Week of September 4

Week of September 4 - 10, 2009

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 is Named Military Friendly

New Center to Help Schools Improve

Library Holds Open House

Photo Exhibit Opens Sept. 8

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:
Jenn Cammann

Staff Adviser:
Kent Heier

ROTC Contracting Ceremony
	Nearly two dozen students participated in the Pony Express Battalion Army ROTC contracting ceremony in Kemper Recital Hall Sept. 3. The battalion is headquartered at Western, and eight of the new cadets are Western students.

Western is Named Military Friendly

Western has been named to a list of military-friendly schools by the publication “G.I. Jobs.”

The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools who are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students, according to a “G.I. Jobs” news release. Western was one of just 23 Missouri schools on the list, and one of just seven public universities.

This semester, there may be as many as 180 students on campus using veterans’ benefits, said Tracy Sharp, assistant registrar. That’s up from the usual number of about 150. That may be due to a couple of new programs: Missouri’s Returning Heroes Education Act, which offers reduced tuition at the state’s public universities to qualified combat-duty veterans; and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a new education benefit for those who served on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

“This list is especially important now because the recently enacted Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, “G.I. Jobs” publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they’re academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”

"G.I. Jobs" surveyed more than 7,000 schools in compiling the list. Criteria included academic accreditations, efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, and the results of those efforts.

A full story and detailed list of military-friendly schools will be highlighted in the annual "Guide to Military Friendly Schools" and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel this month. A new website, www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, will also launch later this month with interactive tools and search functions to help veterans in choosing schools that best meet their educational needs.

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United Way Kicks Off Campaign at Western

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph kicked off its 2009 Campaign at Western on Sept. 3. The kickoff began with a United Way Agency and Initiative Fair in front of Potter Hall (left). The 18 United Way agencies and seven United Way initiatives and programs set up booths to inform attendees about their activities. During the kickoff program in the Potter Hall Theater (right), Pat Dillon and Dick Sipe co-hosted the United Way's version of "The Price is Right," asking participants to guess the cost of services provided by various agencies. United Way announced a goal of $3.32 million for the campaign, which concludes with a Victory Dinner Nov. 5 in Western's Fulkerson Center.

New Center to Help Public Schools Improve

Western is ramping up its new Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC). Dr. Sherry Copeland began work as the center’s director Aug. 27.

“It’s exciting,” Dr. Copeland said. “I don’t think I could have asked for a better university to work with. We want to work collaboratively with the departments here.”

The Western RPDC will serve school districts and teachers in Buchanan, Platte and Clay Counties. The center exists to support the school improvement needs of school districts in the region, improve the quality of instruction in public school classrooms and assist school districts in meeting state education mandates.

“We have a very good area with high MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) scores in all three counties,” Dr. Copeland said. “We want to push them to help them do better.” She’s currently analyzing data to determine the needs of the districts. “Every school district is different. Hopefully as an RPDC we can address everyone’s needs.”

Dr. Copeland joins Western from Lumen Software, where she was executive director of marketing and sales. Previously, she was assistant superintendent in the Caruthersville School District and a teacher and counselor in the New Madrid Co. R-1 district. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia; two certifications and a master’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University; and a doctoral degree in educational administration and leadership from Saint Louis University.

The RPDC at Western is one of two created by the Missouri General Assembly during the 2009 legislative session, joining nine existing centers. Dr. Copeland is in the process of hiring an assistant director and two MAP instruction facilitators.

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New Sculpture to be Unveiled Sept. 16

A base sits empty on Downs Drive near Potter Hall (left), awaiting the installation of a new stainless steel sculpture by Jim Estes, professor of art. The work will join two previous pieces by Estes that sit on the other side of Potter (right): "Beyond 2010" in the foreground, and "Passages" in the background. There will be an unveiling ceremony for the new work at 4 p.m. on Sept. 16.

Library Holds Open House

The library at Western encourages students to “find golden nuggets at your library” during their open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 9 and from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept.10 on the second floor of Hearnes.

There will be various help stations set up where questions about the functions of the library will be answered. Students may also fill out a crossword puzzle and be entered in the grand prize drawing for one of two college baskets, worth $125. The baskets contain laundry supplies, gift cards, snacks, school supplies, a towel, a washcloth and a Western lanyard. All crossword puzzles must be turned in by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 to be entered in the drawing and only students are eligible.

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Photo Exhibit Opens Sept. 8

An exhibit titled “Double Vision: A View of Florence Past and Present” by Amy Holmes-George will be on display from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Sept. 8 – Oct. 9 at the Potter Hall Gallery. Holmes-George, a fine art photographer and educator from Dallas, will give a talk at 11 a.m. on Sept. 17 and will be available for student and guest questions on Sept. 17 and 18.

“Double Vision” is a collection of past pictures of Florence from the Fratelli Alinari photo archives and present pictures that Holmes-George took. The Alinari brothers documented historical landmarks and significant sites in Florence in the late 1800s. Holmes-George was inspired to take pictures of the same landmarks and sites from the same angle, using today’s modern digital photography and then printing in a photographic process used in the time of the Alinari brothers.

“Through this rephotographic project, I hope to build more universal awareness of the environment, social history, tourism, urbanization and globalization of the landscape,” Holmes-George said.

As an artist, Holmes-George’s work has been published in the book “The Elements of Photography” and has been featured in exhibitions at Soho Photo Gallery in New York City, Houston Center for Photography and the PingYao Annual International Photography Festival in China. She was a professor of photography and digital media at the School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. While there, she founded the school’s first study abroad program based in Italy and was included in Who’s Who Among American Teachers for two consecutive years.

Photos and descriptions are being unpacked and hung in the Potter Hall Gallery in preparation for the "Double Vision" exhibit by Amy Holmes-George.

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Tower Sports

Football The Griffons travel to Grand Junction, Colo. to face Mesa State in the second game of the season Sept. 5. Kickoff for the game is at 2 p.m. Central. Junior quarterback Drew Newhart was named co-offensive player of the week in the MIAA for his performance in last week's 49-14 win over Northern State in the season-opener, while freshman cornerback Jeremy Weston was named defensive player of the week. Weston had two interceptions, broke up a third pass and had three tackles.

Soccer The soccer team is in Angelo, Texas, for the ASU/Golden Corral Invitational this weekend. The Griffons take on host Angelo State at 5 p.m. Sept. 4, and East Central at 11 a.m. Sept. 6. Western went 1-1 in the Bearcat Classic in Maryville, Mo., losing 3-1 to Newman in the first game Aug. 29, but bouncing back to take a 2-0 win over Southwest Oklahoma on Aug. 30. Junior Jessica Martin was named the MIAA offensive player of the week, with two goals and an assist.

Volleyball The volleyball team is participating in the Eastern New Mexico Invitational in Portales, N.M., this weekend. The Griffons beat Oklahoma Panhandle 3-0 in their opening match of the weekend, and face host Eastern New Mexico at 7 p.m. Sept. 4. On Sept. 5, the Griffons will play New Mexico Highlands at 1 p.m. and Colorado State-Pueblo at 5 p.m. Western opened the season with a 1-3 mark at the Spring Hill Suites Classic in Sioux Falls, S.D., beating Chadron State and losing to Southwest Minnesota State, Regis and host Augustana College. Junior Kelli Sicner was named to the all-tournament team. Sicner led the squad with 53 kills in the four matches, including 17 in the victory over Chadron State.

Drive Safe, Drive Smart The Missouri Western counseling center and Partners in Prevention launched its annual "Drive Safe, Drive Smart" campaign, Tuesday, Sept. 2. The campaign is an effort to remind the campus community about seat belt usage and the dangers of distracted driving, especially texting while driving. Independent researchers were on campus Tuesday monitoring seat belt usage by students and staff entering campus parking lots and they will return Wednesday, Oct. 14, to determine the campaign's success. Thanks for your help and remember to "buckle up."

Convocation on Critical Issues The 16th annual Convocation on Critical Issues dinner featuring Robert F. Kennedy, Jr will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 30 in the Fulkerson Center. Mr. Kennedy will speak following the dinner. The discounted cost to faculty and staff is $30 per person for you and one guest. Please make your reservation and payment by September 20 at the Foundation office in Spratt 111. For those of you who have already paid full price for the dinner, please contact the Foundation for your refund. Robert Kennedy, Jr is one of the most notable environmental activists of our time. Check out his biography at www.missouriwestern.edu/convocation. The Convocation will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in the M.O. Looney Complex. All 9:30 classes will be cancelled that day so that students and faculty may attend. The Convocation is free and open to the public.

Western's Got Talent! Auditions for the Western Activities Council's annual Talent Show are being held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8 in Kemper Recital Hall (Spratt 101) and from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 10 in the Enright Community Room (Spratt 214-216). You and all members of your performing group must be a currently registered Western student in good standing. If you audition as a group, all group members must be present at the audition and the Talent Show. No substitutes. Performance at the Talent Show must be identical to the performance given at the audition. (A list of performers and performance titles will be made at the audition.) Basic sound and lighting will be provided; contestants will need to provide their own musical instruments, CDs, props, etc. CDs used at the audition will be kept by WAC to be used by the performer at the Talent Show. Audition winners will be notified on Friday, Sept. 11, via campus e-mail. The Talent Show will be held in the Looney Arena on Sept. 18, the day before Family Day so family members can attend. Contestants are expected to provide a family-friendly performance. No profanity or vulgarity will be allowed. If you have questions, please contact Sandy Rogers at 4151 or Don Willis at 4220.

Pig Skin Picks will start the weekend of September 11. You can play each week by clicking on to the MWSU web page. Go to Recreation Services and click on intramural sports and then pig skin picks. Fill it out and submit it each week.

Wellness Screening The 2009 Wellness Screening will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 6-10:30 a.m. in the Fulkerson Center and the Enright Community Room (Spratt Hall 214-216). Registration will again be electronic, and will soon be available.

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Saturday, Sept. 5

Library closed
Griffon volleyball vs. New Mexico Highlands, 1 p.m., and Colorado State-Pueblo, 5 p.m., Portales, N.M.
Griffon football at Mesa State, 2 p.m. CDT, Grand Junction, Colo.

Sunday, Sept. 6

Library closed
Griffon soccer vs. East Central University, 11 a.m., Angelo, Texas

Monday, Sept. 7

Labor Day, no classes
Library open 6-11 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 8

"Double Vision" photo exhibit, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery
Griffon luncheon, noon-1 p.m., United Ballroom, 602 Felix Street
WAC Talent Show auditions, 6-9 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall
Solo recital by Dr. Matthew Edwards, 7:30 p.m., Potter Hall Theater

Wednesday, Sept. 9

"Double Vision" photo exhibit, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery
Library open house, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Staff Senate meeting, 1:30 p.m., Blum 220

Thursday, Sept. 10

"Double Vision" photo exhibit, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery
Library open house, 9 a.m. - noon
Griffon soccer at Nebraska-Omaha, 4 p.m., Omaha, Neb.
WAC Talent Show auditions, 6-9 p.m., Spratt 214-216

Friday, Sept. 11

"Double Vision" photo exhibit, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery
Griffon volleyball vs. Illinois-Springfield, 11 a.m., and Midwestern State , 3 p.m. at Rockhurst Tournament, Kansas City, Mo.
WAC Talent Show audition winners notified by campus e-mail

Saturday, Sept. 12

Griffon soccer at Northwest Missouri State, noon, Maryville, Mo.
Griffon volleyball vs. Wayne State (Neb.), 1 p.m., and Upper Iowa University, 5 p.m. at Rockhurst Tournament, Kansas City, Mo.
Griffon football at Fort Hays State, 7 p.m., Hays, Kan.

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For sale Close to MWSU-Beautiful, large partially fenced lot with mature trees/landscaping. One bdrm, tile bath, new carpet, hardwood floors, most appliances. 3809 Seneca $57,500 Contact: Brenda x4465

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