College of Arts and Sciences News
Gary Hicks Receives Distinguished College of Arts and Sciences Award
19 January 2023, 9:30 AM
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded Gary Hicks, PhD, professor in the Department of Mass Communications, with the William and Margaret Going Endowed Professorship Award, the most distinguished faculty award of the College.
A member of the LGBTQ+ community with more than 25 years of work experience as a media and communications academic, Hicks’ research has focused on the impact of media on society’s marginalized communities...
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SIUE’s Lu Receives $433,000 National Institutes of Health Grant
17 January 2023, 8:05 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Yun Lu, PhD, professor in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, has recently been awarded a $433,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his biomolecular reaction mechanism study project entitled, “Temperature Dependence of Hydride Kinetic Isotope Effects in Solution to Test the Proposed Role of Protein Dynamics in Enzyme Catalysis”.
"The search for the origin of the enormous catalyt...
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Local Girl Scout Troop Earns Space Badge with Help from SIUE Physics Professor
19 December 2022, 7:10 AM
In line with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s commitment to community engagement, Edward Ackad, PhD, associate professor of physics, shared his expertise in physics and astronomy with Girl Scout Troop 227 from Granite City to help them earn their Daisy Space Explorer badge.
“The Department of Physics wants to communicate our love for physics with everyone,” said Ackad. “My hope is the troop gained enthusiasm for learning more about astronomy.”
Ackad ...
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SIUE Confers Degrees on 1,413 Graduates at Fall Commencement
17 December 2022, 3:20 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred degrees upon 1,413 eligible graduates during fall 2022 commencement exercises, held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17 in the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center.
“This special time-honored academic ceremony allows us to collectively honor our graduates by formally conferring degrees,” said Minor. “Joyfully, we celebrate the beautiful, shared journey that has prepared this cohort o...
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SIUE Development Directors Share Insights at CASE Conference
15 December 2022, 1:20 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Kyle Moore, MPA, senior director of development in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Sara Colvin, MA, senior director of development in the School of Business, presented at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) conference in Chicago on Dec. 11-13. The duo shared expert insights alongside professional peers during a panel discussion on leadership within higher education.
“Higher education is facing greater numb...
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Students Display Innovative Work at Digital Humanities Showcase
12 December 2022, 8:25 AM
The Interdisciplinary Research and Informatics (IRIS) Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted its fall Digital Humanities Student Showcase on Thursday, Dec. 8 in Lovejoy Library, celebrating students’ innovative work using digital tools and methods.
“The digital humanities is an exciting field for research often with the goal of communicating complex topics to broad audiences,” said Jessica DeSpain, PhD, professor in the Department of English Language an...
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SIUE to Join Multi-Institutional Partnership to Address Diversity and Inclusion in STEM
8 December 2022, 12:30 PM
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has announced Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a recipient of $531,600 as part of a multi-institutional $8 million grant through its Inclusive Excellence 3 (IE3) initiative. The initiative focuses on improving the student experience for introductory science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses.
SIUE and 14 institutional partners will specifically address an IE3 broad challenge of making the content of t...
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Khoi Minh Pham Honored as SIUE Student Employee of the Year
5 December 2022, 8:25 AM
Khoi Minh Pham, of Olney, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior in the School of Engineering, was surprised with the news this week that he is the 2023 Student Employee of the Year.
Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, and Abdullatif Hamad, PhD, chair of the Department of Physics, presented Pham with an award certificate and $500 on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
“I was very surprised yet honored to have been chosen to receive this award,” said Pham. “Every student job I have h...
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SIUE Graduate School Presents Research Grants to Outstanding Students
1 December 2022, 8:50 AM
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School is pleased to announce the fall 2022 Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) award recipients.
The awards, valued at up to $500 each, will support the research and creative activities of 34 graduate students studying in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Schools of Engineering, Pharmacy, and Education, Health and Human Behavior.
“Graduate students at SIUE engage in their profession through the creation and publicati...
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SIUE’s Mares Releases Problem-Oriented Policing Guide on Gunshot Detection Systems
30 November 2022, 8:35 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Dennis Mares, PhD, professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, released a Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) guide, Gunshot Detection: Reducing Gunfire through Acoustic Technology, in early November, highlighting acoustic gunshot detection systems, which are sensors designed to recognize the acoustic pattern of gunfire.
“Gunfire alerts by such systems enable police to respond faster and to a more precise location of gunfire,” s...
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Opera Edwardsville Returns to SIUE for 5th Anniversary Celebration and Holiday Concert as part of the Arts & Issues Series
23 November 2022, 1:40 PM
On Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m., Opera Edwardsville (OE) will return to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Dunham Hall for the second year with its Fifth Anniversary Celebration and Holiday Concert as part of the Arts & Issues series.
"In the first half of the program, we highlight an operatic form known as the ‘Brindisi,’ which translates to a ‘drinking song,’” said Chase Hopkins, founder and artistic director of OE and general director of Chi...
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SIUE Graduate School Announces 2022 Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Awards
21 November 2022, 8:25 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Graduate School has announced the recipients of the Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Awards. The awards recognize a master’s student’s thesis and a doctoral student’s dissertation that have been identified as outstanding among all those completed in the previous academic year. The recipients were recognized at the Graduate School Awards Reception in October and received a $500 cash prize.
Alexa Agne completed a master’...
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SIUE’s URCA Program Recognizes Exceptional Faculty Mentors and Student Researchers
17 November 2022, 10:15 AM
Each semester, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program recognizes outstanding faculty mentors and student researchers.
The URCA program encourages, supports and enables undergraduate students of all disciplines to participate in research and creative activities under faculty mentorship. These experiences allow undergraduate students opportunities to engage in scholarship, interact with faculty, and fully connect in the ...
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Graduate School Presents 2022 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards
16 November 2022, 8:20 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Graduate School is proud to announce recipients of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant (TA) Award at both the master’s and doctoral levels. The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award is designed to recognize and reward graduate students for outstanding performance in teaching and instruction. Recipients were recognized at the Graduate School Awards Reception in October and received a $500 cash prize.
Rodaina Mousa earned Outstanding TA at t...
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Donuts with the Dean Provides Platform for Interaction Between Dean Leonard and CAS Students
15 November 2022, 10:45 AM
As the final stretch of the fall 2022 semester begins, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, took time to meet, interact with and encourage students during a special Donuts with the Dean event organized by the SIUE Student Government.
The event provided most CAS students with an opportunity to meet Dean Leonard for the first time, since his appointment to the role in 2020.Held in the Morris University Center (MUC) Goshen Lounge, the function attracted CAS students pursu...
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SIUE’s Hispanic Honor Society Members Working to Re-energize University’s Chapter, Recruiting New Members
4 November 2022, 1:20 PM
Each semester the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Foreign Languages and Literature (FLL) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville welcomes new members into its chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society/La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica, which is an academic honor society devoted to students of Spanish in four-year colleges and universities. Sigma Delta Pi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.
The mission of the...
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SIUE’s Mares Shares Insight on ShotSpotter Technology on CBS News Detroit
14 October 2022, 10:20 AM
SIUE’s Dennis Mares, PhD, professor in the Department of Criminal Justice was featured live on CBS News Detroit on Monday, Oct. 3.
During his segment, titled “A closer look at ShotSpotter as Detroit weighs decision to expand”, Mares shared his findings on the use of ShotSpotter technology and the technology’s effect on crime rates.
Mares co-authored a study that reviewed ShotSpotter data in St. Louis from 2008 to 2018 and conducted a similar study in Cincinnati in 2...
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SIUE’s Theising Explores Lessons Learned from East St. Louis, “City of Champions”
12 October 2022, 2:10 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Arts & Issues series will present a lecture by Andrew Theising, PhD, entitled, “Learning Lessons from East St. Louis” at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, following a reception at 3:30 p.m., in the Morris University Center’s (MUC) Conference Center.
Theising, who retired in 2022 after serving as a professor for 25 years in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Political Science, will speak as part of the Emeriti ...
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SIUE’s Wilson Featured on KMOV for Perspective on Ukraine
11 October 2022, 4:05 PM
SIUE’s Sophia Wilson, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, was featured live on KMOV4 TV on Monday, Oct. 10.
During her segment, titled “SIUE Professor Explains What’s at Stake for Ukraine,” Wilson analyzed the relationship between Ukraine and Russia and provided perspective on the way forward.
A native of Ukraine, Wilson has spent time as a visiting scholar at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, taught courses on Ukrainian politic...
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SIUE Winter Session Registration Opens Oct. 31
11 October 2022, 12:10 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s online Winter Session offers students the chance to advance toward degree completion with accelerated three-week class offerings. The session features more than 70 classes taught entirely online.
Registration opens Monday, Oct. 31, and classes begin Monday, Dec. 19.
“The accelerated three-week course offerings through the winter session support SIUE’s student-centered mission, as our high-caliber faculty creatively develop and adv...
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Preventing Targeted Violence in Southern Illinois: SIUE’s Researchers Receive Dept. of Homeland Security Funding
5 October 2022, 4:00 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville researchers in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Political Science have been awarded a $332,491 grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a local framework for mitigating violence under the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program. The researchers team includes Associate Professor Suranjan Weeraratne, PhD, Professor Laurie Rice, PhD, as well as Chair and Professor Kenneth Moffett, PhD.
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Explore the Possibilities at SIUE Graduate School’s October Open House Events
29 September 2022, 10:25 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Graduate School will host a series of virtual Open House events throughout October for individuals interested in continuing their education at SIUE.
“The virtual Open House events offer prospective students a great opportunity to learn about what SIUE’s Graduate School has to offer,” said Jim Monahan, director of graduate and international admissions. “A faculty member from every academic department will be available a...
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SIUE Mass Comm. Dept. Gives East St. Louis Charter High School Students Media Lessons
28 September 2022, 8:56 AM
Two hands raised in answer to the question of how many students were interested in careers in media and mass communications. At the conclusion of the visit to the television station, radio station and student newspaper at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, eight of the 12 students’ hands shot up when the question was asked again.
“I’d like to be a broadcast reporter,” said Theodric Belt Jr., a junior at the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS). Belt ...
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SIUE Inducts 10 into Alumni Hall of Fame During “A Night Among the Stars”
28 September 2022, 8:20 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville honored 10 remarkable graduates at the 2022 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony, “A Night Among the Stars,” held Friday, Sept. 23, in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom. The impressive alumni have made exceptional contributions in their chosen fields, in their communities and at SIUE through their leadership, character and hard work. “These individuals personify SIUE’s values,” said SIUE Chancellor Jam...
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SIUE Welcomes Alumni, Families and Friends at 2022 Homecoming
25 September 2022, 2:30 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continued its Homecoming festivities welcoming alumni and friends to campus from Sept. 21-25. 
“Homecoming is about remembering the past, celebrating the present, and staying in touch in the future,” said Cathy Taylor, senior director of constituent relations and special projects. “It is also a great opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with friends and former classmates, show cougar spirit, cheer on athletics and create new me...
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SIUE Homecoming Helps Cougar Spirit Shine
23 September 2022, 1:00 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has kicked off its 2022 Homecoming, an annual celebration of the University’s past, present and future.
“There have been many fun homecoming activities so far,” said Maddie Schurman, graduate assistant for Campus Activities Board, who is responsible for planning many of the SIUE Homecoming Week events. “We encourage students to attend the events as a way of building community.”
Event highlights include the 21st annual chi...
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SIUE’s Mishra Wins, Presents AEJMC Top Faculty Paper in Cultural and Critical Studies Division
22 September 2022, 10:20 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Suman Mishra, PhD, attended the 2022 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference in Detroit in August to present a scholarly paper, entitled “Smart Assistants for Smart Living: Ideology and Mythology in AI-powered Smart Speaker.” The paper, which she co-authored with Rebecca Kern-Stone, PhD, of Manhattan College, was awarded 2022 Top Faculty Paper in the Cultural and Critical Studies Division....
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SIUE’s Arts & Issues Hosts Lecture, “How the Legacy of Rudolf Dreikurs, MD, Has Enriched Our Lives”
21 September 2022, 5:45 PM
As part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Arts & Issues series, Len Sperry, MD, PhD, will present a lecture, entitled “How the Legacy of Rudolf Dreikurs, MD, Has Enriched Our Lives” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the Meridian Ballroom on the Edwardsville campus. A reception will be held prior to the lecture, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Sperry has been referred to as “Dreikurs’ last student,” having been the last to graduate from the Adler Ins...
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SIUE’s Manuel Awarded Fulbright Position in Canada to Research Energy Transitions, Deindustrialization
21 September 2022, 9:20 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Jeffrey Manuel, PhD, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of History, has been awarded a prestigious position as a Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Energy Transitions and Deindustrialization. He will spend spring 2023 at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, conducting research with the history department on energy transitions over time. He will also be contributing to a large, multinational research...
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SIUE’s Arts and Issues Presents “Chaos Theory & Other Miracles” as Xfest Returns to Campus
13 September 2022, 10:30 AM
As part of a packed week of thrilling performances, workshops, seminars and masterclasses to mark the return of Xfest to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus, Arts and Issues will present “Chaos Theory & Other Miracles,” a show by Leggy Bones Physical Theater Company, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 in the Dunham Hall Theater.
“SIUE Theater and Dance is thrilled to present the return of SIUE Xfest: A Festival of Alternative Theater and Dance after a two-year ...
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SIUE’s Lee Featured for “Breaking the Mold of What A Scientist Looks Like”
2 September 2022, 2:15 PM
SIUE’s Danielle N. Lee, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biological Sciences, is a nationally-recognized scholar who consistently underscores the importance of increasing diversity in science.
In a Science Friday article, “Breaking the Mold of What A Scientist Looks Like,” writer Clare Fieseler highlights Lee’s journey toward becoming a scientist and professor.
An excerpt from Fieseler’s article reads, “But ...
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SIUE IRIS Center Names Inaugural Faculty Fellows
31 August 2022, 2:20 PM
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Interdisciplinary Research and Informatics Scholarship (IRIS) Center has announced Ezra Temko, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Sociology, and Candace Hall, EdD, assistant professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Educational Leadership, as its inaugural Faculty Fellows.
Temko and Hall were selected as their scholarship crosses discipline boundaries, with...
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SIUE MFA Candidate Smith Receives 2022 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award
22 August 2022, 10:20 AM
Evan Smith, master of fine arts (MFA) candidate at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, was past the age of 20 when he took keen interest in drawings and paintings. But years later, with more training in conceptual art at SIUE, Smith’s recent project, Guise, has attracted the attention of the International Sculpture Center (ISC), which selected him as a recipient of the prestigious 2022 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award.
The award celebrates the work ...
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SIUE Experience Builds Students’ Sense of Belonging Ahead of Academic Year
19 August 2022, 6:00 PM
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus is vibrant and filled with Cougar pride, as excitement builds for the launch of the fall 2022 semester.
First-year students have moved into their residence halls and are taking part in the SIUE Experience, a welcome program that helps students make connections across campus and introduces them to the values of their new home away from home.
“Everyone I have talked to and everything I have seen reassures me that I am in the right...
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