Building relationships to last a lifetime

4NorthwestNorthwestMARCH 2009 • Volume 16 • Number 2 FAMILYFAMILY

Missouri Academy students from Northwest and area elementary schools talk with NASA astronauts via satellite downlink. (see page 3)

4Student takes over as "President for a Day" 4 INSIDE 4E-text pilot program expanded

Division of Enrollment Management Non Profit U.S. Postage PAID 800 University Drive Maryville, MO Maryville, MO 64468-6001 Permit 215 4 FACULTY/STAFF FOCUS CEHS honors faculty for teaching, research and services

our Northwest faculty members past two years. The conference showcases who teach in Northwest’s College research by college and university students Fof Education and Human Services from across the state as well as drawing Rachel Sneed recently received Dean’s Faculty Awards participants from Iowa and Nebraska. for teaching, research and service. The Francis and Hendrix frequently Student selected to awards were presented by Dr. Max Ruhl, travel with students to conferences, where dean of the college. Northwest student research is often recog- perform at master The winners and their areas of nized in academic competitions. In 2010, achievement were: Francis and Hendrix will serve as hosts class with English Dr. Margaret Drew – Teaching for the Great Plains Student Psychology Dr. Margaret Drew, associate profes- Conference to be held at Northwest. classical music sor of curriculum and instruction, has Francis holds a Ph.D. from St. Louis achel Sneed, an instrumental established a reputation for excellence as University, and Hendrix completed her music education major from a teacher and an academic advisor. She Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska- Smithville, has been chosen to consistently receives outstanding student Lincoln. R perform during a Kansas City Sym- evaluations, has served as a leader in the Dr. Matthew Symonds – Service phony trumpet master class with EMI creation of online courses in education Dr. Matthew Symonds, assistant pro- Classics recording artist Alison Balsom. and coordinates Northwest’s graduate fessor of health, physical education, recre- Sneed, who was selected follow- program for reading specialists. She holds ation and dance, has filled many leader- ing a competitive audition process, is a a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University- ship roles at Northwest and serves as chair junior at Northwest and was named to Carbondale. of the Be Well program. He is a member the President’s Honor Roll (4.0 grade- Drs. Alisha Francis and Rebecca of numerous Professional Education Unit point average) following the fall 2008 Hendrix – Research accreditation and assessment teams and trimester. Dr. Alisha Francis and Dr. Rebecca serves as the unit’s coordinator for second- She studies trumpet under Hendrix, both assistant professors of ary education. He is also co-coordinator Dr. William Richardson, assistant psychology, sociology and counseling, for HPERD graduate programs. professor of music, and will perform are noted for sponsoring student projects Symonds has written or co-written a “Legende” by Georges Enescu as her and publishing or presenting their own number of grants, one of which resulted master class selection. research both alone and collaboratively. in $150,000 in funding used to expand Raised and educated in England, Each has made major contributions to facilities at the Mozingo Outdoor Educa- Balsom is one of the most acclaimed the Department of Psychology, Sociology tion and Recreation Area. He is president- young trumpet virtuosos on the inter- and Counseling’s growing reputation as a elect of the Missouri Association of national music scene. She released her center for undergraduate research. Health, Physical Education, Recreation first EMI Classics recording in 2002 and Both serve as co-sponsors of the and Dance and assists Northwest HPERD recently completed her fourth solo CD University’s Social Sciences Research majors with collaborative research and for the iconic label. Group and spearheaded efforts to bring service efforts. Balsom is currently a member of the Missouri Undergraduate Research Symonds holds an Ed.D. from the BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists n Conference to Northwest in each of the University of Missouri-Columbia. scheme, under whose auspices she has given concerts with the BBC Symphony and Sir Andrew Davis and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. n

MARCH 2009 SSTUDENT SPOTLIGHT 4

Alex Heath takes over as “President for a Day” at Northwest. Northwest student, president change places for a day orthwest student Alex Heath, a freshman agronomy Appointments on “President” Heath’s calendar included major who grew up on his family’s Andrew County a brief meeting and photo session with Hubbard followed by Nfarm southeast of Maryville, experienced what it was sessions with senior University officials who discussed North- like to be a university president on Wednesday, Jan. 28, after west’s e-text initiative, plans for a new residence hall and MIAA winning the Mortar Board honor society’s annual President intercollegiate athletics. for a Day drawing. Both Heath and Hubbard were to attend an afternoon recep- Heath, who graduated from Savannah High School in 2008, tion hosted by the Northwest Mortar Board chapter for freshmen spent the day meeting with University administrators and attend- named to the President’s Honor Roll during their first trimester ing to other presidential tasks. He is the son of Tom and Diane of college. Heath of rural Helena. The Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society As Heath settled in behind the carved desk in the president’s is an organization for upper-level students who demonstrate office, Northwest President Dean L. Hubbard, wearing a Bearcat outstanding scholarship, leadership and service. To be considered baseball cap and lined windbreaker, attended Heath’s classes for membership, students must have completed their junior year in earth science, plant science, American history and English and have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. n composition.

MARCH 2009 44 NORTHWEST NEWS Northwest expands e-text pilot program

resident Dean L. Hubbard used a portion Pof his trimester-opening speech to faculty and staff to address an expanded University pilot program that is replac- ing traditional textbooks with e-texts for a growing number of Northwest students. Hubbard noted that interest in e-texts among higher education professionals is “growing at an unbeliev- able rate,” and reports about the Northwest pilot program have recently appeared in the state and national news media, including a front-page article in the Sunday, Jan. 11 edition of the “Kansas City Star” and online stories posted by the “Chronicle of Higher Education” and “Inside Higher Education.” The Sony eReader, pictured above, is part of the pilot. About a dozen academic departments are participat- was part of the fall 2008 e-text trial. “We have always, going back to 1905, ing in the pilot, which began last fall, when Feedback from last year, Hubbard said, been involved as an institution in making about 250 students used e-texts in four indicates that laptops, at least for now, pro- sure that our students have a textbook,” separate courses. This trimester, the program vide a better platform for taking advantage of Hubbard said, citing survey data showing has been expanded to include about 500 features like graphics, faculty-added material, that at colleges and universities where un- students, plus another 3,000 who have the quizzes and interactive learning exercises, dergraduates purchase books, as many as 40 option of using either an e-text or traditional though the slim, pocket-sized eReader is an percent take courses without acquiring a text. textbook if they are enrolled in a course using excellent device “for simply reading a book “Because of our history of guaranteeing a text published by McGraw-Hill, a major from front to back.” that students have that resource, and because producer of traditional and electronic learn- “We seem to be the unique institution we give every full-time student a notebook ing materials. in the nation to have this kind of pilot,” said computer, that makes us unique,” Hubbard Most pilot participants are accessing e- Hubbard, who added that Northwest is espe- said. “Apparently no other institution in the texts via laptop computers that are provided cially well positioned to adopt e-texts because country that the major publishers have been to all full-time Northwest students. A smaller of its longstanding textbook rental program able to identify can match us on that.” n group will be using an upgraded version of and its commitment to providing laptop the Sony eReader, an earlier model of which computers to full-time students.

MARCH 2009 3

SSTUDENT SPOTLIGHT 4 Area students speak via satellite with space station astronauts

rea elementary students looked on as while traveling through space at more than 17,000 miles per NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and hour. ASandy Magnus spoke via a satellite “A race car goes about 200 miles an hour, so you downlink from the International Space Sta- can see that we’re faster than anything in tion, which, at the time, was speeding above NASCAR or Formula I,” Fincke Africa at 17,000 miles per hour. quipped. More than 400 area school children, col- Students asked a wide lege students and local residents gasped and range of questions during the then cheered from their seats in the Perform- downlink, inquiring about every- ing Arts Center on the Northwest campus thing from the sort of experiments Tuesday, Jan. 27, as a live video image of the astronauts are conducting to two astronauts aboard the International how they deal with being away Space Station broke across a giant projection from their families for up to six screen. months. The students were there to witness a Magnus said one experiment satellite downlink from the station made deals with the long-term effects of possible through the NASA Explorer School space and weightlessness on the hu- project, which promotes learning in science, man body. Responding to the fam- technology, engineering and mathematics in ily question, Fincke said he missed fourth through ninth grade. It was the first his wife and young children very such event to be held in Missouri since the much but speaks to them almost program began eight years ago. every day via computer technol- Students attended the event from the ogy known as Voice Over Internet Northeast Nodaway school district, Horace Protocol. Mann Laboratory School and Northwest’s One student asked if the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics astronauts thought tax-funded Closeup view of the astronauts as they speed above Africa at and Computing. About a dozen students 17,000 miles per hour. space travel should continue in a seated on the auditorium stage spent 20 time of economic hardship and minutes asking prepared questions and growing deficits. Magnus answered receiving answers from the Expedition 18 astronauts. that NASA’s budget of between More cheers and applause erupted as Magnus spoke into a $16 and $17 billion dollars represents less than one cent of each hand-held microphone, saying, “We have you loud and clear, federal tax dollar collected, and and hello to everyone in Missouri.” that resulting technological advances justify continued funding. Both astronauts were obviously in a zero-gravity environ- “Most people spend more than that (a penny out of every ment, and Magnus spoke with her long, brown hair floating dollar) on junk food,” she said. “When you think of the scientific weightlessly above her face. Fincke drew laughter from the benefits and new technology, it’s definitely worth it.” audience by turning somersaults while his colleague talked, then Fincke was asked how he thought space travel would develop squeezing a small, bubble-like sphere of water from a tube and by the end of the 21st century, and responded that he hoped swallowing as it floated through the cabin. human beings would be able to “leave the cradle” of Earth by In answering various questions, Fincke and Magnus noted establishing permanent colonies on the Moon, Mars and beyond. that the International Space Station maintains an altitude of “We have the whole universe,” he said, “and we need to approximately 350 kilometers (190 nautical miles) above Earth explore it.” n

MARCH 2009 4 STUDENT SPOTLISPOTLIGHTGHT DeSoto native is first Northwest Honors Program graduate

hen Jennifer Backer, a senior Honors Program Committee. biology/psychology major Honors courses are typically smaller Wfrom DeSoto, walked across than regular college classes and give stu- the stage in Bearcat Arena Friday, Dec. 12, dents added opportunities for self-expres- to receive her Northwest diploma, she will sion and interaction with professors and have reached two important milestones. classmates in an intellectually challenging The first – earning her bachelor’s environment. degree – is largely personal, the culmina- The courses require more extensive tion of Backer’s own hard work, talent reading, research and laboratory work and determination. But the second casts than is expected of other University stu- a bright reflection on the University as a dents and emphasize connections between whole and its commitment to academic various academic disciplines. excellence. Honors students also get the chance Backer was the first Northwest to experience a variety of co-curricular undergraduate to complete her degree as activities, including colloquia and field a member of the four-year-old University trips; special access related to campuswide Honors Program. As such, she wore a events, such as sessions with visiting special medal over her gown as part of her speakers, scholars and public figures; and academic regalia. participation in various service learning When it began in fall 2005, the Jennifer Backer and volunteer efforts designed to develop Honors Program was a new concept for leadership and encourage civic awareness. Northwest, which had never before had month residency last summer at Alabama Program participants may also opt to an academic track designed especially for A&M University in Huntsville. live in an on-campus learning community gifted and highly motivated students. To qualify for the Honors Program located on a dedicated floor of a North- The daughter of Paul and Vicky at Northwest, students, who are com- west residence hall and equipped with Backer of DeSoto, Backer plans to embark petitively selected from among eligible study rooms, seminar spaces and Honors on a career in animal behavior and conser- applicants, must have a composite ACT faculty offices. vation following graduation and will soon score of at least 26 and a minimum high Dr. Cleo Samudzi, dean of North- begin work as an intern at the Fossil Rim school grade-point average of 3.5. west’s Missouri Academy of Science, Wildlife Center near Dallas, Texas. The In order to wear the Honors medal Mathematics and Computing, served as exotic wildlife preserve and park is home at commencement, students are required the Honors Program’s first director, a role to black rhinos, giraffes, zebras and other to maintain a 3.5 GPA throughout their currently filled by Dr. Thomas Spencer, animals. undergraduate career, complete at least associate professor of history. Currently Backer’s senior Honors research proj- 21 credit hours of enhanced general there are 110 Honors Program students ect at Northwest examined predator/prey education courses and present a senior enrolled at the University. n relationships and was based on a two- portfolio, which must be approved by the

MARCH 2009 NORTHWEST NEWS 4

with Missouri Homeland Security Coor- which comprises a staff of 11 full-time 2008 Tax Benefits for Education dinator Paul Fennewald in adapting employees and 28 student workers. The orthwest students can take advantage of a change in the tax law. the Emergency Response Planning architect of the University’s crisis and NNodaway County is listed as one of the affected counties in the Midwest- Team school database – known as emergency response plan, he has devel- ern Disaster Areas. This means the definition of qualified education expenses ERPT – for use by institutions of higher oped emergency response guides for is expanded. In addition to the tuition and fees required for enrollment, for a learning. every room on campus, drafted campus student who is at least half-time, the cost of room and board, books, supplies He also helped develop computer- safety legislation, assisted in executing and equipment required for enrollment can be included. The allowance for ized threat assessment tools capable a successful statewide Department of room and board will be the actual cost for students living on campus. For of measuring risks posed by individuals Homeland Security Exercise and orga- students off campus, the spring 2008 allowance is $3,308.00 and $3,595.00 who display “red flag” characteristics nized a late-night student transporta- for fall 2008, for a total of $6,903.00 if both trimesters were attended. and behaviors. tion service. Contact the IRS or your tax preparer for guidance. n In 2007, following the Virginia Tech Green has also secured more than shootings, Green was appointed by $100,000 in grant funding in support of Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt to serve on activities and programs that have low- Faculty book focuses on students, two of whom, Garrett White the state’s Campus Security Task Force, ered campus crime rates and boosted recruiting, keeping top and Anthony Belcher, worked as interns which was charged with evaluating the safety and security of students, for the power company last summer. faculty and staff. teachers campus emergency response plans and Three two-person teams and one improving communications between His numerous other professional new book by two Northwest fac- individual received recognition for higher education and the public safety affiliations include the National Police Aulty members, Dr. Frank Grispino, research papers and presentations and community. Chiefs Association and the Federal professor of educational leadership, split $1,000 in prize money. They were: At Northwest, Green is responsible Bureau of Investigation’s College and n and Dr. Kristina Alexander, assistant First place ($400). Andy Pryor, for the overall Campus Safety operation, University Security Effort. professor of educational leadership, a senior computer science major from offers guidance to school administra- Woodbine, Iowa, for “Agile Software tors and other education professionals Development.” seeking to learn more about hiring and retaining top-notch teachers and staff. Second place ($300). Senior Unique courses offered “Finding, Hiring and Keeping management information majors the Best Teachers & School Staff: Keath Coleman of Smithville and Matt during Summer Sessions Methods and Management in a Time Drummond of Liberty for “Vulnerabili- of Shortage” draws on an extensive ties in Wireless Security.” ummer Sessions offer students the chance to get ahead in order to graduate survey by Grispino and Alexander of Third place ($150, tie). Senior Searly, take lighter loads in the fall and spring trimesters, or keep their job on school hiring practices nationwide. management information systems campus. But summer courses also offer students the chance to take a course It is currently available through the majors Anthony Belcher of Kansas they find interesting. Ranging from American Folklife, to Fundamentals of Global publisher, ProActive Publications at City and Blake Adams of Wellsville for Positioning Systems (GPS), to Jewelry and Metals, the summer is a perfect time www.proactivepublications.com. “Mobile Devices: Software Applica- to explore a new course. The 186-page book contains tions and Operating Systems.” In Fundamentals of Global Positioning Systems, students will have several a detailed outline of school hiring Third place ($150, tie). Senior field trips around campus using GPS devices to navigate, and learning how to practices; lists dos and don’ts related computer science majors Dana Estes design a campus tool tour that can guide others to the same places with or to search strategies and application of Skidmore and Tyler Giersbach of without a human guide. and selection processes; and provides Chillicothe for “The Era of Software “GPS technology is being used in academia for research as well as for information on how best to fill certified Security.” n everyday activity, so it’s a good thing to know something about it,” said Ming Hung, and non-certified positions.n assistant professor of Geographic Information Science. “Plus, the summer offers nice weather for field trips and this class allows you to go outside and “play,” with Green named president an equal combination of lecture, using computers and field trips.” KCPL recognizes students of state law enforcement Michael Steiner is offering a course in American Folklife that will involve working for software research group closely with the Nodaway County Historical Society and using museum artifacts and local history in a hands-on laboratory setting. even Northwest computing orthwest Campus Safety Director Sstudents were recognized NClarence Green was named presi- “My hope is to draw interest from a broad constituency who want to engage Tuesday, Dec. 2, after competing in an dent of the Missouri Association of in history, local history and public history,” said Steiner, associate professor of his- undergraduate research competition Campus Law Enforcement Administra- tory and chair of the Department of History, Humanities, Philosophy and Political sponsored by the Kansas City Power tors, or MACLEA in January. Science. and Light Co. MACLEA was founded in 1992 For those interested in taking an artistic course, students should consider the Shan Lynn, manager of enterprise by a group of university police direc- Jewelry and Metals course, which is designed as an introduction to the language systems support for KCPL, said the tors and chiefs who saw the need for and techniques of jewelry and metalsmithing. Students will focus on techniques and utility organized the contest as a an organization equipped to create design concepts that deal primarily with the process of small-scale metal fabrication. means of strengthening its relation- networking and training opportuni- “The obvious difference between summer courses and fall and spring trimester ship with Northwest “in anticipation of ties for member officers, staff and courses is that summer courses are shorter in duration, but allow students more new hires” of graduates with degrees administrators. contact hours with the instructor on a daily basis,” said Glenn Williams, assistant related to information technology. An active participant in statewide professor of art-sculpture. “Summer courses provide students an opportunity to Lynn, a Northwest alumnus, said efforts to improve safety and security focus more intently on a single course.” KCPL is impressed with both the Univer- on Missouri’s college and university To see what other Summer Sessions courses are available, or to enroll, visit sity’s IT programs and the quality of its campuses, Green worked closely CatPaws. n

MARCH 2009 4 ETC. Calendar of Events March 18 Faculty Recital: Dr. Anthony Olson, 21 Orchestra concert 2-20 DeLuce Gallery: Don Kimes painting piano 24 Classwork ends and mixed media exhibit opening and 23-27 Spring Break 24 Tom Stancliffe sculpture exhibit closes lecture 30 DeLuce Gallery: Tom Stancliffe 24-25 Art Show and Sale 2 Symphonic Band concert sculpture exhibit opening and lecture 24 Celebration Spring Show 3 Spring Career Day 27-May 1 final exams 3 Northwest Legislative Reception in April Jefferson City 1-?? KXCV-KRNW Spring On-Air Fund Drive May 4 Career Services Interview Day 3 Up ’til Dawn Finale 2 Trimester ends 5-7 MIAA tournament, Kansas City 6-10 Northwest Week 2 Commencement: 5-7 Theatre: “Celebration” 9 Booth College Awards Ceremony 10 a.m. – Graduate School and 9-13 Greek Week 10 Northwest Week Booth College of Business and 10 Celebration of Quality 10-11 Theatre: “Metamorphoses” Professional Studies; 12-14 Theatre: “Celebration” 13 Encore: “Movin’ Out” 2 p.m. College of Arts & Sciences and 14 Jazz Festival 16 Jazz Ensemble and Studio Jazz concert College of Education and Human 15 Tower Choir concert 18 Festival of Winds and Percussion Services 16 Distinguished Lecture Series: concert John Bul Dau 19 Tower Choir and University Chorale 17 Education Expo concert

Tjeerdsma Named AFCA Coach of Year orthwest Head Football Coach Mel Tjeerdsma has been named Nthe NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by the Coaches Association (AFCA). Tjeerdsma joins Appalachian State’s Jerry Moore, Ohio State’s Jim Tressel, Alabama’s and North Alabama’s Bobby Wallace as three-time Coach of the Year winners. Mount NorthwestNorthwest Union’s Larry Kehres (9), Penn State’s FAMILY (5) and Augustana’s (Ill.) For more information about Northwest, Bob Reade (4) are the only coaches to be visit www.nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1212 named Coach of the Year more than three Published six times during the academic year times. by the Offices of Enrollment Management, Tjeerdsma earned back-to-back Residential Life, Student Affairs, Advisement Coach of the Year honors in 1998 Assistance, Career Services and University and 1999 when he led the Bearcats to Relations. Editor: Mallory Murray consecutive Division II national cham- Mel Tjeerdsma Designer: Teresa Carter pionships. Tjeerdsma has coached in the game in 2008. Tjeerdsma has won 25 Photographer: Darren Whitley championship game six times in the last postseason games – the most in Division Editorial Board: Matt Baker, Jackie Elliott, 11 seasons. II history. Brad Landhuis, Angel McAdams Prescott, Beverly Schenkel, Joan Schneider, Rose Viau Tjeerdsma led the Bearcats to a 13-2 Northwest was 0-11 in Tjeerdsma’s record, a third-consecutive MIAA cham- first season at Northwest in 1994. The pionship and a fourth consecutive berth team is 157-29 since. n in the NCAA Division II championship

MARCH 2009