Faculty/Staff News

Dr. Rychetta Watkins, assistant professor of English, has had an article, “Translating Fanon: African American and Asian American appropriations of colonialism” accepted for publication in a forthcoming collection, Post-Colonial Theory in Asian-American Literature.

“Mapping the Postcolonial Metropolis: Lagos as setting and subject in four Nigerian novels,” an article by Dr. Ian Munro, professor of English, has been published in Representing Minorities: Studies in Literature and Criticism, a collection edited by Larbi Touaf and Soumia Boutkhil, Cambridge Scholars Press, Oct 06. Dr. Munro also had two reviews published recently: a review of Zakaria Lahlou’s “The Opposite Program” appears in the current issue of World Literature in Review, and a review of two republished works, Edith Wharton’s In Morocco and Richard Harding Davis’s The Exiles, appears in the current issue of The Journal for Middle Eastern and North African Intellectual and Cultural Studies.

Dr. Rick Winslow, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, has been selected to sit on the editorial board for Student Affairs Leader. Student Affairs Leader is a national twice-monthly newsletter which helps student affairs and student services leaders make informed decisions and provide effective leadership in enhancing students’ well-being and development. As a member of the editorial board for the newsletter, Winslow will assist in guiding the focus of the publication, assess articles and provide feedback, and submit articles for publication.

Nancy Crigger, associate professor of nursing, has been appointed as an honorary adjunct faculty member at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience. She has also been published in the Journal of Nurse Scholarship (December 2006) and the Journal of Holistic Nursing.

Deborah Maltby, adjunct instructor of English, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in nineteenth-century British literature and history in December at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  The dissertation is entitled “Reading ‘Hodge’: Nineteenth-Century English Rural Workers.”

Student News

Jewell Student is National Fellowship Finalist

Eryn Bates, a senior Oxbridge music major at William Jewell College, has been selected as a finalist in the Council of Independent Colleges’ American Graduate Fellowships competition. This new initiative is designed to promote and support doctoral study in the humanities by accomplished graduates of small and mid-sized private liberal arts colleges. The fellowships are available to students from eligible institutions who enroll in doctoral programs at any of 23 leading independent research universities in the United States, Great Britain and Ireland. Eligible fields of study include history, philosophy, literature and languages, and fine arts. The award is funded by the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation.

The applications were reviewed by senior members of the CIC staff and then by a panel of distinguished humanities scholars representing such institutions as Harvard University, Columbia University, Princeton University and the University of Chicago. From this national field of candidates, the panel recommended a pool of 12 finalists and two designated American Graduate Fellows. The two designated fellows qualify for an annual renewable award of up to $50,000.

Bates was one of the 12 finalists that included students from such institutions as Vassar College, the University of Richmond and Claremont McKenna College.“Eryn is the most energetic and talented musician that I’ve had the pleasure of teaching in my twenty-plus years at Jewell,” said Dr. Ron Witzke, professor of voice. “She exceeds every expectation. Because of her congenial spirit, she will find success in her future musical endeavors, whether they be graduate school or performance venues—or both.”

Debate Team Continues Winning Ways

The William Jewell Debate Squad is having another outstanding year, and is currently ranked 15th in the National Parliamentary Debate Association rankings out of 300 colleges and universities nationwide. Jewell’s top team, seniors Kevin Garner and Lilia Toson, spent the fall semester ranked number one in the nation as they won tournaments at the University of Wyoming, William Jewell and Creighton, and placed second at Colorado College. The two represented Jewell at Oxford University in November and came within a few points of breaking to the elimination round bracket. The tournament, known as the Oxford IV, is widely known as the largest annual international debate tournament. Director of Debate Dr. Gina Lane said the team’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal: “They had never seen a debate following this style before until their first competitive round at Oxford. They quickly learned the new format and debated admirably.”

Garner began debating with 2006 national semifinalist Luke Landry in January, and they are quickly establishing themselves as top contenders for the national title. At January’s Denver University Swing they won the first tournament and took second in the next. The two then competed at Point Loma Nazarene University, the largest tournament in the nation, and again made it to the final round, finishing second to Western Kentucky University.

William Jewell College hosted the 2007 Missouri State Forensics Association Championships on Feb. 16-18, and took third place in debate sweepstakes through the efforts of open semifinalists James Luce and Jake Williams; open quarterfinalists Eric Myers and Paige Oster; and novice semifinalists Anthony Bowen and James Bush. At press time, Luce and Williams were scheduled to join Garner and Landry at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence. The tournament extends bids to the top 56 teams in the nation.   

An International View of Business and Ethics

Two William Jewell students recently returned from the Association for Business Communication 71st Annual International Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The students, Christina Pryor and Tanna White, presented their research on the effects of culture and education on ethical responses in our global society. Pryor is a junior pursuing a degree in music business and business administration with an emphasis in marketing. White is a junior business administration major with an emphasis in marketing. Their research sought to show that standards of business are not universal, and that sensitivity to cultural differences is increasingly important. The students investigated ethical standards in various cultural contexts and showed how United States citizens compare with citizens of other nations on several dimensions of business ethics. The research was compiled by administering a 40-question survey in six different countries, including Norway, Turkey, Morocco, the Republic of Georgia, New Zealand and the United States.

Society of Physics Students Honored

The William Jewell College chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has been selected as an Outstanding SPS Chapter for the 2005-2006 school year.

“The selection is based on the depth and breadth of SPS activities conducted by the chapter in such areas as physics research, public service outreach, physics tutoring programs, hosting and representation at physics meetings, and providing social interaction for chapter members,” said Gary White, director of the Society of Physics Students.

The Society of Physics Students is a professional association designed for students. Membership, through collegiate chapters, is open to anyone interested in physics.

American Humanics Award

William Jewell College received the Excellence in Student Recruitment Award at the American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI), held recently in Washington, D.C. The Excellence in Student Recruitment Award is presented to the AH Student Association that is most effective at recruiting new members to join their chapter through effective and innovative methods of recruitment.

During 2006, William Jewell recruited 30 new students to their program, an increase of 57%. The college was also officially recognized for being named on the first annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which responds to President Bush’s call to service by building on and supporting the civic engagement mission of our nation’s colleges and universities. William Jewell College has been a leader among American Humanics’ 74 campus affiliates, and their American Humanics program continues to grow.

More than 580 American Humanics students and faculty, as well as more than 300 nonprofit and corporate leaders, took part in the conference, which provided an opportunity to network with nonprofit executives, participate in simulated case studies and a national collegiate dialogue, and attend workshops led by local and national experts in nonprofit management. William Jewell was represented by Campus Executive Director Kevin Shaffstall and the following student participants: Betsy Bramon, Joel Bryce, Tiffany Fu, Joanna Hilton, Allison Kirby, Sarah McMillian, Marilyn Minter, Rachel Sheffield, Laura Sustad and Erin Thess.

William Jewell College president Dr. David Sallee serves on the American Humanics National Board of Directors. He is also a co-chair for the 2008 Management Institute, which will be held in Kansas City.

The purpose of the annual Management Institute is to expose junior- and senior-level college students to experiences they will encounter as nonprofit professionals. This educational symposium is considered the capstone professional development experience for students enrolled in the American Humanics nonprofit management and leadership program. It is held annually during the first week in January and rotates to a different city each year.

American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations that prepares and certifies college students for professional careers in youth and human service agencies. American Humanics is affiliated with more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide including William Jewell College, and partners with more than 50 national nonprofit organizations.

Kappa Delta Pi, English Honors

Anthony Mickelson, senior English and Secondary Education major, was awarded the Kappa Delta Pi President’s Scholarship. Mickelson spent his summer teaching English to students for The Language Company’s Liberty English Institute.

Mickleson has also been awarded the Robert J. Greef Award from the Missouri Association of Teachers of English (MATE). This award is given annually to outstanding seniors from colleges and universities in the state of Missouri. The criteria for the award include academic excellence in the field of English education, leadership, character and participation in department activities. The award was established in honor of a former MATE president, Robert Greef, who was an outstanding teacher at the University of Central Missouri. The Robert J. Greef Award provides an opportunity to celebrate the successes of English education programs across Missouri. While attending Jewell, Mickleson has made the Dean’s List, received the Pinkerton Rick Scholarship for Outstanding Junior in the English Department, and earned a Presidential Scholarship from Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary society for educators. He worked as a writing proctor in the Jewell Writing Center and as a writing tutor with the Jewell TRIO Educational Advancement Program for two years. During the summer of 2005, Mickleson traveled with his church mission team to Fuzhou, China, where he taught English and served as the head teacher in a class of 20 students. 

Music Honors

Kristen Walker, a freshman music theory and composition major at William Jewell College, was a finalist in the 27th Annual Ithaca College School of Music choral composition contest. Kristen flew to Ithaca, N.Y., in November to have her choral piece performed by one of the top high school choirs in the region. She was one of six finalists whose pieces were performed. “It is a very prestigious competition and will have attracted submissions from many composers with fine reputations,” said Dr. Ian Coleman, chairman of the music department at William Jewell. “The finalists include established composers who hold faculty positions at other institutions, and so for a first-year student to be selected speaks highly of the quality of her work.” 

Seven vocal music majors competed in the Missouri State NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) event in Kirksville. Five of the seven reached the semi-finals in their respective categories: sophomores Lauren Perren and Rachel DeVilbiss; junior Brittany Williams; and seniors Matt Gladden and Josh Lawlor. Of these five, three advanced and placed in the finals. Josh and Matt were first and second in the senior men division, and Lauren placed third among sophomore women. More than 150 singers from university and liberal arts institutions competed from across the state. Josh and Matt are students of adjunct instructor Kathy Price, and the women are students of Professor Ron Witzke.

Cooking with Paula (and Evan)

Evan Schrock, a sophomore business-marketing major at William Jewell, appeared recently on the Food TV network program “Cooking with Paula Deen.” Evan reports that his family had submitted a story idea and in return received tickets to a taping of the show in Savannah, Ga. “I was sitting in the front row and she just pulled me up on stage to start cooking with her,” Evan says. “It was a really neat experience. It was fun getting to see another part of the country, as well as meet a favorite celebrity of mine.”

Student Published

Alexander Williams, a junior political science, psychology and history major at William Jewell College, has co-authored an article selected for a professional publication. Williams is the co-author of “In Pursuit of Peace: Attitudinal and Behavioral Change with Simulations and Multiple Identification Theory” that has been accepted for publication in Simulation & Gaming: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Theory, Practice and Research.

Service Outreach

Lydia Crigger, junior art and Secondary Education major, was a staff member for Youthworks, an organization that coordinates mission trips for 12- to19-year-olds at over 75 sites in the U.S. and Mexico. She coordinated multiple high school youth groups who ran “Club de Ninos” for community children and built houses for those in the community. 

Poster Presentation

Amy Larson, senior Elementary Education major, presented a poster session at the Association for Childhood Education International Conference in San Antonio, Texas.   Larson’s presentation, entitled “Promoting Student Creativity: A Cross-Cultural Study Comparing British and American Teaching Practices,” examined the ways in which British teaching practices that promote creativity should be adopted by U.S. elementary teachers. Specifically she advocated use of the student-directed project method, non-competitive assessments, and giving students responsibility for their own performance.