Award-winning poet, novelist to present at PSU

This year’s Distinguished Visiting Writers Series at Pittsburg State University is set to kick off later this month with a reading from an award-winning poet and novelist.

Deena Linett, author of “Woman Crossing a Field” and “Rare Earths,” will read from her work at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Balkans Room of Overman Student Center. A reception will follow in the Heritage Room.

Linett’s work has been nominated for Pushcart Prizes, and has appeared in The Southern Review, Smartish Pace, Two Rivers Review, Kestrel, and Rattapallax. She is Professor Emerita of English at Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J.

The reading, which is sponsored by the Student Fee Council and the Distinguished Visiting Writers Series, is free and open to the public.

For more information about the reading and other Distinguished Visiting Writers Series events, contact the PSU Department of English at 620-235-4689 or visit http://www.pittstate.edu/engl/dept.html.

---Pitt State---

Student broadcasters compete for national awards

Some promising student broadcasters at Pittsburg State University are in the running for national honors.

More than 100 student radio and television stations are competing in 24 categories in this year’s National Student Production Awards, which will be presented on Friday, Oct. 31, in Kansas City. The awards recognize the best in student electronic media production from across the United States.

CAPS 13, Pittsburg State’s cable access station, is a finalist in two categories: Best Live Sports Production and Best Documentary/Public Affairs.

“Pittsburg State gives communication students the opportunity for hands-on learning,” said Dr. Troy Comeau, director of broadcasting. “I think our students appreciate the opportunity and take advantage of it. They should be very proud to be listed with some of the big-name schools from around the country.”

Pitt State’s entry in the Best Documentary/Public Affairs category is “Everyone Lives Downstream,” written and produced by Tyler Swezey, a senior from Drexel, Mo., and Anthony Monteleone, a senior from Carl Junction, Mo.

The entry in the Best Live Sports Production category is the production of the men’s MIAA basketball championship game between Northwest Missouri and Emporia State. Zoel Lopez, a senior from Coffeyville, called play-by-play, while Josh Letner, a senior from Pittsburg, served as color analyst.

The three other finalists in the category are Colorado State University, the University of Texas, and Ithaca College.

This is the fourth year that Pittsburg State has been recognized nationally in the Live Sports Production category. CAPS 13 has finished as a finalist in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Other students involved in the sports production were Zach Howard, a senior from Pittsburg; Eric Stripling, a senior from Shawnee; Dallas Cross, a junior from Olathe; Jordan Beggs, a senior from Columbus; Brock Lohr, a senior from Goodland; Rye Addis, a senior from Oswego; Blake Gazaway, a sophomore from Nevada, Mo.; Joseph Lattimer, a junior from Fort Scott; Tyler Swezey, a senior from Drexel, Mo., and Andrew Daugherty, a senior from Cherryvale.

Broadcast advisers are Comeau, Mark Depping, Leo Hudson and Derrek Crisler.

For more information on the National Student Production Awards, go to http://www.askcbi.org.

---Pitt State---

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated at PSU

Pittsburg State University’s Office of Student Diversity is hosting several on-campus events relating to Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Monday, Sept. 15 to Wednesday, Oct. 15.

All of the events are free and open to the public.

Monday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m. – Pittsburg Mayor Pam Henderson will proclaim this date as the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in Cleveland Plaza.

Monday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Campus dining service Sodexho will serve empanadas and chipa guasu at the Corner Market in Gorilla Crossing inside Overman Student Center.

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 3 p.m. – Former study abroad participants will share their experiences in Latin American countries during a presentation to be held in the Sunflower Room, located on the second floor of Overman Student Center.

Thursday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. – Dr. Stuart Day will present a lecture titled “What Can Mexican Plays Teach Us About Latinos in Kansas?” in 102 Grubbs Hall. A reception will follow at 8 p.m. in the Heritage Lounge of Overman Student Center. Day is associate professor of Spanish at the University of Kansas, and is a specialist in Mexican theater.

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m. – The award-winning film “Bella” by Mexican-born director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde will be shown in the U-Club Theater, downstairs in Overman Student Center.

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m. – Micaela de Vivero, an artist from Ecuador, will lecture on her art, which will be on display in the Porter Hall Art Gallery. The lecture will be held in 107 Grubbs Hall, while a reception will be held afterward in Porter Hall.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2 p.m. – A group of panelists will discuss “Latinos in Kansas: Gauging the Political Climate and its Effects in our Community” in the Governor’s Room of Overman Student Center. A reception will follow at 3 p.m. in the Heritage Room, also in the student center.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2 p.m. – The PSU band will perform music from Latin American countries during the halftime show of the Pitt State vs. Truman State football game.

For more information, call the Office of Student Diversity at (620) 235-4077, or visit their Web site at http://pittstatediversity.blogspot.com.

---Pitt State---

Leeks chosen as Honorary Family

A family with a long history of connections to the university and the community has been selected as this year’s Honorary Family at Pittsburg State University. Joy, Joe and Becky Leek will be recognized at halftime during this Saturday’s home football game against Missouri Southern, which starts at 6 p.m.

Joy Leek, senior in communication, nominated herself and her parents, Joe and Becky, for the honor, which is awarded to one family every year during the Family Day football game.

Joe is director of Community National Bank in Pittsburg, while his wife, Becky, teaches Spanish at Northeast High School in Arma. The Leeks also have a son, Chris, who is serving in the military in Iraq.

“It was totally a surprise,” Joe said. “Most of my family and Becky’s families have attended Pittsburg State, so we’ve been loyal supporters for some time, but it never really dawned on us to be an Honorary Family.”

Joe said his daughter’s training in public relations might have helped them clinch the prize. “I have a great publicist in my daughter, Joy,” Joe said.

Joy’s application won over the judges, including DeeAnn Allen, who graduated from PSU in 1997 with a BA in communication.

“The application was very well written, and it was obvious that they’re a family that just loves Pitt State,” Allen said.

Applications for the honor asked students to answer five open-ended questions that gave the judges an idea of the students’ family lives, activities, and connections to Pitt State.

In her application, Joy wrote that her mother always stressed the importance of higher education in fostering independence and self-confidence.

“Even though children do not usually like to admit their parents are right, I will confess that I’m so glad my mother taught me that lesson,” Joy wrote. “As I’m getting ready to graduate in May, I know that when I leave Pittsburg State, no matter where I go or what I do, I can do it on my own.”

Allen said that Leek’s application was impressive in general – her parents and her brother, Chris, have long been active at PSU - but one detail in particular helped push the Leeks to the top of the 19 candidates.

“I believe that when Joy graduates she’ll be the 30th graduate from PSU,” Allen said. “So that’s evidence of the family’s dedication to the school. I couldn’t believe it!”

While the Leeks have a long list of family ties to Pitt State, Joy herself has proven to be no slouch during her time at PSU. She was a member of the Crimson and Gold Dance Team for four years, but this year she switched to cheerleading. She’s also been active in the Greek community, serving as Family Day chair, chapter secretary, and membership recruitment director for the Tri Sigma sorority.

In addition, she has served as a member of the Student Ambassadors, the Student Foundation Board, the Lambda Sigma Honor Society, the PSU Marketing Association, the Order of Omega, and the Senior Gift Council.

---Pitt State---

Digital art on display in Harry Krug Gallery

Exhibits from two Southern artists who blend traditional drawings with digital composition will be on display throughout September in the Harry Krug Gallery inside Porter Hall at Pittsburg State University.

Through Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Randy Simmons, “Ties That Bind.” This exhibit features charcoal drawings that start in sketchbooks and are enhanced with digital photography. Simmons, assistant professor of art at West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah, Ky., will hold a lecture at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in 316 Hughes Hall, to discuss his work.

Through Saturday, Sept. 27 – Steven Ramsey, “Vignettes.” Ramsey, a professor at the College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga., uses digital photographs that include drawing and painting to present vignettes and character portraits. Ramsey’s work has been featured in several magazines and galleries across the country.

Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays. For more information, call the Department of Art at (620) 235-4302.

---Pitt State---

Family makes college success a group effort

You may have heard of nontraditional students going back to college – but how about a nontraditional family?

Tom Goff, 26, decided to go back to school at Pittsburg State University to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. He’s now a pre-med senior. His wife Ashley, with whom Goff has two children, decided to follow suit. She’s now a sophomore in nursing.

Following his son’s example, Thomas F. Goff, Tom’s father, decided he wanted to go pre-med, too. Now he’s a sophomore. Then Goff’s cousin Aaron decided to join up. Finally, Goff’s aunt and uncle, Julie and J.D. Dryden, decided they wanted to come, too.

So what drove this family, all six of them, back to college at the same time?

“Tommy and Ashley have always been the inspiration,” said Julie Dryden, who is undeclared.

The Drydens, who just had their seventh child, didn’t think it was possible to go back to college while raising a family. They said Tom and Ashley’s example proved them wrong.

“I had worked 11 years as a cashier and at SKIL (Southeast Kansas Independent Living) when (Tom and Ashley) showed it could happen for people that have families,” Julie said.

Almost all of the family had a story to tell about applying for a job and being rejected because they had no college degree.

“I’m the oddball,” said the elder Tom, who worked as a truck driver before attending PSU. “I walked away from $22 an hour to come back to school.” But he said it will be worth it once he’s working at a job that doesn’t require as much physical labor as his old one.

The family can often be found hanging out in one of the corner booths in Gorilla Crossing, where they chat, play cards, and chide each other as only family members can do.

“Tom’s the cornerstone in all this,” said Julie.

“Does that mean I can get away with calling you a block head?” chimes in J.D.

Jokes aside, the family is a tight-knit unit – tighter, they said, than ever before.

“If there’s anything that happens, we are there for each other,” said Ashley.

The Goffs and Drydens get together almost every night to cook out and help each other study. Every member of the family said it was intimidating to come back to school as a nontraditional student, but also said their goals are worth whatever troubles come their way.

“If we don’t do this for our kids and show them that getting through college is possible, they’re going to be like, ‘I don’t know if I can do it,’” said Ashley.

J.D. said his example is already inspiring his children. His oldest son had previously shown no interest in continuing his education past high school. Since J.D. went back to school, his son’s grades have gone from C’s to A’s and he’s decided to go to college.

With all of them going to school at once, the Goffs and Drydens are confident they will succeed at Pittsburg State.

“We’ll all be there for each other in our downfalls,” said Ashley. J.D. agreed, “The best thing about this is the support we give to each other.”

In photo: The Goff and Dryden families take a break between classes.

---Pitt State---

PALS presents celebrity magician

An award-winning magician and winner of an NBC reality series will present his show this weekend through Pittsburg State University’s Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS).

Mike Super (www.mikesuper.com), winner of NBC’s “Phenomenon,” will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium. Super has entertained tens of thousands, including celebrities such as Regis Philbin, Joan Rivers, Paul Reiser, and Robin Leach.

Practicing magic since the age of 6, Super was named America’s 2003 Entertainer of the Year by CW Magazine, an entertainment industry publication. He has received numerous other accolades including Novelty Entertainer of the Year, Best Performing Artist, and Performing Arts Entertainer of the Year from other national industry publications. He is also a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians.

For tickets (free for PSU students, $5 for the general public, and $3 for PSU faculty, staff, children under 18 and adults over 65) call 620-235-4796. For more information on others PALS events, contact the PSU Campus Activities Center at 620-235-4795 or emccrack@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---

Learning Center names interim director

A new interim director has been chosen to lead the Learning Center, a service of the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Pittsburg State University.

Kelly Heiskell began Sept. 1 as director of the Learning Center, which provides support services to PSU students with learning disabilities or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Heiskell replaces Dr. Jamie Wood, a professor in psychology and counseling, who is dedicating more time to his mobile ADHD clinic.

Heiskell will work with students with special needs to ensure they are provided with everything they need to succeed at Pittsburg State. Such services include note taking, tutoring, and securing extra time for tests.

“Basically we make it so (students with special needs) can display their true knowledge – and that’s something that’s more difficult because of the disability they may have,” Heiskell said.

Heiskell said the assistance never modifies the curriculum. Students receiving help are responsible for learning the same information.

“(Heiskell) came highly recommended by the faculty of the Psychology Department,” said Dr. Bill Ivy, dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success. “They had had her in class, observed her in clinical settings, and they really thought she’d do a great job for us.”

Originally from Lamar, Mo., Heiskell earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from PSU in 2005, and stayed at PSU for a master’s degree in general psychology in 2006. She recently became an education specialist in school psychology and started work as a counselor in the Lamar, Mo., school district, a position in which she will continue to serve in addition to her new duties at PSU.

“Pittsburg State has just been a wonderful place for me to grow,” Heiskell said. “I had a great experience and worked with lots of great people that showed me what my talents were. They were really helpful to me and I wanted to provide that for students.”

Heiskell has won numerous awards in her career. As an undergraduate, she was awarded with the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, and as a master’s student she won both the Outstanding Graduate Teacher Award and Dean’s Scholastic Honors for maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

---Pitt State---

Leading estimating software donated to PSU

Engineering and construction students at Pittsburg State University now have access to another leading piece of software thanks to a donation worth more than $350,000.

Management Computer Controls, a Memphis, Tenn.-based company, donated 100 licenses for their ICE (Interactive Cost Estimating) 2000 software this summer to PSU. The software, worth $365,995, helps construction companies estimate how much projects will cost, and also helps keep track of costs once work begins.

Dennis Audo, an instructor in engineering technology, said the software is one of the top three estimation programs in the country. In fact, it was the only one of the three PSU didn’t already have.

“It is just one more thing students can put on their resume as being exposed to,” Audo said. “We currently have in our arsenal the top three estimating program in the United States, so all of our students have access to those programs and get experience in using them.”

Audo said he plans to start teaching using ICE 2000 in a few weeks in his Construction Estimating I and II classes.

Audo had used the software in his construction career prior to teaching at PSU. He said he has been negotiating with Management Computer Controls since last October to have the software donated. Once he sent over information about PSU’s curriculum, they were sufficiently impressed to donate the software.

The only stipulation, Audo said, was that he had to attend four days of training in Memphis.

“That was $10,000 training,” Audo said. “And they let me sit in there for free.”

For more information on the Department of Engineering Technology at PSU, call (620) 235-4350. For more information about ICE 2000, go to www.mc2-ice.com/products/ice2000.html.

---Pitt State---

Alumni Association names new members to board

The Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at Pittsburg State University has announced the appointment of five new members and three returning members to the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The members were named to the board July 1 after a vote by PSU alumni and Alumni Association members.

A collection of nominated and appointed members, the majority of the group will serve on the 21-member board for three-year terms. The Board of Directors works to advocate on behalf of the Alumni Office, as well as advising on programming and services and facilitating funding.

The new members include:

DANIEL ALCALA (BST 1973). Alcala is a construction manager for The Law Company, a construction company in Wichita. In his community he is involved with the Guadalupe Clinic, which provides health care to the uninsured. He has two sons who live in Florida and two step daughter who live in Ohio. He and his wife, Marilyn, live in Wichita.

DENNIS BURKE (BSE 1982, MS 1988, Ed.S. 1990). Burke is the superintendent of schools for USD 508 in Baxter Springs, Kan. Dennis and his wife, Mary, have three children: Martin, a current PSU student and member of the football team, Molly, who is attending PSU this fall, and Evan, a freshman at Baxter Springs High School.

PETER COLE (BS 1982). Cole is the director of finance for A. Zahner Company. He is the recipient of the 1996 U.S. Small Business Administration Region VII “Financial Services Advocate of the Year.” He resides in Lee Summit, Mo., with his wife, Janine, and three daughters.

LISA BISHOP GROSDIDIER (BBA 1994). Grosdidier is an accounting manager at Sprint Nextel Corporation. She leads the reporting, controls, and special projects teams within the capital asset accounting department and has been with the company since 1994. Lisa and her husband, Kelly Grosdidier (BS 1990), live in Overland Park, Kan., and have two daughters, Mandy and Macy.

GEORGE P. LAMPE (BA 1965). Lampe is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General with over 31 ½ years of active service. He is now engaged by a number of leading private-sector information technology companies across the United States and Canada as an independent management and information technology consultant. He is president of Lampe Consulting of San Antonio, Texas. George and his wife, Pamela, live in San Antonio and have one son.

DAVID LEWIS (BBA 1976). Lewis has been with the Liberty Savings Association in Fort Scott, Kan., since 1988, serving as president and CEO for the past 11 years. He and his wife, Debbie Sauerwein Lewis (BS 1977, MS 1980), have two children, Mark (BS 2005) and Erin, currently attending the University of Kansas.

DOUG ROBERTS (BS 1980). Roberts is the owner/operator of the Play It Again Sports franchise in Joplin, Mo., which sells new and used sporting goods. He and his wife, Brenda Robinson Roberts (BSED 1980, MS 1988), live in Joplin and have three children, Tricia (BS 2005), Billy, and Jaxon.

KERRY SACHETTA (BSE 1984, MS 1991, Ed.S. 1997). Sachetta is the principal of Joplin High School. He serves on the North Central Association Quality Assurance Review Team as chair for School Improvement and the Southwest Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. Kerry and his wife, Amber, have two sons, Gabriel and Luke.

---Pitt State---

Summer honor rolls announced

Pittsburg State University has released the honor rolls for the 2008 summer sessions. To qualify for Dean’s Scholastic Honors, a student must complete at least 6 semester hours, receive a grade point average (GPA) of 3.6000 for all credit course work that semester and have no grade lower than a B and no grade of I in any course during that semester. To qualify for All-A Scholastic Honors, a student must complete at least 6 semester hours, receive a grade of A in all credit course work for the semester and no grade of I in any course during the semester.

Students are listed by state and hometown. This information is also available electronically at www.pittstate.edu or by contacting the Office of Public Relations at 620-235-4122, swood@pittstate.edu .


Name.......................... Major................................................ Class......... Academic Honor
China
Byeong Yun Jeon........ Management..................................... Fr.............. All A
Hao Wang................... Mechanical Engineering Tech........... Sr.............. All A
Jiani Wu...................... English............................................. So............. All A
Zhiruo Liu.................. Mathematics/Chemistry Option II..... Jr.............. All A
Zi Fu........................... Management/Accounting................... Sr.............. All A


Kenya
Promillah Nyaanga...... Nursing............................................. Sr.............. All A


Paraguay
Alvaro Achon............ Non Degree Seeking............................................ All A
Bruna Maulicino Pinhoni Non Degree Seeking...................................... Dean's
Carmelo Ferreira......... Construction Management................ Fr.............. All A
Cecilia Shun Shih........ Art.................................................... So............. Dean's
Eduardo Gonzalez Gill Psychology....................................... Fr.............. All A
Giovanna Saccarello... Management..................................... So............. All A
Guillermo Martinez..... Management..................................... So............. All A
Ji Hoon Hong.............. Non Degree Seeking............................................ All A
Kristen Calvo.............. Non Degree Seeking............................................ All A
Marcela Teixeira......... Non Degree Seeking............................................ All A
Maria Porro................ Undeclared......................................................... All A
Maria Sol Erdozain Paterno Psychology............................................. Fr. All A
Paloma Fuster............. Non Degree Seeking............................................ All A
Rafael Oddone Forteza Construction Management................ Sr.............. Dean's
Ramiro Miranda Rios.. Music............................................... So............. All A
Ricardo GonzalesCanete....................................................... Non Degree Seeking Dean's
Rodrigo Marin............ Non Degree Seeking............................................ Dean's
Sebastian Burt Fleitas.. Non Degree Seeking............................................ Dean's
Victor Herrero Ferrario......................................................... Automotive Technology Sr. All A



Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Al-Mohawis......................................................... Marketing. So. All A
Ali Al Dighrir.............. Finance............................................. So............. Dean's
Mustafa Alzanadi........ Manufacturing Engineering Tech...... So............. All A
Saleh Almahdal........... Finance............................................. Sr.............. All A

South Korea
Kyunghoon Kim......... Accounting....................................... So............. All A

Taiwan
Po-Chun Tung............ Management..................................... Sr.............. All A


The United States
Alabama
Butler
Stephanie Russell........ Early/Late Childhood........................ Jr.............. All A

Arkansas
Corning
Lawrence Callison...... Information Systems........................ Sr.............. All A

Arizona
Mesa
Carl Bia....................... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A
Robert Vaughan.......... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Connecticut
Columbia
Zachary Chalupsky..... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Georgia
Cartersville
Kaylan Grizzle............ Communication................................ Sr.............. All A

Kansas
Altamont
Amanda Addis............ Nursing............................................. Sr.............. All A
April Billington........... English............................................. Sr.............. All A
Gregory Foster............ Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A
Hattie Steverson.......... Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A
Jeremy Horton............ Vocational-Technical Education....... Sr.............. All A
Travis Condon............ Communication................................ Sr.............. All A



Andale
Angela Ramsey........... Nursing............................................. Sr.............. Dean's
Michael Ramsey......... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A
Kaitlin Jones............... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Anthony
Douglas Thurston....... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Arkansas City
Melanie Kent.............. Justice Studies.................................. Sr.............. All A

Arma
Ashlee Ricks............... Marketing......................................... Jr.............. All A
Christopher Davis....... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A
Jaime Hencey.............. History............................................. Sr.............. All A
Kimberly Balk............ Early/Late Childhood........................ Fr.............. All A
Melissa Dauphin......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Nicole Barnes............. English............................................. Sr.............. All A

Assaria
Douglas Graham......... Communication................................ Gr............. All A

Basehor
Ross Turney............... International Business...................... Sr.............. All A

Baxter Springs
Eva Hall...................... Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A
Mieann Wren.............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Thomas Sharbutt........ Physical Education........................... Sr.............. All A

Belleville
Corey Johnson............ Automotive Technology................... Jr.............. All A

Chanute
Caleb Galemore.......... Wood Technology............................ Sr.............. All A
Doug Drybread........... Accounting....................................... Jr.............. All A
Edward Wheatley........ Vocational-Technical Education....... Sr.............. All A
Kelli Mugrage............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Mark Neely................. Electronics Engineering Tech............ Sr.............. All A
Rhonda Oestreicher.... Family & Consumer Sci Educ........... Sr.............. All A

Cherokee
Kristy Hull.................. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Ryan Peak................... Automotive Technology................... Jr.............. All A

Cherryvale
Aaron Wilson............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Coffeyville
Daniel Funk................ Business Administration................... Gr............. Dean's
Karlas Bossell............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. Dean's
Kim Potter.................. Vocational-Technical Education....... Jr.............. All A

Colby
Emily Sloan................ Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Columbus
Daniel Clugston.......... Mechanical Engineering Tech........... So............. All A
Melissa Rydberg......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Michael Holman......... Biology............................................. Sr.............. All A
Shauna Wachter.......... Mathematics..................................... Sr.............. Dean's

Concordia
Aaron Reinwald.......... Finance............................................. Sr.............. Dean's
Amanda Stice.............. Early Childhood Unified................... Sr.............. All A

Conway Springs
Joshua Lind................ Mechanical Engineering Tech........... Sr.............. All A

Douglass
Erika Patterson........... General Studies................................. Sr.............. All A

El Dorado
Derek Fowler.............. Nursing............................................. Jr.............. Dean's
Renee Urton................ Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Elsmore
Kurt Jackson............... Electrical Technology....................... So............. All A

Erie
Christopher Buntin..... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Connie Goodnight....... Management..................................... Sr.............. All A

Fort Scott
Amanda Reehl............ Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A
Bridget Johnson.......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Catherine Carroll......... Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A
Clifford Sutton............ Management..................................... Sr.............. All A
Erin Cooley................ English............................................. Jr.............. All A
Kathryn Kiwan........... English............................................. Sr.............. All A
Mara Harvey............... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Peggy Stark................. Social Work...................................... Sr.............. Dean's
Ryan Metcalf.............. Recreation......................................... Sr.............. All A
Taylor Kober.............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Franklin
Mary Widmar............. Management..................................... Fr.............. All A

Fredonia
Ryan Acker................. Automotive Service Technology....... So............. All A

Frontenac
Bradley Scholes.......... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A
Jessilyn Clarkson........ Psychology....................................... So............. Dean's

Galena
Danielle Murphy......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Margaret Soles............ Recreation......................................... Sr.............. Dean's

Girard
Austin Price................ Non Degree Seeking.......................... ................. All A
Bruce Curry................ Psychology....................................... Jr.............. Dean's
Lynn Williams............ Accounting....................................... Fr.............. All A

Harper
Lacy Ann Kitzmann.... English............................................. Sr.............. All A

Hays
Robert Dinkel............. Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Hiawatha
Steven Falk................. Wood Technology............................ Sr.............. All A

Humboldt
Cara Tilman................ Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. Dean's

Hutchinson
Matthew Leroy........... Non Degree Seeking............................................ Dean's

Independence
Cole Wittum................ Technology Management.................. Sr.............. All A
Mallory Myers...................................................................... Sr.............. All A
Marcia Taylor............. Family & Consumer Sciences........... Sr.............. All A
Rebekah Markham...... Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A
Zhaoyang Wang.......... Accounting/Information Systems...... Sr.............. All A

Iola
Amanda Burk............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Lisa Cloud.................. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Jetmore
Kendra Leikam........... Communication................................ Jr.............. All A

Kansas City
Donald Helmick.......... Vocational-Technical Education....... Sr.............. All A
Kristin Heuer.............. English/French.................................. Jr.............. All A

Larned
Jason Werner.............. General Studies................................. Sr.............. All A

Lawrence
Ashley Taylor............. Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Leavenworth
Emily Vosseler........... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. Dean's
Tracy Fink.................. Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Leawood
Katherine Thompson.. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Nicholas Bono............ General Studies................................. Jr.............. All A

Lenexa
Abby Williams............ Nursing............................................. Jr.............. All A

Liberty
Daniel Couch.............. Physical Education........................... Sr.............. All A


McPherson
Laura Stucky.............. Art.................................................... Sr.............. All A
Alysha Dockum.......... Art.................................................... Sr.............. All A
John-Michael Watson. Biology............................................. Sr.............. All A

Merriam
Megan Kinkead........... Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A

Moran
Jeremy Jones.............. Automotive Service Technology....... Jr.............. All A

Mound City
Brandon Clark............ Physical Education........................... Sr.............. Dean's
Jason Landrum........... Commercial Graphics/Marketing....... Jr.............. All A
Keri Purinton.............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Kimberly Shroyer....... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Mila Hoover............... Family & Consumer Sci Educ........... Sr.............. All A

Mound Valley
Mark Helt................... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Mulberry
Brock Burnick............ Undeclared......................................................... All A
Joseph Clasen............. Vocational-Technical Education....... Jr.............. All A

Olathe
Addie Thompson........ Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Keith Capps................ Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A

Osawatomie
Jesse Needham........... Art.................................................... Sr.............. All A

Ottawa
John Casady............... Marketing......................................... Jr.............. All A
Karah Hiles................. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Overland Park
Charles Greene........... Computer Science............................. Jr.............. All A
Shay Alford................ Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Oxford
Mallory Ginn.............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Parsons
Jordan Stice................ Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A
Lynnlea Anderson...... English............................................. Sr.............. Dean's
Rebekah Wells............ Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Pittsburg
Alexa Keller................ Accounting....................................... So............. All A
Angela Espinoza......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Chelsi Saia.................. Marketing......................................... Sr.............. All A
Clay Fowler................ General Studies................................. Sr.............. Dean's
Dana Beckenhauer...... Early/Late Childhood........................ Jr.............. All A
Daniel Fitzpatrick........ Recreation......................................... Sr.............. All A
Donald Townsend...... Vocational-Technical Education....... Sr.............. All A
Emily Vacca............... Early/Late Childhood........................ Jr.............. All A
Emily Wishall............. Non Degree Seeking............................................ All A
German Abarca........... Nursing............................................. Jr.............. All A
Jamie Simoncic........... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Jane Mwangi............... Biology............................................. Jr.............. All A
Jenna Verga................ Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Jennifer Tomasi.......... Biology............................................. Sr.............. All A
Jeremiah Johnson....... English............................................. Sr.............. All A
Jeri Palmer.................. Communication/Marketing................ Jr.............. All A
Jonathan Heter............ Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A
Jonna Kelly................. Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A
Kristin White.............. Biology............................................. Jr.............. All A
Kylan Rakestraw......... Non Degree Seeking............................................ All A
Lora Winters............... English............................................. Jr.............. All A
Monika Thomson....... Psychology....................................... Jr.............. Dean's
Nathan Bolinger.......... Communication................................ Sr.............. All A
Nathan Spicer............. Construction Management................ Sr.............. All A
Obaid Al-Shammari.... Electronics Engineering Tech............ Sr.............. All A
Rachel Southard.......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Rita Howayek............. Biology............................................. So............. All A
Shara Knaup............... Management..................................... So............. All A
Shawn Woods............. Mathematics..................................... So............. All A
Stephanie Webb.......... Technology Management.................. Jr.............. All A
Susie Hightower.......... Psychology....................................... Jr.............. Dean's

Plainville
Erica Harlan................ Vocational-Technical Education....... So............. All A

Pleasanton
Jerry O'Rand............... Educational Leadership.................... Gr............. All A
Kevin Spencer............ Mathematics..................................... So............. All A

Richmond
Heather Guilfoyle....... Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Riverton
Cynthia Rogers........... Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A


Shawnee Mission
Devin West................. Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Spring Hill
Robert Ebenstein........ History/Government......................... Sr.............. Dean's

Tecumseh
Anthony Voegeli......... Construction Engineering Tech......... Sr.............. All A

Thayer
Brooke Madl............... Justice Studies.................................. Jr.............. Dean's

Towanda
Stephanie Henrie......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Valley Center
Karen Slater................ Family & Consumer Sciences........... Sr.............. All A

Weir
Brodie Holmes............ Marketing......................................... Sr.............. Dean's
Dwayne Hale.............. Vocational-Technical Education....... Sr.............. All A
Greg Keltner............... Electrical Technology....................... So............. All A

Wichita
Matthew Winter.......... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Yates Center
Deana Beal.................. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Dirk Sorenson............ General Studies................................. Sr.............. All A


Maryland
Prince Frederick
Crystal Stokes............. Family & Consumer Sci Educ........... Sr.............. All A


Missouri
Asbury
Amy Rowland............. Business Administration................... Gr............. Dean's
Mica Dalton................ Family & Consumer Sciences........... So............. Dean's

Aurora
Holly Lewsader.......... Social Work...................................... Sr.............. All A

Blue Springs
Nathan Thomas.......... Accounting....................................... Sr.............. All A

Bronaugh
Aubrey Murray........... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Stacy Clinton.............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Carl Junction
Thomas Goff.............. Biology............................................. Sr.............. All A

Carthage
Kelly Hartley.............. Communication................................ Sr.............. All A
Vanessa Case.............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Cassville
Jonathan Mills............ Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A


Dearborn
Lynn Caldwell............ English............................................. Sr.............. Dean's

El Dorado Springs
Kevin Edwards........... Social Work...................................... Sr.............. All A

Fairview
Edna Her.................... Nursing............................................. Fr.............. Dean's

Golden City
Chad Beerly................ Nursing............................................. Jr.............. All A

Hume
Amanda Swink........... Nursing............................................. Gr............. All A

Jasper
Carrie Nelson.............. Chemistry Option II/Biology............. Sr.............. Dean's
Thomas Osborne........ Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Jefferson City
Christina Brummett..... Management..................................... Sr.............. All A

Joplin
Austin Cartright.......... Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A
Daniel Wade............... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. Dean's
Heather Lowry............ Social Work...................................... Fr.............. All A
Patrick Kelso.............. Manufacturing Engineering Tech...... So............. All A
Sally Mathis................ Nursing............................................. Sr.............. All A
Sarah Pratt.................. Communication................................ Jr.............. All A
Shilah Duncan............ Accounting....................................... Sr.............. Dean's
Tara Tyrrell................ Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Kansas City
Molly Redmond.......... Commercial Graphics....................... Jr.............. All A

Lamar
Jarin Redman.............. Biology............................................. Sr.............. All A
Justin Briggs............... General Studies................................. Jr.............. Dean's
Kristin Norwood......... Psychology....................................... Jr.............. All A

Liberal
Clara Michelle Jennings........................................................ Political Science Sr. All A

Miller
Leanna Collins............ Nursing............................................. Jr.............. All A

Mindenmines
Latisha Potter.............. Undeclared....................................... So............. All A
Sonya Goetschius....... Nursing............................................. Sr.............. All A

Neosho
Allie Dobbs................ Psychology....................................... Jr.............. All A
Jennifer Cumming....... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Julie Ramon................ English............................................. Sr.............. All A

Nevada
Audrey Conway.......... Communication................................ Sr.............. All A
Dana Ellis................... Nursing............................................. Sr.............. All A
Deandra Owen............ Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Luke Rainey............... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Mandi Gash................ Family & Consumer Sci Educ........... Sr.............. All A
Sherry Norton............. English............................................. Sr.............. All A
Taylor Rainey............. Psychology....................................... Sr.............. All A

Raytown
Jeffrey Myers............. Automotive Technology................... Jr.............. All A
Jonathan Vance........... Automotive Technology................... Jr.............. Dean's
Katie Cureton.............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Fr.............. All A

Seneca
Kayla Fritchey............ Nursing............................................. Jr.............. All A

Webb City
Alexander Waters....... Justice Studies.................................. Jr.............. All A
Jill Goddard................ Nursing............................................. Sr.............. All A
Julia Vickers............... Family & Consumer Sciences........... Sr.............. All A


North Carolina
Louisburg
Charles Bass............... Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Nebraska
Murry
Kriztena Graham......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Ohio
Stow
Elise Bailey................. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. Dean's

Oklahoma
Broken Arrow
Brittany Gholson........ Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Claremore
Amanda Arico............ Justice Studies.................................. Sr.............. All A

Commerce
Jacob Manning............ Physical Education........................... Sr.............. Dean's
Kimberly Hulsey........ Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A


Jenks
Brandon Dancer.......... Psychology....................................... Jr.............. All A

Miami
Christina Jordan.......... Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A
Jaclyn McDonald........ Communication................................ Sr.............. All A
Jeremy Herd............... Physical Education........................... Sr.............. All A
Mitchell Crawford....... Physical Education........................... Sr.............. All A
Sheila Snell................. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Ramona
Lacey McIntosh.......... Mathematics..................................... Sr.............. Dean's

Tulsa
Rick Clutter................. Information Systems........................ Jr.............. All A

Tennessee
Germantown
Paul Caesar................. Automotive Technology................... Sr.............. All A

Texas
Corpus Christi
Kimberly Gomez........ Nursing............................................. Sr.............. All A

Huntsville
Alexander Garrison.... Art.................................................... Sr.............. All A

La Feria
Norma Qualls............. Early/Late Childhood........................ Sr.............. All A

Washington
Renton
Sarah Tosh................. History............................................. Jr.............. All A

---Pitt State---

"Paint the Town Red" celebrates Family Day game

The Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations and Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce are getting ready for PSU’s first home football game with a little splash of color.

The two have teamed up to promote “Paint the Town Red,” a community-wide competition to see which businesses in Pittsburg have the most team spirit. Other events this week include:

Red Rally at Gorilla Village, Thurs., Sept. 11, 6 p.m. – Enjoy music with Panama Jack and get fired up with the PSU Spirit Squad, Gus Gorilla, and PSU football players and coaches. Free pizza and drinks.

Wear Red Day, Friday, Sept. 12 – The PSU Prize Patrol will be on campus with great giveaways for students, faculty and staff wearing red. Paint the Town Red judges will also be out for the Business Decorating Contest and to give out prizes.

8 a.m. – Balloon Launch Breakfast at the College Lake Gazebo

9 a.m. – Official Paint the Town Red Balloon Launch at Carnie Smith Stadium

4 p.m. – Colonial Fox’s “Festival on Broadway,” featuring games for children, a popcorn contest, sidewalk chalk art and live music. At midnight, an outdoor showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” will be held.

The PSU vs. Missouri Southern State University football game will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Carnie Smith Stadium. In recognition of Family Day, the Honorary Family will be introduced.

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 620-235- 4758.

---Pitt State---

Fresh from Iraq, Army Major leads ROTC

Faculty new to Pittsburg State University often comment that the pleasant weather and welcoming community make them glad they chose to work in Southeast Kansas. But those feelings couldn’t resonate stronger than for someone who has been in a hot and sandy battlefield for the past year.

This fall, Pitt State welcomed U.S. Army Major Don Stoner to serve as chairman of the university’s ROTC department. Stoner will serve at least two years in the position, an appointment made by the U.S. Army. Stoner replaces Lt. Col. Scott Craig, who retired from the military this year and now works for Crossland Construction.

A native of Pennsylvania, Stoner has been with the Army for 17 years. His first duty assignment was as an infantry officer at Fort Hood, Texas, and from there he worked his way up the ranks while transferring to recruiting offices and military bases in Oklahoma, Virginia, and most recently, Germany. He and his wife, Heather, and children Hayle and Mitchell, now 13 and 9, lived there for the past three years.

In the summer of 2007, Stoner was deployed with his company in Germany to serve a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq. He returned early this past July 4, moving immediately back to the states to take the job at PSU.

“During the year I was in Iraq, we saw a marked improvement in security,” said Stoner, whose brigade provided aviation support in and around Baghdad. “In some ways I hated to leave my team, but I was anxious to get back to my family. It was like a family reunion to come back to the states.”

When the Army gave him the choice of leading the ROTC program at Michigan State University, the University of Notre Dame, or Pittsburg State, he took no time in making the decision.

“I was in Iraq and I e-mailed my wife and asked her where she would want to go, and we agreed immediately,” he said. “We’ve always said it would be nicer to raise our kids in small town middle America. It’s a great match for us.”

Stoner has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He received a master’s degree in management from Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City, and is a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Now getting to know the faculty, staff and 61 students in the ROTC program, Stoner says he’s pleased to see the excitement and dedication of his students.

“They are very mature, capable men and women who have thought out their decisions in joining,” he said. “I think the pride and desire to serve is still there. They’re going to do great.”

---Pitt State---

Biology offers raptor presentation, birding classes

As people begin looking upward to watch the leaves change colors this fall, bird experts at Pittsburg State University are giving them another reason to look a little closer.

Free courses and a lecture focusing on bird watching and raptors, or predatory birds, will be held this fall to give students a chance to learn more about the Audubon world.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m. – “A Night With Raptors” will be presented by Sally Imhof, a PSU biology graduate, Meagan Duffee, a PSU biology student, and Delia Lister, director of PSU’s Nature Reach. The three-part presentation will feature Nature Reach’s newest raptors, and will focus on raptor rehabilitation, the sport of falconry, and using birds for education. The program marks the first of this year’s Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society meetings, which are held on the last Thursday of each month. The presentation will be held in Yates Hall 102. Refreshments will be available.

October 2, 9, and 16, 6 p.m. – Beginning Birding, a new course in the Department of Biology, will be taught by Dr. Steve Ford, a PSU biology professor, at the Pittsburg Public Library. Birding, also known as bird watching, is the observation and study of birds.

For more information, contact Delia Lister at (620) 235-4727 or at dalister@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---

PSU Police Director to retire, replacement announced

After more than three decades leading the police force at Pittsburg State University, the director of Police and Parking Services is stepping down.

Howard “Butch” Herring, who has served the office for nearly 32 years, will retire October 1. Herring will be succeeded by PSU Police Sergeant Mike McCracken.

Herring began his career in law enforcement at the age of 19, when he went to work for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department as a cadet. After earning his certification through the department’s academy, he took a position there as a patrolman. After three years, he moved to the Florissant (Mo.) Police Department, where he worked as an officer. Herring came to PSU in 1977 as assistant director of Police and Parking Services, and was promoted to the director position in 2004.

Herring received an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Wichita State University in 1983. He is active with the Pittsburg Crisis Resource Center and serves on the executive board of the Southeast Kansas Drug Task Force, a position McCracken will acquire.

Herring says he’s seen a lot of changes during his career, primarily in the areas of police equipment.

“It’s a whole different world when it comes to the technology we use,” said Herring, who was recognized as an Employee of the Year finalist in 1997. He was instrumental in computerizing the parking services office, making PSU only the second university in the state to do so. “In the past 10 years especially, we’re seeing technology affect law enforcement in hundreds of ways.”

The PSU police force is one of the largest in the county, with 13 full-time, certified officers and 11 support staff. The department works independently in most cases, typically only requesting the assistance of outside agencies in cases that require crime scene processing or other advanced resources.

Working with a population primarily between the ages of 18 and 22 presents some unique challenges, said Herring, but he has encouraged his department to be good stewards and to interact with students on a day-to-day basis. Parking issues are the department’s biggest struggle, due to the landlocked nature of the campus.

“We know the students are here to get an education, and that if they weren’t here, we wouldn’t be here,” Herring said. “The students I see coming to college today are here because they have things they want to accomplish in their lives.”

Steve Erwin, PSU vice president for campus life and auxiliary services, says Herring’s experience has played a major role in the safety of the campus.

“His work has assured that we have a quality police force that is community oriented and focused on student success,” Erwin said. “He will be greatly missed. We wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.”

Sgt. McCracken, who has been a night patrolman with the department since 1997, earned a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from PSU in 2002. He previously worked as a patrolman for the Girard Police Department, a deputy for the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, and as a trooper for the Kansas Highway Patrol.

McCracken serves as an adviser with the Collegiate Management Institute, and is a member of the Kansas Peace Officers Association, the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Knights of Columbus.

“I’m excited at the chance to do some new things and to work with the university on the crisis response plan, as well as getting us where we need to be as far as emergency preparedness,” said McCracken, whose rank will change to captain with the promotion.

A reception honoring Herring’s career will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, in the Heritage Room of the Overman Student Center on the PSU campus.

Top photo: PSU Police Director Howard "Butch" Herring. Bottom photo: PSU Police Sergeant Mike McCracken.

---Pitt State---

Student photog uses talents for charity

A Pittsburg State University student is using his passion for photography to help rebuild his tornado-devastated hometown.

Aaron Anders, a sophomore in commercial graphics, was at his home near Chapman, Kan. when a tornado hit the rural town of about 3,000 on June 10.

“At first you don’t really believe that something like that happened to your town,” Anders said. “And you really don’t think it’s going to be that bad, until you actually see it. That’s why the pictures really help describe it.”

Much of Chapman was destroyed by the half-mile wide tornado that swept through the town, demolishing more than 60 homes. The American Red Cross estimated that 75 percent of homes suffered major damage. Miraculously, the storm only killed one person.

When Anders and his family decided to drive into town to see if anyone needed help, Anders, a Collegio photographer, decided to document the destruction.

“I grabbed my camera not knowing what I’d use the pictures for, but I knew if it was that bad it would be a day that everyone would remember,” Anders said. “We went there 15 minutes after the storm – before the National Guard started keeping track of who went in and who went out.”

Anders called up PSU Photojournalism Instructor Mike Gullett, who put him in touch with the Associated Press. Soon Anders’ photos were on the wire for use in newspapers across the country.

Anders took hundreds of images, the best of which he made into a slideshow.

“Even when I started the slideshow, I just kind of did it for myself, because I had so many memories… of the town I grew up in,” Anders said. “I showed the slideshow to my journalism teacher and my friends, and they told me it was great. That’s when I thought people might want to see this.”

He was right. Anders decided to make DVDs of the slideshow and sell them to raise money to rebuild the Chapman schools, which were largely destroyed by the tornado.

“Once we started selling them, I started getting phone calls from all over the place,” Anders said, noting that people called from as far away as Massachusetts.

One mother bought a DVD to send to her son in Iraq. A Salina woman who graduated in the 1940s also called about the DVD.

“That’s when I started realizing it wasn’t just my memories that were there at the school and the town,” Anders said.

So far, he’s sold over 500 DVDs for a minimum donation of $10. All told, he raised over $7,000 for the Chapman school district – and that number is still growing.

He presented the superintendent with a giant check he designed and printed himself, using the graphic design skills he learned at Pitt State.

“They’re using that to rebuild the schools and buy school supplies,” Anders said. “The whole town’s hope is to rebuild stronger than ever before.”

---Pitt State---

Text messaging a new safety option this fall

With a new semester now underway, officials at Pittsburg State University want make sure returning students feel safe – and that their parents know that in the event of an emergency, notification will be swift.

Nearly 1,200 students have signed up for emergency text messaging since the university implemented the service earlier this summer. The safety communications tool is also available for faculty, staff, and parents. The text messaging option, which is available on the PSU Web site, is part of a package of communications tools that can be used in the case of a campus emergency.

Howard Smith, assistant to the president and director of the university’s crisis response team, said text messaging is just one way that information can be sent during an emergency. In the next two weeks, he will be meeting with offices and departments on campus in an effort to encourage faculty and staff to sign up.

“We know from observing crisis situations on other campuses, that there is no single perfect way to communicate important information to every constituency on and off campus,” Smith said. “But texting is a great option for immediate communication. We hope this is the money we spend that we never need to use.”

The university continues to work on other communications systems including group dialing, external loud speakers and Web-based communications.

“Campus safety is both a top priority and an ongoing process at Pittsburg State,” Smith said.

For more information, click on the safety button on the PSU home page or go to www.pittstate.edu/pres/EmergencyPreparedness.html.

---Pitt State---

Solo & Chamber Music Series acts announced

Tickets are now on sale for Pittsburg State University’s 2008-09 Solo & Chamber Music Series, which brings world-class musical performers to PSU’s McCray Recital Hall.

The Department of Music has scheduled an eclectic mix of six award-winning acts ranging from trumpeters to vocalists to a Celtic ensemble. Tickets, which are available at the PSU Ticket Office, are free for PSU students.

For the general public, season tickets are $46, or $32 for those over 65 or under 18. The public can also buy tickets for any four shows for $34, or $23 for those over 65 or under 18.

Tickets for individual shows are $10, or $7 for those over 65 or under 18. All shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. in McCray Recital Hall.

Tuesday, Sept. 23 – Niklas Eklund and Nathaniel Mayfield, trumpeters. Eklund has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall and Berlin Philharmonic Hall.

Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Daniel Pollack, pianist. Pollack is known worldwide for his high-energy performances.

Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Ensemble Galilei, classical and Celtic group. Ensemble Galilei recently collaborated with NPR’s Neal Conan and the National Geographic Society for “First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World.”
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 – James Maddalena, baritone. Maddalena gained international recognition for his portrayal of Richard Nixon in the world premiere of John Adams’ “Nixon in China.”

Friday, March 27, 2009 – Capitol Quartet, saxophonists. The Capitol Quartet is comprised of alumni from the premiere military bands of the United States and teaching faculty at several music schools.

Friday, April 24, 2009 – David Requiro, cello. Requiro was named first place winner of the 2008 Naumberg International Competition held during June in New York.

Some of the visiting artists will present master classes as part of their visits. These will be open to the public. For more information, call the Department of Music at (620) 235-4466.

For ticket information, call the PSU Ticket Office at (620) 235-4796.

In photo: Ensemble Galilei.

---Pitt State---

OFF2PSU events welcome students back to campus

PSU’s Campus Activities office has planned a slate of activities to welcome students back for the 2008-09 school year.

The events, stretching from Monday, Aug. 25, to Thursday, Sept. 4, range from informative tours to performances by a rock band and a hypnotist. All activities are free.

Monday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m. – Florez (www.florezmusic.com), a groove-driven rock group, will perform in Cleveland Plaza. The band features Erik Huffman, a cast member on “Survivor: China.”

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m. – Gorilla Superstar, a karaoke contest, will be held in the U-Club downstairs in Overman Student Center. Exciting prizes will be given to the top finishers. The event is sponsored by the Residence Hall Assembly.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. – The Community Fair, featuring dozens of businesses and nonprofit organizations distributing information and offering giveaways, will be held on the Oval. Approximately 75 groups are expected this year.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 4 p.m. – Students will be able to take tours of sorority houses after gathering in Overman Student Center.

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. – Michael C. Anthony (www.michaelcanthony.com), an award-winning hypnotist, will perform for PSU students in the Crimson & Gold Ballroom in Overman Student Center. This will be the second year that Anthony will perform twice in one night due to the show’s overwhelming popularity.

Thursday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. – Karaoke Night will be held by campus wellness group Gorillas In Your Midst in the U-Club. The group holds a Karaoke Night once a month throughout the school year.

For more information on any event, please contact the Campus Activities Center at (620) 235-4795, or e-mail campusactivities@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---

PSU president announces retirement plans

Dr. Tom Bryant, president of Pittsburg State University, today announced his decision to retire from the university presidency at the conclusion of the academic year or at such time as the Kansas Board of Regents finds a suitable replacement. Bryant made the announcement as part of his annual address to the faculty preceding the opening of the fall semester.

Bryant, the eighth president of PSU, was appointed president of the university on July 1, 1999. Previously, he served as interim president of the university from May until December in 1995.

Bryant said he chose to step down at this particular time because the university was strong, growing and well positioned to meet the challenges ahead.

“This is a good time in the life of Pittsburg State University,” Bryant said. “Enrollment is healthy, relationships with alumni and the community are strong, we have accomplished some major projects and others are well on their way. We have excellent leaders in key positions across campus who are prepared to continue the progress Pittsburg State University has made.”

Bryant said he was confident that the next president of the university would receive the support of alumni, students, faculty and staff and friends of the university.

In an e-mail today, Bryant wrote that the decision to retire as president of the university was not an easy one that he and his wife, Koeta, considered for some time.

“Koeta and I have discussed this at length and we believe the time is right to begin the orderly change of leadership at Pittsburg State University,” Bryant wrote.

“Serving as president of Pittsburg State University has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I can’t imagine a more satisfying endeavor,” Bryant said. “It has been a great joy to work with thousands of bright, talented and energetic students. They are a daily reminder of why Pittsburg State University exists and the value of what we do.”

Bryant took a moment to acknowledge the contribution of his wife, Koeta, to the university.

“The president’s spouse is too often an unsung hero,” Bryant said. “Koeta has been a full partner in our service to Pittsburg State University and her love of Pittsburg State and the PSU family is as deep as my own.”

Bryant joined the PSU family in 1970 as an associate professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He was named chairman of that department in 1985. In 1992, he was named acting dean of the College of Education and in 1993, he was named dean. From July 1, 1998, until May 31, 1999, Bryant served as interim executive director for the Kansas Board of Regents.

When Bryant stepped in as interim president in 1995, the university was in the midst of an unplanned change in leadership. Efforts to construct the Kansas Technology Center were threatened by the need to raise more than $10 million to complete the funding package for the large project. Bryant was instrumental in raising the necessary private dollars and the KTC was dedicated in 1997.

Since that time, the university has continued to grow and a number of major projects have been completed.

Last fall, Pittsburg State set an enrollment record of more than 7,000 students. New buildings since 1999 include the Family and Consumer Sciences building, the PSU Veterans Memorial, The Tyler Research Center, and the student recreation center/National Guard armory, which opened this summer. Additionally, a number of historic buildings have been renovated including Russ Hall. Carnie Smith Stadium has undergone two expansions during this time, including the addition of luxury sky boxes on both sides. A $1.7 million video board is now under construction. A major renovation of McCray Hall, home to the Department of Music, began this summer. Work will begin on a new student health center in this fall.

Private support for the university has increased dramatically during President Bryant’s term. PSU Foundation assets have increased from $27.2 million in 1999 to more than $65 million today and student scholarships supported by private gifts now top $2 million annually.

Bryant earned a bachelor’s degree from Drury College in Springfield, Mo., a master’s degree from Pittsburg State University and an Ed.D. from the University of Arkansas. Prior to joining the PSU faculty in 1970, Bryant taught and coached at Bronaugh, Mo., High School, Pittsburg High School and Wayne State College in Nebraska.

Donna Shank, chairperson of the Kansas Board of Regents, praised Bryant for his leadership.

“Under Tom’s leadership, Pittsburg State set student enrollment records, witnessed impressive campus construction projects, and experienced incredible increases in private giving," Shank said. "We are certainly thankful that Tom will continue to serve as Pittsburg State’s president through the end of the academic year. In the meantime, I anticipate that the Board will soon formalize the process to conduct the search for a new president, and this discussion could take place as early as next month’s Board meeting.

"It’s incredibly difficult to imagine Pittsburg State without Tom Bryant. However, I sincerely wish Tom and his wife, Koeta, all the very best as they move into retirement.”

Fall semester kicks off with Opening Faculty Meeting

The state of the economy and its effects on higher education, issues such as parking and university growth, as well as campus construction are all topics Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant will address this Thursday at the university’s annual Opening Faculty Meeting.

Held each year just before the start of the fall semester, the meeting is the only time during the year the president addresses faculty and staff as a group. It is also one of the few times that faculty and staff gather en mass. This year’s meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m., Aug. 21, in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom in the Overman Student Center. Coffee and conversation will begin at 8:45 a.m., with the program running from 9:30-11 a.m.

The Opening Faculty Meeting is a way to welcome back faculty and staff and to greet new employees. This year, 42 new faculty and 31 new staff members will be introduced. In total, Pitt State is employing 960 faculty and staff members for the 2008-09 year, not including student workers and graduate assistants.

“Our faculty and the service they provide for our students are what drive this university,” Bryant said. “We always look forward to the fall semester and the energy of a new school year.”

In addition to Bryant, faculty members will hear from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Steve Scott, as well as the presidents of the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Association, and the PSU Kansas National Education Association.

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Performing Arts & Lecture Series tickets available

Tickets for Pittsburg State University’s 2008-09 Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) are now on sale.

This year’s series includes a variety of entertaining performances ranging from the winner of a hit NBC reality series to a world-renowned play.

Season tickets are $20 for the general public. Pitt State faculty and staff, audience members 65 and older, and audience members and 17 and under can purchase season tickets for $15. Pitt State students receive free tickets to all events with their student ID.

Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. – Mike Super (www.mikesuper.com), winner of NBC’s Phenomenon, will appear at Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium. General public $5, all others $3.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. – Recycled Percussion (www.recycledpercussion.com), an exciting dance and percussion troop using recycled instruments, will perform at Memorial Auditorium. General public $7, all others $5.

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, 7 p.m. – Ed Begley, Jr. (www.edbegley.com), host of HGTV’s “Living with Ed,” will be featured at the Crimson and Gold Ballroom. Admission is free.

Feb. 23-26, 2009 – Mystical Arts of Tibet: Mandala Sand Painting (www.mysticalartsoftibet.org) will begin Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. and be presented each day at the Crimson and Gold Ballroom, with a closing ceremony at 4 p.m. on Feb. 26. A lecture on the symbolism of Sand Mandala will be held at 7 p.m. in the Governor’s Room of the Overman Student Center. Admission is free.

Monday, March 2, 7 p.m. – The Montana Repertory Theater (www.montanarep.org) will present “To Kill a Mockingbird,” at Memorial Auditorium. General public $12, all others $8.
For more information on PALS events, contact the PSU Campus Activities Center at 620-235-4795 or emccrack@pittstate.edu.

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New director named for Continuing & Graduate Studies

A new director has been named to the Office of Continuing and Graduate Studies at Pittsburg State University.

B.B. Stotts, who currently serves in the Office of Career Services as assistant director for employer relations, will take over the position Aug. 25. Stotts replaces Kathleen Flannery, who accepted a position with the Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center Foundation last month.

Stotts has been with the university for 13 years. Prior to her current position, her first job with PSU was as coordinator of on-campus recruitment and student registration. In each role, she has worked closely with students, helping them achieve their educational goals as well as find jobs after graduation. In her new position, she will recruit graduate students, help develop and market the graduate programs, and provide continuing education leadership.

“She has a strong background working with business and industry, which will help us strengthen our graduate degrees to meet their needs,” said Dr. Peggy Snyder, dean of Continuing and Graduate Studies. “We feel very lucky to hire someone of her caliber.”

Originally from Ft. Worth, Texas, Stotts received a bachelor of business administration degree from Texas Tech University. She earned a master of education degree in counseling and student services from the University of North Texas in Denton. In 2006, she achieved the Master Career Development Professional certification through the National Career Development Association (NCDA).

Stotts has held leadership roles and memberships with several professional organizations including the NCDA, the Kansas Association of Colleges and Employers, the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and the American Association of Employment in Education. She has also been involved in local organizations such as Leadership Crawford County, the Alliance for Technology Commercialization, and the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, among others.

She and her husband, Jeff, live in Pittsburg with their daughters, Madison and Avery.

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Alumni Office offers outdoor movie, fall family events

The Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations will host a free outdoor movie, “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, on the lawn of the Wilkinson Alumni Center for alumni, friends and their families. Popcorn and drinks will be available along with prizes for children. Community members are invited, and those who plan to attend should bring lawn chairs or blankets.

The movie is the first of several fall events for families offered by the office. Family Day, featuring PSU’s first home football game against Missouri Southern State University, is scheduled for Sept. 13. That day, the office will offer GPS scavenger hunts and magic shows targeted for children. The 2nd annual Camping on the Oval event will also be held Oct. 24-25.

For more information on alumni family events this fall, call 620-235-4758 or go to www.pittstatealumni.com.

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Fischer stepping down as Journal of Managerial Issues editor

With retirement in his near future, the editor of one of industry’s most respected management journals is stepping down.

Dr. Chuck Fischer, who has served as a professor of economics at PSU for 34 years, is handing over the reins of PSU’s Journal of Managerial Issues to Dr. Bienvenido Cortes, chairman of the Department of Economics, Finance and Banking.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the publication, which has been produced quarterly under Fischer’s leadership. Persistently recruiting the best and brightest to lead it (many Ivy Leaguers are among the 150-member board), Fischer founded the journal to serve as a bridge of communication between those who study management and those who practice it.

“It has been a huge job for me, so I’m praying for the new editor,” Fischer said with a laugh. “Being an editor of a publication like this is like a dark hole for time. It can be very labor intensive if you want quality.”

Over the past two decades, the Journal of Managerial Issues has drawn submissions from authors worldwide. With a rejection rate of 80 percent, Fischer and his team of reviewers search for articles on cutting-edge topics, guiding authors through a rigorous revision process and offering prompt, constructive criticism to those who don’t make the cut. “For someone under the tenure gun,” Fischer said, “that means a lot.”

The journal has also been an impressive source of revenue for the college. In the past five years, it has provided $120,000 in student scholarships.

“Nationally, we have worked to publish something that pushes the boundaries and provides new insights,” Fischer said. “I think the key to our success has been providing good service to authors and readers. We’re fortunate that Dr. Cortes has the talent and interest to lead it into the future.”

(Pictured above, Dr. Chuck Fischer; and below, Dr. Bienvenido Cortes.)

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