Kudos

Kitterle named to state panel
coordinating math, science partnerships

Frederick Kitterle, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education to serve on the Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnership (IMSP) Advisory Panel.

Part of the No Child Left Behind Act stated that, if funded at $100 million or more, targeted funding for math and science partnerships would be made available. The target was met and exceeded, meaning Illinois has $3.4 million for 2003-2004 for state-level coordination of math and science partnerships with explicit requirements.

IMSP can provide focused mathematics and science professional development resources, the purpose of which is to improve and upgrade the status and stature of mathematics and science teaching, focus on professional development of teachers of mathematics and science, and foster interaction between elementary and secondary teachers of mathematics and science with working mathematicians, scientists and engineers to increase subject matter knowledge in these areas, develop standards, align curriculum and integrate technology in science and math teaching.

College of Education recognizes
outstanding faculty, staff

NIU’s College of Education held its second annual recognition celebration this spring.

Eleven retirees, whose combined years of service to the college and university totals more than 250 years, were recognized:

• Phyllis Cunningham (Counseling, Adult and Health Education, 27 years)
• Ray Dembinski (Teaching and Learning, 31 years)
• Ronald Everett (Leadership in Education and Sport Organizations, 22 years)
• Margery Gillis (TLRN, 26 years)
• Ronald Johnson (LESO, 6 years)
• Muriel Mackett (TLRN, 27 years)
• Sharon Plowman (Kinesiology and Physical Education, 33 years)
• Glenn Smith (CAHE, 18 years)
• Harvey Switzky (Educational and Psychological Foundations, 28 years)
• Andrew Torok (Educational Technology, Research and Assessment, 30 years)
• Robert Yarde (KNPE, 10 years)

Seven faculty and staff were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the college:

• Leslie Sassone (EPF) – teaching
• William Bursuck (TLRN) and William Pitney (KNPE) – scholarly and creative activity
• Lynette Chandler (TLRN) – service and outreach
• Laurie Elish-Piper (LTCY) – partnership activity
• Nancy DeFrates-Densch – instructors
• Doris Grubbs (EPF) – civil service staff
• Janet Giesen (ETRA) – supportive professional staff

NIU Jazz Ensemble’s new CD
earns rave review online

A Web site devoted to jazz – www.allaboutjazz.com – believes NIU Jazz Ensemble Director Ron Carter and his crew when they proclaim, “We Came to Swing!”

The ensemble’s latest CD, titled with just that declaration, is the subject of glowing praise. Click here to read the review.

NIU community relations director
helps to welcome Huskie Football fans

Huskie fans attending the Maryland football game Thursday will be greeted with new red-and-black NIU banners on West Lincoln Highway, Annie Glidden Road and in downtown DeKalb.

The project was made possible by Rena Cotsones, executive director of community relations, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the Mainstreet DeKalb association from the NIU Foundation.

NIU also will have a downtown DeKalb presence for the start of the football season as a neww “Downtown Dog Pound” sets up show there from Aug. 20 through Aug. 30, selling game tickets, T-shirts, caps and other soft goods. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

8-18-03