as all senior citizens, $25. Ticket information, subscription rates and ticket sales are available on the Web site: artsandissues.com, or by calling (618) 650-5774.

Most of the 2009-10 Arts & Issues photos suitable for print are available at www.siue.edu/artsandissues/PhotoIndex.shtml.

The next Arts and Issues series appearance will be:
Steve Squyres-“Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and the Exploration of the Red Planet”
Wednesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m., Meridian Ballroom
Sponsored by SIUE’s Shaw Memorial Fund
“Spirit and Opportunity” have always been prominent in the life of Steve Squyres, best known as the face and voice of NASA’s mission to Mars including the pioneering and spectacular drive across the Red Planet’s surface by two high-tech robotic rovers. He will detail to the Arts & Issues audience how he turned what seemed like an improbable dream into a successful $800 million reality.

Get A Jump On The Garden

28 January 2010, 10:49 am

The Edwardsville Intelligencer newspaper recently published a piece about SIUE’s Doug Conley, director of the Gardens at SIUE, and his suggestions for curing the winter blahs—seed catalogs. The article by Julia Biggs is available below courtesy of the Intelligencer:

By Julia Biggs
Published: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 12:07 PM CST

We may be in the middle of the cold, dark, dreary days of winter and spring gardening may seem like a long way off, but there’s still something you can be doing now – planning.

What do you do during these doldrum days of winter? How do we get ourselves to think about spring? “One way is to surf through the garden catalogs and Web pages and plan your garden for next year.” Director of the Gardens at SIUE Doug Conley said.

There’s no doubt that vegetable gardening grew in popularity in 2009. For those interested in growing their own vegetables, there are countless resources on the Internet. A quick “Google” search will provide you with page after page of seed catalog sources.

Conley suggested the Web site www.gardenlists.com as a great source that lists more than 2,000 gardening mail-order catalogs. “It’s not completely inclusive obviously, but vegetable, fruit, heirlooms – it has all kinds of things so that’s a good source to start with” he said.

Other seed catalogs that Conley recommends are John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, D. Landreth’s Commemorative Catalog and Burpee Seeds. Most of these catalogs can be found at garden centers or you can request a catalog by visiting their respective Web sites atwww.kitchengardenseeds.com/, www.landrethseeds.com andwww.burpee.com.

Conley said he found Landreth’s seed catalog particularly interesting. “There’s a lot of heirloom varieties included in this one and some additional information that comes in handy like how many days ’till fruit maturation when starting from seed,” he said.

When evaluating seed options also be evaluating what you liked or didn’t like about your garden last year.

For those beginning a new vegetable garden, Conley offers some thoughts. “Keep in mind that you need an area that’s primarily in full sun,” he said. “When you’re designing your garden all you need is a piece of paper, some graph paper, a pencil and some ideas of where you want it. Be honest about how big the garden should be and literally lay it out.”

“My advice to the new vegetable gardener is don’t take on too much,” Conley said. “If you haven’t gardened before, do a modest sized garden. A 10 by 10 plot can be a lot of work. It may not sound like much, but if you don’t have time or lose interest, it can turn into a weedy patch pretty quick.”

He also suggested that new vegetable gardeners grow something that will give you some success like tomatoes and peppers.

Start with how dedicated you’re going to be and then evaluate your goals. “Do you want enough vegetables to have a few fresh veggies through mid summer and late summer or do you want an abundance that you can or freeze for later use?” he asked. “Be realistic about that. It’s a tough thing to do but you can tie up a lot of time if you think you’re going to can and store.”

A Web site that offers a great seed planting chart is http://www.humeseeds.com.

The advantage of purchasing from a seed catalog is that you get greater variety. “If you wait until the garden centers are open you are limited of course by what they have available unless you pre-order,” Conley said. “There are pros and cons to both. If you have a place where you can start your own seeds inside, then you can get a head start.”

For those who aren’t inclined to do a vegetable garden but enjoy reading about gardening, nature and the environment, there’s not a better time to read a book than these cold, dreary days. Conley suggested “A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold. “It’s a classic of the conservation movement,” Conley said. “Aldo Leopold owned a property in the Sand counties of Wisconsin and he writes about the comings and goings of the natural phenomenon on his property. It is beautifully written. There’s one section where he talks about an oak tree that has died and they are cutting it down for firewood. As he’s cutting through the tree, he’s counting backward through the rings. He puts the blade in and he cuts through 10 years and he talks about what happened 10 years ago and how the tree tells the story of the land. It’s really very poetic. He also chases things in the seasons so it’s a nice read about the conservation movement and the loss of the wilderness.”

Another interesting read that Conley recommends is “It’s Raining Frogs and Fishes” by Jerry Dennis. “He’s a Michigan author,” Conley said. “He talks about what makes the sky blue and explains what it means when the crickets chirp. It’s really an interesting read.”

And for those who are more interested in landscaping, the Gardens at SIUE, in coordination with the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach, is offering a spring gardening series of hands-on activities.

Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. a different two-hour, hands-on class is offered from Feb. 27 to March 27.

The first class begins Feb. 27 with “Pruning Small Trees and Shrubs without Fear or Remorse.” Presented by Julie Conley, horticulturist and Watershed Nature Center Board President, students will learn pruning basics and then apply what they’ve learned.

“Making More Plants” is offered March 6. Nancee Kruescheck, co-owner of Naturescapes, will teach participants to divide all types of plants, how to take cuttings and how to sow seeds.

On March 20, Jill Gerardi, Market Basket’s green house manager, and Jason Stevens, Market Basket’s general manager will present “Container Gardening Tips and Trends.” Learn about current trends and new plant varieties for 2010 from the country’s top growers and breeders.

The spring program ends on March 27 with “Trees in the Landscape.” Daniel Mueller, grounds manager for the Gardens at SIUE, will talk about characteristics of various trees commonly used in landscaping and how to apply them to home and business plantings. After the discussion, participants will be given a walking tour of the ground and time will be allocated for spring wildflower searches and invasive plant identification.

“We’re very excited about this new program,” Conley said. “This is our first effort at a gardening series and we intend to do this again in the summer and fall – making this a regular feature. We welcome input on topics that folks are interested in for future classes.”

The spring gardening series cost $19 per seminar or $15 per seminar when enrolling for two or more at the same time. SIUE Friends of the Gardens receive a $3 discount per seminar.

Visit the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach Web site at www.siue.edu/educationaloutreach/retirementlearning for additional information or to sign up. Click on the “gardening series PDF” link at the bottom of the SIUE page for a full listing.

P. Birke Named Employee Of The Month For January

22 January 2010, 4:05 pm

Congratulations: Paula Birke, lead specialist in the Office of Financial Affairs, is the January recipient of the Employee Recognition Award. In the photo, Birke is receiving the award from Vice Chancellor for Administration Kenneth Neher (second from left). Birke was nominated for the award by Financial Affairs Director Dave Heth (far right). Also shown is SIUE Budget Director Bill Winter, one of Birke’s supervisors. In addition to the plaque she has been presented, Birke was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the SIUE Bookstore and two complimentary lunch coupons to the University Restaurant or other Dining Services locations, as well as parking close to her office for the month. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)

SIUE Student From Carman Named Outstanding TA Of The Year

12 January 2010, 9:39 am

Tara Eaton, of Carman and a graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been named the Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year. Eaton is studying exercise physiology in the SIUE School of Education.

Eaton, who earned a bachelor of science in 2008 in Kinesiology and Health Education, with a specialty in exercise and wellness, began the master’s program in fall of that year. As a teaching assistant (TA), she is responsible for teaching two sections of “Personalized Shape-Up” and as a graduate assistant coordinates the testing schedule for the department’s Weight Management Clinic.

As an instructor, Eaton students gave her high marks, with 80 percent saying she is “above-average” or “excellent.” Many of the students commented that Eaton is “fun and energetic … passionate and motivated” and that “overall, this instructor was an effective teacher.”

Part of Eaton’s TA duties entails teaching courses, helping faculty members, helping to schedule labs for undergraduate courses, and for testing body composition. As a part of the Weight Management Clinic she assists in designing the clinic’s Web site, conducts video and phone screenings and testing, and keeps track of the Physiology advising room.

Aside from the TA duties, Eaton has been involved in the Kinesiology and Health Education Student Association and enjoys tutoring other students. In her spare time she enjoys relaxing, being with family and meeting new people.

Eaton says she dreams of owning her own training studio but in the meantime she plans to find a corporate wellness position in St. Louis after graduation, or possibly becoming a part-time educator or even continuing her own education.

Eaton’s advice to other students? “Don’t limit yourself to one path,” she said. “Keep your options open and don’t settle for one thing.” And, she also advises other graduate students to apply for graduate assistant positions because they tend to reveal other options.

Eaton was nominated for the award by Associate Professor Emeritus N. Kay Covington; Professor Curt Lox, chair of the department and its graduate program director; and School of Education Dean Bette Bergeron.

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SIUE Art & Design Department Continues Saturday Studio

8 January 2010, 12:39 pm

The “Saturday Studio” morning art workshops for primary, intermediate, middle school students and high school students—conducted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Art and Design—continue Jan. 30-March 27 in SIUE’s Alumni Hall and the SIUE Art and Design Building.

According to SIUE Assistant Professor Alyssia Ruggiero, head of the art education area of the department, the studio experience is intended to stimulate the creative and aesthetic growth of students through the use of media and generating ideas for creative expression. “Students will learn about the development of themes and methods of creating art,” Ruggiero said.

The Saturday morning art education program consists of three classes—Primary Children’s, Ages 6-8, Room 3200 Alumni Hall, and Intermediate Art, ages 9-12; Room 3201 Alumni Hall, both from 9- 11:30 a.m.; and Drawing/Painting Jr./Sr. High, Ages 13-18, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room 2102, Art and Design Building.

More information about registration, class fee, availability of space, what each class offers, and scheduling may be obtained by calling the SIUE Department of Art and Design, (618) 650-3183, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 3183, or, by writing the department at SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1764.

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SIUE’s Woodruff Earns Distinction As Certified Fund-Raising Executive

8 January 2010, 12:32 pm

(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) International has awarded Judith M. Blase Woodruff, of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a CFRE designation. Woodruff, director of development for the SIUE School of Business, joins an elite group of only some 5,400 professionals in the world who have passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a fund-raising executive.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential also have met a series of standards set by the international organization that include tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated fund-raising achievement and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. “This certification adds to my credibility as a development professional,” Woodruff said, “so that donors to SIUE know they are interacting with someone who has a deep understanding of the principles and techniques of fund-raising based on accepted best practices, and that they are interacting with a professional in the field.”

Woodruff pointed out that she also is committed to determining the needs of donors and providing them the kind of excellent service they deserve. “I felt it was important to provide donors with whom I work the best possible experience in supporting an institution they love,” she said.

According to Susan Davies Goepp, chair of CFRE International, certified fund-raisers agree to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights. “The CFRE process was developed as a way to identify for the public and for employers those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and commitment to perform fund-raising duties in an effective, conscientious, ethical and professional manner,” Goepp said. “Achievement of the CFRE credential demonstrates the level of commitment on the part of Ms. Woodruff to herself and to the profession as a whole.”

Woodruff also pointed out that she has taken a variety of classes and seminars in fund- raising through the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals to “further my understanding and expertise of the fund-raising profession. The CFRE was the logical next step for me.”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. To maintain certification status, CFREs must continue to demonstrate on-going fund-raising employment, fund-raising results and must continue with their professional education.

Woodruff said employers and donors who work with certified fund-raising professionals know they are getting someone who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and someone who is committed to their profession.

CFRE International is an independent organization whose sole mission is dedicated to the certification of fund-raising executives by setting standards in philanthropy. This single, universal, baseline organization works in cooperation with leading philanthropic associations. More information about CFRE can be found on the Web site: www.cfre.org.

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SIU Dental Medicine Prepares to Give Kids A Smile

8 January 2010, 10:13 am

Dental professionals through Southern Illinois University’s School of Dental Medicine are urging parents of qualified children to bring those between the ages of 3 and 13 to this year’s Give Kids A Smile Day from 7:30 a.m. to noon, Friday, Feb. 5 at the School of Dental Medicine Main Clinic, Building 263, 2800 College Ave.

Free dental care, including examinations, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions, will be provided by SIU School of Dental Medicine faculty and students, members of the Madison District Dental Society and the St. Clair District Dental Society, and Lewis and Clark Community College dental assisting and dental hygiene faculty and students. Professionals and volunteers from the community will also participate.

Children qualified to participate in the event are those eligible for free and reduced-priced meal programs.

Give Kids a Smile Day is a national event sponsored by the American Dental Association to provide free dental treatment for underserved children. The event is organized to promote community awareness of the need for dental services among the underserved. Locally in Alton, the one-day event allows an average of over 200 children to receive dental care from dental professionals each year. The volunteer dentists and staff offer an annual average of more than $50,000 in preventive and restorative oral health treatment for the children who participate.

“Every measure is being taken to ensure that waiting times are kept to a minimum,” said Dr. Poonam Jain, associate professor in the SIU School of Dental Medicine and director of Community Dentistry. “Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to be treated.”

Fun activities for children will take place throughout the event. The Lewis and Clark Community College Dental Hygiene and Assisting programs will host a “Smile Station” on site, featuring games to help children learn the importance of keeping their teeth clean.

For more information, contact Sherie Gottlob from the School of Dental Medicine, (618) 474-7200, or sgottlo@siue.edu. While pre-registration is preferred, it is not required.

Avid supporters of the event, State Rep. Dan Beiser, D-East Alton, State Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, U.S. Reps. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, and Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, have been invited to attend.