Center for Student Involvement – News

��ý Western to host annual International Fair

plashbrook — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:37:37 +0000

Nov. 15, 2024–��ý will once again host its annual International Fair from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the Fulkerson Center.

The International Fair is an annual event that allows students, faculty, staff and the public to connect with others whose heritage and life experience connect them to cultures around the world. It is co-sponsored by the university’s Office of Global Engagement, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Center for Student Involvement, Dining Services and the student organization Christian Challenge.

Experience a variety of events during the fair including the parade of flags, live music and dance performances, informational country booths, and free food. The schedule is as follows:

3:00 pm – Doors open
3:15 pm – National flag parade
3:45 pm – International student performance
4:15 pm – “La Macarena” by ALAS and International Students
4:45 pm – Folkloric dance by Honduran students
5:15 pm – Venezuelan dance by Academia de Danza
5:30 pm – Traditional dress presentation
5:45 pm – Group photo
6:00 pm – Fair concludes

The event is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food or personal care item to support the ��ý Western Campus Cupboard. Come connect with the wide range of cultures represented right here on campus!

��ý is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. ��ý Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

‘What Were You Wearing?’ exhibit raises sexual assault awareness

kheier — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:56:34 +0000

Part of the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit at ��ý Western in 2018.

April 21, 2023–As part of its ongoing commitment to raise awareness and prevent sexual violence, ��ý will host the “What Were You Wearing? Survivor Art Installation” for Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 24-27.

The installation features outfits recreated from the stories of sexual violence survivors, in answer to the pervasive myth that a victim’s clothing somehow invited their assault.

The Title IX Office, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Dean of Students Office and the Counseling Center are partnering with the YWCA of St. Joseph to curate the display in the Center for Student Involvement, Blum Union room 207, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, April 24-27 The display is free and open to the public.

For questions and more information contact Adam McGowan, Title IX coordinator, at amcgowan@missouriwestern.edu.

Alternative Spring Break: Six MWSU students build in South Carolina

kheier — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 13:51:17 +0000

Addison Boyle, Becks Henderson, Julia Utterback, Summer Fude, Hunter Thornburg and Montana Frakes left their mark in South Carolina over Spring Break 2023.

March 30, 2023–Six students and two staff members from ��ý traveled to South Carolina over spring break to help Habitat for Humanity build a disaster relief volunteer dormitory.

“Each of them could have decided to use their time off from their studies at MWSU to do any other activity of their choosing, but they chose to come and serve!” said Ricky Hardee, executive director of the Marion-Dillon County Habitat for Humanity. “This is indicative of the type of students ��ý Western is sending out into the world.”

The students did painting and trim work on the dormitory, which is nearing completion and will be used to house individual volunteers and volunteer organizations that come to assist in the cleanup, repair and rebuild of homes following natural disasters. The region was impacted by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.

Student volunteers were Addison Boyle, junior exercise science major from Dexter, Iowa; Montana Frakes, freshman computer science major from St. Joseph; Summer Fude, junior nursing major from Green City, ��ý; Becks Henderson, senior biology major from Grinnell, Iowa; Hunter Thornburg, freshman secondary education major from Kearney, ��ý; and Julia Utterback, senior graphic design major from Chicago, Illinois. They were accompanied by staff members Josh Clary, student development director, and Hannah Murphy, residence life coordinator.

MWSU joins First-Generation College Celebration

kheier — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 22:11:53 +0000

Nov. 7, 2022–��ý joins the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-Generation Student Success in the annual First-Generation College Celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

��ý Western’s celebration is funded in part by a grant from the Council and the Center, . Earlier this year, ��ý Western was one of just 53 universities nationwide and the only one in ��ý selected for the 2022-2023 First-gen Forward cohort.

Celebration events Nov. 8 include:

10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Free t-shirt giveaway, Blum Union Lobby
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., #GriffsGoingFirst in the workplace lunch, Career Development Center, Blum 210
6 – 7 p.m., Axe the Stigma. The first 25 students to sign up in the Center for Student Involvement get free axe throwing at The Axe Factor.

Nov. 8 marks the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which created federal grant and loan programs to help students finance their educations and made key investments in institutions of higher education.

Welcome Week kicks off the fall semester at ��ý Western

kheier — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 13:00:37 +0000

The campus and St. Joseph communities welcome students back to ��ý Western at Western Warm-Up Aug. 30, 2021.

Aug. 26, 2022–��ý students will be introduced to all that campus and the community have to offer during Welcome Week activities Aug. 28 through Sept. 2, sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and Griffon Activity Programming (GAP).

“Students will have the chance to connect with other students, campus resources and services, registered student organizations and community businesses,” said Josh Clary, student development director. “Welcome Week provides not only the tools students need to be successful, but will also help them make ��ý Western their ‘home away from home.’”

Welcome Week activities include

Sunday, Aug. 28

Griffon Launch, 5:30 p.m., Baker Fitness Center parking lot: A back-to-school bash with free food, games and fireworks.

Monday, Aug. 29

Western Warm-Up and Part-time Job Fair, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fulkerson Center and Enright Community Rooms, Spratt Hall 214-216: A walk-through vendor fair to give students a chance to learn about local businesses, community organizations, student organizations and job opportunities.

Back 2 School Bingo, 8-11 p.m., Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219: Music, bingo and prizes presented by Griffon Activity Programming.

Tuesday, Aug. 30

Make a Splash with Fraternity & Sorority Life and GAP, 5-8 p.m., Kelley Commons: Free BBQ, music and giant water inflatables.

Wednesday, Aug. 31

Griffon Grub Crawl, 6-8 p.m., Commons Building: Get to know the different residence halls. A different food will be served at each hall, concluding with an ice cream bar at Spratt Stadium.

Movie Night on the Football Field, 8:30-11 p.m., Craig Field at Spratt Stadium: A showing of the movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” on the giant video board.

Thursday, Sept. 1

Tailgate featuring Sungbeats, 5-6:30 p.m., Baker Fitness Parking Lot: The Griffon football season gets underway with the first tailgate party of the year featuring beatboxing by Sungbeats.

Griffon Football Season Opener, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium: Griffon football kicks off the 2022 season against Central Oklahoma.

Friday, Sept. 2

National College Colors Day T-shirt Exchange, starting at noon, Center for Student Involvement, Blum 207 and throughout campus: A team will be riding a golf cart through campus, giving out a free ��ý Western t-shirt in exchange for a shirt from another school, either college or high school.

Just Dance Night and Madden Tourney, 7 p.m., Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219: Wrap up the first week of classes with a fun night of video games, with prizes for the winners.

News-Press NOW: New ��ý Western hire to aim for enhanced student life

kheier — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 16:30:37 +0000

Justin McMillan

Next month will bring a new leader to ��ý to oversee aspects of student life and enhance the collegiate culture Griffons experience.

Justin McMillan, who until now has served in admissions, residency and diversity/inclusion capacities at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth Ohio, starts in his role on Monday, Aug. 10, as MWSU’s new student development director.

McMillan named student development director

kheier — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 15:25:17 +0000

Justin McMillan

July 29, 2020–Justin McMillan will join ��ý as student development director beginning Aug. 10.

McMillan comes to ��ý Western from Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he has served as a senior admissions associate, residence life coordinator and diversity and inclusion coordinator.

“Justin brings a tremendous energy for engaging with students and we are very excited for him to join our team,” said Dr. Hannah Piechowski, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

As student development director, McMillan will be responsible for the Center for Student Involvement, including oversight of registered student organizations, fraternity and sorority life, and planning, implementing and assessing services and activities designed to enhance the social, cultural and intellectual vitality of campus life.

Griffons celebrate Homecoming ‘Through the 90s’

kheier — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 21:24:02 +0000

Oct. 3, 2019—��ý alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community will celebrate Homecoming 2019 Oct. 6-13, including the Homecoming football game vs. ��ý Southern at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The theme this year is “Roarin’ and Soarin’ Through the 90s.”

The annual Homecoming Parade will step off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at 11th and Faraon in Downtown St. Joseph, in front of City Hall. It will proceed southwest on Frederick Avenue to Francis Street, west on Francis to 4th Street, south on 4th to Felix Street and east on Felix to the parade’s end at 10th and Felix.

Unless otherwise noted, events are free and open to the public. To register for alumni events, visit missouriwestern.edu/alumni/homecoming.

Sunday, Oct. 6

Let’s Drive In to Homecoming

7-9 p.m., Fulkerson Center
Bring blankets and pillows and watch “Toy Story 4” on one of four big screens. Popcorn and beverages will be provided.

Monday, October 7

Black & Gold Day

Wear your ��ý Western black and gold, take a picture and post on social media. #MWSUAlumni #BlackandGoldDay. Do you work with other Griffons? Take a group photo.

Griff Sweep

1-3 p.m., Habitat for Humanity, 3131 Frederick Avenue
Student groups participate in community service.

Sweating to the 90s

6-8 p.m., Fulkerson Center
WERQ, Hip Hop and Zumba dance fitness classes

Tuesday, October 8

Griffon Employee Alumni Breakfast

7-8 a.m., Blum Union Food Court

Let’s Get 90s Trivia Night

7-9 p.m., Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219

Wednesday, Oct. 9

90s Silent Party

6-8 p.m., Fulkerson Center
There are a limited number of headphones available, so come early.

Thursday, October 10

Blood Drive

8 a.m.-4 p.m., Blum Union Hoff Conference Rooms, 218-219
Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule a specific time through the Center for Student Involvement, 816-271-4159.

SGA Reunion

7 p.m. Spratt Hall Enright Rooms, 214-216
Network and compete in a trivia contest with current members of SGA, WAC (formerly CAB), and RHA. All former SGA, CAB, RHA members are invited to attend. Check the website for more information and pricing. Registration required.

Friday, October 11

Alumni Golf Outing

9:30 a.m. Registration; 10 a.m. Shotgun start
Fairview Golf Course
$50 per person or $200 per team of four

SGA Reunion Lunch and Campus Tour

Noon, Hall of Fame Room, Spratt Memorial Stadium
The SGA Reunion continues with lunch followed by a campus tour. Registration required.

Alumni Awards Banquet

5:30 p.m. Reception, 6:15 p.m. Dinner and Program
Fulkerson Center
$35 per person or $280 for a table of 8
Registration required
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. Jamel Santa Cruze Wright ’00, president, Eureka College
- GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award: Chelsey Kusek ’09, Lead Elementary Art Teacher, North Kansas City School District
- Herb ’35 & Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University: Pat Dillon, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer, Mosaic Life Care
- Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Tom Rachow, Department of Biology
- Great Griffon Awards: Craig School of Business & Technology – Jake Cunning ’16; Liberal Arts and Sciences – Duane Martin ’89; Professional Studies – Mary Vaughan ’79; School of Nursing and Health Professions – Jaime Bartley ’17
- Student Leadership Awards: Clifford Hughes ’55 Award – Ben Allen ’19; Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian International Student of the Year – Shi Qing Ong ’19; Graduating Student of the Year – Evan Banks ’19

Pep Rally

7-9 p.m., Looney Arena

Bonfire

9 p.m., behind Spratt Stadium

Saturday, October 12

Parade

9 a.m., Downtown

Future Griffs Fun Zone

1-2:30 p.m., Remington Hall
Free family fun

Free Tailgate

2 p.m., Parking Lot H

Football game

Griffons vs. ��ý Southern State University
4 p.m., Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium

Sunday, October 13

Forever Griffons Luncheon

11:30 a.m. social, lunch at noon
$15 per person
Hall of Fame Room in Spratt Memorial Stadium
Registration required

��ý is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. ��ý Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.

Documentary filmmakers bring ‘Man on Fire’ to ��ý Western

kheier — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 20:43:19 +0000

Sept. 26, 2019—��ý will host a screening of the 2018 documentary film “Man on Fire” and a workshop with the filmmakers on Oct. 3 and 4. The events are free and open to the public.

“Man on Fire” focuses on Grand Saline, Texas, a town east of Dallas with a history of racism, a history the community doesn’t talk about. The shroud of secrecy ended when Charles Moore, an elderly white preacher, self-immolated to protest the town’s racism in 2014, shining a spotlight on the town’s dark past.

The film, directed by Joel Fendelman and produced by Fendelman and James Chase Sanchez, won the David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award from the International Documentary Association, the Best Student Award at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival and the Feature Film Programmers Choice Award at the Sidewalk Film Festival. Last year, it aired on the PBS series “Independent Lens.”

“Man on Fire” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101. The filmmakers will lead a workshop on implicit bias and white supremacy at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4.

The events are sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education, Center for Student Involvement, the International Center and the Student Government Association.

��ý Western celebrates Family Weekend Sept. 20-21

kheier — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 16:49:48 +0000

Sept. 6, 2019—��ý students and their families will celebrate Family Weekend Sept. 20 and 21 with live entertainment, free food, planetarium shows and more.

Events will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 with the pop-country trio Oferle performing in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101. Admission is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, President Matt Wilson will host the President’s Pasta Extravaganza from 11 a.m. to noon in the atrium of Remington Hall. The all-you-can-eat pasta buffet is free and open to the public, but guests must register online by Friday, Sept. 13.

Also on Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. family-friendly activities will include Clearly You Crystal Laser 3-D Images and Stuff-a-Plush build your own toy in the Remington atrium, with carnival games on the lawn outside Remington. The Bushman Planetarium will offer free shows at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Students may receive up to five advance planetarium tickets by presenting their student ID in the Center for Student Involvement, Blum Student Union room 207.

Spidey, an international hypnotist/mentalist/magician, will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt 101. Admission is free and open to the public.

Beginning at 3 p.m., students and guests can enjoy tailgating with family and friends before the Griffon football game against Central ��ý, which will kick off at 7 p.m. at Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The football game is one of several home athletic events that weekend: the Griffon volleyball team plays Central ��ý at 6 p.m. Friday in the Looney Fieldhouse and the soccer team has home games against ��ý Southern at 8 p.m. Friday and Northwest ��ý State at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. For ticket and schedule information visit .

For more information about Family Weekend activities, visit missouriwestern.edu/student-life/family-weekend/ or contact the Center for Student Involvement by phone, 816-271-4150, or by email, involvement@missouriwestern.edu.

Center for Student Involvement – News

����ý Western to host annual International Fair