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F O R E X C L U S I V E O N L I N E C O N T E N T A N D M O R E , V I S I T D A I L Y V I D E T T E . C O M

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 filledwith Founders Day events commemorat-ing the establishment of the university.

“Founders Day is an annual occasionand its [a] time for us to celebrate ourhistory, 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 includethe “unveiling of the comprehensive his-tory of the university,” according toAssistant to the President Jay Groves.

“John Freed wrote a book entitled

'Educating Illinois: Illinois StateUniversity 1857-2007,'” he said. “It's anexcellent book and he will be signing it inthe [Bone Student Center.]”

“They will also be for sale and allproceeds go towards the ISU generalscholarship fund.”

According to Epp, Freed discovered“new takes… on how our university cameto be today.”

James Koch, keynote speaker duringConvocation is being recognized as well.

“We will also be presenting an hon-orary degree to James Koch, who has avery in-depth history with ISU,” Grovessaid.

The festivities will begin at 10 a.m.with the Sesquicentennial Bell ringing inthe Bone Student Center Prairie Room.The bell will be rung 152 times to cele-brate the number of years ISU has beenopen to the public.

Displays covering the university's his-

tory and academic mission will also beshown in the Brown Ballroom from 11a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The historical displays in the BoneStudent Center from different colleges inthe university are significant. You get agood picture of our heritage and how wegot 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 tofaculty and staff for their commitment toISU.”

Distinguished Alumni Awards andDistinguished Professor Awards will bepresented as well as awards honoringexcellence in teaching, research, serviceand commitment to diversity.

“Founders Day is another opportuni-ty for Illinois State students to showtheir Redbird pride,” Epp said.“I'd love tosee every student on-campus wearing redthis 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 YS c h e d u l e o f E v e n t s

For more information on Founders Day events, visit dailyvidette.com

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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

Vol . 121 y No. 102 Vol . 121 y No. 102 Since 1888Since 1888Wednesday, February 19, 2009Wednesday, February 19, 2009

EducatingIllinois in

Action

Maribeth Lartz honored

MATTHEW TOMLIN

Daily Vidette Reporter

Maribeth Lartz, professor in the SpecialEducation Department's deaf and hardof hearing program, received theEducating Illinois in Action honor forher unwavering dedication to scholarshipand teaching.

The honor, presented by theEducating Illinois Coordinating Team, isgiven to individuals, offices or programsthat reflect the core values of the'Educating Illinois 2008 to 2014' strate-gic plan, which include individualizedattention, public opportunity, diversityand civic engagement.

“The work that Dr. Maribeth Lartz per-forms serves to enhance the reputation ofthis fine university, and continues ourtradition of remaining on the cuttingedge of educational theory and practice,”Deborah Curtis, dean of the College ofEducation, said.

Lartz has worked in deaf educationfor over 25 years. In that time, medicaladvancements such as the cochlearimplant, which has helped many deafchildren regain partial hearing, havechanged the way teachers work with theirstudents.

To keep pace with these advance-ments, Lartz has developed innovativetechniques to help train teachers of spe-cial needs students in a changing class-room.

“What we lacked was funding forequipment, training and partnership sitedevelopment that would allow our skillsin the area of spoken language instruc-tion, cochlear implant management andeducational programming to keep pacewith those in our very strong sign com-munication teacher preparation pro-gram,” she said.

Lartz secured that funding in 2007with an $800,000 grant from the U.S.Department of Education. The grant wasused to launch an oral-auditory deaf edu-cation graduate program that focuses onchildren 3 years of age and younger.

Students enrolled in the program aregiven 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 CURTISDean of the College of Education

Railroadsafety stillan issue on campus

GINA AKERS

Daily Vidette Senior Staff

While many people know the dangers ofwalking on railroad tracks or crossing atan unauthorized crosswalk, some ISUstudents may continue to practice therisky and illegal habit.

“It's against the law, but more impor-tant than that you have to be aware of thedanger railroads present,” Ed McKibbin,students' attorney in the Dean ofStudents office, said.

McKibbin said he has had studentsin his office who have been cited for tres-passing on the tracks and did not know itis illegal.

“The university, Illinois CommerceCommission and the Town of Normalwork together to make sure signs are putup to address the issue,” he said. “Thenew signs state that it is a violation ofstate law to trespass on the railroadtracks.”

“Unfortunately, we followed up andnoticed there is still a trespass issue.”

“It's a non-stop crusade to make stu-dents aware,” he added. “The ISU Policehave been actively involved as well in pro-moting railroad safety and trying to makestudents aware that if you trespass youwill get cited for violating the law.”

McKibbin also explained that it is anenhanceable offense, which means thepenalty becomes greater after each cita-tion.

Chip Pew, state coordinator forOperation Lifesaver, said they haveworked closely with the Normal Police,ISU Police, Union Pacific Railroad andthe university to promote being safe nearthe railroad. They have passed out fliersin an effort to make students aware of thelaw.

“We've also followed that up with anunannounced enforcement effort. Wehave issued $150 court appearance cita-tions to remind students,” he said. “Fromthe student's perspective it seems sillyand that we're picking on them, comingup with ways of trying to raise money.That's not true.”

“The purpose is to remind students[that] if you're … not paying attentionand a train comes, you're probably goingto get hit and die. That is the painfulreminder of that.”

According to the Village of LakeBluff 's Web site, 474 railroad trespassersdied nationwide last year, with Illinoisleading the country in railroad deaths.

“A trespasser is defined as somebodythat's either crossing the tracks or walk-ing along the tracks at a place other thana public crossing or authorized cross-walk,” Pew said.

Pew said about 30 people die whiletrespassing, 20 to 30 die each year in apublic crossing and between 12 and 20take their own lives on the tracks.

“With the construction right by[Watterson] it presents a little bit of achallenge because the kids can't walkthrough the construction site from Fell to

) ) ) ) )

See award page 5 See railroad page 2

Illinois leads country in railroad deaths. Organizations work togetherto raise awareness.

Illinois State celebrates years

remarkable history