College of Education

Eastern Michigan University

Issue No: 611
August 16, 2004

We impact the way America learns.

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Previous issues of Monday Report are at http://www.emich.edu/coe/monday. Send items and comments to alane.starko@emich.edu.

NOTES FROM THE DEAN’S DESK

This month I was struck by the combination of John Palladino’s work on the implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act, dealing with the rights and needs of families currently without permanent homes, and Valerie Polakow’s recent book on low-income mothers’ challenges in higher education.  In my life outside EMU I’ve had a few opportunities to work with low-income, sometimes homeless, women trying to make better lives for themselves and their children. As we think about preparing educators who will work with all students and all families, it is important that we think through our particular obligations to serve those with significant economic needs.  The McKinney-Vento Act tells us about our legal obligations to homeless families, and it is important that we know them. But it also is important to think about how all our school and classroom activities impact homeless and impoverished families. As we work with Dr. Epstein this year to improve the ways we prepare our students to interact with families and communities, I hope we will keep those families as a special priority.

If anything is going to happen, teachers [and other educators] have to make it happen.—Sandy Lenning

“UNCLE THEO” RETIRES

Sixty-three years later, 81-year-old Hamilton leaves Eastern Michigan University, a campus of 129 buildings and nearly 25,000 students. He officially retired Aug. 7, 37 years to the day from the date he was hired. He retires with three degrees and a teaching certificate from EMU—and the undying gratitude of countless students.

Known affectionately to the campus community as "Uncle Theo," Hamilton has been part of EMU for almost one-third of the school's existence: 11 years as a student (1941-55, with only a three-year break for military service during World War II) and 37 years on staff, mostly helping students find teaching positions.

"Theo is a University treasure. He's the most beloved person on campus and most influential in terms of helping people live their dreams," said J. Michael Erwin, director of EMU's Career Services Center, and Hamilton's supervisor. "No one can go out into the teaching community without hearing,

'How is Uncle Theo?"

GRANTS NOTES

FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES

30 years

Theophilus Hamilton (alum) (37 years), Career Services Center

Irene Allen (36 years), Teacher Education

Nancy Dahl (34 years), Continuing Certification

Judith Williston (33 years), Teacher Education

Arthur Timko (alum) (33 years), WEMU-FM

Jean Rauch (32 years), Teacher Education

James Vick (alum) (31 years), Vice President for Student Affairs

20 years

Donald Bennion, Teacher Education

10 years

Bill Cupples, Special Education

John Palladino recently presented four sessions at the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration.  These included “From the Streets to the School Office: Collaborating with Homeless Mothers,” “Stop, Drop, and Roll (with the Punches): Embracing Immigrant Youth in the Midwest,” “Secondary Administrators’ Perceptions of Forster Care Collaboration,” and “Transition Strategies and Networking: The Female Rural Superintendent.” Dr. Palladino also presented “Special Education and Foster Care: Implication for Collaborative Practices” at the International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities in July.

On August 12, Jerry Robbins conducted the Ypsilanti Community Band as that group provided processional and incidental music for the "graduation" of some 260 persons from the lengthy training program (affiliated with Washtenaw Community College) of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.  The ceremony was held in EMU's Convocation Center.

Shut Out: Low Income Mothers and Higher Education in Post-Welfare America, edited by Valerie Polakow, Sandra Butler, Luisa Stormer Deprez and Peggy Kahn has recently been published by SUNY Press.

The third edition of Creativity in the Classroom: Schools of Curious Delight by Alane Starko has been released by Lawrence Erlbaum Press. Illustrations and cover art were done by David Jernigan.  David, son of emeritus faculty member Louise Jernigan, is a graduate of EMU’s post-baccalaureate certification program and recently began his career as an elementary art teacher.

Marcia Mardis, part-time lecturer in Teacher Education and Leadership and Counseling, has been awarded the Margaret Glazier Award for Contributions to the Library Media Profession by the Michigan Association for Media in Education. She will receive her award at the President’s Reception in Traverse City on November 11, 2004.

STUDENT NOTES

Cristina Mancini, "Developmental Apraxia of Speech: A Motor-Programming Approach"

Shirley Plummer, "Efficacy of Vocal Rehabilitation on the Aging Larynx"

Colleen Gorecki, "Compensatory Strategies in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: Cognitive Rehabilitation - Treatment Efficacy"

Kelly Watkins, "The Effectiveness of Attention Training in Brain Injured Adults"

Laura Robin, "The Effectiveness of a Phonemic Awareness Program on Kindergarten Children"

Laurie Polen, "PECS Promotes Verbal Expression for Students with Autism"

Stamatia Stephanie Catsikopoulos, "Are Dysphagia Patients at Risk for Aspiration if they Drink Small Amounts of Water?  The Frazier Water Protocol"

Betsy Olberg "Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation (DPNS): Theoretical Soundness/Efficacy?"

Kelly Laine, "Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT): Does it Promote Verbalization?"

Carrie Hottmann, "Candida and Dysphagia: A Clinician's Perspective"

Sarah Mies, "Spaced Retrieval Intervention: A Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Strategy"

Erin Burdziak, "Multimodal Communication: A Functional Treatment Approach"

ALUMNI NOTES

and master's degrees in geography from EMU in 1960 and 1965, respectively. He taught in Romulus schools and at Wayne State University before relocating to Denver.

Another alum, William Morris, had his term as vice chair of the Board extended for 2004-2005. Morris is president, Monroe County Industrial Development Board.

Matthew Wandrie has been named assistant principal at Kettering High School (Waterford). He previously worked as anassistant principal at Fowlerville High School and taught social studies at Oxford High School. He has a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Geralyn Janeczko, formerly Southfield Public Schools' special education director, has been appointed supervisor of special education for the Waterford district. She holds master's and specialist's degrees from Eastern Michigan University.

Bill O’Connell of LaSalle was recognized as the exemplary teacher-mentor for his work at Pine Ridge High School. The school is located at the Pine Ridge, South Dakota Reservation of the Ogallala-Sioux Nation, among the most economically impoverished areas in the nation. Mr. O’Connell, a math teacher, was particularly noted for his support of Kristina Marie Iron Cloud, the first Pine Ridge student ever to win a Coca Cola Foundation Scholarship.

DEATHS

Ruth Marcine (“Marcy”) Percy Westerman died in her Ann Arbor home July 10. Marcy was a former EMU admissions and financial aid counselor and wife of College of Education Dean Scott Westerman. Marcy was a gracious presence at college events during Dr. Westerman’s tenure as dean.

Alum Beth Ann Ewald Gilmore died recently. She earned masters degrees at EMU in both Educational Leadership and Special Education and had served as both a part-time lecturer and a cooperating teacher in the Department of Special Education. 

Alum Richard G. Popkey died recently in Ann Arbor. He taught in the Southfield Schools for 34 years, including years teaching in elementary, junior high and high schools.

Alum Ruth E. Jedel of Ann Arbor died recently. She was a former teacher at Oak Grove School.

AWARDS

SHORT NOTES

The COE Fall Conference will be held on August 31, beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the usual format with a large-group session in the morning, lunch, and department meetings in the afternoon.  All sessions will be held in the Porter Building. Early portions of this meeting will be under the direction of Dean Jerry Robbins. Subsequent portions of the program are unknown to Dean Robbins and promise to be  entertaining.

On September 14, there will be a career retirement reception honoring Jerry Robbins, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Eagle Crest Clubhouse.  All COE faculty and staff members are invited.

OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS

(For a complete list, see http://www.emich. edu/coe/about/news/opportunities.html)

CALLS FOR PAPERS/PROPOSALS

Spreading Our Wings and Taking Flight: 2005 Professional Development Schools National Conference, Orlando, March 17-20, 2005. Submission date October 14, 2004.

American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) Conference, March 17-20, Atlanta. Submission date October 1, 2004.

Lawrence Erlbaum Associates is calling for papers for their newest journal African Americans and Education. See www.patterson-uncf.org for more information.

(For a complete list, see http://www.emich.edu/coe/about/news/proposals.html)

THEME STATEMENTS

Inquiry, advocacy, and leadership in education for diverse and democratic society. (Advanced programs)

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