May 09, 2008

Students gain practical experience as externs

by Kathy Dillard

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Getting up at 8 a.m., donning professional attire and attending business meetings may not be typical college Spring Break behavior, but for Southern Illinois University Carbondale extern students that was the norm -- even if they were in Florida or Colorado or other typical Spring Break locales.

Students gear up for "extern week," which coincides with Spring Break, with the same level of excitement and anticipation as their vacationing counterparts. SIUC externs, though, end up at places like Country Music Television in Nashville, NBC offices, Continental Airlines, CareerBuilder.com and the Shriners' Hospital for Children in St. Louis, where they get a taste of their future careers.

The SIU Alumni Association established the SIUC Extern Program in 1984. It provides college juniors and seniors the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience while still in school. Students shadow SIUC alumni or friends of the University who are professionals in the students' chosen fields.

"Florida is only a week, but the extern program can confirm what you want to do the rest of your life," Tuesday Ashner, SIU Alumni Association director of student, college and constituent relations, said. "This week affords many opportunities for students to build their resume while enhancing hands-on experience in their career fields."

For more information about the extern program and how to participate in future "Extern Week" opportunities either as a professional or as a student, contact the SIU Alumni Association at 618/453-2408.

Here is a list, by hometown, of the 2008 SIUC extern participants:

Illinois

Alton: Hollie Funkhouser, wife of Bryan Haupt, a junior in management, at Aldi in Valparaiso, Ind.

Arlington Heights: Allison Geers, daughter of Daniel and Marlene Geers, a junior in architectural studies, Legat Architects, Inc., Waukegan; Amber Fijolek, daughter of John Fijolek, a senior in journalism and Spanish, JobBound in Chicago; Brandi Bodie, daughter of Tony Bodie, a junior in accounting, CNA in Chicago; Joseph Stone, son of Ruth Graf, a junior in management, CareerBuilder.com in Chicago; Lydia Bargielski, daughter of Kathy Bargielski, a junior in journalism, Chicago Tribune in Chicago; Michael Franz, son of Stephen Franz, a junior in finance, MB Financial in Rosemont.

Bartlett: Robyn LoVecchio, daughter of Karen LoVecchio, a junior in radio/television, mo/de in Chicago.

Beach Park: Kimberly Bell, daughter of Kimberly King, a senior in psychology, SIRSS, Carbondale.

Belleville: Kendra Belleville, daughter of Debbie Belleville, a junior in accounting, Deloitte and Touche, St. Louis; Lori Jones, daughter of James and Bonnie Jones, a junior in speech communication, Vanderbilt Coalition for Healthy Aging, Nashville, Tenn.; Brandon Svec, son of Mary Svec, a junior in finance and marketing, MB Financial, Rosemont; Thomas Wilson, son of Vicki Valentine, a senior in mathematics, Boeing, St. Louis.

Benton: Trinity Allison, wife of Jared Allison, a junior in food and nutrition, St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, Effingham; Ashley Baker, daughter of Robbie Baker, a senior in interior design, Carole Hiatt, Belleville; Sarah Schultz, daughter of Terri Schultz, a senior in accounting, SIU Credit Union, Carbondale.

Bloomington: Bryan Fike, son of Rodney Fike, a junior in architectural studies, BLDD Architects, Inc., Decatur; Eric Rumpel, son of Marline Lowe, a senior in management of information systems, Landrum and Brown, Chicago.

Bolingbrook: Shanin Marshall, husband of Anise Marshall, a junior in accounting, Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest.

Carbondale: Ryan Alexander, son of Rachel Carroll, a senior in electrical engineering, Ameren IP, Belleville; Douglass Bitner, husband of Brandi Bitner, a senior in university studies and pre-law, Gilbert, Kimmel, Huffman, Prosser and Hewson, Ltd., Carbondale; James Jones, son of Billie Meyer, a senior in zoology, Animal Disease Laboratory, Centralia; Jake McCann, son of Gina McCann, a junior in architectural studies, Trivers Associates, St. Louis; Justin Odum, son of Terry Odum, a junior in industrial technology, Boenig, St. Louis; Pamela Orange, daughter of Fredricka Orange, a graduate student in rehabilitation administration, Franklin-Williamson Human Services Inc., West Frankfort; Kilby Osborn, family of Tamara Holt, a junior in physiology, Southern Illinois Orthopedic Center, Herrin; Rina Park, family of Simon Kim, a senior in fashion design and merchandising, Executive Wardrobe by Lou Deal, Chicago; Lydia Penrod, daughter of Tania Penrod, a junior in animal science, University of Illinois, Urbana; Amanda Rabideau, daughter of Ruth Ann Rabideau, a junior in physiology, River to River Heart Group, Marion; Antonio Santoro, partner of Isabel Madeira, a senior in management information systems, Sentinel Technologies, Downers Grove; Syed Shah, son of Saqib Khah, a junior in management, Hilton at the Ballpark, St. Louis; Nicole Williams, a junior in marketing, SIU Athletics, SIUC; Bobby Williams Jr, partner of Wendy Dudley, a senior in electrical engineering, Ameren CIPS, Marion; Scott Wilmouth, son of April Wilmouth, a senior in accounting, Kemper CPA Group, LLP., Harrisburg; Anthony Fox, husband of Naoko Fox, a senior in finance, Old National Bank, Carbondale; Laura Hayes, daughter of Joe and Toni Hayes, a junior in accounting, Kemper CPA Group, LLP., Harrisburg.

Carterville: Ashley Gibson, daughter of Paula Gibson, a senior in accounting, Continental Airlines, Houston, Texas

Centreville: Shanika Cleveland, daughter of Debra Cleveland, a senior in accounting, Silkworm, Inc., Murphysboro.

Chadwick: Hillary Popejoy, daughter of Debbie Daehler, a senior in speech communication, Shriners' Hospitals for Children, St. Louis.

Chester: Michelle Rust, daughter of Gary and Debbie Rust, a junior in speech communication, Dixon Schwabl, Victor, N.Y.; Ronald Wagner, son of Cindy Wagner, a junior in history, Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, Prairie du Rocher.

Chicago: Jamel Darling, son of Joyce Darling, a senior in radio/television, South Suburban College, Chicago; Kaitlin Dorn, daughter of John and Kori Dorn, a junior in architectural studies, Ray Black and Son, Inc., Paducah; Whitney Evans, daughter of Lorene Evans, a senior in psychology, Juvenile Probation and Court Services, Chicago; Jakina Hill, daughter of Sharon Hill, a senior in journalism, Chicago Bride Magazine, Chicago; Shaun Lakeberg, husband of Jennifer Lakeberg, a senior in aviation technologies, Air Evac Lifeteam, West Plains, Mo.; Tiphani Lenoir, daughter of April Jones, a senior in advertising, Draft FCB, Chicago; Clayton Lindsey, son of Annette Lindsey, a junior in electrical engineering technology, WSIL-TV3, ABC, Carterville; Isabel Madeira, daughter of Karian Belache, a junior in economics and finance, Thomas Vega-Byrnes, LLC, Chicago; Lida McDaniel, daughter of Dorothy McDaniel, a senior in foreign language – international public service, Amnesty International USA-Midwest, Chicago; Phylicia Noel, daughter of Patricia Noel, a senior in psychology, Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., Chicago; Jessica Oles, daughter of Anne Oles, a senior in marketing, CareerBuilder.com, Chicago; Eden Tekle, daughter of Geriges Gebre, a senior in management, Aldi, Valparaiso, Ind.

Christopher: Jennifer Krelo, daughter of Joe and Jeanne Krelo, a senior in management, Columbia Records Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.

Collinsville: Mark Morton, son of Charla Morton, a junior in finance, Merrill Lynch, Clayton, Mo.

Custer Park: Aleksandar Stojcevski, son of Milena Belcik, a senior in architectural studies, Image Architects, Inc., Carbondale.

Danville: Megan Truscelli, daughter of Beth Truscelli, a senior in speech communication, Clear Channel Radio, Marion.

DeKalb: Joseph Kullman, son of Dan Kullman, a junior in automotive technology, Cummins, Inc., Columbus, Ind.

De Soto: Sarah Fletcher, daughter of David and Christy Fletcher, a junior in finance, Wachovia Securities, Carbondale.

Dixon: Joanne Steffens, daughter of Susan Steffens, a junior in interior design, Whitney, Inc., Oakbrook, Ill.

Downers Grove: Alexander Kochno, son of Taras and Lidia Kochno, a senior in business management, Dawn VME Products, Freemont, Calif.

Du Quoin: Jason Ramsey, husband of Amy Ramsey, a junior in accounting, Kerber, Eck and Braeckel LLP, Carbondale.

East Alton: Thomas Poore, son of Jerry Poore, a junior in architectural studies, ArcVision, Inc., St. Louis.

East St. Louis: Jasmin Thurston, family of Ruby Gettis, a junior in radio/television, Logic Systems Sound and Lighting, Inc., St. Louis.

Edwardsville: Lauren Blaies, daughter of Teri Picchioldi, a junior in accounting, Edward Jones, St. Louis.

Effingham: Ashley Doty, daughter of Cindy Doty, a senior in administration of justice, Du Page County Probation and Court Services, Wheaton; Thomas Keller, son of Dean Keller, a junior in civil engineering, USDA Forest Service, Murphysboro; Scott Probst, son of Kent and Julie Probst, a senior in radio/television, WMBD, Peoria; Brandon Roedl, son of Dawn Roedl, a senior in accounting, Kemper CPA Group, LLP, Harrisburg; Erica Stead, wife of Thom Stead, a senior in fashion design and merchandising, Dancesport Designs, Allen, Texas

Eldorado: Caleigh Griffin, daughter of Jeff and Gina Griffin, a senior in healthcare management, Southern Illinois Healthcare, Carbondale.

Fairbury: April Taylor, daughter of Charles Taylor, a junior in finance, Edward Jones, St. Louis.

Fairfield: Ryan Masterson, son of Jill Masterson, a junior in accounting, Kemper CPA Group, LLP, Harrisburg; Ashley Zureliene, daughter of Dennis and Vickie Zurliene, a senior in accounting, Norman Backues and Associates, Inc., Belleville.

Forsyth: Jae-Yul Park, family of Prescott Paulin, a junior in marketing, CareerBuilder.com, Chicago.

Gifford: Bradley Miller, son of Barbara Horn, a junior in management, Banco Popular, Rosemont, Ill.

Glen Ellyn: Kevin Moll, son of Ken and Sue Moll, a junior in marketing, CareerBuilder.com, Chicago; Kathleen Stanish, daughter of Jean Stanish, a junior in radio/television, Big Shoulders Digital Video Production, Chicago.

Glenview: Frank Kriesant, husband of Kristen Kriesant, a senior in automotive technology, American Suzuki Motor Corp., Marietta, Ga.

Hanover Park: Tamara John, daughter of Patrick and Antoinette John, a junior in radio/television and Spanish, NBC, Englewood Cliffs, N. J.

Harrisburg: Tara Horton, daughter of Todd and Connie Horton, a junior in biological sciences, Harrisburg Family Practice/Primary Care Group, Harrisburg; Richard Sloan, partner of Charlotte Taborn, a senior in political science, Southern Poverty Law Center, Montgomery, Ala.

Havana: Nathaniel Sisson, son of Jeff and Linda Sisson, a senior in industrial technology, Cummins, Inc., Columbus, Ind.

Highland: Megan Henschen, daughter of Carol Henschen, a junior in management, School Center, Carbondale; Whitney Kurz, daughter of Deborah Kuhn, a junior in administration of justice, U.S. Probation Office for the Southern District of Illinois, East St. Louis.

Homewood: Jeremy Rodgers, son of Monica Mason, a junior in advertising, Draft FCB, Chicago.

Jerseyville: Katie Markham, daughter of Penny Elliot, a junior in dental hygiene, Illinois Department of Public Health, Glen Carbon, Ill.

Johnsburg: Bradley Veeck, son of Rosemary Veeck, a junior in accounting, Kemper CPA Group, LLP, Harrisburg.

Joliette: Stacey Farrar, daughter of Sherry Farrar, a junior in interior design, VOA Associates, Chicago.

Lombard: Frank Gentile, son of Judith Gentile, a senior in management, Zieba Appraisal Company, Murphysboro; Andrew Gonzales, son of Georgia McKeown, a junior in accounting, Bernardi Securities, Chicago.

Marion: Ryan Lumbattis, son of Jim and Cathy Lumbattis, a junior in marketing, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Belleville; Chelsea Romines, daughter of Linda Romines, a junior in accounting, Kemper CPA Group, LLP, Harrisburg.

Marissa: Cassie Newbold, daughter of Steven and Charlotte Newbold, a junior in advertising, Anheuser Busch, St. Louis.

Marseilles: Sara Ingold, daughter of Deborah Ingold, a senior in advertising, Draft FCB, Chicago.

Mascoutah: Katie Hoffmann, daughter of Susan Boatright, a senior in marketing, River Radio, Carterville.

Mattoon: Kate Bruehler, daughter of Ann Bruehler, a junior in advertising, Roundtable, Champaign; Jamey Dunn, daughter of Robert Dunn, a senior in speech communication, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis.

McHenry: Elizabeth Oliver, daughter of Shari Demeritt, a junior in business management, Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest, Ill.

McLeansboro: Jason Irons, son of Gretchin Irons, a senior in aviation management, Boeing, St. Louis.

Momence: Zachary Sokoloff, son of Len and Leigh Sokoloff, a senior in electrical engineering technology, Metro, St. Louis.

Mount Carmel: Tosha Calvin, daughter of Harvey Calvin, a junior in management, SMG, Evansville, Ind.

Mount Vernon: Patricia Dearing, family of Lilian Rodriguez, a junior in plant and soil science, Plantscape Nursery, Herrin, Katie Heins, daughter of Phillip and Jane Heins, a junior in interior design, Trivers Associates, St. Louis, Charity Jones, daughter of Cort and Lisa Jones, a junior in marketing, Jazz St. Louis, St. Louis, Rosanna Krug, daughter of Kim Krug, a senior in speech communication, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Chicago.

Mount Zion: Amanda Tomlinson, daughter of Patrick and Julie Tomlinson, a junior in accounting, M.V. Kuper PC, Wheeling, Ill.

Murphysboro: Justin Dewey, family of Michelle Hook, a junior in forestry, USDA Forest Service, Murphysboro.

Naperville: Jacqueline Oakes, daughter of Carol Oakes, a senior in marketing, CareerBuilder, Chicago.

Newton: Tawny Abraham, wife of Brian Abraham, a senior in interior design, Architechniques, Herrin.

Oakdale: Jonathan Waller, son of Donna Waller, a junior in business management, Hyatt Regency St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis.

Ohio: Michael Dunn, a senior in computer science, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington.

Olney: Thomas Selby, son of David and Kathe Selby, a junior in biological sciences and pre-medicine, Indiana University Emergency Medicine, Indianapolis; Lacey Wright, daughter of Jeff and Patty Wright, a junior in civil engineering, USDA Forest Service, Murphysboro.

Ottawa: Leah Biewer, daughter of Steve and Linda Biewer, a senior in aviation management, Denver International Airport, Denver; Brandon Dawson, son of Sue Anderson, a junior in automotive technology, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Schaumburg, Ill.

Palatine: Christina Causarano, daughter of William and Kathleen Iverson, a junior in industrial design, Kaleidoscope, Chicago.

Peoria: Elizabeth Brackett, daughter of Mark and Gayle Brackett, a junior in marketing, ArcVision Inc., St. Louis; Jacob Leibel, son of Carl and Kim Leibel, a junior in business and administration, WSIL-TV3 ABC, Carterville; Cristina Nelson, daughter of Pilar Nelson, a junior in physiology and pre-medicine, Southern Illinois Orthopedic Center, Herrin, John Wikoff, son of Debbie Wikoff, a senior in marketing, Peoria Pirates, Peoria.

Percy: Mary Rathert, daughter of Deb Rathert, a junior in accounting, Deloitte Tax LLP, Chicago.

Pinckneyville: Kristin Slechticky, daughter of Tirzah Slechticky, a junior in accounting, Boeing, St. Louis.

Pittsfield: Nathan Fry, son of Hallie Fry, a junior in music business, Resolution Digital Studio, Chicago.

Plainfield: Nicholas Rossa, son of Raymond Rossa, a junior in marketing, Wachovia Securities, Naperville.

Pulaski: Michael Palmisano, son of Terry and Beverly Palmisano, a senior in marketing, Taylor Studios, Inc., Rantoul.

Quincy: Eric Greenwell, son of Mary Greenwell, a senior in English, Lake Claremont Press Publishing, Chicago.

Red Bud: Ryan Kordys, son of Mary Ringering, a senior in business management and finance, Old National Bank, Carbondale; Melissa Mansker, daughter of Barbara Byrnes, a junior in photojournalism, Belleville News Democrat, Belleville; Litney Koch, daughter of Terri Koch, a senior in human nutrition and dietetics and exercise science, Memorial Hospital, Belleville.

Rockford: Jared Johnson, son of Janice Johnson, a junior in marketing, SIU Athletics, Carbondale.

Roselle: Brandon Geir, son of Denise Linsenmann, a senior in television production, Big Shoulders Digital Video Production, Chicago.

Skokie: Sander Ulysse, son of Yves Ulysse, a senior in marketing, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago.

Springfield: Erin Affrunti, daughter of Bob and Lee Affrunti, a junior in physiology and pre-medicine, New Horizons Ob-Gyn, Carbondale; Caitlin Carr, daughter of Brad and Debby Carr, a senior in art, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis; Jessica Hine, daughter of Michael Hine, a senior in music business and radio television, South by Southwest (SXSW), Austin, Texas; Matthew Humphrey, son of Linda Phegley, a senior in marketing, CareerBuilder.com, Chicago; John Pankau, son of Holly Pankau, a junior in finance, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Taylorville: Samantha Thomas, family of Richard Champley, a junior in radio/television, WCBE 90.5 FM, Columbus, Ohio.

Tinley Park: Monica Mason, daughter of Diane Mason, a junior in journalism and news editorial, Ketchum, Chicago.

Trenton: Lauren Peppenhorst, daughter of Diane Marsh, a senior in marketing, Jims Formal Wear, Trenton, Ill.

Tuscola: Jessalee Williams, daughter of Mary Williams, a senior in zoology, Illinois Department of Natural Resources -- Giant City State Park, Makanda.

Urbana: Geoffrey Clarkson, son of Jean Clarkson, a junior in architectural studies, BLDD Architects Inc., Decatur.

Venedy: Christine Lintker, daughter of Steve and Patty Lintker, a junior in accounting, Kemper CPA Group, LLP, Harrisburg.

Villa Grove: Jill Shunk, daughter of Todd Shunk, a junior in human nutrition and dietetics, St. Anthony's Hospital, Effingham.

Virden: Rachel Quinn, daughter of Susan Quinn, a junior in architectural studies, IBI Group, Denver.

Walnut: Heather Rollo, family of George Trifon, a junior in marketing, Silkworm, Inc., Murphysboro.

West Frankfort: Brianna Waller, daughter of Jan Waller, a senior in psychology, Franklin-Williamson Human Services, Inc., West Frankfort; Joni Gass, daughter of George and Mildred Gass, a senior in marketing, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Carbondale.

Wood River: Mary-Kate Bredel, daughter of Thomas Bredel, a senior in accounting, Signature Flight Support, St. Louis.

Zion: Christopher Cook, son of Rosalyn Targbe, a junior in management, Aldi, Dwight, Ill.

Alabama

Madison: Whitney Priebe, daughter of Craig Priebe, a senior in journalism and advertising, Studio One East, Chicago.

California

San Jose: Fengjun Xu, family of Kelly Hwang, a junior in finance, American Red Cross, Herrin.

Santa Ana: Dane Wilson, son of Craig and Kathy Wilson, a senior an aviation management and aviation flight, American Airlines, Chicago.

Florida

Fort Meyers: Corey Wold, son of Richard and Cherri Wold, a senior in foreign language and international trade, Illinois Trade Office, Chicago.

Iowa

Bettendorf: Erik Skjerseth, son of Nathan and Laurie Skjerseth, a senior in aviation flight/aviation management, Denver International Airport, Denver.

Missouri

St. Louis: Rhonda Glover, daughter of Yvette Glover, a junior in radio/television, Country Music Television, Nashville, Tenn.; Hai Pham, family of Cindy Pham, a senior in aviation management, Boeing, St. Louis; Rich Schmaltz, son of Frank Schmaltz, a junior in information systems technologies, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington.

Sparta: Richard Droste, family of Peggy Otten, a senior in aviation technologies, Boeing, St. Louis.

Texas

Houston: Cynthia Weatherly, daughter of Frances Weatherly, a junior in human nutrition and dietetics, Sysco, Houston.

League City: Jacquelyn McDole, daughter of Steve and Christy McDole, a senior in radio/television, Clear Channel Radio, Marion, Ill.

Students not listing hometowns:

Tyson Fnu, family of Arifin Angriawan, a junior in marketing, North American Insights, LLC, Olympia Fields, Ill.

Jinhong Min, family of Dooyoung Change, a senior in finance, CareerBuilder.com, Chicago.

KwangSub Son, family of Junghyun Moon, a junior in management, CareerBuilder.com, Chicago.

Pankaj Vij, family of Segal McCambridge, a junior in finance, Singer & Mahoney, Chicago.