A member of the Illinois State faculty since 1992, Skibo is a worldwide leader in ethnoarchaeology, archaeology of the Great Lakes and Southwest, and archaeological theory.

Skibo has authored and contributed to eight books. He is a founding editor for the book series Foundations of Archaeological Inquiry, and coedits the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory. Skibo has also contributed to more than 40 articles and chapters.

He holds leadership positions in many professional societies, and is the recipient of grants from the National Science Foundation. He studied in Brazil as a Senior Fulbright Scholar, was named the College Researcher of the Year at ISU in 1999, and was honored in 2001 with an Award for Excellence by the National Forest Service.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement announced the award of the five-year grant for Transitioning Paraprofessionals into Teachers of English Learners (TPTEL).

The program aims to increase the number of skilled teachers who work with Latino students learning English. It involves a partnership between Illinois State and four Chicago-area school districts, including Waukegan School District 60, North Chicago District 187, Round Lake School District 116, and Zion School District 6.

“There is a shortage of qualified teachers for English language learners,” Dean Deborah Curtis said. “The TPTEL partnership will help address this gap.”

ISU will receive more than $257,000 in the first year to begin the recruitment and training of 51 paraprofessionals currently serving English-language learners as teachers’ aides or support staff in schools.

For additional information on the TPTEL, contact Maria Zamudio at (309) 438-3105 or mmzamud@IllinoisState.edu, or Pauline Clardy at (309) 438-5882 or pclardy@IllinoisState.edu.

The center provides individual counseling, group counseling, campus-based prevention and intervention programs, and crisis intervention. “Our incredible counselors are there for our students, knowing that emotional health is vital to academic success,” said Student Counseling Services Director Sandy Colbs.

IACS found that ISU offers competent and reliable professional services, and that students “have quality access to mental health services.” Among the strengths cited are the center’s “strong, competent, and professional staff,” who garner the respect of the students and the campus community. Training programs that offer students professional development opportunities were also praised.

The two are expanding a teaching curriculum pilot program that integrates available Web technologies into first-year programming classes to make lessons more meaningful and engaging for students. The three-year grant allows their innovative curriculum to be shared with a group of colleges and universities across the nation.

The curriculum was developed and tested in introductory computer science and information systems classes within the School of Information Technology under a previous NSF grant. Lim and Hosack found that student engagement and test scores increased when Web-based technologies were integrated into programming assignments in first-year classes.

“We’re hoping to establish a lasting trend in how foundation programming classes are taught,” said Lim, who noted that “the fundamental approach used in teaching introductory programming courses has remained basically the same for a long time and has not kept pace with current trends.”

The University is ranked 15th in the nation for the overall pass rate for accounting programs offering advanced degrees, according to the 2011 Candidate Performance on the Uniform CPA Examination. The report was released last fall.

“This is a very significant accomplishment, and places our accounting program in an elite category with other top programs in the latest rankings,” Interim Chair Gerry McKean said.

He will work with the Political Economy Research Group to examine efforts of countries to create a “moral” bond market that conforms with ethics found in Islam. He plans to conduct field research in Malaysia and the Middle East, meeting with bankers, Islamic scholars and policymakers who are developing the new Islamic bond market.

“Islamic finance scholars argue that it is immoral, or at least unethical, to make money from money, rather than making money by risking capital in an entrepreneurial project.” Pitluck said. “As a consequence, many Muslims are troubled by receiving interest from a bank account or a bond, since this is perceived as earning money without real risk.”

This is the fourth journey to Malaysia for Pitluck, whose work addresses “bankers’ and scholars’ attempts to critically evaluate complex financial products, such as bonds and pensions, and transform them so that they do not conflict with Muslim ideals.”

David T. Wiant
Assistant Vice President Emeritus,
ISU Administrative Services
Normal

David Wiant dedicated 36 years to higher education, with 28 years at Illinois State. He established and developed the University’s personnel program. He advanced to assistant vice president of Administrative Services, yet maintained oversight of the personnel office.

Despite retiring in 1986, his success in personnel work resulted in organizations with delicate personnel problems seeking his counsel.

He remains active in the McLean County area and supports the University. In 2006, his children established the Dave and Jo Wiant Endowed Scholarship within Mennonite College of Nursing in celebration of his 80th birthday. He has helped spearhead fundraising for Athletics scholarships as a past president of the Redbird Education Scholarship Fund.

Wiant has served as vice president for The Redbird Club and has held season tickets for Redbird athletic events. For his dedicated service, he was awarded the Stretch Miller Award from Athletics and the E. Burton Mercier Outstanding Service Award.

Amar Kamath, M.B.A ’97
Vice President of Marketing,
BioReference Laboratories
Sparta, New Jersey

Amar Kamath is on the executive team of BioReference Laboratories, which is the third largest publicly held clinical laboratory in the United States. Beyond leading marketing, he is involved in business development, intellectual property management and licensing, and new market strategies.

Kamath came to ISU as an M.B.A. student. It was his first international travel and first airplane trip. While completing the degree, Kamath sold educational books door to door. Since then he has worked at three hospitals, including an internship at BroMenn. He spent the last decade advancing in the for-profit healthcare sector.

Kamath works on clinical, molecular, and cancer diagnostics. He aims to provide cost-effective diagnostic services to help physicians more effectively diagnose and treat patients. He focuses on reducing sexually transmitted infections, personalizing cancer therapies, and diagnosing genetic disorders early.

He is involved in philanthropic organizations such as Kiva, a microlending organization; Sierra House, a transitional shelter for homeless youth; and several patient support organizations.

The 2010 recipient of the College of Business Early Career Achievement Award, Kamath visits ISU twice annually to serve on the College of Business Advisory Council. He is making efforts to establish a COB Alumni Network in the New York City area.

Registration for alumni events is available online, along with links to help alumni find a friend from their time at Illinois State. Downloadable wallpapers help alumni “Spread the Red” on electronic devices. Links to the University’s official Flickr feeds and social networking pages are also found through this site.

An online update form is located on the site to ensure you receive communications such as this magazine, electronic newsletters, and event invitations. Use the link to easily submit changes in your contact or business information.

Feedback on user experience with the new site is welcomed. Send your suggestions or comments related to the website to alumni@IllinoisState.edu.

The alumni king and queen will be crowned at the Homecoming luncheon on Friday, October 5. They will reign over events throughout Homecoming weekend with the student king and queen, as well as members of the student court. The Homecoming prince and princess will help lead off the annual parade and other events on October 6.

To be eligible for alumni king and queen, graduates must have celebrated their 50th class reunion, have a strong connection to the University, and be able to attend Homecoming events throughout the weekend. King and queen nominations are due July 1.

Children of Illinois State University graduates between the ages of four and seven at the time of Homecoming 2012 are eligible for nomination for the prince and princess. Nominees must display Redbird spirit, pride, and enthusiasm. They must also be the son or daughter of an Illinois State alumnus. Prince and princess nominations are due August 25.

Applications are available at IllinoisStateHomecoming.com/royalty, or by email at homecoming@IllinoisState.edu.