E-Communicator Newsletter - Spring 2009

Spring 2009

Message from the Dean

GSU Remembers 

2009 College Illinois Community College Juried Art Exhibition 

New Educational Initiatives

Restorative Justice Makes Progress

MFA on the Move

Innovative Instruction

GSU Turns 40

NSF CPATH: Building Collaborative Partnerships in Higher Education and Industry

TQE—Improving Preparation of Pre-Service Teachers in Real-World Contexts

Art on the Move

The Wonders of Science

CAS Welcomes

In the Spotlight

Students in Focus

Upcoming Events 

Editor,
Sheree Sanderson

EVENTS

Save the date!

November 7

40th Anniversary Reception & Motown Revue 

40th Writing Competition

What IMPACT has GSU had on your life?

Deadline:
June 1

Message from the Dean

Dr. Eric V. Martin 

Greetings and welcome to the Spring-Summer 2009 newsletter for the College of Arts and Sciences.  As you will see below, there are numerous activities on which to report as we engage the season of renewal.  I couldn’t be prouder of our faculty, staff, and students for their many accomplishments and their continuing work to advance the mission of CAS. 

I have also been personally touched by the remembrances of our dear colleagues Ron Brubaker, Eli Segal, and Peter Gunther.  In my ten years at GSU, I have come to realize that many faculty and staff members come to the university for the students, and they stay for each other.  Ron, Eli, and Peter exemplified this dedication.  They were all fine faculty members who served countless students with unmatched insight and energy, and all three men were there for their colleagues.  In doing so, they made their careers, and they also made the careers of many others better.  We will miss all three.

As spring now rolls quickly into summer, I hope that each of you is also renewed, that you have time to explore the scholarly questions which were out of reach in the depths of winter, and that you return this fall ready once more to change the world!

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GSU Remembers

Dr. Ronald L. Brubaker
1938–2009

Ron Brubaker was one of the first GSU faculty, an electrochemist who became chair of Science and then dean of Arts and Sciences. He was also one of the founding fathers of the computer science program at GSU.

He was prescient, recommending the program be based upon the personal computer, not the mainframe, and that we should all invest in Microsoft. He will be missed.

Eli Segal
1941–2009

The College of Arts and Sciences has lost an admired faculty member. Professor Segal began his career at GSU in 1987 as a University Professor of Media Communication.

He retired in 2007. In addition to his teaching career at GSU, and previously at Western Michigan University, Professor Segal also served as a media historian, author, and writer/producer/director of more than 4,500 programs.

In 1978, he won the George F. Peabody Broadcasting Award for his work at WMUK, Western Michigan University’s public radio station.

Dr. Peter Gunther
1943 - 2009

Peter spent his 36-year career in higher education as Professor of Environmental Science at the Governors State University.  His academic career centered on the study of various aspects of plant physiology and ecology and included the role of perennial plants in peat formation in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia.  

He will be remembered as a deeply caring, humane, and humorous teacher who was able to engage students in the study of biology.  Peter received the faculty excellence award four times during his career at GSU and was nominated for the Board of Governors Distinguished Professor Award.  He retired from GSU in 2006 and in 2008 he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus.

Peter will be fondly remembered by the many staff and students whose lives he touched and greatly missed by his many friends at Governors State University.

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2009 College Illinois Community College Juried Art Exhibition

The Illinois Community College Juried Art Exhibition was held March 11 to April 3 in the Visual Art Gallery. There were approximately 280 entries with 17 participating community colleges, including the following.

• Heartland Community College
• Joliet Junior College
• Kankakee Community College
• McHenry College
• Oakton Community College
• Parkland Community College
• Prairie State College
• South Suburban College
• Triton College
• Waubonsee Community College

A closing reception to celebrate the show and the artists and present merit awards was held on Friday, April 3, from 1 to 3 p.m., in E-Lounge. Juror Jeremy Biles of the Chicago Artists Coalition announced the winners.

And the winner is...

Best in Show

• Steven Stoll (1, 4, 9, 2): Collage on Canvas—John Wood Community College

Awards of Merit

• Brian Sullivan: Lone Ranger, Oil on Canvas—Parkland College
• Richard Neubauer—McHenry County College
• Andy Lechner—McHenry County College
• Ashley Dedin—Joliet Junior College
• Charles Rohrer—Prairie State College
• Laura Meador—Heartland Community College
• Michelle D. Cox—Prairie State College

Honorable Mention

• Chasity Logan—Heartland Community College
• Bruce Peerson—Prairie State College
• Brandon Swartz and Mercedes Wagner—Joliet Junior College
• Alena Yakimkova—Parkland College

Read more about the Art Exhibition.

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New Educational Initiatives

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

This undergraduate degree offers a wide range of courses, ranging from contemporary, international, and regional artistic expressions to those of ancient America, Africa, and Asia.

Studio courses in ceramics, design, digital imaging, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture enable students to become mature artists in command of diverse materials and capable of expressing an individual view.

Individualized instruction and advisement are offered by dedicated faculty who view themselves not only as teachers, but as producing and exhibiting artists and publishing scholars. This undergraduate major enables students to become practicing artists and gives them the broad intellectual background sought by professional schools, cultural institutions, and the business community. With the expanding use of the arts in contemporary life and the heightened visual awareness of our society, the employment outlook for Art majors continues to be promising.

Mathematics Education

Students interested in obtaining secondary certification in mathematics now have a new option at GSU. In December 2008, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approved a post-baccalaureate certificate.

The Certificate in Mathematics Secondary Education is designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from an accredited institution and are now seeking teacher certification at the secondary level.  This certificate does not lead to a university degree.

Completion of this certificate program and passing scores on all of the required exams qualify an individual for an endorsement in mathematics at the secondary level. This certificate is modeled after the already approved certificates in Biology, Chemistry and English secondary teacher education.

Minor in Gender Studies

The minor in Gender Studies seeks to provide students with an understanding of gender’s centrality to culture using interdisciplinary approaches.  Gender studies examines gender across cultures and historical periods while inquiring into the ways these concepts are represented in various forms, including popular culture, the media, literature, and the arts. A minor in Gender Studies can serve as a useful basis for students in Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, English, Business and Public Administration, Psychology, Health Administration, Social Work, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Minor in Latino Studies

The minor in Latino Studies seeks to provide students with an understanding of the history, cultures, and contemporary issues of Latin Americans and Latinos in the U.S. using interdisciplinary approaches. Comparative and diverse developmental perspectives illuminate linkages among the countries and peoples of the Americas. A minor in Latino Studies can serve as a useful basis for students in Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, English, Business and Public Administration, Psychology, Health Administration, Social Work, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

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Restorative Justice Makes Progress

The Criminal Justice Program, working with the Social Work Program, Prairie State College, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation, and a large group of youth and restorative justice advocates, convened two key community meetings in January, in an effort to increase awareness of and stimulate interest in expanding and strengthening restorative justice programs in south suburban schools and communities. 

Administrators' Forum

Over 100 police chiefs, police officers, school administrators, school teachers, students, social service agency directors, business leaders, and community-based organization directors learned about restorative justice principles and practices, and discussed ways in which they might be implemented in their communities and organizations. 

Restorative Practices

The second event, involved over 100 community leaders, youth, and parents, and included demonstrations of several different restorative practices (for example, peacemaking circles, victim-offender conferencing, peer juries, school-based conferencing, community restorative boards), so that youth and parents became familiar with how restorative justice programs work and what benefits they produce.  Both events were held in January.

The South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police, the Southland Chamber of Commerce, the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, Governors State University and Prairie State College sponsored the two events.  Other contributors were Qdoba Mexican Grill, local and national sports teams, book stores, restaurants and more.

GSU will work with several community-based organizations in the south suburbs, as well as with the State’s Attorneys Office and the court system, to implement violence reduction and conflict resolution practices in area high schools, middle schools, and even elementary schools, in a concerted effort to reduce the steadily increasing stream of local youth into the court system. 

The restorative justice practitioners involved have already held meetings with local schools interested in pursuing restorative justice as an alternative to school suspension, and we anticipate that interest will grow in the upcoming months.

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MFA on the Move

Independent Film and Digital Imaging faculty have submitted a 15 minute version of their current project, Chicago Heights, to the Cannes Film Festival for consideration for its 2009 Short Film Corner. 

The Cannes festival is the most influential event in the film world and runs annually in May in the south of France. The film's production involved the collaboration of numerous GSU MFA and Communications students, alumni, and faculty, including the following.

• Keisha Dyson
• Benny Stewart
• Barbara Hogu
• Homer Talbert
• Mercedes Kane
• Leah Shortell
• Lynn Werth
• Dirk Fletcher
• Linsey Savage
• Seth McClellan
• Victor Collazo
• Sanghoon Lee
• Daniel Nearing
• Don Winter
• Stephanie Portner
• Thompson

In another update, alumnus Seth McClellan's feature documentary, King in Chicago, was aired on PBS during Black History Month—only the short version of the film had previously been broadcast. The film continues to be available for screening 24-7 through Comcast's On Demand.

In January, current MFA student Dirk Fletcher also presented his award-winning photography to a packed house at Chicago's flagship Apple Store on Michigan Avenue.

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Innovative Instruction...

The Crime Scene

Adjunct Professor Colin Reid, who teaches the Introduction to Forensics course for the Criminal Justice Program this trimester conducted a crime scene investigation for the final exam.

Students assumed the role of investigators examing a live crime scene, which was held in the Hall of Governors, Friday, April 10, 2009.

GSU students Darrick Jackson, John Hassett,
and Ricardo Zarate investigate the crime scene.

iPhone Applications

Dr. Steve Shih has created a new course for the Spring/Summer 2009 trimester:

CPSC501: Computer Science Workshop—iPhone Applications 

This innovative course will be taught in the Macintosh lab and students will create applications for the Apple iphone.

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GSU Turns 40

The College of Arts and Sciences celebrates GSU's 40th anniversary with creative programs that embrace the essence of knowledge and education. To assist in this goal we are collaborating with several other programs and colleges; Student Life, ARC, College of Education—MILE, College of Business and Public Administration, Psychology Department, Digital Learning and Media Design, Lambda Pi Eta, Univesity Honors Program, ArtForum, and the Chemistry Club.

There are several faculty members who were instrumental in bringing forward creative programming such as the Art of Kuba Exhibition and Lecture, African-American Read-In, Women's Challenge Game Show, Women Entrepreneurs, and Juried Art Exhibition.

• Dr. Art Bourgeois, Javier Chavira and Heather Page, Art Program
• Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Social Science Program
• Dr. Rashidah Jaami Muhammad, English Program
• Dr. Chip Coldren, Criminal Justice Program
• Dr. Larry Levinson, Political Justice Studies and University Honors Program

Dr. Levinson presented the Civic and Community Engagement Lecture Series featuring:  Dr. Quentin Young, Sr. Catherine Ryan, Mary Houghton, and the Honorable Abner Mikva.  Filmed by Digital Imaging and airing on cable TV.  Check the Educator listings for air time.

http://www.educatortelevision.com/Cablecast/Public/Main.aspx?ChannelID=1

Art of the Kuba

In celebration of the of GSU's 40th anniversary the College of Arts and Sciences presented the Royal Prince of Kuba Ngoloshang Mbecky  to GSU. The event began with a distinguished lecture from the Royal Prince, where he discussed the culture and lineage of Kuba, followed by the Kuba art exhibition and a grand reception in E-Lounge. 

Dr Art Bourgeois was the commentator for the evening, Dr. Eric Martin delivered welcome remarks and Lorine S. Samuels, Chair of the Board of Trustees was in attendance to welcome Prince Mbecky.

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NSF CPATH: Building Collaborative Partnerships in Higher Education and Industry

The Science division has two funded projects to build collaborative partnerships in high education. NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation NSF  ILSAMP, GSU coordinator is Mary Carrington, in partnership with over 10 Illinois colleges and universities, Chicago State University is the lead institution.

NSF Broadening Participation in Computing NSF BPC, Clare Tang is principal investigator. 

The purpose is to increase the number of students completing undergraduate degrees in Computer Science, among women, minorities and non-traditional students. Improve the success rate in GSU's entry level computer programming courses with peer tutoring, online support and demonstration, and an Internet-enabled integrated development environment.

Build new relationships with two private lower division colleges serving underrepresented groups, developing articulation agreements with Morton College and Northwestern Business College.  Strengthen the faculty relationships between GSU and its partnering community colleges and develop a summer faculty conference focused on curriculum development, articulations, dual admissions, and joint advising. 

Bridge students to research by the extension of faculty and student research participation teams at Argonne National Laboratory and the expansion of a distinguished lecture series. 

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TQE—Improving Preparation of Pre-Service Teachers in Real-World Contexts

TQE presented a free workshop for middle and high school educators, mentors, administrators, secondary education students, and professors on March 13.  Jennifer Abrams, educational consultant, presented Elements of Effective Instruction and Critical Friends Group Protocols. 

She is the author of Having Hard Conversations, a national and international educational consultant who trains and coaches teachers and administrators on successful teaching practices, new teacher support, supervision and evaluation, generational savvy, having hard conversations, and effective collaboration skills.

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Art on the Move

Puzzled Together?

Students from Professor Heather Page's Art820 class used the campus as their very own art gallery.

Exhibitions placed throughout the university showcase the diversity of the graduate Art Program at GSU through a range of media such as collage, drawing, mosaics, painting, and photography. Artists and curators were available to discuss their works.

Puzzled Together represents a cross-section of the South Suburban art community. Artists and curators include the following:

• Peter Bosy
• Michael Costanza
• Monique Doyle
• Sarah Ogren
• Patty McWilliams
• Joyce Speechley
• Elizabeth Farnesi
• Margie Glass-Sula
• Traci Ores
• Rene Riley
• KLeo (presented by curator Rachel Prendergast)
• James S. Crews (presented by Silvia Melby)

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The Wonders of Science

Richard Fox, adjunct professor for the Science division used GSU's Meade 8-inch telescope and an 8.1 mega pixel Samsung digital camera to photograph a color image of the sun on February 16.

He reported the brown spot looked like a sunspot, it's in the right area, but it's much bigger than the one identified by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory website, where it is shown in an image of the magnetic fields that form it. 

Fox could not see it in their visible light image, which is most sensitive in a range of wavelengths around red, where sunspots appear brighter, but taken at a different time of day.

His digital camera uses a CCD chip, which is also more sensitive in the red than photographic film. According to Fox, "the solar filter mounted on the telescope excludes the highest (bluer) frequencies, which may enhance the contrast for us. Still, this is a first-time detection. More observations are needed to tell for sure we’re seeing sunspots and not flaws."

Read more http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/

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CAS Welcomes

Join us as we welcome new faculty members to the university.

Daniel Cortese
Assistant Professor of Social Science 

Dr. Cortese received his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining the faculty at Governors State University, he was a fellow at The Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California at San Francisco where he analyzed the strategic use of identity by the tobacco industry to market tobacco to young adults. 

Dr. Cortese has published a book, Are We Thinking Straight? exploring the strategic use of identity by a social movement organization, and his research articles are featured in Social Science and Medicine and the Journal of Adolescent Health. 

Vince R. Jones
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Program recently hired Vincent R. Jones as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. Jones is an experienced criminal defense attorney. He is a national trial lawyer with extensive litigation experience in Federal criminal defense, business-employment litigation, white collar criminal defense (with emphasis on financial crimes), and personal injury. 

He has taught business law, criminal law and appellate skills. He created a successful law firm and authored training manuals on legal skills, law practice development and management.

Jones pioneered the International Peace Initiatives course in our Restorative Justice track, as well as the Death Penalty in America course. He is currently working on developing pre-law workshops for CAS students.

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In the Spotlight 

Rosemary Johnsen

Rosemary Johnsen, Assistant Professor of English was chosen by The Raven Foundation, which works with Lookingglass Theatre Company, to lead a discussion of Our Town at the Saturday matinee show.

She was selected because of her recognition of the imitative patterns that capture the human condition in Our Town. Johnsen wrote an essay on the importance and meaning of Wilder's play for Lookingglass Theatre's study guide.

Rashidah Jaami Muhammad

Rashidah Muhammad, coordinator of English programs presented Disabling the Master's Tools: Advocating Language Rights in the Composition Classroom at the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) on March 11 in San Francisco, California.

Each year the CCCC Convention draws college faculty members from around the world. They present award-winning keynote speakers, presentations on the latest innovations in education, and gain knowledge of best practices in the field.

Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson, assistant professor of History can add two more publications to her repertoire, Identity for Sale: The Billion Dollar African American Hair Trade.

Contributor to The Globetrotting Shopaholic: Consumer Spaces, Products, and their Cultural Places. Tanfer Emin Tunic and Annessa Ann Babic (Eds.). Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Dec. 2008.

Review of Lisa M. Anderson, Black Feminism in Contemporary Drama. (University of Illinois Press, 2008). Southwest Journal of Cultures, forthcoming February 2009.

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Students in Focus

Kishauna Hampton

Kishauna Hampton’s effective work in the internship (which is required in the Criminal Justice Program at GSU) and her military experience recently earned her the Mitchell-Moore Award for Community Service.

Lambda Pi Eta

The Kappa Kappa chapter recently inducted new members who had achieved academic success in the communication program at GSU. LPH is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association.

Front Row: Marilyn Yirku, Dr. Sherilyn Poole, Dr. Eric Martin, Sheree Y. Sanderson, LPH Officers; Tanisha Turner, Anita O. Roberts, Lana Bilyk, Sheryl Jones-Harper
Back Row: Inductees; Erica Frederick, Edward Santiago, Albert D. Fisher, Jr., Geneen Robinson, Josephina Davilla, Charlie C. Calvin, Charles E. Morris, Richard Cannella, Aida L. Milbergs, David A. Brantford, and Bethany Boyd 

2009 Inductees

In Attendance

• Sheree Y. Sanderson, LPH faculty advisor
• Marilyn Yirku, Coordinator of Communications
• Drs. Michael Purdy and Emmanuel Alozie, Communications Program
• Dr. Eric V. Martin, Dean, CAS
• Dr. Sherilyn Poole, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs
• ... and a host of family and friends were there to support the inductees.
  
  Read more  http://lpekappakappa.blogspot.com/ 

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Upcoming Events

15th Annual Student Research Conference  

GSU will hold its 15th Annual Student Research Conference on Wednesday, May 20, Sherman Rectial Hall.

The conference provides students with an opportunity to present their research work before an audience of their peers, and it provides a forum to highlight research accomplishments at GSU.
 

Daily Paintings

Jeff Stevenson, adjunct art professor has been invited to exhibit his small scale, color square Daily Paintings at a great place in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood called Story Studio.  His are will be on display from March 13 to June 28. 

Daily Paintings at Story Studio
4043 N. Ravenswood, #222, Chicago, IL 60613

Story Studio Hours:
Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or by appointment, email: jeff@jeffstevenson.com

Art Takes It's Place