July 1, 2003

Emerson Library Opens

News from Albuquerque

Kampus Kudos

St. Louis Calendar Highlight

Employees of the Month

Service Anniversaries

New Employees

Condolences

Emerson Library Opens

A Gentle Madness, a book by Nicholas A. Basbanes, was gently passed, hand to hand, from Luhr Library to the new Emerson Library on Monday, June 30. It was the very last of the last 200 books to leave Luhr Library in ceremonial style.

More than 600 people lined up yesterday morning and formed a human chain, carefully passing the final books from one library to the other. The presence of so many people of all ages, from both the University and the surrounding community, demonstrated the importance of the two libraries and the books they hold. The large turnout underscored the relevance of the final book passed along the chain, which carries the subtitle Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books. Published in 1995 by H. Holt, the book was chosen by Library Dean Laura Rein to mark the start of a new age at Webster, one that will rely as much on e-books as bound books.

Among the notables participating in the book chain were Missouri State Librarian Sara Parker, Webster Groves Mayor Gerry Welch and members of the city’s chamber of commerce, and representatives from The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Paric, the library’s builder; and Spellman Brady, architects of the library. Twenty preschoolers from Faith Academy of Montessori in Webster Groves also joined the chain.

The five-story Emerson Library will serve as a vital physical and technological link between the world headquarters campus in St. Louis and 100 extended campuses in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The 71,500-square-foot building cost $21 million. It will house more than 200,000 volumes and provide remote access to about 14,000 e-books, 15,000 journals, and reference books. The library seats 700 and has facilities for group study as well as a 100-seat lecture hall.

Luhr Library, on the campus of Eden Theological Seminary, will continue to house religion and theology-related titles.

Emerson Hours, July–September

July 1–24

July 25–August 10

August 11–September 7

Monday, September 8 -Regular Hours

Luhr Hours, July 1–August 29

News from Albuquerque Metro

FROM BERNADETTE BELL, COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR, ALBUQUERQUE

Webster University in Albuquerque has adopted Hoffman Park, located near the metro site in Albuquerque.

"We’re excited to be involved in a project that helps beautify Albuquerque, and since the park is located across the street from the metro site we feel like we’re being a good neighbor as well," says Ellen Driber-Hassall, senior director of Webster University in Albuquerque.

The two-year commitment will involve scheduled "pick-up days" throughout the year to do general maintenance like pick up trash, paint playground equipment and basically be a watchdog to the city of Albuquerque’s volunteer coordinator if anything in the park needs attention.

One of the scheduled clean-up days for the Albuquerque campus will be on October 1, as part of WebsterWorksWorldwide. The adopt-a-park project is coordinated through the City of Albuquerque’s Parks and Recreation Park Management Division.

Jon Gruett, director, Financial Aid, has been nominated for the presidency of the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a professional organization that covers a nine-state region, with membership of 1600.

Patrick Rishe, associate professor, Business, gave a presentation on how to conduct and interpret economic-impact studies at the annual meeting of the National Association of Sports Commissions in Chattanooga, Tenn. He published "A Reexamination of How Athletic Success Impacts Graduation Rates: Comparing Student-Athletes to All Other Undergraduates," in the American Journal of Economics and Sociology (April 2003); "Ticket Price Determination in the National Football League," in Sport Marketing Quarterly (June 2003); "NHL Finances on Thin-Ice," in Sport Business Journal (Feb. 10–16, 2003); and "The Time Has Come for Real-time Pricing in Major League Baseball," in Sport Business Journal (May 2003). He has conducted economic impact studies for Ohio State University’s athletic department, the 2003 NCAA Wrestling Championships, the 2003 Men’s South Regional (basketball) and the 2003 Senior Games of America.

Steve Schenkel, professor, Music, played guitar for the recent runs of 42nd Street and The Full Monty at St. Louis’s Fox Theater; he played mandolin for the Stuttgart Ballet production of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. His score for the new documentary, "A Mission Close to Home," aired on St. Louis public television five times in May. Schenkel’s composition, "Who Do You Say That I Am," recorded with Dan Rubright, adjunct professor, Music, has been licensed by the United Methodist Church and is now heard on training videos in over 1500 churches nationwide.

Brad G. Scott, assistant professor, Business, presented "Student Performance in an Introductory MBA Finance Course: Differences between Traditional and Online Settings," at the Financial Education Association meeting.

Liz Shipman, assistant professor, Theatre and Dance, directed Aphra Behn’s play, The Rover, in June, for the Kings County Shakespeare Company in New York. She will also offer a summer workshop on movement for actors in San Diego this summer.

Susan Stang, professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, held an exhibition, "Israel: 1977–1979," at Congregation Neve Shalom, a St. Louis synagogue.

Glen Bauer, assistant professor, Music, served on the final judges panel for the "Express the Music" essay contest, sponsored by the Saint Louis Symphony Volunteer Association.

Carolyn J. Cottrell, regional director, Kansas City Metro Campus, participated in a video panel, "Revisiting Effective Teaching," at the National School Conference Institute on Brain-Compatible Curriculum and Instruction. The two-hour discussion included audience participation and live-feed questions from viewers around the country.

Keep us posted on your professional activities and send us your story ideas by completing the UFO form.

St. Louis Calendar Highlight

Student Photography Exhibition

The May Gallery features "Hung: A Group Show" through August 1. The photography exhibition features recent student work. The May Gallery is in the Sverdrup Building. Hours are 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. The show is free and open to the public.

For more information on St. Louis events, check the online calendar.

Employees of the Month

July 2003

FROM MARIANNE KIRK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Employee Spotlight winners for July are Carey Smith, representative, Academic Affairs, and Elaine Bonner, representative, Lakeland Academic Center, Fla.

Carey Smith’s nominator describes her as "very conscientious, hardworking and friendly and a joy to work with." She sensitively advises students who have dismissal problems and explains the reinstatement process in a caring way that her department appreciates. "She is very friendly, understanding, and a great guide in helping these students."

A second nominator says, "Carey’s day-to-day performance alone merits a Staff Spotlight Award." But, in addition, she recently took on "a new and time-consuming task, which warrants special attention." Under the supervision of the associate vice president of Academic Affairs, Carey now coordinates all aspects of dean searches. She successfully coordinated and managed the dean search process for the College of Arts and Sciences and for the School of Education. Carey’s efforts to make the process go as smoothly as possible for those involved and her willingness to work the hours necessary to accomplish the task elicited many positive comments from search committee members. Carey’s nominators agree that she is "a true joy to work with."

Carey says she was "shocked" when told she had been chosen for the Spotlight Award. "I certainly didn’t expect it," she said, "I come to work every day, do my job, and don’t expect anything else." Carey has worked in the Academic Affairs office at Webster for three years and is also working toward a degree in Management with a minor in Human Resources. The interaction with students on this campus and with the staff and students at extended campuses is what Carey enjoys most about her job. She also likes "Webster’s comfortable atmosphere. I believe it has allowed me to grow as a person. Also, I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned in my classes in my daily work." Carey appreciates her "very supportive" coworkers and says her current supervisor is "the best boss I’ve ever had."

Carey chose a day off with pay as her prize.

Elaine Bonner’s nominator at Lakeland Academic Center says, "The best thing this campus has done is to hire Elaine. She deals with just about everyone who does business with the campus, including students, adjunct faculty, and the management team. Elaine designs, sets up, and operates our systems, makes sure deadlines are met in St. Louis, and keeps all of us happy." Especially appreciated is Elaine’s flexibility and willingness to work whenever needed, including Friday evening faculty meetings and some Saturdays.

"Elaine knows that helping students is a high priority item … and she gives them tender loving care. The students think so highly of her that in November 2001 they threw her a surprise ‘thank you’ party with everyone in attendance."

Elaine says, "I was surprised and flattered when I was told about the award." Working with the faculty and students is what she enjoys most about her job, and she also finds it rewarding when she can help solve a problem.

"Commencement ceremonies are wonderful, being there when people who you have seen work very hard and sometimes struggle, and listened to their problems, finally reach their dream. The variety of duties at Webster keeps me from ever getting bored, and the fact that my director will indicate the direction she wants us to go in and then, if it involves me, lets me decide how to get there, makes working at Webster challenging and fun."

Elaine chose a day off with pay as her prize.

Employees everywhere are eligible for the monthly Employee Spotlight Award. Using the nomination form is easy!

Service Anniversaries

July 2003

The University extends its appreciation to the following individuals who have ably served the institution for many years:

Richard Crosby, director, Beaufort Naval Hospital, 15 years.
Sue McClintock, department associate, Athletic Office, 15 years.
Elizabeth Ortner-Chopin, director procurist, Professional Development Center, Vienna, 15 years.
Maria Parsons, coordinator, Kansas City Metro Campus, 15 years.
Peggy Peel, coordinator, School of Education, 15 years.

Julia Altmann, office manager, Downtown Campus, 10 years.
Sherriel Byrd-Buckner, department associate, Orlando, 10 years.
Ellen Driber-Hassall, director, Albuquerque, 10 years.
Tammy Gocial, associate dean, Student Affairs, 10 years.
Susan Meredith, representative, School of Business and Technology, 10 years.
John Rice Jr., director, Space Coast, 10 years.

Jackie Iwasyszyn, representative, Academic Advising, five years.
Carol Nelson, director, Memphis, five years.
Matt Schutte, assistant director, Admissions, five years.
Gilda Wonson, supervisor, Fort Sam Houston, five years.
Emily Woods, representative, Fort Leavenworth, five years.

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New Employees

A warm welcome to the newest members of the Webster family:

Rad Alrifai, assistant professor, Math and Computer Science, ext. 7178.

Dorren Blee, department assistant, Bermuda, 441-293-63432 or speed dial #6 042, replaces Sandra Stowe.

Maureen Hamed, department associate, International Recruitment, ext. 7650, replaces Jeanette McRoberts who retired.

Richard Hanna, lab assistant, Fayetteville, Ark. Metro Campus, 479-571-1511 or speed dial #6 110, replaces Matthew Hudson.

Donna Heatley, help desk assistant, IT User Services.

Susan J. Mueller, circulation coordinator, Library, ext. 7806.

David Porras, assistant professor, Business.

Kevin Roberts, service clerk, Media Center, ext. 6967, replaces Rachel Best.

Heather Romines, Jeffersonville, Ind., Metro Campus, replaces Patrice Suzette Fess.

Heidi Rudolph, service clerk, Media Center, replaces Eric Johnson.

Leo Urlic, community relations coordinator, Irvine, Cal., Metro Campus, 949-250-7855 or speed dial #6 097.

Jiang Ping Wang, assistant professor, Math and Computer Science, ext. 7178.

Sharon J. Washington, service clerk, Columbia, S.C., Metro Campus, 803-699-0900 or speed dial #6 083.

Jessica L. Wells, office manager, Irvine, Calif., Metro Campus, 949-250-7855 or speed dial #6 097.

To learn more about job opportunities at Webster, go to the Human Resources Jobs site.

Condolences

The University extends its sympathy to Kevin File, service clerk, Financial Aid, who recently lost his father.