December 2003
December 18, 2003
55 Graduates Nurses Complete Senior Assignment At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE) Fifty-five Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing students recently presented their Senior Assignment projects to an audience of faculty, peers and invited University guests.
The Senior Assignment project represents a culmination of the entire undergraduate experience at SIUE. This requirement arises from the University's belief that the ability to integrate a general education perspective into one academic discipline is an essential mark of a University-educated person.
Senior nursing assignments take the form of exploration of an issue relative to nursing such as the nursing shortage or childhood obesity, a case study involving in depth investigation of a population such as adolescents and nutrition, lead poisoning in African-American children, or a teaching project with a population such as hypertension to cardiac patients, sexually transmitted diseases to adolescents and unique clinical experiences such as working with a pediatric outpatient hospice program. These experiences occur in locations throughout southern Illinois and the Metropolitan St. Louis area.
At the poster presentations, students discussed their learning objectives and results of their project with faculty and University administrators.
"The School of Nursing Senior Assignment provides an opportunity for students to bring together the knowledge and experience they have gained during their undergraduate learning experience," said Dean Marcia Maurer.
"Our students have provided service in the communities and demonstrated skills as researchers by collecting data on important nursing issues. We are proud of what these students accomplish during their tenure at SIUE and in the School of Nursing."
The School of Nursing is fully accredited by National League for Nursing (NLN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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December 11, 2003
Faculty, Student Speakers Featured During Fall Commencement
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Two Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty members, both recognized nationally in their respective careers, will be the featured commencement speakers at two fall graduation ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 20, in SIUE's Vadalabene Center. Nearly 850 students are eligible to graduate during the ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Speaking at the morning ceremony is Susan Nall, for the Schools of Business and Education. She is a professor of Curriculum and Instruction and director of Early Childhood Education in the School of Education. George Engel, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the School of Engineering, will speak during the afternoon ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Engineering and Nursing.
Student speakers addressing the graduating classes are Rosemary Clark of Sterling, who will graduate with a master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology during the morning ceremony, and Jyoti Dharna of Nairobi, Kenya, who will graduate with a bachelor of science in Computer Science during the afternoon ceremony.
Nall, who has been a member of the Education faculty at SIUE since 1970, is known nationally as a leader in kindergarten education. Over the past two decades, Nall has spearheaded a transition in Illinois and across the nation from half-day to full-day kindergarten sessions. This effort is considered by many educators to be one of the most important influences in setting higher standards and greater expectations for early childhood education.
Since 1984, Nall has served on the Higher Education Commission on Early Childhood for the state of Illinois. She also has served as president of the Illinois Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education and currently serves on the Illinois Governor's Task Force on Universal Preschool and also the Early Childhood Advisory Committee for the Illinois State Board of Education.
She earned a bachelor of science in Elementary Education at the University of Nebraska, a master's in Teaching at Webster University in St. Louis, and a doctorate in Philosophy of Curriculum and Supervision at Saint Louis University.
Engel has collaborated with researchers at Washington University in St. Louis to develop a credit card security system aimed at reducing credit card fraud. The Magneprint™ system has been tested successfully in Malaysia, and may be used worldwide in the near future. He also helped develop the AUDIOscreener™ which is considered by many to be the most advanced technology in the world today for allowing audiologists to effectively screen infants for hearing impairments.
A native of the St. Louis area, Engel joined the faculty at SIUE in 1993. He teaches courses in computer engineering, electronics, and integrated circuit technology. He earned a bachelor's in Mathematics and Physics at Saint Louis University, as well as a bachelor of science, a master of science, and a doctorate, all in Electrical Engineering and all from Washington University.
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December 11, 2003
SIU Board Approves Budget For Boiler System On Edwardsville Campus
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today approved a $3.2 million project to install high-efficiency boilers and heaters in the campus core buildings, effectively de-centralizing the current campus heating system. The matter was approved during the board's regular meeting conducted at SIU Carbondale.
University officials expect the boiler project to be completed by the fall 2004 heating season. Once the new system is in place, the related distribution system will be shut down and abandoned. The project will not affect the separate campus cooling system.
The current high-temperature, hot-water distribution portion of the system was replaced in 1994 and has been failing-four times in the past year alone. Officials estimate that in 10 years the system would need to be replaced at a cost of $10 million. In addition, the existing system draws high operating, maintenance, and utility costs. The new system would mean a $250,000 reduction annually in utility and maintenance costs.
The project would be funded through a loan from the Illinois Public Higher Education
Consortium. The loan would be repaid through cost savings and with deferred maintenance funds. Under the plan, compact boilers would be placed in each of 10 buildings: Peck Hall, Lovejoy Library, the Science Building, Dunham Hall, Morris University Center, Founders Hall, Alumni Hall, the Vadalabene Center, the Religious Center, and the Engineering Building.
In other business today, the Board approved procurement of an easement at no cost to allow a connection between SIUE's Supporting Services Complex and the city of Edwardsville's wastewater treatment system. Supporting Services, located on the east side of campus and adjacent to University Park, is currently using a separate septic system from that of the core university. Officials said the city of Edwardsville has agreed to allow the complex to connect with the city's system, but it must be done through private property owned by the developers of nearby Cherry Hills subdivision. The developers have agreed to the easement.
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December 11, 2003
SIU Board Approves Transfer Of Old Broadview Hotel To City
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The former site of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center at 411 E. Broadway, an historic hotel which later housed the SIUE center for more than 40 years, would be deeded to the city of East St. Louis under a proposal passed today by the SIU Board of Trustees.
The East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., now houses the East St. Louis Center and the East St. Louis Community College Center. By spring the campus also will house the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
The proposal to transfer the old center to the city was considered at the SIU Board's regular meeting conducted this month at SIU Carbondale.
The university originally proposed demolition of the East Broadway building and to pass the deed to the city, but city officials asked that the building remain intact. The East St. Louis city council is expected to consider the Board of Trustees' proposal tonight at its regular meeting. Once the university and the city reach an agreement, the state legislature must authorize the final transfer of deed.
The building was used by SIUE as a center that housed several educational programs and community service programs, as well as health clinics. Before the university became associated with the building in 1957, it had been the Broadview Hotel since 1928.
In other business today, the Board approved purchase of vacant land adjacent to or near the Higher Education campus. The proposal was initiated to add green space and to provide a degree of control over future development of the property near the existing campus.
The vacant parcels of land represent 17 city addresses on Bond Avenue, Market Street, Eighth Street, and Trendley Avenue. Under the proposal, the agreed price would be $152,400. The land was appraised by Joshway Harding Real Estate.
Funding for the purchase would come from SIUE cash reserves or from state Capital Development Board excess funds that were budgeted for the entire Higher Education Campus project. The purchase of the parcels also is subject to approval by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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December 11, 2003
Applications Available For Carol Kimmel Community Awards
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The deadline for filing nomination applications for the Carol Kimmel Community Service Awards, sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is Friday, Feb.6.
Nomination-applications for the awards are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. The award is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.
There are six award categories: education, social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency/organizational concerns, and special populations. Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 1, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at SIUE.
The awards were established to recognize outstanding community leaders for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has been very active in dedicating her time and talent to volunteerism.
Organizations, agencies, businesses, or individuals may nominate those who have been citizens of Illinois or Missouri for at least two years and who are at least 16 years of age, and who have been a volunteer with at least one agency, organization, or business for at least two or more continuous years.
In addition, nominees must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period of time; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service(outside of the applicant's regular job duties), as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities. Joint applications will not be accepted; prior recipients also are not eligible. Posthumous applications will be considered if the nominee has died in the past 12 months.
For more information about complete nomination guidelines, or for a nomination application form, call the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
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December 11, 2003
Applications Available For Kimmel Scholarship
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nomination-applications for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Carol Kimmel Scholarship are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center on campus. Deadline for the nomination is Friday, Feb. 6.
The annual scholarship was established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, as well as academic excellence. The scholarship was named for Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has dedicated her time and talent over the years to volunteerism. The scholarship is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat
For the scholarship, individuals may nominate a student, or students may nominate themselves, according to the following criteria:
• currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at SIUE, with sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate standing;
• an accumulative SIUE grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);
• demonstrated volunteer contributions within the last two years in leadership, service, and/or citizenship, including leadership in a student organization or at least one elected office;
• and more than 30 hours of nonpaid service to a community agency or community organization.
In addition, a nominee must provide two letters of documented university service and leadership from university employees, as well as two letters documenting community service and leadership from external community members.
In order for a student to be considered for a second Kimmel Scholarship, documentation submitted for previous Kimmel Scholarships will not be reconsidered. The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.
Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 1, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. For more information about nomination procedures or for a nomination-application form, call the Kimmel Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
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December 9, 2003
Woodruff Joins SIUE School Of Business As Development Director
(EDWARDSVILLE) Judith Blase Woodruff has joined the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business as Director of Development.
Woodruff has more than 15 years experience in fund raising and joins SIUE from Fontbonne University where she was director of development for four years. She also has held development positions at St. Louis College of Pharmacy and McKendree College.
At the SIUE School of Business, she is responsible for fund-raising activities and special events, including the school's annual Family Business of the Year Awards, honoring family businesses from Illinois and Missouri.
Woodruff is a 1977 honors graduate of SIUE, with a bachelor's degree in music. She has been a member of Masterworks Chorale in Belleville for 15 years, and she is a member of the board of directors of Camp Ondessonk, a youth camp in southern Illinois. She and her husband, Michael Woodruff, live in Collinsville.
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December 8, 2003
SIUE Meridian Society Encourages Women In Philanthropy
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The 90th Meridian of longitude passes through the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a quarter of the way around the world from the prime meridian that passes through Greenwich, England.
The significance of the 90th Meridian serves as a symbol for the Meridian Society, a newly formed organization of women dedicated to raising funds in support of SIUE programs,
Dixie Engelman, emeritus dean of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and now chair of the society, said the group is dedicated to supporting a variety of SIUE programs through grants made annually at the society's spring meeting. "The Meridian Society also will provide information to women on financial and estate planning, primarily at its fall meeting.
"We are learning what we can do collectively, as well as what we need to do on an individual and personal level."
SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs, one of the group's charter members explained the society's name was chosen as a reminder of a "special feature of our campus. The 90th Meridian is an important delineation on the Earth, exactly one-fourth of the way around the globe from the prime meridian," Hahs said.
Julie Babington, director of development for the SIUE School of Education, provides staff support for the society. "I am very excited about the spirit of the Meridian Society Steering Committee and charter members, particularly the leadership of Dixie Engelman," Babington said.
The original concept for the society was suggested by Harold Melser, director of planned giving for the Foundation, who is providing assistance to the organization as it continues to plan for the future. "I had heard about Ball State University's Discovery Group," Melser said, "and realized that creating a philanthropic organization matched the goals of the SIUE Foundation in regard to women in philanthropy," Melser said.
The two types of society membership are full-membership (3-year pledge of $1,000 annually) and associate membership (3-year pledge of $500 annually). The Meridian Society currently has pledges totaling more than $40,000. Those interested in joining the Meridian Society, may call the SIUE Foundation, (618) 650-2345.
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December 4 , 2003
Columbia, Edwardsville, Highland Students Advance In Robotics Competition
(EDWARDSVILLE) Eight teams from Columbia, Edwardsville and Highland high schools have advanced to the final round of the Fourth Annual SIUE School of Engineering Robotics Competition.
The high school teams will compete against teams of freshman engineering students at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, in the atrium of the Engineering Building.
The teams build robots from Lego Mindstorm kits and program them to move ping pong balls to certain places on the court while trying to block the opposing team. Sixteen teams - a total of 50 students - from Edwardsville, Collinsville, Columbia, and Highland high schools met in the preliminary round.
The competition not only helps teach students about robotics and engineering, but also gives them insights into careers in engineering.
Several area companies are sponsors of the competition, including Basler Electric, Maverick Technologies, Crawford Bunte Brammeier, and Juneau Associates, Inc., P.C.
The team members include:
Columbia: Wacky Warriors: Derek Freiburghaus, Trevor Groce, and Eric Marlen; Enterprise: Tim Bromley, Andrew Kremmel, and Elisse Konya; Styx: Alex Catlett, Charlie Rudder, Alex Requette, and Keith Reis; Chaos Bringers: Matt Collins, Chelsea Elder, Matt Lamdrecht, and Adam Loesch.
Edwardsville: Paul Prager, Tom Scarborough, and Matt Hewitt; Poweraid Strike: John Meehan, Mack Rice, Taylor Williman, Anna Csar, and Quintin Potter.
Highland: Biggy Smalls: Mike Wellen and Spencer Thomas; Omega: Collin Alber and Greg Todd.
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Anagama Kiln Provides A New Process For Ceramics Students
Eating at the annual Turkey Feast the week before Thanksgiving has been a tradition for more than 30 years among SIUE art faculty and students, but this year's feast also served as an introduction to a new "oven" on the premises of the Art and Design Building.
It's actually an anagama kiln and it's not for cooking turkeys.
The anagama (pronounced ah-nah-GAH-mah) kiln will be used in the ceramics area as one of only a dozen walk-in, wood-fired kilns found in this country, and very rarely on a college campus. The structure is built into a hill behind the Art and Design Building.
"We do have wood-fired kilns here but they are much smaller," says Matt Wilt, assistant professor of Art and Design in the ceramics area. "The fire source in an anagama kiln is in the front and the flames are carried through the length of the 23-foot kiln and out the flue at the back of the kiln."
Wilt explained that the kiln can hold many more pieces than other smaller kilns used in the department and its six-foot height can accommodate much larger pieces. "There's definitely an art to maintaining the temperatures in a wood-fire kiln," Wilt said. "Wood-firing goes back thousands of years to early Japanese and Korean cultures. You have to know the hot spots and the cool spots, adding wood during the three-to-five days it takes to fire the ceramic pieces."
Although the actual firing takes a few days, the entire process-including preparation of the wood, placing the pieces on shelving, the actually firing, cooling, and cleanup-can take up to four weeks. "We plan to do a firing once each semester, with the first one scheduled during Spring Semester," Wilt said. He added that the department will invite the university community as well as faculty and students from other campuses to the initial firing. "This is a great way to establish a network with other schools in the region, such as the University of Illinois, and a chance to show off our facilities at SIUE."
In addition to its uniqueness, the kiln already has provided a community spirit among the students and faculty, according to Professor Paul Dresang, head of the ceramics area. "There is a community nature about a firing as part of ceramics in general, but it's heightened further with the wood-firing process," Dresang said. "Unlike other artistic endeavors that are solitary, wood-firing in particular is a collaborative effort in which we have to rely on one another's cooperation."
Dresang also said the new kiln broadens the experience and the curriculum for art and design students. "It's a unique experience not available at many universities," he said. There's also the element of camaraderie and teamwork involved. "This project involved a collaborative effort even in its planning," he said. "First of all, Matt deserves credit for writing the EUE (Excellence in Undergraduate Education) grant for the $10,000 to get the project started," Dresang said.
"By the time we build the shelter over the top of it and put in the shelving, the cost will be close to $18,000." Additional funding was provided by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, and SIUE Student Government, Dresang said.
"In addition, students and faculty in our department helped build the kiln, some of them working 12-14-hour days for nearly two weeks," Dresang said. "And, let's not forget the university's ground crews who helped us with the project. There's no way you can just 'buy' one of these kilns. It's definitely a major group effort."
The kiln itself is constructed of "super-duty" fire bricks rated at 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, with an exterior of insulating brick, and an outer skin of insulating concrete. The optimum temperature in a firing is 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit, but that temperature must be reached gradually, at a rate of 100-200 degrees per hour. "This process must be monitored 24/7, we will be using students and faculty in six-hour shifts throughout the three-to-five days," Wilt said.
"If you don't stoke it regularly, you lose temperature fast," he said. "It's a labor-intensive process, but the results are amazing." Wilt said that ash from the burning wood lands on ceramic pieces, causing a crystalline effect and creating myriad textures and patterns. "No two pieces will be the same."
Advanced Suzuki Students To Tour France In June As Part Of Program
When Vera McCoy-Sulentic took over SIUE's Suzuki String Development Program in 1997, the more advanced string students would tour U.S. cities every year. But, she found that trips to Nashville or Memphis, for example, were very complicated to plan and carry out.
"I discovered that for a little more money, we could tour overseas, and have a travel company take care of all the details," she said. "I also found out that the students were even more motivated to hone their musical skills. After all, traveling to Europe is a huge goal to work toward."
In addition, McCoy-Sulentic found that the parents became more involved, which helped minimize the effort. This year's tour group, made up of 15 students, is heading for France in June. "To qualify for the trip, the student must have completed the first six Suzuki Method books," she said. "The 15 who were chosen range in age from 13-19 and auditioned last summer for this upcoming trip." She said most of the tour group students have been playing for more than 10 years in the Suzuki Strings program at SIUE.
In 1984, then-String Development Program Director John Kendall took the first tour group to Iceland. The touring program then languished for a few years, but was taken up again in 1995 by McCoy-Sulentic's predecessor, Carol Smith. Since then it has been to Sweden, Scotland, and London. The group has twice been featured as the prestigious Cedarhurst Chamber Music Series at the Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon.
"The tour group's repertoire includes classical, jazz, and fiddle selections," McCoy-Sulentic pointed out. "They recently recorded their second holiday CD, also featuring other SIUE Suzuki Strings ensembles. It was released last month and is available through our website: www.siue.edu/MUSIC/Suzuki or by phone: (618) 650-2839."
Allison Woerner, the tour group's director, enjoys working with the talented students. "We are able to work on difficult music, far beyond what most young people have the opportunity to perform," Woerner said. "And, besides that, they are just a very lively, fun group of kids."
SIUE's A Book In Every Home To Kick Off Annual Campaign
Thousands of children who otherwise might not have had access to books have benefited from SIUE's annual A Book In Every Home (BIEH) campaign. The university is again sponsoring its book drive from Jan. 15 to March 31.
Literacy is one of the most critical issues facing our educational system. Studies show that children who cannot read are not likely to succeed in the classroom or in life. Recognizing that access to books is a key component to literacy, A Book in Every Home not only has placed 30,000 books in homes in St. Clair and Madison counties, it also encourages parents to read to their children.
"Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is advancing literacy at a grassroots level through the A Book in Every Home program,'" said Kay Werner, chair of the campaign. "Our goal is to place an age-appropriate book in the home of every Head Start child in Madison and St. Clair counties, as well as families served by crisis centers in those counties.
"We've also begun serving juvenile centers in those counties by donating the books we receive for older youth."
In support of the campaign's additional goal of encouraging parents to read to their children, the campaign's Curriculum Committee has made available a "flip-chart" brochure for encouraging reading and writing skills.
Werner said 5,000 brochures were printed and distributed to SIUE Head Start sites throughout St. Clair County and to sites in the Riverbend Head Start and Family Services. It also has been distributed to the SIUE Early Childhood Center, to the preschool programs at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, and to other literacy programs in the St. Louis area. The cost of the publication was underwritten by the St. Louis Rams Foundation, a BIEH partner. The brochure is in such demand that the campaign recently printed an additional 3,000 copies.
There are drop-off points for book donations in the St. Clair County and Madison County Head Start programs, SIUE campus sites, all public libraries in Madison and St. Clair counties, the Piece of Mind Book Store in Edwardsville, and B. Dalton Booksellers Book Store, the Borders book store in Fairview Heights, and Fresh Words bookstore in Highland.
For specific addresses and locations of these drop off points, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/BOOKS or call (618) 650-2020 for more information.
Age-appropriate books are requested for children ages six weeks to five years old. Cash donations also will be accepted. Checks for "A Book in Every Home" should be written to the SIUE Foundation, and mailed to:
A Book in Every Home
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1058
(In the memo part of the check, please write "A Book in Every Home.")
Robert Surpasses 1,000 Points
Jessica Robert (Carlyle) picked a perfect time to score her 1,000th point. Trailing by one point in SIUE's matchup at Missouri-St. Louis last Friday (1/2), Robert nailed a three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining to give SIUE the lead and the eventual victory.
With the bucket, she became the 16th player in school history to score 1,000 points in a career. "It is a great milestone," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "She has been playing well and has gotten off to a great start to this season."
Despite missing the first three games of the season due to an injury suffered in the preseason, Robert leads the team and the Great Lakes Valley Conference with 31 steals and a 64.5-percent three-point field goal percentage. Her 14.0 points per game leads the team and is 14th in the conference. "Jessica has a low-key demeanor," Hedberg said. "She doesn't have a lot of highs and lows. She is a steady, consistent player."
After picking up the win at UMSL, the Cougars fell at Quincy 74-62 on Sunday (1/4). SIUE is currently 8-5 overall and is sitting in eighth-place in the GLVC with a 3-3 conference mark. SIUE will continue conference play when it travels to Lewis (7-6 overall, 4-2 GLVC) for a Thursday (1/8) matchup. The Cougars then play at Wisconsin-Parkside (6-5, 3-2 GLVC) on Saturday (1/10) afternoon.
The Cougars do not return to the Vadalabene Center until Jan. 15 when it entertains Indianapolis.
Cougars Travel To Lewis, UWP
The SIUE men's basketball team will continue its four-game road trip when it travels to Lewis for a Thursday (1/8) night matchup and Wisconsin-Parkside for a Saturday (1/10) afternoon game.
SIUE has won four of its last five contests to push its overall record to 7-5. The Cougars are currently fifth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a 3-3 conference record.
SIUE currently ranks as the GLVC's top defense as the Cougars have allowed their opponents to only 61.4 points per game. "Our guys have played good defense the entire year, but it can still be better," Coach Marty Simmons said. "They do a good job of communicating. For us to have a chance to win, it starts on the defensive end."
SIUE's defense is sure to play a key role against Lewis, who is the third in the GLVC in scoring offense. Lewis is sitting atop the GLVC with a 12-1 overall record and a 6-0 conference mark. Monta McGhee is one of four players who average double-figures in points. He leads the team and is sixth in the GLVC with 17.8 points per game and averages 8.2 rebounds a game. "They are as good as they look on paper," Simmons said. "They have a veteran team and can score in a variety of ways. Defensively, they really get after you."
Wisconsin-Parkside has struggled so far this season, posting a 4-8 overall record and an 0-5 mark in the GLVC. Dean Pogodzinski leads UWP with 14.1 points per game. He has connected on 28-56 (.500) three-point field goals. Ron Jones (Kankakee) leads SIUE with 12.8 points per game. He has scored more than 10 points in each of SIUE's games this season. "Ron has played well this season, especially the last couple of games," Simmons said. "As a senior, we expect a lot out of him."
SIUE will return to the Vadalabene Center for a Jan. 15 matchup with Indianapolis.
Cougars Prepare for Roger Denker Open
The Roger Denker Open, which is hosted by Central Missouri State, is the next tournament on the slate for the SIUE wrestling team. It is the last tournament formatted meet before the Cougars open a string of seven dual meets.
"The Roger Denker Open is always a tough tournament," Coach Booker Benford said. "Many top NCAA Division I teams and NAIA powers will be there."
Historically, SIUE has found success at the Open, and Benford does not think this year will be any different. "We usually do pretty well," he said. "We've had a few guys in recent years make it to the finals. We are always in the mix."
SIUE is coming off the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis where they placed 14th out of 16 teams. Sean Tyus (Springfield) went 3-3 in the tournament at 197 pounds to earn a sixth-place finish. "We didn't do well as a team in Indianapolis, but the guys never did give up," Benford said. "We just didn't have it, but I think we'll bounce back."
Joe Rujawitz (Belleville), who wrestles in the 149-pound weight class, has posted a team-high 24 wins this season. Tyus has a 15-10 record on the season.
Decker Named Second Team All-Region
Sara Decker (St. Louis), a senior midfielder, has been named to the All-Great Lakes Region second team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Adidas.
Decker scored four goals and added four assists while helping SIUE to a 10-7 overall record. Her three game-winning tallies were tied for the most on the team.
Earlier this post-season, Decker was named to the All-GLVC first team. It was the third time in her collegiate career she has been named first team All-GLVC, the others being the 2000 and 2002 season. She was a second-team All-GLVC choice in 2001 and was also named GLVC Freshman of the Year in 2000.
This is the first time Decker has received an All-Region accolade.
She ends her collegiate career tied for sixth on the all-time scoring list with 25 goals and 22 assists for 72 points.
Cougars Look To Push Above .500
SIUE men's basketball will have the chance to move its record above the .500 mark Thursday night (12/18) when it plays host to NCAA Division III Blackburn College at the Vadalabene Center. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
Blackburn, which competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, has a 2-4 record and plays Robert Morris College on Tuesday night (12/16).
The Cougars are currently 4-4 after a win at Missouri-Rolla. SIUE held the high-scoring Miners to 35 percent shooting from the field in the 68-53 victory. "Our guys did well defensively," Coach Marty Simmons said. "Missouri-Rolla has some offensive weapons, and we did a good job guarding them."
SIUE has welcomed a balanced offensive attack this season. The Cougars boast three players averaging double-figures, led by Tyler Hackstadt's (Okawville) 13.1 points per game. Ron Jones (Kankakee) has averaged 12 points per game and has connected on a team-leading 13 three-point field goals. Calvin Sykes (Chicago) has averaged 10.9 points per game and is the team-leader in steals (10) and assists (35).
Women's Basketball To Challenge GLIAC Foes
SIUE will be one of two schools representing the Great Lakes Valley Conference at the Sleep Inn Invitational this weekend in Midland, Mich. The tournament pits GLVC schools against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools.
The Cougars will square off against tournament host Northwood on Friday night (12/19), then faces Ferris State on Saturday afternoon. Indianapolis is the other school involved in the tournament. "Hopefully we can get some wins and represent the conference well," Coach Wendy Hedberg said.
Northwood currently has a 3-4 overall record and plays St. Francis Tuesday night )12/16). Melissa Elliot leads the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game. Ferris State comes into the tournament with a 7-2 record and is led by preseason All-America Lucy DeMartin's 16.1 points per game.
SIUE is coming off a convincing win against Greenville to move its overall record to 5-3. Freshman Julianne McMillen (Pana) continues to lead SIUE with 121 points scored. She also leads the team with 8.8 rebounds per game. "We've only had a few games with our full squad, and we've done well under those conditions," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "We are playing as a team more and more and that has had a big impact on our success. Everyone is very team-oriented."
Lytle Likely Out For Season
The SIUE men's basketball team has learned that preseason All-American senior center Dan Lytle (Edwardsville) may be out for the season with a herniated disk.
Lytle, who transferred to SIUE from Evansville for his final year of eligibility, played in four games this season, averaging nearly 10 points a game and six rebounds per contest. "Lytle has been hurt from day one," SIUE Coach Marty Simmons said. "He did a good job trying to play hurt, but his situation progressively got worse. I'm upset no one got the chance to see him play healthy."
Dan Heimos (Waterloo), a 6-11 transfer from Nebraska, figures to be one of the candidates to fill the role in the post. Heimos is averaging five points per game and has a team-high 11 blocked shots. His 1.83 blocks per game is second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "When a player like Lytle goes down, it's up to the entire team to reach down and bring more production to the table," Simmons said. "One player cannot replace him."
SIUE will take to the road for a Saturday (12/13) contest at 5-0 Missouri-Rolla, who plays host to Calvary Bible on Monday night. SIUE then returns home for two more non-conference matchups before resuming GLVC play Jan. 2 at Missouri-St. Louis.
SIUE is coming off a win against Bellarmine and a loss to Kentucky Wesleyan to move its overall record to 3-4 and its GLVC mark to 2-2. The Cougars are in fifth place in the conference standings. "We have a week to prepare for the Rolla game so that will allow us to get better on the practice floor," Simmons said. "We need to shore some things up and get more consistent in our play."
Tyler Hackstadt (Okawville) leads the squad with 13.3 points per game. Ron Jones (Kankakee) follows with 11.7 points per game. Calvin Sykes (Chicago) has averaged 10.3 points per game, while registering a team-leading eight steals.
Women's Basketball Plays Host To Greenville
The SIUE women's basketball team will begin a four-game string of non-conference games when it plays host to Greenville College on Thursday 12/11). Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center.
Greenville, a Division III school out of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, comes into the contest with a 2-4 record. It plays St. Louis College of Pharmacy on Tuesday (12/9) night.
SIUE is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The Cougars are coming off a one-point defeat to 11th-ranked Bellarmine and a convincing victory against Kentucky Wesleyan. "We're playing well while waiting to get players healthy," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "We had opportunities to beat Bellarmine, and we bounced back very well against Kentucky Wesleyan."
Freshman Julianne McMillen (Pana) scored 31 points in the win against Kentucky Wesleyan. It was the most points scored by an SIUE freshman since the Cougars joined the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 1995. McMillen, who scored the 100th point of her collegiate career, also was one rebound shy of recording her third straight double-double. "She always finds ways to score," Hedberg said. "She's hard to defend one-on-one, and she is a good foul-shooter if she is fouled. Our guards are doing a good job getting her the ball."
The Cougars boast five players who are averaging double-figures in scoring. Tanya Guell (Plymouth, Wis.) leads the team at 15.6 points per game. McMillen and Jessica Robert (Carlyle) each have a 14.3 scoring average. Sarah Schweers (Chatham) and Amber Wisdom (Geneseo) are averaging 12.6 and 10.1 points per game, respectively.
Cougars To Dual With Missouri Baptist
SIUE's wrestling squad will have its last competition for three weeks when it travels to Missouri Baptist for a Wednesday (12/10) dual meet. The Cougars will look to improve their 5-1 dual record when they face the 9-2 Spartans.
"Missouri Baptist is tough this year," Coach Booker Benford said. "They are outstanding at each weight class."
SIUE defeated Missouri Baptist 24-15 last season at the Vadalabene Center. "We came back last year in our heavier weight classes to beat them," Benford said. "It will be a matter of butting heads to see who comes out on top."
The Cougars are coming off the Northern Iowa Open. Benford indicated Joe Rujawitz (Belleville), Matt Oliva (Bartlett) and Sean Tyus (Springfield) were close to placing in their respective weight classes.
Following the Missouri Baptist dual, the Cougars will be idle until Jan. 3-4, when they participate in the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis. "We have some guys injured, so hopefully after break we'll come back completely healthy," Benford said.
November 2003
SIUE Art Auction Of Original Art Set For Nov. 20 At Sunset Hills C.C.
The 26th Annual Art Auction, sponsored by the Friends of Art, is set for Thursday, Nov. 20, at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. All artwork is original and may be previewed between 6 and 7 p.m. when the auction begins.
Each year the Friends of Art assembles an impressive array of donated artwork from faculty, visiting artists, students, and alumni of the Department of Art and Design for auction, all in the name of enhancing the university's undergraduate and graduate art programs.
Since l977, the Friends of Art has assisted the department in staging the fund-raiser; last year's event saw nearly 200 pieces sold by professional auctioneer Gary Neimeier. Nearly 40 additional items were sold during the Silent Auction.
Money raised at the auction is used to fund a number of events for the department and its students. Last year, these included 14 nationally and internationally-known artists who came to SIUE for workshops and lectures. The funding also supports the Art Scholarship Fund and helps purchase books and films about art and design for Lovejoy Library.
Additional monies are awarded to students traveling to conferences, for visiting artist receptions, the High School Award and the Art Auction Awards, the Graduate and Undergraduate Exhibit Purchase Awards, and stipends for speakers in the Art Seminar. The funding also aids the local Art-East Studio Tour reception, as well as support for the Edwardsville Arts Center.
For further information, call Dianne Lynch, Ext. 3073; or Pam Decoteau, Ext. 3107.
SIUE Cellist To Perform In Concert Nov. 5 At Lovejoy Library
Cellist Kangho Lee, an assistant professor of music, will perform in concert with his wife, pianist Minyoung Lee, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the John C. Abbott Auditorium, on the ground floor of Lovejoy Library. The Lees will be performing works by Beethoven, Debussy, Brahms, and Jalbert.
Since his orchestral debut with the Seoul Philharmonic at the age of 12, Kangho Lee has been an active performer as a soloist and a chamber musician. He has performed with leading orchestras in Korea, the United States and Europe, such as the KBS (Korean Broadcast Service) Symphony, the Korean Symphony, the Seoul Academy Symphony, the Yale Philharmonia, and the Sofia National Academy Orchestra, to name a few. He joined the SIUE music faculty in 1998.
Minyoung Lee has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as a soloist and as a collaborative artist with prestigious ensembles including the George Enescou Philharmonic Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the Korea Symphony Festival Orchestra, and the Seoul National University Orchestra. Miss Lee also has performed in The Philippines, Malaysia and Korea.
The Nov. 5 concert is free and the public is invited. For more information, call the Department of Music, Ext. 3900.
Rodin's Walking Man At Rest After Five Months; Back At Lovejoy
Rodin's Walking Man has returned to his place in Lovejoy Library after "walking" to Canada and "vacationing" for five months. He claims to have had a good time; says he didn't lose his head ... uh...sure, bud.
The artwork, by the French sculptor François-Auguste-René Rodin (1840-1917), has graced the lobby of Lovejoy Library since shortly after it opened in 1965, and in May the piece was loaned to Le Musée des beaux-arts du Canada (The National Gallery of Canada) for a major exhibition "of international scope."
The bronze piece was placed in an exhibition space at the Cité de l'energie in Shawinigian, Canada. The exhibition, "The Body Transformed," was on the site of the oldest industrial complex in North America-an aluminum smelter recently designated a national historic site.
"Now, the university has been recognized as an institution with significant artwork in its collection," said Eric Barnett, director of The University Museum. "This is the first time we've been asked to lend a piece from our collection to a foreign government. It's a great honor for the university to be recognized in this way.
"Specialized art handlers from ARTEX, a premier shipping company, were brought in to oversee the shipping," he said. "We anticipate that similar requests will be made in the future."
The Rodin, Barnett said, was purchased for about $30,000 by the university in 1965, and recently was appraised in excess of $1 million.
Nominations, Entries Sought For MLK Jr. Awards
Nominations are being sought for the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian and Scholarship awards to be given at the 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Luncheon.
Nomination applications are available in the Kimmel Leadership Center, on the first floor of the Delyte W. Morris University Center, and must be completed and returned by Friday, Nov. 7.
Entries also are being sought for an essay, poetry, and visual arts competition for high school students. Guidelines for this competition have been sent to all area high schools. Winners of the high school competition will receive a $100 honorarium and a plaque of recognition.
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.
An SIUE employee and a resident of Illinois are each eligible for the Humanitarian Award, while a current SIUE student is eligible for the Scholarship and Humanitarian Award.
Complete criteria for eligibility for the high school competition, the Humanitarian Award, and the Scholarship and Humanitarian Award are contained in nomination packets at the Kimmel Center. For more information, call the center, Ext. 2686.
Arts & Issues Series Continues With Robert Ballard On Nov. 18
Known internationally for completing more than 100 deep-sea expeditions-including his discoveries of the R.M.S. Titanic in 1985 and recently JFK's PT-109-explorer Robert Ballard comes to SIUE on Nov. 18 as part of SIUE's Arts & Issues series. The deep-sea explorer will appear at 7:30 p.m. in Meridian Ballroom.
Ballard also can boast the discovery of the German battleship Bismarck and World War II's "Ost fleet" of Guadalcanal. "Dr. Ballard's career has been filled with the excitement of discovery and the search for ancient history," says John Peecher, assistant director of development for the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "He promises to bring some of that excitement to Arts & Issues in this year of our explorations theme.
"Whether he regales us with tales of the Titanic or his search for proof that a cataclysmic deluge gave rise to the story of Noah and the flood, Dr. Ballard always inspires us with his life-long passion of exploration."
Committed to fostering the next generation of explorers, Ballard founded the JASON Foundation for Education, dedicated to inspiring students to pursue learning in science, math, and technology through exploration and discovery
Ballard is president of the Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Conn., and director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography.
In addition to the Titanic, the Bismark, and the remains of the patrol torpedo boat that John F. Kennedy commanded in World War II, Ballard also found the American aircraft carrier Yorktown, sunk during the Battle of Midway. A 1999 Ballard expedition uncovered remains of ancient human habitation in the Black Sea and a nearly perfectly preserved, 1500-year-old shipwreck.
Information about the Nov. 18 Robert Ballard appearance and how to order tickets may be found on the Arts & Issues Web site: artsandissues.com and in a printed brochure available by contacting John Peecher, Ext. 2626, or, by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu.
Tickets are $9; students, $4.50; and also are available at the Morris Center Information Desk, (618) 650-5555.
The remaining Arts & Issues season includes: The acclaimed musicians of The Aspen Ensemble (Jan. 22); the "rockin' gospel celebration" of the Blind Boys of Alabama (Feb. 6); the exciting Grammy Award-winning Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (2:00 p.m. Feb. 29); National Geographic photographer Sam Abell, who will speak about the Lewis and Clark Expedition (March 16); the explosive and creative movement of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (April 2); and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Norman Mailer (April 20).
Men's Soccer Collects NCAA Bid
SIUE received a bid to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championships and will be the No. 2 seed in the Central region. The Cougars, 16-3, play third-seeded Rockhurst, 10-8-1, on Thursday (11/13) at 1 p.m. The game will be played on the home field of the region's top seed Truman State in Kirksville, Mo.
The winner of the SIUE-Rockhurst game goes on to play Truman State on Saturday (11/15) at 1 p.m.
SIUE Coach Ed Huneke was elated with the news. "It's a whole new season now that requires us to be at our best," he said. Huneke noted that SIUE's 4-0 victory over Rockhurst on a neutral field should not allow anyone to be presumptuous.
"Rockhurst has been a dominant team the last two years. They know how to get ready for these big games," said Huneke.
The Cougars know a little something about the postseason as well. This is SIUE's 17th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars last made the tournament in 2001, advancing to the national semifinals before bowing out in an overtime game. This will be the 18th meeting between SIUE and Rockhurst. SIUE leads the series 12-4-1, including this season's victory.
Huneke said Sunday's (11/8) 3-1 heartbreaking loss to Lewis may prove to help the Cougars. Despite losing the Great Lakes Valley Conference title and a 15-game winning streak, Huneke said the Cougars appear to be ready.
In that game, SIUE had scored the first goal of the game just three minutes in as Pete Cacciatore (St. Louis), a second team All-GLVC pick, scored unassisted. "We got a little soft after scoring the first goal," said Huneke.
The Cougars will have to battle through the loss behind junior Addae Rique (Trinidad & Tobago), who was named the GLVC Player of the Year. He was joined on the first team by senior forward Cal Thomas (Rochester), sophomore back Tim Velten (St. Louis) and senior goalkeeper Bret Richardson (Mt. Vernon, Ind.). Richardson currently holds a 0.55 goals against average as the Cougars outscored their opponents 51-12 so far this season.
Cougars Head To GLVC Tournament Confident
Forget about the fact that SIUE is the only school which defeated every other Great Lakes Valley Conference school in volleyball during the regular season.
That's irrelevant.
"What that means is that we can't get overconfident," said SIUE Coach Todd Gober as his 24-6 team prepare for this week's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament in Highland Hts., Ky. The second-seeded Cougars play seventh-seeded Lewis at 2:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the tournament, a team the Cougars just downed in four games this past weekend. "The fact that we just defeated Lewis may be a negative for us. We have to come out fired up for them because they played us very tough at their place," Gober said.
Gober has watched his team has emerged as a balanced club with offensive weapons coming from all sides. Andrea Voss (St. Rose), a senior middle hitter, leads the GLVC in hitting percentage (.376) and blocks per game (1.73).
Sophomore middle hitter Heather Bonde (Millstadt) is third in hitting percentage in GLVC matches among those with five or more attacks per game. Sophomore outside hitter Kindra Westendorf (Effingham) has lifted her hitting percentage to .269 after finishing last season at .189. Sophomore setter Krystal Majernik (Normal) leads the GLVC in assists per game at 12.34.
"Every player on the roster has had a better year than I had expected," said Gober. "My first concern is that we were so young."
Men's Basketball Faces Bradley
Fans will get their first look at the revamped SIUE men's basketball team. Unfortunately, they'll have to go to Peoria to do it. SIUE plays the Bradley Braves on Thursday (11/13) in an exhibition game set for 7:05 p.m.
SIUE Coach Marty Simmons said this game will give him an opportunity to show off some different looks. "We have to see where we are collectively and as individuals," said Simmons. "We will play a lot of guys, but we'll treat it like a real game."
The real-game atmosphere is what Simmons said will give him a better idea about his team. "Bradley is one of the better teams in the Missouri Valley, and they have good fans."
Simmons said he hasn't made up his mind on a starting lineup, especially with some early-season injuries. Returning starters Ron Jones (Kankakee) and Tim Bauersachs (Pinckneyville) look to return to their spots. Jones was SIUE's leading scorer last season at 15.5 points per game. Bauersachs averaged 7.1 points per game and has started all 53 games in his collegiate career.
SIUE also will look to preseason All-American Dan Lytle (Edwardsville) for support in the frontcourt. The 6-11 center transferred to SIUE from Evansville. "We just have to keep getting better and better as the season goes on. I like the makeup of this team. We just have to continue to get better," Simmons said.
Women's Basketball Opens Against UIS
SIUE Coach Wendy Hedberg watched on the sidelines as her women's basketball team took its lumps against Division I Western Illinois and Indiana State over the weekend. The Cougars now open the regular season on Saturday (11/15) with a 7 p.m. tip-off against Illinois-Springfield at the Vadalabene Center.
SIUE won by 34 points last season over UIS, but SIUE isn't expecting the same type of game this season. "I know they have added several players, so it will be an interesting game," said Hedberg.
While the Cougars aren't likely to see too many teams as tall, quick and pressure-oriented as Western Illinois and Indiana State, the experience should make SIUE a better team. "The exhibition games were two different styles. Western Illinois has a good inside game, while Indiana State is more guard-oriented and likes to pressure the ball," said Hedberg.
Hedberg said she saw some good play out of a number of players, including senior guard Jessica Robert (Carlyle), junior guard Sara Unterbrink (Madison, Mo.), senior center Kristen Boss (Carrollton) and freshman center Julianne McMillen (Pana).
Wrestling Faces McKendree In Opener
Look out Belleville, here comes the Cougars. The SIUE wrestling team opens the 2003-2004 dual meet season with a matchup against McKendree on Wednesday (11/12) at 7 p.m. The match will be contested at Belleville West High School where former SIUE All-American Al Sears is the head coach.
SIUE Coach Booker Benford will send his lineup against a McKendree program that began wrestling as an intercollegiate sport this past spring. Benford said he'll look to the team's experienced wrestlers like 165-pounder Matt Oliva (Bartlett), 157- pounder Matt Warren (East Peoria), and 184-pounder Branden Lorek (Bensenville) to set the standard. Benford said he's simply looking for his wrestlers to compete hard for seven minutes. "It will be interesting to see how they do in a dual meet," Benford said.
SIUE will have a number of newcomers in the lineup, including 125-pounder Steve Chico (Hammond, Ind.), 134-pounder Steve Peach (Granite City), and 149-pounder Joe Rujawitz (Belleville), who graduated from Belleville West High School.
Decker Named First Team All-GLVC
Sara Decker was honored last weekend after being tabbed a first team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selection. Decker, a four-time All-GLVC honoree, helped the Cougars to a 10-7 record after scoring four goals and adding four assists. She earned GLVC Player of the Week honors in September after scoring goals in three consecutive games.
She added a goal and an assist in SIUE's conference victory over Lewis. It is the third time in her collegiate career she has been named first team All-GLVC, the others being the 2000 and 2002 season. She was a second-team All-GLVC choice in 2001. She also was named GLVC Freshman of the Year in 2000. She ends her collegiate career tied for sixth on the all-time scoring list with 25 goals and 22 assists for 72 points.
Men's Soccer Poised For GLVC Repeat
SIUE men's soccer wants another trophy. After winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament last season, SIUE heads into this year's tournament with a 14-game winning streak and a 15-2 overall record.
SIUE, ranked 10th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II poll, plays rival Quincy on Friday (11/7) at 7:30 p.m. at Korte Stadium in a tournament semifinal game. That game will be preceded by the first semifinal matchup featuring second-seeded Southern Indiana, 10-6-1, and third-seeded Lewis, 10-5-2, at 5 p.m. The championship game of the tournament is set for Sunday (11/9) at noon.
SIUE men's soccer coach Ed Huneke is confident that his team's 13-day layoff should be a plus rather than detrimental. "We've had time to heal some wounds, and we can still create intense enough practices to keep them sharp," said Huneke.
The Cougars will not take fifth-seeded Quincy lightly. Huneke said the two teams' long-time rivalry may be a factor. He also sees Quincy aiming to end its season on a positive note. Quincy, 9-8-2, upset fourth-seeded Wisconsin-Parkside 3-0 in Sunday's quarterfinal game in Kenosha, Wis. "Winning the conference tournament would be a big plus for them," Huneke said.
The Cougars feel confident of their spot in the NCAA postseason. SIUE holds just one loss in the region to undefeated Truman State, a 1-0 defeat on a neutral field on the first day of the season.
Cross Country Set For NCAA Regionals
SIUE coach Darryl Frerker believes his men's and women's cross country teams are in the best position possible to advance to the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships.
The regional qualifying meet gives the top four women's teams and the top two men's teams a ticket to the national championships in Raleigh, N.C., on Nov. 22. The regional meet is set for Saturday (11/8) at Hudsonville, Mich., with a 6,000-meter women's race set to begin at 11 a.m. followed by a 10,000-meter men's race at noon. "We're finally at that position of being healthy and running well," said Frerker.
The Cougars placed second at the recent Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships and are hoping for a similar finish at the regional meet, which includes teams from the Great Lakes Valley and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic conferences.
SIUE's top individual performers appear to be Breanne Steffens (Moline) for the women and Brian Taghon (East Moline) for the men. Steffens became the first SIUE runner to win the GLVC Championships individual title. Taghon, a sophomore, placed fourth and became a two-time All-GLVC performer.
SIUE's Mary Witte (Normal) and Nick Campbell (Charleston) also were All-GLVC runners, placing in the top 10 at the league's annual meet. "We're going to this meet with the attitude that someone is going to qualify for the national meet," Frerker said.
Volleyball Eyes Postseason
With three games remaining in the regular season, SIUE volleyball coach Todd Gober believes the time is now to begin planning for the postseason. SIUE, 22-5 overall and 10-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, plays its final home game of the regular season on Tuesday (11/4) against Central Missouri State, which enters the match ranked 20th nationally according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
The Cougars then travel to Lewis on Friday (11/7) for a 7 p.m. match and Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday (11/8) for a 1 p.m. match. The Lewis and Wisconsin-Parkside games conclude the regular season and the Cougars' GLVC schedule. "Our playoff attitude has got to get going right now," said Gober.
The Cougars held a slight lead to become the No. 1 seed and the host for the GLVC Championships on Nov. 14-16. However, a three-game loss at Southern Indiana this past Friday (10/31) may have shifted the seeds and the hosting duties. SIUE must now sweep Lewis and Wisconsin-Parkside and have Northern Kentucky take a loss to Southern Indiana or Kentucky Wesleyan. "We didn't overlook Southern Indiana. They were incredibly fired up," Gober said.
Southern Indiana may have returned the favor as it was SIUE who dashed Southern Indiana's hopes of being the No. 1 seed last season. Gober said his team has to remained focused with the top offense in the GLVC. SIUE is hitting .287 as a team. Middle hitters Andrea Voss (St. Rose) and Heather Bonde (Millstadt) are Nos. 1 and 6, respectively, in hitting percentage.
Women's Basketball Plays Exhibition Season
With exhibition season, it's also evaluation season for the SIUE women's basketball team.
SIUE plays two games in three days on the road in exhibition play. The Cougars face Western Illinois at 7 p.m. on Friday (11/7) and Indiana State on Sunday (11/9) at 2 p.m.
SIUE coach Wendy Hedberg said four of five spots in her lineup appear to be set, although with strong bench play even that could change. "The players coming off the bench and contributing will help," Hedberg said. Her focus, however, will be on running the offense and sharpening the defense. "We need to see where we are and get a feel for different combinations of players," Hedberg said.
"Right now, I'm happy with where we are with practice."
Study Shows Fatal Vision Campaign Works … For Some Students
No, being "virtually drunk" doesn't give you a virtual hangover. It also may not be the anti-drunk-driving tool we all assume it is.
The "Fatal Vision" anti-drunk-driving presentation (produced by Wisconsin-based Innocorp) features goggles that provide a "virtual reality" for the wearer. Their lenses are designed to simulate the visual impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs.
Fatal Vision presentations are made to high school and college students by school officials, law enforcement officers, government agencies and community groups across the country. A few students are picked out to wear the goggles and perform tasks such as walking heel to toe. A video featuring people whose lives have been affected by drunk drivers also is shown at each presentation.
Jeremy Jewell, assistant professor of Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, says the approach works-but only for those students who actually wear the goggles. "I don't think there's been any other study in the country on the effectiveness of the presentation," Jewel said. "It's a good approach under the right circumstances, but probably not as it is being used now."
In a study of 163 SIUE students, Jewel found that those who wore the goggles changed their perceptions about drinking and driving. Those who didn't had a different reaction. "We compared perceptions of drinking and driving before and after the presentation," Jewel said.
"The students who wore the goggles felt differently about drinking and driving afterward. Those who only watched the others came away with the opinion that the presentation did not depict their behavior when they're drunk.
"The conclusion you can draw is that the presentation is effective for those few who actually wear the goggles," Jewel said. "But it is not broadly effective for all who attend the presentations, so may be reaching only a limited audience. The goggles work, but the research shows that we have to get them on more of our students and children."
More than 500,000 people are injured or killed in alcohol-related automobile accidents every year, according to a National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. A national survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration showed that 10 percent of Americans admitted to driving while under the influence of alcohol within the previous year. In fatal crashes, 21-24 year-olds have the highest intoxication rates, and 15 percent of the 16-20-year-old drivers that were involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated (NHTSA, 2000).
Additionally, recent research shows that children who begin drinking before the age of 16 were significantly more likely to engage in future drunk-driving behavior than those who started drinking later.
Todd Burrell Named SIUE Director Of Admissions
Todd Burrell, of Columbia, was named SIUE director of Admissions, effective Oct. 20, according to Boyd Bradshaw, assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment. Management.
In his new position, Burrell is responsible for participating in enrollment planning, development and implementation of marketing and recruitment plans and strategies, management of all student admission file processing, and implementation of SIUE's admission policies.
Burrell also oversees the offices of Admission Counseling and Recruitment, Admission Review and Processing, International and Graduate Admissions, and Academic Marketing and Mailing Services.
Before joining the SIUE staff, Burrell had been associate director in the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Saint Louis University. From 1992-1996, Burrell was assistant director of Admissions at Quincy University. Burrell earned a bachelor of science in Business Management at Quincy in 1992.
He has been a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) since 1997, and he is currently serving a three-year term as president-elect of the Missouri ACAC. In addition, Burrell is a member of Great Plains ACAC, the Illinois ACAC, as well as the American Association for College Registrars and Admission Counselors.
School of Business Takes Second In AACSB Award Competition
The School of Business recently took second in the 2003 Innovation in Leadership of Business Education Award competition conducted by the Mid-Continent East region of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The AACSB award recognizes curriculum innovation in university business education. SIUE was cited for its graduate level course, "Ethics and Corporate Responsibilities in the World of Enron, Andersen, and Worldcom: An Innovative Graduate Business Curricular Enhancement." The course was offered during this past Spring Semester.
The multifunctional and interdisciplinary course provided an overview of recent corporate misconduct and ethical lapses, and discussed the implications for individuals' personal business ethics, managerial decision making, and areas of corporate accountability.
"It's not just a matter of teaching our future executives to make wise choices," said Gary Giamartino, dean of the School of Business. "We need to teach students to better recognize an ethical dilemma. It could be that we've taken for granted that people know an ethical dilemma when they see it."
The course received funding from SIUE's Excellence in Graduate Education, a program that funds graduate program initiatives.
Management and Marketing Professor Madhav Segal organized the course with assistance from James Wilkerson, and Joseph Michlitsch, both members of the Management and Marketing faculty.
The full SIUE team included Professor Thomas King, Associate Professor J. David Mason, and Associate Professor Brad Reed, all of the Accounting faculty; Professor Bijoy Bordoloi and Assistant Professor Susan Yager, both of the Computer Management Information Systems faculty; Assistant Professor Chris Dussold and Professor Yuk-Chow "Jacky" So, both of the Economics and Finance faculty; and Associate Professor Ralph Giacobbe and lecturer John Gilbert, both of the Management and Marketing faculty.
"We intentionally took the multi-disciplinary approach," Segal said. "It gave us a chance to see the issues from multiple angles and with the benefit of varied backgrounds. It's not only an issue of what the regulations say, or how to properly develop an economic forecast. It is all those things and more-most especially, it is a managerial issue."
The award included recognition at the Mid-Continent East Association meeting in Chicago, and a prize of $1000.
Nigerian Scholars Visit Campus, East St. Louis Charter School Students
Teen-agers in Nigeria are similar to those in the United States, according to a group of Nigerian scholars who recently visited the East St. Louis Charter School. The scholars are part of an exchange through the SIUE International Programs unit. They are on a six-week visit to the university.
Professor Francis Egbokhare, of the Linguistics and African Languages department at the University of Ibadan, said many Nigerian youth have adapted aspects of American culture, including an interest in rap music and in "hip-hop" clothing. "Even the hand gestures and mannerisms are the same," Egbokhare said.
But there are differences. Dating is not allowed until the age of 18, a revelation that drew the most reaction from the Charter School students who met with the scholars. Nigerian teens "are preoccupied with enrolling in college before they begin dating," he said. "Education is greatly valued in Nigeria."
Remi Raji, an author and a poet who also is on the English faculty at Ibadan, has been a visiting faculty member through the International Programs in the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature since fall 2001. He pointed out another difference-deep respect for parents. "When children greet their parents, they lay prostrate on the ground and stay there until they are told to get up," Raji said. "Even when you are an adult, you have to do this."
The other visiting scholars are: Professor Remy Oriaku, of the Department of English at Ibadan; Demola Lewis, a graduate student in the Linguistics and African Studies program at Ibadan; and Ohioma Pogoson, from the Institute of African Studies at Ibadan.
Ron Schaefer, professor of English at SIUE and interim director of International Programs for the university; Rudy Wilson, assistant provost for Cultural and Social Diversity; and Eugene Redmond, professor of English and East St. Louis poet laureate served as tour guides for the scholars during the Charter School visit.
"This is a university to university exchange," Schaeffer said. "We have sent faculty to Ibadan from the departments of Historical Studies, Archaeology, Sociology, English, and Geography. We try to learn from them about how African Studies can factor into our curriculum and they learn how American Studies can be factored into their programs at Ibadan.
"They are also helping us develop an African Studies minor here at SIUE," Schaeffer said. Funding proposals are in the works for such a program, he said. "This has been a very successful program so far; we're very pleased with the results."
Charter School Principal Anthony Neal said the scholars' visit was quite popular with the students. "Our students learn about other countries in their coursework and we enhance that learning if we can bring visitors to the school who actually lives in these countries," Neal said. "These opportunities help students connect their learning in the classroom with real life situations.
"It's a great opportunity for the students to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of other cultures, and to help them think critically about various issues."
SIUE School of Business Names Five Winners Of The Annual FBOY
Five businesses-two from Illinois and three from Missouri-were announced recently as winners of the 2003 Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year Awards, given by the SIUE School of Business to honor the growth and success of outstanding family businesses.
The winners received the awards earlier this month at a black tie dinner and ceremony at the Starlight Roof of the Chase Hotel in St. Louis. School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino was on hand to congratulate the winners. "These businesses exemplify all that is important and good about family businesses in this region and throughout the country," Giamartino said.
"The SIUE School of Business conducts this program each year in support of our goals to educate future business and community leaders."
ILLINOIS SMALL COMPANIES
Lynn Furniture Company
In 1914, two brothers from Sparta, Illinois, took a risk-they quit their jobs with the railroad and opened a furniture and funeral business. When the brothers divided the businesses into separate operations in 1938, Wyman Lynn became the sole owner of Lynn Furniture Company, with his daughter, Lucille, and her husband, Klondis Pirtle, who also joined the business. Pirtle ran the company for 40 years. Lynn Furniture is Sparta's oldest family business. Three generations have continued the commitment to service that has made Lynn Furniture successful. Today, Pirtle's son, Klondis T., is president of the company.
MISSOURI SMALL COMPANIES
Lutesville Motor Company
Roy B. Underwood, owner of Lutesville Motor Company in Marble Hill, Mo., died suddenly in 1957. As a result, the entire family rallied to save the business. Roy's wife, Margie, went to work at the dealership, making her one of the first female Ford dealers in the country. In 1972, Margie turned the dealership over to her children, Rick Underwood and Mary Thomas. The family knows of no other Ford dealership passed from mother to daughter and son. Mary and Rick now employ more than 26 people. Mary's husband, Dave Thomas, has been general manager for 38 years. Mary's daughter, Mitzi Thomas Rhodes, the first female salesperson to sell used vehicles, now handles advertising and customer relations. Rick's son, Nick, is parts and service director.
ILLINOIS MEDIUM COMPANIES
Budnick Converting, Inc.
When Mark and Ann Wegmann purchased a lathe slitter in 1986 for their company, Budnick Converting Inc., they quickly discovered a niche market for specialty conversion of adhesive tape products. The company, which began in 1952 as a distributor of tools and accessories, has grown to meet the demand of that niche market, expanding its locations, technology, and staff. Ann's father, "Bud" Schwartz- who founded the company with partner Nick Cutlich-retired in 1982, and Ann and Mark took over company operations. Other family members working in the business include Mark's brother, Mitch, vice president of operations, and his brother Matt, sales manager. Budnick operates a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and employs 115 people. The company plans to open a new 100,000-square-foot facility in 2004.
MISSOURI MEDIUM COMPANIES
The R. J. Liebe Athletic Lettering Company
Robert Liebe and his wife started out in 1923 with a pair of Singer sewing machines, embroidering letters and sewing them onto jerseys when they formed the R. J. Liebe Athletic Lettering Company in the basement of a St. Louis home. The Liebe Company now manufactures lettering for nearly all of the Major League Baseball teams, as well as professional basketball, hockey, and football organizations. Robert Liebe's son, Robert Jr., developed and patented the first fusible high-gloss vinyl used for lettering that made the names and numbers easier to read on television. Robert III and brother, Bill, have continued the tradition of quality and innovation. Robert III heads the lettering division and Bill leads the Webster Fabric division.
MISSOURI LARGE COMPANIES
Four Seasons Group
Four Seasons Group at Lake Ozark, Mo., began when Harold Koplar, son of St. Louis hotelier Sam Koplar, opened The Lodge of the Four Seasons in 1964. In 1989, Susan Brown, Harold's daughter, became president of the lodge. Together with her husband, Paul, they slowly built the business into a thriving, year-round resort and development company. They are one of the largest employers in the community, supporting more than 600 employees in six businesses. Paul and Susan Brown's three sons have leadership roles in the company. Mark is the vice president of the lodge; Peter Jr. is president of Four Seasons Realty and Four Seasons Homes; and David is a part-time manager with Four Seasons Homes division, also serving as a full-time firefighter for Lake Ozark.
There were no nominees in the category of Illinois large companies.
SIUE Tabbed Host of Cross Country Regional
After a long tradition of hosting national caliber track meets, SIUE will get the chance to do so at the cross country level. SIUE has been named the host institution for the 2004 NCAA Division II Cross Country Great Lakes Regional Championships.
The event is scheduled for November 6, 2004, at the cross country course on SIUE's campus. "I think we have one of the best cross country venues in D-II athletics," Cross Country Coach Darryl Frerker said. "For us to have it on campus is great for both training and competition."
The 2003 event was held at Hudsonville, Mich. It included 136 male runners and 20 competing schools and 134 female runners and 19 competing teams. The last time SIUE played host to an NCAA cross country regional was 1991 when the Cougars also played host to the national championships, which will be held at Southern Indiana in 2004. "We're excited to bring it back to campus," Frerker said.
Men's Basketball Plays Host To Bellarmine, KWC
After starting conference play with a 1-1 record, SIUE men's basketball will look to push its early Great Lakes Valley Conference record over .500 when it entertains Bellarmine and Kentucky Wesleyan this week at the Vadalabene Center.
Bellarmine comes to town Thursday (12/4) evening for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. The Cougars then welcome Kentucky Wesleyan Saturday (12/6) afternoon for a 3 p.m. start.
Bellarmine, who has a non-conference tilt with Illinois State on Tuesday (12/2) night, was eliminated from post-season contention last season when the Cougars topped Bellarmine 84-76 at the Vadalabene Center in the last regular season game for both teams.
SIUE's defense will be tested, as Bellarmine (1-4, 0-2 GLVC) boasts four players who average double-digits in scoring. As a team, Bellarmine averages 78.4 ppg.
"Defense has been a big part of our game since I got here," Coach Marty Simmons said. "That is one of the reasons we won at St. Joseph's."
Kentucky Wesleyan (1-1, 0-1 GLVC), who played in last year's NCAA-II Championship Game, has reloaded once again and is ranked 12th in the NCAA-II pre-season national rankings. "The history of their program speaks for itself," Simmons said.
SIUE is coming off a win at Saint Joseph's and a loss to Indianapolis to open the GLVC season. Tyler Hackstadt (Okawville) poured in a career-high 28 at Saint Joseph's. Calvin Sykes' (Chicago) 12 points led the team in the losing effort at Indianapolis. "Hackstadt stepped it up last weekend and Sykes played really well,"
Simmons said. "Ron Jones (Kankakee) was also solid for us." With his 28 at Saint Joseph's, Hackstadt is now averaging 11.4 points per game, second only to Jones' 12.0 ppg. "Tyler is getting better and better and will continue to improve as the season goes along," Simmons said. "He can shoot it off the dribble and he has been consistent on defense. Tyler is a big part of what we are trying to do."
Cougars Open Homestand
SIUE's women's basketball team will open a three-game homestand this week with Great Lakes Valley Conference matchups against Bellarmine and Kentucky Wesleyan.
The Cougars, 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the GLVC, play host to Bellarmine at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (12/4). Kentucky Wesleyan comes to town Saturday (12/6) for a 1 p.m. tilt.
Bellarmine, 5-0 overall and 2-0 in GLVC play, will invade the Vadalabene Center boasting the top offense in the GLVC. Four players are averaging double-figures on a team that has averaged more than 90 points a contest. "They have reloaded," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "It is always a good game with them. We really need to put up our intensity."
Kentucky Wesleyan is 2-4 on the young season and fell to Southern Indiana in its only conference game of the season. The Cougars are coming off a win at Saint Joseph's and a loss to Indianapolis. Jessica Robert (Carlyle), who missed the first three games of the season with an injury, scored 14 points off the bench to lift the Cougars to a nine-point victory over Saint Joseph's. Robert followed that performance with a 17-point effort at Indianapolis.
Freshman Julianne McMillen (Pana) recorded the team's first double-double of the season in the loss at Indianapolis. "Julianne just loves to play and knows no other way but to play hard," Hedberg said. "She gives us great hands down low."
Track To Open Indoor Season
SIUE's track and field team will send a handful of throwers to Saturday's (12/6) Early Bird Open at Illinois State, kicking off the 2003-2004 indoor track and field season.
"Due to the fact the throwers have been training all fall, we have an opportunity to have national qualifiers out of this meet," Coach Darryl Frerker said.
On the women's side, Callie Glover (Bartlett) and Holly Noller (Pawnee) will look to achieve qualifying marks in both the shot put and the weight throw. For the men, Lee Weeden (Ferguson, Mo.) will participate in both the shot put and weight throw. Steve Landers (Auburn) will attempt to qualify in just the shot put. "This is a chance to get some experience and get that first meet under their belt," Frerker said.
Voss Named Honorable Mention All-America
The volleyball season for SIUE''s Andrea Voss (St. Rose) has ended, but the awards have not. Voss was named honorable mention All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
The senior broke SIUE's career record for block assists (471) and became the fourth player in school history to record 1,000 kills. Her .307 career hitting percentage is second all-time.
A first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference and first-team All-Region selection, Voss tied for the top hitting percentage in the league at .358 and led all players in blocks at 1.70 per game. Her 3.79 kills per game was seventh-best this season in the GLVC. "It's a great cap to a great career at SIUE for Andrea," said Coach Todd Gober. "She was the most dominating blocker in our league."
Women's Basketball Opens Conference Play
After starting its season with a 2-1 record, the SIUE women's basketball team will open Great Lakes Valley Conference play with road contests at Saint Joseph's and Indianapolis.
The Cougars, who have topped Illinois-Springfield and Southeastern Oklahoma, but lost to West Texas A&M, will have something to prove as both Saint Joseph's and Indianapolis were ranked above SIUE in the GLVC pre-season poll. "Every game is important for us to go out and try to prove something," Coach Wendy Hedberg said.
The Cougars play at Saint Joseph's in the GLVC opener for both teams Saturday (11/29) afternoon. The Puma's have lost two straight games after opening the season with a 131-35 triumph over Calumet College. "Saint Joseph's beat us twice last year, so there is a little more to this game," Hedberg said. "They are a very quick team and are guard-oriented."
SIUE will turn around and face last season's GLVC Champion Indianapolis Monday (12/1) evening. The Greyhounds are 1-1 on the season after a win against Gannon and a loss to Ashland. SIUE was victorious last season on Indy's home floor, and Hedberg is hoping for the same this year. "We were one of the few teams that caught them early last season," Hedberg said. "They are a very competitive team and they have good shooters inside and at the perimeter."
SIUE has four players averaging double figures in points on the young season. Tanya Guell (Plymouth, Wis.) leads the squad with 17.3 points per game. Sarah Schweers (Chatham) and Amber Wisdom (Geneseo) follow with 14.7 and 10.0 points per game, respectively. Freshman Julianne McMillen (Pana) is averaging 11.7 points per game off the bench for the Cougars. Guell was named to the All-Tournament team at the Candlewood Suites Tournament.
SIUE's top returning scorer, Jessica Robert (Carlyle), has yet to see time on the floor due to an injury suffered in the preseason.
Cougars Face Murray Before Opening GLVC Play
The 1-1 SIUE men's basketball team will open Great Lakes Valley Conference play this weekend, but not before a stop at Division I Murray State. The Cougars face Murray State on Wednesday (11/26) and will then travel to Saint Joseph's and Indianapolis for GLVC contests on Saturday (11/29) and Monday (12/1).
Murray State, a perennial contender in the Ohio Valley Conference, is 2-0 on the season with victories against Wagner and West Florida. They are led by first-year head coach Mick Cronin. "It will be another challenge for us," SIUE Coach Marty Simmons said. "They'll press us for probably 40 minutes. We need to take care of the basketball and hopefully that will create scoring opportunities."
The Cougars face a Saint Joseph's team that is off to a 1-1 start. The Puma's play non-conference foe Lake Superior State on Tuesday (11/25) night. SIUE then does battle with Indianapolis, off to a 3-0 start and one of the hottest teams in the league. The Greyhounds open GLVC play Saturday (11/29) against Quincy. "We are just looking one game at a time," Simmons said. "Playing in this league is a marathon, not a sprint."
Dan Lytle (Edwardsville) leads the Cougars with 16.5 points per game and 8.5 boards per game. Joel Jaye (Chicago) has contributed 12.0 points per game off the bench. Ron Jones (Kankakee) follows with 11.5 points per game. "We obviously want to get off to a good start, and playing on the road isn't always easy," Simmons said. "This team is resilient and will continue to grow all season long."
Cougars Second In All-Sports Trophy Standings
Through the fall sports, the SIUE Cougars are in second place in the All-Sports Trophy standings for the Great Lakes Valley Conference. SIUE won the GLVC title in women's golf and earned second-place points in men's soccer, women's cross country, and men's cross country.
Southern Indiana is the leader with 53 points, followed by SIUE with 50.5 and defending champion Indianapolis with 47. The next points awarded will be at the GLVC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament in Evansville, Ind., next March.
The remaining sports to garner points toward the All-Sports Trophy are men's track and field, women's track and field, men's golf, men's tennis, softball, and baseball.
SIUE SAAC Plans "Kids Night Out"
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is planning a "Kids Night Out" for Friday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center. The cost is $5 per child.
SAAC is planning games and activities, including movies and giveaways. For more information, contact the SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics office at (618) 650-2871.
Taghon, Steffens Ready For Nationals
The wait is just about over. Breanne Steffens (Moline) and Brian Taghon (East Moline) will be the first SIUE cross country runners to run in the NCAA Cross Country Championships when the meet gets under way Saturday morning (11/22) at Cary, N.C.
The women's race begins at 11 a.m., followed by the men's race at noon. "It's an exciting time in the program right now," Frerker said.
For Steffens, a senior, the meet will be extra special as it will be her last collegiate cross country competition. "This meet is a culmination of all her hard work and determination throughout her career," Frerker said.
Steffens, the Great Lakes Valley Conference individual champion, qualified for the meet after finishing second at the NCAA Great Lakes Regionals, where she ran the 6,000-meter course in 21 minutes, 42.9 seconds. That time shattered her own school record that was set earlier in the season.
Taghon, a sophomore, promises to gain valuable experience that he will be able to use throughout his career. "It will be great experience for a successful future," Frerker said. Taghon's 10,000-meter time of 31:41.1 was good for second-place at the regional meet and an automatic bid to the national meet. "We have trained all year to peak at nationals," Frerker said. "We started to peak at regionals, and the athletes know you can hold a peak for several weeks. They have been consistent all year, and this will be a culmination of a great season."
Cougar Women's Golf Signs Connaway
SIUE women's golf coach Larry Bennett has announced that Natalie Connaway (McLeansboro) has signed a national letter of intent to attend SIUE and play golf for the Cougars.
Connaway played on the boy's team at Hamilton Country High School since the school did not have a girl's team. She posted a 41.6 scoring average while playing from increased yardages. "Natalie has been playing longer yardages, and these will reflect the yardages she'll play in college," Bennett said.
She was named the No. 1 girl's golfer in the tri-state area by the Evansville (Ind.) Courier. She tied for second at the regional tournament with an 84 and placed second in the sectional behind the eventual state champion. Connaway tied for 58th at the 2003 IHSA state tournament. "She is a hard worker," Bennett said. "She has played with the boy's program in high school so she's used to more intense competition."
Men's Basketball Opens With Home Contest
The SIUE men's basketball team officially will start its 2003-2004 campaign when Harris-Stowe State College comes to the Vadalabene Center on Wednesday (11/19). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Cougars will have 11 new faces when they hit the hardwood, and second-year head coach Marty Simmons is eager to see how the team progresses. "With 11 new guys playing, it takes time," Simmons said. "It will be a team that continues to get better as the season goes along. I like this team; we just haven't been together that long."
Harris-Stowe, an NAIA squad out of St. Louis, plays in the American Midwest Conference. Other teams in its conference includes McKendree, Illinois-Springfield and Missouri Baptist. "Harris-Stowe is an athletic team and have great quickness," Simmons said.
SIUE is coming off a 70-48 defeat against Bradley, an NCAA Division I school, in its only game in the preseason. "We'll hopefully play much better against Harris-Stowe. Our transition defense wasn't where it needed to be in my mind. We are much better shooting team than that, and we need to be better at getting to the boards."
Simmons indicated he did see some positives at the Bradley game. "Bradley is an outstanding team," he said. "Overall, the defense competed hard against a great Bradley offense."
Women's Basketball Begins Four-Game Roadtrip
The SIUE women's basketball team will travel to Emporia, Kan., for the Candlewood Suites Classic, where it will play neutral site games against West Texas A&M and Southeastern Oklahoma on Friday (11/21) and Saturday (11/22).
It will be the last tune-up before Great Lakes Conference play begins Nov. 29 at Saint Joseph's. Friday's game will be the first of the season for West Texas, who finished 20-10 last season and are led by returning junior forward Celeste Stevenson. Stevenson led the squad in points and rebounds last year.
"We are going to need to focus on our defense," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "We need to pick it up a notch and get in their face and not be afraid of being beat."
Southeastern Oklahoma, who opens its season Tuesday (11/18) against Washburn, will play tournament host Emporia State on Friday (11/21) before facing the Cougars. Last year, Southeastern Oklahoma finished the season 10-15 and just missed advancing to the Lone Star Conference Tournament.
SIUE is coming off an 88-76, season-opening victory over Illinois-Springfield at the Vadalabene Center. A balanced scoring attack that included five players scoring in double figures paced the Cougars to the victory. Tanya Guell (Plymouth, Wis.) scored all her game-high 21 points in the second half.
"When she got the ball, Tanya was able to convert," Hedberg said. "That is what we will look for from her. Hopefully, it will boost her confidence."
Amber Wisdom (Geneseo) was just two rebounds shy of a triple-double, as she poured in 15 points and tied a career-high with 10 assists. "Amber had an all-around good game."
Wrestling To Face Tough Competition At Missouri Open
Historically, the Missouri Open is always a strong tournament for SIUE's wrestling team. This year will be no different, according to Coach Booker Benford.
SIUE will wrestle against tough competition this weekend when the Cougars travel to Columbia, Mo., on Sunday (11/23) for the University of Missouri Open. "It will be a strong tournament," Benford said. "We need to have some guys win and place high. It will be a confidence builder for much of the team if that happens."
One of the wrestlers that will look to compete at a high level is redshirt freshman Joe Rujawitz (Belleville). Rujawitz has gotten out to a fast start in the 141-pound weight class, wrestling to a 7-1 record. "Joe is really physical and full of energy," Benford said. "He has the 'don't give up' attitude and will wrestle hard to the last buzzer."
SIUE has a 1-0 dual record on the season after defeating McKendree College 21-18 last Wednesday (11/12).
Sharon Berry Named Director Of Office Of Student Financial Aid
Sharon Berry of Bridgeton, Mo., associate director of the SIUE Office of Student Financial Aid, was named director of that office effective Nov. 1, according to Boyd Bradshaw, assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management.
Berry has been acting director of the office since March 1 when former Director Marian Smithson retired after 10 years of service to the university.
In her new position, Berry is responsible for the management and student-centered delivery of federal, state, and university financial aid and scholarship programs that supports the university's enrollment and retention goals, and insures compliance with current regulations and policies. .
Berry had been associate director of Student Financial Aid from 1999-2003. Before joining the SIUE staff, Berry was director of Financial Aid and Student Employment at what was then known as Belleville Area College. She also had been director of Financial Aid at Harris-Stowe State College in St. Louis.
She earned a bachelor's in Psychology and a master's in Psychology, with an Industrial/Organizational emphasis, both from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
October 2003
Center of Attraction: SIUE Celebrates Refurbished Morris University Center
The new walls are up, the construction dividers are down and the Delyte W. Morris Center has a $20 million facelift.
The center's grand re-opening will include activities throughout the week of Oct. 13, including:
• Oct. 13: Ribbon cutting for the center, noon
• Oct. 14: Ribbon cutting for Auntie Anne's pretzel shop, 10 a.m.
• Oct. 15: Alumni and retiree reception, noon
"It's been a lot of work, but well worth it," said the Center Director Mary Robinson. The work included new study and computer labs, expanded seating in the Food Court, a new kitchen and servery in the Food Court, renovations to the recreation area, remodeling of Meridian Ballroom, expanded outdoor dining areas, ADA accommodations, renovated offices for the staff and student organizations housed in the building, expanded Union Station convenience store, relocation of the information desk, a new look for Cougar Den, and the addition of Starbuck's and Auntie Anne's. The University Restaurant on the second floor also was remodeled.
Robinson said she didn't realize just how much work had been done and what a difference it made until the construction partitions came down and she had a clear view of the renovations.
Three years after students voted for a fee increase to make improvements to the 200,000-square-foot center, the work is virtually complete, with only some finishing touches remaining. "We have consulted students all along the way in the process," Robinson said. "From the beginning to the grand re-opening and beyond, students have been and will be consulted as to how the center can best serve their needs."
Students were surveyed twice to determine their preferences and expectations. The renovations were based on students' expectations. "Students told us they wanted more retail options," Robinson said. "Specifically, they wanted a 'cyber café.' In response, we entered into an agreement with Starbuck's that made us the first university-run Starbuck's in the state and only the third in the nation.
"Our students also wanted more hours and more space for Union Station and more places to study and do their research-needs that are accommodated by our additional computer and study spaces."
Robinson is particularly proud of the Food Court, where the space is more open, seating capacity has nearly doubled, and there's a new kitchen and servery. New, more colorful floor tiles, new furnishings and the removal of several walls give the space a brighter, more open atmosphere. In contrast, in Cougar Den just across the hall, renovations and new decorations give the space a "darker and moodier" feel, Robinson said.
"Cougar Den is more like what you might think of as a 'Friday night hangout,'" Robinson said, "or, where you might go to listen to a band on the weekends."
Woolpert LLP is the architectural firm that designed the renovations, with assistance from WTW Architects. Poettker Construction was the general contractor. The work was done in three phases, beginning with roof replacement in the fall of 2001.
Dark of the Moon Brings Mysterious Tale To Dunham
There are many versions of the 17th Century Scots song, Barbara Allen, but it took two New York playwrights-Howard Richardson and William Berney-to bring the story to the American stage and provide a vehicle for several actors who later went on to fame and fortune.
Richardson and Berney's mysterious play, Dark of the Moon, finds "Barb'ry Allen" thrown in with witches, the supernatural, and all sorts of mountain legends in the North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains of Southern Appalachia. The Department of Theater and Dance will bring the rich and moving play to the main stage under the guidance of Director Peter Cocuzza, associate professor of Theater and Dance.
The play will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Oct. 15-18, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, all in the Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
In all the versions of the centuries-old folk song, one theme comes through-Barbara Allen has spurned a lover and the man dies because of it. "The play is rich in the folklore of North Carolina myths and legends," Cocuzza said. "These very colorful and interesting characters give this play such life; I think the audience is going to love it."
The play-which is actually based only loosely on the ballad-is about the Witch Boy who falls for the lovely Barbara Allen. Because he wants to marry her, the Witch Boy asks "the conjure folk" to make him human. But there's a hitch-she must remain faithful for one year or the Witch Boy returns to the supernatural.
The conjure folk grant him the wish but then do everything they can to bring him back.
Dark of the Moon has a rich and interesting production history. Performers such as Paul Newman, Shelly Berman, Betsy Palmer, and Marge Champion have held lead roles with the show on Broadway and the show has been performed around the world in every capital city.
There also is superstition associated with Dark of the Moon, which supposedly began in the Broadway production. It is said that one of the actors died in the wings and another suffered a heart attack in the revival scene. A petition was circulated asking that the Bible used in the show be replaced. On the night it was replaced by a copy of Gray's Anatomy, the show's closing notice was posted backstage.
"Dark of the Moon reminds us of a time that has gone by and that we're in danger of losing," Cocuzza said. "This oral tradition of folklore and legend is rich with stories that are tailor-made for a stage play.
"This play can serve as a reminder of that rich tradition." According to the director, the SIUE cast contains about 14 freshmen who are energetic, but, nevertheless, have never been on the SIUE main stage. "They are proving to be quite exciting actors and it's been a treat to work with them," Cocuzza said.
"I like the idea of exploring the oral traditions of the Appalachian culture on stage," Cocuzza said. "And, the fact that we're doing it just before Hallow'een is perfect.
"It's the season for spookiness."
For reservations, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.
Cougars' Win Streak Extends To Nine
A nine-game winning streak will be on the line as No. 11-ranked SIUE men's soccer team enters this week's action that will include matches against Rockhurst, as well as Great Lakes Valley Conference battles with Southern Indiana and Kentucky Wesleyan.
SIUE, 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the GLVC, will travel to Columbia, Mo., on Wednesday (Oct. 15) for a make-up game with Rockhurst. The two teams were supposed to meet at the Soccer Bowl in Quincy in the first week of the season, but the game was postponed because of rain. "It is an advantage we are playing them now because we are a better team than we were at the beginning of the year," Coach Ed Huneke said.
SIUE then plays host to Southern Indiana on Friday night (10/17) at Korte Stadium. Game time is 7:30.
Southern Indiana (8-4, 7-0 GLVC) leads SIUE by one-half game in the GLVC standings. The winner of the game takes sole possession of first place. "Conference standings don't lie," Huneke said. "It is an important battle for both teams. USI also is hot on our heels in regional rankings."
SIUE wraps up its busy week with a Sunday (10/19) matchup against Kentucky Wesleyan at Korte Stadium. The Panthers enter the week with a 1-10-1 overall record and a 0-6-1 mark in conference play.
The Cougars are coming off shutout wins at Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis. The Cougars allowed only eight shots in the two contests, something Huneke attributes to a back line that consists of Tim Velten (St. Louis), Mike Burgund (Bethalto), Sean Huneke (Glen Carbon), John Lamping (Barnhart, Mo.) and Brian Horan (St. Louis). "They are doing a great job in that the defense is not allowing many chances for other teams to score," Huneke said. "They do the important things that do not show up in the box score."
Volleyball Fans Can Support Oasis At Oct. 15 Match
SIUE volleyball fans who attend the Cougars' home contest against UM-St. Louis on Wednesday, Oct. 15, can receive free admission by donating items for the Oasis Women's Shelter in Alton, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Items needed include: shampoo and conditioner, hair care products, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes, baby lotion, baby bottles, new socks and underwear for women and children, and kitchen utensils. Items also may be dropped off at the Department of Anthropology, Room 0230, Peck Hall, for those who cannot attend the game.
For more information, contact the SIUE Women's Studies program, (618) 650-2744, or the SIUE Office of Intercollegiate Athletics, (618) 650-2871.
Cougars' Win Streak Extends To Nine
A nine-game winning streak will be on the line as No. 11-ranked SIUE men's soccer team enters this week's action that will include matches against Rockhurst, as well as Great Lakes Valley Conference battles with Southern Indiana and Kentucky Wesleyan.
SIUE, 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the GLVC, will travel to Columbia, Mo., on Wednesday (Oct. 15) for a make-up game with Rockhurst. The two teams were supposed to meet at the Soccer Bowl in Quincy in the first week of the season, but the game was postponed because of rain. "It is an advantage we are playing them now because we are a better team than we were at the beginning of the year," Coach Ed Huneke said.
SIUE then plays host to Southern Indiana on Friday night (10/17) at Korte Stadium. Game time is 7:30.
Southern Indiana (8-4, 7-0 GLVC) leads SIUE by one-half game in the GLVC standings. The winner of the game takes sole possession of first place. "Conference standings don't lie," Huneke said. "It is an important battle for both teams. USI also is hot on our heels in regional rankings."
SIUE wraps up its busy week with a Sunday (10/19) matchup against Kentucky Wesleyan at Korte Stadium. The Panthers enter the week with a 1-10-1 overall record and a 0-6-1 mark in conference play.
The Cougars are coming off shutout wins at Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis. The Cougars allowed only eight shots in the two contests, something Huneke attributes to a back line that consists of Tim Velten (St. Louis), Mike Burgund (Bethalto), Sean Huneke (Glen Carbon), John Lamping (Barnhart, Mo.) and Brian Horan (St. Louis). "They are doing a great job in that the defense is not allowing many chances for other teams to score," Huneke said. "They do the important things that do not show up in the box score."
Volleyball Cougars Play Host To UM-St. Louis
Fresh off a victory against Quincy that improved its conference-best record to 6-1, the SIUE volleyball team will play host to Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday (10/15) in a Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup at the Vadalabene Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
SIUE has an 18-3 overall record to go along with its impressive conference mark. Missouri-St. Louis enters the game 6-9 overall and 3-4 in GLVC play. Earlier this season, the Cougars defeated UMSL in a three-game sweep in St. Louis, despite hitting .157 as a team. "We came out with a tough win at UMSL. They are a scrappy team who can give you fits," Coach Todd Gober said.
"We are playing with confidence. I think the girls are realizing that if we keep working hard, great things can happen."
A pleasant surprise for the Cougars has been the play of freshman libero Beth DeGreeff (Oakville, Mo.). DeGreeff is second on the team with 217 digs, but Gober said it is the things that do not show up in the statistics that have made her a successful player. "I knew we were getting a polished volleyball player in Beth," Gober said. "But she has exceeded my expectations. She has probably been our unsung hero to this point of the season. I give her a lot of credit for our success."
Krystal Majernik (Normal) is third in the GLVC with 11.99 assists per game. She has played in all 70 games for the Cougars.
"Krystal is having a great year," Gober said. "She is leading the offense that has the best hitting percentage in the conference. She has good work ethic and is self-motivated, which is why she is excelling right now."
Andrea Voss (St. Rose) leads the team in kills (252) and blocks (119). She also leads the team and the GLVC with a .399 hitting percentage.
Cougars Face USI, KWC
The SIUE women's soccer team will look to snap its four-game losing streak when it welcomes Southern Indiana and Kentucky Wesleyan to Korte Stadium this weekend.
SIUE, which holds a 7-5 overall record and a 1-5 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, dropped a 2-1 overtime decision at Northern Kentucky last weekend before falling 3-0 to Indianapolis. The Cougars have lost their last four games after starting the season 7-1.
"After our good start, we were hoping to be atop our region, which we were for a while," Coach Lynda Bowers said. "Now, our focus is to just get into the conference tournament."
The Cougars are currently ninth in the conference standings with four conference games remaining. The top eight teams make it to the conference tournament. "Each team guns for each other in this conference," Bowers said. "On any given day, anyone can win. There has been so many crazy games this year."
Southern Indiana (5-7-1 overall, 2-5 GLVC) is one spot ahead of the Cougars in the conference standings. Friday's game time against the Screaming Eagles is set for 5:30 p.m. Kentucky Wesleyan is 2-8 on the season and has an 0-7 conference record. Game time against the Panthers is Sunday at noon.
Bowers insists that the Cougar midfield must improve its play down the stretch to give the Cougars hope. "We cannot have any offense if we don't have any ball-winning out of our midfielders," she said.
Ann Crawford (St. Louis), who scored SIUE's goal at Northern Kentucky, leads the team with four goals on the season.
Cross Country Begins To Prepare For GLVC Meet
The SIUE men's and women's cross country teams will have an extra week to prepare for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships, which will be held Oct. 25 in Romeoville.
The Cougars are coming off the Missouri/Illinois Border Wars, where the women finished second out of 21 schools. The men's team was seventh out of 22 schools. "The Border Wars was good preparation for us, more so for the regional meet than the conference meet because it was a bigger meet as far as numbers," Coach Darryl Frerker said.
On the women's side, SIUE finished second to GLVC-rival Southern Indiana. Breanne Steffens (Moline) led all GLVC runners in the 5,000 meter with a third-place time of 18 minutes, 15.56 seconds. That time is the seventh-fastest 5,000-meter time in school history. "Breanne has been our front-runner all season," Frerker said, "and I do not expect her to back down."
On the men's side, SIUE finished seventh overall and fourth among GLVC schools. Southern Indiana won the meet with Indianapolis and Lewis also finishing ahead of the Cougars. SIUE's top finisher was Ryan Boyll (Normal), who ran the 8,000 meter in a time of 26:13.67, which was good for 12th overall. Nick Campbell (Charleston) finished with a 29th-place time of 26:44.66.
SIUE Women's Tennis Faces McKendree
Even though the conference season is over for the SIUE women's tennis team, the Cougars will welcome McKendree on Saturday (10/18) at 10 a.m.
The Cougars, who finished fifth at last weekend's Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament, will be using the match to prepare for their spring season.
After falling to Southern Indiana in the opening round of the conference tournament, the Cougars topped Missouri-St. Louis and Bellarmine to secure fifth place. The Cougars completed GLVC play with a 5-4 overall record. "This was one of the toughest year's in the GLVC as far as competition is concerned," Coach Bill Logan said. "But we played close in every match."
Coryn Reich (Newton) was the lone member on the Cougars' roster to be named to the All-GLVC team. "I was happy she was honored in the strongest All-Conference team we've had yet," Logan said. "She always plays against our toughest competition. She is a great athlete."
SIUE Softball Readies For Benefit Golf Scramble
The SIUE softball team is planning its annual benefit golf scramble to be held at Clinton Hill Country Club on October 24th at Swansea.
The four-person scramble begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The entry fee of $100 per person includes a round of golf, lunch, dinner, drinks and great prizes. All proceeds benefit the SIUE softball program.
Tee sponsorships also are available for the benefit at $100 each.
For more information about playing in the event, contact SIUE softball Coach Sandy Montgomery at (618) 650-2870 or by e-mail: smontgo@siue.edu.
Cougar Women's Golf Captures First GLVC Crown
Kallie Harrison (Decatur) and Katie Farrell (Princeton) each picked up All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors as SIUE shot 615 as a team en route to its first Great Lakes Valley Conference title.
SIUE, which broke the GLVC record for 36-hole score at the league tournament by an incredible 32 strokes, outdistanced second-place Southern Indiana at the 2003 championships by 17 strokes.
Indianapolis finished third in the tournament, which was held at 5,814-yard, par 72 Timber gate Golf Course. Defending champion Northern Kentucky took fourth, 24 shots behind the Cougars.
On top of her All-GLVC honor, Harrison also was tabbed Freshman of the Year. SIUE Coach Larry Bennett was awarded Coach of the Year honors.
Farrell, the leader after day one with a GLVC and school-record 70, shot an 80 in day two to drop her to third place with a 6-over par 150. Harrison finished second after shooting a four-over par 148 in the 36-hole event. She shot a 73 in the final round, a career best. Her 148 also is a new 36-hole individual record for the Cougars.
Kim Keyer-Scott, of Northern Kentucky, walked away with the championship trophy with a 147.
SIUE's Brittany Hood's 160 was good for 13th place in the tournament. Kacy Gruenkemeyer, last year's individual champion, shot a second-day score of 77 to vault her into a tie for 15th.
Rounding out the scoring for SIUE was Brittany Auld's 167, which was good for a tie for 21st.
The GLVC Tournament marks the end of the fall season for the Cougars. SIUE, ranked 22nd in the nation, returns next spring aiming to return to the NCAA Tournament.
Women's Tennis Grabs Fifth Seed In GLVC Tourney
The SIUE women's tennis team enters this weekend's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament as the fifth seed and will play fourth-seeded Southern Indiana Friday (10/10) morning in Indianapolis.
"I hope it is our weekend," Coach Bill Logan said. "We definitely have the potential to win. With everyone playing well, good things can happen."
The Cougars (6-4 overall, 5-4 GLVC) will prepare for the GLVC Tournament by playing host to a non-conference match Tuesday (10/7) against Greenville. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. at SIUE's tennis courts. "We need to have good practices during the week and play well against Greenville to help us prepare for the conference tournament," Logan said.
SIUE has had sound performances in its double play all season, and Logan hopes that continues at the GLVC Tournament. The Cougars have a 22-8 doubles record as a team.
Coryn Reich (Newton) and Chrissy Yingst (Belleville) make up the No. 1 doubles team, which has posted a 6-4 record on the season. The No. 2 doubles combo of Laura Zeeb (Greenville) and Lisa Warner (Arlington Hts.) have posted an 8-2 record on the season. Gina Wohltman (Effingham) and Allison Coats (Belleville) also have played to an 8-2 record.
SIUE Cruising Through GLVC Play
The SIUE men's soccer team continues to climb the ladder of national rankings after defeating Saint Joseph's and Wisconsin-Parkside last week to stretch its Great Lakes Valley Conference record to a perfect 4-0.
The Cougars, moving up to 11th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II poll, will be tested again this weekend when it travels to Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis for GLVC matches. SIUE enters the matches with a seven-game winning streak.
"We have always had close games with these two teams," Coach Ed Huneke said. "I do not expect it to be any different this weekend."
One reason why SIUE has an undefeated conference record has been the play of its defense. The Cougars have posted three shutouts against GLVC opponents and have only allowed 14 shots on goal in the four games behind goalkeeper Bret Richardson (Mt. Vernon, Ind.).
"Defense is a team obligation," Coach Ed Huneke said. "However, more responsibility lays on our back four and the goalkeeper. Our group is very good."
On offense, Cal Thomas (Rochester) scored three times last weekend, including an overtime game-winner against Wisconsin-Parkside. Thomas leads the GLVC in scoring with eight goals and two assists. "Cal has been on a hot streak," Huneke said. "Goal-scoring is like other aspects in sports in which momentum is important. He has the hot-hand right now, and I hope he keeps it up."
Addae Rique (Trinidad & Tobago), who assisted on Thomas' game-winning goal, leads the squad with six assists.
Cougar Women's Soccer Travel To NKU, Indy
SIUE's women's soccer team will try to put a halt to its two-game losing skid when it travels to Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis for two Great Lakes Valley Conference games this weekend.
SIUE dropped home contests to GLVC foes Saint Joseph's and Wisconsin-Parkside last weekend to fall to 1-3 in conference play. "The effort is there and our work-rate is good," Coach Lynda Bowers said. "We are doing everything else right, but we are just not putting the ball in the net."
Northern Kentucky enters the week atop the GLVC standings with a 9-2-1 overall record and a 5-0 conference mark. "NKU is a very fast team," Bowers said. "I do think it is a game we can win."
Indianapolis is fifth in the GLVC standings thanks in part to the play of Jenna Silverman, who leads Indy and the GLVC with 12 goals on the year. "She is a dangerous front-runner," Bowers said. "If we can contain her like we have other front-runners we've played against, then we will be successful."
Bowers indicated she has been pleased with the play of her two freshman marking backs, Padra Bencini (Carbondale) and Kayla Fromme (New Berlin). "Padra and Kayla have done a fabulous job," Bowers said.
Sara Decker (St. Louis), Christen Carducci (Powell, Ohio), Kristine Armstrong (St. Louis) and Ann Crawford (St. Louis) all have a team-high three goals. Decker's four assists gives her the team lead with 10 points.
SIUE Cross Country Presents Border Wars
The SIUE men's and women's cross country teams will enter its final warm-up before the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships on Saturday (10/11) when it plays host to the Missouri/Illinois Border Wars.
A women's 5,000-meter run gets under way at 10 a.m. The men follow with an 8,000-meter run at 10:45 a.m. "We'll go head-to-head with other conference schools at this meet," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "This will give us a chance to look at what we need to do to get ready for conference."
SIUE is coming off the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational in Chicago. SIUE's men placed eighth out of 34 teams in its division. The women's squad finished fourth out of 35 teams. "I was very pleased with what we accomplished," Frerker said. "We did everything I was looking for in preparation for the conference and regional meet."
Leading the way for the women's side was Breanne Steffens (Moline), who finished 21st in a time of 18 minutes, 18 seconds. Brian Taghon (East Moline) led the men with a 24th-place time of 25:17.
SIUE Volleyball Seeks Revenge Against Quincy
All focus for the SIUE volleyball team this week will be on Saturday's (10/11) return match with Quincy as Lady Hawks invade the Vadalabene Center for a 1 p.m. match. The Cougars' lone conference loss came in a four-game match at Quincy.
"We will be up for the game against Quincy," Assistant Coach Melanie Mueller said. "We'll be ready to play."
Quincy, who plays Missouri-St. Louis on Friday night, enters the week with a 13-5 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Mueller said one of the keys to defeating Quincy is to play consistent, something the Cougars did not do in their first meeting.
"We need to keep the ball in play and minimize our errors," she said. SIUE (17-3 overall, 5-1 GLVC) is coming off conference wins at Northern Kentucky and Bellarmine.
The Cougars handed NKU its first conference loss of the season after sweeping the Norse 3-0 on their home court. "The win at NKU will definitely bring some excitement to the program," Mueller said.
Heather Bonde (Millstadt) led the way for the Cougars with 13 kills against Northern Kentucky. She added a solo block and had six block assists. Andrea Voss (St. Rose) and Kindra Westendorf (Effingham) had 12 and 10 kills, respectively.
SIUE leads the GLVC with a .289 hitting percentage (.289) and 2.78 blocks per game. Voss is the conference leader with a .398 hitting percentage and a 1.82 blocks per game average.
Family Weekend Scheduled For Oct. 17-19 On Campus
A chili cook-off and homecoming soccer games are just a part of the full weekend of activities to be offered Oct. 17-19 during Family Weekend 2003.
Family members and friends of SIUE students are invited to visit the campus and enjoy family events or plenty of free time with students. The majority of these events are free and open to all ages. Scheduled meals are available through SIUE Dining Services at reasonable prices. Students may use meal cards to pay for guests.
Students, friends, and families also are invited to use the Student Fitness Center and the Morris University Center Recreation Center any time during the weekend; passes and information will be available at all official Family Weekend events.
Here are some highlights:
• 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Korte Stadium-Chili Cook-off. A $2.50 fee allows each person to taste a variety of chili and vote for a favorite.
• 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Friday Oct. 17, Korte Stadium-Women's and men's soccer teams play Southern Indiana.
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Katherine Dunham Hall theater-Dark of the Moon.
• 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Morris Center-Casino Night
• 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Student Fitness Center-5K Poker Run
• 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Morris Center Recreation Center-Family, Friends, and Fun Bowling Tournament.
• 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Morris Center-Comedian/hypnotist Daniel James
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Katherine Dunham Hall theater-I.
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Bluff Residence Hall-"ET and Ice Cream."
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, Morris Center University Restaurant-Family Weekend Brunch.
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, Katherine Dunham Hall theater-Dark of the Moon.
For more information, visit the Family Weekend Web site: www.siue.edu/FAMILY or call SIUE's Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686, or, toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
Homecoming Set To Begin With A Roar October 13
With a "Roar Like Never Before," the university's Annual Homecoming festivities are about to get under way on Monday, Oct. 13, and continue through Saturday, Oct. 18.
This year's activities include the addition of Red and White Spirit Day, SIUE Squares, The Cougar Challenge, and a Pep Rally/ Tailgating event.
On the first day of Homecoming, students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to wear red and white to show Cougar Spirit. Also that first day, the first Outrageous Spirit Contest will be held in the Morris Center's Center Court at 11:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing and accessories that show they truly have outrageous school spirit. Prizes will be awarded.
Voting for Homecoming King and Queen will take place Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 13-14, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Morris Center. On Tuesday, campus "celebrities" will attempt to answer SIUE trivia during the SIUE Squares game show, beginning at 11 a.m. in Goshen Lounge.
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, students will be able to show off their singing talents in the Cougar Karaoke contest, beginning at 11:30 a.m. in Goshen. A panel of three judges will determine who wins prizes.
Student organizations will compete Thursday, Oct. 16, in the Cougar Challenge. This new addition to Homecoming Week will pit organization against organization in five "wild and crazy" games. The Cougar Challenge begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Goshen. All participating and winning teams will receive spirit points.
On Friday, Oct. 17, the Homecoming Pep Rally/Tailgating event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at Korte Stadium. At 5 p.m., the Family Weekend Chili Cook-off begins, followed by the women's soccer game at 5:30 p.m. After the game, the 2003 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned. The men's soccer game begins after that ceremony.
For a complete list of Homecoming events, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/CAB.
Who Knows What Equinox Lurks In The Crossing? The Shadow Knows
Crowded around the new artwork, The Crossing-just east of the Engineering Building-spectators waited for the appointed moment: solar noon of the Autumnal Equinox.
They were waiting to see if the Chicago-based artist Evan Lewis and his collaborators got it right. The Crossing, a 36-foot-tall sculpture, was constructed as artwork but also as a simple form of scientific instrument to mark the equinoxes and solstices of the Earth's yearly travels around the sun.
The piece is situated just east of the Engineering Building, a spot chosen with the help of Randy Pearson, chair of the Department of Geography, who used GPS satellite tracking equipment; University Museum Director Eric Barnett, chair of the Art in Architecture Committee on campus; and Rich Walker, assistant to the vice chancellor for Administration.
Lewis constructed the artwork earlier this year on the 90th Meridian, which runs through campus. The piece is oriented so that sunlight through a stationary marker-mounted on the artwork frame-casts a pattern of light and shadow every day at sun transit time upon bronze plates set in the base of the sculpture.
Open areas between bronze plates indicate annual equinoxes and solstices. So, the question loomed: Were Lewis and his calculations correct? At solar noon at that particular longitude, 12:52 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, Sept. 23, they got their answer-the pattern created by the sun at that moment fell perfectly dead center in the spot on the base to indicate the Autumnal Equinox.
"I wasn't really worried," said Lewis who was present among the spectators that day. "I'm not a perfectionist; I leave that to others. I was hoping it would be at least close, though," he said with a chuckle.
Barnett, who also was there for the observance, said he was pleased to see so many people come out for the autumn event. "You couldn't have asked for more perfect weather," he said. "This project required the cooperation of many people at SIUE along with the artist, his staff, and local contractors to be completed.
"The fact that faculty, staff, and students from such a variety of departments are enjoying this work is further testament to the value of interdisciplinary education."
The upper domed part of the artwork-reminiscent of the nearby SIUE Religious Center-is made of burnished stainless steel and aluminum, and includes mobile elements that will constantly show wind direction and velocity. The piece was funded by the Illinois Capital Development Board through the Art in Architecture program, which sets aside funds from construction of state-funded buildings-in this instance from the music addition to Katherine Dunham Hall, the Art & Design Building, and the Engineering Building.
Lewis' other permanent outdoor pieces may be found at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb; Denver, Colo.; Phoenix, Ariz.; East Lansing, Mich.; and in Westlake, Ohio. His work is exhibited frequently in major sculpture exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Lewis also had several pieces commissioned by Warner Brothers Studio and more existing pieces rented for the 1995 film, Twister.
BIEH Brochure Encourages Literacy Interaction Between Parents, Pre-School Children
Parents and teachers of pre-school children in the region now have a "flip-chart" brochure for encouraging reading and writing skills, thanks to SIUE's Book In Every Home (BIEH) literacy campaign.
BIEH not only has placed more than 30,000 books in homes of young children in St. Clair and Madison counties, it also encourages parents to read to their children.
The brochure, which contains suggestions for interaction between pre-school children and their parents and teachers, was developed by the BIEH Curriculum Committee under the guidance of Committee Chair Stephanie McAndrews.
McAndrews, an assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the university, said the publication-Having Fun With Literacy: A Family's Guide to Reading and Writing-is an important resource for parents and teachers. "I have not seen this sort of reader-friendly publication in pre-schools before," McAndrews said.
"It is a unique resource for parents of pre-school children as well as their teachers. This stair-step brochure provides parents with a quick reference of reading and writing activities and resources."
The publication is divided into six sections: Songs and Finger Plays, Book Titles and Authors, Talking With Your Child, Reading With Your Child, Writing With Your Child, and Family Resources. "Each section contains suggestions based on a child's age level. The purpose of this brochure is to help parents and teachers enhance children's literacy development through fun and interactive activities."
McAndrews teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in emergent literacy and reading diagnosis. "I teach how to identify and meet the needs of students with reading and writing disabilities," she said.
Kay Werner chair of the BIEH board said 5,000 publications were printed and distributed to SIUE Head Start sites throughout St. Clair County and to sites in the Riverbend Head Start and Family Services. It also has been distributed to the SIUE Early Childhood Center, to the pre-school programs at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, and to other literacy programs in the St. Louis area. The cost of the publication was underwritten by the St. Louis Rams Foundation, a BIEH partner.
"We have made this literacy publication available to several thousand children, parents, and students, and we anticipate having to print more," Werner said. "This project complements the primary objective of the BIEH which is to promote literacy through the distribution of age-appropriate books to children in the area.
"We're thrilled with the efforts of Stephanie and the committee and to the SIUE professional staff who all worked together to produce this publication," Werner said. "We encourage interaction between parents and children to strengthen literacy skills and this project will go a long way in helping to achieve our goals."
Those interested may request copies of the new publication by calling (618) 650-2020, or by e-mail: bookineveryhome@siue.edu.
October 21, 2003
SIUE Chancellor Werner Announces Retirement
SIUE Chancellor David Werner announced his retirement last week at the end of his annual State of the University address. The 61-year-old educator made the announcement to the 600 or so faculty, staff, students, and community guests assembled in Meridian Ballroom for the address. Werner said he plans to complete the academic year.
Appointed to his current post in September 1997 and an employee of the university since 1968, Werner's tenure has included significant enrollment growth and a transformation of the campus to a mix of residential and commuter students.
In his announcement, Werner alluded to his first State of The University Address (September 1997), relaying the story of his decision to come to SIUE as a faculty member: "I came expecting to stay six months or so with the intent to then move to 'some better place.' I grew up in St. Louis, and, although my mother was from Columbia, Illinois, I had never heard of Edwardsville and knew little about SIU.
"As an undergraduate at Saint Louis University, I had friends from Alton and Granite City. But with the insularity of a St. Louisan, I wondered why anyone would live on the east side of the river.
"My first students, in an evening class, were, to me, shockingly different and diverse. I was 26; nearly every student was older, some old enough to be my parents. Most were married; I don't think I had ever met a married undergraduate before. They were white and black; from all sorts of small towns with unfamiliar names; they all worked, and held jobs as varied as the American economy.
"But, beneath the diversity, they were united in their quest for an education. And, in the words of our Alma Mater they saw SIUE as their 'fount of opportunity.'
"I said six years ago how I was drawn to the faculty and the staff who had left secure positions at other institutions to come to Alton or East St. Louis or Edwardsville ... not just because of what was here, but because of their common vision of what this place would become, and because of their determination to be a part of making the vision a reality.
"So I stayed. And I put aside the plan to go to some 'better place.' Then, at some point-I really don't recall when-I realized that SIUE had become 'that better place.'"
He added, "I hope I played a role in making SIUE that 'better place.'"
Werner joined the SIUE School of Business faculty in 1968 and served as dean of the school from 1975 to 1987, when he became provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Since 1997, SIUE has grown from 11,207 students to 13,278, an increase of about 16 percent. The university also has undertaken seven major building projects.
The chancellor also crafted the "Next Level" plan for continued growth at SIUE, leading to the current strategic plan.
Commenting on Werner's announcement, SIU President James Walker said, "David Werner has provided outstanding leadership for SIUE, and he will be missed. His retirement is well-deserved and it will be a challenge to find a new chancellor who cares as deeply about SIUE as does Chancellor Werner."
No immediate announcements were made regarding the search for a new chancellor.
PREVIEW 2003 Best Ever With 1,445 Guests
PREVIEW SIUE 2003 was the best ever, based on attendance and compliments received by parents and students, said Karen Bollinger, assistant director of Admissions and coordinator of the event.
This is our day for high school students and their families, as well as community college students, to see what we're about," Bollinger said. "They are in the midst of deciding an important step in the educational process and we do everything possible at PREVIEW SIUE to put our best foot forward."
Bollinger said university departments and units, including faculty and staff, were on hand to answer questions about academic programs and services available to students.
"We welcomed 1,445 total guests, including 637 prospective high school and transfer students," Bollinger said. "In terms of student attendance, this was our best-attended open house since Preview began in 1985.
"On behalf of the PREVIEW SIUE Committee, I thank the faculty, staff, and students who contributed their time and energy to this important event. Their contributions helped us roll out the red carpet to the next generation of SIUE students," she said.
Chancellor David Werner made opening remarks, before students and families toured the central campus, including the residence halls and Cougar Village.
Informational sessions were scheduled throughout the day, with topics including SIUE-The Place to Be; Financing Your Education at SIUE; Countdown to SIUE; and Emerging Careers, as well as academic sessions presented by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business, Education, Engineering and Nursing.
"PREVIEW SIUE is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to get answers to all their questions in one visit to campus," Bollinger said. "Our program is one of the few campus-visit programs that includes participation from virtually all academic and student services units in one setting."
Auntie Anne's Brings A New 'Twist' To Morris Center
With the opening of Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels®, there's an extra "twist" to SIUE's newly remodeled Morris University Center.
Auntie Anne's, which opened Oct. 14, is the latest addition to the center. And, the popular pretzel outlet is the first one located on a university or college campus.
"We've consulted students from the beginning," said Mary Robinson, director of the center. "Students told us in our initial survey that they wanted to see more outlets like Auntie Anne's-places where they can get a quick snack between classes."
While a few finishing touches are still being done, the center's "grand re-opening" on Oct. 13 effectively marked the end of the major portion of a $20 million renovation project.
Phased in over two years, the renovation delivered new study spaces and computer labs, a refurbished Meridian Ballroom, expanded outdoor dining areas, ADA accommodations, renovated offices for the staff and student organizations housed in the building, expanded Union Station convenience store, relocation of the information desk, a new look for Cougar Den, and the addition of Starbuck's. The University Restaurant on the second floor also was remodeled.
"With Auntie Anne's, Starbuck's and the Food Court, we have given students a wide range of choices."
Along with offering 12 varieties of pretzels, Auntie Anne's has an array of dipping sauces, Auntie Anne's Old Fashioned Lemonade™, and Dutch Ice®.
"Auntie" Anne Beiler began twisting pretzels in 1988 when she opened a farmer's market stand in Chester County, Penn. One day the wrong ingredients were used, which produced a bland pretzel. With the help of her husband, Jonas, Anne altered the pretzel recipe and the Auntie Anne's pretzel was born.
Auntie Anne's Inc. is a Pennsylvania-based franchisor that supports nearly 800 Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels locations in 43 states and 13 international territories.
BOT Approves Project To Modify HVAC In Residence Halls
SIUE will be seeking bids to modify the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and humidity control at the three residence halls on campus: Woodland, Prairie, and Bluff.
Budget and project approval was given recently by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting held this month at SIU Carbondale. The cost of the project is estimated at $5 million and is expected to be completed by fall 2004.
Funding will come from three sources: University Housing reserve and operating funds, construction bond proceeds, and to the extent it is needed an internal loan from the university's cash and investment funds.
The project will involve equipment replacement and installation, reworking air distribution systems, sealing and insulating equipment installations, and drywall repair.
The board matter came out of an evaluation of the HVAC, the indoor air quality, and the building envelopes in the three residence halls by Henneman, Raufeisen and Associates of St. Louis. Part of the evaluations revealed high humidity levels in Woodland and Prairie halls, which were built in 1994 and 1998, respectively.
University officials said it is estimated that FY05 residential hall rates will not be affected by the cost of the project.
Annual Security Report Is Available On-Line
The Fall 2003 issue of the SIUE Annual Security Report is available on-line at: http://admin.siue.edu/studentrightto
The security report contains campus safety and security information and crime statistics for calendar years 2000, 2001, 2002, and is published in compliance with the Federal Student Right To Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, now known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
The report also may be accessed through the SIUE Home Page: www.siue.edu under Resources for Prospective Students/Reference Campus Security Policies and Crime Statistics/The Annual Security Report. The report is also available at the Lovejoy Library Circulation Desk.
For those without computer access, a paper copy of the report may be obtained upon request to: SIUE Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, Rendleman Hall, Room 2228, Campus Box 1158.
Steffens Crowned GLVC Cross Country Champion
Senior cross country runner Breanne Steffens (Moline) posted a 6,000-meter time of 22 minutes, 31.1 seconds to finish first in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday (10/25). She is the first SIUE runner to claim an individual conference title.
SIUE earned runner-up honors as a team, finishing second to Southern Indiana who claimed the team title. The meet was hosted by Lewis University.
Steffens outdistanced her nearest competitor by 20 seconds to earn GLVC Runner of the Year and All-GLVC accolades. Mary Witte's (Normal) sixth-place time of 23.39.6 is also good for All-GLVC honors. Erin McMullen (Salem) (24:17.1) and Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) (24:26.5) finished 12th and 14th, respectively.
SIUE will now set its sights on the Nov. 8 NCAA Regional, where it will attempt to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Cross Country Earns Runner-Up Honors
Brian Taghon (East Moline) and Nick Campbell (Charleston) each earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors as they led SIUE's men's cross country team to a second-place finish at Saturday's (10/25) GLVC Cross Country Championships.
Southern Indiana claimed the team title. Indianapolis' John Parson was the individual champion, finishing the 10,000-meter run in 32 minutes, 4.2 seconds.
Taghon finished in 32:30.2, which was good for fourth-place overall. Campbell finished sixth overall with a time 32:42.1. Ryan Boyll (Normal) finished 12th overall with a time of 33.10.2. David Droege (Nashville) was 21st with a time of 33:47.8.
SIUE will now set its sights on the Nov. 8 NCAA Regional, where it will attempt to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Women's Soccer Earns GLVC Bid
With its third consecutive victory in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, the SIUE women's soccer team gets an opportunity to play in November.
SIUE, 10-6 overall and 4-6 in the GLVC, grabbed the No. 8 seed in the GLVC Tournament after defeating Bellarmine 1-0 on Saturday. The Cougars now travel to Wilder, Ky., to play top-seeded Northern Kentucky (13-2-2) in the quarterfinals of the GLVC Tournament.
Coach Lynda Bowers said her team hit the crossbar three times on Saturday (10/25).
It was an unassisted goal by Angela Light (St. Louis) which gave the Cougars the eventual victory. "Our conference games were a lot better than the region games we played early," said Bowers. "Now our freshmen have some confidence and are playing better." Bowers fell far short of predicting that a No. 8 seed could go upset a No. 1 seed.
SIUE earlier lost at Northern Kentucky 2-1 in overtime. Bowers' focus has been on continuing to encourage the offense and defense to get better. "Offensively, we looked much better (against Bellarmine). We were able to penetrate the penalty area, which is something we weren't able to do lately," Bowers said.
If SIUE defeats NKU, the Cougars would advance to the semifinals at the site of the highest remaining seed on Friday, Nov. 7.
Volleyball Takes To The Road
SIUE volleyball Coach Todd Gober is putting pressure on himself and his team with the Cougars' remaining schedule.
The Cougars are 21-4 and 9-1 in the GLVC, both of which are the best records in league play. If SIUE wins its final four regular season games, the Cougars earn the right to host the GLVC Tournament on Nov. 14-16. "From here on out, our backs are against the wall," Gober said. "Any loss will cost us the No. 1 seed."
Gober said he won't take any of his GLVC opponents lightly. SIUE has Southern Indiana and Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday and Saturday. Next weekend, SIUE plays at Lewis and Wisconsin-Parkside.
The Cougars have the best middle hitter and perhaps the best player in the league in senior Andrea Voss (St. Rose). Voss leads the GLVC in hitting percentage at .393 and blocks per game at 1.79 per game.
Gober also is impressed with the progression of sophomores Kindra Westendorf (Effingham) and Krystal Majernik (Normal). "Kindra has steadily improved. She's had a good October, and it's exciting to see her playing like this," Gober said. Westendorf recorded 33 kills and hit .371 in three matches.
Gober said the height on the sets from Majernik, who is second in the GLVC with 12.09 assists per game, have improved and has given Westendorf and her teammates reason to swing even harder for kills.
SIUE also has its final regular season home match on Nov. 4. The Cougars play No. 23 Central Missouri State in a 7 p.m. match at the Vadalabene Center.
September 2003
September 29, 2003
AAC&U President Carol Schneider Will Speak At SIUE
What: American Association of Colleges and Universities President Carol Geary Schneider will be the keynote speaker and lead a campus-community dialogue on the future of American education, sponsored by SIUE Chancellor David Werner. The dialogue will include education, business, political and community leaders.
When: Thursday and Friday, Oct. 2 and 3, beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 3. Keynote speech is Friday 9-10:15 a.m.
Where: Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of the Morris University Center; the Fall Faculty Symposium will take place in the second floor Conference Center of the Morris Center.
Editor's Note: Carol Geary Schneider will be available for media interviews following her keynote speech.
(EDWARDSVILLE) Carol Geary Schneider, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), will be the keynote speaker during a campus-community dialogue at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Oct. 2 and 3.
The campus-community dialogue is part of the AAC&U initiative President's Campaign for the Advancement of Liberal Learning (CALL) launched in April 2002. Chancellor Werner is among more than 525 college and university presidents who support the initiative.
Regional dialogues of this kind are being held across the country in the 2003-2004 academic year and were held during the 2002-2003 academic year as part of a national movement to build public understanding of what matters in a college education for the 21st century.
Participants in the campus-community dialogue will address some of the most important and difficult questions facing higher education in America today. Among them:
• Is a contemporary liberal education the best preparation for today's challenges in the workplace and in our communities?
• Are changes needed in campus practice?
• What can campus and community leaders do together to build public understanding of what matters in college in the 21st century?
• What can public and campus leaders do to raise the level of student preparation for college?
Participants will include education, business, political, and community leaders from across the region.
Since becoming president of AAC&U, Schneider has initiated a major effort to rethink the broad aims of a 21st century college education so that liberal learning becomes a framework for the entire educational experience, whatever a student's choice of major and career. This new initiative, titled "Greater Expectations: The Commitment to Quality as a Nation Goes to College," is supported by $4 million in grants from The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Through the Greater Expectations initiative, higher education leaders are developing a deeper understanding of ways to help students develop the intellectual capacities, knowledge, and sense of responsibility needed to deal with the complex questions that confront our fast-paced and globally connected society.
The report will be part of the dialogue and is available at www.greaterexpectations.org.
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September 29, 2003
SIUE To Offer Concrete Construction Management Seminar Oct. 8
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Concrete Construction company owners and managers will find several topics of interest offered during a workshop co-sponsored Oct. 8 by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Small Business Development Center and SIUE's Concrete Construction Resource Unit (CCRU).
The workshop, "Managing a Concrete Construction Company," will be offered from 12:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the Maple-Dogwood Room of SIUE's Delyte W. Morris University Center.
Jim Mager, director of SIUE's Office of Technology and Commerce and a Marketing instructor for the SIUE School of Business, and CCRU Director Luke Snell, an SIUE professor of Construction, will conduct seminar topics such as:
• Understanding and Resolving Construction Problems-Evaluation of everyday problems that face a construction company in today's industry, such as job site organization, how pay requests are developed, and how money "follows through" a project.
• Improving Morale in Construction-Tips about how to raise morale among employees.
• Doing SWOT Analysis For Your Business-Identifying strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Sales and Marketing in Concrete Construction-How to attract new clients and keep current clients.
The seminar fee is $115; four or more attendees from the same firm, $100 each. For more information, call (618) 650-2498.
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September 29, 2003
College-Bound Students and Parents Invited To Preview SIUE On Oct. 13
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill) More than 1,200 high school and community college students and their parents are expected to attend "Preview SIUE," the annual campus-wide open house at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. This year's event is scheduled on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 13, in the newly renovated Delyte W. Morris University Center.
SIUE Chancellor David Werner will present opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. Students will then have the opportunity to tour the central campus-including the state's newest residence halls-learn about campus life and student services, and visit academic departments.
Informational sessions are scheduled throughout the day. Session topics include SIUE-The Place to Be; Financing Your Education at SIUE; Countdown to SIUE; and Tailor-Made Careers, as well as academic sessions presented by the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business, Education, Engineering, Nursing, and Pharmacy. In addition, Philip Medon, dean of the new SIUE School of Pharmacy, also will conduct informational sessions for interested students.
Students will be able to speak one-on-one to department representatives at the information fair in the Morris Center from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
"Preview is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to get answers to all their questions in one visit to campus" said, Karen Bollinger, assistant director of Admissions and Marketing. "Our program is one of the few campus-visit programs that includes participation from virtually all academic and student services units in one setting."
Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Morris Center, but students may pre-register online at www.admis.siue.edu/PREVIEW, or by calling (800) 447-SIUE. Campus tours will be offered until 12:30 p.m. and campus offices will be open until 4:30 p.m. Preview SIUE parking will be available in Lot B and Student Fan Lots. There is no charge for the event.
SIUE's enrollment has risen for nine consecutive years and now stands at 13,295, the largest enrollment since 1975.
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September 25, 2003
SIUE Family Weekend Oct. 17-19 Includes Chili Cook-Off
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) A chili cook-off and homecoming soccer games are just a part of the full weekend of activities to be offered Oct. 17-19 during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Family Weekend 2003.
Family members and friends of SIUE students are invited to visit the campus and enjoy family events or plenty of free time with students. The majority of these events are free and open to all ages. Scheduled meals are available through SIUE Dining Services at reasonable prices. Students may use meal cards to pay for guests.
Students, friends, and families also are invited to use the Student Fitness Center and the Morris University Center Recreation Center any time during the weekend; passes and information will be available at all official Family Weekend events.
Here are some highlights:
• 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Korte Stadium-Chili Cook-off. A $2.50 fee allows each person to taste a variety of chili and vote for a favorite.
• 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Friday Oct. 17, Korte Stadium-Women's and men's soccer teams play Southern Indiana.
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Katherine Dunham Hall theater-Dark of the Moon.
• 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Morris Center-Casino Night
• 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Student Fitness Center-5K Poker Run
• 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Morris Center Recreation Center-Family, Friends, and Fun Bowling Tournament.
• 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Morris Center-Comedian/hypnotist Daniel James
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Katherine Dunham Hall theater-I.
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Bluff Residence Hall-"ET and Ice Cream."
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, Morris Center University Restaurant-Family
Weekend Brunch.
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, Katherine Dunham Hall theater-Dark of the Moon.
For more information, visit the Family Weekend Web site: www.siue.edu/FAMILY or call SIUE's Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686, or, toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
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September 25, 2003
SIUE International Trade Center To Co-Sponsor Seminar October 9
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Scott Petruska, manager of the Foreign Exchange Group at Commerce Bank, will conduct a seminar, The Volatile Currency Markets: What's Next and Managing the Risk, from 8-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the International Room of the Delyte W. Morris University Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The seminar is sponsored by the SIUE International Trade Center (ITC).
Petruska will discuss what moves currency markets today, what is expected from the foreign exchange markets in future months, and how exporters can best manage the associated currency risks.
Registration is $20 in advance, which includes a continental breakfast, parking, and seminar materials. For more information, call the ITC, (618) 650-2452.
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September 25, 2003
International Street Fair Set For Oct. 4 In City Park
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The music and dance of many cultures will be featured at the Annual International Street Fair set for Saturday, Oct. 4, in Edwardsville City Park, adjacent to Edwardsville Public Library.
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Campus Activities Board (CAB) will co-sponsor the multicultural fair from noon to 6 p.m. Nearly 20 booths from various cultural groups will be featured, displaying artifacts, crafts, and other items, including food, for sale.
In addition, the fair will feature performances highlighting music and dance from various cultures including Middle Eastern dance, Chinese line dancing, African drumming, and more. Vendors also will be available to share aspects of their culture.
For more information, call the CAB office, (618) 650-3371, or visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/CAB.
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September 22, 2003
Speaker Hastert Helps Dedicate Ethanol Research Center At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., led the Illinois delegation and other state, local, and university officials today in dedicating the National Corn-To-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) located in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's University Park.
Hastert, a long-time advocate for agriculture, joined U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., U.S. Congressman John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, and Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn for the morning ceremony that took place inside the main research bay of the center at 400 University Park Drive. Also on the dais were Rodney Bothast, director of the new 36,000-square-foot center, SIUE Chancellor David Werner, and SIU President James E. Walker.
The $20 million center was constructed with $14 million in federal funds and $6 million from the state of Illinois.
Walker said the research center will play an important role in fulfilling the university's mission of service. "This research center is truly one-of-a-kind in the U.S., bringing unique opportunities for research and business development to the region," Walker said. "We are grateful for the support of the many people who made this facility possible, especially our elected officials."
Werner added that the center will help open new doors to producing alternative, renewable fuels. "The Illinois Congressional Delegation and our state senators and representatives worked hard for the creation and funding of the research center, and to bring it here to the SIUE campus," Werner said.
"Their hard work is the reason we can stand here on day one of what we believe will lead to a revolution in the creation of alternative fuels."
Center Director Rodney J. Bothast, internationally recognized authority on industrial microbiology and biochemical engineering, said the NCERC will enable researchers to experiment with alternatives to fossil fuels in the only facility in the world that fully emulates both a corn-wet mill and corn-dry mill in commercial fuel ethanol production.
"The NCERC will serve a major role in commercializing new technologies for producing ethanol more cost effectively from corn," Bothast said. He explained there have been promising efforts to find efficient production methods, but these results have not been tested on a large scale. "Until now, these results have not been tested because of the prohibitive costs and the risks behind injecting an exploratory technology into an existing, large-scale, commercial facility," he said.
Bothast pointed out that the center also will allow for finding ways to add value to co-products from the ethanol process. "Researchers are working to come up with better technologies to break down corn and its co-products to make the process economically sound," Bothast said.
"The NCERC will advance the role of bioconversion by developing and demonstrating the next generation of advanced technologies, making possible low-cost and sustainable biobased industrial products, biofuels, and biopower. Since 1980, fuel ethanol production has been increasing annually and has reached 2.7 billion gallons this year from more than one billion bushels of corn grown in the United States. We expect to go to five billion gallons a year in 10 years if we are to meet the renewable fuel goals of this country."
For more information about the center, call Rod Bothast, (618) 659-6737.
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September 18, 2003
New SIUE Trail Connector Joins MCT Trail With Core Campus
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Joggers, walkers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts now have a new way of accessing the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus from the network of MCT Trails in Madison County.
The university recently completed a half-mile connector that joins the MCT Nature Trail with SIUE's University Park and the central core campus. IDOT contributed 80 percent of the $165,000 project through a program encouraging alternative modes of transportation. The remainder of the funds was appropriated by the university.
"This project began with a request from SIUE students who were looking for other ways to come to campus rather than driving," said Robert Washburn, director of SIUE's Office of Facilities Management. "The Campus Recreation Advisory Committee came to the SIUE Parking and Traffic Committee asking for easier access to campus from residential areas in and around the ESIC, LeClaire, and Montclaire residential areas of Edwardsville," Washburn said.
" We have many students and employees living in those areas who can now use the MCT trail and this connector as a safe way to access campus."
The new connector begins at the MCT trail, about four-tenths of a mile east of Supporting Services Road, along the southeast edge of campus at University Park. The asphalt path wends its way from the MCT trail to the cul-de-sac of South Research Drive, where a shared roadway then takes bikers and/or pedestrians to the north end of North Research Drive. At that point, the path continues to Fan Parking Lot No. 5, where access is available to Stratton Quadrangle at the core campus.
The connector is another part of the more than 10 miles of nature and biking trails available on or adjacent to SIUE's 2,660-acre campus. Trail users are able to enjoy the natural beauty of the campus, while using the network of MCT and campus trails.
For more information about MCT Trails, visit the Web site: www.mcttrails.org. For more about trails on campus, call SIUE's Office of Campus Recreation, (618) 650-2348.
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September 15, 2003
Fall Enrollment At Highest Since 1975; FTE Increases
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) SIUE's fall enrollment is at 13,295 students, an increase of 587 students, or about 4.5 percent higher than fall 2002, when enrollment stood at 12,708.
Most of the enrollment increase is attributable to student retention. The number of continuing students is up about 450 over last year. Not only is enrollment up, but there was an even larger increase in full-time equivalent (FTE), which is based on the number of hours taken by all students.
The total undergraduate enrollment is divided by 15, while the total graduate enrollment is divided by 12 which are the equivalent of a full-time undergraduate and graduate student. These two numbers combined make up the full-time equivalent. SIUE's FTE jumped from 10,124 in the fall 2002 to 10,604, an increase of almost 5 percent. Since 1998, FTE is up more than 15 percent, a higher than expected increase.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Boyd Bradshaw said the FTE increase has prompted continuing discussion regarding stabilizing enrollment growth and also raising admission standards. For example, the deadline for new freshman applications was moved from August to May 31 this year.
"Over the last several years, there has been a great deal of discussion on campus regarding enrollment and admission standards," Bradshaw said. "We feel as though we are in the optimum range in the size of our classes, available classrooms, faculty load, and our ability to provide personal service for our students."
Bradshaw attributed the increases to a continued awareness of SIUE as an affordable institution that provides a quality education. "This growth continues what we've seen consistently for the past several years in both the fall and spring enrollment figures," Bradshaw said.
"More and more students and parents view SIUE as their first choice for a quality, affordable education," he said. "A strong faculty, small class sizes, community service opportunities, an active campus life, and the newest residence halls in the state continue to fuel our growth.
"At the same time, we continue to put a strong emphasis on retaining students, as the increase in the number of continuing students shows."
SIUE's enrollment has grown from 10,938 in 1994 to this fall's 13,295-about an 18 percent increase in the nine-year span. During the same time, FTE has increased more than 30 percent.
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September 15, 2003
Friends Of Religious Center Awards Dinner Oct. 4 To Honor Mayor
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The mayor of Edwardsville, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville vice chancellor, and the founders of the Islamic Information Center in Ballwin, Mo., will be honored Saturday, Oct. 4, at the first Interfaith Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Friends of the Religious Center (FRC) at SIUE.
The event is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at Eden United Church of Christ, 903 N. Second St., Edwardsville. Those to be honored at the dinner are: Edwardsville Mayor Gary Niebur, SIUE Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel, and Shahinshah Ahmed and the late Nasir Ahmed, founders of the Islamic Center. Reservation deadline is Sept. 29; tickets are $25 per person.
The FRC established the awards dinner as an annual event to recognize religious leadership and interfaith cooperation in the region. "These four individuals have shown great dedication to their own faiths and have encouraged dialogue in the region among many faiths," said SIUE Philosophy Associate Professor Greg Fields, who is president of the FRC board of directors and coordinator of the SIUE Religious Studies Program. "The FRC is honoring them so that the community at large can learn about the good work they do."
Fields said the FRC, formed more than two years ago, is planning to continue sponsoring two main events each year to raise money to refurbish parts of the 32-year-old Religious that is need of repair. "We plan to continue to sponsor this Interfaith Awards Dinner in the fall and also offer the Celebration of World Faiths in the spring to encourage interfaith dialogue," Fields said.
"The FRC is a support group dedicated to preserving the SIUE Religious Center as a significant contribution to architecture, as a place for the spiritual growth of SIUE students as the next generation of leaders, and for religious learning and fellowship within the community."
Niebur, who has been mayor of Edwardsville for more than 10 years, is executive director of the Edwardsville YMCA, the largest faith-based organization in the community. He also presides over the largest annual gathering of multiple church organizations in the community- the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. Niebur also often attends and promotes religious organizations' anniversaries and special events. He is a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville.
Emmanuel, who has been vice chancellor for Student Affairs at SIUE since 1996, is dedicated to providing a multicultural quality of life on the SIUE campus, with its diverse population of students from around the world. He has encouraged several activities during his tenure that have provided interaction between various cultures and faiths with an international flair. Emmanuel also has provided leadership in all aspects of student life to ensure a quality experience for SIUE students.
Gregory Mitchell and Amani Mitchell, members of the center, will attend the dinner to accept the Interfaith Award on behalf of the Ahmeds. Nasir Ahmed died Aug. 21. He and his wife founded the Center in 2001 as a place for visitors to learn about Islam. The Ahmeds moved to the United States in 1977. During his years in this country, Nasir Ahmed was a tireless advocate for Islam, speaking at schools, churches, and synagogues, and establishing a reading room in the Islamic Foundation of St. Louis mosque on West Pine Boulevard.
Dinner reservations may be made through the SIUE Religious Center, (618) 650-3246, or, toll-free from St. Louis, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 3246, or, by calling Greg Fields, (618) 650-2461; St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2461.
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September 11, 2003
BOT Approves Renovation, Construction For SIUE Pharmacy School
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) An existing building in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's University Park will be renovated and a new building constructed to provide laboratory, classroom, and office space for the new School of Pharmacy at a projected cost of $5 million.
The project and its budget were approved today by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting conducted this month at the Edwardsville campus. Funding for the project will come from the university's operating budget and from a loan through the Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative to be retired by revenue generated from School of Pharmacy tuition.
About 15,000 square feet in the building at 200 University Park Drive will be renovated and an adjacent, 22,000-square-foot building will be constructed to provide space for the new school. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2005.
In other business, the board approved acceptance of a gift of real estate to SIUE for future development of the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. The parcel of land, on Bond Avenue, is across from the southeast corner of the campus property near Eighth Street.
The parcel was purchased for $400 at auction by the SIUE Foundation. Transference of the property, appraised at $3,800, was allowed today by Board action at no cost to the university.
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September 8, 2003
Student Study Provides Confirmation: The Talking Paperclip Has To Go
(EDWARDSVILLE) Take a quick scan of your favorite search engine for the term "Clippit" and you'll see exactly how everyone views the paperclip character that theoretically makes using Microsoft Office more user friendly. You'll find headlines like "Die, Clippy, Die," "Clippit charged with murder," and "Mr. T vs. Clippit." Everyone, it seems, finds the animated assistant annoying and prime fodder for derision.
And you thought you were the only one who had turned off Clippit , a.k.a. Clippy.
It seems there is a reason many people refuse to use the talking cartoon paperclip. In a recently completed study, an SIUE computer science student found that people using the character had higher levels of anxiety and made more errors when using their computer. The study also found that using a character that human characteristics reduced anxiety and errors.
"This started out to be a study on how people used computers," said Nisha Dharna, the student who conducted the study as part of her Undergraduate Research Academy project. "But it became more of a study in psychology, of how people interact with the computer. It's obvious from the results that users prefer a character with human traits - a face, arms, legs."
The Undergraduate Research Academy is an honors program open to juniors and seniors that features award and support money for students and their faculty mentors. Students must submit a proposal and be accepted into URA in a competitive process.
"This is the type of research that in many colleges and universities is reserved for graduate students," said Doug Eder, director of undergraduate assessment and program review. "Not only do we provide financial support and other resources for the URA students, but we provide additional support to the students whose projects are selected for presentation at regional or national conferences. We place a lot of importance on URA as exemplified by the level of support."
Dharna, a senior computer science major from Kenya, worked with two faculty mentors from engineering and psychology to complete the study. All three learned leassons in interdisciplinary study.
"It was interesting to see how people responded to the test," said Dharna, who devised a series of tasks for participants to complete. Some used a swirling spaceship, some a genie, others an animated face with human characteristics. The participants who used the genie and the face made significantly fewer errors and reported less anxiety.
"Many people work with computers so much that they really don't think much about the interaction with the machine, unless something is wrong," Dharna said. "They may assume certain work habits without realizing their choices may have something to do with how they are reacting to the way their computers and software work. Getting a better understanding of how behavior is impacted (by interaction with the computer) was fascinating."
Jerry Weinberg, associate professor of computer science, was originally Dharna's sole mentor. The idea grew from a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for a usability lab, where Weinberg studied students' actions and reactions to computers and software.
But Weinberg and Dharna began the URA project, they quickly realized that more help was needed.
"The usability lab caused me to think more about different aspects of the software we use," Weinberg said. "One of the conclusions we have come to is that people interact with computers in what you could describe as a social context. We develop preferences for certain types of hardware and software. But we realized once we started this study that we needed someone who specialized in psychology."
"I do point-and-click kinds of things on the computer, said Sue Thomas, associate professor of psychology. "Nothing fancy. So getting involved in this project not only gave me a greater appreciation for Nisha and Jerry's understanding of technology, but because I was able to see it through their eyes I also gained a greater appreciation for what we know about human psychology.
"In a general sense, our view of software is static. What the three of us were able to do as we mapped out this project was to develop a more thorough understanding of how a person could affect software. We saw how that in reality it is a more dynamic than static interaction."
Not only did it lead to the final form of the research project, it left the student with the idea that she'd like to continue to explore similar research.
"Several people have encouraged me to take this project further," she said. "It's nice to see that people appreciate the work that's been done and that it has a life beyond just the project itself. I'd like to keep going with it. I'd like to continue the study of the psychological and social side - in conjunction with the engineering." But without the help of Clippy.
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September 6, 2003
School of Engineering Offers Chance To Control Cyber World Robot
(EDWARDSVILLE) In a classic twist of the "robots take over the world theme," anyone entering the SIUE School of Engineering website can take control of Taz, a web-controlled robot.
It's the project of the Autonomous Robotics Research Group. They may have a mysterious -- maybe even subversive -- sounding name, but they're actually just a group of School of Engineering professors trying to provide for the common good of their students.
Their most recent accomplishment is Taz, a web-controlled robot. Although everyone is welcome to take a turn at controlling the robot, the main audience for Taz is middle and high school students and teachers. The robot is available for limited hours throughout the week and can be controlled by following the prompts on the site. More information about the project and the group is available at ww.cs.siue.edu/robotics. (Friday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. will be the time specifically set aside for media to try controlling Taz. Here are the instructions: (In your web browser type in this address: http://roboti.cs.siue.edu; Click on "Control the Robot Taz;" Enter your first name; Have fun!)
The Autonomous Robotics Research Group members have combined their disciplines to help students better develop their problem solving skills through robotics. In addition, they've created several projects designed to encourage middle and high school students to consider engineering careers. Their disciplines include computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and industrial engineering.
"Robotics can get students from different engineering disciplines working together as a team," said Jerry Weinberg, associate professor of computer science. The group also includes Cem Karacal, mechanical and industrial engineering, Ai-Ping Hu, mechanical engineering, George Engel, electrical and computer engineering, and Bill White, computer science.
"Many of today's most complex products are highly integrated systems that include mechanical, electrical, and computer components, like a car," Weinberg said. "Engineering graduates will be working on teams that include electrical engineers, computer scientists, mechanical engineers, and industrial engineers. Robotics can help them prepare to work on such teams, learning each other's vocabulary, learning how to work together, and learning to coordinate their efforts on a project dealing with the integrated system of a robot."
In fact, Weinberg will refine his ideas for a curriculum built around a multidisciplinary course in robotics, thanks to an $84,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). He will work on the project during a six-month sabbatical, in conjunction with the Autonomous Robotics Research Group.
Meanwhile, the group hopes Taz will become a tool that helps middle and high school teachers teach the concept, and provides a hands-on method of showing students the opportunities and options that are available to engineering majors.
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Widening Of Ill. 157 Is Aggravating, But Necessary
Anyone who's tried to drive on or off campus recently at noon or at 4:30 p.m. has most likely experienced a great test of patience. To quote a popular holiday tune: "Gee, the traffic is terrific" and we don't mean in the sense of "wonderful."
Needless to say, access to campus has been slow at the intersections of Illinois 157 at East University Drive and at University Park Drive as IDOT widens Illinois 157. Currently, IDOT is working between just north of Lewis Road to just south of Ginger Creek Drive.
And, to complicate matters, access to campus through Lewis Road is blocked until this phase of the project is finished.
Alternate routes on and off campus are probably in order until the project is finished which could be late fall, weather permitting. It appears that Northwest Road, South University Drive, Stadium Drive, and North University Drive to New Poag Road are the obvious alternatives.
Although it may take a bit more time to travel those routes, the extra minutes there might be less stressful than stewing in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
According to IDOT officials, the second phase of the project will widen the route from Ginger Creek to Interstate 270 and the third phase will widen it from Lewis Road to Woodland Elementary School in Edwardsville.
So, it appears that we're all in this for the long haul. But the good news is that the finished product will be much better for traffic flow, given the phenomenal growth of the region.
Women's Golf Wins Cougar Classic
The SIUE women's golf team won its own Cougar Classic Monday, the first time in in the sport's six-year history.
The win came after the team shot a two-day score of 683. Quincy came in second with a 701, while Lindenwood finished third with 708.
Freshman Kallie Harrison (Decatur) was the top Cougar finisher after firing a 78 in day two of the tournament to place her in a tie for first. She lost in a playoff to individual champion Jessica Harbin of Bellarmine.
Kacy Gruenkemeyer (Salem) and Beth Gumbel (Mahomet) finished sixth for the Cougars with a 172. Brittany Auld (Nashville) tied for 13th at 176.
The Cougars' next competition will be the Screaming Eagles Fall Classic next Sunday (9/14) and Monday (9/15).
Women's Soccer Leaps To No. 9 Nationally
It's early in the season as far as SIUE women's soccer coach Lynda Bowers is concerned.
SIUE leaped from No. 24 to No. 9 in the nation as well as No. 1 in the Great Lakes region, according to the latest National Soccer Coaches Association poll. "We have a long way to go before we reach this team's potential," Bowers said. "The No. 9 ranking is exciting, but it adds more pressure."
Even though there are no matches scheduled this week, the team will be working. "We are going to take this week to work on some things and keep our fitness routine going," Bowers said.
The Cougars picked up wins last week against McKendree and Mercyhurst to stretch its record to 4-0. This is the fourth time in the history of the program that a team has started the season 4-0. The 2001 team had the program's best season start, going 6-0.
SIUE's backfield has been one of the reasons the Cougars have a perfect record. "Our backfield is doing very well," Bowers said. "That was a goal of ours at the beginning of the year to get that group in order."
SIUE is led in scoring by Sara Decker's (St. Louis) three goals. Christen Carducci (Powell, Ohio) and Ann Crawford (St. Louis) each have two goals and two assists. "Ann Crawford has played really well," Bowers said. "Her work rate is such a positive for the team. She makes things happen and is involved in every play."
SIUE is next in action Tuesday (9/16) when it travels to Lindenwood University.
Volleyball Travels To Crossover Tourney
After playing host to McKendree College on Wednesday (9/10) , the SIUE volleyball team will travel to Northern Kentucky University to play four matches in the GLVC-GLIAC-WVIAC Crossover Tournament.
"The tournament will help determine our regional ranking," coach Todd Gober said. "It will be hard to move up throughout the season if we don't position ourselves high now."
The Cougars (7-1) will first set their sites on McKendree, who comes into Wednesday's match with a 3-2 record. Should SIUE sweep the Bearcats in three games, it will break the all-time consecutive games won with 15. The current mark is 14, set in 1997. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center.
SIUE begins the Crossover Tournament Friday (9/12) against West Virginia State. Later on Friday, the Cougars will face 6-3 Hillsdale College. SIUE will play matches Saturday (9/13) against Grand Valley, with its 6-2 record, and Alderson-Broaddus to finish the tournament.
Andrea Voss (St. Rose) leads the team and the Great Lakes Valley Conference in hitting percentage (.436) and blocks (36).
Voss, Tina Talsma (Ontario, Canada) and Kindra Westendorf (Effingham) have combined for 69 blocks so far this season.
"When Kindra is aggressive, she terminates," Gober said. "Tina Talsma is getting comfortable and is a terminator. Talsma, Westendorf and Voss might be the best blocking line in Division II volleyball."
Allison Buss (Towanda) leads the team with 94 digs. "Allison is playing phenomenal defense right now," Gober said. "She is passing well in serve receive and her digs are on target."
Freshmen Tricia Happe (St. Louis) and Beth DeGreeff (St. Louis) also have impressed in the early portion of the season. "Beth is getting comfortable in the libero role and Tricia is playing good defense."
Men's Soccer Faces UIS, Missouri Southern
SIUE's men's soccer team will travel to Illinois-Springfield Tuesday (tonight) before playing host to Missouri Southern State on Friday (9/12) night at Bob Guelker Field.
Illinois-Springfield, a member of the NAIA and entering the game with a 4-0 record, has scored 23 goals in four games this season.
"Illinois-Springfield is a non-regional opponent who gives us a chance to get close to developing a sense of how we should be playing," Coach Ed Huneke said. "It is a tough atmosphere to play in and it will train us well for the future."
Missouri Southern will be the final test for the Cougars before they open Great Lakes Valley Conference play. Friday's game time is set for 7 p.m. "Missouri Southern starts up our regional plate which will remain for the rest of the season," Huneke said. "It will be an important game in determining the possibility of an NCAA bid at the end of the regular season."
Cal Thomas (Rochester) scored twice last week against McKendree and leads the team with two goals. Victor Pacheco (Brazil), who scored SIUE's only goal in a 2-1 loss at Christian Brothers, leads the team in shots with 15. "Victor is still making strides but is not quite there yet," Huneke said. "He has the potential and will score goals for us. We are developing plenty of scoring opportunities but we can't finish them off."
Men's Cross Country Starts Saturday
With a duo of returning All-Great Lakes Valley Conference performers, the SIUE men's cross country team is anxious to get the season under way.
SIUE will kick off its season this Saturday (9/13) at the Cougar/Bearcat Challenge at SIUE's cross country course.
Brian Taghon (East Moline) and Ryan Boyll (Normal), who each were All-GLVC performers last season, will lead a deep Cougar pack. "Taghon should lead the pack this year," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "He had good training over the summer so there is no reason to believe he will not be in the front at the GLVC meet. Boyll gives us a one-two punch with Taghon."
Nick Campbell (Charleston) also returns to the squad. "Nick has consistently come in close behind Taghon and Boyll," Frerker said.
The Cougars have seven runners who have the potential to fill the remaining spots on the team. "Any one of those seven on any given day can be the fourth and fifth spot," Frerker said. "It will be interesting this weekend to see who races.
"We have depth and are training better this year than the past. We have a positive outlook and look forward to competition to see where we are."
Women's Cross Country Starts Saturday
SIUE's women's cross country opens its season Saturday morning (9/13) at the Cougar/Bearcat Challenge at SIUE's cross country course.
"We have a solid group of five upperclassmen that are looking pretty strong," Coach Darryl Frerker said.
Breanne Steffens (Moline) leads the pack, followed closely by Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio). Mary Witte (Normal), Erin McMullen (Salem) and Maria Ewersmann (St. Paul, Mo.) round out the top five.
Frerker indicated that Natalie Aschim (Rockford) and Heather Zipparo (Mount Prospect) could also vie for a spot in the top five. "Aschim and Zipparo will be knocking on the back door once they get into better shape," Frerker said. "The ladies have a common goal to go after the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship."
Women's Tennis Continues GLVC Play
After a trip that collected a win against Kentucky Wesleyan and a loss to Southern Indiana, the SIUE women's tennis team will be in action again Tuesday (tonight) at Missouri-St. Louis. The Cougars then open their home schedule this weekend with matches on Friday (9/12) and Saturday (9/13).
SIUE dropped a close match to Southern Indiana 5-4 before shutting down Kentucky Wesleyan 9-0 last weekend. "The girls had the normal opening day jitters," Coach Bill Logan said. "But we left knowing we are in the hunt. Things are looking promising."
Laura Zeeb (Greenville) and Lisa Warner (Arlington Hts.) each won their two individual matches last weekend. That duo is also 2-0 in doubles action. Gina Wohltman (Effingham) also posted a 2-0 individual performance.
SIUE will play host to Lewis at 3 p.m. Friday and Saint Joseph's at 9 a.m. Saturday. Both matches will be played at SIUE's tennis courts.
PAR-TEE
Here are photos from the Third Annual Block Party, held in downtown Edwardsville adjacent to the Madison County Courthouse. It was estimated that more than 2,500 people were on hand for an evening of fun, food, beverages, music, dancing and other activities provided by local vendors and merchants. (SIUE Photos)
Arts & Issues Begins Season With Pianist George Winston
Enchanting audiences with his innovative solo piano compositions for more than 25 years, famed recording artist George Winston comes to SIUE on Sept. 19 and 20 to begin the 18th season of the Arts & Issues series.
Each year Arts & Issues brings some of the best and brightest performers and speakers from around the world to Southwestern Illinois audiences for entertaining and thought-provoking presentations on campus.
Winston continues that tradition with two captivating performances at 7:30 both nights in Katherine Dunham Hall theater. "The chance to bring George here for two nights was just too tempting to pass up," says John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the series.
"We wanted to be sure our Arts & Issues patrons had ample opportunity to see and hear George Winston perform his beguiling piano melodies that have become so well known."
Despite his many musical influences-jazz, stride piano, and blues-Winston is often categorized as "new age" in record stores. Winston himself prefers to describe his own work as "rural folk piano." With several impressive recordings to his credit on the Windham Hill label and his own Dancing Cat label, the Grammy Award-winning instrumentalist has a broad repertoire, including tributes to jazz legend Vince Guaraldi and to the rock band, The Doors.
In addition to his musical reputation, Winston also is known as someone concerned with domestic social issues, such as the plight of the less fortunate. At each of his concerts he requests that canned food drives be conducted for local food pantries. During his two appearances at SIUE, patrons may bring canned food items to the lobby of Dunham Hall for distribution to the Glen-Ed Pantry in Edwardsville.
Information about the Winston concerts and subscription ticket information for the 2003-04 season series may be found on the Arts & Issues Web site: artsandissues.com and in a printed brochure available by contacting John Peecher, (618) 650-2626, or, by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu.
Subscription tickets are $121.50 for all nine events; $60.75 for students, and are available through the Web site or through Peecher at the above phone number or e-mail address. Subscription and individual tickets also are available at the Morris Center Information Desk, (618) 650-5555.
The remaining season includes: San Jose Taiko (Oct. 24), with the spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the taiko drum; underwater explorer Robert Ballard (Nov. 18); the acclaimed musicians of The Aspen Ensemble (Jan. 22); the "rockin' gospel celebration" of the Blind Boys of Alabama (Feb. 6); the exciting Grammy Award-winning Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (2 p.m. Feb. 29); National Geographic photographer Sam Abell (March 16); the explosive and creative movement of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (April 2); and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Norman Mailer (April 20).
OIT, Academic Computing Continue The Good Fight
Armageddon has been avoided, but the invaders still threaten as staff members of Academic Computing and the Office of Information Technology continue to make CougarNet safe for humanity.
OK, perhaps it's not that dramatic but the aftermath of the fight against the Blaster Worm and the Sobig virus still persists. "We spent all last week in the residence halls, visiting each student with a personal computer or laptop, and making sure their computers are safe," says John Drueke, supervisor of Academic Computing.
In early August, SIUE's CougarNet was hit by both types of marauders and network watchdogs went into action. The Blaster alone attacked computer networks on at least three continents, affecting more than 1 million computers worldwide. Drueke said more than 3,000 computers are directly connected to CougarNet.
All this led to OIT's creation of a special Web site (www.siue.edu/techalert) that keeps network users up to date about the ongoing struggle. "It's been a lot of work but we were able to keep the system running while the response teams cleansed infected computers on campus from the Blaster and dealt with the Sobig virus."
As of the beginning of the semester, Drueke's team was gaining on the problem, but a decision had to be made about how to fight the bad guys but at the same time continue to maintain the everyday duties that the system demands. "We have now hired additional temporary help and they will continue working in the residence halls and then on to Cougar Village," Drueke said.
Drueke said plans are already under way to make the system even more secure against problems in the future. In addition, the modem pool is being replaced for off-campus access by CougarNet users. "We're replacing the current modems with models that can carry much more of the volume of calls we're experiencing," he said.
"All of this is a new level of service we're offering to users of CougarNet."
Fall Enrollment At Highest Since 1975; FTE Increases
SIUE's fall enrollment is at 13,295 students, an increase of 587 students, or about 4.5 percent higher than fall 2002, when enrollment stood at 12,708.
Most of the enrollment increase is attributable to student retention. The number of continuing students is up about 450 over last year.
Not only is enrollment up, but there was an even larger increase in full-time equivalent (FTE), which is based on the number of hours taken by all students.
The total undergraduate enrollment is divided by 15, while the total graduate enrollment is divided by 12 which are the equivalent of a full-time undergraduate and graduate student. These two numbers combined make up the full-time equivalent.
SIUE's FTE jumped from 10,124 in the fall 2002 to 10,604, an increase of almost 5 percent. Since 1998, FTE is up more than 15 percent, a higher than expected increase.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Boyd Bradshaw said the FTE increase has prompted continuing discussion regarding stabilizing enrollment growth and also raising admission standards. For example, the deadline for new freshman applications was moved from August to May 31 this year.
"Over the last several years, there has been a great deal of discussion on campus regarding enrollment and admission standards," Bradshaw said. "We feel as though we are in the optimum range in the size of our classes, available classrooms, faculty load, and our ability to provide personal service for our students."
Bradshaw attributed the increases to a continued awareness of SIUE as an affordable institution that provides a quality education. "This growth continues what we've seen consistently for the past several years in both the fall and spring enrollment figures," Bradshaw said.
"More and more students and parents view SIUE as their first choice for a quality, affordable education," he said. "A strong faculty, small class sizes, community service opportunities, an active campus life, and the newest residence halls in the state continue to fuel our growth.
"At the same time, we continue to put a strong emphasis on retaining students, as the increase in the number of continuing students shows."
SIUE's enrollment has grown from 10,938 in 1994 to this fall's 13,295-about an 18 percent increase in the nine-year span. During the same time, FTE has increased more than 30 percent.
Speaker Hastert Helps Dedicate Ethanol Research Center In University Park
U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., led the Illinois delegation and other state, local, and university officials today in dedicating the National Corn-To-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) located in SIUE's University Park.
Hastert, a long-time advocate for agriculture, joined U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., U.S. Congressman John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, and Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn for the morning ceremony that took place inside the main research bay of the center at 400 University Park Drive.
Also on the dais were SIUE Research Professor Rodney Bothast, director of the new 36,000-square-foot center, SIUE Chancellor David Werner, and SIU President James E. Walker.
The $20 million center was constructed with $14 million in federal funds and $6 million from the state of Illinois.
Walker said the research center will play an important role in fulfilling the university's mission of service. "This research center is truly one-of-a-kind in the U.S., bringing unique opportunities for research and business development to the region," Walker said. "We are grateful for the support of the many people who made this facility possible, especially our elected officials."
Werner added that the center will help open new doors to producing alternative, renewable fuels. "The Illinois Congressional Delegation and our state senators and representatives worked hard for the creation and funding of the research center, and to bring it here to the SIUE campus," Werner said. "Their hard work is the reason we can stand here on day one of what we believe will lead to a revolution in the creation of alternative fuels."
Center Director Rodney J. Bothast, internationally recognized authority on industrial microbiology and biochemical engineering, said the NCERC will enable researchers to experiment with alternatives to fossil fuels in the only facility in the world that fully emulates both a corn-wet mill and corn-dry mill in commercial fuel ethanol production.
"The NCERC will serve a major role in commercializing new technologies for producing ethanol more cost effectively from corn," Bothast said. He explained there have been promising efforts to find efficient production methods, but these results have not been tested on a large scale. "Until now, these results have not been tested because of the prohibitive costs and the risks behind injecting an exploratory technology into an existing, large-scale, commercial facility," he said.
Bothast pointed out that the center also will allow for finding ways to add value to co-products from the ethanol process. "Researchers are working to come up with better technologies to break down corn and its co-products to make the process economically sound," Bothast said.
"The NCERC will advance the role of bioconversion by developing and demonstrating the next generation of advanced technologies, making possible low-cost and sustainable biobased industrial products, biofuels, and biopower," Bothast said. "Since 1980, fuel ethanol production has been increasing annually and has reached 2.7 billion gallons this year from more than one billion bushels of corn grown in the United States.
"We expect to go to five billion gallons a year in 10 years if we are to meet the renewable fuel goals of this country."
Prospective Students And Parents Set To Preview SIUE
More than 1,200 high school and community college students and their parents are expected to attend "Preview SIUE," the annual campus-wide open house. This year's event is scheduled on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 13, in the newly renovated Morris University Center.
SIUE Chancellor David Werner will present opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. Students will then have the opportunity to tour the central campus-including the state's newest residence halls-learn about campus life and student services, and visit academic departments.
Informational sessions are scheduled throughout the day. Session topics include SIUE-The Place to Be; Financing Your Education at SIUE; Countdown to SIUE; and Tailor-Made Careers, as well as academic sessions presented by the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, and the Schools of Business, Education, Engineering, Nursing, and Pharmacy.
In addition, Philip Medon, dean of the new SIUE School of Pharmacy, also will conduct informational sessions for interested students.
Students will be able to speak one-on-one to department representatives at the information fair in the Morris Center from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. "Preview is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to get answers to all their questions in one visit to campus," said Karen Bollinger, assistant director of Admissions and Marketing.
"Our program is one of the few campus-visit programs that includes participation from virtually all academic and student services units in one setting."
Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Morris Center, but students may pre-register online at www.admis.siue.edu/PREVIEW, or by calling (800) 447-SIUE. Campus tours will be offered until 12:30 p.m. and campus offices will be open until 4:30 p.m. Preview SIUE parking will be available in Lot B and Student Fan Lots. There is no charge for the event.
SIUE's enrollment has risen for nine consecutive years and now stands at 13,295, the largest enrollment since 1975.
SIUE's Lytle Tabbed Preseason All-American
Dan Lytle (Edwardsville) is an All-American even before he steps out onto the court for the first time as an SIUE men's basketball player.
Lytle, who transferred from the University of Evansville to complete his final season of eligibility in his hometown, was named to Street and Smith magazine's Preseason All-American list as an honorable mention honoree. "This is a testament to what he did at Evansville and to what people think he can do for us here at SIUE," said SIUE Coach Marty Simmons.
Street and Smith also tabbed two fellow Great Lakes Valley Conference schools among the 10 best in the nation. Southern Indiana was picked at No. 3, while Kentucky Wesleyan was selected ninth.
The Cougars officially begin practice on Oct. 15. The team's first contest is an exhibition game at Bradley on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The 2003-2004 season opens with a home game at the Vadalabene Center on Nov. 19.
Cougars Entertain SJC, Wisconsin-Parkside
The 14th-ranked SIUE men's soccer team will be on its home field this weekend when Saint Joseph's College and Wisconsin-Parkside come to town for two Great Lakes Valley Conference tilts.
The Cougars (6-2 overall, 2-0 GLVC) have yet to play a home game against a conference opponent. Last Friday's (9/26) game against Lewis was postponed due to storms in the area. "We definitely like our home-field advantage," Coach Ed Huneke said. "We like a big field with a nice surface, which we have here."
Saint Joseph's (3-4-3, 0-2-2) will be in search of its first conference win Friday night (10/3) at Korte Stadium. The Pumas are coming off losses to Missouri-St. Louis and Southern Indiana. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Wisconsin-Parkside (6-3, 3-1) is coming off two conference wins against Quincy and Missouri-St. Louis. Game time against the Rangers is set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday (10/5). "Both of these teams have the potential to win a lot of games and have great seasons, especially if they beat us," Huneke said.
SIUE is coming off a 3-0 triumph against Missouri-Rolla. It now has three consecutive shutouts.
SIUE has been distributing the ball well on offense. Cal Thomas (Rochester) and Addae Rique (Trinidad & Tobago) each have five goals to lead the team. "Addae is taking his game up a notch," Huneke said. "He is really showing his superiority to most players.
"Cal is having his best year yet. He has been a hot finisher, and that is what you want in the striker position."
Cougars Host Two Conference Games
The No. 15-ranked SIUE's women's soccer team will play host to two important Great Lakes Valley Conference matches this weekend.
Saint Joseph's comes to Korte Stadium for a Friday (10/3) match. The Pumas enter the game with a 3-6-1 overall record and a 2-2 record in the GLVC. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
Wisconsin-Parkside is currently second in the conference standings with a 7-1-1 record and a 3-0-1 conference mark. The Rangers also boast one of the league's top scorers in Megan Jurvis. "Wisconsin-Parkside has always been a team that can knock you off," Coach Lynda Bowers said. "This will not be a cake walk for us."
Bowers insists her team will be ready for this stretch of important conference games. "Every conference game is important for home-field advantage and possibility of a tournament bid," she said.
SIUE is coming off a non-conference win at William Woods to improve its record to 7-1 overall and 1-1 in the GLVC. Every Cougar player saw playing time in the 5-1 win. "It was nice to get other players in the game to see what they could do," Bowers said. "We had our reserves in for 75 percent of the game and still knocked in some goals. That shows the depth of our squad."
SIUE had its game against Lewis suspended due to bad weather. The game has yet to be rescheduled.
Sara Decker (St. Louis) leads the team with four goals.
Volleyball Looks To Bounce Back
After a discouraging Great Lakes Valley Conference loss to Quincy University, SIUE's volleyball team will look forward to matches against Northern Kentucky and Bellarmine.
SIUE (15-3 overall, 3-1 GLVC) dropped its first Great Lakes Valley Conference match in four games at Quincy. SIUE rebounded with a non-conference win at Illinois-Springfield, an NAIA school. "We are not executing as efficiently as we were earlier in the season," Coach Todd Gober said. "It's good to find it out now so we can start working on a few things.
"We have not played well our last three outings, but have still won two of three, so that is encouraging."
Northern Kentucky sits atop the GLVC's Blue Division with a 12-6 overall record and a 5-0 conference mark. The Norse has won 12 of its last 14 matches. Bellarmine (0-13, 0-5) is still in search of its first victory of the season.
"We need to work on our serve receive and passing this week," Gober said. "We also need to improve our transition and up the tempo of our transition."
As a team, SIUE still leads the conference with a .285 hitting percentage. The Cougars also lead the league with 2.78 blocks per game.
SIUE Will Send Seven Runners To Chicago
A complement of seven runners for both the SIUE men's and women's cross country teams will compete at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational in Chicago. Action gets started Saturday (10/4) morning with the women's 5,000-meter run. The men run an 8,000-meter course.
"This is one of the larger races we compete in," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "I was happy with our performance last year at the meet. It would give us confidence for the conference and regional meet if we perform well."
Brian Taghon (East Moline) and Breanne Steffens (Moline) seem to be the top individuals for the Cougars. Ryan Boyll (Normal) and Nick Campbell (Charleston) add depth to the men's side. Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) and Mary Witte (Normal) have joined Steffens as front-runners on the women's side.
Following the Lakefront Invitational, the Cougars return home next Saturday (10/11) for the Illinois/Missouri Border Wars in their final competition before the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships on Oct. 25 in Romeoville.
Cougars Enter Final GLVC Match
After a non-conference match against Principia College on Tuesday (9/30), SIUE's women's tennis team will play host to Indianapolis in its final Great Lakes Valley Conference match before the GLVC Tournament.
"The Indianapolis match is very important," Coach Bill Logan said. "It is big because a win can help position ourselves for the GLVC Tournament."
SIUE (5-3 overall, 5-3 GLVC) will first entertain Principia at 4 p.m. on SIUE's tennis courts.
Indianapolis (7-2, 4-2) is just one spot ahead of the Cougars in the GLVC standings. The GLVC Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 10-11.
Men's Soccer Reschedules Rockhurst
The SIUE men's soccer team will play a makeup game against Rockhurst on Wed., Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. The two teams decided to meet halfway in Columbia, Mo., to make up the game originally scheduled to be played in Quincy at the Soccer Bowl during the first week of the season.
Plans for SIUE's makeup game against Lewis have not been finalized.
Volleyball Faces UMSL, Quincy
Heading into the week with a 13-2 record overall and a 2-0 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, SIUE volleyball coach Todd Gober knows the season is just getting started. "This group of players wants to keep getting better," said Gober.
The Cougars have the top middle hitter in the GLVC and perhaps one of the nation's best in senior Andrea Voss (St. Rose). Voss has compiled GLVC-leading marks in hitting percentage at .443 and blocks at 1.80 per game. Voss has been complimented by a strong group of sophomores.
Sophomores Heather Bonde (Millstadt), Allison Buss (Towanda), and Kindra Westendorf (Effingham) all recorded double figures in kills in the win against Southern Indiana.
Sophomore Krystal Majernik (Normal) has quietly put together some good numbers as the team's setter. She leads the GLVC in assists per game at 12.04 and is 10th in service aces at 0.43 per game. "Every game it seems like different people are stepping up," said Gober.
SIUE's next challenge will be a week of road games. SIUE faces Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday (9/24) at 7 p.m., Quincy on Friday (926) at 7 pm. and a non-conference battle at Illinois-Springfield against former SIUE coach Joe Fisher on Saturday (9/27) at 2 p.m.
Men's Soccer Off To Perfect Start In GLVC
A 2-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference record will be on the line Friday (9/26) when the SIUE men's soccer team plays host to GLVC foe Lewis University at 7 p.m. at Korte Stadium.
SIUE, 5-2 overall and ranked second in the Central Region, blanked Quincy and Missouri-St. Louis last weekend.
Senior goalkeeper Bret Richardson made seven saves in the two games in posting shutouts. "Our defense played well in the two games," Coach Ed Huneke said. Huneke said the two shutouts by Richardson will increase his confidence and will help him throughout the season. "It is important to have a confident goalkeeper," Huneke said.
Newcomer Addae Rique (Trinidad & Tobago) scored the lone goal at Missouri-St. Louis. Victor Pacheco (San Luis, Brazil) and Cal Thomas (Rochester) each had tallies against Quincy. "We are off to the start in the conference we thought we were going to have," Huneke said. "We have new players and I knew we wouldn't be on the same page in the beginning of the year. Now we are in the conference season and making strides. We will continue to show improvement."
Lewis enters Friday's matchup with a 2-4-2 overall record and a 1-1 mark in the GLVC. Lewis topped Missouri-St. Louis before falling to Southern Indiana last weekend. "Lewis has a rich tradition of winning," Huneke said. "They need a win so we better be ready."
SIUE will travel outside of the GLVC for a Sunday (9/28) game at Missouri-Rolla. The Miners enter the week with a 4-1-2 record. "Rolla is faring well in the region," Huneke said. "We have to win this regional game to enhance our chances at an NCAA Tournament bid."
Cross Country Breaks School Records
Members of both the men's and women's cross country teams from SIUE broke records at last Friday's (9/19) EIU Open in Charleston.
Brian Taghon (East Moline) broke the men's 8,000-meter school record with a time of 24:48.33. The previous record, set by Rudy Rocha, stood since 1990.
Breanne Steffens' (Moline) 5,000-meter time of 17:29.49 also broke the school record, which was previously held by Karin Beach-Pond, who ran the 5K in 17:49 in 1995.
"It is nice to have new records established," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "Especially records that have not been broken in five or ten years."
On the women's side, Mary Witte (Normal) and Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) joined Steffens for top 20 finishes. Ryan Boyll (Normal) and Nick Campbell (Charleston) joined Taghon as front-runners on the men's side. "I expect us to keep improving throughout the season," Frerker said. "If we keep running like this the rest of the season we will have a good conference and regional meet."
Both squads will next be in action on Saturday, Oct. 4, for the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational in Chicago.
Women's Soccer Faces William Woods, Lewis
SIUE will get a break from Great Lakes Valley Conference play when it travels to William Woods for a Wednesday (9/24) non-conference match up.
William Woods, an NAIA program in Fulton, Mo., enters Wednesday's game with a 2-4 record. "They have some big scorers," Coach Lynda Bowers said. "Other than that, we do not know much about them, so we'll go into the game just like it's any other game and see what happens."
SIUE, 6-1 overall and 1-1 in the GLVC, will then face Lewis on Friday (9/26) in its GLVC home opener. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Korte Stadium. "We are looking forward to the game because it is our next home game and we want to show what we're made of," Bowers said. "We are just hungry for victories and look forward to all conference games."
After suffering a double-overtime loss at Quincy on Friday (9/19), SIUE bounced back and won a 2-1 decision Sunday (9/21) at Missouri-St. Louis. "We just didn't adapt to Quincy's defense," Bowers said. "Our effort was there, they just caught us in the last minutes of the second overtime." With its loss, the Cougars fell to No. 2 in the Great Lakes region.
Sarah Landt (Carbondale) and Ann Crawford (St. Louis) each scored to lift SIUE against Missouri-St. Louis. "Ann Crawford was tenacious on goal and Landt, who was playing the right-wing position for the first time, came through with the game-winner."
Women's Tennis Begins Non-GLVC Schedule
For the first time this season, the SIUE's women's tennis team will play a non-conference opponent.
SIUE, 5-3 overall and in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, will square off Friday (9/26) against Illinois College. Action will begin at 3 p.m. on SIUE's tennis courts. "This is the start of a number of non-conference matches," Coach Bill Logan said. "These are schedules to help us stay in tune in preparing for the GLVC Tournament."
SIUE is coming off a 2-1 week that saw wins against Saint Joseph's and Bellarmine. It's defeat came against Northern Kentucky.
Logan attributes much of the team's success to doubles. As a team, the Cougars have posted an 18-6 doubles record on the season. The Cougars are currently in fifth place in the GLVC standings. They play one more conference match before the Oct. 4 GLVC Tournament.
Every Cougar player has either a .500 or better winning record. Gina Wohltman (Effingham) and Lisa Warner (Arlington Hts.) each have seven victories. SIUE's No. 2 doubles duo of Warner and Laura Zeeb (Greenville) has a 7-1 record.
Cougars Enter Final Tune Up
SIUE's women's golf team has one more tune up before the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.
The Cougars travel to Marion for the Lady Vols Invitational, which will be played Saturday and Sunday (9/27-28). The GLVC Tournament begins Oct. 4 in Edinburgh, Ind.
SIUE is coming off the Illinois Wesleyan Fall Golf Classic, where they finished the 36-hole tournament with a 612, three strokes behind team champion DePauw. SIUE bested GLVC rivals Indianapolis by five shots and Quincy by 13.
The Cougars waved goodbye to the old 36-hole record by 42 strokes. The previous record of 654 was set at the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational two years ago. That finish would not have placed the Cougars in the top 10 this season.
Kallie Harrison (Decatur) continued to get her collegiate career off on the right track. Once again, she tied the school record with a 75 in the second round which gives her a new school record of 150. That breaks the old SIUE record of 156 set by Katie Farrell (2001), Deanna Bock (2001) and Harrison from last weekend at Southern Indiana. Harrison must share the 18-hole record with Brittany Auld (Nashville), who vaulted into a tie for 14th place with a final round 75.
Brittany Hood (Coulterville) also tied for 14th with a 155, including a career-best 77 in the final round. Farrell (Princeton) shot a final round 80 and was tied for 19th at 156. Kacy Gruenkemeyer (Salem), the defending GLVC individual champion, fired a career-best 76 and also tied for 19th at 156. Kristi Novak (Highland) shot an 83, also a personal best.
On Sunday, it was the first time an SIUE team had four players shooting in the 70s.
Connector Path Provides New Access To SIUE
Joggers, walkers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts now have a new way of accessing the campus from the network of MCT Trails in Madison County.
The university recently completed a half-mile connector that joins the MCT Nature Trail with SIUE's University Park and the central core campus. IDOT contributed 80 percent of the $165,000 project through a program encouraging alternative modes of transportation. The remainder of the funds was appropriated by the university.
"This project began with a request from SIUE students who were looking for other ways to come to campus rather than driving," said Robert Washburn, director of the Office of Facilities Management. "The Campus Recreation Advisory Committee came to the SIUE Parking and Traffic Committee asking for easier access to campus from residential areas in and around the ESIC, LeClaire, and Montclaire residential areas of Edwardsville," Washburn said.
"We have many students and employees living in those areas who can now use the MCT trail and this connector as a safe way to access campus."
The new connector begins at the MCT trail, about four-tenths of a mile east of Supporting Services Road, along the southeast edge of campus at University Park. The asphalt path wends its way from the MCT trail to the cul-de-sac of South Research Drive, where a shared roadway then takes bikers and/or pedestrians to the north end of North Research Drive. At that point, the path continues to Fan Parking Lot No. 5, where access is available to Stratton Quadrangle at the core campus.
The connector is another part of the more than 10 miles of nature and biking trails available on or adjacent to SIUE's 2,660-acre campus. Trail users are able to enjoy the natural beauty of the campus, while using the network of MCT and campus trails.
For more information about MCT Trails, visit the Web site: www.mcttrails.org. For more about trails on campus, call the Office of Campus Recreation, (618) 650-2348.
School Of Pharmacy To Have Initial Home In UP
An existing building in University Park will be renovated and a new building constructed to provide laboratory, classroom, and office space for the new School of Pharmacy at a projected cost of $5 million.
The project and its budget were approved recently by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting conducted this month at the Edwardsville campus. Funding for the project will come from the university's operating budget and from a loan through the Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative to be retired by revenue generated from the School's tuition income.
About 15,000 square feet in the building at 200 University Park Drive will be renovated and an adjacent, 22,000-square-foot building will be constructed to provide space for the new school. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2005.
In other business, the board approved acceptance of a gift of real estate to SIUE for future development of the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. The parcel of land, on Bond Avenue, is across from the southeast corner of the campus property near Eighth Street.
The parcel was purchased for $400 at auction by the SIUE Foundation. Transference of the property, appraised at $3,800, was allowed today by Board action at no cost to the university.
SIUE Urban Institute To Study Effects Of Lead On District 189 Schoolchildren
For years, School District 189 in East St. Louis has seen comparatively high numbers of children who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities. Meanwhile, East Side Health District and St. Mary's Hospital frequently test children who may have elevated blood lead levels.
Now, District 189, East Side Health District, and other local agencies will join the SIUE Institute for Urban Research to conduct a longitudinal study to determine the possible correlation between blood-lead levels and learning ability.
"Judging by the available data, there is very good reason to believe there is a direct connection between high blood-lead levels and the high number of East St. Louis children who have been labeled with a learning disability," said Debra Moore, executive director of the SIUE institute.
We not only want to further analyze existing data, but begin a process of establishing a definitive connection, and help initiate the kind of lead removal projects we have seen in St. Louis and other areas of Missouri."
Stephanie W. Carpenter, assistant superintendent of schools for Dist. 189, said the study will greatly complement the district's work toward understanding the deficiencies that some area children exhibit. "We know that they are able to accomplish and lead could very well be the obstacle that hinders their success."
Moore said most children who have lead poisoning are not monitored beyond "about the third grade. Because this is a longitudinal study, we can follow children for a longer period of time to see the long-term effects of lead and perhaps arrive at a more direct correlation between (blood) lead levels and academic performance."
Moore said the study will collect information on:
1. Influence of lead contaminated industrial and residential sites on blood-lead levels of children,
2. The effects of blood-lead levels on the cognitive ability and educational achievement of children,
3. The interventions by various agencies needed to address the problem, and,
4. Avenues policy makers should consider in addressing lead abatement and quality of life issues for children who suffer from lead poisoning.
Moore said several area agencies have collected data relative to lead poisoning in children, but no single agency has developed an all-encompassing study leading to a clear establishment of a "cause and effect" solution to the problem. "We have data sources from St. Mary's Hospital, East St. Louis School District 189, East Side and St. Clair County Public Health Districts, and the Illinois and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," Moore said.
"Each of these sources provides information that will help us understand the complex mosaic that characterizes the causes and effects of lead poisoning in children living in older urban areas."
Moore said aggregating the information into a single database, then building on the existing information will lead to a common and more complete understanding of the problem. "As we map out a clear picture of the situation," she said, "we can then begin the process of seeking funding from government and private organizations to help children currently suffering from lead poisoning and prevent the poisoning of future generations."
August 2003
August 28, 2003
Historian To Speak At SIUE; Part Of Expedition Celebration
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Fred Hoxie, the Swanlund Professor of History at the University of Illinois, will speak at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as part of SIUE's bicentennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
SIUE's celebration, Exploration: The Legacy of Lewis and Clark, continues with three more events throughout the 2003-04 academic year and a Lewis and Clark Institute during summer 2004. Two of the celebration events in November and March also are part of the university's Arts & Issues series.
Hoxie, a widely recognized expert in Native American history, will speak about the Impact of Lewis and Clark on Indigenous Peoples at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in the John C. Abbott Auditorium on the lower level of SIUE's Lovejoy Library.
Under direction by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Territory, the Corps of Discovery began the trek May 14, 1804, at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, near what is now the campus of SIU Edwardsville. They camped on the Mississippi's Illinois shore during the winter of 1803-04 in preparation for the journey.
After finding passage via several waterways, the explorers arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River at the Pacific Ocean in November 1805. The expedition returned to St. Louis on Sept. 23, 1806.
Admission is free to Hoxie's Sept. 8 appearance. For more information, contact Ryan Browning, (618) 650-5618, or by e-mail: rbrowni@siue.edu. For the complete Arts and Issues season, visit the Web site: artsandissues.com.
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August 28, 2003
SIUE Jazz Supper Sept. 28 To Feature Jazz 'Kansas City Style'
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) A "special jam session" and Kansas City-style jazz will highlight an evening of fun, food, music, and dancing at the 15th Annual Friends of Music Jazz Supper at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Reservation deadline is Sept. 19. The evening is co-sponsored by TheBANK of Edwardsville and the SIUE Department of Music.
Set in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center, the Jazz Supper offers "Kansas City Cuisine" and dancing to the big band sounds of SIUE's Concert Jazz Band, as well as other "surprise" musical guests.
This year's event also includes a "Special Jam Session," featuring an audience member who makes a donation that evening. "For a contribution to our scholarship fund," Department of Music Chair John Korak III said, "an audience member can sit in and play a few bars with the band. It's all part of the fun-filled and enjoyable evening we have planned." Korak said the department will make available a few percussion instruments and a piano for the jam session, or a participant can bring an instrument.
Tickets for the Jazz Supper are $50 per person; a table of eight may be reserved for $375. The Friends of Music is a support organization for the Department of Music; proceeds will benefit the Friends scholarship program for SIUE music students. For reservations or more information, call Martee Lucas in the department, (618) 650-3799, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 3799.
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August 25, 2003
EBR Club Begins 17th Year Of Meetings At ESTL Higher Ed. Campus
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club begins its 17th year of twice- monthly meetings at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, in Room 1007 of Building B on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Drive. The club is named for SIU Edwardsville Professor Eugene Redmond, a member of the English Language and Literature faculty.
All writers-beginners and veterans-are invited to attend the meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, September through May. While tutoring and giving exposure to writers, the group offers cultural and literary events such as the "Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration" and "Fresh and Ancestral" each year.
Members of the club also collaborates with the SIUE English department to publish Drumvoices Revue, a multicultural literary journal, and to conduct Break Word With The World, a literary event scheduled this year for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Crown Hotel on the East St. Louis waterfront.
Board members of the organization include Associate Professor Dallas Browne of the SIUE Department of Anthropology; Professor Redmond; Darlene Roy, president of the EBR club and a published poet, and poet Evon Udoh.
For information about the group's calendar, call (618) 650-3991. or write the EBR Writers, P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, IL 62202.
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August 4, 2003
NCPG Elects SIUE's Melser To Board Of Directors
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Harold Melser, director of Planned Giving for the SIUE Foundation, as been named to the board of directors of the National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG). Melser will serve a three-year term.
Melser, who joined the SIUE Foundation staff in September 2001, has 27 years of fund-raising experience, including planned giving. Before coming to the university, Melser had been development director for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Mission since 1997. He also served for 17 years as executive director of The Deaconness Foundation in St. Louis.
During his first 18 months at SIUE, Melser has developed gifts totaling more than $3 million and has worked with donors on several planned gifts, including a bequest expected to total more than $2 million as well as charitable gift annuities totaling $650,000. He also has assisted in the planning of the Meridian Society, an organization for women in philanthropy begun last month with $21,000 in membership gifts and pledges for its Impact Fund.
Since joining the SIUE Foundation, Melser has created several initiatives for the support of the university, including the Planned Giving Council with 17 attorneys, financial planners, trust officers and realtors; a charitable gift annuity program; the development of a real estate acceptance policy; the creation of a Heritage Society Marketing Committee; and a Donor Advised Fund Program.
One of the founding members of the St. Louis Planned Giving Council in the 1970s, Melser said he is honored to serve on the board. "I believe I can assist NCPG through my years of experience as a planned giving practitioner and educator," Melser said. "I will assist the organization in its mission to help donors and their advisors see the benefits of planned giving as part of their charitable giving plan.
"Primarily, I plan to help the NCPG increase the skills of fund development professionals and gift planning advisors through educational programs."
Melser received a bachelor of science in Education from Ball State, and a master's in Communication from the University of Nebraska. He and his wife, Amy, live in Columbia.
NCPG and its 115 planned giving councils represent more than 11,000 individuals nationwide, including fundraisers, attorneys, and financial advisors involved in the process of planning and developing major charitable gifts.
NCPG's activities include providing education, training, and research to gift planners; advocacy on behalf of donors and charities; and sponsorship of its national public awareness program, LEAVE A LEGACY.
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SIUE And Edwardsville Merchants Extend A Welcome
SIUE and area merchants are in the midst of welcoming back new and returning students who began arriving on campus last week.
As part of the festivities, Welcome Week is in full swing, culminating Friday with the Fourth Annual Welcome Back Block Party in downtown Edwardsville.
A schedule of Welcome Week activities, with its theme of SIUE: The True Story of 13,000 Students, may be found on the official Web site: www.siue.edu/KIMMEL/welcomeweek.html.
Some 2,000 guests attended the New Freshman Convocation and Orientation program Saturday, Aug. 21, in the Vadalabene Center.
In addition, SIUE Admissions and Academic Marketing staff distributed "Welcome SIUE Students" signs to businesses in the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon area.
The annual Block Party is scheduled from 6 p.m.-midnight Friday in the 100 blocks of St. Louis Street and Second Street, adjacent to the Madison County Courthouse. The event, with its theme of Rock the Block, will feature live music performed by the band, Son of Glam, and a deejay from Z107.7-FM, as well as food and beverages from popular Edwardsville restaurants and other organizations.
More than 2,500 SIUE students and residents of the community are expected to attend.
Lindsay Research Professor, Sixth Hoppe Research Professor Announced
Stephen Hansen, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, recently announced recipients of two prestigious awards.
The first recipient of the Vaughnie J. Lindsay Research Professor Award is Margaret Simons, professor of Philosophy, for her studies in the life of Simone de Beauvoir, a noted 20th Century philosopher and feminist.
The sixth recipient of the Hoppe Research Professor Award, chosen in this fifth year of the award, is Carole Frick, associate professor of Historical Studies for her research on the gender issues/material culture of 15th-century Italy and the socio-economic impact of the cloth/clothing industry on the inhabitants of the city of Florence.
The Vaughnie J. Lindsay Research Professor Award was created to honor Emerita Professor 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. The award is funded by private donations from faculty and emeritus faculty and by the SIUE Graduate School; the schools of Business, Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering, and Nursing; and the College of Arts and Sciences
The Hoppe Research Professor Award is partially made possible through an endowment established by the late Joseph W. Hoppe, who was originally from Carlinville. He created this endowment with the SIUE Foundation because he believed in the university's mission, including the value of faculty research. The program is funded by the Hoppe Faculty Research Endowment; the SIUE Graduate School; the schools of Business, Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering, and Nursing; and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Both the Lindsay and the Hoppe Research Professor Awards are programs for SIUE faculty to recognize and support individual agendas of research or creative activities. These awards recognize faculty members on continuing full-time appointments, whose research or creative activities have the promise of making significant contributions to their fields of study. Recipients are expected to produce published scholarly works and to submit externally-sponsored grants.
For her research, Simons' work will be delineated by the texts included in the upcoming seven-volume Beauvoir Series, which Simons is co-editing with Sylvie Le Bon de Beauvoir. With this series, Simons and a team of scholars are dismantling the translation barrier to the French philosopher's work.. During her two years as a Lindsay Research Professor, Simons will focus on two themes-a literary-philosophical methodology based on Beauvoir's lived experience and a problem termed by Beauvoir as "the problem of the Other." Simons' specific objectives are to complete her analysis of Beauvoir's early philosophy in the second volume of her student diary (1928-30) and, based on her analysis of Beauvoir's early philosophy, to trace the development of Beauvoir's literary-philosophical methodology and her formulation of the problem of "the Other" in representative texts.
Frick's research examines various dimensions of female public activity (in work, ritual, and material culture) from the time period of the 15th Century, concentrating on the Renaissance urban center of Florence and its Tuscan environs-Fiesole, Prato, and Settignano. By approaching the economic practices and societal structures of this early modern period with an eye toward discovering the differences inherent in their particular configurations, Frick plans to uncover the way in which a socially-embedded economy used the productivity of its women before the advent of Capitalistic gender and class polarization.
In her work, Frick states that a more detailed investigation of the socio-economic structure of this city, including attention to the artifacts of its material culture, will yield intriguing new information that needs to be integrated into the historical narrative to help scholars understand how things worked in a city in which, some have argued, the first glimmerings of modern Western consciousness began. Frick's research will be part of a book she is writing, Performing the Feminine, which extends her investigations that began in her previous book, Dressing Renaissance Florence: Families, Fortunes and Fine Clothing (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003).
These Professorships are unlike other university awards. They are designed to support a significant portion of a faculty member's larger research agenda. Simons and Frick will be appointed for a two-year period, during which time they each will receive 50 percent assigned time for research each academic year, the services of a one-quarter time graduate assistant (for nine months per year), and $1,000 in support lines.
The current Hoppe Research Professor, whose professorship ended June 30th, is Urszula Ledzewicz, professor Mathematics and Statistics, for her research in the application of optimal control theory to chemotherapy treatments for cancer and for the human immunodeficiency virus.
Meet The New Faculty
Gillian Acheson, Geography, received a master's from the University of Delaware and her doctorate from Texas A&M University. Recent articles include "An Investigation of Secondary Science Teachers' Use of GIS in the Classroom" published in Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE). Scholarly interests include geographic learning and education. She enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking.
Tongele Alakebanga, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, received a doctorate from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His dissertation topic was "Finite Element and Experimental Analysis of Wave Propagation in Conical Periodic Structures." Scholarly interests include system dynamics, system design, and optimization and the theory of elasticity. He enjoys jogging, drumming, and comedy.
Melissa Bergstrom, Special Education and Communication Disorders, received a doctorate in Psychology from the University of Oregon. Her dissertation topic was "Helping School Staff to Support Children with Behavior Challenges." Her scholarly interests include educational systems reform, positive behavior support, and consultation. She enjoys running, hiking, and cycling.
Noell Birondo, Philosophy, is a 2004 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Forthcoming publications include "Moral Realism Without Values" in the Journal of Philosophical Research. He is also published in Ancient Philosophy, "Aristotle on Illusory Perception."
Marie Byrd-Blake, Educational Leadership, earned a doctorate in Education at Florida International University. Her dissertation topic was "A Study of the Differences Among African-American, Hispanic, and Anglo Women on the Perceived Barriers and Strategies to Career Development in Public School Administration." Scholarly interests include gender issues in leadership, instructional leadership, and teaching diversity through instructional technology. She enjoys exercise and sporting activities.
Stephen Blythe, Computer Science, received a doctorate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. His dissertation topic was "Design Space Exploration in High Level Synthesis." Current scholarly interests include electronic design and automation, distributed computing, and computer science education. Stephen enjoys baseball/softball and ballroom dancing.
Michael Burke, English Language and Literature, received a master's from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His thesis topic was "The Civil War in the Fiction of Howells, James, and Twain." His scholarly interests include early U.S. Army-sponsored art history. He enjoys volunteering for the USO at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and at the Old Cathedral in St. Louis.
Joanne Cattafesta, Speech Communication, earned a master's at Rutgers University. Her article, "Applying Communication Theories to Prevent Dangerous Drinking Among College Students: The RU SURE Campaign," was published in Communication Studies. Joanne enjoys spinning, cooking, and travel.
Susan Claflin, Special Education and Communication Disorders, received a doctorate from the University of Kansas. Her dissertation topic was "The Efficacy of Using Technology to Provide Staff Development on Research-Based Practices." Current scholarly interests include developmentally appropriate early childhood practices. Susan enjoys travel and hand crafts.
Dean Cody, Lovejoy Library, Technical and Access Services, received a doctorate from Saint Louis University and master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Missouri at Columbia. His dissertation topic was "Kant's doctrine of the Multiplicity of Methods." Scholarly interests include patron use of online services, licensing of online resources, and librarianship and health care ethics. He enjoys gardening, golf and exercise.
Patricia Fazzone, School of Nursing, received a doctorate of Nursing Science from Rush University. Her dissertation topic was "Caring for Abused and Neglected Children on Inpatient Psychiatric Units: A Cross Sectional Ethnography." Her current scholarly interests include diabetics, depression, and substance abuse.
Connie Frey, Sociology and Criminal Justice, received a master's from Middle Tennessee State University and her doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her dissertation topic was "Jane Addams on Peace, Crime, and Religion: The Beginnings of a Modern Day Peace Making Criminology." Her publications include "The State of Women in the Geosciences" in Geotimes. Her scholarly interests include the history of Sociology and Feminist Pragmatism. She enjoys reading, sewing, gardening, and cooking.
Kay Gaehle, School of Nursing, received a doctorate at Saint Louis University. Her dissertation topic was "A Conceptual Understanding of Breast Cancer Detection Practices of Women 65-84 Years of Age." Her scholarly interests include breast cancer detection in older women and the use of medication safety technology in acute care settings. She enjoys reading fiction.
Hernando Garcia, Physics, earned both a master's and a doctorate at Rutgers University. His dissertation topic was "Non-liner Refractive Index in Optical Fibers and Semiconductor Films." His scholarly interests include nonlinear optics. He enjoys music.
Jack Glassman, Physics, earned a master's and a doctorate at the University of New Mexico. His scholarly interests include optical parametric amplification of signals for use in interferometry.
Chris Glosser, Physics, received at doctorate at Michigan State University. His scholarly interests include particle physics, computational physics and biophysics. He enjoys chess, computers, biking, and films.
Shelly Goebl-Parker, Art & Design, received a certificate in Art Psychotherapy and a master's in Social Work, both at Washington University. Her dissertation topic was "Transitional Objects and Potential Space in Art Therapy." She has presented "Artica: An Urban Wilderness Program for Day Treatment Youth." She presented "Art Therapy at Edgewood Children's Center" at the Maryville University Music Therapy Symposium. Her scholarly interests include documentation and facilitating art process as practiced in the Reggio Emilia Municipal schools. She enjoys gardening, knitting, and playing with her children.
Michael Grossman, Geography, earned a doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His dissertation topic was "Climate Change, Typhoons, Climatic Change, Japan." His scholarly interests include floods, typhoons, and climate change in Japan. He practices Aikido (Japanese martial art).
Gireesh Gupchup, School of Pharmacy, received a doctorate at Purdue University. His dissertation topic was "Pharmacists' Job Stress as a Transaction and a Process." He has authored 27 peer reviewed publications since 1990. Scholarly interests include the study of processes and outcomes of innovative pharmacy services. He enjoys golf, racquetball, soccer, and family.
Laura Hanson, Theatre and Dance, earned a doctorate at New York University. Her dissertation topic was "Elements of Modernism in the Musicals of Stephen Sondheim." She recently contributed an article, "Biography of Playwright James Lapine" to the Dictionary of Literary Biographies. Her scholarly interests include the history and evolution of musical theatre, as well as theatre design, and the works of composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. She enjoys travel, snorkeling, baking, and reading.
Joshua Hileman, Computer Management and Information Systems, received a master of science in mathematics from SIUE. His thesis topic was "The Schwarz Information Criterion in the Logistic Regression Setting."
Susan Hume, Geography, received a doctorate from the University of Oregon. Her recent publications include "Belgian Settlement and Society in the Indiana Rust Belt" in the Geographical Review. Scholarly interests are ethnic geography, U.S. immigration, and geographic education. Susan enjoys swimming, cooking, cycling, and listening to world music.
Kimberly Hurley, Kinesiology and Health Education, received a master of science from Western Illinois University. Scholarly interests include physical activity contributors in older adults-motives and barriers, and physical self perceptions and self esteem. She enjoys running, cycling, cribbage, reading, writing, and poetry.
Luci Kohn, Biological Sciences, received a doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her dissertation topic was "A Genetic Study of Craniofacial Growth Using Finite Element Methods." Her scholarly interests include inheritance of complex traits, genetics, and evolution of morphology. She enjoys hiking and cooking.
Mark Luer, School of Pharmacy, received a doctorate from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. His current scholarly interests include blood-brain barrier drug transport. He enjoys fishing and coaching youth soccer.
Donna Mickens, Management and Marketing, received master's in Counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Her thesis topic was "Professional Identity Development of Biracial Adults in Corporate Settings." Scholarly interests include the study of differences of family-owned businesses in implementing policy and managing employees. She enjoys designing and creating sugar sculptures.
Peter Minchin, Biological Sciences, received a doctorate in Botany from the University of Tasmania. His dissertation topic was "A Comparative Evaluation of Techniques for Ecological Ordination Using Simulated Vegetation Data." His scholarly interests include the development of robust methods for analysis of community change, with applications in conservation biology and restoration ecology. He also enjoys cooking, reading English and Spanish literature, hiking and camping, music, and playing bridge.
Linda Morice, Educational Leadership, received a doctorate at Saint Louis University. Her dissertation topic was "Empowerment and the North Central Outcomes Accreditation Model: a Study of Teachers in Five Schools." Scholarly interests include performance evaluations, school district governance, and the history of education. Linda enjoys local history and genealogy.
Mona Musa, Mathematics and Statistics, earned a doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her dissertation topic was "Dihedral Codes and the Double Circulant Conjecture for Binary Extended Quadratic Residue Codes." This one-time Fulbright Scholar has research interests that include coding theory, algebra, and computer algebra systems. Mona was a Fulbright Scholar.
Anne Perry, School of Nursing, received her doctorate in Education from SIUE. Publications include "The Development and Testing of the PATCOA to Assess Pain in Confused Older Adults" in Pain Management Nursing. Her interests include research about weaning from mechanical ventilation and nursing language classifications. Anne enjoys quilting and volunteers for the American Lung Association of Missouri.
Therese Poirier, School of Pharmacy, received a doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of Michigan and an MPH at the University of Pittsburgh. Her dissertation topic was "Utilization of Drug Information Resources." Her scholarly interests include use of technology and active learning to stimulate student learning. Therese enjoys showing her Shetland sheepdogs.
Brenda Rayco, Mathematics and Statistics, received a doctorate from the University Florida. Her dissertation topic was "Algorithmic Approaches to Aggregation for Location Models." Scholarly interests include test problem generation for set partitioning problems, multistage stochastic programming, and location models. She also enjoys outdoor activities and reading.
Jennifer Rehg, Anthropology, earned a doctorate at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Recent publications include "Habitat Preferences of Three New World Monkeys." Scholarly interests include behavior and ecology of neo-tropical primates, conservation and rainforest communities, and gregariousness of primates.
Leslie Reynard, Speech Communication, received a doctorate at the University of Kansas. Her dissertation topic was "Presidential Rhetoric." Scholarly interests include presidential rhetoric, political communication, and image management/ restoration. Leslie enjoys raising Irish Setters, painting, print making, and fiction writing.
Ena Rose-Green, Accounting, received a doctorate at Florida State University. One of Ena's publications includes "Strategic Bankruptcies and Price Reactions to Bankruptcy Filings" in the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting. Her scholarly interests include the association between bankruptcy and financial restatements. She enjoys tennis and reading.
Rita Sander, School of Nursing, earned a doctorate in the philosophy of Nursing at Saint Louis University. Her dissertation topic was "Measurement of Functional Status in the Spinal Cord Injured Patient." Current scholarly interests include trauma/disaster spinal cord injuries-outcome measures and planning. She enjoys cooking and sewing.
Cynthia Schossberger, Philosophy, earned a master's at Tufts University and her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. She enjoys working for adult literacy as well as rollerblading with her dog.
Dan Segrist, Psychology, received his doctorate from SIU Carbondale. His dissertation topic was "Alcohol Refusal in Adolescent Males." Current scholarly interests include alcohol and drug use in adolescents and college students. He enjoys reading and spending time with his family.
Nahid Shabestary, Chemistry, who has been an instructor here for several years, received a doctorate from Michigan State University. Her dissertation was "Excited State Proton Transfer." Current scholarly interests are molecular Spectroscopy and Heterogeneous Catalysis. She enjoys walking, hiking, and volleyball.
Elizabeth Sherwood, Curriculum and Instruction, earned a doctorate in Education at Illinois State University. Her dissertation topic was "Public School Pre-Kindergarten Teachers and the Illinois Early Learning Standards: Teacher Response to Initial Implementation." Scholarly interests include early childhood curriculum and early childhood trends and history.
Douglas Simms, Foreign Languages and Literature, earned a doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation topic was "Comparative Study of Early Medieval Germanic Poetry." Scholarly interests include Viking poetry and Old Saxon poetry. He enjoys cooking and biking.
Michael Skelly, Psychology, earned a doctorate at Binghamton University. His dissertation topic was "Phonological Consistency Effects Between Primes and Targets in the Delayed-Letter Paradigm." Current scholarly interests include visual and spoken word recognition. He enjoys playing bass, singing, songwriting, volleyball and exercising.
John Smith, Kinesiology and Health Education, received a doctorate from Texas Women's University. His dissertation topic was "Assessment of Physical Activity Levels of 3rd and 4th Grade Children Using Pedometers During Physical Education." A recent publication includes "Biomechanical and Physiological Responses while Running with a Stroller." Scholarly interests include effects of anaerobic fatigue on fine motor skills, and health variable and cardio-respiratory fitness.
G. Stacy Staples, Mathematics, earned a doctorate at SIU Carbondale. His dissertation topic was "Clifford Algebras, Combinations, and Stochastic Processes." Current scholarly interests include stochastic processes on algebraic structures. He enjoys music and reading.
Pantipa Tachawachira, Management and Marketing, is completing a dissertation about "The Influence of National Culture on the Knowledge Transfer in Cross-Boarder Acquisitions: A Longitudinal Analysis." She expects to graduate from the University of Washington. Scholarly interests include multinational corporate strategy, international expansion, organizational learning, knowledge transfer, technological innovation, and cross cultural studies.
Dennis Taylor, Art and Design, received a master's and a doctorate from Syracuse University. His dissertation was "Inclusive Schooling in Secondary Art Education." Current scholarly interests include community art projects that deal with masking tape and situations of students with ADD/ADHD in block scheduled art classes. Dennis enjoys cooking, hiking, gardening, and museums.
Charles Thornton, School of Dental Medicine, earned a DMD at Washington University and a master of science in Orthodontics at Saint Louis University. He was selected for fellowship in the American College of Dentists in 2004. Scholarly interests include clinical orthodontic growth, treatment, timing, and pre-doctoral orthodontic curriculum content. He enjoys Tai Chi Chuan and reading.
Jeffrey VanCleave, Speech Communications, earned a doctorate at the University of Kansas. His most recent presentation/publication was "The Oxymoron of the Global Community: Globalization, Communication, and Community" at the International Communication Association Convention. Scholarly interests include social movements, and the rhetoric of sports. Jeffrey enjoys cooking, travel, and sports.
Cory Willmott, Cultural Anthropology and Museum Studies, received a doctorate from McMaster's University. Recent publications include "The Leas of Science: Anthropometric Photography and the Chippewa, 1890-1920" in Visual Anthropology. Scholarly interests include museum anthropology and visual anthropology. She also enjoys photography, beadwork, and Scottish country dancing.
Yun Lu, Chemistry, earned a doctorate at Nankai University. His dissertation topic was "Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Mechanisms of NADH Model Mediated Organic Reactions." His scholarly interests include organic and enzymatic reaction mechanistic studies. He enjoys swimming, playing ping-pong, reading, and watching NBA games.
Spring Green Lodge And Conference Center To Be Constructed In U. Park
Ground was broken last week for the much anticipated Spring Green Lodge and Conference Center to be constructed in University Park near its entrance to Illinois 157.
The hotel and conference center complex, expected to open in summer or fall of next year, will be the Edwardsville area's first upscale hotel and conference center. Among the speakers at the groundbreaking were developer William L. Shaw and SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, as well as Edwardsville and Madison County officials.
The lodge, which will feature a permanent exhibit of drawings and photographs of noted American architects, reflects an alliance with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. The permanent exhibit will have special emphasis on the works of Wright and Louis H. Sullivan, who gave Wright his first job in 1887. The University Museum at SIUE maintains the largest collection of Sullivan architectural ornament in the world.
Spring Green Lodge will exhibit reproductions of some of the more than 20,000 drawings, photographs, murals, watercolors, and other historical material spanning Wright's 70-year career as America's premier architect. "One of the missions of Spring Green," Shaw said, "is to create an inspirational display of architecture. It is intended to heighten awareness of the importance of architecture to society.
"We hope this educational agenda will inspire young people to pursue art, architecture, design, and engineering as a career."
Shaw said it is his intent to honor Wright by infusing many design and architectural concepts within the lodge, reflecting Wright's legacy. "These ideas will be evident in the exterior and interior design of the hotel public areas," Shaw said. "The color palette of the interior will be 'Wright-ian' and create a lodging experience that feels like a walk through the forest in autumn."
In addition to SIUE's Sullivan collection pieces, Pre-Columbian ceramics and antiquities also will be displayed in the hotel's exhibit areas. The lodge also will be highlighted by a mezzanine displaying some of the exhibits and a first-floor Wright Library with book about architecture. This area also will be used for reading, business tasks, and relaxation.
Also featured will be a great room with a massive stone fireplace and intimate seating, a dining area with a fireplace, extensive outdoor decks and patios, and a conference center for up to 300 attendees on the lower level of the facility.
A lodging tower-with 54 upscale, suite-style rooms-will include 12 conference suites for up to 18 attendees per suite. Brian Donnelly, executive director of University Park, said the Spring Green project is welcomed by the university as a valuable asset, providing needed lodging and meeting space for the university and its student body, for companies located in the research park, and for communities throughout the area.
Former Cougar Called Up By Orioles
Former SIUE baseball standout Aaron Rakers (Trenton) has been called up to the major leagues by the Baltimore Orioles.
SIUE Coach Gary Collins said he received a phone call from his former player. "He called me to let me know he got called up- that he was on his way to Baltimore," Collins said. "I'm glad he is getting his chance at the big leagues. He's been successful at every level he has played."
Rakers most recently has played for the Ottawa Lynx, the AAA affiliate for the Orioles. Rakers has been playing in the minor leagues since leaving SIUE in 1999.
At SIUE, Rakers posted a 16-7 record during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. His 192 strikeouts is fourth on SIUE's all-time list. He became the first person in school history to record 100 or more strikeouts in a season when he fanned 109 in 1999. Dave Crouthers, who also is playing in the minor leagues with the Orioles, later broke the record with 118 in 2001.
The Orioles officially listed Rakers in the major league transactions as having purchased his contract from Ottawa and transferring outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. to the 15-day disabled list.
Rakers is the third player in school history to make a major league roster. Dennis Werth played four seasons with the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals from 1979 to 1982. Champ Summers came up with the Oakland Athletics in 1974 and went on to play for six different teams in an 11-year career.
SIUE's Pacheco Receives Honor
Sophomore forward Victor Pacheco (Sao Luis, Brazil ) was named offensive Most Valuable Players at the UW-Parkside Men's Soccer Puma Classic as the SIUE men's soccer team earned a split, defeating Gannon 5-0 and falling to sixth-ranked Findlay 2-1 over the weekend.
Pacheco recorded three goals and one assist in Saturday's (9/4) romp of Gannon, and he followed that up with an assist in the loss to Findlay. "Victor came up big with the three goals," said SIUE coach Ed Huneke. "The nature of them (goals) I was impressed with because (they were) more on placement than power."
Junior midfielder Pete Cacciatore (St. Louis), also named to the all-tournament team, came up big for the Cougars netting a goal and an assist. "He continues to be dangerous," Huneke said. "Teams are starting to focus on him."
Along with Cacciatore, junior captain Brian Higgins (St. Louis) and sophomore backer John Mathews (Edwardsville) were named to the all-tournament team.
The Cougars have a record of 3-1 on the year after the win over Gannon and loss to Findlay. "They (Findlay) designed a game plan that we knew eventually we would be seeing from people," Huneke said. "They packed it in and played a very defensive game.
We have to learn how to deal with teams that play that way because we are going to see it some more."
The Cougars will be at home on Friday (9/10) to face the Miners of Missouri-Rolla at 7 p.m. before traveling to face Ashland (Ohio) on Sunday (9/12) at 3 p.m.
Women's Soccer Steps Up The Defense
Even though the SIUE women's soccer team split the two games it played this past weekend, Coach Lynda Bowers was very pleased with the way her team played defensively.
The Cougars picked up their first win of the season on Friday (9/3) 2-0 over West Virginia Wesleyan. SIUE outshot the Wildcast 26-6.
"I thought we played very well," said Bowers. "It was good for us to redefine our team's shape by giving us practice on how to do the right things."
Senior forward Ann Crawford (St. Louis) recorded both of the Cougars' goals in the contest. "The fact that she put two (goals) away really builds her confidence," said Bowers. "It (also) builds the team's confidence in her."
After defeating West Virginia Wesleyan, SIUE came home and lost a tough 1-0 battle with 10th-ranked Grand Valley State. The Cougars outshot the Lakers 16-5 for the game. "I felt like we controlled the entire game," Bowers said. "We really put forth a huge effort and our girls didn't back down for one minute."
Stepping up for the Cougars over the weekend were several players, including junior Lindsay Kampwerth (Highland), senior Christen Carducci (Powell, Ohio), and junior Kelly Dill (Florissant, Mo.), who recorded an assist against West Virginia Wesleyan and sophomore forward Kayla Fromme (New Berlin). "Those girls are really going to frustrate some teams," Bowers said.
SIUE travels to play Mercyhurst on Friday (9/10) in Ashland, Ohio, at 2 p.m. The Cougars follow that up with a contest against Ashland on Sunday (9/12) at 1 p.m.
Women's Tennis Continues Road Swing
Even though the SIUE women's tennis team lost three matches over the weekend, coach Bill Logan still had a lot of positives to look at. "It was a tough couple of matches," he said.
"We had tough competition."
The Cougars played three Great Lakes Valley Conference matches in two days. SIUE lost to Bellarmine 6-3 on Friday (9/3) with No. 3 singles Allison Coats (Belleville), No. 4 singles Lisa Warner (Arlington Heights), and No. 5 singles Celia Montes (Chicago) all picking up wins.
On Saturday (9/4), the Cougars fell to Indianapolis 5-0.
"Indianapolis is probably the toughest team in the conference," Logan said.
SIUE then traveled to Northern Kentucky where they fell to the Norse 8-1. "The bright side to that match was my No. 1 player won," he said.
Chrissy Yingst (Belleville) defeated NKU's Laura Lipsinger, 3-6, 6-4, 10-4 for SIUE's only point. The Cougars will be back on the road on Friday (9/10) at St. Joseph's at 3 p.m. SIUE travels to Lewis on Saturday (9/11) for a match at 9 a.m.
Cross Country Set For Bradley Invitational
SIUE cross country got off to a good start this past weekend at the Cougar/Bearcat Challenge at the SIUE cross country course.
The men's cross country team had a good showing at the challenge, finishing first overall in the 6,000-meter race. Junior Brian Taghon (East Moline) led the way for the Cougars by finishing second in the competition with a time of 27 minutes, 31.78 seconds.
Following just 18 seconds behind was senior Ryan Boyll (Normal) who finished with a time of 27:49.93 seconds. Junior Trae Cotner (Springfield) finished seventh for SIUE, and junior Justin Crain (McLeansboro) and Brian Getz (East Moline) finished 13th and 14th, respectfully.
On the women's side, SIUE finished in second place in the 5,000-meter event as a team. Senior Mary Witte (Normal) led the way with a fourth-place finish in 20:18.79. Junior Heather Zipparro (Mt. Prospect), and sophomores Priscilla Rahn (East Alton) and Natalie Aschim (Rockford) rounded out the Cougars top-20 finish.
The men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Peoria for the Bradley Invitational on Friday (9/10).
Volleyball Heads To West Virginia
SIUE's volleyball team started out the weekend the way they planned, with a pair of five-game wins over Northwest Missouri State and Emporia State on Friday (9/10) evening at the Ramada Inn-vitatonal Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo., but the tournament didn't finish quite the way they had hoped.
The Cougars lost a pair of four-game matches on Saturday (9/4) against Missouri Western and Pittsburg State, falling to 6-3 on the season.
Shannon Winkler (Germantown) led the way for the Cougars, who were named to the all-tournament team, with 42 kills and 50 digs.
SIUE's best match was the battle with Emporia State as the Cougars fell behind 2-1, losing games one and three. They would win game four 30-22, and, after falling behind 8-3 in Game Five, SIUE finished off an comeback with a 15-13 win.
Junior Heather Bonde (Millstadt) had a solid performance with 71 kills during the four matches including a career-high 21-kill performance against Missouri Western. Junior libero Allison Buss (Towanda) recorded 93 digs for the tournament including 26 against Missouri Western. Junior Tina Talsma (Ontario, Canada) had a career-high 15 kills in the match against Emporia State.
The Cougars will travel to Wheeling, W.V., this weekend as they face Mercyhurst on Friday (9/10) night at 5. On Saturday (9/11), SIUE plays Ferris State at 9 a.m., followed by Findlay at 2.
Comeback Kids Pick Up Two Wins
Even though the men's soccer Cougars fell behind 1-0 in each of its first two games of the season, SIUE's men's soccer coach Ed Huneke was happy the way his team battled back and were able to pick up a pair of 2-1 victories.
"An interesting nature is developing with this team-the ability to come from behind," said Huneke. "It is a dangerous way to live, but it is nice knowing you have that capability."
Freshman forward Adam Lanter (Edwardsville) came off the bench and was huge for SIUE all weekend. He netted goals in both games, including the game-winner on Friday (8/27) as the Cougars defeated Columbia 2-1. "For him to come up with two goals in the first two games is especially gratifying for him and our team," Huneke said.
Along with Lanter's solid play, the Cougars received some heroics from junior forward Pete Cacciatore (St. Louis), whose first goal of the season in double-overtime propelled the Cougars to a 2-1 win over Christian Brothers College on Sunday night (8/29). "Pete had a great weekend," said Huneke. "He is so dangerous with his speed."
Junior forward Tim Collico (St. Louis) scored the Cougars' other goal in the Columbia game. Like Collico, sophomore forward John Matthews (Edwardsville) had a solid weekend picking up an assist in each of the contests. "He is real strong player," Huneke said. "The kind of player you want playing beside you."
Junior backer Kevin Thibodeau (St. Charles) had an assist in the game against Christian Brothers. Thibodeau's backfield teammate Mike Burgund (Bethalto) was also very impressive with his defensive skills.
The Cougars were led by their offensive play in both contests, outshooting their opponents 41-13 in the two games. "Both team's defensive structures were good," said Huneke. "It seemed like in the second half things opened up a little bit for us."
SIUE will head on the road this weekend as it travels to Kenosha, Wis., for the UW-Parkside PUMA Classic. The Cougars will battle Gannon on Saturday (9/4) at 2:30 p.m. following that up with Findlay on Sunday (9/5) at 2:30 p.m.
Women's Soccer Looks To Rebound
After a tough loss to No. 11-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato, the SIUE women's soccer team may not have started the season the way it had hoped, but it will look to rebound with two games this weekend.
The Cougars fell to the Mavericks 3-1 on Friday night (8/27) at Ralph Korte Stadium. SIUE's lone goal came from junior midfielder Lindsay Kampwerth (Highland) as she netted her first of the year at the 71:54 mark of the contest. Junior forward Sarah Landt (Carbondale) added the assist on the goal.
Even though Minnesota State-Mankato outscored SIUE, the Cougars were only outshot 13-12 in the game. Senior goalkeeper Jessica Brown (St. Louis) had six saves in the contest, dropping her to 0-1 for the year. Senior forward Ann Crawford (St. Louis) recorded four shots, and senior backer Angela Light (St. Louis) added three for the Cougars.
The Cougars travel to Indianapolis on Friday (9/3) to play West Virginia Wesleyan at 5 p.m. before coming home to face Grand Valley State on Sunday (9/5) at 2:30 p.m.
Volleyball Starts Season Strong In Florida
SIUE's volleyball team returned from the West Florida Comfort Inn-vitational with a 3-1 record.
Coach Todd Gober said he was pleased with the way his team performed at the tournament. "We came away with some confidence," said Gober. "I am happy with the record and very happy with the win over West Florida.
Two juniors stepped up in a big way for the Cougars in the win over West Florida. Outside hitter Kindra Westendorf (Effingham) had a career-best 23 kills while libero and defensive specialist Allison Buss (Towanda) picked up 27 digs in the match. Westendorf finished the contest with a hitting percentage of .500.
"Kindra was our go to hitter in our front row," Gober said. "She forced a lot of double blocks, and she was the person the other teams focused on."
Another junior, setter Krystal Majernik (Normal), was voted to the Comfort Inn-vitational All-Tournament Team. Majernik average 10.85 assists per game in during the four-match tournament. She totaled 141 assists for the tournament.
The Cougars started off the season with a three-game win over Adelphi (NY) on Friday (8/27) morning. SIUE followed that with another 3-0 win over Gulf South Conference opponent Montevallo.
SIUE's toughest match of the tournament came on Saturday (8/28) morning as the Cougars faced 13th-ranked Central Missouri State. The Cougars jumped on the Jennies winning the first game 30-20. SIUE lost the second game 30-20, and then lost in a heart breaking 30-27 third game before CMSU ended the match with a 30-15 loss.
"Central Missouri served very tough against us, especially in the second game," Gober said. "Sometimes we would have a let down in the second game after a strong first one."
The Cougars finished out the tournament with a three-game win over West Florida on Saturday (8/28) afternoon. Middle hitter Heather Bonde (Millstadt) had a great tournament with 45 kills and 15 services aces during the four games. "If we serve tough it just makes our game that much better," Gober said.. "In all the games we served very tough and executed our game plan."
Junior outside hitter Shannon Winkeler (Bartelso) played well in her first few games as a Cougar. Winkeler averaged 3.15 digs and 2.77 kills per game for the tournament. "I am encouraged on how our team played as a whole," Gober said. "We have a few areas we need to focus on this week before we head to the Missouri Western Tournament."
SIUE faces University of Illinois-Springfield on Tuesday (8/31) night at the Vadalabene Center at 7 for their home opener. Then the Cougars will battle Northwest Missouri at 2 p.m. and Emporia State at 8 p.m. Friday (9/3) at the Missouri Western Tournament. On Saturday (9/4), the Cougars take on Missouri Western at Noon and Pittsburg State at 2 p.m.
Women's Tennis Ready To Start Season
SIUE's women tennis coach Bill Logan looks for this season to be another strong one for the Cougars. The team will try to rebound from a fifth-place finish in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "We have been working hard, and I pleased so far," Logan said.
Entering the season, SIUE will look to senior Chrissy Yingst (Belleville) to be its top player. "Chrissy was 13 -6 at No. 2 last season," Logan said. "She is the new No. 1 on our team."
Stepping up to take over the No. 2 spot for the Cougars will be junior Gina Wohltman (Effingham), who was 15-5 last season. Junior Allison Coats (Belleville) finished last season at 10-5 and will be the Cougars No. 3 at singles. Junior Lisa Warner (Arlington Hts.) will play No. 4 singles after a 12-4 mark last season. Junior Celia Montes (Chicago) will start at number five singles and freshman Katherine Ferry (Springfield) will be in the No. 6 spot.
The Cougars begin their season Tuesday (8/31) traveling to Quincy to take on the Hawks at 3 p.m. "I am hoping they all take advantage for first match," Logan said. "It will be a good match in which to start the conference season."
Women's Golf To Defend GLVC Title
SIUE women's golf coach Larry Bennett will add some young faces to a team that will try and defend its Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship from a year ago.
Bennett added four new golfers to the program in the off-season, and he looks for those four freshmen to make contributions for the start. "The new girls are seasoned golfers and they were tournament tested in high school," Bennett said.
Returning for the Cougars is 2003 GLVC Freshman of the Year Kallie Harrison (Decatur), who will start off in the No. 1 spot for SIUE. Junior Brittany Hood (Coulterville) is the oldest person on the team, and she will begin the year at No. 2. "She is a competitor," Bennett said. "She has the most experience."
SIUE will look to four freshmen to fill the rest of the lineup, including two Wisconsin natives. Jessie Tiffe (Brookfield, Wis.) was voted the best player in the greater Milwaukee area and played on the Wisconsin State Championship team. Rachel Roberg (Rice Lake, Wis.) was No. 1 on her high school team and finished in the top 20 in the state of Wisconsin.
Two Illinois natives round out the freshmen on the team, Natalie Conway (McLeansboro) was the Tri-state Player of the Year in Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and Northwest Kentucky. Kelly Morris (Normal) was a standout in high school, playing in several state tournaments. "Her short game is good," said Bennett. "We are going to be able to count on her."
Bennett looks for his team to compete for another GLVC title, but he knows the team has to practice on a key area. "One thing that needs the most work is the short game, and we all need to work on that."
The Cougars will open the season on Sept. 6-7 at the Grand Valley State Laker Fall Classic. SIUE will return home for the Cougar Classic at Fox Creek Golf Course on Sept. 12-13.
McAllister Gives Cross Country A Fresh Start
New SIUE cross country coach Ellen McAllister looks to give new life to the program after the departure of Darryl Frerker.
On the men's side McAllister has only two seniors Ryan Boyll (Normal), who finished 12th in the Great Lakes Valley Conference last season and Jonathan Sadowski (Springfield).
Juniors will look to make contributions, including Brian Taghon (East Moline), who finished fourth in the GLVC a season ago, Trae Cotner (Springfield), Justin Crain (McLeansboro), and Josh Helton (Robinson) will also make contributions.
Sophomores Joshua Bozue (Fairborne, Ohio) and Cody Ellermeyer (DuQuoin), and freshmen Erik Steffens (Moline), Brian Getz (East Moline), and Bart Smith (Benton) will all add to a team that will have plenty of depth.
On the women's side, seniors Mary Witte (Normal), who finished sixth in GLVC, looks to lead the team, and Lee Ann Lomax (Georgetown) will all be the team's strengths. Juniors Amanda White (Normal) and Heather Zipparro (Mount Prospect), and sophomores Natalie Aschim (Rockford), Betsy Hall (Charleston), and Priscilla Rahn (East Alton) add experience to a solid Cougar team.
Newcomers Kelly Flounders (Homer Glen), Julie Minton (Centralia), and Rebecca Peach (East Alton) will build on an already strong club. SIUE's cross country team will start its season Sept. 4 with the Cougar/Bearcat Classic on the SIUE Cross Country Course.
Men's Soccer Enjoys 'Home Cooking'
SIUE men's soccer opens its season with two non-conference home contests this weekend at Ralph Korte Stadium.
After 16-4-1 mark during the 2003 season, soccer coach Ed Huneke enjoys opening the season at home. "I like the way the schedule turned out," said Huneke. "These two first teams are not regional opponents, and it's an opportunity to experiment some things without negative ramifications."
The Cougars' first opponent is Columbia College on Friday (8/27) at 7 p.m. "Columbia is one of the top NAIA schools in the region that returns three All-Americans," said Huneke. "They will be a very formidable task."
SIUE's toughest test of the two games may be Christian Brothers on Sunday (8/28) at 6 p.m. The Buccaneers finished last season with an 8-9 record, and the Cougars have had trouble with the Buccaneers in the past with a 1-4-1all-time record. "We haven't beaten them in sometime," said Huneke. "They always give us a real battle."
This will be the first time since 2001 that SIUE will open up the season at home, In that year, the Cougars finished as a national semifinalist. The Cougars return five starters from last season's team, including Victor Pacheco (San Luis, Brazil), Brian Higgins (St. Louis), Pete Cacciatore (St. Louis), John Matthews (Edwardsville), and Mike Burgund (Bethalto).
SIUE Women's Soccer Looks For Solid Start
Getting off to a good start and playing solidly on both sides of the ball is the hope for SIUE women's soccer coach Lynda Bowers as the Cougars open their season at home Friday afternoon (8/27) against Minnesota State-Mankato.
SIUE will do battle with the Mavericks at 4 p.m. in Ralph Korte Stadium. The Cougars will look to improve upon a 10-7 record from last season. Minnesota State enters the contest after a 14-5-2 mark a year ago.
Bowers believes that teams want to come and play SIUE. "Most people don't mind traveling here because it is such a treat to play on our field," said Bowers.
After the game against the Mavericks, SIUE will have a week off before their next game. "It is going to be nice just focusing on one game," said Bowers. "Let game one kind of sink in before we head on to game No. 2."
Sophomore mid-fielder Christine Armstrong (St. Peters, Mo.), who netted nine goals to lead the team as a freshman, will look to get the Cougars going offensively this season. Senior forward Ann Crawford (St. Louis) had six goals last season and looks to add some punch to the Cougar offense.
On defense SIUE will be led by a sophomore duo of Kayla Fromme (New Berlin) and Padra Bencini (Carbondale). Senior Jessica Brown (St. Louis) will be the force for SIUE in net as she looks to be the starting goalkeeper.
Cougar Volleyball: Florida Bound
When SIUE volleyball coach Todd Gober looked at the schedule for the 2004 season, he knew that the first road trip could be a trip to paradise in a couple of ways.
First and foremost the Volleyball Cougars could get a great start to the season, and secondly how could you beat a trip to the Sunshine State.
The Cougars open the season at the Comfort Inn-vitational Tournament in Pensacola, Fla. SIUE will face some stiff competition with Adelphi at 8:30 a.m. Friday (8/27) and Montevallo at 2 p.m. that same day. "With the first two games, it is nice to try and ease into a tougher schedule," said Gober.
Day two of the tournament will be a little more difficult for the Cougars as they face 13th-ranked Central Missouri State. SIUE will battle the Jennies, who finished last year with a 26-11 record, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday (8/28). The Cougars' last match of the tournament will be against the host team West Florida at 2 p.m. that day.
"West Florida won 24 matches last season and finished in the national polls," said Gober. "I am hoping that by the time we get to Central Missouri (State) and West Florida we are more comfortable."
Gober will have a strong team that he takes to Florida including junior setter Krystal Majernik (Normal) looking to build on a first team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference and second-team Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region selections from a last year.
In the front row, SIUE's powerful trio of junior Kindra Westendorf (Effingham), junior Heather Bonde (Millstadt), and Shannon Winkeler (Germantown), an All-American transfer from John Logan College, will provide a solid front.
Junior defensive specialist Allison Buss (Towanda) was fourth in the GLVC in digs per game last year. Buss will look to have more of a role at libero during the 2004 season.
DeClue Named Athletic's Academic Advisor
Jacqueline DeClue, of Dupo, has been named the new academic advisor and compliance coordinator for SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics, replacing Martie Staser who left to pursue a position as a swimming coach at the University of Rochester.
The academic advisor is responsible for the advisement, registration, and progress of all "non-declared" or "intent to- declare" student-athletes and some academic support services for the Intercollegiate Athletics program.
Advisors insure compliance with NCAA conference and university regulations. As the person in charge of SIUE's implementation of the Life Skills Progam, DeClue also will work closely with SIUE's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Since 2000, DeClue has been an academic advisor in the SIUE Office of Academic Counseling and Advising. This past year, she also had been a coordinator and instructor to develop the Academic Choices and Transitions program for students on academic probation.
DeClue previously has worked as an academic advisor at Purdue and as a summer orientation academic advisor at Ball State.
A member of the National Academic Advising Association, DeClue received her bachelor's from SIUE in Liberal Studies in 1997. In 1999, she earned a master's in Student Personnel Administration at Ball State.
SIUE Women's Soccer Pushes Forward
With a clear balance of youth and experience, SIUE women's soccer Coach Lynda Bowers enters the 2004 season with some solid expectations.
After finishing 10-7 last season in Bowers' first year as head coach, the Cougars only have had to make a handful of moves to shore up the offense and defense. With seven starters returning, it's all about from where the team's leadership will come. "We're hoping the chemistry is still there," said Bowers.
Ann Crawford (St. Louis), a senior, returns at forward as a hard worker up front. "I expect her to be one of our strongest scorers," said Bowers.
Kristine Armstrong (St. Peters, Mo.) worked her way into the lineup late last season and became the team's leading scorer by season's end with nine goals and two assists. She made just six starts in her freshman season and figures to increase her role this season.
Katie Yearian (Waterloo) joins the front line for SIUE. In spite of her size at 5-foot-3-inches, Yearian figures to hold an important role as the team's fastest player. "Her quickness is going to surprise some people," Bowers said.
For a change of pace, Bowers also can call on junior forward Liz Fleer (Washington, Mo.). "When we need a change of pace, she'll work hard for us," said Bowers.
SIUE's strength may lie in its midfield with a number of experienced players. Jackie Thomann (St. Louis) and Christen Carducci (Powell, Ohio) join Crawford and back Angela Light (St. Louis) as the team's captains.
Thomann is one of the team's best ball handlers. Carducci was a NCAA qualifier for the Cougars during the outdoor track and field season. Bowers holds a number of other options at midfield.
Kelly Dill (Florissant, Mo.) enters her junior season as one of the most improved from last season. Bowers said her fitness and skill level have markedly improved. "She'll be fighting for a starting position," said Bowers.
Juniors Allison Sweet (Springfield) and Sarah Landt (Carbondale) also look to become bigger scoring threats this season. Christina Stremlau (St. Louis) and Nikki Grashoff (O'Fallon, Mo.) return for their sophomore seasons. In the backfield, Light provides a strong presence with the capability of turning set plays into scoring plays. Light has 11 goals and seven assists heading into her final season.
The Cougars also will look to sophomore Kayla Fromme (New Berlin) as its top defender. As the team's co-Most Valuable Player last season, Bowers said most every opponent had something good to say about Fromme last season. Padra Bencini (Carbondale), who started all 17 games last season, proved to a ball winner as a freshman defender.
Lindsay Kampwerth (Highland) enters SIUE as a junior transfer from MacMurray College. Bowers said she sees Kampwerth as a potential starter.
Bowers also has Beth Horan (St. Louis), Whitney Hanson (St. Charles, Mo.) and freshman Sara Stroud (Collinsville). Bowers sees a great deal of potential in all three yet the trio will need some playing time to gain some much-needed experience.
The Cougars boast two goalkeepers on the roster with senior Jessica Brown (St. Louis) and freshman Kim Roady (Granite City). "Being a senior is going to inspire Jessica, but Kim is going to push her for a starting role," said Bowers.
SIUE opens up the regular season Aug. 27 at home against Minnesota State-Mankato. Game time is 4 p.m.
Worries Turn Into Strengths For SIUE Men's Soccer
After losing three All-Americans and five returning starters from last season's 16-4-1 team, some may think that SIUE soccer coach Ed Huneke would be worried heading into the 2004 season.
By looking at this years' roster, the Cougar coach has nothing to fret about returning 10 letter winners while reloading with fresh faces for a run at the Great Lakes Valley Conference title. "We have a standard to keep and maybe even exceed," said Huneke.
Returning starters for the Cougars include sophomore midfielder Victor Pacheco (Sao Luis, Brazil), third in the GLVC in points and fifth in goals, and team captain and junior midfielder Brian Higgins (St. Louis). "He is doing a very good job leading the players on and off the field," said Huneke. "We believe a lot in leadership leading towards a team's success."
Along with having a strong middle, the Cougars will get solid play from junior forward Pete Cacciatore (St. Louis), second team All-GLVC last year with five goals a year ago, sophomore forward John Matthews (Edwardsville), who played in all 21 games last season, and junior Matthew Siegel (Maryville). "You have to play at both ends of the field, and I think we will be very good in both directions," Huneke said.
Other key returnees at the backer position are senior Mike Burgund (Bethalto), junior John Lamping (Barnhart, Mo.), and senior Dan Mosier (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who will add depth to the SIUE defense. Those three were apart of a Cougar team that ranked in the top 10 defensively of NCAA Division II last year.
While Huneke does have a core of returning players, he enters the season with 10 newcomers to the program and that includes four transfers from NCAA Division I forward Mike Banner (Upper Marlboro, Md.) from Georgetown, Midfielder Mike Zaegel (St. Louis) from Michigan State, forward Tim Collico (St. Louis) from Missouri-Kansas City, and midfielder Kevin Thibodeau (St. Charles, Mo.) from DePaul. "He seems to generate a lot of respect on the field," said Huneke of Thibodeau.
"Some of our players that we are projecting to be impact players are new to the system," Huneke said. "The sooner we get them comfortable the better we will be."
SIUE did get several transfers, but the bulk of the newcomers are freshmen. Included in the freshmen are the Cougars goalkeepers, after the departure of first team All-GLVC goalkeeper Bret Richardson. Greg Crook (Columbia), Nicholas Frasca (St. Charles, Mo.), and Pat Kelly (Florissant, Mo.) look to take over in net for SIUE. "We don't feel like we are going to jeopardize our needs there because of their age," Huneke said.
Three new forwards will look to make an impact as freshmen for the Cougars. Ross Beveridge (Dunfermline, Scotland), and Adam Lanter (Edwardsville), all add to SIUE's fire power up front. Freshman Eddie Davis (Waterloo) will add to depth at the midfielder spot. "If you get big contributions from underclassmen then that makes things even better for the future," said Huneke.
SIUE recently received nine first-place votes for the No. 1 spot in the 2004 Great Lakes Valley Conference men's soccer preseason coaches poll. "It's a respected position to be in," Huneke said. "It means that teams in the conference and region will be gunning for you."
The Cougars will open up the season Aug. 27 as Columbia visits Ralph Korte Stadium for the start of the 2004 campaign.
NKU Grabs Top Spot In GLVC Women's Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll
Northern Kentucky University received nine first-place votes and 90 points to claim the No. 1 spot in the 2004 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) women's soccer preseason coaches poll.
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside followed in second place with one first-place vote and 81 points.
The Norse ended the 2003 season with a 17-3-4 overall record and a 9-0-1 conference record to earn first place among GLVC teams. The team advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals before ending the season with a 1-0 loss to the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
2003 GLVC "Co-Coach of the Year" Bob Sheehan welcomes back seven starters this season, including 2003 first team All-GLVC and All-Region performers Robyn Withers (Cincinnati, OH/Seton) and Katie Hanck (Fairfield, OH). 2003 GLVC "Freshman of the Year" Amy Law (Cincinnati, OH/Glen Este) also returns for her sophomore season.
Conference play begins on Sept. 17 and culminates with the GLVC tournament hosted by the No. 1 seed at the conclusion of regular season play. This year's conference tournament will feature a new six- team format with semifinal and final games being played Nov. 5 and 7.
2004 GLVC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll - Team Ranking (total points)
* Results based on votes from 10 of 11 institutions
Northern Kentucky (90)
Wisconsin-Parkside (81)
Missouri-St. Louis (68)
Indianapolis (67)
SIU Edwardsville (55)
Saint Joseph's (50)
Quincy (48)
Southern Indiana (32)
Bellarmine (31)
Lewis (18)
Kentucky Wesleyan (10)
For more information about the GLVC and each conference member, please visit www.glvcsports.org.
Cougar Volleyball Eyes Breakthrough Season
After three straight 20-win seasons, SIUE volleyball coach Todd Gober looks to continue that string to a fourth year and a possible bid to the NCAA tournament.
Gober has a record of 67-30 in his first three seasons at the helm of the Cougars, and he expects this year's team to be just as competitive as last year's 25-7 squad. "We have several young ladies returning who saw considerable playing time last season," said Gober.
The team returns nine players, including six juniors and three sophomores, but no seniors. "We have been looking forward to this point since we brought this group together," he said. "We have a lot of leaders."
Returning are juniors Heather Bonde (Millstadt), who finished sixth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference last season in hitting percentage, and Kindra Westendorf (Effingham), second on the squad with 308 kills. "Other teams are going to recognize their talent." Gober said.
Junior setter Krystal Majernik (Normal), a first team All-GLVC selection and a second team All-Region pick, led the GLVC with 12.41 assists per game. "She has All-American potential, while leading the team to big wins," Gober said.
Another junior, Allison Buss (Towanda), is returning as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist. She led SIUE with 415 digs a season ago. Sophomore Beth DeGreeff (St. Louis, Mo.), and Buss will spend time as the team's libero this season.
The middle of the floor looks to be a key point of emphasis as Tina Talsma (Ontario, Canada), was third on the team with 90 blocks, and Jamie Jones (Flanagan) "will add depth in the middle," Gober said.
Junior Melissa Spann (Bethalto) and sophomore Tricia Happe (St. Louis) shore up the opposite hitter spot. "Right side is going to be a very competitive position on our team," Gober said. "We have several people going after one spot."
Newcomers include junior college transfers Jenny Heimann (Germantown) and Shannon Winkeler, (Bartelso). Both were All-Americans at John A. Logan College, and incoming freshman Sadie Zurliene (Aviston) and Tina Helphery (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) will add to a strong nucleus.
SIUE will put all the key parts together for a run at the GLVC Championship opening their season on Aug. 27 at the Comfort Inn-vitational Tournament in Pensacola, Fla.
McAllister Named SIUE Head Cross Country Coach; Astrauskas, Beyers To Head Track & Field Teams
The distance runners on the cross country and track and field teams at SIUE will have a new leader.
Eileen McAllister, a former NCAA Division III All-American at Washington University in St. Louis, has been tapped to become the head men's and women's cross country coach and the assistant men's and women's track and field coach at SIUE.
She replaces Darryl Frerker, who stepped down to coach at Collinsville High School.
Cougar Intercollegiate Athletics Director Brad Hewitt also announced that current track and field assistant coaches Ben Beyers and David Astrauskas would have greater roles in the development of the track and field program. Beyers will be the women's track and field head coach and the men's assistant coach. Astrauskas will be the men's track and field head coach and the women's assistant coach.
Hewitt said McAllister should be a great addition to the coaching staff that last season had an All-American in women's cross country, an All-American in men's track and field, and four All-Americans in women's track and field along with three of four Great Lakes Valley Conference titles in the men's and women's indoor and outdoor championships.
"I'm very excited about her enthusiasm for the program," Hewitt said.
McAllister earned a bachelor's in Psychology at Washington University and is completing a master's in Exercise Physiology at the University of Miami. She has served as an assistant cross country and track and field coach at Miami since 2002. She also has coaching experience at Washington University from 2000 to 2001 and at Block Yeshiva High School in 2002.
Beyers and Astrauskas are beginning their third season at SIUE.
Beyers was a multiple Big 10 Champion and an NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Illinois. Astrauskas earned All-Conference honors several times in multiple throwing events at Eastern Illinois University.
The 2004 cross country season gets under way on Sat., Sept. 4, when the Cougars play host to the Cougar/Bearcat Challenge on SIUE's cross country course. SIUE also is the host institution for the 2004 NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Great Lakes Regional Championships on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Northern Kentucky Picked To Lead GLVC Volleyball
Led by first team All-American and 2003 Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year Kristin Koralewski, Northern Kentucky University was selected as the preseason favorite of GLVC volleyball for the 2004 season.
Northern Kentucky received five of 10 first-place votes. SIUE, led by 2003 second team All-Region setter Krystal Majernik, was picked first on four ballots. Defending GLVC champion University of Indianapolis, powered by senior outside hitter Shaun McAllister, was picked first on one ballot. One GLVC coach abstained from voting in the preseason poll.
University of Southern Indiana, which has been to the GLVC Tournament championship match in each of the last four seasons, was picked to finish fourth. Lewis University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside were picked to tie for fifth place.
The conference features six new coaches among the 11 schools. Joining the GLVC this season are Dan Palmer at Bellarmine University, Melissa Hay at Kentucky Wesleyan College, Josh Lauer at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Keith Rubio at Quincy University, Linda Deno at Saint Joseph's College, and Molly Alvey at Southern Indiana
The top six teams during the regular season will advance to the GLVC Tournament on Nov. 11-13 at the site of the No. 1 seed.
The NCAA also has expanded the field for the NCAA Tournament. The field will consist of 64 teams nationwide, including eight from the Great Lakes region. The GLVC is one of three conferences in the Great Lakes region.
SIUE Men's, Women's Soccer Team Open Exhibition Season
With practice just hours old, the SIUE soccer teams are preparing for their first home games of the 2004 season.
The SIUE women, under second-year coach Lynda Bowers, face Truman State in an exhibition game at 3 p.m. Saturday (8/14) at Korte Stadium.
The SIUE men play its annual exhibition matchup against the SIUE alumni team at 7 p.m. Saturday, also at Korte.
During halftime of the men's game, SIUE coach Ed Huneke will announce the name of the player who will be honored as the Jack Blake Award winner for 2004. The Blake Award is given to an individual who displays outstanding soccer play, leadership, a positive spirit of university and community involvement, and who is a person dedicated to high fitness and intensity with a 2.5 grade point average or above.
Both the SIUE men's and women's soccer teams start the regular season Aug. 27th at Korte Stadium. The SIUE women face Minnesota State-Mankato at 4 p.m., and the SIUE men meet Columbia at 7 p.m.
SIUE Men's Basketball To Face Illinois, Indiana, Western Illinois
The 2004-2005 SIUE men's basketball schedule has a few more turns in the road than normal.
As a result of a change in rules for NCAA Division I schools, those institutions will be playing NCAA Division II schools during the exhibition season. SIUE is no exception with the University of Illinois in Champaign on Friday, Nov. 5; Western Illinois University in Macomb on Wed., Nov. 10; and Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., on Friday, Nov. 12.
SIUE Coach Marty Simmons also is taking his basketball Cougars to Hawaii for games against Dominican College and Washburn University in December. That doesn't even account for the full Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule.
"It's going to be a tough schedule," admitted Simmons. "The exhibition games are just a great experience for us. We're going to be playing the top teams in the country. I think we'll learn a lot from it."
Simmons said he will be going to Hawaii for the third time in his basketball career. "The experience of going somewhere like that is going to be unique," said Simmons.
SIUE has 15 homes games on the schedule beginning with Lincoln Christian at the Vadalabene Center on Monday, Nov. 15. The Cougars open the GLVC season at home on Friday, Nov. 26, at home against Lewis University.
Simmons also is making his third trip to Murray State for a regular season NCAA Division I game set for Saturday, Nov. 20.
Cougar Volleyball Garners National Recognition
SIUE volleyball is listed among the nation's best. The Cougars received 10 votes on two or more ballots but did not make the top 25 in the preseason CSTV/AVCA NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Coach Todd Gober and his volleyball Cougars will open the 2004 season Friday (8/27) at the Comfort Inn-vitational in Pensacola, Fla., facing four teams, including preseason 13th-ranked Central Missouri State.
SIUE's home opener is a 7 p.m. matchup against Illinois Springfield on Aug. 31 at the Vadalabene Center.
Concordia-St. Paul is listed as the preseason favorite after collecting nine first-place votes. Seven different schools had first-place votes among the poll's 35 voters. The next poll will be released Sept. 7.
SIUE Men's Basketball Adds To Coaching Staff
Mark Allaria, who has served the past two seasons as the graduate assistant coach for SIUE men's basketball, has been named a full-time assistant coach under head coach Marty Simmons.
The Cougars also announced the appointment of Marcus Belcher as the team's graduate assistant coach for the 2004-2005 season.
Allaria, an Edwardsville native, played collegiate basketball at the University of Evansville, where Simmons served as an assistant coach. He played 58 games for the Aces. His 150 assists during the 2001-2002 season were the eighth most in Evansville single-season history.
A member of the 2001-2002 Missouri Valley Conference first team Scholar-Athlete team, Allaria averaged 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He played a team-high 103 minutes in the 2000 San Juan Shootout.
He previously played two seasons at John A. Logan College, averaging 10 points and six assists per game. At Edwardsville High School, Allaria set school records for single-season and career assists while helping the Tigers to a 26-2 record his senior season.
Belcher joins the Cougar coaching staff after a successful playing career at SIU Carbondale. He helped the Salukis to the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2001-2002 season.
He was named most improved during the 2000-2001 season and the team captain a season later.
Belcher earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from SIUC in 2002.
Eller Named SIUE Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant
Kristi Eller, a former women's basketball player at SIUE, has been named the graduate assistant coach for SIUE's women's basketball program.
Eller was a member of the 1998-1999 team which advanced to the NCAA Tournament. In her two years at SIUE, Eller played in a total of 52 games and was one of the team's top three-point shooters.
Eller transferred from SIUE to Washington University in St. Louis before the 2000 season. At Washington, she helped the Bears to an NCAA-III National Championship and earned an All-American nomination.
She returns to SIUE from Clayton (Mo.) High School, where she coached girl's basketball. Her Clayton junior varsity team has amassed a 35-11 record under her tutelage.
Eller has also coached two AAU teams and has served as an assistant in various summer camps.
July 2003
July 3, 2003
M. Maurer Named New Dean Of SIUE School Of Nursing
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Marcia C. Maurer RN, MS, PhD, of Chicago, has been named dean of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, effective Aug. 1, according to SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs.
For the past nine years, Maurer has been associate dean in Nursing and director of Graduate Programs at Loyola University in Chicago, and has more than 20 years experience in higher education. She has been a member of the faculty of Maternal Child Health Nursing at Loyola since 1983.
She taught at the University of Illinois Chicago Medical Center approximately 12 years, and while there, established the first Master of Science offered in High Risk Perinatal in the state, as well as conducted summer workshops for RNs on the Care of the High Risk Neonate.
Maurer also held positions as staff nurse and eventually head nurse in pediatrics before beginning her teaching career, which included a year at Cook County Hospital School of Nursing. In addition, she was only one of three nurses on the state regionalization committee for Perinatal Medicine and Nursing. Maurer also enjoyed national recognition as a Perinatal nurse specialist frequently sought for consultation and presentations nationally.
She also has made numerous presentations in the area of Perinatal Nursing and higher education and has published widely on perinatal nursing topics.
Maurer earned a bachelor of science in Nursing in 1967 from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master of science in Nursing in 1970 from the University of Colorado in Denver, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Loyola in 1993.
She is a member of the American Nurses' Association, the Illinois Nurses' Association, Sigma Theta Tau, the Midwest Nursing Research Society, and previously was a member of the March of Dimes Chicago Chapter board and a member of the Kathy Klauseger Memorial Scholarship Committee. In addition, she held several leadership positions during her 20-year tenure at Loyola.
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July 16, 2003
SIUE School of Business Student Receives Messing Scholarship
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Sarah Shantell Peebles of Florissant, Mo., a sophomore studying business administration and entrepreneurship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been awarded the Messing Charitable Foundation Scholarship.
Pursuing a bachelor of science in the SIUE School of Business, Peebles is active in the university's Student Leadership Development Program and Joint Neighborhood Ministry. She also is a recent recipient of SIUE's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship and Humanitarian Award. While at Florissant (Mo.) High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society and named to Who's Who Among American High School Students.
"I chose to attend SIUE because I needed to stay somewhat close to my support system in St. Louis," said Peebles, referring to former teachers and a late relative. "Without their support, I don't know how I could have made it."
Peebles is currently in Durban, South Africa, for the summer as part of an overseas study program through SIUE. "Receiving the Messing Scholarship was truly a blessing from God," Peebles stated. "The scholarship has helped me pay my student loans and made it possible to attend this study- abroad trip, with a little living money. God was truly in the plan. He is always on time; I can't complain."
The Messing Scholarship Fund was created to honor commitment to business and education, as well as to encourage underrepresented populations to pursue a degree in higher education. Through the generous contributions of the Messing Charitable Foundation, the SIUE scholarship is granted each year to a business major who ranked in the upper 25 percent of his or her high school graduating class and who has made a contribution through community service or activities in high school.
A qualified full-time student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better, as well as a similar GPA in business courses. The Messing Scholarship provides tuition and fees, books and supplies, and campus room and board for two semesters in a single academic year. This one-year scholarship may be renewed annually for up to 4 years.
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July 21, 2003
SIUE Professor Receives $5,000 Cancer Research Grant From The FOE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill) Steven McCommas, associate professor of Biological Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently received a $5,000 award from the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) for his research into the possible influence of colon bacteria on colorectal cancer risk.
The grant was awarded to McCommas at the organization's annual state convention by FOE Auxiliary State President Elaine Jagla. The FOE is a 104-year-old institution, which raises funds for medical research.
In addition to cancer research, FOE grants are given for research in kidney and heart disease, as well as for spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The FOE also raises funds for child abuse prevention and for crippled children, as well as for its Golden Eagle program, providing meals on wheels and also large print book donations to libraries.
For more information concerning the Fraternal Order of Eagles contact your local chapter or visit them on line at www.foe.com.
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July 21, 2003
Donor Advised Fund Introduced By SIUE Foundation
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Foundation has created the Donor Advised Fund Program to help donors find "creative solutions" to financial plans, tax planning, and charitable goals.
Harold Melser, director of Planned Giving for the SIUE Foundation, said the program helps donors by creating a partnership with them that works in their favor and also benefits the university. "We activated the program in May and we've already had interest," Melser said. "The Donor Advised Fund is another creative way to further partnerships with friends of the university."
Melser explained the program allows a donor to make a gift to the Foundation to create a dedicated fund in the donor's name. "When the donor transfers cash, securities or property to create their donor advised fund," he said, "they may receive a charitable income tax deduction for the current year.
"Anytime after the fund is initiated, the donor may suggest grants to be made from the donor advised fund to SIUE schools and/or programs, or to other non-profit programs," he said. The donor also may add to the fund with a minimum transfer of $1,000.
To date, $120,000 has been received to create donor advised funds. "These donors realized the importance of helping the university, but they also like the program because of the control they have over how their money is used," Melser said. For more information about the Donor Advised Fund Program, contact Harold Melser, (618) 650-3331, or, by e-mail: hmelser@siue.edu.
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July 21, 2003
SIUE Math Faculty Member Named 2003 Hoppe Research Professor
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) John Bryden, assistant professor of Mathematics and Statistics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is the fifth recipient of the Hoppe Research Professor Award. He was chosen for his research about the application of methods within the subject of stable homotopy theory-a subspecialty of algebraic topology.
The award recognizes and supports individual agendas of research or creative activities. This program is funded by the Hoppe Faculty Research Endowment; the SIUE Graduate School; the SIUE schools of Business, Education, Engineering, and Nursing; the College of Arts and Sciences; and the SIU School of Dental Medicine.
The Hoppe Award recognizes faculty members on continuing full-time appointments, whose research or creative activities have the promise of making significant contributions to their fields of study. Recipients are expected to produce published scholarly works and to submit externally-sponsored grants.
This award is partially made possible through an endowment established by the late Joseph W. Hoppe, who was originally from Carlinville. He created this endowment with the SIUE Foundation because he believed in the university's mission, including the value of faculty research.
Bryden said his work is part of a quantum field theory, which has not been successfully developed as yet. During the past 15 years, the search for a quantum field theory, which would lead to new advances in almost every branch of modern science, has taken a radical new turn into the mathematical study of topology. "To envision what modern topologists study, think of a rubber sheet, which represents a simple two dimensional topological space," Bryden explained.
"Suppose a number of individuals were to deform this sheet in any way they choose. What interests topologists are the properties of the space that remain invariant under this deformation. It turns out that many important properties of physical systems can be described by considering such invariant quantities."
Bryden is working with a distinguished mathematician, Vladimir Turaev, research director of the Institute for Advances in Mathematical Research of the National Center for Scientific Research in Strasbourg, France. They are collaborating to develop a theory which supersedes the present day subject of topological quantum field theory developed primarily by Turaev over the past 15 years.
Successful completion of Bryden's Hoppe research would lay a solid foundation for a long-term research project that could receive external funding and contribute substantially to the development of quantum field theory. "This award will give me the opportunity and the time to concentrate on my research at a level that has not been possible in recent years," Bryden said. "I thank the committee members and the university for giving me this fantastic opportunity."
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July 24, 2003
SBC Executive, SIUE Professor To Receive Alumni Awards
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) A Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate who is now an executive with SBC (formerly Southwestern Bell Corp.), and another SIUE graduate who is now a special education professor at the university, will both be honored at Summer Commencement on Aug. 9 in SIUE's Vadalabene Center.
Lendell Phelps, vice president of Global Accounts for SBC, will receive the 2003 Distinguished Alumnus Award and Debra Reichert Hoge, professor of Special Education and Communication Disorders, will receive the 2003 Great Teacher Award. Both awards are sponsored by the SIUE Alumni Association.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award, established in 1974, is given annually by the SIUE Alumni Association to honor SIUE graduates who have achieved distinction in a chosen field and who also have served the university. The Great Teacher is chosen annually through a vote of alumni.
Phelps, a 1971 Mass Communications graduate of SIUE, will give the commencement address at the 10 a.m. ceremony. More than 560 students are expected to graduate that day.
A former member of the SIUE Alumni Association Board and its president in 1978, Phelps began his career in radio marketing, including a stint at KMOX Radio in St. Louis, and later worked in marketing for Breckenridge Hotels. He also was a national account manager for SBC. In 1983 he began an 18-year career with AT&T, where his largest account was Anheuser-Busch brewery.
He returned to SBC in 2000 to take his current position. Among his accounts are: MasterCard International, Anheuser-Busch, Nestlé Purina PetCare, and Emerson (formerly Emerson Electric). Phelps also is founder and chair of the St. Louis CIO (formerly Chief Information Officer) Board. Phelps also is a member of the SIUE Foundation board.
A native and life-long resident of St. Louis, Hoge earned a master of science in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 1976 and a doctorate in Instructional Process in 1985, both at SIUE. Joining the SIUE faculty in 1980, Hoge has taught classes in speech-language pathology and early childhood special education, in addition to supervising clinical practicum students in the SIUE Speech-Language-Hearing clinic and various off-campus sites.
Infants, toddlers, and young children with special needs and their families are of particular interest to Hoge, who has published and presented across the country about her area of expertise. Other areas of special interest include syndromes and augmentative communication.
Active learning, case method instruction and interdisciplinary teaming are all techniques that Hoge utilizes. She truly believes adult learners are unique in their learning styles, and strives to individualize for each and every student. Some of her former students will agree. "Dr. Hoge shared the most practical knowledge in a fun and interactive manner," said one respondent. Other comments from alumni included: "She actually made learning exciting" and "She goes beyond the classroom to help students achieve success."
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July 25, 2003
Walk, Run, Roll
The Weyerhaeuser Company matched "dollars for volunteers" for the SIUE Walk, Run, Roll Race conducted in downtown Edwardsville in spring by SIUE's Office of Disability Support Services (DSS). On hand to award the $1,000 check recently to DSS Director Jane Floyd-Hendey was Ron Wise, general manager of Weyerhaeuser. Shown with Wise and Floyd-Hendey (center) are Weyerhaeuser employees and Wellness Team members: Annette Cima, Mari McDaniel, Bill Jenkins, John Santoro, Gary Stevenson, and Kathy Eames. In North America, Weyerhaeuser is among the largest producers of structural panels and distributors of wood products. (SIUE Photo)
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Arts & Issues Series Presents A Season Of 'Exploration'
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) SIUE's Arts & Issues series will offer a season of "exploration" for audiences-to musical frontiers, through the written word as well as the beauty and excitement of creative movement, and through some of the greatest adventures and discoveries undertaken by humanity.
And, there's a bonus event-a special leap year performance by the world-renowned Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Audiences will be "accompanied" on their exploration by some of the most exciting "guides" of the 20th and 21st centuries-innovative pianist George Winston, San Jose Taiko with the spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the taiko drum, underwater explorer Robert Ballard, the acclaimed musicians of The Aspen Ensemble, the "rockin' gospel celebration" of the Blind Boys of Alabama, the exciting Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, National Geographic photographer Sam Abell, the explosive and creative movement of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Norman Mailer.
"This year's line-up of exciting entertainment and discovery will give Arts & Issues audiences a season they won't soon forget," says John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the annual series.
"For more than 18 years the Arts & Issues series has become synonymous with quality and richness to Southwestern Illinois audiences. I am proud to say we are continuing that tradition."
Information is available through the Arts & Issues Web site: artsandissues.com and in a printed brochure available by contacting John Peecher, (618) 650-2626, or, by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu. Subscription tickets are $121.50 for all nine events; $60.75 for students, and are available through the Web site or through John Peecher at the above phone number or e-mail.
Subscription and individual tickets also are available at the Morris Center Information Desk, (618) 650-5555.
All performances and presentations are at 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and are scheduled in either Meridian Ballroom, or in the theater at Katherine Dunham Hall.
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Campus Of Learners Program Helping Others
Many programs exist to assist families living in public housing and people need to simply utilize them, says Sheron Stepney, a former participant in SIUE's Campus of Learners program.
"The Campus of Learners program has helped me in so many ways," Stepney said. "I am furthering my education as well as reaching my professional and personal goals." Stepney said she was living in public housing and in dire financial straits just 17 months ago. The mother of three said she joined the program and turned her life around.
The Campus of Learners and Family Self Sufficiency Program is one of 15 programs offered by the East St. Louis Center. The program is designed to assist families living in East St. Louis Public Housing by enhancing their financial status to free them from government support and to help them ultimately secure private housing.
Armed with a high school diploma, Stepney enrolled in a technology class through Campus of Learners and will soon receive an associates degree in Computer Information Systems from Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.
The Campus of Learners program does not take sole credit for Stepney's success. Dress for Success and Wheels for Success programs also provided clothes and a car. "The program helped get my credit back in good standing and currently I am at zero balance with my creditors," Stepney added. "Dress for Success suited me so I could look professional when going out on job interviews, and around September of last year I was awarded a Bonneville (automobile) from Wheels for Success."
She was hired as an Outreach Specialist for the Campus of Learners program. "I meet people at their houses and assist them with their career plans, furthering their education, or achieving their personal goals. Basically, I help people like Campus of Learners helped me."
Stepney plans to continue her education and is working toward her own personal goal-to purchase a home so that she can move her children out of public housing. As for her career goals, she wants to stay with Campus of Learners so she can assist those who are less fortunate and ultimately provide them a similar opportunity.
When asked what advice she would give to those who are in the same situation she was a year ago, she said: "Stay positive. Keep yourself focused on your goals. As long as you are willing to succeed, it can happen."
SBC Executive, SIUE Professor To Receive Awards
An SIUE graduate who is now an executive with SBC (formerly Southwestern Bell Corp.), and another SIUE graduate who is now a special education professor at the university, will both be honored at Summer Commencement on Aug. 9 in the Vadalabene Center.
Lendell Phelps, vice president of Global Accounts for SBC, will receive the 2003 Distinguished Alumnus Award and Debra Reichert Hoge, professor of Special Education and Communication Disorders, will receive the 2003 Great Teacher Award. Both awards are sponsored by the SIUE Alumni Association.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award, established in 1974, is given annually by the SIUE Alumni Association to honor SIUE graduates who have achieved distinction in a chosen field and who also have served the university. The Great Teacher is chosen annually through a vote of alumni.
Phelps, a 1971 Mass Communications graduate of SIUE, will give the commencement address at the 10 a.m. ceremony. More than 560 students are expected to graduate that day.
A former member of the SIUE Alumni Association Board and its president in 1978, Phelps began his career in radio marketing, including a stint at KMOX Radio in St. Louis, and later worked in marketing for Breckenridge Hotels. He also was a national account manager for SBC. In 1983 he began an 18-year career with AT&T, where his largest account was Anheuser-Busch brewery.
He returned to SBC in 2000 to take his current position. Among his accounts are: MasterCard International, Anheuser-Busch, Nestlé Purina PetCare, and Emerson (formerly Emerson Electric). Phelps also is founder and chair of the St. Louis CIO (formerly Chief Information Officer) Board. Phelps recently was named a member of the SIUE Foundation board.
A native and life-long resident of St. Louis, Hoge earned a master of science in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 1976 and a doctorate in Instructional Process in 1985, both at SIUE. Joining the SIUE faculty in 1980, Hoge has taught classes in speech-language pathology and early childhood special education, in addition to supervising clinical practicum students in the SIUE Speech-Language-Hearing clinic and various off-campus sites.
Infants, toddlers, and young children with special needs and their families are of particular interest to Hoge, who has published and presented across the country about her area of expertise. Other areas of special interest include syndromes and augmentative communication.
Active learning, case method instruction and interdisciplinary teaming are all techniques that Hoge utilizes. She believes adult learners are unique in their learning styles, and strives to individualize for each and every student.
Some of her former students agree. "Dr. Hoge shared the most practical knowledge in a fun and interactive manner," said one respondent. Other comments from alumni included: "She actually made learning exciting" and "she goes beyond the classroom to help students achieve success."
Family Business Of The Year Award Nominees Sought
Family businesses are the "every day heroes" that keep our American economy thriving. The SIUE School of Business is seeking nominations for family businesses in the bi-state area to be honored as Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year Award winners-recognizing them for their important role in keeping our nation's economy and work ethic healthy.
Gary Giamartino, dean of the School of Business, said that the university has recognized family businesses for the past nine years for their proven success as a family and as a business. "Their strong commitment to family values is the catalyst that inspires them to be 'every day heroes,' striving for healthy communities through successful business practices," Giamartino said.
"The importance of family businesses to our nation's economy is evident when you consider that they produce more than 50 percent of our national gross domestic product."
The Family Business Awards are presented to three Missouri and three Illinois family businesses in categories of large (250 or more employees), medium (50 to 249 employees), and small (less than 50 employees).
The awards will be presented at the Starlight Roof at the Chase on Friday, Nov. 7, at the School of Business Gala 2003.
Past Family Business of the Year and Legacy winners include Paris Beacon Publishing Co., Schuette Stores, Inc., Weber Chevrolet Company, Cassens Transport, Moto, Inc., Sachs Electric, Watlow, Schnuck's Markets and A.G. Edwards & Sons.
Also, two previous companies were recognized for their achievements in the MassMutual Financial Group-sponsored National Family Business of the Year Awards: Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab Inc., of Alton, received the first-place award in its category in the national competition, while French Gerleman, of Maryland Heights, Mo., was named a first runner-up.
"If you know of a successful family business that has thrived through two or more generations of family leadership, we welcome their participation in this program," Giamartino said.
Applications may be obtained by calling Cheryl Camp in the School of Business: (618) 650-3363.
East St. Louis Center Staff Settles In To New Home
Boxes have been unpacked, telephone lines transferred and new work areas assigned as the SIUE East St. Louis Center settles into its new home at 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. in East St. Louis.
As of July 7, all the Center's 15 programs were relocated in buildings A, B and C at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.
"Staff members are excited about the new facilities," said Patricia Harrison, East St. Louis Center director. "I'm glad we're nearing the end of this transition and are in the process of winding down. We can now return all of our attention to programmatic needs, thereby ensuring excellent service to our students and clients."
"These facilities are very impressive and certainly more appropriate and accommodating for the types of programs and services we offer," Harrison said. "But we will miss our old building, which holds so much of our history and has served us for many years. It was, in some way, a good friend to us. We fondly remember those days and look expectantly to our future."
Headquartered in Building A on the new campus are the TRIO programs: Upward Bound Science Awareness, Upward Bound II, Math & Science Academy and Educational Talent Search; as well as the East St. Louis Charter School, GEAR UP, Jobs for Illinois Graduates, Project Success, PALS/Latchkey, The Campus of Learners and Family Self Sufficiency Programs, and the director's office. In Building B are the Educational Opportunity Center and the Computer Training and the Technology staff. The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start and the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts are located in Building C.
Still located at the old Center site, 411 E. Broadway, are the SIU School of Dental Medicine clinic, the East St. Louis Eye Center and the offices of the SIUE Community Nursing Services. These health facilities are expected to be relocated to Building D of the new campus sometime in fall, which will complete the move.
Also located in Building D will be a new childcare initiative daycare center, the Institute for Urban Research, the SIUE Small Business Development Center, and office of the assistant vice chancellor for Administration.
J. Bryden Is Fifth Recipient Of Hoppe Professorship
John Bryden, assistant professor of Mathematics and Statistics, is the fifth recipient of the Hoppe Research Professor Award. He was chosen for his research about the application of methods within the subject of stable homotopy theory-a subspecialty of algebraic topology.
The award recognizes and supports individual agendas of research or creative activities. This program is funded by the Hoppe Faculty Research Endowment; the SIUE Graduate School; the SIUE schools of Business, Education, Engineering, and Nursing; the College of Arts and Sciences; and the SIU School of Dental Medicine. Recipients are expected to produce published scholarly works and to submit externally-sponsored grants.
This award is partially made possible through an endowment established by the late Joseph W. Hoppe, who was originally from Carlinville. He created this endowment with the SIUE Foundation because he believed in the university's mission, including the value of faculty research.
Bryden said his work is part of a quantum field theory, which has not been successfully developed as yet. During the past 15 years, the search for a quantum field theory, which would lead to new advances in almost every branch of modern science, has taken a radical new turn into the mathematical study of topology.
"To envision what modern topologists study, think of a rubber sheet, which represents a simple two dimensional topological space," Bryden explained. "Suppose a number of individuals were to deform this sheet in any way they choose. What interests topologists are the properties of the space that remain invariant under this deformation.
"It turns out that many important properties of physical systems can be described by considering such invariant quantities."
The Hoppe Research Professorship is unlike any other award within the University. It is designed to support a significant portion of a faculty member's larger research agenda. As a Hoppe Research Professor, Bryden will be appointed for a two-year period, during which time he will receive 50 percent assigned time for research each academic year, the services of a one-quarter time graduate assistant (for nine months per year), and $1,000 for support.
Bryden is working with a distinguished mathematician, Vladimir Turaev, research director of the Institute for Advances in Mathematical Research of the National Center for Scientific Research in Strasbourg, France. They are collaborating to develop a theory which supersedes the present day subject of topological quantum field theory developed primarily by Turaev over the past 15 years.
Successful completion of Bryden's Hoppe research would lay a solid foundation for a long-term research project that could receive external funding and contribute substantially to the development of quantum field theory.
"This award will give me the opportunity and the time to concentrate on my research at a level that has not been possible in recent years," Bryden said. "I thank the committee members and the university for giving me this fantastic opportunity."
Business Student Wins Award From WSJ
Outstanding business schools are defined not only by their achievements, but by their student's achievements as well. This spring, the SIUE School of Business celebrated excellence when a senior pursuing a bachelor's in Accounting, was honored with the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award.
Sarah C. Coulter was selected as an outstanding and worthy student by many faculty of the Department of Accounting. "I believe Sarah has distinguished herself above peers both academically and personally," Associate Professor John David Mason said.
"Sarah is the type of student who has that rare combination of high academic ability coupled with a down to earth desire to always make a positive difference in every sphere of life."
Michael Costigan, department chair and associate professor, added: "Sarah was nominated because she is both a great student and a committed student leader." Further validation came from Professor Thomas E. King: "From the perspective of 30 years of university teaching, I would view Sarah as being one of the very best students."
The Student Achievement Award is a collaborative effort between the university and the Wall Street Journal in order to honor an exceptional student. Since the establishment of the program in 1948, hundreds of schools across the country have given this respected award to distinguish their most accomplished students. Every participating college or university may only nominate one winner. The school sets the criteria for those students honored.
Coulter graduated from Southwestern Illinois College with an associates degree in 2001. While attending SIUE full-time and maintaining her cumulative 4.0 GPA, the 21-year-old student still finds time to be involved with several organizations. Coulter is an active member of the SIUE Accounting Club, where she served as president for the 2002-2003 school year. She also is a member of Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary accounting society, and will serve as vice president of reporting in the school's upcoming year.
She is recipient of several other prestigious awards, including the Competitive Graduate Award and the Financial Executives International (FEI) Award. She also was named Outstanding Senior Accounting Student of 2002.
Coulter, who plans to graduate in August and complete a master of science in accountancy by August 2004, said she "feels privileged" to receive the award. "I have begun my graduate work this summer by taking personal tax planning," she said. "I have been working at the Missouri Athletic Club since May 2002 in the accounting department.
"I really enjoy working there and believe it is preparing me for a career after SIUE. I plan to work in St. Louis at one of the large accounting firms and am considering pursuing a Ph.D. after I get a few years of experience under my belt."
SIU Board Approves FY05 RAMP Guidelines
The SIU Board of Trustees recently approved operating and capital Resource Allocation and Management Program (RAMP) documents for FY 2005, including guidelines for certain programming costs and increases for support costs at SIUE.
The RAMP guidelines essentially are a roadmap for final FY05 budget requests-for all SIU campuses-to be submitted to the Illinois Board of Higher Education by Sept. 1 of this year. Adoption of the guidelines took place at the board's regular monthly meeting conducted earlier this month at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.
The FY05 guidelines for SIUE include $3.39 million for specific programs and $310,459 for operation and maintenance of new space. The guidelines also allow for increases in support costs over FY04-3 percent increases for general items, 12 percent increases for library materials, and a 4 percent rise in utilities costs.
Under maintenance and operation of "new space" at SIUE, the guidelines call for $179,055 for the National Corn-To-Ethanol Pilot Research Plant in University Park, $53,779 for the IT Technical Training Center, and $77,625 for University Park. SIUE also would receive $167,106 in deferred maintenance funds under the RAMP guidelines.
A total of 22 priority programs at all campuses would need a budget of $12.8 million, including $3.39 million for such programs at SIUE. The SIUE portion of that request includes:
Recruitment, retention of critical faculty and staff $1,230,532
School of Pharmacy implementation 650,000
Enhancing Dental Medicine Program 159,800
Meeting enrollment growth needs 895,000
Academic Quality Improvement Project initiative 185,000
Improving technology 150,000
Enhance University Development initiatives 120,000
Total $3,390,332
Funding requests for capital projects will be developed with attention paid to the need for upgrading existing buildings, replacing obsolete structures, repairing structural and utility support systems, and making campus site improvements. Those requests will be submitted to the SIU Board at its September meeting.
M. Maurer Named Dean Of The School Of Nursing
Marcia C. Maurer RN, MS, PhD, of Chicago, has been named dean of the School of Nursing, effective Aug. 1, according to SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs.
For the past nine years, Maurer has been associate dean in Nursing and director of Graduate Programs at Loyola University in Chicago, and has more than 20 years experience in higher education. She has been a member of the faculty of Maternal Child Health Nursing at Loyola since 1983.
She taught at the University of Illinois Chicago Medical Center approximately 12 years, and while there, established the first Master of Science offered in High Risk Perinatal in the state, as well as conducted summer workshops for RNs on the Care of the High Risk Neonate.
Maurer also held positions as staff nurse and eventually head nurse in pediatrics before beginning her teaching career, which included a year at Cook County Hospital School of Nursing. In addition, she was only one of three nurses on the state regionalization committee for Perinatal Medicine and Nursing. Maurer also enjoyed national recognition as a Perinatal nurse specialist frequently sought for consultation and presentations nationally.
She also has made numerous presentations in the area of Perinatal Nursing and higher education and has published widely on perinatal nursing topics.
Maurer earned a bachelor of science in Nursing in 1967 from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master of science in Nursing in 1970 from the University of Colorado in Denver, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Loyola in 1993.
She is a member of the American Nurses' Association, the Illinois Nurses' Association, Sigma Theta Tau, the Midwest Nursing Research Society, and previously was a member of the March of Dimes Chicago Chapter board and a member of the Kathy Klauseger Memorial Scholarship Committee. In addition, she held several leadership positions during her 20-year tenure at Loyola.
R. Walker Takes Part In Leadership St. Louis
Richard Walker, assistant to the vice chancellor for Administration, recently enrolled in the Leadership St. Louis Program for emerging and established leaders offered by FOCUS St. Louis. He will graduate in spring.
Walker is among 62 professionals who join a prestigious list of more than 1,450 community leaders who have graduated from the LSL program since its inception 28 years ago. FOCUS St. Louis is dedicated to "creating a thriving, cooperative region by engaging citizens in active leadership roles and by influencing positive community change," Walker said.
Leadership St. Louis helps regional leaders explore such issues as economic development, education, poverty and social services, arts and culture, and the criminal justice system. "The cutting-edge curriculum includes site visits to key areas of the bi-state region, face-to-face dialogue with regional decision makers, and valuable opportunities to enhance self-awareness of leadership approaches," Walker said.
June 2003
June 2, 2003
All-Female, British Trombone Quartet To Perform At SIUE On June 9
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) In 1999, four accomplished musicians came together to form a unique musical group called Bones Apart, a British, all-female trombone ensemble. The four women will bring their artistry to the SummerArts Concerts series Monday, June 16, on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as part of the SummerArts 2003 program.
The group was formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. When asked about the origin of their name, Becky Smith explained: "Well … 'bones' because of the trombones and … 'apart' because, as all girls, we're different from the rest."
Smith, along with fellow members Carol Jarvis, Becca Harper, and Lorna McDonald, have won more contests than can be named here, and each of them is an accomplished artist in several instruments. So, why a trombone quartet? "We got put together as a quartet at college and it worked so well we don't think we need any other instruments," Smith explained.
After performing professionally throughout the U.K., the quartet had its debut in the United States in Texas at the International Trombone Festival last summer. Currently, the group is performing in the Midwest. The four women are scheduled to begin a national tour in this country in November.
When asked if the group has noticed any differences between U.S. audiences and those back home, Smith said: "The U.S. audiences we have played to so far have been fantastic; they are more responsive and less reserved then U.K. ones. They even laugh at our jokes."
In addition to concert performances, the group also educates young musicians through an in-school program. One quote by a headmaster says it all: "Bones Apart Trombone Quartet held the audience of 200, seven-to-13- year-olds spellbound for the entire hour of their excellent performance."
The Bones Apart concert is the third program in SIUE's SummerArts Concert Series presented by the Department of Music. The June 9 concert will feature Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" and on June 13, The LeClaire Trio, with guest Peter Chun, will play selections from Beethoven and Brahms.
All concerts are free and will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the John C. Abbott Auditorium of SIUE's Lovejoy Library.
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June 6, 2003
SIUE Students Take Second In International Business Strategies Competition
(EDWARDSVILLE) Five Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students found out what the "real world" was like by running a fictitious business. The team took second place of 36 teams entered in an international business strategy competition.
The International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition pits teams of five students won run a computer-simulated business. The SIUE team included Deanna Bock (Edwardsville), Lesley Carr (Greenville), Jennifer Ford (Maryville), Gena Kruger (Harrisburg), and Matthew Wambold (Mascoutah).
Beginning in February, the teams made decisions regarding production, pricing and marketing of their product, as well as planning and investment decisions. The competition culminated in April with a trip to San Diego, where presentations were made to judges. Final ranking depended on the judges' evaluation of the presentations, and the financial performance of the company.
Bock was CEO for the team. "The competition really tied together everything we had learned," she said. "It showed us how everything works together in order for a business to succeed."
"The competition gave students practical experience in business management," said Joe Michlitsch, associate professor of management at SIUE. "It gave them a chance to apply what they learned in the classroom."
Michlitsch said the competition served as an assessment of the students'-all seniors-education. "The competition is very similar to a capstone course that requires students to pull together what they've learned in the School of Business and run an organization. You can't fake this. Within the competition, there are real consequences to every decision. Each decision has an impact on the financial bottom line that the judges see."
Wambold, who was responsible for strategic planning, said it was interesting to see the effects of the team's decisions. "In the simulation, you make decisions, then see how they play out," he said. "You can't just make a snap judgment. You have to evaluate each situation and measure it against your plan for the business."
"We were disappointed that we didn't win the competition," Bock said. "We were actually ahead at one time, but the winning team had a little better financial performance."
Still, both said they would recommend the competition to anyone. "It's a great experience," Wambold said. "It really brings together what you learn in the School of Business and you see how Economics, Finance and Marketing all fit together."
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June 9, 2003
Cinderella's Chariot Awaits: One Fairy Godmother Good For $25,000 Needed
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) hink you know the Cinderella story? All that wicked stepmother, good versus evil, and a helping of Disney thrown in, right? Forget it. You're only scratching the surface.
The story of Cinderella has been around for hundreds of years and takes many forms in many cultures. In fact, there are at least 12 versions of the story in English alone, and there's even a version that originates in Iraq. It has endured and spread throughout cultures because of its common themes of loss, perseverance and ultimately success.
Gloria Reading wants to take six versions of the story to teachers in Third World countries, where books in the classroom typically are rare. The teachers would use the books to teach reading, writing, social studies and character education.
But here begins a potential Cinderella story about Cinderella stories. Reading needs $25,000 to make the project happen. "Cinderella started out in rags and that's where we are right now," said Reading, an assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction.
"Books are in great need in the classrooms of Third-World countries," she said. "The countries are poor. The schools have limited funds, and the idea of books as teaching and learning tools has often not been effectively integrated into the schools.
"For example, in Uganda, the government provides books for only four subjects: language, social studies, math and science. It's not unusual to find four or more students sharing the same book. The books are kept on shelves and passed out as they are needed.
"So, the idea of using literature to teach reading and writing is not part of the curriculum. Also, incorporating stories like this that demonstrate the idea of perseverance and preparedness and developing one's self through the study of literature is very much atypical."
Reading wants to provide copies of six of the Cinderella stories to 50 teachers, and calculates that books and other materials work out to about $503 per teacher. She will present the project at the Pan-African Conference on Reading for All in Uganda this August.
Wings of Hope, the largest international volunteer charity in the Midwest, has agreed to ship the books at no charge. Founded in 1962, the organization is located at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, Mo., and over the past 41 years has sent 140 aircraft into 38 countries assisting the poor.
"We've appealed to several charitable foundations and organizations," Reading said. "They all think it's a great project but with the economy down, this is a difficult time to ask for donations. I'm so thankful that Wings of Hope has volunteered to help us. Transporting the books is a major expense."
One of the themes of the Cinderella stories is the unexpected intervening force that helps change an unsatisfactory situation into an opportunity. Just like Cinderella, Reading is seeking an intervener for the project. Needed: One Fairy Godmother.
"The essential theme of this project is to help teachers become the intervening force that brings new opportunity to their students," she said. "Teachers are change agents in the classroom. Students' success depends on teachers' ability to engage and excite children and encourage them to learn."
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6/9/03
Bradshaw Named Assistant Vice Chancellor Of Enrollment Management
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Boyd Bradshaw, director of admissions at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville since 1999, has been named assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management at the university. He has been serving as acting assistant vice chancellor since last fall.
In his new position, Bradshaw is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and administering an effective enrollment management program, with responsibility for the Office of Admissions, Academic Marketing and Mailing, Student Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar and Service Center, and the SIUE Career Development Center.
Bradshaw previously had been an assistant director of Admissions at St. Louis University before joining the SIUE staff. He also had been an admissions counselor at Eastern Illinois University, where he had received a bachelor of science in business administration in 1993. He also earned a master of science in Education at EIU, with a specialty in college student personnel. He currently is studying for a doctorate in education at SLU.
Bradshaw recently was named president-elect of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). He also has been active with the National ACAC. Other professional activities include secretary of the Illinois ACT Council and membership on that Council's Executive Committee.
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6/19/03
Dr. Boyle Named Dean Of SIU School Of Dental Medicine
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Dr. Ann M. Boyle, formerly associate dean of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine at Alton, has been named dean of the school effective July 1, according to SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs.
"Dr. Boyle brings nearly 20 years of faculty and administrative experience at Fairleigh Dickinson and Case Western Reserve universities to the position," Hahs said. "We look forward to her assuming her permanent duties."
Dr. Boyle was named acting dean last year after Dr. Patrick F. Ferrillo Jr. accepted the position of dean at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. At the time of his departure, Ferrillo had served as dean of the SIU dental school for 16 years.
Boyle joined the SIU/SDM in 1995, serving as associate dean since her arrival. She came to SIUE from Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry in Cleveland, where she had served as Chair of the Restorative Department and then as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Prior to her service at Case Western, Boyle was a faculty member at Fairleigh Dickinson University College of Dental Medicine in New Jersey, serving as the Restorative Department Chair during her final two years there. While in Ohio and New Jersey, she participated in extramural private dental practice in addition to her faculty responsibilities.
Boyle has received several awards for excellence in teaching, published book chapters, research articles and abstracts, and has conducted continuing education courses and presentations throughout the country on dental education issues.
She has served on the American Dental Association (ADA) Test Construction Committee for National Dental Board Examinations and is a consultant for the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. She is a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and a member of many professional organizations including the ADA, the Academy of Operative Dentistry, the American Dental Education Association, and the American and International Associations for Dental Research.
Boyle earned a bachelor's at Case Western in 1971, a doctorate in dental medicine at Fairleigh Dickinson in 1975, and a General Practice Residency Certificate at Hackensack Hospital in 1976. She also received a master's in Educational Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson and a Certificate of Management at Harvard.
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6/19/03
Hofeditz Is SIUE Employee By Day; Musical Director By Night
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) By day, Brad Hofeditz works on credit articulation in the Office of Records at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. But, by night, he's musical director for the Summer ShowBiz production of Fiddler on the Roof.
The hit Broadway musical runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, July 10-12 and 17-19, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13 and 20, all in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
Hofeditz, an Edwardsville native, is no stranger to the Summer Showbiz stage. This will be his 14th show at SIUE of the 160 he has been part of throughout the St. Louis area since receiving a music degree from Milliken University.
Since that time, he has been a junior high music teacher, directed the Edwardsville Junior Theater for 16 years, worked as musical director for Stages in Kirkwood, Mo., and performed in musicals at nearly every community theater in the region.
Fifteen years ago, "I decided I needed to have 'a human being' job so I came out here to see what they had," Hofeditz explained. "I started in (the) graduation (office)." And, he's happily been in the SIUE Office of Admissions and Records ever since.
But, for two long weekends in July, he will happily spend his time in a "barn." The orchestra he will be conducting for Fiddler will be onstage rather than in an orchestra pit, hidden in a barn, which will be part of the musical's stage set. "We'll be behind the scenery so I can see the cast, but the audience won't be able to see me," Hofeditz said.
Fiddler has a cast of 60 "and almost everybody has a singing role," according to Hofeditz. It's a large cast and a larger than usual orchestra as well with a mix of SIUE student musicians and people from communities on both sides of the Mississippi River.
Hofeditz noted an interesting "family coincidence" in his orchestra. Steve Boland, a percussionist, is the son of Jerry Boland who will be percussionist for the Fiddler on the Roof production at the Muny this summer in St. Louis.
To date, Hofeditz has done 94 different musicals. His goal is to do 100.
Summer Showbiz is presented by the Department of Theater and Dance, as part of SIUE's SummerArts 2003 program at SIUE. For ticket information, call (618) 650-2774, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2774.
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06/19/03
SIUE Senior Wins Three Broadcasting Scholarships in One Year
(EDWARDSVILLE) Rachel Komeshak filled out the paperwork for three scholarships, hoping to get at least one. She was awarded all three.
Komeshak, a senior mass communications major at SIUE, is assistant news director at WSIE-FM, the university's radio station, and a part-time employee at KMOX in St. Louis. In February, she was chosen as the recipient of Bob Hardy Scholarship. The scholarship, named for long-time KMOX broadcaster Bob Hardy, is awarded by vote of the Mass Communications faculty. Two months later, Komeshak was named one of four recipients of Illinois News Broadcasters Association scholarships. In May, she received the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Scholarship from the Journalism Foundation of Metropolitan St. Louis.
"I sent in all the (scholarship) applications at the same time," she said. "I was hoping to get one of them. Getting all three was a huge surprise, but it's a big help."
Komeshak says she's always been interested in English and writing, and came to SIUE to major in print journalism. But, after sampling audio production in one of her courses, she began thinking more about radio.
"I got the chance to work at WSIE and really liked it," she said. "I like the activity of a radio station."
Having grown up listening to KMOX, she drew a step closer to her "ultimate" job about a year ago, when she took a part-time job at the station. She would like to work there after she graduates in December.
"I hope to stay on at KMOX at least as a part-timer and grab as many hours as I can," Komeshak said. "Working full-time at KMOX would be my ultimate job, but in the greater scheme I just want to make myself as employable as possible."
Komeshak is a graduate of Mater Dei High School in Breese and now lives in Highland.
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June 23, 2003
SIUE International Trade Center To Co-Sponsor Two August Seminars
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville International Trade Center, along with Bradley University and United Parcel Service, will sponsor two seminars-Tuesday-Wednesday, Aug. 5-6-for companies having problems understanding NAFTA's Certificate of Origin (CO) and Rules of Origin.
The seminars are scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday (Level I) and from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, both in the Maple-Dogwood Room on the second floor of SIUE's Morris University Center.
John Kolmer, NAFTA trade specialist for the International Trade Center/NAFTA Opportunity Center at Bradley, will conduct the seminars. Kolmer coordinates a program of counseling and training for current and future exporters to Canada and Mexico.
Some of the topics to be discussed in this seminar are:
Level I
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule Numbers and how to obtain them
- Advanced Rulings from Customs Authorities from Canada, Mexico, US
- Certificate Blanket Periods
- NAFTA Rules of Origin
- Preferential Criteria
- Regional Value Content Requirements
- Producer or Supplier Declarations
- Record Keeping Responsibilities
- Managing Customs Audits
Level II
- Country of Origin Marking Rules for Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
- Understanding Tariff Shift
- Application of the DeMinimis provision
- Case Studies and Group Exercises:
- Tariff Classification
Silvia Torres, director of SIUE's International Trade Center, said the seminar is helpful in keeping up with any changes in NAFTA regulations. "Even if a company's freight forwarder is filling out the CO for them, that company still is directly responsible for the information declared and the proper record-keeping requirements needed to back up their declarations," Torres explained.
"U.S. Customs has shifted the burden to the exporter of record, not a company's freight forwarder or customs broker," she said. "It is in the company's best interest to at least review the CO prior to sending their NAFTA customer a copy."
For more information about the seminar, contact the SIUE International Trade Center, (618) 650-2452, or Bradley University, (309) 677-3075. The fee for the Level I seminar is $60; Level II, $40. Each seminar includes a NAFTA handbook, free parking and refreshments.
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June 25, 2003
Jones Named SIUE's First Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
(EDWARDSVILLE) Jeff Jones, who comes to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with more than 10 years of fund raising, corporate relations and corporate sponsorship experience, has been named the university's first director of corporate and foundation relations. Jones will be responsible for gaining support from corporations and foundations.
"It's an exciting opportunity," said Jones, who arrived at SIUE after three years at Webster University in St. Louis. "(Being the first corporate relations director) is a great opportunity to do something positive for SIUE."
Jones was development officer for corporate relations at Webster after serving a similar role for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was responsible for communications and corporate sponsorships at the National Senior Games Association (Senior Olympics).
He received a BA in Psychology from Butler University, and a Master's in Marketing from Webster.
"Development is relatively new here at SIUE," he said. "It will take some time to get to know the goals and aspirations of the university and match them with the goals of private companies. But, there are a lot of opportunities for partnerships and SIUE is a tremendous supplier of employees for many companies in the region."
Jones, his wife, Regina Jones, and their son live in Webster Groves, Mo.
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June 30, 2003
10th Anniversary Drumvoices Revue Anthology Now Available
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nobel Prize-winner Derek Walcott, the late Illinois Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks, and Grand Slam Poetry Champion Tracie Morris are among 200 contributors featured in the 10th Anniversary Anthology of Drumvoices Revue, a multicultural literary journal co-published by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of English Language and Literature and the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club.
Founded in 1991 by SIUE Professor Redmond-with the assistance of Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Brooks, Katherine Dunham, Gary Soto, Quincy Troupe, August Wilson, among others, the 10th anniversary edition is now available through the SIUE English department.
The anniversary edition, culled from contributions from its previously published editions, represents a broad slice of generations, cultures, languages, and stylistic temperaments, says Professor Redmond, editor of the journal. "Drumvoices Revue is guided by the spirit of the late Henry Dumas, who died tragically in 1968, and who was a multi-genre genius and writers club patron saint," Redmond said. "His work also is included in this anniversary issue."
Among other contributors to the anthology are Michael Datcher of the Los Angeles World Stage, whose book, Raising Fences, recently was featured on NBC-TV's Book Club and on Oprah; Naomi Long Madgett, poet laureate of Detroit; Sonia Sanchez, National Book Award nominee; Rohan B. Preston, theatre critic for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune; Janice Mirikitani, former poet laureate of San Francisco; Lindiwe Mabuza, South African Ambassador to France; and St. Louisan Jabari Asim, senior editor of Book World at The Washington Post.
St. Louis-East St. Louis area contributors include River Styx co-founder Michael Castro; Drumvoices Associate Editor Darlene Roy; SIUE English Professor Allison Funk; former Washington University Poet-in-Residence Donald Finkel; poet-parent coordinator (for East St. Louis Schools) Sherman Fowler; and St. Louis American feature writer Marcus "Ma'at" Atkins.
The anniversary anthology, priced at $10, may be ordered by postal mail: Drumvoices Revue, English Dept., SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1431; or by writing: EBR Writers Club, P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, IL 62202-6165. For more information, call (618) 650-3991.
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June 30, 2003
Summer ShowBiz 2003 Offers A Bit Of Realism In Fiddler On The Roof
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Summer Showbiz 2003 production of Fiddler on the Roof will have an extra bit of realism both in the stage and on it.
The lead actors playing Tevye and wife, Golda, are Janet and John Strzelec, husband and wife of 22 years. When asked about working with her husband on stage, Janet realistically said with a laugh: "For me there probably won't be any real acting. I'll just be nagging as usual."
Associate Professor Peter Cocuzza, director for the show, said: "They are wonderful together, an example of a more seasoned cast than we've had in other Summer ShowBiz productions. There's a good mix of ages and experience," he added. The 40-member cast has an age range from 10 to 53, with two SIUE staff members and two faculty members included.
"The show itself will be a traditional production," Cocuzza said. But until now, the "typical" set design for this musical wasn't typical for the SIUE stage. What was needed was a revolving stage. Now, thanks to the efforts of Assistant Professor Jim Dorethy, set designer for the production, the show has a revolve, enabling more flexibility and realism.
The new stage is 28 feet in diameter designed like a donut, according to the set designer. "The center stays in place while a 5-foot walkway revolves," Dorethy explained. "It's designed in 36 separate segments, each on casters and bolted together, like slices of a pie."
The stage is powered by a three-horsepower motor. "It runs like a big treadmill, only it's circular," Dorethy said. The set also is designed for mobility; to be taken down and re-assembled when needed. "We may use it for the second production next year in the Experimental (James F. Metcalf) Theater," Dorethy said.
And how long did it take to create? "It took about a week to design it and we've been building it here with about a dozen people, some students from the High School Internship class, some from the summer tech class, faculty, and some volunteers," he said.
Fiddler on the Roof is part of SIUE's SummerArts 2003 program, and is being produced by the Department of Theater and Dance. Fiddler runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, July 10-12 and 17-19, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13 and 20, all on the mainstage in Katherine Dunham Hall.
For more information, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or, from St. Louis toll free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2774; or visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/THEATER.
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Bradshaw Named Assistant VC For Enrollment Management
Building on the foundation of growth that has developed over the past eight years at SIUE, the new assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management says he will continue monitoring that growth to assure SIUE remains a quality institution.
Boyd Bradshaw, director of admissions at SIUE since 1999 and serving as acting assistant vice chancellor since last fall, recently was named to that position.
"With changing student populations, greater demand and expectations among public and private institutions, and changing technologies, the role of the enrollment manager in higher education is crucial in meeting enrollment goals," Bradshaw said.
In his new position, Bradshaw is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and administering an effective enrollment management program, with responsibility for the Office of Admissions, Academic Marketing and Mailing, Student Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar and Service Center, and the SIUE Career Development Center.
"I am excited about the opportunity to build upon a strong enrollment management foundation, which has seen an eight-year growth trend at SIUE," he said. "And that trend is expected to continue in the fall."
With such growth, SIUE must maintain a balance to ensure that it continues to attain its long-term goals, Bradshaw said. "More and more students and parents view SIUE as their first choice for a quality, affordable education.
"A strong faculty, small class sizes, community service opportunities, an active campus life, and some of the newest residence halls in the state continue to fuel SIUE's growth."
Bradshaw previously had been an assistant director of Admissions at Saint Louis University before joining the SIUE staff. He also had been an admissions counselor at Eastern Illinois University, where he had received a bachelor of science in business administration in 1993. He earned a master of science in Education at EIU, with a specialty in college student personnel.
He currently is studying for a doctorate in education at Saint Louis University. Bradshaw recently was named president-elect of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). He also has been active with the National ACAC. Other professional activities include secretary of the Illinois ACT Council and membership on that Council's Executive Committee.
21 Faculty Members To Receive Promotions July 1
Chancellor David Werner has recommended promotions for the following faculty, effective July 1. Their names and recommended ranks are listed by school affiliations below:
Arts and Sciences: Elaine AbuSharbain, associate professor; Lenora Anop, associate professor; Zenia Augustin, associate professor; Paul Brunkow, associate professor; John DenHouter, associate professor; Joel Hardman, associate professor; Rahim Karimpour, professor; Patricia Klorer, professor; Don Scandell, associate professor; Edward Sewell, professor; Kim Shaw, associate professor; Michael Shaw, associate professor; Kathleen Tunney, associate professor; Anne Valk, associate professor; Tammy Voepel, associate professor; and Jack Voller, professor.
Education: Kathy Bushrow, associate professor, and Stephen Tuholski, associate professor.
Engineering: Dianne Kay, associate professor, and Jacob Van Roekel, professor.
Lovejoy Library: Regina McBride, associate professor.
Fiddler Features Husband-Wife Team In Lead Roles
The Summer Showbiz production of Fiddler on the Roof will have an extra bit of realism both in the stage and on it.
The lead actors playing Tevye and wife, Golda, are Janet and John Strzelec, husband and wife for 22 years. When asked about working with her husband on stage, Janet realistically said with a laugh: "For me there probably won't be any real acting. I'll just be nagging as usual."
Associate Professor Peter Cocuzza, director for the show, said: "They'll be wonderful together. They are an example of a more seasoned cast than we've had in other years. There's a good mix of ages and experience," he added. The 40-member cast has an age range from 10 to 53, with several SIUE staff and faculty members included.
"The show itself will be a traditional production," Cocuzza said. But until now, the "typical" set design for this musical wasn't typical for the SIUE stage. What was needed was a revolving stage. Now, thanks to the efforts of Assistant Professor Jim Dorethy, set designer for the production, the show has ab revolve, enabling more flexibility and realism.
The new stage is 28 feet in diameter designed like a donut, according to the set designer. "The center stays in place while a 5-foot walkway revolves," Dorethy explained. "It's designed in 36 separate segments, each on casters and bolted together, like slices of a pie."
The stage is powered by a three-horsepower motor. "It runs like a big treadmill, only it's circular," Dorethy said.
The set also is designed for mobility; to be taken down and re-assembled when needed. "We may use it for the second production next year in the Experimental (James F. Metcalf) Theater," Dorethy said.
And how long did it take to create? "It took about a week to design it and we've been building it here with about a dozen people, some students from the High School Internship class, some from the summer tech class, faculty and some volunteers," he said.
Fiddler on the Roof is part of SIUE's SummerArts 2003 program, and is being produced by the Department of Theater and Dance. Fiddler runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, July 11-12 and 17-19, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13 and 20, all on the mainstage in Katherine Dunham Hall.
For more information, call the Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or, from St. Louis toll free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2774; or visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/THEATER.
SIUE Team Takes Second In International Business Strategy Competition
Five SIUE students found out what the "real world" was like by running a fictitious business. The team took second place of 36 teams entered in a recent international business strategy competition.
The International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition pits teams of five students who run a computer-simulated business. The SIUE team included Deanna Bock (Edwardsville), Lesley Carr (Greenville), Jennifer Ford (Maryville), Gena Kruger (Harrisburg), and Matthew Wambold (Mascoutah).
Beginning in February, the teams made decisions regarding production, pricing and marketing of their "product," as well as planning and investment decisions. The competition culminated in April with a trip to San Diego, where presentations were made to judges. Final ranking depended on the judges' evaluation of the presentations, and the financial performance of the company.
Bock was CEO for the SIUE team. "The competition really tied together everything we had learned," she said. "It showed us how everything works together in order for a business to succeed."
Joe Michlitsch, associate professor of management, said the competition gave students practical experience in business management. "It gave them a chance to apply what they learned in the classroom."
Michlitsch said the competition served as an assessment of the students' (all seniors) education. "The competition is very similar to a capstone course that requires students to pull together what they've learned in the School of Business and run an organization. You can't fake this. Within the competition, there are real consequences to every decision. Each decision has an impact on the financial bottom line that the judges see."
Wambold, who was responsible for strategic planning, said it was interesting to see the effects of the team's decisions. "In the simulation, you make decisions, then see how they play out," he said. "You can't just make a snap judgment. You have to evaluate each situation and measure it against your plan for the business."
Saif Bock: "We were disappointed that we didn't win the competition. We were actually ahead at one time, but the winning team had a little better financial performance."
Still, both said they would recommend the competition to anyone. "It's a great experience," Wambold said. "It really brings together what you learn in the School of Business and you see how Economics, Finance and Marketing all fit together."
Sullivan Speaks At SDM Commencement Exercises
Thomas E. Sullivan, president of the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS), offered the commencement address recently to the graduating class of the SIU School of Dental Medicine at its spring commencement ceremony.
The SIU/SDM commencement exercises were conducted in Meridian Ballroom at the Morris University Center. A reception followed in the Goshen Lounge.
Reminiscent of last year's commencement, 46 new doctors received degrees and were honored for earning a fourth-place national ranking on the National Board Dental Part II Exams. SIU/SDM students have placed fourth on National Board Part II Exams among 52 other dental schools in the country for two consecutive years, and they have placed in the top five, three times in the past five years.
Adam Pershing was selected as the Student Responder for the Class of 2003. Dr. Pershing had served as president of the SIU/SDM American Student Dental Association.
Carl Bahr and Craig Bahr graduated summa cum laude; Greg Haarman, Christa Hopp, and Jennifer Woolery graduated magna cum laude; and Matthew Boscia, Saeed Kashefi, Richard Orrick, Ryan Rader, Edwards Rose, and Maria Shaffer graduated cum laude.
Sullivan, a 1982 graduate of Loyola University Dental School, practices general family dentistry at Drs. Sullivan and Suchy Ltd. in Westchester. Dr. Sullivan served as associate clinical professor of operative dentistry at Loyola from 1984-1993. As an active member of the Chicago Dental Society (CDS), he was appointed general chair of the 1998 Midwinter Meeting after serving on various committees. He has held all offices through the presidency of the West Suburban Branch of the CDS..
At ISDS, Dr. Sullivan has been a member of the Public Relations Committee, which he chaired from 1996-1998. He has served on the Board of Trustees, Legislation Committee and P.A.N.D.A. Coalition; was appointed Finance and Planning Chair in 1992; and is a member of the DENT-IL PAC Governor's Club. He has participated as a delegate to the ADA House of Delegates for several years.
He is also a member of the International College of Dentists, American College of Dentists and the Odontographic Society of Chicago. He is currently serving a four-year term on the ADA Council of Communications.
It's A Cinderella Story!
Think you know the Cinderella story? All that wicked stepmother, good versus evil, and a helping of Disney thrown in, right? Forget it. You're only scratching the surface.
The story of Cinderella has been around for hundreds of years and takes many forms in many cultures. In fact, there are at least 12 versions of the story in English alone, and there's even a version that originates in Iraq. It has endured and spread throughout cultures because of its common themes of loss, perseverance and ultimately success.
Gloria Reading wants to take six versions of the story to teachers in Third World countries, where books in the classroom typically are rare. The teachers would use the books to teach reading, writing, social studies and character education.
But here begins a potential Cinderella story about Cinderella stories. Reading needs $25,000 to make the project happen.
"Cinderella started out in rags and that's where we are right now," said Reading, an assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction.
"Books are in great need in the classrooms of Third-World countries," she said. "The countries are poor. The schools have limited funds, and the idea of books as teaching and learning tools has often not been effectively integrated into the schools.
"For example, in Uganda, the government provides books for only four subjects: language, social studies, math and science. It's not unusual to find four or more students sharing the same book. The books are kept on shelves and passed out as they are needed.
"So, the idea of using literature to teach reading and writing is not part of the curriculum. Also, incorporating stories like this that demonstrate the idea of perseverance and preparedness and developing one's self through the study of literature is very much atypical."
Reading wants to provide copies of six of the Cinderella stories to 50 teachers, and calculates that books and other materials work out to about $503 per teacher. She will present the project at the Pan-African Conference on Reading for All in Uganda this August.
Wings of Hope, the largest international volunteer charity in the Midwest, has agreed to ship the books at no charge. Founded in 1962, the organization is located at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, Mo., and over the past 41 years has sent 140 aircraft into 38 countries assisting the poor.
"We've appealed to several charitable foundations and organizations," Reading said. "They all think it's a great project but with the economy down, this is a difficult time to ask for donations. I'm so thankful that Wings of Hope has volunteered to help us. Transporting the books is a major expense."
One of the themes of the Cinderella stories is the unexpected intervening force that helps change an unsatisfactory situation into an opportunity. Just like Cinderella, Reading is seeking an intervener for the project. Needed: One Fairy Godmother.
"The essential theme of this project is to help teachers become the intervening force that brings new opportunity to their students," she said. "Teachers are change agents in the classroom. Students' success depends on teachers' ability to engage and excite children and encourage them to learn."
May 2003
May 1 , 2003
SIUE's Lovejoy Friends Announce Winners Of Writing Contest
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The winners of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Ninth Annual High School Writers' Contest have been announced. The contest, sponsored by SIUE's Friends of Lovejoy Library, was open to area high school juniors and seniors who each submitted work in one of three categories: nonfiction, fiction, or poetry.
Co-sponsors and contributors for the competition were the Pulitzer Foundation/St. Louis Post-Dispatch; the Edwardsville Target Store; the Belleville News-Democrat; and the Friends group, a support organization for the SIUE library. More than 360 entries were submitted by contestants from Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, St. Clair, and Washington counties.
Nine winners, three in each category, were honored recently at an awards banquet on campus. First prize winners each received $500, while second- and third-place winners in each category received $300 and $100, respectively.
First prize in the poetry category went to Ashley Naguit, a senior at Belleville East Township High School, for her poem, "Requests." Second and third prizes were won by two seniors from Belleville West-Meagan Graul for "The Stray Dog" and Kristina Poston for "Dilemma."
In the fiction category, first prize was given to Claire Gion, a junior at Columbia High School, for her story, "The Portrait." Second place went to Theresa Luebbers, a senior at Carlyle High, for "The Penny." Craig Louer, a junior at Edwardsville High School, took third prize for his story, "Paradise Lost."
Amy Miller, a senior at Virden High, won first prize in the nonfiction category for her essay, "Man Without a Face." Second prize in that category went to Amanda Vollmer, a senior at Belleville West, for her essay, "Missing Socks and the Quantam Theory." Third prize was won by Stephanie Brauer, a junior at Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, for her essay, "Old Red: A Seasonal Marvel."
All award-winning entries have been published in a booklet that is available for purchase by calling (618) 650-2730.
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May 8, 2003
Deceased students awarded degrees posthumously
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Marine Cpl. Evan James, a former Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student who died earlier this year during the fighting in Iraq, and Thomas C. Schmisseur, a non-traditional student who also died earlier this year, were awarded degrees posthumously at the May 10 spring commencement.
Bachelor of science degrees for James and Schmisseur were accepted by family members at the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ceremonies, respectively.
Evan James, 20, the son of Mike and Donna James of La Harpe, was a sophomore studying Kinesiology and Health Education when he joined the Marines Sixth Engineer Support Battalion in Peoria at the end of fall semester 2002. He subsequently was deployed to Iraq.
James drowned March 24 while crossing the Saddam Canal in Southeastern Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, just five days after the war began. A military spokesman said James was among four Marines who were attempting to set up a defensive position to protect a water-supply area when he and another soldier were swept away by the canal's current.
James, a personal trainer at Our Health Club and Spa in Glen Carbon before he was called to duty, was studying to become a personal trainer. He was a competitive body builder and enjoyed participating in triathlons.
In memory and honor of their son, the James family has established the Cpl. Evan T. James Memorial Scholarship to be awarded through the SIUE Foundation to a qualifying full-time SIUE student with a declared major in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education.
Schmisseur, 52, nearly had completed requirements for a bachelor of science in Social Work at the time of his death March 21. He graduated from Triad High School and became a truck driver, then a dispatcher when his health deteriorated. When he was no longer able to work, Schmisseur began college. He transferred to SIUE from Southwestern Illinois Community College.
He was an avid reader and gardener. Friends and family said that even though Schmisseur was burdened by limited health throughout his life, he remained cheerful and in good spirits, and was happiest when he attended classes at the university. He maintained a very strong grade point average and was highly motivated to continue learning.
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May 8, 2003
SIUE Fee Changes Approved By SIU Board Of Trustees
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today approved changes in the housing rental fees and various student fees, as well as an uncapping of tuition rates for full-time students, all for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and effective summer term 2004.
The board also awarded contracts for electrical work on the "400 side" of Cougar Village and authorized a search for an outside developer to create and manage a Golf Learning Center on campus. The actions were taken during the Board's regular meeting today at SIU Carbondale.
Students enrolled in more than 12 semester hours at SIUE have been paying a pro-rated per-hour rate for the additional hours. Beginning summer 2004, an SIUE student enrolled in more than 12 hours will pay the same hourly rate as students taking less than 12 hours.
Increases also were approved in housing rates for the three residence halls and for Cougar Village Apartments, and for various student fees (Student Welfare and Activity, Athletics, Student Fitness Center, Textbook Rental, and Housing Activity) as well as a 5-percent decrease in the University Center fee.
Housing rates will increase 6.6 percent for students in the residence halls and in Cougar Village, and for group housing at Cougar Village. For single students living in the residence halls in 2004-05, the increase ranges from $101 per semester for a shared room to $202 per semester for a deluxe single room.
For Cougar Village residents in 2004-05, the proposal calls for single students to pay an
increase ranging from $96 per semester for a shared room to $143 per semester for a single room. The fee for a deluxe single room at Cougar Village would increase by $192 per semester. For family housing in Cougar Village, the proposed fee increase ranges from $48 a month to $62 a month.
The SIU Board has long had a policy of establishing tuition and fees under a four-year rolling plan. This long-range approach gives parents and students information with which to plan for the cost of a four-year bachelor's degree program.
In other business, the board authorized SIUE to seek an outside developer to create and manage a Golf Learning Center on approximately 80 acres on the north edge of campus. The center would provide "educational, recreational, and competitive playing opportunities … and would "form a learning laboratory partnership with the university in researching and developing management practices for an ecologically sound Golf Learning Center."
Under the proposal, the center would be an instructional laboratory for learning the game of golf, featuring a nine-hole golf course "of a length and design specifically tailored to aid in acquiring and enhancing golf skills."
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May 8, 2003
SIUE Will Seek Developer For Golf Learning Center
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The SIU Board of Trustees gave their approval today for a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to begin on exploring a proposed Golf Learning Center at SIUE.
The center would be developed and managed by a private developer on about 80 acres on the northern edge of campus (the area known as the Mississippi River Festival site, near the intersection of University Drive and Poag Road). A committee of faculty, staff and a student, chose the site for its relative lack of environmental impact. The choice of the site was approved by the university's Arboretum and Academic Land-Use Committee.
The developer of the facility would sign a long-term lease at no cost-or with a positive financial benefit-to the university. The center would serve as a recreational facility for students and the community, as well as an outdoor learning lab for researching and developing management practices for an ecologically sound golf learning center.
"By seeking a private developer, the costs of building and operating the facility will not be borne by taxpayers or students," said Mick Ostrander, SIUE director of campus recreation. "Also, if our environmental protection guidelines built into the RFP cannot be met, the project will not go forward."
The RFP calls for a nine-hole facility designed to help junior-level golfers and "duffers" build their skills. A driving range, putting and chipping greens, rough, and bunkers, and sand traps for practice sessions also would be part of the facility. For-credit golf classes will be taught at the center, which also will be available as a recreational facility for SIUE students, employees and the public. Students and employees could use the center at discounted rates.
With the help of faculty members, environmental protections have been built into the RFP. The course is to be designed using the environmental guidelines of the Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America. The guidelines outline environmental requirements, such as water usage, plant and wildlife management, waste management, and pesticide and herbicide usage.
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May 12, 2003
SIUE International Trade Center To Conduct Roundtable Series
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Illinois Trade Office will present "Business Opportunities in the Central American Region," a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences on international trade through roundtable discussion, from 8:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, May 20, in the International Room of SIUE's Morris University Center.
Part of SIUE's School of Business Roundtable Series, the forum will provide foreign market experts who will conduct in-depth discussions about specific market opportunities. The main speakers include Dan Thompson, senior commercial officer for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; Dale Miller, of the Foreign Agriculture Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Bobby Dowson, International Marketing Division/Illinois Department of Agriculture.
These presentations will be followed by a roundtable discussion with representatives from the U.S. Export Assistance Centers in Peoria and in St. Louis, and the Illinois Trade Office to address important issues regarding this growing region.
Admission is $15 and registration is required. A continental breakfast and parking will be provided. For more information, please call the International Trade Center at SIUE, (618) 650-2452. Space is limited.
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May 13, 2003
Nearly 35 SIUE Students Elected To International Nursing Honor Society
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nearly 35 students, majoring in Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, were elected recently to membership in the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing through its Epsilon Eta chapter at SIUE.
Sigma Theta Tau works to foster, develop, and connect nurse scholars and leaders worldwide to improve health care. The society promotes nursing excellence through its initiatives in research, leadership, an electronic library, programming and publications, and develops and distributes nursing knowledge for use in practice.
Membership to Sigma Theta Tau is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, and to nurse leaders who demonstrate exceptional achievement in nursing. Undergraduate students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, be in the upper 35 percent of the graduating class, have completed at least one half of the nursing curriculum to qualify for membership, and meet the expectation of academic integrity.
More than 300,000 nurse scholars have been inducted into Sigma Theta Tau worldwide. With 115,000 active members, it is the second-largest and one of the most prestigious nursing organizations in the world. The society's members are active in more than 85 countries and territories, and the 423 chapter honor societies are located on more than 520 colleges and university campuses in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Pakistan, South Korea,, Taiwan, and the United States.
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May 13, 2003
SIUE International Trade Center To Conduct Roundtable Series
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Illinois Trade Office will present "Business Opportunities in the Central American Region," a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences on international trade through roundtable discussion, from 8:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, May 20, in the International Room of SIUE's Morris University Center.
Part of SIUE's School of Business Roundtable Series, the forum will provide foreign market experts who will conduct in-depth discussions about specific market opportunities. The main speakers include Dan Thompson, senior commercial officer for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; Dale Miller, of the Foreign Agriculture Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Bobby Dowson, International Marketing Division/Illinois Department of Agriculture.
These presentations will be followed by a roundtable discussion with representatives from the U.S. Export Assistance Centers in Peoria and in St. Louis, and the Illinois Trade Office to address important issues regarding this growing region.
Admission is $15 and registration is required. A continental breakfast and parking will be provided. For more information, please call the International Trade Center at SIUE, (618) 650-2452. Space is limited.
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May 15, 2003
Main Character In Little Shop Of Horrors Has 'Great Personality'
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The main character of the opening Summer Showbiz production at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will have a great personality-several in fact. Each arm of Audrey II, the fast-growing, alien plant in Little Shop of Horrors, will have a kid serving as a speaking bloom. Summer Showbiz is part of the SummerArts 2003 program at SIUE.
Little Shop runs 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, June 12-14 and 19-21, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15 and 22. The hit comedy musical focuses on a young man who works in a run-down flower shop and discovers an alien plant after a total eclipse of the sun. The only defect is that the plant feeds on human blood.
It's a sci-fi musical comedy based on the 1960 B-movie of the same name. By the way, that film was directed by B-movie giant Roger Corman (who shot it in less than three days) and featured Jack Nicholson in his first film appearance. In 1982, the songwriting team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman added music and lyrics to the story and opened it off-Broadway to critical acclaim.
Creating Audrey II for a theatrical presentation of Little Shop is a challenge to any set designer, but this is the second time Professor C. Otis Sweezey, chair of the Department of Theater and Dance, has created the plant. He did it 16 years ago when the department produced the play the first time. "The design was more vertical then," Sweezey said. "This one is based on an octopus; horizontal is better. It's easier to have people in it, since it has to eat people," he said with a slight smile.
The alien plant appears onstage the first time in the play as a hand puppet in a tiny pot, but it eventually grows to nearly stage-size with its five arms by the end of the play. There are four plant models altogether, Sweezey explained. "Two young actors will be inside the larger two models to work the mouth and arms. It's going to be a real workout for them," he said. "They not only have to physically make Audrey II move, but they'll have to learn all of the lines as well so as they move the plant's mouth it matches the voice."
The cast for this production ranges in age from 11 to 53, according to director Janet Strzelec, "and there's not a weak link. My cast is fabulous." There are 15 cast members and 7 plant operators. Strzelec says the most interesting, as well as the most challenging, part of the production is "working with the plant and the kids. Nobody really knows how it's all really going to work, but it's funny. We're still playing with the plant voice. It's going to be interesting."
Doing this production is a family affair for the director. Her son, J.R., is the voice of the plant, and her other son, Jimmie, is one of the operators of the plant.
To order tickets for Little Shop of Horrors, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or for more information about the Summer ShowBiz season, visit the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance Web site: www.siue.edu/ THEATER.
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May 19, 2003
Boyd Bradshaw Is President-Elect Of IACAC
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Boyd Bradshaw, acting assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management, is president-elect of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). Boyd, elected to a three-year term, will serve as president-elect in the first year, president in the second, and past president in the third.
As president-elect, Bradshsaw assumes the duties of president in the absence of the current president, and also acts as chair for the IACAC's annual spring conference.
IACAC is made up of more than 1,600 counseling professionals throughout the state who are dedicated to serving students as they explore options and make choices about pursuing post secondary education. IACAC members are counselors, admission or financial aid officers, active retirees, or students who are concerned about the future of education in Illinois and in the nation.
Bradshaw said IACAC has had a huge impact on him professionally. "I take great pride in my work as an admissions professional and am honored to represent both IACAC and SIUE over the next three years in this new position," Bradshaw said. "SIUE admission counselors have had a long history of involvement in IACAC.
"As president-elect I hope to continue creating awareness of SIUE among high school counselors and students throughout the state. It is a great opportunity to cultivate relationships with those who have influence with college-bound students."
Donna Epton, college career consultant at Schaumburg High School and past IACAC board member, said: "Boyd has been a tremendous asset to IACAC already through his involvement. We look forward to his continued impact on the association and ultimately the students that are affected by the organization."
Bradshaw's past IACAC professional activities include serving currently as college delegate to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Membership Committee co-chair, and co-chair of the annual conference's On-Site Committee. He has received the 2000 President's Service Award and the 1998 Newcomer Award.
His NACAC professional activities include delegate, 2000-present; serving currently on the National Membership Committee, the Reading Committee, and the Assembly and General Membership Meeting; Conference presenter, 2001. His other professional activities include currently serving as secretary on the Illinois ACT Council and on the Council's Executive Committee.
As a member of the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling (MOACAC), Bradshaw served on the MOACAC's Fair Committee from 1999-2002.
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5/23/03
Sloan Foundation Grants Help Create Professional Master's Degrees
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Thanks to two grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will offer two new professional master's degrees beginning Fall Semester, according to Stephen Hansen, dean of Graduate Studies and Research at SIUE.
The two new graduate programs are Biotechnology Management and Environmental Science Management. SIUE is one of only six master's degree granting institutions to receive funding for two professional master's degrees from the Sloan Foundation. "These degrees are designed to meet the changing needs of the area's workforce," Hansen said.
"To ensure that the new programs will meet these workforce needs, each program has a Business Advisory Board that helped design the plan of study," he said. "These boards also will continue to provide guidance to each program."
The advisory board for the Biotechnology Management is composed of representatives from Pharmacia, Danforth Plant Science Center, and a number of biotech firms, such as Colliant, Apath, Divergence, and Proteoplex. The board for Environmental Science Management includes representatives from Monsanto, Harding ESE, Triad Industries, and Ameren.
"Since SIUE graduate programs are developed with the region's needs in mind, the university was a good match for funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation," Hansen said. "For the past five years, the Sloan Foundation has been trying to foster the development of the professionalization of a master's in the sciences and mathematics. By 'professionalization,' the Sloan Foundation staff means creating degrees in the sciences and mathematics that meet the workforce needs of business and industry for technologically skilled managers.
"Professional master's degrees are interdisciplinary in design and typically combine study in a science or math discipline with coursework in business or law."
The Sloan Foundation began its program by funding projects at 26 doctoral granting institutions in 1997. Five years later, the Sloan Foundation, in collaboration with the Council of Graduate Schools, decided to initiate its program with master's degree granting institutions.
SIUE was one of 26 institutions to receive a grant of $25,000 in 2002 to study the feasibility of creating professional master's degrees in the sciences and mathematics. Based on that study, SIUE proposed, with the input of the Business Advisory Boards, to create professional degrees in Biotechnology Management and in Environmental Science Management.
"SIUE was one of 10 institutions nationwide to be awarded an implementation grant of $55,000," Hansen said. "With today's tight state budget, this funding was vital in getting these needed programs started." Hansen said both proposed degree programs will accept applications for Fall Semester, with the first trained graduates entering the workforce in approximately two years.
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May 28, 2003
SIUE Begins Lewis and Clark Celebration With Summer Institute
(EDWARDSVILLE) The Lewis and Clark Summer Institute will be the first event in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (or Corps of Discovery.) The celebration will include several guest speakers and an essay contest, culminating next summer with a second Summer Institute.
This year's institute, "Indians Encounter Lewis and Clark," is open as a non-credit course to about 120 participants. "The encounter with Lewis and Clark was the first and last time that Indians coexisted peacefully with Anglo-American culture west of the Mississippi," said Rowena McClinton, assistant professor of Historical Studies. "There was a true exchange of customs and gifts, particularly the art of canoe-making and cartography. Gift giving by the members of the expedition was especially significant since Indians traded horses that allowed the expedition to traverse the western lands all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
"The relationship (between the Indians and the expedition) marked the epitome of a time of diplomatic exchange between nations. More than 50 tribes were encountered, all of whom spoke various languages and celebrated particular traditions. Lewis and Clark were instructed by (President Thomas) Jefferson to go treat the Indians with proper respect."
The course, which begins June 30 and continues through Aug. 8, will follow closely how Jefferson charted the way west along the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, and how he addressed ways the explorers would record their detailed information, including Indian manners and customs.
"The Indians not only were helpful to the expedition, but allowed the explorers a very intimate view into their culture and customs," McClinton said. "At Fort Mandan, where the expedition first wintered, the Indians had encountered Spanish and Russian traders, but these were among the first Anglo-Americans they had met over an extended time.
McClinton said the class is designed to help provide that "native" perspective to students. To register for the class, call 650-3210 or via email at coned@siue.edu.
Other SIUE Lewis and Clark events include:
• Lewis & Clark Summer Institute - Summer '03
• Fred Hoxie, Swanlund Professor of History at the University of Illinois and the author of a number of works focusing on Native American and US History, Inaugural Address: "Effects of Lewis & Clark on Indigenous Peoples" - September '03
• Robert Ballard, Noted Oceanographer, Arts & Issues Speaker: "Exploring the Earth" - November 18th, 2003
• Sam Abell, National Geographic Photographer, Arts & Issues Speaker: "Photographing Lewis & Clark" - March 16th, 2003
• Friends of Lovejoy Library Essay Contest Awards & Dinner (Theme: Exploration) Speaker: NASA Astronaut (TBA), "Exploring Space" - Spring '04
• Lewis & Clark Summer Institute - Summer '04
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May 29, 2003
Perkins Loan Default Rate For SIUE Students Is Low
Thanks to a combination of affordable tuition and fees, good counseling and a responsible group of students, SIUE's Perkins Loan default rate is one of the lowest in the nation.
The Federal Perkins Loan Program Status of Default report shows SIUE's student default rate of 1.82 percent is the lowest of Illinois' four-year public universities. The rate is also well below thea average for all schools in the state (11.36) and below the national average (9.51).
Perkins loans generally go to about 200-250 students in Nursing and Dental Medicine, where lab expenses and resource material tend to be a little more costly.
Karen Straube, account technician in the SIUE Office of the Bursar, says $6,000 to $7,000 is the typical Perkins loan debt for SIUE students. "The low default rate is, in part, a reflection of our entrance and exit counseling," she said. "There's a process for entering into a Perkins loan and for exiting upon graduation that helps keep the default rate down."
Straube also credited the responsible behavior of students. "We make sure they understand the process," Straube said. "We direct them to resources and remind them of their responsibility. The numbers seem to say they take their responsibility seriously."
Bursar Barry Greenberg said repayment is particularly important because of the "revolving" nature of the Perkins program. "There is a pool of funds available for SIUE," Greenberg said. "We draw against that pool to make loans. Loan repayments then replenish the funds available for the next year's students."
Overall, about 71 percent of SIUE's students apply for financial aid; about 61 percent receive aid. The Federal Direct Student Loan default rate for SIUE students is just over 5.1 percent; the national average is 5.9 percent.
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5/30/03
Ad Hoc Committee Of Taxpayer Advocacy Panel To Meet June 6-7
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Ad-Hoc Issue Committee of the U.S. Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) will meet in open sessions from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, June 6, and from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, all in B. Barnard Birger Hall on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.
The committee is made of 18 members from around the country, including local TAP representative Larry Lexow, president of the Lexow Financial Group in Edwardsville.
Public comments to members of TAP will be allowed from 1-1:30 p.m. Friday. Matters to be considered at the meetings will include national licensing of "tax practitioners" who are not CPAs, attorneys, or enrolled agents, and methods of enhancing public awareness of TAP. Other issues to be discussed relate to taxpayers comments and concerns, as well as other IRS-related issues.
TAP was initiated by the IRS to invite taxpayer input regarding their experience with the federal agency's methods, effectiveness, procedures, and performance. Such information is gathered by the panel and forwarded to appropriate IRS personnel and/or the National Taxpayer Advocate in Washington, D.C. Individual issues not related to the entire IRS system are forwarded to local TAP representatives.
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Benefits Fair Attendance Prize Winners Announced
Winners of attendance prizes at the SIUE Fitness and Benefits Fair in April have been announced. The fair is held each year in conjunction with the Health Walk and the Staff Senate BBQ. The fair affords employees a chance to assess their health coverages through the university, as well as assess their health in general.
Two employees won prizes funded by Benefits Fair vendors' fees: Cindy Leonard, a bicycle; Jo Ann King, a DVD player; and Karen York, a 25-inch color TV.
Other winners included:
Cindy Reinhardt, a one-year membership to the Student Fitness Center donated by Campus Recreation; and Deanna Taylor, a DVD Player donated by Gallagher Byerly Inc. Sunset Hills Family Dental donated products won by: Nancy Hansel and Rianne Greenwalt, toothpaste; Joan Green, Gloria Hartmann, Jo Ann King, and Patty Take; electric toothbrushes; Janet Hupp, Sally Mullen, Chris Heather, Heather Kniffel, Zenia Augustin, night whitening; and Dona Blackwell, in-office whitening. MassMutual donated Applebee's Restaurant gift certificates won by Amy Isom and Sharon Byington. The SWICSIU Credit Union donated three months of free internet banking and bill payments won by Bu Catalano, Karen Matkins, and Bill Houba, and Bonnie Adams, Bill Houba, Gail Erb, Sheri Goleanor, Rose McNaughton and Diane Chappel won SWICSIU Credit Union bags.
Donna Blackwell won $50 gift certificate and Kyle Stunkel won a $40 gift certificate, both from Our Health Club & Spa in Glen Carbon, and Deanna Taylor won a T-shirt from the club and spa.
Connie Schmidt won a thermos and a thermal cup from VALIC.
More Than 900 Students Took Part In Commencement At The Vadalabene Center
More than 900 students took part in spring commencement Saturday-with its expansion to three ceremonies because of growing numbers of graduates and attending family members.
Internationally known genetic biotechnologist Roy Curtiss III, a professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, received an honorary doctorate at the morning ceremony; George Arnold, an SIUE emeritus professor of Environmental Engineering, received a Distinguished Service Award at the 1 p.m. ceremony for his life-long dedication to the environment in the region and around the state; and the university granted an honorary doctorate at the 5 p.m. ceremony to jazz legend John "Bucky" Pizzarelli Sr.
Since the 1970s, Professor Curtiss and his research group have sought to define the biochemical bases and genetic controls by which bacterial pathogens cause tooth decay, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, leprosy, pneumonia, and septicemia (blood-poisoning). Some of their groundbreaking research has been patented to develop commercial products that will prevent disease in animals and humans.
In 1956, Curtiss earned a bachelor of science in agriculture from Cornell University and a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Chicago six years later. In 2001 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Called the master of the seven-string guitar, Pizzarelli has conducted workshops at SIUE for the university's Jazz Studies Program and has been an integral part of the music world for more than half a century.
His career dates from 1943 when he was 17 and was asked to play guitar with the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra. During his career he has performed with the NBC Orchestra, toured with Benny Goodman, and performed with Goodman and Frank Sinatra at the White House. He also was featured on the late Charles Kuralt's CBS-TV Sunday Morning program in 1992.
In 1998, Pizzarelli played at the Carmichael Auditorium in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian Museum of American History exhibit, "Blue Guitars," with his son, John Pizzarelli Jr., a jazz recording artist in his own right.
Arnold has championed several environmental projects locally and statewide, including two bikeways bills passed by the Illinois General Assembly with the help of the late Sen. Sam Vadalabene: one directing the Illinois Department of Transportation to establish a bikeways program, while the second called for the Department of Natural Resources to build the bikeways. The result can be seen in the hundreds of miles of safe and scenic bicycle routes throughout the state.
A long-standing member of the 10-state Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Arnold was chosen to represent Illinois in the Federal Mississippi River Corridor Study to promote the river's heritage. He was a founder of and is currently past-president of the Madison County Conservation Alliance, devoted to maintaining a clean environment.
More recently, Arnold was instrumental in establishing the new Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center near Hartford. The center, recently completed, was supported by U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello in collaboration with Jim Edgar and George Ryan, past Illinois governors.
During the morning ceremony, degrees were conferred on candidates from the Schools of Education and Nursing; Business and Engineering occurred at 1 p.m.; and the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony was held at 5 p.m.
James, Schmisseur Receive Degrees Posthumously
Marine Cpl. Evan James, a former SIUE student who died recently during the fighting in Iraq, and Thomas C. Schmisseur, a non-traditional student who died recently, were awarded degrees posthumously at the May 10 spring commencement.
Bachelor of science degrees for James and Schmisseur were accepted by family members at the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ceremonies, respectively.
Evan James, 20, the son of Mike and Donna James of La Harpe, was a sophomore studying Kinesiology and Health Education when he joined the Marines Sixth Engineer Support Battalion in Peoria at the end of fall semester 2002. He subsequently was deployed to Iraq.
James drowned March 24 while crossing the Saddam Canal in Southeastern Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, just five days after the war began. A military spokesman said James was among four Marines who were attempting to set up a defensive position to protect a water-supply area when he and another soldier were swept away by the canal's current.
James, a personal trainer at Our Health Club and Spa in Glen Carbon before he was called to duty, was studying to become a personal trainer. He was a competitive body builder and enjoyed participating in triathlons.
In memory and honor of their son, the James family recently established the Cpl. Evan T. James Memorial Scholarship to be awarded through the SIUE Foundation to a qualifying full-time SIUE student with a declared major in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education.
Schmisseur, 52, nearly had completed requirements for a BS in Social Work at the time of his death March 21. He graduated from Triad High School and became a truck driver, then a dispatcher when his health deteriorated. When he was no longer able to work, Schmisseur began college. He transferred to SIUE from Southwestern Illinois Community College.
He was an avid reader and gardener. Friends and family said that even though Schmisseur was burdened by limited health throughout his life, he remained cheerful and in good spirits, and was happiest when he attended classes at the university. He maintained a very strong grade point average and was highly motivated to continue learning.
Lovejoy HS Writers Contest Prize Winners Announced
Winners of SIUE's Ninth Annual High School Writers' Contest have been announced. The contest, sponsored by the Friends of Lovejoy Library, was open to area high school juniors and seniors who each submitted work in one of three categories: nonfiction, fiction, or poetry.
Co-sponsors and contributors for the competition were the Pulitzer Foundation/St. Louis Post-Dispatch; the Edwardsville Target Store; the Belleville News-Democrat; and the Friends group, a support organization for the SIUE library. More than 360 entries were submitted by contestants from Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, St. Clair, and Washington counties.
Nine winners, three in each category, were honored recently at an awards banquet on campus. First prize winners each received $500, while second- and third-place winners in each category received $300 and $100, respectively.
First prize in the poetry category went to Ashley Naguit, a senior at Belleville East Township High School, for her poem, "Requests." Second and third prizes were won by two seniors from Belleville West-Meagan Graul for "The Stray Dog" and Kristina Poston for "Dilemma."
In the fiction category, first prize was given to Claire Gion, a junior at Columbia High School, for her story, "The Portrait." Second place went to Theresa Luebbers, a senior at Carlyle High, for "The Penny." Craig Louer, a junior at Edwardsville High School, took third prize for his story, "Paradise Lost."
Amy Miller, a senior at Virden High, won first prize in the nonfiction category for her essay, "Man Without a Face." Second prize in that category went to Amanda Vollmer, a senior at Belleville West, for her essay, "Missing Socks and the Quantam Theory." Third prize was won by Stephanie Brauer, a junior at Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, for her essay, "Old Red: A Seasonal Marvel."
All award-winning entries have been published in a booklet that is available for purchase by calling (618) 650-2730.
W. Hendey To Become Acting ACA Director July 1
Counseling and teaching have been a major part of Bill Hendy's life, with 10 years in the high school classroom, 17 years as an academic advisor at Ball State University, and 11 years at SIUE as assistant director of Academic Counseling and Advising.
Well, there was that three-year break when he wanted to become a novelist at the age of 50 , but we'll just chalk that up to mid-life crisis.
"I found I was better at exposition than imagination, so I returned to higher education," said Hendey, ACA's soon-to-be acting director. Hendey will assume his new position July 1 after the retirement of Terrell Martin, who will have served the university for more than 16 years.
"My main goal is to move forward and build on the foundation that Terrell has built here in Academic Counseling and Advising," Hendey said. "Terrell has made this office one of the best in in the country."
Hendey said SIUE has reached a "critical mass," a time when it will emerge with "a well-defined" identity and a reputation for high quality education programs. "I believe (ACA) has a a vital role to play as SIUE continues it progress toward becoming one of the best institutions of its kind.
"The university has much to offer students in the way of academic programs and services of all kinds, and I want to be sure our students get what they want and need while they're here."
So, about that novelist thing? "After 17 years at Ball State I took early early retirement in 1989 to pursue a longtime infatuation of mine-creative writing," he said. "I spent the next three years as a graduate student at Florida State University working on a second master's program in creative writing.
"Though I enjoyed the writing program immensely, I discovered at Florida State what I perhaps already knew anyway-I didn't really have the creative talent and discipline to be a working novelist."
In addition to advising at BSU, Hendey also wore several hats: director of a liberal arts residential instruction program, designer of an individualized associate degree program and an individualized baccalaureate program which are still in effect at Ball State, teacher of required freshman composition courses, and serving as assistant to the dean of the Honors College, to name a few.
"After returning to advising here at SIUE and after 11 years, I realize higher education is where I belong."
B. Bradshaw Elected IACAC President-Elect
Boyd Bradshaw, acting assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management, is president-elect of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC).
Boyd, elected to a three-year term, will serve as president-elect in the first year, president in the second, and past president in the third. As president-elect Bradhsaw assumes the duties of president in the absence of the current president, and also acts as chair for the IACAC's annual spring conference.
The IACAC is made up of more than 1,600 counseling professionals throughout the state, who are dedicated to serving students as they explore options and make choices about pursuing post secondary education. IACAC members are counselors, admission or financial aid officers, active retirees, or students who are concerned about the future of education in Illinois and in the nation.
IACAC is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process.
Bradshaw's past IACAC Professional activities include: National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Delegate (2000-Present); Membership Co-Chair, 1999-present; annual conference On-Site Co-Chair, 2002-present; Presidential Service Award recipient, 2000; Newcomer Award recipient, 1998; annual conference First Timers' Committee Co-Chair, 1996-2000; annual conference, district seminar, and Summer Institute Program presenter, 1995-present; as well as other IACAC committees and workshops.
Bradshaw's NACAC professional activities include delegate, 2000-present; Membership Committee, 2001-present; Reading Committee, 2003; Assembly and General Membership Meeting; Conference presenter, 2001.
His other professional activities include Illinois ACT Council, secretary, 2002-2003; Illinois ACT Council Executive Committee, 2001-20003; and Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling National College Fair Committee, 1999-2002.
Two Cougars Tabbed Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District
Junior Jenny Esker (Steeleville) and senior Katie Waldo (Peoria) were each named to the Verizon/College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District team, as voted upon by Sports Information Directors throughout the district.
Esker, previously named to the 2003 first-team All-Conference and All-Region teams, led the Cougars in hitting (.439), homeruns (nine), and RBIs (48). Esker also was a first team Verizon/ CoSIDA Academic All-District and a second team Academic All-American in 2002. Esker, a physics major, also maintains a 3.98 grade point average.
Waldo, a first-team All-GLVC and second-team All-Region selection, hit .330 for the Cougars. She also stole a team-leading 30 bases. As SIUE's all-time leader in stolen bases with 141, Waldo maintains a 3.62 grade point average in Psychology.
"Academics is just as important as athletic ability," said Coach Sandy Montgomery. "Jenny and Katie have been leaders both on the field and in the classroom."
The duo helped SIUE to a 44-11 record this past season and a fourth consecutive appearance for the Cougars in the NCAA Tournament.
SIUE Softball Adds Two Transfers
Softball coach Sandy Montgomery today announced that Ashlea Hoheimer (Walton, Ind.) and Erin Jackson (Olive Branch) will transfer to SIUE and play softball for the Cougars for the 2004 season. Both will have two years of eligibility.
Hoheimer comes to SIUE after spending the past two seasons at Division I University of Dayton (OH). She will fill the void left by senior hurler RyAnn Spann. "Ashlea will help improve our pitching staff in 2004," Montgomery said. Hoheimer was the ace of Dayton's staff in 2001. She won 14 games while posting a 1.27 earned run average. She struck out 107 hitters and did not allow a home run in 182 innings pitched.
Jackson transfers to SIUE from John A. Logan College, where she hit .300 in 2001. She was just as impressive in the field where she posted a .989 fielding percentage. As left-handed hitter, Montgomery feels Jackson can help to improve the Cougar offense next season. "Both Erin's offense and defense will be useful to our team next year," Montgomery said.
SIUE completed the 2003 season with a 44-11 and a fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Three Cougars Qualify For NCAA Track/Field Nationals
Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio), Jennifer Jaquez (Aurora) and Richard Skirball (Granite City) have met NCAA qualifying standards and will participate in the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships to be held May 22-24 at Ralph Korte Stadium.
"This is the most we have ever had qualify," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "It is an indication that our program as a whole is moving in a positive direction."
Carducci provisionally qualified in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the first meet of the season. She continued to lower her time throughout the season, ultimately to a school-record time of 11 minutes, 10.25 seconds. "Carrie has been running strong all year," Frerker said. "There really was no fear of her not qualifying because she kept improving."
Jaquez, who provisionally qualified for the 400-meter hurdles in the first meet of the season, lowered her time to 1:02.46 at last Sunday's Billy Hayes Invitational. "It paid off for her to go the (Billy Hayes) last chance meet," Frerker said. "It was very exciting to have her qualify."
Skirball qualified for nationals in the 800-meter run. The Great Lakes Valley Conference champion in the event, he posted a season-low time of 1:52.02. "He is seasoned for this event," Frerker said of Skirball. "He ran at the indoor nationals a few years back. He still has his best ahead of him."
Esker, Neuerburg Named NFCA All-Americans
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has announced that SIUE softball standouts Jenny Esker (Steeleville) and Holly Neuerburg (Orion) have been named NFCA/NCAA Division II All-Americans.
Esker, a junior outfielder, was tabbed first-team All-American. Neuerburg, a freshman second baseman, was named to the third team. "Both had wonderful years and are very deserving of this honor," Coach Sandy Montgomery said.
Esker, previously named first-team All-GLVC and All-Region, can now add the prestigious All-American honor to her already full trophy case. Esker posted the best offensive statistics in the GLVC. She led the Great Lakes Valley Conference in batting average (.439), slugging percentage (.749), on-base percentage (.497), runs scored (48), hits (75), runs batted in (48), total bases (128) and fielding percentage (1.000). "It's a nice honor for Jenny," Montgomery said. "She was deserving of the award last season so it's great to see her get such an honor this year."
Neuerburg, previously named second team All-GLVC and first team All-Region, hit .357 and drove in 43 runs for the Cougars.
"Holly had a great season for us," Montgomery said. "It is quite an honor for a freshman to be named All-American."
This is the fourth consecutive year that the Cougars have had an All-American and the ninth and 10th players to earn such an honor in Cougar softball history.
EBR Club To Present Rap/Tures & Reminiscences At The Crown Hotel
In conjunction with annual area celebrations of the great jazz trumpeter Miles Dewey Davis-who hailed from the Metro East-the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club will present Rap/tures & Reminiscences, a montage of poetry, recorded music (of Miles) and testimonies from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the Garden Room of the Crown Hotel, 220 South Front Street, next to the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
Rap/tures & Reminiscences, a free event coinciding with the writers club's last meeting of the season, will feature jazz poetry by members of the Soular Systems Ensemble, recollections from friends and relatives of Miles, and a broad sampling of the trumpeter's recorded music. Light refreshments will be served.
Among special guests who will offer recollections of Miles will be Eugene Haynes, renowned classical pianist, educator, author, and Miles' classmate at Lincoln High and The Juilliard School in New York City.
Born in Alton in 1926, Miles' and his family moved to East St. Louis the next year where Miles' father, Dr. Miles Dewey Davis Sr., a dentist, set up a practice. As a teenager, Miles already was a standout as a local band leader and performer at Lincoln Senior High School.
After graduating from Lincoln in 1944, the young trumpeter attended Juilliard before joining saxophone legend Charlie Parker, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and other jazz innovators on the New York music scene.
Those who would care to share memories of Davis or for more information, may call (618) 650-3991. Correspondence should be sent to EBRWC, P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, Illinois 62202-6165.
In addition to the writers club, sponsors include the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature, The Casino Queen, the East Saint Louis Cultural Revival Campaign Committee, the Miles Davis Arts Festival Advisory Board, Drumvoices Revue, and the Renaissance Literary Arts Press/Black River Writers Press.
Freshman Application Due By May 31 For Fall
Freshmen applying for fall admission to SIUE should have their application and application fee payment in by May 31.
Freshmen applications received after May 31 will not be considered for fall admission; freshmen applicants who are unable to apply by May 31 may apply to be admitted in spring 2004. For all other undergraduate students applying for fall, the deadline is Aug. 4.
"The freshmen admission deadline was recently established to assist in managing the university's enrollment," said Boyd Bradshaw, SIUE's acting assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment. Bradshaw said three new residence halls built since 1994 have served to draw even more attention to the quality education offered at SIUE.
The university's enrollment has grown for eight consecutive years, reaching 12,708 last fall. Bradshaw said early projections indicate enrollment for fall of 2003 will continue that trend.
"More and more students and parents view SIUE as their first choice for a quality, affordable education," Bradshaw said. "A strong faculty, small class sizes, community service opportunities, an active campus life, and some of the newest residence halls in the state continue to fuel SIUE's growth."
Bradshaw said the admission application and application fee payment must be received by May 31 to be considered for the Fall 2003 term. All supporting documents including transcripts and ACT scores need to be received as soon as possible to ensure a timely review of the student's application.
The quickest and easiest way for students to apply for admission and pay the $30 application fee is online at www.admis.siue.edu.
Little Shop Is A Comedy Of Horrors; Part Of Summer ShowBiz 2003 At SIUE
The main character of the opening Summer Showbiz production will have a great personality-several in fact.
Each arm of Audrey II, the fast-growing, alien plant in Little Shop of Horrors, will have a kid serving as a speaking bloom. Summer Showbiz is part of the SummerArts 2003 program at SIUE.
Little Shop runs 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, June 12-14 and 19-21, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15 and 22. The off-Broadway hit focuses on a young man who works in a run-down flower shop and discovers an alien plant after a total eclipse of the sun. The only defect is that the plant feeds on human blood.
It's a sci-fi musical comedy based on the 1960 B-movie of the same name. By the way, that film was directed by B-movie giant Roger Corman (who shot it in less than three days) and featured Jack Nicholson in his first film appearance. In 1982, the songwriting team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman added music and lyrics to the story and opened it off-Broadway to critical acclaim.
Creating Audrey II for a theatrical presentation of Little Shop is a challenge to any set designer, but this is the second time Professor C. Otis Sweezey, chair of the Department of Theater and Dance, has created the plant. He did it 16 years ago when the department produced the play the first time. "The design was more vertical then," Sweezey said. "This one is based on an octopus; horizontal better. It's easier to have people in it, since it has to eat people," he said with a slight smile.
The alien plant appears onstage the first time in the play as a hand puppet in a tiny pot, but it eventually grows to nearly stage-size with its five tendrils by the end of the play. There are four plant models altogether, Sweezey explained. "Two young actors will be inside the larger two models to work the mouth and arms. It's going to be a real workout for them," he said. "They not only have to physically make Audrey II move, but they'll have to learn all of the lines as well so as they move the plant's mouth it matches the voice."
The cast for this production ranges in age from 11 to 53, according to director Janet Strzelec, "and there's not a weak link. My cast is fabulous." There are 15 cast members and 7 plant operators. Strzelec says the most interesting, as well as the most challenging, part of the production is "working with the plant and the kids. Nobody really knows how it's all really going to work, but it's funny. We're still playing with the plant voice. It's going to be interesting."
Doing this production is a family affair for Strzelec. Her son, J.R., is the voice of the plant, and her other son, Jimmie, is one of the operators of the plant.
To order tickets for Little Shop of Horrors, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or for more information about the Summer ShowBiz season, visit the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance Web site: www.siue.edu/ THEATER.
Sloan Foundation Grants Help Create Professional Master's Degrees
Thanks to two grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, SIUE will offer two new professional master's degrees beginning Fall Semester, according to Stephen Hansen, dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
The two new graduate programs are Biotechnology Management and Environmental Science Management. SIUE is one of only six master's degree granting institutions to receive funding for two professional master's degrees from the Sloan Foundation. "These degrees are designed to meet the changing needs of the area's workforce," Hansen said.
"To ensure that the new programs will meet these workforce needs, each program has a Business Advisory Board that helped design the plan of study," he said. "These boards also will continue to provide guidance to each program."
The advisory board for the Biotechnology Management is composed of representatives from Pharmacia, Danforth Plant Science Center, and a number of biotech firms, such as Colliant, Apath, Divergence, and Proteoplex. The board for Environmental Science Management includes representatives from Monsanto, Harding ESE, Triad Industries, and Ameren.
"Since SIUE graduate programs are developed with the region's needs in mind, the university was a good match for funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation," Hansen said. "For the past five years, the Sloan Foundation has been trying to foster the development of the professionalization of a master's in the sciences and mathematics.
"By 'professionalization,' the Sloan Foundation staff means creating degrees in the sciences and mathematics that meet the workforce needs of business and industry for technologically skilled managers. Professional master's degrees are interdisciplinary in design and typically combine study in a science or math discipline with coursework in business or law."
The Sloan Foundation began its program by funding projects at 26 doctoral granting institutions in 1997. Five years later, the Foundation, in collaboration with the Council of Graduate Schools, decided to initiate its program with master's degree granting institutions.
SIUE was one of 26 institutions to receive a grant of $25,000 in 2002 to study the feasibility of creating professional master's degrees in the sciences and mathematics. Based on that study, SIUE proposed, with the input of the Business Advisory Boards, the creation of professional degrees in Biotechnology Management and in Environmental Science Management.
"SIUE was one of 10 institutions nationwide to be awarded an implementation grant of $55,000," Hansen said. "With today's tight state budget, this funding was vital in getting these needed programs started." Hansen said both proposed degree programs will accept applications for Fall Semester, with the first trained graduates entering the workforce in approximately two years.
Music Department To Present SummerArts Concerts
Music will be in the air during June thanks to the Department of Music as the SummerArts Concerts return.
With a "veritable potpourri" of musical entertainment, these three concerts will appeal to all music lovers, says Associate Professor John Korak III, chair of the department. All concerts will take place in Lovejoy Library's John C. Abbott Auditorium, and are free of charge. Here's the schedule:
Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale-Monday, June 9, 7:30 p.m.-Although not quite Nelly, this musical "rap" by Stravinsky was perhaps one of the first combinations of staging and music in a chamber setting in the 20th century, Korak said. "Accompanied by interwoven musical numbers, this story about the proverbial soldier who loses his soul to the devil was created by the composer after World War I as a touring ensemble to make money in post-war Switzerland. The novelty of having a rhyming story set to a beat was certainly unique at the time and posed an interesting contrast to the music of the day, including composers such as Debussy, Schoenberg, and Ives," he said. The evening's performance will feature both SIUE Music faculty members and musicians from the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.
The LeClaire Trio with guest Peter Chun-Friday, June 13, 7:30 p.m.-The LeClaire Trio, along with guest violist Peter Chun, will present a Friday the 13th concert of piano quartets. "If you're not superstitious, then come out for a great evening of great music," Korak said with a luagh. The LeClaire Trio includes SIUE faculty members Lenora-Marya Anop, violin, cellist Kangho Lee, and pianist Linda Perry. "Joining them is Peter Chun, a member of the music faculty at the University of Kansas," Korak said. The program for the evening will be Beethoven's Quartet, Op. 16, and Quartet No. 1 in G Minor by Johannes Brahms.
Bones Apart-Monday, June 16, 7:30 p.m.-"We welcome Bones Apart, an all-female trombone ensemble direct from England for this concert," Korak said. Formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in 1999, Bones Apart has already established itself as one of the leading young chamber ensembles to recently emerge from the U.K. "In 2001, they won the prestigious Royal Over-Seas League Competition, which resulted in concerts countrywide including at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, and St. Martin-in-the-Fields. "I hope audiences will come and experience this wonderfully talented group from the other side of the pond as they perform music from classical to pop."
Call the Department of Music, (618) 650-3900, for more details.
Perkins Loan Default Rate For SIUE Students Is Low
Thanks to a combination of affordable tuition and fees, good counseling and a responsible group of students, SIUE's Perkins Loan default rate is one of the lowest in the nation.
The Federal Perkins Loan Program Status of Default report shows SIUE's student default rate of 1.82 percent is the lowest of Illinois' four-year public universities. The rate is also well below the average for all schools in the state (11.36) and below the national average (9.51).
Perkins loans generally go to about 200-250 students in Nursing and Dental Medicine, where lab expenses and resource material tend to be a little more costly.
Karen Straube, account technician in the SIUE Office of the Bursar, says $6,000 to $7,000 is the typical Perkins loan debt for SIUE students. "The low default rate is, in part, a reflection of our entrance and exit counseling," she said. "There's a process for entering into a Perkins loan and for exiting upon graduation that helps keep the default rate down."
Straube also credited the responsible behavior of students. "We make sure they understand the process," Straube said. "We direct them to resources and remind them of their responsibility. The numbers seem to say they take their responsibility seriously."
Bursar Barry Greenberg said repayment is particularly important because of the "revolving" nature of the Perkins program. "There is a pool of funds available for SIUE," Greenberg said. "We draw against that pool to make loans. Loan repayments then replenish the funds available for the next year's students."
Overall, about 71 percent of SIUE's students apply for financial aid; about 61 percent receive aid. The Federal Direct Student Loan default rate for SIUE students is just over 5.1 percent; the national average is 5.9 percent.
The Walking Man Sculpture Summering In Canada
The Walking Man, who hasn't really walked anywhere in nearly 40 years, has gone on vacation to Canada. He sends his love, and wishes we were there.
The sculpture, by the French sculptor François-Auguste-René Rodin (1840-1917), has graced the lobby of Lovejoy Library since shortly after it opened in 1965, and now it's on loan to Le Musée des beaux-arts du Canada (The National Gallery of Canada) for a major exhibition "of international scope."
The bronze piece is being placed in a new exhibition space at the Cité de l'energie in Shawinigian, Canada. The exhibition, "The Body Transformed," will take place on the site of the oldest industrial complex in North America-an aluminum smelter recently designated a national historic site.
The Canadian exhibition will showcase works by some of the world's best known contemporary sculptors. In addition to the Rodin, the exhibition will bring together major artwork-under the theme of "Approaches To the Body"-by other masters such as Matisse, Degas, Picasso, Giacometti, and Calder, to name a few. "This is the first time we've been asked to lend a piece from our collection to a foreign government," said Eric Barnett, director of The University Museum at SIUE. "It's a great honor for the university to be recognized in this way.
"Specialized art handlers from ARTEX, a premier shipping company, were brought in to oversee the shipping," he said.
The Rodin, Barnett said, was purchased for about $30,000 by the university in 1965, and recently was appraised in excess of $1 million. The Walking Man will come "walking back" to Lovejoy in October.
April 2003
April 14, 2003
SIUE Small Business Centers To Offer Workshops
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Small Business Development Centers at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and at SIUE's East St. Louis Center will continue offering its "Start-Up Basics (SUB) Workshops at both locations during the latter part of April. The SUBs are free but reservations are required.
Sponsored by the SIUE School of Business, SUBs offer tools to the potential entrepreneur who needs to know the basics of starting a small business. Here are the scheduled SUBs:
o SIU Edwardsville, Room 1118, 200 University Park Drive-8:30-10:30 a.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17-9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 19.
o East St. Louis Center, 411 E. Broadway, East St. Louis, Room 1013-9-11 a.m. Wednesday, April 16-1-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 29
For reservations, call the SIUE Small Business Development Center, (618) 650-2929.
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April 17, 2003
Carrie Carducci Named SIUE, Illinois Student Employee Of The Year
Carrie Carducci of Powell, Ohio, a front desk supervisor in the Student Fitness Center, recently was named the SIUE Student Employee of the Year only to find she also had been named the State Of Illinois Student Employee of the Year, a first for an SIUE student.
Carducci, a junior studying Kinesiology and Health Education, received the state designation from the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators (MASEA). MASEA presented Carducci with a congratulatory letter, a check for $75, and a certificate honoring her selection.
Employed at the Student Fitness Center since December 2001, Carducci was promoted to her current position in November 2002. As a front desk supervisor, she sells memberships, program services and merchandise, maintains a membership filing system, coordinates student staff interviews, and assists in the hiring and training of Student Fitness Center student employees.
In nominating the 21-year-old SIUE cross country and track standout, Fitness and Outdoor Recreation Assistant Director Aimee Knitter said Carducci was one of the most reliable and professional student staff members in the Office of Campus Recreation. "Fitness Center patrons will leave a conversation with Carrie feeling as though they were able to speak their mind and get their message across," Knitter said. "In addition, she ensures that something will be done about their concerns."
Carducci also has been able to manage multiple commitments. In addition to working for Campus Recreation, Carducci has been a four-year member of the SIUE women's cross country and track and field teams. She has provisionally qualified in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships, scheduled at Korte Stadium on May 22-24.
She is secretary for the SIUE Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has spearheaded several programs sponsored by the committee, including the Athletic Pen Pal program and a community event in which SIUE student-athletes will work with students at Woodland Elementary School in Edwardsville.
Runners-up for the SIUE Student Employee of the Year were Gabriel Dubois of Mackinaw, Summer Finkbiner of Marshall, Lisa Bauer of Virden, and Melissa Dickson of Moro.
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April 17, 2003
International Trade Center To Conduct Trade Agreement Seminar
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Illinois Trade Office (ITO), of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and the International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will conduct a US-Chile and US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Seminar from 8 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 30, 2003. Deadline for registration is April 25.
The seminar will include a live videoconference with the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile, and presentations by representatives of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Singapore Trade Commission, as well as a panel discussion with international marketing representatives from the Illinois Trade Office.
International Trade Center Director Silvia Torres said the seminar will present answers to questions about the free trade agreements between the United States and Chile and with Singapore. "Chile is one of Latin America's most dynamic and promising markets," Torres said. "Its strength and attractiveness lie in the transparency of its regulation and the predictability of its decision-makers. The FTA will bring new opportunities to exporters interested in doing business in Chile.
"Singapore will improve market access to U.S. providers of professional services such as legal, financial, architectural, engineering, and surveying services," she said. "The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement will lock in Singapore's current duty-free treatment on almost all U.S. products."
Admission is $15 and registration is required. Continental breakfast and parking will be provided; space is limited. For more information, contact the SIUE International Trade Center: (618) 650-2452 or by e-mail: sitorre@siue.edu.
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April 22, 2003
SIUE Students Given Awards At Honors Convocation
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) More than 270 students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville were recognized recently at the annual Honors Convocation with special awards for academic achievement.
Each year at the convocation, the SIUE Foundation recognizes graduating male and female students with the highest four-year grade-point averages.
This year's awards for highest academic excellence went to: A. Lauren Hood of McLeansboro, majoring in Biological Sciences; Joanne M. Olson of Aurora, majoring in English Language and Literature; and Mitchell Rentfro of Strasburg, majoring in Economics and Finance and Policy Analysis. The award is the highest honor that SIUE gives one of its faculty members. Hostetler received a $2,000 prize and will be given a plaque of recognition at the May 10 spring commencement.
In addition, other faculty were cited with Teacher Recognition Awards: Kay Gaehle, a lecturer in the SIUE School of Nursing, and Paul Brunkow, an assistant professor of Biological Sciences. Each will receive a $500 prize at the convocation.
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April 22, 2003
SIUE Corn-To-Ethanol Plant Wins Construction Award
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The National Corn-To-Ethanol Research Pilot Plant (NCERPP), constructed on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to research cost effective ways to produce alternative fuels, has won the 2003 Regional Excellence Award from the St. Louis Construction News and Review (CNR) in the science/research category.
The plant, located in SIUE's University Research and Technology Park, was constructed with $20 million in state and federal funds. Research at the plant is aimed at finding ways to significantly reduce the cost of producing ethanol, a renewable transportation fuel made from corn. It is expected to be operational later this year.
The CNR award was given for design excellence, construction efficiency and creativity, industry inclusiveness, and the "positive impact of those projects to the region's economy and quality of life."
The NCERPP won over two other finalists on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis: the Laboratory Sciences Building and Whitaker Hall for Biomedical Engineering. The judges said SIUE's plant "used bi-state contractors to solve global environment concerns and bring the educational world and community together."
Rod Bothast, a Biological Sciences research professor at SIUE and director of the plant, accepted the award at a recent ceremony. "This award represents the many efforts and dedication of the employees of the University Research and Technology Park, SIUE, Washington Group International, which was the architect and engineering firm for the project, and the many contractors who all contributed to this new and unique facility," Bothast said.
"The NCERPP has a very important role to play in reducing this country's dependence on foreign oil, improving the environment, and promoting rural development."
Bothast said continued growth in the renewable fuel market requires not only finding low-cost methods of producing ethanol from corn, but also new methods of converting low-cost renewable feedstocks into ethanol. "The NCERPP will advance the role of bioconversion by developing and demonstrating the next generation of advanced technologies making possible low-cost and sustainable biobased industrial products, biofuels, and biopower."
The judges for the CNR competition were Terry Hampton, president of TM2 Construction, representing the minority community; Deborah Henry, representing the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction; Vern Remiger, president of Arcturis and president of the American Institute of Architects-St. Louis; Rick Swanson, of Swanson Masonry, president of the Midwest Council of the American Subcontractors Association; and Peter Downs, editor of CNR.
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April 28, 2003
The Honest-To-Goodness Truth Promises To Delight Young And Old. It's TRUE!
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Libby Louise Sullivan is in big trouble with her mama. She was caught in a lie and mama had to sit her down and tell her the virtues of being truthful.
But, that's when the bigger trouble began.
It's all part of the fun, with a dose of education, in the St. Louis Black Repertory Company's production of The Honest-To-Goodness Truth at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in the Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
The production is sponsored by the SIUE Friends of Theater and Dance, with help from TheBANK of Edwardsville, as part of A Season for the Child, the annual theater series for the family.
Children will delight in the story of Libby who quickly learns that telling the truth and being a "tattletale" are two very different things. Through difficult experience Libby learns she's "gotta' tell the truth, gotta' use tact, gotta' tell it clean, but don't be mean, tell the truth without fail, and don't be a tattletale."
Written by award-winning St. Louis children's author Patricia C. McKissack and adapted for the stage by Gregory S. Carr, The Honest-To-Goodness Truth delivers a simple moral about truth and kindness wrapped in a story to which children will relate. Ms. McKissack has written more than 50 books with the help of her husband, Fredrick, who does the research.
A Season for the Child returns Oct. 25 with the Piwacket Theater for Children's production of Hansel and Gretel.
Tickets are $5; for more information or to order tickets, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.
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April 28, 2003
P. Medon Named Dean Of New SIUE School Of Pharmacy
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Philip Medon has been named dean of the new Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, effective July 1.
Medon, currently executive director of the University of Louisiana-Monroe's College of Pharmacy Medicaid Outcomes Research and Evaluation program, has been in the field of pharmacology and toxicology since 1972-first as a research pharmacologist with Miles Laboratories and then as an educator at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in Chicago, and at ULM.
He earned a bachelor of science in Pharmacy in 1968 at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, and a master of science and a doctorate, both in Pharmacology, in 1971 and 1972, respectively, at Purdue University.
"Dr. Medon brings a wealth of experience to his work as founding dean of our new School of Pharmacy," said SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs. "He has served in several administrative roles at Louisiana, which makes him eminently qualified to take on SIUE's newest school. We look forward to welcoming him to our campus and working with him."
Medon said coming to SIUE is a homecoming to the Midwest. "My wife, Chris, and I feel like we're coming home," Medon said. "We have very fond memories of our years at Purdue University and at the University of Illinois in Chicago. We love the people of the Midwest and we're glad to be back," Medon said. "But, professionally, I feel like I'm coming home because our focus here at SIUE will be teaching, much like the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science where I earned my bachelor of science in Pharmacy in 1968."
Before taking his current position, Medon had been associate dean of Student and Professional Affairs. He also has held other administrative positions at the ULM College of Pharmacy including director of Research and Graduate Studies, director of the Pharmaceutical Research and Technical Services Center, coordinator of the Division of Continuing Pharmacy Education, and coordinator of the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology.He also is a professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at ULM.
Medon has received several honors during his career, including a service award from the College of Pharmacy and Health Science at Northeast Louisiana University in 1996 and the Researcher of the Year Award from NLU's Alumni Association in 1989, to name two. He and his wife, Chris, have two daughters-Jennifer, of Monroe, and Carrie, of Ft. Worth, Texas.
SIUE's School of Pharmacy program is a four-year professional curriculum, offered in a 2 + 2 format. The first two years will consist of study on the SIUE campus; years three and four will take place on three regional clinical campuses in Central and Southern Illinois. One of these regional clinics will be in Springfield, adjacent to the SIU School of Medicine. The academic program will seek accreditation by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.
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April 30, 2003
International Travel With SIUE, SIUC Experts Is Set For May And June
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University students, their families, alumni, seniors, and other community members are headed for ancient Greece and Egypt in May, June, and July with the university's Expeditions in the Ancient World programs. These unusual programs, now in their 21st year, offer expertly organized sojourns, led by a team of professors in various fields of ancient culture.
The Egypt programs (May 13-24 or June 22-30) will take up to 35 participants to Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, Egypt. The trip includes site visits to ancient Egypt's wonders, temples and tombs, a re-enactment of the ancient mummification rituals, carving and painting hieroglyphic tablets, a camel ride into the Sahara at dusk, a visit with Bedouins, and a three-day luxury Nile cruise.
The Greece programs (May 23-June 7 or July 1-8) takes in Athens, Mycenae, Delphi, Troy, the west coast of Turkey, and the Greek islands of Samos and Kos. Activities include climbing the Acropolis and exploring temples and museums guided by an art historian. Travelers also will re-enact the trial of Socrates, run an Olympic race in the stadium at Delphi, build ancient sundials on the beach, create pottery in a shop on Samos, and re-enact an ancient play in an ancient theater on the island of Kos.
A slide presentation about the programs will be conducted at two Edwardsville locations:
o 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, SIUE's Peck Hall, Room 2414
o 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, Edwardsville Public Library, 112 South Kansas St.
Students may earn two to six semester hours of credit in a variety of subjects for participating, and may apply for financial aid through the university.
Robert Hahn, the SIU Carbondale philosophy professor who founded and directs the programs, has organized the trips to optimize participants' experience. "Both programs offer a blend of archaeological site visits each morning, with free afternoons for relaxing, swimming and shopping, and a lecture series in the evening before dinner," Hahn said. "The programs provide five-star accommodations all the way.
During the program's two decades, SIU has taken more than a thousand travelers on trips to ancient cultures, and the participants' praise is resounding. One traveler said: "The trip to Egypt was all we had hoped for and a lot more. The program was great, faculty members were superb, and fellow travelers were wonderful."
In creating the programs and directing them for two decades, Hahn says he has hoped to give people "who like programs on the Learning Channel, the Discovery Channel, and PBS, a chance to experience their wonders in real time." The programs' success, he says, lies also in its "truly interdisciplinary, team taught, and hands on approach, applied in an effort to help us all understand more deeply both other cultures and our own."
The programs' Web site is: http://www.siu.edu/~nmc/hahn/origins.html. Those interested also may contact SIUE Professor Nancy Ruff by e-mail: nruff@siue.edu, or by calling: (618) 650-3649 for more information.
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University Honors Former Student Who Died In Iraq
The university carillon sounded 12 times and the SIUE alma mater was played over the Stratton Quad at noon last week to honor U.S. Marine Cpl. Evan James of LaHarpe, a former SIUE student who drowned in a canal during the fighting in Iraq.
James, 20, was a sophomore studying Kinesiology and Health Education to become a physical fitness trainer, said Assistant Professor Brian Butki, one of James' instructors.
According to a military spokesman, James was one of two Marines from a Central Illinois Reserve unit who went underwater in the Saddam Canal in southeastern Iraq on March 25, while preparing a safe place for soldiers to draw water. Both bodies were recovered later in the week.
The spokesman said it appeared that James' unit was not under fire at the time. James served with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, based in Peoria. The Saddam Canal runs parallel with the Euphrates River near An Nasiriyah, about 100 miles north of the Kuwaiti border.
Speech Comm. Major 'Makes a Difference' With Senior Project
Senior Assessment projects are an excellent way to bring to bear all the skills learned throughout a student's college career, but it's a bonus if the project's outcome makes a real difference in society.
That's the way Amanda Powers, a senior in Speech Communications, looked at her project-creating a marketing campaign for last week's Celebrate Abilities Week. With input from Speech Professor Kevin McClearey and help from two other classmates, Karie Doughty and Katie Serrano, Powers sought and received a proclamation from the Madison County Board to declare March 24-30 as "Celebrate Abilities Week."
SIUE requires each senior to complete a senior assignment that demonstrates proficiency in the student's major. Each assignment is a scholarly collaboration between a senior student and a dedicated faculty member, fostering creativity and self reliance.
As luck would have it, Powers was to make her senior project presentation March 19, the same night the board was to approve a new rule allowing public comment at board meetings. Powers' presentation was the first one under the new rules. "The wording of the presentation emphasized the strong relationship between Madison County and the university, and their mutual interest in recognizing the abilities of persons with disabilities," McClearey said.
"The presentation and the work all three of them put into the project was exemplary and this was a chance to showcase the talents of our students," McClearey said.
Powers said later she was thrilled to make the presentation, if not terribly nervous. "We emphasized three points," Powers said. "We stressed the importance of the events during the week, including the 5K Roll, Run, Walk in downtown Edwardsville and the wheelchair basketball game at the university. We also pointed to the strong connection between the county board and the university and the importance of recognizing that persons with disabilities also have other abilities."
In addition to the county board presentation, the three students also sent letters to mayors of several cities and towns in Madison County asking for similar proclamations. That part of the project resulted in proclamations in Edwardsville, East Alton, Worden, and Wood River.
"I wanted to do something that would make a difference and we did," Powers said. "It was exciting to participate in the democratic process, but I'm also thrilled that people with disabilities were recognized throughout the county and in several communities."
Veteran White House Journalist To Speak April 8
For a woman, it hasn't been easy getting to the front row of the White House briefing room. But with grit, talent, and a fair amount of chutzpah, award-winning reporter and columnist Helen Thomas broke barriers and made it to that seat.
Outspoken, direct and a fixture in the White House press corps since the Presidency of John F. Kennedy, Thomas will offer "Wit and Wisdom from the Front Row at the White House," at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in Meridian Ballroom as part of the university's Arts & Issues series.
"With the world events that are unfolding, Ms. Thomas' appearance at SIUE could not possibly be more timely and relevant," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of Arts & Issues. "Her perspectives are likely to be thought-provoking, fascinating, and, undoubtedly, challenging."
After 57 years as a correspondent for UPI-including an appointment in 1974 as the news organization's White House bureau chief-Thomas now writes as a columnist for Hearst newspapers. She joined UPI and the Washington press corps in 1943, and for 12 years wrote radio news for UPI. Eventually, she covered the news of the federal government, including the Department of Justice, the FBI, Health and Human Services, and Capitol Hill.
In November 1960, she began covering then President-elect John F. Kennedy, following him to the White House in January 1961 as a member of the UPI team. It was during this first White House assignment that Thomas began closing Presidential news conferences with "Thank you, Mr. President."
Thomas was the only woman print journalist traveling with President Nixon to China during his breakthrough trip in January 1972. Since then she has traveled to China with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Presidents Ford, Reagan, and George H. Bush. She has the distinction of having traveled around the world several times with Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and George H. Bush, during the course of which she covered every economic summit.
Among Thomas' accomplishments are: served as president of the Women's National Press Club; was the first woman officer of the National Press club; become the first woman officer of the White House Correspondents Association and its first woman president; and received the 1998 International Women's Media Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. In November 1976 she was named by the World Almanac as one of the 25 most influential women in America.
"There can be no question, Helen Thomas has been a trailblazer for women journalists," Peecher said.
Additionally, Thomas was the first recipient of the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award established by the White House Correspondents Association, and honored by President and Mrs. Clinton at the association's annual dinner in 1998.
Thomas has received 30 honorary doctorates from many colleges and universities including Brown, Northeastern University, and Michigan State University. She has delivered lectures and speeches on the White House and the Presidency throughout the country and is the author of Dateline White House and Front Row at the White House.
Tickets for Helen Thomas' Arts & Issues appearance are $8. For ticket information, call (618) 650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site: www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu.
Admission includes free parking with the presentation of a ticket stub in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Katherine Dunham Hall.
Tennessee Williams' Poetry Shines Through In Summer & Smoke
Elma Winemiller, the lonely, unmarried minister's daughter, is hopelessly in love with her childhood crush, John Buchanan, a brilliant but undisciplined doctor.
Seems like a good storyline for a Tennessee Williams play? It is. Summer and Smoke is the next offering of SIUE's University Theater and Director Chuck Harper says the play may be melodramatic but the richness of Williams' skill with dialogue shines through.
Summer and Smoke (anyone's guess what that means) opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 18, and continues at the same curtain time April 19, 25, and 26, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, all at the Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
Some might say the plot is pure Williams-the physical, pleasure-seeking John, who represents Alma's repressed sexual longing, woos Alma, who in turn embodies an emotional capacity foreign to John-but the playwright's poetry is still worth the price of admission.
"This is a very melodramatic play that may seem silly at times in this day and age, but I want the actors to embrace that," Harper said.
"If the actors embrace the characters, the audience will be right there with them. If the characters are totally believable to the audience, they'll be right there with John and Alma to the end, hoping that these two will find love and happiness," Harper said.
"The audience must be on their side and the only way to create that for the audience is for the actors to totally buy into the characters they are playing."
As for the set, the central piece in this 1948 play is a stone figure of an angel in a park fountain. "Our set designer, Jim Dorethy, is creating the angel as a set piece that can be lit from any angle including from within," Harper explained. "We couldn't do the angel as a two-dimensional figure. It must reflect the emotional quality of each scene.
"The one mistake we could make is to mess with Tennessee Williams' stage directions," Harper said. "For example, he waxes rhapsodic about the sky, so we're creating a stylized skyline that has geometric shapes suggesting a village in the distance, but they're actually hanging pieces and you can see the sky through the pieces."
The costumes, Harper said, will be realistic to the time of the play-1912-and the set will be utilitarian for creating various settings. "This is the first time I've had the opportunity to direct a Tennessee Williams play," Harper said. "I'm excited about the prospects and I know the cast is, so I'm just hoping that it all works.
"We're not creating any concepts that deviate from the playwright's vision. It's a fairly straightforward play and we're going to perform it to the best of our ability."
Tickets are $7; senior citizens, $5, and may be obtained by calling the SIUE box office, (618) 650-2774.
People's Law School Set For Wednesdays In April
Night free sessions with legal experts will be offered during April as part of the SIUE People's Law School. The sessions are co-sponsored by the Student Legal Services Advisory Board, the Madison County Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Two sessions will be conducted on each of four Wednesdays-April 2, 9, 16, and 23-from 7-8 and 8-9 p.m., all in Room 2002 of SIUE's Morris University Center. The sessions are open to the public. A complete schedule follows:
• April 2-The Courts and How They Operate-The Hon. Dan Stack, circuit judge of the Third Judicial Circuit; Traffic and DUI Citations-Edwardsville attorney Ron Slemmer.
• April 9-Bankruptcy and Debt Relief-Granite City attorney Dennis J. Orsey; Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney -Highland attorney Matt Homann.
• April 16-Landlord/Tenant Rights and Responsibilities-Alton attorney Barb Goeben; Buying/Selling a Home: How a Lawyer Can Help-Granite City attorney Phillip Theis.
• April 23-Juvenile Courts and Termination of Parental Rights-Granite City attorney Morgan Scoggins; Collecting On a Debt-Edwardsville attorney Lawrence Taliana.
Complimentary parking will be available in Visitors' Lot B; light refreshments will be served. For more information, call the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686.
The Web Radio Station Is 'On The Air'.. uh .. Internet
For all intents and purposes, the microphone and the audio board could be part of a traditional radio station, but instead of being connected to a transmitter, the sound of SIUE's new Web Radio station goes out through the internet.
The station went "on the air" in late January and it already seems to have garnered a listenership, at least on campus. "I do my show from 9 to 10 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and I get phone calls," says Derek Jamison, a senior majoring in Computer Management Information Systems and a dee-jay with the station.
Last week, the chancellor helped with a "grand opening" at the station. Jamison said the grand opening was to make more people on campus aware of the station.
His computer background seems to make him a natural for this work, but he insists the dee-jay experience is a hobby to him. "I have always enjoyed music and I enjoy working with computers, so working at the station is a a lot of fun for me," Jamison said. "I just try to enjoy the experience."
Jamison, who plays a mix of "neo-soul," hip-hop, and R &B on his show,"Focus On This," goes by his last name only on-air, "I use my last name only because that's what all my friends know me as." During a recent show, Jamison said he received an e-mail from a friend in Hawai'i. "My friend said we were coming in loud and clear."
Web Radio student advisor Robert Trumpbour, an assistant professor of Mass Communications, said the project was headed by Lisa Herman, a graduate assistant in the Mass Comm. department. "Because it's not a traditional station, the students have the leeway to play the kind of music they want without following a restricted format," Trumpbour said.
"That way the listener gets a wide variety of music, talk, and programs you wouldn't on a station such as KMOX or WSIE," Trumpbour said. "But this makes for a great training ground if any of these students want to work in radio internships. They'll be more familiar with the radio station atmosphere."
As for appropriate Web radio behavior, the students learn accepted on-air guidelines as part of the training. "Even though Web radio is not governed by the FCC, we train the students to learn FCC guidelines for acceptable behavior on the air. They follow a code of ethics just as announcers on other broadcast outlets."
'Peace By Piece' Students Meet Miss America
The message was about youth violence, abstinence, and steps to achieve success, but the speaker was an unlikely source of experience in these matters.
The speaker was Miss America Erika Harold, a native of Champaign-Urbana, who recently came to East St. Louis Senior High School to speak with students. She also had time to meet with students from the East St. Louis Charter School's Peace by Piece program. Harold, currently on a national speaking tour, spoke of "Preventing Youth Violence and Bullying: Respect Yourself, Protect Yourself."
For Harold, the road to Miss America was preceded by years of racial and sexual harassment. "My home, where I lived with three younger brothers and sisters, was vandalized numerous times," Harold said. "In high school, the most frightening thing I experienced was when I learned of my classmates' plans to put their lunch money together to buy a rifle to shoot me."
Harold also encouraged the students to define themselves as individuals by abstaining from drugs, sex, and alcohol. "The choices I made brought about self-empowerment and self-respect."
The Peace by Piece program, in conjunction with the SIUE East St. Louis Charter School, places emphasis on prevention of youth violence. The program was instituted to teach strategies of coping with violence, drugs, and anger. Since its inception three years ago, the program has worked to educate participants in more appropriate ways to deal with stressful situations rather than interpersonal violence.
Thus far, the program has made a tremendous impact on East St. Louis Charter school students. "In the Peace by Piece program we can talk about our personal problems, it helps build our self-esteem, and most importantly, it helps keep our attitudes under control," said Charter School student Ramon Richard. The Peace by Piece program is a 10-week program that convenes two days out of the week at the Charter School.
Not only does Miss America encourage students to take an active role in the prevention of youth violence, but also compels educators and school officials to implement an anti-harassment curriculum aimed at providing young people with the tools necessary to improve interpersonal relations among peers.
"We have been fortunate enough to have secured the Peace by Piece program for three years now," said Patrice Wilkes, faculty associate/case management coordinator. "Unfortunately, this is their final year and the project is seeking grants at this time." Peace by Piece is not alone in its' mission to combat youth violence. Efforts are joined by Miss America to institute more programs and curriculums such as this one.
As her time with the students came to a close, the reigning Miss America presented students with a unique farewell. Harold concluded the event singing the opera piece, Habenera, that won her the crown,
For the students, the visit with Miss America was a chance to see first hand the effects of violence and how it can be overcome. For the Peace by Piece participants, they departed the event with a new outlook on life. Miss America presented a final challenge to the students: "Define yourselves on your own terms. You have the power to decide if you are going to be a statistic or successful. Which one do you choose?" --
K. Werner Wins Faculty-Staff Kimmel Service Award
Kay Werner, chair of A Book In Every Home campaign, is recipient of the 2003 Kimmel Community Service Award for Faculty and Staff. Werner is manager of Information Technology at the East St. Louis Center.
A Book In Every Home fosters a love of reading through donations of age-appropriate books to children in the St. Clair County Head Start program, the SIUE East St. Louis Child Development Center, and the SIUE Early Childhood Center. Books also are given to children in the Riverbend Head Start and Family Services program. The campaign delivers books to some 3,000 preschool children annually in Southwestern Illinois.
Werner also has been involved in several other volunteer efforts including serving on the boards of Anderson Hospital in Maryville, the SIUE Friend of Music, and the River Bluffs Council of the Girl Scouts of America. She also was instrumental in establishing a chapter of Dress for Success in Southern Illinois.
Werner will receive the award at the April 3 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet, sponsored by SIUE and the Belleville News-Democrat. She will join other volunteers from Southwestern Illinois, who will receive Kimmel awards in five categories (see below).
To be eligible for the faculty-staff honor, a nominee must have been a full-time, continuing employee of the university for at least two years and demonstrated continuous service to a single community agency, organization, or business for at least two years.
Growing up in a rural area, Werner's parents took an active role in the community, each serving as school board member, helping with political campaigns, serving their church, and sharing both their homes and resources with others. "Given these wonderful role models," Werner said, "I saw first hand that community service takes personal time, passion, and a commitment to others. By their example, I also learned the worth and the responsibility of being involved.
"Our small, rural community was a better place because of them."
Werner said her service on numerous boards and committees is time well spent. "Each has given me an opportunity to serve those in need, to advance my passion in the knowledge that literacy is fundamental to school and life success, to promote good health as a goal for the entire community, and to recognize that women and families need support to achieve self-sufficiency.
"Being involved in community service is one of the most enriching things I have done," Werner said. "I have learned so much from so many. Truly, I have gained far more than I have given."
Tickets for the April 3 banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom, are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660.
Kimmel Community Award Winners Announced
Several Southwestern Illinois residents will receive Kimmel Community Service Awards at the April 3 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet..
The annual award was established to recognize outstanding community members for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who for most of her adult life has given freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.
This year there were five winners in the following categories: social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency-organizational concerns, and special populations. Those nominated must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.
This year's winners are:
Agency-Organizational Concerns---Jan Goodwin
Special Populations (posthumously)---Prentice Johnson
Regional Leadership---Jim Maher
Social Service-Social Welfare---Rev. Obie Rush
Environmental-Civic Betterment---Wayne Schlosser
Kimmel Scholarship Winner Announced
Preston E. Williams, of Florissant, Mo., a sophomore majoring in Liberal Studies, has been named recipient of the 2003 Carol Kimmel Scholarship. The scholarship program is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.
The annual scholarship was established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, in addition to academic excellence.
Criteria for winning the scholarship includes maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and demonstrating volunteer contributions within the last two years in leadership, service, and/or citizenship, including leadership in a student organization or at least one elected office; and more than 30 hours of nonpaid service to a community agency or community organization. The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.
A licensed minister, Williams has been very active since last year as president of the Maranatha Christian Ministry, a student organization on campus. As a minister/mentor with the Shalom Church City of Peace in St. Louis, Williams has conducted worship services, performed youth counseling and mentoring, and worked with other ministers at the church to provide activities for youngsters.
He also has volunteered with the Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP), helping prepare food baskets for needy families. Also through the SLDP, Williams has worked with elementary students as a tutor for the Open Doors program and has performed maintenance and custodial services for Salus Place, a recovery and rehabilitation home for former drug addicts and those with HIV. He also has served as a student mentor for the Office of Special Services in its "Lifting As We Climb Program." In addition, Williams has been active with the SIUE Gospel Choir.
Quoting John Maxwell, author and motivational speaker, Williams said "leadership has less to do with position than it has with disposition," when he refers to his volunteer activities. "For nearly two years I've held a 'disposition' of leadership," Williams said. "This 'disposition' has been and is one of dedication, humility, and discipline.
"As a licensed minister and community servant, it is my desire to arrive at a position in which I can help others to reach their maximum potential," Williams said. "And, I believe education is a primary necessity in arriving at that position."
Williams will be recognized Thursday, April 3, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet.
SIU/SDM Students Rank In Top Five Of Part II Exams
Calling it "a remarkable and noteworthy achievement," Dr. Ann Boyle, acting dean of the School of Dental Medicine, has announced that for the third time in the past five years, SDM students have ranked as one of the top five U.S. dental schools in test scores on their National Board Dental Exams Part II.
For the second consecutive year, the SIU/SDM students have ranked fourth nationally. "This speaks volumes about the hard work and commitment of our students and our faculty," Boyle said. "The test scores are evidence of the student's genuine interest in mastering their course work, and the quality of our educational program."
Passing the Part II exam is a requirement for licensure in the United States. "The scores are indicative of the measure of student preparedness, as well as the quality of the SIU dental school," Boyle said. Historically, students from the SIU dental school in Alton score high nationally on the exams. Overall, the Class of 2003 achieved the highest overall class average ever for the school.
Boyle noted that this year's scores continue a positive trend on board scores. "For the past seven years, our students have consistently ranked in the top quarter of the nation's dental schools, and now the top five for the third time in five years," she said. "In effect, the bar is higher now at the SIU School of Dental Medicine."
Additionally, the Class of 2003 earned a 100-percent pass rate. SIU/SDM students have earned the highest possible pass rate on four of the past six exams. They have earned a 95-percent or better pass rate for the past 10 years.
MSW Program Receives Accreditation From CSWE
The SIUE Master of Social Work Program has been awarded accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Council is the national accrediting organization for social work educational programs in the United States.
Achievement of accreditation affirms the quality of SIUE's MSW program, said Professor Thomas Regulus, chair of the SIUE Department of Social Work. "The accreditation standards set by the CSWE indicates a level of quality program performance that is recognized nationwide by the higher education community."
Regulus pointed out that graduation from an accredited social work program is a requirement for licensing to practice social work in many states including Illinois and Missouri. "The university's MSW program, implemented in 1997, serves students in both states," Regulus said, "but primarily in the St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois region.
"The Department of Social Work's MSW program sees its active presence in the Southwestern Illinois region as a force for social change and for the development of greater social and economic justice among the region's diverse population," Regulus said. "Within this vision, the MSW program's mission is to preserve, promote, and achieve the social well being of all individuals, families, groups, and communities through the education of competent and ethical advanced social work practitioners.
"Our mission includes strengthening the profession of social work and supporting the social and economic development of Southwestern Illinois through scholarship and public service."
Regulus said approximately 150 social workers have graduated from the program over the past five years. "The Metro-East Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and many social work practitioners and agencies in the Metro East and St. Louis area have been supporters of and instrumental in the development and growth of the program."
The program currently prepares students for practice with children and families, and in health, mental health, and disability services. A school social work certification program is expected to be added to the curriculum in the next academic year. For more information about enrollment in the MSW program, call the SIUE Department of Social Work, (618) 650-5758.
Nine-Month Chopin Concert Series Comes To A Close
Two more chances remain to hear world class concert pianist Ian Hobson on campus-tonight and tomorrow night-as he brings to a close his nine-month series of recitals performing the solo piano works of Frédéric Chopin.
The series of nine recitals began last fall and have been produced by the Department of Music, under the guidance of Professor Allan Ho, a musicologist in the department.
The back-to-back concerts are both at 7:30 p.m. in Katherine Dunham Hall theater. The series, Frédéric Chopin: Evolution of a Genius, has been presented chronologically, following stages in the Polish composer's life and career. The final concerts are titled: 1841-1844: Faltering Health, Breakup with Sand and 1844-1849: Last Concerts (Given in the British Isles), Declining Health and Death.
The April 1 recital includes: Allegro de concert in A Major, Op. 46; Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 45; Tarantelle in A-flat Major, Op. 43; Fugue in A Minor; Impromptu in G-flat Major, Op. 51; Scherzo in E Major, Op. 54; Ballade in F Minor, Op. 52; Mazurkas, Op. 56, Nos. 1-3; Nocturnes, Op. 55, Nos. 1-2; Waltz in A Minor; Moderato in E Major; Berceuse in D-flat Major, Op. 57; and Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 3.
The April 2 recital includes: Mazurkas, Op. 59, Nos. 1-3; Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60; Waltzes, Op. 64, Nos. 1-3; Nocturnes, Op. 62, Nos. 1-2; Mazurkas, Op. 63, Nos. 1-3; Galopp [marquis] in A-flat Major; Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat Major, Op. 61; Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 67, No. 4; Mazurka in G Minor, Op. 67, No. 2; Mazurka in F Minor, Op. 68, No. 4; and Sonata in B Minor, Op. 58.
Called one of the greatest pianists of our time, Hobson's programs consistently demonstrate a repertoire that spans centuries and demands a command of styles and scholarly vision. His recordings and recitals encompass a cross section of works.
Hobson also has performed the Chopin and Moscheles concertos at the Bard Music Festival, and has presented recitals in the United States, England, and Europe, featuring diverse works such as Beethoven's complete sonatas, excerpts from Gershwin's Song Book, Schumann's major piano works, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, to name a few.
Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $6. For ticket information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.
Carducci, Jaquez Provisionally Qualify for NCAA Championships
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) and Jennifer Jaquez (Aurora) both provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in their respective events Saturday (4/5) at the Gatorade Classic in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held May 22-24 at SIUE's Korte Stadium.
Carducci topped the provisional qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase by finishing with a time of 11:29.70. Jaquez ran the 400-meter hurdles in a provisional qualifying time of 1:03.31.
On the men's side, David Droege (Nashville) was close to qualifying in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Jeff Fearday (Teutopolis) and Kevin Koller (Centralia) each were close to qualifying in the 400-meter dash.
Coach Darryl Frerker was pleased with his team's overall performance in its first outdoor meet of the year. "It was a good start to our outdoor season," he said. "There were a lot of personal records. Across the board, the individuals did real well."
Provisional qualifying times place individuals on a national performance list by event. Only the top performers in the nation advance to the NCAA Championships. Carducci, Jaquez and the rest of the SIUE track team will attempt to improve their personal marks at the Cougar Classic this Saturday (4/12).
Cougars Prepare For GLIAC Crossover
After a conference doubleheader with Missouri-St. Louis on Tuesday (4/8), the SIUE softball team will head to Battle Creek, Mich., for the GLVC-GLIAC Crossover to be held Saturday (4/12) and Sunday (4/13).
SIUE, 24-7 and 8-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, rebounded from its conference loss at Quincy will a three-game sweep of non-conference opponents. The Cougars defeated Mississippi Women then swept Alabama-Huntsville, the 16th-ranked team in the nation.
SIUE, tied with Lewis in the GLVC standings, will try to continue its winning ways Tuesday (4/8) when it plays a doubleheader at Missouri-St. Louis. UMSL is 9-13-1 overall and 3-5 in the GLVC. "Every conference game is important at this time," Coach Sandy Montgomery said.
The Cougars then face Gannon, Saginaw Valley and Ashland on Saturday (4/12) at the crossover tournament. SIUE will play Grand Valley and Wayne State (Mich.) on Sunday (4/13). "This will be a tough tournament," Montgomery said. "We are currently fourth in our region, and the three teams ahead of us will be there."
Koree Claxton (Rantoul) went 4 for 6 from the plate in SIUE's two wins at Alabama-Huntsville. She drove in five runs and hit two home runs. RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) improved her season record to 15-3, including both wins over Alabama-Huntsville. Spann started game one and picked up the win in relief in the eight-inning nightcap.
Cougars Play At McKendree, Quincy
The SIUE women's golf team will play in the McKendree Invitational on Friday (4/11) and Saturday (4/12) and will follow that with an appearance at the Lady Hawk Invitational in Quincy on Sunday (4/13) and Monday (4/14).
SIUE is coming off a fourth-place finish at the Bellarmine Invitational and a seventh-place finish at the NKU Spring Invitational.
Katie Farrell (Princeton) led the Cougars and finished tied for third at Bellarmine will a two-round score of 173. Farrell also led the team at NKU, where she finished tied for 21st overall.
Deanna Bock (Edwardsville) carded a two-day score of 183 at Bellarmine, which was good for 13th overall.
Cougars Search for First Win
The SIUE men's tennis team will look for its first win of the season this week. SIUE (0-5) plays host to Illinois-Springfield on Wednesday (4/9) at 3 p.m. before playing Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday (4/10) at 3:30 p.m.
The UM-St. Louis match is a makeup from a postponed match earlier this year. The Cougars then travel to Saint Joseph's and Lewis on Saturday (4/12) for two Great Lakes Valley Conference matches.
"The Illinois-Springfield match will be tough, but hopefully we'll come out playing well and get us prepared for UMSL," Coach Bill Logan said.
Cougars End Season With 9-5 Record
The SIUE women's tennis team ended its 2002-2003 season with a 9-5 record. SIUE's record includes its 7-5 record in the fall and its 2-0 record this spring.
Seniors Keli Keener (Bethalto) and Katy McKay (Caseyville) each finished their final season with a 12-4 individual record. Keener was tabbed All-Great Lakes Valley Conference last fall at the GLVC Tournament.
"I'm proud of the women's team," Coach Bill Logan said. "They finished on a winning note. At 9-5, they can look forward to next season in a positive way."
SIUE will return Coryn Reich (Newton), Allison Coats (Belleville), Chrissy Yingst (Belleville) and Gina Wohltman (Effingham) to next year's team. "The girls returning have all improved, and I'm looking forward to next season with them," Logan said.
Cougars Begin Road swing
The SIUE baseball team defeated Southern Indiana Sunday (4/6) in what was the first game of a 12-game road trip. SIUE, 14-14 overall and 8-9 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, will play at Kentucky Wesleyan on Wednesday (4/9) before traveling to non-conference foes Lincoln and Rockhurst.
The Cougars split a doubleheader with Kentucky Wesleyan (13-12, 5-9 GLVC) earlier this season at Roy Lee Field.
"We need to continue to play better," Coach Gary Collins said.
SIUE then plays a single game at Lincoln on Friday (4/11) before playing a three-game series with Rockhurst that includes a doubleheader Saturday (4/12) and a single game Sunday (4/13).
Ryan Spurgeon (Bethalto) leads the pitching staff with a 1.71 ERA. He earned his first win of the season Sunday (4/6) in SIUE's 9-2 victory at Southern Indiana after throwing seven innings and allowing two runs on two hits. "Spurgeon pitched a great game Sunday," Collins said.
Jason Kessler (Mattoon) continues to lead the team in hitting with a .406 batting average.
Cougar Baseball Looks To Pass .500 Mark
The SIUE baseball team has a chance to surpass the .500 barrier for the first time since the third game of the season when it plays host to Quincy in a single game at Roy Lee Field on Wednesday (4/2). The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
The Cougars are coming off a three-win road trip at Lewis to bring their overall record to 12-12 and their Great Lakes Valley Conference record to 6-7. Quincy (14-10, 6-3 GLVC) is coming off a four-game sweep of Bellarmine that helped launch the Hawks into fourth place in the conference standings. "They always get up for us," said Coach Gary Collins. "I hope we can get up for them."
Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars then play a home-and-home series with Southern Indiana. The teams square off Saturday (4/5) at noon at Roy Lee Field, then will finish the two-game series Sunday (4/6) in Evansville, Ind.
USI is near the bottom of the conference standings with a 2-7 GLVC record. "Neither of us has been playing very well, so I don't know what to expect," Collins said.
Jason Kessler (Mattoon) is pacing the Cougar offense with a .385 batting average. He also has a team-high 19 RBIs and is tied for the team lead in home runs with two. Luke Humphrey (Rantoul) is second on the team with a .360 batting average and has hit all five of SIUE's triples. Ryan Spurgeon (Bethalto) leads the pitching staff with a 1.86 earned run average. Brian Keating (St. Louis), who threw a no-hitter two weeks ago, has a 2-2 record with a 2.42 ERA.
Softball Travels To Quincy
The SIUE softball team will play at Quincy on Wednesday (4/2) before traveling outside of the Great Lakes Valley Conference for matchups against Mississippi Women and Alabama-Huntsville.
SIUE (20-6, 7-1 GLVC) went 9-1 in its recent 10-game home stand. Its only loss came Sunday (3/30) in extra innings against Northern Kentucky. "I'm pleased with the 9-1 record," said Coach Sandy Montgomery. "But with the goals and expectations of our team, we do not want to lose at all."
Quincy is near the bottom of the conference standings with a 4-17 overall record and a 1-7 conference mark. "We want to get back on a winning track," Montgomery said.
SIUE will then play Mississippi Women on Saturday (4/5) before playing a doubleheader Sunday (4/6) against Alabama-Huntsville.
Alabama-Huntsville, the 16th-ranked team in the nation, has defeated several nationally ranked teams, including No. 1 Barry.
"This trip is a good chance to play good competition in the middle of the year," Montgomery said. "Alabama-Huntsville has beaten some good teams. We've battled them in games in the past, and we'll battle with them this weekend."
Junior Jenny Esker (Steeleville) leads the potent Cougar offense with a .475 batting average. She has a team-leading five home runs and 22 runs batted in. Freshman Holly Neuerburg (Orion) is hitting .379 and has driven in 20 runs. RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) leads a pitching staff that has a 1.51 team ERA. Spann has a 11-3 record and has recorded 87 strikeouts.
Dennis Hostetler Wins 2003 Teaching Excellence Award
It's a world in which students communicate with the instructor and with others in the class, and all of them provide discussion about the subject matter. Sounds ideal, doesn't it?
It's happening now across campus with WebCT software, and Dennis Hostetler, professor of Public Administration and Policy Analysis, has been a leader in bringing the system to SIUE faculty and in training them in its use.
Because of that work and the care he takes in the classroom to insure a quality education for his students, Hostetler is this year's recipient of the SIUE Teaching Excellence Award. The award is the highest honor that can be given an SIUE faculty member. Hostetler received a $2,000 award this past Sunday at Honors Convocation, and will receive a plaque of recognition at the May 10 commencement.
The Excellence Awards committee also gave Teaching Recognition Awards to Kay Gaehle, a lecturer in the School of Nursing, and to Paul Brunkow, an assistant professor of Biological Sciences. Each received a $500 award at the convocation.
Web CT gives students a variety of ways to enhance learning, Hostetler said, from online discussions to links with course material such as lecture notes, secondary readings, and student presentations. "The instructor can build a network of resources for each week's assignment," he said.
Hostetler said he builds in ways within the WebCT program to monitor how students are progressing. For example, students prepare feedback at the end of each week about what they have learned and how the instructor might improve his or her delivery. "This system of continuous feedback has transformed how I teach," Hostetler said. "It allows me to more effectively monitor what information students retain and has helped me remove many of the barriers between student and instructor."
As for the award, Hostetler said he's pleased he won. "I was impressed with the documentation the committee demands from nominees." Nominees were considered by members of a university-wide committee which made the final selections. Hostetler was praised by the committee as "a key" faculty member in the introduction and dissemination of technologies to aid student learning both inside and outside the classroom.
The committee also said Hostetler's teaching is characterized by "sensitivity" to the needs of his students and colleagues. "He stimulates active learning by providing a structured, non-threatening environment within the classroom, which supports the open exchange of ideas; he responds dynamically to student feedback as it is given."
Hostetler, who joined the SIUE faculty in 1975, earned a bachelor's at the University of Montana, and a master's and a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Iowa. The committee further noted that Hostetler transforms the process of learning from "faculty centered" to "student centered" (and) "garners high praise from both students and colleagues."
Brunkow, in his sixth year of teaching, received a bachelor of science in Zoology from the University of Washington and a doctorate in Zoology at Arizona State University. His teaching has been described as "challenging," "interesting," and "enlightening." Brunkow said he still is "excited" about coming to class. He describes his own teaching as "a dynamic process" with a main goal of helping "dispel the fear associated with advanced biology courses."
Gaehle, in her fourth year at SIUE, earned a master of science in Nursing at Saint Louis University. She has clinical experience in medical/surgical nursing, acute care, and pediatrics, and she focuses her research on medication administration safety and breast cancer detection. Her students describe her as "engaging, entertaining, and informative." The committee noted Gaehle's teaching has been characterized as sensitive to the needs of students. "She fosters engaged and active learning by providing a structured, non-threatening environment within the classroom and in clinical experiences," the committee said. One of her students said of her: "Kay Gaehle has a high degree of respect for all students inside and outside the classroom. She includes reasoning and examples behind all concepts so that students learn processes, not just memorizing."
Hostetler said his philosophy of teaching requires a connection with the experences and learning styles of the students. "Learning only occurs if students are actively engaged," he said. "The trick is to create a learning environment that stimulates students to become active participants in the interpretation and evaluation of course content. Just preparing lectures isn't enough anymore."
SIUE FY03 Budget Reserve Set At 2.9%; FY04 Uncertain
Gov. Rod Blagojevich began laying out his plan to address Illinois' budget crunch on April 9. Under his plan, SIUE's fourth-quarter budget would be reduced 2.9 percent; significantly lower than the 8 percent reserve asked for originally by the Bureau of the Budget.
The 2.9 percent ($1.982 million), was taken from unbudgeted funds from a carryover in the income fund and an increase in tuition income. In addition, the chancellor and the vice chancellors identified funds from within existing budgets to cover the reserve..
All public universities, except for the University of Illinois, had the same 2.9 percent reduction. The reduction for the U of I was 4.1 percent.
In his e-mail memo to employees last week, Chancellor Werner said: "In approaching the budget 'reserve' in this manner, we were able to avoid dipping into the 2 percent Contingency Fund which the University holds until late in the year."
The Contingency Fund is composed of various budget items that are very important to university operations such as funds for library materials, instructional equipment, and deferred maintenance projects. "I am very pleased that we will be able to proceed with these important items for FY03," Werner said.
As to FY04, Werner pointed out there will be lean times ahead but there is no specific information available at this time. "The Governor's address," Werner wrote, "while lacking specificity about individual institutions, implies significant reductions for higher education-a total of $112 million for public universities."
SIUE's Springfest Goes Public This Year At The SFC
Springfest is "going public" this year as SIUE invites residents of local communities to attend the annual festival, with this year's theme of "Waikiki Weekend," on Friday-Saturday, April 25-26, on the Student Fitness Center parking lot.
Students and employees still will enjoy the other usual activities in the Stratton Quadrangle from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, April 24. Student food booths will be offering lunch, the traditional "canoe" ice cream sundae will be served at noon, and inflatable games will provide even more fun. The Battle of the Bands takes place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
From 6-11 p.m. Friday, the action moves to the Student Fitness Center parking lot with free carnival rides, inflatable games, food, and student booths offering plenty of springtime fun. At 7 that evening, the winner of the previous day's Battle of the Bands will perform. The headliner for the evening is one of the St. Louis Area's most popular bands, The Moneyshot.
Springfest continues from noon-6 p.m. Saturday, with rides and food, and the 105.7 The Point radio's Midwest Campus Tour playing host to various bands from noon-2 p.m. Dancers from Aloha Entertainment will perform the hula and will offer to teach anyone in the crowd how to do the traditional Hawai'ian dance. At 3 p.m. the runner-up band from the Battle of the Bands will perform, and then a DJ will keep the music rolling until 6 p.m.
Student organizations are sponsoring food booths and other activities, such as face painting, making a Hawai'ian lei, or offering photos to be taken against a "Hawai'ian background." Proceeds from the student booths will benefit the sponsoring organizations.
For more information, call the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2781 or (618) 650-2686. Springfest is sponsored by the Springfest Committee and the SIUE Campus Activities Board.
Annual Service Awards Event To Honor Employees
Lyman Sanford Holden is in his 77th year of life-45 of which he has spent in the mathematics offices of this university.
Never met him? First of all, perhaps you know him by his nickname, Zeke, or, perhaps you've seen or heard him playing the tuba, or, you've heard about his love for teaching math and statistics. That's Professor Lyman Holden.
At the annual service awards ceremony today, Holden will be honored for 45 years of service to SIUE. According to the folks who have been coordinating this event for the past 20 some odd years, Holden is the only one who has been honored in the 45-year category.
"That's no accomplishment," Holden says with a grin. "That just means I outlasted everybody else." But, he is proud of his work at SIUE, which has included receiving the university's Teaching Excellence Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed by SIUE on one of its faculty members.
Above his desk in his Science Building office hangs a quote from Thomas Jefferson: "It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation which give happiness." The tranquility comes from his music, and he couldn't enjoy his occupation more. "I'm planning to retire in 2004, but I don't relish the thought of getting up in the morning with nothing to do," he said. "So, I plan to stay busy.
"I used to be involved in National Science Foundation summer institutes, in which we taught other teachers," Holden said. "If we could get that kind of funding in the future, I would like to be involved in that." Holden and his wife, Loyce-who has written programs for hand-held graphing calculators-have co-authored articles for statewide and national math journals, something they'd both like to continue.
Beginning as a pre-med student at Oberlin College in Ohio, Holden took a calculus course at what is now known as Case Western Reserve University and switched to math education at Oberlin, where he earned a bachelor's in 1950. "I found I liked math more than the pre-med," he said. Holden became a junior high science teacher in Parma, Ohio, and then went on to a master's in math at The Ohio State University. He arrived at SIUE in 1958.
Playing the tuba also is something he plans to continue after retiring from teaching. "My Dad taught music at the Oberlin Conservatory, so music has always been a major part of my life," Holden said. "During my time at SIUE, music has allowed me to be part of the communication between the university and the outside community," he explained. "It has given me a chance to get out and see people I know and meet new people."
Holden's claim to musical fame was his involvement in the 1960s and 1970s with The Old Guys Jazz Band, a popular group in the St. Louis Area, comprised mostly of SIUE faculty or former faculty. Holden played tuba and shared piano duties with now-Emerita Associate Professor Jean Kittrell. Others in that group included Dan Havens and Jack Ades.
For the past 15 years, Holden has played in the Edwardsville Municipal Band and the New Horizons Band, which is the Lewis and Clark Community College community band. He also performs regularly with River Bend Brass, a brass ensemble that includes SIUE Mathematics and Statistics Professor Steve Rigdon.
"I can't imagine not teaching or playing music," Holden said. "It's difficult to describe, but they've become a big part of what I do."
More than 140 employees will be recognized at 2:30 p.m. today at the Annual Service Awards Reception on the second floor of the Morris Center. Those with service of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 45 years will be presented with catalogs from which they will be able to order some very nice gifts.
Listed below are the faculty and staff members who will be recognized at the reception:
45 YEARS: Lyman S Holden
30 YEARS: Judith A Bartel, Daniel L Corbett, Jeanette M Handling, Sang-Ki Kim, Frederick J Noel III, Karen A Take, Robert A Vanzo, Gloria A Walker, and Joseph A Weber
25 YEARS: Thomas P Anderson, Mary Ann Boyd, Richard B Brugam, Bernice Coleman, Tamara M Danks, Claudia M Davidage, James W Declue, Vickie L Edsall, Malcolm D Goldsmith, F. Richard Harrison, Donna K Ireland, Pamela K Jones, Janet K McReynolds, John F Oltmann, Jo Ann Ruyle, John F Schrage, Douglas M Sullivan, and Mary S Turner.
20 YEARS: Janet S Bateman, Ronnie A Burton, David C Caires, Suzanne L Eder, Linda S Etling, Loretta D Haynes, Barbara Hilliard, J. Calvin Jarrell, Tena M Jones, Elisabeth Kusmanoff, Stephen A Lochhaas, Norman M Mueller, Paula D Ogg, Vanessa G Outlaw, and Christina B Wilson.
15 YEARS: Nancy J Andrews, Katherine D Blackford, Susan Burmeister, Doris R Butts, Gregory J Conroy, Annie M Cooper, Nelda KCovington, Roger L Diepholz, Gary R Dunn, Jane A Floyd-Hendey, Ralph W Giacobbe, Jolynn K Gregor, Doris A Hardwick, Brad C Hofeditz, Shirley A Houston, Minnie L Huddleston, Krzysztof M Jarosz, Deirdre L Johnson, Janette R Johnson, Helen J Jones, King D Lambird, Eric M Langenwalter, Lonna M Logan, Judith A Malone, Joan Debbie Mann, Paula A Manny, Judith K Meyer, William P Meyer, Sheryl L Meyering, Anngela M Mosby, Kelly M Murphy, Ellen Nore, T K Parthasarathy, Jay W Patrick, Lynda L Pavia, Rhonda A Penelton, Laura L Perkins, Gerald J Pogatschnik, Brian A Ragen, Debra E Scheibal, Scott R Smith, Roberta J Stanford, Peggy S Thyer, Joyce A Toombs, Janina S Turley, James W Varady, Sherry L Venturelli, Darlene I Wagen, Alicia B Wainright, Theresa C Wasylenko, Jacqueline D Young, Rena Young, and Sofia Zamanou-Erickson.
10 YEARS: Elaine M Abusharbain, Steven H Appel, Shirley M Archer, Roberta L Ault, Kim E Bateman, Marsha A Brady, Patsy M Brown, Sarah M Burns, Gregory P Cash, Karen L Childers, Timothy J Clemann, Sandra L Compton, Kathy R Cotton, Robert V Denby, George L Engel, Sharon L Haar, Rhonda E Harper, William G Hendey, Deborah A Hopkins, Tammy L Hornberger, Steven D Huffstutler, Annette M Longsdon, John E Lopez, Norris F Manning, Kelly J Meyers, Teresa M Militello, Michael Mishra, Judy L Newell, Marguerite A Newton, Jennifer S Nickel, Dawn R Olive, Bruce L Ooton, Geert S Pallemans, Alice R Prince, Kurt E Schulz, Nahid Shabestary, Marian G Smithson, Mary K Steible, Mary L Tally, Socratis G Tornaritis, Joann B Tucker, Steven W Varady, Robert B Washburn, Deborah A Webb, Prince A Wells III, Dwight M Wright, E. Duff Wrobbel, and Xiaojun "Terry" Yan.
Business Course Looks At Ethics From Various Angles
The stock market was hot; investors were flush. The competitive fires kept the proverbial candle lit until well into the night as corporate officers and their employees racked their brains in an effort to squeeze out any advantage that would put them a little ahead.
Good, clean competition…the epitome of free-market capitalism. Then, things started to go very wrong.
An economic slowdown, worsened by an unsettled political climate and the pressure of terrorist acts at home and abroad slowed the stock market's torrid run. And as the markets receded from the record run of the 1990s, evidence of fraud emerged.
As one fraud followed another-Enron, Andersen, Worldcom, Tyco, Qwest and others-investors, once so confident in their holdings, saw their life savings wiped out. Employees saw their pension plans drained and company officers in handcuffs.
"In short, corporate greed had come to be acceptable behavior," said Madhav Segal, professor of Marketing. "Our corporate culture reached a point where ethical lapses were tolerated and greater importance was attached to profits over principle. Now we have to look at ways to change the culture, and higher education has to be part of the equation."
"(Higher education) has to admit that it bears some responsibility for the business climate and to devote time to teaching that in business there is an absolute right or wrong," said Jim Wilkerson, assistant professor of Management.
Segal, Wilkerson and Joe Michlitsch, associate professor of Management, formed a coordinating team to study the idea of a graduate-level ethics class. The coordinating team and nine additional School of Business faculty members volunteered to create and staff "Ethics and Corporate Responsibility in the World of Enron, Andersen and Worldcom" for graduate business students.
The first session of the course concluded in February. Students and faculty-with the help of area industry leaders-took a multi-disciplinary view of ethical decision-making, and incorporated current business events relating to ethics. "We intentionally took the multi-disciplinary approach," Segal said. "It gives us a chance to see the issues from multiple angles and with the benefit of varied backgrounds. It's not only an issue of what the regulations say, or how to properly develop an economic forecast. It is all those things and more. Most especially, it is a managerial issue."
"It's not just a matter of teaching our future executives to make wise choices," said Gary Giamartino, dean of the School of Business. "We need to teach students to better recognize an ethical dilemma. It could be that we've taken for granted that people know an ethical dilemma when they see it."
Brett Krug, a project engineer at Icon Mechanical in Granite City, who is pursuing an MBA, said it was the interdisciplinary approach that made the class work for him. "It was interesting to see the issue from different perspectives," he said. "Having faculty and business leaders from different backgrounds and industries illustrated that the issues of ethics and corporate governance are not just classroom theories, but are significant issues applicable to all corporations and industries."
Robert Cherhoniak, a full-time MBA student, said he learned a great deal about ethics in the corporate world, including how ethical practices translate to his own investor confidence. "As an investor, I'd be comfortable buying stock in Coke," he said. "Based on what we learned in the class, I know that the company has made decisions based on ethics and not expediency."
The course recently received funding from SIUE's Excellence in Graduate Education, a program that funds innovative graduate program initiatives. Segal said plans are being made to evaluate the course so that changes can be made for next year.
Anderson Scholarship Goes To Mark Robb Of Watson
Mark Robb, a senior from Watson, has been awarded the 2003-2004 James R. Anderson Housing Scholarship. The award is given annually to an academically motivated student with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher who has demonstrated civic leadership in community service and Housing activities.
Robb, who is majoring in Computer Information Systems, received the award at the spring honors convocation on Sunday. Robb also has been named to the Dean's List, is a co-leader of Campus Crusade for Christ, a member of the Association of Information Technology Professionals, and is involved in CSF Raking Leaves for the elderly.
Robb, a resident of Cougar Village, plans to graduate with a bachelor of science in December and pursue an MBA with a Computer Management Information Systems specialization at SIUE.
The James R. Anderson Housing Scholarship Award was created in memory of Anderson, a former associate director of University Housing. Recipients are granted a $500 per semester stipend. "We're pleased to be able to honor Jim in such a manner as this award," said Michael Schultz, director of University Housing.
"Jim believed not only in the value of education in and out of the classroom, but also valued family, community involvement, and service."
Charter School Student Enjoys Journalism Workshop
Chasity Love, an East St. Louis Charter School sophomore, recently participated in the Minority Journalism Workshop at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The workshop was conducted by the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists.
She was among more than 100 partcipants who were chosen based on an essay competition. "I enjoyed the workshop," Love said. "I enjoyed learning more about the different areas of communications, like print, radio, television, public relations, photojournalism, and Internet journalism."
Initially, Love began the workshop in the print division where she learned how to compose a paragraph, but eventually completed this year's workshop with Internet journalism. "The Internet journalism division taught me how to write a complete story and create a Web site."
The association was founded in 1976. The journalism workshop was dedicated to providing students hands-on experience in the field of communications. High school students and college freshmen from the Metro-East area were invited to participate. The topic for this years' workshop was HIV/AIDS.
Love also was given the opportunity to organize a press conference. "People with AIDS came to the press conference," Love said. "We were able to talk to them, and the families of people with AIDS, about how their lives changed because of the disease."
Love noted that everyone in the workshop produced stories about HIV/AIDS. She chose to write her article about AIDS in St. Louis. Her article is located on her Web site created at the workshop: http://www.geocities.com/moocow2227/MY_PAGE.html.
If Love is chosen to participate in next year's Minority Journalism Workshop, she says she will join the broadcasting division. However, for future plans, Love had this to say: "I might consider going into broadcasting, but I really want to teach mathematics."
Athletics Prepares For Community Day
The SIUE Athletics Department, led by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, will sponsor a Community Day on April 25th at Woodland Elementary School.
SIUE student-athletes will be at Woodland School from 11:20 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. participating in numerous games and athletic activities with Edwardsville youth.
Third through fifth graders at Woodland will be invited to join in games such as soccer kick, four square, jump rope, knock-out, butts-up, hula hoop, and radar throw. The student-athletes aim to demonstrate the importance of a healthy lifestyle and life-long fitness.
Cougars To Play At GMC Stadium
The Cougar baseball team will play two key Great Lakes Valley Conference games this season at GMC Stadium in Sauget. The home of the Gateway Grizzlies will be the site for SIUE's night games against Indianapolis on Friday at 7 and Bellarmine on May 2nd at 7.
Softball Enters Final Weekend Of GLVC Play
After a non-conference game with Lincoln on Wednesday (4/23), the SIUE softball team will travel to Indianapolis on Saturday (4/26) and Saint Joseph's on Sunday (4/27) for doubleheaders.
SIUE, 33-9 and 13-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, is currently tied with Northern Kentucky for first in the conference standings. "We need to finish conference play with four wins," Coach Sandy Montgomery said.
Indianapolis and Saint Joseph's are in the middle of the pack in the conference standings. Both are attempting to position themselves for the GLVC Tournament, which begins May 2 at the conference's top seed.
SIUE is coming off a sweep of Wisconsin-Parkside and split with Lewis. Junior Jenny Esker (Steeleville) continues to lead the GLVC in hitting with a .462 batting average. Esker has a GLVC-leading 61 hits and a .773 slugging percentage. Freshman Holly Neuerburg (Orion) is second with a .359 batting average, and freshman Shanna Waldo (Pekin) is third at .340 and a GLVC-leading 26 stolen bases. Senior RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) leads the pitching staff with a 19-5 record that includes 149 strikeouts.
Baseball Faces Busy Week
Thanks to some early-season rainouts, this has become a busy week for SIUE baseball. The Cougars will play a single game at Oakland City today, a single game at home against Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday (4/23) and a four-game series with Indianapolis this weekend.
SIUE currently is eighth in the GLVC standings, while Indianapolis and Missouri-St. Louis are battling for the top spot in the conference. All games figure to be crucial as teams hope to lock in a spot in the six-team GLVC Tournament at the site of the No. 1 seed on May 9-11. Missouri-St. Louis is currently first in the GLVC standings. Game time for Wednesday's single game is 3 p.m at Roy Lee Field. "UMSL is the best team in the conference, and they're proving it," Coach Gary Collins said.
The Cougars will then play Indianapolis on Friday (4/25) at GMC Stadium in Sauget at 7 p.m. The series then moves back to Roy Lee Field for Saturday's (4/26) doubleheader and Sunday's (4/27) single, non-conference game.
SIUE is coming off a weekend in which it took two of three games at Saint Joseph's. Sophomore Craig Ohlau (Chester) pushed his batting average to a team-leading .350 last weekend. "Ohlau is swinging the bat well," Collins said.
Senior Brad Hinton (Clinton) picked up a win and a save against Saint Joseph's. "Hinton picked up a win and a save, and looked good doing it," Collins said. Hinton lowered his ERA to a team-low 2.29. His save at Saint Joseph's was his second of the season.
Cougars Play Host To SIUE Twilight
The SIUE women's and men's track teams will participate in its own SIUE Twilight meet, which will be held Saturday (4/26) at Ralph Korte Stadium. Field events are scheduled to get underway at 3 p.m. with running events at 4 p.m.
"Every year this meet grows in both numbers and quality," said Coach Darryl Frerker. "Across the board, there definitely will be quality competition."
The Cougars are coming off the Pacesetter Invitational at Indiana State. Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) lowered her NCAA provisional qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to 11:20.79. Carducci and the Cougars hope her time will be among the nation's best to qualify for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships to be held at Korte on May 22-24.
"It (Pacesetter Invitational) was a decent meet for us," Frerker said. "Although we didn't have any additional qualifiers, we got experience that will only help us in the future."
Cougars Play Waiting Game
The SIUE women's golf team completed its regular season schedule with a seventh-place finish at last weekend's Illini Spring Classic in Champaign. The Cougars will wait one week to see if the team, or an individual, will be selected to participate in the NCAA Regional in Findlay, Ohio.
The top six teams in the region get a bid to the regional tournament, while the top-three players not on a top team get a bid as well.
Coach Larry Bennett said he expected Katie Farrell (Princeton), who is ranked high in the region, will have a good chance at receiving a bid for the second straight year. Farrell leads the Cougars with an 84.2 scoring average.
SIUE Finishes Seventh At Conference
The SIUE men's tennis team ended its season with a seventh-place finish at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships in Indianapolis this past weekend.
The Cougars were defeated by Indianapolis and Quincy before topping Lewis to end the season with a 4-10 overall record. "We are a young team and play in a tough conference," Coach Bill Logan said. "Everyone did the best they could under the circumstances."
The Cougars' roster consisted of all freshmen and sophomores except for junior Doug Kummer (Fenton, Mo.), who posted a 4-4 record playing primarily at No. 6 singles.
Freshman Steve Hupp (Edwardsville) and sophomore Andy Renner (Belleville) each led the team with seven victories. Freshman Daniel Lipe (Edwardsville) and sophomore Chris Rigdon (Glen Carbon) played to a 6-8 record in doubles action.
Freshman Matt Kuban (Pekin) recorded four victories playing No. 2 singles. He also paired with Kummer to go 2-3 in doubles.
"It was a learning year for us," Logan said. "Hopefully we'll stay injury-free next year, and we should improve throughout the off-season."
Visit www.glvcsports.com for the latest GLVC Standings
NCAA Student-Athletes To Discuss Issues, Promote Leadership At Conference
Missy Koenig, a junior softball player, will be among the NCAA student-athletes who will meet next month to discuss student-athlete welfare issues and to enhance their leadership skills at the 2003 NCAA Leadership Conference, May 25-29, at the Coronado Springs Resort in the Walt Disney World Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
Koenig, of Mapleton, will attend the NCAA Leadership Conference, which is one of the largest non-competitive gatherings of NCAA student-athletes. This will be the seventh leadership conference that the NCAA has hosted for student-athletes who compete in fall, winter and spring sports in Divisions I, II and III.
The conference was designed as a forum for student-athletes to discuss key issues collectively, and to provide them with an opportunity to enhance skills, which will enable them to become more effective leaders and motivators when they return to their campuses. The conference also provides student-athletes with exercises to enhance their decision-making and problem-solving skills, and to improve planning and priority management.
During the five-day leadership conference, student-athletes have the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics, which include the demands and expectations of student-athletes; inclusion education; international student-athlete experiences; recruiting visits; student-athlete responsibility; party behaviors; trust gaps within intercollegiate athletics; and sportsmanship.
Following the leadership conference, the student-athletes will be asked to share their experiences and topic discussions with their campus student-athlete advisory committees, as well as other campus leaders. The participants are also asked to develop a strategic plan that will address or solve an issue on their campus or in their community, and implement the plan when they return to their campuses.
Criteria for selection include the student-athletes' demonstrated ability and strong desire to be a leader and the student-athletes' potential o benefit significantly from a leadership development experience. College and university officials who have CHAMPS/ Life Skills programs at their schools are encouraged to nominate student-athletes for the conference. Many of the participants selected for the leadership conference also are members of the student-athlete advisory committees in their athletic conference or on their campus.
The NCAA education services division directs the leadership conference. NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinators and other related athletic administrators and coaches participate as facilitators. In addition, NCAA committee members and Leadership Advisory Board members are invited to participate and assist with the dialogue sessions.
SIUE Men's Basketball Adds Crosby
Men's Head Basketball Coach Marty Simmons continued his signing of area players with the addition of Kris Crosby, a graduate of Belleville East Township High School. Crosby will join the Cougars next season with two years of eligibility.
A 6-foot-5-inch small or power forward, Crosby has been with the Blue Storm of Southwestern Illinois College for the last two seasons. "He's very athletic, a good defender, and plays hard," Simmons said. "And he comes from a good program at SWIC, which is a big plus."
Simmons said he hadn't settled on what position he wanted Crosby to play next season. "He could be a small forward or a power forward for us," Simmons said.
Crosby was an honorable mention All-State selection and team most valuable player his senior year at Belleville East. He also earned third team All-Metro honors. Crosby also ran track in high school, specializing in the high jump and sprints.
Softball Cougars Resume GLVC Play
After a weekend of battles at the GLVC-GLIAC Challenge, the SIUE softball Cougars are ready to return to Cougar Field.
SIUE will play host to Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday (4/18) before playing Lewis on Saturday (4/19). Both are scheduled doubleheaders, with Friday's game starting at 4 p.m. and Saturday's (4/19) at noon at Cougar Field.
SIUE, 30-8 overall and 10-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, is in first-place in the league standings. Lewis is second with an 8-2 conference mark. Wisconsin-Parkside is in the middle of the pack with a 6-4 GLVC record. "Both schools will be tough," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "Every conference game is important at this time."
SIUE is coming off a 4-1 performance against regional foes at the GLVC-GLIAC Crossover. Mary Heather White (Pulaski, Tenn.), a freshman, pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings and RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) picked up a save in SIUE's 1-0 victory against sixth-ranked Grand Valley State. "Mary Heather pitched really well against Grand Valley State," Montgomery said. "That was a great win for us."
SIUE also topped Ashland, Saginaw Valley and Gannon before falling 2-1 against Wayne State (Mich.). "We played well this weekend, even in the loss," Montgomery said.
Shanna Waldo (Peoria) posted a team-high .571 batting average in the tournament. She also stole five bases and scored six runs.
"Shanna had an exceptional weekend," Montgomery said. "She played aggressive, heads-up ball and helped us win some games."
Jenny Esker (Steeleville) continues to lead the team with a .471 batting average. The junior outfielder also is ranked 20th nationally in batting average. She has a team-leading 13 doubles, four triples and six home runs. Spann leads the pitching staff with an 18-4 record and a 1.61 ERA. Her 18 wins is among the top 30 nationally.
Cougars Travel To Indiana
The SIUE men's and women's track teams will head to the Pacesetter Invitational on Saturday (4/19). The meet, withe Indiana State as host, will feature many NCAA Division I schools.
"This meet obviously will be good competition for us," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "Our main focus at this meet is to qualify athletes for nationals."
Individual athletes will be aiming to join 400-meter qualifier Jennifer Jaquez (Aurora) and 3,000-meter steeplechase qualifier Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) as the athletes who have provisionally qualified for nationals.
Meanwhile, Jaquez and Carducci will look to improve their times to better position themselves on the national performance list in their respective events.
Both teams are coming off the Cougar Classic last Saturday (4/12). The women's 4x400-meter relay team set a school record with a time of 3:56.59. "We again had numerous personal records in the meet," Frerker said. "It has just been a great start to our season. Hopefully, we can keep it going this weekend."
Baseball Returns To GLVC Play At Saint Joseph's
The SIUE baseball team will try to snap a four-game losing streak when it travels to Saint Joseph's on Friday (4/18) for the beginning of a three-game series with the Pumas.
SIUE, 15-18 overall and 8-9 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, split a two-game series with Lincoln and was swept in a three-game series at Rockhurst. All five games were non-conference contests.
Joe Wargo (Streator) saw his first action of the season at Lincoln. He hit .353 and scored five runs in the five games. He was also 3 for 4 in stolen base attempts. Jason Kessler (Mattoon) continues to lead the team in offense with a .377 batting average. David Briesacher (Waterloo) leads the pitching staff with four wins. Briesacher has posted a 2.68 ERA and is second on the team with 26 strikeouts.
SIUE had a doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday (4/16) at Quincy, but the games were moved to April 30 because of a scheduling conflict.
Cougar Men's Tennis Take No. 7 Seed
SIUE men's tennis team is playing its best tennis of the season at a good time. SIUE has won three straight matches and is now preparing for the Great Lakes Valley Conference tennis championships, which will be held Friday (4/18) and Saturday (4/19) in Indianapolis, Ind.
After losing its first seven matches of the season, SIUE (3-7, 2-6 GLVC) picked up wins against the University of Chicago, Saint Joseph's and Lewis last weekend to play itself into the eight-team tournament.
Steve Hupp (Edwardsville) and Andy Renner (Belleville) lead the Cougars this season with five victories each. SIUE, the No. 7 seed in the championships, will play No. 2 seed Indianapolis at 9 a.m. Friday in round one of the GLVC Championships. The semifinals begin at 1 p.m. with the final set for Saturday (4/19) beginning at 9 a.m.
GLVC Men's Tennis Tournament At Indy (North Central H.S.) Friday
No. 1 N. Kentucky vs. No. 8 Lewis, 9 am
No. 2 Indianapolis vs. No. 7 SIU Edwardsville, 9 am
No. 3 Southern Indiana vs. No. 6 Quincy, 9 am
No. 4 Bellarmine vs. No. 5 Missouri-St. Louis, 9 am
Second Round, 1 p.m.
Sat., April 19
Final Round, 9 a.m.
Honors Convocation Cites More Than 270 Students
More than 270 SIUE students were recognized recently at the annual Honors Convocation with special awards for academic achievement.
Each year at the convocation, the SIUE Foundation recognizes graduating male and female students with the highest four-year grade-point averages. This year's awards for highest academic excellence went to: A. Lauren Hood of McLeansboro, majoring in Biological Sciences; Joanne M. Olson of Aurora, majoring in English Language and Literature; and Mitchell Rentfro of Strasburg, majoring in Economics and Finance.
Also during the April 13 ceremony, the SIUE Teaching Excellence Award was given to Dennis Hostetler, a professor of Public Administration and Policy Analysis. The award is the highest honor that SIUE gives one of its faculty members. Hostetler received a $2,000 prize and will be given a plaque of recognition at the May 10 spring commencement.
In addition, other faculty were cited with Teacher Recognition Awards: Kay Gaehle, a lecturer in the SIUE School of Nursing, and Paul Brunkow, an assistant professor of Biological Sciences. Each will receive a $500 prize at the convocation.
UCM Annual Chocolate Fund-Raiser Set For May 1-2
The third annual chocolate extravaganza, known as A Death by Chocolate Affair, is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 2, and from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the SIUE Religious Center.
Sponsored by the United Campus Ministry, with offices in the center, the event is an important fund-raiser, according to the Rev. Cherie Hambleton, UCM director.
"Members of the community are invited to tempt their taste buds with the pure enjoyment of chocolate," Hambleton said. "Local restaurants and establishments will be donating chocolate desserts and, for the cost of admission, folks can sample as much chocolate as they want.
"We anticipate more than 20 establishments will be supporting the event, but we'll also have chocolate treats from local kitchens."
Admission is $10; students and children under 12, $5. A "to-go" plate is $8; students and children, $5. For more information, call (618) 650-3248.
UCM on campus represents the United Methodist Church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ, and the Church of the Brethren. United Campus Ministry integrates fellowship, service, study, and worship for students, faculty, and staff, to provide a place to grow and to be challenged, with acceptance and love.
The Honest-To-Goodness Truth Promises To Delight Young And Old. It's TRUE!
Libby Louise Sullivan is in big trouble with her mama. She was caught in a lie and mama had to sit her down and tell her the virtues of being truthful.
But, that's when the bigger trouble began.
It's all part of the fun, with a dose of education, in the St. Louis Black Repertory Company's production of The Honest-To-Goodness Truth at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in the Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
The production is sponsored by the SIUE Friends of Theater and Dance, with help from TheBANK of Edwardsville, as part of A Season for the Child, the annual theater series for the family.
Children will delight in the story of Libby who quickly learns that telling the truth and being a "tattletale" are two very different things. Through difficult experience Libby learns she's "gotta' tell the truth, gotta' use tact, gotta' tell it clean, but don't be mean, tell the truth without fail, and don't be a tattletale."
Written by award-winning St. Louis children's author Patricia C. McKissack and adapted for the stage by Gregory S. Carr, The Honest-To-Goodness Truth delivers a simple moral about truth and kindness wrapped in a story to which children will relate. Ms. McKissack has written more than 50 books with the help of her husband, Fredrick, who does the research.
A Season for the Child returns Oct. 25 with the Piwacket Theater for Children's production of Hansel and Gretel.
Tickets are $5; for more information or to order tickets, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.
W. Shaw Named Associate Dean Of Arts & Sciences
Wendy Shaw, an associate professor of Geography and chair of that department, has been named associate dean of Academic Programs and Faculty Development for the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1.
Recipient of a Teaching Recognition Award in 1999, Shaw has taught classes in human and physical geography, world regions, history and philosophy of geography, and geography of development, to name a few.
A native of Oldham, England, near Manchester, Shaw was a scientific officer in the information retrieval unit for the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority when she moved to Arkansas in 1981.
Before joining the SIUE faculty in 1994, Shaw received a doctorate in Geography at the University of Georgia that same year, and a master's in geography and a bachelor's in secondary education, both from the University of Arkansas, in 1990 and 1988, respectively.
Shaw said she "will be supporting both undergradauate and graduate CAS studies" and overseeing research functions of the college. "I'll also be working to support diversity of faculty in recruitment and retention," she said. "I'll be working with the Women's Studies and African-American Studies programs in that regard."
When asked about the transition from teaching to an administrative post, Shaw pointed out that she was acting chair of Geography for a year and is now completing her third year as full-time chair. "I've been an advocate for Geography and now I will be an advocate for all the departments in CAS," she said.
"I'm very excited about this move," Shaw said. "I've been part of the College of Arts and Sciences from its inception and I've seen it develop under a collaborative model and I want to continue that tradition. I believe in an open collaborative approach."
P. Medon Named Dean Of SIUE School Of Pharmacy
After 20 years, the new dean of the SIUE School of Pharmacy is returning home. Well, in the sense that Philip Medon has lived in Indiana and in Chicago in the past, he's coming back to the Midwest.
"My wife, Chris, and I feel like we're coming home," said Medon, who has been at the University of Louisiana-Monroe College of Pharmacy for the past 20 years. "We have very fond memories of our years at Purdue University and at the University of Illinois in Chicago."
Medon was a David Ross Research Fellow at Purdue in 1971 and 1972, and was assistant professor of Pharmacology at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy at the U of I's Medical Center from 1979-1981.
He also has been a research pharmacologist for Miles Laboratories and an assistant professor of Pharmacy at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy.
Since 1981 Medon has been teaching at ULM, where he currently is executive director of the College of Pharmacy Medicaid Outcomes Research and Evaluation program. He also has been associate dean of Student and Professional Affairs for the college.
"We love the people of the Midwest and we're glad to be back," Medon said. "But, professionally, I feel like I'm coming home because our focus here at SIUE will be teaching, much like the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science where I earned my bachelor of science in Pharmacy in 1968.
"It is the oldest pharmacy college in the country and they focus on teaching and training pharmacists, which is what we'll be doing here at SIUE."
Medon said he has heard from Southern Illinois pharmacists who say that a real shortage of phramacists exists in Southern Illinois. "We will be focused on training students to work in independent and chain pharmacies, and hospital sites in Southern Illinois," Medon said. "We will focus on keeping our graduates in the region and will seek students interested in patient care."
SIUE's School of Pharmacy program is a four-year professional curriculum, offered in a 2 + 2 format. The first two years will consist of study on the SIUE campus; years three and four will take place on three regional clinical campuses in Central and Southern Illinois.
One of these regional clinics will be in Springfield, adjacent to the SIU School of Medicine. The academic program will seek accreditation by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.
"We are looking for students who are transferring after two years of college, students with a variety of experiences," he said "I've been involved with pharmacy since high school, when I worked in a drugstore. It's a great career.
"Other pharmacy colleges in the region are in St. Louis and Chicago, and graduates there tend to stay in the larger urban areas," Medon said. "As the need for pharmacists grows for the next 20 years, my goal is that the SIUE program will fill a real need for pharmacists in Southern Illinois."
Business Course Looks At Ethics From Various Angles
The stock market was hot; investors were flush. The competitive fires kept the proverbial candle lit until well into the night as corporate officers and their employees racked their brains in an effort to squeeze out any advantage that would put them a little ahead.
Good, clean competition…the epitome of free-market capitalism. Then, things started to go very wrong.
An economic slowdown, worsened by an unsettled political climate and the pressure of terrorist acts at home and abroad slowed the stock market's torrid run. And as the markets receded from the record run of the 1990s, evidence of fraud emerged.
As one fraud followed another-Enron, Andersen, Worldcom, Tyco, Qwest and others-investors, once so confident in their holdings, saw their life savings wiped out. Employees saw their pension plans drained and company officers in handcuffs.
"In short, corporate greed had come to be acceptable behavior," said Madhav Segal, professor of Marketing. "Our corporate culture reached a point where ethical lapses were tolerated and greater importance was attached to profits over principle. Now we have to look at ways to change the culture, and higher education has to be part of the equation."
"(Higher education) has to admit that it bears some responsibility for the business climate and to devote time to teaching that in business there is an absolute right or wrong," said Jim Wilkerson, assistant professor of Management.
Segal, Wilkerson and Joe Michlitsch, associate professor of Management, formed a coordinating team to study the idea of a graduate-level ethics class. The coordinating team and nine additional School of Business faculty members volunteered to create and staff "Ethics and Corporate Responsibility in the World of Enron, Andersen and Worldcom" for graduate business students.
The first session of the course concluded in February. Students and faculty-with the help of area industry leaders-took a multi-disciplinary view of ethical decision-making, and incorporated current business events relating to ethics. "We intentionally took the multi-disciplinary approach," Segal said. "It gives us a chance to see the issues from multiple angles and with the benefit of varied backgrounds. It's not only an issue of what the regulations say, or how to properly develop an economic forecast. It is all those things and more. Most especially, it is a managerial issue."
"It's not just a matter of teaching our future executives to make wise choices," said Gary Giamartino, dean of the School of Business. "We need to teach students to better recognize an ethical dilemma. It could be that we've taken for granted that people know an ethical dilemma when they see it."
Brett Krug, a project engineer at Icon Mechanical in Granite City, who is pursuing an MBA, said it was the interdisciplinary approach that made the class work for him. "It was interesting to see the issue from different perspectives," he said. "Having faculty and business leaders from different backgrounds and industries illustrated that the issues of ethics and corporate governance are not just classroom theories, but are significant issues applicable to all corporations and industries."
Robert Cherhoniak, a full-time MBA student, said he learned a great deal about ethics in the corporate world, including how ethical practices translate to his own investor confidence. "As an investor, I'd be comfortable buying stock in Coke," he said. "Based on what we learned in the class, I know that the company has made decisions based on ethics and not expediency."
The course recently received funding from SIUE's Excellence in Graduate Education, a program that funds innovative graduate program initiatives. Segal said plans are being made to evaluate the course so that changes can be made for next year.
R. Greenwalt Named Director Of Health Service
Riane Greenwalt, who has spent 16 years in academic clinical management in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, has been named director of SIUE's Health Service, according to Narbeth Emmanuel, vice chancellor for Student Affairs.
Before joining the SIUE staff, Greenwalt had been with the Saint Louis University Institutional Review Board since 2001, facilitating and processing human research protocols for the SLU Department of Medicine.
From 1992-2001 she was a clinical administrator for the Specialty Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. She also has been clinic services manager for the General Internal Medicine area of the SLU Department of Internal Medicine.
A registered nurse who studied at St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Greenwalt went on to earn an MBA at Webster University in St. Louis, with an emphasis in Health Services Management.
Emmanuel said he was pleased with Greenwalt's selection and had high praise for the work of the search committee. "Riane brings a wealth of health care experience which will prove to be a valuable asset in providing quality health services and education for our students."
Greenwalt said she wants to build on the foundation laid by her predecessors at Health Services. "I plan to build on the staff's commitment to deliver quality medical care to students in a timely manner," she said. "I would like to see Health Services expand to include outreach programs that focus on health education and preventive health issues."
Softball Cougars Play Ashland In First Round of NCAA Regional
The SIUE softball team will enter the NCAA Great Lakes Regional as the third seed and will play No. 6 Ashland at 12:30 p.m. Thursday (5/8) in the opening game.
The regional will be hosted by Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich. The tournament seeds, in order, are: Grand Valley State, Wayne State (Mich.), SIUE, West Virginia Wesleyan, Northern Kentucky and Ashland.
This year's regional field mirrors the six teams who qualified last season. The winner of this year's six-team double-elimination regional tournament advances to the NCAA II Championships in Salem, Ore.
SIUE and Ashland have played twice this season, with Ashland claiming the first game 6-3 on March 9th and SIUE blanking the Eagles 5-0 on April 12th at the GLVC-GLIAC Challenge. Last season, Ashland eliminated the Cougars from the Great Lakes Regional.
SIUE, 43-9 overall, received the automatic bid to the regional by winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship. The Cougars won back-to-back GLVC titles by defeating Saint Joseph's, Bellarmine and Wisconsin-Parkside in the tournament. SIUE came from behind to defeat Wisconsin-Parkside 5-4 in eight innings to claim the GLVC crown.
"The team played hard and was very focused all weekend," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "They played with a lot of heart and character and that is great at the end of the season."
Holly Neuerburg (Orion) led the offense with five runs batted in and a .500 batting average during the tournament. Koree Claxton (Rantoul) provided a walk-off home run in a win over Bellarmine.
RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) won three games in the GLVC Tournament and improved her overall record to 25-5.
NCAA Great Lakes Softball Regional
Allendale, Michigan
Thursday, May 8
Game 1 - #4 W. Virginia Wesleyan vs. #5 Northern Kentucky, 10 a.m.
Game 2 - #3 SIU Edwardsville vs. #6 Ashland, 12:30 p.m.
Game 3 - #1 Grand Valley State vs. Winner of Game 1, 3 p.m.
Game 4 - #2 Wayne State vs. Winner of Game 2, 5:30 p.m.
Friday, May 9
Game 5 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 4, 10 a.m.
Game 6 - Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 2, 12:30 p.m.
Game 7 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 3 p.m.
Game 8 - Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
Game 9 - Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 11 a.m.
Game 10 - Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 11
Game 11 - Necessary only if winner Game 9 defeats Winner Game 7 in Game 10
Baseball Cougars Play Their Way Into GLVC Tourney
At one point this season, the SIUE baseball team was hoping just to get into the Great Lakes Valley Conference post-season tournament.
But SIUE took seven of its last nine conference games to vault into second place in the standings and grab the No. 2 seed in this week's GLVC Baseball Championships, which will be played at top-seeded Missouri-St. Louis.
"We can't complain considering we were in 10th place in the conference earlier this season," Coach Gary Collins said. SIUE will have to wait until it knows its first round opponent, but it will be either Quincy or Wisconsin-Parkside. SIUE's first-round game is scheduled for noon Thursday (5/8).
Offensively, centerfielder Joe Wargo (Streator) leads the team in hitting with a .338 average. Jared Brueggeman (East Alton) has been hot as of late and has raised his average to .315. "Wargo and Brueggeman have both done a great job," Collins said.
The Cougars have been getting solid innings from their starting pitching, and their relievers have been getting the job done when called upon. "Starters Jarad Rettberg (Divernon) and David Briesacher (Waterloo) were both great this weekend," Coach Gary Collins said. "Ryan Spurgeon (Bethalto) has been pitching well, and Brad Hinton (Clinton) has been super out of the bullpen."
GLVC Baseball Tournament
St. Louis, Missouri
Thursday, May 8
Game 1: #1 Missouri-St. Louis vs. #6 Kentucky Wesleyan, 3 pm
Game 2: #2 SIU Edwardsville vs. #5 Quincy/Wis-Parkside, Noon
Game 3: #3 Indianapolis vs. #4 Quincy/Wis-Parkside, 9 am
Friday, May 9
Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs Loser Game 2, 9 am
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3, Noon
Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 3 pm
Saturday, May 10
Game 7: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 9 am
Game 8: Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 4, Noon
Game 9: Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 3 pm
Sunday, May 11
Game 10: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9 - Noon
Game 11: (if necessary) Winner Game 10 vs. Loser Game 10 - 3 pm
Track And Field Prepares For GLVC Meet
The SIUE track and field teams are preparing for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships, which will be held Thursday and Friday (5/8-9) at SIUE's Ralph Korte Stadium.
"We will be strong," said Coach Darryl Frerker. "I expect us to be one of the top three teams on both sides."
The Cougars sent a few athletes to last Saturday's (5/3) Butler Twilight. Three athletes on the men's squad provisionally qualified for the NCAA II Championships. They were Ben Hilby (Rockford) in the 800-meter run, and Ryan Boyll (Normal) and Brian Taghon (East Moline) in the 1,500-meter run.
Frerker indicated their times, although good enough to put them on the national qualifying list, will not place them in the NCAA-II Championships field. Therefore, they will have to improve their times at this week's GLVC meet.
Softball Signs Catcher For 2004
While guiding her team to a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, SIUE softball coach Sandy Montgomery also has been preparing for the 2004 season.
The Cougars have added catcher Shannon Evans (Manhattan). A prep standout at Lincoln Way High School, Evans comes to SIUE from St. Xavier College. Evans played in one game this season, her second season at St. Xavier. Her 2002 season included a .346 batting average and All-Chicagoland Conference and All-Region selection. "She adds a lot of experience and a good bat to the lineup," Montgomery said.
SIUE Volleyball Signs 6-0 Talsma
Tina Talsma, who spent last season at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke, has decided to transfer to SIUE and play volleyball for the Cougars. She will have three years of eligibility beginning in the fall.
"She is an impact type player," Coach Todd Gober said. "I'm excited to bring her in."
Talsma, who hails from Ontario, Canada, was the 2002 co-Freshman of the Year in the Peach Belt Conference. She also was named to the PBC's All-Conference team. Talsma led UNC-Pembroke in blocks (137) and kills (454) in 2002.
"She brings size to our front row, and I love her attitude," Gober said. "She will fit in with this team really well."
Gober expects Talsma to compete for a position at middle blocker or right-side hitter.
SIUE Cross Country/Track Signs Kyle Fluck
Kyle Fluck (Geneseo) has signed a national letter of intent to compete for SIUE next season in cross country as well as track and field.
Coach Darryl Frerker said Fluck will be a welcome addition to the Cougars next season. "He'll be shooting for one of the top five spots in our cross country lineup as a freshman," Frerker said.
Fluck is a four-year varsity award winner in cross country and was the team Most Valuable Player as a senior. He is a three-year letter winner and a two-time All-Conference award winner.
Baseball Cougars To Play At GMC Stadium On Friday
The SIUE baseball team will play a key Great Lakes Valley Conference game Friday at GMC Stadium in Sauget. The home of the Gateway Grizzlies will be the site for SIUE's 7 p.m. game Friday against Bellarmine. Any SIUE baseball alumni who would like to attend should contact the Athletics Department, (618) 650-2871.
Softball To Face Saint Joseph's In GLVC Tourney
The SIUE softball team will play Saint Joseph's College Friday (5/2) at Cougar Field in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships. Game time is set for 11 a.m.
SIUE will play host to the eight-team double-elimination tournament by way of finishing first in the conference standings during the regular season. "I hope we have big crowds like we did during the regional last season," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "That was really a big boost to our team."
If SIUE wins Friday, it will then play the winner of Southern Indiana/Bellarmine at 3 p.m. later that day. SIUE, which finds out after the GLVC Tournament its fate for the NCAA Tournament, is currently riding a seven-game winning streak and has won 18 of its last 20 games. "I'm comfortable with where we are," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "We are capable of doing a lot of things. Come tournament time, anything can happen."
Jenny Esker (Steeleville) leads the team in hitting with a .457 batting average. She is only 14 hits short of breaking her own school record for hits in a season, which she set last season with 83 hits. Esker leads the GLVC in numerous offensive categories.
RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) leads the pitching staff with a 22-5 record and 169 strikeouts. Mary Heather White (Pulaski, Tenn.) has pitched well as of late and has posted a 9-1 overall record.
GLVC Tournament
Friday, May 2
Game 1 - #4 Southern Indiana vs. #5 Bellarmine, 9 a.m. at SIUE
Game 2 - #3 Lewis vs. #6 Indianapolis, 8:30 a.m. at EHS
Game 3 - #1 SIU Edwardsville vs. #8 St. Joseph's, 11 a.m. at SIUE
Game 4 - #2 N. Kentucky vs. #7 UW-Parkside, 10:30 a.m. at EHS
Game 5 - Losers of Game 2 and Game 3, 1 p.m. at SIUE
Game 6 - Losers of Game 1 and Game 4, 12:30 p.m. at EHS
Game 7 - Winners of Game 1 and Game 3, 3 p.m. at SIUE
Game 8 - Winners of Game 2 and Game 4, 2:30 p.m. at EHS
Game 9 - Winner of Game 5 and Loser Game 7, 5 p.m. at SIUE
Game 10 - Winner of Game 6 and Loser Game 8, 6:30 p.m. at EHS
Saturday, May 3 at SIUE
Game 11 - Winners of Game 9 and Game 10, 1 p.m.
Game 12 - Winner of Game 7 and Game 8, 3 p.m.
Game 13 - Winner of Game 11 and Loser Game 12, 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 4 at SIUE
Game 14 - Winners Game 12 and Game 13, 1 p.m.
Game 15 - Repeat Game 14 if necessary, 3 p.m.
SIUE- Cougar Field on SIUE's Campus
EHS - Edwardsville H.S. varsity field
Cougars Travel To Quincy; Close Regular Season Against Bellarmine
The SIUE baseball team will travel to Quincy for a Wednesday (4/30) doubleheader before hosting Bellarmine in the final regular-season Great Lakes Valley Conference series.
Wednesday's doubleheader is crucial for SIUE and Quincy. SIUE is just a half-game back of Quincy for fourth place in the conference standings. The top six teams in the conference standings advance to the GLVC Championships in two weeks.
SIUE, now 20-23 and 13-12 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, took two games of a three-game GLVC series from Indianapolis this past weekend. Coach Gary Collins hopes his club can find a way to keep the momentum going into the final five games of the season. "We haven't kept momentum at all this season," Collins said. "We do not seem to know what momentum is."
SIUE previously defeated Quincy at Roy Lee Field 10-5 earlier this season. The Cougars will face Bellarmine on Friday (5/2) for a 7 p.m. start at GMC Stadium in Sauget. The series then returns to Roy Lee Field for a Saturday (5/3) doubleheader beginning at noon.
Bellarmine is currently next to last in the GLVC with a 12-32 and 9-18 in the GLVC. "Everything is riding on these last five games," Collins said. "We are in much better shape now than we were a week ago."
Craig Ohlau (Chester) leads the team in hitting with a .345 batting average. Jason Kessler (Mattoon) and Joe Wargo (Streator) follow with .322 and .321 averages, respectively. David Briesacher (Waterloo) leads the pitching staff with four victories.
Brad Hinton (Clinton) and Brian Keating (St. Louis) follow with three wins each.
Carducci Improves Time For NCAA Meet
Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) lowered her 3,000-meter steeplechase time to 11 minutes, 10.25 seconds at Saturday's (4/26) SIUE Twilight. That time places her in better position on the national performance list and increases her chances to be selected to participate in the event at the NCAA Division II Championships at SIUE on May 22-24.
Carducci provisionally qualified for the event in the first meet of the season and has lowered her time each meet she has run the event. "It is looking secure for her getting into nationals," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "She will run again at conference and will be looking to win the event at the conference meet."
Cristen Carducci (Powell, Ohio), Carrie's sister, provisionally qualified in the 3,000 meter run in a school-record time of 10:16.11.
On the men's side, Richard Skirball (Granite City) provisionally qualified in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.02. "Overall, the team is getting the experience we need to set us up for the conference meet," Frerker said. "If we stay healthy, we'll be one of the better teams."
Some select athletes will participate at the Butler Twilight on Saturday (5/3) in Indianapolis, while the rest of the squad will prepare for the GLVC Championships, which will be hosted by SIUE May 8-9.
SIUE Selected For NCAA East Regional
The SIUE women's golf team was one of six teams selected to the NCAA East Regional golf tournament, to be held May 6-7 at Findlay, Ohio. It is the first time the Cougar golf team has advanced to the regional as a team.
"We are obviously happy to make it," Coach Larry Bennett said. "It is a credit to the team's hard work."
SIUE will enter the tournament as the sixth-seed. SIUE joins Grand Valley State, Ferris State, Longwood, Indianapolis, and Northern Kentucky in the tournament. "We are going to need to play well to be one of two teams to advance out of the regional," Bennett said.
Bennett expects to know by Wednesday which golfers he will send to the regional. Katie Farrell (Princeton), who finished 28th in the East Regional last season, leads the Cougars with an 84.2 scoring average. Bennett said Farrell guaranteed herself a spot on the regional roster
March 2003
March 3, 2003
FOTAD Presents 'Puss 'n' Boots' As Part Of A Season For The Child
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The "crazy cat in the high boots" comes to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Puss 'n' Boots at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, for a performance in Katherine Dunham Hall theater. The stage play of the classic children's story will be performed by the Imaginary Theatre Company, the traveling arm of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
The event is part of A Season for the Child, a series of family theater productions sponsored each year by the Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD), a support group for the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance, and TheBANK of Edwardsville.
The story chronicles the adventures of Puss, who is cleverer than his master and sets out to make his life free from want. Along the way, Puss overcomes an ogre, pleases a king, and wins the heart of the princess. Back to top
Tickets are $5 and are available through the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774. Proceeds benefit the FOTAD scholarship fund.
March 6, 2003
'Celebration Of World Faiths' Set For March 22 At Religious Center
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Friends of the Religious Center (FRC), a support group for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Religious Center, is sponsoring A Celebration of World Faiths from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the domed center, located between the Morris University Center and the Art and Design Building.
Spiritual leaders and groups from several Christian and non-Christian traditions will share music, scripture, prayer, and information about their faiths. The goal is an evening of learning and fellowship, and an opportunity to tell visitors more about the Friends of the Religious Center. The new support group is dedicated to preserving the center as the place on campus for serving the spiritual needs of SIUE students, as well as its architectural importance.
"The FRC board of directors is made up of about a dozen members of the university community and the surrounding community at-large," said Greg Fields, an associate professor of Philosophical Studies at the university and chair of the newly formed group. "Also included in the group are the three ministerial directors headquartered at the center. We all share an interest in the structure as an architectural treasure."
Admission is free to the March 22 event, but donations will be accepted. Refreshments with ethnic themes will be served, and all are welcome.
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March 6, 2003
Pianist Ian Hobson Continues Recital Series At SIUE-Performing Chopin
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Renowned concert pianist Ian Hobson will continue his series of recitals at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville-performing the complete solo piano works of Frédéric Chopin-at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 19-20, in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
The sixth and seventh edition of the nine-recital series is titled 1832-1839: "The Paris Years" and 1839-1841: "Productive Times with Sand at Nohant and Paris." The Chopin series-which concludes April 1-2-is being performed chronologically, following stages in the Polish composer's life and career.
The March 19 recital includes: Mazurkas, Op. 17, Nos. 1-4; Nocturne in C Minor; Nocturnes, Op. 37, Nos. 1-2; Impromptu in A-flat Major, Op. 29; Mazurkas, Op. 41, Nos. 1-4; Largo in E-flat Major; Andantino in G Minor (arr. of the song, "Wiosna"); Variation No. 6 in E from Hexameron; Waltz in F Major, Op. 34, No. 3; Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23; Ballade in F Major, Op. 38; Scherzo in C-sharp Minor, Op. 39; and Sonata in B-flat Minor, Op. 35.
The March 20 recital includes: Cantabile in B-flat Major; Prelude in A-flat Major; Impromptu in F-sharp Major, Op. 36; Trois nouvelles etudes, Nos. 1-3; Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 42a; Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 42b; Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 42; Polonaise in F-sharp Minor, Op. 44; Sostenuto in E-flat Major; Ballade in A-flat Major, Op. 47; Mazurkas, Op. 50, Nos. 1-3; Nocturnes, Op. 48, Nos. 1-2; Waltz in F Minor, Op. 70, No. 2; and Fantaisie in F Minor, Op. 49.
Called one of the greatest pianists of our time, Hobson's programs consistently demonstrate a repertoire that spans centuries and demands a command of styles and scholarly vision. His recordings and recitals encompass a cross section of works.
A professor of Music at the University of Illinois, Hobson maintains an active performance, conducting, and recording schedule. In recent seasons, Hobson has performed at Wigmore Hall, London, Alice Tully Hall, the "Mostly Mozart Festival" in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Hobson also has performed the Chopin and Moscheles concertos at the Bard Music Festival, and has presented recitals in the United States, England, and Europe, featuring diverse works such as Beethoven's complete sonatas, excerpts from Gershwin's Song Book, Schumann's major piano works, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, to name a few.
He also has been on the juries of international piano competitions, such as the Van Cliburn, and is known worldwide as a pianist, conductor, and teacher. Hobson has recorded more than 35 compact discs of works, including piano concertos by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns, as well as Liszt transcriptions and the complete Beethoven sonatas, Brahms variations, Chopin etudes, Hummel sonatas, and Rachmaninoff preludes, etudes-tableaux, and transcriptions.
Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $6. For ticket information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.
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March 6, 2003
EBR Club To Collaborate Again With National Black Writers Conference
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) In celebration of Women's History Month and the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club's 17th birthday, members of the club will present "Their Eyes Were Watching God," Zora Neale Hurston's 1937 love story, from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in Room 0003 of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's East St. Louis Center, 411 E. Broadway.
The free family event also will focus on women co-founders of the Club, which began in March of 1986, as well as women instrumental in regional cultural and literary history such as Annette Officer, Bessie Garvin, Katie Wright, Maya Angelou, Shirley Portwood, Katherine Dunham, and Clementine Reeves Hamilton.
EBR Club co-founder Eugene Redmond, a professor of English Language and Literature at SIUE, said members will "sing" the literary and folkloric virtues of "Eyes" at the March 18 event. "This will include tributary readings of kwansabas and original reviews," Redmond said. Like the club's February Black Literary Heritage Symposium, the March 18 event also is being co-sponsored by the National Black Writers Conference of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York.
Hurston (1891-1961) was a friend of the poet Langston Hughes, both products of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s-30s. Following a period of fame, Hurston slipped into poverty and, upon her death, was buried in an unmarked grave. Between the late 1960s and the present, however, Hurston's work was rediscovered (and vigorously re-issued) as she became an icon-thanks largely to the efforts of Alice Walker and the women's movement. "Indeed, Walker has called 'Eyes' one of the 'finest achievements' in African-American literature," Redmond said.
In addition to the EBR Writers Club, other sponsors of the March 18 event include the SIUE English department, the Renaissance Literary Arts Press, Drum voices Revue, the East St. Louis Cultural Revival Campaign Committee, the Miles Davis Arts Festival Advisory Board, the Black River Writers Press, and the National Black Writers Conference.
For information about the "Eyes" and EBR Writers Club's birthday celebration, call (618) 650-3991.
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March 6, 2003
33rd Annual Antiques Show Set For March 22-23 At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) More than 60 dealers in antiques from the Midwest will display and sell a variety of items from furniture, jewelry, fine glass, porcelain, and china to tools, toys, and books Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23, at the 33rd Annual Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Antiques Show and Sale at SIUE's Vadalabene Center.
The event, sponsored by the Friends of Lovejoy Library, will take place in the center's gymnasium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free informal appraisals with paid admission (2 item limit) will be offered Saturday from 2-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-3 p.m.
Tickets are $5 and are available at the door; tickets are good for both days. For a $20 fee, "early bird" patrons may enter the show between 9 and 10 a.m. Saturday. Children under 13 years of age are admitted free. For more information, call the Friends of Lovejoy Library, (618) 650-2730.
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March 6, 2003
Fuller's SIUE Dome Now Has 'Friends' To Care For It
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) R. Buckminster Fuller was quite a thinker by most accounts, a visionary to many who advocated the environmental global village idea long before anyone else really could grasp the concept.
His structure, The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Religious Center, embodies the "Spaceship Earth" concept that Fuller espoused-that we are a global family and Earth is our vehicle that must be maintained. It's distinct geodesic design has always been a conversation piece for campus visitors.
But, after 30-plus years, the center itself needs some major repair and the Friends of the Religious Center (FRC) support group is being created to facilitate matters. The FRC board of directors is made up of about a dozen members of the university community and the surrounding community at-large, including the three ministerial directors headquartered at the center. They all share an interest in the structure as an architectural treasure.
"Many people may not know it, but the Religious Center structure is not a university-owned building," says Greg Fields, an associate professor of Philosophical Studies at SIUE and chair of the Friends group. "It was built with private money and opened in 1971 to serve the spiritual needs of the students.
"The Center is dedicated to keep religious faith and experience in dialogue with higher education," Fields said, "and to enriching the spiritual lives of students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of the surrounding communities.
"The building has been maintained through the years by the University Religious Council, a private group, which in turn leases the land on which the center stands from SIUE," Fields said. "However, because of dwindling resources, the council has had more trouble in the past few years attaining funds to keep the building in repair. So, some concerned members of the community have banded together to form the FRC and help raise money for the building," Fields said.
Fields said the group is planning fund-raising events and hopes to attract attention to others who are concerned with preserving local architecture. The FRC will present A Celebration of World Faiths, from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Religious Center. Spiritual leaders and groups from several traditions will share music, scripture, prayer, and information about their faiths. The goal is an evening of learning and fellowship, and an opportunity to tell visitors more about the Friends of the Religious Center. This is a free event, with donations accepted. Refreshments with ethnic themes will be available, and all are welcome.
"This building was designed by Buck Fuller when he was a member of the faculty at both Edwardsville and Carbondale," Fields pointed out. "Not only is this a unique piece of architectural wonder, but also an integral part of the history of this university."
Most of the money raised by the URC through the years has helped maintain the building on a daily basis; however, a capital campaign is needed for more extensive projects, such as major roof repair and replacement of the heating and cooling system, as well as landscaping to deter flooding.
The FRC also is concerned with raising funds to help with programming at the center. The FRC is interested in expanding the resources of the university's new minor program in Religious Studies, a subject, Fields says, "that is important for both religiously inclined students, and for those who are not, as a means to understand religion as a major force in the history and future of the world."
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March 6, 2003
Area High Schools Win Their Divisions In Regional Math Contest At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Gibault Catholic High School at Waterloo and Red Bud High School won first place in Division 1A and 2A, respectively, of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) competition recently on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Meanwhile, Carbondale High School won Division 3AA and O'Fallon took the top spot in the 4AA competition. Marion High School took second in the 3AA, while Belleville East Township took second in the 4AA.
Division 4AA encompasses schools with more than 2,000 enrolled, while Division 3AA includes schools with enrollment between 1,000 and 1,999. Division 2A schools have between 400 and 999 students, while Division 1A includes schools with enrollment of 399 or less. The four division winners at SIUE, among 21 regional winners from across Illinois, will advance to the state competition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on April 26.
Throughout the state, more than 225 schools competed at the regional level for team and individual rankings. There were 15 schools competing at the SIUE event in February, according to Associate Professor Marilyn Hasty and Assistant Professor Tammy Voepel, co-directors of the regional event and both faculty members of the SIUE Department of Mathematics and Statistics. SIUE math faculty conducted the competition.
Hasty said skills tested included factoring logarithms, inequalities, logical reasoning, and creative analysis used in algebra through calculus. Scoring was based on accuracy and speed, she said.
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March 13, 2003
SIUE Students Bring International Trade Possibilities To Small Businesses
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) College students often do research for papers and projects as a regular part of coursework, but seldom do they get to apply that research in the real world, much less see results. But, that's what happened in Silvia Torres' international business class during fall semester at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Several area companies have used student-created plans from the course-Managing in the Global Economy/International Management-to begin laying the groundwork for exporting their products, said Torres, director of SIUE's International Trade Center. "We recruited nine companies last year to participate in this project," Torres said. "These are small businesses without budgets or personnel to do the kind of research it takes to establish international clients."
The companies-from around the state of Illinois-each were assigned a team of SIUE students to gather research about international markets. "The students met with company officials, visited facilities, and became familiar with product lines," Torres said. "They also researched world markets, some recommended by the students themselves and others requested by a company."
That research was applied to the needs of each of the companies and an export plan was devised.
Each company carried out its assigned plan and results recently began coming back to Torres. The results were positive with participating companies successfully making contacts with potential distributors in China, Canada, Mexico, and Russia.
Jim Rompel, president of Safe Effective Alternatives (SEA) Inc. in Belleville, said the students in Torres' class researched world markets for his products and are now following up on a plan to export those products-non-pesticide treatments for head lice-to Canada and Australia. "Controlling head lice is a problem worldwide, but the students found that based on SEA's resources Canada and Australia would be our best potential export markets," Rompel said.
Rompel had high praise for Torres and the SIUE International Trade Center, which in itself has helped many businesses in the area such as SEA. As for the International Business course project, Rompel was very impressed with the quality of the students' work. "I would recommend involvement in this class project to any company."
Those sentiments were echoed by Dennis Wilmsmeyer, a senior planner for the Tri-City Regional Port District, a state-created agency. The port district's needs were a bit more challenging for the students in Torres' class. "We've trying to team up with the New Orleans port district in our exporting plan," Wilmsmeyer said. "We've been attempting to target countries such as China, Mexico and Cuba for exporting our clients' grain, grain-related products, steel, and liquid products. We feel that working with New Orleans gives us more volume and puts more products on the Mississippi River.
"The students' research recommended China and Mexico, so we've made a contact with New Orleans and we will meet with them and present the students' export plan," Wilmsmeyer said. "Frankly, I was surprised, almost shocked, to see the quality of the research done by these students. They had no prior experience in our area of expertise, but they visited with us at our facilities at Granite City, and came back with a report that had much more quality and quantity than I expected."
Torres said the course is a great opportunity for business students to get involved with companies in the real world. "After the research was completed, the students made presentations to the company representatives. I sat in on the presentations and then sought feedback from the companies to determine a grade for each student. I was very pleased with the outcome."
When asked if languages had been a barrier to the students' research, Torres said most companies overseas have English-speaking representatives. "I recommend this course to any business major interested in exporting procedures and I encourage business people who are looking to begin exporting products to take advantage of this course in the future."
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March 13, 2003
Board Approves George Arnold For Distinguished Service Award
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) George Arnold, an emeritus associate professor of Environmental Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will receive a Distinguished Service Award during SIUE's May 10 commencement, according to action taken today by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting.
Arnold is the third person to be honored at the May 10 ceremonies-jazz legend John "Bucky" Pizzarelli, master of the seven-string guitar, and world-renowned genetic biotechnologist Roy Curtiss III already were approved last month by the board to each receive honorary degrees at spring commencement.
The SIUE Distinguished Service Awards have been presented for 35 years to those who have given outstanding or unusual service to the university, the region, or the state. Honorary degrees have been awarded for nearly 40 years to those who have made significant contributions to cultural, educational, scientific, economic, social, or humanitarian fields, or other worthy fields of endeavor.
Arnold has championed several environmental projects locally and statewide, including two bikeways bills passed by the Illinois General Assembly with the help of the late Sen. Sam Vadalabene: one directing the Illinois Department of Transportation to establish a bikeways program, while the second called for the Department of Natural Resources to build the bikeways. The result can be seen in the hundreds of miles of safe and scenic bicycle routes throughout the state.
Arnold is a long-standing member of the 10-state Mississippi River Parkway Commission and was chosen to represent Illinois in the Federal Mississippi River Corridor Study to promote the river's heritage. He was a founder of and is currently past-president of the Madison County Conservation Alliance, devoted to maintaining a clean environment.
More recently, Arnold was instrumental in establishing the new Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center near Hartford. The center, recently completed, was supported by U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello in collaboration with Jim Edgar and George Ryan, past Illinois governors.
Pizzarelli, who has conducted workshops at SIUE for the university's Jazz Studies Program, has been a legend in the music world for more than half a century. Professor Curtiss and his research group have sought to define the biochemical bases and genetic controls by which bacterial pathogens cause various human ills.
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March 13, 2003
27th Annual Probst Lecture Set For March 31 At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The 27th Annual William J. Probst Memorial Lecture will present George B. Richter-Addo, Presidential Professor of Chemistry at Oklahoma University, at 7 p.m. Monday, March 31, in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Morris University Center.
The annual lecture is sponsored by the SIUE Department of Chemistry and the SIUE Chemistry Club. Richter-Addo will speak about "Small, Versatile, and Potent: NO and You," regarding the role nitric oxide (NO) plays in the human body. White blood cells secrete NO, which regulates blood pressure and acts as a defense against infection; nerve cells use it to communicate with each other.
"It's one of those molecules that's in the right place at the right time," said Assistant Professor Michael Shaw, coordinator of the Probst Lecture. "Nitric oxide can be helpful as it is secreted by the body, but if you inhaled it, it would be deadly. For example, the nose secretes a very small amount of NO that helps dilate the blood vessels of the body, which in turn lowers blood pressure and facilitates good blood flow," Shaw said.
Richter-Addo's research work has had relevance to varied biological activities ranging from dilation of blood vessels, erectile dysfunction, the operation of the immune system, and cancer.
In addition to his lecture the evening of March 31, Richter-Addo will conduct a student research symposium at 2 that afternoon, also in Meridian Ballroom. He also will speak to Chemistry faculty about "The Bio-Inorganic Chemistry of Heme-NO Interactions" at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, in Room 3114 of SIUE's Science Building.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Richter-Addo traveled extensively in pursuit of his education before settling in the United States. He received an Honors bachelor of science and an Education degree in 1982 from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa. The following year he enrolled in graduate school at the University of British Columbia, where he performed research in organometallic nitrosyl chemistry.
Richter-Addo earned a doctorate in 1988 followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Alberta and at the University of Utah. He joined the Chemistry/Biochemistry faculty at Oklahoma in 1993.
The lecture series is funded in part by: the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, the SIUE Graduate School, the SIUE Department of Chemistry, and student activity fees. The Probst Lecture was established to honor the late Professor William Probst who taught organic chemistry at SIUE for nearly 20 years before his death in 1975. The lectures and seminars are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Department of Chemistry. (618) 650-2042.
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March 13, 2003
Grammy Award-winning Takacs Quartet to Appear in Concert on SIUE 'Arts & Issues' series March 27
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - Recognized as one of the world's greatest string quartets, the Takacs Quartet will perform an evening of Beethoven and Haydn on Thursday, March 27, as part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Arts & Issues series. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be held in the University's Dunham Hall theater.
"Our audience should be prepared for an extraordinary evening of chamber music," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "The Takacs Quartet has been acclaimed internationally, and they will be appearing here on campus fresh from their Grammy Award win last month."
The first volume of the Quartet's Beethoven Cycle (middle quartets) received the Grammy Award for "Best Chamber Music Album 2002." Released in May of last year, "Beethoven: String Quartets ("Razumovsky" Op. 59, 1-3; "Harp" Op. 74), was also named the Gramophone "2002 Chamber Music Recording of the Year," and received a Grammy nomination for "Best Classical Album", the Chamber Music America/WQXR Record Award, and the Japan Record Academy Award for Chamber Music in 2002.
The Takács Quartet was formed by Gabor Takács-Nagy, Károly Schranz, Gabor Ormai, and András Fejér in 1975, while all four were students at Budapest's Liszt Academy. It first received international attention in 1977, winning First Prize and the Critics' Prize at the International String Quartet Competition in Evian, France. Thereafter, the Takács won the Gold Medal at the 1978 Portsmouth and Bordeaux Competitions and First Prizes at the Budapest International String Quartet Competition (1978) and the Bratislava Competition (1981). The quartet made its North American debut tour in 1982.
Since its formation in 1975, the ensemble has appeared regularly in every major music capital and prestigious festival. The Quartet - consisting now of violinist Schranz, cellist Fejér, violinist Edward Dusinberre, and violist Roger Tapping - is based in Boulder, Colorado, where it has held a residency at the University of Colorado since 1983. The Takács is a resident quartet at the Aspen Festival and its members are also visiting fellows at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
During the 2002 -2003 season, the Takács Quartet will have performed more than forty concerts in the U.S., and toured extensively in Europe. Special projects include a tour with the famed Hungarian gypsy ensemble Muzsikás; several concerts with pianist Garrick Ohlsson; and a Beethoven cycle presented by the Cleveland Orchestra. In addition to its annual residency at the Aspen Festival and a residency at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, worldwide 2002-2003 tour cities include Washington, Miami, Montréal, Honolulu, Ann Arbor, Caramoor, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Urbana, Williamstown, Kansas City, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Zurich, Copenhagen, and Berlin. In 2001-2002, the Takács toured in 15 cities with former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, culminating in a concert at Lincoln Center. Their program of music and poetry was centered around the theme of Love.
Recent Takács seasons have included Bartok cycles in London, Madrid and Seville; Schubert cycles in London, Lisbon, Utrecht and Spain; and a Brahms cycle in London. The ensemble has performed Beethoven cycles in Paris, London, Zurich, Sydney, New York, at Middlebury College, and numerous concerts surrounding the Mozart anniversary year in 1991. During the summer of 1993, the Takács gave a cycle of three concerts at the Salzburg Festival featuring the quartets of Bartok and Brahms. The Quartet made its Lincoln Center debut on the Great Performers Series in 1989, and performed six concerts at the Haydn Festival in 1991 with pianist András Schiff at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (repeated in London's Wigmore Hall). The quartet made its Carnegie Hall debut in 1992.
The ensemble's discography ranges from Schubert's Quartet in G Major and his "Notturno" to quartets by Smetana and Borodin; Haydn's Op. 76, 77 and 103 quartets; the three Brahms quartets and Piano Quintet in F minor with András Schiff; Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet with Joshua Bell and Jean-Yves Thibaudet; Mozart's String Quintets, K 515 and 516 with Gÿorgy Pauk, and Schubert's Quartettsatz, Rosamunde, and Death and the Maiden. Their recording of the Bartok cycle received the Gramophone award for 1998, and in 1999 it was nominated for a Grammy. The ensemble's subsequent recording release for Decca/London, with which it signed an exclusive recording contract in 1988, includes the Schubert "Trout" Quintet with Andreas Haefliger, piano (Grammy nominee, 2000), and Dvorak's Quartet Op. 51 and Piano Quintet Op. 81, also with Mr. Haefliger. Volume two (early quartets) of the Beethoven cycle will be released in spring, 2003, and the final volume of the late quartets is to appear in early 2005.
Following the Takacs Quartet's appearance, the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series concludes with an appearance by Helen Thomas - a fixture of the White House pressroom for more than 40 years - on April 8. Thomas will offer her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
Tickets for the Takacs Quartet are $16. For ticket information, call 618/650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, 888/328-5168, ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site at www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind Katherine Dunham Hall.
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March 17, 2003
Pianist Ian Hobson Continues Recital Series At SIUE-Performing Chopin
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Renowned concert pianist Ian Hobson will continue his series of recitals at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville-performing the complete solo piano works of Frédéric Chopin-at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, April 1-2, in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
These two concerts are final editions of a nine-recital series performed since fall on campus by Hobson. The series, "Frédéric Chopin: Evolution of a Genius," has been presented chronologically, following stages in the Polish composer's life and career. The final concerts are titled: 1841-1844: "Faltering Health, Breakup with Sand" and 1844-1849: "Last Concerts (Given in the British Isles), Declining Health and Death."
The April 1 recital includes: Allegro de concert in A Major, Op. 46; Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 45; Tarantelle in A-flat Major, Op. 43; Fugue in A Minor; Impromptu in G-flat Major, Op. 51; Scherzo in E Major, Op. 54; Ballade in F Minor, Op. 52; Mazurkas, Op. 56, Nos. 1-3; Nocturnes, Op. 55, Nos. 1-2; Waltz in A Minor; Moderato in E Major; Berceuse in D-flat Major, Op. 57; and Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 3.
The April 2 recital includes: Mazurkas, Op. 59, Nos. 1-3; Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60; Waltzes, Op. 64, Nos. 1-3; Nocturnes, Op. 62, Nos. 1-2; Mazurkas, Op. 63, Nos. 1-3; Galopp [marquis] in A-flat Major; Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat Major, Op. 61; Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 67, No. 4; Mazurka in G Minor, Op. 67, No. 2; Mazurka in F Minor, Op. 68, No. 4; and Sonata in B Minor, Op. 58.
Called one of the greatest pianists of our time, Hobson's programs consistently demonstrate a repertoire that spans centuries and demands a command of styles and scholarly vision. His recordings and recitals encompass a cross section of works.
Hobson also has performed the Chopin and Moscheles concertos at the Bard Music Festival, and has presented recitals in the United States, England, and Europe, featuring diverse works such as Beethoven's complete sonatas, excerpts from Gershwin's Song Book, Schumann's major piano works, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, to name a few.
Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $6. For ticket information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.
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March 17, 2003
No Taming of the 'Shrewd: The 'Virgin Queen' is a Model for Modern Politics
(EDWARDSVILLE) The country was torn between two factions. Its leader, known as both flirtatious and a shrewd politician, was continually forced to refute scandalous rumors and character assaults while holding the country together…elements of a very modern story. But, the story of Queen Elizabeth is more than 400 years old.
Scholars from Canada, Great Britain and across the U.S. will gather at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to celebrate the life of Elizabeth on the 400th anniversary of the end of her reign. "Elizabeth R., an interdisciplinary conference celebrating Her Life and Reign," is scheduled for March 21 and 22 in the Morris Center.
Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1558 during turbulent times for the nation and the monarchy. Dissension between Catholics and Protestants had split the country. Her predecessor, her half-sister, Mary, had drained the royal treasury. France and Spain posed direct threats to the security of the realm.
"She not only successful managed these threats to the kingdom, but England flourished under her reign," said John Pendergast, assistant professor of English Language and Literature at SIUE. "She was a brilliant politician both within the political framework of her country and on the international stage."
Known as "The Virgin Queen," Elizabeth never took a husband, but repeatedly used the possibility of marriage to gain favor with leaders of nations, only to withdraw the possibility when the need for favor had passed. In fact, she claimed only one husband, "namely the kingdom of England," as Elizabeth is quoted.
"There also is speculation that she had seen her father marry and divorce several times, and have two of his ex-wives beheaded, or that she feared childbirth, which often was fatal in her time," Pendergast said. "Either or both of these thoughts might have deterred marriage."
Art, fashion and literature (including the works of Shakespeare, Marlowe and Spenser) blossomed under her reign. She defeated the Spanish Armada, which was then the most powerful military force in the world (after angering King Philip II by rejecting him as a suitor). She successfully quieted the unrest between Catholics and Protestants - although she repeatedly escaped assassination plots by Catholic factions. One of those plots was endorsed by Mary, for which she was eventually executed. "Good Queen Bess" ruled for 45 years and was the last of the Tudor lineage.
"As with any great leader and historical figure, the person's body of accomplishments becomes the subject of exhaustive study," Pendergast said. "But with Elizabeth, there also is a great deal of fascination and discussion about her literal body.
"Was she a virgin? Are the rumors of many secret lovers true? There is no question that she used her femininity to her advantage. Early in her life she was considered very flirtatious. Late in her reign, when members of Parliament repeatedly insisted she marry, she responded with great annoyance and that's when she spoke the famous quote about being married to the throne."
The varied opinions and accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth are obvious among the titles of the presentations at the Elizabeth R. conference, including: "Accusation, Anxiety, and the Aging Body of Elizabeth I;" "The Legend of Chastity;" "The Queen's Metamorphic Body;" "The Portrayal of Female Rulers in the Early Modern Fairy Tales;" and a one-woman staging of "Elizabeth in Her Own Words."
"We're bringing together some of the world's most knowledgeable Elizabethan scholars," Pendergast said, "to consider a topic the world remains fascinated with today. There not only is a great volume of scholarly study of Elizabethan England, but also the very modern fascination with The Royal Family."
More information the conference is available on the web at www.siue.edu/~jpender.
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SIUE's 'An Evening In Vienna' Set For March 29 At Sunset Hills CC
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Wine, song, and gourmet delicacies are some of the highlights to be offered at An Evening in Vienna, presented March 29 by the Department of Music and the Friends of Music, a support organization for the department.
The festivities are set to begin at 6 p.m. at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. The musical gala also offers desserts and a variety of live music for dancing and listening by the SIUE Symphony Orchestra and the SIUE Concert Jazz Band, featuring SIUE music students, as well as several ensembles of faculty and students featuring a variety of music. Also featured will be "showcase recitals" by SIUE students performing solo and chamber music in a variety of styles
A silent auction will be conducted featuring products and services from area businesses and organizations. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of Music Scholarship Fund. Brenda Fedak, president of the Friends group, said the event is the largest fund-raiser the group conducts. "An Evening in Vienna has become a tradition in the St. Louis area," Fedak said. "The money raised through this annual event helps fund a large part of our scholarship program.
"These scholarships enable the Department of Music to recruit talented students who might otherwise not have an opportunity to attend SIUE."
Tickets are $80 per person and are available through the Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.
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March 19, 2003
SIU/SDM Class of 2003 Ranks Fourth in Nation on National Board Exams for Second Consecutive Year
(ALTON, Ill.) - Calling it "a remarkable and noteworthy achievement," Ann Boyle, acting dean of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, has announced that for the third time in the past five years, students of the dental school have ranked as one of the top five U.S. dental schools in test scores on their National Board Dental Exams Part II. For the second consecutive year, the SIU/SDM students have ranked fourth nationally.
"This speaks volumes about the hard work and commitment of our students and our faculty," said Boyle. "The test scores are evidence of the student's genuine interest in mastering their course work, and the quality of our educational program."
Passing the National Board Dental Exam Part II is a requirement for licensure in the United States. "The scores are indicative of the measure of student preparedness, as well as the quality of the SIU dental school," Boyle said.
Historically, students from the SIU dental school in Alton score high nationally on the Part II exams. Overall, the Class of 2003 achieved the highest overall class average ever for the school. Boyle noted that this year's scores continue a positive trend on board scores.
"For the past seven years, our students have consistently ranked in the top quarter of the nation's dental schools, and now the top five for the third time in five years," said Boyle. "In effect, the bar is higher now at the SIU School of Dental Medicine."
Additionally, the Class of 2003 students earned a 100-percent pass rate. SIU/SDM students have earned the highest possible pass rate on four of the past six exams. They have earned a 95-percent or better pass rate for the past ten years.
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March 24, 2003
Several Illinois Residents Are Recipients Of SIUE Kimmel Award
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Several Southwestern Illinois residents will receive Kimmel Community Service Awards at the April 3 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet, sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Belleville News-Democrat.
The annual award was established to recognize outstanding community members for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who for many years gave freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.
There are six award categories: education, social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency-organizational concerns, and special populations.
Those nominated for the Kimmel Community Service Award must have been a resident of Illinois or Missouri for at least two years, and volunteered for at least one agency, organization, or business for at least two or more continuous years.
In addition, nominees must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period and demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.
This year's winners are:
Regional Leadership: James Maher of Smithton.
Environmental-Civic Betterment: Wayne Schlosser of Belleville.
Social Service-Social Welfare: Rev. Obie Rush of East St. Louis.
Special Populations: Prentice B. Johnson (deceased), formerly of East St. Louis.
Agency/Organizational Concerns: Jan Goodwin of Alton.
Tickets for the April 3 banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's Morris University Center, are $30 per person. For more information, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.
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March 24, 2003
Admission, Housing Deadlines Approaching for Incoming SIUE Freshmen
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's eight-year growth trend is expected to continue in the fall; freshmen hoping to be admitted to SIUE should submit their application no later than May 31. The deadline for all other undergraduates is August 4. Students wishing to live on campus should apply for housing by May 1.
"Although fall semester is still five months away, the deadline for freshmen admission - May 31 - is approaching," said Boyd Bradshaw, acting assistant vice chancellor for enrollment. "Early projections indicate that our enrollment growth will continue in the fall, as will the demand for on-campus housing."
SIUE has grown from 10,938 students in 1994 to 12,708 last fall.
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March 24, 2003
SIUE Student From Pocahontas To Become Intern For The FBI
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Becoming a clinical psychologist where she would have dealt with "everyday phobias" is not an option for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student Lisa Gooley of Pocahontas. She prefers delving into the criminal mind and that yearning has landed her an internship with the FBI.
Gooley already has completed one internship with the Illinois State Police and, after a taste of law enforcement, she is taking her career choice a step further. "The one thing I don't want is a boring career," said the 20-year-old high achiever.
She is treasurer of Psi Chi, the Psychology Honor Society; president of the local chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society, for students who excel academically and who are involved in community service; a Dean's Scholar; active in the university's Student Leadership Development Program, through which she won the Kimmel Scholarship; past president of the SIUE Volleyball Club; a mentor for the Madison County Juvenile Probation office; and a member of the newly formed U.S. Search and Rescue Dog Association.
"I'm an analytical person and I need to be intellectually challenged," she said. When she graduates in spring she will have two degrees-Psychology and Criminal Justice. She aspires to be a homicide investigator for the FBI. And, eventually she'd like to be part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
"Law enforcement with the FBI would be an exciting career, one in which I try to outsmart criminals," Gooley said. Her internship duties include assisting in research projects with the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Va.
"I'll be part of a team of agents, helping them with research and maintaining databases. I probably won't be working on specific cases, but I still had to go through a high-security clearance, which included a polygraph test, an extensive background check, and an interview," she said.
Gooley acknowledges that an internship won't guarantee her a job with the FBI after graduation, but may be an entrée to law enforcement career. "I would like to go to graduate school and then consider my options. In law enforcement, it's good to know all of its aspects. It makes you a better team player.
"At the very least, working at Quantico will be a fascinating experience."
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March 24, 2003
Two Area Residents Win Kimmel Awards In Two Categories
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Two Belleville area residents have been named recipients of the 2003 Kimmel Community Service Award in two categories. The awards are sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Belleville News-Democrat.
Jim Maher, of Smithton, won in the regional leadership category, while Wayne Schlosser, of Belleville, won in the environment and civic betterment category. Both will be honored with other recipients at the April 3 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at SIUE.
Those nominated for the Kimmel Award must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.
Maher, financial advisor in charge of the regional Merrill Lynch office in Swansea, is founder of the Southern Illinois Charitable Giving Council (SICGC), an organization dedicated to assisting non-profit agencies in the region by providing leadership and guidance in fund-raising efforts. The organization conducts seminars for civic and not-for-profit leaders, board members and professional advisors, with the purpose of educating the people of Southwestern Illinois to increase charitable giving.
In addition, the 37-year-old Maher has been very active with the American Red Cross, the Southwestern Illinois College Foundation Board, the Greater East St. Louis Community Fund Inc., the St. Louis Agri-Business Club, the United Way, the YMCA Endowment Committee, the SIUE Planned Giving Council Advisory Committee, and Focus St. Louis, to name just a few.
"My goal as a volunteer is to leave a lasting imprint on every project I touch," Maher said. "The way I measure my service is two-fold: first, the project's outcome-was it successful from a third party's view? and, second, are there others who now share your passion? When others associated with the project now share your passion for both the project and the project's mission, you know you've made a difference.
"It is our responsibility to replicate, improve, and pass on acts of goodwill to others."
Schlosser, 72, a retired award-winning advertising and public relations executive, has spent more than 50 years in the service of volunteerism. A lifelong resident of Belleville, Schlosser recently was awarded an AARP/Illinois Carnation Award in recognition of his continuous and generous contributions to the citizens of Illinois.
He has volunteered with several organizations, including the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the Okaw Valley Council of the Boy Scouts, the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, the Violence Prevention Center, the YMCA of Southwestern Illinois, the Area Agency on Aging, St. Clair County Health Department, and the Rotary Club of St. Clair County [West], to name just a few.
"I have tried to follow a life-long commitment to volunteer service to my community just as my father and grandfather did before me," Schlosser said. "During all these years, seeing needed programs come to fruition was gratifying, but an added benefit was meeting and working with so many dedicated volunteers. My goal in every volunteer assignment is to assist in building better public awareness for the many vital services of each organization, and also help to develop recognition programs for their representatives.
"I sincerely appreciate the support my family through the years, enabling me to help others."
Tickets for the April 3 Kimmel banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's Morris University Center, are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.
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March 24, 2003
SIUE Student From Florissant Wins Kimmel Scholarship
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Preston E. Williams, of Florissant, Mo., a sophomore majoring in Liberal Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been named recipient of the university's 2003 Carol Kimmel Scholarship. The scholarship program is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.
The annual scholarship was established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, in addition to academic excellence. It is named for Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who for many years donated freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.
Criteria for winning the scholarship includes maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and demonstrating volunteer contributions within the last two years in leadership, service, and/or citizenship, including leadership in a student organization or at least one elected office; and more than 30 hours of nonpaid service to a community agency or community organization. The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.
A licensed minister, Williams has been very active since last year as president of the Maranatha Christian Ministry, a student organization on the SIUE campus. As a minister/mentor with the Shalom Church City of Peace in St. Louis, Williams has conducted worship services, performed youth counseling and mentoring, and worked with other ministers at the church to provide activities for youngsters.
He also has volunteered with the SIUE Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP), helping prepare food baskets for needy families. Also through the SLDP, Williams has worked with elementary students as a tutor for the Open Doors program and has performed maintenance and custodial services for Salus Place, a recovery and rehabilitation home for former drug addicts and those with HIV. He also has served as a student mentor for the SIUE Office of Special Services in its "Lifting As We Climb Program." In addition, Williams has been active with the SIUE Gospel Choir.
Quoting John Maxwell, author and motivational speaker, Williams said "leadership has less to do with position than it has with disposition," when he refers to his volunteer activities. "For nearly two years I've held a 'disposition' of leadership," Williams said. "This 'disposition' has been and is one of dedication, humility, and discipline.
"As a licensed minister and community servant, it is my desire to arrive at a position in which I can help others to reach their maximum potential," Williams said. "And, I believe education is a primary necessity in arriving at that position."
Williams will be recognized Thursday, April 3, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. Tickets for the banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's Morris Center, are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.
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March 24, 2003
Alton Resident Wins Kimmel Community Award In Organizations Category
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Jan Goodwin of Alton, an active volunteer with several organizations in the area, is recipient of the 2003 Kimmel Community Service Award in the agency-organizational concerns category. The awards are sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Belleville News-Democrat.
The annual award was established to recognize outstanding community members for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service.
Those nominated for the Kimmel Award must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.
Goodwin helped establish a hearing-impaired service at Free Will Baptist Church in South Roxana. In addition, she developed the skill of ventriloquism in which she uses her "partner" Spencer, a puppet in a wheelchair, to teach and entertain at nursing homes, scouting events, libraries, and 4-H groups. "My philosophy toward my service using Spencer is: If I can make someone laugh, at least for that moment they forget about the pain, sadness, or suffering they may be experiencing.
"I'm also able to educate in a unique way," Goodwin said, "with the subjects changing to match the circumstances. I might talk about self-esteem, church-related subjects, the importance of reading, or about people with disabilities. I sometimes call myself an 'edu-trainer,' " she said. "I think it is a great way for people to learn … education while being entertained."
In addition to working with her church and ventriloquist activities, Goodwin also has been active with IMPACT Inc., for which she designed and helped construct a new accessible kitchen, and with the United Way of Greater St. Louis. She also served two years as president of the Alton YWCA. "But, I can't just sit on a board of directors and make a decision," Goodwin said. "I have to be physically involved as well. God's best gift to me was my hands and I have to be able to use them for good.
"Whether it's using them to sign for the hearing-impaired, pull a string inside a dummy, tear down walls, or paint pictures on them, I want to use the gifts I was given to help others."
Tickets for the April 3 Kimmel banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's Morris University Center, are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.
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March 24, 2003
Two East St. Louis Residents, One Posthumously, Win Kimmel Awards
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Two East St. Louis church leaders, one who died recently, have been named recipients of the 2003 Kimmel Community Service Award in two categories. The awards are sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Belleville News-Democrat.
The Rev. Dr. Obie Rush won in the social service-social welfare category, while the late Prentice Johnson, who died in December, won in the special populations category. Both will be honored with other recipients at the April 3 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at SIUE.
The annual award was established to recognize outstanding community members for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service.
Those nominated for the Kimmel Award must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.
Johnson, very active for more than 30 years with the Mt. Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, took charge of the church's food pantry and daily meals program, and was instrumental in helping it grow to an organization that not only feeds the hungry but also provides clothing, blankets, toys for children, and a mentoring program for individuals and families. Johnson died in December.
He also served in several other volunteer positions with the church, such as deacon, trustee, maintenance man, repairman, buildings and grounds supervisor, Sunday school teacher, and new membership class instructor.
Marlene Smoot, a Mt. Zion food pantry volunteer and nominator of Johnson for the Kimmel Award, said Johnson made a significant impact on the community. "Mr. Johnson believed that it was important for us to be our 'brother's keeper' to the extent of personal sacrifice," Smoot wrote in her nomination letter. "Those of us who had the privilege to share his burden in volunteer service, for the less fortunate people who came by, believe that he should be honored … "
Rush, who has been pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in East St. Louis for more than 40 years, is known as a man who has devoted his life to helping the less fortunate. He is credited with starting the Ministers United Against Human Suffering, an organization which operates a shelter for those in need. In recent years, Rush organized the Ascension Development Corp. (ADC), a non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising money for a 60-unit senior citizen complex in the south side of East St. Louis.
"If I am to serve God, I must also serve His people," Rush said. "I can't see the ills of my fellow man and not do something to cure those ills. The shelter has helped countless families in the past 20 years and has given them hope for the future. As for the work with ADC, it is my fervent hope that in the near future senior citizens in East St. Louis will have clean, safe housing."
Tickets for the April 3 Kimmel banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's Morris University Center, are $30 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.
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March 26, 2003
SIUE Student Disability Support Services Sponsors 5K Roll/Run/Walk March 30
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's disability support services - a University program that offers a range of resources to support students with disabilities - and the SIUE track team are sponsoring a 5-kilometer roll/run/walk on Sunday, March 30, as part of the second annual "Celebrating Abilities Week."
The course - which begins and ends at the Madison County Transit Center at the intersection of North Main and Hillsboro in downtown Edwardsville - winds through surrounding historic neighborhoods and is open to both competitive racers (wheelchair or runner) and recreational exercisers (wheelchair, jogger or walker). Wheelchair participants will start 7:55 a.m.; all others at 8 a.m.
Advanced entry fees are $10 for the general public, $5, SIUE students, and must be postmarked by March 20. Late- and day-of race entries are $15 for the general public, $10, SIUE students. Entry forms are available by phoning 618/650-3726.
Proceeds from the race will go to benefit New Horizons - an SIUE organization for students with disabilities - and the SIUE track team. For more information, contact Jane Floyd-Hendey at 618/650-3782 or Darryl Frerker at 618/650-2877.
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March 27, 2003
PAPA Professor Wins 2003 SIUE Teaching Excellence Award; Two Others Win Teaching Recognition Awards
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Dennis Hostetler, professor of Public Administration and Policy Analysis at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is recipient of the 2003 SIUE Teaching Excellence Award. The award is the highest honor that can be awarded an SIUE faculty member.
Hostetler will receive a $2,000 award at SIUE's April 13 Honors Convocation, and a plaque of recognition at the May 10 spring commencement. The committee also awarded Teaching Recognition Awards to Kay Gaehle, a lecturer in the SIUE School of Nursing, and to Paul Brunkow, an assistant professor of Biological Sciences. Each will receive a $500 award at the convocation.
Nominees were considered by members of a university-wide committee which made the final selections. Hostetler was praised by the committee as "a key" faculty member in the introduction and dissemination of technologies at SIUE, such as the WebCT software package, to aid student learning both inside and outside the classroom.
The committee also said Hostetler's teaching is characterized by "sensitivity" to the needs of his students and colleagues. "He stimulates active learning by providing a structured, non-threatening environment within the classroom, which supports the open exchange of ideas; he responds dynamically to student feedback as it is given."
Hostetler, who joined the SIUE faculty in 1975, earned a bachelor's at the University of Montana, and a master's and a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Iowa.
The committee further noted that Hostetler transforms the process of learning from "faculty centered" to "student centered" (and) "garners high praise from both students and colleagues."
Brunkow, in his sixth year of teaching at SIUE, received a bachelor of science in Zoology from the University of Washington and a doctorate in Zoology at Arizona State University. His teaching has been described as "challenging," "interesting," and "enlightening." Brunkow said he still is "excited" about coming to class.
He describes his own teaching as "a dynamic process" with a main goal of helping "dispel the fear associated with advanced biology courses."
Gaehle, in her fourth year at SIUE, earned a master of science in Nursing at Saint Louis University. She has clinical experience in medical/surgical nursing, acute care, and pediatrics, and she focuses her research on medication administration safety and breast cancer detection. Her students describe her as "engaging, entertaining, and informative." The committee noted Gaehle's teaching has been characterized as sensitive to the needs of students.
"She fosters engaged and active learning by providing a structured, non-threatening environment within the classroom and in clinical experiences," the committee said. One of her students said of her: "Kay Gaehle has a high degree of respect for all students inside and outside the classroom. She includes reasoning and examples behind all concepts so that students learn processes, not just memorizing."
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March 27, 2003
SIUE Kimmel Leadership Center To Offer People's Law School In April
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Eight free sessions with legal experts will be offered during April as part of the People's Law School at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The sessions are co-sponsored by the SIUE Student Legal Services Advisory Board, the Madison County Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Two sessions will be conducted on each of four Wednesdays-April 2, 9, 16, and 23-from 7-8 and 8-9 p.m., all in Room 2002 of SIUE's Morris University Center. The sessions are open to the public. A complete schedule follows:
April 2-The Courts and How They Operate-The Hon. Dan Stack, circuit judge of the Third Judicial Circuit; Traffic and DUI Citations-Edwardsville attorney Ron Slemmer.
April 9-Bankruptcy and Debt Relief-Granite City attorney Dennis J. Orsey; Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney-Highland attorney Matt Homann.
April 16-Landlord/Tenant Rights and Responsibilities-Alton attorney Barb Goeben; Buying/Selling a Home: How a Lawyer Can Help-Granite City attorney Phillip Theis.
April 23-Juvenile Courts and Termination of Parental Rights-Granite City attorney Morgan Scoggins; Collecting On a Debt-Edwardsville attorney Lawrence Taliana.
Complimentary parking will be available in Visitors' Lot B (behind the Morris Center); light refreshments will be served. For more information, call the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686.
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March 27, 2003
Award-winning White House Reporter, Helen Thomas, to Speak on SIUE's 'Arts & Issues' Series April 8
Columnist to Offer 'Wit & Wisdom from the Front Row at the White House'
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - For a woman, it hasn't been easy getting to the front row of the White House briefing room. But with grit, talent, and a fair amount of chutzpah, award-winning reporter and columnist Helen Thomas broke barriers and made it to that seat. Outspoken, direct and a fixture of the White House press corps since the Presidency of John F. Kennedy, Thomas will offer "Wit and Wisdom from the Front Row at the White House," Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m., in the Meridian Ballroom of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Morris University Center as part of the University's Arts & Issues series.
"With the world events that are unfolding, Ms. Thomas' appearance at SIUE could not possibly be more timely and relevant," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "Her perspectives are likely to be thought-provoking, fascinating, and, undoubtedly, challenging."
After 57 years as a correspondent for United Press International (UPI) - including an appointment in 1974 as the news organization's White House bureau chief -Thomas now writes as a columnist for Hearst newspapers. She joined UPI and the Washington press corps in 1943 and for 12 years wrote radio news for UPI. Eventually she covered the news of the federal government, including the Department of Justice, the FBI, Health and Human Services, and Capitol Hill.
In November 1960, she began covering then President-elect John F. Kennedy, following him to the White House in January 1961 as a member of the UPI team. It was during this first White House assignment that Thomas began closing Presidential news conferences with "Thank you, Mr. President."
Thomas was the only woman print journalist traveling with President Nixon to China during his breakthrough trip in January 1972. Since then she has traveled to China with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Presidents Ford, Reagan, and George H. Bush. She has the distinction of having traveled around the world several times with Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and George H. Bush, during the course of which she covered every economic summit.
Among Thomas' accomplishments are: having served as president of the Women's National Press Club; being the first woman officer of the National Press club; becoming the first woman officer of the White House Correspondents Association and its first woman president; and receiving the 1998 International Women's Media Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. In November 1976 she was named by the World Almanac as one of the 25 most influential women in America.
"There can be no question, Helen Thomas has been a trailblazer for women journalists," said Peecher.
Additionally, Thomas was the first recipient of the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award established by the White House Correspondents Association, and honored by President and Mrs. Clinton at the association's annual dinner in 1998.
Thomas has received 30 honorary doctorate degrees from many colleges and universities including Brown, Northeastern University, and Michigan State University. She has delivered lectures and speeches on the White House and the Presidency throughout the country and is the author of Dateline White House and Front Row at the White House.
Tickets for Helen Thomas' appearance are $8. For ticket information, call 618/650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, 888/328-5168, ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site at www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking with the presentation of a ticket stub in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Katherine Dunham Hall.
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March 30, 2003
Twentieth Annual SIUE Summer Writing Camp Set For June, July
(EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.) The 20th Annual Summer Writing Day Camp at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been set for two sessions Monday through Friday, June 16-27 and July 7-18.
Enrollment per session is limited to 50 students, ages eight through 18, according to retired Assistant Professor Eugene Violette, of the Department of English Language and Literature, who has been director of the writing camp since its inception.
The camps are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with several hours of classroom development activity, plus recreation periods for softball, swimming, volleyball, bowling, billiards, board games, and nature exploration, among others. In addition, older students will have opportunities to explore other aspects of campus life.
Violette said writing periods have an excellent pupil-teacher ratio-about eight to one-with development of skills articulating thought in the sentence, the paragraph, and the short essay, as well as, by means of collaborative effort, in such creative forms as drama and fiction. Students from the fifth grade and higher will use computers extensively in the composition process, but participants do not need prior experience with computers to do well in the program.
He also pointed out that individual instruction in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, is provided as needed but he also said this is not the total objective of the program. Violette will be assisted at the day camp by recreational counselors, as well as area elementary and secondary teachers who have participated in The Mississippi Valley Writing Project at SIUE, which is an affiliate of the National Writing Project, or are current or former university lecturers of the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature.
The fee for either of the day camp sessions is $180, which includes a non-refundable $15 enrollment fee upon registration. The $165 balance is due no later than June 13. For more information, call the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature, (618) 650-2060, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2060.
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Gloria Steinem Comes To The Arts & Issues Stage
As a feminist, writer, and co-founder of Ms. magazine, Gloria Steinem has embodied the idea of equal rights for women. Her voice and her ideas have shaped the direction women are moving today.
She will speak about "What You've Always Wanted to Know About Feminism and Been Afraid to Ask" as part of the SIUE Arts & Issues series at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Meridian Ballroom.
"SIUE is celebrating 'Women's History Month' in March, and it seemed logical for Arts & Issues to present a prominent figure from the women's movement," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "When I spoke with women on campus, the name that always topped their list of who they would like to hear speak was Gloria Steinem. It is exciting to have one of America's leading feminist voices of the late 20th century-and today-coming to SIUE to speak."
Gloria Steinem was born March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. After her parents' divorce, the young Steinem was left to care for both herself and her mother who suffered from chronic depression. Steinem won a scholarship to Smith College, from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude in 1956. Upon her graduation, she won a fellowship for two years of study in India at the universities of Delhi and Calcutta.
While in India, Steinem became involved with the nonviolent protest movement, joining a group called the Radical Humanists to protest governmental policy in the bitterly divided southern region of India. She returned to the United States with a new awareness of social and political issues, especially those of wealth and poverty.
In 1960, Steinem began a career as a freelance writer and journalist in New York City. She earned both popular and critical notice with her 1963 article "I Was a Playboy Bunny," published in Show magazine. In that piece, Steinem recounted (often ironically) her three-week experience working undercover as a waitress in a New York Playboy Club and exposed the low wages and poor working conditions to which she and her fellow "bunnies" were subjected.
By the mid-1960s, Steinem had published a number of pieces in some of the country's leading publications and garnered a good deal of respect from her colleagues and readers for her incisive and witty reporting about celebrities and political figures alike.
Steinem joined the founding staff of New York magazine as a contributing editor in 1968. She began writing a column for the magazine, "City Politic," in which she voiced her support for a number of liberal causes. Soon, Steinem had become much more overtly political in her writing, especially after she attended a 1968 meeting of the Redstockings, a New York-based feminist group. At that time, the rise in female participation in both the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement had spurred a rebirth of the women's liberation movement, which had been dormant for some time.
Steinem embraced the new wave of feminists in the late 1960s, and became arguably the most articulate and outspoken leader of their cause. With Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan, Steinem formed the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971 to encourage active female participation in the 1972 presidential election. Steinem herself was extremely active in the election that year, arguing for an abortion plank to be included in the Democratic platform and protesting the lack of non-white and female delegates at the party's national convention in Miami.
Ms. magazine, of which Steinem was the founding editor, first appeared as an insert in the December 1971 issue of New York. Its premiere issue in January 1972 sold out, and circulation soon reached 500,000. Steinem served as editor for the next 15 years, then as a columnist, and from 1988 she has been a consulting editor.
In 1983, Steinem published her first book, a collection of her articles and essays: Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions. Three years later, she published Marilyn, a biography of the screen icon Marilyn Monroe from a feminist perspective, which many saw as an appropriately sympathetic and feminist answer to Norman Mailer's somewhat sensationalist 1973 biography of Monroe. Steinem's next book, Revolution from Within (1992), was a highly personal look at the way an individual's self-esteem affects and is impacted by society, and in 1994 she released a collection of essays, Moving Beyond Words.
In September 2000, Steinem was married for the first time, at the age of 66, to David Bale, a South African-born entrepreneur. The couple divides their time between New York and Bale's home base of Los Angeles.
Following Steinem's appearance on the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series is the world-renowned 2003 Grammy Award-winning Takacs Quartet on March 27, for an evening of Haydn and Beethoven, and Helen Thomas-a fixture of the White House pressroom for more than 40 years-concludes the season on April 8, offering her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
Tickets for Gloria Steinem's appearance are $8. For ticket information, call (618) 650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site: www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Katherine Dunham Hall.
Renowned Takács Quartet To Perform Here March 27
Recognized as one of the world's greatest string quartets, the Takács (tuh-KAHSCH) Quartet will perform an evening of Beethoven and Haydn on Thursday, March 27, as part of the Arts & Issues series. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be held in Dunham Hall theater.
"Our audience should be prepared for an extraordinary evening of chamber music," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the series. "The Takács Quartet has been acclaimed internationally, and they will be appearing here on campus fresh from their Grammy Award win last month."
The first volume of the quartet's Beethoven Cycle (middle quartets) received the Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Album 2002. Released in May of last year, "Beethoven: String Quartets (Razumovsky, Op. 59, 1-3; Harp, Op. 74)," also was named the Gramophone 2002 Chamber Music Recording of the Year, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Album, the Chamber Music America/WQXR Record Award, and the Japan Record Academy Award for Chamber Music in 2002.
The Takács Quartet was formed by Gabor Takács-Nagy, Károly Schranz, Gabor Ormai, and András Fejér in 1975, while all four were students at Budapest's Liszt Academy. It first received international attention in 1977, winning First Prize and the Critics' Prize at the International String Quartet Competition in Evian, France. Thereafter, the Takács won the Gold Medal at the 1978 Portsmouth and Bordeaux Competitions and First Prizes at the Budapest International String Quartet Competition (1978) and the Bratislava Competition (1981). The quartet made its North American debut tour in 1982.
Since its formation in 1975, the ensemble has appeared regularly in every major music capital and prestigious festival. The quartet -consisting now of violinist Schranz, cellist Fejér, violinist Edward Dusinberre, and violist Roger Tapping-is based in Boulder, Colo., where it has held a residency at the University of Colorado since 1983. The Takács is a resident quartet at the Aspen Festival and its members are also visiting fellows at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
During the 2002 -2003 season, the Takács Quartet will have performed more than 40 concerts in the United States, and toured extensively in Europe. Special projects include a tour with the famed Hungarian gypsy ensemble Muzsikás; several concerts with pianist Garrick Ohlsson; and a Beethoven cycle presented by the Cleveland Orchestra. In addition to its annual residency at the Aspen Festival and a residency at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, worldwide 2002-2003 tour cities include Washington, Miami, Montréal, Honolulu, Ann Arbor, Caramoor, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Urbana, Williamstown, Kansas City, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Zurich, Copenhagen, and Berlin.
In 2001-2002, the Takács toured 15 cities with former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, culminating in a concert at Lincoln Center. Their program of music and poetry was centered around the theme of love.
Recent Takács seasons have included Bartók cycles in London, Madrid and Seville; Schubert cycles in London, Lisbon, Utrecht and Spain; and a Brahms cycle in London. The ensemble has performed Beethoven cycles in Paris, London, Zurich, Sydney, New York, at Middlebury College, and numerous concerts surrounding the Mozart anniversary year in 1991. During the summer of 1993, the Takács gave a cycle of three concerts at the Salzburg Festival featuring the quartets of Bartók and Brahms.
The quartet made its Lincoln Center debut on the Great Performers Series in 1989, and performed six concerts at the Haydn Festival in 1991 with pianist András Schiff at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (repeated in London's Wigmore Hall). The quartet made its Carnegie Hall debut in 1992.
The ensemble's discography ranges from Schubert's Quartet in G Major and his Notturno to quartets by Smetana and Borodin; Haydn's Op. 76, 77 and 103 quartets; the three Brahms quartets and Piano Quintet in F minor with András Schiff; Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet with Joshua Bell and Jean-Yves Thibaudet; Mozart's String Quintets, K 515 and 516 with Gÿorgy Pauk, and Schubert's Quartettsatz, Rosamunde, and Death and the Maiden.
Their recording of the Bartók cycle received the Gramophone award for 1998, and in 1999 it was nominated for a Grammy. The ensemble's subsequent recording release for Decca/London, with which it signed an exclusive recording contract in 1988, includes the Schubert Trout Quintet with Andreas Haefliger, piano (Grammy nominee, 2000), and Dvorák's Quartet Op. 51 and Piano Quintet Op. 81, also with Mr. Haefliger. Volume two (early quartets) of the Beethoven cycle will be released in spring 2003, and the final volume of the late quartets is to appear in early 2005.
Following the Takács Quartet's appearance, the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series concludes with Helen Thomas-a fixture in the White House pressroom for more than 40 years-on April 8. Thomas will offer her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
Tickets for the Takács Quartet are $16. For ticket information, call (618) 650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site at www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lot behind Katherine Dunham Hall.
Women "With A-Peel" To Perform Here March 18
Audiences will be going "ape" as SIUE's women's studies program celebrates Women's History Month with the outrageous 'masked avengers' of feminism, the Guerrilla Girls, on Tuesday, March 18, in Dunham Hall theater.
"The Guerrilla Girls will present what they bill as a 'theatrical romp' through their history when they visit SIUE," said Martha Bailey, associate professor of Political Science and coordinator of the university's Women's Studies Program. "They'll be arriving dressed in gorilla masks and throwing bananas to their audience before presenting a history of the group. The 'girls' will demonstrate how they get their ideas for using humor as a weapon to combat discrimination."
The Guerrilla Girls-a group of female artists, writers and performers-originated in 1985 as a response to an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The exhibit was a summary of the most significant contemporary art in the world featuring 169 artists. Only 13 of the artists in the exhibit were women.
The original protests were staged by women visual artists, but by the mid-90s the Guerrilla Girls had expanded to include not only visual artists, but also actors, playwrights, performance artists, costume designers and filmmakers. In 1996, some of the performing artists in the group formed a committee to discuss how they could address the lack of opportunities for women in film and theater. Because creating and displaying their infamous posters had become increasingly difficult for the Girls, and because plays and films were shown inside of theaters, the group decided to create satirical stickers they could paste inside toilet stalls to amuse and provoke an audience.
When the Guerrilla Girls voted in 2001 to split into three wings, the film and theater committee became Guerrilla Girls on Tour, dedicated to bringing the spirit of feminism, activism, and performance around the world. They packed their bags and went on tour with the piece they will be presenting at SIUE-"The Guerrilla Girls' Gig." The performance combines the didacticism of a slide lecture with the rhythms of vaudeville.
The Guerrilla Girls On Tour has 13 active members: Aphra Behn, Fanny Brice, Coco Chanel, Alice Childress, Hallie Flanagan, Lorraine Hansberry, Edith Head, Louisa Honor de Medina, Julia Philips, Diana Sands, Gertrude Stein, Sophie Treadwell and Anna May Wong. (The members eschew real names in favor of those of pioneering female artists.)
"The Guerrilla Girls Gig" at SIUE is free and open to the public; however seating is limited.
George Arnold To Receive Distinguished Service Award
George Arnold, an emeritus associate professor of Environmental Engineering, will receive a Distinguished Service Award at the May 10 commencement, according to action taken last week by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting.
Arnold is the third person to be honored at the May 10 ceremonies-jazz legend John "Bucky" Pizzarelli, master of the seven-string guitar, and world-renowned genetic biotechnologist Roy Curtiss III already were approved last month by the Board to each receive honorary degrees at spring commencement.
The SIUE Distinguished Service Awards have been presented for 35 years to those who have given outstanding or unusual service to the university, the region, or the state. Honorary degrees have been awarded for nearly 40 years to those who have made significant contributions to cultural, educational, scientific, economic, social, or humanitarian fields, or other worthy fields of endeavor.
Arnold has championed several environmental projects locally and statewide, including two bikeways bills passed by the Illinois General Assembly with the help of the late Sen. Sam Vadalabene and then-Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar. One bill directed the Illinois Department of Transportation to establish a bikeways program, while the second called for the Department of Natural Resources to build the bikeways. The result can be seen in the hundreds of miles of safe and scenic bicycle routes throughout the state.
Arnold is a long-standing member of the 10-state Mississippi River Parkway Commission and was chosen to represent Illinois in the Federal Mississippi River Corridor Study to promote the river's heritage. He was a founder of and is currently past-president of the Madison County Conservation Alliance, devoted to maintaining a clean environment.
Arnold said he is most proud of his work in establishing the new Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center near Hartford. The center, recently completed, was supported by U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello in collaboration with Jim Edgar and then George Ryan, past Illinois governors.
Pizzarelli, who has conducted workshops at SIUE for the university's Jazz Studies Program, has been a legend in the music world for more than half a century. Professor Curtiss and his research group have sought to define the biochemical bases and genetic controls by which bacterial pathogens cause various human ills.
Richter-Addo To Speak March 31 In Probst Lecture
The 27th Annual William J. Probst Memorial Lecture will present George B. Richter-Addo, Presidential Professor of Chemistry at Oklahoma University, at 7 p.m. Monday, March 31, in Meridian Ballroom.
The annual lecture is sponsored by the Department of Chemistry and the SIUE Chemistry Club. Richter-Addo will speak about "Small, Versatile, and Potent: NO and You," regarding the role nitric oxide (NO) plays in the human body. White blood cells secrete NO, which regulates blood pressure and acts as a defense against infection; nerve cells use it to communicate with each other.
"It's one of those molecules that's in the right place at the right time," said Assistant Chemistry Professor Michael Shaw, coordinator of the Probst Lecture. "Nitric oxide can be helpful as it is secreted by the body, but if you inhaled it, it would be deadly. For example, the nose secretes a very small amount of NO that helps dilate the blood vessels of the body, which in turn lowers blood pressure and facilitates good blood flow," Shaw said.
Richter-Addo's research has had relevance to varied biological activities ranging from dilation of blood vessels, erectile dysfunction, the operation of the immune system, and cancer.
In addition to his lecture the evening of March 31, Richter-Addo will conduct a student research symposium at 2 that afternoon, also in Meridian Ballroom. He also will speak to Chemistry faculty about "The Bio-Inorganic Chemistry of Heme-NO Interactions" at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, in Room 3114 of the Science Building.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Richter-Addo traveled extensively in pursuit of his education before settling in the United States. He received an Honors bachelor of science and an Education degree in 1982 from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa. The following year he enrolled in graduate school at the University of British Columbia, where he performed research in organometallic nitrosyl chemistry.
Richter-Addo earned a doctorate in 1988 followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Alberta and at the University of Utah. He joined the Chemistry/Biochemistry faculty at Oklahoma in 1993.
The lecture series is funded in part by: the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, the SIUE Graduate School, the SIUE Department of Chemistry, and student activity fees. The Probst Lecture was established to honor the late Professor William Probst who taught organic chemistry here for nearly 20 years before his death in 1975. The lectures and seminars are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Department of Chemistry. (618) 650-2042.
MSW Program Receives Accreditation From CSWE
The SIUE Master of Social Work Program has been awarded accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Council is the national accrediting organization for social work educational programs in the United States.
Achievement of accreditation affirms the quality of SIUE's MSW program, said Professor Thomas Regulus, chair of the SIUE Department of Social Work. "The accreditation standards set by the CSWE indicates a level of quality program performance that is recognized nationwide by the higher education community."
Regulus pointed out that graduation from an accredited social work program is a requirement for licensing to practice social work in many states including Illinois and Missouri. "The university's MSW program, implemented in 1997, serves students in both states," Regulus said, "but primarily in the St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois region.
"The Department of Social Work's MSW program sees its active presence in the Southwestern Illinois region as a force for social change and for the development of greater social and economic justice among the region's diverse population," Regulus said. "Within this vision, the MSW program's mission is to preserve, promote, and achieve the social well being of all individuals, families, groups, and communities through the education of competent and ethical advanced social work practitioners.
"Our mission includes strengthening the profession of social work and supporting the social and economic development of Southwestern Illinois through scholarship and public service."
Regulus said approximately 150 social workers have graduated from the program over the past five years. "The Metro-East Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and many social work practitioners and agencies in the Metro East and St. Louis area have been supporters of and instrumental in the development and growth of the program."
The program currently prepares students for practice with children and families, and in health, mental health, and disability services. A school social work certification program is expected to be added to the curriculum in the next academic year. For more information about enrollment in the MSW program, call the SIUE Department of Social Work, (618) 650-5758.
SIUE Campaign Takes Its Game To The SAVVIS Center
SIUE and the St. Louis Blues Hockey team have joined forces to promote literacy throughout the Metro East. On Saturday, March 22, SIUE's "Book In Every Home" early childhood literacy campaign will collect new book donations and cash for the purchase of new books at the Savvis Center during the Blues hockey game.
"We're absolutely thrilled to embark upon this partnership with the St. Louis Blues hockey team," said Kay Werner, chair of the literacy campaign. "Rather than 'bleeding blue,' as the Blues' slogan suggests, we hope that many six-week to five-year-olds in the Metro-East will be 'reading blue' after our campaign."
About 60 "Book In Every Home" volunteers will collect new books and cash donations beginning at 1 p.m. at the Savvis Center entrances as the Blues face their rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, on March 22. The game will begin at 2 p.m. and collections for the books will end after the first period. Each person who donates a new book or cash will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win an official team-signed St. Louis Blues jersey. The winner will be announced that day during the final period of the game.
"Our ultimate goal is to generate excitement about literacy and reading to young children," added Werner. "This partnership with the St. Louis Blues and others in the community reinforces the importance of helping young children develop a passion for reading that will last a lifetime. Think back and remember the pure excitement surrounding a moment in your childhood when you received a new book. We are recreating this feeling for thousands of children in Illinois, many of whom are at-risk."
In addition to the effort with the Blues, SIUE's campaign works hand-in-hand with the St. Louis Rams Foundation to promote literacy in the Metro-East. Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the honorary chairperson for the 2003 campaign.
The "Book In Every Home" campaign officially kicked-off in January and will run through March. Book collection points for the campaign include the SIUE Bookstore, the centers of SIUE Early Childhood, SIUE Head Start, and Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, and more. A complete listing of book drop-off points and additional information is available at the campaign's website, www.siue.edu/BOOKS.
SIUE's "Book In Every Home" campaign began in 1998, and now distributes more than 3,000 age-appropriate books each year to children.
SIUE Hockey Club Are MACHA Silver Tier Champs
The SIUE Cougar Hockey Club won the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) Division II Silver Tier Championship after defeating powerhouse Robert Morris College recently at the East Alton Ice Arena.
It was the same matchup that left the Cougars in defeat during the 2001-02 championships, which led many to worry about "déjà vu all over again" this year, said Coach Larry Thatcher. "From 'worst to first' in a period of six years is quite a feat from any organization," Thatcher said. "This accomplishment is testament to the character and dedication of the players involved."
Thatcher praised the student-athletes who worked hard to build the club since its inception at SIUE in 1996 and then moved on after graduation. He also praised later members for believing in the program even after it had languished for a season, working to re-establish the team for the 1998-99 season.
"These were some character guys who had a tremendous impact on the formation and the success of this club," he said. "I'm happy that the freshmen players were able to get to know the seniors who were leaving, because they were able to experience the veteran presence in the locker room."
Although the team had a losing return season in 2000-01, the players battled back to go to the championships the following season. "The 2001-02 season was a turn around year for the club," Thatcher said. "Building on the foundation set in place the two previous seasons, new players began to arrive and the team got back on track and went 18-9-1 for the year. They finished first but came up short in the championships against Robert Morse College. Beating them to win the championship this year made it that much sweeter."
A ceremony to recognize the hockey Cougars is set for 12:15 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the Goshen Lounge of the Morris University Center.
Pianist Ian Hobson Returns To SIUE-Chopin Continues
Renowned concert pianist Ian Hobson will continue his series of recitals at SIUE-performing the complete solo piano works of Frédéric Chopin-at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 19-20, in Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
The sixth and seventh edition of the nine-recital series is titled 1832-1839: "The Paris Years" and 1839-1841: "Productive Times with Sand at Nohant and Paris." The Chopin series-which concludes April 1-2-is being performed chronologically, following stages in the Polish composer's life and career.
The March 19 recital includes: Mazurkas, Op. 17, Nos. 1-4; Nocturne in C Minor; Nocturnes, Op. 37, Nos. 1-2; Impromptu in A-flat Major, Op. 29; Mazurkas, Op. 41, Nos. 1-4; Largo in E-flat Major; Andantino in G Minor (arr. of the song, "Wiosna"); Variation No. 6 in E from Hexameron; Waltz in F Major, Op. 34, No. 3; Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23; Ballade in F Major, Op. 38; Scherzo in C-sharp Minor, Op. 39; and Sonata in B-flat Minor, Op. 35.
The March 20 recital includes: Cantabile in B-flat Major; Prelude in A-flat Major; Impromptu in F-sharp Major, Op. 36; Trois nouvelles etudes, Nos. 1-3; Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 42a; Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 42b; Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 42; Polonaise in F-sharp Minor, Op. 44; Sostenuto in E-flat Major; Ballade in A-flat Major, Op. 47; Mazurkas, Op. 50, Nos. 1-3; Nocturnes, Op. 48, Nos. 1-2; Waltz in F Minor, Op. 70, No. 2; and Fantaisie in F Minor, Op. 49.
Musicologist Allan Ho, an SIUE professor of Music, said complete works are rarely performed anywhere. "It's an honor for us to have Ian Hobson perform the cycle here," Ho said. The title of the nine-recital series is Frédéric Chopin: Evolution of a Genius.
"Chopin remains one of the most popular composers of all time," Ho said. "Many of his works are famous, yet others seldom heard." The series, which includes more than 200 compositions, traces Chopin's development as a composer. "It includes all of his familiar works, as well as many new discoveries for our listeners," Ho said. "It is a fascinating musical journey."
Called one of the greatest pianists of our time, Hobson's programs consistently demonstrate a repertoire that spans centuries and demands a command of styles and scholarly vision. His recordings and recitals encompass a cross section of works from miniature to mammoth.
A professor of Music at the University of Illinois, Hobson maintains an active performance, conducting, and recording schedule. In recent seasons, Hobson has performed at Wigmore Hall, London, Alice Tully Hall, the "Mostly Mozart Festival" in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Hobson also has performed the Chopin and Moscheles concertos at the Bard Music Festival, and has presented recitals in the United States, England, and Europe, featuring diverse works such as Beethoven's complete sonatas, excerpts from Gershwin's Song Book, Schumann's major piano works, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, to name a few.
He also has been on the juries of international piano competitions, such as the Van Cliburn, and is known worldwide as a pianist, conductor, and teacher. Hobson has recorded more than 35 compact discs of works, including piano concertos by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns, as well as Liszt transcriptions and the complete Beethoven sonatas, Brahms variations, Chopin etudes, Hummel sonatas, and Rachmaninoff preludes, etudes-tableaux, and transcriptions.
Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $6. For ticket information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.
Softball Once Again Sweeps GLVC Awards
VJ Schmidt (Westmont) was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week, and RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) was named GLVC Pitcher of the Week for the week ending March 23.
It is the second consecutive week the Cougars have swept the awards. SIUE outfielder Jenny Esker (Steeleville) and pitcher Missy Koenig (Mapleton) were the previous selections. Schmidt hit .538 in four games last week. She totaled seven hits that included one home run and two doubles. She scored four runs and posted two RBIs.
"VJ had a great week of play," said Coach Sandy Montgomery. "She played great offensively and played good defense as well."
Spann picked up victories over Southern Indiana and Kentucky Wesleyan last weekend as well as adding a save against USI. Spann, now 8-2 on the season, struck out 15, walked four and allowed six hits and one earned run for a 0.54 ERA. "RyAnn is coming around and doing what she is capable of doing," Montgomery said. "I expect here to get better and better each week."
SIUE, now 15-5 and 4-0 in the GLVC, plays host to Bellarmine and Northern Kentucky on Saturday (3/29) and Sunday (3/30), respectively. Both games are scheduled doubleheaders and will start at noon at Cougar Field.
Keating Named GLVC Baseball Pitcher Of The Week
Brian Keating (St. Louis) has been tabbed the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the week ending March 23.
Keating pitched the eighth no-hitter in SIUE history last Saturday against Wisconsin-Parkside. The junior lefthander allowed just one walk and struck out seven as the Cougars posted the 4-0 victory. "It's not every day that someone throws a no-hitter," said Coach Gary Collins. "There hasn't been many in the history of this program. He threw a great game when we needed a great game thrown."
SIUE, now 10-8 and 3-5 in the GLVC, face Missouri-St. Louis Wednesday (3/26) at Roy Lee Field for a 2 p.m. start.
Cougars Start Season With NKU Invitational
SIUE's women's golf team will tee off in its first spring tournament this weekend at the Northern Kentucky Invitiational.
The tournament, to be held Saturday (3/29) and Sunday (3/30) at Eagle Creek Country Club in Crittenden, Ky., will feature many of the teams in SIUE's region. "The teams we need to beat to improve our position in the region will be there," said Coach Larry Bennett.
The Cougars are coming off a fall season that saw them finish fourth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. Kacy Grunkemeyer (Salem) was crowned GLVC champion. "This is the first tournament of the season, so we'll get a feel for where we're at," Bennett said. "The girls are going into the weekend with a positive frame of mind, and they know what they need to do."
The Cougars then travel to the Bellarmine Invitational for a tournament next Monday (3/31) and Tuesday (4/1).
Cougars Currently In Second In GLVC All-Sports Standings
After completing the winter season, the Cougars are in second place overall in the Great Lakes Valley Conference's All-Sports Trophy race. The All-Sports Trophy assigns points based on teams' finishes in conference standings and league championship events.
The remaining sports in the spring are men's tennis, men's golf, women's track and field, men's track and field, softball and baseball. Indianapolis currently leads with 75.5 points followed by SIUE with 71.5 points. Southern Indiana is third with 68.5 points.
SIUE has finished among the top four in the All-Sports Trophy race every year since joining the GLVC in 1995. The Cougars won the All-Sports Trophy during the 1997-1998 season.
Cougars 5-7 After Busy Week
After a flurry of games, the SIUE baseball team is sitting at a 5-7 record and a 1-2 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Cougars played seven games last week at the rain-shortened Savannah Invitational, then returned home for three games-two of them conference game-against Northern Kentucky.
SIUE opened the Savannah Invitational with an 8-4 win against Clarion. The Cougars then went on a six-game slide, which included a 4-2 loss to Northern Kentucky in their GLVC opener and a 16-1 defeat to No. 4-ranked Armstrong Atlantic.
SIUE broke out of its slump with an 18-3 victory over Concord. The Cougars exploded for 20 hits and the Cougars' pitching staff held Concord to five hits to secure the victory.
The Cougars split a conference doubleheader on Saturday, then defeated Northern Kentucky on Sunday. "I don't think we are playing to our full capability," said Coach Gary Collins. "David Briesacher (Waterloo) and Ryan Spurgeon (Bethalto) have been
throwing the ball well, and Craig Ohlau (Chester) and Jason Baecht (Jerseyville) have been hitting well. "The top of the order has been solid, but I'd like to see more production from the bottom of our lineup."
The Cougars will be in action again Wednesday when Kentucky Wesleyan comes to town for a GLVC double-header. Game one is scheduled for noon at Roy Lee Field. SIUE will then travel for a weekend series with Wisconsin-Parkside.
Cougar Softball Returns With 11-5 Record
The SIUE softball team returned home from its spring break trip sporting an 11-5 record. The Cougars played their 16 games in only nine days. SIUE, which fell to No. 16 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's NCAA Division II poll, began its trip at the Saint Leo Tournament and opened with a 3-2 extra-inning victory against Nova Southeastern.
In its next game, the Cougars dropped an 8-2 decision to Florida Southern. SIUE then pulled off three consecutive victories before being eliminated from the tournament by Ashland.
The Cougars played to a 7-3 record at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. After falling 7-6 to Lock Haven, SIUE pulled off five-straight victories. SIUE won its final game in Orlando with a 5-1 victory against St. Xavier. "I'm happy with our 11-5 record," said Coach Sandy Montgomery. "We still have work to do, and I'll think we'll get better as we play more games."
Jenny Esker (Steeleville) leads the Cougar offense with a .431 batting average. Missy Koenig (Mapleton) leads the SIUE pitching staff with a 0.95 earned run average and 4-2 record.
SIUE will travel to Central Missouri State University for a double-header on Thursday, starting at 4 p.m. The Cougars edged Central Missouri 4-3 in Orlando. SIUE will then open its conference schedule by playing host to Southern Indiana on Saturday and Kentucky Wesleyan on Sunday. Both will be double-headers and will start at noon at Cougar Field
February 2003
February 3, 2003
Former Surgeon General David Satcher to Speak on SIUE's 'Arts & Issues' Series Feb. 11
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - Physician, scholar, and lifelong public health advocate, David Satcher speaks on "Politics, Opinions and Public Health: The Parting Words of a Surgeon General" on Tuesday, Feb. 11, as part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Arts & Issues series. The 7:30 p.m. lecture will be held in the Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's Morris University Center.
"Dr. Satcher has been praised for the courage he has shown in tackling the health issues of our time," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "The observations he will offer here at the University are based on his experience as the 16th surgeon general of the United States under the Clinton administration."
Satcher was sworn in as surgeon general in February 1998. He also served as assistant secretary for health and human services from February 1998 to January 2001, making him only the second person in history to have held both positions of surgeon general and assistant secretary of health simultaneously.
This past fall Satcher was named director of the New Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Visiting Fellow with the Kaiser Family Foundation, spending time reflecting and writing about his experiences in government.
From 1993 to 1998, he served as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Before that, he was president of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., from 1982 to 1993.
He was also professor and chairman of the Department of Community Medicine and Family Practice at Morehouse School of Medicine from 1979 to 1982, and he was on the faculty of the UCLA School of Medicine and Public Health and the King-Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he developed and chaired the King-Drew Department of Family Medicine. From 1977 to 1979, he served as the interim dean of the Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School. He also directed the King-Drew Sickle Cell Research Center for six years.
As surgeon general and assistant secretary for health, Satcher led the department's efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health, an initiative that was incorporated as one of the two major goals of Health People 2010, the nation's health agenda for the next ten years. He also released surgeon general's reports on tobacco and health; mental health, that was followed by supplements on children's mental health and culture; race and ethnicity; suicide prevention, that was followed by a national strategy to prevent suicide; oral health; sexual health and responsible sexual behavior; youth violence prevention; and obesity. A conference report on health disparities and mental retardation is forthcoming.
"We're very proud that Wendy Nehring, acting associate dean of SIUE's School of Nursing, was an invited and active participant in Dr. Satcher's conferences on health disparities and retardation," said Peecher.
Satcher is a former Robert Wood Johnson Clinical scholar and Macy faculty fellow. He is the recipient of nearly two dozen honorary degrees and numerous distinguished honors, including top awards from the National Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, and Ebony magazine. In 2000, he received the Didi Hirsch Erasing the Stigma Mental Health Leadership Award, and the National Association of Mental Illness Distinguished Service Award. In 1999, he received the Bennie Mays Trailblazer Award and the Jimmy and Roslyn Carter Award for humanitarian contributions to the health of humankind from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. In 1997, he received the New York Academy of Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award.
Satcher graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1963 and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1970 with election to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He did residence/fellowship training at h4 Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, UCLA and King-Drew. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Preventive Medicine, and the American College of Physicians.
"Dr. Satcher has said that he would most like to be known as a surgeon general who listened to the American people and who responded with effective programs," Peecher said. "He continues to make it his mission to make health work for all groups in this nation."
Following Satcher's appearance on the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series is Gloria Steinem - feminist, writer, and co-founder of Ms. magazine - who will address "What You've Always Wanted to Know About Feminism and Been Afraid to Ask" on March 19. The world-renowned Takacs Quartet come to SIUE on March 27, for an evening of Hayden and Beethoven, and Helen Thomas - a fixture of the White House pressroom for more than 40 years - concludes the season on April 8, offering her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
Tickets for David Satcher's appearance are $8. For ticket information, call 618/650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, 888/328-5168, ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site at www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Katherine Dunham Hall.
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February 5, 2003
"SIUE, as a premier metropolitan university, will be recognized nationally for the excellence of its programs and development of professional and community leaders." -- SIUE's new vision statement
State of University Address: Chancellor Updates Campus On Progress Toward Achieving Strategic Plan
(EDWARDSVILLE) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor David Werner said the university continues to make strides toward a goal of being a "premier metropolitan university…the best of its kind" and laid out a plan for continued progress Wednesday in his sixth State of the University address.
The strategic plan was created last year by a group of more than 80 faculty, staff, students and community members. The committee took several months to create the plan and re-examine the mission, vision, values, and long-term goals of the university.
"Our vision is not to be just good," Werner said, "but to be 'premier.' We strive to be among the best, to set the standard for others to emulate. And, we can point to much evidence that we are premier, perhaps not yet in everything we do, but certainly in much of what we do."
The chancellor then outlined the plan based on seven long-term goals:
• Engaged students and capable graduates
• Innovative, high-quality programs
• Committed faculty and staff
• Harmonious campus climate
• Sound physical and financial assets
• Active community engagement
• Excellent reputation.
Werner pointed to enrollment growth, degrees awarded, h4 accreditation reviews, survey and anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of faculty and staff, a positive campus atmosphere, construction projects, success of students, the natural beauty of the campus, and unique programs as evidence of SIUE's success.
"In summary," he said, "budget difficulties notwithstanding, the state of the university is good. But, we must have a strategy to move forward over the coming years."
The chancellor said the "first and foremost" task in moving forward is to integrate the vision and long-term goals into the university's planning process. He said the University Planning and Budget Council (UPBC) is in the process of integrating its budget recommendations with the university's seven long-term goals to "complete the strategic plan."
He added, "But, the integration of the vision and goals into the life of the university must go beyond the work of the UPBC. By the end of this year, each unit needs to have measures of how it is doing on each of the long-term goals that apply to it. And, based on what the (initial) data shows, each unit needs plans to move forward."
Werner named "serious discussion" of the meaning of student engagement data, making the School of Pharmacy a reality, enhancing campus communication, securing funding for renovations to the Science Building, and continuing to enhance SIUE's reputation as being among the actions that should be priorities in short- and long-term planning.
He concluded his presentation by encouraging everyone affiliated with the campus to continue the steady progress of the university.
"Over the last year, we have made steps, some large, others small, in moving SIUE to achieve its vision, in making Edwardsville synonymous with academic excellence, in making this a great place for students to live and learn," Werner said. "We will continue to move in steps, not giant leaps, just as those who came before us moved the university forward a day, a week, a month at a time.
"Let us resolve to continue our progress this academic year, continuing into 2003 proud of our accomplishments, confident of our future, and knowing that the fruit of our labor will be our ability to say again next fall 'Now is the best time ever to be a student at SIUE.'"
(The full text of Chancellor Werner's speech is available on line at www.siue.edu. Click on "From the Chancellor" then go to "State of the University, February 2003.")
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February 6, 2003
Take a vacation, Change Your Life At Adlerian Institute
(EDWARDSVILLE) A journey into Adlerian Psychology may not sound like an interesting family vacation, but if you're looking to learn some new approaches to communication and cooperation and would enjoy a few high-summer days in the cool climate of Canada, listen up.
"Our summer institute really is a transforming experience for professionals and families interested in developing a system of real cooperation and teamwork," said Eva Dreikurs Ferguson, professor of psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. "We have experts come from around the world to teach about organizational, social, self-improvement and relationship issues."
The International Committee for Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes (ICASSI) was founded by Ferguson's father, Rudolf Dreikurs. The annual conference is held for two weeks in July and August in a different country every year. This year, it will be held July 27 through August 8 at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
ICASSI is dedicated to the teachings of Adler and Dreikurs. Adler, according to the institute that bears his name, "developed the first holistic theory of personality, psychopathology, and psychotherapy that was intimately connected to humanistic philosophy of living."
That's another way of saying that Adler taught an approach to psychology and emotional health centered on the concept that the human being is also a part of larger wholes or systems, such as the family, or community. He taught that a feeling of "human connectedness," and a willingness to develop oneself fully and contribute to the welfare of others, are the main criteria of mental health.
"We stress these concepts in all our teachings (at ICASSI)," Ferguson said. "We draw a wide range of students…families, business leaders, attorneys, employee relations professionals. It's a very exciting, interdisciplinary environment. We have participants from all over the world, helping make this an exciting and enriching experience."
Course topics include "Psychology in the workplace," "Sexuality and Couples Relationships," "Families in Crisis," and "Constructive Communication." There also are children and youth programs led by expert staff members.
"This program presents life-changing strategies," Ferguson said. "It is a unique opportunity to gain a new perspective on yourself and your family, your workplace, your community."
For more information, go to the ICASSI website: www.icassi.org.
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February 6, 2003
SIUE Jazz Studies Director To Present Concert At Sheldon Hall
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Music Professor Brett Stamps-a jazz trombonist, conductor, composer, arranger and noted jazz educator-will present a concert of his big band jazz arrangements at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, as part of the Sheldon's Notes From Home Concert Series.
The evening of music will feature the SIUE Concert Jazz Band, as well as SIUE Music Professor Rick Haydon (guitar), SIUE Associate Music Professor Reggie Thomas (piano), and SIUE adjunct faculty members Tom Kennedy, Andy Tichenor, Jason Swagler, Jim Martin, and Miles Vandiver, all with the SIUE Jazz Studies Program.
Stamps, who is head of the SIUE jazz program, will conduct his arrangements of jazz standards such as Sugar, My One and Only Love, Giant Steps, Emily, Oleo, Yes Or No, and I Mean You, as well as compositions by Thomas, Haydon, and Ray Kennedy.
Admission is $5. For more information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.
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February 10, 2003
'Auntie Anne's Pretzels' To Come To SIUE Morris University Center
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - It won't be long before students, faculty, staff and visitors of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville find there's a new twist to the food offerings in the campus' Morris University Center (MUC). Auntie Anne's Pretzels is on its way!
"We've just signed a contract with Auntie Anne's, Inc., to bring their pretzel store to SIUE," said Mary Robinson, director of the Morris University Center. "When we asked students what they wanted to see in the renovation of the center, new food retail outlets were at the top of the list. That's why Starbucks is here, that's why Auntie Anne's Pretzels is coming."
Robinson said that if everything goes according to plans, the new pretzel store will open in mid-summer with a grand opening celebration to follow in the fall. Auntie Anne's will offer hand-rolled soft pretzels and Dutch ices from its location across from Union Station and Starbucks on the first floor of the MUC.
Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, got her first taste of entrepreneurship at the age of 12 when she baked cakes and pies for her family to sell at a farmer's market in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County. As an adult, Beiler ran a concession booth at a farmer's market selling everything from pizza to pretzels to help support her family. Eventually her hand-rolled pretzels became her most popular item, and soon Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels was born. The company now has stores nationwide in more than 600 locations in 42 states.
"In looking at potential food outlets, we wanted to be sure to offer a variety of options," said Robinson. "Auntie Anne's seemed to fit well into the mix of our expanded menu in the new Center Court, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Chik-Fil-A, the University Restaurant, and the new Casa Ortega Cantina that is scheduled to open by the spring of 2004 in Cougar Den." The Cantina will offer a variety of Mexican and Southwestern dishes.
The ongoing renovation of the Morris University Center is supported by a student fee increase that students approved through a referendum in 2000. Among the completed projects are new and brighter lighting throughout the building's main hallways, an expanded Union Station convenience store, new administrative offices, new offices for the Kimmel Leadership Center, a renovated and improved Meridian Ballroom, a new recreation center, a new copy center, and the aforementioned Starbucks and new Center Court. Work continues on the infrastructure of the building, as well as the creation of a computer lab, an improved conference center, and a renovated University Restaurant with outdoor dining.
The anticipated completion date for the Morris University Center renovations is Summer 2004.
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February 11, 2003
ICTM Mathematics Regional Contest At SIUE Feb. 22
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Some 300 students from 13 schools will compete at the regional level of the High School Mathematics Contest to be conducted at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday, Feb. 22, according to coordinator Marilyn Hasty, an SIUE associate professor of Mathematics and Statistics.
Regionals will be conducted the same day throughout the state. Organized by the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) with financial support from CNA Insurance Companies, the statewide event will involve 250 schools at 21 regional sites.
Winners of the SIUE regional will advance to the state finals at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana on April 26. Skills to be tested include factoring logarithms, inequalities, logical reasoning, and creative analysis used in algebra through calculus.
Plaques and ribbons will be presented to individuals and schools with the best scores; an awards ceremony will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. at SIUE on the day of the competition.
The ICTM competition is open to any high school math teacher interested in observing, Hasty said. For more information, call (618) 650-2382.
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February 11, 2003
SIUE Small Business Development Center To Conduct Workshop
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Potential small-business owners can learn what it takes to become an entrepreneur by attending a Feb. 19 workshop sponsored by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Small Business Development Center.
The workshop, How To Start a Small Business, will be conducted twice at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., as a brief overview of start-up basics. It is a required course for all "micro-loan" applicants and is highly recommended for any prospective new business owner. Participants will be able to ask questions about start-up concerns and learn how to develop a cash-management plan.
For more information, call the SIUE Small Business Development Center, (618) 650-2929 or (618) 650-2669.
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February 11, 2003
'Linkages' Program Celebrates Black History, Heritage Feb. 18
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club will offer its annual Black Heritage Symposium from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Room 0003 of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center, 411 E. Broadway, East St. Louis.
The free, family event-with its theme of Linkages: Black History & Black Literature-will feature a cross-gender, intergenerational cast of poets and writers-also known as the Soular Systems Ensemble-which includes Darlene Roy, John Haynes Jr., Evon Udoh, Sherman Fowler, Patricia Merritt, K. Curtis Lyle, Sheryl Johnson, Roscoe Crenshaw, Christienne Hinz, Bala Baptiste, Sandra English, Bruce Petty, Charlois Lumpkin, and Eugene B. Redmond, a professor of English Language and Literature at SIU Edwardsville.
The program is co-produced by the National Black Writers Conference (Center for Black Literature) of Medgar Evers College at City University of New York, in Brooklyn, NY. MEC is named for the civil rights leader who was murdered in the 1960s.
Many of the tributes will take the form of a kwansaba, a seven-line poem of seven words per-line, invented by the writers club in the mid-1990s. For information about Linkages, call (618) 650-3991.
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February 13, 2003
Board Approves Awarding Two Honorary Degrees At May 10 Commencement
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) A jazz legend and a world-renowned genetic biotechnologist will receive honorary degrees at the May 10 commencement at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, according to action taken today by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting.
Recording artist John "Bucky" Pizzarelli, master of the seven-string guitar, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Music, and Roy Curtiss III, a professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science.
Pizzarelli, who has conducted workshops at SIUE for the university's Jazz Studies Program, has been an integral part of the music world for more than half a century. His career dates from 1943 when he was 17 and was asked to play guitar with the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra. During his career he has performed with the NBC Orchestra, toured with Benny Goodman, and performed with Goodman and Frank Sinatra at the White House. He also was featured on the late Charles Kuralt's CBS-TV Sunday Morning program in 1992.
In 1998, he played at the Carmichael Auditorium in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian Museum of American History exhibit, "Blue Guitars," with his son, John Pizzarelli Jr., a jazz recording artist in his own right.
Since the 1970s, Professor Curtiss and his research group have sought to define the biochemical bases and genetic controls by which bacterial pathogens cause tooth decay, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, leprosy, pneumonia, and septicemia (blood-poisoning). Some of their groundbreaking research has been patented to develop commercial products that will prevent disease in animals and humans.
Curtiss discovered the development of plant-edible vaccines and holds three patents in this area. In 1997 he was named Missouri Inventor of the Year. Before joining the Washington University faculty, Curtiss was the Charles McCauley Professor of Microbiology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, where he established the Cystic Fibrosis Research Center.
In 1956, Curtiss earned a bachelor of science in agriculture from Cornell University and a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Chicago six years later. In 2001 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
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February 13, 2003
SIU Board Awards Bids For Outdoor Recreational Complex At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees has awarded bids totaling more than $500,000 to four Southwestern Illinois contractors for construction of the first phase of an outdoor recreational complex at SIU Edwardsville. The action was taken at the board's regular monthly meeting.
The four contractors are: Hart Contracting Inc., Alton, $308,497 for general work; Electrico Inc., Columbia, $119,734.00 for electrical; France Mechanical, Edwardsville, $64,000 for plumbing; and GRP Mechanical Co., Bethalto, $12,404 for ventilation.
The complex will be located across Northwest Road from the SIUE Early Childhood Center on what is now referred to as the Intramural Fields. The first phase of the two-phase project will include re-grading of the property, and construction of a lighted softball field and an 1,800-square-foot support building. It will be funded through a combination of Campus Recreation and Student Welfare and Activity Fees (SWAF), as well as operating funds.
The complex would provide enhanced multi-purpose use for Campus Recreation's intramural, recreational, and club sports programs to accommodate needs expressed by a growing population of residential students at the university. The second phase of the project will include a second lighted field.
According to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel, the complex will provide a quality environment for intramural sports. "There is a continuing demand for expanded outdoor intramural activities," Emmanuel said. "Since building the residence halls, we have seen a significant growth in the number of teams wanting to participate in intramural sports.
"The new outdoor complex addresses those needs, thereby enhancing the quality of campus life we provide our students."
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February 13, 2003
'Rutledge Memorial Electrical Engineering Scholarship' Established By Late Professor's Daughters
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - As they grew up, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was a familiar place for Kathy Bretsch and her sister Carolyn Willmann. Their father, Robert Rutledge, joined the faculty of SIUE in 1962 as an instructor in the mathematics department, and the two sisters would often visit their father's office on campus.
Rutledge would go on to become a professor in the University's School of Engineering's electrical engineering department - becoming chair of that program in 1985 - and the two sisters themselves would become graduates of SIUE. The Rutledge family association with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville would be a long and happy one.
The association will continue now that Bretsch and Willmann have established the Dr. Robert B. Rutledge Memorial Electrical Engineering Scholarship Fund in memory of their late father.
"The Rutledge sisters have chosen a fitting tribute to their father, an instructor whose work was instrumental in creating one of the area's finest Schools of Engineering," said Sarah Hunt MacDougal, director of development for SIUE's School of Engineering. "We're most appreciative of their gift to establish this scholarship fund. While the school has many scholarship opportunities for its students, this is the first endowed scholarship intended to cover the full amount of a student's tuition."
With memorial gifts from friends, colleagues of their father, and family members, Bretsch and Willmann created the endowed scholarship, specifying that the award be given to a junior, senior or graduate student majoring in electrical engineering who has demonstrated academic merit in his or her chosen field of study. The sisters hope to increase the level of the endowment over time so that it will be able to cover housing costs in addition to tuition.
"In addition to the tribute to their father, this is a wonderful sign of support from our alumni," said MacDougal. Bretsch graduated from SIUE with a B.S. in mass communications, returning later to complete an MBA. Willmann also holds an MBA in addition to her undergraduate degree in accountancy, both from SIUE.
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February 17, 2003
The SIUE Black Theater Workshop Presents Joy And Pain
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Take a journey through the highs and lows, the ups and downs of relationships, all from an African-American perspective, as the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black Theater Workshop, with its theme of Joy and Pain, takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb.27-28 and March 1, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, all at the James F. Metcalf Theater.
The workshop features performances of scenes from August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Seven Guitars and Two Trains Running; Ron Milner's Checkmates; and Love Interrupted by SIUE student Joel P.E. King. The production also will feature poetry from the Harlem Renaissance, "fresh choregraphy," and music from the Urban Contemporary scene.
Admission is free; for more information, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.
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February 24, 2003
SIUE Indian Student Association Offers India Night On March 8
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Indian Student Association (ISA) of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will present India Night 2003, the "premier event" on the ISA's annual calendar, at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 1, in Meridian Ballroom on the first floor of the Morris University Center.
The evening features a traditional Indian dinner, a classical dance by the Asha Prem Group, south Indian dance numbers, and the latest Hindi music and dance sequences from the Josh Group and Planet Josh. A traditional fashion show concludes the festivities by showcasing the clothing diversity of India.
Tickets are $12; SIUE students with a valid ID, $10, and may be purchased through Thursday, Feb. 27, at the SIUE Information Center on the first floor of the Morris Center. Tickets also are available on-line: www.sulekha.com/stlouis for $15. For more information, call Praveen Minumula, (618) 531-8579, or by e-mail: indianight03@yahoo.com.
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February 27, 2003
Women With A-'Peel' - The Guerrilla Girls Come to SIUE
'Masked Avengers' of Feminism Go Bananas Presenting A Theatrical History of Their Humorous Protests
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - Audiences will be going "ape" as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's women's studies program celebrates Women's History Month with the outrageous 'masked avengers' of feminism, the Guerrilla Girls, on Tuesday, March 18, in the University's Dunham Hall theater.
"The Guerrilla Girls will present what they bill as a 'theatrical romp' through their history when they visit SIUE," said Martha Bailey, associate professor of political science and coordinator of the University's women's studies program. "They'll be arriving dressed in gorilla masks and throwing bananas to their audience before presenting a history of the group. The 'girls' will demonstrate how they get their ideas for using humor as a weapon to combat discrimination."
The Guerrilla Girls - a group of female artists, writers and performers - originated in 1985 as a response to an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The exhibit was a summary of the most significant contemporary art in the world featuring 169 artists. Only 13 of the artists in the exhibit were women.
The original protests were staged by women visual artists, but by the mid-90s the Guerrilla Girls had expanded to include not only visual artists, but also actors, playwrights, performance artists, costume designers and filmmakers. In 1996, some of the performing artists in the group formed a committee to discuss how they could address the lack of opportunities for women in film and theater. Because creating and displaying their infamous posters had become increasingly difficult for the Girls, and because plays and films were shown inside of theaters, the group decided to create satirical stickers they could paste inside toilet stalls to amuse and provoke an audience.
When the Guerrilla Girls voted in 2001 to split into three wings, the film and theater committee became "Guerrilla Girls on Tour," dedicated to bringing the spirit of feminism, activism and performance around the world. They packed their bags and went on tour with the piece they will be presenting at SIUE - "The Guerrilla Girls' Gig." The performance combines the didacticism of a slide lecture with the rhythms of vaudeville.
The Guerrilla Girls On Tour has 13 active members: Aphra Behn, Fanny Brice, Coco Chanel, Alice Childress, Hallie Flanagan, Lorraine Hansberry, Edith Head, Louisa Honor de Medina, Julia Philips, Diana Sands, Gertrude Stein, Sophie Treadwell and Anna May Wong. (The members eschew real names in favor of those of pioneering female artists.)
"The Guerrilla Girls Gig" at SIUE is free and open to the public; however seating is limited.
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February 27, 2003
SIUE 'Arts & Issues' to Present Gloria Steinem
Feminist to Speak Wednesday, March 19
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - As a feminist, writer, and co-founder of Ms. magazine, Gloria Steinem has embodied the idea of equal rights for women. Her voice and her ideas have shaped the direction women are moving today. She will speak about "What You've Always Wanted to Know About Feminism and Been Afraid to Ask" as part of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Arts & Issues series at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, in the Meridian Ballroom of the Morris University Center.
"SIUE is celebrating 'Women's History Month' in March, and it seemed logical for Arts & Issues to present a prominent figure from the women's movement," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "When I spoke with women on campus, the name that always topped their list of who they would like to hear speak was Gloria Steinem. It is exciting to have one of America's leading feminist voices in the late 20th century - and today - coming to SIUE to speak."
Gloria Steinem was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. After her parents' divorce, the young Steinem was left to care for both herself and her mother who suffered from chronic depression. Steinem won a scholarship to Smith College, from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude in 1956. Upon her graduation, she won a fellowship for two years of study in India at the Universities of Delhi and Calcutta.
While in India, Steinem became involved with the nonviolent protest movement, joining a group called the Radical Humanists to protest governmental policy in the bitterly divided southern region of India. She returned to the United States with a new awareness of social and political issues, especially those of wealth and poverty.
In 1960, Steinem began a career as a freelance writer and journalist in New York City. She earned both popular and critical notice with her 1963 article "I Was a Playboy Bunny," published in Show magazine. In that piece, Steinem recounted (often ironically) her three-week experience working undercover as a waitress in a New York Playboy Club and exposed the low wages and poor working conditions to which she and her fellow "bunnies" were subjected. By the mid-1960s, Steinem had published a number of pieces in some of the country's leading publications and garnered a good deal of respect from her colleagues and readers for her incisive and witty reporting about celebrities and political figures alike.
Steinem joined the founding staff of New York magazine as a contributing editor in 1968. She began writing a column for the magazine, "City Politic," in which she voiced her support for a number of liberal causes. Soon, Steinem had become much more overtly political in her writing, especially after she attended a 1968 meeting of the Redstockings, a New York-based feminist group. At that time, the rise in female participation in both the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement had spurred a rebirth of the women's liberation movement, which had been dormant for some time. Steinem embraced the new wave of feminists in the late 1960s, and became arguably the most articulate and outspoken leader of their cause.
With Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan, Steinem formed the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971 to encourage active female participation in the 1972 presidential election. Steinem herself was extremely active in the election that year, arguing for an abortion plank to be included in the Democratic platform and protesting the lack of non-white and female delegates at the party's national convention in Miami.
Ms. magazine, of which Steinem was the founding editor, first appeared as an insert in the December 1971 issue of New York. Its premiere issue in January 1972 sold out, and circulation soon reached 500,000. Steinem served as editor for the next 15 years, then as a columnist, and from 1988 she has been a consulting editor.
In 1983, Steinem published her first book, a collection of her articles and essays entitled Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions. Three years later, she published Marilyn, a biography of the screen icon Marilyn Monroe from a feminist perspective, which many saw as an appropriately sympathetic and feminist counterpoint to Norman Mailer's somewhat sensationalist 1973 biography of Monroe. Steinem's next book, Revolution from Within (1992), was a highly personal look at the way an individual's self-esteem affects and is impacted by society, and in 1994 she released a collection of essays, Moving Beyond Words.
In September 2000, Steinem was married for the first time, at the age of 66, to David Bale, a South African-born entrepreneur. The couple divides their time between New York and Bale's home base of Los Angeles.
Following Steinem's appearance on the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series is the world-renowned 2003 Grammy Award-winning Takacs Quartet on March 27, for an evening of Hayden and Beethoven, and Helen Thomas - a fixture of the White House pressroom for more than 40 years - concludes the season on April 8, offering her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
Tickets for Gloria Steinem's appearance are $8. For ticket information, call 618/650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, 888/328-5168, ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site at www.siue.edu/artsandissues/; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Katherine Dunham Hall.
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February 27, 2003
SIUE Master Of Social Work Program Receives Accreditation
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Master of Social Work Program has been awarded accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Council is the national accrediting organization for social work educational programs in the United States.
Achievement of accreditation affirms the quality of SIUE's MSW program, said Professor Thomas Regulus, chair of the SIUE Department of Social Work. "The accreditation standards set by the CSWE indicates a level of quality program performance that is recognized nationwide by the higher education community."
Regulus pointed out that graduation from an accredited social work program is a requirement for licensing to practice social work in many states including Illinois and Missouri. "The university's MSW program, implemented in 1997, serves students in both states," Regulus said, "but primarily in the St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois region.
"The Department of Social Work's MSW program sees its active presence in the Southwestern Illinois region as a force for social change and for the development of greater social and economic justice among the region's diverse population," Regulus said. "Within this vision, the MSW program's mission is to preserve, promote, and achieve the social well being of all individuals, families, groups, and communities through the education of competent and ethical advanced social work practitioners.
"Our mission includes strengthening the profession of social work and supporting the social and economic development of Southwestern Illinois through scholarship and public service."
Regulus said approximately 150 social workers have graduated from the program over the past five years. The Metro-East Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and many social work practitioners and agencies in the Metro East and St. Louis area have been supporters of and instrumental in the development and growth of the program."
The program currently prepares students for practice with children and families, and in health, mental health, and disability services. A school social work certification program is expected to be added to the curriculum in the next academic year. For more information about enrollment in the MSW program, call the SIUE Department of Social Work, (618) 650-5758.
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February 27, 2003
SIUE Choir Director Is "Renaissance Man" To His Students
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) If someone suggested that Joel Knapp is a Renaissance man, he would politely brush the comment aside, but he might point out he's the conductor who has taken the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Concert Choir twice to the Renaissance Fair in Kansas City.
He's also the SIUE choir director who started the university's Madrigal Dinner, featuring choir students singing madrigals during the holidays. The annual dinner has caught the attention of Edwardsville-Glen Carbon residents who have flocked to the event two years in a row.
"When I took over the choral program at SIUE four years ago, I had three men in the choir," Knapp said. "Now, there are 45, which provides a much better balance in the sound."
Knapp acknowledges the work of his predecessor, now-Emeritus Music Professor Leonard Van Camp, who built the program into a powerhouse over three decades. Knapp said he has been working to continue that tradition. Van Camp started the program at SIUE in the early 1960s and during his tenure took the choirs around the world, performing in concerts and competitions.
But, in the years before Van Camp's retirement, recruiting became a problem. "It's been tough, but I've tried to turn that around, but with tight budgets, it's not easy to offer many scholarships," Knapp said. "I'd like to see us build another h4 tradition such as Leonard created in the 1980s."
Knapp must be doing something right. The Concert Choir recently won a statewide competition among high school and college choirs to sing at the annual Illinois Music Educators Association Conference in Peoria, a prestigious achievement. "It was a blind audition," Knapp said, "in that participants sent a recording and the judges decided who would perform without knowing who was auditioning.
"Four choirs were selected from more than 50 and we were the only college choir chosen. I was proud of the choir's achievement and it was a thrill to stand in front of them at the concert. They were singing for many important music teachers in the state. It was intimidating but they did a great job."
But the choirs aren't all about competitions. "In addition to the Madrigal Dinner, we also sing an early fall concert, a Christmas concert, a major works concert with the SIUE orchestra in late spring, and a Broadway concert in late winter. "And, recently we had a chance to sing before an Eventide service at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis. We sang with that incredible pipe organ at the cathedral and it was very exciting for the students."
As an educator, Knapp must balance the music curriculum with the performance time. "It's part of my educational plan to perform major works from all the musical eras in a two-year rotation. "And, I have to plan programs that are appealing to audiences in addition to being educational for the students."
Knapp continues to conduct the Community Choral Society, a group of about 100 singers from the surrounding communities that was begun by Van Camp. "It's an outreach group and it also allows the Concert Choir and the University Singers to perform with a larger group.
"And, we provide a creative outlet for the community," Knapp pointed out, "because once you've sung in a mixed choir, it gets in your blood. If you don't have opportunities to sing later, it takes away a big chunk of your spirit."
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February 27, 2003
SIUE International Trade Center To Conduct Roundtable Series
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Illinois Trade Office, and United Parcel Service will begin a forum in March for exchanging ideas and experiences on international trade through roundtable discussion.
The Business Roundtable Series will provide a forum for regional firms and foreign market experts to conduct in-depth discussions about specific market opportunities. Attendees will also participate in videoconferencing sessions. The first program is set from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, in Room 3307 of SIUE's Founders Hall. The topic will be "Business Opportunities in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Region".
This discussion will include a live videoconference with trade specialists from the U.S. Commercial Service in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, followed by a roundtable discussion with representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Illinois Trade Office to address important issues regarding the region.
Space is limited; early registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, call the SIUE International Trade Center, (618) 650-2452.
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February 27, 2003
SIUE Hockey Club Team Wins MACHA Division II Championship
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougar Hockey Club won the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) Division II Silver Tier Championship after defeating powerhouse Robert Morris College recently at the East Alton Ice Arena.
It was the same matchup that left the Cougars in defeat during the 2001-02 championships, which led many to worry about "déjà vu all over again" this year, said Coach Larry Thatcher. "From 'worst to first' in a period of six years is quite a feat from any organization," Thatcher said. "This accomplishment is testament to the character and dedication of the players involved."
Thatcher praised the student-athletes who worked hard to build the club since its inception at SIUE in 1996 and then moved on after graduation. He also praised later members for believing in the program even after it had languished for a season, working to re-establish the team for the 1998-99 season.
"These were some character guys who had a tremendous impact on the formation and the success of this club," he said. "I'm happy that the freshmen players were able to get to know the seniors who were leaving, because they were able to experience the veteran presence in the locker room."
Although the team had a losing return season in 2000-01, the players battled back to go to the championships the following season. "The 2001-02 season was a turn around year for the club," Thatcher said. "Building on the foundation set in place the two previous seasons, new players began to arrive and the team got back on track and went 18-9-1 for the year. They finished first but came up short in the championships against Robert Morse College. Beating them to win the championship this year made it that much sweeter."
A ceremony to recognize the hockey Cougars is set for 12:15 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the Goshen Lounge of the Morris University Center.
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February 27, 2003
SIUE & St. Louis Blues to Score Books for Kids
Fans to Have Chance To Win Team Signed Jersey
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the St. Louis Blues Hockey team have joined forces to promote literacy throughout the Metro East. On Saturday, March 22, SIUE's "Book In Every Home" early childhood literacy campaign will collect new book donations and cash for the purchase of new books at the Savvis Center during the Blues hockey game.
"We're absolutely thrilled to embark upon this partnership with the St. Louis Blues hockey team," said Kay Werner, SIUE "Book In Every Home" chairperson. "Rather than 'bleeding blue,' as the Blues' slogan suggests, we hope that many six-week to five-year-olds in the Metro-East will be 'reading blue' after our campaign!"
About 60 "Book In Every Home" volunteers will collect new books and cash donations beginning at 1 p.m. at the Savvis Center entrances as the Blues face their rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, on March 22. The game will begin at 2 p.m. and collections for the books will end after the first period. Each person who donates a new book or cash will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win an official team-signed St. Louis Blues jersey. The winner will be announced that day during the final period of the game.
"Our ultimate goal is to generate excitement about literacy and reading to young children," added Werner. "This partnership with the St. Louis Blues and others in the community reinforces the importance of helping young children develop a passion for reading that will last a lifetime. Think back and remember the pure excitement surrounding a moment in your childhood when you received a new book. We are recreating this feeling for thousands of children in Illinois, many of whom are at-risk."
In addition to the effort with the St. Louis Blues, SIUE's "Book In Every Home" campaign works hand-in-hand with the St. Louis Rams Foundation to promote literacy in the Metro-East. Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the honorary chairperson for the 2003 campaign.
The "Book In Every Home" campaign officially kicked-off in January and will run through March. Book collection points for the campaign include the SIUE Bookstore, the centers of SIUE Early Childhood, SIUE Head Start and Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, and more. A complete listing of book drop-off points and additional information is available at the campaign's website, www.siue.edu/BOOKS.
SIUE's "Book In Every Home" campaign began in 1998, and now distributes more than 3,000 books each year to local Head Start and early childhood programs in the Illinois counties of Madison and St. Clair, including SIUE Head Start, SIUE Early Childhood and Riverbend Head Start & Family Services.
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February 11, 2003
Chancellor Maps New Strategic Plan In State Of SIUE Address
Chancellor David Werner said the university continues to make strides toward a goal of being a "premier metropolitan university…the best of its kind" and laid out a plan for continued progress, in his sixth State of the University address.
The strategic plan was created last year by a group of more than 80 faculty, staff, students and community members. The committee took several months to create the plan and re-examine the mission, vision, values, and long-term goals of the university.
"Our vision is not to be just good," Werner said, "but to be 'premier.' We strive to be among the best, to set the standard for others to emulate. And, we can point to much evidence that we are premier, perhaps not yet in everything we do, but certainly in much of what we do."
The chancellor then outlined the plan based on seven long-term goals:
1. Engaged students and capable graduates
2. Innovative, high-quality programs
3. Committed faculty and staff
4. Harmonious campus climate
5. Sound physical and financial assets
6. Active community engagement
7. Excellent reputation.
Werner pointed to enrollment growth, degrees awarded, h4 accreditation reviews, survey and anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of faculty and staff, a positive campus atmosphere, construction projects, success of students, the natural beauty of the campus, and unique programs as evidence of SIUE's success.
"In summary," he said, "budget difficulties notwithstanding, the state of the university is good. But, we must have a strategy to move forward over the coming years."
The chancellor said the "first and foremost" task in moving forward is to integrate the vision and long-term goals into the university's planning process. He said the University Planning and Budget Council (UPBC) is in the process of integrating its budget recommendations with the university's seven long-term goals to "complete the strategic plan."
He added, "But, the integration of the vision and goals into the life of the university must go beyond the work of the UPBC. By the end of this year, each unit needs to have measures of how it is doing on each of the long-term goals that apply to it. And, based on what the (initial) data shows, each unit needs plans to move forward."
Werner named "serious discussion" of the meaning of student engagement data, making the School of Pharmacy a reality, enhancing campus communication, securing funding for renovations to the Science Building, and continuing to enhance SIUE's reputation as being among the actions that should be priorities in short- and long-term planning.
He concluded his presentation by encouraging everyone affiliated with the campus to continue the steady progress of the university.
"Over the last year, we have made steps, some large, others small, in moving SIUE to achieve its vision, in making Edwardsville synonymous with academic excellence, in making this a great place for students to live and learn," Werner said. "We will continue to move in steps, not giant leaps, just as those who came before us moved the university forward a day, a week, a month at a time.
"Let us resolve to continue our progress this academic year, continuing into 2003 proud of our accomplishments, confident of our future, and knowing that the fruit of our labor will be our ability to say again next fall: 'Now is the best time ever to be a student at SIUE.' "
Click here for the full text of Chancellor Werner's speech.
Spring Enrollment Is Up Over Last Year's Tally
SIUE's spring 2003 enrollment is up by more than 500 students over last year's spring enrollment, reflecting the university's increased emphasis on retention.
Spring '03 enrollment stands at 12,161; spring '02 enrollment was 11,623. "Continuing undergraduate" students were up about 400 over last year. Continuing graduate students were up about 100.
"There is a h4er emphasis on retention campuswide," said Boyd Bradshaw, acting assistant vice chancellor for enrollment.
"From student life activities to additional emphasis on academic programs outside the classroom, we have instituted a range of activities designed to keep students engaged in their studies and the community."
SIUE's fall (2002) enrollment was 12,708, continuing an eight-year trend of enrollment growth. Fall enrollment was up about 2 percent over fall 2001.
Bradshaw said early projections for fall '03 are "looking good" for an increase roughly equal to or slightly better than fall '02. He said the admission application deadline for freshmen entering fall '03 is May 31; for all other undergraduate students, the deadline is Aug. 4.
Graduate students should submit applications no later than July 25. Additional information about applying for admission to SIUE is available online at www.admis.siue.edu.
Fuller's SIUE Dome Now Has 'Friends' To Care For It
R. Buckminster Fuller was quite a thinker by most accounts, a visionary to many who advocated the environmental global village idea long before anyone else really could grasp the concept.
His structure-The SIUE Religious Center-embodies the "Spaceship Earth" concept that Fuller espoused-that we are a global family and Earth is our vehicle that must be maintained. It's distinct geodesic design has always been a conversation piece for campus visitors.
But, after 30-plus years, the center itself needs some major repair and the Friends of the Religious Center (FRC) support group is being created to facilitate matters. The FRC is made up of about a dozen members of the university community and the surrounding community at-large, including the three ministerial directors headquartered at the center. They all share an interest in the structure as an architectural treasure.
"Many people may not know it, but the Religious Center structure is not a university-owned building," says Greg Fields, an associate professor of Philosophical Studies at SIUE and chair of the Friends group. "It was built with private money and opened in 1971 to serve the spiritual needs of the students.
"The Center is dedicated to keep religious faith and experience in dialogue with higher education," Fields said, "and to enriching the spiritual lives of students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of the surrounding communities.
"The building has been maintained through the years by the University Religious Council, a private group, which in turn leases the land on which the center stands from SIUE," Fields said. "However, because of dwindling resources, the council has had more trouble in the past few years attaining funds to keep the building in repair. So, some concerned members of the community have banded together to form the FRC and help raise money for the building," Fields said.
Fields said the group is planning fund-raising events and hopes to attract attention to others who are concerned with preserving local architecture. The FRC is hosting A Celebration of World Faiths, from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Religious Center. Spiritual leaders and groups from several traditions will share music, scripture, prayer, and information about their faiths. The goal is an evening of learning and fellowship, and an opportunity to cultivate more Friends of the Religious Center. This is a free event, with donations accepted. Refreshments with ethnic themes will be available, and all are welcome.
"This building was designed by Buck Fuller when he was a member of the faculty at both Edwardsville and Carbondale," Fields pointed out. "Not only is this a unique piece of architectural wonder, but also an integral part of the history of this university."
Most of the money raised by the URC through the years has helped maintain the building on a daily basis; however, a capital campaign is needed for more extensive projects, such as major roof repair and replacement of the heating and cooling system,as well as landscaping to deter flooding.
The FRC also is concerned with raising funds to help with programming at the center. "The FRC is interested in expanding the resources of the university's new minor program in Religious Studies, a subject, Fields says, "that is important for both religiously inclined students, and for those who are not, as a means to understand religion as a major force in the history and future of the world."
Nomination Forms Are Available For Kimmel Award, Kimmel Scholarship
Nomination applications for the SIUE Carol Kimmel Scholarship and Community Service Award for Faculty and Staff are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center on campus. Deadline for the nominations is Friday, Feb. 28.
The annual service award and scholarship were established to recognize students for outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, as well as for academic excellence, and for faculty and staff who are community volunteers.
The awards were named for Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has been very active in dedicating her time and talent to volunteerism. The awards are co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.
For the scholarship, individuals may nominate a student, or students may nominate themselves, according to the following criteria:
• currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at SIUE, with sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate standing;
• an accumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);
• demonstrated volunteer contributions within the last two years in leadership, service, and/or citizenship, including leadership in a student organization or at least one elected office;
• and more than 30 hours of nonpaid service to a community agency or community organization.
In addition, a nominee must provide two letters of documented university service and leadership, as well as two letters documenting community service and leadership. In order for a student to be considered for a second Kimmel Scholarship, documentation submitted for previous Kimmel Scholarships will not be reconsidered.
The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.
For the community service award, the following criteria apply:
• Organizations, agencies, businesses, or individuals, including colleagues, may nominate those who they have known through professional association for at least two years;
• who have been a full-time, continuing employee of SIUE for at least two years;
• who have demonstrated continuous service to a single community agency, organization, or business for at least two years.
• who have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period of time; and
• who have demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri.
Nominees must document leadership roles and responsibilities, and provide two letters of recommendation. Prior recipients are ineligible to apply. Only community service unrelated to a nominee's job duties will be considered. Posthumous nominations will be considered if the nominee died during the past 12 months. Past recipients are not eligible to re-apply.
Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 3, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. For more information about nomination procedures or for a nomination-application form, call the Kimmel Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
Quincy, UMSL Up Next For Cougars
Although it is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak, the SIUE men's basketball team is still striving to get better.
"We are taking each practice and each day one at a time," said Coach Marty Simmons. "We have done some things better but just not enough to win games."
The Cougars, 7-16 overall and 3-13 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, travel to Quincy Thursday (2/20) and Missouri-St. Louis Saturday (2/22) for two important GLVC contests.
Quincy (11-13, 5-12 GLVC) enters Thursday's match up on a three-game losing skid. It edged the Cougars 72-65 earlier this year at the Vadalabene Center.
"Quincy has a lot of weapons," Simmons said. "They are big, physical and quick."
The Hawks are led in scoring by Cory Cummens' 13.1 points per game. As a team, they average 9.58 steals a game, which ranks them atop the GLVC. Missouri-St. Louis (5-18, 2-15 GLVC) has struggled through a 12-game losing streak. Despite ranking last in the GLVC standings, the Rivermen are second in the league in scoring defense, allowing an average of 69.0 points per game.
"UMSL can guard as good as anyone in the league," Simmons said. SIUE defeated Missouri-St. Louis 61-51 earlier this season at the Vadalabene Center.
SIUE is led in scoring by Ron Jones (Kankakee). The junior leads the team with 15.9 points per game and his 46.9 percent three-point field goal percentage ranks him in the top 10 in the country. "He has done outstanding for us this year," Simmons said of Jones. "He was asked to add to his game. His efforts create more offense for us." Jones needs seven more three-point field goals to break Garrett Thomas' SIUE record of 73 three-point field goals made in a season.
Cougars Look To Avenge Quincy, UMSL Losses
The streaking SIUE women's basketball team will travel to Quincy for a Thursday matchup (2/20) and Missouri-St. Louis for a Saturday (2/22) contest.
The Cougars, 13-10 overall and 9-7 in the GLVC, have won seven of its last nine games. They swept a road series last week against Wisconsin-Parkside and Lewis. "We played hard last weekend at two tough places to play," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "Both wins were just a great team effort."
SIUE will try to continue its hot streak against Quincy (19-5, 13-4 GLVC). The Lady Hawks defeated the Cougars 68-56 earlier this season at the Vadalabene Center. "The game against Quincy earlier this season was back-and-forth most of the game," Hedberg said. "If we minimize our mistakes and keep playing good defense we'll be successful."
Missouri-St. Louis (9-13, 4-13 GLVC) also defeated the Cougars earlier this season at the Vadalabene Center. Ebonie Halliburton scored 33 points and hit clutch free throws in the final minutes to seal the victory for UMSL. "Halliburton is a dangerous shooter, and UMSL's inside play is tough," Hedberg said.
Ruth Kipping (Quincy) is second in the GLVC with 18.6 points per game. She trails Wisconsin-Parkside's Sammy Kromm who averages 19.3.
Liz DeShasier (Carrollton) scored a career-high 22 points in the Cougars' win against Lewis. Her scoring average has jumped to 9.1 points per game, just behind Jessica Robert's (Carlyle) 9.2 points per game.
Track Prepares For GLVC Championships
The SIUE men's and women's indoor track and field teams will begin preparation for the GLVC Indoor Championships, which will be held March 1 in Kenosha, Wis.
The Cougars are coming off the Saluki Open in Carbondale in which several athletes achieved personal records. "It was a good meet for us," Coach Darryl Frerker said. "It will make them more confident going into the conference meet."
Jennifer Jaquez (Aurora) finished fourth in the 400 meter dash in a time of 52.08 seconds. On the men's side, Darren Dinkelman (Nashville) won the 800 meters with a time of 1:54.63 and Kevin Koller (Centralia) placed fourth in the 400 meters in a time of 49.66.
Mark Milleville (Altamont) won the weight throw with a toss of 58 feet-0.25 inches. The mark improved his chances of qualifying for the NCAA-II Championships from March 14-15 in Boston. Milleville finished third in the shot put, also an event in which he has provisionally qualified.
Cougars Travel To Central Missouri
The SIUE wrestling squad has one dual remaining before its Regional meet. It travels to Central Missouri State Tuesday (2/18) to take on the Mules in a 7 p.m. dual.
"Central Missouri is in our region," said Coach Booker Benford, "so this dual is important because we need to beat them to get a higher seed in the Regionals."
Benford indicated the team will once again be short-handed in a few weight classes, thus he will concentrate on individual victories instead of a team victory. "Just like the recent duals, this will be used as a fine-tuner for Regionals," Benford said. "Each guy is going to have to wrestle tough for seven minutes against Central, because they are a tough team to compete against."
Zach Stephens (St. Charles, Mo.) is currently third in the nation at 174 pounds. He has a record of 25-10 this season.
Results of Feb. 18 wrestling match.
Kipping Named GLVC Player Of The Week
Ruth Kipping (Quincy) has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.
The senior scored 26 points in a win against 18th-ranked Northern Kentucky and had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort against 15th-ranked Indianapolis. In her past four games, Kipping has averaged more than 22 points per game.
"Ruth is a great offensive player," said Coach Wendy Hedberg. "She does well when she is double-teamed as well, whether she kicks the ball out to a teammate or tries to split the defense." Kipping leads the GLVC with 19.6 points per game.
Milleville Provisionally Qualifies In Shot Put
Mark Milleville (Altamont) has provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in a second event.
Milleville, a sophomore, threw the shot put 16.35 meters (53 feet-7.75 inches) for a school record at the Titan Open in Bloomington. His throw does not guarantee a spot in the national indoor meet, set for Boston on March 14-15. He'll need to be among the top 12 when the final performance list is released in early March.
Milleville previously qualified on a provisional basis in the weight throw. "Mark has thrown equally well or better before," said SIUE Coach Darryl Frerker. "He'll have a couple of more meets to improve his spot on the performance list."
Freshman Steve Landers (Auburn) threw the shot put 15.10 meters this week and lost his school record to Milleville. "They are staring to hit their peak. Hopefully, they will carry it through to the national meet," said Frerker.
The SIUE men placed third at the Titan Open with 79 points behind junior colleges Rend Lake (93) and St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley (92).
Frerker said he expects at least three others to be close or break provisional qualifying this week.
Many of the top SIUE runners will head to the Canon IV Classic in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, most of the throwers will head south to Carbondale for the Saluki Open.
Frerker said he expects Richard Skirball (Granite City) to earn a spot in the 800-meter run at the indoor nationals just like last season. Skirball did not run the 800-meter event this week but still has two more meets in which to qualify.
Kevin Koller (Centralia) and Jeff Fearday (Teutopolis) also are among those who are nearing NCAA qualifying marks.
Frerker said the SIUE women also have a couple of student-athletes on the verge of qualifying for the national indoor meet.
Jennifer Jaquez (Aurora) and Breanne Steffens (Moline) look to qualify in the 400-meter dash and the mile, respectively.
The SIUE women placed seventh at the Titan Open with 32 points. Host Illinois Wesleyan won the meet with 102 points.
Cougars Begin Four-Game Road Swing
With six games left in the regular season, every game will be important for the SIUE women's basketball team as it travels to Wisconsin-Parkside and Lewis this weekend for two Great Lakes Valley Conference games.
SIUE has won five of its last seven games and has jumped into fifth place in the conference standings. The Cougars hold an overall record of 11-10 and a 7-7 mark in the GLVC.
The Cougars face Wisconsin-Parkside Thursday (2/13) for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off. SIUE defeated the Rangers 65-59 in overtime earlier this season at the Vadalabene Center. "Wisconsin-Parkside played tough on our court," said Coach Wendy Hedberg. "I have no doubt it will be just as tough on their home floor."
Sammy Kromm leads the team and is second in the GLVC with 19.4 points per game. The Rangers (10-11, 6-8 GLVC) are coming off a 25-point win against Saint Joseph's.
The Cougars then travel to Lewis for an afternoon tip-off on Saturday (2/15). The Flyers (8-14, 4-11 GLVC) snapped their nine-game losing streak last Saturday (2/8) with a win over Saint Joseph's.
"Lewis had a big win over Saint Joseph's," Hedberg said. "The win lets them know they can still win games, and that will be fuel for the fire."
Liz DeShasier (Carrollton), one of two Cougars who have started every game this year, has contributed valuable minutes as of late. She is currently second on the team with 5.4 rebounds per game and third with 8.5 points per game.
Cougars Travel To UWP, Lewis
The SIUE men's basketball team will try to halt a seven-game losing streak this week when it travels to Wisconsin-Parkside for a Thursday (2/13) night matchup and Lewis for a Saturday (2/15) afternoon game.
The Cougars are currently 7-14 and 3-11 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. They are just behind Bellarmine and Saint Joseph's, both 4-11 in the GLVC, for the eighth spot in the conference standings. The top-eight teams qualify for the conference tournament in March.
Wisconsin-Parkside (11-10, 6-8 GLVC) is led in scoring by Quincy Moman's 16.6 points per game. Moman scored a game-high 21 points in the Rangers' 70-53 triumph over the Cougars earlier this season.
Lewis (18-4, 11-4 GLVC) is currently the 19th-ranked team in the nation and is on a three-game winning streak. Monta McGhee leads the team with 17.9 points per game. Lewis defeated the Cougars 74-64 earlier this season at the Vadalabene Center behind McGhee's 18 points per game.
Ron Jones (Kankakee) paces SIUE with 16.1 points per game. He also is ranked in the top-30 in the nation with a 45.5 percent three-point, field-goal percentage.
Ron Heflin (Gary, Ind.) and Justin Ward (Moline) average 12.4 and 12.1 points per game, respectively.
Tim Bauersachs (Pinckneyville) is the team's leading rebounder with 4.9 boards per game.
Cougars Travel To Face Truman State
The SIUE wrestling squad will travel to Truman State University Sunday (2/16) for a dual meet with the Bulldogs. The meet will begin at 2 p.m.
"Truman State is kind of in the same boat as us in the fact it is hard for them to fill their lineup," said Coach Booker Benford. "If our guys wrestle tough, and Truman State's lineup falls in our favor, I think this is a team we can beat."
SIUE is coming off a 47-3 defeat to Northern Illinois. Zach Stephens (St. Charles, Mo.) claimed the lone victory for the Cougars. Stephens is currently ranked third in the nation at 174 pounds.
After Sunday's dual, the Cougars only have one more meet before the NCAA Regionals on March 2. The NCAA Championships are set for March 14th and 15th.
Cougars Open Season At Principia Invitational
The SIUE men's tennis team will participate in its first competition of the season this weekend at the Principia Invitational.
The Cougars will compete against Truman State, Washington University and The Principia.
No team scores will be calculated. "This is mainly a warm-up tournament for the teams," said Coach Bill Logan. "We will use it as a preparatory tournament for our players."
Singles will be held Friday (2/14) with the doubles action taking place Saturday (2/15). "The team has been practicing really hard," Logan said. "We have had some really good practice sessions."
TRIO Programs Announce Science Fair Winners
Fourteen-year-old Jorrell Bonner of A.M. Jackson Academy in East St. Louis won the top ranking award at the East St. Louis Center's TRIO Programs 19th Annual Science Fair Competition. The contest was held Feb. 11 at the Gateway Center in Collinsville.
Jorrell won the Best of Fair award for his project, "Clap Your Hands If You're Happy With Your Weight." Jorrell also left the fair with four other awards: an Outstanding ribbon, a Scientific Impact plaque, an Originality plaque and a Regional Representative plaque.
Some other top winners at the science fair included SIUE's St. Joseph Head Start Center. The center won three plaques for Scientific Impact, Originality and Visual Display for its class project, "First Head Start Astronaut in Space." The SIUE Child Development Program won a plaque for Scientific Impact for its class project, "Leaf Prints."
Of the more than 600 projects that were displayed at the science fair, 45 received outstanding ribbons. A total of 10 students were selected to serve as regional representatives at the SIUE Regional Science Fair on March 21 and 22 on the Edwardsville campus. Regional winners will go to the State Expositions on May 9 and May 10 in Champaign.
The annual sponsor award went to Opal Crosby, science teacher at A.M. Jackson Academy, for the most projects selected to go to the regional competition.
The science fair was made possible by the following: the Illinois-American Water Co., the Greater East St. Louis Community Fund, Laidlaw, Solutia, Gillian Graphics, New York Cleaners, The Boeing Co., Shop N' Save, and Wal-Mart.
In other TRIO Program news:
The Belleville News Democrat recently named Aisha Franklin, a student in the Upward Bound Math and Science program, as the Scholar Athlete of the Year for Cross Country in St. Clair County.
Franklin, who has participated in Math and Science for four years, is ranked number five academically in her senior class at East St. Louis Senior High School. She will graduate in May and has been accepted for a scholarship at Tennessee State University at Nashville.
However, her mother Ronda Franklin says that offers from Howard University and Hampton are also being considered.
Some of her past athleticS accomplishments include: first place in the St. Clair County, Southwestern Conference and the Alton Class AA Regional cross-country meets; state honors at the 2002 State Finals; placed first in the Southwestern Conference class AA Regional cross-country meet; East St. Louis High School's record for three miles; athlete of the week for The St. Louis American and all metro girls cross-country award from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
lke McIntosh, assistant program director of Math and Science for the TRIO Programs at the East St. Louis Center, reports that three students who have been in Upward Bound have been accepted at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
The students are Armond Harold, Lorran Lewis and Jermya Harris. All three attend East St. Louis Senior High School and are ranked in the top 10 percent of their 2003 graduating class and have completed college preparatory courses.
Armond and Jermya have been Upward Bound students for four years. Lorran enrolled during her high school sophomore year. Each student believes that the Math and Science program has provided a rewarding experience, especially the summer component, that includes six weeks of instruction by SIUE faculty.
Armond and Lorran work after school at Walgreens pharmacy, while Jermya is employed at Taco Bell in Belleville. All three were active in the Junior Achievement program and have served in various high school activities. Armond wants to major in medical research. Lorran will focus on forensic science. Jermya plans to become a pediatrician.
As the probability of war intensifies in the Middle East, Deasha Gower, an Upward Bound Math and Science student, is facing possible activation of her unit, the Illinois National Guard Unit 634th Field Service Battalion station in Springfield, Ill.
Gower is a medical supply specialist with the 634th battalion. She expects to graduate in May from Lovejoy High School, where she has the highest grade point average. She has applied at Eastern Illinois University for the fall and plans to major in the medical studies.
"Upward Bound has helped me cope with life's ups and downs and hasprovided a certain amount of maturity," said Gower, a Brooklyn native. "The six weeks I attended summer camp and stayed in the dorms at Edwardsville allowed me to adjust and find out what it's like to be away from home. I don't think I could have served with the Guard if I didn't have the exposure with Upward Bound."
Lovejoy High School principal Catherine Calvert and counselor Sarah Rials both believe that Upward Bound has been a positive influence on Gower and has helped to build her self-esteem. Gower works as a tutor with Lovejoy grade school and serves as an usher at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Brooklyn.
"I hope our unit is not activated and there will be peace, but I will go if ordered to," she said.
Two World-Renowned Figures To Receive Honorary Degrees At Commencement
A jazz legend and a world-renowned genetic biotechnologist will receive honorary degrees at the May 10 commencement, according to action taken recently by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting.
Recording artist John "Bucky" Pizzarelli, master of the seven-string guitar, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Music, and Roy Curtiss III, a professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science.
Pizzarelli, who has conducted workshops at SIUE for the university's Jazz Studies Program, has been an integral part of the music world for more than a half-century. His career dates from 1943 when he was 17 and was asked to play guitar with the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra.
During his career he has performed with the NBC Orchestra, toured with Benny Goodman, and performed with Goodman and Frank Sinatra at the White House. He also was featured on the late Charles Kuralt's CBS-TV Sunday Morning program in 1992. In 1998, he played at the Carmichael Auditorium in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian Museum of American History exhibit, "Blue Guitars," with his son, John Pizzarelli Jr., a jazz recording artist in his own right.
Since the 1970s, Professor Curtiss and his research group have sought to define the biochemical bases and genetic controls by which bacterial pathogens cause tooth decay, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, leprosy, pneumonia, and septicemia (blood poisoning). Some of their groundbreaking research has been patented to develop commercial products that will prevent disease in animals and humans.
Curtiss discovered the development of plant-edible vaccines and holds three patents in this area. In 1997 he was named Missouri Inventor of the Year. Before joining the Washington University faculty, Curtiss was the Charles McCauley Professor of Microbiology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, where he established the Cystic Fibrosis Research Center.
In 1956, Curtiss earned a bachelor of science in agriculture from Cornell University and a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Chicago six years later. In 2001 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Student Senate Approves FY05 Athletics Fee Increase
The SIUE Student Senate passed an $8.60 Intercollegiate Athletics fee increase for FY2005. The vote of 7-2, with one senator voting present, paves the way to increase the fee beginning July 1, 2004.
"I am extremely happy for the student-athletes and the athletics programs," said SIUE Athletics Director Brad Hewitt. "This increase will have a positive impact on the quality of the experiences for the students."
The increase is the third year of a four-year Campus Life Enhancement Plan. The increase places the athletics fee at $113 per semester. Hewitt said an increase of $8.70 also will be asked in FY06.
The first phase of the Campus Life Enhancement Plan began in FY03 with monies going toward enhancing scholarships for student-athletes. The second phase, which begins this July, provides for enhancements to all sports' recruiting budgets. "We're already seeing the positive results of the Campus Life Enhancement Plan, with the quality of the student-athletes and the retention of quality student-athletes," Hewitt said.
The latest increase slated for 2005 is expected to increase the athletics program budget by nearly $78,000. Numerous sports will see modest increases in operating budgets. Plans also call for the hiring of a full-time women's soccer coach and a boost to graduate assistants from nine-month contracts to 10-month contracts.
BOT Approves Bids For New Outdoor Sports Facility
The SIU Board of Trustees has awarded bids totaling more than $500,000 to four Southwestern Illinois contractors for construction of the first phase of an outdoor recreational complex at SIU Edwardsville. The action was taken at the board's regular monthly meeting earlier in February.
The four contractors are: Hart Contracting Inc., Alton, $308,497 for general work; Electrico Inc., Columbia, $119,734.00 for electrical; France Mechanical, Edwardsville, $64,000 for plumbing; and GRP Mechanical Co., Bethalto, $12,404 for ventilation.
The complex will be located across Northwest Road from the SIUE Early Childhood Center on what is now referred to as the Intramural Fields. The first phase of the two-phase project will include re-grading of the property, re-seeeding, and construction of a lighted softball field and an 1,800-square-foot support building. It will be funded through a combination of Campus Recreation and Student Welfare and Activity Fees (SWAF), as well as operating funds.
SIUE officials said construction of the first phase is expected by fall, but the field won't be open until fall 2004 so that the grass re-seeding will have one year of growth.
The complex would provide enhanced multi-purpose use for Campus Recreation's intramural, recreational, and club sports programs to accommodate needs expressed by a growing population of residential students at the university. The second phase of the project will include a second lighted field.
According to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel, the complex will provide a quality environment for intramural sports. "There is a continuing demand for expanded outdoor intramural activities," Emmanuel said. "Since building the residence halls, we have seen a significant growth in the number of teams wanting to participate in intramural sports.
"The new outdoor complex addresses those needs, thereby enhancing the quality of campus life we provide our students."
Summer Institute In Canada Is An Adlerian Experience
A journey into Adlerian Psychology may not sound like an interesting family vacation, but if you're looking to learn some new approaches to communication and cooperation and would enjoy a few high-summer days in the cool climate of Canada, listen up.
"Our summer institute really is a transforming experience for professionals and families interested in developing a system of real cooperation and teamwork," said Eva Dreikurs Ferguson, professor of psychology at SIUE. "We have experts come from around the world to teach about organizational, social, self-improvement and relationship issues."
The International Committee for Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes (ICASSI) was founded by Ferguson's father, Rudolf Dreikurs. The annual conference is held for two weeks in July and August in a different country every year. This year, it will be held July 27 through Aug. 8 at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
ICASSI is dedicated to the teachings of Adler and Dreikurs. Adler, according to the institute that bears his name, "developed the first holistic theory of personality, psychopathology, and psychotherapy that was intimately connected to humanistic philosophy of living."
That's another way of saying that Adler taught an approach to psychology and emotional health centered on the concept that the human being is also a part of larger wholes or systems, such as the family, or community. He taught that a feeling of "human connectedness," and a willingness to develop oneself fully and contribute to the welfare of others, are the main criteria of mental health.
"We stress these concepts in all our teachings (at ICASSI)," Ferguson said. "We draw a wide range of students … families, business leaders, attorneys, employee relations professionals. It's a very exciting, interdisciplinary environment. We have participants from all over the world, helping make this an exciting and enriching experience."
Course topics include "Psychology in the workplace," "Sexuality and Couples Relationships," "Families in Crisis," and "Constructive Communication." There also are children and youth programs led by expert staff members.
"This program presents life-changing strategies," Ferguson said. "It is a unique opportunity to gain a new perspective on yourself and your family, your workplace, your community."
For more information, go to the ICASSI website: www.icassi.org.
Auntie Anne's Pretzels Is On The Way ... To The MUC
It won't be long before students, faculty, staff and visitors of SIUE find there's a new twist to the food offerings in the Morris University Center (MUC).
Auntie Anne's Pretzels is on its way! "We've just signed a contract with Auntie Anne's Inc. to bring their pretzel store to SIUE," said Mary Robinson, director of the Morris University Center. "When we asked students what they wanted to see in the renovation of the center, new food retail outlets were at the top of the list.
"That's why Starbucks is here, that's why Auntie Anne's Pretzels is coming."
Robinson said that if everything goes according to plans, the new pretzel store will open in mid-summer with a grand opening celebration to follow in the fall. Auntie Anne's will offer hand-rolled soft pretzels and Dutch ices from its location across from Union Station and Starbucks on the first floor of the MUC.
Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, got her first taste of entrepreneurship at the age of 12 when she baked cakes and pies for her family to sell at a farmer's market in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County. As an adult, Beiler ran a concession booth at a farmer's market selling everything from pizza to pretzels to help support her family.
Eventually her hand-rolled pretzels became her most popular item, and soon Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels was born. The company now has stores nationwide in more than 600 locations in 42 states. "In looking at potential food outlets, we wanted to be sure to offer a variety of options," Robinson said. "Auntie Anne's seemed to fit well into the mix of our expanded menu in the new Center Court, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Chik-Fil-A, the University Restaurant, and the new Casa Ortega Cantina that is scheduled to open by the spring of 2004 in Cougar Den."
The ongoing renovation of the Morris University Center is supported by a student fee increase that students approved through a referendum in 2000. Among the completed projects are new and brighter lighting throughout the building's main hallways, an expanded Union Station convenience store, new administrative offices, new offices for the Kimmel Leadership Center, a renovated and improved Meridian Ballroom, a new recreation center, a new copy center, and the aforementioned Starbucks and new Center Court.
Work continues on the infrastructure of the building, as well as the creation of a computer lab, an improved conference center, and a renovated University Restaurant with outdoor dining.
The anticipated completion date for the Morris University Center renovations is Summer 2004.
Choir Director Continues Vocal Legacy At SIUE
If someone suggested that Joel Knapp is a Renaissance man, he would politely brush the comment aside, but he might point out he's the conductor who has taken the SIUE Concert Choir twice to the Renaissance Fair in Kansas City.
He's also the SIUE choir director who started the university's Madrigal Dinner, featuring choir students singing madrigals during the holidays in a Renaissance setting. The annual dinner has caught on with Edwardsville-Glen Carbon residents who have flocked to the event at Sunset Hills Country Club for four years in a row.
"When I took over the choral program at SIUE four years ago, I had three men in the choir," Knapp said. "Now, there are 45, which provides a much better balance in the sound."
Knapp acknowledges his predecessor's work for three decades in building the program at SIUE, and he has been working to continue that tradition. Professor Leonard Van Camp started the program at SIUE in the early 1960s and built it into a powerhouse, but in the years before his retirement, recruiting became a problem.
"It's been tough, but I've tried to turn that around. With tight budgets, it's not easy to offer many scholarships," Knapp said. "I'd like to see us build another h4 tradition such as Leonard created in the 1980s."
Knapp must be doing something right. The Concert Choir recently won a statewide competition among high school and college choirs to sing at the annual Illinois Music Educators Association Conference in Peoria, a prestigious achievement. "It was a blind audition," Knapp said, "in that participants sent a recording and the judges decided without knowing who was auditioning.
"Four choirs were selected from more than 50 and we were the only college choir chosen. I was proud of the choir's achievement and it was a thrill to stand in front of them at the concert. They were singing for many important music teachers in the state. It was intimidating but they did a great job."
But the choirs aren't all about competitions. "In addition to the Madrigal Dinner, we also sing an early fall concert, a Christmas concert, a major works concert with the SIUE orchestra in late spring, and a Broadway concert in late winter. "And, recently we had a chance to sing before an Eventide service at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis. We sang with that incredible pipe organ at the cathedral and it was very exciting for the students."
As an educator, Knapp must balance the music curriculum with what audiences want to hear. "It's part of my educational plan to perform major works from all the musical eras in a two-year rotation. And, I have to plan programs that are appealing to audiences in addition to being educational for the students."
Knapp continues to conduct the Community Choral Society, a group of about 100 singers from the surrounding communities that was begun by Professor Van Camp. "It's an outreach group and it also allows the Concert Choir and the University Singers to perform with a larger group.
"And, we provide a creative outlet for the community," Knapp pointed out. "Because once you've sung in a mixed choir, it gets in your blood. If you don't have opportunities to sing later, it takes away a big chunk of your spirit."
Stephens Qualifies For NCAA-II Nationals
SIUE senior Zach Stephens (St. Charles, Mo.) won the 174-pound division at this past weekend's NCAA Division II Midwest Wrestling Regionals, and has qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships from March 14-15 in Wheeling, W.V.
Stephens, currently ranked third in the nation at 174 pounds, won all three of his matches at the regional tournament. He defeated Jason Tapio of Central Oklahoma, the fourth-ranked wrestler at 174 pounds, 7-4 in the finals. "Zach wrestled tough," Coach Booker Benford said. "It's good that he's beating these good wrestlers by more than a point. He needs to keep up his intensity while he prepares for nationals."
Aaron Wiens (Cicero) was the only other Cougar to finish among the placewinners. His sixth-place finish at heavyweight, however, did not qualify him for the national tournament.
Cougars Face Bellarmine In GLVC Quarterfinals
The SIUE women's basketball team will face Bellarmine for the third time this season. The stakes will be raised for this game, however, as it is a quarterfinal contest at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.
Game time is set for noon Wednesday (3/5) at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Ind. Bellarmine (19-8) enters the game as the No. 4 seed. SIU Edwardsville (15-12) is the No. 5 seed.
Bellarmine took both games against SIUE in the regular season, including a 75-67 victory just last Saturday (3/1) at the Vadalabene Center. "In both games we've played against Bellarmine," said Coach Wendy Hedberg, "we dug ourselves a hole in the first half but came out and played well the second half.
"We are confident going into this game. If we give them 40 minutes of solid basketball I think we will be able to win."
Ruth Kipping (Quincy) leads the SIUE offense with an 18.6 scoring average. The Cougars also have been relying on the scoring of senior Liz DeShaiser (Carrollton), who has improved her scoring average to 9.2 points per game.
SIUE's three-prong backcourt has stepped up their play of late. Jessica Robert (Carlyle) is second on the team in scoring at 9.7 points per game. She also leads the team in assists with 126. GLVC Freshman of the Year candidate Amber Wisdom (Geneseo) has been steady at 7.9 points per game at the point guard position. Sarah Schweers (Chatham) leads the Cougars with 38 three-pointers.
For more on the GLVC Women's Basketball Tournament www.glvcsports.com.
Cougar Softball Escapes To Florida
After a handful of cancelled games and several practices in the Vadalabene Center, the SIUE softball team will have the opportunity to have some extended time oudoors.
The Cougars will travel to Florida for at least 16 games. Their spring break trip will take them to Saint Leo, Fla., for the Saint Leo Tournament, then to Orlando for the Rebel Spring Games.
"We're going down there to win," said Coach Sandy Montgomery. "We need to come out and play hard. We are playing some good teams."
The Cougars, ranked No. 11 nationally in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's NCAA Division II preseason poll, are the defending champions of the Saint Leo Tournament, and they posted a 7-2 record at last season's Rebel Spring Games.
The Cougars have had six games cancelled due to inclement weather this season.
Baseball Travels To Savannah, Ga.
The SIUE baseball team will travel to Kennesaw, Ga., for the 2003 Savannah Invitational. SIUE will play 10 games during its spring break trip, including three Great Lakes Valley Conference contests against Northern Kentucky.
"We play our first conference games, so this trip will be critical," said SIUE Coach Gary Collins.
The Cougars are currently 1-1 on the season after a win against Christian Brothers and a loss to North Alabama. They have had eight games cancelled due to weather.
The Cougars' home opener against Lincoln, originally scheduled for Tuesday (3/4), has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions.
Cougars End Season With Win Over Bellarmine
The SIUE men's basketball team ended its season on a positive note with an 84-76 win over Bellarmine on Saturday (3/1) at the Vadalabene Center.
SIUE, which finished 9-18 overall and 5-15 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, won two of its last three games.
The win against Bellarmine was the last home game for seniors Andy Gajewski (Nashville), Ben Garwitz (Springfield, Mo.) and Ron Helfin (Gary, Ind.). Heflin scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the game. Gajewski scored 10 points, including two crucial three-pointers. Garwitz was inactive due to an ankle injury.
For the season, junior Ron Jones (Kankakee) led the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game. His 74 three-pointers broke the all-time single-season mark, previously 73 set in 2000-2001. Heflin was second on the team at 13.3 points per game, and freshman Justin Ward (Moline) averaged 12.2 points per game.
"We didn't reach some of our goals we set at the beginning of the year, especially the goal of making the conference tournament," said Coach Marty Simmons. "But looking back on this season, the team kept working hard and was very resilient. Winning two of our last three games will give us some momentum in the off-season. It will give us something to build on."
Men Third, Women Fourth At GLVC Indoor
The SIUE men's track and field finished third and the women finished fourth at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Indoor Championships, held this past weekend at Wisconsin-Parkside.
"The majority of the team had personal records," said Coach Darryl Frerker. "It was an outstanding conference meet for us."
The men finished third with 134 points, behind second-place Indianapolis (153) and champion Lewis (154.5). Five individuals earned All-Conference honors by finishing in the top two in their respective event. They were Jeff Fearday (Teutopolis) at 400 meters, Darren Dinkelman (Nashville) at 800 meters; Phil Freimuth (Effingham) in the high jump, Steve Landers (Auburn) in the shot put, and Mark Milleville (Altamont) in the weight throw and shot put. The Cougars' 4x200-meter relay team and their distance medley team both came in first.
On the women's side, two Cougars earned All-Conference honors: Jennifer Jaquez (Aurora) at 400 meters and 200 meter hurdles and Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) at 3000 meters. The Cougars finished fourth with 79 points. Lewis also took home the women's championship.
"I was impressed with what we accomplished," Frerker said. "People stepped up to the plate and performed really well. Assistant Coaches David Astrauskas and Ben Beyers have done a fantastic job with this group, which is one of the reasons we had outstanding team performances from both teams."
GLVC Indoor Championships Up Next For Track
The SIUE men's and women's track and field teams travel to Kenosha, Wis., Saturday (3/1) for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Indoor Championships.
The meet will be the final chance for the athletes to attempt to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 14-15 in Boston.
"On the women's side, our goal is to see how many All-Conference performers we can have," said Coach Darryl Frerker. The top two finishers in each event earns All-Conference honors. "For the men, we'll see how close to the top we can get," Frerker said. "We have good individual performers in each area."
Mark Milleville (Altamont) has posted provisional qualifying marks in the shot put and the weight throw. Milleville will look to better his qualifying performances to ensure his spot at the NCAA meet.
Cougars Gear Up For NCAA Regionals
The SIUE wrestling team travels to Kirksville, Mo., Sunday (3/2) for the NCAA Midwest Regional.
"I hope this is where all our hard work and wrestling all the tough teams will pay off," Coach Booker Benford said.
Zach Stephens (St. Charles, Mo.) will look to defend his title in the 174-pound weight class. The top four finishers in each weight class will advance to the NCAA Wrestling Championships March 14-15 in West Liberty, W.V.
"Everyone should wrestle to their potential," Benford said. "Everyone has the ability to qualify." Stephens currently has a 27-10 record. Aaron Wiens (Cicero) has a 16-17 record as a heavyweight.
Senior Men Enter Final Homestand
Andy Gajewski (Nashville), Ben Garwitz (Springfield, Mo.) and Ron Heflin (Gary, Ind.) will be entering their final home games this week. SIUE plays host to Kentucky Wesleyan Thursday (2/27) at 7:30 p.m. and will finish its season Saturday (3/1) at 3 p.m. against Bellarmine.
"Our seniors have been great," said Coach Marty Simmons. "It's been a joy to coach them, and I appreciate the opportunity to be around them."
Gajewski, a three-year guard at SIUE, has started 17 games in his career. "Andy has superb attitude," Simmons said. "He always wants what is best for the team. He worries about the team more than himself."
Garwitz, who had his final season cut short due to an ankle injury, has started 34 games in his three-year career as a Cougar. "Ben has given us good minutes," Simmons said. "He'll be successful in whatever he does after college."
Heflin, the team's second-leading scorer this season at 13.0 points per game, has started 28 games for the Cougars in his two-year career. "Ron is a wonderful guy and has been playing well lately," Simmons said. "He has had a great career at SIUE."
SIUE, 8-17 and 4-14 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, snapped its 10-game losing streak in a 63-61 victory over Missouri-St. Louis last Saturday (2/22). The Cougars also are holding on to a slim chance of advancing to the GLVC Tournament. The Cougars must win their final two games and hope for some help around the conference.
Simmons said he has been pleased with his team's attitude heading into the final two games of the year. "I've been impressed with the resilience of this team," Simmons said. "When you lose like we have, it is always a worry of the coach to see how the team will respond. They have good attitudes and play hard."
Senior Women Enter Final Homestand
Liz DeShasier (Carrollton), Megan Grizzle (Salem) and Ruth Kipping (Quincy) enter the final homestand of their SIUE careers. The Cougars play Kentucky Wesleyan Thursday (2/27) evening and Bellarmine Saturday (3/1) afternoon.
DeShasier, a four-year player for the Cougars, is in the midst of her best season. She is averaging 9.3 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. "Liz is a leader on and off the court," said Coach Wendy Hedberg. "She just has a great love and passion for the game."
Grizzle, also a four-year player, has been a valuable asset for the Cougars during her career. "Megan gives us that added experience off the bench," Hedberg said. "She is capable of scoring any given night. She has been a solid contributor all four years."
Kipping, who has been with the Cougars two years after transferring from Michigan, has not only been the team's premier scorer, but the Great Lakes Valley Conference's as well. "Ruth is a very good offensive player and a h4 rebounder," Hedberg said. "She is the go-to player for us when we are down. She's just a great offensive weapon."
SIUE, 14-11 overall and 10-8 GLVC, used overtime to win at Kentucky Wesleyan earlier this year. Bellarmine defeated SIUE in Louisville, a game that also went into overtime. "Both games will be tough," Hedberg said. "Bellarmine is coming off a great game and Kentucky Wesleyan played us hard at their place."
The Cougars also are likely to play Bellarmine in the quarterfinal round of the GLVC Tournament beginning March 5 in Evansville, Ind. Bellarmine and SIUE are likely to be the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds, respectively, when the brackets are announced on Saturday night.
Cougar Baseball Earns Split At North Alabama
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville baseball team finally got the chance to open its season this past weekend. The Cougars defeated Christian Brothers College 12-2 but fell to North Alabama 5-2.
SIUE was able to give its pitchers some work, as eight hurlers saw time on the mound in the two games. "As a group, our young guys pitched as good as our older guys," said Coach Gary Collins. "That is a good sign because I know our older guys will be fine."
In the two games, Kyle Jones (New Baden), Zach Wooley (Alton), Jeff Ebeler (Waterloo), and Jarrod Peters (Ellis Grove) all pitched without giving up a run. Craig Ohlau (Chester) and Jason Kessler (Mattoon) led the offense with .600 batting averages.
Next on the schedule for the Cougars will be a two-game series Saturday (3/1) and Sunday (3/2) at Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo.
SIUE Softball Rained Out
For the second straight week, poor weather conditions forced the cancellation of SIUE's softball games. SIUE Coach Sandy Montgomery and her team are next scheduled to play at the Saint Leo Tournament in Florida on March 7-8.
January 2003
January 6, 2003National Theatre of the Deaf to Present 'Rollicking' Comedy Jan. 28 As Part of SIUE's 'Arts & Issues' Series
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the National Theatre of the Deaf will present its new comedy, "Oh, Figaro!" as part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Arts & Issues series on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dunham Hall Theater.
"The National Theatre of the Deaf is one of the most remarkable theater companies that audiences will ever experience," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "It is accessible - and enjoyable - theater for everyone."
The National Theatre of the Deaf's (NTD) professional acting company is made up of both deaf and hearing artists working together as an ensemble. The audience sees and hears every word through the NTD's signature performance style, combining American Sign Language and the spoken word. This unique double-sensory experience has expanded the boundaries of theatrical expression.
Founded in Connecticut in 1967, NTD is the oldest continually producing and touring theater company in the United States. It was the first theater company to perform in all 50 states, and has toured to all seven continents and to 32 countries.
In addition to being the recipient of the prestigious Tony Award for theatrical excellence, NTD has long served as an artistic ambassador for the United States. The National Theatre of the Deaf has staged more than 8,000 live performances as part of 95 national and international tours. These performances have reached over 3.5 million people, along with millions more through award-winning television specials.
Among the artists who have lent their talents to NTD are John Lithgow, Marcel Marceau, Colleen Dewhurst, Jason Robards, Sir Michael Redgrave, Chita Rivera, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, and Mary Martin. The company has adapted classic and contemporary works from Shakespeare and Voltaire to Ogden Nash, Dylan Thomas and Shel Silverstein. Additionally, NTD has adapted and produced numerous original works by new deaf and hearing playwrights.
Their latest production - which will be performed at SIUE - is the rollicking comedy, "Oh, Figaro," based on the Pierre de Beaumarchais classic French farces "The Barber of Seville" and "The Marriage of Figaro." These ageless tales have been immortalized in operas by Mozart and Rossini, and now enter the 21st century in this newly commissioned work adapted by veteran stage writers John Augustine and Willy Conley.
Following the National Theatre of the Deaf's appearance on the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series is public health advocate and former surgeon general under the Clinton Administration, David Satcher, who will speak on "Politics, Opinions and Public Health," on Feb. 11. Gloria Steinem - feminist, writer, and co-founder of Ms. magazine - addresses "What You've Always Wanted to Know About Feminism and Been Afraid to Ask" on March 19. The world-renowned Takacs Quartet come to SIUE on March 27, for an evening of Hayden and Beethoven, and Helen Thomas - a fixture of the White House pressroom for more than 40 years - concludes the season on April 8, offering her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
Tickets for the National Theatre of the Deaf's presentation of "Oh, Figaro!" are $16; SIUE students, $8. For ticket information, call 618/650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, 888/328-5168, ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site at www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; write: Arts & Issues, SIUE, Campus Box 1608, Edwardsville, IL 62026; or e-mail jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Katherine Dunham Hall.
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Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs to Offer Students Free Tickets to 'Arts & Issues' Events
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) - The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs has announced a program offering SIUE students free tickets to Arts & Issues events.
"The University believes that the offerings of Arts & Issues are an integral part of a liberal arts education," said Narbeth Emmanuel, vice chancellor for student affairs. "My office is pleased to be working with the series to provide students an opportunity to see these events at no cost."
The tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis - one per student - at the Morris University Center information center. Students must present their SIUE student I.D. to receive the tickets. There is a limit of 50 available tickets.
"This is an exciting opportunity for students to have greater access to what the Arts & Issues series has to offer," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the series.
Among the upcoming events on the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series is the appearance of the National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) performing their new production of "Oh, Figaro!" The NTD performs at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, in the Dunham Hall theater.
Following the National Theatre of the Deaf's appearance on the Arts & Issues series is public health advocate and former surgeon general under the Clinton Administration, David Satcher, who will speak on "Politics, Opinions and Public Health," on Feb. 11. Gloria Steinem - feminist, writer, and co-founder of Ms. magazine - addresses "What You've Always Wanted to Know About Feminism and Been Afraid to Ask" on March 19. The world-renowned Takacs Quartet come to SIUE on March 27, for an evening of Hayden and Beethoven, and Helen Thomas - a fixture of the White House pressroom for more than 40 years - concludes the season on April 8, offering her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
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SIUE Kicks Off A Book In Every Home Campaign
Hundreds of children and families that might not have otherwise had access to books have benefited from the annual "A Book In Every Home" campaign. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will again sponsor the book drive, from Jan. 15 to March 31.
Literacy is one of the most critical issues facing our educational system. Studies show that children who cannot read are not likely to succeed in the classroom or in life. Recognizing that access to books is a key component to literacy, Book in Every Home not only has placed more than 20,000 books in homes in St. Clair and Madison County, it also encourages parents to read to their children.
"Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is advancing literacy at a grass-roots level through the 'A Book in Every Home' program," said Kay Werner, chair of the campaign. "Our goal is to place an age-appropriate book in the home of every Head Start child in Madison and St. Clair counties."
There are drop-off points for book donations in the St. Clair County and Madison County Head Start programs, SIUE campus sites, all public libraries in Madison and St. Clair Counties, the Piece of Mind Book Store in Edwardsville, and B. Dalton Book Store and Borders Book Store in Fairview Heights. For specific addresses and locations of these drop off points, go to the "A Book In Every Home" website - http//www.siue.edu/BOOKS or call (618) 650-2020 for more information.
Age-appropriate books are requested for children ages six weeks to five years old.
Cash donations cash also will be accepted. Checks for a Book in Every Home should be written to the SIUE Foundation, and mailed to:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
A Book in Every Home
Box 1058
Edwardsville, Illinois 62026
(In the memo part of the check insert "A Book in Every Home.")
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Pianist Ian Hobson Continues Recital Series At SIUE-Performing Chopin
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Renowned concert pianist Ian Hobson will continue his series of recitals at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville-performing the complete solo piano works of Frédéric Chopin-at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 22-23, in SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
The fourth and fifth edition of the nine-recital series is titled 1834-1836: "Chopin's Proposal of Marriage, Illness, and Premature Reports of His Death" and 1836-1839: "Acquaintanceship With George Sand, and Winter in Mallorca." The Chopin series-which continues March 19-20 and April 1-2-is being performed chronologically, following stages in the Polish composer's life and career.
The Jan. 22 recital includes: Mazurka in A-flat Major; Mazurkas, Op. 24, Nos. 1-4; Polonaises, Op. 26, Nos. 1 and 2; Nocturnes, Op. 27, Nos. 1 and 2; Mazurka in G Major, Op. 67, No. 1; Mazurka in C Major, Op. 67, No. 3; Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 69, No. 1; Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 34, No. 1; the Fantaisie-impromptu in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66; and Etudes, Op. 25, Nos. 1-12.
The Jan. 23 recital includes: Mazurkas, Op. 30, Nos. 1-4; Scherzo in B-flat Minor, Op. 31; Nocturnes, Op. 32, Nos. 1 and 2; Polonaises, Op. 40, Nos. 1 and 2; Mazurkas, Op. 33, Nos. 1-4; the Andante spianato et Grande polonaise, Op. 22; and Preludes, Op. 28, Nos. 1-24.
Musicologist Allan Ho, a professor of Music, said complete works are rarely performed anywhere. "It's an honor for us to have Ian Hobson perform the cycle here," Ho said. The title of the nine-recital series is Frédéric Chopin: Evolution of a Genius.
"Chopin remains one of the most popular composers of all time," Ho said. "Many of his works are famous, yet others seldom heard. The series, which includes more than 200 compositions, traces Chopin's development as a composer. "It includes all of his familiar works, as well as many new discoveries for our listeners," Ho said. "It is a fascinating musical journey."
Called one of the greatest pianists of our time, Hobson's programs consistently demonstrate a repertoire that spans centuries and demands a command of styles and scholarly vision. His recordings and recitals encompass a cross section of works from miniature to mammoth.
A professor of Music at the University of Illinois, Hobson maintains an active performance, conducting, and recording schedule. In recent seasons, Hobson has performed at Wigmore Hall, London, Alice Tully Hall, the "Mostly Mozart Festival" in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Hobson also has performed the Chopin and Moscheles concertos at the Bard Music Festival, and has presented recitals in the United States, England, and Europe, featuring diverse works such as Beethoven's complete sonatas, excerpts from Gershwin's Song Book, Schumann's major piano works, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, to name a few.
He also has been on the juries of international piano competitions, such as the Van Cliburn, and is known worldwide as a pianist, conductor, and teacher. Hobson has recorded more than 35 compact discs of works, including piano concertos by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns, as well as Liszt transcriptions and the complete Beethoven sonatas, Brahms variations, Chopin etudes, Hummel sonatas, and Rachmaninoff preludes, etudes-tableaux, and transcriptions.
Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $6. For ticket information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.
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Black Heritage Month Activities Set For February At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will present its Sixth Annual Black Heritage Month Program during February, with its theme of "Building CommUNITY." Below is a calendar of events.
• Cultural Bazaar and Marketplace, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 3-4, first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center.
• SIUE's Concert Jazz Band performs, Noon-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• The SIUE Gospel Choir performs, 1:30-2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Black Greek Step Exhibition, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Literacy-Cultural Workshop, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, SIUE East St. Louis Center, 411 E. Broadway, East St. Louis.National Society of Black Engineers presents Keeper of the Dream, featuring 13-year-old motivational speaker Taylor Moore, 7-10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, in John C. Abbott Auditorium, on the lower level of SIUE's Lovejoy Library.
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of the Morris Center; admission, $12; students, $8.
• Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General, speaking about "Politics, Opinions, and Public Health: Parting Words from a Surgeon General," 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of the Morris Center; as part of SIUE's Arts & Issues series; admission is $8; students, $4.
• Black Heritage Month Quiz Bowl, 11:30-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in Goshen Lounge, Morris Center; co-sponsored by the National Society of Black Engineers.
• Book Signing and Reading, 11-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, with Associate Professor Venessa Brown.
• Student Poetry Reading, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Poetry Reading featuring Professor Eugene B. Redmond, East St. Louis Poet Laureate, 12:30-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Black History Program and Reading, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, SIUE East St. Louis Center, 411 E. Broadway, East St. Louis.
• Storytelling: The African American Experience, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Rudy Wilson, assistant provost for Cultural and Social Diversity, 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Barbara Jean Cheeseboro, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Fifth Annual Black Heritage Month Talent Show, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Meridian Ballroom, Morris Center.
• Morris Center Activities Board Lecture Series presents Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, featuring Barry Scott, in Abbott Auditorium, on the lower level of Lovejoy Library.
• Panel Discussion: Reparations: Another Handout or Hypocrisy at its Worst, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in Goshen Lounge, Morris Center.
• Black Theater Workshop, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 27-28, March 1, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, all at the James F. Metcalf Theater; admission is free.
For more information, call the SIUE Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686.
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Retention Drives SIUE Spring Enrollment Increase
(EDWARDSVILLE) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's spring 2003 enrollment is up by more than 500 students over last year's spring enrollment, reflecting the university's increased emphasis on retention.
Spring '03 enrollment stands at 12,161; spring '02 enrollment was 11,623. "Continuing undergraduate" students were up about 400 over last year. Continuing graduate students were up about 100.
"There is a stronger emphasis on retention campuswide," said Boyd Bradshaw, acting assistant vice chancellor for enrollment. "From student life activities to additional emphasis on academic programs outside the classroom, we have instituted a range of activities designed to keep students engaged in their studies and the community."
SIUE's fall (2002) enrollment was 12,708, continuing an eight-year trend of enrollment growth. Fall enrollment was up about 2 percent over fall 2001.
Bradshaw said early projections for fall '03 are "looking good" for an increase roughly equal to or slightly better than fall '02. He said the admission application deadline for freshmen entering Fall '03 is May 31; for all other undergraduate students, the deadline is Aug. 4 . Graduate students should submit applications no later than July 25. Additional information about applying for admission to SIUE is available online at www.admis.siue.edu.
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Winners Announced In SIUE Graduate Exhibit
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Winners of the Annual Graduate Exhibition, containing works by master of fine arts degree candidates at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, have been announced. Ten winners were chosen by the exhibition juror, Mel Watkin, who is curator of the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis.
The winners, titles of their works, medium used, and their awards are listed here by hometown; Illinois and Missouri students are first, followed by other states:
ILLINOIS
Edwardsville: Kate Morgan, John and Kay Kendall Purchase Award ($100), Sao; mid-fire stoneware.
Maryville: Hyunah Lee, Kendall Excellence in Metalsmithing Award ($50), Morning Fragrance, copper, nickel, sterling silver.
MISSOURI
Florissant: Michelle Buehler, Art Service Club Award ($170), Labor's Legacy: Scar, charcoal and shellac on board.
Kirkwood: Eric Nichols, Martha Holden Award ($75), Breaking the Machine, porcelain.
St. Louis: Eric Hoefer, Wagner Potters Association Award ($100), faceted jar, wood-fired white stoneware.
Lisa Forsythe, Barbara Dyck Award ($75), Reflection I, silk.
Sheri Jaudes, Wagner Association of Metalsmiths Award ($50), Fly Swatter Lasagna Server, sterling silver.
INDIANA
Evansville: Amy Harmon, Friends of Art Award ($150), Drying Rack, steel, ceramic, hawthorns. Harmon also won the Carey Orness Award ($75) for another piece, Suspended, created with steel, ceramic, and hawthorns.
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Applications Available For Carol Kimmel Community Awards
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The deadline for filing nomination applications for the Carol Kimmel Community Service Awards, sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is Friday, Feb.28.
Nomination-applications for the awards are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. The award is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.
There are six award categories: education, social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency/organizational concerns, and special populations. Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 3, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at SIUE.
The awards were established to recognize outstanding community leaders for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has been very active in dedicating her time and talent to volunteerism.
Organizations, agencies, businesses, or individuals may nominate those who have been citizens of Illinois or Missouri for at least two years and who are at least 16 years of age, and who have been a volunteer with at least one agency, organization, or business for at least two or more continuous years.
In addition, nominees must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period of time; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service (outside of the applicant's regular job duties), as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities. Joint applications will not be accepted; prior recipients also are not eligible. Posthumous applications will be considered if the nominee has died in the past 12 months.
For more information about complete nomination guidelines, or for a nomination application form, call the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
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Applications Available For Kimmel Scholarship
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nomination-applications for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Carol Kimmel Scholarship are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center on campus. Deadline for the nomination is Friday, Feb. 28.
The annual scholarship was established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, as well as academic excellence. The scholarship was named for Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has dedicated her time and talent over the years to volunteerism. The scholarship is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat
Individuals may nominate a student, or students may nominate themselves, according to the following criteria: currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at SIUE, with sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate standing; an accumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); demonstrated volunteer contributions within the last two years in leadership, service, and/or citizenship, including leadership in a student organization or at least one elected office; and more than 30 hours of nonpaid service to a community agency or community organization.
In addition, a nominee must provide two letters of documented University service and leadership, as well as two letters documenting community service and leadership. In order for a student to be considered for a second Kimmel Scholarship, documentation submitted for previous Kimmel Scholarships will not be reconsidered.
The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.
Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 3, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. For more information about nomination procedures or for a nomination-application form, call the Kimmel Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
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SIUE Lights Shine At The Inaugural Barbecue
An estimated 5,000 people attended the Inaugural BBQ on Sunday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where the food was plentiful and the emcee and at least one of the bands were familiar-that is, if you were from SIUE.
Rudy Wilson, assistant provost for Cultural and Social Diversity, had been asked by Gov.-Elect Rod Blagojevich's staff to serve as emcee and Wilson said he jumped at the chance. "Tony Perrin, who is active in the Democratic Party in East St. Louis, recommended me for the job," Wilson said. Richard Walker, assistant to the SIUE vice chancellor for Administration and one of the organizers of the event, also recommended Wilson.
"It was an honor to be asked," Wilson said. "It was great fun to stand on stage in front of all those people. I introduced all the acts and also spoke to the audience in between set up for each act, announcing sponsors and filling in."
Wilson said there was plenty of BBQ pork sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, soft drinks and music. "The best part of the event for me was when a group of kids came on stage to meet the governor-elect," he said. "To see the looks on their faces was a treat."
Wilson said he was impressed with Blagojevich. "He spoke about diversity, harmony among all peoples in the state, and how we're going to need to work together toward a better Illinois. He's a very effective speaker. He knows he has issues to deal with and it doesn't seem that he will shy away from that responsibility."
Another Edwardsville connection at the BBQ was an appearance by the Prairie Moon Consort, an award-winning dulcimer ensemble featuring SIUE Police Chief Rich Harrison playing guitar, and his wife, Lana, on dulcimer.
The group was among a half-dozen musical acts appearing at the event, including the Granite City Swing Band, a 17-piece orchestra, and members of the Southwest Illinois Association of Square and Round Dance Clubs.
"We were tickled to death to have been asked to do this," Harrison said. "The last time a dulcimer band played for this many people was probably the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858," he quipped.
Prairie Moon Consort has played Sheldon Hall in St. Louis and the Ozark Folk Festival Center, which seats about 2,000. "This was the largest group we've ever played for. We perform old-time American heritage music throughout the Midwest, but we're used to playing festivals and small theaters, historical events. But never before an inauguration."
Like Wilson, Harrison was duly impressed with Blagojevich. "I remember the Kennedy era and this new governor has that charisma of a Jack Kennedy," Harrison said. "He's very personable and genuine."
In the background, Rich Walker served on a subcommittee to put together entertainment for the Jan. 12 inaugural event. Before his current position, Walker was director of the university's Arts & Issues series for more than 15 years.
Walker said the subcommittee scheduled Illinois performing groups on two stages, as well as several area-specific performers throughout the reception spaces in Springfield. "Our goal (was) to present performers who represent the various heritages and cultures known throughout the state," he said.
He said he was honored to have been asked to join the inaugural effort. "It's humbling to be asked to serve in this capacity ... (it was) an interesting historical event that I'm proud be a part of."
The BBQ, which was free to the public, was held the day before Blagojevich's inauguration Monday at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield.
New Food Court Bows At Morris University Center
The Food Court is back in business, with a new range of choices and a new look. The court had been closed for renovations, as part of the approximately $20 million project to modernize the 30-year-old Morris Center.
Director of Dining Services Mary Robinson, said she is pleased with the new food court and says comments from students have been positive so far. "It's just beautiful," Robinson said. "It was designed to be open, bright and colorful space, and it is.
"Students have been very positive in their reactions to the changes."
The new servery area includes a grill, a deli/pannini station, a noodle/pasta bar, a salad bar, an entrée area, and assorted desserts and other baked goods. Chick-fil-A also will be open in the near future.
The new space is semi-circular, and designed to move customers quickly through the choices and the checkout lines. New floor tile adds extra color, and an open design in the seating area lets in more light.
"When we began this project, we asked students what they wanted from the University Center," Robinson said. "The changes in the Food Court correspond to the items students gave first priority: more choices, more efficient service, and a better atmosphere for relaxing and dining."
Robinson said work continues on the overall renovation project. A new patio for outdoor dining should be completed in the spring or early summer.
SIUE's A Book In Every Home Kicks Off Campaign
Hundreds of children and families that otherwise might not have had access to books have benefited from SIUE's annual "A Book In Every Home" campaign. The university is again sponsoring the book drive from Jan. 15 to March 31.
Literacy is one of the most critical issues facing our educational system. Studies show that children who cannot read are not likely to succeed in the classroom or in life. Recognizing that access to books is a key component to literacy, A Book in Every Home not only has placed more than 20,000 books in homes in St. Clair and Madison counties, it also encourages parents to read to their children.
"Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is advancing literacy at a grass-roots level through the 'A Book in Every Home' program," said Kay Werner, chair of the campaign. "Our goal is to place an age-appropriate book in the home of every Head Start child in Madison and St. Clair counties."
There are drop-off points for book donations in the St. Clair County and Madison County Head Start programs, SIUE campus sites, all public libraries in Madison and St. Clair counties, the Piece of Mind Book Store in Edwardsville, and B. Dalton Booksellers Book Store and Borders book store in Fairview Heights.
For specific addresses and locations of these drop off points, go to the "A Book In Every Home" Web site: www.siue.edu/BOOKS or call (618) 650-2020 for more information.
Age-appropriate books are requested for children ages six weeks to five years old. Cash donations also will be accepted. Checks for "ABook in Every Home" should be written to the SIUE Foundation, and mailed to:
A Book in Every Home
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1058
(In the memo part of the check insert "A Book in Every Home.")
MLK Celebration Award Winners Announced
The 21st annual celebration of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at SIUE is set for Tuesday, Feb. 11. Tickets are available for the 11:30 a.m. luncheon that will feature a keynote address by former Surgeon General David Satcher.
The luncheon program will be held in the Meridian Ballroom of the Delyte Morris University Center, followed by a reception in the Goshen Lounge for the winners of the scholarship and humanitarian awards who will be honored at the luncheon.
Winners of the awards include:
• Sarah Shantell Peebles-SIUE Student Scholarship and Humanitarian Award;
• Earleen Patterson, director of SIUE's Special Services program, and Joseph Hubbard, coordinator of Catholic Urban Programs, East St. Louis-University and Community Humanitarian Awards, respectively;
• Rachel Steele, a senior at Red Bud (IL) High School-essay award;
• Katherine Berezowskyj, a junior at Edwardsville High School-poetry award;
• Amanda Farrell, a junior at Edwardsville High School-visual arts award.
Tickets for the luncheon are $12; students, $8. Reservations are being accepted at (618) 650-2660.
Satcher appears at 7:30 that evening in the Meridian Ballroom as part of the university's Arts & Issues series. Tickets for his appearance are $8; SIUE students, $4. For Arts & Issues ticket information, (618) 650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site: www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; write: Arts & Issues, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1608; or by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu.
Ian Hobson Continues Performance Of Complete Chopin Solo Piano Works
Renowned concert pianist Ian Hobson will continue his series of recitals at SIUE-performing the complete solo piano works of Frédéric Chopin-at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 22-23, in Katherine Dunham Hall theater.
The fourth and fifth edition of the nine-recital series is titled 1834-1836: "Chopin's Proposal of Marriage, Illness, and Premature Reports of His Death" and 1836-1839: "Acquaintanceship with George Sand, and Winter in Mallorca."
The Chopin series-which continues Wednesday-Thursday, March 19-20; and Tuesday-Wednesday, April 1-2-is being performed chronologically, following stages in the Polish composer's life and career.
The Jan. 22 recital includes: Mazurka in A-flat Major; Mazurkas, Op. 24, Nos. 1-4; Polonaises, Op. 26, Nos. 1 and 2; Nocturnes, Op. 27, Nos. 1 and 2; Mazurka in G Major, Op. 67, No. 1; Mazurka in C Major, Op. 67, No. 3; Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 69, No. 1; Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 34, No. 1; the Fantaisie-impromptu in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66; and Etudes, Op. 25, Nos. 1-12.
The Jan. 23 recital includes: Mazurkas, Op. 30, Nos. 1-4; Scherzo in B-flat Minor, Op. 31; Nocturnes, Op. 32, Nos. 1 and 2; Polonaises, Op. 40, Nos. 1 and 2; Mazurkas, Op. 33, Nos. 1-4; the Andante spianato et Grande polonaise, Op. 22; and Preludes, Op. 28, Nos. 1-24.
Musicologist Allan Ho, an SIUE professor of Music, said complete works are rarely performed anywhere. "It's an honor for us to have Ian Hobson perform the cycle here," Ho said. The title of the nine-recital series is Frédéric Chopin: Evolution of a Genius.
"Chopin remains one of the most popular composers of all time," Ho said. "Many of his works are famous, yet others seldom heard." The series, which includes more than 200 compositions, traces Chopin's development as a composer. "It includes all of his familiar works, as well as many new discoveries for our listeners," Ho said. "It is a fascinating musical journey."
Called one of the greatest pianists of our time, Hobson's programs consistently demonstrate a repertoire that spans centuries and demands a command of styles and scholarly vision. His recordings and recitals encompass a cross section of works from miniature to mammoth.
A professor of Music at the University of Illinois, Hobson maintains an active performance, conducting, and recording schedule. In recent seasons, Hobson has performed at Wigmore Hall, London, Alice Tully Hall, the "Mostly Mozart Festival" in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Hobson also has performed the Chopin and Moscheles concertos at the Bard Music Festival, and has presented recitals in the United States, England, and Europe, featuring diverse works such as Beethoven's complete sonatas, excerpts from Gershwin's Song Book, Schumann's major piano works, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, to name a few.
He also has been on the juries of international piano competitions, such as the Van Cliburn, and is known worldwide as a pianist, conductor, and teacher. Hobson has recorded more than 35 compact discs of works, including piano concertos by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns, as well as Liszt transcriptions and the complete Beethoven sonatas, Brahms variations, Chopin etudes, Hummel sonatas, and Rachmaninoff preludes, etudes-tableaux, and transcriptions.
Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $6. For ticket information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.
NTD Brings Oh, Figaro! To The Arts & Issues Stage
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the National Theatre of the Deaf will present its new comedy, Oh, Figaro! as part of the Arts & Issues series Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Dunham Hall theater.
"The National Theatre of the Deaf is one of the most remarkable theater companies that audiences will ever experience," said John Peecher, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the Arts & Issues series. "It is accessible-and enjoyable-theater for everyone."
The National Theatre of the Deaf's (NTD) professional acting company is made up of both deaf and hearing artists working together as an ensemble. The audience sees and hears every word through the NTD's signature performance style, combining American Sign Language and the spoken word. It has been said this unique double-sensory experience has expanded the boundaries of theatrical expression.
Founded in Connecticut in 1967, NTD is the oldest continually producing and touring theater company in the United States. It was the first theater company to perform in all 50 states, and has toured all seven continents and 32 countries.
In addition to being the recipient of the prestigious Tony Award for theatrical excellence, NTD has long served as an artistic ambassador for the United States, having staged more than 8,000 live performances as part of 95 national and international tours. These performances have reached more than 3.5 million people, along with millions more through award-winning television specials.
Among artists who have lent their talents to NTD are John Lithgow, Marcel Marceau, Colleen Dewhurst, Jason Robards Jr., Sir Michael Redgrave, Chita Rivera, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, and Mary Martin. The company has adapted classic and contemporary works ranging from Shakespeare and Voltaire to Ogden Nash, Dylan Thomas, and Shel Silverstein. Additionally, NTD has adapted and produced numerous original works by new deaf and hearing playwrights.
Oh, Figaro is based on the Pierre de Beaumarchais classic French farces "The Barber of Seville" and "The Marriage of Figaro." These ageless tales have been immortalized in operas by Mozart and Rossini, and now enter the 21st century in this newly commissioned work adapted by veteran stage writers John Augustine and Willy Conley.
Following the National Theatre of the Deaf's appearance on the 2002-2003 Arts & Issues series is public health advocate and former surgeon general under the Clinton Administration, David Satcher, who will speak Feb. 11 about "Politics, Opinions and Public Health." Gloria Steinem-feminist, writer, and co-founder of Ms. magazine-addresses "What You've Always Wanted to Know About Feminism and Been Afraid to Ask" on March 19. The world-renowned Takacs Quartet comes to SIUE on March 27, for an evening of Hayden and Beethoven, and April 8 Helen Thomas- a fixture of the White House pressroom for more than 40 years- concludes the season, offering her "Wit and Wisdom From the Front Row at the White House."
Tickets for the National Theatre of the Deaf's presentation of Oh, Figaro! are $16; SIUE students, $8. For ticket information, call (618) 650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site: www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; write: Arts & Issues, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1608; or by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Dunham Hall.
Satcher To Speak Feb. 11 as Part Of Arts & Issues Series
Physician, scholar and lifelong public health advocate, David Satcher, will speak at 7:30 p.m.Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Meridian Ballroom of the Morris University Center as part of the Arts & Issues series.
Only the second person to have simultaneously served in the positions of U. S. surgeon general and assistant secretary for Health and Human Services, Satcher will offer his observations on "Politics, Opinions and Public Health," derived from his term under the Clinton administration.
Tickets for Satcher's appearance are $8; SIUE students, $4. For ticket information, call (618) 650-2626, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2626; visit the series' Web site: www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES; write: Arts & Issues, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1608; or by e-mail: jpeeche@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Dunham Hall.
Earlier in the day, Satcher will appear as a keynote speaker as part of the University's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration luncheon. The SIUE Student Scholarship and Humanitarian Award will be presented during the luncheon, along with the University and Community Humanitarian Awards, and awards in high school essays, poetry, and visual arts.
Tickets for the luncheon are $12; students, $8. Reservations are being accepted by calling (618) 650-2660.
Bowles Says Scholarship In Her Name 'Is An Honor'
Friends of Illinois State Sen. Evelyn Bowles (D-56), who recently retired after 50 years of public service, have established the Evelyn Bowles Public Service Scholarship Endowment at SIUE.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to an SIUE student who is a resident of Madison County; has financial need; has demonstrated an interest in participating in government; has a record of government, public, or community service; and has the characteristics of those underrepresented in the ranks of elected officials.
"What could be more fitting to Evelyn's legacy of public service than encouraging others to follow in her footsteps," said Gail Donnelly Bader, a friend and supporter of Bowles. "The scholarship allows others to follow Evelyn's example of hard work, fairness and dedication."
Bowles, who served the Madison County area in various public offices for 50 years, said the endowment is "an honor and a suitable way for others who truly have an interest in public service and public policy to follow their hearts. I am very pleased that my friends have chosen this avenue as a tribute to the work I loved."
Bowles also announced that she was transferring $20,000 from her Senate campaign fund to the SIUE Foundation to help fund the scholarship endowment. "I can't think of anything that would mean more to me than encouraging others to take an active role in public service, the electoral process, and government,"said Bowles. "I hold a special place in my heart for SIUE. Knowing that others will benefit from this scholarship, and being of service to the people of Madison County means a great deal to me."
Chancellor David Werner said Bowles has been an exemplary representative of her Madison County constituents. "She has been a strong supporter of education and of SIUE," Werner said. "She has set an example for others to follow, and anyone who knows Evelyn will not be surprised to hear that, with this endowment, she is continuing her role as an advocate for education and public service."
Bowles has been a state senator in the 56th District for the past eight years, providing a voice in Springfield for constituent concerns and working to better the Madison County area and the state of Illinois. Bowles also has given her time and talents to innumerable community and charitable organizations.
Those interested in making a contribution to the Evelyn Bowles Scholarship Endowment should make their checks payable to the SIUE Foundation, designated for the Evelyn Bowles Scholarship Endowment. Donations can be mailed to the SIUE Foundation, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1082.
Cougars Play Host To SJC, UWP
The SIUE women's basketball team will continue its important stretch of Great Lakes Valley Conference games with a Thursday (1/16) matchup against Saint Joseph's and a Saturday (1/18) afternoon contest against Wisconsin-Parkside.
Game times are 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and 1 p.m. on Saturday. Saint Joseph's enters Thursday's game at the Vadalabene with a 6-8 overall record and a 3-4 conference mark. It is currently in a three-way tie with Southern Indiana and SIUE for fifth place in the GLVC standings.
"This is definitely going to be a big game for both of us," said Coach Wendy Hedberg. "We've already seen them once this year so we know what they do and what their tendencies are."
Earlier this year, Saint Joseph's defeated the Cougars 87-79 in Rensselaer, Ind. The Puma's held SIUE's and the GLVC's leading scorer, Ruth Kipping (Quincy), in check as she scored 11 points while getting into foul trouble. Liz DeShasier (Carrollton) had her best game of the year, leading the Cougars with 17 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 at the line.
Wisconsin-Parkside enters the weekend at 6-8 overall and 2-5 in the GLVC. It plays Lewis on Thursday before traveling to SIUE. "Wisconsin-Parkside is coming off big games," Hedberg said. "They have five players on the floor who can contribute. They just get out and run the floor."
SIUE (6-7, 3-4) is coming off an 0-2 roadtrip at Bellarmine and No. 23 Northern Kentucky. Bellarmine won an overtime thriller 76-75 Thursday, and Northern Kentucky bounced the Cougars 69-48 Saturday.
Cougars Face Key GLVC Week
The SIUE men's basketball team will look to build on a recent 1-1 roadtrip when it plays host to Saint Joseph's Thursday (1/16) and Wisconsin-Parkside Saturday (1/18) in Great Lakes Valley Conference basketball action.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Cougars put together strong efforts in a 65-62 victory at Bellarmine and a 77-63 loss at No. 12 Northern Kentucky.
"Anytime you win on the road in this league, it's good," said Coach Marty Simmons. "We had one of our better efforts of the season against Bellarmine. Overall, we put together two of our better efforts on the road, and I'm pleased with that."
SIUE will try to avenge an 84-73 loss to Saint Joseph's (7-7, 3-4) earlier in the year. Corey Seegers led the Pumas with 20 points. Logan Glosser (Mt. Zion) scored a season-high 20 for SIUE. "They took it to us that game," Simmons said. "This game will act as a benchmark to see how far we have come as a team."
Wisconsin-Parkside (8-6, 3-4) faces Lewis on Thursday before playing SIUE. "Wisconsin-Parkside has a great coach and runs a great system," Simmons said. "They play as hard as anyone in the league."
Ron Jones (Kankakee) leads the team in scoring at 14.5 points per game. Ron Heflin (Gary, Ind.) is second at 13.2 per game while Justin Ward (Moline) is averaging 10.2 points per game.
Benford Lifts Expectations For Stephens, Wiens
Even though Zach Stephens (St. Charles, Mo.) finished second at last weekend's Roger Denker Open at Central Missouri State University, wrestling coach Booker Benford was not overly pleased.
"I'll say he wrestled well, but his loss in the finals was tough to handle," Benford said. "I just have higher standards for him. I think he can win a national championship, but he has to be able to win those matches."
Aaron Wiens (Cicero) did not participate in the Roger Denker Open, but Benford said he has the same expectations for Wiens. "He and Zach are both under different scrutiny," Benford said. "Both need to step it up and win as we are bearing down on the NCAA Tournament."
The wrestling team will travel to Missouri Valley College for a Wednesday (1/15) dual, then will face duals against Indiana, Eastern Michigan and Indianapolis on Saturday.