Week of  Nov. 24 - Dec. 7, 2008

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:

'Pursue Your Dreams'

Multiculturalism in the Commons

Western Receives AQIP Results

Western to Host Undergraduate Research Presentations

Tower Sports

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

Archives

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 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:
Jennifer Kohler

Staff Adviser:
Kent Heier 

back to MWSU

Craig Visits Campus
Steven Craig, founder of the Steven L. Craig School of Business, visit Western last week. Craig, Shawn Askinosi, David Hinke and Tom Payn spoke to a crowd of about 200 business leaders, students and faculty at a summit sponsored by the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, the Craig School of Business and Family Investment Center, Inc.

'Pursue Your Dreams': Students, business community learn lessons of entrepreneurship

Students in the Steven L. Craig School of Business had the opportunity to hear from the man for whom their school is named and other entrepreneurs during the keynote address of the 2008 Business Summit Nov. 20 in the Fulkerson Center.

Steven Craig, Shawn Askinosie, David Hinkle and Tom Payn spoke to about 200 business leaders, students and faculty attending the half-day summit sponsored by the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, the Craig School of Business and Family Investment Center, Inc.

The four spoke of their successes and the rewards of running their own businesses, but were also honest about the challenges of entrepreneurship. Askinosie, a chocolatier from Springfield, Mo., told the audience about "the hardest day of my professional life." About two weeks before the summit, he had to lay off nearly half of his employees.

"Some of that is the economy," said Askinosie, who left a successful career as a criminal defense lawyer to pursue his passion. "But part of it is my fault. I’m learning."

Hinkle, of Knoxville, Tenn., told a similar story. Shortly after he helped build National Book Warehouse into the nation’s number four bookseller, the company lost its line of credit, filed for bankruptcy and eventually closed its doors. Despite that setback, Hinkle encouraged the audience to be persistent in pursuing their passion.

"Life is not a dress rehearsal," said Hinkle, who has helped found two new businesses since the bookseller closed. "You only get one shot. Pursue your dreams."

Payn said becoming a franchisee can be a good way of starting a business. He owns a number of Subway restaurants in Colorado.

"The financial rewards and freedom (of owning your own business) are tremendous," Payn said. "But it’s more than that." The company has given him the opportunity to give back to the community, Payn said, describing how good it felt to tell his employees that their work had supported a non-profit that helped to feed 10,000 people this year.

All of the speakers encouraged the audience to learn as much as they can about entrepreneurship, management, and their chosen industry. The Craig School of Business, founded through Craig’s gift of $5.5 million, is a good place to do that, Craig said.

"Missouri Western will be on the forefront of entrepreneurship," said Craig, founding partner, president and CEO of Craig Realty Group in Newport Beach, Calif. Later in the day, Craig met with business faculty to discuss their strategic plan for the school that bears his name.

Top of Page

International Fair
Staff and students from nine countries celebrated multiculturalism at the International Fair. The event included a presentation by Dr. Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics, display boards for different countries and great ethnic food. The fair was sponsored by the Global Wing of Vaselakos Hall, as well as the International Student Services office and the Office of Residential Life.

Multiculturalism in the Commons

International sights, sounds and flavors permeated the Commons Building last week for an International Fair. Faculty, staff and students from nine countries hosted displays and native fare for several students, faculty and staff.

Bobbie Delaney, residential life coordinator, said the idea for an international fair originated with the residents of the Global Wing in Vaselakos Hall, which houses students interested in multiculturalism. They wanted to host an event to celebrate diversity and inform participants, she said. The idea for a fair started small, but grew quickly.

When it was all set up, nine countries were represented:

  • China - Dr Tingxiu Wang, professor and chair of computer science, math, and physics department; Dr. Pi-Ming Yeh, assistant professor of nursing; Dr. Mei Zhang, assistant professor of speech; Dr. Michael Chiao, assistant professor of business

  • Indian - Dr. Durai Sundaramoorthi, assistant professor of business; Dr. Jitendra Tewari, assistant professor of marketing; Dr. Vivek Madupu, assistant professor of business

  • Korean - Dr. Hyunseok Jang, assistant professor of criminal justice; Dr. Jin-Lee Kim, assistant professor of engineering technology

  • Hispanoamerican - Karina Vasquez, assistant professor of Spanish

  • Ethopian – student Shignya Mitike and Kelly Glynn, residential life office.

  • Persian/Iranian - Dr Reza Hamzaee, professor of economics

  • Malaysian - Huey Shi Chew, international student services director

  • French - Nadege Saint Maxent, instructor of French; Dr. Susan Hennessy, professor of French

  • German – students Stephanie Beyer and Antje Walter

Dr. Hamzaee gave a presentation that introduced participants to not only the geography and history of Iran, but to samples of Iranian poetry as well.

Delaney said she was pleased with the fair’s results and hopes they can host more in the future. Dr. Hennessey and Chew are the advisors of the Global Wing. The fair was also sponsored by the International Student Services office and the Office of Residential Life.

Top of Page

iGEM Reception

Left to Right: Robert Cool, John Igo, Andrew Gordon, Dr. Jeff Poet, Alicia Allen, Dr. Todd Eckdahl and Xiao Zhu participated in the 2008 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition Jamboree in early November at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Not pictured is Aaron Lewis. The Western students and faculty collaborated with colleagues from Davidson College in North Carolina to design and build a bacterial computer capable of computing a cryptographic hash function … essentially a document’s digital fingerprint. The team named their project “E. nigma,” after the Enigma machine, which generated ciphers for secret messages during World War II, with a nod to the E. coli bacteria used to create the living computer. The project received a bronze medal.

Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Western’s president, looks on as Dr. Todd Eckdahl describes last year’s iGEM project during a reception at Agenstein Hall honoring the iGEM team. The Western-Davidson team competed with 83 other teams from universities around the nation and around the world.

Western Receives AQIP Visit Report

Western met the five goals of the Quality Checkup visit in late October, moving the university a step closer toward reaffirmation of its accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission.

"The report is a very strong and positive one and says really good things about our quality improvement efforts here at Western," said Dr. Jeanie Crain, special assistant to the president.

Two reviewers visited campus Oct. 29-31, meeting with administrators, faculty, staff, students, members of the Board of Governors and community partners. The goals were to:

  • Affirm the accuracy of Western’s online Systems Portfolio, an overview of the way Western accomplishes its mission and objectives
  • Follow up on the last systems appraisal
  • Follow up on any accreditation issues
  • Verify federal compliance
  • Assure Western’s commitment to quality improvement

In each case, the team concluded that Western met the goal and complied with the expectations of the Learning Commission. There were several areas singled out for praise:

  • The school’s focus on applied learning, in combination with strong external relationships, provides students with opportunities to experience their learning with a career focus satisfying students, external stakeholders, employers.
  • The trend toward violence on college campuses has forced a new level of intervention and Missouri Western State University has responded with a thorough study and response. The current safety plan is in the implementation and testing phase but is well thought out and funded. The goal of investing with a long view is evident.
  • Students feel valued and note the "family" environment that mixes challenging study with friendships. There were multiple instances of students articulating their desire to stay on at the institution as a graduate student.
  • Student Services is grounded in use of data for identification of issues and improvements. Student enrollment and student retention, financial aid, default rates, safety and security, faculty and staff engagement, and student learning have been positively affected by their use of measurement and improvement.

The Quality Checkup visit is part of the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), a quality-based continuous improvement model of institutional accreditation through the Learning Commission. The report has been submitted to the AQIP Review Panel on Reaffirmation of Accreditation. That panel will report to the Institutional Actions Council, which will recommend to the Higher Learning Commission a continuing status for Western. The Commission’s decision on reaffirmation of accreditation is expected in the 2009-2010 school year.

The Quality Checkup report is available online at: www.missouriwestern.edu/Portfolio/AQIPPortfolio/Checkup/Checkup%20Report.pdf

Dr. Crain encourages all students, faculty and staff to complete a survey about the visit at: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gJtXIJw_2f_2bAst5cWDU9_2fihQ_3d_3d

Top of Page

Western to Host Undergraduate Research Presentations

Missouri Western State University will host the 2008 Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI) at 1 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Blum Union, Room 222.
URSI was designed to enrich undergraduate teaching and learning by providing talented students with meaningful investigative or creative experiences in their major discipline in partnership with a faculty member of the discipline.

Research projects include:

  • Population-Based Approaches Toward the Treatment of Childhood Overweight and Obesity, Lana Litzner and Stephanie Corder, RN, ND:

  • Understanding Phenotype Variation and Gene Transfer through Prodigiocin Production in Serratia Marcescens, Kristin Fee and Dr. Jason Baker

  • An Environmental Study of Ground Water Runoff in the Greater St. Joseph Area, Phillip Cody Austin and Dr. Leonard Archer

  • Removal of Molybdenum Metal Ion Contamination from Wastewater Following Boiler Replacement, Crystal D. Catron and Dr. Leonard Archer

  • Romulus and Remus: From Ancient Mythology to Screenplay Adaptation, Levi Smock and Dana Andrews

  • A Comparison of Interactive Video Game Technology Applications on Aerobic Heart Rate Response, Tracy Bowman and Dr. Justin Kraft & Dr. William Russell

  • Reaction Kinetics for the Synthesis of Alkylimidazolium Bromide Room Temperature lonic Liquids, Alexa McDonough and Dr. Michael W. Ducey

  • Critical Thinking: A Foundation for a Better Learning, Effective Teaching and Quality Communications Conducive to Societal Change, Kyle J. Barclay and Dr. Reza G. Hamzaee

The URSI is funded by the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Professional Studies. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 4510.

Top of Page

Tower Sports

Athletes Named to 2008 All-Conference MIAA Teams:

  • Roger Allen of Raytown, Mo. - Football

  • Nate Bruto of Kansas City, Mo. - Football

  • Bradley Davidson of St. Charles, Mo. - Football

  • Soane Etu of Haywood, Calif. - Football

  • Sylvester Gibson of Raytown, Mo. - Football

  • Jamie Hanson of Hamilton, Mo. - Football

  • Audrey Henderson of Liberty, Mo. - Soccer

  • Thomas Hodges of Raymore, Mo. - Football

  • Cedric Houston of Kissimmee, Fla. - Football

  • Nathan Martin of Wentzville, Mo. - Football

  • Andrew Mead of Gower, Mo. - Football

  • Alvaro Prado of Oxnard, Calif. - Football

  • Kelli Sicner of Omaha, Neb. - Volleyball

  • Dustin Strickler of Bellevue, Neb. - Football

  • Jenna Weis of St. Louis - Soccer

  • Sean Whiters of Kansas City, Mo. - Football

Football

  • Dec. 6 vs. Augustana College at Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo., at 1 p.m.

Men's Basketball

  • Win vs. Arkansas Tech in the Hillyard Classic, 99-70, Nov.21  

  • Loss vs. Rockhurst in the Hillyard Classic, 72-73, Nov. 22

  • Nov. 28 vs. Park in the Rockhurst Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., at 2 p.m.

  • Nov. 29 vs. Rockhurst in the Rockhurst Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., at 4 p.m. \

  • Dec. 3 vs. Pittsburg State University at 7:30 p.m.

  • Dec. 6 at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., 7:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball

  • Nov. 28 vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Washburn Classic in Topeka, Kan., 5 p.m.

  • Nov. 29 vs. Sterling College in Washburn Classic in Topeka, Kan., 6 p.m.

  • Dec. 3 vs. Pittsburg State University at 5:30 p.m.

  • Dec. 6 at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., at 5:30 p.m.

Holiday with the Griffons The Student Government Association has a very special tree in Blum Lobby. The tree is decorated with paper ornaments that have the name of a child and his or her age listed on it. These children's names and information were provided by the Bartlett Center located at 409 S. 18th Street here in St. Joseph. The SGA's "Holiday with the Griffons" program is designed to provide a little holiday cheer to those less privileged children. The Western campus community is encouraged to participate in several ways. Those who wish may adopt a child from the tree. The maximum dollar amount for a gift is $25. We ask that the gift purchased be as close to this amount as possible to be fair to the other children. Deliver gifts to the Office of Student Development, Blum 228 by Dec. 5. All gifts are anonymous and will be given to the children during the holiday party on Dec. 18 at the Bartlett Center. Other ways to become involved include: donating gift wrap essentials, donating items for homemade stockings, donating treats for the party or making a monetary donation that will be used to buy delinquent gifts or other necessary items. To participate or for more information contact SGA Senator Lolita Murphy at lmurphy3@missouriwestern.edu.

Toys for Tots Dr. DJ Champagne, adjunct instructor of sociology, is assisting the American Legion 359 of St. Joseph, Mo., in the ‘Toys for Tots’ donation drive. She is collecting donations of toys for all age groups, as well as monetary donations until Dec. 5. Take all donations to Popplewell Hall, room 212M. Students needing volunteer/service hours, are encouraged to help for the Tots Charity Tournament/Auction at the Legion hall on Frederick Avenue, Dec. 7. Call Missy Hickok at 816-752-0344 for sign-up schedules. For more information contact the department of government, social work and sociology 4340.

Night Out on the Griffs The Western Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host their annual “Night Out on the Griffs” from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 5 in Looney Complex. The event will provide St. Joseph area children in grades K-3 a chance to participate in fun activities with Western student-athletes. It will also allow parents to have a night without the kids, free of charge. Bring your child(ren) to a high-energy atmosphere so the kids will return tired and ready for bed. Children should be dressed in tennis shoes and game clothes. For questions or to RSVP, call (816) 383-0335. Exceptions will be considered for families who have children that are in close range of the targeted grades.

Beware of Phishing Emails Do not respond to the numerous phishing emails circulating campus. Delete these messages. Do not ever respond to messages such as these that are requesting you to provide personal information. The latest email is asking for you to confirm your account and birth date information and appears to be coming from ITS Helpdesk. If you have any questions please contact Information Technology Services at 4555.

Fund Raising Opportunity Griffon Athletics is seeking a campus group or organization who would be interested in running the Gold Coat Club hospitality room between all conference home basketball games. Requirements include having four to five people at each game, organization of the room, arriving early to pop popcorn and limited clean up of the area. Payment is $350 for the season. If interested and for more specific information, please contact Patsy Smith in the athletics department at 5903.

Gem Society The Gem Society will host a lunch for Western women featuring guest speaker Dr. Jaime O'Brien-Dial, assistant director of secondary curriculum and instruction in the St. Joseph School District, at noon Dec. 3 in Blum Union 219. Cost is $10 per person. Call 4481 to make a reservation. 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.

Noontime Concert Series Western will co-sponsor the First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. Dec. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St. The concert series features Jerry Anderson, instructor of piano and Noontime Concerts coordinator, in “Sounds of the Season,” a recital of music for Advent and Christmas. The community is invited to bring lunch and eat while listening to the performance in the sanctuary of the church. The event will last approximately 35 minutes, and there will be an opportunity to meet the performers after the concert. A minimum donation of $3 per person is suggested in order to meet the expenses and provide continuation of the series. For more information about the concert series, contact the First Presbyterian Church office at 816-232-3358; the Western music department at 4420; or Anderson at 816-262-0800.

Blood Drive The Student Nurses Association will sponsor a blood drive for the American Red Cross from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 5 in Blum Lobby. To make an appointment, visit https://www.givelife.org/index.cfm?Sponsor=MOWestern. Walk-ins are available. Each presenting donor will receive a complimentary American Red Cross t-shirt. For more information contact Roger Voelkel, sit coordinator, at voelkel.

Survey Winners Announced The two winners have been drawn for completing the faculty and staff market research survey. Congratulations to Pam Clary, instructor of social work, and Victoia Gertsema, administrative assistant in the engineering department, for winning $50 gift cards to the MWSU Bookstore. There are still two more chances to win. Another survey covering internal communications will be launched Dec. 2.

Top of Page

Monday, November 24

  • Senate meeting at 5 p.m. in Blum 220

  • Orchestra Rehearsal from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

  • Griffon Luncheon from 12-1 p.m. in the upstairs banquet room at La Dolce Vita at 36th Street Restaurant

Tuesday, November 25

  • Campus closes at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, November 26

  • Campus Closed

Thursday, November 27

  • Campus Closed

  • Thanksgiving Day!

Friday, November 28

  • Campus Closed

Monday, December 1

  • Senate meeting at 5 p.m. in Blum 220

  • Orchestra Rehearsal from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

  • Griffon Luncheon from 12-1 p.m. in the upstairs banquet room at La Dolce Vita at 36th Street Restaurant

  • 3-on-3 Intramural Basketball begins

Tuesday, December 2

  • Residence Council meeting at 7 p.m. in Commons Building

Wednesday, December 3

  • WAC meeting at 4 p.m. in the Junior College Room

  • Gem Society lunch at noon Dec. 3 in Blum Union 219

Thursday, December 4

  • First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. Dec. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St

Friday, December 5

  • Last day of Classes

  • Night out on the Griffs from 6-10 p.m. in Looney Complex

  • Last day to donate to Toys for Tots

  • Last day to donate for Holiday with the Griffs

  • Blood Drive for the American Red Cross from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 5 in Blum Lobby

Saturday, December 6

  • Mineral Water Bowl vs. Augustana College at 1 p.m. in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Top of Page

Send us your ads!

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 ; to fax 4414 or by mail to Tower Topics, University Advancement, Leah Spratt Hall, Room 106. 

Top of Page