Inside Webster-July 2005

More than 100 members of the Webster community attended a space shuttle launch party in the University Center commons on July 26 to witness—via large-screen TV—the 9:39 a.m. liftoff of the STS-114 Discovery with Webster alumna Eileen Collins at the helm. Collins received her master's degree in Space Systems Management from the Colorado Springs campus in 1989. She also received an honorary science degree at Webster's commencement ceremony in May 1996, where she gave the commencement address.

Commander Eileen Collins, front row right, and the STS-114 Discovery crew.
Photo courtesy of NASA/KSC.

The Discovery mission—dubbed "Return to Flight" by NASA—is the first since the 2003 Columbia disaster. It took Collins and her crew two days to reach the international space station with much-needed supplies. Discovery hauled an almost three-year back order of supplies and replacement parts to the half-built space station and its two residents, according to an Associated Press report. In addition to delivering supplies and hauling away trash, the mission's objective is to test new techniques for inspecting and patching the shuttle in orbit.

Applause broke out in the crowd at the University Center as Discovery lifted off, following a seemingly flawless countdown. The shuttle's smooth liftoff was especially gratifying, considering the fact that the original attempt on July 13 had to be cancelled just two hours before the scheduled time, due to a fuel gauge problem.

Staff and faculty applaud Discovery's liftoff.
Photo by Claudia Burris.

When the rockets had separated and the shuttle appeared to be safely on its way, President Richard Meyers thanked everyone for attending the "momentous occasion," adding that he plans to invite Commander Collins for her third visit to the St. Louis campus after she returns from the mission.

For more information, click here. Or visit the NASA Web site.

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When Yolanda Zhao left her home in Shanghai to attend a summer graduate program in business administration at Webster's St. Louis campus, marching in a parade was probably the furthest thing from her mind. However, that is exactly what Zhao and 13 fellow classmates did on July 4, 2005.

Yolanda Zhou (front left), other international students and Webster staff members leading the Webster Groves July 4 parade.
Photo by Karen Burch.

With the theme, "Around the World in Webster," this year's Webster Groves Community Days Fourth of July parade seemed tailor-made for Webster University involvement. At least that's what community coordinator Barb Ehnes, Public Affairs, says she was thinking when she suggested that Webster's international students could be the grand marshals.

Zhao and fellow classmates from China, Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Russia and India were happy to participate. "When Barb asked us if we were interested in being in the parade," Zhao says, "We thought, 'Oh wow!'"

They didn't even complain about the high heat and humidity—typical on July 4 in St. Louis—while assembling at 8 a.m. on the parking lot behind Webster Hall to pick up the international flags they would carry.

At 10 a.m. the group was off, walking west on East Lockwood, behind a University golf cart emblazoned with "Grand Marshall" signs and commandeered by Brandyn Woodard, international student advisor, Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs. Behind them walked the members of Webster's newly formed Precision Cafeteria Tray Drill Team, who paused from time to time to perform routines for the crowd.

The two-mile parade route turned south at Elm Avenue, ending at the Webster Groves Recreational Complex, where 14 hot and tired—but still smiling—international students were able to put down their flags and relax before boarding a bus for the short ride back to campus.

The summer MBA program is ending, and Zhao will leave St. Louis on July 30. "It's so nice to know you all in the U.S., and thanks for your nice help during the past two months," she said in a farewell e-mail message to her St. Louis friends. "I do believe this experience will be a beautiful memory in my life."

To see photos and information about the July 4 parade, click here.

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Joking and laughing among themselves, 20 international students got up from the chairs they had been sitting in at Webster Hall's conference room table. They were complying with a request from Karen Lynch, coordinator, International Business Internship Exchange (IBIE), who had just asked them to move around and sit next to a person from another country.

(l to r) Michael Schuck from Germany, Margaret Adatsi from Ghana and Veronica de la Torre from Mexico at the meeting.
Photo by Karen Lynch.

Doing what Lynch had requested was not difficult for the group of German, Mexican and Ghanaian exchange students attending the IBIE mid-point evaluation meeting on July 21. Their good-natured response demonstrated they have already internalized the IBIE motto: "Be Flexible!"

Initiated in 1980, the IBIE program provides the opportunity for U.S. students to intern at an international company while living with a host family in another country and gives international students the chance to intern and live in the U.S. "Students have a unique opportunity for a total immersion experience that literally changes their lives and their perspectives of themselves and the world," says Wilma Prifti, IBIE director. "Learning how to deal with others in the company and in a family, and learning how to approach people and conduct projects in a new environment, are challenges that provide an excellent learning experience for both personal and professional development."

As participants in this summer's program, half of the students at the Saturday morning meeting had been working and living in St. Louis for a month, and the other half were new arrivals. Lynch asked the more seasoned group to share some of their experience with the newcomers.

Twenty-one-year-old Rafael Sanchez, from Guadalajara, Mexico, said the four weeks he has been here have changed his point of view about many things, specifically some stereotypes he had about American families. He said he was happy to learn that families are as important here as they are in his country, adding that his host family treats him like their own son.

"All my expectations have been surpassed, and I'm having a great experience here."

Experiencing life in a typical American home is part of the IBIE program, along with working at an international company and improving language skills. Sanchez and Jose Marin, also from Mexico, interned at Emerson Climate Technologies. "I've never worked at an international company before, and I like it. The project they have given me is very challenging," Sanchez said. "I've also been practicing my English, and I enjoy that too."

Ghana native Joseph Moses Acquah—nicknamed "MoJo"—related that he has been surprised at how friendly everyone is. "Everyone says 'hello' or 'hi.'" Acquah described his good fortune when he visited a bike shop in the Loop. He said to the owner, "Hi, I'm MoJo from Ghana," and she said, "Hey, we've got some MoJo here." The owner ended up offering Acquah a bicycle to use as long as he is in St. Louis. Since the students have to rely on a meager public transportation system or getting rides from other people, Acquah was excited to have use of the bike and touched by the shop owner's generosity.

Acquah from Ghana, Michael Schuck from Germany and two other German students are doing their internships with Lincoln Industrial Corp. In addition, two Mexican and one Japanese student are also interning at Lincoln, a long-time corporate participant in the IBIE program.

Rafael Sanchez on the job at Emerson Climate Technologies.
Photo by Karen Lynch.

Rodrigo Huerta from Mexico, who is interning with Yellow Transportation Inc., said, "All my expectations have been surpassed, and I'm having a great experience here."

After the students shared their thoughts, Lynch reminded them about the importance of open communication. "Remember, there are no bad questions," she said.

Lynch then went over some basic information about customs in the states, including who pays for what, being considerate of host families, household chores, phone call etiquette, smoking etiquette, guidelines about drinking alcohol, and the American obsession with personal hygiene.

Lynch said when the students learned they would be interning in Missouri, their first thought was probably, "OK, where is that?" They laughed and nodded. "On the other hand," she said, "you don't get any more American than you do right here in the heartland."

"I want you to know that I think you are incredible," Lynch said as she closed the session. "You have stepped away from what is 'normal' and gone above and beyond. We appreciate the opportunity you are giving us to show you our best and for you to show us your best."

For more information about the IBIE program, click here.

Look for Part II of this article about this summer's IBIE students in the August issue of Inside Webster.

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WEBSTER FACULTY JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Something New—Something Blue!

• Mon., August 29, 7 p.m.
• Moore Auditorium in Webster Hall
• Admission is $3

An evening of new music by Michael Parkinson on trumpet, Paul DeMarinis on woodwinds, Kim Portnoy on piano, Steve Schenkel on guitar, Willem von Hombracht on bass and Kevin Gianino on drums. For more information, call 314-968-7032.

ART INSTALLATION
Christina Shmigel: Chinese Garden for the Delights of Roaming Afar

• On display through August 30
• Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues. through Sat., and noon–5 p.m. on Sun.
• Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, Sunset Hills
• Admission is free.

Adjunct art professor Christina Shmigel has created a five-gallery installation based on the formal Chinese garden that also provides an opportunity for her to reflect on China's movement toward modernization. For more information, call 314-821-1209 or go to www.laumeier.org.

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Contributed by Megan Connelley, Student Editorial Assistant
Marketing & Communications

JULY 2005 SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Susan Palumbo, representative, Academic Advising Center, and Sandy Sigl, department assistant, Fairchild Air Force Base, share the Employee Spotlight Award honors for July.

Susan Palumbo, who has been with Academic Advising for four years, started working at Webster in 2000 as a secretary in Alumni Programs. Palumbo says she was especially surprised to be singled out for the spotlight award because, as her nominator says, Palumbo tends to shy away from the spotlight.

According to her nominator, Academic Advising depends on Palumbo's expertise, particularly with the scheduling system for incoming freshmen and transfer students. "Her tireless work to perfect and simplify the process of first-time registration during our Freshmen Days and transfer appointments reveals itself in the growing numbers of students we are able to more easily accommodate," says Palumbo's nominator. Parents of new students compliment Webster on how simple the enrollment process is when compared to other universities, the nominator adds.

"It makes me smile when the new freshmen arrive and it gives me satisfaction to know that I have made their transition to college a bit easier," says Palumbo. "I believe that education is the path to a better life, and working at Webster allows me to facilitate that belief everyday."

This attitude and determination have convinced her nominator that Palumbo is the reason Webster will continue to reach its goals for incoming freshmen.

Palumbo chose a day off with pay as her prize.

Sandy Sigl has been department assistant with Fairchild Air Force Base for a little over one year. She says her greatest joy is interacting with Webster students, and luckily, that is a big part of her job. Sigl says she treats each student like a VIP, because she truly believes they are.

Her nominator says Sigl is a good team member who is always ready with creative suggestions on how to improve procedures. The nominator also praises Sigl for her skill in implementing approved policies and assessing problematic areas. An example of this is Sigl's suggestion to use work orders when making requests from co-workers in order to keep accurate records. Her nominator says this procedure has increased accountability and efficiency. Sigl also organized Fairchild's very first student orientation—an important event that promotes communication between students and staff.

"Sandy is an endless ball of energy and ideas," her nominator concludes. "She motivates everyone she comes in contact with and uses her past experience to help others."

As her prize, Sigl chose the $100 bond.

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

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

Barry Hufker, associate professor, Audio Production, recorded "The Advanced Girls Choir" and "The Mixed Choir" of the Royal School of Church Music at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica. Hufker also recorded the choirs at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood during a Choral Evensong service. He recently recorded guitarist John McClellan performing "Olga," a new composition by legendary guitarist/composer, Jorge Morel, who wrote the piece for McClellan's soon-to-be published book about Morel. Hufker's recording of "Olga" will be featured on a compact disc accompanying a fall issue of Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine. He also recorded McClellan and Morel performing Barrios' "Etude in B Minor." Hufker and Patricia Tolentino recorded "Colors of Pride," the June production by the Gateway Men's Chorus, and produced a compact disc of the performance.

George Ragsdale, adjunct professor, Little Rock Metropolitan Campus, Ark., recently published the book Ben Hai 211 Alpha (Unknown Truths), about his experiences in the Vietnam War.

Harriet Browning, adjunct professor, Millington, Tenn., has been appointed to the 2005 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Frederick Bonkovsky, adjunct professor, International Relations, Vienna, was recognized at the May commencement ceremony for being elected Teacher of the Year by the students.

Dardis McNamee, professor, and editor of the Webster Vienna student newspaper Jugendstil, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the students at the commencement ceremony in May.

Christina Shmigel, adjunct professor, Art, has created a five-gallery installation based on the traditional Chinese garden at Laumeier Sculpture Park. "Christina Shmigel: Chinese Garden for the Delights of Roaming Afar" will be on display at the park through Aug. 30.

Carolyn Cottrell, regional director of the Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, Mo., has developed with the campus faculty a series of 22 one-hour seminars they offer to local corporations and businesses. In addition, they will create a program tailored to fit a company's specific needs.

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

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

Sharen Lowney, coordinator, Financial Aid, 25 years

Shannon Frank, coordinator, Undergraduate Admissions, 20 years

Marcia Paul, academic advisor, Management, 15 years

Linda Wynns, coordinator, Behavioral and Social Sciences, 15 years

Karen Buchan, coordinator, South Orlando Campus, 10 years

Hoot Gibson, director, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., five years

Jaime Hicks, representative, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., five years

Laura Kilstrom, department associate, Finance, five years

Valerie Lewis, associate director, Undergraduate Admissions, five years

Judith Mattingly, representative, Financial Aid, five years

Carey Smith, coordinator, Academic Affairs, five years

Laura Ward, director, Ozarks Metropolitan Campus, Mo., five years

Patti Williams, accounting assistant, Bursar/Cashier, five years

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We extend warm welcome to the newest members of the Webster family:

Michelle Erlacher, secretary, Colorado Springs Metro, Colo., (719) 590-7340, or speed dial #6 053, replaces Loretto Boyd.

Willma Fields, department assistant, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., (573) 329-6777, or speed dial #6 014, replaces Tammy Pearson.

Charles Fox, general clerk, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, (210) 226-3373, or speed dial #6 027, replaces Robert Harry.

Sajata Griddle, department associate, Columbia, S.C., (803) 699-0900, or speed dial #6 083, replaces Anna Todd Majure.

Kristina Jacques, coordinator/academic advisor, Irvine, Calif., (949) 250-7855 or speed dial #6 097, replaces Virginia Williams.

Felicia Kawalkowski, office manager, Irvine, Calif., (949) 250-7855, or speed dial #6 097, replaces Luis Dantan.

Alicia Peterson, department assistant, South Orlando, Fla., (407) 346-1139, or speed dial #6 101, replaces Juwaria "Nikhat" Schultz.

Jawana Reid (Pritchard), service clerk, Registrar, (314) 961-2660, ext. 7660, replaces Diane Coleman.

Marlyn Roach, department assistant, Louisville Metropolitan Campus, Ky., (502) 896-1835 or speed dial #6012.

Jerry Whitehurst, coordinator, Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., (202) 561-4382, or speed dial #6 125, replaces Kevin Williams.

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

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The University extends its sympathy to Karen Quinn, coordinator, Accounts Payable, on the loss of her mother-in-law, and also to Joe Ancona, academic advisor and adjunct professor, Academic Advising, on the loss of his son-in-law.

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CREDITS
Marianne Kirk, Editor
Marketing & Communications

Dominik Jansky, Contributor
Marketing & Communications

Claudia Burris, Editor and Photographer
Marketing & Communications

Casey Conroy, Graphic Designer
Marketing & Communications

Pete McEwen, Technical Advisor
Information Technology

Betsy Schmutz, Director
Human Resources

STUDENT EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Megan Connelley