Inside Webster – May 2005

The wide world of Webster University alumni grew Saturday, May 14, with some 6,982 new graduates from the Class of 2005 joining their ranks. More than 1,100 of them gathered at the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis for the 86th annual Webster University Commencement Ceremony. In addition to ceremonies held at Webster extended campuses worldwide, 150 graduates from extended campuses in the United States and London attended the event at the Dome.

Some facts about the Class of 2005: • 6,982 new graduates worldwide • Ranged in age from 20 to 67 • Hailed from 110 countries, as well as 47 U.S. states and the District of Columbia • Honors were bestowed on 364 graduates • 27 Webster staff members were part of the Class of 2005, as were 32 children of Webster staffers

President Richard S. Meyers welcomed graduates, their families and friends—some of whom, Meyers noted, "traveled from as far away as Japan, Kenya, Turkmenistan, Slovakia, Nicaragua and Ecuador to be with us as part of this special celebration."

In recalling staff and students who have passed away this past year, Meyers shared excerpts from a particularly poignant note he received from Cindy Rose, senior director of the Camp Lejeune and New River, N.C. campuses. In her note to Meyers, Rose discussed the toll that overseas combat and relocation has exacted on so many University students at Webster's military campuses, and how many have contacted her to share their emotions and fears during this difficult time.

Meyers praised Rose, saying, "I am blessed to have staff such as Cindy who offer their hearts besides their brains into what they do to serve students."

"This faculty has made today's celebration of knowledge possible. The reputation that the University is proud of rises or falls with these academicians."

Also receiving praise were the University faculty, to whom Meyers said each graduate is indebted. "It's simple," Meyers told the audience: "This faculty has made today's celebration of knowledge possible. The reputation that the University is proud of rises or falls with these academicians."

In addition to honoring the new graduates, the day was also occasion to confer honorary degrees and special declarations to three significant friends of the University.

Dr. Meyers presents the Distinguished Service Award to Marylen Mann.

Long-time Webster professor Consuelo Uribe Wise Gallagher received a Doctor of Laws honoring her six decades as a passionate professor, mentor and benefactor to the University. Multiple Tony Award-nominated choreographer and dancer Jerry Mitchell, a student in Webster's Conservatory of Theatre Arts in the late 1970s, received a Doctor of Letters. Marylen Mann, co-founder of the OASIS Institute, received the Distinguished Service Award for her work in education and in nurturing the mind, health and spirit of older adults. Gallagher, Mitchell and Mann were also the Commencement speakers.

^ Return to Headlines

"Each and every one of you play an important part in Commencement, because everything you do culminates in the ceremony when the students take their Webster degrees and experiences out into the world," President Richard S. Meyers said at the May 17 Faculty and Staff Recognition Breakfast. "From the day that students first walk on our campus, each of you contributes in a significant way to their Webster University experience."

This year's breakfast may have established a new tradition, as the annual event—usually held on the Monday following Commencement—was moved to Tuesday. The change was made to allow President Meyers to attend the NASA space shuttle launch commanded by Webster alumna Eileen Collins (MA '89).

"This diverse group of educators exhibit the art of teaching at its truly finest."

Even though the launch of Collins' latest space mission was ultimately postponed until July—likewise postponing Meyers' plans to share his observations from the launch with fellow staff—a show of hands by attendees at this year's breakfast indicated more Webster staffers preferred the breakfast be held on Tuesday, rather than the Monday following Commencement.

Sticking to tradition, however, the breakfast was the occasion to honor all faculty and staff for their accomplishments and service to the University.

Neil George, executive vice president, Academic Affairs, introduced the faculty honored with 2005 William T. Kemper Awards for Excellence in Teaching. George explained that five Kempers were awarded this year—instead of the usual four—because all five of the final nominees were simply too good to eliminate.

Those five were: John Chappell, associate professor, History, Politics and International Relations; Kathleen Corley, professor and chair, Electronic and Photographic Media; James Bunsa, adjunct professor, Business and Finance, Orlando; Diana Pascoe-Chavez, adjunct professor, International Languages and Cultures; and James Georgoulakis, adjunct professor, Health Services Management, Fort Sam Houston.

Neil George (left) and Dr. Meyers (right) with Brian Kennelly holding Messing Award.

"This diverse group of educators," George said, "exhibit the art of teaching at its truly finest."

Brian Kennelly, professor and chair, International Languages and Cultures, received the Wilma and Roswell Messing Jr. Faculty Award. Kennelly will travel to Cape Town, South Africa, to continue his work and study on issues and future plans for Afrikaans and nation-building there. George wished him luck with his research: "We look forward to the integration of these global issues into our curriculum."

Liz Jokerst receives Employee of the Year plaque from Dr. Meyers.

Liz Jokerst, department associate, Communications and Journalism, received the Staff Member of the Year award. Meyers noted how Jokerst is "admired for her multi-tasking talents and her calm, cool demeanor. She's credited with keeping the department humming with her extraordinary organizational skills and her daily dose of humor and charm."

Echoing his 2004 Convocation call for Webster employees to create resolutions for the year, Meyers cited several resolutions kept by the University within the last year, including:

• Increased international faculty and student exchange through the creation of the World Traveler program, in which any student from any campus may receive free round-trip airfare to any Webster campus to study full-time at that campus;

• Plans set to roll out a full schedule of classes, performances, and public lectures at the new downtown St. Louis Old Post Office campus in January 2006;

• Continued upgrade of sites for extended campuses, and new first-time state licensure approvals for classes in Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky;

• The School as Lender program, in which the University will originate $80 million in annual student loans, strengthening retention and creating new graduate-level scholarships. The program has already originated $32 million in graduate loans. Additional funding in the form of scholarships will be available in July from some of the loan proceeds, when the endowment increase for student scholarships is estimated to be more than $1 million;

• Broke ground for new student resident halls in Webster Groves and began construction on resident halls in Geneva, due to open in August;

• Increased technology support for teaching and learning applications, including the addition of multimedia classrooms and the overhaul of the TV studio in the School of Communications;

• The continued development and pending launch of the University portal and single-sign-on access to all online systems;

• Expanded alumni outreach, with new alumni programs at 25 U.S. cities and nine international cities.

^ Return to Headlines

The Film Series presentation of "The Sounds of Science" on April 23, couldn't be confused with the Simon and Garfunkel hit from the '60s—"The Sound of Silence." In fact, you might say the two sold-out performances of the film, accompanied by the band Yo La Tengo, rocked the house. Or, as Film Series director Mike Steinberg put it, "The audience was blown away."

Yo La Tengo trio accompanys undersea documentary, "The Sounds of Science." Photo by Babs Johnson

The New Jersey-based independent rock trio Yo La Tengo brought their unique sounds to the Moore Auditorium to accompany eight short undersea documentaries by the French Avant-garde filmmaker Jean Painlevé. Steinberg says the band created a genre of music that combines folk pop and jazz with traces of the punk sound of the late '90s. Instrumentally, they combine guitar, bass and drums with a myriad of keyboards, synthesizers and effects.

The combination of the music with the underwater scenes in the films proved irresistible to those attending the performance. "Although we've presented a number of live accompaniment to film performances in the past, I don't think anyone knew what they were in for," Steinberg says. "Not only were the films breathtakingly beautiful, the performance by the band was mesmerizing. It was raucous and funky and yet the overall atmosphere created was extremely peaceful. It certainly was one of the highlights of the year."

Editor's note: See Kudos for information about Mike Steinberg's film, "Stan Kann: The Happiest Man in the World," premiering at The Fox Theatre June 12.

^ Return to Headlines

DELTA DENTAL INFORMATION
If your Delta Dental ID card is lost, or if you need additional cards, you can request them online using the following steps:

• Log on to www.deltadentalmo.com

• Click on "Subscribers"

• Click on "My Benefits"

• Click on "View General Benefits"

• Complete information; Click on "Logon"

• Click on "Request an ID card"

• Click on "Submit Request"

Note: ID cards show only employee's name and ID number. If you have any questions, contact Gloria Barbre at (314) 968-6961 or barbregj@webster.edu.

^ Return to Headlines

Film Series June Presentations

OTHER PEOPLE'S PICTURES
• Thurs., June 9, 8 p.m.
• Admission is $4 for faculty and staff with Webster ID and $5 for the general public.

This documentary concerns collectors who share an unlikely obsession—other people's photographs. The reasons for their interest in this hobby are explored at New York City's Chelsea Flea Market where they can be found every weekend sifting through piles, boxes and bins of cast-off snapshots. The film will be screened with Devil's Teeth, a 10-minute short film about the only sea urchin diver at the Farallon Islands off the coast of California.

THE MUPPET MOVIE
• Sat., June 18, 1 p.m.
• Admission is $4 for faculty and staff with Webster ID and $5 for the general public. Children 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

In this now-classic film, first released in 1979, Jim Henson's Muppets—including Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, the Great Gonzo and Miss Piggy—make their film debut. Celebrities making cameo appearances include: Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, Cloris Leachman, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Orson Welles and others.

Films will be screened in the Moore Auditorium, Webster Hall first floor.

For more information about the films, call the Film Series recording (314) 968-7487, or contact James Harrison (314) 961-7525 or email jamesh@webster.edu.

^ Return to Headlines

by Robyn Gaeta, Student Editorial Assistant

MAY 2005 SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Honorine Baxter, community relations coordinator (CRC), Ocala Metropolitan Campus, and John Ryan, assistant technical director/scene shop supervisor, Theatre & Dance, share the Employee Spotlight Award honors for May.

Honorine Baxter's nominator says that Baxter accomplished a great deal during this past year. She assisted the campus director with community relations activities in the absence of a coordinator, managed the office, assisted the faculty coordinator and the counseling program coordinator and advised students, all while completing her own MBA degree. In addition, Baxter has used the knowledge and expertise gained while pursuing her MBA to develop business plans for the campus.

"Baxter is one of those exceptional employees who diligently completes tasks, never complains and is always mindful of our commitment to provide a quality educational experience to students," the nominator says.

With Ocala for three years, Baxter was site manager until her promotion to CRC in December 2004. Baxter says the thing she enjoys most about her job is the student contact. "They get excited when they learn about new programs and all the things that are opening up for them, and their enthusiasm is catching," she says. "Working at Webster has been an enjoyable experience. The Ocala team is a wonderful group to work with."

Honorine chose a day off with pay as her prize.

John Ryan's nominator describes him as a very special person and a terrific role model for the students. The nominator adds that Ryan always has the time to assist faculty and co-workers with technical problems.

"John Ryan is the oil that keeps the machine running," says a second nominator. In addition to his considerable night and weekend duties as scene shop foreman, Ryan also handles the bookkeeping and solves problems with the sound system. "He is a brilliant electrician, and he can make anything that is broken work again, as if by magic."

Ryan's expertise was needed recently when a production called for "fireflies to dance and swim around the actor's head." His nominators say those are the times they turn to Ryan, and he digs around and always comes up with the solution.

According to his nominator, Ryan is one of few people in the country who can electrify the motion control used in scenery movement, and he is often called on by outside scene shops to help solve a motion control problem. "All of his expertise comes into play as he works to provide the very best for Webster."

Editor's note: Unfortunately, we were unable to reach John Ryan for his comments or choice of prize.

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

^ Return to Headlines

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.

Paula Hanssen, lecturer and coordinator of German, International Languages and Cultures, presented the paper "'Wir werden also im reinsten und besten Sinne Burger dieser Welt…': Brecht's Collaborators in Exile, Elisabeth Hauptmann and Margarete Steffin" at the 58th annual Kentucky Foreign Language Conference in April. Hanssen's interview with Peter Monaghan about Brecht's reception and the work of the collaborators was published as part of his article, "Brecht: an ironic encore," in The Chronicle of Higher Education, April 29 issue.

David Altus, adjunct professor, Fort Jackson, special projects director with the South Carolina Department of Education, is involved with a program that provides refurbished computers to area schools. In cooperation with the Department of Corrections' Prison Industries, the agency accepts previously owned computers for reconditioning by specially trained inmates. The computers are then sent to schools that lack the resources to purchase new ones.

Barry Hufker, associate professor, Electronic & Photographic Media, recorded the annual concert of the Reunion Jazz and Blues Band with audio production alumna Patricia Tolentino. Hufker and Tolentino digitally recorded the group's performance for an upcoming commercial compact disc. Hufker also recorded the Spring Concert of the Bel Canto Chorus of St. Louis at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in University City. Additionally, Hufker recorded the compact disc, "From the Heart," which will be released this summer.

Brenda Spencer-Ragland, adjunct professor, Fort Sill, was featured in the article "Ambition, hard work blossom: Webster University students at Fort Sill realize success in recycling," which appeared in the May 12, 2005, edition of The Lawton Constitution. In lieu of a written final exam, her students chose to participate in a recycling operation they turned into Webster United, a nonprofit organization.

Pat Froeckmann, assistant director and academic advisor, Westport Campus, received a commemoration from the Army Human Resource Command in appreciation of her dedication and service to the military employees at their facility.

Mike Steinberg, adjunct professor and director of the Film Series, created a documentary, "Stan Kann: The Happiest Man in the World," which premieres June 12 at The Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Mo. Steinberg's film will be paired with "The Mark of Zorro," a classic starring Douglas Fairbanks, which Stan Kann will accompany on the organ.

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

^ Return to Headlines

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

Christiane Heilman, senior director, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., 20 years

Tommie Smith, regional academic director, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 20 years

Leslie Edmonds, representative, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. 10 years

Sam Cooper, director, Greenville Metropolitan Campus, S.C., 10 years

Suzanne Hutcherson, coordinator, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., five years

Ed Malon, general maintenance technician, Facilities Operations, five years

Debra Sullivan, accounting assistant, Bursar/Cashier, five years

Deborah West, public safety specialist, Public Safety, five years

Ada Wright, representative, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, Mo., five years

^ Return to Headlines

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

Gabriela Castaneda, lab assistant, User Services, (314) 961-2660, ext. 8623.

Krista Karstensen, department assistant, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., (573) 329-6777 or speed dial #6 014, fills Melissa Epperson's former position.

Erin Langley, coordinator, Ozarks Metropolitan Campus, Mo., (417) 883-0200 or speed dial #6 108, replaces Lacey Smith.

Cynthia Platt, department associate, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (618) 746-4747 or speed dial #6 010, replaces Toni Dieckhaus.

Erdin Sumic, lab assistant, User Services, (314) 961-2660, ext. 8623.

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

^ Return to Headlines

Warm good wishes to recent retirees from the St. Louis Campus:

Ken Ayres, general clerk, Academic Affairs, 16 years

Mary Ayres, communications dispatcher, Public Safety, 24 years

Consuelo Gallagher, professor emeritus, International Languages and Cultures, 59 years

Sue McClintock, department associate, Athletics, 17 years

Judith McMahon, professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences, 14 years

Ruth Nolle, coordinator, History, Politics and International Relations, 21 years

Donna Wesolich, receptionist, Development, 25 years

Jean Wheeler, representative, Networking and Technical Services, 26 years

Frances Wolfe, representative, Orlando South Metropolitan Campus, Fla., 6 years

^ Return to Headlines

The University extends its sympathy to Bernadette Bell, community relations coordinator, Albuquerque Metropolitan Campus, on the loss of her father.

^ Return to Headlines

CREDITS
Marianne Kirk, Editor
Marketing & Communications

Dominik Jansky, Contributor
Marketing & Communications

Claudia Burris, Sr. Editor and Photojournalist
Marketing & Communications

Casey Conroy, Graphic Designer
Marketing & Communications

Pete McEwen, Technical Advisor
Information Technology

Betsy Schmutz, Director
Human Resources

STUDENT EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Robyn Gaeta