NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office Edition: July 24, 2009 Philanthropy Office Hours Romo to return to EIU for Homecoming/Hall of Fame Monday—Thursday Why cram Hall of Fame day and Homecoming into the same Oct. 17 7:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Eastern Illinois football game? Because that’s when Tony Romo can Friday come, that’s why. End of discussion. 7:30a.m.—noon The assumption was that family or friends would have to represent Contact Information Romo when he was to be inducted into the EIU Hall of Fame that had Jacqueline S. Joines, CFRE been scheduled for Nov. 14 because EIU’s most famous athletics alum Director of Philanthropy would be busy that weekend as the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. The Lumpkin College of fact that the Cowboys have a bye week when Eastern is to play host to Business Tennessee Tech for Homecoming changed all that. Instead of playing & Applied Sciences golf with Tiger Woods as Romo did last week, Romo has agreed to 600 Lincoln Avenue return to EIU’s campus and be part of the Hall of Fame induction Charleston, Illinois 61920 ceremonies now switched to Oct. 17. Email: [email protected] Phone: 217.581.7969 “We got very lucky,” John Smith, EIU’s associate athletic director, said. “I approached him about it as soon as the schedule came out. In fact (Athletic Director) Barbara Burke pointed out that the Cowboys were open and asked if we could get him to come. It really didn’t take too long for him to decide.” Old Main National Historic Site An itinerary is still in the makings with hopes to give some the chance to see Romo, who quarterbacked EIU teams to three straight playoff berths when being named Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2000, 01 and 02 and then was named the NCAA Division I-AA Walter Payton Award winner as a senior. Of course, the Cowboys could alter the plans for Romo and Eastern. “A lot of that will be predicated around what their practice schedule is,” Smith said. “Hopefully, they will be undefeated and everyone will be excited.” For now, all is good with plans for the two-time Pro Bowler to be in Charleston. “We are very excited to announce that Tony Romo has accepted our invitation to attend this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies,” Burke said. “I would like to thank EIU Vice President Dr. Jill Nilsen and alumni director Steve Rich for working with the athletic department on changing the date for the Hall of Fame induction. I would also like to thank Associate Athletic Director John Smith for his part in helping to secure Tony’s commitment to attend the event. We look forward to inducting a great class this year into our Hall of Fame and look forward to an exciting day of football at O’Brien Field.” Make Great Things Additional inductees this year are former basketball standout Henry Domercant, baseball standout and current EIU assistant coach Sean Lyons, former NAIA wrestling champion Don Neece and Happen! longtime friend of athletics Ed Corley. The five are to be honored at the Hall of Fame luncheon Make a Gift Online! on the Oct. 17 morning before the football game following the Homecoming parade. Ticket Make a gift to your favorite information for the Hall of Fame Luncheon is to be released at a later date. area at EIU online. Story by Brian Nielsen, JG-TC. Log on to https:// www.give2eiu.eiu.edu/ index.html. It’s convenient, secure, and confidential. NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office President to honor SUNY Plattsburgh prof A SUNY Plattsburgh professor is the recipient of a prestigious teaching award from President Barack Obama. Obama awarded Nancy Elwess the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Elwess will be honored at a White House reception this fall. She is one of a handful of college faculty from across the country to receive this award. Connect with the Alumni Association online The award is designed to recognize the role that mentoring plays in the Now you can find us on Nancy Elwess, center, works with academic and personal development of students studying science or engineering and who belong to minorities that are underrepresented in Facebook and LinkedIn — two SUNY Plattsburgh students. (Photo those fields. "By offering their time, encouragement and expertise to of the most popular social by Rose McNulty) networking sites among EIU these students, mentors help ensure that the next generation of scientists graduates. Join today to and engineers will better reflect the diversity of the United States," the White House said in a prepared instantly begin to receive statement. updates on the university and "During her time at SUNY Plattsburgh, Elwess has developed a reputation for her advanced work with invitations to alumni events, undergraduate students as she helps them conduct DNA research," said SUNY Plattsburgh President John reconnect with lost classmates, Ettling. "Nearly 100 of her students have given presentations at national and international conferences, and network professionally and many have brought home top honors. Scientists and faculty from other institutions are amazed at the much more. high-level, quality work these undergraduates are doing." LinkedIn: A social networking platform dedicated to helping Before coming to SUNY Plattsburgh, Elwess served as a senior research fellow in the Department of working professionals expand Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Prior to that, she was a junior their online business networks. high science teacher in Lansing, Ill. She has been the recipient of many awards including the 2008-2009 Facebook: A fun social utility Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award by the Society for College Science Teachers, the with an emphasis on your National Association of Biology Teachers' National College Research/Teaching Award, a State University personal life. of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and alumni achievement awards from both Also, you can keep up with Purdue and the University of Vermont. She was also named to Who's Who Among American Teachers and tidbits of EIU news via Twitter, Educators in 2007. where members post updates containing no more than 140 Elwess also serves as a consultant to the National Science Foundation on Minority Post Doctoral Grants to characters. Follow us and keep the Biological Sciences, is a member of the board of directors of alumni associations at the Mayo Clinic and up with campus happenings. Eastern Illinois University, and is once again training for the Ironman in Lake Placid. She has a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Vermont; a master's in molecular biology from Purdue University and a master's in science education from Governors State University, as well as bachelor's from Eastern Illinois University. "I don't want to deny any student an opportunity, and I try my hardest to find funding for them to have an opportunity, whether it's for travel or for a meaningful research project - one that clearly has never been done before," Elwess said. In offering this award, President Obama stressed the importance of their work. "There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation's young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders," Obama said. "These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all." "Our faculty are here because they love to teach, and Dr. Elwess is certainly one of my best," said Dr. Kathy Lavoie, the college's dean of arts and sciences, who nominated Elwess for the award. "She is creative and energetic, and has really launched many of our graduates into careers as teachers, physicians, and researchers. She models enthusiasm and an active style of teaching that we want to see our students use, whether they are formal classroom teachers or informal teachers of their own children. Science is fun, and that is sometimes lost in all the jargon and details unless you have an exceptional teacher like Nancy Elwess." For the full story go here. NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office MAP grant may be cut Many college students across the state may be forced to find other sources of aid to help pay for their tuition if the state legislature cuts the budget for the Monetary Assistance Program awards. On an average year, the MAP Grant allocates about $400 million dollars in aid to students across the state who are enrolled in college courses. The grant is given on a need-only basis to students who are taking three to fifteen credit hours, said Jennifer Stout, clerk secretary for the financial aid office. "Last year, I believe we had approximately 4,000 students who received MAP Grant money," Stout said. "We probably are to expect that same number next year, although they have put the grant up in suspense earlier than the years past, so there may not have been as many students apply for this money." The state legislature may have the fate of a few of the 4,000 Eastern students in their hands. Budget cuts may affect the grant, with the new budget up for discussion. "I know a lot of students rely on the MAP Grant for their funding for their schooling, but there are a lot of other sources of aid out there that they can apply for," Stout said.