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Week of Dec. 10-16, 2007 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 Presidential Search Narrowed to Three Psi Chi Holds Fundraising Event 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 Presidential Search Narrowed to Three Screening Committee Identifies Finalists A screening committee has identified three finalists for the position of Western president. Committee members visited the home campuses of the three final candidates and checking references. Candidates were invited to Western for a final round of interviews. Members of the university and the community were invited to meet each of the candidates, hear each candidate speak on why he is the right leader for Western at this time, and provide feedback for the Board of Governors, who will make the final decision. The goal is to name a successor to Dr. James Scanlon by mid-January. Dr. Scanlon announced earlier this year his plans to retire on June 30, 2008. “We’re pleased with the quality of the candidates for Western’s presidency,” said R. Patt Lilly, vice chair of the Western Board of Governors and chair of the 20-member presidential screening committee. The committee met in Kansas City on Nov. 17 and 18 to interview ten candidates in person and to identify the finalists. Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian, Portales, N.M., will meet with community members from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. December 3 at a reception at the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce. He will give a presentation and answers questions from 4 to 5 p.m. December 4 in the Kemper Recital Hall of Spratt Hall on campus. Dr. Vartabedian is currently vice president for academic affairs and professor of communication at Eastern New Mexico University. He received a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from California State University, Fresno, a master’s degree in speech communication from Wichita State University and a doctorate in communication from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. David W. Atkinson, Manotick, Ontario, will meet with the community 5 to 5:45 p.m. December 5 at a reception at the Chamber. He will give a presentation and answer questions from 4 to 5 p.m. December 6 in the Mead Room of the Fulkerson Center on campus. Dr. Atkinson has served as president and vice-chancellor of Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, and Carleton University in Ottawa. He received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Indiana and master’s and doctorate degrees in English from the University of Calgary. Dr. Bruce W. Speck, Clarksville, Tenn., will give a presentation and answer questions from 4 to 4:45 p.m. December 10 in the Kemper Recital Hall in Spratt Hall on campus. Following the presentation, he will meet the same day with community members at a reception from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at the Chamber. Dr. Speck is currently provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Austin Peay State University. He received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Northern Colorado, a master’s degree in English from Wayne State College in Nebraska and a doctorate in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The curriculum vitae of the three candidates are available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/presidentialsearch. |
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The Winter Commencement for summer and fall graduates at Western will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Looney Complex arena. Senator Gary Nodler, District 32 Republican, will be the commencement speaker. The Alumni Association is hosting a free reception for all graduates and their families from immediately after the ceremony in the old gym. A pinning ceremony and reception for nursing graduates will begin at 1 p.m. in Potter Hall. An ROTC commissioning ceremony and reception will begin at 1 p.m. in Blum Union, room 222-223. Nodler is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University, with a bachelor of arts degree in political science, and won election as a Republican to the Missouri Senate in November 2002. A member of the American Legion, Nodler served in the United States Army and the Missouri National Guard. He was Congressman Gene Taylor’s district staff director from 1973 until the congressman retired in 1988. President George Bush appointed Nodler to serve as Regional Administrator for the United States Small Business Administration in 1989, and in 1991 he was appointed to serve as a member of the Rural Economic Policy at the White House. In 1997, Nodler was appointed to a shared staff position working with Sens. Kit Bond and John Ashcroft and Congressman Roy Blunt on matters relating to small business and federal procurement. Nodler is currently president and owner of SoMo Cable, Inc., where he built and operated the cable television system in Seneca, Mo. |
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Students from the St. Louis area are invited to attend “Resumes & Interviews: A Backpack to Briefcase Seminar,” sponsored by the St. Louis Chapter of the Alumni Association. The event is from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Maryland Heights Parks & Recreation Centre, 2234 McKelvey Road, Maryland Heights, Mo. "Area alumni will be available to review students' resumes and conduct mock interviews," Colleen Kowich, director of alumni services, said. "This is a great opportunity for students to meet Western graduates in their home community, learn about different careers and make important networking contacts." Participating alumni include: Mary Vaughan '79, director of parks and recreation, City of Maryland Heights; Brent Porlier '82, president, Porlier Outdoor Advertising; Craig Walters '85, software architect, Monsanto; Arthur Montgomery '89, CFO, Paramount Financial, LLC; Alyssa Holyfield '04, recreation specialist of youth activities, City of O'Fallon; and Terrell Lane '07, claims customer representative, American Family Insurance. Students interested in attending this program should contact Colleen Kowich at mwalumni@missouriwestern.edu by Dec. 7. For more information, call 5650. |
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Psi Chi Holds Fundraising Event Psi Chi held a fundraising event entitled, "Pie-a-Professor-in-the-face,” Dec. 3. Each of the eight professors within the psychology department had a jar where students and faculty could donate money during the month of November. The two professors with the largest amount of money in their jars would receive a pie in the face. The two professors who received pies to the face were Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, and Dr. Russell Phillips, instructor of psychology. Jonathan Thiele, Psi Chi treasurer, and Lisa Heitbrink, Psi Chi president, delivered the pies. Psi Chi decided to give the professors each a real pie as a thank you for their cooperation. Half of the money raised will be donated to a charitable organization. Overall Psi Chi raised $132.55. |
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Women's Basketball
Men's Basketball
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New Scholarship A new collaboration between the Sallie Mae Fund and Black Entertainment Television will generate college awareness among African-American students, according to Missouri Western State University director of financial aid Lisa Suidym. BET has launched a special program to promote college scholarship awareness among its 87 million viewers and Web users. The "Next Level" scholarship competition will award $25,000 in Sallie Mae Fund scholarships to deserving students. Applications for the awards will be accepted on BET's Web site from now through Dec. 21. Winners will be announced in February 2008. For more information about the "Next Level" scholarship competition, visit . In addition, a new directory for the Sallie Mae Fund is now available online at http://www.thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/scholarship_directory/index.html to help African-American students and their families identify and apply for scholarships. School Closing Information If inclement weather leads to a decision to close campus, school officials will immediately post the information on Western's website and will notify area media outlets. School closing information will be available on television stations:
Radio stations:
Most media outlets will put closing information on their websites as well. Warm Clothing Drive Dr. Scanlon and his wife Lauren are continuing the tradition of collecting warm clothing for children at Neely Elementary School. From 8:30-10 a.m. Dec. 14 in Spratt 208 they will gather warm clothing items. Clothing items needed are: new or nearly new winter coats, mittens, gloves, stocking caps, sweat pants and socks. Everyone is invited and coffee, hot cider and holiday breads will be served. St. Joe Ravens This eight-man adult football program is looking for talented players to fill our roster. If you want to join an adult league then we want you. Games start in February. If interested, call 816-646-4216. Remember if you are currently playing for Western, don't apply as you are already on a team. |
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Monday, December 10
Tuesday, December 11
Wednesday, December 12
Thursday, December 13
Friday, December 14
Sunday, December 16
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For Sale: Pool table in good condition. Has red felt, 6' x 3', and legs fold under for easy storage. Includes accessories. Asking price is $200. Call Ellen Kisker at 271-4280. For Rent: Unfurnished, one bedroom upstairs apartment at 3217 1/2 Mitchell Avenue. Rent is $400 per month plus electricity. $300 deposit required. No smoking and no pets. Call 816-233-1448 if interested. Housemate Wanted: Beautiful home to share; 2516 Lovers Lane. Private room with WiFi and phone line. Comes with shelving and some furniture available if needed. House has off street parking and is on the bus line. No smokers please. $300/month includes utilities. Contact 816-646-4347 for more information. |
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