March 2000
Lovejoy Auditorium Named For Pioneer John Abbott
If it weren't for John Abbott, Lovejoy Library may not have become the third largest library in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, so it was fitting that the university decided to name the library's auditorium in his honor.
When Abbott was named director of the SIUE library in 1960, it consisted of 50,000 volumes housed at the teaching centers in East St. Louis and Alton, and in a farmhouse on what was to become the Edwardsville campus. The present Lovejoy Library opened in September 1965 with 200,000 volumes. Abbott was involved in every detail of envisioning, equipping, and staffing the new four-story building.
During his 21 years as director, collections grew to more than 700,000 books, 100,000 maps, 15,000 phonograph records, 400,000 government documents, and 400,000 microform items. Concerned that students were not taught how to use a library, Abbott was one of the first university library administrators to hire a professional bibliographic instruction librarian.
Later named the first head of research and special collections at Lovejoy Library (in 1981), Abbott continued to build collections in Illinois history and the Mississippi River Valley as he had during his years as director. Drawing upon his interest in history, particularly state and local history, Abbott directed his full energies to the acquisition of rare books and to the solicitation of manuscripts and other historical documentation.
He also arranged for and supervised establishment of a university archives within Lovejoy Library. Not only did Abbott acquire material, but he also produced it. His encouragement and involvement in such publications as New Worlds to Seek, Journey to New Switzerland and many other works underscore the variety and intensity of his dedication to the historical record of this area.
Establishing a need for private philanthropy, Abbott organized the Friends of Lovejoy Library to assist in development of collections and to seek additional financial support. To date, the Friends group has contributed more than $2 million to enhance library collections and programs, while also establishing endowments of more than $430,000.
Jay Starratt, dean of SIUE's Library and Information Services, said, "Although many people wish to have an opportunity to start a large organization from scratch, few realize what a daunting and difficult task faces those who take up such challenges," Starratt said. "It is important that we recognize how remarkable and rare are Dr. Abbott's achievements.
"The high quality of all collections, programs and services at Lovejoy Library is testament to his ability to see needs and devise institutional practices to meet those needs. Students and scholars in Southwestern Illinois owe a great debt to John C. Abbott. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of this honor."
Fritz Marti Lecture Features UM Research Scholar
Ecology and its part in nature will be the focus of the 25th Annual Fritz Marti Lecture on Thursday, March 23.
To mark the silver anniversary of the SIUE lecture series, Mark Sagoff, senior research scholar at the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Maryland, will present Ecosystem Design in Philosophical and Historical Context at 7 p.m. in the Maple-Dogwood Room, on the second floor of SIUE's Morris University Center.
Sagoff's lecture will focus on the concept of nature within the science of ecology and in particular the question of whether nature can be defined apart from human influence.
Author of The Economy of the Earth (Cambridge UP, 1988), Sagoff also has published widely in journals of law, philosophy, and the environment. He was named a Pew Scholar in Conservation and the Environment in 1991, served from 1994-97 as president of the International Society for Environmental Ethics, and, for the academic year 1998-99, Sagoff was awarded a fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
He earned a baccalaureate at Harvard and a doctorate at the University Rochester, and went on to teach at Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Cornell before arriving at the University of Maryland at College Park.
The Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, a part of Maryland's School of Public Affairs, was established in 1976 to "conduct research into the values and concepts that underlie public policy." Work at the institute begins by looking at empirical data, investigating "the structure of arguments and the nature of values relevant to the formation, justification, and criticism of public policy."
The institute's research scholars teach graduate and undergraduate courses in philosophy of law, political philosophy, and bioethics, and also offer seminars for graduate students of various disciplines.
The Marti lecture was established at SIUE in spring 1976 to honor the memory of Philosophical Studies Emeritus Professor Fritz Marti, who taught at SIUE from 1966 to 1973.
For more information about the March 23 lecture, call the SIUE Department of Philosophical Studies, (618) 650-2250.
Mass Communications Week Features Several Events
Mass Communications Week 2000 begins Monday, March 27, with a calendar full of events that are free and open to the public. Here's the rundown:
Monday, March 27, 3-5 p.m.-Introduction to computer-assisted reporting -Jennifer LaFleur, computer-assisted reporting editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Room 1014, Dunham Hall.
Tuesday, March 28, 9-10:15 a.m.-The power behind the talking heads: Producing local TV news-Patti Beck Harrison, Steve Perron, and Bryce Moore, news producers for KMOV-TV News (and SIUE alumni), Room 1020, Dunham Hall.
3:30-5 p.m.-Demonstration of studio & location lighting-Doug Hastings, cine/videographer for Technisonic Studio, Room 1020 Dunham Hall.
Wednesday, March 29, 10-10:50 a.m.-Covering the Iowa Caucuses-Bethany Behrhorst, a reporter for Rock Island Newspapers, Room 2039, Dunham Hall.
1:30-2:45 p.m.-What's so great about corporate?-Gregg Eilers, creative director for Busch Creative Services, Room 2039, Dunham Hall.
4-6 p.m.-Internship Fair in the lobby of Dunham Hall.
Thursday, March 30, 8-9:15 a.m.-So you want to be a rock star? Legal considerations of music publishing & recording contracts-Paul Brown & Barrett Braun, Attorneys at Law, Room 1015, Dunham Hall.
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.-Journalistic decision-making & ethical dilemmas-Steve Jankowski, KSDK-TV reporter, Room 1020, Dunham Hall.
6 p.m.-Critiquing the Post-Dispatch-Don Corrigan, of Webster University, Room 1015, Dunham Hall.
Friday, March 31, 10-10:50 a.m.-The night beat & the internet's effect on newspapers-Darryl Howlett, of the Rock Island Newspapers, Room 2039, Dunham Hall.
Taylor Wins NCAA-II Title In Wrestling At Brookings
Coach Booker Benford asked only that his senior wrestler win a national championship. He expected no less.
On Saturday, March 11, Titus Taylor delivered. The 165-pounder from Centreville won the individual national title at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in Brookings, S.D. Taylor defeated top-seeded Chris Blair of the University of Nebraska-Omaha 3-1 in the championship match.
Being able to finish out his career on top is something Taylor plans to carry with him forever. "It feels good knowing I competed without quitting and achieved the highest goal possible," he said. "It means a lot to win first place your senior year and go through life knowing I was No. 1 at my weight class."
Becoming the 19th Division II champion in the wrestling program's history, Taylor also became SIUE's first under Benford as head coach and the Cougars' first since Trevor Clark won the 190-pound title in 1992. Taylor also became an All-American for the second time in his career at SIUE.
Taylor's triumph also was an important step for Coach Benford. After watching his team struggle to an 0-9-1 record this season, SIUE finished 15th in the team race at the national championships among the 32 schools represented.
The impact on Taylor's win at nationals is an important step in the rebuilding process Benford is aiming for. "Titus winning is important for the program because we now have an individual who has completed a season on top, a place where I want all the wrestlers to aim for," Benford said. "It has been a good motivation for the rest of the team and will be helpful in recruiting. "It is also a good start to the rebuilding of team champions."
Taylor is the 52nd wrestler at SIUE to be an All-American, while it is the 109th time an SIUE grappler has walked away with All-American honors. Taylor, the No. 2 seed at the 2000 NCAA-II Championships, completed his season with the Cougars 33-4. That included 20 consecutive victories this season.
Benford was an assistant the first two seasons of Taylor's career at SIUE, so his role was limited in the conditioning of Taylor. However, once Benford was named head coach, he made sure Taylor knew exactly want he wanted. "The first two years he was here, he wasn't pushed a lot," Benford said. "When I took over as coach, I made sure he was physically in shape and that shape wasn't going to be factor in him losing.
"Mentally, he changed a lot because he was more focused on winning it. This year he was wrestling in all the tournaments, which brought him more success because he was wrestling top people in his weight class at these tournaments."
Taylor's championship match was close. After no score in the first period, Taylor took a 1-0 lead with an escape in the second period. Blair selected down in the third period and escaped to tie the score 1-1. Taylor then recorded the only takedown for the eventual victory.
His road to the championship match included three matches- each becoming more difficult. Taylor pinned Southern Colorado's Dustin Randle in the first round in 4 minutes, 42 seconds. In the quarterfinals, he earned a technical fall (winning by 15 or more points) in 7:00 over Grady Wolf of North Dakota State. Taylor then defeated Central Oklahoma's Jody Marple 10-3 in the semifinals.
After qualifying at last year's nationals and being eliminated after three matches, Taylor knew what he needed to do to change things around this year. "I was better mentally prepared this year. I went into nationals feeling good, being in good shape and having no doubts about my ability to win."
Artist
Young Jacob Mudge's view of the city by the bay is an example of the talented works displayed at the 26th Annual Young Artists' Exhibition which begins Friday and continues through April 14 on the second-floor south wall gallery in the Morris University Center. The exhibition, sponsored by the Department of Art and Design and the College of Arts and Sciences, features the artistic accomplishments of elementary, middle school, and junior high school students from throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. A special reception for the artists and their families is scheduled for Sunday, March 26. For more information, call the department, (618) 650-3183 or (618) 650-5943.
Faculty Development Opps Part Of Spring Symposium
Take advantage of the faculty development opportunities offered at the Spring Symposium March 28-30.
Part of the Spring Symposium, "Balancing Faculty Roles and Responsibilities: Focus on Research and Teaching," will include sessions on technology in teaching and learning. Sessions conducted in the second-floor conference center at the Morris Center, unless otherwise noted:
Wednesday, March 29, 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.-Susan Saltrick, vice president of the TLT Group, the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Affiliation of the American Association for Higher Education, will present "Implementation of Technology in Teaching and Learning." Refreshments will be provided.
Thursday, March 30, 9-10 a.m.-Panel discussion, "Technology and Teaching," with moderator Susan Saltrick and SIUE faculty panelists-James Andris, Educational Leadership; Dennis Hostetler, Public Administration; Kathryn Martell, Management; and Scott Smith, Electrical & Computer Engineering. These faculty have shown leadership at SIUE in using technology in teaching. Refreshments will be provided.
10:15-11:45 a.m.-Recipients of Excellence in Graduate Education and Excellence in Undergraduate Education awards will present their projects involving technology and teaching.
EGE recipients: Tammy Arthaud, Special Education and Communications Disorders, "Fast ForWord"; Wendy Nehring, Nursing, "Development of Pediatric Physiological Age Parameters for the PediaSim"; Sharyl Thode Parashak, Art Therapy, "Mother-Infant Creative Growth"; Laura Swanson, Management, "Process Flow and Design Exercise";
EUE recipients: Ronald Schaefer, English, "Computerised Linguistic Skill Courses"; Michael Shaw, Chemistry, "Simulation Software for Classroom Laboratory Electrochemical Demonstrations"; Wendy Shaw, Geography, "Internet Web Components for Geography Courses."
Noon-2:30 p.m.-Faculty Technology Center Open House; faculty are invited to tour the center, discuss services offered by the staff, and enjoy refreshments. Location: Room 0055, Lovejoy Library.
Ron Schaefer Wins Simon Outstanding Scholar Award
Ronald P. Schaefer, professor of English Language and Literature, is the recipient of this year's Paul Simon Outstanding Scholar Award from the SIUE Graduate School.
The award is presented annually to a faculty member in order to recognize the role of research and creative activities in achieving excellence in teaching. The Simon Award confirms SIUE's belief that an individual must be a good scholar to be a good teacher.
Upon learning he had been named, Schaefer said: "I am deeply honored and humbled by the recognition. The Simon Award represents what is best in higher education, the intertwining of teaching and research, the engagement of students in the instructional process through research.
"I believe this award also is testimony to the intellectual character of our students and to the possibilities for intellectual engagement both in and out of the classroom. After all ... my students (responded) to the research ideas I presented, questioned my assumptions and engaged me in the dialogue of instruction."
The cornerstone of Schaefer's research activity has been the Emai language of southern Nigeria. There is very little linguistic documentation available for the entire family of 25-30 Edoid languages to which Emai is most immediately related. Schaefer has been able to document Emai with a range of descriptive and interpretive linguistic studies.
Schaefer, who has been with the university since 1986, added: "in my case, the Simon Award recognizes not so much my research achievements but the spirit of international interest and cooperation which made it possible. Without the sustained and determined efforts of the Emai people of Nigeria, a good deal of my linguistic research would not have been possible."
His work has received support from SIUE, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Science Foundation.
Rock the Vote
Get a little exercise and come to the Staff Senate elections April 5 where you can exercise your right to vote. All non-academic employees will be notified by March 24 of the official list of candidates and their qualifications.
SS And DSS: Providing Services Side By Side In Peck
Two offices, one just around a corner from the other in Peck Hall, sharing a common goal-service to students. But things can, and do, get confusing for faculty and students, mostly because of the proximity of the offices and because of a one-digit difference in the room numbers.
The Office of Disability Support Services (Room 1311) and the Office of Special Services (Room 1313) co-exist side by side in Peck Hall, but they each help a divergent student population.
DSS offers services to only students who are documented as having a disability. SS may provide some services for students with disabilities but the office also offers academic guidance to those students who have a wide range of difficulties coping with college life.
Special Services Director Earleen Patterson said her office is funded through the Trio Programs of the U.S. Department of Education and, by USDE directive, can only serve about 400 SIUE students who go through a screening process to see if they can avail themselves of Special Services.
Special Services has a staff of four academic advisers who work closely with students who require special assistance, such as tutorial support, financial guidance, peer mentoring, cultural enrichment, and college survival skills, to name a few.
"Under the grant there are only certain students we can serve," Patterson said, "such as those who are first-generation college students, those with extreme financial needs, and students with a disability who need specially designed instructional materials." A student who meets all of these needs may be eligible for the program, Patterson said.
According to Disability Support Services Coordinator Jane Floyd-Hendey, DSS assists students with disabilities including, but not limited to, hearing impairments, visual disabilities, chronic health concerns, attention deficient disorders, psychiatric disabilities, learning disabilities and orthopedic disabilities.
"We encourage students to be self sufficient and to advocate for themselves. We try not to do too much for students who are capable of being independent," she said.
"Our staff has to be sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities We have more and more students with disabilities moving into the residence halls and into Cougar Village," Floyd-Hendey said. "The technology to assist students with disabilities continues to advance and the university is committed to keeping abreast of this technology. "
DSS offers computerized services, such as voice-activated computers, a Kurzweil Personal Reader, and a Visual Tek Microreader. The DSS staff assists students with taking exams and assists with reading and writing exams. Other services provided include volunteer notetakers, tutoring, computer training, assistance in securing attendants, and library assistance.
Patterson said she is proud of the Special Services record at SIUE. "Each year, the Department of Education cuts six percent of the programs each year at colleges around the country because they aren't meeting the needs of students," she pointed out. "But we continue to receive funding every year. Our goal is to guide students to become successful here.
"Because our mission is to be an accessible university, we attract some students who are not prepared properly for academic success at the college level," Patterson said. "But our graduation rate keeps climbing and we take some measure of that success.
"We find that when one of our students receives our assistance, they can become as successful or moreso in school than a student who arrived ready for university life. There was a time when students didn't want to seek help, they didn't want to appear 'uncool,' but that stigma has been lifting in the past few years and now, I'm sorry to say, we have to turn students away who are seeking our help.
"I would like to see the USDE increase our funding so we could serve more students in the future."
'An Evening In Vienna' Set For April 1 At Sunset Hills
An Evening in Vienna, formerly known as the Viennese Ball, is set for Saturday, April 1, at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville.
The musical gala features a champagne reception, dinner, dancing, and entertainment by the faculty and students of SIUE's Department of Music. It's an evening of diverse music by the SIUE Symphonic Orchestra and the SIUE Concert Jazz Band, providing waltz and big band music.
Viennese Ball Co-chairs Howard and Teenie Followell Of Edwardsville said proceeds from the gala fund Friends of Music scholarships for SIUE msuic students.
Special guests at the ball will be Consul General Christian Krepela of Austria and internationally known pianist Stan Ford, an SIUE music graduate and a faculty member at the University of Salzburg. Ford will perfirm after dinner. Jim Connett, program host of Classic 99 KFUO-FM's morning program, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Tickets for the event are $75 per person and are available through the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660. Formal attire is suggested.
Antiques
Is there something in your attic that could be worth a small fortune? Or, is it a piece of junk? SIUE's 30th Annual Antiques Show and Sale might have the answer for the price of an admission ticket.
After the Fall
Sonia Winter, director of Public Affairs for Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe, based in Prague, will speak about "Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe After the Fall of Communism" from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. today in Room 1029 of Dunham Hall. Winter is the daughter of Kamil Winter, professor emeritus of Mass Communications.
Bronze Ambush
The St. Louis Ambush is bringing the Bronze Boot rivalry indoors March 31 when alumni from SIUE and Saint Louis University play at the Kiel Center. Teams from both schools, made up of former Billiken and Cougar standouts, will play for one hour after the Ambush game against the Wichita Wings that evening. The Ambush game kicks off at 7:35 p.m. with the SIUE-SLU game expected to begin around 9:45 p.m. Tickets range in price from $10 to $20; the Ambush will donate $1 for each ticket purchased through SIUE to the Cougar soccer program. Fans may purchase tickets by contacting Ed Huneke, (618) 650-2868.
Training
Opportunities for training in March are open to all staff and faculty from Human Resources. Grammar Review-presented by LaDonna Holshouser, Instructional Services, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22. See the Training Times Newsletter for additional information. To register by e-mail: wmisiak@siue.edu. Please include your full name, department, campus box, and telephone extension.
