VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1 JANUARY 9, 1995 ANN AUGSPURGER, EDITOR pride in his family, and a strong sense of Steve Blakeman honesty and falmes~.I will miss his tact in SSU/Hardee8sto played key role telling me I was wrong a off-the-wall, but offer education most of all I will miss his companionship at the university and counsel." assistance program Steve Blakeman, who died Thursday, A in Steve's has A local business is Paying its January 5, at Springfield Memorial Hospi- been at SSU. cards ees to attend SSU. Effective January 1. tal, is remembered by his friends and col- ~eavail*leattheFoundationOffice'PACHardee's Inc., in cooperation with SSU. leagues at SSU for his skiU in performing a 584* and at Ihe Information Desk' On the offers an educational assistance program tough job, his dedication to being honest lower level of the PAC' for lhose who thatwillreimburse employeesupto$2,000 andplaying fair, and hisquickwitandsense would like to contribute to the fund. a year for educational expenses at SSU. of humor. As labor relations specialist for services were Monday The program is designed to encourage the university, Steve played a key role in andbllrialwasinOakHillCemew'Spring- employees to pursue an education of their resolving differences between parties and choice and to fulfill their desires to work on fmding solutions to difficult situations. Former administrator 0, complete their academic credentials, "Steve was able to bring people to- according to Robert L.Faeth, generalman- gether and to help build a sense of commu- Ernst Gieseckedies age, and co-owner of 14 area Hxdee's. nity at Sangamon State University," said G. Emt Gkseeke, who was instnr- Persons eligible for the program must PresidentNaomiB.Lynn. "Wheneverwe mental in the development of SSU and be employed by Hardee's for at least 60 faced a personnel challenge that required served as acting vice president for aca- days before enrolling at SSU and must tacl wisdom, and good judgment, we al- demic affairs until his retirement in 1976, continue to work an average of 25 hours a ways turned to Steve. He was an excep- died Wednesday, January 4, at Villa week. A C averagemust be maintained. tional and valued colleague and friend. The Healthcare in Sherman. He was also a President Naomi B. Lynn said this is university has lost one of its greatest as- member of SSUs educational administra- the fust time that the university has partici- sets." tion faculty. pated in a cooperative agreement of this Calling him "a top shelf employee," Entombment was Monday in Park Hill type. "Mr. Faeth's generosity represents the Steve's supervisor Allan Woadson said his Cemetery Mausoleum, Blwmington. type of partnership Sangamon State Uni- rapport with staff and his attention to detail versity is trying to develop with the busi- were well known tomany on campus *.~ut Accounting ma/on ness community." she said. "It is an ex- he was more than a competent and consci- ample of a mutually beneficial arrange- entious colleague -- he was my friend and I Score highest ment that will make it possible for deserv- already miss him," said Woodson, director Accounting majors at ssu had the ing students to obtain an education." ofemployee relationsand human resources. highest pass rate in the nation rn the No- Carl Long vice~residentforbusiness vember 1993 CPA exam for rit-time can- 1 nauguration t~ be and administrative services, said Steve's didates without advanced degrees, accord- contributions to the university were enor- ingtodatareleasedrecently by theNational wered WSK-N mous. "He was a dedicated, loyal, and Association of State Boards of Accoun- The inauguration of Gov. Jim Edgar conscientiousemployee. His quick wit and tancy. on Monday, January 9, and his January 12 sense of humor were greatly appreciated by OftheaPProximatel~@Oschwls with State of the State address will be broadcast those who knew and worked with him." 15 or more first-time candidates, only 39 by television WMEC-TVRZ M~- Long said, noting that he will miss him had pass rates of more than 30 percent. comb,~~~~-~~/27~uincy,and~~~~- greatly, both as a friend and as a profes- SSVs passing rate was 47 percent, giving ~~114-65~~~k~~~~ill~-S~~i~~field. sional colleague. the university the top rating. Coverage of inaugural activities be- While serving as president of the UP1 "1 am very proud of our accounting gins at 11 a.m. on January 9. Coverage of staff union at SSIJ from 1990 to 1993, faculty and the excellent preparation they the State of the State address begins at Kathy McConnell developed an apprecia- give our students," said President Naomi noon, J~~~ 12, tion for Steve's fairness and honesty. "He B. Lynn. "The CPA pass rate is a widely worked very hard at trying to get relations used indicator of the quality of education between the union and the university on an being provided. Having the highest pass Postage increase even keel, and I think he accomplished that. rate in the nation indicates that SSU can effectiveJanrn 1 I may not have always liked what he said to compete successfully with the major busi- me, but I always thought what he said was ness schwls throughout the country." Don't forget that the U.S. postage rate fair." McConnell said she also respected AccordingtoLeonardBmnson,chair increase went into effect January 1, 1995. Steve for not being afraid to do what he of SSlJ's department of accountancy, "We Formoreinformationabout the'creases' thought was best for SSll even if it meant extremely pleased that our students are Wcific mailing 'lasses, Howard standing up to the university. balancing the demands of otherwise full Ballel' at 6-6588. Carol Spence, current president of the lives while performing at the very highest SSLlsraff union,echoedMKo~~nell'sviews. levels by placing top in the nation on a very "Steve was a me advocate for all staff at rigorous standardized examination." Please note deadline SSII. He was consistently fair at the bar- Don Sbnbope, professor of accoun- The deadline for the SSU Weekly gaini~lgtableandwasadmiredandrespected tancy, also expressed his pleasure over the is ,, Thursdays, Please submit hy our union and its ~nembers." top rating. " Only a handful of Illinois' informatiMl in writing to the office of Michael Ayers, contract administra- schwls with mostly full-time students and University Relations, PAC 574. tor for SSII. said Steve was a joy to work highly selective admissions requirements and associate with. "He was optimistic: he have pass rates that consistently match or had a great sense of humor. a great sense of exceed SSU's." SANGAMON STATE UNIVERSITY SPRINGFIELD, IL 62794-9243 r4 winM on recycled paps VOLUME 1 1, NUMBER 2 JANUARY 17, 1995 ANN AUGSPURGER, EDITOR Excuse me, where is Building F? Speaking events Live teleconference Efforts made to fund established on jobs and the assist students An annual fund has been established to environment Jan. 31 As spring semester classes begin to- support speaking events that enhance the A live, interactive teleconference and day, the university has made special ar- cultural and intellectual environment at local discussion titled "Jobs and the Envi- rangements to answer questions and pm- SSU. The fund was organized by the Aca- ronment: A National Town Meeting" will vide information to incoming students. demic Affairs Speakers Committee, which be held fmm noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday, New directionalsigns havebeen posted is soliciting proposals for spring events. January 31, at SSU. The event is open to the at strategic locations and seven sites have All types of speaking events are eli- public and free of charge. heen identified where students may obtain gible for consideration. The committee The teleconference, sponsored by Re- accurate and up-to-date infonnatioo about hopes to support as many different types of new America, a non-profit organization class schedules and classroom changes. speakers as possible. Programs should in- - that helps individuals, community groups, Those locations are the Information volve topics that relate to the cwriculum of businesses, and government meet the envi- Desk on the first level of the PAC, the the university, and should ideaily receive ronmental challenges of the 1990s and be- Office of Enrollment Services in F 20, the some support from other entities at SSU. information desk in Brookens Library, and Another goal of the committee is to yond, will be held in PAC CID. The envi- ronmental and energy studies programs at the dean's offices: School of Liberal Arts establish a speaker series. If you have any and Sciences, BRK 472, School of Health suggestions, please contact one of the fol- SSU are sponsors of the local event and Human Services. BRK 363, School of lowing members of the committee: Marya A panel discussion, featuring area la- BusinessandManagement,L 13,andSchool Leatherwood, Miles McGrew, Hazel bor leaders, government officials, and rep- of Public Affairs and Administration, PAC Muncy, Steve Schwark, or Ned Was, resentatives from environmental organiza- 449. chairperson. tions and government agencies, will be Each of those sites will be staffed from Speakingeventfundsmustbequested held before and after the teleconference. Panelists will include Alex CaseUa, 8:30 a.m. to 630 p.m. Tuesday through by filling out a speaker fund application. dean of SSU's School of Public Affairs and Thursday of this week, and on Monday, Completed forms must be submitted by January 23. February 3. For a copy of the application, Administration (moderator); Roger contact Marcla Rossi, LIB 204, 6-6597. Kawrvs,environmentalpolicy adviser for The committee encourages requests from the Illinois Environmental Protection Auditorium offers student organizalions. Agency; Taylor Pensoneau, Illinois Coal Association; Mike Hade, president of the student discounts Springfield Trades & Labor Council; and One hundred tickets for each program Bisexual, lesbian Michael Ayers, SSU associate professor in the Spring Performing Arts Series have of economics.