Page Content: The Westminster Blue Jays placed second in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) All-Sports Championship. The Blue Jays finished just behind Webster University; Webster finished with 87.5 points.

The SLIAC All-Sports Championship Trophy is determined by awarding points based on each schools finish in the Conference’s 12 sports, earning nine points for a first-place finish, eight points for a second-place finish, etc.  Teams finishing tied split the points for the tied spot and the spot(s) immediately following (two teams finishing tied for third receives 6.5 – seven points for third-place and six points for fourth-place).

The Blue Jays won two Conference titles, and totaled 85 points in 12 sports.  The Blue Jays won the men's tennis and women's basketball titles outright, placed second in women's cross country, softball and baseball and tied for second place in men's basketball and men's soccer.

The 2012-13 season marks the third year that the SLIAC All-Sports Trophy has been determined by total points, rather than a points average. The change was made to further encourage the NCAA Division III philosophy of broad-based athletics programs. Webster's 2.5 point win is the closest in the three years since switching to total points, and the closest overall since 2004-05 when the Gorloks totaled 0.5 points more than Maryville University (Mo.).

The complete final standings for the 2012-13 SLIAC All-Sports Trophy are here.

NewsCategory: Athletics News

DatePublished: 5/17/2013

Page Content:

Callaway County junior high students have the opportunity to learn about their community and their own leadership capabilities by enrolling in Youth Leadership Callaway held July 15-19 and co-sponsored by Westminster College and the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

Any Callaway County area student enrolled in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade may apply. 

To be accepted, the student must have a strong interest in developing leadership skills, a wish to hold a leadership role in the community and make a time commitment to the program.

“This program is a journey of self-growth as participants learn about Callaway County, the value of civic engagement and the importance of developing personal character,” says Margie Lechner, Office Coordinator for the Emerson Center for Leadership & Service.

Sessions are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily at the Hunter Activity Center on the Westminster College campus.

Topics include personal leadership training, health & safety, community business & economics, social awareness & service and history.  The week will end with a celebration activity.

Tuition for the week is $100 and covers all costs of the program.  Scholarships up to full tuition are available for students who meet the selection criteria.  It is the program’s desire that no qualified youth be denied because of finances, transportation or other barriers.

Students are accepted to the program on a rolling basis so it is advantageous to apply early.  Enrollment in the program is limited.

Applications are available at the Westminster College Emerson Center for Leadership & Service in the Hunter Activity Center on campus, the office of the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce or can be downloaded online here:

Download Youth Leadership Callaway Application

Completed applications and tuition must be returned to the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber Office at 409 Court Street, Fulton, MO 65251 by June 21.

More information on the program may be obtained by calling the Westminster Emerson Center for Leadership & Service at 573-592-6045 or the Callaway Chamber office at 753-642-3055.

These two organizations have partnered to offer this program since 1998.

The Emerson Center for Leadership & Service is a Westminster College program committed to providing developmental opportunities, programs and service that will lead students to become “leaders of character who are committed to the values of Integrity, Fairness, Respect, and Responsibility and prepared to live a life of success, significance, and service.”

The Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit membership organization created in 1924 to serve the business community.

NewsCategory: Campus

DatePublished: 5/17/2013

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In spite of a great deal of rain leading up to Commencement Day 2013, when the day finally arrived, 237 graduates gathered with family, friends and members of the Westminster community to celebrate the time-honored rites of Westminster graduation without any raindrops to alter the customary schedule.

The Class of 2013 began their day with an inspirational baccalaureate message from Rev. Dr. David Holyan, father of graduating senior Anna Holyan, at Champ Auditorium.  Following baccalaureate, the graduates and their families joined Westminster faculty and staff for one final meal, a delicious buffet luncheon in the Mueller Leadership Hall.  Next the time arrived to put on robes and come together for a class picture in front of Westminster Hall. 

Following a group picture, the class lined up and proceeded to Champ Auditorium where they processed down the aisle for a 2 p.m. commencement ceremony.

Once the procession filled the center section of Champ Auditorium with a sea of caps and gowns, the graduates received best wishes from President Forsythe, Chairman of the Board Bob Muehlhauser, and Senior Class President Audrey Sharp.  Misty Todd and David Strawhun received the Outstanding Senior Awards from the Westminster Alumni Association.  The faculty member selected by the senior class as the recipient of the Patricia Klein Leibling Parents Assocation Faculty Award was Biology Professor Dawn Holiday.

This year’s commencement speaker was Don Tomnitz, Vice Chairman, President and CEO of D.R. Horton, Inc., America’s largest new home builder.  He challenged the graduates to make their own decisions about their future and to learn from their own mistakes and told them any success they received would depend on their own efforts.

After diplomas were presented, the robed procession of platform party, faculty and staff and new graduates were led by a bagpiper across campus to The Columns.  The Class of 2013, who entered the Westminster campus as freshmen by walking through The Columns onto the campus, now reversed that walk to leave The Hill and walk back through The Columns into the world of exciting possibilities that lie ahead for them.

To order a video of the 2013 graduation ceremonies, download the order form (coming soon) and return it with payment to Rod Smith Video Productions as instructed.

View graduation photos here!  Photo order forms will be e-mailed to graduates and mailed to parents.

NewsCategory: Campus

DatePublished: 5/16/2013

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Summer 2013 will see the greatest participation in overseas and domestic off-campus study for credit at Westminster on record, with 53 students heading to 12 destinations, as well as the multi-country Semester at Sea program.  The lion’s share of summer participants are enrolled in faculty-led travel courses that will take them to Belize, China/Mongolia, Berlin, or the national parks of the mountainous West.  With four courses, 40 students, and seven faculty members, 2013 is also setting a Westminster record for both student and faculty participation in summer travel courses and in the number of courses offered. 

Spain, France, and Semester at Sea continue to lead the way as destinations for individual summer study abroad.  Autumn prospects are keeping pace with recent trends, with 12 students departing to 10 destinations abroad or in the U.S. (Chicago and Washington, DC).  In all, some 75 Westminster students are expected to have studied off-campus by this time next year.

Prospects are bright for sustaining high levels of summer participation in the coming years.  In response to growing interest among Westminster faculty, Study Abroad and Off Campus Programs Director Jeremy Straughn convened a brownbag lunch meeting on faculty-led travel courses on April 22.  Travel course veterans Mike Amspoker, David Collins, David Jones, and Sam Goodfellow captivated colleagues with tales about their adventures and tips for success. 

Anticipating record numbers of outward bound students, Straughn, with assistants Sam Albrecht, ‘13 and Lauren Dolniak, ’14, held one of the largest pre-departure orientations Westminster has ever conducted on April 23, with 34 students turning out to learn about good health and safety practices from special guests Dr. Kasi Lacey, Jackie Pritchett, and Kelly Famuliner (Wellness Center) and security awareness from Dr. James McRae (philosophy). 


Contributors to this story were Dr. Jeremy Straughn, Samantha Albrecht, and Lauren Dolniak.

NewsCategory: Student

DatePublished: 5/15/2013

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The National Churchill Museum on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, MO awarded the Winston Churchill Medal for Leadership to Stephen F. Brauer, former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium,  at a dinner event held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis on April 18.

The Churchill Medal is presented to civic and business leaders who exemplify those leadership qualities demonstrated by Sir Winston Churchill.  Past recipients include Dr. William H. Danforth, Chancellor Emeritus of Washington University; broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite; John W. Bachmann, retired CEO of Edward Jones; and former British Prime Minister Sir John Major.

Keynote speaker for the event, former U.S. Ambassador  to the United Nations John R. Bolton, spoke on “Winston Churchill’s Leadership in Today’s World.”

Greetings were offered by Philip Barton CMG OBE, Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. and welcoming remarks by Dr. Rob Havers, Executive Director of the National Churchill Museum.  Dr. Havers also introduced Dr. William Danforth, who was in attendance.
 
The invocation was given by William Piper, an Association of Churchill Fellow and attorney with the St. Louis firm of Rassieur, Long, Yawitz & Schneider, LLP.
 
Among the guests were Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder; Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich; Robert Chatterton Dickson, Consul General at British Consulate General Chicago; David Kemper, Chairman,  President and CEO of Commerce Bank, and his wife Dotty; August A. Busch III, former Chairman of Anheuser-Busch; James Weddle, Managing Partner of Edward Jones, and his wife Stacey; Andrew Taylor, CEO and Chairman of Enterprise Holdings;  Mike Esser, partner of Edward Jones, and his wife Bettina; Larry Otto, President of Bank of America in Missouri; Richard J. Mahoney, former Chairman of Monsanto;  Mary Randolph Ballinger, wife of the late Dr. Walter F. Ballinger II; and William Henry Trotter “Bucky” Bush, former president and director of Boatmen’s Bancshares.

Heading the steering event committee were Suzanne Richardson and Donna Wilkinson.

Brauer is Chairman and CEO of Hunter Engineering Company of St. Louis, which designs, manufactures and sells computer-based automotive equipment worldwide.
 
Born in St. Louis, he graduated from St. Louis Country Day School, attended Washington and Lee University and is a 1967 graduate of Westminster College.

He is Chair of the Board of Trustees for Washington University, a director of Ameren Corporation, a partner in the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball LLP and a member of St. Louis Civic Progress.

Brauer has served on numerous charitable and civic boards including the St. Louis Area Council of Boy Scouts, the St. Louis Art Museum and the Missouri Botanical Garden, of which is he a past President of the Board of Trustees.

He is married to the former Camilla Thompson.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Westminster College President Dr. George B. Forsythe (front left) presents a humidor with the Winston Churchill Medal for Leadership to former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Stephen F. Brauer (front right) of St. Louis while Philip Barton, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Washington D.C. (left background) and Dr. Rob Havers (right background), Executive Director of the National Churchill Museum, look on.

NewsCategory: National Churchill Museum

DatePublished: 5/14/2013

Page Content: Data from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education confirms that nearly 60% of first-year college students are not ready for postsecondary studies.
 
Westminster College in Fulton, MO has found a highly successful way to address issues of higher academic expectations, time management and financial and personal decisions through its nationally recognized Westminster Seminar.
 
Westminster freshmen have registered an historic high level of satisfaction with their first year seminar program in many critical areas.
           
In fact, the overall retention rate for Westminster students is 84% as compared to an average of 65% for all Missouri four year institutions, a 73% average for American public four year institutions and 74% for American private four year institutions.
 
All freshmen are required to take the 3-hour Westminster Seminar, which provides them with the critical thinking, communication and research skills necessary to succeed at Westminster.  The program has been acclaimed for its effectiveness.
 
“The Westminster Seminar Program offers students a strong and supportive start to their college experience,” says Anna Bohn, a senior from Kirkwood, MO, who has worked as a head mentor in the program.  “The program offers a comprehensive support system to guide Westminster students through the first shaky steps of their college careers and equips them with the skills to succeed far beyond graduation.”
 
Following the fall seminar semester, students are asked to complete a comprehensive national evaluation survey, the First Year Initiative (FYI) assessment, which is used by many other private and public institutions.  This year 78.5% of all Westminster freshmen completed the survey.  56% of the respondents were male and 44% of them were female.
 
“The overall results indicate that Westminster is continuing to provide a quality first-year experience for freshmen students,” says Dr. David Jones, Westminster Assoc. Dean of Faculty, who administers the Westminster Seminar.
 
Westminster freshmen ranked the experience historically high in the areas of improved study strategies, improved connections with faculty, improved connections with peers, improved knowledge of academic service and improved managing of time and priorities.
 
Other areas where Westminster freshman ranked the program significantly higher than last year’s program are improved academic and cognitive skills, increased out-of-class engagement and improved knowledge of campus policies.
 
Bohn explains, “In addition to taking one or more classes with fellow seminar group members, new students attend a weekly class led by the mentors to address challenges unique to college students.  They learn about Westminster’s four values of integrity, fairness, respect and responsibility in the context of personal relationships, academic honesty and global citizenship.”
 
Westminster seminar student mentors are also evaluated, and this year’s scores were historically high on all levels, including helping to teach, discussing progress counseling, being a positive role model and upholding and representing the missions and values of the College.
 
“Students have two older student mentors who survived and thrived in their first year and beyond,” says Bohn.  “The mentors have been through all the homesickness, culture shock and surprising new challenges that come with the first semester of college and they are the students that have learned to strike a balance between academia and the social scene.  The mentors work closely with faculty and staff to make sure the seminar students are getting the academic, social, emotional, physical and spiritual support they need to do well in college.”
 
Organized around student interests, the Westminster Seminar groups are integrated by common objectives and shared readings.  The seminar is designed to help students read analytically, think critically and communicate effectively and includes the processes, tools and systems for scholarly inquiry.  Students work closely with a faculty member, upper-class student mentors and a small group of other new students.  Each seminar leader serves as an academic advisor to the students in their seminar until the students declare a major.
 
“Obviously, Westminster’s strong approach to engaging and nurturing students from the very beginning to ensure they succeed plays a significant role in their overall satisfaction during their four years here,” says Westminster President Dr. George B. Forsythe.

NewsCategory: Campus

DatePublished: 5/14/2013

Page Content: Westminster College seniors James Gladstone (St. Louis, Mo. /Vianney) and Kenna Cornelson (Oklahoma City, Okla. /Casady) have been named 2012-13 Westminster College Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

Gladstone, who graduated with a degree in education, is a Dean’s List student and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. He has been named to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Academic All-Conference Team every season. Gladstone was a four year wide receiver for the football team and a team captain. He was named to the First Team All-UMAC this past season and Second Team All-UMAC in 2009. He scored 23 touchdowns for the Blue Jays and completed 2,255 receiving yards during his time as a Blue Jay. 

Cornelson, who graduated with a degree in biology, is a Dean’s List student and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. She has been a four year member of the women’s basketball team and a three year member of the softball team. Cornelson is a two-time all-conference selection, an all-tournament team selection and an all-defensive team selection for women’s basketball.  She earned academic all-conference this year. She helped guide the basketball team to back-to-back-to-back SLIAC titles and two SLIAC tournament victories. She was a part of the first two Blue Jay women’s team to qualify for the NCAA Division III national tournament. Cornelson has played in 103 basketball games at Westminster, breaking the previously held record for most games played in a career.  During her four years, she was part of the women’s basketball team that compiled a school record of 72 victories.  Cornelson was active in Westminster’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as well as other clubs and committees on campus.

Congratulations to the 2012-13 Athletes of the Year!

NewsCategory: Athletics News

DatePublished: 5/11/2013

Page Content: The Westminster Blue Jays faced Spalding University for the second time in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament Friday night. The Blue Jays were not able to defeat the Spalding Golden Eagles and fell 2-7. The loss eliminates the Blue Jays from the tournament and places them in third place.

The Golden Eagles grabbed the early 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second, and the Blue Jays were unable to get more than five runners on base for the first five innings.  The Blue Jays were able to get their bats moving in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Matt Mallette hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring sophomore Tyler Branneky. Freshman Deion Hughes then stepped up to the plate and hit an RBI single, scoring sophomore Justin Whitaker. The Blue Jays were unable to score again, and the Golden Eagles pulled out the 7-2 win.

The Blue Jays finished with eight hits. Hughes led the Blue Jays as he went 3-for-4 from the plate. Freshman Nolan Lark was credited with the loss. He pitched seven innings, struck out six and allowed two earned runs.

The Blue Jays complete the season with an impressive 23-11 overall record. They finish the season with a six-win improvement in conference play and an eight-win overall improvement from last season.

NewsCategory: Athletic News - Baseball

DatePublished: 5/10/2013

Page Content: Westminster’s Lori Jones (Chesterfield, Mo. /Parkway Central) ranked 5th in the nation for triples per game. Jones averaged .23 triples per game this season. She cracked six triples during the 26 game season. She tied the season record for most triples, a record that has not been touched since 1997. She is currently in third for the career record, just eight triples shy of tying the career record for triples.

During the 2013 season Jones tied the career home run record (10) and moved into third for career stolen bases (22).

NewsCategory: Athletic News - Softball

DatePublished: 5/10/2013

Page Content: The Westminster Blue Jays faced elimination from the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament Thursday night after falling to the Spalding Golden Eagles, 1-6, in their first game of the tournament. The loss brought them to the elimination game with the Fontbonne Griffins. The Griffins faced Webster University in the first game of the tournament.

The Blue Jays headed into the bottom of the ninth of game two down 3-4. The Griffins quickly grabbed two outs, but walked the Blue Jays’ third batter, Andy Pichler. Stepping up to the plate was Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-Conference winner, Tyler Branneky. With two outs and two strikes, Branneky cracked a triple to right field, tying the game at 4-4 as Pichler crossed the plate. The Griffins intentionally walked sophomore Justin Whitaker, and Jacob Holtgraewe came to the plate with two runners on. Holtgraewe reached first on an error and Branneky was able to make it home. The Blue Jays took the 5-4 win and advance to the next round in the SLIAC Tournament.

Jake Rule (3-0) was credited with the win, coming in for relief in the ninth. The Blue Jays had five hits during game two, two coming from Branneky.

Sophomore Cam Backes scored the lone run for the Blue Jays in game one versus Spalding. Holtgraewe went 2-for-4 from the plate, and senior Kevin Moritz (6-3) was credited with the game one loss.

The Blue Jays will play the loser of game four, either Spalding or Webster, Friday at 8:00 p.m. If they win, they will advance to the Championship Game on Sunday; if they lose they will be eliminated from the tournament.

NewsCategory: Athletic News - Baseball

DatePublished: 5/10/2013

Page Content:

The Westminster College Baseball team had eight Blue Jays given ten St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Honors. Head Coach Denny Hughes was named SLIAC Coach of the Year. He has helped the Blue Jays to an impressive 23-10 overall record and a 17-6 SLIAC Record. 

Sophomore Tyler Branneky, a transfer from Quincy University, was named SLIAC Co-Newcomer of the Year. He was also named to the All-Conference First Team for third base. Branneky has played in every game this season and has recorded 16 putouts and 56 assists. He has a .500 on base percentage and a .663 slugging percentage. He currently leads the SLIAC with his .423 batting average for the season.

Senior pitchers Kevin Moritz and Tyler Ten Eyck have been named to the All-Conference Second Team for pitching. Moritz is 6-2 for the season and has pitched 44.1 innings. He leads the Blue Jays with 38 strikeouts and posts a 2.23 ERA. Ten Eyck is 7-1 for the season and posts a 2.30 ERA.

Sophomore Justin Whitaker and senior Matt Mallette were also named to the All-Conference Second Team. Whitaker is the first baseman for the Blue Jays and has played in every game. He posts a .400 batting average and has recorded 243 putouts and 8 assists during this season. Mallette is the right fielder for the Blue Jays and has started in 30 games this season. He has 45 putouts for the season and has a .330 batting average.

Freshman Deion Hughes and sophomore Cam Backes were named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference. Hughes was named to Honorable Mention for left field, but he also pitches for the Blue Jays. He has a .333 batting average and has recorded 50 putouts for the season. He has also pitched 17 innings and has a 1.06 ERA. Backes is a second baseman for the Blue Jays. He has recorded 42 putouts and 63 assists for the season.

Backes was also named to the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team. The SLIAC recognizes one individual from each team who throughout the season best displays the ideals of sportsmanship.

 

NewsCategory: Athletic News - Baseball

DatePublished: 5/10/2013