Western Missouri€¦ · The Magazine for Alumni and Friends • Fall 2005The Magazine for Alumni...

The Magazine for Alumni and Friends • Fall 2005The Magazine for Alumni and Friends • Fall 2005

For the Love of the Game page 12

It’s All About “U!” page 14

WesternWesternMissouri

Fall 2005 • Volume 3 Number 2

EditorDiane Holtz

Design EditorKendy Jones

Director of Public Relations and MarketingKristy Hill

Director of Alumni ServicesJulie Fiedler

Alumni Board Kris Smith, President

Jason Horn, Vice PresidentGreg VerMulm, Secretary

Charlie Burri, Jeanne Daffron, Peggy Evans, DavidGall, Catherine Gann, Robin Hammond, DanHeckman, Dustin Holcombrink, Diane Hook, RitaHouston, Peggy Iffert, James Jeffers, David Jordan,Dan Kellogg, Linda Kerner, Randy Klein, David Lau,Tony Luke, Jill Miller, Kendell Misemer, NancyPilgrim, Nicholas Saccaro, Ralph Schank, RobertSigrist, Angie Springs.

Foundation BoardStan Hall, President

Emil Sechter, Vice PresidentDick Rochambeau, TreasurerGeorge Richmond, Secretary

David Bahner, Cheryl Bilby, Michelle Cebulko,Dan Colgan, Stephen Cotter, Steve Culver, EstherGeorge, Karen Graves, Peter Gray, StephenHamilton, Rick Hatten, Judith Hausman, SherryHausman, Cort Hegarty, Heidi Hornaday, WallaceMcDonald, Vern Middleton, Carol Moya, AlfredPurcell, Lee Sawyer, James Scanlon, Kevin Schinze,Lewis Seiter, Kris Smith, Loah Stallard, BetteTolbert, Thomas Watkins, Dan Nicoson, executive director.

Board of GovernorsDirck Clark, Susan Colgan, William Hurley;

Janet Leachman, vice chair; Patt Lilly, Carol Moya, chair;

Robert Hughs, student governor.

Western Magazine 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt Hall 106

St. Joseph, MO 64507(816) 271-5651

email: [email protected]

Missouri Western State University is an equal opportunity institution.

The Missouri Western Magazineis a publication of the Institutional

Advancement Office for alumni and friendsof Missouri Western State University and

the St. Joseph Junior College.

Dear Friends, To say working on this issue was exciting is an understatement! Westernbecoming a university is a historic and proud event in our history and the history of St. Joseph, and our staff wanted to make sure we gave justice to thehonor. To that end, we devoted six pages in the center and the back cover to ourhistory, our present and our celebration of university designation.

I had a great time poring over old yearbooks, newspapers, microfiche files, andFrances Flanagan’s book of our history to learn about our 90 years, but I hadeven more fun visiting with alumni. I interviewed graduates from each decadeof our institution back to the 1930s, and I think I could have devoted most ofthe magazine to their wonderful stories!

From all my interviews, I realized that the Junior College was a very specialplace. With all the classes meeting in just one building, students and facultybecame a small, close knit community. However, even though classes andbuildings were quite a bit more spread out, alumni from the four-year collegehave many heartwarming memories, also. Many have the added benefit of closefriendships between roommates and suitemates.

Not surprisingly, I heard the same theme echoed over and over, no matter whoI spoke with, no matter what year they graduated: they all experienced caringfaculty and staff and a high quality educational experience. And of course, a lotcommented on how many more trees are on campus today compared toWestern’s early days (600)!

On a side note, I have also been working on another project where we are featuring some of our outstanding alumni on brochures, web pages and in department photographs. Throughout the summer, I spoke with or correspondedthrough email with almost 200 alumni, and it was a wonderful experience!Again, more great stories.

But I gained a lot more than just hearing great stories. I came away from theproject with a new appreciation of Western and what it offers to the community,the region and beyond. Western is turning out successful alumni that are makinga difference in work places across the nation. I was impressed with their successstories, and it made me prouder still of Western.

In this year that we became a university, learning about the success of ouralumni merely affirmed the fact that we have truly earned that designation.

Sincerely,

Diane HoltzEditor

A Note from the Editor

Contents

Features

On the cover: Western officially became a

university on Aug. 28, which required a change

in the entrance sign. Photo by Eric Callow

2

12 For the Love of the Game Myron Unzicker has been Western’s athletic trainerfor 22 years. Find out what he loves about the job,and what alums that know him best have to sayabout him.

14 It’s All About “U!” On Aug. 28, Western officially became a university!Read about its early days as St. Joseph JuniorCollege, why it earned the university designation,and MWSU FAQs. A timeline also notes Western’shistorical highlights.

14

Departments2 Campus News

11 Sports20 Alumni News 24 Calendar of Events

11

campus news

Western rolls out the red carpet at Experience Western! Discover the Treasure

was difficult for visitors towend their way around clowns,balloons, children and activities.

Jeanne Modlin, ’85, and herhusband, John, brought four oftheir children to the eventbecause it looked like therewould be a lot of fun activitiesfor them to do. “They had aball. There was something therefor all of them,” she said.

The Modlins also visitedthe Fulkerson Center, wherethere were more than 60

displays andservices from allacademic depart-ments and sev-eral communitygroups.

Jeanne said sheliked having herchildren come outand learn about heralma mater. “It wasinteresting learningabout the depart-ments and whatMissouri Westernhas to offer,” shesaid. “Everyonewas very helpfuland willing to talkabout their depart-ments. I hope theydo it (ExperienceWestern!) again.It was a good wayfor families to seethe college.”

The day also included a carshow with approximately 100cars, superlative studententertainment, presentationsand displays of studentresearch.

“Campus support wasoutstanding, as almost everydepartment had a role inExperience Western!,” saidKristy Hill, ’95, director ofpublic relations and marketingand coordinator of the event.“The turnout from the commu-nity was just as we had hoped.We were pleased that so manypeople from the area joined inon the fun.”

2 Western Magazine Fall 2005

In April, Western opened itsdoors to the community with

“Experience Western! Discoverthe Treasure,” a day of fun andinformative activities, and thecommunity responded in a bigway. Over 1,500 visitors of allages joined in the fun and tookadvantage of the free activities.

Glitter and glue, face paintand beads, musical instruments,a “mine shaft,” a MASH tentand hundreds of children andtheir parents were all part of theTreasure Islandchildren’s areaof ExperienceWestern! Attimes through-out the day, it

Hundreds of children enjoyed Treasure Island children’s area at Experience Western!

Almost 100 vehicles participated in theExperience Western! car show.

D r. J. David Arnold, vicepresident for academic and

student affairssince July 2002,became presi-dent of EurekaCollege,Eureka, Ill.in July.

“Dr. Arnoldhas workedtirelessly forthe good ofstudents andMissouri Westernfor the past three years. He ishighly regarded in our profes-sion,” said Dr. James Scanlon,Western’s president.

Eureka College, almamater of President RonaldReagan, is a private liberalarts college with an enrollmentof more than 500 students.Dr. Arnold serves as thecollege’s 26th president in its150-year history.

“During his time here, hehas helped Western to emergeas a university well focused onlearning outcomes for students,professional development andrecognition for faculty, andservice to the regional andprofessional communities,”said Dr. Scanlon. “We wish himevery success as president ofEureka College.”

Dr. Arnold joined Westernas vice president in July 2002.

campus news

Western VP namedpresident of EurekaCollege

Dr. J. David Arnold

Living and learning in style - the new residence hall opens!

assignments. There are currently13 Learning Communitiesoffered at Western, three in thenew hall.

Michael said the new hall isset up almost entirely as“lifestyle housing,” consistingof a freshman floor, upperclassfloor, leadership/service floor,where students will meetbusiness people from thecommunity; or wellness floor,where students commit to ahealthy lifestyle. He noted thatthe five other residence hallsoffer lifestyle and interesthousing, also.

“Everybody’s different,”Michael said. “That’s the funof it. You should be able tofind a niche where you can becomfortable. That’s whatlifestyle floors are all about –for students to be happy andsuccessful.”

They’re not “dormitories”anymore. That’s the word

from Residential Life DirectorMichael Speros, as he spokeabout the new Living andLearning Center, Western’s $17million, 400-bed residence hallthat opened this fall, featuringsemi-suite double and singlerooms with Internet and cableaccess; and lounges, study areasand kitchenettes on each floor.

“There’s more to living in aresidential hall now than justcoming here and sleeping,”he said.

The center offers studentsthe opportunity to live withothers who share their academicinterests, or in LearningCommunities. In a LearningCommunity, up to 25 studentstake three classes together, andthe faculty in those classescoordinate curriculum and

Western’s newest residence hall, the Living and Learning Center, opened this fall,and students settled in quickly. The 400-bed hall is located south of Vaselakos Hall.

Fall 2005 Western Magazine 3

campus news

Businessleader and

former U.S.CongressmanJ.C. Watts willpresent an “In-Depth PoliticalAnalysis” oncurrent issuesfacing the nationat Western’s12th annualConvocation onCritical IssuesOct. 6. The 9:30

a.m. presentation in the M.O.Looney complex is free andopen to the community.

J.C. is the chairman ofJ.C. Watts Companies. He workswith clients to implement

This spring, the Foundationkicked off the Western

League for Excellence, asociety to honor those whodonate unrestricted funds of$100 or more to theFoundation with the intent tosupport Western annually.

To date, the League boastsof over 200 charter members,and over $93,000 has beenraised.

Pete and Staci Gray werethe first members of theFounder’s Circle, whichdenotes an annual donation of$5,000 or more. MichaelDePriest and his wife Barbara

Western’sAnnual

Phonathonfor Alumni and

Friends has moved to

the fall!October 9 - November 15

Sundays - Thursdays6 - 9 p.m.

Help support the 2005 Annual Fund -

restricted and unrestricted donations

welcome! Please say Yes!

Pete Gray, left, with Dan Nicoson, executive director of the Foundation.Pete and his wife Staci were the firstmembers of the League for ExcellenceFounder’s Circle.

Braznell were the first lifetimemembers, which means theirunrestricted gift will beendowed.

“Membership in the Leagueis a great way for people to say,‘I’m committed to Western andits students. I’m in it for thelong haul,’” said Jerry Pickman,’85, director of development.

He said the unrestrictedfunds give students opportuni-ties such as attending confer-ences, traveling abroad, andattending special programs.

Those who donate to theLeague through Dec. 31 will beconsidered charter members.

business development,communications and public affairsstrategies. He is working with theBusiness Roundtable to develop anationwide effort to increase busi-ness opportunities in America’sinner cities and poor rural areas.

He joined President Bush onhis historic trip to Africa, and alsoco-founded and co-chairs theCoalition for AIDS Relief inAfrica. He is a frequent guest onnational and internationaltelevision news shows and radioshows, and has been quoted innumerous newspaper articles, bothin the United States and around theworld. He also writes a monthlycolumn in the Sporting News. Hisbook is titled, “What Color Is AConservative?”

Western League for Excellence Update

JC Watts to speak at Convocation on Critical Issues

J. C. Watts


campus news

Dr. Christopher Shove has adream. The executive

director of the WesternInstitute wants to see a tech-nology incubator built onWestern’s campus to createopportunities for Western stu-dents and faculty to transformresearch into commercialtechnological products.

The first step toward thatdream was reached when theInstitute received a $20,000grant from the EconomicDevelopment Administrationin Washington, DC to studythe feasibility of building theincubator, which Chris callsthe Venture Center.

Chris said the grant willpay for Western students toconduct market analyses anddetermine if venture capital isavailable for funding. Theywill also study the best loca-tion on campus and buildingsize.

If the study concludes thatthe incubator is feasible, theInstitute will apply for a

federal grant to fund theconstruction of the Center and agrant to pay for its staffing.

“The Venture Center fitsperfectly with the purpose of theWestern Institute,” said Chris.“The Institute is already helpingstudents, faculty and areabusinesses develop new tech-nology on products.”

He noted that St. Josephmatches several criteria thatdetermines if a location is rightfor a science and technologyincubator, such as being within50 miles of an internationalairport, having a good supply oftehnological workers, and havingother research and developmentactivities in the area.

The Venture Center isactually just the first step ofChris’ long-range vision: heenvisions the Center being partof a Science and TechnologyVillage on campus, a cutting-edge concept which couldinclude research centers, retailshops, apartments, a conferencefacility and restaurants.

Four newresearch centers

Late at night and on week-ends, if you happen to pass

by the Western Institute’sSurvey Research Lab or theGeographic InformationSystems Lab on the secondfloor of Leah Spratt Hall,you’ll see faculty and studentsentering data, setting up focusgroups and conductingresearch. They are workingfor regional businesses andorganizations that havesecured contracts throughone of the Institute’sresearch centers.

Dr. Chris Shove,executive director of theWestern Institute, said heexpects the number ofprojects to increase becausefour new research centerswere formed last spring.

They include Arts andCulture, directed by Dr. MarkMikkelsen, associateprofessor of philosophy;Business and Economics,Dr. Shiva Nandan, associateprofessor of business; Healthand Wellness, Dr. EvelynBrooks, associate professor ofnursing; and Life Sciences,Dr. Todd Eckdahl, professorof biology.

“It’s wonderful appliedlearning for students. Theseare real projects with realresponsibilities,” said Chris.“It’s an excellent foundationfor graduate programs.”


Western Institute updateVenture Center vision

Campus KUDOS

campus news

You gotta go where the job takesyou, and when Ralph Hiller,

’77, was transferred from St.Joseph to California, the nontradi-tional student had to move, eventhough he only needed 12 morehours to earn his degree.

However, Western was willingto work with him, he said, andallowed him to transfer credits forclasses he took in California toearn his degree from Western.

“They were very nice to me.I have a real special place inmy heart for them,” he said ofthe staff.

Even though he took just acouple evening classes eachsemester, he said he has a lotof great memories of his yearsat Western.

N ine faculty and staffmembers received awards

for excellence in jobperformance last spring.

Presidential citations forstaff were given to ElaineBryant, student servicescoordinator; RodemaGnuschke, interlibrary loansupervisor; Patty Kuechler,administrative assistant for theWestern Institute, and TomieWalker, art director for campusprinting services.

The Dr. James V. MehlOutstanding FacultyScholarship Award was grantedto Dr. Michael Cadden,associate professor of English.

Those faculty honored withthe Jesse Lee Myers Excellencein Teaching Awards were Dr.Jason Baker, assistant professorof biology; Dr. Kelly Henry,assistant professor ofpsychology; Dr. Ann Thorne,associate professor ofjournalism, and BonnieGregory, assistant professorof nursing.

The Western Service Award,new this year, was given toJulia Schneider, library director,for her outstanding record ofcommunity service during thepast year.

Western employeeshonored

Recently, Ralph establishedthe Hiller Family Foundation,and funded four scholarshipsfor Western nontraditionalstudents.

“I wanted to establish some-thing for students who were likeme, who wanted to get a degreeto help themselves,” Ralph said.

When Ralph visited Westernthis summer, he had the oppor-tunity to meet with two recipi-ents of his scholarships - asingle mother, and a father whohad been recently laid off fromhis job.

“Those are the types ofpeople I want to help. They arestruggling to get through andbetter themselves. It’s reallyrewarding to help them.”

Alumnus creates scholarhips

• Joanne Katz, professor of legal studies, was awarded a three-year research grant. She, along with Dr. Gene Bonham, assistantprofessor of criminal justice, will study the effectiveness of athree-year statewide project promoting the use of restorativejustice.

• December 2004 graduate Meri Thompson received the national“Outstanding Developmental Educational Student” award.

• Nick Limle, May 2005 graduate, was the only undergraduatestudent in the nation to present his research at an internationalconference in Florida.

• Business major Adam Kling won second place in the interna-tional 2005 Student Writing Contest sponsored by theAssociation for Business Communication.

• Thirteen Western English students presented their papers at the2005 Popular Culture Association/American Culture AssociationJoint Conference in San Diego, more undergraduates than anyother institution.


University status means a new web domain!

We are now on the web at:www.missouriwestern.edu

tion: St. Joseph Junior College,Missouri Western JuniorCollege, Missouri WesternCollege, Missouri Western StateCollege, and Missouri WesternState University.

A presidential medallioncontains the seal and theuniversity’s six values. Sixprocessioanl banners were alsopurchased.

campus news

Accessories add to pomp of ceremonies

Good news for studentsand parents! For the

second year in a row,Western’s Board of Regentsvoted not to increase tuition.The in-state tuition per credithour remained $146 for in-state students and $267 forout-of-state students.

“Western is committed toputting our students first,”said Dr. James Scanlon,Western’s president. “WhenWestern makes any decision,its first consideration is howit impacts students. Thedecision not to increasetuition is based on that samerationale.”

Across the state, theaverage tuition increase wasabout four percent.

“Western is committed toensuring quality education atthe best value possible -affordable excellence,” saidDr. Scanlon.

“That is really exciting;I am ecstatic,” said KylerKeith, a recreation/sportsmanagement major fromSt. Joseph. “With Westernbecoming a university,everyone expected tuition toincrease.”

Dr. Scanlon noted thatthis will be the third year ina row that students will paythe same core tuition rate.

Students see notuition increasefor second year

Thanks to the generosity of Dr.Joseph Friedman, ’39, new

ceremonial accessories - amace, a presidential medallionand banners - were introducedat the formal universitydesignation celebration Aug. 31,and will now be used at allformal university events such asacademic convocations andcommencements.

The mace, almost four feettall, is topped by the university’snewly designed seal, andGriffon and clock tower etchingsare engraved on bronze plates.Five plates on the staff containthe former names of the institu-

Dr. Joe Friedman, ’39, showcases the ceremonial mace.


Dr. Virenda Varma (left), chair of the engineering technology department, poses bythe department’s new “teachable art” sculpture. The sculpture is designed to teachcontruction technology students about steel construction.


Former footballplayer createsscholarship

As a college student, SteveKoenig developed a love

of the stock market and aninterest in trading, and hehas pursued that passion for19 years.

Steve, the managingdirector of J.P. Morgan’s LatinAmerica Derivative TradingBusiness in New York City,wanted to give a Westernstudent an opportunity todevelop that same passion, sohe recently established theKoenig Family Scholarshipwith two goals in mind: to aidstudent athletes who arefinance or economics majors,and to honor his grandparents,Sidney and Claire Koenig.

“I have a lot of very fondmemories of college. I had agreat education and I have agreat respect for MissouriWestern,” said Steve.

Steve, a native of NewJersey, came to Western toplay football in 1982. Themarketing major was a studentathlete for four years atWestern, and later earned abachelor’s degree in New York.

Steve said he has comeback for several footballgames over the years, andhe always hooks up withformer teammate JerryPartridge, ’86, now Griffonhead football coach.

Plan wisely and invest in WesternCharitable estate planning, also known as planned giving, may

allow you to take advantage of the benefits offered to you whileproviding a future gift to the Missouri Western State UniversityFoundation.

For example, Charitable Remainder Trusts are often thought tobe an excellent estate planning option, especially if you are amongthe many people trapped in the ownership of low yield appreciatedstocks or other property that has grown in value. The capital gainstax that you will experience if you sell the appreciated assets makesit difficult to sell the asset and invest in something providing abetter annual yield.

These trusts may give you the opportunity to increase yourannual spendable income by increasing your annual yield, reducingyour income tax obligation, reducing any federal estate tax liability,and avoiding the capital gains tax associated with the sale of theproperty. These potential benefits have caused the use of CharitableRemainder Trust to grow in popularity.

For more information contact Dan Nicoson, vice president forInstitutional Advancement and executive director of the Foundation.You can email him at [email protected] or call816-271-5647.

campus news

Purchase a Griffon tie from the Western VIPs!$25 plus $3 shipping and handling

Send your order with a check to: MWSU VIPs, Eder Hall, 101,4525 Downs Dr., St. Joseph, MO 64507

816-271-4266

Community service was part of the Griffon Edge new student orientation programfor the second year. Approximately 800 students volunteered for Habitat forHumanity throughout the community on the last day of the orientation.

Western Magazine 9

campus news

Octogenarian walks the walk

A lunch for Western alumni was hosted by the Alumni Services Office in June atthe Cafe Trastevere in Orlando. Western has nearly 50 alums in the Orlando area.Photo by Jim Canty, ’75.

The communication studiesand theatre department

established a new bachelor ofscience degree inTheatre/Video, an integratedprogram that blends the twodisciplines. The program beganthis fall, along with the openingof a computer lab withnonlinear editing and soundproduction software, and amedia production lab.

“It will allow us to betterprepare students who desireemployment in the media artsproduction areas of theatreperformance, technicalentertainment production andfilmmaking,” said Deny Staggs,assistant professor of theatre.

He said the new degreeprogram offers three “tracks” -performance, directing, andtechnical, and students willchoose two for their emphasis.

“We’ll be working withthe latest technology to preparestudents for the latest technlog-ical challenges,” Deny said.

D r. Paul Shang, dean of student development, was named adiamond honoree by the American College Personnel Association.

The award honors members for their outstanding and sustainedcontributions to higher education and to student affairs specifically.

Before joining Western earlier this year, Dr. Shang was thedirector of student and enrollment services at Penn StateWorthington Scranton of Dunmore, Penn. He has held directorpositions in student affairs divisions at Colorado State Universityand the University of Iowa.

Dean of student development honored New theatre/videodegree

Jerry Benitz, ‘05

A t the May commencementceremony, Geraldine

“Jerry” Benitz received abachelor of science degree inhistory. About five weeksearlier, she observed her 80thbirthday.

“I have enjoyed ittremendously,” Jerry said of thejourney to her degree. “It waseasy for me. I want to expressmy thanks and gratitude toeveryone on the campus.”

She said it was fun beingaround the traditional students.“It keeps me younger.”

And in the four years shecommuted from Stewartsville,Mo. for class, she only missedone day.

How does it feel to get thedegree finally? “Great. It was agoal of mine. It was a tribute tomy parents. I did it, folks.”

Drive withpride!

A $25 donationallows you to purchase aspecial Western license plate.All you need is a verificationletter from us. Call 816-271-5646 for details.

Each One Teach One, a mentoring program where Westernstudents mentor middle school students, kicked off last spring

and will expand this fall. The program is the brainchild of LavellRucker, ’03, social worker forthe St. Joseph School District,and Tay Triggs, minorityachievement coordinator atWestern.

Tay said an advantage ofhaving college students as men-tors is that the younger studentsnow have a role model in theirlives who is going to college.

“There’s a passion atMissouri Western to help outand mentor,” said Tay. “Thereare plenty of students who wantto have a child to guide.”

Each One, Teach One:Students reach out to teach

Four athletes and the 1975 football team were inducted into Western’s Athletic Hall of Fame 2005class Sept. 18: Mark Bradley, ’92, played three seasons for the men’s basketball team from 1989-1992, leading

the Griffons to three straight trips to the national tournament. Mark averaged 12 points and sevenrebounds per game and currently ranks sixth in career field goal percentage at Western. He was teamcaptain for three years.

Tim Boender, ’84, was a three-year letterwinner on the defensive line for the football team from1981-1983. He was a NAIA second team All-America selection following the 1983 season, and earnedCSIC and NAIA District 16 accolades during his time as Western.

Scott Graham, ’78, was a four-year letterwinner for the football team from 1974-1977. He wasteam captain his sophomore year, and was a top figure of the Griffon offensive line that posted twobowl victories during his career.

Blake Schreck, ’78, was a four-year letterwinner for the baseball team from 1974-1978. He earnedNAIA All-America, All-Area and All-District honors following his senior season. He was a member ofthe NAIA World Series All-Tournament Team and ended his career as a member of the NAIA NationalTraveling Team. His 634 career at-bats and 15 triples both rank second on the career lists at Western.

The 1975 football season was the first winning season in Western history, going 8-3-1, a schoolrecord for victories until 2004. That team made Western’s first postseason appearance and finished theseason ranked 14th in the nation. At one time during the season, it was ranked as high as seventh.

campus news

Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2005

Fulkerson Centeropens!

Sen. Christopher “Kit”Bond was the featured

speaker at a banquet in Marchto celebrate the opening of theFulkerson Center, a 500-seatbanquet and conferencefacility on campus namedfor Marie Fulkerson and herlate husband, Lyman.

“The Center is a truepartnership between thecommunity and the college,and it will benefit both,” saidSen. Bond. “The communitythat invests in higher educa-tion reaps the benefits for itspeople and its economy.”

The center was fundedentirely from privatedonations.

Western mentor Leon Douglas helps a Bode Middle School student

study for an upcoming test.


Griffon Sports campus news

The 2005 spring sports wereones to remember! The soft-

ball team set the Western recordfor wins in a season, going 48-20 and advancing to the NCAADivision II national tournament.The Griffons went 1-2 at thenational tournament, held inEmporia, Kan.

The golf team finished theseason in third place in theMIAA standings, but sent itsnumber one golfer to theNCAA Division II nationalchampionships. Western juniorBrice Garnett won medalisthonors at the regional tourna-ment and placed fourth at thenationals. It was the highestfinish ever for a Western athletein any event since Westernjoined the NCAA in 1989.

The baseball team went33-22 overall and set a schoolrecord for MIAA wins with a21-10 mark in league play.Western finished third in theleague standings, its highestever finish since joining theMIAA in 1989. Western hadfive players earn All-MIAAaccolades.

The Griffon tennis teamwent 12-14, the most winsduring one year for the programin four seasons. The Griffonspicked up wins over NCAADivision II members Nebraska-Omaha and South Dakota.

2005 Hillyard Men’sBasketball Tournament

Looney ComplexNovember 18 and 19

Games start at 5:30 p.m. each evening.

Come see Western, Rockhurst, NWMSU, and Baker in action!

Thank you, Gold Coat supporters, for over$500,000 in pledges! Over 80new members joined the GoldCoat Club, bringing the totalmembership to almost 500.

Spring Sports Shorts

Amy Beverly was named second-teamAll-America by the National FastpitchCoaches Association for the secondyear in a row.

Brice Garnett won medalist honors atthe regional tournament and placedfourth at the NCAA nationaltournament.

Join us for Griffon Luncheonsevery Monday at noon

at La Dolce Vita at 36th Street Restaurant,

upper floor. Come chat with student athletes and headcoaches about upcominggames and events whileenjoying a great buffet

style meal.

eSCORESSign up now!

Receive Griffon scores andnews by email or cell phone.It’s FREE! Go to GoGriffons.com

for more information.


NewWestern logo, MAX! Named after longtime athletic booster, Max Grooms.

GoGriffons.comis the place for webcast sporting events in 2005-06.Griffon football and men’s andwomen’s basketball will besimulcast via 680 AM - KFEQwhile Western baseball and softball will once again be webcast onGoGriffons.com/webcast.

f e a t u r e

F ormer Griffon football player Matt Gragg, ’97,said he’ll never forget the time his teammate had

separated his shoulder during a game and was writhing inpain on the ground. Myron Unzicker calmly walked overto the injured player, set him upright, put his feet on theplayer’s side, then pulled, turned and reset his arm.

It was just another day on the job for Myron,Western’s athletic trainer who has been wrapping,rubbing and rehabilitating athletes since he came toWestern in 1983.

“Myron was the calmest person I’ve ever seen aroundinjuries,” Matt said. “I’ve seen him calm down grown menwith broken fingers pointing in directions you didn’t thinkpossible. He has this calming effect that makes theplayers feel confident that their injury will heal.”

Senior Andre Burns, a Griffon cornerback, can relateto that. He says fellow players jibe Myron about his“walk.” “When someone gets injured, Myron has this‘walk.’ It’s just a nice casual walk; he doesn’t run over.But he’ll get you taken care of.”

Kate (Pierson) Esely, ’00, a fellow athletic trainer whoworked under Myron as a student, agreed. “Myron and I

work very well together because he’s laid back and I’m a go-getter. He doesn’t get excited about much of anything.”

It’s hard to go to a sports event at Western and notsee Myron. He or a member of his staff try to attendevery athletic event and the majority of practices.

“When people think of athletic trainers, they usuallythink of two things - taping ankles and carrying water,”said Myron. But today’s trainers also work onrehabilitation after surgery, conditioning, and the athletes’nutrition, lifestyles, and medical history.

“The players always wanted to get taped by Myron,because of his skill, and there was always a line,” saidMatt, recalling his football days at Western. “Usually theupperclassmen were up front, but if you got in to himearly enough, he’d square you away.”

Andre said in that regard, things haven’t changedsince Matt played. Andre, who recovered from two pulledhamstrings last season, is usually one of the first in linefor Myron’s taping skills before football practices.

“I trust Myron’s judgement; he gives me goodguidance.”

Myron said the best part of his job is getting to knowthe students and working closely with them. “You have

to be a people person. We see kids at their highs andat their lows and you have to learn how to readthem,” he said.

“How kids react after a big win is different thanhow they react when you tell them they can’t playanymore. You get tears at both ends.”

And the the worst part of his job? Seeing athletesnot fulfill their aspirations because of injuries.

“But I like my job. Every day is different. Younever know what’s going to happen at a practiceor a game.”

Which is probably exactly what that linebackerwas thinking the day Myron gave Matt thatunforgettable memory.

Long-time athletic trainer held in high regard

Longtime athletic trainer Myron Unzicker prepares Griffon football player Derek Nelson for football practice.


f e a t u r e

S everal alums have turned their love of sportsinto successful careers.

Cory Burnett, ’98, said he always knew he wantedto have a career with a profes-sional sports team, and whenhe found out he needed aninternship as a recreationadministration major, he senta resume to “every team, everysport - pro, semi-pro, minoror major.”

His diligence paid off.He was hired as an unpaidsummer intern for the IndianaPacers in 1998, and has workedfull time in the Pacers’ front office since 1999. His mainresponsibility is working with the team’s scouts.

“I really attribute getting the job to Missouri Western.They encouraged internships so you’d get a feel for whatyou wanted to do.”

And the best part about his job? “I go to almost everygame and get to meet a lot of ballplayers and celebrities.”

Meeting a lot of professionalathletes and coaches is whatmakes her job interesting and fun,also, said Gini Fite, ’99 and ’01.Gini, a physical therapy assistantand athletic trainer in OverlandPark, Kan., said the company sheworks for provides athletic trainersfor sporting events and nationaltournaments throughout thecountry.

“I’ve even met my favoritebasketball player of all time two times - Danny Manning(former University of Kansas standout and NBA player).”

Gini credits her four yearsof experience as a studentathletic trainer at Western withhelping her land her currentjob. Her long hours in thetraining room paid off with anathletic trainer certificate, whichwas required for her position.

“I love sports, but wasnever good enough to make the team. So this was a wayto be involved in sports.”

David Lang, ’85 and ’96, earned his first degree atWestern in business administration, but had alwayswanted a sports-related career.

For several years after college he held positions as asports information director, but when he was laid off in1994, he decided to return tohis alma mater to pursue arecreation managementdegree.

Since April of this year,David has been the directorof admissions at “the mosthistoric racetrack in theworld” - Churchill Downs,home of the Kentucky Derby.

“I like the big crowds. Ilove it when we’re running,”he said. “We had a greattime at the Kentucky Derby.”

Ironically, in thisposition he said he uses hisaccounting skills more thanhe ever has, but “it doesn’tfeel like accounting.”

Did you know?Twelve alumni are on the coaching andadministrative staff of Western’s athleticdepartment!

Alumni love their slam-dunk careers

Cory Burnett, ’98

Gini Fite, ’99 and ’01


David Lang, ’85 and ’96, (right) poses in front of of Churchill Downs

Meanwhile, in St. Joseph, more than 5,000students enrolled on the 700-plus acre campus ofMissouri Western State University in the fall. Thereare 18 buildings, 600 trees and about 1,400 studentsliving on campus, 400 of them in the newly openedLiving and Learning Center.

Every classroom has state-of-the-art technology,and computer labs can be found all over campus.There is Internet access in every residential room.The university is recognized nationally for severalof its programs, including the program for teachercandidates. A brand new banquet and conferencefacility graces the campus.

Ask any alumnus and they’ll surely tell you:A lot may have changed in the 90 years between“Junior College” and “University,” but the traditionof high quality academics and caring faculty andstaff who putstudents firsthas neverwavered at St.Joseph’s high-er educationinstitution.

“MissouriWestern hasexemplifiedsuch anincrediblestandard for

1915 1918 1921 1924 1927

1917 1920 1922 1925 1933St. Joseph JuniorCollege opens, theeighth junior college in the nation. There are 35 students andeight faculty members.

The first Griffon Yearbook is published.

The first issue of thecollege newspaper, TheSpectator, is published. .

Basketball team wins statechampionship. Collegegraduates the largest in itshistory – 80.

St. Joseph JuniorCollege celebrates itsfirst commencementceremony.

Men’s basketballbegins. The team hasone victory in theirfirst season.

Football begins. The first seasonwas not only winless, but scoreless.Football was played for only threeseasons at the Junior College.

The Junior Collegemoves to its ownbuilding, the formerEverett School.

Junior Collegemoves into the former RobidouxSchool.

The Griffon is adoptedas the symbol of thecollege.

T he year is 1915. Pluto is photographed for thefirst time, but is not recognized as a planet. LesPaul, the inventor of the electric guitar, is born.

NACA, predecessor to NASA, is founded, and anautomobile speed record is set at 102.6 mph.

Meanwhile, in St. Joseph, Mo., 35 studentsenrolled at the new St. Joseph Junior College, housedin Central High School with courses taught by thehigh school teachers. It would be 10 years before thecollege had a building to call its own, and eight yearsafter that before the college moved to the “concretecampus” at 10th and Edmond.

The year is 1969. Pluto has been officially nameda planet for almost 40 years. The Beatles, who lovedthe electric guitar, gave their last public performancetogether. Astronauts in Apollo 11 walk on the moon,and the automobile speed record is 622.287 mph.

Meanwhile, in St. Joseph, 2,536 students enrolledon a 390-acre campus consisting of three buildingsand no trees at the four-year Missouri WesternCollege. The college is a “commuter campus,” asthere are no residence halls for students; and mostpeople outside of northwest Missouri have neverheard of Missouri Western.

The education department is the first in the nationto offer a new teacher candidate experience program.Every classroom is equipped with a chalkboard, andthose students with typewriters can earn extra moneytyping papers for their classmates.

In 2005, scientists are questioning if Pluto really isa planet. The Beatles never got back together, evenfor one concert. Astronauts are living in space sta-tions, and space shuttles can be used for more thanone mission. Automobile land speed records are con-stantly being broken, but are well over 880 mph.

14 Western Magazine

M I S S O U R I W E S T E R N S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y

higher learning, the university status is well deserved,” said RachaelNeedham, ’02. “The professors take the time to meet with students andhelp them.”

High quality academics and high achieving students are someof the characteristics that qualified Western for university status,Gov. Matt Blunt told the audience at the ceremonial universitybill signing in March. Those characteristics, long recognizedby alumni, are now becoming known not only statewide,but nationally.

Two years ago, for example, the university was one of only 12 institutionsacross the country chosen to develop a model for improving students’ firstyear of college. It was chosen because of the quality of its current first-yearprograms for students, such as the Griffon Edge orientation program andCollege 101 and learning communities, a new trend in colleges anduniversities where groups of students take classes together, study togetherand sometimes live on the same floor in the residence halls.

“The biggest things to happen to St. Joseph were when they startedthe college and when it became a four-year college,” said Herb Iffert, ’35.“And university status is wonderful. It’s just great.”

“I’m really proud that it’s a university,” said Tegwin Pulley, ’63. “It’s abig step up from the concrete campus.”

No one knows for certain what the future holds. We can guess that theremaining two Beatles will never perform together again. Pluto may becomea nonplanet again, and space may become the next tourist destination. Andwho knows how fast automobiles will go?

But for Missouri Western State University, one thing is certain: it willcontinue the tradition ofoutstanding academics,high achieving studentsand caring faculty.

1933 1944 1949 1955 1963

1941 1947 1954 1958Poet Carl Sandburgvisits to lecture andread his poems. Ruddy Vallee, artist of radio andscreen, judges the annual beauty contest.

Enrollment figuresreveal that womenoutnumber men 169to 69.

Griffon News reporters arethrilled to interview GeneAutry, who was on a tour through the Midwest.

Joseph Richey, ’40,is the school’s firstcasualty in WorldWar II.

A Griffon News studenteditorial broaches the idea ofthe Junior College expandingto a four-year college.

CliffordHughes is thefirst black graduate.

Enrollment is up 30%from the prior year;now stands at 398.

Governor John Dalton vetoes a bill that would establish the JuniorCollege as a branch of Universityof Missouri.

Missouri Legislature nixes plan for theJunior College to be a two-year branch of Northwest Missouri State Universityin Maryville.

AlumnsRemember“If the Junior College had notbeen here, I might not haveeven gone to college.”

Joe Mazur, ’58

“Good heavens. It was wideopen country, the wind wasblowing and the trees werethe size of your thumb.”

Ron Auxier, ’73

“From the time I was astudent to today, things aremoving in the right direction.It (the university) is one ofthe areas in the communitythat is continually striving toget better.”

Bryan Seiter, ’98Gov. Matt Blunt signs SenateBill 98, designating Westerna university.

Western Magazine 15

Timeline 1915−2005

During his tenure as president, Dr. Looney oversaw the construction of 12 buildings,including three residence halls, and the football stadium, and the emergence of a four-yearhigh quality academic institution.

He withstood many conflicts and differences of opinion about the direction of the newcollege throughout his tenure, but at the end of his presidency, he had helped to lay a strongfoundation for an outstanding four-year college.

Janet Gorman Murphy 1983-2000

During Dr. Murphy’s presidency, six new buildings were constructed, including tworesidence halls, and the clock tower. Every classroom became technologically “smart,” and theMissouri Conservation Dept. joined the campus. Two buildings also received additions andone was remodeled.

Dr. Murphy also garnered the A+ program for Western, and initiated Access Plus, astudent services program.

James J. Scanlon 2001- Present

Under Dr. Scanlon’s presidency, a new residence hall, residential commons building,and a banquet and conference facility was built. The cafeteria and several student spaceswere remodeled.

Dr. Scanlon instituted a five-year strategic plan in 2002, with strong emphases on appliedlearning, community service and academic quality. Several new programs have also beeninitiated, such as the American Democracy Project, Foundations of ExcellenceTM in the firstyear, and Learning Communities.

And, of course, Western became a university!

1965 1967 1969

1966 1968

Milburn W. Blanton is namedpresident. The Missouri WesternJunior College District is approvedby voters, and the college’s name ischanged to Missouri Western JuniorCollege. Legislators approve a bill toenable the establishment of a four-year college, and 130 acres ispurchased. A golden anniversarybanquet is held at Hotel Robidoux.

Bond issue passes to buildthree new buildings, and390 acres east of I-29purchased for new campus.

Western becomes the firstinstitution in the country toinitiate a model for a three-phasein-school experience teacherprogram.

M.O. Looney is named president. The college is renamed MissouriWestern College.

The college becomes a four-year institution and moves to itspresent-day site. The campus consists of three buildings: Evan R.Agenstein Science and Math, the Warren E. Hearnes LearningResource Center and the Frank Poppelwell AdministrationBuildings. For the first time since 1917, there is no graduationceremony. Missouri Western State College Foundation established.Missouri Western State College Alumni Association established. Liz Dotson of DeKalb becomes the first student to register on thenew campus. Construction begins on the M.O. Looney Health,Physical Education and Recreation Building.

P r e s i d e n t s 1 9 6 5 - P r e s e n t

Dr. Blanton became president just as the district had assumed responsibility for theSt. Joseph Junior College and plans were underway to establish a four-year institution.

Under his tenure, the bond issue passed for the construction of three buildings on thenew campus, and he was involved in their planning.

Milburn W. Blanton 1965-1967

M. O. Looney 1967-1983



The St. Joseph School District’s board haddetermined that, if at least 20 students showed aninterest, classes identical to the University of Missouricourses for the first year of college would be offeredat Central High School. Within two weeks, more than30 students had indicated their intention to attend, andthe St. Joseph Junior College was born. The first dayof classes was Sept. 20 with 35 students.

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWNAlthough the college began as a mere extension of

the high school, Junior College students very shortlyestablished their own identity. Within two years, thestudents had their own yearbook and newspaper, and aGriffon mascot that has endured to this day.

When it was 10 years old, the Junior Collegemoved out of the high school and into its own build-ing - the old Everett School at 14th and Olive. Eightyears later, the college relocated to 10th and Edmond,where it remained until 1969.

HARD TIMES College tuition was never easy to come by, but

when the depression arrived in 1929 and lasted forseveral years, it became even more difficult. HerbIffert, ’35, from Wathena, Kan., paid his tuition byworking almost 40 hours a week at Miller’s DrugStore in Wathena. He said his parents encouraged himto attend college, but they didn’t have the means tohelp him pay for it. “If I was going to get anyplace, Iknew I had to get an education. But I wouldn’t havebeen able to go to school if it hadn’t been close by.”

“HALCYON DAYS IN SPITE OF A TERRIBLE WAR”The country had barely recovered from the Great

Depression before World War II intruded, definitelychanging the makeup of the college. George Hopkins,’46, graduated from high school when he was 16 andstarted at theJunior Collegein 1944 since hewas too youngto be drafted.That year, theGriffon Newsreported anenrollment of169 women and69 men, butGeorge said“they weretaking boysright and left”as the year wenton. “I was theonly boy in theschool play. Ithought I was in hog heaven.”

George said he remembers having a lot of fun at the Junior College - the dances, the basketball games,cutting class to play ping pong and his election asstudent body president. “They were halcyon days inspite of the terrible war,” he said.

Central High School, Home of St. Joseph Junior College in 1915

1971

College athletics joins NAIA. The TrumanE. Wilson Professional Studies Building iscompleted.Construction begins on NelleBlum Student Union.

1970

Fred Eder StudentServices/ClassroomBuilding opens.

1976

Spratt Memorial Stadium hosts its first commencementceremony.

1979

President’shome isdestroyedby fire.

1981Thompson E. Potter Fine Arts Building is completed.The college adds 334 acres, bringing the total campus size to 724 acres. Beshears, Logan and Juda Residence Halls are built. Ralph Nader, JulianBond and Pat Paulsen all speak at Western.

1977

A Graduate Center is establishedat Western. The collegebecomes a member of the stateof Missouri system, and thename is officially changed toMissouri Western State College.

1980M. O. Looney fieldhouse completed.

Our Heritage: St. Joseph Junior CollegeA midst World War I newspaper headlines, there appeared a small article in the Aug. 27,

1915 edition of the St. Joseph News-Press: “JC for St. Joseph in Sight.”



HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN“By 1946, the war and the Great Depression were

all behind us,” said Bill Foddy, ’48. “The whole coun-try was feeling good.”

Bonnie Hartigan started at the Junior College in1948 and was thrilled to be attending with all her highschool idols who had returned from the war. “It wasintriguing to go to the Junior College in those years.All the guys who had been in the service were back incollege.”

Her favorite things to do as a student were attendbasketball games and dances in the old church build-ing across the street from the Junior College.

The end of the Korean War again brought aninflux of veterans to the Junior College, according toJoe Mazur, ’58 and Tom Kalin, ’55. Tom said there

wereseveralveterans inhis physicsclass whokept theprofessorbusy justtrying tomaintainorder. Onerigged up abell in theback roomthat hecould ringfrom hisdesk, whichkept the

professor continually confounded and running to theback room. “But I really did learn a lot in that class,”Tom said. “The professors looked at me and said, ‘thatguy is going to need some extra help,’ and I receivedan excellent education.”

Tegwin Pulley, ’63, said the biggest benefits ofthe Junior College when she was a student were the

1993

First Convocation onCritical Issues is held featuring Arthur J.Schlesinger, Jr.

1982

1983Western’s softballteam wins nationalchampionship.

Janet GormanMurphy becomespresident.

1985

1986Western’s Parents Associationcreated. First student regent isnamed – R.J. Claassen.

College purchases the firstMAT satellite dish in the state. New wing opens on ThompsonFine Arts Center.

1988

1989Honors programstarted.

College joins theMIAA athletic conference.

1990

1991Chatauqua Lecture Seriesbegins at Western. HearnesLearning Resource Centergains addition. 1992

Missouri Departmentof Conservation opensbuilding on campus.

Leaverton Hall is built.Students hold “Supportthe Troops” night forthose in the Gulf War.

Graduation Ceremony held in the gym in the 70’s

JC students study in the 60s

18 Western Magazine

small class sizes and good teachers whoknew their subjects.

She said that whenever she went to thegrotto student center between classes(slipping and sliding and barely making itin the winter on the icy streets), you couldsit with anyone, because everyone wasfriendly to each other. “It was a pleasant,welcoming environment,”she added.

A TIME OF TURMOIL And then came the turbulent late sixties,

which Dr. Margaret King, ’73, called “aninteresting time to be a college student.”She joined a group of fellow students fromFrank Popplewell’s political science classwho were political activists.

In 1968, the group attended the DemocraticNational Convention in Chicago. Margaret said whilethey were there, they were gathered in a park withseveral other college-aged students, and they weregassed by the police.

She said that incident had a huge effect on theJunior College students who were there. “We sort ofdropped out of politics. I became serious and changedmy major from political science to biology. It wasreally strange times.”

A TIME OF VISIONAlthough the Junior College students were not

immune to the turbulent sixties, exciting things werehappening locally that changed the course of theJunior College.


MWSU - Now what? FAQsWestern’s university designation has raised a lot of

questions among alumni and friends of Western, and we hope this helps answer some of those questions!• Can I get a new diploma that says “university” now?

Yes. Alumni may contact the Alumni Services Office torequest a duplicate “university” diploma, but they willnot be produced until after the December commencement.Cost is $20. Please pick up an application in thealumni services office or download it online atwww.missouriwestern.edu.

• Will tuition increase now that Western is auniversity?No. At their May meeting, the Board of Regents voted not toincrease the tuition for the 2005-2006 academic year. Thisis the third year in a row that tuition has remained the same.

• What about graduate programs?According to Dr. James Scanlon, Western’s president, withinthe next two to five years, Western plans to develop master’sdegrees programs, graduate certificate programs andresearch programs tied directly to the needs of businessand industry in the region. The graduate programs willmost likely be in the fields of health sciences, life sciencesand engineering technology.

• How will Western pay for the expense of switchingto a university?The Western Foundation has generously agreed to meet themodest expenses of the change, such as signage aroundcampus and the establishment of a new Internet domain.Offices plan to use the “college” stationery beforepurchasing new.

• Will university status change enrollment?“We are interested in controlled growth and enrollment,”said Dr. Scanlon. “We hope to grow our enrollment, but wedo not have a target enrollment set.”

• Will state funding change? University status will have no direct effect on state funding.

1996

Baker FamilyFitnessCenter opens.

1994

Junior College Room inthe Nelle Blum StudentUnion is dedicated.Vaselakos Hall is built.

1998

Leah Spratt MultipurposeClassroom Building opens. ‘A commencement ceremony is added in December.

1997

Glenn E. MarionMemorial Clock Towergraces campus.

2000

Janet Gorman Murphy Classroom Buildingis built. Western becomes an A+ school.Every classroom on campus is now a technologically “smart” classroom.

1999

Western receives aPacesetter Award fromthe National AcademicAdvising Association.

2003

A second commencement ceremony is addedin the spring.

2001

James J. Scanlon becomespresident. Nelle Blum Student Unionaddition is completed. Cafeteriaundergoes $600,000 renovation.

2005

Fulkerson Center, a banquet andconference facility, opens. New 400-bed residence hall opens. Westernbecomes Missouri Western StateUniversity.

2004

CommonsBuilding opensby residencehall complex.

Years of talking about a four-yearcollege came to fruition in 1965 whenstate legislators approved a bill to expandthe Junior College to a four-year college, and 130 acres onFrederick Blvd. were purchased for that purpose.

That same year, voters approved the Missouri WesternJunior College District, and the name was changed toMissouri Western Junior College.

However, several visionaries thought the purchased landwasn’t big enough for the college they had in mind, and theybegan pushing for purchase of 390 acres east of I-29. Aftermuch local contention, that land was purchased in 1966, thesame year voters passed a bond issue to build three buildingson the new campus.

“We were aghast when they decided to move it out there,”Bonnie Hartigan said of the larger acreage purchase. “Buttoday, I’m glad someone had the vision to move it. It is now abeautiful site.”

From sharing rooms with high school students, to an oldelementary school, to a “concrete campus,” to several hundredacres; from a junior college to a four-year college, to a univer-sity; from 35 students to 5,000-plus; the Junior College laidthe foundation for the jewel of St. Joseph - Missouri WesternState University.


The former JC, at 10th & Edmond Streets.


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Julie FiedlerDirector of Alumni Services

The value of an educationat Missouri Western is

priceless - of course, as analum, you already know that.I have talked with a lot ofalumni who continue to boastabout the education that theyreceived at Western and howmuch they have grown toappreciate it long after theyleave campus. Whether theygot their start at Saint JosephJunior College or Missouri

Western State College, alumnihave gone on to accomplishgreat things - from being presi-dents of major banks and finan-cial institutions, to owning theirown business, to raising little“Griffons.” No matter where thealumni reside today, one mes-sage remains the same - theyare proud of where they camefrom and proud of MissouriWestern for what it has become:Missouri Western StateUniversity!

The campus is abuzz withthe news about Western gaininguniversity designation.

One group of alumni whoare particularly excited aboutthe university designation is theAlumni Association Board ofDirectors.

The Alumni Board hascontinued its work under the

Eleanor Jackson, Peggy Iffert and Evelyn Kelmel visit at the Annual Junior College brunch, held in April. Over 50 alumni and friends of the Junior College attended.

Alumni Services office toengage alumni and create moreopportunities for involvementin the life of Western. Thealumni committees this yearhave been reorganized todevelop engagement andinvolvement activities (see box).

All alumni are invited andencouraged to become involvedwith the Association by servingon a committee, hosting analumni event, mentoring astudent or simply attendingan alumni event. Theopportunities are endless!

Alumni CommitteesThe Alumni Association

has established new committees, and all alumni

are invited to join!

Student Outreach Student scholarships,mentoring students,

and more.

Events and InvolvementHelp plan special events,

Homecoming, service projects, social activities, etc.

Membership andMerchandising

Promote and create membership and benefits

program, explore merchandise opportunities.

For more information aboutthese committees, contact

Julie Fiedler at [email protected]

or call 816-271-5650.


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From the Alumni Association President Dear MWSU alumni, families, and friends,

Homecoming. The ultimate purpose of thisannual event is to give folks an opportunity to“come home” to reminisce on past experiences andto live in the present of their alma mater. It’s a timefor everyone involved with Missouri Western,young and old, to have a good time and reflect onthe past and the present. This year is particularlyexciting as we are celebrating the great accomplish-ment of making Missouri Western a University!

Homecoming should be a spectacular event witha strong emphasis on alumni. This is a time foralumni to embrace current students and theirfamilies and begin a new bond with each of them.Without alumni, we may never have an accurateaccount of the past triumphs and tribulations of thisfine institution. These memories are held with thegraduates. As alumni, we should be like an extendedfamily to current students and their families.

I hope that the alumni will be doing a muchbetter job with these tasks. You will see for the firsttime this year a mentoring program that will bond

Welcome to the six newAlumni Association

Board members:Dustin Holcumbrink, ’05,works for the St. JosephConvention and Visitors Bureau.Diane Hook, ’90, is an attorneywith the St. Joseph law firmof Morton, Reed, Countsand Briggs.Randy Klein, ’82, is vicepresident of LeibowitzMenswear in St. Joseph.Nicholas Saccaro, ’01, isexecutive director of SecondHarvest Food Bank inSt. Joseph.Robert Sigrist, ’95, is assistantprincipal of Central HighSchool in St. Joseph.Angie Springs, ’02, is avolunteer coordinator for the

New board members

Greg VerMulm, ’89, and Roxanna Lawing, ’99, enoy the Alumni Association’s annual meeting and social was held in April at Uncle D’s Sports Bar and Grill.

alumni with the currentstudent body. This is a veryexciting time for MWSUand it is our task as alumnito form these relationshipsnow and assist our currentstudents in making a life forthemselves after graduation.

During this special timeof year, I ask each of you toget involved with theAlumni Association. Wecan’t have a great impactwithout your support andinvolvement! If you are notcurrently involved and would like to be, please contactthe Alumni Services Office or me.

Kristine L. Smith, ’88 • President, Alumni Board

Kristine Smith

American Red Cross inSt. Joseph.

A special thank you to themembers whose terms expired

in June: Mary Bish, ’87, LaurelGoforth, ’71, Kim Sigrist, ’94,Patsy Smith, ’95, and ChadWelch, ’86.


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Alum makes“American Idol” cut

Julie Fiedler, alumni services director, presents Brenda Judd, ’75, with a door prize at the annual Alum Night at the St. Joseph Saints game.

Professor of music Dr. DennisRogers described Asa

Barnes, ’03, as “electric in frontof an audience.”

Apparently, judges for thetelevision show American Idolagreed, because when Asaperformed in Cleveland inAugust 2004, he made the cutto perform for the show inHollywood.

Dennis said he wasn’tsurprised when he found outAsa, a native of Kansas City,Mo., had made the cut. “He hasan ability to bring people intothe music. He totally grabs anaudience by the heart.”

In Cleveland, Asa waited inline with about 20,000 hopefulsfor over 15 hours beforeperforming Stevie Wonder’ssong “Overjoyed.” Only about800 were selected for a secondaudition there, this time in frontof American Idol’s celebrityjudges. From that number, theselect few, Asa among them,advanced to Hollywood.

“Simon’s not as bad as youthink he is. He’s bad, but not asbad as you think,” Asa quippedabout celebrity judge SimonCowell.

Asa, a band director atSmith-Hale Middle School inKansas City, credits hisperformance experiences as astudent at Western withpreparing him for the AmericanIdol auditions.

WHO DO YOU KNOW?Help someone discover gold! Do you have a friend, a coworker, a neighbor or ason or daughter who is considering college? Tell them about Western! Have themfill out the information below and return it to Admissions, Missouri Western StateUniversity, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507. Everyone who makes areferral will be entered into a drawing Dec. 31 for a Missouri Western StateUniversity sweatshirt! Share your golden experience with someone today!

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT INFORMATION

Last Name First

E-mail Phone

Address

City/State Zip

High School Attended Grad Year

ACT Score Semester to start college

Person making referral (You will be entered into a drawing for a free MWSU sweatshirt! )

Phone #

Thank you! www.missouriwestern.edu/admissions

Calendar of EventsCheck out www.missouriwestern.edu/alumni/events.html for information on upcoming alumni events!

Sept. 6 -29 Photography exhibit by Richard Tichich. Potter Hall gallery. Oct. 3 - 28 Drawings/Prints exhibit by Mark Hoseford in Potter Hall gallery. Oct. 5 Convocation Dinner, 7 p.m., Fulkerson Center, $30. Oct. 6 Convocation on Critical Issues, J.C. Watts, “In-Depth Political Analysis,” 9:30 a.m.

Looney Complex. Free. Oct. 6 Noontime Concert: Jazz Ensemble, First Presbyterian Church, 7th and Jules. Oct. 6 - 9 “Rocky Horror Show,” 8 p.m. Oct. 6, 7 & 8; 2 p.m. Oct. 9. Potter Hall theater. Oct. 11 Tournament of Champions high school band competition, 2 p.m., Spratt Memorial Stadium. Oct. 13 - 15 Second annual Griffon International Film Festival. Call 816-271-4443. Oct. 21 Alumni Association Awards Banquet, 5:30 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner, Fulkerson Center., $20. Oct. 22 Homecoming parade, 9 a.m., downtown St. Joseph. Tailgate, noon; game, 2 p.m.Nov. 1 - 11 Mixed media senior art show, Potter Hall foyer and gallery. Opening reception, 7 p.m. Nov. 1.Nov. 14 - Dec. 2 Mixed media senior art show, Potter Hall foyer and gallery. Opening reception, 7 p.m. Nov. 14.Nov. 17 & 18 Student Directors’ Film and Theatre Showcase, Potter Hall Black Box Theater. Nov. 20 Concert Chorale/Chamber Singers Concert, 3 p.m. Potter Hall theater.

Symphonic Winds/Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m., Potter Hall theater. Dec. 1 Noontime Concert Series: Sounds of the Season, Jerry Anderson, First Presbyterian

Church, 7th and Jules. Dec. 4 Concert Band Concert, 3:30 p.m., Potter Hall theater. Dec. 5 Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m., Potter Hall theater. Dec. 17 Fall Commencement.Jan. 17 - Feb. 3 Printmaking /Painting exhibit by Syd Cross. Jan. 21 Alumni event in St. Louis - Watch your mail for details!Feb. 6 - 24 Ceramic/Sculpture exhibit by Dave Harris in Potter Hall gallery.March 1 Deadline to apply for Alumni Association Scholarship, Financial Aid Office. March 1 - 31 Mixed media faculty exhibit, Potter Hall gallery. March 2 Alumni Social, “Hoops and Harpo’s,” Harpo’s Restaurant Bar, Kansas City, Mo. March 2-5 MIAA Postseason Basketball Tournament, Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Mo. March 2-5

“Lend Me a Tenor,” 8 p.m. March 2, 3 & 4; 2 p.m. March 5; Potter Hall theater.

Sept. 24 at Truman, 12 p.m.Oct. 1 vs. CMSU, 2 p.m.Oct. 8 vs. Missouri Southern, 2 p.m.Oct. 15 at Emporia State, 1 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs. Southwest Baptist, 2 p.m.Oct. 29 at St. Cloud State, 1 p.m.Nov. 5 vs. Washburn, 2 p.m.

Football Schedule


Check out www.gogriffons.com for the men’s and women’s basketball schedules.

Alum ProfileWho: Ed Hershewe, class of 1972Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Western memory: “The teachers were very approachable.They were so good and understanding.”

Ed Hershewe said the timing ofWestern becoming a four-year

college could not have been better.He said he was ready for college andcould not afford to move away for thenext two years.

“It was a godsend that we got thefour-year college,” he said. “It was aquality education at a good price. It wasa wonderful opportunity and I feltfortunate. ”

Ed, an attorney who was elected lastyear to the Board of Governors for the

Missouri Bar Association, said the quality of his undergraduateeducation became more clear to him when he was admitted intolaw school in Tennessee and was able to compete with studentswho had gone to Ivy League universities.

Ed graduated from law school in 1976 and began practicinglaw in Joplin, Mo. As the years passed, his business was takinghim all over the globe, and he realized he was spending too muchtime away from his wife Alison and his five children.

In order to spend more time at home, he and his wiferenovated an older building in downtown Joplin, converting itinto a state-of-the-art conference center. The center providesvideotaping capabilities from cities all over the world, whicheliminated the need for most of Ed’s travel. Several organizationsand businesses utilize the center, also.

The 15,000 sq. ft. center was “built and designed to be thenicest conference center people are ever going to see. It caters tocomfort and efficiency,” he said.

His law career, the conference center, his role on the board -while he is proud of those accomplishments, he said the realmeasure of his success are the relationships he has with his wifeand children.

“That is more important to me. That makes me proud.”

Ed Hershewe, Class of 1973

Awards Banquet Reservation FormPlease complete this form and return it with your payment by October 14 to:Missouri Western State University, Alumni Services Office, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507

Enclosed is $______ ($20 each) for _____ reservations to the Awards Banquet.

I cannot attend the Banquet. Enclosed is $______ ($20 each) to pay for scholarship recipients.

Please bill my Visa Mastercard Discover Card # __________________________

Exp. Date ____________ Signature ____________________________________________________ Make checks payable to Missouri Western State University.

Name ________________________________ Address ______________________________________

City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________________________ Please list names of banquet guests on a separate paper and include with your reservation. You may register online at the web address above.

Check out our website at www.missouriwestern.edu/alumni/events.html

Saturday, October 15Alumni are invited to join faculty and students for the Big Event community service day. Check out the website or call 816-271-5646 for more information.

Thursday, October 20 Alumni Float Decorating!

Friday, October 21Alumni Awards Banquet Reception - 5:30 p.m.; Banquet - 6:30 p.m. Fulkerson Center.Join us in honoring the Alumni Association Scholarship recipients and the 2005 DistinguishedAlumni and Faculty Awardees. The 2005 Distinguished Alumni are Stephen Cotter, '78,

Robert Couldry, '71, Esther George,'80, Tegwin Pulley,'63, Melody Smith,'87. Distinguished Faculty Awardee is Sharon Gray, associate professor of music. Cost is $20 per person.

Saturday, October 22Homecoming Parade - 9:30 a.m. Don’t miss the students’ floats, marching bands, and lots of fun! The parade begins at City Hall and goes through downtown.Tailgate Lunch - Noon. Join your friends for a great lunch at the Chris Faros Alumni Pavilion on campus. Go Griffons! 2 p.m. Spratt Memorial Stadium. Cheer on the football team as they take on the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. It’s “Backin Black” day - be sure to wear black! Cost: $6 per adult, $2 per child - age 7 to high school; children under 7 are free. Tickets available at the gate. The Distinguished Service awardees will be honored at halftime. Post-game Party - 30 minutes after the game, Uncle D’s Sports Bar and Grill, 621 S. 36th St.

“Oh happy day!” declaredDr. James Scanlon,

Western’s president, as he kickedoff “It’s All About U!,” theuniversity designation celebrationAug. 28. Hundreds of communitymembers joined Western studentsand employees as the new entrancesign and a new “U” on the hillsidefacing Interstate 29 were unveiled.

Free activities in the stadiumthat included musical entertain-ment, parachutists and an inflatablecarnival were cut short by highwinds and threatening weather. The fireworks and carnival wererescheduled for Sept. 1, the dateof Western’s first football game as a university.

The formal ceremony torecognize Western’s new universitydesignation was held Aug. 31.Former presidents Dr. M.O. Looneyand Dr. Janet Gorman MurphyMcCarthy spoke at the event, andreceived the first honorary degreesfrom the university.

The St. Joseph communityenjoyed the carnival.

Face painting at the carnival.

Drs. Looney,MurphyMcCarthy andScanlon unveilthe newuniversity seal at theacademicconvocation on August 31.

Photo courtesy of St. JosephNews-Press

Legislators whohelped pass theMWSU namechange bill,Dr. Rob Schaaf,’79, MartinRucker, EdWildberger, andCharlie Shields.

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