Week of October 1 - 7, 2010

Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, 816-271- 4200

Click any link for these stories:

This is Griffon Country

Of Bugs, Creeks and Kids

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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 271-4124.

Student Editor:
Jenna Haecker

Staff Adviser:
Kent Heier

Week of Oct. 1 - 7, 2010

A Look Ahead

Saturday, Oct. 2

Western Tailgate Party, 10 a.m., corner of College Ave. and North Munn Street in parking lot of Fine Arts Building at Northwest Missouri State University

Griffon Soccer vs. Emporia State University, 1 p.m., at Emporia, Kan.

The Missouri Western soccer team fell 4-0 Sept. 25 in Warrensburg, Mo. against the 7th ranked Central Missouri Jennies. Western fell to 0-5-2 overall and 0-3-2 in MIAA action.

Griffon Football vs. Northwest Missouri State University, 2:20 p.m., at Maryville, Mo.

The #8 ranked Missouri Western football team outlasted visiting Pittsburg State on Hall of Fame Sept. 25 in Spratt Stadium by a score of 42-25 in front of 5,818 fans. Now the 4-0 Griffons travel north to take on the rival Bearcats, defending national champions in NCAA Division II. The seating has been sold out; standing room only tickets will be available at the gate. If you can't make it in person, the game will be televised on MIAA TV (St. Joseph Cablevision channel 20).

St. Joseph Symphony, Vive la France, 7:30 p.m., Missouri Theater

The Saint Joseph Symphony opens its 2010-2011 season with a program of French music featuring Grammy nominated violinist Joseph Genualdi.A world renowned performer, Genualdi is both a soloist and a chamber musician. As a founding member of the Muir Quartet, he appeared on PBS "From The White House" with Itzhak Perlman and President and Mrs. Reagan. More recently, he performed in a Summit Records release of the Mozart Clarinet and Horn Quintets with was a finalist for "Best Chamber Music Performance" at the 2007 Grammy Awards. "Joe Genualdi is one of my personal all-time favorite violinists," says Saint Joseph
Symphony music director Rico McNeela. "He plays with a sound and flair that is unmatched." Genualdi joins the Symphony as a soloist for Chausson'sPoeme for violin and orchestra, Massenet's Thais, and Ravel'sTzigane. Other selections for the evening include Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun"Meditation" fromThais, Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2, Offenbach's Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld, and Saint-Saens' "Bacchanale" from Samson and Delilah. Tickets from $10 to $40 BE SURE TO ASK FOR THE MWSU DISCOUNT. To purchase tickets:
- Go to www.saintjosephsymphony.org
- Call 816.233.7701
- Come to the Symphony office at 120 S. Eighth Street, M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Visit St. Joseph Hy-Vee customer service department

Monday, Oct. 4

Griffon Men's Golf, MWSU Fall Invitational, St. Joseph, Mo.
- Western men’s golf team finished in 9th place at the 12th Annual NSU Golf Classic held at the Muskogee Country Club in Muskogee, Okla. Western shot a two round total of 585 (290-295). Senior Shane Feist shot the best two round total finishing in a tie for 3rd place firing a 140 (68-72).
Griffon Women's Golf, UNO/Women's Collegiate Golf Classic, at Valley, Nebr.
- The Missouri Western women’s golf team won the Fort Hays State Invite by 35 strokes firing a two day total of 656 (333-323). Freshman Shelby Stone won the event firing a two round score of 158 (76-82).
Lecture by painter Ricky Allman, 1 p.m., Potter Hall Theater. A showing of Allman's works will be displayed in the Potter Gallery, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 20.
"Surviving the First Six Weeks of Teaching," 4:30 p.m., Blum Student Union, room 223
- Four recent Western graduates will talk about what new teachers can expect in their first six weeks, and how to successfully make the transition from college student to classroom teacher. Click here for more information.
HOMECOMING: Taste of St. Joseph & Donation Creation, 5 p.m., at the west lot of the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex

Tuesday, Oct. 5

Randall Goodgame Concert, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., parking lot of west entrance to Blum Student Union
- ConneXion Christian Student Fellowship is sponsoring a Randall Goodgame Concert. Lunch will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Randall is a singer/songwriter who is probably best known for writing "Hands of the Potter" and "Only Hope" for Caedmon's Call in addition to opening for many of their concerts. More information on Randall Goodgame can be found at: http://www.randallgoodgame.com/blog/
HOMECOMING: University Happy Hour, 4 p.m., at the Commons Pavilion
Griffon Volleyball vs. Rockhurst University, 7 p.m., at Kansas City, Mo.
- The Missouri Western volleyball team fell in three sets against the Missouri Southern Lions on Sept. 25 in Joplin, Mo. Western stands at 7-7 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA.
Griffon Men's Golf, MWSU Fall Invitational, St. Joseph, Mo.
Griffon Women's Golf, UNO/Women's Collegiate Golf Classic, at Valley, Nebr.

Wednesday, Oct. 6

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge presentation, 6:30 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall, Leah Spratt Hall room 101
- Charlie Marshall, a staff member of the refuge, will show a video and discuss Family Fun Day events scheduled for Oct. 9.
Convocation Dinner featuring former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 7 p.m., Fulkerson Center (reservations required)
HOMECOMING: Yell Like Hell, 7pm, at Potter Hall Theater

Thursday, Oct. 7

Griffon Women's Golf, NWMSU/Bearcat Fall Classic, at Maryville, Mo.
Convocation on Critical Issues featuring former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 9:30 a.m., Looney Complex
Downtown Noon Concert Series featuring Western piano students from Korea, 12:10 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 7th and Jules
Griffon Soccer vs. Truman State University, 3 p.m., at Kirksville, Mo.
HOMECOMING: 28th annual Alumni Awards Banquet, 5:45 p.m., Fulkerson Center (reservations required)
HOMECOMING: Griffon Spirit Run/Walk-a-Thon, 6 p.m., Blum Union
- Registration will be at 5:30 p.m. See below for details.

Friday, Oct. 8

Griffon Women's Golf, NWMSU/Bearcat Fall Classic, at Maryville, Mo.
HOMECOMING: Alumni golf outing, 8:30 a.m., Fairview Golf Course
HOMECOMING: Pep rally & bonfire, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium
HOMECOMING: Greek, HPER and Band Reunions, 7 p.m., the Tap Room, 1702 N. Belt Highway
Griffon Volleyball vs. University of Nebraska Omaha, 7 p.m., Looney Complex

Saturday, Oct. 9

Homecoming: parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown St. Joseph
Squaw Creek Family Fun Day, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Mound City, Mo.
- Western's Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society will be presenting hands-on displays to help the refuge celebrate its 75th anniversary. Learn how to set a duck blind and decoys, see and handle fur samples and traps, and learn about the history of natural resource management.
HOMECOMING: Arts, Beats and Treats, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Blum Student Union lobby
HOMECOMING: Craig School of Business Open House, 10:30 a.m., Popplewell Hall
HOMECOMING: Alumni pre-game tailgate, 11:30 a.m., Spratt Stadium
Griffon Football vs. Truman State University, 1:30 p.m., Spratt Stadium
Griffon Soccer vs. Truman State University, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium
Griffon Volleyball vs. University Central Missouri, 7 p.m., Looney Complex
WAC Comedy Concert, 8 p.m., Potter Hall Theater

Alumni Cheer on Chiefs

The MWSU Alumni Association held its second annual Alumni Day at Arrowhead on Sept. 26, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs as they defeated the San Francisco 49'ers to move to 3-0 on the season. Well, not everybody was cheering on the Chiefs, as a few Niners fans attended as well (left). The three Chiefs Cheerleaders who dropped in (right) are all Western alumnae.
This is Griffon Country
Students, faculty, staff and alumni will celebrate Homecoming 2010 Oct. 4 – 9. This year’s theme is “St. Joseph: This is Griffon Country.” For more information on student events or the parade, call the Center for Student Engagement at 4159. For more information about the alumni events, call alumni services at 5646. To register for alumni events, visit www.griffonalumni.org. Monday, Oct. 4 • Residence Hall and Office Decorating Contests. Residence halls and campus offices will be decorated reflecting this year’s homecoming theme. • Sign Contest. Organizations create a sign showcasing the theme to be placed on Downs Drive. • Penny War begins. Student organizations will team up with campus departments to collect change for Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph. • Taste of St. Joseph/Donation Creation, 4-6 p.m., Lot I (next to the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex). Local restaurants will have menu items for students to sample, while student organizations complete a “creation” made completely out of non-perishable food items to be donated to Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph. Tuesday, Oct. 5 • University Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m., Commons Pavilion. Organizations will create a non-alcoholic drink to match the homecoming theme. Co-sponsored by Partners in Prevention and the University Police Department. Wednesday, Oct. 6 • Yell Like Hell, 7 p.m., Potter Hall Theater. Organizations will perform skits incorporating the homecoming theme and Western’s fight song. Thursday, Oct. 7 • Griffon Spirit – Cancer Walk, 6 p.m., Blum Parking Lot. This year’s spirit competition is a little different: instead of the judging taking place at a home athletic event, the homecoming committee has organized a walk to benefit the American Cancer Society. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. inside the Blum Student Union. There is no fee to participate; donations of any size are welcome. • 28th annual Alumni Awards Banquet, 5:45 p.m., Fulkerson Center. Friday, Oct. 8 • Second annual Griffon Golf Outing for alumni, 8:30 a.m., Fairview Golf Club. • Griffon volleyball vs. the University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m., Looney Complex. • Pep rally and bonfire, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium. • Greek, HPER and Band Reunions, 7 p.m., the Tap Room, 1702 N. Belt Highway. Saturday, Oct. 9 • Homecoming Parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown St. Joseph. • Arts, Beats and Treats, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Blum Student Union lobby. Free family fun for all ages. Make fun crafts with the Western Institute’s Center for Community Arts, create a banner to cheer on the Griffons, decorate a sugar cookie, and much more. • Craig School of Business Open House, 10:30 a.m., Popplewell Hall. • Alumni pre-game tailgate, 11:30 a.m., Spratt Stadium. • Griffon football vs. Truman State University, 1:30 p.m., Spratt Stadium. • Alumni Wine Tasting, immediately after the football game, Smooth Endings, 36th Street and Beck Road. • Griffon volleyball vs. the University of Central Missouri, 7 p.m., Looney Complex • Griffon soccer vs. the University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m. Spratt Stadium. Top of Page

Art Floats

Students in Neil Lawley's 3-Dimensional Design class designed, built and tested personal flotation devices (or life jackets) as part of a class project. Students were allowed to use any materials they wanted, using as much found recycled materials as possible. The basic requirements are that it be well-designed, both aesthetically and functionally, be able to buoy the students' weight in the pool, and be re-useable. Presentations were given in class beforehand, including detailed drawings and a scale model. "The true purpose of this project was to have the students go through the entire design process, from brainstorming to execution," said Lawley, assistant professor of art. "I wanted them to balance aesthetics with function to produce an object to be used in their next assignment - building a boat."

Of Bugs, Creeks and Kids

The bugs tell the story, and elementary school students came on campus to listen. Students from St. Joseph School District’s gifted and talented program met with two Missouri American Water Company employees, a Conservation Department employee and a worker from the Department of Natural Resources last week to count bugs in Otoe Creek on Western’s campus.

In October 2009, several Western students, along with Dr. Pat McMurry, professor of economics, Western employee Craig Darrough, and Lisa Adams, a Missouri American Water employee, cleaned up trash along the creek. So the purpose of Wednesday’s gathering was to conduct a bug count to see if their numbers had increased since the clean up, compared to the bug count prior to the clean-up.

Teacher Gwen Funk brought 10 elementary students to campus to help. “We’re trying to show them that water quality is going to be a major issue,” she said. “And these are our future problem solvers.”

Lisa noted that cleaning up the creek will continue because last year the group found a dump site with thousands of cans and an old car along the creek. Otoe Creek runs under the bridge at the bottom of the hill on McCarthy Drive.

Politicians Come to Western

Missouri Western is proving a popular stop for politicians this fall. Congressman Roy Blunt (left) visited the Christopher S. "Kit" Bond Science and Technology Incubator to visit with incubator tenants and other small business owners. Former Arkansas governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (center) spoke to nearly 500 people in attendance at the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce Fall Chairman's Brunch on Sept. 30. And former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (right) will be the guest of honor at the annual Convocation Dinner Oct. 6 and the Convocation on Critical Issues Oct. 7.

Officers Honored

During a brief ceremony this week, Officers Dennis Johnson and James Bench (left) were presented with Meritorious Conduct Awards for helping to save the life of a fan who suffered a heart attack just before the first Griffon football game of the season Sept. 2. Also during the ceremony, Chief Jon Kelley presented awards for length of service to five members of the department, including Corporal Bob Bidding (right).

For Sale: 2001 Sportster 883 Custom/Low - $3900, very reliable bike, low miles (less than 5,000), lots of extra chrome and accessories. 816-646-3817 or brentj241@yahoo.com

For Sale - 2005 Honda Civic, Black with low mileage (34,000 miles), excellent condition, kept very clean and all scheduled maintenance done, special edition includes power sun roof, upgraded sound system with 6 disc CD changer, and rear spoiler, $11,500. Call Dan Nicoson at ext 5647 or cell 351-1155 or Linda Nicoson at cell 351-1261.

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