In This Issue

Faculty Witness
85th Commencement

Faculty Greets
Students, Parents

Judi Smith Named
Employee of Month

Van McElwee Gets
Messing Award

280 Years of Service
Is Recognized

Construction Season
Brings Barricades

Lease Signed
For Old Post Office

First China Program
Begins In Shanghai

Wal-Mart Selects
Webster Online

Monsanto Grant
Helps Minorities

Film Series
Receives Grants

Journal Wins Awards

SOC Student and Alumni News

Webster
News Links

Inside Webster
Recent Edition

Note From The Dean
Dear Colleagues:

With thunderous applause filling the Edward Jones Dome at the conclusion of Webster University's 85th Commencement, the 2003-2004 school year has drawn to a close. It was a year of tremendous success for our students, our school and the University. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without your dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism. As we begin preparing for the new year ahead, I wish to thank all of you for a job well done and a year of growth and accomplishment.

Debra Carpenter, Dean
School of Communications

Faculty Witness 85th Annual Commencement
As 20,000 Pack The Edward Jones Dome
With an overflow crowd of 1,500 proud parents present and adjunct and full-time faculty watching from the platform, students from the School of Communications walked across the stage and were recognized by Dean Debra Carpenter during Webster University’s 85th annual commencement May 8 at the Edward Jones Dome.
FULL STORY

Faculty Greets Students, Parents
At Open House And Street Party
Perfect weather and smiling faces greeted parents and soon-to-be graduates during an open house and reception at the School of Communications May 7, the Friday afternoon before commencement. Students, parents and friends gathered in the lobby of the Sverdrup Building for a toast to a successful college career.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” one parent said shaking the hand of a faculty member as a graduating senior looked on. The afternoon provided students an opportunity to introduce their teachers and show parents the classrooms, studios and media center facilities where they spent much of their college careers.
FULL STORY

Judi Smith, Department Associate, Named
University Employee of the Month
If you happen to drop by the Kirk House, you’ll find Judi Smith seated behind her desk just inside the east hallway. If you’re lucky it will be one of those rare moments when she’s not busy talking on the phone, answering a student question, or helping a faculty member. Then you’ll have a chance to sample her knowledge, share in a story, or just take advantage of a fountain of Webster facts. For all of these talents and qualities, Judi was named the University’s May 2004 Employee of the Month.
FULL STORY

Van McElwee Receives Messing Award;
Will Search World's Video Archives
Van McElwee, professor of Electronic and Photographic Media, has been awarded the 2004 Wilma and Roswell Messing Jr. faculty award. McElwee will use the award to conduct international research on the 50-year history of experimental video art.

His work will result in a list of 20 recommended key pieces of international art for acquisition and inclusion in the Emerson Library video archive that he will curate. Once his list of works is assembled, McElwee, through help from the library, will begin acquiring the pieces for the archive.
FULL STORY

280 Years of Service To University by SOC Adjuncts, Faculty and Staff Is Recognized

When University President Richard Meyers finished shaking the hands of faculty and staff honored for service anniversaries at the annual recognition breakfast on May 10, a total of 15 School of Communications adjuncts, full-time faculty and staff had been recognized for 280 years of service to the University.
FULL STORY

Those Barricades Are Back
Summer Construction Is Underway
Watch your step this summer. Those barricades are back on campus as construction season swings into full gear. Projects include a complete renovation of the cafeteria in Maria Hall and other repairs and maintenance. Here's a list of the projects to look out for:
FULL STORY

University Signs Lease As First Major Tenant
In Historic Old Post Office Building DowntownAfter much discussion and anticipation, it’s now a done deal. Webster University has signed a lease with DESCO Properties for more than 32,000 square feet of space in the 120-year-old Old Post Office building in downtown St. Louis. The University will use the space to relocate and expand its downtown campus. Opening of the new downtown location is set for fall of 2005, 31 years from the date classes were first offered in downtown St. Louis.

FULL STORY

Shanghai Program Begins This Fall
Webster University is launching a study abroad program in Shanghai this fall – its first undergraduate program in China. Webster has been in China since 1997, offering graduate studies to a mostly Chinese student population first in Shanghai and later in Chengdu and Shen Zhen. The new China Studies program, taught entirely in English, is tailored to undergraduate students, especially those who are interested in Asian or Chinese cultures.
FULL STORY

Wal-Mart Selects Webster University
As Its Preferred Online Educational Provider  
Webster University has been selected as the preferred online educational provider for Wal-Mart employees. Webster online classes will be offered through the company’s My Education Connection Program, a part of a new benefits Web site for Wal-Mart employees.
FULL STORY

Webster University Receives Monsanto Grant
For Program To Serve Inner City MinoritiesWebster University has received a $50,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund to support a new program to help increase college attendance among St. Louis city high school minorities. The Collegiate Outreach Recruitment and Exposure (CORE) Program targets economically disadvantaged minority students in select St. Louis city high schools.
FULL STORY

Webster Film Series Receives Grants
The Webster University Film Series has received three grants. The Regional Arts Commission awarded the Film Series an operational grant of $17,000 and $2,000 grant for workshops to be produced in conjunction with DHTV. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded the film series a $7,500 grant to produce a series this fall entitled “Indigenous Cinema.”
FULL STORY

Journal Wins Missouri College Media Awards
The Journal, Webster University's student newspaper, won 12 awards at the annual meeting of the Missouri College Media Association this spring.
FULL STORY

Student and Alumni News
A total of 140 students completed internships during the 2003-2004 academic year. Twelve of those students secured internships out of state and one in London.
MORE SOC NEWS