July 30, 2007
Dear SIUC Faculty and Staff:
Thank you. Thank you for making me feel welcome during my first month on campus. It has been a great learning experience, and your kind assistance is greatly appreciated. I am quickly adapting to my new surroundings and all of the people and traditions that are Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In addition, many thanks to President Poshard for his support. 
Since my arrival in Carbondale I've met many wonderful, helpful people. I've also found out that I'm not the only new face on campus.
Ken Teitelbaum is the new dean at our College of Education and Human Services. He comes to us from Kent State University.
Our new dean in the College of Science is Jay Means. Dr. Means’ last position was at Western Michigan University.
There's also a new face at the Student Recreation Center. Willie Ehling, who was the University of Central Florida's director of recreation and wellness, is SIUC's new director of recreational sports and services.
I should point out that this is the time of year when the University has many additions to its faculty and staff. Welcome to all the new Salukis!
Alan Vaux is the new dean at the College of Liberal Arts, but he's no stranger to most people on campus. Dr. Vaux had served as the college's interim dean and has been with the University since 1980.
I also want to recognize Michelle Hughes Miller, an associate professor in our Sociology department. She is the new director of SIUC's University Women's Professional Advancement
It won't be long until a new assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management is on board. Its just one of the many steps the University is taking to increase its enrollment and retention efforts.
They have a long road ahead of them, but a group of faculty members are preparing the University for its next accreditation review, which is set for 2009. Patti Elmore, SIUC's interim associate provost for academic affairs, is leading the effort and English professor Kevin Dettmar leads a steering committee that oversees five separate subcommittees charged with examining various criteria across campus. Accreditation is an intense process that looks at all facets of the university and provides quality assurance for our students. Please give the accreditation team your full support.
I continue to learn more each day about the great work of our faculty, staff and students. Some of these efforts have attracted attention around the state and the nation this summer:
Andilee Warner, SIUC's "worm lady," has been getting quite a bit of media attention since she was named Recycler of the Year by the Illinois Recycling Association. Andilee, who leads our recycling efforts, and her vermicomposting program have been profiled in several of the state's major newspapers this summer.
The media has also picked up on research conducted by Lalit Gupta, a professor of electrical and computer engineering in SIUC's College of Engineering. Dr. Gupta's work on human-machine interfaces is helping many disabled people gain more control over their lives. The research conducted by Dr. Gupta and his team has been highlighted in several newspapers and journals.
Ike Mathur, SIUC's Henry J. Rehn professor of finance, along with colleagues at two other universities, received an award from the Journal of Financial Research as co-author of the publication's 2006 Outstanding Article. The first place award provided a $750 cash prize. Their article "The Use of Acquisitions and Joint Ventures by U.S. Banks Expanding Abroad" examines international bank expansions as they occur in developed or developing markets.
Congratulations to Paul Restivo, director of the Center for Environmental Health and Safety. This fall, Paul will begin a one-year term as an advisor for the National Safety Council (NSC). He'll be a technical advisor on the NSC's Board of Delegates, which includes professionals and experts from across the country who make recommendations to the NSC about current safety issues.
One of SIUC's great traditions is our commitment to diversity and that commitment is reflected in the national rankings. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education annually identifies the nation's Top 100 minority degree producers. This year, SIUC ranks 42nd in awarding undergraduate degrees to African-American students. Among traditionally white institutions, SIUC ranks 27th.
Our summer commencement exercises take place Saturday, August 4th. The SIU Arena will be filled with many very happy, excited and proud people. The graduates have worked very hard and we wish all of them the best.
The start of the fall semester is about a month away. It is an exciting time at any college campus. Please help our students feel welcome. I hope you'll take a few extra moments to make them feel at ease and part of the Saluki Family. Your efforts are critical toward improving our retention rate and ensuring all students have a successful career at SIUC.
Again, thank you for your support. I look forward to meeting more of you in the days and weeks ahead. Suggestions and ideas for future issues of "Chancellor Communiqué" may be sent to chancomm@siu.edu.
Sincerely,
Fernando M. Treviño
Chancellor |
