Week of  Sept. 4-9, 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:

Orientation Program a Success

Noontime Concert Series Begins

The 2007-2008 Athletics Season Kicks Off

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.

Orientation Program a Success

Almost 700 new students started the fall semester with an “edge” over their fellow freshmen when they participated in Griffon Edge, Western’s four-day orientation program for new students. Bobbie Delaney, new student programs director, considered the program a success.

“I liked it,” freshman Megan Gawatz, of St. Joseph, said of the program. “It’s an easy way to meet people, and it’s a good head start for freshmen.”  

Delaney noted that many times, students may say the program is boring while they are participating, but then they see her a month or two later and tell her how glad they were that they participated.

The best part of the program, Delaney said, is running into Griffon Edge students later on campus, and seeing how comfortable, confident and involved they are.

Griffon Edge participants had a campus tour, learned how to use the library, attended workshops on topics such as campus email and textbooks, and a Welcome Fair introduced new students to campus clubs and organizations. Students also watched a movie with a diversity theme and participated in discussion groups about it. Nationally renowned motivational speaker Joe Martin capped off Griffon Edge as the featured speaker at the New Student Convocation.

“I liked hearing the older students tell about their experiences and what to expect when classes start,” said participant Joe Bailey of Indianola, Iowa.

 “The goals of Griffon Edge are to get students familiar with Missouri Western – not just the physical layout, but the services we provide for them; to meet other new students; and to get them started on a good note academically,” said Delaney. “And I think we achieved our goals. The students seemed pretty pleased.”

On the last day of the program, all Griffon Edge students fanned out in the St. Joseph community for a day of service. They picked up 14 tons of trash in a 500-block area and performed a variety of tasks at the MidCity Excellence Center.

Delaney said she appreciated all the support she received from faculty and staff in welcoming the new students. She is especially grateful to the maintenance crew that set up her venues.

Top of Page

Noontime Concert Series Begins

Western will co-sponsor this year’s First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series starting Sept. 6 at 12:10 p.m. inside the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7^th St. This year’s first concert features pianist Victoria Bragin. 

The community is invited to bring lunch and eat while listening to the performance. This event will last approximately 35 minutes, and the guests will have an opportunity to meet the performers after the concert. A minimum donation of $3 per person is suggested in order to meet the expenses and continue the series. Financial assistance has been provided by Commerce Bank and anonymous benefactors.

Bragin was a first prize co-winner in the third Van Cliburn International Competition for Outstanding Amateurs.  Bragin has performed across various venues in the United States; her performances have been featured on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today” and West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s “In Touch with the Arts”. Bragin was also the recipient of the 2002 Herald-Dispatch Citizen Award for the Arts for her music accomplishments and her advocacy of the arts.

Bragin, who has spent the majority of her professional life in science education, was a chemistry professor for nine years at Pasadena City College.  She served for two years as Program Director in the Division of Undergraduate Education of the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia.

Bragin's husband is Dr. Joseph Bragin, Western's provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Top of Page

The 2007-2008 Athletics Season Kicks Off

School is in session and so are Western athletics. Soccer, volleyball and football have given Griffon fans something to cheer about for the past two weeks.  

Soccer

After two weeks and taking on two teams never before played, the soccer women are 1-3. Losing to Upper Iowa, 0-3, and Missouri-Rolla, 1-2, during the first week and losing to Angelo State, 0-3; and defeating East Central, 3-0, the lady Griffons are looking forward to a better season than last year.

Volleyball

The Griffon volleyball team is 4-5 after going 2-2 in the Ramada Inn Invitational Tournament at home this weekend. Last weekend the women went 2-2 at the Missouri Southern State Invitational and lost their first home match against Nebraska-Kearney.

Football

The Western football team opened up its season at home against the Wildcats of Baker University, an NAIA school. This marked the first time that the two schools have met. The Griffons entered the game with a 9 game winning streak at home. The last game the Griffons lost at home was against Northwest Missouri State back on Sept. 17, 2005. This was the first time since Western joined the MIAA that it has opened the season against a non-NCAA opponent, and it is the first non-Division II opener since playing Division I FCS Drake (Iowa) in 1995. The Griffons won 42-24. Head coach Jerry Partridge is aiming to tie Southeast Missouri State's Abe Stuber (1932-46) for 10th on the all-time wins list with 72.

Hall of Fame

On Sept. 28 and 29 Western will induct four athletes and one team into the Missouri Western State University Athletics Hall of Fame. The athletes to be inducted include: men’s basketball player Larry Ingram, women’s basketball player Becky Reichard, football player Bill Stevens and baseball player Ricky Lowe. The 1975 baseball team will also be inducted.

Larry Ingram played on the men’s basketball team from 1982-1984. While at Western, Ingram led the team in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage. Ingram is Western’s career scoring leader averaging 22.1 points per game, second in free throw percentage at 82.0 percent, 11th in career scoring with 1,107 points, and fourth in career field goal percentage at 56.2 percent. Ingram was an All-American in 1984 and graduated in May of 1986 with bachelor of science in criminal justice.

Becky Reichard played on the women’s basketball team from 1997-1999. In her two seasons, Reichard quickly established herself as one of the best players to ever wear black and gold. Reichard served as team captain both seasons while leading the team in points and assists. She led the team to two second place finishes in the MIAA Conference and two NCAA tournament appearances. Reichard’s efforts led her to many individual accolades including: First Team All-MIAA Selection (1998, 1999), Daktronics Honorable Mention All-America (1998), Pre Season All-America as selected by Dick Vitale (1999) and NCAA Division II Kodak All-America Team (1999). In route to all of these accomplishments, Reichard finished her career as the all time leading scorer in MIAA conference history for women’s basketball, tallying 2,159 points.            

Bill Stevens played football for the Griffons from 1977-1980. While at Western, Stevens helped protect his quarterback and open up holes for running backs as he played on the offensive line. During that time he was a four-year letter winner and earned First Team NAIA All-America honors in 1980.

Rickey Lowe played for Griffon baseball from 1974-1977. While at Western, Lowe was selected on multiple all conference/all district teams. Lowe was an All-CSIC, All-District, All-Area and an All-America selection as an outfielder. Lowe finished his career batting .326 (178-546) with 27 doubles, 12 triples and five home runs. Lowe knocked in 85 runs and scored 110 times. While playing in the outfield, Lowe had 178 putouts, 13 outfield assists and only 3 errors. Lowe was on the 1975 baseball team that is also being inducted to the Hall of Fame.

The 1975 baseball team is certainly one to remember. Without a player hitting over .300 and only a .240 team batting average, the Griffons were able to take home a fifth place finish in the National Baseball World Series. The Griffons were led by a host of young players. Freshman short stop Blake Schreck, from Wichita, Kan., led the way in the hitting category with an average of .297. Ron Jones, who was a Minnesota Twins draftee started on the mound. Jones had an impressive 2.33 earned run average with a 4-4 record. Senior Blake DeMaria, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, finished the season with a .270 average along with three home runs. Gary Snider from Indianapolis, Ind., and Paul Kalomic from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a freshman and a sophomore respectively, both had solid seasons as they combined for 11 wins on themound. Overall the Griffons finished with a 31-25 record in 1975.

Top of Page

Tower Sports

Soccer

• Loss vs. Angelo State, 0-3, Aug. 31

• Win vs. East Central, 3-0, Sept. 2

• Sept. 7 vs. Central Missouri at 7 p.m.

• Sept. 8 vs. Park at 7 p.m.

Volleyball

• Loss vs. Nebraska-Kearney, 0-3, Aug. 28

• Win vs. Ouachita Baptist, 3-0, Aug. 31

• Win vs. Newman University, 3-0, Aug. 31

• Loss vs. Indianapolis, 0-3, Sept. 1

• Loss vs. South Dakota, 1-3, Sept. 1

• Sept. 6 vs. Cameron University in the Cameron University Regional Cross-Over Tournament in Lawton, Okla., at 7 p.m.

• Sept. 7 vs. Saint Edward's University in the Cameron University Regional Cross-Over Tournament in Lawton, Okla., at 11 a.m.

• Sept. 7 vs. Central Oklahoma in the Cameron University Regional Cross-Over Tournament in Lawton, Okla., at 5 p.m.

• Sept. 8 vs. Saint Mary's University in the Cameron University Regional Cross-Over Tournament in Lawton, Okla., at 1 p.m.

Football

• Win vs. Baker, 42-24, Sept. 1

• Sept. 8 at Minnesota-Duluth in Duluth, Minn., at 6 p.m.

Men's Golf

• Sept. 3-5 at Missouri Collegiate in Lake Ozark, Mo.

Phat Tuesdays How can I live my faith as a college student? Where can I meet people with my beliefs? Come to Phat Tuesdays and find answers to these questions! Phat Tuesdays from 6:45-9 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Catholic Campus Center, across the street from the main entrance to campus. Free Beads! Free Food! Free Music! Free Fun! Everyone is welcome. A local musician will play and a guest speaker will enlighten us! Contact Matt Maes at mattmaes@gmail.com or 678-571-3484 for more information. Food provided by Subway.

GED Graduation for WRDCC The next GED graduation ceremony for the WRDCC is at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26 in the visitor's center at WRDCC. Dr. Scanlon will be guest speaking. If you are interested in attending, you must have prior authorization to enter the building. You may obtain the form to fill out for authorization from Jamie Willis of the Western Institute. Contact 4100 for more information.

Traffic Announcement Regarding Mitchell Due to continued construction on Mitchell Avenue, there are a few details the campus community should keep in mind as we approach the start of classes:

1. James McCarthy onto Downs Drive will remain a right turn only until the Mitchell Avenue Project is complete and all entrances are open for use. This would include both East and West origin traffic having access to all three front campus entrances.
2. Southeast College Drive, Southwest College Drive, East College Drive and North College Drive will become Southeast University Drive, Southwest University Drive, East University Drive and North University Drive as befitting of our University status.
3. Southwest University Drive, when completed, will be a right turn only entrance and exit.
4. Access at the beginning of the semester to the campus will be limited. As details are positive on access, further announcements will be made. Regardless of the new postings, however, construction will continue after August 27. E-mails will be made and the most updated traffic information will be posted on the Public Safety web site at: www.missouriwestern.edu/PublicSafety/
5. Due to limited access, it is recommended for you to:
- Plan extra time to arrive and find a parking space
- Be attentive to temporary road signs
- Be attentive and cooperative with officers who will be assisting with traffic flow
- Consider car pooling or the bus to reduce traffic and the parking load

Pig Skin Picks Pigskin Picks will begin this week. There are 10 college games and 10 professional games to pick on Sept. 8 and 9. Picks may be placed online at the MWSU homepage, A-Z search, Recreation Services, Intramurals, Pigskin Picks.  All online picks must be submitted by Friday at midnight of each week.  Pigskin Picks continues through Nov. 10-11, 2007. Contact Wonda Berry at (816) 271-4247 for more information.

Blood Drive The Missouri Western State University Student Nurses’ Association will be sponsoring a Community Blood Center blood drive on Monday, Sept. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Blum Student Union Lounge.  All donors receive free t-shirts.  To sign up or receive more information visit www.esavealifenow.org and enter the code: mwstu. 

Fishing Organization If you enjoy working with the disabled and/or veterans this organization is just for you! Western student Sarah Spiers is looking for disabled people and veterans who don’t get the chance to go fishing because of time constraints or abilities. She’s also looking for people to be “fishing buddies” for disabled people. All interested persons should email Sarah Spiers at sspiers1@missouriwestern.edu or call her at (816)-449-5657 or (816)-649-9513.

Top of Page

Tuesday, September 4

• Phat Tuesdays from 6:45-9 p.m. at the Catholic Campus Center, across the street from the main entrance to campus

• SNCTE meeting at 4:30 p.m. in Eder 211

• Sorority Recruitment tables from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Blum Union

• Residence Council meeting at 7 p.m. in Commons Building

• Griffon Habitat for Humanity at 8:30 p.m. in Junior College Room

Wednesday, September 5

• Sorority Recruitment "Meet Your Rho Gamma" at 7 p.m.

• CME Open House and round Table Discussion from 1-4 p.m. in Blum 210

• WAC meeting at 4:30 p.m. in Junior College Room

• NAACP meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Junior College Room

• Homecoming Informational session at 4p.m. in the Center for Student Engagement

Thursday, September 6

• Sorority Recruitment tables from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Blum Union

• Sorority Recruitment from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7^th St.

Friday, September 7

• WAC comedy club at 8 p.m. in the Blum Union

• Sorority Recruitment

• Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity BBQ 1 p.m. at the Chris Faros Alumni Pavilion

• Sorority Recruitment from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 8

• Sorority Recruitment at 1 p.m.

Sunday, September 9

• Sorority Recruitment at 12p.m.

Top of Page

Looking for: Looking to purchase a used piano. Contact kathy Joe at 232-5817 or 4585.

For Sale: 1989 Ford Lariat pickup - dualie, crew cab, brown/beige. $1,800. Please call 4554 or 816-390-6184 or email judnol.

Carpool: Looking for somebody to carpool with from St. Joseph to Kansas City in the morning and back in the afternoon. Will help with cost of gas for the trips. If interested please call 617-331-9423 or email Radi71@yahoo.com.

For Sale: Twelfth edition intermediate accounting book. $90. Contact Aurora Kerns at 816-262-5670 or amkerns.

Top of Page