spring 2011

The magazine of Missouri Western State University

Agenstein Hall Opens page 14 On the cover: A totally renovated Agenstein Hall opened this semester with an updated planetarium. Photo by Eric Callow ‘97. Don’t miss a The Western Magazine is a ­publication of the University Advancement Office for alumni and Contents Opportunity! friends of Missouri Western State University Golden and the St. Joseph Junior College. Departments The Golden Opportunities newsletter is published Spring 2011 • Volume 9 Number 2 three times a year and each issue is devoted to a 2 campus News Editor 12 Sports different gift-planning topics such as wills and Diane Holtz 21 Alumni News & Alumni Profiles bequests, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance Design Editor and more. Kendy Jones ’94 26 Alumnotes Director of Alumni Services Colleen Kowich To join our mailing list, please choose one of the Director of Public Relations & Marketing following options: Roger Swafford ’68 Features 1. Call us at 816-271-5647 Alumni Board 11 spring Sports Complex 2. Sign up online at www.missouriwestern.edu/ Diane Hook ’90, President For the first time since Western opened its present-day campus, Randy Klein ’78, First Vice President development/goldenopportunities.asp Robert Sigrist ’95, Second Vice President the baseball team is “home.” Read about the beautiful, new campus venue for baseball and softball. 3. E-mail us at [email protected] Greg VerMulm ’89, Immediate Past President Sheryl Bremer ’81, Shelby Coxon ’99, Carole Dunn ’91,

4. Return the reply card below: John Fabsits ’04, Gini Fite ’01, Bill Gondring ’56, Luke 14 T he All-new Agenstein Hall Missouri Western State University Foundation Gorham ’06, James Jeffers ’73, Linda Kerner ’73, Bruce The totally renovated Agenstein Hall was officially opened on the first Kneib ’84, Marc Lewis ’82, Brandy Meeks ’07, Kendell day of the spring semester, and students and faculty are enjoying its 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt Hall 111 Misemer ’82, Arthur Montgomery ’89, Zachary Ramsay ’02, Melissa Rewinkel ’93, Ralph Schank ’82, Tom Schnei- amenities. St. Joseph, MO 64507 der ’64, Katy Schwartz ’08, David Slater ’82, Jennifer Stanek ’99, Mary Vaughan ’79, Nichi Yeager ’99. 18 csB’s Chocolate Success Sign up today to receive your free copy In a very short time, the university’s innovative entrepreneurial Foundation Board program has proven to be quite successful, thanks to all the of the Golden Opportunities newsletter! Jim Carolus, Chair partners who are involved in it. Chuck Zimmerman, Vice Chair Pete Gray, Secretary John Wilson, Treasurer Ted Allison, David Bahner, Drew Brown, Michelle Cebulko 12 ’93, Dirck Clark ’85, Stephen Cotter ’78, Pat Dillon, Esther George ’80, Stephen Hamilton, Cindy Hausman, Judith 14 Hausman, Jason Horn ’95, John Jarrett, Jennifer Kneib ’89, Chris Looney, Corky Marquart ’84, Al Purcell, JL Rob- ertson, LaVell Rucker ’03, Lee Sawyer, Dave Shinneman, Melody Smith ’87, Jon Styslinger, Robert Vartabedian, Tom Watkins, Julie Woods ’96, Seth Wright, Dan Nicoson, executive director.

Please add me to the mailing list to receive Golden Opportunities! Board of Governors Kylee Strough ’03, Chair Tommye Quilty ’96, Vice Chair Name: ______18 Leo Blakely ’62, Dirck Clark ’85, Dan Danford ’78, Address : ______Lesley Graves, Deborah Smith ’79, Peter Gregory, student governor.

______Western Magazine E-Mail: ______4525 Downs Drive, Spratt Hall 106 St. Joseph, MO 64507 816- 271-5651 Phone: (______)______email: [email protected]

Missouri Western State University is an equal opportunity institution. Campus News President’s Perspective

Dear Alumni and Friends, Student Chapter Since Missouri Western’s beginnings as St. Joseph Junior College in 1915, garners award community members have been ardent supporters of this institution, and we or the second year in a row, West- deeply appreciate this commitment. In Fern’s student chapter of The Wildlife turn, I am proud Society was named Student Chapter of of the university’s the Year for the North Central Section economic impact of The Wildlife Society. The Western on the community students have won the award four of the and its commit- five times they have applied. ment to service in Dr. Cary Chevalier, associate profes- the region. sor of biology and chapter advisor, said In a 2009 Western’s group competed against some study, Missouri very large universities and some chapters Western had a with much larger memberships than $183.5 million Western’s. “This is a very significant economic impact achievement and a prestigious honor,” on the community. he said. Additionally, a 2010 study conducted The 47-member chapter engaged in by Dr. Patrick McMurry, professor of a number of professional development economics, shows that the first year of the Chiefs training camp had an impact activities throughout the year, including of more than $21 million. several Missouri Department of Con- Zumba in the Room-ba! During the 2008-2009 academic servation workshops. They assisted the year, our students provided 100,000 hat do you get when you cross “It was an absolute blast,” said Ally conservation department with its annual New tradition begins at Walmost 500 Zumba enthusiasts with a Browning, ’08, one of the instructors. hours and our employees provided Insectorama and youth pheasant hunt. 22,000 hours of community service to the fund-raiser for women’s athletics and the “The energy was extremely high and it The chapter also worked with the depart- commencement ceremony YWCA Choices program? You get Zumba was so great to see people catching on to region. From trash pick-ups to working ment at the Pony Express Conservation he Winter Commencement for fall “Lindsey has been an outstanding with the Noyes Home, to leadership in in the Room-ba, lots of positive energy the songs.” Area and partnered with it to study the and a possible entry in the Guinness Book Jen had to make sure she followed Tgraduates Dec. 18 marked a new tradi- leader on Western’s campus, serving as local service clubs, Missouri Western is bobwhite quail habitat. giving back to its community. of World Records. all the Guinness guidelines: two people tion for the university. For the first time in an SGA senator, SGA director of com- The students were very active in school history, a student was the featured munications and a resident assistant, just Of our more than 21,000 alumni, anyway, that’s what Softball Coach counting, two timekeepers, certified in- community service, as well. The chapter commencement speaker: Lindsey Jackson, to name a few,” Esther said. “She is an approximately 300 are employed with the Jen Bagley got when she coordinated the structors, one witness for every 50 persons partnered with the Bureau of Indian Af- a senior speech communication major. active volunteer in the community and has St. Joseph School District – including event in the Griffon Indoor Sports Com- to make sure everyone danced for the full fairs (BIA) to host a 40-hour Wildlands Lindsey was chosen from candidates outstanding communication skills.” Superintendent Dr. Melody Smith ’87. plex in January. “It was a fun day,” she hour, and two “upstanding members of the Fire Ecology and Behavior Training nominated for the honor by fellow students, Students were excited to have one of Nineteen percent of Heartland Health’s said. “It was easy for people to get excited community to serve as witnesses” – Mayor course. Several students who took the faculty and staff. The executive board their own speak at commencement, Esther almost 3,200 employees are alumni about it.” Bill Falkner and Buchanan County Presid- course assisted the BIA and the U.S. Fish of the Student Government Association said, and plans are to continue the new and almost 350 have Western nursing Jen coordinated a Women’s Walk as a ing Commissioner R.T. Turner. and Wildlife Service with their pre- (SGA) interviewed finalists and presented a tradition every December. Lindsey said degrees. A 2008 survey of new graduates fund-raiser for the past two years, but this The Y’s Choices program was running scribed burn program, and three student recommendation to Dr. Esther Perález, vice she was honored to be the first student showed that 65 percent of respondents year she wanted to try something different. out of funding when women’s athletics at members went out west as members of president for student affairs. chosen as commencement speaker. She are employed in the state, and of that When she decided on Zumba in the Room- Western partnered with it, so Jen’s fund- wildlands firefighting crews during the will graduate this month. number, 44 percent are employed in St. ba, someone suggested they see what the raisers have kept the program going. “We summer of 2009. Joseph. continued from page 2 Guinness record was for the largest group wanted to raise money for women athletes The chapter co-sponsored the Natural At the conclusion of each commence- of Zumba-ists at one time. but also reach out to the community,” Jen Resource Conservation and Management run the check station for the Squaw Creek “We can be very proud of the hard work ment ceremony, I tell our graduates that I When Jen checked into it, she found said. “The partnership with the YWCA is Seminar Series with Western’s biology managed hunt every year except one since and commitment that our student chapter know they will tell others, with pride, that they attended Missouri Western. I hope that there was no set record, but Guinness a great fit. Our women athletes can mentor department and the Midland Empire 2002, and they help every year with the members have invested, and the respect you will share our news with others and told her she had to have at least 250 doing the girls and help in the Choices program.” Audubon Society, which included 17 spotlight deer survey and Eagle Days. and recognition they have clearly earned you, too, will proudly say that you are as- the Zumba for an hour in order to get in Jen says she hasn’t heard back from seminars for the community. In fall 2009, 16 members became across eight states and 23 other student sociated – as a graduate or friend – with the record book. Thirteen enthusiastic Guinness yet, but she’s already planning The students are also active volun- hunter education instructors, which was chapters,” Cary said. Missouri Western. instructors agreed to lead the record-setters Zumba in the Room-ba II. She noted that teers at Squaw Creek National Wildlife a state record. In fall 2010, 15 members and 490 enthusiastic Zumba-ists showed the indoor field was only about half full Refuge near Mound City, Mo. They have attended and passed the course. up for the event, paying $10 each. for Zumba in the Room-ba I … continued on next page Robert A. Vartabedian 2 Western Magazine President Campus News News Briefs Arts Society founded Students take Scholarship in memory of A new organization has formed on campus to support Western’s arts programs: research overseas English professor The Missouri Western Arts Society is kicking off its first fundraising program in June. r. Bob Bergland’s international jour- t’s a special way to remember a embarrassed about it, especially when a Dan Nicoson, executive director of the nalism class included a study away special lady.” That, said Jeff Stubble- reporter for the St. Joseph News-Press D “I MWSU Foundation, said the society will not trip to Croatia, Greece, Italy and London, field ’83, is why his family has established wrote an article about his mother and him only provide financial support for the arts but it had an added component for the an endowed scholarship in memory of his taking the class together. programs, but also encourage attendance at students – they presented their research mother, Sandra Stubblefield ’84. “But it turned out to be a cool performances and exhibitions, and help spread at two international conferences while Jeff said ever since Sandra died in experience. I cherish it now,” Jeff said. the reputation of the university’s arts programs. overseas. 2000, the family had wanted to honor her He graduated in 1983 and Sandra Examples of how the donated funds will Seven students in his class and one memory in some way and decided a schol- earned her degree in English in 1984. be used include enriching the arts curricula, graduate student all had their research arship was a good way to do it. “Long after After graduating from Western, Sandra expanding performance and exhibition oppor- selected for presentation. Five pre- we’re gone, we’ll have a scholarship. That immediately launched into earning her tunities for students and scholarships for youth sented at the International Conference means a lot to us.” master’s from Northwest Missouri State enrolling in Community Arts classes. on Communication and Mass Media in Sandra started taking night classes at University and began teaching in the Eng- Donors may give to the general fund or Athens, Greece, and three presented at the Western when she and her husband, Stan- lish department at Western. they may direct contributions to any one Information Technology and Journalism ley, and their children, Bob, Jeff, Diane and He said the family especially wanted program or to a combination of programs. Conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Steven, moved to Savannah, Mo., in 1976. the scholarship to be for junior or senior The arts programs at Western include art, “I’ve never been more proud of stu- “Mom was always reading a book,” Jeff nontraditional students with a 3.0 GPA music, theatre, musical theatre and the Western Piano major Hanna Chung gives piano lessons to one of 40 children who attended Assistant Professor dents as when I watched these students said. “She was really into literature and she because Sandra was a serious student. Institute’s Center for Community Arts. of Music Dr. Nathanael May’s three free piano workshops for children ages seven and eight this spring. present at the conferences. Their presenta- was an educator.” The scholarship is also for English majors, For more information about the Missouri tions were stellar,” Bob said. He believed Jeff, who graduated from high school in and preference is given to students from Western Arts Society, contact the MWSU the student presentations were equal to or 1979 and spent his freshman year at Baker Andrew, Atchison, Holt and Nodaway Foundation at 816-271-5647. South Korean connection surpassed others at the conference regard- University, said it was “not a successful Counties. f the 36 international students professor of music, are attending a confer- ing the value of their findings, the style freshman year.” He said his mother took The family chose Western not only enrolled at Western this semester, six ence in Serbia this summer where they and manner of presentations and the qual- one look at his grades and insisted they because Sandra was a graduate, but so IRA Charitable rollover O Congress has once again extended the are piano majors from South Korea, thanks hope to recruit, and Matt said he would ity of the research methodology. enroll together in a summer biology class was Jeff; his wife, Jolene ’86; his daugh- to Dr. Matt Edwards, director of keyboard also like to travel to China, since Huey Student Lauren Burbach said the con- at Western. ter, Julia Henggeler ’10; his sister, Diane IRA charitable rollover through Dec. 31, 2011. studies, and the relationships he has devel- Shi has established relationships there. ference added a great educational com- “Of course, she made me sit right Stubblefield ’85; and his niece, Karri So if you are 70 ½ years or older, you may oped more than 6,500 miles away. Additionally, this spring, Western ponent to the overseas trip. Along with up front with her and we had to be 10 Stubblefield ’08. transfer up to $100,000 free of tax directly from Three years ago, about the same time hosted five high school-aged students from the presentation experience, the students minutes early or we were late,” Jeff said “Western is part of our family,” your IRA to a qualified charitable organization. that the university hired Huey Shi Chew a private music studio in South Korea for were able to attend several sessions at the with a laugh. At the time he was a little Jeff said. For more information, check out www.mis- as its international enrollment coordinator a two-week piano camp. Along with piano conference, hearing presentations from souriwestern.edu/givingtowestern, and click and started making an effort to actively lessons from Matt and Wha-in, the students all over the world. “The conferences were Students Ahmad Shah Salimee and Melanie Schneider help paint a mural in the foyer of the Blum on “Gift Planning.” recruit more international students, Matt attended area concerts, master classes, eye opening and very educational.” Union. The finished mural contains almost 200 flags of the world. met Wha-in Lee, a pianist from Lawrence, toured the area and had 20 hours of inten- Jodi Oliver, who presented her research Anonymous donation with Lauren, said the conference attend- Kan. Wha-in was planning to travel to sive English classes. Two of those students The MWSU Foundation recently received South Korea to recruit piano students hope to enroll at Western this fall. ees seemed interested in their work. “Our a $40,000 grant award to provide scholarship to colleges in the United States, and she “They really enjoyed it but I think level of research was more like master’s assistance for students enrolled in graduate invited Matt along. They auditioned stu- they missed Korean food,” Matt said with research,” she said. “It was extensive.” programs at Western. The funds will also be dents, most of whom were from Seoul Arts a laugh. The 17-day trip included sightseeing used to support summer research for faculty High School, the premier arts high school Matt noted that although he recruits in Italy and London, as well. “We got to members in the Steven L. Craig School of in South Korea, he said. internationally, the music department still see so many things and so much history,” Business. In Spring 2009, three piano students heavily recruits in the community and the Lauren said. “It was amazing.” from South Korea began at Western, and region. “One of my huge goals is to be a Additionally, the remaining three three more started in the fall that year. recognizable and desirable place for stu- students in the class who were unable to Matt returned to Seoul Arts High dents from the community, the region and travel abroad submitted their research to School in the fall of 2009, performing a re- the nation to come. The music program a South Carolina national conference, and cital and teaching some piano classes dur- is on fire right now – there is so much all three were selected to present. Their ing his visit, and he hopes to return again happening.” presentations were also published in the soon. He and Dr. Nathanael May, assistant Convergence Newsletter.

4 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Spring 2011 5

Campus News News Briefs Graduate program responds Dodd Foundation funds to Western to workforce needs homas Dodd was an entrepreneur and they had for so many years. “It was very Her husband, Ed, graduated from the Ever since Western began exploring Ta caring person. The 1903 Iowa State traumatic when it closed. The company had Junior College, and Judy returned as a master’s programs to offer, the workforce needs University civil engineering graduate came financed the Dodd Foundation, and now nontraditional student to graduate in 1980. of the region have always been at the forefront to St. Joseph, Mo., in 1914 to start a steel it wasn’t taking in more money. It wasn’t Although the Dodd Foundation was of its decisions. One of the best examples of that fabricating plant, St. Joseph Structural enough to do what we wanted to do,” she created to fund scholarships, the gift to has been the development of the graduate-level Steel. In 1941, when business was booming said. Western is unrestricted, meaning the CSB TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other during World War II, Thomas and his wife, Judy said she and her family explored may use it as they see fit. However, part of Languages) programs. Edna, took some of their profits and created several nonprofit organizations before they the donation, approximately $22,000, must Western offers a master’s of applied science the Dodd Foundation, a charitable founda- decided to donate the Foundation’s funds be used to fulfill the Dodd Foundation’s in assessment with a TESOL option and a gradu- ate certificate in TESOL. tion for scholarships. to Western’s CSB as a permanent, endowed commitment to students who had received Kay Dickerson, who teaches the courses, Over the years, the Dodd Foundation fund. renewable scholarships and have not yet said the need for teachers with TESOL training distributed more than $1 million in scholar- Since the Dodd Foundation had been completed their education. has grown in recent years. She said in 1986, ships, but it recently dissolved and donated funded by a business, Judy thought it was The family also purchased a memorial when she began teaching English as a Second its funds, approximately $175,000, to West- appropriate to give the funds to a school bench by Everyday Pond on campus to Language (ESL) at a school district in the Kansas ern’s Craig School of Business (CSB). of business, and one reason they chose the honor Thomas and Edna. City area, she and a volunteer worked with seven Jeff Meyer sits in the director’s seat in the control room in Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver. Judy West, administrator of the Dodd CSB was because the family liked its focus “We’re proud of the business school; students. By the time she left 20 years later, there Foundation, said since her grandfather’s on entrepreneurism. I think all of St. Joseph is proud of the were 14 full-time teachers working with 450 business closed in 1985, there has not been She and her husband and several family business school and the university,” Mile-high creativity students from 40 different countries. enough money to fund scholarships as members had attended Western, as well. Judy said. Additionally, in many smaller school districts, eff Meyer took his creativity and “I really enjoyed the atmosphere I was the children who speak other languages are in Jtalent westward last summer when he working in. It was a creative atmosphere the main classrooms for longer periods of time completed an internship with the creative and they let you take things in the direction because the districts do not have the resources services department at Invesco Field at you felt inspired to take them,” Jeff said. for the number of students who do not speak Mile High in Denver, where the Broncos Because of the experience Jeff brought to English. Those mainstream classroom teachers play. the job, his supervisor told him that he was would benefit from Western’s TESOL program, Jeff, a theatre/cinema major, said he given more responsibility than interns they said Kay, who has a master’s in cultural diversity enjoyed a wide variety of experiences, had hired in the past. “They told me, ‘You with an emphasis on TESOL. from creating commercials and highlight raised the bar for interns.’” The program is designed for teachers at all reels, editing videos, running the video for Jeff, a native of St. Joseph, had already levels and disciplines. n December, theatre and music stu- stadium events, working on a web video been producing an online video of his Idents and professors transported their for the Broncos, and directing the score- church’s weekly services and working Drum Major for Justice audience to 17th century Italy for the board for a lacrosse game and a Broncos for KQ2 television station when he was Western’s Center for Multicultural Educa- Lights and Tights Renaissance Feast. The practice. He also spent a week editing a in high school, so he decided to enroll tion presented Drum Major for Justice Awards evening featured Western’s Renaissance one-hour television show on the Bronco at Western so he could continue in those to four individuals at a reception in January. The Singers, roving actors, jugglers and other cheerleaders tryouts. roles. annual award recognizes campus and community performers providing entertainment. Jim While in college, Jeff has worked on a members who are committed to social justice, Carolus, chair of the Foundation Board, lot of Western’s theatre productions and multicultural education and community service. and his wife, Susan, served as Masters of he began working at the American Angus The 2011 recipients include Kathy Kelly, the House of Medici. Get a great ringtone! Griffon supporters now have the opportunity Association in St. Joseph. It was his super- administrative coordinator in Student Affairs; to get the Western Fight Song as a ringtone for visor at American Angus that connected Brittany Taylor, senior business management and their cell phones. The Discover Gold logo is him to personnel at Invesco Field for the marketing major; Dale Rodney ’96, a mentor for internship. also available as wallpaper for cell phones and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members and other Jeff thought he would have to go out handheld wireless devices, and more Western Western students; and Stephen Holdenried, a to Denver for an interview, but after they wallpaper will be available shortly. Check out retired UPS driver who serves on several com- saw samples of his work, they hired him the website at missouriwestern.edu/ringtone for munity boards and committees, including the without meeting him in person. details. Go Griffs! Bartlett Center Board and the Martin Luther King “I enjoyed the standard they set,” Jeff said. “When you’re doing things for the Jr. planning committee. NFL, there is an expected standard of excellence. It has to be flawless.”

6 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu WSpINTERring 20102011 7 Campus News News Briefs Michael B. Ottinger, Ph.D., but before he died in 1910, he said his autobi- Professor of Physics ography could not be published for 100 years. If Degree changes you are a Twain fan, or just a fan of clean, honest Gov. Jay Nixon asked the Missouri “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Department of Higher Education for a statewide Read any good Michael D. Niles, M.S.W., Ph.D., humor, this book is a true treasure. I found my- Feynman! (Adventures of a review of academic programs that fell below Assistant Professor and self laughing out loud if not at the episode itself, Curious Character)” “What their productivity threshold of an average of 10 books lately? Tribal Member, Citizen Potawatomi Nation then at the way Twain tells it. This impressive, Do You Care What Other People graduates per year for the last three years at state Given Tribal Name, Wakshe (“Red Fox”) 737-pager is only volume one of a planned three Kay Siebler, Ph.D., Think?: Further Adventures of volume set. Enjoy! colleges and universities. Western reviewed 19 Here’s what some of “The Soul of an Indian and Director of Composition a Curious Character,” both by undergraduate programs and recommended our faculty members Other Writings from Ohiyesa,” Richard Feynman Dr. faye l. smith eliminating the bachelor of arts degree in art “By Nightfall,” by Michael by Charles Alexander These two books are light autobiographical Professor, Strategic Management because most students now choose the more recommend: Cunningham books about the life and adventures of Richard Eastman Craig School of Business specialized bachelor of fine arts degree. Michael Cunningham is an amazing writer, Feynman, a brilliant American physicist. In these I like this book a lot. Being a Native Ameri- faye recommends two books: Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president Kelly Wittenberg, his stories are layered and fascinating, and he books he discusses how he became interested can social work professor here, I can’t tell you of academic affairs, said students already in Assistant Professor is the only author of late who actually increases in science by always trying to figure out how “Moving Beyond Words: Age, how much this book has helped me when things the program will be allowed to finish their course Director of Theatre and Cinema my vocabulary, which I appreciate. The story is things worked. As a young man he worked on Rage, Sex, Power, Muscles: get rough (i.e., my culture vs. the dominant world of study. about a middle-aged couple who are up-ended by the Manhattan Project to help develop the first Breaking the Boundaries of “Just Kids,” by Patti Smith culture). I find this book very informative and The state also recommended that three of the much younger brother of the wife. The issues atomic bombs. Gender,” by Gloria Steinem This is the autobiography of Patti Smith healing. It provides those unfamiliar with Native Western’s baccalaureate programs be retained Cunningham expertly interrogates are addiction, The second book is not a chronological In particular, the first chapter, “Freud as in New York City in the late sixties and early American culture insight into how Native Ameri- at this time, but stipulated a follow-up review in continuation of the first, but includes parts of a Woman” is a three-layer essay that places a seventies, when she met Robert Mapplethorpe, sibling relationships, desire and mid-life ques- three years: computer science, French and cans see the world through their culture. I find it his life he forgot to include in the first book. One different perspective on the accepted wisdom and the two were young struggling artists. It won tions. The writing is beautiful and the narrative is interesting and fun to review and compare and topic he includes is about his wife, who was about Freud’s conclusions regarding psychology. English. The state accepted Western’s justifica- the 2010 National Book Award for nonfiction. brain food. contrast with what I know about my tribal culture. terminally ill when they married. Both books are Although somewhat complex (the third story is tion for keeping the balance of the programs light reading and are intended for a nonscientist embedded in the footnotes), it is enlightening as that fell below the threshold. audience. well as hilarious. “Escape,” by Carolyn Jessop iGEM Gold Pam Clary, Instructor of Social Work (with Laura Palmer) A team of six biology and mathematics stu- This is the autobiography of Carolyn dents earned a gold medal for the fourth straight “The Hunger Games,” Jessop, who was raised in the Fundamentalist year at the international Genetically Engineered by Suzanne Collins Church of Latter Day Saints religious compound, Machines (iGEM) Jamboree, a synthetic biology The book, the first in a trilogy, is set in what where she had little, if any, freedom to make de- competition at the Massachusetts Institute of could be called a post-apocalyptic world. The cisions about her life. Members of the compound Technology in Cambridge, Mass. The jamboree Capitol (the powerful government entity) hosts were brainwashed to believe that all “outsiders” ecommended The Hunger Games each year as a reminder to featured 130 teams and more than 1,900 were evil, but from my perspective, it was the the other districts that they are basically power- participants. attitudes and behaviors within the compound that less. The Capitol chooses one boy and one girl The Western students and faculty worked R were evil. Eventually she escaped the commune from each district to fight to the death. collaboratively with students and faculty from with her eight children and began her new life. summer Davidson College in North Carolina to design a I had a love/hate relationship with this This is a must read … especially for women who biological computer capable of solving a math- book. The author does an excellent job depicting live in physically and/or psychologically abusive reading the thoughts and feelings of a person who is be- relationships. ematical puzzle called the Knapsack Problem and ing hunted, as well as the thoughts and feelings to investigate foundational advances in synthetic of those who “survive.” You can relate these biology. The team presented their work in the feelings to someone who has experienced war or Dr. Reza Hamzaee, Professor of Economics form of a Wiki page and in both oral and poster some other type of trauma. “Economics of Innovation” form at the iGEM Jamboree. For their project, the Edited by Bronwyn H. Hall team earned a gold medal, a designation received Roger Swafford ‘68, Director and Nathan Rosenberg by fewer than half the projects. Economists examine the genesis of techno- The team presented their work alongside Public Relations & Marketing logical change and the ways we commercialize Instructor of Marketing teams from prestigious U.S. institutions like and diffuse it. The economics of property rights Cal-Berkeley, Harvard, MIT and Stanford, as “Autobiography of Mark and patents, in addition to industry applications, well as international competitors from Tokyo, Twain--Volume 1” Edited by are also surveyed through literature reviews and Slovenia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and predictions about fruitful research directions. The Harriet Elinor Smith, Stockholm. University of California Press articles are written by economists for industry Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) dictated his professionals, educators and anyone interested memoirs in a daily routine over several years, in new technologies. 8 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Spring 2011 9 Campus News athletics News News Briefs Another dimension of Spring Sports Complex: New students last semester knew their “They have to learn to manage their time and prioritize. homes for baseball and softball 3-D Design class would involve There is a direct correlation between the time they spend or the first time since the Griffon Ever since Western first fielded their creating a lot of, well, three- in the studio and their grade.” Fbaseball team took to the field in 1969, baseball team, the men have practiced and its home field is now on campus in the played their home games at Phil Welch dimensional projects, but they were surprised to learn that For the final course project, Chad Hammontree and Artthe course included swimming in the campus pool, boating Natasha Hatcher spent many hours outside of class new, top-of-the-line Spring Sports Com- Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo. Softball came in a pond, building shelters in the woods and golfing in creating a “Rube Goldberg” putt-putt golf hole (think plex. Both the baseball and softball teams to Western in 1976, and home games were the Fulkerson Center. The instructor, Neil Lawley, new to mechanical parts and chain reactions) that stretched played their home games this past season played at first at Walnut Field Park off the Western this year, turned the class into a great learning more than 20 feet and included a catapulting golf ball on the complex, a project that broke Stockyards Expressway and later Bluff experience and plenty of three-dimensional fun. and a mirrored disco ball. ground in late 2009 near the Faraon St. Woods ball fields south of St. Joseph. “Ultimately, I teach them how to be creative problem “It sounded easy at first, but it was pretty hard and entrance. The complex includes a baseball In 1995, the football practice field on solvers,” said Neil, assistant professor of art, sculpture and time consuming,” Chad said of the class. The golf project field and softball field, both with bleach- campus was moved north of the stadium, ers; a building by each field that contains and two softball fields were built in its 3-D design. “My job is to challenge them so they can be was his favorite; “it brought out the little kid in me.” a press box, restrooms and concessions; place for the women’s home games. Those successful.” Natasha said for the two weeks they had to work on hitting cages and a parking lot. softball fields are now a parking lot for the And challenged they were. One assignment involved the golf project, she’d get finished with class at 2 p.m. “The fields are very fan accessible,” Griffon Indoor Sports Complex. While the building a personal floatation device that had to hold up and work on it until 8 or 9 p.m. almost every evening. “I said Dave Williams, Western’s athletic new Spring Sports Complex was being in the campus pool (think duct tape, netting, swimming didn’t expect to put in this much work in the class, but director. “Both fields are great places to built, the softball team played its home noodle). Then students had to build a boat out of materials I’ve had fun overall.” watch a game.” games at Heritage Park Softball Complex that would otherwise be discarded (think more duct tape, Neil invited the campus community to try out the dif- The dugouts, which Dave described in St. Joseph during the 2010 season. milk jugs, cardboard and Styrofoam) that could make it ferent golf holes that the four student groups had created. as “major league quality,” contain heat- The $3.5 million Spring Sports across the Everyday Pond with a passenger (wearing the One with a Viking theme even included dry ice beneath ing units on the ceilings for early spring Complex was partially paid for by the homemade personal flotation device, of course). a little ship. Another created tiny mall shops and an practices and games. The baseball infield Max Experience funds, a fee that stu- Several students said they liked the project where they “escalator” conveyor belt. Neil said the golf project was is artificial turf, the same material as the dents voted for in 2006. Since the Griffon brought an ordinary object to class and then learned they a fun way to end the semester, and he plans to invite the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex’s indoor Indoor Sports Complex/Chiefs Training had to create a model of it 10 times the actual size. campus to try them out every year. football field, and the outfields are Camp project displaced the softball field, Neil said the class is time consuming, but he is prepar- “It was a lot of time, but it was worth it in the long fescue grass. the Spring Sports Complex was also ing students for the rest of their art careers, acclimating run,” Kristen Powers said. “We have one of the finest fields in partially funded by the state, county them to the workload they can expect in upcoming classes. the MIAA and the country at our level,” and city money from the Chiefs Dave said. facilities project.

Welcome home, Baseball team! Baseball’s Spring Sports Complex firsts: • First hit and run scored - Jason Solma • First RBI - Ian Atkinson • First home run - Issac Rome • First Griffon win - Brandon Simmons, March 18 against UCM.

10 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Spring 2011 11 athletics News News Briefs Spring Sports 2010-2011 Basketball riffon softball got off to a hot start March 17, 2011, will be forever opponent Lincoln University. Sophomore en’s basketball endured the highest during the 2010-2011 season. Picked 11th Gbeginning the season 17-5 as they en- remembered by Griffon baseball players Nicole Kerr, Brisbane, Australia, won all Mof highs and lowest lows this season, in the media poll, it became obvious early tered conference play which led to a #22 as the day baseball was played on campus four of her matches, singles and doubles, in going 12-16 overall and 10-12 in MIAA in the season that the Griffons would far Join Gold Coat! ranking in the National Fastpitch Coaches for the first time in the 41-year history of the two events. play. The Griffons opened the year with a exceed the expectations. The women fin- Association (NFCA) national poll. To the program. Unfortunately, the Griffons Men’s golf opened the spring portion tough road win over 2010 NCAA Tour- ished the year 14-13 overall and 11-11 in The Gold Coat Club Membership Drive date, the Griffons have a .301 team batting fell to the University of Central Missouri, of their schedule in the Drury Classic in nament Team Quincy University, 92-88, conference play, including several impres- begins this month. Each Gold Coat Club package average and have hit 33 home runs. 8-3. Springfield, Mo. Shane Feist, Bismarck, and won three of their first five MIAA sive wins along the way. is tailored to fit the buyer’s needs. All packages Leading the home run barrage is senior Director of Athletics Dave Williams N.D., continued his good play from the fall contests. Two of those came against nationally include season tickets to Griffon sports, along outfielder Toni Dance, Brisbane, Australia. threw one of the first pitches in the pre- finishing in a tie for first in the event before Memorable MIAA wins included a ranked teams, beating then #4 Washburn with other á la carte options such as reserved Through 22 games, Toni hit 12 home runs game, and baseball alumnus Tom O’Brien losing in a playoff. Shane has an excel- 78-77 home win over then ranked #6 Fort by a score of 60-41 in the fieldhouse in parking opportunities, the football Stadium with a batting average of .386 and with 26 ’74, threw a second. Tom is the only base- lent chance to qualify as an individual for Hays State and a Feb. 23 overtime road December and knocking off defending Club, Fitness Center privileges, social invites RBIs. She was named the National Hitter ball player in Griffon history to have his the NCAA Division II Golf Championship win at Central Missouri 95-91. That win national champion and then 14th ranked and more. Gold Coat Members also receive a 20 of the Week by the NFCA. number retired (#2). which takes place this year in Florence, Ala. marked 599 career wins for Head Coach Emporia State 78-71 at Western. percent discount on Griffon apparel in the Barnes Senior pitcher Jonnelle Belger, Kansas Women’s Tennis enjoyed early sea- Women’s Golf spent spring break in Tom Smith. It was also the Griffons’ first Individually, junior guard Jessica & Noble Bookstore on campus and reduced rates City, Mo., opened the year with six wins son success in the first annual Car City Pottsboro, Texas, competing in the Texas A win in Warrensburg since 2001 and only Koch, Kansas City, Mo., had another out- on the purchase of additional single game and a ERA of 3.59. Freshman Jackie Chrysler/Hyundai Tennis Classic at the St. & M Commerce Classic. Reigning MIAA the second time the Mules had lost at standing season as she was named Second tickets. For membership information visit the Bishop, Kirksville, Mo., has posted a 10-1 Joseph Tennis & Swim Club. The Griffons Freshman of the Year Natalie Bird, Nixa, home all season. Team All-MIAA. Third Team All-MIAA Gold Coat Club link at www.gogriffons.com or record while striking out 79. went 2-1 on the weekend, including victo- Mo., finished in a tie for 32nd out of the Individually, the Griffons had two honors went to senior center Rachel call the athletics department at 816-271-5904. ries over Morningside College and MIAA 105-player field. players recognized by the MIAA: For- Luteyn, Fond Du Lac, Wis. Senior guard wards P’Allen Stinnett, Omaha, Neb., and Lauren Nolke, Columbia, Mo., finished T.J. Johnson, Pflugerville, Texas, were second all-time on the career three-point Student Athletes honored Two plaques honor coach and national champions both named Honorable Mention. list with 204 made. Women’s basketball used the MIAA’s Griffon athletics honored 145 student hen the Spring Sports Complex was trict 16 championships, and his 1975 team rained out. Western beat St. Francis (Ill.) preseason polls as motivation for success athletes for outstanding academic achievement. Wdedicated this spring, a plaque honor- played in the NAIA World Series that was 5-0 on May 29 to win the national For Spring 2010 and Fall 2010, 76 student ath- ing Doug Minnis, Western’s first baseball held in St. Joseph, Mo. That Griffon team championship. letes were recognized for recording a semester coach, was placed in the press box of the finished fifth nationally. His teams made Cheri Kempf ’85, called a “freshman GPA of 3.00-3.49, 43 student athletes achieved baseball field, and a plaque recognizing appearances in the MIAA post-season phenom” by the St. Joseph News-Press, a semester GPA of 3.50-3.99, and 26 earned a the 1982 national champion softball team tournaments in 1991, 1995 and 1997. was named Tournament MVP. In the semester GPA of 4.00. was placed in the press box by the softball In 1978, Doug was named coach of an national tournament, she won four games, field. all-star team comprised of NAIA players pitched 24 shutout innings, struck out 38 Doug was hired in 1969 as the first that toured Korea and Taiwan. and hit .389. Rhesa was named NAIA Western hosts NCAA coach of the new baseball team. He served He was inducted into the NAIA Hall Coach of the Year. Championships as coach for 30 years, retiring in 1999. of Fame in 1989, the American Baseball The team finished the regular season Doug joined Western as head baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1990 and the 24-14. Throughout the season, the team St. Joseph was a championship city coach and assistant football coach after Western Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. set 20 individual and team records. once again as Western, along with the City serving as assistant football, and head The 1982 softball team, coached by The 1982 softball team’s feat is of St. Joseph, hosted the 2011 NCAA Division II basketball and baseball coach at Bishop Rhesa Sumrell, advanced to the NAIA Western’s first and only national Women’s Basketball Championship at Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan. national championship in Kearney, Neb., championship. Civic Arena. Three of the seven games were He coached at high school and college after winning the District 16 Tournament televised live nationally on the ESPN family levels for a total of 45 years. for the first time in the team’s history. of networks. As Western’s baseball coach, Doug’s On May 27, at the national tournament, Griffons earned six NAIA (National As- the Griffons won four games to advance sociation of Intercollegiate Athletics) Dis- to the finals. The next day, all games were Go online at www.gogriffons.com for all Griffon sports schedules.

Head Coach Lynn Plett and the women’s basketball team. The women finished the season 14-13.

12 Western Magazine Spring 2011 13 Evan R. Agenstein Hall

The “all-new” Agenstein Hall

s family members of Evan R. students and faculty are very AAgenstein joined a standing- excited about all the new facilities, room-only crowd, the renovated he is most proud of the labs, espe- “We’re very Agenstein Hall was officially cially the space for student/faculty dedicated and opened for classes on research. Both the chemistry and the first day of the spring semester biology departments have six times excited about the this year. The approximately 60,000 the amount of space dedicated to sq. ft. building, which houses biol- student/faculty research than they ogy, chemistry, computer science, had before. mathematics and physics, had “We’re very excited about the improvements to been closed for about 12 months to improvements to the laboratories,” receive its complete makeover. said Dr. Todd Eckdahl, chair of the Agenstein Hall, one of the first biology department. “You learn the laboratories. three buildings built on the pres- science by doing science.” ent-day campus in 1969, was totally Dr. Jason Baker, professor of renovated as part of the univer- biology who was faculty shepherd You sity’s approximately $37 million of the project since May 2010, said construction and renovation proj- the most frequent comment they ect of its science and mathematics hear from students about Agenstein facilities. In January 2010, the new is, “I can’t believe this is the same learn Remington Hall, which adjoins building.” Agenstein Hall, was dedicated on Since most of the teaching labs the first day of the spring semes- and computer labs are now in Rem- science ter. Faculty and staff moved out of ington Hall, the original lab space Agenstein Hall in December 2009 so in Agenstein was converted to class- its renovation could begin. rooms, and there are now four large by doing “Our students now benefit with classrooms that hold 40-50 students. 120,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art sci- Enrollment in the sciences and ence and math facilities,” said Dan mathematics disciplines has more Nicoson, vice president for univer- than tripled since Agenstein was science.” sity advancement and emcee at the built, so there was a great need for dedication ceremony in the W.T. more classroom space. - Dr. Todd Eckdahl, chair of the biology department Kemper Lecture Hall. Agenstein has always had three Dr. Ben Caldwell, chair of the large lecture halls, one on each chemistry department, said while floor, but the renovated classrooms

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14 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Spring 2011 15 Evan R. Evan R. Agenstein Agenstein Hall Hall continued from page 15 now make it easier for students to architects made efficient use of the from the direct sun and allows the work collaboratively and interact windows in Agenstein, so many best entry of natural light wave- more with each other, Jason said. more offices have windows now. lengths for photosynthesis. Dr. Jerry Zweerink – faithful, The stationary desks have been He said the office configuration In 2002, Western received a proud and true replaced with tables and movable is more welcoming to students, $250,000 federal grant to work with r. Jerry Zweerink began his career as a Jerry also served as department chair for chairs. All the classrooms in both too. The whole building is stu- Project Kaleidoscope/National Sci- chemistry professor at Western when several years and he was the first director of ence Foundation to draw up plans D Remington and Agenstein have dent friendly and provides much Agenstein Hall was only two years old. As the the Honors Program when it began in 1988. state-of-the-art presentation more student-faculty collaborative for the project. In May 2007, the uni- years passed, he noticed classroom and lab He served in that role for six years. technology. spaces than before. “By far, that’s versity received $30.1 million from space becoming limited, and equipment and “I realized that teaching at a small The Bushman Planetarium, the best thing that’s happened.” the state’s Lewis and Clark Discov- furnishings becoming older and outdated. For college allows you to re-invent yourself and I which was part of the original A greenhouse was on the roof ery Initiative, and in October 2007, many years, he was working in a building that enjoyed that,” Jerry said. was not able to handle the increasing techno- structure and renovated in 1998, of Agenstein, but that has been a $5 million donation for the expan- logical needs. So Jerry was very happy to see Editor’s note: We will spotlight a “Faithful, was completely gutted and is now removed and a new, approximately sion and renovation. In the Achiev- the structurally sound building for sciences Proud and True” person in each issue of the an immersive theater. It opened 640 sq. ft. state-of-the-art struc- ing Greatness capital campaign, and mathematics completely renovated, and he Western Magazine. If you would like to nomi- in February. Dr. Jerry Zweerink, ture is now at ground level on the $1 million was raised for equipment played a large role in the process. nate someone for this feature, please email faculty shepherd on the project southwest corner of the building. and almost $1.5 million was raised Jerry said he and his chemistry colleagues me at [email protected] or call until May 2010, said planetarium The building is divided into three for a building endowment fund. were discussing what they would like to see 816-271-5651. Nominations will be reviewed technology had changed so much sections, and a computer-driven “It’s been an amazing transfor- in an addition to Agenstein Hall as far back as by Alumni Services Director Colleen Kowich 2000. While Sen. Christopher Bond was work- that Western’s current setup was system that controls lighting, mation. The architects, HOK and and me, with preference given to those who ing to secure a $250,000 federal grant for plan- regularly and routinely “give back” to Western. Ellison-Auxier, have been fabulous obsolete even though it was little heating, shading, etc., will create ning, Jerry and a colleague attended a building more than a decade old. three unique environments for to work with, and the general con- seminar in Pennsylvania that was conducted by The office areas on each of the different types of plants. “It has all tractor, Lawhon Construction, has Project Kaleidoscope. three floors in Agenstein were the features for working and doing been incredibly accommodating,” “We met in a renovated building with an reconfigured, as well, and the plant research, as opposed to just a Jason said. “A good project can turn addition, and we met with several architects,” Jerry said. “And we listened to find out what areas are a lot more functional. ‘show’ greenhouse,” Jason said. into a great project when you have needed to go into building a new building.” There are more offices, too, so the He said the special Solitex glass people you can work with. This has When Western received the federal grant, departments now have space for in the greenhouse provides dis- been a great project.” Jerry was involved in writing the request for part-time faculty. Jason said the persion of light to avoid hot spots proposals and the selection process for an architect. And when the university received $30.1 million from the state for the project, he What’s new in Agenstein Hall What about the was chosen as the faculty shepherd. “I really enjoyed it. It was pleasant to see • 16' x 40' greenhouse with greater accessibility animal heads? that faculty had their input,” Jerry said. Since • Three teaching labs - Anatomy and Physiology, Geology and Physical When Agenstein Hall’s renova- he was planning to retire in May 2010, he was Chemistry tion began, the animal heads that a good choice for the role. “I didn’t have a • Four large classrooms hung in the hallways and stair- vested interest in it since I knew I was going to wells were the first to go. But, don’t retire. But I would have loved to teach in those • Two new rooms for student mentoring, study and faculty/student worry, most of them will return! classrooms. They are gorgeous.” interaction Several of the heads were sold, Jerry said when he was hired in 1971, he • Cabinetry, equipment and furniture in all classrooms, labs and offices but many are being refurbished wanted to help improve Western’s image in the • New electrical, plumbing, cables, lighting, paint and ceilings, and new and will hang in a new 1,200 ft. community since it had not been a four-year flooring in many areas; all new fixtures in bathrooms glass-enclosed display along the institution very long. He and his colleagues • A new pedestrian entrance on the east side of the building east hallway on the second floor worked closely with area high schools and of Agenstein. The heads were established the Chemathon that is still held • A parking lot on the north side donated to Western in the 1970s by every year. He also initiated using computers in • Windows on the east side to let in more natural light Harold and Alma Dugdale. chemistry classes when computers first made their way to college campuses.

Dr. Jerry Zweerink at the Remington Hall 17 groundbreaking. ships of everyone involved – Steve Craig, RMCF and the CSB. them avoid the pitfalls and help them do the best that they can do,” She also credits the success of the program to RMCF’s willing- Steve said. That, he said, is an essential part of the program. ness to be flexible. The company offers the CSB graduate discounts Another aspect of the program, and in fact, part of the agreements on the franchise fee and equipment, and when the time arrives that between the graduates and Steve, includes a provision that gradu- the new entrepreneur pays off the loan to Steve and takes over owner- ates will offer internships to CSB students and visit campus to talk to ship of the store, RMCF will waive the transfer fee. current students and high school students. Seth, in fact, returned to This spring, students interested in the entrepreneurship program campus last fall to speak to high school students at an Entrepreneur- enrolled in the Applied Entrepreneurship course. Three finalists were ship Challenge. selected and will complete internships at each of the three current “That is Steve’s provision because of his belief in the value of stores this month. They will then present their business plan to a giving back and supporting your roots,” Carol said. panel that will include Steve and a representative from RMCF, and the The entrepreneur program also receives great support from CSB partners panel will select the winner for a store that will open this summer in the university. Christi Kilroy, executive director of the Vicksburg California. Chamber of Commerce, said she was surprised and impressed by “The experience that we are gaining from operating a business is the number of people from Western who attended the grand opening for great program invaluable,” Rob said. “We have already completed a few fund-raisers of the Vicksburg RMCF store – Western’s president, Dr. Robert for a local high school and hope to become more involved in the continued on next page community.” hen successful entrepreneur Steve Craig said he wanted to “Steve Craig helps us with whatever problems or challenges arise, help Craig School of Business graduates become entre- Seth ’08, and Kelsey ’08, Lyons in Silverthorne, Colo. W and he has the patience to guide rookies through the process of preneurs, he wasn’t thinking “sometime in the future.” It’s been a little setting up and operating a business,” Brady said. “I can’t say enough more than two years since Steve first presented his entrepreneurial good things about him.” plan, and three graduates are now operating Rocky Mountain Choco- An instructor in the CSB, Rick Zimmer, also continues to work late Factory stores, with a fourth graduate to soon follow. with the graduates as a consultant. “Faculty will assist them to help Steve, owner of Craig Realty Group in Newport Beach, Calif., donated $5.5 million to Western in May 2008 to establish the Craig Rob ’10, and Danell ’10, Schimming in Lake Elsinore, Calif. School of Business (CSB), and a few months later, he presented his Brady Ellis ’10, and TyAnn Williamson ’10, in Vicksburg, Miss. ideas to Carol Roever, who was interim dean of the CSB and now coordinator of the entrepreneur program. “It has worked out exceptionally well. We’re pleased with it,” said In an outlet center owned by Steve in Silverthorne, Colo., a Rocky Greg Pope, senior vice president, franchise development for RMCF. Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF) had recently closed. With “We were a little hesitant at first, but Steve is a visionary.” a loan and guidance from the CSB and him, Steve wanted a CSB “It has been a great adventure so far,” said Rob of his Lake graduate to operate the store and eventually take ownership of it. Elsinore store. “We graduated in May, got married in June, got the That’s just what happened. In 2009, the Silverthorne store was (entrepreneurship) opportunity in August, and moved out to Califor- awarded to Seth Lyons ’08, who had taken Western’s Applied Entre- nia in November to start a business just in time for the holiday rush.” preneurship course and submitted his business plan. That was so As the alumni pay back the loans and eventually take over owner- successful that, in 2010, Brady Ellis ’10, opened a store in Vicks- ship of the stores, Steve plans to re-invest the money in other CSB burg, Miss., and Rob Schimming ’10, began operating one in Lake graduates’ entrepreneurial opportunities. The three stores have been Elsinore, Calif. Another graduate is scheduled to open a store this very successful, and Greg predicts that the loans will be paid back summer. quickly. “We have the very strong advantage of Steve being able to look at Carol said that in the beginning, she didn’t think three, soon to sites and assess if an RMCF franchise will work,” said Dr. Phil Nitse, be four, graduates would be in stores by now. But she believes the dean of the CSB. product – high quality, gourmet chocolate – has contributed to the program’s success, along with the strong partnerships and relation-

18 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Spring 2011 19 Alumni News

From the Alumni Association President continued from page 19 Dear Fellow Alumni, alumni have come. Over to professional athletes, nuclear chemists Vartabedian; his wife, Dr. Laurel Vartabedian; Phil and his wife, Do you remember the last several years, I’ve to novelists, Missouri Western alumni Barbara; Dave Shinneman, chair of the CSB Advisory Council and his the advertising seen our reputation as a have as many different careers as you wife, Sonja; Carol, Rick, and Steve and four of his family members. slogan, “You’ve come strong academic institution can imagine. We achieve our dreams and “That told me a lot about the school. It’s obviously a school that a long way, baby”? grow – both within in create new ones. cares about their students and their success,” Christi said. “I thought This slogan was the greater St. Joseph We still have a long way to go, but they’d just send one person.” used in the ’70s to community and within we have indeed come a long way, baby! promote cigarettes to the state – and I’ve seen With new graduate programs and state- She said the city is happy about a new business opening, espe- young professional our alumni grow, both of-the-art living and learning spaces, our cially a chocolate store. “People in Vicksburg are excited to see young women, and the in numbers – now more students will have opportunities we never people come in and take an entrepreneurial risk. They want to see advertising campaign than 21,000 strong – and dreamed existed. And so I ask you, what them succeed.” emphasized freedom in influence. Today, of the is the value of your Missouri Western “Based on comments from others, this program will continue to and empowerment. seven voting members degree? While I am absolutely of the university’s Board grow. People like what we’re doing,” Phil said. not promoting Diane Hook ’90 of Governors, six hold Leadership, excellence … Griffons. cigarette smoking, I degrees from either the Dave Shinneman helps Rob Schimming ‘10, prepare for the have recently felt this slogan applies to St. Joseph Junior College or Missouri

opening of Rob’s Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Store Missouri Western. Western. As I end my term as president of I’ve also seen our alumni excel in their in Lake Elsinore, Calif. Diane Hook ’90 the Alumni Association, I can’t help but fields of work. From college presidents to President, Alumni Association reflect on how far our university and our corporate CEOs, Grammy Award winners Dave Shinneman – faithful, proud & true t. Joseph business leader Dave McDonald’s restaurants throughout his career, Dave was also part of a panel that judged Alumni Calendar of Events S Shinneman is a great supporter of the he said he knows how hard you have to work to high school teams’ presentations when West- Craig School of Business (CSB), especially its get a business opened. He volunteered to work ern’s Students in Free Enterprise group hosted program that offers graduates an entrepreneurial at all three of the CSB graduates’ Rocky Moun- the Entrepreneurship Challenge last fall. May 14 July 9 Oct. 20 opportunity (see “Chocolate Success”), accord- tain Chocolate Factory stores in the days before “Dave has provided invaluable leadership Spring 2011 Commencement Alumni Night at the Mustangs, Phil Welch Alumni Awards Banquet ing to Carol Roever, who served as interim dean they opened for business. and support for the Craig School of Business,” Stadium, St. Joseph, Mo., see p. 25 May 22 Oct. 21 of the CSB. “The days leading up to the opening are re- Carol said. “We are better because he has Junior College Reunion, 11:30 a.m., Aug. 3 Homecoming alumni golf outing, reunions She said Dave has played a large role in the ally, really hard days,” Dave said. “There are a lot generously shared his experience and Spratt Hall, Enright Room, 214. Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Tap Room, success of the CSB’s unique partnership with of things that take extra hands.” wisdom with us.” 1702 N. Belt Hwy. Oct. 22 Steve Craig and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate “He loves helping these kids get up and run- June 1 Homecoming parade and game - Griffons vs. Factory. ning,” said Dr. Phil Nitse, dean of the CSB. Editor’s note: We will spotlight a “Faithful, Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Tap Room, Sept. 9-10 Truman State For the past three years, Dave, who owned Dave and his wife, Sonja, also hosted a Proud and True” person in each issue of the 1702 N. Belt Hwy. Family Weekend and operated several McDonald’s restaurants in reception in their home when an AACSB Inter- Western Magazine. If you would like to nominate Oct. 23 the area, served as chair of the CSB’s Advisory national accreditation team visited the CSB last someone for this feature, please email me at June 18 Sept. 20 Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., 20th Anniversary and Council, which is made up of several business spring, and another reception for candidates for [email protected] or call 816-271- Cardinals vs. Royals at Busch Stadium, Convocation on Critical Issues, 9:30 a.m., Celebration leaders from the community. the CSB dean position. Carol said the reception 5651. Nominations will be reviewed by Alumni see p. 25 M.O. Looney arena, featuring Thomas L. “Dave is invaluable,” Carol said. “He brings for the accrediting team was huge, as it included Services Director Colleen Kowich and me, with Friedman, Foreign Affairs columnist for Nov. 5 franchisee experience and knowledge to our several professors and students. “I believe Dave preference given to those who regularly and June 24 the New York Times Griffons vs. NWMSU at Spratt Memorial program. He is a key to our success.” played a key role in the CSB gaining accredita- routinely “give back” to Western. MIAA @ the T-Bones, see p. 25 Stadium and 5th Annual Football Reunion But Dave does more than just offer advice tion,” Carol said. Oct. 7-8 and expertise. Because he opened seven July 6 Athletics Hall of Fame weekend Check out missouriwestern.edu/ Western Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Tap Room, alumni/events for more 1702 N. Belt Hwy. information on all alumni events!

20 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Spring 2011 21 Alumni News Alumni News Mary Fisher ’95: Go-getter, goal-setter hen I called Mary Fisher ’95, for an “The hardest thing was remembering soon faded. “The whole family was up for ast year, Elizabeth Woolery ’07, was This is Elizabeth’s message and the message She spent a lot of time on the water and in interview last fall, she was staying at where I was supposed to be,” Mary said hours helping me with biology. I made it enjoying her job as an emergency room she wants the student nurses to share: Don’t go the sun growing up, and because she doesn’t W L her sister’s recovering from surgery. By with a laugh. through with a D, but after that I shaped nurse at Heartland Health when she noticed a to a tanning salon. Always use sun block. Wear sunburn easily, Elizabeth doesn’t remember ever the time the interview was over, I realized She said there were many nights that up and was a B student.” spot on her hip. Because she was putting in a lot sunglasses and a hat when you are out in the using sun block. “There is no such thing as a that the surgery was merely a small set- she attended her children’s school events More classes followed until eight years of extra hours, she didn’t take the time to see a sun. Check your entire body for suspicious spots healthy suntan. The damage the sun does is back for Mary and it wasn’t going to keep or worked at one of her jobs, napped from had passed and she had earned an English doctor. Besides, she had had suspicious moles at least once a month. And if you find a mole that permanent.” her down for very long. In fact, nothing 11 p.m. to midnight, got up and worked on degree. Her graduation from Western was before and they turned out to be nothing. When looks suspicious, see a doctor right away. After her diagnosis, she found out two of her seems to keep Mary down for very long. homework until around 3 a.m., went back extra special, she says, because her daugh- Elizabeth noticed the spot becoming red after a “I would hate to see anybody else go through grandparents had died from melanoma, and fam- It was that can-do attitude, combined to bed and slept a few hours, then got up ter, Susan Canchola ’95, graduated in the while, she just assumed the waistband on her this, and there’s no need to,” she said. “If you ily history is an important risk factor, too. with being a high-energy person, that to start all over again the next day. same ceremony. pants was rubbing it. In March 2010, she was catch it early, it’s a whole new ballgame.” Since March 2010, she has had three surger- came in handy when the mother of eight Her husband had to delay picking out Instead of teaching, Mary found she diagnosed with stage-three melanoma. Elizabeth said she first got the idea to help ies and a year of interferon treatments to prevent decided to return to college at age 47 after carpeting for their new home when he had enjoyed working in the campus “I knew very little about melanoma when I was others become aware of melanoma when she was the cancer from returning. But she knows the a 27-year hiatus. wanted her opinion during finals week, library as one of her part-time jobs, so she diagnosed,” she said. “Had I gotten it looked at recovering from surgery. “I was a lifeguard for melanoma will affect the rest of her life: It means Mary still had five children living at Mary said. “I was afraid he wouldn’t got a job at the St. Joseph public library. when I first noticed it, I might have a completely three years, and no one ever mentioned anything frequent PET scans, no vacations in the sun, and home when she decided to enroll at West- wait.” She said she never thought she’d different story to tell.” about wearing sun block,” she said. “I thought I always worrying that the melanoma may return. ern to earn a teaching degree. Children’s Mary started by taking just one class - graduate from college, but once the goal As a nursing student at Western, Eliza- should talk to lifeguarding classes.” “It’s been a long ride,” Elizabeth said. “But not activities, 12 credit-hour loads some history. “I figured if I make it through that, was set, there was no stopping her. “One beth had made presentations at high schools Elizabeth also contacted the National Mela- everyone has to go through it.” semesters, building a house and working I’ll do okay.” And she did. of my favorite things to do is to set goals throughout the region on the benefits of folic noma Awareness Project (spotaspot.org) and three part-time jobs – Mary combined Armed with confidence from the his- and knock them off one at a time,” Mary acid when Western received a grant from the helped develop a student chapter on Western’s them all while earning her degree. tory class, Mary next took a biology class said. “It’s been a great, great life.” March of Dimes. So she thought the current campus, the first in the nation that is not affiliated during the summer, but her confidence nursing students could do something similar for with a medical school. The chapter now has melanoma awareness. She presented her idea to access to the Project’s power point presentations the Community Health Nursing class this spring that the student nurses used when they went out and they were immediately on board. The nursing to schools. students visited 10 schools this spring, sharing Elizabeth says she wanted to start talking to Elizabeth’s message. high schoolers but eventually wants to talk to Additionally, Western’s Student Nurses children in elementary school because she’s Association is planning a Melanoma Awareness afraid that by high school age, it may be too late Walk May 21. to change behaviors like going to tanning salons and not using sun block.

It’s not too late to purchase an ever- green tree to help enhance the beauty of our campus! Our goal is 100 trees, and to date, alumni and friends have donated $200 each for 79 trees. If you want to donate $200 to help reach our goal, contact 816-271-5647, send Alumni and friends gather for the fifth annual Mardi Gras at Boudreaux’s Louisiana Seafood your donation to Evergreen Tree Project, MWSU and Steaks in St. Joseph. Foundation, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, or go to www.missouriwestern.edu/ givingtowestern and click on “Online Gifts.”

22 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu SPRING 2011 23 Alumni News Alumni News Howard Neville ’76: Professional artist ot too many people can say an x-ray of “It was a positive part of my life,” people knew me as a painter (people in Take me out to the ballgame(s)! Ntheir luggage has shut down an airport Howard says of his days as a student at St. Joseph), a group knew me as a sculp- in a foreign country, but Howard Neville Western. “I met a lot of people.” tor, and a different group knew me as a can. The 1976 art graduate was returning Those who were around campus in the teacher. But my kids probably knew me as You may register online at www.missouriwestern.edu/alumni/events, home from Costello, Italy, with clay rep- early ’70s may remember one of How- unemployed.” ard’s works of art. The If you’re going to make it as an artist or fill out the form below! red- and- cream-colored full time, says Howard, you have to be 32-foot urethane foam aggressive enough to make things happen. Cardinals vs. Royals Saturday, June 18 • Busch Stadium, St. Louis sculpture, “Pop the When he speaks in classrooms or when Tailgate: 3 p.m. Game: 6:15 p.m. Drip,” hung on the classes tour his studio, he tells students to Tickets + tailgate -$50 Tailgate only - $13 outside wall from the be well read in English, math and the sci- roof to the ground of ence of chemicals. “I’ve learned enough MIAA Alumni Night @ the T-Bones Friday, June 24 • Community America Ballpark, Potter Hall and attracted after the fact to keep me in the game,” he Kansas City, Kan., vs. Fort Worth Cats a lot of attention and adds with a laugh. Tailgate: 5 p.m. Game: 7:05 p.m. phone calls from pass- There’s the business side of his career, $15 Tailgate and game ticket ersby. It even resulted in too – bidding on projects and selling his Howard’s first television uncommissioned works. Howard says Alumni Night with the Mustangs Saturday, July 9 • Phil Welch Stadium, St. Joseph interview with the the sculptures he’s done require a lot of vs. Joplin Outlaws local station. historical research of his subjects, too, but Pre-game tailgate: 5 p.m. Game: 7 p.m. After teaching for a he enjoys that aspect of the job. On the Party Deck - $20 buys a game ticket, buffet + two drinks (beer, soda, water). resentations of his latest sculpting project few years, Howard fulfilled his dream of Howard’s uncle was a talented artist, Fireworks, sponsored by Heartland Health, after the game. when operations halted at the Amsterdam being a full-time but didn’t work at it full time, and Howard airport to confirm that his work was not artist, but he contends it hasn’t always remembers that his uncle regretted it later Name ______Class year ______actually real body parts. been easy, especially on his family. in his life. “I made up my mind that I “That was quite an experience,” he In a television interview, when he was couldn’t let that happen to me.” Address ______says, but it was just one of many in his asked what it was like to be a full-time And for the past 30 years, it hasn’t. lifelong quest to pursue his passion for artist, he told the reporter, “A group of Phone # ______Email ______art. For more than 30 years, he’s been a professional public artist. I want ______at $50 each for the Cards vs. Royals game on June 18. Total $______Among his many public bronze sculp- I already have tickets, I want _____ Tailgate tickets at $13 each. tures, Howard created a life-size sculpture of Glenn Miller for his birthplace museum I want ______at $15 each for the T-Bones tailgate and game on June 24. Total $______in Clarinda, Iowa, and a one-and-a-half life-size sculpture of President Dwight I want ______at $20 each for the Mustangs game on July 9. Total $______Eisenhower (“Eisenhower Fishin’the Fra- ser”) for Fraser, Colo. The trip to Italy was commissioned by a Catholic group who TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $______wanted a sculpture of a patron saint. I have enclosed Check payable to MWSU Alumni Services OR Credit Card Information: Howard was born in Maryville, Mo., Type of card: Master Card Visa Discover and moved to Colorado at a young age. He attended a commercial art school in Name on card ______3-digit verification code on back: _____ Omaha, Neb., and worked as an art thera- pist for awhile. He then attended college Credit Card # ______Signature ______at Northwest Missouri State University in Mail to: Alumni Services, 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt 108, St. Joseph, MO 64507. Maryville. A friend offered Howard and For more information or to make reservations, call 816-271-5646 or email [email protected] his wife a place to stay if he moved to St. Esther George ’80, (center) was the guest speaker at a networking breakfast for alumni in the Kansas Joseph and transferred to Western after City area. The networking group was started by Greg VerMulm ’89, R.D. Helt ’85, and David Slater ’82, PLEASE INCLUDE NAMES OF ALL GUESTS: one year at Northwest, so that’s what he and features a guest speaker at each quarterly event. Esther is the first vice president and COO of the ______did, earning an art education degree. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. ______

24 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu ______alumnotes

A drawing was held for a David Grahl ’74 & ’80 – Remembering Western t-shirt among all Alumnote alumnotes avid Grahl ’74 and ’80, said computer At Western, David was active in student gov- submissions for the Spring Dscience classes have changed quite a bit ernment, even stepping into the president’s role 1970s 2011 issue. The winner was since he was a student at Western. Gone are the as a sophomore when the president didn’t return Alumnus’ energy work Brent Batcheller ’98. computers that took up a whole room, gone are to campus in the spring semester. He was also ROBERT V. WALDROP ’74, published, “President the punch cards and the card readers. But David active in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Who Did What?” The book is full of interesting errill Atwater ’06, doesn’t spend a lot of time Congratulations! knows one thing hasn’t changed since he was on “In student government, working with the ad- trivia and facts about each U.S. president and is at his home in Kansas City, Mo. Over the M campus – students still need financial support ministration helped me grow as a person,” David available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. past 18 months, he says he obtained about 15 NICK PARKER ’02, and Kaycee Connell were for their education. said. “What I learned from the fraternity was how stamps on his passport and was out of the country married March 25, 2011. Nick is a senior as- With that realization in mind, David recently to work with others as a team.” 1990s anywhere from five days to two weeks at a time. sociate in Experienced Recruiting for Pricewater- notified the MWSU Foundation that he has made David does have one memory from his col- DOUGLAS KELLNER, PE ’92, joined Thompson But he loves to travel and he loves what he does houseCoopers, an international accounting firm. Western a beneficiary of 25 percent of his estate lege years that stands out, although he admits Dreessen & Dorner of Omaha, Neb. The firm on his trips - promote a toxic tree that just may be The couple resides in St. Louis. to establish an endowed scholarship for math it’s not a very good one. In 1970, after the four provides technical services in civil engineering, the answer to our country’s dependence on and computer science students. students from Kent State University were killed structural engineering, geotechnical engineering foreign oil. STACY (CALCOTE) WILLIAMSON ’02, will serve “I wanted it (the gift) to continue on through in a demonstration, David said the student and environmental engineering, and land surveying Merrill is president of new business develop- as president of the Greater Kansas City Region of the years, and not be spent all at once,” David government at Western asked the administration services. ment for Fox Energy Corporation, and he spends the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA). said. “I want it to help for many years to come.” if they could plant four trees on campus for the a lot of his time talking to Mexican and Latin She served four years as president of the MSTA EARL SEARCY ’92, completed the 35th David’s family moved to St. Joseph when four students killed. But the students didn’t quite American farmers and business leaders about in the North Kansas City School District. Also, anniversary run of the Marine Corps Marathon he was a junior in high school, and after he share their entire plan with administrators. Right jatropha and its potential as a biodiesel. Merrill Atwater ’06, and jatropha she will present a workshop on differentiated in Washington, D.C, in October 2010. graduated from Central High School, he enrolled after they planted the trees at a public ceremony, Jatropha, grown in tropical climates, produces in Costa Rica. instruction at the Change Agent Conference in at Western. He spent one year downtown and they chopped them down with axes to symbolize KERRI (ANDERSON) STEVENSON, FNP ’95, seeds that contain a high percentage of oil, and June. then moved to the new campus as a sophomore. the death of the students. “That was radical for joined Heartland Internal Medicine Consultants. Merrill’s company is working with farmers to grow not only liked the location, he also liked its size. ELIJAH HAAHR ’05, was unanimously elected to After two years, David transferred to University St. Joseph,” he said. “It was definitely a shock to She earned her master’s in nursing from the jatropha that will be used to produce biodiesel. As a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, serve as the 2011 president of the Springfield, of Missouri-Columbia, with the idea of majoring everyone and it hit the news.” University of Missouri-Kansas City and was a Merrill noted that it is estimated that jatropha Merrill was encouraged to become involved in Mo., Jaycees. in engineering. He didn’t like the engineering When he graduated, he put his computer critical care clinical instructor at Western. could produce 200 gallons of fuel per acre, other activities, so he worked on the Campus JEFFREY HUFF ’05, is a state trooper for Zone 4 classes there, but he did like his computer sci- science skills to work at the American National JASON RILEY ’96, released his fourth solo CD – compared to a soybean production of 48 Activities Board and the student senate. in Missouri, which patrols Clay County. ence classes, so he decided to return to Western Bank in St. Joseph, and has been in the field ever “Funky Folk for Funsters,” a CD of children’s folk gallons per acre. “It was a very good time,” Merrill said of his and double major in math and computer science. since. He now works as an IT systems analyst for songs that are a mix of classical, jazz, blues, new “We’re ahead of the game,” Merrill said of college years. “I had a very rich experience and REBECCA (JACKSON) PLUMLEY ’05, earned “I was just a number at MU,” he said. “I did a UnitedHealth Group in Powell, Ohio. age, bluegrass, Latin, folk and funk. Fox Energy. “We’re changing the concept of I had some of the best people I’ve ever met a master’s in education from Southwest Baptist lot better (at Missouri Western) than I did at MU how biodiesel is made.” teaching me.” University, Bolivar, Mo. BINITA (THURMAN) WRIGHT ’96, is a customer because of the personal attention.” support specialist at Crown Center in Kansas Merrill was attending Valley Forge Military The history major says he learned a lot in a AMBER ROUNER ’05, and Brian McCrary were City, Mo. Academy in Pennsylvania when his mother Latin American history class and he has visited married Dec. 10, 2010. The couple resides in moved to Kansas City, Mo., as the president and a lot of the locales they learned about. And, the Prairie Village, Kan. JESSICA ANDERSON ’09, and Joshua Wyatt master of fine arts at the University of Kansas, CHRISTI (COLLINS) WAGGONER ’97, is director of CEO of People to People International. He wanted course helped him understand the culture he MATTHEW ALSAGER ’06, and Sarah Stroesser were married Sept. 18, 2010. The couple resides studying poetry. the Title IV Student Support Services grant program to attend a university that was relatively close to moves in. were married Nov. 13, 2010. The couple resides in Olathe, Kan. at Highland Community College in Highland, Kan. his parents, and when he checked out Western, he “I wake up every day enjoying my life.” 2010s in Jefferson City, Mo. JASON M. BISHOP ’09, and Katherine Far- BRENT BATCHELLER ’98, earned national STACY JACK SAYTHANY ’10, and Kelsey Eliza- JENNIFER (FOSTER) GLADBACH ’06, and rell ’10, were married Aug. 7, 2010. The couple board certification in social studies/history – RICK MOECKEL ’00, was named one of “40 under NEIL ALLEY ’02, and DINELLE HIGDON ’03, were beth Wear were married July 24, 2010. Kelsey is her husband, Dustin, announced the birth of a resides in St. Joseph, Mo. adolescence and young adulthood. He has been 40” by the St. Louis Business Journal. Rick is married Oct. 10, 2010. The couple resides in a student at Western, and the couple resides in daughter, Layla Ryan, born Oct. 2, 2010. MARY (STONE) DOCKERY ’09, was the poetry teaching and coaching at Rockwood Summit High senior project manager at Clayco, Inc., and was Liberty, Mo. St. Joseph, Mo. winner of the Langston Hughes 2011 Creative School in Fenton, Mo., since 2002. recognized for being Clayco’s first Leadership in ALICIA SCHMIDGALL ’07, and Andrés González BRIAN TURNER ’10 and Melissa Bledsoe were MARK LYNN ’02, is a student worker in the Writing Award, co-sponsored by the Law- CHRIS O’DONNELL ’98, is the branch manager at Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - were married Sept. 24, 2010. The couple resides married May 22, 2010. Brian was commissioned Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, rence Arts Center and the Raven Book Store in MFA Agri Service in Kahoka, Mo. accredited professional project manager. in Kansas City, Mo. as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army when he Mich.) Office of Graduate Studies. His role as a Lawrence, Kan. She had two poems accepted graduated from Western. Melissa, currently an J.J. PAWLOWSKI ’00 and Stefani Benter were database analyst is analyzing and organizing in- TIFFANY ZIMMERMAN ’08, and CODY AUSTIN for publication in the Pennsylvania Literary 2000s ROTC cadet, will graduate from Western and be married Aug. 7, 2010. The couple resides in formation for the development of a new database, ’09, were married Nov. 27, 2010. Cody is attend- Journal, and five poems published in the Blue AARON MCCOPPIN ’00, and Holly Hare were commissioned in December 2011. Fairway, Kan. while providing support to team members. He is ing dental school at A.T. Still University and Island Review, a journal that features poets in married May 1, 2010. The couple resides in Tiffany is working as a dental hygienist. The JENNIFER (BLAKLEY) BROWN ’01, is marketing working on a master’s in manufacturing opera- the greater Kansas City area. Mary is earning a Atlanta. couple resides in Mesa, Ariz. director and closing agent for St. Joseph Title & tions at Grand Valley. Abstract.

26 Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Spring 2011 27 alumnotes

Dorsey was born Oct. 1, 1933, in Mammoth, In Memory ... Mo. When she was five, the family moved to We honor those who have recently passed away. If you want us to include someone in this listing, California. On July 9, 1951, she married Marvin please call 816-271-5651, mail to Alumni Services Office, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, Looney, an Ozark County native she had met or e-mail [email protected]. the year before when he visited his brother in California. She graduated from Gainesville High School in 1952. VERNON DOTSON ’73, Iowa City, Iowa, TONY MASTERS ’56, Riverton, Wyo., Aug. 30, November 23, 2010. 2010. In her role as “first lady” of several college estern’s music and theatre departments campuses, Dorsey hosted elaborate and creative collaborated to produce the musical, LANDIS L. DOWNING ’81, King City, Mo., JANE (ADAMS) PERTAIN ’34, Westminster, Phantom,” in March. All four performances Dec. 25, 2010. Colo., Nov. 4, 2010. dinners and also volunteered for numerous W community organizations including hospitals sold out to a record 1,762 audience members. HENRY E. ELLSWORTH ’80, St. Joseph, Mo., BARBARA (VETTER) PREBLE ’57, St. Joseph, and churches. At Missouri Western, she started “Phantom,” book by Arthur Kopit and music Jan. 20, 2011. Mo., Jan. 8, 2011. the Faculty Wives organization on campus, and and lyrics by Maury Yeston, is based on the novel, JOYCE (OTTE) HANKINS ’93, St. Joseph, Mo., MARY QUINT-LYONS ’90, St. Joseph, Mo., meetings were held in her home. Dorsey also “The Phantom of the Opera,” by Gaston Leroux. The Nov. 30, 2010. Dec. 5, 2010. made several banners for the annual Madrigal production was co-directed by Tee Quillin, assistant professor of theatre, and Dr. Susan Carter, associate JAMES R. “BOB” HAYES ’71, St. Joseph, Mo., Juliann (Boswell) Reid ’83, Smithville, Mo., Feasts at Missouri Western in the early 1980s. professor of music and director of vocal studies. Rico Nov. 4, 2010. June 11, 2009. Some of those banners were brought out of storage and used at the Lights and Tights McNeela, associate professor of music and conductor EUGENIE L. (ALEXANDER) “GENIE” HECKER, NELLIE (JONES) TURNER ’30, Kansas City, Mo., Renaissance Feast in 2009 and 2010. and music director of the St. Joseph Symphony, was ’96, St. Joseph, Mo., Jan. 9, 2011. Nov. 16, 2010. the orchestra conductor. Along with her husband, she is survived by EDWARD S. JONES ’65, St. Joseph, Mo., Jan. The art department also created a series of Dorsey Looney three sons and three daughters-in-law: Doug 10, 2011. Delores “Dorsey” Robbins Looney, 77, died Looney and wife, Ronee, Castle Rock, Colo.; ceramic masks for the phantom. NORMA J. (AHLE) KING ’70, St. Joseph, Mo., Jan. 24, 2011, at Cox South Medical Center in Bill Looney and wife, Sandy, Pontiac, Mo.; and Jan. 18, 2011. Springfield, Mo. Dorsey is survived by her hus- Chris Looney and wife, Kate, St. Joseph; seven Jean Ann (Eggleston) Marsola ’43, band, Dr. Marvin O. Looney, who was president granddaughters and one stepgrandson; and five St. Joseph, Mo., Jan. 23, 2011. of Missouri Western from 1967 to 1983. great-grandchildren.

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