May 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The titles of the articles sound like they belong in the pages a lengthy government study or a high-gloss national magazine: School Vouchers: Does Increased Competition Benefit the Masses? A Study on Obesity and its Relationship to Socioeconomic Background and Current Earnings.

Yet these titles are in fact part of a unique publication, an economics journal produced and edited completely by undergraduate students at Illinois Wesleyan University, known as The Park Place Economist.

“It’s very rare to have an entire publication generated solely with the work of undergraduates,” said Robert Leekley, publication adviser and chair of the IWU Economics Department. “We’ve actually used it when we recruit faculty. It’s very impressive.”

Taking its name from the street that runs through Illinois Wesleyan’s campus, The Park Place Economist has been publishing for the last 15 years. Undergraduate students are responsible for gathering submissions, choosing articles, editing and proofreading and layout for the publication. The journal, published annually in print and online, acts a learning tool for the students.

“The look and feel of each year varies, depending upon the decisions of the students,” said Leekley. “But the experience students gain is the same. Working as a team and putting together the journal may be as important as anything they edit. The whole idea of the journal is to promote responsible writing, and hope the students learn the difference between what is good, and not so good research.”

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—The Reverend Hope N. Luckie, minister of the Lexington United Methodist Church in Lexington, Mass., and an adjunct instructor at Andover-Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Mass., has been named university chaplain at Illinois Wesleyan University. 

Luckie’s appointment was announced by Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Kathy Cavins.  She succeeds Dennis E. Groh, who retired in December of 2006 as university chaplain and professor of humanities and archaeology at IWU.

“We are thrilled to have Hope join our campus community and excited about the direction she will take in building on the strengths of Denny Groh’s chaplaincy.  Our students are eager to make some new connections with our chaplain and explore new ways to develop spiritually while they study at IWU,” said Cavins.

A resident of Somerville, Mass., Luckie received her Master of Divinity degree from Boston University in 1997, where she was the recipient of a Merit Scholarship in recognition of her scholastic achievement and was also awarded the Howard Bonniwell Warren Scholarship.  She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Boston University and is working on a dissertation called “The Art of Saying Goodbye: Issues of Discernment, Pastoral Role and Liturgical Responses to Leave Taking and Transition in Parish Ministry.”

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Award-winning television reporter and Illinois Wesleyan alumna Demetria Kalodimos urged graduates to “question everything” in her speech at the University’s 157th Commencement ceremony Sunday, May 6 on the Eckley Quadrangle.

“Question everything until you are satisfied that your truth has been revealed,” said Kalodimos speaking to the 518 graduates amid the brisk breeze that swept the Quad. “Question everything until you know where you need to go, and how best to get there. Question everything. Then do the work and put in the time to find the answers.” Read her speech.

Kalodimos encouraged students to take an active role in their future. “Write the first draft of your story after Illinois Wesleyan,” said Kalodimos, who graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 1981 with a degree in music education, then went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

A news anchor at WSMV in Nashville, Tenn., Kalodimos has been awarded 15 Emmy awards, two National Headliner awards, the Investigative Reporters and Editors National Award, and a national citation from American Women in Radio and Television, Inc. She recently won an award from the Society of Environmental Journalists and was chosen the 1996 Tennessee Associated Press Broadcaster of the Year.

“You know, in all my years of news reporting, I’ve been exposed to some bad guys, been caught in a shoot-out, talked face-to-face with a serial killer, even witnessed the Olympic bombing. But I have to tell you, nothing tops a commencement speech for pressure,” said Kalodimos in her often humorous remarks that looked back on her days on the Illinois Wesleyan campus 26 years ago. Her main message, however, spurred graduates to pursue the questions that face them. “If we’re persistent, focused and a little lucky, our questions lead to answers, and action,” she said.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Spanish-speaking immigrant population is growing at staggering rates in the United States, climbing more than 50 percent in 10 years according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau numbers. And healthcare professionals are looking for different ways to communicate the idea of a healthy lifestyle to this burgeoning patient segment.

Work by Illinois Wesleyan University’s School of Nursing Director Donna Hartweg and Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Christina Isabelli-Garcia that gives healthcare communication a boost is drawing international attention. An ongoing study by the two women is asking Latina women the question: What does it mean to be healthy?

“If healthcare workers better understand what women feel when they come into this country, they will be able to better guide them about a healthy lifestyle,” said Hartweg, who compiled data based on focus groups led by Isabelli-Garcia.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The work of artists Sandi Ginter, Catherine Wiesener and Peggy Shaw will be displayed May 8- May 29 in Illinois Wesleyan’s Merwin & Wakeley Galleries (6 Ames Plaza West, Bloomington).
The exhibits are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 12-4 p.m.; Tuesday evening, 7-9 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.  The galleries will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 28.
On Thursday, May 10, there will be an opening reception from 4-6 p.m. in the galleries as well as a gallery talk with the artists at 4:30 p.m.
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