Tower Topics

Week of Jan. 17-22, 2006

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:

Western Offers Arts and Culture to Campus and Community

Prairie Lands Writing Project Grant Focuses on Technology in the Classroom

Financial Aid Awareness Week

Lost & Found: If you have lost any items, please come to SU 228 to claim them. You may be required to describe the item.

Click on Tower Topics to submit any story or photo ideas.

Guidelines for Tower Topics: Tower Topics submissions should state time, date, place, sponsor, title of event, name of speaker's and admission fees. Send complete information to the Public Relations and Marketing office (Leah Spratt Hall, Room 106).

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.

Student Editor:
Katie Johnston

Staff Advisers:
Kristy Hill and Diane Holtz

Registration

Incoming students filed into Eder Hall to register for the spring semester. Left: Jim Hoffman from admissions answers questions at registration Jan. 12 Right: Suzanne Kissock, assistant professor of criminal justice, advises incoming freshmen Kylie and Dani Higley.

Western Offers Arts and Culture to Campus and Community

Rhonda Rund believes “hidden treasures” are waiting to be discovered at Western. Rund, the director of community arts of the Western Institute, said the Institute offers classes and performances that bring enrichment in the arts for all ages and all walks of life.

“We are truly bringing arts and culture to the campus and community,” she said. “Every class has the potential to improve lives.”

The Institute offers continuing education arts and crafts courses from “Doodlebug” drawing classes and “Mudpuppies” pottery for younger students to a wheelthrowing clayworks class for adults; and everything in between, such as stained glass, glass fusing, sketching, pottery, painting, knitting and stitching.

Campus and community members also have the opportunity to earn Culinary Arts, Culinary Specialties, or Service and Management Certificates. Other popular classes include Hatha Yoga, theatre workshop and creative writing. Opportunities for music lessons are also offered, such as guitar, music recording or private lessons for a variety of instruments and voice. Cock a Doodle Moo is a multi-sensory music class for babies, along with the ever-popular Kindermusik that provides music instruction for children ages birth to seven years.

“People really enjoy the classes, and many classes bring great personal satisfaction,” said Rund. “If you take a class, you’ll thank yourself for the joy, enrichment and knowledge that exploring creative arts and culture brings you.”

In addition to class offerings, Rund said the community has the opportunity to enjoy performances by the Griffon Jr. Singers, youth orchestra and the Suzuki violin students several times throughout the year. Last month, over 700 attended concerts by the various groups. Rund noted that there are three separate choirs of the Griffon Jr. Singers, mostly depending on age groups, and many students remain members for several years.

This past year, the center initiated a SCRIP program, where patrons have the opportunity to earn funds for the center but also earn tuition credits for classes. With SCRIP, people may purchase a “gift” card for a variety of retail businesses that they can use to pay for their purchases. A portion of the card’s value is returned to the center and a portion can be used for tuition credit for classes.

Rund, director of the center for eight years, hopes the campus and community will take greater advantage of the activities offered. “Western truly is a treasure, and I hope more people will take advantage of the art and culture awaiting them. Our programs function to bring the arts and culture up close and personal.”

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Pass the Power
	Deborah Ellsworth, director of Pass the Power, holds a check for $2,000 with Stephanie Bagley, Wal-Mart co-manager. Wal-Mart donated the money to Pass the Power as part of their commitment to literacy.

Prairie Lands Writing Project Grant Focuses on Technology in the Classroom

The Prairie Lands Writing Project (PLWP) at Western was recently awarded a $15,000 National Writing Project technology initiative grant to fund a year-long study, “Teaching in a Digital World.” According to Dr. Jane Frick, PLWP site director and professor of English, Western is one of only six sites in the country that was selected to receive grants that will develop technology teaching projects. PLWP will use the funds for three projects in the 2005-2006 academic year.

“Writing and Technology in the Content Area” allowed 16 teachers from school districts in the area to meet in a classroom and computer lab to develop an electronic portfolio of teaching materials to use in their classrooms this year.

The “Making Technology Meaningful in a Literacy Classroom” Professional Learning Community was also funded by the grant. The learning community is a group of eight area teachers that meet six times throughout the school year to research and identify the best practices for the use of digital tools in the classroom.

“Technology Mentor Cadre” for pre-service English teachers, shares the experiences of secondary teachers who use digital tools in their classrooms with pre-service secondary teachers now attending Western.

“My favorite part of Prairie Lands Writing Project is watching the faces of teachers as they begin to understand different ways to reach their students,” said Dr. Frick.

PLWP is a national writing project that concentrates on improving student literacy skills and providing professional development and expanding the role of teachers.

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Center for Student Engagement

The Center for Student Engagement opened its doors Jan. 17. The center is located in Blum Union, room 207, and will provide resources for student organizations and leaders. The center features a copy machine, fax machine, banner paper, markers, button makers, a laminating machine, computer workstations, a typewriter, organization mailboxes, graphic artist support, web designer support, paint and stencils.

Financial Aid Awareness Week

Western will host a Financial Aid Awareness Week Feb. 13-17. Students may stop by the Financial Aid Office in Eder Hall anytime throughout the week and receive help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or scholarship applications, or meet with financial aid advisors.

Angela Beam, director of financial aid, said the main goal of the awareness week is to encourage students to file their FAFSA by March 1, which is the deadline to receive the maximum amount of federal aid.

She said hundreds of students wait until the last minute to turn in required financial aid forms, and staff members in the financial aid office work hundreds of hours of overtime. But even with the overtime, processing delays quickly become six to eight weeks long with the number of late filers. Students can prevent the frustration and stress of not having their funds available by meeting application deadlines and completing their financial aid files no later than May 1.

Students who complete their financial aid applications before or during financial aid awareness week will be eligible for daily drawings during that week. In the past, prizes have included scholarships, calling cards, sweatshirts and planners. Candy and other giveaways will also be available.

For more information, contact Beam at 4361 or by email at lepley.

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Tower Sports

Men's Basketball

Jan. 11 - Western 48, Northwest Missouri State 63

Women's Basketball

Jan. 11 - Western 69, Northwest Missouri State 83
Jan. 14 - Western , Park University

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The new Center for Student Engagement will have its grand opening Jan. 17. The center is located in Blum Union, room 207, and will provide resources for student organizations and leaders. The center will feature a copy machine, fax machine, banner paper, markers, button makers, a laminating machine, computer workstations, a typewriter, organization mailboxes, graphic artist support, web designer support, paint and stencils.

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Tuesday, January 17

Late registration
Classes begin
Print Exhibit "Director's Choice" - Potter Hall, Gallery 206, through Feb. 3

Wednesday, January 18

Late registration
"Introduction to Ukraine, Geography and Language," presentation by Ukrainian scholar Dr. Larissa Nizhegorodtseva - 4 p.m. Eder Hall, 210

Thursday, January 19

Late registration
ACT Residual - 8 a.m. Eder Hall, room 208

Friday, January 20

Late registration
"Mass Media in Ukraine," presentation by Ukrainian scholar Dr. Larissa Nizhegorodtseva - 10 a.m. Murphy Hall, 110
"Mass Media in Ukraine," presentation by Ukrainian scholar Dr. Larissa Nizhegorodtseva - 2 p.m. Ramada Inn, St. Joseph, Mo.

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Wanted: Your want ads!

You are welcome to submit ads to the Western ADvantage each week.

To be fair to everyone, please follow these guidelines for submission. Only ads from campus constituents are accepted.

Ads for non-campus organizations or professional businesses will not be printed.
Ads can cover items wanted, items to be sold, garage sales, etc.
Ads may be edited for length, style or content. The staff reserves the right to evaluate the appropriateness of ads for inclusion.
Ads received by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday will be included in that Monday's publication. Ads received after the deadline will be included in the next edition.
Ads will automatically run for a two-week period. Extensions are granted by resubmitting the ad.
Ads will only be accepted by email, fax and campus mail. Please send submissions by email to publicrelations@missouriwestern.edu; to fax 4414 or by mail to Tower Topics, Institutional Advancement, Leah Spratt Hall, Room 106.

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