Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Stemming from a slang term coined in 1915 in Chicago, Illinois, the musical genre of “Jazz” has revolutionized the way popular music is written for over 100 years. Forming its own nationwide sub-cultures, Jazz began with roots from the Southern states, eventually incorporating sounds from West Africa and Europe.

On Saturday, Feb. 13, Missouri Western will be celebrating this movement in the Potter Hall Theater by holding its fourth Annual Jazz Festival. The festival will highlight eight middle school and high school bands during this day long event. This is a competition free event, although the performances will be critiqued.

Bob Long, director of jazz studies and coordinator of woodwinds, feels that this is a better approach to education and improvement than a competition.

‘’The festival’s main focus is jazz education,’’ Long said. ‘’It’s a way for students and jazz programs to receive constructive criticism on ways to improve. It brings people on campus and exposes what we have to offer here.”

The schools featured are: Benton High School, Central High School, Harrisonville High School, Park Hill High School, Smith-Cotton High School, Tina-Avalon Middle School and Winnetonka High School. The event will come to a close at 5 p.m. with a performance by Western’s own Jazz lab band. Missouri Western Sophomore Wesley Enyeart, who will be performing at the festival and has been playing for ten years, expresses his hopes for the event.

“I hope to do well and show that not only is jazz a complicated music style but it can also be fun and expressive,” Enyeart said. “I think Missouri Western choose to be in it because it is a bettering experience. The more you play, the better you get.”

Make sure to stop by and support these local musical education programs as they learn, mature and gain experience all while playing some enjoyable swingin’ music.

For the first time since Missouri Western’s inaugural women’s soccer season, the Griffons beat the Washburn Lady Blues 3-0 and clinched their first conference victory.
Missouri Western came out firing, taking six shots in the first half. Freshman Abby Widrig scored the Griffon’s first goal and sent the team into halftime up 1-0.

The Griffons didn’t let up during the second half. Widrig scored one more goal to put Western up 2-0, and junior Jessica Martin sealed the victory with one more goal to finish the game 3-0.

Western’s tough defense was a big factor in the victory.

“We defended really well,” head coach Jeff Hansen said. “I think Washburn had the ability to score goals and, so to shut out that team is pretty impressive. There are other teams in the conference that haven’t done it.”

Junior Mary Ohm agreed that the Griffon’s ability to pressure the Lady Blues helped them come out with the win.

“We came out firing right away and we put a lot of high pressure on them,” Ohm said. “I think they were a little panicky with the ball, so our high pressure allowed us to get some chances, and when we did get those chances, we were able to finish all of them.”

Finishing has been a challenge for the Griffons all year, and the fact that the team was able to capitalize on the opportunities given to them was a big step in the right direction.

“When we had chances to score, we took care of them,” Martin said. “We made the best of them, and we actually put the ball in the back of the net.”

Missouri Western had lost their home opener to Emporia State just two days before playing Washburn. According to Hansen, the ability of the team to bounce back from that tough loss was one of the most pleasing aspects of the weekend.

“It was good to see them respond that way,” Hansen said. “I think it tells us a lot about deep inside what kind of team we are. We can be that team that fights back from bad losses to win a game. So for them to play with confidence like they did on Saturday was great. We know that when we do things well we can be a great team.”

According to Martin, it felt great for the Griffons to be able to upset the Lady Blues on their home turf.
“It felt really good to win a home game, and it felt really good to beat a team that people don’t expect us to beat,” Martin said.

Missouri Western now improves to 1-3 in the MIAA and 3-5 overall. The Griffons play their next home game Thursday, Sept. 24 against the rival Northwest Bearcats. After already playing the Bearcats on their field once and losing, Missouri Western is looking for revenge.

“We have some changes that we’ve put together not specifically for Northwest but just that I think have made us a better team in the past week,” Hansen said. “So we’ll have that. We’re playing on the turf at home now so that helps.”

Ohm agreed and hopes that the Griffons can get even.

“Hopefully, since we lost last time, we’ll be more fired up to play them and want some revenge,” Ohm said.

Photo | Matthew Fowler

Ordinary objects on campus may appear to be harmless but could be harboring harmful bacteria that students are unknowingly spreading from student to student.

Do you wash your hands every time you sneeze, use a keyboard, touch a doorknob or shake hands? Do you say no to sharing a drink or snack with someone, even a friend? Most people say no to one or more of these actions. However, the problem lies in not completing these very things on an every day basis.

For students, it’s hard to stop every time we come in contact with germs. Blake Thorne, a sophomore at Missouri Western, admits that while he does try to exercise good hygiene, he could easily do more to protect himself against germs.

“I could wash my hands more but that would require leaving class,” Thorne said.
Many students admit that it’s just inconvenient to practice a lot of the good hygiene rules while also going through a busy day of college.
It is important to wash hands with hot water and lather them thoroughly with soap. Slowly count to thirty to completely clean hands of germs.

Campus health officials are working to make our lives more germ-free. Passing out free hand sanitizers to all students is just one of the steps they’ve taken this year to help influence students to take care of themselves and prevent diseases.

Besides using hand sanitizer after touching keyboards and door knobs, there are plenty of ways to prevent diseases and germs in your life. For example, steer clear of touching public toilet stools and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly even if you’ve used hand sanitizer numerous times.

Another easy way to fend off the flu during flu season is to eat as healthy as possible and drink enough water. Making sure your body obtains plenty of vitamins and minerals will help it fend off germs naturally and keep you energetic. Josh Holaday, Missouri Western senior, said your diet has a lot to do with warding of sickness.

“Taking vitamin C helps your immune system and helps to prevent illness,” Holaday said.

Other than preventing germs in your own life, there are ways you can work to stop spreading more germs. This year, teachers are working harder with students to help them make up work so that students can stay home when they’re sick. Cough in your sleeve, carry your own tissues with you so you always have them handy and don’t share food with others even if you don’t feel sick at the moment.

Kari Teschner, a nursing student at Missouri Western, shared some of the knowledge she’s acquired in nursing classes so far.

“I know everybody does it, but after learning how many bacteria are spread when you share food and drinks with your friend, I definitely won’t do it anymore.” Teschner said. “I’ve always been somewhat of a germ freak, but now that we’re learning more in class about MRSA (staph infection) and the swine flu, I’ve become even stricter about taking care of myself and trying to stay away from these two things.”

The flu season has spread so much it feels like there’s never a time when we are not in the middle of a flu season scare. But we can easily protect ourselves from obtaining germs and decrease the risk of spreading more germs and diseases to others.

One of the first steps in the beautification of Missouri Western State University has been completed. Those entering the campus from its northern access will be witness to the newly functioning fountain set into the pastoral pond. There are plans for two more to be completed. These fountains, along with a series of new signs posted, trees planted and art unveiled, are all part of the new beautification project that Missouri Western is now undergoing.

Lonnie Johnson, director of facilities, feels that the progress of the project is moving along satisfactorily.

The Dilley family enjoys an afternoon fishing at The Everyday Pond near the back entrance of Missouri Western. The pond’s fountain was added as part of the beautification process headed by President Robert Vartabedian and funded by private donations. Photo: Matt Fowler

While beauty does have its price, Western was able to set up these projects on a fair budget.

“All of this came in on our best bid,” Johnson said. “We got two three-horse power pumps and one five-horse power pump, all for under $15 grand. We spent three grand on wiring and conduits.”

To save on costs, staffing of such a project is very limited.

“We are doing it all with our own mechanical guys,” Johnson said. “We have one plumber, one electrician, and three HVAC guys and their supervisor. The installation went very smoothly. Our mechanical folks are pretty sharp. They get to the job and git’r dun!”

So it might be assumed that if the fountains came under such a good price they are just normal, every day, fountains. Johnson could dispel those thoughts.

“We are using interchangeable fountain heads so we can alternate the pattern, height and size of the fountains,” Johnson said. “Dr. Vartabedian has put great emphasis on the beautification of the campus.”

So why all the effort put forward to primping up the place? University President, Robert Vartabedian explains that it is a matter of spending donated money put in place for such projects.

“First of all, we are using primarily external money for these efforts,” Vartabedian said. “Specifically, we received two donations from an alum designated for the new entrance sign at Faraon and McCarthy. We really could not use this money for anything else.”

“Similarly, we received a substantial donation from a corporate benefactor for other beautification efforts–essentially for general signage but also for additional evergreens and pond fountains–as the money holds out. Finally, the new piece of outdoor art by professor James Estes that is about to be unveiled was graciously donated by Estes,” Vartabedian said. “So, you see that nearly all of the expenses associated with our beautification efforts have been covered by external, donated money that was given for that specific purpose.”

With Western facing different financial problems, a question raised is if focusing on such “skin deep” projects will really be effective in such finically important times as now?

“I believe there are various reasons to take pride in the look of our campus and to move forward accordingly,” Vartabedian said. “Of course, all of this should be done within reason–particularly in tough financial times. I think that the benefits of enhancing the look of our campus are numerous. Enrollment management experts tell us that the ‘look of the campus’ is one of the three leading factors influencing a student’s decision to go to a given university–along with financial circumstances, and general reputation.”

The idea is that the students and staff will also benefit from the new found beauty.

“Also, I believe that our students, faculty and staff deserve an attractive educational, working environment,” Vartabedian said. “ In the various groups that I have talked to….they seem to appreciate this as long as it does not get out of hand or sacrifice other important educational needs. As noted, I believe that our beautification efforts so far have not been done at the expense of other improvements.”

It is really a question of effective management of open space. No longer does Western have to be seen as the school out in the sticks.

“Finally, as a relatively new university (since 2005), I think that it is in our best interest (community image and otherwise) to look the part,” Vartabedian said. “Given the amount of space we have (740 acres)–the beautiful green spaces here, and the curvature of the landscape–we have the potential here to have an extremely attractive campus. If it is supported by the university community, I just want to take advantage of that potential. Few universities that I have seen have the kind of potential that we have here at Missouri Western.”

The true question is: are the students aware of the changes being made around them? Jennifer Kohler, former SGA vice-president, states the answer is a definitive yes.
“It’s kind of hard to see it now, but the campus is really coming along with its renovations,” Kohler said. “It’s hard to look past the piles of dirt and machinery, but once Remington Hall and the Chiefs training camp facilities are finished, we’re going to have a top-quality campus with really unique features. It’s something that young and perspective students should look forward to.”

Dante Lammoglia, senior, is inclined to agree.

“Well I’m really excited for the campus beautification,” Lammoglia said. “I’ll be honest, when I was little, being ‘stuck’ at Missouri Western was a joke. It was insulting. But now… I can’t describe how proud I am to be a Griffon!”