Hubert to become rare Griffon-Bearcat-Tiger

Lynn Hubert (English, Public Relations, `92) successfully defended her dissertation proposal titled, "Emerging Donors: Women's Philanthropy and Motivations for Giving to a Religiously Affiliated, Research I, Private University." Her doctorate will be granted through the College of Education (Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis) at University of Missouri-Columbia. She plans to defend her dissertation in Spring, 2009, and gradaute in May, 2009. Lynn is currently employed by University of Notre Dame as Director of Regional Development. Lynn received her MA from some university up the road from us.

Contact Lynn at lhubert@nd.edu.

Ferguson Runs Editorial & Design Company

Susan Ferguson (English, Writing Emphasis, `85) received this past May a Master of Arts degree in English-Creative Writing from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. During her studies, she served as an instructor of freshman composition and as business manager of the university's literary journal, Thin Air. The owner of Ferguson Editorial & Design in Sedona, Arizona, Susan provides manuscript editing, graphic design and publishing services to writers, businesses and organizations. Earlier this year she received the PASS Award for Literature from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency for her work as an editor and writing coach to Dennis Fritz, author of the memoir, Journey Toward Justice (Seven Locks Press, 2006). Susan worked as a journalist, writer and editor in Missouri for 21 years before relocating to Arizona.

Susan can be reached at sue.ferguson@gmail.com.

Alum is Principal Figure in Vermont

EFLJ alum Ed Webbley is Principal at Vergennes Union High School in Vergennes, VT. (This after teaching English at a number of schools in Missouri and Vermont.) Ed is also on the faculty of the New England Young Writer's Conference at the Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College; he recieved his MA in English from Middlebury College as well. Ed is finishing a book of poetry, Water Everywhere, and starting a new one, Arts and Leisure. So count Ed among"Writing Teachers who Write."

Contact Ed at ewebbley@anwsu.org.

Alumna Traci Howell, nee Haug, off to Grad School

Traci, a May `08 Literature graduate, will be attending Peru State College (Nebraska) to work on a Master of Science in Organizational Management-Entrepreneurial and Economic Development. Dr. Ann Thorne was her undergraduate advisor.

We wish Traci well in her studies. This is just more evidence that people with degrees in literature have lots of options!

Mary Stone Publishes Another Poem

Yes, Mary, a current English major, has published "If I Say" in The Flint Hills Review, which is published by Emporia State University. This is the third poem Mary has published in a venue beyond Missouri Western.

Congratulations, Mary!

When Writing Teachers Write VII

The seventh installment of "When Writing Teachers Write" was held last night in Blum Student Union. Twelve area language arts teachers read from their original poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. EFLJ's Bill Church, Dawn Terrick, Patricia Brost, Joe Marmaud, and Tom Pankiewicz participated. The event was sponsored by Prairie Lands Writing Project and included many area teachers who have been through our chapter of the National Writing Project, including Tina Janc, Vicky Bryan, Leanna Lightfoot, Amanda Moyers, Jeanne Moore, Melissa Robinson, and Jill Steinmetz. Thanks to Jane Frick for arranging the reading!

Alumna's News From Sunny San Diego

Nancy Hendrickson (Class of `71) is busy these days as CEO of Green Pony Press, INC. Her company "provides writing and marketing services for industries as diverse as housing, publishing, aerospace, medical, hobby, business, and education." Nancy tells us that one of her most recent projects was the re-design of a university website, though we're sure that she thinks ours is just swell (if you see a new design soon it will be a coincidence, surely).


Check out her company site at http://www.greenponymarketing.com/index.php and contact her at nhendrickson@pobox.com.

Open Mic Reading to Celebrate Journal Publications

On the fateful evening of October 3, 2008, MWSU and community writers gathered in Spratt Recital Hall to celebrate the publication of The Mochila Review and Canvas, which were published last May. Faculty members Dana Andrews and Meg Thompson, who lead "The Writer's Circle," joined with Mochila editor and Canvas advisor Bill Church to sponsor the event.

MWSU students Allie Faulkner (2008 Canvas editor), Mary Stone, Casey Nichols, and Jay Claywell, Logal Garrels were joined by alumni and community members Jeremy Lyons, Brooke Kuykendall, Whitney Gates, Barry Claywell, and Larry Christy.

The 2008 Canvas, funded by the MWSU Foundation, is available free to students at Eder 222. This year's staff, led by editor Katy Strasser, is accepting submissions of prose, poetry, and pics for the 2008 edition. Students, alumni staff, and faculty may submit either in print form to Eder 222 or online via the EFLJ Homepage under the "Publications" link. For more info, contact kstrasser@missouriwestern.edu.

Ryan Bradley reads from his short story, "Edenchaser," published in Canvas

The 2008 Griffon is Now Available!

The 2008 Griffon is now available for pick-up! The yearbook office is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yearbooks are available right outside the office door in Eder Hall, Room 220. If you were a full-time student for the 2007-2008 school year, then you can pick up your free edition of the 2008 Griffon. A yearbook fee was included in your student bill only if you were a full-time student during the fall and spring semesters (2007-2008).

Alumni who graduated before last spring may purchase a yearbook for $8.00. If you would like it mailed, please send a check made out to "Griffon Yearbook" for $13.00 to Griffon Yearbook, Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Dr., St. Joseph, MO 64507.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Co-Editor-in-Chief Amy Chastain at amy.chastain@yahoo.com or call the office: (816) 271-4540.

News from The Bilingual Busses

Monica Lee-Buss '03 and Jason Buss '03 (Spanish Minors and Study Abroad with MWSU) have a new baby girl: Julia May Buss was born on May 16, 2008 (7lbs 15oz, 23").

"We are fortunate to both be bilingual, it has opened up amazing opportunities for us both. Our Fluency level is due to courses and study abroad with MWSU."

Jason works as Senior International HR Manager for Vishay Intertechnology and works in Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada, Brazil and the US. Monica works as a Training Manager for Carneco Foods, performing training in Spanish and English.

Jason can be reached at Jason.Buss@vishay.com.

When Writing Teachers Write

Join us for a celebration of teaching and writing on Wednesday, October 15, in Blum Union Rooms 222/223, 6-8:00 PM.

Our "When Writing Teachers Write" reading is the seventh annual celebration of reaching the mid-point in the fall semester with Missouri Western English teachers and National Writing Project Teacher Consultants reading their original poetry and prose.

Tina Janc, Prairie Lands Writing Project Writing Group Coordinator and Buchanan County Academy language arts at risk teacher, will host this year's reading.

Featured Readers besides Janc include:
Patricia Brost, MWSU Adjunct English instructor
Vicky Bryan, St. Joseph Central language arts teacher
Bill Church, MWSU English and creative writing instructor
Steve Frogge, Northwest Missouri State University English instructor
Leanna Lightfoot, Platte County R-III elementary teacher
Joe Marmaud, MWSU Adjunct English instructor
Amanda Moyers, St. Joseph Central language arts teacher
Jeanne Moore, Craig R-III special education teacher
Tom Pankiewicz, MWSU English instructor
Melissa Robinson, Cameron Middle School language arts teacher
Dawn Terrick, MWSU English instructor
"When Writing Teachers Write VII" is open to the public; refreshments will be served.

Questions:? Contact: Jane Frick, MWSU English professor and PLWP site director for additional information (271-4315; email: frick@missouriwestern.edu) An event flyer is available at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/plwp/wwwtw.pdf

Karina Vazquez Publishes Article

Dr. Karina Vazquez published an article entitled "Trabajo y literatura: el topos de la mujer obrera en la narrativa argentina del siglo XX" in the September 2008 issue of El interpretador.

The article can be accessed at the site below:
http://www.elinterpretador.net/34KarinaElizabethVazquez-ElToposDeLaMujerObrera.html

Congratulations, Karina!

Banned Books Read with No Arrests (This Time)

Challenged and banned books were read last night to a crowd of about 120 in celebration of American Library Association's Banned Books Week. The sponsors of the event were the Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism; Department of Education; Missouri Western State University Library; Student National Council of Teachers of English (SNCTE); and The Prairie Lands Writing Project.

Readers and Books:

-Dr. Bill Church, English Instructor, MWSU, read from Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye.
-Mr. Meredith Katchen, Fellow of the Prairie Lands Writing Project, read from Yan Lian Ke's Serve the People.
-Ms. Alyson Raletz, Reporter, St. Joseph News-Press, read from Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House.
-Dr. Steven Estes, Dean of Professional Studies, MWSU, read from Dan Simmons' Rise of Endymion.
-Ms. DeeDee Gutshalls, MWSU Student, read from Elizabeth Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
-Ms. Ginger Rudolph, Children’s Librarian, St. Joseph Public Library, read from Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach.
-Ms. Kyla Ward, President, Student Chapter of The National Council of Teachers of English, read from Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.

Thanks to our EFLJ readers and all those who were in attendance.