With intense expressions and fast fingers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students were in multiplayer gaming heaven, engaging in both casual and competitive video play in the newly opened Esports Arena, located in Bluff Hall.

The Esports Arena was officially introduced during a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event held Thursday, Jan. 16. A crowd of excited students, alumni, SIUE faculty, staff and administrators, and representatives from Scott Air Force Base toured the new space which features a competition area and gaming lounge.

An SIUE Innovation Grant, awarded through the Office of the Chancellor, supported the arena’s establishment. Campus partners that played a role in the arena’s planning and execution included Campus Recreation, University Housing, Information Technology Services, University Housing Facilities Management, the Office of Student Affairs, and the Esports Club.

With zealous support for the campus addition, Chancellor Randy Pembrook rephrased the famous Field of Dreams quote during his grand opening remarks. Instead of “if you build it, he will come,” he proclaimed, “if you come, we will keep building.”

“If you have an idea, please bring it forward, and let’s transform this University together,” Pembrook said. “The Esports Arena will not only offer current students a gathering place in which to enjoy sportsmanship and camaraderie, but also it will enhance our important recruitment and retention initiatives.”

The new Esports Arena is home to 12 high-end gaming computers, 2 TV’s to which students can attach their own systems, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics cards and Intel Core i5-8400 processors. The games currently installed include: League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Hearthstone, Rocket League, Dota 2 and Apex Legends. Game clients are Battlenet, Origin, Epic Games and Steam, and the voice system in use is Discord.

“We are grateful for the phenomenal support we have received from the University and alumni,” noted Esports Club President Jordan Kramer, a senior studying computer science in the SIUE School of Engineering. “This is just the base of opportunities. It’s a place we can come together with shared interests in video gaming, rather than playing alone in a room or apartment. It’s an area where we can be ourselves and show who we really are, without hesitation.”

The University’s Esports Club, housed in Campus Recreation, has approximately 200 student members and regularly hosts events on campus.

Varsity teams include Overwatch, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Super Smash Bros Ultimate/Melee, Hearthstone, League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty and Dota 2. The Hearthstone team recently gained national attention by advancing to the semifinals of the fall 2019 Hearthstone Collegiate Championship in Arlington, Texas and finishing fourth overall.

Details on the Esports Arena and the Esports Club are available at www.siue.edu/esports.

Photo: SIUE Esports Club members enjoy the new Esports Arena in Bluff Hall.

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) online master’s in nursing program 45^th nationally. The SON program climbed eight spots from a year ago. To view the complete rankings, visit usnews.com/education/online-education.

According to USNews, highly ranked programs have strong traditional academic foundations based on student-instructor access, graduation rates and instructor credentials. They also excel at educating distance learners, while offering robust career and financial support.

“It’s always exciting to see the School of Nursing continue to rise in national rankings,” said Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs Andrew Griffin, PhD, CRNA, APRN. “While we have made many changes that positively affect our graduate nursing programs, I believe the key to our recent success is directly related to the strong graduate faculty who deliver the courses to our master’s nursing students. Their use of the latest online teaching tools promote excellence in instruction and sets us apart.”

The ranking methodology includes faculty and student engagement, expert opinion from high ranking academic officials in nursing, faculty credentials and training, services and technologies that incorporate diverse online learning technologies allow greater flexibility for students to take classes from a distance, and student excellence.

Photo: SIUE School of Nursing Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs Andrew Griffin, PhD.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work for justice continues, but it has to take on new depths, according to Denise Taliaferro Baszile, PhD, of Miami University in Ohio. Baszile, associate dean of Diversity and Student Experience and professor of curriculum and cultural studies, was the featured speaker at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 37^th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom. 

“We all know King is admired for his courage, his brilliance and his integrity. But King’s most powerful gift was his wisdom, and his call to the work of justice,” said Baszile to the room of luncheon attendees. 

SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook welcomed the crowd and referenced the luncheon theme, “The Time is Always Right to do Right.” 

“Each year, we recognize Dr. King’s birthday as a prelude to Black Heritage Month, and we honor the life and legacy of the man who dedicated his efforts to bringing hope and healing to America,” said Pembrook. “In a 1965 commencement speech, ‘Remaining Awake During a Great Revolution,’ Dr. King shared the thought that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of dedicated individuals.” 

“King knew that on some days the dream would appear as a nightmare, and that the road to justice would be littered with hate, misunderstanding and failures,” said Baszile. “He also knew that the ability to inspire and be courageous are most potent when done collectively.  

“In 2020, I’m compelled to stay the course. Times are still trying. There is still a slow and agonizing pace of desegregation and a fall back into re-desegregation. There are still compromised voting rights, still growing economic inequalities, still poor educational opportunities, still anti-black sentiment and still a country extremely divided.” 

There has to be another “revolution,” according to Baszile, and it will resemble the one envisioned by the late activists James and Grace Lee Boggs. 

“The next revolution will require a two-sided transformational change,” Baszile continued. “It will not solely involve a commitment to changing our unjust institutions, but more fundamentally, a commitment to changing ourselves. It will require us to figure out how to be more human, human beings.” 

“On the road to becoming more human, we will have to rethink our revolutionary approach,” she said. “To do right in a complicated world, our best strategies are probably not going to involve overthrow, rebellion, war, marches, shouting each other down and the like. It is about living everyday life with a revolutionary state of mind that prioritizes the kind of justice supported by community, imagination, education, purpose, well-being, love and joy.

“It is these micro-revolutions that will prove Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words that it is ‘Always the right time to do right.’”

Another highlight of the luncheon was the award presentations. The following were honored for their outstanding achievements and contributions:  

• Community Humanitarian - Angela I. Gray, social worker, Alton High School, East Alton 

• Scholarship - Jullianne Faye Bigueras, senior, English secondary education, Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands 

• High School Essay - Taylor Jones, O’Fallon Township High School, O’Fallon 

• High School Poetry – Brianna Davis, Parkway West High School, St. Louis 

• High School Visual Arts – Delaney Holliday, Belleville West High School, Belleville

Photos:
Denise Taliaferro Baszile, PhD, associate dean of Diversity and Student Experience and professor of curriculum and cultural ctudies at Miami University in Ohio, was the featured speaker at SIUE’s 37^th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 

Congratulating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. awardees are SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook and Baszile. Winners from left to right: Brianna Davis, Parkway West High School, St. Louis, High School Poetry; Jullianne Faye Bigueras, senior, English secondary education, Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands; Scholarship; Taylor Jones, O’Fallon Township High School, O’Fallon, High School Essay; and Angela I. Gray, social worker, Alton High School, East Alton, Community Humanitarian.

The SIUE Gospel Choir performed at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker today announced the release of $10,537,000 in planning funds to create preliminary designs for a Health Science Building (HSB) on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. Pritzker made the announcement in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom.

The complex will include approximately 221,000 square feet. The project’s total cost is approximately $105 million. It would be the largest building on the SIUE campus.

“With this investment, we’re giving SIUE’s current and future students a world class education in a world class facility, and we’re providing employers with world class talent from one of our state’s greatest institutions,” Pritzker said. “The future of our state is in education. The choices that we make about our schools now will determine the quality of our future.”

SIUE operates a School of Pharmacy (SOP), a School of Nursing (SON), a School of Dental Medicine (SDM) in Alton, and related health sciences programs in various disciplines to serve central and southern Illinois. Currently, the SOP is primarily located in three buildings in University Park, while the SON is housed in Alumni Hall within the campus core. The SDM will remain in Alton.

The University has seen broad expansion of the health sciences program in the Department of Applied Health, including exercise science, kinesiology, nutrition and dietetics, public health, and speech-language pathology and  audiology. Additional programs in education, psychology and social work throughout the University support integrative learning opportunities for health services professionals on the core campus.  

“This new Health Science Building is an incredibly exciting step forward, and will allow SIUE and the SIU System to expand its leadership in health science education in southern Illinois and beyond,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “Specifically, the additional space will facilitate more simulation training, research, and allow growth in programs within nursing, pharmacy and related health science areas. In short, it will improve the overall health of citizens throughout our area. We are extremely grateful to the governor’s office and the Illinois legislature for supporting higher education and health science education in Illinois through this project.”

“A Health Sciences Complex has been a long-term plan and dream for many of our faculty,” said Denise Cobb, PhD, SIUE provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Before SIUE experienced significant expansion in the health sciences, our faculty and administrators envisioned a future building that could enrich our programs, create synergies in the health sciences, and expand our capacity to serve our students and the needs of our region. Our nursing and pharmacy programs have thrived and grown since those initial conversations. Their students’ and alumni’s impact on the region continue to be significant.

“Since those initial planning efforts, we have also seen significant growth in our health sciences enrollment and expansion in our programming. Our health sciences programs are exemplary, and this new facility will allow these programs to flourish and enhance their current capabilities. We are thrilled to be able to improve and support interdisciplinary and interprofessional educational endeavors. It is an incredible opportunity to enhance academic quality, and support current and future programs that will serve the health and well-being of our state and region.”  

Renovations are expected for the existing SOP buildings and the surrounding proposed site in University Park, such as parking lot design and reconfiguration, and sidewalks, pathways and roadway improvements. The HSB will also include considerations for seismic loads and must achieve LEED silver.

The HSB will provide modern classrooms, teaching and research laboratories, faculty offices, administrative spaces, and student resource and study spaces. It would also increase SON student capacity and increase the size of the SON Simulation Laboratory. 

Jessica Hammel, a senior nursing student from Carlyle, expressed her gratitude to the governor. “This new building will provide SIUE nursing, pharmacy, and applied health students the opportunity to learn professional skills in an innovative state-of-the-art simulation laboratory learning center, to engage in interprofessional education, and to participate in biomedical and clinical research, all with the goal of enhancing collaboration among health professions for improved healthcare delivery throughout the state of Illinois and the region,” she said.

“Students from the southern Illinois region and beyond will be eager to attend school at SIUE in a new, modern facility,” Hammel added. “Specifically, the goal of attracting more SIUE nursing students to address the shortage of RNs and advanced practice providers in the rural southern Illinois region will be realized.”

Fourth-year pharmacy student Deja Finley, of O’Fallon, also expressed gratitude on behalf of the SOP. “As the fastest growing university in Illinois, it is only fitting that we continue to build upon a community that fosters innovation with some of the greatest minds of our time,” she said. “This new health sciences building means so much more than new equipment and fancier white boards. It means collaboration as a healthcare team. It means a wealth of new experiences. It means growing communication among disciplines and most of all, it means focusing on patient-centered care.”

Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker said traditional SIUE design elements will be considered for the HSB design. “Red brick towers, glass curtain walls, and tan colored bands reflect the existing campus design theme,” Walker said. “We expect to begin the one-year design process as early as this summer, followed by a two-year construction schedule.”

The Illinois Capital Development Board will oversee the project’s design and construction in accordance with protocol for state-appropriated capital projects.

Photo: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker speaking in the SIUE Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom.

SIUE students, faculty and staff gathered to honor the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a Day of Service held Monday, Jan. 20.

The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion coordinated the event where volunteers assembled winter care kits of individuals in need. Their efforts were highlighted in an article posted Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer.

A successful sustainable initiative at the beginning of the semester has thrilled and encouraged its co-founders to continue the work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

“I am pleased at the participation and the outcome of the Cougars Care initiative that we introduced during SIUE’s Winter Welcome earlier this month,” said New Student Transitions Coordinator Kelly Moroney. “The Cougars Care initiative was a new set of 13 goals created by myself and my graduate assistant Josie Clark. The main idea is to reduce the amount of waste created through program planning and implementation, while teaching students different ways to live sustainably.” 

The following goals were the most effective during Winter Welcome:

• Goal 6: Establish a temporary compost for the event. “We had nine compost bins throughout our event location in the Morris University Center and the Cougar Pavilion,” said Moroney. “We were able to compost 92 pounds of food waste, compostable tablecloths, plates, cups and utensils. The compost will go towards fertilizing soil, rather than sitting in a landfill.” 

• Goal 7: Limit the amount of printed materials given to students. “Prior to the event, all targeted students received a postcard printed on recycled paper with recycled ink,” she said. “All other communication was digital.” 

• Goal 11: Promote the environmentally friendly things at SIUE. “Josie talked to numerous offices and partners across campus and compiled as much information as possible about everything from bee sanctuaries to how many types of native plants are protected on campus,” noted Moroney. “We included this information on our website, the SIUE app, pre-event emails and in conversations during the event. Additionally, we also included links to the existing ‘100 Ways to Go Green’ page.” 

• Goal 12: Reduce unnecessary waste. “We are extremely proud to say that most non-recyclable waste from the event fit into one plastic shopping bag,” said Moroney. Approximately 70 students attended the event.  

  Other event accomplishments included:

• The compost saved the equivalent of emissions from 0.1 cars, according to Total Organics Recycling. 

• More than 90 percent of students who completed the post-Winter Welcome assessment indicated they would be extremely likely to participate in composting on campus, if it were to occur again. 

• The paint used during the evening craft activity was created using 25 percent less energy and was packaged in bottles made from recycled plastic, with recycled paper labels.  

   “Cougars Care taught students more about what sustainability means, and how they can get involved in sustainability efforts across campus,” said Moroney. “Numerous students came up to me during the program and said how cool it was that we were doing sustainable things like composting, being mindful of the kind of packaging we used, and checking what went into creating the products that are purchased. 

   “We figuratively and literally planted seeds of sustainability.”

Photos:
New Student Transitions Graduate Assistant Josie Clark checks in freshman Rahil Khedri (left) and visiting student Iga Wisniowicz (right) during an activity for Cougars Care.  

Using Cougars Care compost are Cougar Guides Kayla Nichols (left) and Emilie Engerski (right).

What’s your Einstein number? For retired faculty member and chair of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Mathematics and Statistics Chung Wu Ho, PhD, it’s four. That means only three collaborators separate him from Albert Einstein, according to the American Mathematical Society (AMS).

The AMS has developed a tool that shows the collaboration distance between two researchers, including famous mathematicians such as Einstein. Researchers who have collaborated directly with Einstein have an Einstein number of one; anyone who has collaborated with that researcher then has an Einstein number of two, and so on. This tool led Ho to discover his connection to Einstein was closer than expected.

“I was a little surprised to find that I was connected to Albert Einstein by such a short chain of collaborators,” said Ho, an SIUE professor emeritus. “But Einstein was very active, collaborating extensively with mathematicians. Collaboration is common in scientific research.”

Ho may be humble in his surprise, but based on the 30 research papers he has published during his career, his Einstein number is no surprise to others. Ho continues adding to his list of published work. In fact, two of his most recent papers – in addition to a third that will appear later this year – were published after his 80^th birthday.

“My last two papers studied the structure of the real number system. A third one, which will appear this year, is also on the property of numbers,” explained Ho.

Ho’s long history of research is combined with his lengthy career in academia. He began teaching in the SIUE Department of Mathematics and Statistics in 1970, served as department chair from 1988-1994 and retired in 2000. During his career, Ho was a three-time recipient of SIUE’s Teaching Excellence Award and a nominee for the 1999 U.S. Professor of the Year Award sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

When Ho thinks back on his time at SIUE, “the most important parts of my memory at SIUE are the students, faculty and the beautiful campus, in that order.” Working in reverse, he notes how the peaceful rolling hills on campus and lasting friendships he developed with his colleagues made his time at SIUE enjoyable. But the memories Ho created while teaching and collaborating with students are his fondest.

He recalls the 12-year-old student who successfully completed a double degree program in mathematics and physics before going on to earn his doctorate and launch a successful career at Cisco Systems. Another former student founded a software company that developed a program widely used by researchers for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

“In 30 years, I taught many students, some of whom have become my lifelong friends,” said Ho. “By the year of my retirement, most high schools in the bi-state area had at least one math teacher who was my student at one time.”

Ho’s fondness for his students was mutual. He remembers a student who told him he was a topic around the dinner table at her house because her mother had also been a student of his.

“Another time my wife and I were treating some friends in a restaurant in St. Louis,” Ho recalls. “The waiter kept bringing to our table some fancy dishes we did not order. I asked him whether there was any mistake. The restaurant owner stepped out. He was one of my old students, telling me that all the dishes were provided with his compliments. All of these are part of my fond memories.”

After retiring from SIUE in 2000, Ho moved to California and continued teaching mathematics at Evergreen Valley College for the next 16 years. Even after his second retirement, he remains a part-time faculty member at the school and an avid researcher. When asked what motivates him to continue his research, the octogenarian replied, “My answer is: old habits die hard.”

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy’s (SOP) highly-regarded continuing education program will make a nationwide impact at the Annual Assembly Hospice and Palliative Care meeting from March 18-21 in San Diego. The meeting is jointly presented by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA).

The SOP will be the sole continuing education provider for pharmacists at the interprofessional education meeting that brings together more than 3,400 hospice and palliative care providers to share research, clinical best practices and practice-related guidance to advance the specialty and improve patient care.

“For several years, the SIUE School of Pharmacy has provided continuing education activities for regional pharmacy organizations and contractors,” explained Walter Siganga, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical sciences and director of Continuing Education in the SOP. “We have a proven track record of success based on our commitment to meeting diverse pharmaceutical care requirements and addressing current and emerging practice needs. We value this partnership with the Assembly presenters, and appreciate the opportunity to share our high-quality professional continuing education at the national level.”

A total of 25 courses will be available to attending pharmacists at the Assembly on topics such as treatment side effects, safety and health of patients, ethics of treatment, long-term care, end-of-life care, treatment with pain management medications including opioids, and contemporary issues in hospice and palliative care.

 “This premier educational event promotes collaborative learning by allowing participants from the varied health professions to share their expertise and perspective,” said SIUE SOP Dean Mark Luer, PharmD. “This approach mimics the health care team where members work together to plan and deliver patient-centered care. SIUE strongly encourages such practice and is proud that the SIUE School of Pharmacy, through Dr. Siganga’s efforts, is able to contribute significantly to this quality program as a partner with AAHPM.”

The SIUE School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of Continuing Pharmacy Education.

Photo: SIUE School of Pharmacy’s Walter Siganga, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical sciences and director of Continuing Education.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville online master’s in healthcare informatics program has been ranked 6^th nationally by intelligent.com in its 2020 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Programs. The SIUE program also was rated “most affordable.”

Healthcare informatics professionals integrate the worlds of medicine and technology by combining their expertise in data management, patient care and information technology systems. The master’s in healthcare informatics emphasizes the application of state-of-the-art computing technologies to healthcare.

“Our highly successful program has resulted from more than 10 years of cooperation between area healthcare organizations and SIUE’s faculty, staff and administrators,” said Program Director Frank Lyerla, PhD, RN. “We are committed to providing an excellent program that leads to a fulfilling career by preparing our graduates with the knowledge and skills to meet industry needs.”

SIUE developed the program in a corporate partnership with BJC Health Care in 2010 to ensure their workforce would be well-trained to meet demands related to implementing electronic health records and securing patient data across the system. The program has evolved in format to accommodate the demands of working adults.

Intelligent.com’s methodology evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost and reputation. A score is calculated for each program on a scale from 0-100. The top picks for the best master’s in health informatics program are affordable, respected and flexible.

For more information, visit siue.edu/healthcare-informatics or contact Lyerla at flyerla@siue.edu.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy Dean Mark Luer, PharmD, has appointed Jessica Kerr, PharmD, as associate dean of professional and student affairs, and Monica Kempland, PhD, as experiential education coordinator. Kerr’s appointment is subject to SIU Board of Trustees approval.

Kerr has served as interim associate dean since September 2018. During her interim term, Kerr developed multiple programs that have aided in amplifying recruitment and admissions efforts. ASSET, a new student ambassador program for the School, received a tremendous response with 32 current students serving as mentors, student advisors for the Pre-Pharmacy Association and assisting with development opportunities.

Additionally, Kerr established the School’s Rxcellence program. The community pipeline initiative creatively connects current students with high school students in the region to inspire and share the possibilities of a career in pharmacy.

In 2020, Kerr will launch the EXPLORING® Pharmacy program to engage 14-21-year-olds interested in learning more about the profession prior to applying for school. She is also actively collaborating with the School’s Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator to advance programming for populations including veterans and underrepresented minorities with the goal of further diversifying the SOP student body.

“Dr. Kerr is a forward-thinking individual who is highly student-centered,” said SOP Dean Mark Luer. “Her skill as a faculty mentor, experience as a leader in the profession and background in admissions, academic standards, and community engagement are significant. She understands the profession and is creative in developing new initiatives. We look forward to her success in this new role.”

“Student success is my goal,” said Kerr, who joined the SOP in 2005 as a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. “As associate dean, I have the ability to make an impact on a higher scale, and I plan to do that while listening to those I serve.

“This role is exciting and challenging every day. With the help of faculty, staff and students, the SIUE School of Pharmacy will continue its growth as a premier institution, and I am proud to support that mission.”

Prior to her appointment as experiential education coordinator, Kempland worked as the director of SOP Student Services. She brings 12 years of academic advising experience to the role with extensive doctoral research experience focused on student development theory, pre-professional health advising and anxiety reduction among college-aged students.

“Dr. Kempland has a PhD in higher education administration and understands the specialized needs of the Doctor of Pharmacy program,” Luer noted. “Her past experiences in student advising well position her to integrate personal and professional development within the experiential education components of the curriculum.”

As experiential education coordinator, Kempland works cooperatively with a variety of external healthcare sites to ensure students are able to apply the skills and knowledge learned in the didactic curriculum to a real patient population.

Kempland coordinates the personal and professional development curriculum for current Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students, preparing them to become leaders and innovators in the pharmacy profession. She will also be facilitating students’ engagement in co-curricular activities, and collaborating with pharmacy preceptors who guide SOP students in their Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE), which comprise approximately 30% of their PharmD education.

“I appreciate providing support and encouragement to students, and am inspired by the dedication that our PharmD students have not only toward achieving their educational successes, but also in truly helping others,” Kempland said. “I hope to encourage our students to reflect upon their strengths, knowledge and leadership that they have honed through involvement in personal and professional development opportunities, to allow them to serve others through professional practice.”

Photos: SIUE School of Pharmacy Associate Dean Jessica Kerr, PharmD.

SIUE School of Pharmacy Experiential Education Coordinator Monica Kempland, PhD.

Ms. Grace Cleaning Services Director of Marketing Angie Lee 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 July 2019 to fulfill the company’s marketing, networking and labor needs.

Ms. Grace Cleaning Services has a mission to clean with humility and precision “knowing that your trust is the key to our success, our value is placed on creating a lasting relationship proven by our diligence and dutiful work ethic that is timely, expeditious and immaculate.”

The business began with three sisters, Rita Johnson, Blossom Stewart and Sharmine Stewart. They opened in March 2016, serving the Fairview Heights and St. Louis metro area. Ms. Grace Cleaning Services offers exceptionally affordable pricing that allows any customer to enjoy their services.

Chief Executive Officer Andrea Turner explained that with her mom and two aunts in the midst of retirement, her family knew they wanted to give back to the community and began brainstorming to see what they could collectively achieve. They created the cleaning business concept centered on serving others through cleanliness and environmental awareness.

After starting as a residential service, Ms. Grace Cleaning Services has expanded to serve commercial businesses and churches, as well.

Ms. Grace Cleaning Services has capabilities that are in demand and are not typically met by the routine commercial cleaning business. In addition to stripping and waxing floors, general cleaning, and deep-cleaning, the sisters offer customized services based on the customer’s needs. Quality of care services like closet arrangement, folding clothes, and move-in and move-out assistance provide comprehensive cleaning.

DiMaggio May also connected Lee with the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at Western Illinois University to focus on certification and bid matching for potential contracts.

“Jo Ann has been extremely helpful when it comes to marketing our business,” Lee said. “She has provided ideas to reach more customers, for hiring, has connected us with PTAC for government contracting, and more. She is eager to help and is always timely in responding to our needs.”

The PTAC has provided one-on-one technical assistance to Ms. Grace Cleaning Services for obtaining a DUNS (Dun & Bradstreet) number, SAM (System for Award Management) registration and building a capability statement.

The Ms. Grace Cleaning Services leadership feels blessed. It is meaningful to know they are helping others. It is about more than just the services they offer, it is about encouraging everyone involved and giving others a sense of pride.

 “We are so thankful for the amazing people we serve,” Turner said. “It is more than just going in and cleaning. We are seeing people’s lives change through these interactions. This is something we do out of love, and it has brought our family so much closer in the process.”

Their goal is to bring out the best in those who are in need through their services by being charitable, supportive, helpful and affordable.

“That is what excites and fuels this passion for my family,” Turner said. “It is what our hearts want to do, and Ms. Grace Cleaning Services affords us the opportunity to do it and do it well.”

In the future, they plan to focus on using green products and being ecologically friendly. They expect to expand their brand, and truly be a service that clients can relate to, work with and use. The business vision is limitless.

“Angie Lee and her team of family members are extremely dedicated and hard-working,” said DiMaggio May. “They are so motivated and passionate, willing to do everything necessary to be successful in the cleaning industry. It is my honor to work with them and help them grow.”

Ms. Grace Cleaning Services’ hours of operation are 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.–Sat., and Sun. by appointment only.

For more information, call 618-416-5666 or visit msgracecleaning.com. Find Ms. Grace Cleaning Services on Instagram at cleaningmsgrace, and Twitter and Facebook at MsGraceCleaning.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Ms. Grace Cleaning 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.

Mt. Vernon Township High School senior Max Zinzilieta has won a $100,000 scholarship from Michelin USA. He expects to attend SIUE in fall 2020 to study computer science and linguistics.

The scholarship is part of Michelin’s #PennyForAFreeRide scholarship sweepstakes. Writer Ashley Smith posted the story on Jan. 23 for KFVS-TV.

Zinzilieta is also a dual credit student in both the Rend Lake College entrepreneurship program and the Jefferson County CEO program.

For Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Angela Kim, the piano is not only an instrument, but an extension of self.

The internationally renowned pianist has built her life around piano. She first began playing at age five and quickly fell in love. At age seven, she decided piano would be her future, and has since developed into an acclaimed performer, admired educator and ambassador of the arts.

“I didn’t want to become anything else in my whole life,” said Kim. “The piano is my best friend. All musicians can likely agree that we can express and explain ourselves better using instruments rather than words.”

Kim joined the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music in 2017, bringing her focus, dedication and creative artistry to students studying piano performance. Simultaneously, she continues showcasing her versatility through musical expression as a soloist and collaborative producer.

Her latest project, Chaos Magick, debuts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 in Dunham Hall Theater. The multimedia production is presented by the popular Arts & Issues series, and will feature design, animation, electronic sound and dance.

“I grew up in an environment filled with music and visual art, so it was quite natural to connect the two,” Kim explained. “Each of my concerts is different, featuring diverse repertoire and collaborations. I’m always changing and evolving.”

“With any concert I play, it doesn’t matter the venue,” she continued, “it doesn’t matter if I have 10 people in the audience or 3,000, I always want to share my story. I want to leave something in listeners’ hearts that makes the shared moment special.”

A passionate educator and musician, Kim is certain that neither she nor her students will ever stop learning. It’s a certainty of life that there is always room for improvement and different ways to understand the same information.

“SIUE has been a great place for me,” Kim said. “The students are passionate and hardworking. My colleagues are tremendously supportive. And, perhaps what I like most is that the University promotes the ideals of lifelong learning by providing resources for faculty to continue developing their craft and launching new projects. That support enhances the entire educational experience, because the more we as faculty know, the more we have to offer our students.”

For more information about Chaos Magick and to purchase tickets, visit artsandissues.com.

Photo: SIUE Department of Music Assistant Professor Angela Kim.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqU6k7AISuw

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $300,000 in support of research aimed at preventing sexual harassment from occurring during undergraduate field-based courses. The endeavor is in partnership with researchers from the Arkansas Archeological Survey and Mississippi State University.

“Several studies have demonstrated high rates of sexual harassment that take place while scientists and students conduct research in the field,” explained principal investigator Carol Colaninno, PhD, research assistant professor in the SIUE STEM Center. “The issue plagues disciplines dependent on field-based research such as biology, ecology, geology and archaeology.

“Our research team plans to develop evidence-based practices and policies that field school directors can implement to prevent sexual harassment and make field schools safer and more inclusive for undergraduate students aspiring to become archaeologists.”

 The researchers are all members of the Southeastern Archaeological Conference (SEAC) and include:

• Emily Beahm, PhD, research station archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, University of Arkansas-Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Station
• Carol Colannino, PhD, research assistant professor in the SIUE STEM Center
• Carl Drexler, PhD, research assistant professor with the University of Arkansas and station archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey – Southern Arkansas University research station
• Shawn Lambert, PhD, assistant professor at Mississippi State University and research fellow at the Cobb Institute of Archaeology

“As a discipline, we require students to participate in a field-based course where we now know sexual harassment is more likely to occur, compared to a traditional classroom setting,” explained Beahm. “Unfortunately, our discipline has done little to understand what field directors do to prevent sexual harassment from occurring at their field school, and if field directors can improve upon their current practices. Our team is passionate to see this research conducted and to be able to provide recommendations that can improve archaeological learning.”

The researchers note that sexual harassment may be one factor contributing to the leaky pipeline among field-based sciences and STEM during undergraduate education, resulting in a loss of diverse intellectual thought.

“Research demonstrates that students who have been historically underrepresented in STEM, including women, students of color, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and students with diverse abilities, have an increased likelihood to experience harassment compared to those individuals who do not identify with these groups,” said Lambert.

“If students, particularly those who identify with groups underrepresented in STEM,” continued Drexler, “are harassed or assaulted, they may decide to leave the scientific community altogether. When this occurs, science loses the diversity of intellectual thought and personal experiences that these students who have brought to the field, and their potential to serve as role models and mentors to the next generation of diverse scholars.”

During the three-year grant period, the research team will conduct a landscape analysis, work with field directors and students, and then develop recommended practices, and finally, help implement them documenting how these practices help create a safer and more inclusive field learning environment.

Field directors interested in the project, can find more information at siuestemcenter.org/safe-field-schools. Questions can be sent to safefieldschools@gmail.com.

Photo: Carol Colannino, PhD, research assistant professor in the SIUE STEM Center.

More programming, resources and opportunities will soon be available to students in

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Upward Bound (UB) programs thanks to money provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). IDOT presented a $5,000 check to SIUE East St. Louis Center (ESLC) administrators, staff and students on Monday, Jan. 27. 

The $5,000 contribution was made possible by IDOT winning the grand prize last year in America’s Transportation Awards, the top honor for state departments of transportation. The award was for a partnership between Illinois and Missouri that produced several bridge projects over the past decade to improve connections to jobs and tourist destinations in the Metro East. It marked the second consecutive year IDOT has won the honor from the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. 

“Winning the project of the year from our peers for two straight years comes with great satisfaction in knowing that the team at IDOT can be counted on to get the job done right,” said acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman, who was one of several IDOT officials presenting the award. “This contribution to Upward Bound continues our mission. We are extremely proud of our ongoing relationship with such an important program and could not be happier to help young people pursue their dreams and, hopefully, become future IDOT engineers.” 

“We tell our students that the sky is the limit when it comes to realizing careers as engineers or any profession they want to pursue,” said ESLC Executive Director Tim Staples, EdD. “This award money is a tangible sign of that.” 

“This money will be put to good use. Our program is growing, and we want to be able to provide everything our students need for success,” said UB Program Director Keith Ware, EdD. “IDOT has proven to be a great collaborative partner with our program for more than 15 years.”  

SIUE’s Upward Bound program provides educational opportunities for middle and high school students in East St. Louis, Cahokia, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School, Brooklyn, Madison and Collinsville, with a focus on encouraging low-income, first-generation college students to seek post-secondary education. Upward Bound and IDOT have long collaborated to teach about engineering careers. 

The SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound programs help youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC), and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM), High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. Upward Bound is a college-preparatory program designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. 

Photos:
A delegation from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) visited the SIUE East St. Louis Center to present SIUE Upward Bound program staff and students with a check for $5,000. Shown on the front row (far right) is Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman and on the far left (holding the IDOT award) is Keith Ware, EdD, UB program director. Shown back center is ESLC Executive Director Tim Staples, EdD. 

Staples (left) and Ware (right) acknowledge IDOT’s gift of $5,000. SIUE Upward Bound students holding check are Cyan Luckett (left) and Kyla Anderson. Emoni Hallman, on the far right, holds grand prize award. Students in the back row (L-R): Norie Smith, Evan Bonner, Jayla Sussix and Lyniya Pruitt.

A new research project funded by a $300,000 National Science Foundation award to SIUE will combat sexual harassment and create safer, more inclusive archaeological field schools.

The endeavor is led by principal investigator Carol Colannino, PhD, research assistant professor in the SIUE Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach, in partnership with researchers from the Arkansas Archeological Survey and Mississippi State University.

KMOX reporter Megan Lynch highlighted the need for and launch of Colannino’s collaborative project in an interview posted Saturday, Jan. 25. Listen here.

In a “salute to young professionals making a difference,” the St. Louis Business Journal has named its 40 Under 40 Class of 2020, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Kimberly Luitjohan is among the rising business innovators receiving honors.

Luitjohan is vice president finance at Poettker Construction Company, a family-owned company with locations in Breese, and Charlotte, N.C. In addition to participating in her family business’ strategic planning, Luitjohan oversees accounts receivable, accounts payable, finance, tax, budgeting, vendor documentation, client documentation, licensing, job cost tracking, payroll, human resources, IT and asset management.

“It is incredibly humbling to be recognized in this way for my day-to-day tasks,” Luitjohan said. “There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears in our family business, and I want to continue to mold the company to be ready for the next generations. The transition to the third and fourth generations will be challenging, and I want to see us do so as smoothly and successfully as possible.”

Luitjohan, of Breese, earned a bachelor’s in business from the SIUE School of Business in 2010, noting the program’s strong role in her professional growth.

“In accounting, you are involved in numerous areas of the business,” she explained. “The business program’s wide range of subjects proves extremely beneficial for students. I was fortunate to have a great University so close to home, allowing me to work full-time while continuing my education.”

Her advice to others aspiring to elevate their business careers:

• Set goals, both long-term and daily
• Work hard and smart
• Keep a balance with work, family and leisure
• Treat everyone with respect and be humble
• Consider your weaknesses and find others with strengths in those areas

Photo: SIUE alumna Kimberly Luitjohan, vice president finance at Poettker Construction Company.

Ameren Illinois demonstrated its goal towards community mindedness by giving Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound a $2,000 grant. 

Partly, the electric company’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve, according to Ameren officials. WSIE is a non-commercial, education-focused radio station, broadcasting at 50,000 watts on the campus of SIUE and reaching most of the Greater St. Louis region. In the past, WSIE enjoyed state support to help offset costs, but after July 1, 2018, that stipend was discontinued because of the former Illinois budget crisis. 

Now, the station is reliant on underwriting partners and donations from listeners, as well as grants and corporate donations. 

“This heritage station is loved by many, and this donation from Ameren Illinois will help us as we continue to work on funding our operation costs,” said WSIE General Manager Jason Church. “Gifts like this are necessary in order to help us continue to provide quality jazz and jazz-centric programming, as well as offering the opportunities for students to get real world experience with a professional radio station.” 

“WSIE not only offers a nice lifestyle amenity for residents in the region, but also the broadcasters who graduate from their program will one day be delivering the news about topics of importance to our customers,” said Vice President of Electric Operations George Justice and fan of the station. “We’re proud to provide resources to help the station continue its good work in the Greater St. Louis area.” 

To learn more about how you or your business can support this community radio station, visit WSIE. 

Ameren Illinois is a regulated electric and gas delivery company headquartered in Collinsville, Illinois.  Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. Their mission is to power the quality of life. Their service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. 

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.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Club Hockey Team collected 277 stuffed animals in its second annual teddy bear toss event against the University of Kentucky on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the East Alton Ice Arena. The club surpassed its goal of donating 200 teddy bears to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.

Special club sports teddy bears were available for purchase prior to the game for $15 with the proceeds going to Cardinal Glennon. One individual bought eight teddy bears for the event.

SIUE scored its first goal midway through the first period to tie the score 1-1, which is when the stuffed animals went sailing onto the ice. The Twin Bridge Lightning youth hockey team assisted with picking up the bears from the ice surface.

“It was an amazing sight to see so many teddy bears and stuffed animals being tossed onto the ice for a good cause,” said Recreation Programs Assistant Director Natalie Hawkins. “The SIUE club sports program is committed to giving back to others when they need it most.”

  SIUE’s Club Football, and the Competitive Cheer and Dance Club were a few of the other club sports teams that donated teddy bears and attended the game with their families and friends.

The stands were full of spectators, SIUE students, faculty and staff. Family members and fans of the Kentucky team also tossed teddy bears for the event.

Former Recreational Sports Graduate Assistant Joe Carrillo is credited with the idea. He proposed the event for the 2018-19 academic year as part of the community service project for the Sport Club executive council. A former intern with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, he was inspired by their teddy bear toss event.

The club sports program is always seeking new service projects to connect with Metro East communities. “Our department had a personal connection with Cardinal Glennon after a staff member’s child spent three months in their natal intensive care unit,” Hawkins said. “We will continue to sponsor the event as long as we have support from the SIUE student organizations, club sports and the SIUE community.”

The Sport Club executive council will connect with SSM Cardinal Glennon and determine a date to drop off the teddy bears.

Kentucky did prevail in the game, 7-2.

Photo: Twin Bridge Lightning youth team pick up donated teddy bears from the ice at the SIUE Club Hockey team’s second annual teddy bear toss vs. Kentucky on Jan. 25.

When Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Assistant Professor of Ceramics Joe Page began the installation of his current art exhibit, “Flow Chart,” at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center on Southwestern Illinois College’s Belleville campus, he turned the installation process into a learning opportunity for his students. Not only did his student assistants have the opportunity to install a professional art exhibit, but they also had the autonomy to decide how specific aspects of Page’s work should be displayed.

“Flow Chart” is a series of sprawling, immersive landscapes derived from video games, pinball machines, mass transit maps and schematic diagrams. Each piece combines sculptural and two-dimensional elements, including porcelain, vinyl, paint, particle board and other mixed media, while following specific design principles.

With the help of numerous student volunteers and gallery staff, Page’s exhibit took five days and more than 250 collective hours of labor to install. The team followed formal guidelines, but some aspects of each piece’s composition were left to the assistants to decide.

“The most rewarding part of the experience is getting to see assistants make choices within the aesthetic of the work: the contour of a cloud on the wall, the direction of a blue line migrating across the floor,” explained Page, who has been working on the “Flow Chart” series for several years. “No installation is the same, because each space and each assistant working inside of it are never the same. They become teachers themselves, showing other assistants how to engage with the process of making the work.”

SIUE graduate student Scott Stuhldreher has helped Page install three of his “Flow Chart” exhibits, gaining new experiences each time. Stuhldreher first met Page during one of these installations prior to becoming one of his students. Now, the installations serve as both a learning opportunity for Stuhldreher and a way to get to know his professor.

“Joe’s work changes and adapts to the constraints of the space, creating interesting moments within each installation,” said Stuhldreher. “At first, it was intimidating to be given the autonomy with parts of his work. After a while, you start to get into a groove with his help and guidance, and you become confident with his system. Having these opportunities to help Joe and seeing how he takes full advantage of the space has pushed my work and myself further.”

Page’s “Flow Chart” exhibition is on display now through Feb. 20 at the Schmidt Art Center. Visit swic.edu/theschmidt for details.

Photo: SIUE Assistant Professor of Ceramics Joe Page’s “Flow Chart” exhibit.