|
Week of September 18 - 24, 2009 Welcome to the Tower Topics E-newsletter for faculty, staff and students at Western. |
|||||||
|
Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, 816-271- 4200 |
|||||||
|
Click any link for these stories: Sculpture Unveiling Kicks Off Outdoor Campus Project Western Receives Student Poll Worker Grant 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:
|
|
||||||
|
Sculpture Unveiling Kicks Off Outdoor Campus Effort A new outdoor sculpture in front of Potter Hall by Jim Estes, professor of art, bears an appropriate name. The unveiling of "In the Beginning" on Sept. 16 marked the formal beginning of an initiative known as the outdoor campus project. "We're hoping to do more things like this, add more things of beauty," said President Vartabedian during the ceremony. "I've said many times that our students, faculty and staff deserve an aesthetically pleasing campus. With more than 700 acres, the possibilities are limitless." In addition to pieces of art like the Estes sculpture, the outdoor campus project may include things like new signs, the planting of more evergreens on campus, building accents and possibly an amphitheater, said Dan Nicoson, vice president for university advancement. "This is a wonderful new venture that will make the campus more exciting," Estes said in his remarks during the unveiling. He said he hoped his new sculpture would accomplish three things: "First, I hope people enjoy the aesthetics of it, appreciating the shapes, forms, textures and colors and enjoying it the way they would enjoy a sunset. Second, I hope it makes people think. That's what we're about at Western: making people think. Thirdly, I hope people who see this sculpture see this as a progressive, forward-thinking university." Estes said the name "In the Beginning" refers to the big bang theory, the idea that the universe was created in an instant. "Out of this explosion, this disorder, came order. Out of chaos, life was made possible," he said. The sculpture represents "that beautiful act where order overcame disorder." Karen Graves, a community volunteer who's serving on the outdoor campus project, praised the sculpture. "This is just the beginning of what's going to make this campus special and unique," Graves said. "Campus beauty really does matter; art really does matter in our lives." "In the Beginning" is the fourth large sculpture Estes has created for Western. The first two, "Beyond 2010" and "Passages," are welded steel sculptures that sit east of Potter Hall. The third, "Galileo's Vision," which like "In the Beginning" is stainless steel, will be placed inside Remington Hall after the new science and math building is completed this December. |
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
Western Receives Student Poll Worker Grant Western has received a $74,807 grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to help recruit and train college students to serve as poll workers in the 2009 and 2010 elections. Western's project was one of just 13 awarded by the EAC nationwide. The commission sifted through 71 applications with requests totaling more than five times the funding available. "The grant will allow us to expand on work we're already doing," said David Tushaus, assistant professor and chair of the department of criminal justice and legal studies. "With this grant, we'll be able to place more students in more polls across the region and develop a curriculum that other universities across the state will be able to use in their areas." The program has three main goals, Tushaus said. "Students will get an education about the law and elections in our country and others; they'll have the opportunity to take what they learn and apply it in an actual election process; and we'll provide much-needed workers in polls across Missouri." Western has provided a total of about 100 students to serve as poll workers in primary and general elections in Buchanan County since 2006, Tushaus said. Many of the students were participants in an honors colloquium that taught not only the mechanics of how to conduct an election but also the history and laws behind those mechanics, he said. Their assistance has been much appreciated by Pat Conway '73, Buchanan County Clerk. "The strength of the program is the ability to train university students in the technological aspects of conducting an election, and their willingness to use laptops and other technology to expedite the election process," Conway said. "The university program was a key in the 2008 presidential election to keep the flow of voters at the precincts moving and allow those people with registration problems to solve them at the voting location rather than having to communicate with our office." Conway supported Western's application to the EAC, as did county clerks from three other nearby counties, Tushaus said. The grant will allow Western to provide poll workers to neighboring counties. "It is an awesome achievement to go through the process and be awarded such a large grant with the competition of other institutions," Conway said. "David and his staff are to be complimented. I talked with some people from the EAC and they were very complimentary." |
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
The Center for Student Engagement (CSE) and the Student Government Association will host family weekend Sept. 18–20, 2009. This special weekend is to honor the families; all moms, dads, guardians, spouses, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends of students are invited to a full weekend of fun, sun, interaction and football. The weekend starts 8 p.m. Sept. 18 with the Western Activities Council’s Talent Show featuring Western’s finest. Reece Waters, professional comedian, will emcee for this annual favorite student activity. The Student Organization Carnival will take place 1 – 4 p.m. Sept. 19 near the Glenn E. Marion Memorial Clock Tower. Many of Western’s student organizations will have booths with games, food, bounce attractions, a caricature artist and a dunking tank. Western Dining will host a tailgate party featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet 4 – 5:30 p.m. Adults are $7, children 12 and under are $3.50 and Western students with meal plans are free with their student ID card. There will be two home athletic contests on Sept. 19. The soccer team hosts the Wasburn Lady Blues at 1 p.m., and the football team entertains the Washburn Ichabods at 6 p.m. Both games are at Spratt Stadium. It’s “Blackout Saturday,” so all fans are encouraged to wear black. The Falcon Skydiving Team will deliver the game ball prior to the football game. Families are encouraged to participate in the “Max Experience,” which offers free admission into Western sporting events. You can have your student sign up at www.gogriffons.com and click on the Max Experience link. To finish up the weekend Sept. 20, join the Kansas City Alumni chapter of the Missouri Western Alumni Association for the first Kansas City Chiefs home game. Tickets are $69 per person for pre-game tailgate and game. For more details and registration go to www.griffonalumni.org. If you have any questions about any of the family weekend activities, please contact the CSE 271-4159 or engagement@missouriwestern.edu. |
|||||||
|
Football The Griffons improved to 3-0 with a 58-31 road victory over Fort Hays State to open MIAA play. The Griffons took control in the third quarter when safety Nate Bruto intercepted a Hays pass in the end zone and returned it a school-record 100 yards for a touchdown. Western moved into the national polls for the first time this year, debuting at No. 24 in the D2Football.com Top 25. They'll entertain another nationally ranked opponent Sept. 19, when Washburn visits Spratt Stadium. The Ichabods are ranked No. 25 in the D2Football.com poll, and No. 22 in the AFCA poll. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Soccer The Griffon soccer squad fell in their home opener to Emporia State Sept. 17 by a score of 1-0. Western fell to 2-5 overall, and 0-3 in the MIAA. They'll host Washburn at 1 p.m. Sept. 19, and will end the three-game home stand on Sept. 24 when they host Northwest Missouri State at 7 p.m. Volleyball Western volleyball opened MIAA play at home with a hard-fought, 3-2 loss to Fort Hays State. Kelli Sicner led the Griffons with a career-high 21 kills and nine digs in the match. The Griffons fell to 7-6 overall and 0-1 in the MIAA. They'll visit No. 3 Emporia State Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., and Washburn at 2 p.m. Sept. 19. Women's Golf The women's golf team finished tied for 7th in the Drury Fall Shootout Sept. 14 and 15 with a two-round total of 657 (336-321). Southern Indiana won the tournament with a 611 (310-301). The Griffons were led by Kristen Cooley, whose 162 earned her a tie for 21st place. Western will travel to Lake Elmo, Minn., Sept. 20 and 21 for the Concordia-St. Paul Wildwood Lodge Invite. Men's Golf Western finished fifth in the Bulldog Classic at the Kirksville Country Club in Kirksville, Mo., Sept. 14 and 15. The Griffons shot 599 (295-304), 30 strokes off the pace set by winner Central Missouri. Individually, Caleb Carter was tied for 13th with a four-over 146. Western goes to Broken Arrow, Okla., for the Northeastern State Invitational Sept. 21 and 22. |
|||||||
|
Staff Association 'Pay It Forward' Award The Special Events Committee of the Staff Association has created a recognition program called Western Pay it Forward Award for staff. The Western Pay it Forward Award is a way to recognize individuals who are doing nice things for others or making a contribution to the university. The goal is to build relationships with others and recognize them at the same time! The Western Pay it Forward nomination must be submitted during the month the individual was seen helping/assisting our campus community. A few examples would be: picking up a piece of trash, helping another colleague with a project or task, going out of their way to help a student, or anything above and beyond the call of duty. To recognize a staff member, go to the Staff Association Webpage and click the tab for Western Pay it Forward Award. The direct link is www.missouriwestern.edu/StaffAssn/payitforward.asp. Red Friday Rally Hy-Vee is holding a Red Friday Rally from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18 next to the store, in the parking lot of the Heartland Business Plaza, 137 N. Belt Highway, ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs first home game of the 2009 season. The pep rally will feature mascot KC Wolf, Chiefs Cheerleaders, food and drink, live music and many giveaways. The Non Trad Family Pool Party is 4:30 - 6 p.m. on Sept. 18. If you are a non trad with or without children please come and enjoy the swimming party. Foreign Film Series The department of English, foreign languages, and journalism will be hosting a foreign film series beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in Hearnes 102. The Germany film "Goodbye Lenin" will be presented by Leslie Gustafson, instructor of German. Furture films will be shown on Sept. 25, Oct. 1, Oct. 9, Oct. 21, Oct. 29, Nov. 4 and Nov. 20. 2009 Homecoming Judges The Homecoming Committee is seeking judges for this year’s events. There will be a meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 in Blum 223. Events include: For more information, contact Megan Glenn at <lmg7453> or 816-294-2170. Film Showing - "Home" The Alliance Francaise de Saint Joseph will be showing the film "Home" at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23. A plant exchange will take place before the film at 6 p.m. in front of the Library. Gardeners are invited to bring perennials to exchange. This event is free and open to the public. The Organization of Student Social Workers Bake Sale - Sept. 25, 2009 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Popplewell Hall and Murphy Hall. All money raised helps our organization get involved into the community. Free MAX Experience Student Bus Trip is set for Sat. Sept. 26 as Griffon football travels to Pittsburg State University for a 2 p.m. kick off. The bus will depart from the north steps of Blum Union at 10 a.m. and will return to campus immediately following the game. Game ticket and a tailgate lunch are also included in the trip. To sign up, log on to www.gogriffons.com and click on the MAX Experience link a the top of the page. Space is limited to the first 33 students to sign up. Sign up deadline is 12 p.m. Fri. Sept. 25. For more information contact the athletics department (4481). Get Involved Interested in getting involved in a growing group of intelligent people trying to make a difference by improving themselves and serving others? Multicultural Institute is a multicultural leadership program designed to engage students in diversity activities, teambuilding, personal dialogue, service and cultural exploration. If you are interested in being part of this experience stop by the Center for Multicultural Education in Blum 210 for more information. United Way A message from the MWSU United Way Campaign Committee: Western's 2009 United Way Campaign has begun, with a goal of raising $40,000. The money we raise will be allocated across 18 service agencies that service the greater St. Joseph area with a focus on the fundamentals of education, financial stability and health. If you are not familiar with what the United Way does for our area, I encourage you to visit www.missouriwestern.edu/unitedway to learn more. I think you'll be surprised by how far they stretch their limited dollars to maximize their impact. Our students have led the way by raising nearly $1,700 in a two-day period during the Griffon Edge program. Soon, you will be receiving your pledge card for the 2009 campaign and I hope you'll make the decision to "Live United" and give what you can. Even a nominal amount can go a long way and with the payroll deduction option, you can spread out your donation over the entire year. Partners in Prevention
The state-wide coalition Partners in Prevention, of which Missouri Western
was a founding member, has expanded by six additional schools. It was
recently announced that a grant was received from the U.S. Department of
Education which would provide additional resources for the current 13
schools, plus expand the coalition to include Westminister College,
Evangel University, Drury University, Central Bible College, St. Louis
University, and Rockhurst College. Partners in Prevention focuses on
preventing high-risk drinking and other unhealthy behaviors among
Missouri's college students through education and programming. |
|||||||
|
Friday, September 18
Saturday, September 19
Sunday, September 20
Monday, September 21
Tuesday, September 22
Wednesday, September 23
Thursday, September 24
Friday, September 25
Saturday, September 26
|
|||||||
|
Excellence in Our Faculty and Staff · Dr. Brian Cronk, professor of psychology, has been appointed to the position of interim graduate dean. Dr. Cronk will assume responsibility for graduate studies as a half-time reassignment. · Dr. Jimm MacGregor, assistant professor of history, has been appointed to the position of study away director. Dr. MacGregor will assume responsibilities for the direction of study away as a part-time reassignment. · Joanne Katz, professor of legal studies, has been elected to serve on the Executive Council for the American Criminal Justice Society Section on Restorative and Community Justice. · Jamie Sickels has been promoted to assistant director of admissions – operations. · Paula Jessen has been promoted to admission coordinator. · Sean O’Reilly has been named the acting director of housing and Bobbie Delaney was named the acting assistant director of housing. Dr. Judy Grimes, dean of student affairs, will continue to oversee all areas of student affairs and will be the Student Government Association advisor. · Dr. faye smith, professor of business, co-authored the lead article in the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. The article is titled “Distrust in Leaders: Dimensions, Patterns, and Emotional Intensity.” · Teresa Harris, assistant professor of art, had a mixed-media piece titled “Upon Opening” accepted into 2009 National Juried Exhibition held at the ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, Calif. There were over 900 entries and 76 pieces were selected. The jurors were Suzanne Tan, Executive Director of the Berkeley Art Center and John Toki, a respected studio artist and professor at the California College of the Arts in Oakland. · Teresa Harris, assistant professor of art, had a mixed-media piece titled “Amiot” accepted into Alchemy: Artfully Reclaimed IV, a national juried art exhibition to be held at MOCA, the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art in Navato, Calif. The juror was Ruth Braunstein, the founder and owner of the renowned Braunstein/Qualy Gallery, in San Francisco. The gallery’s reputation is based on discovering and promoting artistic talent along with providing quality art for private, corporate and museum collections. · Dr. Patricia Donaher, associate professor of English, and Dr. James M. Okapal, assistant professor of philosophy, published an article, “Causation, Prophetic Visions, and the Free Will Question in Harry Potter” in Reading Harry Potter Again: New Critical Essays, edited by Giselle Liza Anatol. · Dr. Susie Hennessy, professor of French, contributed a chapter in the book Aimer et Mourir: Love, Death, and Women's Lives in Texts of French Expression, by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. · Dr. Cindy Heider, associate provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, attended the National Benchmarking Conference at Johnson County Community College. This conference highlighted initiatives, programs and processes that assist higher education institutions in identifying peer institutions and benchmark best practices. · Dr. Cindy Heider, associate provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, and Dr. Susan Claflin, assistant professor of education, attended the Statewide P-20 Council meeting on “Articulation at a Crossroads: Preparing Early Childhood and Youth Work Professionals” in the Greater Kansas City Area. Western is partnering with Metropolitan Community College to provide early childhood degree options. · Dr. Cindy Heider, associate provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, attended the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner’s Conference to support the development of the Western Regional Professional Development Center on campus. · Carol Roever, intermin dean of the Stven L. Craig School of Business, gave a presentation about the Steven L. Craig School of Business at the June meeting of the St. Joseph chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. · Dr. faye smith, professor of business, presented her paper titled “Tidy Lives: A Portfolio of Values and Investments” at the Oxford Round Table 20th Anniversary. · Dr. Ben Caldwell, professor of chemistry; Dr. Todd Eckdahl, professor of biology; and Dr. Jon Rhoad, assistant professor of chemistry; attended a workshop sponsored by the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Center for Biomolecular Modeling on “Proteins in Active Learning Modules.” The workshop focused on using physical models to help reinforce basic principles of biological and chemical systems. · Dr. Steve Lorimor, associate professor of chemistry, presented a series of chemistry demonstrations to more than 400 children and adults at the four St. Joseph Public Libraries as part of the “Get Creative Summer Reading” program. · Dr. Mike Cadden, professor of English, presented “The Verse Novel: Best or Worst of Both Worlds?” at the International Children’s Literature Association Conference, Charlotte, N.C. · Dr. Jason Youngkeit, assistant professor of Spanish, presented “Attention SURPLUS Disorder: Innovative Uses of Multi-media in the Foreign Language Classroom” at the Missouri Modern Languages and Modern Technologies conference at the University of Missouri-Columbia. · Dr. Cynthia Jenéy, associate professor of English, presented “Attack of the Killer Blackberries: Cultural Attitudes toward Information and Communication Technologies in the College Classroom” at the national Computers and Writing Conference at the University of California-Davis. · Dr. Elizabeth Latosi-Sawin, professor of English, made a presentation at the national meeting of the American Democracy Project in Baltimore titled “Energy and Life: Being Good Stewards of the Land.” · Tom Pankiewicz, assistant professor of English, helped facilitate the National Writing Project’s Directors Retreat, held in Tubac, Ariz. Two-member teams from 18 National Writing Project sites attended the retreat. Pankiewicz has concluded his first year of a three-year term on the Directors Retreat Leadership team. · Dr. Susie Hennessy, professor of French, attended the convention of the American Association of Teachers of French in San Jose, Calif. Dr. Hennessy delivered a presentation titled “L’emploi de la Simulation Globale afin d’améliorer les compétences écrites.” · Dr. Mark Mikkelsen, professor of philosophy, presented “Dickie, Stecker, and Kant on ‘Aesthetics’ and ‘Philosophy of Art,’” at the annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Society for Aesthetics in Santa Fe, Ariz. · Dr. Phil Wann, professor of psychology, presented two papers at the International Conference on the Teaching of Psychology held in Vancouver, British Columbia. The presentations were titled “Research and Service-Learning Assignments for the Physiological Psychology Course” and “Development and Assessment of Applied Learning Capstone Courses in the Psychology Major.” · Dr. Kaye Adkins, associate professor of English, and Dr. Mike Cadden, professor of English, attended the Association of Departments of English Summer Seminar West in Las Vegas. Dr. Adkins attended workshops and sessions for Directors of Graduate Study; Dr. Cadden attended sessions for department chairs. · Tom Pankiewicz, assistant professor of English; Dr. Jane Frick, professor of English and Prairie Land Writing Project site director; and Christie Leigan, of the St. Joseph School District; directed the 2009 Prairie Lands Invitational Summer Institute on Western’s campus. This summer’s institute included 16 area public school teachers, representing grades two through 12. · Mary Lee Meyer, technology liaison for Prairie Lands, and Dr. Jane Frick, professor of English and Prairie Lands’ site director, worked on updating and adding to Prairie Lands’ TechKnowFiles at the National Writing Project’s Technology Liaisons Network Resource Development Retreat in Tahoe City, Calif. · Dr. Carolyn Brose, associate professor of nursing, presented “The Context of Competency” at the 20th Annual National Nurse Staff Development Organization convention in Philadelphia. · Dr. Nannette Wolford, professor of physical education, presented an Early Childhood Movement lecture to the Youth Alliance of St. Joseph. Dr. Wolford also conducted a Fitnessgram Assessment workshop in Little Rock, Ark. · Dr. Kathleen O’Connor-Andrews, associate professor of nursing and department chair, attended the Camp Warrior Forge in Fort Lewis, Wash. Dr. O’Connor-Andrews observed and participated in leadership development, an assessment course for ROTC nurse cadets entering their senior year of nursing. · Dr. Evelyn Brooks, professor of nursing, was selected to participate in the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor Training by the State of Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Office of Transformation in partnership with the Department of Higher Education. Dr. Brooks successfully completed the MHFA five-day training and will be certified for three years. The training was partially funded through Missouri Department of Health and Circle of Hope. · Dr. Steve Estes, dean of professional studies, and LTC Marcus Majure, instructor of military science, conducted the Leadership Symposium for the United States Army ROTC Educator Visit at Ft. Knox, Ky. Dr. Estes also presented “A Framework for Applied Leadership Training,” a white paper on undergraduate applied leader training programs, and will continue to work with US Army Cadet Command and the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. on the development of leader training programs on college campuses throughout the United States. · Admissions staff attended the ACT Enrollment Planners Conference. This conference covered the latest topics on Enrollment Management and Innovative Market and Retention Ideas. · Dr. Judy Grimes, dean of student affairs, made an invited presentation at the Noel-Levitz conference on recruitment, marketing and retention. Dr. Grimes also presented for the new faculty orientation, the faculty senate professional development day, spoke at the resident assistant training banquet and the new student convocation. · Sean O’Reilly, acting director of housing, has taken the lead on the implementation of a new software program to track discipline issues on campus as well as providing a better mechanism for early interventions for students. Also working on this program are Kathy Kelly, administrative coordinator for student development; Elaine Bryant, academic achievement coordinator and intervention specialist; and Teresa Crist, administrative coordinator of student services. · Elaine Bryant, academic achievement coordinator and intervention specialist; and Rosalie Guyer, academic advisor and A+ program coordinator; attended the national academic advising workshop to develop online advising and resource tools for students, parents, and advisors and identified process outcomes and student learning outcomes. Guyer and George Hammer, academic advisor and A+ specialist, worked with all incoming A+ students throughout the summer. Bryant developed a schedule for a new “Brown Bag Advising Series” for the 2009-2010 year plan and promoted this series during Faculty Plan Day presentations. · Linda Garlinger, career services director, and Matthew Gregg, student employment coordinator, made the following presentations to students seeking on- and off-campus employment for Fall of 2009: Skills USA Bartle Hall; Rotary and Kiwanis about Hire A Griffon; Chrysler Financial-Resume Review for Employees; workshop on Career Development to School at Work-Heartland Health; seminar to employees of UCP on A Career Development Plan; and supervisor training sessions for western student worker supervisors. · Western’s Summer Research Symposium (SRI) was held in Spratt Atrium. Sam Crowley, Ph.D. and associate director of pharmaceutical research and development group at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, spoke to the audience on Perspectives on the Development of Pharmaceutical Products. Dr. Cindy Heider, associate provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, led the SRI program. Eight research teams, each led by a Western faculty member, highlighted their research findings for the audience. Research topics and lead faculty included the following:
Excellence in Our Programs · More than 900 students enrolled for the Griffon Edge New Student Orientation Program. · Western partnered with the St. Joseph School District and United Way of Greater St. Joseph to submit a College Access Challenge Grant to the Missouri Department of Higher Education. Dr. Cindy Heider, associate provost and vice president for academic and student affairs; Howard McCauley, director of admissions; Mike West, instructor of business; and Angela Beam, acting director of financial aid; comprised the Western team. In addition, Dave Tushaus, associate professor of legal studies and department chair; along with Joanne Katz, professor of legal studies; and Suzanne Kissock, assistant professor of criminal justice; submitted a grant to the 2009 HAVA College Poll Worker Program. · The art department featured ceramic artist, Rob Weidmaier, as an artist-in residence during the summer 2009 session. Weidmaier, an alumnus of Western, has been a professional ceramist for more than 30 years. · In 2009, 21 Western graduates applied to health profession schools. Nineteen of these applicants were accepted. The 2008-2009 applicant class was the largest in Western’s history. In the past five years, 49 of 58 Western students have been accepted into health profession schools. · Five Prairie Land Writing Project Teacher Consultants finished course work and received their Graduate Certificates in the Teaching of Writing this summer: Ruth Lovejoy, Cameron Middle School teacher; Tia Frahm, Spring Garden Middle School teacher; Joyce Clark, Emporia State University adjunct education professor; Cayetana Maristela, Kansas City Center ELL teacher; and Jen Vermillion, Lathrop High School teacher. Also, Jill Steinmetz, Maryville High School teacher, completed course work this summer and was the first recipient of Western’s MAS in Assessment Writing Option degree. · More than 115 elementary and middle school students attended Prairie Lands Writing Project’s “Writer’s Under Construction” elementary and “Cyberwriters: Publishing Our Generation” middle school writing camps for four weeks at Western. The annual writing camps are supported through a partnership agreement with the St. Joseph School District. Prairie Lands’ Teacher Consultants directing and/or facilitating the camps included Christie Leigan, St Joseph School instructional coach; Shannon Harris, Ann Dotson, and Betty Stacey, St. Joseph Skaith teachers; Jerri Fischer, St Joseph Lindbergh teacher; Tia Frahm, St. Joseph Spring Garden teacher; Stacia Studer, St. Joseph instructional coach; Jill Steinmetz, Maryville High School teacher; and Tyler Carlson, Savannah High School teacher. · Twenty teachers from throughout Missouri participated in Prairie Lands Writing Project’s sixth annual Professional Writing Retreat which met at Conception Abbey, Conception, Mo. Rebecca Dierking, doctoral student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, served as the retreat director; Britton Gildersleeve, Oklahoma State University English professor and National Writing Project site director, served as retreat consultant. · Prairie Lands Writing Project Teacher Consultants participated in three invitational-only working retreats this summer, sponsored by the National Writing Project. · Seventeen area teachers participated in the summer portion of Prairie Lands Writing Projects’ (PLWP) 2009 Invitational Institute. The teachers met at Western, conducted teacher inquiry demonstrations and developed a portfolio of writings and lessons. Tom Pankiewicz, assistant professor of English, directed the Institute, with Christie Leigan, St. Joseph literacy coach, co-directing with Dr. Jane Frick, professor of English and PLWP site director. · Dr. Jane Frick, professor of English and Prairie Lands Writing Project site director, participated in the Missouri Writing Projects Network annual leadership retreat, held this year at the University of Missouri–Columbia. · The American Bar Association House of Delegates granted reapproval to the Legal Assistant Program at Western. The term of approval is for a period of seven years. · Steps are in place to finalize online program-to-program articulations with the Metropolitan Community Colleges of Kansas City, Mo. · Recreation Services provided swim lessons for 91 participants this summer. · Huey Shi Chew, international student coordinator, has been gearing up for the arrival of new international students this fall 2009. An orientation program was held Aug. 18-20 which included a welcome lunch on Aug. 18 and a picnic at Krug Park on Aug. 20. Western expects 15 new undergraduate students from Afghanistan, Korea, Australia, Kenya, China and the Philippines, four exchange students (Germany and France) and one graduate student from Bangladesh. For the first time, they employed three international students to help out in the orientation program. · Huey Shi Chew, international student coordinator, is developing a brochure targeted for Chinese parents for recruitment of students from Sichuan Normal and Guizhou Normal University, China. Chew plans to travel to China in September to finalize the details of the agreements and program, as part of the effort to recruit students from the two universities. · Increased federal funding for the Youthful Offenders Program and the expansion of services to include inmates up to age 36 has resulted in increased college courses offerings by Western to regional prisons. · New junior year cohort in Northland Elementary Education 2+2 program will include approximately 20 students. Returning senior year cohort in Northland Elementary Education 2+2 program will include approximately 20 students. Graduate offerings at Northland site include Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and autism courses. Criminal Justice undergraduate courses are being offered at the Northland site and online. |
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
Wanted: Your want ads! You
are welcome to submit ads to the Western ADvantage each week.
|
|||||||
