Cory Byers (Instructor, Mass Communications) has helped me improve my work countless times, whether editing, writing, shot composition, or with the tech we use.He has agreat sense of humor andgives honestandgenuine criticism. He's a greatguyandanequallygreat professor!
- TANNERGARRISON (picturedhere,farright) SENIOR,MASSCOMMUNICATIONS
It is with immense prideand gratitude that I introduce thisSpring 2025edition of the SIUE Magazine, themed "Impactful Educators." At SIUE, weare fortunate to be surroundedbyacommunityofeducatorswhoinspire excellenceandtransformlivesinwaysthatextendfar beyond the classroom.
Inthisissue,wepaytributetoremarkableindividuals whosededicationtoteachingandservicehasleftalasting impactontheirstudents,theirfields,andthebroader community.Wecelebratetheaccomplishments of the SIUE Alumni and Athletics Hall of Fame inductees, whose legacyresonatesbothonandoffthefield,unitingalumni, athletes,andeducators.Inparticular,wehonorthe memoryofKarenMorrisWatkins,theposthumous inducteeforthe School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, whose contributions continue to inspire us.
Thestoriesfeaturedhereareatestamenttothepowerof educationinshapinglives.TaylorDanielson,aneducation major,alongsidehercooperatingteacherandalumna HannahHergenrother,’17exemplifiesthemeaningful bondbetweenstudentandmentor.Initiatives,suchasthe Illinois Golden Apple Scholars and SIUE’s Future Teachers Conference,arepreparing thenext generation of leaders fortheclassroom.
Wearealsohonoredtorecognizeouralumniandfaculty whocontinuallygivebacktoSIUEandthecommunities theyserve.InitiativesliketheCougarCupboardreflect ourcommunity’scommitmenttocaringforoneanother.
Withnew mini-pantries across campus, this effort reminds usthatimpactfuleducationextendsbeyondacademics—it includes nurturing a culture of support and service.
As you explore this issue, I encourage you to reflect on the educatorswhohavemadeadifferenceinyourownlife.
I hope the stories within these pages willinspire you to stayconnected,giveback,andjoinusincelebratingthe profoundinfluenceofeducatorsonourlivesandourworld.
With Cougar Pride,
JAMES T. MINOR, PhD Chancellor
At the root of its mission, SIUE is dedicatedto the communication, expansion,andintegrationof knowledge. From the remarkable facultywholeadourstudents intheireducationaljourneysto thededicatedstudentswhoare fueledby the spark of their own experiencesanddecideto becomeeducatorsthemselves, theimpactaneducatorcan makeisunmeasurable.
ThelateKarenMorrisWatkins ’66, the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s honoreeforthe SIUE Alumni HallofFameClassof2025, shatteredglassceilings,and overcameracialdivisioninher careerthat spanned three decades.Thisoutstandingteacher andadministratorreceivedthe ExcellenceinEducationAward
Photo(left):KarenMorrisWatkins,’66,achartermemberofDeltaSigmaThetaSorority,Inc.’sEpsilonXiChapter,surroundedbygenerationsofher sororitysistersduringSIUE’s2023BlackAlumniWeekend.Photo(above):ThefamilyandfriendsofKarenMorrisWatkinsacceptedherposthumous awardandcelebratedherimpactattheSIUEAlumniHallofFameceremony.Photo(below):KarenWatkins,’66,andherhusband,Dr.GareyLynnClifford
bestowedbytheU.S.Departmentof Education’sNationalBlueRibbonProgram, anddevelopedseveralinnovativeprograms, suchasintegratedcurriculumlearning centers, program overviews, and pilot programs to expand and enhancestudentlearning.After her retirement from the Ladue School District, where she spent 21ofher32-yearcareer,she was invited back to serve as the district’scoordinatorforOasis, aprogramthatfosters intergenerationallearning betweenchildrenandadults.
Beyondherprofessionalcareer, Watkinswasadedicatedmember ofhercommunityandgenerously volunteeredwithvariousorganizations throughouttheSt.Louisregion.She served as a deacon at the First Baptist ChurchofWebsterGroves,demonstratingher commitmenttocommunityserviceandleadership.
A proud memberofthe SIUE Alumni Association, Watkinsthrivedduringhertimeasan elementaryeducationstudentatSIUE.She wasachartermemberofDeltaSigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s Epsilon Xi Chapter andactivelyparticipatedinthe SIUESchoolChoir. Achampion fortheelementaryeducation program, she credited SIUE for providing her with access toexcellentstudentteaching opportunitiesandastrong educationalfoundationin internalcommunications.
Watkinspassed awayinAugust 2024beforetheUniversity couldpersonallycelebrateher impact.However,theechoesofher dedication tolifelong learning, as well ashercommitmenttomakingadifference in her students’ lives and in her community will reverberateforgenerations.
My fellow alums,
Throughout my years at SIUE, many professors left a lastingimpactonme,shapingmyunderstandingand approachtoleadership,problem-solving,andservice. One course that stands out to me is Pro-seminar in Public AdministrationwithMorrisTaylor,PhD.Hechallenged everyonewithhighexpectations,makingtopics like organizationalstructure,budgeting,andleadership engagingandrelevant.HispassionforthePublic Administration&PublicAnalysisprogramanddedication tostudentgrowthreflectsthekindofeducatorswho makeadifference.Weareproudtohighlightsomeofthe faculty members who haveleft alasting impression on the Universitycommunity,shapingtheirexperiencesinand beyond the classroom.
CATHY TAYLOR ’15 AssociateViceChancellor forUniversityAdvancement ExecutiveDirector of Alumni and Donor Relations
“Dr. JackieClement inspiredmetokeep going.Shewasso knowledgeableand alwaystheretohelp yousucceed.Ourbond spannedover14years, and she was the most influentialinstructor I've ever had.
—MICHELE HARTKE DNP, ’99,’08,’22
TheteachersatSIUEwere incredible—fair,understanding, andtrulypassionateabout what they taught. I had the pleasure of taking a coursewithDr. Leonard VanCamp,andhischoir wasanabsolutedelight.
— DORETTA WALKER, ’70
EdHuneke is not just a coach, he is a mentor, friend, educator,andanamazingfamilyman.Theimpacthe leftonourformerplayersisamazing.Notonlywerehis teamsfullofchampionsandsuccessfulonthefield,buthis playersarealsoleadersinallsortsofindustriesinthereal world,andit’sgreattoseethementheyhavebecome. Edisstillconnectedtotheprogramandcontinuesto supportusinmanywaysthatIamforevergratefulfor.
”
— CALE WASSERMANN SIUEHEADMEN’SSOCCERCOACH
“JohnettaHaley in musiceducationdrilled intomethe importance ofestablishingdiscipline firstbeforeworrying aboutanythingelse.That adviceservedmeso wellinmydecades-long teachingcareer.
”
—ALICIASCHAFFER’76,’84
ThemomentIsteppedontocampustoauditionforthe renownedpianoprofessor, RuthSlenczynska, I was overwhelmedwithnerves.UndertheguidanceofHarlan Hoke,Iwasaccepted,andtheUniversityfeltlikeaperfectfit.
—RANDYPEMBROOK,PHD,’78,’79,’80 FORMERSIUECHANCELLOR ”
”
ThankyoutoeveryonewhosubmittedyourstoryabouttheeducatorswhomadeanimpactduringyourtimeatSIUE. Here are just a few of the submissions!
Riley Maynard’s masscommunications classes were always interesting.Hewasblunt andfunnyashetold real-lifestoriesaboutthe mediaIndustry.He broughteverythingtolifeas hetaughtandadvised.
— SITSOFENUTSUKPUILUH’07 MS MASS COMMUNICATIONS
AlanShiller was one oftheonlyprofessors totalkaboutrespectina classroomsetting.Hewas enthusiastictoteacha young group of students and encouragedbodylanguage, pacingandcapturingan audiencebeitoneperson or a full classroom.
— CRISTINA LAZARD ’05 BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/MARKETING
“In 1995, I was in VenessaBrown’s social work class. I wasnotfocusedonmyacademicslikeIshouldhavebeen. Dr. Brown talked to me after class and told me it was time togetfocused.Sheremindedmethatfamiliesneedmeto supportthem.IattributeDr.Brown’sunwaveringsupport, love,anddedicationtotheschoolsocialworkerIamtoday.
— ANGELA GRAY ’97, ’02,’14 BS SOCIAL WORK, MSW, EDS
RudyWilson wasoneof thefacultymemberswho stronglyinfluencedmy pursuitofmySIUE educationaldegrees. He was one of the first AfricanAmerican instructorsinthe department—ifnotthe university—andwasadmired andhighlyrespected byhisstudents.
—RICSTEPHENSON ’70,’74,’77 BAGOVERNMENT,MSED COUNSELOREDUCATION,EDS
“NobleThompson was aterrificprofessor.He not only madethe field of meteorologyaccessible, buthealsoinspiredme to teach it. I have kept hishandoutsand worksheetseversinceas I reflect on ways to teach thecoursemyself.
— JOE HINTON ’02 BA HISTORY
JamesWoodard was the best!Hewaspatientand funny in class, always finding ways to help us remember therulesofmusictheory, evenifitmeantuslaughing at his antics. He and Mrs.Woodardwere gracioushosts,openingtheir homeforreceptionsafterthe Composer’sConcertsthat wereahighlightoftheyear for all of us. I learned a lot fromhimabout how to be a teacher andagoodperson.
— PATRICE CORSO ’88, ’95 BMMUSICEDUCATION,MM
InajointcelebrationinJanuary,SIUErecognizedadistinguishedgroupofhonoreeswithinductionsintothe SIUEAlumniandAthleticsHallofFame.Thisprestigiousgroupwho,throughtheirleadership,character,and hardwork,havemadeexceptionalcontributionstoSIUEandintheirchosenfieldsandcommunities.
BRIANHENRY
BSMassCommunications’95
Aseniorvicepresidentandchiefcommunicationsofficerat CVSHealth,BrianHenryhasspentmorethanthreedecades asaleadingcommunicationsexecutive.Hiscareerspansroles atmajorcompanies like3M,Cigna,andMedtronic.Heisa dedicated supporterof the Department of Mass Communications andproudlyfundstheRisingCommunicatorsScholarshipthat supports first-in-family students in the program.
BSBusinessAdministration’90
Charles “Charlie” Myertookajob as an instructorat the EdwardsvilleYMCAasa youngadultanddedicatedtheentirety ofhisprofessionalcareertoadvancingthenonprofitorganization’s mission before retiring in 2021. Myer servedthe YMCA in multiplerolesacrossthecountrybeforetransitioninginto financialdevelopmentwherehehelpedtoraisemillionsforthe organization.Heremainscommittedtosupportinghiscommunity throughserviceorganizationsandactivelyvolunteersathislocal YMCA on the east coast.
CHRISTOPHERLARSEN,DMD DoctorofDentalMedicine’88
ChristopherLarsenisaprominentfigureinthedentalcommunity, withleadershiprolesatthenational,state,andlocallevels.Larsen hasservedaspresidentoftheIllinoisStateDentalSocietyand hasbeenactivelyinvolvedintheAmericanDentalAssociation. Outside of his successful dentistry practice, he and his family own avineyardandwinery—theOldOaksWinery—inMilan,Ill.
KAREN MORRIS WATKINS
BSElementaryEducation’66
KarenMorrisWatkinsdedicatednearlythreedecadesofhercareer toclassroomteachingandeducationadministration.Watkinswas atrailblazerforAfricanAmericanwomeninbothteachingand educationalleadershiprolesandworkedtoinnovatecurricula andprograms.ShewasachartermemberofDeltaSigmaTheta Sorority,Inc.’sEpsilonXiChapter.Watkinsisrememberedforher commitmenttomakingadifferenceinherstudents'livesandin hercommunity.
JONATHANFOWLER
BSElectricalEngineering’10
EdwardsvillenativeandpresidentofJ.F.Electric,JonathanFowler has playedakey role in the growth of his family’s business. He isadedicatedsupporteroftheSchoolofEngineeringandalong time Advisory Board member. Like his grandfather before him, he servesontheSIUEFoundationBoard.Hehasbeenrecognized both individually and in part with J.F. Electric in the St. Louis Business Journal and in the inaugural class of the St. Louis Titan 100.
JACQUELYNCLEMENT,PHD,FNP,RN MSN Nursing’80
Jacquelyn Clement has dedicated more than 55 years toadvancing nursingeducationandimprovinghealthcareoutcomes.Aformer assistantdeanandgraduateprogramdirectorinSIUE’sSchoolof Nursing,Clementhasleftanindeliblemarkonnursingeducation throughherleadership,mentorship,andservicetotheprofession.
national champion Tampa 2-1. HeadCoach Ed Huneke was named the Regional Coach of the Yearand four Cougars, Justin McMillian, DavidMwendapole,CressMaddox,andMattEversearnedAll-Regionhonors.Theteamoutscoreditsopponents65-21duringtheseason.
’96
DarinHendricksonplayedtwoseasonsofbaseballfortheCougars in 1990-1991. He amassed a careerrecordof 18-5 and a 2.65 earnedrun averagein30careerappearances.His18career wins rank 11th all-time, while his careerERA earned him the 10th lowest mark ofalltime. His totalof 10 wins in 1991 is tiedforthe thirdmostinasingleseasonatSIUEandhehelpedleadthe Cougarstoaschool-record43winsandatriptotheWorldSeries.
’96
Atwo-sportstandoutinbasketballandsoftball,MiaSmithplayed four seasons of basketballand softballat SIUE. She appearedin 94 basketballgames andcurrently ranks 36th all-time in scoring at880points. Smithalsoissixthonthecareerstealslistwith 221 and seventh in assists at 308. Smith made 190 appearances onthesoftballdiamondfortheCougarsandrecorded158 careerhits, ranking30thall-time.Her55stolenbases(without being caught) are tiedfor11th most in program history and her 103runsscoredrank19thall-time.
SteveStearnswrestledfortheCougarsfrom1983-1986.Stearns wasathree-timeAll-American,finishingastheDivisionIINational Championat134poundsin1986,whichfollowedthirdplace finishes in 1983 and 1985. He was seeded at the 1986 Division I NationalChampionship,wherehewontwomatchesand advancedtothequarterfinalround.StearnshelpedtheCougars toapairofteamNationalChampionshipsin1985and1986.
AndreaVoss playedfour seasons of volleyballat SIUE, ranking eighth on the careerlist with 125 matches played. She ranks fourth all-time with 1,349 kills, sixth at 2.11 kills per set, and thirdinhittingpercentageat.307.Sheisthirdincareerblock solosat141,secondintotalblockswith612andistheall-time leader in block assists with 471. Voss holds the single-match recordforhittingpercentageat.917,whensherecorded11kills on 12 attempts with no errors in a 2003 game against Belmont Abbey.ShewasanAVCAAll-AmericaHonorablementionin 2003andatwo-timeAll-Regionperformer.
TheelementaryeducationprogramatSIUEpreparesthenext generationofimpactfuleducators throughregularinteractionwith first through sixth graders with hands-on student teaching placements. Teachercandidatesspendtwodaysaweekattheirplacementsite duringtheirfirstsemesterofstudentteaching.Thetimeisspent learningtheircooperatingteacher’sroutines,buildingrelationships with the students, and getting familiar with the curriculum and howtheschooloperates.Studentteachingbecomesanassignment duringtheirsecondsemester.
SeniorelementaryeducationstudentTaylorDanielsonkickedoff thefall2024semesterstudentteachingalongsideSIUEalumna HannahHergenrother,BSelementaryeducation’17,inHergenrother’s third-gradeclassroomatCaseyvilleElementarySchool.
Growingup,Ialwayshadthebestteachers. Theyinspiredme,andI wanttobe able to do the same for my own students.
— TAYLOR DANIELSON Senior,ElementaryEducation
“IloveworkingwithMissHergenrother,”saidDanielson.“Shehas someofthebestclassroommanagementstrategiesofanyofthe teachersIhaveworkedwith.Sheimplementsmanyroutinesthat helphergetherstudents’attentionandkeepthemontrack.”
Growingupasaself-proclaimedteacher’spet,Danielsonidolized herteachers.Asshepreparestograduateandenteraclassroom of herown, she closely observes and notes the strategies her mentors,professors,andcooperatingteachershaveimplemented todevelopherownteachingstyle.
TeachercandidateTaylorDanielsonguidesastudentatCaseyvilleElementary.
Hergenrotherwas placedatCaseyvilleElementarySchoolfor herfirstshort-termstudentteaching placementwhilestudyingat SIUE.Shefeltadeepconnectionwiththeschoolimmediatelyand washiredasathird-gradeteacheraftergraduating.
Itisthebestfeelingintheworld toreceiveemailsandhandwrittenletters from past students. Once you are a studentinmyclassroom,Iconsideryou one of my students for a lifetime.
—
HANNAH HERGENROTHER,BS ’17 ThirdGradeTeacher,CaseyvilleElementary
AccordingtoHergenrother,thesheeramountoffieldexperience offeredtoSIUEteachercandidatesis oneoftheprogram’s biggeststrengths.Now,asacooperatingteacher,shegetsto share her expertise and experiences with Danielson, just as her cooperatingteachersandmentorsdidwithher.
“Taylorgetstoseemefail,reflect,adjust,andtryagain,” Hergenrothersaid.“Sheseesmeadvocateforstudentsand connectwithparents,whichissomethingthatcanbeintimidating asanewteacher.”
Hergenrotherhopesthatherstudentteachertakesawaythe importanceofbuildingrelationshipswithherpupilsandutilizes some of the classroom management strategies she has observed whileatCaseyvilleElementary.
"I hope Taylor will look back on her student teaching experience fondlyandenterhercareerwithenthusiasmandconfidence,” saidHergenrother.
Please share your student teaching experiences of impact to inspire rising educatorsat SIUEby emailing siuealumni@siue.edu.
Highschoolstudentsparticipateinhands-onlearningactivitiesattheFutureTeachersConference.
Wehad20schooldistrictsparticipate, andmorethan300students registeredforthisyear’sconference, makingitourbiggestFutureTeachers Conferenceyet.
— ANGELA WHITE, ’98 DirectorofFieldPlacements School of Education,Health and Human Behavior
Fromthetimeguestspouredontocampus,theyweregreeted by SIUE student hosts and beloved mascot Eddie the Cougar. Theconference,heldinconjunctionwiththeMadisonCounty andSouthwesternIllinoisCareerandTechnicalEducation(CTE) Systems, had a stackedagenda filled with workshops, keynote presentations,andpanelsledbycurrentSIUEstudents,faculty, andactiveteachersfromthroughouttheregion.
"Thehighlightofthiseventiswhenhighschoolstudents’faces lightupastheyarriveonourbeautifulcampusandrealizetheir entiredayisgoingtobefocusedonfurtheringtheiraspiration
’19, assistant superintendent foreducational services at Alton Community Unit School District 11
• AttendanceofIllinoisStateSenatorsEricaHarriss,’99,and ChristopherBelt,’02,MadisonandSt.ClairCountyRegional Superintendents Rob Werden, ’11, ’21, ’24, and LoriCostello
"Ashighschoolstudentsareconsideringteachingastheircareer choice,theFutureTeachersConferenceprovidesadditional informationabouttheteachingprofessiontosolidifytheirdecision,” saidWhite. SupporttheFutureTeachersConference
ContactNickNiemerg,SEHHBDirectorofDevelopment nniemer@siue.edu|618-650-5043 connect.siue.edu/g/sehhb
Jason Stacy, PhD,Distinguished Research Professorof History, isleadingstudentsintotheworldofhands-onhistoricalinquiry through a unique experientiallearning opportunity in the Louisa H. Bowen University Archives andSpecial Collections atLovejoyLibrary.
Stacyco-teachesanappliedhistoricalmethodscoursewithdigital archivistandvisitingassistantprofessorMarcellaLees,MLIS, wherestudentsgainpracticalskillsinarchivalarrangement, primarysourceresearch,argumentationandsynthesis,andmore.
Whentheyarehardatworkprocessingthe collection,thehumofthequietwashesovertheroom, andyoucanheareveryone’sgearsturning.
— JASON STACY, PHD DistinguishedResearchProfessorofHistory
To createadetaileddigital catalog, students spent the fall semester assessing,organizing,andpreservingatroveofmemorabilia originallycollectedbySt.Louisbusinessmanandsoccerenthusiast Henry D. "Hap" Meyer. Meyerfell in love with the sport as a
SeniorPhillipHermeyercarefullysortsthroughthe memorabiliaintheHenryD."Hap"MeyerCollection.
young man and ultimately amassed a 50-box collection of soccer photos,papers,andmemorabilia,whichwasdonatedtoSIUE byhisdaughterin1974afterhispassing.Thecollectionincludes thepapersofThomasW.Cahill,oneofthefoundersofAmerican soccer, founder of the U.S. Soccer Federation,andcoachofthefirst U.S.men’snationalsoccerteam.
“Weareprocessinganarchivalcollectionthathassatonour shelves forthe last 50 years,” saidStacy. “Our goal is to teach theoriesbehindtheseparticularskillsetsbyexecutingpublic-facing projectssuchashistoricalpublications,books,andmuseumexhibitions.”
StacyandLeeshopethefindingaidwillhelpfutureresearchers— currentandfuturestudents,hobbyists,andacademicsalike—add additional context to the rich history of soccer.
SupporttheLouisaH.BowenUniversity ArchivesandLovejoyLibrary connect.siue.edu/g/lovejoy-library
DonateaHistoricallySignificantCollection
Contact AndreaKeller, Directorof Development 618-650-2714|andkell@siue.edu
Photoleft:JasonStacy,PhD,DistinguishedResearchProfessor,uncovers historywithintheHenryD."Hap"MeyerCollection.
TheongoingcollaborationbetweentheSIUESchoolofEngineering and The Goley Companies is preparing and inspiring the next generationofconstructionmanagementprofessionals.
Thefamily-ownedcompanyrecentlydonateda$110,000endowed gifttomarkthecompany's50thanniversaryandsupportGoley Companyscholarshiprecipients.
“TheGoleyCompany’sengagementwithourstudentsthrough classroomvisits,internship,andtheirmentorshipearlyintheir educationisexactlywhatisneededtorecruitandretainwell-prepared studentsandgraduatesfortheconstructionprofession,”said CemKaracal,PhD,deanoftheSchoolofEngineering.“Weare happytohavepartnerslikeGoleythatshareacommonvisionto makeanimpactinourregion.”
Foundedin1973withheadquartersinDupo,Ill.,TheGoley Companiesisathird-generationfamilybusinessthatspecializes indeliveringbuildingperformancesolutions,suchasinsulation, airsealing,firestopping,andenergytestingservicesforresidential andcommercialclients. Companyleadersvisitcampusoftento speakto construction classes, and engineering students are often employedbythecompanyduringtheirfirstorsecondyearof
academicinstructionintheconstructionmanagementprogram.
“We havegotten so much outofthe relationship that we have with SIUE and the students and professors who are part of this program,” saidJoseph Goley. “We thought it was only right for us togive back to the community that's given us so much.”
“The Goley familyunderstands that the key to their successful and continuedexpansionwillbeduetotheirrecruitment,mentoring andsupportofqualityindividuals,”saidJohnCabage,PhD, associateprofessorandchairoftheDepartmentofConstruction. “They see SIUE's program as a way that they can connect with up-and-comingconstructioncommunitymembers.”
ElliotMarsh,fourth-yearconstructionmanagementmajor, receivedtheinauguralGoleyCompanyScholarship.
“WhenIreceivedthescholarship,itwasatatimeofdiscouragement— atimewhereIwaswonderingifallthehardworkIwasputting into school was really worth it,” said Marsh. “Receiving The Goley Companyscholarshipgavemearenewedsenseofmotivation in my studies. And senior-itis notwithstanding, I plan to keep pressing on in my studies with this reneweddesire to dothe best IcaninallIdo.”
Our goal is for members of the SIUE community to be focused onachievingeducationalexcellence,notworryingaboutwhere orhowtheycanaccessfoodandnecessaryhygieneproducts.
In a 2023 survey conducted across campus, 37% of students sharedthat they experienced limitedor uncertain availability of nutritionallyadequateandsafefood.
Establishedin2018,theCougarCupboardfoodpantryensures thosewhoarefacingfinancialchallengeshaveaccesstothe necessitiestheyneedtosucceed.Itsvisitorsareofferedadignified shoppingexperiencedesignedwithconvenienceandanonymityin mind, providing equitable access to food and supportive services withoutjudgmentandatnocost.TheCougarCupboardalso empowersclientsbyinformingvisitorsaboutresourcestoaddress theircriticalneeds,includinginstructionsonhowtoapplyfor SNAP benefits or connecting them with other community partners foradditional support.
In September 2024, the Cougar Cupboard served 979 clients and distributed3,179poundsoffood.
“TheCougarCupboardplaysacrucialroleinaddressingfood insecurity among SIUE students, faculty, and staff by providing essentialfood and basic needs such as toiletries, fresh produce and snacks,” said Lealia Williams, BS ’00, MSEd ’23, student careandadvocacycoordinatorintheOfficeofStudentAffairs. Williams was recently honoredby the Metro Area Professional OrganizationwithaServingHumanitiesawardforherefforts withtheCougarCupboard.
TheCougarCupboardislocatedonthelowerleveloftheMorris UniversityCentertomeetthegrowingneedsoftheUniversity community. It has also constructed and installed six smaller pantries,calledMiniCougarCupboards,acrosstheEdwardsville andAltoncampuses,toprovideaccesstononperishablegoods andhygieneitems.Patronscantakewhatitemstheyneedand othersareencouragedtoleavewhatitemstheycan.
Thepantryissupportedsolelybydonationsfromstudents,on-campus groups, departments,individual donors, clubs, and athletic teams, andfromseveralorganizationsthroughouttheregion.Donations fromcommunityorganizationshavehelpedthepantrystockitsshelves, provideguests with reusable shopping bags, buildand purchase fixturestostoredisplayitsdonations,andevenacquireanewrefrigerator, allowing it to providefresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy items.
OrganizationsthroughouttheUniversitycommunityandbeyond areinvitedtosupporttheCougarCupboardbycontributingto one of its sponsorship tiers:
• SponsoraShelf
• SponsortheCougarCupboard
• SponsoraMiniCupboard
Area businesses can also help support the Cougar Cupboard by hostingfooddrivesandbringingtheirdonationstoitslocationon theEdwardsvillecampusoroneofitsminipantries.
SupporttheCougarCupboard
ContactAndreaKeller,DirectorofDevelopmentfor StudentAffairs:andkell@siue.edu.
#1STUDENT-ATHLETE GRADUATION RATE INILLINOIS
forpublicinstitutions
$1.2 MILLION AWARDEDINSIUE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS BY THE 12,000+
SIUE HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND PARTICIPANTS
50 BOXESOFSOCCER MEMORABILIAIN THEHENRYD.“HAP” MEYERSOCCER COLLECTION
$1,000 STOCKSTHE COUGARCUPBOARD FORONEMONTH
116 9-12GRADERS
Enrolled at SIUEEastSt.Louis CharterHighSchool
#2 STUDENT-ATHLETE GRADUATION RATE INTHENATION
forpublicinstitutions
50%
SIUE UNDERGRADS PAID50% OR LESSFOR TUITION AND FEES AFTER SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL AID (2023-24academicyear)
400 PARTICIPANTS 9THANNUAL COUGARSUNLEASHED5K/10KRUN ANDPANCAKEBREAKFAST
2
300+ HIGHSCHOOLSTUDENTS FROM20+SCHOOLDISTRICTS 2024FUTURETEACHERSCONFERENCE
MarjorieFonza-Thomason,DNSc,RN,MSpsychiatricmentalhealth,’86, dedicated her careeras a nurse and educatorto empowerthose who,like her,aredriventocareforpeopleintheirtimeofneed.
ThesparkthatignitedFonza-Thomason'spathwaytonursingoccurredwhile she was a nun at the Sisters of the Third Orderof St. Francis convent. She wasinspiredby howthecommunityworkedtogethertowardacommongoal.
Herexperiencesimpactedhereducationaltrajectory,andsheworkedhard toearn a license to practice as a registered nurse. Sometime later, she left theconvent,gotmarried,hadchildren,andworkedtoadvancehernursing career. A colleague who was attending the SIUE School of Nursing shared she received a scholarship for nurses from the National Institute of Mental Health.Fonza-Thomasondecidedtosubmitanapplicationandutilizethe fundstopursueanadvanceddegreeinmentalhealthnursing.
My professors took an interest in me as a person, not just as a student. They were invested in my growth and development,andI learnedsomuchfromthemabout how to support and empower students.
— MARJORIE FONZA-THOMASON, DNSC, RN
MS Psychiatric Mental Health, ’86
“I stillremember the day I decided to apply forthat scholarship,” she said. “It was a chance to have my books and tuition taken care of, and I knew I couldn’t pass it up.”
WhenshearrivedatSIUE,Fonza-Thomasonwaswelcomedtotheprogram with open arms. SIUE fostered an inclusive, supportive environment for minoritylearnerslikeherself,anddespitetheobstaclesinherwayasa youngBlackmother,theuniversitywastheretohelphersucceed.
Thesupportshereceivedfromthementorswhosteppeduptotakeher undertheirwing—includingformerprofessorMarthaWelchandemerita professorsDorisBellandMaryAnn Bierbaum—playedakeyrolein Fonza-Thomason'sdecisiontobecomeanurseeducatorherself.
After she earned a master’s at SIUE, Fonza-Thomason began her careeras a nurse educator. She was commissioned into the U.S.
Army Reserves and latertransferredto the U.S. Navy. During her time of service, she was promotedto the rank of Navy Captain.
Theoutstandingnurseeducator,whowentontoearn aDoctorof Nursing Science degree, has held severalfacultypositionsathighereducation institutionsaroundIllinoisandMissouri, includingSIUE,andservedasa mentorforminoritystudentsinthe School of Nursing at the University ofMissouri-KansasCity.Shealso functionedastheactingdirector of the School of Nursing at the MetropolitanCommunityCollege forashorttime.Fonza-Thomason's academicinterestswere focusedondiversityand minorityunderrepresentation inthenursingworkforce.She alsoservedafour-yeartermas thepresidentoftheAssociationfor BlackNursingFaculty.
In 2018, she decided togive back to SIUE by establishing the John & Marguerite Crump Memorial Scholarship in Nursing. Namedinhonorofherparentswhodidnothavethe chancetofinishtheireducationpastgradeschool, the scholarship fund selects traditional Bachelor ofScienceinNursingstudentswho are members of the Student Nurse AchievementProgram(SNAP).
I feel very blessed to be recognized andawardedthisscholarship.Iwas inspiredtobecomeanursebecauseI love helpingothersandbeinginvolvedinthe processofmakingpeoplefeelbetter.This, compoundedwith not seeing a lot of people wholookedlikemeinthisfield,solidifiedthat I wanted this for my career.
—KANIAFERRELL Senior, BS Nursing
Throughout her careeras a nurse educator,Fonza-Thomasonexemplifiedthe ideals, instilledby mentors, and extended the same grace to her students until retiring in 2006.
The fund awardedits first $750 scholarship in April 2024 to Kania Farrell,thecurrentvicepresident ofSNAP.
Fonza-Thomason,whonowlives in a small town near Kansas City, Mo.,decidedtogivebacktothe universitythatfosteredher passionforhelpingothers.
"The sense of fellowship and belongingIexperiencedatSIUE wasso importanttome,”shesaid.
“Thefacultyandstaffmadeitclear thattheyvalueddiversityandwere committedtothesuccessofalltheir students,regardlessofethnicityorbackground. Thatsenseofcommunityandbelonginghasstayed with me ever since.”
The School of Nursing's Student Nurse Achievement Program (SNAP) is a successful, ongoing initiativethataddressesthecriticalneedtoincreasethenumbersofdiverseprofessionalnurses intheworkforce.FullyfundedbyaHealthResourcesandServicesAdministrationGrant,SNAP isdesignedtorecruitandretainracially,ethnically,andculturallydiversehighschoolgraduates interestedinpursuingaBachelorofScienceinnursing.
Fellow Alumni,
Greetings on another new yearof exciting happenings with the Alumni Association. I hope you were able to make it back to campus this past fall. The colors were so beautiful, and the campuswasasvibrantasever.
I’verecentlyspentsometimereflectingontheeducatorswho haveinfluencedmylife.Comingfromasmalltown,Icaneasily recall the names of each of my teachers from K-12. They each hadahandinraisingmeduringmyadolescenceandsuchan impactful time of my life.
However, it was at SIUE where I truly began to appreciate the importance ofadedicatededucator. I think back on my time in theSchoolofPharmacy,whentheprogramwasbrandnew,and many professors were just getting their feet wet. The facultywere sodeterminedtomaketheprogramsuccessfulandaccredited that they devoted countless hours outside of the classroom to ensure that we understoodthe material, butalso that we were facedwithreal-worldscenariosthatwouldultimatelyhelpusapply our classroom knowledge. I think it says a lot about the program that 20 years after I started, many of those same educators are stillat SIUE. Theyhave impacted hundreds of us and continue tomakeadifferenceinthelivesofyoungadults.
Not all educators come in the form of classroom teachers. I encourageeach of you to share your expertise with current SIUE students, as a mentoror preceptor. Personally, I have foundpreceptingstudentstobequitefulfillingandfindIlearn justasmuchfromthemastheydofromme. Therearealways opportunities foralumni to get involved in this way and the OfficeofAlumniAffairscanhelpfacilitatethoseexperiences.
Ilookforwardtohearingyourstoriesabouttheteacherswho influencedyourSIUEeducationandcan'twaittoseeyouat HomecomingandFamilyWeekendthisfall.
MAGGIE KRUMWIEDE,PharmD ’05, ’09 President,SIUEAlumniAssociationBoardofDirectors
24-28, 2025
SIUEisgearingupforanotherexciting Homecoming&FamilyWeekend.Alumni,parents, families,andcommunitymembersareinvitedto cometogetherwithcurrentstudentsforaweekend packedfullofexcitingactivities.Highlightsinclude theannualchilicook-off,chalkmuralcontest, COUGARFEST-RocktheQuad,CougarsUnleashed HomecomingRunandPancakeBreakfast, soccer games, and much more. Wecan’twaittocelebratewithyouinSeptember!
CampusBox1031
Edwardsville,IL
62026-1031
(618)650-2760
siuealumni@siue.edu siue.edu/alumni
Actor.Archaeologist.BestsellingAuthor.
ChiefExecutiveOfficer.Educator.Inventor. PediatricNeuropsychologist.Sculptor.
ProfessionalAthlete.U.S.Representative.
Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist. Cast Director and ChiefPotassium Enthusiast.
What do all these careers have in common?
They represent just a few of the diverse and inspiring career pathstakenbySIUEalumni.
Inthenextissueofourmagazine,wewillhighlightthedream jobsthatreflectboththeambitionandtalentofouralumnibut alsotheirvaluesandexperiencesthatshapedthem.
WhetherthedreamcareersofSIUEalumniweresparkedon campusordiscoveredaftergraduation,theindividuals featuredinournextissuewillprovethatwithpassion, hard work, and sometimes, a littlebit of potassium, landingadreamjobcanbeareality.
Matt"TheYoungProfessor"Graifer'10,MSEdKinesiology, CastDirectorandChiefPotassiumEnthusiastforthe
