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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:
A Look
Ahead
Pulitzer Prize
Winner Friedman to Speak at 2011 Convocation
Gov. Nixon
Praises Residence Hall Project
Coming
Attractions: Laughter on the 23rd Floor
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Archives
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If you have lost any items, please
come to SU 228 to claim them. You may be required to describe the item.
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Tower Topics to submit any story or photo ideas.
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 207).
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
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Week of Oct. 22 - 28, 2010 |
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A
Look Ahead
Friday, Oct. 22
Annual benefits
fair, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Spratt 214-216
Griffon Volleyball vs. Emporia State
University, 7 p.m., at Emporia Kan.
- The Missouri Western volleyball team opened the second half of MIAA
action defeating the Fort Hays State Tigers 3-1 (20-25, 25-17, 25-19 and
25-19). Kelli Sicner and Alex Behnke led the Griffons with 14 kills
apiece helping Western improve to 10-10 overall and 6-5 in MIAA action.
Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 7:30 p.m., Channel 39
- Catch this week's edition of the Griffon Sports
Insider Television Show. It is also available on-line at gogriffons.com
Robidoux Resident Theater musical production of
"Chicago," 7:30 p.m., Missouri Theater
- The Western Activities Council is providing
free tickets for Western students. Tickets are good for any one
performance and will be available in the Center for Student Engagement,
Blum 207. A student ID is required. Tickets are limited to one per
student and must be picked up in person.
Deadline for Intramural Volleyball
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Volleyball will begin around October 25. Turn your team in for the
men's and women's competition at the Recreation Services Office in
Looney, Room 147.
Deadline for a college student pollworker
- This is an opportunity to work for the Buchanan County Clerk on
election day, Nov. 2, 2010. Students will work in the polls as a
non-partisan problem solver to insure the election runs smoothly. If
chosen, students will be paid approximately $60 for a 7 hour shift by
the Buchanan County Clerk. Students must be able to participate in a
training session from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. Polls will be
from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 with the option of working a half a
day in the morning or in the afternoon. Students will get a request for
permission to miss class on election day if needed, but it will be up to
the instructor to grant permission. Everyone must have their own
transportation to the training and poll they are assigned to in Buchanan
County. Student ID must be shown in order to get paid. Students may not
campaign for any candidate or issue at the poll on election day and must
be registered to vote. All applications can be turned into the Criminal
Justice and Legal Studies, Wilson Hall Room 204. Applications are
available there or online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/cj_ls/PollWorkerApp.pdf.
For more information please contact one of the following professors,
Joanne Katz at
katz@missouriwestern.edu, Susanne Kissock at
kissock@missouriwestern.edu,
or David Tushaus at
tushaus@missouriwestern.edu.
Deadline for Intramural Volleyball
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Volleyball will begin around October 25. Turn your team in for the
men's and women's competition at the Recreation Services Office in
Looney, Room 147.
Saturday, Oct. 23
- "Let's Look at Writing," seminar, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Blum Student
Union
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Griffon Football vs. Missouri Southern State University, 6 p.m., at
Joplin, Mo.
- The Missouri Western football team will try and bounce back against
the Missouri Southern Lions after their loss against Central Missouri
last week. Western has lost it's last two road contest scoring a
combined 21 points.
- Griffon Volleyball vs. Washburn University, 6 p.m., at Topeka, Kan.
- Robidoux Resident Theater musical production of
"Chicago," 7:30 p.m., Missouri Theater
Sunday, Oct. 24
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Robidoux Resident
Theater musical production of "Chicago," 2 p.m., Missouri Theater
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17th annual Convocation on Critical Issues
broadcast, 7:30 p.m., MWSU TV channel 39
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The 17th annual Convocation on Critical
Issues, featuring former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, will air on
MWSU TV, channel 39 on St. Joseph Cablevision, from Oct. 24-Nov. 4 at
7:30 p.m. Sundays and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Monday, Oct. 25
Tuesday, Oct. 26
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Open Enrollment One-on-One Meetings, Enright Community Room, Spratt 216
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17th annual Convocation on Critical Issues
broadcast, noon, MWSU TV channel 39
- Candidate Forum, 7 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall
- The department of political science, social work and sociology
will sponsor a forum prior to the Nov. 2 general election which will
feature Democrat and Republican candidates for Missouri Senate
District 34, Missouri House District 29 and Buchanan County Clerk.
The forum will include candidate statements and questions from those
in attendance. The forum is free and open to the public. For more
information contact Dr. Jon Euchner, professor of political science,
at 816-271-4358 or euchner@missouriwestern.edu.
Wednesday, Oct. 27
- First Session of Gem Society, noon, Spratt Hall Room 218
- The Gem Society is an organization whose mission
is to get women of influence more involved with our women's athletics
programs. The main focus is women inspiring women. This group is a fun
and interactive way for females to celebrate, mentor and inspire each
other. Heather Shearin, Vice President & General Manager of KQTV will
be the guest speaker. Cost is $10 per person. RSVP by contacting the
athletics department at 816-271-4481.
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Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 6
p.m., Channel 3
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Griffon
Volleyball vs. Pittsburg State University, 7 p.m., at Pittsburg, Kan.
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Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 7:30
p.m., Channel 39
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Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 10:30
p.m., Channel 3
Thursday, Oct. 28
- 17th annual Convocation on Critical Issues broadcast, noon, MWSU TV
channel 39
- Pink Week
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Griffon Athletics will be raising awareness for breast
cancer during pink week activities. Fans are encouraged to wear pink
to all three games. Pink ribbons will be sold for a $1 donation and
other donations will be accepted as well. A limited number of pink
Griffon t-shirts will be available at all three games as well with
proceeds being donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast
cancer research.
- Pink
Week: Griffon Soccer vs. University of Central Missouri, 7 p.m., Spratt
Stadium
- The Missouri Western Griffons struggled on the road against the
Southwest Baptist Bearcats only managing just two shots on goal
throughout the match. Goal keeper Jenna Weis had 9 saves in the
contest as the Griffons fall to 1-7-5 overall and 1-5-5 in MIAA
action.
- Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 7:30 p.m., Channel 39
- Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 10:30 p.m., Channel 3
Friday, Oct. 29
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Pink Week:
Griffon Volleyball vs. Southwest Baptist University, 7 p.m., Looney
Complex
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Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 7:30 p.m., Channel 39
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Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 10:30
p.m., Channel 3
Saturday,
Oct. 30
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Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, noon, Channel 3
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Griffon Sports Insider Broadcast Times, 1:30 p.m., Channel 20
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Pink Week: Griffon Football vs. Emporia State
University, 1:30 p.m., Spratt Stadium
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Star Trek Live: Starfleet Academy, 2 p.m., Missouri
Theater, 717 Edmond St.
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There's another great performance coming to the Missouri Theater. Get out
your Trekkie gear and go for FREE if you're the first person to call Roger
Swafford at 5649 with the correct answer to the question: In what year was
the first Griffon home football game played? The first caller with the
right answer gets two free tickets. To purchase tickets ($12-$27), call
816-279-1225
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Pink Week: Griffon Volleyball vs. Missouri Southern
State University, 7 p.m., Looney Complex
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Griffon Soccer vs. Missouri Southern State University,
7 p.m., at Joplin, Mo.
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Wheelchair Gift |
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President Vartabedian recently accepted the gift of two
wheelchairs from Bender's Prescription Shop of St. Joseph. Seated
are Gary Schermerhorn and Tony Jagodzinski of Bender's. Standing at
right is Dr. William Gondring '56, the alumnus who arranged the
gift. The wheelchairs will be used to assist campus visitors. |
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Pulitzer Prize Winner Thomas Friedman to
Speak at 2011 Convocation |
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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
and commentator Thomas L. Friedman, Foreign Affairs columnist for
the New York Times, will be the featured speaker at Western’s 18th
annual Convocation on Critical Issues at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept.
20, 2011 in the M.O. Looney Arena. The Convocation is free and open
to the public. Friedman will also speak at the annual Convocation
Dinner at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19. Details on tickets for the
dinner will be announced later.
“This continues an 18-year
tradition of bringing extraordinary speakers to our university
community,” said President Vartabedian. “Colleagues at other
universities where Mr. Friedman has spoken have been glowing in
their reviews. One said his comments were ‘informed, thoughtful,
remarkably balanced, and laced with good humor,’ while another
credited Mr. Friedman for helping create ‘an energetic,
university-wide intellectual discussion.’ Mr. Friedman is considered
one of the world’s great thinkers on globalization, and I’m anxious
to hear what he has to say to us.”
Friedman won his first Pulitzer
Prize for international reporting in 1983 for his work as the Beirut
Bureau Chief for the New York Times during Israel’s invasion of
Lebanon. He won his second Pulitzer Prize for international
reporting in 1988 for his work as the Jerusalem Bureau Chief during
the early days of the first Palestinian intifada in the West Bank
and Gaza. In 2002, Friedman was awarded his third Pulitzer Prize,
this time for distinguished commentary, for his columns in the
aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has also written
five bestselling books, most recently “Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why
We Need a Green Revolution—and How It Can Renew America.”
“Thomas Friedman is the most
accomplished author and leading expert on international affairs in
the world and we are ecstatic that he has agreed to speak at the
2011 Convocation on Critical Issues,” said Dan Nicoson, vice
president for university advancement and executive director of the
MWSU Foundation. “We’ve tried to book Mr. Friedman for the last
three years, but it hasn’t worked out until now. He brings a
scholarly approach to his subject, which will be appropriate for our
Convocation.”
In addition to his columns and
books, Friedman has coproduced, reported and narrated six
documentaries for the New York Times—Discovery Channel joint
venture.
Friedman is a 1975 graduate of
Brandeis University with a bachelor’s degree in Mediterranean
studies. He received a Master’s of Philosophy in modern Middle East
studies from Oxford University, where he attended on a Marshall
Scholarship. He is currently a member of the Brandeis University
Board of Trustees and the Pulitzer Prize Board, he was a visiting
lecturer at Harvard University in 2000 and 2005, and has been
awarded honorary degrees from 13 universities.
Western inaugurated the
Convocation on Critical Issues in 1993 as part of an overall
commitment to offer enriching experiences to students while bringing
together the university and the community. The Convocation is
sponsored by the MWSU Foundation and is held in honor of R. Dan
Boulware, former Western regent.
Past Convocation speakers have
included Bill Bradley, James Carville and Mary Matalin, Sam
Donaldson, Steve Forbes, David Gergen, Newt Gingrich, Robert Kennedy
Jr., Jeanne Kirkpatrick, Jerry Linenger, David McCullough, Dr.
Joseph Nye, Colin Powell, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Daniel Schorr,
Patricia Schroeder, J.C. Watts and Bob Woodward.
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Nixon Praises Res Hall Project |
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| Gov. Jay Nixon visited Western's
campus on Tuesday to see the progress on Western's construction of a
new residence hall and praise the university for saving more than $5
million by using special bonds. While touring the site, Gov. Nixon
spoke with construction workers (left), President Vartabedian and
architects Jeff Ellison and Ron Auxier (right), students and community
leaders. |
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Gov. Nixon Praises Residence Hall Project
Gov. Jay Nixon came to Western on Oct. 19 to see
progress on a new residence hall complex being built in part by bonds
awarded by the state. The Governor toured the site with President
Vartabedian and saw drawings of what the three-story $15 million project
will look like after its scheduled completion in August 2011.
When completed, the apartments in the new residence
hall complex will house 245 students, who will have access to kitchen and
laundry facilities, a lounge area, and conference rooms. The complex
residents will include juniors and seniors, as well as graduate and
international students. Construction of the residence hall is expected to
employ some 200 area construction trades workers.
Gov. Nixon praised the project for the construction
jobs it is creating in the St. Joseph area, for the new living quarters it
will bring to a university that has been growing rapidly, and for the
fiscal soundness demonstrated by the university in applying for and
obtaining $5.7 million in Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds from
the state. The bonds are enabling the university to save $787,000 in
interest.
“These are exciting times for Missouri Western State
University,” Gov. Nixon said. “Enrollment has surpassed 6,000 students for
the first time, the university has a sparkling new sports complex that
hosted the Chiefs training camp this summer, there is a new center for
science and math, and now students can look forward to a new residence
hall next year. It’s also an exciting time for the building industry
locally, because of the workers being employed. There are many benefits to
this project for the school, for the local workforce and for taxpayers,
and I commend President Vartabedian and the university for their forward
thinking.”
In August, the Missouri Department of Economic
Development awarded the university $5.7 million in Recovery Zone Economic
Development Bonds. Those bonds were created under the Recovery Act and
were originally offered to cities and counties for public works projects.
In 2009, Gov. Nixon signed into law House Bill 191, which allowed the
state to reallocate unused bonds and make them available for other
projects, such as the construction project at Missouri Western.
The Recovery Zone bonds feature a subsidy of 45
percent on the interest, meaning the university will save $787,000 in
interest over the life of the bonds. The remainder of the $15 million
project is being financed through Build America Bonds, also created under
the Recovery Act, and which feature an interest subsidy of 35 percent. The
university will save more than $4.5 million in interest from the Build
America Bonds.
“There is a well-established correlation between
living on campus and being a successful student,” Dr. Vartabedian said.
“We believe that making more housing options available at Western will
lead to better academic outcomes while enhancing college life for our
students. We are grateful that the Recovery Zone Economic Development
Bonds and Build America bonds have enabled us to make this project a
reality in a fiscally responsible way.”
“This use of Recovery Zone bonds is making a real
difference for Missouri Western students and a real difference for
Missouri taxpayers,” Gov. Nixon said.
The
enrollment for the fall semester at Missouri Western is 6,134 students, a
seven percent increase over last fall and a 24 percent increase from the
fall of 2003.
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River Clean Up |
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| About 30 Western students
and faculty members participated in the Missouri River Cleanup on Oct.
16, more than ten percent of the approximately 275 volunteers who
picked up trash along the Missouri River. Volunteers were shuttled by
boat to various locations (left), then spent two hours picking up
trash from the bank and floodplain (right). |
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Coming Attractions: Laughter on the
23rd Floor What do legendary comedians
Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Woody Allen and Carl Reiner have in common? They
were the original writing team for the 50s live comedy show, Sid Caesar’s
“Your Show of Shows!”
Now Neil Simon's hit play about that
experience—including the laughs—is the theatre and video department’s next
production: Laughter on the 23rd Floor, directed by assistant professor of
theatre Dallas Henry. Save a date on November 4, 5, 6 or 7 to attend.
Western faculty and staff will be admitted FREE! Watch for more details!
ADSFor Sale: 1992 Blue Chevy Lumina - 3.1 engine with 178,000 miles in
good condition. It has had an oil change every 3,000 miles since purchase.
Runs very well, and gets great mileage! Been a great car over the years.
Car has a dent in the drivers side door and two of the door handles do not
work well. No major rust spots. Two new tires and new battery! Call
816-294-8683.
Cleaned out your closet lately? Thinking about a new digital camera for
Christmas? The photography area of the Art Department is seeking the
donation of 35mm film SLR cameras in good working condition. Please
contact Rebecca Foley at
rfoley1@missouriwestern.edu
with questions or bring your donation to the Art Office in Potter 202.
Hardback History 101 text book "The AMERICAN NATION, A history of the
United States," Author: Carnes Edition/Copyright: 13TH 08 Publisher:
Longman, Inc. ISBN-10: 0-205-56272-8. Very good condition $70. Used for
one semester for an eight-week online course through Highland Community
College. New price is $149.75, Used $112.25. Please call 913-426-7316 if
interested.
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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.
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Ads for
non-campus organizations or professional businesses will not be printed.
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Ads can cover
items wanted, items to be sold, garage sales, etc.
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Ads may be
edited for length, style or content. The staff reserves the right to
evaluate the appropriateness of ads for inclusion.
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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.
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Ads will
automatically run for a two-week period. Extensions are granted by
resubmitting the ad.
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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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