30 years late, recognition is still welcome

Professor Sandy Bauchmoyer watches as a student
practices CPR for a class.


In January, Sandy Bauchmoyer stood on the basketball court at Ohio State University as a fieldhouse full of fans cheered. It was welcome recognition for a multi-sport athlete, even though it came more than 30 years late.

Ohio State recognized Bauchmoyer, a member of the faculty in Pittsburg State University's Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and about 150 women from all over the U.S. in January for their athletic endeavors in the days before Title IX. Since Title IX, the first comprehensive federal law prohibiting sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions, was enacted in 1972, opportunities for high school and college female athletes have grown dramatically.

Bauchmoyer's story is similar to that of generations of women who were either forced to stand on the sidelines of all-male athletic events or go to extraordinary lengths in order to compete in relative obscurity.

Bauchmoyer credits her love of athletics and of competition, in part, to her experiences growing up in a small Ohio town. Two playmates – twin brothers Barry and Larry Blackstone – were constant companions. They played ball together and whiled away endless hours in friendly competition. That competition ended at the schoolhouse door, however.

"I get emotional when I talk about it," Bauchmoyer recalls. "I wanted to play so badly when I was in high school."

Bauchmoyer couldn't participate in school sports, so she took the only option available to her. She became a cheerleader.

"I had no desire to be a cheerleader," she said, "but I wanted to be involved."

Things were a little better at Ohio State University, where Bauchmoyer was a diver, competitive swimmer, basketball player and a member of the synchronized swimming team. At least she could compete, although none of the teams were considered varsity athletic teams and they certainly weren't supported financially in the same way that men's athletic teams were.

For road trips to other Big Ten schools, Bauchmoyer recalled, the women would take up a collection to put gas in the coach's car.

"We always felt like the women had to scramble and fight to get opportunities," Bauchmoyer said.

Bauchmoyer earned a BSED from Ohio State and went on to earn a master of science degree in education from Bowling Green State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Bauchmoyer joined the faculty in PSU's Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1974. At PSU, she teaches sports psychology, motor development of children, teaching methods and first aid and CPR.

Bauchmoyer said most of her students have grown up in the years following Title IX, so they don’t have the understanding of the issues surrounding equity that comes with her own first-hand experience.

"It bothers me when women are blamed for having any of the pie at all," Bauchmoyer said.

Issues of equity go well beyond athletics, according to Bauchmoyer. And while laws such as Title IX have created many opportunities for women, lasting solutions require "a major attitude shift."

For Bauchmoyer, a sign that attitudes may be changing, was the fact that fans packed the fieldhouse at Ohio State to honor former female athletes.

"It was just wonderful to be down there on the floor and hear the applause," Bauchmoyer said. "I was shocked to see so many people at a women's event and it was just great to hear that crowd. It helped make up for all the years (I) competed and never heard the applause."

---Pitt State---

Pitt State honors three for service

August and Helen Rua and Jack Overman are the recipients of the Pittsburg State University Alumni Association’s 2006 Ralf J. Thomas Distinguished Service Award. The award will be presented at the annual Apple Day Convocation at 3 p.m. on March 2, in PSU’s McCray Recital Hall.

August, who died earlier this year, and Helen Rua are long-time benefactors to the university. August received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from PSU. The Ruas have been members of the PSU Centennial Society, were original members of the President’s Society and are charter members of the Heritage Society. They established the August and Helen Rua Athletic Scholarship Fund, supported KRPS radio and were benefactors of the August and Helen Rua Press Box at Carnie Smith Stadium.

Additionally, August served as a member of the PSU Foundation Board of Trustees, a member of the Athletic Advisory Board and was a Gorilla Ambassador. He was the 1969 PSU Alumni Association president and was a recipient of the PSU Meritorious Achievement Award. August was a PSU Half-Century Club inductee and was a Community Campaign volunteer.

Jack Overman received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from PSU and returned to join the staff in 1940. After a long career at the university, Overman retired, but continued to support PSU as a volunteer.

His volunteer service has included playing a pivotal role in the site selection, planning and dedication of the Wilkinson Alumni Center. He has served as chairman of the Annual Fund and president of the PSU Alumni Association. A life member of the Alumni Association, Overman has served on the Phonathon Committee and is a member of the PSU Foundation and the President’s Club. He is a recipient of the PSU Meritorious Achievement Award and is a member of the Alumni Centennial Society. Overman is also a recipient of the Kaye Lynne Webb Spirit Award.

Overman is a familiar face at a wide variety of university events. He has an almost unbroken attendance record for PSU football championship games and frequently attends other sporting, music and theater events.

The Ralf J. Thomas award, presented by the Pittsburg State University Alumni Association, was established in 1991 to honor persons who have rendered significant volunteer service to Pittsburg State University. The candidate’s record of volunteer service to PSU may include but is not limited to the PSU Alumni Association, PSU Foundation, PSU Athletics, academic departments and student service programs. In 2001, the award was renamed in honor of the late Dr. Ralf Thomas, who served as an Alumni Association volunteer from his retirement in 1979 until his death in 2000.

---Pitt State---

Seminars teach faculty, staff to be 'Global Gorillas'

Several seminars at Pittsburg State University have been designed to help PSU faculty and staff become "Global Gorillas." The series has multiple objectives, according to Chuck Olcese, director of International Programs. Those include: increasing the comfort level of all employees who work with international students, promoting 2006 as the 'Year of Study Abroad,' providing a broad view of international initiatives at PSU, helping all employees understand the importance of internationalization at PSU, providing training in intercultural communication, and working with cultural differences.

The next seminar in the series will be "Intercultural Communication." The program will be offered at three times and locations March 6-7. On March 6, the seminar will take place from 3-4 p.m. in the Balkans Room of the Overman Student Center. On March 7, one session will be held from 10-11 a.m. in the Balkans Room and a second session will be held from 3-4 p.m. in the Kansas Technology Center.

"Intercultural Communication" will be an introduction to cultural differences and how to communicate with persons from different cultural backgrounds. The session will include an interactive component to help participants experience communication techniques in this environment. This seminar will be especially good for persons who have direct contact with international students on campus or who are planning to travel to another culture.

For more information, contact the Office of International Programs at 620-235-4680.

---Pitt State---

PSU prepares for Partners in Progress campaign

Pittsburg State University’s 2006 Community Campaign will kick off with a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, March 6, in the Overman Student Center on the PSU campus. The chairpersons of this year’s campaign, “Partners in Progress,” are Melissa Cedeno from Steffen Michael’s Floral and Dennis Crain of American Concrete, Co.

The Community Campaign is an annual program designed to solicit gifts for student scholarships and academic needs on campus, and is part of an overall private fund-raising program that last year raised more than $11 million to support the university. The money raised helped the Pittsburg State University Foundation award more than $1.7 million in scholarship aid to students last year.

During the kickoff breakfast, the university will recognize Barbara and Ron Rhodes with the “Rex Crowley Outstanding Partner in Progress Award.” That award is presented to a member of the Pittsburg community who has been an outstanding partner with the university. The recipient selected will be a civic leader who has rendered outstanding service to both Pittsburg State and the local community through professional and volunteer activities. The award is named in honor of Rex Crowley, whose career as both a local banker and as a fund-raising volunteer for PSU is well known in the community.

During the Partners in Progress Campaign, university development officers will make personal visits to businesses and professionals. Businesses that make gifts to the campaign will be identified by campaign emblems in their windows. Donors will also receive public recognition through campaign materials and the media.

Businesses interested in making a tax-deductible gift have until June 30 to be included in this year’s campaign. For more information, contact the Office of University Development at 620-235-4768.

---Pitt State---

Students answer online banking questions

The Internet is rapidly transforming the way Americans live. In one area – online banking – the new technology raises a number of questions that some Pittsburg State University students plan to answer. Students in PSU’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), along with a local bank manager, will conduct an online banking and debit card informational class at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, in Room 224 of Kelce Hall.

SIFE spokesman Ryan Ulrich said the class will cover a variety of topics, including costs, account transfers, paying bills online, credit card balances, loan applications, ordering checks and even home buying.

Ulrich said the class should be helpful for both university students and members of the community. The class is free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail Ulrich at rubbfb21@hotmail.com.

---Pitt State---

Powerful play explores disturbing issue.

For their next theater production, students in Pittsburg State University’s Department of Communication will stage a Pulitzer Prize winning drama that addresses the disturbing but important issue of pedophilia. "How I Learned to Drive," by Paula Vogel, will open at 8 p.m. on March 2 in the PSU Studio Theatre in Grubbs Hall. The play will run nightly through March 4. A matinee performance will take place at 2 p.m. on March 5.

"How I Learned to Drive" won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The bittersweet comedy tells the story of a Maryland girl called “Li’l Bit” who is taught to drive and at the same time is seduced by her much older uncle.

"It's a walk down memory lane, as we say in one scene," Vogel said. "The play progresses in a series of flashbacks and flash forwards in the mind of the narrator, Li'l Bit. It's, in many ways, a love story between Li'l Bit and her uncle, Uncle Peck, and it’s also, I think, a play about healing, forgiving and moving on. And I should also add it’s a comedy in places."

Paula Vogel is head of the Brown University Graduate Playwright & Workshop. Vogel, one of the most influential forces on contemporary American playwriting, has written numerous plays, all of which challenge her audience to view the world in new ways. Vogel says she uses theater as a means of empowerment.

"Theater is all about community," Vogel said. "It's a communal activity. In these days of increasing isolation, where we watch small screens in the dark or huddle around the computer, theater gives us a spiritual bread not offered by any other art form. Theater gives us the chance to gather together in public to look at parts of our lives and as a community think and feel about these issues, which touch us all. Only communal response changes our world."

PSU's production of "How I Learned to Drive" is directed by Gil Cooper with scene and light design by Dan Williams. Costumes are by Lisa Quinteros and Karen Franklin. Members of the cast are: Li'l Bit: Daley Leintz; Uncle Peck: Greg Shaw; Male Greek Chorus: Ty Davis; Female Greek Chorus: Kim Anderson; Teenage Greek Chorus: Lucy Miller-Downing; and Driver's Ed. Narrator: Eric Hyde.

The script and production are structured to take advantage of the theater setting itself, thereby emphasizing the idea of watching and viewing. The concept underscores the play’s multiple perspectives on the issues surrounding pedophilia.

Following each performance, the cast and the director, along with representatives from the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Pittsburg State University Counseling Center will host a post play discussion for interested audience members.

Tickets for the play are $8 for the general public, $6 for PSU faculty and staff and $5 for persons under 17 and over 65. PSU students with valid ID are admitted free. Group rates are available. Tickets may be purchased from the PSU Ticket Office, 620-235-4796.

For more information, contact Gil Cooper at 620-235-4714, gcooper@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---

PSU sets spring enrollment record

Pittsburg State University's spring 2006 enrollment is the highest in the university's history, according to information submitted to the Kansas Board of Regents and reported today. PSU has 6,335 students enrolled this spring, which is an increase of 129 or 2.1 percent over the previous spring semester.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment is also up. The FTE for the spring semester is 5,856, an increase of 0.8 percent over the previous spring. FTE is computed by dividing the total number of credit hours by 15 for undergraduate students and 9 for graduate students. An FTE so near the headcount means that a high percentage of students are full-time.

PSU President Tom Bryant said the spring enrollment numbers indicate the university is managing its growth well.

"For several semesters, we have seen the university grow at a healthy but manageable pace," Bryant said. "Our students are overwhelmingly full-time students who take classes on campus and live in the area. That is important for the regional economy. This growth, in a part of the state with a stable to declining population of high school graduates, also tells us that students are attracted to PSU. I believe that is because of the campus environment, many strong academic programs and the proven value of a Pittsburg State degree."

---Pitt State---

PSU International Film Festival opens window to the world

While we wait to see how many awards our favorite films of 2005 garner at the Academy Awards on March 5, there are opportunities to take in some lesser known, but also important international films that are part of the PSU Department of Modern Languages and Literature International Film Festival.

This is the second year of the festival, which was launched last year as part of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) "Year of Languages" observance.

The goal of the series, according to Judy Berry-Bravo, chairperson of the department, is to help internationalize the campus. Berry-Bravo believes that there are many students who are interested in different languages and cultures, but are not able to take foreign language courses.

"The U.S. itself is very diverse," Berry-Bravo said. "One doesn’t have to travel to other countries to run into people with other cultures and ideas."

The next film in the series, "Orfeu Negro," is a Portuguese film with English subtitles. It will be shown at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in Room 102, of Grubbs Hall, on PSU campus. This film and all the films in the series are free and open to the public.

Each film is preceded by a brief introduction of the film by members of the department faculty. They will discuss the history and the background of the film and its country of origin.

Other films scheduled include:

"Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)," a Spanish film, at 6 p.m. on March 1. "Barber of Siberia," a Russian film, at 6 p.m. on March 8; "Comme une Image (Look at Me)," a French film, at 6 p.m. on March 15; and "Cabeza de Vaca," a Spanish film, at 6 p.m. on March 29.

For more information, please contact Kathy Dyer in the Department of Modern Languages and Literature at 620-235-4709.

---Pitt State---

Basie Orchestra to perform

An orchestra with one of the most recognizable names in American jazz history will perform in Pittsburg on Friday, March 3. The Count Basie Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 3 in Pittsburg's Memorial Auditorium. The performance is part of the Pittsburg State University Performing Arts and Lecture Series and is the concluding event in the 32nd annual PSU Jazz Festival.

Bob Kehle, a member of the PSU Department of Music faculty and jazz festival director, said that good seats are still available for the concert, but because of the large numbers of student musicians expected for the jazz festival, tickets for the Count Basie Orchestra concert should sell out quickly.

The PSU Ensemble will also perform at the concert. The songs they will perform are: "Hunting Wabbits," a hip west coast piece by Gordon Goodwin; "Shenandoah," a beautiful arrangement of a classic tune done by Tony Nalker for the U.S. Army Blues; "La Bande Grande," a Latin-swing tune by the great jazz drummer and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Louis Bellson; and "Minuano," by Pat Metheny, who was born in Lee's Summit, Mo.

The Count Basie Orchestra is directed by Bill Hughes and features drummer Butch Miles and vocalist Melba Joyce. Winners of more than 17 Grammies and the object of numerous special appearances and command performances for presidents and kings, the Count Basie Orchestra has become an American jazz icon. Their recordings span whole generations. The orchestra, in demand around the world, celebrates the big band experience with the original and identifiable Count Basie repertoire.

Tickets for the Count Basie Orchestra concert are: On the floor: $12 for adults and $10 for persons 65 and over or 12 and under. Full- time PSU students are admitted free to designated areas. Tickets may be purchased in person at the PSU Ticket Office in the Overman Student Center, by phone at 620-235-4796 or online at www.pittstate.edu/union/tickets/index.html.

For information about the PSU Jazz Festival, contact Director Bob Kehle at 620-235-4474.

---Pitt State---

Students take free enterprise message to correctional facility

The students in Pittsburg State University's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter have presented their free enterprise message to a wide array of audiences, ranging from grade school students in Pittsburg to young adults on the other side of the globe. On Friday, Feb. 10, they will share the same message for the first time with a group of women who are behind bars.

The PSU SIFE chapter will give presentations on several business topics to women at the Labette Correctional Conservation Camp (LCCC) in Oswego from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10. The topics the group will cover include entrepreneurship, business ethics, creating a business plan, starting a business on e-bay, budgeting and savings, homeowner’s insurance, and life insurance. The information presented is designed to help those interested in starting a business in the future by developing their entrepreneurial abilities. Following the conclusion of the presentation, each individual in attendance will be awarded a certificate of completion.

Shawn Tate, a member of the SIFE group, said the women were chosen for the project because the mission of SIFE is to create economic opportunity.

"PSU SIFE is looking to increase the chances of the inmate population becoming productive members of society instead of a tax burden on society," Tate said. "PSU SIFE hopes that the attendees will walk away with a new confidence to pursue their dreams and a motivation to succeed in life."

Tate said the group plans to give a similar presentation to the men at the facility at a later date.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization active on more than 1,800 university campuses in more than 40 countries. SIFE teams create economic opportunities in their communities by organizing outreach projects that teach: market economics, entrepreneurship, personal financial success skills and business ethics. Their projects are judged at competition on creativity, innovation and effectiveness.

For more information:
PSU SIFE
Shawn Tate at 620-249-9513 or e-mail SIFE at
gorillasife@yahoo.com

SIFE Worldwide Information:
www.sife.org

Labette Correctional Conservation Camp for women
www.labettecamps.com/index.asp
Maj. Tom Bringle, Administrator
Cpt. Terry Edwards, Program Manager
620-795-2025

---Pitt State--

Group works to replace 'at-risk' label

Is labeling a youngster "at risk" a self-fulfilling prophecy? At least one group thinks so. Kids at Hope is a national movement that is attempting to reverse the current youth at risk model to one of youth at hope.

Pittsburg was one of four communities in the U.S. this year to receive a National Recreation Foundation grant to provide training in the Kids at Hope philosophy. Others were the Houston Police Department; the San Jose, Calif., Recreation and Parks Department; and a community group in Herndon, Va.

Chuck Killingsworth, a member of the faculty in the Pittsburg State University Department of Health, Education and Recreation, is helping to pull together a group from across the community who will take training in the Kids at Hope approach to meeting the needs of children. A training session has been scheduled for 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, at Meadowlark Elementary School in Pittsburg.

Killingsworth said a group of representatives from local schools, law enforcement, the city and youth agencies has already met once. This training session can accommodate up to 75 persons, Killingsworth said, and is open to anyone in the community who has an interest in or works with children. Killingsworth said that in order to ensure that enough training materials are available, he would like interested persons to register for the training by Tuesday, Feb. 8. Registration may be completed by calling Killingsworth at 620-235-4670 or by e-mail at .

Killingsworth pointed out that Kids at Hope is not another program to help kids.

"There are lots of good programs that serve so-called children at risk," Killingsworth said. "This is a philosophy that strives to change the framework in which we view these children. It is a holistic community approach to serving kids that views each one not as a potential problem or threat, but as a community asset and a potential success story."

Kids at Hope began in 1993 in Phoenix, Ariz. It was organized by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. Since then, it has spread to a number of communities across the U.S. and today, more than 5,000 persons have been trained in the Kids at Hope belief system.

For more information:



---Pitt State---

Author to read from her works

The Pittsburg State University Distinguished Visiting Writers Series continues at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, in Timmons Chapel with a reading by Karen Stolz. Stolz, a member of the PSU English Department faculty, is the author of two novels, "World of Pies" and "Fanny and Sue." The reading is free and open to the public.

Stolz, who grew up in Atchison and Lawrence, said she fulfilled a lifelong dream to return to Kansas when she joined the PSU faculty last fall to teach creative writing.

Stolz received a master of fine arts degree from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 1982. She has had short stories and essay’s published nationally. "World of Pies," published in 2000, was her first published novel. The book was a Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selection and has been published in the U.S., Germany, Sweden, Italy, Portugal, Australia and Holland.

Stolz's second novel, "Fanny and Sue," was published by Hyperion in 2003. It was the August selection for the Pulpwood Queens Book Club as well as the required summer reading pick for Ursuline Academy in St. Louis, where Stolz was a featured speaker.

Stolz has taught creative writing at Austin Community College, St. Edward’s University New College and at the Writer’s League of Texas. She was awarded a 1999 Fiction Fellowship from the Austin Writers' League/Texas Commission on the Arts, and was a fiction finalist for the 2000 Violet Crown Award. Currently Stolz is working on “Arvetta,” a book she is writing with Herman Wright, and a new related short story collection.

For more information about the PSU Distinguished Visiting Writers Series, please contact the PSU Department of English at 620-235-4689, or visit the department Web site at: http://www.pittstate.edu/engl/.

---Pitt State---