May 30-July 2, 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:

Children's Lifetime Sports Academy to be Held

Western Institute Offers Summer Art Adventure

International Guitar Festival Winners Announced

Tower Sports

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

Points of Pride

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.

Student Editor:
Katie Johnston

Staff Advisers:
Kristy Hill and Diane Holtz

Children's Lifetime Sports Academy to be Held

Western will host the 33^rd annual Children’s Lifetime Sports Academy from 1:30-5:15 p.m. June 12-16. The academy is for children eight-12 years of age, and enrollment will be given to the first 150 signed up. Cost for the academy is $65 for the first child and $50 for each additional child.

The academy will feature activities such as canoeing, archery, rappelling, water sports, fishing, swimming, target practice, a frisbee obstacle course, wall climbing, badminton, skating, bowling, orienteering and bunge swinging.

Children eight-10 years old will receive basic instruction in a number of lifetime sports. Children ages 11-12 will receive intermediate instruction in lifetime sports with an emphasis on outdoor adventure activities.

For more information or to fill out an application, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/hper, or call Leanne Weber at 4491.

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Western Institute Offers Summer Art Adventure

The Western Institute offers many different summer programs, and this summer the focus of their children's art adventure is a trip around the world. Each Thursday session costs $12 and is held at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. beginning June 8. Students may enroll in the entire series or for specific classes.

Each week students will learn about the cultures and customs of many different areas and then create an original artwork based on the artistic traditions of the people who lived there. The classes  offered are:

• June 8 - Bookmaking - Passports for Adventure 

• June 15 - Prehistoric Cave Art: Lascaux, France

• June 22 - Greek Story Vases: Athens, Greece

• June 29 - Kente Cloths: Accra, Ghana

• July 6 - Navajo Sand Painting: Window Rock, Ariz.

• July 13 - Metal Tooling: Mexico City

• July 20 - Aboriginal Art: Papunya Tula, Australia

• July 27 - Abstract Wind Sock: Tokyo

For more information, or to register, call the Western Institute at 4106 or visit the website at www.wi.missouriwestern.edu/arts.

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Tower Sports

Senior men's golfer Brice Garnett has been named to the CoSIDA/"ESPN The Magazine" academic all-district 7 first team for the second time. Garnett is now eligible for the Academic All-America ballot.

Two Western baseball players have earned American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-Central Region honors as selected by the ABCA. Senior Ryan Zenn and junior Sam Walker were both named first team by the ABCA. Both Zenn and Walker were first team, all-MIAA selections as well.

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• Coupons are available in Eder Hall, room 203, that will allow a $14 savings for Six Flags theme park in St. Louis.

• The campus football field and the track around the football field will be closed to all users May 15-July 28. The new artificial turf will be put down during this time.

• Tickets for Worlds of Fun and Silver Dollar City (SDC) can be purchased in the counseling/testing office, Eder Hall, room 203. Worlds of Fun, $25, Oceans of Fun $20.50, Ride & Slide, $38 and junior/senior, $9.95. Silver Dollar City tickets are all two-day tickets except SDC season pass and three-park season pass. SDC adult $43, child (4-11) $33, Celebration City adult $20, child $16. White Water adult $32, child $27. SDC season pass adult $62, child $52. Three-park season pass adult $115, child $105.

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Thursday, June 1

• Walk-in registration for summer classes - Eder Hall, 101

Monday, June 5

• First day of classes (eight-week and first four-week sessions)

• Center for Academic Support open for summer semester

• Driver's Education - 9 a.m.-12 p.m. through June 16

Tuesday, June 6

• Last day to register/add classes

Thursday, June 8

• GED - 8 a.m. Eder Hall, 208

Saturday, June 10

• ACT - 8 a.m. Popplewell and Murphy Halls

• Praxis - 8 a.m. Murphy Hall, 120

Wednesday, June 14

• Facebook web seminar - 12-2:30 p.m. Spratt Hall, 101

Thursday, June 15

• CBase Workshop (Test-Taking Strategies) - 3-4 p.m. Hearnes Center, 213

Friday, June 16

• Registration Orientation

Saturday, June 17

• CBase - 8 a.m. Popplewell Hall, 304

• Girl Scout Day program

Sunday, June 18

• Registration Orientation

Monday, June 19

• Registration Orientation

Thursday, June 22

• Board of Governors Meeting - 5 p.m. Blum Union, room 220

Sunday, June 25

• Registration Orientation

Monday, June 26

• Mullens Basketball Camp - through June 29

• Registration Orientation

Wednesday, June 28

• Continental Singers on campus for conference

Thursday, June 29

• Final Exams for first four-week session

• Late registration for second four-week session

• ACT Residual - 8 a.m. Eder Hall, 208

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• Dependable, loving, high school girl would like to care for your children during days or evenings out for mom and dad. Located in Savannah. Will come to your house. References provided. Please contact Debbie Crisler at 4888 or 816-324-7021 (home). If no answer at home, please leave message.

• House for sale by owner: 2723 Francis St., centrally located off of Noyes Blvd. This beautiful, historic, two-story home built in 1907 has five bedrooms, two full baths and two half baths. Approximately 3,200 sq. ft., a two-car garage, and a nicely landscaped yard. Hardwood floors throughout, including the remodeled attic. The kitchen has a gas stove in a center island, custom oak cabinets, and a roomy eating space. The presentation staircase in the foyer, living room, formal dining room and sun room make this a great home for entertaining. For more information, call 364-1189.

• House for sale by owner: 517 N. 27th St. Quiet neighborhood. 2-3 bedroom raised ranch, main floor laundry, hardwood floors, updated bath, kitchen appliances included, water softener, fenced backyard. For more information, call 244-9095.

• Wanted: new or gently used stuffed animals or dolls of any size. These will be used as prizes for children's contests (service to the community activity) later this summer. Will gladly pick up items. Please contact Beth Wheeler at 5887.

• 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.

Points of Pride

Excellence in our Faculty/Staff

• Five faculty member and four staff members were recognized and presented with awards at the annual Faculty/Staff Awards and Recognition Ceremony. Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, received the James V. Mehl Outstanding Faculty Scholarship Award. Dr. Patricia Donaher, assistant professor of English; Deny Staggs, assistant professor of theatre, and Kip Wilson, associate professor of criminal justice, received the Jesse Lee Myers Excellence in Teaching Award. Dennis Johnson, director of public safety, and Dr. Ken Rosenauer, professor of journalism, were presented with the James J. Scanlon Service-Leader Award. Presidential Citation Awards were presented to Rosalie Guyer, A+ coordinator, for service to students; to Tracy Sharp, administrative assistant, for service to campus colleagues; and to Ellen Kisker, director of nontraditional student services, for service to the university.

• Dr. Diane Gorcyca, professor of speech, was a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and School accreditation committee for West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

• Dr. Patrick McMurry, professor of economics, was elected executive vice president of the American Academy of Economic and Financial Experts (AAEFE.) He was also appointed to the board of editors of the Journal of Legal Economics, the office publication of the AAEFE.

• Dr. Mike Cadden, associate professor of English, was elected to a three-year term as treasurer of the International Children’s Literature Association.

• Joanne Katz, professor of legal studies, was certified as an approved mediator trainer by the Kansas Supreme Court. This designation includes core, domestic and civil mediation. Katz will now be able to provide training to participants seeking Kansas certification in mediation.

• Dr. David Steineche, professor of government, presented a paper on Bill Clinton at the National Social Science Association conference in Las Vegas.

• Dr. Monica Nandan, associate professor of social work, presented a workshop entitled “Intergenerational Programs: How Can Social Workers Make Head-Way?” at the annual conference of the National Association of Social Workers, Missouri Chapter, at the Lake of the Ozarks.

• Dr. Diane Gorcyca, professor of speech; Dr. Marilyn Hunt, associate professor of speech; and Adam Jones, instructor of speech; presented a panel on “Learning Communities: Lessons from the Past” at the Central State Communication Association convention.

• Dr. Kevin Anderson, assistant professor of mathematics, presented a computer science, mathematics, and physic colloquium on “Public-Key Encryption, dealing with mathematics and security on the internet.

• Dawn Terrick, instructor of English, was invited to Kansas City, Kan. Community College to present at their In-Service Program on Learning Communities on the implementation of learning communities with a developmental education program.

• Four faculty members presented papers at the 2006 Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Joint Conference in Atlanta. Dr. Ian Roberts, associate professor of English, presented “Strangers and Brothers: A Defense of Literature and Science,” and chaired six panels in the area of literature and science. Dr. Steven Morris, assistant professor of philosophy, presented “The Fundamentalist Attack on Science: A Problem that Won’t Just Disappear.” Dr. Robert Bergland, associate professor of journalism, presented “Alex, I’ll Take Science, Literature and Technology for $300, Please: Incorporating Science, Literature, and Film in a Technology and Society Course.” Dr. Patricia Donaher, assistant professor of English, presented four papers at the conference including: “Henry Higgins and the Cold-Blooded Murder of the English Tongue,” “Ten Don’ts in Conference Presentations,” The Letter and CV,” and “The Interview.” Dr. Donaher also chaired four sessions.

• Dr. Alicia De Gregorio-Holian, associate professor of Spanish, attended the XXVI Symposium of the Asociación de Licenciados y Doctores Españoles en Estados Unidos, held at the Pennsylvania State University, The Behrend College in Erie, Penn. She chaired the session “Lengua I,” and participated in meetings of the executive board.

• Bill Church, instructor of English, and 25 students from English 386 held a poetry reading for “Arts Night at the St. Joseph Museums.” Church and three students also read original poetry and prose for residents of Corby Fountains.

• Dr. Ann Thorne, associate professor of journalism, gave two presentations at the spring National College Media Convention in New York City. The presentations were entitled “How to be the Editor You Have Always Wanted to Have,” and “Get it Covered!”

• Dr. Nanette Wolford, professor of physical education, and four students from Phi Epsilon Kappa, presented their “ESPN Play it Your Way” program at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention in Salt Lake City.

• Dr. Zhao Zhang, associate professor of electronics engineering, presented his paper, “On-line Education Techniques: Programming Environments and Software,” at the American Society for Engineering Education Mid-Atlantic Section Conference in New York City.

• Peggy Ellis, director of noncredit programs and business and industry training, presented “Conflict to Collaboration,” a professional development seminar for Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center staff.

• Peggy Ellis, director of noncredit programs and business and industry training, presented “Problem Solving Tools and Techniques,” a professional development seminar, for 28 members of the Leadership St. Joseph class of 2006.

Excellence in our Students

• Amanda O’Dell, a psychology student, has been accepted into the Summer Research Program at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY. Only 10 students were accepted into this developmental psychology program funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. O’Dell will participate in developmental research, methods and advanced statistics classes. She will continue working on her research project throughout her senior year with Dr. Teddi Deka, associate professor of psychology.

• Shannon Swanson, senior graphic design major, designed a flyer for the St. Joseph International Guitar Festival and Competition. Her entry beat out over a dozen other entries.

• Computer science students Norman Beers, Therese Hand and Jared Arslanian took third place in the Consortium for Computer Sciences held in Maryville, Mo. A second team of Bob Smith and Brian Jacobs took eleventh place out of the 18 teams who participated.

• Physical education student Ashlee Liebhart received the National Physical Education Outstanding Major of the Year award at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention in Salt Lake City.

• Thirty-two students were inducted into Omicron Psi, a national honor society for nontraditional students. The students are: Shawn Kiehl; Bruce Goll; Tina McDowell; Michelle Morrison; Melony R. Schmidt; Donnie D. Wright; Patti Callaway; Deana M. Dittmar; Brandy Sarsi; Tracy Muff; Kimberly A. Walters; Mary C. McGinness; Felicia Blackford; Mayra Espinosa-Bratten; Loriann Fish; Cynthia M. Moore; Michelle Blakely; Joleen Claessens; Karen A. Ezzell; Nellie Goforth; Melissa Gregory; Annette Hanway; Wallace E. Harris; Kimberly Hosman; Sharon Kanacsky; Raychel Meadows; Mark A. Scates; Carolyn Sipp; Christopher Vieth; Kerry L. Wilson; Paul Ussary; Rebecca Angus, and Carrie A. Woods.

• English major Mary Stone had two poems, “Texas Stranger” and “Best Trailer in Town,” accepted for publication by Spring Formal, the literary magazine of the Kansas City Art Institute.

• English students Melanie Fisher, Jenn Hughes and Mary Stone, read original poetry and prose for residents of Corby Fountains.

• Percussion ensemble students, under the direction of Dr. Dennis Rogers, professor of music, organized and produced the “Extreme Percussion” event. There were two sold-out performances which were performed by 10 competing bands from the surrounding area.

• Physical education students Kelsi Fairley, Jamie Barrett, Monica Herman and Ashlee Liebhart, along with Dr. Nanette Wolford, professor of physical education, presented their “ESPN Play it Your Way” program at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention in Salt Lake City.

Excellence in our Programs

• The twelfth annual “Night at the Ritz” raised over $13,000 for nontraditional student scholarships, and over 250 people attended.

• The department of music presented their second annual Collage Concert at the Missouri Theater. Ensembles and solos from all disciplines in the department participated.

• The health, physical education and recreation department hosted “Jump Rope for Heart” where 14 area elementary schools raised over $27,000 for the Heart Association.

• U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond visited campus to support the Western incubator $2 million application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

• The Western Institute began the first of two five-session Command Spanish courses, for a total of 32 physicians, nurses and other medical office staff from Northwest Health Services.

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