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Week of Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 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: Preliminary Numbers Indicate Rising Enrollment 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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Preliminary Numbers Indicate Rising Enrollment Western expects to experience record enrollment for the fifth straight fall semester. Final official numbers won’t be known for several weeks, but enrollment in the first week of classes is about five percent higher than it was at the same time last year, including a nine percent increase in the freshman class. “We’re excited about the continued growth,” said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, told Western’s Board of Governors. “Because of Western’s quality and value, we are increasingly the first choice for a wide variety of students.” The large increase in the number of freshmen is reflected in the record number of students taking part in Griffon Edge, Western’s voluntary three-day orientation program for new students, Dr. Daffron said. Enhanced retention efforts are also making a difference, she said; the number of upperclassmen is up about three percent. The graduate student population is up about six percent from this time a year ago, and total credit hours are also up about six percent. The official student population number is taken after four weeks of school, to allow for adjustments like late registrations, schedule changes and dual-credit enrollment. |
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An alumna of Missouri Western State University will now serve as the university’s top academic officer. Western’s Board of Governors last night approved the appointment of Dr. Jeanne Daffron as the university’s new provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. “Jeanne is a longtime member of the Western family who has earned the respect and trust of her colleagues,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Western’s president. “She is a strong advocate of Western’s mission of applied learning and understands well the important role the university plays in the community.” “I’m honored and look forward to working with my colleagues in this new role as we continue to provide quality educational opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Daffron. “These are exciting times at Western, and not just for those of us on campus. Higher education is truly a team effort, and our excitement is shared by Western’s alumni and supporters in the community.” As provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, Dr. Daffron is responsible for organizing, coordinating and providing leadership for the academic programs of the university. She will oversee the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Professional Studies, the Craig School of Business and graduate studies, as well as admissions, the library, the registrar’s office, the Western Institute and student affairs. A search is currently underway to fill the recently created position of vice president for student affairs, allowing Dr. Daffron to focus on her academic responsibilities, Dr. Vartabedian said. Dr. Daffron has worked at Western since 1977, starting as a faculty member in the department of nursing. She chaired the department in 1996-1997, and then served as dean of the College of Professional Studies from 1997 to 2004. Dr. Daffron became assistant vice president for academic and student affairs in 2004 and has twice served as interim vice president, including the two months following this summer’s retirement of Dr. Joseph Bragin. She also served as interim dean of graduate studies. In addition to her duties at Western, Dr. Daffron has been active in professional and community organizations. She serves on the Missouri Life Sciences Research Board, the Northwest Missouri P-20 Council, the Heartland Foundation board of directors, the EmPower U advisory committee, the Healthy Communities Investors Council, the Northwest Missouri Area Health Education Center advisory board, the Community Alliance board of directors, and the Heartland Regional Medical Center technology committee. She also served on the board of directors for the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce from 1998-2005, including a term as chairperson in 2004. She was the second woman and the first educator to become Chamber chair. Dr. Daffron, a registered nurse, received an associate degree in nursing and a bachelor of science in psychology from Western, a bachelor of science in nursing from Northwest Missouri State University, a master of public administration degree with an emphasis in health policy and planning from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a doctorate in nursing from Texas Women’s University. Dr. Cindy Heider, assistant vice president for academic student affairs, will fill Dr. Daffron’s previous post as associate provost and vice president. Dr. Heider’s new responsibilities will include institutional and program accreditation, institutional assessment and the continued development of partnerships with regional colleges and universities. Dr. Heider joined Western in 2000 as a member of the department of education faculty. Previously, she was professional development director for the Missouri National Education Association, taught in the St. Joseph and Springfield, Mo., public schools and served as executive director of the St. Joseph Development Corporation. |
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Western and our faculty, staff, students and programs have been much in the news lately. Every few weeks, Tower Topics will present a sampling of some of the recent media coverage of our university family. From the St. Joseph News-Press: Western campus bursting at the seams Early indications are that Western’s enrollment will reach a record for the fifth consecutive year. Lawhon to be inducted into hall of fame Ival Lawhon Jr., retired instructor of photography at the Western Institute and photographer for the News-Press, will be inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame. Expanding the concept; The local quartet Jazz Express performs at Foster’s Sunday Western students are involved in jazz quartet. A lunch to remember Western faculty members will perform in First Thursday Noon Concert Series. Lessons in logistics set in Western prepares to host Chiefs training camp in 2010. Western sees jump in international students Western’s international student population is small but growing. Western’s Allen adjusting to the NFL Former Griffon Roger Allen tries to make the St. Louis Rams. Our Opinion: Roll out the red carpet for students Expresses the newspaper’s desire that St. Joseph be known as a “college town.” ‘Hire a Griffon’ program boosts students’ visibility Businesses are recognized for employing Western students. From KQ2: Colleges take a lesson in H1N1 prevention Western and other universities take steps to educate students about preventing the flu and prepare for a possible H1N1 outbreak. Missouri Western: Back in Session Western welcomes students back for the first day of classes. Freshmen Get to Work New students participating in the Griffon Edge Scanlon Day of Service. From Other Outlets: Cosmos Online: Computer built from living bacteria Western’s synthetic biology research project with Davidson College is summarized, with quotes from Dr. Todd Eckdahl, professor of biology. Springfield News-Leader: Three area high school coaches named to MBCA Hall of Fame Skyline boys’ basketball coach Jacky Payne, a Western graduate, is among those honored. Indianapolis Star: Getting to know Gijon Robinson Q&A with former Griffon tight end looking forward to his second NFL season Associated Press: Iowa State job a homecoming for coach Western alumnus Paul Rhoads prepares for his first season as Cyclones head coach |
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Dr. Nathanael May, assistant professor of music, will perform in the First Thursday Downtown Noon Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. Sept. 3 inside the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St. The series is co-sponsored by the department of music. Noted as a pianist with "quicksilver grace" (Fanfare) and for "outstanding performances" (Classical Guitar), Dr. May will present a program that "pools" together music reflecting various impressions of water. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lunch to eat while listening to the performance. A minimum donation of $3 is suggested to support the continuation of the series.
Dr. Matthew Edwards, associate
professor of music and director of keyboard studies, will present a solo
recital at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 in Potter Hall Theater. For more information about either performance, call the department of music at 4420. |
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Football Starts 40th Season with Win The Griffon football team started the 2009 season with an impressive 49-14 home win over Northern State University Aug. 27. Western scored 28 unanswered points to open the game, and led 49-7 at halftime. Junior quarterback Drew Newhart tied a school record with five touchdown passes, despite the fact that he didn't play after the midway point of the second quarter. The Griffon defense limited Northern State to 51yards and five first downs in the first half. For the game, Western outgained the Wolves 438 yards to 178. Western next sees action Saturday, Sept. 5 at Mesa State in Grand Junction, Colo. Volleyball Drops Pair The Western volleyball team started the 2009 season with an 0-2 start Aug. 28 in the SpringHill Suites Invitational held by Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Griffons fell in the opening match to the 8th ranked team in the country, Southwest Minnesota State, 3 games to 1 (12-25, 25-18, 19-25 and 16-25), then lost 3-0 to Regis (25-27, 23-25 and 20-25). Western will play Chadron State at 1 p.m. Aug. 29, followed by a 5:30 match against the host school, #22 Augustana. Western Soccer Kicks Off This Weekend The Griffon soccer team opens the 2009 campaign with a pair of matches in the Bearcat Classic in Maryville. Western plays Newman at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 29, and Southwest Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. Aug. 30. Max Experience Attention all students: did you know up to four immediate family get in FREE to all home football and basketball games? All you have to do is sign them up via the Max Experience web site. Log on to www.gogriffons.com, click on the MAX Experience link at the top of the page and scroll down to sign up your immediate family members. For more information call 5904. |
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ACT Prep Classes Parents: Did you know the Western Institute offers ACT Prep Classes for college bound students? The five-week course helps students prepare for the ACT and can help acquire college scholarships, ease admissions, attain dual credit and just help students feel more comfortable taking the test. Sessions address the English, reading skills, math and science reasoning portions of the test. The first week's session includes a pre-test to identify areas of strength and challenge. Parents see the prep class as a means of saving both time and money. The fall ACT will be given on Oct. 24 and the next prep class starts on September 19, but you need to register on or before September 11 by calling 271-4100. Free Concert on Campus Juice will be on campus for a concert at 8 p.m. Aug. 29 in the Potter Hall Theater. Juice "makes music the hard way," using regular, handmade and found instruments. The concert is free to Western students. The event is sponsored by the Western Activities Council. Pig Skin Picks Pig Skin Picks start the weekend of Sept. 11. You can play each week by going to the Recreation Services web page, click on intramural sports and then Pig Skin Picks. Fill it out and submit it each week. Intramural Flag and Powderpuff Football The entry deadline for flag and powderpuff football is Sept. 8. Captains will meet Sept. 10, and play will begin the following Monday. If you don't have a team, call 4247 or 4453 and they'll find one for you. Psi Chi/Psych Club Kickoff BBQ Come join us for a barbecue at Bartlett Park at 6 p.m. Sept. 3. This will be a kick off event for Psi Chi/Psych Club. You do not have to be a psychology major, just be interested in psychology. For more information contact club president Kerri Rollins at krollins. Follow the Library on Twitter Keep abreast of news and events at the library by following us on Twitter at twitter.com/MoWestLibrary or visit the library's home page. Notes from Public Relations and Marketing
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Saturday, Aug. 29
Sunday, Aug. 30
Monday, Aug. 31
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Thursday, Sept. 3
Friday, Sept. 4
Saturday, Sept. 5
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Wanted: Your want ads! You
are welcome to submit ads to the Western ADvantage each week.
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Two
members of Western's music faculty will give recitals in early September.
The recital will include works by Beethoven, Messiaen and Scriabin, and is
the same program he will perform at the Seoul Arts High School in South
Korea Sept. 16. Dr. Edwards has been featured as a recitalist, guest
artist, concerto soloist and collaborative artist throughout the United
States and last year gave a series of masterclasses in South Korea. He has
won the Grand Prize in the Stravinsky Awards International Competition and
First Prize in the Music Teachers National Association National Collegiate
Finals.
Campus printing and design
services reminds everyone of the new "Discover Gold" logo.
The university's graphic standards manual was revised over the summer as
well. To request a copy, contact campus printing or the public relations
and marketing department. 
