Week of October 9 - 15, 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:

Homecoming 2009

RCPI Receives Grant

Enrollment Sets Record

Fountain City Brass Band

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 271-4124.

Homecoming 2009

Western is gearing up for Homecoming 2009 Oct. 12-17, and a variety of activities are planned for students, alumni and the community. This year’s theme is “Back in Time to ’69,” honoring the 40^th anniversary of Western’s designation as a four-year institution.

Monday, Oct. 12

• 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.

• Griffstock BBQ and Donation Creation, 4 p.m., west of Blum Union. Organizations will have two hours to complete a “creation” made completely out of non-perishable foods to be donated to Second Harvest.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

• University Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m., Commons Pavilion. Organizations will create a non-alcoholic drink to match the homecoming theme.

• Window Decoration, 6 p.m. Students will decorate business windows downtown.

Wednesday, Oct. 14

• Scanlon Hall Celebration, 3 p.m. Dr. Robert Vartabedian, president, and Dr. James Scanlon, former president, will unveil a portrait in Scanlon Hall.

• Yell Like Hell, 7 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall inside Spratt Hall. Organizations will make a skit incorporating the homecoming theme and Western’s fight song.

• Alumni Night at the Museum, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Western alumni will enjoy an evening of wine tasting and art appreciation. Registration costs $8 per person or $15 per couple before Oct. 12. At the door, registration is $10 per person.

Thursday, Oct. 15

• 27^th annual Alumni Awards Banquet, 5:45 p.m., Fulkerson Center. Tickets are $30. Reservations are required.

• Griffon Soccer, vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium. Organizations will compete in the Griffon Spirit Contest at the soccer match.

Friday, Oct. 16

• Alumni Golf Outing, 9 a.m., Fairview Golf Course; cost is $55 per person and each team must have at least one junior college or university alum. Pre-registration is required.

• St. Joseph Junior College Celebration and Plaque Dedication, 2 p.m., 10^th & Edmond Streets. A plaque marking the former site of St. Joseph Junior College will be unveiled.

• Junior College Celebration Tea, 2:45 p.m., YWCA Terrace Room, 304 N. 8^th St.

• Pep Rally and Bonfire, 7 p.m., beginning in the M.O. Looney Arena.

• Greeks, VIPs, Golden Griffon Marching Band and all-alumni reunions, 8 p.m., Norty’s Bar and Grill, 1117 Frederick Ave.

Saturday, Oct. 17

• Run to the Max III, a 5K benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater St. Joseph and Nodaway Valley sponsored by Performance Plus and Western athletics. Participants will line up at Volley’s beginning at 7:30 a.m. and will run the parade route. The cost is $20 per person if registered prior to Oct. 14. $30 at the time of the event. All participants will receive a Run to the Max III t-shirt.

• Homecoming Parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown St. Joseph beginning at City Hall. The staging area will be on 36^th Street, which will be closed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. between Faraon and Messanie.

• Post-Parade Party, 10:30 a.m., Blum Student Union. Make plans to attend the first faculty/alumni reception following the parade, children’s craft activities and refreshments. The Barnes and Noble Bookstore will also be open.

• Craig School of Business Open House, 10:30 a.m., Popplewell Hall.

• Baptist Student Union Reunion and Worship Service, 10:30 a.m., Enright Community Room, Spratt Hall 214.

• Western Dining Services Tailgate, 11:30 a.m. Spratt Stadium near the Baker Fitness Center, $7 per person.

• Griffon Football vs. the University of Central Missouri, 1:30 p.m., Spratt Stadium

• Coronation of Homecoming Royalty will be announced at the end of the third quarter of the football game.

• SGA WAC Comedy Event, 9 p.m., Potter Hall Theater. Comedians Iliza Shlesinger and ANT will perform. Shlesinger is the 2008 winner of “Last Comic Standing.” ANT has appeared as a judge on “Last Comic Standing” and as the host of “Celebrity Fit Club.”

Queen candidates are Megan Gawatz, junior nursing major, of St. Joseph, Mo., nominated by Phi Delta Theta; Kayla Kelder, senior psychology and Spanish major, of St. Joseph, Mo., nominated by Psi Chi/Psychology club; Millie Montemurro, senior elementary physical education major, of St. Joseph, Mo., nominated by Phi Epsilon Kappa; Kendra Myers, junior nursing major, of Independence, Mo., nominated by Alpha Phi Alpha; and Helen Rapone, senior nursing major, of Waynesville, Mo., nominated by Phi Sigma Kappa.

King candidates are Luke Akers, senior English education major, of Lawson, Mo., nominated by Sigma Sigma Sigma; Brad Landrum, senior psychology major, of St. Joseph, Mo., nominated by Psi Chi/Psychology club; Drew Newhart, junior physical education major, of Cameron, Mo., nominated by Phi Epsilon Kappa; Logan Parker, senior criminal justice and psychology major, of Gower, Mo.,  nominated by Phi Delta Theta; and Gene Ryals, senior marketing major, of Independence, Mo., nominated by Phi Sigma Kappa.

For more information on student events or the parade, call the Center for Student Engagement, 816-271-4159. For more information about the alumni events, call alumni services at 816-271-5646. To register for an event, visit www.griffonalumni.org.

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RCPI Receives Grant

The Missouri Regional Center for Public Safety Innovation (MO-RCPI) at Western has received a $450,000 grant from the federal Department of Justice to continue its national training mission. Sen. Claire McCaskill announced the grant award.

MO-RCPI began delivering training to law enforcement officers across the country two years ago, after receiving a $714,000 grant from DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. Previously, MO-RCPI had facilitated training sessions and conferences for Missouri law enforcement agencies.

“In the last 18 months, we’ve done more than 250 days of training from coast to coast,” said Bryan Courtney, MO-RCPI director. More than 2,500 officers from more than 2,000 federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies have attended training sessions, including Gangs 101, Campus Crime Prevention, Counter Terrorism Awareness, and The Seven Habits for Highly Effective People for Law Enforcement, said Courtney, a 1996 graduate of Western. Just since August, MO-RCPI has conducted training sessions in Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, Texas and other states. Possible future training subjects include law enforcement officer suicide prevention, intelligence-led policing and reducing crime through traffic enforcement.

The RCPI also gives Western students applied learning and internship opportunities, Courtney said. Undergraduates have served as interns and student workers in the RCPI, and Courtney has been able to use his contacts with law enforcement agencies locally and nationally to place students in external internships and practica. Those contacts can also help students start their law enforcement career after graduation.

“Because we are in the field and have these partnerships with agencies across the country, we can serve as a link to those employers for our graduates,” Courtney said. “We also serve as a platform for students and faculty to do research, suggesting subjects for students that would be helpful to us and putting researchers in contact with law enforcement agencies to gather data.”

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Enrollment Sets Record

For the fifth consecutive year, enrollment at Western has set a record. There were 5,735 students enrolled at Western on the official census date after four weeks of classes, a 3.6 percent increase from fall 2008. The number of full-time students is up 6.5 percent, to 4,089, marking the first time Western has had more than 4,000 full time students.

“We’re pleased to see the continued growth in enrollment,” said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, Western’s provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. “With the outstanding education we provide, the construction projects on campus, the growth of our graduate programs and many other developments, it’s an exciting time to be at Western, and students are recognizing that.”

The enrollment figures include 5,665 undergraduate students and 70 graduate students. Students are taking a total of 66,922 credit hours, also a record and an increase of more than five percent over last fall.

The number of first-time freshmen increased by about four percent this fall, to 1,185. More than two-thirds of Western’s students come from the university’s primary service area: Andrew, Buchanan, Clay, Clinton and Platte Counties. That’s good news for the region’s future, Dr. Daffron said.

“The primary way we serve northwest Missouri is by educating our young people,” Dr. Daffron said. “Western graduates enter the workforce prepared to make a difference.”

Since 2003, Western’s total enrollment has grown nearly 16 percent, and the number of credit hours taken by Western students is up more than 13 percent.

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Fountain City Brass Band

The internationally-acclaimed Fountain City Brass Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 in the Potter Hall Theater on the campus of Western. The Northwinds Symphonic Band will also perform. Admission is a freewill donation toward Fountain City’s upcoming tour of the United Kingdom.

The Fountain City Brass Band (FCBB) is the reigning North American and U.S. Open Brass Band Champions, having won an unprecedented five consecutive national titles, and will be touring some of the finest halls, schools and competitions in the United Kingdom beginning next month.

“This is an unusual opportunity for the St. Joseph region to see and hear a performing group of this caliber,” said Dr. Matt Gilmour, professor and chair of Western’s music department. “FCBB’s shared Christmas concerts with the St. Joseph Community Chorus the previous two years have been a huge success, and I think the local audience will enjoy their first opportunity to really see all sides of the band.”

Lee Harrelson, assistant professor of music at Western, founded the Fountain City Brass Band while in graduate school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2002. The volunteer musical ensemble is committed to a mission of cultural enrichment through the presentation of entertaining, educational, casual and audience-friendly concerts. FCBB performs a wide variety of music, including opera, jazz, Broadway and modern compositions written especially for brass band.

“We hope to bridge the gap between popular and classical music, while keeping alive a vital part of early American heritage,” Harrelson said. At the end of the 19^th century, there were more than 18,000 brass bands in the United States, he said, forming a central part of American culture before the advent of radio and other forms of mass media. While FCBB strives to preserve that past, Harrelson said, the band also is aware of its responsibilities to the future, offering a wide array of outreach programs for schools and the community. 

FCBB will share the Potter stage with the Northwinds Symphonic Band, an ensemble made up primarily of band directors in and around the Kansas City area.

“It will be a great treat to have so many fine educators on our campus showing that not only can they teach, they are still performing at a high level,” Harrelson said.

For more information, contact the Western music department at 816-271-4420.

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Tower Sports

Griffon Football Western lost to rival Northwest Missouri State in front of a school record 10,129 fans by a score of 49-35 on Oct. 3. The Griffons trailed by 14 points in the first half, but came back to tie it 21-21 just before halftime. But the 6^th-ranked Bearcats scored 21 straight points to start the second half and go on to win the game. The loss dropped Western to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA. The Griffons are still ranked in the national polls; they are No. 14 in the D2football.com media poll and tied with Central Missouri for No. 16 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. In the season’s first NCAA Super Region 4 Regional Poll, Western is ranked fourth. The top six teams in the region advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Griffons hit the road Oct. 10, as they take on Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., at 2 p.m.

Griffon Volleyball Western lost a nonconference match at Rockhurst in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 6, falling in three sets. The Griffons are now 7-12 overall and 0-6 in conference as they return to MIAA play at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at Nebraska-Omaha, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at Central Missouri, and at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Northwest Missouri State.

Griffon Soccer The Griffons lost by one goal for the third straight time on Oct. 3, falling at Central Missouri 1-0. Western is now 4-8 overall and 3-4 in the MIAA as they return to Spratt Stadium to host Southwest Baptist on Oct. 8; Central Missouri on Oct. 10; Nebraska-Omaha on Oct. 15. All matches begin at 7 p.m. Please note that the Oct. 17 soccer match vs. Truman State that had been scheduled at Spratt Stadium has been moved to Kirksville, Mo.

Griffon Men’s Golf The Western men’s golf team finished the fall portion of their schedule with a fifth place finish out of 12 teams at the Fort Hays State Invitational Oct. 5 and 6. The Griffons shot a 621, 26 strokes behind winner Central Missouri State. Individually, Corey Youngclaus finished in 6^th place with a 7-over 149, four strokes behind the three golfers who tied for first. The men’s golf team will return to action next spring.

Griffon Women’s Golf The Western women took fifth place in the UNO Fall Classic on Oct. 4 and 5 with a two-round total of 658, just eight strokes out of fourth place. Lexi Webb tied for 11^th with a 161, while her sister Casi Webb tied for 13^th at 162. Western closes out the fall schedule Oct. 15 and 16 in the Avila University Fall Invitational at the St. Andrew’s Golf Course in Overland Park, Kan.

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Tournament of Champions The 24th annual Tournament of Champions High School Marching Band Competition will take place in Spratt Stadium on Tuesday, October 13. The day will begin with the first of 21 regional high school bands marching at 2:45 p.m. and conclude with an exhibition performance by the Golden Griffon Marching Band and awards at 8:30 p.m.  Nearly 2,000 students divided into five classes according to band size will represent their schools. A different band will take the field every 15 minutes throughout the afternoon and evening to present their show. Tickets for this event are available at the stadium on the day of the event. Adult and student tickets (13 and older) are $8 and senior citizens can purchase a ticket for $6. Children age 12 and under enter free of charge. This event is sponsored by MWSU Bands with help from Phi Mu Alpha (men's music fraternity) and Sigma Alpha Iota (women's music fraternity). 

Banner Upgrade The Banner system and Luminis portal will be unavailable from 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 through 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, so that both can be updated to the latest versions. The update is required by the vendor SungardHE. All other systems, including Groupwise and WebCT, will remain available. If you have any questions about the conversion, contact Mark Mabe, director of Information Technology Services.

"The Art of Fantasy" Dr. Nathanael May, assistant professor, will present an evening of piano music titled “The Art of Fantasy” at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 in the Potter Hall Theater. Dr. May will present fantasies written for piano by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Havhaness and Brahms.

American Mensa American Mensa will conduct an admission test at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 17 in Murphy Hall, room 113. American Mensa is an organization for anyone who scores in the top two percent of the general population on an accepted, standardized intelligence test. The testing session at Western is held in conjunction with Mensa’s National Testing Day on Oct. 17. The test is open to the general public. Anyone over 14 may take the test, although parental permission is required for ages 14-17. The fee is $40. The test will take about two hours to complete, and test takers will be required to show photo identification. For more information, visit www.usmensa.org. You may also contact Dr. Richard Porr, associate professor of education and proctor of the testing session, at 816-271-4332, or porr@missouriwestern.edu.

Construction Progress Rain this summer and fall has slowed, but not stopped progress on the indoor sports and recreation facility near Spratt Stadium. Floors have been poured, parking lots have been rocked and, beginning next week, steel will begin arriving on a 120’ tractor-trailer. Two to three steel deliveries per day will be made by way of SW University Drive, so portions of that road and Downs Drive will be temporarily closed during the delivery process. Also, the service drive behind the Looney Complex will be closed all next week for safety reasons, as the crane will be unloading steel trusses near that area. Crossland Construction and the steel company are making every effort to minimize disruption to campus traffic as much as possible.

Student Excellence Fund Student Excellence funding requests must be submitted to the Foundation Office, Spratt 111, no later than 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19. The Student Excellence Fund is a source of financial assistance provided to Western students through the MWSU Foundation. This fund reimburses students for expenses incurred while presenting papers, participating in competitions, seminars, etc. For detailed information go to: http://www.missouriwestern.edu/foundation/excellence.asp If questions, please contact Kim Weddle at extension 5647.

Dining Survey Aramark Food Services is conducting a survey to better understand your campus lifestyle and preferences. By sharing your thoughts, Aramark will gain valuable insight to help improve your overall campus dining experience. This online survey will take 5 to 10 minutes; your responses are confidential and you'll be eligible to win a $250 gift card from Best Buy. Click on this link to begin the survey: http://www.college-survey.com/mwsu.

For Employees

For Students

Yearbooks The 2009 Griffon Yearbooks are here. If you were a student in 2008-2009, you can pick up the 2009 Griffon Yearbook at the Library Reserve Desk during regular library hours. The schedule is online at www.library.missouriwestern.edu/hours.asp.

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Friday, October 9

• Mid term break - campus closed

• Griffon Volleyball at University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m., Omaha, Neb.

Saturday, October 10

• Griffon Football at Truman State University, 2 p.m., Kirksville, Mo.

• Griffon Soccer, vs. University of Central Missouri, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium

• Griffon Softball, vs. Highland Community College, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., Heritage Park, St. Joseph, Mo.

• Griffon Volleyball at University of Central Missouri, 6:30 p.m., Warrensburg, Mo.

Monday, October 12

• Residence Hall and Office Decorating, and Sign Contests end

• Penny War begins

• Griffstock BBQ and Donation Creation, 4 p.m., west of Blum Union

Tuesday, October 13

• The 24th annual Tournament of Champions High School Marching Band Competition, 2:45 p.m., Spratt Stadium

• University Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m., Commons Pavilion

• Window Decoration, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, October 14

• Scanlon Hall Celebration, 3 p.m., Scanlon Hall

• Alumni Night at the Museum, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art

• Yell Like Hell, 7 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall inside Spratt Hall

• Griffon Volleyball at Northwest Missouri State University, 7 p.m., Maryville, Mo.

Thursday, October 15

• Griffon Women's Golf Avila University Fall Invitational, St. Andrews Golf Course, Overland Park, Kan.

• 27^th annual Alumni Awards Banquet, 5:45 p.m., Fulkerson Center

• Griffon Soccer, vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium

Friday, October 16

• Alumni Golf Outing, 9 a.m., Fairview Golf Course

• St. Joseph Junior College Celebration and Plaque Dedication, 2 p.m., 10^th & Edmond Streets

• Junior College Celebration Tea, 2:45 p.m., YWCA Terrace Room, 304 N. 8^th St.

• "The Art of Fantasy," 5 p.m., Potter Hall Theater

• Pep Rally and Bonfire, 7 p.m., beginning in the M.O. Looney Arena

• Greeks, VIPs, Golden Griffon Marching Band and all-alumni reunions, 8 p.m., Norty’s Bar and Grill, 1117 Frederick Ave.

Saturday, October 17

• Run to the Max III, 7:30 a.m., Volley's

• American Mensa admission test, 9:30 a.m., Murphy Hall, room 113

• Homecoming Parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown St. Joseph beginning at City Hall

• Post-Parade Party, 10:30 a.m., Blum Student Union

• Craig School of Business Open House, 10:30 a.m., Popplewell Hall

• Baptist Student Union Reunion and Worship Service, 10:30 a.m., Enright Community Room, Spratt Hall 214

• Western Dining Services Tailgate, 11:30 a.m. Spratt Stadium near the Baker Fitness Center

• Griffon Football, vs. University of Central Missouri, 1:30 p.m., Spratt Stadium

• Griffon Soccer at Truman State University, TBD, Kirksville, Mo.

• Griffon Softball, vs. Griffon Softball Alumni, 10 a.m., Heritage Park, St. Joseph, Mo.

• Griffon Volleyball at Truman State University, 7 p.m., Kirksville, Mo.

• SGA WAC Comedy Event, 9 p.m., Potter Hall Theater

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Oak entertainment center for sale. Holds 32 inch TV. Has 3 component shelves with an etched glass door. TV opening has doors that slide back into cabinet. Unit is 26 inches deep, 51 inches tall and 65 inches long at the bottom. In near-perfect shape. Any offer considered. Call Sandy at 271-4151.

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