April 3, 2001
Social Work Professor Wins SIUE's Simon Scholar Award
James W. Trent, a professor of Social Work, is the recipient of the 2001 Paul Simon Outstanding Scholar Award.
Trent, who also directs the Master of Social Work Program for the department, has been with the university since 1986.
Speaking at a ceremony last week, Trent said he was honored by the award, calling the former U.S. Senator one of the nation's "finest" public servants. "In the 1970s, Sen. Paul Simon was an important player in the passage of … the Education for All Handicapped Children's Act. SIUE honors me with (this) award .…"
The Simon award is presented to an SIUE faculty member in recognition of 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. The Simon Award is sponsored by the Graduate School and presented by the SIUE Graduate Faculty.
Nominated by Patrick Riddleberger, emeritus professor of Historical Studies, the nomination was supported by Professor Thomas Regulus, chair of the Department of Social Work, and Assistant Professor Carol Wesley, practicum director for the department. They stated Trent has "maintained an active research agenda in disability studies. In this multidisciplinary field, Professor Trent has focused on the American history of disabilities and the effects of American social policies on that history. His research has received national and international attention."
They also stated that Trent's students "have consistently indicated in their evaluations of his teaching [that he] has integrated his research into undergraduate and graduate education." Wesley and Regulus also pointed out that Trent has created and developed undergraduate and graduate courses that have relied on his expertise in disability studies. "With his thorough, cutting-edge knowledge of this field, students at SIUE have the opportunity to develop knowledge and to carry out course projects that prepare them especially well for professional practice," they wrote.
In 1995, the American Association on Mental Retardation honored Trent's book, Inventing the Feeble Mind: A History of Mental Retardation in the United States, with the Hervey B. Wilbur Award. In addition to publishing his research in various journals, anthologies, annuals, and dictionaries, Trent serves as a consulting editor of The Journal of Progressive Human Services and of Mental Retardation. He currently has a book under contract, Perpetual Children: Retardation in American History.
Trent's work has been supported by the SIUE Institute of Disability Studies, the National Endowment for the Humanities (for a Summer Institute and a Summer Stipend), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
In Trent's nominee statement, he wrote, "Since I began teaching in the early 1980s, it has never occurred to me not to teach from a research base. I confess that when the idea of the 'integration of teaching and research' became prominent in higher education, I failed to see the point. If a university is a place (to paraphrase Robert Hutchins) to teach and to learn, how can a university professor not integrate the two?"
On-Line Bill Payment Is Available To Students
Although the lines at the Bursar's office have been minimized in recent months, students can now avoid standing in line altogether when they want to pay their tuition and fees.
On-line payments are now available, joining other on-line conveniences already provided by the university, which means a student with access to CougarNet can make payments 24/7. "This newest on-line service gives our students that much more flexibility," says Acting Bursar Barry Greenberg.
"Instead of waiting in any lines, this service can free them to do other important things," he said.
Greenberg explained that students who go to the Bursar's Web page (www.siue.edu/BURSAR) will find a new interactive link-Make A Payment. Clicking there sends them to a secure Web site for the Illinois Treasurer, where they can make payments with a credit card. There is a fee based on a sliding scale.
He also pointed out the state Web site is fully protected through the use of passwords and other levels of security.
"Many students have family members who make payments for them, which involved sending the payment by mail or actually visiting our office," Greenberg said. "Now, they can do it from home."
Greenberg also noted that the SIUE Office of Information Technology is designing a Web site for his office that will offer the on-line payments directly through the university. "Once we have our in-house site running on a secure server on campus, we will be able to design a site with other information pertinent to our students and other on-line conveniences," Greenberg said.
"The service began in mid-March and we've already had several students use the on-line payment service," Greenberg said. "We're pleased to provide this opportunity to our students."
Floyd-Hendey Named DSS Director
Jane Floyd-Hendey, coordinator of the Disability Support Services (DSS) program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville since 1994, has been named director of the program which serves more than 225 persons with disabilities on campus.
Floyd-Hendey, who joined the university staff in 1988 as an adviser, has brought DSS from a part-time service to an active department offering a full range of resources to support students with disabilities in an effort to eliminate barriers to learning and to help individuals reach their educational goals.
DSS is responsible for the implementation and coordination of many programs, activities, and services for persons with disabilities, including academic advising and registration, guidance and counseling, referrals to related offices and departments, and assistance in obtaining specialized equipment or supplies, support services, and special accommodations.
A 1973 graduate in art education from SIUE, Floyd-Hendy also earned a master's in Counselor Education from SIUE in 1979. She earned a certificate in employee assistance programs from Washington University in St. Louis two years later.
Before joining SIUE, Floyd-Hendey had ben an art teacher and counselor at Carlinville Junior/Senior High School and a special services counselor and acting director at Lewis and Clark Community College. She has won numerous awards, including Edwardsville's Heart of the City Award and the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation's 1993 Community Award.
Six Faculty Members To Be Recognized For Excellence
Randall Pearson, an associate professor of geography, has been chosen to receive the university's 2001 Teaching Excellence Award, the highest honor that can be awarded an SIUE faculty member.
Nominees were considered by members of a university-wide committee which made the final selection. Pearson was chosen for "his energy, enthusiasm, and passion for his discipline" and "his unique ability for drawing individual students into the discussion of the topic." He will receive a $2,000 prize at the April 8 Honors Convocation and a plaque of recognition at Commencement on May 5.
Teaching Recognition Awards also will be given at the Honors Convocation to Zenia Agustin of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., assistant professor of Mathematics and Statistics; Marjorie Baier of Collinsville, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing; Joseph Michlitsch of St. Louis, an associate professor of Management and Marketing; and Jerry Weinberg of Edwardsville, an assistant professor of Computer Science. Each recognition awardee will receive a $500 prize.
I. Kay Mueggenburg of Godfrey, a lecturer in the School of Nursing since 1995, was selected by the committee to receive the Teaching Recognition Award for a non-tenure-track faculty member. She also will receive a $500 prize at the Honors Convocation.
Pearson, who earned a doctorate from Indiana State University and came to SIUE in 1995, was praised by the committee for using personal and professional experiences in all of his classes to illustrate points. The committee also pointed out that Pearson emphasizes "both the art and the science of his field, allowing students to analyze data within an appropriate context."
In terms of a teaching philosophy, Pearson says he "pushes his students to be better thinkers." According to his student evaluations, the committee points out, he is succeeding. His colleagues state that "he has earned a reputation among his peers and students for being an animated teacher with a unique ability to integrate applied project work with more traditional academic learning." Another colleague stated Pearson is "the consummate professor."
Agustin, who began teaching at SIUE in 1997, has been rated very high by student evaluators who say that she is interested in assuring that students not only understand concepts of calculus but the application of them as well. Colleagues agree, saying that Agustin has "excellent rapport with the students and (has an ability) to engage students in the lecture."
Award committee members said they are impressed with Baier's effective implementation of WebCT in her Nursing courses. They found she is able to relate course material to students' experiences, which makes the material much more relevant to the students. One student commented that Baier, who has taught at SIUE since 1989, takes "personal time to help with problems and (shows) enthusiasm for helping us."
Colleagues agree, saying that Baier's "enthusiasm about Nursing and teaching is obvious to everyone she encounters."
Michlitsch, who joined the faculty more than 20 years ago, was noted by the committee for his ability to extract very high levels of performance from students, while at the same time making courses energetic and relevant. Students commended Michlitsch for his ability to provide "knowledge of the business world and (for his) ability to supply examples" and that "he is an excellent communicator."
While colleagues comment that his courses are rigorous, they add that Michlitsch "is a stellar example of a faculty member who is willing to work with students to help them achieve their potential and meet these standards."
Weinberg was noted by the committee for his "great rapport with students" and for his teaching methods using robotics and computer program designs. Students have commented that Weinberg is "not only prepared and intelligent, but also exciting," and that he is "very patient and helpful when we (have) difficulties in and out of class."
Colleagues commented that he is "well prepared, able to keep the students interested, and interacts with (students) very well."
Mueggenburg was selected based on her excitement and enthusiasm, her knowledge of the subject matter, knowledge of real nursing situations, and her interaction with students. Students commented that she takes the time to answer questions and colleagues say she is "indeed a worthy instructor."
Loan Default Rate Lower Than Ever For SIUE Students
Our students are getting much better at paying back their student loans compared with their success rate of 10 years ago, according to Marian Smithson, director of Student Financial Aid.
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that SIUE's current loan default rate is 5.53 percent, compared with 16.78 percent in 1991.
The 5.53-percent rate reflects a combined rate for SIUE borrowers repaying through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and the Federal Direct Loan programs. "This rate has been dropping steadily since 1995 when the university last participated in the FFEL program," Smithson said.
"We are now below the national average," she said. "And, our projection is that by summer that rate will drop to 5 percent."
According to Smithson, a number of factors are responsible, but one of the most important is SIUE's debt management counseling of student borrowers. "This low rate is an index of the maturity of the institution and its management of the loan program," Smithson said.
"We do entrance and exit interviews with student borrowers and our students have become much better informed." In addition, Smithson said, SIUE's involvement in the Direct Loan program in 1995 also has helped the loan default rate. "With banks involved in the loan process, that adds another collection tool."
Smithson pointed out that the low default rate means SIUE is relieved of what she calls "nuisance" Title IV restrictions. "For example, if a default loan rate is too high," she said, "each loan would be disbursed in two halves. once at the beginning of the year and again at the halfway mark.
"A low default rate looks very good at accreditation time."
Cougar Softball Players Among NCAA II Statistical Leaders
Three Cougar softball players are among the NCAA Division II statistical leaders, according to the NCAA Statistics Service.
Katie Waldo, a sophomore from Peoria, is No. 1 in the nation in stolen bases per game at 1.12. Waldo has 38 stolen bases in 34 games. Valerie McCoy, a junior from Bethalto, is currently 40th in the nation in batting average at .442.
Erin Newman, a junior from Fairfield, Calif., ranks in several categories: eighth in home runs per game at 0.29, having hit 10 this season and becoming the first player in school history to hit 10 or more homers in back-to-back seasons; 15th in runs batted in per game at 1.18 (40 in 34 games); and 16th in doubles per game with 0.44 (15 in 34 games).
As a team, SIUE is ninth in batting with a .346 average and 16th in scoring with 6.06 runs per game.
Golf Places Third At Quincy Invitational
Coach Larry Bennett and his women's golf team travel to O'Fallon, for the McKendree Invitational this weekend. The two-day invitational begins on Friday (4/13) at the Tamarack Golf Course.
The Cougars finished in third place at the Quincy Invitational with a team score of 724 at Westview Golf Course. SIUE finished 60 strokes behind eventual champion Lindenwood.
Katie Farrell (Princeton) tied for fifth place with rounds of 85 and 82. The freshman carded her best round since setting the school record of 80 during the fall season.
SIUE sent an all-freshman lineup to Quincy: Kacy Gruenkemeyer (Salem) took 12th place with a 179; Kristi Novak (Highland) placed 17th with a 188; Katie Beyers (Pana) finished 20th with a 194; and Beth Gumbel (Mahomet) recorded a 211 for 30th place.
Coach Darryl Frerker said his team looks forward to competing at home.
"We are going into this home meet knowing we have a great facility," said Frerker. "We are setting ourselves up for some quality performances. If we have a good day, everything will fall into place."
Track Hopes Home Cooking Provides Strong Performances
The Cougar Classic begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday (4/14) at Ralph Korte Stadium. Along with SIUE, the meet features 12 other schools-Danville Community College, Washington University in St. Louis, Maryville University, Greenville College, Harris-Stowe State College, Olivet Nazarene University, Wilberforce University (Ohio), Central Methodist College, Fontbonne College, Lindenwood University, McKendree College and Carthage College (Wisconsin).
Frerker also looks at this as the final tune-up for the conference championships.
"We are going to rely on personal records going into the conference meet. I also look for a little improvement on the men's and women's team scores." There are three Cougars who Frerker is keeping an eye on-Daniel Walden (Springfield) and Ruth Kipping (Quincy) in the 800-meter run and George Murphy (Virden) in the javelin. "They are close to qualifying (provisionally for nationals)."
Last weekend, the Cougars competed at Washington University. The men finished sixth of 19 teams while the women finished 14th of 17 teams. "We had several personal records, despite the weather. It was too windy to anticipate any qualifying performances."
Walden finished second in the 800-meter run with a time of one minute, 55 seconds. "Dan ran a good, smart race. Every aspect of his race was right where he wanted it to be expect the final stretch." Murphy finished second in the javelin throw with a distance of 172 feet, one inch. "George had another consistent effort in the javelin."
Baseball's Winning Streak At 10
Cougar baseball is riding a 10-game winning streak and looks to extend its streak against Bellarmine this weekend.
However, in order to keep the streak rolling, Coach Gary Collins has a suggestion for his team. "The key is if every player can stay focused," said Collins. "I think it will be a little easier to stay focused because we have been singed earlier this year."
SIUE, 24-15 overall and 10-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, looks to defend its first-place standing in the South Division when it takes on the Bellarmine Knights for a single game at 3 p.m. on Friday at Roy E. Lee Field. The home series wraps up with a doubleheader against the Knights on Saturday (4/13) beginning at noon.
"We are facing a last-place team, who was in the same place last year when they took one of the three games from us. Bellarmine is not just going to roll over. If we play like we did this last weekend, we should win all three games." Last week, the Cougars won five in a row against conference opponents. SIUE defeated Southern Indiana 6-3 in Evansville, Ind., last Wednesday (4/4) before returning home to sweep its two-game series against Lewis 5-2 and 21-4 on Saturday (4/7). The Cougars took both games from Wisconsin-Parkside on Sunday (4/8) by a score of 2-1 and 6-4.
"We played a lot of good baseball and got good results in return. We beat a couple of good pitchers. Wisconsin-Parkside was one of the better teams we have played this season." Collins also said the play of Nick Seibert (Worden) and Luke Humphrey (Rantoul) stood out. "Seibert had a great weekend, and Luke played very well with some great defense."
Seibert went 4 for 14 at the plate last weekend with three extra base hits and six runs batted in. He hit a two-run home run in game two against Lewis. Seibert also hit the game-winning double in the first game against Wisconsin-Parkside and added a three-run homer in game two to put the team in front by a score of 3-1.
In the last four games, Humphrey went 5-for-15 with two RBI, two doubles and his first home run of the season. He recorded a double and a two-run homer in game two against Lewis. Humphrey scored the game-winning run against Wisconsin-Parkside in game one after getting aboard with a two-out double.
Dave Crouthers (Edwardsville) and Bret Giaudrone (Gillespie) both earned their sixth win of the year. Crouthers pitched five innings in game one against Lewis, giving up two earned runs while striking out six batters. He is now 6-4 on the season with a 2.68 earned run average. Crouthers also went 4-for-12 at the plate during the home stand with five RBI and two home runs, including his game-winning three-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning against Wisconsin-Parkside in game two.
SIUE Education Majors Post High Marks On Teacher Certification Exam
SIUE's education majors reinforced the excellent reputation of the School of Education recently by exceeding the statewide pass rate on Illinois Teacher Certification Tests.
Results were announced Friday morning in Springfield for tests taken July 1, 1999-June 30, 2000. Required certification tests are made up of two parts: basic skills, and academic content area (the student's area of concentration), such as early childhood education, elementary education, English, art, etc.
SIUE students had a 98-percent pass rate, including a 100- percent pass rate on the basic skills portion of the test; 369 SIUE students took the test. The statewide pass rate was 97 percent.
Chancellor David Werner said the scores are indicative of not only the strength of the School of Education, but of the entire university.
"Our success on the teacher certification test is a report card for all of SIUE," Werner said. "The preparation of a good teacher includes not just the courses specific to the School of Education, but also good preparation in liberal arts and sound general education. The whole university contributes."
School of Education Dean Mary Polite pointed out a number of factors contributing to the success of the program as reflected in the pass rate.
"We have a number of 'best practices' that we're very proud of," she said. "Eighty percent of all our elementary education majors (the largest single area of concentration) participate in a two-year professional development school program. We emphasize urban education as a way of giving all students the opportunity to teach in high-need areas and develop skills in working with 'at-risk' students. We have support programs for beginning teachers and graduate programs that provide professional development for in-service teachers."
Polite also pointed out that SIUE graduates have won more Illinois Teacher of the Year awards than graduates from any other four-year institution in the state; 11 SIUE graduates have received the Milkin Family Award, a national award for excellence in education.
The SIUE School of Education also is creating partnerships with area school districts through its "Professional Development School" (PDS) approach. This approach concentrates on gaining greater "real world" experience for students before sending them on to full-time teaching positions.
"PDS is a collaboration between our school district partners and SIUE," Polite said. "You might think of it as being similar to an internship for medical students. We work very hard and very closely with our partners (school districts in Alton, Belleville, Cahokia and East St. Louis) to ensure students receive a great deal of classroom experience and that they are working within the school-improvement goals of the districts.
"We've had principals and superintendents tell us that graduates of the PDS program are more like teachers with two to three years experience, not beginning teachers. And, I like to think the program helps students on their certification test."
The test began in 1985 and is based on the same standards used for college and university accreditation. All education majors are required to take the test to qualify for an Illinois initial teaching certificate. The state then reports the data by institution, and under provisions of Title II reports the data to the U.S. Department of Education. After receiving state data in October, the Department of Education will issue a national report next April.
Head Start Director Elected Region V President
John Lovelace, director of SIUE's St. Clair County Head Start, recently was elected president of National Head Start Region V, a private, nonprofit membership organization comprised of Head Start programs in Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois.
During his two years in office, Lovelace will preside over efforts to increase federal appropriations for low-income children and families. He also will be responsible for planning and providing annual training and conferences for Head Start staff and parents.
Lovelace, who has been SIUE's program director since 1994, has been responsible for engineering program quality and expansion. Head Start is a federally funded program serving low-income children and families through a host of comprehensive services such as education, nutrition, social services, health services, family literacy, and job readiness.
Lovelace has been instrumental in developing valuable collaborations with agencies, organizations, and public schools to enable SIUE's Head Start program to provide the highest quality services possible to the maximum amount of children and families. The program now serves more than 1,500 St. Clair County children, birth to age 5, and their families through a variety of creative partnerships and options.
In 1999, SIUE's Head Start program was recognized as one of only a handful of programs in the country to receive the designation of "Excellence" from the National Head Start Association. This designation is given only to those programs that have demonstrated excellence and creativity in programming and services.
The St. Clair County Head Start now receives grants from the federal government in excess of $10 million annually.
Kimmel Community Award Winners Announced
Several Southwestern Illinois residents will receive Kimmel Community Service Awards at the April 5 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet, sponsored by SIUE 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 most of her adult life has given 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 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; 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---Otis Cowan
- Social Service-Social Welfare---Philip Goodwin
- Agency-Organizational Concerns---Lori Stathis
- Environmental-Civic Betterment---Fern Watts
- Special Populations---Felicia Copeland
- Education (Posthumous)---Richard Lickfield
Kimmel Scholarship Winners Announced
Kathryn Rae Rathert of Edwardsville and Amy Leigh Hellrung of Jerseyville, both juniors studying Biological Sciences, have been named recipients of the university's 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 most of her adult life has given 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.
The two recipients will be recognized Thursday, April 5, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. Tickets for the banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's Morris Center, are $25 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.
Hurricane Carter To Speak Here April 11
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who spent more than 20 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, will speak at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, in Meridian Ballroom. His appearance is sponsored by SIUE's Millennium of Peace Committee.
Carter's fame began as a professional boxer in 1961. His fast and furious style made him a crowd favorite. Five years later, Carter was arrested for a triple-murder, convicted, and sentenced to three life terms, all the while maintaining his innocence.
Carter has spoken to hundreds of audiences both in the private and public sectors on issues related to the death penalty in America. He also has addressed the U.N. General Assembly and has spoken alongside Nelson Mandela at the first World Reconciliation Day in Australia.
The April 11 event is co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Student Government, the Student Life Advisory Board, and the University Center Board. For more information, please call Lisa Ramsey, (618) 650-2686, or by e-mail: lpillsb@siue.edu.
Paper Bridges 'Support' Effort To Stir Engineering Interest In Students
Is it any surprise that a man who says he can make concrete float-and does-would also claim he can construct a bridge out of three-by-five note cards? The real surprise is, he has middle school children across Southern Illinois doing it as well.
"Somewhere between toddler age and sixth grade, children appear to lose their natural curiosity about the world," said Luke Snell, a School of Engineering professor. "By sixth grade, children view science and math as boring and too hard. We're using the bridge-building challenge to demonstrate otherwise.
"These students will have the opportunity to compete in the SIUE Bridge Challenge on April 6 in Goshen Lounge," Snell said. "The regional competition will include a career fair during which the students will be exposed to careers and educational opportunities in construction and engineering."
Differing slightly from the classroom efforts, the SIUE Bridge Challenge allows teams 40 minutes to create a larger bridge, one that must span an opening double in size from the one they created in the classroom and supports a minimum of one half pound of weight. Successful efforts will be rewarded with savings bonds in the categories of strongest and most attractive.
An SIUE study of 226 sixth-grade students taken several years ago revealed that only 2 percent of the children wanted to work in construction when they grew up, and even fewer considered becoming an engineer. The numbers were particularly discouraging to Snell when compared to the high interest children had in becoming lawyers, veterinarians or physicians.
Such attitudes are of particular concern to construction professionals who wonder where the engineers of tomorrow will come from if interest in the field isn't engendered at a young age. Supported by a grant from the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP), the funding arm of the Southern Illinois Builders Association, Snell launched a research project to create in children an interest in engineering and construction careers.
Involving middle school students in hands-on activities, Snell, along with a team from his department, has been visiting schools in an attempt to retain that original spark of enthusiasm and curiosity from early childhood. Using activities that are carefully structured to emphasize specific scientific principles, Snell and his wife, Billie, an educational consultant, have created a paper bridge teaching kit that can be used in math and science classes.
"Simply put, the kit involves several experiments that lead the children to design and construct their own paper bridges," explained Snell. "This isn't a craft project. This is an activity that demonstrates technical principles, such as how the shape and thickness of a beam influences the amount of the load that the beam will support."
Working in two, 1-1/2 hour classroom sessions, the SIUE team-consisting of Snell, his wife, and several SIUE construction students-has been visiting middle schools for the past year throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area and Southern Illinois. During the first visit, the team has the middle school students perform several different experiments using the 3-by-5-inch index cards, two pencils, scissors, rulers and glue sticks.
"We have the children cut the cards according to various instructions," said Snell. "Then they place their paper 'beams' onto their 'supports,' the pencils, and load pennies until the beam fails. Once they've completed this, the children chart their results." These experiments demonstrate several basic engineering and construction concepts, Snell explained.
With these lessons learned, the middle school students are presented with the Snells' in-the-classroom bridge building assignment. During the second session, students, working in teams, are given 20 minutes to design and build a bridge, again using nothing more than the index cards, glue stick and scissors. In the classroom, their bridge must span an opening that is six inches wide, have a level surface, and be at least as wide as a penny.
"We test the bridges for strength and judge them on attractiveness," said Snell. "Students who build a bridge that will support 50 pennies or more are awarded a 'Master Builder' certificate. We also present certificates for the 'Most Attractive Bridge' and the 'Strongest Bridge.'"
Snell says that the bridge-building project underscores an important principle that engineers work with every day.
"The field of engineering and construction is not a competition," he said. "Construction professionals design and build to meet a criteria. The students' success, just like that of an engineer, is in satisfactorily completing the project according to the specifications."
The project seems to be achieving its desired goal. Last fall, Billie Snell remounted the original study, surveying 633 students who had been exposed to the paper bridge building project. While the number of students interested in law or medical careers remained high, the survey revealed that 3 percent of the students were considering careers in engineering while 2.53 percent expressed an interest in a career in construction.
Snell finds that professionals involved with the bridge-building project have been pleased with the opportunity to show students that the engineering and construction fields can be rewarding and exciting.
"We think it is important that students, working along side a construction professional, gain an understanding of how to apply some of the basic engineering principles they have learned," he said.
"It's our hope that this learning will indeed stir an interest in students for engineering, encouraging them to continue their learning and interest in math and science."
Evening In Vienna: A Musical Gala At Sunset Hills CC
The Department of Music and the Friends of Music are presenting the annual "An Evening in Vienna" from 6-11:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. Deadline for reservations is April 11.
The musical gala offers dinner and dancing, and entertainment by the faculty and students of the department. The event offers an evening of diverse music by the SIUE Symphony Orchestra and the SIUE Concert Jazz Band, providing waltzes and big band sounds for dancing. In addition, "Austrian dessert bars" will be located throughout the Country Club with entertainment provided by various musical ensembles, featuring a variety of musical styles.
Also that evening, 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. And, the quality of the music program reflects this."
Tickets are $100 per person and are available through the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.
SIUE Will No Longer Mail Students' Grades
On the night before last Christmas, the only creatures that may have been stirring were SIUE students getting on the Internet to look at their grades.
Fall semester grades, normally received by students over Christmas break, went missing somewhere in the vicinity of the St. Louis Post Office-more than 11,000 pieces of mail. Judging by the hits on CougarNet, the students didn't miss a beat. Realizing their grades hadn't arrived in their normally timely manner, they checked their grades electronically and got on with their holiday plans.
For SIUE administrators, what at first appeared a near disaster, now looks like an epiphany. Student reaction to the temporarily lost grades was a collective yawn. Further surveying of students showed that they wouldn't mind viewing their grades electronically all the time.
From the university's standpoint, not mailing grades saves staff time, computer resources, and money. The decision to end the traditional practice of mailing grades was made official in early March and takes effect at the end Fall Semester.
"In the greater scheme," said Christa Oxford, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment, "the cost savings really was a secondary issue." She said the university would save about $10,000 on postage and associated expenses.
"Staff time and computer resources were the greater issues. Printing grades for 11,000-12,000 or more students takes an inordinate amount of our computing capacity. We talked with students, examined what approaches other universities are taking, and decided to discontinue the practice of mailing grades beginning in the fall."
Oxford said printed copies of grades would be available by request. Students who need to be notified that they are in academic jeopardy (on probation or academic suspension as of the grading period) also will continue to receive printed grades, as before.
"Many students need a printed copy to show to their employers, who are paying for their tuition. In these and similar cases, we'll print a copy of the grades at the student's request."
But what about parents, many of whom are paying tuition bills?
"We considered that part of the issue very carefully," Oxford said. "It is a concern for us. But the sharing of grades really is an issue between the student and his or her parents; even if we mail the grades, there's no guarantee the parents will see them."
Beginning Fall Semester, students will log on to CougarNet and, using their password, can view their grades. Oxford said that for students who may not have ready access to a computer, the computer labs across campus provide an answer.
"We saw a very pronounced spike in the number of hits to CougarNet over the Christmas break," she said. "So, we know students are attuned to the practice of electronically checking their grades, and we know the system has the capacity to accommodate them."
Oxford said the trend nationwide is to move away from mailing grades. Several schools across the country have taken the approach, including Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, Kansas State, Utah, Washington and others.
April 17, 2001
SRO At Honors Convocation; Record Crowd Attends
More than 1,600 SIUE students were recognized recently for academic achievement at the annual Honors Convocation. That's about 500 more than were honored last year. And, Meridian Ballroom was standing-room-only, something organizers can't recall in recent memory.
"I have coordinated this event for two decades for Phi Kappa Phi and the Provost's office and I've never seen it like this," said Janet McReynolds, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs.
McReynolds said she wasn't sure what conclusions to draw from the overflow crowd, but she said she'll be looking into a more spacious venue for next year. Ceremonies were conducted Sunday, April 8, in Meridian Ballroom.
Last year, more than 250 of the total students honored were given special awards, compared with more than 270 students receiving special awards for individual scholarly achievements. Other students recognized at the Honors Convocation achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or better and successfully completed at least 16 calculated hours of study.
As every year, the ceremony also includes recognition of faculty. The SIUE Teaching Excellence Award was given to Randall Pearson, associate professor of Geography. Pearson, who was presented a $2,000 prize, was chosen as an outstanding faculty member first by students and then by members of a university-wide panel of faculty and student representatives.
In addition, other faculty were cited with Teacher Recognition Awards: Zenia Agustin, assistant professor of Mathematics and Statistics; Marjorie Baier, assistant professor in the School of Nursing; Joseph Michlitsch, associate professor of Management and Marketing; and Jerry Weinberg, assistant professor of Computer Science. Each recognition awardee received a $500 prize. I. Kay Mueggenburg, a lecturer in the School of Nursing since 1995, was selected by the committee to receive the Teaching Recognition Award for a non-tenure-track faculty member. She also received a $500 prize.
Each year at the Honors Convocation, the SIUE Foundation recognizes a graduating male and female student with the highest four-year, grade-point averages. This year's awards for highest academic excellence went to Kyle Brueggeman, of East Alton, who will receive a bachelor of science in Biological Sciences with a specialty in Genetic Engineering, and Amy Jean Austin, of Belleville, who will receive a bachelor of science in Chemistry.
'Why Is This Night Different From All Other Nights?'
April 21 might be like any other spring night, but not for SIUE. Five events are scheduled that day-four on campus and one off campus and the traffic will keep the campus buzzing.
The Vadalabene Center and the Student Fitness Center will be closed at 4 p.m. that day to prepare for the 3,500 ticketholders who will be attending the sold-out Nelly concert at 8 p.m. Nelly, who hails from St. Louis, is a Grammy-nominated rapper. SIUE Police say Parking Lot A will be available for those attending. The center's lot also will be closed at 4 p.m.
That closing will present a small challenge to those who will be attending a production of K2, a compelling drama by Patrick Meyers, also playing that night at 8. The play, to be staged at the James F. Metcalf Theater just behind the Vadalabene Center, is about two friends climbing the second highest mountain in the world who find themselves trapped on an ice ledge at 27,000 feet. Patrons will be directed to park in Lot E behind Katherine Dunham Hall. There is a walkway between Lot E and the Metcalf that theatergoers may use.
Those holding tickets for that evening's performance of Marisol in Dunham Hall theater, also may park in Lot E. Marisol, by José Rivera, will be performed at 7:30 that evening. The drama was winner of the 1993 Obie Award and has been described as an "apocalyptic urban fantasy" that urges society to wake up and somehow find a way "to recover the long lost and much needed compassion for our fellow man."
Also, Lot E will be used for the School of Engineering Open House that day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., where potential students, current students, faculty, and alumni will converge in the new Engineering Building, just south of the lot. Activities planned include: building tours, scheduled presentations in the Environmental Resource Training Center, an ROTC land navigation field exercise, laboratory displays and demonstrations by faculty and students, and an alumni reception.
While motorists are negotiating the streets of SIUE, the Friends of Music will be playing host to a number of patrons at the annual "An Evening in Vienna," at the Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. The event offers elegant dining and music by faculty and students, providing atmosphere, entertainment, and a chance to dance the night away. That event is set for 6 p.m. April 21 and tickets are available by calling (618) 650-2660. Proceeds benefit music scholarships for SIUE students.
ACLU President, Attorney Debate Youth Violence Issues
Issues surrounding the role of the media in today's society will be debated between a well-known attorney and the president of the American Civil Liberties Union on April 26 as part of the Arts & Issues series.
"The Role of the Media in Youth Violence: Scapegoat or Co-Conspirator?" is the topic of the Arts & Issues debate between ACLU President Nadine Strossen and Jack Thompson, who has made a career prosecuting cases involving obscenity and violence in popular culture. The debate will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Meridian Ballroom.
In addition to their appearance for Arts & Issues, Strossen and Thompson also will be addressing students earlier that day, co-sponsored by the Student Leadership Development Program and the United Campus Ministry.
Strossen, a professor at New York Law School, has written, lectured, and practiced extensively in the areas of constitutional law, civil liberties, and international human rights. Thompson has become an advocate for a more responsible American entertainment industry. Their appearance for Arts & Issues is presented as part of Mass Communications Week on campus and is co-sponsored by The Alestle.
The debate covers some explosive issues and Arts & Issues Coordinator Richard Walker said the evening is sure to provide exciting rhetoric. "Nadine Strossen and Jack Thompson are two dynamic personalities who provide thought provoking insight into a very real issue debated today throughout the country," Walker said.
"Whatever side you take, this debate about the effect pop culture has on America's youth is an important matter for all of us to consider."
In 1991, Strossen became the first woman to head the nation's largest and oldest civil liberties organization. During the ensuing decade, several national law journals and magazines listed her as one of the most influential lawyers in America, including Vanity Fair magazine, which included her in its list of "America's 200 Most Influential Women."
She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard College in 1972 and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1975, where she was editor of the Law Review. After practicing law for nine years in Minneapolis, her hometown, Strossen moved to New York to become a law professor.
Thompson, an Ohio native, earned a bachelor's at Denison University and a juris doctor at Vanderbilt University Law School in 1976. He has been practicing law in Miami, Fla., since 1977 as a personal injury (medical malpractice) attorney. He has been actively and prominently involved in First Amendment issues since 1987, and he has discussed his work in that area on network television programs, such as Nightline, Good Morning America, and 48 Hours.
Because of his involvement in the "2 Live Crew" federal obscenity trial-resulting in the first verdict in American history declaring a sound recording to be obscene-Thompson became part of a 130-campus lecture tour on the issue of prosecuting obscenity cases within pop culture and the entertainment industry. Since then, Thompson has become involved in several high-profile lawsuits against studios for producing violent films he contends triggered violent acts.
Tickets for the April 26 debate are $8; students, $4. For tickets, call (618) 650-5555, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 5555; or, write: Arts & Issues, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1083; or, by e-mail, rwalker@siue.edu. The Arts & Issues Web site is: www.siue.edu/ ARTS_ISSUES. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind Morris University Center or Dunham Hall theater.
D. Cassens Named Lovejoy Development Director
David E. Cassens, assistant director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) for Saint Louis University's Health Sciences Center, has been named director of development for Lovejoy Library, according to Jay Starratt, dean of Library and Information Services at SIUE.
In his new position, Cassens is responsible for maintaining fund-raising activities for the library, including cultivating and soliciting donors, and working with the Friends of Lovejoy Library and its volunteers, as well as coordinating annual fund-raising events, such as the library's Antiques Show and Sale.
At SLU, Cassens was with the Health Sciences Center from 1999-2001. He also had been at SLU from 1994-97 as a senior development researcher and assistant director of SLU's Office of Research Services. In addition, he has been a curator for the St. Louis Mercantile Library, associate director of development for Forest Park Forever, and manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations for the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.
He has been involved in several development campaigns in the past nine years, such as raising $120,000 for the Susan G. Koman Foundation, $750,000 for SLU's School of Business, $500,000 for an endowed scholarship program at SLU, and $250,000 for a Neighborhood Assistance Program Grant.
Cassens earned a bachelor's and a master's in Historical Studies at SIUE in 1977 and 1979, respectively, and studied for a doctorate at the University of Illinois and at SLU.
EHS Department Receives DCCA Grant For Recycling
A recycling grant for $24,915 has been awarded to SIUE's Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.
According to EHS Coordinator David McDonald, the grant will be used to purchase recycling equipment and collection containers for Bluff Hall and the Engineering Building. "This brings the total dollar amount of grants that EHS has obtained for university recycling efforts to approximately $205,000 over the past five years," McDonald said.
The recycling grants have allowed for a significant expansion of the recycling program. Currently, SIUE recycles 131 tons of office paper, newspapers, magazines and cardboard annually. This translates to a savings of 2,227 trees and 393 cubic yards of landfill space each year. "The university also recycles plastic and aluminum," McDonald said.
"In addition to the grant funded initiatives, the university also has implemented a paper purchasing policy to encourage the purchase of recycled content products. Buying recycled content paper products reduces energy and water use, tree harvesting, and waste generation and supports markets for recycled paper."
More information about the policy can be found on the EHS Web site: ehs.siue.edu and then click the link, "recycling."
Winning Streak Puts Cougars In Driver's Seat
Coach Gary Collins and his Cougar baseball team just keep piling up the wins. Thirteen straight to be exact.
The Cougars look to continue the trend as they play three conference doubleheaders this week. "This is a big week for us," said Collins. "We need to hold our own against Southern Indiana in the division and Indianapolis and Northern Kentucky in regards to conference play."
SIUE, 27-15 overall and 13-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, play Southern Indiana on Wednesday (4/18) at 1 p.m. at Roy Lee Field. The Screaming Eagles are tied for second in the South Division with a 9-6 mark, four full games behind the Cougars.
Over the weekend, the Cougars face Indianapolis and Northern Kentucky at Roy Lee Field. SIUE, No. 3 in the Great Lakes Region, plays Indianapolis, ranked first in the region, on Saturday (4/21) at noon. Indianapolis enters the week with a 33-10 record overall and 14-1 mark in the North Division of the GLVC. On Sunday (4/22), the Cougars face Northern Kentucky, No. 4 in the region, for a noon doubleheader. Northern Kentucky has a record of 33-11 overall and 9-6 in the GLVC North Division.
Last weekend, the Cougars dominated in its three wins over Bellarmine at home. SIUE edged the Knights 3-2 in 14 innings on Friday (4/13) and then swept Bellarmine on Saturday (4/14) 9-0 and 16-2. "The pitching dominated their hitters. We seem to be improving offensively little by little, and I am pleased with the defense. They committed only two errors all weekend."
Collins said Josh Clark (Olalla, Wash.) and Matt Wilkinson (Melbourne, Australia) are coming around. "Josh and Matt stepped it up a notch. They are throwing the ball a lot better now." Clark won the first game of the Saturday doubleheader by pitching a one-hitter for his first shutout and second complete game of the season. He improved his record to 3-0 overall. Clark is second on the team in innings pitched (59.2) and strikeouts (52) and fourth on the team with a 3.92 earned run average. Wilkinson capped off the doubleheader by pitching seven innings, giving up one earned run. He is now 5-0 on the year with a 4.14 earned run average.
Dave Crouthers (Edwardsville) pitched 10 innings in Friday afternoon's game but didn't earn a decision in the 14-inning battle. Crouthers leads the team in innings pitched (67.0), strikeouts (74) and complete games (3). He has an earned run average of 2.42 and a record of 6-4. At the plate, Crouthers recorded career hit No. 200 by hitting a single to left field in the 13th inning of Friday's win. He is the ninth Cougar to record 200 or more career hits. Crouthers is batting .366 and leads the team in at-bats (164), runs batted in (54) and slugging percentage (.610).
Todd Haug (Rosewood Hts.) and Chad Opel (Edwardsville) also had good performances, said Collins. "Todd took some good swings last weekend. His bat is coming back. Opel also is hitting the ball better." Haug was 5 for 10 at the plate with four RBIs while Opel finished the weekend 8 for 16 with a double, home run, four runs scored and an RBI. Haug is batting .274 on the season and Opel improved his average to .327.
Softball Heads To GLVC-GLIAC Challenge
After a disappointing weekend, the Cougar softball team looks to rebound as they travel to Battle Creek, Mich., for the Great Lakes Valley Conference/Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Challenge.
Coach Sandy Montgomery said each game is important.
"Every game is huge for us at this point," said Montgomery. "It is all about winning."
The Cougars, No. 3 in the Great Lakes Region, play two games on Saturday (4/21) and three games Sunday (4/22) with match-ups yet to be determined.
SIUE, 26-12 overall and 13-5 in the GLVC, dropped three of four games at home this weekend. The Cougars split with Wisconsin-Parkside, winning game one 5-4 and losing game two 6-3. On Sunday (4/15), SIUE dropped the games to Lewis 2-0 and 6-4. "We are very disappointed with the results. We played hard but couldn't catch a break."
Montgomery said Dawn Farmer (Columbia) pitched well over the weekend.
"Dawn threw a nice game against Wisconsin-Parkside. She gave up a couple of runs early but really settled in after that. I think she also threw very well against Lewis." Farmer picked up the win against Wisconsin-Parkside. With a loss against Lewis, Farmer now has a record of 11-4 on the year and a team-leading 1.54 earned run average.
At the plate, Montgomery has been pleased with the production of Mandy Uhrhan (Dupo) and Valerie McCoy (Bethalto). "Mandy continues to swing a hot bat. Val has also been consistent. Both are playing exceptionally well for us." Uhrhan finished the weekend 5 for 13 with a two doubles, two home runs, three runs scored and three runs batted in. She is third on the team with a .389 batting average. McCoy was 3 for 12 over the weekend with two runs scored and an RBI. McCoy is leading the team with a .442 batting average.
Golf Breaks Records At McKendree College Invitational
Coach Larry Bennett and his women's golf team take the week off before wrapping up its regular season next weekend at the John A. Logan Invitational. The Cougars have had strong spring season.
"They are progressing," said Bennett. "They are only freshmen, so they keep improving weekly. We are way ahead of any schedule I would have had for them."
SIUE has eight freshmen on this year's squad along with one sophomore and one junior. Over the past three tournaments, the Cougars have set a number of school and personal records.
Last weekend (4/13-14) at the McKendree Invitational, sophomore Nonie Ehlke (Highland) set the 18-hole school record by shooting a 79 on day two. "It was really encouraging to see her set the record after struggling the day before with a 91."
The 36-hole record at SIUE has been tied twice in the past two weeks. Freshman Katie Farrell (Princeton) set the record in the fall with a 167 and then tied it two weeks ago at the Quincy Invitational with rounds of 85 and 82. Junior Spring Riley (Salem) tied the record this past weekend at McKendree with rounds of 84 and 83. Farrell leads the team with an 86.1 average, followed by Ehlke with an 89.5 average, Kacy Gruenkemeyer (Salem) with an 89.6 and Riley at 90.0.
Track Eager For GLVC Meet
The Cougar track teams travel to Romeoville for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships this weekend.
Coach Darryl Frerker said he is looking for some individual success for the women's team. "On the ladies side, I am hoping to come away with a conference champion. I am focusing on individuals since our numbers are down on the women's side."
On the men's side, Frerker looks for a higher team finish. "I expect the guys to improve on their fourth place finish at the indoor conference meet. Hopefully, we can come out with some conference champions and a few national qualifiers."
Last weekend, SIUE played host of the Cougar Classic. "It was a great weekend for a meet. If you get nice weather, you will get good performances"
Daniel Walden (Springfield) continued to inch closer to the national qualifying mark. Walden ran the 800-meter in a time of one minute, 53.26 seconds, missing the qualifying time by 0.66 seconds (1:52.60). Bill Wolfe (Carpentersville) broke the school record in the pole vault last weekend with a leap of 14 feet. Wolfe finished first in the event.
Softball Box Scores
Baseball Box Scores
Men's Tennis
Softball Concludes League Regular Season
Following a 4-1 record at the Great Lakes Valley Conference/Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Challenge, the SIUE softball team concludes the regular season on the road this weekend.
The Cougars, 30-13 overall and 13-5 in the GLVC, travel to Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday (4/28) for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. On Sunday (4/29), the Cougars wrap up regular season conference play against Bellarmine. The doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.
SIUE won four of the five games at the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge in Battle Creek, Mich., last weekend. SIUE defeated Saginaw Valley State 1-0, Findlay 18-4, Gannon 2-0 and Wayne State 5-0. The only loss was 6-0 to Grand Valley State.
Erin Newman (Fairfield, Calif.) went 6 for 16 over the weekend with a double, a grand slam, three runs scored and six runs batted in. Newman is batting .393 and leads the team in hits (57), doubles (16), home runs (11), runs batted in (48) and slugging percentage (.745).
Mandy Uhrhan (Dupo) also had another strong weekend at the plate, finishing 5-for-14 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI. Uhrhan is third on the team with a .386 batting average and is second in hits (56), doubles (11), home runs (7) and slugging percentage (.621).
Missy Koenig (Mapleton) picked up two wins over the weekend, pitching 15 innings, scattering 11 hits giving up one unearned run. Koenig improved her record to 10-6 and leads the team with a 1.62 earned run average.
Dawn Farmer (Columbia) and RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) also picked up a win apiece. Farmer goes to 12-5 on the season with a 1.77 ERA while Spann improves to 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA.
Baseball Has Splitting Weekend
After splitting the last three conference doubleheaders, the No. 25 Cougar baseball team faces its biggest games this weekend when it takes on conference rival, UM-St. Louis, in a three-game series.
"Everything is riding on Saturday and Sunday," said Coach Gary Collins.
However, the Cougars have one more non-conference game on its schedule. On Wednesday (4/25), SIUE plays Lindenwood, an NAIA school, in a single game beginning at 3 p.m. at Roy Lee Field.
The Cougars, 30-18 overall and 16-5 in the conference, host the Rivermen for a doubleheader on Saturday (4/28) beginning at noon. On Sunday (4/29), SIUE travels across the river for a single game scheduled for 1 p.m. Missouri-St. Louis, 25-15 overall and 13-8 in the conference, trails the Cougars in the South Division standings by three games.
Last week, the Cougars 13-game winning streak was snapped when SIUE dropped game one of its doubleheader against Southern Indiana 4-1. The team won game two 12-5 before splitting its doubleheaders with No. 10 Indianapolis and Northern Kentucky last weekend. "It was a very disappointing weekend. I wasn't very happy with our offense. We have been playing a lot better but didn't have very good at-bats and lost a game in the standings."
Despite the disappointment in offense, Collins said he was pleased with his pitchers. "I thought Matt Wilkinson (Melbourne, Australia), Dave Crouthers (Edwardsville), Bret Giaudrone (Gillespie) and Nick Seibert (Worden) pitched well. Seibert kept us in the game until we could score runs."
Wilkinson and Seibert each picked up wins this weekend. Wilkinson earned two wins last weekend with a 12-5 victory against Southern Indiana and a 6-1 win against Indianapolis on Saturday (4/21). He improved his record to 7-0 on the season.
Seibert earned his first win of the year (1-2) by pitching 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out five batters against Northern Kentucky. Seibert also set the SIUE record with 24 consecutive hits, breaking Mark Briggs' record of 23 straight games in 1996, against Southern Indiana in game two. Seibert, whose hitting streak was snapped in game one against Indianapolis, finished the week 6-for-23 with two home runs and six runs batted in.
Crouthers pitched 11.1 innings, giving up seven runs on five hits and striking out eight batters in his two stints on the mound last week. He earned losses (6-6) in both games, losing to Southern Indiana 4-1 and Northern Kentucky 5-4.
Giaudrone pitched in four games last week. He threw 7.0 innings of relief, giving up two runs on three hits and striking out eight batters. Giaudrone earned his 10th save of the season against Northern Kentucky in game two.
Collins also said that Chad Opel (Edwardsville) had quality at-bats. Opel finished the week 9 for 22 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, five runs scored and five RBI. Opel improved his average to .337 and leads the team with 59 runs scored.
Golf Completes Season At John A. Logan Invitational
Coach Larry Bennett and his women's golf team wraps up its third season at the John A. Logan Invitational this weekend. The two-day event begins Saturday (4/28) at the Crab Orchard Golf Course in Carterville.
Last time out, the Cougars finished in fourth place with a score of 680 (341-339). Sophomore Nonie Ehlke (Highland) set the 18-hole school record by shooting a 79 on day two at the McKendree Invitational.
The 36-hole record at SIUE also was tied at the McKendree Invitational. Junior Spring Riley (Salem) tied the record this past weekend at McKendree with rounds of 84 and 83.
Freshman Katie Farrell (Princeton) leads the team with an 86.1 average.
Track Ready For Twilight Meet
After solid showings at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships, the Cougar track teams host the SIUE Twilight Open this weekend in hopes of qualifying individuals for the NCAA Division II Championships at SIUE on May 24-26.
"This weekend is going to be a strong meet," said Coach Darryl Frerker. "Some events will be very competitive with several Division I schools being represented."
The meet consists of individuals from the following schools-SIU Carbondale, Eastern Illinois University, Bradley University, University of Illinois, UM-Rolla, Fontbonne College and Greenville College. The two-day meet starts Friday (4/27) at noon with the heptathlon, followed by the decathlon at 12:30 p.m. The decathlon and heptathlon continue into Saturday (4/28), beginning at 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively. Field events begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday with running events scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
"This weekend is more focused on individual competition rather than team. I look forward to good weather this weekend and hope to qualify someone for nationals."
Seven Earn All-Conference Honors
Seven individuals walked away with All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors this past Saturday (4/21) at Romeoville, Ill.
The women's team finished in fifth place with 43 points. Ruth Kipping (Quincy) and Kathleen Wilson (Carterville) were conference champions in their respective events. Kipping placed first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 24.50 seconds. Wilson finished first in the javelin throw with a distance of 116 feet, 5 inches.
"The ladies competed very well with two conference champions," said Coach Darryl Frerker. "Kathy Ostrander (Valparaiso, Ind.) scored in all four of her events." Ostrander placed third in the discus throw (128'11"), fourth in the javelin (93'1") and sixth in the hammer throw (113'1") and shot put (32'9").
On the men's side, the team scored 72 points to finish in fourth place. Five individuals finished All-GLVC. Three of those were conference champions.
"I was pleased with our team placing," Frerker said. "I look for us to be that much better next year because we are only graduating one guy."
William Wolfe (Carpentersville) was named Male Athlete of the Year in the GLVC. Wolfe was the conference champion in the decathlon and set a new conference record by scoring 5,974 points. George Murphy (Virden) also finished first by setting a conference record with a throw of 182'9" in the javelin.
Marqus Hall (Hillsdale), Daniel Walden (Springfield) and Josh Benton (Carbondale) finished second in the triple jump, 800-meter run and high jump, respectively. Hall recorded a distance of 44'03.25". Walden finished in a time of 1:56.28 while Benton reached 6'8" in the high jump.
"Both teams had a lot of determination and competitiveness for the conference meet. They stepped up to the level of competition and did very well."