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Gerontology Program Addresses a Growing Market

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With boomers aging, need for expertise abounds in several professions

Like many people, Webster alumna Althea West wasn't familiar with the field of gerontology until she had to be.

"It began in 1993, when my mom needed extra care," West recalls. "Suddenly I had to balance a full-time job, teenagers in the household, and caring for her—which became almost a job in itself. From her health care to her financial needs to long-term planning, there were so many different tasks to handle at once—and they don't have a listing in the yellow pages for that."

The experience changed West's perspective and, coupled with her plan to leave the volatile airline business, led her to Webster to complete her B.A. in Psychology in 2000 and M.A. in Gerontology in 2001. FULL STORY
Students See Real World of International Relations with Sim Game, New M.A.



It's the summer of 2005. In a room lined with international flags and tinged with the scent of stale coffee, the United States' Secretary of State again pleads with delegates from the United Kingdom and the United Nations to join a bold effort to cut aid to Israel unless Ariel Sharon stops all new settlements in the West Bank. But elsewhere, the Russian foreign minister is working back channels to ensure that progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn't dominated by U.S. influence.

And in the room next door, leaders from the quasi-political terrorist group Hamas are letting Palestinian president Abbas know they will renew their violent intifada if he continues his latest reforms.

No, it's not some bizarre virtual U.N. Hotel. It's a conflict simulation game run by Webster Leiden professor and department chair Leonard Suransky. And it's a prime example of how Webster's International Relations program encourages students to go beyond the classroom to explore this field.
FULL STORY


 Faculty Feature

A Q-and-A with new full-time faculty member Evelyn Buday.

Evelyn Buday
Assistant Professor, Behavioral & Social Sciences

A creative, adventurous spirit, Evelyn Buday has found some novel methods to teach stats and behavioral sciences in ways today's students can really relate to. And she gives credit for where she is today to... PBS.

"When I was in high school," Buday explains, "on Saturdays I watched a PBS series called 'The Brain,' which focused on the science of psychology. I was always interested in psychology but didn't want to be a therapist, and that series really opened my eyes and helped me realize, 'Wow, I can do psychology and become a scientist.' I never looked back."

Of course, a look at Buday's life and teaching shows there's more than PBS behind her success. A native of El Paso, Tex., she moved to Colorado Springs at age 10 when her father's air traffic controller job relocated their family. She went to the University of Puget Sound near Seattle for her psychology degree, then attended the University of Illinois-Chicago for her doctorate in cognitive development.
FULL STORY


Dean's Message
Dean David Carl Wilson discusses recent highlights from the College.





Advisory Board Spotlight:
Dr. Sherman J. Silber

Michael DeHaven photo

One of the world's leading authorities in infertility and microsurgery is located right in St. Louis. A scientific pioneer, he performed the world's first microsurgical vasectomy reversal, as well as the first testicle transplant and first ovary transplant. With one of the most successful high tech programs in the world for couples with severe infertility problems, he draws hopeful parents from all around the world.

He's also a member of Webster's College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board. FULL STORY

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