SIUE professor gets accolades for research; Lindenwood signs pact with Under Armour

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s George Pelekanos has been honored with the highest rank a faculty member at the school can receive.

A professor and undergraduate program director in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, Pelekanos has achieved the rank of Distinguished Research Professor for his significant scholarly contributions to inverse scattering.

The distinction is awarded to a prestigious group of tenured faculty members in recognition of outstanding and sustained contributions to research and creative activities. The accolade has previously been conferred on 16 faculty members.

“Dr. Pelekanos has received international recognition for his contributions to inverse scattering theory for acoustic, elastic and electromagnetic waves,” said Jerry Weinberg, associate provost for research and dean of the graduate school. “His outstanding work raises the reputation of SIUE as a premier teacher-scholar institution, where students can receive an education that encompasses cutting edge scholarship.”

Pelekanos’ accomplishments include 30 research peer-refereed journal articles and seven educational peer-refereed journal articles. He has given 22 national and international conference presentations and invited talks. Pelekanos is co-investigator of a $829,979 National Science Foundation STEP-UP project, titled Student Teams Engaging Peers for Undergraduate Progress, with funding through summer 2018.

“This is an important initiative, as it recognizes and rewards timely and relevant scholarly research with outstanding contributions to enthuse other SIUE faculty members to conduct high-quality academic research,” Pelekanos said. “I would like to thank the Graduate School for creating such an opportunity for faculty to gain recognition, and an opportunity to dedicate more time to their research.”

The acclaimed researcher is known by colleagues for working on problems at the “frontiers of applied mathematics.”

“Inverse electromagnetic scattering deals with Maxwell’s equations, which are some of the most important equations in physics because of their direct impact on many technologies, including computer chip design, wireless communications, oil exploration, remote sensing and several medical and military applications,” Pelekanos explained. “I am passionate about my research since it brings deep theoretical mathematical computations and proofs to life, with yet an impact to latest technologies. I consider this recognition as Distinguished Research Professor an important building block of my academic career, as it has provided an incredible motivational boost.”

Recipients of the Distinguished Research Professor honor are provided one semester of time devoted to research, along with a $1,000 increase in their academic year base salary. They also receive a medallion to be worn with their academic regalia and their name is placed on a plaque displayed in Rendleman Hall.

Lindenwood signs pact with Under Armour

The Lindenwood University system has signed a five-year agreement with Under Armour to be the exclusive outfitter of its sports teams on the St. Charles and Belleville campuses.

“We were impressed with the Under Armour’s commitment to service,” System President Michael D. Shonrock said. “Our students are thrilled and they are already embracing this change.”

Jon George, president of Lindenwood’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and men’s lacrosse player, is excited about the change.

“The success of a great program starts with great people,” George said. “After that, it is about giving those people the resources to succeed. When it comes to gear, athletes want the best. Under Armour produces high quality apparel and gear. This is an awesome switch and a huge step in the right direction.”

McKendree to host Global Awareness Week

McKendree University will start the month of April with a week of activities designed to get students in touch with other cultures.

Global Awareness Week at McKendree University will include activities, films and discussions about international issues and current events from April 4 to 8. Organized by the Center for Faith and Spirituality, and the Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service, events are co-sponsored by several departments and student organizations. Most are open to the public. Highlights will include:

▪  Monday, April 4: International food sampling outside Ames Dining Hall, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Plowsharing fair trade sale in Piper Academic Center (PAC); “Fair Trade and Its Global Impacts” by Rich Howard-Williams of Plowsharing, PAC Room 222, noon; study abroad panel discussion, PAC 222, 3 p.m.; “ISIS and Middle East Politics” by Dr. Brian Frederking, professor of political science, PAC 222, 5 p.m.; Global Perspective Domestic Violence Simulation, PAC lobby, 8 p.m.

▪  Tuesday, April 5: A film, “The Economics of Happiness” and discussion with Betsy Slosar of the Center for Sustainability and Spirituality, Holman Library, 3 p.m.; discussion on urban farming and fighting food inequality, PAC, 5 p.m.; a film, “Reel Bad Arabs” in the Lair, 6 p.m. followed by a discussion; a presentation by Dr. Jeff Ripperda on his medical missions to Haiti, PAC 222, 8 p.m.

▪  Wednesday, April 6: Fresh food fundraiser, PAC foyer; “Civil War in Syria: A Humanitarian Crisis” by Dr. Jeremy Caddel and Dr. Kennedy Maranga, PAC 222, noon; Parliament of World Religions, We’re Better as One, 3 p.m., PAC 222; Interfaith Seder Meal, Circuit Riders Room in Bothwell Chapel, 5 p.m.; Connecting Our Community discussion, PAC 215, 8 p.m.

▪  Thursday, April 7: Head scarf wrapping, PAC foyer; Red Cedar Circle Native American drumming, Circuit Riders room, chapel, noon; a film, “Half the Sky (Part 2),” a film about women’s issues, library, 3 p.m.; “Why Wrap” conversations, chapel, 6:30 p.m.; “Global Careers, Study Abroad and the Mosaic Project,” keynote by Betsy Cohen of the St. Louis Mosaic Project, chapel, 8 p.m.

▪  Friday, April 8: “Muslims in France” documentary PAC 222, noon; “Let’s Start Stories of Women’s Incarceration” panel discussion, PAC 222, 1 p.m.; Global Youth Service Day, 2 to 5 p.m.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 11:19 AM with the headline "SIUE professor gets accolades for research; Lindenwood signs pact with Under Armour."