Week of Feburary 2 - 8, 2004 

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

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

Click any link for these stories:

Noontime Concert Series Features Western Instructor

Student Athletes 
to Host Event

Daffron Named Assistant Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Points of Pride

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

Archives

The deadline for all entries is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 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:
Jenny Pawlowski

Staff Advisers:
Kristy Hill and Diane Holtz

In cooperation with the Western music department, First Presbyterian Church is sponsoring the First Thursday Downtown Noon Concert from 12:10 – 12:45 p.m. Feb. 5. Ellen Bottorff, Western instructor of music, will present a program of jazz vocals and piano entitled,"The Splendors of Love."

The program will include pieces by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe and Jobim. Bottorff will be singing and performing piano solos.

The audience is invited to bring lunch to eat while listening to the performances in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 7th & Jules. Beverages will be provided. There is an opportunity to meet the musician after the concert. A freewill offering will be taken with a suggested minimum donation of $2. Commerce Bank of St. Joseph and anonymous benefactors have also provided financial assistance.

Bottorff has recorded two albums: "Arrows of Time" with trombonist David Vining, and the Kansas Brass Quintet’s "Rare Breeds and Dog-Eared Classics." Bottorff was also a featured soloist with the Saint Joseph Symphony, performing Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto, in Chillicothe. She has toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada as a collaborative pianist.

Bottorff is a graduate of Western and the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Music. Currently, she is completing a doctor of musical arts degree in piano performance and chamber music at the University of Kansas (KU), Lawrence. Since 1994, Ellen has taught piano and voice at Western, with her students receiving high honors in local, state and national competitions. She also serves as a lecturer in opera coaching at KU.

This is the fifth year of the First Thursday Downtown Noon Concert. Other performances will take place in March and April. For further information, contact Jerry Anderson, associate professor of music, at 4431 or anderson@missouriwestern.edu.

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Student Athletes to Host Event

The Western student athlete advisory committee is hosting a chili lunch and silent auction 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Feb. 7 in the small gym of the M.O. Looney Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building.

Admission costs are $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 12 and under and $4 for Western students (with ID). Silent auction items include two round-trip airline tickets, signed athletic gear, dinner with Western coaches and more.

Proceeds from the event will be used toward community service projects. One upcoming project is the "Night Out on the Griffs," where the athletes offer a free evening of childcare. Details of this event will be released at a later date.

For more information, contact the athletic department at 4481.

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Daffron Named Assistant Vice President 
for Academic and Student Affairs

Dr. Jeanne Daffron, dean of professional studies, will become the new assistant vice president for academic and student affairs beginning July 1, 2004, or when a new successor to her current position is appointed. She will report to Dr. David Arnold, vice president for academic and student affairs.

"I'm really excited about the new challenge and the ability to work with faculty across campus to develop programs," Dr. Daffron said.

The search for the new assistant vice president for academic and student affairs began last summer. Despite a reasonable number of candidates, few met all the requirements needed for the position. Dr. Daffron was recommended for the position by Dr. Arnold. 

"Dr. Daffron has led successful re-accreditation efforts in her school, is held in high regard by her department chairs, has sufficient community standing to chair the Chamber Board this year and as dean, she has the first-hand knowledge of faculty professional development needs," Dr. Arnold said.

In her new role, Dr. Daffron will focus on supporting people and programs in academic and student affairs.

"It's a position intended to provide support for faculty and programs across campus," Dr. Daffron said.

The national search for Daffron's successor will begin immediately with the posting of the position and the formation of the search committee.

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Points of Pride

• Dr. Jeanne Daffron, dean of professional studies, has been appointed as the 2004 chair of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
• IMC Educational Television Services placed twice in The Communicator Awards 2003 Video Competition. A current television spot, "MWSC Evening/Weekend Promo" produced by Tara Stoll won an honorable mention in the Commercials/Education category. The recent United Way video, "Invest in What Matters," produced by Danielle Hunt, won a Crystal Award of Excellence in the External Communications/Fund Raiser category. The Communicator Awards is an international awards competition that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field.
• Darrin Daugherty, electronic resources librarian, has been called to active duty for eventual deployment to Iraq. Daugherty is a member of the Army Field Artillery Reserve Unit in Hiawatha, Kan.
• Geo Sipp, assistant professor of art, had a print selected for inclusion in the 17^th Parkside National Small Print Exhibition at the University of Wisconsin. One of his drawings was juried into the America’s 2000: Paperworks Competition, and a mixed media drawing/lithograph is being shown at the Dennis Morgan Gallery in Kansas City, Mo.
• The Griffon Yearbook took fourth place in the Best of Show at the National Student Media Convention in Dallas. This is the third consecutive year the yearbook has placed in the Best of Show competition at the national student publications convention.
• Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, published “Iranian Economy” in the World & Its Peoples Encyclopedia.
• Dr. Elizabeth Latosi-Sawin, professor of English, had an article, "Living and Teaching in the Round," accepted for publication in Pedagogy. The article is a description of and argument for interdisciplinary learning communities such as Western’s Outdoor Semester.
• R. E. Moore, director of the developmental math program, and his wife Jennie were named 2003 Members of the Year by the Maysville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Moores supported Chamber of Commerce events including newcomers receptions, scholarship fund, and awards banquet.  In addition to the Chamber activities, the Moores helped establish the DeKalb County Flag Fund, helped lead the DeKalb County Support Our Troops ceremony, and organized a Camp Quality benefit event.
• The following Western faculty members were granted tenure effective with their appointment to the 2004-2005 academic year: Dr. Stacia Bensyl, department of English, foreign language and journalism, Dr. Robert Bergland, department of English, foreign language and journalism, Dr. Mitchell Haney, department of history, philosophy and geography, Dr. Marilyn Hunt, department of communication studies and theatre,  Dr. Richard Porr, department of education, Dr. Ian Roberts, department of English, foreign language and journalism, Dr. Patricia Scott, department of government, social work, and sociology, David Tushaus, department of criminal justice and legal studies, Dr. Donald Vestal, department of computer science, mathematics and physics.
• Dr. Ali Kamali, associate professor of sociology, published the following articles recently: "Private Investment, Globalization, and Economic Recovery: The Central Asian Experiences in the Journal of Third World Studies," and "Public Policies and Economic Transition in Central Asia" in The Scandinavian Journal of Development Alternatives and Area Studies.
• Dr. Evelyn Brooks, associate professor of nursing, co-published “Reproducibility of Heel Ultrasound Measurement in Prepubescent Children: Lack of Influence of Ethnicity, Sex or Body Size” in the “Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine: Official Journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.” Co-publishers included Matthew High, Eileen Duty, Wendell Bronson and Roger Aebase.
• Mark Hamilton, instructor of English, had an article, “Northern Watersnakes, Nerodia Sipedon Sipedon, on the Lower Missouri River, Clark County, Missouri,” published in The Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society.
• Dr. Kelly Henry, assistant professor of psychology, co-authored an article entitled “Time, Change, and Development: The Temporal Perspective on Groups” published in the journal “Small Group Research.”
• Dr. Michael Matthews, professor emeritus, accompanied on the piano by Jerry Anderson, associate professor of music, presented a faculty low brass recital on Nov. 9. Several selections were his own compositions.
• Western alum Steven Moellering composed and directed a new version of "Twelve Days of Christmas" for the St. Joseph Area Music Teachers Association and the Western music department’s "Young Monster Christmas Piano Concert."
• Dr. Richard Bell, assistant professor of music, and Frank Thomas, associate professor of music, played the role of kings in "Amahl and The Night Visitors," performed by the St. Joseph Symphony.
• Frank Thomas, associate professor of music, directed the St. Joseph Community Chorus and the St. Joseph Chamber Choir in the performance of "A Rose in Winter" at the annual Christmas Concert at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
• Jerry Anderson, associate professor of music, directed the St. Joseph Area Music Teachers Association and the Western music department’s "Young Monster Christmas Piano Concert." Anderson and Dr. David Bennett, assistant professor of music, were pianists for a new version of "Twelve Days of Christmas."
• Dr. Dennis Rogers, professor of music and percussion coordinator, took the Steel Drum Band on tour to middle schools and high schools in the Liberty, Mo. and North Kansas City, Mo. area.
• Frank Thomas, associate professor of music, directed the St. Joseph Chamber Choir’s performances for the Downtown Rotary Club during the holiday season, the Christmas Lighting Ceremony at the St. Joseph Museum and the Annual VIP evening at Dillards.
• Frank Thomas, associate professor of music, directed the Concert Chorale and Dr. Richard Bell, assistant professor of music, directed the Renaissance Singers during the their Christmas concert in conjunction with American Guild of Organists at Ashland United Methodist Church.
• Jerry Anderson, associate professor of music, presented a holiday choral program by the First Presbyterian Church Choir at the Noontime Series.
• Dr. Marilyn Hunt, assistant professor of speech, attended the annual meeting of the National Communication Association in Miami. She conducted a three-hour conference short course with Dr. Diane Gorcyca, professor of speech, on utilizing senior portfolios to assess student and program development.
• Dr. John Tapia, professor of speech, delivered "Aristotle’s Views of Memory and Recollection as the Basis of his Rhetorical Invention" at the November meeting of the National Communication Association Convention in Miami Beach, Fla. The paper was selected for presentation on the Top Papers in Greek and Roman Rhetoric panel.
• Dr. Kevin Anderson, assistant professor of math, and Dr. Timothy Miller, assistant professor of math, gave presentations at the International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics.
• Dr. Michael Ottinger, assistant professor of physics, presented a paper in Jefferson City at the Missouri Association of Physics Teachers’ Fall Meeting.
• Dr. Donald Vestal, assistant professor of math, gave a presentation entitled "Parts is Parts: A Brief Introduction to the Theory of Partitions" at the Computer Science Mathematics and Physics Colloquium.
• Dr. Ann Thorne, associate professor of journalism, presented two sessions at the annual College Media Advisers/National Student Media Convention in Dallas. Her presentations were entitled "Leads for Successful Yearbook Stories" and "The Write Style for Headlines and Captions."
• Dawn Terrick, instructor of English, attended the 93^rd Annual Convention for National Council of Teachers of English where she participated in a panel discussion on writing assessment and placement. In addition, she presented a paper entitled "The Use of the Mini-Portfolio for Maximum Results in the Composition Classroom."
• Dr. Jane Frick, professor of English, made a paper presentation, "Dual-Credit Composition: Teachers, Students and Their Writings," as a part of a national, refereed panel session. The session, "Teaching and Assessing Writing in the High School Classroom," included presenters from Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, at the National Council of Teachers of English annual convention held in San Francisco in November.
• Ronda Ford, adjunct flute faculty, presented a recital on Nov. 18. Her flute students performed at a Flute Recital on Nov. 13.
• Richard Yeager, assistant professor of music, directed the Jazz Ensemble in their recital on Nov. 16. He also performed as soloist with the North Central Missouri Bandmasters Clinic Band, at the Kansas City Flute Association Conference, the Western Flute Recital, Dr. Michael Matthews’ Faculty Recital, and he adjudicated the Northwest District Band Auditions.
• Senior recitals were presented by the following: Mary Jo Lewis, vocal, studio of Janice Ragland; Jon Davidson, percussion, studio of Dr. Dennis Rogers; Jason Zoubek, guitar, studio of Mark Bentley.
• Dr. Kelly Bouas Henry, assistant professor of psychology, Dr. James Bargar, professor of psychology and Dr. Phillip D. Wann, professor of psychology, presented a poster at the National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology in St. Petersburg Beach, Fla., on "The Evolution of a Capstone Experience."
• Ramona Moeck, assistant professor of criminal justice, participated in the Missouri Trade and Technical planning meeting for the upcoming Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education. Ramona is working with the Regional Community Policing Institute to provide workshops on police/corrections ethics.
• Dr. Shiva Nandan, associate professor of marketing, presented "An Analysis of Branding Strategies of E-Commerce Leaders: Lessons From Amazon, eBay and Yahoo" and "The Realm of Brands: A Review of Definitions and Measurements of Brand Equity" at the Academy of Business Disciplines Conference in Ft. Myers, Fla. He also served as chair for the "Global Session" at the same conference.
• Dr. Matrese Benkofske, assistant professor of general business, presented a paper authored by Lou Fowler, associate professor of accounting, Dr. Konrad Gunderson, assistant professor of accounting, entitled "The Value of Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Business Courses: An Empirical Study" at the annual American Accounting and Finance Research conference in New Orleans.

• Dr. Evelyn Brooks, associate professor of nursing, and Dr. Jeanne Daffron, dean of professional studies, directed a nursing student research project “Making Healthy Choices: Evaluating Adolescent Knowledge, Behaviors, and Values Following an Educational Intervention.”  The research was accepted and presented at the 131st American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The research was one of the 2003 Summer Research Institute projects and was funded by a March of Dimes grant awarded to the nursing department.  Funding for the presentation was awarded by the Western Foundation’s Student Excellence Fund.          

• Dr. Carolyn Brose, assistant professor of nursing, presented a paper, “Competency:  Why Don’t New Grads Have It?  Implications for Academia and Service,” at the 30^th Annual National Conference on Professional Nursing Education and Development held at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City, Mo.                                                                          

• Marsha Dolan, assistant professor of nursing, presented “Using the Internet for Health Care Research” at the Missouri Hospital Association annual meeting in Tan Tar A and at the Mid-Missouri Health Information Management Association regional meeting in Columbia, Mo.       

• Kristy Hill, director of public relations and marketing, attended the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education District VI Conference in Denver. Hill also presented a workshop to Leadership Northwest Missouri about “Tips in Working with the Media.”       

• Julie Lawrence, director of alumni services, attended the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education District VI Conference in Denver. She received a scholarship from the council to attend the conference.

• Dr. Deborah Freedman, associate professor of music, directed the St. Joseph Symphony in the performances of “Amahl and The Night Visitors” and “Polar Express.”

• Nursing students Vera Onkoba and Elizabeth Woolery presented "Making Healthy Choices: Evaluating Adolescent Knowledge, Behaviors, and Values Following an Educational Intervention" at the 131st American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The research was one of the 2003 Summer Research Institute projects and was funded by a March of Dimes grant awarded to the nursing department.  Funding for the presentation was awarded by the Western Foundation Student Excellence Fund.
• Melissa Taylor will present "The Economic Implications of Distance Education," at the refereed Economics and International Business Research Conference. The paper, written by Taylor and Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, has also been accepted for publication.
• In "Amahl and The Night Visitors," performed by the St. Joseph Symphony, senior music major Amy Dunlap Ives sang the role of the mother, Western alum Jedd Schneider was a king, senior Jacob Schneider performed the role of the page and senior Jeremy Schneider was in the shepherd's chorus.
• Senior Shaun Agnew was the narrator for "Polar Express" performed by the Griffon Junior Singers.
• Western alumni Melanie Maxwell, flute; Jason Riley, guitar; and Aaron Williams, percussion, accompanied the St. Joseph Community Chorus and the St. Joseph Chamber Choir in the performance of "A Rose in Winter."
• The following students presented their senior music recitals: Mary Jo Lewis, vocal; Jon Davidson, percussion; and Jason Zoubek, guitar.
• Eleven English majors, members of the Student Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English (SNCTE) Club, devoted an entire Saturday in October in teaching 70 area Girl Scouts how to be better writers. SNCTE members conducted a series of writing workshops at Western for the Scouts, who fulfilled their requirements for a "Write All About It" Merit Badge. Dr. Jane Frick and Tom Pankiewicz, SNCTE faculty advisors, also assisted with the workshop.
• Amy Dunlap Ives and Shaun Agnew, accompanied by Brenda Foster, presented the October Noontime Event at First Presbyterian Church. They are both music education seniors from the studio of Sharon Gray, associate professor of music. This series is under the direction of Jerry Anderson, associate professor of music.
• The Symphonic Winds, conducted by Jeffrey Hinton, assistant professor of music, presented a concert on Nov. 16.
• Emily Auxier, from the studio of Sharon Gray, presented her Senior Voice Recital.
• The 10^th Multidisciplinary Research Day, sponsored by the departments of biology and psychology, featured 83 poster presentations by students from seven academic departments on campus. The poster session was followed by a public presentation, "Pseudoscience: Do We Know Where it Comes From and What it Can Teach Us About Science Education?" by Dr. Steve Hockstra of Kansas Wesleyan University.
• Over 350 students attended the annual Midnight Breakfast sponsored by the Residence Council held on Dec. 15 from 10 p.m. to midnight. Those who helped serve breakfast to the students included faculty and staff members Ron Olinger, Bob Klostermeyer, Larry Andrews, Sarah Lloyd, Chad Elifrits, John Comerford, Kristi Schulte, and Sandy Rogers. The students enjoyed music, food, and prizes.

• The Western library was recently awarded a grant totaling $9,316 from the Missouri State Library for digital imaging and metadata creation for a portion of the Women Writers Across the River collection in special collections.
• The Griffon Junior Singers performed "Polar Express" during the St. Joseph Symphony program.
• The Western Concert Chorale and Renaissance Singers presented their Christmas concert in conjunction with American Guild of Organists at Ashland United Methodist Church.
• Internationally known Anthony Glise, instructor of music, was joined by Jason Riley to perform as featured artists with the St. Joseph Symphony, directed by Dr. Deborah Freedman, associate professor of music, on Nov. 15. They premiered Glise’s composition, "Double Guitar Concerto."
• Thirty-eight pianists from the three-state northwest area competed for scholarships in the annual Piano Festival, which was under the direction of Jerry Anderson, Dr. Brent Hugh, and Dr. David Bennett. Richard Cass and Wesley True, nationally known pianists, were adjudicators.
• The Western Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Deborah Freedman, associate professor of music, performed their concert on Nov. 23. Featured on the program was the Piano Concerto #13 by Mozart, played by 2001 keyboard graduate and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Christian Bohnenstengel.

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• The French Conversation Table will be held in the Fred Eder Student Services and Classroom Building, room 211, from 12 - 12:45 p.m., on the following Thursdays: Jan. 29, Feb. 19, March 25, April. 22.  All are welcome to bring their lunch and come for conversation en francais. Contact Susie Hennessy at 5813 or hennessy@missouriwestern.edu for more information. 

• The Printed Nude art exhibit is on display in the Thompson E. Potter Fine Arts Building Gallery, room 206, until Feb. 6. The gallery is open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Cosmo-KC Interview Day is 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. March 2 at the KCI-Expo Center (http://www.kciexpo.com). Online sign-up is available through Feb. 21 at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/careerdevelopment/cosmc-kc/. 

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Monday, February 2

• "Lewis and Clark" planetarium show, 7:30 p.m., SM 105

• Greece Travel Study Registration Meeting, 5 p.m., SS/C 223

Wednesday, February 4

• "Lewis and Clark" planetarium show, 7:30 p.m., SM 105

• Women's basketball at Emporia State, 5:30 p.m.

• Men's basketball at Emporia State, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 5

• Noontime Concert Series, 12:10 - 12:45 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 7th and Jules

Friday, February 6

• "A New Vision for Black America," lecture by Dr. Na’im Akbar, 7 p.m., Leah Spratt Hall Kemper Recital Hall

Saturday, February 7

• Women's basketball vs. Southwest Baptist, 1:30 p.m.

• Men's basketball vs. Southwest Baptist, 3:30 p.m.

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