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Week of October 13 - 19, 2008 Welcome to the Tower Topics E-newsletter for faculty, staff and students at Western. |
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Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, 816-271- 4200 |
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Click any link for these stories: Western Set to Celebrate Vartabedian Inauguration Western Gears Up for Homecoming 2008 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
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:
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About 800 people attended a community gathering with Sen. Joe Biden, Democratic vice presidential candidate, at Western Oct. 9. “This election is about you,” Biden told the crowd. “This is a pretty difficult time. This is the most important election any one of you will ever have voted in.” Biden spelled out the positions of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and himself on a number of issues, including higher education. “We’re going to make college affordable so you can compete for all those jobs we’re going to create. We believe college should be affordable to anyone capable of getting into college,” he said. The Obama for America campaign rented the small gym in the M.O. Looney Complex for the event. Western is also pursuing an appearance by the Republican campaign of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin, said Beth Wheeler, Western’s director of external relations. “Hosting a major political candidate like Sen. Biden is a lot of work for our staff, but it provides a valuable educational and cultural experience for our students and the community, and we’d love to do it all again for Sen. McCain or Gov. Palin,” Wheeler said. No matter which political party someone supports, an event like the Biden campaign stop enriches a university campus, said Duane Bruce, associate dean of student development. “It electrifies the entire campus community,” Bruce said. “It brings home what’s happening nationally, and makes it tangible.” |
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Western Set to Celebrate Vartabedian Inauguration Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian will be installed as Western’s president during an academic ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in the M.O. Looney Complex arena. The installation ceremony is the highlight of several days of inauguration activities marking the beginning of Dr. Vartabedian’s tenure as the fourth president since Western became a four-year baccalaureate institution in 1969. The ceremony is free and open to the public. This is the first such ceremony in school history, according to Dan Nicoson, vice president for university advancement and chair of the inauguration steering committee. “This ceremony is a symbol of the academic quality and institutional maturity that the Missouri General Assembly recognized in 2005 when they designated Western a university,” Nicoson said. “Because Dr. Vartabedian is the first new president since that designation, we hope to make this a very special occasion.” The ceremony will include a formal processional and recessional in academic regalia for Western faculty, staff, alumni, retirees and students as well as delegates from other higher education institutions. Congratulatory messages will be presented by representatives from the Student Government Association, the Alumni Association, the Staff Senate and the Faculty Senate. Dr. Sue Park, dean emeritus of West Texas A&M University and a professional colleague of Dr. Vartabedian, will also speak. Dirck Clark, chair of the Board of Governors; Dr. Joseph Bragin, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs; and Dr. James Scanlon, president emeritus of Western, will formally install Dr. Vartabedian, presenting him with two symbols of his office. The first symbol is the presidential medallion, featuring the university’s seal and six values: service, quality, enthusiasm, freedom, respect and courage. The other symbol, the ceremonial mace, symbolizes academic authority. The mace stands almost four feet tall and is topped by the university’s seal. Its bronze plates feature etchings of the Griffon, the Glenn E. Marion Memorial Clock Tower and the institution’s five names: St. Joseph Junior College, Missouri Western Junior College, Missouri Western College, Missouri Western State College and Missouri Western State University. Both symbols were introduced in 2005 in recognition of Western’s university status. They were donated by Dr. Joseph Friedman, a 1939 alumnus of St. Joseph Junior College. Following the installation, Dr. Vartabedian will present his inaugural address. Music will be provided by the Alumni Steel Drum Band, the Missouri Western Symphonic Winds and the Missouri Western Concert Chorale. A reception for all attendees will immediately follow the ceremony in the M.O. Looney Complex. Inauguration week activities include: Oct. 16
Oct. 17
Oct. 18
For more information about inauguration activities, call the university advancement office at 5646. |
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Western Gears Up for Homecoming 2008 Western is gearing up for Homecoming 2008 Oct. 13-18, and a variety of activities are planned for students, alumni and the community. This year’s theme is “Star Spangled Griff.” Western’s Center for Student Engagement is hosting several activities throughout the week including decorating contests, “Yell like Hell,” “Donation Creation,” and more. The Office of Alumni Services is hosting the annual Awards Banquet Oct. 16. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are George Hayward ’74, Chris Danford ’78, Dan Kellogg ‘82 and Cheri Kempf ’85. The 2008 Distinguished Faculty Award recipient is Carol Roever, associate professor and interim dean of the Steven L. Craig School of Business. The recipients of the Herb and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University are Stan and Doris '51 Hall. Friday, Oct. 17 is the Organizational Reunions for current students and alumni of Student Government Association, Resident Assistants, NAACP and Ebony Collegians at 6 p.m. in Blum Union. Also Friday, the annual pep rally and bonfire will be held at 8 p.m. outside the M.O. Looney Complex. The annual Homecoming parade through downtown St. Joseph will begin at City Hall at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 18. New this year, the Alumni Association Board of Directors is hosting an early morning breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Red Cross Parking lot on Faraon Street. Alumni and community members can grab free coffee, juice, hot chocolate and rolls and then stay to watch the parade. “This is a new activity for us,” said Greg VerMulm '89, president of the Alumni Association. “We hope that alumni and other community members come out early to mingle with one another and get a good place along the parade route.” After the parade at 10:30 a.m. are the departmental open houses. The Craig School of Business meets on the third floor of Popplewell Hall; chemistry meets on the third floor of Agenstein Hall; biology meets on the second floor of Agenstein Hall; the physical therapy assistant 10th anniversary is in Murphy 305; and communications studies and theatre meets on the second floor of Murphy Hall. The Homecoming tailgate will start at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at Spratt Stadium. The Griffons take on the Emporia State University Hornets at 1:30 p.m. in Spratt Stadium. After the game is the second annual all-Greek reunion at 8 p.m. at Legend’s Loft and the WAC Comedy Show at 9 p.m. in the Thompson E. Potter Hall theatre. The king and queen will be announced at halftime of the football game. Queen candidates are Tierra Brown, sophomore English major of St. Louis; Kali Conard, senior marketing and business management major, of St. Joseph; Tara Hotzel, senior business management major, of Smithville; Whitney Smith, senior business management major, of Booneville, Mo.; and Rachel Booth, senior recreation management major, of Ridgeway, Mo. King candidates are Jordan Baumgardner, senior biochemistry/molecular biology major of Cincinnati; Kendall Bell, senior computer science major, of Bethany, Mo.; Bryan Smith, junior sports management major, of St. Louis; Andrew Gillies, senior finance major, of St. Charles, Mo.; and David Wyble, junior communication studies major, of St. Joseph. In addition to the football game, Western athletics is hosting several other events during Homecoming week. Fans can get their first look at the men’s and women’s basketball teams during the fifth annual Griffon Basketball Tip-Off Party at 10:30 p.m. Oct. 14. The Griffon volleyball team has two home matches: Oct. 15 vs. Northwest Missouri State and Oct. 18 vs. Truman State. First serve for both matches is at 7 p.m. in the M.O. Looney Complex Arena. And the Griffon softball team will face off against a team of alumni at 10 a.m. Oct. 18 at the MWSU Softball Complex. For more information on student events or the parade, call 816-271-4159. For more information about the alumni awards banquet, Greek reunion or other alumni events, call 816-271-5646. To register for an event, visit www.griffonalumni.org. Homecoming week also marks the inauguration of Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian as Western’s president. For the full schedule of inaugural activities, visit http://www.missouriwestern.edu/inauguration/. |
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Football
Men's Golf
Women's Golf
Soccer
Volleyball
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Vote or Shut-Up The Center for Multicultural Education has created “Vote or Shut-Up” for students and others who would like to participate, regarding election issues. Our purpose is three fold:
The following event is free and open to the public: Vote or Shut-Up: Same Sex Marriage - 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Junior College Room - co-sponsored by Pride Alliance. Discuss what has become an issue for many – marriage and the legalization, acceptance of same sex marriages, etc. There will be other Vote or Shut-Up events as the weeks get closer to the election. Death Penalty Presentation UMKC's Social Justice Lecture and Book Program presents “Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues” at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in the UMKC University Center Pierson Auditorium, 500 Holmes Road, in Kansas City, Mo. Sister Helen Prejean, death penalty opponent and author of "Dead Man Walking and Death of Innocents,” will present. There will also be an organizational meeting with pizza following the lecture from approximately 7:15 to 8 p.m. which is sponsored by the Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty. This meeting will focus on supporting legislation to get a moratorium on executions in Missouri. If you are interested in attending the meeting, contact David Tushaus at tushaus or 5627. Disability services presents “Two Cripples and a Microphone: An Evening of Artful Banter,” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall 101. The event features Danny R. Phillips, an independent rock journalist, and Jay Claywell, Western student and poet/writer. This will be an opportunity to hear two different individuals explore ideas involving relationships, anger, self-awareness, perceptions and overall personal growth. Audience Advisory: Strong Language. Wellness Screening The 2008 MWSU Employee Wellness Screening will combine with the annual Benefits Fair sponsored by Human Resources Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 in the Fulkerson Center to accommodate an expanded screening and fair combination. The “Relaxation Station” overseen by Psychology and Physical Therapy will be held in Spratt 214-216 on those days as part of the screening activities. The wellness screen is a free benefit for all employees and spouses covered by Western’s medical plan. There is a $30 fee for those not covered by the university’s insurance. Men wanting the prostate cancer screening test will be charged $30 to cover the cost of the lab fee. All fees must be paid at the time of the screening. Among the screening elements planned for this year’s event include:
Various vendors will also be present as part of the Benefits Fair. They will be available to share information and answer questions employees may have. As part of our wellness activities, we continue to focus our efforts on helping others. Empty pill bottles that are used by the Social Welfare Board and used eye glasses for donation to the Lions can be brought to your wellness screening appointment or sent to the office of Deb Ellis, Murphy 309K or Bill Russell 129 Looney Complex. Faculty and Staff The Public Relations and Marketing Department will be conducting both and marketing and an internal communications survey during the month of October. We heartily encourage you to participate and let us know what you think about our marketing efforts and the internal communications her at MWSU. Although we would love to reward you for helping, the surveys are intended to be totally anonymous. Your input on these topics will be invaluable as we move forward in our efforts at continuously improving both our marketing and communications efforts. Please take a few minutes to share you thoughts with us. AQIP Visit In preparation for of the AQIP visit at the end of the month, a number of beautiful, gold-framed posters depicting the university's mission, vision and values will be available in hopes that they may be displayed in campus offices or suite areas during the visit and continuing throughout the implementation of Western's current strategic plan. Enough posters were printed so that every empolyee may have one. Participants directly involved in the Aqip Checkup Visit will receive the posters first. Posters will be available in the next couple weeks for employees who would like one for their office. Contact Dr. Crain at 5997 or Roger Swafford at 5649 if you would like a poster. Lost Boys of Sudan Presentation Come listen to up-to-date information regarding the Lost Boys of Sudan from 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22 in Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt 101. Guest speaker is Simon Deng, a Lost Boy and currently the President of The Sudanese Lost Boys & Girls Association of Kansas. The presentations will include video clip on the background of the Lost Boys; Deng’s first-hand account as a Lost Boy; a film, “Call to Sudanese Solidarity;” and a question and answer session. The event is being sponsored by the department of history, philosophy and geography; the department of government, social work and sociology; the college of liberal arts and sciences; the center for multicultural education; and the co-curricular events committee. Display Cases Check out the new display cases in the library in the Hearnes Center. This week the display features the inauguration of Dr. Robert Vartabedian. |
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Monday, October 13
Tuesday, October 14
Wednesday, October 15
Thursday, October 16
Friday, October 17
Saturday, October 18
Sunday, October 19
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Wanted: Two or three bedroom house or condo to rent ASAP. For more information contact John Ellis in the Education Department at 4302. |
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Wanted: Your want ads! You
are welcome to submit ads to the Western ADvantage each week.
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