Chocolate Opportunity- page 14

The magazine of Missouri Western State University

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Chocolate Opportunity - page 14

AlumnI BoArd Gregory VerMulm ’89, PresidentDiane Hook ’90, First Vice PresidentRandy Klein ’78, Second Vice President

Shelby Coxon ’99, Brandy Criss ’07, Carole Dunn ’91, John Fabsits ’04, Gini Fite ’01, Bill Gondring ’56, Luke Gorham ’06, James Jeffers ’73, Linda Kerner ’73, Bruce Kneib ’84, Sharon Kosek ’77, David Lau ’89, Marc Lewis ’82, Kendell G. Misemer ’82, Nicholas Parker ’02, Zachary Ramsay ’02, Melissa Rewinkel ’93, Ralph Schank ’82, Tom Schneider ’64, Katy Schwartz ’08, Robert Sigrist ’95, David Slater ’82, Kris Smith ’96, Mary Vaughan ’79, Nichi Yeager ’99.

FoundAtIon BoArdAlfred Purcell, ChairJim Carolus, Vice Chair Peter Gray, SecretaryJohn Wilson, Treasurer

Ted Allison, David Bahner, Drew Brown, Michelle Cebulko ’93, Dirck Clark ’85, Stephen Cotter ’78, Pat Dillon, Esther George ’80, Stephen Hamilton, Cindy Hausman, Judith Hausman, Jason Horn ’95, John Jarrett, Jennifer Kneib ’89, Chris Looney, Corky Marquart ’84, JL Robertson, LaVell Rucker ’03, Lee Sawyer, Dave Shinneman, Melody Smith ’87, Loah Stallard, Jon Styslinger, Robert Vartabedian, Tom Watkins, Seth Wright, Chuck Zimmerman, Dan Nicoson, executive director.

BoArd oF GovernorsPatt Lilly, Chair Kylee Strough ’03, Vice Chair

Dirck Clark ’85, Dan Danford ’78, Diza Eskridge, Lesley Graves, Tommye Quilty ’96, Dillon Harp, student governor.

Western Magazine 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt Hall 106St. Joseph, MO 64507(816) 271-5651 email: [email protected]

Missouri Western State University is an equal opportunity institution.

The Western Magazine is a publication of the University Advancement Office for alumni and friends of Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Junior College.

WInter 2010 • volume 8 numBer 1

edItor Diane Holtz

desIGn edItorKendy Jones ’94

dIrector oF AlumnI servIces Colleen Kowich

dIrector oF PuBlIc relAtIons & mArketInG Roger Swafford ’68

President’s Perspective Dear Alumni and Friends, This fall, I had the unique opportunity to host my predecessors on campus. Dr. Janet Gorman McCarthy attended the annual Convocation on Critical Issues in September and in October, Dr. M.O. Looney and Dr. James Scanlon helped us to cele-brate our 40th anniversary as a four-year baccalaureate degree granting institu-tion during Homecoming. Talking with them was, for me, like taking a one hour seminar in the history of Missouri West-ern. These were the individuals who have touched, directed and transformed the lives of many students. Each had his and her own challenges, yet each preserved the academic integrity of Western so as to contribute to what is now our fifth straight year of record enrollment. Today, our challenge is one of main-taining excellence during this time of decreasing budgetary resources. For fiscal year 2011, the governor has asked that state institutions of higher education not increase their tuition with the promise that our state appropriation would be reduced by as little as 5.2 percent. This would be the second straight year in which we are unable to raise tuition to meet the needs of educating our growing student popu-lation. Last January, we agreed to hold our tuition at its current rate for Fiscal Year 2010 with the promise that we would receive the same state appropriation as we did in Fiscal Year 2009. Some legislators have indicated that 5.2 percent may not be enough of a reduction.

Currently, our budget is based on state appropriations of which $3.3 million is funded through federal stabilization efforts, $2.7 million of our own reserves, and tuition and fees. In the next fiscal year, we will have to find a way of re-ducing our budget by at least 5.2 percent (approximately $1.2 million) and begin reduc-ing our use of cash reserves. In preparation for these challenges, we have already eliminated four administrative positions, suspended sab-

baticals for faculty, suspended awards for faculty, staff, and administators; placed a hiring freeze on most open positions and reduced faculty pay for summer school. Over the course of the next year, you will receive continued information from the university as to how Western is facing this current challenge. You will also receive suggestions as to how you, our alumni and friends, can assist us as we progress. As in the past, it will take all of us within the Western community to persevere as we continue on our mission of transforming the lives of students.

Robert A. Vartabedian

Featurescontents

departments 2 campus news11 sports20 Alumni news 27 Alumnotes

6 International student numbers Grow Students from 12 different countries are currently enrolled at Western and more are expected in the fall. Check out why their numbers are up and what the future holds.

14 seth and kelsey and the chocolate Factory Two young alumni are Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise owners; read about Western’s role in their entrepreneurial opportunity.

16 no-strings Giving How is the MWSU Foundation faring in today’s economy, and why are undesignated gifts so important to the Foundation?

24 Alumni making a difference, not a Profit Profiles of six alumni who talk about what it’s like to work in the nonprofit world.

ON THE COVER: Photographer Mark Kiryluk visited Seth Lyons ’08, and Kelsey McFarland ’08, at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Silverthorne, Colo. Along with the cover, see Mark’s other chocolate factory photos on pgs. 14-15.

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cAmPus news

online on the rise

Article read around the world

Westernisdevelopingseveralnewon-linecourses,accordingtoDr.gordon

Mapley,deanandexecutivedirectoroftheWesterninstitute.Hesaidtheuniversityhasbeendevelopingonlinecoursesforseveralyears,buttheycontinuetoincreasethenumberofofferings.incentiveswereprovidedlastspringto16facultymemberstodevelopnewonlinecourses.theincentivesincludedreleasefromteachingacoursethatsemester,financialcompensationforoverload,anotebookcomputer,softwarerelatedtode-velopmentofonlinecoursesandtrainingintheuseofthatsoftware.“Wewanttooffercourseopportunitiesforstudentsatallstagesoflife,includingfull-timeworkersorthosewithfull-timeresponsibilities,”gordonsaid.“Onlinecoursesservetime-bound,place-boundorfinanciallyrestrictedstudents.”nineofthenewcoursesdevelopedinthespringwereofferedlastfallandtheremainderarebeingofferedthisspring.intotal,89onlinecourseswereofferedlastfall,andofthatnumber,45havebeendevelopedsincespring2009,thankstotheincentivesoffered.thegoalistooffer125onlinecoursesbyspring2011.“Moreandmore,possessionofacollegedegreeiscriticaltoemploymentwithfamily-sustainingwages,andonlinecoursesofferanopportunitytothosewhocannotenrollinatraditionalon-campuscollegecourse.”Butgordonsaidonlinecourseswillnotreplaceon-sitecourses.“thegoalistoprovidecitizensoftheregionwithadditionalopportunitiestoobtaincollegecreditsandearndegrees.”

Forthesecondyearinarow,researchconductedbystudentsandfaculty

membersatWesternisattractinginterna-tionalattention.aresearchpaperproducedbya2007researchteamwithsubsequentworkandincollaborationwithstudentsandfacultyatDavidsonCollegeinnorthCarolinawaspublishedinJulybythe Journal of Biological Engineering.sciencewebsitesaroundtheworldreportedonthepaper,whichwasaccessedmorethan13,000timesinthefirstfourdaysafterpublica-tion.atpresstime,itwasstillthemostaccessedarticleonthejournal’swebpage.additionally,thepaperwasevaluatedbyFacultyof1000Biology,anonlineresearchservice,andwasratedas

Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Western’s president, Dr. Janet Gorman McCarthy, president emerita, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visit at the 16th annual Convocation on Critical Issues’ private reception. Robert, the featured Convocation speaker, spoke to a sellout dinner crowd of 500 Sept. 30 and a full arena Oct. 1 on “Our Environmental Destiny.”

“recommendedreadingandofinteresttospecialists.”thearticle,“solvingaHamiltonianPathProblemwithBacteria,”explainscurrentresearchingeneticallyengineeringE. colibacteria,creatingbacterialcomput-erstosolveamathematicalproblemcalledtheHamiltonianPathProblem.ateamfromWesternandDavidsonpublishedworkinthesamepublicationin2008,detailingtheirworktoproducebacterialcomputersthatcouldsolveanotherclassicalmathematicalproblemknownastheBurntPancakeProblem.thatarticle,too,waspublishedworldwideandisthesecondmostaccessedarticleinthehistoryoftheJournal of Biological Engineering.

Winter2010 32 WesternMagazine www.missouriwestern.edu

Alumna named provost and vice president dr.JeanneDaffron’75,wasnamed

provostandvicepresidentofacademicandstudentaffairsatWesternlastaugustafterDr.JosephBraginretiredinJune.“Jeannehasearnedtherespectandtrustofhercolleagues,”saidDr.robertVartabedian,Western’spresident.“sheisastrongadvocateofWestern’smissionofappliedlearningandunderstandswelltheimportantroletheuniversi-typlaysinthecommunity.”JeannestartedatWest-ernasafacultymemberinthedepartmentofnursingin1977.shechairedthedepartmentin1996-1997,andthenservedasdeanoftheCollegeofProfessionalstudiesfrom1997to2004.Jeannebe-cameassistantvicepresidentforacademicandstudentaffairsin2004andhastwiceservedasinterimvicepresident,includingthetwomonthsfollowingtheretirementofJoseph.shealsoservedasinterimdeanofgraduatestudies.“i’mhonoredandlookforwardtoworkingwithmycolleaguesinthisnewroleaswecontinuetoprovidequalityeducationalopportunitiesforourstu-dents,”Jeannesaid.“theseareexcitingtimesatWestern,andnotjustforthoseofusoncampus.Highereducationistrulyateameffort,andourexcitementissharedbyWestern’salumniandsupportersinthecommunity.”

Jeanneoversawthestudentaffairsdivisionuntilanewvicepresidentforstudentaffairs,Dr.estherPerález,beganherdutiesJan.4.asprovostandvicepresidentfor

academicaffairs,Jeanneisresponsiblefororganizing,coordinatingandprovidingleadershipfortheacademicprogramsoftheuniversity.sheoverseestheCollegeofLiberalartsandsciences,theCollegeofProfessionalstudies,theCraigschoolofBusinessandgraduatestud-ies,aswellasadmissions,thelibrary,theregistrar’soffice,andtheWesterninstitute.

Jeanne,aregisterednurse,receivedanassociatedegreeinnursingandabachelorofscienceinpsychologyfromWestern,abachelorofscienceinnursingfromnorthwestMissouristateUniversity,amasterofpublicadministrationdegreewithanemphasisinhealthpolicyandplanningfromtheUniversityofMissouri-KansasCity,andadoctorateinnursingfromtexasWomen’sUniversity.JosephbeganservingasWestern’sprovostandvicepresidentin2006.Duringhistenure,Westernexperi-encedrecordenrollmenteachofthethreeyearsheservedastheuniversity’schiefacademicofficer.HeoversawthecreationofWestern’sfirstgraduateprograms,andhelpedhoodthefirstmaster’sdegreere-cipientsduringthespringcommencementceremony.

Dr. Jeanne Daffron ’75

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cAmPus news

A foundation for great music Westernmusicstudentshavethe

opportunitytohavetheirmusicalperformancesheardaroundtheglobeandalsogainexperienceinthemusicindustry,thankstothest.JosephMusicFoundation.theFoundationisanonprofitorgani-zationofmusicians(orpeoplewholovemusic)thatwasstartedin2005togiveareamusiciansanopportunitytocome

together.MichaelFuson,whoattendedWesternformorethanthreeyearsrightaf-terhighschoolbeforemovingoutofstate,servesastheFoundation’spresident.OneofMichael’sfirstprojectsfortheFoundationwascreatingaweb-basedradiostation.Lastyear,therewerealmost56,500hitsonthewebsite’sstationinonequarter,andaboutonethirdofthose

listenerswereoutsideoftheUnitedstates.the24-hourstationissimilartoeuropeanradiostations,Michaelsaid,wherealltypesofmusicareplayedononestation.anymusicianintheareaiswelcometosubmittheirwork,andanthonyglise,instructorofmusicatWestern,encour-ageshisstudentstodoso.ifthestudents’musiciscopyrighted,hesaid,theywillreceivearoyaltyfromthestation.

“Youcanlistentomusicthatcomesdirectlyfromst.Josephartists,andthemorest.Josephmusicweputontheair,themorest.Josephisrecognizednation-allyandinternationally,”anthonysaid.accordingtoanthony,notonlyisanor-ganizationliketheFoundationararity,butheknowsofnoothermusicfoundationthathasitsownwebradiostation.

Westernstudentsalsohaveanoppor-tunitytocompleteaninternshipwiththeFoundation’sradiostation,andonestu-denttookadvantageofthatthispastyear.“Forastudenttocomeinrealandlive(onaradiostation)isagreatopportunity,”anthonysaid.theFoundationalsooffersachanceforstudentstonetworkwithmusicianswhohavealotofexperience.studentscanlearnfromthepros,astheFoundationregularlyholdsmasterclassesatthelocalCaféacoustic,whereprofessionalmusi-cianssharetheirtechniquesandanswerquestions.“thosemusicstudentswhohavebeeninvolvedintheFoundationhavefounditinvaluable,”anthonysaid.“it’sallaboutcamaraderieandsupport.”BothMichaelandanthonysaytheywanttheFoundationtoformmorecon-nectionswithWestern’smusicdepart-ment,includinghavingaregulartimeslotonthewebradiostationdevotedsolelytoWesternperforminggroups.OneimportantpartnershipbetweentheFoundationandtheuniversityistheinternationalguitarFestival,whichwillbeheldMay13-17thisyear.thefestivalwillfeaturefourconcerts,includingthefinalcompetition,jamsessionsaftereachconcertandclassestaughtbytheperform-ers.thefestivalisunique,anthonysays,notonlybecauseattendeeshaveanop-portunitytomeetwiththeperformersandgettoknowthem,butalsobecausetheperformersstaywithhomehosts.FormoreinformationabouttheFoundation,checkouttheFoundation’swebsiteatwww.stjosephmusicfounda-tion.org.thewebsiteforguitarfestivalinformationishttp://www.missouriwest-ern.edu/guitarfestival.

Instructor of music Anthony Glise, introduces Nick Charles, called “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots guitar music,” who held a masterclass for musicians at Café Acoustic in St. Joseph, Mo.

Winter2010 5

neWs Briefs


Brenda lindstrom: Semper Fidelis twoyearsago,BrendaLindstromwas

samplingentriesattheannualUnitedCerebralPalsychilicookoffintheCivicarena.“iwalkedupstairsandsawthreeMarinesinaLeagueuniformandbeersinhand.iknewi’dfoundmyhome,”Brenda,aWesternstudent,saidwithalaugh. BrendajoinedtheMarineCorpsin1992andhadplannedonmakingithercareer,butherplansweredashedwhenakneeinjuryendedhermilitaryservicefiveyearslater. theMarinesshemetatthecookoffwerepartofthenorthwestDetachment#180MarineCorpsLeagueandBrendaimmediatelyjoinedthegroup.LastspringshewaselectedastheLeague’sfirstfemalecommandant.inthesummer,shewasap-pointedvicecommandantofthewesterndivisionoftheLeague. “theyareanoutstandinggroupofindividuals,”shesaid.“Whenigotout(oftheMarineCorps),ifeltilostapartofmyself.thisdetachmenthashelpedmefindmyplaceintheworld.it’sexactlywhatineeded.” theLeague,theonlyoneinnorthernMissouri,provideshonordetailatveter-ans’funerals,usuallyaboutthreeorfouramonth.“everyveteranhasearnedit,”Brendasaidofthehonordetail.“Wefeelstronglyaboutprovidingitnomatterwhichbranchtheyservedin;theinter-servicerivalryceasesatthatpoint.”

theLeaguehasconductedopeningceremoniesattheannualFreedomFesti-valinskidmore,Mo.,andservesascolorguardforveterans’ceremoniesandparadesthroughoutnorthwestMissouri.therearecurrently57members,andBrendawouldlovetoincreasethosenumbers,especiallywithyoungMarines. BrendaenrolledatWesternaftergraduatingfromsavannahHighschoolinsavannah,Mo.,butonlystayedasemester.afterseveraljobsthatincludedastintinHouston,shejoinedtheMarinesandservedasamilitarypoliceofficer.shesaidshewouldn’tchangehermilitaryexperiencesforanything. “Foranyonewhohasn’tstoodonyellowfootprintsat3a.m.inbootcampwithsomeoneyellingatyou,it’shardtoexplain,”shesaysofwhatshelearnedinthemilitary.“it’sveryhardtodescribetosomeonewhywedowhatwedo,whatdrivesustocarryoninthefaceofadversity.” shereturnedtoWesterninthefallof2007toworkonacomputerinformationsystemsdegreeandplanstograduateinDecember2010. “nomatterwhereyougo,ifyouseetheeagle,globeandanchor(MarineCorpssymbol),youknowyouhaveafriendandfamily.”

$450,000 grant The Missouri Regional Center for Public Safety Innovation (MO-RCPI) at Western received a $450,000 grant from the federal Department of Justice to continue its national training mission. Sen. Claire Mc-Caskill announced the grant award. MO-RCPI began delivering training to law enforcement officers across the country two years ago, after receiving a $714,000 grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. “In the last 18 months, we’ve done more than 250 days of training from coast to coast,” said Bryan Courtney ’96, MO-RCPI director. More than 2,500 officers from more than 2,000 federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies have attended training sessions, including Gangs 101, Campus Crime Prevention, Counter Terrorism Aware-ness, and The Seven Habits for Highly Effec-tive People for Law Enforcement, said Bryan. Possible future training subjects include law enforcement officer suicide prevention, intelligence-led policing and reducing crime through traffic enforcement. The RCPI also gives Western students applied learning and internship opportunities, Bryan said. Undergraduates have served as interns and student workers in the RCPI, and Bryan has been able to use his contacts with law enforcement agencies to place students in external internships locally and nationally. Those contacts can also help students start their law enforcement careers after graduation.

Editor’s note The photos that accompanied the article in the Fall 2009 issue about Western studentswho traveled to Ecuador were taken by Juan Miguel Espinoza.

We’re moving! Students who call for the annual fund’s Phonathon want to let you know that we are moving the Phonathon from the fall to the spring – they will contact alumni in February and March.


HueyshiChewisexcited.infall2008,asthenewlyhiredinternational

studentcoordinator,sheheldanorienta-tionfortwointernationalstudentswhowerenewtoWestern.thispastfall,shewelcomed16newstudents,andthreein-ternationalstudentswhostartedlastspringhelpedherwithorientation.Withthefallenrollment,Westernincreaseditsinter-nationalstudentpopulationfromsixto23,andthestudentsrepresent12differentcountries.theuniversityalsowelcomeditsfirstinternationalgraduatestudentinthefall.Hueyshiadmitsthenumbersmaybesmall,butshesaysthestructuresacrosscampusarebeginningtofallintoplaceandshebelievesthenumberswillcon-tinuetogrow.infact,anintensiveenglishprogramwasstartedlastspringwhichwillhelpattractmoreasianstudents.Hueyshiexplainedthatasiaholdsthebiggestshareofinternationalstudents,andtheyusuallydon’tspeakenglish.HowthecurrentinternationalstudentscametobeatWesternisasdiverseastheirbackgrounds.alongwithHueyshi’sefforts,themusicdepartmentrecruitedsixpianomajorsfromsouthKorea.two

australianstudentswererecruitedbytheathleticsdepartment–onefortennisandoneforsoftball.twostudentstransferredfromareacommunitycolleges,onefromafghanistanjoinedhisfriendwhowasalreadyaWesternstudent,andfourareexchangestudentsfromeuropeanuniver-sities.thegraduatestudentfromBangla-desh,sujoyKumarChowdhury,foundWesternonline.Lastfall,Dr.Matthewedwards,associateprofessorofmusicanddirec-torofkeyboardstudies,visitedYonseiUniversityandseoulartsHighschoolinsouthKoreatocontinuetodeveloprelationships,asthreeofWestern’scur-rentKoreanpianostudentsattendedthathighschool.additionally,thisspring,Dr.robertVartabedian,Western’spresident,isplanningtotraveltoChinatowrapupanagreementwithtwouniversi-tiesforChinesestudentstoearntwoyearsofcollegecreditthereandcompletetheirdegreeatWestern.

Hueyshisaidtheinternationalstu-dentsintheresidencehallsarebondingwitheachotherandplanningseveralactivitiestogether.shestartedacoffeehourforinternationalstudentsandinternationalfaculty,whichhasbeenabighit.internationalstudentsandfacultyalsogottogetherforseveralactivitiesinthefall.“ibringpeopletogetherandtheyhavealltheideas.theyaremakingtheplans,”Hueyshisaid.asWesterncontinuestoattractmoreinternationalstudents,shesaysherjobistocontinuetomakesurethestructuresremaininplacesotheyhaveagoodexperiencehere.“i’mbuildingonthatpersonaltouch.”

International student numbers grow

Above: Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Western’s president, and cabinet members greeted new

international students during their orientation. Above right: Mi Ra Lee, HyeYoon Cho and Ahmad Shah Salimee helped with the new

international students’ orientation. Right: New international students tour campus.

6 WesternMagazine www.missouriwestern.edu Winter2010 7

neWs Briefs

RPDC at MWSU The Missouri Legislature recently allocated funding for a new Regional Professional De-velopment Center (RPDC) located on Western’s campus, and Dr. Sherry Copeland was named its director. The center serves school districts in Buchanan, Clay and Platte Counties. RPDCs work directly with school districts in their region to provide professional development to teachers and administrators. The legislature approved two additional centers to bring the number in the state to 11, and all are associated with campuses. “There will be a very collaborative relation-ship between Western and this RPDC,” Sherry said. “The university is taking a front and center role in the center.” Most of the workshops for the area schools, she said, will be held on campus.

Fall 2009 enrollment numbers Here are the figures from the four-week enrollment count for Fall 2009:

• Official enrollment figure – 5,735, a 3.6 percent increase from Fall 2008.

• Full-time students – 4,089, the first time Western has had more than 4,000 full-time students.

• Undergraduate – 5,665. Graduate – 70. • Credit hours enrolled – 66,922, a five

percent increase from last fall. • First-time freshmen – 1,185.

Foundation welcomes new board members At its October meeting, the MWSU Founda-tion elected four new members: Seth Wright, an attorney at Polsinelli Shughart PC, was elected to a two-year term; Dave Shinneman, president of Shinneman Management Company, to a one-year term; and Jennifer Kneib ’89, branch manager of MetLife Home Loans; and Dirck Clark ’85, chief business development officer at Heartland Health, to full three-year terms. Thank you to retiring board members Loah Stallard, who served 12 years; and Todd Ehlert, who served three years.

AhmadshahsalimeemovedintohisroominLoganHallonedayearly

thispastfallsohecouldbeonhandtogreetthe16newlyarrivedinternationalstudents,answertheirquestionsandmakethemfeelwelcome.theafghanistannativehasbeenaWesternstudentsincethespringsemester2009,soheknowshowimportantitistofeelwelcomeonaforeigncampus.ahmadshahgraduatedfromtheinternationalschoolinKabul,wheremostofthestudents,hesaid,plantoenrollinamericanoreuropeanuniversitiesaftertheygraduate.HefoundoutaboutWesternfromtheschool’sprincipal,gailgoolsby,whoisfromst.Joseph.Hethinksgoingtoaninternationalschoolprobablyhelpedhimavoidanycultureshockwhenhearrivedinst.Joseph,andlanguagewasn’tanissue,

Afghan student welcomes internationals

either.ahmadshahknowsenglishandthetwonativeafghanlanguages,PashtoandDari;and,becausehelivedinPaki-stanforseveralyearsasachild,heknowstwoPakistanilanguages,UrduandHindi.ahmadshahadmitsthathemisseshisfamily(heistheoldestofsixchildren)andhishomecountry,sothearrivalofanotherafghanstudent,abdulrashidKhalili,fromhishighschoolthispastfallmeantalottohim.“icouldn’tbelieveweweretalkinginourownlanguage,iwassoexcited,”hesaid.“ilovehavinghimhere.”thetwoareroommatesinLoganHall.thispastfall,ahmadshah,alongwithHye-YoonChoandMiraLee,twostudentsfromKoreawhohadalsoarrivedforthespring2009semester,helpedHueyshiChew,internationalstudentcoordina-tor,withorientationforthenewinterna-

tionalstudents.“Wetriedourbesttogivethemthefeelingthattheyshouldknowallthebuildings.Wetriedtohelpthem,”hesaid.ahmadshahhadplannedtomajorinbusinessmanage-mentatWestern,butwhiledealingwithdelaysinobtain-inghisstudentvisaforseveralmonths,hegotinvolvedwithanorganizationandattendedsomegovernmentmeetingsinafghanistan.thatmadehimchangehismindandhismajor

topoliticalscience.“Hopefullyicangobackandgetinvolvedingovernment.ithinkicanhelp.” Hesaidsomestudentshavebeenaskinghimquestionsabouthishomecountry,buthedoesn’tmind.“ireallyappreciatetheirquestionsandiappreciatetheirinterest.isaytothem,‘Don’tfeellikeyou’regoingtooffendme.askmeanythingyouwant.’”


cAmPus news

sophomoreLindsayO’nealseestheplanetasalargepuzzle,andshelikes

toexplorehoweverythingfitstogetherandtheroleofhumansinit.thatwasoneofthereasonsshedecidedtoparticipateinenergyandLife,Western’sOutdoorsemester,amulti-disciplinaryprogramthatincludedtravelalongwiththeclass-roomwork.For13daysthispastfall,sevenstudents,fourfacultymembersandonecommunitymembertrekkedfromMissouritoWyomingwithstopsin

Kansas,nebraskaandsouthDakota,touringseveralfacilitiestolearnfirsthandaboutwind,solar,geothermal,hydroelec-tricpower,fossilfuelsandnuclearpower.theyalsoenjoyedbeautifulland-scapes,museums,alotofwildlife(studentJoshswindlercalledbison“incrediblyarrogant”),waterfallsandsnow.Dr.KenDagel,associateprofessorofgeography,taughtsustainableenergy,oneofthecourserequirementsfortheOutdoorsemester,andarrangedthetoursofallthe

energyfacilities.HelikesthatOutdoorsemestergivesstudentsthebackgroundintheclassroomandthenactualexperiencesonthetrip.“energyisanareathatalotofpeopledon’thaveagoodunderstandingof,andiwantedtoexpandstudents’information.Whentheyactuallygettolookatthefacilities,itreallyputsthingsintoperspective.”

the great outdoor semesterKensaidtheyevenvisitedacoalmineinWyomingthatisst.Joseph’scoalprovider.“ihopestudentsgainedabetterunderstandingofenergyingeneral,whatwe’reusingrightnowandhowthatim-pactsthephysicalenvironment.”Dr.elizabethLatosi-sawin,professorofenglish,saidthetriptaughtthestudentsaboutcompetinglanduseinterestsandalotaboutnatureandwildlife.shearrangedthevisittoYellowstonenationalPark,whichincludedspendinganentiredaywithtwobiologistswhohelpedthestudentsobservewolves.“itwasawesome,”Lindsaysaid.“Weheardthemhowl.itwasbreath-taking.”elizabeth’senvironmentalLiteratureclasswasalsoarequiredcoursefortheOutdoorsemester,andstudentshadtheoptiontoenrollinFitnessandWellness,WritingandresearchandintroductiontoPsychologyaspartoftheprogram,aswell.studentKurtMorrisonsaidonethinghelikedaboutthetripwasthevarietyofplacesthattheyvisited,whichincludedenergyplants,museumsandparks.“itwasagreatopportunity,”Kurtsaidofthetrip.“ihavealwaysbeeninterestedinrenewableenergy.”HesaidYellowstonewasarealtreat,becausetheystayedincabinswithnotelevisionsordistractions.“itwasnicetobe

separatedfromthehustleandbustleofdailylifeforawhile.”“Wewantedtohelpstudentsunder-standourplanetandourpositiononit,”elizabethsaid.“theylearnedagreatdeal.”

Outdoor Semester students and faculty pose for a photo in front of one of the many museums they visited on their “Energy and Life” travels.

“We wanted to help students understand

our planet and our position on it.” - Dr. Elizabeth Latosi-Sawin


neWs Briefs

twoalumni,roseBriscoe‘92&‘95,andteriWhite‘01,becameinstructors

inthecriminaljustice/legalstudiesdepartmentthisfallandaregreatinspira-tionstotheirstudents.“Onthefirstdayofclass,itoldmystudentsthatiftheyevergotdiscour-aged,comeandtalktome,”saidrose,whoteachesaCriminalevidenceclass.“isaidbythetimeitoldthemmystorythey’dbereadytogetbackupandtryagain.”rose,acriminaldefenseattorneywiththeMissouriPublicDefendersystem,knewshewantedtobealawyerfromthetimeshewassevenyearsold,butshehadnoideahowdifficultitwouldbetoachievehergoal.afterearninganassociatedegreeinlegalstudiesandthenabachelor’sincriminaljusticefromWestern,shehadtoapplyseveraltimesbeforeshewasadmittedintolawschoolbecauseherLawschooladmissiontest(Lsat)scorewaslowerthanshehadhoped.afterfiveyears

ofapplying,shewasfinallyadmittedintothethomasCooleyLawschoolinLan-sing,Mich.,in1999.itwasgreatnews,buttherewasonelittleglitch-shereceivedheracceptanceletterwhenshewasninemonthspregnant.ashortstintatthomasCooleytoldheritwasn’ttherighttime,soshesteppedoutandre-appliedthreeyearslater.sheat-tendedthomasCooleyforayear,earnedgreatgradesandtransferredtoWashburnUniversityschoolofLawintopeka,Kan.Bythenasingleparent,sheplannedtocommutefromst.Joseph,Mo.,butthatonlylastedonesemesterbeforeshehadtodropouttoearnsomemoney.Butrosenevergaveup.shereturnedtoWashburnandfinallyearnedherdegreein2006.“studentsmaynotbeabletoseeitatthemoment,butallthechallengestheyarefacingrightnowwillmakethembet-ter,strongerandsmarter,”shesays.“Howigotmylawdegreewasthehardestthingihadtodoinmylife.Butididit.”continued on page 26

Rockhurst Agreement Western and Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo., have signed an agreement to allow graduates of Western’s Steven L. Craig School of Business to more easily pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Western graduates who take advantage of this opportunity will be able to complete their MBA degree at Rockhurst’s Helzberg School of Management in 30 credit hours if they meet the Helzberg School entrance requirements and enroll within one year of their graduation from Western. The program is commonly referred to as a “Fifth-year MBA.” “Our two schools share a commitment to helping our students understand business through a combination of theory and real-world experience,” said Carol Roever, interim dean of the Craig School of Business. “With an undergraduate degree from the Craig School of Business and an MBA from the Helzberg School of Management, our graduates will be well prepared for the challenges of today’s business environment.” Legal assistant program re-approved This past August, the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates granted re-approval to the legal assistant program, and the term of approval is for a period of seven years. The program has been approved by the ABA since 1986. The site team report stated the following: “Missouri Western State University has a strong Legal Assistant Program. It has dedi-cated administration and faculty that present an educational program for degree and certificate program students that meets ABA Guidelines provisions for general education and legal specialty courses. The Program has a good reputation in the local legal community and has a strong advisory committee.” Suzanne Kissock, JD, assistant professor, has been the legal assistant program director since 2006.

encouragement: paying it forward

campus kudos• Dr. Nathanael May,assistantprofes-sorofmusicanddirectorofkeyboardstudies,servedasartisticdirectorforthesoundsCaPeCompositionandPerfor-manceexchange,heldinPavia,italy.thefestivalfornewmusicwasattendedby36residentcomposersandperformersfromaroundtheworld.thefestivalconcertseriesplayedtopackedhousesat14con-certsover11days.nathanaelisoneofthefoundersofsoundsCaPe.

• Dr. Durai Sundaramoorthi,assistantprofessorofbusiness,wasawardedBestresearchPosterataMayoClinicConfer-ence.DuraidevelopedsiMna,asimula-tionofnurseactivity,whichisthefirstofitskindforthepurposeofevaluatingdif-ferentnurse-patientassignmentpolicies.

• Teresa Harris,assistantprofessorofart,receivedanawardforexcellenceatthe2009nationalJuriedexhibitioninBerke-ley,Calif.Herwork,“UponOpening,”

wasoneofabout70piecesselectedfrommorethan900entries.Herworkwasalsoonthecoverofthegalleryinvitationfortheexhibition.

• Dave Tushaus,associateprofessoroflegalstudies;andJoanne Katz,professoroflegalstudies;wereawardeda$74,807grantfromtheUselectionassistanceCommissionfortheircollegepollworkerprogram.

• Forthesixthyear,Rico McNeela,associateprofessorofmusic,servedasaperformer,teacherandadministratorforthe29thannual,eight-weekLuzerneChamberMusicFestivalinLakeLuzerne,n.Y.ricoservedasthedirectorofstudentchambermusicforfourweeksandwasamemberoftheteachingandperformancefacultyfortheentirefestival.Hehasbeenappointedmusicdirectorforthe2010juniorsessionorchestra.


WesternopenedadoortoWallst.thisfallwhentheyconvertedaconfer-

enceroominthestevenL.CraigschoolofBusinessintotheKoenig-simmonstradingCenter.Designedtoreplicatearealtradingroom,alarge-screentViscontinuouslyrunningatickeroftradinginformation,and14computersloadedwithfinancialtradingsystemsoftwarearegivingstudentsexperienceinwhatatradingroomisreallylike.Carolroever,interimdeanoftheCraigschoolofBusiness,callstherooma“greatconvergenceofenergy,”becauseitwasinitiatedbystudents,guidedbyfaculty,andsupportedbyalumni.thealumnisupportcamefromtwodonors–stevenKoenig,whoplayedfoot-ballforWesterninthe1980s,andJeremysimmons’06,amanagingdirectorforalliedBusinessgroupinLeawood,Kan.stevenismanagingdirectorandco-headofLatinamericasalesandtrainingforJPMorganinnewYork,wherehespendspartofhisworkdayinatradingroom.Heisalong-timeWesternsupporterandvisitsatleastonceayeartolectureintheCraigschoolofBusiness.JeremyearneddegreesinfinanceandeconomicsfromWesternandwantedtosupportthetradingroominmemoryofhisbrother,Jamie.Jamiewaskilledinacaraccidentwhenhewasafreshman

atWesternin2006,andJeremyandhisfamilyhavebeenholdingannualbasket-balltournamentstoraisemoneyinhismemory.WhenJeremyfoundoutaboutthepossibilityofatradingroomoncam-pus,thefamilydecidedtosupportthat.“thetradingroomcouldhelphundredsofstudentseachsemester,”hesaid.Jeremysaidhetookanappliedportfo-liomanagementclassingraduateschoolatUniversityofKansasinLawrence,where30studentsmanagedaportfoliowithrealmoney.“itwasthebestclassieverhad.iwouldlovetoseeMissouriWesternhaveaclasslikethat.”“it’sagreatopportunityforstudents.somebiggeruniversitiesdon’tevenhavethis,”stevensaid.“thiswillsetMissouriWesternapart.thisisunique.”Headdedthattheroomwillbeagreatrecruitingtoolforprospectivestudents.thesoftware,Financialtradingsystem,offersareal-timeenvironmentwherestudentstradewitheachother.studentsmanageportfoliosusinglivedatafromfinancialmarketsandlearnhowtooperateinatradingroomenviron-ment.Carolsaidtheroomwillbeusedbyfinanceprofessors,investmentclassesandseveralothercourses,includingintroduc-tiontoBusiness.shesaidstudentswilllearntheprin-ciplesintheclassroom,thengotothe

tradingcenterandimmediatelyapplythoseprinciples.“itreallycaptureswhatappliedlearningmeans,”shesaid.Fivefinancestudentswithalotofinitiativeandvisionwasanotherconverg-ingfactor,accordingtoCarol.twoyearsago,afterattendinganationalconferenceforbusinessstudentswithDr.sangkyooKang,assistantprofessoroffinance,thestudentsreturnedtoWesterntalkingaboutestablishingatradingroom.theycreatedapowerpointpresentationforprospectivedonorsandbeganwritingletters.“theyweresoexcited,”Carolsaid.“andDr.Kangencouragedthem.”LarryMotleyJr.’09,saidhelovedworkingonthetradingroomproject,eventhoughheknewhewouldgraduatebeforeitcametofruition.“Butitwasthemostexcitingtimeinmycollegecareer,”hesaid.“itrulyenjoyedbeingapartofsomethingsobig;itwasreallyspecial.”Larrysaidthatinthefuture,hewouldlovetoseeastudent-managedinvestmentfundatWesternthatusesrealmoney.“it’sawesomethatwemadeit(thetradingcenter)happenandmadetheuniversitybetterforfuturestudents,”Larrysaid.“studentscangetanideaofwhatthemarketisabout;i’mproudandhonoredtobeapartofit,”stevensaid.“ihopestudentswilluseitforyearstocome.”

trading space

AtHletIcsnews


WesterninductedsevenindividualsandoneteamintoitsathleticsHallof

Fameduringceremoniessept.19:Carl Butcher ’72, LeAnn Martens-Francis ’86, Dave Sego ’77, Mike Solomon ’81, Vince Thomson ’86, Myron Unzicker, Cheryl Williams-Hobbs ’88, and the 1973-74 basketball team. Carl,ofst.Joseph,Mo.,beganhiscareeratWesternin1980andservedaschairofthecriminaljustice/legalstudiesdepartmentfor15ofthe20yearshewashere.HeisamemberofthegoldCoatClubBoardandisatopfundraisernearlyeveryyear.For20years,herantheclockateveryhomefootballandbasketballgame.HealsoservesastheassistantchairfortheCelebritygolfCommittee. LeAnn,ofLiberty,Mo.,wasatwo-sportathletewhosevolleyballcareerculminatedwithasecond-teamnaiaall-americanselectionin1985.shefinishedwith491killsandacareer-high278blocks.shealsoreceivedfirst-team

District16andall-CsiChonorsherjuniorandseniorseasons.Herteamplacedfourthinthe1983naianationaltournamentandearnedaseventhplacefinishin1985. Daveplayedthirdbaseinmorethan50gamesinthreeoutofthefourseasonsforthegriffons.Hehit41rBishisseniorseasontogoalongwitha.364battingaverageon56hits.Hefinishedhiscareerwith110rBiand174hits.Davelivesinsouthlake,texas.inthetwoyearshewasastartingquarterback,Mike,ofColumbia,s.C.,threwfor27touchdowns,18ofthosecominginhisseniorseason.Mikeledthegriffonstoa1979MoilashrineBowlvictorywherehisteamscored72pointsandhewasnamedbowlMVP.HecontinuedhiscareerintothenFLandin1981,signedaprofessionalcontractwiththeKansasCityChiefs.HeplayedinthenorthernCaliforniaLeaguewhereheledhisteamtothechampionshipgamein

1981.HesignedwiththeBostonBreakersoftheUsFLin1983. Vincereceivedsecondteamnaiaall-americanhonorsin1984.Hewasanall-CsiCperformerbothoftheyearsheplayedforthegriffons.in1984,herecordedfoursacksforalossof33yardsandhadanotherfivetacklesforloss.theKansasCityChiefsselectedhimintheseventhroundofthe1985nFLdraftbeforehewentontoplayintheCanadianFootballLeaguefortwoyears.VincelivesinCleveland. MyronhasservedasanathletictrainerforWesternfor25years.Healsoteachesinthephysicaleducationdepartment.Myronearnedhisbachelor’sdegreeineducationfromnorthernillinoisUniver-sityandhismaster’sinphysicaleducationfromBallstateUniversity. Cheryl,ofOverlandPark,Kan.,explodedontothesceneforthegrif-fonvolleyballclubin1986,herjunioryear.sheaccumulated1,156killsand489blocksintwoseasons.shereceivedsecondteamnaiaall-americanhonorsin1986.theCsiCandDistrict16namedhertotheirfirstteamduringherjuniorandseniorseasons.the1973-74 men’s basketball teamputtogethera25-6recordandtheschool’sfirstappearanceinthenaianationaltournament.thegriffonsreceivedtheno.13overallseedinthetournamentandwontheiropeningroundgameagainstMonmouth,theschool’sfirstvictoryinthenaiatournament.adaylater,theylosttotheeventualrunner-up.Westernsetannaiaattendancerecord(8,284people)attheloss.

Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2009

Members of the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2009 include Vince Thomson ’86, LeAnn Martens-Fran-cis ’86, Cheryl Williams-Hobbs ’88, Myron Unzicker, Carl Butcher ’72, Dave Sego ’77, Mike Solomon ’81, and below, the 1973-74 men’s basketball team.

Marty Ayers Photography

AtHletIcsnews

Football

nationalrankingsandsettingrecordswerethethemesforthe2009edition

ofgriffonfootball.asthe40thseasonunfoldedandasthevictoriesmounted,eachgamemarkedanothermilestoneinthegriffonrecordbook.inmid-October,theteamwasrankedno.12nationwideinDiv.iiandthirdinthenCaasuperregionFour.

inthegriffon’s49-7homeopenervictoryagainstnorthernstate,quarter-backDrewnewhartthrewfivefirst-halftouchdownpasses,tyingKyleWester-berg’s2003performanceagainstMissourirolla.Oneweeklater,Drewwaspartofanotherrecord,thistimethelongestpassandplayfromscrimmageinschoolhistory,a98-yardscoringstriketowidereceiverCedricHouston.adefensiverecordfellaweeklaterasfreesafetynateBruto’s100-yardinterceptionreturnforatouchdownbrokeopenaclosegameandpacedthegriffonstoa58-31victoryoverFortHaysstate.aweeklater,itwasthelegofplacekickerBradBeckwithprovid-ingtheheroics.Withthescoretiedat34,Brad’sschool-record53-yardfieldgoalastimeexpiredsenttheFamilyDaycrowdof5,011intoafrenzyandgavethegrif-fonstoa37-34victoryoverWashburn.aheartbreaker35-34lossagainstMissourisoutherngaveMichaelHillacareer-high143yardsrushingon28

Fall sports

Above left: As part of several events taking place throughout the 40th season of Griffon football, three alumni participated in the pregame coin toss with current Griffon quarterback Drew Newhart prior to the Sept. 19 game against Washburn. Griffon Hall of Famers Tim Boender ’84, MIAA all-time leading passer Kasey Waterman ’02, and Zack Workman ’74, pose for the picture following the toss. These three alumni appeared with Drew in all football promotional materials commemorating the milestone season. Above: An ariel photo showing the record crowd of 10,129 during the game against Northwest. Take note of the new visitor-side bleachers that now seat 2,200.

carriesandDrewacareer-high383yardspassing.thegriffonsendedtheseason9-3overall,6-3intheMiaaandaseventhappearanceintheMineralWaterBowl,wheretheydefeatedaugustanaCollege,s.D.,34-21.attheendoftheregularseason,13griffonsreceivedMiaahonors,withCedricHouston,widereceiver,and

nathanMartin,offensiveline-man,namedtothefirstteam.theywerealsonamedtotheall-superregion4secondteam.JuniorstevenJones,offensivelineman,wasnamedtotheCosiDaacademic

all-americasecondteam.stevenhadear-lierbeennamedtotheacademicall-Dis-trict7firstteam,andKipPeters,tightend,wasnamedtothesecondteam.thegriffonsarecoachedbyJerryPartridge’86.Women’s soccer asolidnucleus,plusaddeddepthandsomefreshmanspeedhaveequaledsomevictoriesforthewomen’ssoccerteam,finishingtheseasonwithsixwinsandgoing4-3-1athome.thegriffonsboastedtwoofthetop10pointscorersintheMiaa:abbyWidrigrankedfifthintheleagueintotalpointswith16,includingsixgoalsandfourassists.JessicaMartin

12 WesternMagazine

Winter2010 15

neWs Briefs

don’tmissaminuteoftheexcitingactionthiswinterasgriffonBasketballgearsupforanotherrunthroughtheMiaaConferenceschedule.Checkouttheschedule

atwww.gogriffons.com.thegriffonmenreturnednineplayersfromateamthatayearagomadeittothechampionshipoftheMiaaBasketballChampionshipswhilethegriffonwomenreturnastrongnucleusandsomekeyadditionsthatshouldmakethisyear’steamexcitingtowatch.getyourticketsnowbycallingtheathleticsdepart-mentat816-271-5904.ticketofficehoursare8a.m.-4:30p.m.Monday–Friday.

Griffon Basketball!

national championships in st. Joseph Griffon athletics, in conjunction with the City of St. Joseph, is preparing for a championship spring when they host the 2010 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball and Softball National Championships. St. Joseph Civic Arena will serve as the site of the women’s basketball championship March 23, 24 and 26, with the championship game being televised on ESPN 2. The softball national championship will be held at Heritage Park May 27-31 with the championship game being televised on CBS College Sports. For ticket information to both championships, log on to www.ncaasports.com.

mIAA basketball tourney march 4-7 Make plans now to support Griffon basketball as they head to Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium for the 2010 MIAA Basketball Championships March 4-7. The Griffon women will open action on Thursday while the Griffon men begin play on Friday. Game times will be determined by order of finish in the conference and will be available Feb. 28. Last season, the Griffon men made an exciting run to the championship game. Tickets for the tournament will be available in the Western ticket office Feb. 1. To get your tickets, call 816-271-5904. Watch your e-mail and griffonalumni.org for information on the annual alumni gathering that will take place around the tournament.

For tickets to any home athletic event call the athletics

department at 816-271-5904. To stay up-to-date on your favorite

Griffon teams, log on to the official website of Griffon

Athletics at www.gogriffons.com.

Winter2010 13 12 WesternMagazine

returnedfromaseason-endinginjuryayearagoandrankedninthintotalpointswith13,includingfivegoalsandthreeassists.Withnoseniorsonthisyear’steam,2010looksbrightforCoachJeffHansen’sclub.

volleyballnewheadcoachCoryFrederickbegantherebuildingprocessforthevolleyballteamthispastseason.theteameclipsedtheir2008wintotal,wonatournamentwithaperfect4-0andranoffasix-matchwinningstreakintheprocess.individually,outsidehitterKellisicnerhadanoutstandingseason.shewasnamedtotheall-tournamentteaminthegriffons’firstthreeeventsoftheseasonandledthegriffonsinseveralstatisticalcategories.OutsidehitterMeghanVoelzalsohadasolidseasonandrankedsecondontheteaminkillsandtotalattacks. Forthesecondstraightseason,thevolleyballteamdidtheirpartinraisingawarenessforbreastcancerresearchwith

thesecondannualPinKOUtgameinOctober.thefirst200fansinattendancereceivedafreegriffonvolleyballpinkt-shirt.MembersofWestern’sstudent-athletesadvisorycommitteesoldpinkrib-bonsfora$1donationwithallproceedsbeingdonatedtothesusang.KomenFoundationforbreastcancerresearch.

Women’s Golf thewomen’sgolfprogram,underthedirectionofthird-yearheadcoachCathyHabermehl,madegreatstridesduringthefallseason.theteamfinishedinthetop10inallsixoftheirfallevents,includ-ingsecond-placefinishesattheBearcatinvitationalinMaryvilleandtheavilainvitationalinKansasCity.sistersLexiandCasiWebbledtheteaminindividualstrokeaverageat84.1withsophomoreKristinCooleyrightbehindthemat84.2.theteamreturnstoactionthisspringwiththehighlighteventbeingtheMiaaCon-ferencegolftournamentatshoalCreekgolfClubinKansasCityapril19-20.

14 WesternMagazine

Death by chocolate? Quite the contrary. Seth Lyons ’08, and his fiancé, Kelsey McFarland ’08, have brought a Rocky

Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF) store back to life in Silver-thorne, Colo., thanks to a Western benefactor and an innovative class in the Steven L. Craig School of Business. It’s all part of the Craig School of Business’ focus on entrepre-neurism, and it started when Steve Craig, who pledged $5.5 million to Western to establish the School of Business, found out about an RMCF that was closing in Silverthorne last year. He thought it would offer a great opportunity for a student in the School of Business to reopen the store, so he began working with Greg Pope, RMCF’s senior vice president, franchise development. Western students who graduated in the fall of 2008 or were planning to graduate the following May were notified that they could enroll in an Applied Entrepreneurship course that could ultimately result in one of them having an ownership opportunity with Steve in the RMCF franchise. “Organizationally we were very excited about the opportunity,” Greg said. “It was a way to see if a program like this could work.” Seth, a business finance major, was one of four who took the class in the spring semester of 2009, taught by Rick Zimmer, in-structor of business, and Dr. faye smith, professor of business. Seth had been working in management at a local auto parts store and planning to go to law school, but he always thought that one day he would like to be an entrepreneur, so he decided to take the class. The class visited the Silverthorne site for the store in March, and after the visit, he and Kelsey, who graduated with an economics degree, decided they would move out there if given the opportunity. Seth was selected, and currently, Seth, Kelsey and Steve own an LLC that owns the RMCF franchise. The store, in a large strip mall right off Interstate 70, also sells ice cream and coffees along with the chocolate goodies. Seth and Kelsey create about half of the chocolate products right in the store.

Seth & Kelsey & the chocolate factory

14 WesternMagazine Winter2010 15

Seth & Kelsey & the chocolate factory

“We are so pleased that Steve Craig’s vision and his confidence in our students created a unique opportunity for our students,” said Carol Roever, interim dean of the Craig School of Business. Steve said the ownership opportunity for Seth and Kelsey includes something very unique – their alma mater’s willingness to stay involved with them and support them. “Rick and the rest of the faculty are making themselves available for Seth and Kelsey so they are not overwhelmed right out of the box,” Steve said. “I don’t know of any other university that does that.” Carol noted that the department has assigned Rick as a faculty mentor for Seth and Kelsey. Seth said he appreciates the university’s support and to return the favor, he hopes to hire a West-ern student as an intern. The class taught him a lot, Seth said, but nothing could have prepared him for the amount of work it took to get the business open by Labor Day. “Kelsey has been great. I don’t know if we have ever worked that hard before.” The chair of the Craig School of Business Advisory Council, Dave Shinneman, did under-stand what Seth and Kelsey were going through. Dave said he opened seven different McDonald’s restaurants throughout his career and he knows what it takes to get a new store opened.

So Dave drove 12 hours from St. Joseph, Mo., to Silverthorne to help stock shelves,

open boxes and work 12 hours a day doing whatever needed to be done to help a fellow en-trepreneur. “He helped us out a lot; we appreciate it,” Seth said. “They are two great young people. I think they have what it takes to make it a success,” Dave said of Seth and Kelsey. “They understand the time it takes to be successful.” “Business is going well,” Seth said. “We’re very excited.” Death by chocolate? Quite the contrary. More like Kelsey and Seth by chocolate.

Seth Lyons ’08, and Kelsey McFarland ’08, right, make fudge; and left, show off

the merchandise in their Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Middle photo: Greg Pope, Tom Payne, owner of several Subway restau-

rants; Seth, and Steven Craig, pose for a photo on Western’s campus. Greg, Tom and Steven

selected Seth for the franchise opportunity.

D an Nicoson, executive director of the Foundation, is watching the economy closely these days, pay-

ing attention to interest rates and state funding and the economy’s impact on charitable giving. He says nonprofit organizations like Western are in somewhat of a tough spot. “In the last two years, the economy has left more people feeling like they’re not in a good position to give, but decreasing state funding makes the university’s needs greater than ever.”

For fiscal year 2009 (ending June 30, 2009), Western received a five

and a half percent increase in state ap-

propriations from the previous fiscal year, but for fiscal year 2010, there was no

increase in appropriations.

Additionally, the Foundation’s endow-

ment fund lost $324,249 in fiscal year 2008, and in fiscal year 2009, the

fund lost $1,408,992. Dan said Western’s Foundation has fared better than many universities throughout the econom-ic downturn since it has a fairly conservative investment policy. For example, he said that about 50 percent of the Foundation’s investments are in stocks, so they have taken a lesser hit than university foundations that have a larger percentage of their funds in stocks. That’s why undesignated funds are so important to the Foundation in the current economy, Dan said. “Undesig-nated funds are essential in tight budgetary times. We try to see what the needs are on campus that donors have not designated funds for.” Those funds allow the university to respond to needs that were not necessarily anticipated at the beginning of the fiscal year. For example, a department may call and say they have an opportunity to buy a large budget item at a great price, and the Foundation may be able to partially fund it for them. The Foundation uses undesignated funds for those types of purchases if someone has not specified a donation for that pupose. “Our prime responsibility is to make sure a restricted donation is used according to a donor’s designation. We take donor restrictions seriously and make sure they are met,” Dan said. “That is why undesignated funds, because of their flexibility, are so valuable throughout the year.”

Al Purcell, chair of the MWSU Foundation Board of Directors, said he likes that undesignated funds support students and faculty to travel to confer-ences and seminars to not only learn, but to present their research. If you look at the Foundation’s figures, the total amount of undesignated dollars looks pretty good - $3,550,452. But Dan explained that of that total amount, only 37 percent – approxi-mately $1,328,725 – is available for the Foundation to use each year. The balance, 63 percent, includes fixed assets, such as mineral rights, where only what is generated by the total can be spent; reserve funds, and pledges receivable, which is money pledged by a donor but not received by the Foundation yet. In an effort to increase undesignated funds and encourage consistent and regular giving, the Foundation estab-lished the Western League for Excellence in 2005. Dan said by enrolling, League members say they intend to make an an-nual undesignated gift at a certain level. Members are recognized in the Founda-tion’s annual report and are complimen-tary guests at the annual Foundation appreciation dinner each spring. Currently there are almost 350 members; Dan would like to see membership at 500 (the current list of members starts on page 18). Al and his wife, Annie, are charter members of the League. “We believe the university is a vital asset to the community. When we can provide


Vaselakos gift benefits Western

Ten years after his death in 1999, the MWSU Foun-

dation received a gift from the charitable remainder trust of John Vaselakos, valued at approximately $500,000. John established the trust with the stipulation that the trust terminate 10 years after his death and that the Foundation re-ceive 50 percent of the fund value. The gift is undesignated.

John, who was born in 1926, was an avid supporter of Western. He was a member of the Foundation Board of Directors and one of the found-ers and charter members of the athletics depart-ment Gold Coat Club. He was a contributor to Leah Spratt Hall and the capital campaign in 1995. John also served on the campaign for the lighting project of Spratt Memorial Stadium and the committee to finance the clock tower. One of Western’s residence halls was named in honor of his wife, Betty, and him when it was com-pleted in 1995. John and Betty, who died in 1994, were honorary members of the Heartland Health Foundation and were active in the American Cancer Society, St. Joseph

Safety Town, the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, Ronald McDonald House, Boy Scouts of America, St. Joseph Symphony and Camp Quality. He and his brother, Pete, began the McDonald’s restaurant franchise in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1963 and eventually owned three restaurants in the city. John retired in 1990. “We are grateful for the generosity of John Vaselakos,” said Jerry Pickman ’85, director of development. “Supporters like him are very important to Western.” Jerry noted that a charitable remainder

trust like the one John established is a good giving tool for people in certain circumstances. In a charitable remain-der trust, the donor sets aside a certain amount of money in a trust, and the trust will pay the donor or designated beneficiary an annual income for the rest of their lives or for a set amount of years. “There are a lot of

advantages to it,” he said, explaining that the donor gets a tax deduction, it takes the money out of their taxable estate and it can be funded with stocks. “John and Betty Vaselakos are two wonderful examples of the tremendous community support that Western has enjoyed since its earliest days as a junior college.”

“John and Betty Vaselakos are two wonderful examples of the tremendous commu-nity support that Western has enjoyed since its earliest days as a junior college.”

- Jerry Pickman ’85, director of development

financial support for students and faculty, the whole community benefits,” Al said. “And the League gives the Foundation consistent support they can count on.” “When we started the League, we were implementing a program that is a staple at most colleges and universities,” Dan said. “Annual giving clubs are common in the higher ed world.”

Undesignated funds are so essential to the university that one of the goals of Achieving Greatness, Western’s capital campaign, was $1 million for emerging needs. “We are really appreciative of those who have stayed the course and continued to give in these economic times,” Dan said.


Lifetime MembersMichael D. DePriest, M.D. and Barbara

A. Braznell*

Founder’s Circle - $5,000 or more

Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.*Joseph L. and Anne R. Gray*Pete and Staci Gray*Hillyard Companies

Regent’s Circle - $1,000 - $4,999Altec Industries, Inc.*Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Baltezor*Blue Cross and Blue Shield

of Kansas City*R. Dan and Dale BoulwareBrown Transfer & Storage/Brown

Mannschreck Business Systems*Dr. and Mrs. Dan L. Colgan*Commerce Bank*Dan and Chris Danford*Mr. Jerome F. DownsEllison Auxier Architects*Bob and Susan Fay*Karen Fulton*Phyllis and Bill Gondring*James T. and Karen M. Graves*Phil and Linda Holmes*Dr. Sangkyoo KangCarole Kleeman Tuttle*S. Chris Looney*Carlos and Carol Moya*Dan and Linda Nicoson*Jerry and Shannon Pickman*Brent M. Porlier - Porlier Outdoor

Advertising Co.*Annie and Al Purcell*Jim and Lauren Scanlon*Emil Sechter*St. Joseph News-Press/St. Joseph

Cablevision*U.S. Bancorp FoundationJane UrquhartBob and Laurel Vartabedian

Greg and Joleen VerMulm*Zack and Mary Workman

President’s Circle - $500-$999Stephen J. and Nancy R. Briggs*Drs. W. Steven and Evelyn Brooks*Bill and Joy ColeBrig. Gen. Stephen D. Cotter*John and Deb EllisMarc K. EvansRichard and Sharon Evers*Jane and Lyman Frick*Kevin and Esther George*John and Karen GraceEdward H. HaffeyLeila D. and Carroll C. Hicks*Ralph and Norma HillerJason and Tara Horn*Bob KeenerLinda Kerner*Mel and Kay KlinknerRonald S. Koozer*Colleen A. KowichLowell and Leslie Kruse*Kirk and Lorna Lawrence*Patt and Sherri Lilly*Morton, Reed, Counts & Briggs*Deena R. MurphyJames and Jeanne Murphy*Nodaway Valley BankGeorge Richmond*J.L. RobertsonJoyce Rochambeau*Jim and Carol Roever*Rupp Funeral Home*Charles and Margaret SalanskiBrad and Lisa ScottSt. Joseph Plbg. & Htg. Inc.Larry R. StobbsJon StyslingerDennis and Sherry Thompson*James M. and Kathy Thompson*UMB Bank*Ralph and Jan Young

Cabiniet’s Circle - $250-$499Al J. Mueller Construction*Ted and Shelly AllisonChristine E. AwenderMr. and Mrs. Bill Bangerter*Cheryl and Ross Bilby*Dr. Brenda Blessing*Dr. and Mrs. Joseph BraginDr. Michael and Mrs. Luann

Cadden*Citizens Bank & TrustGary and Mary Jean ClappClifton Gunderson, L.L.P.*Jeanie C. Crain*Steve and Patty Culver*Jeanne and Don Daffron*Frank and Mary Beth DavisTodd and Patty Eckdahl*Daniel O. Eckhoff*Susie EvansJohn David FosterRichard and Eva Gilmore*Dr. Judith Grimes*Stan and Doris Hall*Steve and Marcy Hamilton*Mark and Vicki Hargens*Hausman Metal Works & Roofing, Inc.*Daniel J. Heckman IIKent and Janice HeierKayla and Jeff Hinton*Neal G. and Diane K. Hook*Mr. and Mrs. Gordon HopkinsRoger and Debby Ideker*Dan and Jennifer Kellogg*Denise Kiehnhoff*Larry and Carolyn LawsonJanet Leachman*Rebecca Mackoy*Keith and Corky Marquart*Joe and Jean MazurShane and Jennifer McDonald*Bill and Judy McMurray*Jerry and Sandra Mogg*Larry and Cherryl MorrowTimothy P. Murphy M.D.*

The Western League for Excellence is an honorary society of donors to the MWSU Foundation in support of Western’s mission. Contributions to the League are undesignated and provide the

Foundation with the flexibility to meet current needs of the university. Members of the Western League for Excellence have expressed an intent to contribute at a certain level each year and are recognized in divisions according to their level of contributed support.

The following roster contains the names of those individuals and businesses who are current members of the League as of June 30, 2009. * Denotes Charter Member † Denotes Deceased

Western League for Excellence Members



Murray and Adriana NaborsNancy Pilgram*Mike and Becky PolandRobert and Terry PritchettJim Summers Jr / Prudential Summers

Realtors*Zachary D. Ramsay*James and Eileen ReynoldsRoberts Roofing Co., Inc.James H. RothRep. and Mrs. Martin RuckerRalph and Lisa SchankTyson and Kim Schank*Thomas and Julia Schneider*Robert and Kim Sigrist*Larry and Melody SmithSt. Joseph Area Chamber of

CommerceStaci Thornton*Terrence P. TurnerBruce and Mary VaughanKatherine and Ben Vineyard*Jamie M. Waldren C.F.P.*Mr.† and Mrs. John Waldron*David A. WeberBeth M. Wheeler*John and Donna WilsonMichael D. and Allene Wright*Stephen and Barbara Wurtzler*Chuck and Bobbi Zimmerman*

Dean’s Circle - $100-$249Dr. Jimmy and Janice AlbrightJames W. and Melinda M.

Allaman*Dr. and Mrs. Wm Andresen*David C. and Sharon Ashley*Darrel D. AshlockAaron BabbittDavid E. Bahner*Jim Bargar*D. Craig BarnesJeffery K. and Beverly A. BarnesTom and Angie Beam*Lorrie Beck*Robert BerglandCalvin and Mary Ann Bibens*George Bishop*Vern BoswellDonna Jean Boyer*Mike and Susan Bracciano*Charles and Pam Brock III*Norman R. BrosiDonald R. Brown and Janet Kay Waller

BrownDrew and Charlene Brown*Charlene (Riemen) and Bill BuntenCharlie and Patti Burri*Candy D. Burton, D.V.M.Robert and Judith Butler*Susan and Jim CarolusSally and Bill CarpenterDr. David (Rocky) Cathcart*Craig and Michelle Cebulko*Michael Chiao

Terry and Tracy ChristieDirck and Tracey Clark*Janice ClarkTim and Susan Conard*Justin Copeland*Lori CordonnierJeannetta R. Danford*Ed and Mona Dastmalchian*Larry and Linda DeShonRui and Roberta Dias*Pat DillonDillon CompanyDonald W. Wood & Assoc., Inc.Don and Mary EggebrechtR. Todd and Nancy Ehlert*Mary Elder*Karen and Chad Elifrits*Jerry and Sherry EnyeartJolene and John Errante*John FabsitsTravis and Julie Fiedler*Carl and Esther FirkinsKevin P. FisherGini FiteJoseph P. and Jane E. FitzgeraldDon and Joan FolksTony Franklin (Karen)*Tralucia Franklin*Dr. Joseph Friedman*Matt Gilmour*Ronald E. GoodmanDiane and David GorcycaLucas M. GorhamSam and Lesley GravesRosalie GuyerCathy and Mike Habermehl*Halbert Jewellers, Inc. (Karen Read)*Karen M. HamletDr. and Mrs. Thomas Hansen*Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Hartenbower*Mrs. Bonnie L. Hartigan in memory of

Dr Leonard Hartigan*Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Hatten*Jim and Cindy HausmanJudith Hausman*Larry and Sherry Hausman*Randy Hawkins*Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. HaywardCort Hegarty*Richard and Cindy HeiderScott and Kathy HillyardLandon S. Hoecker*Michael and Jennifer Holden*Heidi H. Hornaday*Phil and Ronda (Knadler) Houghton*Marilyn D. Hunt*J Franklin Gallery - Jeannie FranklinJohn and Cheryl JarrettMr. and Mrs. James Jeffers*Jerry and Linda Myers Shelter InsuranceBrent and Tara JohnsonMartin and Leslie Johnson*Sidney and Jean Johnson*Kendy and Jason Jones*Tom and Eleanor Kalin

Dave and Rita KarleskintKatherine’s Distinctive Gifts*Mr. and Mrs. E. Keeran King*Ellen Kisker*Randy KleinJennifer and Kyle Koch*Larry and Marcy Koch*Larry and Sharon Kosek*Theodore M. KranitzScott and Andi (Rittman) LassiterGeraldine Lawhon*Tim and Roxanna Lawing*Dr. Catherine L. Lawson*Dr. Larry L. Lawson*Nancy LearDr. Ken and Maribeth Lee*Jeff and Kelli Linch*Greg and Laura LindsteadtFaye LitvakGregory D. MasonDr. Michael and Christina Mastio*Don C. MatthewsMiss Barbara Ann and Miss

Marilyn E. Maxwell*Steve and Risa McCamyHoward and Beth McCauley*Ms. Eleanor T. McDonald†Dr. and Mrs. Wallace McDonald*Hervey and Thea McGaugh*Stephen T. and Jerri F. H. MichaelsMidwest Federal Savings & LoanIreene MooneyPhil and Judy Mullins*Joseph MurrayBill and Roseanne MyttonMarvin NelsonElaine and Evan Noynaert*Carl G. NurskiRichard A. Optican*Dean and Judy OusleyDoug PadenNick ParkerBeverly A. Payne*Bill and Mary Ann Penniston*Robert and Marcia Permut*Steve and Jeannie Pitluck*Mrs. J. Gordon Pray*Charlene Rainey*Cris and Kim Ray*Jason and Natalie RedmondMelissa RewinkelDr. Carol Reynolds*Robert L. RicklefsMr. and Mrs. David A. Robaska*Louanne Robreau*Roderick Sign CompanyRobert and Cathie RosenthalNicholas J. SaccaroJoe SalankyMr. and Mrs. Gene Sanders*Dr. and Mrs. Harry J. Sauer Jr.Lee and Toni Sawyer*Dr. and Mrs. Robert Schaaf*Mary Ann and Leo Schmitz*Steve and Rhonda Schram*

Dr. and Mrs. Bob ScottTerry and Marlene SeiterTravis and Jenny SherlockDonald N. Silcott*Bob and Kay Simpson*George J. SlahorekCharlene and Bob Slater*David SlaterLyle and Fredda SmithSt. Joseph Electric Supply

Company, Inc.*Don and Loah Stallard*Merrill M. Steeb*Stephen W. Stilwell*Brett and Kylee StroughBob and Mary Helen StuberRoger SwaffordJohn and Gene TeeterRoy and Lana TewellTom and Cristina TewellRobert and Marcie Thedinger*Gary and Connie ThompsonAnn and Creath ThorneBette L. Tolbert*Nellie M. TurnerRoyal and Karen TurnerDavid W. Tushaus*John and Kathy Wallace*David and Jill Waller*Karen M. WallerTom and Lynn WatkinsTim and Kim Weddle*Sean, Curtis and Carolyn WhitersSteve and Cindy Black Whitlock*Mr. and Mrs. Scott E. WilliamsTom and Tracey Williamson*Ken WilsonRichard S. and Lavon L. WilsonJoyce Winston*Nannette and Rudy Wolford*Sharon L. WrightMichael Zeorlin



Alumni news


Black and gold and red all over Western’salumniDayatarrowheadwasahugesuccess,drawingoneofthelargestcrowdseverataneventspon-soredbythealumniassociation,accord-ingtoColleenKowich,directorofalumniservices.Herofficesold265gameandtailgateticketstoalumniandfriendsfortheKansasCityChiefshomeopenersept.20.itwasalsost.JosephDayatarrow-head,soalumnisharedtheirtailgatewithst.JosephareaChamberofCommerceDiplomatsandBuchananCountyemploy-eesforatotalof350tailgaters.“thefood,thecrowd,thegame,itwasallalotoffun,”Colleensaid.“Onlyonethingwouldhavemadeitevenbetter–aChiefsvictory.”ColleensaidsheplanstomakealumniDayatarrowheadanannualevent.“nowmarkyourcalendarforalumniDayattheK,”shesaid,referringtotheannualtailgateandgamewhentheroyalsandCardinalsmeetup.Lastyearitwasinst.Louis,andthisyearitwillbeheldinKansasCityinJune.

DearFellowalumni, Whenifinallysatdowntheeveningofsaturday,Oct.17,iwasenthusiasticallyexhausted.Why?Because,between3p.m.Wednesday,Oct.14and5:30p.m.saturday,Oct.17,moreMissouriWesternalumnithaneverattendedatleastoneofthe14eventsplannedduringHomecoming.andthosewereonlythealumnievents;thestudentshadajam-packedscheduleoftheirown,andmanyalumniattendedsomeofthoseeventsaswell. thiswastrulyaHomecomingtoremember.Fromcelebratingalumniandfacultyaccomplishments,tocelebratingourJuniorCollegedays,tocelebratinganotherfootballvictoryovertheMules

From the Alumni Association President

Gregory VerMulm ’89

Alumni and friends of all ages enjoy Alumni Day at Arrowhead. Visitors to the tailgate

included KC Wolf and Denny Thum, president of the Kansas City Chiefs, who is pictured above with Greg VerMulm ’89,

Alumni Association president.

ofCentralMissouri–thepassionforallthingsgriffonwaseverywhere.Wewentbackintimeto’69andcameawaywithaspiritthatihopewillpropelusthroughourcentennialin2015andbeyond. ilookforwardtofuturealumnieventsandfutureHomecomingswherewecancometogether,shareastory,payhomagetoourpastandopennewpathwaystothefuture.WeareMissouriWesternalumni,eachofus,andweareallFaithful,Proudandtrue.

gregoryVerMulm’89PresidentMissouriWesternalumniassociation

20 WesternMagazine www.missouriwestern.edu 21

Above, top: President Emeritus Dr. James Scanlon displays a gift from Scanlon Hall’s staff at the Oct. 14 ceremony unveiling a portrait of his wife, Lauren, and him that will hang in the residence hall named in his honor. Above: Kayla Kelder and Luke Akers were crowned 2009 Homecoming Queen and King at the football game.

Drs. James Scanlon and M.O. Looney, Western’s former presidents, are pictured with Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Western’s president, by the new plaque that was dedicated Oct. 16 on the former Junior College building at 10th and Edmond. Editor’s note: More photos and an article about the Junior College will be in the Spring 2010 issue.

Homecoming 2009

‘‘Fourteeneventsin96hours;thisyear’sHomecominghadsomethingforeveryone,”saidgregVerMulm’89,presidentofthealumni

association.“andeveryonehadagreattime.”severalnewevents,hesaid,wereaddedtotheHomecominglineupthisyearaspartofthe40thanniver-sarycelebrationofthecampus.Onespecialeventwasthededicationofaplaquecommemoratingthest.JosephJuniorCollegebuildingat10thandedmond.theJuniorCollegewaslocatedatthatsitefrom1933to1969,whenthepresentcampusopened.Dr.M.O.Looney,Western’spresidentfrom1967to1983,wasaspecialguestatthededication.theplaqueunveilingwasfollowedbyatourofthejuniorcollege,nowanapartmentbuilding,andateaattheYWCaterraceroom.anotherformerpresident,Dr.Jamesscanlon,wasalsohonoredaspartofHomecoming2009.aportraitofhiswife,Lauren,andhimwasunveiledinscanlonHall,Western’snewestresidencehall.thest.JosephalumniChapteralsohostedanewHomecomingeventWednesdayofHomecomingweek–“alumninightattheMuseum,”awineandcheesetastingatthealbrecht-KemperMuseumofart.anotherneweventwasheldonsaturday-aPost-paradePartyforalumni,studentsandemployees,andtheirfamilies,oncampus.thisyear,therewereanumberofgroupsthathostedreunions–march-ingband,greeks,ViPs,BaptiststudentUnion–andallalumniwereinvitedtonorty’sBar&grillinst.JosephFridayevening.inadditiontothenewevents,theannualeventswerealsoheldthrough-outHomecomingweek.thealumniawardsBanquethonoredfivealumni,afacultymember(seep.22)andalumniassociationscholarshiprecipientsinfrontofalmost200onthursday,andthethirdannualruntotheMaxwasheldpre-paradetobenefitBigBrothers,Bigsistersonsaturday.andofcourse,theparadeandvictoryovertheUniversityofCentralMissouriofferedfunforeveryoneonsaturday,aswell.

Back in Time to ’69

Alumni news


Five alumni and a faculty member were honored at the

27th annual Alumni Association Awards Banquet during Homecoming.

Distinguished Alumni Award nRichard Durst ’72richardgraduatedin1972withabach-eloroffineartsintheatre.HeearnedamasteroffineartsinscenerydesignfromtheUniversityofOklahoma.in2006,hewasselectedastheeighthpresidentofBaldwin-WallaceCollegeinBerea,Ohio,aliberalartsinstitutionwithanenrollmentofapproximately4,200.PriortohisappointmentatBaldwin-Wallace,heservedasdeanoftheCollegeofartsandarchitectureatthePennsylva-niastateUniversity.richardhasprovidednationalleader-shipforseveralfineartsprofessionalorga-nizationsandwasexecutivedirectoroftheinternationalCouncilofFineartsDeans.HeisapastpresidentoftheUnitedstatesinstitutefortheatretechnologyandtheinternationalOrganizationofDesigners,theatrearchitectsandtechnicians.Heisconsideredaninternationalauthorityintheatresetdesignandtheroleoftheatreincolleges.

Distinguished Alumni Award nBrent Porlier ’82Brentgraduatedwithabachelorofscienceinbusinessadministrationinmarketingin1982.HeistheownerandpresidentofPorlierOutdooradvertis-ing,ast.Louis-basedcompanyhestartedin1988thatmaintainsmorethan440billboardfacesinMissouri,Kansasandillinois.

BrentisamemberoftheWesternLeagueforexcellence;healsoservedonWestern’salumniassociationst.LouisChaptersteeringCommitteefrom2006-2009,andthispastspring,heparticipatedinthePresident’sLeadershipsummitoncampus.HecontributedbillboardspacetoWesternandwasinstrumentalinthedevelopmentofthenewFaraonstreetentrancesign.BrentisalsoafrequentlecturerforthestevenL.CraigschoolofBusiness.Heisactiveinmanynonprofitorgani-zationswithinthest.Louisarea,includ-ingtheChildcareCenteratMarygrove,thest.PatrickCenterandthest.LouisCrisisnursery.

Distinguished Alumni Award nDirck Clark ’85DirckgraduatedfromWesternwithabachelorofscienceinbusinessadminis-trationin1985andiscurrentlythechiefbusinessdevelopmentofficeratHeartlandHealthinst.Joseph. HehasbeenamemberofWestern’sBoardofgovernorssince2004andrecentlycompletedhissecondtermaschairofthatboard.aschair,DirckplayedapivotalroleinsecuringtheagreementthatmadeWesternthehomeoftheKansasCityChiefssummertrainingcamp.alongwithhisBoardofgovernorsseat,heservesaspolicycouncilchairmanoftheMissouriChamberofCommerceBoard,aschairofthePonyexpressCoun-cilforBoyscoutsofamerica,isaboardmemberoftheMissouriBiotechnologyassociation,andisamemberoftheMWsUFoundationBoardofDirectors.DirckisalsoamemberoftheWesternLeagueforexcellenceandthegoldCoatClub.Heholdsamaster’sdegreeinhealth-careadministrationfromtheUniversityofMissouri–Columbia.

Distinguished Faculty Award nFrank ThomasAssociate Professor of MusicFrankwashiredasamemberoftheWesternmusicdepartmentinJanuary1971andretiredthispastspringasthedirectorofchoralactivities.Frankhasbeenaguestconductor,clinicianandadjudicatoratcontestsandfestivalsthroughouttheMidwestandwastheartisticdirectorofthest.JosephCommunityChorusfrom1980–2009.Frankearnedabachelorofmusiceducationandmasterofmusiceduca-tioninchoralconductingandvoicefromWichitastateUniversity.HehasdonedoctoralworkinconductingattheUniversityofMissouri–KansasCity,andadditionalworkatWestminsterChoirCollege,Princeton,n.J.;andtheOberlininstituteofVocalPerformancePedagogyinOberlin,Ohio.in1995,hewasnamedartistoftheYearbyst.JosephannualMayor’sartsawards,andin2001,hewastherecipi-entoftheLuthert.spaydeawardfromMissouriMusiceducatorsassociationforlifetimeachievementandsignificantcontributionstochoralart.Herb ’35, and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University nCharlie ’55, & Patti (Wilson) ’55, Burri CharlieandPattihavebeenavidsupportersofWesternsincetheirjuniorcollegedays.in1966,Charliewashiredasthecol-lege’sfirstathleticdirectorandheldthatpositionuntilheretiredin1984.Whenhewashired,Charlieservedaschairofthephysicaleducationdepartment,andbasketballandgolfcoach.

Alumni Association Distinguished Service Awards


Alumni news

Winter2010 23

Pattihelpedstartthecollege’sFacultyWivesClubandservedasitsfirstpresi-dent.thegrouplaterbecameMissouriWesternWomen,whichwasapredecessortotheMWsUambassadors,whichshealsohelpedform.today,Pattiservesontheexecutiveboardoftheambassadors.BothPattiandCharliehaveservedonthealumniassociationBoardofDirec-tors.CharlieformedthegoldCoatClubandwasnamedalifetimememberwhenheretired.HecurrentlychairstheHallofFamecommitteeandservesontheCelebritygolfClassiccommittee. Pattiservedonthe2009JuniorCollegereunionCommitteeandonthenewlyformedJuniorCollegealumnisteeringCommittee.CharliestillactivelyparticipatesinthegoldCoatdriveeachyear,andtheyarealsomembersoftheWesternLeagueforexcellence.

aftergraduatingfromst.JosephJuniorCollege,CharlieandPattiearnedbachelor’sdegrees,bothineducation,fromnorthwestMissouristateUniversity.Bothlaterearnedmaster’sdegrees,CharlieineducationaladministrationandPattiinguidanceandcounseling.CharlieisamemberofthreeHallsofFame–nationalassociationofCollegeDirectorsofathletics;nationalassociationofintercollegiateathletics(naia)andMissouriWesternathleticsDepartment. To see the criteria for the Distinguished Service Awards, or to nominate someone for an award, go online to www.missouri-western.edu/alumni, and click on “Alumni Recognition.”

Faithful, Proud and True Wedidn’thavetolookveryfarto

choosethisissue’sFaithful, Proud and Truealumni–Charlie’55,andPatti’55(Wilson)Burri,the2009recipientsoftheHerb’35andPeggyiffertawardforOutstandingservicetotheUniversity.theirsupportanddedicationtoWesternthroughouttheyearshasbeenexemplary!

2009 Alumni Association award recipients are Patti (Wilson) ’55, and Charlie ’55, Burri in the front; Frank Thomas, Richard Durst ’72, Brent Porlier ’82, and Dirck Clark ’85.

Welcome to the

NONPROFIT WORLD!

Filed late report

to funding group –

lose a turn

Volunteer gets sick –

go back one space

Boy earns his Eagle

Scout Badge – take an extra turn

Called out in the middle

of the night – go ahead one

space

Grant comes through – advance 2 spaces

Generous donor

found– go ahead 1 space

Tough economy for nonprofits – go

back 1 space

Family learns about wellness – take extra turn

Board member

forgets meeting –

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Helped a teen

find a job – go

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You inspired

someone today –

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Go to sleep knowing you made a difference today – EVERYONE WINS!

Everyone likes new mission

statement – take an extra

turn


In 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 1.64 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, and in 2006, employees of nonprofit organizations

accounted for 8.1 percent of wages paid in the U.S. Below are profiles of just six of the many Western alumni who have chosen careers that make a differ-ence – careers in the nonprofit field.

Sue White ’86 When Sue White was a student more than 20 years ago, one of her profes-sors wrote a comment across a returned paper – “You have the spirit to move people.” She has never forgotten that.

Today, as the vice president of operations/chief operations officer for the YMCA in Arlington, Texas, she hopes that comment is still true. When Sue earned her leisure management degree, she thought she wanted to work in a corporation’s wellness program, even though she was completing an internship with the local YMCA. One interview with a corporation told her that the YMCA was really where she wanted to be, and she has had a career with the nonprofit organization since she graduated.

“When you’re in a nonprofit, you’re tied to a mission and you love it,” she said. “My personal mission aligns with the YMCA. I like being in an organization where you really do change lives.”

Lisa (Salmons) Umphrey ’87 & ’92 Lisa Umphrey not only works for a nonprofit company, but the mission of her employer is to help other nonprofit organizations. She works for Meliora Partners, Inc., out of Marshalltown, Iowa. Five out of the seven company employees travel full time, training and consulting with mostly Community Action Agencies across the country. Lisa, who works out of her home, is the travel coordinator for the company in addition to performing some consulting for the company. “The more you work with them (Community Action Agencies), the more you see the good work they do and the work they do with families,” she said. Although she didn’t plan it that way, Lisa has worked for nonprofits throughout her career. When she graduated with an execu-tive secretary degree in 1987, she began working full time for Western, eventually for President Dr. Janet Gorman McCarthy, until 1999. “Missouri Western is an awesome place. It’s cool to see how it’s grown and changed.”

John Fabsits ’04 If you ask John Fabsits what he does in his position as se-nior district executive for the Great Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America, his response is typical of someone work-ing in the nonprofit field: “What don’t I do?” But he quickly adds that the varied job duties, which include serving as Cub Scout summer camp director at Camp Thunderbird, are what

makes the job enjoyable. John became a Cub Scout when he was eight years old and earned the Eagle Scout award when he was 15. He has worked for the council in mid-Missouri since 2005. “It’s a profession with a purpose. I know that what

I’m doing is providing experiences for youth,” he says. John loves when he hears about a scout who chose a career be-cause of a merit badge he earned as a youth, but his greatest reward is when he sees a scout become an Eagle. “There is a lot of pride there. The Eagle Scout Award is the only thing from your youth you keep on your resumé.”

Alicia Falter ’07 If you knew Alicia Falter when she was a student at Western, you may have guessed she would have pursued a career in the nonprofit field. Not only would her major have provided a clue, but also her co-curricular activities. The social work major works for the Full Employment Council in Kansas City, Mo., helping urban youth find jobs or further their education. At Western, Alicia was involved in the social work student organization, the campus activities board and the student

Habitat for Humanity group. “I had a great experience. The extra-curricular activities helped me in my job because they made me willing to take the lead on projects.” And why did she choose the nonprofit field? “It’s great job satisfaction. I like helping people,” she said. “I feel like I accomplished something at the end of the day.”

Alumni making a dIFFerence, not a proFIt

continued on pg. 26

Welcome to the

NONPROFIT WORLD!

Filed late report


lose a turn


go back one space

Boy earns his Eagle




space


Generous donor



back 1 space


Board member

forgets meeting –

go back 2 spaces

Helped a teen

find a job – go

ahead 3 spaces

You inspired

someone today –

go ahead 3 spaces




turn


Welcome to the

NONPROFIT WORLD!

Filed late report


lose a turn


go back one space

Boy earns his Eagle




space


Generous donor



back 1 space


Board member

forgets meeting –

go back 2 spaces

Helped a teen

find a job – go

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You inspired

someone today –

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encouragement: paying it forwardconitinued from page 9

asastudent,teriWhite’01,hadplannedtoearnabachelor’sdegreeincriminaljusticewithalegalstudiesem-phasisandfindajobasaparalegal,butherprofessorshadotherideas.theysawherpotential,shesays,andencouragedhertothinkaboutlawschool.terigraduatedatthetopofherclassattheUniversityofMissouri-KansasCityschoolofLawandwenttoworkforthelawfirmofshook,HardyandBaconinKansasCity,Mo.todaysheworksintheProductsLiabilityDefense’stobaccounit.“takinglegalstudiesherereallydoesprepareyouforlawschool,”shesays.“it’sagreatadvantage.Myrankinginlawschoolhadalottodowiththelegalstud-iesprogramatWestern.”thispastfall,whenterireturnedtoWesterntoteachaneveningclassshewassurprisedathownervousshefeltonthefirstdayofclass.“iwasscaredbeforethefirstclassanddidn’teventhinkabouten-joyingit,butasidrovehomeafterwardsithought,‘Wow,ireallylovedthat.’”nowsheplanstoencouragethestu-dentsinherclass,justasherprofessorsdidforher.someofherstudentshavealotofresponsibilities,suchaschildrenorafull-timejob,butterihopesshecanbearolemodelforthosewhothinktheycan’treachtheirgoals.shewasmarriedwithachildwhenshetransferredtoWesternandthenhadanotherbabyasastudent.Whileshewasinlawschool,herthirdchildwasborn.“Youjusthavetokeepgivingitevery-thingyou’vegot.Knowwhoyouareandknowyou’recapableofdoingalotmorethanpeoplethinkyoucando.”

Jean ’73, and Bill ’74, Brown Whether it’s funding cycles, grant applications, being called out at all hours, or helping those in need, Jean and Bill Brown have seen firsthand every facet of what it’s like to work for a nonprofit agency. They have both worked for nonprofits their entire careers. “It’s been a good career for us,” Jean said. “I think we’ve made a difference where we’ve been.” Bill, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from

Western and a master’s from University of Central Missouri, has served the Family Guidance Center in St. Joseph for 31 years and has been the supervisor of crisis intervention services for the past 11. “I like that I’ve had a lot of variety,” Bill said, who even had a program segment on mental health issues on KQ2, a local television station, for five years. Jean, who has a bachelor’s in social work from Western and a master’s from West Virginia University, worked for Family Guidance Center for 22 years and has been the director of the

YWCA in St. Joseph since 1995. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Alumni Association in 1989. Jean said she has always enjoyed developing programs to meet people’s needs. In the early 1980s, she helped develop a sex education program where the parent and child were taught together, and it brought her national attention. That program was the first of its kind in the country, and she was interviewed on 20/20, Good Morning America and

many more programs. She trained other teachers, and the program is now being used all over the United States. The couple said there have been a lot of challenges throughout their nonprofit careers, including periods of low funding and great demands on their time as they raised their two children, Abby ’02 and Adam ’06. “We see a lot of pain, a lot of hurt,” Jean said. “There’s always more work that can be done.” “You get into this (field) wanting to help people, and then you are faced with realities. But you can still find some of that vision in nonprofits,” Bill said. “You get to help a broad spectrum of people in need.”

Alumni making a dIFFerence,

not a proFIt


Winter2010 27

1950sWILLIAM GONDRING, MD MS ’56, was selected as one of the section editors for the first ever internationally published Foot and Ankle Instruc-tional Course Lectures, published by the Ameri-can Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. His second publication, Tarsal Tunnel Outcome Surgery Series, was selected in the European Foot and Ankle Surgery journal.

1970sJOSEPH L. BLILEY ’74, moved to Kansas City, Mo., after living 33 years in the San Francisco Bay area. He says he would like to hear from fellow classmates. His email is [email protected].

STEPHEN O. BUHMAN ’75, won the Southern Illinois University (SIU) 2009 Lindell Sturgis Public Service Award. Stephen is a producer-visual media for the university and received the award for his coverage of storm-related damage and commencement ceremonies at SIU in May 2009.

CHRIS (KILLEN) DANFORD ’78, was awarded Missouri Secondary School Counselor of the Year for 2009. She has served in the St. Joseph School District as a teacher and counselor for 24 years and has been a counselor at Central High School for six years.

1980sRODDY BARNES ’88, opened for “Saffire/The Uppity Blues Women” at the Missouri Theater in St. Joseph, Mo., this past fall. He tours and performs nationally and internationally as a solo act and also with one of the founding members of Saffire.

1990sTAMMY (WILSON) STEINKAMP ’90, is the coach of the Savannah High School girls golf team that won the 2009 Missouri State Championship.

RON BLAKELY ’93, is the district administrator for the District 2 office in Cameron, Mo., for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

TAMELA (TAMI) MURDOCK ’92, was promoted to nurse liaison for Integrity Home Care in the Home Health Division.

AlumnotesMITCH BARNES ’98, is the principal at Braymer High School, Braymer, Mo.

TIMOTHY WARE ’98, was promoted to the rank of sergeant with the St. Louis County Police Department.

DONNA (GAMBLE) WOOD ’99, and her husband, Jud, announce the birth of a daughter, Delaney Jane, born June 11, 2009.

2000sCHRISTIN (YELLIN) MUSSER ’02 & ’05, and her husband, Jeremy, announce the birth of a son, Remington Scott,

born May 29, 2009. He joins a big sister, Addisyn Ruby.

DARIN CAMPBELL ’03, and KRISTEN HANK ’04, were married July 11, 2009. The couple resides in Platte City, Mo.

Art students had an opportunity to watch a professional artist at work up close this

summer when Robert Wiedmaier ’75, set up a temporary studio in Potter Hall. He recently moved to the Kansas City area and was looking for a new studio when Jim Estes, professor of art, offered him a room next to the ceramics studio until he found what he needed. “It’s been enjoyable. I like interacting with the students,” Robert said. “It’s nice to work in a dif-ferent environment than you’re used to because it makes you look at things differently.” He said he’s been creating pieces so long that it was interesting when students would ask him about his particular technique, something he usually doesn’t have to think about. Jim noted that Robert uses the same clay, glazes and equipment as students use in the ceramics classes here, so when the students see Robert’s creations, they realize that it’s not the

materials that make the beautiful finished prod-uct, but skill. “Advanced students have really benefited from seeing him work. They are able to see the attention to detail and the craftsmanship, and they see what really good work is.” When Robert was an art student, the ceramics studio was in an old house on the east side of campus and Potter Hall was a lot smaller. But one thing was the same when he returned this summer – Jim was still teaching. The artist estimates that he makes 800-1,000 pieces per year, which he sells at art fairs all over the country. Each piece takes several weeks to complete. “It’s a great experience for the students to see someone who has made a livelihood out of their art,” Jim said. “The students appreciate his work even more when they realize what it takes to make a living at it. It’s a tough profession.”

Potter Hall potter


Alumnotes

Alumnotes

tell us what’s new!Name __________________________________________________________ Maiden ____________________________________ Class of _________

Spouse _________________________________________________________ Class of _________

Address __________________________________________ City, State ________________________________________________Zip______________

Phone _______________________________________________________ email ________________________________________________________

What’s New _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Return to: Alumni Services Office, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507Submit your news online at www.missouriwestern.edu/magazine/alumnote.asp or Alumni Services Office, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507.

In memory ... We honor those who have recently passed away. If you want us to include someone in this listing, please call 816-271-5651, mail to Alumni Services Office, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, or e-mail [email protected].

MARTHA J. (RICHARDS) BLIZEWSKI ’44, Delafield, Wis., April 4, 2009.

JOHN E. DUKE ’74, St. Joseph, Mo., Sept. 25, 2009.

DONALD D. FOLKS ’48, St. Joseph, Mo., Aug. 18, 2009.

MIKE HIRTER ’92, St. Joseph, Mo., July 18, 2009.

EFFIE R. (VESTAL) HULL JC, St. Joseph, Mo., Sept. 23, 2009.

LT. COL. JOHN N. HUTTON ’35, Gower, Mo., Aug. 25, 2009.

ELEANOR E. (MASON) PITNEY MINOR ’36, Monroe City, Mo., Sept. 23, 2009.

DAVID L. REYNOLDS ’81, Amazonia, Mo., Aug. 10, 2009.

IRETTA L. ROTH ’30, St. Joseph, Mo., Aug. 7, 2009.

FRANCES E. (LANDIS) SAMPLE JC, St. Joseph, Mo., Sept. 20, 2009.

COL. AUSTIN K. THOMAS JC, St. Joseph, Mo., Aug. 24, 2009.

2000s continued

PAULA (WHITE) ’04, and ERIC ’06, JESSEN announce the birth of a son, Parker Lane, born Sept. 30, 2009.

DAVOYA HUDSON MARSHALL ’04, graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management with a master’s in project management.

JILL (TUDEEN) TALBOT ’05, and her husband, Preston, announce the birth of a daughter, Lillian Grace, born June 8, 2009.

ADAM ARNOLD ’06, is a state conservation agent for the Missouri Dept. of Conservation.

KATIE SHERMAN ’07, and Colin Mascal were married June 27, 2009. The couple resides in St. Joseph, Mo., and Colin is working on his master’s in applied arts at Western.

RYAN VANDEL ’07, and Jenna Owens were married May 30, 2009. The couple resides in St. Joseph, Mo.

KELLI MCBEE ’08 and NICK OLDHAM ’08, were married Aug. 1, 2009. The couple resides in Jefferson City, Mo.

ALLISON DUNGAN ’08, and David Johnson were married May 30, 2009.

JARED NUCKOLLS ’09, and Kelly Massa were married July 18, 2009. Kelly is an instructor at Western. The couple resides in St. Joseph, Mo.

JENNIFER HOLLAND ’07, earned a master’s degree in public administration – health and human services from Upper Iowa University, Fayette. She is currently working on her doctor-ate in education – leadership and curriculum from the University of Phoenix, Kansas City. She is a licensed massage therapist and is program manager at the Massage Therapy Training Institute in Lawrence, Kan.

JACEY JOHNSTON ’07, and Jesen Merle were married Sept. 20, 2008. The couple resides in Plano, Texas.

NIKOLE LOUBEY ’07, and Kaleb Caudle were married Sept. 27, 2008. The couple resides in St. Joseph, Mo.

HOLLIE SCHINDLER ’07, and Clint Keith were married Jan. 3, 2009. The couple resides in Kansas City, Mo.

KRISTIN JAGO ’08, and Mike Elder were married Feb. 7, 2009.

JAKE JOHNSON ’09, and Melissa Steadman ’09, were married May 9, 2009. The couple resides in Arizona.

MATTHEW MCCUBBIN ’09, is the owner of Cubb’s Contracting in St. Joseph, Mo.

AlumnI cAlendAr oF events

February 10 Alumni/Student Networking Luncheon on campus. For more information or to participate, call 816-271-5646.

February 3 Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Norty’s Bar & Grill, St. Joseph, Mo.

February 16 Griffs on the Bayou III, 6 p.m., Boudreaux’s Louisiana Seafood and Steaks, St. Joseph, Mo. Call 816-271-5646 to RSVP.

March 3 Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Norty’s Bar & Grill, St. Joseph, Mo.

March 4-7 MIAA Basketball Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Watch for information about an alumni gathering!

April 7 Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Norty’s Bar & Grill, St. Joseph, Mo.

April 17 Senior Fair on campus, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Come meet the soon-to-be alumni!

May 5 Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Norty’s Bar & Grill, St. Joseph, Mo.

May 21 Wine and Cheese Pairing, Stonehaus Winery, 6-9 p.m., Lee’s Summit, Mo. $10 per person. Appetizers, wine tasting and a class on wine and cheese pairing. Call 816-271-5646 to RSVP.

The Kansas City Chapter is planning a family bowling night; watch griffonalumni.org for details!

Attention, St. Louis-area alumni - watch your mail for an invitation to the “Spirit of St. Louis” event this spring!

Watch for more information about Alumni Day at the K in June – St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals. Western alumni will be there for the tailgate and game!

For more details on all events, check out griffonalumni.org or call 816-271-5646.

Get your Western gear online!

• Barnes & Noble campus bookstore – missouriwestern.edu,

click on “Bookstore” in the A-Z search.

• Bulldog Land, Inc. – gospiritgear.com

• Dream Weaver - gogriffongear.com

• Lid’s – lids.com

s h o w y o u r W e s t e r n P r I d e !

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U.S. Postage

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Permit No. xx

campus changes

there’slotsofexcitementatWesternlately,withconstructionongoingandnewthingspoppingupall

overcampus!Justthisfall,newvisitor-sidebleacherswereaddedtosprattMemorialstadium,anewfoun-tainwasinstalledinacampuspond(thefirstofthree),asculpturewasunveiledbyPotterHallandanewentrancesignwasinstalledattheFaraonstreetentrance.remingtonHallwillopenforclassesthismonth,con-structioncontinuesontherecreationalfacilityforWesternandtheKansasCityChiefssummertrainingcampandtherenovationofagensteinHallhasbegun.

Chocolate Opportunity- page 14

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