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BOARD
APPROVES ARNOLD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
George Arnold, an emeritus associate professor at
SIUE accepts a Distinguished Service Award from Chancellor
David Werner. |
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George Arnold, an emeritus associate professor of Environmental
Engineering at Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, received
a Distinguished Service Award during SIUE’s May 10 commencement.
Arnold was one of three honored at the ceremonies. Also receiving
awards were jazz legend John “Bucky” Pizzarelli, master of the seven-string
guitar, and world-renowned genetic biotechnologist Roy Curtiss III.
Arnold has championed several environmental projects, including
two bikeways bills passed by the Illinois General Assembly with
the help of the late Sen. Sam Vadalabene.
Arnold is a long-standing member of the 10-state Mississippi River
Parkway Commission and was chosen to represent Illinois in the Federal
Mississippi River Corridor Study to promote the river’s heritage.
Arnold was instrumental in establishing the new Lewis and Clark
Interpretive Center near Hartford. The center, recently completed,
was supported by U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello in collaboration
with Jim Edgar and George Ryan, past Illinois governors.
The SIUE Distinguished Service Awards have been presented for 35
years to those who have given outstanding or unusual service to
the university, the region, or the state.
X PRIZE CONTENDERS PUSH AHEAD WITH PRIVATE
SPACESHIP PLANS
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“We’re going to space because that’s where the view
is,” Burt Rutan told guests at an event unveiling
his SpaceShipOne entry for the X PRIZE competition. |
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The quest for the X PRIZE took another leap forward in April when
noted aircraft designer Burt Rutan unveiled his latest creation,
SpaceShipOne, and Starchaser Industries of England introduced
their space vehicle, which will contend for the St. Louis-based
$10 million X PRIZE.
These are two of 24 competitors for the X PRIZE’s cash award offered
to the first person or team to fly a privately funded sub orbital
spacecraft 62 miles (100km) to the edge of space, return safely,
and repeat the flight within two weeks. To further the X PRIZE goal
of a commercially viable space industry, the vehicles must be capable
of transporting three individuals. It must bear the name “New Spirit
of St. Louis” named after Lindbergh’s famed aircraft. In fact, the
X PRIZE is headquartered in St. Louis because of the connection
with Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis, who’s historic
1927 flight changed the course of aviation.
Rutan, who is recognized for designing the first airplane—the Voyager—to
circle the globe non-stop and without refueling, says, “The X PRIZE
was our main inspiration for building SpaceShipOne. Our goal
is to be the first private spaceship to fly private astronauts to
100KM. I hope our progress will inspire others to follow in our
footsteps.”
Starchaser Industries, a group of British engineers and scientists,
debuted their Nova II capsule during a presentation in early April.
This one-seat module will serve as a test vehicle for Starchaser’s
final X PRIZE entry, which has been named Thunderbird. The team
tested its Nova rocket in late 2001. The two-stage rocket is supposed
to deliver the crew capsule to the 100KM destination. Other X PRIZE
competitors have been making progress on their plans as well. Armadillo
Aerospace of Mesquite, Texas, only joined the race for the prize
last October. However, their team already has conducted a manned
flight of their test vehicle. The Canadian Arrow team has been accepting
applicants for astronauts and displayed a mock version of its X
PRIZE vehicle in New York last year.
GIANT TEDDY BEAR TOUR INCLUDES BUILD-A-BEAR HOMETOWN
Build-A-Bear Workshop® has been bringing to life the dying dream
of a young cancer patient and teddy bear lover. The giant Nikki’s
Bear Tour across America included six cities with visits to children’s
hospitals and shopping malls, spreading hope, raising awareness
and raising funds for children’s cancer.
Of course, the tour included a stop in the hometown of sponsor,
Build-A-Bear Workshop. May 2-5, an 8-foot teddy bear, an exact replica
of Nikki’s Bear, a special bear, was in St. Louis to raise awareness
and funds for children’s cancer. The St. Louis visit included Busch
Stadium, the Saint Louis Galleria, and at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
The inspiration for Nikki’s Bear was Nikki Giampolo, an honor student,
musician, and competitive athlete from Hebron, Conn., who died New
Year’s Day 2002 after six months of treatment for bone cancer. During
the final months of her life, she often spoke with her mother about
raising awareness for children’s cancer through her love of teddy
bears. Inspired by her daughter’s wish, Gail Giampolo and Build-A-Bear
Workshop have made the girl’s dream come true with the Nikki’s Bear
Tour, and fund raising initiatives affiliated with Nikki’s Bear.
“The Nikki’s Bear Tour takes the awareness and fundraising program
we have created in our stores and puts it into action at a variety
of locations across the country,” says Build-A-Bear Workshop Chief
Executive Maxine Clark. “With this tour, we want to celebrate Nikki
Giampolo’s courageous spirit with people in our hometown of St.
Louis. We also hope to build on a kids helping kids movement for
children’s cancer we see percolating in schools and communities
across the nation.
The 8-foot Nikki’s Bear is a replica of the original Nikki’s Bear,
that Build-A-Bear Workshop® introduced in January to raise funds
for the cause of children’s cancer. One dollar from the sale of
each Nikki’s Bear is donated to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation
to support children’s cancer research and treatment programs and
to help families of children with cancer. Since January, tens-of-thousands
of Nikki’s Bears have been purchased to help the cause of children’s
cancer.
“At St. Louis Children’s Hospital, more than 5,500 children are
treated for cancer every year,” says Jim Miller, executive vice
president, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, which will
receive a portion of the funds generated by Nikki’s Bear programs.
“Our bone marrow transplant unit is one of a select few in the world
to be certified to perform transplants from unrelated donors. Nikki’s
Bear represents on outstanding message of courage and hope for all
pediatric cancer patients.”
The Nikki’s Bear Tour began in Los Angeles on April 24. In addition
to St. Louis, the Nikki’s Bear Tour will stop in Chicago, New York
City, and Boston before ending its trip in West Hartford, Conn.,
near Nikki Giampolo’s hometown of Hebron.
FIRST CHARTER FLIGHT TAKES OFF AT MIDAMERICA AIRPORT
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May 29th marked the day for the first charter flight
at MidAmerica Airport. |
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Passengers boarding an Allegiant Airlines MD-87 on May 29th were
taking the first charter flight from MidAmerica Airport. Their destination
was Harrah’s Laughlin, Nevada for three nights at the 1,500-room
hotel and casino. In addition to the well-known Nevada gaming and
entertainment, Laughlin offers activities on the Colorado River.
Harrah’s frequently teams up with Allegiant to offer charter packages.
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