February 2007
·SIUE Student From Salem Recognized With Enterprise Award
· SIU Board Of Trustees Considers Increase In Tuition
SIUE Fee, Rental Rate Changes Considered By SIU Board Of Trustees
Korte Stadium Repair, Early Childhood Center Expansion Approved
New Student Fees Considered By SIU Board Of Trustees
· SIUE Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Chosen For National Post
· SIUE Entrepreneurship Week USA Filled With Engaging Activities
·SIUC's Wiltowski, Blackburn To Speak On Alternative Energy March 16
·SIUE Housing Staff Members Receive ISRAA Top 10 Award
·SIUE Residence Housing Association To Play Host To State Conference
·Supporters On And Off SIUE Campus Are In Favor Of NCAA-I Move
·Multicultural Student Reception set for Feb. 19
·Freshman Applications Continue To Rise At SIUE
·SIUE To Present Dark Comedy The Altruists Feb. 21-25
· Program Will Bring Middle Eastern Literature To Area Children
·Former St. Louis Television News Anchor To Speak At Social Work Gala
·7th Annual Childcare Expo Set For March 3 In Aviston
·SIUE Marketing Team Wins Seven National Awards
·East St. Louis Center To Present Journey of the Amistad Feb. 24
·37th Annual Antiques Show And Sale Set For March 17-18 At SIUE
·'For The Love Of Music' To Showcase Student Musicians Feb. 12
· Purlie Victoriuos On Stage Feb. 7-11 At The Metcalf Theater
·SIU School of Dental Medicine's Give Kids a Smile Day Is Success
·SIUE's Schaefer To Speak About Edo Language, Oral Tradition
·President And CEO of Bunge North America Visits SIUE
· SIUE To Hold Open House Feb. 24 For Potential Students
MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: SIU/SDM To Present Give Kids A Smile Day
SIUE, Mackey MItchell Take Prizes From International Competition
·Members Of The Imani Winds Ensemble Take Time To Teach During Recent Visit
2/28/07
SIUE Student From Salem Recognized With Enterprise Award
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Allison R Olden of Salem, a business major at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently was honored with the Enterprise Foundation Rent-A-Car Student Leader of the Month Award for February.
Olden will graduate from SIUE this May with a bachelor of science in business administration, specializing in international business with a focus on the Chinese language.
The Enterprise Foundation award recognized Olden for her work as vice president of the SIUE chapter of the International Business Association (IBA). The IBA is aimed at enhancing student awareness of international business by promoting social and professional relationships between U.S. students, international students and companies.
IBA President Michelle Carpenter said: "Allison has been the most committed among our members this year and has been vital to our success. She is full of ideas and has shown great leadership by organizing a tour of Anheuser-Busch and Schlafly breweries, in which IBA members and exchange students compared a local brewery with an international one."
In addition to IBA, Olden is a member of the Kimmel Student Leadership Development Program at SIUE, which provides students community service and volunteer opportunities in the region.
When she learned she was a recipient, Olden said: "My motto is that unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. Being part of the IBA has allowed me to challenge myself, and I am very thankful for that.
"I am also thankful to Enterprise and to the SIUE School of Business. Both of these organizations stress the importance of campus involvement, which is so important to student development."
The Enterprise award carries with it a $50 stipend and a certificate of recognition. In addition, Olden will be recognized at a reception in the spring that will honor all Enterprise Rent-A-Car award recipients, also providing SIUE business students with an opportunity to network with Enterprise executives.
The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 15 percent of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, a seal of approval that the SIUE School has earned each year since 1975.
SIUE's accountancy program also is accredited through AACSB. Less than 33 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools hold an accounting accreditation.
2/28/07
SIU Board Of Trustees Considers Increase In Tuition
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Under a proposal considered today by the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees, new undergraduate students entering SIU Edwardsville this fall would pay $469.50 more in annual tuition than new students who entered the University in fall 2006. The proposal is part of the University's guaranteed tuition plan, under which students pay their entering tuition rate for four years.
The proposal, given first reading today at the board's regular meeting at SIU Carbondale, would create an annual tuition rate of $5,227.50 for new undergraduate students entering this coming fall. Students who entered SIUE in fall 2006 currently pay a $4,758 rate. The proposal will see a final vote at the board's April 12 meeting on the Edwardsville campus.
The SIUE plan also calls for $14,520 annual tuition rate for the SIUE School of Pharmacy and and $19,960 annual tuition rate at the SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton. Pharmacy students currently are paying $13,200 annually and dental students currently are paying $18,150 annually.
The SIUE School of Pharmacy, the only such school in downstate Illinois, opened its doors in fall 2005 and currently enrolls more than 160 students. This year, the number of applicants for fall 2007 has substantially increased, with more than 80 percent of them residents of Illinois.
The SIU School of Dental Medicine has been serving the healthcare needs of Southern Illinois for more than 30 years by graduating quality dental care professionals, many of whom practice in downstate Illinois.
2/28/07
SIUE Fee, Rental Rate Changes Considered By SIU Board Of Trustees
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today gave first reading to fee-related changes that will affect the SIU Edwardsville campus, including changes in the student fees for Information Technology, for Textbook Rental and for the Student Academic Success Center.
Other student fees considered for change include those for the University Center, Intercollegiate Athletics, Student-to-Student Grants, the Student Fitness Center and Welfare and Activity.
The changes were offered as information items to the Board at its regular meeting conducted today at SIU Carbondale. Board members will offer a final vote at their April 12 meeting.
The Academic Success Center fee would change from $30 per semester to $55.20 beginning in fall and would represent the second phase of a plan to fund the proposed center to accommodate services for the needs of a growing student population. The center would provide 58,000 square feet of space for all student services in one central location. In FY09, the fee would drop to $37.20 in its final phase.
Under the Textbook Rental fee proposal for undergraduate students, the change would mean the average SIUE student (enrolled in 15 credit hours) would pay $144 in one semester as opposed to the current fee of $128.25. With textbook costs continually increasing, often resulting in hundreds of dollars in expense at other schools, the SIUE textbook rental program is popular among students.
The Information Technology fee would change from $6 per credit hour to $6.20, resulting in the average SIUE student (enrolled in 15 credit hours) paying $93 per semester as opposed to $90 per semester currently. This fee helps defray the costs of supporting computing resources and networking infrastructure on campus.
Below is a chart of proposed changes in other student fees:
Per Semester (for a full-time student)
FY07 FY08 Change
SWAF*: $ 76.75 $ 86.55 +$ 9.80
Athletics: $ 62.20 $ 71.20 +$ 9.00
Student-to-Student Grant Fee:
$4.00 $6.00 +$ 2.00
MUC: $143.65 $148.00 +$ 4.35
Student Fitness Center
$55.30 $62.30 +$ 7.00
The Board also considered for first reading changes in SIUE's housing rental fees effective in fall and a change in the Housing Activity Fee effective summer term.
Under the proposals, rental rates for a shared room at Woodland, Prairie and Bluff residence halls would be $2,085 per semester compared with the current charge of $1,985. A deluxe single room would cost $4,170 compared with $3,970 now. Housing rates at the newly constructed Evergreen Hall would be $2,325 for a shared apartment compared with $3,100 for a private apartment. A studio apartment would be assessed at $4,350 per semester while a private suite rate would be $2,630.
Meal plan fee changes for students in the residence halls will range from $40 more per semester for Plan A (most popular) to $50 more per semester for Plan B.
Upperclassmen residing in Cougar Village Apartments will pay $1,730 per semester for a shared room compared with $1,645 paid currently, while a single room would cost $2,570 compared with $ 2,445 now. A deluxe single room would be assessed at $3,460 per semester compared with $3,290 now.
Families in Cougar Village, now paying $815 per month for a two bedroom unfurnished apartment, would pay $855 per month in fall 2007 and $880 in fall 2008. The same family paying $955 per month now for a furnished apartment would pay $1,000 per month in fall 2007 and $1,030 in fall 2008. Families in a three-bedroom unfurnished apartment now paying $915 per month would pay $960 per month in fall 2007 and $990 in fall 2008; a three-bedroom furnished is now $1,065 per month and would be $1,120 in fall 2007 and $1,155 in fall 2008.
Under a separate proposal, the Board also considered today a change in the Campus Housing Activity fee for family residents at SIUE during summer term from $26.50 to $40 per term, effective this summer. This fee supports programming, activities and services at the Family Resource Center at Cougar Village.
2/28/07
Korte Stadium Repair, Early Childhood Center Expansion Approved
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today approved a repair and renovation project for Ralph Korte Stadium at SIUE Edwardsville at an estimated cost of $1.5 million to be paid with a combination of University operating funds and/or a university loan.
The board gave the project and budget approval at its regular meeting conducted on the SIU Carbondale campus.
Repairs and renovations at the Stadium, on the west side of campus, will be made to prevent future water leaks, repair current water damage and resolve structural and maintainability issues. The Stadium was constructed in 1994-95.
The Board also approved some $30,000 in planning funds for expansion of the Early Childhood Center, which would need separate approval by the board. The expansion is expected to cost approximately $2 million.
The Early Childhood Center currently has facilities for 76 children with a waiting list of more than 130. According to planners, the lack of available quality childcare has become a recruitment and retention issue for faculty members and students who need this service. In addition, the current space limitations are not conducive to learning.
The renovation and expansion project would provide additional space for more than 30 students, provide observation and seminar areas for students and provide a large storm shelter in the basement of the building at Circle Drive and Northwest Road.
2/28/07
New Student Fees Considered By SIU Board Of Trustees
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today considered two new fee-related items that will affect the SIU Edwardsville campus: a Facilities Maintenance fee and a Nursing program fee.
Both fees will go into effect fall semester. The board will offer a final vote at its April 12 meeting. Today's meeting was conducted on the Carbondale campus; the April 12 meeting is scheduled on the Edwardsville campus.
Under the Facilities Maintenance fee proposal, the average SIUE student (enrolled in 15 credit hours) would pay $236.25 per semester for repairs and renovations in the "core" University buildings-Lovejoy Library, Peck Hall, Founders Hall, Alumni Hall, Dunham Hall, Rendleman Hall and the Science Building.
A 2004 study of the condition of major campus buildings indicates that deferring maintenance past a building's economic life will only cause repair costs to rise rapidly, becoming an unnecessary drain on funding resources. Such practice also would fail to make the buildings adaptable to changing user demands.
The seven buildings identified for renovation and repair were constructed between 1965 and 1979. The Illinois Board of Higher Education recommends that buildings be renovated at least every 50 years.
In addition, bleachers in the Vadalabene Center are badly in need of replacement, while the building also needs additional classroom and storage space. The fee also would help with a utilities shortfall because of rising costs of electricity and gas.
To better address the nursing workforce shortage in Illinois, the SIUE School of Nursing has considerably increased its enrollment. The Nursing program fee has been proposed to address the significant costs of clinical courses. Historically, the School of Nursing has absorbed these costs.
While graduate and students in the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) program will pay the $220 fee per clinical course beginning in fall, the fee will be phased in for all other nursing students. Graduate and ABSN students are not included in the University's guaranteed tuition plan.
As an example of the full four-year impact under the new fee, freshmen entering in fall would not be assessed. When they become sophomores they will pay $440 in program fees. As juniors and seniors, they will pay a total of $880 in program fees each year. Nursing upperclassmen take more clinical courses than sophomores.
A study shows that even with the increase in fees, SIUE's Nursing program would still be the least expensive when compared with five other Nursing Schools at public and private universities in the state, including the University of Illinois.
2/27/07
SIUE Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Chosen For National Post
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has chosen Christopher Herndon, assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, as facilitator for pain management on the executive committee of the ASHP Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientist's (SCSS).
Herndon will serve as the facilitator until Dec. 31, 2008. He will organize network activities at the 2007 and 2008 Midyear Clinical meetings in Las Vegas and at Orlando, Fla., respectively.
Herndon also will act as a resource for the ASHP on issues involving the specialty of therapeutic pain management; lending his expertise through media interviews and providing position statements when needed. "I'm honored to be asked to serve in this role," Herndon said. "Many of my colleagues across the country devote their professional attention to the problem that is the undertreatment of pain, largely due to fear and misconceptions about the medications we traditionally use to address pain.
"I hope that this post will afford me the opportunity to assist in confronting these barriers to effective pain control." The organization will look to Herndon for feedback regarding its implementation and review of educational programming.
"This appointment recognizes Dr. Herndon's leadership role among pharmacists in the pain management arena, and supports the contemporary nature of SIUE's pharmacy curriculum," said SIUE School of Pharmacy Dean Philip Medon.
2/26/07
SIUE Entrepreneurship Week USA Filled With Engaging Activities
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business and the Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center are offering several activities on campus today through-Friday, Feb. 26-March 2, in honor of Entrepreneurship Week USA.
Activities will include:
• The e-shirt Design Challenge, which will allow students to demonstrate design skills by introducing SIUe logo-inspired T-shirts in a competition. Designs will be displayed and judged from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, in Goshen Lounge, on the first floor of the Morris Center.
• The Ultimate Pizza Cook-Off, featuring individuals and teams of two, from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the multi-function room, on the first floor of Woodland Hall. Contestants will create their own concept pizzas and bake them for a battle to determine whose product is the most tasty and original. Categories include Most Creative Pizza and Tastiest Pizza. Basic pizza ingredients and crusts will be provided, but participants are encouraged to incorporate nontraditional ingredients.
• Bio-Diesel Basics, part of a seminar series co-sponsored by the Academy of Science-St. Louis, the Entrepreneurship Center, the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois and SIUE, will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, in the Technology and Management Center in University Park. The cost to participate is $20 and includes a box lunch.
For registration information, or more information, contact the Entrepreneurship Center, (618) 650-2161.
2/21/07
SIUC's Wiltowski, Blackburn To Speak On Alternative Energy March 16
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) James W. Blackburn and Tomasz S. Wiltowski, both professors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will speak from 2-3:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, about research surrounding the search for more efficient alternative fuels.
The presentation will take place in the auditorium just off the lobby of the SIU Edwardsville Engineering Building. The presentations are part of an ongoing seminar series sponsored by the SIUE School of Engineering.
Blackburn, also a professor of civil and environmental engineering at SIUC, will speak about "Reducing the Amount of Dry Distillers Grains (DDGs) Byproduct from Dry Grind Ethanol Plants." He will point out cost-effective ways to process DDG in the ethanol production process.
Wiltowski, associate director of the Coal Research Center at the Carbondale campus, will talk about the "Road to Hydrogen Economy." He will discuss how hydrogen power can play a large part in the global economy as well as how coal and natural gas plays a part in hydrogen production.
A chemical engineer from Poland, Wiltowski has been very active in various fields in chemical engineering with an emphasis in energy processes and catalysis. He earned a doctorate at the Institute of Catalysis at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow. At SIUC he has taught several subjects including thermodynamics, heat transfer and mass transfer.
Also a chemical engineer, Blackburn earned a doctorate at the University of Tennessee. Before joining the faculty at Carbondale, Blackburn had environmental appointments at Dow Chemical and at Exxon Corporate Research. He also has taught at Tennessee. Since the mid-1980s Blackburn's research interests have included a heavy emphasis on bioenergy and bioenvironmental processes.
For more information about the lectures, call (618) 650-2541.
Photos: Wiltowski | Blackburn
2/21/07
SIUE Housing Staff Members Receive ISRAA Top 10 Award
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Two University Housing staff members at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received "Top Ten Program" awards at the Illinois State Resident Assistant Association (ISRAA) conference from Feb. 9-11 at Western Illinois University in Macomb.
Founded in 1984 at Northern Illinois University, ISRAA is a member-operated organization dedicated to providing information, communication, recognition and collaboration for students employed as Resident Assistants (RAs). Any college or university in the state of Illinois with a residential housing program is eligible for membership.
The annual conference is a three-day event during which delegations from member schools meet to network and exchange ideas. Delegates participate in educational sessions to learn about issues facing college students and strategies for being successful in an RA role.
University Housing staff members presented two of the Top 10 programs at the conference-Diana Gravatt, RA, Cougar Village, and Tricia Maniaci, assistant community director, Cougar Village-presented "Eyes Wide Shut," in which they challenged attendees to look past their own morals or beliefs to see that people can accept each other despite differences. Maniaci said "…it is crucial for people to understand one another in order to work together on the multicultural university campus.
"RAs must help students relate to avoid conflict, create relationships, and foster harmony in their communities."
Maniaci also presented the other Top 10 program that explored miscommunication and what RAs can do about it. "Let Them Eat Cake!" suggested activities to deal with the "he said/she said" situations that invariably crop up when people live together.
SIUE presented two other sessions in addition to the award winners: "A Tale of Social Justice" by Sarah Wyatt Kirkpatrick, community director, Cougar Village, and "Modern Chivalry" by Diana Gravatt and Robert Yost, RAs in Cougar Village. Other University Housing staff in attendance at the ISRAA conference included: Drue Palmer, Josh Craig and Eric Shelton from Cougar Village; Malinda Nwobodo, Jake Presley and Shane Stephens from Prairie Hall; and Laurel Williams from Woodland Hall. Professional staff members Kirkpatrick and Maniaci served as advisors to the SIUE delegation.
SIUE University Housing has a long tradition of involvement with the ISRAA organization, including playing host to the 2005 annual conference at SIUE. "I feel it's very important to support our student leaders in the RA role," said Housing Director Michael Schultz.
"ISRAA gives students a chance to share experiences, wisdom and stories with those in similar roles at other institutions," Schultz said. "This information exchange helps us better meet the current and emerging needs of our residential students."
2/21/07
SIUE Residence Housing Association To Play Host To State Conference
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Residence Housing Association will play host to the 2007 Illinois Residence Halls Association (IRHA) conference Feb. 23-25.
More than 200 student leaders from colleges and universities throughout the state will travel to SIUE for a two-day leadership conference focusing on individual and group development, programming and event coordination, social justice issues and recognition ideas.
Featuring a safari theme, the conference will hold opening ceremonies and school roll call at the City Museum in downtown St. Louis.
IRHA was founded in 1971 to facilitate idea-sharing between residential student leaders in the state of Illinois. Any school with on-campus housing may become a member. The annual conference was created for idea-sharing and to recognize at an awards ceremony the outstanding contributions of student leaders.
Current members include Augustana College, Bradley University, DePaul University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Loyola University in Chicago, North Central College, SIU Carbondale, SIU Edwardsville, Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois-Chicago. The Illinois Institute of Technology and the University Center of Chicago are new members this year.
This year's IRHA 2007 Planning Committee consists of Brennan Stephenson (senior, Cougar Village), conference chair; Heather James (junior, Bluff Hall), conference program; Brittany Marron (senior, Bluff Hall), registration; Kassie Silvey (junior, Prairie Hall), dining and hospitality; Brent Whipple (sophomore, Woodland Hall), finance and co-sponsorship; Scott Kapraun (senior, Cougar Village), security and transportation; Ram Gopal (sophomore, Woodland Hall), entertainment; Becca Mead (sophomore, off-campus), spirit and philanthropy; and Megan Sage (sophomore, Cougar Village), bid chair. The group is advised by University Housing staff members Justin Allen, Matt Crouse and Emery Jordan.
2/16/07
Supporters On And Off SIUE Campus Are In Favor Of NCAA-I Move
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) As Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awaits an SIU Board of Trustees decision expected on Feb. 28 about whether the SIUE Cougars will have a green light to move to an NCAA Division I program, the list of supporters-on and off campus-has grown.
The Alestle, the SIUE student newspaper, has supported the move to DI, referring to the proposed reclassification as a "good idea" in an editorial. Meanwhile, SIUE Student Government resolved that it will actively participate "in a productive manner" in the decision making process that follows a reclassification to Division I.
Discussion in Student Government did express concern about a rise in student fees to help defray costs but it also was noted that an annual increase in the Athletics fee would be phased in over three years beginning in the 2008-09 academic year. "No new student fees for Division I Athletics will be collected in 2007," said SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift. "Funding will come primarily from those fees-$150 annually, phased in over a three-year period beginning in 2008-and community support," Vandegrift said.
He also said student fee increases will be subject to SIU Board of Trustee policy, SIUE policy, and the student fee review process.
Vandegrift presented his DI recommendation Jan. 11 at the board's regular monthly meeting, noting the SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics program has been highly successful for many years at Division II. "And, with Board approval, we will continue to perform at a high level against Division I teams," Vandegrift said.
He pointed out the SIUE academic programs compete at the highest level nationally and the Athletics program should as well. "SIUE is currently an NCAA Division I university in all areas except Athletics."
Off campus, the list of supporters is impressive: Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, the Regional Chamber and Growth Association and the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce. These entities have stated that such a move would benefit the entire region, bringing in more visitors to the area.
"I believe a move to Division I will increase alumni pride and expand the amount of exposure the University receives," said Bradley Hewitt, director of SIUE's Intercollegiate Athletics. "Reclassification would lead to increased public interest and should expand awareness of SIUE in our rapidly growing region.
"Donors, alumni, supporters, sponsors and several civic groups have expressed their judgments that the benefits will far outweigh the negatives in the long run," he said. "This investment will bring a return.
"I am very excited about this whole process and I thank the members of the task force for their hard work on this project," Hewitt said. "I'm also thankful to those in the public sector who have supported the University's exploration of DI."
The Chancellor's Jan. 11 recommendation to the board came after a study of the future of the SIUE Athletics program by the Intercollegiate Athletics Task Force (IATF)-made up of SIUE students, faculty, staff, alumni, and residents of the surrounding communities. The IATF spent 16 months gathering data from other colleges and universities that had made the move or had abandoned such a decision.
Vandegrift also said he considered information gathered from the University community and members of nearby communities, as well as comments gathered by the IATF during various open forums. The majority of community speakers at the open forums were in favor of a DI move for SIUE.
2/16/07
Multicultural Student Reception set for Feb. 19
Newly admitted freshmen and transfer students will be attending the second annual SIUE Multicultural Student Reception from 10:30 am - 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, in the Conference Center, on the second floor of the Morris University Center.
The reception is an opportunity for admitted students to become better acquainted with the programs, student organizations, and activities that SIUE offers to students including those who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
"Our current students will be on hand to speak to newly admitted students about their own experiences as SIUE students," said Terri Montgomery, associate director of admissions. "In addition, faculty and staff will answer any questions new students have about our academic programs, financing college, and housing at SIUE."
2/15/07
Freshman Applications Continue To Rise At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The number of freshmen applying to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for fall semester is at an all-time high, according to SIUE Admissions Director Todd Burrell.
"We had a total of 4,967 freshman applications at this time last year," Burrell said. "As of this week, we have more than 5,900. In the past two years the number of applications has jumped by about 500 each year," Burrell said. "This year it has jumped about 1,000." He pointed out that the University will continue to enroll a freshman class of about 1,800, an amount that ensures SIUE can continue to provide a quality education with current resources.
"And, we will continue to accept new freshman applications through May 1, although it is advisable to enroll early to better insure crafting a desired schedule." For all other undergraduate students, including transfer students, the deadline is July 20.In addition, Burrell said, new graduate student applications are at 819, compared with 645 this time last year. "That's about a 24 percent increase over last year at this time," Burrell said.
Burrell also pointed out that the number of students applying for scholarships at SIUE has doubled since 2004. The chosen scholars will be attending Premier Scholarship Day, Feb. 16.
As for scholarship applicants, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Scott Belobrajdic said the number of quality applicants is impressive. "For fall 2007, the University so far has had 340 students apply for our top academic scholarships, compared with 324 last year at this time," Belobrajdic said. "Of the current scholarship applicants, more than 250 met the minimum criteria and were forwarded to the Scholarship Selection Committee, which in turn chose 100 for interviews.
"This is an exceptionally high number of candidates," Belobrajdic said. "In fact, it is more than double what we had just four years ago." Of the 100 applicants chosen to interview on campus, their average ACT score is 30.1, with an average high school GPA of 3.95."The group represents every corner of the state and a wide array of academic interests,"Belobrajdic said. "These students have virtually unlimited options when it comes to selecting a university and we are very pleased to see that so many of them have SIUE at or near the top of their list."
He also noted that SIUE welcomes students who are interested in an early start, or who want to take one class, to enroll for summer. "We're open and, for the first time ever, SIUE's residence halls will be open to summer students," Belobrajdic said. "Whether a student wants to begin in the summer or start with the traditional on-campus university experience in the fall, they should apply for housing as soon as possible."
Burrell also pointed out that student retention continues to rise at SIUE, an indication that more and more students are continuing toward a degree. "We've seen an increase in full-time, degree-seeking students because we've become more and more of a residential campus," Burrell said. Since 1993, the University has constructed three residence halls and is planning a fourth residence hall to open in August.
Graduate students also should submit applications no later than July 20. Additional information about applying for admission to SIUE is available online at www.siue.edu.
2/14/07
SIUE To Present Dark Comedy The Altruists Feb. 21-25
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Audiences will enjoy a three-for-one comedy jackpot in the upcoming production of The Altruists, award-winning playwright Nicky Silver's take on what motivates activists who live for the protest du jour.
The play runs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 21-24, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, all in the theater at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Katherine Dunham Hall.
Director Marty Stanberry, artistic director of HotCity Theatre in St. Louis, says he is looking for the "fun" in the play and-based on Silver's track record-Stanberry should find it with relative ease.
Silver has taken on some interesting themes in his other works-incest, cannibalism, dysfunction-and managed to expose the comedy in some of the darkest hiding places. The Altruists won't disappoint. "I love Nicky Silver," Stanberry says in his director's notes. "He is a comic genius, whose fresh voice can suck us into his absurdly hilarious reality."
In three separate stories, the play involves a group of young activists who will march for any cause-whether its arts funding or arms funding, school cutbacks, AIDS cutbacks or welfare cutbacks, gay rights or children's rights, in a "hilarious fast-paced farce which cleverly uses real pain and suffering to attack the shallowness of a culture de-sensitized by the countless commercials, billboards and e-mails asking for your help to save the day,'" according to the play catalogue.
Stanberry calls them "don't gooders," leftist radicals who jump from cause to cause without ever really knowing, or caring, which cause they're protesting. "They want to make the world a better place-well, as long as it's better for them first."
Stanberry said the action of the play is centered in three playing areas depicting three Manhattan apartments. "As I first read the play, the first image that came to mind was a slot machine in motion," he said. "I shared this with the design team and we came up with a 'game show' concept," he said.
"With people acting as idiots on American Idol, Deal or No Deal, or the multitude of game shows taking TV by storm these days," Stanberry said, "this concept seemed to be extremely timely."
For more information or to make reservations, call the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774, or, toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2774.
Click here for cast photo: Members of the cast include Lisa Keeton of New Douglas, left, as Cybil; Natalie DiCristofano of Troy, right, portraying Sydney; and Adam Betz of Worden, as Ethan.
2/13/07
Program Will Bring Middle Eastern Literature To Area Children
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Georgetown University in Washington D.C. are working together to help Edwardsville School District teachers bring the Middle Eastern culture to the classroom, providing an international perspective for Metro-East students.
SIUE Assistant Curriculum and Instruction Professor Gloria Reading said the initiative strives to bring "awareness, understanding, tolerance" to the area. She said, as an educator, she is "aware of the need to use stories from every culture around the world. "The region of the world that we call the Middle East is not an area from which teachers can easily find units and lesson plans or books," she said. "In light of that, I began looking for children's books that are set in the Middle East."
Reading-as well as other educators through the SIUE School of Education's Curriculum and Instruction program and about a dozen teachers through the Edwardsville schools-are collaborating with representatives from Georgetown's Center for Muslim Christian Understanding, allowing for insight into the culture and enabling a "human connection" to be made.
While the cuisine, religion, culture and aspects of the lives of individuals living in Iraq, Iran, Israel, Palestine and Afghanistan will be the subject of study for grade- and middle-school students, "This has nothing to do with the war in Iraq," Reading said. "It has nothing to do with the United States and Iraq. It has to do with getting to know this part of the world and its culture."
Furthermore, she added that while religion will be discussed, there will be no propagation of any religion in the classroom. Students will review Middle Eastern children's literature.
Lesson plans will be the same as units used by teachers across the country for other parts of the world, Reading said.
However, until this opportunity became available, she said, it was not as easy for teachers to provide students with information about the Middle East. India, China, Mexico, Eastern Europe, "We do it all the time. We can't do it easily with the Middle East.
"Teachers are taking select books and developing curriculum with a foundation in children's literature," she said. "It's happening in other districts, too, but I see us on the cutting edge of something here."
2/13/07
Former St. Louis Television News Anchor To Speak At Social Work Gala
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Julius Hunter, vice president for Community Relations at Saint Louis University and a former celebrated St. Louis television news anchor, will be the featured speaker at the first ever Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Social Work Scholarship Gala on March 9. Reservations must be received by Feb. 23.
Scheduled to begin with 5 p.m. cocktails, the gala will take place in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris Center. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m.; a 7 p.m. program is planned.
During the program, Community Commitment Awards will be announced: Rudy Wilson, assistant SIUE provost for Social and Cultural Diversity, will receive the Social Work Humanitarian Award; The Hon. James Radcliffe, an associate judge in St. Clair County, will receive the Child and Family Advocacy Award; Bill DeWitt III, senior vice president of Business Development for the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club, will receive the Child Advocacy Award; and the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, will be recognized with the Social Services Agency Award.
All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund for the SIUE Department of Social Work. Tickets, which include dinner, are $50; a table of eight, $400. For reservations, call the department, (618) 650-5429.
Beautifully situated on 2,660 acres, SIUE is a public institution offering a broad choice of degrees and programs ranging from liberal arts to professional studies. Nearly 13,500 students choose SIUE for undergraduate and graduate education just 25 minutes from St. Louis. SIUE will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the 2007-08 academic year.
2/12/07
7th Annual Childcare Expo Set For March 3 In Aviston
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Seventh Annual Kids Are Our Business Seminar and Expo will be offered from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Hidden Lake Winery, 10580 Wellen Road, Aviston, Saturday, March 3, sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Centers (ISBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and at Kaskaskia College.
The $20 registration fee must be paid by Feb. 23, and includes materials, snacks and lunch. The conference is open to those in the business of childcare and/or those who are considering opening such a business. Participants will have opportunities to attend all training sessions, as well as networking, visiting the Expo and participating in door prize giveaways.
Steve Beck, founder and president of Beck and Associates, will be the keynote speaker. Beck, considered a "master facilitator and coach," also will offer training in "Exceptional Customer Service Techniques." Beck brings to his programs more than 20 years of experience as a corporate executive.
His training background spans more than 15 years, during which he has earned a reputation as an outstanding speaker, motivator and instructor. He also has provided corporate training solutions through his own consulting firm and has taught at the Chicago School of Finance and the Institute for Self Actualization.
Beck has been a frequent trainer for Baxter, CDW, Motorola Dealerships, Cardinal Health, Advocate Health Care and the U.S. Department of Education, as well as for several community colleges and banks.
Also at the March 3 seminar and expo, Gregory Everett will present "Classroom Management: Setting the Right Tone for Your Classroom" and Lisa McCormick will present "Music & Movement in Child Development."
Other sponsors of the March 3 seminar and expo are the Children's Home and Aid Child Care Resource & Referral and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The SIUE ISBDC is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with the Illinois DCEO. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
For registration information, please contact Theresa Ebeler, (618) 482-8330, or visit the Web site: www.kaskaskia.edu/daycare. Seating is limited; early registration is encouraged.
2/9/07
SIUE Marketing Team Wins Seven National Awards
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The SIUE Marketing and Communications team won seven national awards-including a Gold Award for its radio spots-recently in the 22nd Annual Admissions Advertising Awards competition, the oldest and largest competition of its kind in the country.
The awards include:
- Gold: SIUE radio ads
- Gold: SIUE Chancellor's Report
- Silver: eConnection (Alumni Magazine)
- Bronze: The Gardens at SIUE pubic relations program
- Bronze: SIUE Campus Banners
- Merit: SIUE Search Piece
- Merit: SIUE Television ads
A national panel of judges, admissions marketers, advertising creative directors, marketing and advertising professionals and the Admissions Marketing Report editorial board judged the entries based on creativity, marketing execution and impact of message.
"This national competition is an opportunity for us to test our marketing and communications materials against some of the best in the country," said Barbara O'Malley, SIUE's executive director of Marketing and Communications. "This year, we are pleased to have so many winning entries as testament to our integrated marketing approach."
The SIUE creative process is a collaborative one, O"malley said. The Marketing and Communications team-a division of University Relations-joins with other University units such as Admissions Marketing, Alumni Affairs, and the Chancellor's Office to develop an integrated marketing program for the entire university.
"All of the creative pieces we produce should continue to deliver a consistent message of the high quality experience available at SIUE-both in content and design," said Marketing and Communications Manager Heather Kniffel, who leads the creative design team. "We are fortunate to have such a talented team at SIUE as well as great creative partners, including Creativille Inc. of Edwardsville," Kniffel said.
"Our purpose is to build awareness of SIUE on a local, regional, and national level," O'Malley said. "Everything that we do supports the institution's long-term goal of building an excellent reputation."
2/9/07
East St. Louis Center To Present Journey of the Amistad Feb. 24
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts and the SIUE East St. Louis Charter School will present The Journey of the Amistad at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Historic Miner's Theatre, 204 W. Main St., Collinsville.
The play, based on actual events, recounts the 1839 sailing of the schooner Amistad, which was carrying a group of Mende-speaking West African slaves between two plantations in Cuba. Some 39 Africans overtook the crew and attempted to sail home but the Amistad was intercepted at Long Island, NY.
The subsequent capture of the Africans led to an important trial on U.S. soil affirming their freedom, and resulting in their return to West Africa.
Tickets are $5; children and senior citizens, $3. For ticket information, call Patty Kessen, (618-482-6912) at the SIUE East St. Louis Center Director's Office. The program is sponsored in part by: Illinois Arts Council.
2/8/07
37th Annual Antiques Show And Sale Set For March 17-18 At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nearly 70 dealers in antiques from the Midwest will display and sell a variety of items including furniture, fine glass, porcelain, china, toys and books Saturday and Sunday, March 17-18, at the 37th Annual Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Antiques Show and Sale at SIUE's Vadalabene Center.
The event, sponsored by the Friends of Lovejoy Library, will take place in the center's gymnasium from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free informal appraisals with paid admission (two-item limit) will be offered from 2-4 p.m. Saturday and from 1-3 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $6 at the door and are good both days of the event; for a $10 admission (includes general admission cost), "early bird" patrons may enter between 9 and 10 a.m. Saturday. Children under 13 years of age will be admitted free. For more information, call the Friends of Lovejoy Library, (618) 650-2730.
Beautifully situated on 2,660 acres, SIUE is a public institution offering a broad choice of degrees and programs ranging from liberal arts to professional studies. Nearly 13,500 students choose SIUE for undergraduate and graduate education just 25 minutes from St. Louis. SIUE celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2007-2008.
2/7/07
'For The Love Of Music' To Showcase Student Musicians Feb. 12
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will showcase its talented students during "For the Love of Music," an evening of performances by SIUE's Concert Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble, and solo pianists.
The evening of music begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris Center.
Tickets are $15 and may be purchased through the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Music, a support organization for the SIUE Department of Music. Door prizes will be awarded.
2/6/07
Purlie Victorious On Stage Feb. 7-11 At The Metcalf Theater
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Ossie Davis' comedy, Purlie Victorious, chronicles our hero's return to his sharecropper's family cabin to lay claim to a church. However, his cousin's inheritance-earmarked in Purlie's mind to bankroll the idea-is controlled by Colonel Cotchipee, who owns the land Purlie's family works. As they say, comedy ensues. But within the comedy, set in the early 1960s, playwright Davis addresses religious hypocrisy, racial bigotry, civil rights issues and a changing Southern society. Shown in the photo are cast members (seated in front left to right) Alayna R. Jones and A. J. Hemphill; (2nd row left to right) Aaron Kuban, Christa Benbow (in white smock) and Evan Grizzard; (third row left to right) Wesley Copper, Tim Albaugh, Greg Fenner and Josh Douglas. Purlie Victorious runs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free but donations will be accepted for the Lisa Colbert Scholarship Fund. (SIUE Photos by Bill Brinson)
2/05/07
SIU School of Dental Medicine's Give Kids a Smile Day Is Success
(ALTON, Ill.) About $40,000 worth of dental care was provided to nearly 200 area children, at no cost to parents Saturday, Feb. 3.
Nearly 400 dental professionals volunteered through Southern Illinois University's School of Dental Medicine and treated qualified children between the ages of three and 13 at the fourth Give Kids A Smile Day on Saturday at the Alton campus.
Free examinations, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions and more were offered during the day. Children qualified to participate in the event were those eligible for free and reduced-priced meal programs.
Fun activities were offered for children throughout the day. The Lewis and Clark Community College Dental Hygiene and Assisting programs hosted a "Smile Station" on site, which featured games to help children learn the importance of keeping their teeth clean.
Professionals through Madison and St. Clair counties' District Dental societies also donated their services throughout the day. Avid supporters of the event-Illinois Rep. Dan Beiser (D-East Alton) and Illinois Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) were in attendance.
2/5/07
SIUE's Schaefer To Speak About Edo Language, Oral Tradition
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Ronald P. Schaefer, the William and Margaret Going Professor and head of the Center for International Programs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will speak on campus Feb. 15 about Edo North: Cultural History through Language and Oral Tradition.
Schaefer, a faculty member in the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature and an associate dean of the SIUE Graduate School, will be making the presentation about the Edo languages of Nigeria at 2 p.m. in the Hickory-Hackberry Room, on the second floor of SIUE's Morris Center.
Joining the SIUE English faculty to teach linguistics in 1986, Schaefer has studied the Edo language for several years and has created a dictionary of one language that had never before been documented.
According to Schaefer, his Feb. 15 lecture will highlight obscure societies where "powerful forces of globalization" have brought about abrupt change. "Among these are villages in southern Nigeria's geographically complex Edo North region," Schaefer said. "To gain a glimpse into their unwritten cultural history, I examine transcribed and translated oral narrative texts and their vernacular linguistic structure.
"I profile character and story line elements bearing on totem types, royal lineage and social institutions as well as linguistic features of gender, precedence and transitivity," he said. "I also outline possible stages in Edo North cultural history, showing that the relationship between Edo North and pre-colonial West Africa's powerful Benin Kingdom is more tenuous than generally assumed."
Before coming to SIUE, Schaefer taught at several institutions including the University of Kansas; the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; and Texas Tech University. He also was a visiting professor for the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. Schaefer earned a bachelor of science in English at the University of Minnesota, a master's in linguistics at Texas Tech and a doctorate in linguistics at Kansas.
Beautifully situated on 2,660 acres, SIUE is a public institution offering a broad choice of degrees and programs ranging from liberal arts to professional studies. Nearly 13,500 students choose SIUE for undergraduate and graduate education just 25 minutes from St. Louis. SIUE celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2007-2008.
2/5/07
President And CEO of Bunge North America Visits SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Carl Hausmann, president and CEO of Bunge North America, visited Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently to speak with students and administration in the SIUE School of Business, as well as to discuss international studies and the role of Bunge in both local and global markets. (Click here for a photo of Hausmann speaking with students)
Bunge is an integrated, global agribusiness and food company operating in the "farm-to-consumer" food chain with worldwide distribution capabilities and primary operations in North America, South America and Europe. Hausmann was appointed to his current position in January 2004. Before his current appointment, he was CEO of Bunge Europe.
Hausmann visited campus as a part of the Chancellor's Residence Program. This program is designed to bring executives from major corporations to campus to interact with faculty and students.
"Mr. Hausmann brought decades of global business experience to our students, in addition to his perceptions of the world today," said Timothy S. Schoenecker, interim dean of the School. "It was an invaluable experience that our students will benefit from both during their education and future careers."
During his time at the University, Hausmann also met with a small group of international business students to discuss their past and future experiences abroad as well as a variety of business topics. Over the course of their discussion, Hausmann supplied the students with advice for getting the most out of their travels and international business careers.
In addition to speaking with international business students, Hausmann attended an undergraduate Organizational Behavior class to talk about his experiences, the global role of Bunge as well as current trends in the agribusiness industry.
A native of New Jersey who attended Boston College, Hausmann also spent four years in the U.S. Navy. Since then, he has resided in nearly a dozen countries on four continents. He also speaks six languages.
The SIUE School of Business has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1975. Fewer than 15 percent of business schools worldwide have earned this prestigious seal of approval which represents the highest standard of achievement.
2/5/07
SIUE To Hold Open Houses Feb. 24 For Potential Students
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) An open house Feb. 24 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville promises to highlight the University's programs for prospective students.
Potential students interested in programs through the School of Engineering or the School of Nursing, and graduate programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, may tour buildings and learn more about courses of study, as well as job options and opportunities in their fields of interest after graduation.
School of Nursing activities will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and continue until noon SIUE's Alumni Hall. Free parking will be available in Lot A. For more information, contact the School, (618) 650-3956.
The School of Engineering Open House will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the SIUE Engineering Building. Free parking will be available in Lot E. More information is available by visiting the Web site: www.siue.edu/ENGINEERING, or, by calling (618) 650-2541.
The College of Arts and Sciences will offer its open house for potential students interested in graduate programs from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Goshen Lounge, on the first floor of the Morris Center. For more information, call (618) 650-5051.
Campus-wide tours will be held by each program.
2/2/07
MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
SIU/SDM To Present Give Kids A Smile Day & 10 a.m. Press Conference featuring Legislators
- Who: The SIU School of Dental Medicine providing free dental treatment for qualified children ages 3 to 13.
- What: The Fourth Annual Give Kids A Smile Day
- When: Registration will continue from 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3rd
- Where: The School of Dental Medicine Main Clinic, 2800 College Avenue, Building 263, Alton, IL
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine-in cooperation with the Madison District Dental Society, the St. Clair District Dental Society and the Lewis and Clark Community College Dental Hygiene and Assisting programs-will conduct the Fourth Annual Give Kids A Smile Day to provide free dental treatment for underserved children across our region.
Free dental care, including examinations, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions, are offered in the interest of providing oral health care to children who may not otherwise receive it.
Locally in Alton, the one-day event allows an average of more than 200 children to receive dental care from dental professionals each year. The volunteer dentists and staff offer an annual average of more than $50,000 in preventive and restorative oral health treatment for the children who participate.
Parking is located at the south entrance of the dental clinic. To reach the parking lot, enter Annex Street from College Avenue. The clinic is the second building on the right and the patient parking lot is just after the building. A ramp is available for patients restricted to wheelchairs.
Note there is a press conference set for 10 a.m. For more information, please feel free to contact Stephen Schaus, (618) 474-7271
Back to top2/2/07
SIUE, Mackey Mitchell Take Prizes From International Competition
(PHOENIX, Ariz.) A team of students and Housing Administrators from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and architects from the design firm, Mackey Mitchell Associates of St. Louis, received two prestigious awards at a recent Association of College & University Housing Officers-International design showcase.
The SIUE/Mackey Mitchell group took the Compelling Commitment to Community Award and was selected by the audience to receive the People's Choice Award. "I think it is a great honor for SIUE to be the only higher education institution to compete and be so successful in the competition," said SIUE Housing Director Michael Schultz.
The purpose of the design competition was to inspire companies and organizations to create new and innovative residence facilities for colleges and universities. The SIUE/Mackey Mitchell team introduced the concept of moveable walls to enable students who live in the structures to conveniently change their space size depending on their needs. Students could move the walls to produce a large common area for special events, or a smaller space for studying.
Designers, students, architects, and college housing professionals from around the world submitted design proposals for an individual student-living unit. Each contestant was challenged to incorporate concepts such as flexibility, sustainability, student development, security, and technology as they created a vision for residence hall rooms and suites 25 years into the future.
"We felt we had a good understanding of the forecast for the future and a good foundation to position ourselves very well in this competition," Schultz said.
Feedback he received about students representing the University at the showcase was positive, he said. "Several individuals walked up to me and provided me with feedback about our students. They said if the students who attended the event were a representation of our student body, then SIUE is lucky to have such quality and depth in our students."
For more information about the competition and the 21st Century Project, visit the Web site at www.21stCenturyProject.com or contact ACUHO-I at 614-292-0099. Press inquiries should be directed to James Baumann at james@acuho-i.org or Schultz, 618-650-4630.
Click here for a photo of the SIUE/Mackey Mitchell team: (front row, left to right) Javier Esteban of Mackey Mitchell, SIUE students Justin Allen and Lindsey Gilmore, SIUE Director of Housing Michael Schultz; (back row left to right) Associate Director of Housing Scott Gluntz, Paul Wuennenberg of Mackey Mitchell and SIUE Associate Director of Housing Bob Legate.
2/1/07
Members Of The Imani Winds Ensemble Take Time To Teach During Recent Visit
Members of the Imani Winds ensemble entertained an Arts & Issues audience recently with their special brand of music, but they also took some time to educate SIUE students. In the two days leading to the concert, the group was on campus teaching master classes in the Department of Music. Shown in the photo (click here) Jocelyn Garner of Poplar Bluff, Mo., plays the oboe during a lesson with Toyin Spellman of Imani Winds. Since its inception in 1997, this group-the name Imani means "faith" in Swahili-has established a presence in the classical music world for dynamic performance, musical innovation and inspirational outreach programs which often explore "the culture and heritage of the African Diaspora, while introducing Western classical traditions to diverse classroom audiences."