Liberal arts alumni return to campus Thursday

SIUC's College of Liberal Arts welcomes back some of its most successful alumni this week to honor their accomplishments and give them the opportunity to share their insights with current students.

Alumni Recognition Day is set for Thursday, March 30, and will include panel discussions and presentations by the diverse group of 10 returning alumni. They include an accomplished singer songwriter, bank vice president, an author/screenplay writer, a criminal investigator and a professor of psychology who also is president of his own mental health consulting firm, among others.

Shirley Clay Scott, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, created the alumni program six years ago to showcase the many paths SIUC liberal arts graduates take.

Thursday morning, members of the group will visit their old academic departments, meet with students and talk to faculty.

That afternoon, they will break into two panels to discuss their experiences at SIUC and professionally, and offer career advice. SIUC students are welcome to attend the events, which are free and open to the public as well.

The first panel meets from 2 to 3 p.m. at the University Museum auditorium, Faner Hall. Panelists and their areas of study include:

• Jana Chambers, paralegal studies
• Kara Firestone, anthropology and museum administration
• David Lattan, theater
• John Medwedeff, art and design
• Thomas Trice, administration of justice

The second panel meets from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Marion Kleinau Theater in the Communications Building. Panelists and their areas of study include:

• Richard Hunter, psychology
• James Lively, geography & environmental resources
• John McNally, English
• Darryl Phinnessee, music
• Andrea Turner, speech communication

-- Tim Crosby