JANUARY 2007
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A Letter to the Community from Richard S. Meyers
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Christopher Gardner Packs the House
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Webster Theatre Faculty At Work in the Community
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Academy for International Education
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St. Louis Calendar Highlights
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Employee of the Month
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HR Corner
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Just for Laughs
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Kampus Kudos
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Service Anniversaries
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New Employees
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Condolences
To view the Inside Webster archives, click here
* Top Photo: Christopher Gardner with program coordinator Shalon Malone, who helped arrange his visit to Webster. Photo by Claudia Burris
This year I am using Inside Webster as the vehicle for my annual "beginning of the year" message to the University community. Inside Webster's publication date falls well into 2007, so it may seem anticlimactic for me to say, "Happy New Year," but nevertheless, I will say it. I sincerely wish everyone a happy, prosperous and healthy new year. I hope your holiday season was everything you wanted it to be for you and your families.
I am always excited as we begin new semesters for I know each will bring better things for the University. As you have a great year, it increases the opportunity for the University to have a great year. We are off to a wonderful start. Our campaign continues in its silent phase as we solicit "close friends" of the University, including our trustees. To date, we have contacted 75 percent of the board and each has made a gift or pledge. In the next few weeks we will contact the remaining members. We will have 100 percent participation from the board. During the next several months, I will devote a large part of my time to the campaign. The future of Webster is indelibly wound up in the success of this campaign and so it deserves my focused attention.
We began the New Year with a meeting of our Board of Trustees and we set history by meeting for the first time away from the Webster Groves campus. We met at the Old Post Office and devoted the entire meeting to our successes and hopes for our newest campus. The board learned a great deal about our facility and our programs, hearing from civic leaders such as Mayor Francis Slay; Peter Sortino, The Danforth Foundation; Dick Fleming, Regional Chamber and Growth Association; and Jim Cloar, Downtown St. Louis Partnership) and faculty members Jim Monahan and Glen Norton.
At the meeting Tom Irwin and Ed Glotzbach were elected to the board. Tom now serves as the Executive Director of Civic Progress and Ed returns to the board having served as a Trustee for 11 years and as chair for four years.
We expect to have the new Community Music School completed within a few weeks. As you know, the school has occupied a portion of the building since the fall, but soon they will have the entire facility available, including the new auditorium. We will soon schedule an open house so all of you can see this new facility.
As you may know, the University has transferred ownership of the print-formatted St. Louis Journalism Review back to its founder, Charles Klotzer. We have enjoyed more than a decade as the owner, and now we move to our own Webster University online format for media review/critique. Most newspapers are finding that their readers are migrating to online formats for their news, bypassing print sources; so with media review. We wish Charles the very best with his renewed ownership.
I know many of you are involved with committees preparing our self-study for our April 2008 re-accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Council of the North Central Association. I appreciate the time and energy many of you are devoting to this effort. Thanks to Jim Staley for once again coordinating the self-study.
So, I wish YOU a Happy New Year and I wish US a Happy New Year. May the successes we reap in 2007 bring a better future for all of us as we continue to change the world one student at a time.
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Contributed by Ashley Marshall, student editorial assistant
 Gardner makes a point during a meeting with a group of students before his speech. Photo by Claudia Burris |
It's no surprise that Gardner, whose personal story is told in the highly publicized and well-received film, "The Pursuit of Happyness," would attract a such a large crowd. Gardner also penned the best-selling book of the same name.
Adding to Gardner's notoriety is the fact that actor Will Smith, who portrays Gardner in the film, was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his performance. Gardner said he had reservations about Smith portraying him until his daughter said, "If he can play Muhammad Ali, he can do you." So far, the movie has grossed more than $5 million.
Gardner's easy, humorous delivery during his 1.5 hour speech was well received by the crowd whose applause was frequent. He shared that he was at first not too interested in public speaking. He said that when he was first approached to appear on the television program "20/20" with Barbara Walters, he turned it down. Later he agreed to do the show, and his life hasn't been the same since.
Gardner subsequently appeared on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and was even approached by a reality show producer who pitched the idea of a competitive show that would follow homeless people around. At the end of the show, there would be an award for the winner. Gardner's response was, "Homelessness is not a game, and if it is, I've already won."
Throughout his talk, Gardner emphasized the importance of the parent-child relationship, saying he decided when he was very young that if he ever had children, he would be there for them. He also said he never thought about making a lot of money until he was talking to his mother about someone who had made a million dollars and she said, "You could do that someday, too." After she said that to him, it became a goal, which he has achieved many times over.
Gardner is the CEO of his own stock brokerage firm, Gardner Rich and Co., based in Chicago. His trip to Webster is part of a 2-year world tour of speaking engagements designed to reach out to young people with his message of hope.
For more information about Gardner's talk, see Feb. 1 issue of "The Journal" online.
Gardner's Web site
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"Hana's Suitcase"
In addition to their busy teaching schedules, Webster's Fine Arts faculty has a tradition of performing, designing and exhibiting in the community. Carrying on that tradition are three members of our Theatre faculty who were involved in the recent Metro Theater Company production of "Hana's Suitcase," a play for young audiences at the Edison Theatre at Washington University.
John Wylie, professor, Theatre and Dance, designed the lighting for the play; Dunsi Dai, associate professor, Theatre and Dance, designed the sets; and Beckah Voigt, associate professor and director of the dance program, Theatre and Dance, performed three roles in the production.
Based on Karen Levine's award-winning book, "Hana's Suitcase: A True Story," the play concerns a group of school children in Tokyo, Japan, learning about the Holocaust. Their teacher's request for a loan of artifacts from the Auschwitz Memorial Museum yields a battered suitcase inscribed with the name Hana Brady, and the children set out to discover who Hana was.
With a target audience of 10-year-olds, Dai explains how careful the designers were in presenting such a dark topic to children. For example, in designing the set for the Holocaust Center, Dai and his team considered using photographs or artwork, but they decided that realistic images of the Holocaust, even artful ones, would not be appropriate.
"Then I remembered the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., and I thought we could use walls inscribed with victims' names." Dai says. "So we put up wall panels with names from the concentration camps. From a distance, the names would not be clear, but you could recognize what they were and they would communicate how many victims there were."
 Dunsi Dai's Holocaust museum set includes memorial panels and a picture of Hana Brady. |
Dai also admires the work of his colleagues. "What we call 'deep magic,' John does very well," Dai says, "And Beckah is a wonderful actress. She is really a dancer, but for this particular show, she played several roles, moving from one to another."
"It was an amazing experience," Wylie says. "I almost didn't do it because of all the other things I have going on, but I'm so glad I didn't pass up this chance."
Voigt agrees. "I had a fabulous time working with Metro Theatre Company on the beautiful story of Hana. It's touching and timely."
One of the parts Voigt played was Friedl Dicker-Brandeis. "I relate to her in that she lives her life with art integrally a part of it, providing inspiration for others," Voigt says. "She lives with hope, courage and breath through creativity and through the imagination. I want very much for my students to have that hope, courage and creativity as well. Art is not separate from life, the two go hand in hand."
"I was excited to have my daughter, a fifth grader, see the play," says Wylie. "It's a terrific story and my daughter was really moved by it."
HEC videotaped a performance of "Hana's Suitcase. To learn more visit www.hectv.org
To view a slide show of scene design by Dunsi Dai click here.
Students Train with Pros
According to Theatre and Dance Department Chair Dottie Marshall Englis, "The department's philosophy is that students come here to train with the pros — not people who just talk about their craft, but who are actively engaged in it — and we think that's very important for our program."
Wylie agrees. "One of our biggest selling points to prospective theatre students is that our faculty work professionally," he says. "Our students design and build all of our Conservatory shows, and we mentor them through their shows. By staying active in the professional design world, we have the experience to bring to that mentoring process."
In addition, Wylie says students are frequently hired to serve as assistants on outside shows. "It's a win-win-win. They get additional money and professional experience, and we get much-needed and very skilled help."
Dai also tries to use students as much as possible. "Working on community projects exposes students to the professional world and also gives them connections that can help them in their careers," he says.
Designer Extraordinaire
Dottie Marshall Englis, chair and professor, Theatre and Dance, was invited to work on "Hana's Suitcase," however she was not able to due to a time conflict with another project.
Englis does an amazing amount of theater work, both in costume and scenery design. So far this academic year, Englis has designed the costumes for two Repertory productions, "Ordinary Nation" and "Musical of Musicals."
She also did the scenery and costumes for three Imaginary Theatre Company productions, "Hansel and Gretel, the Next Generation," "A Thousand Cranes" and "The Velveteen Rabbit."
 Dottie Marshall Englis designed costumes for "Hansel and Gretel, the Next Generation." |
With a schedule like hers, it's no surprise that Englis seldom takes vacations. "I do my drawings primarily on the weekends and schedule fittings and meetings when I'm not in class," she says. "I work a lot on weekends and vacation weeks."
Where does she get the energy to chair a department, teach classes, attend meetings and work on outside productions? "First and foremost," Englis says, "I need to design. I love everything about it. It's the doing of it, rather than the study of it or talking about it, that excites me about the theatre.
"Secondly, I feel an obligation to set an example for my students. I tell them this business is one that involves passion, sacrifice and juggling of competing priorities. If I didn't design, I would lose my currency in the business and my credibility with my students.
"Thirdly, a variety of experiences is essential for me. Too much of one thing would cause me to lose my freshness and enthusiasm."
Englis offers a final alternative: "Or, I'm simply crazy."
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Soon after Rob Flot took over the position of associate dean of students at Lake Forest College in Illinois, the responsibility for international advising was shifted to his department. Realizing that he and his staff needed to acquire additional skills to take on the job of dealing with international students, Flot decided to attend NAFSA's Academy for International Education.
A year later, he says, "The Academy was perfect for me. It provided me with a tremendous amount of resources and information and has become a essential resource for my personal growth and for the development of my office, which now provides strong advising for international students and is diligent about immigration compliance."
According to Bert Barry, director of International Services, International Recruitment/International Services, who has been involved with NAFSA since 2000 and with the Academy for International Education since 2003, says Flot is a typical attendee.
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Attendees at the most recent Region IV program. Bert Barry is fourth from the left. |
Sponsored in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, the Academy is designed to introduce the broad field of international education to faculty, staff and administrators who have five years or less experience with international students. In 2006, 42 trainees and 45 mentors completed the program.
"My expertise is in inter-cultural communication and immigration visa issues," says Barry. "There are others who deal with that and also people who are in recruitment, admissions, study abroad and curricular internationalization. We bring all of these people in from a variety of different perspectives and that strengthens all of us."
NAFSA: Association of International Educators, headquartered in Washington, D. C., was founded as National Association of Foreign Student Advisors in 1948. The organization was renamed in 1990 to reflect its increasing role in all aspects of international education and exchange. The acronym NAFSA was kept as a reflection of the association's past and also due to name recognition. |
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"I look back when I started my career over 20 years ago and think I would have given anything to have had a program like this," Barry says. "It was 'learn as you do it' then, and I was fortunate to have a supportive group of people at St. Louis institutions as my resources.
"Nowadays you can't do it the way I did it. It's too easy to make a simple mistake that can have catastrophic results for students. I'm so delighted to be able to contribute to the field because it's obviously one I have great passion for."
To learn more about the Academy for International Education click here.
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School of Business and Technology
2007 Success To Significance Speaker Series Kick Off
• "Passion of Leadership"
• Abe Foxman, president, Anti-Defamation League,
• Thursday, Feb. 15, 7-8 p.m.
• "Turning the Channel on Corporate Culture"
• Barry Babcock, cofounder and former chairman, Charter Communications, Inc.
• Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7-8 p.m.
• "Hurdles and Helpers: Experiences in Hungary and More"
• George Herbert Walker, former Ambassador to Hungary and Webster University life trustee.
• Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7-8 p.m.
All talks take place in the University Center Sunnen Lounge.
For more information about SBT lecture series visit www.webster.edu/depts/business/speakers
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JANUARY 2007 SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Contributed by Ashley Marshall, student editorial assistant
 Sheryl Ostrowski |
Maureen Stroer began working in Career Services as a student employee in 2003. Her nominator says, "Her excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, along with her strong work ethic, helped her earn the respect of the Career Services staff and the clients we serve."
When she graduated in 2004, the full-time position of department associate became available and Stroer was hired to fill it. In 2005, she was promoted to program coordinator. "She began to take on additional responsibilities related to the Student Employment program at Webster and has made significant contributions to this program," her nominator says.
Stroer's nominator praises the work she did in helping Career Services produce an in-house podcast, "Career Talk with Tom and Ray," a project started by a student. Stroer assumed responsibility for the podcast, purchased the required hardware and software and learned how to use the equipment and programs. She recorded and edited the podcasts and registered them with iTunes. Recently she produced seven new episodes currently posted on the Career Services Web site.
"Maureen's willingness to accept a new responsibility and her competence in completing that task make her a truly outstanding employee and an invaluable asset to Career Services," says her nominator. "Her enthusiasm for the project and the flexibility she demonstrated in taking on the task is truly noteworthy."
Stroer is currently on maternity leave and received the news by phone from Ray Angle, director of Career Services.
"I was so surprised that I'd won the award and that I was even nominated," Stroer says. "It feels wonderful to be recognized and congratulated, though I never expected an award for doing my job!"
"I truly enjoy the variety in my job most of all," says Stroer. "No two days are exactly alike. I am continuously challenged and never get bored."
Stroer chose a day off with pay as her prize.
Sheryl Ostrowski's nominator says, "Sherry has a wealth of experience from working in the education field for more than 20 years. She is diligent and thorough about tasks, such as preparing weekly reports, running audits and updating rosters."
The nominator also admires Ostrowski's positive attitude. "No matter how busy she is when the phone rings, she always has a smile in her voice."
Ostrowski has been with Webster since 2005 as a department assistant. She worked for Arizona State University from 1963 to 1973, and following that, was the field registrar for Pikes Peak Community College in Little Rock for 24 years, until the program was closed.
"If you add it all up that tells you that I'm really old," Ostrowski jokes.
Ostrowski retired for a while, but says she missed working with the students, instructors and coworkers. She is happy and thankful to be back in the educational field with Webster University and says she feels very honored about winning the Employee Spotlight award.
Ostrowski chose the $100 U.S. savings bond as her prize.
Employees everywhere are eligible for the monthly Employee Spotlight Award.
Using the nomination form is easy!
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Create a Will Online
The Hartford Estate Guidance is a benefit offered through Webster's life and long-term disability insurance carrier, The Hartford. This service helps employees create a simple will quickly and conveniently online, with the support of licensed attorneys if needed.
Create a will online by following the directions and supplying information at the prompts. The will can then be downloaded to your computer.
To get started:
Access The Hartford's Estate Guidance service online at www.EstateGuidance.com/wills and enter Promotional Code HFD2153.
After signing in, you can create a will at your convenience. You can make changes to or revoke your will at any time. For a maximum of 30 days, revisions can be made at no cost to you. After 30 days, a fee will be charged for changes.
All information is kept secure and confidential with the protection of encryption technology services, including VeriSign®.
Fully licensed attorneys are available to respond to questions online.
With this simple resource literally at your fingertips, putting your house in order should be your first order of business. You'll rest easy knowing your intentions and wishes will be carried out, and your loved ones' future will be protected.
Peter Sargent, dean, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, recently was featured in the article, "Man in Plaid Still Enjoys Colorful, Exciting Career," in "The New 50" section of the Suburban Journal. Sargent discussed his 40-year career with Webster University and his pride in Fine Arts' programs and faculty.
James Brasfield, professor of management, School of Business and Technology, was the featured political commentator on St. Louis radio station KMOX as part of the "Decision 2006" election coverage Nov. 7. Earlier the same evening, Brasfield participated in "Election Night 2006," hosted by Gov. Bob Holden at Webster University, providing insight on the results of Missouri's senatorial race.
Webster University received the 2006 Greater St. Louis Top 50 Award from the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA), and was profiled in the December issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine. The Top 50 awards, which are presented annually by RCGA, were co-sponsored by The Boeing Company, Edward Jones, Sigma-Aldrich Corp., Southwest Bank, KETC-TV Channel 9, KMOX-FM radio and St. Louis Commerce Magazine.
Edward Wright, adjunct professor, Fort Leonard Wood, recently was selected to serve 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 industry standard of healthcare information technology knowledge. The Technical Committee governs the CPHIMS certification program and designs the examinations. Wright is the Deputy Chief Information Officer at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital.
Barry Hufker, associate professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, recorded the "Fruitcakes" holiday production by the Gateway Men's Chorus at the Grandel Theatre, with the assistance of audio production student Sahila Topon. Hufker also recorded "A Celtic Christmas" by the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus at St. James the Greater Catholic Church. "Hodie Christus Natus Est," by Colin Mawby, and "Ye Sons of Men," by Patrick Zuk, were premiered at the concert. Hufker also recorded Java Jived, a local jazz a capella ensemble, in an on-campus studio.
Kenneth Sessions, adjunct professor, Memphis Naval Activity Center, Tenn., presented a "Lunch and Learn" program on software validation at the University of Memphis on Jan. 15.
Edward Bishop, adjunct professor, Communications and Journalism, and editor, Saint Louis Journalism Review, received the 2006 Media Persons of the Year Award from The Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis at the 50th Anniversary Scholarship Dinner on Dec. 13.
Laura Rein, dean, University Library, authored 'The Changing 'Place' of the Library," which appeared in the "Views" section of the online publication, Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 5, 2007.
Nenad Pacek, adjunct professor, Vienna Campus, recently was promoted to vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Global Practice Leader for Government Roundtables at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Pacek has been with Webster since 1993.
Gary Gottlieb, assistant professor, Audio Production, recently accepted an offer from Thomson Course Technology to publish a textbook he has self-published for nine years. Thomson is the leading publisher of scientific and technical textbooks. Previously titled Audio Aesthetics & Technology, the reworked book will be titled Shaping Sound in the Studio and Beyond. An April release is anticipated.
Benjamin Ola. Akande, dean, School of Business and Technology, was profiled in the article, "Worldwide Education Engages Webster Business School Dean," in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Business section Jan. 19, 2007.
Gwyneth Williams, professor, History, Politics and International Relations, provided commentary on the Mark Reardon Show on KMOX radio concerning President Bush's State of the Union address Jan. 2.
Beckah Voigt, associate professor, Theatre and Dance, performed in "Psst, I Have Something to Tell You Mi Amor," with St. Louis Community College at Forest Park last fall. Voigt directs, performs, teaches and choreographs with ANNONYArts, a local company dedicated to the creation and performance of new works and to the exploration of the subtle energies in the healing arts.
Dorothy Marshal Englis, chair and professor, Music and Dance, designed the costumes for "Ordinary Nations," a Repertory Theatre studio production, and "Musical of Musicals," a Repertory main stage production. Englis designed the scenery and costumes for these Imaginary Theatre Company productions "Hansel & Gretal, the Next Generation," "A Thousand Cranes" and a revival of "The Velveteen Rabbit." Currently she is working on costumes for "A Little Night Music," the STAGES SAINT LOUIS season opener in June, and "Henry V" for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington-Normal, Ill., this summer.
John Wylie, professor; Theatre and Dance; Dunsi Dai associate professor, Theatre and Dance; and Beckah Voigt, associate professor and director of the dance program, Theatre and Dance, were involved in the recent Metro Theater Company production of "Hana's Suitcase," a play for young audiences at the Edison Theatre at Washington University. Wylie designed the lighting, Dai designed the sets and Voigt performed three roles.
Dunsi Dai, associate professor, Theatre and Dance, designed the sets for "Via Dolorosa," a play performed at the New Jewish Theatre in Jan. and Feb., and for the Metro Theater Company production, "Hana's Suitcase," at the Edison Theatre at Washington University in Jan. Upcoming projects include: New Jewish Theater productions "Woman's Minyan," and "What's Wrong With This Picture;" the St. Louis Black Repertory Theater's production, "Guys And Dolls," and the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre production, "Sugar."
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:
JANUARY 2007
Teresa Bohr, coordinator, Academic Affairs, 40 years
Jeri Au, associate professor, Art, 30 years
Carol Schwab, associate professor, Math and Computer Science, 25 years
Randy Wright, associate vice president, Academic Affairs, 25 years
Mary Walls, database programmer/analyst, Administrative Information Systems, 20 years
Jon Gruett, director, Financial Aid, 15 years
Jennifer Jezek-Taussig, director, Alumni Programs, Development Office, 15 years
Cindy Rose, director, Camp LeJeune, N.C., 15 years
Michelle Deatrick Cannon, Fort Jackson, S.C., 5 years
Michelle Dixon, office manager, Little Rock Metropolitan Campus, Ark., 5 years
Connie McConnaha, representative, Memphis Naval Support Activity, Tenn., 5 years
Erik Palmore, coordinator, User Services, 5 years
Betsy Schmutz, director, Human Resources, 5 years
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We extend warm welcome to the newest members of the Webster family:
JANUARY 2007
John Bonosoro, director, San Diego Metropolitan Campus, Ca., (858) 458-9310 or #6 072, replaces Kim Varey.
Jeff Capizzi, assistant swim coach, Athletics, (314) 968-9684, replaces William Hopkins.
Barbara Carrow, coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences, (314) 968-6997, replaces Elizabeth Naito.
Sarah Cormack, FDL professor, Art, (314) 968-7159, replaces Jeffery Hughes.
Ann Elwell, community relations coordinator, Ozarks Metropolitan Campus, Mo., (417) 883-0200 or #6 108, replaces Erin Langley.
Katie Finan, assistant swim coach, Athletics, (314) 968-6984, replaces Joseph Esposito.
Michelle Guenther, assistant shift leader, Help Desk, (314) 968-5995, replaces Vincent Lamb.
Jennifer Peterson, FDL professor, Theater and Dance, College of Fine Arts, (314) 968-6941, replaces Carole Tucker.
To learn more about job opportunities at Webster, go to the Human Resources Jobs site.
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The University extends sympathies to Arthur Hirsh, director, Vienna, in the loss of his sister.
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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