October 2013
- Poshard and Furst-Bowe Preside over SIUE Science Building Ribbon Cutting
- IERC Research Shows Unequal Dual Credit Access for High School Students
- SIUE Emeritus Professor Redmond Hosts Poetry Jam on Trayvon Martin
- Lifelong Learning Tackles Project Management and Ebooks Tomorrow
- ParenteBeard Partner Visits with SIUE Business Students
- Chinese Visiting Scholars Talk About Their SIUE Experience
- U.S. and Iranian Relations Topic of Wednesday Luncheon
- SIUE Student-Athletes Achieving Success in the Classroom
- SIUE School of Nursing Presents Legislative Night 2013
- SIUE’s Becherer to Present at IIRSA Conference
- SIU School of Dental Medicine’s Jain Presents at World Congress of Preventive Dentistry
- SIUE’s Educational Outreach Offers Reviews of Global, Historical & Health Topics This Week
- SIUE Hosts ICE Fair Today
- SIUE Speech Communications Students Team with Bonfyre
- SIU SDM Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- SIUE Hosted Midwest Artists Art Symposium
- 2013 Sami ‘Amer Fellow Spoke on Syrian War at SIUE
- Furst-Bowe Addresses SCUP Conference at WashU
- SIUE School of Pharmacy Students Share in Interprofessional Education Event
- SIUE Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in MUC
- NCERC at SIUE Celebrates 10th Anniversary
- Chronicle’s Selingo Reviews the State of Higher Ed
- SIUE Staff Members Set Up for Thursday’s First Campus “Yarn Bomb”
- How Can States Attract More High Achieving Minority Teachers? IERC at SIUE Releases Study on Teacher Supply Pipeline
- Midwest Artists Art Symposium Set to Take Place at SIUE Thursday
- University Museum “Yarn Bomb” on Thursday to Feature Eclectic Mix
- Arab-Israeli Relations First Topic of SIUE’s International Speaker Series
- SIU School of Dental Medicine Serves 118 Children at Give Kids A Smile Day
- Debora Daugherty-Henderson, 1959-2013; Was SIUE School of Business Student
- Next Week’s Lifelong Learning Programs Focus on Religion & Politics
- American and Muslim Series Continues at SIUE
- Sexual Assault in the Military is Topic of Documentary & Discussion at SIUE
- SIUE Wrestlers in the Community
- SIUE Student Pharmacists Chapter Receives State Award
- NCERC at SIUE Welcomes Community to 10th Anniversary Events
- Princeton Review Tabs SIUE School of Business Among Nation’s Best
- ChrisLands.com Relocates to SIUE’s University Park
- SIUE Graduate School Fair a Success—More Anticipated at Evening Fair
- Former U.S. Rep. Costello Spoke at SIUE on Nation’s Infrastructure
- SIUE School of Pharmacy Students Claim IPhA State Honors
- PNC Director Speaks at SIUE Power Breakfast
- SIU SDM Presents Annual White Coat Ceremony
- World Famous Fiddler, Eileen Ivers, in Concert at SIUE
- SIUE School of Pharmacy Presents 9th Annual White Coat Ceremony
- SIUE SBDC Adds Di Maggio as Small Business Specialist
- SIUE’s Karen Kelly Receives Outstanding Friend to Nursing Award
- SIUE Inducts Six to Alumni Hall of Fame
- Pharmacy Technician Review Ranks SIUE School of Pharmacy Among the Best
- SIUE Student Organization Partners with Edward Jones
- State Rep. Beiser to Attend Give Kids A Smile Day at SIU Dental School
Poshard and Furst-Bowe Preside over SIUE Science Building Ribbon Cutting
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will christen its $52 million Science Building West Monday, Nov. 4, at 3:30 p.m. The event will be open to the public until 6 p.m.
SIU President Glenn Poshard, SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe, Interim Provost Ann Boyle and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Aldemaro Romero will be in attendance.
The facility incorporates laboratories for faculty and student research initiatives in a state-of-the-art learning environment. It opened for use during the 2013 fall semester.
Three departments, including chemistry, biological sciences and environmental sciences, have moved into Science Lab Building West. Physics, mathematics, statistics and the STEM Center will stay in Science Lab Building East.
The new building features the newest renewable power source on campus – a 30 kilowatt solar array. The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF) provided a $103,000 grant to provide financial assistance to reach the goal of providing a portion of the new building’s electricity via the sun’s rays.
The ICECF collaborated with the University, Illinois Capital Development Board, Hastings & Chivetta architects, BRiC Partnership engineers and contractor JF Electric, Inc., to make the $230,000 solar array functional and effective.
With the array’s electrical output displayed on video monitors in the building, there will be a continuing demonstration of renewable solar power’s possibilities and practical application.
Other Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) features include use of non-heat absorbing roofing materials; low water use plumbing fixtures; high efficiency insulating materials; collection and use of recyclable materials; sun shades on the south and west facing windows; high efficiency window glazing; lighting and air conditioning occupancy sensors, and active teaching displays showing building energy use.
The next phase of the project is a $30 million renovation to the existing Science Lab Building East that will begin in early 2014.
IERC Research Shows Unequal Dual Credit Access for High School Students
The Illinois Education Research Council (IERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville today released a research brief examining characteristics of high schools and dual credit participation rates.
The project, titled “Who Has Access to Dual Credit in Illinois? Examining High School Characteristics and Dual Credit Participation Rates,” was conducted jointly by Dr. Eric Lichtenberger from the IERC and Dr. Jason Taylor, a researcher from the Office of Community College Research and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“Research, including evidence from Illinois, has shown tangible benefits related to dual credit participation, such as increasing students’ chances of enrolling in college and decreased time to degree completion,” Lichtenberger said. “However, access to dual credit appears to be unequal depending on the high school students attend.”
The study cites previous research that has shown an association between student characteristics and dual credit participation. “The literature suggests that dual credit is more likely to be available to white, middle- and upper-income, and higher achieving students, as opposed to students who are historically underrepresented in higher education, such as students of color” Taylor said.
As Taylor notes, the researchers aimed to measure the potential differences in high schools’ dual credit participation rates and determine how those differences were associated with high school characteristics.
In order to do this, Taylor said the researchers conducting the study used a longitudinal database that included the entire Illinois public high school graduating class in 2003. Dual credit participation was tracked throughout high school enrollment, although most of it occurred during the junior and senior years.
The study found that high school dual credit participation rates ranged from 0 percent to 88 percent and that students’ access to dual credit is partially dependent on a high school’s geographic location and the composition of the student body, said Lichtenberger.
“High schools in towns or rural areas, as well as high schools in the central and southern parts of Illinois, had higher dual credit participation rates relative to other areas, namely Chicago,” Lichtenberger said.
The study concluded that high schools with the largest share of students participating in dual credit tended to excel on other measures of academic performance, in addition to measures of student attendance and graduation. The researchers also found that schools with higher rates of dual credit participation had larger proportions of white students and smaller proportions of low-income students.
“It is important to recognize these results are descriptive, and we are pursuing additional inferential analyses with these data. We also know that dual credit participation in Illinois has expanded dramatically since 2003, so we are planning an analysis with more recent data,” Taylor said. “Nevertheless, these data suggest there are large inequities in students’ access to college courses.”
Lichtenberger and Taylor will present these results at the Lt. Governor’s “Scaling Up: Effective Practices in Higher Education Conference” in Normal, on Thursday, Oct.31.
The IERC, established in 2000, provides Illinois with education research to support education policy making and program development for preschool through graduate school.
In accordance with its mission, the IERC undertakes independent research and policy analysis, which informs and strengthens Illinois’ commitment to providing a seamless system of educational opportunities for its citizens.
For more information about the IERC, and its research visit www.siue.edu/ierc, follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter @IERC_SIUE, email ierc@siue.edu, or call 618-650-2840, or toll-free, 866-799-4372.
SIUE Emeritus Professor Redmond Hosts Poetry Jam on Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin was both the subject and an ancestor invoked at the 23rd Annual “Break Word with the World,” recently hosted by Dr. Eugene B. Redmond, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville emeritus professor.
At the request of Ishmael Reed’s PEN/Oakland group, Redmond created the lyrical format, “Break Word with the World,” as a “town hall-style ‘conch/us/nest’ forum–that features an evening of satirical, serio-comic, ironic and direct assaults on bigotry, abuse, oppression, racism and scape-goating.”
It was a night of poets and poetry, history and current events, drums and drummers, all converging into cultural expression and dissonance. A Eugene B. Redmond (EBR) Writers Club’s annual event, “Word” was held at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis. Like most Club events, it was co-sponsored by SIUE’s Department of English Language and Literature.
“We chose to spotlight Trayvon Martin this year to keep his memory alive,” said Redmond, former SIUE English Language and Literature professor. “And what better way to keep his memory alive than to have writers pay homage to him.
“This venue also gives writers a chance to vent about social justice in poetic form,” Redmond said. “This is our way of giving Trayvon poetic justice, and giving Zimmerman his ‘justice desserts.”
Trayvon Martin was an unarmed 17-year-old African American high school student who was fatally shot Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida, by George Zimmerman. At the time, Zimmerman was a 28-year-old neighborhood watch coordinator. Zimmerman’s defense was based on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” statute. Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges on July 13, 2013.
The Trayvon commemoration included drumming provided by Sunshine Lee’s Community Performance Ensemble and the reading of kwansaba poems and prose by members of the Club’s
Soular Systems Ensemble: Roscoe “Ros” Crenshaw, Susan “Spit-Fire” Lively, Darlene Roy (EBRWC president) and Jaye P. Willis. Among the special guests and “open mic” participants were Michael Castro, Manuel and Treasure Shields Redmond.
“Many young black men who wear certain clothes always gets judged,” said Manuel, an SIUE senior and English major whose stage name is “Ackurate.” “The Stand Your Ground law did not give Zimmerman the right to cause violence against someone else.” During the poetry session, Ackurate performed his Trayvon poem, “Warm Embrace.”
The EBR Writers Club, chartered in 1986 by Sherman L. Fowler, Roy and Redmond, meets twice monthly. The Club created the literary device now widely known as the kwansaba. Both the name and the principles of the poetic device come from Kwanzaa, the seven-day African-American cultural holiday created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. A kwansaba is a seven-line poem with seven words on each line and no word containing more than seven letters.
The Club’s trustees are Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Avery Brooks, Haki R. Madhubuti, Walter Mosley, Quincy Troupe, Jerry Ward Jr. and Lena J. Weathers. For more information about the Club and Redmond, visit eugenebredmond.com/home/, email eredmon@siue.edu or call (618) 650-3991.
The following samples are portions of kwansabas about Trayvon Martin read at the poetry jam:
• From Crenshaw’s Trayvesty (A BeTrayal Kwansaba): “When Sanford’s savage son saw strange hooded fruit, his blood-racing pace shaped fairy tales of hostile night time side walking. . .”
• From Lively’s Shades of History: “. . . Like Emmett Till he was just being a boy –naïve face, white hoodie, dying to live in a safe naybor-hood . . . ”
• From Roy’s Racial Safari: “. . .‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws herald widely opened season on our pride of men.”
Photo Information:
Dr. Eugene B. Redmond, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville emeritus professor, welcomes an audience of approximately 50 people to the 23rd Annual “Break Word with the World,” paying homage to Trayvon Martin at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis.
Performing kwansaba poems about Trayvon Martin are Darlene Roy, EBRWC president; and Roscoe Crenshaw, EBRWC member.
Lifelong Learning Tackles Project Management and Ebooks Tomorrow
Lifelong Learning through the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Educational Outreach presents two topics Wednesday, Oct. 30: The Six Sigma Project Management Method and the past, present and future of ebooks.
“Six Sigma Project Management Method and Its Application to Everyday Problem Solving and Improvements” will be presented by Greg Bates, chemical engineer and retired/consultant. The discussion will take place:
- 10:30-11:45 a.m. tomorrow in the SIUE Morris University Center (MUC), Mississippi-Illinois room.
“The Six Sigma project management method is used widely by businesses globally to provide effective and sustainable solutions for problems and for making improvements,” said Cheryl Brunsmann, assistant director, community education programs in the Office of Educational Outreach.
In this brief presentation, the basics of the project management method will be examined, along with how thought processes and tools can be applied to everyday problem solving or improvements.
“Ebooks: Past, Present and Future” featuring Charlotte Johnson and William Harroff, co-owners of (r)Evolutionary (e)Books Press will talk about the four-decade journey they have undertaken to bring ebooks to the forefront.
“This presentation summarizes the influences that lead to their development, describes their status today and predicts possible scenarios for the content we now define as “books.” The event will take place:
- 1:15-2:30 p.m. tomorrow in the MUC Mississippi-Illinois room.
Both activities are sponsored by Stillwater Senior Living. Presentations not designated as free will cost $5 for general admission; $2 for Lifelong Learning members, and are available for free for SIUE students.
Educational Outreach offers a full array of exciting, intriguing and insightful programs throughout the academic year. Along with Lifelong Learning programming, the office provides Leisure Learning classes and workshops. To register, visit https://aceweb.siue.edu/WConnect.ace. Learn more by visiting the Educational Outreach website, or contact Cheryl Brunsmann, assistant director of community education programs, cbrunsm@siue.edu, 618-650-3209. If leaving a message or sending an email, provide name, daytime phone number and email address.
ParenteBeard Partner Visits with SIUE Business Students
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville business students learned about forensic accounting Oct. 9-10 from alumnus Bob Gray, ‘76, partner at ParenteBeard LLC.
Gray oversees the national practice of Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services for the firm from both his Dallas and New York offices. He returned to his alma mater as the executive in residence for the School of Business.
“When I was asked to be the executive in residence, I jumped at the chance, because SIUE was my launching point,” said Gray. “I’ve been very blessed with my career in public accounting, so it is always nice to give back to the industry and the community.”
The purpose of the executive in residence program is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from alumni who have exceeded in their field. Gray, a native of Decatur, has had an extensive career, having worked in St. Louis, Davenport, Omaha, Houston, New York and Louisville offices of Deloitte & Touche prior to joining ParenteBeard.
“Forensic accounting is a practice area that is growing in importance,” said Dr. Mike Costigan, chair of the SIUE Department of Accounting. “Bob has significant experience, both performing the analyses and testifying in court, about economic damages and other litigation matters.
“Bob has a unique perspective because of his recent term as chair of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Committee on Forensic and Litigation Services.”
Assistant Professor of Accounting Dr. Jamie Hoelscher believes the executive in residence program is beneficial to the School of Business, noting, “Students are intrigued to hear from individuals who once sat in their seats and the significant contributions those alumni have been able to make in their respective fields.
“The program helps students by bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world issues, in addition to providing networking opportunities many of my students have already taken advantage of.”
During his visit, Gray taught two classes ordinarily taught by Hoelscher. Gray discussed the accounting field and the various career paths available, such as forensic accounting. Hoelscher said she hoped the students were able to take away the diverse options accountants have.
“In addition, I hope they gained an understanding of the resources available to them to obtain these career aspirations,” she said.
Gray said he wanted to provide students with real-world examples and field advice.
“The advice I would give them is not to look at themselves as just another CPA or just another accountant. They are business people,” said Gray. “Students need to be equipped with the hard skills of accounting as well as other skills of communication, ethics, and marketing. If they view themselves as a business person, they will go a lot longer and farther in this field.”
Senior accounting and political science major Jonathan Roberts of St. Louis found the presentations to be beneficial, adding, “I have been considering the possibility of getting a legal degree after my master’s in accountancy. Gray explained how forensic accounting is related to the legal field and the opportunities that are available. After this presentation, I have been inspired to do some additional research on forensic accounting.”
As part of the executive in residence program, Gray spoke to students in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program. All certified public accountants (CPA) are required to have CPE hours each year to remain licensed. In attendance were accounting faculty, alumni and area CPA’s.
Hoelscher attended the CPE presentation and also found Gray’s discussions to be beneficial. “I was interested in learning the varied cases Mr. Gray has been involved with and how those cases related directly to concepts and the terminology I’ve been discussing with my students,” said Hoelscher.
“We hope that our accounting majors saw that it’s possible for an SIUE accounting alum to rise to the highest ranks of the profession,” stated Costigan.
Photo: SIUE alumnus Bob Gray, ‘76, partner at ParenteBeard LLC spoke to business students about forensic accounting as part of Executive in Residence program.
Chinese Visiting Scholars Talk About Their SIUE Experience
SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe, front row, far right, met with the University’s Chinese visiting scholars and SIUE School of Education faculty during a recent reception. The scholars will be on campus through December. They are working with faculty members in the School of Education.
A good teacher is wise, knowledgeable, charming and of good character. That was the consensus among the group of eight visiting Chinese scholars on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this semester.
They agreed they have been exposed to outstanding faculty members on the SIUE campus who possess all these qualities.
Gathered around a table in the Vadalabene Center, each of the scholars had the chance to recount their international journey.
At times Dr. Huaibo Xin, an SIUE assistant professor of kinesiology and health education in the School of Education, translated from Chinese to English and English to Chinese during the informal chit-chat. The scholars, all from Northwest Normal University in China, represent a mix of disciplines. The scholars and their disciplines include:
• Weijun Wang, associate dean of the School of Educational Technology
• Huajun Xiong, higher education
• Zuhua Dai and Honghong Chen, both in computer science and engineering
• Kun Li, music
• Zhihua Wang, analytical chemistry
• Aiping Guan, business
• Lan Wang, social work
Moving around the table, most of the scholars had something to say about their SIUE or American experience.
Regarding his experience with the School, Wang said, “I think it is important to work on assessment, but that alone is not enough. Online course assessment tools need to be integrated in China. The focus needs to be on quantitative and qualitative analysis, and we’re examining ways to begin with qualitative analysis and turn that into quantitative.”
Xiong noted being impressed by the students “good study habits,” saying, “Students here are motivated to work and think about questions deeply.”
Dai had what she called a “life” observation. “The cross walks here are something we don’t have. It is critical for people to be reminded to take care of the people who are walking. I was astonished when I saw people stopping at a cross walk for me.”
Chen noted being “fascinated by the students sitting together outside areas to study together after classes. There are so many places to converse and put their thoughts together. It is very impressive to see this before and after class.”
Li noted, “The teachers’ knowledge is very rich.” She spent a recent Friday listening to students and faculty members playing the piano in Dunham Hall.
A different concept from education in China: “The students here have a lot of homework before class,” said Wang. “The class time is used to discuss different problems and they have lots of practice at the end.”
Lan Wang added, “I think what first impressed me is this beautiful campus, and the students have such good manners.” She added, “The baseball game was very impressive. There were thousands of people there watching, making their dreams come true.”
The scholars are participating in the School of Education’s International Training Program in Pedagogy. Mary Weishaar, associate dean of the School of Education, has been working closely with the leadership team for the program, including Dr. Yuliang Liu, professor from Educational Leadership, Dr. Huaibo Xin, assistant professor from Kinesiology and Health Education, and Gretchen Fricke, director, School of Education Student Services, to ensure the campus guests have a visit filled with a mix of education, culture, historical perspective and good old-fashioned fun.
The scholars have gone to a Cardinals baseball game, visited the campus Pagoda for a reception in The Gardens, given lectures to faculty, staff and students on campus, and more.
The next scholar lecture will take place from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 in a location to be determined. The scholars will discuss lessons they have learned in the U.S. and how American style pedagogy and English will be used to enhance teaching in China.
U.S. and Iranian Relations Topic of Wednesday Luncheon
Dr. Haleh Esfandiari spoke compellingly Wednesday about her 200-day detainment as an Iranian prisoner and the state of Iran today, during an event held in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Morris University Center.
The timely topic examined international relations between the United States and Iran, and the possibility of a less adversarial future between the two nations. She compared Iran’s new president, Hussan Rohani, and how his diplomatic approach to foreign relations differed greatly from the adversarial approach taken by his predecessor, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
“Putting the words Iran, U.S. and progress in the same sentence is not so naïve, perhaps,” she said.
Esfandiari talked about a recent interchange between U.S. President Barack Obama and the popular new Iranian president, noting for the first time in nearly 35 years, a short verbal interchange transpired between U.S. and Iranian leaders. It was over the telephone, and it was civil.
During Rohani’s visit, he used his social media savvy to show to the world what he referred to as “the true face of Iran.” He has been empowered by Iran’s Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei and is skillfully making the case for reforms to U.N. sanctions, Esfandiari said.
“Rohani was “Tweeting” everything he did; everything he said,” Esfandiari said. “He said he borrowed the Iranian ambassador’s phone to speak with President Obama.
“Rohani met with many influential people and gained favor with individuals to show how people have been suffering from the last 35 years of sanctions all along. His friends and adversaries were watching every move he made.”
These U.N. sanctions have included import and export limitations; the freezing of assets so that the government has limited financial resources; the inability to procure enriched uranium and denied access to pharmaceutical and medical advances to fight diseases in the country, Esfandiari said.
She described Rohani as “straight-forward and cunning, reliable and deceptively charming; a centrist and a pragmatist.” “While Ahmadinejad was ‘in your face,’ Rohani is a breath of fresh air,” she added. Since taking the helm as Iran’s president, Rohani has added three women to his cabinet and has been outspoken about Iran’s domestic conditions in pursuit of resolve.
Esfandiari, director of Middle East programs at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington D.C. dined with faculty members, students and staff in the University Club. During lunch she spoke on “The United States and Iran: Is Real Progress Possible?”
The event was the latest installment of programs planned by the SIUE Office of International Programs to engage the University community in thinking about global issues.
She is a widely published author, most recently completing the book, My Prison, My Home: One Woman’s Story of Captivity in Iran.
Before joining the Wilson Center she taught at Oxford and Princeton, and received numerous grants, including a highly-coveted MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. International luncheons are routinely hosted by the SIUE Office of International Programs. Attendance to the Dutch-treat event is open to the SIUE and the surrounding community. For more information, contact International Programs, dschill@siue.edu or rschaef@siue.edu, 618-650-3785.
SIUE Student-Athletes Achieving Success in the Classroom
SIUE student-athletes are excelling in the classroom far better than their peers. That was the takeaway from the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Report released Thursday.
SIUE is ranked in the top 20 nationwide among NCAA Division I public institutions and among the top third of all institutions. SIUE is second in the state of Illinois only to the University of Illinois among public state institutions.
“Our commitment to excellence begins in the classroom,” said SIUE Director of Athletics Dr. Brad Hewitt. “The University’s support structure continues to reinforce the exceptional achievements of our student-athletes. And in spite of our challenging years of transition to the NCAA Division I level, timely graduation has continued to be a focal point and expected outcome for SIUE Athletics.”
SIUE’s Graduation Success Rate for the group of student-athletes in the 2003-2006 cohort is 87 percent overall which outpaces more than a majority of fellow Ohio Valley Conference members.
In its second year as a full-fledged NCAA Division I member, this is the first time SIUE has received figures for all of its sports.
Six SIUE programs – men’s tennis, women’s basketball, women’s golf, softball, women’s tennis, and volleyball — earned a perfect score of 100 percent.
The GSR assesses student success of Division I student-athletes who graduate within a six-year period of first attending an institution. Adjustments are made for transfer students, non-scholarship students, mid-year enrollees, and those who have left an institution eligible before exhausting initial eligibility.
The NCAA developed the GSR more than a decade ago as part of its academic reform initiative to assess student-athlete academic success.
“We are meeting and exceeding the academic expectations standards set forth by the University and the NCAA,” said Hewitt.
SIUE School of Nursing Presents Legislative Night 2013
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, American Nurses Association (ANA)-Illinois and Lewis Clark Community College Nursing program presented “Legislative Night 2013” on Oct. 15 in Edwardsville.
More than 260 nurses and nursing students from SIUE and LCCC attended. Rep. Wayne Rosenthal (R, Morrisonville) spoke about the importance of becoming politically involved and sharing knowledge with legislators.
Registered Nurse Sue Clark is a principal at Capitol Edge Consulting and a lobbyist for ANA-Illinois along with other nursing and health care organizations. She addressed issues and legislation anticipated in the Illinois General Assembly’s 2014 session. Topics included medication technicians, nursing workforce issues, an increase in the nursing licensure fee to maintain state nursing scholarships and the Illinois Center for Nursing.
Dr. Karen Kelly, associate professor of nursing at SIUE and president of ANA-Illinois, discussed the importance of developing political activism skills. She described her beneficial experience in advocating for the disabled population of Murray Developmental Center in Centralia.
“This was one of the most exciting Legislative Nights the School of Nursing has hosted,” said Kelly. “The attendees had great questions for nurse-lobbyist Sue Clark. It was a productive event.”
Legislative Night is an annual continuing education program offered by the SIUE School of Nursing. Its purpose is to educate nurses and students about the importance of political activism for the future of nursing and the improvement of health care.
Legislative Night has been offered in the Metro-East annually since 1978. The SIUE School of Nursing has been involved with Legislative Night for the last nine years.
Photo: Registered Nurse Sue Clark.
SIUE’s Becherer to Present at IIRSA Conference
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Keith Becherer will present at the Illinois Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (IIRSA) state workshop Thursday, Oct. 24.
He and co-presenter Nate Scott, associate director of campus recreation at the University of Illinois-Chicago, will discuss “Enhancing the Global Perspective of your Campus Recreation Department” at SIU Carbondale. The session will run from 9:40-10:30 a.m. in the Student Center’s Illinois Room.
Becherer and Scott are former SIUE colleagues who started the Cougar World Games together in 2008. They believe that as institutions attract a more diverse, international population, it is important for higher education professionals to stay current on emerging trends. Identifying campus resources that provide partnerships to expand programming is a critical element of their presentation.
“We selected this topic because of our passion for it, as well as recognizing both of our institutions’ updated strategic plans focusing on globalization,” Becherer said. “With common themes on our campuses fitting within NIRSA’s long-term plan, we sensed this would be an ideal time to share our experiences and knowledge.”
The IIRSA actively contributes to and supports the programs, services and mission of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA).
NIRSA comprises and supports leaders in collegiate recreation. It believes that collegiate recreation is a significant and powerful key to inspiring wellness in local, regional and global communities. As students develop into future leaders, NIRSA members support their learning and growth by fostering lifelong habits of well-being. Leadership, teamwork, dedication and respect are among the many skills exercised by inclusive competition, fitness and recreation. Since its founding in 1950, NIRSA membership has grown to comprise nearly 4,000 dedicated professionals, students and businesses serving an estimated 7.7 million students.
SIU School of Dental Medicine’s Jain Presents at World Congress of Preventive Dentistry
Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine‘s (SDM) Dr. Poonam Jain presented at the World Congress on Preventive Dentistry (WCPD) in Budapest, Hungary from Oct. 9-13.
A professor in the SIU SDM and director of Community Dentistry, Jain delivered the results of her survey of dental schools in the United States and Canada. The survey’s objective was to examine the inclusion and integration of information on soft drinks in dental curricula.
Consumption of sugared beverages contributes to several non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dental caries, and has become a major public health issue.
“It is critical that health care providers are trained well on the oral and systemic effects of consumption of these drinks,” Jain said. “My survey revealed that much more needs to be done to ensure this is occurring.
“It was interesting to discover that dental educators from various parts of the world agreed that the same problem exists in their pre-doctoral curricula as well.”
One of the major foci of the conference was to examine the inequalities in health outcomes based on social determinants.
“It was truly wonderful to interact with professionals from all over the world and learn their perspectives,” Jain said. “Attending the WCPD and visiting Budapest were both beneficial experiences for me. I am grateful for the support of (SDM) Dean Bruce Rotter and the University to attend that event.”
SIUE’s Educational Outreach Offers Reviews of Global, Historical & Health Topics This Week
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Educational Outreach presents a week of topics ranging from global affairs, historical perspectives and the tackling of health issues.
“The Present and Future of the European Union,” featuring presenter Sorin Nastasia, assistant professor of speech communication, will take place from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the SIUE Morris University Center (MUC) Mississippi-Illinois room.
The European Union (EU) has opened an array of opportunities for its citizens and its members, and it has also faced a series of economic and social challenges.
“The presentation will provide an overview of opportunities and challenges, and will address how they are marking EU’s development and future,” said Cheryl Brunsmann, assistant director of educational outreach.
“The Woman in the Dress: A Genealogic Portrait,” with presenter Gloria Perry, emerita professor of nursing, will be held from 1:15-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the MUC Mississippi-Illinois room. Attendees are encouraged to learn the historical story of the life of a 17-year-old German immigrant in the year 1855.
The presentation will allow time for the display of exhibits from this story provided from one German family’s experience.
“It is intended to inspire attendees to write their own stories from a contextual basis,” Brunsmann said. “The presenter will wear the dress mentioned in the presentation title.”
Both events are sponsored by Stillwater Senior Living. The cost to attend is $2 for Lifelong Learning members and $5 for non-members.
Local historian and author, and SIUE retiree, Cindy Reinhardt will present “The Full Story: Combining Oral History, Photographs and Source Materials” from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St. in Edwardsville.
“Reinhardt will demonstrate through examples how the use of all three of these sources enrich and expand a story,” Brunsmann said.
Reinhardt is the author of two books of local history, and the editor of two newsletters about regional history for the Madison County Historical Society and the Friends of Leclaire Newsletter.
She has written many social histories of historic Edwardsville buildings, where, combining the above elements have led her to create rich, interesting stories about amazing people from our communities. There is no cost to attend the event and it is open to the public.
As part of the Brown Bag Speaker Series, held in collaboration with the SIUE Office of Human Resources, “Understanding Memory Loss,” with speaker Darrell Coons, Illinois outreach coordinator with the Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter, will be the topic of a program from 12:15-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in the MUC Mississippi-Illinois room.
“The discussion will focus on normal memory loss versus when it can be categorized as a problem; dementia and its risk factors, stages and the outlook for individuals living with it,” Brunsmann said. “A question and answer session will follow the presentation.”
Advanced registration is requested. For more information or to register, contact Cheryl Brunsmann, assistant director of educational outreach, cbrunsm@siue.edu with name, email address and daytime phone numbers of each individual planning to attend.
There is no cost to attend the Brown Bag event and it is open to the public. Campus visitors must pay to park in either lots B or C. Both lots are easily accessible to the location. Cost is $1 per hour. Check out the campus map here: www.siue/edu/maps.
SIUE Hosts ICE Fair Today
Prospective college students can learn more about the options available to them during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois College Exposition (ICE) Fair, which is taking place from 6-7:30 p.m. tonight, Oct. 22 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom on campus.
The event, which is sponsored by the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) in conjunction with SIUE, will present high school and transfer students with the chance to learn about opportunities in higher education.
The fair gives prospective college students and their parents the ability to meet with college representatives from more than 80 in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities. Financial aid representatives also will be on hand to answer questions. In addition, local high school counselors will be present to provide assistance to any student looking for guidance on post-secondary options.
“On behalf of IACAC and SIUE, we truly appreciate the support of the counselors from local high schools and community colleges who are helping us provide this opportunity for students and families to explore numerous colleges/universities all within one setting on one evening,” said Todd Burrell, SIUE Director of Admissions and Past President of the IACAC.
Hundreds of students attend the fair each year to learn about academic programs, student life and other aspects of the college experience. Before the ICE Fair was initiated, college fairs were held several times throughout the year at various area high schools. The annual event on the SIUE campus serves to consolidate efforts and centralize higher education options for everyone involved in the process.
“The goal of the ICE College Fair is to give high school and transfer students from the local area and the Metro East the chance to speak with college representatives from institutions, not only from Illinois, but from other states across the country,” said Kelley Brooks, admissions coordinator from SIUE.
For more information, as well as a listing of participating colleges, visit siue.edu/icefair. No registration is required for the event.
SIUE Speech Communications Students Team with Bonfyre
It happened again. Your so-called friends just posted a picture of you partying at homecoming. It was taken several hours after the game, your hair is messy, one of your eyes is closed and there is some unidentifiable stain on your favorite shirt. Sure, the picture is hilarious, but what will future employers think?
This year, a team of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville speech communication seniors is spreading the word about Bonfyre, a new social media app. They want their fellow Cougars to never worry about those embarrassing photos and regrettable social media posts.
Bonfyre is a social media company based in St. Louis with offices in Chicago and New York City. It was founded by two Washington University in St. Louis graduates who recognized the challenges and limitations of social media when it came to group organization and user privacy.
“Bonfyre has always been focused on building a smarter platform to capture and share life’s moments with the people that matter,” remarked Ray Gobberg, Bonfyre co-founder.
Essentially, the app organizes people around events and experiences where the user can post content and media to specific groups and no one else. The user can start a group, or Bonfyre, specifically for a specific circle such as peers from a class or colleagues at work. The user then posts content related to only those groups that only those in the group can view.
This means grandma and others in her group only get to see the wholesome, homecoming pictures that you give her. Meanwhile, your friends get to see the rough, Denny’s at 3 a.m., don’t-look-at-me-I’m-hideous photos.
The company launched a year ago this month at the DEMO tech conference as a check-in app for local college students. From there, the app was tweaked and reworked into its current form. Relying solely on word-of-mouth advertising, Bonfyre has found early success.
While the app has dramatically changed from its original version, it still maintains ties with its early market—college students. Bonfyre already has ties to SIUE by employing many of its alumni. This year, Bonfyre is eager to share the app with the student body.
Bonfyre has teamed up with seniors from the SIUE Department of Speech Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences to help draft a public relations campaign targeted at the University in spring 2014.
Alexa Hillery, SIUE student body president and copywriter for Ignite PR, the student team working with Bonfyre, said several big things are planned.
“Bonfyre is known most often as a party app, and we intend to take full advantage of that,” Hillery said.
The team plans to lead training sessions for SIUE event planners and faculty to share ideas on how to effectively use the app at SIUE events and in the classroom. They also plan to host contests, distribute prizes and pass out free stuff at University events to encourage students to download the free app.
Hopefully after this year, students will know more about Bonfyre and begin to use the app daily. Most importantly by using Bonfyre to keep their personal, professional and school lives separate, students will stop shocking grandma and giving the wrong impression to employers, and might finally be able to run a successful campaign for New York City’s next mayor without the unnecessary faux pas.
For more information, contact Taylor Zimmerman at (615) 290-4347 or tzimmerman92@gmail.com.
SIU SDM Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) main clinic in Alton is a sight to see every Tuesday throughout October. SDM faculty, staff and students don pink scrubs and other pink attire to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month once per week through the end of the month.
Breast cancer has affected the SDM faculty, staff and students both directly and indirectly, and the community has chosen to actively participate in the efforts to find a cure. Through this campus awareness campaign, the School is hopeful that greater knowledge of the disease will lead to earlier detection of breast cancer, which is associated with higher long-term survival rates.
The SDM Student Council continues to raise money throughout October for breast cancer research by selling pink scrubs and collecting donations.
Photo: SIU School of Dentistry faculty, staff and students don pink scrubs to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
SIUE Hosted Midwest Artists Art Symposium
SIUE Associate Professor John DenHouter, and Midwest Paint Group artists Timothy King, Amy MacLennan and Michael Neary carved into a cake frosted with the image of Le Grand Luxembourg on Thursday. The painting by French artist Jean Hélion is part of SIUE’s University Museum exhibit. The artists visited campus as part of the Midwest Artists Art Symposium, which took place in SIUE’s Lovejoy Library.
2013 Sami ‘Amer Fellow Spoke on Syrian War at SIUE
Dr. Anaheed Al-Hardan spoke Thursday on the SIUE campus about the Syrian War and Palestinian refugees.
Dr. Anaheed Al-Hardan, a sociologist and a fellow at the Institute for Cultural Inquiry in Berlin, Germany, spoke Thursday, Oct. 17 to an audience at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville about her research and the Syrian War.
Her research focuses on Palestinian refugees, with recent publications on refugees’ social movements, decolonial research methodologies in refugee studies and collective memories of the Nakba—when the State of Israel was established in 1948.
She currently is writing a book on memories of the Nakba in the Palestinian refugee community in Syria.
The event was made possible by the SIUE Department of Political Science, the Peace and International Studies Program, Women’s Studies, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Palestinian American Research Center in Washington, D.C.
Furst-Bowe Addresses SCUP Conference at WashU
SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe was one of the featured speakers at the Society for College and University Planning’s 2013 North Central Regional Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The conference theme was “Embracing Accelerated Evolution and Redefining Viability” and was held at Washington University in St. Louis.
Furst-Bowe was among four presenters including Jeff Selingo, The Chronicle of Higher Education’s editor-at-large; James Kolker, WashU assistant vice chancellor /campus planning and director of capital projects; and Henry Webber, WashU executive vice chancellor for administration.
Furst-Bowe focused on SIUE’s on-campus capital projects spanning the past decade. Since 2006, SIUE has been working to complete more than $300 million in construction and infrastructure improvements, adding innovative state-of-the-art buildings and enhancing existing structures.
SIUE is nearing completion of the entire plan. Recently completed projects include the Science Lab Building West, and the Art and Design Building West, as well as the Vadalabene Center Lukas Athletics Annex.
During September, The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) certified SIUE’s Art and Design Building as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building. It is the first building on the SIUE campus to achieve that distinction.
Two ribbon-cuttings are planned in the next few weeks. SIUE will dedicate the new Science Lab Building West on Monday, Nov. 4, and the new SIU School of Dental Medicine simulation laboratory on Monday, Dec. 9, on the Alton campus.
Photo: SIUE’s Art & Design Building West.
SIUE Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in MUC
SIUE’s Office of International Programs will host the annual Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The event is co-sponsored by the Morris University Center and will be held in the MUC Goshen Lounge. The fair will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All SIUE students and faculty are welcome to attend. View SIUE’s Study Abroad video.
At the fair, students can visit information tables to learn about many of SIUE’s study abroad programs. These programs include: SIUE faculty-led short term programs, affiliate programs and other direct placement programs.
Fair participants include American Institute for Foreign Study (AIF), Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA), Salzburg College, John Cabot University, Peace Corps, Gilman International Scholarship and more.
The fair offers students the opportunity to talk with SIUE faculty leading programs abroad next year, representatives from our affiliate programs and institutions, and students who have studied abroad.
Attendees will enjoy live music by Acoustik Element with cake and punch served at noon.
SIUE offers close to 150 programs in more than 20 different countries. Students can begin researching programs by visiting the Study Abroad website. Further information regarding Study Abroad events and planning can also be found on our Facebook Page, SIUE Study Abroad.
For more information, contact Julie Wojtal, assistant director in the Office of International Programs, at (618) 650-2419 or jbeall@siue.edu.
NCERC at SIUE Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The NCERC at SIUE turns 10 this month and hosted tours, lunch and demonstrations at an Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 16 in honor of the milestone. See the video.
“People often tell us that they’ve always wondered what lies beyond our doors,” NCERC Director John Caupert said. “The Open House was a great opportunity to answer that curiosity and learn about the Center’s many contributions to the biofuels industry.”
The Iowa Corn Growers Association’s Biofuels Mobile Education Center was another Open House attraction. The 45-foot long mobile education center features interactive computers, educational displays, videos and fun facts about ethanol. The Illinois Corn Growers Association funded the mobile center’s appearance.
The NCERC opened its doors as a one-of-a-kind pilot-scale research facility to support the corn ethanol industry in October 2003. Since that time, the Center has been on the leading edge of biofuels research for both the public and private sectors.
Photo: NCERC at SIUE Director John Caupert (left) joins SIUE Interim Provost Ann Boyle (middle) and Associate Provost for Research Jerry Weinberg (right) to dedicate the Center’s new signage at its 10th anniversary celebration.
Chronicle’s Selingo Reviews the State of Higher Ed
The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Jeffrey Selingo used Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a stage for his analysis of higher education on Monday, Oct. 14. His thought-provoking presentation in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom touched on current issues faced by universities and colleges throughout the nation.
Selingo is the editor-at-large of The Chronicle, where he has worked for 16 years in a variety of reporting and editing roles. An author, writer and thought leader on higher education, he has spent his journalism career covering colleges and universities worldwide. His work has been honored with awards from the Education Writers Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press.
SIUE Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ann Boyle brought Selingo to campus as part of the new REALITY project. Through a series of on-campus presentations for faculty and staff during the past two months, Boyle has addressed the changing landscape of higher education and the challenges posed for SIUE.
“Changing student demographics and an increasing array of alternatives to traditional education programs are having a pronounced impact on higher education across the country,” Boyle said. “SIUE is susceptible to these changes, and we must strategically address them.”
Selingo urged the audience to keep open minds as to what is possible for the future of higher education.
He listed the trouble signs as:
- Rising costs of a college education and stagnant income of families
- Disappearing state support for public education
- Fewer full-paying students
- Sea of red ink as colleges’ debt has doubled since 2001
Selingo noted that families face more out of pocket costs as their lack of home equity combines with squeezed state budgets and federal deficits.
He discussed the “Value Gap” as more families question whether a college education is still a good investment. Surveys of college presidents, faculty and parents demonstrated that 81 percent perceived a college education as a good value in 2008, but that number fell to 57 percent in 2012. Selingo stated that 40 percent of the public still sees a college diploma as a good investment.
As the U.S. falls behind the rest of the world in math skills, Selingo pondered what the future will bring? He indicated that there is not a lot of innovation at the core of most universities, but various schools and departments demonstrate creativity within that university structure.
“Prestige is to higher education as profit is to corporations,” Selingo said. Those institutions with the household names and nationwide brand recognition will continue to do well. It is the challenge for smaller state and private schools to carve out their niche.
Nevertheless, Selingo is optimistic about the future of higher education, because there is still huge demand, particularly with international students. He expects that innovative schools will thrive, particularly those who focus on the student-centered model.
Selingo believes universities will need to address how to effectively compete with their one size fits all approach as opposed to the a la carte educational experiences that are available to prospective students.
Students are seeking a personalized experience, according to Selingo. That can involve blending high school and college learning; experiential learning; competency-based or adaptive learning; free online courses; and 2+2 degrees.
Selingo drew the biggest crowd reaction when he stated that the average age of a college grad finally finding economic independence is 32. He noted that colleges have a10-year impact on students from the year prior to entering the institution, through their four years of matriculation and the five years immediately following graduation.
Selingo says the question now becomes how do we design structured pathways to help students? He described a few of the advantages of the traditional campus experience:
- Faculty as mentors
- Undergraduate research
- Cross-cultural experiences
- Being creative, taking risks and learning how to fail
He reviewed the risks faced by colleges as being: commodity courses, graduate studies, free agent professors and simple credentialing above and beyond a bachelor’s. He balanced those risks against the opportunities: certifying experiences, college alliances, redesigning first year and last year experiences, and proving value before external forces define it.
Selingo’s newest book, College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students, explores the college of the future – how families will pay, what campuses will look like, and how students will learn and prove their value in the job market.
SIUE Staff Members Set Up for Thursday’s First Campus “Yarn Bomb”
Noelle Norris, the inaugural “Yarn Bomb” organizer stood on a ladder Wednesday and used fiber art to blanket a column on the SIUE campus.
Knitted and crocheted artwork produced by fiber artists from across the region was set up Wednesday on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus as part of the University Museum’s inaugural “Yarn Bomb,” which will take place tomorrow.
Norris wraps fiber art around a wire sculpture between the Morris University Center and the Engineering Building.
How Can States Attract More High Achieving Minority Teachers? IERC at SIUE Releases Study on Teacher Supply Pipeline
An Illinois Education Research Council (IERC) study released today focuses on the racial diversity and academic composition of Illinois’ teachers and the factors that influence the makeup of the state’s teacher corps.
Bradford R. White and Eric J. Lichtenberger, both from the IERC, and Karen J. DeAngelis from the University of Rochester, collaborated on the study and found that several factors contribute to the composition of the state’s teacher corps.
“Research has found that academically skilled teachers have positive impacts on student achievement and racial/ethnic minority teachers have a positive impact on minority student outcomes,” White said. “As a result, there are currently numerous efforts underway to improve the selectivity and the diversity of the teaching force, both nationally and in Illinois.”
The study sites the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which calls for recruiting candidates that reflect the diversity of the nation’s students. CAEP proposes admission standards for teacher preparation programs to require entering candidates have an average achievement in the top one-third of a national assessment.
“Some evidence suggests that efforts to improve the academic skills of the overall teaching force can have a negative impact on teacher diversity, without a parallel commitment to maintaining such diversity,” White said. “Therefore, our goal in this study is to inform the design of policies and practices to improve the supply of academically skilled, diverse individuals into teaching.”
In order to do this, White notes the researchers conducting the study used a unique, longitudinal state database to track two Illinois high school cohorts from the classes of 2002 and 2003 through college and into the workforce. These students were tracked through five stages in the new teacher supply pipeline:
• College entry
• Enrollment in a four-year college
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree
• Achievement of teacher certification
• Employment as Illinois public school teachers
“We examine how each stage in this pipeline affects the composition of new entrants to K-12 public school teaching in Illinois, with particular attention to academic skills and racial/ethnic diversity; two characteristics of the teaching force that are at the forefront of local and national policy concerns,” White said.
The study found that only 3.2 percent of the Illinois public high school students studied became public school teachers by roughly a decade after completing high school.
Another important finding was that teachers from these cohorts were stronger academically, but less racially/ethnically diverse than their high school classmates who did not become teachers.
However, “those who obtained teaching certificates had notably weaker academic qualifications compared to other bachelor’s degree earners,” White noted. “But those who actually became teachers were quite similar academically to non-teaching college graduates.”
The study concluded that the transition from certification to employment was one of the most critical stages in the new teacher pipeline. The researchers were surprised to learn that although one in five bachelor’s degree recipients across all disciplines became certified to teach, less than half of all certified teachers gained employment as a classroom teacher.
The IERC, established in 2000, provides Illinois with education research to support education policy making and program development for preschool through graduate school.
In accordance with its mission, the IERC undertakes independent research and policy analysis, which informs and strengthens Illinois’ commitment to providing a seamless system of educational opportunities for its citizens.
For more information about the IERC, and its research, policy work, and outreach visit www.siue.edu/ierc, follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter @IERC_SIUE, email ierc@siue.edu, or call 618-650-2840, or toll-free, 866-799-4372.
Midwest Artists Art Symposium Set to Take Place at SIUE Thursday
The Midwest Artists Art Symposium will take place on the SIUE campus Thursday, Oct. 17 in the Lovejoy Library.
Artists from the Midwest Paint Group will be on campus from 2-6 p.m. Thursday in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Lovejoy Library. As part of the Midwest Artists Art Symposium, they will talk about a significant piece of artwork that belongs to the campus University Museum and present their artwork in response to it.
Le Grand Luxembourg, a painting by French artist Jean Hélion, was donated to the University Museum in 1965 by Joseph Cantor of Carmel, Ind. through the efforts of Katherine Kuh. She was responsible for assembling the SIUE’s original art collection.
“Le Grand Luxembourg is an important work, because it marked Hélion’s post-World War II departure from the Abstract art and subsequent movement toward what the Midwest Paint Group refers to as “Post-Abstract Figuration,” said Eric Barnett, University Museum director.
He added, “Abstract art was focused on creating responses to personal worlds using form, line and color to create art works that did not necessarily reference any particular individual tangible object in the external world.
“The post abstract movements of the latter half of the 20th century were more concerned with abstracting form and shape from a shared world of both natural and built environments to create works that were intelligible and accessible.”
Many artists created works in direct response to the Hélion piece. Those having their work featured at SIUE include Bob Brock, Glen Cebulash, Deborah Chlebek, Tina Engels, Philip Hale, Timothy King, Lynette Lombard, Jeremy Long, Amy MacLennan, Michael Neary, Ron Weaver and Megan Williamson.
The works of each of these artists is available for viewing on the Midwest Paint Group website.
“By presenting a group of works that respond to a shared reference—in this case Hélion’s Le Grand Luxembourg—we can witness the diversity that exists within an artistic movement as manifest in these visual statements,” Barnett said.
He added, “Through recognizing diverse perceptions and self-expressions, we can gain a greater understanding of what it is to be human.”
The Midwest Paint Group offers exhibition opportunities to galleries as part of a curated show or as a new/custom exhibition for a specific venue. For more information, visit http://midwest-paint-group.org.
University Museum “Yarn Bomb” on Thursday to Feature Eclectic Mix
Faculty, staff, students and members of the greater community have been knitting and crocheting during their lunch hours since June in preparation for the University’s inaugural Yarn Bomb, which will take place Thursday. Select pieces on campus will be covered with fiber art.
Knitted and crocheted artwork produced by fiber artists across the region will be featured on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus as part of the University Museum’s inaugural “Yarn Bomb” on Thursday.
Numerous knitted and crocheted projects have poured into the University Museum. Enough fiber art has been provided to dress the 5-foot-tall central section of the two Louis Sullivan columns outside the Lovejoy Library, and to blanket four of eight 10-foot-tall the base pillars of a metal sculpture in the open area between the Morris University Center and the Engineering Building. Staff members will be setting up the fiber artwork in these locations Wednesday.
The event coincides with the Midwest Artists Art Symposium, which is set to take place from 2-6 p.m. in the Lovejoy Library, second floor southwest lounge.
“We have received donations of yarn and unfinished Afghans from faculty and staff on campus, as well as the Coventry Crafters Group” said Noelle Norris, graduate assistant with the University Museum.
Norris has spearheaded the effort and organized lunchtime knitting and crocheting sessions in the SIUE Stratton Quadrangle. These sessions have grown in popularity and provided work that will be featured Thursday. Artwork also has been submitted by members of the Edwardsville and Glen Carbon communities.
Norris said the lunchtime knitting and crocheting sessions will continue after the Yarn Bomb itself. She noted this year’s pieces will be washed and stored for use next year. Dates will be posted in advance on the University Museum’s Facebook page.
“Our goal is to be able to do a yarn bombing once each year and take out last year’s donations and add on to them,” Norris said.
For more information about the Yarn Bomb or how to get involved in the Knit in Public activities, check out the University Museum’s Facebook page, or call 618-650-2996.
Arab-Israeli Relations First Topic of SIUE’s International Speaker Series
Dr. Robert Diprizio spoke to a captivated audience in the MUC during a presentation on the Arab-Israeli Conflict.
Dr. Robert C. Diprizio spoke to a full crowd in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Morris University Center Mississippi-Illinois room Thursday, Oct. 10 about “The Arab-Israeli Conflict and the Dilemma of the Two State Solution.”
Diprizio, an associate professor at the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, presented both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict. From the side of the Palestinians, who occupied the region of today’s Israel for 1,400 years, to the side of the Israelis who claim the region was promised to them by God.
“Both claim it to be their ancient homeland,” Diprizio said. “These are two peoples with heartfelt claims to the same land that they can’t share. Any effort to create a two-state solution will encounter stumbling blocks.”
In the late 1800s, the Jewish national movement known as Zionism was introduced in response to centuries of European Anti-Semitism in order to establish an independent Jewish state within Palestine. But it wasn’t until after World War II and the Holocaust that the movement took off, gaining the support of the United Nations and a horrified Europe looking to “assuage its guilt,” Diprizio said.
“The Arabs had nothing to do with the Holocaust, and thought they shouldn’t have half their property taken away from them for this,” he said.
Diprizio walked the group of attendees through a comprehensive history of the plight of both groups and what has led to the tension in Israel and Palestine today.
“The problem is the region has too much history, and there is not enough land,” he said. “The Israelis believe they are God’s chosen people and the region is their national homeland. They need territories that belong to Palestine as security buffers, which present issues regarding the West Bank. The collective view is that the Arabs lost the war they started and that the Palestinians aren’t a real nation; just Arabs.
“The Palestinians have lived in this region for centuries,” he added. “There are holy sites on these lands for the Muslim population. They are not responsible for the Holocaust and take the perspective that self-determination is a human right. They have argued that they have already given up 78 percent of their homeland, and that Jews are a religious, not a national group.”
Jerusalem is home to a prime holy site for both Palestinian Muslims and the Israelis, Diprizio said.
The Temple Mount, known as the Haram al-Sharif in Arabic, was erected on the site that the Jewish believe to be the remnants of the old great temple. The Romans tore down the temple.
The Green Line, which had been established more than 60 years ago to form a de facto border between the then new state of Israel and its neighbors—Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt—was challenged by Palestine and Arab armies during a six-day war. During this war, the Israelis held their ground. Since that time, the Israelis have usurped new territories and stretched their reach to the West Bank and Gaza.
Palestinians, who gave up 78 percent of their land 60 years ago, are losing more of their territories and more of their human rights because of Israeli domination. Palestinians, who have been fleeing the region since the inception of the Palestinian state, are continuing to do so, choosing to reside in refugee camps.
“Israel is annexing blocks of the Palestinian state,” Diprizio said. “This settlement situation is truly corrosive for the Palestinians.”
Diprizio spent a great deal of time explaining the stumbling blocks between these two groups:
- East Jerusalem and its holy buildings
- The usurping of settlements and upheaval of the Palestinian people
- Maintaining security
- Establishing clear borders
- Providing assistance and support to refugees
- Ensuring both groups of peoples gain equal access to water resources
He referenced how the Geneva Initiative calls for the following:
- A return to the previously established 1967 Israeli borders
- A swap of equal quality land between both groups, making Arab villages part of Palestine and Israeli villages part of Israel
- Compensating refugees for their losses as a result of the 1948-49 conflict and allowing them to return to a new Palestinian state, which will include multinational peacekeeping forces and shared access to water supplies
- Splitting Jerusalem and granting only shared, dual key permissions for any alterations to the holy site within the city
The next International Speakers Series event will take place from 9:30-10:45 a.m. in the MUC Mississippi-Illinois room on Thursday, Nov. 7. Dr. Paul R. Viotti, the executive director of the Institute on Globalization and Security (IGLOS) at the University of Denver in Colorado will discuss “Gay and Minorities in the Armed Forces and the Evolving Role of Women in Armed Combat.”
The International Speakers Series is hosted by the Center for International Programs and made possible by the United States Institute of Peace. The USIP is an independent, non-partisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict without resorting to violence.
“USIP is pleased to support organizations like the SIUE Center for International Programs and their contributions to the national conversation around international conflict—and methods for resolving those conflicts nonviolently,” stated USIP President Jim Marshall in a statement about the funding.
SIUE’s Center for International Programs provides a wealth of programming designed to educate the campus population and surrounding community about issues of global significance. A spring series is scheduled, which is funded in part by the SIUE Meridian Society, an organization of women philanthropists. Independent of the International Speaker Series, the Center often hosts luncheons that provide valuable programs.
Last month, the Center introduced retired Ambassador John Maisto to the campus to discuss “Dealing with Dictators and Difficult Democrats: Half a Century of American Foreign Policy.” Some lively conversation ensued between those who attended the lunch meeting and Maisto.
“All of our presentations are based on balance,” said Brent Shapiro, program director for the International Speaker Series.
Maisto had served as the U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua after the Sandinistas lost the presidency and had a transition in government. He later became the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela and director of Latin American Affairs on the National Security Council, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States.
Retired Ambassador John Maisto spoke in September as part of one of many lunch engagements made possible by the SIUE Center for International Programs.
He had served as deputy ambassador to the OAS during the Haitian crisis. Prior to that, and just as the Marcos regime began to crumble, Maisto became the political officer in Manila.
The opportunities to meet foreign and domestic dignataries, and scholars offer attendees the chance to engage in enriching discussions, allowing them to ask questions and gain valuable insights about diplomats and diplomacy from other countries around the globe.
For more information, contact the Center for International Programs, located in the lower level of the Student Success Center, (618) 650-3785.
SIU School of Dental Medicine Serves 118 Children at Give Kids A Smile Day
Southern Illinois University’s School of Dental Medicine served 118 children between the ages of 3 and 13 at the Give Kids A Smile Day on Monday, Oct. 14 at the School’s main clinic in Alton.
Free dental care, including examinations, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions, were provided by SIU School of Dental Medicine faculty and students, members of the Madison and St. Clair district dental societies, and Lewis and Clark Community College dental assisting and dental hygiene faculty and students. Professionals and volunteers from the community also participated.
The total dental treatment provided was valued at $47,362. The following procedures were completed:
- 116 exams – 131 radiographs – 103 prophies
- 33 restorations – 56 extractions – 143 sealants
- 4 stainless steel crowns – 102 fluoride varnish treatments – 2 pulpotomies
Children qualified to participate in the event are those eligible for free and reduced-priced meal programs.
“Parents are pleasantly surprised with the comprehensive treatment that they receive at no charge,” said Dr. Poonam Jain, professor in the SIU School of Dental Medicine and director of Community Dentistry. “It is what sets us apart and is extremely rewarding.
“I had three different sets of parents say that they were amazed that we could provide all of these services on the same day without all the red tape. We had one single mom, who could only bring three of her five children in the morning. We told her to bring the other two later in the day, and she did.”
Give Kids A Smile Day is a national event sponsored by the American Dental Association to provide free dental treatment for underserved children. The event is organized to promote community awareness of the need for dental services among the underserved.
Fun activities for children took place throughout the event. First-year dental students from the SIU School of Dental Medicine hosted a “Smile Station” featuring fun, educational activities and games to help children learn the importance of a good diet, oral hygiene and the connections between their mouths and bodies.
“It’s a fun day for our students, and they truly enjoy it,” Jain said.
Top Right: Dr. Poonam Jain (left) and SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe (right with sunglasses) visit with tooth fairies at SIU School of Dental Medicine’s Give Kids A Smile Day.
Middle: Tuler Crews works with Destinee Keiser on a female patient.
Debora Daugherty-Henderson, 1959-2013; Was SIUE School of Business Student
Debora Daugherty-Henderson, of O’Fallon, died Friday, Oct. 11. She was 54.
She was studying accountancy in the SIUE School of Business.
Wolfersberger Funeral Home in O’Fallon is managing the arrangements. Visitation is 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home with a service to follow at noon.
Next Week’s Lifelong Learning Programs Focus on Religion & Politics
Next week’s Lifelong Learning program lineup through the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Educational Outreach consists of two great topics: Religion and Politics.
Both events will take place Wednesday in the Morris University Center Mississippi-Illinois room:
- The first program, “The Birth of the Papacy,” with Katie Sjursen, assistant professor of Historical Studies, will be held from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
When it first began, as an outcast and outlawed religion, Christianity did not have a readily visible hierarchy. The talk will walk attendees through the rise of the papacy and its rich history.
- The second program, “What’s Wrong with the Constitution and Why?” led by Bob Blain, emeritus professor of Sociology, will take place from 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Blain will focus on certain rights granted under the Constitution, including its power to collect taxes by force if necessary. The in-depth examination will entice audiences to ask questions.
Both programs are being sponsored by Stillwater Senior Living. The cost for either class is $2 for Lifelong Learning members; $5 for non-members and SIUE students can attend for free.
American and Muslim Series Continues at SIUE
Two lectures remain in the American and Muslim Series sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Library and Information Services. The student-centered series is being held in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.
“Children of Abraham: An Interfaith Discussion with Muslim and Christian SIUE Students” will take place from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the Friends’ Corner of Lovejoy Library. During the event, a discussion will take place about the significance of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mary to Muslims and Christians.
“The Muslim world is everywhere,” said Steve Tamari, an associate professor of Historical Studies at SIUE. He has worked closely with the Muslim Student Organization on campus to bring programs to campus. “The Muslim American population is as diverse as the world population.
“There are Muslims everywhere, just as there are Christians everywhere.”
The event planned for Oct. 23 will include representatives from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. These representatives will discuss their shared traditions and similar views, as well as their unique differences.
The showing of “Allah Made Me Funny: A Film” will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 in the SIUE Abbott Auditorium. The film features three Muslim comics who find the humor in everything from family to food to American politics and their fellow Muslims.
The first event, “Being Muslim and American: A Student Panel,” was widely attended. The frank discussion focused on what it means to be Muslim and American; the misunderstandings, ambivalence and even hostility Muslims face among non-Muslim America.
This series has been made possible through the “Bridging Cultures: The Muslim Journey’s Bookshelf” grant from the NEH and ALA.
“I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the Muslim world in general among Americans,” Tamari said. “There are a lot of reasons for that—especially in the post 9/11 world in which we live.
“There is this general lack of understanding that so many Americans are Muslims. It’s a growing number and they are as much American as they are Muslim.”
The purpose of the programs offered through the grant funding is “to broaden and deepen the understanding” about this segment of the population. There are more American and Muslim programs as part of the series slated to take place in the spring.
Sexual Assault in the Military is Topic of Documentary & Discussion at SIUE
The Invisible War: A Documentary about Sexual Assault in the Military will be shown and a discussion will follow from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 in the MUC Mississippi-Illinois room on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.
Panelists that will spearhead the conversation include Capt. Sheila Huff, Col. Ines White and Lt. Col. David A. Motes, all of the U.S. Army. Motes is the head of the campus ROTC program. The SIUE and surrounding communities are welcome to attend.
The event is being co-sponsored by SIUE Women’s Studies, Peace Studies and the ROTC Programs.
SIUE Wrestlers in the Community
The SIUE wrestling program was busy last weekend, helping in the community and spreading knowledge about their sport.
Members of the wrestling team helped provide support for the Metro East Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes on Sat., Sept. 28. The walk was held in Parking Lot A on SIUE’s campus and continued on the Morris Trail.
Cougar wrestlers cheered on walkers, handed out participant goodie bags, worked the food tent and helped clean up after the event. The Walk featured entertainment, a health fair and a kid’s zone.
“The event is a good opportunity for our guys to work together for a good cause,” said SIUE Assistant Coach Donovan McMahill. “There are a lot of people at the walk that have been impacted by diabetes in some way, and the event is very important to us and them. We are appreciative to have the opportunity to give back.”
Meanwhile, SIUE Head Coach Jeremy Spates was a special guest coach at Chicago Simeon High School for “Beat the Streets – Chicago.”
Spates passed along his knowledge to a group of young wrestlers eager to hear from the first-year head coach. The coaching clinic gave the Chicago area’s young wrestlers a chance to listen to a veteran collegiate coach. Spates shared his experiences as the coach of the NCAA’s first four-time national champion to win at four different weight classes – Cornell’s Kyle Dake.
“Beat the Streets is a great organization that uses wrestling to provide an outlet for inner-city kids,” said Spates. “I was very excited to work with BTS at Simeon High School. The guys did a great job, and it was a good experience all around. If you have never heard of BTS, you should look them up and do anything you can to help our youth in the cities.”
Photo: SIUE wrestlers with Fredbird at Metro East Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes on the SIUE campus.
SIUE Student Pharmacists Chapter Receives State Award
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Student Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (SSHP) received the Outstanding Student Chapter Award on September 21 in Oakbrook Terrace from the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP) during its annual meeting.
Selection criteria for the award included the presence of students at ICHP activities and the student chapter’s activities which support the mission of ICHP.
“The students of the SIUE SSHP do a remarkable job promoting pharmacy practice in health-systems,” said Dr. Lisa Lubsch, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice and faculty adviser for SIUE’s SSHP chapter. “I am so proud to be involved with such a dedicated group of students.”
The SIUE SSHP chapter is a student organization associated with the national organization, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the state organization, ICHP. The mission of both organizations, as well as the student chapter, is to improve the use of patients’ medication therapy by supporting pharmacy practice advancement.
“Our SSHP student chapter always has been outstanding with great advisors and students involved,” said Kelcey Correll, a fourth-year pharmacy student and Immediate past president of SSHP from Newton. “We couldn’t have won the award without the solid framework that previous officers provided to our events and community outreach programs. This award is a well-deserved recognition of everyone’s hard work and dedication to our future in the pharmacy profession.”
NCERC at SIUE Welcomes Community to 10th Anniversary Events
The NCERC at SIUE turns 10 this month, and is inviting the community to turn out for tours, lunch and demonstrations at an Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 16 in honor of the milestone.
“People often tell us that they’ve always wondered what lies beyond our doors,” NCERC Director John Caupert said. “The Open House is a great opportunity to answer that curiosity and learn about the Center’s many contributions to the biofuels industry.”
The Open House runs from noon-4 p.m., with tours, demonstrations and presentations running throughout the day. A free lunch, sponsored by Siemens Industry, Inc., will be available between noon-1:30 p.m.
The Iowa Corn Growers Association’s Biofuels Mobile Education Center is another Open House attraction. The 45-foot long mobile education center features interactive computers, educational displays, videos and fun facts about ethanol. The Illinois Corn Growers Association funded the mobile center’s appearance.
The NCERC opened its doors as a one-of-a-kind pilot-scale research facility to support the corn ethanol industry in October 2003. Since that time, the Center has been on the leading edge of biofuels research for both the public and private sectors.
“More than 50 technologies that have passed through our building are now in the commercial marketplace,” Caupert said. “The Center continues to conduct groundbreaking research that has the potential to address some of the most pressing issues of our day. We hope people will come out to learn more about who we are and come away with a better understanding of what we’re doing right here in Edwardsville.”
“During the last decade, the Center has undergone significant changes to keep up with the evolution of biofuels policy and industrial needs,” Caupert added. “Yet despite the many changes from technology and equipment to feedstocks and process, our mission and our role remain the same: to facilitate the research, development, and commercialization of biofuels.”
Princeton Review Tabs SIUE School of Business Among Nation’s Best
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business is named again as one of the best in the country by The Princeton Review. The education services company features the school in the new 2014 edition of its book “The Best 295 Business Schools.”
“We are very pleased to once again be selected by The Princeton Review,” said School of Business Interim Dean John Navin. “The fact that this list is based on students’ ratings of their educational experience is a sound acknowledgement of the quality of education we provide our students.”
According to Robert Franek, Princeton Review senior vice president-publisher, “We recommend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as one of the best institutions a student could attend to earn a business school degree.
“We chose the schools we profile in this book based on our high regard for their academic programs and our reviews of institutional data we collect from the schools. We also solicit and greatly respect the opinions of students attending these schools that rate and report on their experiences at them on our 80-question student survey for the book.”
“The Best 295 Business Schools: 2014 Edition” has two-page profiles of the schools with write-ups on their academics, student life and admissions. In the profile of SIUE, The Princeton Review editors describe the school as: “exceptional and convenient, and located close to a metropolitan area.”
SIUE students in the publication are quoted as saying, “Most of my professors still consult in their respective industries. They are very current on business trends and developments.”
Additional comments from students about faculty included, “They seem to truly care about students learning and being able to apply information in the real world,” and that faculty “know how to communicate their information to their students effectively.”
In a “Survey Says . . .” sidebar in the profile, The Princeton Review lists “good peer network, solid preparation in general management, communication, interpersonal skills and doing business in a global economy” as topics that students it surveyed were in most agreement about pertaining to the University. The 80-question survey asked business school students about their school’s academics, student body and campus life, as well as about themselves and their career plans.
The Princeton Review tallied lists based on its surveys of 19,000 students attending the 295 business schools. The survey asked students to rate multiple attributes of their schools, including their professors and fellow classmates.
“The Best 295 Business Schools” is one of more than 150 Princeton Review books published by Random House. The line includes “The Best 169 Law Schools” and “The Best 167 Medical Schools,” plus guides to graduate school admission exams and application essays.
The Princeton Review is also known for its guides to colleges and to standardized tests, its classroom and online test-prep courses, tutoring, and other education services. Headquartered in Framingham, Mass., The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University, and it is not a magazine.
ChrisLands.com Relocates to SIUE’s University Park
University Park at SIUE announced that ChrisLands.com has relocated its operations from downtown St Louis to the University Park Small Business Accelerator at 195 University Park Drive in Edwardsville.
ChrisLands.com is an ecommerce website development service that enables individuals and businesses to own and operate online stores. The company provides domain hosting, email hosting, database management, database hosting and backup management services.
ChrisLands manages all the technology requirements of an online store allowing owners to focus on running their businesses, filling orders and marketing their products. Its easy-to-use ecommerce software includes inventory management, customer management, advanced and quick searches, marketing tools and a secure facility for customers to checkout their purchased products.
Jaymes Sorbel, owner and CEO, said that the University Park location was extremely attractive, because it provides access to talented young people attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Chrislands currently employs four students from SIUE’s computer science and computer management information systems programs. He hopes to increase Chrislands’ relationship with SIUE and hire additional staff.
ChrisLands was launched in May 2001 as a support system for the used bookseller community. It has expanded to host online stores that sell everything from dolls to jewelry to nutrition bars.
Sorbel earned a bachelor’s in computer science from South Dakota State University and a master’s in computer science from the University of Florida. He also is a retired U.S. Army infantry major and is seeking certification for ChrisLands.com as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business through the Veterans Administration.
Future growth plans for ChrisLands include support for informational websites promoting the services of doctors, lawyers, tradesmen and many more. For more information contact Sorbel at info@chrislands.com or call 855-319-4458.
SIUE Graduate School Fair a Success—More Anticipated at Evening Fair
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Morris University Center was alive with excitement Wednesday, as hundreds turned out to attend the morning portion of a Graduate School Fair.
The $30 application fee is being waived for those who attend one of the two fairs and apply today. Hopeful graduate students still have time to take advantage of this opportunity by attending the second fair from 5-7 p.m. in the MUC.
All of SIUE’s 47 masters-level graduate programs are being represented during the event. The crowd consisted of a rich mix of undergraduate students nearing graduation and considering further study, and professionals from the outside community.
“For the evening event we’re expecting even more people,” said Jeff Chitwood, coordinator of graduate and international recruitment.
During the morning session, “the turnout was the largest we’ve had in the last five years,” said Shelly Robinson, coordinator of graduate school retention.
Destiny Green, a senior East St. Louis native majoring in sociology, took the opportunity to apply for the master’s program in that field. She said SIUE “just feels like home.”
When considering her graduate school options, she said, “I couldn’t think about being anywhere else. I love the sociology department here. I feel comfortable, connected and challenged. This is where I should be.”
For Stephen Wilkerson of Collinsville, a senior majoring in accounting, he wasn’t sure about graduate school until listening to the chair of his department talk about the high caliber of the master’s program at SIUE. He plans to take the CPA exam, and one of the requirements is that individuals have at least 150 credit hours.
“SIUE’s program graduates rank in the top tier when taking the CPA exam,” he said. “That’s my ultimate goal and I feel like a master’s in accountancy will better prepare me for the exam and my future.
“Another big selling point here is if you earn your bachelor’s with a 3.6 GPA or higher, you don’t have to take the GMAT. And with the application fee being waived today, I thought this was the perfect time to do this.”
Wilkerson will graduate in the summer and hopes to begin working on his master’s in the fall.
Jerry Weinberg, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School, delivered a presentation to attendees in the morning and a student panel of graduate students spoke with individuals about what to expect when attending graduate school.
“SIUE has highly regarded faculty in our graduate programs and our programs are rigorous,” said Melissa Mace, assistant director of graduate and international recruitment. “This fair is an opportunity for us to talk about real-life applicability—why a master’s degree helps you achieve your aspirations. We provide a solid foundation upon which to build your career.”
Free parking will be available in Lot B, which is next to the Morris University Center. For more information, call (618) 650-2741 or email graduateadmissions@siue.edu. Learn more at siue.edu/graduatestudents.
Former U.S. Rep. Costello Spoke at SIUE on Nation’s Infrastructure
Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello delivered a thoughtful lecture on “Our Nation’s Infrastructure—Approaching Crisis?” on Tuesday night to a full audience in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Morris University Center Mississippi-Illinois room.
Mostly political science and engineering students turned out for the event. Costello is the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Leader in Residence at SIU Carbondale. His visit was being made possible by the SIUE Department of Political Science Civic Education Project.
“Population growth and development place additional stress on all forms of infrastructure in the United States,” Costello said. “Our infrastructure is important for us to deliver products and provide services every day. People use our bridges to get to and from work. Our waterways are used to get goods to market. Our aviation industry transports goods and people across the nation and around the world.
“When the majority of our nation’s infrastructure is outdated and in need of repair, it affects how we do everything. It has a direct impact on every aspect of our economy.”
Costello cited the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which gave the nation’s infrastructure as a whole a D+, infrastructure in Illinois a D+ and infrastructure in Missouri a C-.
He noted recent investments in railways place that form of infrastructure to move people and goods in the best position regarding its health, safety and viability. Amtrak, he said, had the greatest number of travelers in its history in 2012.
The talk was particularly timely following the recent closure of a Wisconsin bridge because one of its sections dropped several feet, and this summer’s bridge collapse in Washington that sent three individuals to the hospital.
“And who can forget the tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota?” said Laurie Rice, associate professor of Political Science. “Studies of the state of our nation’s infrastructure warn more tragedies could be on the horizon unless something is done.”
Rice thought the topic was an important issue to bring to the public’s attention and that Costello was the perfect person to present the information. She thanked him for offering his expertise in this area to SIUE’s students and attendees from the outside community.
“We rely on the health of our nation’s infrastructure every day,” said Rice, adding, “whether it’s relying on the safety of our drinking water as it comes out of the faucet, expecting lights to come on when we flip a switch, driving across a bridge and assuming it will hold the weight of our vehicles, or trusting that the plane or train we board will get us to our destination safely and on time.”
During his 25-year tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Costello served on several committees and subcommittees. Those included the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, highways subcommittee, the water resources subcommittee, the rail subcommittee and more. He also served as the chairman of the aviation subcommittee, making him uniquely suited to address this pressing public policy issue.
SIUE School of Pharmacy Students Claim IPhA State Honors
Eight Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy students claimed state honors at the Illinois Pharmacist Association (IPhA) annual meeting on Friday, Sept. 27 in Bloomington. The students attended the meeting to gain professional development and networking skills, but also to participate in four competitions.
SIUE pharmacy students placed in all four events: patient counseling, student business plan, pain management and best poster.
“The student organizations and curriculum of the SIUE School of Pharmacy prepares students to be leaders within the community regardless of the arena,” said Dr. Jessica Kerr, associate professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacy and assistant chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice. “It obviously was demonstrated to the rest of the pharmacy community at this IPhA meeting.”
Waterloo native Scott Sexton placed among the top three finalists in the pain management competition. Sexton is in his first professional year (P1) at SIUE.
“Going to the IPhA conference was not only a great experience for me, but also an eye-opening one,” said Sexton. “Being able to represent our wonderful school as a finalist in a competition was a huge shock and a big honor for me.”
Cheyenne Newsome, of Swansea, placed second runner-up in the patient counseling competition and received honors in the best poster presentation category. Newsome is in her fourth professional year (P4) at SIUE.
Mallory Klein, a P4 student from Sterling, also received honors in the best poster presentation category.
Five P4 students placed in the student business plan competition: Katilyn Nihiser of Decatur, Samiyah Munshi of Town and Country, Mo., Dolly Climaco of Glen Carbon, Kirk Klein of Rosamond and Daniel Friedrich of St. Peters, Mo.
IPhA is dedicated to enhancing the professional competency of pharmacists, advancing the standards of pharmacy practice, improving pharmacists’ effectiveness in assuring rational drug use in society and leading in the resolution of public policy issues affecting pharmacists.
Cutline (Top to bottom left to right): SIUE School of Pharmacy IPhA Business Plan Winners Daniel Friedrich, Kirk Klein, Katilyn Nihiser, Samiyah Munski and Dolly Climaco.
PNC Director Speaks at SIUE Power Breakfast
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business held its annual Power Breakfast on Oct. 3. The keynote speaker was Gordon A. Johnson, BS BA ’82, MBA ’84, managing director and senior portfolio manager of the select equity investment team at PNC Capital Advisors.
The Power Breakfast helps to connect prominent alumni from the region and across the U.S. with their alma mater. The event also encourages students to develop valuable mentoring relationships with successful alumni and faculty.
More than 80 School of Business faculty, alumni and their mentees attended the Power Breakfast. The “invitation only” aspect of the event makes it an honor for students to be invited.
A proud supporter of SIUE, Johnson started his presentation by providing his reasons for attending the University.
“When I first came to SIUE, I didn’t know much about it,” said Johnson. “I knew it was near St. Louis which was going to help with looking for a job after graduation. I also knew it had a great business school and a great accounting reputation.”
Throughout the presentation, Johnson discussed the different changes that occurred throughout his career and how it ended up being beneficial. Noting the importance of flexibility, Johnson stressed the need for students and employees to be able to adapt when there is a bump in the road.
Entering into his undergraduate program, Johnson majored in business. With a plan to work in finance and investments, he found some struggles along the way.
“Looking back, some classes were really hard,” he said. “I took a class called ‘Money in Banking,’ and I just didn’t get it. You think you’re on a career path, but then there is that one class that makes you rethink your path. It happens in every major.”
Upon receiving his degree, Johnson found himself in a tough economy and a bad time for the banking industry. After an extensive job search, Johnson returned to SIUE to pursue his master’s degree.
“Graduate school wasn’t in my original plan, but all of a sudden it seemed to be a very good idea to me,” Johnson stated.
Johnson met Mark Deschaine during his time in the MBA program. Deschaine was the president of a small investment firm called Investment Counselors, Inc., located in Clayton. Johnson described how he bothered Shane for months to get a job at the firm.
“After talking with him in class, I thought it sounded like an interesting career,” said Johnson. “I thought if I stuck around and persisted enough I would be able to join his firm.”
During the presentation, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel asked what students should do to prepare for the workforce. Johnson explained the importance of making connections and learning soft skills such as communication.
John Navin, interim dean of the School of Business, concurs. “Over the years, the School of Business has heard several employers say they want employees with good communication skills,” Navin stated. “We have taken that feedback and begun to provide our students with the tools they need to obtain those skills.”
“We are proud to have Gordon as an alumnus,” said Navin. “He is an example of what great determination can do for you. I hope the students were able to take that away from his presentation.”
Photo: PNC Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager Gordon Johnson speaks to SIUE School of Business faculty, staff and students.
SIU SDM Presents Annual White Coat Ceremony
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine hosted its annual White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2017. Fifty new dental students were joined by hundreds of family and friends, as well as many SIU SDM faculty members, to celebrate the distinguished occasion.
Each year, the White Coat Ceremony underscores the unique ethical responsibilities of health care professionals espoused through the Professional Oath. The ceremony also serves to formally welcome the entering class into the profession of dentistry.
Dr. J. Barry Howell, immediate past president of the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS), served as the keynote speaker. During his tenure as the President of the ISDS, Dr. Howell served as an ex-officio member of the ISDS Foundation Board. Howell also is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, DENT-IL-PAC and ADPAC, and is currently serving on the American Dental Association’s Council of Governmental Affairs.
Following Howell’s remarks, Dr. Cornell Thomas, assistant dean for Admissions and Student Services at the School, called the new dental students individually to the stage. Following tradition, two alumni and faculty members of the School—Drs. Susan Rieken (‘95) and Kathy Weber (‘95)—helped the students don their white coats.
Once each student was fitted with their respective coat, they proceeded to sign the Professional Oath. With all the members of the Class of 2017 assembled on the stage, Dr. Bruce Rotter, dean of the SIU SDM, led the recitation of the oath.
Erin Syzdek, a Year III dental student and president of the student body, offered closing remarks. Following the ceremony, family and friends in attendance were invited to the School’s Alton campus for lunch and campus tours.
The ISDS Foundation, the Central Illinois Academy of General Dentistry, the Eighth District of the International College of Dentists, and the Illinois Section of the American College of Dentists served as sponsors for the event.
World Famous Fiddler, Eileen Ivers, in Concert at SIUE
Named as the “Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by The New York Times, Eileen Ivers will bring her electrifying performance to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Ivers, world-renowned American fiddler/violinist and Grammy-Award winner, will appear with her band, Immigrant Soul, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom.
The Irish-American fiddler demonstrates a blend of traditional and contemporary violin music that captivates a wide range of audiences. She has been named as the nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion. Ivers has played with the London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center and the Boston Pops Orchestra. She has also performed with Riverdance, The Chieftains, Sting, Hall & Oates, and Al Di Meola, and for presidents and royalty around the world.
“At the center of everything, providing both musical energy and a style that constantly pressed against the limits of traditionalism, was the brilliant fiddler, Eileen Ivers,” wrote Don Heckman in The Los Angeles Times. “Her originality and rhythmic swing will provide the bridge Irish music needs to break through to a mainstream audience.”
“We are thrilled to bring an artist of Eileen Ivers’ caliber to SIUE,” said Grant Andree, director of Arts & Issues.
For tickets and information, visit the SIUE Dunham Hall Arts & Issues Box Office between 8 a.m. and noon, the SIUE Morris University Center Information Booth, artsandissues.com or call (618) 650-5774. The first 50 University students with valid identification will receive a free ticket courtesy of SIUE Student Affairs.
The Arts & Issues series brings artistic excellence to the SIUE campus through an eclectic blend of speakers and performers. For more than 29 years, SIUE’s Arts & Issues series has showcased some of the world’s finest artists. Each season, thought-provoking artists and speakers inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. Thanks to the underwriting of SIUE, corporations, foundations and individual donors, tickets are often discounted by as much as 75 percent.
Arts & Issues is tied to the academic mission of the University and offers unique opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the community, to engage with performers and speakers through master classes and special sessions.
Photo Information: Eileen Ivers
SIUE School of Pharmacy Presents 9th Annual White Coat Ceremony
The SIUE School of Pharmacy hosted its 9th annual White Coat Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 4, in the Morris University Center. Dr. Natalie Eddington, dean of the University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy, served as the keynote speaker. The event coincides with American Pharmacists Month (APhM).
The White Coat Ceremony is a meaningful tradition in which first-year students are welcomed as pharmaceutical colleagues dedicated to patient care. During the event, students receive their white coat, the symbol of clinical service and care. They follow with a pledge of professionalism.
“This is the moment when our first year students become professionals,” said Gireesh Gupchup, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “They are now accountable to themselves, the profession of pharmacy, and most importantly, their patients.”
Dr. Michael Crider and Dr. Jessica Kerr, faculty in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice, respectively, served as marshals.
The SIUE School of Pharmacy celebrates its White Coat Ceremony each October during APhM. The American Pharmacists Association (APA) takes time to recognize its own for vital contributions made in health care by improved medication use and advanced patient care. The APA promotes pharmacists as the medication experts and an integral part of the health care team.
APhM aims to educate the public, policymakers and other health care professionals about the role pharmacists play in the reduction of overall health care costs and the safe and effective management of medications.
SIUE SBDC Adds Di Maggio as Small Business Specialist
Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has added Jo Ann Di Maggio as a new Business Specialist. The SBDC operates out of SIUE’s School of Business with offices located in Edwardsville and at the East St. Louis Center.
“After interviewing a number of qualified candidates, it was clear to the selection committee that Jo Ann’s background was a perfect fit for our Center,” said SBDC Director Patrick McKeehan. “Her personal experience in a family-owned business followed by work at the SBDC and a bank has given Jo Ann a strong insight into the challenges faced by small businesses. Jo Ann is a great addition for SBDC clients within our nine-county region.”
“I look forward to promoting the SBDC and becoming a key supporter of small business and entrepreneurial success in southwestern Illinois,” Di Maggio said.
Di Maggio earned a bachelor’s in business administration from SIUE in 2005 and followed with an MBA in 2007.
“My education at SIUE has been a tremendous asset to my personal and professional development,” Di Maggio said. “My degree choice was simple since my family owns a small Italian restaurant, and I wanted to expand my knowledge and training in all aspects of running a business.”
Di Maggio’s brothers own Di Maggio Brothers Pizza and Pasta in Highland, while her parents own Di Maggio’s Pizza and Pasta in Pinckneyville.
A Glen Carbon resident, Di Maggio was a graduate assistant for the Small Business Development Center at SIUE from August 2005-September 2007. She also has served as an international business consultant for the SBDC’s International Trade Center (ITC). Di Maggio’s other work experience included being an assistant manager at Walgreen’s in Edwardsville, a personal banker for US Bank in Belleville and a mortgage counselor for US Bank in St. Louis.
“I have experienced first-hand not only the joy, but also the sacrifice and struggles of small business owners and entrepreneurs,” Di Maggio said. For this reason I am passionately dedicated to helping these individuals reach their goals.”
SIUE’s Karen Kelly Receives Outstanding Friend to Nursing Award
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing honored five recipients with 2013 School of Nursing Excellence Awards at the Nursing Excellence Gala and 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 5. The event was in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom.
“Our gala award recipients are prime examples of individuals and organizations who continuously give of themselves for the good of others,” said Anne Perry, interim dean of the SIUE School of Nursing. “Their service to the School, the nursing profession and their communities is truly admirable.”
The awardees included:
Outstanding Friend to Nursing: Dr. Karen Kelly
The award honors a person, business, foundation, legislator or other entity that has demonstrated a civic responsibility to the profession of nursing and to society by advancing the nursing profession through acts such as funding, supporting legislation or promoting nursing through media outlets.
Kelly graduated with a bachelor’s in nursing from SIUE in 1972. She has dedicated her life to the betterment of the health care industry and nursing education. A triple SIUE alumna, she earned a master’s in 1977 and a doctorate in education in 1983.
Currently serving as an associate professor and director of continuing education in the SIUE School of Nursing, Kelly has worked with many state and national organizations to promote the advancement and success of the profession. She is president of the Illinois American Nurses Association and continues to make strides towards nursing excellence in every aspect of her life.
Outstanding New SIUE School of Nursing Alumna: Carla J. Daniels, FNP-BC, AOCNP
The award was created to honor a baccalaureate or master’s graduate who has made a significant contribution to the nursing profession and earned a degree within the past 10 years.
Daniels earned a family nurse practitioner master’s degree from SIUE in 2004. An oncology nurse practitioner at Springfield (Ill.) Clinic, Daniels has achieved credentials as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner, a certified Breast Health Specialist and a BRCA testing expert. She is a leading resource for genetics counseling in the Springfield area and is a tireless advocate for breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment. Next year, she will celebrate 25 years at Springfield Clinic.
Outstanding SIUE School of Nursing Alumna: Lenora M. Drees, APN-FNP
The award was created to honor a baccalaureate or master’s graduate who has made a significant contribution to the nursing profession and who earned a degree more than 10 years ago.
Drees began her nursing career in 1968 after graduating from St. John’s Mercy School of Nursing with a nursing diploma. In 1989, Lenora graduated from SIUE with a bachelor’s in nursing. Four years later, she earned a family nurse practitioner master’s from the University of Illinois – Chicago.
She is a member of the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing, a certified diabetic educator and a SIUE nursing preceptor. She currently practices at Family Care Associates in Effingham.
Outstanding Health Care Agency
50 year partner of SIUE School of Nursing: East Side Health District
The award honors a community health agency, home health care agency or long-term care facility that has advanced the nursing profession and can be considered a model for others.
East Side Health District opened in 1937, making it one of the oldest health departments in the metro-East area. It has worked to improve the health and environment of the people living in East St. Louis and surrounding communities through various health promotion and disease prevention programs.
Since the SIUE School of Nursing was established on the Edwardsville campus in 1963, East Side Health District has partnered with the School to offer students a clinical environment in which they are able to receive advanced training in nursing.
Outstanding Hospital
50 year partner of SIUE School of Nursing: Barnes-Jewish Hospital
The award honors a hospital/hospital system that has advanced the nursing profession and can be considered a model for others.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a Magnet®-designated hospital, is committed to providing an exceptional learning environment for nursing students, clinical instructors and staff alike. For the last 50 years, students from SIUE, under the supervision of their clinical instructors, have worked with Barnes-Jewish Hospital to care for patients on a variety of units, including cardiology, general medicine and oncology.
Students have depended upon these care experiences to create and foster the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to provide quality care in professional nursing. This long lasting partnership has been pivotal to the successful history of SIUE nursing.
Nursing excellence nominees are considered on the basis of their commitment and inspirational influence, and having a profound impact on their communities and the health care profession. Alumni, health professionals, School of Nursing faculty and staff, and friends of nursing submitted nominations.
Photo: Dr. Karen Kelly (right) receives the Outstanding Friend to Nursing award at the 2013 SIUE School of Nursing Excellence Awards at the Nursing Excellence Gala and 50th Anniversary Celebration. Interim Dean Anne Perry makes the presentation.
SIUE Inducts Six to Alumni Hall of Fame
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville honored six graduates at the 2013 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 4 in the Morris University Center. These alumni have achieved notoriety in their respective fields, are role models and are a testament to SIUE’s educational excellence.
“Those selected for the Alumni Hall of Fame represent the best who have received an SIUE education,” said Steve Jankowski, director of Alumni Affairs. “It is our honor to induct these outstanding individuals.”
The 2013 honorees listed by their college school:
School of Business
Michael Wenzel graduated from SIUE in 1970 with a bachelor’s in business administration/general accounting. After beginning his professional career with an international “Big Eight” firm, he transitioned to a local accounting firm. He served as a founding partner of Teel, Heller & Wenzel certified public accountants and formed Wenzel & Associates Ltd., CPAs in 1982.
“I am forever grateful to SIUE for stealing an education,” said Wenzel, who described the low cost of his degree. “Four of the best years of my life were spent here. I had mentors who helped give me the business and leadership skills to be successful.”
Wenzel joined the SIUE Foundation Board in 2008 and is president of the Foundation’s board of directors. He exhibits leadership and dedication to his community through his involvement with numerous organizations.
College of Arts & Sciences
Helen Damon earned multiple SIUE degrees – bachelor’s and master’s in biological sciences in 1972 and ’75, respectively; and a master’s in environmental studies/sciences in ’81. She broke age barriers in the 1960s by attending SIUE as a non-traditional student. Damon completed her education after raising a family. She taught environmental classes at local colleges, achieved the Master Naturalist designation and continued her research to improve the environment, while educating the next generation.
“I feel as if I’ve spent years at SIUE, and they were wonderful years,” Damon said. “All my friends were here, so I enjoyed every moment of it and wish I could go back. It’s such a wonderful place.”
Damon’s work with the Illinois Department of Health led to the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Waste Water Professionals of Illinois. That award is now named in Damon’s honor. She is a founding member of SIUE’s Meridian Society. She also served as president of the SIUE Alumni Association in 1993, having served on the board of directors from 1986 -‘95.
Elizabeth Stroble, Ph.D., earned a pair of master’s from SIUE in history in 1980, and American and English literature in ’84. She is president of Webster University and chief executive officer. Webster is the only Tier 1 independent non-profit university with a network of international residential campuses serving 22,000 students in sixty cities and eight countries on four continents.
“My SIUE experience was a transformative period of my life that shaped who I am now,” Stroble said. “I gained an appreciation for the sheer love of learning while I pursued my master’s degrees.”
Stroble began her career as a secondary teacher in Vandalia. During a time frame, she completed her postgraduate work at SIUE. Following the completion of a doctorate at the University of Virginia, Stroble progressed through academic and administrative ranks at Northern Arizona University, University of Louisville and University of Akron to become Webster’s 11th president. She is a published author and speaker, recognized throughout her career for professional contributions to education, women and leadership, and community engagement.
School of Dental Medicine
William Schmidt, D.M.D., earned a bachelor’s in biological sciences from SIUE in 1973 and a doctorate from the SIU School of Dental Medicine in ’76. At the SDM, Schmidt was awarded membership in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. After completing a general practice residency with the U.S. Public Health Service, he continued his education at the University of Washington, where he achieved an MSD in prosthodontics.
“I have a sense of gratitude, because Edwardsville is my hometown, and my roots are embedded deeply,” Schmidt said. “Being so close to SIUE allowed me an attainable, affordable and excellent education, which made possible a fulfilling career.”
Schmidt has lectured nationally and internationally on various prosthodontic, restorative and implant topics. For more than thirty years, Schmidt has enjoyed his private practice in Seattle, specializing in fixed and removable prosthodontics and implant restorations. Schmidt and his wife, Alicia, have been past presidents and served on the Washington chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Board for more than 20 years.
School of Education
Margaret Blackshere earned both bachelor’s and master’s in elementary education from SIUE in 1965 and ’72, respectively. A former classroom teacher, she has served at all levels of the labor movement, including as president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) Local 763 in Madison; vice-president of the IFT; and secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO. In 2000, she became the first woman to be elected president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, retiring in 2007 and being named president emeritus.
“SIUE taught me a lot of things, including the attitude of make a difference,” Blackshere said. “It’s easy to say that we’ve done a great job at SIUE.”
Blackshere was the first SIUE alum to be appointed by Governor Daniel Walker to the SIU Board of Trustees. President Bill Clinton appointed her to the Commission of Presidential Scholars. She was the first SIUE alum named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1974. Since retirement, she has traveled to countries throughout the world, engaging women in efforts to improve working conditions and become politically active, and teaching women about equality.
School of Engineering
David Brammeier, P.E., PTOE earned a bachelor’s from SIUE in civil engineering in 1975. He has more than 38 years of experience on the design and analysis of complex transportation issues. He is one of the principals of Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier/Traffic and Transportation Engineers and is responsible for project management, technical and design guidance, and overall administration. He leads the firm’s efforts in the design of roads and intersections to achieve maximum traffic flow and reduce the possibility of accidents.
Brammeier thanked his business partners for his long-term success. He also complimented the School of Engineering and Dean Hasan Sevim for producing graduates capable of successfully competing in the marketplace.
Timing, phasing and synchronization of traffic signals are projects typically conducted under his guidance. He also has been involved in various aspects of providing expert witness services for lawsuits with testimony related to a wide range of traffic and transportation issues.
Photo (from L to R): Webster University President Elizabeth Stroble, Michael Wenzel, Margaret Blackshere , Dr. William Schmidt, David Brammeier and Helen Damon (seated).
Pharmacy Technician Review Ranks SIUE School of Pharmacy Among the Best
Online publication pharmacytechnicianreview.com highly ranked SIUE’s School of Pharmacy in two surveys released during September. The School was ranked 63rd in in the country and 19th in the Midwest. View the surveys of the top 75 schools nationally or the top 20 Midwestern schools.
SIUE Student Organization Partners with Edward Jones
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s student organization, Emerging Leaders Improving Through Experience (ELITE), entered into a partnership with Edward Jones during the week of Sept. 23-27.
The partnership consisted of hosting a resume workshop by Josh Smucker and Nicole Marcheski of Edward Jones. Later in the week, ELITE took a tour of the St. Louis-based investment firm to get more information.
ELITE President Maeve Juenger is a senior accounting and economics and finance major from Waterloo. He said the point of the workshop was to give School of Business students the opportunity to get feedback on their resumes before attending SIUE Career Development Center’s career fairs. “It never hurts to have another opinion,” said Juenger. “The goal of the workshop was to help students refine their resumes in time for the career fair.”
During the week, students learned the dos and don’ts of interviewing. Smucker and Marcheski discussed networking, types of resumes, first impressions and the importance of thank you cards. After the presentation, students had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Smucker and Marcheski to discuss their resumes.
Juenger hoped the students were able to make a connection with Smucker and Marcheski to help with their future job searches. “Since students had the opportunity to talk to the Edward Jones employees one-on-one, I hope they built their network by establishing a connection. This could be someone the student could reach out to in the future.”
On Friday, ELITE members visited the Edward Jones campus to learn about employment opportunities, such as internships and entry-level positions. During the visit, students also were provided information about the company, its strategy and its history. “This knowledge will be useful during an interview if the students decide to apply at Edward Jones,” said Juenger.
“ELITE hopes that this is only the first of many events of this nature,” said Juenger. “One of our goals is to provide professional and career development opportunities to School of Business students.”
In the past, ELITE has partnered with other companies and individuals such as Monsanto and alumnus Corey Wenzel, BSA ’02, MBA ’03. Wenzel spoke to students about his development of the Enclave apartment complex, as well as entrepreneurship.
“ELITE is always looking for ideas for guest speakers and company tours and is on the lookout for contacts we can tap into,” said Juenger.
ELITE is a group of School of Business student leaders who serve as a liaison between students, faculty, alumni, and others affiliated with the School of Business.
Photo (L to R): Nathan Vogt, Josh Smucker, Sean Tran, Robert Guynn and Zach Carter.
State Rep. Beiser to Attend Give Kids A Smile Day at SIU Dental School
Illinois State Rep. Dan Beiser will attend the annual Give Kids a Smile Day at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, and other state political figures have been invited. The event provides qualified children between the ages of 3 and 13 with free dental care.
Dr. Poonam Jain, professor in the SIU School of Dental Medicine, encourages parents to bring their children to the fun, educational event that promotes healthy living, which is slated to take place from 7:30 a.m. to noon, Monday, Oct. 14 at the School’s main clinic in building 263, 2800 College Ave. in Alton. Children qualified to participate in the event are those eligible for free and reduced-priced meal programs.
Free dental care, including examinations, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions will be provided by SIU School of Dental Medicine faculty and students, members of the Madison and St. Clair district dental societies, and Lewis and Clark Community College dental assisting and dental hygiene faculty and students. Professionals and volunteers from the community also will participate.
Fun activities for children will take place on campus throughout the event. First-year dental students from the SIU School of Dental Medicine will host a “Smile Station” featuring fun, educational activities and games to help children learn the importance of a good diet, oral hygiene and the connections between their mouths and bodies.
Give Kids a Smile Day is a national event sponsored by the American Dental Association to provide free dental treatment for underserved children. The event is organized to promote community awareness of the need for dental services among the underserved.
In Alton, the one-day event allows an average of more than 200 children to receive care from dental professionals each year. The volunteer dentists and staff offer an annual average of more than $50,000 in preventive, restorative and surgical treatment for the children who participate.
For more information, contact Sherie Gottlob from the School of Dental Medicine, (618) 474-7200, or sgottlo@siue.edu. While pre-registration is preferred, it is not required. Walk-ins are welcome between 7:30 a.m. – noon.