January 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University students Megan Francomb and Andrew Tobin will become part of history as they march in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade on January 20, when President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office.

The two will be playing for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, an independent corps out of Dubuque, Iowa. The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee notified the Colts in December that their application to be part of the parade, one of a record number submitted, was accepted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

“I cannot wait to be there,” said Tobin, an Illinois Wesleyan junior who plays the baritone for the Colts. “This is something I will be telling my children and grandchildren about for years to come.”

Francomb, an Illinois Wesleyan first-year student who plays the cymbals for the Colts, says it will be a “surreal” experience. “This is the first time I could vote, and I will be playing in the Inaugural Parade for the man I voted for. Never did I think that could happen.” Both of Francomb’s sisters are also in the Colts, and will join her in the parade. “We all started playing together, and all of us going to Washington, D.C. together makes it all the more exciting,” she said.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Nancy Sultan, professor and director of Greek and Roman Studies at Illinois Wesleyan University received one of three “Excellence in Teaching” awards given by The American Philological Society (APA) for 2008. Sultan was honored with a certificate, cash prize and public recognition at the Plenary Session of the APA’s annual meeting, which took place on Jan. 10 in Philadelphia.

James Matthews, associate professor of French and humanities nominated her for the award in May 2008.

“This is a really huge and unexpected honor,” said Sultan. I am grateful to my colleague Jim Matthews for nominating me for this prestigious award.”

During the selection process, the APA considers excellence in the teaching of Classics at the undergraduate or graduate level; subject matter that is “classical” in the widest sense, i.e. Greek and Latin language, literature, culture, mythology, history and etymology; and the design and successful implementation of new courses and programs.

“I’m humbled and proud to be among those dedicated and devoted teachers who have won this award over the years,” said Sultan.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University has once again drawn national attention for its Study Abroad Program.

The University moved up six spots on the latest Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Open Doors report, ranking 31st in the nation among baccalaureate institutions for the total number of students studying abroad.

IIE calculates the percentage of students studying abroad during an academic year to the number of students who are conferred degrees that same year. The most recent IIE report, which covers the 2006-2007 academic year, records 313 Illinois Wesleyan students traveling for their studies, whether for a semester, a year or May Term.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Seven members of Illinois Wesleyan University have been chosen to travel to Morocco this summer as part of the IWU Faculty/Staff Seminar, also known as the Morocco Initiative. Five faculty members and two staff members will spend a week in June at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, helping to develop cross-continental ties between the universities.

The faculty and staff chosen are: Academic Outreach Librarian and Associate Professor Lynda Duke, Environmental Studies Chair and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Abigail Jahiel, Hispanic Studies Chair and Professor Carolyn Nadeau, Associate Professor of Economics Ilaria Osella-Durbal, Associate Professor of Economics Diego Mendez-Carbajo, University of Communications Staff Writer Rachel Hatch and Staff Counselor Robyn Walter. Those chosen will spend the spring semester preparing for the journey to Morocco through research and readings.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University will host the 19th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Gospel Festival Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, from 3 to 8p.m. in the Westbrook Auditorium of Presser Hall (1210 Park St., Bloomington). This event, free and open to the public, honors the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Founded by the United Community Gospel Singers of Bloomington and Normal, a not-for-profit organization, and cosponsored by Illinois Wesleyan, the Gospel Festival was launched in 1991 by the late Corine G. Sims, who served as the executive director of the United Community Gospel Singers as a way to continue King’s legacy. The festival will feature several local choirs including, in order of performance: The United Community Gospel Singers of Bloomington-Normal, Ill.; The Gayles Memorial Mass Choir from Aurora; The Fantastic Jones Family from Springfield; JAM (Jesus and Me) from Bloomington; and Malcolm Williams and the Voices of Great Faith, from Chicago.

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