Matthew B. Wheeler, Associate Professor, Animal Sciences, Director of Transgenic Animal Facility, Biotechnology Center, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Submitted by: Mildred Barnes Griggs, Dean of the College of Education

I nominate Professor Matthew Wheeler for a position on the UIUC Athletic Board. Professor Wheeler is currently filling a two-year, transitional appointment (1998-2000) on the Board and wants to continue. In this brief period of time, Professor Wheeler was elected Chair of the Athletic Board and is regarded as a strong leader. I consider it within the best interest of the UIUC for him to remain on the Board. This is a nomination for him to serve a four-year, full-term.

Professor Wheeler has served the Board in varied capacities and acquired a level of knowledge that enables him to function effectively. During his tenure on the Board, he served as a member of the Executive Committee, the CASA Committee, the Student Athlete Awards Banquet Committee, as Chair and Co-Chair of the Academic Progress and Eligibility Committee, and as a member of the NCAA Certification Committee to conduct the institutional self-study.

Professor Wheeler has a strong record of service and leadership to the University of Illinois. He currently serves as the Director of the Transgenic Animal Facility of the Biotechnology Center. He has served on numerous University (Faculty Senate appointee, Task Group on Instructional Laboratories Biotechnology Associate Director Search Committee, Quarantine Facility for Transgenic Mice Committee, Recombinant DNA and Biological Safety Committee), College of ACES (Animal Care Committee, Open House Committee), College of Veterinary Medicine (Food, Animal Medicine and Surgery Search Committee), Department of Animal Sciences (Research Committee, Curriculum Committee, UI-Online Committee, Recycling Committee, Space Allocation Committee, Chinese Swine Research Committee) national committees (Secretary and Chair, USDA Regional Project W-171 Technical Committee, USDA Animal Molecular Genetics Review Committee), and International (Chair and Editor, International Embryo Transfer Society Publications Committee).

Professor Wheeler has been the advisor for 13 graduate students (Master's and Ph.D.). He teaches four courses in reproductive/development biology and animal sciences, as well as contributing to the teaching of 12 other courses.

Professor Wheeler has been consistently rated as one of the Department of Animal Sciences' top teachers. As an example, this past semester, he was named to the Incomplete List of Faculty Ranked Excellent by Their Students. Further, he has been a finalist for the Oakley-Kunde Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education; named the Outstanding Faculty Advisor by the Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Association at the University of Illinois; and the recipient of the 1999 D. E. Becker Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Counseling, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois.

Professor wheeler holds four patents for his research in the area of gene transfer and transgenic livestock. He also has made other patentable disclosures to the RTMO. The goals of his research are: 1) to identify genes that regulate reproduction, lactation and growth; and 2) to develop methodologies to transfer and utilize these genes for the genetic improvement of livestock. I believe that Professor wheeler is a definite asset to the Board and should be allowed to continue for another four years.

Donald J. Wuebbles, Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

I am quite interested in becoming a faculty representative to the Athletic Board. There are several reasons for this interest: (1) I want to extend my involvement in furthering the excellence of the University and its programs, and (2) I have a long term interest and avocation for athletics and the athletic programs at the University of Illinois.

Relative to my qualifications for the Board, I bring extensive administrative and leadership experience. Until I resigned this summer, I was Director of the Environmental Council, which coordinates and facilitates education, research, and service on the environment across the entire campus. In this position, I was a member of the Council of Deans. In January, I will return to being Head of the Department of Atmospheric Science. I am also chair of a new committee at the University to increase the connections with the state surveys. As a scientist, in addition to my extensive publication record, I have often been chosen to be a leader in assessments and policy considerations connected to major national and international issues related to air pollution, the ozone layer and climate.

As Illinois alumni of the University with two degrees from UIUC, I have a strong understanding of the importance of our athletic programs as part of the student experience. Being an Illini has strong meaning to me. While never a gifted athlete, I participated in a number of intramural athletic activities while a student. Since then, I have continued to participate in athletics, particularly as a player, coach, and official in basketball and soccer. I also closely follow the Illini, attending most football, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, and women's soccer games and occasionally baseball, tennis and track events. In addition, I have closely followed and have a keen interest in the activities and politics within the Big Ten conference and the NCAA. I see the balance between academic and athletic achievement as continuing to be an important goal for our athletic programs.

Biographical Sketches of Student Nominees to the Athletic Board*

David E. Fletcher (College of LAW)

1. I want to become a member of the Athletic Board because of my interest and experience in intercollegiate athletics administration and the unique perspective I would add to the Board's work. I played varsity baseball as an undergraduate at William and Mary, and I hold a Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration. I worked for three years as Assistant Director of Admissions at Ball State University before coming to law school, and while the job was primarily admission-related; it included a significant athletics component as well. Those responsibilities included application review for all recruited student-athletes, assisting with the initial-eligibility certification process (working closely with the Registrar and Director of Compliance), and serving on the university's Athletic Compliance Committee (a group with responsibilities similar to those of the Athletic Board). I also attended NCAA Regional Seminars in Baltimore and St. Louis, and a MAC meeting in Toledo.

My main goal as a member of the Athletic Board would be to encourage communication and understanding between all of the athletic program's constituents (some of whom can at times see their goals and missions as incongruent). As a former Division I athlete who has worked professionally with university administrators (academic, student affairs, and athletic), faculty, coaches, student-athletes, high school guidance counselors, parents, and alumni, I am in a unique position to understand the concerns of all those groups. In addition, I hope to be able in the future to combine my legal training in some way with my interest and experience in university administration, and the Athletic Board would give me an opportunity to become involved with athletics in a way I haven't been since leaving Ball State.

2. I have served as a tour guide and an orientation advisor at the College of Law, and I have worked this semester in the Office of University Counsel 12-15 hours a week. I also am a student member of the College of Law's Admissions and Scholarships Committee. I do not anticipate any demands on my time that would keep me from serving on the Athletic Board.

3. I have not been involved in another way with the Athletic Board or the UIUC athletics program generally (apart from attendance at some football, basketball, and baseball games). As I mentioned in my response to question #1, however, I have been involved with intercollegiate athletics as an undergraduate student and as a professional administrator. In addition, I follow most sports closely and have a special interest in intercollegiate sports.

4. My previous position at Ball State required some evening and weekend work, and I understand that the same might be true of a position on the Athletic Board. Because I believe I would contribute meaningfully and benefit personally from membership on the Board, I would feel fine about devoting some weekend time to it.

Amanda Vinicky (College of LAS)

1. My experience at the University of Illinois has been awesome¾partly because I've had the opportunity to become involved with such things as Illinois Student Government and my sorority. I would like to become a member of the Athletic Board to further fulfill my interest in the university, as well as to contribute to the school.

One of the main aspects of university life is the pride one takes in one's school¾and the pride one takes in the athletic teams. Whereas most of the public is not familiar with the hard work and accomplishments of the professors and students here, the public is able to view and hear about our athletic teams. Therefore, it would be my goal to further enhance the spirit and pride of the students in our teams. As our football team make it's way to a bowl, I would love to take part in planning a package for students to back the Fighting Illini up!

As a member of the Athletic Board, I would like to work on other issues¾from advertising the Orange Krush program to surveying the concession stands at games and recruiting. I am studying to become a broadcast journalist with a focus on political science/marketing. Working to elevate the athletic program would surely aid my studies, and becoming familiar with the teams would be of aid for sports stories and coverage. Politically, working with issues like Title 9 would be interesting¾this issue is a controversial one that must be carefully maintained at the college level. I hope to represent the student body and the Athletic Board to the best of my ability.

2. I participate in Illinois Student Government (approximately 4 hours/week), the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority (2 hours, varies), and the Illini Pride Program. I endeavor to devote any time necessary to accomplish my personal goals and that of the Athletic Board.

3. I am not a previous member of any athletic program or board at the U of I. However, I am a proud member of Illini Pride and Orange Krush!

4. I would be more than willing to attend any Board meetings. (Saturday and/or Sunday mornings are preferred.)

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*The following questions were asked of each nominee:
1. Why do you want to become a member of the Athletic Board, and what are your qualifications? If selected to be a member of the Athletic Board, what would your main goal or objective be? How would membership on the Board relate to your career goals?
2. In what other activities (clubs, honoraries, etc.) are you involved on campus, and how many hours per week do you participate in them? How much time will you be able to devote to the Athletic Board? (Are you currently employed or involved in another time-consuming activity that might limit your ability to serve on the Board?
3. Have you previously been involved with the Athletic Board or the UIUC athletic program in general? If so, please describe.
4. If selected to be a member of the Athletic Board, how would you feel about devoting part of your weekends (i.e. Friday evenings and/or Saturday/Sunday mornings) to this committee?