The Magazine for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association & Friends No. 15 Summer 2013 In this issue 18 On the Cover: Paying it Forward Through mentoring, alumnus Mike Rouhani fulfilled his potential. Now he’s giving back and making an impact in the lives of SIUE students. 20 Bragging Rights SIUE students, faculty and alumni are achieving excellence and being recognized as leaders and innovators. 24 Building a Legacy For 18 years, Kenn Neher has overseen the growth of the SIUE campus. His efforts have provided leading-edge facilities for students, faculty and staff. The eConnection is The following alumni published by the SIUE have contributed to Alumni Association the production of this and the SIUE Foundation, magazine: in cooperation with Bethany Behrhorst ’97, ’04 the Office of the Vice Bill Brinson ’76 Chancellor for Carol B. Dappert ’81 University Relations. Dana Humke ’11 We welcome your Stephen Jankowski ’74 comments and suggestions. Contact Heather V. Kniffel ’95, ’13 Director of Alumni Natalie Lapacek ’11, ’13 Affairs Steve Jankowski: Lisa Rimmert ’05 [email protected] Danielle Unzicker ’12 618-650-2346. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, 7/13, 78m, 13051050 A New Chapter Begins Welcome It’s an exciting time for SIUE and the Alumni Association! We can’t wait to tell you about some of the changes we’ve been to your new working on. We’re growing. • SIUE is in the midst of the largest building phase since the initial construction of campus began in 1963. We have completed nearly $300 million in construction and infrastructure improvement, adding new state-of-the-art facilities, and enhancing and expanding ALUMNI existing structures. • Last fall, we welcomed the largest freshman class to date, with 2,075 ASSOCIATION! first-time freshmen enrolling. Total enrollment has surpassed 14,000 for the third consecutive year. As the University changes, so do We’re demonstrating excellence. the more than 90,000 alumni • Last year, SIUE faculty and staff received more than $43 million in who call SIUE their alma mater. grants and contracts for research, teaching and service initiatives. To better serve you, we have • Last year, SIUE students completed more than 100,000 service hours. made a BIG change, as well. • Recognizing our commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement, the Corporation for National and Community We are no longer a dues-based Service named SIUE to the annual President’s Higher Education organization. As a graduate of Community Service Honor Roll for the fourth consecutive year. SIUE, you are now automatically People are noticing. a member of the SIUE Alumni • For the third-consecutive year, Washington Monthly ranks SIUE Association, and we are here to among the Top 50 out of the 682 master’s universities in the nation. • U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges of 2013 lists SIUE among the serve you (read more on page 28). top 15 public universities in the best Regional Universities Midwest (master’s granting) category for the ninth consecutive year. Each year, the incoming freshman class gathers around the Cougar Statue for a photo to mark the beginning of their time at SIUE. connection 1 Moving Forward, Together As an SIUE alum, you are a member of a growing community. We want to help you connect with your fellow alumni and alma mater. Eliminating the dues-based membership program will expand the alumni network and allow you to connect, engage and strengthen your relationships with fellow Cougars. Engaging, Educating and Empowering Tell us your story! Cougars for Life We love hearing from alumni. Alumni like you play an important role in ensuring a Give us a call, stop by our successful future for SIUE. Through your dedication and office or submit Class Notes generosity, you support the University and its students in to keep in touch. countless ways, and the Alumni Association is here to support you! Moving to an inclusive membership model will allow us to focus all of our attention and efforts on providing you with even better benefits and services. The Alumni Association is your source for: • Lifelong learning • Career services • Travel opportunities • Exclusive discount programs • Social events to connect with other alums When you contribute financially to the University through the Alumni Association, your support will provide programs and services to all alumni and create even more scholarship Stop by our office in Birger Hall. We’d love to opportunities for SIUE students. see you! Visit siue.edu/maps for directions. Save on SIUE Merchandise and Apparel The SIUE University Bookstore is excited to expand the benefits available to our SIUE alumni. Show your membership card at the register to save on your next purchase. Basic members will be eligible for a 10% discount. Premium members will be eligible for a 20% discount. * Excludes Apple Products, text books and diploma frames. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Discount valid on regularly priced items. 2 Summer 2013 Be powerful. Make a difference. Get involved. Give back. Share your strengths and knowledge to benefit the University and SIUE students by getting involved in the Alumni Association. Become a Mentor “Mitch helped The 2013-2014 Alumni Association The Students Today, Alumni Board of Directors me grow Tomorrow mentoring program Board President professionally and SJ Morrison allows current SIUE students BA Mass Communications ’02 and alumni to connect in one- personally, and I Immediate Past President on-one mentoring relationships. still have a great Bev George BA English ’76, MSEd ’79 As a mentor, you can serve as a relationship President-Elect guide, a friend and a resource. with her.” Kevin Nesselhauf Connecting with students and BS Construction Management ’08 sharing your experience and —Kaylee Krischel Vice-President/Treasurer Jeremy Plank expertise can make them MBA ’05, BSA ’08 more successful as they Vice-President earn their degree and join Melissa Glauber BS Mechanical Engineering ’03 the alumni family. Paul Baeske Whether you’re around the BS Mathematics ’97, MBA ’99 corner or across the country, Brett Briggs BS Business ’04 you can be an invaluable Sandy Hardy Chinn resource to a student. A BA Mass Communications ’74 mentoring relationship built Aaron Detmer solely on e-mail, phone calls or Mara “Mitch” Meyers, BS Math Studies & Mechanical Engineering ’03 letters can be just as effective BS Business Rhonda Green as talking with a student in Administration ’77, BA Biological Sciences ’92, DMD ’96 MBA ’80 Patricia Hufford person. While your role as a BS Business Administration ’86 mentor is to encourage and foster Kaylee Krischel, BS Christine Jackson the development and growth of a Business Economics BS Political Science ’06, MPA ’08 student, you do not have to live and Finance ’11 Frances “Fran” Karanovich and work in the St. Louis area BS Elementary Education ’71, MSEd ’74 to get involved. Alan Kehrer BS Business ’92, MBA ’12 MaryAnn Niemeyer Join a Committee MS Nursing ’05 The Alumni Association Board of Directors manages committees that design and build Shirley Portwood BA History ’70, MA History ’73 the programs and services of the Alumni Association. These committees, in conjunction Stephanie Renken with the Alumni Association Strategic Plan, also help set the course of the Association BS Psychology ’97, EdS ’07 moving forward. Kevin Rust BS Business ’74, MBA ’80 • Awards and Scholarships Committee, chaired by Stephanie Renken (’97, ’07) Diane Schrage • Mentoring Committee, chaired by Kevin Nesselhauf (’08) BS Mass Communications ’73 John Simmons • Finance and Audit Committee, chaired by Jeremy Plank (’05, ’08) BS Political Science ’91 • Alumni Engagement Committee, chaired by Christine Jackson (’06, ’08) Dontrell Thomas BS Business ’96 • Advocacy Committee, chaired by Bev George (’76, ’79) Tim West • Bylaws Committee, appointed on an as-needed basis BS Business Administration ’07 Travis Willeford PharmD ’09 To become a mentor or join a committee, contact us at 618.650.2760 or [email protected]. econnection 3 A Greeting from the Chancellor Dear Alumni and Friends of SIUE, The 2012-2013 academic year was one of achievement and positive change. As I complete my first year as Chancellor, I am pleased to report that there are numerous key initiatives underway as we plan for the future of SIUE, including a recent update to the University’s Strategic Plan, an increased focus on internationalization, the renewal of the academic and enrollment plans, and the implementation of SIUE’s first Diversity Plan. A significant step toward enhancing the alumni experience was the discontinuation of Alumni Association membership dues. The new, inclusive Association will allow you to connect with even more fellow alumni as the University provides you with expanded benefits and services. Here are some other recent University achievements: • The Illinois Board of Higher Education approved the Health Care Informatics master’s degree program last fall. The program brings together computer technology and clinical expertise to meet a growing need in hospitals and healthcare organizations. • The College of Arts and Sciences is leading a partnership initiative between SIUE and the University of Havana in Cuba through the Cuban & Caribbean Center. The institutions will collaborate on a variety of exchanges, including courses from a number of fields, research, academic projects and opportunities for guest scholar visits. • An International Education Plan has been developed over the past two years and is now in the implementation stage to increase the number of students who study abroad, as well as the number of international students at SIUE. • In fall 2012, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) named the SIUE School of Pharmacy as one of only 12 National Centers of Excellence in Pain Education, making it the only such Midwest NIH designated center. • The SIUE School of Education partnered with Northwest Normal University in China last fall to provide faculty development in U.S.-style pedagogy for faculty members.