Inside Webster - March 2007

Inside Webster is published for Webster University's faculty and staff.

Contributed by Jennifer Willis, Special Events Coordinator

Webster University has been chosen by Progressive Youth Connection (PYC), a St. Louis-based non-profit organization, as a 2007 World of Children Honoree in the Community Volunteerism category. PYC presents awards annually to individuals and organizations that have made an on-going commitment to better the world of children.

The award selection committee said Webster University deserved the award based on the number of volunteers who help schools, daycare centers and Head Start programs during the annual Webster Works Worldwide community service day.

Founded in 1972, Progressive Youth Connection is one of the primary prevention agencies in the area, serving more than 4,000 youths, parents and other community members each year. By providing violence prevention and character education programs as well as counseling services and after school and summer programs, PYC is continually working to improve the lives of youths and their families. Click here to visit their site.

The University is in good company. 2007 World of Children honorees in other categories include:

• Corporate Sector: St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals Care Program
• Media/Entertainment: John Carney, KMOX and Carney's Kids Foundation
• Health: Dr. Katie Plax, St. Louis Children's Hospital
• Government/Law: Officer Philip Andrew, St. Louis County Police Dept.
• Non-Profit/Social Services: Project Teen Plus, Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition
• Education: Howard Park Early Childhood Center
• Youth Outstanding Achievement: John Jabori III, Scouting for Books

The recipients will be honored at the PYC's ninth annual awards banquet on May 18 at the Edward Jones Building Atrium. Tickets for the banquet can be purchased for $40 per person and include a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction and the awards presentation. All proceeds from the banquet night benefit PYC's violence prevention programs.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Jason Huff at (314) 963-8368.

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Fernando Barrio, photo by Claudia Burris

Fernando Barrio, this year's Des Lee Visiting Lecturer in Global Awareness, believes new initiatives are key to keeping a university vibrant. "Every new thing creates a lot of work for an institution, especially when you are trying to move something," Barrio says. "But when things aren't moving, you have inertia. When you are starting out, you say, 'Here's a rock and we have to roll it. Is it heavy? Yes!'

"I'm not some sort of illuminated person that can come here to lecture to people about global awareness. The idea is just to start rolling the rock."

Barrio is visiting the St. Louis campus this semester at the invitation the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Communications. A specialist in international law and international relations, Barrio is an adjunct professor at Webster's London campus and a professor with London Metropolitan University.

Those who work with Barrio refute his modest self-assessment. "Dr. Barrio is one of the most impressive young scholars I have encountered," says David Wilson, dean, College of Arts and Sciences. "He is brilliant, articulate, highly interdisciplinary, exceedingly engaging and international in every way — having been born in Argentina, earned his doctorate in Japan, attained a teaching post in London and developed specialties in international law and international relations."

In addition to lecturing and teaching classes at the St. Louis campus, Barrio has several projects in the works that will showcase St. Louis's global outreach, including:

• The Globalization, Technology and Development Conference at the Old Post Office campus, April 3 and 4, which Barrio will co-chair. Barrio is a member of the board of the research committee of technology and development of the International Political Science Association, which is co-sponsoring the event.

St. Louis philanthropist E. Desmond Lee established the lectureship bearing his name in Fall 2000 to foster international understanding. Experts in the fields of ethnicity, international economics, international relations and global diversity are invited for one semester to collaborate not only with Webster University, but also with local cultural organizations, on projects promoting global awareness. Fernando Barrio is the sixth visiting scholar to participate in the lectureship, which rotates through the University's five schools and colleges.

• A series of television programs on the topic "St. Louis as a Global Leader," which Barrio will host, will include interviews with representatives from major companies such as Monsanto, Anheuser-Busch and Boeing, as well as organizations like Missouri Botanical Gardens, the International Institute and the Danforth Foundation. The programs, produced with the Higher Education Channel, will focus on activities that have global impact.

• Presentations for area schools about the work of the United Nations and other international topics.

Barrio, who has attended and visited many university campuses, including two in Argentina, Nagoya University in Japan, the Dominican University of California, and universities in Texas and North Carolina, is impressed with Webster University's internationalism.

"Webster is unique in the sense that many universities talk about being international, but Webster really is. If our students want to go abroad, we send them abroad and we have several campuses where they can go," Barrio says.

"The University puts the money where the mouth is in the sense that many universities say they are changing lives, but we are really changing them and I think this is a thing that needs to be praised more."

Barrio is excited about Webster's new Global MA degree, which allows students to spend a year studying and living at Webster's international campuses while they complete a master's degree in international relations.

"The Global MA provides a good experience for the students," Barrio says. "Once we have a few years of experience with the program, we can make a model out of it and replicate it in other courses."

During his visit, Barrio, his wife and twin six-year-old daughters are staying in a campus residence. "I actually have a nicer lifestyle here than I have in London, where I have to leave home at 8 a.m. and don't get back until 12 a.m. Living with my family on campus, I can come home earlier and work there," Barrio says, "There is more tranquility here; it's quieter and I like that."

Barrio believes St. Louisans should be proud of the special city they live in. "In 1800, this city was one of the most important in the U.S.," he says. "I think it's an advantage not to have all the glass and steel buildings that make every city look the same. In St. Louis you have all these fantastic old buildings that have been redeveloped. And, if you want to do something, St. Louis has many, many things going on."

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Russ Viehmann. Photo by Claudia Burris

Inside Webster recently visited with Russ Viehmann, retiring vice president of Development and Alumni.

Inside Webster: Why did you decide to retire at this time?
Russ Viehmann: This is a good time for me to leave. The campaign is well underway and the development staff is strong. I'm so pleased that Matt Andrew will be filling in until a new vice president is hired. He's a great guy and we have a similar understanding about fund- raising, and I think there will be a continuity of program and direction of the campaign.

IW: What was going on when you first came to Webster?
RV: It was 1996, the start of the silent phase of New Tradition campaign, which went public in 1999 and ended Jan 1, 2003. We raised $43 million — $13 million over the $30 million goal — and that campaign provided us with the expansion of the Loretto-Hilton Center, the parking garage and the new library.

IW: Where did you work before you came to Webster?
RV: I was associate vice president for development at St. Louis University. I worked at Eden Seminary from 1972-'84 and was at SLU from 1985-'96, when I came here in April. At Eden I was in public relations, did admission work and also did fund raising. I kind of worked my way into fund raising as a career. No one says, "When I grow up I want to be a fund-raiser."

IW: Why did you decide to come to Webster?
RV: My connections to Webster go way back; there's always been a closeness. My wife, Virginia, graduated from Webster in 1970, shortly before we were married. In addition, I had a number of friends who work here, and I've known Karen Luebbert since we were kids living next door to each other.

IW: You have a divinity degree?
RV: Yes, I received a master of divinity degree from Eden in 1973.

IW: And you married several Webster couples?
RV: Actually, I officiated at the weddings of Dottie Marshall to Matt Englis and Mike Salevouris to Peggy Brockmann, and at a number of alumni weddings. (Dorothy Marshall Englis is chair and professor, Theatre and Dance; Salevouris is professor, History, Politics and International Relations; and Brockmann is former associate vice president, University Communications.)

IW: What changes have taken place in development and alumni during your tenure?
RV: The reorganization of the development and alumni staff into cross-functional teams was a needed improvement that has worked really well.

We also created an alumni chapter system/network and now have 24 alumni chapters throughout the country. To see the ethos of Webster throughout the various locations and to see that kind of consistency in the finished product is really a neat thing and that is evidenced in our alumni programs.

I also implemented the planned giving program. We never had a formal planned giving program where people could give to us through testamentary gifts or structured gifts like a charitable trust, and we've got that in place now.

We have a good annual fund program going and we've got good liaison with the college and school deans.

The other thing I'm really pleased about is the European initiative where we now have three alumni chapters in Europe and we're doing in Europe. Philanthropy is really an American phenomenon and they are beginning to see the value of it over there.

IW: What have been your biggest challenges?
RV: Human resource problems are always difficult, as is volunteer management. Keeping volunteers engaged in terms of the vision or the goal can be challenging, and, of course, getting donations is always a challenge.

IW: And rewards?
RV: The collegiality. I like working in higher education a lot. I just think it's a good place to be and I like the fact that there are good ways to measure success. The frustration I have is — like in many fields — everyone is an expert in your field and they're always ready to tell you how to do your job.

IW: Does any one day stand out in your mind?
RV: Any day we get a big donation. We celebrate with champagne and sparkling cider and share it with everyone. We used to celebrate when we got a $1 million donation, but I recently raised the ante to $3 million for the new campaign.

IW: What are your plans now?
RV: I look forward to spending more time with my family, especially my three young grandchildren — and another due any day — who all live in St. Louis.

IW: How would you characterize your experience at Webster?
RV: This is a great place and a great group of people. I really mean that across the board, throughout the Webster network. There are marvelous people in this organization — it's just a fascinating case study to see the dimension of Webster. It's a very complex organization and I've enjoyed that. There is always something new, engaging and challenging.

IW: Any words of wisdom for your colleagues as you leave?
RV: Change is inevitable. Make the best of it and move on.

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Laura Wainz (l), Academic Affairs, with Dreiling at farewell reception. Photo by Marianne Kirk

After 14 years with the University, Julie Dreiling, coordinator, Human Resources, is leaving for a position as senior analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis. Colleagues shared hugs and good wishes with Dreiling at a reception March 27.

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Contributed by Sandra Chamberlin

Brad Moser, director, Sarasota Metropolitan Campus, and Sandra Chamberlin, director, Lakeland Academic Center, traveled to Florida's state capital, Tallahassee, on Feb. 20 and 21, in an attempt to obtain sponsors for an amendment to State Statute Section 1005.32. It was a difficult and dangerous trip — through the Green Swamp in an airboat — with Brad driving and Sandra navigating, although they did have "Big Daddy" for protection.

Moser and Chamberlin hope their efforts pay off for the University and the central and south Florida regions. They are working to change a Florida statute regarding out-of-state post-secondary schools, which are not registered as corporations in Florida. Currently, schools must reapply for re-licensure every year, while corporations can be re-licensed with their regional accreditation. It is hoped the task will be accomplished by 2008.

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Webster University hosted the St. Louis Press Club forum, "Missouri Miracle," on March 15. The media's handling of the kidnapping and rescue of Shawn Hornback and Ben Owenby and the ethics surrounding the coverage were the topic of discussion.

Charles Jaco, Pat Gauen and Larry Baden discuss a point during the Press Club Forum. Photo by Clauda Burris

Former KMOV anchor Julius Hunter moderated a lively discussion by Gordon Ankney, attorney; Larry Baden, assistant professor, School of Communications; Pat Gauen, St. Louis Post-Dispatch editor; Benjamin Lipman, attorney; and Charles Jaco, KTVI-TV reporter.

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Grand Opening of the Community Music School Concert Hall

• "Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz"
• Violist, fiddler and composer Mark O'Connor will perform. O'Connor is known for melding a wide variety of musical genres — including classical, folk and jazz — into a uniquely American idiom.
• The concert is the highlight of events celebrating the completion of the Community Music School's new concert hall and move to headquarters on the Webster University campus in Webster Groves.
• For more information, call (314) 968-5986 or go to http://www.webster.edu/cms/gala.shtml
• Sunday, April 15, 6:30 p.m., CMS Concert Hall, 535 Garden Ave., $25 and $45

Gumby and his sidekick Pokey

Special Film Series Presentation
"For the Love of Gumby!"

• "Art Clokey & Gumby through the Years, 1951-2005" and "Gumby Dharma"
• Gumby is 50! To mark the occasion, the Film Series presents two films providing a retrospective of Gumby's creator, Art Clokey, and his amazing stop-motion work. Included are early ads for Coke and Budweiser, beautifully made art films and character-driven classics. Clokey's son, Joe, will attend the screenings.
• Sunday, April 15, 7 p. m., Moore Auditorium; free to faculty, staff and students with Webster I.D.

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MARCH 2007 SPOTLIGHT AWARD

IT Staff Honored for Virus Clean-Up

Contributed by Ashley Marshall, student editorial assistant

Christine Arteaga, assistant director, DTS; and Harvey Greene, computer technician, both with Information Technology, share the Employee Spotlight honors this month for their efforts in dealing with the recent computer virus.

Arteaga has worked at Webster for eight years, starting out as a workstudy student in Academic Computing Services, now Information Technology. She progressed from evening lab assistant, to PC technician, to her current position as assistant director of desktop technical services.

Her nominator says Arteaga did a wonderful job of organizing the documentation and staffing to deal with the virus that hit the campus this month. "She worked tirelessly to keep the teams of IT staff organized and on task during this huge project," her nominator says. "Through her efforts the IT staff were able to have the critical departments of the University up and running as quickly as possible and with the least amount of disruption possible."

Greene has worked at Webster as a technician in desktop technical services for four years. His nominator says he was instrumental in maintaining productivity to the critical office functions during the virus outbreak. "He spent over 30 hours on the phone with Symantec Antivirus technicians obtaining information on tackling the new virus strain," Greene's nominator says.

With Greene's help, updates were created and installed on computers at the main campus as well as the extended campuses. "He spent an additional 200-plus hours patching and disinfecting computers so the faculty, staff and students could continue to work," the nominator adds.

Arteaga and Greene have happily returned to their normal work schedule of 37.5 hours per week and are pleased to have prevailed over the virus. "It took a month to kill the virus, and they haven't seen it back," Greene says.

When she learned last week that the virus was completely gone, Arteaga says she was "surprised and happy we had won."

Both winners enjoy working at the University. "I love the atmosphere at Webster," says Arteaga. "Everyone treats you like family."

Greene agrees. "The staff — the people on campus — they're all happy to see you when you come."

Their nominators insist that the virus situation could have been much worse without staff like Greene and Arteaga stepping up and creating solutions.

Both spotlight winners chose U.S. savings bond for their prize.

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

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Barry Hufker, associate professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, recorded the Jeremy Pfeffer Trio in Webster University's Studio A. Trio members include Jeremy Pfeffer on bass, Nick Schlueter on piano and Joe Meyer on drums, with Debby Lennon providing vocals. The group laid down five tracks of jazz favorites for a compact disc to be completed later this year. Production students Kevin Koehler, Jessica Engle and Sahila Topon assisted Hufker with the recording. Hufker also recorded siblings violinist Pavel Ilyashov and pianist Maria Ilyashov, performing as part of the Music at Maryville series at Maryville University. At The Sheldon Concert Hall, Hufker recorded flutist Anita Uhlmann and pianist Nancy Mayo performing a concert in the "Prelude Performance" series.

Monte Hancock, adjunct professor, Space Coast Metropolitan Campus, Fla., has become an official member of the Augmented Cognition International Society (ACIS) Technical Group, which operates under the auspices of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), which has 4,500 members worldwide.

George Gruendel, adjunct professor, Fort Leonard Wood, recently became a member of the board of directors for the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). He is co-owner of Gruendels and Associates, a company providing consultant services and training in human resource development as well as conflict mediation. As the largest non-government funder of community health activities in Missouri, MFH is dedicated to serving the uninsured and underserved in 85 Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis.

Joe Stimpfl, associate professor and chair, Religious Studies, was chosen by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to receive a scholarship for next year, which he will use to pursue research in Malaysia.

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:

FEBRUARY 2007

Catherine Korobey, chair and associate professor, Teacher Education, 25 years

Kim Bohnert, accountant, Finance, 15 years

Laura Miller, academic advisor, Colorado Springs Metropolitan Campus, Colo., 15 years

Lisa Snowberger, community relations coordinator, Jacksonville Metropolitan Campus, Fla., 15 years

Margo Thompson, academic advisor and faculty coordinator, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, Mo., 15 years

Tena Hart, associate professor, Legal Studies, 10 years

Greg Little, director, Media Center, 10 years

Terry Billings, computer technician, Albuquerque Metropolitan Campus, N.M., 5 years

Norm Senaldi, database programmer/analyst, Administrative Information Services, 5 years

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

MARCH 2007

Debbra Margraff, accountant, Finance, (314) 968-7409, replaces Sherry Brindell.

Robert Shearer, general clerk, Luke Air Force Base, (623) 856-3506 or Speed Dial #6 116, replaces Stacy Garnes.

Kay Trumble, Lab Assistant, Lakeland Academic Center, (863) 687-9309 or Speed Dial #6 111, replaces Angie Birdwell.

Lori Clark, cashier/accounting assistant, Business Office, (314) 961-2660, ext. 7679, replaces Debra Sullivan.

Katherine Munsell, department associate, Academic Assessment/Academic Affairs, (314) 961-2660, etc. 8775.

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

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The University extends sympathies to Jim Ward, Facilities Operations, in the loss of his mother; to Merideth Daly, School of Communications, in the loss of her father-in-law; and to Peggy Cox, School of Education, in the loss of her mother.

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EDITOR
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