July 2012
Sustainability Abounds At SIUE
Whether it's challenging Southern Illinois University Edwardsville pharmacy students to find efficient ways to package medicine, encouraging engineers to design environmentally friendly buildings or giving an English writing assignment about reducing one's carbon footprint, sustainability can be communicated in all subjects.
"Sustainability can be taught in any area because it fits in every aspect of lives," said SIUE Campus Sustainability Officer Kevin Adkins. "We certainly can learn to live more sustainably. Recycling is the poster child for sustainability, but there is so much more."
SIUE faculty will have the opportunity to attend a one-day workshop on how to incorporate sustainability into their curriculum and classrooms through Summer 2012 Mississippi Project II: "Sustainability in the Curriculum and Classroom" from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, August 6 or August 13 in the Lovejoy Library Third Floor Conference Room. The facilitators are Adkins and Dr. Connie Frey-Spurlock, assistant professor in the SIUE Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies.
Frey-Spurlock recently received training on ways to provide instruction on sustainability in the classroom. This is the second year Adkins has coordinated the workshop, which he named for the region and modeled after the Ponderosa Project at Northern Arizona University.
"Sustainability defined is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations," Adkins said. "But for me it is a quality of life issue."
It's a message that more and more people are willing to hear, according to research, said Adkins. And SIUE is at the forefront as a premier Metropolitan University should be, he noted, making it possible to present information of interest and value to parents and students.
To learn more, please visit SIUE Sustainability.
E. Herscher Dies; Was SIUE Professor in Lovejoy Library
Eugene Herscher, who worked at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Lovejoy Library from 1959 until retiring as a professor emeritus in 1988, died July 25. He was 88.
During his time at the University, he managed the merger of more than 100,000 volumes from the Alton and East St. Louis libraries, and brought them to the Edwardsville campus.
Herscher was a member of the Illinois Library Association and past chairman of the Resources and Technical Services section. He also was a member of other St. Louis and Illinois library groups. There will be no visitation or service. Herscher's obituary is available online through The Edwardsville Intelligencer.
SIUE Nurse Anesthesia Program Awarded Traineeship Grant
The Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) program grant to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing.
SIUE has received this grant for more than a decade and it is valued at $31,122 for the 2013 fiscal year. The grant benefits qualified students in the SIUE Nurse Anesthesia Program by offsetting the cost of their training expenses such as tuition, books, fees or room and board.
The goal of the grant is to provide financial assistance to nurse anesthetist students who will be working in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or a Medically Underserved Area/ Population (MUA/P). The School of Nursing's mission is to train students and prepare them to work specifically in these areas. SIUE's nurse anesthesia program presently has 76 enrolled students who have the opportunity to benefit from the grant.
Dr. Andrew Griffin, Nurse Anesthesia program director and principal investigator on the grant believes the financial assistance aids the students in multiple ways. "This NAT grant will help students not only financially, but also mentally," said Griffin. "It takes some of the pressure off of what the students may need at home."
NIH Awards Grant To SIUE'S Kwon For Diabetes Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Guim Kwon, Ph.D., a $429,000 grant to support her research project "Human Beta-cell Metabolism Signaling Under Chronic Nutrient Overload." Kwon is an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the SIUE School of Pharmacy.
Kwon is seeking to develop new drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and recognizes the significance of her research to everyday life. "Due to over eating and sedentary life style, obesity has become an epidemic in the U.S. and other developed countries around the world," Kwon explained. "The incidence of type 2 diabetes has been increasing proportionally to the rate of obesity. Our community is no exception. A new drug that can prevent, treat or reverse type 2 diabetes will have a huge impact on not only our community, but also millions of people around the world."
Kwon's family history contributed to her interest in pursuing the research. "My father has had type 2 diabetes for 30 years," Kwon said. "One of my uncles suffered blindness for six years and passed away at age 65 of type 2 diabetes. My oldest brother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago."
Dr. Mike Crider, chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, reiterated the value of the research, adding, "Dr. Kwon's research in studying the relationship between obesity and diabetes is extremely important in finding new drug therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The NIH award which Dr. Kwon received will greatly aid our research efforts in the School of Pharmacy and will enhance our research competitiveness on a national level. Dr. Kwon typifies a true teacher scholar in bringing her research into the classroom."
Kwon received training to study islet biology as a postdoctoral fellow at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She worked in the department of immunology and pathology from 1993 until 1996. She joined the SIUE School of Pharmacy in 2005.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov
SIUE Alumnus is Named Superintendent for Granite City Schools
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Jim Greenwald recently was named the new superintendent for the Granite City School District.
Greenwald, who will replace Harry Briggs who is retiring June 30, will begin his duties with the start of the 2013-2014 school year.
Since 1993, Greenwald has worked in Granite City as a middle school teacher, athletic director, assistant principal and high school principal. He received his bachelor's and master's from SIUE. For more information, read the article: "Greenwald named Granite City schools superintendent" available online at stltoday.com, which is the online component of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
SIUE School of Nursing Alumnus is Named Member of the State Board of Health
Dr. Julie Adkins recently was nominated by Governor Pat Quinn as an acting member of the State Board of Health for a two-year term. An article about the nomination appeared in the Daily American, a publication in Northern Illinois.
Adkins also is the president of the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nurses and the Illinois State Representative to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Adkins graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with her Master of Science in nursing, in addition to completing the Family Nurse Practitioner program. She also completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 2011.
The Illinois State Board of Health advises the Department of Public Health in meeting the state's health objectives and policies.
To learn more, you can view the article in the online issue of the Daily American.
Roy Hughes Dies, Was SIUE Employee
Roy Hughes, a native of Maryville, died July 17, 2012. He was 74.
Hughes worked in the printing department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for many years. His visitation was held Sunday, July 21 at Weber and Rodney Funeral Home.
More information is available on Hughes' online obituary.
Jeanette D. Anderson Dies; Was Retired Purchasing Officer
Jeanette D. Anderson, 61, of Maryville, died Wednesday. She was retired from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a purchasing officer.
A visitation for Anderson will take place from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday at Meadow Heights Baptist Church in Collinsville. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Edwardsville.
More information can be found in Anderson's obituary through STLToday.com, the online arm of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Dan R. Salden Dies; Was Professor Emeritus In Speech Communication
Dan R. Salden, 71, of Maryville, died Wednesday. He was a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor emeritus in Speech Communication.
A celebration of Salden's life will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, July 27 at the SIUE Center for Spirituality & Sustainability.
More information can be found in Salden's obituary, which is located on obitsforlife.com.
Burgeoning SIUE Is Integral to Edwardsville's Vibrant Growth
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently was recognized on STLToday, the online arm of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, for being a growing metro St. Louis suburb filled with entertaining options for young professionals, new businesses, families and more.
Cited as a major factor influencing businesses to locate in downtown Edwardsville was "SIUE's transition from commuter school to robust college campus."
Read the article, titled Hip 'Hoods: New generation energizes Edwardsville.
Active with Asthma Day Camp on SIUE's Campus
Active with Asthma day camp will be hosted by the American Lung Association in Illinois in conjunction with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy from 9a.m.- 4p.m. Saturday, August 11 in SIUE's Morris University Center. The event will be a free for children with asthma between the ages of 7-14.
The goal of Active with Asthma is to provide a fun and educational experience, in a safe atmosphere led by asthma experts and health care providers for children who have been diagnosed with the disease. There will be numerous fun activities for children, which will teach them about managing asthma and individual asthma triggers. The day also will include a light breakfast and lunch for the participants. Efforts to provide free transportation from East St. Louis are underway.
Local lung hero, Jaris Aide, plans to visit with the asthma campers during the day at SIUE and will share the importance of managing asthma. Earlier in her life, Jaris suffered a brain injury as a result of an asthma episode that occurred when she did not have access to an emergency inhaler. Jaris's mission is to help children with asthma by sharing her story.
The close of the camp day also will involve the children's parents and caregivers. The adults will meet with the Active with Asthma day camp staff in order to receive additional education about living with asthma and to learn about asthma resources.
This event provides a great interdisciplinary opportunity for SIUE nursing and pharmacy students and faculty in the educational and teaching aspect of children with asthma.
This event is sponsored by Health Alliance, Illinois Salon Departmental La Boutique 8/40 and Jaris Aide.
Registration is encouraged by July 20. For more information on the free day camp or to register please call (800) 788-5864 or go to www.lungil.org.
SIUE University Housing Receives Service Award
Because of its proven record of commitment, University Housing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently received the Presidential Service Award at the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International's (ACUHO-I) annual conference in Anaheim, Calif.
The service award is given to a member institution that has provided exceptional support to ACUHO-I over the years. Only one Presidential Service Award is presented each year.
"Receiving the Presidential Service award as an institution demonstrates that SIUE is recognized by its colleagues as a premiere Housing Department," said Michael Schultz, director of University Housing. "I am so proud to be surrounded with committed housing professionals."
SIUE also won first place in the ACUHO-I Case Study Competition. SIUE beat out 10 other teams from across the country and outside of the U.S. Representing the University were Woodland Hall community director Jamie Matthews and Prairie Hall community director Kat Clark, Prairie Hall community director. Participants were professionals with less than five years of professional experience.
"The Case Study competition was such a terrific learning opportunity," said Matthews. "Using our skills, education and professional experiences to develop solutions to issues facing college campuses was an exciting challenge. It also provided a chance to network with talented professionals, learn from their perspectives and share insight from our roles at SIUE."
Clark also appreciated the opportunity to brainstorm and problem solve with fellow housing professionals. "The challenge of competition was navigating the crisis and collaborating with your teammate," she said. "I greatly valued the opportunity to present with my colleague on a current issue and receive feedback from other new professionals and the judges following the competition."
Schultz also commended the success of Matthews and Clark. "Kat and Jamie represent the quality staff we have at SIUE," he said. "The decisions they made in the case study competition are the same skills they bring to real life situations everyday on campus."
ACUHO-I has established itself as the foremost authority on Housing and Residence Life. ACUHO-I members include thousands of housing professionals from more than 900 colleges and universities in 22 different countries, who serve approximately 1.8 million students worldwide.
NCERC'S Caupert Visits U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Meets With NCGA
The NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is promoting its strategies for "Advancing Biofuels Research" by being presenters and participants in several high-profile conferences and programs this summer, including two this week.
Center Director John Caupert is again in Washington, D.C., this week participating in meetings with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to discuss technology pathways and collaborative research on cellulosic ethanol from corn bran. While in Washington, he also will meet with leadership of the National Corn Growers Association to present recent breakthroughs in cellulosic ethanol research.
"The NCERC entered the summer quite optimistic about the positive message we have to share regarding developments and advances in biofuels research," Caupert said. "That enthusiasm is catching. Our message has been incredibly well-received, and the Center is being increasingly recognized as a leader in biofuels research and development. The USDA, in particular, has expressed the value of the NCERC's decade-long collaboration with USDA scientists to continue advancing biofuels research."
Earlier this month, Caupert and other staff members attended the Department of Energy Biomass Summit July 9-11 in Washington D.C. On July 12-13, Caupert spoke to the Illinois Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) on "Biofuels, Policy and Technology at a Crossroads."
In May, Caupert participated in the Advanced Biofuels Industry Roundtable in Washington D.C. with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and Department of the Navy. Previously in June, Caupert and the Center research team participated in the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis. Caupert later visited with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. as part of the Growth Energy Illinois Ethanol Fly-In.
To cap off the summer, Caupert will attend the American Coalition for Ethanol in Omaha on Aug. 8-10.
"The vast scope of research taking place at the Center far surpasses the corn-based ethanol research for which we were first known," Caupert said. "With the addition of the new fermentation suite and our Advanced Biofuels Research Initiative, we are actively expanding into the research and development of cellulosic ethanol, advanced biofuels such as bio-butanol, specialty chemicals and other renewable compounds."
"It's important to remember that while the biofuels industry is not new, in many ways the industry is still in its infancy;" Caupert said. "There are decades of research, development and commercialization projects that have yet to take place in the biofuels market space, and the NCERC is the solution."
The Center's latest advanced biofuels research breakthrough took place last month when the research team successfully produced the first ethanol from the cellulosic portion of the corn kernel which led to national media attention and recognition.
"By utilizing existing technologies readily available in the commercial marketplace, the Center was able to produce a biofuel that builds upon the strengths of conventional corn ethanol and the promise of cellulosic ethanol, thus making bolt-on cellulosic ethanol a reality," Caupert said. "This translates into immediate opportunities for jobs and economic development, particularly in rural areas. But from a research perspective, this is only the beginning of an extremely exciting journey."
For more information about the Center, visit www.ethanolresearch.com.
About the Center
The NCERC at SIUE is a nationally recognized research center dedicated to the development and commercialization of bio fuels, specialty chemicals and other renewable compounds. Established through federal and state initiatives, with support from the Illinois and National Corn Growers Associations, the Center promotes rural development and economic stimulus and is providing tomorrow's workforce with the skills needed to meet the challenges of a changing energy environment. Designated as a Bio refining Center of Excellence, the Center assists in developing the technologies needed to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil and provide consumers with economically sound and environmentally responsible fuel options. Research initiatives in renewable energy at the Center are supported through grants, contracts and donor contributions. For more information, contact Courtney Breckenridge, (618) 401-9218, cbreckenridge@ethanolresearch.com, or visit http://www.ethanolresearch.com.
About SIUE
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a nationally recognized university dedicated to educating and developing professional and community leaders through its excellent faculty and academic programs. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 17-to-1, SIUE offers the advantages of a small, liberal arts college with the lowest tuition of all 12 state universities in Illinois. The emphasis on undergraduate education, complemented by faculty research, creates practical applications for student learning. In fall 2011, SIUE reached the largest overall enrollment in the history of the University with 14,235 students. In fiscal year 2011, SIUE faculty and staff received more than $34 million in grants and contracts for research, teaching and service initiatives. Only 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River's rich bottom land. SIUE has been shaping the future in the St. Louis Metro Area since 1957, offering quality undergraduate and graduate programs combined with a solid commitment to the economic development of Southwestern Illinois.
Deacon William J. Maurer Dies; Was SIUE School Of Pharmacy Development Director
Deacon William J. Maurer of Troy died Sunday, July 15 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was 69.
Maurer was the director of development for the SIUE School of Pharmacy. He also had been a deacon, most recently serving as the permanent deacon at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Troy. Maurer is survived by his wife Marcia Maurer, dean of the SIUE School of Nursing.
A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 18 at the Irwin Chapel in Glen Carbon. Visit the chapel's website for obituary information and visitation details.
SIUE Director of University Housing Receives Leadership Award
Michael Schultz, director of University Housing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently received the 2012 James C. Grimm Leadership and Service Award at the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I) Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif.
The award recognizes those who have assisted ACUHO-I with dedicated service and outstanding leadership and have helped strengthen the goals and objectives of the Association. Recipients of the award must be an active member of ACUHO-I for at least 10 years.
"I am honored to receive this distinguished award," said Schultz. "ACUHO-I has provided me the opportunity to develop professionally and provide the opportunity for my colleagues around the world to reach their full potential."
Schultz is a graduate of Mercer University, where he received his bachelor of arts degree in Communications, and Florida State University, where he earned a master of science degree in Higher Education Administration. Schultz came to SIUE in 1989.
He has served ACUHO-I as the association's president, conference program chair, awards and recognition chair, nominations chair, and the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI) selection committee chair. Currently, Schultz is the chair of the Credentialing Board.
In addition, Schultz has presented numerous workshops regionally, nationally, and internationally. He was part of a team that competed in the 21st Century Project Design Showcases and was awarded the People's Choice Award for The Home and The Block & Neighborhood competitions.
"The opportunity to serve is valued and supported by the SIUE community as we continue to strive to be known nationwide," Schultz said. "National recognition like this is proof that SIUE is a premiere metropolitan university."
ACUHO-I has established itself as the foremost authority on Housing and Residence Life. ACUHO-I members include thousands of housing professionals from more than 900 colleges and universities in 22 different countries, who serve approximately 1.8 million students worldwide.
SIUE Helps Local High School Compete In National Envirothon
Dr. Bill Retzlaff, associate dean of SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and professor of biological sciences, explains the benefits of the Green Roof on top of SIUE's Student Success Center to an environmental team from Triad High School.
Mark Grinter, professional land surveyor and assistant professor in construction, shows examples of collected water.
Dr. Susan Morgan, acting associate dean for research in the Graduate School and professor in civil engineering, talked with students about methods to effectively design post-construction environmental projects.
Several Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty members recently gave instruction to a local high school environmental team of state champions hoping to win a national competition later this month.
"I wanted to give my team the best possible edge in the 2012 Canon Envirothon," said Sandra Laird Perkins, Triad High School Environmental Team coach and biology teacher. Perkins also is an SIUE alumnus. "That is why I enlisted help from faculty at my alma mater."
Dr. Bill Retzlaff, associate dean of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and professor of biological sciences, displayed SIUE's largest green roof and explained how green roofs are constructed.
Team members who came to the SIUE campus included: Ryan Mehallow, captain and soil specialist; Kelly Kries, wildlife specialist; Lindsey Roberts, aquatics specialist; and Christian Vanhooser, issue specialist. Joe Bednara (forestry specialist) did not make the trip.
"SIUE is one of 10 national institutions with a large research program on green roofs," Retzlaff said. "On top of the Student Success Center, we have a 16,000-square-foot green roof. The purpose of the green roof is to replace some of the environment that was destroyed when the building was constructed in 2009."
The Triad Environmental Team also talked with faculty members Mark Grinter, professional land surveyor and assistant professor in construction; and Dr. Susan Morgan, acting associate dean for research in the Graduate School and professor in civil engineering. Among other things, Grinter showed and discussed examples of poor erosion control on local projects. "The best low impact development is to get the job done as quickly as possible," he said.
Morgan discussed various ways to effectively design post-construction environmental projects.
"It was certainly helpful to better understand aspects of construction and engineering that make low impact development practices a realistic option for communities," said environmental team member Kries.
Team Member Vahooser said during his SIUE visit that he learned practical applications, and the function of low impact development practices and infrastructure.
The Triad students are one of 55 teams across North America competing at the Canon Envirothon from July 22-28 at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa. The five-member teams will compete in five areas of environmental studies: soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and a current environmental issue. Envirothon is North America's largest high school environmental education competition, and its topic this year is "Non-Point Source Pollution-Low Impact Development."
"The students will be given an environmental problem, and they will be expected to design an environmental plan to resolve it," Retzlaff said.
Among other things, the competition will test students' knowledge of ecological and environmental concepts and their ability to make an oral presentation before a panel of judges. The top 15 teams selected at the competition will share more than $125,000 in scholarships and Canon products. More information on the competition can be found at Canon Envirothon.
The Triad team took first place in the state competition held at the University of Illinois' Allerton Park in May. They also placed first in the forestry category. The state competition was sponsored by the Association of Illinois Soil & Water. Retzlaff visited Triad several times and helped coach the high school team before they won the state competition.
ACCP Elects School of Pharmacy's Ruscin As A Fellow
The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Board of Regents has elected Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's J. Mark Ruscin, Pharm.D., as a fellow. Fellowship in the College recognizes and rewards the highest levels of excellence in the practice and science of clinical pharmacy and is the highest honor the college bestows upon its members.
"I am truly honored to receive recognition as a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (FCCP)," Ruscin said. "To me, this recognition acknowledges that my academic career has positively impacted the profession of pharmacy. Many great colleagues, previously at the University of Colorado, and now at SIUE, have significantly influenced my ability to be successful."
Ruscin and other new fellows will be inducted at ceremonies at an annual meeting in Hollywood, Fla. His teaching, clinical practice and research experiences all focus on the care of older adults. His practice site is in Springfield with the SIU School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine.
"Dr. Ruscin has distinguished himself nationally as a clinical pharmacist specializing in geriatrics," said School of Pharmacy Dean Gireesh Gupchup. "He has been recognized nationally for his clinical research and service. His election as a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy is a testament to his excellent contributions to the profession."
A Sullivan native, Ruscin is the acting chair of Pharmacy Practice. He spent 12 years as a faculty member at the University of Colorado-Denver School of Pharmacy and Center on Aging from September 1995 through June 2008. He joined SIUE as a professor of Pharmacy Practice and the Central Regional Coordinator in July 2008.
Ruscin graduated with his doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1993. After completing a pharmacy practice residency at the University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics in 1994, he completed a geriatrics fellowship at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in 1995.
SIU BOT Approves Contracts For SIUE Campus
The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees met in Springfield yesterday and approved four contracts for the Edwardsville campus.
An estimated $1 million contract over three years for set up equipment and systems for private and public grant funded research through the NCERC at SIUE, formerly known as the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, was awarded to Eagle Machine of St. Louis. The contract includes the cost to install, maintain and calibrate process instrumentation and control devices, pilot plant processing equipment, plant electrical systems and research laboratory equipment.
A bus services contract for the SIUE East St. Louis Center Head Start/Early Head Start program also was awarded to Illinois Central School Bus of Channahon, Ill. from June 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 at an approximate cost of $850,000 per year. The contract will be paid for through federal grant money from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children and Families Division. The bus service will offer roundtrip transportation for children of low-income families to attend classes at Head Start centers, as well as transportation for children and chaperones on field trips. The University has the opportunity to renew the contract for up to three consecutive school years.
A four-year trash and recycling removal services contract for the Edwardsville, Alton and East St. Louis campuses, and the Head Start Centers, was approved for an estimated cost of $611,029 through Allied Waste Transportation of Edwardsville. The cost will depend on the University's actual usage and will be funded from departmental operating funds. The contract states that, subject to continued needs, satisfactory service and favorable market conditions, the University can renew the contract for an additional 36 months beyond the approved specified contract dates.
A one-year contract costing approximately $200,000, beginning July 1, 2012, with the opportunity for renewal up to four additional years, for no lead gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol for university owned vehicles was approved. The contract is with Petroleum Traders Corp. of Fort Wayne, Ind. The contract will be paid for by University Operating funds.
SIUE Chancellor Furst-Bowe Featured At STEM Conference
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe will serve as one of the keynote speakers at the Advancing the STEM Agenda in Education, the Workplace and Society Conference scheduled July 16-17 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. The conference is sponsored by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).
STEM refers to the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Furst-Bowe is one of three editors of the 288-page hardcover book "Advancing the STEM Agenda: Quality Improvement Supports STEM," which was published recently by ASQ Quality Press, Milwaukee. The former provost and vice chancellor at UW-Stout worked with Cindy P. Veenstra, principal consultant with Veenstra and Associates and Fernando F. Padró, associate professor, doctoral program in educational leadership at Cambridge College, Cambridge, Mass.
Furst-Bowe, Veenstra and Padró will present at the conference and be available Monday for a book signing. For more information, go to the STEM conference website. The research focuses on aiding educators and policymakers to develop innovative high-impact ideas, inspire students to choose STEM-related careers, improve delivery of STEM education at schools and colleges, and help STEM college graduates transition to the workplace.
The book, according to John J. Jasinski, president of Northwest Missouri State University, provides application and success stories backed by research and modeling.
"The editors have successfully contributed to our need by focusing on collaborative models, building the K-12 pipeline, showing what works at the collegiate level, connecting across gender issues and illustrating workforce and innovative ideas," he said.
Furst-Bowe will be joined by UW-Stout Department of Biology faculty members Kitrina Carlson and Krista James to present Tuesday's luncheon keynote address.
For information about the book, contact ASQ Quality Press at (800) 248-1946 or visit the ASQ website.
SIUE Dual Diploma Student Is Valedictorian And Commencement Speaker
Eray Ozturk is one of the most outstanding graduates of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering's dual diploma program in industrial engineering.
This collaboration started in 2007 between Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and SIUE. Each year, 35 Turkish students of the highest caliber are accepted into the program. Students study their freshman and junior years at ITU, and their sophomore and senior years at SIUE.
Eray's GPA was 4.0 at SIUE and 3.96 at ITU, which placed him first among the 3,000 ITU graduates. ITU asks its valedictorian to give the student address at its common commencement for all its graduates. Eray was decorated with an ITU high-honor medallion by Rector Muhammed Sahin and awarded several prizes from prominent engineering companies.
Eray is planning to continue his graduate studies either at Stanford or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
ITU commencement attendees last month included SIUE Provost Ann Boyle and School of Engineering Dean Hasan Sevim. Approximately 3,000 students and 6,000 parents, friends and loved ones were at the ceremony.
"Eray's speech was excellent and moved the audience when he mentioned his classmate, Orkan Sipahi, who passed away in his junior year after a long battle with leukemia" Sevim said.
Boyle added: "Eray Ozturk being the valedictorian student speaker for ITU's commencement this year and Duygu Sagiroglu being selected as the SIUE commencement speaker last year are testaments of the high caliber of the dual diploma students."
ITU's Rector Muhammed Sahin was very complimentary of the dual diploma program. He noted: "The education our dual diploma students receive at ITU and SIUE is world class. These students will soon be outstanding alumni of both institutions, and we will be proud of them."
Founded in 1773, ITU is the oldest higher education institution in Turkey with more than 100,000 alumni. ITU holds the world record for most accredited engineering programs, with 23 ABET-accredited programs in 2011.
NCERC'S Caupert In D.C. For Biomass Summit
The NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is promoting its strategies for "Advancing Biofuels Research" by being presenters and participants in several high-profile conferences and programs this summer, including two this week.
Center Director John Caupert and other staff members will attend the Department of Energy Biomass Summit this week in Washington D.C. The Center research team also will participate in the following events:
• On Thursday and Friday, Caupert will speak to the Illinois Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) on "Biofuels, Policy and Technology at a Crossroads."
• Caupert will again be in Washington, D.C., the week of July 16-20 participating in meetings with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to discuss technology pathways and collaborative research on cellulosic ethanol from corn bran. While in Washington, he also will meet with leadership of the National Corn Growers Association to present recent breakthroughs in cellulosic ethanol research.
• Caupert will attend the American Coalition for Ethanol in Omaha on Aug. 8-10.
In May, Caupert participated in the Advanced Biofuels Industry Roundtable in Washington D.C. with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and Department of the Navy. Previously in June, Caupert and the Center research team participated in the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis. Caupert later visited with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. as part of the Growth Energy Illinois Ethanol Fly-In.
"The vast scope of research taking place at the Center far surpasses the corn-based ethanol research for which we were first known," Caupert said. "With the addition of the new fermentation suite and our Advanced Biofuels Research Initiative, we are actively expanding into the research and development of cellulosic ethanol, advanced biofuels such as bio-butanol, specialty chemicals and other renewable compounds."
The Center's latest advanced biofuels research breakthrough took place last month when the research team successfully produced the first ethanol from the cellulosic portion of the corn kernel which led to national media attention and recognition.
"By utilizing existing technologies readily available in the commercial marketplace, the Center was able to produce a biofuel that builds upon the strengths of conventional corn ethanol and the promise of cellulosic ethanol, thus making bolt-on cellulosic ethanol a reality," Caupert said. "This translates into immediate opportunities for jobs and economic development, particularly in rural areas. But from a research perspective, this is only the beginning of an extremely exciting journey."
N. Johnsen dies; Was SIUE Urban Planning and Local Government Faculty
Norman Johnsen, 84, of Edwardsville, died July 1 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. He joined the faculty as a professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Social Sciences, teaching earth sciences, geography and planning.
According to his obituary, Johnsen originally was from Mineola, N.Y. He earned a master's in economics from Syracuse University and moved from New York to Illinois to serve as an urban planner. A member of the area's community development team, Johnsen assisted in the planning and implementation of SIUE. He was employed by the University from 1955 to 1986, at which time he retired from the institution.
More information is available about Johnsen through an obituary in the Edwardsville Intelligencer . Arrangements were handled by Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Glen Carbon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Siteman Cancer Institute at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Hope Rescues in Granite City, the fire department of Albertson, N.Y. or the Glen-Ed Food Pantry in Edwardsville.
SIUE Graduate School Alumnus Left Mark at Alton High School
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Barbara Gillian recently retired from her position as principal for Alton High School. Gillian earned her Master of Science in secondary education from SIUE in 1996 and has been the Alton High School principal since 2008.
Her future plans include teaching two Educational Leadership Program Development courses at SIUE over the summer. In addition to her position as principal for the Alton High School, Gillian was also the director of the Truants Alternative Optional Education program in Alton and received the SIUE Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004.
More information is available about Gillian online at thetelegraph.com.
SIUE Alumnus Recognized by America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate, Somnath Bhattacharyya was recognized recently by America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals for his contributions and achievements in construction and highway design. Bhattacharya received his degree in civil engineering from SIUE in 1988. He currently is employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a civil engineer in military construction.
Bhattacharyya also has been honored by the St. Louis Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers Zone II Daniel W. Mead Award for Young Engineers. Please visit pr.com for more information on Bhattacharya and his accomplishments.
SIUE & Partners Receive Nearly $60K EPA Grant For Study
A $59,876 urban waters grant to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will allow the School of Engineering and partners to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of neighborhood green infrastructure in metropolitan St. Louis.
SIUE and partners, including the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, the City of St. Louis and Habitat for Humanity of St. Louis, will conduct a study in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood in North St. Louis. Previously installed rain gardens and planter boxes are examples of green infrastructure practices that will be evaluated for their impact on reducing storm water runoff to combined sewers. The grant also will be used for workshops for neighborhood residents on how to effectively maintain rain gardens and planter boxes, according to a release sent out by the EPA Region 7, which represents Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine Tribal Nations.
"This project will benefit Jeff VanderLou neighborhood residents, university students and the entire St. Louis community," said Karl Brooks, EPA regional administrator. "Rain gardens help remove pollutants and reduce storm water runoff."
Many urban waterways have been polluted for years by runoff from city streets and contamination from abandoned industrial facilities. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, economic, recreational, employment and social opportunities in nearby communities. By promoting public access to urban waterways, EPA will help communities become active participants in restoring urban waters while improving and protecting their neighborhoods.
EPA's Urban Waters program supports the goals and principles of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a partnership of 12 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community led revitalization efforts.
SIUE Assistant Professor Calls Olympic Committee Sex Testing Policy Unfair
Georgiann Davis, an assistant professor of sociology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is calling the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recently released sex testing policy unfair to women, and claims it sends the wrong message to young women aspiring to athletic achievement.
"The policy could prevent female athletes with hyperandrogenism, determined by natural testosterone level, from competing in London on the basis that they have an unfair advantage over their competitors," Davis said. "The policy rests on the assumption that testosterone is related to athletic prowess, but there is no scientific evidence to support this assertion."
Davis and colleagues Katrina Karkazis, a senior research scholar from Stanford University; Rebecca Jordan-Young, an associate professor from Barnard College, and Silvia Camporesi, a visiting scholar from the University of California, San Francisco, co-authored an article titled, "Out of Bounds? A Critique of the New Policies on Hyperandrogenism in Elite Female Athletes," that suggests the new policy allows the IOC to target women based on such factors as hairstyle, mannerisms or "if a woman is more masculine-looking in general" to determine whether an individual is under suspicion and/or tested. The article was published in The American Journal of Bioethics.
Along with her colleagues, Davis purport that IOC Chairman Arne Ljungqvist has "complete control over who must undergo sex testing, how and by whom the investigation will be conducted, and most importantly, the final outcome."
Furthermore, Davis said under the current policy it is unclear whether female athletes will be allowed to compete in the Olympics during any type of investigation that ensues. "If they aren't, we are concerned that their confidentiality will be jeopardized," she said. "If female athletes are indeed prohibited from competing while under investigation, they are being punished before any evidence has been collected.
"In short, the policy forces female athletes to worry about looking like 'ladies.' What message does it give young women? You can win, but make sure you look pretty?"
She noted that women competitors with naturally higher levels of testosterone are not cheating or using performance enhancers, but are competing in their natural bodies. She added: "Even if we pretend, for a moment, that testosterone predicts athleticism, it's still wrong to single out hyperandrogenism with its overproduction of testosterone as the one natural condition that can disqualify a woman from competing in the Olympics. Why not also disqualify those who are far taller or have far better eyesight than others?
"All elite athletes have exceptional bodies. To disqualify a woman because she naturally has more testosterone than other women is patently unfair."
For more information, Davis can be reached at (847) 830-8902.
Julie Furst-Bowe Assumes Duties as SIUE Chancellor
The Julie A. Furst-Bowe (BO-vee) era at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville begins today as she takes office as the eighth chancellor in SIUE history. Dr. Furst-Bowe succeeds Dr. Vaughn Vandegrift, who retired effective July 1, after a successful eight-year tenure.
"I am so enthusiastic about leading this vibrant, growing campus," said Furst-Bowe, who is a native of Chippewa Falls, Wis. "SIUE has unlimited potential as a premier Metropolitan University. As I moved through transition meetings last week, I continued to be impressed by the faculty and staff's collegiality and collaborative nature, which I first experienced during the search process. I willingly accept the challenge of keeping this institution moving upward in the ranks of higher education."
Furst-Bowe served as provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis., since 2005. In her role as the chief academic officer for the campus, she has supervised the academic colleges and the following units: Enrollment Services, Student Services, International Education, Stout Online and the Discovery Center: Applied Research, Economic Development and Technology Transfer.
Since joining UWS as a faculty member in 1990, Furst-Bowe progressed through the administrative ranks as chair of the department of communications, education and training; associate vice chancellor, academic and student affairs; and assistant chancellor, assessment and continuous improvement.
She has provided leadership to the nationally-recognized quality improvement program at UW-Stout and has served as a senior examiner for the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program. UW-Stout was the first higher education institution to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. She currently serves as higher education chair for the American Society for Quality and is providing leadership to STEM education initiatives on a nation-wide basis.
Furst-Bowe is recognized nationally and internationally for her expertise in quality higher education and has authored several articles and a book on this topic, Quality and Performance Excellence in Higher Education. She recently edited a book on advancing STEM education and is an editor of the International Journal of Excellence in Education. She is a founding board member of the National Consortium for Continuous Improvement in Higher Education and also serves on the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence and Sacred Heart Hospital Board of Directors.
She has served as a quality improvement consultant for numerous colleges and universities and is currently under contract to provide consulting services to Singapore's Ministry of Education, Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University in Dubai and Ahlia University in Bahrain. She was recently selected as a Fulbright Scholar and assigned to work with a new university in Azerbaijan through the Fulbright program.
Furst-Bowe earned an Ed.D. in work, family and community education in 1995 from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where she also achieved a professional certificate in human resource development during the same year. She earned a master of science in media technology from UW-Stout in 1986. She graduated magna cum laude from UW-Eau Claire in 1985 with a bachelor's in journalism.