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Week of Sept. 2-7, 2008 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: Nursing Students Ace Licensure Exam Western to Undergo Reaccreditation Visit Riley Featured in Noontime Concert Series 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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Nursing Students Ace Licensure Exam 100 Percent of May Graduates Pass Test All 46 students who received a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Western this May have passed their licensure exam and are now registered nurses. “There was a commitment on the part of the nursing faculty to prepare students well for this test,” said Dr. Kathleen Andrews, associate professor and chair of the department of nursing. “And the students were committed to doing the hard work necessary after they graduated to prepare for the exam.” The state and national averages for students passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is around 85 percent, Dr. Andrews said, and Western has historically been at or slightly above that average. But recent changes enabled the nursing department to get better results this year, including the addition of a class specifically designed to prepare students for the NCLEX. “The feedback on our NCLEX prep course has been very positive, and it’s something we are continuing,” said Dr. Andrews, who taught the course. One of her key messages is that students have to keep preparing for the exam even after they graduate, no matter how good their grades were. “I tell them that even Tiger Woods practices golf,” Dr. Andrews said. Western’s strong clinical education is another reason for the success of its graduates, Dr. Andrews said. She credits Western’s partnership with Heartland Regional Medical Center. “We’re very grateful for the financial support Heartland has provided our department, and the outstanding opportunities they’ve provided our students to learn their profession in clinical settings,” Dr. Andrews said |
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Western to Undergo Reaccreditation Visit Western will undergo a quality checkup site visit October 29-31, 2008, as part of its reaffirmation of accreditation through The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The University has been accredited by the Commission since 1919. Its accreditation is at the master’s degree level. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The Commission accredits approximately 1100 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Western engages in a continuous improvement process known as the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). An evaluation team will visit the institution to affirm the accuracy of Western’s online systems portfolio, an overview of the systems Western uses to accomplish its mission and objectives. The team will also review the university’s progress on its self-identified action projects. The team will report its findings to Western and to the AQIP Review Panel on Reaffirmation of Accreditation. The panel will forward the results of its review to the Institutional Actions Council, which will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for Western. The public is invited to submit comments regarding the university: Public Comment on Missouri Western State University The Higher Learning Commission 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL, 60602 Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Written, signed comments must be received by October 1, 2008. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after the due date will be considered. Comments should include name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Comments will not be treated as confidential. Note: Individuals with a specific dispute or grievance with an institution should request the separate Policy on Complaints document from the Commission office. The Higher Learning Commission cannot settle disputes between institutions and individuals. Complaints will not be considered third party comment. |
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Riley Featured in Noontime Concert Series Jason Riley, adjunct professor of guitar at Western, will be featured in the monthly First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert at 12:10 p.m. Sept. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St. Riley, a versatile guitarist, has professional experience in recording, composing, teaching and performing in diverse styles. He has produced and released three solo compact discs and has been featured extensively with groups such as Under the Influence and Soca Jukebox. He has won U.S. competitions and reader’s polls in both the rock and country genres and performed with numerous international artists, including television and syndicated radio appearances. Riley will be the first performer for the tenth season of the Noontime Concert Series. Jerry Anderson, retired associate professor of music at Western, is the coordinator of the series and part of the group that started it back in 1999. Anderson is also the director of music at First Presbyterian Church, which hosts the concerts. “We saw the need for a daytime recital program that would draw people to downtown St. Joseph,” Anderson said. “The 12:10 start time is convenient for workers on their lunch breaks, and for senior citizens who may not be comfortable being out at night.” The series has drawn well. The average attendance is around 125, Anderson said, with two performances drawing as many as 300 people. The series performers are chosen for their quality and the diversity of mediums, Anderson said, but all have something in common. “Our performers all have some connection to Missouri Western,” Anderson said. “They may be students, faculty members or alumni, but we have so many resources at Western that there’s really no need to look elsewhere for talent.” The audience is invited to bring lunch to eat while listening to the performance. Beverages will be provided. There will be an opportunity to meet the musician after the concert. A minimum donation of $3 per person is suggested in order to meet the expenses and provide continuation of the series. For further information contact the church office at 816-232-3358, the music department at 4420, or Anderson at 816-262-0800 or at jla4001@mac.com. |
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Football
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Volleyball
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Athletic Facility Improvements Western’s planned improvements to athletic facilities took another step forward last week, when the Board of Governors selected Ellison-Auxier Architects, Inc., to design and provide construction oversight for the projects. The selection was based on the recommendation of a committee that interviewed five architectural firms. The committee cited Ellison-Auxier's experience with similar projects and the firm's record of controlling costs and meeting schedules on projects for Western and other clients. The Board of Governors has authorized the sale of bonds to generate $5.6 million for planned improvements to Spratt Stadium, the construction of a spring sports complex on campus and the addition of the "Griff Zone," a sports-themed student recreation area in the M.O. Looney Complex. String Players Needed Do you play violin, viola, cello, or string bass? The Western Orchestra has a place for you. The orchestra rehearses Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. You do NOT need to be enrolled in this or any other music class to participate. For more information, contact John Bell, orchestra director, at jbell10@missouriwestern.edu or call/see Carol Criss in the music department office in Potter Hall, ext. 4420. Touch the Turf Two In anticipation of the home opener, fans can get a sneak peak at the 1-0 Griffon football team as they host "Touch the Turf Two" from 4-6 p.m. Sept. 3 at Spratt Stadium. Fans will be treated to a free open practice, free hot dogs and refreshments and can meet their favorite Griffon players on the field at the conclusion of practice. All fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win tickets to the home opener as well as other Griffon prizes as well. Parking for the event is located in Lot H in front of the Baker Fitness Center. Sorority Recruitment Come check out Sorority Recruitment Week Sept. 2-7. If interested stop by Info Night at 7 p.m. in Blum Union. Open houses for each sorority will be Sept. 3-5 from 6-9 p.m. Preference Day is Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. and bids will be passed out Sept. 7 beginning at 10 a.m. For more information or to sign up for recruitment, stop by the center for student engagement in Blum 207. Ujima Unity Fair Several multicultural and ethnic student organizations at Western have partnered with the center for multicultural education to sponsor an engagement fair targeting students of color. The Ujima Unity Fair will be from 2-6 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Blum Union Courtyard. The fair will feature a membership drive by these organizations, on-stage entertainment by Western students, as well as information tables from ethnic businesses and persons of color from the St. Joseph community. There will also be an encouraging word offered by Dr. Vartabedian. SGA Week Stop by all the events that the Student Government Association has planned for Sep. 8-11. Sept. 8 is the SGA Meet and Greek from 5-6 p.m. in Blum Union Lobby. Also, from 5-8 p.m. will be big screen Guitar Hero in the lobby. Sept. 9 from 5:30-7 p.m. is Make Your Own Sundae outside of the Commons Building. Starting at 7 p.m. that night is the weekly Residence Council meeting. Sept. 10 is the Western Activities Council meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Junior College Room. Sept. 11 is Live Band Karaoke from 4-7 p.m. in Blum Union lobby. Also, the Guitar Hero finals will 6-8 p.m., and at 9:11 p.m. RC will present "Remember 9/11" in the Commons Building. Sept. 12 from 4:30-9 p.m. will be a BBQ and Pool Party in Looney Complex. Come join the fun all week long. Contact Harold Callaway at 4410 for more information. G.A.M.E On Griffs! Faculty members from the HPER department and Nursing department are collaborating this fall to offer a 12-week program designed to improve the health, nutrition and wellness of youths (ages 8-13) and teach them how to tailor physical activity into their lives. They are currently seeking 30 parent/child teams to participate in a free 12-week program. The G.A.M.E. (Goal Achievement through Mentoring and Exercise) On Griffs! program features a kickoff event Sept. 13 and runs through Dec. 6. Each week the teams will meet at Western to participate in fun, physical fitness activities. Activities include:
All teams that complete the 12-week program will be eligible for a prize-drawing that includes a Nintendo® Wii™ and more. For an application or more information, contact Bill Russell at 4492, wrussell or Stephanie Corder at 4407, corder. Light the Night Walk The eighth annual Light The Night Walk in St. Joseph will be held Sept. 27 at Hyde Park. More than 850 participants are expected to raise $75,000. The two-mile evening stroll is designed to be a community-wide event for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Participants raising $25 or more carry illuminated red balloons during the walk. Cancer survivors carry illuminated white balloons, and those walking in memory of a loved one lost to cancer carry gold illuminated balloons. All attendees will be treated to a fun, carnival-like atmosphere complete with food and entertainment. Last year Western raised $2,653.86 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Right now 65 freshman are signed up to walk with Western, as well as several student organizations. If you would like to join the students of Western for this event, please contact Natalie Bailey at Natalie.Bailey@lls.org or 816-279-5704. To learn more about Light The Night, please visit www.LightTheNight.org/mid. Pool Party All nontraditional students are welcome to join in the fun for the first annual Nontraditional (Family Night) Pool Party Sept. 26 from 4:30-6 p.m. There will be swimming, games, music, snacks and lots of fun. Contact Ellen Smithers in the Nontraditional Student Lounge or call 4247 by Sept. 23 to RSVP. Intramural Football The entry deadline for Intramural flag football and Powder Puff for the ladies is Sept. 9. Make sure team rosters are turned in by this date. The play date is Sept. 15. If you don't have a team to play on, come by Looney Complex 149 and sign up. Get a team together and come join the fun. Student Organization Orientation The annual Student Organization Orientation and Registration process will be held in September this semester. Please plan to attend one of the following events: Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m.; Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 22 at 9 a.m.; Sept. 23 at 9 a.m.; Sept. 23 at 5 p.m.; Sept. 24 at 9 a.m.; Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.; Sept. 25 at 11 a.m.; or Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. A student representative of every organization must also attend. All events are held in the center for student engagement. For questions, contact the CSE at 4159. Alpha Kappa Psi's Rush Week Fall Rush Week for Alpha Kappa Psi is Sept. 3-11. Those interested must attend at least three events to rush. Following are the dates, events, and times: Sept. 3 - Informational Night at 8 p.m. Sept. 4 - Party in Vaselakos Basement at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 - Informational Night with Alumni at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 9 - Community Service (Highway Cleanup) at 6 p.m. (Meet in Blum parking lot at 5:30 p.m. for carpool) Sept. 10th - Resumé Workshop with Beverly Payne at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 - Mandatory Game Night in Vaselakos Basement at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 - Mandatory Carpool for pledges (Meet outside Blum Union parking lot at 5:30 p.m.) All events will take place in Spratt Hall 214 unless otherwise noted. For questions, email Ashley Schrader at aschrader@missouriwestern.edu or Jessica Hills at jhills@missouriwestern.edu. Achieving Greatness Premiere Sept 16 will be an opening night gala at the Missouri Theater as Western’s Capital Campaign, Achieving Greatness, makes its public premiere. Country singer Deana Carter will provide the evening’s entertainment. Watch for a formal invitation coming soon. Convocation on Critical Issues The 16th annual Convocation on Critical Issues for the first time features two speakers: the bipartisan husband-and-wife team of Mary Matalin and James Carville. In “All’s Fair: Love, War and Politics,” Matalin and Carville will provide an enlightening and entertaining look at today’s most important political issues, just five weeks before the presidential election. The Convocation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in the Looney Complex, and is free and open to the public. Tickets are also available for the annual Convocation Dinner on Sept. 29. See /convocation for details. |
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Tuesday, September 2
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Thursday, September 4
Friday, September 5
Saturday, September 6
Sunday, September 7
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