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Griffons
Discover Manhattan and Washington D.C.
Two trips have been planned
for April and May 2005, and are available to Western students for
credit.
The first trip will be a
visit to Manhattan- “New York Art & Culture,” ART 297. The enrollment is limited to 24 students, and it is a two-credit
course. The group will
visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney, the Guggenheim and
the newly reopened Museum of Modern Art. Students will get a chance to stroll through the shopping and
gallery districts of SOHO, Greenwich Village and Chelsea, dine in Little
Italy and Chinatown and see a Broadway show. There will also be plenty of free time in the evenings to
experience the cultural nightlife of Manhattan.
The cost of the trip is $865
and includes airfare, lodging and tuition. Museum
fees are not included because most museums have very nominal fees when
students present their college identifications. For more information on this trip, contact Geo Sipp, assistant
professor of art, at 4451. You
may sign up early and make your deposit to assure your place in the
Thompson E. Potter Fine Arts Center, room 205-A.
“Current Legal Issues,”
LAT 492, will be offered during the May Intersession which includes a
trip to Washington D.C. The entire class runs from May 11-25, with
travel dates May 18-24. It
is three college credits.
The total cost of the class
is $999, which includes round trip airfare, hotel, ground transportation
and tuition. To sign up for
the course, go to the Western Institute office in the Leah Spratt
Multipurpose Classroom Building, room 105.
A $100 nonrefundable deposit is required and due by Jan. 20. For more information, contact David Tushaus, assistant professor
of legal studies, at 5627.
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Points
of Pride
Excellence in our Faculty/Staff
- Dr.
Timothy Holian, associate professor of German, has finalized a
student exchange agreement with the Otto-Friedrich-Universität in
Bamberg, Germany. The accord enables Western students to enroll for
a semester or an academic year at the German university, with German
students spending a comparable amount of time attending classes at
Western. This exchange is scheduled to begin during spring 2006.
- The
Public Relations and Marketing Office received an Award of
Distinction from The Communicator Awards for the 60-second radio
spot featuring a student. This is one of two radio spots used in the
Discover Gold campaign. Entries in the competition were judged by
industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose
talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves
as a benchmark for the industry.
- Robin
Findlay, associate professor of theatre, has been elected to the
board of directors of the Albrect-Kemper Museum of Art.
- Dr.
Michael Cadden, associate professor of English, had his book,
“Ursula K. Le Guin Beyond Genre: Fiction for Children and
Adults,” published recently.
- Denise
Smith, associate professor of general business, had an article
published in the ALSB Journal of Employment and Labor Law. The
article is entitled “Workplace Religious Freedom: What is an
Employer’s Duty to Accommodate?” She also spoke at the St.
Joseph Business Resource Council luncheon. The topic was “Changes
in Overtime Eligibility.”
- Dr.
Mark Mikkelsen, associate professor of history, had an essay
entitled “Reading Kuki Shuzo’s ‘The Structure of Iki’ in the
Shadow of Le’affaire Heidegger” that appeared in a new
translation of the Japanese philosopher’s “Iki no kozo” by
Hiroshi Nara, “The Structure of Detachment: The Aesthetic Vision
of Kuki Shuzo.”
- Dr.
Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, provided a one-hour live radio
program on KKFI of Kansas City, discussing the economic issues of
the recent presidential campaign, and also presented a lecture on
campus for Western and the St. Joseph community on “The Economic
Issues of the 2004 Presidential Campaign.”
- Dr.
Catherine Lawson, associate professor of economics and chair of the
economics department, presented a paper at the International
Atlantic Economics Society in Chicago. Her paper, jointly authored
with Joanne Katz, associate professor of legal studies, was entitled
“Economic Development and Restorative Justice: A New Paradigm for
the Criminal Justice System.”
- The
departments of chemistry and biology hosted a seminar entitled
“Laboratory Safety Management in Academia” presented by speaker
Barbara L. Foster, NRCC-CHO, director for the department of
chemistry and safety coordinator for the Eberly College of Arts and
Sceinces at West Virginia University. Topics of discussion included
safety leaders, safety documents, chemical management, facilities
management and safety activities.
- Dr.
Shauna Hiley, associate professor of chemistry, gave a presentation
at the 39th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American
Chemical Society entitled “Partnerships in Environmental Education
and Research.”
- Dr.
Michael Ducey, assistant professor of chemistry, presented
“Characterization and Analysis of a Product: A Semester Long
Guided Inquiry Laboratory Sequence for Use in General Chemistry”
at the 39th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American
Chemical Society.
- Dr.
Michael Ducey, assistant professor of chemistry, in partnership with
Jay Meyers of the St. Joseph School District, submitted a joint
grant application to the National Science Foundation entitled
“Partnerships in Environmental Education and Research.” The
grant totaled $865,879 for a three-year period. The grant would
establish a collaborative environmental science education and
research initiative between Western science faculty and teachers and
students at the middle and high school levels in the St. Joseph
School District.
- William
Church, instructor of English, read his short story, “The
Refuge,” at Aimee’s Café in Lawrence, Kan. as part of the KU
Graduate Student Reading Series.
- Dr.
Monica Nandan, associate professor of social work, and senior social
work student Joan Beck co-authored a paper entitled “Developing a
Professional Image for Social Work: Role of Marketing” that was
presented at the 2004 International Business and Economics Research
Conference in Las Vegas. The paper was also published in the
conference proceedings. Dr. Nandan and Joan also participated in the
2004 Undergraduate Research Summer Institute Symposium. Their
project was entitled “Understanding the Image of Social Work among
Nonsocial Work Students and Professors.”
- Dr.
Steven Greiert, professor of history and chair of the history
department, presented a paper at the 39th Annual Northern
Great Plains History Conference in Bismarck, N.D. The paper was
entitled “The Beginning of the End of the British Empire in North
America: The Earl of Halifax – A New Man at the Helm of the Board
of Trade, 1748.” It was part of a session entitled “European
Imperialism.”
- Dr.
Daniel Trifan, professor of history, presented a paper entitled
“A-Wooing They Would Go: The Courtship of Mary of Guise by the
Earls of Lennox and Bothwell, 1543-1544” at the 39th
Annual Northern Great Plains History Conference, Bismarck, N.D.
- Dr.
Jimm MacGregor, assistant professor of history, presented
“Preaching the Past: Reading the First Crusade in Late Medieval
Exempla” at the 43rd annual Midwest Medieval History
Conference in Knoxville, Tenn.
- Dr.
Mikkelsen, associate professor of history, presented a paper entitled “Placing (and Displacing)
Contemporary Communities Through Reflection on a Regional Historical
Narrative: John G. Neihardt’s ‘A Cycle of the West’” at the
annual meeting of the Association for Core Texts and Courses.
- Ellen
Bottorff, adjunct faculty, spoke on “The Role of the
Collaborator” for the meeting of the St. Joseph Area Music
Teachers Association.
- Dr.
James Huntermark, assistant professor of psychology, gave a paper
entitled “The Importance of Cultural Context When Considering
Research Methodology” at the “Finding Out: Best Practices in
Teaching Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology” conference
that was recently held in Atlanta.
- Dr.
Brian Cronk, professor of psychology, presented a poster on “Using
Excel to Simplify Computational Burden in Introductory Statistics”
at the “Finding Out: Best Practices in Teaching Research Methods
and Statistics in Psychology” conference in Atlanta.
- Dr.
Phil Wann, professor of psychology, gave a presentation entitled
“Teaching Critical Thinking about Psychological Theory in the
Research Methods Course” at the “Finding Out: Best Practices in
Teaching Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology” conference
in Atlanta.
- Terry
White, assistant professor of criminal justice, presented a paper
for panel discussion on “International Policing in Kosovo” at
the Midwestern Criminal Justice 2004 Conference in Chicago.
- David
Tushaus, assistant professor of legal studies, and Joann Katz,
associate professor of legal studies, developed curriculum and a
PowerPoint presentation on Federal and Missouri Election law.
Supporting the national Election Protection Project, they trained
over 200 nonpartisan poll monitors to prepare for the Nov. 2
election. Providing a leadership role with the Lawyers Committee,
they also helped design a two-state hotline to address legal issues
on election day.
- Carol
Roever, associate professor of business, attended the Association
for Business Communication (ABC) international conference in Boston.
As the vice president for the Midwest Region, she participated in
the board of directors meeting and hosted a breakfast for ABC
members from the Midwest region.
- Carol
Roever, associate professor of business, presented results of a
joint research project with Dr. Matrese Benkofske, assistant
professor of business, and Western graduate Kathleen Randall
entitled “The Impact of Cell Phone Technology on Traditional
Monochronic Behavior in the U.S.” Carol also organized and
moderated a panel, “Teaching Abroad, Personal and Pedagogical
Experiences During International Faculty Exchanges.”
- Dr.
Shiva Nandan presented “The E’s of Branding; Practical
Dimensions of the Branding Concept” and “An Investigation of the
Impact of Unemployment at the National and Local Levels” at the
2004 International Business and Research conference in Las Vegas.
- Dr.
Brenda Blessing, professor of recreation management, presented
“Finding That First Professional Job” at the National Parks and
Recreation National Congress in Reno, Nev.
- Dr.
Randye Williams, associate professor of physical education, attended
the Joint Annual Conference of Missouri Public Health Association,
Missouri Rural Health Association and Missouri Society of Public
Health Educators where she presented a session on “CDCynergy
Health Communication Applications.”
- Carolyn
Windsor, assistant professor of nursing; Bonnie Gregory, assistant
professor of nursing; and Dr. Evelyn Brooks, associate professor of
nursing; presented a team approach to “Evaluating Nursing
Students’ Awareness of Culture Competence” at the 31st
annual National Conference on Professional Nursing Education and
Development in Atlanta.
- Dr.
Timothy Crowley, counselor, talked to several groups including a
group of high school students - “Self-Esteem Boosters,” the
Heartland Health chaplains - “Guided Imagery,” and the Western
women’s basketball team - “Peak Performance.”
- Dr.
Vincenza Marash, counselor, provided several presentations including
a discussion with the PSY280 class entitled “Counseling Career
Paths and Feminist Therapy” and an on-campus team presentation on
sexual assault entitled “No Means No.” Dr. Marash also assisted
in moderating a presentation on “Homosexuality and the Bible”
during national Pride Week.
- Dave
Brown, director of student development, attended the U.S. Department
of Education’s annual national conference on Alcohol and Other
Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention in Higher Education in Washington
D.C. and was a panel member in a presentation on coalition building.
- Dr.
Chris Shove, executive director and dean of the Western Institute,
and a colleague had their paper “Launch and On-Orbit Payload
Vibration Isolation” presented at the American Society of
Mechanical Engineer’s International Mechanical Engineering
Congress.
- Over
200 Western faculty, staff and students pledged their financial
support to the United Way during its annual fundraising campaign.
Through the efforts of campus volunteers, Western pledged $41,769 to
assist United Way agencies. The total raised exceeded Western’s
$39,000 goal by 7 percent.
- Debbie
Webb, testing coordinator, with the help of the counseling staff, is
providing special testing for 58 students who have documented
disabilities.
- Mike
Ritter joined the Student Services staff in November as the
Coordinator for Special Needs Student Services.
- Dr.
Kelly Bouas Henry, assistant professor of psychology, was appointed
as the new Applied Learning Director. This new part-time
administrative/faculty position was created on the recommendation of
the Applied Learning Strategic Planning Implementation committee
because of the large number of campus activities needed to support
applied learning on campus.
- Cpl.
Robert Bidding, Officer Trevor Brown and Jon Kelley, director of
Public Safety, attended the Western Partner in Prevention breakfast
meeting. The Public Safety Department has assisted involved other
area law enforcement in prevention programs for the campus and local
community. Through his involvement with the Partners in Prevention
organization, Cpl. Bidding has been approved for a $2,000 alcohol
enforcement grant that can be used in a joint effort with the
Western Public Safety Department and the local community.
Excellence in our
Students
-
The Western chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity
was recently recognized at the 18th annual Mayor’s
Thanksgiving Dinner. The Xi Eta Chapter received the “Humanitarian
Award” from America’s Second Harvest for their service to the
organization.
-
Twenty-two
Western students were recently initiated into the Xi Omega Chapter
of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society for education
majors. Students initiated were Christian H. Anderson, Kellie
Atchison, Cynthia A. Biermann, Shannon A. Bush, Reagan K.
Cunningham, Elizabeth S. Douglas, Nocole R. Goetz, Nicole D.
Hartenbower, Rebecca E. Jackson, Lauren E. Johnson, Ashleigh A.
Koch, Stephanie D. Munsterman, Bridget B. Nolen, Melissa D.
Phillips, Brandie L. Ponting, Karen D. Rains, Kristin S. Slatten,
Melissa R. Smith, Leslie B. Triplett, Laura L Weber, Amanda N.
Welch, and Kathryn A. Ziesel.
-
Forty-one
Western students were recently initiated into Missouri Lambda
Chapter of Alpha Chi, national college honor scholarship society.
Students initiated were Adam D. Brown, Amanda McCurry, Melissa C.
McCush, Adrienne N. Chleborad, Paige M. Cook, Lindy M. Crowe,
Christopher T. Cummings, Danielle M. Dryer, Ashley Falter, Joseph
Fehlker, Sara R. Freel, John C. Gilliland, John C. Grogan, Amanda
Gruber, Christina Hammond, Kelly L. Hamp, Janessa M. Hovey, Tiffany
L. Kiefer, Adam M. Kling, Ashlee Liebhart, Nicholas R. Limle,
Barbara J. Meyer, Lisa M. Miller, George A. Murphy, Lindsay A.
Palmer, Cindy M. Peters, Melissa D. Phillips, Lori A. Porter, Kelsey
L. Pugh, Kelsey A. Reid, Marcus T. Shobe, Jill Simpson, Robert E.
Smith, Sarah M. Stout, Shannon Swanson, Kristie L. Tabacchi, LaTasha
L. Thaxton, Carla Vick, Rachel A. Wedekind, Kyle D. Williams and
Erin R. Wilson.
- Joan
Beck, senior social work student, and Dr. Monica Nandan, associate
professor of social work, co-authored a paper entitled “Developing
a Professional Image for Social Work: Role of Marketing” that was
presented at the 2004 International Business and Economics Research
Conference in Las Vegas. The paper was also published in the
conference proceedings. Joan and Dr. Nandan also participated in the
2004 Undergraduate Research Summer Institute Symposium. Their
project was entitled “Understanding the Image of Social Work Among
Nonsocial Work Students and Professors.”
- Members
of the Delta Phi Upsilon, student chapter of the American Criminal
Justice Association – Lambda Alpha Epsilon attended the ACJA-LAE
2004 Conference in Omaha, Neb. Students competed in written tests,
crime scene and firearms competitions. Students Ashley Smith, Tyler
Davis and Mike O’Neal finished second in upper division crime
scene; Sarah Stout placed third in LAE Knowledge and Criminal Law
(upper division); and Ashley Smith placed first in LAE Knowledge
(upper division). Frederica Nix, instructor of criminal justice,
accompanied members to the conference.
- An
internship panel discussion was held as part of the computer
science, mathematics and physics colloquium series. Students who
served on the panel were Brandon Crosser, Francisco Diaz, Therese
Hand, Mike Mitchell and Robert Smith. The students discussed the
process of obtaining an internship and what they have learned from
their experiences.
- English
major Jackie Clark coordinated a daylong merit badge workshop,
“Write All About It,” for 40 area Girl Scouts and their troop
leaders at Western. Members of Western’s Student Affiliate of the
National Council of Teachers of English conducted the workshop.
- The
town of Trimble, Mo. has formally requested that the Western
Institute and the MO-KAN Council of Government provide urban
planning technical assistance using Western students. The goal is to
develop an urban plan to deal with Trimble’s substantial
population growth.
Excellence in our Programs
- Twenty-three
teenagers from six area high schools spent a day at Western writing
and sharing their pieces at Prairie Lands Writing Project’s (PLWP)
first-ever High School Writing Camp. Sara Capra, Western alumna and
PLWP Teacher Consultant (TC), organized and directed the camp.
Assisting Sara as workshop presenters were Regina Hardin, Western
alumna and PLWP TC; Jeni Crowder, PLWP TC; and Western pre-service
teachers Erin Clevenger and Ashley Whales.
- Seventy-five
area teachers and pre-service teachers participated in Prairie
Land’s Writing Project’s seminar, “Empowering Teachers Through
Writing,” held at Western. National Writing Project Teacher
Consultants, including Valorie Stokes, Western adjunct reading
instructor, conducted a series of workshops related to writing and
teaching writing. Tom Pankiewicz, assistant professor of English,
directed this year’s Invitational Institute, with Dr. Jane Frick,
professor of English and Joyce Finch.
- The
Buchanan County Commissioners agreed to allow the Western Institute
to work with the County Assessor’s Office and the City of St.
Joseph to develop an industrial property computer mapping system for
industrial development.
- The
Western Institute hosted a visiting international scholar from the
Russian Academy of Sciences Institute for the U.S. and Canada who
delivered several lectures. The two Institutes agreed to develop a
joint distance education program and to coordinate a travel study
program to Russia. The Russian Institute has approximately 400
scholars and is regularly quoted by CNN regarding Russian-American
relations.
- The
Western Institute moved its Northland Business and Education 2+2+2
classes to the Platte County Resource Center, which is located at
the Kansas City airport exit next to the KC Expo Center.
- Peggy
Ellis, director
of noncredit programs and training for business/industry, presented
higher education organization resources at the American Airlines
Transition Team in Kansas City. This event, sponsored by Missouri
AFL-CIO, presented educational opportunities and available resources
to representatives of the nearly 450 maintenance employees of
American’s Overhaul Base who will be dislocated in December.
- The
Missouri Department of Public Safety held Missouri Victim Automated
Notification System training for their staff in the Training and
Assessment Center.
- Nearly
140 enrollments have been recorded this semester in the Horticulture
classes offered through the Western Institute.
- Approximately
60 Suzuki violin students from the Western Institute Center for Arts
and Culture performed for the annual Pumpkin Fest. The Suzuki violin
students are under the direction of instructors Terry Brock,
Amanda-Fay Gaston-Moore and Lauren Morehead. The Suzuki violin
students also performed for the St. Joseph Symphony School Days
concert. Thirty Suzuki violin students performed for the Midland
Empire Resources for Independent Living Association. These students
were under the direction of instructor Amanda-Fay Gaston-Moore.
- Two
Western Institute Center for Arts and Culture private voice
students, Allison Miller (9th grade) and Margaret Miller
(12th grade), performed with All-District Choir in Platte
City, Mo. The students are under the direction of Rhonda Newton,
voice instructor and director of the Western Institute Center for
Arts and Culture.
- The
Western Institute Center for Arts and Culture Culinary Arts Program
graduated its first students.
- Xiao
Zhang, Western Institute research associate for the Professional
Training Program for Economic Development, is setting up a dataset
for a comprehensive plan of Trimble, Mo.; making analysis maps for
the plan based on the dataset; creating a website for the Western
Institute research lab which will serve the whole community; and
preparing for the project of digitizing the farmland in Arkansas.
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