SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall has extended men’s basketball Head Coach Brian Barone’s contract through the 2023-2024 season. Barone has served as the Cougars’ acting head coach since March 2019.

“I have spent significant time, since my arrival in early August, observing, watching, listening and asking questions – department-wide, but especially within men’s basketball,” Hall said. “It is clear to me that Brian has the program moving in the right direction. He loves and respects his young men and it is reciprocated. He is a consummate educator and has his players’ welfare and success, academically and athletically, as his highest priority.”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Chancellor (Randy) Pembrook, Tim Hall and all of our administration for their confidence in me and their support of our program,” Barone said. “Since March 12, when Brad Hewitt gave me the opportunity to lead the SIUE basketball program, I began working to establish a culture and develop the character of this team into a program that this University and this community will be proud to support.”

Barone had been an assistant at SIUE for two seasons before being named acting head coach. His first season is underway and already includes an exhibition win over Fontbonne and a regular season victory over Quincy.

“Providing an extension for Brian now will help with continuity, in all phases of the program, which is so important,” Hall added. “I look forward to working with Brian and am eager to see what can be accomplished.”

Barone previously was on staff at Green Bay, at Indiana University, under his college Head Coach Tom Crean, and at Marquette. His first Division I coaching experience came at Illinois State in 2003, where he helped resurrect a program under Head Coach Porter Moser that had just eight wins a year before his arrival.

“I have been a part of several established programs and understand that the commitment of a quality leader is vital,” Barone added. “Tim is that leader. Extending belief to another person is an empowering tool, and the belief that Tim has shown to me is fully reciprocated. I look forward to being a part of Tim Hall’s vision for the future of SIUE Athletics.

“I am not in this position without the support of my wife Mimi and our family. We have been openly welcomed by the Edwardsville community since our arrival. We are fortunate to be able to call Edwardsville home for several years to come.”

 “Not only am I privileged to be the head coach at a great Division I institution, but I am extremely proud to be the coach of these young men,” Barone said. “They are each important individuals to me, and I cannot thank them, and our dedicated staff, enough for trusting in me and being part of our ‘Find A Way’ mentality.”   

Next for the Cougars is a Saturday afternoon contest at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and then Monday, Nov. 18 at South Dakota. SIUE returns home on Saturday, Nov. 23, when Northern Illinois visits at 2 p.m.

A Season for the Child (SfC), the family-oriented live theater season sponsored by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD), opens its 30^th season on Saturday, Dec. 7, with A Stageplay Holiday at 2 p.m. in the Dunham Hall Theater on the SIUE campus.                                                                                                                                                          

The production will be performed by StagePlay Learning, an Edwardsville company that specializes in interactive drama-based instruction through performances and workshops for young children. The play will provide a festive afternoon of holiday storytelling, designed for young audiences and appropriate for all family members.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets will be sold in the lobby outside Dunham Hall Theater one hour before curtain time the day of the performance.

SfC’s spring play, The Ever After, will be performed by Curtain’s Up Theater Company on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Dunham Hall Theater. Curtain’s Up Theater Company is a non-profit organization, which performs a wide variety of community theater in the Madison County area, primarily in Collinsville and Edwardsville.

The Ever After features a cheesy talk show host who invites traditional fairy tale characters to reconcile on live television after a 20-year estrangement. From Snow White and the Evil Queen to Cinderella and her middle-aged ugly stepsisters, this TV show parody asks the question, “Can’t we all just get along?”

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets will be sold in the lobby outside Dunham Hall Theater one hour before curtain time the day of the performance.

 SfC, which premiered in 1990, features adaptations of various children’s stories using interactive techniques that not only delight children and parents, but also provide a thorough learning experience. 

 FOTAD, a support group for the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance, uses SfC proceeds to help fund merit awards for talented Theater and Dance students. Each year, FOTAD awards more than $5,000 in merit scholarships to qualified students and funds scholarships for new freshmen entering the Theater and Dance program.

James Robbins, program director of the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center, worked alongside a group of volunteers on Monday, Nov. 11, on renovations to the Jennings High School pool area. 

Volunteers from VUB, the St. Louis County Police Athletic League (PAL) and the Jennings School District worked to repair a leak on the pool and more. 

View more details on 5 on Your Side online.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned a Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for having a 2018 campus voting rate between 30-39% in the 2018 midterm election. The award was announced on Nov. 12 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

“We are excited to honor SIUE in recognition of their intentional efforts to increase democratic engagement and full voter participation,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “More institutions like SIUE are changing culture on campus by institutionalizing nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that are resulting in the incredible student voter turnout rates that we’ve seen across the country.”

The 2018 SIUE steering committee consisted of: Gretchen Arnold, political science student and Political Science Association representative; Sara Laux, associate director of the Kimmel Student Involvement Center; Ken Moffett, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science; Myles Nelson, political science student and representative for the College Republicans of SIUE; Zackary Nunn, political science student and representative for the College Democrats of SIUE; Laurie Rice, PhD, professor of political science and coordinator of the SIUE Civic Education Project; and Mark Somma, PhD, political science lecturer. 

“This group created an action plan, set goals for increased levels of voter registration and voter turnout on campus, and developed strategies and activities to achieve them,” Rice said. “Additionally during fall 2018, Dr. Somma’s POLS 112 (American National Government and Politics: Leadership and Civic Activism) students registered fellow students to vote, staffing tables in multiple areas of campus including the Morris University Center, academic buildings and residence halls. Then, students in my freshman seminar on Leadership and Civic Activism carried out projects the week of the election, providing voter education resources and encouraging voter turnout.” 

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in student democratic engagement. The challenge strives to be a starting point for a more inclusive democracy throughout the nation, where all voices are heard. The initiative was designed to provide incentive, structure and accountability while supporting and celebrating colleges and universities working to improve political engagement and voting rates on campus.

The nation-wide challenge hopes to make participation in local, state and federal elections a social norm throughout student bodies, while promoting democratic engagement throughout participating campuses’ cultures and curriculums. By joining the challenge, SIUE committed to increasing student voting rates, helping students form habits of active and informed citizenship, and making democratic participation a core value on campus.

“The steering committee was pleased to see a significant increase in voter turnout in the 2018 election compared to the previous midterm election and glad to receive recognition from the ALL In Challenge for our efforts,” Rice said. “Young voters remain underrepresented, though, and there is more work to be done. A team is currently being formed to promote voter registration, voter turnout and civic engagement more broadly for 2020.”

Since the program’s launch in 2016, 568 institutions, enrolling over 6.7 million students, have participated in improving voter participation across the nation’s higher education institutions.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Mary Weishaar, PhD, executive director of the Office of International Affairs, and Keqin Gu, PhD, distinguished research professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering within the School of Engineering, recently returned from visiting partner institutions in China Nov. 4-8. 

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), of which SIUE is a member, and the China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE) collaborate to oversee the Sino-American 1+2+1 Dual Degree Program. The program provides Chinese undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study at an AASCU institution. The Chinese Ministry of Education recognizes it as a Program of Excellence. Approximately 100 Chinese institutions currently participate by annually sending 300 students to 30 U.S. institutions.

The visit served to enhance SIUE’s partnership with Changshu Institute of Technology (CIT) by meeting a new cohort of 10 students, who will study robotics at SIUE in January 2021, as part of the dual degree program. In January 2020, SIUE begins its CIT relationship by welcoming 21 new students from CIT.

In addition, discussions to facilitate administering the dual degree program were held with administrators of CCIEE in Beijing and at a new partner institution, Beijing Information Science and Technology University (BISTU).

BISTU is a major national engineering-focused university in Beijing. The university is also part of CCIEE’s 1+2+1 Dual Degree Programs. 

“SIUE and BISTU share similar strong engineering programs and a desire to internationalize their campuses,” Weishaar said. “The program will result in new students studying engineering in a dual degree program as SIUE students study with Chinese students. Meanwhile, Chinese students help increase SIUE students’ cultural competence and international understanding in support of SIUE’s mission to develop learners who ‘shape a changing world.’ There is also great potential for faculty collaboration.”

BISTU plans a visit to SIUE in December.

Photo (L-R): CCIEE Director Wang Ying, Executive Director Yin Kai, SIUE Executive Director of International Affairs Mary Weishaar and SIUE Distinguished Research Professor Keqin Gu.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has announced the winners of the 2019 Visualizing Research Impacts (VRI) competition, which encourages SIUE scholars to show the results and impacts of their research to the public through images.

The recipients are Rodrick Whetstone, professor of graphic design in the Department of Art and Design, and Laura Strand, professor and head of textile arts in the Department of Art and Design. Their works were selected from eight faculty and student entries that depicted a wide diversity of creative activities from disciplines throughout the University, including entries from the sciences, arts, humanities and education.

• Most Creative Representation of Research Impact: “Untitled” by Whetstone
• Best Representation of Research Impact: “The Silver Knife” by Strand

“The VRI competition encourages SIUE faculty, staff and students to show the results and impacts of research through images rather than words,” said Susan Morgan, PhD, professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and associate dean for research and graduate studies. “Images provide a different tool than what is often used by researchers to explain their research. The hope is to make research more accessible and engaging to a public audience.”

Whetstone and Strand each received a $1,500 award to further support and encourage their scholarly activities. The awardees were chosen by an alumni panel comprised of varying disciplines. Additionally, the two award recipients will be recognized at the chancellor’s reception at the Graduate School Research Symposium during the spring semester.

Whetstone created “Untitled” as part of a series of drawings that use a machine he created from found parts and junk. The machine utilizes a writing utensil as a pendulum in order to make marks onto a page. Instead of having the autonomy to draw, the drawing utensil is tossed to and fro at the whim of forces happening upon it.

While wearing the drawing machine as a movement tracker, Whetstone recorded the natural movement of his body through daily life on paper. Because the machine extends two feet in front and behind him, he had to raise his awareness and rethink how to navigate through daily spaces while creating this piece.

“My work focuses on the loss of control,” Whetstone explained. “I questioned what would happen if I tracked the movement and rhythm of my body as I traveled through my day-to-day activities. My inspiration was the loss of control in my own life.

“I was also inspired by the Dala movement of the early 20th century, known for leaning toward incongruity, irrationality, and rejection of what is considered artistic. Thus, I created an awkward contraption that makes drawings in a distinct and peculiar way. I wanted to challenge everything I knew what art should be.”

Meanwhile, Strand’s work is built upon research into the vulnerability of the Ogallala Reservoir, the vast body of water beneath the central U.S. spanning from North Dakota to Texas. This body was once deposited as glaciers retreated thousands of years ago, and has become the primary water source throughout central U.S. for residents and agriculture.

While Strand was flying west for a conference, she became inspired by the compositions of circles that covered the landscape. As she began using those images for her work, she learned that each of the circles were formed by crops watered through a pump irrigation system drilled into the Ogallala. She was shocked to learn that 20 hours of one full rotation of the system uses six million gallons of water, and the presence of crops treated with herbicides and pesticides risks contamination of the reservoir.

“The relationship between the needs of western farmers and the plenty known in the St. Louis area where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers converge has informed this piece,” Strand said. “It describes the duality of presence and absence that influences the political controversy surrounding water.”

Photo (L-R): Most Creative Representation of Research Impact: “Untitled” by Rodrick Whetstone and Best Representation of Research Impact: “The Silver Knife” by Laura Strand.

It is never too early to learn about and to start shopping for a college, which is why 35 high achieving freshmen and sophomores attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Pre-Collegiate Program’s college day Wednesday, Nov. 6 on the University’s campus. 

Fifteen students from the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) and 20 students from Collinsville High School attended the daylong event, which included a presentation from the Office of Admissions, a tour of University Housing and campus, lunch with SIUE e-Plugs and presentations on the topics of College Knowledge, Social Media and Meditation. 

“SIUE Pre-Collegiate Program’s campus day is crucial because it gives us the opportunity to build a unique relationship with local high school leadership, students and parents,” said Makesha Harris Lee, EdD, assistant director for Pre-Collegiate Programs. “We get to address some of their concerns about college prior to them enrolling, especially those who are first generation college students and parents. 

“Many of our program participants have proven themselves to be high academic achievers. However, they lack the skills needed to prepare them for the emotional and social effects of college. During the College Knowledge session with Danita Mumphard from Academic Advising, a great majority of the 9th and 10th graders expressed how they are already consumed with the fear of failure as a college student, along with their limited knowledge on how to finance their college experience and degree.” 

Mumphard, academic advisor, spoke to each of the groups about the excitement and fears of college. Some students expressed anticipation about dorm life, freedom, homecoming, studying abroad and meeting new people. Students also confessed anxiety regarding financial struggles, confrontations with roommates, lack of academic readiness, career indecision and failure. 

“We’re going to take the fear out, and put the faith and favor in,” said Mumphard. “My advice as an advisor at SIUE for more than 25 years is to pick up a book and read, read, read! It will help you with academic readiness. Build your own vocabulary and math skills. 

“Dig deep inside and find the interests and passions you have, and find those people who can support your dreams and visions.” 

In the social media session, led by graduate assistants Dominique Peel and Capri Wroten, students learned the pros and cons of the various forms of social media. Some of the benefits included: getting a job, networking and keeping up-to-date on current events. Some of the drawback involved: cyberbullying, becoming addicted to social media and decreased productivity. 

Finally, the students were able to learn about and participate in meditation. Katie Kirby, staff counselor in the Office of Counseling Services, and Megan Bauman, intern, led the class. Kirby discussed the differences between stress and anxiety. 

“Stress can be positive or negative. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a sustained mental health disorder that can be triggered by stress,” noted Kirby. “Anxiety doesn’t fade into the distance once the threat is mediated. Anxiety hangs around for the long haul, and can cause significant impairment in social, occupational and other important areas of functioning.” 

To close out the session, Bauman led the students through 10 minutes of guided meditation. 

“I enjoyed the day. I learned that you can always ask for help,” said CHS freshman Ta’Nja Hopkins. “They gave us a lot of information. If I did choose to come here, I would go into nursing.” 

Collinsville High School sophomore Ayleen Cortez likes the idea of attending SIUE, because it is close to home. “I also liked all of the resources that are available,” she said. “I looked at SIUE’s graduation rate, and it is high, and the student-to-faculty ratio is low. This program has helped lower my anxiety about the cost of college. SIUE is affordable.” Cortez wants to be a lawyer. 

Collinsville High School freshman Draven Roth also said he learned a lot about SIUE and college during daylong activities. “I plan on doing something in the math or science area, because I’m really good at it,” he said. “I would consider coming to SIUE, because it sounds like a great college and has a lot to offer in the math division.” 

“I’m considering SIUE as a possible choice, because it’s close to home and offers a lot of opportunities,” said Jimaal McGuire, CHS sophomore. “I live in East St. Louis, and I can pay in-state tuition, which will make it even more affordable.” McGuire plans to major in nursing. 

“It is especially important for freshman and sophomores to visit and tour college campuses, because (high school) counselors are mostly focused on seniors because of their caseload,” said TaRael Kee, Collinsville High School counselor. “This was an opportunity to get freshman and sophomores on campus to see what a dorm is like, learn about financial aid, have different experiences and make college more real.” 

“For many of the students, especially the 9th graders, this was their first time on a college campus,” said Pamela Saffore, CHS guidance counselor. “Among the students’ conversations, I heard them say, ‘This campus is huge.’ ‘I want to major in engineering.’ ‘I didn’t know they had a Starbucks.’ Their eyes were opened to what is possible if you stay focused and press towards your goals in life.” 

The SIUE Pre-Collegiate Program offers resources critical for college preparedness for students who may not have the personal resources to obtain them. Students are able to visit the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. In addition, the Pre-Collegiate staff visits students at local high schools and provide services that include an orientation, assistance with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), math tutoring, and other supplemental programs. The Pre-Collegiate Program currently provides math tutoring two days per week to students at Collinsville High School and will deliver math assistance to SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School students in the spring. 

Photos:
Danita Mumphard, academic advisor, presents a session on “College Knowledge.”

Students from Collinsville High School participate in one of the sessions.

SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Student Ta’Nja Hopkins listens to one of the presentations during the Pre-Collegiate SIUE day. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior Cory Sanftleben recently resumed operations at 4204 Main Street Brewing Co., the restaurant he founded in Belleville. 

Sanftleben is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on biology and chemistry. 

Read more details in bnd.com. 

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine has received a preliminary full accreditation report from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which just completed a site visit to the Alton campus. The SDM will receive a final accreditation report following the CODA meeting in July 2020. 

“Full accreditation with no reporting requirements is the best possible report,” said SDM Dean Bruce Rotter, DMD, who noted that the School has been continuously accredited since the mid-1970s. “We are grateful for our wonderfully talented faculty and staff, and their dedication to the School.

“There is so much time and effort put into preparing materials for the site visit and meeting with the site visit team. Meanwhile, everyone kept normal School operations functioning smoothly while the site visit occurred.”

CODA accredits dental schools and programs, including advanced dental education programs and allied dental education programs in the U.S. The commission functions independently and autonomously in matters of developing and approving accreditation standards, making accreditation decisions on educational programs, and developing and approving procedures that are used in the accreditation process.

All accredited programs receive a follow-up site review every seven years. The SDM last received a CODA site visit in 2012.

The site visit evaluation’s purpose is to obtain in-depth information concerning all administrative and educational aspects of a program. The site visit permits a team of CODA-appointed peers to assess a program’s compliance with the accreditation standards and with its own stated goals and objectives. The site visit verifies and supplements the information contained in the comprehensive self-study document completed by the institution. Every effort is made to review all existing dental and dental-related programs in an institution at the same time.

CODA was established in 1975 and is nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as the sole agency to accredit dental and dental-related education programs conducted at the post-secondary level. CODA’s mission is to serve the oral healthcare needs of the public through the development and administration of standards that foster continuous quality improvement of dental and dental-related educational programs.

Mostly everyone wants to be accepted – and for a group of Collinsville High School (CHS) students, parents, family members and guardians, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Program Acceptance Ceremony was especially sweet. 

Thirty-three students from the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s (ESLC) Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) program and 28 students from the Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) received acceptance certificates and letters in an observance on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at CHS. The celebration marked the beginning of the program year, which begins Monday, Nov. 18. Each UB program can enroll up to 60 students each and are still recruiting. 

This is the first time that pre-collegiate programming is being offered at CHS, under the direction of the ESLC UB programs. The programs are for first-generation and/or low-income students, and the directors are Desiree Tyus (UBMS) and Yvonne Hart (UBSA). 

“You are taking important steps in obtaining your college goals. A goal without a plan is just a dream,” said Tyus to the auditorium of students, family and supporters. “This is your Donut Decision Day. A donut is delicious, of course, but it also is our first STEM lesson in geometry. 

“A donut is shaped in a circle, and like our program represents unity, inclusivity and support. The middle is empty and that reminds us to clear our minds and be open to the vast opportunities that will be afforded to you through our TRIO programs.” 

“Upward Bound Math and Science is an interesting program with a lot of great benefits. I’m excited that the program is here, and we have a chance to participate,” said Michelle Owens, mother of Carlee Owens and guardian of Banelly Urbina, both 14. “They were thrilled to learn about the program. None of us went to college, and we thought it would be a good idea, especially with them being freshmen.” Owens was at the Acceptance Ceremony with her husband and mother. 

“They both want to go into the medical field. The chances for them to find jobs are better with a college degree. They will have more choices. Both of them have said they want to go to SIUE. I like that choice, because it’s close to home.” 

“This program will lead her into her future, as far as establishing what she wants to do, which is to become a nurse,” said Gwinetta Love, grandmother of 16-year-old Kayla Thomas, UBMS student. “She is an extremely intelligent, loyal, dedicated and respectable young lady. With God, her family and this program, she will go far. She is also excited about going on a college tour in the coming weeks.” 

“That’s one of the things that is so good about this program, it gives her the opportunity to broaden her horizons,” said SIUE alumna Linda Malone, family friend. “The program will help in acclimation. It is a good way to merge her into the University level, and challenge her at the same time.” 

Malone earned a dual degree in special education and elementary education from SIUE in 1973. Her niece, Areea Malone, was a UB student 40 years ago at the ESLC. 

“The circle of the donut also represents an educational journey that will never end,” said Tyus. “We are at the beginning of a lifelong journey. We are glad you’ve made a decision to start your journey with us.” 

Photos:
Collinsville High School students in the Upward Bound Math & Science program celebrate the beginning of their program during an Acceptance Ceremony. 

CHS students in the Upward Bound Scholars Academy program marked the start of their program year. 

Congratulating Kayla Thomas (UBMS student) are her grandmother Gwinetta Love (right) and family friend SIUE alumna Linda Malone (left).

For the past 25 years, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Department of Music has been performing beautiful and masterful renditions and original musical works. The department will use its collective talents in celebration of CAS’ silver anniversary by presenting a Faculty Showcase Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 in the Dunham Hall Theater. 

“We invite everyone to see and hear our faculty perform a program that is dedicated to CAS in celebration of 25 years since it was created,” said Marta Simidtchieva, professor of cello in the Department of Music. “The program varies from classical selections, to jazz, to movie music. 

“It will feature works by beloved composers Aaron Copland and Amy Beach. The first half will conclude with music from the silent film, “Powerhouse.” The second half will feature SIUE jazz faculty in a variety of ensembles. We are excited to present this concert that covers a wide range of styles, appropriate for audience with different music interests.” 

General admission is $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and non-SIUE students. SIUE students with valid identification are admitted free. A reception will follow the concert in the Dunham Hall lobby. 

Music Department faculty performing include:

• Lenora Anop
• Zeb Briskovich
• Timothy Chandler
• Rick Haydon
• Mac Hinson
• Angela Kim
• John Korak
• Shelly Monier
• Garrett Schmidt
• Marta Simidtchieva
• Dan Smithiger
• Dawn Striker-Roberts
• Jason Swagler
• Emily Truckenbrod
• Miles Vandiver 

For more information, contact Simidtchieva at msimidt@siue.edu. 

“The music department prepares students for careers in music education, performance and music business,” said Simidtchieva. “Our graduates are successful teachers and musicians who continue to serve not only programs in the surrounding areas, but also nationwide. In addition, our department fosters important programs such as the keyboard development program and the Suzuki program that provide music lessons to the community.”

Photo: L-R: Rehearsing are SIUE Music Department faculty Lenora Anop, Angela Kim and Marta Simidtchieva.

The Walmart Foundation has donated $1,000 to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound to help further the community-supported station’s impact in the Greater St. Louis and Metro East area. 

Stephanie Lewis, WSIE account executive, learned of the opportunity while networking with the EdGlen Chamber. She was able to secure an intern, Jonathan Koons, through SIUE’s Department of English Language and Literature. Koons researched and submitted a grant application in hopes of receiving funds for operational costs. The application requesting support from the Glen Carbon Sam’s Club was submitted to the corporate office. Koons earned a bachelor of art’s in May 2019 from SIUE. 

“We are thrilled to support your work in our communities and share your desire to provide local impact,” wrote the Walmart Community Grants Team and Michael Robinson, general manager of the Glen Carbon Sam’s Club. “By receiving this grant, you are a part of a long history of Walmart’s commitment to giving back to the communities where we operate. In fact, (the late) Mrs. Helen Walton (wife of Walmart and Sam’s Club founder Sam Walton) used to say: ‘It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.’” 

“This grant is a direct result of a student intern’s hard work and dedication to the success of WSIE,” said WSIE General Manager Jason Church. “I am grateful to the Walmart Foundation, because they are helping us continue our tradition. I am also especially proud of this great radio station, and the important service we have been providing our community for years.” 

“To achieve WSIE’s financial goal of self-sustainability, we’re working to increase listener donations, bringing on more underwriters, and beginning the grant writing process,” continued Church. “Our listeners may not know this, but up until July 1, 2018, we were receiving some state support to help offset our costs, but after July 1, 2018, that stipend was discontinued as a result of the Illinois budget crisis.” 

About Philanthropy at Walmart - Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By leaning in where our business has unique strengths, they work to tackle key social issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 27 countries, employing more than 2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs that work to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, address hunger and make healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality, and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit walmart.org. 

WSIE-FM went on the air on September 4, 1970 as a National Public Radio affiliated station delivering a variety of programming, while serving as an educational platform for SIUE mass communications students. In the 1980’s, WSIE became The Jazz Station, featuring such broadcasters as Leo Chears. WSIE has also produced a long list of highly successful broadcasters including Dewayne Staats, the current broadcast voice of the Tampa Bay Rays. On August 1, 2016, WSIE launched its new brand, 88.7 The Sound providing listeners with a rich blend of jazz, smooth jazz, blues and R&B to create “The Sound.” WSIE is a community supported radio station, which must rely upon its listeners and underwriters to maintain operations. 

Photo:
WSIE received a $1,000 donation from the Walmart Foundation. (L-R): Michael Robinson, general manager of the Glen Carbon Sam’s Club; Jonathan Koons, WSIE intern; and Stephanie Lewis, WSIE account executive.

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) provided $37,172 worth of free dental care to 70 veterans on Thursday, Nov. 14 during its second annual Veteran’s Care Day at the SDM’s main clinic in building 263, 2800 College Ave. in Alton.

“At the SIU SDM, it’s important that we meaningfully demonstrate how appreciative we are of our veterans’ sacrifice and service,” said Katie Kosten, DMD, director of Community Dentistry. “We understand that the selflessness of those who serve our country is the exact reason we enjoy our freedoms. We are honored to say thank you to our veterans with the services that the SDM is capable of providing.”

A year ago, nearly $22,000 worth of free comprehensive care was provided to 33 patients during the inaugural Veteran’s Care Day. This year, the School surpassed their previous numbers by providing over $15,000 more in care to 37 more veterans.

SIU SDM third- and fourth-year dental students, under the supervision of dental school faculty who are all licensed dentists, devoted their day to providing free exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions at no cost. Patient treatment needs were evaluated and prioritized by the students, and appropriate care was administered. At the conclusion of each appointment, all veterans were offered the opportunity to become patients of SIUE SDM if ongoing care was needed.

Photo (L-R): Third-year SIU SDM Kourtney Utz with Navy veteran Carlston Edwards from Godfrey.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Nursing (SON) is offering a new mental health specialization next year. The new psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will provide students with the required clinical competencies and theoretical foundation to deliver quality psychiatric mental health care.

“Healthcare system administrators, clinical partners and community leaders are all asking for more providers to address the mental healthcare crisis,” said Andrew Griffin, PhD, CRNA, APRN, associate professor and SON assistant dean of graduate programs. “Expanding our nurse practitioner doctorate program to also offer a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner option is important toward allowing SIUE’s School of Nursing to address the healthcare needs of our community.”

Throughout the program, students will learn advanced skills in evidence-based practice, leadership, policy, finance, informatics and genomics/ethics. Required curriculum includes courses on advanced human physiology and pathophysiology, theory guided practice, neurobiology and clinical psychopharmacology, psychiatric interviewing and more. During the last two years of the program, students will design and manage their own doctoral project.

Upon program completion, graduates are eligible to take the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The program will foster a hybrid learning environment, meaning that most classes will be offered online, but learning will be supported by four on-campus immersion experiences throughout the program. Additionally, lab opportunities will be available for students desiring more practice and one-on-one help with clinical skills. This format provides students with the best of both worlds – the flexibility of online learning with the personal nature of knowing and interacting face-to-face with faculty.

“We are offering the PMHNP in three different ways,” added Griffin. “Students can participate in the program from their bachelor’s to DNP, master’s to DNP, along with a post-master’s certificate for current family nurse practitioners. By maximizing opportunities for applicants, the School will hopefully optimize future resources for the community.”

In addition to these three tracks, students can utilize a part-time or full-time course format to best suit their needs.

Due to the current mental health crisis, PMHNPs are in high demand, especially in the southern Illinois region. Once board certified and licensed as an advanced practice nurse, graduates are able to begin careers in a variety of diverse settings, including private practices, outpatient clinics, schools, hospitals, mental health agencies and more. Additionally, PMHNPs are qualified for leadership roles throughout various healthcare settings.

For more information, contact SON Graduate Advisor Sarah Anderson at saander@siue.edu.

Last month, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville engineering students participated in two international construction competitions.

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites Student Competition was held on Oct. 27 at the Concrete Convention and Exposition in Cincinnati. While competing against 40 other universities, the SIUE engineering team placed second in the Structure Type 1 category.

Students involved in this competition include: Dalton Brookshire, of Nokomis; David Rall, of Belleville; Paityn Jansen, of Breese; Martin Witges, of Columbia; Holly Liebel, of Liberty, Mo.; Joel Kuhlmann, of Edwardsville; and Josh Hemann, of Highland.

“The SIUE Luke Snell ACI student chapter competes in an international concrete competition every semester,” explained Brookshire. “The goal of this semester’s competition was to design and construct an economical light weight concrete beam reinforced with an FRP rebar.”

At the competition, the team’s beam was tested to compare their prediction of a 3.5mm deflection and ultimate load versus the actual load of the beam. Another factor was to achieve the lowest cost per load.

“The construction industry is a small community,” said Brookshire. “Students that attend these ACI competitions not only gain knowledge of concrete properties, but also have an opportunity to network with other students and industry professionals. The relationships made during the ACI conventions prove to be extremely valuable for students upon entering the industry.”

“The students worked very hard to prepare for this competition,” added Anne Werner, PhD, P.E., associate professor in the Department of Construction. “Their second place finish in an incredibly competitive international student competition is truly remarkable.”

The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Great Lakes Region held their conference Oct. 14-17 in Downers Grove. SIUE engineering had two teams participating in the heavy civil and commercial categories of the competition.

The heavy civil team was comprised of Daniel Guajardo, of Oak Forest; Dalton Ratliff, of Athens; Landon Wargel, of Clinton; Maxwell Goodman, of Gurnee; and Nathan Ferber, of Saint Charles, Mo. The commercial team was made up of Michael Firtos; Marcus Burks, of Chicago; Andrew Michel, of Morton; Kourion Mack, of Peoria; and Josh Gonzalez, of Edwardsville.

“The ASC competition is a wonderful opportunity for students to interact and engage with the biggest contractors in the region,” said faculty coach Ahmed Abdelaty, assistant professor and chair in the Department of Construction. “Students work on solving problems for real projects delivered by those contractors in a competitive and motivating environment.”

The trip was made possible by funds from Helmkamp Construction, A. R. Deahl, Contegra Construction Co., Alberici Corp., and OPUS.

“Being able to participate in these international competitions greatly enhances our student’s experience and knowledge,” added Werner. “It certainly helps increase the awareness of the construction and engineering industries of the high-quality students we have at SIUE. In addition, we are very grateful to our many generous donors that make the trips to these competitions possible.”

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has announced its fall 2019 Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) to 37 recipients.

The awards, valued up to $500 each, will support the research and creative activities of graduate students studying in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Schools of Engineering, Pharmacy, and Education, Health and Human Behavior.

A complete list of the fall 2019 RGGS recipients is available at siue.edu/graduate-students/awards/research-grants.

“Graduate students at SIUE engage in their profession through the creation and publication of original research and creative activities,” said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. “Their projects have regional, national, and international impact. The Research Grants for Graduate Students recognizes the project’s potential contribution and provides the students with necessary resources to conduct the work.”

Faculty advisors oversee these students’ individual research or creative activity. The primary purpose of the RGGS program is to support the graduate students’ work, particularly as it relates to their thesis or final project.

The fall 2019 RGGS projects are listed at siue.edu/graduate-students/awards/research-grants. A sampling of projects includes:

• Identity Construction Under Postmodernism (art studio)
• Synthesis and Use of Amidine Ligands for Catalyst Development (chemistry)
• Comparing Spatial Patterns of Soil Heavy Metal Concentration to Sources and Demographics across Madison and St. Clair Counties (environmental sciences)
• Experiences of Vertical Students (college student personnel administration)
• The Impact of Guilt Cognitions on Trauma Survivors and Emotion Regulation Strategies (clinical psychology)
• Detection of Canine Bone Cancer using Artificial Neural Networks (electrical engineering)

Photo: Previous RGGS award recipient Chiagozie Obuekwe presents his research that benefitted from the funding.

SIUE alumna Quintina Fisher, a third grade teacher at Gordon Bush Elementary School in the East St. Louis School District, has received the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in St. Louis.

Fisher earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior in 2004. Read more about Fisher in the Riverbender.com.

Emerson’s Excellence in Teaching Awards program annually recognizes more than 100 educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area who are examples of excellence in their field.

Saint Louis Bank has named SIUE alumnus Justin Huneke as Metro East Community President. Read more in the Riverbender.com.

Huneke, son of former Cougars men’s soccer head coach Ed Huneke, earned a bachelor’s in business from the School of Business in 2002.

With nearly two decades of banking experience, Huneke most recently served as community bank president for Bank of Springfield in Glen Carbon. Prior to that, he was a top mortgage producer at The Bank of Edwardsville.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior Jessica Hammel, of Carlyle, was recognized during the Lincoln Academy of Illinois’ 45th Annual Student Laureate Convocation on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. The annual event honors one senior from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities for their excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

As one of the student laureates, the nursing major in the SIUE School of Nursing received a certificate of merit, an Order of Lincoln medallion and $1,000 from The Lincoln Academy.

“This is an extremely high honor,” said Hammel. “I’m humbled to be associated with Abraham Lincoln and everything that he has contributed to this country. I hope that someday I can make as much of an impact as he did.”

Lincoln Academy Vice Chancellor Tom Spears provided the keynote address. “Our state, our country, our world, has this need for leaders,” he said. “Based on your being here today, there are a significant number of people who think that you might be one of those leaders — that you might possess the qualities and attributes that would allow you to bring leadership into whatever phase of life you enter into.

“You have a big word – potential. You are an example of what can be achieved by hard work, ambition, and a consistent application of character values and traits.”

For more information, visit TheLincolnAcademyofIllinois.org.

Photo (L-R): SIU Interim President Kevin Dorsey, SIUE student Jessica Hammel and Lincoln Academy Chancellor Frank Clark.          

The statistics are not new. Neither is information. However, one health educator hopes at least one person will heed the message and stave off or better manage the chronic medical condition of diabetes. 

Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician assistant, and health educator and advocate for the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, presented “Let’s Talk Diabetes” during an interactive presentation at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center on Thursday, Nov. 14. 

The presentation was the first of a four-part Lunch and Learn series entitled, “Think Healthy Thoughts.” 

Nahass shared some numbers and information as it relates to diabetes: 

• It affects 30.3 million Americans 

• 12.7 percent of those diagnosed are non-Hispanic black 

• Prior to diagnosis, people with diabetes may experience excessive thirst, excessive urination, intense hunger and intense fatigue 

• Obesity is the number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes 

• Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks have the highest rates of obesity according to the Centers for Disease Control, 47 percent and 46.8 percent, respectively 

Nahass also shared some good news and numbers as it relates to the disease: 

• Losing as little as 5-10 percent of your body weight if you are overweight or obese can significantly reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes 

 Nahass informed the group of the roles of the pancreas and insulin in healthy individuals. She also outlined the benefits of maintaining a healthy diet to prevent or manage diabetes. 

The remaining Think Healthy Thoughts Lunch and Learn series topics include:

• “You Are What You Eat” – Nov. 21
• “Hypertension: The Silent Killer” – Dec. 5
• “New Year, New You” – Jan. 16 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.  

Photo: Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician assistant, and health educator and advocate for the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, discusses the best ways to ward off diabetes.