Week of April 10 - 16, 2006

Week of April 10 - 16, 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:

Time to Nominate Distinguished Faculty and Alumni

Alumni Lunch Series

Student Dies on Campus

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


The engineering technology department presented hands on learning experiences for Kearney, Mo. middle school students as part of the Ready. Set. Go... program in Admissions. Left: Dr. Zhoa Zhang, associate professor of electronic engineering, helps middle school student make circuit boards. Right: Western student Bryan Barrows shows the students how to use survey equipment.

Time to Nominate Distinguished Faculty and Alumni

The Alumni Association is accepting nominations for the 2006 Distinguished Service Awards through May 1. Anyone is eligible to submit a nomination for the Distinguished Alumni Award or Distinguished Faculty Award.

To be eligible for the Alumni Award, there must be a time difference of at least five years between graduation and the nomination. The criteria for consideration includes professional achievement and distinction; service to the community, state or nation; humanitarian contribution to society in general; and possession of those qualities that elicit pride from others who attended the same educational institution. The awardee must be able to attend the awards banquet, parade and football game Homecoming weekend.

Criteria for the Faculty Award include teaching excellence, availability to students, professional accomplishments and potential, lasting influence on students, and professional and ethical standards. The awardee must also be able to attend the Homecoming weekend activities.

Nominations may be made online at Western’s website, www.missouriwestern.edu, by clicking on “Alumni,” then “Alumni Recognition.” Individuals may also contact the alumni office at 5676 to obtain an application. A letter of recommendation must accompany the application. Forms and letters can be mailed to Spratt Hall, 108.

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Left: Gayl Edmunds offered an interactive workshop, “Sovereignty: Walking the Red Road,” during Native American Day April 5. Edmunds spoke at last year’s Native American Day, and is the president and CEO of Professional Review Network, Inc., which specializes in alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation and prevention. Right: Dr. Richmond Clow gave a keynote address April 5. His topic was “Water Rights of the Blackfeet.” Dr. Clow is the professor of Native American Studies at the University of Montana. He has written or co-authored four books, and is currently on sabbatical completing a reference guide on sovereignty.

Alumni Lunch Series

The Western Alumni Association will host a brown bag lunch from 12-1 p.m. April 27 in Spratt Hall, Enright Room, 214. Alumni are invited to bring their lunch and listen to guest speaker Robin Hammond, ’93, director of the St. Joseph Youth Alliance. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

The next lunch in the series will be held May 25. A Western alumnus will be the speaker each month. For more information or to make a reservation, call 816-271-5676. A reservation form is also available at www.griffonalumni.org.

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Mystery writer Donna Andrews signs an autograph for a student in the English 210 "Murder and More" course April 6. Andrews held a workshop and book signing April 5. She is the author of nine books, including the Meg Langlsow series.

Student Dies on Campus

Kelly Chandler, a 31-year old freshman female student, was found dead in her room in Leaverton Hall. Public Safety and Housing staff went to the student’s room because her mother had not heard from her in several days.

The preliminary autopsy for Chandler showed no evidence of trauma or other foul play, and there was no indication from the autopsy, or any other evidence, of an illness or disease. The Jackson County medical examiner is completing the toxicology testing.

Counselors, residence hall staff and resident assistants are available for students and staff who need support or have questions.

Dr. James Scanlon, Western's president, said, “We express our condolences to the student’s family and friends. Our hearts go out to the student’s family and friends, and we extend to them our deepest sympathy.”

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Left: Corey Lonjers' "self portrait" is one of several pieces of artwork on display in Potter Hall. The Senior Art Exhibit for this group of students will run through April 14, and the second senior art show begins April 17. Right: Logan Pettis enjoys the artwork of senior graphic design and studio art major Niki Adams.

Tower Sports

Baseball

April 7 - Western 5, Southwest Baptist 7
April 8 - Western 14, Southwest Baptist 1

Softball

April 4 - Western 5, Emporia State 6
April 8 - Western 5, Pittsburg State 3

Tennis

April 5 - Western 0, Washburn 9

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A teacher job search panel presentation will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. April 13 in Eder Hall, room 210. Administrators from area school districts will describe hiring practices in their districts.
The biology department at Western will host speaker Michael Jay of the Environmental Protection Agency, region 7, Kansas City, Kan. Jay will speak on "Environmental Concerns About Mercury Emissions and Bioaccumulation" at 7 p.m. April 12 in Agenstein Hall, room 308.
Students can now apply for opportunities to receive a ROTC scholarship or attend a summer internship. If you enjoy athletic activities and are looking for something different, we may have challenge for you. Qualifications include, but are not limited to, U.S. citizens, full time students, physically fit, and between the ages of 18 and 25. For more information, call 4541.
Help support the Pride Alliance in a day of silence April 26. To help spread the word about the day of silence and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, t-shirts will be on sale for $10. For more information or to get a t-shirt, call 7105 or 5634, or email pride@missouriwestern.edu.
Western will host country stars Chely Wright and Emerson Drive April 20 at the St. Joseph Civic Arena. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. The concert is free to students with a current student ID, and $25 for community members. Students may pick up their tickets at the center for student engagement in Blum Union, 207. Tickets are available for purchase at the Civic Arena, Record Wear House, and Ticketmaster.com.
The 12th annual MWSU Ambassadors' "Night at the Ritz" will be held April 28 at the Mayes Memorial Armory, Woodbine and Faraon. The reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Dixie Ham at 4488. The cost for individuals is $30. Proceeds are used for nontraditional student scholarships.
Campus Compact has issued a call for proposals for its regional conference. Deadline for submissions is May 1. The deadline for submissions for the statewide conference is May 26. Applications and the full request for proposals are available at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/appliedlearning/compact.html.
Tryouts for the Mystic Dance Team will be held at 10 a.m. May 13. For more information, or for an application visit www.missouriwestern.edu/orgs/mystics.

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Tuesday, April 11

Spring Education Expo - 1:30-3:30 p.m. Fulkerson Center
Considering College Workshop - 2 p.m. Eder Hall, 208
Western Baseball vs. Emporia State - 3 p.m.
Exit Exams - 5 p.m. Eder Hall, 208 and Murphy Hall, rooms 201 and 206
Power of Words - 6 p.m. Blum Union, 222

Wednesday, April 12

Academic Profile - 5 p.m. Hearnes Center, 102

Thursday, April 13

Eggs & Issues - 7 a.m. Fulkerson Center, "Owner's Manual for Success: How to Create the Life you Really Want...Today," Dr. Tim Crowley.
GED test - 8 a.m. Eder Hall, 208

Friday, April 14

Western Softball vs. Augustana - 9 a.m.
Scribes & Muses meeting - 2 p.m. Blum Union, 223
Western Baseball vs. Missouri Southern - 2 p.m.
Western Softball vs. Minnesota-Duluth - 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 15

Western Softball vs. Nebraska-Omaha - 9 a.m.
Western Softball vs. North Dakota - 10:45 a.m.
Western Baseball vs. Missouri Southern - 12 p.m.

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Now hiring waiter/waitress and host/hostess at Chu's Garden Restaurant. Apply inside at 3619 Beck Rd.
House for sale by owner: 5506 Long View Dr., Eastbrook subdivision near Western. Beautiful, split-foyer built in 2001 by Jim Ingle Construction. 4-bedroom, 3-bath, all-electric home has approximately 2,100 sq. ft. and a lot of upgrades. Hardwood floors, custom oak cabinets, whirlpool tub in master bath, water softener, 6 ft. by 20 ft. storage/utility room with shelving. For more information, call 279-2042.

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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