Bidding farewell to Mr. Channing and Dr. Louise Horner
Posted 4/28/2006

We would like to send our best wishes and deepest gratitude to Mr. Channing and Dr. Louise Horner, as they retire from full-time teaching after the spring 2006 semester. The Horners arrived at Northwest in 1967 and have been prominent figures in the Languages program for many years. A reception was held to honor the Horners on April 22, 2006. [Image] [Image] [Image]

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Tower Service awards. Award recipients from the department include: Jennifer Cassady, Ashlee Freeman and Gina Lichte. Also, faculty member Paco Martinez received an award. The Tower Service Award was established in 1987 to honor outstanding individuals whose prominent contributions to the University have set them apart from their peers. The award honors a maximum of 20 students, 10 faulty members, and 10 staff members. Any student, faculty, or staff member of the University can nominate someone. This award is for any outstanding individual who has contributed to Northwest through their notable accomplishment(s) and has had a positive impact on Northwest throughout the year.[Image]

Northwest Missouri State University Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) students attended the third annual Bearcat Reception in Kansas City, MO on March 2, 2006. PRSSA students traveled to the Downtown Marriott to network with other PR professionals and Northwest alumni. Students were given the opportunity to ask the business professionals questions about their careers, resume pointers, first time interview situation insights, and were also given the opportunity to exchange information with the business professionals. Students who attended were: Jolene Fotiadis, Shawna Billups, Kevin Rotert, Valeri Mumford, Dave Moore, Tyler Martin, Abby Stephens(Student Senate President) and Gina Lichte.

Congratulations to Jeff Talley and Michelle Trester for being nominated to the 2006-07 Irene Ryan Acting Competition of the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (ACTF). The regional festival will be held January 21-28, 2007 at Iowa State University in Ames Iowa.

Theatre Northwest has earned two awards from the Kennedy Center ACFT (American College Theatre Festival) for outstanding achievement for their fall production, "The Diviners". The first award was for outstanding achievement in "Ensemble Acting" to the entire cast. The second was for outstanding individual achievement in "Characterization" to Jeff Talley for "The Diviners". Congratulations to all those involved!

Dr. Roy Schwartzman, associate professor of communication, recently presented "Implementing Team-Based Service-Learning in Large Courses: The Communication Consultant Corps Project" at the Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. The presentation addressed using a Missouri Campus Compact Grant to combine service-learning with a course on persuasive communication.

Two articles by Dr. Roy Schwartzman, associate professor of communication, have been included in "Transforming Debate: The Best of the 'International Journal of Forensics,'" a new anthology edited by Jack E. Rogers and published by the International Debate Education Association. The articles address the future of competitive intercollegiate debate programs.

During the week of January 22, 2006, Theatre Northwest Students traveled to Fargo, North Dakota to compete in the 2005-06 Irene Ryan scholarship program of the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF). Over three hundred applicants were chosen from around the five-state district to compete. Lauren Schuberth, a freshman, reached the semi-final round. This round consisted of the top 30 participants in the competition. Her partner was Jeff Butcher, a freshman also. Their auditions consisted of two scenes and a monologue that were performed in front of judges who would decide the results. Congratulations!

During the weekend before spring classes began, Alpha Psi Omega, the national honorary theatre fraternity, painted the Mary Linn Performing Arts Center’s green room as a giving back project. The project has long been in planning, and after the successful Children’s Show tour, it was decided that painting was in order. The organization is comprised of theatre majors and minors who have shown their dedication to the art of theatre. Throughout the year they do such projects as the touring Children’s Show, theatre banquet, and service projects to better both the department the entire community.

Five theatre faculty members and one theatre major participated in three state thespian festivals in January. At these annual festivals, faculty present workshops and meet with hundreds of student members of high school theatre organizations. Participating in the Kansas State Thespian Festival and conducting workshops on resume and portfolio development were Patrick Immel, scenic and lighting designer, and Mike Morris, assistant professor of performance theatre and theatre history. Attending the Missouri Thespian Festival and presenting makeup workshops were Constance Campbell, costume designer, and Kent Andel, technical director and facility manager. Director of Theatre Dr. Joe Kreizinger and sophomore theatre major Eric Niece, presented a workshop on performance warm-ups at the Nebraska Thespian Festival. These three festivals were attended by more than 3000 high school theatre students and their teachers. Besides making presentations, theatre faculty displayed production photos, provided scholarship information, and answered questions about the theatre program and about Northwest in general.

The Kappa Sigma chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national honorary theatre fraternity, held the Maryville children’s showing of “Super Potato”. One of APO’s activities each year is to put on the traveling children’s show. The show traveled all around Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska throughout finals week and the week after. The show was about a young boy and his babysitter who, through their imaginations, meet many lovable fairytale creatures and help them make up their story. This year the show was directed by Rachel Melton, a senior theatre performance major. The show’s tour kicked off on Saturday December 9th, 2005 and ended on Wednesday December 21st. The cast and crew were comprised of APO members and students from across campus. The tour included 10 shows and was performed for over 1,000 children.

Six members of the Department of Communication, Theatre, and Languages attended the 91st annual conference of the National Communication Association in Boston from November 17-20, 2005. Dr. John Fisher, Dr. Melody Hubbard, Dr. Bayo Oludaja, Dr. Theo Ross, Dr. Roy Schwartzman, and Dr. Matt Walker joined over four thousand other communication and theatre faculty from across the country by presenting scholarly papers and participating in panel discussions on the topic of "The Health of the Discipline." Valuable information and new teaching techniques gathered at the conference will be used to enhance department classes and activities.

For the first time, three consecutive Northwest theatre main-stage productions are being entered in the American College Theatre Festival. Throughout the year, teams of faculty selected from theatre programs across the country travel to colleges and universities, view over 1300 entered productions, and choose up to nine shows in each of eight regions to be showcased at individual regional festivals in January. Winners of those regional festivals travel to Washington, DC, for a national competition in the spring. Additionally, up to three students from each entered production may be nominated for the prestigious Irene Ryan scholarship program and this year, nine Northwest theatre students from HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, THE DIVINERS, and TWELFTH NIGHT have been nominated. Roely Gorham, Kathryn Dorrell, Tim Forsythe, Jeff Talley, Stephen Perkins, Lauren Schuberth, Erin Jenkins, Rachel Melton, and Ricky Robbins will be competing the third week of January in Fargo, North Dakota, with over 400 other students from the eight states in ACTF Region V for the opportunity to continue in national competition at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in May.

ACTF is the largest national festival of its kind with more than 200,000 students and most university theatre programs participating. Selection of the productions to be showcased (including the three Northwest entrees) at regional festivals will be made in late November.

Emeritus Professor Robert Bohlken authored the recently published book "Listening to the Mukies and Their Character Building Adventures." The book features character building exercises, and promotes imagination and listening between parents and children. The Maryville Daily Forum recently featured his work with a front-page article. Click here to view the entire article, which includes interviews with Bohlken and Publisher Lee Jackson. Over the holidays (2005) professor Bohlken's book was selected to recieve a Fall 2005 Mom's Choice Award for a picture book in the category of behavior. For more information on this award please visit the Mom's Choice Awards website.

Two faculty members in the department of Communication, Theatre, and Languages presented workshops at the International Thespian Festival in June. Assistant Professors Joe Kreizinger and Patrick Immel presented: “Great Expectations: What to Expect in your First-Year University Experience and What Your Professors Expect of You.” They also participated in freshmen scholarship auditions for both performance and technical/design majors, hearing almost 300 prospective theatre majors. This international conference brings together more than 3000 high school students, their teachers, and theatre professionals from around the world.

Maura Lau, Speech Communication major, and Gina Lichte, Public Relations major, were honored for their contributions to the University through their employment. Maura, Residential Life, received the Reliability award and Gina, University Relations, received an award for Unique Contribution. Each year the University honors the best of over 900 student employees.

Northwest students Rebekah Hopkins, Carly Jackson, and Dana Eggebrecht, along with Dr. John Fisher, assistant professor of Communication, Theatre and Languages, recently participated in a panel discussion on student voter registration at the Central States Communication Association Conference in Kansas City. The group discussed their work in organizing a public relations campaign designed to encourage Northwest students to register to vote in the 2004 presidential election. Using funds provided by a Culture of Quality grant, the students formed the group Your Voice, Your Choice in spring 2004 and developed a strategic plan to increase the number of registered Northwest students.

Also attending the conference was Dr. Melody Hubbard, assistant professor of Communication, Theatre and Languages, who along with John Fisher presented a paper titled "Teaching Communication: Using Visuals as Instructional Tools." Their research describes how Northwest students taking the Fundamentals of Oral Communication course use film clips to define and illustrate communication concepts. Image

A paper written by David Tibbles, a Northwest graduate student in Educational Leadership, and Dr. Roy Schwartzman, associate professor of communication, has been named by the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) as the top competitive paper in the Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Division for 2005. Their paper, “Rhetorical Dimensions of the Post-September Eleventh Grief Process,” was presented at the CSCA annual convention in Kansas City. The research was originally conducted for an independent study in communication theory directed by Dr. Schwartzman. The independent study was part of the coursework Tibbles completed to earn his B.S.Ed. in Speech/Theatre Education at Northwest. The Central States Communication Association, founded in 1931, is one of the four major regional organizations for academics and professionals in the communication discipline.

Dr. Schwartzman, associate professor of communication, has been selected for inclusion in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." He was recommended for the honor by former students whose own achievements are cited in other "Who's Who" publications. The students were asked to nominate one former teacher who contributed significantly to their success.

Rodney Titus was selected the 102 Fundamentals of Oral Communication Speaker of the Semester. Each semester one student is chosen from each section of the general education basic speech course to represent that class in a speech contest. Of these approximately 20 students, five are chosen to speak at the contest, this year the runners up were Allison Kahre, Harold Hicks, Becca Gentry and Lindsay Rosonke. Image  Image

Dr. Roy Schwartzman (Ph.D., University of Iowa), Associate Professor of Communication and Basic Course Director has been awarded tenure in the Department of Communication, Theatre, and Languages. Dr. Schwartzman has been a professor at NWMSU since 2000 and has over 250 publications to his credit as well as receiving 65 literary awards. Image

Richard Flanagan, Commander of the American Legion Post 100, Maryville Mo. recently presented Bob Bohlken with the "50 Years of Continuous Membership Certificate." Bohlken, who is a veteran of the Korean Conflict era, enlisted in the U.S Army in May of 1953 after having just graduated from Talmage Nebraska High School. During his 50 years tenure as a "Legionnaire," Professor of Communication Emeritus Bohlken has adjudicated numerous local and county Legion Oratorical Contests and upon the recommendation of Professor Emeritus Leon Miller, Bohlken has judged at the State, Regional and National levels of the Legion Oratorical Contests. He has also presented numerous "Veterans" and "Memorial" addresses in Nebraska and Missouri.

The Northwest Centennial Grant team has announced that it will fund seven campus proposals. One proposal that was chosen was submitted by Dr. Kreizinger, assistant professor of theatre. The theatre program will receive $3,700 to showcase vintage and period costumes from various decades of the 20th century. Dr. Constance Campbell, theatre costume designer, has spent many hours going through clothing in the theatre's hanging storage and taking precautions to prevent deterioration. The clothing will go on display and remain there for the entire centennial year.

Four CTL department faculty members were honored with service recognition awards at a banquet held in The Station last week. Receiving awards for 15 years of service were Dr. Bayo Oludaja and Lori Durbin. Also receiving awards for 5 years of service were Patrick Johnson and Dr. Roy Schwartzman. The department also recognized these milestones in one of its regular meetings. Image

Jim Palmer, harpist, performed Spanish and French music accompanied by Rebecca Dunnell playing the alto flute and Chris Gibson playing the English horn on March 14th. Mr. Palmer has performed in many prestigious settings in his home state of New York including the United Nations, Guild Theatre, the TOBAY Distinguished Artists Series, and numerous community and college concert series. Before moving to Missouri he taught harp at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, and at his studio in Greensboro, NC, and freelanced in orchestras including the Roanoke Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, and Greensboro Symphony. The concert was sponsored by Alpha Mu Gamma/Phi Sigma Iota, the CTL Department, the Department of Music, and the Culture of Quality. Image

Nine Northwest theatre students and faculty advisors Connie Campbell and Pat Immel headed out to Toronto to spend the week at the United States Institute of Theatre Technology conference. The students will attend workshops and learn about new theatre technology as well as giving them an opportunity to meet other theatre students.

During the run of the main stage production of "How I Learned to Drive," adjudicators from the ACTF attended the show and nominated Kathryn Dorrell, Roely Gorham, and Tim Forsythe for the Irene Ryan competition. This competition will be held at the ACTF conference next year in Fargo, North Dakota. Images and Info

The 2005 department banquet was held on March 10th with the theme of "Live in Las Vegas". Participants were able to play casino games including poker, blackjack and bingo as well as watch a performance by Improv a La Mode. Awards were given out for Outstanding Spanish Student, Leadership Among Peers, Outstanding Achievement in Theatre by an Upper-class person, and many more. Images

On March 13 CTL's own Zachary Edwards, Gina Lichte, and Stephen Terry were initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership and honor society. ODK recognizes superior achievement in at least one of five areas: scholarship, athletics, campus/community service, communication/media and the creative and performing arts. ODK was also the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship. Dr. Theo Ross and Dr. Roy Schwartzman are both founding members of the Northwest chapter.

Coby Sheppard from Golden Missouri was one of the 151 Northwest students to receive the American Dream grant. A speech and theatre education major, Coby played the lead role of Pip in "Great Expectations" earlier this school year. The American Dream grant covers all tuition, room and board except $1,500 per semester.

Dan Demott directed "A... My Name is Alice" at the Cobblestone Theatre Co. in St. Joseph in March of 2004. The play was recently named one of the KC STAGE Top 10 Professional Non-Union Shows in 2004. The play also featured Northwest theatre graduate Sage Kimbrough.

The Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages elected Mr. Horner as a new board member early this week. The position will start on July 1, 2005, and go until 2009. Mr. Horner has been a regular presenter at the annual CSC conference since 1995. He will be attending the conference in March in Columbus, Ohio, as one of the official delegates of the Foreign Language Association of Missouri. He will also be the local chair of the conference when it is held in Kansas City in spring 2007. The Central States Conference represents 17 states in the middle part of the country and their annual conference usually draws about 1500 participants.

Northwest Forensics will begin the spring trimester by hosting a swing tournament with Doane College of Nebraska on January 22 and 23. Teams from various states in the Midwest are expected to attend. The forensics team will travel to tournaments at Kansas State University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Missouri at various dates in January and Febuary. The season will conclude with the annual state tournament in Columbia, the district tournament in Norman, Oklahoma, and the national tournament in Manhattan, Kansas.

Zachary Edwards will work in the office of Sen. David Klindt, Bethany. A junior international business/Spanish major, he has been active in Delta Chi, Campus Crusade for Christ, the Delta Mu Delta business honor society and College Republicans. He has also worked as a student manager at the J.W. Jones Student Union. He will receive a $3,000 scholarship and earn 12 credit hours.

Bayo Oludaja and Abhik Roy of Howard University, received the Top Four Paper Award from Peace and Conflict Division of the National Communication Association.

Roy Schwartzman was given a $3,500 grant to incorporate service-learning into the Persuasion course. Students will serve as consultants for community service agencies to assist in outreach and recruitment.

Bill Musgrave, a 1971 Northwest graduate, came back to Northwest on November 17th to be the Department of Communication, Theatre, and Languages' second Professor for a Day. Mr. Musgrave addressed the Propaganda class, the Organizational Communication class, and the Senior Seminar class as well as participating in a PRSSA meeting and presenting valuable information to interested students. Mr. Musgrave has held executive positions in major advertising firms,corporations, and the federal government. Image

Steven Terry and Chase Cornett both play important roles across campus. Terry has been appointed by Gov. Bob Holden to be the student representative on the Northwest Board of Regents. He is a junior speech and theatre education major. Cornett was elected the new Student Senate President for the 2004-2005 academic year. Also a junior at Northwest, he is a speech communication and political science major. Image

Congratulations to all the winners of the "Alumni Parade Watch" gift drawing. Anyone who sent update information back to our department was automatically entered into this drawing. Seven prizes were given out, including a Northwest hat, a Northwest T-shirt, four green Northwest portfolios and one black Northwest portfolio. Here is the list of winners: Kim Ryden, Paul Sherbo, Jennifer Reynolds, Sarah Reed, David Strange, Lionel Brown and Paula Cotton.

Bob Bohlken, Professor Emeritus of the Communication, Theatre, and Languages Department will be speaking in Fort Myers Florida on April 14 - 18 at the International Listening Association Conference. He will be teaching listening and character building through parables. He will also be demonstrating reading, listening, and discussing problem solving experiences imaginary characters, Mukies, and establishing purposes for listening.International Listening Association