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Week of October 20 - 26, 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 Hosts Lost Boys of Sudan Presentations Western to Host Trick-or-Treat Off the Street Western Professor to Present Election Issues 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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Vartabedian Installed as Western President Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian was installed Oct. 17 as the president of Western. More than 500 students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and delegates from other institutions of higher learning attended the first formal academic ceremony to install a president at Western. “While this is a very special ceremony in our university’s history, it is most importantly a time to celebrate what Missouri Western State University does best,” Dr. Vartabedian said in his inaugural address. “It transforms lives.” Dr. Vartabedian said as a first-generation college graduate, he understands and appreciates how higher education can transform a life. Western students share that understanding and appreciation. “We are an institution of students who have a dream that if they work hard enough in college, they can acquire meaningful knowledge, enjoy a good life, and better provide for their family,” Dr. Vartabedian said. “We are an institution of students who often hold down multiple jobs to make ends meet. And, we are an institution of students who take none of this for granted.” Dr. Vartabedian said that those whose lives have been transformed by higher education have a responsibility to transform others. He pointed out that nearly 20 percent of children and 10 percent of the elderly in Buchanan County live below the poverty level, and that the local average weekly income is $200 less than the national average. “Given our transformational mission, it is particularly important that this university is sensitive to and involved with assisting our community – and in tangible ways,” he said. Dr. Vartabedian was installed by Dirck Clark, chair of Western’s Board of Governors. Dr. James Scanlon, Western’s president emeritus, presented Dr. Vartabedian with the presidential medallion. Dr. Joseph Bragin, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, presented Dr. Vartabedian with the ceremonial mace, symbolic of Western’s academic authority. The two 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. Also speaking at the ceremony were Harold Callaway III, senior business major from Faucett, Mo., and Student Government Association president; Greg VerMulm, Alumni Association president; Dan Eckhoff, Western’s bursar and Staff Senate president; Dr. Brenda Blessing, professor of recreation and Faculty Senate president; and Dr. Sue Park, dean and professor emerita at West Texas A&M University and a longtime professional colleague of Dr. Vartabedian. The Board of Governors selected Dr. Vartabedian to succeed Dr. Scanlon last December, and he officially began his duties on July 1. Prior to coming to Western, he held faculty and administrative positions at East Central Oklahoma State University, Wichita State University, West Texas A&M University, Western Carolina University and Eastern New Mexico University. Dr. Vartabedian’s academic specialty is speech communication. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Fresno State University, a master’s degree from Wichita State University and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. |
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Western Hosts Lost Boys of Sudan Presentations Western will host Simon Deng, a Lost Boy and current president of the Sudanese Lost Boys and Girls Association of Kansas, as he presents up-to-date information about the Lost Boys of Sudan from 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 in the Kemper Recital Hall, Leah Spratt Hall room 101. Light refreshments will be served after the events. The presentations will consist of a video clip on the background of the Lost Boys, Deng’s first-hand account as a Lost Boy, a viewing of the film “Call to Sudanese Solidarity” and a question-and-answer session. Deng was six years old in 1987 when Arab raiders burst into his village of Marial Bai in South Sudan, armed with machine guns. As the village men were killed, Simon and other boys took refuge in the tall grass. After witnessing the slaughter of their families, the boys fled the village on foot, joining others along the way. They joined 35,000 Lost Boys of Sudan who fled Sudan to Ethiopia, but when unrest broke out, the boys were run out of Ethiopia back across the Gilo river, where an ambush was waiting and 1,000 boys died crossing the river. The boys eventually found refuge in camps in Kenya, where Deng stayed until he was resettled in the U.S. After years in the refugee camps in Kenya, Deng was finally headed to the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York. Simon’s plane was diverted from landing in New York, and rerouted to Newfoundland, Canada. After waiting in Newfoundland for many days following Sept. 11, Deng and his group were finally able to enter the U.S. and begin their new lives. Deng’s appearances have been arranged through Sudan Sunrise, a non-profit Christian organization based in Lenexa, Kan., which facilitates reconciliation and mission projects in southern Sudan. The Rev. Tom Prichard, executive director of Sudan Sunrise, will accompany Deng to Western. The event is 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. For more information about the presentations, contact Noel Cross, administrative assistant for the department of history, philosophy and geography, at 5686 or cross. |
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Western to Host Trick-or-Treat Off the Street The Western Residence Council will once again offer the annual Trick-or-Treat off the Street to local elementary students. From 5-8 p.m. Oct. 30, children can trick-or-treat their way through the residence halls, while stocking up on candy in a safe and friendly environment. Trick-or-treating begins in the Commons Building, which will also offer games and activities. Signs will be set up at campus entrances directing visitors to the Commons. “This event has been very popular in the past with campus employees and their children,” said Jen Kacere, Residence Council advisor. “Last year we reached out to the community and got a terrific response, and we hope to have even more parents and trick-or-treaters this year.” For more information, contact Kacere at 7102. |
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Western Professor to Present Election Issues Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, will make a presentation entitled “Some Substantial Socio-Economic Issues of the Upcoming Presidential and Congressional Elections” at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Hearnes Center, room 102. A few core topics that will be discussed include the U.S. economy, the financial system, health care, terrorism, the energy crisis, education and the current war. There will be a question and answer session after the presentation. This event is sponsored by the economics department, Western’s honors program, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies. This event is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Amy Parnell, administrative coordinator of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at 4510. |
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Football
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.
Pre-Registration News Advisement for the Spring 2009 term begins Oct. 29. If you do not know who your advisor is please check on My Western self-service page under Student & Financial Aid, Student Records, View Student Information. Please contact this individual or the department concerning sign-up opportunities for advisement. When you meet with your advisor you will be given an Alternate PIN. You will use this 4-digit number to access Registration through My Western self-service page and enroll in classes. Beginning at 7 a.m. on each date, the schedule listed below will be followed (degree-seeking students only):
To calculate your class you may add your cumulative earned hours and the current hours you are attempting this semester. Students who have a registration hold on their records will not be allowed to register. To check if you have this type of hold access My Western self-service page under Student & Financial Aid, Student Records, View Holds. Remember, a registration hold can be added to you account at any time. If you have any questions please call the Registrar's Office at 4211. 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. Theatre Season "Night of the Living Dead -The Play" is Oct. 28 - Nov 1 at 8 p.m. There will be an encore show at 11 p.m. Oct. 31. Each night the play is in Potter Hall Main Stage. Tickets are $6-$8. For more information about this event or upcoming events call 4441. 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. Nontraditional Student Week The National Association of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) has declared November 3-7 as "National Non-Traditional Student Week." With this in mind, our campus will hold a reception Nov. 5 from 3- 4 p.m. in the Spratt Hall Atrium. Please take a moment to nominate a currently enrolled nontraditional student that you believe should be recognized for either academic achievement or outstanding service to the campus. At the reception, these students will receive a certificate and a much deserved salute. Their families will be invited to attend. All campus employees are invited to attend as well. This is an informal reception. Refreshments will be served. In your nomination, please include the student's name and address and a paragraph about what that student has done to earn special recognition. You may nominate more than one student. These nominations may come to me by e-mail or campus mail. The deadline is October 30. Please note that all nominations will be recognized during the reception. Economics Presentation Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, will present, "Some Substantial Socio-Economic Issues of the Upcoming Presidential & Congressional Elections." This free presentation will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in Hearnes 102. Western students, faculty, staff, campus community and the public are invited to attend. There will be a Q&A session after the presentation. United Way Dinner La Dolce Vita is once again sponsoring their benefit dinner for the United Way from 5-10 p.m. Oct. 28 at La Dolce Vita 36th Street Restaurant, 501 N. Belt Highway. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children. One hundred percent of proceeds go to the United Way. Menu includes bruschetta, Caesar salad, crespelle stuffed w/mushrooms, lasagna and baked zitti alla norma and ricotta cake with apple butter for dessert. Tickets are required for the event, and 20 tickets are available. Contact Tyson Schank, associate director of Admissions, at 4260 or tschank. |
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Monday, October 20
Tuesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 22
Thursday, October 23
Sunday, October 26
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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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