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Charter members of WIU's Eta Epsilon chapter of the Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society. Front row, L to R: Guada Cabedo-Timmons, Holly Stovall, Patti Jones, Barbara Ribbens, Dana Vizdal, Beate Wilson, Bea Wehrly; Back row, L to R: Davison Bideshi, Steve Kaesdorf, Kevin Bacon, Marko Kranjc, Maria Montalvo, Candace Winters-March, Jeannie Woods, John Carlson, Kevin Timlin, Jack McKinnon, Jack Thomas, Terry Rodenberg, Leonie Meijer, Emily Gorlewski, David Behymer
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WIU Eta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Garners Outstanding Regional Chapter Award

May 12, 2010

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MACOMB, IL -- "World's Shared Knowledge," the motto of the Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society, is taken to heart by Western Illinois University's fairly recently established Eta Epsilon chapter. The chapter, which held its first induction ceremony in Fall 2009, has already garnered an award for its activities to share knowledge and advance international educational understanding. Kevin Timlin, assistant director of Western's Center for International Studies and the chapter coordinator, noted that to be recognized in the first year of the Eta Epsilon chapter's existence is quite an honor.

"We were recently notified about our Regional Outstanding Chapter Award. We were nominated by the regional vice president of the Phi Beta Delta organization, which honored us for our upcoming 'Western Community, Global Opportunities' program. The program is currently in production, will air on UTV3 and will share knowledge about WIU's international education pursuits," he explained. "The show, which will be an ongoing series, is comprised of 15-minute segments that will each highlight the international activities going on around campus. For example, a show will feature faculty members who are involved with international research or a student-oriented international educational activity or event taking place on or around the Macomb campus."

According to Timlin, the aim of the Eta Epsilon chapter is to recognize and encourage high professional, intellectual, academic and personal achievements in the field of international education. The chapter encourages international programming and promotes the exchange of ideas and information among an interdisciplinary network of faculty, staff, students, community members and alumni involved in international endeavors.

"As of right now, we have 25 members. The first membership class was only open to faculty, staff, alumni and Macomb community members. But, starting in the Fall 2010 semester, we will also induct qualified students into the chapter," Timlin said.

As for the "'Western Community, Global Opportunities" television program, Timlin noted the current plan is to produce and air three to four shows per semester.

"We'll use the show to promote our Eta Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Delta, and we hope this award will give our membership drive a bit of momentum in the Fall semester, as well," he said.

For more information about Western's Eta Epsilon chapter, contact Timlin at (309) 298-2485 or KJ-Timlin@wiu.edu. Learn more about WIU's Center for International Studies and study abroad program at wiu.edu/international. For more information about Phi Beta Delta, visit www.phibetadelta.org. For the UTV3 (University Television Channel 3) programming schedule, visit www.wiu.edu/utv/utv3.html.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing