February 25th - Griffon News

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vol 92 | Issue 17
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Candidates run unopposed
Todd Fuller
News Writer
The election this spring is going to be
uncontested, but SGA says that doesn’t
mean the student body should fail to vote.
Western doesn’t have a history of uncontested elections for SGA. According to
Administrative Coordinator Vice President
of Student Affairs, Kathy Kelly, there
has been only one uncontested election
for SGA: the spring 2003 election with
Sylvester Brandon and John Fabsits ran
uncontested for the top office.
SGA election commissioner Josh Rieken
thinks that marketing for the election is
going to be more difficult than a contested
election.
“If it [the election] was contested, then
the candidates would have to make posters and talk to people to try to get votes,”
Rieken said. “So, I think, the biggest thing
we are missing out on this election is the
marketing that would have been done by
the candidates.”
“I think the most detrimental aspect of
having an uncontested election is the fact
that students don’t have a choice of who
will be their next SGA President,”
Rieken said. “An uncontested
election basically takes democracy out of the process.”
Rieken thinks that too
many students don’t appreciate how fun student government can be. “They
just hear the word ‘government’ and assume it
will be boring, but it’s not.
It’s actually a lot of fun.”
SGA presidential candidate Dillon Harp feels that
with the uncontested election,
students miss out on a lot of the
democratic process like the candidates debating. Harp also thinks that SGA
suffers, with the lack of attention paid to
the election, when it is uncontested.
Bill HJR 77 introduced
for Potter Hall
renovations, expansion
Harp doesn’t think it’s a lack of student
desire to participate.
“I just think SGA hasn’t really done anything to excite the students,” Harp
said.
Harp doesn’t think the
interest will be there
until SGA changes students’ minds about
student government.
Until that change
occurs Harp said, “I
don’t think anyone is
really going to run for
anything.”
Jordan
Carney,
a sophomore double
majoring in biology with
a health-science concentration and biotechnology, is
the uncontested candidate for
the SGA vice president for the Residence
Council.
Carney plans to take a more active role
by working with the programming and
planning committee to set up events that
students will excite students and promote
more involvement.
“It’s disappointing that not a lot of people
are interested in being leaders,” Carney
said. “It seems like the ones that want to
be involved can’t devote the time to being
in a leadership position.”
Carney also said that many of the resident assistants that would be interested
don’t have the time with their current
positions.
Besides voting on candidates, the previously reported SGA Technology and
Recycling fee has gone on a weight loss
program. SGA president Josh Todd said
the fee was trimmed down to $4.50 per
credit hour because the $3.00 discretionary
fund was not well enough defined.
“We did not just want to throw it in some
budget if we could not even strictly define
its purpose,” Todd said.
Jesse West
News Writer
is well aware of just how long
Potter Hall has needed renovations. Twelve years ago, the music
Missouri Western has under- department made a request to the
gone quite the transformation in state of Missouri for $16 million
the past ten years, with construct- dollars for renovation and expaning and renovating. Now, those sion. Following the arrival of forwho spend their days in Potter mer President James Scanlon in
Hall hope that their facility will 2001, the art and theatre departbe next in line for a facelift.
ments were added on to the
For the last two years, Western request. Then, dead silence.
has identified the process of renAccording to Gilmour, the state
ovating and expanding Potter government at the time declared
Hall as their top priority for that they would only give state
capital improvement on campus. funding to the science departFurthermore, Rep. Chris Kelly, ments, paving the way for the
D-Missouri, has introduced a bill construction and renovation of
to the House of Representatives, Remington and Agenstein at the
HJR 77, which would give the expense of Potter Hall. With conGeneral Assembly the authority struction of Remington now comto provide construction and facil- plete and the Agenstein renovaity improvement funds for higher tions underway, Gilmour hopes
education organithat
Potter
zations.
Hall will get
Allison Sauls,
the same treatRecent renovations at
associate profesment in the
Western
sor and chair of
near future.
Remington Hall
the art depart“We’re using
ment,
explains
[the
band]
that while she
room and choir
Agenstein Hall
sees Potter Hall
room as classas a good building
rooms; that’s
in and of itself, her
not good for
Kit Bond Incubator
department’s 100
our students,”
percent increase
Gilmour said.
Chief’s Training Facility
in Major students
The
quesover the last five
tion isn’t does
years has not only
Potter
Hall
created a severe overcrowding need renovations but rather when
issue for everyone in the build- will it get renovations. By all
ing, but has also resulted in dif- accounts, that could be a long
ficulties in terms of one on one time off. With the economy still
communication with students.
struggling to get its legs back,
“We have a very good setup but Western is not in the position
we’ve outgrown it,” Sauls said. to cover the full cost, which was
“[The students] know something roughly estimated at $26 million
has to be done. It’s very hard to several years ago. Furthermore,
get individual attention for stu- House Bill HJR 77 has only
dents.”
been presented to the House of
Jeanne Daffron, provost and Representatives twice and is not
vice president for academic currently scheduled for a third
affairs, sees the performing arts hearing.
as highly valuable to any univerAccording to Daffron, the chancsity and agrees with Sauls that es of its success are questionable,
the current facilities are far from as the bill is far off from being
adequate.
voted on by the House, followed
“If you walk down the hall, you by a Senate vote and a vote of the
see lockers sticking out in the public. Even if the finances do
hall for the band instruments,” come through, Daffron notes that
Daffron said. “It’s very apparent Western still needs to figure out
when you walk through Potter what renovations Potter needs;
Hall [that] there’s a real need that would first involve talking
and it’s been recognized for a long with students and faculty about
time.”
what they would like to see.
Matt Gilmour, professor and
Students like Ryan Linnick, a
chair of the music department, choir student for the past two
See Potter Hall page 4
front.indd 1
SARA BAUM/ Graphics and Photo Editor
Students Mallory Edson and Erin Williams focus intently on two of the many paintings by Assistant Professor of
Art, Geo Sipp, in the Biennial Art Faculty Exhibition. See story on Page 4.
Western sponsors forum
Jodi Oliver
News Writer
All eyes and ears were on the City of St. Joseph
primary election candidates at a forum sponsored
by Missouri Western’s department and students of
political science, social work and sociology on Feb.
18.
Mayoral candidates, Bill Falkner, Norma Jo
Maccoux, Richard Sipe and Steve Warner along
with 3rd district city council candidates, Mike
Bozarth and Steve Sewell, responded to questions
submitted by the audience for more than two hours
in the Kemper Recital Hall. Questions concerning
the city’s growth, economic condition, local schools
and local businesses were the focus of the evening’s
debates.
Assistant professor of political science, Jonathan
Euchner, has sponsored candidate forums since
1993.
“I believe in giving students and the broader
Missouri Western community, including St. Joseph,
an opportunity to hear from candidates for public
office,” Euchner said. “It’s part of my interest in
encouraging greater citizenship and a more engaged
public. It’s one of the many important things that
political scientists do.”
All of the candidates, who are running in contested races in the upcoming March primary election, responded quickly and positively to Euchner’s
invitation.
“I believe our forums have a very good reputation for fairness, good planning, excellent questions
and a good audience turnout which the candidates
appreciate,” Euchner said.
Audience turnout was fair; however this was the
first of several other forums to be held prior to the
April 6 general election.
DAVE HON/ Online Editor
Left to Right: Dick Sipe and Steve Warner Mayoral candidates answered questions pertaining to St. Joseph and the
community.
Junior Rick Chaffee, economics, accounting, and
business management major, admits he attended
the forum for class credit but believes it is important
for students to be aware of the issues and where
each candidate stands on the issues.
“I think that many students attending Missouri
Western will work in St. Joseph upon graduation,”
Chaffee said. “For that reason, any issues that deal
with the community pertain to them.”
The candidates recognize that Missouri Western
is essential to the city’s growth and the city’s
involvement is essential to attract students to the
university.
“Missouri Western is one of the real jewels of St.
Joseph and we need to get more community interaction between the city and the campus,” Sipe said.
Candidates were asked several questions regarding saving businesses in St. Joseph with little focus
on bringing in large companies, which Chaffee feels
the newly elected mayor needs to focus on business
that will bring in manufacturing.
See Forum page 4
2/24/10 10:56 AM
Page 2
Opinions
The Griffon News
February 25, 2010
Editorial
Caution suggested when posting updates
PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION BY SARA BAUM / Photo & Graphics Editor
No matter how you look at it, things like internet social networks have become a way
of life. And why wouldn’t they? They are fun. You get to catch up with friends, play
application games, instant message, and post pictures of your latest weekend adventure
in drunken debauchery. Hmm…maybe this last idea deserves more thought. Maybe this
whole concept needs more thought.
It should be common sense that posting a picture of you doing your tenth keg-stand
for the night might not appear in the best light. Future employers may not be as
impressed as your friends are about photographic evidence of your beer-pong mastery.
Organizations that you are a member of may not like having pictures out there of you
showing off your latest thong while swinging around the pole. What you put out there is
out there. Believe it when you are told that no one wants to see a picture of you puking.
The wisdom behind what is good to go up on your profile is far from limited to your
photos. You words are another thing that can create a whole world of hurt to your future
endeavors. There have already been legal cases that covered cyber-bullying associated
with both MySpace and Facebook. How you treat others shouldn’t change just because
you can’t see someone’s face.
Everyone knows at least one person that posts the most dramatic and pointed status
updates. Sometimes this can backfire. Sometimes you can say something that you just
can’t take back. You never know who you might offend. You never know who might
misinterpret what you are trying to say. Your words, like the wings of a butterfly, could
unleash a chaos effect that goes far beyond the realms of Facebook.
So while you may think that you’re young and no one really cares about your bad
behavior anyway, try and remember that one day it may be a future employer watching you expose yourself in the latest edition of Griffons Gone Wild. It might be a future
reference who had to read your nasty updates about how you hate Polynesian midget
culture. It might be your future that you are shutting off with pictures of you passed out
from an Oxycontin overdose.
These are things to consider before you make your next post. You are not just posting
as a private citizen. You are posting as a student of Missouri Western State University.
The way the world sees you on the web is also the way the world sees the university.
Why make it look bad?
Gonzo journalist finds hot dog heaven
I love hot dogs. It is practically its own
like the St. Joe Dog.” Wilson said.
dandonan
food group to me. Meat, bread and what“It has the homemade chili and the
ever goodness you throw on top of it. Why
homemade salsa on it.”
wouldn’t anyone love that?
King has been delighted by the reacOne thing this town loves is a new eatery.
tions of their customers.
If there is some place different to grab a
“They love it. I haven’t had one bad
bite of a new kind of grub then that is the
remark ever,” King said.
place to be in old Joe Town. It is refreshing
While I was last there I even disturbed
to see that after a bombardment of soulrandom customers to get their opinion
less chain restaurants multiplying across
of what they had eaten. Turns out that
the belt highway a local small business can
Salsa Dog is already drawing customers
still put out the best taste in new dining
on a regional level.
opportunities. It is great to know that at the
John McNally, an out-of-towner, made
corner of Patee street and 10th you can find
the drive north to try these delicious dogs.
the culinary delight of the Salsa Dog.
“We are from Kansas City,” McNally said.
I have eaten there five times already. It is the best
“This is the first time we have been in here. We have
thing that has been in my mouth in a long time.
a friend in lives in St. Joe and she recommended four
Robert Wilson Jr., owner and proprietor of Salsa places I had to eat here, and this place was one of
Dog, opened the little shop on June 8, 2009. Salsa Dog them. I highly recommend the Alamo Dog.”
has endured a busy summer and fall and face a future
I even force-fed a few fellow employees at Plaza 8
of great potential.
just to spread the gospel of the greatness that is Salsa
“I retired from the post office almost two years ago Dog. Justin Peacock, senior at Western, had a large
now and I have owned the building for 18 years,” dog with nacho cheese. “It was good!” Peacock said.
Wilson said.
“The actual hot dog was good. I see myself eating there
“I let it sit vacant and rented it out and never knew again.”
what I was going to do with it,” Wilson said. “I never
Kenzie Hampton, Western freshman, had a small
knew why I held on to it. I guess this is why. Through dog with nacho cheese. “It actually is really good and I
the Food Channel and food shows I tried to cipher from normally don’t eat hot dogs,” Hampton said.
my knowledge what St. Joe had and didn’t have and
Brandon Hankins, Central High senior, consumed a
what it needed and this is what I came up with.”
large dog and some chips and cheese. “It was amazing.
This is the kind of place that could save the economy. I love it,” Hankins said.
With six part-time employees it could grow into a chain
Western sophomore and fellow staff writer, Nick
to feed the city. Wilson is man with ideas and a vision Merrill, actually ate the Alamo Dog and a side of baked
of growth.
beans. All he could say afterward was “Salsa Dog got
“I am looking at several options,” Wilson said. me.”
“Maybe expanding this building. I am also looking at
With a growing client base we can hope that Salsa
some other locations on the belt or other high traffic Dog is here to stay because the day of the dog has
areas.”
come. Already, Wilson knows they have impressed
I suggested they come to the college.
some names on the local market. “Johnson Control, St.
If you are a quality consumer of the tube steak like I Joe Distributing, Boehringer, those have been some
am, then you should know this is the kind of place you of our major customers,” Wilson said. “They all have
can go to get a classic Chicago Dog. Or I might suggest quite an order when they call and they appreciate us
their latest creation. “The latest one we have come up being able to come out there and deliver.”
with is called the Alamo Dog and I think it is by far the
That’s right. They deliver .
best hot dog we have,” Wilson said.
So what are you waiting for? Get some.
Tabby King, manager, has a different favorite. “I
The Griffon News
Alison Norris
Editor-in-Chief
Ryan Richardson
Design Editor
Eboni Lacey
Lifestyles Editor
Hannah Strasser Asst. Lifestyles Editor
Ryan Scroggins
News Editor
Dan Donan
Opinions Editor
Lauren Burbach
Sports Editor
Sara Baum
Photo/Graphics Editor
Dave Hon
Online Editor
Matt Fowler
Senior Editor
Emily Gummelt
Copy Editor
Megan Anderson
Ad Manager
Bob Bergland
Faculty Adviser
02-opinions.indd 1
News Room Staff
News Writers
Jesse West
Todd Fuller
Nick Merrill
Meghan Ledden
Jodi Oliver
Jeff Harper
Shane George
Sports Writers
Jessica Koch
Anthony Crane
Matt Gleaves
Lifestyles Writers
Michelle Allen
Brian Horstman
Lucretia Ray
Clint Willman
Danielle Dodson
PHOTO BY DAN DONAN Opinions Editor
Remember the Alamo!
Quarter pound dog, grilled,
bacon wrapped, onions, jalapenos, red peppers, salsa, avocado slices, celery
salt, Monterey Jack cheese
$4.75
The Griffon News is written and published by students of Missouri
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Robin Ussher
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Charlene Divino
• Views expressed on the opinion pages are not necessarily those of
The Griffon News staff or Missouri Western State University.
2/24/10 10:46 AM
Opinions
The Griffon News
Page 3
February 25, 2010
Too many transmissions taking terrible toll
As mankind straggles hazardously into the 21st Century, I can’t
help but ponder the unthinkable
horrors that will soon be offered
up on the table of life, waiting to
gnaw away our comforts and Godgiven freedoms one by one.
Opening up a newspaper, I have
to fight the instinct to throw up
and become some howling caricature of rage and fear. The only
thing that keeps the same reaction from occurring while watching television is the low brainwave feeling of sedation and only
the mildest of concerns.
However, the resistance to soulseizure in the face of channels
broadcasting the news from Hell
are what tipped me in on what
was actually happening out there.
The signals, the waves, the beams
that trip out and bend through
the air from projector to receiver
right into the hallowed halls of
our homes of human learning (our
brains, mind you), well, those are
the best tools yet in securing the
reigns to mankind’s natural way
of life.
Totally manufactured and
wholly disturbing, the constant
streams of information careening
through the air and crashing into
our collective conscious brianhorstman probably turn the
are slowly but surely
TV back on, condriving people insane
fused as to why its
at a mass level, even if
last few days have
the slip into madness is
been so heavy,
fairly subtle at this point.
so full of drama.
But that’s why you see
Convinced
that
the clues all over in the
the entire event
media; once the fingers
was a fever dream
are pointed in the right
of sorts, society
directions and all of the
would reenter the
sinners stand revealed,
security blanket,
they will take comfort in
convinced that the
saying that no wrong was done, current way of life is the best for
as the results of their brain-tam- everyone involved.
pering have been revealed for
History will prove human
years, waiting to be realized. instinct correct, in the long run.
Guilt free, they will walk confi- Through some act of God, the
dently through the streets, into flip will be switched sometime
a public court to ease the minds in the future, maybe sooner,
of the justice-hungry masses, and maybe later, but that flip will
walk right back out into their be switched, and everything will
mansions to continue the same simply turn off. The production
old charade. While some cries of of drug-saturated, coma-inducing
frustration and foul play will be chemicals and rays will be haltheard, no further action will be ed, releasing our inner-animal,
done to reach a cosmic amends and possibly even bringing about
for the decades-long true crime some strange physical alteration
against humanity. The damage that had been suppressed through
has already been done, healing years of neglect and hopelessness.
is more than likely impossible at Furious claws of adjudication will
this point. Like a wounded dog, be unleashed, and everyone will
the distraught beast known as suddenly remember why Thomas
the common man will crawl back Jefferson felt that every true
under the porch of being heard. It’ll democracy must face a true revo-
lution every two hundred years
or so. Teeth gnashing, a swift and
terrible march of pissed off real
people will proceed to the centers
of commerce and control, ready
to take back their lives’ respective wheels. As the self-perceived
herders of humankind make their
varied and pathetic arguments
in an attempt to justify their
heinous actions, it will be realized that the only reason this
hadn’t happened sooner was that
the lie-filled broadcasts had been
massaging the fight or flight part
of everyone’s brain. It had been
turned back on itself, making
people feel an overwhelming fear
of themselves and their brothers
and sisters. This resulted in, of
course, fighting or flying. Those
who opted for fight self-destructed, filling up the suicide story
slots on all the news networks.
Those who went with flight were
never heard of again, their minds
shutting down from all-encompassing sources of fear. Of course,
justice will win in the end. These
realizations will all just sting a
bit, then we all get the privilege of
hunting our food again. God Bless
America.
Parenting and academics create whole new ball game
We all know school is stressful. Get your homework finished,
asleep right now.
find a parking space, be on time, take the tests; those are just meghanledden
If you know me at all, which most of you probably
some of the daily stresses each student goes through. I thought
don’t, but if you do, you know Ayden is the sweetest
that’s what college was all about until I had my daughter. Now
little girl around. She loves to play and she’s generit’s a whole new ballgame.
ally a happy kid but just in the last week has had a
I’m still learning the ropes here at MWSU, as this is my first
pretty stellar double ear infection. She never cries
semester here. It almost seems like a different world since the
like that unless she’s sick and I knew something
last time I started college. Before all I did was roll out of my
was wrong the minute she started in. I think they
loft, pull a brush through my hair, brush my teeth and grab
call those “maternal instincts.” On top of that, I
a coffee and zombie walk to class. I am now awoken at 8 a.m.
have been battling bronchitis myself so it’s been a
every morning, whether I like it or not, to fix myself and Ayden
rough week, to say the very least.
breakfast, get a quick shower in, get dressed and then get
I know I’m certainly not the only mom on campus.
Ayden dressed. Then hustle to the baby sitter and get to class
I can think of at least three off the top of my head
by (on most days) 10 a.m.
right now. No shock there, people have kids and
That’s just the tip of the iceberg it seems. With Ayden, checking go back to school. That’s why we’re lucky MWSU is so considerate of
my e-mail has always been…a challenge, to say the least. She sees a non-traditional students to have, from what I hear, a pretty nice daybutton…it’s got to be pushed. Guess what? The same holds true for care facility on campus. Something I would have utilized had not been
writing any other document. Come to think of it, any time the laptop so lazy over Christmas break and gotten around to making a couple
is even sitting open. If I have a book open she always wants to read calls. This isn’t my way of saying “feel sorry for me.” I’m simply telling
it and if it’s sitting on my lap, she’ll sit on the book if I don’t read it you how it is for a single mom…did I mention that? Yeah, it’s just me.
to her. She has the “If I ain’t reading ain’t nobody reading!” mentality Luckily, I have an awesome family to help out.
and she’s a toddler. Fabulous, she’s already sassier than most adults.
I love when she helps but somehow I don’t know that she can help
me with my paper, seeing as how she can’t read. Lucky for me, she’s
Finding your fit in the global tribe takes positive attitude
Someone once told me that it is not what you know, but who shanegeorge woman who was a cruel taskmaster, she took delight in
you know. torturing the people in front of the whole tribe. I soon
Since humans first showed up we have formed groups for surfell out of favor with this new leader and left to seek out
vival. Early man formed tribes where each member had a task to
better opportunities.
perform, but those who could not work or were weak were culled
Luckily for me I know many people and another
and banished from the tribe. Some of these people would search
friend hooked me up with my current job. I have been
for other tribes to join. Those who were unable to find a new
happy there for almost six years, but this year another
tribe were left to die.
cruel taskmaster has taken over and I fear I may have
Society has not changed much today instead of tribes we have
to ask for a transfer.
companies that struggle for survival in the harsh urban environAlthough it may sound like I am having a bad time
ment. Everyone has a job to do and if you cannot do your job you
my spirits are always uplifted because I know many
are let go and must try to find a new company.
people, and now that I am in college my opportunities
When I got my first job in a corporate environment I felt I
are boundless. I have met many people and have had
would not fit in. I had worked in fast food for almost 13 years; I had the opportunity to show both students and faculty that I am a worthjust received my associate degree in computer technology when my while addition to any of their tribes.
friend told me his workplace was looking for another employee. I took
My hope is that everyone can one day find a place where they are
him up on the offer and got hired to work in operations at a large cor- happy. I do not expect everyone to get along but if they can find the
poration. The job was wonderful and everyone treated me great, I fit in right fit then they can be happy and the world will be a happier place.
right away. The company trained me and I did not have to worry about
Do not be shy get out there and make those connections. Your light
getting things right the first few days since there was always someone may shine bright but if there is nobody to see how bright you shine
there to help me if I made a mistake.
what good does it do you?
I might have stayed with this tribe but our chief was replaced by a
Now go forth and find your place in the world.
The Griffon Verdict
What plans sound best
for Spring Break?
•Travel
•Relax
What do you think of Puddle
of Mudd coming here?
Sarah Gordon, Sophomore
Ethan Patterson,
Junior
Samy Northcutt,
Senior
•Drink
•Work
To register your vote and
check the results online go to:
www.thegriffonnews.com
03-opinions.indd 1
“Rock on, I can’t
wait. I am so
going.”
“I think they could
have found someone a lot more
interesting.”
“I think it is a
great opportunity.
Compared to last
year; a step up.”
Dear Dan,
With the age of technology getting cheaper there will be cameras on every corner someday. If
I was on the board of directors
we would place cameras all over
campus for the primary reason
of lowering insurance premiums.
The film footage could be used
to protect the University. How
would you feel about? There will
be some people that become exhibitionists, while others will never
leave the safety of a windowless
room.
Hypothetical Hoper
Dear Hypothetical,
I have almost always worked
on camera and have grown quite
used to it. There are always blindspots no matter what. I will find
them. I feel you might be correct and it makes me sad. But if
people really want to watch me
then that is there own perversion. Just don’t get mad when you
peek in on me and realize that I
love nothing more than to walk
around in nothing more than the
glory that is me.
Dear Dan,
One of my friends has just lost
her job, she was working for a
company that has a history of
making promises that they don’t
keep. As a member of a community that the company does
business in, I feel an urge to warn
my fellows. Do you think I should
blow the whistle loud as a person
who has been betrayed by this
company or do you think I should
just keep my mouth shut?
Waiting to Blow
Dear Waiting,
Never keep your mouth shut.
Leave that for monks with vows of
silence. Always tell the truth but
keep in mind that no one wants
to hear it. In fact if you make too
much noise they will find a way
to shut you up. Whistles do tend
to annoy people but they also get
attention.
Dear Dan,
How do you convince an inebriated asshole that he really
DOESN’T need another drink?
Burned Bartender
Dear Burned,
You can’t convince an inebriated person of anything. As a bartender you don’t have to. You are
the one that controls the booze,
not them. Even if they don’t like
you they are still going to ask for
another drink. All you have to do
is say no. You are not obligated to
explain to them why.
Dear Dan,
What do you think about the
channel identifier or the minicommercial in the corner of your
screen through out the TV show
your watching? How annoying is
that?
Not Nielson
Dear Not,
I think all these things should
be blown up before they become
bigger monsters than they
already are. Of course I also think
that those of you who have created the commercial demand for
them should also be beaten and
berated. Why we need that much
information streaming constantly
is beyond me.
Dear Dan,
Why are people afraid of breaking some traditions? An example
I mean is that there are better
ways to store wine than using a
cork.
Wondering Wino
Dear Wondering,
Cheap wines use plastic corks. I
remember in high school I used to
drink a lot of Strawberry Hill and
that had a plastic cork. I don’t
recommend drinking lots of such
fluid at any age simply to avoid
that unique color of vomit.
The greater question you ask
has merit. Tradition is what we
have known. If you give it all up
we lose connection to our past.
“A hot dog at the ball park
is better than steak at the
Ritz.”-Humphrey Bogart
2/24/10 10:48 AM
News
The Griffon News
Page 4
February 25, 2010
Art on display in Potter Western loses acting
Hannah Strasser
Assistant Lifestyles
Editor
hstrasser@missouriwestern.edu
offer,” Hunt said. “There
was pottery, wire works,
oil canvas, sound and
video shows, and photographs. It was very hard
to pick a favorite piece.”
Pottery, paintings and
Other students who
portraits, done by faculty
attended the exhibit found
at Missouri Western, are
the art inspiring. Missouri
on display in the Potter
Western junior Debo’ra
Hall gallery.
Baskin said the exhibit
All of the art displayed
was entertaining because
in the gallery is part of
it had a little bit of everythe faculty art exhibit
thing to offer in terms of
that began Feb. 3 and will
genre and creativity.
close on Feb. 26.
“It was beneficial to
The exhibit gives stusee those teachers, my
dents a chance to not only
teachers, and the things
see what their teachers’
they teach me in class,
creative abilities and talbeing preached in real life
ents are, but it allows
through their art work,”
students to see a variety
Baskin said. “I would realof art forms they can be
ly like to see the faculty
taught at Western.
and teachers put together
Missouri Western junior
another show soon.”
Sara Hunt said she thorThe enjoyment of the
oughly enjoyed the exhibit
show is double sided.
last week. She went a few
Faculty and teachers alike
times for her own enjoyenjoy coming together on
ment and also attended
ROBIN USSHER/ Staff Photographer these projects and always
the exhibit with a class.
find it entertaining to see
Pottery by Rob Wiedmaier is displayed at the faculty
The graphic design art exhibit in Potter Hall.
what their peers are workmajor thought having a
ing on in their spare time.
teacher as a guide was
Eric Fuson, instructor of
beneficial for the students to help explain the difart at Missouri Western, said the exhibit is benefiferent genres and have a better grasp on the indicial as a way to show students from all areas what
vidual pieces. It was also nice for the students to
Potter Hall has to offer.
hear different interpretations of the art.
“I hope it gives students an opportunity to realize
“It showed me the different qualities and it was
that we create artwork as well as we teach classes,”
nice to see what the different teachers have to
Fuson said.
News
Notes
WESTERN PRESENTS
HARRELSON AND ALUM
IN CONCERT
The department of music at
Missouri Western State University presents a euphonium recital
by Dr. Lee Harrelson at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 25 in the Potter
Hall Theater. Dr. Harrelson, assistant professor, coordinator of
the music theory program and
head of low brass studies, will be
accompanied by Ellen Bottorff,
lecturer of music at the University of Kansas and a 1993 graduate
of Western. The recital is free and
open to the public and will last
about an hour.
WESTERN HOSTS
SUSTAINABILITY
CONFERENCE
The 2010 Galileo’s Legacy Conference, Feb. 25 and 26 at Missouri Western State University,
will focus on sustainability. Three
experts will discuss sustainable
life, energy and the cornerstones
of sustainability during three sessions in Spratt Hall 214-216.
The topic for each Galileo’s Legacy Conference must meet three
criteria, said Dr. James Okapal,
assistant professor of philosophy
and one of the conference organizers: it must be interdisciplinary;
it should involve the intersection
of social, political and ethical values with scientific activity; and it
must be of interest to the general
public. Environmental concerns
always meet these criteria, Dr.
Okapal said, and sustainability is
a positive way of looking at those
concerns.
‘’Sustainability is the development of economic practices which
provide for the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to also meet their needs,’’
said Dr. Okapal. ‘’We’re inviting
people to talk about the positive
ways we can change our behavior
in ways that can make the world
a better place now and in the future.’’
The conference will begin with
Dr. Lisa H. Newton’s presentation, “Simplicity: The Sustainable
Life,’’ at 12:30 p.m. Thursday,
Feb. 25.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25,
Dr. Kenneth Deffeyes will make
a presentation titled “Beyond Oil:
Sustainable Energy.’’
The conference will conclude
at noon Friday, Feb. 26 with Dr.
John Ikerd’s presentation, “Food,
Friends, and Faith: Cornerstones
of Sustainability.’’
– WESTERN REPORTS
04-news.indd 1
Continued from front:
Potter Hall
and a half years. According to
Linnick, rumors have spread fast
around Potter with regards to
renovations and he’s hopeful they
will happen soon.
“The renovations would give
[Potter Hall] a new look and it
would give students a chance to
be better-equipped for when they
leave Western,” Linnick said.
While they remain realistic
about the situation, Western
administration understands the
problems facing the music, art
and theatre departments and
knows that the chance to improve
Potter Hall would not only benefit the university as a whole,
but specifically the students and
faculty members who call Potter
Hall home.
“I think our faculties and students are doing amazing things
with the facilities they have. If
we can grow those opportunities,
then we’ll be even more amazed
by what they do,” Daffron said.
Continued from front:
Forum
“Bring in some companies
that really create employment,”
Chaffee said. “St. Joseph will
turn around.”
Several candidates highlighted
the poor lines of communication
between the city, chamber of commerce and the county contributing to many small businesses
closing or never getting off the
ground.
“It goes back to communication,
we have to have better commu-
nication between businesses, the
city and the county if they [small
business] have a problem I think
the city and the county need to
get together to solve the problem,” Falkner said.
The next scheduled forums,
which are open to the public,
will include all the council and
remaining mayoral candidates on
March 23 and 25.
See more online content at thegriffonnews.com
financial aid director
Angie Beam takes position with
U.S. Department of Education
Meghan Ledden
News writer
Assistant
Director
of Financial Aid Angie
Beam is saying farewell
to Missouri Western after
17 years of service to
take a position for the US
Department of Education.
Beam explained that
changes with federal regulations and programs
have been causing her to
spend less time with her
family and more time at
work. These changes are
not unique to Western
and are affecting financial aid offices across the
country. In addition to
the increased workload
created by uncontrollable
changes, more students
KELLY FINDLEY/ Staff Photographer
are seeking financial aid. Acting Director of Financial Aid Angie Beam
“The economy has kind resigns from her position after many years of
of turned bad and more dedicated employment.
students need money,”
Beam said.
During her time at Western, Beam helped many of these students,
and put in countless hours.
“I’m not the kind of person that can just walk away from work. Does
the administration say I have to 14, 15, 16 hour days,” she said. “No,
they’ve encouraged me to take more time but to meet student expectations, that’s what it takes to get the money here and not have the staff
that stressed out.”
Beam says she loves helping students at Missouri Western but feels
the move will make it easier to take care of her two young children.
“I wanted to spend more time with my three and five year old,” she
said.
The new opportunity will give her options to set her own hours so
she can be home in time for her children to get home from school.
Beam said this is the best administration we have had in the 17 years
she’s been at Western so making the decision to leave was difficult.
“Although the heart and the brain had a battle, this opportunity, in
the end, when I prayed about it was just something I couldn’t pass up.”
Beam starts her new position with the Department of Education on
March 1. Her new role will be to review the financial aid offices to make
sure they are following regulations and dealing with student complaints.
Many students have come and gone into the financial aid office and
have worked with Beam in some way.
Associate Director of Admissions, Tyson Schank, is one such person.
“I’ve been working with Angie since I was a student. I started working in the admissions office as the intern in 2002,” Schank said. “I
work with Angie a lot in countless committees, sub-committees, issues
with scholarships and student recruitment and it’s a loss for us. Angie
is always an advocate for the students. She’s been a real leader and
we’re going to miss her.”
Megan Hillard, sophomore and work-study student, has been working
in the financial aid office for almost two years and worked alongside Beam .
“It’s going to be so different with her not being here. It’s going to be
more of ‘what are we going to do?’ for the student employees. It’s going
to be one less person to go to.”
Cindy Spotts- Conrad, Associate director of financial aid will be
fulfilling the Beam’s role until a decision on the replacement is made.
Beam said she signed up to be a little league coach this summer for
her daughters so spending more time with them was what she was
most looking forward to.
Campus Information
Calendar of events
Friday, Feb. 26
• Softball vs Henderson State University,
Spa City Softball
Classic, Hot Springs,
Ark. 9:00 a.m.
• Softball vs Ouachita Baptist
University,Spa City
Softball Classic, Hot
Springs, Ark. 1:00
p.m.
• Baseball vs Fort
Hays State University, Hays, Kan. 3:00
p.m.
• Tennis vs Lincoln
University, St. Joseph, Mo. 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 27
• Women’s Basketball
vs Southwest Baptist
University, St. Joseph, Mo. 5:30 p.m.
• Men’s Basketball vs
Southwest Baptist
University, St. Joseph, Mo. 7:30 p.m.
• Baseball vs Fort
Hays State University, Hays, Kan. 1:00
p.m.
• Baseball vs Fort
Hays State University, Hays, Kan. 3:00
p.m.
• Softball vs Arkansas Tech, Spa City
Softball Classic, Hot
Springs, Ark. 9:00
a.m.
• Softball vs ArkansasMonticello, Spa City
Softball Classic, Hot
Springs, Ark. 1:00
p.m.
• Tennis vs Morningside, St. Joseph, Mo.
9:00 a.m.
• Tennis vs Central
Okla., St. Joseph,
Mo. 9:00 a.m.
campus crime report
4
4
1
3
2
5
Sunday, Feb. 28
• Softball vs Texas
A&M-Kingsville, Spa
City Softball Classic,
Hot Springs, Ark.
10:00 a.m.
• Softball vs Southwestern Oklahoma
State, Spa City
Softball Classic, Hot
Springs, Ark. 12:00
p.m.
1. Warrant
16
10:40 p.m., Feb. 12, Downs Drive, Lot O
2. Burglary
10:25 p.m., Feb. 13, Downs Drive, Scanlon Hall
3. Larceny
10:00 a.m., Feb. 15, Downs Drive, Lot D
4. Traffic Accident
7:42 p.m., Feb. 16, Downs Drive, Lot J
5. Traffic Accident
4:55 p.m., Feb. 18, Downs Drive, Lot K
6. Proprty Damage
9:24 p.m., Feb. 18, Downs Drive, Lot B
If your organization would like to announce an
event, e-mail the information to
stories@thegriffonnews.com
2/24/10 10:50 AM
Lifestyles
Page 5
February 25, 2010
The Griffon News
Alice In Chains Rocks in KC
Jeff Harper
News Writer
A severe winter storm warning along with treacherous road
conditions did not keep thousands of fans from coming to
the Midland Theatre in Kansas
City’s Power and Light district
Sunday to watch a band that
emerged in the early 1990’s
from the “grunge” scene that
came out of Seattle.
Even though the original base
player is not part of the band
anymore, and the original lead
singer died of an overdose in
2002, Alice in Chains picked up
the pieces, added new members
and have come out with a new
album that boasts a Grammy
nomination, comeback album of
the year, and guitarist of the
year have hit the road and touring worldwide.
The lights went out and
the fans started cheering.
Silhouettes of the band members could be seen on stage as
the notes began to flow from
their instruments.
Jerry Cantrell, lead guitar and
vocals, began the show with a
song from their first studio
release since 1996 with the
song “All Secrets Known” from
Black Gives Way to Blue. After
that, William Duvall, guitar
and vocals, stepped and belted
out classic AIC songs such as
“Sickman,” “Again,” “Man in the
Box” and “Rain When I Die.”
Since the band is promoting
a new album, they played four
songs from that release including “Check My Brain,” “Acid
Bubble” and “Your Decision”
before belting out 18 songs from
previous albums.
As the first few riffs of “We
Die Young” filled the theatre,
the roar of the crowd became
very loud and the crowd surfing began.
As the show went on, the
music became faster and
the crowd grew more excited with anticipation of what
they would hear next. Alice in
Chains responded to the wildness of the excited crowd of
all age ranges with face melting guitar riffs, heart pounding
drumbeats and lyrics that the
audience sang word for word
right along with the band.
The band left the stage for
15 minutes towards the end
of their set. The people in the
crowd began chanting “AIC,
AIC!” while others were yelling, screaming, whistling and
awaiting the foursome to return
to the stage to play their encore.
When they came back out,
the deep bass line for “Would?”
bellowed out by Mike Inez. The
place erupted. After they finished that song, Sean Kinney
led off “Sludge Factory” with
hard hits to the toms on his
drum kit.
Finally, “Rooster,” a song
written by Cantrell in the mid
1990’s about his father’s
time spent as a soldier
during the Vietnam War,
closed out a phenomenal performance on
a cold and dismal February
night.
Performed Songs
All Secrets Known
It Ain’t Like That
Again
Check My Brain
Them Bones
Dam That River
Rain When I Die
Your Decision
Got Me Wrong
We Die Young
Last of My Kind
Tuesday, March 2
12:30 p.m.
leah spratt hall room 205:
“life as a homicide detective.”
Sgt. Doug Niemeier of the Kansas City
Homicide Unit will discuss the ins and outs
of becoming a homicide detective, as well as
the day to day activities of the job.
sgt. doug niemeier
Tuesday, March 2
7:00 p.m.
leah spratt hall 101/Kemper recital hall:
“Tracking a Kansas city serial Killer – The
Terry blair case,” as seen on a&e’s “The first
48,” presented by sgt. doug niemeier of the
Kansas city homicide unit.
Serial killer Terry Blair was convicted in 2008 for raping and killing
at least six women in Kansas City, Missouri, in an area of the city
frequented by drug dealers and prostitutes. He was found guilty of
six counts of first-degree murder in the 2004 slayings. He was sentenced to life in prison. Charges against Blair in two other slayings
were dismissed. Blair also had been charged in one assault and
several rapes that involved four victims who survived their attacks.
Those charges were also dropped. Blair was arrested in September
2004 while he was on parole for the 1982 murder of his pregnant
ex-girlfriend, who was the mother of two of his children, for which
he had served 21 years in prison. The Terry Blair investigation was
featured on the cable program “The First 48” on A&E. The show
followed Kansas City detectives as they investigated the case.
05-lifestyles.indd 1
JEFF HARPER/ Lifestyles Writer
Sgt. Doug Niemeier will present on the Blair case. He is a 1994
graduate of the Criminal Justice and Legal Studies program at
Missouri Western State University. After completing his Criminal
Justice degree, Sgt. Niemeier joined the KCPD. There, he supervised the 1010 Homicide Squad in Kansas City, Missouri, also
affectionately known as the “Bad News Bears,” from 2003 to January 2010. At the age of 32, he was the youngest sergeant in the
Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Homicide Unit. Over the
course of the past 15 years, he has gained experience from a variety
of assignments: East Patrol field officer, Robbery Detective, and
Homicide Detective. Since his promotion to Sergeant in 2001, he
has served as East Patrol Sergeant, Homicide Unit Sergeant, and
is currently with the Drug Interdiction Unit. Sgt. Niemeier has been
involved with several investigations including serving as the Lead
Sergeant of the Terry Blair Serial Murder Investigation, Lead Detective on the Daniel Jones Serial Murder Investigation, and the Supervisor of the Wayne Dumond Serial Killer Investigation.
Wednesday, March 3
7:00 p.m.
Nutshell
Sickman
Lesson Learned
Acid Bubble
No Excuses
Angry Chair
Man in the Box
Would?
Sludge Factory
Rooster
Thursday, March 4
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
fulkerson center:
31st annual criMinal JusTice daY
career fair
Students from all campus departments are invited to gather
information regarding agencies in the criminal justice field as
well as a large variety of other professions. Representatives from
local, county, state and federal agencies will be present to provide
internship and career information to students. This event is
being conducted in conjunction with the campus-wide Missouri
Western State University Career Fair. All students, faculty and
staff are welcome to attend!
This event is sponsored by the MWSU Department of Criminal
Justice and Legal Studies, Delta Phi Upsilon (Student Chapter
of the American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha
Epsilon), the MWSU Legal Studies Association, and the MWSU
student chapter of the American Correctional Association.
hearnes 102:
dpu Movie night presents
“Zodiac” starring robert
downey Jr., Jake
Gyllenhaal and Mark ruffalo
(from paramount pictures; 2007,
rated r).
This film is based on the Robert Graysmith books about the real life
Zodiac serial killer who terrorized San Francisco with a string of
seemingly random murders during the 1960s and 1970s. A political
cartoonist becomes obsessed with decoding the cryptic messages
left at the crime scenes by the killer.
These evenTs are free and
open To The public.
all students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend!
for further information, please contact department
chair david Tushaus at (816) 271-5627 or department
administrative assistant barb harris at (816) 271-4293.
Western is an equal opportunity institution.
2/24/10 10:50 AM
Page 6
February 25, 2010
The Griffon News
*
Lifestyles
Why Students Should Celebrate and key points to remember
Hannah Strasser
Assistant Lifestyles Editor
hstrasser@missouriwestern.edu
“Fat Tuesday” to most people is a time for boozing,
nudity and colorful beads to flaunt the lack of inhibitions
that are being celebrated all over Bourbon Street and
cities across America. Most students don’t know that the
holiday known today for nudity and huge parties actually
started out as an ancient Roman festival that preceded
the penance of Lent.
Senior Julia Stubblefield agrees that the first thing that
comes to mind is that everyone goes out drinking and partying that time of year.
“I know I have been told the real story of Mardi Gras
but I don’t remember it,” Stubblefield said.
College students celebrating Mardi Gras are certainly
not a dying breed, either. Junior Marcus Pritchett admits
that he looks forward to Fat Tuesday every year.
“It’s an excuse to party,” Pritchett said. “I’m not clear on
the real origin of the holiday.”
According to Dr. Daniel Trifan of Missouri Western, the
negative party atmosphere commonly associated with the
holiday is due in large part to the season of abstinence of
Lent.
“The “beads, booze, and boobs” focus of Mardi Gras
stems precisely from the fact that you won’t find these
things during Lent,” Trifan said.
ROBIN USSHER/ Graphics
However, Mardi Gras’ original activities were not
entirely unlike the celebrations of Mardi Gras that take
place today. Also known as “Shrove Tuesday,” the original celebrations took place in mid February in honor of
Lupercus, the ancient God of fertility. Lupercalia, as the
celebration was called, was a circus-like festival that the
*
church deemed acceptable to hold onto as Rome embraced
Christianity.
The renowned festival made its way to America in 1699
in modern day New Orleans. Back home in France, they
were celebrating Mardi Gras and in honor of that celebration, Iberville named his landing site “Point Du Mardi
Gras.”
During the early 19th century public celebrations of
Mardi Gras were kicked off with the first documented
parade in 1837. Mardi Gras was shown in a negative
light at this time due to the high level of public inebriation, violence and crimes that were attributed to masked
party-goers.
The celebration was given new life in 1857 when six
local New Orleans men, known as the Cowbellians, demonstrated that Mardi Gras could be celebrated in a festive
and safe way. They created krewes, organized and unified
parades, and classy balls that added popularity to the
holiday which before had been lacking.
In the Twentieth Century, the festivities of Mardi Gras
flourished, making Bourbon Street famous across America
as the wildest street in America. Purple, green and gold
colors, representing justice, faith and power, became
revered across the country as the official colors of Mardis
Gras. Being cancelled only during times of war, the rituals
and competitive parades have only gained momentum in
the past decades, making sure that college students and
many others look forward to mid February each year.
Alumni RECONNECT at Boudreaux Restaurant
Clint Willman
Lifestyles writer
You don’t have to bare your chest to get beads at this
Mardi Gras Party; all you have to do is show up. Black
and gold beads were given by Missouri Western State
University’s Alumni Association at the fourth annual
“Griffs’ on the Bayou” celebration.
The event was celebrated at Boudreaux on Tuesday, Feb
16. Anyone who attended at least twelve hours at MWSU
is considered alumni and the event is free to all MWSU
alumni.
Boudreaux’s is a popular Cajun restaurant located in
downtown St. Joseph. The owner is from Louisiana so it
is an ideal setting for the Griffs on the Bayou celebration.
Director of alumni services, Colleen Kowich, elaborates
on the reasons for the Mardi Gras event.
“This event is a great opportunity for both networking and fun,” Kowich said.“There are approximately 150
people in attendance and it is getting better every year.
I hope when students graduate they seek out the alumni
association,” Kowich said.
This event had food, drink, drawings every half hour
and prizes. There was a contest where alumni searched
the room for miniature, multi-colored plastic baby toys.
There were 12 babies in all and each one found was
exchanged for a prize. The prizes included Mardi Gras
packages and MWSU gear.
Alumni board member, Zach Ramsey, always enjoys an
excuse to get together and network.
“Over the past five years we have tried to engage alumni
in a number of free activities,” Ramsey said. “There are a
lot of MWSU alumni from St. Joseph. This event gives us
a chance to rekindle college connections with a common
interest.”
The event is held to give alum a chance to escape the
hassles of everyday labor and have a little reminiscence.
Vice President Randy Klein is surprised that more people
don’t come.
“It’s a nice event with good people, cold drinks and great
food,” Klein said
2008 graduate Natalie Bailey likes to see former students and meet new people.
“This is a fun event where everyone can mix and mingle,” Bailey said.
Advertisements for Griffs’ on the Bayou were posted in
the newspaper, by e-mail, and on the MWSU home page.
The Griffs’ on the Bayou celebration has been going on for
the last four years and will be held at Boudreaux’s again
next year.
Server Vickie Wheeler has been working the gathering
SARA BAUM/ Photo & Graphics Editor
Western Alumna Katy Schwartz, Class of 2008, and Carole
Dunn, Class of 1991, wear their beads and get in the Mardi
Gras Spirit.
for the past two years.
“Everyone has a good time, ” Wheeler said. ”The MWSU
alumni always seem to have a lot of fun mixing it up with
the Mardi Gras theme.”
is being held at the Southside Family Fun Center in St. Joseph
WIN A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS!!!
Rock n’ Bowl
every Friday night
9:30p.m. -12:30a.m.
with live music
1ST PLACE..........$5,000
2ND PLACE........$2,000
3RD PLACE.........$1,000
Saturday nights Jan. 23 - May 22
Semifinals May 8 & 15
Finals May 22
Check in 8-9p.m. starts at 9p.m.
Southside Family Fun Center - 6938 King Hill Avenue
St. Joseph, MO 64504 - 816.238.2300
06-lifestyles.indd 1
2/24/10 10:51 AM
Lifestyles
Page 7
The Griffon News
February 25, 2010
Why Dress When You
Can DRAG
Local bar hosts annual gay prom
Danielle Dodson
Lifestyles Writer
Come Join the Fun!
Encore Performance:
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
7 P.M. @ The Shaft
(right after Mardi Gras Parade)
DANIELLE DODSON/ Lifestyles Writer
(From top left to bottom right)
Drag Queens Loreal, Sparkle and Victoria strut their stuff
at the Gay Prom held at The Shaft on February 13.
The St. Joseph Mardi Gras festivities kicked off in
true, traditional form of colorful costumes and celebratory dancing during the fourth Annual Mardi
Gras Drag Show that took place on Feb. 13 at Shaft
Nightclub, located at 615 Felix St.
The show was attended by over 150 people, who
flooded the dance floor and seating area with a sea
of the festival’s uniform colors of gold, purple and
green.
Tyler Rhoad, a bartender at Shaft, who is also a
senior at Missouri Western, and President of the
Student PRIDE Alliance, attributes the success of
the show to its nature of uniqueness.
“Mardi Gras at Shaft is unparalleled to anything
else you will see in St. Joseph,” Rhoad said. “Whether someone is celebrating a birthday, anniversary,
or bachlorette party, our drag shows are always entertaining - but Mardi Gras is something special,
because it’s all about the party.”
The staff at
Shaft
spent
countless hours
of overtime in
preparation for
the event. With
a newly refurbished
stage,
paint job, and
flooring, the bar
recently got a major overhaul just
in time for 2010’s
major
festival
events.
Rhoad
feels
that these changes have given
Shaft an edge on
other Felix Street
competitors during the two week
Mardi Gras season.
“We are constantly updating
the bar and putting hundreds of
man hours into
improving
the
customer’s experience while they are here,” Rhoad
said. “That’s why we have been able to produce this
show for four years and be successful at generating
the largest crowd in St. Joseph during Mardi Gras.
We recently made some major improvements to the
facility, and the compliments haven’t stopped pouring in.”
The event was hosted by Victoria DePaula (Carl
Glorioso), who is no stranger to the profession of
female impersonation. His performances were featured in “The Pageant,” a worldwide documentary
that followed Glorioso, (as Victoria) to capturing
the most coveted title in the art of female impersonation: Miss Gay America 2009. Glorioso performs
once a month at Shaft, but particularly enjoys hosting Mardi Gras because of the diversity of clientèle
that the nightclub offers, and the upbeat, ever
changing atmosphere that comes from such a wide
variety of club goers.
“You never know who is going to walk through the
door here at Shaft,” Glorioso said. “We celebrate diversity and having a fun time, which is what Mardi
Gras is all about. We are all here to have a good
time, and whether it’s your first time or you’re a
regular, as entertainers, we try to make your evening something that you’ll never forget.”
The show featured three other female impersonators, L’oreal, Melinda Ryder, and Sparkle Iman
and one male impersonator, River Rain. Each entertainer performed two numbers, with commentary by DePaula in between costume changes. Drew
Primm, an alumni of Missouri Western, finds that
the playful banter and crude humor during the interaction with the audience is the key to the success
of the show.
“With such a big and diverse crowd, the energy in
the room is palpable,” Prim said. “You know from
the moment Victoria opens her mouth that anything is likely to fall out, she’s great about feeling
out the crowd and picking out people to pull on stage
or make fun of. With the crowd constantly changing
at this venue, you know that everything she says is
impromptu - and that makes it even more impressive.”
If you missed the show on the 13th, you will have
a second opportunity to catch it during an encore
performance that will take place on Saturday, February 27, following the Mardi Gras Parade, which
begins at 7 p.m. Entry to the Shaft is limited to the
21-and-over crowd, with a $5 cover charge on show
nights. It does get busy, so the staff recommends
getting there early to save yourself a seat, and as
the people of New Orleans say, “Laissez les bons
temps rouler!” (Let the good times roll!).
BSU Hosts Student Fashion Show
Brian Horstman
Lifestyles Writer
Broadmoor Apartments
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 - 5:30
We offer 1, 2 & 3 bedroom units
with Central AC/Heat
Missouri Western will be exposed to the
fashion industry on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in
Remington Hall.
The Black Student
Union is hosting a fashion show for several
fashion designers in the
Midwest area. Included
among them are two
designers: from Kansas
City, Naedi and Jessica
Buck; MGOT, or Money
Grows on Trees, from
St. Louis; as well as
Missouri Western’s own
Emanuel Brian.
BSU president Leah
Hayes is hopeful that
this fashion show will help open more eyes to
the runway and promote local designers and
models.
“The purpose of fashion show is to get more
exposure to local designers,” Hayes said.
Emanuel “E-Man“ Brian expressed much
excitement about the upcoming show. He has
10-15 designs that will be showcased on 14-16
different models. E-Man has a fairly extensive
background in clothing design, having designed
graphic tees, button up shirts, windbreaker
material, a cardigan, and v-neck sweaters.
His influences come from a couple of sources,
like his high school art teacher, and graphic
designer Andy Warhol.
“Andy Warhol is my favorite graphic artist, especially
his silk-screens,” Brian said.
The Warhol influence
will be prevalent in some of
E-Man’s designs, which he
has used in some past lines,
including t-shirts.
“I figured out that the silkscreen process can be applied
to materials,” Brian said. He
explained that stencils or
computer graphics technology can be used to get the
image on the material to replicate the silk-screening technique.
A fashion show could be exactly the type of
event to keep students and faculty out of the
cold and snow, offering an entertainment/art
forum that is fairly unheard of in the Northwest
Missouri area. Designers from across the state
to help get their names out there.
BSU Fashion Show
happens
February 26
7:30 p.m. in
Remington Hall
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07-lifestyles.indd 1
2/24/10 10:52 AM
Page 8
February 25, 2010
Sports
The Griffon News
Men top Truman
Griffons clinch spot in
conference tournament
Matt Gleaves
Sports Writer
MATTHEW FOWLER/ Senior Editor
James Bush goes up for a shot during the Griffons’ game against Nebraska-Omaha. This past Saturday, Western
faced Truman State and won the game 68-55.
School
MIAA
Overall
MIAA Men’s Basketball Standings
School
1. Central Missouri 17-1 24-1
2. Fort Hays St.
14-4 20-5
3. Neb. -Omaha
11-7 18-7
Western retaliated with a run
of their own that outscored the
Bulldogs 15-9 and was capped
The Griffons’ three game los- off by a Mike Dewalt floater in
ing streak ended Saturday night the middle of the lane with just
with a 68-55 victory over Truman under nine minutes left to play in
State.
the game.
Western came out with a strong
“We worked hard on defense
effort on the defensive end as they and, for the most part, controlled
pulled ahead 11-4 with 11:25 left the tempo of the game,” Dewalt
in the first half. The lead grew said.
to 19-8 and then to 26-15 late
The Griffons would go on to finin the half. Western
ish the game on a
was shut out the last
10-2 run and sealed
2:27 of the first half,
a place in the postas Truman State finseason MIAA tourished with a 5-0 run
nament.
going into halftime.
Marcus Rhodes
The
turnover
tied a career high in
battle swung in
points with 26 as he
Western’s
favor
led the Griffons in
throughout
the
scoring followed by
game. In the first
Justin Taylor with
half, the Griffons
15 points of his own.
forced six turnovers
“We were rested
that turned into
and ready to play
WESTERN 68 and played great
10 points. Truman
State would even- TRUMAN
55 defense in the first
tually turn the ball
half and had great
over 10 times in the
shot selection in
games compared to the Griffons the second half,” head coach Tom
five turnovers and 15 assists.
Smith said.
“We were sharing the ball and
The Griffons improve to 15-10
getting open shots or getting to overall and 10-8 in the conferthe rim all night,” senior forward, ence, as well as finding out that
Quentin Noblin, said.
they had clinched a spot in the
The second half opened up with postseason MIAA conference
Western playing its usual up- tournament. The Griffons also
tempo style of play and eventual- dropped to ninth in the South
ly opening up a 10 point lead just Central Regional polls after going
over two minutes into the second 0-2 in regional play last week and
half. The Bulldogs wouldn’t go will need to improve to climb back
quietly though. They battled back to the number eight spot to make
to cut the lead down to four.
it to the Regional tournament.
MIAA
Overall
8. Washburn
5. Mo. Southern State10-8 16-9
4. Southwest Baptist 10-8 19-9
6. Mo. Western St.
10-8 15-10
7. Emporia State
8-10 12-13
School
MIAA
Overall
8-11 14-12
9. Northwest Mo. St. 7-11 12-13
10. Truman
3-16 5-21
11. Pittsburg St. 2-16 8-17
Baseball narrowly misses Alabama-Huntsville shooting
Jessica Koch
Sports Writer
Instead of hitting home runs, the
Griffon baseball team was forced
to run home due to a tragedy at
Alabama-Huntsville.
What started as an exciting trip to
Decatur, Alabama for the baseball
team’s first tournament of the season, ended in disappointment as the
weekend games were cancelled due to
a shooting that occurred on Alabama- Buzz Verduzco Huntsville’s campus on Feb. 12.
Three colleagues of the AlabamaHead Baseball
Coach Huntsville professor being charged
with murder were killed that day, but
luckily the Western baseball team
wasn’t in the area at the time of the shooting.
The team had traveled close to the whole 13 hours by
bus when the Alabama-Huntsville coach called Western
head coach Buzz Verduzco to notify him of the shooting
that had occurred just 30 minutes prior.
At that time, the games being held February 14-15 were
still on. So what the Griffons thought would be baseball
games turned into a waiting game.
A second call around 9 p.m. let coach Verduzco know
that the games would be cancelled. This left almost no
time for the Griffons to find a replacement team to play
over the weekend.
“We were disappointed because that happened to them,
but we were also a little disappointed because it was
later in the day and harder to find another team to play,”
Verduzco said.
The lack of competition was exasperating for the
Griffons as they had traveled 13 hours in hopes to play
some ball, but instead got stuck with an overnight stay
at a hotel, a two-hour practice the next day, then another
13-hour trip back to St. Joe.
Senior outfielder Trevor Hannum was nothing less than
disappointed with the fact that the games were cancelled.
“We were almost frustrated because we got down there
then couldn’t do anything,” Hannum said.
Due to the first tournament being cancelled, that means
more practices available before the next tournament
comes around. Junior pitcher Jon Bond knows it couldn’t
hurt to get more practice, but playing in these early tournaments is important for team growth.
“We want to play as many games as possible before conference starts,” Bond said.
Believe it or not, the news about the shooting wasn’t the
only obstacle the Griffons had to overcome. After getting
on the road again to finish the trip to Decatur, the team
heard a loud noise under the bus. So immediately it was
assumed that there was a flat tire.
The bus pulled over to the side to find that a ferret cage
had fallen off of a truck ahead of them. The woman on the
side of the road holding the ferrets assured the Griffons
that the animals were okay.
In coach Verduzco’s 11 years at Western, there aren’t
many stories that could top this one, even a trip to
Truman State with no baseball bats.
“Nothing like Huntsville,” Verduzco said.
Women fall to Truman State
in final road game of season
Western loses hope for MIAA tournament appearance
Anthony Crane
Sports Writer
The Griffons fell for the seventh
straight time 73-67 to Truman
State in Kirksville last Saturday.
Freshman Kayla Vice’s 19
points couldn’t pull Western
past Truman, as the Griffons fall
to 7-18 overall and 5-13 in the
MIAA.
It was back and forth through
the first twelve minutes of the
game before each team went on
a pair of runs. The Bulldogs went
on a 12 to three run to give them
an eight-point lead. Then over the
last four minutes, the Griffons
went on an 11 to six run, putting
them down 35-29 at halftime.
At the half, Charlonda Bozeman
led Missouri Western with seven
points, while forward Jessica
Koch led the team with eight
rebounds.
Each team had 22 rebounds in
the first half. The Griffons went
to the free throw line more than
Truman but only shot 60 percent,
while Truman shot five of six and
83 percent. The biggest lead of the
08-sports.indd 1
TRUMAN
WESTERN
73
67
first half was when the Bulldogs
were up by eleven. Truman had
three players with six points in
the first twenty minutes.
The second half started and the
Griffons tried to cut into the lead
of the Bulldogs, but the Bulldogs
weren’t going to give it up easily.
After the media timeout, when
Western was down by six, they
were then able to go on an 11 to
four run.
With nine minutes to go, Vice
gave the Griffons a 48-47 lead.
That though would be the last
time they would see the lead,
as the Bulldogs then went on a
9-3 run. That would be it for the
Griffons in Kirksville, as they fell
for an unlucky seventh straight
time.
“Losing the game was disappointing for us,” Jessica Koch
said. “We just didn’t start off the
game with as much intensity as
we needed to have against them
because they came out strong.”
The Griffons were led by Vice
with 19 points and Brittany
Casady followed with 10 respectively. Koch had a career high
13 rebounds, but the Western
women were still out-rebounded
39 to 43, which has been a big
problem in all their losses this
year.
“Defending the three has
been an issue as well as keeping the other team from getting
rebounds,” Koch said.
The Griffons will finish up the
season playing the Southwest
Baptist University Bearcats on
Saturday, Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
MATTHEW FOWLER/ SENIOR EDITOR
Jessica Koch tries to move past a defender during Western’s last home
game. This past Saturday the Griffons fell to Truman State 67-73.
2/24/10 10:53 AM