November 1, 2004, Northern Today Abridged

DCFS looks to NIU for help in assessing children

Under a new partnership with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, NIU will help the agency provide necessary services to abused and neglected children in state custody.

NIU is one of several Illinois universities and hospitals that will play key roles in the new “Integrated Assessment Program,” a major reform effort that aims to provide intensive mental health assessments of children entering the state’s child welfare protection system and to develop long-term service plans.

“This program emphasizes prevention and early identification of emotional or behavioral problems,” said Charles Miller, chair of the NIU Department of Psychology and project director for the NIU portion of the program.

NIU will receive $1.2 million over the next year to launch the initiative in the DCFS northern region, which covers the top portion of the state, excluding Cook County. Miller will use the funds to hire a program coordinator and team of eight clinical psychologists and licensed clinical social workers who will conduct the assessments.

“The clinical screenings will be done within the first 45 days of placement,” Miller said. “The assessments should allow the state to better coordinate medical and behavioral health services for each child. In the long run, this could help avoid problems that otherwise might crop up during a placement.”

About 25,000 children are in Illinois’ child-welfare system. During an Oct. 8 press conference, DCFS announced the Integrated Assessment Program along with several other major reforms designed to streamline services and provide a “lifetime approach” to child welfare.

“For too long, child welfare systems have treated children coming into care as if their stays would be short,” DCFS Director Bryan Samuels said. “Research shows, however, that the average child in Illinois remains in care for 4.5 years. We must work to move a child forward or we risk missing critical developmental opportunities – years that can never be regained.”

NIU has been working with DCFS to help the agency in other areas as well.

The state agency, for example, turned to NIU in 1997 for a partner to help its young clients with their school lives, resulting in the launch of the NIU Center for Child Welfare and Education (housed in the College of Education).

Sharon Freagon, a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, directs the NIU center, which works to ensure academic success and social competence for every child in the state foster care system.

NIU psychologists have new read on comprehension

Two NIU psychology professors have received a $1.5 million grant to develop an automated online test that could revolutionize how reading comprehension is assessed in the future.

The test, dubbed the R-Sat, for Reading Strategy Assessment Tool, will measure not only how well college and high school students understand the text they read but also pinpoint the areas where comprehension breaks down as students are interpreting the material.

“We’re trying to get into the window of comprehension as it is happening,” Professor Keith Millis says. “This will be a revolutionary way to assess reading skills.”

Millis and Professor Joe Magliano are developing the R-Sat. The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Educational Sciences is funding the pair’s four-year research project, which will produce a Web-based comprehension test that eventually could be used by students and educators worldwide.

The NIU researchers say students, even at the college level, have a wide range of reading comprehension skills.

“Your success in college is really contingent on being a good active reader,” Magliano says. “Readers who adopt a low standard of coherence read passively, finding a sparse representation acceptable. Readers who have a high standard employ a search for meaning in which they construct a coherent understanding of what the text is about. These readers use a variety of reading strategies to understand the text.”

By having test subjects answer impromptu questions or think aloud while reading passages, the researchers identify the strategies that indicate deep or superficial comprehension.

“Passive readers, for example, tend to answer the impromptu questions by repeating or paraphrasing what they’ve just read,” Magliano says. “Active readers tend to explain the material they’ve read in the context of the entire passage.”

R-SAT will identify basic reading strategies and the extent to which the reader is actively engaged with the text. The online test will build upon new research that uses various computational approaches to analyze student responses solicited at critical points during the reading process.

Standard multiple choice tests also measure reading comprehension but have serious limitations, the researchers say. Because multiple-choice tests measure comprehension after reading, they are subject to test-taking strategies and processes.

“A test taker who doesn’t understand the information still might guess right,” Magliano says. “A student might also first read the questions before reading a passage of text, or find that a listed answer to a question triggers the correct answer.”

Millis adds: “Multiple-choice tests are easy and cheap, and you can test the heck out of people. But they don’t really assess the deep comprehension that is required for understanding complex literature, textbooks or societal issues. The standard tests also fail to identify how to improve a reader’s comprehension, which requires recognition of specific strategies that are weak or lacking.”

The researchers hope to have the Web-based prototype assembled in two to three years. It will assess readers in their late adolescence and initially be tested on students at NIU. Eventually, Magliano and Millis hope to develop a similar tool for testing students at the primary grades as well.

Ben Ogle named 2005 NIU Student Lincoln Laureate

Ben Ogle is a quick study. Given his daunting schedule, he has no other choice.

Ogle is president of Phi Sigma Zeta, the political science academic fraternity. He’s a member of the History Club, the Model United Nations Club and the Political Science Student Advisory Committee. In May, Ogle will graduate from NIU with honors, receiving bachelor’s degrees in history and political science.

Did we mention he’s taking Indonesian and Chinese language courses, has interned with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and plans to work for the government in international relations or national security?

All the hard work is paying big dividends. Ogle, of St. Charles, has been named NIU’s 2005 Student Lincoln Laureate, an annual honor reserved for the university’s top senior.

“Ben is the most dedicated student I’ve ever had in class, and one of the brightest,” says Professor Daniel Kempton, a 17-year faculty veteran and political science chair. “I couldn’t think of a more deserving student.”

Each of the state’s four-year public universities selects one Student Lincoln Laureate. The award recognizes excellence in both curricular and extracurricular activities. Ogle and fellow Lincoln Laureates will be recognized during a Nov. 6 ceremony in the House of Representatives of the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

“It’s an honor to have been nominated for the Lincoln Laureate, let alone to receive the award,” Ogle says, although he’s no stranger to winning awards.

Earlier this year, he won the 2004 Inez H. Nelson Family Scholarship in International Relations, given to one student in the political science department annually. He also took home top honors in the department’s writing competition. Last year he won the silver award in the NIU Co-op Student of the Year competition.

Political Science Professor Christopher Jones nominated Ogle for the Lincoln Laureate and says his student would be highly successful in any profession.

“Ben is among the top three undergraduates that I have encountered in my 15 years of teaching at NIU, Syracuse and other universities,” Jones says. “He possesses outstanding writing, research, analytical and oral communication skills, complemented by a keen intellect.

“Instead of setting his sights on a more lucrative job, Ben is committed to a career in public service,” Jones adds. “He’s seeking employment with the federal government in the area of national security affairs at a time when our nation truly needs talented, dedicated professionals. Ben is a student that this institution should be very proud of today. I suspect the NIU community will take great pride in him tomorrow.”

Ogle has been interested in international affairs from a young age.

Prior to graduating from St. Charles East High School, he was nominated by U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert for appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. But an asthmatic condition forced Ogle to change his plans.

After spending his freshman year at Purdue University, he transferred to NIU. While most students take a full load of 15 credit hours a semester, Ogle has maintained a nearly perfect grade-point average while carrying course loads ranging from 18 to 20 hours. He plans to attend graduate school on the East Coast.

“My schedule is challenging at times,” Ogle says. “But I read fairly quickly, and that helps. I’m naturally interested in foreign policy and national security, so I do well in those subjects because I enjoy learning about them.”

Ogle is looking forward to his next learning opportunity. He was selected as the university’s sole delegate to attend the Nov. 10-13 Student Conference on United States Affairs at West Point. The prestigious international conference is held annually and seeks to foster the growth of mutual understanding among the civilian and military leaders of tomorrow.

“In our post 9/11 world and with the ongoing situation in Iraq, most Americans are keenly aware of foreign affairs,” Ogle says. “It’s definitely an interesting time to be involved in this field.”

In winning NIU’s Lincoln Laureate award, Ogle was competing against top NIU seniors in a wide variety of disciplines.

Other nominees for the award included first finalist Shelby Bernard (Public Health) of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Fabiola Gomez (Elementary Education) of Elgin; Rebecca Gehrke (English teaching certification) of Joliet; Olga Garcia (Theoretical Computer Science/Computational Mathematics) of Elgin; and Erik Person (Accountancy) of Kingston.

NIU Foundation announces new Venture Grants

NIU faculty and staff with new and different ideas to cooperate across disciplines can apply for financial support through the NIU Foundation’s Venture Grants.

Foundation leaders are announcing today the availability $50,000 in private money – grants can range anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 – for projects that show innovation, including imaginative use of new technology, interdisciplinary focus, collaboration, community outreach, sustainability, image enhancement and appeal to donors.

Proposals are due Feb. 4, 2005, to the Office of the Provost.

“The Foundation board relishes the opportunity to support the work of faculty and students whose exceptional work brings further acclaim to NIU,” said Mallory M. Simpson, president of the NIU Foundation. “While nearly all gift dollars are designated by donors to specific departments and programs, the Foundation earmarks some of its limited unrestricted dollars each year to its grants program. The grants program helps the Foundation to fulfill its mission of advancing excellence at NIU.”

Provost Ivan Legg encourages all faculty to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Historically the Foundation’s grant program has enabled the university to accomplish some noteworthy goals that impact the quality of students’ experiences here at NIU. The grants have supported projects ranging from theatrical productions to research and public lectures by noted authors,” Legg said.

“The objectives of the Venture Grants are particularly timely because of their emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary work and collaboration,” Legg added. “This grant program is important to the university, our faculty and our students, and we’re very happy to have this kind of support from the Foundation.”

Venture Grants trace their name to two places: first, to the venture fund that feeds them, and second, to the venturesome spirit asked of the recipients.

Foundation leaders view the fund as an investment in the imagination, intellect and dedication of NIU’s faculty and students, and will pledge these dollars to support activities that might not be funded in other ways. The projects are expected to reap an increasing awareness of the university’s stature in research, teaching, learning and outreach.

Projects funded last year were:

• “Reaching Out through Reading and Arts,” $12,357 to Chris Carger in the College of Education. NIU students serve as tutors for small groups of first- through third-grade students in Aurora and the new NIU-DeKalb District 428 partnership school, Wright Elementary. Students include native and non-native English speakers who gain an enriched literacy and art development while appreciating diversity in their communities.
•  “Mapping NIU: Server, Imagery and Software,” $17,482 to Andrew Krmenec in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The NIU Geospacial Lab in the Department of Geography used software provided through Intergraph Corp. to develop an interactive Web map of NIU, advancing research in Web-based mapping that could have worldwide application. This grant supports the development of the database to provide visual landscape cues for campus locations as well as an interactive locator function that allows students to “see” location of classes.
• “Neonatal Hearing Screening,” $20,000 to Joseph Smaldino in the College of Health and Human Sciences. This grant continues a successful neonatal hearing screening and follow-up program conducted through partnership with Kishwaukee Hospital. The funds assisted in the purchase of equipment to test hearing impairment in newborns. The state-of-the-art equipment also enhances NIU’s new Doctor of Audiology program.

Project proposals from faculty and staff within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs and Athletics should involve students, directly benefit them or both. Projects should have clear outcomes, timely results and matching support from the department, unit or elsewhere.

A detailed budget is required.

The proposals should include a title and a written description of the project in terms that are clear to those outside the discipline, and should not exceed three pages. All proposals must come with letters of support from the appropriate representative, whether the department chair, director, dean or provost.

Grant recipients are expected to complete the project within the planned timeline. A final report must be submitted to the Grants Committee upon completion of the project, generally one year after the award.

Full guidelines and an application are available online at http://www.niufoundation.org/news/current/venture_grant.html.

New ROTC boss toughens standards for cadets

After 19 years of serving as an aviator in the U.S. Army’s combat divisions, Lieutenant Colonel Craig Engel considered himself ready to tackle a new challenge: ROTC.

“I really enjoy how much the cadets want to learn,” says Engel, who took over NIU’s program May 28 after the retirement of Lt. Col. Steve Payne. “I’ve got all this experience now. I really felt like I was in a position to help train lieutenants to come into today’s Army.”

That’s translated into a host of changes for NIU’s 80 cadets, who Engel says are reporting satisfaction with his first semester in charge.

Engel submits as evidence the “completely rewritten” handbook for cadets, a thick volume that he says was once far slimmer but now enables cadets to find the answers to many of their questions about the program.

Its update posed one of the first tasks for Engel’s new crop of seniors, who came to campus a week before school started to see how their year ahead was set up and to prepare for their role as leaders.

“We are developing standards here that are the same as the Army has. It’s an invisible transition from the university to the ranks,” Engel says. “It’s meant increased standards for the cadets. We’ve made it tougher.”

Seniors “developed training guidelines and training schedules and really did an outstanding job of if,” he adds. “They’re finally in a position to make decisions and apply their leadership skills.”

Engel also is working to ensure the lessons the cadets receive in the classroom mirror what they learn in labs and field training exercises. He also believes the stricter procedures now in place will attract more students who hunger for the Army-grade discipline.

Married with three children, Engel’s job at NIU returns him to his roots. The Wisconsin native graduated from the ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

The proper training is crucial, he says.

“Not a year after they leave the university, they’re serving somewhere in Operation Enduring Freedom,” he says. “ROTC provides a sense of responsibility leaders have to soldiers and the responsibility that comes with leading soldiers. Leaderships skills come naturally.”

Jazz great Eddie Henderson makes
first visit to NIU campus

Jazz great and Sony/Columbia recording artist Eddie Henderson will make his first visit to NIU to perform with internationally known NIU Jazz Ensemble.

The campus concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, November 4, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. The concert is free and open to all.

Mr. Henderson will be the special guest with the Jazz Ensemble for an entire week during their Fall Jazz Tour, scheduled for Nov. 2 to 10. The trumpet great will be featured on selections from his new CD release “So What”(tribute to Miles Davis).

Born in New York City on Oct. 26, 1940, Henderson began trumpet studies at age 10. His family was very artistic: his father sang with the Charioteers, and his mother danced at the Cotton Club in Harlem.

After three years in the Air force, Henderson enrolled in U.C. Berkeley, graduating with a degree in zoology in 1964. He then studied medicine at Howard University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1968. Though he completed his residency in psychiatry, he only practiced general medicine. During this period, he performed with Joe Henderson, John Handy, Big Black and Philly Joe Jones.

His first major musical exposure came during 1970-73, as a member of the Herbie Hancock’s Sextet. This ensemble included Bennie Maupin, Julian Priester, Buster Williams and Billy Hart.

After leaving Hancock, the trumpeter worked exclusively with Pharoah Sanders, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Norman Connors and Latin jazz-group Azteca. Henderson has recorded three albums for Bluenote: “Sunburst,” “Heritage” and “Comin’ Through.” He also recorded “Inspiration” on the Milestone label, and three albums with Steeplechase.

Call 753-1546 for more information.

CEET business manager pens autobiography

Ralph Wallis, business manager in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, doesn’t have any illusions of making the New York Times Best Seller list, but he is proud to call himself a published author.

Wallis, 59, who has worked at NIU for the past 27 years, recently published his autobiography, “Memoirs of a Rambling Mind,” through Infinity Publishing, a vanity press. He wrote and published the book as a gift to his five children, ages 25 to 30.

He began the project just before last Christmas, presenting his children with a few pages and promising to write more. Seven months and 200 pages later, the book was complete.

“I’m no war hero, or anything like that. I didn’t think I could write six pages, but it just started to flow,” he says.

The book traces Wallis’ life from a boy in Sandwich, Ill., through his service in Viet Nam and through his days as a student and employee at NIU. While Wallis himself doesn’t consider his life’s journey to be extraordinary, those family and friends he has shared it with have enjoyed the tale.

“I encourage everybody to do this for friends, family whatever,” Wallis said. “I think everybody has a great story in them if they just look for it.”

Kudos: U.S. comptroller general praises NIU

NIU recently played host to David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States.

In that role, Walker heads up the Government Accountability Office (formerly known as the Government Accounting Office), which is charged with improving the performance of the federal government by conducting fact-based, nonpartisan reviews of government issues and operations.

The agency has a lengthy history of recruiting top students out of NIU’s highly regarded programs in accountancy and public administration. Also, NIU has been represented on the agency’s Educators Advisory Panel since the inception of that group five years ago.

Accountancy Professor Donald Tidrick currently serves on that panel. He is one of only two accounting educators named to the group, which is comprised mostly of deans from some of the best public administration programs in the nation. It was Tidrick who extended an invitation to Walker to visit campus.

“It’s a special day when you can get Mr. Walker to come to campus. He is one of the most influential people in the accountability profession and a very engaging person,” Tidrick said.

Over the course of the day, Walker met with faculty and students in Public Administration, had an opportunity to spend some time with NIU President John Peters, held an informal question and answer session with accountancy faculty and concluded his day by giving a formal presentation to a Barsema Auditorium packed with students and faculty.

Walker’s topic was restoring fiscal responsibility to the federal government, and what he had to say surprised many students.

“I think the students were extremely impressed. Several expressed concern after hearing him talk about the growing fiscal imbalance in Washington,” Tidrick said. “It was eye-opening to some of the students who didn’t realize what an enormous tab they will be handed for benefits enjoyed by generations that preceded them.”

Following his visit, Walker said his visit to campus made good business sense for his agency.

“It is important for GAO to maintain a strong relationship with Northern Illinois University. After all, Northern Illinois has one of the top accounting programs in the United States. It’s consistently ranked very high and it has been moving up in the national rankings,” he said.

“In addition, we are fortunate to have Don Tidrick, a professor at NIU, as a member of our Educators Advisory Panel, and I value his advice and counsel on a variety of issues. GAO expects to have a presence at NIU for the foreseeable future.”

Flu shots cancelled

Employee Assistance and Wellness Program regrets to announce that the flu shots scheduled at NIU for Wednesday, Nov. 3, and Wednesday, Nov. 10, are cancelled.

The following public service announcement issued by the DeKalb County Health Department explains the reasons for the decision to cancel all community flu clinics and identifies who is eligible to receive the limited flu vaccine available.

Stay healthy: remember to get sufficient rest, eat healthy, drink plenty of water and take your Vitamin C.

Public Service Announcement

The DeKalb County Health Department is canceling all community flu clinics and Health Department walk-in flu clinics, according to Karen Grush, public health administrator.

“This decision was made after learning that we would not be receiving our entire vaccine order due to the recent suspension in production by the flu vaccine manufacturer Chiron Corporation,” states Grush. “Once we know what the status of our vaccine supply will be, we will be offering a few clinics at the Health Department for DeKalb County residents at highest risk according to CDC criteria,” Grush said.

All health care providers are being asked to prioritize flu vaccine for those who need it the most.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria for highest risk includes:

• all children aged 6 to 23 months
• adults aged 65 years and older
• persons aged 2 to 64 years with underlying chronic medical condition
• all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
• health care workers involved in direct patient care
• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months

“We will get word out to the public as soon as clinic times and dates become available. We ask that people continue to watch local media for information,” Grush said. “Fortunately, influenza (flu) is not a life threatening problem for otherwise healthy people. We continue to encourage standard prevention measures.”

To prevent the spread of influenza:

• avoid touching your nose, eyes or mouth after coming in contact with someone with flu symptoms
• use facial tissues when sneezing or coughing
• wash your hands frequently
• stay home if you are sick with the flu.

NIU to celebrate Deaf Awareness Week

These events are scheduled as a part of NIU’s celebration of Deaf Awareness Week:

7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1
Guiding Hands: The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission
Carl Sandburg, Holmes Student Center

Follow the hands as John Miller, executive director of the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC), guides the audience through the actions of IDHHC. Miller will help unravel the great web that seems to surround services and resources within the Deaf Community. Come join Miller as he guides us through the complex and diverse live experiences for anyone who faces issues regarding deafness.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2
The Days of our Deaf Lives: Deaftown
Regency Room, Holmes Student Center

Like the hands in the air, so true are the days of our deaf lives … Once you arrive in Deaftown, you are guaranteed to experience the everyday lives of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. You will leave Deaftown with a better awareness of deaf culture and realize the importance of diverse communication modes in the days of our deaf lives.

7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3
All My Deafies: Reality Show
Carl Sandburg Auditorium, Holmes Student Center

Stay tuned to All My Deafies to find out the latest happenings in the town of “Deaf” Valley. Through the eyes of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, get an exclusive look at various episodes that portray the reality of their lives in the deaf community. You are guaranteed to get the scoop about what you always wanted to know about deaf culture.

9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4
The Bold & The Signing: Sign Sync
Carl Sandburg Auditorium, Holmes Student Center

Come see the glamorous side of the NIU Deaf Community during the bold and beautiful signing performances. Sit back and appreciate the song interpretations via sign language performed by NIU students, faculty, and staff, Program for Hearing Impaired students and staff, and individuals from the DeKalb area community.

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5
One CODA Life to Live: The Abababa Tour
Carl Sandburg Auditorium, Holmes Student Center

After more than 30 years, One CODA Life to Live tells us that some things DO get better with age. Alan "Abababa" Abarbanell and his family characters are at the center of this comedic performance showing us his actions, activities, friends and family engaging in family misunderstandings and developing the strongest bonds a family unit can.

Sponsors are Affirmative Action & Diversity Resources, Center for Access-Ability Resources, Department of Communicative Disorders, DeafPRIDE, Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, Illinois Teachers of Hard of Hearing/Deaf Individuals (Areas 5 & 6), Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities, Program for Hearing Impaired, and Unity in Diversity Steering Committee.

For more information, call 753-6527 V/TTY or 753-1694 V/TTY or E-mail: mcormier@niu.edu or jmontag@niu.edu. Sign Language/Voice Interpreters provided. To request other accommodations, please contact the Center for Access-Ability Resources at 753-1694 V/TTY.

All events are free and open to all.

NIU Community School to perform four concerts

The NIU Community School of the Arts is going on the road.

On Saturday, Nov. 20, performers from the program will take the stage at the Barnes and Noble Store in DeKalb. The concert is part of a fundraising book sale the store is holding on behalf of the community school. The store will donate a percentage of all purchases made from Nov. 19 to 21 by people who use a special voucher. Call 753-1450 for a voucher. All proceeds will go toward the program’s scholarship fund.

Other free concerts this month:

• at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, the CSA Sinfonia, a regional youth orchestra, performs under the direction of Linc Smelser in the Concert Hall of the NIU Music Building.
• at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 7, the CSJazz Band performs under the director of Johan Eriksson in the Concert Hall of the NIU Music Building.

Meanwhile, teachers in the NIU Community School of the Arts are featured in the Gala Teachers’ Recital at NIU at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Recital Hall of the NIU Music Building.

The annual recital showcases the talented teachers of this local arts organization. Performing on viola is director of the Suzuki violin program and NIU violin instructor Ann Montzka-Smelser. She will be joined in a duet by cellist Linc Smelser, conductor of the community school’s two youth orchestras, as well as the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra and NIU cello instructor.

Other performers are flutist Cheryl Haines, who is the principal flutist with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and pianist Jodeen Coulter, DeKalb public school music teacher and early education teacher with the community school.

World musicians Anny Hsu and Jui-Ching Wang will perform a piano duet. Singing a duet are voice teachers Erin Smith and Christopher Truesdell, performing a violin duet are Kara Eubanks and Jay Gemkow, playing Bach on the steel pan is Malika Green, and performing on piano are Fabiola de Pinheiro and Barbara Bochenek.

This recital is a scholarship fundraising event. The community school awards more than $5,000 in talent and need scholarships to young people each year. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door and cost $6 for adults, $3 for children under 12, and $12 for families.

The NIU Community School of the Arts is sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Classes and lessons are year-round and are offered in music, art, and theatre for children and adults.

For more information, call Renee Page, NIU Community School of the Arts, at 753-1450.

Visiting scholar will lecture on Islam, international relations

Visiting scholar Muddathir Abdel-Rahim will present a public lecture titled, “Islam and International Relations: Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy,” from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in the Heritage Room of Holmes Student Center.

Abdel-Rahim is a professor of political science and Islamic studies at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization in Malaysia. He joins NIU’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies through funding from the American University of Beirut program, “Understanding Contemporary Islam.”

“Diplomacy in the Arab and Muslim world is rooted in Islam, a word that means peace,” Abdel-Rahim said.

“My lecture will examine the principles on which international relations were conceived and evolved in Islamic civilization, going back to the rise of Islam in the 7th century. In the Muslim world view, peace remains the highest priority.”

Abdel-Rahim is visiting NIU for the fall semester, presenting lectures in various political science and anthropology courses. Originally from the Sudan, he at one time served as a Sudanese ambassador to the Nordic countries.

He also has worked for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and has taught at universities in Africa, England, the United States and the Arab world. He has been teaching in Malaysia for the past decade.

Black Studies hosts sixth Kuumba Festival

The Center for Black Studies in conjunction with several co-sponsors are proud to announce the sixth annual Kuumba Festival at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.

The purpose of the Kuumba Festival must begin with the definition of Kuumba. The term Kuumba is derived from the Swahili language meaning creativity. Kuumba is also the sixth principal of the Nguso Saba, part of the Kwanza celebration, beginning Dec. 26 and ending Jan. 1.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Hip-Hop Meets Jazz,” incorporating creative expression through music and dance in the hopes of celebrating and beginning to restore the community to its original greatness.

Call 753-5960 for more information.

PCSW hosts luncheon on women in literature

Lynne M. Thomas, curator of rare books and special collections at Founders Memorial Library, will speak at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at a network luncheon in Chandelier Room B of Adams Hall.

Thomas will speak on “Heroines, Harlots and Homebodies: Women in Popular Literature Special Collections at NIU.” Tickets are $7.50 per person ($6.50 for students). Reservations are required by Friday, Nov. 12. Call 753-6351 or e-mail juxl@niu.edu.

The luncheon is co-sponsored by the NIU Presidential Commission on the Status of Women and University Resources for Women. Call 753-9614 for more information.

11-1-04