SIUE’s Frey Spurlock to Lead Center for Spirituality and Sustainability’s Board of Directors
Strengthening and expanding the work, influence and partnerships of the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (CSS) on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is the vision of its board of directors’ new president Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD.
Frey Spurlock, associate professor in the Department of Sociology, SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) director and former CSS board member, is excited about working closer with the board in her new position.
Frey Spurlock’s term, which began Jan. 1, will conclude Dec. 31, 2022. She replaces outgoing president Betsy Slosar, who served for more than four years. As board president, some of Frey Spurlock’s duties will include:
- To guide the vision and growth of CSS
- To oversee development/fundraising activities, coordinating with the development committee
- To outreach and network within SIUE and the community for the purpose of raising awareness
- To delegate organizational tasks to the vice presidents as needed
The board also voted to change its leadership by adding two vice presidents, according to Frey Spurlock. Katja Kopp, of Edwardsville, is serving as vice president of sustainability and Jeanne Aguirre, of Fairview Heights, is serving as vice president of spirituality. CSS also has a vice president of building and grounds, Tom Kinsella, of Edwardsville.
“The new structure alleviates the burden of serving for all involved, making it more efficient to address and expand the work as it relates to both sustainability and spirituality,” said Frey Spurlock. “It also allows us to draw from the collective wisdom and community connections of Jeanne and Katja.”
“The positions were designed to promote Buckminster Fuller’s original concept that spirituality and sustainability are linked,” added Kopp. “Our spirituality will lead us to make ethical decisions about sustainability, and how we treat each other and the planet in general. Helping to create awareness about sustainability issues and practices is crucial, and educating people about new concepts, technologies, legislation and resources is more necessary than ever.”
“My vision for CSS centers on building connections within SIUE and the community that it hasn’t fully reached yet,” offered Frey Spurlock. “For example, SIUE students, staff and faculty walk by the Dome on a regular basis but have no idea as to what the CSS has to offer in terms of personal, professional and academic development.”
One action step that Frey Spurlock has embarked upon is working with a student team mentored by Debbie Sellnow-Richmond, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Applied Communication Studies. Students in Sellnow-Richmond’s ACS 414/15 class are developing a public relations campaign that will target SIUE students and will highlight CSS’ 50th anniversary celebration this year. In keeping with the spirit of Buckminster Fuller’s legacy, Frey Spurlock is also looking forward to helping the CSS move closer to its goal of being a “Net Zero” carbon footprint building.
The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is a non-profit, multi-faith home for spirituality and sustainability efforts housed in the Buckminster Fuller Dome on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.
Photo:
L-R: Katja Kopp, CSS vice president of sustainability; Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and CSS board president; and Jeanne Aguirre, CSS vice president of spirituality.
