(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) After more than a decade of planning and annual presentations to the state legislature, a proposal that includes a $78.9 million package to renovate the existing Science Building and construct a new science laboratory building at SIUE, was signed today by Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn. Both houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed the statewide capital funding plan last month that includes a total of $168.1 million for SIUE and SIU Carbondale. more....
See special exhibition ITALY 150: Exploring the Piedmont at the Collinsville Library on Main Street. "Visit" the Piedmont Region! "Meet" the people! Learn their history! Open now through October 22. Free admission.
On Sunday, Oct. 16, 3 p.m., hear the dynamic Dr. Anna Amelung speaking on Italy's unification. She'll make the history come alive! Community Room, Collinsville Library. Free admission.
Dr. Louise Flick, Family Health, Community Health Nursing: CDC and NIH award to participate in the National Children's Study (NCS)— Largest research grant in SIUE history!
Dr. Michael Shaw, Chemistry: NSF's Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
Dr. Stephen Tamari, Historical Studies: Fulbright: “Bilad al-Shamism: The Politics of Identity in Early Modern Syria”
Telling the story of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s route to national recognition through its important achievements and milestones, SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift delivered his annual address today and ended it by announcing his intent to retire at the end of the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
Though many are surprised by this announcement, SIU President Dr. Glenn Poshard pointed out that Chancellor Vandegrift has accomplished much of what he was hired to do, including achieving national recognition for the University, moving Intercollegiate Athletics to NCAA Division I in the Ohio Valley Conference, and numerous construction and infrastructure projects improving the current campus climate and paving the way for the future at SIUE.
“Dr. Vandegrift was hired to take the University to a new level of excellence,” Poshard noted. “The substantial progress SIUE has made toward achieving national recognition speaks to the success he has orchestrated during his tenure.”
In addition to prestigious recognitions by U.S.News and World Report Best Colleges of 2012 listing SIUE as a top 15 master’s comprehensive public institution in the Midwest region and one of 46 “up-and-coming” institutions in the entire country for innovative changes in academics, faculty, student life, campus and facilities, the University has gained national recognition through many rankings and acknowledgments—among them the 2011 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction by the Corporation for National and Community Service; and a ranking among the Top 50 by Washington Monthly among 553 master’s universities nationally.
The University will now embark on the difficult challenge of finding a new chancellor to continue the quest for excellence. Vandegrift indicated his retirement will be effective July 1. According to President Poshard, “The Office of the President will conduct a nationwide search for Dr. Vandegrift’s successor; details will be released as they are available,” he said.
Vandegrift thanked the SIUE community for their support. “To have been part of this great university, to not only have been afforded the benefit of appreciating all of its component parts, but to actually have been given the responsibility to affect change toward the realization of its vision for national recognition is something I would never have imagined possible earlier in my life.”
The Distinguished Scholar Program is a new program for which the Graduate School is currently seeking funding. The program proposes to bring to the Edwardsville campus world renowned Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Prize Winners. This in-residence program will greatly enrich the quality of education at SIUE. It will also give our students the opportunity to learn from and interact with scholars and pioneers who have transformed our understanding of the world. Faculty will also have the opportunity to engage in projects with the visiting scholars which will enhance the development of their own teaching and research. In addition, the program will give the community an opportunity to meet, hear and speak to the scholars. This program will permit SIUE to attract more students and faculty to the Region.
The Graduate School is seeking $50,000 annually in individual, corporate, and foundation support. The additional cost will be provided by the University. If you are interested in making a donation, please submit to the SIUE Foundation, Box 1082. Thank you for your support.
The 2012 Annual Graduate School Spring Symposium will be held on Wednesday, March 30th in the Morris University Center.
This year's Symposium will feature events such as the Graduate Student Research Symposium and Reception, the Paul Simon Outstanding Scholar Award Luncheon, Author's Display of faculty publications, the Chancellor's Researcher's Reception and other events to be announced later.
This event allows students the opportunity to present research papers, posters, exhibits, and performances before an audience of faculty, staff, fellow students, friends, and family.
For more information about all Spring Symposium events, watch for the January-February issue of Research Highlights or contact Linda Skelton, extension 2958 or lskelto@siue.edu. Invitations to the Paul Simon Outstanding Scholar Award Luncheon and the Chancellor's Researcher's Reception will be mailed in March.
Valerie Meyer of Edwardsville, emerita professor of Curriculum and Instruction, died Thursday at Missouri Baptist Hospital from complications following surgery. She was 63.
Before joining the Education faculty full-time in 1980 as an assistant professor of secondary education, Meyer had been employed in elementary and secondary schools in Missouri and Illinois as a teacher of remedial reading, social studies, English and art. From 1975-1980, she was at the Venice (IL)-Lincoln Technical Center teaching remedial reading and life skills to adults. During that same time frame Meyer was a visiting lecturer at SIUE. Meyer became an associate professor in 1986 and a full professor in 1992. She retired from the SIUE School of Education in 2004.
A native of Oak Park, Meyer earned a bachelor's in philosophy and sociology at Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1968, a master of science in secondary education and reading at SIU Carbondale in 1972, and a doctorate in educational leadership at SIUE in 1980. Meyer was author and co-author of several publications about reading and literacy, and conducted many workshops throughout Illinois during her career. In 1981, the Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators Association awarded her Teacher of the Year for her work in adult literacy.
She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Rutman, SIUE emeritus professor of economics and finance. Memorials may be made in her name to the SIUE School of Education Development Fund.
10/22/08 - Louis Bobka
Was Emeritus Associate Professor Of Kinesiology and Health Education
Louis Bobka of Collinsville, emeritus associate professor of Kinesiology and Health Education, and one of the pioneer faculty at SIUE, died Oct. 18 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. He was 77.
A native of Harrisburg, Bobka attended Harrisburg Township High School where he lettered in football, basketball and track, and was co-captain of a conference football team. He also was named to the All-State team. He was a starter in football at SIU Carbondale during his freshman year and was captain of the 1951 team. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-56, and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, interrupting his college career. He became a research assistant and a consultant in the Department of Community Development at the Carbondale campus after he earned a bachelor of science in education in 1958.
Bobka came to the new southwestern Illinois campus of SIU in 1959 in what was then known as the Department of Health, Recreation and Physical Education after earning a master of science in education at SIU Carbondale that same year. After serving the SIU system for more than 35 years, Bobka retired from SIUE in 1993.
9/8/08 - William Going
Was Emeritus Professor Of English and First Dean Of Instruction
William Thornbury Going, who was hired as the first full professor of English at the old Alton Residence Center in 1957 and the next year appointed the first dean of Instruction and Academic Affairs, died September. 7 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. He was 93. Although some would later refer to Going as the first Provost at SIUE, he would demure, saying he and the faculty developed the curriculum in those early days of the fledging University but, there's no question Going was a significant force in the evolution of SIUE, including teaching literature after stepping down from his administrative duties in 1965. He retired in 1980 as emeritus professor of English Language and Literature in what was then known as the School of Humanities.
The quiet educator from Birmingham, Ala., began his career at Duke University, where he served as a Scholar Fellow from 1936-38. During summer 1938, Going was appointed an assistant professor at Howard College in Birmingham; he also taught in that city's West End High School during 1938-39. He accepted a position in 1939 as an associate professor of English at the University of Alabama and continued there until coming to SIUE.
8/1/08 - James Owens
Was Emeritus Professor Of Curriculum And Instruction
James L. Owens Jr. of St. Louis, emeritus professor of Curriculum and Instruction, died July 26, just four days before his 71st birthday. A lifelong educator, Owens began his career in 1960 as a teacher in the Pruitt School in St. Louis, after graduating with a bachelor's in elementary education at what was then known as Harris Teachers College in St. Louis. He earned a master's in educational administration at the University of Illinois in 1967.
After leaving Pruitt, Owens became coordinator of the elementary student teaching program at the University of Illinois until 1970. That year he became director of special programs at the old State Community College in East St. Louis. Owens joined the SIUE School of Education in 1970 and went on to earn a doctorate in elementary education from Saint Louis University in 1971. He retired from SIUE in 2002 after 32 years of service to the University.
1/25/08 - Peter Herdman
Was Emeritus Associate Professor
Peter R. Herdman, emeritus associate professor at the SIU School of Dental Medicine, died Friday, Jan. 25. He was 64. A native of Eastchester, N.Y., Herdman had been a resident of Jacksonville, Fla., since 2003 after retiring from the SIU School.
A staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and a Vietnam veteran, Herdman earned a doctorate in anatomy at Saint Louis University in 1976, then taught neuro anatomy at the SIU School for 27 years. Before coming to SIU dental school in Alton, Herdman attended New York University from 1961-65 and earned a bachelor of science in biology at Parsons College in 1967. He went on to earn a master's in anatomy at Saint Louis University in 1972.
From 1967-68 Herdman was a research assistant at SLU and then St. John's Mercy Hospital. From 1975-76 he was an assistant professor at SLU Medical School.
