The John Deere Chapter of Sigma Xi is pleased to announce its annual induction of new members banquet to be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2005 in section 7 of the ballroom in the Rogalski Center at St. Ambrose University.

The deadline for banquet reservations has been extended to Monday, October 10.  See below for details.

New members will be inducted in a brief ceremony starting at 6:45 p.m., we will enjoy a delicious meal, and then have the following featured presentation:

"Combat Birding: Avian Research on the Upper Mississippi River"

Mr. Kelly J. McKay, Environmental Consultant
BioEco Research and Monitoring Center, Hampton, Illinois

Overall, many avian populations have been declining throughout the Midwest region during the last half century. These reductions in population have been attributed primarily to habitat alteration and loss due to various human activities. In fact, throughout Illinois and Iowa, some of the largest remaining "patches" of natural habitat occurs within the floodplain of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Most of this land is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As a consequence, the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has conducted three avian monitoring projects within the floodplain forests of the UMR for 20+ years.

During this presentation, we will summarize changes in land use within Illinois and Iowa and discuss how this has influenced the importance of the UMR floodplain system to Midwestern avifaunal populations. We will also discuss the important links between habitat diversity and abundant food resources as they relate to avian use within the UMR floodplain. Additionally, this presentation will highlight the various difficulties encountered when working in the UMR floodplain, along with the numerous threats facing these critical floodplain habitats. Within the context of these various factors, we will discuss the three avian point count survey projects conducted by the Rock Island District, including the varying objectives, survey methods, and preliminary summaries of the results.
 

6:30 pm, Thursday, October 18, 2005 in section 7 of the ballroom of the Rogalski Center
 St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa

 

New Members to be Inducted
David Engebretson Full Chemistry, Augustana College
Barry Ferm Full Chemistry, Augustana College
Kelly McKay Full Environmental Consultant, BioEco Research and Monitoring Center, Hampton, Illinois
Matthew R. Bambrick Associate Senior biology major at Augustana College
Russ D. Banwarth Associate Biology major at St. Ambrose University
Christy S. Belanger Associate Junior pre-med/biology major at Augustana College
Andrew D. Bloom Associate Senior pre-med major at Augustana College
Erin E. Boileve Associate Senior biology major at Augustana College
Bradley S. Carter Associate Senior biology/chemistry major at Augustana College
Rachel E. Depuy Associate Junior biology major at Augustana College
David L. Freeman Associate Senior biology/pre-med/art history major at Augustana College
Wesley A. Grimm Associate Senior biology/pre-med major at Augustana College
Bradley J. Heller Associate Senior biology/mathematics major at Augustana College
Mikael C. Holgersson Associate Senior biology major at Augustana College
Adam D. Houghton Associate Senior biology/pre-med major at Augustana College
Jessie M. Jacques Associate Junior psychology/biology major at Augustana College
Ryan A. Johnson Associate Senior biology major at Augustana College
Brittany L. Mortensen Associate Junior biology/pre-med major at Augustana College
Holly R. Schmitt Associate Junior pre-med major at Augustana College
James C. Shearouse Associate Junior chemistry/physics major at Augustana College
Elena M. Vidot Associate Junior undeclared major at Augustana College

Members Changing Chapter Affiliation
Gregory Gessel Full Deere Technical Center, Moline
Matthew Halfhill Associate Biology Department, St. Ambrose University

Please join us in discussing and celebrating science and learning from each other.

The banquet will be a buffet dinner featuring Garden Salad with 2 choices of dressing, Carmelized Apple Stuffed Roasted Pork Loin with Roasted Red Potatoes and a Pasta side dish, Zucchini Fritters, Sweet Corn, Turtle Chocolate Cheesecake.
Banquet reservations must be made no later than Monday, October 10.  Send a check for $20 (made out to "John Deere Chapter of Sigma Xi") to

      Sarah Vordtriede
      Biology Department
      St. Ambrose University
      Davenport, Iowa 52803
     
For last minute reservations, send her an e-mail (VordtriedeSarah@sau.edu) or call her at (563) 333-6112.
 

Directions:  The St. Ambrose campus is located in Davenport, on the north side of Locust St., 2 blocks west of Harrison (U.S. 61 S) and 4 blocks west of Brady (U.S. 61 N). The Rogalski Center is on the corner of Ripley and W. Lombard streets, building L on the map. The banquet will be held in the Ballroom, section 1.  There is plenty of close parking, lots 5 and 6, open to visitors after 6 pm.  Here is a map of the campus.

Last update:  October 17, 2005