Week of  October 27 - November 2, 2008

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 Plans Memorial Service for Psychology Professor

Western, YWCA Host Women and Money Conference

"Night of the Living Dead" to Be Performed

October 2008 Points of Pride

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 Plans Memorial Service for Psychology Professor

A memorial service for Dr. James Martin Huntermark, assistant professor of psychology at Western, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 28 in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community are invited.

Dr. Huntermark was born Jan. 13, 1938 in Pittsburgh, Pa. He died Oct. 22 at his home in Leavenworth, Kan.

Dr. Huntermark joined the Western faculty in 1980. His academic specialties included sensation and perception and learning and motivation, but his passion was animal behavior. He was always very interested in his students, colleagues say, often arriving at class early so he had time to talk to them and get to know them. He frequently spoke of his love for skydiving, swimming with the dolphins and baseball. Dr. Huntermark served on the university’s Judiciary Panel for many years and recently served as a faculty mentor in the residence halls.

Dr. Huntermark earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, his Master of Arts degree from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., and his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. Before coming to Western, he served as assistant professor at Livingston University in Livingston, Ala., from 1974-1980.

Dr. Huntermark was teaching four psychology courses this semester. Those courses are currently being taught by other faculty members in the department.

Memorial donations may be made to the Willis H. McCann Psychology Scholarship in care of the MWSU Foundation or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Top of Page

Western, YWCA Host Women and Money Conference

The YWCA of St. Joseph and the Steven L. Craig School of Business at Western announce the second annual Women & Money Conference on Nov. 1 in the Fulkerson Center. The one-day conference is designed to advance financial literacy among women of all ages, backgrounds and income levels. The conference will consist of a continental breakfast, morning and afternoon workshops, lunch, resource and vendor tables and door prizes.

Western alumnae Claudia James ’89 will be the keynote speaker. James graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business education. She is owner and president of James Educational Meetings and Seminars, Inc., a Kansas City-based training company. James has dedicated her life to helping women financially protect themselves and their children. She has presented more than 900 workshops nationally and internationally, and is co-author of the book, “Ordinary Women – Extraordinary Success.”

Participants will be able to choose from twelve workshops in the morning and afternoon. Subjects include “Raising Money-Smart Kids,” “Love Money and Control,” “Make What You’re Worth” and “Real Estate Reality,” among others.

The cost to attend the conference is $30 for adults and $15 for students. All workshops are limited to the first 50 registrants.  For more information, call the YWCA at 4481, or visit www.missouriwestern.edu/W&M_reg-form.pdf.

Top of Page

"Night of the Living Dead" to Be Performed

Western will present a stage adaptation of George Romero’s classic 1968 zombie movie “Night of the Living Dead,” at 8 p.m. nightly Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in the Potter Hall theatre. There will also be a second performance at 11 p.m. on Oct 31.

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the horror masterpiece where the dead come back to life to feast on the living. The play is an almost word-for-word copy of the film’s original script, which tells the tale of a small group of survivors barricaded in a farmhouse. The stage adaptation will add a new interactive dimension to the story, with zombies mingling with the audience.

This event is put on by the communication studies and theatre department. General admission tickets are $8 and tickets for Western employees, students, and senior citizens are $4. Tickets are available at the door only.  Due to depictions of graphic violence, this play is not suitable for children. For more information please call 4490.

Top of Page

Tower Sports

Football

• Win vs. Missouri Southern State, 17-3, Oct. 25

• Nov. 1 at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., at 1:30 p.m.

Soccer

• Tie vs. Missouri Southern State, 0-0, Oct. 23

• Oct. 30 vs. Emporia State at 7 p.m.

• Nov. 1 vs. Southwest Baptist at 6 p.m.

Volleyball

• Win vs. Fort Hays State, 3-2, Oct. 22

• Loss vs. Emporia State, 0-3, Oct. 24

• Loss vs. Washburn University, 0-3, Oct. 25

• Oct. 29 at Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan., at 7 p.m.

• Oct. 31 vs. Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m.

• Nov. 1 vs. Missouri Southern State at 2 p.m.

Election Issues Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, will present “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.

Diversity and Social Justice Program Series The Center for Multicultural Education is hosting a new series of programming dedicated to Diversity and Social Justice at Western. The series will begin with a nationally recognized program called Safe Zone. Safe Zone provides safe spaces that are highly visible and easily identifiable to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons, where support and understanding is the key and where bigotry and discrimination are not tolerated. Please make note of the following event:

Safe Zone Organizing Committee Development/Training is from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 27 in Hearnes 103. This particular Interactive Video Conference will focus on training a select few people on organizing and preparing for Safe Zone Training at Western. Trainer is Dorinda J. Lambert, Ph.D., associate director/licensed psychologist counseling services at Kansas State University. To become a part of this team please email Tay Triggs directly at ttriggs. Limited space is available.

This event will lead to actual Safe Zone training that will occur in November. Safe Zone training will be open to anyone interested in becoming a more efficient ally/advisor for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. Please stay tuned for future workshops, trainings and discussions.

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.

The Impossible? Today’s science fiction may very well be tomorrow’s reality. Will we be able to visit nearby stars? Will there be time machines in the future? Will telepathy be possible? Dr. Mike Ducey, associate professor of chemistry; Dr. Chris Godfrey, professor of physics; and Dr. Mike Smith, professor of education; will review Michio Kaku’s best selling book "Physics of the Impossible" at 3 p.m. Oct 29 in Spratt Hall 109. Refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by the Honors Program and Alpha Chi. The event is free and open to the community.

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:

• to get students registered to vote

• to make them aware of issues that should concern them

• to get them to cast a vote in November

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.

Vote or Shut-Up: Rides to the Polls - Nov. 4 - Election day rides to the Armory from campus. We will provide rides throughout the day. Vans will leave from Lot G of the Blum Union to the Armory on Faraon.
 

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):

• Seniors (90+ hours) - begins 11/03/08

• Juniors (60-89 hours) - begins 11/06/08

• Sophomores (30-59 hours) - begins 11/10/08

• Freshmen (0-29 hours) - begins 11/12/08

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.

Trick-or-Treat 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. For more information, contact Kacere at 7102.

New Letterhead The Western letterhead has a new look. The new letterhead and accompanying envelope will be printed on a new, natural colored 60 pound sheet. The new stationery paper matches the new business cards that were revised in August 2008. Volume paper prices have been steadily increasing over the past several years since our paper and letterhead charges for campus customers were last set. The price for the new Western letterhead and envelopes will be slightly more than the price for the old letterhead. All departments should use up their current supply of letterhead and envelopes before ordering the new stationery. For questions regarding the new letterhead, please contact Campus Printing & Design Services at ext. 4236.  Thank you.

Prices effective Nov. 1, 2008:

Business cards - Minimum order is 250

On Royal Linen Natural card stock

• Black and Gold: 250/$16 500/$23 1000/$41

• Black ink only: 250/$9  500/$12 1000/$18

Letterhead - Minimum order is 1 Ream, 1 Ream=500 sheets

Personalized with department information on Exact Natural paper

• Black and Gold: $40/Ream

• Black ink only: $30/Ream        

• Blank ream for second sheets: $10/Ream

Envelopes- Minimum order is 1 Box, 1 Box=500

#10 envelopes personalized with department information on Exact Natural paper             

• Black and Gold: $60/Box

• Black ink only: $40/Box

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.

Symphony Discount As a special thank you to our partners at Western please join us for a night at the Symphony for 20 percent off our regular ticket prices. Just go to the "Tickets" page of www.saintjosephsymphony.org. As you purchase your tickets, type mwsuf in the "promo code" box to receive your discount, or purchase them in person at our office at 120 South 8th Street downtown. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. with your faculty ID card. The next concert, “Around the World in 90 Minutes,” is at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Missouri Theatre. For more information call 233-7701.

Top of Page

Monday, October 27

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

• Orchestra Rehearsal from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Griffon Luncheon from 12-1 p.m. in the upstairs banquet room at La Dolce Vita at 36th Street Restaurant

• “Some Substantial Socio-Economic Issues of the Upcoming Presidential and Congressional Elections” at 7 p.m. in the Hearnes Center, room 102

• Safe Zone Organizing Committee Development/Training from 4-6 p.m. in Hearnes 103

Tuesday, October 28

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

• United Way from 5-10 p.m. at La Dolce Vita 36th Street Restaurant, 501 N. Belt Highway

Wednesday, October 29

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

• Vote or Shut-Up: Same Sex Marriage - 4:30 p.m. in the Junior College Room

• Advisement for Spring 2008 semester begins

• "Physics of the Impossible" at 3 p.m. in Spratt Hall 109

Thursday, October 30

• Trick-or-Treat off the Street from 5-8 p.m. in residence halls

Friday, October 31

• Happy Halloween!

Top of Page

October 2008 Points of Pride

Excellence in Our Faculty and Staff

• Dawn Miller, adult basic education teacher, has been selected FY2008 Educator of the Year for Western Reception Diagnostic & Correctional Center.  

• Dr. Cindy Heider, assistant vice president for academic affairs, served as MoSTEP Chair for the DESE Teacher Education program review visit to Missouri Southern State University, leading a team of five members.

• Dr. Kenneth Dagel, associate professor of geography, was recently appointed to a three-year term on the Pony Express National Museum Board of Trustees.

• Dr. Elizabeth Hendrix, assistant professor of education, was selected as one of the 2,000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21^st Century, which will be published later this fall in the fourth edition of “2,000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21^st Century.”

• Dr. Elizabeth Hendrix, assistant professor of education, will have her manuscript, “Birthing Social Justice,” published in Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping from California State University.

• Dr. Elizabeth Hendrix, assistant professor of education, wrote three encyclopedia entries that will be published this fall.

• Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing, had her article, “Drive Like A Champ: A Safe Start to Driving Smart,” published in Family and Community Health.

• Dr. Karina Vazquez, assistant professor of Spanish, will have her article, “Trabajo Y Arrative: El Topos De La Mujer Obrera En La Arrative Argentina Del Siglo XX,” published in the September 2008 issue of El Interpretador.

• Dave Tushaus, associate professor of legal studies and department chair; and Joanne Katz, professor of legal studies; had their article, “Terrorism and Human Rights: The South Africa and Northern Ireland Experience,” published in the International Journal of the Institute of Justice & International Studies.

• Marsha Dolan, health information technology coordinator; Jill Burrington-Brown, visiting assistant professor of nursing; and Julie Wolter had their book, “The Personal Health Record,” published. To date, this is the only published book on this topic.

• Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing; and Dr. Cosette Hardwick, assistant professor of physical therapy; accompanied by senior nursing research students, Stacie Beck, Kelly Furtado, Dawn Stark, Jennifer Sharp, and Nathan Voelkel; presented “Building a Foundation with Community Partners to Enhance High School Student Interest in Healthcare Careers” at the Missouri Compact Conference, Educating Citizens, Building Communities; at Washington University in St. Louis.

• Dr. Cindy Heider, assistant vice president for academic affairs, facilitated the signing of articulation agreements with Hillyard Technical Center for Hillyard programs in precision machining, welding, CADD, electronics, computer science technology, construction, and medical transcription.

• Dr. Cindy Heider, assistant vice president for academic affairs, completed an AQIP Systems Portfolio review for a regional institution and completed two AQIP Action Project reviews.

• Dr. Ben Caldwell, associate professor of chemistry, attended a committee retreat for the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The retreat was used to plan an upcoming ASBMB summer conference and develop policies and programs for the ASBMB Undergraduate Affiliate Network. Dr. Caldwell is a regional director for the Undergraduate Affiliates Network.

• Dr. Tingxiu Wang, professor of computer science, math, and physics; reviewed the textbook, “Calculus: One and Several Variables: Early Transcendentals” 10^th edition, written by Salas/Hille/Etgen, published by John Wiley & Sons.

• Dr. Kenneth Dagel, associate professor of geography, presented a paper titled, “Landscape Appreciation Through an Interdisciplinary Lens,” co-authored by Dr. Elizabeth Latosi-Sawin, professor of English, at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountains Regional AAG Conference held in Grand Forks, ND.

• Dr. Steven Greiert, professor of history, presented a paper titled, “A Deliberate Failure to Compromise: British Diplomatic Strategy on the American Colonial Frontier, 1749-1755” at the 30^th annual Mid-America Conference on History in Springfield, Mo. The conference was sponsored by the department of history at Missouri State University.

• Dr. Jin-Lee Kim, assistant professor of engineering technology, presented his paper, “Evaluating the Successful Sustainable Outcome Criteria in the AEC Industry using Analytic Hierarchy Process,” at the 2008 Architectural Engineering Conference of the American Society of Civil Engineers in Denver.

• Dr. Virendra Varma, professor of construction engineering and department chair, gave a presentation to the St. Joseph Construction Association at the Annual Scholarship Night. Jeremy Pierce and Jeremy Hoffman, both construction engineering technology students, were awarded $500 scholarships.

• Dr. Bill Russell, assistant professor of physical education, presented his research “Motivational and Cognitive Aspects of Athletes’ Self-talk by Sport Level and Ethnic Identity,” at the 23^rd annual conference for the Association of Applied Sport Psychology in St. Louis.

• Cori Criger, manager of classroom services; Eric Havens, instructional technologist; and Cindy Wells, manager of instructional design services; recently attended the annual Consortium of College and University Media Centers conference held in Lawrence, Kan. Information concerning the newest classroom equipment and initiatives being undertaken by other institutions were shared with participants with opportunities to network and ask questions of groups from similar institutions.

• Jen Kacere, resident hall director for Scanlon Hall, chaired the annual Missouri College Personnel Association state conference for student affairs professionals held in Lake of the Ozarks. 

• Peggy Ellis, director of noncredit programs and business and industry training, presented her paper titled, “ACT Prep: Tips and Strategies for Tackling the ACT Test,” to nearly 100 students attending “The Day of College Preparation.”  This event was part of the NAACP Missouri State Conference Youth and College Division held in Marshall, Mo.

• Deborah Ellsworth, program director for Pass the Power adult literacy, attended a Latino panel discussion on dealing with Hispanic issues and the ever-growing Hispanic market. Western’s Center for Multicultural Education hosted the event on campus. Featured panelists included: Carlos Gomes, president/CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City; Ana Valdez, a member of Sprint Corporations Multicultural Team; and Leo Prieto, director of Corporate Partnerships for the Kansas City Wizards Soccer Team.

Excellence in Our Students

• Senior nursing research students, Stacie Beck, Kelly Furtado, Dawn Stark, Jennifer Sharp, and Nathan Voelkel; accompanied by Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing; and Dr. Cosette Hardwick, assistant professor of physical therapy; presented “Building a Foundation with Community Partners to Enhance High School Student Interest in Healthcare Careers” at the Missouri Compact Conference, Educating Citizens, Building Communities; at Washington University in St. Louis.

Excellence in Our Programs

• The Alchemist Club received an Honorable Mention Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS) for its activities during the 2007-08 academic year. The Alchemist Club is the local student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society. The chapter will be recognized at the upcoming national ACS meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.

• Classroom Services staff are working with Disability Services to provide listening assist devices for students with hearing impairments in classrooms and provide listening assist devices for larger public functions when requested by audience members.

• The annual Etiquette and Networking Dinner was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, KCI, with 27 Western students attending. The Fall Career Fair was held in Fulkerson Center with 50 companies participating.

• Resident assistants and staff have done well with creating community on their floors and in their halls. The Faculty Mentor Program is up and running. Many of the faculty and staff mentors attended floor- and hall-wide programs. Jen Kacere, resident hall director for Scanlon Hall, is now overseeing the program and meets with the mentors monthly on Wednesday mornings for breakfast. The parents weekend in the halls was very successful. Many of the families visited the halls and spent time with their students. 

• Recreation services did CPR and First Aid re-certifications for the St. Joseph Community Recreation and re-socialization program. Wonda Berry, recreation services/facilities director, certified 14 individuals for that program. This program works with the poor and homeless adults of St. Joseph to try and mainstream them back into the public realm. 

• Recreation Services had a face painting booth for the families at the Treads of Hope Baptist community project at Civic Park as a community service project. The estimated count was more than 1,000 people. 

• The Student Development office accepted 16 students for the Emerging Leaders Program. The program kicked off with an overnight retreat at Tall Oaks Conference Center in Linwood, Kan.

• Dual credit enrollments at high schools have been completed. The number of participating high schools has increased by 11 percent. Four new high school sites were added, two of which are in the North Kansas City area: Winnetonka, Liberty, North Andrew and Bosworth. Enrollments for general chemistry reflect a 20 percent increase over 2007-2008.

• Continued expansion possibilities are being discussed for the Northland site. Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) classes are being offered at the graduate level at the Northland campus this spring. Both the North Kansas City School District and the Park Hill School District have approved these classes for graduate course work for teachers within their respective districts for movement on the salary schedule, as well as work towards TESOL endorsement. Early application for admission to the Northland elementary education cohort are already coming in for the fall of 2009. Early application to the program, along with the high interest in the Northland campus, reflects the public's consideration, the awareness, and the high regard for the university's presence in the Northland area.

• Pass the Power hosted the meeting of the Profit in Education council. Twenty-one representatives from the business community, local social service agencies, the school district and the United Way attended the breakfast meeting to review the organization’s strategic plan.

• The developmental math program recently has been getting much attention from other universities: Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau came to observe Western’s classes; their spring 2009 classes will change to have the same pattern as Western’s classes. John Wood Community College in Quincy, Ill., already uses ALEKS, the developmental math software, but will make changes to their program based on Western’s model. Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., visited one of Western’s developmental classes and will implement ALEKS at their school, too. El Paso Community College, El Paso, Texas, will visit in November because they have heard of the great success of Western’s developmental math program.

Top of Page

Send us your ads!

Top of Page