Fuller Dome - Leadership Board
Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock, Board President
Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock is a sociologist committed to dismantling hierarchies of oppression and building in their place flourishing relationships. She does this work by centering community-identified goals with meaningful learning experiences for students. Frey Spurlock is director for the SIU System Office of Community Engagement (OCE) and founding director of the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative, a cross-disciplinary program based on the EPIC model that works to advance the needs of communities while training the next generation workforce and leadership. Frey Spurlock has forged several meaningful relationships with government and nonprofit stakeholders. Her dedication to community engagement is reflected in an extensive portfolio of grant-funded projects. Since 2017, Frey-Spurlock has been principal or co-investigator on more than $8.5M in external funding for transdisciplinary projects such as "Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption and Digital Equity," "Integrating Hydrology and Social Science for Community Resiliency against Flooding Hazards," and the “Partners for Re-entry Opportunities in Workforce Development,” grants.
“I was first invited to the Dome because of my work in sustainability on the SIUE campus. I was initially asked to lead a campus tour of sustainability features as part of the 2017 Earth Day vigil. From there, I was invited to serve on the board, and have served as board president since 2021.
What excites me most about this and coming years is the new Fuller Center Seekers group. The group is comprised of beautiful, loving students who are passionate about connecting with others and the Earth. They are and will continue to do great things at the Dome.”
Robin Boyce
Robin Boyce presently works for WSIE 88.7 The Sound radio station located on the campus of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. As an Associate Director of Corporate Sales, Boyce helps to raise funds for the station.
A 40 plus year broadcast journalist, Boyce has worked for the City of St. Louis in the office of the Comptroller as an Executive Assistant I as liaison to St. Louis Lambert Airport. She has also worked in newspaper, radio, and television in St. Louis and around the country.
Boyce has hosted a public affairs program called City Corner, iHeart Media’s Total Traffic Network as a reporter/producer, Radio One-St. Louis and WSSM 106.5 Smooth Jazz. While living in Los Angeles, Boyce worked in the film industry; Douglas Broadcast Inc., in Dallas for KDFW FOX 4 News, consulted for T.D. Jakes Television Ministries, in Philadelphia for KYW TV/Radio and Shadow Metro Traffic. She’s best known for her work with KMJM Majic 108 and KETC, Channel 9.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri Boyce has a MBA from Lindenwood University and a BA in Speech Communications from the University of Missouri St. Louis.
An entrepreneur, Boyce is owner of the Hastings Group a marketing, sales and public relations firm consulting businesses and nonprofits in the region.
“What attracted me to the Dome was the fact that I’d seen the structure in Montreal, Canada in 1967. My mother talked with us about the US exhibit on the way as we traveled. It was so good to see a part of history on SIUE’s campus!
I’m excited about the people who are becoming more and more interested in the Dome! It encourages me a lot when we are able to host young people at the Dome to find out more about the history. It’s exciting to see students and visitors really get into the structure and the history of what Buckminster Fuller did!”
Julie Zimmermann
Julie Zimmermann is Professor and Chair of Anthropology, teaching at SIUE since 2000. She’s an archaeologist – ask her about Cahokia! You can find out enjoying the outdoors with her two grown sons. Learn all about her work on the SIUE site, and learn all about archaeology on the SIUE campus on the SIUE archaology page.
“Somebody told me about the Dome when I was new faculty at SIUE. Or rather, they told me about Paul Coutinho, who was then a Jesuit priest and regularly said Mass at the Dome. A desire for spiritual community is what attracted me to the Dome, but I am really gratified that our mission has expanded to include sustainability. We can debate spirituality, but everyone should believe in sustainability!
I hope I can find more time to work in the native garden out front. Also, as coordinator of SIUE’s Native American Studies program, I want to invite everyone to our Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability Conference. There will be a discussion of Humans, Nature, and the Buffalo Treaty with Native speakers at the Dome on Friday, October 11, 2024, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm.”
John Jennetten
John Jennetten has a Ph.D in Higher Education from SIU Carbondale. He is a retired teacher at Mater Dei High School, former Director of Financial Aid at SIUE, and Chief Program Officer of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
“My connection to the Fuller Dome began in 1972 where our family attended Catholic services. My family was active in the Catholic community where we created life-long friendships. The multi-faith environment of the Center was especially meaningful. Each time I go to the Dome, I experience a profound connection to the Earth. My commitment to and responsibility for the Earth are renewed. I value the Center's mission and the dedication of the current leadership to preserving Fuller's legacy and promoting national awareness of his significant contributions to our society.”