SIUE professor named Paul Simon Outstanding Scholar

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Cristina De Meo, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, was presented the 2016 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award at the Paul Simon Luncheon on March 29, during the 20th Annual Graduate School Spring Research Symposium.

The award, named in honor of former U.S. Senator Paul Simon, recognizes significant achievements in research, and the integration of that research into teaching and mentoring.

At the luncheon, De Meo expressed her appreciation for the support of the university and her colleagues and students. She emphasized the importance of expanding students’ horizons.

“An educator is an eye opener, showing students what they can do and who they can become in their learning journey,” De Meo said. “I would lose 99 percent of my students’ attention if I did not integrate the application of what they are learning in organic chemistry and biochemistry, with drug discovery and scientific research, including my own contributions to the field.

“In my hands-on courses, research students can experience real research and apply their theoretical knowledge of organic chemistry to practical science,” De Meo added. “Students not only acquire essential skills in organic synthesis, but also realize that they can make a real contribution in the field. Seeing my students grow as scientists and achieve professional success makes my job truly rewarding.”

The Graduate School Spring Research Symposium also featured a scholarly activity SLAM, at which graduate and professional students offered engaging presentations of their research.

SIU School of Dental Medicine third year student Spencer Blackham earned first place in the competition, and the people’s choice award for his evaluation of the bio-compatibility of a new dental material using a calvarial defect model.

SWIC collects much-needed supplies for Kids Club

Southwestern Illinois College’s Phi Beta Lambda Abe Small Chapter collected a bunch of supplies to help keep school affordable for students with children.

“In order to keep costs down for students, Kids’ Club relies heavily on grants and donations for classroom supplies,” said SWIC Kids’ Club Director Suzette Hechst. “We were in desperate need of tissues for the children when I received a phone call from (SWIC student and Phi Beta Lambda President) Amanda Brown asking what items she could help collect for us.

“Overall, we received 20 boxes of tissues, 25 sets of markers, 10 sets of food coloring, 20 bottles of hand sanitizer, two pencil sharpeners, several hot glue guns and glue sticks, and other art supplies,” Hechst said. “This is beneficial to the children so they can prevent the spread of germs and have art materials for special projects. Kids’ Club is very grateful for the donation.”

The Kids’ Club is designed to offer affordable child care for SWIC students while they’re in class, studying or working.

McKendree debaters head to national championship tournament

The McKendree University Speech and Debate Team participated in three highly-competitive national tournaments in March, taking home nine awards.

“Our team performed very well at nationals,” said coach Joe Blasdel. “Both the students and coaches did an incredible amount of work this year — and it definitely paid off.”

Representing McKendree at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence and the National Parliamentary Debate Association Championship Tournament were sophomores Alex Baldwin and Gage Simmons, with coaches Brent Nicholson and Brad Thomas.

A total of 35 institutions including Rice University, the University of Oregon and Purdue University, attended NPTE from March 13-16 at El Camino College in Los Angeles. Baldwin and Simmons split rounds with the University of California at Berkeley, California State University at Long Beach and the University of Utah.

A total of 55 institutions, including the U.S. Air Force Academy, Tulane University and the University of California at Berkeley, attended NPDA from March 18-21 at California State University at Long Beach.

Baldwin and Simmons defeated the University of Oregon in triple-octofinals. They placed 17th in a field of 163 teams, losing a 2-1 decision to Washburn University, the second-ranked team in the country.

Representing McKendree at Pi Kappa Delta were juniors Dylan Comer, Katie Reining and Taylor Rossi; sophomores Beth Graham, Kaitlyn Hutchison, David Junge, Adam Kaul and Hannah Zickefoose; and first-years Justin Fausz, Adeja Powell, Aliyah Smith, Andrew Wagner and Emma Webster. They were joined by coaches Lance Allen, Joe Blasdel, Nik Fischer and Stephen Hagan.

A total of 87 institutions including Northwestern, Marshall and Penn State, attended PKD from March 16-20 at the University of Kentucky.

Reining advanced to quarterfinals in after dinner speaking and finished seventh in a field of 96 competitors.

The duo interpretation team of Comer and Webster advanced as well, finishing as quarterfinalists. Zickefoose placed as a quarterfinalist in two events – poetry interpretation and programmed oral interpretation — and took home an excellent award in after dinner speaking. Also receiving excellent awards were Comer and Webster, in programmed oral interpretation and prose interpretation, respectively. Wagner took 10th place in interviewing. In debate, the team of Graham and Powell, as well as Kaul debating solo, finished 3-3.

The McKendree speech and debate team will complete its season April 13-18 at the National Forensic Association Championship Tournament.

Lindenwood University will offer new meal plans in fall

In addition to outdoor sunken garden dining and an expanded Matt’s Cafe, Lindenwood University-Belleville students will have an assortment of new meal plan options from which to choose upon their return to Belleville this fall. Campus President Brett Barger said the administration has “listened carefully to students,” and the meal plan changes are a direct result of student opinion surveys.

The meal plan options include a 19-meal-per-week plan and two different block meal plans: 140 per semester or 100 per semester. Block meal plans allow students a set number of meals per semester to be used at any of the 19 meal times offered each week at Matt’s Café in Belleville.

The 19-meal per week plan includes an extra $50 declining balance per semester. The 140 block meals include a $150 declining balance, and the 100 block meal option includes a $350 declining balance option. The declining balances can be used in the campus dining locations for items outside of a “meal.”

“This is a great idea to expand Matt’s Café and our meal plan options,” said Jose Hernandez, a senior business administration major. “We have experienced a lot of change over the years, and this is truly a great one.”

Lindenwood and Pedestal Foods are spending $4 million to upgrade dining facilities on the St. Charles and Belleville campuses.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 11:47 AM with the headline "SIUE professor named Paul Simon Outstanding Scholar."