Federal Funding Supports University Projects

Illinois State University has received $800,000 in federal funding for projects that help Illinois businesses expand into overseas markets, support an innovative drug treatment program for youth, and enhance teaching and research in the field of neuroscience.

Illinois State University's Export Project is helping more Illinois-based businesses expand into overseas markets thanks to a $100,000 federal grant. The funding supports the Export Project's work with the agriculture equipment and technology firms Dickey-John and Brandt Consolidated, and the paint manufacturer Rust-Oleum Corporation. 

Since 2006, Export Project faculty and student teams have traveled to New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, Poland, China, and India to help companies explore international market opportunities.  Plans are currently underway to send teams working with Dickey-John, Brandt Consolidated and Rust-Oleum to Brazil, Germany and Australia during the summer of 2010.

Export Project team members include faculty and students from Illinois State's College of Business and College of Applied Science and Technology. Teams work with medium-sized companies to identify, evaluate, and actively develop international business opportunities and prepare export plans. During the summer months, Export Project teams travel overseas to selected countries to evaluate potential export market opportunities. In addition to helping businesses grow, the multidisciplinary project gives Illinois State students a unique opportunity to gain international business and marketing experience.

Faculty members in the Export Project include Iris Varner, director of the International Business Institute; Mark Hoelscher, Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies; Aslihan Spaulding, Agriculture; and Klaus Schmidt, Technology.

An Illinois State University faculty member's work with an innovative and ambitious youth drug treatment program is benefitting from $200,000 in federal funding.  Since June 2008, Ralph Weisheit, a distinguished professor in the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences, has served as a consultant and evaluator for a youth drug treatment program operated through the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center in Southern Illinois. 

The funding will be used to support the work of the center and Weisheit's ongoing review and evaluation of the treatment program aimed at youth offenders who are dependent on methamphetamine and other drugs.  Weisheit is a nationally recognized authority on rural crime, methamphetamine production and use in rural areas, and the overall effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Youth from more than 40 Illinois counties are referred by court orders to the drug treatment program at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.  The residential treatment program, which can last up to six months, helps drug-abusing youth to identify drug cravings and teaches them techniques to reduce or eliminate those cravings.  After their residential treatment, youth receive follow-up counseling services to help them stay off drugs and achieve work and education goals.

A federal grant of $500,000 is helping Illinois State's School of Biological Sciences to enhance teaching and research in the field of neuroscience.  Illinois State faculty members are currently conducting research in the areas of Parkinson's disease, stroke, pain, drug neurochemistry, neurological and behavioral patterns in addiction, and wireless integrated devices for brain monitoring and stimulation.   Partnerships with the Central Illinois Neuroscience Foundation and BroMenn Regional Medical Center's neurosurgical residency program play a vital role in advancing faculty research in the neurosciences.   

Neuroscience research and education is fundamental to advancing the medical treatment of many diseases and traumatic injuries.  As the U.S. population ages, the demand for medical care and treatment of neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease is steadily rising.  The health care needs of victims of brain injuries, especially returning veterans, further intensifies the need for basic science and treatment in neurohealth care.

"Funding for these projects represents a validation of Illinois State's growing and positive reputation in Washington, DC," said President Al Bowman.   "Our Congressional delegation has been extremely helpful and supportive of our faculty's research and outreach efforts. Support for these kinds of projects is vital to the growth and reputation of Illinois State University."

U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson said he was delighted to be able to play a part in securing this important funding.

"Each of these initiatives serve a vital public service and each in its own way serves the best ambitions of U.S. interests in expanding our economy and serving the health and well-being of our citizens," Rep. Johnson said. "The real credit for these awards goes to the researchers on the ground who have taken the time to understand these problems and are using their time and energy to find solutions."