Week of August 29 - September 4, 2005

Welcome to the Tower Topics E-newsletter for faculty, staff and students at Western. 

Missouri Western State College, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, 816-271- 4200

Click any link for these stories:

Formal Academic Convocation to be Held

A New Logo!

Western Holds "Griffon Edge" Orientation Program

Points of Pride

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

Archives

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:
Katie Johnston

Staff Advisers:
Kristy Hill and Diane Holtz

Formal Academic Convocation to be Held

Western will host a formal academic convocation to recognize university designation at 11 a.m. Aug. 31. The ceremony, which will include a formal processional and recessional, academic regalia and speakers, is free and open to the campus and community. The new seal for the university will also be unveiled, and several new ceremonial accessories will be used for the first time.

Former Western presidents Dr. M.O. Looney and Dr. Janet Gorman Murphy McCarthy have been invited to the convocation and other celebration activities.

In honor of university designation, Western has purchased a ceremonial mace, a presidential medallion and banners to be used at all formal university events such as convocations and commencements. The accessories were donated by Dr. Joseph (Joe) Friedman, a 1939 alumnus of the St. Joseph Junior College.  

The mace, almost four feet tall, is topped by the university’s newly designed seal, and Griffon and clock tower etchings are engraved on bronze plates. Five plates on the staff contain the former names of the institution: St. Joseph Junior College, Missouri Western Junior College, Missouri Western College, Missouri Western State College, and Missouri Western State University.

A presidential medallion contains the seal and the university’s six values: service, quality, enthusiasm, freedom, respect and courage. Large banners for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies were also purchased.

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A New Logo!

Western recently introduced a new logo. “Max the Griffon” was created by Scott Johnson, graphic arts coordinator, to represent the university.

Johnson said the need for a new logo became apparent when students came to him seeking a design for t-shirts for the university celebration. “We wanted him to be courageous and a symbol of strength,” Johnson said, “without being violent. It was a fine line. We didn’t want him to appear weak or meager, either.”

The process to apply for a trademark registration has begun, also.

The name of the new mascot was selected by member of the Western athletic administration to honor Max Grooms, a longtime and original member of the Western Gold Coat Club. Grooms was well known for his competitiveness and compassion for student athletes and coaches.

The Griffon is a mythical figure consisting of the body of a lion with the head and wings of an eagle. It was chosen as the mascot and symbol of St. Joseph Junior College in 1917 because the Griffon was considered a guardian of riches, and education is viewed as a precious treasure.

The Griffon is featured on the new “Be Bold Wear Gold” t-shirts that students, faculty, staff and Western supporters are being asked to wear during all home football and basketball games. Cost is $6 for small through XL, $7.50 for XXL, and $8.50 for XXXL. You may special order size small and polo shirts, but prepayment is necessary.

To purchase a t-shirt, contact Dixie Ham at 816-271-4488.

(Portions of this article were excerpted from the St. Joseph News-Press)

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Western Holds "Griffon Edge" Orientation Program

New first-year students at Western gained an “edge” this fall by attending Griffon Edge, the college’s four-day orientation session Aug. 24-27. The program was packed with information sessions, three nationally known speakers, campus displays and a student convocation. Also, for the second year, a day of community service was included in the program.

“We want to do everything we can to give students a good introduction to Western so they can be successful,” said Dr. Paul Shang, dean of student development. “They will learn about a lot of resources and meet a lot of people who want to help them be successful.”

Featured speakers at Griffon Edge this year included motivational speaker and author Joe Martin, “Dating Doctor” David Coleman and nationally known speaker Will Keim.

Martin was the featured speaker at the student convocation Aug. 27 in the M.O. Looney Complex. Through his high-impact, high-energy style, he has become recognized as one of America’s “Top Motivational Professors,” and is known by educators nationwide as the “Educator Motivator.” He is considered one of the country’s leading experts in the field of student affairs. He was voted “Campus Speaker of the Year” by the Association for Programming Campus Activities, was nominated twice for the “Distinguished Teacher’s Award” and selected for “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.”

Keim made his second visit to campus on Aug. 24. He has spoken on more campuses about leadership and actualizing peak performance than anyone in the nation. Dr. Shang said Keim will speak to the students about organization and time management skills, and how students need to become self-reliant. Keim is the author of five books, including “Keys to Success in College and Life,”  “The Truth About College,” and “The Education of Character.”

Coleman, who also spoke on Aug. 24, has spoken to over 2,500 groups nationwide. He has been named National Speaker of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine six times and by the National Association of Campus Activities three times. He has written four books and produced a video on subjects dealing with dating and relationships.  

Throughout the program, Griffon Edge participants attended several information sessions on topics such as the library, the center for academic support, personal finances, public safety, recreation services, student services, and the center for multicultural education. They had the opportunity to check out co-curricular activities at a Welcome Fair, which featured over 50 displays of campus clubs and organizations.

On Aug. 25, Griffon Edge participants attended a “Traditions Night,” where they learned the fight song and the Alma Mater, followed by a tailgate party and the Griffons’ first football game of the season at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The last day, students participated in a day of service and the student convocation.

Dr. Shang noted that Griffon Edge gives students a chance to get to know each other and participate in community activities such as the football game.

Those enrolled in Griffon Edge also participated in a common reading program, now in its fourth year. Students were required to read an assigned book before arriving and share in discussions about it throughout the week. This year’s selection was “A Lesson Before Dying,” a story of death and identity in a small Cajun Louisiana community in the late 1940s. Western is among a handful of colleges and universities in the nation that have instituted common reading programs within the past few years. 

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Points of Pride

Excellence in our Faculty/Staff

• Peggy Ellis, director of noncredit programs and business and industry training, has been appointed to the Northwest Workforce Investment Board to represent higher education. During their five-year terms, appointees to this board help to ensure that tax dollars are used wisely, increasing the employability and self-sufficiency of residents, and supporting employers in maintaining a qualified and productive workforce.   

• Dr. Jeanne Daffron, acting vice president for academic and student affairs, presented “A Regional Approach to Solving the Nursing Shortage” through a poster presentation at the 16^th annual Nurse Educators Conference in Breckenridge, Colo.

• Dr. Steve Lorimor, associate professor of chemistry, performed chemistry demonstrations at the four St. Joseph public libraries as part of the summer reading program. Nearly 300 children and adults attended the demonstrations.

• Dr. Judy Grimes, dean of student services; Tay Triggs, minority achievement coordinator; Dave Brown, director of student development; Rosalie Guyer, advising and A+ coordinator; George Hammer, academic advisor and A+ specialist; and Linda Garlinger, director of career development; provided workshops throughout the summer “Destination Western” orientation days to both students and parents.

• Dr. Judy Grimes, dean of student services, presented a workshop, “Effective One-on-One Advising,” in Washington D.C. in conjunction with the Noel-Levitz National Conference on Recruitment, Marketing and Retention.

• Tay Triggs, minority achievement coordinator, and the minority achievement office, co-sponsored the 2005 Youth Futures College With Reach conference with the 4-H Youth Development of Missouri, University of Missouri-Columbia Extension, and Lincoln University Extension.

• Mike Ritter and Ellen Kisker, director of the nontraditional student center, attended the “Disability Awareness” seminar at East Hills Library.

• Ellen Kisker, director of the nontraditional student center, represented Western at the Platte County Health Department’s “Back to School” fair.

• Dr. Chris Shove, executive director of the Western Institute, conducted a geographic information systems vocational educational program for youthful offenders program in the Western Reception and Diagnostic Correctional Center.

• Tammie Dunlap, GED teacher for the Western Reception and Diagnostic Correctional Center, was awarded Teacher of the Year by the department of corrections.

• Peggy Ellis, director of noncredit programs and business and industry training, assisted four area companies in preparing funding proposals that resulted in over $70,000 in state training funds being allocated to offset corporate training costs for Nestle Purina, Lifeline Foods, Midwest Quality Glove and Gray Automotive Products.

• Rhonda Rund, director for the center of arts, culture and literacy education, distributed fall program information at the St. Joseph Public Schools Young Child Celebration. This annual family education fair draws several hundred families with young children who are interested in promoting healthy development and education for their young children.

• Dan Nicoson, vice president of institutional advancement, taught two fundraising courses this year, “Principles and Techniques of Fundraising and Planned Giving: Getting the Proper Start,” at the fundraising school at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

• Dr. Alicia de Gregorio, professor of Spanish, supervised a student in translating a resource guide for the department of nursing, that was funded in part by a grant from the March of Dimes.

• Dr. Evelyn Brooks, center director of the Western Institute for health and wellness, and the department of nursing at Western, received the March of Dimes 2005 Community Award in the amount of $480, to help fund the production of a resource guide for female adolescents in English and Spanish.

Excellence in our Programs

• The Western Institute research team conducted town meetings and research in Trimble, Mo., in collaboration with the University of Missouri Extension, University of Nebraska, and MO-KAN Council of Governments to develop a town plan.

• Western Conferences hosted the Continental Singers with 230 attending.

• Drumline Camp, with 58 enrolled, was held on campus.

• Over 60 Commerce Bank and St. Patrick’s School employees attended occupational Spanish courses offered through the Western Institute.

• The Center for Community Arts ended the summer with a total of 319 students enrolled in educational enrichment programs for arts and culture.

• The Western Institute is working with the department of corrections to develop a Youthful Offenders Program at the Chillicothe prison.

• Thirty students are beginning the 2+2+2 education program offered at the North Kansas City site this fall.

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• Join the Missouri Western State University Light the Night team benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The walk begins at Krug Park at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24. There will be a carnival beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, call Elisha Davis at 5646 or register online at www.lightthenight.org.

• With the upcoming name change, Western will be releasing some pages of our new website on Aug. 29. Keep watching for new pages!

• Matthew James will be the featured performer at the first Thursday downtown noontime concert. The concert begins at 12:10 p.m. Sept. 1 in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 7^th and Jules. The audience is invited to bring a sack lunch and beverages will be provided. The suggested donation is $3. 

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Monday, Aug. 29

• Classes Begin

• Drop Period

• Late Registration

• Griff "Fun" Fest, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Clock Tower

• Senate in the Sun, 5-8 p.m. Nelle Blum Union, north parking lot lawn

• Pool Party, 8-10 p.m. M.O. Looney Complex

Tuesday, Aug. 30

• Drop Period

• Late Registration

• Student Services Open House, 3-6 p.m. Fred Eder Hall, 209

• Residence Council Meeting, 7 p.m. Commons Building, 124A

• Skating Party, 8-10 p.m. BJ Skating Rink, St. Joseph

Wednesday, Aug. 31

• Drop Period

• Late Registration

• Academic Convocation, 11 a.m. classes are cancelled

• Non-trad Welcome, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Fred Eder Hall, 202

• Greek Life Info Session, 7 p.m. Leah Spratt Hall, 101

• Recycled Percussion, 8 p.m. M.O. Looney Complex

Thursday, Sept. 1

• Drop Period

• Late Registration

• Greek Tailgate, 4-7 p.m. Area by softball fields and Spratt Memorial Stadium

• Western Football: vs. Chadron State, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2

• Late Registration

• Last day to change from "Audit" to "Credit"

• Last day to drop with out entry on transcript

• Megaflix, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Commons Building, 124A

Saturday, Sept. 3

Sunday, Sept. 4

• Western Tennis: MIAA Fall Classic, St. Joseph, Mo.

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