(August 17, 2006) Over two hundred College of Education faculty, faculty associates, and staff gathered to officially kick-off the 2006/2007 academic school year. Kathy Clesson, vice-chair of the College Council, welcomed the attendees and introduced Vice President and Provost John Presley. Presley remarked on recent College achievements, such as the new Little Village professional development school partnership, the Thai faculty exchange program, the expansion in the number of doctoral cohort programs, and the acquisition of new tenure-track faculty lines for the 2007/2008 school year.
The event was hosted by Interim Dean Curtis and by department and unit chairs Barbara Nourie, Trisha Klass, Jim Thompson, Robert Dean, Marcia Rossi, Jeff Hill, and Molly Munson-Dryer. The following new College faculty and staff were introduced:
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
Department of Special Education
University High School, Laboratory Schools
Thomas Metcalf School, Laboratory Schools
Dr. Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center
College of Education
Following introductions, Associate Dean Darrell Kruger congratulated faculty and staff for their work in bringing in $6.7 million in external grants and contracts to the College. The total is the highest in the last three years and the third highest in the last five years.
Delivering a presentation reflective of his recent Fulbright project in South Africa, Kruger introduced a term describing a sub-Saharan African ideology, called ubuntu. The term ubuntu is used to describe a focus on community, allegiances and relationships with each other. "It takes a village," he reminded, "... and it is the journey rather than the end result that should guide us."
Associate Dean Kruger then recognized the following promoted and tenured faculty:
Tenure Faculty
Promoted to Associate Professor and Tenure
Promoted to Professor
Following introductions and recognition, Interim Dean Curtis presented themes from recent conference travels and policy forums. These included creating small professional communities of teachers, providing high-quality teacher preparation programs, and reducing teacher attrition. Curtis noted that Illinois State continues to provide the large school model for effective colleges of education and, as the model, has an obligation to enthusiastically participate in the discourse around these very important issues. Curtis concluded her remarks with, "As always, it is a privilege to work for each and every one of you. I wish you the best as you embark on another school year!" [View Curtis' presentation slides (pdf)]
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