Notable

John L. Sexton, professor of geology, will present two research projects at the joint meeting of the North-Central and South-Central Sections of the Geological Society of America, set for April 11-13 at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. About 450 geoscientists will attend the meeting, hosted by the Kansas Geological Survey and the University of Kansas departments of geology and geography.

Sexton worked on a project titled "Geophysical Surveying on the Southern Terrace of Cahokia's Monks Mound," which used several methods to look beneath the ground for evidence of past human occupation. Researchers used several instruments, including electrical resistivity, electromagnetic conductivity and magnetics. The various instruments used revealed and correlated many anomalies. The results also showed the complimentary nature of the data and its usefulness in identifying potential excavation sites in archaeologically significant sites such as the Cahokia Mounds, which was the largest and most complex native society in North America.

Sexton also worked on a project titled "Seismic Reflection Investigation of the Inman East Fault in the Wabash Valley Fault Zone." That project examined the nature of the faulting in that area, especially in regard to the Springfield No. 5 coal seam in the area.

Ike Mathur, the Henry J. Rehn professor of finance, at SIUC's College of Business and Administration is the new managing editor of the Journal of Banking and Finance, a top-ranking publication of world economic and financial research.

Mathur takes on the role role beginning Jan. 1, 2008. He follows in the footsteps of Giorgio Szegö, one of the founders and managing editor of the Journal for the past 31 years.

The Journal of Banking and Finance is a prestigious journal for publishing papers in finance. It is generally rated among the top five finance journals, and accepts about 11 percent of manuscripts submitted for publication.

Mathur will oversee the refereeing and selection process for papers submitted to the Journal. His extensive editorial experience includes founding and editing the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, and the Journal of Multinational Financial Management for the past 18 years.

During his time in the college, Mathur has served as interim dean, chair of the Department of Finance and director of doctoral programs. He is the author or co-author of more than 110 articles and numerous books. In 1983, Mathur was Fulbright professor of international business at Turku School of Economics in Finland and in 1993, he was a Fulbright professor of international finance at Portuguese Catholic University in Portugal.

Mathur joined the SIUC faculty in 1977. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Michigan University and a doctoral degree from University of Cincinnati.

Carl W. Ervin, coordinator of student development for SIUC's Multicultural Programs and Services, presented the program, "Respect, Diversity, Globalization: The World of Tomorrow, Today," on April 2, at the ACPA/NASPA joint meeting in Orlando, Fla. The two student affairs organization's combined meeting, which happens once every 10 years, was March 31-April 4. More than 9,000 people attended the conference.

George Cotton Sr.

George R. Cotton Sr. is the associate director of institutional advancement for the College of Science. He will organize, coordinate and administer strategies to enhance development efforts for the college.

Cotton will work in support of SIUC's current goal to secure more than $100 million during its first comprehensive campaign, Opportunity Through Excellence, which seeks to raise funds supporting the people, places, and programs of the University.

Cotton spent the last 24 years of his professional career serving various non-profit organizations in St. Louis. He joins SIUC's staff after completing a three-year stint as executive director of R.E.A.C.H., a St. Louis-based HIV/AIDS advocacy center. Cotton's career also includes tenures as professional development facilitator to the St. Louis public schools, urban youth specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Service, and executive director of the Greater East St. Louis Community Foundation.

Cotton received a bachelor's degree in commercial art in 1980, and a master's degree in political science in 1982, both from Arkansas State University.