FEBRUARY 2008
Bob Holden, on left; Bert Walker, 4th from left; and Richard Meyers, 3rd from right; and representatives of the St. Louis Modern Chinese School celebrate Webster University’s selection as the site for Missouri’s Confucious Institute. Meyers’ participation in the announcement at Webster’s Old Post Office campus was one of his last official duties as University president. Photo by Claudia Burris. For more information please click here.
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President Meyers Resigns
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Emerson Library Celebrates Fifth Anniversary Year
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Faculty ‘Thrilled’ by Donation of Rare Books to Emerson Library
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Webster Welcomes New Director of Career Services
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News from Albuquerque
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St. Louis Calendar Highlights
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Employee of the Month
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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
The University community was taken by surprise Feb. 11 by the announcement that Richard S. Meyers had resigned his position as University president. The announcement was delivered to the staff and faculty by Neil George, executive vice president and vice president of Academic Affairs, at a meeting in the Moore Auditorium.
In a message to the Webster worldwide community, Meyers said he had decided to resign his position effective immediately, after consideration and discussion with his family, his colleagues and friends. He thanked the students, staff, board of trustees and colleagues for their cooperation and support over the last 14 years.
“I’ve been blessed to have been at Webster at a time when I could expand the size and quality of the most unique network of campuses in the world,” Meyers said. He also noted the University “has fiscal stability that other universities would love to have.”
George will serve as interim president through the 2008–09 academic year while a search for a permanent successor is underway, and James Staley will fill in as acting executive vice president and vice president of Academic Affairs while George functions as interim president.
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 Davina Harrison, left, and Holly Hubenschmidt flank the January poster highlighting Laura Rein’s book. Photo by M. Kirk |
On that hot summer day, more than 600 people from the University and surrounding community — including the Webster Groves mayor and other dignitaries — formed a chain to pass the last few hundred books as part of the opening-day celebration for Webster’s new Emerson Library.
Although the fifth anniversary date of the Library’s official opening is several months away, the Library will celebrate the occasion all year. A number of activities have been planned, including a book-of-the-month program coordinated by Holly Hubenschmidt, reference librarian, and Davina Harrison, technical services assistant and computer technician.
Hubenschmidt and Harrison invited 12 members of the community, or “Webster celebrities,” to recommend books the Library will highlight each month in 2008.
“We tried to get at least one faculty member from each school and college to participate, and we ended up with a pretty diverse group,” Hubenschmidt says. “I think people will be surprised at the variety of books chosen.”
Each month, a different book and the person recommending it will be featured on a poster in the Library’s lobby. A drawing will be held at the end of the month to win a copy of that month’s featured book. The January winner was student Brian Collins, who won a copy of A Girl Named Zippy, recommended by Laura Rein, dean, Library, who says she was drawn to the book about a girl’s adventures growing up in a small Midwestern town because it was similar to the one where she grew up.
A French novel by Patrick Chamoiseau, Texaco, recommended by Emily Thompson, associate professor, International Languages and Cultures, is the February selection.
Future books for the program were recommended by: Bud Bellomo, adjunct professor, Business; Jorge Oliver, chair and assistant professor, Electronic and Photographic Media; Mary Ann Drake, associate professor, Nursing; Ted Green, associate professor, Teacher Education; Doug Finlayson, associate professor, Theatre and Dance; Colette Cummings, associate dean of students, Student Affairs; Yupa Saisanan Na Ayudhya, adjunct professor, International Languages and Cultures; Kathy Corley, professor, Film and Video; Richard Meyers, former president; and The Gorlok.
“The Gorlok seemed like a fun idea,” says Harrison. “We chose one of Webster’s youngest full-time staff members for the honor, and he chose The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories by Tim Burton, which includes a lot of illustrations. It seems like a book The Gorlok might like to read to unwind.”
In addition to the book program, the Library will host a summer outdoor celebration for students and a small party for the Library staff. Harrison says it took the staff about a year to get settled into their new quarters, master new technology and get used to the increased foot traffic.
“Everyone deserves to celebrate,” she says.
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“The collection is marvelous,” says Don Conway-Long, chair and associate professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences, describing the estate library of Ruth von Heydebrand, which was recently donated to Emerson Library by her daughter Gitry.
Heydebrand was a sociologist who trained at the Frankfurt Institute in Germany, and her collection includes more than 1,100 books on social theory, sociology, political science and industrial societies — some in German. According to Conway-Long, the collection contains works by Frankfort Institute icons such as Theodor Adorno, Eric Fromm and Max Weber.
“Some of these books I’d never actually seen before,” says Conway-Long. “There is a wealth of material, which will be quite beneficial to the Library and to our students.”
Conway-Long says he and colleagues Paula Hansson, assistant professor and coordinator of German studies, International Languages and Cultures, and Don Morse, assistant professor, Philosophy, “were all quite thrilled to see the range of the collection.”
In addition to von Heydebrand’s collection, the Library also recently obtained a number of books from the estate of Bill HuddlestonBerry, former professor and chair of Behavioral and Social Sciences, who passed away in July 2006.
Anyone interested in learning more about making donations to the Library should contact Ellen Eliceiri, head of reference services and collection development, Library.
“The Library will accept gifts of books, audiovisual and archival materials that support the mission of the Library and conform to the subject collection development and general policies of the Library,” Eliceiri says.
Eliceiri may be contacted at 314-968-6951 or at eliceiri@webster.edu.
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Tamara Gegg-LaPlume, standing, with Career Services co-worker Liz Condon, student employment coordinator. Photo by M. Kirk
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After nearly five years as assistant director and interim director of Career Services, Tamara Gegg-LaPlume was recently promoted to director.
Since April 2007, when Ray Angle left the director's position, Ted Hoef, associate vice president and dean of students, Student Affairs, has conducted an assessment of career services and the needs of students and alumni.
“Tamara contributed valuable expertise during this assessment,” says Hoef, “And she will provide visionary leadership as we move forward.”
Gegg-LaPlume says it’s an exciting time to be director of Career Services at Webster. “Ted’s assessment outlined some needs our office has, especially in terms of staffing,” she says. “We need to improve our staffing levels so we can truly serve the undergraduates, graduates and alumni at all of Webster’s campuses.”
Previously Gegg-LaPlume worked in career services at Maryville University and St. Louis University. “I’ve been at Webster longer than at any other job,” she says. “The student mix here is far more diverse and the job is much more interesting — there’s a huge variety to what we do here.”
To learn more, visit the Career Services Web site.
To see information about what recent Webster graduates are up to in terms of employment and further education click here.
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Albuquerque Metropolitan Campus’s first Gerontology graduating class: seated, left to right, students Janet Schuh, Andrea Valles, Maria Appelzoller and Sheryl Inglat. Standing, left to right, Elaine Stewart; Lena Smith, area mentor and instructor; Brian Hierl; Jacque Schaefer; Jack Bishop; Ellen Driber-Hassall, senior director and student; Leonard Stitleman, instructor; Melissa Garner; Mary Ann Baker-Randall and Sandy Helgesen.
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The Albuquerque Metropolitan Campus began offering a master’s degree program in Gerontology in Summer 2006. “Almost two years later, it remains the only non-clinically focused master’s program in gerontology in the entire state of New Mexico,” says Ellen Dribber-Hassall, senior director.
“According to professor Don Conway-Long in Arts & Sciences, the Albuquerque group of gerontology students is the largest in the Webster system,” Dribber-Hassall continues. “In December 2007 we had 11 students graduate from the program, and we anticipate at least four will graduate by Spring II.”
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 Alumna Angela Fleddermann performing with Webster dance ensemble. Photo by Eric Woolsey |
2008 Dance Ensemble Concert Enjoy the talents of Webster’s dance students performing in concert. Admission is free to Webster University faculty, staff and students; $10 for the general public, and $5 for seniors and students.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. For more information, call 314-968-7128.
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JANUARY 2008 SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Melissa LaMonica, representative, Business department, School of Business & Technology; and Verena Karlsson, department head, University Advancement, Vienna campus, are the Employee Spotlight Award winners for January 2008.
 Melissa LaMonica |
Her accomplishments include: developing an electronic form to review petitions to graduate; helping streamline the graduate level waiver exam process; assisting the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) student group; and helping develop a video presentation now shown to all incoming students at Freshman Orientation.
One of LaMonica’s most impressive projects was the School of Business & Technology’s self-study document for the ACBSP (Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs), which had to be done in a specific format and on a tight deadline.
“This assignment was well outside her job description, but Melissa never turns down an assignment,” her nominator says. “The piece turned out beautifully and we met the deadline.”
LaMonica says she’s glad to know her co-workers think she’s doing a good job. “I really enjoy working at Webster and supporting faculty and our students,” she says. “The School of Business & Technology is an amazing group that makes for a strong team and great working environment.”
A nominator sums up, “Melissa’s commitment to student service, her consistent performance and positive, go-to attitude make her an invaluable asset to this institution.”
LaMonica chose the savings bond as her prize.
 Verena Karlsson |
In addition to excelling at her immediate responsibilities for alumni and development, Karlsson also helps with special projects and events. Her nominator emphasizes that in addition to getting the big picture, Karlsson is also very detail oriented.
Karlsson’s nominator says she is popular with every University constituency she comes in contact with and that her enthusiasm for Webster is infectious. “The energy she puts into her work makes everyone she works with feel special,” the nominator says.
Like LaMonica, Karlsson loves the variety of her assignments and the opportunity to get involved in so many different projects. “I enjoy working with the alumni, with Austrian companies, with the advisory board and the faculty,” Karlsson says. “Every day is different, which can be challenging, but also very rewarding.”
Karlsson especially enjoyed working on Vienna’s first scholarship luncheon last June. “It was the first time that some of the new scholarship donors got to meet the students they support and vice versa,” she says. “I was really touched by how scholarships can change students’ lives and make their dreams come true.”
Karlsson says to be honored for something that she’s very passionate about is an unexpected, pleasant surprise and a perfect start to 2008.
“Webster University Vienna is the most cosmopolitan place I’ve ever known,” she says. “As an Austrian, I really appreciate and enjoy the privilege of working with so many international colleagues in Vienna, Geneva and the U.S.”
Karlsson chose a day of with pay as her prize.
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JANUARY 2008 KUDOS
Barry Hufker, associate professor, Electronic and Photographic Media, recorded “Shakespear Bande,” an ensemble of professional musicians specializing in Early Music, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in St. Louis.
Fernando Barrio, professor, International Business and Media Law, London campus, was honored as 2008 Law Teacher of the Year by the UK Centre for Legal Education, a part of the British Higher Education Academy. Alistair Hudson, professor, Equity and Law at Queen Mary, University of London, shares the award with Barrio.
Ellen Driber-Hassall, senior director, Albuquerque Metropolitan Campus, New Mexico, recently accepted a one-year appointment as a member of the statewide Executive Committee of the New Mexico Healthy Aging Collaborative.
Gwyneth Williams, professor, History, Politics and International Relations, was part of a political science panel discussing the Feb. 5 primary election, which aired on St. Louis radio station KWMU-FM on Feb. 7.
Deborah Camp, adjunct professor, Memphis Naval Support Activity, Tenn., writes columns published monthly in two Memphis area newspapers: The LampLighter, which is targeted to Cooper-Young in Midtown, and the Mid-South area’s largest monthly news magazine, The Best Times.
Gladys Smith, assistant director, Counseling & Life Development, served on a panel for a nation-wide webinar on Feb. 4 with the organization Camps Out Reach Services. The program listed Smith as a university addictions therapist from Webster University in St. Louis. The panel included representatives from Harvard University and MIT.
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The University extends its appreciation to the following individuals who have served the institution for many years:
JANUARY 2008
Paul Steinmann, professor, School of Education, 40 years
Robert Spencer, director general, Geneva Campus, 35 years
Amanda Cosat, director, Space Coast Metropolitan Campus, 20 years
Carolyn Cottrell, regional director, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, 20 years
Dorothy Nootbaar, representative, International Recruitment, 15 years
Albert Marcella, professor, School of Business & Technology, 10 years
Sharon McDonald, service clerk, Westport Campus, 10 years
Kenneth Creehan, director, Procurement Services, 5 years
Stephen Meier, WebCt site administrator, Online Learning Center, 5 years
Joyce Peavy, regional director, Fort Sam Houston, 5 years
Tracy Winka, manager, Public Safety Office, 5 years
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We extend warm welcome to the newest members of the Webster family:
JANUARY 2008
Angela Burgess, representative, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., 910-436-9802 or Speed Dial #6 024, replaces Temekka Ellis.
Andrew Doss, community relations coordinator, Fayetteville Metropolitan Campus, Ark., 479-571-1511 or Speed Dial #6 110, replaces Shelly Johnstone.
Allen King, computer technician, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 210-226-3373 or Speed Dial #6 027, replaces Rolando Cavazos.
Emma Laheus, representative, Graduate and Evening Student Admissions, 314-246-7100.
Christian Miller, computer technician, Space Coast Metropolitan Campus, Fla., 321-449-4500 or Speed Dial #6 0008, replaces Casey Treinen.
Valerie Sturgill, department assistant, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., 573-329-6777 or Speed Dial #6 014, replaces Cheryl Keeton.
To learn more about job opportunities at Webster, go to the Human Resources Jobs site.
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The University extends sympathies to Janie Jackson, senior director, Little Rock Air Force Base, on the loss of her husband; Matt Sullivan, groundskeeper, Facilities Operations, on the loss of his father; Carrie Leinicke, service clerk, Registrar’s office, on the loss of her grandfather; and to the family and friends of Eileen Spence, long-time Financial Aid employee, who passed away Feb. 2.
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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
HUMAN RESOURCES CONTRIBUTORS
Betsy Schmutz
Gloria Barbre
Amy Brockman