Press Release Archive
For more information about any of the press releases below, contact Jennifer Stoner, executive director of communications and marketing, at (708) 709-3949 or Jill Yott communications, specialist at (708) 709-2948.
PSC SHOE DRIVE COMMEMORATES VICTIMS OF 9/11
[Released 12/17/09] Prairie State College (PSC) recently finished a shoe drive conducted as a way to remember the victims of the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001. Tiffany Bohm, adjunct professor of political science, asked the students from the International Relations and American Government courses to donate shoes as part of their service learning project. The entire campus community participated and the final count was 1,105 shoes. The shoe drive started on September 11, reflecting the National Day of Service, and ended December 11.
The shoes were donated to Goodwill to be distributed across the country. “This was the first year for the shoe drive and I really had no idea how it would go, but I am quite pleased with the amount collected,” said Bohm.
Bohm wanted to incorporate a service project into her courses as a way for students to connect both subject areas into a hands-on experience. Bohm came upon the shoe drive idea after noticing another university doing a similar project for genocide awareness.
PSC MUSICIANS WIN AWARDS AT SKYWAY JAZZ FESTIVAL
[Released 12/10/09] Three members of the Prairie State College Jazz Ensemble were recognized for their performance at the Illinois Skyway Jazz Festival held recently at Elgin Community College. The competition selects individual winners.
Saxophonists Percy Timberlake of Park Forest, and Darriel Hines of Richton Park, both received Outstanding Musician awards. Bassist Evan Wierzbicki, a freshman at Homewood-Flossmoor high school, received an honorable mention. The band is under the direction of Eugene Vinyard. As part of the festival, they participated in a brief workshop with one of the artist/clinicians.
The Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference also includes College of Lake County, Elgin Community College, McHenry County College, Moraine Valley Community College, Morton College, Oakton Community College, and Waubonsee Community College.
HOLIDAY CHEER IS UNDERWAY AT PSC
[Released 12/02/09] Prairie State College’s (PSC) sixth annual Holiday Cheer Events are underway and continue through Thursday, December 10.
The college welcomes community participation in many of the events. Currently a drive is underway collecting items for the Jones Center in Chicago Heights. Items needed include new toys, clothes, and books for the Center. On Monday, December 7, LifeSource will host a blood drive in the atrium from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Call LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 to make an appointment. There will also be a Vendor Fair on Wednesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 10 in the atrium from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Jewelry, designer purses, hats, scarves, holiday items, candles, books, and sheets will be for sale. Midwest Gold Buyers will be present to buy gold.
Helen Manley, coordinator of student and campus life, believes these events are not only fun, but beneficial to the community. “What makes many of these events great is that they are fun but they also give back to the community,” says Manley. For more information on Holiday Cheer please call (708) 709-3910 or visit prairiestate.edu/cpb.
PSC SPEECH TEAM CONTINUES WINNING SEASON
[Released 12/02/09] The Prairie State College (PSC) speech team captured six individual medals and placed sixth overall at a recent tournament held at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill.
Individual winners are as follows: Nadia Crawley, of Park Forest, tournament champion in Informative Speaking; Etta Oben, of Matteson, third place in Impromptu Speaking and top community college impromptu speaker at the tournament; Terrance Clanton, of Park Forest, fourth place in Persuasive Speaking; Jeremias Roman, of Glenwood, fourth place in Program Oral Interpretation; Jimmie Johnson, of Matteson, fifth place in Poetry Interpretation; Sharnita Redley, of Country Club Hills, sixth place in Poetry Interpretation.
Also competing was September Stanton, of Country Club Hills.
"To have six of our seven students break into final rounds shows the depth of this talented team,” said coach Dave Naze, “We continue to work hard and look forward to finishing the fall semester strong.” Naze is an associate professor of communication at PSC.
PSC ADJUNCT PROFESSOR RECEIVES AWARD
[Released 11/25/09] One of Prairie State College’s (PSC) adjunct professor recently won an award for her dissertation. English professor Kathleen Lamp was awarded the American Society for the History of Rhetoric (ASHR) Dissertation Award for 2009. The award is granted annually to the best dissertation by a member of ASHR.
The dissertation, “A City of Brick: Visual and Material Rhetoric in the Principate of Augustus,” examines how unconventional media such as coins, monuments, altars, and city planning influenced the Romans during the period between the Roman Republic and Empire. “I wanted to look at how the Roman people experienced their city and participated in their government,” says Lamp.
Lamp became interested in this topic when she studied abroad in Rome as an undergraduate student. She enjoyed the combination of rhetoric and archaeology and wanted to incorporate those topics into her dissertation.
Lamp says there are similarities between her own research and teaching at PSC. “I try to make my students conscientious producers and consumers of messages,” she says. One way she does this is through current events. She asks her students to keep up with national and international news and record them in a journal.
Lamp comes to PSC from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she was a teaching assistant and earned her doctorate degree.
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE HOSTS ILLINOIS MODEL GOVERNMENT
[Released 11/19/09] The Political Science Club at Prairie State College (PSC) took what they learned in the classroom and applied it to a real world setting when they participated in the Model Illinois Government Simulation.
On Friday, November 13, the Political Science Club at PSC hosted their first annual Model Illinois Government Simulation in the Business & Community Education Center. Students from Triton College, Augustana College, John A. Logan College, and Northeastern Illinois University also took part. During a committee simulation, students take on the role of lawmakers and engaged in debate over proposed bills. This year, the simulation was of House Committee VI – Firearms, Gambling and Alcohol & Tobacco. Andy Schott, associate professor of political science and the club’s advisor, thought this simulation would be a great way for the students “to learn the legislative process and parliamentary procedure. It also allowed students to hone their debating skills.”
At the beginning of the simulation, the school welcomed Representative Anthony DeLuca to speak to the students who praised them for taking an interest in government at a young age.
Friday’s committee simulation is in preparation for a larger simulation in February at the State Capitol.
Photo caption: The photo attached (click to enlarge)is Representative DeLuca speaking to members of the Political Science Club before their simulation.
PSC BOARD OF TRUSTEES SELECTS NEW MEMBER TO FILL INTERIM POSITION
[Released 11/04/09] The Prairie State College (PSC) Board of Trustees has selected Brunetta Hill-Corley as interim trustee to fill the opening created with the retirement of John Marks from the Board of Trustees. Hill- Corley will serve until the next PSC election in 2011. The selection was made during a special board meeting held Tuesday, November 10.
Hill-Corley was chosen from a field of seven candidates. All seven candidates were interviewed. She will be sworn in at the November 24, 2009, meeting.
Currently Hill-Corley works for Sauk Village as chief of staff, prior to that she was employed by School District 168 as grants and accounts payable clerk. She also worked for IBM Corporation as an administrative specialist.
“We feel Ms. Hill-Corley’s background in public administration will be a valuable asset to the board. We look forward to having her join us,” said Mark Fazzini, PSC Board of Trustees chairman.
To qualify for the interim position, a candidate had to be a registered voter and a resident of Illinois Community College District 515 for a minimum of one year prior to the appointment. Applicant’s submitted a letter of interest and a complete prospective member profile to the PSC Board of Trustees.
TIME SUBJECT OF PSC’S NEXT ART EXHIBIT
[Released 11/04/09] Time flies when you’re having fun…There never seems to be enough time to do all the things you want to do…too much time on your hands. We are a society obsessed with time, how we spend our time and how we manage our time. An art exhibit coming to Prairie State College (PSC) will explore various aspects of time: old stories and myths that are revisited in contemporary contexts, dreams that blend past and present, and memories and how they effect the present.
PSC will be hosting The Mythopian Artists’ Group exhibit, entitled “As Time Goes By” that focuses on the human experience of time. Like the famous song that the exhibit is named for, some of the art relates to romantic love, past and present.
“As Time Goes By” will be held from November 16 through December 17 in the College’s Christopher Art Gallery, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. An artists’ reception will take place on Thursday, November 19 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Seven artists of the Mythopian Artists Group are featured in this exhibit: Robert Kameczura, of Chicago; Karena A. Karras, of Chicago; Kim Laurel, of Chicago; Diane Levesque, of Kenosha, Wisc.; James Mesplé, of Chicago; Christine O’Connor, of Joliet; and Steve Sherrell, of Oswego. They are concerned with finely crafted narrative art that examines things old and new, beautiful and ugly, mystical and everyday.
The artists work with an array of media including oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, hand made prints, and digital art. Naomi Maurer, arts writer and curator, called their work, “Imaginative and beautifully executed.”
Hours for the Christopher Art Gallery are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Visits can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit, or to make an appointment for a visit, contact the Prairie State College Foundation at (708) 709-3636.
PSC PILOTING NEW MATH STUDY PROGRAM
[Released 11/04/09] Most community colleges are faced with a growing numbers of students that are not ready for college-level math. Many of these students possess poor study habits and give up too easily when learning.
At Prairie State College (PSC), professors are committed to student learning and success. This fall, several of PSC’s math professors are piloting a new program in their elementary algebra classes to ensure students who take these courses not only understand math concepts, but also learn the necessary study skills.
Through the use of software, professors can get immediate feedback about their students’ comprehension levels and progress. Using Web resources, students and instructors find out what kind of learners the students are—visual/verbal, visual/nonverbal, auditory, or tactile/kinesthetic. Based on this feedback, class instruction can be adjusted on an individual basis to accommodate each particular student’s learning needs.
“Students must demonstrate a certain level of mastery to get credit for the lesson,” said Brian Garant, assistant professor of mathematics, and co-director of the pilot program. “As a result, students spend more time being successful rather than falling far behind and feeling like they can’t catch up.”
The math department is currently using this software in four elementary algebra classes. In the spring, they plan on using the software in both elementary and intermediate algebra classes. The program will continue to expand as more instructors become involved.
“While we are getting immediate feedback of how the students are doing, we will know how effective the program is at the end of the term when we can measure how many students successfully completed their courses,” said Garant.
Next fall, the professors will teach these redesigned developmental math courses in a new math lab. The construction of the lab is currently underway. It will be fully equipped with smart classroom technology and student computer stations. A portion of the new math lab is funded by a part of Title III project, a $1.79 million federal grant aimed at improving student success and retention at the College.
SCHAFFER APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS AT PSC
[Released 11/04/09] Ed Schaffer was recently hired as the director of physical education and athletics at Prairie State College (PSC).
In his new position Schaffer will provide leadership in planning, administering, and directing the College’s physical education, intramural, recreation, and intercollegiate athletics programs. He will also take part in initiating support for the PSC Foundation Student-Athlete Scholarships.
Prior to this, Schaffer held two positions at PSC. He most recently was the assistant athletic director and before that he was the coordinator of athletic information and mentoring. During his tenure, Schaffer was involved with student-athlete eligibility, recruiting, financial aid, scholarships, academics, game-day administration, public relations, and fundraising. He was also a member of the enrollment development committee and created the athletic department’s recruiting and retention plan.
“I love the community college environment as well as the challenges that go along with it. I believe that my transition to this position will be smooth as a result of my background in this department at PSC.”
Schaffer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Masters of Arts in Education from Lewis University in Romeoville.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Prairie State College (PSC) recently added three new pieces of art to the PSC Board of Trustees Student Art Collection. The collection was established in September 2008 and features student artwork hung in prominent places throughout campus. The new additions were chosen from the spring 2009 graduate exhibition. Pictured from left to right are Blanca Martinez, of Chicago Heights, with her mixed-media collage, Vida Con Carino; PSC Board Chair Mark Fazzini; Ryan Niksic, of Crete, with her pastel drawing, Medusa; David Wedryk, of South Holland, with his photograph, Reflections; and PSC President Dr. Eric C. Radtke.
PSC RECIPIENT OF GRANT TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO INCREASE COLLEGE SUCCESS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES
[Released 10/28/09] African American male students face great challenges in obtaining academic access and success. Too often, African American youth feel that they are not “college material”, a message they often receive from society, from friends, and even indirectly from family.
Prairie State College (PSC) is committed to student success and already has in place many initiatives to foster the success of African American male students. Now PSC’s effort will be greatly enhanced since the College received a United States Department of Education Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) grant to begin the Excellence = Men of Color in 2 Programs (E=MC2) initiative.
The $600,000 federal award will be used to achieve two goals: increase the percentage of African American males in PSC’s district who enroll in college, as well as to increase the persistence rates of African American male students at PSC.
“PSC’s E=MC2 initiative is designed to provide young African American men with the means to improve their academic skills, arm them with an understanding of the college process, and guide them to set goals for themselves,” said Dr. Eric C. Radtke, PSC president. “While PSC has a strong program in place for academic support, the PBI grant will allow us to provide additional resources to ensure continued student success.”
To achieve the goals of the grant, PSC is putting several components in place. For the first part of the initiative, PSC is partnering with Rich Township District 227 high schools to create the “Pipeline to College” program. Freshmen through senior African American male students will be invited to participate in a college awareness and readiness program to increase college familiarity for both the students and their families.
“PSC will offer a variety of activities including career exploration services, events to provide positive educational and professional role models, and the support needed to transition to college successfully,” said Mary Reaves, vice president of student affairs.
“This partnership speaks highly of reaching into the high schools to assist our young men on so many levels – academic, personal, social, etc. We are extremely excited about the future based on this new added support to build a bridge to unlimited post-secondary possibilities,” said Dr. Donna Simpson Leak, assistant superintendent of student learning and accountability for Rich Township High School District 227.
The second part of the E=MC2initiative includes a new holistic Protégé program that will address the academic, social, and personal needs of African American male students enrolled at PSC.
“Protégé students can participate in additional cultural experiences, leadership workshops, career exploration, and college tours,” said Sean Smith, who serves as coordinator of the Protégé program under the grant. “These activities will help provide them with the confidence and skills needed to meet their educational challenges.”
In addition to the Protégé program, PSC African American male students can enroll in the Man Up! college success seminar, which was piloted in Fall 2008. Man Up! is designed to explore the challenges and choices they face, not only as college students, but as men of color. Students set educational goals, explore values, develop decision making skills, and learn effective study skills. Through grant dollars, the College is developing an additional course, entitled Brothers and Scholars, which is designed to continue mentoring and support. Students in both success seminars will have access to tutoring, advising, and early alert services in a new Learning Achievement Center.
“The new “Brothers and Scholars” program will foster a learning environment centered on brotherhood, scholarship, civic-engagement, and self-improvement as well as provide relevant learning experiences that promote unity, self-awareness, academic motivation, leadership, and community involvement,” said Elighie Wilson, professor of communication, who was instrumental in developing the Man Up! and Brothers and Scholars courses.
The E=MC2 initiative began Oct. 1.
In accordance with the Predominantly Black Institutions Program, the grant funded portion of the Excellence = Men of Color in 2 Programs at Prairie State College for FY 10 is 100% funded with federal funds totaling $600,000.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Representatives from Rich Township High School District 227 attended the Prairie State College (PSC) October board meeting when the announcement was about the College receiving a U.S. Department of Education Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) grant to begin the Excellence = Men of Color in 2 Programs (E=MC2) initiative.
Shown left to right: Mark Kramer, principal, Rich East High School; Elighie Wilson, PSC professor of communication; Michael Watkins, coordinator, Pipeline to College Program; Mary Reaves, vice president of student affairs; Sean Smith, coordinator, Protégé Program; Dr. Donna Simpson Leak, assistant superintendent of student learning and accountability, Rich Township High School District 227; Dr. Eric Radtke, PSC president; and Mark Fazzini, PSC board chairman.
PSC FORENSICS TEAM BEGINS ANOTHER WINNING SEASON
[Released 10/26/09] Coming off the heels of last season’s national championship win, the Prairie State College (PSC) Forensics team is on their way to another successful season. The first speech competition of the season spawned two individual tournament championship wins and six individual medals for the team.
Terrance Clanton, of Park Forest, was honored as tournament champion in persuasive speaking while Nadia Crawley, also of Park Forest, was honored as tournament champion in speech to entertain.
Other results are as follows: Kate Mathews, of Lynwood, second place in poetry interpretation; Nico Garcia, of Chicago Heights, second place in program oral interpretation; Christina Sigers, of University Park, third place in dramatic interpretation; September Stanton, of Country Club Hills, fifth place in dramatic interpretation; and Sharnita Redly, of Country Club Hills, sixth place in persuasive speaking and poetry interpretation.
PSC students who also competed in the tournament were Albert Abney, of Harvey; Jim Marx, of Country Club Hills; Herdie Matthews, of Olympia Fields; Sydney Milligan, of Olympia Fields; and Erich Zett, of Park Forest. The team is coached by professors of communication Ed Schwarz, Elighie Wilson, and David Naze.
“We are very excited for our team this year,” said Naze “We are still in the early stages of the season, but it looks to be shaping up with a solid group of students that are representing our program.”
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE PROFESSOR RECEIVES STATEWIDE HONOR
[Released 10/16/09]Just ask any of Dave Naze’s students about the impact he has made on them, and they’ll immediately light up and provide glowing comments. The Prairie State College (PSC) professor of communication has touched hundreds of students as an instructor in the classroom, as a coach of the college’s forensics team, and the director of a summer speech camp for high school students.
For his dedication to teaching, Naze recently received the Outstanding Young Teacher Award at the annual Illinois Speech and Theatre Association Conference (ISTA). The ISTA is a professional organization made up of Illinois high school, community college, and universities speech and theatre professors. Naze was nominated for the award by a teacher at a local high school.
“His contributions to the ISTA organization and his commitment to the college and to students in the classroom and on the forensics team led to his nomination and ultimately his winning the award - he is truly a deserving recipient,” said Elighie Wilson, professor of communication at PSC. “I am proud to call him a colleague, and I am glad that he has made PSC his professional home.”
The award was presented to Naze by Judy Santacaterina, director of bachelor of general studies baccalaureate degree program at Northern Illinois University (NIU) and director of individual events, NIU forensics. Santacaterina was Naze’s mentor and coach when he was a student at NIU. She said she always new Naze would be a successful teacher and mentor for his own students.
“Dave challenges students and encourages them to think, argue, and communicate,” said Santacaterina. “He recognizes talent and allows students to cultivate that talent. I think part of his success is due to his undaunting positive attitude and his very patient yet effective demeanor. He is the quintessential motivator.”
Thaddaeus Carr II agrees with Santacaterina that Naze is a motivator. Carr graduated from PSC last spring and was a member of the forensics team that won the college’s first ever national championship. Carr followed in Naze’s footsteps and is a student at NIU, competing on the Forensics team. He credits Naze for helping him discover himself.
“Dave has an unyielding passion for his work, and has a deeply rooted gift for helping others. He recognized the hidden potential in me to mold myself into a better individual,” said Carr. “I am very thankful to have met him, because I now have the confidence and drive to teach others the lessons he taught me. I can honestly say that he changed my life for the better, and for that I couldn’t thank him enough.”
Naze has been a professor of communication at PSC since 2006.
Jennifer Stoner
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
(708) 709-3949
jstoner@prairiestate.edu
Jill Yott
Communications Specialist
(708)709-2948
jyott@prairiestate.edu