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Week of Nov. 6 - 12 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 Receives $2.5 Million to Build Innovation Incubator Students Offered Study Away Opportunities Western Hosts Big Band Concert Nov. 9 Nursing Department Holds Ethics Seminar 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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Western Receives $2.5 Million to Build Innovation Incubator Western received notification from Sen. Kit Bond’s office that the U.S. Economic Development Administration has awarded Western a $2,575,000 grant to construct an innovation incubator on the west side of campus, west of Interstate 29. “Building this incubator will spur economic development in the region. As a developing prototype of the ‘New American Regional University,’ Western is an active partner in the economic growth of the region,” said Dr. James Scanlon, Western president. The incubator will provide facilities and assistance for new high-technology companies. It will help foster high-technology firms that pay high wages to locate here, according to Dr. Chris Shove, dean of the Western Institute. The innovation incubator is planned to be a two-story, 25,000 square foot building. Initially only the first floor, 12,500 feet of the total 25,000 feet, will be completed. The second floor will remain in reserve for more firms and research. Ellison-Auxier teamed with HOK of Chicago as the architects for the project. The project will be bid this winter with construction anticipated to begin in early spring and the construction completed by fall 2007. The innovation incubator is planned to accommodate up to 15 firms of a few persons each. Its flexible plan will accommodate a few large firms requiring larger spaces. The incubator will be operated by the Western Institute and contain connections for a “wet” laboratory, conference room, operation offices and tenant spaces. The St. Joseph Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences will be housed within the incubator. The planning for this project began in July 2004. Much of the analysis and planning for this incubator was done by Western students from biology and business.
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Students Offered Study Away Opportunities The classroom boundaries at Western have greatly expanded. Western developed a Study Away program this year, and Dr. Karen Fulton, professor of English and director of the new program, said students now have the opportunity to study in locations around the world. An informational open house for interested students was held from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Nelle Blum Student Union first floor lounge. The community attended and learned about the program. “We can provide students a study-away semester anywhere in the world,” Dr. Fulton noted. “Studying away has enormous value; it incredibly broadens students’ horizons and they gain enormous confidence.” Dr. Fulton explained that Western students who participate in a study-away semester register through Western, keep their financial aid, and earn college credit that will count toward their degree. Western currently belongs to three international study consortiums – the Missouri Consortium for International Study, the College Consortium for International Studies, and the Transatlantic Study Consortium. If students participate in the Missouri consortium, they will attend classes with students from Missouri colleges and universities. In the past, Western students have had opportunities to study abroad and earn credit for foreign language classes, or travel with the Global Viewpoint business class, but Dr. Fulton said this program is a great expansion of those opportunities. Although there are study-away courses that last one to two weeks, students may now spend an entire semester at a foreign university. Dr. Fulton became director of the new program in January, and believes Western has made offering these opportunities a priority. “It’s part of Western’s commitment to its focus on applied studies,” she said.
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Western Hosts Big Band Concert Nov. 9 The music department at Western will host the Jim Widner Big Band in concert at 7:30 pm. Nov. 9 in the Thompson E. Potter Hall Theater. Tickets for the concert are $10. You may call at 4430 to reserve your tickets, and they may be picked up at the window that evening. Tickets may be also purchased at the door, but seating is limited. Area directors and students will have the opportunity to attend master classes and clinics at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 10. Band members will present clinics at no charge, and they are open to the community. Please call ahead at 4430 if you plan to attend. A graduate of the University of Missouri, Widner holds a master of arts degree from Memphis State University and has done postgraduate work at the University of North Texas. He is an alumnus of the Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Glenn Miller big bands. He has performed at the world famous Lionel Hampton and Montreaux Jazz Festivals. His performance background includes concert dates with Clark Terry, Buddy DeFranco, Mulgrew Miller, Louis Bellson, Randy Brecker, Bill Watrous, Marilyn Maye, and an appearance before former President Bill Clinton. Widner also serves as guest conductor for numerous All-State Jazz Bands, and his band performs all over the United States. In 1999, students at the University of Missouri-Columbia renamed the music wing of the fine arts residential college, “Widner House,” in his honor. In April 2006 Widner was inducted into The Statesmen of Jazz. Currently he is artist in residence/director of jazz studies at the University of Missouri - St. Louis and is a Yamaha performing artist. His jazz camps, now in their 20th year, are spearheaded by members of the his band, which records on the Chase Music Group Label. Their critically acclaimed CDs include “Yesterdays and Today,” “Body and Soul,” “Live,” and “Flying High.” Their newest CD, “OUT OF THIS WORLD,” will be released in the spring of 2007. The concert will also feature guest vocalist Steve Lippia. According to Bob Long, director of jazz studies at Western, Lippia has become one of the most prominent, in-demand vocalists and has quickly established his place among the finest interpreters of “standards” and traditional pop music in the nation. His youthful, energetic talent and powerful show creates a perfect blend of “classic” with “today.” His show introduces a new generation to this timeless music, while appealing to longtime listeners. It is immediately apparent that Lippia’s sound is reminiscent of a younger Frank Sinatra, with a hint of Harry Connick, Jr. and Bobby Darin. |
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| Workers begin the building the new University Plaza, which will be under construction until spring of 2007. The plans for the triangular-shaped plaza, which was funded by the James B. Kelley family, will include the Griffon, which will be poised on a 6-foot, 10-inch polished black granite base, and will include a water feature; state, university United States flags; and a decorative block retaining wall measuring approximately 144 feet in length. The granite base will display the university seal and the five names of the institution since 1915 as it progressed from junior college to university. | ||||||||||
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Nursing Department Holds Ethics Seminar “Our technology is advancing so rapidly, that it presents ethical dilemmas we never thought of 10 years ago,” said Dr. Stephanie Corder, assistant professor of nursing at Missouri Western State University. Dr. Corder is one of the coordinators for the nursing department’s eighth annual Health Care Seminar, and the theme this year is Ethics in Action. The event, co-sponsored by Heartland Health, will be held from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Fulkerson Center on Western’s campus. The daylong seminar will feature presentations from a local physician and a retired philosophy professor, case dramatizations, and breakout sessions to discuss ethical issues. “The main goal of the day is to help future and practicing nurses to be able to anticipate ethical dilemmas in the workplace,” said Dr. Corder. “This is an opportunity to give our students access to outside resources and to broaden their vision.” Participants must register by Nov. 10 by calling at 816-271-4407 or corder@missouriwestern.edu. The event is free for Western nursing students and employees of Heartland Health. For all others, there will be a $10 charge for lunch. Presentations include “Ethical Decision-Making,” by Sister Rosemary Flanigan, PhD, of the Center for Practical Bioethics; and “Medical Futility,” by Dr. David Cathcart, DO, MPH, chair of Heartland Health’s ethics committee. Helen Emmott, a nurse ethicist, and Julie Russell, a nurse dramatist, will perform case dramatizations regarding ethical issues. The day will end with a multidisciplinary panel discussion and a follow-up on the cases from the breakout session. Sister Flanigan earned her graduate degrees in philosophy from St. Louis University and taught at Fontbonne College in St. Louis and Rockhurst Universities in Kansas City, Mo. In 1986, she became one of the earliest board members for the Center for Practical Bioethics and served one term as president. When she retired from teaching in 1992, she joined the Center staff. She served on the board of St. Joseph Health Center in Kansas City for 18 years, and is a member of the ethics and human values committee for Carondolet Health in Kansas City. In addition to serving on Heartland Health’s ethics committee, Dr. Cathcart is a member of the Heartland Health Board of Directors and serves as the Buchanan County medical examiner. He has been a physician in St. Joseph for 20 years. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Cathcart holds a master’s in public health. Emmott has several years experience in the intensive care setting in both adult and pediatric areas. She studied philosophy and ethics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Russell is a faculty member in the University of Missouri-Kansas City department of sociology, and is the co-founder of the Kansas City Servant Leadership School. Calling herself a “nurse dramatist,” Russell performs dramatic monologues and short plays on caregiving and bioethical issues. She has developed more than 50 characters and has performed in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Dr. Corder noted that at many conferences, videos of Emmott and Russell’s performances are often shown, so Western is fortunate that they will offer live dramatizations at the seminar. Past seminar topics have included military nursing, diets, organ/tissue donation, pain, violence, substance abuse and cancer.
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Basketball standings The Western men’s and women’s basketball teams found out where they were picked to finish in the MIAA at the league’s annual Preseason Media Luncheon. The Griffon men are slated by the league’s head coaches to finish 7th while the Western women were picked to finish in 3rd place. Football
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball
Volleyball
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National Nontraditional Student Week The National Association of Nontraditional Students in Higher education has declared Nov. 13-17 as National Nontraditional Student Week. The campus will hold a reception from 3-4 p.m. Nov. 14 in Spratt Hall Atrium. Staff and faculty are invited to nominate a currently enrolled nontraditional student that should recognized for either academic achievement or outstanding service to the campus. At the reception, these students will receive a certificate and a salute. All students who are nominated will be recognized. The deadline is Nov. 9. For more information, contact Ellen Kisker at 4280 or kisker. Max Bus Trip to Washburn Western students can register for a Max Experience Bus Trip (Laidlaw bus) to the Washburn football game in Topeka, Kan. on Nov. 11 by logging onto www.GoGriffons.com/Max Experience. Western students who register can receive a free trip, free game ticket and be a part of the Western Athletics tailgate party prior to the game. Registration is good to the first 42 students. Don't miss out on the Western football game at Washburn. Canned Food Drive O.S.S.W., and Psi Chi are partnering together to help end hunger! From November 6-10, bring four canned food items to the Western Bookstore and receive the following: 20 percent off one clothing item of your choice and a free combo upgrade with the purchase of any Quizno's Sub in the food court. All canned food is going to St. Joseph Inter-Serv. If you have any questions e-mail anf7402. Griffon Yearbooks Griffon Yearbooks are still available, but times have changed due to small staffing. Students with a valid school ID can only receive their yearbooks when someone is in the room. However, yearbooks will not be available on Monday and Wednesday from 12-12:50 p.m. because we have class during this time. Also on Fridays during the same time, yearbooks are not able to be picked up because of an editorial meeting. They are available at Eder 220. Advising for Gerontolgy Certificate Please note that the Gerontology Program at Western offers a certificate after a student has completed 12 credit hours from the list of courses in the minor. Next semester, spring 2007, the following courses are offered in the program: SWK 260: Introduction to Aging Studies; PSY 321: Adult Aging. Spots Open for Trip to Harley Davidson AMA is taking a trip to tour Harley Davidson's Plant in Kansas City, Mo. on Nov. 16th. We are leaving Western's parking lot at 9 a.m. Our tour is scheduled at 10 a.m. We are going to Zona Rosa for lunch following the tour. AMA will only be paying for appetizers for AMA members only! If you are not an AMA member and would like to participate in the trip please contact Drew Bouge at dcb2785 for more information. We still have a few spots open to take non AMA members, so let me know if you are interested in joining us for a day of learning and fun! Library Book Sale The fall Library Book Sale will begin Nov. 6 and continue through Nov. 10. The sale will begin at 7:30 a.m. Included this time will be math textbooks and teaching kits for elementary grades, the Encyclopedia Britannica 1998 Edition and older sets for collectors. Please come by to see us. PTA Massage Day Are you feeling stressed? Want to pamper yourself or someone you care about? The Physical Therapy Assistant Club's annual massage day is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 in Murphy 305. Massages are $5 for Western students, faculty and staff and last 15 minutes. For more information call Maureen Raffensperger at 4251. |
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Monday, November 6
Tuesday, November 7
Wednesday, November 8
Thursday, November 9
Friday, November 10
Saturday, November 11
Sunday, November 12
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For Sale: Beautiful two-piece wedding dress, strapless, size 10, exquisite embroidery. Originally paid $800, sacrifice for $250. call Amy at 816-39-5443. For Sale: 2003 Ford F150 King Ranch Super Crew 4x4, V8 5.4L, 58K miles, saddle leather seats, loaded with all the options. Contact Susan Deering at 4277. |
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