April 27, 2007

Externs gain valuable on-the-job experience

by Kathy Dillard

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale studens traveled all over the country, from Florida to Colorado and from New York to right here in Illinois, during the recent spring break. But these students weren't your typical students. These students were up every morning at 8 a.m., donning professional attire and attending business meetings as externs.

The Extern Program, established by the SIU Alumni Association in 1984, provides college juniors and seniors with the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience while still in school. Students are matched with successful alumni and friends and give up their spring break in order to work with professionals from their chosen career fields.

Tuesday Ashner, SIU Alumni Association director of campus programs, described the importance of the program for students.

"Florida is only a week but participating in an externship can confirm what you want to do the rest of your life," she said. "This week affords many opportunities for SIUC students to network with professionals, gain hands-on experience, enhance their resume, and get their foot in the door for jobs and internships with their sponsoring company."

For more information about the Extern Program, contact the SIU Alumni Association at 618/ 453-2408.

Extern participants in alphabetical order by hometown with grade, major, parents or spouse where available and extern employer:

Illinois

Alpha: Steve Caulkins, junior, marketing/public relations, son of Diane Caulkins, Swing of the Quad Cities, Davenport, IA

Altamont: Erin Bray, junior, accounting, daughter of Vicky Bray, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Madison, WI

Alton: Levi Hausman, senior, architecture, son of Mark and Jeri Hausman, Trivers Associates, St. Louis

Arthur: Brittany Foran, junior, accounting, daughter of John and Connie Foran, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Champaign

Aurora: Christopher Geldernick, junior, dietetics, son of Gary Geldernick, externed at University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago

Ava: Shannon Crain, junior, political science, parent Jan Crain, Gilbert, Kimmel, Huffman, Prosser, and Hewson Ltd., Carbondale

Bartelso: Andrew Beer, senior, music business, parent Joan Beer, Logic Systems Sound and Lighting Inc., St. Louis

Kenneth Byrne, junior, dietetics, son of Linda Byrne, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Carbondale

Batavia: Abbey Potter, senior, studio arts, daughter of t Jeanne Potter, Medwedeff Forge and Design, Murphysboro

Belleville: Jennifer Sharon, senior, business management, daughter of Frank and Lupe Sharon, Boeing, St. Louis

Belvidere: John-Paul Dixon, senior, aviation management, son of Paul and Lois Dixon, externed at Denver International Airport, Denver, CO

Bement: Russell Postlewait, senior, finance, son of Russell Postlewait, A.G. Edwards, Orlando, Fla.

Bensenville: Liliana Galvan, senior, architecture, daughter of Jose Galvan, VOA Associates Inc., Chicago

Benton: Jennifer Taylor, senior, accounting, daughter of Bonnie Taylor, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Harrisburg

Bethalto: Brandeana Bertels, senior, food and nutrition, Memorial Hospital, Belleville

Bloomington: Brett Barbour, junior, architectural studies, parents Leisa Barbour, BLDD Architects Inc., Decatur

Dominiece Hoelyfield, senior, radio-television, parents Mariechen Hoelyfield, WCBE 90.5 FM, Columbus, Ohio

Kirk Johnston, senior, architectural studies, son of Nancy Spangler, BLDD Architects Inc. Decatur

Bluford: Catherine Strothmann, senior, finance, daughter of Cindy Strothmann, WTCT - TV 27, Marion

Breese: Kevin Schrage, senior, management, son of Kevin Schrage, FusionStorm, San Francisco

Calumet City: Shantel Maxey, junior, management, Aldi, Valparaiso, IN

Carbondale: Saidath Alabi, senior, finance, parent Abiola Alabi, Old National Bank, Carbondale

Ricky Barr, senior, accounting, spouse Desiree Barr, Continental Airlines, Houston

Vincent Brown, senior, food and nutrition (dietetics), spouse Dolores Brown, Heartland Regional Medical Center, Marion

Logan Fleeharty, senior, automotive technology, spouse Miranda Fleeharty Cummins Inc., Columbus, Ind.

Robert Heren, senior, information systems technologies, don of Dana and Beth Heren, Boeing, St. Louis

Fresnel Houecande, junior, accounting, Deloitte, St. Louis

Gloria Hounsinou, junior, finance, daughter of Gladys Hounsinou, Old National Bank, Carbondale

Hiromasa Kambayashi, senior, finance, Harrah's Entertainment, Elizabeth, Ind.

Sam Maxwell, junior, industrial design, TEAMS Design, Chicago

Anthony Miceli, senior, marketing, Griffin Pipe Products Co. Inc., Downers Grove

Matthew Moran, senior, mechanical engineering, spouse Kerrie Moran, ETS – Lindgren, Glendale Heights

Felipe Pincheira Valdes, junior, mechanical engineering, spouse Ashley S. Cline, Moventas Inc., Portland, Ore.

Hind Rmail, senior, finance, foreign languages and literatures and Spanish, ECC Insurance Brokers, LLC, Oak Brook

James Smith, junior, marketing, at Aldi, Dwight

Timasha Udugama, junior, physiology, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Mass.

Carmi: Caleb Coston, junior, automotive technology, son of David and Marcia Coston, Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc., Chicago Regional Office, Aurora

Carterville: Melissa Anderson, senior, information systems technologies, spouse Jesse Anderson, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington

Ashley Gibson, junior, marketing and business economics, daughter of Paula Gibson, Silkworm Inc., Murphysboro

Miranda Griffith, senior, workforce education and development, Jackson County Health Department, Murphysboro

BreAnna Porter, Sophomore, accounting, spouse Daniel Porter, Walgreens, Danville

Ivan Sergeev, junior, automotive technology, host family Donald and Sherrill Evans, Cummins Inc., Columbus, Ind.

Champaign: Warren Grove, senior, architecture, parent Tom Grove, BLDD Architects Inc., Decatur

Chatham: Nathan Grintjes, junior, finance-investments, son of Judy and Case Grintjes, Boeing, St. Louis

Chester: James Gross, junior, finance, son of Bill and Joan Gross, MB Financial Bank, Lincolnwood

Chicago: Rhychell Barnes, 7642 S. Morgan St., senior, technical resource management, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago

Dennis Cooley, 10208 S. Longwood Dr., senior, accounting, daughter of Shirley Cooley, Deloitte Tax LLP, Chicago

Melvin Parks, 2514 E. 76th St., senior, cinema, Freeman Pictures, Chicago

Ronald Sandifer, 1226 W. 77 St., senior, electronic system technology, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington

Kahleliah Williams, 300 W. Hill, senior, communication design/international marketing, parent Sherry Williams, Ketchum, Chicago

Louis Keeley, 5830 S. Kenton Ave., junior, zoology, son of Helen Keeley, Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, UIUC Extension, Simpson

Countryside: Steven Mulderink, senior, management-information systems, son of Kenneth and Jerilyn Mulderink, Sentinel Technologies, Downers Grove

John Rudak, senior, industrial design, son of Carol Rudak, Metaphase Design Group Inc., St. Louis

Creal Springs: Paul Haase, junior, industrial technology, spouse LaDonna Haase, Boeing, St. Louis

Crystal Lake: Mallery Keller, junior, marketing, daughter of Mari and Guy Keller, Q Center, St. Charles

Cutler: Becky Trail, senior, communication design, daughter of Lisa Trail, St. Louis Magazine, St. Louis

Decatur: Ashley Waters, junior, industrial design, daughter of Linda Waters, Horizon Hobby Inc., Champaign

Jonathan White, senior, accounting, son of Robert and Dorothy White, ArcVision, Inc, St. Louis

DeSoto: William Winecoff, junior, economics, Illinois Trade Office, Chicago

Du Quoin: Brock Navarro, junior, interior design, son of Ric and Vickie Navarro, Carole Hiatt, Belleville

Mikah Conley, junior, accounting, parent Bruce Conley, Kerber, Eck and Braeckel LLP, Carbondale

East Peoria: Whitney Corrigan, senior, architecture, daughter of Bonnie and Dennis Corrigan, Kenyon and Associates Architects Inc., Peoria

Edwardsville: Brett Riekena, senior, finance, parents Randy and Cindi Riekena, externed at Merrill Lynch, Clayton, Mo.

Effingham: Nicole Walls, junior, zoology, daughter of Peggy Walls, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

Elburn: Adam Majerczak, senior, architectural studies, son of Dennis Majerczak, Whitney Inc., Oakbrook

Elk Grove Village: William Collier, junior, automotive technology, General Motors Corp., Flint, Mich.

Elkville: Carol Bedar, junior, finance, First Southern Bank, Carbondale

Jennifer Krelo, junior, management, daughter of Joe and Jeanne Krelo, Hyatt Regency, St. Louis

Fairfield: Bethany Simpson, junior, English, daughter of Lisa Simpson, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield

Freeport: Michael Robinson, senior, marketing, son of Cheryl Robinson, JobBound, Chicago

Geneva: Nicholas Szalko, senior, finance, son of Timothy and Shirley Szalko, Bernardi Securities, Chicago

Godfrey: Lynn Cordes, junior, dietetics, parents Dave and Liz Cordes, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis

Grantsburg: Jennifer Lietzau, senior, animal science, Faye Holt University of Illinois, Urbana

Harrisburg: Paula Lenzini, Graduate, accounting, daughter of Paul and Kathy Lenzini, Illinois Attorney General's Office, Springfield

Harvel: Leslie Clayton, junior, plant and soil science, parents James and Lori Clayton, Green View, Springfield

Harvey: Xavier Mims, junior, management, son of Vernis Mims, Aldi, Valparaiso, Ind.

Hazel Crest: Maya Chandler, senior ,accounting, daughter of Marshall Chandler, M.V. Kuper PC, Wheeling

Hecker: Brian Dugan,senior, aviation technologies specializing in avionics, Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Herrin: Shanna Crompton, senior, foreign language and International Trade; Spanish; Business Administration, parents Gina and Randall Crompton, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago

Regina Farr, senior, electronic systems technologies, Metro, St. Louis

Christopher Loss, junior, industrial design, son of Susanne and Roger Loss, BrandScope, Chicago

Highland: Julie Bickline, junior, dietetics, daughter of Michael Bickline, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis

Industry: Nathan Greuel, senior, operations management, son of Paula Greuel, Landrum and Brown, Chicago

Ingleside: Cassandra Howard, senior, accounting, daughter of Jill Howard, Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest

Jerseyville: Michelle Myers, junior, music business, daughter of Mark and Nancy Myers, Jazz at the Bistro, St. Louis

Catherine Hebert, senior, zoology, Coffeen State Fish and Wildlife Area, Coffeen

Nathan Wittman, senior, marketing, Taylor Studios Inc., Rantoul

Kewanee: Alyssa Rider, junior, food and nutrition, daughter of Stephen and Karen Rider, Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Peoria

La Place: Abraham Bain, senior, industrial design, son of Gene Bain, Masterchem Industries LL, Imperial, Mo.

Lake Forest: Tyler Yager, senior, industrial design, parent Pamela H. Yager, Morrow Design, Chicago

Lawrenceville: Michael Williams, senior, advertising/integrated marketing communication, son of Brenda and Dennis Williams, PM Publicidad, Atlanta

Lincoln: Erica Brickey, junior, foreign language and international trade and Spanish, Maine East High School, Park Ridge

Lombard: Tyler Fairbairn, senior, technical resource management, parent Barbara Fairbairn, Automotive Youth Educational Systems, Oakbrook Terrace

Lynwood: Jacqueline Craig, junior, finance, daughter of Earnest Craig, Aldi, Dwight

Manteno: Amanda Shreffler, junior, management/marketing, daughter of Michelle and Russell Shreffler, Aldi, Dwight

Marion: Jennifer Rheaume, senior, marketing, Catholic Social Services, Carbondale

Terence Yen, junior, accounting, son of Ander and Shirley Yen, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Harrisburg

Marissa: Scott Waeltz, senior, finance, son of Lucinda Waeltz, A.G. Edwards, Carbondale

Maryville: Brooke Johnson, senior, dental hygiene, Illinois Department of Public Health, Glen Carbon

Mattoon: Jessica Green, senior, architectural studies, daughter of James and Jackie Green, HKS Architects, Dallas

Moline: John VanVoltenburg, senior, computer and electrical engineering, son of Greg and Cyndi VanVoltenburg, John Deere, Silvis

Montgomery: Alejandro Figueroa, senior, marketing, Carrina Figueroa, Southern Illinois Regional Social Services, Carbondale

Mount Zion: Ashley Schwitek, junior, food and nutrition, parent Cindy Schwitek, Robert's Sysco Food Services Inc., Lincoln

Mulkeytown: Jeffery Reece, senior, university studies, business management, son of Phyllis Reece, Southern Illinois Healthcare, Carbondale

Murphysboro: Kelli Duvall, senior, accounting, daughter of Tom Duvall Boeing, St. Louis

Jacob Graff, senior, engineering technology, son of Bill and Cheryl Graff, Boeing, St. Louis

Christopher Howard, senior, architectural studies, spouse Megan Howard, H.Michael Bohnsack Architects, Carbondale

Naperville: Ross Baiza, senior, management, son of Lawrence Baiza, Aldi, Valparaiso, Ind.

Amber Fijolek, junior, journalism, daughter of John and Cherilyn Fijolek, Daily Herald, Arlington Heights

Patrick McGovern, senior, cinema, son of Nancy McGovern, Kartemquin Films, Chicago

New Lenox: Valerie Matchus, junior, advertising, parent Margaret Matchus, Summit marketing, Itasca

Norris City: Marquis Lamp, senior, electrical engineering, son of Jane Lamp, AmerenCIPS, Marion

Northbrook: Kiel Fields, junior, political science, parents Reid and Ginny Fields, Klein Dub and Holleb Limited, Highland Park

Oak Forest: Michael Sucharski, senior, architectural studies, son of Susan Kawka-Sucharski, Design Construction Concepts, Northbrook

Oak Park: Matthew Duffy, senior, production, son of Linda Duffy, ESPN Boston, Charlestown, Mass.

Oblong: Kylie Smith, junior, accounting, parent Diana Smith, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Robinson

Okawville: Kristen Bening, junior, marketing, parent Jackie Bening, Jazz at the Bistro St. Louis

Orland Park: Steven LaVelle, senior, finance, son of Mark LaVelle, Wachovia Securities, Naperville

Jennifer Spengler, junior, marketing, daughter of Ronald and Arlene Spengler, MB Financial Bank, Lincolnwood

Palatine: Andrea Arnieri, junior, philosophy, daughter of Frank Arnieri, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Chicago

Palmyra: Amy Quarton, junior, psychology, daughter of Terry Quarton, Perry County Counseling Center, Du Quoin

Peoria Heights: Mitchell Hedrick, junior, management, son of Martin Paul Hedrick eStar Transport, Morton

Percy: Rebecca Rickenberg, associate degree, architecture, daughter of Curtis and Nancy Rickenberg, Mackey Mitchell Associates, St. Louis

Pinckneyville: Fahran Robb, senior, agricultural information, daughter of Sam and Myrna Robb, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, Edwardsville

Poplar Grove: Andrew Brunner, junior, management, son of Charles Brunner, Boeing, St. Louis

Red Bud: Chad Litton, senior, industrial technology, son of Sheila Litton, Boeing, St. Louis

Jason Salger, senior, architectural studies, son of David and Jean Salger, ArcVision, Inc., St. Louis

Rosemont: Kelli Jo Wellman, junior, psychology, daughter of Betty and Matthew Zelasco, Perry County Counseling Center, Du Quoin

Salem: Kelsey Perkins, junior, finance, Cindy Eller, Federated Insurance, O'Fallon

Sesser: Byford Boyd, senior, accounting and management information systems, parent Susan Boyd, Walgreens Co., Mt. Vernon

Sesser: Teresa Wright, junior, accounting, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Harrisburg

Speer: Emily Virden, senior, music business, daughter of Beth Virden, Clear Channel Radio, Marion

Springfield: Caitlin Carr, junior, art history, daughter of Debby Carr, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield

Craig DiScala, senior, automotive technology, son of Michael and Karen DiScala, General Motors Corp. Flint, Mich.

Libra McNeese, junior, music business, parent LaVern McNeese, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Springfield

Stockton: Anthony Carton, senior, industrial design, son of Anthony M. Carton, Metaphase Design Group Inc., St. Louis

Streator: Allison Burroughs, junior, finance, daughter of Connie Burroughs, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington

Matthew Spaniol, junior, electronic systems technologies, don of Phillip and Diane Spaniol, Field Museum, Chicago

Sugar Grove: Ryan Gengler, senior, aviation management, son of Jeff and Debbie Gengler, Landrum and Brown, Chicago

Sutter: Michele Harness, senior, food and nutrition, son of Brent and Laura Harness, Blessing Hospital, Quincy

Taylorville: Brian Stephens, senior, international economics, son of Janet C. Stephens, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Denver

Teutopolis: Matthew Stevens, junior, forest resources management, son of Brenda Stevens, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Murphysboro

Thomasboro: Lindsey Millar, junior, dietetics, parent Debbie Millar, Carle Clinic Association, Urbana

Tinley Park: Craig Hooker, junior, marketing, son of Gary and Kim Hooker, Ketchum, Chicago

Walsh: Mariah Snider, senior, industrial design/Graphic Design, Arthur Agency, Carbondale

Warrenville: Lanie Johnson, senior, interior design, parent Sherri Graham, externed at ArcVision, Inc., St. Louis

Waterloo: Brandon Kloepper, senior, automotive technology, son of Ken Kloepper, American Honda Motor Co., Troy, Ohio

Wheeling: Dennis Melnikov, senior, management, son of Olga and Valentin Melnikov, Prism Retail Services, Itasca

Wood Dale: Jonie McHugh, senior, automotive technology, parent John McHugh, Ford Motor Co., Service Engineering Operations, Allen Park, Mich.

Colorado

Fort Collins: Ruli Boone, senior, foreign language and International Trade, Denver International Airport, Denver

Florida

Orlando: Brian Kerby, 2850 Eagle Lake Drive, senior, management-entrepreneurship, son of Win and Jan Kerby, Florida Yacht Charters and Sales Inc., Miami Beach, Fla.

Georgia

Stokes: Nigel Yin, senior, finance, Harrah's Entertainment, Elizabeth, Ind.

Indiana

Indianapolis: Sarah McMahon, 10721 Charlemagne Drive, senior, radio-television, daughter of William McMahon, South By Southwest, Austin, Texas

Kentucky

Madisonville: Ryan Alexander, senior, electrical engineering, AmerenIP, Belleville, Ill.

Minnesota

Brooklyn Park: Steven Warren, junior, electrical and computer engineering, son of Barbara Warren-Bloms, Boeing, St. Louis

Missouri

Ballwin: Duke Pfitzinger, junior, physiology, son of Karen L. Pfitzinger, Midwest Heart Group, St. Louis