Week of

Week of Sept. 17-23, 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:

Western's Tau Kappa Epsilon Supports Alzheimer's

Western Wednesdays

YWCA and Western's Women and Money Conference

Football Game Named Broadband Game of the Week

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:
Jennifer Kohler

Staff Advisers:
Kristy Hill and Diane Holtz

South Side Parade

Last weekend was the annual South Side Parade. Western was a big participant, bringing cheerleaders; the Mystics; Max the Griffon; the prize patrol; Ron Olinger, vice president of financial planning and administration; and fun floats.

Western's Tau Kappa Epsilon Supports Alzheimer's

The fraternity brothers of the Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University chapters of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) International Fraternity teamed up once again to hold their ninth annual “Running Past the Rivalry” Football Run to raise money for the Reagan Research Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Prior to the game between the Griffons and the Bearcats, the members of the Northwest Missouri State chapter of TKE ran the football 43 miles from Rickenbrode Stadium on the Northwest Missouri State campus in Maryville, Mo., to Spratt Memorial Stadium on Western’s campus. Both chapters presented the game ball to game officials.

The run began eight years ago as a brainstorm between the two chapters to increase the contribution they could make to the recognized philanthropy of TKE. In 2001, the international fraternity adopted the Alzheimer’s Association as its newest philanthropy to commemorate and honor former U.S. President and key alumnus of TKE, Ronald Reagan. Reagan announced his affliction of the disease in November 1994 and passed away from complications with Alzheimer’s in 2004.

Alzheimer’s disease affects families nationwide. Over four million Americans have Alzheimer’s, and it is estimated that 14 million Americans will have the disease by the middle of this century unless either a cure or better methods of prevention are found.

The Reagan Research Institute for Alzheimer’s disease was developed by TKE International Fraternity in 2002 with the fraternity pledging to raise $240,000 to aid Alzheimer’s research.

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From Binge to Blackout

Authors Chris and Toren Volkmann came to campus to present "From Binge to Blackout: A Mother and Son Struggle with Teen Drinking." They aimed their story towards college students in hopes of preventing alcoholism and saving lives. The event was sponsored by the St. Joseph Youth Alliance, the department of public safety and the Drug-Free Community Coalition.

Western Wednesdays

Western alumni will gather around the state at various restaurants every fourth Wednesday of the month beginning Sept. 26 for Western Wednesdays. Western Wednesdays are a way for Western’s alumni to show their unrelenting school spirit, share business cards and stay connected with their fellow Griffons.

In St. Joseph, alumni will meet at Norty’s Bar & Grill, 1116 Frederick Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Zach Ramsay ‘02, Nichi Yeager ‘99, Carole Dunn ‘91, Bruce Kneib ‘84 and Linda Kerner ‘73 will be the hosts.

Alumni in Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia will also take part in Western Wednesdays. Alumni in Kansas City will meet at Willie’s Pub at 6:30 p.m. Alumni in St. Louis will meet at Houlihan’s at 6 p.m., and alumni in Columbia will meet at the Forge and Vine Grill at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Western’s Alumni Office at 5646 or mwalumni.

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Chemistry Lab

Darcie Elder, one of three students in the chemistry graduate program, teaches chemistry labs for Chemistry 101. Brett Guthery, freshman natural science and chemistry major, is a teacher assistant for Elder.

YWCA and Western's Women and Money Conference

The YWCA and Western business department announce the first Women and Money Conference on Sept. 29 on Western’s campus in the Fulkerson Center. The one-day conference is designed to advance financial literacy among women of all ages, backgrounds and income levels. The conference will consist of a continental breakfast, morning and afternoon workshops, lunch with panel discussion, resource and vendor tables and door prizes. All sessions will be taught by women and geared toward women.

Olivia Mellan will be the keynote speaker. Mellan is a groundbreaker in the field of money psychology, couples communication, stress management and conflict resolution. She has written four critically acclaimed books, including “Advisor’s Guide to Money Psychology” and “Money Harmony: Resolving Money Conflicts in Your Life and Relationships.” Mellan’s monthly column, “The Psychology of Advice” appears in “Investment Advisor.” She has also appeared on “Oprah”, NBC’s “Today Show”, ABC's “20/20” and other nationwide media. Mellan speaks all over the country to businesses, professional groups, women’s groups and to the general public.

The cost to attend the conference is $30 for adults and $15 for students. All workshops are limited to the first 50 registrants. The registration deadline is Sept. 21. For more information, call the YWCA at 232-4481.

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Football Game Named Broadband Game of the Week

The Western Griffons and the Washburn Icabods football game at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 has been selected by the NCAA Division II Presidents Council and the NCAA Division II Media Advisory Group as one of the four broadband NCAA Division II football games of the week.

This is the second year of the NCAA Division II Regular Season TV and Broadband Package and once again, NCAA Productions will produce several regular season TV and broadband games. This marks the second time for Western to be selected for a game of the week by the NCAA.

Last season the Griffons were defeated by the Icabods 16-3 in Topeka, Kan. The Griffons went 9-3 last season and made their first ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance.

The game will be available and streamed live at http://www.NCAAsports.com/dii.

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Tower Sports

Soccer

Win vs. Emporia State, 3-0, Sept. 14
Loss vs. Washburn, 1-7, Sept. 15

Sept. 21 at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo., at 4 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo., at 4 p.m.

Volleyball

Loss vs. Truman State, 0-3, Sept. 12
Win vs. Upper Iowa, 3-1, Sept. 15

Sept. 21 vs. Central Missouri at 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo., at 1 p.m.

Football

Loss vs. Northwest Missouri State, 20-44, Sept. 15

Sept. 22 at Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan., at 2 p.m.

Men's Golf

Sept. 22-25 at UMC Fall Central Region Invitational in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Women's Golf

Sept. 22-23 at Southwest Minnesota State Invitational in Marshall, Minn.

Softball

Win vs. Highland Community College, 7-0, Sept. 15
Win vs. Minnesota State Mankato, 4-2, Sept. 16
Loss vs. Drake University, 4-7, Sept. 16

Sept. 23 at Kansas University in Lawrence, Kan., at University of Kansas Tournament at 10 a.m.

Light the Night Walk Join Western administrators, faculty, staff and students for the annual Light the Night Walk at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at Hyde Park. After Family Day, members of the Western community will participate in the walk for leukemia and lymphoma. Participants will carry red balloons and cancer survivors will carry white balloons. To find out how to get involved with the fight against leukemia and lymphoma, call Stena Hinkle at 4444 or email her at hinkle.

Hall of Fame Weekend Join Western Athletics as we honor all of our inductees during Hall of Fame Weekend. The schedule of events are as follows:

Sept. 28 - Hall of Fame Reception from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Ramada Inn
Sept. 29 - Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2007 at 9 a.m. breakfast at Ramada Inn
Sept. 29 - Presentation of Hall of Fame rings at halftime of football game vs. Washburn University. Kickoff begins at 1:30 p.m. at Spratt Stadium.

Reservations need to be made by Sept. 18 by contacting David Lau at 5926 or lau. Cost of breakfast is $25. The committee has arranged for room reservations at Ramada Inn at the special rate of $75 per night. Call 816-233-6192 to make reservations. For game tickets call Western Athletics at 5904.

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.

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Monday, September 17

Senate meeting at 5 p.m. in Blum 220
"Does the U.N. Have a Future?" at 7 p.m. in the Kemper Recital Hall
Library Book Sale
Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Blum Union lounge
Constitution Day forum from 1-2 p.m. in Kemper Recital Hall

Tuesday, September 18

Residence Council meeting at 7 p.m. in Commons Building
Library Book Sale
"Mostly Martha" German film at 6:30 p.m. in Hearnes 102

Wednesday, September 19

WAC meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Junior College Room
Library Book Sale

Thursday, September 20

Student Court at 5 p.m. in Blum 222
Library Book Sale

Friday, September 21

Library Book Sale

Saturday, September 22

ACT Prep Course from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Spratt Hall

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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.

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