August 2004

Global Staff Exchange Participants Share Tales of Sequoias, Steel Bands, Spaetzle

Kampus Kudos

St. Louis Calendar Highlight

Employees of the Month

Service Anniversaries

New Employees

Condolences

Global Staff Exchange Participants Share Tales of Sequoias, Steel Bands, Spaetzle

Discovering California sequoia trees growing on Webster's Geneva Campus during his Global Staff Exchange visit this May was the defining moment for Matt Nolan , director, Graduate and Evening Student Admissions. "It's symbolic because these huge, American redwoods are planted there--in that soil--like Webster coming over from the United States and planting itself in Geneva," Nolan says. "The trees are not native to the area, and they are unique like Webster."

Nolan was part of the first group of participants in the Energizer Global Staff Exchange Program, which enables staff from all U.S. and European campuses to meet and work with overseas staff to help support the University's mission by building and maintaining closer relationships and raising cultural awareness. Maureen Absolon , coordinator, International Programs; Megan Taylor , coordinator, School of Business & Technology; and Claudia Burris , senior editor and photojournalist, University Communications, were also part of this year's group.

Benjamin Akande , dean, School of Business & Technology, who conceived the program with Joe Stimpfl , director, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, says the inaugural group is a good representation of Webster staff eligible for the exchange program. "My focus for this program was to recognize the hard work and contributions of our staff and to expose them to the realities and opportunities of Webster University," Akande says.

In mid-May, Absolon and Taylor worked with the London campus staff for three days and then went on to the Leiden campus for two weeks. Absolon says the visit will help her in the work she does for International Programs. "It was a wonderful experience and great to put faces to the people I talk to every day," she says. "It really helped me better understand some of the challenges faced by the people we work with, for example, how they have to plan their work when they're seven hours ahead of the St. Louis campus." Taylor also enjoyed meeting both the London and Leiden staffs and exchanging ideas. She was especially impressed by their student evaluation forms and hopes to incorporate some of its features into the one used here.

Absolon and Taylor attended a student orientation and assisted graduates at Leiden's commencement ceremony. Taylor says the ceremony, held in Pieterskerk, a 14th-century Gothic church, was beautiful and exciting. She and Absolon were impressed with the personal touches as graduates were individually congratulated in their native language and given a rose with their diploma. A steel Caribbean-style band provided a unique touch at the ceremony.

Caribbean-style steel band entertains at the Leiden commencement

Burris spent her time in June at the Vienna and Geneva campuses, snapping staff pictures and other photos for use in University publications and promotional materials, as well as compiling information for future stories in Webster World. "It was a very busy three weeks, especially lugging photo equipment across town," Burris recalls. "But the people at both campuses were great. They were all very nice and helpful."

Nolan visited the Geneva Campus from May 23 to June 5. He worked with the Admissions staff interviewing prospective students, accompanied staff and students on campus tours and assisted with information sessions designed to attract graduate students. "At any given time, there would be phone conversations going on in three different languages at the same time," Nolan says, noting that his high school French came in handy only when ordering food in restaurants.

Absolon and Taylor at a bus stop in Leiden.

Although the Global Staff Exchange participants were busy working during the week, on evenings and weekends they were able to explore the sights and culture of their destinations. "I would get up every morning and walk the streets before they were busy, just taking in all the sights," Absolon says. "We always felt completely safe and secure."

"Geneva is the place to eat," Nolan says. "There were so many choices, such a diverse mix of restaurants--from Indian to Southern Italian." One of Nolan's guilty pleasures was stopping for a pastry treat from the patisserie on his way to campus each morning. Burris enjoyed the seafood in Geneva and pasta-like spaetzle and ice cream in Vienna.

Nolan and Burris both were housed at a small hotel, or auberge, in Bellevue, during their visits, with a view of Lake Geneva and a five-minute walk from campus.

Sponsored by a grant from Energizer Corporation to the School of Business & Technology, the Global Staff Exchange program is open to all support staff at a U.S. or European campus who are employed in positions that can impact the international character and mission of the University. "I encourage any staff member to take advantage of it," Absolon says. "Don't be afraid. Do it. It's a great opportunity."

Participants for the next round of the exchange will be announced in the near future and will include employees from the extended and European campuses, according to Betsy Schmutz, director, Human Resources. "This is an extraordinary opportunity for employees and for the University," says Schmutz.

To learn more about the Global Staff Exchange program, contact Human Resources, ext. 6960.

Editor’s Note: Each issue of Inside Webster includes 10 Kampus Kudo listings, which appear in the publication in the order they are received by the Office of University Communications. If your information is not in this issue, it will appear in a future issue.

Robert Waggoner, adjunct professor, Music, received the Jess Cole Award at the Missouri Music Education Association's state conference. This is the highest honor presented by the Missouri Unit of the International Association for Jazz Education.

Michael Freund, professor, Vienna, recently published "Affinity and Resentment: A Historical Sketch of German Attitudes" in the book, Understanding Anti-Americanism: Its Origins and Impact Abroad and at Home (Ivan R. Dee, Chicago, 2004).

Barry Hufker, associate professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, recorded the St. Louis Chamber Chorus' "St. John of the Cross" at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and the final concert of the Chorus' 2003-2004 season at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church. The program, entitled "Robert Burns," featured Burns' poetry set to music by various composers, including Ralph Vaughn Williams, Michael Tippett and Cedric Thorpe Davie. Hufker also recorded John McClellan , adjunct professor, Music, performing "Muskrat Ramble," for "Fingerstyle Guitar" magazine, which will appear on a tribute CD McClellan is assembling for release later in 2004; "Judy!," the new production of the Gateway Men's Chorus; and classical guitar prodigy Alyssa Sanatoya and McClellan for an upcoming CD published by "Fingerstyle Guitar" magazine.

John Shepherd, adjunct professor, Fort Leonard Wood, has been promoted in federal civil service to the position of Chief, Antiterrorism Training Branch for the U.S. Army Military Police School.

H. Keith Wade, adjunct professor, Lakeland Metropolitan Campus, wrote, "Research and Buying Behavior: Why Do Consumers 'Lie'?" to be published in the 2004 Proceedings of the Society for Marketing Advances and presented at its annual conference.

Bert Barry, director, International Student Services, was appointed to the national Education and Training committee of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The committee is in charge of all professional development programs that NAFSA offers. Additionally, Barry is now a member of the planning group for the NAFSA Academy for International Education, which is designed to provide comprehensive training for individuals with less than five years of experience in the field.

Peter Sargent, dean, College of Fine Arts, has been elected a member of the board of directors for the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis. He is also the audition coordinator for the International Thespian Festival held in Lincoln, Neb. Sargent will be a guest lighting designer at the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Mich., and will design a production of "G.I. Jive."

Jeryldine Tully, editorial director, University Communications, produced the index for "Politics in Francophone Africa," written by Victor LeVine, a professor of political science at Washington University in St. Louis. The book was published by Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Linda Woolf, professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences, was elected 2005-06 president of the American Psychological Association's Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence, Peace Psychology Division 48. With more than 155,000 members, the APA is the world's largest association of psychologists.

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

Employees of the Month

August 2004 Spotlight Award

FROM ROBYN GAETA, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS WORK-STUDY STUDENT

Dan Ayres, lab coordinator, User Services, and Diane Schultz, assistant director, Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg, share the Employee Spotlight Award honors for July.

Dan's nominator says that he is "a model for the highest workmanship quality and service." "I have known him to handle each task placed before him with unmatched speed and accuracy." Dan's ability to solve problems makes him "a highly sought-after individual in his department," his nominator adds.

Dan's favorite part of his job is "having flexibility to help students with problems they encounter." He's worked for Webster for almost five years. "I was actually very surprised. I thought it was a joke; I didn't know I was nominated," he said of winning the award. "I kind of thought the award was a myth, or an urban legend."

Dan chose a day off with pay as his prize.

Diane, who has worked at Webster for the past 10 years, says her favorite part of the job is meeting the different students that pass through the Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg's North Carolina campus. She says she was "shocked, but then proud, too" to win the employee spotlight award. "Everyone has their own little part in the world, and I like working with people in the military since my husband is retired military," she says.

Diane's nominator says that she was instrumental in the smooth transition of site directors a few years ago. "Her initiative keeps the program on track and provides guidance to the staff in carrying out their duties," her nominator says. "Diane's farsightedness enabled us to establish the Fort Bragg center in a short period of time and that helped us succeed in increasing our enrollments."

Sandra’s nominator believes that she directly contributed to the Lakeland campus’s record high enrollments last term, in spite of the fact that she suffered a broken leg and subsequent surgeries late last year. “Despite her circumstances and her inability to be physically available on campus, Sandra made every effort to be available by phone or e-mail to the staff and faculty whenever anyone needed her input,” her nominator says.

Diane 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

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

August 2004

Dick Bauer, manager/projectionist, Film Series, 30 years

Marlene Birkman, professor, School of Education, 30 years

Carole Gaspar, professor, Music Department, 30 years

Susan Strang, professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, 30 years

Dottie Marshall Englis, director, London Campus, and professor, Theatre and Dance, 25 years

Daniel Hellinger, professor, History, Politics and International Relations, 25 years

Jean Wheeler, representative, Telecommunications, 25 years

Lucille Berry, professor, Business, 20 years

Paul DeMarinis, associate professor, Music, 20 years

Ralph Southard, director, Fort Leonard Wood, 20 years

Gloria Grenwald, professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences, 15 years

Barry Hufker, associate professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, 15 years

John Wylie, associate professor, Theatre and Dance, 15 years

Mary Anne Erwin, reference librarian, Emerson Library, 10 years

Kathy Gaynor, reference librarian, Emerson Library, 10 years

Bill Barrett, professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, 10 years

Linda Crawfis, coordinator, Colorado Metropolitan Campus, 10 years

Michael Erickson, associate professor, English, 10 years

Kevin Foy, department associate, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Metropolitan Campus, 10 years

Kim Kleinman, academic advisor, Academic Advising Center, 10 years

Brad Loudenback, associate professor, Art, 10 years

Allan MacNeill, associate professor, History, Politics and International Relations, 10 years

Richard Meyers, president, Executive Office, 10 years

Douglas O' Bannon, associate professor, Business, 10 years

Kelly-Kate Pease, associate professor, History, Politics and International Relations, 10 years

Kim Romines, representative, Jeffersonville Metropolitan Campus, 10 years

Eileen Solomon, associate professor, Communications and Journalism, 10 years

Deborah Toynes, lab assistant, Fort Bliss, Texas, Campus, 10 years

Bruce Umbaugh, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and associate professor, Philosophy, 10 years

Christine Culp, coordinator, Network and Technical Services, five years

Rafael Quiroz, officer, Public Safety, five years

Joseph Stimpfl, director, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, five years

New Employees

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

Alicia Allen, receptionist, Public Safety, ext. 8024

Jeffrey David, instructional support specialist, User Services, ext. 8611, replaces Bradley Wolaver

David DeBrot, academic advisor, Study Abroad, ext. 7603, replaces Kris Nattrass

Sharon Halstead, department associate, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington DC, 202-561-4382 or speed dial #6 068, replaces Teresa Shafer

Nathaniel Hawthrone, general clerk, Mail Center, ext. 7770, replaces Josh Daily

Thomas Hilliard, assistant director, Career Services

Victor Latson, general clerk, Pope Air Force Base, Florida, 910-436-0014 or speed dial #6 024, replaces Randy Plummer

Herman Lovett, academic advisor, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, 816-444-1000

Nermina Mandzukic, technician, User Services, ext. 7778

Brian Merkel, course developer, Academic Distance Leaning Center, ext. 7924

William Moore, general clerk, Fort Jackson Campus, South Carolina, 803-738-0603 or speed dial #6 049, replaces Michael Lawson

Cynthia Ochonicky, academic advisor, Academic Advising, ext. 8741, replaces Ryan Barke's advising responsibilities

Yvonne Petite, academic advisor, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, Kansas, 816-444-1000

Marie Prunet, teaching assistant, Foreign Languages and Literatures

Kathleen Richey, department assistant, Development

Esther Roberts, department assistant, Palm Bay Campus, Florida, 321-956-6700 or speed dial #6 103, replaces Chanda Siler

Mary Ryan, team leader, Help Desk, ext. 5995

Sara Stoltz, officer, Public Safety, replaces Sandy Mitchell

Gwendolyn Spicer, communications dispatcher, Public Safety, ext. 7514, replaces Charlie Sheppard

Lilo Whitener, service clerk, Undergraduate Admissions, ext. 6991, replaces Laura Stuhlman

Kevin Williams, coordinator, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington DC, 202-561-4382

Virginia Williams, academic advisor, Irvine Metropolitan Campus, California, 949-250-7855 or speed dial #6 097, replaces Terry Irving

Florencia Zeolite, teaching assistant, Foreign Languages & Literatures

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