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Volume 96, Issue 167, 8 pages
Fire destroys local city landmarks, kills firefighter
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t’s just a sad day for Pinckneyville because I’ve seen what it used to be, and I see what it is now. These buildings were here in the early 1900s, and they’re gone now. — August Kellerman Pinckneyville mayor
TARA KULASH Daily Egyptian Flames burst through the windows of the Kunz Opera House in Pinckneyville as a horrific fire consumed two landmarks and resulted in the tragic death of a young firefighter. The fire, which consumed the downtown Antique Mall and Kunz Opera House, broke out shortly after 3 p.m. Friday. During the fire a wall on the east side of the Antique Mall collapsed on Corey Shaw, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter from DuQuoin, while he was on a ladder. Shaw was rushed to Pinckneyville Community Hospital and then airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis where he died Friday evening. Shaw became a volunteer firefighter in July 2010 for the DuQuoin Fire Department and was the son of DuQuoin’s fire chief, Bob Shaw. Emergency personnel from Pinckneyville and Perry County, as well as DuQuoin, Tamaroa, Coulterville and Sparta, were all present for the fire. The American Red Cross provided food and supplies to the workers. Firefighters at the scene gathered to pray for Shaw. They rang a bell in his honor and raised flags in DuQuoin at half-staff. Mayor August Kellerman said he’s lived in Pinckneyville his entire life and took office about a month and a half ago. He said the fire was a loss for the community. “It’s just a sad day for Pinckneyville because I’ve seen what it used to be, and I see what it is now,â€? Kellerman said. “These buildings were here in the early 1900s, and they’re gone now.â€? Kellerman said a furniture lot burned down on the same street years ago. He said he’s positive the city will try to rebuild in the area. “We’re thankful for all the fire departments coming to help,â€? he said. “One good thing about living in a small town, you get help from other communities around.â€? Tracy Stephens, of Pinckneyville, said she was next door for a hair cut when the fire broke out. “My hairdresser and I were just talking, and a gentleman came in and said ‌ the ladies might want to move their vehicles, because they thought the back of the Antique Mall was on fire,â€? Stephens said. “We came out and there was smoke, and this is what we’re left with.â€? She said the fire didn’t seem very bad until firefighters broke windows and the flames emerged. Additional light equipment was brought to the scene so personnel could continue cleanup through the night. The building owners, Ron and Sherry Ridgeway, lived in an apartment above the store with their son, his girlfriend and their grandson. They said the fire chief told them if they had found out about the fire only five minutes later, they would have been trapped in the building. The Ridgeways made it out with no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
BROOKE GRACE | DAILY EGYPTIAN
A fire in Pinckneyville Friday afternoon burned an antique mall and the Kunz Opera House to the ground in the town square. Fire departments and emergency
workers from surrounding towns and counties flocked to help control the massive two building fire. Corey Shaw, a firefighter from Du Quoin, died while battling the fire.
SIUC names liberal arts, engineering deans Warwick looks to improve college resources
Leonard emphasizes collaboration within college
ASHLEIGH BROWN Daily Egyptian
WHITNEY WAY Daily Egyptian
Upon recognition by the SIU Board of Trustees, Dr. John J. Warrick will be named the new dean of the College of Engineering. Warwick is currently the acting vice president for Academic Affairs of the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Desert Research Institute. He is also the Executive Director of the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at the Desert Research Institute. Chancellor Rita Cheng announced his appointment June 10. “I am excited to be joining SIUC as Dean of Engineering due to widespread support on campus, from the Chancellor through the College of Engineering faculty and students, for moving the college forward in positive ways,� Warwick said. Engineering students such as Adam Watkins and Luke Pierce said they would like to see changes made within the department. Watkins and Pierce are both graduate students in electrical and computer engineering and said the equipment in the college should be updated. “Most equipment that we get for research is usually
Kimberly Kempf-Leonard, the new dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said she looks forward to facing challenges head-on. “I know it’s going to be a big job, but I know the college very well ‌ with help and support of the university and faculty, we will do great things for the [Liberal Arts] college,â€? Kempf-Leonard said. Kempf-Leonard said she felt a new sense of responsibility after her appointment by Chancellor Rita Cheng June 13 and immediately began considering solutions to the challenges the College of Liberal Arts faces. Kempf-Leonard said her goals for the college include new student programs and developing new majors and minors. She said she hopes to improve the budget deficit problem and diversify the academic curriculum. “A goal I really want to emphasize is collaborating with different departments of the college,â€? Kempf-Leonard said. “It’s important that students get a well-rounded sense of education.â€? Kempf-Leonard said she wants to employ research collaborations and cross-listed courses that incorporate the academics of
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PROVIDED BY JOHN BYRNE
John Warwick was appointed by Chancellor Rita Cheng to be the new dean of the College of Engineering. about eight years old,� Watkins, from Mason City, said. Along with more up-todate equipment for research, Pierce, from Wauconda, said more faculty is needed to better prepare students for jobs after graduation. “A lot of courses here seem to stay more theoretical which is good, but in the real world you’re not going to be sitting around doing equations,� Pierce said. “You're going to be using tools presented to you on a computer. It doesn’t seem like the 400-level courses really introduce you to those programs.� Please see ENGINEERING | 3
am excited to be joining SIUC as Dean of Engineering due to widespread support on campus, from the Chancellor through the College of Engineering faculty and students, for moving the college forward in positive ways. — Dr. John J. Warrick elected dean for the college of engineering
PROVIDED BY SALUKI TIMES
Kimberly Kempf-Leonard is the newly elected Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and was the only current SIUC professor in the running for the position. many departments into the student curriculum. Cheng said KempfLeonard was selected because of her achievements as the department of criminology and criminal justice chair. She said Kempf-Leonard introduced new programs such as her department’s doctoral program. SIUC Provost John Nicklow said Kempf-Leonard was chosen because she displayed intricate knowledge and interest in the college. He said Kempf-Leonard presented creative ideas which he believed would improve the college with short and longterm goals. Please see LIBERAL ARTS | 3
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know it’s going to be a big job, but I know the college very well ‌ with help and support of the university and faculty, we will do great things for the [Liberal Arts] college. — Kimberly Kempf-Leonard elected dean for the college of liberal arts