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Week of Nov. 20-27 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: Alpha Kappa Psi Inducts New Members Western Receives Award for Community Service 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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A hallmark of Western’s campus will be adorned with holiday lights for the first time this year, and the community is invited to a lighting ceremony and holiday celebration. The Glenn E. Marion Memorial Clock Tower will be lit at 7 p.m. Nov. 27, followed by hot chocolate and refreshments in the Nelle Blum Union first floor. The celebration will also feature displays of holiday celebrations from different cultures, created by the Center for Multicultural Education. Participants will also have the opportunity to decorate several Christmas trees in the Blum Union. Natalie Bailey, president of the Student Government Association, said student fees paid for the lights on the clock tower, and they will be lit through mid-January. The clock tower was completed in 1997.
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An outstanding travel experience, a chance to explore the plains of the western United States and follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, and a tremendous learning opportunity are all part of Outdoor Semester, Western’s unique multidisciplinary course. On Nov. 30, students and faculty members who participated in the fall 2006 Outdoor Semester will talk about their experiences in Spratt Hall, Kemper Recital Hall. Exhibits will open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentations will begin at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the community. “Many students will say it was the most extraordinary thing they did as a student,” said Dr. Elizabeth Latosi-Sawin, professor of English and one of the faculty members for the Outdoor Semester. “Many come home and say they’ve never known this kind of peace.” Of course, she added with a laugh, part of that peace could come from the fact that all cell phones, laptops, Ipods and electronic devices are left at home. This year’s group was accompanied by videographer Dan Defendorfer, who plans to create a documentary about the program. In the Outdoor Semester, students take at least four classes together, and this semester it was Writing and Research, American Indian Literature, Physical Geography, and Outdoor Education. The program consists of 12 weeks in the classroom, and 12-14 days hiking, canoeing and camping throughout the western United States. For the past three years, the groups have canoed on the upper Missouri River in Montana in honor of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery. From its first year in 1995, Native Americans have been an important focus in the program. Throughout the years, students have had the opportunity to experience sweat lodges and rare Native American ceremonies, and dance in Powwows. They have explored sacred Native American sites and studied Native American literature. “Students say they experience history from a different point of view,” said Dr. Latosi-Sawin. A few years back, a student conducted research to determine the uniqueness of Western’s Outdoor Semester program. After examining programs at approximately 400 universities across the United States, Dr. Latosi-Sawin said they determined that the program is unique in the state, and rare in the nation. “We can take you places other people don’t go.” Dr. Latosi-Sawin and Jim Grechus, professor emeritus of health, physical education and recreation have been involved in the Outdoor Semester since it began, and Dr. Latosi-Sawin said she hopes it will continue for a long time. “Students really connect and bond. They help each other study, and they watch out for each other.”
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The Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity at Western inducted 13 new members and elected officers at a ceremony this month. The business fraternity, founded on campus in 2000, is actively involved in a number of service projects, professional growth events and social activities. Just this past semester, the fraternity hosted a certified public accountant (CPA) to speak about the CPA exam and process, toured a manufacturing facility, and plan to sponsor another professional workshop this semester. They also host a faculty appreciation lunch for the business department faculty members each semester. However, the group has made service to the campus and service to the community one of their core values. The fraternity’s current president, Ashley Falter, of Westphalia, Mo., said they have supported Habitat for Humanity and at least once each semester, fraternity members spend a day working on a Habitat House. This fall, they took on a new service, and volunteered at the Noyes Home. Members played volleyball and baseball with the residents. “It was fun; we had a blast. The members enjoy doing service.” The fraternity also helped sponsor a winter coat drive and donated the coats to the Salvation Army. Falter said she originally joined the group as a sophomore because she wanted to become more involved on campus. She has enjoyed the activities and making new friends, but she said the networking opportunity with Alpha Kappa Psi alumni was a huge benefit for her. An alumnus at a local company helped her line up an accounting internship there this semester. |
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Western Receives Award for Community Service Western was recently recognized for its commitment to community service when it was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll “with Distinction for General Community Service.” The award was presented in concert with the 20th anniversary of Campus Compact, a national organization that is designed to increase public awareness of the contributions that college students are making within their local communities and across the country through volunteer service. The 2006 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the USA Freedom Corps, and the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development. More than 500 applications were received for the Honor Roll this year, its inaugural year. Teaching a habit of service is a central focus of Western’s mission, according to Dr. Jeanne Daffron, assistant vice president for academic and student affairs. In fact, Western students, faculty and staff contributed about 81,000 hours of service last year, translating to more that $1.4 million in service. Western was recognized for several of its service projects, including its Big Event, Healthy Buddy program and the volunteer work of student athletes and Greek organizations. For the Big Event, students and employees spend the day twice a year volunteering at organizations throughout the community. In the Healthy Buddy program, Western students are paired with elementary school students, and they meet weekly to discuss healthy habits and lifestyles. The student athletes and Greek organizations sponsor several service projects each year as well as volunteering for other’s projects. The honor roll responds to President Bush’s call to service by building on and supporting the civic engagement mission of the nation’s colleges and universities. |
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Football
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball
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Firearms Certification Course Western Institute Law Enforcement Academy will hold the annual Firearms Certification Dec. 2 in Wilson Hall 170 for retired law enforcement officers from St. Joseph and Kansas City communities. Two times are offered: 8 a.m-12 p.m. or 1-5 p.m. Cost is $35. Attendees will receive a certificate that will fit in a wallet and will allow retired officers to carry concealed firearms. Multidisciplinary Research Day A public forum for the promotion of independent student research and creative projects will be held Dec. 5 . A poster session will be held from 12-2 p.m. in Blum 218/219. Guest speaker, Dr. Bill Elliot, will speak for the Missouri Department of Conservation on "Trogs, Rocks and Water: Interdisciplinary Cave and Karst Studies." For more information, contact Dr. David Ashley, Dr. Brian Cronk, Dr. Todd Eckdahl or Dr. Phil Wann. Orientation and Griffon Edge Leaders Wanted Orientation and Griffon Edge Leaders play an important role in helping new students adjust to Western. First Year Programs is looking for outstanding student role models to fill these positions and make a difference in the lives of new students. For more information, visit the Student Employment webpage to apply. Note Taker Needed Michael Ritter, disability services coordinator, is looking for a student who is currently enrolled in History 140, which meets on MWF from 1-1:50 p.m. with Dr. Patrick McLear. Ritter is working with a student who is unable to take his own notes and is on the verge of failing the class. He is asking for someone in this class to share a copy of their lecture notes with this student. If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact him as soon as possible at 4330 or mritter. SGA Student Court The SGA Student Court would like to invite students to attend our weekly meetings. They are held every Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Presidents Dining Room in the Blum Union. For questions or further information on open positions within the court, please contact Beth Murphy at bam7884 or call 5948. Attention: All Students with Talent The center for multicultural education (CME) is holding their fourth annual Drum Major for Justice Luncheon & Awards Ceremony. This luncheon is in honor of Martin L. King Jr. and his fight for justice. Awards will be given to a faculty or staff member, a Western student and a community member who has shown exceptional justice in or outside of the classroom. The CME staff is looking for students with musical and/or artistic talent to audition for an opportunity to perform at the luncheon. Auditions will be in the CME office Nov. 27 through Dec. 1 from 2-4:30pm. All are welcome. Pick up Griffon Yearbooks Griffon Yearbooks are available in the Hearnes Library. They are available for pick up during the following hours: Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 2-11 p.m. You will need a valid student I.D. |
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Monday, November 20
Tuesday, November 21
Wednesday, November 22
Thursday, November 23
Friday, November 24
Saturday, November 25
Sunday, November 26
Monday, November 27
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For Rent: Three bedroom duplex, perfect for roommates, 2.5 bathrooms, huge kitchen, electric heat, new appliances, plenty of room for entertaining. Recently renovated with exposed brick walls, lots of charm, nice neighborhood. HALF OFF FIRST MONTH'S RENT! $700/month + utilities. Email skc6541 for more details. For Sale: Beautiful two-piece wedding dress, strapless, size 10, exquisite embroidery. Originally paid $800, sacrifice for $250. call Amy at 816-390-5443. 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. For Sale: Range, Tappan electric. Almond/black, exceptionally clean. Like new, $250. Range hood, Kenmore, almond, like new, $80. Prices negotiable. Call 271-5841. For Sale: 1993 blue Jeep Cherokee, $2,000. If interested call 816-244-8009. |
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