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Week of March 16 - 22, 2009 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 Projects Included in Omnibus Appropriations Bill Western to Host Considering College Program Western Presents Senior Recital 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 Projects Included in Omnibus Appropriations Bill Two projects at Western were included in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill which passed Congress on March 10 and was signed by President Barack Obama on March 11. Sen. Christopher Bond is responsible for $950,000 being included in the bill for a mobile biotechnology workforce development center. Rep. Sam Graves is responsible for $285,000 being included for the purchase of equipment at the Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator. “These projects indicate the key role Western plays in the vital life sciences industry of the region,” said Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian, Western’s president. “We’re grateful to Senator Bond and Congressman Graves for their support.” The $950,000 appropriation for the biotechnology will allow an existing mobile learning center to be equipped with new technology, displays and educational materials to visit schools in St. Joseph, Kansas City, Mo., and throughout northwest Missouri, with a special focus on rural and inner city schools that typically don’t have up-to-date scientific equipment. It is a collaboration between the Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO), the Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences (IIALS) and the Western Institute, the unit of the university responsible for educational outreach. “The goal is to get students excited about science, especially the life sciences, as an academic pursuit and eventually a career,” said Dr. Gordon Mapley, dean of the Western Institute. “They’ll have the opportunity not only to see current technology but to use it in research. Our hope is that it will greatly enhance science education in the region.” Kelly Gillespie of MOBIO and Dirck Clark, chair of Western's Board of Governors, were instrumental in getting the project funded, Dr. Vartabedian said. "I'm looking forward to working with MOBIO, IIALS, area school districts, the life sciences industry and Western faculty to determine what technology to include and to get the project going," said Dr. Mapley. The grant for the Science and Technology Incubator will allow for the purchase of laboratory equipment for a regulated training lab run by IIALS, the public-private partnership that operates the university-owned incubator. “The vision for the incubator has always included an opportunity for Western students and current lab technicians to receive training in today’s highly regulated lab environment,” said Dr. Gary Clapp, IIALS president and CEO. “This equipment will enhance our ability to provide this training.” |
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Western to Host Considering College Program The Non-Traditional Student Center at Western will present a program titled “How to Be a Successful Non-Traditional Student” from 2-4 p.m. March 18 in Eder Hall, room 208. The program will provide information about enrolling, applying for financial aid, finding resources on campus and other topics of interest to men and women considering a return to college after an absence from formal education. A short tour of the campus will be given. A similar program will be offered on April 8. To sign up for the free program or for more information, call the Non-Traditional Student Center at 4280. |
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The Western department of art will host a senior art exhibition presenting work from Cody Hudson, of Bolivar, Mo.; Kimberley Morton, of Independence, Mo.; and Brandon Singleton and Rebecca Dew, both of St. Joseph, in the Potter Hall art gallery March 16-29. There will be an opening reception with a chance to meet the artists from 5 -10 p.m. Monday, March 16 in the gallery. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. The Potter Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 4 p.m. The senior show is the culmination of the students’ artistic careers at Western. These four students decided to show their work together because they share similar aesthetic sensibilities. Each one works in a different medium, which will allow for a diverse body of work to be viewed in the gallery. Hudson is graduating with a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design. Morton and Singleton are graduating with bachelors of fine arts in illustration. Dew is graduating with a bachelor of fine arts in printmaking. All four seniors intend to continue their educations after graduation. Singleton and Hudson also plan to open up their own design firm with other Western art students. |
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High School Writing Day |
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Classical guitarist Samuel Klemke, a former prize winner in the St. Joseph International Guitar Festival & Competition, performed two “house concerts” March 9 and 10. A house concert offers a chance to hear professional international artists in a more casual setting. Klemke, from Weimar, Germany, won second place in the 2006 St. Joseph International Guitar Festival & Competition, sponsored by Western. The 2009 festival will be held May 14-17. | |||||||
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Western Presents Senior Recital The department of music at Western will host a senior recital for Tim R. Thomas and Andy West at 7:30 p.m. March 18 at Zion United Church of Christ, 8th and Faraon Street. The recital is free and open to the public. Thomas, of St. Joseph, Mo., is pursuing a bachelor of arts with a performance emphasis. His recital will feature his talents on the trumpet, flug horn, pic trumpet and accompanied by Dr. Matt Edwards. After graduation, Thomas plans to further his education and continue to play professionally in the St. Joseph and Kansas City areas. Thomas is the son of Michael and Suzanne Thomas. West, of St. Joseph, Mo., is pursuing a bachelor of arts with an emphasis in music technology. His recital will feature his talents on the trumpet and accompanied by Dr. Matt Edwards. After graduation, West plans on working as a studio engineer. West is the son of Tom and Lori West. |
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Congratulations to the men's basketball team for finishing second in the MIAA Conference Tournament for the third time in school history. Senior guard Lonnel Johnson and junior forward Marcus Rhodes were named to the MIAA All-Tournament team for their performances March 5-8. Baseball
Softball
Tennis
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Up 'til Dawn Executive Board Openings Up 'til Dawn is a program uniting faculty, staff, students and the local community in a goal to help the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Not only do students lead Up 'til Dawn on their respective campus, but they also educate the community about St. Jude while raising much needed funds through a variety of fundraising activities. The Up 'til Dawn Executive Board still has three openings: Morale Chairperson, Fundraising Chairperson and Sponsorship Chairperson. To get involved, contact Lolita Murphy at lmurphy3@missouriwestern.edu or call the CSE in Blum 207 at 4159. MWSU Foundation
Once again the MWSU Foundation is pleased to be able to make funds
available to assist some very good programs at Western. This is a request
for proposals for funding from the MWSU Foundation for special projects to
be awarded for academic year 2009-2010. The deadline for proposals to be
submitted is March 27, 2009. A description of the allocation process and a
copy of the Allocation Request form are available at: Important Registration News Advisement for the summer and fall 2009 terms begin March 25. If you do not know who your advisor is please check on My Western self-service page under Student & Financial Aid, Student Records, View Student Information. Contact this individual or the department concerning sign-up opportunities for advisement. Spring Mid-term Grades Beginning March 19, you can view your mid-term grades one of two ways - 1. Through your personal Goldlink, Academic Services Channel. Go to Student & Financial aid, Student Records, Midterm Grades. 2. Through MWSU homepage, www.missouriwestern.edu, A-Z Search, Midterm Grades. Login to My Western with your G number and PIN. Go to Student & Financial Aid, Student Records, Midterm Grades. Questions should be directed to the Registrar's Office at 4211. Picture Time This is your last chance to get your photo taken for the 2008-2009 Griffon yearbook. Pictures will be taken from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 19 and 20 in Spratt 211. There is no sitting fee. If you are a senior and graduating in May and wish to sign up, you may do so by visiting the Griffon yearbook office, Eder 220. Sign-ups are posted outside the yearbook office. If you will be graduating in May, cap and gown will be provided on site for your picture. If you have any questions regarding the Griffon yearbook or pictures, please contact the Co-Editor-in-Chief Amy Chastain by e-mail, amy.chastain@yahoo.com or by phone, 4540. Leadership Lexicon The Leadership Lexicon has been redone so that every year a new, specific leadership trait is covered. There are no lectures this year and we are focusing on team building. It will be a fun time for current leaders as well as new aspiring leaders to come participate. The event starts at 10 a.m. March 29. Sign up in the Center for Student Engagement in Blum Union 207 or email slassen@missouriwestern.edu for an application--please register by March 20. International Photo Contest The Center for Multicultural Education is sponsoring a photo contest and art Expo. The theme this year is "Capture the Spirit of Culture." The contest rules and regulations are available in the Center for Multicultural Education, Blum 210 or you can email cme@missouriwestern.edu to request forms. FAFSA Reminder Help us help you – make sure your financial aid application is submitted by April 1. Fifty-three percent of students who did not complete their FAFSA before April 1 last year would have qualified for the Access Missouri grant. That could be $2,150 that you did not need to borrow to pay for school. See Financial Aid if you need assistance – Eder Hall Room 103. Visit www.fafsa.gov to fill our your FAFSA. |
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Monday, March 16
Tuesday, March 17
Wednesday, March 18
Thursday, March 19
Friday, March 20
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For Sale: KAWASAKI 2007 Ninja 250, blue, 2,500 miles, garaged, jacket and helmet included, $2,700. Call 816-671-9338 after 5 p.m. or email saffell@missouriwestern.edu for more information. Surplus: Letter-size, green hanging file folders. (approx 250); red fabric task chair; Sharp EL-1801A Printing Calculator; Texas Instruments TI-5630 Printing Calculator; two VHS rewinders; three VHS tapes; two slide projector carousels; 29 duplicate credit card paper tape rolls. If interested, call Jamie in the Western Institute at 4112.
Needed: The Library is looking for a
medium-size bookcase (3-4' wide x 4x5' high), metal or wood, for a project
to be set up in the Commons Building. If any department can help, please
notify Judy Noland at judnol or 4554. |
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Wanted: Your want ads! You
are welcome to submit ads to the Western ADvantage each week.
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