September 2001
Governor Leads Delegation In Groundbreaking Here
Gov. George Ryan led a delegation last week that included Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Illinois), Rep. John Shimkus (R, Illinois-20), SIU President James Walker, and SIUE Chancellor David Werner in breaking ground for the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Pilot Plant in University Park.
"The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Pilot Plant will have a profound impact on the economy of Illinois," said Werner in remarks at the ceremony, where about 200 gathered for the event. "The demand for ethanol is expected to increase enormously during the next decade.
"By accelerating the implementation of new technologies designed to increase the cost effectiveness of producing ethanol from corn, this facility will increase the demand for Illinois corn and significantly enhance the Illinois economy. The increased use of ethanol will also have a positive impact on the environment and on national energy independence."
In June 2000, President Clinton signed a bill that completed funding for the research plant. The $14 million in federal funds, along with $6 million already appropriated by the State of Illinois, means that the facility is fully capitalized.
The plant-which will be used solely for the purpose of research and not as a production facility-is the culmination of many months of planning by University Park Executive Director Brian Donnelly and the legislative work done by the Illinois delegation.
"Many people have worked long and hard to obtain funding for this project," said Werner. "The entire Illinois legislative delegation is to be commended for bringing this unique research facility to University Park. We're especially grateful for the work of Rep. Shimkus, Sen. Durbin, and Sen. Peter Fiztgerald (R-Illinois), as well as that of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest."
Half of the 20,000-square-foot facility includes a highly flexible pilot scale corn wet mill and corn dry mill ethanol plant. This will enable teams of researchers to "scale-up" benchtop research findings that hold great promise for reducing the cost of producing ethanol from corn. The other half includes wet labs, offices and visitor areas.
Research conducted in the facility is expected to significantly reduce the cost of ethanol and have very positive ramifications for the Midwestern agricultural economy. This major national asset will also have major positive ramifications for the environment and national energy security.
Donnelly said the plant will be "the only research facility of its kind anywhere in the world. This plant will be a great addition to the university, a benefit to ethanol researchers, and a plus for farmers."
In 1995, SIUE received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study the feasibility of constructing a pilot ethanol plant in Illinois. The study looked at several things. First, it examined what would be needed in a designated site to accommodate the pilot plant. Second, it viewed whether it was possible to build a pilot plant that would emulate a full-scale wet and dry facility. Third, it tried to understand the economic implications of commercializing some of the ethanol production techniques currently being developed by laboratory researchers.
Late in 1996, Congress appropriated $1.5 million for final design of the pilot plant. Using these funds, Raytheon Engineers and Constructors, now Washington Group International, Inc., completed design of the plant. Construction on the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Pilot Plant is expected to be completed in December 2002.
"This is just the beginning," Werner said. "The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Pilot Plant is a strong eastern anchor for an effort by the St. Louis region, known as Bio Belt, to enhance its reputation as a world-class center for plant and life sciences research, investment and business opportunity."
Greetings
In Swahili the proper way to greet the prime minister is "karibu waziri mkuu" which translates to "Greetings Prime Minister." Tanzania's Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye was on campus to speak about his vision for peace in East Africa. He was in St. Louis at the Tanzanian consulate for a full day of visiting. Above, Anthropology Professor Dallas Browne shakes the prime minister's hand. Browne, an honorary Tanzanian consul, was instrumental in bringing Sumaye to campus. Awaiting their turn in the foreground are SIUE Chancellor David Werner and SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs. (SIUE Photo)
Gloria Atkins Named To ESLHEC Post
Gloria Atkins, assistant vice chancellor for Administration, has been named Assistant Vice Chancellor for Administration- East St. Louis Operations, assuming responsibility for campus operation and management at the East St. Louis Higher Education Center, Vice Chancellor Kenn Neher announced last week.
In her new role, Atkins will provide property management services, including development and implementation of operating and maintenance procedures for the center, and allocating and scheduling space. She also will act as liaison between the units occupying space at the Center and VCA departments providing support.
Atkins' duties will include planning and coordinating building maintenance, custodial, grounds, and information technology operations for the Center, Neher said. She also will provide day-to-day supervision of university personnel assigned to the center for routine building maintenance, custodial, and grounds care. She will provide the same services to the existing East St Louis Center until it is closed.
In addition to managing the current construction and renovation project, Atkins will be responsible for coordinating the relocation of staff and offices during the renovation and relocation of the East St. Louis Center and after the renovation and new facilities are completed.
"Her assignment to this position will allow a smooth transition of the daily operations and maintenance activities at the site," Neher said. "And, she will continue to foster positive relations with the East St. Louis Community."
Sociology Professor's New Book Attacks Some Myths
With a notebook as a constant companion, Assistant Sociology Professor Jennifer Hamer interviewed and surveyed as many African-American fathers as she could over a three-year period.
Her findings challenged a few myths about absent black fathers, which she chronicled in her new book, What It Means To Be Daddy: Fatherhood for Black Men Living Away from Their Children (Columbia University Press, 2001).
"One glance at studies on census data indicates that low income black men (and others of color) are actually a difficult population to access," Hamer said. "Additionally, there is sociological literature that makes similar arguments.
"Given this, I used many means of identifying and locating these men: radio ads, church bulletins, newspaper ads, word-of-mouth -for example, interviewing the mothers of their children first-and visits to places where black people and men live and leisure. It was the latter two methods that proved most fruitful," she said.
In all, Hamer spoke with 88 fathers, 33 mothers of those fathers' children, and 21 adult children. What she found was somewhat different from her own experience-growing up an African-American in a family where her father and mother both worked to make it through difficult economic times. "So, I was struck when, as an adult completing my academic course work, so many negative images and stereotypes of black fathers continued to inundate popular media and scholarly work as well," Hamer said.
"Black men and fathers were (and still are) perceived as uncaring, insensitive villains who take advantage of others to support their bad habits and super egos. Yet, for those who live with and among black people, this is an image that does not seem to reflect the general reality of our daily lives."
Hamer's findings put aside the popular image of poor, absent black fathers as bad or inept because they do not to care about their children's emotional or physical health. We also learn from Hamer that there are several forces that can undermine the extent to which African-American fathers parent their children: A lack of time (caused in part by difficult work schedules and job stress), physical separation, transportation problems, economic instability, multiple sets of children, and the father's own intimate relationships, including those with the custodial mother.
Hamer came away with a deeper appreciation of the complexities of the issues surrounding absent black fathers, but she also found an appreciation of "the real-life triumphs and tribulations of poor black live-away fathers and custodial mothers."
During her research for the book, Hamer often brought along her son, Nile, during interviews as a way to make the encounter less threatening. "Successfully identifying and interviewing these men usually required a personal introduction through some third party or a personal introduction instigated by me," hamer said. "Generally, wherever I visited Walmart, auto parts stores, parks, public housing projects-I would carry my interview materials with me. This way, I was always prepared to interview on the spot.
"I often had my own son when I approached men. His presence made the introduction very casual because the gentlemen would often comment on him (his size, what is he going to be when he grows up, etc.)-from there it was quite easy to segue into a discussion of the respondent's own parenting experiences.
"Another element that was certainly a beneficial-I, myself, was raised in a working class African American family; thus, I was quite at ease within the communities I visited and with approaching and interviewing the men who participated in this study," she pointed out.
"While I was an interviewer/researcher, some of the formality of my relationship with the respondents was countered by a mutual comfort and shared understanding. Several fathers reported that talking to me was liking talking to a sister or close female relative."
One of the most interesting findings, Hamer said, was that many of the fathers spend a lot of time and put a lot of effort into being parents, perhaps more than men who live in the same household with their children. "In other words, just because a father does not live full-time with his child does not mean that he is not a good parent."
Women's Soccer Improves To 3-0 After Three Games
After three games, nine different women's soccer players have scored SIUE's nine goals.
With those nine goals have come three victories without a loss. The latest wins for the SIUE women's soccer team were weekend triumphs over Northern Michigan 1-0 and Southern Indiana 2-0.
Colleen Creamer (St. Louis, Mo.) scored the only goal in the victory against Northern Michigan. It was her first of the season after assisting on two previous goals for the Cougars. She is tied with Erin Gusewelle (Edwardsville) with four points.
The win over Southern Indiana was non-conference, yet still important as a regional matchup. Three freshmen came through in the victory. Lindsey Tiemeyer (St. Louis, Mo.) and Lindsey Eubanks (Rochester) scored the goals. Jessica Brown (St. Louis, Mo.) posted her second straight shutout in goal for the Cougars.
This weekend the team will play Ferris State on Friday (9/7) at 5:30 p.m. and Grand Valley State at 10 a.m. on Sunday (9/9).
Justin McMillian Earns GLVC Honors
Justin McMillian (Granite City) was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference's men's soccer Player of the Week in helping SIUE to a 1-0-1 record this past weekend.
"McMillian had two nice, timely quality goals in the game against Gannon," said Coach Ed Huneke. McMillian scored the game-tying goal and the game-winning goal in a 3-2 overtime victory against Gannon (9/1). He also recorded an assist in a 2-2 tie with 21st-ranked Truman State (9/2).
"We played well in the Truman game in terms of territory and possession, but we fell short on finishing up on top, which is the more important thing," said Huneke of the overtime tie. "It was a good team outcome. It will help us out later on in the season.
"We are playing well but living dangerously. Every goal this weekend was a come from behind goal. That just is not a safe way to play," Huneke said.
Next, the team will travel with big expectations to Memphis, Tenn., to play 17th-ranked Christian Brothers (9/8). "If we win, it will generate some much deserved national recognition," said Huneke.
The Cougars received votes in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of American NCAA-II poll and are currently fourth behind Lewis, Wisconsin-Parkside, and Truman State in the Central Region poll.
Volleyball Splits At Rockhurst Tournament
With a 4-4 record, SIUE Volleyball Coach Todd Gober isn't exactly jumping for joy, but he isn't disappointed either.
The Cougars won both of their matches this past Friday (8/31), defeating Southwest Baptist in three games and Dallas Baptist in four games. On Saturday (9/1), the Cougars lost to both Pittsburg State and host Rockhurst.
"We started out well. We played really well on Friday with good blocking and a good hitting average in both games," said Gober.
On Saturday, the team made too many errors, according to Gober. "We believe that we are better a better team than Pittsburg State but they got some late momentum and our team just did not fight back.
"The team has good team chemistry, good attitudes and they want to get better," said Gober. "Our 4-4 record is not bad considering we are still learning a new system and trying to set up our lineup."
Andrea Voss (St. Rose) was named to the All-Tournament team at the Rockhurst Tournament. She leads the Cougars with 1.27 blocks per game and is third in the GLVC in blocks.
Jennifer Trame (Highland) emerged as the team's top hitter. Trame holds a .281 hitting percentage with 3.06 kills per game.
Amanda Hampton (Park Hills, Mo.) was the team's setter and had a good weekend, according to Gober. She leads the team in digs with 82, which Gober feels is unusual for a setter. "It means she can really read plays well," he said.
Gober also was pleased with Stephanie Trame (Highland), who had 18 digs against Dallas Baptist and led the team in digs for the weekend. It was her first time to play back row defense for SIUE. Jenny Franklin (LaSalle) also had 22 digs in the game against Pittsburgh State and is second on the team in digs per game.
"This team has a lot of bright spots but haven't put it all together yet," said Gober. The team travels to Findlay, Ohio, for the Findlay Invitational this weekend (9/7).
"This weekend we need to settle the lineup. That is more important than wins and losses. This is a tournament with regional teams so it is an important one. We have a shot at coming back four and zero from it but it depends on if we can bring it together or not."
Golf
Wagner Receives Teacher Award From Alumni
Robert Wagner, senior professor of Special Education and director of that program, is this year's recipient of The Great Teacher Award, given each year by the SIUE Alumni Association.
The award is voted by SIUE graduates who are members of the Alumni Association.
Wagner has been a member of the SIUE faculty for 30 years, during which time he has taught and been an administrator and chair of the department. He earned a bachelor's from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1962, and a master's and a doctorate at Saint Louis University, both in Special Education.
He's been nominated several times for SIUE's Teaching Excellence Award, but the Great Teacher recognition "came out of the blue" for him. "I tend to be low key about these things," Wagner said. "For years I've had pretty good teacher evaluations from students but this was a complete surprise to me. "I'm very pleased to get this recognition."
Wagner had been teaching special education students in Missouri but decided to come to SIUE to teach future teachers. "I felt that in coming to a university I could make an impact on the people who would become the teachers," he said. "I could instill in them my philosophies about special education and in turn they would reach a wider population than I ever could as a teacher.
"And, during these years here I've never just stood in front of the class and spewed words to the students. I've tried to keep it simple and make it fun. We develop models and do as much hands-on training as we can. I interact with the students and it seems they've appreciated that through the years.
"Interacting with my students helps them retain what I'm teaching, in turn making them better teachers."
Arts & Issues Presents The Chicago Brass Quintet
The Chicago Brass Quintet, a talented group of musicians who have been thrilling audiences worldwide for more than 30 years, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, in Meridian Ballroom.
The quintet kicks off the 17th season of SIUE's Arts & Issues series, which blends artistic presentations with forums for global concerns.
Offering a range of music from Bach to Bernstein, and from Gabrieli to Gershwin, the Chicago Brass Quintet blends style, grace, dazzling technique and humor into a marvelous evening of music and fun. "We are proud to have the Chicago Brass Quintet on the Arts & Issues stage," says series Coordinator Richard Walker.
"I know the group has prepared an exciting evening of music, with a repertoire that has been played before audiences around the world," he said. "The breadth of the group's talent-performing a diverse selection of music-is quite astonishing."
As Chicago's original brass quintet, the group's five artists-Ross Beacraft and Matthew Lee, trumpeters; Gregory Flint, French horn; James Mattern, trombone; and Daniel Anderson, tuba- combine their technical and musical mastery to perform music of all periods and styles to equal praise.
The quintet has appeared throughout the United States and Canada, and recently began a tour of Asia and South America. Highlights have included guest performances for the International Trumpet Guild in New York and London, a two-and one-half-week tour of Hawaii, and performances at: The Kennedy Center, Eisenhower Hall at the West Point Academy, Chautauqua Institute, Taiwan, and Brazil.
Since 1981 the group has released six albums on the Delos, Crystal, Centaur, Covenant, and Reel recording labels.
Arts & Issues season tickets are available at $98 for all eight events; students, $49. Individual tickets for the Chicago Brass Quintet are $16; students, $8. For ticket information, call (618) 650-5555, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 5555; write: Arts & Issues, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1083; or by e-mail, rwalker@siue.edu.
Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Dunham Hall theater. Click here for the complete Arts & Issues season.
September 18, 2001
Campus Message From Chancellor, Provost, And Vice Chancellors
These last few days have been difficult ones-for the nation, for our campus community, and for people everywhere whose lives have been touched by Tuesday's tragedies in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. All of us have been affected by these events. Some of us have been directly affected.
SIUE has students, faculty and staff whose hometowns have been attacked by terrorists. We have students, faculty and staff who may be or already have been called to active duty in our armed forces. We have students, faculty and staff with loved ones not yet found; and many of us know someone in New York or Washington who has been spared.
Ours is a diverse community. We are proud of its diversity. We have students, faculty and staff of all faiths and cultures, many from distant nations. SIUE belongs to all of us. In the days to come our commitment as a community to honor our special obligation to treat each other with respect, with sensitivity and with understanding may be tested by the emotions these types of tragedies generate. Terrorism is deliberately provocative. It must not be allowed to provoke divisions within our own campus community.
We are foremost an academic community; our campus is a place where fair and open exchanges can and should take place, and where our thoughts and emotions can be expressed in appropriate ways. Everyone at SIUE has earned the right to be here. Each member of our campus community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, or personal beliefs, has the right to be safe and feel confident in his or her personal security. It is up to each of us to make sure that this happens; it is up to each of us to lead by example.
These are days we will remember always. When we look back on these days, let it be said that we acted in ways which honored our dead, comforted the grieving, affirmed our ideals, and deepened our sense of community.
SIUE Joins The Nation In Effort To Remember, Rebuild
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the SIUE community has joined the nation in mourning those who died, remembering the missing-one of whom is an SIUE alumnus-and supporting efforts to begin healing and rebuilding.
• At noon Tuesday, the SIUE campus community joined in a Day of Unity, paying tribute to those missing and dead in New York, Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania, and honoring the police officers, fire fighters and volunteers who continue their efforts at the crash sites. Students, faculty and staff gathered in Meridian Ballroom and placed flowers beneath the American flag.
• The campus community, the East St. Louis Center and the School of Dental Medicine also joined the nation in a day of prayer and remembrance on Friday, Sept. 14. The Religious Center also has conducted several prayer services and has remained open for prayer and meditation since Sept. 11.
• Faculty, staff, and student volunteers joined the Red Cross to help make the Saturday, Sept. 15, blood drive at SIUE an unqualified success. Almost 300 pints of blood were donated. A second blood drive will be held on campus Thursday, Sept. 20.
• At least two students organizations-the Indian Student Association, and Student Government-are organizing fund-raising activities. The Indian Student Association has held one bake sale and plans two more. Student senators will pass "donation buckets" around campus with a goal of raising $15,000 by Sept. 28.
• Richard Salinardi, Jr., a 1995 Mass Communications graduate of SIUE, is among the missing in New York. Salinardi was working on the observation deck on the top floor of the tower struck by the second hijacked airliner. Initial reports that indicated Salinardi was in a New York hospital have since been proven incorrect.
• Seven SIUE students have been called to active duty.
• The Bluff Hall dedication, originally scheduled for Sept. 12, has been moved to Friday, Sept. 21.
Enrollment Continues Planned Growth-12,442 Students Enrolled
SIUE's enrollment stands at 12,442 for fall 2001, continuing a trend of steady enrollment growth. Enrollment has increased by about 300 students per year since fall 1997; this year's enrollment is up 249 students from last year.
Boyd Bradshaw, director of admissions, attributed the increase to planned growth.
"Our recruitment and retention plan is geared toward modest growth through the next four years," said Bradshaw. "We are planning for a maximum enrollment of 13,500 students by fall of 2005. We began to make plans for this growth as far back as the early 1990s, when we began work on our first residence hall, and created this plan to complement the projected growth of potential students."
SIUE opened its third residence hall-Bluff Hall-with the start of this fall's semester.
SIUE's enrollment stood at 11,207 in 1997, increasing to 11,520 in 1998, and 12,193 last year. This year's enrollment not only reflects an overall increase, but an increase in new freshman, transfer students, students taking courses on campus, and the full-time equivalent (FTE):
2000 2001 Difference
New Freshmen 1,509 1,593 +84
Transferring Students 1,121 1,166 +45
On-campus 12,016 12,278 +262
FTE 9,556 9,768 +212
BOT Meetings Postponed
SIU President James E. Walker announced that the SIU Board of Trustees meetings scheduled for Sept. 12 and 13 have been postponed because of the tragic events surrounding the terrorist attack of Sept. 11 and out of respect for the grief that results from such actions.
The meetings have been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 20, and Friday, Sept. 21, on the Edwardsville campus. Details of the rescheduled meetings will be forthcoming.
"At this time of national tragedy and mourning, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families forever changed by this horrific event," Walker said.
Classes at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, including the School of Medicine, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will continue as scheduled, and the University is open for business.
Unity
Assistant Professor Joel Knapp (above), director of choral activities for the university, began the Day of Unity ceremony with a vocal rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone. Immediately below, a color guard presents the American flag for singing the national anthem. Below that, the chancellor speaks to the audience about how the Sept. 11 attacks have transformed and defined our lives. In the bottom photo, observers hold American flags during the ceremony. (SIUE Photo)
The Big 'P' Stands For Convenience And Efficiency
All that time spent filling out forms, obtaining signatures, and making sure the precise copy of a purchase order went to the correct desk-a collossal hassle just to purchase something insignifcant as paper clips-has been all but eliminated at SIUE with the advent of the P-card.
Of course, purchase orders haven't disappeared completely, but for the smaller items needed daily on this campus the P-card has gone a long way to save time and paper, according to Larry Hinton, director of Purchasing.
"The program has made several people in this department very happy," he said. "The P-card has saved us a lot of time because we now spend less time on small dollar purchases which permits us more time to research pricing and product availability on large dollar purchases."
Hinton also acknowledged the time and effort saved by the departments doing the purchasing. "The P-card has eliminated the time it took to prepare purchase requisitions, obtain signatures and mail them to Purchasing," Hinton said. "And, we have less deliveries in our Central Receiving area because these smaller purchases can be delivered directly to the departments."
In addition to purchases of items, the P-cards also may be used for flight reservations and conference registrations. "Each of these kinds of transactions also required paperwork and a check cut for each item," Hinton said. "That's all been eliminated with the P-card. Now, individuals can make their own reservations and immediate confirmations by telephone."
Ann Luttrell, credit card administrator for the program, said the university began the program in June 1998 with the intent to run a pilot program for six months at Carbondale, Edwardsville, and Springfield. "But by October the program was going so well we decided to go full ahead," she said. "We began at Edwardsville with 20 departments using 65 cards. Now the program involves approximately 130 departments with more than 500 P-cards in use."
Hinton said P-cards accounted for $5.6 million in purchases from 24,350 card transactions at SIUE during FY01. "I'm very pleased," Hinton said. "The program has exceeded our expectations."
While not the first university in Illinois to use a credit card system for small purchases, SIU was one of the early participants. Kenn Neher, vice chancellor for Administration, had seen a similar system work well in the military and then made the suggestion that such a system could work for SIU.
"The Air Force started using credit cards for small purchases in the early 1990s," Neher pointe out. "I'm not familiar now with how that branch of the armed forces operates its credit card system, but our program here is much more comprehensive than what the Air Force was doing when I left."
Neher echoed Hinton's satisfaction with the P-card program. "Our program is a major success and a fundamental change for the better in how we do business," Neher said. "Over 24,000 times last year, people didn't have to fill out purchase orders and wait weeks to obtain items they needed.
"They were able to make a phone call and get delivery in a few days- sometimes overnight."
SIUE Women's Soccer Continues To Flourish
Off to the best start in school history at 6-0, the women's soccer team heads into the weekend with a pair of games Coach Brian Krobesmeyer isn't going to overlook. SIUE plays away games at Quincy University on Friday at 5 p.m. and University of Missouri St. Louis on Sunday at noon.
"We have heated rivalries with these two schools," said Korbesmeyer. "These games should be close ones."
Korbesmeyer said he plans to stay with the same lineup that he has been using because it allows him to use his freshmen from the bench who have more energy left than their opponents. "We are able to score later in the game because of the fresh legs."
The Cougars' most recent victory was a 1-0 triumph at Lewis University on Sept. 14. Korbesmeyer said he thought the Cougars did not play with as much intensity as usual. "The game started three hours late, and the girls were not as sharp. There was a lack of concentration."
Colleen Creamer (St. Louis) scored SIUE's goal and was assisted by Ann Crawford (St. Louis) with about 18 minutes to play in the game. Korbesmeyer said the play of freshmen Lindsey Tiemeyer (St. Louis) and Crawford gave the Cougars a morale boost as they entered the game off the bench.
Defense has also been a huge part of the Cougars' success, noted Korbesmeyer. The defense has five shutouts in a row. He credited assistant coaches Bob Guion and Lynda Bowers for training the defense, which has allowed one goal in six games.
"Overall it has been a very encouraging way to start the season," said Korbesmeyer. "We only have two seniors, and the freshmen are really stepping up so the future looks promising."
Cougar Men's Soccer Face Rivals Quincy, UMSL
Men's soccer will face some traditionally bitter rivals this weekend. The Cougars, 3-1-2 overall and 0-0-1 in the GLVC, will travel to Quincy on Friday (9/21) and Missouri-St. Louis on Sunday (9/23).
"These games are very important for the team because they are conference games with a couple of our biggest rivals," said SIUE men's soccer Coach Ed Huneke. "We have a lot of tradition with these teams. We have played more games with these two teams than any others over the years."
SIUE is coming off a very difficult game, according to Huneke. The Cougars faced 15th-ranked Lewis University on Friday and tied 1-1 after two overtime periods. "It was a very emotional and intense game. Both teams showed heart and precision."
Huneke felt that SIUE's defense played a great game. "Our goalkeeper, Matt Evers (Edwardsville), did an excellent job with seven saves," said Huneke. "Chris Camacho (Quincy), Cress Maddox (Springfield) and Brian Horan (St. Louis) played well on defense."
Volleyball Cougars Opens 2-0 In GLVC
Volleyball Coach Todd Gober is finally smiling. For the first time in two weeks the Cougars are back at the .500 mark.
SIUE goes into this weekend's games with an overall record of 7-7 and a GLVC record of 2-0. This week features three conference matches for SIUE, including at the University of Southern Indiana on Wednesday (9/19). The Cougars play at the Vadalabene Center on Friday (9/21) at 7 p.m. against Bellarmine University and on Saturday (9/22) at 2 p.m. against Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Gober said Bellarmine will be a very competitive game. "I don't take anything for granted, but I really believe that we should come out of this weekend with two wins.
"It would be nice to start off the season 4-0 at home," said Gober. "We have to at least win our home games and then pull off a couple of big games on the road to be in the fight for the conference championship."
Gober said the Cougars are playing good defense, blocking well and serving well. However, he believes that the hitting percentage must improve to have the shot at a GLVC Tournament title. "The errors that we are dealing with can be eliminated with practice."
The Cougars defeated UM-St. Louis 30-18, 31-29, 30-26 on Friday at home. On Saturday, SIUE defeated Quincy 30-16, 30-27, 25-30, 30-24 at home. "I am happy with the way we played, but we did not play as well as we can play," said Gober. "We found a way to win in both games and that shows me that we are developing character, which is important."
Amanda Wulfe (Vacaville, Calif.), a freshman, led the team in kills with 21 for the weekend. "She had two very strong matches," said Gober. Jennifer Trame (Highland) came back from an leg injury and played well, according to Gober. She finished the weekend with 24 digs and leads the Cougars in digs per game with 2.66. Andrea Voss (St. Rose) is leading the GLVC in blocks with 1.26. Kelly Schaill (Princeton) and Stephanie Trame (Highland) also are among the GLVC leaders in blocks per game with 0.96.
Cougars Put 4-0 Record On The Line
Women's tennis hits the road with high hopes this weekend. The undefeated Cougars will travel to Evansville, Ind., to face Southern Indiana on Friday (9/21) with a 4-0 record. The Cougars will play at Kentucky Wesleyan.
"Southern Indiana is one of the better teams that we play and will be one of our more difficult matches," said Logan. "We will be working hard this week to prepare for it."
Logan believes this match will be important to the Cougars' conference standing. "Everyone must play well to win this match. We hope for the best with the doubles teams and then hope that we can pull out some of the singles."
The Cougars won their last two matches in the same day beginning with a 7-2 victories over Quincy and Missouri-St. Louis. SIUE won all of the doubles contests and set the stage for the victory with solid singles play, according to Logan.
Laura Zeeb (Greenville), Allison Coats (Belleville) and Keli Keener (Bethalto) all were 2-0 in singles for SIUE. The Cougars also won all of its doubles matches for the weekend.
"We are really emphasizing our doubles," said Logan. We want to win our doubles and start the matches ahead 3-0, which we did in both matches last weekend."
Cougars Switch Gears For Panther Open
Coach Darryl Frerker expected to already have three meets completed by now. With the cancellation of the Illinois State Invitational, Frerker looked elsewhere for an event for his men's and women's cross country teams.
The SIUE men and women's cross country teams will travel to Eastern Illinois University on Friday. The Cougars just added this meet to the schedule after having previously scheduled a week off from competition.
"I expect fast times this week," said Frerker. "I think that the week off probably really helped the runners. The team will be fresh and ready to go."
Eastern Illinois has a very flat, fast course according to Frerker. This will be the Cougars' last opportunity to run on a fast, flat course before the distances increase. SIUE's men will run 8,000 meters this week and the women will run 5,000 meters. Later in the season, these distances will increase to 6,000 meters for the women and 10,000 meters for the men.
International Center Head Realizes Dream In U.S.
When Silvia Torres came to the United States in 1987 from Lima, Peru, it took time for her to "adopt" her new country because of language barriers and the usual obstacles in learning how to live in a new culture.
But she did make a life for herself in the United States, and is now head of the SIUE International Trade Center. On Flag Day of this year the native Peruvian completed the "adoption process." She became a U.S. citizen.
And, the recent attacks on her country also brought back memories of her homeland in the 1980s and early 1990s when a terrorist group, Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), was wreaking havoc in Peru and in neighboring South American countries.
Torres has headed the SIUE International Trade Center since 1998. The center assists Illinois businesses in selling their products and services overseas and is funded through the university and through Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The center serves exporters in 47 Southern Illinois counties.
She recalls her life in Peru and being anxious about the terrorist activities in South America. "I truly identify with all Americans in light of these terrible attacks," she said. "I experienced the same horror, anger, and frustration during those Shining Path years in Peru " she said.
Making a new life in the United States included marriage to Steve Bowman in 1993. And, she continued to pursue her dream of citizenship. "It was important to me to finish the citizenship process so I could contribute my heritage to this country."
Torres is dedicated to her job and enjoys helping companies expand economic potential. "I love this job because of the work and the service we can provide to small businesses," she said. "I enjoy making a contribution to this country, to be a part of this country and helping the economy."
Torres' sister, Patricia Argotte, and her two children already are American citizens. Her parents, Manuel and Esther Torres, also are preparing to become U.S. citizens. "I just got my passport," she said with excitement. "It's been an exciting experience and it continues to be an interesting journey."
Melser Named Foundation's Director of Planned Giving
Harold Melser, who has 25 years of fund-raising experience, has joined the SIUE Foundation as director of Planned Giving.
Before coming to the university, Melser had been development director for world missions for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod since 1997. He also served as executive director of The Deaconness Foundation at Deaconness Health System in St. Louis for 17 years.
"It's easy to see-even for a newcomer-that there is a vision for SIUE," Melser said. "SIUE is a community-based university and is gathering more and more people and momentum to share in the aspirations of the university. There is no lack of people who would want to be a part of such a story. We have to find them."
Melser said planned giving is not an investment activity. "'Gift planning' says 'I plan to give as part of my strategy in life. For the things I believe in I will contribute and I have a plan for making those contributions.' Planned giving is more than a gift a week to my church or a monthly gift to charity," Melser said. "It's a consideration of what to do with accumulated wealth. And although it is not an investment activity, there are ways people can plan a gift and realize some income from it."
Melser said SIUE presents several strengths for someone who is in the Planned Giving director's position. He listed five:
• Influence on the community and region
• National interest in programs such as the Concrete Construction Resource Unit
• Alumni who are leaders in their community
• The planning effort that has been part of the university from the beginning
• Good use of state's and taxpayers' resources.
"I'm happy to be back on a college campus," Melser said. "I really am a teacher at heart. I have a fondness for SIUE; I met many alumni before I came to work here. I know the university's reputation, and it's a good reputation."
Melser was St. Louis president of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE, which is now the Association of Fundraising Professionals, AFP) in 1984-85, and was the chapter's Fund Raising Executive of the Year in 1986.
He served on the National Board of NSFRE from 1984 to 1987, and the Lutheran Charities Foundation Board of Directors from 1987 to 1996. He received his professional accreditation (CFRE) in 1982, and also is accredited as a Fellow in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (FAHP).
In addition to very strong fund-raising experience, Melser also was an assistant professor at Concordia University in Seward, Neb., for eight years. He has taught fund raising at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis and has served on the faculty of The Fund Raising School, Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, since 1985.
He received a bachelor of science in Education from Ball State, and a master's in Communication from the University of Nebraska. Melser and his wife, Amy Melser, live in Columbia.
Dress For Success Southern Illinois Opens Site In Belleville
Greta Nunn, of Centreville, remembers admiring herself in the mirror when she was dressed in a navy blue pantsuit and black leather shoes. "It felt good to have on a nice suit that I could wear to a job interview," said Nunn, who got the items free of charge from Dress for Success Southern Illinois.
"I knew I was going to be able to make something more out of myself."
But what Nunn found hard to believe was there was someone willing to help women like her take the first steps toward finding employment. "Normally, you are just on your own," Nunn said. "When I first went to the Dress for Success office in East St. Louis and saw all the beautiful clothes, shoes, makeup and accessories, I couldn't believe they were giving these things away."
Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that outfits low-income women with clothes and accessories for job intereviews, giving them more confidence. Each referred client receives one suit for a job interview and another suit when she finds employment. The organization suits more than 30,000 women in more than 70 cities each year.
Locally, Dress for Success Southern Illinois has outfitted 1,000 women since its first site opened in July 1999 at 614 N. 7th St. in East St. Louis. The local chapter opened its newest site in August at 7705 W. Main St., Suite 15B, in Belleville.
SIUE and the SIUE East St. Louis Center have worked with Dress for Success Southern Illinois since it first came to East St. Louis, said Barbara Parker, executive director. "Also, the St. Clair County Head Start Program has been very helpful by assisting us with clothing drives," Parker said.
Representing SIUE on the Dress for Success Board of Directors are Kay Werner, Manager of Information Technology at the East St. Louis Center; and Gloria Atkins, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Administration-East St. Louis Operations. "Dress for Success offers an opportunity to assist women entering the work world in very tangible ways," Werner said.
"The donation of appropriate clothing, accessories and making monetary contributions enables women to look and feel work ready." Women then receive more support from Dress for Success once they become employed, Werner said. "Mentoring, coaching and meetings through the PWG (Professional Women's Group) offers additional tools and skills to make the work experience successful and fulfilling," Werner said.
"I am very happy to be a part in this exciting initiative."
Dress for Success is full of stories of victory, Werner said. For instance, Nunn interviewed for a job as a consultant with Kid Care and got the job. She has been helping those with no insurance get assistance on medical bills for their children.
Another Metro East resident was also outfitted by Dress for Success Southern Illinois. Helen Broaden put a well-dressed heel forward in her new job on the Information Desk at the East St. Louis Community College Center. "I feel real good about going to work," said Broaden of Centreville. "I was not able to purchase the kind of clothing I wanted. My self-esteem has grown a lot.
"Dress for Success has helped build my wardrobe and they make you feel like you're somebody."
The local chapter will conduct a Fall/Winter Suit Drive from Sept. 17-28. Those wanting to make cash donations, please make checks payable to Dress for Success Southern Illinois, and mail them to P.O. Box 157, East St. Louis, IL 62201. The organization also accepts new or gently worn women's suits, dresses, pantsuits, accessories, purses, shoes, new, packaged hosiery at the Belleville office (call (618) 398-3305 before delivering items) and at the following sites:
SIUE East St. Louis Center
411 E. Broadway, Room 2071
East St. Louis, IL 62201
(618) 482-6948
SIUE St. Joseph's Head Start
1501 Martin Luther King Dr.
East St. Louis, IL 62205
(618) 875-9801
SIUE Bluff View Head Start
8100 Bunkum Road
Caseyville, IL 62232
(618) 394-0718
SIUE Belleville Head Start
1404 East Main
Belleville, IL 62220
(618) 277-4681
Rendleman Hall, Room 0103
Edwardsville, IL 62026
(618) 650-2770
School of Dental Medicine,
2800 College Ave.
Administration Building #273, Room 1103
Alton, IL 62002-4700
(618) 474-7128
