Inside Webster

Even though Jan. 1 is months away, New Year’s resolutions were the topic of the President’s Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 19, in the Loretto Hilton Center. Of course, these resolutions are for the University’s new academic year.

“As we welcome our new and returning students to campus, I encourage each of you to ask yourself what you can do to make this a great year for them,” President Richard S. Meyers said in his opening remarks. “What is your new year school resolution?”

Preceding Meyers’ remarks, members of Webster’s faculty and staff shared their school year resolutions in a video presentation. They ranged from thoughtful responses concerning renewed commitment to services and programs, to lighter ones, about timing lunch just right to locate a parking space upon return to campus. Michael Parkinson, chair, Music Department, summed up the overall tone: “For all of us to share joy in the journey, from the first day of the year, through the last.”

Meyers said this is going to be a very interesting year for the University, and that—at some point—he would like to hear everyone’s school year resolutions. “With teamwork from the entire Webster University family, we will have a lot to celebrate when it comes time to end this school year,” he said.

Some of the things President Meyers said the University resolves to accomplish in the 2004-05 academic year include:

Meyers said that, collectively, the resolutions ultimately will bring the University to its preeminent goal: to change the world, one student at a time. He said this phrase is one we will hear increasingly, as the new capital campaign takes hold.

Following the introduction of new faculty and staff, Meyers continued his remarks by saying he would choose the word “community” to best describe the University.

“‘Community’ emphasizes what can be done,” Meyers said. “It celebrates what is being done. It is a mental state of people working positively toward a common goal. It reminds us of what we can achieve because we have achieved it. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.”

Meyers concluded the convocation by expressing his enthusiasm over the number and variety of improvements and initiatives taking place across Webster’s worldwide network. “This is going to be a banner year!” he said.

Summer—What Summer?

BY JERYLDINE TULLY, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

The temperature rose, the Cardinals played, and it was definitely easier to get a parking space. Other than those tell-tale indicators, though, you may not have noticed a discernible difference in your summer workdays at Webster.

Employees from departments all across campus are increasingly saying that—unlike the days of old—they see little difference between the academic year and the summer.

Pam Miller, coordinator, Information Technology, says that her department is much busier than it used to be in the summer. “It’s never slow anymore,” says Miller, who has worked at the University for 15 years. “There’s no dip.” Miller says she prefers the busier work environment “because that means we’re doing things.” The development of a new Web portal and the redesign of the University’s Web site are two monster projects that have consumed Miller’s department’s time during the summer months.

The addition of valuable services for faculty, staff and students appear to be occupying the formerly slow summer months all across campus. Pat McLeese, director, Academic Resource Center, says that expanded services and increased usage keeps her office busy year-round.

“It’s been amazing to see the demand for our services grow,” McLeese says. “When we first started the Center, there were some peer tutors and 25 students with disabilities. Now, we have 150 to 175 students, a writing lab and an online writing center. Plus, more students are going to school in the summer, and the extended campuses don’t even observe a summer. It used to be, you really did wait until summer. Now, we’re busy all year.”

Growing enrollments—which, it’s worth remembering, is a good thing—mean that student-centered departments are stepping up the pace year-round. John Ginsburg, director, University Center and Student Activities, for example, says that his summers are now being taken up with projects he used to accomplish during downtime in the school year.

“My job has gotten much busier during the school year, which means I can’t do any rainy day projects when classes are in session,” Ginsburg explains. “Because there are no rainy days during the school year, those projects get pushed back to the summer.”

Ted Hoef, dean of students, says that the University was registering and providing a half-day orientation for freshmen for the new school year just four days after commencement. “It used to be that during the summer you could catch up, and now there’s no catch-up time,” Hoef says.

Increased workload aside, summers at the University do still carry perks, according to Hoef. “At least we don’t have to wear ties as often!”

Editor’s Note: University Communications spent a good portion of its summer creating and launching two new publications: Global Thinking, an e-newsletter from the College of Arts and Sciences, and Webster to Webster, a printed newsletter for residents of Webster Groves. To receive a copy of either, contact the Inside Webster editor.

12th Annual CIE Retreat Focuses on Building an Integrated Internationalized Curriculum

A lively group of over 55 faculty, staff and students jump-started the academic year by attending the annual Center for International Education retreat on Aug. 18. Joseph Stimpfl, acting CIE director, welcomed the assembly and thanked them for their interest in international education. Kathy Corley, chair, International Studies Committee, and professor and chair, Electronic and Photographic Media, reminded the group that the word “internationalization” didn’t exist 20 years ago.

Jack Van de Water

The agenda included three speakers sharing their institutional experiences with internationalization. The first speaker, Jack Van de Water, director of International Programs and Services at Oregon State University, said, “We have made every mistake you can make,” and, due to that fact, have a wealth of experience to share. Van de Water covered the “macro” features of international studies degree programs at colleges and universities across the country and then detailed some of his own experiences at Oregon State. Commenting on the increased academic interest in developing internationalized curriculum, Van de Water said, “We are all working in the gap between rising expectations, growing rhetoric and the realities of small budgets.” To internationalize, you must be patient, resourceful and entrepreneurial, he emphasized.

Emil Nagengast, associate professor of politics at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., has been prominent in the reformulation of general education requirements at Juniata. Before giving an overview of Juniata’s Cultural Analysis program, Nagengast said, “The most important way to internationalize is to have international students sitting in the classroom.” He then discussed the difficulties that can be encountered when global, or international, perspectives are integrated into general education requirements, and including international perspectives in a university’s diversity goal can be in direct conflict with other goals and interest groups.

Daniel C. Knudsen, geography professor, director of International Studies and associate director of West European Studies at Indiana University-Bloomington, focused on broadening the scope of the international studies degree. Describing the concept of “trans-national Americans,” he stressed the importance of students being immersed in another culture. He said immersion tests the ability to go beyond the American experience and reinforces the language component of an international education. Indiana University’s International Studies curriculum includes one semester overseas.

Following a lunch of multi-ethnic foods accompanied by the live music of Farshid Soltanshahi, Van de Water said he was impressed that Webster holds an annual retreat exclusively devoted to international studies. Both he and Nagengast praised Webster’s leadership in the area of international studies.

Russell Braby, graduate assistant, Center for International Education, contributed material for this article.

Marletto’s Marketplace —“Too Good to Pass Up”

Jason Jones and Ziu Yu grill sandwich ingredients at the Mongolian Grill.

Forget Ellie Forcella’s and Cool Beans, the happening restaurant in Webster Groves these days is Marletto’s Marketplace, the newly opened dining facility in Maria Hall. The Webster community has been visiting Marletto’s in droves since it opened on Aug. 16. Surveying the crowd on opening day, Malcolm Murphy, project coordinator, Facilities Operations, said, “This is the largest number of students I’ve ever seen here!”

In the short time since it’s been open, the Mongolian Grill has become one of Marletto’s most popular food stations. Or, as audio production major, Jeff Scott, said to a friend as he watched the chefs grilling up hot sandwiches: “This is too good to pass up, dude!”

For more information, see: “Maria Dining Hall Facility Nears Completion” Inside Webster July 2004

News from the College of Arts and Sciences

The new academic year finds a new associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Bruce Umbaugh, professor and former chair of the Philosophy Department, has been appointed to fill the newly created post. Dean David Wilson says the associate dean position is needed to provide additional academic leadership for the College. “Bruce has a track record of proven leadership,” Wilson says. “He’s got a lot of perspective on the faculty, and he’s a very good choice for this position.”

“As I see it, my responsibilities are new academic initiatives, technology development, assessment and ‘other duties, as required,’ which I probably should have listed first,” Umbaugh says with a laugh. “There are so many really exciting things happening in the College that it’s just dynamite to be part of making them happen.” Umbaugh will continue to teach two classes for the Philosophy Department, now chaired by Britt-Marie Schiller. “It’s important to me—both personally and professionally—to stay connected with our students and academic programs in that way,” Umbaugh says.

Another long-time Webster employee moving into a new role with the College of Arts and Sciences is Joe Stimpfl, who was recently appointed chair of the Religious Studies Department. Wilson says Stimpfl’s appointment was unanimously recommended by the department’s full-time faculty members. Stimpfl, director of the Center for International Education and the Center for Interdisciplinary Study (CIE/CID) since 1999, will serve as acting director of those units during a transitional period this fall.

In an effort to deal with the College’s on-going space crunch, Stimpfl and the entire Religious Studies Department will relocate later this month to offices in Schultz Hall at the Eden Seminary campus. A classroom on the Eden campus is already in use for Religious Studies classes. In addition to helping solve some Webster Hall space problems, Wilson says the move will also facilitate collaboration between Webster’s religion faculty and the Eden faculty.

For other College of Arts and Sciences news, be sure to check out the College’s new online newsletter, Global Thinking. Debuting this July, the newsletter will be published fives times a year. “We are delighted to have this official new organ to communicate with our extended network of students, alumni, staff, faculty and friends,” Wilson says. “We are grateful to our talented colleagues in University Communications for helping us make this a reality.”

Other College of Arts and Sciences News

The Legal Studies Program has moved, organizationally, from History, Politics and Law to Behavioral and Social Sciences. The physical move from the H. Sam Priest House to join their new colleagues in Webster Hall will take place when Religious Studies has moved to the Eden Campus.

The History, Politics and Law department name has changed to History, Politics and International Relations. The new name reflects the increasing prominence of International Relations throughout worldwide Webster.

Foreign Languages and Literatures has changed its name to International Languages and Cultures. According to Dean Wilson, the new name eliminates the Ameri-centric term “foreign” and introduces the more apt “cultures” since teaching languages illuminates cultures.

Lend a Helping Hand at WWW10

FROM JENNIFER GERHARDT, SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

Just around the corner, on Wed. Oct. 6, is the University's 10th annual community service day, WebsterWorksWorldwide. To celebrate the event’s10th anniversary, a new WWW logo was created. Webster graphic design students submitted ideas for a new logo as part of a class project in spring 2004. Alexandra Spiers, senior graphic design student, designed the winning logo:

Another new feature this year is the “Hang 10: Catch the Webster Works Wave” beach party to help kick off online volunteer sign-ups. The beach party will be Wed., Sept. 8, in the University Center Commons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone who attends will receive free giveaways promoting WWW10, as well as a chance to win more prizes by entering a free raffle or by competing in a limbo or hula hoop contest. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear Hawaiian print shirts and Bermuda shorts or throw on a grass skirt and sunglasses for the “Craziest Hawaiian Outfit” contest.

On Oct. 6, Webster students, staff, faculty and alumni around the globe will extend a helping hand to their local communities assisting various non-profit organizations to accomplish tasks that are often neglected due to lack of time and resources. Types of projects include light construction work, landscaping, painting, tutoring, fine arts projects and working with children, seniors or animals.

WebsterWorksWorldwide is a day when every Webster campus reaches out to their local community. Last year, more than 1,400 Webster volunteers performed 5,697 hours of volunteer service throughout the United States and the world. Projects included picking up litter along a Memphis highway, painting a crisis center near Fort Bliss, Tex., packing hundreds of boxes with food for the needy at the Orange County California Food Bank, and reading books to underprivileged children at a Head Start program in St. Louis. Through this face-to-face interaction, participants can see the immediate impact of their time and outreach.

Part of WebsterWorksWorldwide's success is due to the Team Leaders who serve as liaisons between the agencies and the volunteer teams. The WebsterWorksWorldwide Planning Committee is looking for people willing to volunteer their organizational skills as Team Leaders. If you’re interested, contact Jennifer Gerhardt as soon as possible at 314-968-5986 or gerhardt@webster.edu. New project ideas are also welcomed. Extended campuses can get involved by contacting their local directors.

Even if you are not a Team Leader, you can still put your skills to use on a variety of projects as a volunteer. Volunteers at the St. Louis campus can sign up for projects online from Sept. 8 to Oct. 4 by logging on to http://www.webster.edu/www/www.html.

Many volunteers choose to continue their service throughout the year or to seek new outreach possibilities. Volunteers and service recipients alike have shared an increased understanding of how important community service is and how even one day can make a big difference to someone in need.

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.

Lucy Negron, community relations representative, Orlando Metropolitan Campus, Fla., was recently elected treasurer of the Central Florida Higher Education Alliance, an organization of regionally accredited colleges and universities working to increase awareness of higher education opportunities in the community.

Bob Lucas, adjunct professor, Orlando Metropolitan Campus, Fla., recently published his twelfth book, “Customer Service: Building Successful Skills for the 21st Century” (McGraw-Hill).

Jo Clifford, director, Ocala Metropolitan Campus, has been appointed to serve a one-year term on the Economic Development Council for the Ocala/Marion County Board of Directors.

Kathy Gaynor, reference librarian, Emerson Library, received a Missouri Historical Records grant enabling the library to purchase preservation materials for photograph and slide collections in the University archives.

Barry Hufker, associate professor, Audio Production, recently published “Remote Recordings,” in the July/August issue of “Tape OP, the Creative Music Recording Magazine.” The article is an introduction to the philosophy and methods of recording music outside the studio. Hufker also recorded the 2004 Girls Choir of the Royal School of Church Music at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

H. Keith Wade, adjunct professor, Lakeland Metropolitan Campus, Fla., completed his Advanced Professional Graduate Business Certificate in International Business at Argosy University in Sarasota, Fla. He is also a finalist for the Houghton Mifflin Pride/Ferrell Award for Innovations in Teaching.

Calvin Smith, director, International Recruitment, was a featured presenter and panelist for “Traveling and Recruiting in Latin America” at the 11th annual conference of the Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling at the University of Toronto.

Beth Russell, director, Downtown Campus, has been asked to join the board of directors of The Rotary Club of St. Louis for a one-year term. She has been an active member of the organization since March 2002.

Thomas Finan, adjunct professor, Religious Studies, led a research team in an archaeological survey of Ireland this summer. The team surveyed ruined churches in the medieval diocese of Elphin and the landscape surrounding the medieval church of Kilteashin in County Roscommon.

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

Kate Boden, donor solicitation coordinator, Development, and Carol Nelson, director, Memphis Naval Support Activity Campus, share the Employee Spotlight Award honors for August.

Kate’s nominator says Kate has helped the University expand its fundraising to areas outside of St. Louis. “She is always willing to help with any project, even those that are not part of her job description,” her nominator says. “Best of all, she takes on these extra tasks without complaint.” A second nominator says that, in spite of her large workload, Kate always meets her deadlines. “She has a rare eye for quality that is always visible in the final product she produces,” her nominator says.

Kate says she pursued employment at Webster because she wanted to work at a university. After two years, the people she works with are her favorite part of the job.

Kate says she was surprised when told she had been chosen to win the Employee Spotlight Award. “I know that there are a lot of people at Webster who merit the award, and I’m honored that I was one of them,” she says.

Carol Nelson’s nominator says, “Carol is by far the finest academic administrator I’ve ever known.” Her nominator praises Carol’s endless patience in guiding over 300 students. Carol is also appreciated for attending each of the seven job and education fairs held during the past two years and is considered to be the “go to” person for the fairs.

Carol, who has been with Webster for six years, says the most enjoyable aspect of her job is her daily interaction with students and faculty and knowing she is a part of their academic careers. “I was very pleased about winning the award because I give my all to Webster—professionally and personally,” Carol says.

September 2004 Spotlight Award

Aaron Cutler, general clerk, Mail and Copy Solutions, and Luis Dantan, office manager, Irvine Metropolitan Campus, share the Employee Spotlight Award honors for September.

Aaron’s nominator says Aaron came to the Mail and Copy Solutions Department already possessing a great deal of knowledge about the print industry and that he has helped to streamline the department’s operations. His nominator says that, in addition to serving his office well, Aaron also receives praise from those he comes in contact with every day. “We continually get positive feedback from the customers he serves on campus,” his nominator says. Another nominator says Aaron is a total joy to work with and that his customer service and interpersonal skills are exceptional.

“I was excited and thought it was really awesome,” Aaron says about winning the Spotlight Award. He says his favorite part of the job is interacting with the community. “I love to meet and get to know everybody,” he says. “Webster does seem like a family. The way everyone looks out and helps each other is good incentive to come to work every day.”

Luis’s nominator says students and faculty repeatedly comment on his professionalism, enthusiasm and willingness to help. The nominator adds that Luis has an impeccable work ethic, gives great attention to detail, and is dependable and conscientious.

Luis has been with Webster for five years and says he especially enjoys the opportunity to interact with international students. “Learning about different cultures has been my favorite part of the job,” he says. Luis was surprised and happy when he learned he had been chosen for the Spotlight Award. He says, “It made me realize everything I’ve done for students has been noticed.”

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:

September 2004

New Employees

Selena Guirguis, accounting assistant, Finance, ext. 7417, replaces Tammy Shular.

Alyce Herndon, department associate, Academic Affairs, ext. 6919, replaces Nick Valenziano.

Fran Hooker, Writing Center coordinator, Academic Resource Center, ext. 7589

Kathryn Jacks, accountant, Finance, ext. 8749, replaces Sherry Brindell.

Marsha Lashley, secretary, Fort Bragg Campus, N.C., 910-436-0014 or speed dial #6 024, replaces Carol Madej.

Britton Marchese, development officer/grant writer, Development, ext. 5987, replaces Carolyn Corley.

Patricia Masidonski, associate dean, School of Business & Technology, ext. 8747, replaces Maher Mishriki.

Guy Molnar, visiting assistant professor, Theatre and Dance, ext. 6929, temporarily replaces Bill Lynch.

Renee Porter, director, Online Programs, School of Business & Technology, ext. 8746

Christen Thacker, representative, Fort Bragg Campus, N. C., 910-436-0014 or speed dial 36 024, replaces Janice Anderson.

Harry Watson, visiting assistant professor, Art, ext. 7010, temporarily replaces Christina Shmigel.

New Year’s Resolutions Top Agenda at President’s Convocation

Summer—What Summer?

12th Annual CIE Retreat Focuses on Building an Integrated Internationalized Curriculum

Marletto’s Marketplace —“Too Good to Pass Up”

News from the College of Arts and Sciences

Other College of Arts and Sciences News

Lend a Helping Hand at WWW10

Kampus Kudos

St. Louis Calendar Highlight

Employees of the Month

Service Anniversaries

New Employees

Condolences

New Year’s Resolutions Top Agenda at President’s Convocation

Summer—What Summer?

12th Annual CIE Retreat Focuses on Building an Integrated Internationalized Curriculum

Marletto’s Marketplace —“Too Good to Pass Up”

News from the College of Arts and Sciences

Other College of Arts and Sciences News

Lend a Helping Hand at WWW10

St. Louis Calendar Highlight

*Webster University Symphony Orchestra—Music by Teenagers, for Teenagers, with Teenagers***

Employees of the Month

August 2004 Spotlight Award

FROM ROBYN GAETA, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS WORK-STUDY STUDENT

September 2004 Spotlight Award

Service Anniversaries

September 2004

New Employees

Condolences