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SIUE Engineering Alum Aaron Detmer Featured in Intelligencer

SIUE alum Aaron Detmer, who was tabbed for Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine’s 40-Under-40 list, was featured in the Edwardsville Intelligencer Friday, Dec. 19. Intelligencer writer Carol Arnett profiled the 34-year-old Breese native in the story. Detmer earned his mechanical engineering degree from SIUE in 2003.

SIUE Confers more than 1,100 Degrees at Fall Commencement

Commencement Videos – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe oversaw the 2014 Fall Commencement exercises today as 1,159 eligible graduates received their degrees at the Vadalabene Center on campus.

Furst-Bowe focused on SIUE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion during her remarks. She quoted acclaimed poet and author Maya Angelou, “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”

“As Ms. Angelou knew, and as we at SIUE have worked to impart, inclusion and citizenship require commitment,” Furst-Bowe stated. “Inclusion and citizenship are a responsibility. Inclusion and citizenship are indicative of a strong and healthy community.”

Furst-Bowe closed by calling upon the words of South African social rights activist Desmond Tutu, “Do your little bit of good where you are: it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Dr. Kelly Gable, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the School of Pharmacy. As SIUE’s 2014 Teaching Excellence Award winner, she provided the commencement address for the morning ceremony for the Graduate School, and the Schools of Business, Nursing, and Education, Health and Human Behavior.

Gable dispensed some simple life lessons and challenged the graduates to never give up making the world a better place. “Things get done in this world by people who care, who try and who give it their best,” she said. “At times, you will spend more time at work than you do at home.

“Love what you do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Be passionate about what you do. If it makes you happy to help people, do it. If it doesn’t, do it anyway. Life is short and full of many gifts. Being kind, compassionate and caring is the best gift you can give.”

The morning student speaker was non-traditional student Shanda Nygard, a native of Fairview Heights, who earned a master’s in education in instructional technology.

Nygard recognized that her SIUE experience changed her outlook on life, “Because of my experiences at SIUE, I grew as a person and a critical thinker. I now see opportunities in life and not just the obstacles I have to overcome.  My professors pushed me mentally until I didn’t think I had anything left to give, and then turned right around and asked for some more.

“No matter what road you choose, SIUE has given you the tools to be successful.  Let’s continue to be lifelong learners, think innovatively and push ourselves outside our comfort zones. The knowledge we have gained during our time spent here is not the end, but the beginning to so much more. We all have the potential to change the world we live in. We simply have to strive for greatness and never accept or be just good enough.”

Dr. Eric “Duff” Wrobbel, associate professor in the department of speech communication, provided the commencement address for the afternoon session to the Graduate School, College of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering. The SIUE Alumni Association selected Wrobbel as its 2014 Great Teacher Award winner.

Wrobbel discussed how his classroom wasn’t necessarily entertaining, but was certainly educational, “Being entertained is great, but it leaves no lasting value. Being educated is important, and you know this because it sticks with you.

“Things you learn today will still be there to help you tomorrow, and a week from tomorrow and 10 years from tomorrow. And no, it’s not always fun, but it isn’t about what’s fun, it’s about what’s important.”

The student speaker for the afternoon ceremony was Matthew Stoecklin, an Edwardsville native, who is earning a bachelor’s in English literature from the College of Arts and Sciences. He graduated summa cum laude with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.

Stoecklin described his “remarkable personal metamorphosis” that SIUE helped him to undergo, “I no longer feel as if my thoughts lack value, and I now possess the courage to express these thoughts, the same courage which allows me to speak before you all today.

“Your voices, your ability to share your perspectives on the world, are precious things. Cherish them, and do not let anyone attempt to silence them. As Charlie Chaplin said at the end of The Great Dictator, ‘You have the power to make this life a wonderful adventure. And it is never too late to start.’”

Photo: (upper right) Dr. Kelly Gable, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the SIUE School of Pharmacy, addresses the 2014 fall commencement morning ceremony.

(middle left): Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Parviz Ansari (middle) and Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe shake the hands of graduates at the fall 2014 commencement ceremony.

SIUE Alum Detmer Named to Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s 40-Under-40

SIUE School of Engineering alum Aaron Detmer is on Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s 40-Under-40 list.

In his current position as project engineer for G&W Engineering in Maryland Heights, Mo., Detmer advises clients how to use different types of building systems to produce more sustainable designs.

He also serves on the SIUE Alumni Association’s board of directors. Read more about Detmer here.

SIUE Fall Commencement Features More Than 1,100 Graduates

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe will oversee the 2014 Fall Commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 13. Ceremonies for the 1,159 eligible graduates will be at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday in the Vadalabene Center on campus. Watch Commencement live at siue.edu/tv

Dr. Kelly Gable, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the School of Pharmacy, is SIUE’s 2014 Teaching Excellence Award winner. Gable will provide the commencement address for the morning ceremony for the Graduate School, and the Schools of Business, Nursing, and Education, Health and Human Behavior.

The student speaker in the morning will be Shanda Nygard, a native of Fairview Heights, who is earning a master’s in education in instructional technology.

Dr. Eric “Duff” Wrobbel, associate professor in the department of speech communication, will provide the commencement address for the afternoon session to the Graduate School, College of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering. The SIUE Alumni Association selected Wrobbel as its 2014 Great Teacher Award winner.

The student speaker for the afternoon ceremony is Matthew Stoecklin, an Edwardsville native, who is earning a bachelor’s in English literature from the College of Arts and Sciences. He is graduating summa cum laude with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.

Photo: SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe.

Engineering Students from South Korea Visit SIUE

Eight students and one professor from Tongmyong University in South Korea recently visited the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering as part of an exchange agreement.

The South Korean visitors were at SIUE from Dec. 1-3. Their visit was a result of SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe signing a memorandum of understanding in June with Tongmyong University in Busan, South Korea.

The agreement set up a dual diploma program with Tongmyong, which allows for select Korean students to transfer to SIUE and complete their junior and senior years. Upon graduation, the students will receive their respective diplomas from both Tongmyong University and SIUE.

On Dec. 2, the Koreans visited SIUE’s Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) and were briefed on how the Center provides training for students in the operation, maintenance and management of drinking water and wastewater treatment systems.

“The ERTC staff was very pleased to provide the students with a tour of our one-of-a-kind training center,” said Paul Shetley, ERTC director. “When we host students from other countries, we are reminded that the need for clean, reliable water is universal.”

The students also expressed interest and appreciation of the work being done at ERTC, according to Dr. Jeonghoon Song, professor at Tongmyong – who accompanied the eight students.

Students who visited SIUE included: Minil Kim, Hyoseong Kang, Siheon Kim, Gyeong Duek Son, Geon Yeong Noh, Hyun Doug Yang, Dae Seok Lee and Ho Seong Kang.

Photos:

Paul Shetley (right), director of SIUE’s Environmental Resources Training Center, talks to South Korean visitors.

Paul Shetley gives a demonstration at the ERTC to South Korean visitors.

SIUE Engineering Faculty Receive Best Paper Awards

Two faculty members from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) received international recognition recently for their outstanding research publications.

Dr. Fengxia Wang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was selected as the winner of the Best Presentation award at the 2014 International Conference on Motion and Vibration Control (MoViC2014).

Dr. Mark McKenney, assistant professor of computer sciences, was awarded the prize for Best Paper at the ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on GeoStreaming.

Dr. Fengxia Wang 

The 12th annual International Conference on Motion and Vibration Control (MoViC2014) was held on August 3 at the Sapporo Convention Center in Hokkaido, Japan. Over 800 papers and presentations were submitted for the event, with Dr. Wang’s presentation being selected as the winner.

“It is a great pleasure for me to attend the MoViC2014 conference,” said Wang. “With this award, I hope to enhance my researching abilities and continue building my reputation as a researching specialist.”

The MoViC conference is held only once every two years, making Wang’s prize-winning presentation “A piezoelectric laminated curved THUNDER model for energy harvesting” a notorious international accomplishment. The goal of MoViC is to stimulate contacts between scientists active in the area of Motion and Vibration Control and engineers of virtually every field. By holding this symposium, MoViC creates an environment where researchers from around the world can discuss recent progress in the fields of motion and vibration control, as well as their applications to current industrial, economical and environmental issues. As a result, MoViC hopes that the conference will encourage researchers to form international cooperative research projects.

“Dr. Wang works very hard and rightfully deserves the utmost congratulations for her research achievements,” explained Dr. Hasan Sevim, dean and professor in the SIUE SOE. “Her excellent work further speaks to SIUE’s dedication to providing quality educational experiences for both students and faculty alike.”

Dr. Mark McKenney 

On November 4, hundreds of researchers from both industry and academia gathered in Dallas, Texas to celebrate the annual ACM SIGSPATIAL Conference, which hosted the International Workshop on GeoStreaming (IWGS). The primary purpose of the event is for researchers and industry representatives to share their most current advances in research in the field of spatial databases. This year, a Best Paper award at IWGS was accepted by Dr. Mark McKenney.

Dr. McKenney was assisted in his research by SIUE SOE students Roger Frye, Zachary Benchley and Logan Maughan. As a result, the group was awarded first-prize for their publication “Temporal Coverage Aggregates Over Moving Region Streams.”

The International Workshop on GeoStreaming is hosted in order for researchers to gather and discuss the lessons they have learned over the years, to demonstrate what they have achieved so far and to plan for the future of “GeoStreaming.” The goal of this event is to create awareness of GeoStreaming and further the understanding in both stream processing and geographic information systems.

“This award is recognition of the excellent work that SIUE students are capable of, both at the graduate and undergraduate level,” said McKenney. “SIUE and the School of Engineering continue to attract highly qualified students who are able to push forward the limits of research in a meaningful way, and this award shows that the work of these students is recognized as outstanding by scientists at an international event. Hopefully, we will be able to see more student publications come out of this work.”

The “Temporal Coverage Aggregates Over Moving Region Streams” award-winning paper can be found at Mark McKenney.

SIUE Opens Multicultural Center

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe and Associate Chancellor Venessa Brown dedicated the new Multicultural Center in the Morris University Center with a ribbon cutting Thursday, Nov. 20.  Watch the video.

“Today, we celebrate a key component of our University Diversity Plan and the opening of a Center that speaks to our values of citizenship and inclusion,” Furst-Bowe said. “Diversity is an integral component of our commitment toward achieving domestic and international peace, social justice, and the development of full human potential.”

“The Center will be available to students, faculty and staff to increase cultural awareness and provide resources for increasing inclusion and collaboration between the many cultures that make up the SIUE community,” said Brown, who represented Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

Lakesha Butler, associate professor in SIUE School of Pharmacy, spoke for the University Diversity Council and quoted Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change in the world that you want to see.”

SIUE Student Government President Nasir Almasri also spoke and thanked everyone connected to bringing the Multicultural Center concept to fruition.

The Multicultural Center will also provide a home for a variety of cultural organizations such as Safe Zone, Black Girls Rock, and the Hispanic Student Association, among others.

Projected hours of operation will be 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with after-hours scheduled for group meetings by appointment. The Multicultural Center is located in room 2060 in the MUC.

SIUE School of Engineering Open House Featured in Alton Telegraph

Last weekend’s SIUE School of Engineering Open House was featured in a story in The Alton Telegraph posted Sunday, Nov. 16. Read Joey Wagner’s story here. The School hosted more than 600 people in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom before conducting tours in the Engineering Building.

SIUE Engineering Alum Michael Busch Receives APWA Regional Honor

The Missouri Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has named Michael Busch as the winner of the 2014 Professional Engineer of the Year. The ‘98 graduate of the SIUE School of Engineering received the award at the annual fall board meeting.

Busch, a professional traffic operations engineer, has been in the public works engineering industry for 16 years and been a member of APWA since 2006. Next year, he will serve as the president of the St. Louis APWA chapter.

The Professional Engineer of the Year award is granted to engineers who display outstanding leadership and management in their respective fields. By presenting this award, the APWA hopes to inspire excellence and dedication in all sectors of public works, while also recognizing outstanding career achievements that are attained by award finalists.

Together, the APWA and members of the organization work toward creating a higher, more sustainable quality of life.

Busch, a licensed professional engineer, currently serves as a project manager for Oates Associates. His responsibilities include designing and managing various transportation projects, with project size being anywhere between community streets and interstate highway development.

SIUE’s Chris Gordon and CLI Featured in the Alton Daily News

SIUE’s Construction Leadership Institute was highlighted Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Alton Daily News and WBGZ Radio. Listen to Chris Gordon, co-director of the CLI and chair of the Department of Construction in SIUE’s School of Engineering, discuss the need for highly skilled individuals in the construction industry. WBGZ radio personality Doug Jenkins posted the story.

No Gas Required: This Car Runs on Sun

No gas required. As long as your vehicle is out in the sun, you will be ready to go. This may seem like something out of a science fiction book, but for members of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville solar car team, it is reality.

Christopher James Maske, the team’s director of development, is a junior majoring in engineering. Although cost and vehicle designs present challenges, Maske thinks solar cars are coming.

“We should see more production of solar cars in the not too distant future,” Maske says. “We just need to work on the cost and design issues.”

A solar car is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy. In short, solar energy is converted into electric energy with the use of photovoltaic cells in a solar panel, and here is where the magic happens, but that magic does not come cheaply.

The term solar car indicates that solar energy is used in some, if not all, of a vehicle’s propulsion. There aren’t more cars being manufactured and shipped, because it isn’t an easy or cheap task to achieve. The photovoltaic cells, which convert the sun’s energy into electric energy, are expensive, and the solar panel is also constrained by a vehicle’s size.

Maske has been exposed to copious different parts that make up a solar car. He says the SIUE team knows how to take care of each part to avoid costly mistakes.

“The batteries are made up of lithium iron phosphate, and are extremely efficient and lightweight,” Maske said. “However, they are very volatile, and if you don’t have a battery management system, you run the risk of burning up your car.” Maske said this happened to another team at last year’s solar car competition in Austin, Texas.

On the other hand, the SIUE solar car team hasn’t had a problem with this. This is something Maske says can’t be overlooked. In short, all the intricacies of developing this vehicle fall under attention to the finest detail. Last year, SIUE tied with MIT ranking 13th out of 23 in the competition. The next competition is scheduled for July 2015.

The SIUE solar racing team’s purpose is to not only design and race solar cars competitively, but also want to expand everyone’s knowledge on alternative energy sources, particularly solar power.

“When I apply for a job, being a part of this club will be on my resume and will help when I am in a situation where I can apply what I’ve learned,” Maske said.

For many, it may look like the SIUE solar racing team is living in the future, but to the team, that future is now.

SIUE Seeks Nominations for CLI Alumni Leadership Award

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Advisory Board is now soliciting nominations for the 2015 Construction Leadership Institute Alumni Leadership. The award will recognize an outstanding graduate of the CLI program and honor the individual’s exceptional contributions to the building community through their leadership, character and hard work.

“We have a wide variety of CLI program alumni now serving in leadership roles for St. Louis area contractors, suppliers, professional services firms, major facility owners and industry affiliated organizations,” said Dr. Chris Gordon, CLI co-director and chair of the Department of Construction in SIUE’s School of Engineering. “We annually spotlight the positive impact CLI graduates have on the local building industry and their community.”

To be eligible for the annual award, a CLI graduate must have demonstrated exceptional professional accomplishments and community/public service. Members of the St. Louis and Southern Illinois area building communities and the public are invited to nominate a graduate for the award by visiting the CLI website.

Nominations can be made using a convenient online form that takes just moments to complete. A list of CLI graduates is also available on the website siue.edu/business/cli/

Presently in its third year, the CLI Alumni Leadership Award was first awarded in 2013 to Frederic J. McCall, vice president of BSI Constructors. The 2014 recipient was Steven Cronin, vice president of Tarlton Corporation.

Nominations must be received by Monday, Dec., 1, to be considered for the 2015 CLI Leadership Award.

Photo: 2014 CLI Aumni Leadership Award winner Steven Cronin, vice president of Tarlton Corporation..

SIUE Excels in Student Satisfaction Survey

In a student satisfaction inventory (SSI) during spring 2014 coordinated by higher education consultant Noel-Levitz, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville scored significantly higher as compared to comparison groups and is performing well for its students.

“SIUE undergraduate students are happy in statistically significant terms against our peer set,” said Narbeth Emmanuel, vice chancellor for student affairs. “The information is highly valuable to us as we annually seek to improve our student services.

“It also speaks highly to the effectiveness of our institutional commitment to student success, and all the faculty and staff dedicated to providing an exceptional academic experience.”

SIUE held a statistically significant edge over its comparison groups in the following areas:

• Institutional effectiveness – assesses the students’ academic experience, the curriculum and the campus’ overriding commitment to academic excellence
• Safety and security – assesses SIUE’s responsiveness to students’ personal safety and security
• Recruitment and financial aid – assesses SIUEs ability to enroll students in an effective manner
• Registration effectiveness – assesses issues associated with registration and billing
• Concern for the individual – assesses SIUE’s commitment to treating each student as an individual
• Student centeredness – assesses SIUE’s efforts to convey to students that they are important to the institution
• Campus climate – assesses the extent to which SIUE provides experiences that promote a sense of campus pride and feelings of belonging
• Service excellence – assesses the perceived attitude of staff, especially front line staff toward students
• Campus support services – assesses the quality of support programs and services which students utilize to make their educational experiences more meaningful and productive
• Campus life – assesses the effectiveness of student life programs covering issues ranging from athletics to residence life
• Responsiveness to diverse populations – assesses commitment to specific groups of students

Noel-Levitz surveyed more than 1,700 SIUE undergrads last spring. Each student answered approximately 100 questions.

In its summary, Noel-Levitz reported that the survey was “overwhelmingly positive,” and that SIUE “out-performed all comparison groups.”

Noel-Levitz stated, “SIUE has out-performed on nearly all measures to a statistically significant extent in comparison to other groups. Overall, SIUE students have a more positive perception of SIUE than other university’s students have of their own university. There is definitely room for improvement, but in terms of comparison, SIUE is performing well in the eyes of its students.”

SIUE Engineering Students Runner-up at National Student Competition

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering students traveled to Downer’s Grove October 15-18 to participate in the annual Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 3 Student Competition.

The SIUE Preconstruction Team placed second out of 11 teams. Team members included: Zach Carlson, Zach Coon, George Justice, Chad Kolmer, Mason Musick and Chrissy Raffety.

The objective of the competition was to expose student competitors to realistic construction contract acquisition tasks. A variety of knowledge was necessary in order to complete the competition.

Contestants performed tasks necessary to develop several different preconstruction proposals, including an executive summary, organizational chart, project schedule, logistics plan, budget and safety analysis. Those skills were applied through the analysis of problems that were focused toward a commercial construction project. After developing the various construction plans, teams orally presented their proposals to a panel of judges and interviewed with their respective companies.

“It’s great real world experience,” said Mason Musick, a senior from Lincoln. “It really showed how much we learn in class.”

Teams ranged from California Polytechnic State University to Ohio State and many in between. The University of Southern California (USC) won the event.

The preconstruction team agreed that the ASC Region 3 competition was important not only for gaining relevant work experience, but also for networking with contractors from around the country.

“We like to get hands on experience outside of the classroom – which is really what our future employers are seeking,” said Zach Carlson, a senior from Quincy. “There are more than 20 sponsors at the Region 3 construction event, so participants are able to network with businesses in a way that could not be achieved in any other setting.”

When asked about his thoughts on the preconstruction team’s performance, Professor Mark Grinter was extremely pleased. “It’s important for our students to get involved in competitions,” he said. “It allows students to obtain hands-on experiences in their future career work, while becoming part of a functional and effective team.”

SIUE Reaches 2+2 Agreement with Shenyang Aerospace University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe signed a letter of affirmation with China’s Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU) on Tuesday, Oct. 28.  The two institutions signed an earlier agreement in China to collaborate in faculty and student exchanges as well as 2+2 programs for SAU students in the areas of mechanical engineering, computer science and electrical engineering.

In these programs, students will study the first two years at Aerospace University and the next two at SIUE, receiving bachelor’s degrees from both institutions.

SAU will seek to recruit students for the 2+2 program. Students will begin their studies at SlUE at the earliest suitable date.

“Under Dean Hasan Sevim’s leadership, the School of Engineering has been a leader in developing these types of partnerships for SIUE,” said Furst-Bowe. “These collaborative international relationships are a significant growth area for SIUE, and we are positioned quite well to capitalize on these opportunities.”

SAU and SlUE will also seek to initiate SIUE faculty led student exchange programs. The programs most likely will take place during July and August for one to four weeks.

“Our agreement with Shenyang Aerospace University is yet another example of our commitment to the internationalization of this campus,” said Parviz Ansari, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This agreement provides a new opportunity for students and holds the promise of new scholarly collaborations for the faculty members. We fully anticipate our partnership with SAU growing even stronger in the future.”

To further opportunities for collaboration, SAU and SlUE will encourage their faculty to undertake a sabbatical term at the partner institution

“These collaborative programs in mechanical and electrical engineering are emblematic of the partnerships being developed with universities worldwide,” said Hasan Sevim, dean of the SIUE School of Engineering.

Currently, the School of Engineering has a partnership with Istanbul (Turkey) Technical University in industrial engineering and another with Tongmyong University (South Korea) in mechanical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering and industrial engineering.

Photo:  Front row: SAU Vice President Qi Wang and SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe. Second row: Cem Karacal, SAU School of Computer Science Dean Xiangbin Shi, SAU School of Electronics and Information Engineering Dean Yufeng Li, SIUE Provost Paviz Ansari, SIUE School of Engineering Dean Hasan Sevim and Keqin Gu. Back row: SAU School of Aerospace Engineering DeputyDean Weng Zeng, Ron Schaefer, and Albert Luo.

SIUE’s Shaw and Noble Receive Patent for Digital Potentiostat Circuit and System

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Mike Shaw and Brad Noble have received a patent (U.S. Patent Serial No. 13/371,230 issued as patent no. 8845870) for their Digital Potentiostat Circuit and System.

Shaw is a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. Noble is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in the School of Engineering.

“We designed a ‘no frills’ electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methodology for teaching environments,” Shaw said. “The circuit was designed to minimize cost, yet still deliver high quality data for a limited range of functions suitable for the teaching lab.”

The basic concepts that can be demonstrated with this device are relevant to studying batteries, fuel cells and solar cells.

Shaw and Noble believed that the scarcity of actual electrochemical practice at the freshman and sophomore undergraduate level was likely due to the expense to acquire reliable instrumentation. Potentiostats can range in cost from $6,000-$20,000 and more than 20 would be needed to run undergraduate laboratories.

“The design and patent is the first step,” Shaw said. “Our plan is to commercialize the units, so they can be broadly incorporated into educational settings.”

Their goal is to achieve broad dissemination of units through a commercial partner to reach more undergraduates, high school students and perhaps home-schooled students.

Shaw and Noble seriously began designing the potentiostat in 2009 and ran into a variety of hurdles.

“The design is exceedingly tricky because of the small currents which need to be measured, and the small voltages which must be precisely controlled,” Shaw stated. “The technology to accomplish these goals is conveniently available in off-the-shelf precision devices, but such components are exceedingly expensive.

“Dr. Noble engineered clever solutions to these problems by fully deconstructing the application to its basics and taking advantage of opportunities afforded by a significant redesign where cost-savings is a fundamental consideration.”

Photo: (Upper right) Mike Shaw, professor and chair of the SIUE Department of Chemistry. (Left) Brad Noble, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.

SIUE Introduces Bachelor’s in Integrative Studies

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is introducing a bachelor’s in integrative studies that will be available for the fall 2015 semester. The Illinois Board of Higher Education approved the program earlier this month.

“This flexible, but rigorous interdisciplinary program is geared towards students who have diverse academic interests that span across disciplines and would like to blend these interests into one cohesive program,” said Parviz Ansari, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “The program offers students an avenue for embracing their individuality by designing a unique bachelor’s degree that will help them achieve both personal and career goals.”

Students, in consultation with a professional advisor and faculty mentors, can design their own plan of study to pursue their career goals and graduate in a timely manner. Students will work with faculty who are knowledgeable about the benefits of interdisciplinary education and how to leverage that for employment in professional careers.

“A student who is interested in merging interests in the health sciences, management and information technology will be able to design a program of study that incorporates those interests,” said Zenia Agustin, director of general education and chair of the task force that developed the program. “In addition, students have the flexibility to integrate past course work with present personal and professional goals.”

The new program may also appeal to individuals who are already in the work force and are seeking advancement opportunities afforded by a bachelor’s degree. The program allows credit for prior learning up to a maximum of six credit hours.

Students who complete a degree in integrative studies can lead to a multitude of avenues for connecting course work with career goals. Individuals who may want to start a business, pursue careers in sales, management, nonprofit, social service or technological fields, continue on to a graduate degree or pursue a professional certification can benefit from an integrative studies degree.

“At this time of extremely rapid changes in society and in the development of technology, the integrative studies degree can equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of emerging professions,” Ansari added.

Courses for the new program will be offered in a variety of formats: traditional face-to-face, blended traditional classroom experience combined with an online component, or completely online.

The integrative studies program requires the completion of at least two focus areas where each focus area involves approximately 18-21 credit hours. These focus areas will be reflected on a student’s transcript resulting in more information about the academic fields that the student pursued. A student who pursued mathematics and psychology as focus areas can be distinguished from somebody who pursued biology and management.

For more information, contact Zenia Agustin at zagusti@siue.edu.

SIUE Introduces Online Winter Session

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville offers new winter session courses beginning Dec. 15. The four-week courses are taught entirely online to provide accessibility for students during winter break. A list of courses is available at siue.edu/wintersession.

“Winter session can help students reduce the total time to earn a degree, especially when combined with summer session as part of a comprehensive academic plan,” said Dr. Parviz Ansari, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We will assess students’ interest in the winter session, and we plan to expand course offerings in future years to meet student demand.”

SIUE provides financial incentive for students interested in winter session. Students, who enroll and complete winter courses, will be eligible to waive the $50 per credit off-campus fee. They may also be awarded up to $150 in scholarship to use toward the winter session. The total savings equals $300 for a three-credit course taken during winter session.

SIUE developed a limited number of courses offered in an accelerated four-week period with both undergraduate and graduate courses available. Students can expect to dedicate approximately four hours to their coursework each day.

The online format provides flexibility for students as they work through course material and submit assignments. Students can complete their class from any location with reliable Internet access and a computer that meets SIUE Information Technology Services requirements.

Students can schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to plan winter session courses. Online class registration for winter session will be concurrent with spring 2015 registration.

To learn more about winter session at SIUE, siue.edu/wintersession or contact Tyann Cherry at tycherr@siue.edu or 618-650-2663.

School of Engineering Alum Inducted into SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame

SIUE Inducts Seven to Alumni Hall of Fame

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville honored seven remarkable graduates at the 2014 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 3 in the Morris University Center. These alumni have achieved exploits in their respective fields, are role models and are testament to SIUE’s educational excellence.

The 2014 honorees listed by their college/school:

School of Engineering:  Vicki LaRose, PE, BS Civil Engineering ‘90  

Vicki LaRose began her professional career as a project manager with Sverdrup Corp. (now Jacobs Engineering) in St. Louis. In 1996, she founded Civil Design Inc., which provides responsive, quality-driven civil engineering services. She currently serves as the company’s president.

“I’m from a small town in Wisconsin and back then, my world was quite small,” LaRose explained. “SIUE opened my world to a much bigger place and was the foundation to get me started. Today, I have 30 employees, including 10 SIUE alumni with whom I work every day. I’m very proud that SIUE has given us that foundation to be able to grow, reach new communities and make people’s lives better.”

A registered professional engineer in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky, LaRose serves the SIUE School of Engineering through her role on the School’s Advisory Council.

School of Business:  John Oeltjen, BS Business Administration/General Accounting ‘75

Oeltjen is highly respected with a professional career that spans 30 years. He currently serves as a shareholder and director of Risk Advisory Services with Mueller Prost PC in St. Louis.

“I am humbled when I look at both this year’s recipients and prior recipients,” he said. “It has caused me to feel extremely nostalgic and think about the many great times I’ve had at SIUE and the many friends that I’ve made.”

Oeltjen is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of CPAs. He is an active participant in numerous professional, civic and charitable organizations, including the SIUE Foundation, having served as board president and chair of the audit committee.

College of Arts & Sciences: Congressman William Enyart, BA Mass Communications/Gov’t ‘74

“I graduated from SIUE 40 years ago,” Enyart noted. “To be coming back to my alma mater 40 years later to receive this honor is truly marvelous. I certainly didn’t think that back when I graduated in August 1974 that I would become a major general, get elected to Congress and that I’d be coming back to be inducted into the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.”

Enyart is a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a member of the Illinois National Guard. In 2000, he earned a master’s in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. He was named the adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard and oversaw the largest oversea deployment of Illinois National Guard troops since World War Two. After retiring in 2012, he ran a successful campaign for the Illinois 12th Congressional District Seat.

Deborah Slagle, BS Biology ‘89

“SIUE has always had a fantastic science program,” Slagle said. “When I was looking for a school that provided a solid education around the sciences, SIUE truly stood out and was a great value, as well. The curriculum was fantastic. The professors were phenomenal, and I’m still in touch with many of my professors. SIUE prepared me well for a career in industry and in the sciences.”

Slagle joined Sigma Aldrich as an analytical laboratory technician prior to graduating from SIUE. Over the next 25 years, she moved up the ranks of the corporation, serving in roles ranging from technical recruiter, director of process improvement, director of operations and new product transfer. She is currently vice president of North American Operations.

School of Dental Medicine:  Dr. Luanne McClean, DMD ‘80

McClean maintains a private dental practice in Quincy. She is an active participant in all levels of organized dentistry.

“Being inducted into the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame is the biggest honor of my career,” McClean declared. “I absolutely believe that dentistry and the School of Medicine have given me more than what I have given back to the profession, even though I have been involved in many areas, particularly access to care. I loved my education in the School of Dental Medicine. The faculty really wanted to see us to succeed. They were there for our benefit.”

McClean is currently the immediate past president of the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS), president of the T.L. Gilmer Dental Society, and a delegate and an alternate to the ISDS House of Delegates. She is also the past president of the American Academy of General Dentistry and the Illinois Academy of General Dentistry, a fellow in the International Academy of Dentists, and an alternate delegate to the Academy’s House of Delegate

School of Education, Health and Human Behavior:  Dr. Mary Kay Armour, EdD Instructional Process ‘87, MSEd Elementary Education ‘75

Armour’s career spans teaching elementary school in Illinois as an adjunct professor teaching law enforcement topics at Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland. She currently serves as a supervisory instructional system specialist in the Academic Process Branch with the Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Secret Service.

“This honor reinforces the quality of education I received at SIUE,” Armour stated. “It is a tribute to my professors. I’ve used these skills throughout my career in the airline industry, computer industry, law enforcement industry and in public education. SIUE is a quality university and a great asset to the surrounding community.”

School of Nursing: Barbara Wagner, BSN ‘66

Wagner was a member of the SIUE School of Nursing’s first graduating class. She devoted her career to providing outstanding health care to the residents of the Red Bud area.

“I was one of a very small class, the first class of nurses to graduate from SIUE,” Wagner said. “Our group of students had no clue what the nursing profession would lead us to and the opportunities we would enjoy. Nursing has changed and grown, and the School of Nursing has grown in both quantity and quality. I have the pleasure and honor now of serving the School on the Alumni Advisory Board.”

Wagner served as vice president of patient care services at St. Clement Health Service and Red Bud Regional Hospital. She was named the chief nurse officer at Red Bud Regional Hospital, a position she held until her retirement. She has been a dedicated supporter of the SIUE School of Nursing, serving as a long-standing member of the School’s Advisory Council. She currently serves as president of the Council.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000.

Siemens Donates Hardware and Software to SIUE School of Engineering

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering received $10,000 worth of donated materials through the Siemens Cooperates with Education (SCE) Program. The donation includes 12 sets of SIMATIC S7-1214C programmable logic controllers (PLC), STEP Basic V13 software packages,  KTP700 7” color HMI operator panels, compact switches, ethernet cables, simulator modules, cables and peripherals.

PLC, a type of industrial digital computer, is the key resource used for automation of typical industrial electromechanical processes. It is used for almost every automation device from household appliances to NASA space mission simulators.

“We truly appreciate this donation from Siemens, because we can now teach students with the most advanced automation devices, which will significantly promote SIUE students’ competitiveness,” said Dr. Sohyung Cho, associate professor of industrial and mechanical engineering. “Graduate students and faculty can also use these resources for their own research.”

Siemens industrial manufacturing software, process automation, and automation and drives technology increases flexibility, cuts market launch lead time, and significantly reduces energy or wastewater costs for manufacturing companies. The result is increased sustainability for customers, while driving competitive strengths.

Siemens has a long-standing tradition of close ties between industry and education. SEC is the organization’s customized offering for public education research, development and training centers worldwide.

Photo:  Dr. Sohyung Cho, associate professor of industrial and mechanical engineering in the SIUE School of Engineering.

SIUE’s ERTC is Finalist for the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) is a finalist for the 2014 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award. The winner will be announced Thursday, October 23, at the Chicago Hyatt Regency. Industry partners, local media and local government leaders are invited to attend the award ceremony in honor of the ERTC.

“The staff and I are proud to have ERTC recognized by the Governor’s office,” said Paul Shetley, ERTC director. “ERTC has a 35-year history of training water treatment operators in the protection and re-use of water, which is essential to the health of the residents of our communities and sustainability of our natural ecosystems.”

The Governor’s Award is given to companies and organizations that implement techniques or technologies that reduce or eliminate pollutants, toxicity and other environmental impacts, including the amount of and/or toxicity of pollutants that would have otherwise been released into the environment.

Sustainability includes processes such as raw material and solvent substitution, preventive maintenance programs, beneficial reuse of by-products, waste reduction and recycling, employee engagement efforts and comprehensive environmental management systems or governing policies.

ERTC was designated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) as the Illinois center for the continuing education of personnel involved in the operation, maintenance and management of drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. Additionally the ERTC is designated to train Illinois licensed plumbers and Illinois certified water operators to become IEPA certified cross-connection control device inspectors.

SIUE and USTRANSCOM Extend STEM Education Partnership

U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville have refreshed their initial partnership to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for the local 10-county Illinois region.

The organizations signed a second three-year Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) in July 2014, which enables USTRANSCOM, other military organizations at Scott AFB and SIUE to mutually benefit from the partnership.

Through the EPA, the partners support STEM activities through volunteers, donation of STEM-focused equipment and collaboration. The SIUE STEM Resource Center has received items from the base including computers and laboratory equipment, which are now available for local K-12 schools to use in technically focused classes.

“The Scott AFB STEM program engages in a wide variety of activities to encourage our youth to be excited about STEM and consider careers in those disciplines,” said Dr. Donald Erbschloe, chief scientist of Air Mobility Command and leader of the Scott AFB STEM program. “STEM activities introduce children in their early school years to technical fields that are also interesting, and sustain and encourage their interest through high school and beyond.”

“The partnership with Scott AFB, through US Transportation Command and the leadership of Dr. Erbschloe, remains a successful collaboration for delivering STEM knowledge and experiences throughout southwest Illinois,” said Dr. Jerry Weinberg, SIUE associate provost for research, dean of the Graduate School. “We welcome the next three-year partnership as a way to build upon our first successes in providing STEM equipment and activities for our local population.”

“USTRANSCOM’s donations of STEM equipment have significantly increased the number of students participating in hands-on STEM activities in the region,” said Dr. Sharon Locke, director of the SIUE STEM Center. “The donation of 12 robotics kits enabled us to support engineering instruction for 400 elementary and middle school students during summer 2014 alone. Because the kits are available for loan to any educator in the region, including local community groups, the impact is multiplied over many years.

“We estimate that more than 4,000 students have used USTRANSCOM-donated equipment during the past three years of the partnership. Additionally, 5,000 educators have searched the STEM Center’s online inventory developed with resources from USTRANSCOM. Through the online system, educators are able to browse our collection of STEM materials and find items to borrow at no cost to support their classroom and out-of-school instruction.

“The Resource Center helps individual teachers at all levels as well as scout groups, home-school parents, and other youth leaders by giving them the tools they need to teach STEM in a fun and engaging manner. The USTRANSCOM-SIUE partnership has greatly expanded our reach into rural and urban communities.”

“Providing equipment via SIUE to the area is just one area of cooperation for the base’s STEM program,” Erbschloe added. “We also work with organizations such as the Illinois Math and Science Academy, FIRST Robotics and directly with local schools to provide mentors, volunteers and encouragement for our youth to consider STEM as a lifelong interest and as a career.

“A robust population of technically-proficient young citizens is important to not only the future Department of Defense (DOD) but to our entire economy. The DOD itself recognized this importance several years ago and created the National Defense Education Program (NDEP), which provides resources across the nation, focused on areas near military installations.  Scott AFB has a wealth of experts in the STEM professions and is especially well-positioned to work with our neighboring educational partners and students.”

“The STEM program is truly an investment in our future,” Scott AFB’s 375^th Air Mobility Wing Schools Liaison Officer Dr. Cindy Doil said.  “Schooling, either in our formal institutions or in the home, shapes the interests and lifetime activities of our youth. Exposing them to the excitement and reward of STEM at the right time and encouraging our young people to go after careers in these areas is beneficial to society and to the individual as well.

“Scott AFB has teamed up to promote STEM in many ways, including through SIUE. We will continue to seek opportunities to help our region. Examples of these collaborations are summer camps which teach youth how to build hovercraft and understand the science behind their operation, the science behind games, science in the health fields and robotics.”

For more information and opportunities to work with Scott AFB and SIUE on STEM activities, contact Air Mobility Command Public Affairs at (618) 229-7843.

Photo: Jerry Weinberg, SIUE associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School.

2014 SIUE Graduate School Fair Has Options to Advance Your Career

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosts its annual Graduate School Fair October 23. Prospective graduate students can receive information about graduate programs, graduate admission requirements, graduate student services and financing a graduate education, including graduate assistantships and competitive graduate awards.

The Council of Graduate Schools notes: “Master’s degrees are key for future employment and career advancement. Employment in occupations that typically require a master’s degree for entry will increase by 22 percent between 2010 and 2020, much greater than the 14 percent increase expected for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”  

There will be two chances to meet with faculty and staff members: from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 in the Morris University Center Goshen Lounge.

Representatives from each of the graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, Schools of Nursing, Business, Engineering, and Education, Health and Human Behavior will be available to speak with prospective students.

In addition, representatives from the Graduate School, Graduate Admissions, Financial Aid and Testing Services will be present to talk about topics such as flexible options, funding and the track to graduation.

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

Weinberg noted the University offers more than 500 graduate assistantships that include tuition waivers. Each assistantship provides the chance for students to conduct research or gain practical work experience. SIUE also awards competitive graduate scholarships.

“SIUE is an active research community, where faculty members obtain funded grants from major agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the National Endowment for Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts and many other prestigious agencies,” said Weinberg.

Master’s level graduate students from the regional states of Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Wisconsin will pay the same tuition rate as those students from Illinois.

As an incentive for prospective students, the graduate school application fee is being waived to participants who apply at the fair. This is a $30.00 value.

Free parking will be available in Lot B, which is next to the Morris University Center.

For more information or to pre- register, visit the graduate fair registration page through the SIUE Office of Admissions. Interested students may also call (618) 650-2741 or email graduateadmissions@siue.edu.

Photo: Shelly Robinson, program coordinator for Graduate Studies and Research at SIUE, visits with a prospective graduate school student.

Popular Construction Leadership Institute 2015 Registration Opens

Success in the highly competitive building industry requires exceptional leadership, management and communication skills. The innovative Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) has packaged those skills into a convenient, accelerated, nine-week program. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville announced today that it is now accepting registrations for the 2015 session of this highly popular program.

Over the course of its history, CLI has seen many of its more than 230 graduates advance to prominent positions across the building industry.

“Professionals, who have participated in our program, now serve in leadership roles for several St. Louis area building contractors, facility owners and professional services firms,” said Chris Gordon, co-director of the CLI, and associated dean in SIUE’s School of Engineering and chair of the Department of Construction.

The 2015 CLI will convene on nine-consecutive Fridays from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning Jan. 16 through March 13 on the SIUE campus. CLI is a joint program of the SIUE School of Business and the School of Engineering’s Department of Construction.

The curriculum is designed to develop and hone leadership as well as effective communications skills.  Other segments focus on crucial professional skills such as strategic thinking, networking, negotiation, finance, construction contracts, insurance and bonding, risk management and conflict management. The instructional team includes building industry professionals and subject matter experts.

Attendees will also discover emerging methods of delivery such as lean construction and integrated project delivery, and become attuned to legislative issues impacting the industry. The final session of the program features a panel of building industry leaders sharing their strategies for success.

“This program provides skills and experiences necessary for that emerging leader in the industry,” said Kristine Jarden, co-director of the CLI and director of Executive Education in SIUE’s School of Business.

Early registration is available through Nov. 14, at a cost of $2,950. After Nov. 15, registration is $3,150 per person. A $200 discount per person is given for multiple company registrations.

To register, call Kristine Jarden at 618-650-2668 or visit siue.edu/cli/.

U.S. News Tabs SIUE Among Top Midwest Regional Universities For 11th Consecutive Year

U.S. News & World Report ranks Southern Illinois University Edwardsville among the best Regional Universities Midwest for the 11th consecutive year and among the top 15 public universities in that category. The listing is in the magazine’s “Best Colleges of 2015” issue that was released today.

SIUE remained in the top 50 of the Regional Universities Midwest category at 47 in this year’s rankings. SIUE is 11th overall among public universities in that category. The U.S. News overall scores are based on the reputation of SIUE in higher education, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

“SIUE’s hallmark is providing affordable academic excellence and producing exceptional leaders for our community and region,” said SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe. “Our distinguished faculty and talented staff provide the type of individualized attention and unique experiences that prepare SIUE students for career success.”

SIUE’s steady growth during the past decade has continued with a record freshman class for Fall 2014 along with record total enrollments for the Schools of Engineering, Nursing and Pharmacy. Meanwhile, undergraduate programs in the Schools of Business, Engineering, Nursing, and Education, Health and Human Behavior are enjoying enrollment increases.

Regional universities are considered to have a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs, but few doctoral programs. The 620 universities in this category are ranked against their peer group in one of four geo­graphic regions (North, South, Midwest and West), because they tend to draw students most heavily from surrounding states.

SIUE is also included among the 2015 “Up and Comers” among Midwest regional universities. College administrators were surveyed last spring to nominate institutions that they believe have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities. SIUE is among a group that includes Truman State University (Mo.), Valparaiso University (Ind.) and Butler University (Ind.).

The latest U.S. News rankings come on the heels of last month’s recognition by Washington Monthly that ranks SIUE among the top 40 master’s universities in the nation and No. 1 among all institutions in Illinois.

SIUE Engineering’s McKenney Selected as CyberGIS Fellow

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Dr. Mark McKenney, associate professor of computer science in the School of Engineering, was selected as one of 17 new CyberGIS Fellows to promote cyberGIS (geographic information science and systems) education.

The National Science Foundation-supported CyberGIS Project has selected 13 projects led by 17 researchers across the United States for funding through its CyberGIS Fellows program.

McKenney’s project will develop flexible education modules that cover key foundational concepts of cyberGIS. These modules can be used together as an extended module in a single course, or broken into smaller stand-alone modules that compliment concepts in traditional computing courses. The result is that the modules may be integrated into existing curricula in an effort to expose students to cyberGIS fundamentals or used together as an intensive foundation for cyberGIS.

The modules will use free and open-source software, freely available data and can be run on standard desktop computers, allowing the use of the modules in a wide range of settings.

“This is outstanding recognition of Dr. McKenney’s efforts in teaching excellence,” said Hasan Sevim, dean of the SIUE School of Engineering. “He will work with a select group of educators like himself in one of the most trendy areas of computer science and will bring back the most current knowledge in the field to pass it on to his students. This is a wonderful opportunity for Dr. McKenney and his students.”

CyberGIS Fellows will hold visiting appointments at the CyberGIS Center for Advanced Digital and Spatial Studies and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and will have opportunities to develop collaborations with these two interdisciplinary programs.

CyberGIS, based on advanced cyber infrastructure, has emerged during the past several years as a vibrant interdisciplinary field impacting a broad swath of scientific domains and research areas. With the field’s rapid development, most of the related curricula and education materials do not systematically teach concepts and principles underlying cyberGIS, or cover problem-solving skills involving cyberGIS. McKenney and other CyberGIS Fellows will address this gap.

Click here to read more.

Photo: Dr. Mark McKenney, SIUE associate professor of computer science.

SIUE Engineering Discusses International Cooperation with German Institution

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville welcomed professor Andrew Peterson from Fachhochschule Mainz – University of Applied Sciences located in Mainz, Germany on Thursday, Aug. 14, to discuss international cooperation with SIUE’s Department of Construction.

Peterson is the director of the international civil engineering study program at Fachhochschule Mainz. His arrival followed the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between Fachhochschule Mainz and SIUE that was signed in June to advance collaboration between the two institutions.

During his visit, Peterson met with faculty from the Department of Construction, as well as administrators from the School of Engineering and the School of Business.

“Our discussions helped us to understand the approach of each institution to international construction education,” said Dr. Chris Gordon, chair of the Department of Construction and associate dean in the School of Engineering. “With this understanding, we can develop learning experiences that enable students to explore the rewarding international opportunities in the construction industry.”

Photo:  Professor Andrew Peterson from Fachhochschule Mainz – University of Applied Sciences Mainz, Germany.

SIUE Hosts Illinois Regional College Fair Oct. 21

Prospective college students can learn more about the options available to them during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois Regional College Fair (IRCF) Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The fair runs from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom on campus.

Sponsored by the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) in conjunction with SIUE, the event will present high school and transfer students with the chance to learn about opportunities in higher education.

The fair gives prospective college students and their parents the ability to meet with college representatives from more than 90 in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities. Financial aid representatives will also be on hand to answer questions. In addition, local high school counselors will be present to provide assistance to any student looking for guidance on post-secondary options.

“On behalf of IACAC and SIUE, we truly appreciate the support of the counselors from local high schools and community colleges who are helping us provide this opportunity for students and families to explore numerous colleges and universities during one setting,” said Todd Burrell, SIUE director of admissions and former president of the IACAC.

Hundreds of students attend the fair each year to learn about academic programs, student life and other aspects of the college experience. Before the IRCF was initiated, college fairs were held several times throughout the year at various area high schools. The annual event on the SIUE campus serves to consolidate efforts and centralize higher education options for everyone involved in the process.

“The goal of the Illinois Regional College Fair is to give high school and transfer students from the local area and the Metro East the chance to speak with college representatives from institutions, not only from Illinois, but also from other states,” said Kelley Brooks, admissions coordinator from SIUE.

For more information, as well as a listing of participating colleges, visit siue.edu/ircf. No registration is required for the event.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000

SIUE Solar Car Takes Home Award at American Solar Challenge

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Solar Car Team placed 13th out of 20 total cars at the 2014 American Solar Challenge Formula Sun Grand Prix race during July in Austin, Texas.

The SIUE car, Black Nova, was judged on the number of laps and total time per lap. Overall, the team was awarded the Fastest Stop in the Dynamics Brake Test award. The award is based on braking time during the dynamic testing.

“We have made significant improvements from last year’s competition including upgrading the solar array and batteries,” said Dr. Andy Lozowski, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. “Our next tasks will be to upgrade the motor and the motor controller, and building the lower body for improved looks and aerodynamics.”

This year, universities from around the country came to compete, as well as teams from Canada, Puerto Rico and Iran. In comparison to the 20 other competing universities, SIUE had one of the fewest amount of total students enrolled in its institution.

The SIUE Solar Car Team’s goals are to design, build and race solar cars powered entirely by the sun’s energy. The team races competitively against other colleges from the U.S. and from around the world. The organized group enables students from all majors to learn about solar energy, apply hands on knowledge and create a unique project.

Photo: SIUE’s Amy Sunderlin, electrical and computer engineering, master’s candidate.

Effingham Daily News Features SIUE Students’ App

SIUE students Dalton Hinterscher and Shelby Flach are marketing a game app for Apple devices. Effingham Daily News writer Tony Huffman featured their Letter Rain – Get in the Game app in a story posted July 31. Read it here.

Record Five Female Graduates Highlight ERTC Commencement

The Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduated 24 students Thursday, July 31, from its one-year Water Quality Control Operations Program.

Included among the graduates were five women, the highest number of females ever enrolled in the program.  “It is good to see more females entering the field of water treatment, which is typically a male dominated profession,” said ERTC Director Paul Shetley. “It is an excellent career for anyone who wants to enter the workforce with good pay and benefits.”

The women graduates are Misty Grady of Mt. Vernon, Miranda Rawlings of Bethalto, Jessica Russell of Fairview Heights, Danielle Schaake of Edwardsville and Devin White of Collinsville.

The training center was conceived and constructed specifically to provide training in water treatment technology to produce certified drinking water and wastewater operators. The ERTC students learn from instructors who have many years of experience in the field and hold professional certifications and licenses.

The training center is one of the most unique facilities in the nation, and may be the only one of its kind.  “We are extremely proud to have this training center at SIUE,” Shetley said. “The center contains classrooms, laboratories, a library/computer center, and a one-of-a-kind 30,000 gallon per day training-scale drinking water and wastewater treatment plant.”

The educational philosophy at ERTC is based upon an adage attributed to Benjamin Franklin:  “Tell me, I forget. Teach me, I remember. Involve me, I learn.”

ERTC was built with the intention of involving the students in the operation of the training-scale treatment plants.  The instructors utilize the treatment plants daily in their teaching, as a way to make the students ready for the job market.  The instructors consider the plants to be one of the greatest training tools ever built.

“In the Midwest, we have an abundance of water, and we have a tendency to take for granted that it will always be there,” Shetley explained. “However without the water treatment operator, the quality of our water would be unacceptable.

“Our community’s drinking water professionals provide safe and reliable drinking water. Meanwhile the wastewater treatment plant operator provides sanitation and removal of pollutants to ensure that our natural waters are not fouled.”

Shetley said wastewater treatment plant operators also play an important role in the reduction of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus (plant food), from entering the nation’s waterways. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is in charge of protecting our nation’s waters, is placing lower limits on the release of nutrients from treatment plants, making the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus more important.

ERTC also teaches the concept of nutrient removal and other methods of advanced water treatment. Students from ERTC have the knowledge and skills to operate the modern treatment plants and reduce the level of nutrients entering rivers and streams.

The students in the graduating class of 2014 are predominantly from the metro-east area, with some students coming from Springfield, LaSalle, Chicago and Mt. Vernon. The students’ ages range from 19 to 50 years old.

“The younger students are looking for their first job, while the older students, who are usually displaced workers, are seeking new careers,” Shetley said. “The job market for the graduates appears to be gaining strength as the economy improves.”

ERTC is currently enrolling students for the program that begins again on Tuesday, August 19. In collaboration with Lewis and Clark Community College, students can also earn an Associate in Applied Science in Environmental Treatment Technology – Water Treatment. The AAS can be earned by completing one year at ERTC and one year at LCCC.

Photo: The Environmental Resources Training Center 2014 graduating class in the training center on the SIUE campus.

SIUE School of Engineering Alum Verheyen is ISPE Young Engineer of the Year

Oates Associates announced that SIUE School of Engineering alum Tim Verheyen (2007) was named the 2014 Young Engineer of the Year by the St. Clair Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE).

The award recognizes young members, who have made outstanding contributions to the engineering profession and their community. Verheyen assists with teaching engineering classes at SIUE. He has also led an SIUE Senior Design Group, an assignment that gives engineering students the opportunity to gain real experience by researching and designing a project in a professional setting. He also volunteers for the School’s annual open house. The event allows students to speak to engineering companies about their experience working in the profession.

A Beardstown native, Verheyen is a licensed professional engineer and LEED green associate with over seven years of site, athletic and roadway design experience. He currently provides site design services in association with the renovation of the historic Lincoln School, which will be the home to The Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities.

The ISPE represents over 2,500 engineers and has served their needs for over 125 years.

Oates Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm with offices in Collinsville, Belleville and St. Louis.

SIUE Engineering Students and Alums Assist with Community Service Project

SIUE School of Engineering students and alums played a significant role when the Associated General Contractor’s (AGC) of St. Louis’ Construction Leadership Council volunteered to work on fixing a severe drainage issue Saturday, May 31, at the Epworth Children & Family Services Center on North Elm Ave. in St. Louis.

Three construction management students from SIUE’s Constructor’s Club within the School of Engineering were among the volunteers:  Andrea Horn, Cody Keller and Mason Musick.

Three SIUE construction management alums were involved in the leadership team. S.M. Wilson’s Ryan Perryman (2004) led the effort, while Oliver Coulson (2007) of Tarlton Corp. and Nick Rothe (2005) from Budrovich, pitched in, too.

The project involved solving an erosion issue that was depositing soil on a basketball court and rendering it unusable at one end. The erosion was also a problem for a nearby swimming pool.

The volunteer team installed new drainage lines on both sides of the building, graded the slope leading toward the basketball court and filled in a hole by the swimming pool. The team weeded and seeded the slope, added mulch, and power-washed the basketball court.

According to Epworth Volunteer Coordinator Margaret Mahan, the group not only remedied the problem, but also made the area visibly pleasant.

The project totaled 68 hours of volunteer labor in addition to the equipment and materials donated.

The leadership team also included Stacey Lampe from Castle Contracting, Matt Lanahan from ICON Mechanical and Kenny Flowers from Hillsdale Fabricators. Lanahan and Flowers are graduates of SIUE’s Construction Leadership Institute.

SIUE Engineering Summer Camp Concludes with Record Participation

High school students from across the region and as far away as California concluded the second of two sessions Friday, June 20, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2014 Engineering Summer Camp. The SIUE School of Engineering’s popular residential camp brought 71 high school students to campus during two week-long sessions. Approximately 35 students participated in each of the programs.

The Engineering Summer Camp’s June 7-13 and June 16-20 sessions both included a week of exploration in the various engineering disciplines offered at SIUE, as well as computer science and construction management. Summer camp participants engaged in hands-on laboratory experiences, design contests, field trips and learned from guest speakers about opportunities in engineering.

As part of the residential experience, students lived with a roommate in University residence halls, dined in the Morris University Center and engaged in campus activities such as bowling, swimming, rock wall climbing, volleyball, basketball and playing arcade games.

“Our summer campers bring incredible creativity and enthusiasm to our hands-on engineering challenges,” said Chris Gordon, associate dean for the School of Engineering. “It’s highly rewarding for our instructors to work with such talented future engineers as they see engineering in action and discover the tremendous opportunities ahead of them.”

The camp draws regional and national attendance. In the past three years, the camp has attracted applications from 10 states beyond Illinois. In addition to neighboring states, the camps have also attracted applications from as far as California, Oklahoma, Nevada, Alaska, Florida and Idaho.

The camp also helps to attract highly prepared students to the School of Engineering. This fall, six former camp participants will begin their studies in the School of Engineering, including two who are Provost Scholars. These students have an average ACT composite score of 29.8 and average high school GPA of 3.83.

For more information about the program, visit siue.edu/engineering.

Photo: Carrie Conton prepares to launch her rocket at SIUE’s 2014 Engineering Summer Camp.

IDOT Adopts SIUE Online Training for Emergency Responders

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in partnership with the Illinois Center for Transportation and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is introducing the Traffic Incident Management Training Program.

“The online program is designed for emergency responders, including transportation workers, police, fire and towing and recovery crews,” said Ryan Fries, associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Civil Engineering within SIUE’s School of Engineering.  “We have spent the past five years accumulating the research to make this program come to life and be highly effective.”

The online course is offered for all disciplines involved in incident management, and provides responders with information to improve their safety at incident scenes.

“The better trained emergency responders are when arriving to an incident scene, the better the outcome for everyone,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. “It is very important to us to provide an easy, convenient training option for emergency responders to help ensure safety for all traveling on Illinois roadways.”

The program includes the new online course and a multi-agency in-class session. The online training includes 11 modules, each lasting between 15 and 30 minutes, to allow responders to view a whole module in one sitting.

Each module is narrated by an expert in the field and includes a wide variety of perspectives. The in-class session runs a half-day, and is equivalent to the National Traffic Incident Management Training (TIM) offered by the Federal Highway Administration, but focuses on laws and responders in Illinois.

In addition to improving safety at incident sites, the trainings are expected to improve communication, coordination and cooperation between all emergency responders throughout the state.

To register online for the training, visit http://www.ildottraining.org/ and include “TIM” next to your first name. For more information about the TIM Training Program, contact Geno Koehler at (217) 782-7328.

Photo: Ryan Fries, associate professor and graduate program director in the SIUE Department of Civil Engineering.

Drytac Sponsors SIUE Solar Car Team

The award-winning SIUE School of Engineering Solar Car Team received a nearly $8,000 donation and sponsorship from Drytac Corporation. A Hot Press™ Heated Glass Top Vacuum Press was donated to aid the team with solar array encapsulation, a sealing process which increases the solar cell panel’s strength and protects it from external elements.

“The SIUE Solar Car Team used a Drytac press to encapsulate our first array which powered our car, ‘Black Nova,’ in the 2013 Formula Sun Grand Prix Race in Austin, Texas,” said Zachary Crawford, student project director of the SIUE Solar Car Team. “In order to help us continue our experiments, Drytac generously donated a press to the team.

“Information collected with these experiments will not only help the team to create efficient, lightweight and flexible solar panels, but also will make panels like this more accessible to the general public.”

Crawford reached out to Drytac Corporation to explain how vacuum presses were beginning to be used to encapsulate and protect solar cells from environment conditions.

“Business and educational partnerships are a key factor in cultivating solutions for our expanding global energy needs,” said Jerry Hill, vice president of new market business development for Drytac Corporation. “Drytac is proud to contribute to the development of alternative manufacturing methods for solar cells, whereby one day any individual will be able to produce them. Free and clean energy is our ultimate gift to society.”

The SIUE Solar Car Team is managed by experienced, student directors working to enable team members to learn about solar energy, apply class theory to real world applications and to be a part of a unique project. The team benefits from the diversity of disciplines and experiences from its all student members.

With mostly juniors and seniors in various fields from business and marketing to electrical and mechanical engineering, the team represents a variety of groups from multiple disciplines at SIUE.

Drytac is an international manufacturer of adhesive-coated products, including graphic films, window films, double-sided tapes, self-adhesive print media, label stock, industrial adhesives, and heat-activated and pressure-sensitive laminates and mounting adhesives. Drytac can also create unique customized adhesive products to customer specifications. For more information, please visit www.drytac.com.

Three SIUE Construction Management Students Receive AGC Scholarships

Three Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Construction Management students are recipients of Associated General Contractors (AGC) Education and Research Foundation scholarships. AGC awards the $2,500 renewable scholarships to students attending Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accredited schools.

Senior Derek Casey, from Newton, was awarded the Richard and Roxelyn Pepper Scholarship. Casey is an intern for Connor & Connor Engineering and Surveying Co. in Robinson. As part of his construction management major, he is specializing in land surveying.  Casey is active in the SIUE chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Richard Pepper is chairman emeritus of Pepper Construction Group LLC in Chicago

Senior Michael Gagnon, from Glen Carbon, has received the Textura Scholarship. Gagnon is a project engineer intern at S. M. Wilson & Co. He joined the firm in January, and has worked on the health and life safety renovation of an elementary school for the Alton School District and the construction of Alton High School’s new athletic fields.  Located in Deerfield, Textura is a producer of construction management software.

Senior Jared Kraus, from Freeburg, was awarded the Byron and Janice Farrell Scholarship.  Kraus is an intern for Byrne & Jones Construction in St. Louis. He is an active member of Phi Kappa Psi and is a member of the SIUE Associated Schools of Construction competition team. Byron Farrell is a past president of Helmkamp Construction Company in East Alton

Casey, Gagnon, and Kraus were among four Illinois students to earn AGC Foundation scholarships this year. AGC awarded scholarships to 127 engineering students across the country in 2014. The $2,500 annual scholarships can be renewed for up to three years.

SIUE, Rend Lake College Partner on Engineering 2+2 Program

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Rend Lake College have cemented an agreement to ease engineering students’ academic transition from their first two years through their final two.

Rend Lake’s Board of Trustees approved the “2+2” agreement with SIUE May 13. RLC is located in Ina, approximately 70 miles southeast of SIUE.

S. Cem Karacal, Ph.D., associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, said the agreement mirrors one that SIUE ratified with Centralia-based Kaskaskia College five years ago.

The 2+2 program, coordinated and monitored by representatives at both schools, helps engineering-bound students stay on track as they complete their general education courses and School of Engineering course requirements.

“Since signing the Kaskaskia College 2+2 in early 2009, we initiated one with St. Charles Community College in 2012 and a similar program agreement waiting for signatures with Lewis and Clark Community College last year,” said Karacal. “We have a 2+2 agreement pending with Southwestern Illinois College and look forward to additional engineering transfer programs with community colleges across Illinois and Missouri.”

The 2+2 program reinforces students’ degree game plan. The objective is to keep tabs on students to ensure that they’re taking the proper courses at both the associate’s degree level and during their junior and senior years. With this structure, they don’t lose time in earning their degree and make sure they reach the finish line in terms of credit hours and necessary coursework.

“The 2+2 is a great way for people to enter the SIUE School of Engineering,” Karacal said. “Completing their preliminary engineering education at the community college saves them money and keeps them moving toward their ultimate goal of a bachelor’s of science degree.

“Students participating in the 2+2 program are able to show demonstrated success during the first two years knowing that we’re saving a spot for them in the School of Engineering in year three. Thanks to the 2+2 agreement, everything (administratively) is taken care of beforehand. Students have the confidence that both schools are monitoring their completion of the prescribed courses.”

The new agreement with RLC includes the following SIUE bachelor’s of science in engineering degrees: mechanical (the largest of the SIUE engineering degree programs), civil, electrical and industrial.

Linda Denton, Ph.D., RLC physics and physical science professor, agreed that the transfer agreement with SIUE should be a timesaver.

“Typically, when you go into a bachelor’s program in engineering, it takes between four and a half to five years,” said Denton. ”This new agreement will cut down the undergraduate school by one semester at least.

“We’re able to do this, because we’ve coordinated our courses with SIUE’s upper-level courses and streamlined the process. The SIUE counselors have coordinated with our counselors to make this process smooth and easy for the student.”

The SIUE School of Engineering offers one of the most comprehensive and affordable engineering programs in the St. Louis region with eight undergraduate degrees, five master’s degrees and a cooperative doctoral program, all housed in a state-of-the-art facility. Students learn from expert faculty, perform cutting-edge research, and participate in intercollegiate design competitions. Companies in the metropolitan St. Louis area provide students challenging internships and co-op opportunities, which often turn into permanent employment. All undergraduate programs are accredited by their respective accreditation agencies.

SIU President Dunn Makes First Commencement Remarks at SIUE

Commencement Video – 6:30 p.m. , 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe oversaw four 2014 Spring Commencement exercises during the weekend in the Vadalabene Center on campus. The festivities began with the Graduate School, School of Business and School of Nursing students receiving their degrees Friday night. The remainder of the 2,231 eligible graduates received their degrees during three ceremonies Saturday.

Newly installed SIU President Dr. Randy Dunn participated in his first commencement ceremonies by speaking at the Friday night exercise. “My hope for all of you is to use all that you have gained at SIUE to change and improve the lives of all whom you encounter for the rest of your life,” he said. “Transform others for the better just as SIUE has transformed you.”

Furst-Bowe provided the assemblage with a quote from highly successful businessman and philanthropist W. Clement Stone. He said, “There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.”

“Whether you’re a student, a parent, a leader, a community resident … whatever your role, your attitude will determine the tone of your life and achievements,” Furst-Bowe said. “Set your sights high, work to maintain a healthy focus on what’s true and positive, and you’ll find that success comes to you.”

Alton attorney and philanthropist John Simmons was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Simmons, who graduated with honors from SIUE in political science, earned a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas. He is founder and chairman of Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC, a national law firm headquartered in Alton, with additional offices in St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco and El Segundo, Calif.

With an entertaining presentation that described his rise from originally being rejected as an SIUE student to chairman of the SIU Board of Trustees 20 years later, Simmons provided a road map for success.

“Be grateful and support someone who helped you get here,” said Simmons, as he credited former SIUE Chancellor Dr. David Werner for the foundation of his remarks. “Help others by sharing your knowledge and experience. Be ethical, because one falsehood spoils a thousand truths. Never give up as you maintain your conviction to honor and good sense.”

Dixie Engelman, dean emerita of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor emerita of speech pathology and audiology, was honored with the University’s Distinguished Service Award. Engelman has been a community advocate and volunteer for more than 35 years. Engelman spoke to the Saturday afternoon and evening sessions.

Engelman encouraged the grads to not only continue reading in their respective disciplines, but also take time for personal interests. “Reading will calm your mind, take you places you never dreamed and bring laughter on an ordinary day,” she said.

Dr. Kelly Gable, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the School of Pharmacy, received the 2014 Teaching Excellence Award. Gable was recognized for her enthusiastic approach and for serving as a role model for pharmacy students, nursing students and medical students. Gable will speak at the December commencement ceremony.

Peter Gillen, who earned a bachelor’s in nursing, was the student speaker for Friday’s session.

“In these few short years, we have never stopped learning and we never will stop learning,” said Gillen. “There is always something more you can learn whether it be from a fellow nurse, physician, patient or maybe even a nursing student.

“It is quite incredible to think of how much we have achieved in our time here. Let us not stop here, though. We should continue to strive to be the best in our field, no matter what the future holds for us.”

Ceremonies resumed Saturday morning with the Graduate School and School of Education. The morning student speaker was James Engracia, who received a bachelor’s in speech language pathology from the School of Education.

Engracia encouraged grads to “explore the world, enjoy and do different things. Taking all of the opportunities that life offers you will allow you to grow unimaginable feats. My mentors told me to be flexible. We may not get everything we desire like the job or grad school we want. Be flexible and keep an open mind to other opportunities that may come your way, because you never know where that door will lead.”

The Saturday afternoon ceremony featured the College of Arts and Sciences. Victoria Francis, who earned a bachelor’s in chemistry, encouraged her classmates to make a difference. “An entire world stands before us, waiting for us to make it better,” she said. “Maybe we will solve world hunger, end homelessness or develop a new foreign policy. Some of us will save lives, teach young children or become our future politicians.

“The possibilities are endless, but we don’t know what we are capable of until we try, until we lay it all on the line. So, let’s go forth and start a new legacy that the SIUE Class of 2014 made a difference.”

The School of Pharmacy, College of Arts and Science graduate students and the School of Engineering closed Saturday’s exercises. The student speaker was Jonathan Long, who received a master’s in sociology.

Long dispensed seven jewels of advice. “Embrace opportunity, be confident in yourself and get involved,” he stated. “Building a good reputation builds you to success, find your motivation, be determined and realize that every chance is a foundation of opportunity.

“Follow SIUE’s mission statement – shape a changing world for you and for others.”
Photo:  SIU President Randy Dunn (left)  greets an SIUE graduate with SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe (right).

SIU Board Confirms Ansari as SIUE Provost

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today confirmed Dr. Parviz Ansari (Pair-VEEZ An-SAR-ee) as the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs for the Edwardsville campus. The board approved the appointment at its regularly scheduled May meeting at SIUE’s Morris University Center.

“Dr. Anne Perry and the search committee did an excellent job of identifying highly qualified candidates,” said SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe. “Dr. Ansari brings a wealth of experience in program development, comprehensive strategic planning and health sciences curriculum. We look forward to his contributions as we strategize and implement the next phase toward advancing SIUE.”

Ansari arrives at SIUE after serving as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) since 2012 at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. He was also the founding dean of Rowan’s School of Biomedical Sciences. Rowan is a comprehensive public research institution located in southern N.J. serving more than 14,000 students on three campuses.

“SIUE is a wonderful student-centered university with excellent programs, dedicated faculty and staff, and visionary leadership,” Ansari said.  “I am thrilled to join them and collaborate with them to advance the mission of the University.”

As dean of Rowan’s CSM, he managed seven departments that included 3,100 majors, 16 undergraduate degree programs, eight graduate degree programs and 305 faculty. He also served as a physics professor.

Ansari first landed at Rowan as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2009. He oversaw 14 departments that included 5,500 majors, 31 undergraduate degree programs, 10 graduate degree programs and more than 400 faculty.

As dean, Ansari initiated and spearheaded the development of comprehensive strategic plans in 2009 and 2012. Focusing on academic excellence in a student-centered model, he:

• Upgraded the college academic policies and procedures
• Enhanced grants and research activities
• Initiated new graduate and undergraduate programs
• Focused on interdisciplinary education
• Strategized the future growth of his college through open dialogue and shared governance.
• Saw college enrollment increase by 68 percent from 2009 to 2013
• Saw his internationalization initiative add six agreements with international institutions
• Increased international enrollment 10 fold since 2010
• Generated approximately $8.5 million in grants and contracts including $1.2 million in research funds through international initiative

Before moving to Rowan, Ansari served Seton Hall (N.J.) University in a variety of capacities from 1983-2009. He was the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2006-09, which included managing 14 departments, 2,000 majors and 200 faculty. During that time, he oversaw academic administration and outreach from 2006-08, and academic affairs and planning from 2008-09.

He was acting chair of SHU’s Department of Physics from 1998-89 before eventually taking over as department chair from 1994-2005.

He began his academic career in 1982 as a visiting assistant professor of physics at St. Michael’s College in Vermont.

Perry, interim dean of the SIUE School of Nursing, led the search committee. “I’d like to thank the members of our search committee for their hard work and everyone who participated in the various meetings and open sessions on campus,” she said.

Ansari is an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow and a Lead New Jersey Fellow. He is an active member of several state and national organizations including New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences. He is a founding member of New Jersey Big Data Alliance and serves as an executive board member of the ACE Council of Fellows.

Ansari earned a bachelor’s in physics from Pahlavi (Shiraz) University in 1976. He achieved both a master’s and a doctorate in physics and astronomy from Tufts University in 1978 and ’83, respectively.

Ansari succeeds Dr. Ann Boyle, who has served as SIUE’s interim provost for the past three years. She is the former dean of the SIU School of Dental Medicine.

For more on Ansari, visit www.siue.edu/provost.

Photo: Dr. Parviz Ansari, SIUE provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Gillespie’s Schmidt Receives SIUE Dual Admission Academic Award

Gillespie native Adam Schmidt is the recipient of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Summer 2014 Dual Admission Academic Award.

All students entering SIUE through dual admission programs are eligible for the award. Schmidt is currently a student at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey.

The SIUE Office of Educational Outreach administers the award, and students are selected based upon academic merit. The recipients must be enrolled at least part-time at SIUE and are eligible to receive $400 for up to six-consecutive semesters.

The SIUE Foundation funds the award during the next three years for dual admission students and those in approved 2+2 programs with area community colleges. Through dual admission, students are able to be admitted and receive academic advising and other services from SIUE while they are still attending community college.

Schmidt intends to major in civil engineering in SIUE’s School of Engineering and says his “educational decisions are built upon a foundation of hard work, commitment and dedication.”

Mary Ettling, associate director in the Office of Educational Outreach, sees the academic award as an acknowledgement of SIUE’s commitment to students who actively are engaging in this unique transfer program.

“Coordinating the community college curriculum to set the students up for the best possible transfer scenario is the over-arching goal of these programs,” Ettling said. “This award solidifies the University’s commitment to serving transfer students.”

For additional information, contact Ettling (618) 650-3215 or mawalke@siue.edu.

SIUE Engineering Students Nab 3rd at International HPV Challenge

A team of 13 mechanical engineering students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville won third place in the endurance category at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Human Powered Vehicle Challenge April 11-13 in Orlando, Fla.

More than 30 teams vied in the international competition. SIUE’s finished product–a three-wheeled, steel-framed, recumbent vehicle–was the culmination of two semesters’ worth of work, according to mechanical engineering senior Terrence Brown.

“This competition was the capstone of our year-long design project,” said Brown, ASME SIUE chapter vice president. “It’s the first time in SIUE School of Engineering history that a senior project has captured an award in an international event.”

Soondo Kweon, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the SIUE School of Engineering, supervised and led the students as their faculty advisor.

To compete in the endurance category, teams’ self-engineered vehicles teams had to complete as many laps as possible within 2.5 hours on a two-lane obstacle course replete with hairpin turns, rumble strips and more. Six team members took turns as drivers. Mere days before the competition when SIUE team members were already in Orlando prepping for their event, they had to cope with an unanticipated malfunction.

“Our (gear) shifter broke,” said senior Morgan Hemker, ASME SIUE chapter president. “We weren’t able to fix it in time, but we still had shifting capability with the front gearing. It took us from a 10-speed to a three-speed, but we made it work.”

Senior Jonathan Kutz credited Kweon for his dedication and expertise as advisor, along with seniors James Stilt and James Leffew who designed and analyzed the lightweight steel vehicle and Chris Holland who engineered its flywheel. The students manufactured the HPV in senior Tim Doyle’s garage.

Safety is a particular emphasis throughout the ASME competition, said Kutz, who added that the SIUE team spent a fraction of what other teams did in manufacturing the vehicle.

“Our 60-pound vehicle had to withstand a 600-pound top load and a 300-pound side load. We were able to achieve that and complete the rigorous course, speed bumps and all. Several teams around us were losing wheels and crashing.”

Senior Hayden Sievers said staying the course, especially in light of the gearshift mishap, made him proud to be a part of the team and to win third place in the endurance category.

“Last year we won fourth place in endurance,” Sievers said. “We were one of very few three-wheeled HPVs in the event, but this year the majority of competitors designed theirs with three (vs. two) wheels.”

Applying engineering principles and competing in a real-world event, sophomore Lauren Bailey said, was definitely time well spent. “The ASME HPV Challenge brought it all to life and made our hard work worthwhile,” she said. “It was exciting. Several of us competed last year, too, and we’ll be back next year.”

Members of the 2014 SIUE High Powered Vehicle team included 10 seniors: Brown, Doyle, Hemker, Holland, Kutz, Leffew, Logan Rennegarbe, Santos Reyes, Sievers and Stilt.

Three sophomores also contributed: Bailey, Brandon Koyanski and Chris Maske.

Photo (L-R):  Chris Maske, Brandon Koyanagi, James Leffew, Jon Kutz, Santos Reyes, Hayden Sievers, Lauren Bailey, and Morgan Hemker.

SIUE Spring Commencement Features 2,200 Graduates

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe will oversee the 2014 Spring Commencement exercises on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10. Ceremonies for the 2,231 eligible graduates will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Vadalabene Center on campus.

Newly installed SIU President Dr. Randy Dunn will participate in his first commencement ceremonies by speaking at the Friday night exercise.

Dixie Engelman, dean emerita of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor emerita of speech pathology and audiology, is being honored with the University’s Distinguished Service Award. Engelman has been a community advocate and volunteer for more than 35 years. Engelman will speak to the Saturday afternoon and evening sessions.

Dr. Kelly Gable, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the School of Pharmacy, will receive the 2014 Teaching Excellence Award. Gable is recognized for her enthusiastic approach and for serving as a role model for pharmacy students, nursing students and medical students.

Alton attorney and philanthropist John Simmons will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Simmons, who graduated with honors from SIUE in political science, earned a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas. He is founder and chairman of Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC, a national law firm headquartered in Alton, with additional offices in St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco and El Segundo, Calif. Simmons will speak at Friday night’s and Saturday morning’s exercises.

The festivities begin Friday night with the Graduate School, School of Business and School of Nursing students receiving their degrees. Peter Gillen, who is earning a bachelor’s in nursing, is the student speaker for Friday’s session.

Ceremonies resume at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Graduate School and School of Education. The morning student speaker is James Engracia, who is receiving a bachelor’s in speech language pathology from the School of Education.

The Saturday afternoon ceremony begins at 1 p.m. with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) followed at 5 p.m. by the School of Pharmacy, College of Arts and Science graduate students and the School of Engineering. The student speakers will be Victoria Francis, who is earning a bachelor’s in chemistry, during the afternoon session and Jonathan Long, who is receiving a master’s in sociology, closing the day.

Photo: SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe greets a graduate during the Spring 2013 commencement ceremony.

Wabash Valley’s Daniela Rus Team Wins 2014 Regional Botball Tournament at SIUE

The Daniela Rus Team from Wabash Valley in Terre Haute, Ind., won the 2014 annual Greater St. Louis Botball Tournament on Saturday, April 12 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Twenty-one teams competed in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom before a crowd of more than 150 throughout the day.

This year’s theme was assistive robotics. Building on last year’s theme of a Mars Sample Return Mission, the robots had to help Botguy recover from the long journey in space. The students built autonomous robots that traveled around a game board earning points with four goals to accomplish in two-minute rounds:

• Assist Botguy with gross motor tasks by moving exercise equipment in bins
• Hang hangers on various height racks
• Remove items stored on shelves
• Move an exercise bench over to a physical therapy area and place Botguy on the bench

“Each year, we try and define some unique, challenging tasks that allow both the novice teams and those with more experience to succeed by scoring in the competition,” said Gary Mayer, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science in the SIUE School of Engineering and the event organizer. “This year, it was the hangers. Many teams answered the challenge and were consistently successful in earning points.

“As an educator, it’s a great thing to see, and everyone should be proud of what these students accomplished.”

Botball teams score equally in three categories of documentation, seeding rounds and the double elimination tournament. In each category, teams earn a score of 0.0 to 1.0. The Daniela Rus team won the competition with a total score of 2.930 out of the possible 3.0.

Documentation points are earned through a team’s online submission during the weeks leading up to the tournament and from a presentation that student team members must give at the tournament. Another Wabash Valley team, Maja Mataric, took first in documentation. Teams following closely behind included Belleville East High School and Daniela Rus.

Uncontested seeding rounds were held in the morning. Points earned determined the teams’ placement in the double-elimination bracket. One way to earn large points was for the robots to place hangers at the higher of two bars.

Daniela Rus took first in seeding rounds. St. Mary’s School in Edwardsville and another Wabash Valley team, Ada Lovelace, took second and third, respectively.

Daniela Rus beat Ada Lovelace in a dramatic final of the double-elimination event. In the semi-finals, Revitalization 2000 of St. Louis squared off against Daniela Rus. Each had one loss with the winner facing then undefeated Ada Lovelace, and Daniela Rus advanced.

In the first meeting against Ada Lovelace, Daniela Rus prevailed. The robots from both teams were high scorers, consistently able to place multiple hangers on the top rack.

With each team having one loss, it was winner take all as the two teams squared off again. With both teams going for the hangers at the center of the tournament table, Ada Lovelace got there first and was lining up its arm to hang its hangers when Daniela Rus arrived. The robots collided, knocking Ada Lovelace out of alignment, so the robot couldn’t successfully get hangers on the rack. Meanwhile, Daniela Rus was able to successfully get three hangers on the top rack, and advance to the winner’s circle.

Photo: Contestants Sam Wagner (left) and Amoni McNair at the 2014 annual Greater St. Louis Botball Tournament at SIUE.

Acclaimed French Physicist to Lecture at SIUE April 24-29

A world-renowned French physicist will share his expertise Thursday, April 24 with Southern Illinois University School of Engineering students and colleagues.

Xavier Leoncini, Ph.D., is a full professor at Air-Marseille University near Marseille, France. He will speak on “Self-regularization in Systems with Long-Range Interactions” from 2-3 p.m. in Engineering Building Room 0145. In layman’s terms, his presentation will focus on how one particle may affect another particle that’s a far distance away, causing a unique reaction.

A physics graduate of Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris, Leoncini spent four years with Professor George Zaslavsky at the Courant Institute at New York University as a post-doctoral student after receiving his Ph.D. from Air-Marseille University.

Leoncini is internationally regarded as an expert in nonlinear physics with applications in magnetized fusion plasma, nonlinear Hamiltonian Chaos, network dynamical systems and more.

The physicist’s path crossed with Albert Luo, Ph.D., professor in SIUE’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, in 2002 when Luo was asked to speak at Air-Marseille University’s international symposium. The two remained in contact through the years. At Luo’s invitation, Leoncini will visit SIUE after a speaking engagement at NYU.

“I was invited as a keynote speaker for Air-Marseille University’s chaos and transportation symposium 12 years ago,” said Luo, “on the topic, ‘Chaotic Motions in Resonant Separatrix Band (a topic within atomic physics).’ Such a motion has been observed in magnetized fusion plasma, which is one of Dr. Leoncini’s research specialties. Since that time, we’ve met at other conferences to discuss similar scenarios. We’re excited to welcome him to SIUE.”

Leoncini will give two additional lectures at SIUE during his visit:

• “Particles Dynamics in Regular and Chaotic Flows, Part 1 – Particles Dynamics in Regular Flows,” will take place from 2-3 p.m. Friday, April 25 in Engineering Building Room 0145
•  “Particles Dynamics in Regular and Chaotic Flows, Part 1– Particles Dynamics in Chaotic Flows,” will be from 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, April 29 in Engineering Building Room 0350

In attendance at the presentation will be graduate students and faculty from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, theoretical chemistry and bioscience.

Members of the scientific community at large are welcome to attend Leoncini’s April 24 lecture. For more information, contact the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at (618) 650-2190.

Albert Luo Receives 2014 Distinguished Research Professor Award

Dr. Albert Chao-Jun Luo, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering, recently was named the 2014 recipient of the Distinguished Research Professor Award.

The award is an academic rank rewarding faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding and sustained contributions to research and creative activities. Luo will be recognized with the rank of SIUE Distinguished Research Professor for the duration of his tenure at SIUE.

“Luo’s dedication to the advancement of his field shows a tireless motivation to achieve excellence,” said Dr. Jerry Weinberg, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School.

Luo has achieved international recognition in the field of nonlinear dynamics with his theory of flow barrier vector fields. His colleagues have credited him with developing methods of calculating chaotic motion, as well as pioneering theories of dynamic physical changes that were previously unexplained.

In his own production, Luo’s work in nonlinear dynamics has been published approximately 125 times in refereed journals. He has also published 12 research monographs and more than 30 pieces in proceedings, special issues, chapters and edited books. External sponsors such as the National Science Foundation and local industrial partner Amsted Rail have funded his work.

Luo currently serves as an editor for four prominent journals in his field, as well as a book series. He also serves on editorial boards and various technical committees. This is not to mention the professional symposiums, tracks and conferences he has organized and chaired, which currently number over forty.

As a School of Engineering colleague noted, “His wide range of activities has made our mechanical engineering program better known externally, and has promoted the image of SIUE at the national and international level.”

In the midst of his achievements, Luo has not neglected his students. Colleagues testify that Luo instills in his students a confidence, motivation and respect for learning to match his own deep respect for education.

SIUE Engineering Students Claim 4th Place in International Competition

Six Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering construction management students successfully competed at the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Spring 2014 Convention in Reno, Nev., March 27. The SIUE team finished fourth in the Concrete Bowling Ball competition and 11th place overall.

SIUE competed against 31 teams from Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Each team entered bowling balls made of concrete. The balls were evaluated on the mass and diameter, as well as toughness, deformation and bowling performance.

In addition to their strong performance in competition, the SIUE ACI chapter accepted the 2013 Excellent University Award, the highest award for ACI Student Chapters. The chapter earned the award for its outstanding student and faculty involvement in ACI committees, meetings, events and community outreach.

Construction management seniors Tony Probst of Dieterich, Newton’s Derek Casey, and Justin Huelsmann of Highland, along with civil engineering senior Andrew Wilder of Effingham, led the chapter. Juniors Ryan Toennies of Aviston and Blake Grinestaff from Effingham round out the team. The faculty advisor is Dr. Anne Werner, assistant professor in the Department of Construction.

“The SIUE ACI chapter continues to demonstrate excellent teamwork and performance in international competition,” said Dr. Chris Gordon, School of Engineering associate dean and chair of the Department of Construction.  “Dr. Werner and the ACI leadership team have a clear passion for concrete.

“Through their hard work, our students have honed their leadership skills, gained beneficial experience in concrete material behavior and amplified SIUE’s outstanding reputation in concrete construction.”

The SIUE team was runner-up in a regional ACI competition earlier in the spring semester.

SIUE School of Engineering Captures 2nd Statewide Research Award

A student-faculty civil engineering research team within Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Engineering has won the Illinois Center for Transportation and the Illinois Dept. of Transportation’s 2014 High Impact Project Award.

The recognition, which comes as the School of Engineering’s second in three years, is based on the team’s submission of its signature report, “Investigation of Contributing Factors Regarding Wrong-Way Driving on Freeways.”

Ryan Fries, Ph.D., associate professor and graduate program director in the department of civil engineering, said the 224-page report reflects the collective efforts of the eight-member research team. Fries accepted the award Wednesday, March 26 on behalf of faculty and graduate engineering student contributors.

“In Illinois, there were 217 wrong-way crashes on freeways from 2004-2009, resulting in 44 killed and 248 injured,” Fries said. “This research project sought to determine the contributing factors to wrong-way crashes on freeways and to develop promising, cost-conscious countermeasures to reduce these driving errors and their related crashes.”

The SIUE research team reviewed existing literature to summarize the world’s best practices on design, safety and operational issues specific to wrong-way interstate driving and then collected and studied six years of relevant crash data.

Fries praised IDOT project chairwoman Priscilla Tobias, chief of the agency’s Bureau of Safety Engineering, for championing the 2014 award-winning project and obtaining $7 million in funding to act on the research. The funding paid for wrong-way sign improvements and pavement markings at over 400 interchanges statewide.

Tobias said the synergy evident in SIUE’s 2014 and 2012 award-winning engineering research projects reflects the integrity of the research and its practical applications.

“Our experience with these research projects and the workshops resulting from them emphasizes the value of collaborating with other agencies,” Tobias said. “By working together, we access everyone’s best ideas, and that directly translates into reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the road.

Huaguo Zhou, Ph.D., who led the 2014 award-winning research project as principal investigator, served as a SIUE assistant professor during its development. Now an associate professor at Auburn University, Zhou is continuing phase two of the effort.

Zhou is also credited for his work on SIUE’s 2012 High Impact Project that earned an award from ICT and IDOT. Entitled “Development of a Highway Incident Management Operational & Training Guide,” the curriculum has been cited by the National Transportation Research Board and has been instrumental in training hundreds of first responders statewide.

“This project was my first external research project when I worked with SIUE,” said Zhou. “I put 120 percent effort into it and was able to publish the first statewide training program in Illinois. I am excited for the opportunity of working on SIUE research projects which have already made a ‘high impact’ on current practices.”

Jiguang Zhao, Ph.D., who worked on the 2014 project research team as a School of Engineering graduate student, now works in traffic safety engineering research. Zhao’s doctoral work focused on data-driven methods for reducing wrong-way freeway crashes.

“This is perhaps the only dissertation on this topic worldwide,” Zhao said. “I chose this topic, because although a significant number of people die in the U.S. every year due to wrong-way crashes, little was known about the contributing factors and only minimal countermeasures nationwide had been developed.

“Since very limited research has been done on wrong-way freeway crashes, it’s difficult to compare the numbers for Illinois with those in other states. As a technical leader in research work on highway safety engineering, IDOT has been nationally recognized for its efforts in the field of traffic safety research.”

Dave King, ICT fiscal/administrative manager at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said IDOT recommended the successful project for recognition.

“To recognize this (2014) project, ICT tried to acknowledge the significant contributions of all that contributed to the success of this project, including principal investigator Huaguo Zhou and his co-PIs at SIUE, his research assistants and the Technical Review Panel members, especially co-chairs Priscilla Tobias and Rich Coakley,” King said.

School of Engineering Dean Hasan Sevim, Ph.D., said SIUE is proud of its faculty and graduate students for producing superior research that is often applicable as well.

“The impact of these projects can be profoundly useful, not only now, but also for a long time to come,” said Sevim. “These (High Impact Award) researchers are bringing solutions to situations in which human lives are in jeopardy. The value of the work they’ve produced is crucial.”

Members of the 2014 award-winning civil engineering research team at SIUE are: Zhou, Zhao, Fries, Mostafa Reisi Gahrooei, Lin Wang, Brent Vaughn, Karzan Bahaaldin and Balasubrahmanyam Ayyalasomayajula.

Photos: (Upper Right) Ryan Fries, Ph.D., SIUE associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Civil Engineering. (Lower Right) Huaguo Zhou, Ph.D., former SIUE assistant professor.

SIUE Constructors Club Helps Clean Up Washington

The SIUE Constructors Club spent Spring Break (3/9-12) in Washington, Ill., providing volunteer aid as the community continues to recover from last year’s devastating tornado.

Mason Musick, a senior School of Engineering student from Lincoln, wrote a description of the group’s experience:

We helped out in Joplin, Mo., after a tornado devastated that town, and we saw how much the members of the community appreciated our efforts. When a town as close as Washington got hit by the F4 tornado during November 2013, we knew we needed to help. Some of our club members are from that area, and many of us played Washington in sports, so it made our trip a little more meaningful.

We connected with Bethany Community Church, which was coordinating with volunteer groups and dispatching them to assist families in need. The church is also capable of providing a place to stay at night and daily lunches. We only had a few days to spend there and wanted to make the best of it.

Bethany Community Church definitely helped us achieve that. They own a large inventory of resources for the volunteers and community to utilize. The barn where they keep supplies has everything from tools and safety equipment to snacks, coats and boots. They really had the capabilities to provide the teams with anything they needed for their jobs.

During our first day of volunteering, we participated in two separate projects. First, we helped move a large pile of debris from the side of a busy road onto the curb, so traffic would no longer be at risk of running over anything.

Our second task of the day was to remove some subfloor and floor joists from a house that was completely wiped out.  Another group had started on the subfloor and had about 25 percent of it taken up already. By the end of the day, we were able to completely remove the subfloor, all of the floor joists and clean up the entire property, so rebuilding efforts could commence.

Our second day was not as exciting since it didn’t entail any demolition, but it was still a very productive and rewarding experience. Our group was assigned to a section of the affected part of town to do some final stages of cleaning up. After all of the large pieces of debris are removed things look much better, but there are still tons of tiny pieces of glass, shingles, drywall and various other materials spread out all over the place.

We set out with trash bags, gloves, rakes and shovels to do the final thorough cleaning of yards that were at that stage. We were only allowed to clean from the sidewalk to the road without the owner’s consent. We were able to clean multiples blocks of debris and received extreme appreciation from residents who happened to be home or were passing by.

We were able to go into several elderly residents’ yards and do a complete cleaning, leaving them clear of glass, screws and other potentially harmful debris. Everyone we encountered this day was overjoyed with our presence and willingness to help complete strangers. We thoroughly enjoyed learning the stories of people, who we encountered, as much as they enjoyed hearing about who we are and what we do. It was definitely a day to cherish.

Our third day of volunteering was substantially different from our first two. Being from the Midwest, we are more than aware of the spontaneous weather changes during spring. Our first two days were about 70 degrees outside, but the third morning we woke up in the church’s farm house to realize it had iced in the early morning, snowed about 4” on top of that and then knocked out our power.

We had no heat or electricity in the house and no volunteering job to do since everything was under snow and ice. What we did have though was the will to get out and help in any way we could. We went out to the barn, grabbed a pile of scoop shovels and hand warmers, loaded up our bus and headed out for the neighborhood we were working on the day before. We figured if we didn’t have power, then they didn’t, either.

We wanted them to be safe if they left home seeking warmth and electricity, so we became the SIUE Snow Removal Team. We cleared the sidewalks of the streets we were working on along with the driveways, sidewalks and porches of the individuals who let us on their property the day before. All of the residents were even more grateful when they knew they were still in our thoughts the next day. We even found more residents home this day and offered to clear their properties, as well.

We left on Wednesday feeling good about what we had accomplished physically, but even more so about the impact we had on every individual who we met on this trip. We have done quite a few volunteering projects in the past and being able to help people who need it as much as the residents of Washington has put this one at the top of our list for most beneficial project.

We loved the time we spent there and would encourage any other groups interested in this kind of volunteering to pursue the opportunities.

Photo (L to R): Jake Eilers, junior, Breese; Cody Keller, junior, Belleville; Bryce Schuster, junior, Golden; Sam Klatch, freshman, Troy; Zach Carlson, senior, Quincy; Andrea Horn, senior, East Alton; Kelly Gaines, senior, Glen Carbon; Alexis Schad, sophomore, Shiloh; Matthew Curry, junior, Lincoln; and Chrissy Raffetty, senior, Collinsville. Not Pictured: Mason Musick.

SIUE’s Robert LeAnder Featured in St. Louis American

SIUE professor Robert LeAnder was featured in a St. Louis American story. Writers Ron Moore and Shantana Stewart posted the story on Thursday, March 27. LeAnder is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in the School of Engineering.