November 2011
Marketing Association to Host Career Consultation
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Marketing Association is hosting Career Corner with Jim Reed at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 in 2401 Alumni Hall. Reed spent 20 years in the information processing environment with IBM and established his own consulting firm since his retirement. Students are encouraged to drop by for key insights on landing a job. Reed will discuss interviewing techniques, resume writing and provide other relevant advice for job seekers.
A Season For The Child Continues With 'The Shoemaker & The Elves'
The Shoemaker and The Elves, a delightful musical based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, is the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) holiday show on Saturday, Dec. 10, part of the organization's A Season for the Child series. After some 22 years, tickets still are $5 per person.
The Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC), the traveling arm of the Repertory Theatre Company of St. Louis, will stage this classic show at 2 and 7 p.m. in SIUE's Dunham Hall theater. The ITC has been working with FOTAD for some two decades to produce family-oriented theater for the Edwardsville area.
Times are tough for the shoemaker and his wife, and while trying to sell his only pair of shoes at the marketplace, the Shoemaker runs into a poor old beggar woman. Without thinking anything about it, he happily gives her his final pair of shoes so that she has something to warm her feet. The old woman promises that "good things" will come to the shoemaker and his wife … and they do just that. The Shoemaker and The Elves continues A Season for the Child, in its 22 nd year of presenting family-oriented theater to Southwestern Illinois audiences.
The series, sponsored by FOTAD, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, and TheBANK of Edwardsville, features professional theater troupes from St. Louis that stage adaptations of various children's stories, using interactive techniques that not only delight children and parents but also provide a learning experience.
In January, the ITC will return with an adaptation of Puss In Boots-who was in a popular Mother Goose fairytale BEFORE he was friends with Shrek-at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, in Dunham Hall theater. All tickets for A Season for the Child are $5 per person and may be obtained through the SIUE Fine Arts box office, (618) 650-2774.
SIU Dental Student Wins NSRG Research Award
Pictured are SIU School of Dental Medicine student Jillian Rigert (right) and Kaitrin Baloue, (left), dental student at the University of Illinois at Chicago and current NSRG president.
Jillian Rigert, a student at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, won this year's prestigious National Students Research Group (NSRG) award for her research project related to pain management in dentistry and medicine.
The award is given each year at the Hinman Student Research Symposium to one student based on that individual's research project. The NSRG is part of the American Association for Dental Research. The 17 th Hinman Student Research Symposium recently was held in Memphis, Tenn. and featured oral and poster presentations of research projects by dental students and graduate students from dental schools across the nation. A total of 90 students represented 41 dental schools in 24 states, the District of Columbia and four Canadian provinces.
Rigert studied the time course of expression of the TRPA1 receptor, which has a role in pain perception following injury to dental pulp. The project was directed by Dr. Kevin C. Rowland, associate professor of physiology at the SIU School of Dental Medicine.
The Symposium was sponsored by the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and co-sponsored by the Hinman Dental Society, which holds one of the nation's largest continuing dental education meetings in Atlanta each March. The Symposium is also supported in part by grants from the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), the ADEAGies Foundation, the Procter & Gamble Company and the Tennessee Dental Association Foundation.
The keynote speaker at the Welcoming Banquet was Dr. David Wong, associate dean of research at the UCLA School of Dentistry and immediate past president of the American Association for Dental Research.
SIUE Among RCGA's 2011 Top 50 Award Recipients
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year among the region's top 50 by St. Louis Commerce Magazine.
As one of the 16th Annual Greater St. Louis Top 50 Award recipients, SIUE was honored at a recent dinner presentation and was recognized in the November-December issue of the magazine.
Companies and organizations are selected based on their significant contributions to regional economic and civic impact. The awards are presented by the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), in collaboration with Rubin Brown. Sponsors include Commerce Magazine, Ameren Corp., Edward Jones, M&I Bank, Thompson Coburn LLP, KMOX Radio, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and STLtoday.com.
SIUE is the second largest employer in Madison and St. Clair counties, with more than 2,500 employees and a $471 million economic impact, according to the 2010 Economic Impact Study released by the SIUE School of Business.
About 3,500 students live on SIUE's campus and the majority of its more than 14,100 students live in the region. More than half of the University's 90,000 alumni live and work in the St. Louis Metropolitan area and contribute to the economy.
SIUE Chancellor Search Advisory Committee Announced
Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard today announced that the following individuals have agreed to serve on the SIU Edwardsville Chancellor Search Advisory Committee:
• Veronica Armouti, SIUE Alumni Association representative
• Bette Bergeron, dean, School of Education
• Rhonda Comrie, associate professor of Primary Care and Health Systems Nursing, School of Nursing
• Kathleen Gardner, associate director, University Housing
• Ronald Gray, community representative
• Jeffry Harrison, undergraduate student
• Calvin Jarrell, professor, Theater and Dance
• Brian Lotz, manager, Information Technology Services
• Shan Lu, graduate student
• Florence Maatita, associate professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies
• Lora Miles, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs
• John Navin (Chair), professor, Economics and Finance, School of Business
• Paul Pitts, assistant chancellor, Institutional Compliance
• Elio Reyes, assistant professor, SIU School of Dental Medicine
• Paul Sarvela (ex-officio), vice president for Academic Affairs
• Joseph Schober, assistant professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy
The committee will hold its first meeting toward the end of November and will begin screening applicants in January.
On-campus interviews of the finalists are currently scheduled for the end of March and early April, with the naming of the new chancellor planned for the May 2012 SIU Board of Trustees meeting.
The new chancellor will succeed Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, who after seven years of distinguished service to SIUE announced his retirement this fall.
SIUE BassMasters Club on Television
Two Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students will be featured on television at noon Sunday on the Versus Network for their part in a fishing competition, which garnered them the title of third place in the National Guard FLW College Fishing Central Region championship.
Brad LeMasters, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Justin Skinner, a senior Sociology major, both of the SIUE BassMasters Club, caught three bass, weighing 7 pounds and 10 ounces at a regional contest hosted by Southern Illinois University on Kinkaid Lake. The SIUE team was one of the top five teams.
The top five teams from each of the five regional tournaments will advance to the national championship where the first-place team will win a top award of $100,000: $25,000 for their school, $50,000 cash and a Ranger 177TR bass boat valued at $25,000 with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard wrapped in school colors for their fishing club. Coverage of the Central Regional Championship will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on "FLW Outdoors," hosted by Jason Harper. The show is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.
In the Bi-State Area, the Versus Network can be seen on Direct TV channel 603, ATT Uverse channel 640, Charter channel 45 and Dish Network channel 151. College Fishing is free to enter and FLW Outdoors provides boats and drivers for each competing team along with travel allowances. All participants must be registered, full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college or university and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university. FLW Outdoors allowed anglers worldwide to compete for millions over the course of 191 tournaments in 2011. FLW Outdoors has taken fishing mainstream with the world's richest fantasy sports game. For more information about FLW Outdoors and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com.
National Resident Hall Honorary (NRHH) Red Storm Chapter Experiencing Record Year
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Red Storm Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) is experiencing a banner year. For the month of October, NRHH received a record breaking 57 Of The Month (OTM) nominations from a variety of categories.
NRHH is the recognition branch of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH). NRHH supports monthly recognition of student staff, programs, professional staff, faculty and more through Of The Month (OTM) awards. Nominees can submit OTMs in a number of different categories, recognizing both individuals and groups.
"The increase in participation this year reflects the hard work of NRHH members to promote OTM participation," said Kyle Rice, NRHH advisor, "and educate others on how to participate in the process.
"The NRHH Executive Board has done an exceptional job this year making impactful changes that reflect the needs of our membership and encourage participation," Rice said.
NRHH Executive Board members promote the opportunity to recognize others throughout each month. Prior to October, the highest number of OTM nominations received in one month was 30 nominations in September 2011.
In another effort to recognize communities, SIUE's Red Storm Chapter introduced a new initiative for 2011-2012 - Community Of The Month. The Community Of The Month highlights the University Housing community that has the highest level of OTM participation. Prairie Hall won the Community Of The Month award for August and Woodland Hall won the Community Of The Month award for September.
The campus winner in each OTM category is submitted to compete at the regional level. Winning the regional award this year for the SIUE Red Storm Chapter was Vicky Dean, assistant director of Residence Life for Residential Education. Dean won the regional NRHH Faculty/Staff Of The Month award for August 2011.
At the end of fall and spring semester, a new group of inductees are inducted into the NRHH Red Storm Chapter. Students identified as the top 1% of University Housing residents are invited to join NRHH.
For more information about NRHH or OTMs, please contact Kyle Rice, klineba@siue.edu, 618-650-4629 or visit www.siue.edu/housing/studentleadership.
Lt. Governor Simon To Speak About Public Higher Education
Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon will discuss the need for public higher education at noon, Thursday in the Goshen Lounge at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
The event is being sponsored by SIUE Student Government and students are encouraged to attend to express concerns and ask questions. For more information, contact the Kimmel Leadership Center or Student Government, (618) 650-2686.
Former SIUE Charter High School Student Sets Sight on Ph.D. and Beyond
Chasity Love, a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School, is working hard to earn her doctorate and construct her life so that she can educate, enlighten and encourage young people.
"I plan to get my Ph.D. in analytical chemistry in December 2013 or May 2014," Love said. "After working in the industry or government for some years, I eventually want to go overseas and teach. I want to help motivate young people and speak positivity into their lives like educators and mentors did for me."
Love, a native of East St. Louis, graduated as valedictorian in 2005 from the SIUE Charter High School. "The Charter School staff was awesome," she said. "They encouraged me to aim higher than I was aiming. And they continued to tell me that no matter where I came from I was a bright student with an even brighter future."
Love enrolled at SIU Carbondale in fall 2005. She graduated cum laude with a 3.68 grade point average from the University, earning a bachelor of science in chemistry with a specialization in forensic chemistry.
While at SIUC, Love received a host of awards and departmental scholarships, presented her academic research at several national and regional conferences, published a peer-review journal article and was the recipient of several research grants. She is a McNair Scholar and has received the Illinois Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (IL-SAMP) research assistantship, SIUC Research-Enriched Academic Challenge (REACH) research assistantship, and a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) internship. "I have always loved math and science," she said. "Those subjects came easy to me because I like to solve problems and explore. While at the Charter High School, Love also was a student in one of the SIUE East St. Louis Center's after-school Upward Bound Programs. Upward Bound is a college preparatory program that prepares students for post-secondary education and works to motivate their exploration of mathematics, science and related education.
The program is critical to encourage and better equip African-American students to pursue the math and science fields, Love said, adding that she was thrilled to learn about a recent $1 million gift to SIUE to build the East St. Louis 21st Century STEM Learning Center at the Charter High School. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The high-tech learning center will provide students access to state-of-the-art technology, equipment and curricula.
"If I had to give the Charter High School any advice, it would have been to invest in providing students with more exposure to the various areas of science and to expand the level of mathematics teaching," said Love, who is vice president of the student chapter of the National Association for Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). "I felt a little behind when I got to SIUC. However, I excelled and graduated with research awards and high honors because of determination, self-motivation and a great support system."
It was both exciting and challenging to be one of the few African American students in the chemistry department at SIUC, Love said.
"During the second semester of my undergraduate experience, my professor let me teach class three times," Love said. "I was very nervous, but she always told me that I could do it because I worked hard."
Love added that she was the only freshman out of about 400 who was given this opportunity. This same instructor was so impressed with Love's ability that she allowed Love to teach her class the following year when she went on vacation.
After graduating from SIUC in 2009, later that year Love entered a Ph.D. chemistry program at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
Love continued, "When I thought about getting my Ph.D., I said: 'Why not!' Besides, who wouldn't want to be called Dr. Love? And I knew by getting my Ph.D., it would afford me more opportunities and more knowledge in my field."
Love has a teaching assistantship and a research assistantship at Purdue. Immediately upon receiving her doctorate from Purdue, Love said she would like to work in forensics research. She previously interned with the Illinois State Police Forensics Lab in Carbondale.
"I find forensics intriguing because what is blind to the human eye is visible using many types of science instrumentation," Love said. She also has an interest in working in a pharmaceutical or chemical company.
Currently, Love, in collaboration with NOBCChE is working with Agape Village of Hope International in a STEM book drive for Ghana, West Africa. The effort, which lasts until May 2012, hopes to collect at least 1,000 books that will be donated to two senior high schools. For more information visit www.avohi.org.
"I want to do so many things, and one is to apply for grants to help support the technology development and advancement of STEM subjects being taught in many countries in Africa," Love said. "I know I have to start small, but there is no limit to what a determined mind can do."
SIUE Electrical Engineering Professor Recurring Lecturer in South Korea
In October 2011, Luis Youn, professor and chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's School of Engineering conducted a lecture series on the energy deregulation process at Hanyang University in South Korea.
According to Youn, while deregulation began in Chile about 50 years ago, many countries, including Korea, are only in the early stages of the process of breaking the control of energy generation, transmission and distribution from one entity. Having studied the history of the deregulation process for 15 years, Youn is well prepared to address the successes and failures of the various governments that have already deregulated their energy industry.
Youn's first lecture series at Hanyang University was held in March 2011, while his second was held last month. He has been invited to conduct a third series in March 2012. Youn explained, "They want graduate students to be exposed to the international arena. Eventually they think these students will lead the country."
STEM Effort at the Preschool Level
Preschool-aged children from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Early Childhood Center and their teachers recently set out on a field trip to see the SIUE science building construction site. The preschoolers were delighted to watch as a wall panel was loaded on a crane and lifted into place. After watching the placement of the wall panel, Mark Grinter, assistant professor in the Department of Construction, led the children in an activity to measure distance by pacing. The trip concluded with a hands-on exercise using surveying equipment with the help of Dan Baker, Civil Engineering student, Ryan Fries, assistant professor of Civil Engineering, and Susan Morgan, chair and professor of Civil Engineering.
SIUE Civil Engineering Alumnae Wins Gold
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Civil Engineering Alumnae, Alicia DeShasier, won a gold medal for Team USA in the javelin competition at the 2011 Pan American Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico Oct. 27, 2011.
"The experience here in Guadalajara was awesome," DeShasier said. "The opportunity to represent the U.S.A. and then throwing a personal record at an international meet is a great feeling."
DeShasier, a 2007 graduate, had never competed in track and field until her senior year at SIUE. Despite the late start she was an immediate success. In her first competition she broke the SIUE's javelin record and went on to finish 10 th at the 2007 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championship.
After graduation DeShasier competed nationally while working at Oates Associates in Collinsville as a civil engineer. In 2010 she took a job with Strand Associates in Madison, Wisc. where she helps design roadways, and is a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin-Madison track and field team.
Where does this SIUE civil engineering graduate go from here? With DeShasier's goal of achieving a spot on the 2012 U.S. Team for the Olympic Games in London in mind, the next stop on her amazing journey is the June 2012 Olympic Trials to be held in Eugene, Ore.
SIUE Education Opens Doors to Freedom and Promise
It was the fall of 1964 and Don Hussey, armed only with a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, a four-year military record and a steel-clad resolve, persuaded the dean of admissions at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, to admit him as a freshman.
"A GED and a nickel would get you a cup of coffee in those days," said Hussey, first-time author. "I convinced him to let me attend for one semester promising that if I failed, I would leave.
"The dean agreed to honor my request, admonishing me with: 'If you do not maintain a "C" average you will not be allowed to continue.'" Hussey made the grade and was allowed to continue. He completed his coursework in December 1968 and graduated from SIUE on June 10, 1969.
SIUE is a principal "character" in Hussey's recently published memoir: "Ticket to Ride: the Promise of America-a True Story." The author gives an account of his challenges as a youth, his years in the U.S. Air Force and his journey to SIUE, where he was subsequently awarded his "ticket to ride"-his bachelor's degree from SIUE.
"With that leather bound document tucked under my arm, I could open doors and seek opportunities with confidence," Hussey said. "Without it, I would have been relegated to a life of mediocrity.
"When I walked across the open-air stage to receive my degree, I knew it would be the most important credential in my life. It opened up for me the promise I had been given at birth-the promise of America."
In particular, the author likes to spread that message to young people in hopes of encouraging and motivating them to take advantage of this country's opportunities. "They must advance their education and earn their degrees if they ever expect to go anywhere in this life," he said.
But a traumatic and life-altering accident after his first year of college threatened to derail his dreams. Hussey, while working a summer job in St. Louis, operated a large piece of equipment in an industrial machine shop. It was at this job that he made a miscalculation and it resulted in both of his hands being crushed. Hussey lost three fingers and crushed his little finger on his right hand. On his left hand, the author lost half of his three middle fingers and nearly severed his little finger.
"It was a long recovery- more emotional than physical," he said.
The accident required Hussey to go through extensive physical therapy and caused the author to miss about a half-year of schooling. But after a long period of adjustment, Hussey forced himself back to the typewriter, determined to learn to type again.
The horrendous accident didn't keep Hussey from having an exciting and enriching experience at SIUE. When Hussey started SIUE, the campus was located in Alton. After his accident and upon his return in fall 1965, the campus had moved to Edwardsville.
Hussey received a bachelor's in elementary education with a minor in math from SIUE in 1969.
"I've tried to show young people that they can make something out of their lives even if they encounter roadblocks along the way," he said. "No one knows what fate will bring each day, but all of us must keep the faith, believe in the 'promise,' and reach for that elusive brass ring."
Hussey traveled back to SIUE to do research and interviews for his book. His interviews included speaking to many fraternity members who still live locally. He received much assistance in compiling research from the Louisa H. Bowen University Archives and Special Collections at SIUE. The author used photos from its digitized yearbooks from 1964-1969.
"They couldn't have been more helpful," he said. "It was exciting to walk back into the Lovejoy Library. I hadn't passed through those doors in 35 years."
Hussey also credits Stephen Kerber, University archivist; Bill Brinson, University photographer; and Steve Jankowski, SIUE director of alumni affairs, for helping with his research.
"The most important thing in my life was to graduate from SIUE," he said. "I would have been lost without it. Without that degree, the opportunities in our competitive world would surely have been frustrating and set limits on my future."
The author went on to earn a master's in education from Bridgewater State University and a master's in dispute resolution from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Hussey also started his own business and ran for the Massachusetts State Senate and, more recently, ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress. He now lives in a suburb south of Boston, Mass., with his wife, Brenda.
Hussey's memoir is available on www.Amazon.com, www.Bn.com or for a personalized, signed copy visit www.donhussey.com .
IERC At SIUE Releases Study On Reverse Transfer Students
The Illinois Education Research Council (IERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville released a report today highlighting the reverse transfer trends of the Illinois High School Class of 2003.
Reverse transferring is when students move from four-year institutions to community colleges. The practice has been depicted in recent research as one of the major forms of student mobility, according to the IERC. Since it is associated with extremely low rates of degree completion, it is critical to better understand the predictors of reverse transferring and what happens to reverse transfer students once they move to a community college, said Eric Lichtenberger, associate director of research for the IERC and an assistant research professor at SIUE.
"This knowledge could help policymakers as they develop strategies to meet the state's goal to increase the proportion of individuals with quality postsecondary degrees and credentials to 60 percent by 2025," he said.
The report focuses on 37,165 graduates from the Illinois public high school class of 2003 who initially enrolled at a four-year college and follows them along their path through postsecondary education. It starts by establishing the factors associated with reverse transferring, and then describes the subsequent postsecondary outcomes of reverse transfer students -such as degree attainment at the community college and bachelor's completion if they returned to a four-year institution.
Findings from the report indicate the following:
- About 21 percent of students enrolling at four-year institutions reverse transferred to community colleges before the end of the study, which was completed in spring 2010;
- The majority of reverse transfers happened early in the study; however, many reverse transfers occurred at points that would suggest junior or senior level status and beyond if students had persisted;
- Many reverse transfer students used community colleges as a way to persist in postsecondary education, while some students reverse transferred as a way to re-enter postsecondary education after taking time off from college;
- Less than 20 percent of reverse transfer students earned an associate's degree or certificate during their stay at a community college;
- Only half of reverse transfer students made it back to a four-year college and slightly less than 25 percent earned a bachelor's degree.
Reverse transfer students account for nearly 50 percent of four-year college dropouts, with males more likely to reverse transfer. The IERC further reported that being from the middle parental income categories and expecting to work while enrolled increased the likelihood of reverse transferring; however, having a higher high school GPA and enrolling at a more selective institution were associated with a decreased likelihood of the practice.
According to Lichtenberger "This suggests that factors related to financial aid and academic preparation were both significant in terms of predicting reverse transferring." Also, the distance between where students come from in relation to their initial four-year institution was associated with this form of student mobility, as students who enrolled closer to home were much more likely to reverse transfer.
This report stemmed from previous IERC research that established how students who start at four-year colleges use the community college system.
For more information, contact Lichtenberger, the author of the report, (618) 650-2840 or (866) 799-4372. A complete report is available at ierc.siue.edu.
John 'Jack' Ades Dies; Was Pioneer Faculty Member In English
John Irvine "Jack" Ades, professor emeritus of English Language and Literature and one of the pioneer faculty at SIUE, died Thursday, Nov. 3, at his home in Edwardsville. He was 86. A native of Cincinnati, Ades joined the Southwestern Illinois Campus of SIU in 1958 as an instructor of English Language and Literature in what was then known as the Humanities Division at the Alton Residence Center, just one year after the fledgling university began classes there and at East St. Louis.
He became an assistant professor in 1963, an associate professor in 1966 and a professor in 1971, and was named chair of the English department the following year. He retired in 1990.
Before coming to SIUE, Ades taught freshman English and American Literature at the University of Cincinnati from 1955-58. Before that he was an instructor in literature and poetry at Johns Hopkins and at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Ades earned a bachelor of science in zoology and chemistry in 1949 at the University of Cincinnati, a master's in English the following year at Middlebury College in Vermont, and a doctorate in English at Cincinnati in 1963. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
An author with several literary essays published, Ades was known locally for his popular collection: The Pizza Plot: And A Few Other Slices From Life (Daniel & Daniel Publications, 1989). He also wrote The Church on North Kansas Street (1993) and The Mattress Game (Minerva Press, 1999).
He is credited with being the first SIUE faculty member to have a literary piece published in the PMLA, the prestigious journal of the Modern Language Association of America. For many years Ades also served on the advisory board of SIUE's journal, "Papers on Language and Literature." For some 15 years, he was the fine arts critic for The Telegraph in Alton and was known for his musicianship as a plectrum banjo player in The Old Guys Jazz Band, a popular St. Louis Area band made up of SIUE faculty members.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church in Edwardsville, Dr. John Hembruch officiating. Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian, 237 N. Kansas St., Edwardsville, IL 62025 or to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 811, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Chief Judge Herndon Challenges SIUE Charter High School Students
In a couple months, a senior at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School could end up in a federal courtroom-shadowing Chief Judge David R. Herndon of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois.
This new mentoring opportunity, the Judge Joseph F. Cunningham Fellowship Program, which was named for a judge who was an East St. Louis native, is being offered to selected high school seniors interested in learning about the federal judicial system or who want to explore careers in federal law enforcement.
"When I was in college and law school, I had the advantage of having mentors I could talk to and get advice," Herndon said. He graduated from SIUE with a bachelor's in 1974 and from the SIU Carbondale School of Law in 1977.
Herndon invited students to apply for the first annual fellowship program. He is one of four federal officials that students selected to participate in the program will shadow. The other three include: Clerk of Court Nancy Rosenstengel, United States District Court; U.S. Marshal Donald Slazinik and U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton, all of the Southern District of Illinois.
Only one student will be chosen from each of the following high schools: Althoff, Cahokia, East St. Louis and the Charter High School. Students must submit an application, proof of U.S. citizenship, an official transcript, a recommendation letter from a teacher or guidance counselor and an essay of no more than 1,000 words explaining why they are interested in learning more about the federal court system and law enforcement. Applications can be obtained from high school counselors or the information can be downloaded at www.ilsd.uscourts.gov.
The program will run January through April, 2012. Each student will shadow each of the four officials, spending one day with each of them during those months.
"This program resulted in the vision of Mr. (James) Lewis as a way to honor the legacy of Joseph Cunningham, who was a fair and compassionate judge and went on to serve on the Illinois State Supreme Court," Herndon said. Lewis, executive director of the East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, co-founded the Cunningham Fellowship Program with Herndon.
Brandon Rice, a junior at the East St. Louis Charter High School, asked Herndon how he was able to be fair and impartial on cases.
"At first I had to concentrate on that because I was not on the plaintiff side any longer," Herndon said. "But as time passes and you're purposing to be neutral, it becomes less of a consideration. I only think in terms of what is the law."
Herndon was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton in 1998. He serves on the executive committee of the Federal Trial Judges Division of the American Bar Association. He also is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association and the Madison County Bar Association. He serves on a committee of judges who read essays for the James Lewis Essay Contest and Scholarship Program for the NAACP East St. Louis Branch. (SIUE Photo by Denise Macdonald)
SIUE Staff Receive Phenomenal Women Awards
Most days Lora Miles' hands are full of work that entails making Southern Illinois University Edwardsville a better place for all students to learn and thrive. And Kathleen Thimsen is consumed with improving the conditions for the vulnerable populations in the Metro East.
Neither of the women is looking for any recognition. In fact, both were surprised to learn that the Center for Racial Harmony in Swansea had selected them as recipients of Phenomenal Women awards.
"I don't see myself as a phenomenal woman," said Miles, SIUE associate vice chancellor for student affairs. "I was just doing my job."
"I was surprised at the news of an award," said Thimsen, director of SIUE Community Nursing Services at the SIUE East St. Louis Center and an instructor in the School of Nursing. "This has been a remarkable journey and an amazing opportunity for me, and for our SIUE student nurses to assist people in improving their quality of life. The people of the East St. Louis community are so wonderful and caring. They are no different from anyone else in wanting a better way of life for themselves and for their children."
Racial Harmony is dedicated to promoting cooperation and understanding among all races and ethnic groups, said Jerril Jones, president. Racial Harmony, a grass-roots organization now in its 20th year of operation, is committed to making a difference through mediation, teaching, training and cooperative learning.
The Phenomenal Women Award, that began three years ago, was the brainchild of Constance Rockingham, former SIUE vice president for student affairs and president emeritus for Racial Harmony. Helping formulate the award program was Cheryl Heard, assistant director of the SIUE Kimmel Leadership Center. Heard was president of the Racial Harmony from 2005-2010.
"The idea is to recognize exceptional women in the Metropolitan St. Louis area for outstanding contributions to their communities, families and work that goes over and beyond their professional responsibilities," Jones said. A total of 45 were honored as Phenomenal Women recently at the Center for Racial Harmony's annual dinner auction at The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. A total of 120 women have received the award.
The Center for Racial Harmony selected Miles because of her instrumental work with the development and implementation of the SIUE Student Success Center. The facility was touted as enabling student achievement by creating an environment where all students can be successful. Miles also serves on the Student Success Advisory Council charged with developing a University Retention plan that will focus on under-represented populations such as African American males, the disabled, Hispanics and international students.
Thimsen was spotlighted for her involvement with community gardening in East St. Louis. Thimsen and her public health nursing students began the Jones Park Re-Beautification Project-part of the Green Partnership gardening sites-in 2009. The purpose is to bring people together in order to promote and educate them about healthy nutrition, diet, lifestyles and exercise. Thimsen also is planning to start a caregiver education program in East St Louis in February 2012.
In addition to the Phenomenal Women Award, the Center for Racial Harmony has an initiative that is working on the elimination of the educational achievement gap between majority and minority students, Jones said. Any group or person interested in joining the organization or obtaining more information can contact centerforracialharmony@yahoo.com.
Legislators, Officials Unveiling $3.5 Million In Equipment At NCERC
Legislators, local dignitaries, Southern Illinois University and SIU Edwardsville administrators, and industry leaders met today at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center in SIUE's University Park to witness the unveiling of nearly $3.5 million in equipment, made possible through the generous support of Cereal Process Technologies, LLC (CPT) of Overland Park, Kansas, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The corn fractionation system represents an advanced technology NCERC will utilize to expand upon the career training programs and advanced ethanol research currently taking place at the country's only pilot-scale ethanol facility.
"CPT's fractionation technology is the foundation for a revitalized ethanol industry," said Kenneth "Pete" Moss, CPT's vice president of marketing. "It significantly reduces energy consumption, provides high value edible corn oil and creates new cellulosic ethanol feedstock. With recent process enhancements the ethanol plant can get more oil, more starch and higher value products."
SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift emphasized the importance of the new technology in taking the NCERC to the next level.
"The NCERC is the only facility of its kind in the world," he said. "We are so fortunate to have this facility, which is committed to serving a diverse clientele that includes the private and public sectors, industry leaders, academia, and domestic and foreign ethanol producers. The center offers necessary third-party validation and commercial testing of a variety of products and technologies."
According to NCERC Director John Caupert, "The gift will help the Center in its efforts to reduce dependence on imported foreign oil and generate jobs, as well as improve the environment through the promotion and use of renewable fuels. This system opens up new opportunities for industry, government, academic researchers, along with trade and policy in developing new fuels, chemicals and food products from corn."
Representatives from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and Illinois Corn Growers Association predicted the new system would tremendously advance NCERC's research capabilities and expand the Center's marketability for partnerships with private-sector companies in the biofuels industry.
"The new fractionation system installed on the ethanol pilot plant will allow NCERC to become a true biorefinery research center capable of developing and validating in partnership with industry new co-products, fuels, and chemicals to benefit both the corn farmers and consumers," Illinois Corn Marketing Board Chairman Bill Christ said.
Illinois Corn Growers Association President Jim Reed said, "ICGA commends DCEO, SIUE and Cereal Process Technologies for this significant investment in the future of NCERC and the new opportunities that this fractionation system will generate. NCERC, through its success at commercializing new value-added technologies, has already proven to be an excellent return on the investment of public dollars."
An informal news conference followed the event.
New Cougar Business Resource Center Facility Opens at SIUE
The Cougar Business Resource Center (CBRC), a 3,700 square-feet complex designed to support the new curricula is the latest addition to the School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
SIUE officials dedicated the new facility in Founder's Hall on November 3rd at a reception for students, faculty and staff of the School of Business from 1 to 2 p.m., celebrating the high-tech facility that will serve as a focal point for resources, programs, and co-curricular activities. CBRC tours will continue for students, faculty and staff through November 8th. The Center will begin operation on November 9th.
The new space is composed of online learning technologies, conference rooms for practicing presentations, communication technology for students to interact with faculty and teammates regardless of location, shared office space for student organizations and Executive-in-Residence offices. The Executive-in-Residence program will be developed as a mentoring/coaching program that will allow students and faculty to take advantage of the experience of business professionals.
The CBRC is a work environment for students unlike any other on campus. The modern surroundings integrate technology into a collaborative work environment that would easily lend itself to the office of a Fortune 500 company rather than a university.
Additionally, students no longer need to wander the halls of Founders looking for space to set up and study. The conference rooms of the CBRC provide ample space for students to spread out and spend hours working on homework and group projects.
SIUE Chancellor, Vaughn Vandegrift spoke at the ribbon cutting about how the CBRC is emblematic of his main goal, which is for SIUE to be nationally recognized as an elite university.
"I am impressed with this facility not only because of what it can do for our students but also because it demonstrates what a great difference donors can make for this university," said Vandegrift.
School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino addressed how the CBRC is also advancing the mission of the School. "We are committed to continuous improvement and these necessary changes in curriculum and facilities will shape the way the undergraduate business curricula will be delivered and how our business students learn at SIUE. Ultimately, these changes will produce graduates who better possess the skills employers are seeking."
"Only the generosity of private donors, such as TheBANK of Edwardsville and The Korte Company, made the CBRC a reality," said School of Business Dean Gary Giamartino. "The strong support of our business alumni has ensured that we have made this facility the best possible hands-on learning environment for our students."
"TheBANK of Edwardsville is proud to be a major supporter of the Cougar Business Resource Center," stated Tom Holloway, President of TheBANK. " We treasure our long-standing partnership with SIUE and our mutual commitment to academic, athletic, arts and civic programs. To have our name permanently associated with such a new, state-of-the art facility is truly an honor."
Alumni CBRC contributors include William D. Boudouris 78) and Teresa Boudouris, Jeffrey M. Dale ('79) and Denise Panyik-Dale ('81), Camille Emig-Hill ('72, '77) and D. Bradley Hill ('78), Doris K. Reynolds-Johnson ('83, '85) and Gordon A. Johnson (82, '84), Jane Louer ('85) and Craig R. Louer ('76), Steven F. McCann ('78) and Alita R. McCann, Mara "Mitch" Meyers ('77, '80) and Robert J. Meyers ('71, '72), David R. Schaake ('77) and Kathy Schaake, James C. Zink ('67) and Rita M. Zink, and Michael Wenzel ('70) and Kathleen A. Wenzel ('71.)
New School of Business Facility at SIUE Opens to Public
Media Advisory
When: 1-2 p.m. Nov. 3, 2011
What: Grand Opening of Cougar Business Resource Center (CBRC) in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business, including tours of the new facility, demonstrations of technology, prize giveaways, and refreshments
Where: Third floor of Founder's Hall
Who: Vaughn Vandegrift, SIUE Chancellor, and Gary Giamartino, School of Business Dean, will dedicate the new wing in Founder's Hall
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business is unveiling a 3,700 square-feet complex designed to support the new curricula which will aide in the development of cross-disciplinary skills for undergraduate students and address how businesses are integrating technology and collaborative work into an increasingly globalized world.
The new space is composed of online learning technologies, space for students to practice presentations, communication technology for students to interact with faculty and teammates regardless of location, and Executive-in-Residence offices.
W. Bennewitz Dies; Was Pioneer Member Of Science And Technology Faculty
William Bennewitz, professor emeritus of computer science in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering, died Oct. 28 at Eden Village in Glen Carbon. He resided in Edwardsville. He was 84. Joining the University in 1960 in what was then known as the science and technology division, Bennewitz joined the computer science faculty in 1986 and retired 10 years later after 36 years of service.
A native of Olney, Bennewitz graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor of science in mathematics in 1949 and went on to earn a master of science in mathematics from the U of I the following year. In June 1957, he received a doctorate in mathematics, also at Illinois.
From 1957 until joining SIUE, Bennewitz taught elementary math, beginning algebra and geometry, as well as general topology, at the University of Southern California. He also served two stints in the military-from 1944-46 in the U.S. Navy and from 1951-53 in the U. S. Air Force.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at Saksa Mateer Funeral Home in Edwardsville. His remains were cremated.
SIUE Nursing Professor Elected INA President
Karen Kelly, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, of O'Fallon and associate professor of Primary Care/Heath Systems Nursing, recently was elected president of the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) at the group's 81st Biennial Convention in East Peoria. More than 400 nurses attended the meeting, which INA jointly hosted with the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing. Nurses attended education sessions, visited with a number of the exhibitors and participated in the INA's legislative and policy-making body, the House of Delegates.
Kelly, who earned a doctorate in instructional processes and adult learning and a master's in psychiatric nursing, as well as a BSN, all from SIUE, joined the INA in 1972 after receiving an Illinois nursing license. She has served the INA as a director-at-large, first and second vice president, and has been a member of the INA Commission on Continuing Education. She also has served as a peer reviewer for the INA continuing education program since 1982 and as a delegate to the American Nurses Association's House of Delegates.
At SIUE, Kelly teaches health policy and nursing administration and before coming to SIUE she taught in several schools in the St. Louis area, spending 17 years in administrative and consulting positions. Kelly also was a staff nurse in OB-GYN and in behavioral health.
Annual Fall Big Band Jazz Concert Set For Nov. 15
Featuring music from the big bands of Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis, Clayton-Hamilton, Rob McConnell and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Music will present the annual Fall Big Band Jazz Concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Appearing on the mainstage at SIUE's Dunham Hall, the event will feature the SIUE Concert Jazz Band directed by Brett Stamps, performing notable pieces including Buddy Rich's "West Side Story," Stan Kenton's "Malaguena" and Maynard Ferguson's "Danny Boy," all performed by SIUE students. Two of SIUE's vocal jazz majors also will be featured: Zelina Bott-Goins and Nicole Jonas.
Admission is $10; senior citizens and those 18 and younger, $7, while SIUE students with a valid student ID will be admitted free compliments of the University's Arts-for-All program. All tickets may be acquired at the box office, (618) 650-2774.