Chicago Egyptian Issue 6 - Southern Illinois University

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December 2009
A publication of the SIU Carbondale Division of Institutional Advancement
Produced by the Department of Development Communication • www.siuf.org
Issue 6
AKA Media Has Carbondale Roots
Andrew Krause recalls the
naysayers’ voices just over a
decade ago. They advised him
against starting a company and
working with his best friend. The
1992 SIU Carbondale graduate
trusted his own intuition.
Krause, CEO of AKA Media
on Ontario Street in downtown
Chicago,
established
his
company in 1998. A year later,
he coaxed his college roommate,
Tim Parker, a 1993 SIU graduate,
into purchasing half of the
company from him for $5.
to join,” Krause says. “It opened
doors for both Tim and me.”
Krause and Parker have turned to
PRSSA to hire staff. Three years
ago, Nilanjana Bardhan, PRSSA’s
faculty advisor, recommended
Sarah Schalmo, president of the
organization. The 2006 graduate
impressed AKA during an internship
stint and was subsequently hired as
a producer. Schalmo, 25, oversees a
wide range of projects with a primary
focus on developing concepts and
measuring results.
Pictured from left to right are Andrew Krause, Sarah “Joining PRSSA was the best
AKA markets products and Schalmo and Tim Parker
decision I ever made. It prepared
services for its clients via
me for the real world,” Schalmo
multimedia
communication,
says. “I met a ton of people in the
including video, radio, web, television, “Amy was working in the publications industry that I still talk to. I wouldn’t have
and social media. Its staff specializes in department of Northwestern Memorial received this opportunity at AKA if I hadn’t
multimedia consulting, media relations, Hospital. That made it easier for me at been a member of PRSSA.”
digital and web video services, integrated the beginning, even though I was wearing
marketing and corporate communications. sweatpants and working out of a little Parker says: “I noticed that Sarah was PRSSA
AKA’s diverse client list includes apartment office,” he says.
president. She was taking advantage of an
McDonald’s, Sears, got milk?, Kraft,
opportunity to receive real-world experience
The move was a leap of faith for Parker. which speaks to her commitment to the
Riddell, and Sharpie.
He was employed at Fleishman-Hilliard, a profession. That spoke volumes and indicated
For Krause and Parker, who both majored public relations giant in St. Louis, when his that Sarah is dedicated and wants to succeed.”
in public relations at Southern, it all started college buddy contacted him.
at Mae Smith Hall on campus.
Schalmo says AKA is encouraging clients to
“I knew Andrew would be successful, and I utilize social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter,
“It is important to hire the right people,” believed in myself, too,” Parker says. “We and YouTube) for promotional purposes.
Krause says. “There is something about hit it off right away in college and have However, AKA won’t abandon traditional
living in Mae Smith – I knew a lot about obviously been friends ever since. It has communication vehicles.
Tim. When you’re a Saluki, those values been an amazing 10 years at AKA.”
– work ethic and character – are instilled in
“There isn’t one particular method that is
Krause and Parker garnered early experience the magic bullet. We have to use common
you.”
in SIU’s Public Relations Student Society sense and utilize vehicles that are most
The Prairie View, Ill., native is quick of America (PRSSA) chapter.
appropriate,” Parker says. “I still maintain
to credit his wife, Amy Darosa-Krause,
that there are some things you can’t say in
a fellow 1992 speech communication “PRSSA was a great experience and the 140 characters or less.”
graduate, for early support in establishing organization was making waves on a
national level. That is what made me want Click here to learn more about AKA Media.
his business.
Student Spotlight
Antonio Cannon: Full-Time Student, Full-Time Model
Antonio Cannon, an SIU senior from
Hazelcrest, is proof that dreams
really can come true.
Fair Models, Cannon had a chance
to gain experience as a model. He
never thought he would take this
hobby to the next level.
Cannon
recently
began
his
professional modeling career after
winning a highly competitive
contest for the Sean Jean fashion
line. The contest jump-started his
career literally overnight.
“I did modeling as a hobby,
something to keep my time
occupied,” Cannon says. “Now
I’m realizing my potential. I see
modeling as a business, and I
take it just as seriously as I do my
schoolwork. I’m learning how to
balance school and modeling.”
“I was informed during the second
week of May, and we were flown out
to Los Angeles the very next day,”
Cannon says.
After learning of the contest
from a friend, Cannon entered
two photographs online.
The
models were then narrowed down
from 10,000 applicants to only
two winners. The contest gave
Cannon and the other winner a
chance to model in Sean John’s
winter campaign. His ads are now
appearing in Macy’s stores across the
country. His photos also landed in the
October issue of GQ and the September
issue of Ebony Jet.
The company was so impressed with the
contest winners’ performance, that they
asked them to appear in the line’s fall
campaign as well.
“I’d never been to Los Angeles, so that was
While Cannon’s career has
blossomed, his education is still
his primary focus. He does admit
that majoring in public relations,
along with a full-time modeling
career and a part-time job, can take
its toll.
a great experience. It was an opportunity
to network,” Cannon says. “I was able to
meet Sean Combs’ assistant, marketing
director and stylist. His whole team was
there.”
Although the Sean John campaign was his
first professional job, Cannon’s modeling
career actually began on the SIU campus.
As a member of Southern’s student
registered organization Vanity Fashion
“It’s really hard being a full-time
student and a full-time model,
working part time, and still trying
to put in time for myself,” Cannon says.
“I could have dropped out of school, but
what keeps me so motivated is the fact that
I understand that I have to be educated to
be successful. Education is the key to
success, because money comes and goes
but education will always be behind you.”
To view Sean Jean’s line and to see a
behind-the-scenes video of Cannon’s
photo shoot, visit www.seanjohn.com.
Automotive Program Offers Convenient Degree for Chicago Residents
Chicago residents have the opportunity to
conveniently earn their bachelor’s degree
in a nationally-recognized SIU program.
Through an off-campus program at Harry
S. Truman College, students are able to
earn their degree in automotive technology
without ever having to leave the city.
“Our focus is on providing this opportunity
to students that are not able to move to
Carbondale,” Christina Matuschka, program
advisor, says. “We take people that absolutely
love working on cars and teach them about the
service management area of the industry.”
December 2009
Students are required to complete an
associate degree before transferring to
Chicago’s automotive technology program.
Classes are only available on the weekends,
offering flexibility to those who work fulltime jobs.
on experience.”
“Our automotive program is not formatted
like any other off-campus program because
we have a lab component,” Matuschka says.
“It is up to the instructor how they want to
structure the course, but they are always
back and forth between the classroom and
the lab. There is no replacement for hands-
“The connection that Jack Greer, [the
automotive technology program chair],
maintains with automotive industry
professionals gives this program an edge,”
Matuschka says.
The Chicago Egyptian
The availability of hands-on experience is
due to the program’s close relationship with
both industry professionals and a number
of automotive manufacturers.
Continued on page 5
Page 2
A Saluki
You Should Know
Jeff Nuich is Living a Dream
with…” weekly celebrity interview for the
network’s website, CSNChicago.com.
ComcastSportsNet covers the local sports
teams in Chicagoland, including the Cubs,
White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls. As a
native of the South Suburbs and rabid sports
enthusiast, Nuich is enjoying a dream come
true.
It isn’t hard for Jeff Nuich to identify the
source of his inner drive. His parents
moved from Croatia to the States in the early
1960s. His father, who arrived here with
an engineering degree in tow, toiled on the
railroad for several years before receiving
a position in his chosen craft. His mother
acquired the trade of hairstyling while raising
Nuich’s two older brothers and adjusting to a
completely different culture.
Nuich, senior director of communications
for Comcast SportsNet Chicago, says:
“My parents are the driving force in my
life. They didn’t know anyone and weren’t
familiar with the English language, but
were determined to make this work. They
supported my educational endeavors and set
quite an example.
“Considering their beginnings in the
country, I should trump that many times
over. Otherwise, I have failed – I have no
excuse.”
Excuses haven’t been necessary for Nuich,
a 1992 SIU Carbondale journalism graduate.
He handles media, public and community
relations for Comcast SportsNet, in addition to
Nielsen media research for television ratings,
and he even pens the popular “5 Questions
December 2009 “I have vivid memories of my father taking
my brother and me to Hawks and Sox games,”
Nuich says. “I feel blessed 100 times over
to be in this role for a television station that
covers teams that I grew up loving.”
Nuich also credits his SIU experience. He
joined the American Advertising Federation
and American Marketing Association, in
addition to being hired as a student assistant
in the sports information staff of Saluki
Athletics.
“If you just attend class and leave it at that,
you’re going to fail – period,” he says.
“Getting involved is pertinent. Students
have to take advantage of what SIU offers.”
Nuich received early guidance from Fred
Huff and Gene Green, who headed SIU’s
sports publicity efforts for several years. He
assisted in producing media publications
and staffing Saluki Athletics events. Nuich
received an internship with his beloved
White Sox upon graduation, beating out 500
applicants for the role.
“I didn’t know anyone with the White Sox.
But my SIU experience and the reputation
of Saluki Athletics were key factors,” he
says. “The rest was up to me – and I took
advantage of it.”
The Park Ridge resident was subsequently
hired by SportsChannel as a 23-year old
public relations assistant in late 1992.
The Chicago Egyptian
SportsChannel became Fox Sports Net in
1998, and six years later, the Chicago Sports
teams left Fox to join forces with Comcast
to form the current regional sports network.
Comcast hired Jim Corno as its president,
who immediately asked Nuich to join the
network.
“Jim has been a mentor and teacher who has
taught me this business. Outside of my own
parents, I respect him more than anyone,”
Nuich says. “I will always be grateful to
him.”
Nuich’s position also affords him the
opportunity to help others. He spearheads
the annual “Comcast SportsNet Sports
Awards Dinner,” which honors an athlete
from each of the Chicago major sports teams
and raises funds for the March of Dimes.
The event has raised over $7 million in its
21-year history. A highlight of the function
is the “Inspirational Athlete of the Year,” an
award honoring a young person who defies
the odds to accomplish an athletic feat.
“Our winner approaches a stage to an ovation
of 1,000 people that includes professional
athletes. It means so much to that young
person and their family,” says Nuich, who has
headed this event for 15 years. “It is really
the most gratifying thing I do. Nothing is
more important than giving back.”
Nuich’s career led to meeting his wife of
10 years, Jennifer, a former SportsChannel
intern. The couple has two daughters and
even attended a Blackhawks game on their
first date.
“I really wanted to make it work at Comcast
SportsNet and I continue to challenge myself
on a daily basis,” he says. “I feel like the
luckiest person in the world to be in this
situation, which is never taken for granted by
any of us who work here.”
Page 3
Slade O’Keefe: A Pragmatic Saluki
the American Society of Civil Engineers
and particularly fond of a senior design
course he enrolled in at Southern.
“One of my project requirements was
to design a railroad spur for a coal
processing plant. I had to call a Union
Pacific engineer who faxed me some
design information,” O’Keefe says. “You
have to learn to utilize your resources and
those design courses at SIU stressed that.
It was a benefit because it dove-tailed
into everything I do now.”
Saluki Way presents Southern with
an opportunity to offer state-of-theart facilities for its football program,
in addition to the men’s and women’s
basketball teams. Slade O’Keefe, a
1991 SIU Carbondale civil engineering
graduate, the construction of these
facilities represents a greater opportunity
that goes beyond athletics.
Construction is well underway for a new
football stadium, retrofitted basketball
arena and all-purpose athletic facility
on campus. O’Keefe says engineering
students, as well as students from other
disciplines, could benefit.
“Saluki Way is right across the street
from the engineering building. The
project represents everything our
engineering students are learning,”
he says.
“This includes the soils,
foundations, steel structure, and concrete
design. Additionally, there is contract law
involved, marketing and accounting.”
O’Keefe communicated his concept to
SIU Athletics Director Mario Moccia and
College of Engineering officials, who
agreed with him. Now, the University’s
Geotechnical Engineering class in the
College of Engineering visits the Saluki
Way site daily. Students read the actual
December 2009 soils report for Saluki Way, and make
recommendations and design decisions
as if they are a part of the project.
Additionally, a Senior Engineering
Design class conducted a project through
which it designed and built a new twostory parking garage and parking lot for
the new facilities. O’Keefe’s suggestion
kicked these projects in motion.
“It is a great opportunity for students to
receive hands-on-learning experience.
Students can feel better about the fee
they’re paying to support the project
because it also helps their education.
It would help the entire University,”
O’Keefe says.
O’Keefe, vice president of engineering
and construction for Bluff City Materials,
Inc. in Bartlett, is an avid Saluki fan.
While attending Sparta High School, an
hour from the SIU campus, he began
going to SIU basketball games with his
father. When he enrolled at Southern,
he enjoyed watching Chicago natives
Ashraf Amaya and Tyrone Bell lead the
basketball team. He also took advantage
of opportunities afforded to him through
his major.
The Naperville resident was a member of
The Chicago Egyptian
This is a primary reason O’Keefe, who
received Southern’s Alumni Achievement
Award in May, is giving back to Southern.
He donates $700 to the University during
the fall and another $700 during the spring
semester to support a book scholarship
for a civil engineering student.
“I’m not ready to make a major gift
at this point, but I wanted to help the
University in some way,” he says. “I
worked with Mary Carroll (SIU’s
Director of Development in Chicago)
and we figured out a way for me to assist
a student in buying books. It’s another
way to give back. I feel very fortunate
with the success I’ve had and owe a lot to
the University.”
Bluff City Materials, Inc. is a sand and
gravel mining company with locations in
Bartlett, Elgin, South Elgin, and South
Beloit.
Bluff City reclaims property
that it mines and transforms it into
commercial, industrial and residential
real estate. Each of the locations handle
construction and real estate, basically
developing and enhancing infrastructure
paving the way for individuals to build
and establish businesses.
O’Keefe
spearheads engineering efforts for each
of the construction companies.
“I check on all of our projects every day
because they are all local,” O’Keefe says.
“When I graduated from SIU, I didn’t
want to be chained to an office desk all
day. I do more now in this role, but I like
being outside. I want to be in the dirt and
seeing things get built.”
Page 4
Sapienza to Make Chicago a Priority at Alumni Association
Sapienza hopes to improve upon member
benefits and establish new alumni events in
the area.
Southern alum Zachary Sapienza has
returned to his alma mater with hopes
of increasing alumni involvement in
Chicagoland.
He says the Association’s traditional events
will continue, but he hopes to add more
nontraditional events into the agenda as
well. One idea he is tossing around is an
alumni softball team.
“I plan to make Chicago more of a focus
of the Association,” Sapienza says.
“Demographically, our largest metropolitan
market is Chicago. We have to make a
much more concerted effort in that area.”
According to Sapienza, his new role as the
Association’s Off-Campus Events/Chapter
Development Director makes him an
“ambassador of SIU.” The position allows
him to travel across the country promoting
his alma mater, and he understands the
strong connection between SIU and
Chicago.
After spending part of his childhood in
Freeport, Sapienza enrolled at Southern
where he earned a bachelor’s degree in
organizational communication in 1999 and
a master’s degree in speech communication
in 2005. He was also a member of the
National Championship Debate team in
1996.
Sapienza worked as the education
advertising manager for the Chicago Sun
Times before coming to the Association.
He was responsible for publishing special
sections in the publishing group’s six dailies
Auto Technology
continued from page 2
“Through
an
advisory
board,
Jack
maintains
relationships with companies,
manufacturers, and after
market companies. It’s a
continued check and balance
system, and he gets a lot
of feedback that helps him
maintain the program.”
The program, which began
in 2008, consists of three
semesters of management
and
technical
courses
that delve into cuttingedge technology such as
alternative fuel systems and
December 2009
“I think we need to do more things to
appeal to a younger and more diverse
demographic,” Sapienza says. “Softball
is one of the most popular activities in the
summer in the Chicago area. This is a great
opportunity for the Association.”
and 80 weeklies. He also coordinated
public relations and advertising efforts with
over 300 schools.
Sapienza also wants to offer more
convenience to existing Chicagoland
members.
“I learned a lot about how these schools
handle their marketing and allocate their
resources,” Sapienza says. “It was an
invaluable experience. My background is
in education, and I always knew I’d return
to the education world.”
“We have to start segmenting the city,
identifying how we can set up events
that are feasible for people to attend, and
arranging more events out in the suburbs,”
Sapienza says. “We’re discussing different
ideas and developing nontraditional events
that we haven’t done in the past. We’re
willing to try new things.”
His experience in education and knowledge
of Chicago will be beneficial to the
Association’s members. By reaching out
to Chicagoland businesses and friends,
If you would like to organize a new chapter
or event, contact Sapienza at 618.453.2408
or [email protected].
For more
information, visit the Assocation’s website.
vehicle electronics. The classes are taught by
Chicago-area professors, as well as professors
who travel from the Carbondale campus.
in Chicago instead of uprooting her family.
Since transferring to the program from
Joliet Junior College in the fall of 2008,
Finchum has accepted a job at GMAC
Insurance and plans to graduate in 2010.
The program’s hands-on
approach also continues
outside the classroom. As the
program advisor, Matuschka
also assists students in
completing their universitycore courses at a Chicago-area
university, as well as helping
the students find jobs.
Joy Finchum
One student in particular,
Joy Finchum, has seen the
benefits of the program first
hand. The mother of two
chose to enroll in the program
The Chicago Egyptian
“I weighed my options and decided that
uprooting my kids wasn’t a good idea,”
Finchum says. “After my first semester
at Truman, I was offered the job at
GMAC. Now I’m making double what
I would have made out in the field as a
technician. The possibilities are endless
from here.”
For more information, contact Matuschka,
at 713.907.3997 or [email protected]; Jack
Greer at 618.453.4024 or [email protected];
or vist the program’s website.
Page 5
Saluki Stars of the Chicago Fire Department
Liz Crowe doesn’t wear a uniform in her role
as coordinator of human relations for the
Chicago Fire Department, but her position
is just as pertinent.
The 1983 SIU graduate, who initially
joined the CFD as a licensed clinical social
worker in 1993, was promoted to her
present capacity in 2000. The position was
created to ensure that CFD employees were
sensitive to serving various cultures in the
community. Liz also handles educational
and peer support programs in the event
of adverse circumstances and employee
Pictured from left to right are District Chief Charles Stewart III ‘03, Paramedic Field
relations programs.
Chief Dan Ellis ‘96, Commander Lorenzo Vazquez ‘03, Liz Crowe ‘77, MSW, District
“An important aspect of my job is training Chief Richard Edgeworth ‘87, Assistant Director of Training and Deputy District Chief
peers in the fire community to communicate Richard Ford II ‘08, and District Chief Mark Nielsen ‘88. With the exception of Liz
with me or another counselor when there is Crowe, who graduated from the School of Education and Human Services, everyone
a line of duty death or major catastrophe. pictured is a graduate of SIU’s off-campus fire service management program. For more
We want to make sure our employees are information on the program, contact Gary Kistner at 618.453.7277 or [email protected]
covered emotionally,” she says.
or visit the program’s website.
A former crisis social worker at a university
medical clinic’s emergency room, Liz
developed a family focus program, ensuring
that the families of firefighters receive
appropriate services and support. Chief
Charles Stewart, a 2003 SIU graduate and a
fire department member for 33 years, says
Liz’s role comes in handy when a firefighter
sustains a major injury.
“It’s important to have someone who is going
to stay in contact with the families for fallen
firefighters or critically-injured members.
Liz assists them in navigating through
paperwork and processes for the state and
federal government,” Stewart says. “They
have a direct contact in the fire department
and don’t feel abandoned. People call her
all the time – day and night – to carry out
this particular task. They know the skill sets
Liz brings to the department and that hasn’t
gone unnoticed.”
Stewart says Liz brings a unique perspective
to handling situations that arise in the
firehouse.
“That is what was truly missing from the
CFD as an institution — someone who
handles issues from a different perspective
than a firefighter,” he says. “Liz’s qualities
are an integral part of our department. I
cannot envision this department moving
forward without Liz.”
Liz admits that offering a “non-uniform”
point-of-view can be a challenge.
December 2009
“It can be tough when you’re the only
person in the room raising questions from
a civilian’s perspective. But it’s forced me
to be patient in learning the firefighters’
culture, which assists me in doing a better
job,” she says. “Firefighters are generally
good people to work for.”
Paramedic Field Chief
Daniel Ellis, a paramedic field chief,
spearheads the CFD’s response to fires and
mass transit accidents. He responds to any
EMS or other emergencies in his district,
and assists in the training and development
of CFD’s incident management team.
Additionally, Ellis has offered his expertise
to disaster relief efforts. The 1996 SIU
graduate joined a deployment of Illinois
firefighters in New Orleans following
Hurricane Katrina. Ellis functioned as a
member of the incident management team,
as opposed to serving as a firefighter or
paramedic.
“My role was making sure we had enough
staffing,” Ellis says. “The response down
there was amazing. You had people from
both Illinois and New York working as one.
It was pretty impressive.”
The federal government has made the
incident management function a priority,
according to Ellis. In the event of a disaster,
the local units have to suffice until additional
assistance arrives. National committees
The Chicago Egyptian
were formed in 2003 to investigate, evaluate
and enhance relief efforts in large, urban
communities.
Ellis points out that the CFD has placed
an emphasis on enhancing incident
management efforts.
He says the state
of Illinois established its first training
courses in 2005. CFD firefighters have
subsequently assisted efforts in the wake of
Hurricane Ike and Gustav and the Northern
Illinois University shootings, in addition to
assuming shadowing assignments following
fires in California and Texas.
“Several of our firefighters enrolled in these
training courses,” he says. “In the event
something happens in Chicago, we have
people who can handle major incidents until
the federal government can arrive with its
teams. Also, we have enough people with
talent and knowledge to be sent out to other
places to help.”
Ellis graduated from SIU’s off-campus
fire service management program, located
at Triton College in Chicago. He says the
program, which had its first classes in 1976,
makes it possible for non-traditional students
to attain a degree.
“SIU’s program is unique and at the forefront
of fire service education. They taught around
our schedules, offering the same classes two
days in a row. If I was on duty one day, I could
attend class the next day,” he says. “That is
why it was so attractive to a number of us.”
continued on page 7
Page 6
Fire Department
before pursuing a fire service career.
“I’m happy to share this message with
potential SIU students. If you’re interested
continued from page 6
“SIU’s program is very attractive. “The fire in fire service, our program is definitely the
safety course pretty much lays the foundation way to go,” he says. “My children are really
He says a college degree has become more for what I do now,” he says. “A fire service proud that their father chose to attend school
significant.
degree holds weight in our industry.”
at an advanced age. I like the culture and it’s
been great for me.”
“It is a great way to network and learn Lorenzo Vazquez, a CFD commander who
about the profession,” he says. “It’s been handles labor and employee relations, also
Other Saluki Stars of Note
interesting to watch the industry progress in speaks highly of SIU’s program. The 2002 • Michael Fox ’88, Assistant Deputy Fire
this regard. Several of my buddies wanted SIU graduate recently became a part-time Commissioner for Special Operations
to be firefighters and weren’t
adjunct faculty member at • Kim Hurd ‘05, Commander, Assigned to
even thinking about college
Triton. He teaches risk and the Medical Administration and Regulatory
initially. But they all have
labor management courses. Compliance (MARC)
bachelor’s and master’s
• Paul Martin ’89, Deputy District Chief
degrees now.”
“I believe in the University • Nicholas Russell ’74, Deputy Fire
and this program.
Our Commissioner for Fire Prevention Bureau
More Saluki Stars
fire service management • Tim Walsh ’96, Lieutenant for Special
Mark Nielsen, a 1988
program covers various Operations
graduate of SIU’s fire
aspects and represents where
service
management
the fire industry needs to go All are graduates of the University’s offprogram, is the District
in the future,” he says. “It campus fire service management program,
Chief of Safety. Nielsen,
has proven to be fruitful, and with the exception of Nicklaus Russell, who
who has worked in the fire
I enjoy being a part of it.”
received an administration of justice degree
science industry for 30
from Southern.
Dan Ellis
years, investigates major
Vazquez attended college
accidents,
fire
service
after serving 25 years in the The Chicago Fire Department would like
mishaps and oversees the
military. The SIU Alumni Association life to create a roster featuring all of its “Saluki
department’s policies and procedures.
member, who dons an SIU class ring, has Stars.” If you are a Saluki Star in Chicagoland
become an ambassador for SIU’s off-campus Fire Department, please contact Chief
The SIU graduate was a certified paramedic fire science program.
Charles Stewart at 312.746.6979.
Alumni Awards
Paquette Is Named a
‘Woman to Watch’
Paquette has been a partner in the Midwest
Information Technology Advisory Practice
in the Chicago office of KPMG LLP since
2004. She has also been a member of the SIU
School of Accountancy Board of Advisors
since 2007.
Heather Paquette, a 1995 SIU Carbondale
accounting alumna, was honored as an Emerging leaders are judged on their
emerging leader at the 2009 Women to demonstration of leadership, contribution to
Watch Awards.
the profession, creation of a unique initiative
in the work place, community service and
The 2009 Women to Watch Awards were involvement with their alma mater.
presented by the Illinois CPA Society
Women’s Executive Committee and the Paquette was also named as a “Rising Star” by
AICPA’s Work/Life and Women’s Initiatives the Glass Hammer, an award-winning online
Executive Committee. The award was community created for women executives in
presented to Paquette during the Women’s finance, law, technology, and big business.
Leadership Breakfast on Nov. 13 at the
Standard Club in Chicago. It honors women
who have made notable contributions to the
accounting profession, their organizations,
and the development of women as leaders. John Heakin, of River Forest, was one of five
The honorees promote a work environment alumni named as an SIU Distinguished Alumni.
that provides opportunities for the successful
integration of their personal and professional The Award recognizes alumni who have
lives and the advancement of women to achieved success and recognition since their
graduation. Pictures and biographies of the
positions of leadership.
Alumni Association
Honors John Heakin
December 2009
The Chicago Egyptian
winners are in the Alumni lounge of the
Student Recreation Center.
A 1971 marketing graduate, Heakin founded
North American Insights, a marketing
research consumer interviewing service,
in 2001. He also served 27 years as vice
president of Heakin Research, Inc., the
second-largest interviewing service in
America with locations in 70 malls coast to
coast.
The SIU Alumni Association life member
served the SIU College of Business, initially as
an Executive in Residence, then as a member of
the External Advisory Board upon being elected
to the college’s hall of fame. In 2005, he was
elected as chair of the Marketing Department’s
External Advisory Board. He founded the
Business Expo Breakfast at the Missouri
Valley Basketball Tournament in St. Louis, the
Marketing Leadership Program, and the Saluki
Marketing Network for recent graduates.
Heakin and his wife, Maureen, are
Distinguished Gold Patrons of the Rehn
Society.
Page 7
Ed Collins: Protecting America
hurricane-like
storm
that struck southern
Illinois this year and the
inevitable New Madrid
earthquake that will strike
again someday, should
serve as further reminders
of how disasters threaten
or impact the lives and
property of individuals
and businesses.
SIU graduate Ed Collins
is doing his part to ensure
that America takes more
proactive measures in
dealing with natural
disasters.
Collins, a 1982 liberal
arts graduate and a
1986 magna cum laude
graduate of Southern’s
law school, joined Allstate
Corporation in Northbrook
shortly after graduation.
He serves as Allstate’s
Assistant General Counsel
and has held various
positions in its Law and
Regulation Department, covering legal and
public policy issues. That background is
assisting him in another role.
The Gurnee resident serves as National
Director of ProtectingAmerica.org, a
coalition striving to develop awareness,
educate public and policy makers and offer
public policy solutions to better prepare and
protect America from catastrophe.
“This is a national
economic and homeland
security issue. Our country
needs a stronger financial
infrastructure to enable
families and communities
to be better prepared and more protected,”
Collins says. “Allstate always supports
its customers and fights to keep premiums
low. But this issue goes beyond insurance
… preparedness is essential. We have to
review how we train, fund and support first
responders to deal with these disasters.
In addition, American people should be
protected from scam artists who prey on
them in the wake of these disasters.”
“Our country understandably focused more
on dealing with manmade catastrophe
following 9-11,” he says. “But we lost
sight of Mother Nature and her weapons of
mass destruction. Hurricanes, earthquakes
and wildfires are inevitable. Our coalition
decided to begin exploring public policy
questions regarding this issue. Not many
people were listening. Then Katrina hit.”
ProtectingAmerica.org seeks to enhance
financial protection for consumers affected
by disasters, educate consumers to better
prepare them for such events, enhance
existing emergency response protocols
through a team of experts with diverse
backgrounds, and support efforts to improve
prevention through stronger building codes
and land use policies.
Collins, who also holds a bachelor’s in
political science from Southern, says
some recent disasters, including the inland
“Our nation’s current system isn’t efficient
and it’s after the fact.
Fortunately,
ProtectingAmerica.org is making progress,”
he says. “Many in Congress and the current
administration support this legislation.
President Obama enthusiastically endorsed it
when he was campaigning. But the challenge
is that there is a lot on the congressional and
presidential plates right now. This country
tends to go from emergency to emergency.”
The national co-chairs for ProtectingAmerica.
org are James Lee Witt, former director
of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency during the Clinton Administration,
and Admiral James M. Loy, former deputy
secretary for the Department of Homeland
Security. Collins recruited these leaders to
help advance this cause.
“Our co-chairs are two distinguished
gentlemen who know a lot about this issue,”
Collins says. “I’m the insurance expert,
but they bring a different perspective.
We also benefit from the involvement of
the American Red Cross, International
Association of Fire Chiefs, building code
experts, and community groups.”
Collins says natural disasters are inevitable
and education is vital.
“We can’t just wait and spring into action
after things happen,” he says. “Everyone
has to take responsibility for being better
prepared and protected. The public and
private sectors need to work together, and
that is the new partnership approach we’re
advancing. When it comes down to it,
ProtectingAmerica.org is about saving lives
and protecting what people spend their
whole lives building.”
For more information, please visit: www.
ProtectingAmerica.org.
The College of Liberal Arts and the School of Art & Design plan to
showcase the high caliber of art produced by the School of Art & Design
faculty, students and alumni by holding an exhibition on Feb. 12 in the
River North Gallery District as part of the College Art Association (CAA)
Annual Conference.
Pending confirmation, the event will take place in a 4,000-square-foot space
in the Huron Street Lofts at 233 W. Huron St. (corner of Franklin). The
CAA conference occurs annually in different cities around the county.
It will bring nearly 5,000 college and university-affiliated artists, historians,
and critics to Chicago, for the first time since 2001. Included in this
number are hundreds of SIU alumni who are in the art education industry
throughout the country.
For more information, contact Peter Chametzky at 618.453.8632 or
[email protected].
December 2009 The Chicago Egyptian
Page 8