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Illinois students benefit Mississippi River Edwardsville to host from first-ever Festival returns with Beep Baseball tourny free test prep program weekend-long concert for first time PAGE 2
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Vol. 78 No. 11
THE student voice since 1960
African American literature researcher and poet joins English department as new assistant professor BRANDI SPANN opinion editor Published poet and researcher of African American literature Angel Dye will be joining SIUE’s Department of English as an assistant professor of African American Literature this fall. Her research on Harlem Renaissance literature and culture brings a new area of expertise to the department. “We offer more African American lit classes every year than any other program in the nation,” Distinguished Research Professor Howard Rambsy said. “Angel will help us. I felt like we’re already ahead, but now she helps us go even further.” “I’ve been able to follow her career for a long time,” Rambsy said. “She would apply for certain fellowships and programs, and she would ask me for advice and what I thought about this and that, and so I started thinking, ‘Oh, she’s gonna be a colleague.’ I didn’t think here [at SIUE], though. But I did keep
her in mind as somebody to keep first-generation college student. In preparation for graduate an eye on in the field.” When the English depart- school, she participated in the ment began searching for some- African American Literatures one to fill the position, Rambsy and Cultures Institute at Univerfelt that Dye was the exact sort sity of Texas at San Antonio in of person the department needed 2016, where she met Rambsy. “Ultimately, the to hire. position at SIUE “At the time, I came to my attention didn’t know she was through Dr. Rambeven going to be gosy,” Dye said. “He’s ing on the job marcertainly someone ket,” Rambsy said. who has been foun“But I would say, dational and pivot‘We need somebody al in my life as I’ve who’s really smart come to this point in — somebody who’s my career.” energetic, who’s cutAngel Dye She earned her ting-edge, trying master’s of fine arts to think about new things — but a shorthand for in creative writing from the Unithat is somebody like Angel Dye.’ versity of Kentucky in LexingThen she applied. I said, ‘Oh my ton, where she worked on a pogod, the person that I used as a etry thesis. Dye began her PhD template for what we were look- program at Rutgers University in 2019 and worked with faculty ing for ended up applying.’” Dye received her bachelor’s mentors such as Evie Shockley, degree in English with a minor Maurice Wallace, Imani Owens in theater arts from Howard and Erica Edwards. Dye said that her research University, a historically Black university, in 2017. She was a focuses on 20th and 21st-centu-
ry African American literature. diately and gave SIUE my reHer dissertation is on rent par- sounding ‘yes,’” Dye said. Associate Professor of Enties — social gatherings originating in Harlem that feature live glish and Director of Graduate music, food and fundraising to Studies Donavan Ramon said combat unaffordable housing. that most African American litShe studied the Great Migration, erature programs will typically Black women’s writing and con- have one or two professors who temporary work from the 1970s specialize in the field teaching courses. Angel Dye is now the and 1980s. While her PhD program at sixth faculty member in African American Rutgers was literature at meant to last 7 SIUE. years, Dye said The curthat she made rent faculty successful I felt like we’re at SIUE speprogress with already ahead, but cialize in 19th her dissertaand 20th-cention and felt now she helps us tury African ready to begin go even further.” American litapplying for erature. Dye jobs a year earHoward Rambsy does both ly. She applied Distinguished Research 20th and for upwards of Professor 21st-centur y 20 positions, work. trying to re“Angel is literally bringing main realistic about the difficulus to the future. With all six of ties of the job market. “I got the official offer, us, you’re going to have coverage and it was a no-brainer for me. see PROFESSOR on page 2 I signed the offer letter imme-
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Community Hope Center offers aid to local communities PARIS THOMAS IV reporter Whether it is a struggling college student or a family displaced by a tornado, the Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills serves anyone in need. The Community Hope Center supports around 50 families per day, offering support via food and clothes to job and housing support. Guests are invited to shop every two weeks for any essentials, with cart size depending on family size. The center values fresh produce and even grows some produce in its own garden, which is used in their cafe. “If you can get to us, we will help you,” Christy Schult, the development director at the Community Hope Center, said. “We serve everyone. We don’t turn people away.” Schult is a former teacher in the Collinsville school district, where she taught in special education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she developed a passion for service and helping people in need. She left teaching behind to pursue work in helping others. That led to Schult working at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Hoyleton, Illinois, as a development coordinator of internships and volunteers. Schult
worked there for three years. “It was my job to raise funds by hosting annual golf tournaments and galas, speaking with individuals, churches and organizations about the services provided at Hoyleton,” Schult said. This past January, Schult and the Community Hope Center began discussing a position they were creating in the development department. They were growing quickly, and they felt that they needed someone who would be able to work the position to relieve other staff members. They believed Schult was the right person for the job. Now, Schult spends her day at the Community Hope Center, interacting with guests and donors while helping provide support at the center. “My job is to build relationships and showcase the heart of the center,” Schult said. “Hopefully, that inspires others to sponsor us, whether financially or with donations.” “It’s important to help out as much as we can,” Schult said. One recent event in the area the center helped with was the May 16 tornado, which impacted northern St. Louis. To help out, the Community Hope Center offered clothes, food, blankets and hygienic supplies. Ashley Santoni, the community navigation manager, has seen
the center’s impact firsthand. Santoni first found the Community Hope Center in 2012 as a guest. Years later, Santoni began serving with the organization. “Now, I get to share the same hope I once received,” Santoni said. In August 2019, Santoni began volunteering for the center before taking a hiatus during COVID-19 as schools went to e-learning. After the pandemic, Santoni returned back to the center and became a staff member in 2022. Santoni works directly with unhoused guests, helping navigate resources such as housing, education and employment for them. “I just recently worked with a gentleman to help him get his GED, find a job and get housing,” Santoni said. The Community Hope Center also supports SIUE and other local college students, offering aid and opportunities for community service. “We’re happy to help college students too, as many of them need service hours, and they can find support here if they need it,” Schult said. The Community Hope Center is open to anyone in need, and they always welcome volunteers and donations. For more information, visit their website.
A volunteer prays with a guest at the Community Hope Center. The center offers essentials for people in need to shop for. Names are not provided to protect privacy. | Courtesy of the Community Hope Center