When students came to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall, they discovered enhancements and renovations to a campus, already known for its attractiveness. SIUE’s campus growth this year totaled approximately $9 million, according to Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker. 

“We continue to make repairs, upgrades and additions to our beautiful campus,” said Walker. “The work is an ongoing investment in our University and our students.” 

The campus growth projects are categorized as recently completed, in progress and in the future. 

“Our largest summer project was Parking Lot A, just east of the Vadalabene Center,” noted Walker. “The parking lot not only needed re-surfacing, but also needed to correct the problem of vehicles and pedestrians coming together at the same point. We added our first roundabout to improve traffic flow.” 

The Ralph Korte Stadium parking lot was converted from rock to asphalt, and lights were installed.

“Lights on the new asphalt make the stadium finally look like a Division I athletic complex,” said Walker. “It’s much more appealing to have night lighting, and it makes the stadium more user friendly for evening events.” 

This summer, the SIUE School of Engineering saw the completion of the Fowler Student Design Center, thanks to the Fowler family’s generous gift of $1.25 million, one of the largest private gifts the University has received. 

“We’ve done major infrastructure improvements, as well,” added Walker. “We replaced additional sections of campus sidewalks, fire hydrants and water lines. 

“At the East St. Louis campus, we replaced most of the air handling units on top of the buildings,” he noted. “In Alton, we replaced additional sewer lines and water piping in the buildings.” 

“Of the projects we recently completed, we were able to utilize multiple funding sources,” Walker offered. “Funding came from parking fees, private donations, state money and a variety of other sources.” 

Listed below are some of those projects in progress and in planning. 

In progress: 

• Founders Hall is undergoing $34 million in infrastructure improvements. Updates will include making the building safer against earthquakes. Founders Hall is one of the original buildings on campus. 

• The Wastewater Treatment Plant is scheduled to have $1 million of work completed. 

• The skylights in Lovejoy Library and the Student Fitness Center are being replaced. 

• The exterior lighting on campus is being replaced with LED fixtures for energy efficiency. 

In the future: 

• Construction of the Health Sciences Complex, which will provide new facilities for nursing, pharmacy and other health disciplines. The cost is estimated at $105 million and is funded by the state. 

• Renovate and expand the SIUE Greenhouse. The cost is estimated at $2.5 million, with the state providing $2 million and remaining coming from donated funds. 

• Construction of the SIU School of Dental Medicine Pediatric Surgery Center in Alton. Private money is expected to pay the project cost of $11 million.

Photo: Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker. 

Intelligent. Communicator. Writer. African American. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior Dalyn Terrell Wells used these few words to describe himself. While Wells says he is grateful of being a unique individual, he delights in being part of the SIUE community, which is comprised of many diverse people. 

 As SIUE prepares to observe its second annual Diversity Day celebration to be held Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 14-15, several University students, faculty and staff discuss the meaning of the phrase, “I Am SIUE.” 

“I am outgoing and welcoming, and that’s how I see the University,” said Wells, of East St. Louis. “I try my best not to let my disability define me. That’s why I stay optimistic and always have a smile on my face.” 

Wells is majoring in mass communications, with a focus in advertising and strategic media. His minor is in English and creative writing. Wells was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of two. He uses both a walker and scooter for his mobility. 

“I use a scooter, because SIUE is such a large place, and my voice is sometimes unclear. Other than that, that’s pretty much it,” continued Wells. “Most people are cool when they first interact with me. They treat me as if I don’t have a disability.” 

There are other times, when people seem to be uncomfortable, confided Wells. 

“Some people aren’t frequently exposed to people with disabilities,” he continued. “So, I understand when people are hesitant.” 

However, Wells does not let things inside or outside of himself keep him from pursing his goals, enjoying his life or being involved at SIUE. 

With a love for writing, an interest in communication and a heart for social justice, Wells plans to work at a communications firm, and help speak to society’s social ills to bring understanding and healing. 

“As a country, we are stronger together,” said Wells. “It’s the same way for SIUE. We can learn from one another. We do not have to all be the same. Diversity is a positive thing.”

Photo:
Dalyn Wells, a mass communications major, received the Jack Shaheen Media Image Award at an SIUE Department of Mass Communications award program in March. Presenting him the award is Musonda Kapatamoyo, PhD, chair and associate professor.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. SIUE joins a select group of 35 institutions that have earned the distinction for six consecutive years.

As a recipient of the annual HEED Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, SIUE will be featured along with 92 other recipients in the November 2019 edition of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across their campuses.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected SIUE based on its exemplary diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the ability to embrace a broad definition of diversity on campus, including gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, members of the LGBT community and others.

“SIUE’s strong commitment to diverse programming, and our diversity and inclusion online learning community position SIUE as a model for the region,” said Venessa A. Brown, PhD, associate chancellor and chief diversity officer. “SIUE values and appreciates a diverse and inclusive campus community. We are intentional about discussing various issues in our state, region, nation and world that impact our campus culture.

 Brown listed examples of upcoming diversity programs at SIUE:

• Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15
• Implicit Bias Series Part III - Who Am I in the Delivery of Services: Implicit Biases Inside and Outside the Classroom, Sept. 20
• SIUE Diversity Day, Oct. 15, featuring author Howard J. Ross
• Celebrating National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11
• Inaugural Ed Roberts Champions of Accessibility Celebration Dinner, Oct. 24
• United Nations Day, Oct. 24
• Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October
• World AIDS Day, Dec. 1

For more information about the magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.

About INSIGHT Into Diversity

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is well-known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.

Photo: Venessa A. Brown, PhD, SIUE associate chancellor and chief diversity officer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville a $100,000 environmental education grant. The funding will support SIUE in its efforts to increase public awareness and knowledge regarding three critical clean water issues: regulated pollutants, emerging pollutants and biological contamination.

“We are excited to receive an EPA environmental education award as it allows us to integrate education, research and outreach, and involve our students in these endeavors,” said Kevin Tucker, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry. “This project involves training undergraduate students to collect field water samples, and perform biological and chemical testing on them to assess water quality. Our work will inform decisions made in the greater St. Louis area by industry, agriculture and residents alike.”

“EPA is working hard with our partners to ensure every single American has access to clean, safe water,” said Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp. “EPA is proud to support organizations like Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in their efforts to engage and inform the public on this critical issue.”

Project collaborators include Tucker, Robert Dixon, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry; Matthew Maas, director of the Environmental Resource Training Center at SIUE; Educational Outreach Specialist Courtney Breckenridge; and Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor of sociology and director of the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative.

According to Breckenridge, who is also an environmental sciences doctoral student, this funding will support two main project goals: ensuring clean, safe water supplies, and increasing transparency, public participation and community collaboration on these issues.

She points toward students as being at the center of this work. Grant funds will support trainings and interactive displays, as well as a student summit and community kickoff event. Students, teachers and citizens will be provided with tools and solutions to reduce pollutants in the water supply, increase awareness of contamination risks and solutions, develop interest in environmental careers, and utilize community partnerships to increase public understanding of clean water issues.

“We’ll accomplish this from a combination of applied research in sampling regional water supplies and disseminating that information through a combination of public geospatial databases and targeted presentations,” Breckenridge explained. “Students will build their technical skills tackling research questions that matter, then turn around and practice the soft skills of teamwork, problem-solving and communications.”

“Students in our From the Ground Up organization were the inspiration for this grant, as they’ve grown leaps and bounds in raising awareness about the science and facts as they relate to food, water, energy, and climate,” Breckenridge added. “Our students learn to bridge between the lab and a public audience, whether that’s with their fellow students, in a public presentation or for a legislative panel. We’re building awareness and programming about these issues from the ground level, one project at a time.”

Illinois’ proximity to major waterways, and the rust and corn belts, uniquely position SIUE to tackle these issues, utilizing its expert faculty, staff, and students to lead the efforts of improving water quality.

“Illinois is the merging of the rust belt in the north and the corn belt in the south,” Tucker explained. “Each of these regions produce significant pollution challenges to be managed by wastewater treatment plants in order to mitigate the effect of a large variety of harmful biological, regulated and emerging pollutants on the environment.

“Considering the mighty Mississippi to the west and Lake Michigan to the north, the “freshwater” resources available to Illinois could make it a leader in water supply provided that the pollution of our water is managed. Researchers will specifically target biological contamination such as Legionella, emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and regulated pollutants such as lead and other heavy metals, and nitrates.”

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/education.

Photo: (L-R) Matthew Maas, director of the Environmental Resource Training Center at SIUE; Kevin Tucker, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry; Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor of Sociology and director of the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative; Educational Outreach Specialist and Environmental Sciences Doctoral Student Courtney Breckenridge; and Robert Dixon, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry.

SIUE’s Jason Murphy, PhD, instructor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Psychology, was featured on WBGZ’s Let’s Talk program for a discussion on the intersection of psychology and business on Monday, Sept. 16.

Murphy shared insight on the use of psychological assessment for employee selection and development, behavioral based interviewing and enhancing worker motivation.

Listen to the segment, “The Psychology of Hiring,” on AltonDailyNews.com.

Personal curiosity inspired Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Dave Jennings, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, to create an interactive learning application that connects science and art.

Sparked by the beauty of The Gardens at SIUE back in 2016, Jennings was curious to learn more, and also discover other areas and landmarks around campus.

“What if wherever you were on campus, you could figure out what’s going on in the here and now?” he pondered. “What if we could learn about an area or object as we came upon it?”

Jennings acted swiftly and has since brought his idea to life, with a visually striking and abundant resource at SIUE—art.

He sought the expertise of Erin Vigneau-Dimick, executive curator of the University Museum. As the two discussed curating art into the then-newly built Science West building on campus, the idea for an application that would offer artistic background on specially selected science-related pieces, transpired. Together, they launched the Active Integrated Sustainable Learning Environments (AISLE) project, which has expanded to include art works in the now renovated Science East building.

“The art on campus program has been a part of the University Museum for about 40 years,” explained Vigneau-Dimick. “We’ve been interested in starting this type of collaborative curation for some time now. This project will really help students, and the campus community, see the value of art.”

“We want students to realize that they can be both a scientist and an artist,” added Jennings. “The two are not mutually exclusive. They are mutually beneficial.”

On the advice of a colleague, Jennings researched a technology suitable for furthering AISLE. It centers on the use of small Bluetooth devices, called beacons, that transmit location information. Beacons then connect to other Bluetooth devices and trigger a web-based application that displays information associated with an identified area or object.

A web-based application specific for SIUE is currently in development as part of a senior project being completed by students in the School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science. The interactive application will trigger a notification as students walk past beacons and provide information about the location, artwork or area.

Although the project is initially focusing on pieces from the University Museum’s vast collection of SIUE art pieces and historical objects located in Science East and Science West, Jennings envisions expanding the AISLE project across campus.

“I think that every department on campus should have a beacon so that students and parents could walk in at any time and know what is offered there,” said Jennings.

Other future possibilities include the opportunity for students and visitors to give themselves their own campus tour using the app. Users would be able to utilize the application to learn more about the specific areas on campus that interest them.

“The possibilities are endless,” exclaimed Jennings. “It’s all curiosity driven.”

Jennings and Vigneau-Dimick hope to get more departments involved in creating content for the application, perhaps by way of senior projects or the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program.

The AISLE project first launched in spring 2018, with the receipt of a Targeted Funding Initiative grant from the College of Arts and Sciences. The team anticipates the newly-developed application will be available for use in spring 2020.

To learn more about the AISLE project or to get involved, please contact Jennings at dajenni@siue.edu or 618-650-3614.

Photos: (L-R) University Museum Executive Curator Erin Vigneau-Dimick and Associate Professor Dave Jennings have launched the AISLE project which connects individuals to the scientific connection of selected artworks installed throughout SIUE’s Science West and Science East. Arboreal Anatomy by professor Brigham Dimick is featured in the background.

Viewing a jacquard weaving by Professor Laura Strand which reimages seafoam along the Florida coastline, University Museum Executive Curator Erin Vigneau-Dimick and Associate Professor Dave Jennings learn more about the piece’s scientific connection using the web-based application.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has named SIUE alumna Dalya Qualls director of corporate communications. Qualls earned a master’s in mass communications from SIUE in 2005.

Details on her career advancement were posted Friday, Sept. 13 in the Chattanoogan.

Whether aspiring to be a pediatric physician, intensive care nurse, wildlife rehabilitator, or otherwise, gaining experience in educating and communicating with young students and community members is valuable for an individual’s career preparedness.

This summer, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Robert J. Noyce Teacher Scholarship program afforded those opportunities to seven students pursuing degrees in science-related fields, who have an interest in education. Participants recapped their experiences during the Noyce Summer Scholars Showcase held Thursday, Sept. 19 in the Morris University Center.

“Children are in their most important developmental stages, and since I want to be a pediatric doctor, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to best connect with kids and introduce scientific topics in an engaging way,” said Justin Rosales, of Lake in the Hills, a sophomore studying biology, with a specialization in medical science. “As a doctor, I not only want to help them get better when they’re sick, but also help them learn how the world works and how they can make it a better place.”

The Noyce program is funded by the National Science Foundation and provides $2,500 summer scholarships to qualified SIUE freshmen and sophomores and local community college students who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching careers. The students receive training in delivering STEM activities to youth and then complete 200 hours of service, teaching in an informal K-12 learning environment.

The 2019 community sites for the Noyce scholars included Edwardsville District 7’s Summer Zone, SIUE’s Odyssey Science Camp, and the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville.

“This summer offered an incredibly immersive experience,” said Victoria Green, of Collinsville, a sophomore biology major pursuing the environment, evolution and ecology specialization. Green spent eight weeks at the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville.

“I expected a lot of greeting people, but didn’t anticipate the amount of education I’d get to be involved with,” Green explained. “This was the most direct, yet non-traditional, educational role I’ve gotten to experience. I helped with reading and nature programs, fielded questions from the public, helped with wildlife management and coordinated a large, community composting event.”

Nursing major Domonique Dones, of Belleville, noted her enhanced appreciation for teachers after completing her summer experience helping with Summer Zone and Odyssey Science Camp.

“There’s so much more involved than creating a lesson plan and teaching the content,” Dones said. “We worked hard to create engaging activities so we could connect with the kids. For instance, we led a demonstration of the different moon phases using Oreos. We also learned classroom management skills.”

“I’m interested in working in pediatric intensive care, but previously thought about teaching,” she added. “This summer experience offered the perfect blend of science and teaching.”

The Noyce summer scholars experience is coordinated through the SIUE STEM Center, in partnership with faculty from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Photos: SIUE sophomore Justin Rosales recaps his summer experience to School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, at the Noyce Summer Scholars Showcase.

Noyce Scholar Victoria Green shares details about her summer experience at the Watershed Nature Center with STEM Center Director Sharon Locke, PhD.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s annual Homecoming celebration will take place Monday-Saturday, Sept. 23-28. The University will host a weeklong series of events for current students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members.

The week will feature Uber Eddie, a chalk mural contest, royalty voting booth, karaoke, Cosmic Cougar Bowling, the 18^th annual Chili Cook-Off, a golf cart parade, Homecoming bonfire and more. All events are open to current students and free to attend.

A complete schedule of events can be found at siue.edu/homecoming. Multiple SIUE Athletics events are also scheduled throughout the week, offering ample opportunities to cheer on the Cougars. For ticket information to all intercollegiate sporting events, visit siuecougars.com.

SIUE is introducing the Cougar Fan Zone, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 on the Korte Stadium east parking lot prior to the men’s soccer match vs. Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. The Fan Zone will include a free concert featuring Dirty Muggs, inflatables for kids and more. Food and adult beverages will be available for purchase from a variety of food trucks and vendors.

The 10^th annual SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner “A Night Among the Stars” begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom. The awards dinner follows at 6:15 p.m. During the night, eight honorees will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.

The SIUE Alumni Association will host the fourth annual Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run on Saturday, Sept. 28, with proceeds benefiting SIUE Alumni Association Scholarships for deserving students. Community members, students and alumni are encouraged to participate.

Cougars Unleashed will feature 10K and 5K routes winding through the scenic SIUE campus, with participants taking their mark at 9 a.m. and 9:15 a.m., respectively. A one-mile fun-run will begin at 9:20 a.m. All races will start and end at Birger Hall on campus.

The 5K race costs $35 and the 10K is $45. SIUE alumni get a $5 registration discount, and SIUE students can register for any race for $5. To register, visit runsignup.com/CougarsUnleashed.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville welcomes the newest recipients of the University’s Meridian Scholarship to campus. This year’s incoming class of 20 Scholars is among the University’s most diverse, including students from Illinois and Missouri, as well as Tennessee, Oregon, Kentucky and Nigeria.

The Meridian Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship given to incoming first-year students. Each year, more than 600 students submit an application essay and resume, meet high academic qualifications (a score of 1260 on the SAT or a 27 on the ACT) and complete an on-campus interview. The four-year award includes full tuition, fees, and room and board.

In addition to one’s academic merit, recipients are selected based on a holistic review of a student’s application and interview. Successful students often demonstrate creativity in the arts, perseverance in athletics, self-awareness in self-improvement, and dedication to others through service to their school, faith and local communities. Ultimately, students are selected not only on what they have accomplished, but also their potential to shape a changing world.

SIUE Meridian Scholars are enrolled in the University Honors Program, where they enjoy a distinctive small-college experience with all the benefits of a large comprehensive university. Throughout their schooling, students are encouraged to: ask important and difficult questions, then pursue their answers; consider the connections between seemingly different ideas and practices; investigate the current issues facing their field of study; and find opportunities for civic engagement.

SIUE’s 2019 Meridian Scholarship recipients, along with their hometowns and academic interests:

• Christine Alex, Chicago – biological sciences
• Nicole Boyd, Granite City – mass communications
• Macy Deck, Edwardsville – mechanical engineering
• William Diehl, Johnson City, Tenn. – secondary education, history
• Anne Fulgenzi, Sherman – political science, psychology and communications
• Dominic Grasso, St. Louis – dance
• Jesse Harris, Springfield – biological sciences
• Karli Rose, Kinmundy – biological sciences and Spanish
• Cara Levingston, Le Roy – civil engineering
• Kendra Mackey, Columbia, Mo. - exploratory
• Allie Niebrugge, Teutopolis – international business
• Fatimot Afolashade Onanusi, Bariga, Lagos State, Nigeria – nursing
• Shyloh Peckham, Gresham, Ore. – exploratory
• Ava Ploeckelman, Clarksville, Tenn. – biological sciences
• Angelia Prather, Owensboro, Ky. – theater and dance
• Tessa Schwarzentraub, Metamora – international business
• Trinity Sharp, Richton Park – computer science
• Dana Smith, Lake in the Hills – biological sciences
• Ana Vasquez, Chesterfield, Mo. – industrial engineering
• Lydia Wegel, Champaign – nursing

For more information on the Meridian Scholars program and to apply for fall 2020, visit siue.edu/meridian.

Photo: Standing alongside SIUE’s 2019 Meridian Scholars are (far left) Dr. Eric Ruckh and (far right) Chancellor Randy Pembrook. The 2019 recipients include (L-R front) Ana Vasquez, Karli Rose, Christine Alex, Lydia Wegel, Dana Smith, Mary Deck, Ava Ploeckelman, Anne Fulgenzi, Tessa Shwarzentraub, (back L-R) Allie Niebrugge, Cara Levingston, Jesse Harris, Fatimot Afolashade, Kendra Mackey, Shyloh Peckham, Dominic Grasso and Trinity Sharp. Recipients not pictured are Nicole Boyd, William Diehl and Angelia Prather.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program has been ranked sixth nationally by registeredNursing.org, a nursing advocacy organization. For the complete list, visit registerednursing.org/degree/dnp/.

“It is always gratifying when outside organizations recognize SIUE’s graduate nursing programs in such a positive way,” said Andrew Griffin, PhD, CRNA, APRN and SON assistant dean of graduate programs. “After reviewing their ranking methodology, I was not surprised by the result. The categories, such as online availability, number of nurses completing their degree, affordability of tuition and others, are all areas we have focused on in the past few years to make our DNP program stand out. 

“We have also worked diligently to make our final doctoral project meaningful and obtainable. I am extremely proud to see how our stepwise approach to project completion has attributed to SIUE’s high level of DNP graduates who complete their degree on time, or even in some cases, earlier than planned.” 

DNP programs were assessed on several factors which represent how well a program supports students during school, towards licensure and beyond. Learn more about the methodology at  registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/.

The SON graduate program’s goal is to prepare expert nurses for leadership in professional nursing practice and patient-centered healthcare delivery. The DNP program educates nurses for the highest level of clinical practice, focusing on their advanced nursing practice specialty area or in healthcare administration.

SIUE offers an online post-master’s DNP, as well as a family nurse practitioner DNP. The nurse anesthesia DNP is a mix of online and face-to-face learning.

The SON inspires students and faculty to embody the creativity to teach, the curiosity to learn, the courage to serve, and the compassion to care for others in this diverse and complex world, forever exemplifying nursing excellence in action.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Living Architecture Regional Center of Excellence (LARCE) hosted researchers, inventors and industry advancers on Monday, Sept. 23 for the Midwest Regional Green Infrastructure Symposium.

The one-day event featured a Living Architecture Seminar with presentations and panel discussions on topics of policy advocacy, maintenance challenges and best practices, cost-effectiveness, funding, incentives, and eligibilities, along with research advancements.

“This event offered the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas intellectually at the university level, and allowed us to collaborate with experts from Ohio, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois whose various markets have different strategies for living architecture,” said Bill Retzlaff, PhD, distinguished research professor of biological sciences and associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. “We’ve been fortunate to work with great collaborators with shared interest in living architecture, not only from the standpoint of implementing it, but also to provide opportunities for our students to learn about new technologies.”

In 2004, SIUE launched the Green Roof Environmental Evaluation Network (G.R.E.E.N.), a St. Louis metropolitan area research collaboration among the University and regional and local industries. In 2018, SIUE became one of four education institutions in the nation to receive the honorable LARCE designation from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), and its charitable arm, the Green Infrastructure Foundation (GIF).

SIUE’s LARCE will advance the work of G.R.E.E.N. under the director of Retzlaff, Susan Morgan, PhD, professor of civil engineering and associate dean in the SIUE Graduate School, and Serdar Celik, PhD, professor in the School of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.

SIUE teacher-scholars have produced a significant body of work evaluating living architecture systems in areas such as volume and quality of storm water runoff, plant performance, maintenance issues, biodiversity, thermal characteristics, weight loads, wind uplift and new green roof technologies. Approximately 150 student researchers, including 24 who have completed master’s theses, have worked on living architecture projects.

“SIUE has been doing fantastic research on the performance of green roof systems, including interesting multidisciplinary studies that involve multiple engineering disciplines and plant sciences,” said Steven Peck, founder and president of GRHC North America and executive director of the GIF. “It was wonderful to see a wide variety of green infrastructure experts in attendance who came to network, and be involved in cross-academic fertilization that will hopefully lead to more funding for and recognition about this important work.”

The Symposium marked the Center’s first regional conference. Coordinators plan to host such an event annually or biennially.

“Our goal is to get more students involved, bring in practitioners from the private sector, and work with academics to advance the development of new systems, understand their performance and engage policy makers, so that we can create a flourishing job market for future graduates,” Peck noted.

“SIUE has been producing amazing work on green roofs and walls for a long time, and this symposium underscores their notoriety and excellence as a regional center,” added Reid Coffman, associate professor at Kent State University, executive director of the Greater Ohio LARCE and North American research chair for Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. “Research is critical, as it’s helped launch green roofs, walls and a lot of living architecture. The significance now lies in students becoming involved in greater numbers and great diversities of interest areas. Then, they can address research questions and take their findings out into the world to build, maintain and construct systems, and build policy around the systems, so that our cities are better places to live.”

Two of the seminar’s featured presenters have been longtime collaborators with SIUE, helping develop portions of the University’s six green roofs and two living architecture research areas.

Kelly Luckett, with Green Roof Blocks, spoke about the importance of maintaining green roofs, sharing examples of his projects over time and insights into the future of the green roof industry. For example, he noted his company has advanced its efforts by using pre-grown sedum tiles vs. sedum plugs. This change has led to faster growth establishment and decreased maintenance.

Luckett partnered with SIUE 10 years ago for the installment of the green roof on the Student Success Center. “That was a rewarding project, because students were involved,” Luckett recalled. “It was a merger of our commercial endeavor with SIUE’s educational mission, and that relationship has continued. We’re continuously asking new research questions and publishing our findings for the benefit of the industry.”

Mark Woolbright, of Greenwall Ventures, also spoke about “The “M” Word:” maintenance. As an inventor and innovator of vertical living walls, he shared his passion for the visual amenities that have such extensive positive impacts. Woolbright designed the living wall research plot located outside Bluff Hall that has contributed to multiple SIUE research studies.

Woolbright noted some of living walls’ positive impact involving earth retention, habitat, urban cooling, decreased storm water runoff, improved air quality, greenspace and carbon sequestration.

“Plants have always fascinated me, and I think they add a great deal to the built environment,” Woolbright said. “Humans are embracing plants in their environment like never before. Living walls come in many forms and service capacities. They’re about bringing plants in close proximity to humans for a number of benefits, in terms of worker productivity, health, mental wellness, stress reduction, better test scores and more. These are no longer being overlooked.”

For more information on G.R.E.E.N. and SIUE’s LARCE, visit siue.edu/green/about.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) is a member supported industry association with a mission to develop the green roof and wall industry throughout North America. GRHC provides online and in-person training programs, manages the Green Roof Professional accreditation, publishes the Living Architecture Monitor, organizes events to support market development and advocates for supportive policy.

The Green Infrastructure Foundation is a charity that partners with communities to shape healthy, resilient, and sustainable places using living green infrastructure.

Photos: The Living Architecture Seminar concluded with a networking reception at SIUE’s Fixin’s Restaurant, which overlooks the University’s garden roof.  

Among those presenting at the Living Architecture Seminar were SIUE’s (L-R) Bill Retzlaff, Serdar Celik and Susan Morgan.

Nineteen golf carts, decorated in balloons, streamers and bedazzle, circled the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville quad and took off for other parts of the campus during the University’s annual golf cart parade on Monday, Sept. 23. The parade was part of the SIUE’s Homecoming Week events that run through Saturday, Sept. 28. 

“It’s a beautiful day to be out in a golf cart,” said MacKenzie Weilbacher, Homecoming Week graduate assistant. “Students love this event, because they can express their creativity and have fun.” 

“It’s a ton of fun!” exclaimed Maddison Schneider, a junior public relations major and Homecoming Court candidate, who was riding with her Delta Phi Epsilon sisters. “Our sorority always participates in the golf cart parade.” 

“It’s a hilarious thing to do,” laughed Caroline Crabtree, a senior speech language pathology major, Homecoming Court candidate and Alpha Phi Sorority president. The sorority decorated their second-place winning cart with silver and maroon balloons, a sorority flag and jingle bells. 

Other winning entries and their categories included:
Fraternity and Sorority Organizations

1. Kappa Gamma and Delta Chi 

Student Organizations

1. Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
2. Student Government 

Departments

1. Campus Recreation
2. Student Affairs 

Also participating in the golf cart parade were Alpha Xi Delta, Alpha Sigma Tau, Phi Kappa Psi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Sigma Tau Gamma, Make-A-Wish, SIUE Police Department, University Housing and Campus Ministry. 

Photos:
Students and staff enjoyed a time of fun during the SIUE Homecoming golf cart decorating competition.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) presented 74 students, comprising its class of 2023, with their professional white coats during the 15^th White Coat Ceremony held Friday, Sept. 20 in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom.

The official garment acknowledges the students’ important entrance into the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. During the ceremony, the students expressed their commitment to the service-focused profession by reciting the Pledge of Professionalism.

“Today’s ceremony symbolizes passage into the first phase of the life-long educational process that you will need as a pharmacist,” said SOP Dean Mark Luer, PharmD, FCCP. “Advances in medicine will dictate that you repeatedly hit that refresh button on your knowledge base. Fortunately, your time in the School will not just prepare you to become a licensed pharmacist in 2023, but it will also ready you for the self-regulation and learning that will be required over the subsequent decades.”

The white coats symbolically represent the class of 2023’s transition from students to student pharmacists.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Dr. Oliver Mafla-Mills, an SOP alumnus. He is currently the director of scientific affairs for Pharmacy Times Continuing Education where he develops continuing education programming.

Photo: The SIUE School of Pharmacy Class of 2023.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s nationally-recognized Graduate School will host its annual Open House on Wednesday, Oct 16. The event will consist of two identical sessions: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom. Register now at siue.edu/graduate-visit!

Prospective graduate students will receive information on SIUE’s more than 140 master’s programs, post-baccalaureate certificates, specialist degrees, doctoral degrees and cooperative doctoral programs. Information will also be available on graduate admission requirements and financial support, including graduate assistantships and competitive graduate awards.

The SIUE Graduate School challenges and inspires students to hone their skills and develop new ones. It facilitates excellence in research and creative activities, and ranks first among all Emerging Research Institutions in the Midwest for research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation.

“SIUE’s Graduate School offers a great variety of academic programs, and the Open House provides an excellent way for prospective students to talk to SIUE professors about how these programs can help them achieve their professional goals,” said Jim Monahan, director of graduate and international admissions. “I encourage both current undergraduate students and individuals in the workforce to stop by the event and learn how simple it is to get the application process started.”

SIUE faculty members obtain funded grants from major agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Endowment for Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Open House attendees will have the opportunity to speak with program directors and faculty scholars from each of the graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Schools of Nursing; Business; Pharmacy; Engineering; and Education, Health and Human Behavior.

Prospective students can also learn more about SIUE’s popular integrative studies program, which allows students to meet their career goals by combining courses from two or three disciplines. Additionally, current graduate students will be in attendance to share their experiences and offer advice to prospective students.

“Whether you are a full-time student coming back for an advanced degree or a working student who needs to attend part-time, we have options for you,” said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, Graduate School dean and associate provost for research. “We have online programs, traditional programs and courses available during the daytime, evening and on weekends.”

In January 2019, The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education reclassified SIUE to its doctoral/professional universities category. The classification upgrade is significant as Washington Monthly has ranked SIUE 115^th in its 2019 National University Rankings of 395 doctoral institutions.

SIUE was fourth among Illinois public institutions, and rated ahead of a significant number of regional peers, including Missouri State (154), University of Missouri-St. Louis (176), SIU-Carbondale (257), Saint Louis University (259) and Lindenwood University (327).

Master’s-level graduate students from all 50 states will pay the same in-state tuition rate as those students from Illinois.

Apply during the Open House, and the Graduate School application fee will be waived —a savings of $40!

Parking will be free and available in Lot B, which is located behind the Morris University Center.

For additional information or to pre-register for the event, please visit siue.edu/graduate-visit. Interested students may also call (618) 650-2741 or email graduateadmissions@siue.edu.

Photo: Alan Ayala, of Springfield, met with Morris Taylor, PhD, associate professor and chair of the public administration and policy analysis program, during SIUE’s Graduate School Open House.

Whether it is behind the scenes or out front on stage, a mother and daughter from Collinsville are proud to call Southern Illinois University Edwardsville home and invoke their Cougar Pride, especially during SIUE Homecoming Week. 

“SIUE Homecoming Week is important because it is tradition, and it is impactful to show the diversity of students representing our Cougars,” said Karlie Lyn Jeffries, a sophomore and the 2019 Campus Activities Board (CAB) Homecoming chair. “My favorite thing about homecoming is tailgate and the game.” 

Sharing Jeffries’ excitement in SIUE’s Homecoming events is her mother, Jodie Lyn Clark, who was SIUE Homecoming Queen in 1990. 

“Being part of SIUE’s history and representing the University at different events was a source of pride for me,” said Clark, who earned a bachelor’s in business administration in 1990. “My Alpha Phi sorority sisters nominated me to run for homecoming queen.” 

Jeffries, who is a nursing major, is also a member of Alpha Phi. 

“I’m proud of Karlie,” said Clark, of her youngest of two daughters. “I want Karlie to be a leader and mentor. There are many avenues for her to take to achieve these things and being involved with SIUE homecoming is one of them.” 

“As an alumna, I know what opportunities are available at SIUE,” continued Clark. “Opportunities and the school have vastly increased and expanded since I graduated from SIUE. The sky is the limit for a student now.” 

“SIUE has made a tremendous impact on us,” offered Clark. “This school has shaped me and is shaping Karlie into the person she wants to be in order to positively impact her world. We can’t thank SIUE enough for that.”  

Photos:
Pictured are 2019 Campus Activities Board (CAB) Homecoming Chair Karlie Lyn Jeffries (right) with her mother, 1990 SIUE Homecoming Queen Jodie Lyn Clark. 

In August, The New York Times Magazine dedicated an entire issue to exploring the history of slavery and mapping the ways in which it has touched nearly every aspect of contemporary life in the U.S. To reflect upon this, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black Studies Program and the Office of the Provost are presenting “1619 Commemoration” at noon each of the following days, Monday, Sept. 30-Thursday, Oct. 3 with programs in the Morris University Center (MUC) and Lovejoy Library.

In August 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived at a coastal port in the British colony of Virginia. The people on board were sold to colonists, marking the beginning of a more than two-century-long institution that would radically alter and continue to form the identity of a young nation. August 2019 was the 400th anniversary of that ship’s arrival.

The programs are:

Monday, Sept. 30 – Morris University Center / Goshen Lounge

Anthony Cheeseboro, PhD, associate professor of historical studies in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), is the keynote speaker presenting “The Most Important Event in History with No Date.” The Spirit of Angela African Dance Ensemble will perform.

Tuesday, Oct. 1 – Lovejoy Library / Friend’s Corner

Bryan Jack, PhD, associate professor of historical studies in CAS, will moderate a panel on Faculty Perspectives on 1619.

Wednesday, Oct. 2 – Lovejoy Library / Redmond Reading Room

The Black Studies Student Advisory Board will present “How You Comin’?” – a conversation about the New York Times 1619 Project. Opening performance by SIUE Black Theatre Workshop.

Thursday, Oct. 3 – MUC / Goshen Lounge

“What Does Freedom Mean to YOU?” – a 24-hour social media conversation and an interactive art display.

The 1619 Project began as an idea pitched by Nikole Hannah-Jones, one of the magazine’s staff writers. Her proposal was clear and ambitious: to dedicate an issue to examining the ways the legacy of slavery continues to shape our country.

As an advocate, activist, teacher and one-time politician, Ezra Joseph Temko, PhD, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, is driven by his commitment to community and desire to effect positive social change. 

One key way the professor believes change will come about is by pairing inclusion with diversity.  

“The goal is not just to have diversity in our communities, but for our community members to be respected, be supported and to thrive,” emphasized Temko, who partly describes himself as being Jewish and a member of the LGBTQ community. 

As SIUE prepares to observe its second annual Diversity Day to be held Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 14-15, several University students, faculty and staff discuss the meaning of the phrase, “I Am SIUE.” 

“Diversity in and of itself is a broad, vague concept without a lot of meaning,” said Temko. “If diversity simply means difference, then there are incredible advantages and benefits to many forms of diversity, but there are also forms of diversity that are unwelcome, for example serial killers, factory farming, identity-based hatred, and laws restricting girls and women’s education are all forms of diversity. 

“When diversity is a broad concept that encompasses a multiplicity of identities, such as race, class, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability status, nationality, etc., it has positive potential but also enables specific concerns to get lost. Sociologist Ellen Berrey has documented how, as a well-intentioned result of court decisions around affirmative action, institutions of higher education have come to emphasize diversity as a public good in lieu of goals of remedying historical and ongoing discrimination.” 

Temko continued, “Diversity can be a positive concept, particularly when paired with inclusion. Having a diverse student, staff and faculty population that includes robust representation of those who have historically been marginalized is a politics of presence that is most meaningful when paired with a politics of inclusion.” 

Temko will speak about the need for gender-based inclusion during a presentation hosted by the SIUE Women’s Studies program. His lecture, “The Social Construction of Gender Quotas: Iowa’s Successful Adoption of Gender Balanced Boards and Commissions” will be from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 in the Morris University Center, International Room. 

His background in politics began when he was in high school. During the summer of 2001, Temko worked in then U.S. Sen. Joe Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware office. He went on to serve two terms on the Newark (Delaware) City Council, where he was the youngest elected official in the state at the age of 22. 

Temko earned a bachelor’s in politics in 2006 from Oberlin College, a master’s in state and local management in 2009 from the University of Delaware, a master’s in secondary teaching in 2010 from Wilmington University and a doctorate in sociology, with a specialization in social stratification (structural inequality), politics and culture in 2019 from the University of New Hampshire.  

Temko came to SIUE in August 2018. “In terms of teaching, I like SIUE because I get to help our department’s curious and socially invested students develop a sophisticated sociological understanding of the social world through courses like theory and statistics,” remarked Temko. “I get to teach our diversity and social justice specialization students, who have such compassion and passion, through courses like Creating Social Change and Sociology of Grassroots Fundraising. Last fall, my students raised about $10,000 for local families in need.” 

“If we all did our best to live with loving-kindness, our world would be the better for it,” said Temko. “But even then, acts of loving-kindness are moderated by our own perceptions, informed by our social structures and systems, and limited by what we know and understand of each other’s lives, histories and experiences. 

“SIUE’s upcoming Diversity Day is thus appropriately themed ‘From Awareness to Action,’” added Temko. “I hope that SIUE community members take advantage of the opportunities they have at SIUE to learn more about issues of diversity and inclusion, and about different people’s experiences, needs and dreams.” 

Temko, his husband Drew, and their 4 ½ -year-old son, Lev, live in Edwardsville. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of more than 13,000.

Photo: Ezra Joseph Temko, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology.

According to AffordableSchools.net, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is among the top five most affordable bachelor’s in anthropology degree programs nationally. The methodology considered average cost of attendance and student-to-faculty ratio.

The College of Arts and Sciences houses the Department of Anthropology. AffordableSchools.net states, “One of the best places to learn about anthropology for undergraduates is SIUE. It offers both the affordable bachelor of arts and the bachelor of science in the field, as both are well-rounded programs that incorporate classroom learning from practicing professionals, field experience and even international experiences. Students won’t spend all their time in the classroom. The department believes that learning in the field and in the lab is the best way for students to truly understand anthropology. SIUE offers students the chance to complete internships, work in the school’s Ethnology Museum Laboratory, work on community projects, utilize the SIUE anthropology lab, and participate in local field schools.”

Julie Zimmermann, professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology, notes the recognition is not simply about being affordable. “As AffordableSchools states, SIUE Anthropology is one of the ‘best’ places for undergraduates to learn anthropology,” she said. “That is because we give our undergraduates individualized attention and opportunities typically reserved for graduate students in larger programs. As I always say, if you want to read about anthropology, go to one of those other schools. If you want to do anthropology, come to SIUE.”

AffordableSchools.net promotes the power that a professional has with a bachelor’s in anthropology degree. These professionals have an education that revolves around human civilization and the massive development the species has made, spanning language, religion, culture, and continents. They are also prepared to take on a research project, teach the field or otherwise expand the public’s mind about what is thought to be known about human existence.

AffordableSchools.net’s ranking focuses on affordable schools, which is why a points-ranking methodology was enacted. Prior to ranking schools in different categories, schools were chosen for the base list by visiting the College Navigator database that can be found on the National Center for Education Statistics website. Once the base list of schools was identified, each school was researched carefully for curriculum options, program requirements and more.

 Photo: Julie Zimmermann (left), professor and chair of the SIUE Department of Anthropology. with her students in the field.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Student Affairs has received a $260,000 grant for 2019-22 from the Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). It is the second DOJ grant, as the University received an initial $300,000 grant in 2016.

The grant will fund education and victim services for domestic violence and stalking. The University will continue to fund campus education on sexual assault.

“Since receiving the VAWA grant in 2016 and instituting victim/survivor services and prevention education, SIUE has seen an 8 percent decrease in students experiencing sexual assault,” said Jeffrey Waple, PhD and vice chancellor for student affairs. “With this second grant, we are looking forward to a similar growth in services, and decrease in dating/domestic violence and stalking on our campus during the next three years.”

Grant funding will continue to be used to attain these goals:

• Increase awareness of and access to prevention information and victim services
• Prevent incidents of dating/domestic violence and stalking experienced by SIUE students
• Coordinate current and proposed efforts to respond to dating/domestic violence and stalking committed toward SIUE students

The original grant also allowed Samantha Dickens, MSW, to join SIUE as Prevention Education and Advocacy Center (PEACe) coordinator. She has developed and implemented sexual assault prevention and education programming on campus, as well as tailored trainings designed to meet the needs of underserved students (those with disabilities, international students, students who identify as LGBTQ and men) on campus. PEACe is seeking to create a peer mentoring and education program, using evidenced-based methods to most effectively address sexual assault on campus.

Dickens collaborates with campus and community partners on a campus-wide, accessible and visible campaign regarding sexual assault services, resources and awareness.

“During the past three years, I’ve facilitated several programs on sexual assault,” Dickens said. “At every program, I or my colleagues have students thank us for providing these programs and services, and that the student wished we'd had the services when they were assaulted. The support that we now provide for sexual assault survivors, is the kind of support that we intend to provide for our students who experience dating/domestic violence and stalking.”

Through the original grant, SIUE expanded its established sexual assault task force, renamed the Coordinated Community Care Response Team (C³RT), by including new community members such as the Edwardsville Police Dept., Anderson Hospital SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) nurses, Scott Air Force Base representatives and the Madison County State’s Attorney Office.

SIUE has also strengthened connections with Call For Help’s Sexual Assault Victim Care Unit and increased its involvement in prevention and awareness programming, policy development and survivor support. The University also has included Oasis Women’s Center and the Violence Prevention Center in Belleville to improve its services and education on dating/domestic violence and stalking, as well as Solid Lines Productions to provide interactive, theater-based programs.

Photo: Samantha Dickens, SIUE Prevention Education and Advocacy Center (PEACe) coordinator.