University News
Feb 3. Reception at Malpass to Celebrate Birds
January 19, 2012
MACOMB, IL – January and February are months when nearby communities in Western Illinois and Southeast Iowa celebrate the observation of bald eagles, as the birds make their way south along the Mississippi River in search of food. For example, this weekend, approximately 40 miles west of Macomb, Keokuk (IA) is hosting its annual Bald Eagle Appreciation Days.
Western Illinois University Libraries is also celebrating the majestic beauty of the bald eagle and other birds this winter season with "Birds, Birds, Birds!," a reception celebrating the multiple ornithological influences in the Leslie F. Malpass Library on the WIU-Macomb campus.
The event is slated to start at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 in the Garden Lounge and will feature the donation of a sculpture entitled "Echo," created by 2011 Western alumnus Mark Padlo (Joliet, IL); the induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2011 of WIU Professor Emeritus Thomas Dunstan, who is known for his biological work in rescuing the bald eagle; and the expansion of University Libraries' Petersen Ornithological Collection.
Sculpture Donation -- Those who have used Malpass Library's access services desk within the last six months may have noticed "Echo," the sculpture created by Padlo, who earned his bachelor's degree of fine arts last May. Padlo created the work in a sculpture class at Western, and it was purchased by Patricia Hutinger, in memory of her son, Scott Hutinger. Patricia Hutinger retired from Western in 2008; she was a professor of early childhood education. In 1975, she founded Macomb Projects, which later became the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education, a service unit in the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) at Western.
Dunstan Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Induction -- According to the Illinois Conservation Foundation, Dunstan has been recognized for his "commitment to natural resources protection, conservation and enhancement of outdoor recreation opportunities in the state," specifically, for his work to protect and expand the wildlife habitat of bald eagles. In its "Eyewitness to the 20th Century" -- a 400-page hardbound volume that chronicles worldwide scientific and humanistic accomplishments and events of the 20th century -- National Geographic, on page 284 of the 1970-1979 decade review, Dunstan is recognized in the section "Rescuing the Eagle." Although Dunstan retired in 2007, he continues his wildlife work.
Petersen Ornithological Collection Expansion -- The Mary Lou and Peter Petersen, Jr., Ornithological Collection recently received additional books at University Libraries. The collection contains more than 1,000 unique titles of rare and high-quality books, periodicals, banding cards and records dating back to 1886.
For more information about "Birds, Birds, Birds!," contact Marketing and Outreach Librarian Tammy Sayles at (309) 298-3298 or via e-mail at TJ-Sayles@wiu.edu. Visit University Libraries online at wiu.edu/libraries.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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