Week of

Week of Sept. 29 - Oct. 5, 2008

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:

Convocation on Critical Issues

Western Sets Enrollment Record

Western Honors Constitution

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Student Editor:
Jennifer Kohler

Staff Adviser:
Kent Heier

Carville, Matalin to Speak at Convocation

James Carville and Mary Matalin, Washington's best-loved couple, will speak at the Convocation on Critical Issues at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in the M.O. Looney Complex arena.

Convocation on Critical Issues This Week

Well-known political commentators James Carville and Mary Matalin visit Western for the Convocation on Critical Issues Sept. 29 and 30.

Between them, Carville and Matalin have worked for every US President of the last quarter-century. Carville is widely credited as the strategist behind a number of upset Democrat wins in elections throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including Bill Clinton’s successful Presidential campaign in 1992. Matalin served as assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, the first White House official to hold that double title. Together, they co-authored the best-selling book, All’s Fair: Love, War and Running for President.

The Convocation Dinner Sept. 29 sold out two weeks before the reservation deadline. More than 500 community members, students, faculty and staff will gather in the Fulkerson Center to hear the husband and wife from opposite sides of the political aisle talk about the news of the day, including the latest twists and turns in the presidential campaign.

The 15^th annual Convocation on Critical Issues will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in the M.O. Looney Complex arena. The event is free and open to the public. Matalin and Carville will again speak and answer questions that faculty, staff and students have submitted in advance.

All 9:30 a.m. classes on Sept. 30 have been cancelled so that students and faculty may attend. Classes starting at 8:00 a.m. may dismiss early so that students and faculty participating in the processional can arrive on time. Classes will resume at 11:00 a.m.

Seating on the floor level has been reserved for staff members not participating in the processional, on the east side of the center aisle. Because a large crowd is expected, the seats can only be reserved until 9:15 a.m., so an early arrival is encouraged.

Please note the following parking lot closures due to the Convocation Dinner and the Convocation on Critical Issues:

4 p.m. Sept. 29: Parking lot D (south of the Union) will close.

5 p.m. Sept. 29: Parking lot C (across from the Fulkerson Center) will close.

5 a.m. Sept. 30: The north end of parking lot J (across from Looney) will close.

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Shut Up or Vote

The Center for Multicultural Education sponsored the Shut Up or Vote Rally Sept. 23. Pictured left: College Republicans provided an info table for students to get information about Republican candidate John McCain, as well as how to join the College Republicans organization. Right: Student Democrats stand in support of Barack Obama, Democrat nominee. Throughout the month of October, the CME will host other events in hopes of getting more students to vote.

Western Sets Enrollment Record

Missouri Western State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,470 students this fall, setting a record for the fourth consecutive fall term. With 65 graduate students, the total number of students at Western is 5,535, an increase of 3.3% from last year.

"It’s good to see continued enrollment growth," said Howard McCauley, director of admissions. "More and more students are discovering Western’s quality and value."

The undergraduate headcount is almost 3% above last fall’s number of 5,319. The number of full-time students is 3,825, a 5.5% increase over last year. Undergraduates are taking a total of 63,032 credit hours this semester, also a record and a 4% increase over last fall.

The first-time freshman class is up nearly 3% this fall, to 1,132. The academic preparation of those entering students is also on the rise. The average ACT composite score of full-time freshmen coming to Western directly from high school is 21.2, up from 20.6 a year ago.

"We continue to serve all students, but we’ve made a concerted effort in the last few years to attract top high school students, and that effort is paying off," McCauley said. "Western is becoming the first choice for an increasing number of high-performing students."

Western’s graduate programs are experiencing growth as well. The number of graduate students grew from 41 last fall, the first year Western offered graduate degrees, to 65 this year, a 59% increase. The university now offers one graduate certificate and three master’s degree programs. At least one more master’s program will be offered in fall, 2009.

"Our graduate programs emphasize practical application and professional development in addition to specialized technical knowledge," said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, interim dean of graduate studies and associate vice president for academic and student affairs. "That combination has proven to be attractive to a number of people seeking to advance their careers."

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Fiesta

The Center for Multicultural Education hosted the annual Fiesta Sept. 22. The night started with a salsa performance and salsa lessons, followed by a traditional Mexican folkloric dance presented by the St. Patrick Church. Afterwards, the professional dance group Brasil Cultura, specializing in samba, capoeira and batuauda, performed. Throughout the event there was also be piñata making, cookies, popcorn with spicy topping and pan dulce, a Mexican-style sweet roll with sugar topping. Zulima Lugo-Knapp also read poetry in Spanish.

Western Honors Constitution

Western’s annual commemoration of the U.S. Constitution will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 30 in Leah Spratt Hall, room 205.

The commemoration will feature a panel discussion on "Energy Policy in the United States" with presentations by students and others on Democratic and Republican energy ideas, the Clean Energy Works for Missouri ballot initiative and a plan that is being publicized by oilman T. Boone Pickens. Following these presentations there will be comments from Dr. Jon Euchner, assistant professor of government at Western, on possible constitutional issues and implications. An audience and panel discussion will conclude the event.

This event is co-sponsored by the department of government, social work, and sociology; Center for Multicultural Education; Center for Student Engagement and the College Democrats and Republicans.

For more information please contact Dr. Euchner at 816-271-4358 or euchner@missouriwestern.edu.

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Upcoming Pianist

Thomas Pandolfi, acclaimed pianist, will perform at Western Oct. 3.

Pianist to Perform

Acclaimed pianist Thomas Pandolfi will perform at Western at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Potter Hall theater. He will be performing works by Franz Liszt, Frederic Chopin, Alexander Scriabin and George Gershwin.

Pandolfi is a graduate of The Juilliard School where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees as a scholarship student. The young pianist has already performed with several European and American orchestras. During the 2007-2008 season he also released two new compact discs: "Into the Night with Gershwin" and "Polish Masters."

The Washington Post has described Pandolfi as "an artist who is master of both the grand gesture and the sensual line. Pandolfi possesses first-rate technical skills, an unerring command of phrasing, a quicksilver touch and cunning legerdemain when it comes to pedaling…etched with calm and crystal clarity…outstanding."

For more information regarding the event, contact Dr. T. Matthew Edwards at 816-271-4431 or e-mail him at tedwards7@missouriwestern.edu. You can also visit Pandolfi’s web-site at www.ThomasPandolfi.com.

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Tower Sports

Football

Loss vs. Washburn University, 17-21, Sept. 27

Oct. 4 vs. Fort Hays State at 1:30 p.m. - Family Day!

Men's Golf

Placed 6th at RMAC #2 in Kearney, Neb., Sept. 22-23

Sept. 28-30 at Drury Invitational in Springfield, Mo.

Women's Golf

Placed 3rd at William Jewell Invitational in Liberty, Mo., Sept. 25-26

Oct. 2-3 at Northwest Missouri State Fall Classic in Maryville, Mo.

Soccer

Tie vs. Northwest Missouri State, 0-0, Sept. 25
Loss vs. Missouri Southern State, 0-1, Sept. 27

Oct. 2 vs. Truman State University at 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 vs. University of Central Missouri at 7 p.m.

Volleyball

Loss vs. Pittsburg State, 0-3, Sept. 24
Loss vs. Southwest Baptist, 1-3, Sept. 26
Loss vs. Missouri Southern State, 0-3, Sept. 27

Oct. 3 vs. University of Central Oklahoma in Washburn Regional Crossover Tournament at 2 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. East Central University in Washburn Regional Crossover Tournament at 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 vs. Midwestern State University in Washburn Regional Crossover Tournament at 11 a.m.
Oct. 4 vs. University of Texas Permian Basin in Washburn Regional Crossover Tournament at 3 p.m.

Banned Book Reading The twelfth annual Reading of Challenged and Banned Books in recognition of the American Library Association’s Banned Book Week will begin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the Blum Student Union, room 218 and 219. Western students and faculty along with members of the St. Joseph community will hold a reading of books that have been either banned or challenged in U.S. schools in recent years. This event is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served. The reading is sponsored by the department of English, foreign languages, and journalism; the department of education; the Missouri Western State University Library; Prairie Lands Writing Project; and the student affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English. For more information, contact Dr. Michael Cadden at 4576, Dr. Michael Smith at 4514 or Julia Schneider at 4369.

First Thursday Western will co-sponsor the First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. Oct. 2 at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St. The concert series features alumnus jazz pianist Jeremy Gregoire ’02 and Friends. The community is invited to bring lunch and eat while listening to the performance in the sanctuary of the church. The event will last approximately 35 minutes, and there will be an opportunity to meet the performers after the concert. A minimum donation of $3 per person is suggested in order to meet the expenses and provide continuation of the series.

Literary Journals’ Reading Staff and contributors of The Mochila Review, Canvas, and Tau Mu “The Writer’s Circle,” will sponsor a reading at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Kemper Recital Hall in Spratt Hall to celebrate creative writing and this year’s literary journals produced by Missouri Western State University. After contributors have read their own work, there will be an open mic time available for anyone who wants to read. For more information contact Kathryn Strasser at kstrasser@missouriwestern.edu or visit www.missouriwestern.edu/orgs/mochila/ or www.missouriwestern.edu/orgs/canvas/.

Regional Teacher Conference Western will host “Content Area Learning: Teaching in an Online World,” a regional conference for teachers, at 8 a.m. Oct. 4 in the Blum Union. Kevin Hodgson, National Writing Project Technology Leadership Team member who teaches sixth grade in Southampton, MA, will keynote the conference. Hodgson will show teachers how web 2.0 tools—including blogs, wikis, podcasts, web comics and other digital compositions—increase students’ literacy learning. Eighteen area National Writing Project Teacher Consultants will also be presenting at the conference. Prairie Lands Writing Project (PLWP), northwest Missouri’s National Writing Project Site (NWP), is sponsoring the conference. Conference registration fees are $25 by Oct. 1 or $40 on-site. This will include certificates documenting five hours of literacy in-service development, presentation handouts and lunch. For more information contact the PLWP office at 4315 or for program details and online registration visit www.missouriwestern.edu/plwp/08saturdayseminar/index.html.

Family Day Family Day will be Saturday, October 4. Invite your family to come spend a day at Western. Athletics will sponsor a great tailgate party, the Center for Student Engagement is sponsoring the annual student organization carnival, and Campus Dining will be selling lunch. Football will follow, and the Planetarium will have a showing. Please stop by the Center for Student Engagement (Blum 207) for more information.

Talent show The Western Activities Council will present their annual all-campus Talent Show in the Looney Complex Arena on October 3rd at 8:00 PM. The event is free and open to the campus community and their families and guests. Tickets can be picked up in the Center for Student Engagement, Blum 207. Please be prepared to show your Western ID. You may also pick up additional tickets for your family and guests. A ticket and a picture ID (one per family) will be required for admission. WAC has planned a fun, family friendly evening to kick off Family Day Week-End. Please join us.

Book signing Western alum Dr. Derek Vreeland ’96 will sign copies of his first book, “Shape Shifters: How God Changes the Human Heart,” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Solomon’s Porch Bookstore in Word of Life Church, 3902 N. Riverside Road. Vreeland graduated with a bachelor of arts in English and is currently pastor of Cornerstone Church in Americus, Ga.

Court of Appeals The Missouri Court of Appeals - Western District will once again convene court on the Missouri Western campus on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 from 9:30am - 12:00pm in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall 101. You will find a copy of the press release from Court Clerk Terence Lord and a complete summary of the four cases for your review, posted to the campus O: drive. Click on "CrimJust" and then "MO Ct of Appeals Information." This is an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to observe the legal process in action. For further information, please contact Professor Larry Andrews in the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies at (816) 271-4219. This event is sponsored by the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, and it is open to the general public. All MWSU students, faculty and staff are invited to attend!

Autism Awareness Walk The first ever Autism Awareness Walk in Northwest Missouri will be Oct. 4 at Word Of Life Church, 3902 NE Riverside Road. This short one mile walk is to raise awareness for autism that is found in one in every 150 children. Participants raising $25 will receive a T-Shirt. If you would like to join this event, you can call Kathy Kelly at 816-390-7215. For more information and facts about autism and the walk, please visit www.nwmoautismalliance.org

Vote or Shut-Up The Center for Multicultural Education has created “Vote or Shut-Up” for students and others who would like to participate, regarding election issues. Our purpose is three fold:

to get students registered to vote
to make them aware of issues that should concern them
to get them to cast a vote in November

The following event is free and open to the public:

Vote or Shut-Up: Become Aware Oct. 8 where students discuss issues that are important to the American public and that our students want more information about including: immigration, economy, social security and cost of education.

There will be other Vote or Shut-Up events as the weeks get closer to the election.

Bell Ringers Needed Please consider ringing the bells during this holiday season. With the help of volunteers we will be able to assist families in need all year long. Bell ringing will be Nov. 7-Dec. 24 excluding Thanksgiving Day and Sundays. There are 12 locations: Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Kovacs, Hobby Lobby, Green Hills; and ring inside K Mart, Hy-Vee, and East Hills Mall. To secure the hours, dates and location you would like, contact LeeAnn Hobson at 816-232-5824 ext. 22 or email her at LeeAnn_Hobson@usc.Salvationarmy.org.

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Monday, September 29

Senate meeting at 5 p.m. in Blum 220
Orchestra Rehersal from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Griffon Luncheon from 12-1 p.m. in the upstairs banquet room at La Dolce Vita at 36th Street Restaurant
Convocation Dinner at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, September 30

Residence Council meeting at 7 p.m. in Commons Building
Convocation on Critical Issues at 9:30 a.m. in Looney Arean

Wednesday, October 1

WAC meeting at 4 p.m. in the Junior College Room
Reading of Challenged and Banned Books at 7 p.m. in Blum Union

Thursday, October 2

First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St.

Friday, October 3

Book signing by Dr. Derek Vreeland ’96 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Solomon’s Porch Bookstore in Word of Life Church, 3902 N. Riverside Road
WAC Talent Show at 8 p.m. in the Looney Complex Arena
Literary Journals' Reading at 7 p.m. in the Kemper Recital Hall

Saturday, October 4

Autism Walk at Word Of Life Church, 3902 NE Riverside Road
Family Day Carnival
“Content Area Learning: Teaching in an Online World,” a regional conference for teachers, at 8 a.m. in the Blum Union

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For Sale: 1978 Prowler – 17 foot travel camper/trailer in good condition. Everything works and it sleeps six. It runs on gas and electric, and comes with air conditioning, stove, oven, microwave, hot water tank, full bath, shower, sink and toilet. For more information call 816-232-8384 or 816-752-2318.

Announcement: Looking for a home for two male kittens that have already been de-clawed and neutered. They have all their shots, have been de-wormed and have city licenses. They do not get along with dogs. Contact bmann1@missouriwestern.edu for more information.

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 ; to fax 4414 or by mail to Tower Topics, University Advancement, Leah Spratt Hall, Room 106.

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