April 2004

Shanghai Study Abroad Newest Offering in China

News from Kansas City

Featured Faculty

Kampus Kudos

St. Louis Calendar Highlight

Employees of the Month

Service Anniversaries

New Employees

Shanghai Study Abroad Newest Offering in China

FROM DOMINIK JANSKY, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“We’re extremely excited to offer this unique new program geared toward the average undergraduate student—rather than the graduate student focusing on business or graduate studies,” says Joseph Stimpfl, director, Center for International Education.

The first undergraduate offering in China marks yet another step in the University’s international growth. “It fits into Webster’s study abroad program quite nicely,” says Mark Beirn, coordinator, Office of Study Abroad. “We’ve long had a good base of campuses in Europe, and now with Shanghai, we’ll have study abroad destinations in three major countries in Asia.” Elsewhere in Asia, Webster has an exchange program in Osaka, Japan, and a campus between the coastal cities of Cha-am and Hua Hin, Thailand.

The China Studies program strengthens Webster’s presence in China at a time when the country’s undeniable importance in world economic and cultural affairs continues to grow. In this environment, it’s good for others in the world “to observe China and really understand what China is doing, what China is going to do,” says Rick Foristel, director, Shanghai campus.

Offering undergraduates the chance to study in Shanghai—arguably China’s most progressive and vibrant city—differentiates Webster from many other schools’ study abroad programs in China. “There are quite a few programs in Beijing and Nanjing, but not in Shanghai,” Beirn says. “So the opportunity is there for us. It’s affordable, and it’s an exciting city.”

Foristel says the new program reflects the University’s position as a “forward observer” in China, likening the University to a scientist studying a volcano. “Think about Webster University as walking up a volcano, standing at the edge of that volcano’s crater, and looking into the crater,” Foristel says. “We’re observing the lava and checking the temperature and figuring out what’s going to happen there, what the volcano will do.”

A wide range of students can benefit from the China Studies program, according to Foristel. “Whether you’re a marketing professional or a political scientist, you need to know what it’s really like there,” he says. “You need to know the market, you need to know what the people are like, you need to know their ways, their events and how they celebrate their holidays.”

The China Studies offering is the Office of Study Abroad’s first “cultural immersion” program, according to Beirn. Whereas other study abroad locations also offer courses in various disciplines that might be taken at any number of the University’s campuses, courses in the Shanghai program all relate to Chinese and Asian society, culture and language. The immersion program “really fits with Webster’s commitment to educate the next global leaders with real-world knowledge,” Beirn says.

With successful expansion of its graduate offerings to other Chinese cities under its belt, the University began looking for partners for a study abroad offering in China a few years ago. The Chinese government requires foreign universities to partner with Chinese universities to offer education in the country. Webster found the best partner “right across the street” from its Shanghai graduate studies location, Beirn says. The Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) is helping Webster with scheduling, instructors and other logistics.

The Fall 2004 semester will be the first offering of the program; the initial launch was delayed last year after fears and precautions around the SARS outbreak dampened travel and suspended many international business and educational exchange programs in China.

News from Kansas City

FROM CAROLYN COTTRELL, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, KANSAS CITY METROPOLITAN CAMPUS

Picture Caption (left to right) Carolyn Cottrell, regional director, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus; Tony Richardson, Kansas City Chiefs fullback and Webster MBA student; Dick Vermeil, coach of the Kansas City Chiefs; and Norm Craig, adjunct professor, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus

A few of the important points that Vermeil made are:

“There is nothing more important than a person’s self esteem.”

“Preparation is a key to being a good leader...for every hour I lead, I spend up to 4 hours preparing.”

“Leaders have a responsibility to be well-prepared.”

“Good work ethic by the leader creates an even greater compounding effect on the team.”

“Be enthusiastic: It rubs off on the others around you.”

“A key to successful leadership is to surround yourself with the right people. You are only as good as the people you decide to surround yourself with.”

“Great leaders understand that they are always learning.”

“Listening is one of the most important—if not the most important—attribute of a great leader.”

“Good leaders for the most part must like people. Leading is a people business.”

“A team’s attitude on and off the field is directly related to the leader’s attitude.”

“Human minds are like parachutes, they work best when they are open.”

“Be a good example of your leadership. You will be measured by your own example.”

“A great leader defines for the team his vision of success. The leader defines the clarity of what must occur to get there.”

Richardson says that Vermeil is a great leader because he lives his own words of advice. “He sets a high standard of excellence by his preparation, energy and enthusiasm for everything from a team dinner to a championship game,” Richardson told the class. “The whole team gives 110 percent so we won’t let him down.”

Featured Faculty

FROM DOMINIK JANSKY, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bill Lynch

The American Council on Education (ACE) has selected Bill Lynch, associate professor, Voice and Speech, as one of 37 college and university senior faculty and administrators to participate in the 2004-05 ACE Fellows Program. The program was established by ACE in 1965 to identify and prepare faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration. Lynch was nominated for the ACE fellowship by Neil George, executive vice president, Academic Affairs.

As part of the fellowship, Lynch will work with the president and senior administrators at a host higher education institution, confronting many issues and challenges facing American higher education and condensing years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year. The fellowship also includes periodic seminars, online classes and discussion groups with the other fellows.

Leadership and administration opportunities have always intrigued Lynch, who teaches Voice and Speech for the Actor at the Conservatory and has served 3½ terms as vice president in the Faculty Senate. Through his teaching and Senate experiences, Lynch says, “I’ve learned more about the relationship between faculty, administration and students, and I’ve gained a greater appreciation for how challenging and how important that relationship is.”

Lynch, who has taught at the University since 1992, is excited by the opportunity to carry his personal mission as a professional actor and teacher—“to effect change in people”—into the realm of institutional leadership. “With everything I do, I know that there are administrators who worked very hard to create the environment that makes it possible,” Lynch says. “I know that there are administrators who worked hard to create the theaters that I love to work in and the structures that I love to teach in. I think it would be exciting to be a part of that, to help create the kinds of climates that allow other people to succeed.”

Fellows in the program have the choice of taking either periodic visits to their host institution, a semester appointment or a yearlong appointment. Though Lynch, like most fellows, won’t learn until this summer where his appointment will be, he chose a one-year term to maximize the value of the fellowship. “That way I can get deeply involved in the decision-making process of an administration,” Lynch explains.

Lynch considers himself fortunate to have unconditional support for this endeavor. Some fellows are unable to take the longer appointments or venture far from their home campus, but Lynch says everyone from the University, as well as his family and friends, have encouraged him to forget any potential restraints and simply “go where the best possible experience is.”

Lynch is the first person to participate in the ACE program while on faculty or staff at the University. David Wilson, dean, College of Arts and Sciences, was a fellow in the 1999-2000 ACE program before joining Webster. The University was once a host institution for a visiting fellow, Angela Lumpkin, during the 1991-92 academic year. Lumpkin is currently dean, School of Education, at the University of Kansas.

David Clewell, professor, English, will have his poem, “Uncle Bud, Unshaken in the Wake of Sputnik: October 1957,” published in the summer issue of The Georgia Review. Clewell also held a public reading from his new book, “The Low End of Higher Things,” at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and appeared as a guest critic at the St. Louis Poetry Center.

Mike Steinberg, director, Film Series, screened his experimental documentary, “This Means Something,” at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Mont.

Kathleen Heldenbrand, adjunct professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences, is currently working on a St. Louis Mental Health Board grant proposal to bring about systematic changes in the mental health delivery systems addressing refugee and immigrant health needs. Heldenbrand is the assistant director of African Refugee and Immigrant Services in St. Louis.

Rebecca Ormond, assistant professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, had her 16mm film, “The Fix It Ticket,” picked up for distribution by Big Short Films.

Karen Luebbert, vice president and executive assistant to the president, Office of the President, was re-appointed to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority by Missouri Gov. Bob Holden. The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority oversees actions of the Authority, sets bylaws, approves bond issues and annual budgets and appoints the executive director, among other duties.

Lance Griter, adjunct professor, Ozarks Metropolitan Campus, Mo., spoke at the International Conference for Software Testing, Analysis and Review in San Jose, Calif.

Jaime Hicks, representative, Little Rock AFB, Ark., completed her associate of science in management degree through Park University in Jacksonville, Ark.

Gwyneth Williams, associate professor, History, Politics and Law, received a certificate from the Women Legislators of Missouri in honor of her outstanding dedication to the Missouri General Assembly in Jefferson City, Mo.

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

Employees of the Month

April 2004

FROM THERESA ARNOLD, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICTIONS WORK-STUDY STUDENT

Congratulations to the April winners of the Employee Spotlight Award: Terri Jones, technology information coordinator, User Services, and Paulita Lazarin, department associate, Fort Sam Houston Metropolitan Campus.

Terri Jones has worked at Webster for almost five years. Her nominator says that she consistently gives her all to Webster University. “She is always smiling and happy to answer any question, no matter what,” her nominator says. Terri was also commended for always finding time to help and educate others at Webster. According to her nominator, Terri tirelessly takes on new projects and serves as a project leader for many things that require considerable time and effort. “She is the rock we all lean on and rely on to help us do our best,” the nominator says.

Terri said she was flattered to be nominated for the Spotlight Award. “It’s really gratifying to be recognized so widely for something I enjoy doing,” says Terri. In her position in User Services, Terri provides computer support to employees, as well as students on campus. Because it is such a service-related position, people are a large part of her job. Terri says the best aspect of her position is “by far the people, the people I work with, and the people I help.” She also says the personnel in the User Services department all work hard and well together. “It’s a great place to be,” she says.

Terri chose a paid day off as her prize.

Paulita Lazarin was nominated for a variety of contributions she has made as department associate at the San Antonio campus. According to her nominator, students comment frequently on their program surveys about how helpful and responsive Paulita is to their needs. “Her pleasant, friendly helpful attitude makes it a genuine pleasure to be in her presence,” the nominator says.

Paulita’s nominator adds that she is “one fine brigade” person who can cover an office on short notice when someone is absent, ensuring that all offices in the San Antonio area are open to students at all scheduled times. Her nominator also commended Paulita on the “first-class” job she does of setting up the Webster University display table at educational fairs. “Her in-depth knowledge of the Webster program enables her to accurately discuss the programs and policies of Webster University,” the nominator says. “She is extremely helpful to persons who visit the table.”

Paulita has worked for Webster since August 2000. She said she was very surprised to learn she had won the Spotlight Award. “I had no idea my boss and co-workers thought so highly of me,” she says. Paulita enjoys working with students and particularly delights in seeing the surprised look and smile on students’ faces when she addresses them by their first names. “They are students, and we are there to help them,” she says. “My reward is excellent service.”

Paulita chose a savings bond as her prize.

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

Service Anniversaries

April 2004

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

Ann Wagner, representative, Registrar’s Office, 20 years
Marianne Slojkowski, department associate, Registrar’s Office, 15 years

Chad Handshy, director, Finance, five years

Caprice Moore, administrative associate, School of Education, five years

Christopher Sagovac, working supervisor, Media Center, five years

Nancy Wilson, department associate, School of Business & Technology, five years

Alex Yates, coordinator, San Diego Metropolitan Campus, five years

Debra Yannotti, director, Palm Bay Metropolitan Campus, five years

New Employees

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

Dominik Jansky, writer/editor, University Communications, ext. 7011, replaces Debra Schwartz.

Juwaria Schultz, department assistant, South Orlando Metropolitan Campus, 407-345-1139 or speed dial #6 101, replaces Shirley Twachtman.

Sonia Sigl, department assistant, Fairchild AFB, 509-244-2079

Chanda Siler, department assistant, Palm Bay Metropolitan Campus, 321-956-6700 or speed dial #6 103, replaces Carol Gilchriest.

Nancy Wilson, adviser, Advising Center, ext. 7767, replaces Madeline Maxwell.

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