Dr. Paul Garris, Professor of Neurobiology and Physiology, will deliver the Fall 2007 College of Arts and Sciences Lecture, "The Chemistry-Biology Interface: Bridging Rat and Human to Understand Parkinson’s Disease," on Tuesday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center. Recipients of this honor are selected by College faculty and receive the title College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Lecturer. "Paul is an outstanding teacher, and students find him to have the special ability to make complicated concepts simple and easy to understand," said Tak Cheung, Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. In his time at ISU, Garris has established a vigorous, externally funded and innovative research program. His research jointly focuses on the neurobiolgoy of dopamine neurons and microsensor development. His current research is divided into projects investigating neuroadaptation in Parkinson's disease and drug addiction, and developing real-time sensors for monitoring dopamine.

Members of the College of Arts and Sciences participated in Homecoming festivities throughout the week of October 8-13. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends celebrated the university’s 150 years of history and rich tradition. On Friday morning, distinguished alumni guests of each department/school gathered in the College office for a Meet the Dean coffee hour, followed by the annual Alumni Day luncheon. CAS student Tom Ponce was named Homecoming King, and Kay Uy, an education major, was named Homecoming Queen. Saturday morning’s Homecoming Parade was followed by an afternoon football game in which the Redbirds were victorious. Finally, on Saturday evening over 600 guests attended an elegant red-tie gala. Click Read More for more photos.

A number of College of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff were honored this month in an event held at the University Club that brought together women professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and area businesses and labs to celebrate and recognize past and future Women in STEM Careers Pen Pal Project Mentors. Dubbed a "Celebration of 150 Years of ISU Women in STEM, from 1857 to 2007," the recognition ceremony was one small way to thank mentors for their contributions in helping to inspire and to encourage the next generation of scientists, inventors, and educators. Click Read More for more photos.

The Dean’s Award Fund surpassed $150,000 this week thanks to Tommy and Gunnar, two companions of a donor to the fund. A number of faculty and staff have begun to make donations in honor of their pets, and the College has responded by publishing photos of the honorees on the Dean’s Award website. The trend began when a faculty member pledged a monthly donation in her puppy’s honor. After the College posted the puppy’s photo on the Dean’s Award website, other faculty and staff began to make donations as well. “This is a great way to contribute to the College while honoring our beloved companions,” said Nancy Lind, one of the fund’s donors. The College’s top priority this year is to fully endow the awards so that each year the interest earned on the principal will pay for the awards. The College has already raised more than a third of the $400,000 needed to fully endow the awards. Every penny contributed to the fund will be added to the endowment principal, which can never be spent. This means that each contribution will continue to support the College year after year—forever!

A College of Arts and Sciences team claimed victory in a spelling bee in support of children’s literacy last Thursday night. The bee was sponsored by First Book McLean County, a charitable organization that provides books to low-income children. The College team, which beat out 14 other teams, consisted of Assistant Dean Deborah Fox, Administrative Fellow Nathalie op de Beeck, and Senior Associate Dean Sam Catanzaro. The event raised $10,000.