On behalf of Western Illinois University I would like to express my appreciation to the many student organizations that participated in the Campus Beautification Project sponsored by the Student Government Association.
We can take great pride in our campus appearance and the efforts of volunteers working with staff continues to pay great dividends. Frequently I receive comments from alumni, visitors, parents of prospective students and community residents about the improvements that have taken place in recent years.
My thanks to the members of Beta Phi Pi; Black Student Association; Bisexuals, Lesbian, Gays and Friends Association; Delta Zeta; Hillel; Pi Kappa Alpha; Sequel; Sigma Lambda Sigma; Sigma Nu; Society for Human Resource Management; Tau Kappa Epsilon; United Hellenic Council; University Union Board Special Events; and, the Western All-Volunteer Effort.
- Donald S. Spencer
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) recently approved Western Illinois University's request to offer four additional bachelor degrees at the WIU Regional Center in Moline.
Beginning fall 1997, Quad Cities-area students may earn bachelor of business degrees in both marketing and information management, a bachelor of science degree in recreation, park and tourism administration and a bachelor of science degree in education - special education.
"Black Hawk College officials and respondents to surveys indicated a strong interest in these programs," said WIU Provost Burton O. Witthuhn. "These programs are a valuable addition to the educational opportunities WIU offers Quad Cities residents."
Information management prepares students to apply computer-based information technologies in business and government settings. It is anticipated that 40 students will be enrolled by the fifth year of the program. Marketing will complement the information management curriculum as well as the programs in accountancy and management. The marketing option prepares graduates for careers in marketing, advertising and public relations management.
Recreation, park and tourism administration is a growing field with increased emphasis on leisure time services, fitness, travel and wellness. Recent graduates are employed in management and programming at resorts, park districts, health clubs, YMCA's, senior centers and other recreation-related agencies. It is anticipated that 40 majors will be enrolled in the program within five years. Students who complete the B.S. in special education will qualify for certification in two or more of the following areas: learning disabled, mentally retarded and emotional/behavioral disorders. It is anticipated that 50 majors will be enrolled in this program within five years.
In January 1997 the IBHE authorized WIU to offer its bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration at the Quad Cities center. WIU also offers undergraduate degrees in accountancy, business management, elementary education, manufacturing engineering technology and the Board of Governor's bachelor of arts.
Master's level programs available from WIU in the Quad Cities include health education and promotion, law enforcement and justice administration, biology, counseling, elementary education, educational administration, English, physical education, law enforcement, reading and special education. The education specialist degree is WIU's post-master's option.
Western Illinois University will move into its new facility in fall 1997. WIU purchased and is renovating the former IBM building at 3561 60th St., Moline for use as a central educational facility for classes, faculty and administrative computing.
The Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved a Higher Education Cooperation Act (HECA) telecommunications grant, two appointments to the Higher Education Technology Task Force and two capital projects for WIU.
The $1,065,900 HECA grant provides support for the expansion of the instructional telecommunications system for 13 sites within the Western Illinois Education Consortium (WIEC). WIEC members include WIU in Macomb and Moline, Black Hawk College in Moline, Spoon River College in Canton, Havana and Macomb, John Wood Community College in Quincy, Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg and Highland Community College in Freeport.
Expansion of the system will provide residents of six community college districts further access to noncredit, secondary, undergraduate and graduate programming through distance technology links.
David Taylor, dean of the WIU College of Education and Human Services, and Michael Dickson, director of Western's Center for the Application of Instructional Technologies, were appointed to serve on the IBHE Technology Task Force to investigate the use of technology to extend distance learning access for students and to improve teaching and learning.
The IBHE also approved construction of a 9,000 square foot football locker room addition adjoining the southeast corner of Western Hall. The new space will consolidate the delivery of athletic training services and provide room for equipment distribution, locker rooms, offices, meeting rooms and a reception area. The $600,000 addition will be funded from private resources.
The Board approved the demolition of Bennett and Hursh residence halls at an estimated cost of $410,000. The halls are connected to a center building structure that will be retained as a dining, computer and meeting room facility. The halls were constructed in 1957 with a total occupancy of 323. Due to declines in enrollment and lower residence hall occupancy, the halls were closed beginning with the 1993-94 academic year.
J. Michael Houston, senior vice president of Bank One, Illinois, since 1989 and former Springfield mayor (1979-1987), has been appointed to the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees by Gov. Jim Edgar. The governor's office announced the appointment, which requires Senate approval, May 6.
A Springfield native, Houston is a member of the Community Development Finance Corporation, the Board of Financial Planners and Management Service Advisors and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees.
"The University is pleased to have an individual who has been extremely successful in public service agree to continue that type of commitment for Western," said WIU President Donald S. Spencer. "Michael Houston has a reputation for being dynamic and having insight and vision on issues facing the state."
Houston earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Illinois State University and a master's degree in business management from the University of Illinois.
Houston's appointment fills the vacancy created when Dan Webb resigned his trustee post in April. Webb, a capital partner and director of the litigation department at Winston & Strawn law firm in Chicago, was one of seven individuals appointed in October 1995 by Gov. Edgar to the WIU Board which took office Jan. 1, 1996.
Singing, acting and dancing about love is on the agenda for June and July with the production of three musicals at Western Illinois University's Browne Hall Hainline Theatre.
The antics of matchmaking, the innocence of first love and the love of American's pastime that binds a soul with the devil will be played out during the 1997 Summer Music Theatre (SMT) season.
"Hello Dolly!" kicks off the summer fun with performances at 7:30 p.m. June 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28. Carol Channing earned the 1964 Best Actress Tony Award for her role as Dolly Gallagher Levy in the musical version of Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker."
The joy and sweetness of a first love is the theme for SMT's second production "She Loves Me," which will run July 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12. Nightly performances are at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday, July 6 matinee performance is at 2 p.m.
An over zealous passion for baseball makes one fan sell his soul to the devil to become a star player in 1950s musical "Damn Yankees," which will run July 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Season tickets will be on sale from 1-5 p.m. weekdays at the Hainline Theatre Box Office beginning Monday, June 2. A season pass for the three productions is $37.50. Individual show tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $5 for WIU students. For box office information, 298-2900.
The office of international education and WESL Institute are hosting a welcome picnic for the international students arriving for summer classes. The campus community is invited to attend the event set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5 at Lakewood Shelter in Everly Park. In case of rain, the event will take place at the Union Lamoine Room.
Those who attend are asked to bring a potluck dish to share and be attentive to the special dietary needs of the students. Vegetarian, non-pork, rice/noodle dishes are especially welcome. Table service and beverages will be provided.
For more information contact Suzanne Boussaard at 298-1806 for via cc:mail by Friday, May 30.
A sixty foot walkway leading to the main entrance of the new WIU Student Recreation Center is going to feature 420 special people, businesses, clubs, professional groups, fraternities, sororities, organizations and others who buy a brick for permanent placement on the "Health Walk."
Traditionally styled 4" by 8" bricks are available with either one line of engraving up to 16 characters at a cost of $115, or two lines each with up to 16 characters for $125. Call for information on logo placement. There is no limit on the number of bricks ordered. Punctuation marks count as characters.
The bricks must be ordered by Friday, May 23. They will be installed during the summer, and those who purchased the bricks will be invited to the grand opening of the Recreation Center.
To place an order, obtain an order form or for more information, contact Mary Kubasak, 298-1814, ext. 6. Order forms are also available on the Web by accessing the WIU Home Page, clicking on Student Services and then clicking on "Buy a Brick." The forms can be printed from the screen. Check, cash or VISA or Master Charge are accepted for payment.
The Office of Student Activities has announced the date for the 1997 Fall Leadership Conference. This year's FLC will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 in the Union.
This year's theme is "Passport to Success...The Power to Change the World." There will be informational sessions and programs that focus on all levels of leaders at WIU.
Keynote speaker is Maura Cullen. Instructors are encouraged to inform students of the leadership conference.
The Performing Arts Society will sponsor the Home and Garden Tour during Macomb Heritage Days from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28.
Featured homes include: Rosemary Aten, 904 Bayberry Lane, Macomb; Gary and Nancy Kendall, 715 Jamie Lane, Macomb; Craig and Susie Pierce, 1095 N. Crafford, Bushnell; and Mike and Laura Steelman, 1313 Washington Ct., Bushnell.
Featured gardens include: Ed and Mollie Baker, 625 Compton Parkway, Macomb; and Ed Card and Margaret Ovitt, 439 N. McArthur, Macomb.
Admission is $10 for the tour. Children under 12 are not admitted. Profits benefit the Performing Arts Society's Youth Performing Arts Series and the Heritage Days Committee. For more information, contact Bob or Mary Reed, 837-2506.
Beu Health Center is sponsoring a teleconference, "Is Food Safe for Kids?: Adverse Reactions to Food," set for noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 4 in the Union Sandburg Theatre. The teleconference is designed for physicians, nurses, nutritionists and dieticians. It will be presented by the Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Scheduled topics include "The Role of the Gut in Protection Against Infections and Allergies," "E-Coli and Food Poisoning," "Food Allergies," and "Sucrose and Artificial Sweeteners and Children's Behavior." For more information, contact the health center at 298-1888, ext. 250.
Twenty-seven Western Illinois University faculty have been granted promotions, effective fall semester 1997.
Promotion recommendations were initiated at the departmental level, reviewed by the College deans, the University Personnel Committee and Provost Burton O. Witthuhn prior to final approval by President Donald S. Spencer.
Promoted from associate professor to professor were Dennis L. Carson; inudstrial education and technology; Katherine M. Dahl, library; Virginia A. Diehl, psychology; Georg W. Gunzenhauser, educational and interdisciplinary studies; Kenneth S. Hawkinson, communication;
Frederick M. Randolph, health education and promotion; James C. Stegall, music; Lee H. Tichenor, computer science; Lawrence V. Welch, mathematics; and Dean A. Zoerink, recreation, park and tourism administration.
Promoted from assistant to associate professor were Dale K. Adkins, recreation, park and tourism administration; Mark S. Boley, physics; Bruce C. Briney, music; Gregg Dieringer, biology; Laura M. Finch, physical education; Kathy E. Fischer, health education and promotion;
Jack L. Howard, management; Bill K. Knight, English and journalism; Maureen G. Marx, communication; Katharine A. Pawelko, recreation, park and tourism administration; James Schmidt, psychology;
Lois Shane, social work; Shengming Tang, sociology and anthropology; Lance P. Ternasky, educational and interdisciplinary studies; Cynthia M. Waltershausen, educational administration and supervision; and Adam B. Webber, computer science.
Promoted from instructor to assistant professor was Brent A. Payne, industrial education and technology.
Gil Belles, recreation, park and tourism administration, authored a review of "The Black Press in the Middle West, 1865-1985", edited by Henry Lewis Suggs and published in the Illinois Historical Journal, Spring 1997.
Roy Chang, library, presented "Understanding Information Network Architectures and Protocols" at the Chinese-American Librarians Association Annual Conference in Indianapolis.
Ken Hawkinson, communication, presented a paper on African American folklore and served on a panel on socialization of new faculty at the Central States Communication Association Convention in St. Louis.
Anita Magafas, recreation, park and tourism administration, was a speaker for a panel session on "A Responsibility: Educating Therapeutic Recreators for the Future" at the Institute on Elder Care at the 26th Annual Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation in Lake Geneva, WI. Magafas and
Katharine Pawelko, recreation, park and tourism administration, co-presented "Hugs and Giggles: Combining Humor and Pet Therapy" at the Symposium.
Batt Maher, educational administration and supervision, presented "Electronic Classroom: Teaching with Technology" at the 11th Annual Midwest ATE Conference. He also edited "Innovation in Education" for the Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Midwest Spring Conference.
Nicholas Pano, College of Arts and Sciences, presented "The Albanian Crisis: Policy Options" at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.
Beth Seaton, office of sponsored projects, presented "Research Administration and Grantwriting for Newcomers" at the National Council of University Research Administrators Meeting in Kansas City.
Elaine Vail, health education and promotion, received funding of $1,850 from the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance for a project to publish "FITNESS FUN! Family Fitness Newsletter."
A University Relations Publication