2007:  Shirley J. McGlinn (right), instructor in the Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program.  McGlinn began her professional career with the University’s School of Medicine, teaching histology to first-year students.  For the past 24 years, she has taught not only histology, but biology, endocrinology, problem-solving and problem-based learning techniques for MEDPREP, which helps educationally or economically disadvantaged students prepare for admission to and success in medical and dental schools.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kan., and her master’s degree from SIUC.

2006: Edward J. “Joey” Helleny, a lecturer in radio-television.  A longtime media figure in Southern Illinois, he teaches courses in radio and television news, broadcast news writing and broadcast performance.  He also supervises The River Region Evening Edition, the University’s award-winning, student-produced television newscast. He is a two-degree graduate of SIUC, earning his bachelor’s in 1979 and a master’s in 2004.

2005: Alberta J. Skaggs, a lecturer in English.  She teaches courses ranging from freshman composition to introductory Shakespeare.  In her Shakespeare class, students read plays aloud; the term finishes with the Skaggs Players performing scenes  She earned an associate degree in 1994 from Southeastern Illinois College.  She is a two-degree graduate of SIUC, earning a bachelor’s in 1997 and a master of fine arts degree in 2001.

2004: Rita J. Polston, lecturer in mathematics.  She teaches remedial algebra, core curriculum mathematics courses (many of which she designed and developed) and preparation courses for elementary and secondary teachers.  She also trains graduate teaching assistants and monitors their teaching progress and organizes and coordinates her department’s annual field day competition. She is a two-degree graduate of the University, earning her bachelor’s in 1980 and her master’s in 1989.