Higher Education: SWIC, Webster University announce partnership

Southwestern Illinois College and Webster University have announced a dual admission program for students who intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Webster upon completing an associate degree at SWIC.

SWIC President Georgia Costello welcomed Webster University President Elizabeth J. Stroble to the Belleville Campus to sign the agreement.

“Besides offering SWIC students another seamless-transfer opportunity with an excellent university, this bi-state partnership reinforces both institutions’ commitment to truly regional collaboration among post-secondary educators,” Costello said. “We are equally excited to partner with an institution internationally renowned for forward-thinking instruction.”

Costello and Stroble are co-chairs of the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Higher Education Council.

Students who meet the requirements of the agreement are guaranteed acceptance into Webster with full junior status upon graduation from SWIC.

“I am proud to co-chair the St. Louis Regional Chamber’s Regional Higher Education Council with President Costello. Together, our two institutions are committed to advancing students’ success and the region’s success with this partnership,” Stroble said. “We look forward to welcoming SWIC students to Webster University as they complete bachelor’s degrees and make their contributions to a stronger region and community.”

For information about this dual admission program, visit swic.edu/dual-admission, email admissions@swic.edu or call 618-235-2700, ext. 5444, or toll-free at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5444.

McKendree to honor alumni

McKendree University will celebrate the accomplishments of several graduates at its annual alumni awards dinner Oct. 3.

The 2015 award recipients have made their mark in their professions and at their alma mater.

McKendree alumni are invited to the event at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on campus. It begins with a 6 p.m. reception followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $32 per person, required in advance. For information, call 618-537-6826 or e-mail alumni@mckendree.edu.

Joan (Weber) Barnes, of Belleville, will receive McKendree’s highest alumni honor, the Peter Akers Award for professional success, outstanding service and loyalty to the university. The 1953 graduate has supported McKendree throughout the years as an Annual Fund donor, Friend of the Hett, Bearcat Basketball Boosters and loyal sports fan.

An elementary education major and psychology minor, Barnes worked as an elementary school teacher, principal and director of the Early Childhood Program in the Cahokia school district.

Three graduates will enter the school’s Academy of Excellence:

▪ Kyle Gordon, of Swansea, graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s in social studies and in 2008 completed a master’s in education and education leadership. A history teacher at Collinsville High School, he is director of the Illinois Association of Student Councils and the Kaskaskia District of Student Councils.

▪ Lisa (Jones) Guilliams, of Granite City, completed a degree in management and marketing in 1984 and received a Master’s of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2009.

Since 2003 she has been a pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Granite City. she founded TWIGS, a free summer children’s lunch program that continues to grow, serving 15 local communities and distributing 60,000 lunches in 2015.

▪ Tracy Rouch, of O’Fallon, graduated in 1988 with a degree in public relations and went on to earn a master’s degree in speech communication and organizational communication.

These students will be honored as McKendree Rising Stars:

▪ Adam Prest, of O’Fallon, a 2005 graduate who majored in accounting.

Adam Biggs, a native of Troy, studied psychology at McKendree as an undergraduate, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 2006. He then earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Notre Dame and completed his post-doctoral work at Duke University. He currently is a research psychologist for the U.S. Navy.

Rebecca (Lindstrom) Wohltmann, of Belleville, graduated in 2009 with degrees in accounting and political science and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Saint Louis University of Law in 2012. She works for Belleville law firm Mathis, Marifian & Richter Ltd.

SIUE School of Pharmacy professors get accolades

Jennifer Arnoldi and Jared Sheley of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy have been honored by the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists.

A clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Arnoldi has been selected for the ICHP 2015 New Practitioner Leadership Award. The award recognizes individuals whose early accomplishments distinguish them as future leaders in the profession. The candidates are individuals whose performance demonstrates a high degree of professionalism, leadership and innovation.

Also a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, Sheley received the Shining Star Award, which recognizes ICHP members who have recently become more active on committees or as champions of the organization.

Arnoldi holds a joint appointment with the SIU School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, where she participates in multi-disciplinary, inpatient teaching rounds with an internal medicine team. Her areas of interest include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, transitions of care, and professional development of pharmacy students and residents.

A Moline native who joined the SIUE SOP faculty in 2014, Sheley holds a joint appointment as a clinical pharmacy specialist at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, where he participates in multi-disciplinary teaching rounds with the Saint Louis University Family Medicine service. His areas of interest include infectious diseases, cardiology, anticoagulation, development of students and residents, and impact of inpatient clinical pharmacy services on patient outcomes.

“Dr. Arnoldi and Dr. Sheley are prime examples of our School of Pharmacy faculty members being committed to their profession and active in state professional organizations,” Mark Ruscin, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, said. “They are helping shape pharmacy practice for our students, alumni and profession, and it is rewarding to see their efforts recognized.”

Lindenwood presents The Zoo Story

Lindenwood University Belleville will offer two free performances of The Zoo Story Oct. 9-10 in the campus auditorium.

Zoo Story, by Edward Albee, is a play about two men who meet on a park bench in New York City. One is a family man and the other is a disheartened and isolated individual. Critics say the play is full of ironic humor and unrelenting suspense.

Only mature audience will be admitted to see the play.

For information or tickets call 844-843-5969.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Higher Education: SWIC, Webster University announce partnership."