It was a shopping-networking expedition that could result in needed products and services for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and will boost exposure for quality minority-owned retailers. 

Representatives from six minority and women owned companies set up displays during SIUE’s annual Diverse Vendor Spotlight Event on Thursday, Nov. 14 in the Morris University Center, Mississippi/Illinois Rooms. The Office of Vice Chancellor for Administration organized and hosted the fair. 

“This time we decided to do a smaller fair, so that it would be less overwhelming. The vendors were invited after registering for a similar event earlier this year,” said Tara Raburn, Business Enterprise Program (BEP) administrative associate. “These specialized vendors were chosen, because they offer supplies we often use. Today, we have three businesses owned by minorities and three owned by women. Those who make purchasing decisions at SIUE will be attending the fair.” 

The vendors included:

• Louer Facility Planning of Collinsville, providing furniture, design services, space planning, project management, installation and more. Jane Louer, CEO and president. For more information, visit louerplan.com. 

• Omar Inc., of Chicago, a distributor and direct importer of a variety of products, including gloves, can liners, protective clothing, towel and tissue, corrugated boxes, safety supplies and equipment.  Dr. Wilson, founder and CEO. For more information, visit omarinc.com. 

• ResourceOne Interior Solutions and Design of Springfield, a full-service contract office furniture and Knoll dealership. Cindy Davis, owner. For more information, visit resourceoneoffice.com. 

• SJB Promotions of Mason City, a promotional product distributor. Jill Douglas, owner and president. For more information, visit sjbpromotions.com. 

• South Coast Paper of Columbia, S.C., a paper converting, sales and marketing company. Kenny Loyd, president, and Paul Mitchell, managing partner. For more information, visit southcoastpaper.com.  

• The Will Group of Chicago, the pioneer company of several different companies that are prominent within the lighting and electrical industry. Stephen L. Davis, chair. For more information, visit thewillgroup.com. 

“Diversity fairs are about connections and networking for me,” said Douglas. “I’m interested in finding out the needs of businesses, and find out works and doesn’t work for people. I want to learn about processing information about budgets. When are people buying and what information do they need before they buy?” 

“I would love to meet new people at SIUE, and let them know who we are and what we do,” said Roderick M. Young, vice president of business development for The Will Group. “I would love to come away having developed relationships and opportunities to illuminate the many quality products and services we provide.” 

“We are a vendor that has been calling on the University for many years and have done some spaces on campus, such as Rendleman’s Atrium and the Office of Admission’s new office space,” said Chris Davis, ResourceOne account manager. “We want people to know that when you engage us, you will be taken care of by a bunch of extremely smart, tuned into design women.” 

Photo:
Roderick M. Young, vice president of business development (right) discusses the many benefits of the multi-faceted companies within The Will Group. Listening is Mark Dorris, IT manager.

Yvette Paris of Louer Facility Planning enumerates the adaptability, health benefits and more of the furniture and interior design provided by the Collinsville company. 

As Thanksgiving nears, two faculty members of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Historical Studies and Native American Studies, provided an opportunity to discuss some of the historical facts surrounding the holiday. 

Robert Paulett, PhD, associate professor; and Rowena McClinton, professor, served as facilitators of the topic, “Understanding Thanksgiving and its Connection to Native American History,” on Friday, Nov. 15 in the Morris University Center, Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI). 

“We want to provide a brief introduction to the history of Thanksgiving and the origins of the Pilgrim story we all learned, which became defined over the next century into the holiday we know today,” said Paulett. 

The discussion was based on the excerpts from the publication known as “Mort’s Relation,” published in 1622 by George Mourton and written by Edward Winslow and William Bradford. The writing was made accessible in a modern, online edition by Caleb Johnson of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. 

“In its original form, this was a pretty typical document of exploration – a description of exploration, settlement, violence, diplomacy and outright theft in some places,” said Paulett. “But at the end, there is a brief paragraph describing an English harvest feast that played host to their new Wampanoag trading partners. When this 1622 document was rediscovered in the 1840s, Americans seized on this brief paragraph, ignored the rest, and began to celebrate this myth and turned it into the national idea of Thanksgiving.” 

“America in the 1800-1900s was trying to define itself as this generous, benevolent, Christian empire on the world stage. Look at our generosity, peacefulness, benevolence. That becomes the 20^th century Thanksgiving we’ve all grown up with.” 

“We all have a lot more to learn about Thanksgiving and about Native American experiences in our history,” said Paul Rose, PhD, professor of psychology, and associate dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. “Most of us have missed out on a lot of the facts of American history.” 

After the discussion, senior psychology major Angel Williams said she was glad to have learned a little more on the subject. “The subject matter wasn’t new,” she added. “But it was more in depth than what I learned in high school. In high school, we just learned about the good things. Hearing it now, does give me bad vibes, but it’s still a holiday that most people will celebrate.” 

“The discussion refreshed some of the subject matter for me. I had studied some Native American history before coming to this discussion,” said Kelly Moroney, New Students Transition coordinator. “It didn’t change my view of the holiday. I have mixed feelings. I like the idea of a peaceful union, but it is not an accurate representation of the history between Native American people and colonizers. I do like how the holiday is hallmarked as a time for family, because family is important to me.” 

SIUE alumna Elizabeth (Elaine) Kane has been named assistant superintendent of educational services for the Alton School Board. Read more in advantagenews.com.

Kane earned a master’s Education/Elementary Education in 1998 and followed with an education specialist degree in educational administration in 2013 from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.

A longtime educator in the Alton community, Kane has served the school district for more than 25 years.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is providing a unique opportunity for students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as little as five years for select programs beginning spring 2020. This accelerated option saves time and money by allowing students to complete two degrees with fewer individual courses.

SIUE students can earn up to 12 credit hours that count toward both their bachelor’s and graduate degrees.

“Earning an advanced degree opens many more job opportunities with higher starting salaries right out of college,” said Jerry Weinberg, dean of the Graduate School, “I am excited that the Graduate School at SIUE is offering the accelerated combined degree programs that will allow SIUE undergraduate students to earn their graduate degree in less time and with less cost.”

The following programs provide an accelerated option for qualifying SIUE students who wish to earn simultaneous credit toward undergraduate and graduate degrees:

• Civil Engineering 
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• English
• Environmental Sciences 
• Nursing (Traditional)
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Accelerated Option for RN to BS in Nursing
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mass Communications

Interested students should speak with an undergraduate academic advisor and the graduate program director to develop a plan of study.

Students are charged undergraduate tuition and fees, and remain eligible for undergraduate financial aid, scholarships and awards. However, when approved for admission to the combined degree program, students are also eligible for graduate assistantships and other Graduate School sponsored programs.

For more information, visit siue.edu/combined-degrees.

More than 25 local restaurants served up soups and side dishes in delicious and creative varieties at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s first Empty Bowls fundraiser on Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom. 

The SIUE Rotaract Club joined with the Metro East Community Rotary Club to offer The Empty Bowls Project 2019, which is observed worldwide. Tickets were $9 in advance and $10 at the door for unlimited servings. The proceeds will benefit Cougar Cupboard and local hunger programs. 

“We’re hoping to raise awareness for hunger in the community, because we realize so many people are affected by it,” said Riley Ladd, president of the SIUE Rotaract Club and a junior majoring in computer science. “We will help those people out by donating our proceeds. Our fundraising goal is $5,000.” 

“The purpose is not just to fill your empty bowl with soup, but to let people know that many people don’t have any food to fill their bowls because of food insecurity,” Ladd continued. “Andrea Wetzel called me in January about our two clubs collaborating to bring this event to SIUE. They told us what it would entail, and we wanted to customize it to SIUE and bring in favorite restaurants. All of the restaurants are local, except for the Vine out of St. Louis.” 

Some of the restaurants included: Big Daddy’s, Catered Affair, Edge Wild, Stagger Inn, Cleveland-Heath, Clean Eatz, Ravanelli’s, Edison’s Entertainment, Sugarfire Smoke House, Wang Gang and Mike Shannon’s. 

“This is part of a grassroots movement happening all over the country, and in several other nations to help end hunger,” said Andrea Wetzel, committee chair of the Metro East Community Rotary Club. “Over the last two years, we have raised nearly $4,000 through our Empty Bowls Project to donate to the Glen-Ed Food Pantry and The Main Street Community Center’s Boxes of Hope program.” 

“I am glad we could bring the project to SIUE, because it is right in line with the mission of SIUE’s Rotaract Club,” said Robin Brown, counselor in the SIUE Career Development Center and Rotaract sponsor. Brown initiated establishing the club at the University more than seven years ago. 

“The Empty Bowl Project has been around for 29 years, and starting it in Edwardsville was extremely important to me,” explained Wetzel. “The original ‘Empty Bowls’ was started by a high school art teacher in Michigan and his students who decided to sell soup in the ceramic bowls they created in art class that year, then donate the proceeds to help feed the hungry! This program has been adopted in many ways, by many organizations.”

Photos:
L-R: Robin Brown, counselor in the SIUE Career Development Center and Rotaract sponsor; Andrea Wetzel, committee chair of the Metro East Community Rotary Club; and said Riley Ladd, president of the SIUE Rotaract Club and a junior majoring in computer science.

Enjoying SIUE’s first Empty Bowls Project is Edward Ackad, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Physics.

Hosting SIUE’s first Empty Bowls Project were members of the SIUE Rotaract Club and the Metro East Community Rotary Club.

Nothing can excite and set the mood for Thanksgiving, like participating in a turkey-baster, feather race. Well that was the aim of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Campus Activities Board (CAB). 

More than 200 SIUE students enjoyed a few hours of fun and games Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the University’s annual “Turkeypalooza” in the Morris University Center Goshen Lounge. 

“It’s going extremely well. We had long lines before we started,” said Madeline Zuber, CAB president. “Everyone seems to enjoy it, and people love the t-shirts this year.” Zuber designed this year’s t-shirts. 

Students received free long-sleeved t-shirts, if they completed four of the following activities:

• Turkey bowling
• Acorn toss
• Pumpkin toss
• Turkey-baster feather race
• Photo booth
• List those things of which you are most thankful 

“I like seeing everyone having fun together before we leave on Thanksgiving break,” said Zuber.   

Photo:
SIUE students enjoyed a few hours of fun at the University’s annual Turkey Palooza.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) hosted more than 150 attendees at its second annual ‪‪SIUE Energy Symposium Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the Dunham Hall Theater. The day focused on energy topics, and awareness of alternative and clean energy sources.

“The turnout was more than we anticipated, so our focus on creating an annual fall event where people talk about energy and sustainability topics is catching on in the Greater St. Louis area,” said Serdar Celik, PhD, professor and graduate program director in the SOE Department of Mechanical Engineering. “We’re looking forward to expanding the symposium next year.

“We are receiving feedback that it is a great idea to bring students, faculty and energy professionals together.”

The afternoon began with a poster session featuring presentations on alternative energy resources, followed by comments from SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, PhD, and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD.

The hydropower vs. wind energy debate was the featured afternoon event, won by the hydropower team of Derek Robson, a senior from Girard, Chris Oliva, a senior from Edwardsville, and senior Julie Bruns. The Wind Energy Team was comprised of senior Alan Ledbetter, Matt Augustin, a senior from Highland, and Daniel Radonic, a senior from Troy. Representatives from higher education, alternative energy, corporate leadership, public utilities, energy consultants and environmental agencies served as judges.

Matt Sandberg, a senior mechanical engineering student from Springfield, appreciated the event. “It was a great opportunity for students to interact with professors in the department, as well as industry professionals,” he said. “Hopefully the event’s success sheds light onto the possibilities of research and opens the door for future engineering symposiums on campus.”

A networking hour closed the day. For more information, contact Celik at scelik@siue.edu.

SIUE alumnus Steve Futrell was named a commissioner for St. Louis Regional Airport. The Madison County Board tabbed Futrell to serve until May 2021. He will complete the term of the late Dennis Dubbledee. Read more in The Intelligencer.

Owner of E-Rate Funding Solutions, LLC in East Alton, Futrell earned a master’s in education/instructional technology from SIUE in 1995.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering alumna Myesha McClendon was named to Crain’s Chicago Business 40-Under-40 earlier in November. Read more in chicagobusiness.com.

McClendon is vice president, east region at Milhouse Engineering and Construction, a Chicago-based firm that has been named among “Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” for 14 consecutive years.

A member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), she has successfully managed multimillion-dollar design and construction projects, including airport runways, air traffic control towers, hospital intensive care units and community parks.

After earning a bachelor’s in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science in 2004, the Chicago native joined Milhouse in 2005. Her first project was the design and construction of a new runway at O’Hare International Airport.  

Earlier this year, she was named to the Engineering News Record National Top 20 Under 40 and Engineering News Record Midwest Top 20 Under 40.

Photo: SIUE alumna Myesha McClendon, vice president at Milhouse Engineering and Construction. (photo courtesy Milhouse Engineering and Construction)

The National Development Council (NDC) is partnering with the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to bring two valuable small business financial sessions to the area on Dec. 4 and 5.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, local business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the region are invited to attend and participate in the financial workshop “Cash Management Basics” from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the East St. Louis Library, 5300 State St. in East St. Louis. To register for the free session, visit ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/31607

NDC staff will present a range of topics including:

• Tracking Financial Results
• Introduction to Financial Statements
• Budgeting and Projecting for Future Business plans
• Keeping Accounts Current and Tracking Results

On Thursday, Dec. 5, local business owners and entrepreneurs are also invited to attend and participate in the session “How to Get a Loan” from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Granite City Library, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. To register for the free session, visit ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/31606. Topics will include:

• What Goes into a Loan Application?
• The 4 Cs of Credit
• Understanding Your Financial Statements, and the Importance of Maintaining Accurate and Current Financial Records
• Understanding Cash Flow Available for Debt Service

These are great opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners to understand the importance of their financial spreadsheets, how to get funding and discover the valuable business resources offered by the SBDC and NDC.

“It truly takes a team effort to help small businesses to survive and thrive,” said SBDC Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May appreciates the NDC,

For more information, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

The SBDC  for the Metro East assists entrepreneurs as well as existing business owners operating in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses.

SBDCs in Illinois are funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement among the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a service to the community. To learn how these no-cost services may help your business venture, contact the Metro East SBDC at 618-650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Ken Witt, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and a team of researchers are seeking to renew a grant from the National Institute of Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as they focus on oral drug delivery for long-term use in combatting Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, which robs individuals of their memory and eventually their capacity for performing the necessary tasks of daily living. Alzheimer’s is not a part of normal aging, but progresses over time. The degeneration of neurons in the brain eventually culminates in Alzheimer’s disease.

More than five million Americans currently are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number could rise as high as 16 million. The sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. To date, Alzheimer’s has no cure and current medications have only short-term benefit. Without the development of better disease-modifying drugs, the financial, societal and emotional costs of this disease will continue to grow.

The process of treatment is complicated by the progression of the disease. Witt and his team recognize that the challenge is great. “Trying to treat a disease at mid-stage is an issue,” he said. “A person can go years without any symptoms being displayed.”

With a $2.65 million RO1 grant awarded in 2015, Witt has been the principal investigator leading a team of researchers composed of medicinal chemists, pharmacologists and pharmaceutics experts to develop a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. Initial investigations by the research team began more than 10 years ago.

The group has reached the next level of assessment that requires further metabolism evaluations. They have finalized one patent and are moving others along the patent tree, while also seeking partners for licensing. Using the process of lead optimization, Witt and his team have been identifying and chemically modifying compounds with desirable characteristics for treatment of the disease. The goal has been to enhance specific properties of the target compounds to increase brain tissue viability and brain function, while limiting side-effects to the patient.

“The high cost of drug discovery is often the result of the undesirable off-target effects that can force the whole project to be reset,” Witt said. “Our job has been to optimize critical parameters early in the process, so that by the time the drug is tested in human trials, there is a greater chance of success.” 

“The work of Dr. Witt and his colleagues in the SIUE School of Pharmacy is immensely important as they are evaluating a new biological target that may be involved in Alzheimer’s disease,” said SOP Dean Mark Luer, PharmD, FCCP. “At SIUE, investigators in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences are exploring the development of new medications to address disease processes that are not already being adequately treated. Dr. Witt’s research is exciting and could be the focus of a whole new drug discovery program.”

Photo(L-R): Mike Crider, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bill Kolling, associate professor of pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, Maria Kontoyianni, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, Ken Witt, professor of pharmacology and toxicology, Karin Sandoval, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and William Neumann, professor of synthetic organic chemistry.

Wright Choice Counseling, Ltd., which offers telehealth online therapy specializing in couples, trauma and mental health counseling, will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Owner Jessica Wright has worked with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May since August to achieve her dream of opening a private practice to better the community.

A licensed clinical social worker, Wright is eager to bring her passion for helping individuals and couples to the area. Originally from Washington, she is looking to connect with the local community by bringing comfort and help to those who need it.

“My hope is to have a positive impact through the help and services that I offer, by being a resource for those who truly need it in a community with limited mental health resources,” Wright shared.

Wright will focus on those dealing with stress and trauma, and specifically be available to assist nurses, teachers, social workers, first responders, and others dealing with high-pressure jobs and vocations. She will also provide couples therapy.

The Wright Choice Counseling slogan is “Just Be.”

“There is no need to worry about societal stigma,” Wright said. “The goal is to help an individual get to the place where one can “Just Be” their authentic self.”

Wright is grateful to the SBDC and DiMaggio May for guidance in helping to get her business running, including support with marketing and networking.

 “Jo Ann has been a wealth of information, always remaining calm and collected, and letting me know exactly what it is required to succeed,” Wright stated. “Especially for a woman entrepreneur, she has constantly encouraged and empowered me.”

Wright’s goal is to continue to grow the practice and obtain a physical location within the next year. Her vision is to give back through community events, and by hosting marriage retreats and trauma therapy. Her future plans are to hire  niche therapists, who she can help develop professionally, along with interns in various specializations.

“Jessica is a diligent entrepreneur and never hesitates to ask questions,” DiMaggio May shared. “She now has a strong foundation of people and resources around her. I look forward to her success and assisting her further.”

For more information, contact Wright Choice Counseling at 618-699-8874, or visit vandalia@wrightchoicecounseling.com or Wright Choice Counseling on Facebook.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Wright Choice Counseling as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses.

By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs and encouraging new investment. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large.

To learn about the SBDC, contact theIL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

Photo: Wright Choice Counseling, Ltd. owner Jessica Wright.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business hosted more than 120 companies from the St. Louis region at the 2019 Project Management Symposium Friday, Nov. 22, in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom.

Approximately 450 individuals attended the symposium that provides a forum for St. Louis metropolitan area business decision-makers to exchange ideas and knowledge with peers, School of Business faculty, and area experts on complex management issues. 

“This year’s Symposium provided all participants an opportunity to create new networks and engage with other professionals on topics that reflect the ever changing industry of project management,” said Kristine Jarden, director of executive education in the SIUE School of Business.

Missouri American Water President Deborah Dewey was a keynote speaker and focused on “The Career Advice You Probably Didn’t Get.” Various SIUE Project Management Advisory Board members, industry practitioners, and sponsors led breakout sessions on a variety of project management and leadership topics such as:

• Agile Implications on Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Getting Started with Digital Transformation
• Managing Risk & Learning Lessons with DORA’s Backpack
• Successful Long-Distance Relationships: Team Building When You’re Not “All There”
• You Want to Do What? Managing Risk for a First of Its Kind Project
• Key Roles of a Leader
• Agile Transformation Program (ATP): YOUR Journey of Change!
• Merging Waterfall and Agile Methodologies
• Managing Resistance Up & Down by Being Prepared
• Making MVP (Minimum Viable Product) the MVP of Your Project

Sponsors included Alipro, Ameren Missouri, Centene Corp., Daugherty Business Solutions, Edward Jones, Enterprise Holdings, Federal Reserve Bank St. Louis, Metro St. Louis PMI and Sketch.

The Princeton Review has named Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business as one of the best in the country for on-campus MBA for the 14th-consecutive year. The education services company features the School in the 2020 edition of its book, “The Best 248 Business Schools.”

“Along with our accreditation from AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International, the recognition from Princeton Review as a best business school provides an assurance that our students are receiving a high-quality business education,” said SIUE School of Business Dean Tim Schoenecker, PhD. “The Princeton Review ranking is based on feedback from our students and alumni about their experiences in the School. These constituencies obviously are in an excellent position to provide an educated opinion on the quality of their curricular and co-curricular experiences in our School.”

According to Robert Franek, Princeton Review editor-in-chief, “We recommend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as an excellent choice for a student aspiring to earn an MBA. What makes our ‘Best Business Schools’ designations unique is that we take into account the opinions of students attending the schools about their campus and classroom experiences. For our 2020 list, we surveyed more than 20,700 students at 248 business schools.”

The Princeton Review’s 80-question student survey asked students about their school’s academics, student body and campus life, as well as about themselves and their career plans. The student surveys were conducted during the 2018-19, 2017-18 and 2016-17 academic years.

The Princeton Review surveyed business school administrators during the 2018-19 academic year. The administrator survey, which numbered more than 200 questions, covered topics from academic offerings and admission requirements to data about currently enrolled students, as well as graduates’ employment.

 “The Best 248 Business Schools: 2020 Edition” has profiles of the schools, with sections on their academics, student life, admissions information and graduates’ employment data. View the SIUE profile at princetonreview.com. The Princeton Review editors describe the school as offering an “exceptional and ... convenient MBA program with courses in evening and weekend formats on the Edwardsville campus. This up-and-coming school offers a well-rounded program that is taught by professors with real world experience.”

The Princeton Review’s methodology includes using a combination of factors including institutional and student survey data. Data used includes career outcomes, admissions selectivity, and academic rigor among others.

The Princeton Review is a leading tutoring, test prep and college admission services company. Every year, it helps millions of college and graduate school-bound students achieve their education and career goals through online and in-person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors, online resources, and its more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House. The Princeton Review is headquartered in New York, N.Y. The company is not affiliated with Princeton University.

Photo: SIUE School of Business Dean Tim Schoenecker.

For a first-grader, learning how to read can be intimidating. However, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student teacher devised a way to make budding readers more relaxed and self-assured. 

First-graders from Brittany Evans’ class read to “paw pals,” who sat quietly and offered no comments or corrections–only nonverbal support on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Maryville Elementary School in Maryville. 

“This builds up their confidence. They are reading and enjoying it,” said Iris Hulslander, a senior majoring in elementary education and a student teacher in Evans’ class. “They are reading with fluency and getting excited about it.” 

Hulslander coordinated the visit from Got Your Six Support Dogs in Maryville. 

“Beth Wiemers and I teach the CIED 314 Learning Environments class on campus,” said Sarah Marsh, instructor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Teaching and Learning. “As a response to student feedback and stress levels earlier in the semester, Beth and I arranged for therapy dogs to visit SIUE. 

“One idea that was discussed was using the therapy dogs to engage students in practicing their beginning reading skills, which is intended to be a fun, unintimidating and engaging way for students to practice. Iris took that idea and ran with it. Today is a result of that effort.” 

“Sarah Marsh brought the therapy dogs into our class in the middle of an extremely stressful time with studies, and we all just relaxed,” said Hulslander. “It was great.” 

“This is my first experience with therapy dogs, and I think it is an excellent idea,” said Evans, who earned a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in literacy education from SIUE in 2008 and 2013, respectively. “The kids have been excited for weeks. They chose their books and have been practicing reading them.” 

Many of the students read from books by the beloved New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Mo Willems, including “Elephant and Piggie,” and from the “Pete the Cat” series by prolific children’s author and illustrator James Dean.

“It was fun,” said first-grader Hunter McCartney about reading “Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach” to his “paw pal” and adding that he was not nervous. 

As to whether or not the dog enjoyed his reading, Henry replied, “Sort of.” 

“Our partnerships in area schools are important to the growth of our future educators, and this was a great example of that student teacher/mentor teacher collaboration,” said Marsh.  

Photos:
First-grader Laceigh Raulerson reads “My New Friend Is So Fun,” by Mo Willems 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wishes students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members a Happy Thanksgiving!

Classes will resume on Monday, Dec 2.

Ample doses of turkey, ham, dressing and all the fixings were served with equally hefty amounts of fondness, fun and fellowship at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) annual Thanksgiving Day Meal Celebration. CHS students, staff and administrators gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 26 to celebrate before the holiday break.  

“We are a family at the Charter High School. Nothing gives us more pleasure than to be with you, and to let you all know how much you are loved,” said Gina Jeffries, EdD, CHS director. In keeping with tradition, Jeffries and the CHS faculty and staff served students during the meal, which was held in the cafeteria of the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. 

“I want everyone to know how the tradition of our Thanksgiving Day meal began,” continued Jeffries. “It started with Willis Young (former CHS assistant director) wanting to send students off on Thanksgiving break with a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. So, here we are seven years later, and it gets bigger and better every year.” 

CHS also has a custom of collecting and distributing food baskets to families in need. “I started the basket drive, because I work closely with the students and families and know of their various needs,” said Shawn Roundtree, CHS social worker. Donations were distributed to four CHS families this year. 

New to the celebration this year was turkey bowl trivia. After the meal, teams were quizzed on the following trivia categories: Thanksgiving Day,  trivia, CHS trivia and general knowledge.  

“This is a good tradition to have,” said CHS junior Jairen Robinson. “At the end of the year, it is good for us to be together, and enjoy one another in a positive way.” 

The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century. 

Photos:
SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School social studies teacher Carolyn Kribs (center) serves a Thanksgiving meal to Jairen Robinson (left) and Zoe Milton, both juniors. 

CHS administrators, faculty and staff served students a bountiful meal. 

CHS social worker Shawn Roundtree coordinates the Thanksgiving Day food basket drive.

The latest technology, good grades and best wishes for family and friends were some of the requests Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, staff and faculty asked Santa Claus for Christmas this year. 

The SIUE Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) hosted its second annual “Selfies with Santa” from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom foyer. SIUE’s personal contact with the North Pole was Dominic Dorsey II, director of the Office of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS), who was accompanied by one of his elves, Berthine Blanc, ACCESS office support associate. 

“Our purpose involved student engagement,” said Kelley Brooks, BFSA events chair. “We were trying to think of events that would support black faculty and staff at SIUE, but we also wanted to connect with students. This is a fun way to do that, and because it is before finals week, the activity could also serve to help lower students’ stress.” 

“Students, staff and faculty can take a selfie with Santa, have a cookie and hot chocolate,” continued Brooks, “and we are asking for people to post their photos using #selfieswithsanta2019 on social media.” 

Photos:
Getting in on the holiday fun are (L-R): Dillon Branham, a senior majoring in criminal justice; Elf Berthine Blanc, office support associate for the Office of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS); Santa Claus (ACCESS Director Dominic Dorsey) and Jessica Whiteside, a junior majoring in elementary education. 

Getting a close-up with Santa is Ayris Bonds, a senior majoring in historical studies and political science.

Daniel F. Mahony, president of Winthrop University in South Carolina, has been selected to serve as president of the Southern Illinois University System. The SIU Board of Trustees will vote on his appointment during its December 5 meeting on the system’s Carbondale campus.

Mahony’s selection follows a national search advised by a committee representing the system’s two universities, SIU Carbondale and SIU Edwardsville, as well as representatives of the Board of Trustees and alumni and community members affiliated with the campuses. If approved, he will begin his new responsibilities on March 1, 2020.

J. Phil Gilbert, chair of the SIU board, said Mahony’s collaborative leadership style, strategic planning experience, and effectiveness improving Winthrop’s financial position made him stand out in the national search.

“Dr. Mahony is a proven leader and problem solver who has been described as a visionary in his professional experience,” Gilbert said. “He has had success in key areas of importance to SIU to include enrollment strategies, diversity and inclusion, improving finances, and communicating effectively with internal and external agencies to include foundations and legislative bodies.”

“We were especially impressed by his ability to work with legislators to articulate the needs of his university,” Gilbert added.  “He will be an articulate advocate for the system and understands the importance of Southern Illinois University to the region and the state.”

Ed Hightower, chair of the search advisory committee and vice chair of the board, said the committee valued Mahony’s commitment to open communication and his wide-range of varied experiences.

“The search advisory committee was pleased by the pool of candidates; however, Mahony was the overwhelming preferred choice of the search advisory committee,” Hightower said.  “Committee members liked many qualities about Dr. Mahony.  They were especially impressed by his past successful academic work experience serving in a number of higher education administrative roles in Midwestern universities and that he has been able to create change at his current institution with large support of constituent groups.”

“Dr. Mahony is a respected, consultative leader who has demonstrated the ability to bring a community together around shared goals,” Hightower said. “His emphasis on metrics to measure progress will be transparent and effective to move the SIU system forward.”

Mahony has been president of Winthrop University, a 6,000-student public institution in Rock Hill, South Carolina, since July 2015. He has overseen the development of a strategic plan, an institutional rebranding, and improvement in student and employee satisfaction. Under his leadership, Winthrop set a new record for freshman applications in fall 2019, exceeding the previous record by more than 15 percent. Graduate enrollment increased more than 16 percent this year, four-year graduation rates increased by 7.7 percent over three years, and the diversity of faculty and managerial staff increased from 14 to 21 percent in less than three years.

He said he looks forward to the opportunity to lead SIU.

“I’m excited about working across the system to advance all of SIU,” Mahony said.  “The level of commitment to the system’s success and to the welfare of its campuses is clearly strong, from the Board of Trustees to faculty and staff to community members, alumni and donors.  SIU has a powerful impact on students and the SIU region, and I look forward to building on its strong foundation.”

Prior to accepting the Winthrop presidency, Mahony was dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services at Kent State University in Ohio from July 2008 to June 2015. He held positions at the University of Louisville in Kentucky from July 1995 to June 2008, serving as director of the sport administration program; chair of the Department of Health Promotion, Physical Education and Sport Studies; acting dean and associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development; and assistant and associate university provost.

Before his academic career, Mahony worked in both public accounting and intercollegiate athletics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a master’s in sport management from West Virginia University, and a doctoral degree in sport management from Ohio State University.

Mahony is widely published in the fields of sport consumer behavior and intercollegiate athletics.  He is a former president of the North American Society for Sport Management and received the organization’s 2007 Earle Zeigler Award for his research contributions to the field.

He received the 2015 McInnis/Ryan Award from the American Association of University Administrators in recognition of his principled and ethical leadership practices.He was also the inaugural recipient of the Daniel Mahony Award for Social Responsibility from the Office of Diversity Outreach and Development in Kent State's College of Education, Health and Human Services.

Originally from Clinton, New Jersey, Dr. Mahony has been married for more than 25 years to wife Laura, with whom he has two children, son Gavin and daughter Elena.

The SIU System is made up of SIU Carbondale, including the SIU School of Medicine based in Springfield, and SIU Edwardsville, including the SIU School of Dentistry based in Alton. With a total budget of approximately $867 million, the system employs more than 7,000 faculty and staff who serve more than 28,000 students.

Mahony replaces Randy J. Dunn, who resigned from the position in July 2018.

Photo: Newly appointed SIU System President Daniel Mahony. (courtesy Winthrop University)

When Corey Ragsdale, PhD, assistant professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Anthropology, learned about the newly developed Coalition for Archaeological Synthesis (CfAS) on human migration, he jumped at the chance to participate. For the first time in the field of anthropology, this committee is bringing together a group of eminent scholars from around the world to tackle migration issues that are important in the world today but are not addressed thoroughly in academic study. Through a highly competitive application process, Ragsdale was selected as one of the youngest of 15 committee members from the United States, Europe and Africa.

“My academic interests are strongly tied to population movements, mainly migration and mobility in the past, but I am also interested in migration in a non-academic sense,” explained Ragsdale. “We live in a world of mobility. People move short and long distances, in small and massive numbers, willingly and through various pressures. Yet, we as scholars, and generally the masses, don’t truly understand the reasons and potential effects of these movements, and how today’s migration patterns relate to those that have occurred in the past. I chose to participate in the first, new and exciting initiative to learn more about things near and dear to me.”

The committee’s inaugural workshop was held at the Amerind Institute in Dragoon, Arizona, in October. Over the course of four days, Ragsdale and his colleagues examined the issues concerning migration and developed three projects on topics that have an urgent need for evidence-based answers to support public policy. Committee members will work in teams during the next three years to develop outcomes for these projects.

“We all hope, collectively, that by examining migration and mobility through the lenses of various realms of expertise among global leaders in the field, we can use knowledge of migration in the past (both recent and deep past) to inform about events occurring in the present,” said Ragsdale. “This coalition is not only innovative, but also ambitious, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Ragsdale will serve as the sole bioarchaeologist and biological anthropologist for one of the three projects, contributing genetic, skeletal and dental data and studies to help examine the effects of migration on human securities, such as food security, of both migrant and receiving populations. Over the next three years, Ragsdale and his team will study these effects globally as far back as 1 million years. They will look at how these effects differ within political, environmental and social parameters.

In addition to his primary project, Ragsdale also will support the work of the CfAS team dedicated to examining frequencies of migration over time. He will serve in a consulting role on this project, providing data and other expert resources to the study.

Ragsdale’s involvement with the CfAS directly aligns with SIUE’s emphasis on the “teacher-scholar” philosophy, meaning that an ongoing commitment to scholarship enriches a faculty member’s excellence in teaching and service.

“My involvement with the CfAS has already and will continue to improve my own understanding of things that are important within my field of anthropology,” added Ragsdale. “To me, it is also difficult for me to have the confidence to educate others (students, or the public) in something I am not actively engaged in on a scholarly level. My courses at SIUE benefit from my experience and knowledge in the field, and an increasingly important phenomenon such as human migration is no exception.”

Photo: Corey Ragsdale, assistant professor in the SIUE Department of Anthropology.