Week of  Feb. 9-16, 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 Alumnus Wins Second Grammy

Frederick Becomes Head Volleyball Coach

Eggs and Issues Features School Superintendent

Western to Host 'Road Trip for Justice'

Tower Sports

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

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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 

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Alumnus Wins Grammy

Western alumnus Charles Bruffy earned his second Grammy Award for the Phoenix Chorale's recording, "Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary." Bruffy graduated from Western in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in music with majors in piano and voice.

Western Alumnus Wins Second Grammy

Western alumnus Charles Bruffy earned his second Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Feb. 8.

Bruffy is artistic director of the Phoenix Chorale, which received the Grammy for best small ensemble performance in the classical music category. The group was honored for its recording, “Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary.” The album, released last September, is an international anthology of 20th and 21st century musical settings of ancient texts on the Virgin Mary.

Bruffy graduated from Western in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in music with majors in piano and voice. He was given the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999 by the MWSU Alumni Association, and spoke at Western’s spring commencement ceremonies in 2006.

A native of Savannah, Mo., Bruffy has been artistic director of the Kansas City Chorale since 1988 and of the Phoenix Chorale since 1999. He is also artistic director/conductor of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus.

Two of Bruffy’s albums were nominated in a total of four Grammy categories this year. In addition to best small ensemble performance, “Spotless Rose” was nominated for best classical album. A joint recording by the Kansas City and Phoenix Chorales, “Rheinberger: Sacred Choral Works,” was nominated for best choral performance and best surround sound album. The disc, released in November 2007, is the third album in a series of joint recordings by the two choruses. It features the rarely recorded choral music of 19th century composer Josef Rheinberger.

Last year, the two groups’ joint recording, “Grechaninov: Passion Week,” was nominated for four Grammys, including best classical album, best choral performance and best surround sound, and won the award for best engineered album in the classical music category.

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Jazz Festival

High school student from Benton and Central High Schools of St. Joseph, Harrisonville High School, Lee’s Summit High School and Turner High School of Kansas City, Kan., came to Western Feb. 7 for the third annual Jazz Festival. High school music ensembles performed in front of adjudicators who gave taped and written critiques after their performance. After the performances, students attended clinics designed for their specific instruments. The clinics were conducted by Western faculty, including Lee Harrelson, trombone (right); Stephen Molloy, trumpet (left); Mark Elting, percussion; and Bob Long, saxophone. The festival concluded with a short performance by the Western Jazz Ensemble, directed by Long.

Frederick Becomes Head Volleyball Coach

Cory Frederick became the sixth head volleyball coach in Western history Jan. 29, replacing Tiffany Mastin who resigned in November of 2008. Frederick returns to Western after a successful five seasons as the Park University Pirates Men’s Volleyball Coach.

“It is very exciting returning to Missouri Western with all the changes currently happening,” said Frederick.  “I'm looking forward to help the team get back to a competitive level in the MIAA, which is one of the top conferences in the country.”

Frederick served as Griffon Assistant Volleyball Coach under Cindy Brauck from 2001-2003. During that time he contributed to scouting, recruiting and practice management.

“The philosophy of putting students first is the main reason for my interest in returning,” said Frederick. "I started at Missouri Western in 2001 and truly enjoyed my time with everyone across campus. It's a wonderful work environment with great faculty, staff and administration. There is a very bright future on the horizon at Missouri Western and I'm looking forward to being a part of it for years to come.”

Frederick was in his fifth season as the Head Men’s Volleyball Coach at Park University. He guided the Pirates to the 2008 NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship and a 29-1 overall record a season ago. Frederick sports the Pirates best all-time winning percentage in the sport of volleyball with a 105-16 overall record, .868.

In his first four seasons at Park, Frederick led the Pirates to four-straight NAIA National Tournaments, including a National Runner-Up finish in 2007, recording the school’s first 30-win season in more than a decade and the first since only varsity matches were counted toward the overall record.

“We are extremely excited to have a coach of Cory’s caliber here to lead our program,” said Dave Williams, director of athletics. “We have said all along that this is an extremely attractive job in which we had a very strong pool of candidates that we interviewed. With the conclusion of the interview process, it became very clear that with Cory’s knowledge of the institution, knowledge of the MIAA and his great winning background that he is the right to person for our position.”

Frederick earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1998, where he competed in NIRSA Division I Club Volleyball. In addition, he completed his formal certification in Cytotechnology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in 2000.

Frederick and his wife Becky have one daughter, Sarah.

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Alchemist Club

The Alchemist Club hosted area Boy Scouts and helped them earn two badges Saturday - energy and chemistry. They did five experiments with chemistry and two with energy. There were approximately 15 Western students who helped and about 31 Boy Scouts. The boys were from all over northwest Missouri.

Eggs and Issues Features School Superintendent

Western will host Dr. Melody Smith, superintendent of the St. Joseph School District, when she presents, “St. Joseph School District: Vision for the Future,” during the next Eggs and Issues at 7 a.m. Feb. 25 in the Fulkerson Center.

Dr. Smith will discuss her vision for the St. Joseph School District, including the two April ballot issues – renewal of the temporary operating levy at no increase and a bond issue proposal to build new schools for the first time in nearly 40 years.

To make reservations for the free breakfast, call 5646 by Feb. 20.

For those unable to attend, Dr. Smith’s speech will be broadcast March 15-26, Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. It will air on MWTV via St. Joseph Cablevision, Channel 39 and Channel 97 in Atchison, Kan.

Since 1992, Eggs and Issues has provided a community educational forum that encourages the exchange of ideas on current topics. The Eggs and Issues series is sponsored by the MWSU Foundation.

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MathCounts

Students from East Buchanan C-1 Middle School gather around their adopted moose at Saturday's MathCounts competition on campus. Their teacher, Val Jones '95, said her students named the moose Pythagoras (hey, it's MathCounts!) many years ago. The moose head had hung in a lounge area until construction began on Remington Hall and her students always ate lunch under the head when they came for the MathCounts competition. The middle school students were a little concerned when they couldn't find him in his regular spot and were relieved when they found him on the stairwell. Teams of students from 15 area middle schools competed. Western student Adelaide Quaney was the guest narrator for the final countdown round of the event.

Western to Host 'Road Trip for Justice'

Western will host the Missouri Road Trip for Justice, a speaking tour of individuals with unique perspectives on the death penalty, at 3 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Kemper Recital Hall inside Leah Spratt Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Speakers include Bess Klassen Landiss, who was 13 when her mother was raped and murdered; Dennis Fritz, a man who served 11 years for a murder he didn’t commit and whose story was told by best-selling author John Grisham in “The Innocent Man”; and Linda Taylor, whose son Michael has been on Missouri’s death row since 1991.

The event is sponsored by the Western Newman Club and NAACP, and co-sponsored by Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP) and Amnesty International.

For more information, contact Dave Tushaus, chair of the department of criminal justice and legal studies, at 5627 or visit www.moabolition.org/roadtrip.

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Tower Sports

Men's Basketball

  • Loss vs. Fort Hays State, 63-68, Feb. 4

  • Win vs. Missouri Southern State, 90-78, Feb. 7

  • Feb. 11 at University of Nebraska - Omaha in Omaha, Neb., at 7:30 p.m.

  • Feb. 14 vs. Northwest Missouri State at 7:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball

  • Win vs. Fort Hays State, 62-55, Feb. 4

  • Win vs. Missouri Southern State, 52-39, Feb. 7

  • Feb. 11 at University of Nebraska - Omaha in Omaha, Neb., at 5:30 p.m.

  • Feb. 14 vs. Northwest Missouri State at 5:30 p.m.

Baseball

  • Loss vs. Ouachita Baptist, 6-7, Feb. 7

  • Loss vs. Ouachita Baptist, 5-6, Feb. 7

  • Win vs. Ouachita Baptist, 5-3, Feb. 8

  • Loss vs. Ouachita Baptist, 1-14, Feb. 8

  • Feb. 14 vs. Harding University in Searcy, Ark., at 12 p.m.

  • Feb. 14 vs. Harding University in Searcy, Ark., at 2 p.m.

  • Feb. 15 vs. Harding University in Searcy, Ark., at 12 p.m.

  • Feb. 15 vs. Harding University in Searcy, Ark., at 2 p.m.

Softball

  • Feb. 13 vs. University of Texas-Permian Basin at San Angelo, Texas, in the Angelo State Blue and Gold Classic at 11 a.m.

  • Feb. 13 vs. University of Incarnate Word at San Angelo, Texas, in the Angelo State Blue and Gold Classic at 1 p.m.

  • Feb. 14 vs. Angelo State University at San Angelo, Texas, in the Angelo State Blue and Gold Classic at 12:45 p.m.

  • Feb. 14 vs. Texas A&M International University at San Angelo, Texas, in the Angelo State Blue and Gold Classic at 3 p.m.

  • Feb. 15 vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State University at San Angelo, Texas, in the Angelo State Blue and Gold Classic at 10:30 a.m.

  • Feb. 15 vs. West Texas A&M University at San Angelo, Texas, in the Angelo State Blue and Gold Classic at 12:30 p.m.

New Web Page Instructional Media Center has been working on a new web page design for the university, and it should be online soon. Also, a new calendar page for the MWSU arts is in production and should go online within the week. Watch the website for these developments.

Free Tickets Beginning Feb. 9, Western students can pick up a free ticket to the Robidoux Resident Theatre production of "Peter Pan." Performances are Feb. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Missouri Theater. Tickets are good for any one performance and can be picked up in the Center for Student Engagement, Blum 207, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. A student ID is required and tickets are limited to one per student. Tickets are provided by the Western Activities Council.

Interview Day Juniors and seniors looking for internships and jobs after graduation are encouraged to attend Interview Day Feb. 24 at KCI Expo in Kansas City. Students will be pre-screened to meet qualifications and matched to employers. Interviews are scheduled for you. Students will be able to meet with recruiters from several companies in one day at one convenient location. Register at www.missouriwestern.edu/careerdevelopment, click on COSMC or call 4205 for more information. Students must upload a resume to participate. Registration is free.

Summer Camp Rep on Campus A representative from the Point O'Pines Camp for Girls will be on campus from 4-6 p.m. Feb. 12 in Blum Union lobby. Point O'Pines Camp for Girls in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York is seeking energetic, caring people who enjoy working with children for summer camp staff positions. Take a look at their web site at www.pointopines.com or e-mail: info@pointopines.com for more information.

Is a Team of Rivals Possible? Join the Honors Program and Alpha Chi National Honor Society from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Feb.12 in Spratt 109 for the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and learn about Lincoln's ambition, his capacity for growth, and his deep understanding of human behavior and motivation. In these deeply troubling times of our own, let's pay tribute to President Abraham Lincoln who soothed egos, turned rivals into allies, and dealt with many challenges to his leadership, all for the sake of the greater good. Dr. Steve Estes will review the biography "Lincoln" by David Herbert Donald. Dr. John Ellis will review "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin and Dr. Steve Greiert will respond to both presenters and add his own reflections on the contributions of Abraham Lincoln.

Massage and Wii Fit Day for PTA Club The Physical Therapist's Assistant Club is having their annual massage day fundraiser event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18. Come and get a relaxing table massage by our own PTA students. Follow up with a trial on one of three Wii Fit balance board stations to discover your center of gravity, BMI and postural control. You can sign up for an appointment in Murphy 304 or just show up with your donation Feb. 18.

Planetarium Series Western’s computer science, mathematics and physics departments will hold a spring series of shows in the Bushman Planetarium.  This series will feature “More Than Meets the Eye,” “Hubble Vision,” “Light Years From Andromeda” and “Lewis and Clark.” Shows last approximately 50 minutes, and begin at 7p.m. Show dates are:

·         Feb. 23, “More Than Meets the Eye,” a general program on astronomy, covering the moon, visible planets, constellations and other topics.  There will be an additional showing at 6 p.m. on this date only. 

·         Feb. 24, “Hubble Vision,” a program about the history of the Hubble telescope and what its pictures from space have taught astronomers. 

·         March 2, “Light Years From Andromeda,” a program that teaches the concept of light speed and the light year, showing how astronomers measure distances to celestial objects and “look back” in time by gazing farther into space.

·         March 4, “Lewis and Clark,” a program that follows the journey of the famous explorers from 1804 to 1806 and explains how they located their position day after day.

Seating is limited so reservations are required.  These can be made by calling either 4370 or 4288. Tickets are $3 each. The Bushman Planetarium is located in Agenstein Hall, room 105.

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Monday, February 9

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

  • Western students can pick up a free ticket to the Robidoux Resident Theatre production of "Peter Pan" in CSE

  • “Do All the World’s Religions Really Teach Peace?” at 4 p.m. Feb. 9 in Popplewell 102

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

Tuesday, February 10

  • Student Health Fair from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Blum lobby

  • Frenzy Free Zone 4-8 p.m. at the Wesley Center

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

Wednesday, February 11

  • Career Service Seminar Series from 3-4:30 p.m.

  • Western Activities Council meeting at 4 p.m. in the Junior College Room

  • Black Leadership Town Hall meeting at 5 p.m. in the Junior College Room

  • RC Morph Dance at 8 p.m. in Blum Union

Thursday, February 12

  • Tribute event to Abraham Lincoln from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Spratt 109

  • A representative from the Point O'Pines Camp for Girls will be on campus from 4-6 p.m. in Blum Union lobby

  • CME Multicultural Institute at 5 p.m.

Sunday, February 15

  • Missouri Road Trip for Justice at 3 p.m. in the Kemper Recital Hall

Monday, February 16

  • Campus Closed - President's Day

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Wanted: Two female roommates for a nice 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath house about a mile away from campus in a wonderful neighborhood. Call 816-689-3148 for information. Leave a message if no one answers and leave your name and number.

For Sale:  The department of government, social work and sociology has two office chairs in good shape from our department for the asking price. Please see the hallway outside of our office.

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. 

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