Week of Feb. 5-11, 2007

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 Hosts Speed Networking Alumni/Student Luncheon

Students to Study Tourists

Residence Council Has Successful Fall Semester

Western Professor to Give Talk on the Causes of Terrorism

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.

Western Hosts Speed Networking Alumni/Student Luncheon

The Western Alumni Association Board of Directors, together with the office of career development, invites alumni and students to participate in the first speed networking alumni/student luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Fulkerson Center. There is no cost for the luncheon.

Participating alumni will host a table of Western students, answering questions about their careers, offering advice, and getting to know the students. At the end of the first course, alumni will move to a different table and engage in a similar discussion with a new group of students. At the end of the second course, alumni will once again move to a different table.

Students currently enrolled in internship and practicum experiences should contact Linda Garlinger in the office of career development at 4205 to register for this event.

Alumni can register online at www.griffonalumni.org; click on “Events,” call 5646, or e-mail Colleen Kowich, director of alumni services, at ckowich with a subject of “Networking Lunch.”

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Students to Study Tourists

Who visits St. Joseph? Why did they choose to come here? How do they spend their time while here? What is their opinion of the city’s museums?

Students in Dr. Jitendra Tewari’s Workplace Research class hope to answer these questions and more as they conduct a yearlong visitor profile study for the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), gaining a great applied learning experience along the way.

Beginning this spring and over the next year, students will ask approximately 600 visitors to the city to answer a short questionnaire for the CVB. Marci Bennett, executive director of the CVB, said information gleaned from the visitor profile study helps them make decisions regarding marketing, advertising and product development; and helps them improve their services.

Bennett noted that the last visitor profile study was conducted four years ago by Purdue University students, but she felt like they didn’t understand Missouri or St. Joseph. So she was very interested when Carol Roever, associate professor of business and department chair, suggested that students in Western’s Aspirations program could help. Students in the Aspirations program conduct research and present their results at conferences. They plan to attend graduate school, also.  

Dr. Tewari, assistant professor of marketing, noted that the study will be a great learning experience for the students. “They will gain technical experience of exactly how decisions are made based on research and an understanding of the tourism industry and the community,” he said.

Initially, three students will help create the questionnaire and begin talking to tourists: Alyssa Smith of St. Joseph; Kodi BeVelle of Chillicothe, Mo.; and Erin Ward of Winston, Mo.

All three said they were excited about the study and anxious to begin. The first step is a half-day workshop offered by the CVB to familiarize the students with St. Joseph tourist destinations. “So many times, when you’re asking questions, you end up serving as an ambassador,” Bennett said.

They will then begin work on the questionnaire, which Dr. Tewari called one of the most important parts of the study.

“I think it’s wonderful. It enhances MWSU’s visibility in the community, and it helps us gather pertinent information,” said Bennett. “These students will learn a lot about the community.”

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Residence Council Has Successful Fall Semester

Several new initiatives, educational programs, contests and many entertaining and social activities made the fall semester in the residence halls busy and fun. “Looking back over the 2006 fall semester, Residence Council is very pleased with everything we accomplished to improve life at MWSU,” said Traci Haug, Residence Council president. “We are very excited.”

The Griffon Greeters program kicked off the fall semester, where more than 17 campus organizations composed of more than 150 students helped freshmen move in residence halls. Residence Council also hosted a Freshman Week for the first time. New freshmen who participated in Griffon Edge were kept busy each evening with activities and programs, including “Meet Your Neighbor” on move-in day.

Additionally, Residence Council participated in Welcome Week the first week of school. “We put on activities to help entertain the students still adjusting to the ‘study mode,’” said Haug.

An annual Halloween tradition, Trick or Treat Off the Street, drew more than 250 children to campus, which Haug called a huge success. Candy, along with games, activities, and refreshments were provided for parents and children.

And finally, a Midnight Breakfast the night before finals week capped off the semester of activities.

Haug said the Residence Council promotes community activities, also. The fall semester found students volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, holding a food drive for America’s Second Harvest Food Bank in St. Joseph, collecting pennies for United Way, and donating gifts for Operation Christmas Child.

“We have another semester full of activities, contests and service,” said Haug. “We hope students will enjoy is as much as we are enjoying organizing it.”

Haug said she always welcomes suggestions and ideas. You can email her at tlh6142.

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Western Professor to Give Talk on the Causes of Terrorism

Dr. Dan Cox, assistant professor of government at Western, will discuss his research on the causes of terrorism in Asia and Africa at 4 p.m. Feb. 13 in Frank Popplewell Hall 204. The talk is the third in a series of presentations by faculty members who received research grants last summer from the Western Institute.

Dr. Cox’s research is part of a larger book project that he is co-authoring with Maj. Brian Stackhouse, military science instructor at Western; and Dr. John Falconer of the University of Nebraska-Kearney. The book is currently under contract with the University Press of New England.

“I am interested in terrorism in Asia and Africa because I feel these are woefully understudied regions,” said Dr. Cox. “There were more terror events in Asia and Africa than there are in the Middle East over the past 29 years. Fundamental Islamic movements are gaining strengths in these regions.”

For more information, contact Dr. Cox at 816-271-4344 or Dr. Mark Mikkelsen, director of the Western Institute’s Center for Arts, Culture and Literacy, at 816-271-4530.

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Tower Sports

Men's Basketball

• Loss vs. Southwest Baptist, 75-95, Jan. 30

• Loss vs. Emporia State, 79-89, Feb. 3

• Feb. 7 vs. Pittsburg State at 7:30 p.m.

• Feb. 10 vs. Fort Hays State at 7:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball

• Win vs. Southwest Baptist, 83-73, Jan. 30

• Loss vs. Emporia State, 63-83, Feb. 3

• Feb. 5 vs. Morningside at 6 p.m.

• Feb. 7 vs. Pittsburg State at 5:30 p.m.

• Feb. 10 vs. Fort Hays State at 5:30 p.m.

Apply for Western Scholarships Students who wish to be considered for Western and affiliated scholarships for 2007-08 need to complete the following                                      no later than March 1:

• Complete the 2007-08 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• Complete the General Scholarship Application on-line at https://www-sec.missouriwestern.edu/admissions/app/curstu/Login.asp.

• Submit any letters of reference or other required information online.

• Complete FAFSA Verification (if applicable) no later than disbursement of the award.

Leadership Training Course A new scholarship opportunity is available to students interested in completing the Leadership Training Course. Successful students will receive the last two years of their schooling paid for. The program is through the ROTC program. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Christopher Grant at cgrant1 or Maj. Brian Stackhouse at 4541.

Vagina Monologues Meeting and Auditions Do you have the courage to perform for a great cause? We're looking for just the right women to fill a few remaining roles in this year's benefit production of The Vagina Monologues. Faculty, staff and students are all welcome! Please join us Feb. 15-16 at 6 p.m. in the Potter Theater lobby. For more information contact Julie at jsumma.

Study in St. Petersburg and Amsterdam Study art in Amsterdam and St. Petersburg, Russia. Have a once in a lifetime experience and earn three credits! We travel from May 15 - June 5. Your trip starts in Amsterdam, one of the world's most progressive cities. Known for its magnificent canals, great cafés and home to Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, we'll visit the great museums and enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle. Then it's on to St. Petersburg for 11 days. This city is Russia's cultural center and land of the Czars, Rasputin and the fabulous "White Nights!" Home of the Hermitage, truly one of the most magnificent museums in the world! We will visit the spectacular palaces that ring the city. Space is very limited -- if you don't have a passport, apply now. For further information, contact Geo Sipp by e-mail at sipp.

Travel - Study in Northern Ireland! Come study in Northern Ireland!! Be part of this Intersession Class, May 16-26. Explore Northern Ireland, while learning about the Peace Accord of 1998 and the history of this country. Students will stay in a traditional bed and breakfast, and experience much of the "new" Northern Ireland. Limited space is available; a deposit will hold your place. Financial aid available. Contact Joanne Katz, professor of legal studies, at katz or 5837.

Need a fundraiser for your organization? Bob Evans Restaurant in the Shoppes of the North Village can help! They offer a Community Fun Night, where your organization receives 15 percent of sales. For more information, contact Rick Kinion, manager, at 816-232-3880.

Student Government Seeking Students The SGA is currently seeking hard-working and opinionated students to make our organization more successful and more representative of the student body. Meetings are at 5 p.m. in Blum Union 220. Come out and have your voice heard.

"Show Me Your Shamrock" American Marketing Association is selling St. Patrick's Day T-shirts! Cost is $10 for small, medium, large and extra-large or $12 for double and triple XL. The shirts are kelly green. The front of the shirt says "Get Lucky With the Griffs." The back of the shirt says "Show Me Your Shamrocks!" Please support AMA and purchase a t-shirt! Contact an AMA member to place an order. Money is due up front in order to get a shirt. Orders will be taken until Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. Shirts will be available for pick-up March 8 in Blum Union from 3:30-5 p.m. and March 9 from 12-2 p.m. Contact Drew Bouge, AMA president at dcb2785 for more information.

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Monday, February 5

• OSSW Meeting from 12-12:30 p.m. in Popplewell 201

• Phi Delta Theta Spring Rush - Sports Night at 9:30 p.m. at Looney Complex

• Alpha Sigma Phi Spring Rush - Cheeseburger in Paradise (Meet in Blum Union at 6 p.m.)

• Tau Kappa Epsilon Spring Rush - TKE Informational Seminar at 7 p.m. in Blum Union

• Alpha Gamma Delta informal recruitment at 8 p.m. in Blum Union lobby

Tuesday, February 6

• Phi Delta Theta Spring Rush - Pizza n' Poker at 9:30 p.m. in Blum 222/223

• Alpha Sigma Phi Spring Rush - Taco Tuesday and Broom Ball (Leave from Blum Union at 7:30 p.m.)

• Tau Kappa Epsilon Spring Rush - Taco Tuesday at La Mesa (Meet in Blum Union at 7 p.m.)

• Alpha Gamma Delta informal recruitment at 8 p.m. in Blum Union lobby

Wednesday, February 7

• Jazz Sextet ensemble at 7 p.m. at Café Acoustic, 2605 Frederick Ave. Free Admission.

• Phi Delta Theta Spring Rush - Swimming/Water Polo at 9:30 p.m. in Looney Complex

• Alpha Sigma Phi Spring Rush - Winter BBQ and Bowling at 7 p.m. in Juda Courtyard

• Tau Kappa Epsilon Spring Rush - Bowling Night (Meet in Blum Union at 9 p.m.)

• Alpha Gamma Delta informal recruitment at 8 p.m. in Blum Union lobby

• Waffle Mania Waffle Bar,  7 - 9:30 a.m., Cafeteria.

Thursday, February 8

• Phi Delta Theta Spring Rush - Ice Skating/Hockey at 9:30 p.m. at Bode Ice Arena (Meet in front of Blum Union at 9:15 p.m.)

• Alpha Sigma Phi Spring Rush - Poker and Video Games (Leave from Blum Union at 7 p.m.)

• Tau Kappa Epsilon Spring Rush - interviews as scheduled

• Northern Ireland travel/study informational meeting at 3:30 p.m. in Wilson 205

Friday, February 9

• Phi Delta Theta Spring Rush - interviews by appointment

• Alpha Sigma Phi Spring Rush - interviews (Meet at Blum Union at 7 p.m.)

• Tau Kappa Epsilon Spring Rush - Welcoming Dinner

• Northern Ireland travel/study informational meeting at 10 a.m. in Wilson 105

Saturday, February 10

• Polar Bear Plunge at the Western pond to benefit Special Olympics

• Extreme Team performs at the Fort Hays State basketball games

Sunday, February 11

• College Goal Sunday, 2-4 p.m. in Spratt Hall

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For Sale: Twin bed frame, mattress, and box springs in good condition for $35. King size headboard for $20. If interested call 816-244-9095.

For sale: 1993 Ford Probe GT, loaded, 101,000 miles, silver, 12-CD changer, bra included. Gets 29 miles per gallon. Needs some body work, runs fine. $900. Contact Craig at 816-244-9985 or 660-535-4581. Please leave message with name and number if no answer.

Lease apartment from Feb.1 until March 31. No deposit required. Only fish allowed. Three bedroom, two bath, cable ready. Close to Western. Rent $475 or negotiable for two months. Nice back yard and very quiet. Call Melissa 816-351-8353.

Roommate wanted: two bedroom, one bath brand new apartment. Pay half the rent, $350, and half of the electric. Available now. Gym and exercise equipment onsite. Call Becky Cole at 785-741-4881 or email her at rlc9678 for more information.

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