Week of Nov. 28 - Dec. 3

Welcome to the Tower Topics E-newsletter for faculty, staff and students at Western. 

Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, 816-271- 4200

Click any link for these stories:

Alumnus Speaks on "My Experience with the Superman Team"

Western Offers New International Cultural Experiences

Western Commencement Dec. 16

November Points of Pride

Tower Sports

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

Archives

The deadline for all entries is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, for the next week's issue. Tower Topics will be online weekly during the fall and spring semester.  For more information call 271-5651.

Alumnus Speaks on "My Experience with the Superman Team"

“The worst thing you can do is fly into a building.”

 “If you use heat on the dragon, it will explode and damage the city.”

Great advice on how to win the latest Superman video game from someone who should know. Josh Quick, who graduated in 2005 with a computer information systems degree,  worked for six months programming some graphics and sound for Superman Returns, a video game that hit stores Nov. 22. Quick spoke about his experiences of working on the 150-person team to computer science classes taught by Kent Pickett, assistant professor of computer science.

“The classes here were a good base,” Quick, of Orlando, Fla., said of his experience at Western. “The animation class alone was a huge leg up.”

Quick is a programmer for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in Orlando, and was contracted out for six months to EA to work on the game.

“If I hadn’t done it, I would have always wished I had,” he said of the video game work. “It’s not something I want to do full time, but I’m glad I did it.”

He answered several questions about the programs used (it includes 4.5 million lines of programming code), the importance of comments in the programs (“always comment yourself”), and of course, how to win the video game:

“Watch out for the bad guys who multiply on impact.”

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Western Offers New International Cultural Experiences

The Western Institute is offering three opportunities to travel to countries around the world. The international cultural experiences are new, noncredit programs where Western students, as well as the St. Joseph community and surrounding area, are able to see shades of green in Ireland, the history and culture of London or the art and history of Russia. Each trip is led by experienced guides who can show travelers the sights and history of each land.

• Ireland: Guided by Rhonda Rund, director of the center for community arts, this trip gives you the opportunity to see the breathtaking land known as “The Emerald Isle.” The tour is from May 8-16, and the cost is $3,235; $3,090 for Western students.

• London: Guided by Dr. Jimm MacGregor, assistant professor of history, and his wife, Teresa, this 10-day tour gives you the opportunity to see one of the greatest cities in the world. MacGregor and his wife lived and worked in London for two years and consider it their second home. The tour is from May 19-28, and the cost is $3,530; $3,370 for Western students.

• Russia: Guided by Dr. Chris Shove, executive director for the Western Institute, come join Mother Russia for a historical journey. Dr. Shove has researched and worked in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union and has written scholarly publications on the transformation of the new Russia. The tour is from June 13-21. Cost for the trip is $3,770; $3,600 for Western students.

All enrollments must be made by Feb. 1. An early bird discount of $100 applies to those who enroll by Jan. 15.  

To register for one of the three trips call 4100, toll free 888-U-WIN-GOLD or email Western Institute at wi@missouriwestern.edu. For more information, visit the website at www.wi.missouriwestern.edu/arts/travel/index.html.

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Western Commencement Dec. 16

The Winter Commencement for summer and fall graduates at Western will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 in the Looney Complex arena. Mike Mills, deputy director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, will be the commencement speaker.

The Alumni Association is hosting a free reception for all graduates and their families from 1-3 p.m. in the Blum Union, 222-223. A pinning ceremony and reception for nursing graduates will begin at 1 p.m. in Potter Hall. An ROTC commissioning ceremony and reception will begin at 2 p.m. in Spratt Hall Enright Room, 214.

Mills is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, with a degree in agricultural economics, and has been in his current position since 2005. He has previously held positions with U.S. Sens. Kit Bond and John Ashcroft, as the director of research for the Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. In 1999, he became the professional staff for the U.S. House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Business Opportunities, and Special Small Business Problems. In 2001, he rejoined Sen. Bond’s office as Deputy State Director.  

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November Points of Pride

Excellence in our Faculty/Staff

• Jill Miller, professor of criminal justice and Delta Phi Upsilon advisor, placed third in the corrections written test in the professional division of the American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon regional conference in Jefferson City, Mo.
• Dr. Jim Puckett, instructor of chemistry and director of the chemistry dual credit program, has been elected to a two-year term (2007-2008) as Science Teachers of Missouri (STOM) corresponding secretary (membership chairman). He has previously served as STOM corresponding secretary, President-elect, President  and past-president.
• Dr. Jim Puckett, instructor of chemistry and director of the chemistry dual credit program, recently attended the National Convention of the national Science Teachers Association (NSTA) in Omaha, Neb. At that meeting Dr. Puckett represented Science Teachers of Missouri (STOM) at the NSTA District XI (Kan, Mo. And NE) reception and was a member of the program committee (proposal reviewer). 
• Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, has published the following: “Modern Banking and Strategic Portfolio Management,” accepted for publication in the upcoming edition of the refereed journal, The Journal of Business and Economics Research (JBER) second author: Bob Hughs, ’06; “The Interest Rate Reduction, Inflation, and an Independent Central Bank,” Sarmayeh (Capital); “A Collective Airport- Airline Efficiency Strategic Model,” second author: student Bijan Vasigh, The International Journal of Applied Management and Technology; “The Envionmental-Economic Effects of Landfill Expansion on a Nearby Community,” The Scholar-Practitioner.
• Dr. Phil Mullins, professor of philosophy, and Struan Jacobs published  “T.S. Eliot’s Idea of the Clerisy, and Its Discussion by Karl Mannheim and Michael Polanyi in the Context of J. H. Oldham’s Moot,” Journal of Classical Sociology, vol. 6, no. 2 (2006):147-156. This essay is accompanied by 1944 papers from Eliot, Mannheim and Polanyi edited by Mullins and Jacobs.
• Dr. James Okapal, assistant professor of philosophy, wrote a paper titled, “Respite Palliative Sedation for Refractory Symptoms at the End-of-Life,” that was read at the Center for Applied and Professional Ethics Conference at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• Paper presentation “Early Childhood Development and Literacy Efforts: Assessment and Evaluation” presented at the American Public Health Association 134th Annual Meeting and Exposition in Boston Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing; Crystal Harris, Stephanie Corder, assistant professor of nursing; Dr. Monica Nandan, associate professor of social work; Lisa Robbins, instructor of education.
• Dr. Reza Hamzaee gave the following presentations:

•  “Modern Banking & Strategic Portfolio Management” at the 2006 International Applied Business Research Conference in Cancun, Mexico.

• “Financial Challenges & Productivity at an Institution of Higher Education: Measuring Something of Value or Valuing Something Measurable?” presented at the Western Economic Association’s International 81^st annual conference in San Diego.

• “Financial Engineering,” “Cost Management,” and “Applied Project Management,” presented to the managerial staffs of System Group Co., Inc., Tadvin Co., and Iran Khodrow (the Iranian Auto Manufacturing Co.) in Tehra, Iran.

• “Financial Strategy” presented to Tadvin Co. in Tehran, Iran.

• “Modern Banking and Financial Institutions,” presented to the managerial staff of Bank’e Eghtesad’e Noveen (translated as the Bank of New Economy), in Tehran, Iran.

• “The Recent Chinese & Indian Economic Development, and the Implications for the Iranian Economy,” “The Impact of Recent Variations of the Major Foreign Exchange Rates on Iranian Economy ,” and “Interest Rate Changes & the Economy,” presented to the managerial staffs of Ghadeer Investment Co. in Tehran, Iran.

• “Risk Management,” presented to 200 invited bank managers, managerial staff of financial firms, stock brokers, sponsored by the Institution of Investment Industry in Tehran, Iran.

• “The Central Bank’s Autonomy and Interest Rate Changes,” Sepah Investment Company in Tehran, Iran.

• “Airline Revenue Management, a Review and Analysis,” presented to Mahan Airlines in Tehran, Iran.

• “Cost Management” and “Financial Engineering,” presented to a group of 55 financial managers of Green Energy Group in Tehran, Iran. Provided consulting services on investment banking to executive staff of a private bank, Parsian Bank in Tehran, Iran.

 Excellence in our Students

• Ten senior level social work student served as poll monitors across St. Joseph polling booths from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 7. They assisted and guided those who had come to the incorrect booth or did not have their papers in order. They received six hours of training prior. This was part of a social policy class in the Social Work Program.

• Alpha Kappa Psi, the international business fraternity,  inducted 13 new members. The new members include: Jake Brooke, LaKeitra Brown, Blair Bullock, Jennifer Cammann, Mary Fimple, Tyler Humbard, Brian Piepergerdes, Erica Ricker, Mindy Speer, Tiffany Thomas, Seth Voelkel and Erin Ward.

• The Western softball team finished third place in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association academic scholarship program. The cumulative team grade-point average was 3.490 during the academic calendar year 2005-06. The third place standing in this program was the highest ever for a Griffon softball team. Western qualified for its second straight NCAA national tournament while compiling the 3.490 team GPA and finished the season in second place in the MIAA standings. The second place finish in the MIAA was the highest ever by a Griffon softball team.

• Student-athletes have completed the following community service: the softball team stuffed baby bags for the United Way, the men’s and women’s basketball teams participated in the Teen Read Week at the St. Joseph Public Library, and the baseball team held their free clinic for youth.

• Senior Leon Douglas, defensive lineman, has been named to the “ESPN the Magazine” Academic All-District First-Team in the College Division as selected by the College Sports Information Director’s of America. Douglas is on the Western Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee where he is co-president of the organization. Douglas now advances to the national ballot for Academic All-America which will be selected later on this season.

• Delta Phi Upsilon chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association -Lambda Alpha Epsilon attended their regional conference in Jefferson City, Mo. The 10 students and their advisor, Jill Miller, competed with 200 other students and professionals from Region 3 in various written, crime scenes, firearm competitions, and physical agility. Frances Huff, sophomore criminal justice major, placed third in lower division on the juvenile justice test and third on the LAE Knowledge test in the lower division.

• The rock guitar ensemble (MUS 352 Commercial Music Ensemble) performed at the Café` Acoustic in St. Joseph. This electric guitar driven performance ensemble was developed for upper-level commercial music students to perform a variety of classic and contemporary styles with a tock aesthetic. A rock quintet, the group features the double electric guitar work of Josh Huffman and Brett Blakemore supported by Jesse Boley, Stacy Saythany and Marshall Carter. The group uses a contemporary approach and sound concept to present their progressive instrumental arrangements with improvised solos. Besides performing the students also compose and arrange for the ensemble, cover promotional responsibilities, make audio and video recordings and study technical and historical topics.

• Poster presentation “Collaborative Partnerships: Health Care and Early Childhood Care Providers” presented at the Mind and Heart Together: Celebrating Intellectual Pursuit in Undergraduate Nursing at Stowers Institute for Medical Research by senior nursing student Leslie Carneal. Faculty sponsor was Dr. Stephanie Corder, assistant professor of nursing.

• Poster presentation “Type D Personality and Cardiac Risk in College Students” was presented at the Mind and Heart Together: Celebrating Intellectual Pursuit in Undergraduate Nursing at Stowers Institute for Medical Research by senior nursing students Amanda Atkinson, Seth Jenks and Heidi Webber.  Faculty sponsor was Dr. Stephanie Corder, assistant professor of nursing.

• Poster presentation “Inoculation Effects of an Ounce of Prevention” presented at the mind and Heart Together: Celebrating Intellectual Pursuit in Undergraduate Nursing at towers Institute for Medical Research by senior nursing students Bobbi Blankenship, Misty Tourtillott, Rebecca Caswell, Katie Moore, Adam Hape, and Emily Radley. Faculty sponsor was Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing.

• Poster presentation “Interventions to Improve Adolescent Female Choices” presented at the Mind and Heart Together: Celebrating Intellectual Pursuit in Undergraduate Nursing at Stowers Institute for Medical Research by senior nursing student Elizabeth Woolery.  Faculty sponsor was Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing.

• Poster presentation “The Lived Experience of the University Student as a Mentor” presented at the Mind and Heart Together: Celebrating Intellectual Pursuit in Undergraduate Nursing at Stowers Institute for Medical Research by senior nursing students Katherine Constable, Frederick Dimmel, Linda Frazier, Scott Landers, Tara McCall and Genni O'Rourke.  Faculty sponsor was Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing.

• Oral presentation “Educating the Educators: Prevention of Birth Defects” presented at the Mind and Heart Together: Celebrating Intellectual Pursuit in Undergraduate Nursing at Stowers Institute for Medical Research by senior nursing students Patricia Callaway, Sarah Parker, Brandy Sarsi, Mary Tongate and Mailia Wallace.  Faculty sponsor was Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing.

• Residence Assistants (RA) held programs for their residents this fall. The programs held included:

o        RA Jimmy Daugherty had Tattoo and Piercing Artists (From the Grave Studios) come and do a program on tattoos and piercing. They educated students on piercing and tattoos.

o        RA Johnisha Williams and Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing, held a pancake breakfast at 10 p.m. Other nursing faculty attended and helped to cook that evening.

o        Vaselakos Hall participated in the Homecoming decorating and had residents and RAs work together to make it festive for Homecoming.  Vaselakos won the best decorated hall and received a plaque and a gift certificate for pizza.

o        RA Erica Neier organized a clothing drive in the building.  She left a box out for a month and ended up collecting 56 items.

o        RA Johnisha Williams and Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing, organized a Chili Cook Off. There were seven different chilis and they were judged by students. The winning cook was Julie Baldwin, assistant professor of nursing. 

o        Vaselakos RA staff volunteered at the YWCA and worked with the children.

Excellence in our Programs

• Western’s commitment to community service has been recognized by Campus Compact, a national organization that is designed to increase public awareness of the contributions that college students are making within their local communities an across the country through volunteer service. Western was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll “with Distinction for General Community Service.”

• Residence Council (RC) sponsored a Trick-or-Treat off-the-Street where K-6th graders were invited to campus to trick-or-treat in the residential halls.  RC provided games in the Commons Building along with snacks. Over 200 children attended.
• Residence Council attended Midwest Affiliation with College and University Residence Halls Conference. The students participated in program attendance and had a passive program on Trick-or-Treat-off-the-Street.

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Tower Sports

Men's Basketball

• Win vs. Nebraska-Omaha, 95-88, Nov. 21

• Win vs. Central Oklahoma, 81-64, Nov. 24 Greg Rahe Classic

• Win vs. Northeastern State (Okla.), 74-73, Nov. 25 Greg Rahe Classic

• Win vs. Ottawa, 95-78, Nov. 27

• 11/29 vs. York at 7:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball

• Win vs. Northeastern State (Okla.), 56-40, Nov. 21

• Win vs. St. Ambrose, 90-63, Nov. 22

• 11/29 vs. Harris-Stowe at 5:30 p.m.

• 12/2 vs. Montana-Billings at 6 p.m.

Foreign Film Series Nueve Reinas (international title: Nine Queens), 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in Hearnes 102. Admission is free. Nine Queens is a 2000 Argentine film directed by Fabiàn Bielinsky and starring Gastòn Pauls, Ricardo Darìn, Leticia Brédice and Thomàs Fonzi. It tells the story of two con artists who meet by chance and decide to cooperate in a scam. The film was nominated for 28 awards and won 21 of them. This film was the basis for the 2004 American remake Criminal, directed by Gregory Jacobs and starring John C. Reilly and Diego Luna. The film will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles.

First Thursday Noontime Concert Series The First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series will be held at 12:10 p.m. Dec. 7 at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St. Featured musicians will be William McMurray, adjunct professor of music, on the organ with his wife, Judy McMurray, on the flute.

Flex Dollars Did you know your flex dollars will carry over to next semester? Flex Dollars will carry over from the fall semester to the spring semester, but will not carry over from the spring semester to the following fall semester. Remember that you can always add flex dollars to your account by stopping by Blum Union 102 or calling 4426.

Command Spanish The Western Institute is hosting a new seminar “Spanish for Mission Teams.” The seminar consists of five sessions that run from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays Dec. 4 through Dec. 18 in Leah Spratt Hall, room 109. This program is a comprehensive treatment of the language used by service, volunteer and religious organizations when bringing aid to Spanish-speaking countries. The manual focuses on the following aid areas: construction, medical, dental, and ophthalmologic. The language component utilizes phonetic encoding to address pronunciation of the most important Spanish commands, questions, and phrases pertinent to daily interactions between Spanish-speakers and non-Spanish-speakers. Course fee is $175. No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary. To register, call 4100 by Nov. 28. For more information, contact Peggy Ellis at 4116 or ellisp.

Multidisciplinary Research Day A public forum for the promotion of independent student research and creative projects will be held Dec. 5 . A poster session will be held from 12-2 p.m. in Blum 218/219. Guest speaker, Dr. Bill Elliot, will speak for the Missouri Department of Conservation on "Trogs, Rocks and Water: Interdisciplinary Cave and Karst Studies." For more information, contact Dr. David Ashley, Dr. Brian Cronk, Dr. Todd Eckdahl or Dr. Phil Wann.

Christmas Art Sale

Western is hosting a Christmas art sale in the Potter Hall lobby:

• 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7

• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8

• 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 9

Western is selling pottery and other forms of art, and a percentage of the proceeds will go to the Amy Singleton Memorial Art Scholarship fund. For more information, contact the art department at 4282.

Natural Resource Law Enforcement A presentation entitled, "Experience, Your Key to Successfully Entering the Natural Resource Law Enforcement Field" will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in Evan R. Agenstein Hall, 203. The presenter is  Adam Arnold '06.  Arnold completed an internship with the Arizona Game and Fish Department in the Fisheries Branch and worked as a water patrol officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He will begin a new job as an urban wildlife biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation in December. The presentation is sponsored by the biology department and the student chapter of The Wildlife Society.

Voting The voting for the spring concert will take place from 8 a.m. on Nov. 27 to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4. The link to vote is on the Western homepage.

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Tuesday, November 28

• Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Poster Day from 1-2:30 p.m. in Wilson Hall 184

• Residence Council meeting at 7 p.m. in the Commons Building

Wednesday, November 29

• Nueve Reinas, 6:30 p.m. in Hearnes 102

• CAB meeting at 4 p.m. in the Junior College Room

• "Experience: Your Key to Successfully Entering the Natural Resource Law Enforcement Field," Adam Arnold at 6:30 p.m. in Agenstein Hall 203

Thursday, November 30

• Student Court meeting at 5 p.m. in the President's Dining Room

Friday, December 1

• Deadline to sign up for Blood Drive that will be held.

Saturday, December 2

• C-BASE  Exam at 7:45 a.m. in Popplewell 304

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Free: A 7-foot artificial Christmas tree. Contact Kim Weddle at 5647.

For Rent: Three bedroom duplex, perfect for roommates, 2.5 bathrooms, huge kitchen, electric heat, new appliances, plenty of room for entertaining. Recently renovated with exposed brick walls, lots of charm, nice neighborhood. HALF OFF FIRST MONTH'S RENT! $700/month + utilities. Email skc6541 for more details.

For Sale: Beautiful two-piece wedding dress, strapless, size 10, exquisite embroidery. Originally paid $800, sacrifice for $250. call Amy at 816-390-5443.

For Sale: 2003 Ford F150 King Ranch Super Crew 4x4, V8 5.4L, 58K miles, saddle leather seats, loaded with all the options. Contact Susan Deering at 4277.

For Sale: 1993 blue Jeep Cherokee, $2,000. If interested call 816-244-8009.

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