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Blood drive bids farewell to SIUC professor

Factoid: For more information about the drive or about volunteering, call Clare Mitchell or Jesse Landstrum at 453-7113.

SIUC radio/TV professor Max Grubb has dedicated much of his life to the American Red Cross. He worked with the organization during the 1980s and also was a member of the board.

During the past six years, the assistant professor in radio/TV has brought his knowledge of the Red Cross to SIUC, helping the College of Mass Communications sponsor numerous blood drives.

But Grubb's days at SIUC are numbered as he will soon leave for his new job at Kent State University.

With news of his departure, the CMCA is backing a drive in his honor. The "Farewell to Max Grubb Blood Drive" begins today at 11 a.m. in the Communications Building's Dean Conference Room and lasts until 3 p.m.

Clare Mitchell, CMCA assistant dean of Student Affairs, said Grubb was instrumental in setting blood drives mostly during the late 1990s, thanks largely to his class involvement.

Grubb said he has offered his past classes extra credit if the students either donated blood during the drive, volunteered to help or they convinced someone to give a pint.

"The key was not to force them," Grubb said. "They could have had other opportunities to earn points."

Mitchell said the blood drive acts as the college's service project for the summer. She also said the idea to dedicate the drive to Grubb was submitted by Ken Fischer, a radio/TV faculty member.

Mitchell also said the CMCA would possibly hold other blood drives in the Communications Building, but limited space in the facility forces the college to sponsor drives at the Recreation Center and the Student Center. The CMCA was able to accommodate the current drive due to the reduced amount of students on campus during the summer.

The blood drive comes more than three weeks after the Red Cross had reportedly depleted its supply to the lowest levels of the year. Across the country, levels sunk to only a two-day supply, while others were down to less than a day's worth. The organization's branch at Cape Girardeau, Mo., which services Southern Illinois, had a 1 1/2 day supply as of June 21.

Given the dire need for blood and increased risk of injuries sustained from outdoor events during the summer, Mitchell said donating blood could save one's own life.

"[Students and faculty] may need it themselves someday," Mitchell said. "We are in a critical level of blood, and with an increased level of activities in the summer, such as boating accidents, it is very important to give."

Grubb reminds those students who are vying for employment in the media that they provide a service to the public.

"As the media, we have a special role to society," Grubb said. "I think it is important for media professionals to give back to the community."

Grubb said everyone has known someone who has had to use the Red Cross' services, whether it has been a family member or friend, or they have had to call upon the organization themselves.

"Without people to donate," he said, "the Red Cross is without blood to give those who need it."