September 20, 2003
President Meyers Highlights Triumphs, Challenges at Convocation
President Richard S. Meyers kicked off the new academic year Aug. 21 at the 2003-04 Convocation held in Grant Gymnasium. This academic year will be a great one in the history of Webster University, Meyers said. We have been riding the crest of a wave for the past few years setting enrollment records, fund-raising records and setting a standard for an international university thats second to none.
President Meyers called the summer the most productive in University history in project completion, citing the new Emerson Library as the crown jewel of all University facilities. He also welcomed six trustees to the Board: Charles Drew and John Roberts, who are returning Board members, and Don Breckenridge, Mark Burkhart, Joe Mokwa and Michael Neidorff, who are new to the Board. These new additions are going to further professionalize the University in its operation, Meyers said.
The president recognized the Development Office for the success of The New Tradition Campaign, to which 64 percent of full-time faculty and 11 percent of full-time staff contributed. Meyers singled out Consuelo Gallagher, professor emeritus, Foreign Languages and Literatures, for the $1 million-plus gift that she gave to the campaign.
After focusing on the successes of the past year, Meyers ticked through a list of challenges that the University still faces. Our world is great, but it could be better, he said. Among the challenges, Meyers said, is securing funding to fill the $600,000 a year gap between operating expenses and anticipated tuition at the historic Old Post Office site in downtown St. Louis. Meyers said that the University is moving forward with its planning for the project and its push to secure the gap funding.
Another challenge for the University is the Thailand campus, Meyers said. While the campus continues to prosper academically, financial troubles persist. Meyers said that he remains confident in the future of the campus, however, particularly now that Kit Jenkins, associate professor, Communications and Journalism, is in place as director.
The final challenge, Meyers said, is the Community Music School, which lost money in its second year of Webster ownership after breaking even in the first. Meyers said that the University has re-examined and reorganized the schools operations to generate improved results.
The days events werent all business, however. Part of the way through President Meyers remarks, he was surprised with a video to commemorate his tenth year with Webster University. The video included some most embarrassing moments file footage, drawn both from his early days at Webster and his previous post as president at Western Oregon State College. Making an appearance as a self-described unexpected and uninvited guest, Board Chair Ed Glotzbach, then gave Meyers an early 10-year service anniversary gift. To have 10 years of great service from a great leader is pretty unusual, Glotzbach said. Thank you sincerely for your leadership.
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CIE Retreat Focuses on Institutional Change
FROM MARIANNE KIRK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A visitor passing by the Sunnen Lounge the morning of Aug. 20 might have thought there was a party was going on inside when, in fact, the energy, excitement and laughter were coming from faculty and staff attending this years Center for International Education retreat. As one of the first on-campus events of the academic year, the retreat provided an excellent setting to renew acquaintances, share summer experiences and gear up for the year ahead.
The noise level subsided a bit as Joseph Stimpfl, CIE director, walked to the podium. After welcoming attendees, Stimpfl said the topic of institutional change was chosen because this is a critical year in Websters history in the area of internationalism. Throughout this academic year, the CIE and the International Studies Committee will facilitate a continuing dialogue on this issue, he said.
Stimpfl then introduced Kathy Corley, professor and chair, Electronic and Photographic Media, as the new chair of the International Studies Committee. Stimpfl described Corley as the walking embodiment of international study, citing her 18-year teaching career at Webster and her travels to the Leiden and Geneva campuses to teach film studies. He also praised her role as a private business owner in the St. Louis fine arts community, as well as her work with Websters fine arts faculty.
Following a warm round of applause, the program was turned over to Peter Eckel, associate director for Institutional Initiatives at the American Council on Education. In his presentation, Insights on Institutional Change, Eckel provided information on how and to what degree institutions determine the need for change and how to effectively bring it about.
David Larsen, vice president and director of the Center for Education Abroad at Arcadia University in suburban Philadelphia, took the podium after a short break. Larsens presentation, A Case Study of Arcadia University, detailed the process of change at his institution during the past decade. He told those gathered that 10 years ago Arcadiaknown then as Beaver Collegewas co-ed and trying to move away from its historical image as a womens college.
The challenge was to create a unique image in a fully competitive environment where 77 accredited institutions are located, including Princeton, Drexel and Bryn Mar, Larsen explained. One of the colleges more successful endeavors in that regard was an education abroad program that focused on recruiting students to study abroad. Based on the initial success, the university decided to expand the program and make international involvement Arcadias hook in the Philadelphia area.
To do this, they redirected funds into an endowment to subsidize freshmen trips to London, as a way of introducing students to the study abroad experience. In 1994, half the freshman class took advantage of the low-cost faresranging from $125 to $250 for airfare, accommodations and ground transportationand spent their spring break participating in the London Preview. This past year, three-quarters of the class took advantage of the offer. The low-cost fare offer has since been extended to Arcadias full-time and part-time faculty and staff. The international experience has united the campus community, Larson said. Everyone who wants to go has been able to go, including faculty and staff, blue-collar workers and public safety officers.
During a discussion session following the lecture, Art Sandler, professor, Philosophy, said he was impressed by the London Preview experience. We need to include more international opportunities for staff and part-time faculty, not just full-time faculty, Sandler said. We also need better ways of encouraging more students to study abroad.
The retreat participants wrapped up the day with a lunch of Georgian Russian cuisine, accompanied by Russian folk music.
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Time to Sign Up for Webster Works Worldwide 9
FROM JENNIFER GERHARDT, SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR
Webster University's campus-wide community service day is just around the corner. Entering its ninth year, Webster Works Worldwide will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003.
Webster staff, faculty, students and alumni around the globe will extend a helping hand in their local communities to assist various non-profit organizations with tasks that are often neglected due to lack of time and resources. Project options include: light construction work, landscaping, tutoring, fine arts, painting and working with children, seniors and animals.
Since 1995, Webster Works Worldwide has grown into a university-wide tradition. Last year, more than 1,300 Webster volunteers performed 5,175 hours of volunteer service throughout the United States and the world.
Part of Webster Works Worldwides success is due to Team Leaders who serve as liaisons between the agencies and their volunteer teams. The WebsterWorksWorldwide Planning Committee is looking for people willing to volunteer their organizational skills as Team Leaders. If youre interested, contact Jennifer Gerhardt, Special Events, as soon as possible at (314) 961-2660, ext. 7916, or e-mail her at gerhardt@webster.edu.
If you prefer not to be a Team Leader, you can still put your skills to use on a variety of projects as a volunteer. On-line sign up is available from Sept. 11-29 at http://www.webster.edu/www/www.html. Those at extended campuses can get involved by contacting their local director.
Webster Works volunteers and service recipients alike share an increased understanding of how important community service is and how even one day can make a big difference to someone in need!
News from Vienna
FROM ARTHUR HIRSH, DIRECTOR, VIENNA CAMPUS
Greetings from Vienna, where we have survived the summers heat wave and are gearing up for another exciting year at Webster!
There are many changes here in the building. We have taken over the former Baxter wings on the first and second floor, so that Webster now occupies the entire first three floors. We have also begun an air-conditioning project. Initially, we will air-condition the first- and third- floor wings on the right side of the building. Unfortunately, the work will not be completed this termbut we will be prepared for the heat next summer! Over the next several years, we hope to air-condition the entire building.
We have also returned the student apartments on the fourth floor to the landlord of our building. To replace them, we have invested in beds in the Donaufeld Studentenheim in the 22nd district. This means we are guaranteed access to these beds for the next 10 years.
There are some new faces among the staff. Meredith Petrnousek has joined our Admissions staff. Jennifer Daigle is our new registrar, replacing Dr. Dorothy Kopel, who is now our second undergraduate adviser! Barbara Hillerman will continue to advise returning students; and Dr. Kopel will advise all new students. Recent grad, Mark Kramer (MA, International Relations), who has been helping out the Academic Dept. this summer, will be moving on soon to do a doctoral program at the University of Salzburg. In addition, Bronwyn Mitterecker has moved from director of Admissions to a three-day-a-week position as Community and Alumni Relations coordinator.
Our computer system administrator, Thomas Muttwill, is busy working with our consultant, Roman Himetzberger, to prepare two new computer labs on the first floor. Furniture and equipment will be ordered, and we expect these labs to be ready for Fall II. We will then have four computer labs. Plans are to use one as a media lab for Media-Communications related courses, one for smaller, computer science courses, one for larger computer-based courses, and one as a large, open lab for general student use.
On the curricular side this fall, we are initiating new undergraduate majors in Media-Communications and Visual Culture, along with a new Human Resources Management Emphasis in the Management major. On the graduate side, we are introducing an MA in Human Resources Management and an MBA with an emphasis in Human Resources Management. We have also added a number of new undergraduate elective courses in Music, Art & Art History, Philosophy, Film, Literature and History, greatly increasing the range of elective choices for students.
Yes, there are lots of changes going on here on the Berchtoldgasse! We are already very proud of the quality of the education we provide and remain committed to "continuous quality improvement" to make the education experience here at Webster-Vienna even richer. Webster is a "happening place," and we can all be proud to be part of this growing, dynamic, international learning community!
Dining Times
Please make note of the following hours for food service locations around campus. The hours are different than those listed on the campus map.
MARIA DINING CENTER
Weekdays
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays, & Holidays
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
GORLOK GRILL
Monday - Friday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
BLIMPIE SUBS
Monday - Thursday
10:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 7:00 PM
JAZZMAN'S CAFE (Emerson Library, lower level)
Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
SVERDRUP SNACK CART (closed permanently)
WEBSTER HALL 3RD FLOOR SNACK CART
Monday - Thursday
4:30 PM - 7:45 PM
Did You Know?
Beloit College Releases Mind-Set List for Class of 2007
Wondering what this years freshmen class is like? Beloit College in Beloit, Wisc., has compiled its annual Mindset List to give those at universities a better understanding of the perspective the entering class is bringing with them to campus this fall.
According to co-editor Tom McBride, Keefer Professor of the Humanities at Beloit, the list helps to slow the rapid onset of hardening of the references in the classroom.
These entering students were born into a world that had developed a screening test for AIDS, and where managed healthcare was gaining its first foothold, McBride explains. The Middle East had replaced the USSR and Eastern Europe as our greatest challenge to security. It is a generation which believes in technological innovations and solutions and where digital devices, PIN numbers and calling cards are an integral part of their lives. Despite the fears associated with AIDS and divorce, we should remember that this is a generation that has grown up in a largely successful, prosperous society
I believe they are fascinated and vexed by the results of the world they have made.
Following are a few of the realities that the Class of 2007most of whom were born in 1985have grown up with:
They are not familiar with the source of that "giant sucking sound."
"Ctrl + Alt + Del" is as basic as "ABC."
Paul Newman has always made salad dressing.
Bert and Ernie are old enough to be their parents.
An automatic is a weapon, not a transmission.
Gas has always been unleaded.
They never heard Howard Cosell call a game on ABC.
Garrison Keillor has always been live on public radio, and Lawrence Welk has always been dead on public television.
Datsuns have never been made.
Test-tube babies are now having their own babies.
Stores have always had scanners at the checkout.
They have always had a personal-identification number.
Banana Republic has always been a store, not a puppet government in Latin America.
Directory assistance has never been free.
They have always been able to make telephone calls from airplanes.
Yuppies are almost as old as hippies.
For the complete Beloit Mindset list or an archive of previous lists, go to http://www.beloit.edu/~pubaff/releases/mindset_2007.html
Featured Faculty
Gina Jensen, adjunct professor, School of Communications, has won the Bob R. Derryberry Young Educator Award. The award is given by Pi Kappa Delta, the national honor society for forensics, to recognize outstanding forensics professors who have been teaching less than five years.
Scott Jensen, associate professor, School of Communications, and Ginas husband, nominated her for the award for her teaching, as well as for her role as assistant director of the Webster forensics team, for which Scott serves as director. After Scotts initial nomination, Pi Kappa Delta requested testimonials and teaching evaluations from professors and students who have worked with Gina and made their decision after reviewing all of the nomination files.
It is really a great honor, Gina says. Its a pretty prestigious award, and the competition is tough, so I was thrilled to be selected.
Gina became involved with forensics in college and enjoyed it enough to pursue it as a career. While she teaches other non-forensics communications classes at Webster, she enjoys the challenge that forensics brings. Equally challenging is explaining to people exactly what forensics is. Gina says people often misperceive her work as something that takes place in a CSI crime lab.
Forensics just means the pursuit of knowledge, Gina explains. Were pursuing knowledge in a different field.
And doing a good job of it. Websters forensics team took second place at the national collegiate forensics competition last year. The competition has no divisions, so schools of all sizes and caliber from all over the country go head to head. Well compete against anyone from Harvard and Yale to Southwest Missouri State and Central Missouri State, Gina says. When it comes to forensics, some of your very best schools arent the biggest schools.
Since Gina and Scotts third child is due Dec. 25, Gina will be unable to attend the National Communications Association annual convention in November in Miami to accept her award. Once she receives it, though, Gina will proudly display it in the office that she shares with Scott in the Sverdrup Building.
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Rebecca Ormond, assistant professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, had her film Jungle Gym" screened at The Downstream Film Festival, which was held in Decatur, Ga., in September. This is the seventh film festival to show the film.
Bruce Umbaugh, associate professor and chair, Philosophy, presented, Programming Aside: Fair Use by Design, at the joint meeting of the American Library Association and the Canadian Library Association. Umbaugh also was appointed host of The Wells Inkwell, an online community for authors, artists and creative thinkers, found at www.well.com/inkwell.
David J. Brennan, associate professor, School of Business and Technology, contributed a chapter to Careers in Educational Business (second edition) by Edward J. Halloran. Brennans chapter, Has International Business Changed?, addresses how the events of Sept. 11, 2001, may have impacted international business.
Christina Shmigel, assistant professor, Art, created, Bus Shelter Pipe Dreams, through an Arts in Transits Public Art in Action commission. The piece was displayed at the 2003 St. Louis Art Fair, where Shmigel collaborated with art fair attendees to create a sculptural environment for future installation at a St. Louis area MetroBus shelter. Acccording to Jeff Daniels, critic for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Shmigels Art Fair piece served as a spot where aesthetes and pipe fitters
rub shoulders with one another. The tank shapes in Bus Shelter Pipe Dreams are based on industrial structures called dust collectors, which pull particle pollutants from the air inside buildings. Shmigel made the dust collectors in the sculpture by forging and fabricating in steel.
Tim Groza, senior director, Myrtle Beach, and Tommy Burbage, community relations coordinator, appeared as guests on the TV show, Southern Style. The 30-minute segment, which was devoted to the Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Campus, aired on two occasions throughout coastal South Carolina via Time Warner Cable.
Kathryn Bowers, professor, Music, conducted movements of the Brahms Requiem at concerts in Varna and Dobrich, Bulgaria while participating in the Fifth International Conductors Workshop. Bowers also presented a paper on barlines and hypermeter at the 16th International Kodaly Symposium at the University of Newcastle-Ourimbah in Australia. During its recent U.K. tour, the choir of St. Peters Episcopal Church-Ladue sang her Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (All Saints Service) for Choral Evensongs at St. Marys Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh and York Minster. Bowers also co-directed a high school choral reading session for M-R Musica in St. Louis.
Barry Hufker, associate professor, Electronic and Photographis Media, and Patricia Tolentino, a senior in the Audio Production program, recorded The Court House Steps live in concert for an upcoming compact disc. The CD will be the groups first and is scheduled for release Dec. 7. The Court House Steps is a local group of lawyers and judges who stage satirical musical reviews based on recent political events.
Keep us posted on your professional activities and send us your story ideas by completing the UFO form.
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St. Louis Calendar Highlight
Great jazz for a great cause...
The Webster Traditional Jazz Ensemble will perform a benefit concert for the TKT Memorial Jazz Scholarship at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, in the Winifred Moore Auditorium. The concert, A Salute to the Swing Era, will feature the music of Carter, Goodman, Hawkins, Tatum, Ellington and Young. Performers include Paul DeMarinis, woodwinds; Randy Holmes, trumpet; Steve Schenkel, guitar, Zac Danner, trombone; Carolbeth True, piano; Dan Eubanks, bass; and Kevin Gianino, drums.
Tickets are $10 at the door, and all proceeds will benefit a scholarship in memory of Terry Jackson, Kirk Cappello and Tony Saputo, former Webster music students and members of Reba McEntires road band, who died in a 1991 airplane crash.
For more information on St. Louis events, check the online calendar.
Employees of the Month
September 2003
FROM MARIANNE KIRK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The September winners of the Employee Spotlight award are Debby Miller, coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences, and Terry Lazarin, office manager, Lackland Air Force Base, Fort Sam Houston.
Debby Millers nominators have high praise for her performance during the past yearher first with Webster. Not only was Debby new to the College of Arts and Sciences and to Webster, the college also was welcoming a new deanher new boss, one nominator explains. Working for a new boss and learning a new job are challenge enough but, during that period, Debby had to perform her duties in temporary office locations often without the support of basic office equipment, such as a copier, fax, printer and even a phone for several weeks. During those hectic months, major reconstruction and ongoing remodeling was also going on in the building where Debby and Dean David Wilsons temporary offices were located. Debby was working in conditions for hard hats only but managed to smile and get through it in spite of the jackhammers pounding away! says another nominator.
Debbys nominators also commend the way she handled the first graduation ceremony she was responsible for and appreciate the long hours she put in to assure its success. Graduation for the College of Arts and Sciences went off without any problems in spite of the tornados, rain, hail and wind
she did a remarkable job in the organization and implementation of the ceremony, a nominator says.
According to Debby, Dean Wilson told her she had won the employee of the month spotlight award as she was packing to move to her new, permanent office in Webster Hall. Debby says she was quite surprised and honored to have been nominated for doing a job she truly loves.
Without question, what I like most about working at Webster are the people, Debby says. Everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. I am thrilled to be here.
Debby chose a day off with pay as her prize.
Terry Lazarin has worked at Websters Lackland Air Force Base location at Fort Sam Houston for three years. Terry demonstrated early in her employment that she had superb leadership talent and outstanding administrative skills, her nominator says. She is, and has been, in charge of our Lackland operation for the past two years. During that time, she has assumed control and direction of every facet of the program, which services over 400 enrollees.
Terry learned she had won the employee spotlight award in a unique way. When Neil George and Randy Wright visited the Fort Sam Housron campus recently, they invited her to join a group for lunch, including the directors, site representatives and other staff. Before lunch, Terry was asked to stand while an announcement was read. Terry says she was so happy that she was shaking and crying with excitement.
Everyone I work with is tremendously supportive, Terry says, especially the faculty members. She says working with the students makes her job interesting and challenging every day. Its very rewarding when they come in with problems and you are able to help them. Terry says she will never forget one civilian student she helped who was so distraught she was afraid he wasnt going to complete his degree. When he did, he credited Terry for her support saying, If it wasnt for you, I wouldnt have made it. Terry says she feels most of the time like shes just in the background, doing her job, but when something like this happens, she realizes that she truly makes a difference in the students lives and thats the best reward she can receive.
Terry chose a savings bond as her prize.
Employees everywhere are eligible for the monthly Employee Spotlight Award. Using the nomination form is easy!
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Service Anniversaries
September 2003
The University extends its appreciation to the following individuals who have ably served the institution for many years:
Gary Hubler, assistant professor, Theatre and Dance, 30 years
Joan Finder, associate director, Undergraduate Admissions, 20 years
Donna Biolchini, assistant director, User Services, 15 years
Jim Grogan, Highly Skilled Facilities Operations, 15 years
Deborah Aholt, coordinator, Behavioral and Social Sciences, 10 years
Timothy ODea, director, LIFT-Missouri, 10 years
Carlton Brooks, director of International Accounting, Finance, five years
Raymond Varmecky, computer lab specialist, Jacksonville Metro Campus, five years
Frances Wolfe, representative, Orlando Metro Campus, five years
Note: Guillermo Rodriguez is director, International Projects, Academic Affairs. His title was listed incorrectly in last months Service Anniversaries section.
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New Employees
A warm welcome to the newest members of the Webster family:
Gilbert Morales, coordinator, Facilities Operations, ext. 7424, replaces David Davis.
Janice Anderson, representative, Fort Bragg, 910-436-9802 or speed dial #6 024, replaces Becky Hurst.
Najy Daher, academic advisor, South Orlando Center, 407-345-1139 or speed dial #6 101
Luis Dantan, office manager, Irvine Metro Campus, 949-250-7855 or speed dial #6 097, replaces Jessica Wells.
Jason A. Kenney, officer, Public Safety, ext. 7430, replaces Thomas Cullerton.
Deborah McWilliams, accounting assistant II, Finance, 314-961-2660, ext. 7898
Emily Goehring, department assistant, College of Arts and Sciences, ext. 7160
Helen White, community relations coordinator/academic advisor, Palm Bay, 321-956-6700 or speed dial #6 103
Donna Laskowski, department assistant, Space Coast Metro Campus, 321-449-4500 or speed dial #6 008, replaces Sandra Canicatti.
Dedra M. Allen, service clerk, Fort Sam Houston, 210-226-3373 or speed dial #6 027, replaces Michelle Alex.
Zachary Mason, lab assistant, Fayetteville Metro Campus, 479-571-1511 or speed dial #6 110, replaces Ricky Hanna.
Zachary Forrest, lab assistant, Ozark Metro Campus, 417-883-1510 or speed dial #6 108, replaces Kyle Curtis.
Charlotte Seigler, secretary, Space Coast Metro Campus, 321-449-4500 or speed dial #6 008, replaces Linda Burson.
Tommy G. Burbage, community relations coordinator, Myrtle Beach Metro Campus, 843-497-3677 or speed dial #6 028
Stephanie Letcher, representative, Fort Leonard Wood, 573-329-6777 or speed dial #6 014, replaces Amy Wood.
Brajeshmoni Sundaramoni, Web services programmer, IT User Services, ext. 8625
Carol Gilchriest, department assistant, Space Coast Metro Campus, 321-449-4500 or speed dial # 6 008, replaces Elizabeth Treinen.
Leona R. Mills, service clerk, Northwest Plaza, ext. 5955, replaces Mark Albrecht.
Patricia M. Rusch, development officer, Development, ext. 5943, replaces Jeffrey Jones.
Anna Moore Todd, department associate, Columbia, S.C., 803-699-0900 or speed dial #6 083, replaces Africa L. Graham.
Jason A. Huff, service clerk, Financial Aid, replaces Sarah Hirsch.
William W. Sloot, academic advisor, Orlando Metro Campus, 352-861-9330 or speed dial #6 106, replaces Jennifer Whisler.
Katharine K. Bussey, service clerk, Financial Aid, ext. 8070, replaces Michele Franzen.
Cesar A. Zamora, lab technician, Fort Bliss, 915-562-4400, or speed dial #6 032, replaces James Mercier.
Thomas G. Spotts Sr., academic director, Columbia, S.C., 803-699-0900 or speed dial #6 083, replaces Hardy Merritt.
Brian Jones, Help Desk assistant, IT User Services, ext. 5995
Maty Tygett, reference librarian, Library
Bart Hovis, circulation assistant, Library
Dennis Eliceiri, public services clerk, Library
Tammy LaGrand, service clerk, Registrar's Office, replaces Phyllis Starr.
Michelle Calcutti, secretary, Albuquerque, 505-292-6988 or speed dial #6 035, replaces Angel Gutierrez.
To learn more about job opportunities at Webster, go to the Human Resources Jobs site.
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Condolences
The University extends its sympathy to Matt Nolan, director, Graduate and Evening Student Admissions, on the recent loss of his father.
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Inside Webster is published for
Webster University faculty and staff.
Jeryldine Tully, Editor
University Communications
Marianne Kirk, Contributor
University Communications
Pete McEwen, Technical Advisor
University Communications
Betsy Schmutz
Human Resources
© 2003, Webster University
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