Week of  Oct. 8-14, 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 Gears Up for Homecoming 2007

Western Helps Mount Mora Cemetery

Court of Appeals to Convene at Western

Western Graduate Earns Wildlife Certification

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.

Western Gears Up for Homecoming 2007

Western is gearing up for Homecoming week 2007 Oct. 8-13, and a variety of activities are planned for the students, alumni and the community. This year’s theme is “The Best Homecoming Ever.”

“This homecoming weekend is going to be a lot of fun,” Jason Horn, alumni association president, said. “We’re organizing some things we haven’t done before and looking forward to a weekend full of good times.”

The first annual Greek reunion, “Night on the Town with the Greeks,” is one of the new events scheduled for the Homecoming week. Colleen Kowich, director of alumni services, thought the new event would spice up the tradition. “Alumni who are members of Greek organizations – whether they are social, honorary or academic – will have a chance to reminisce about their college days and catch up on what they’re doing today,” Kowich said.

Also new to Homecoming is the Biology and Chemistry Open House, where biology and chemistry alumni can meet new faculty members, reminisce with old friends, take a tour of the new labs and learn about the planned renovations to Evan R. Agenstein Hall. The open house is 10:30 a.m. Oct. 12 in Agenstein Hall.

The Office of Alumni Services is hosting the annual Awards Banquet Oct. 12. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are Mary Jane Fields Schoen ’47, Edward Haffey ’62, Thomas Norsworthy ’75, and Dr. R. Gregory Downing ’76. The 2007 Distinguished Faculty Award recipient is Dr. Dennis Rogers, professor of music.

Western’s Center for Student Engagement is hosting several activities and contests throughout the week including the office decorating contest, pep rally and bonfire, “Yell like Hell,” “Donation Creation,” a student talent show and more.

The annual Homecoming parade through downtown St. Joseph will begin at City Hall at 9 a.m. Oct. 13. There will be a “Gold and Black Take Us Back” luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the University Plaza. Cost is $10 per person; special pricing for children. The Griffons take on Southwest Baptist University Bearcats at 1:30 p.m. A social for all alumni will follow the game at 6 p.m. at Stony Creek Inn. Cost is $25 per person.

The king and queen will announced at half time. Queen candidates are Tracy Bowman, senior physical education major, Holton, Kan.; Jennifer Cammann, junior business major, St. Peters, Mo.; Ashleigh Hampton, junior English major, Nelson, Mo.; Jodi Main, senior economics major, Bucklin, Mo.; and Chemia Woods, senior speech communication major, Menifee, Ark.

King candidates are Anthony Anderson, junior recreation sport management major, Edmond, Okla.; Jason Michael, junior speech communication major, Napoleon, Mo.; Larry Motley, senior economics major, Cameron, Mo.; Brock Schmutzler, sophomore manufacturing engineering technology major, Raytown, Mo.; and Jacob Schoonover, junior physical education major, Fairfax, Mo.

For more information on student events or the parade, call 4159. For more information about the alumni awards banquet, Greek reunion or other alumni events, call 5646. To register for an event visit www.griffonalumni.org/homecoming2007.

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Western Helps Mount Mora Cemetery

What began as a biology class project at Western has blossomed into an effort by Western students, faculty and staff to help preserve historic Mount Mora Cemetery in St. Joseph, Mo.

Assistant professor of biology Dr. Sandie Seeger’s Biology of Aging class last year visited the cemetery to record birth and death dates and compare survivorship rates before and after 1950, when the use of antibiotics became common. The study clearly showed the effectiveness of modern medicine, Dr. Seeger said, and she’s looking for an appropriate journal for the results to be published. But the students’ time at the cemetery had another result, according to Dr. Seeger: they became fascinated by the beauty and history of Mount Mora, a cemetery that dates to 1851, holds the graves of at least 400 Civil War veterans and was named to the National Register of Historic Places last year.

“It is extraordinarily beautiful, and so historic,” said Dr. Seeger. Senior Margaret Justice, the student director of the cemetery project, agrees. “It’s just absolutely gorgeous, with such serenity and peace,” said Justice, who has 14 family members buried in the cemetery.

Justice suggested creating a Web site to make people aware of the cemetery’s beauty and help preserve it, and Western’s Instructional Media Center took up the challenge. Rick Brown, Michelle Ritter and Cindy Wells created a site that allows visitors to search for specific graves. The burial records had already been computerized by volunteers and made available online through a genealogical Web site. When Justice suggested the Mount Mora Preservation & Restoration Association have its own site to host the records, founder Suzanne Lehr said the association quickly saw the advantages.  “We could include not only the burial records, but the cemetery’s history, photos and upcoming events,” Lehr said. The site is now online at …

But Western’s Mount Mora project didn’t end with the development of the Web site. Dr. Cary Chevalier, associate professor of biology, plans to have one of his classes gather Geographic Information System (GIS) data for each gravesite. That information will be available online to make it easier for people to find specific graves when they visit the cemetery.

A Western biology professor will also help Mount Mora showcase its numerous trees. The cemetery was redesigned by architect W. Angelo Powell in 1872 in the “rural garden cemetery” style then coming into vogue, characterized by a park-like setting with curvilinear roads and beautiful landscaping, Lehr said. The plantings included a wide variety of tree species. Dr. John Rushin will help the cemetery obtain state arboretum status by collecting GIS data for all the trees and labeling them.

One of the attractions of the cemetery project, Dr. Seeger said, has been the way it crosses traditional disciplinary lines. “Students are learning biology, but they’re also learning about history, mathematics, computer science, English and art,” Dr. Seeger said. And that knowledge is being applied beyond the classroom in a real-world setting while serving the community by helping to preserve one of its treasures, she added. That’s something Justice appreciates. “One of my goals was to connect Western more closely with the community,” she said. “I’d like to get even more people on campus involved in the project.”

Lehr said her association appreciates the help. “We started very small, but with great vision,” she said. “With so many people now involved and with the support of Western we can reach our goals.”

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Court of Appeals to Convene at Western

For the 10th consecutive year, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District will convene court at Western, Chief Judge Victor C. Howard announced today. The Court will sit at Western on Oct. 10, 2007.

A three-judge panel consisting of Lisa White Hardwick, James M. Smart and Platte County Associate Circuit Judge Gary D. Witt will hear oral arguments in three cases. Arguments will begin at 9:30 a.m., and will once again be held at the Kemper Recital Hall located in Spratt Hall.

Howard explained that the cases are appeals from previously held trials in area circuit courts. The judges will hear attorneys argue whether the trials had errors that should cause them to be retried, or the trial court’s judgment reversed, he said. The judges will read written arguments before the court session, he added, and may interrupt the attorneys’ arguments with questions.

The judges will break sometime during the arguments to explain the judicial system in general and the appellate judiciary in particular, Howard said.

The Court has made it a practice to convene yearly in St. Joseph. It convenes regularly in Kansas City, Mo. and its jurisdiction is appeals from trial courts in 45 counties in western and central Missouri. 

Hardwick will preside over the proceedings at Western.  She was appointed to the Western District in 2001. Previously, she served as a trial judge in Jackson County and practiced law for 14 years in Kansas City. Smart was appointed to the Western District in 1991. Prior to judicial service, he served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County and later engaged in the private practice of law in Kansas City. Witt is sitting as a special judge on the Western docket pursuant to an order issued by the Missouri Supreme Court. He has been an associate circuit judge in Platte County since his appointment in 1998.

“It is important for the Court to convene oral arguments outside of Kansas City,” Hardwick said. “This gives individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see. We hope those attending will gain a better understanding of the Court's function.”

The court session is open to the public. For more information, contact professor of criminal justice Larry D. Andrews at 816-271-4291.

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Western Graduate Earns Wildlife Certification

Ryan Evans, a field biologist intern working with the Bureau of Land Management in Newcastle, Wyo., holds the distinction of being the first Western graduate to apply for and receive the associate wildlife biologist certification from the Wildlife Society since the biology department began offering the wildlife, conservation and management degree two years ago. He graduated with the degree in December 2006.

“This is a profound and major benchmark for Missouri Western,” said Dr. Cary Chevalier, associate professor of biology. “I think it’s important that the institution celebrate this accomplishment.”

Dr. Chevalier said the department specifically tailored the curriculum to meet the education requirements of the certification, so he was gratified when a reviewer from the Wildlife Society told him that Ryan’s application was the best application he had ever received and the easiest for him to approve.

“The Wildlife Society takes certification seriously. It is not a rubber stamp,” said Dr. Chevalier. He noted that the certification is recognized across the globe.

“The certification is a great resumé builder,” said Evans, a native of St. Joseph, Mo. “It sets you apart.”

Dr. Chevalier agreed. “If all things are equal between two candidates for the same job, the certification is a definite tie-breaker.” Additionally, he believes that more and more natural resource management positions will require certification in the future.

Evans, who also graduated with a natural science in biology degree from Western in 1996,  now has 10 years to complete five years of professional work experience as a wildlife biologist, and then he may apply for certification as a certified wildlife biologist.

In his current position he is monitoring habitats and conducting surveys on five different animal species and writing wildlife survey protocols. His ultimate career goal, however, is to work with primates in the wild.

Evans said his Western degrees definitely prepared him for his career, especially after talking to individuals who went to larger institutions. “They didn’t get the one-on-one with professors that I did. I was able to get a lot of field work.”

Dr. Chevalier said that two current students plan to apply for certification when they graduate, and two more are gathering information about it, as well.

“Certification is playing a significant and rapidly increasing role in job competition,” said Dr. Chevalier. “And we are preparing our students to gain that competitive edge.”

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Tower Sports

Soccer

• Loss vs. Central Missouri, 0-5, Oct. 4

• Oct. 12 vs. Missouri Southern at 7 p.m.

• Oct. 13  vs. Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m.

Volleyball

• Loss vs. Fort Hays State, 1-3, Oct. 4

• Win vs. Newman University, 3-0, Oct. 5

• Loss vs. Abilene Christian University, 1-3, Oct. 5

• Loss vs. West Texas A&M, 1-3, Oct. 6

• Win vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 3-0, Oct. 6

• Oct. 12 vs. Pittsburg State at 7 p.m.

Football

• Win vs. Fort Hays State, 37-9, Oct. 6

• Oct. 13 vs. Southwest Baptist at 1:30 p.m. Homecoming!

Men's Golf

• Placed 7th at Drury Invitational Oct. 1-3

• Oct. 7-9 at Fort Hays State Invitational in Hays, Kan.

Student Excellence Request Deadline Student applications for fall semester for the Student Excellence Fund must be submitted to the Foundation Office, Spratt 111, no later than 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 19. The Student Excellence Fund is a source of financial assistance provided for Western students through the Western Foundation. This fund reimburses students for expenses incurred while presenting papers, participating in seminars, etc. For detailed information link to: http://www.missouriwestern.edu/foundation/excellence.html For questions, contact Kim Weddle at 5647.

SGA Pres/Vice Pres Informational If you are interested in running for SGA President or Vice-President for the 2008 term you must attend an informational. Important information and petitions will be available at these meetings. The informationals will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in Blum 218, at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in Blum 218, and at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 in Blum 218. If you have any questions please email Natalie Bailey at nmb7646 or call the SGA Office at 4408.

2007 Yearbooks are Now Available! The 2006-2007 Griffon is now available and may be picked up at the Griffon Yearbook office, located in Eder 220. Students will need to provide a student ID or license. The cost of the yearbook is provided in your student bill. If you were a full-time student for fall and spring, you do not have to provide any additional cost. Yearbooks are $5 a semester, which total $10. We hope to see you here and share the experience of the 2007 Griffon!

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Monday, October 8

• Senate meeting at 5 p.m. in Blum 220

• "More than Meets the Eye" planetarium series at 7 p.m. in Agenstein 105

Tuesday, October 9

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

• "Lewis and Clark" planetarium series at 7 p.m. in Agenstein 105

• Pride Alliance meeting at 4 p.m. in Spratt 103

• Auditions for "All in the Timing" at 7 p.m. in the Black Box Theater, Potter 106

Wednesday, October 10

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

Thursday, October 11

• Student Court at 5 p.m. in Blum 222

Friday, October 12

• Campus Closed. Mid-term Break.

• Alumni Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center

• "Night on the Town with the Greeks" at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 13

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

• Homecoming parade at 9 a.m. starting at City Hall

• Biology and Chemistry Open House at 10:30 a.m. in Agenstein Hall

• "Gold and Black Take Us Back" luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at University Plaza

• Homecoming king and queen announced at half time of football game. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

• After-game social at 6 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn

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Now Hiring: Y's Kids World Early Center is looking for an energetic and motivated person to work 6:30-8 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Early education students or child care experience is preferred. If you are interested please see Mary at Y's Kids World.

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