May 2001
Spring Commencement To See More Than 1,300 Grads
More than 1,300 students are expected to graduate at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5, during spring commencement exercises in the Vadalabene Center.
During the morning ceremony, Lee Shulman, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching since 1997, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. He will give the commencement address at both ceremonies.
The morning ceremony will confer degrees on candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Schools of Engineering and Nursing; the afternoon ceremony will confer degrees on candidates from the Schools of Business and Education.
Shulman formerly was president of the American Educational Research Association, and received its highest honor, the career award for Distinguished Contributions to Educational Research. He also has received the American Psychological Association's E.L. Thorndike Award for Distinguished Psychological Contributions to Education.
His writing and research center on the study of teaching and teacher education; the growth of knowledge among those learning to teach; the assessment of teaching medical education; the psychology of instruction in science, mathematics, and medicine; the logic of educational research; and the quality of teaching in education. His most recent research emphasizes the importance of "teaching as community property" and the central role of "scholarship of teaching" in supporting needed changes in the cultures of higher education.
A native of Chicago, Shulman received a doctorate from the University of Chicago. He previously was on the faculty at Michigan State University, where he was professor of Educational Psychology and Medical Education and co-founder of that university's Institute for Research and Training.
Bears Administrators Say They're Impressed By SIUE
Final exams came early for the campus and the teachers say we must have studied because our preliminary grades were top notch.
The campus recently was "graded" by Bill McGrane, director of administration for the Chicago Bears' football organization, and Clyde Emrich, the Bears' training camp coordinator. They were scouting campus recently as one of 13 possible locations (including SIU Carbondale) for their NFL team to conduct summer training. They will pick a location by July.
McGrane and Emrich met with reporters after a tour in which they visited campus dining facilities, residence halls, and meeting rooms, as well as Korte Stadium, the Vadalabene Center, and athletic fields. They were accompanied by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel, Director of Facilities Management Bob Washburn, and Assistant Intercollegiate Athletics Director Nick Adams.
"Our 'report card' for SIUE would certainly be very positive," McGrane told reporters. "It is a beautiful site for one thing. The fields would need work, but that's not any different from anywhere else we've visited," he said. McGrane explained that most university playing fields aren't up to NFL standards and that the Bears' head groundskeeper would be in charge of an upgrade at any site that would be chosen.
Other team needs include 230 sleeping rooms, food service for 200 team personnel and 30 members of the media, and use of 10 meeting rooms. "There are a few points that have to be addressed, and that's the fields and the locker rooms," said Emrich. "I think the dining and the housing (facilities) are terrific."
Vice Chancellor for Development and Public Affairs G. Patrick Williams said SIUE would be ideal for the Bears because of its facilities and their proximity to each other, as well as the campus' location near a metropolitan area and access to two airports. "Not only would this be good for SIUE, but also would have a positive economic impact on the region," Williams said.
"We welcome the Chicago Bears and look forward to working with them in their decision to relocate."
R. Billups Named New Alumni Affairs Director
Remy Billups' education and career have taken him across the state and back again … and again. He's ready for his latest move.
"I'm excited about the new opportunity," said Billups, SIUE's new director of Alumni Affairs. "We're going to have a lot of fun building chapters and making new friends for SIUE."
Pat Williams, SIUE's vice chancellor for Development and Public Affairs, said Billups brings experience and enthusiasm to the university. "Remy brings a professional attitude, and good experience in alumni affairs and relationship building," Williams said. "I am confident that with Remy on board our alumni outreach will flourish. He will provide the kind of support, service and connectivity that our alums are looking for and deserve."
Billups-with a bachelor of science in Speech Communication and a master of science in Education from SIUC-comes to SIUE with 13 years of experience in institutional advancement, alumni relations, public relations, sales and marketing. He joins the SIUE Foundation and the Alumni Affairs team after six years as assistant director of alumni programs and corporate relations for SIUC's Chicago office. Billups, who began his new job today, also has served as assistant dean of Student Development at Eureka (IL) College.
"I believe my experience provides a good foundation for stepping into the SIUE Alumni Affairs job," Billups said. "I have some ideas for reaching out to alumni, starting with finding out more about our alumni expectations.
"Chapter development is an excellent way to reach out to alums, especially in places like Chicago and Springfield, where SIUE is not in the news as regularly as in the St. Louis area media."
SIUE alumni have been developing chapters in Chicago, East St. Louis and Springfield in just the last few months. Billups says chapter organizations and events keep alumni involved. "Ideally, we want alumni to drive the alumni program," he said. "We want them to take ownership, and we want to help them stay in touch with their university. Chapter organizations help keep alumni informed. Constant communication is important to the task of keeping everyone pumped up.
"That's where events play an important role-getting people involved and keeping up their enthusiasm. If events are done right, they are an easy way to get everyone on board. But, we have to show people a good time, and give them a reason to keep coming back."
Billups grew up in the Quad Cities, went south to SIUC for college, north to Chicago and now to Southwestern Illinois for the SIUE position. "SIUE has a beautiful campus and I already have met a lot of people who are enthusiastic about taking alumni relations to a new level," Billups said.
"SIUE's reputation is growing across the state. We can capitalize on that growing reputation and recognition with alumni, and we can draw on alumni enthusiasm to help enhance SIUE's reputation."
Remy Billups may be reached at (618) 650-2346, or by e-mail: rbillup@siue.edu.
Employees Recognized For Service Anniversaries
More than 150 employees were recognized at the Annual Service Awards Reception in early April. Those with service of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40 years were presented with various gifts.
Also, nearly 70 five-year awardees were sent certificates and pins to commemorate their anniversaries. Listed below are the faculty and staff members who were recognized at the reception:
35 YEARS: Louis J. Labash Jr.
30 YEARS: A. J. Braundmeier Jr., Warren Howard Handel, Barbara Jean Havis, Louella L. Hawkins, Jean Renee Hunt, Kurt Albert Kaiser, Gloria D. Kharibian, Earnest E. Newton, Randy Paul Rock, Robert M. Wagner, and Karen June Webster.
25 YEARS: Catherine C. Banks, John Robert Danley, Dorothy Kay Ebbeler, Douglas J. Eder, Donald S. Elliott Jr., Michelle E. Funk, Carolyn J. Goetten, Jaclyn A. Harper, Jack George Kaikati, Thomas E. King, Karen Renee Matkins, Charles Alan Mecum, Cynthia Ann Schmidt, Kerry Jean Shaul, Margaret Ann Simons, Earl S. Snyder Jr., Bruce Wayne Voyles, and Barbara L. Zika.
20 YEARS: Jacquelyn A Berleman, Paulette Marie Bosaw, Louise J. Burnett, Charla Jean Collins, Tammy Rene Duggan, Franklin G. Gaither, John R. Garrett, Barbara J. Harris, Patricia A. Harrison, John Douglas Hoehn, John T. Kautzer, Riley Maynard, Hope M. Myers, Alan Kent Ortegren, Shirley J. Portwood, Larry G. Reynolds, Kenneth M. Scott, Mary Lee Shaw, David Judson Sill, Helen L. Smith, Robert D. Stegall, Ronald E. Sutton, Albert L. Touchette, and Patsy Lee Uhlemeyer.
15 YEARS: Beverly Ahrens, Franklin L. Akers, Rosemary A. Albert, Oktay Alkin, Betty J. Basola, Carol Ann Baumann, Margaret L. Beaman, Mark Alan Belcher, Virginia R. Bryan, Julian Bueno, Jack L. Butler, Linda V. Carlisle, Sharon D. Clark-Hooks, Shrylene Clark, Dorothy M. Coleman, David Lee Danks, Jeanie M. Dickerson, Jill A. Eschbach, Marvin S. Finkelstein, Elizabeth A. Fonseca, Peggy Guiliacci, David Alan Hampsch, Larry S. Harper, Ladonna Holshouser, Edward J. Huneke Jr, Barbara Lee Hunter, Janice B. Hunter, Chris C. Kessler, Ann Luttrell, Michael Gary Mangum, Steven A. McCommas, David Hal McCoy, Robert J. Miller, Karen Lee Montgomery, Virginia Moran, James Lindsey Parish, Mary Jo Peck, Steven Earl Rigdon, Mohammad A. Rouf, Connie L Schaefer, Ronald P. Schaefer, Richard Schannot III, Connie S. Schneider, Kyle Lorene Stunkel, James W. Trent, Carolyn Ethel Turner, Jean K. Walker, Richard Lee Walker, Gustave D. Wills, and Karen June Wilson.
10 YEARS: Patricia Alberternst, Michael A. Allsup, Joann Baker, Rose M. Barnes, Lynn Kahney Bartels, Mary Blain, Mark Gregory Bolyard, Debbie M. Bowles, Myron G. Bownes Sr, Phyllis L. Brake, Laverne Bright, Jonna S. Carroll, Annie Ruth Clay, Shirley A. Clayton, Rhonda Wollin Comrie, Michael L. Costigan, Debbie D. Cox, Emmanuel S. Eneyo, Paula M. Geiger, Carole J. Graff, Stella Gregory, Sharon K. Harris, Sandra L. Holt, William R. Houba, Dana R. Jackson, James T. Jackson, Thomas O. Jewett, Johnetta S. Jones, Linda Keller, Carole A. Kotkiewicz, Judith K. Landers, Kathy L. Long, Kathryn Martell, Linda K. Marvin, David Eugen McDonald, Geesia D. Mcintosh, Renata R. Muhammad, Sarah J. Mulholland, John C. Navin, Francis O. Odemerho, Helen Glenda Piek, Lee W. Pogatshnik, Pamela Rickman, Bobbie J. Ridgel, Valerie M. Samuels, Nader Saniei, Diane O. Schaefer, Connie J. Schmidt, Maryann C. Skowron, Martha Lynn Swanson, Susan Lynn Thomas, Terry R. Uebinger, Joan Elle Warrington, Lorraine D. Williams, Karen S. York, and Lisa Marie Young.
Book Campaign A Success
More than 3,500 books were collected and distributed to children through A Book in Every Home, an annual campaign first begun by Beverly Sanders and now coordinated by Kay Werner. LaVernn Wilson is chair of the program's committee.
Under their leadership, A Book in Every Home has undergone changes: the campaign now occurs in second semester, with a focus on April, the Month of the Child, and recipient programs have been added: Riverbend Head Start and Family Services (Madison County Head Start) and Easter Seal Discovery Depot. Other changes include involvement of community leaders as members of the committee, and separating the campaign from the Carbondale campus program which conducted its own campaign in fall.
The SIUE campaign collected books and money for the purchase of books from Feb. 3 through March 30 for children ages six weeks through five years. "The books were sorted, labeled and distributed by volunteers," Werner said. "During this month, April, the programs had events prior to giving each child a book of his or her very own."
About 600 books that were donated were not age appropriate, according to Werner who said volunteers sorted these books and distributed them to the Early Childhood Development Center's after school program, to the East St. Louis Center school age programs, and to the Lewis and Clark Library System. Books with religious themes were donated to the Religious Center, she said.
"Yes, we plan to do this next year. Our campaign is scheduled from Jan. 15 through March 15 with the month of April being designated for the centers' activities," Werner said. "We invite any faculty or staff member to participate in this program. We have had a wonderful committee this year (see the list at www.siue.edu/BOOKS) but we certainly would welcome additional members."
Support
Edwardsville Target Store assistant team leaders recently presented a $5,000 check to Richard Walker (far left), coordinator of SIUE's Arts & Issues program, as a donation for the series which just finished its 16th year of presenting quality entertainment and provocative speakers. This marks the tenth year that the Target Community Grants Program has made donations to the Arts & Issues series in support of family programming. "For 16 years we've been meeting the needs of communities, both at SIUE and in the surrounding region," he said. "These communities have been remarkable in their reception and support of Arts & Issues." The managers shown here are (from left): Trevor Harrison, Cortnie Hodges, Lisa Sutton, and Bryan Cowan. (SIUE Photo).
Walden, Hilby Qualify For NCAA Track
Ben Hilby (Rockford) and Daniel Walden (Springfield) not only set personal bests but also broke into the rank's of the nation's elite runners on Saturday (4/28).
Hilby and Walden ran the 800-meter race at the SIUE Twilight Invitational in 1:51.69 and 1:51.79, respectively. The marks qualify the duo on a provisional basis for the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships to be held at SIUE's Ralph Korte Stadium on May 24-26.
Since neither recorded an automatic-qualifying mark, Hilby and Walden must be among the top 16 in the nation to make the field for the national meet. The nation's NCAA Division II schools still have more than two weeks to qualify athletes for the championships.
SIUE Coach Darryl Frerker said Hilby and Walden will try to better their times this weekend at the Woodland Mortgage Championships in Indianapolis. The meet, hosted on the campus of IUPU-Indianapolis, will give the duo and their SIUE teammates one more chance to qualify for the national championships.
"With Walden and Hilby qualifying, that was the highlight of our meet, " Frerker said. "Outside of those two, we had several personal records. This was the largest turnout we've had for the SIUE Twilight. I believe this meet will continue to grow and become more competitive."
Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) led the women's team with a victory in the 3,000-meter run. Her time of 10:41.49 was nearly five seconds better than her nearest competitor.
Softball Earns No. 2 Seed At GLVC Tourney
The SIUE softball team must continue to win if it hopes to gain a bid to the NCAA Tournament next month. "I'm glad we won out this weekend to get ourselves into the No. 2 seed in the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament," said Coach Sandy Montgomery.
SIUE, 34-13 overall and 17-5 in the GLVC, defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 11-2 and 10-0 with both games being five innings. The Cougars downed Bellarmine 3-2 and 4-3 on Sunday (4/29). The Cougars play seventh-seeded Bellarmine for a third straight game in the first round of the GLVC Tournament on Friday (5/4) at 11 a.m. in Kenosha, Wis. Lewis grabbed the No. 1 seed in the eight-team tournament.
Montgomery hopes to have another chance to defeat the Flyers in the championship game of the tournament. However, third-seeded Southern Indiana, fourth-seeded Wisconsin-Parkside, fifth-seeded Northern Kentucky, sixth-seeded UM-St. Louis and eight-seeded Indianapolis may have something to say about that.
"There are a lot of teams playing well right now," Montgomery said. The Cougars enter the tournament batting .343 as a team, and their earned run average is less than two runs per game. the coach said her team's offense has played well this season. It seems as if there has been someone who has played well, whether it has been second baseman Valerie McCoy (Bethalto), who is batting .392, or shortstop Mandy Uhrhan (Dupo), who is batting .391 with eight home runs and 25 runs batted in.
"Erin Newman stepped up this weekend," said Montgomery. With a home run in four straight games against Kentucky Wesleyan and Bellarmine, junior third baseman Erin Newman (Fairfield, Calif) broke the single-season record for home runs with 15, topping the previous mark of 12 she tied last season with Sarah Sollberger (1998). Newman also has a new school record with 58 runs batted in with the conference tournament and, she hopes, some NCAA games ahead of her.
GLVC Tournament at Kenosha, Wis.
Fri., May 4
Game 1 - #4 UW-Parkside vs. #5 N. Kentucky, 9 a.m.
Game 2 - #3 Southern Indiana vs. #6 UM-St. Louis, 9 a.m.
Game 3 - #1 Lewis vs. #8 Indianapolis, 11 a.m.
Game 4 - #2 SIU Edwardsville vs. #7 Bellarmine, 11 a.m.
Game 5 - #3 / #6 loser vs. #1 / #8 loser, 1 p.m.
Game 6 - #4 / #5 loser vs. #2 / #7 loser, 1 p.m.
Game 7 - #4 / #5 winner vs. #1 / #8 winner, 3 p.m.
Game 8 - #3 / #6 winner vs. #2 / #7 winner, 3 p.m.
Game 9 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 5 p.m.
Game 10 - Game 6 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 5 p.m.
Sat., May 5
Game 11 - Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 12 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3 p.m.
Game 13 - Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 5 p.m.
Sun., May 6
Game 14 - Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13, 1 p.m.
Game 15 - Repeat game 14 if necessary, 3 p.m.
Newman Named Player Of The Week
Erin Newman, a junior third baseman from Fairfield, Calif., is the GLVC's Player of the Week. Newman hit .692 in four consecutive wins over Kentucky Wesleyan and Bellarmine. She was 9 of 13 with six runs scored.
Newman hit a home run in each of the four victories and ended the week with a 1.692 slugging percentage and a .714 on-base percentage. For the season, Newman leads the GLVC in hitting (.418), hits (66), doubles (17), home runs (15), runs batted in (58) and slugging percentage (.823).
Baseball Wins GLVC South Division
To the host go the spoils. The SIUE baseball team won the South Division of the Great Lakes Valley Conference after defeating UM-St. Louis in two out of three games this past weekend.
With that distinction, SIUE, 32-20 overall and 18-6 in the
GLVC, will be the host institution for the GLVC Tournament on May 3-6 at Roy E. Lee Field. The Cougars next play at Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday and Sunday. SIUE faces KWC in a doubleheader on Saturday (5/5) at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday (5/6) at Noon in Owensboro, Ky.
Coach Gary Collins likes the fact that he knows he won't have to travel far for the league tournament. His next focus is on finishing strong and earning an NCAA bid. "Now we move on to goal No. 2, which is an NCAA regional bid," said Collins. "And along the way we'd like to win the conference tournament."
Collins noted junior shortstop Chad Opel (Edwardsville) as one player who has stood out. In his last 10 games, Opel has batted .500 (19 of 38) with five extra-base hits and nine runs batted in. "His defense has been strong, and he's been hitting up a storm," said Collins.
The Cougars also feel they some of the best starting pitching in the league with the trio of Matt Wilkinson (Melbourne, Australia), Dave Crouthers (Edwardsville) and Josh Clark (Olalla, Wash.). "Our pitching has been awful good," Collins said. "Matt especially has been rock solid," SIUE holds a team earned run average of 4.40 heading into the weekend.
Bugger Climbs To No. 3 On NCAA-II Hit List
Mark Bugger (Edwardsville) recorded his 330th career hit on Sunday and moved into third on the NCAA Division II's all-time hits list. The senior second baseman passed Eric Mirza (1995-1998) of Tampa who had 329. The all-time leader is Mike Stevenson (1988-1991) of Lewis with 341 hits.
NCAA Division II Baseball All-Time Hits List
Player Team Years Games Hits
Mike Stevenson Lewis 1988-1991 236 341
Ronnie Merrill Tampa 1997-2000 227 339
Mark Bugger SIUE 1998-2001 214 330
Eric Mirza Tampa 1995-1998 234 329
Mark Altobella Lewis 1981-1984 254 312
Bugger By Season
Year BA GP/GS AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB SO SB/AS
2001 .418 52/52 201 53 84 57 13 6 5 22 8 9/11
2000 .414 56/56 220 51 91 59 17 3 2 18 12 6/9
1999 .360 53/53 197 36 71 46 14 4 3 14 25 8/11
1998 .387 53/53 217 51 84 41 8 3 8 9 14 7/9
Totals .395 214/214 835 191 330 198 52 16 18 63 59 30/40
Farrell Places Eighth At Final Women's Golf Tourney
Katie Farrell, a freshman from Princeton, carded a 36-hole score of 175 at the John A. Logan Invitational and placed eighth overall. As a team, SIUE finished fourth with 712 strokes in the team's final event of the season. Lindenwood was the winner with 672 strokes.
Spring Riley (Salem) placed 10th with a score of 177. Kacy Gruenkemeyer (Salem) finished 12th with a 178.
Research
Nominations are being sought by May 2 for two committees-the Research and Projects Advisory Board and the Research and Development Committee. Service on either one of these committees provides an opportunity to guide and nurture SIUE's commitment to scholarly research and creative activities. Contact Kevin McClearey for details.
May 29, 2001
Doing Something 'Concrete' In A Third World Nation
For a burgeoning underdeveloped nation, the most widely used construction material in the world-concrete-is a valuable asset. But in Mongolia-that landlocked Asiatic country wedged between Russia and the People's Republic of China-knowledge of concrete is, at best, rudimentary.
One of the most sparsely populated nations in the world, the country is emerging from a modern history of political turmoil and looking to the west for assistance in its development. Mongolia is Asia's seventh largest country in area but with a population of less than 2.5 million.
This is why, in part, SIUE Engineering Professor Luke Snell and his wife, Billie, traveled to Mongolia-to lead the first Mongolian concrete conference in mid-May, where they served as "good will ambassadors" for concrete as they toured the country. The Snells departed for Ulaanbaatar-the Mongolian capitol-on May 14 for a 14-day visit that was packed full of activities promoting and providing information about concrete.
"Mongolia is on the verge of a construction boom," said Snell. "There is a great deal of need for the building of basic infrastructures, and the population has migrated to the cities, such as they are."
A colleague from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, who is spending a year teaching at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, invited Snell to organize the conference. As director of the Concrete Construction Resource Unit at SIUE, Snell's expertise was valuable in its formation.
"The conference covered everything from the basics of concrete to discussions of why concrete cracks, and testing of concrete quality," said Snell.
Following the one-day conference, the Snells traveled throughout Mongolia, visiting factories, government offices and schools.
"We took a supply of our 'floating concrete' kits with us to teach Mongolian teachers how to teach this learning kit to their students," said Snell. "Somewhere between toddler age and sixth grade, children appear to lose their natural curiosity about the world. By sixth grade, children view science and math as boring and too hard. We've been using the 'floating concrete' unit to demonstrate otherwise."
Established in 2001, the Concrete Construction Resource Unit (CCRU) is an extension of the Department of Construction within the School of Engineering. The CCRU unites the knowledge and experience of faculty from civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering, as well as construction. One of its primary missions is to develop, promote and implement programs that create awareness of the concrete construction industry, as well as encourage children to explore the possibility of a career in construction or engineering.
The Snells travel and participation in the Mongolian concrete conference was sponsored by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the Missouri chapter of the ACI, and SIUE's School of Engineering.
Benefits Fair Attendance Prize Winners Announced
Winners of attendance prizes at the SIUE Fitness and Benefits Fair in May have been announced. The fair is held each year in conjunction with the health Walk and the Staff Senate BBQ. The fair affords employees a chance to assess their health coverages through the university, as well as assess their health in general.
Two employees won prizes funded by Benefits Fair vendors' fees: Deanna Taylor, of the Office of Human Resources, a mountain bicycle, and Nancy Waltz, of the School of Education, a 19-inch color television set.
Other winners included:
Gloria Hartmann, of the Office of the Registrar, a birdhouse floral arrangement, and Bob Legate, of University Housing, a swim mat, both from Colonial Supplemental Insurance; Emily Coffin, of the Office of Continuing Education, Micro talk Walkie Talkies from Gallagher Byerly; and JoAnn White, of Facilities Management, a one-year Student Fitness Center membership, from Campus Recreation
Christy Simpson, of the Office of Graduate and International Admissions, and Karen Take, of Administrative Accounting, both received certificate for a free massage from Our Health Club & Spa in Glen Carbon.
'Root, Root, Root For The Cardinals' ... uh ... 'The Cubbies'
SIUE's Alumni Association has created another first ... the first SIUE Alumni Days at Wrigley Field and Busch Stadium, that is.
SIUE alumni, as well, as other members of the university community, are invited to join in the fun in both Chicago and St. Louis.
The first event kicks off Sunday, June 23, at Wrigley Field in as the Chicago Cubs do battle with the St. Louis Cardinals. The event features a pre-game reception at The Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., across from Wrigley. The pre-game reception will begin at 4:30 p.m. and should end before game time.
Alumni association members pay a $32 event price, while non-members pay $35, which includes both the game ticket and pre-game reception buffet featuring hot dogs, bratwurst, hamburgers, cole slaw, potato salad, french fries, cookies, brownies, and soda. There is also a cash bar on location.
Then, it's "Meet me in St. Louis, Louie," as the association hosts the second part of the event on Sept. 7, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis as the Cards play host to the Cubs. The second event includes a pre-game picnic in the picnic area of the stadium beginning at 5 p.m.
That pre-game picnic includes hot dogs, bratwurst, chips, pasta salad, and a cash bar and will end by the first pitch. The price for this event is also $32 for association members; non-members, $35.
Tickets for both events are available from the SIUE Alumni Association, (618) 650-2760, from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Changes Under Way In Morris University Center
Big changes are occurring in the Morris University Center as the $19.3 million renovation project progresses. The Food Court re-opened last week with limited seating in the Cougar Den, and as summer term begins we will see a number of closings, relocations and other related modifications to daily life in the MUC.
"We're minimizing inconveniences as much as we can," said Mary Robinson, director of the center. "Work will progress as quickly as possible to restore some semblance of normality, but a little patience and a little advanced knowledge will smooth things out greatly."
"With the start of the fall semester, the construction walls will come down and everyone will be able to enjoy the first phase of the new and improved seating," said Robinson. "Sometime in early fall the new food court will open in the southeast area of the dining area and the current servery will be closed to make way for additional seating."
Goshen Lounge continues to be closed until early June as renovations take place in that area. "But it's not all about things closing up," said Robinson. "June 14 will see the opening of the new and enlarged Union Station. We're also hopeful that the administrative offices and information center will be back in their locations by early June, and we're on track for an opening sometime in July of the new Starbucks Coffee café."
As Phase I renovation wraps up, work will begin on a number of other Phase II projects, including renovation of the University Restaurant's exterior patio that will eventually allow for outdoor dining, as well as renovations to the Alestle offices, Cougar Lanes, the Kimmel Leadership Center offices, the copy center, and the hair salon. "We anticipate completing Phase II by early November," said Robinson.
"The renovations reflect the types of things students told us they wanted to see in the University Center," said Robinson. More than a year's worth of focus groups and surveys were held before recommendations were made in the winter of 2000 on improving the 33-year-old building.
Completion of the improvements to the center is scheduled for the summer of 2003. For up-to-the-minute information on the project, click here.
Howard, Walden Head To Nationals
SIUE's Tamekia Howard (Florissant, Mo.) and Dan Walden (Springfield) will travel to San Angelo, Texas, as competitors at the 2002 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The national meet is a three-day event set for May 23-25 on the campus of Angelo State.
Howard qualified at 400 meters, while Walden is making his second straight appearance in the outdoor championships at 800 meters.
"Tamekia has made big leaps with her personal records this season," said SIUE Coach Darryl Frerker.
Howard was ninth on the list of twenty-three 400-meter runners with a time of 55.11 seconds in last Friday's Illini May Twilight meet in Champaign. "With that ninth spot, she should get a decent lane to run in. I think she's ready to get after it," Frerker said.
Howard will run the 400-meter preliminaries at 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. The finals for 400 meters are 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 25.
Walden's spot in the national meet was not as certain because he was 17th on the qualifying list. The NCAA committee overseeing the event selected 20 runners in the event. Walden hopes to qualify for the finals on Friday, May 24, at 7:40 p.m. The finals will be the next day at 7:50 p.m.
"Dan shouldn't be as nervous as he was last year in his first race at national," Frerker said. "This season he's been very consistent with his time and running within a few seconds of his personal best in every race." Walden's qualifying time at 800 meters was 1:51.43.
SIUE Places Third In GLVC All-Sports Trophy Race
With a softball conference championship in hand, the SIUE athletics department finished third in this season's Great Lakes Valley Conference All-Sports Trophy standings.
Northern Kentucky won the annual trophy, accumulating the most points based on finishes in GLVC Championships and other GLVC-sponsored events. Northern Kentucky scored 113 points, followed by Indianapolis (104.75), SIUE (95.5), Lewis (91.75), Southern Indiana (89), Bellarmine (72.5), Saint Joseph's (67), Quincy (61), Wisconsin-Parkside (60.5), Missouri-St. Louis (57) and Kentucky Wesleyan (22).
SIUE won its first GLVC Championship event in nearly three seasons when softball Coach Sandy Montgomery's team won early this month.
Northern Kentucky won the most GLVC titles with seven, followed by Indianapolis (4), Lewis (4), SIUE (1) Southern Indiana (1) and Kentucky Wesleyan (1). Indianapolis shared two of its titles with Northern Kentucky in men's golf and Lewis in women's outdoor track.
Opel Named First Team All-Region
Chad Opel (Edwardsville), who became the seventh player in NCAA Division II history to record more than 300 career hits, added another accolade to his growing list by being named All-North Central Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Opel, who batted .420 in his final season as a Cougar, was named to the first team and will appear on the national ballot for a chance to be named All-American for a second consecutive season.
The shortstop completed his career with 302 hits, making him the seventh player in NCAA Division II history to record 300 or more in a career. He also ranks fifth in the NCAA in runs scored with 229 and at bats with 850. He helped the Cougars to a 30-24 record and a third-place finish in the GLVC Tournament this past season as well as fifth-place national finish during the 2001 season.
Opel holds career records at SIUE in runs scored and doubles with 59. He also is second all-time at SIUE in hits and at bats. He also holds single season records for at bats (274) and runs scored (82) in 2001.
McCoy Named All-American
Valerie McCoy (Bethalto), who helped SIUE to its third straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Softball Championships and a record 51 wins this season, was named All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
McCoy, a senior, accepted her second All-American certificate in Salem, Va., in a ceremony at the national finals. McCoy was named an at-large third team All-American. "Val has been a steady force for this team for a long time. I'm happy she is getting well-deserved recognition," Coach Sandy Montgomery said.
The second baseman was steady in her final season as a Cougar with a .372 batting average. She completes her four-year career at SIUE among the all-time best in several offensive categories. McCoy is sixth in batting average at .357, fourth in at bats with 616, tied for second in hits with 220, eighth in runs batted in with 102, and fifth in walks with 55.
SIUE completed the 2002 season with a 51-12 record and its first Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament title.
SIUE Men's Soccer Signs Five
SIUE men's soccer Coach Ed Huneke filled his team's needs for next season with the signing of five players.
The soccer Cougars added Mike Ngonyani (Bloomington, Ind.), Pete Cacciatore (St. Louis), Brian Higgins (St. Charles, Mo.), Andrew Crider (Granite City), and Tim Velten (St. Louis). "We're still winning," Huneke said. "Last year's success has carried over into recruiting. The momentum should continue."
SIUE advanced to the Final Four last season and was eliminated by the eventual champion Tampa in the semifinals of the national championships. The Cougars finished with a record of 17-3-3.
Ngonyani enters SIUE after being named the national junior college Player of the Year at Springfield College. A two-time All-American, Ngonyani scored 46 goals in two seasons. As a forward, Ngonyani scored in every game as a senior at Bloomington North (Ind.) High School in leading his team to a 16-4-1 record. He also led his team to the school's first berth in the super sectional tournament. Ngonyani has been a part of a state title team for every year since 1995.
Huneke said Ngonyani will be a player to watch. "He's a very dangerous forward who can beat a defender in a variety of ways," Huneke said.
Cacciatore joins the list of family members who have played for the Cougars. His father, Steve, was a member of the 1972 national championship team. His uncles, Chris and Jeff, played for SIUE in the mid- to late-'70s. Pete Cacciatore helped St. Mary's High School to three straight state championships. He was honored as the Missouri Player of the Year in 2001 after earning numerous All-State and All-Conference honors. Cacciatore also competed in track where he was fourth at the state championships in the 300-meter hurdles.
"Pete has blazing speed and a flamboyant style of play," Huneke said.
Higgins led CBC High School with 12 goals last season and earned third team All-Metro honors from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A second team All-State selection his senior season, Higgins also played for the Scott Gallagher club team which won two state championships the past two seasons. "Brian is a classic playmaker who has great awareness, vision and execution," Huneke said.
Crider was a four-year letter winner at Granite City High School. An All-Southwestern Conference selection his junior season, the midfielder capped his prep career with two goals his senior season. "Andrew is a versatile player with a good sense of how to play," Huneke said.
Velten scored three goals as a back for Webster Groves (MO) High School his senior season. A second team All-State and third team All-Metro selection, Velten was the Suburban South Conference's Player of the Year in 2001 and a three-time All-Conference pick. "Tim is a superb athlete who is cool on the ball for a back," said Huneke.
Esker, Koenig Named Academic All-District
Jenny Esker (Steeleville) and Missy Koenig (Mapleton) have been named members of the Verizon/CoSIDA District V College Division softball team.
Esker, the Great Lakes Valley Conference's Player of the Year, was named to the first team as an outfielder, while Koenig was selected to the second team. The Verizon/CoSIDA District V College Division includes institutions from Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin who are NCAA Divisions II or III or NAIA.
Esker has been placed on the national ballot for consideration for Academic All-American.
A sophomore, Esker batted .395 for the Cougars, who finished the 2002 season with a 51-12 record and a No. 2 national ranking in the final USA Today/NFCA NCAA Division II regular season poll. Esker led the Cougars in several offensive categories, including hits (83), runs (56), doubles (22), home runs (12) runs batted in (48) and stolen bases (30). The hits and runs numbers broke single-season records at SIUE.
Koenig completed her second season at SIUE with a 16-4 record, one save and a 1.70 earned run average. In two seasons, Koenig has compiled a 32-11 record as an SIUE pitcher.
SIUE Women's Basketball Signs Native of Poland
Anna Wiszniewska, a 5-foot-10-inch forward from Warsaw, Poland, has signed a national letter of intent to play women's basketball for SIUE next season.
Wiszniewska played in the Polish I League last season and has previously been a member of a team which placed third at the Polish Junior Championships. "We like what we saw when we brought her in for a visit," admitted Coach Wendy Hedberg.
Coach Hedberg first learned of Wiszniewska through a compact disc the player had had sent to the women's basketball office. The CD had a video of her displaying her basketball talent. The Cougars took a chance on bringing Wiszniewska in for a visit.
Wiszniewska has been among winning teams since age 10 when she began to play in Warsaw's sports club. In 1999, her club team advanced to the Polish I/II finals. In 2001, her team won the bronze at the Polish Junior Championships as she averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. "I think she is going to develop into a good player," Hedberg said.
The coaching staff may not have received an accurate view of her capabilities when she arrived for a visit since she was playing the day after flying in from Poland, said Hedberg. But the women's basketball coaching staff liked her maturity and poise after being put in a tough position.
Five Softball Cougars Named All-Region
After finishing the 2002 season with a 51-12 record, five SIUE softball players were named All-Great Lakes Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Jenny Esker (Steeleville), RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) and Valerie McCoy (Bethalto) were named to the first team. Erin Newman (Fairfield, Calif.) and Koree Claxton (Rantoul) were selected to the second team,
The members of the first team have been placed on the national ballot and will have an opportunity to be named All-American. "This is an outstanding achievement for these players," Coach Sandy Montgomery said. They have worked hard this season and deserve the reward."
SIUE finished the 2002 season this past weekend after being eliminated by Ashland in the consolation bracket of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament held in Edwardsville.
Esker, a sophomore outfielder, was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year after leading the league in several offensive categories, including hits (83), runs scored (56), runs batted in (48), and stolen bases (30). She set a single-season record for hits and runs scored as the team's leadoff hitter for most of the season.
Spann, a junior, recorded the most victories in a season (27) since Coach Montgomery set the record as a player with 30 in 1985. Spann fanned 219 batters in 247 2/3 innings and finished the season with a 1.10 earned run average.
McCoy, a senior, earned a back-to-back All-Region selection at second base. This season, McCoy hit .372 with 26 runs batted in. McCoy, an second team All-American last season, was the hardest player to strikeout with 11 in 183 at bats.
Newman, a two-time All-American, completed her collegiate career by shattering numerous offensive records, some of which she already had held after her junior season. Newman, a third baseman, batted .303 with eight home runs and 40 runs batted in this season. For her career, Newman leads SIUE in at bats (697), hits (265), walks (96), doubles (69), home runs (44), and runs batted in (185).
Claxton batted .311 in the outfield as the cleanup hitter. Claxton, a junior, recorded four home runs and 37 runs batted in, and was 11 of 11 in stolen bases.
Opel Named GLVC Player Of The Year
SIUE senior Chad Opel (Edwardsville) has been named Player of the Year by Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Opel, who needs four hits to become the seventh player in NCAA Division II history to record 300 or more hits, heads into the GLVC Tournament batting .429 with a team-best 51 runs scored, 19 doubles and 78 hits.
Opel was named first team as a shortstop for the Cougars. Wes Pickering (Springfield, Mo.) and Eric Meyer (Topeka) were named second team All-GLVC as a utility player and relief pitcher, respectively. Pickering is batting .331 with three home runs and 18 runs batted in. Meyer is 6-2 with a 3.31 earned run average and five saves.
Jarad Rettberg (Divernon) was named to Co-Freshman of the Year. Rettberg is currently 5-2 with a 3.29 ERA.
Glosser Signs With SIUE Men's Basketball
Logan Glosser, a 6-foot-5-inch forward from Mt. Zion, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for SIUE.
It is the first recruit for new Coach Marty Simmons.
In his first move as head coach, Simmons went after a scorer. "He will be a real asset to the kind of program we have here," Simmons said. "He's an all-around player."
Glosser averaged 19.4 points per game as a senior this past season at Mt. Zion High School. He shot 177 of 405 (43.7 percent) from the field. That includes hitting 51.9 percent of his shots from inside the arc. He also led his team with 70 three-pointers and was second in rebounding with 5.2 per game.
"He has had a lot of talent around him, and Mt. Zion has won a good number of games with him," Simmons said.
Glosser was a three-year starter and completed his career as a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Class AA All-Star team.
