Ashley Cruwell and her mother,  Deborah, of Independence, Mo.,  unload computer equipment on  move-in day for new students Aug. 19.

Western is the first four-year institution in Missouri to be accepted into the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). Moving beyond the boundaries of traditional accreditation, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools launched the AQIP model in 1999 as a new process through which Western can align its accreditation with the quality initiatives identified in its five-year strategic plan.

By participating in AQIP, Western will identify concrete targets and hold itself accountable for redesigning processes and operations to improve the results for the college and its students.

"We are very pleased to be the first four-year college in Missouri to be accepted into AQIP. This continuous improvement component of AQIP enhances our ability to demonstrate our quality outcomes to the wider community," explained Dr. David Arnold, vice president for academic and student affairs. "Because AQIP is so integral to our day-to-day work at the college, it allows the faculty and staff to remain focused on providing Western students with a high-quality education."

AQIP infuses the principles and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture of colleges and universities. With AQIP, an institution demonstrates that it meets accreditation standards and expectations through sequences of events that fit with those ongoing activities that characterize organizations striving to improve their performance.

Western completed its last traditional accreditation in 1999-2000. However, Western was not content to wait until the next scheduled reaffirmation of accreditation in 2009-2010, according to Dr. Jeanie Crain, special assistant to the president. Instead it chose to align its accreditation with continuous improvement in the AQIP model.

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The 2003 Western Student Convocation for new students featured keynote speaker Dr. Will Keim, one of the nation's leading authorities on preparing new students for their college experience. It was held Friday,  Aug. 22 in the M.O. Looney Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building arena. The convocation served as the last session of the three-day Griffon Edge, the new-student orientation program.

In the past, a video presentation of Dr. Keim was shown, but Griffon Edge planners decided to bring him in this year. 

Dr. Keim received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. and his doctorate from Oregon State University in Corvallis.  He was named Outstanding Professor of the Year at Oregon State University, has lectured at over 1,000 campuses and to over 2 million students. He has published many articles, books and videos.

The Griffon Edge program is designed to introduce new students to Western's facilities, services, activities, traditions and academic expectations. Session topics included computer usage, the Center for Academic Support, personal finances, student services, organizations, Western traditions and public safety. The Griffon Edge also included a Western Fair, where new students have the opportunity to learn about campus organizations.

Adult Basic Education Programs Receive Awards Western's Adult Basic Education programs at Crossroads Regional Correctional Center in Cameron, Mo., and Western Regional Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WRDCC) in St. Joseph were each honored recently with a Diamond Award, the highest rating possible, from the Missouri Department of Corrections. The Department of Corrections visited 26 institutions in the state for a Quality in Education Review and rated the programs. The St. Joseph and Cameron programs were two of six institutions to receive the Diamond rating. A teacher from each program was also named Education Employee of the Year by the Department of Corrections: Gayle Creighton of Crossroads, and Rebecca McKaig of WRDCC. The board members of the Alumni Association gathered recently for a potluck to kick off the new meeting year. Pictured from left are board members Larry Andrews, professor of criminal justice, and Peggy Iffert. Next to Peggy is her husband, Herb.

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Student graduating from Western with an attitude of civic responsibility along with their high-quality education is the purpose of the college's latest initiative: Western has joined the national American Democracy Project in an effort to increase the number of undergraduate students who will be engaged in meaningful civic actions. The college is one of 146 participating institutions chosen from the members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

"Western’s participation in the American Democracy Project is part of our campus "Citizen-Scholar" project where we are developing programs to increase students’ participation in voting and other organized activities to improve society," said Dr. David Arnold, vice president of academic and student affairs. "Our national challenge is that even young people who are leaders in community service are skeptical that civic activities and organizations actually make a difference in the world we live.  At Western, we want students to apply their learning to the challenge of engaging in democratic work as an integral part of solving societal ills."

The Project addresses America’s decreasing rate of participation in civic life - voting, advocacy, and other forms of civic engagement. 

"Being a partner in the American Democracy Project will enable Western to prepare its students better for active roles as citizens in the communities where they will live after graduation," said Dr. James Scanlon, president.

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Recent Social Work Grad Publishes Book

Lynn Tolson, a social work major, had a little extra to add to her resume when she graduated from Western last May. Her book, "Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor’s Story," was published the same month she graduated.

The book, which Lynn calls a "true survivor’s story," is about the trauma associated with her dysfunctional family, including domestic violence, sexual abuse and mental illness. The personal memoir begins with her suicide attempt. The book then relates how she commits to counseling, where she discovers life’s value.

"I hope that my book promotes understanding of the issues that cause individual suffering and plague our society," said Lynn. "Sexual assault, addiction, and suicide are unsolved social problems that carry stigmas. The stigmas cast a code of silence that do not solve problems. The result from not speaking about the crime of sexual assault is too often tragic." Lynn said the book is a result of rewriting her journals into a narrative, and the work took several years. When she enrolled at Western, she had already begun the writing process.

The author credits several faculty and staff for their support and guidance throughout the writing process. When she first met with Linda Garlinger, director of career services, Linda offered to read her manuscript. "Ms. Garlinger read subsequent drafts and continued to encourage me toward publication."

Lynn said she also received guidance from Ellen Smither, nontraditional student coordinator, and Dave Brown, director of counseling and testing. "He helped me keep a perspective on my goals: finishing my degree and my book."

She noted that several faculty members and their courses helped shape the book, also – Dr. Martha Ellison, Dr. Patricia Scott, Dr. Joe Kibirige and Dr. Ali Kamali. Her undergraduate research project topic with Dr. Kamali was "sexual assault as an antecedent to suicide," which is the theme of the book. "Overall, my education was an enlightening and enriching experience that fulfilled my overarching goal: I now have a book and the ‘credentials’ to confront violence against women in our society," said Lynn.

Today, Lynn is promoting her book through interviews, such as for the Missouri Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She is also preparing to speak during "A Week Without Violence." And she is working on a second memoir, which is about her cancer experience.

The book can be ordered from the campus bookstore, at B&N.com, or at Amazon.com.

"By bringing my dark secrets to light, it is my hope that others who have had similar events will know that they are not alone. Readers may explore their own emotions to open lines of communication, eliminate shame, and experience healing."

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