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Week of Oct. 6-12, 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: Fifteenth Annual Convocation on Critical Issues Western Board Honors Leah Spratt CJLS Department Hosts Brown Bag Lunch Events Missouri Court of Appeals to Sit at Western 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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Fifteenth Annual Convocation on Critical Issues Political commentators Mary Matalin and James Carville encouraged young people to get involved in public affairs during the 15th annual Convocation on Critical Issues at Western Sept. 30. The husband and wife from opposite sides of the political aisle told the hundreds of high school and college students they were living in historic times. “Do you want to watch history, or do you want to be a part of making history? Do you want to be part of ‘Doritos Nation,’ where you just sit there with a sack of chips, wiping salsa off your mouth, or do you want to do something?” asked Carville, one of the chief strategists of Bill Clinton’s successful presidential campaign in 1992. In his area of expertise, presidential politics, Carville said nothing that has come before comes close to the current race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. “You’re seeing history chart a new course,” he said. Matalin, former adviser to both Presidents Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, spoke about the tremendous change being brought about by technology that allows almost instant access to vast amounts of information. “How do you bring wisdom to this age of information?” she asked, encouraging students to study history, the U.S. Constitution, journalism and communication so they could make sense of the world around them. Both Carville and Matalin encouraged students to get involved politically, no matter which candidate they support at the national, state or local levels. “These are not frivolous choices,” Carville said, “and these are not choices you should allow other people to make for you. They’re choices you should be involved in.” There’s another reason to get involved in politics, Carville said: “It’s fun. I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent in politics. I can’t promise you that you’ll win all the time. I can’t promise that you won’t be disappointed. But I’ll promise you this—you’ll feel good about yourself, and you’ll have a lot of fun doing it.” More than 3,000 people attended the Convocation. A record 540 attended the annual Convocation Dinner the previous evening. At both events, Carville and Matalin praised the Convocation on Critical Issues for the quality of the preceding 14 speakers and the warm hospitality shown to those speakers. “We are humbled to be in their company, and all of them who work through our speakers bureau said that this is the favorite speaking event that they’d ever been to,” Matalin said. “They were right. Your reputation precedes you, and you have lived up to it.” “This is one of the best speaker series on any campus anywhere in the United States, period,” Carville said. “Look at the people who’ve been brought out here, people like David McCullough, Colin Powell, Arthur Schlesinger, Steve Forbes, Bill Bradley … I don’t want to go through them all, but look at the unique opportunity you’re afforded in this community at this university to see people like this.” |
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Western Board Honors Leah Spratt, Approves Other Naming Opportunities The Western Board of Governors Sept. 25 voted to name the east wing of the first floor of Remington Hall in honor of Leah Spratt. The Board also approved a number of other naming opportunities in Remington and Agenstein Halls as part of the MWSU Foundation’s Achieving Greatness capital campaign. “The Spratt family has been very generous to Western for many years,” said Dan Nicoson, vice president for university advancement and Foundation president. “This is a fitting tribute to a tremendous community benefactor.” The Leah Spratt Charitable Trust pledged $250,000 to the Foundation’s Achieving Greatness capital campaign, a five-year effort to raise at least $15 million. Leah Spratt, the trust’s namesake, was a 1921 graduate of St. Joseph Junior College. Spratt received Missouri Western’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993. The Remington Hall wing is not the first campus structure to bear the Spratt name. Leah Spratt Hall, dedicated in 1997, houses the Western Institute, university advancement, the Honors Program, several classrooms and the Kemper Recital Hall. Western’s football facility, Spratt Memorial Stadium, is named for Leah Spratt’s brother. Elliot “Bub” Spratt was an avid Griffon supporter whose gift made construction of the stadium possible. The wing named for Spratt will be located on the first floor of Remington Hall, the nearly 60,000 square-foot addition to Agenstein Hall currently under construction. When it’s completed, the construction project will nearly double the amount of space devoted to science and mathematics instruction and research. With the board’s action, other parts of Remington and Agenstein Halls may also be named in someone’s honor. “Giving a gift in honor of someone special who has touched our lives in a meaningful way is a truly gratifying experience,” Nicoson said. “This construction project provides several opportunities for lasting tributes to mentors, family and friends.” Commemorative opportunities include the naming of a chemistry studies center, biology studies center, or equipment fund for $1 million; the three-story glass atrium connecting Remington and Agenstein Halls for $500,000; the west wing of the first floor of Remington Hall for $250,000; and the greenhouse or one of three lecture halls for $100,000; one of 28 laboratories for $50,000; and one of eight classrooms for $25,000. |
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CJLS Department Hosts Brown Bag Lunch Events The Western criminal justice and legal studies department is hosting two Brown Bag Lunches for students interested in graduate studies. Both events are free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring lunch to the events. The first Brown Bag Lunch is for students interested in attending law school. Scott Reed of the University of Kansas School of Law will give a 50 minute presentation at 1 p.m. Oct. 13 in the Nelle Blum Union, Junior College Room. Important deadlines and helpful web addresses will be provided to the audience. There will be a question and answer session after the presentation. The second Brown Bag Lunch is for students interested in graduate school. At noon Oct. 15 in the Wilson Hall Student Engagement Center, room 203M, current upper-level graduate students and faculty will conduct an open roundtable discussion on how to prepare for graduate school, what to expect from graduate school and how to succeed in graduate school. Speakers Include Erin Cooper, Jessica Ervin and Dr. Jessica Hodge of the University of Missouri – Kansas City Criminal Justice Graduate School. |
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Missouri Court of Appeals to Sit at Western For the eleventh consecutive year the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District will convene court at Western at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8 in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall 101. The session is free and open to the public. A three-judge panel consisting of Ronald R. Holliger, Lisa White Hardwick and James E. Welsh will hear oral arguments in four cases. These cases are appeals from previously held trials in area circuit courts. The judges will hear attorneys argue whether the trials had errors that should cause them to be retried, or the trial court’s judgment reversed. The judges will read written arguments before the court session and may interrupt the attorneys’ arguments with questions. The judges will break sometime during the arguments to explain the judicial system in general and the appellate judiciary in particular. Holliger will preside over the proceedings at Missouri Western. He was appointed to the court of appeals in 2000. Immediately prior to his appointment, he served as a circuit judge in Jackson County. Prior to his judicial service, he practiced law in Kansas City. Hardwick was appointed to the Western District in 2001. Previously, she served as a trial judge in Jackson County and practiced law for 14 years in Kansas City. Welsh was appointed to the Western District in November 2007. He practiced law for ten years, and then served as a municipal judge, an associate circuit judge and a circuit judge in Clay County. The Court has made it a practice to convene yearly in St. Joseph. “It is important for the Court to convene oral arguments outside of Kansas City,” Holliger said. “This gives individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see. We hope those attending will gain a better understanding of the Court's function.” For more information contact Larry Andrews, professor of criminal justice at 4219. |
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Installation Ceremony You are invited to participate in the installation ceremony of Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian as Missouri Western's fourth President at 1:30 p.m. October 17, 2008, in the Looney Complex Fieldhouse. As a reminder, all classes between 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. will not be held that day so that students may attend this historic campus event if they choose. All who will march need to wear full academic regalia and should gather in the old gym by 1:10 p.m. that day. It is recommended that you be dressed in your regalia if possible when you arrive. However, those that cannot may robe in Looney 114. Faculty Members: Your participation in this historical event is appreciated. Please provide students in affected classes with advance notice. Please notify you department administrative assistant by Oct. 8, of your intent to participate in the processional. Administrators and Staff: Your participation is appreciated also. Appropriate notice should be placed on doors of offices that will be closed due to attendance at this important university event. Please email Jennie McDonald at mcdonald@missouriwestern.edu by Oct. 8, of your intent to participate in the processional. Full regalia will also be needed to process.
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:
The following events are free and open to the public: Vote or Shut-Up: Become Aware - 7 p.m. Oct. 8 in Blum 223 - 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. Vote or Shut-Up: Same Sex Marriage - 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Junior College Room - co-sponsored by Pride Alliance. Discuss what has become an issue for many – marriage and the legalization, acceptance of same sex marriages, etc. There will be other Vote or Shut-Up events as the weeks get closer to the election. Spaghetti Supper The Nontraditional Student Association will host an all-you-can-eat homemade spaghetti supper at 5 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Mayes Memorial Armory at Woodbine Road and Faraon Street. A live auction of donated items will start at 7 p.m. There will also be a raffle for four bicycles that were donated from “Bikes for Tykes.” For tickets go to the Nontraditional Student Center, Eder 200 or call 816-271-4281. Tickets are $7 before the event and $8 at the door. All proceeds will be used to adopt families for the holidays, providing gifts to those who couldn’t otherwise afford them. For more information, call Ellen Kisker, director of non-traditional student services, at 816-271-4280. Death Penalty Presentation UMKC's Social Justice Lecture and Book Program presents “Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues” at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in the UMKC University Center Pierson Auditorium, 500 Holmes Road, in Kansas City, Mo. Sister Helen Prejean, death penalty opponent and author of "Dead Man Walking and Death of Innocents,” will present. There will also be an organizational meeting with pizza following the lecture from approximately 7:15 to 8 p.m. which is sponsored by the Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty. This meeting will focus on supporting legislation to get a moratorium on executions in Missouri. If you are interested in attending the meeting, contact David Tushaus at tushaus or 5627. Disability services presents “Two Cripples and a Microphone: An Evening of Artful Banter,” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall 101. The event features Danny R. Phillips, an independent rock journalist, and Jay Claywell, Western student and poet/writer. This will be an opportunity to hear two different individuals explore ideas involving relationships, anger, self-awareness, perceptions and overall personal growth. Audience Advisory: Strong Language. Wellness Screening The 2008 MWSU Employee Wellness Screening will combine with the annual Benefits Fair sponsored by Human Resources Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 in the Fulkerson Center to accommodate an expanded screening and fair combination. The “Relaxation Station” overseen by Psychology and Physical Therapy will be held in Spratt 214-216 on those days as part of the screening activities. The wellness screen is a free benefit for all employees and spouses covered by Western’s medical plan. There is a $30 fee for those not covered by the university’s insurance. Men wanting the prostate cancer screening test will be charged $30 to cover the cost of the lab fee. All fees must be paid at the time of the screening. Among the screening elements planned for this year’s event include:
Various vendors will also be present as part of the Benefits Fair. They will be available to share information and answer questions employees may have. As part of our wellness activities, we continue to focus our efforts on helping others. Empty pill bottles that are used by the Social Welfare Board and used eye glasses for donation to the Lions can be brought to your wellness screening appointment or sent to the office of Deb Ellis, Murphy 309K or Bill Russell 129 Looney Complex. Faculty and Staff The Public Relations and Marketing Department will be conducting both and marketing and an internal communications survey during the month of October. We heartily encourage you to participate and let us know what you think about our marketing efforts and the internal communications her at MWSU. Although we would love to reward you for helping, the surveys are intended to be totally anonymous. Your input on these topics will be invaluable as we move forward in our efforts at continuously improving both our marketing and communications efforts. Please take a few minutes to share you thoughts with us. NCA/AQIP In preparation and honor of the NCA/AQIP visit at the end of the month, special posters representing the MWSU vision, mission and values have been designed and are suitable for hanging in your office. A limited number of these free, framed posters (11" x 14") are available for the first to request them. Call Public Relations and Marketing at 5651 to place your request. Homecoming Info Convertibles are needed for the parade. If you have a convertible you're willing to let the the Homecoming Steering Committee borrow please contact Don Willis, director of student engagement, at 4220. Gas cards will be given to those who bring convertibles. If you would like to be in the parade contact Willis. Entries are due by Oct. 9. |
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Monday, October 6
Tuesday, October 7
Wednesday, October 8
Thursday, October 9
Friday, October 10
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