Super Science Saturday

Saturday, Feb. 8鈥�10 a.m.-3 p.m.鈥揜emington/Agenstein Hall

大象传媒鈥檚 annual Super Science Saturday is back! Join us Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children over 5. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Science educators from 大象传媒 Western and area high schools will present STEM-related activities and demonstrations in math, physics, chemistry, biology, meteorology, psychology, engineering technology, nursing and more!

The MLK Drum Major for Justice Award Banquet

Wednesday, Feb. 26鈥�6:30 p.m.鈥揊ulkerson Center

The MLK Drum Major for Justice Award Banquet honors citizens who live ordinary lives and do extraordinary acts of service with reliability and commitment, but seldom receive recognition. We are honored to present this award to members of 大象传媒 and St. Joseph community members who exhibit excellence and commitment to service while performing an extraordinary act of kindness and grace. We will be awarding one student, a member of the St. Joseph community, and one 大象传媒 Western employee as recipients of the MLK Drum Major for Justice Award. Join us to celebrate those who serve the community, for more information about the banquet, please contact the Center for Diversity & Inclusion at 816-271-4432.

News & Reminders

Housing Renewal Applications are now open

Housing Renewal Applications are now open. A $50 application fee will be due at the time of application. Returning housing selection (picking their room) will open the week of March 3rd. Students will be given times and dates based on when their application was submitted. Housing and Residence will send more information to students in advance of the application opening, for further questions have your student please contact Residential Life.

What are you doing for others?

大象传媒 Western鈥檚 Center for Service honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the fourth annual 鈥淲hat Are You Doing for Others Day of Service鈥� on, Jan. 24 from at the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology. Students, faculty and staff participated in the first-ever Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed-building project for area children. Volunteers used raw lumber and some easy-to-use tools to build handmade bunk beds.鈥淭his project will ensure that no child will sleep on the floor in our town,鈥� said Kim Sigrist, executive director of the Center for Service. 大象传媒 Western has hosted this day or service event on the first Friday of the spring semester since 2022.

Nominations are open for the 43rd annual Alumni Awards

Do you know an alum, graduating student, faculty member, or community supporter who deserves recognition?

Nominations are open for the 43rd Annual Alumni Awards Banquet on October 3, 2025. The deadline to submit nominations is April 1, so now’s your chance to send them in!

Visit to nominate our high-achieving Griffons!

Awards Include:

• Distinguished Alumni Award
• Distinguished Faculty Award
• Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award
• Great Griffon Awards
  • College of Liberal Arts
  • College of Business & Professional Studies
  • College of Science & Health
• Herb 鈥�35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University
• Student Leadership Awards
  • Graduating Senior of the Year
  • Clifford Hughes 鈥�55 Award
  • International Student of the Year

Finals Feeding Frenzy

Sunday, Dec 8鈥�5-7 p.m.鈥揃lum Union

All MWSU students, faculty, staff, and families are invited to Finals Feeding Frenzy in the Blum Union Dining Hall

Sunday, December 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be 10 elf Griffons hidden around Blum Union and Spratt Hall for students to find and gift cards for the winners. Games will be set up in the Blum lobby including corn hole, Twister, a ball toss and an opportunity to make an ornament.

Sash and Medallion Ceremony: Celebrating Global, Multicultural, Contemporary, and First-Generation Students

Friday, Dec. 13鈥�5 p.m.鈥揃lum Union 218/219

The Sash and Medallion Ceremony: Celebrating Global, Multicultural, Contemporary and First Generation Students will take place Friday, December 13 in Blum Union room 218/219 at 5 p.m. This event celebrates the various cultures on campus, contemporary students and first-gen students graduating from 大象传媒 Western.

Commencement

Saturday, Dec. 14鈥�11 a.m.鈥揕ooney Arena

The 大象传媒 2024 Winter Commencement will be held on Saturday, December 14, in the Looney Arena at 11 a.m. Commencement is the time to the greatest the greatest achievement of our students, and we invite families to attend and celebrate with their students. For more information regarding the ceremony, please visit our commencement website.

News & Reminders

Fall/Winter Break Shuttle

The Fall/Winter Break Kansas City Shuttle will run from 大象传媒 Western to Kansas City Airport (KCI) and Union Station and return to campus near the end of the breaks. The shuttle will depart parking lot E at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13 arriving at KCI airport at 7:15 a.m. and Union Station at 8:00 a.m. Two separate return shuttles will operate on Sunday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Jan. 19. One will pick up from Union Station at 2:30 p.m. and arrive at MWSU at 3:30 p.m. The other will pick up from KCI at 7 p.m. and arrive at MWSU at 8 p.m. This service is completely free for all students! Registration is required at .

大象传媒 Western formally opens innovative technology center

大象传媒, North Central 大象传媒 College and numerous public and private partners formally cut the ribbon on the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology on Nov. 15.

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Tutors Achieve Certification

The Center for Academic Support is pleased to announce that Math Tutors Kaylea Fessler and Sam Brabham and Writing Tutor Kylee Leach have achieved their Level 1 College Reading and Learning Association certification. In order to be certified, tutors must have a minimum of 10 hours of training and 25 hours of tutoring experience which utilizes that training. The certification also means that the CAS is connected to current trends in higher education: research consistently documents the positive effects of peer tutoring. The CAS is one of over 1,000 programs worldwide currently licensed to certify its trained tutors. Kaylea tutors math and philosophy courses and is a junior majoring in both Law and Criminal Justice. Sam tutors math and chemistry and is majoring in Medical Laboratory Science. Kylee tutors writing and her major is Applied Communication and Journalism.

大象传媒 Western names Dr. Jay Johnson as provost

大象传媒 has named Dr. Jay Johnson as provost and vice president of academic affairs. Dr. Johnson, currently associate provost for academic operations and undergraduate studies at Northwest 大象传媒 State University, will begin his duties Jan.13, 2025.

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Griffon Gold Community Standards Winners

These students exemplify our Griffon Gold Community Standards. By demonstrating respect and honesty, they are making 大象传媒 a great place to live and learn. These students have been chosen as September鈥檚 Griffon Gold Community Standards winners.

Juda – Catilynn Fowler

Vaselakos 鈥� DaVeon Shelton

Scanlon 鈥� Madison Dickherber

Vartabedian 鈥� Sara Yarbrough

RAs 鈥� Madison McCullah & Sabriyah Belton

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Upcoming Career Fairs

The Career Development Center, the Communication Department, and the Education Department are hosting on-campus career fairs for students this month. This is a great opportunity for students to meet potential employers, and practice interview skills and networking opportunities.

5th Annual Communications Career Night

Wednesday, Nov. 13鈥�11:00 a.m. 鈥� 1:00 p.m.鈥揃lum Union 218/219

This fair is open to all students and 大象传媒 Western alumni who wish to work within the field of Communication, Public Relations, Media, and Journalism.

Fall 2024 Teacher Recruitment Fair

Wednesday, Nov. 13鈥�11:00 a.m. 鈥� 1:00 p.m.鈥揊ulkerson Center

This fair is open to all students and 大象传媒 Western alumni who wish to work in a K-12 school district. Students graduating in December 2024 or May 2025 with teacher certification will be designated with a dot on their name tags.

SAVE THE DATE: Commencement

Saturday, Dec. 14鈥揕ooney Complex

Mark your calendars, commencement is almost here! This year鈥檚 Winter Commencement will be held on Saturday, December 14 in the Looney Complex on the 大象传媒 Western campus. More details are to come soon. We cannot wait to see you as we celebrate our newest graduates.

/commencement/

Fall 鈥�24 Grad Fest

Tuesday, Nov. 19鈥�10 a.m.鈥揕eah Spratt Hall Atrium

It is time to celebrate students during Grad Fest from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19 in Leah Spratt Hall Atrium. This event is a wonderful opportunity for graduating Griffons to not only pick up their caps and gowns, but also the perfect time to celebrate with our various campus departments, ask questions about commencement, and have their photo taken!

Beginning on November 21, regalia may be picked up at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore on the first floor of Hearnes during regular business hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Master’s students will pick up their hoods at check-in on December 14.

Are you or a grandparent a 大象传媒 Western alum? Students can request their free legacy cord from the 大象传媒 Western Alumni Association. Legacy cords are available for undergraduate and graduate students. Order your legacy cord at

International Fair

Wednesday, Nov. 20鈥�3 p.m.-6 p.m.鈥揊ulkerson Center

The International Fair will take place on Wednesday, November 20th, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Fulkerson. During the fair, we will have a variety of events, including a parade of flags, live performances, informational country booths, and food from all over the world. Come and experience the wide range of cultures represented right here on campus!

Contact Zach Dudley in the Global Engagement office for more information. 816-271-5998.

Multidisciplinary Research Day

Friday, Dec. 6鈥�12-1:30 p.m.鈥揃lum 218/219/222/223

大象传媒 will be hosting our annual Multidisciplinary Research Day, on Friday, December 6 from 12-1:30 p.m. in Blum Union where students who have completed research projects (Literature Reviews or Empirical Studies) over the academic term to present their work in a poster session. This semi-annual poster session provides an excellent opportunity to share the results of your research with a varied audience. It also provides a chance to explore research in a variety of disciplines.

Griffon Gold Community Standards Winners

These students exemplify our Griffon Gold Community Standards. By demonstrating respect and honesty, they are making 大象传媒 a great place to live and learn. These students have been chosen as September鈥檚 Griffon Gold Community Standards winners.

Juda – Kameron Langford

Vaselakos 鈥� Samantha Oliver

Scanlon 鈥� Cass Edens

Vartabedian 鈥� Dana Vinson

RAs 鈥� Angel Justus & Emily Bowles

Haunted Homecoming 2024 Survey

MWSU celebrated Haunted Homecoming this past month. It was an exciting event full of fun events for students. For the first time since 1997, the MWSU Homecoming Parade was held on our campus, where student organizations, community groups, and alumni all walked together before the football game. We would like to hear more about your experience at Homecoming. Please take a few moments to fill out this brief survey to help us make future Homecoming celebrations even better. Complete the survey here.

Homecoming photos are available on our .

We appreciate your support and want to thank the families and friends who have supported us and continue to support 大象传媒 Western. Go Griffs!

End of Semester Help is Here!

The end of the semester can be stressful and the Center for Academic Support is here to help students. If your student needs tutoring, peer review, or other academic assistance we are here for them. The Center for Academic Support offers Supplemental Instruction (SI) for targeted courses across campus. SI Sessions are run by former students who have taken the course before and passed with high marks. Weekly SI sessions are free and confidential and will be available to cover course content, structure, quiz and test prep, and overall academic support and skill development. For more information, please visit our .

Study Abroad Opportunity

Study Abroad to South Korea: Learning K-culture, eSports, and the difference between Western Culture and South Korea. Students can expand their cross-cultural awareness and diversity in this study abroad course, RSM 480, Practicum in Recreation and Sport. In this course, students will develop international networks for future career opportunities, the capability of collaboration between Western cultures and Asian countries, globalized learning experiences in K-culture, traditional sports, and eSports, distinguish marketing strategies and consumer behavior within the context of diverse cultures in our society (e.g., Sports, eSports, and music ) and understand different facility designs compared to Western culture eSports and traditional sporting stadiums.

Events

Hispanic Heritage Banquet

Wednesday, Oct. 2鈥�6 p.m.鈥揊ulkerson Center

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, 大象传媒’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, in collaboration with the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), proudly presents the Hispanic Heritage Banquet on October 2, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fulkerson Center for an evening of vibrant culture and celebration. The distinguished guest speaker for the evening will be Lisandra Guerra Rodriguez, a World Champion and Olympic Cyclist, who will share her inspiring journey and achievements. The evening will be further enlivened by the musical talents of the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra, providing dynamic Latin dance music to our celebration. Don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to honor and explore Hispanic heritage. To ensure your spot, RSVP

Haunted Homecoming

Saturday, October 19

This year鈥檚 MWSU homecoming theme is Haunted Homecoming! Homecoming events will take place from October 14-19. The annual 大象传媒 Western homecoming parade will be held on October 19 at 9 a.m. in downtown St. Joseph followed by our homecoming football game that evening in Spratt Stadium where our Griffons will face Nebraska Kearney. For more information on this year鈥檚 homecoming festivities please visit our homecoming website.

Annual Alumni Awards Banquet

Friday, October 18鈥�6-8:30 p.m.鈥揊ulkerson Center

The 大象传媒 Alumni Association will honor 11 individuals at the annual Alumni Award Banquet during Homecoming Week. The banquet will be held on Oct. 18 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Fulkerson C

enter. The event is open to everyone and the cost is $40 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets to the banquet, visit .

Griffon Gold Community Standards Winners

These students exemplify our Griffon Gold Community Standards. By demonstrating respect and honesty, they are making 大象传媒 a great place to live and learn. These students have been chosen as September鈥檚 Griffon Gold Community Standards winners.

Juda Hall: Taj Gregory

Vaselakos Hall: Boaz Evans

Scanlon Hall: Nathan Vandyke

Vartabedian Hall: Mackenzie Perry

Resident Assistants: Sydney Strack & Grace Peters

News & Reminders

2024 Family Day Success

We at 大象传媒 Western would like to thank you the families for showing up and supporting your students at Family Day last month. We enjoyed watching the students and their families playing games, touring our campus and sharing stories with one another. We always welcome families at 大象传媒 Western and thank you for attending for your students and our Griffon Football team. You are appreciated and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Photos from Family Day are available on our .

4th Annual Griffs Give Back Day of Service

On Friday, Sept. 13, 大象传媒鈥檚 Center for Service will host its fourth annual Griffs Give Back Day of Service. Approximately 200 大象传媒 Western students, faculty and staff will gather to clean up streets and sidewalks along a nine-mile stretch of roadway from Krug Park in the North End to Hyde Park on the South Side in just 90 minutes.

Student Employment Opportunities

Students can check out the many new Student Employment opportunities on campus at under the Student Employment tab.

CAS Offers Free Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring Services

If your student needs tutoring, peer review, or other academic assistance we are happy to provide it at the Center for Academic Support. The Center for Academic Support offers Supplemental Instruction (SI) for targeted courses across campus. SI Sessions are run by former students who have taken the course before and passed with high marks. Weekly SI sessions are free and confidential and will be available to cover course content, structure, quiz and test prep, and overall academic support and skill development.

Registration opens on October 14

It is that time of year for students to register for next semester. Academic advising starts this Wednesday, October 2. Students can find their advisor in their Goldlink account. Freshmen, sophomores, student-athletes, international students, and students on academic probation must meet with an academic advisor to get an Alternate PIN to register.

Registration Schedule

Seniors/Identified groups/Graduate students (90 credit hours or more) Monday, October 14 (7 a.m.)

Juniors (60-89 credit hours) Thursday, October 17 (7 a.m.)

Sophomores (30-59 credit hours) Monday, October 21 (7 a.m.)

Freshmen (less than 30 credit hours) Wednesday, October 23 (7 a.m.)

If students have questions they contact Academic Advising (Eder 209) at advisor@missouriwestern.edu or (816) 271-5990.

Travel Funding Available – Blake K. Scanlon Applied Learning Presentation Grant

Student applications for the Blake K. Scanlon Applied Learning Presentation Grant funding for the Fall 2024 semester are now open. The completed application must be submitted to the Foundation Office in Spratt 111 no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024. For more information or to apply .

Events

MWSU Family Day

Saturday, September 14

Mark your calendars for this year鈥檚 MWSU Family Day. This is a fun-filled day for you to spend with your students on campus. There will be various activities like our Family Photo Booth, Hypnotist Show and Family Day tailgate! To learn more about Family Day 2024, click here.

Alumni Family Legacy Coffee Social

Saturday, Sept. 14鈥�10 a.m.-11 a.m. 鈥揂lumni Welcome Center (Spratt Hall 105)

Join the Alumni Welcome Center for a coffee social hour. Enjoy coffee and cookies, alumni swag and more! Also, don鈥檛 miss the Alumni Center table at the football game that evening.

MWSU Homecoming

October 14-19

Mark your calendars for this year鈥檚 homecoming game on October 19th. MWSU will face off against Nebraska Kearney. Details of all the fun activities coming soon!

News & Reminders

Griffon Gold Community Standards

Griffon Gold Community Standards (GGCS) is a program that recognizes positive residential life student behaviors through a 鈥淪tudent of the Month鈥� program and engages students in programming that builds a sense of community and belongingness throughout MWSU housing. Griffons build community by respecting self, others, property, authority and honesty. For more information on our Griffon Gold Community Standards please visit our website.

Follow 鈥淔amily of 大象传媒 Western鈥� on Facebook!

We provide up-to-date information for families of MWSU students on our family Facebook page. This page is dedicated to various events and news happening around MWSU. To see all that is happening here on campus today!

2024 Griffon Edge

The school year is off to an exciting start at MWSU. With that comes welcoming our newest Griffons to campus. These past weeks have been fun-filled and it all started off with this year鈥檚 Griffon Edge. Our new freshman met their classmates for the first time and learned the ins and outs of 大象传媒 Western. They also got to experience some fun events across campus such as a Playfair, bingo night, a glow party, and more. To see photos from this year鈥檚 Griffon Edge check out the now.

Stay in the know with Student Affairs

Events are always happening on the MWSU campus, from fun bingo nights, watch parties, community service and more! To keep up on all the fun activities students participate in across campus we encourage you to follow our MWSU Student Affairs and pages.

Intramural leagues are forming now

Is your student competitive? Is your student looking for a way to get involved on campus this fall?

大象传媒 Student Recreation Services has the perfect intramural sport for your student. MWSU offers an array of intramurals each year. Students can sign up today!

Listen to your MWSU Griffons Live

All home and away football and men’s and women’s basketball games will be available to listen to for free on Varsity and at GoGriffons.com/listen. Available on iPhone and Android, fans can access free audio streams for game days on the Varsity Network App. Fans can also receive push notifications as reminders for upcoming games and broadcasts. Once you download The Varsity Network app, search ‘大象传媒 Western’ and select which Griffon teams you want to follow. For more information on The Varsity Network and how to listen to the Griffons, click here. Audio broadcasts can also be found at GoGriffons.com/listen. Audio broadcasts will also be archived at GoGriffons.com/listen in the ‘On Demand’ section, and on the Griffon Sports Insider Podcast, available on Spotify, Apple and wherever you podcast.

Potter Hall art gallery renamed in honor of Drew Brown

The art gallery inside Potter Hall at 大象传媒 bears a new name. The Drew Brown Art Gallery salutes a longtime community activist and staunch supporter of 大象传媒 Western. To read more on this story, click here.

Welcome Griffon family and friends! We are so excited to start another great year at 大象传媒 Western and even more excited to have your student be a part of all the big things happening here. We look forward to sharing news and updates to all things MWSU with you every month. We hope you are as excited as we are to see your student soar high. Go Griffs!

News & Events

MWSU Family Day, Saturday, Sept. 14

Mark your calendars for this year鈥檚 MWSU Family Day. This is a fun-filledday for you to spend with your student on campus. There will be various activities like our Family Photo Booth, Hypnotist Show and Family Day tailgate!

Follow 鈥淔amily of 大象传媒 Western鈥� on Facebook!

We provide up to date information for families of MWSU students on our family Facebook page. This page is dedicated to various events and news happening around MWSU. To see all that is happening here on campus today!

Move-In Day

Move-In Day is just around the corner! Freshman move-in day is August 21, and returning students may move-in Aug 24 and 25. This can be both a fun and stressful time for students and their families, we want to help as best we can, for more information click here.

Houlne Center for Center for Convergent Technology named after Tim Houlne 鈥�86

A new building at 大象传媒 to serve workforce development needs in the region will bear the name of a 大象传媒 Western alumnus who supported the project with one of the largest donations in the University鈥檚 history. The building formerly known as the Convergent Technology Alliance Center (CTAC) will be known as the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology, in honor of Tim Houlne, an entrepreneur, author and visionary in the field of artificial intelligence.

Email Reminder

Student鈥檚 email are a critical way we communicate with them. Please encourage your student to check their MWSU email and goldlink daily so they know what is going on around campus, any changes to schedules, financial aid news and more. As we head into a new academic year we want our students to be as prepared as possible and their email is essential in providing them with vital information.