January 2002
MLK Jr. Awards To Be Given At Annual Luncheon
David B. Valley, a professor of Speech Communication and chair of that department, and Al Womack Jr. of Godfrey, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Alton, have been selected to receive the 2002 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian awards, held in conjunction with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at the university.
They will be honored at the celebration luncheon, Thursday, Jan. 24, in the Delyte W. Morris University Center.
Joe Munshaw, also a professor of speech communications, was among several who nominated Valley for the Humanitarian Award.
"In August of 2002, Dave Valley will retire from SIUE, completing a distinguished career of service as a scholar, educator, and departmental administrator," Munshaw said. "The SIUE of today is significantly different from the university that Dr. Valley joined as a junior faculty member in 1972. Dr. Valley has contributed to making this University a better place."
Munshaw notes that Valley was instrumental in the development and teaching of an interracial communication workshop. The course, first offered in the mid-1970s, has been taught for more than 25 years at the University. "As an effective speaker, a great conversationalist, and a powerful listener, Dave Valley has promoted diversity, harmony and understanding at this university and beyond," Munshaw wrote.
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said in his famous speech, 'I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,'" said Jeanne Wuellner, president of the Boys and Girls Club of Alton in her letter of nomination for Al Womack Jr. "(Al) has the same dream, not just for his two children, but for the 800-plus children he serves each year at the club."
In his four years of service as the club's executive director, Wuellner states, "(He) has done a great job at promoting racial sensitivity, harmony, and understanding."
The 11:30 a.m. MLK luncheon will take place in the Morris University Center's Meridian Ballroom. SIU President James E. Walker will deliver the keynote address at 12:45 p.m. Tickets for the luncheon are $10; students, $8. Reservations may be made by calling (618) 650-2660.
Records Management Clerk Carries Olympics Torch
Carrying a torch. It's an expression of unrequited love. However, in Marjorie Glassmaker's case, it takes on a whole new meaning-it's about her love for family and the things she holds dear in her life.
And, in Glassmaker's case, carrying a torch was an olympic effort-a U.S. Olympic effort. Last week, she became one of the many thousands of people across the land who have been carrying the Olympic torch since Dec. 4 from Atlanta, Ga., (the previous U.S. city to host the games) to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the 2002 Winter Olympics will begin Feb. 8.
Glassmaker, a clerk in Records Management, ran two-tenths of a mile in Wentzville, Mo., before handing off the Olympic flame to the next runner. "My husband, Tom, and my daughters, Melissa and Lynn, were there with me when I ran," Glassmaker said. "They are all very supportive."
In fact, it was Melissa, a producer at KSDK-TV (Ch. 5) in St. Louis, who nominated her mother to be one of the torchbearers. In all, 11,500 participants will carry the torch through 250 U.S. cities and 46 states. Then, on Feb. 8, a "very special" torchbearer will carry the Olympic symbol into Salt Lake's Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium and light the cauldron to officially start the 2002 winter games.
Melissa's nominating essay referred to her mother as an "inspiration to others" and one who "treats others fairly." Glassmaker, though, is modest but she's also proud of her family and is obviously pleased to have been chosen. Still, she doesn't like to blow her horn all that much.
"I believe you should treat everyone with the same respect," Glassmaker said. "I always 'preached' this to my two daughters when they were growing up." In her nominating essay, Melissa said her mother has lived by that premise every day.
An SIUE employee since last year, Glassmaker also has been township clerk since 1979 in Alhambra, where she and her husband reside. She also is a very active volunteer, helping with flu shot programs, Christmas basket distribution, and school programs.
"I've always believed in giving back to my community, but carrying that torch was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said. "It was an honor and a privilege, especially at this time as a show of unity across America. It also was special to share it with my family."
Keller Construction Awarded Bid For Retention Structures
A contract for storm water detention at SIUE was awarded to Keller Construction Inc., of Glen Carbon, by the SIU Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting in December.
Kelleher will receive $254,579 for construction, while the engineers for the project, Hurst-Rosche Engineers, of Hillsboro, will receive $24,000 for project fees. The project also includes a $21,421 contingency fund.
The $300,000 project will be paid for under an Illinois First grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. It will help curb flooding along Sand Road, which runs north and south along SIUE's western boundary.
The detention structures will be located along the Madison County Bike Trail on land owned by the university and Sunset Hills Country Club, under an agreement with the club. The project is expected to be completed by the end of January.
In other business, the board authorized the board's executive committee to award contracts for repairs and renovation of the Delyte W. Morris University Center at SIUE. Contracts for the food service portion of the renovation must be awarded in January to insure the work is completed by Fall Semester. Since the full board does not meet in January, the executive committee must award the contracts.
The $19.6 million project includes a new roof, a portion of the project which is currently under way, and for total repair and renovation of the entire 35-year-old structure. During spring 2000, a student referendum approved an increase in student activity fees to help fund the project.
Also at the December meeting, the SIU board approved a project to upgrade controls on existing elevators in buildings on the SIUE campus. Estimated cost for the project is $600,000 and will be paid for with FY02 and FY03 deferred maintenance funds. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2003.
Track Posts Two Records
Sarah Turpin (Belleville) and a medley relay team broke indoor school records at the Illinois Wesleyan Relays this past weekend (1/19).
Turpin set a new standard with a leap of 9 feet, 8 inches, or nearly a full foot better than her best previous jump in competition. Coach Darryl Frerker said her recent improvement has been due to Assistant Coach Sandy Moran, who was a standout student-athlete at Wisconsin. "Sarah has been doing the pole vault pretty much by herself the last couple of year," said Frerker. "Sandy's coaching really has helped Sarah." Frerker said he also expected the new record in the medley relay.
The team of Breanne Steffens (Moline), Tamekia Howard (Florissant, Mo.), Mary Witte (Normal) and Carrie Carducci (Powell, Ohio) broke the old record by more than 22 seconds in a time of 12 minutes, 43.12 seconds. "The ladies buckled down and ran competitively. They finished second behind Illinois State and led all but the last 100 to 150 meters," said Frerker.
SIUE next heads to the Smith Barney Invitational in Indianapolis on Saturday (1/26). "We're sending the student-athletes who are looking to qualify for nationals and the ones who need the experience to qualify for nationals," Frerker said.
Cougars Hope To Avoid Revenge Factor
The SIUE women's basketball team (10-7, 8-3 GLVC) is looking forward to another test this week. The Cougars face Wisconsin-Parkside on Thursday (1/24) and Saint Joseph's on Saturday (1/26). Both contests are home games starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Cougars defeated Wisconsin-Parkside (3-11, 3-7 GLVC) in their first meeting. SIUE downed the Rangers 55-53 on Dec. 8. "This team is really going to want revenge for such a narrow victory on their home court," said Coach Wendy Hedberg. "Wisconsin-Parkside plays hard and gives it everything they have."
The Cougars are facing the unfamiliar when they play Saint Joseph's (4-12, 3-7 GLVC), the only team in the GLVC that SIUE has yet to play. "Saint Joseph's is a very up-tempo team," said Hedberg. "They like to keep the game moving and are a three-point shooting team."
The Cougars are coming off a 55-48 victory over Quincy last Thursday (1/17). SIUE was idle on Saturday (1/19) while the rest of the 11-team conference played. "I am always happy with a win, but I do not like the way that we played (against Quincy)," said Hedberg. "We have to play much better than that to be where we want to be in the conference."
Hedberg said that one of the things that SIUE must improve is avoiding turnovers. The Cougars had 23 turnovers in the Quincy game, and Hedberg said the turnovers are a result of poor passing. "We are just out of sync," said Hedberg.
She attributes the win to the Cougars' ability to outrebound and hit free throws. SIUE outrebounded Quincy 36-32 and was 81 percent in free throw shooting.
Jill Johnson (Highland) and Megan Grizzle (Salem) deserve a lot of credit, according to Hedberg. Both contributed big plays at the right time. Johnson was forced to wear a facemask because of a broken nose, which had taken place in a game a week earlier. "Johnson was uncomfortable in the mask but was still able to go out and play as hard as she could," said Hedberg. "Grizzle has played well in the last three games. She is a critical part of the team, and we need her out there playing well."
SIUE Men Hope To Keep On Rolling
After a thrilling 19-point comeback victory over Quincy (82-78) last Thursday (1/17), the SIUE men's basketball team hopes the winning continues.
Coach Jack Margenthaler and his team did not play on Saturday (1.19). The break, despite the big win, was welcomed. "From our standpoint, it was a great time to be off," he said. The Cougars used the time off to begin focus for their next opponents.
The Cougars (7-10, 3-8 GLVC) face Wisconsin Parkside (10-7, 6-5 GLVC) on Thursday (1/24) and St. Joseph's (4-13, 1-10 GLVC ) on Saturday (1/26). Both are 7:30 p.m. home games.
SIUE fell to Wisconsin-Parkside 70-64 in December and hope for a different outcome this time around at home. "It was a ball game we played well. We thought we could have had that one," Margenthaler said.
On Saturday (1/26), the Cougars will battle Saint Joseph's for the first time this year. The Pumas are coming off their first GLVC win of the season, having defeated Southern Indiana in Rensselaer 92-87. Margenthaler said he isn't worrying too much about Wisconsin-Parkside or Saint Joseph's. Rather, Margenthaler wants his own team to get better. "We just need to refine what we do," he said.
Marty Perry (Jacksonville) continues to lead the team with 16.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Three-point specialist Garrett Thomas (Riverton) also leads the GLVC in three-pointers made per game at 3.18.
Wrestlers Face Four Dual Meets
All of the regular-season tournaments have been completed. It's time for some team head-to-head competition.
SIUE, 2-4, has four dual meets scheduled this week. The Cougars travel to Lindenwood on Wednesday (1/16). SIUE entertains Illinois and Missouri Valley on Friday (1/18) for a triangular meet. On Sunday (1/20), the Cougars head to Charleston to meet Eastern Illinois.
"The tournaments basically gave us a chance to see where we stand individually " said Coach Booker Benford. "These dual meets are going to test our toughness."
Zach Stephens (St. Charles, Mo.) and Aaron Wiens (Cicero) performed the best for the Cougars at the Roger Denker Open this past Saturday (1/12). The tournament was held at Central Missouri State.
Stephens, ranked seventh in the latest NCAA Division II poll at 174 pounds, placed third. He picked up a pair of major decisions over Missouri's Ian Semmelroth and Missouri Baptist's Jim Ott. Stephens' only setback of the tournament was a 10-7 loss to Ohio State's Chris Pendleton, who was the eventual champion.
Wiens lost to Lindenwood's Roger Miller in the quarterfinals and then picked up a pair of wins over Oklahoma's Tom Ward and Colby (Kan.) Community College's Derek Daugherty. Weins placed fifth on a default in his final match.
Track Travels To Illinois Wesleyan
Coach Darryl Frerker is giving his student-athletes a break and a test at the same time.
The Cougar coach is sending his team to the Illinois Wesleyan Relays in Bloomington on Saturday (1/19). The meet is SIUE's first indoor competition of the year and comes after a three-week layoff.
"We need to get an idea of what kind of shape we're coming back in," said Frerker. Most of the meet will be relay events, giving Frerker an opportunity to see his athletes' progression without having a time posted as an individual.
The only events compatible with qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships are the field events, the 55-meter sprints, the men's 5,000 meter run and women's 3,000-meter run.
The Cougars have a couple of individuals chasing personal record or hoping to qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.
Sarah Turpin (Belleville) broke her own indoor school record in the pole vault at 8 feet, 8.25 inches. Her previous best was 8 feet. "Sarah is at a point where she could break the school record on a weekly basis," said Frerker.
The Cougars' Ryan Gold (Hartford) has been a steady force in the long jump. He leaped 22-2.25 at the Illinois Wesleyan Early Bird Invitational in December. Gold needs to jump at least 23-6 to hope to qualify for nationals.
Cougar Women's Basketball Seek Injury-Free Week
Coach Wendy Hedberg would like to give the team trainers a breather.
It's been one injury after another. The latest was a hard elbow to the nose of Jill Johnson (Highland) in the Kentucky Wesleyan game (1/10). Johnson did not play this past Saturday (1/12) at Southern Indiana and remains questionable for Thursday's game against Quincy (1/17).
SIUE (9-7, 7-3 GLVC) watched Ruth Kipping (Quincy) return to the lineup after a two-week layoff. Her 25 points and 15 rebounds against Southern Indiana was a bright spot for the Cougars in the loss. "As banged up as we are, this week will give us a little time to heal," said Hedberg.
After playing Thursday, the Cougars have a full week off before facing Wisconsin-Parkside at home on Jan. 24. SIUE is holding on to third place in the GLVC. Five of its next seven games are at the Vadalabene Center.
Men's Basketball Gears Up For Quincy
With one game this week, SIUE Coach Jack Margenthaler likes having his Saturday idle.
The Cougars (6-10, 2-8 GLVC) face Quincy (5-10, 2-7 GLVC) on Thursday (1/17) at the Vadalabene Center in what will be an important game for both teams hoping to leap into the top eight and a berth in next month's GLVC Tournament.
"This gives us an opportunity to put our focus on Quincy," Margenthaler said. SIUE's schedule allows the Cougars to be off on Saturday (1/19) while the other 10 teams in the league square off. "It comes at a really good time because we only have one game for which to prepare," he said.
Margenthaler said he was happy with the team's effort at Southern Indiana (1/12). After falling to Kentucky Wesleyan last Thursday (1/10), Margenthaler was concerned about a letdown against Southern Indiana. "We played a very good team game," he said. "It would have been a great one to win. We picked ourselves up and played well."
SIUE shot 57.7 percent from the field despite losing by six points, its best shooting effort since the first game of the season. "It's what young teams do sometimes," said Margenthaler.
The Cougars seem to have settled on a solid lineup since the winter break. SIUE has started freshmen Rob Baumgardner (Madisonville, Ky.), Tim Bauersachs (Pinckneyville) and Brent Mueller (Columbia), along with sophomore Wes Pickering (Springfield, Mo.) and senior Marty Perry (Jacksonville).
ROTC Program Is Ranked Seventh Of 270 In The Nation
The Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) at SIUE, has been ranked seventh out of 270 ROTC programs nationally for the 2000-2001 academic year.
In making the announcement, Lt. Col. Joel Hillison, professor of military science for the university's ROTC program, attributed the achievement to the high quality of students entering the program and the support of the SIUE faculty and administration.
"We're seeing an increase in the number of students interested in Army ROTC and an increase in the number of scholars, athletes, and leaders entering the program," said Hillison. "The students are finding the ROTC program helps them focus and improve their skills."
SIUE's program ranking was based on the number of officer commissions, the quality ranking of SIUE cadets against all other cadets nationwide, and the number of nurse commissions. The selection of the SIUE program is noteworthy because the 2000-2001 academic year was the first year that SIUE's was a stand-alone program. It had been an extension of the ROTC program at Washington University. The SIUE program includes students from the university as well as McKendree College, Lewis and Clark Community College, and Southwestern Illinois College.
Hillison notes that the quality of Army ROTC cadets at SIUE is demonstrated by the fact that federal scholarships have increased from two in the 2000-2001 academic year to 13 at SIUE and two at McKendree College. A federal scholarship provides tuition, books, fees, and a stipend of $250 to $350 per month.
The Army ROTC scholarship program provides financial assistance for the education and training of highly qualified and motivated young men and women who desire to become commissioned officers in the Army after graduation from college.
Information about SIUE's Army ROTC program and its ranking is available by calling (618) 650-2500 or by visiting the program's Web site: www.siue.edu/ROTC.
NPR's Juan Williams Here Jan. 25 As Part Of A&I
One of America's leading political writers and a senior correspondent for National Public Radio, Juan Williams will speak Jan. 25 at SIUE as part of the Arts & Issues series.
Speaking about "Eyes on the Prize: The Truths of American Race Relations," Williams will appear at 7:30 p.m. in Meridian Ballroom.
After a 23-year career as a columnist and White House correspondent for the Washington Post, Williams joined NPR as host of its daily news and talk program, "Talk of the Nation." A political analyst for the Fox News channel, Williams also has appeared on numerous television programs, including Nightline, Washington Week in Review, Arsenio, Oprah, CNN's Crossfire (where he frequently served as co-host), and Capitol Gang Sunday.
Karen Bollinger, acting coordinator of the Arts & Issues series, said Williams is a respected political writer with an impressive background. "His inspirational and informative speaking style has earned him praise from corporations, trade associations, colleges, civil rights groups and citizen associations," Bollinger said. "Juan Williams is indicative of the kind of quality speakers our audiences have come to expect from the Arts & Issues series."
Williams has won an Emmy Award for TV documentary writing, as well as widespread critical acclaim for a series of documentaries including Politics-The New Black Power. His documentary on A. Phillip Randolph was featured on PBS. Articles by Williams have appeared in magazines ranging from Newsweek, Fortune and The Atlantic Monthly to Ebony, Gentlemen's Quarterly and The New Republic.
He also is author of two books-the critically acclaimed biography: Thurgood Marshall-American Revolutionary and the nonfiction bestseller, Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965, which is a companion volume to the critically praised PBS series.
Tickets for the Jan. 25 event are $8; students, $4. 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, kbollin@siue.edu. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris Center or Dunham Hall theater.
Royalties From History Book Benefit Lovejoy Library
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Friends of Lovejoy Library has received nearly $1,000 in royalties from the sale of a pictorial history of the university.
All royalties from the pictorial, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Arcadia Publishing, 2001), go into an endowment for purchase of materials for Lovejoy Library. The book was written by Stephen Kerber, university archivist and Special Collections librarian, and Donna Yates Bardon, retired director of Development for Lovejoy Library. The book contains 128 pages of historical photographs covering the period 1957 to date.
Kerber said that he and his co-author have been very gratified and grateful with the positive response to the book. "Many people have been kind enough to contact us and thank us for reminding them of events they had participated in and people they had known," he observed. "Even our dentist keeps a copy in her waiting room," he chuckled.
"We have been rather surprised and pleased by the interest of new students on campus," Kerber continued. "Many younger students are indicating a genuine curiosity about the history of the university and its pioneers. We feel especially honored that the book was distributed to incoming first-year SIUE faculty members this past August."
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is available for sale at the University Bookstore in SIUE's Morris University Center, at Piece of Mind Books in Edwardsville, and at Borders in Fairview Heights.
'A Book In Every Home' Campaign Begins Today
SIUE's "A Book In Every Home" campaign begins today. The campaign raises books, and donations that are used to buy books, for children ages six weeks to five years old.
The goal is to support literacy efforts in Madison and St. Clair counties by giving the books to children in area Head Start programs and selected day-care facilities.
"Multiple studies show that literacy is one of the most critical issues facing the country's educational system," said Kay Werner, chairperson for this year's book drive. "Literacy is the first step toward a good education, and parents reading to their children is the first step toward literacy."
This is the sixth year of the Book In Every Home campaign, which collects several thousand books annually. The campaign has several drop-off points for book donations, including St. Clair County and Madison County Head Start sites, SIUE campus sites, all public libraries in Madison and St. Clair Counties, Piece of Mind Books in Edwardsville, B. Dalton in Fairview Heights, Borders in Fairview Heights and at 11745 Olive Blvd. in St. Louis, and the Early Explorations Center located in SIUE's University Park.
For specific addresses and locations of these drop-off points, please consult the "A Book In Every Home" Web site: www.siue.edu/BOOKS or call (618) 650-2020 for more information.
This year, books will be given to children in the SIUE Head Start Program (serving St. Clair County), the Riverbend Head Start and Family Services Program (serving Madison County), the SIUE Early Childhood Center, the East St. Louis Child Development Program and Early Explorations Center. Age-appropriate books are requested.
Individuals may also donate cash as well as books. Checks for "A Book in Every Home" should be written to the SIUE Foundation, and mailed to:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
A Book in Every Home
Edwardsville, Illinois 62026-1058
(Note: In the memo part of the check, please write: A Book in Every Home.)
SIUE's bookstore also is offering 20 percent off all books purchased for the BIEH during the campaign through March 15. Book orders can be called in (618) 650-2132. If ordered with a credit card; bookstore staff will place the books in a BIEH drop-off box.
The Dutchman Kicks Off Gallery's Theater Season
Amiri Baraka's compelling and influential play, The Dutchman, will kick off the Hatshepsut Studio/Art Gallery's theater season at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19 and 26, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 and 27, at the gallery, 1210 Washington Ave., St. Louis.
Co-sponsored by MAAT Productions and the Eugene B. Redmond Writer's Club-affiliated with the Department of English Language and Literature-the play also will include several dance numbers as a backdrop, with accompanying music of popular 1960s rock artists.
The Dutchman, Baraka's parable of "murderous white rule," is about a black man, Clay (played by Joel Patrick Edward King, a theater major at SIUE) on a subway, and a white woman, Lula (played by Lisa Doerge, also a theater major at SIUE), who provokes and finally kills him.
The Obie Award-winning play, written under Baraka's given name, LeRoi Jones, struck a chord with audiences when it opened nearly 40 years ago in New York City in the midst of the civil rights movement.
Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $5. Call (314) 436-7577 for more information
January 29, 2002
Packing Boxes Are Here; Time To Move For Awhile
Packing boxes in the administrative offices of the Morris University Center are the first signs of the $19.3 million renovation that the school's "living room" is about to undergo.
In the spring of 2000, SIUE students voted their approval for major improvements to the University Center that opened its doors in 1967. With the largest voter turnout for a student election in the university's history, voters approved a tuition fee increase to fund the project that focuses on infrastructure improvements and a wide range of expanded offerings in the center.
Now, after months of planning and budgeting, the work is beginning.
The center's administrative and business offices will be relocated to the second floor Mississippi and Illinois Rooms-usually reserved for conferences and events-until the first phase of construction is completed.
Shoppers at the center's Union Station will need to make their purchases from the store's temporary location in a corner of the Goshen Lounge.
In addition to improving the administrative offices, the first phase of renovation will result in the creation of a cyber coffeehouse and a larger Union Station with greater product selection. The university's information desk will be moved to a more visible location.
"This phase of construction is just the first of four with completion of the renovations scheduled for late spring or early summer of 2003," said Mary Robinson, director of the center. Among the improvements and changes the University Center will see are:
• A reconfigured and enlarged food court-The Center Court-on the center's lower level, that provide more menu offerings, additional food choices, shorter lines and more seating-something that the opening of SIUE's third residence hall in 2001 demands.
• A new Cougar Den that will be changed into a sports-themed, after-hours hangout. Pizza Hut has already been relocated to Cougar Den and is serving a full line of pizza menu offerings, and a new Mexican cantina will be added.
• Improvements to the recreational center including "Cosmic" bowling with automatic scoring at the Cougar Lanes and a larger video arcade.
• A computer lab with 20 to 30 stations.
• Major changes in Meridian Ballroom to provide better entry, seating and sound for concerts and events.
• Outdoor dining added to the University Restaurant.
"The proposed plans reflect the types of things students told us they wanted to see in the University Center," Robinson said. More than a year's worth of student focus groups and surveys were held before recommendations were made in the winter of 2000 on improving the 35-year-old building.
Robinson said students-as well as the rest of the university community-will be kept abreast of construction activities, changes in renovation schedules, and relocations through a regular flow of information to The Alestle, WSIE-FM (88.7), and in The O.
"The best source for up-to-the-minute information will be the Web site we've established for construction-related news," Robinson said. "Everyone can access that information 24-hours a day by visiting www.siue.edu/facelift."
In the meantime, Robinson and her staff continue to pack as the days of hammering, sawing, plaster dust, and other renovation activities have arrived.
SIU President Is Guest Speaker At MLK Luncheon
James Walker almost got on the bus to go from Atlanta to Memphis in April 1968; his girlfriend-who is now his wife of 33 years-talked him out of it.
"She said she just didn't have a good feeling about the trip," Walker told a full house gathered in Meridian Ballroom to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Walker, SIU's president and a former SIUE faculty member, was anxious to join with King to demonstrate on behalf of Memphis' sanitation workers.
But, he listened to his girlfriend's advice, which proved prophetic; King was killed days later as he spoke to his fellow civil rights protesters.
Walker, who, as a 19-year-old college student, first met King in Montgomery, Ala., said he observed as King was pulled reluctantly into civil rights activism. He said King originally turned down a leadership role in the local NAACP. Spurred by Rosa Parks' stand on giving up her bus seat, and the urgings of Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, King began to become more active and visible in the community.
"I only knew him as 'the Rev. King,' "Walker said. "Obviously, I had no idea he would become the Martin Luther King."
Walker said King was the subject of violence and violent tactics by law enforcement agents, yet maintained his belief in non-violent civil rights activism.
Chancellor David Werner also spoke at the event, updating the audience on SIUE's progress toward its diversity goals. Werner said the university has made considerable progress over the last 10 years, but cautioned that the university must continue its efforts to ensure that the faculty, staff, and student populations at SIUE mirror state and national demographics.
He cited a drop from 2000 to 2001 in the number of African-American SIUE graduates as a reminder that the university cannot rest on its accomplishments.
Dave Valley, professor of speech communication and chair of that department, received the Humanitarian Award and drew the biggest reaction from the audience. In his award-acceptance remarks, Valley told his wife, Vicki, "You are my dream come true." Several community members also were honored.
There also were several performances, including Lisa Bandele, artist-in-residence in the Department of Theatre and Dance; Courtney Giles, a senior majoring in vocal performance; Angelina McLaughlin, a senior music education major; Taimica Neita, a junior dance major; the SIUE Gospel Choir; and the SIUE Jazz Combo.
The event was SIUE's 20th MLK celebration.
Black Heritage Month Activities Set For February
The Black Heritage Month Planning Committee will present its Fifth Annual Black Heritage Month Program during February, with its theme of Africa, My Roots: America, My Home. Below is a calendar of events:
• Delyte W. Morris Center Gallery Exhibit, Perspective and Perception XI, by Ambrose Wesley; 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-3 p.m. Saturday.
• Black Theater Workshop presentation of George Wolfe's The Colored Museum and Something Between Us, a collection of scenes; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, all in the James F. Metcalf Theater.
• Art Exhibit, Africa My Roots: America, My Home; Morris Center (second floor, south wall), during regular business hours.
• Cultural Bazaar and Marketplace, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 4-5, first floor of Morris Center.
• SIUE Concert Jazz Band performs a tribute to Quincy Jones and Count Basie, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 4-5; first floor of Morris Center.
• Black Student Association presents MUC Showcase, 11:30-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11 and 18; first floor of Morris Center.
• African Drum and Dance Co. of Cahokia, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13; first floor of Morris Center.
• SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts Dance Co., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, first floor of Morris Center.
• Fourth Annual Black Heritage Month Talent Show, 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, Meridian Ballroom, first floor of Morris Center.
• Reading by East St. Louis Poet Laureate Eugene Redmond, acclaimed poet and author and SIUE professor of English Language and Literature, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26; first floor of Morris Center.
• African American Dance Ensemble, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, first floor of Morris Center.
For more information about Black Heritage Month, call the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686.
'Dad' Program Set For Feb. 8 At Emily Willis HS Center
George Mimms faces many job and family demands. But he always makes time to play with blocks, finger paint, and draw with his four-year-old son Langhston at Emily Willis Head Start Center.
It's part of Mimms' parental responsibilities, which he takes very seriously. "I love being with my children," he said, "and nothing takes the place of me spending time with them."
Mimms plans to take part in the upcoming Emily Willis program, "Dad's Doing It!" Children will make a picture frame, a pencil holder, and a collage with their fathers from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 8, at the Early Childhood Center, 10th and Ohio streets in East St. Louis, Ill.
"It's wonderful that fathers see the need to become actively involved in their children's lives," said Fannie Johnson, center coordinator for Emily Willis, operated by SIUE. "At our center, we have many fathers who are present in their children's lives. This is very encouraging to see."
Mimms is one of several active fathers at Emily Willis. "There are a couple of key important roles that we as fathers play," said the
34-year-old Mimms, husband of Chree Mimms, president of Emily Willis Head Start Parent-Teacher Organization. The couple is also parents of two-year-old Ellis Mimms.
"One role is redefining the image of fathers for society and the media alike," he said. "Both have portrayed the image of a father of being absent and or incapable of producing productive citizens. We as fathers have an obligation to our children and programs like this one that provides us with a starting place."
Children, especially African-American ones, need to see black men taking on positive roles in their lives, Mimms said. "Children can look inside of us and see the kind of people they want to be. Those include kind, strong, loving and exciting people."
Mimms said he is encouraged by recent statistics that implies more black male involvement in their children's lives. According to the report, "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2001," the number of children living in single-parent homes increased from 20 percent in 1980 to 26 percent in 2000. Contributing to this jump is the rise in single father households, which rose from 2 percent in 1980 to 4 percent in 2000.
"Dad's Doing It" is the second such male involvement program for Emily Willis Head Start. The first one was last year's "Dads and Donuts." The program is one of many joint efforts that have resulted through collaboration with SIUE Head Start and East St. Louis School District 189.
"A part of our national Head Start standards is to have male involvement is to have male involvement in our program," Johnson said. "I thought this would be one good way of doing that."
UC Research Professor To Deliver 26th Annual Probst
William R. Heineman, distinguished research professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati, will deliver the 26th Annual William J. Probst Memorial Lecture at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18.
Appearing in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of the Delyte W. Morris Center, Heineman will speak about Chemical Sensors: Why They Are Important To You. In addition to the evening lecture, a student research symposium will be conducted earlier in the day, and a session is scheduled the following morning for faculty and students, New Concepts for Chemical Sensors.
The Probst lecture, named for the late SIUE Chemistry professor, is presented by the SIUE Department of Chemistry and the SIUE Chemistry Club. The lecture is funded in part by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School, and the department, as well as student activity fees and the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. For more information, call the department, (618) 650-2042.
School Of Business Seeks Computers For Museum
You remember the day you brought it home-your first "personal computer." Jimmy Carter was president. Charlie's Angels was a hit TV series, and Star Wars had not yet changed the meaning of "special effects."
Since then, you've had half a dozen or more "PCs" and a couple of laptops, but you've kept that first computer on the vague notion that it might be worth something someday.
So, it's still back there in the corner of your basement, under the boxes of Christmas decorations, that rocking horse you've been holding onto in hopes of giving it to your first grandbaby, and that box of papers you've been meaning to go through.
And today it's worth far less than the 300 or so dollars you paid for a machine that allowed you to play games, do some word processing and maybe had a program on it that helped you balance your checkbook. Chronologically, it's only 25 years old. But in "computer years," that's about 125. It's an artifact.
Here's your chance to unclutter your basement and preserve that artifact. The School of Business plans to create a computer museum this summer. The school already has commitments for several computers and is looking for further donations. Bob Carver, dean of the School of Business, said the exhibit will be used as a teaching tool for students.
"The history of computers-particularly personal computers-is a relatively short one," Carver said. "But it is an interesting study in terms of the technology, the marketing efforts that have been employed, and the way computers have entered popular culture.
"For example, Bill Gates suggested many years ago that he saw no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home. Now look how the landscape has changed. There are many lessons to be learned from the evolution of computers. The exhibit will be a way of bringing those lessons to life."
The list of businesses that have learned "lessons" the hard way is littered with the names of those still active in the market and those that are subjects for nostalgia buffs: Apple, Atari, AT&T, Coleco, Commodore, Compaq, DEC, GE, IBM, Magnavox, Mattel, Tandy, Texas Instruments, Wang, and Zenith. Their machines ran the gamut from a "Digital DECmate," with an external hard drive and an aluminum case to carry around the components (the case weighed almost as much as the computer), to the Kaypros that were relatively small and may have been the forerunner of the laptop computer.
"We're looking for any and all donations of computers, mostly from the 1970s and 80s," Carver said. "We're particularly interested in the Altair 8800, Osborne, Compaq LTE, and Commodore 64.
"Each machine set some sort of technological or marketing precedent-either for futility or establishing a new direction for the evolution of the market."
For more information, contact Bob Carver, or Dawn Munsey, (618) 650-3823, or Jim Mussulman, (618) 650-5029.
Applications Available For Kimmel Community Awards
Nomination-applications for the Carol Kimmel Scholarship and Community Service Award for Faculty and Staff are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center on campus. Deadline for the nominations is Friday, Feb. 22.
The annual award and scholarship were established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, as well as academic excellence, and for faculty and staff who are community volunteers. The awards were named for Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has been very active in dedicating her time and talent to volunteerism.
For the scholarship, individuals may nominate a student, or students may nominate themselves, according to the following criteria:
• currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at SIUE, with sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate standing;
• an accumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);
• demonstrated 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.
In addition, a nominee must provide two letters of documented University service and leadership, as well as two letters documenting community service and leadership. In order for a student to be considered for a second Kimmel Scholarship, documentation submitted for previous Kimmel Scholarships will not be reconsidered. The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.
For the Faculty-Staff community service award, the following criteria apply:
• Organizations, agencies, businesses, or individuals, including colleagues, may nominate those who they have known through professional association for at least two years;
• who have been a full-time, continuing employee of SIUE for at least two years;
• who have demonstrated continuous service to a single community agency, organization, or business for at least two years.
• Nominees must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period of time;
• outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri.
• Nominees must document leadership roles and responsibilities, and provide two letters of recommendation. Prior recipients are ineligible to apply.
Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 4, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. For more information about nomination procedures or for a nomination-application form, call the Kimmel Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
INA, AAMR Honor Nursing Faculty At SIUE
The month of December brought honors and recognition to two faculty members in the School of Nursing.
Associate Professor Arleen Fearing received the 2001 Illinois Nurses Association (INA) Nurse Educator of the Year Award, while Professor Wendy Nehring, acting associate dean for Educational Services, was invited to participate in a conference on health disparities and mental retardation sponsored by U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher.
Fearing is the fifth recipient of the INA award, established to recognize a faculty member in Illinois who, as a role model, inspires students, contributes to the improvement of nursing education, demonstrates excellence in teaching, and promotes the profession and the association to nursing students.
"Arleen personifies the criteria of this award," Nursing Dean Felissa Lashley said. "While we value the excellence of all our faculty, we're particularly proud that this recognition should come Arleen's way."
Fearing teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and has participated in course and curriculum revisions. She has been active in school and University committees, research projects, publications, presentations at local, national and international conferences and conventions, and serves as a leader of several nursing organizations, including District 10 of the INA. She has been a member of the School of Nursing faculty since 1995.
Following an invitation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wendy Nehring participated in "Health Disparities and Mental Retardation: A Surgeon General's Conference" in Washington, D.C., during the first week of December. She was one of a few nurses invited to the conference that was attended by many of the country's top health care professionals working in the area of medical services for the mentally retarded.
"Being invited and participating in this conference has been a high point in my career," said Nehring, who has been active in the American Association of Mental Retardation (AAMR).
The conference studied topics related to access to health care for the mentally retarded and to health care professionals knowledgeable in the medical issues of this population. As a follow-up to the conference, AAMR President Steven F. Warren has charged Nehring with leading the efforts to develop an action plan for the association in addressing these needs.
"I wasn't alone in putting forth Wendy's name as a conference participant," said Lashley. "Her reputation for dedicated and significant involvement in the issues of health care for the mentally retarded is national. Her representation of the nursing profession and her contributions to this conference-much like her work at SIUE-were noteworthy."
Softball Ranked No. 15 In NFCA Preseason Poll
The SIUE softball team picked up some national notice with a No. 15 ranking in the preseason NCAA Division II poll
by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
SIUE returns three All-American players: Erin Newman (Fairfield, Calif.) is a two-time All-American while Valerie McCoy (Bethalto) and Katie Waldo (Peoria) have been named once.
The Cougars kick off the 2002 season on Feb. 15 at the Delta State Tournament in Cleveland, Miss.
The USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Top 25 is voted on by eight NCAA Division II coaches representing each of the eight Division II regions. Records are from 2001. First-place votes are in parentheses.
School Record Pts.
1. Nebraska-Omaha (7) 54-6 199
2. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 44-7 183
3. Kennesaw State (Ga.) (1) 48-11 181
4. Lewis (Ill.) 55-12 180
5. UC Davis 44-14 165
6. West Florida 55-17-1 148
7. Humboldt State (Calif.) 53-14-1 145
8. Eastern New Mexico 32-10-1 143
9. North Dakota State 53-6 137
10. Alabama-Huntsville 52-14 129
11. Indiana (Pa.) 35-11 106
12. North Florida 41-12 104
13. Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.) 33-14 94
14. Grand Valley State (Mich.) 48-7-1 89
15. SIU Edwardsville 41-17 77
16. Dowling (N.Y.) 39-17 70
17. Mesa State (Colo.) 42-12 65
18. American International (Mass.) 32-21 51
19. California (Pa.) 33-9 43
20. Coker (S.C.) 44-6 42
21. (tie) Barry (Fla.) 29-20 33/St. Cloud State (Minn.) 35-14 33
23. Cal State Stanislaus 43-22 31
24. UC San Diego 34-17 29
25. Southern Colorado 52-14-1 27
Others Receiving Votes: Merrimack (Mass.) 25, Missouri Southern State 16, St. Mary's (Texas) 14, Truman State (Mo.) 13, Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 9, Cal State Bakersfield 8, Florida Southern 6, Wayne State (Mich.) 5.