June 2000
Labor Negotiations.
Effective at 2 p.m. June 30, the university implemented the last, best, and final offer to the IEA Professional Staff Union.
PEAR Sessions Bear Fruit For Incoming Students
One glance around the campus-at the expansive grounds, the sea of strange faces, the uniform buildings-is enough to make a student new to SIUE feel more than a bit daunted.
"I remember when I came here as a freshman, I was scared to death," recalls Janelle Monroe of Fairfield. Now in her junior year, Monroe helps incoming students conquer that initial trepidation. She's an assistant with the Pre-Entry Advising and Registration (PEAR) program offered by the university's Office of Admissions.
PEAR presents incoming students a chance to meet with advisors, to plan and register for classes, and to taste campus life as seen through the eyes of fellow students.
"The primary purpose of PEAR is to introduce new students to academic life," says Cheryle Tucker-Loewe, assistant director of Academic Counseling and Advising. "There are sessions for both freshman and transfer students from mid-May to mid-August, and both students and their parents find these sessions very helpful."
Sessions are conducted by PEAR assistants-currently enrolled SIUE students-who are constantly on hand to answer questions, give short presentations on the SIUE catalogue and course schedules, and to discuss topics that concern incoming students and their parents, such as housing, general education requirements, and placement testing.
Incoming freshmen benefit especially from the chance to talk one-on-one with upper-level students who know the ins and outs of the campus. "There are some things you could only learn about SIUE by talking with someone who's been here awhile," says Monroe, who has been working as a PEAR assistant since early summer. "It's our job to answer questions from the students, and just to hang out with them. We tell the freshmen a little about ourselves-what our majors are, where we're from-and I think that helps break the ice for new students. At the end of the day, when the students leave the session, they always tell us they're glad they got to see the buildings, get their schedules, meet advisors and other students.
"Being a PEAR assistant is great," she adds, "because I feel like I'm doing something to help new students. I give them information that they can take with them and use later when the semester starts."
Students who come to PEAR are also given a chance to talk with representatives of ROTC, the Kimmel Leadership Center, University Housing, and the Career Development Center. In addition, there is a separate session for parents that covers topics, such as financial aid and placement testing.
"This year's turnout has been great," says Tucker-Loewe. "PEAR makes the transfer from high school or another university to SIUE easier for students," she points out. "Every student who attends a PEAR session walks away with new knowledge-they find they've learned something about campus life they didn't know before."
Professors Write The Book On Early Literacy Resources
For most children, the earliest forms of communication consist of crying and spitting out unwanted food. But, the more we learn about their communications capabilities, the more aware we are that children can and do gain a very strong grasp of communications well before they reach the traditional school age of 5 or 6.
So, how do we help nurture that communications capability before-and after-our kids enter school for the first time? Early childhood literacy has become one of the hottest of the hot topics shared among parents and educators. Thousands of books, seminars, and educational aids are available to the parent or teacher looking to boost a child's understanding of language and communication.
Three SIUE professors have written a book suggesting ways to bring the various types of teaching tools together in an integrated approach to teaching early literacy.
"The book is built around activities designed to initiate opportunities for children to explore and communicate in active, playful ways as they develop literacy and language skills," said Debra Reichert Hoge, professor of Special Education and Communication Disorders and one of the authors of Linking Language.
"For literacy skills to develop, said Bill Searcy, associate professor of Curriculum and Instruction, "young children need many active interactions with print before reaching school age. They need exposure to reading and writing, and also to the talking that goes along with a parent reading to a child."
Linking Language is organized into nine sections, such as "Music and Movement," "Sand and Water," "Math," "Science" and "Healthy Food and Snacks." Each section provides tips on what materials are needed, words to use, and activities and questions to use to determine whether the child understood the activity.
The sections also include suggestions for other resource books and ways to introduce writing into the activities. "The idea is that children learn from everything they do," said Robert Rockwell, emeritus professor of Curriculum and Instruction. "They don't learn reading only in a reading class or reading time. They learn when they're driving in a car and see a sign. They learn when they watch parents write checks. They learn all the time. So what we tried to do with the book is show how to incorporate literacy lessons in a broad range of settings.
"The book relies on play-based, hands-on learning and teaching," Hoge added.
Searcy said parents and teachers should not underestimate the value of "readiness."
"We shouldn't necessarily think of this as only being successful if our children can pick up a book and read," he said. "It's easy to become frustrated if our kids 'don't get it.' We need to focus on readiness. Has the child been exposed to symbols-to numbers and letters and meaningful shapes? If the answer is yes, then we're moving young children toward a readiness to pick up a book on their own and read, or write, or express themselves in new ways."
Summer Fun
The SummerArts 2000 program is under way, offering classes, workshops, camps, and performances in art, music, and theater between mid June and the end of July. Above, Dionne Newsome, left, and Emily Kuykendall, both of Edwardsville, are assisted by instructor Daniel Krause, an Art Education major. At left, Karriem Muhammad is working on a drawing. For more information about space availability, scheduling, fees, and locations, call (618) 650-3183 for the art workshops and (618) 650-3900 for the music camps.. (SIUE Photo)
SummerArts 2000 Music Camps In Session At SIUE
It's always interesting," says Darryl Coan. "They come in as individuals nervous about meeting new people. By the end of the week they're a group that's creating together."
That's how Coan, assistant professor of Music, describes the experience students have in the music camps, part of the SummerArts 2000 on campus. And when it comes to the two camps Coan is directing this summer, the level of interest and participation is high.
"Two of the computer camp students are returning for their third year," he said. "It's challenging for me to make it different each year. The level of sophistication of the students has always been fairly high, so, in a very short time students get involved in each other's projects giving feedback and exchanging ideas."
The camp, Coan says, offers students a chance to maintain their skills on their instruments. "And it's good to reach out to the students from area schools," he added. The camp is open to middle school and junior high wind or percussion students, grades 6-9.
Summer is usually a busy time for Coan. Last year, in addition to teaching his computer music camp, he conducted a continuing education program in computer music for music teachers at the University of Kentucky.
This summer is no different. He recently traveled to Finland to speak before the Mayday Action Group in Music Education. "It's a group that has two purposes: one is to apply critical thinking to the practice of music education and the second is to affirm the central importance of musical participation in human life," Coan explained.
The organization, Coan said, believes that music teachers need to have more communication with disciplines outside of music. "I feel that first they have to be talking with each other," he pointed out. "Music people usually are very specialized. It would be nice to see that melt away and (teachers begin) a rich, integrated approach to teaching music."
The Department of Music also offers youth choir camp, taught by Assistant Professor Joel Knapp. For information, call (618) 650-3799.
Dabbs-Kayser Named Acting Director Of ECC
Rebecca Dabbs-Kayser, a teacher and project specialist at the SIUE Early Childhood Center, has been named acting director of the center effective July 1. She succeeds Stephanie Henschen, who will return to teaching at the center.
Before joining the ECC last year, Dabbs-Kayser had more than 10 years experience in teaching and counseling children and parents. She has been an early childhood inclusion specialist with the Child Day Care Association in St. Louis, and a supervisor, a parent educator, and a resource developer for the Children's Home and Aid Society of Illinois. She also taught first grade at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Alton.
Dabbs-Kayser earned a bachelor of science in Elementary Education from SIUE in 1989 and is working toward a master's at SIUE in Early Childhood Education, anticipating an August completion. She also has teaching certification in Illinois.
Walker Appointed To IAC's Presenters Review Panel
Richard Walker, coordinator of the Arts & Issues series, has been appointed to the Illinois Arts Council's (IAC) Presenters Panel, an advisory panel which reviews grant applications from organizations that present performances of regional, national and international performing arts companies.
Walker recently was in Chicago as the panel assessed the merits of the 30 applicants requesting a total of $600,000. "Serving on the review panel is both an honor and a responsibility," Walker said.
Illinois Sen. Evelyn Bowles nominated Walker for a two-year term. "The panel system is a vital component of the agency's application review process," said Rhoda Pierce, executive director of the IAC. "In addition, the panels provide a mechanism through which issues, trends, and the needs of constituents can be identified."
The Illinois General Assembly created the IAC for the purpose of encouraging development of the arts throughout Illinois. This state agency assists artists, arts organizations and other community organizations that present arts programming with financial and technical assistance. The Illinois State Legislature and the National Endowment provide funds annually to the council.
R&H Rules! South Pacific Returns After 15 Years
South Pacific is returning to SIUE after a 15-year hiatus and Rodgers and Hammerstein never looked better, according to director Peter Cocuzza who is bringing the Broadway hit to the Summer Showbiz 2000 stage Thursday, July 6, for a two-weekend run.
The musical, based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of short stories, Tales of the South Pacific, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, July 6-8 and 13-15, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 9 and 16, all in the Katherine Dunham theater.
"We've been doing Rodgers and Hammerstein in recent Summer Showbiz seasons, such as Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music, says the assistant professor of theater and dance. "Audiences respond to Rodgers and Hammerstein, and their musicals always seem to do well here."
South Pacific follows the sold-out run of the Summer Showbiz production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. "It did really well," Cocuzza said, "but it did cause some scheduling problems for us. Ten men of the 32-member South Pacific cast also were in Joseph.
"We have several big production numbers, so, we're definitely in a summer stock mode," he said, referring to the time crunch that is often a challenge for brief summer stock seasons.
In South Pacific, members of the male chorus will bring more to the music than just their voices. "We're working on characters within the chorus such as the shy sailor, the goofy sailor or the intellectual," Cocuzza explained. The lead roles are being played by Lori Barrett-Pagano of St. Louis, as Ensign Nellie Forbush, and Joel Knapp, who recently finished his first year as an assistant professor in the SIUE Department of Music, as Emile de Becque.
Jim Dorethy, a member of the theater faculty, is the designer who "has created this great set," Cocuzza says enthusiastically. "There's a waterfall and a pond. It's all very lush."
The set will not only be lush, it also will have authentic props including a Jeep. The curator of the Alton Armed Forces Museum, Captain Carroll Venable, is supplying the Jeep and some of the costumes. Other items are being supplied by Maj. Dan McClean from the ROTC unit on campus. "I'm going to try to also do a lobby display," Cocuzza said, "with the help of Eric Barnett, director of The University Museum at SIUE and a member of the cast." Barnett plays Capt. Brackett.
For ticket information, call the Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.
Global
Members of a class in Global Issues presented posters recently in Goshen Lounge. The summer course is taught by Laura Perkins, an associate professor of Speech Communications, and Laura Wolff, an instructor in the Department of Economics. This assignment was to create a poster presentation dealing with a global issue, including recommendations for solutions. At top is Chris Sauerhage of Mascoutah, and at right is Denise Greathouse of Edwardsville, both jotting notes about the posters. (SIUE Photo)
Promotions Announced For 28 Faculty; Effective July 1
Twenty-eight faculty members were promoted, effective July 1, after approvals from the chancellor and the provost.
Listed by schools, the faculty members and their new ranks are:
CAS: Jane Barrow, associate professor; Kathleen Bueno, associate professor; Gregory Fields, associate professor; Carole Frick, associate professor; James Hinson, associate professor; Lyman Holden, professor; Kevin Krajniak, associate professor; Chunqing Lu, professor; Nancy Lutz, associate professor; Sheryl Meyering, professor; Paulette Myers, professor; Randall Pearson, associate professor; Brian Ragen, professor; Jeffrey Skoblow, professor; Lesa Stern, associate professor; Eric Voss, associate professor; and E. Duff Wrobbel, associate professor.
Business: Janice Joplin, associate professor.
Education: Catherine Daus, associate professor; Malcolm Goldsmith, professor; Debra Reichert Hoge, professor; Mary Polite, professor; Alice Prince, associate professor; and Leroy "Bill" Searcy, associate professor.
Engineering: Narayan Bodapati, professor; Bernard Waxman, professor; William White, associate professor; and Trong Wu, professor.
Seaburg Named Dean Of The School Of Engineering
Paul A. Seaburg, associate dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has been appointed dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, effective July 1.
He succeeds Professor Harlan Bengtson, who will return to teaching civil engineering after six years as dean of the School.
Seaburg headed the Department of Architectural Engineering at Penn State before arriving at Omaha. He also had been general supervisor of Research and Development at Armco Atlantic Inc.
He earned a doctorate at the University of Minnesota and has served on numerous active and influential professional society committees, many of which authored design codes for building components. He spent a year in Cairo, Egypt, as an expert on continuing education of engineers for UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
Seaburg also is co-author of Torsional Analysis of Structural Steel Members, which is a practical design guide used widely in engineering practice.
Former Cougar Standout Named Assistant Coach
Jason Holmes, SIUE's all-time leading scorer in men's basketball, is the Cougars' newest assistant coach, effective July 1.
Head Coach Jack Margenthaler recently announced the appointment of the 25-year-old Holmes, who earned a history degree from SIUE in 1988 and who served as the program's graduate assistant last season.
Margenthaler and the Cougars seem to know what they're getting from their new assistant. Holmes first came to SIUE during the 1993-1994 season and immediately put his stamp on Cougar basketball by scoring a single-game record 45 points in the season opener against Carthage. He went on to score 1,949 career points; he also holds career records for three-pointers (222) and free throws made (419).
"Jason has a real good mind for basketball," said Margenthaler. "He recognizes situations and is able to make accurate and timely on-floor suggestions."
Holmes was a prep standout at Chrysler High School in New Castle, Ind., where he played for Sam Alford, current men's assistant coach at the University of Iowa. After four years in a Cougar uniform, Holmes pursued a coaching career by starting as an assistant at Roxana High School under now-SIUE women's assistant coach Ty Margenthaler. Next, he was an assistant at Glendale High School in Springfield, Mo., the home of SIUE guard Wes Pickering.
Holmes returned to SIUE as a graduate assistant under Jack Margenthaler last season. He will continue to work on a master's in kinesiology at SIUE. "It's more than a job to me or a job description," Holmes said. "I first came to SIUE when I was 18 years old. It's been a big part of my life."
Margenthaler said Holmes' primary responsibility, as SIUE's only full-time assistant coach, will be recruiting. Holmes already has shown his knowledge of the game in practices with numerous teaching drills. "I think he's very knowledgeable about teaching basic fundamental skills," Margenthaler said.
Senior
In recognition of more than 20 years of service to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Foundation, John Fruit of Edwardsville recently was appointed senior director of the Foundation's board of directors. He is shown here flanked by John Oeltjen, president of the Foundation board, and Chancellor David Werner. Fruit is a 1963 graduate of SIUE's marketing program and currently is a regional president for Union Planters Bank. Previously, he had served as president and as chairman of the board for the Foundation. The SIUE Foundation serves as a steward for contributions to the university while providing investment management in relation to donors' wishes, as well as to the instructional, scholarship, and public service pursuits of the university.
Clinton Signs Act To Help Fund $20M Ethanol Plant
Full funding for the $20 million National Corn to Ethanol Research Pilot Plant has been signed into law by President Clinton and that's not only good news for SIUE but also for Southwestern Illinois, says SIUE Chancellor David Werner.
The plant will be located in SIUE's University Park, the culmination of months of planning by research park Executive Director Brian Donnelly and the legislative work by the Illinois delegation. Construction is expected to begin next year.
"Many people have worked long and hard to obtain funding for this project," Werner said. "The entire Illinois legislative delegation is to be commended for bringing this unique research facility to University Park. We're especially grateful for the work of Rep. John Shimkus (R, Illinois-20), Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Illinois), and Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Illinois), as well as that of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest."
The federal government's $14 million portion of the research plant was passed by both the House and the Senate and on June 20 President Clinton signed the Agriculture Risk Protection Act, funding the plant.
Earlier, $6 million in matching funds was approved by the Illinois General Assembly and earmarked by Gov. George H. Ryan as part of the total cost of the facility. "The new ethanol plant is an important part of our ongoing commitment to promote the ethanol industry and support Illinois farm families," Ryan said. "I want to thank the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation for their efforts to secure this crucial funding."
SIU President Frank Horton also thanked Congressman Shimkus, Illinois Gov. Ryan, and the Illinois delegation involved in bringing the plant to SIUE. "This project was adopted by the Congressional delegation as one of its top priorities," Horton said. "The resulting legislation is proof of what the delegation is capable of delivering to the people of Illinois.
"The environmental and economic benefits of this important project will be felt for many years to come," Horton said. "SIU is appreciative of the support and confidence of our Congressional delegation."
Horton and Werner joined Shimkus in congratulating supporters of the major research project. Their remarks were made at a news conference called by the Congressman May 26 at the designated site of the proposed plant in SIUE's research park.
Shimkus said the plant will not only provide many benefits for Illinois corn growers but also for farmers across the country. "This is a huge step forward in my efforts to advance the cause of renewable fuels, especially as gasoline prices have reached record levels," he said.
Donnelly said the plant will be "the only research facility of its kind anywhere in the world. This plant will be a great addition to the university, a benefit to ethanol researchers, and a plus for farmers."
The small research plant, encompassing 20,000 square feet, will emulate a full-scale, commercial ethanol-producing facility. Such a testing site is needed to continue experimenting with alternatives to fossil fuels.
Durbin Meets On Campus To Discuss Internet Privacy
Citing a growing concern from consumers about how personal information about them is collected over the Internet, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin met on campus recently with business leaders, residents, and university representatives to discuss the issue.
The meeting came only days after the Federal Trade Commission released a report recommending Congress adopt laws to curb companies from misusing data obtained on the net. According to Durbin, this latest recommendation is a reversal of the FTC's views over the last two years when it recommended self regulation.
A member of the U.S. Senate Democratic Privacy Task Force, Durbin decided to hold meetings in Chicago and in downstate Illinois to bring together a broad group representing all sides of the privacy debate, to discuss solutions that will allow consumers to feel more secure and businesses to remain competitive.
"Regardless of where one stands in this debate, it is critical to begin with the unambiguous fact that personally identifiable information belongs to the consumer," Durbin said. "At the same time, however, consumers can often benefit from companies having access to some information. The major question then becomes where do we draw the line."
Durbin pointed to a recent Business Week/Harris Poll that found a large majority of consumers worry about information Internet companies receive and how they can use this information. The poll found 92 percent of respondents were not comfortable with a Web site sharing their personal information with other sites or third party sites and 76 percent of respondents were "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" their credit-card information would be made accessible to others without their consent.
At the SIUE meeting, participants pointed to a need to protect confidentiality but at the same time allow on-line businesses to grow. Durbin said he supports legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-SC) based on many of the recommendations made by the FTC. The Consumer Privacy Protection Act would give consumers the right to receive notice about how their personal information is used and whether that information is shared with a third party, he said.
Durbin also introduced legislation last year, with U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), to help ensure consumers' confidential financial information is kept private.
FBOY Nominations Sought For Mississippi Valley Awards
The attrition rate of family businesses is alarming," says Pamela Hastings-Burlingame, director of SIUE's Family Business Forum. "Only one-third of all family business enterprises make it into the second generation. And the figures are of even more concern with succeeding generations."
Noting that only one-eighth of family businesses survive into a third generation, Hastings-Burlingame has been stressing the need for further study of the problems and special concerns family businesses face.
"Successful family businesses have never been more vital to the health and economy of our nation," she said, citing figures that show family businesses produce more than 50 percent of the country's national gross domestic product and provide livelihoods for more than 60 percent of the breadwinners in the United States.
"The difference in success or failure often lies in the ability to lead in a way that secures the balance sheet and preserves family ties," said Hastings-Burlingame. "Organizations such as the Family Business Forum here at SIUE have been springing up across the country in an effort to provide family businesses valuable assistance in managing the unique and crucial issues that they encounter."
The Family Business Forum at SIUE was founded to research, develop and offer educational programs for the mature, family-owned business. By focusing on the special challenges and opportunities inherent in multigenerational enterprises, the Forum strives to help family-owned businesses not only survive, but thrive. As an annual membership program, the Family Business Forum provides seminars, conferences, executive briefings, and other resources for its members.
"Our membership has been steadily growing," said Hastings-Burlingame. "We've attracted a wide variety of enterprises from across the two-state region which is represented by the companies who have won the Forum's Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year Awards."
Nominations are currently being sought by the Forum for the 2000 awards that will be presented in October. Recipients of the award in previous years includes such notable family businesses as Schnuck Markets Inc., McCarthy Construction, Tony's Restaurant, and Wehrenberg Theaters.
A panel of judges-experts in financial services, organizational management, and law, along with principals of family businesses -will select six winners from those nominated. Selections will be based on applications detailing nominees':
• Proven business success
• Positive family/business linkage
• Multi-generation and family involvement
• Contributions to industry and community
• Innovative business practices or strategies
The awards are given in three categories-large (250 or more employees), medium (50 to 250 employees), and small (fewer than 50 employees). Separate awards are given to firms located in Illinois and Missouri. Past winners have demonstrated an ability to thrive through two or more generations of family leadership.
Applications are currently being accepted through July 14 and may be submitted by contacting the office of the Family Business Forum, (800) 692-4333. Those nominated will be asked to complete an application packet that is the basis for winner selection. Self-nominations, as well as nominations on behalf of another company, are accepted.
Sponsors for the 2000 Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year Awards are the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Soft Rock 102.5 -KEZK; Moto Inc.; BDO Seidman, LLP; Buck Consultants Inc.; Mathis, Marifian, Grandy & Richter Ltd.; TheBANK of Edwardsville; The Lowery Group; St Louis Union Station Hyatt Hotel; and the SIUE School of Business.
