Welcome to our World!

Over the past five years, Eastern Illinois University’s Faculty Development office has made significant contributions to the EIU learning community of scholars. Our motto, “Promoting the Wholesome Professor, while Providing Teaching, Research, and Service,” is based on five strands: physically fit, mentally ready, emotionally healthy, scholastically prepared, and socially engaged. Alexander and Helen Astin’s and Jennifer Lindholm's national study of spirituality in higher education finds that for both faculty and students, the search for wholeness, authenticity, renewal, meaning and purpose is central. Because of the various demands on the lives of academicians, conversations and dialogue on a holistic approach to faculty development are essential, requiring focus on the individual as well as the teacher within the learning community as a whole.

As an institution, we have responded by providing workshops, seminars, mentors, special receptions, faculty appreciation days, and national speakers to motivate, encourage and propel you to continue to enhance your journey as an academician. And you are a vital part of our success! You have encouraged new faculty by serving as mentors or simply with your presence at functions. As mid-career and veteran faculty, your dedication has been the hallmark of true leaders and you have served as role models in the areas of teaching, research and service. Life-long learning in the academy is essential and this year’s fall speaker, Dr. Saundra McGuire will present on learning styles on November 6, 2008 and Dr. Barbara Walvoord will present on academic rigor and success on April 1 and 2, 2009.

On behalf of President William Perry and Provost Blair Lord, we want to make certain that Faculty Development continues to be a rich resource for improving teaching and learning. We are working with each College Dean to provide opportunities to thrive in whatever area of Boyer’s work you are talented, whether in teaching, application, discovery or integration. As we strive to be the best in the nation in the integrated academic and personal development, we encourage you to attend workshops that apply to your specific needs so that we can grow together and better serve our students, beyond specific pedagogical or disciplinary contexts.

As we continue to thrive to be a relationship-driven campus, we have instituted an Academic Thriving through Teamwork Fair (TTT) which was August 27, 2008 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom and the University Ballroom. We will ended the day with karaoke with faculty at AJ’s Restaurant. Finally, our 4th Annual Faculty Appreciation Day to celebrate “YOU,” co-sponsored by Campus Recreation, was held September 19, 2008 from 6:00 – 9:00pm. Registration for future events can be found at http://cats.eiu.edu/FacultyDevelopmentRegistration/index.asp

We wish you a productive year at EIU, where we believe in the importance of teaching and learning, giving and receiving, mentoring, modeling and growing our own in order to enhance those we serve, our students!

Remember, there can be NO new beginning without YOU!

Dr. Mildred M. Pearson

References

Astin, A., Astin, H. and Lindholm, J. (2008) Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose. Higher Education Research Institute.University of California, Los Angeles, CA. Accessed from http://spirituality.ucla.edu/research/index.html  

Boyer, E. L. (1990).  Scholarship reconsidered:  New priorities for the professoriate. Princeton, NJ:  The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.