OCTOBER 2006
•
SOC PR Institute Explores Social Networking
•
Webster Works Worldwide 12 — A Dozen Years of Service
•
Meet Wenceslaus P'Oryem
•
Some of St. Louis' Best Sing the Best of Broadway
•
Did You Know?
•
St. Louis Calendar Highlights
•
Employees of the Month
•
HR Corner
•
Just for Laughs
•
Kampus Kudos
•
Service Anniversaries
•
New Employees
•
Condolences
To view the Inside Webster archives, click here
* Top Photo: Webster students and IT staff at Edgar Road School.
The School of Communication’s Second Annual Public Relations Institute, “Making MySpace Your Space,” took place Oct. 20. Presenting at the institute were: David Lowry, senior partner and vice president at Fleishman-Hillard; and Justin Smith, an independent blogger with Social Intelligence, an organization that watches the business and culture of social networking systems.
Lowey said online social networking has emerged as a result of changing social behaviors and expectations. Young people lead the way; those between 13 and 25 now consume more content online than through print, radio and television combined. They are also the major users of instant messaging.
 David Lowry, senior partner and VP, Fleishman-Hillard, discusses online social networking at the SOC PR Institute. Photo by Gary Ford |
Using a clip from Stephen Colbert’s “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central (obtained via the Internet), Lowey explained the terms ‘wikiality’ and ‘truthiness,’ which were chosen the top buzz words of the year by the Global Language Monitor. Wikiality, derived from the Web site Wikipedia.com, means “something is true if enough people are convinced of it,” and truthiness is “the quality by which a person claims to know something intuitively, instinctively without regard to — and even in the face of — evidence, logic, intelletual examanation or actual facts.”
To view the Colbert video clip and Lowey’s complete presentation, click here
Justin Smith, a nationally recognized expert on social Web sites Facebook.com and MySpace and their expansion into the workplace, said people join social Web sites for many reasons, including professional, passion-centric, demograpic-centric and to explore new possibilities.
 Justin Smith taking questions from the audience. Photo by Gary Ford |
“If you are a member and your friend is a member and the system knows that you’re friends, that leads to a better experience,” Smith said.
Smith addressed the marketing challenge social networks provide. He noted that click-through rates are 10 times lower than average on these sites because people don’t want to leave the social environment. Sponsored profile pages on MySpace are one way to market in this environment. Wendy’s Square, sponsored by Wendy’s restaurants, has received more than 100,000 “friendships” and thousands of comments. Burger King sponsored free downloads of two episodes of the television program 24, which garnered them 130,000 “friends.”
Jason Smith's Blog
PR Institute Blog
^ Return to Headlines
From Jennifer Willis, Special Events Coordinator
Once again, Webster Works Worldwide was a huge success. More than 2,000 Webster faculty, staff, students and alumni painted, raked, collected, shared, sorted, cleaned, hammered, planted, created, listened and responded to needs during the University’s 12th annual community service day on Oct. 4. A comparison of statistics through the years is available on the Webster Works Worldwide homepage at www.webster.edu/www.
To see photos from Webster Works Worldwide 12 visit the 2006 Photo Gallery
While the number of volunteers and the hours worked are impressive, the real measure of WWW12’s success is seen through the comments made by the volunteers and agencies that took part that day. Here’s a sampling:
Volunteer Comments
“Knowing that we were re-building something that the kids could use for years to come was very rewarding and it makes me feel very good to know that these kids will be safer and happier.”
“It is a great way to give back to the community and be involved in the effort to make this city a better place to live. I feel that faculty and staff need to show students enthusiasm, willingness and lead by example when it comes to WWW.”
“This was a group of boys (at Epworth Children’s Home) that clearly had no interest in our visit when we arrived. They were intent only on playing video games. Once they were divided into teams and a game of ‘Business Jeopardy’ became a competition, they all got excited. It was rewarding to see a room of teenage boys high-fiving after getting answers correct. The SIFE students outdid themselves in preparing for the event.”
“It was enjoyable, a good learning experience and a good way to meet new people.”
“I think the organization we worked with is awesome. Our team leader is very involved with the Focal Point and seemed to really care. It got me really interested as well.
I think that it should be mandatory that all students do it once, I bet that they would do it again.”
 Neil George and friends at the Grace Hill Day Care Center. |
“Your group is the best! We look forward to them each year. The combination of students, faculty and staff is one of the contributing factors that make Webster Works Worldwide so successful. I feel our center has not only benefited from your work day but that we have made some wonderful new friends and wildlife supporters.”
— Wildlife Center of Missouri
“The group did an excellent job. Their work was professional. The residents have begun calling saying how much better the grounds are looking. The volunteers were beyond our expectations and we are grateful!”
— Rose Hill House
“The team worked preparing 2,700 meals for the city of St. Louis Meals on Wheels program, which included preparing 3,000 chicken quarters. I bet they won’t eat chicken for a while!”
— Finninger’s Catering Service
“The volunteers from Webster University were a joy to work with. They did an excellent job and enjoyed themselves. Some of the people got to do things they had never done before and were able to learn a new skill while helping others.”
— Habitat for Humanity (Fayetteville, AR)
“On behalf of The Women’s Shelter, accept our sincere thanks for being included in this year’s Webster Works Worldwide. What an amazing group of people! Everyone arrived on time (even early) ready to work. Their attitude said ‘I want to be here.’ Webster University was well-represented.”
— The Women’s Shelter (Columbia, SC)
 Salt Lake Metro Campus volunteers at the Cancer Wellness House. |
^ Return to Headlines
 Wenceslaus P’Oryem |
P’Oryem had been at Quinnipiac one year when the departments were reorganized and his job changed to part time, so he decided to pursue other employment. “I had offers from many universities, but I chose to come to Webster,” he says. “One thing that appealed to me about Webster was the international program and the interest in promoting globalization. I thought this might be a good fit for me.”
Webster has turned out to be a good fit for P’Oryem. “I like it here,” he says. “I enjoy most getting to know students from different backgrounds and learning about their customs.”
P’Oryem says getting good feedback from the students can be very rewarding. Recently there was good feedback about a guided bus tour for the international students that took them to some of the major attractions in St. Louis, including Forest Park, the Art Museum, the Arch, the Delmar Loop and dinner on a river boat. “The students who come here don’t know places to go, so we organized the tour,” P’Oryem says. “And they loved it.”
Of course, the job of assisting more than 348 international students from countries as diverse as Japan, Vietnam, Vienna, Bosnia, China, Thailand, South America, Equador, Columbia and Costa Rica also has challenges. “The nature of the job is that you will have the rough end sometimes handling various complaints from the students.” For example, P’Oryem has spent a lot of time this year explaining the new mandate that international students must have health insurance from Webster. “They used to be able to have any medical insurance,” P’Oryem says. “But sometimes when they needed it, there would be no coverage and it would cost them a lot of money.”
P’Oryem says the biggest challenge he faces is satisfying the needs of students from so many different cultural and economic backgrounds. “It’s a big challenge for me to make sure all the different groups feel like they have a place they belong so they are able to go to school and finish their degrees here,” he says.
Another challenge for P’Oryem is keeping in constant touch with constantly changing U.S. immigration regulations and keeping the students informed about them.
 P’Oryem (center) and students Shizumi Matsui, Sayuki Miyabe (left) and Kamaria Kassim (far right) visit with children at St. Patrick’s Center where they volunteered for WWW12. |
P’Oryem completed his undergraduate degree in liberal arts in 2002 and graduate degree in college student personnel at the University of Louisville in 2005. “I was planning to be a middle school teacher and I did that for a short time in Louisville and I didn’t like it,” he says, laughing. “I realized I love academics and that’s why I decided to get my master’s in college student personnel, which some places call student affairs.”
“Sudan has been at war for a long, long time and that’s why I came,” P’Oryem says. “Perhaps you have heard of Darfur, a province in the western part of Sudan. You can get the details when you come to hear me speak,” he says, referring to his scheduled talk at the Nov. 21 International Symposium.
For more information about the symposium, click here
^ Return to Headlines
Veteran St. Louis performers Ralph Butler, Charles Glenn and Michelle Isam joined the Webster jazz faculty and visiting musicians for an evening of jazz-inspired renditions of Broadway show tunes Oct. 23. Songs by Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Weber and other Broadway legends provided an audience-pleasing evening in the Moore Auditorium.
 Ralph Butler sings, accompanied by Willem von Hombracht on bass and Kevin Gianino on drums. Photo by Brent Holzapfel of The Journal |
Webster music faculty at the concert were Kim Portnoy, associate professor, and Carol Schmidt, adjunct professor, on piano; Willem von Hombracht, adjunct professor, on bass; and Kevin Gianino, adjunct professor, on drums. Also on the program were visiting pianists Jerry Liebman and Phil Cappello, Kirk Cappello’s father.
This year’s scholarship winners — Randy Boyce, vibraphone; Abie Haniz, violin; Nick Savage, drums; Paul Shanker, saxophone; and Mike Smith, saxophone — were introduced at the concert. They all will perform in the upcoming Student Jazz Combos concerts on Nov. 6 and 13.
Michael Parkinson, chair and professor, Music, summed up the evening after Glenn and Isam’s rousing finale — a scatting rendition of Gershwin’s “I’ve Got Rhythm” — “Now, was that jammin’ or was that jammin’?”
For more info about the concert please visit www.webujournal.com
^ Return to Headlines
On Nov. 4, the School of Business and Technology will host a worldwide event — the ACM Mid-Central Collegiate Programming Contest. Webster is providing one of the Midwest sites for the contest, which will cover five states. Of the 132 teams competing, 10 will be at Webster. In addition to Webster students, students from Washington University, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Principia and Saint Louis University will be represented at the all day event. The contest will take place from 12:30 to 5:50 p.m.
^
Return to Headlines
 Sculputre in Bruc Fugue exhibit. |
• The “Bruc Fugue” video and sculpture installation plays on the idea of a fugue, which is has two meanings, one psychological and another musical. Each work contains fabricated structures, lighting and costumed performers that are designed with highly crafted elements, such as walls engineered to move, and spontaneous elements, such as unrehearsed choreography.
• Opening Reception, Friday, Nov. 17, 6 – 8 p.m.
• On display Nov. 17 – Dec. 15
• Cecille Hunt Gallery, 8342 Big Bend Blvd., Hours M – F, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free
International Symposium — “The Sudan Story”
• Lecture by Wenceslaus P’Oryem, director, International Student Affairs
• Bring your lunch. Drinks and cookies provided.
• Nov. 21, noon, UC Sunnen Lounge; free
^ Return to Headlines
Contributed by Ashley Marshall, student editorial assistant
OCTOBER 2006 SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Marilynn Shelton, financial aid counselor; and Michelle Alex, office manager, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, share the October Employee Spotlight Award honors.
 Marilyn Shelton. Photo by Ashley Marshall |
Shelton says she was shocked when she found out she had won the award. “Jon Gruett, director of Financial Aid, appeared in my doorway and said “Congratulations,” she says. “I was somewhat baffled as to what he was making reference to.” Shelton says it was completely unexpected, but appreciated.
Shelton has been an employee at Webster for more than 10 years in the Financial Aid office as a counselor. She also works as a resource in various other capacities. “Overall, my position is an outreach position,” she says.
“I enjoy being able to help individuals realize their educational dreams,” says Shelton. She enjoys helping students and showing them that it’s possible to go to college and she "enjoys being a listening ear for those who need someone to talk to."
Shelton chose the day off as her prize to spend time in the Ozarks with her family.
“We always expect the very best from her, and she has never let us down,” says Michelle Alex’s nominator. Alex has been an employee at Webster for 21 years at the Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, and the now-closed Kelly Air Force Base, all in the San Antonio, Texas, area.
Alex's boss, Ellis Harbin gave her the news of the award when they were having lunch. “I was very surprised because I didn’t even know I had been nominated,” Alex says.
Alex says her job is very rewarding because of the one-on-one relationships that are built with the students. There are many students deploying and returning from Iraq and they often let the faculty know how well they appreciate them. “I love my job!” she says.
Alex chose the savings bond as her prize.
Employees everywhere are eligible for the monthly Employee Spotlight Award.
Using the nomination form is easy!
^ Return to Headlines
MetLaw Provides Affordable Legal Services
Webster has a new benefit program that provides affordable legal services to full-time faculty and staff. Employee, spouse and dependents can be covered for a payroll deduction of $18 per month, or $216 per year. The program is available for all U.S. locations.
Preparation of wills, living trusts, living wills, powers of attorney, affidavits, deeds demand letters, notes and mortgages are covered by the program. Legal representation for purchase, sale or refinancing of an employee’s primary residence; debt collection defense; identify theft; name change, personal bankruptcy and many other potential needs also are included.
Fran Blumentritt, coordinator-classification and compensation, and Julie Dreiling, human resources coordinator, have both used MetLaw services and say it was well worth enrolling.
“I was very satisifed with the services I received,” says Blumentritt. “I had a simple will, a living trust, and powers of attorney for medical and for financial reasons drawn up. In my mind it was a real bargin for $8.34 a pay period for one year.” Dreiling, who had similar documents drawn up, also was very satisfied with the attorney’s services.
Employees can sign up for the MetLaw program during Human Resources Open Enrollment on Nov. 17, from 11 a.m – 2 p.m.
For more information about the MetLaw program go to www.legalplans.com
and use the password: MetLaw, or call (800) 821-6400, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7p.m., or Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).
Robert Walters, adjunct professor, Palm Bay Campus, Fla., recently received the Human Resources Professional of the Year award from the Human Resources Florida State Council. Walters is the director of human resource operations for Health First, an integrated health care system based in Melbourne, Fla., with more than 6,200 employees. He has held a number of leadership positions with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), including a 5-term member of the SHRM National Committee on Employee and Labor Relations.
Nicki Nance, adjunct professor and faculty coordinator, Ocala Metropolitan Campus, Fla., presented the workship, “Starting and Building a Private Practice,” in October, based on his 35 years as a successful private counselor.
Gary Gottlieb, assistant professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, accompanied 10 students to the Audio Engineering Society (AES) convention in San Francisco in October, where networked with industry professionals and other students from all over the world. While there, Gottlieb was appointed to the AES Education Committee and also presented his findings for standardization of audio curriculum worldwide. AES is a worldwide organization of audio engineers, physicists and others with more than 10,000 members and hundreds of chapters.
Hector Vargas, dean, School of Engineering, CETYS University in Mexicali, Mexico, is the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow for the 2006-07 academic year. As part of the Academic Affairs team, Vargas will share his expertise on higher education in Mexico and how a private Mexican higher education instituition manages and directs a multi-campus system and observe how Webster manages and directs a multi-campus system.
Robert Chamberlin, associate professor, Music, composed “Fanfare for Euphonium Quarter.” The work premiered as the opening selection in Part I of OcTUBAfest at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Oct. 10.
Edward Wright, adjunct professor, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., was selected as a committee member on the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) Technical Committee. The CPHIMS credential is recognized as the national standard of healthcare information technology industry knowledge. Wright is deputy chief information officer of the Gen. Leonard Wood Army Commuty Hospital, a graduate of Webster University, and has been faculty member at Fort Leonard Wood since 1991. He brings to his new appointment both his experience in the health care industry clinical information systems and his experience as an adjunct instructor of information technology.
Peter Sargent, dean, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, was featured in the article, “Man in Plaid Still Enjoys Colorful, Exciting Career,” in a special insert of the West County Journal, Oct. 25. He also was featured in a recent issue of the Webster-Kirkwood Journal and in St. Louis Magazine.
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:
OCTOBER 2006
The University extends its appreciation to the following individuals who have served the institution for many years:
Sue Morris, director, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 30 years
Jason Williams, IT Web and integration architect, Administrative Information Systems, 10 years
David Stone, director, Facilities Planning, 10 years
Robert Broaden, director, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., 5 years
Ann Brennan Buss, development officer, Development, 5 years
Julie McHugh, department associate, Development, 5 years
Connie Mlynarczyk, representative, Biological Sciences, 5 years
Kathleen Pardo, assistant director-accounting, Finance, 5 years
Cynthia Pruett, accounting assistant, Business Office, 5 years
^
Return to Headlines
We extend warm welcome to the newest members of the Webster family:
OCTOBER 2006
Ryan Altizer, general clerk, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., (301) 420-2256 or Speed Dial #6 123, replaces Andre Redditt.
Corie Dugas, access services clerk, Emerson Library, (314) 968-6952, replaces Gregory Kettinger.
Paula Gleitz, department associate, Multidisciplinary Studies, School of Education, (314) 961-2660 ext. 7097, replaces Erin Rivers.
Georgiana Grant, reference librarian, Emerson Library, (314) 968-6950, replaces Jennifer Dodillet.
LeAnn Harris, assistant basketball coach, Athletics, (314) 968-6984, replaces Dennis Griffen.
Kelly Kauffman, department secretary, Space Coast Metropolitan Campus, Fla., (321) 449-4500 or Speed Dial #6 008, replaces Hope Tarr.
Juliet Kerlin, community relations coordinator, Albuquerque Metropolitan Campus, N.M., (505) 292-6988 or Speed Dial #6 061, replaces Bernadette Bell.
Sandra Kunz, director, Fort Sill, Okla., (580) 353-5766 or Speed Dial #6 076, replaces Kim Ousley.
Elizabeth Matsushima, coordinator, Fort Belvoir, Va., (703) 781-7942 or Speed Dial #6 127, replaces Kerry Coleman Proksch.
Samuel Morgan, director, Fort Bliss, Texas, (915) 562-4400 or Speed Dial #6 032, permanent replacement for George McKenzie.
Elizabeth Naito, coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences, (314) 968-8997, replaces Thuy Witt.
Galen Cole Quinlan, service clerk, Media Center, (314) 968-6967, replaces Jason Weathers.
Pamela Weatherford, department associate, Finance, (314) 968-6928, replaces Laura Kilstrom.
To learn more about job opportunities at Webster, go to the Human Resources Jobs site.
^
Return to Headlines
The University extends sympathies to Pamela Lewis, Facilities Operations, in the loss of her father, Robert Reed.
^
Return to Headlines
Marianne Kirk, Editor
Office of Marketing
MARKETING OFFICE CONTRIBUTORS
Claudia Burris, Sr. Editor & Photojournalist
Casey Conroy, Graphic Designer
Dominik Jansky, Writer/Editor
Patrick Powers, Writer/Editor
Pete McEwen, Technical Advisor
Ashley Marshall, Writer
HUMAN RESOURCES CONTRIBUTORS
Betsy Schmutz
Gloria Barbre
Julie Dreiling