Weeks of November 20 - December 3, 2009

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

Tower Topics

Click any link for these stories:

Western to Become 'All-Steinway' School

Western Governors Approve Athletic Facilities Bid

'It's Not for Sissies': Panel Talks about Entrepreneurship

Western Presents Lights and Tights

Tower Sports

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

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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 Tower Topics to submit any story or photo ideas.

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 207).

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 271-4124.

Student Editor:
Jenn Cammann

Staff Adviser:
Kent Heier 

back to MWSU

November Snow
An unexpected snowstorm on Monday, Nov. 16, brought a wintry feel to campus. The snow had melted away by the next day. The snow created some travel difficulties for a few hours, but not enough to cancel classes. If a decision is made to close because of weather or road conditions, that information will be broadcast on television and radio stations throughout northwest Missouri and posted on the university's Web site.

Western to Become 'All-Steinway' School

Western will become just the third All-Steinway School in the state, after the university’s Board of Governors approved the lease-purchase of 13 new pianos. The package from Schmitt Music of Overland Park, Kan., also includes an electronic piano lab. The total cost is $365,587.20.

“You can’t go wrong buying a Steinway,” said Dr. Matt Gilmour, professor and chair of the department of music. “It’s a lifetime investment. Our students will practice and perform on the best instruments in the world.”

All-Steinway School designation requires that 90 percent or more of Western’s acoustic pianos, whether for practice, instruction or performance, be designed by Steinway & Sons. There are 108 All-Steinway Schools around the world, according to the company’s Web site, including distinguished conservatories like The Juilliard School in New York, the Yale School of Music and the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. In Missouri, only the University of Central Missouri and Lindenwood College have that distinction.

The new pianos will be a tremendous help in recruiting music students, said Dr. Matthew Edwards, associate professor and director of keyboard studies.

“Every one of the piano students we’ve told about this has caught their breath,” said Dr. Edwards. “A Steinway is the best there is, there’s no other way to put it, and whether they’re alone in a practice room or in a crowded concert hall, students will be able to hear every nuance of their performance.”

The decision to pursue All-Steinway School designation arose out of discussions about the current pianos, which are aging and in need of maintenance and repair, Dr. Edwards said. The department wouldn’t be able to rebuild more than one or two pianos a year, so the opportunity to lease-purchase the Steinways and get all new pianos at a deep discount while spreading the cost over ten years was the best option, according to Dr. Gilmour.

The lease-purchase agreement includes five Steinway grand pianos, one Boston grand piano and seven Essex upright pianos. The Boston and Essex pianos are designed by Steinway & Sons. The Yamaha Clavinova piano lab features 16 student keyboards and one teacher module.

The money will come from course fees on music courses ranging from $25 to $100 a semester. Music students were supportive of the fees, which will also pay for other equipment needs in the department, Dr. Gilmour said.

Dr. Edwards and Dr. Nathanael May, assistant professor of music, will travel to New York soon to personally select the pianos.

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International Fair
Students and faculty members from nine different countries set up booths to display information, pictures, clothing and other artifacts from their native lands during the International Fair in the Blum Student Union lobby Nov. 18. Guests could also enjoy international snacks and beverages, and several piano students from South Korea performed in the Kemper Recital Hall during the fair.

Western Governors Approve Athletic Facilities Bid

The Board of Governors has approved a bid of $3,498,000 from E.L. Crawford Construction to build a spring sports complex on James McCarthy Drive and a restroom and concessions building at Spratt Memorial Stadium.

The project will include a new baseball field and softball field on the east side of McCarthy Drive, across from Everyday Pond. A spring sports complex was promised to students when they voted to approve the Max Experience student fee in March 2006. The new building for restrooms and concessions on the visitors’ side of Spratt Stadium will serve fans during home football games and soccer matches. Improvements to Spratt were also part of the Max Experience package.

The project will be paid for by bonds issued last year, said Mel Klinkner, vice president for financial planning and administration, with the annual debt service being paid for by the Max Experience student fee.

“This project keeps the promises we made to students and to bondholders,” said Klinkner, who noted that the money could not be spent on other uses.

The baseball team will again practice and play their home games at Phil Welch Stadium next spring, while the Heritage Park complex on Waterworks Road will be the temporary home of the softball team. Western is grateful to have the city-owned facilities available, said Dave Williams, director of athletics, but playing home games away from campus is not an ideal long-term arrangement.

“We believe the student body is more engaged in athletic programs and the university atmosphere is enhanced when games are played on campus,” Williams said. “In addition, practicing and playing off campus creates additional travel time and expense for our student athletes, coaches and game management staff.” Softball players will spend more than two hours per week on the road between Western and Heritage Park this spring, he said, and baseball players about 90 minutes per week driving to Phil Welch Stadium and back.

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Business Summit

Carol Roever, interim dean of the Craig School of Business, introduces the panel who were invited to talk about their experiences as entrepreneurs. The panel included (from left) Seth Lyons, a 2008 graduate of Western who was selected from four students in a senior entrepreneurship class last spring to own and operate a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise in the resort area of Summit County, Colo.; Steven L. Craig, president of the upscale factory outlet shopping center development firm Craig Realty Group and the man for whom the Craig School of Business is named; and Mary Carol Garrity, proprietor of Nell Hill's, the home furnishing emporium in Atchison, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.

'It's Not for Sissies': Panel Talks about Entrepreneurship

Students from Western and area high schools and members of the local business community heard from three business owners about the trials and rewards of being an entrepreneur on Nov. 19 in Kemper Recital Hall.

Steven L. Craig, the president of Craig Realty Group for whom the Craig School of Business at Western is named, interviewed two other entrepreneurs with local ties: Seth Lyons, a December 2008 graduate of Western who opened a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise in the resort area of Summit County, Colo., with his fiancée this summer; and Mary Carol Garrity, proprietor of Nell Hill’s in Atchison, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo., and named “one of the hottest little retailers” by “Forbes” magazine. All agreed owning a business is a labor-intensive, risky venture.

“It’s a lot harder than I expected,” said Seth. “We kind of got into this business at the last minute. We went through training to run the (store) a week before we wanted to open, and that’s unheard of.”

“Owning your own business, it’s not for sissies,” Garrity said, in response to a student’s question about the trade-offs between security and business ownership. “If it was easy everybody would do it. You just have to be willing to make that commitment, and if you don’t, I think you’ll always think in the back of your mind, ‘I had this great idea and I never tried it.’ I think it will haunt you if you don’t.”

“I would encourage you to take the risk on a smaller basis and test it,” said Craig. “When you start out with a small business, and you fail, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. It means that maybe the plan you had at that particular time for that type of product or service wasn’t quite right.”

They also agreed that flexibility is a key, with none of them saying they necessarily set out in life to do exactly what they’re doing now.

Lyons said he always wanted to own his own business, but not necessarily a chocolate store. A year ago, when sitting in the audience listening to a similar panel led by Craig, Lyons was planning to go to law school, figuring that was a way to own his own business. But then he heard about Management 499: Senior Entrepreneurship, the class sponsored by Craig that would require students to prepare and submit business plans for a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Silverthorne, Colo. Craig and a panel of judges, including the vice president of franchise development for the chain, selected Lyons to put his business plan into action. Lyons had to forfeit the deposit he’d put down to hold a spot in law school, but jumped at the chance.

Garrity’s parents ran a small clothing store in Atchison, so she knew she wanted to be involved in retail, but she didn’t envision the store she started at age 25 evolving into what it is now. “A lot of it was accidental; it wasn’t that I had a grand plan,” she said. “I’m willing to try anything, I’m willing to take a chance, I’m willing to fail.”

Craig said whether by accident or fate, the direction of his career was suggested by somebody else. “I didn’t intend to develop factory outlet centers, I just wanted to develop real estate,” he said. “A guy came to me one day and said ‘I think you might be pretty good at this.’ That was 25 years ago, and today we’re one of the biggest companies in the world doing it.”

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Thanks for Giving Raises Philanthropy Awareness

Western students this week signed more than 2,000 thank you notes to people who've given to the university, said Tara Johnson, development officer. The thank you notes were part of development's "Thanks for Giving" campaign, designed to raise awareness among students about the importance of private donations to Western. Johnson set up a table in the Blum Union lobby during the lunch hour each day and offered students candy and the chance to win a T-shirt in exchange for taking the time to thank a few donors.

Western Presents Lights and Tights

President Vartabedian, Dr. Laurel Vartabedian, the department of music and the theatre and cinema program invite you to join them for “Lights and Tights,” a Renaissance-flavored celebration of the holiday season, on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

“This is the university’s holiday gift to the community,” said Dr. Laurel Vartabedian, one of the organizers of the event. “It’s a way to showcase the unique collection of talent we have here at Western while inviting area residents to come have a good time.”

The evening will begin with a student event, “Lighting of the Green,” at 5:30 p.m. at the Glenn E. Marion Memorial Clock Tower. Those in attendance will enjoy songs of the season prepared by residence hall students in a caroling competition. Hot chocolate and cider will follow in the lobby of the Blum Student Union, where the Center for Multicultural Education will provide a holiday display. The Lighting of the Green is free and open to the public.

The “Renaissance Feast” will follow in the Fulkerson Center. A social hour with a cash bar will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by a specially prepared period dinner and merriment at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Western’s Renaissance Singers and music and theater students. Guests are welcome to wear Renaissance costumes. Tickets are $40 per person ($35 for faculty and staff) with proceeds to help establish a musical theatre program.

“The goal is for the music department and theatre and cinema program to work together to put on a musical production next year,” said Dr. David Benz, assistant professor of music and director of choral studies. “That hasn’t happened in quite a while.”

The Renaissance Singers is a select choral ensemble made up of both music majors and non-music majors. They learn the literature and performance practices of the Renaissance and early Baroque periods, and will perform several songs appropriate for the season during the Feast. There will also be roving actors, jugglers and other performers providing entertainment during the evening.

“Planning this event has been a collaborative effort,” said Alan Arrivée, assistant professor and director of cinema and theatre. “It’s a good example of the way different departments can work together, and will be a good model for our future musical theatre productions.”

Reservations for the dinner are needed by Tuesday, Nov. 24. Call 816-271-5647.

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Cleaning Up the Creek

Members of the Economics Club spent several hours on a recent Saturday cleaning up Otoe Creek, the waterway that runs through the Western campus (it's spanned by Eddies Bridge on James McCarthy Drive). The project was a partnership with Lisa Adams, water quality supervisor for Missouri American Water Company. "In the past, the creek has been judged poor in support of macroinvertebrate life," said Dr. Patrick McMurry, professor of economics. "We cleaned up the creek in the belief that the quality of the water, and therefore the quality of life, in the creek would improve.

Tower Sports

Griffon Volleyball The volleyball team finished the season with a 3-1 loss at home to No. 19 Truman State on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Griffons finished 10th in the MIAA with a 4-16 conference mark. They were 11-22 overall. The toughness of the MIAA was demonstrated on Sunday night, when the conference took six of the eight spots in the South Central region of the  2009 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championships. One Griffon was selected to the 2009 All-MIAA volleyball team. Junior outside hitter Kelli Sicner received honorable mention.

Men's Basketball The Griffons started the regular season with a 73-65 home loss to Quincy (Ill.) on Tuesday, Nov. 17, the first home opening loss for the Griffons in 16 years. Senior Marcus Rhodes led the Griffons with 25 points on the night. He was the only player in double figures for Western, who continues the home stand with the 18th Hillyard Classic Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21. Western will take on Lincoln (Mo.) Friday night and Central Oklahoma on Saturday night, both at 7:30 p.m. Rockhurst of Kansas City, Mo., will play the opening games at 5:30 each evening, against Central Oklahoma Friday night and Lincoln Saturday. The Griffons will return the favor the following weekend, playing in the Rockhurst Classic in Kansas City Nov. 27-28. They face Park University Friday afternoon and Haskell Indian Nations Saturday. Both games tip off at 2 p.m. Then Western opens conference play at Pittsburg State University on Wednesday, Dec. 2, before returning home to face Emporia State on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Free Clinic The men's basketball team will hold their annual free Hillyard Classic youth clinic for students in grades 2-6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in the M.O. Looney Complex. Youth will learn the fundamentals of the game, have fun, and receive a free T-shirt and free ticket to Saturday evening's game against Central Oklahoma. The clinic is sponsored by the Hillyard Companies.

Women's Basketball The Griffons face a tough test in their first game of the year, playing No. 1 ranked Michigan Tech at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 in the Drury Classic in Springfield, Mo. The following evening, they play host Drury at 5:30 p.m. Western went 1-2 in the exhibition season, losing to NCAA Division I opponents Missouri State and Missouri-Kansas City before beating Livin the Dream 81-64 at home on Nov. 12. Jessica Koch and Brenna Saline each averaged about 11 points per exhibition game to lead the Griffons thus far. Following the Drury tournament, Western will travel to Colorado Springs for games against Adams State and Colorado-Colorado Springs on Nov. 27 and 28, before beginning MIAA play at Pittsburg State Dec. 2. The home opener for the Griffons will be Dec. 5 against Emporia State.

Walk for Women's Athletics Women from across the St. Joseph area joined together Nov. 14 to Walk for Women's Athletics.  The event took place in the M.O. Looney Complex, where student athletes and coaches walked with area supporters. Western athletics hosted the second annual event in conjunction with the YWCA to raise money for women's sports at MWSU along with the YWCA Choices program - a program for middle school aged female students in the St. Joseph school district that helps promote healthy lifestyles and healthy life decisions.  Spokeswomen from the YWCA Choices program as well as the St. Joseph school district were on hand to tell the importance of these programs.  Local businesses also donated raffle items that were raffled off at the end of the event.

All-Region Soccer Western midfielder Jessica Martin was named to the Daktronics All-South Central Region second team, as voted on by the region's sports information directors. Martin is the first soccer player in the program's five-year history to be named to an all-region team. Martin is now second in team history in career points (23), goals (9), and shots attempted (79). She's tied for first with five assists and 44 shots on goal.

 

Budget Agreement with Gov. Nixon Gov. Jay Nixon this week announced an agreement with the presidents of public four-year schools, freezing tuition and fees for 2010-2011. In exchange, Gov. Nixon has agreed to maintain higher education funding at about 95 percent of the current fiscal year’s appropriation. The agreement is subject to approval by the General Assembly and the institutions’ governing boards. "Obviously, this will present a financial challenge, but it is not one that was unexpected," President Vartabedian said in an email message to the campus. "We have been planning for this challenge for quite some time, and will continue to seek your help as we look for ways to wisely use our resources. Continue to share any ideas or concerns you may have with your supervisor, the Faculty Senate, the Staff Senate, members of the Budget Advisory Council or the Cabinet. In the meantime, thank you all for your continued hard work. Your diligence and creativity have allowed us to continue serving our students with excellence in these difficult times."

Thomas Rosenkranz Recital/Young Artists Piano Competition Western will host high school students from around the region for the 17th annual Young Artists Piano Competition Nov. 20-21 in Potter Hall. More than 30 pianists will compete in two divisions for $2,000 in total prize money. All events are free and open to the public. The competition begins with a recital Friday evening by guest pianist and adjudicator, Dr. Thomas Rosenkranz of Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Dr. Rosenkranz will perform “Vingt regards sur l’Enfant Jesus” (“Twenty Visions of the Infant Jesus”) by Olivier Messiaen. The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Potter Hall Theater, following a pre-concert lecture on “Twenty Visions” at 6:30 p.m. The lower and upper divisions of competition start at 9 a.m. Saturday. Western faculty will offer master classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Potter Hall room 108. Prizes will be presented at 2 p.m. in the theater, with winners performing in a recital immediately following. For more information contact the music department at 271-4420.

Pan's Labyrinth Movie Night The Spanish Club will be showing Pan's Labyrinth at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 in Murphy 110. Come and enjoy the movie, snacks will be provided! You do not have to be a member of Spanish Club to enjoy the fun! 

"Holiday with the Griffs" The Student Government Association's Student Senate will be hosting their Second Annual "Holiday with the Griffs" starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Bartlett Center, located at 409 S 18th St., to decorate, entertain, and bring gifts to children who are less privileged. We are inviting campus departments to allow us to place a gift collection box in their main office. We are expecting about fifty children to be at this center; any type of gift would be greatly appreciated. All donations will be picked up on Monday, Nov. 30. If you are interested in this event or have questions, you can contact Diedre Mitchell at dmitchell8@missouriwestern.edu.

Western Wednesdays The St. Joseph chapter of the Missouri Western State University Alumni Association would like to give back to the community this holiday season. Area alumni are invited to attend the monthly Western Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Glenn E. Marion Memorial Clock Tower, as part of Western’s “Lighting of the Green” event. Hot chocolate and cider will be served in the Blum Union after the event. Alumni are encouraged to bring one gift for the AFL-CIO’s Adopt-a-Family program. “We encourage all Western alumni to join us in supporting a good cause while staying connected with their fellow Griffons in a relaxed environment,” said Colleen Kowich, director of alumni services. For more on Western Wednesday, contact the alumni office at 816-271-5646 or mwalumni@missouriwestern.edu.

Holiday Pottery Sale A Holiday Pottery Sale will take place in the Potter Hall Foyer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4; and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. For more information contact Sam Perkins at 449-0009 or the art office at 271-4282.

Downtown Noon Concert Series The 11th season of the monthly First Thursday Downtown Noon Concert Series continues at 12:10 p.m. Dec. 3 inside the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St., with the “Sounds of the Season” performance presented by the church’s Sanctuary and Bell Choirs. The series is sponsored by the church and the department of music at Western. “Sounds of the Season” will feature music for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Eleven Western music students, faculty and alumni sing in the Sanctuary Choir, which is directed by Jerry L. Anderson, professor emeritus at Western and the church’s director of music, organist and choirmaster. The Bell Choir, directed by Judy Long, also includes representatives of Western. In addition to choral and bell music, there will be clarinet and vocal solos for the season, and singing of Christmas carols by the audience and choir. The audience is invited to bring lunch to eat while listening to the performances. Beverages will be provided. There will be an opportunity to meet the performers after the concert. In order to help defray expenses and to insure the continuation of the series, a freewill offering will be taken. The suggested minimum donation is $3. Additional financial assistance has been provided by the Commerce Bank of St. Joseph. For further information, contact the church office at 232-3358 or Anderson at 262-0800.

Toys for Tots Faculty, Students, and Staff it is time for “Toys 4 Tots” new and unwrapped toys and canned goods collection. Cash will be accepted as well for donation at Dr. DJ Champagne’s office in Popplewell 212L. Last year you all assisted me in collecting over 300 pounds of new toys, several boxes of canned goods, and $17 cash donations. I hope you all will help me gather even more this season from now until Friday, December 4. I will deliver all donations to the American Legion Post #359 on December 5 for the annual Community Dart Tournament with our local Marine’s in attendance. I will appreciate all of your help.

Alpha Chi Inducts Members Western’s Lambda Chapter of Alpha Chi, national college honor scholarship society, recently initiated 50 new members. Classified as a general honor society, meaning that it accepts members from all academic fields, Alpha Chi inducts no more than the top 10 percent of junior, senior and graduate students at member institutions. Each student initiated must also have a GPA of 3.75 or higher. Click here for the list of inductees.

For Employees

Staff Association Adopt a Family The Staff Association will be helping two families this year through its Adopt-a-Family program. These families include Western community members who have special circumstances which have limited their resources during this holiday season. On November 30 - December 11, boxes will be available around campus to donate items to these deserving families. More details will follow after Thanksgiving Break, but we wanted you to have a list of their sizes and wish list as you begin your holiday shopping.

Family #1:
Mom (age 49) asking for neck scarf and gloves, flannel PJs, grocery store gift certificate. Pant size 18 tall; Shirt size 1X (women) and shoe size 10.
Daughter (age 12) asking for MWSU hoodie, Target gift certificate, belts (XL), socks, perfume, mechanical pencils (0.07 lead). Pant size (jeans) misses 14; Shirt size misses L; shoe size 10 (women).
Daughter (age 15) asking for DVD (Mama’s Boy), Borders or Hastings Gift Certificates, pierced earrings, perfume, XL Hoodie. Pant Size (jeans) 20 med/avg; Shirt size women 1x; Shoe size women 10.
Family Needs: Sheets: two full, one twin long (flannel if possible), medium skillet with lid, small sauce pan, cookie sheet.

Family #2:
Dad (age 40) asking for coat/jacket, athletic shoes. Pant size 34W x 30L; Shirt size 17 32/33; shoe size 9.
Mom (age 40) asking for coat/jacket, athletic shoes. Pant size 4 petite; Shirt size small; shoe size 6.5.
Daughter (age 7) asking for coat/jacket, athletic shoes, dress, 16” bike, roller skates, easel, Polly Pockets, indoor playhouse. Pant size 7; Shirt size 7-8; shoe size 1.5
Son (age 4) asking for coat/jacket, athletic shoes, 14” bike, trains/Thomas the Train set, walking dinosaur, trucks & cars (with sound). Pant size 4; Shirt size 5; shoe size 10.5
Family Needs: Christmas tree stand (for artificial tree), Christmas tree decorations, sheets and blankets (Queen Size), Bath towels, dishes, pots & pans and bake ware. Also sofa, dining table and chairs and desk. (A Christmas tree has already been donated.)

Pay it Forward Nominations It is the time of year to be thankful. The Staff Association is accepting the Pay it Forward nominations for November until November 30, 2009. The Western Pay it Forward Award is a way to recognize university staff members who are doing nice things for others or making a contribution to the university. The nomination form must be submitted during the month the individual was seen helping/assisting our campus community. To recognize a staff member, go to the Western Pay it Forward Award Nomination Form. Then submit the nominee’s name, nominator's name and
a brief description of why you are nominating the person (3-5 sentences). Nominations may contain only 200 characters/letters. Information from nominations will be used in the recognition of the
nominee and may be edited.

Gem Society The Gem Society is an organization whose mission is to get women of influence more involved with our women's athletic programs. The main focus is women inspiring women. This group will be a fun and interactive way for females to celebrate, mentor, and inspire each other. Come Join Us For Lunch at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 in Spratt Hall (Room 218-219). $10 per person. RSVP to Angie at 271-4481. The guest speaker will be Nancy Lee, Owner and Director of Operations, Bionic Real Estate Services, LLC. Nancy began her career in 1981 as a leasing agent in Tulsa, OK. Excelling from the start, she climbed the ladder fast, going from leasing agent, to assistant manager, to manager. to district manager, to regional manager. In the 1990's she began her own management company and then gained ownership of property. Nancy has conducted business in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Illinois. She holds a Broker's license for the state of Missouri, along with the CPM designation, and is a member of NAA, IREM, NAHMA, and is on the board of directors for HAHMA.

Holiday Brunch Drs. Robert and Laurel Vartabedian cordially invite you to attend the Holiday Brunch for employees and retirees from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 in the Fulkerson Center. Reservations are required by calling the president's office at 271-4237 by Tuesday, Dec. 8. This year we are again collecting for the Second Harvest Food Bank Backpack Buddies Program. Items requested are: Single Serve Cereal; Easy Mac (or equivalent); Chef Boyardee Ready Made Meals (or equivalent); Granola Bars or Single Serving Snacks items. Please bring an item(s) from the above list to donate to this worthy cause. Cash or checks payable to the Second Harvest Food Bank will also be accepted. In order to conserve paper, this electronic invitation is the only one you will receive this year. Please make your reservations so that we can have an accurate count for Catering Services.

Silent Auction It is that time of the year when the Special Events committee begins to prepare for our traditional Silent Auction. All proceeds from this event will benefit the YWCA of St. Joseph. Over the past couple of years we have been able to donate over $4,000.00 to different programs for needy children. If any individuals or departments are willing to donate items for our silent auction, please contact Hawley Rumpf at rumpf@missouriwestern.edu or 271-5800 as soon as possible. Some examples of what has been donated in prior years are as follows: Margarita Party, Homemade Rolls & Pies, Trim a Tree Basket, New Years Eve Basket, A Warm Winter Welcome Basket, Handmade Decor; wreaths, pillows, swags, MWSU Tree, Sweatshirts, Cold and Flu Basket, Jewelry, Hand Painted Window or Lottery Ticket Basket. These are again only a sample of what can be put together for others to purchase from. These donations can be as simple or elaborate as you would like. Any and all donations are such a wonderful contribution to this special program. Remember you can do this on an individual basis, departmental basis, or as a group of fellow comrades. No matter how small the contribution we all can make a BIG difference in a person's life.

For Students

Research Rescue Workshop Need to make last minute changes to a paper, or a presentation? Are you looking for that final piece of information that will make your assignment Perfect? Need help citing resources? (MLA or APA) Then come to a Research Rescue Workshop presented by the library! Drop in anytime during these times 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Tuesday,  Dec. 1 or 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in Hearnes 301.  

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Friday, November 20

  • Senior Art Show (Megan Beavers, Megan Haywood, Nathan Kacirek and Shawn Lensy), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery

  • Griffon Women's Basketball at Drury Tournament, vs. Michigan Tech University, 4 p.m., Springfield, Mo.

  • WAC free ride to Hollywood Theatre, 5:45 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., free ride from Hollywood Theatre 11:15 p.m. 

  • "Box City," 7 p.m., Blum Union Courtyard or Lobby

  • Dr. Thomas Rosenkranz concert, 7:30 p.m., Potter Hall Theater, pre-concert lecture by Dr. Brendan Kinsella at 6:30 p.m.

  • Pan's Labyrinth Movie Night, 7:30 p.m., Murphy 110 

  • Griffon Men's Basketball Hillyard Classic, vs. Lincoln University, 7:30 p.m., Looney Arena

  • "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" directed by student Raychel Ford, 8 p.m., Potter Hall Black Box Theater

Saturday,  November 21

  • Young Artists Piano competition, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Potter Hall

  • "Service Saturday," 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 - 7 p.m., Blum Union Lobby

  • Griffon Women's Basketball at Drury Tournament, vs. Drury University, 5:30 p.m., Springfield, Mo.

  • Griffon Men's Basketball Hillyard Classic, vs. University of Central Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m., Looney Arena

  • "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" directed by student Raychel Ford, 8 p.m., Potter Hall Black Box Theater

Sunday, November 22

  • St. Joseph Symphony Chamber Concert, 2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 7th and Jules

  • Fall Choir Concert, 7:30 p.m., Potter Hall Theater

  • "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" directed by student Raychel Ford, 8 p.m., Potter Hall Black Box Theater

Monday, November 23

  • Senior Art Show (Megan Beavers, Megan Haywood, Nathan Kacirek and Shawn Lensy), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery

Tuesday, November 24

  • Senior Art Show (Megan Beavers, Megan Haywood, Nathan Kacirek and Shawn Lensy), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery

  • Thanksgiving Holiday begins (classes beginning after 4 p.m. will not be held)

Wednesday, November 25

  • Thanksgiving Holiday

Thursday, November 26

  • Thanksgiving Holiday

Friday, November 27

  • Thanksgiving Holiday

  • Griffon Women's Basketball in Colorado Springs Tournament vs. Adams State University, 1 p.m., Colorado Springs, Colo.

  • Griffon Men's Basketball Rockhurst Classic at Park University, 2 p.m., Kansas City, Mo.

Saturday, November 28

  • Griffon Men's Basketball Rockhurst Classic at Haskell Indian Nations, 2 p.m., Kansas City, Mo.

  • Griffon Women's Basketball in Colorado Springs Tournament vs. University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 1 p.m., Colorado Springs, Colo.

Monday, November 30

  • Senior Art Show (Bridgette Dunn, Jamie Hanson, Michaela Schildknecht, Carmen Monique Smith and Trisha Steele) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery, opening reception featuring the artists at 7 p.m.

  • Second Annual "Holiday with the Griffs" donations pick up

Tuesday, December 1

  • Senior Art Show (Bridgette Dunn, Jamie Hanson, Michaela Schildknecht, Carmen Monique Smith and Trisha Steele) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery

  • Research Rescue Workshop, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Hearnes 301

Wednesday, December 2

  • Senior Art Show (Bridgette Dunn, Jamie Hanson, Michaela Schildknecht, Carmen Monique Smith and Trisha Steele) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery

  • Gem Society Lunch, 12 p.m., Spratt 218 and 219

  • Research Rescue Workshop, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Hearnes 301

  • Second Annual "Holiday with the Griffs," 4 p.m., Bartlett Center, located at 409 S 18th St.

  • Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Norty's Bar and Grill, 1117 Frederick Ave.

  • "Lighting of the Green," 5:30 p.m., Glenn E. Marion Memorial Clock Tower, followed by hot chocolate, cider and holiday displays in the Blum Union lobby

  • "Renaissance Feast," 6:15 social hour, 7 p.m. dinner, Fulkerson Center

  • Griffon Women's Basketball at Pittsburg State University, 5:30 p.m., Pittsburg, Kan.

  • Griffon Men's Basketball at Pittsburg State University, 7:30 p.m., Pittsburg, Kan.

Thursday, December 3

  • Senior Art Show (Bridgette Dunn, Jamie Hanson, Michaela Schildknecht, Carmen Monique Smith and Trisha Steele) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Potter Hall Gallery

  • Holiday Pottery Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Potter Hall Foyer

  • First Thursday Downtown Noon Concert Series 'Sounds of the Season,' 12:10 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 7th & Jules

Friday, December 4

  • Last day of classes

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Wanted: Your want ads!

You are welcome to submit ads to the Western ADvantage each week. 

To be fair to everyone, please follow these guidelines for submission. Only ads from campus constituents are accepted. 

  • Ads for non-campus organizations or professional businesses will not be printed.

  • Ads can cover items wanted, items to be sold, garage sales, etc.

  • Ads may be edited for length, style or content. The staff reserves the right to evaluate the appropriateness of ads for inclusion.

  • Ads received by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday will be included in that Monday's publication. Ads received after the deadline will be included in the next edition.

  • Ads will automatically run for a two-week period.  Extensions are granted by resubmitting the ad.

  • Ads will only be accepted by email, fax and campus mail. Please send submissions by email to publicrelations@missouriwestern.edu; by fax to 4414 or by mail to Tower Topics, , Leah Spratt Hall, Public Relations and Marketing office, Room 207. 

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