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

 

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A Look Ahead

An A-MAZE-ing Max

Changes in Employee Benefits for 2011

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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 271-4124.

Student Editor:
Jenna Haecker

Staff Adviser:
Kent Heier 

back to MWSU

Week of Sept. 10 - 18, 2010

A Look Ahead

Friday, Sept. 24

  • Wendy's Hall of Fame reception, 6:30 p.m., Fulkerson Center

    • John Fisher (football), Tonya Foster (women's basketball), Steve Marlay (football), Bob Orf (KFEQ radio) and the 1977 Griffon football team will be the guests of honor at a free reception.

  • Griffon Volleyball vs. Southwest Baptist University, 7 p.m., Bolivar, Mo.

    • The Missouri Western volleyball team won an exciting five set thriller over the Pittsburg State Gorillas (22-25, 26-24, 28-26, 25-19 and 16-14) improving to 6-6 overall and 2-2 in MIAA play. Western was led by freshman Stephanie Hattey with 13 kills, 25 set assists and 13 digs.

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Saturday, Sept. 25

  • Adventure League fund-raising event, 10 a.m.-5p.m., Drake Field

    • The Adventure League is a non-competitive sports and recreation league for children and adults with significant disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help with the various events that will happen throughout the day. All of the funds raised during this event will go towards building the very first fully accessible tree house in the state of Missouri. The "Tree House for Everyone" will be built somewhere in the St. Joseph Community and will provide the tree house experience for everyone regardless of age, ability or disability. The tree house will also be used as an outdoor classroom and it will be available to reserve for family picnics, birthday parties, etc. For anyone interested in volunteering, everyone will be meeting in front of Eder Hall at 9:30 a.m. The Adventure League is sponsored in part by the members of Alpha Delta Alpha. Alpha Delta Alpha is a student organization at MWSU that is dedicated to improving campus accessibility for people with disabilities.

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  • Wendy's Hall of Fame Induction Brunch, 11 a.m., Fulkerson Center

    • $20 per person, call athletics at 271-4481 for more information.

  • Family Day, tours of the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex, 1-2 p.m., GISC

    • This is a chance for parents and other family member to look inside Western's newest addition.

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  • Griffon Volleyball vs. Missouri Southern, 2 p.m., Joplin, Mo.

  • Family Day, Club/Organization Carnival, 2-4 p.m., Parking Lot I (next to the GISC)

  • Family Day, Student Affairs Informational Update, 3 p.m., Parking Lot I

    • Dr. Esther Perález, vice president for student affairs, and the assistant deans will interact with parents and families about life at Western.

  • Family Day, Hog Roast Tailgate, 4 p.m., Parking Lot I

    • The tailgate costs $5 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the 2010 United Way Campaign

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  • Griffon Football vs. Pittsburg State University, 6:20 p.m., Spratt Memorial Stadium

    • The game will mark the 36th all-time meeting between the two schools with the Gorillas leading 26-9. Western has won three out of the last four meetings which included a 45-40 victory last season in Pittsburg, Kan. The Griffons come into the contest 3-0 overall, 1-0 MIAA and ranked 8th in both the AFCA and D2Football.com polls. This ranking is the highest ever in Griffon history in both polls. The Gorillas are 2-1 overall, 0-1 in MIAA and are coming off a 37-20 loss at the hands of the Central Missouri Mules last weekend in Pittsburg, Kan. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:20 pm. This game is the annual Wendy's Hall of Fame Game and it is also Family Day on the campus of Missouri Western State University. This will also mark the first game broad casted in Spratt Stadium by the MIAA Television Network. The game can be seen live on St. Joseph Cablevision Channel 20 with play-by-play announcer Neil Harwell and color announcer Kevin Lockett.

  • Griffon Soccer vs. University Central Missouri, 7 p.m., at Warrensburg, Mo.

    • The Missouri Western soccer team got out shot 11 to six in the second half in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Washburn Lady Blues. Western got three shots from Heather Schmiemeier with two shots on goal as the Griffons fall to 0-4-2 overall and 0-2-2 on the year.

Sunday, Sept. 26

  • First annual Anthony Bates Foundation Cardiac Screening, 3 p.m.

    • Screening is available to all Western student athletes, middle school and high school athletes in the surrounding areas. The screening process includes a comprehensive questionnaire filled in by parent and student followed by a discussion of the answers between the child and medical professional. Next the student will receive a blood pressure check and a non-invasive Electrocardiogram. Finally, the child is given the painless ultrasound imaging the heart. For more information or to schedule an appointment visit www.AnthonyBates.org.

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Monday, Sept. 27

  • Griffon Women's Golf, For Hays State University Invitational, at Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays, Kan.

    • The Missouri Western women’s golf team finished in 8th place at the Wildwood Lodge Invitational hosted by Concordia-St. Paul in Lake Elmo, Minn. at the Tartan Park Golf Course. Western shot 692 (347-345) in the two day event. Freshman Shelby Stone had the best event firing a 169 (84-85) which putting her in a tie for 29th place. Natalie Bird and Katie Dugan shot 173 (88-85) finishing in a tie for 33rd.

  • 225 tickets Griffon football game vs. Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, on Oct. 2, will be available for free at 8 a.m., in the Griffon Department of Athletics office in the Looney Complex, Room 229. Kickoff that day is at 2:20 p.m. The tickets will be distributed on a first come/served basis. You must bring your student I.D. and another form of I.D. Only one ticket per I.D. will be distributed. Students wishing to sit together must come together. For more information call 816-271-4481.

  • Western Activities Council (WAC) Membership Drive, information table, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., on the walk between Blum Student Union and Murphy Hall

    • WAC Wants You! The Western Activities Council is looking for members to help plan fun events for fellow students. Check out the events all week.

  • SGA Senate meeting, 5 p.m., Blum 220

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Tuesday, Sept. 28

  • Multicultural Institute, 5 p.m., Blum Student Union, room 222.

    • The Center of Multicultural Education invites all students to join the Multicultural Institute. MI is a multicultural leadership program designed to to engage students in diversity activities, team building, discussions, service, and cultural diversity. MI also participates in cultural excursion trips, including an Alternative Spring Break trip where students will travel to another community to complete a service project. If you have any questions, please contact Keisha Caldwell by email, lcaldwell@missouriwestern.edu.

  • WAC Membership Drive, barbecue, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Blum Student Union Courtyard

    • Learn more about WAC while enjoying a free cookout!

  • Musical audition, 7 p.m., Potter 112

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Wednesday, Sept. 29

  • WAC Membership Drive, movie night, 7 p.m., Griffon Indoor Sports Complex, Room 113

    • Enjoy a free showing of the movie "Wanted," starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman

  • Musical audition, 7 p.m., Potter 112

  • 14th annual Reading of Challenged and Banned Books, 7 p.m., Enright Community Room, Spratt 214/216.

    • The reading is held annually in recognition of the American Library Association's annual Banned Books Week. Western students, faculty and members of the community will read sections of books that have either been banned or challenged in U.S. schools in recent years and discuss what it means to be an open society. Refreshments will be served following the readings. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Michael Cadden, EFLJ (271-4576); Dr. Michael Smith, Education (271-4514); or Julia Schneider, Library Director (271-4369).
       

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Thursday, Sept. 30

  • WAC Membership Drive, Massage-on-the-Go, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Blum Student Union lobby

  • Griffon Soccer vs. Missouri Southern State University, 7 p.m., Spratt Memorial Stadium

Friday, Oct. 1

  • Ambassadors luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Enright Community Room, Spratt 214/216

Saturday, Oct. 2

  • Griffon Soccer vs. Emporia State University, 1 p.m., at Emporia, Kan.

  • Griffon Football vs. Northwest Missouri State University, 2:20 p.m., at Maryville, Mo.

  • St. Joseph Symphony, Vive la France, 7:30 p.m., Missouri Theater

    • The Saint Joseph Symphony opens its 2010-2011 season with a program of French music featuring Grammy nominated violinist Joseph Genualdi.A world renowned performer, Genualdi is both a soloist and a chamber musician. As a founding member of the Muir Quartet, he appeared on PBS "From The White House" with Itzhak Perlman and President and Mrs. Reagan. More recently, he performed in a Summit Records release of the Mozart Clarinet and Horn Quintets with was a finalist for "Best Chamber Music Performance" at the 2007 Grammy Awards. "Joe Genualdi is one of my personal all-time favorite violinists," says Saint Joseph
      Symphony music director Rico McNeela. "He plays with a sound and flair that is unmatched." Genualdi joins the Symphony as a soloist for Chausson'sPoeme for violin and orchestra, Massenet's Thais, and Ravel'sTzigane. Other selections for the evening include Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun"Meditation" fromThais, Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2, Offenbach's Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld, and Saint-Saens' "Bacchanale" from Samson and Delilah. Tickets from $10 to $40 BE SURE TO ASK FOR THE MWSU DISCOUNT. To purchase tickets:

      • Go to www.saintjosephsymphony.org

      • Call 816.233.7701

      • Come to the Symphony office at 120 S. Eighth Street, M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

      • Visit St. Joseph Hy-Vee customer service department

         

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A Picture-Perfect Day

Art students took advantage of a beautiful fall day this week to work outside.

An A-MAZE-ing Max

 

Any Western fans flying over a corn field north of St. Joseph this fall might have to do a double take if they think they are seeing Griffons, but they really can believe their eyes. A corn maze in the shape of Max the Griffon has been created and will be ready for visitors in October.

 

Brad ’93, and Amy ’94, Grooms operate St. Joe Corn Maze every weekend in October. Along with the maze, they offer hay rides, a play area and a smaller maze for children, and areas for private parties with fire pits. On Halloween, participants can go through the Max maze after dark with flashlights.

 

Last year, their first year for the business, the Grooms created a maze of the Pony Express rider to commemorate the Pony Express’ 150th anniversary. This year, they knew just what they wanted to do – Max the Griffon. The Max mascot, created by Western in 2005, is named in honor of Brad’s father, Max Grooms, who was a great supporter of the athletic program and a charter member of the Gold Coat Club. Max Grooms died in 2001.  

 

The Max maze meanders on approximately 12 acres, and each person who enters the maze is armed with a map. Amy estimates the labyrinth takes people 30 minutes to an hour to complete. For the claustrophobic, the maze includes “chicken exits” along the perimeter and workers are located at stations throughout the corn rows.  

 

Amy estimates they had approximately 3,000 visitors last year. “It’s just a lot of fun,” she said. (Or, well, a-MAZE-ing.)

 

For more information, go to www.stjoecornmaze.com.

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Southside Fall Festival Parade

The Golden Griffon Marching Band, Golden Griffon Guard, Mystics Dance Team and the cheerleaders were among Western's representatives in the Southside Fall Festival Parade on King Hill Avenue on Sept. 18. Western's float carried a salute to St. Joseph police officer Dan DeKraii, a graduate of Western's Law Enforcement Academy who died in an accidental shooting earlier in the week.

Changes in Employee Benefits for 2011

The Western Board of Governors has selected Aetna to provide medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance for employees, effective January 1, 2011. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental and Mutual of Omaha are the current carriers for those policies. Vision insurance will continue to be provided by VSP.

“The selection process was very intensive, and I believe we obtained the best results we could with the current economic situation,” said Mel Klinkner, vice president for financial planning and administration. “We’ve been able to maintain current plans without making major changes to the benefit structure.”

One important goal during the selection process was to continue to provide employees with a fully employer-paid option for medical coverage, Klinkner said, and that goal was met. The university will offer all current plans, including two medical plans at no cost to the employee (PPO and HSA). 

The administration is working to make this important transition as convenient as possible. On Monday, Sept. 27th, Human Resources is meeting with Aetna and Power Group representatives to map out the overall implementation process including all informational meetings and materials that will enable employees to make the best decision on benefits elections.

Comparisons of network providers between carriers were carefully evaluated to ensure that employees would have minimal impact on the most utilized and most common providers. There may still be a few instances where a current provider is not participating in the Aetna network.  For these situations, human resources will guide employees to help identify those issues and will work with Aetna to pursue those providers for contractual participation.

The 2011 open enrollment meetings will be announced soon by e-mail. Covered spouses are welcomed to attend any of the enrollment meetings as well.

The university bids the employee benefits package every three years. Power Group, the university’s consultant on employee benefits, evaluated responses to Western’s request for proposals, and three carriers were invited to campus to make presentations: Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare.

Aetna’s proposal has a projected overall savings of $79,225 annually. In addition, Aetna will provide Western with a $30,000 wellness fund, to be used in ways to encourage employees to improve their health. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s proposal would save a projected $9,823 and included a wellness fund of $10,000, while the United Healthcare proposal would project an increase of $63,066 while including a wellness fund of $20,000.

VSP’s vision insurance will cost about one percent less than the current rates, with the new rate guaranteed for four years.

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ADS

For rent: 2410 Francis. Two bedroom very nice upstairs apt., laundry hook-ups, refrig. & stove incl. $525 + utilities. 816-244-6138 or holtzfiv@stjoelive.com. 

Wanted: Your want ads!

You are welcome to submit ads to the Western ADvantage each week. 

To be fair to everyone, please follow these guidelines for submission. Only ads from campus constituents are accepted. 

  • Ads for non-campus organizations or professional businesses will not be printed.

  • Ads can cover items wanted, items to be sold, garage sales, etc.

  • Ads may be edited for length, style or content. The staff reserves the right to evaluate the appropriateness of ads for inclusion.

  • Ads received by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday will be included in that Monday's publication. Ads received after the deadline will be included in the next edition.

  • Ads will automatically run for a two-week period.  Extensions are granted by resubmitting the ad.

  • Ads will only be accepted by email, fax and campus mail. Please send submissions by email to publicrelations@missouriwestern.edu; by fax to 4414 or by mail to Tower Topics, , Leah Spratt Hall, Public Relations and Marketing office, Room 207. 

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