A note from the Office of Non-Traditional

Student Services/Single Parent Programs

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DECEMBER 2011 GRADUATES!!

In this issue, you will find an inspirational story of one graduate who

persisted through many obstacles to further her education with a goal of

earning her degree, helping her family, and touching the lives of those

around her. As you read her story, we hope you are inspired to

persevere as you move through your own program of study.

You will also find information about resources that can support you as a

student: scholarships, childcare/activities for children (if you are a parent),

upcoming events, opportunities for student development, and a little bit of fun

with our monthly contest (Congratulations to our December winner of the $20

Starbucks gift card—Amber Wille).

As always, help us to help you by staying in touch and sharing ways we

can provide support as you move toward degree completion.

Deborah

THIS ISSUE A Note about Perseverance Student Highlight Resources: *CCR&R On-Site Assistance *Scholarship Opportunities Young Artists Workshop Upcoming Events & Academic Calendar SIU Family Carnival Campus & Community Resources Contest and Prizes

Non-Traditional Student Services/

Single Parent Programs January 2012

CONTACT US

Non-Traditional Student Services/

Single Parent Programs

Student Center, Rm. 305

Southern Illinois University

1255 Lincoln Drive

Carbondale, Illinois 62901

P: 618/453-7521

dbarnett@siu.edu Web: nontrad.siuc.edu

Student Highlight: Judy Summers This month’s Student Highlight is an inspirational story of a non-traditional student who experienced incredible obstacles but, with the support of her family and her faith, she persisted. Here is her story through the words of her daughter, Caitlin.

Mom started at John A. Logan College in spring 2006, we actually started taking classes at the same time and took speech together that summer. She went back to school because she felt like that was what the Lord was telling her to do and, with dad being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she wanted to help support her family. She started in music education as

she always had a love for music and children, but her breathing continued to get worse and she couldn't sing as well so she changed to elementary education. No matter what situation, mom truly gave everything 100% and, because of her strong faith, she gave God the glory in everything, that definitely included school.

The past 11 years held many struggles for mom. They started when she was diagnosed with leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant, after which caused many other health problems. She was then diagnosed with diabetes, COPD, neuropathy of both feet, pneumonia several times, diabetes induced cirrhosis of the liver, and she also had a few strokes. All her health problems made school very difficult for her, and people would ask her all the time “why don’t you just stop”, she would say something to the effect that she wasn’t doing this just for the degree, she was doing it because this is where the Lord placed her and you grow where you are planted. She truly enjoyed learning and participating in the classes. She was blessed by the education she received, and the teachers and students she got to meet along the way. It was truly a challenging, yet very rewarding experience.

Mom was in pain every day and had her share of struggles, but you wouldn't have known that by looking at her. She was always optimistic, and there was always a smile on her face and a laugh on her lips, no matter what the challenge. I couldn't ask for a better mother or a more fantastic example. She truly is my inspiration! We are so thankful for her experience at JALC and SIU, and for the blessing of receiving her diploma!

Congratulations to Judy Gail Summers for earning the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education

The Summers Family

From left to right: Judy with her daughter, Caitlin; Deborah Barnett with the Summers

family following the December 2011 Commencement; Judy and her husband, Mark.

Each month we want to take time out to highlight the stories and accomplishments of SIU’s non-traditional students. If you have an inspiring story or have a recent accomplishment you would like to share, please pass it along. If you know of someone that we can feature, please let us know that as well. The SIU campus needs to hear from you, so don’t be shy. Email dbarnett@siu.edu or stop by my office in the Student Center to share your story/accomplishment or to share a story about someone you know (we will get their permission before featuring them in the Student Highlight section). Thanks!

Well, a lot has happened since the last

newsletter on December 1st. Another

semester has come to an end (I hope you all

finished strong!) and a new semester is just

around the corner. In addition to my role as Coordinator, Non-Traditional Student

Services/Single Parent Programs, I am also a

student myself so I can relate to all of those

projects, exams, etc. that we, as non-

traditional students, ADD to our already busy

and sometimes complicated lives.

One of the most rewarding experiences in

this new role so far is that I have been

inspired on a daily basis by those of you who

have shared your stories of why you chose to

further your education and the challenges that

you may have had to overcome in the process. I applaud you for your perseverance

and tenacity and encourage you to keep

moving forward—you can do it!

On this note, it is my honor to recognize

Judy Summers in the Student Highlight

section this month. I consider it a privilege

to have known Judy personally and was

deeply moved by the Chancellor’s kind

words and respect for Judy and her family

when awarding her posthumous degree

during the graduation ceremonies on December 17, 2011. When I think of

perseverance and tenacity, I think of Judy. I

would dare say that, despite the obstacles that

you or I might face, we would be hard-

pressed to find someone who has experienced

greater challenges than Judy. She was a

woman whose love of family and whose

strong faith helped her through even the most

difficult of times.

After an illness, Judy passed away on April

17, 2011 at the age of 52. She leaves behind

her husband Mark (also an SIU student) and 3 children (Isaac, Caitlin, and Levi). Her

family was honored to receive the diploma on

her behalf and continue to persevere as Judy

would have done.

I hope her story inspires and touches you as it

has me. If she can do it, surely we can too!

Best wishes to you for a successful semester,

Deborah

Saturday Young Artists Workshop The Saturday Young Artists Program began in 1998 at Southern Illinois University. Each Saturday pre-service art education students prepare and teach art lessons to children and youth from the Greater Carbondale community. Our program has been expanding and accommodates up to 50 young artists. Art instruction is offered to students from kindergarten (five years old) through middle school. In-formation on our spring 2012 program is listed below.

Spring workshop Meet the Masters runs February 4 ,11, 18, 25 and March 3, 24. Art Exhibit closing is March 31 from 9:30–10:30.

Who Can Attend? Children in Grades K - 8

The benefits of this program are two-fold: (1) pre-service art teachers gain knowledge and experience in teaching art to children prior to student teaching, and (2) children from the community obtain art instruction with a student -teacher ratio that encourages personal hands on art instruction.

Our programs are fully inclusive for students experiencing significant disabilities. Click on the following link to register: http://www.arted.siuc.edu/SYAWregistrationform_000.pdf

Students will meet in the Allyn Building, Room 102. Cost is $35 for one, $60 for two in a family. Scholarships are available with a phone call or email from your art teacher to: Barbara Bickel at (618) 453- 5580. bickel@siu.edu

Register early to reserve your space!

Please mail a check to SIUC and the attached application form to:

The Saturday Young Artists Program School of Art and Design

Mail Code 4301 Southern Illinois University Carbondale

1100 South Normal Avenue Carbondale, Illinois 62901

Phone: (618) 453-4315

Did you know???

Kids who are involved in the arts are:

4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement

3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools

4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair

3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance Source: http://www.artsusa.org/Public_awareness/

SATURDAY

YOUNG ARTISTS

WORKSHOPS http://www.arted.siuc.edu/

Resources CHILD CARE: SIU’s Non-Traditional Student Services/Single Parent Programs in collaboration with Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) is pleased to announce on-site information sessions/appointments with a CCR&R representative on Thursday, January 19th. If you can benefit from assistance with child care expenses, schedule a one-on-one appointment (offered every 1/2 hour beginning at 9:00 a.m.) or sign up for the group information session to be held at 3:00 p.m. Forms will be available to complete on-site or you can just obtain information about CCR&R services.

All appointments/group session will be held on the 3rd Floor of the Student Center in Activity Room D (just at the top of the escalators near the Starbucks entrance)

Space is limited!

Click here to reserve an appointment time or to sign up for the 3:00

information session.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Don’t forget to check

out potential scholarships that you might

qualify for. In addition to the scholarships

listed in the December 2011 newsletter,

Student Life & Intercultural Relations

offers:

Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship

($500)

Non-Traditional Student Service

Activity Scholarship ($500)

Also, scholarships offered through the

SIUC Women’s Club include:

SIUC Joyce Guyon Non-Traditional

Scholarship ($2000)

These and other scholarships are listed on

the website for Non-Traditional Student

Services at nontrad.siuc.edu

For a complete scholarship listing, search

the Financial Aid website at fao.siu.edu

Need a BREAK??? Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

(January 16th)

Spring Semester Begins (January 17th)

RSO Fair: Student Center Ballrooms (January 19th, 5-7 p.m.) Get Involved!! *Stop by and visit us at the Non-Traditional Student Services/Single Parent Programs table. We will have candy for the kids and a drawing for gift certificates to area restaurants!

Family Carnival: SIU Rec Center (January

28, 2012, 3:00—5:00 p.m.) see flyer →→

SIU International Festival 2012 (starts February 13th) sponsored by International

Student Council (look for the event on facebook)

Spring All Majors Job Fair: Student Center

Ballrooms (February 22nd, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.)

Upcoming Events & Academic Calendar

Other Campus and Community Resources:

Resume Writing Presentation: Career Services, Woody B204 (February 14th, 2:00—2:50 p.m.)

Resume Blitz: Student Center (February 15th-17th, 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.) *Held by Career Services

Interview Skills Enhancement Presentation: Woody B204 (February 21st, 2:00-2:50 p.m.)

Saluki Athletics Calendar of Sporting Events:

http://www.siusalukis.com/calendar/events/2011_201112.html

Mark Your Calendar...

This Month’s Contest Each month you will have the opportunity to win prizes just by reading the newsletter. We will be providing

“zoomed in” photos of places across the SIU campus that help non-traditional students to succeed. If you think

you know the place we are featuring in the picture to the left, click HERE to submit your answer. All correct answers submitted by January 15th will be entered into a drawing for $20 in supplies to help you start the

spring semester from the SIU Bookstore located in the Student Center. GOOD LUCK!

Congratulations to Amber Wille who was drawn as the winner of the $20 Starbucks giftcard for correctly

guessing the Morris Library Family Study Room as the location of the picture in the December newsletter.

Visit the library circulation desk to obtain your keycard for access to the Family Study Room for the spring

semester! Thanks to all who participated in the December contest...good luck this month!