Former SIUC dean dies at 81

Robert A. McGrath, a retired political science professor and former dean of Admissions and Records for SIUC, died Dec. 28 in San Diego. He was 81.

McGrath, who was from Hays, Kan., joined SIUC as a government professor. Before that, he taught at University of Kansas.

While at SIUC, he was president of the Illinois Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. As such, he assisted the Illinois Board of Higher Education in studying relationships between high schools, junior colleges and universities.

McGrath retired from the University in 1977, but he continued to teach part time for a short time.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State College in 1938 and his master’s degree and doctorate from Iowa State University in 1939 and 1947.

During World War II, he was a U.S. Army tactical officer. He headed the personnel office at the Weldon Spring, Mo. federal arsenal. He also counseled veterans in Kansas City.

McGrath was born July 10, 1916, in Galesville, Wis. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Melva Homeyer McGrath. He is survived by his second wife Dorothy Stroman, and his son Stephen A. McGrath.

SIU and Faculty Association reach settlement

SIU and the SIU Faculty Association, reached a settlement in the unfair labor practice charges the Association filed against the University in September. The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board must approve the agreement before it becomes final, but approval is expected.

The Association claimed the University excluded it from the search for a chancellor.

SIU President Ted Sanders and Jim Sullivan, Faculty Association president, announced the settlement terms:At least one Faculty Association member will be appointed to future search and screen committees for campus administrators at the rank of dean or higher who would oversee units where bargaining unit members are located.

A Faculty Association interview committee consisting of five members will be allowed the chance to participate in the selection process for a new SIUC chancellor. After interviews, the committee will give evaluations of the finalists to the Chancellor Search and Screen Committee and President Sanders.

The SIU administration and the Faculty Association agreed the settlement does not mean that either SIU or President Sanders violated the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.

Campaign finance symposium forthcoming

SIUC’s Public Policy Institute is planning the first of three meetings that will tackle the issue of campaign finance reform.

The project made possible in part by a $50,000 grant received by the Joyce Foundation.

One of the goals of the project is to provide one piece of campaign finance legislation to present to the state legislators, said Michael J. Lawrence, associate director of the Public Policy Institute.

Lawrence, along with former senator and Public Policy Institute Director Paul Simon, plan to create a committee made up of 16 legislators from both parties representing the House and the Senate and representatives from certain interest groups.

This committee will discuss the problems associated with campaign finance and create some models for finance reform.

No date has been set for the symposium.

Lonestar Steakhouse and Saloon opened Dec. 29 in Carbondale.

The restaurant is located at 1160 E. Main, in the building that formerly housed Shoney’s.

The Carbondale City Council approved the Class A-2 liquor license for the restaurant at the Dec. 16 meeting.

SIUC students charged in forgery ring

A two-year investigation ended in December as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois Secretary of State Police charged four former SIUC students, one current SIUC student and a Carbondale businessman with violations relating to a forgery ring.

The investigation concluded that more than $36,000 in counterfeit checks were allegedly cashed on business accounts from Jackson County during a three- to four-month period starting in March 1995.

The former and current SIUC students include:Vincent Anzelone, 25, of Lisle; Erin L. Cavanaugh, 24, of Gillespie; Alvin Danguilan, 23, of Skokie; Jason Subick, 26, of New Lenox; and Torrey A. Waterson, 26, of Bellville.

Mark Vanover, 37, of Bellville, is charged with obstructing justice in the incident. Vanover operates a automobile repair shop in Carbondale.

The five students allegedly tried to hide their real identities by producing fake driver’s licenses to match the information on phony checks.

Authorities also believe that the charged individuals were using computer equipment to make and sell fake University grade cards and tickets to Greek events at SIUC.

Cavanaugh, charged with conspiracy to commit forgery, felony theft, forgery and possession of fraudulent drivers licenses with intent to commit deception, allegedly used her job at First National Bank and Trust Co. of Carbondale, 509 S. University Ave., to photocopy payroll checks as they were cashed.

The initial court date for those charged is Jan. 15 in Jackson County Circuit Court.

Mother awaits trial for daughter’s death

Apollonia C. Thomas, 30, of Carbondale, awaits an undetermined court date after she was ruled mentally competent to stand trial in December for the Oct. 18 shooting death of her 5-year-old daughter, Victoria.

Thomas, facing three counts of first-degree murder, was described by a court-appointed psychologist as being profoundly depressed. Defense attorneys are deciding whether or not to pursue an insanity plea.

On Oct. 18, Carbondale Police received a call from Thomas’ brother in Georgia, who said his sister called his mother and told her that she shot her baby. Based on that call, Carbondale Police and a Jackson County Ambulance went to the apartment building located at 3016 W. Sunset Dr.

Thomas allegedly told Victoria that they were going to play hide and seek, then had her daughter hold a towel over her face while she shot her.

Police negotiated with Thomas for about an hour before she surrendered. Victoria was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale and pronounced dead.

Thomas is being held at the Jackson County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond.