July 2008 News Releases
- 7-31 Schmidt Art Center to Feature Contemporary Exhibit
- 7-18 SWIC and Monroe-Randolph Transit Introduce New Route
- 7-17 SWIC Names Georgia Costello New College President
- 7-2 SWIC Red Bud Campus and YMCA to Co-Host Soccer Clinic
- 7-1 Hilarious Musical Comedy Set to Take Stage at SWIC
SCHMIDT ART CENTER TO FEATURE CONTEMPORARY EXHIBIT
Optical illusions of John McCain and Barack Obama and paintings that are influenced by both science and the whimsical story of "Alice in Wonderland" are just some of things you will see at the latest Schmidt Art Center exhibit at Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville.
These contemporary exhibits will run from Aug. 21 until Oct. 4. The artists' reception will take place from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28. All Schmidt exhibits are free and open to the public.
The first exhibit will feature a series of optical digital prints and paintings, or "op art" by St. Louis artist Jason Urban. To create these prints, he uses halftones, Moire patterns, stripes, modular units and jigsaw puzzle-like shapes to alter and amplify imagery from popular culture.
"The difference between hallucination and illusion relates to our notions of reality," explains Urban. "In a hallucination, the viewer sees something that doesn't actually exist-a complete invention. In an illusion, the viewer sees a distortion - a misrepresentation of reality. An illusion shows something that is real but reveals something unreal at the same time. My research has become an exploration of illusions."
The second exhibit will highlight paintings by St. Louis artist Charles Schwall. His work is created through additive and reductive processes of layering paint, as well as the refined use of gesture, contour, silhouette and color. His current series is titled, "Eat Me, Drink Me," based on the story of "Alice in Wonderland."
"My current paintings create a dialogue between biosystemic spaces and artificial constructs of culturally derived meaning," says Schwall. "Ovoid, biomorphic shapes function as containers, or places of incubation, which suggest gestation (womb) or digestion (stomach). In contrast to the organic appearance of shape, color does not reference biology or natural science, but rather explores aspects of meaning constructed by contemporary society."
Also showing at the Schmidt during this time is the "Ubjects I" exhibit. This community history exhibit is part of CUSP (Conjunctions: Ubjects, Stories and Place), a collaborative project with local universities that takes unique or unusual objects local people have brought from their homes and examines the history and stories behind them.
For more information, call 618-222-5278 or visit www.schmidtartcenter.com.
SWIC AND MONROE-RANDOLPH TRANSIT INTRODUCE NEW ROUTE
Southwestern Illinois College and Monroe-Randolph Transit have teamed up to give students and residents of Monroe and Randolph counties some additional relief from rising gas prices.
MRT is adding a new route to its lineup beginning Monday, Aug. 25. Students from the Sparta, Steeleville, Chester, Ellis Grove and Evansville area can take advantage of the new "SWIC Connection" to the Red Bud Campus.
The route begins at 7 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, at City Hall in Steeleville and continues to Sparta and then Red Bud. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the route begins at 7 a.m. at Rozier's Grocery Store in Chester and continues on to Ellis Grove, Evansville and then Red Bud. The pick-up locations in the other communities include: the MRT Office in Sparta, Pop A Top in Ellis Grove and Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School in Evansville. Riders leave campus at 2 p.m. and are returned to their point of origin. Alternate return times must be scheduled with the MRT dispatcher in advance.
The first five students to sign up on each route will receive a SWIC hoodie.
"We are extremely excited to be forming a partnership with the Southwestern Illinois College Red Bud Campus," said MRT Director Jesica Pirtle. "We hope to provide a safe, inexpensive alternative to driving to classes."
As a community college, SWIC is committed to making high-quality, affordable educational opportunities available to residents of the region, notes Red Bud Campus Provost Mike Reed.
"This is going to be a tremendous resource for our students. Thanks to this partnership with Monroe-Randolph Transit, we are able to ensure that rising gas costs aren't an overwhelming obstacle to students' educational goals," he added.
Students could save an average of $200 per semester taking advantage of this new partnership, Reed estimates.
Monroe Randolph Transit has been providing public transportation for residents of Monroe and Randolph counties since 2005. With a fleet of eight public transit vehicles, MRT logs an average of 300 trips per month.
The SWIC Red Bud Campus has provided educational opportunities to residents of the region since 1985. The campus offers learning options to meet whatever your educational goal might be. Check out Block Schedule courses, which allow you to maintain full-time student status while attend classes as few as two days per week. Evening and distance learning class options are available as well. Earn credits that transfer to four-year colleges and universities or build skills to move right into the work force.
Fall 2008 Semester classes begin Saturday, Aug. 23.
For more information about the routes, call 877-443-9087. A ride schedule and information about pickup locations is available at www.swic.edu/redbud.
SWIC NAMES GEORGIA COSTELLO NEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT
The Southwestern Illinois College Board of Trustees has appointed Georgia Costello, Ph.D., as president, it was announced today by SWIC Board Chair Nick J. Mance. The SWIC Board, which is legally authorized to appoint the college president, approved the recommendation at its July 16 Board meeting.
Costello will assume the position today from Elmer H. Kirchoff, Ph.D, who will remain with the college for an indefinite period. "This will ensure a smooth transition that is in the best interest of the college's students, faculty, administrators and staff," Mance said.
The advertised search for a new college president was initiated shortly after Kirchoff, 73, announced at the April 23 public meeting of the SWIC Board of Trustees that he planned to step down on or about July 1. The search process was facilitated by Illinois Community College Trustee Association consultant Dr. Gary Davis and SWIC Board Attorney Garrett P. Hoerner. They worked with a search committee representing college administrators, faculty, support staff, students and members of the community. The process yielded a recommendation to name Costello.
"We believe our search, which was well advertised, well publicized, and which was inclusive of all members of the college community and the community at large, yielded the best, unanimously recommended candidate," said Dr. Davis. "It was a thoughtful, diligent process."
"On this occasion, first and foremost, we are most grateful for the 10-year leadership (1998-2008) provided by Dr. Kirchoff," Mance said. "During his presidency, the college made significant strides (see attachment), including a nearly 20 percent increase in enrollment in a period when many other colleges and universities, regionally and nationally, were far less successful. In 2000, he also helped orchestrate our name change and evolution from Belleville Area College to Southwestern Illinois College to better reflect our expansive service area.
"Simultaneously, the appointment of Dr. Costello represents what we trust will be a seamless transition that will serve the college's best interest for the foreseeable future," Mance added. "As a former BAC student and lifelong community resident, as an experienced educator and administrator in the regional school system, and as an astute political figure who knows how to turn issues into opportunities, Dr. Costello is absolutely the best person for this job."
Costello, 58, attended then Belleville Area College in 1967 before completing her undergraduate studies in 1977 at McKendree College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education degree. In 1994, Costello earned her Master of Science in Educational Administration degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she also earned her doctorate in Educational Administration and Higher Education in 2007.
Professionally, Costello began her career as a teacher with Belleville Grade School District 118 where she served from 1977 to 1990. Costello subsequently served from 1997 to 1998 as Dean of Students and from 1999 to 2000 as principal of Central Junior High School in Belleville Public School District 118. From 2000-2005, she served as assistant superintendent at the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education, where she remained as a consultant to the regional superintendent before taking the position as SWIC President. In her career, Costello has served on the Illinois Governor's Education Accountability and Education Excellence Task Forces, and is on the Board of Trustees of McKendree University.
"As Dr. Kirchoff always reminded us, Southwestern Illinois College represents the very best value in postsecondary education and lifelong learning for the residents of Community College District 522," Costello said. "Our tuition is most affordable; our faculty is of the highest quality, with no reliance on student teaching assistants to deliver instruction; and a majority of community college graduates, return 'home' to work, live and contribute to our economy. Southwestern is a great institution and I am honored to be its next president."
Of his presidency, Kirchoff said: "It has been my sincerest pleasure to serve as president since 1998; it has been my humble privilege to work with the very best faculty, administrators and staff at any college anywhere; and it will be my distinct honor to help Dr. Costello carry on the tradition of excellence that has been the hallmark of this institution for more than 60 years."
SWIC RED BUD CAMPUS AND YMCA TO CO-HOST SOCCER CLINIC
Get your soccer stars psyched for the upcoming season at a soccer clinic sponsored by Southwestern Illinois College and the YMCA of Southwest Illinois.
The camp will meet from 9-10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 26 at Lincoln Park, which is located across the street from the Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St.
The camp is open to children ages 3-14. Leading the camp will be SWIC Blue Storm Women's Soccer team members who will review the fundamentals of soccer with campers and teach new individual and team soccer skills.
The camp fee is $10 for YMCA members and $15 for nonmembers. All campers will receive a T-shirt, snack and drink.
Register your child or children by Saturday, July 19.
For information or to register, contact Andrea Letcher at 618-282-9622 or stop by the YMCA of Southwest Illinois Red Bud Center, 130 S. Oak St.
HILARIOUS MUSICAL COMEDY SET TO TAKE STAGE AT SWIC
It's Monte Carlo or bust for English shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon and his rich uncle in this summer's Southwestern Illinois College Summer Musical, "Lucky Stiff."
"Think "Weekend at Bernie's" set in Monte Carlo, Monaco," says Director Jeff Blue. "I love this show because it's just fun!"
In this madcap musical murder mystery, Witherspoon must honor his uncle's last request by taking him on a weeklong vacation to Monte Carlo. There's only one problem - his uncle is already deceased.
Why would Witherspoon agree to do this, you ask.
"I don't want to give too much of the zany action away, but if Witherspoon can do it, he's set to inherit $6 million. Should he fail, it all goes to the dogs," Blue adds. "Believe me, it is not an easy request to fulfill when the action begins."
Performances of the show will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 18-19; 2 p.m., Sunday, July 20; 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 25-26; and 2 p.m., Sunday, July 27 in the Belleville Campus Main Complex Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave.
Bringing the show to life will be cast members: Ryan Quitmeyer of Trenton, portraying Harry Witherspoon, the reserved British shoe salesman; Aubrey Wiggs of Belleville, portraying Annabel Glick, a representative of the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn; Katie Riley of Belleville, portraying Rita La Porta, the legally blonde girlfriend of Witherspoon's uncle Anthony Hendon; Tony Henley of Edwardsville, portraying Luigi Gaudi, a mysterious person of Italian descent; Jeff Blue of Belleville, portraying Vinnie Di Ruzzio, the optometrist brother of Rita La Porta; Samantha Bursich of New Baden, portraying French nightclub singer Dominique du Monaco; Stephanie Rhein of Fairview Heights, portraying Harry's landlady; Jeff Bennett of Belleville, portraying the solicitor; Bill Conklin of Granite City, portraying the body of Tony Hendon; Drew Piccard of New Baden, portraying the bellhop.
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Get yours today by calling 618-235-2700, ext. 5561 or by stopping by the College Activities Office in the Main Complex - Room 1243.
This show is based on a book, titled "The Man Who Broke The Bank At Monte Carlo," by Michael Butterworth. The creative team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty brought the book, lyrics and music together to form the hilarious farce that has been performed by college and community theatre groups since the early 90s.
The play is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International Inc.
For more information, contact Blue at 618-235-2700, ext. 5451, or the Office of College Activities.