152 of FOR EXCLUSIVE ONLINE CONTENT AND MORE, VISIT DAILYVIDETTE.COM FOUNDERS DAY Alex Reside / Daily Vidette Photo Editor Y Z KATE STICKELMAIER Daily Vidette Assignment Editor CHELSEA PECK Daily Vidette Assignment Editor Today, Thursday February 19, 2009, cel- ebrates the founding of Illinois State. The occasion features an entire day filled with Founders Day events commemorat- ing the establishment of the university. “Founders Day is an annual occasion and its [a] time for us to celebrate our history, our roots,” Stephanie Epp, execu- tive director of Alumni Relations, said. “It's kind of a fun opportunity to cele- brate our history as the first public uni- versity in Illinois.” Among these special events include the “unveiling of the comprehensive his- tory of the university,” according to Assistant to the President Jay Groves. “John Freed wrote a book entitled 'Educating Illinois: Illinois State University 1857-2007,'” he said. “It's an excellent book and he will be signing it in the [Bone Student Center.]” “They will also be for sale and all proceeds go towards the ISU general scholarship fund.” According to Epp, Freed discovered “new takes… on how our university came to be today.” James Koch, keynote speaker during Convocation is being recognized as well. “We will also be presenting an hon- orary degree to James Koch, who has a very in-depth history with ISU,” Groves said. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with the Sesquicentennial Bell ringing in the Bone Student Center Prairie Room. The bell will be rung 152 times to cele- brate the number of years ISU has been open to the public. Displays covering the university's his- tory and academic mission will also be shown in the Brown Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. “The historical displays in the Bone Student Center from different colleges in the university are significant. You get a good picture of our heritage and how we got to be this institution,” Groves said. Groves added that Founders Day is “also a great time to recognize our faculty. There are a number of awards given to faculty and staff for their commitment to ISU.” Distinguished Alumni Awards and Distinguished Professor Awards will be presented as well as awards honoring excellence in teaching, research, service and commitment to diversity. “Founders Day is another opportuni- ty for Illinois State students to show their Redbird pride,” Epp said.“I'd love to see every student on-campus wearing red this Thursday.” 10 a.m. Old Main Bell ringing ceremony Prairie Room, Bone Student Center 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Illinois State Historical Displays Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. John Freed book signing Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center 2 p.m. Founders Day Convocation Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center 3:30 p.m. Founders Day Convocation Reception Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center 6 p.m. Alumni Awards Dinner Alumni Center F O U N D E R S D A Y Schedule of Events For more information on Founders Day events, visit dailyvidette.com s I L L I N O I S S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R V ol . 121 y No. 102 V ol . 121 y No. 102 S ince 1888 S ince 1888 Wednesday, February 19, 2009 Wednesday, February 19, 2009 Educating Illinois in Action Maribeth Lartz honored MATTHEW TOMLIN Daily Vidette Reporter Maribeth Lartz, professor in the Special Education Department's deaf and hard of hearing program, received the Educating Illinois in Action honor for her unwavering dedication to scholarship and teaching. The honor, presented by the Educating Illinois Coordinating Team, is given to individuals, offices or programs that reflect the core values of the 'Educating Illinois 2008 to 2014' strate- gic plan, which include individualized attention, public opportunity, diversity and civic engagement. “The work that Dr. Maribeth Lartz per- forms serves to enhance the reputation of this fine university, and continues our tradition of remaining on the cutting edge of educational theory and practice,” Deborah Curtis, dean of the College of Education, said. Lartz has worked in deaf education for over 25 years. In that time, medical advancements such as the cochlear implant, which has helped many deaf children regain partial hearing, have changed the way teachers work with their students. To keep pace with these advance- ments, Lartz has developed innovative techniques to help train teachers of spe- cial needs students in a changing class- room. “What we lacked was funding for equipment, training and partnership site development that would allow our skills in the area of spoken language instruc- tion, cochlear implant management and educational programming to keep pace with those in our very strong sign com- munication teacher preparation pro- gram,” she said. Lartz secured that funding in 2007 with an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant was used to launch an oral-auditory deaf edu- cation graduate program that focuses on children 3 years of age and younger. Students enrolled in the program are given unique educational experiences. Individualized Attention Public Opportunity Diversity Civic Engagement “This is truly an example of an individual with very special expertise who is willing and able to share her knowledge with those who need that expertise the most.” -DEBORAH CURTIS Dean of the College of Education Railroad safety still an issue on campus GINA AKERS Daily Vidette Senior Staff While many people know the dangers of walking on railroad tracks or crossing at an unauthorized crosswalk, some ISU students may continue to practice the risky and illegal habit. “It's against the law, but more impor- tant than that you have to be aware of the danger railroads present,” Ed McKibbin, students' attorney in the Dean of Students office, said. McKibbin said he has had students in his office who have been cited for tres- passing on the tracks and did not know it is illegal. “The university, Illinois Commerce Commission and the Town of Normal work together to make sure signs are put up to address the issue,” he said. “The new signs state that it is a violation of state law to trespass on the railroad tracks.” “Unfortunately, we followed up and noticed there is still a trespass issue.” “It's a non-stop crusade to make stu- dents aware,” he added. “The ISU Police have been actively involved as well in pro- moting railroad safety and trying to make students aware that if you trespass you will get cited for violating the law.” McKibbin also explained that it is an enhanceable offense, which means the penalty becomes greater after each cita- tion. Chip Pew, state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver, said they have worked closely with the Normal Police, ISU Police, Union Pacific Railroad and the university to promote being safe near the railroad. They have passed out fliers in an effort to make students aware of the law. “We've also followed that up with an unannounced enforcement effort. We have issued $150 court appearance cita- tions to remind students,” he said.“From the student's perspective it seems silly and that we're picking on them, coming up with ways of trying to raise money. That's not true.” “The purpose is to remind students [that] if you're … not paying attention and a train comes, you're probably going to get hit and die. That is the painful reminder of that.” According to the Village of Lake Bluff's Web site, 474 railroad trespassers died nationwide last year, with Illinois leading the country in railroad deaths. “A trespasser is defined as somebody that's either crossing the tracks or walk- ing along the tracks at a place other than a public crossing or authorized cross- walk,” Pew said. Pew said about 30 people die while trespassing, 20 to 30 die each year in a public crossing and between 12 and 20 take their own lives on the tracks. “With the construction right by [Watterson] it presents a little bit of a challenge because the kids can't walk through the construction site from Fell to ) ) ) ) ) See award page 5 See railroad page 2 Illinois leads country in railroad deaths. Organizations work together to raise awareness. Illinois State celebrates years remarkable history