We Remember September 11
	Western's military science cadets lead the procession in the rainy weather  for the September 11 remembrance ceremony in front of the Glenn  Marion Memorial Clock Tower.

Psi Chi Named a Model Chapter

Western’s chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in psychology, received the Model Chapter Award from the national office for the second consecutive year.

"Our chapter is very proud of receiving this honor from the national office," said Psi Chi President Caroline Flanagan.  "This award is the result of many Psi Chi members who presented research, maintained high academic standards and worked hard on various service projects.  In addition to dedication and hard work of the students in this club, our faculty advisor Dr. Phil Wann provides much support and leadership that allows for much of our success."

The Model Chapter Award includes a certificate and $100 for each winning chapter. The award is given to all chapters that meet the criteria which include participation in at least one service project, participation in regional conventions or undergraduate research conferences and participation in the Psi Chi awards program. The chapter must also conduct at least one induction during the year.

Western’s Psi Chi members participated in three service projects last year. They raised funds for the Dream Factory and were involved in the Healthy Buddies Mentoring Program and the Alzheimer’s Walk. Three members of Psi Chi presented at the Mid-America Students Psychology Conference in Cincinnati. One member also co-authored a paper at the American Psychological Association Convention in Toronto.

Each year five to 10 students are usually inducted into Western’s Psi Chi. There are currently 10 members: Nicole Renee Goetz, Bridgeton, Mo.; Joan E. Gillahan, Cameron, Mo.; Caroline Flanagan, Helena, Mo.; Lindsay Rae Fuller, Liberty, Mo.; Kasey J. Starr, Meriden, Kan.; Tabitha L. Larson, Omaha, Neb.; and Tara D. Anderson, Travis W. Bonham, Brynn Erin Holloway and Dawn M. Miller, all of St. Joseph. New member inductions will be held later in the semester.

Last year, Western’s Psi Chi was one of 40 chapters out of approximately 1,000 that received the Model Chapter Award. The award is given at the beginning of each academic year for the previous year’s activities.

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The seventh annual reading of challenged and banned books will be held Sept. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Leah Spratt Multipurpose Classroom Building, Enright Room (room 214). The reading is held in conjunction with the American Library Association’s Banned Book Week.

Western students and faculty, as well as members of the St. Joseph community, will read excerpts from books that have either been banned of challenged in United States schools in recent years. The reading list includes "Catcher in the Rye," by J.D. Salinger; "Catch-22," by Joseph Heller; "Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret," by Judy Blume; and "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble," by William Steig.

"We simply share the books and make people aware of where it’s been challenged," said Dr. Michael Cadden, associate professor of English. Refreshments will be served following the readings, with an opportunity for an informal discussion of the texts and cases. The event is free and open to the community.

The event is sponsored by the department of English, foreign languages and journalism, the department of education, the Western library and the Prairie Lands Writing Project.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael Cadden at 4576, Dr. Michael Smith at 4514 or Julia Schneider at 4369.

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"Saving a Life Between Classes" The Student Nurses Association and the Missouri Nurses Association, District 1 sponsored a blood drive on Thursday, Sept. 11.  Many students took time between classes to donate blood including freshman Hannah Coy (left) and senior psychology major Candice Day (right). Center: Freshman commercial music major Ben Croskell shows off the shirt he received after donating blood.

Western announced the recipients of the 2003 Alumni Association Distinguished Service Awards. The Alumni Award recipients are Patrick Conway, class of 1993; Dan Danford, class of 1978; Molly Pierce, class of 1977; all of St. Joseph; and Jeanne Webb, class of 1971, of Grand Island, Neb. The 2003 Faculty Award recipient is Dr. Todd Eckdahl, professor of biology.

The award recipients will be honored at the annual Awards Banquet on Oct. 10, along with 25 students who are recipients of Alumni Association scholarships. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a 6:30 p.m. banquet in the Forrest D. Hoff Room (218) of the Nelle Blum Student Union. To make reservations for the banquet, send $18 per person by Oct. 1 to the Alumni Office, Leah Spratt Hall, Room 106.

"The awards banquet is a great opportunity to meet alumni and faculty who are making a difference, and recognize the scholarship recipients who are future alumni," said Julie Lawrence, director of alumni services. "The banquet, in its 21^st year, has become a wonderful tradition."

Conway attended the St. Joseph Junior College from 1965-1968 and Western from 1970-1973. He earned his bachelor of science degree in history in 1993 and has served as the Buchanan County clerk since 1982.

Conway serves on several boards, including the Family Guidance Board of Directors, the Missouri Association of Counties Board of Directors and the National

Association of Counties Board of Directors. He has also been involved in recruiting new businesses to the St. Joseph area.

Danford graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1978 and earned an MBA from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville. He has started two investment firms, and is currently an independent Registered Investment Advisor for the Family Investment Center.

He is the author of Million Dollar Management (2002) and Simple Handbook for Church Marketing (1991), and has written over 100 articles for trade journals, magazines and newspapers. Danford frequently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Western and has made presentations at several conferences.

He has been an officer or board member of several local nonprofit organizations, and has served as the president of the college’s Alumni Association.

Pierce graduated with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1977 and earned her master’s in education at Northwest Missouri State University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Pierce has served in the St. Joseph School District since 1977, and has been the principal at Coleman Elementary School in St. Joseph for 10 years.

Pierce serves on both the national and state Associations for Elementary School Principals, and several professional boards. She has also volunteered on several local boards and organizations, including the college’s Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Directors.

Webb graduated with a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1971 and earned her master’s from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She is an early childhood education instructor and the campus childcare center director with Central Community College in Grand Island, Neb.

Webb coordinates the Heads Up! Reading site for Grand Island and serves on the south central and north central Nebraska Early Childhood Coalitions. She has served on many professional and community boards, including a state advisory committee for early childhood staff. For many years, she has served on the committee that provides in-service training for child care providers in the area.

Dr. Eckdahl has taught at Western for 10 years. He has published eight peer-reviewed manuscripts in national professional journals on topics related to molecular genetics research and biology teaching, and has made presentations throughout the United States. 

Dr. Eckdahl has received five federal grants totaling over $330,000 to support research and teaching. 

He earned a bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and his doctorate in molecular genetics from Purdue University in Lafayette, Ind.

"My professional record reflects a focus on biology teaching and scholarship," said Dr. Eckdahl. "I revel in the fact that my job is about helping students to succeed. My best experiences at Western are those that involve student achievement."

To be eligible for the alumni award, nominees must be living and have graduated at least five years prior to the nomination. Factors to be considered are significant contributions to their community, state or nation; humanitarian services and contributions to society; and qualities which make all alumni proud to have attended the same institution.

Criteria for the faculty award include teaching excellence, actual and potential accomplishments in his or her field, availability to students and representation of ethical and philosophical excellence.

For more information, contact Director of Alumni Services Julie Lawrence at 5650 or lawrence@missouriwestern.edu.

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