St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay speaking at Webster's 2006 Commencement. Photo by Claudia Burris

Overheard at the Edward Jones Dome May 12:

"A lot of hard work has finally paid off!"

"She's the first college graduate in our family!"

"I didn't think it would ever get here, but it did!"

"It's wonderful!"

Teresa McClain's family and friends filled an entire row of seats and cheered loudly as she received her master's degree in education. "She wants to forge ahead and study administration," her sorority sister said. "I think she will probably be the greatest principal in the entire world."

Leah Ann Captain's husband, Chris, came to support his wife, and three friends who graduated with her. Captain was proud of his wife's human resources degree. "In some ways, I think today means more to me than it does to her," he said.

Multiply these proud moments by the 1,100 graduates participating in this year's Commencement ceremony and you gain some insight into the emotional climate. And these were only a part of the 6,318 graduates in the worldwide Class of 2006.

As President Richard S. Meyers welcomed the graduates, their families and friends to Webster's 87th Annual Commencement, he noted that some of them had traveled from as far away as Japan, China, the Netherlands and Mexico to be there.

In his Commencement address, Meyers thanked the faculty and staff for their contributions throughout the year. "As University president, I am blessed to have wonderful staff in all of our 107 locations," Meyers said.

"At Webster, the reason we accomplish so much is directly attributable to our quality faculty … each graduate owes this day to a faculty whose professionalism and expertise has helped mold their lives."

Following Meyers' opening words, Ed Glotzbach, chair, Board of Trustees, spoke to the graduates, reminding them they will forever be members of the Webster University international family of lifelong learners, and then he gave his traditional Commencement directive to them: "As a member of the Webster family, we expect you to write and visit often."

Glotzbach introduced the 2006 Commencement speaker, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, who encouraged the graduates to take risks. "Don't play it safe," he said. "Don't stick to doing only those things that you are comfortable doing."

"You will be successful in your chosen field — whether its teaching children, building homes, legislating, litigating, making people healthier — if you spend some time off the easier roads."

Some facts about the Class of 2006: • 6,318 new graduates worldwide • Ranged in age from 20 to 70 • Hailed from 105 countries, as well as 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico • 156 extended campus graduates attended the ceremony in St. Louis • 35 Webster staff members were part of the class of 2006, as were 29 children and spouses of Webster staffers

Slay encouraged the graduates to stay in St. Louis. "If you are willing to take risks, you do not have to leave St. Louis to find a good job and a vibrant quality of life," he said. "It's right here."

After Mayor Slay concluded his remarks, he accepted an honorary doctor of laws degree from President Meyers in recognition of his dedication and commitment to creating a better life for the people of St. Louis and to strengthening the region as a whole.

Actress, director, producer and educator Agnes Wilcox received the Distinguished Service Award for founding the Prison Performing Arts theater company, a multi-discipline program serving imprisoned adults and young people at facilities across Missouri.

Nancy Edmonds Paull, who has worked for 30 years in substance abuse prevention and treatment, received the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award.

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The Faculty and Staff Recognition Breakfast on May 16 got off to a noisy start when President Meyers announced a longer-than-usual July 4 holiday weekend. "In trying to find a way to thank you for what you did this year … it became my decision as to whether we called a holiday for Monday, July 3, since July 4 is a Tuesday," Meyers said. "So in thanks to our working together for our mutual good, enjoy a four-day weekend from July 1st through July 4th. You deserve it!"

The announcement received so much applause, Meyers said he was tempted to stop the proceedings right there.

Ed Granich receives the University Associate plaque from President Meyers. Photo by Claudia Burris

"From the admissions counselor to the folks who keep our flower pots blooming, each and every one of you contribute to the students' experience at Webster," he said. "We appreciate you and value your work, and so do the students."

Representing the students was Trevor Zickgraf, president of the Student Government Association. "Trevor asked me to convey the students' gratitude for all you do for them throughout the year," Meyers said.

Meyers officially welcomed Lindsey Lester-Brutscher, department associate in the Center for International Education, who is Webster's newest staff member.

The following retirees received citations in appreciation of their contributions to the University:

University Associates:

• Barbara Cartwright, Academic Affairs, 11 years
• Patricia Conboy, Registrar, 17 years
• Ed Granich, Facilities Operations, 25 years
• Teresa Kleber, Library, 13 years
• Pat McLeese, Academic Support Center, 14 years
• Jan Murray, Academic Affairs, 28 years
• Mary O'Neal, Library, 14 years
• Marcia Paul, Academic Advising, 16 years
• Marianne Slojkowski, Registrar, 17 years
• Rena Smith, Academic Affairs, 14 years

The University Associate designation is given to distinguished retiring staff who served full-time during most of their employment. It allows the retirees to continue a relationship with Webster and also provides them some benefits.

Emeritus Faculty:

• Dennis Klass, Religious Studies, 35 years
• Gary Hubler, Theatre and Dance, 33 years
• Elizabeth Ortner-Chopin, Vienna Campus, more than 10 years

Neil George, executive vice president, Academic Affairs, announced the winners of the 2006-07 William T. Kemper Award for Excellence in Teaching, given to those professors who exhibit the art of teaching at its finest:

• Gracila Corvalan, professor, International Languages and Cultures
• Joan Henderson, adjunct professor, Louisville Metropolitan Campus
• Bill Lynch, associate professor, Theatre and Dance
• Paulette Schmidt, adjunct professor, English

Joe Stimpfl, chair, Religious Studies, received this year's Wilma and Roswell Messing Jr. Faculty Award. Stimpfl will use the award to study the practice of Islam in Southeast Asia.

The Messing Award is presented each year to a full-time faculty member who presents the most promising proposal for a summer activity that will strengthen the curriculum of his or her department and the University, or will improve the teaching/learning relationship. Faculty proposals are peer-reviewed by an appointed University committee.

Human Resources director Betsy Schmutz and coordinator Julie Dreiling assisted Meyers' with the presentation of years of service awards. "I think this is a record-breaking event this year," Schmutz said as the 25-year employees were called forward. "Those with 25 years of service receive a chair with the University seal on it and a name plaque on the back, and we will be awarding 16 chairs this morning!"

Twenty-five year employees with their Webster University chairs. Photo by Claudia Burris

Four people were honored for serving the University for 40 years: Seena Kohl, professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences; Karen Luebbert, vice president and executive assistant to the president, Executive Office; Ed Sakurai, professor, Math and Computer Science; and Peter Sargent, dean, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts.

The Staff Member of the Year honor went to Peggy Cox, representative, School of Education. "She is a shining example of our student-centered approach to education and service," said Meyers. "Her non-threatening demeanor and willingness to go out of her way are just some of the qualities that earn her high praise from co-workers, faculty and students."

President Meyers presents Karen Luebbert with a crystal vase in appreciation of 40 years service. Photo by Claudia Burris

The final order of business was presenting Presidential Citations to staff who have made extraordinary contributions this year. The first were awarded to those who lead Webster constituencies: Nancy Higgins, chair, Webster Staff Alliance; Trevor Zickgraf, president, Student Government Association; and Jim Brasfield, chair, Faculty Senate.

Meyers closed the program with a challenge: "How and what can we all do to better serve our students? If we remember our mission as a student-centered institution, the answers should come easily to each of us. Then, next year we will celebrate the remarkable results those ideas will generate."

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It's a tradition at WSA's last meeting of the year for newly elected officers to be welcomed and the outgoing ones wished a fond farewell. The May 17 meeting, themed "Pomp and Circumstance," also honored the 35 staff members who completed their degrees and graduated this May.

Outgoing chair Nancy Higgins, special events coordinator, Executive Office, introduced the newly elected board members:

• Chair: Julie Altmann, representative, Academic Advising
• Secretary: Francine Case, department associate, Academic Affairs, formerly Kathleen Crabdree, department associate, Administration.
• Compensation Chair: Terri Jones, assistant director of information services, User Services, re-elected to same position.

Remaining on the board another year are:

• Co-Chair: Laura Wainz, department associate, Academic Affairs
• Membership Chair: Caprice Moore, coordinator, School of Business and Technology
• Special Events Chair: Nancy Wilson, academic advisor, Academic Advising

Francine Case announced that a cookbook titled "Your Recipes from Around the World of Webster" is currently in the works. Webster alumni, faculty, retirees, staff and students at all Webster campuses are invited to send their favorite recipes to be included in the book. The purpose of the project is two-fold — to keep the worldwide network of campuses in touch and to raise funds for WebsterWorksWorldwide projects at each campus.

• Recipes can be submitted to Chef Gorlok, a link to be added soon to the Webster home page at www.webster.edu

• St. Louis staffers interested in joining the Test and Taste Committee, which will be tasting and testing recipes during June and July, e-mail Suzanne Walls at wallsst@webster.

Higgins closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their support and expressing how much chairing the organization has meant to her. In lieu of parting gifts, Higgins and Jones donated the funds toward the purchase of a WSA butterfly chair in the new campus butterfly garden.

WSA's Web page: http://home.webster.edu/wsa

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Webster Film Series: Meet Filmmaker Alan Zweig

Vinyl
This indie film, which has never had an official U.S. release but has had a steady underground following, presents the first-person musings of people obsessed with collecting records. Viewing it is guaranteed to make you feel a little better about whatever you've been accumulating.

• 8 p.m., Thursday, June 8; Friday, June 9
• Moore Auditorium, Webster Hall
• Webster faculty and staff, $4; general public, $5
• Alan Zweig — himself a collector — will answer questions following the screening.

Indie filmmaker Alan Zweig, collector and curmudgeon.

I, Curmudgeon
Combining the personal with the universal, Zweig digs deep into the nature of malcontents, including Harvey Pekar, Fran Lebowitz and Andy Rooney. Getting to the bottom of their skewed perspectives proves challenging in this amusing film by the equally downbeat Zweig.

• 8 p.m., Saturday, June 10; Sunday, June 11
• Moore Auditorium, Webster Hall
• Webster faculty and staff, $4; general public, $5
• Alan Zweig — himself a curmudgeon — will answer questions following the June 10 screening.

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Contributed by Shawn Arbogast, Student Editorial Assistant

MAY 2006 SPOTLIGHT AWARD

Kristi Evans

Kristi Evans, help desk coordinator, User Services, and Deborah Marshall, representative, Los Angeles Air Force Base, share the Employee Spotlight Award honors for April.

"I was very surprised," says Kristi Evans, "I never expected to be chosen for this."

Her nominator says Evans always strives for ways to make the work environment more enjoyable. Recently, she asked her team to read The Fish Philosophy, a book on improving staff morale. The four principles of customer service explained in the book are: be there, play, choose your attitude and make their day. "I try to incorporate those principles in everything we do," Evans says.

"Kristi is an excellent boss," her nominator says. She regularly communicates with the help desk team and encourages the use of the Connections message board.

Evans says the help desk, which is staffed entirely by students, provides a unique working environment. "Its fun working with the students and I enjoy almost every aspect of my job," she says.

Every two weeks during the school year, Evans' nominator says, she spotlights a help desk employee, names them "Superstar," and displays information about them for other team members to read. "I think it is time for Kristi to be spotlighted," the nominator says.

Evans chose a day off with pay as her prize in order to extend a visit with her mother in North Carolina.

Deborah Marshall

Deborah Marshall says when she heard she had been chosen for the spotlight award, her response was, "Really? Wow! Let me sit down."

Marshall believes that small things can have a big impact. "Working in an extended office, I try to remember the names of the students that come in for assistance," she says. "That always seems to surprise them."

"Deborah is an exceptional find," says her nominator. "She is always upbeat, positive and totally committed to her role as a Webster employee. Outstanding customer service is a priority with Deborah.

"She is constantly initiating ways of improving the operations to make them more effective and efficient, and she has made it part of her mission to keep the door of communication between staff, faculty, students and the St. Louis campus open at all times."

Marshall began working at the extended campus as a temporary worker and was hired full-time in October of 2005. "The thing that is most rewarding to me is that I get to help so many people."

Marshall had not yet chosen her prize.

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

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Carol Nelson, director, Navy Supply Activity, Memphis, Tenn., wrote a guest column, "Volunteers Deserve Thanks for Keeping the City Beautiful," that appeared in The Millington Star online newspaper May 11.

Gary Gottlieb, assistant professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, was a panelist May 22 in the Educators Forum at the Audio Engineering Society's (AES) International Convention in Paris, France. The forum brings together the AES education committee, teachers, authors, students and members who are interested in the issues of primary and continuing education of the audio industry. The AES is an international professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology.

Scott Air Force Base, Ill., won the Nathan Altschuler Award for Excellence in Educational Programs in Category 1-A, bases that service a population of more than 5,000. It was presented in January by Mission Support Commander Lt. Col. Keasley. In recognition of the award, all Webster representatives received the Commander's coin. In addition, the Mission Support Squadron, of which Scott AFB is a part, won the Best Mission Support Squadron in the Air Force Award May 3.

Cynthia Kortenhorst, adjunct professor, Leiden, the Netherlands, received her doctorate degree from the University of Leiden in April.

Lyn Smith, adjunct professor, London, published the book, Forgotten Voices of the Holocaust, based on interviews with Holocaust survivors, several of which were done at Webster's St. Louis campus. The book was recently on The Sunday Times' (UK) bestseller list and has been released in paperback. The U.S. edition, renamed Remembering the Voices of the Holocaust, was released in April. Smith teaches one semester a year at the St. Louis campus.

Memphis Naval Supply Activity, Tenn., had a Summer Faculty Workshop for 25 faculty members on May 12 that included training in using Connections and Turnitin, an Internet program on preventing plagiarism, and other teaching aids available through the University.

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:

MAY 2006

Michael DeKoning, lab assistant, Greenville Metropolitan Campus, S.C., 5 years

Cynthia Haynes, representative, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., 5 years

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

Marie Byington, nurse, Health Services, (314) 961-2660, ext. 6922, transfer from temporary to full-time.

Jayme Callahan, women's basketball coach, compliance coordinator, Athletics, (314) 961-2660, ext. 7508, replaces Amber Daulbaugh.

James Fry, department assistant, Louisville Metropolitan Campus, Ky., (502) 896-1835 or speed dial #6 012, replaces Marilyn Roach.

Joseph Haskell, public safety officer, Public Safety, (314) 961-2660, ext. 7430, rehired into his former position.

Michael Jennings, coordinator, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., (623) 536-6880 or speed dial #6 116, replaces Shaughna Vaughn's former position.

Lindsey Lester-Brutscher, department associate, Center of International Education, (314) 961-2660, ext. 7432, replaces Teresa Sarai's former position.

Antonio Ronquillo, community relations coordinator, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, (210) 534-0757 or speed dial #6 069, replaces George Wallace.

Janet Stapleton, department assistant, Palm Bay Campus, Fla., (321) 956-6700 or speed dial #6 103, replaces Esther Roberts's former position.

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

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© 2006 Webster University