Week of September 5

Week of September 5 - 11, 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, 271-4200

Click any link for these stories:

Dr. Karen Fulton Named Director of Study Away Program

Western Enjoys "Welcome Week"

VIP Student Ambassadors Selected

Lost & Found: If you have lost any items, please come to Blum Union, Room 228 to claim them. You may be required to describe the item.

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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

Fulton
	Dr. Karen Fulton, professor of English, has been named director of Western's new Study Away Program. Among her plans for the program is to set up a Study Away office on campus.

Dr. Karen Fulton Named Director of Study Away Program

Western has created a Study Away office, and Dr. Karen Fulton, professor of English, has been named its first director.

“I’ve been at Western for 20 years and I’ve seen what study abroad can do for students,” said Dr. Fulton, “I want to give something back and make the opportunity to study away available for more people.”

Dr. Fulton’s short-term goals for the year include putting together an advisory committee, updating the student handbook, and setting up a study abroad office on campus. She hopes to explore more semester-long study abroad options for Western students.

She hopes to enroll Western in the College Consortium for International Study (CCIS), and the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). CCIS would allow students to travel to almost any country, while ISEP would allow a Western student to go to a foreign country to study in exchange for a student from that country coming to Western to study.

Dr. Fulton’s goal is to offer a variety of study abroad options to suit a large variety of students. Some programs allow students to study in the heart of Europe, housed with people from all over the world, many of whom don’t speak English. Other programs allow students to be housed with people and professors from the United States.

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Griff "Fun" Fest

The Griff "Fun" Fest allowed students the opportunity to see services and products from area businesses. There was also an artist on hand drawing pictures for those who wanted them.

Western Enjoys "Welcome Week"

The first week of classes is always a busy time. New and returning students have to figure out their schedules, meet new professors, and try not to become overwhelmed with the amount of coursework laid out on each syllabus. Students can learn more about what campus offers during Welcome Week. Welcome Week is sponsored by the student government association (SGA).

Among the activities that students enjoyed this year was the Griff “Fun” Fest. The “Fun” Fest allowed students the opportunity to see services and products from area businesses. They were able to visit tables set out by the clock tower to find out what resources are available in the community.

Students were also invited to attend a pool party in the M.O. Looney Complex, a skating party at BJ Skating Rink, and reenact some of their favorite game shows during game show night.

On Aug. 31, a formal convocation was held to honor the recognition of Western as a university. Past presidents Marvin Looney and Janet Gorman (Murphy) McCarthy were among those honored. The convocation also included the unveiling of the new university seal. It marked the beginning of new traditions for the university, including the use of new ceremonial accessories.

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Student regent Bob Hughs was among the speakers at the formal academic convocation held Aug. 31. The convocation was a celebration of Western's history as well as university designation. Other speakers included: Dr. James Scanlon, president; Dr. Marvin Looney, president emeritus, and Dr. Janet Gorman (Murphy) McCarthy, president emerita. Performances were given by Cara Humphrey and the Western Symphonic Winds.

VIP Student Ambassadors Selected

Missouri Western State University recently announced students selected as Western VIP Student Ambassadors for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The following students were selected: Tara Duckworth, sophomore government and public affairs major from St Joseph, Mo.; Jennifer Foster, junior marketing major from Hale, Mo.; Jenna Gilpatrick, sophomore social work major from Eagleville, Mo.; Mallory Hall, sophomore business major from Kansas City, Mo.; Tierha Jones, senior speech communications major from St. Louis, Mo.; Alie Koile, sophomore legal assistant major from Smithville, Mo.; Seth Logston, junior legal assistant from Jefferson City, Mo.; Becky Monnig, junior psychology major from Glasgow, Mo.; Trevor Parker, senior physical education major from Milan, Mo.; and Katy Schwartz, sophomore criminal justice major from Independence, Mo.

Returning students are: Michelle Delaney, junior music and social work major from Stewartsville, Mo.; Rachel Donnell, sophomore physical education major from Liberty, Mo.; Andy Ewing, senior criminal justice major from Belton, Mo.; Tia Frahm, senior elementary education major from Pawnee City, Neb.; Brittney Kelley, junior nursing major from Kansas City, Mo.; Scott Landers, junior nursing major from St. Joseph, Mo.; Kylie Lowe, senior elementary education major from Odessa, Mo.; Mallory Paines, junior elementary education major from Kansas City, Mo.; Tanisha Washington, junior speech communications major from Paris, Mo., and Erin Wilson, senior psychology major from Overland Park, Kan.

The VIPs volunteer at least three hours a week by assisting the Admissions Office with campus tours and preparing for college visit days. In addition, the VIPs attend college fairs, visit high schools with counselors, help with telemarketing strategies and serve as ambassadors during large community events sponsored by the university.

To be a VIP, a student must maintain a 2.5 grade point average and must be an outstanding student in the campus community. In addition, the student must possess good written and oral communication skills and have a willingness to promote Missouri Western State University with a positive image.

For more information, contact Howard McCauley, Director of Admissions, at 816.271.4266.

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Pig Skin Picks start the weekend of Sept. 10-11. If you would like to try and win a new intramural tee shirt play Pig Skin Picks. To play, go to the MWSU homepage, click on departments, then click on recreation services. From there click on intramurals, then click on Pig Skin Picks. There are two versions. A print version that you can print out and bring into the office or a computer generated version. Click on the computer version to fill out and submit. If you have any questions, call Wonda at 4247.
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.
The ladies of Phi Mu will be working with the local Red Cross to collect monetary donations for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. There will be a table set up in the Blum Union during dinner hours starting Sept. 1-9. If you are unable to make it to the Blum Union during dinner hours but would still like to donate please contact Heather at hmh4449@missouriwestern.edu.

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Two console color televisions - $50 each, good condition. Contact Gladys at 271-4364.
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