News and Events

“Steven Tijerina who has just begun studying for his DPT, Doctorate of Physical Therapy, won the iPOD Shuffle drawing , offered by the GSU Library, for those who filled out a library related questionnaire during the Campus Crawl last week,” announced Lydia Morrow Ruetten, Dean of the GSU Library. “We were pleased with the record number of students who came to the GSU Library during this Campus Crawl,” she said.

Steven Tijerina

“This was an exciting moment for me. I’ve never won anything before,” Steven offered. “ I use the library everyday for printing and other class related needs. Those in my field of study have the chance to not only check out books, but we have bone samples and much more available through the library. I am also looking forward to working with Librarian, Swati Wagh who is my subject area liaison!”

Steven spoke of how important it is that GSU students participate in student related activities such as the Campus Crawl. “GSU does an excellent job of providing programs and activities for students. Even though I finished my undergraduate degree here at GSU, I had never been in the C Building! The Campus Crawl was an outstanding way for me to learn more about places I had never been at GSU. I would encourage all students to participate in the next Campus Crawl. You might even win an IPOD Shuffle if you visit the library!” he said.

“Those in the GSU community who have not been to the library either in person or online, are invited to visit. Remember, the GSU Library is your research resource 24/7,” said Dean Ruetten. The GSU Library is located on the second floor of the D Building. When entering through the Main Entrance, walk straight through until you come to the stairs and elevator. The Library entrance (D2400) is located at the top of the stairs. The library web address is www.govst.edu/library.

The recruiting staff has hit the road and is counting down to fall 2014. The past year, the team has met hundreds of high school students and counselors to inform, educate and excite them about GSU’s First Class. This week statewide articulation guide meetings with high school counselors begin. We have launched new ad campaigns focused on transfer students, we have established partnerships with organizations that serve prospective students and GSU recruiters will be on site at all of the key college-recruiting fairs the Chicagoland area. In addition the GSU home page and much of GSU’s social media will be transitioning to a focus on recruitment efforts. The website will feature flip books of the freshman, transfer and graduate student view books and social media campaigns will drive prospective students to apply online.

GSU welcomes Neel Rana an AmeriCorps VISTA who will work with Student Life in the new Civic Engagement and Community Service Center. His primary responsibilities will be to assist the Assistant Dean of Students with the design, implementation and assessment of a comprehensive community service programs, developing service-learning capacity building activities and strengthening community partner relationships. His assignment with GSU is for one year.

 

Neel is originally from San Francisco, California and his lifelong passion is hiking and camping. He’s also a devout fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland A's. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Distinction from Shimer College in May 2013. The Center’s office is located in “A” Destination for Student Involvement, Room A2130. Feel free to stop by and welcome Neel to GSU.

Check out the Food Service website for its calendar of daily hot entrees at lunch and at dinner as well as two dining service coupons that are valid during September.

The GSU Catering Guide has been updated and is located on the Food Service website. Find menus and prices all in one easy, convenient location. Please note that the ordering process remains the same.

As a reminder, Governors State University has a contract with FSI Incorporated which provides them with exclusive right to serve and sell all on-campus food and beverages. If you are planning to serve food or beverages for your event, you must first contact FSI to see if they will be able to meet your catering needs. If they are unable to accommodate your request, FSI will notify the Director of Auxiliary Services, Betsy Joseph, so that she is aware that FSI is unable to accommodate your catering needs and you will then be permitted to go off campus for your purchase. Pizza delivery for individuals, student fund-raisers and other scholarship events are excluded from this grant of exclusivity. Any additional exclusion must be mutually agreed upon by both parties in advance of the specific event. Please contact Betsy Joseph at ejoseph@govst.edu or at ext. 7598 if you have any questions regarding this matter.

Learn and celebrate the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. The celebration begins Sept. 15, the day that five Latin American countries - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua - achieved independence in 1821. Heritage Month also includes the independence days of both Mexico and Chile on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively, and El Día de la Raza (Columbus Day) on Oct. 12.

 

For more information, visit: http://www.govst.edu/diversity/#HHM 

Events:

September 16 - October 15
Hispanic/Latino Countries Flag (Display)
Hall of Governors

 

September 16
To Celebrate Independence (Display)
This is a display highlighting the countries that received their independence between September 15 and September 21.
11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Hall of Governors

September 18
Supporting Undocumented Students (Faculty Focus)
A short film will focus on the experience of undocumented students and a webinar will focus on the political, legal and practical implications of the Department of Homeland Security’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process, the DREAM Act provisions of the pending immigration bill, and insight regarding other pending policy actions followed by a discussion. Please RSVP to Lisa Carra at lcarra@govst.edu.
3 - 4 p.m. D1496

 

September 18
Culture and Communication
Topic: Space and Place
This is an open class, which explores the key characteristics of Latino values, the role of history and place in shaping cultural identity and the ways bodies move through space.
4:30 - 7:20 p.m. D34180
Professor Jason Zingshiem

 

September 19
Addressing Sexual Violence in Immigrant Communities
This workshop will address the impacts of sexual violence, particularly among Latino immigrants and will integrate and address migration, domestic violence, cultural values and barriers to mental health services due to economic, legal, social and language concerns.
5 - 7 p.m. Engbretson Hall
YWCA

 

September 19
Supporting Undocumented Students
A second showing of the September 18 event, with a focus for GSU staff. Please RSVP to Lisa Carra at lcarra@govst.edu.
1 - 2:30 p.m. (Staff Focus), D1496

 

October 11
To Have and To Hold (Artist Reception)
Oil Paintings, Collage and Graphite Drawings of Faces, Objects and Cultural Constructs
7-9 p.m.
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted Street, Chicago, Il
www.jeffstevenson.com 

 

October 12
Flamingo Passion: Quejios-Cries in the Air
Take an emotional journey through the musical landscape of Spain with Chicago's best flamenco and world music talent Alfonso Cid. A sampling of food and wine native to the region will be offered one hour before the show, along with a discussion on the cultural history of Spanish flamenco.
8 p.m. Center for Performing Arts
Center for Performing Arts www.centertickets.net 

 

This is just a glimpse of the programs offered in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Visit www.govst.edu/diversity for future programs and events.

This event will focus on all aspects of professional development such as creating effective resumes, cover letters, networking, behavior based interviews, professional etiquette, job search and internship strategies. There will be resume critiques and mock interviews for attendees who sign up and participate in this conference. To participate in this event please register.

Promise Fest is a student-produced event in support of the scholarships provided by GSU Promise. GUS Promise scholarships go to qualifying graduates of select Illinois Community Colleges to pave the way toward a bachelor’s degree.

 

Comedy with Damon Williams
Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m.
Tickets $30
$15 for GSU Students

This former “Showtime at the Apollo” host has been featured on BET LIVE, the Kings of Comedy Tour (1999), the Cedric the Entertainer Comedy Revue (2000) and the Black Comedy Tour.

An Evening with Terisa Griffin
Saturday, October 5 at 7 p.m.
Tickets $35
$25 for GSU Students
Want to meet Terisa? Purchase a VIP Ticket for $75

One of the most sought after vocalists in the music business, Terisa performs R&B, Soul, Gospel, House and Jazz music. Featuring 2013 GSU Idol-Audrey Cher (pictured right).

5K RUN/WALK
Lace up your running shoes!
October 5 at 9 a.m.
Tickets are $25 and $15 for GSU Students.
Registration is on site.

THE LINCOLN ACADEMY OF ILLINOIS STUDENT LAUREATE

Each fall an outstanding senior from each of the degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Student Lincoln Academy Medallion and becomes a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are honored for their overall excellence in academic and extracurricular activities. The Lincoln Laureate is an honor for students whose contributions to the betterment of mankind have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois, or, whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or by their dedication to those principles of democracy and humanity as exemplified by the great Illinois native whose name it bears.

Faculty:  nominate a deserving student today! Students:  if you feel you meet the criteria, ask your professor to submit your nomination. Nominations must be submitted by a GSU faculty member.

Applications for the Lincoln Laureate nomination. Application deadline is Thursday, October 3. For additional information contact ssanderson@govst.edu 

“America’s always turned a blind eye toward what we’ve done to our own. We’ve heard about the concentration camps; but these camps went on for 200 years right here in America.”
-Cecil Gaines, Lee Daniels' The Butler.

With President Obama contemplating military action against Syria for acts of genocide, Forest Whittaker's character in The Butler, Cecil Gaines, applies to our nation today: The discussion must include all the hard truths about our nation's past and must be from a position of knowledge and wisdom about the international meaning of genocide as well as the experience of race hatred at home.  This is a perspective held by President Obama, unique among his predecessors.

Students are invited to expand their knowledge and wisdom of the history of racism, genocide and fighting back with two upcoming events:

• Wednesday, November 6:  A scholarly panel on The Butler at GSU. Location TBA. 6:00-8:00 PM. This will feature most of the lineup from the April 2012 scholarly panel on Red Tails: Professors Donald Culverson, Rashidah Muhammed and David Golland; also Professor Debbie James.
• Thursday, November 7: Visit to the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs and the Dean's Office, College of Arts and Sciences. The bus will leave GSU at 3:30PM and will return by 9:00.

Students attending the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie should contact Johnsie McAuley at jmcauley@govst.edu to reserve a seat.

Governors State University, consistent with the American College Health Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, recommends that students consider vaccination to reduce their risk for potentially fatal meningococcal disease.

For additional information, please refer to the index of ACHA and other resources and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For personal assistance regarding all immunizations for you or a member of your family please see your healthcare provider.

This announcement is intended to promote public health awareness and practices, and is in compliance with the Illinois Meningitis Information Law (110 ILCS 690/35-120).

Consistent with its focus on diversity and inclusion, GSU is committed to treating people of all faiths fairly and to provide the GSU Community with access to facilities for personal observation of their faith traditions, quiet contemplation and reflection.

The Reflection and Restoration Room will be available through the fall academic calendar in room A2150. This room is an accessible space, which can be used by people of all faith traditions and beliefs, and for those whom religion has no particular significance in their lives to sit and contemplate, pray, reflect, restore themselves, recover from a traumatic life event; such as bereavement or to simply take a few moments to lower stress from a busy day.

To reserve the R and R room or if you have any questions or concerns; please send an email to RandR@govst.edu 

Time for you to attend a New to the Library Welcome Session, led by Linda Geller to answer following questions:

• Want to know how to use the online catalog to find books, e-books, videos and reserves?
• Interested in Creating an I-Share account to borrow books from other libraries?
• Do you know how to select relevant databases for your topic or discipline?
• Want to search databases for journal articles?

Sessions take place 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. on the following days in the library:

• Mon. Sept. 9
• Tue. Sept. 10
• Wed. Sept. 11
• Thur. Sept. 12

Each student who attends will receive a Paper Cut Print Voucher.
The GSU Library is located on the second floor of the D Building. When entering GSU through the Main Entrance, walk straight to the stairs and elevator. The Library entrance (D2400) is located at the top of the stairs.

The GSU Food Pantry opened last Tuesday, September 3, to provide food for GSU students. The Pantry is located in Student Commons in A building. Please note: the Pantry will be open on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The Pantry needs your donation(s) of non-perishable, unopened food items to continue to serve GSU students. Please be sure that all donated items are within the expiration date. This fall, the Pantry will also distribute vegetables harvested from the Food Pantry plot in the University Sustainable Garden.

The GSU Library is on the move and working very hard to enhance the overall on-line and in-person user experience. To better serve university students, the Library staff is looking for members of the GSU Library Student Advisory Group.

We are seeking student leaders from all academic disciplines who have an interest in helping to improve the GSU library. Advisory group members must be able to attend a minimum of two in-person meetings each semester. These meetings will last not more than an hour and we will be asking about your thoughts, opinions and suggestions regarding a variety of initiatives that we are planning for the library. We will also provide food and refreshments during these meetings. From time to time, we might even need to send out an email requesting your thoughts and opinions.

Interested? Fill out the GSU Library Student Advisory Group application. Please submit the form online by September 20, 2013. We will review all applications and contact you if you have been selected.

Join us every Thursday afternoon beginning, September 19 through December 5 from 3:00-4:15 p.m. in the Reflection and Restoration Room, A2150. This program is open to students, staff and faculty. Register in the Academic Resource Center at 708-534-4090 but drop-ins welcome.

Electrifying dance. Soaring music. Heart-warming theater. Unforgettable family entertainment. Welcome to the 19th season at Governors State University Center for Performing Arts. As a GSU student, staff or faculty member, you can purchase discounted tickets just $20 per ticket for any show; any seat in theater. Student tickets are $10-$20, depending on the performance. Student price sheets are available at the Box Office.

Musical phenomenon Jim Witter is back onstage at GSU with a rock musical featuring mega-hits by Lennon and McCartney on September 28th. GSU Center favorites like Ailey II, Opera Up Close and the Salt Creek Ballet Nutcracker return this year. One More Night, featuring the best in Chicago live performance, is back with four lively shows including flamenco with wine and tapas, two theatre performances and jazz favorite Dee Alexander. Trumpet Virtuoso Orbert Davis, a smash hit at a concert earlier this year, will commemorate Mardi Gras onstage in a show that should not be missed. The Miracle Worker, from Montana Repertory Theater, tells the moving story of Helen Keller. Family shows will tell the well-loved tales of The Ugly Duckling, Johnny Appleseed, and Beauty and the Beast. Contact the box office at (708) 235-2222 or visit www.CenterTickets.net for details on upcoming performances.

Dr. Tony Labriola, Professor of Communication, Visual And Performing Arts, and Professor Emeritus Winfried Rudloff, Ph.D., Dr. h. c. attended recently the 25th International Conference on Systems Research, Informatics and Cybernetic and the 33rd Annual Meeting of the International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics held July 29 - August 3, 2013 in Baden-Baden, Germany. During the Opening Plenary Session, Professor Labriola presented a keynote address on “Social Media: Mythic Heroes and the New Loneliness”. Professor Rudloff’s keynote address was on: “Minds and Memories of Men and Machines: How will High-Tech Influence our Lives.”

A Symposium on Global Education, Managerial Cybernetics, Risk Analysis & Risk Management was co-chaired by Professor Rudloff where he presented his lecture on, “The Study of Current Research in Science, Technology, and Medicine: Beyond the Club of Rome; The Gaia Hypothesis”. This lecture was based on an original idea by Professor Emeritus Reino Hakala of GSU.

Following the Symposium, Professors Labriola and Rudloff co-chaired a Workshop on Global Education and the Technological Frontier VIII. A video lecture by Professor Dennis Meadows on “Perspectives on Limits to Growth: It is too late for a Sustainable Development” was shown as presented 2012 at the Smithsonian Institute.

The workshop was highlighted by Professor Labriola’s demonstration of his film production skills. The classroom was converted into a movie studio where he directed and filmed Professor William Graham’s class exercise of Medical Qi Gong. Professor Graham of the University in Vancouver is a practitioner of oriental medicine.

On the last day of the conference, the 3rd Special Focus Symposium and Workshop on Humor and Laughter - with Audience Participation was moderated by Professors Lasker, Roessler, Andonian and Rudloff. Professor Rudloff presented portions of a revised edition on “Humoresque: Humor is to Laugh in Spite of It All” which is currently being revised to be published in the e-journal of the Institute.

A final Note: Professor Labriola was honored with the “IIAS President’s Medal of Achievement” and Professor Rudloff was inducted into the IIAS Hall of Fame, “…in recognition of his outstanding scholarly work and the great life-long contribution to the advancement of knowledge in Education, Systems Research and Cybernetics.”

Members of GSU’s Student Healthcare Management Association (SHCMA) joined forces with AT&T officials to bring AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign against texting while driving to the GSU campus on August 28, 2013.
  

Archana Liggins, Yvette McWhorter, Nisha Mehta, Isha Dhingra, and Nitika Sood

Serving as co-chairs of this service learning event were Archana Liggins, Chief Information Officer and Yvette McWhorter, Activities Chairperson for SHCMA. They were assisted by Nisha Mehta, President of SHCMA, as well as Isha Dhingra, Secretary, and member Nitika Sood. Faculty Advisor for the organization is Dr. Caren Rossow, FACHE, of the College of Health and Human Services’ Health Administration Department.
  

GSU’s President Elaine P. Maimon and Sam Balark, External Affairs Director for AT&T, joined the event to encourage students to take the pledge never to text and drive. A number of elected officials, including: State Senator Mike Hastings; State Representatives Will Davis and Anthony DeLuca; University Park Mayor Vivian Covington; Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold and Village of Hazel Crest President Vernard L. Alsberry, Jr., as well as local police and fire chiefs, attended the event urging individuals to stop texting while driving.  Every year, more than 100,000 crashes involve drivers who are texting. According to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash.
  

AT&T and the “It Can Wait” campaign have established September 19 as a national “Drive 4 Pledges Day,” encouraging Americans to take the pledge to never text while driving again.  To take the pledge, log onto www.ItCanWait.com.
  

Visit http://youtu.be/4Xav81JVk4U for complete coverage of the event by This Week at GSU (TWAG).

President Elaine P. Maimon welcomes new and returning students back to campus with a special message. 

View the President's Welcome Message.