Dr. Jeff Woodford speaks about the NSF grant at a news conference on Oct. 4. Other members of the research team appeared via Zoom.

St. Joseph, Mo. 鈥擮ct. 4, 2023鈥擲tudents at primarily undergraduate institutions in Missouri will soon have access to greater computing power, thanks to a National Science Foundation grant of nearly $700,000 awarded to 含羞草社区 and three other universities in the state.

鈥淪tudents who graduate right now are going into a world where computational knowledge is assumed,鈥� said Dr. Jeffrey Woodford, professor of chemistry at Missouri Western and principal investigator for the grant. 鈥淭his will raise the bar on computer literacy. The world is awash with data, and giving our students the tools to work with that data in a meaningful way is vital.鈥�

The $693,923 grant from the NSF creates the Computational Infusion for Missouri Undergraduate Science and Engineering, composed of Missouri Western, Southeast Missouri State University, Truman State University and Webster University along with the Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) and the University of Missouri System Research Support Services. The consortium will install a high-performance computing cluster that will allow users to process large quantities of data and perform highly complex calculations much faster than a typical desktop or laptop computer.

鈥淭here is a growing demand for high-performance computing skills in the workforce,鈥� said Dr. Baoqiang Yan, professor of computer science, who helped to formulate the proposal and is listed as senior personnel on the grant. 鈥淭his grant will help our students gain interest and maybe even pursue a career in this exciting field.鈥�

Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president, with Dr. Woodford and the research team.

鈥淎s Missouri鈥檚 applied learning university, Missouri Western is thrilled to be able to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to use computing power that is ordinarily available only at major research institutions, and frequently reserved primarily for faculty and post-graduate students even there,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western鈥檚 president.

The 20 nodes in the cluster will be housed at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Priority access will be granted to consortium members comprised of primarily undergraduate institutions in the state. Students and faculty will be able to use the computing power for research and educational exercises. The goal is that this statewide project can be replicated nationwide.

鈥淥ne of the things that鈥檚 really exciting about this project is that high performance computing will be directly incorporated into the classroom,鈥� said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淭his will provide students with valuable experience and skills that they will be able to use after graduation, whether in industry or in graduate school.鈥�

The project is interdisciplinary. Dr. Woodford is a chemist, as is co-principal investigator Dr. Marcus Bond from Southeast Missouri State. The other co-principal investigators are Dr. Xiaoyuan Suo of Webster University, a computer scientist, and Dr. Colin DeGraf of Truman State, a physicist. The focus is on STEM, but Dr. Woodford says high-performance computing will be available and have applications in almost any field. He could envision using the cluster to search and analyze large volumes of ancient texts in an English or history class, for example.

鈥淚 think every student when they leave here should have some idea of what鈥檚 going on 鈥榰nder the hood鈥� when it comes to computing and data science,鈥� Dr. Woodford said.

The grant will give some promising students the opportunity to learn even more about high-performance computing. They will receive funding to attend a summer workshop and learn more about the subject, then come back to their home campuses as student leaders, possibly as teaching assistants.

The consortium hopes to have the high-performance computing cluster operational and available for use by Fall 2024.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit . 聽

May 1, 2023–含羞草社区 presented nine faculty and staff members with awards and recognized 17 retirees at the 2022-2023 Faculty and Staff Awards and Retirement Reception on April 28.

Award winners include:

Outstanding Academic Advisor: Dr. Lane DesAutels, associate professor of philosophy. “He is willing to go above and beyond to make sure the students understand their future academic path.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to the University: Jessica Frogge, administrative coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and the Griffon Office of Applied Learning. “Jessica’s institutional knowledge, technical skills, and commitment to MWSU are definite strengths and keys to her success.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Students: Dane Eckert, senior manager in Technology Services. “Dane has been consistently involved, responsive, competent, and reliable in addressing a broad range of technical challenges.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Colleagues: Amber Halstead, math coordinator in the Center for Academic Support and Staff Association president. “Amber is a team player in every sense of the word and 鈥� sees herself as a steward for the University and its employees.”

Missouri Western Award for Teaching Excellence:

• Dr. Aracely Newton, assistant professor of biology. “She cares deeply about the success of her students and provides multiple opportunities for them to get feedback and learn the materials.”
• Dr. Elizabeth Thorne Wallington, assistant professor of education. “Dr. Thorne Wallington forms deep connections with her students, both as a faculty member and an advisor.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James V. Mehl Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship: Dr. James Okapal, professor of philosophy. “Marrying science fiction and fantasy literature with the philosophers’ study of ethics, Dr. Okapal published six peer-reviewed articles, offered three scholarly presentations, and delivered two invited lectures last year.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James J. Scanlon Award for Staff Service to Community: Jeremy Acton, grounds supervisor for Physical Plant. “Jeremy has through his example and leadership made a positive contribution to the University.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James J. Scanlon Award for Faculty Service to the Community: Dr. Jennifer Jackson, associate professor of communication. “Jennifer has used applied learning in her classes to serve our community…helping teach her students while giving back to community clients.”

The reception also honored 17 employees who have or will soon retire with a combined 269 years of service to Missouri Western. Honored retirees include:

• Roger Adams, Physical Plant
• Dr. Susan Bashinski, Graduate Studies
• Shelle Browning, Physical Plant
• Greg Dillon, Athletics
• Janice Dillon, Business Office
• Dr. Crystal Harris, College of Science and Health
• Karma Hartong, School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Robin Kelly, Department of Education
• Dr. Steve Klassen, Department of Computer Science, Math & Physics
• Greg Kriewitz, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science
• Dr. David McIntire, School of Fine Arts
• Peggy Payne, Admissions
• Deb Singleton, Department of Communication
• Cindy Spotts-Conrad, Financial Aid
• Dan Stevens, Academic Advising
• Buzz Verduzco, Athletics
• Deana Wennihan, Financial Aid

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听

March 9, 2023–Students and alumni of STEM programs at 含羞草社区 will have an opportunity to network with employers at MO-RISE, the annual Missouri Regional Industrial Science and Engineering Networking and Employment Event, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 in the Fulkerson Center.

The event will begin with a social time at 5:30. At 6, the program will start with welcoming remarks and roundtable discussion sessions featuring regional employers of graduates in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The event will conclude with networking time from 6:45 to 8 p.m.听

The event is free for students, alumni, employers and graduate school recruiters, with paid sponsorship opportunities for employers.听

For more information, visit the MO-RISE website at , or contact Dr. Michael Ducey, vice provost and director of the Griffon Office of Applied Learning, at (816) 271-4391 or ducey@missouriwestern.edu.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Participants gather in Remington Hall for the chemistry demonstration finale during a past Super Science Saturday. Photo courtesy St. Joseph Museums.

Jan. 24, 2023–含羞草社区 and the St. Joseph Museums will host the 23rd annual Super Science Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28聽 Admission is $5 for adults and children over 5. Children 5 and under are admitted free.听

Science educators from Missouri Western and area high schools will present STEM-related activities and demonstrations in math, physics, chemistry, biology, meteorology, psychology, engineering technology, nursing and more. The Griffon Mobile Lab will offer hands-on experiments in the parking lot.听

Other presenters include the Remington Nature Center, News-Press Now, and American Water.听

Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance at .听聽

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

The show will feature a demonstration-filled skit that follows students through a cold, crisp fall day. Demonstrations will include chemiluminescence, indoor snow, fire bottles, a very sick pumpkin and much more. The skit will close with a thermite reaction and a 55-gallon steel drum crush.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

July 11, 2022–Adults without a college degree can learn about ways to increase their earning potential through three Find My Path Days offered by 含羞草社区 in July and August.

鈥淔ind My Path Days are career advising events that will help people identify what professions would best match their interests, explore realistic educational pathways to get there, and even learn about funding opportunities that may be available to help pay for their classes,鈥� said Dr. Jerri Arnold-Cook, director of Missouri Western鈥檚 Career Development Center.听

Attendees can learn more about Missouri Western鈥檚 microcredentials, short-term education programs that provide real skills to help learners qualify for jobs related to laboratories, marketing, communications, education and human services. Missouri residents will also learn about book scholarships and childcare voucher opportunities as well as additional funding opportunities through the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph.

Find My Path Days will be held:

• Thursday, July 14, 1-4 p.m. at 含羞草社区
• Tuesday, July 19, 1-4 p.m. at 含羞草社区
• Saturday, Aug. 13, 1-4 p.m. at Rolling Hills Library in St. Joseph.

The events are free, but preregistration is required at griff.vn/path/. Registrants will receive the Strong Interest Inventory by email and are asked to complete the survey at least three days before their Find My Path Days program. The inventory will help identify potential careers and provide learners with guidance on the education they need to enter the field. Those educational pathways may include one of Missouri Western鈥檚 five microcredentials:

• Applied Behavior Support Services
• Digital Media
• Chemical Laboratory Technician
• Early Childhood Education
• Special Education

Find My Path Days are hosted by Missouri Western and the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph. Additional funding is provided by the Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation. Questions can be directed to Dr. Arnold-Cook, jarnoldcook@missouriwestern.edu or by calling 816-271-4206.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

April 14, 2022–Elementary- and junior high-age children are invited to celebrate Earth Week with insect-themed science activities in 含羞草社区鈥檚 mobile Griffon Lab from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. The event is free and open to the public.

The theme for the American Chemical Society鈥檚 Earth Week celebration this year is 鈥淭he Buzz About Bugs.鈥� The Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology are working together to explore the world of insects and the important role they play in the earth鈥檚 environment.

Planned activities include termite races, looking at insects through microscopes, and extracting red dye from dried cochineal beetles to color a piece of cloth.

The Griffon Lab will also be participating next week in School Day at the K, an annual event for students and teachers at the Royals game. Before the Royals play the Twins at 1:10 p.m. Thursday, April 21, the Griffon Lab will be parked outside Kauffman Stadium offering a variety of hands-on science activities to students. Faculty and students from the Departments of Chemistry and Education will help lead the learning activities.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Mosaic Life Care and the University of Missouri-Kansas City will be partnering to bring 20 medical students to St. Joseph in January as part of a program aimed at increasing staffing in rural hospitals.

A local chemistry expert has found that new cases of COVID-19 may be declining, which could affect City Council actions on social distancing.