Around the College
March 26, 2018
Here are a few highlights of recent events within the College of Applied Sciences and Arts.
Student-funded planes begin to arrive
The aviation program received the first of its three Piper Arrow general aviation flight trainer planes March 20. Purchased with student flight fee funds, the three planes will replace five older Cessna 172 and 182 retractable gear planes from the 1970s and early 1980s in the fleet.
The plane’s modern technology includes glass cockpits, auto pilot and an adjustable pitch propeller, and are built specifically to train students in the complex requirements for commercial and certified flight instructor certificates.
Health Care Management students earn honors
Two Health Care Management students received the Mid-America Health Care Executives Forum award.
Vicki Brown, a junior from Coulterville, received the undergraduate award while Christopher Grace, a graduate student from Ava who is pursuing a Masters in Health Administration, earned graduate student honors.
Brown was recently named to the Illinois Rural Health Association Board, becoming the first SIU student to earn that honor. Her two-year appointment is through January 2020.
Cybersecurity team continues to shine
The “Security Dawgs” once again have had a productive season. They placed fifth overall out of 179 teams and finished second in the Silver Bracket in the National Cyber League, a capture-the-flag style cybersecurity competition.
The team also qualified for the Midwest Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition for the eighth time in 11 years in March.
Faculty presented research ‘lightning’ talks
Some of the exciting research by CASA faculty was on display March 21 at “Flash Talk 2” at the Varsity Center in Carbondale. The 25 presentations by 33 faculty members from numerous departments through the university gave the community additional insight into ongoing research.
O’Connor wins dental hygiene award
Clare O’Connor, a senior in dental hygiene from Mount Carroll, has been selected by the School of Allied Health Dental Hygiene program to receive the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) national recognition award for senior dental hygiene students who have demonstrated special interests and achievement in community dentistry and dental public health.
Alumni, friends, step up to support ‘life-changing’ aviation degree
In November, aviation alumni gathered to celebrate achievements and honor alumni.
When the Federal Aviation Administration handed down a mandate, SIU aviation program alumni responded in 14 months with more than $250,000 in pledges toward installing Automatic Dependence Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) transponders in 36 aircraft.
“The alumni came through for us as they always do,” Michael Burgener, interim chair of the Department of Aviation Management and Flight and chair of the Department of Aviation Technologies, said.
Conference room named for Barry D. Batson, Jr.
The program also christened the Barry D. Batson, Jr. conference room within the Transportation Education Center. Batson is a 1990 aviation management graduate whose career with United Airlines now spans nearly three decades.
Batson credits David NewMyer, professor emeritus and former department chair, and aviation alumnus William R. Norwood, a retired United Airlines captain, with helping develop his career.
“I’m extremely grateful because of the opportunities this program has given me. This program was life changing for me,” Batson said. “I have always felt like I’ve had to stay attached to this program to make sure I was part of something that gave to me. I want to be here for these kids who are trying to get through this program.”
Planes named for notable contributers
Three planes were renamed to honor notable contributions to the aviation program. The planes honor:
- Joseph Messina II, who influenced his son, Joseph Messina III’s love of flying;
- Gregory N. Cook, a Carbondale native who attended SIU Carbondale from 1977 to 1979, majoring in aviation technology and business administration. The same plane also honors the Flying Salukis; and
- Paul D. Sarvela, who served SIU and the university system for 28 years, including as CASA dean and later as interim chancellor until his death in November 2014.