Vol. 17, No. 3 September 21, 2000 Issue

Minor offense has major economic implications
By Joe Kleinsasser

Shoplifting is not the most talked about or most notorious crime, but it is the most economically damaging crime in the United States, according to criminologist Paul Cromwell.

Craig Owens, longtime WSU instructor of jazz guitar, has as many facets as the colors in the African hats he occasionally wears.

Kansas youths apparently aren’t getting the message about underage drinking and its consequences, and some adults don’t understand how serious the problem has gotten, according to an assessment done by two Wichita State researchers.

The former minority studies program has undergone a name change and is now the ethnic studies program.

You can make changes in your group health insurance coverage and enroll in flexible spending accounts during October, but you can do so only online this year.

The eighth annual Pride Through Diversity Week today (Thursday, Sept. 21)-Sept. 30 celebrates multicultural, ethnic and lifestyle diversity through films, lectures, panel discussions, concerts and displays. Activities, except the jazz program tonight, are free.

The Center for Teaching and Research Excellence will co-sponsor a free workshop, "EXCITED about Online Teaching," 1:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in 128 Jabara Hall.

Across the nation, women are having an impact in philanthropy as donors, as CEOs of major corporations and as heads of private foundations, having a tangible influence on private giving. At the same time, the nonprofit, philanthropic sector is emerging as an integral part of the U.S. economy.

Symphony selected for prestigious conference
By Julie Rausch

Wichita State’s Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Palmer, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, in Miller Concert Hall.

An art deco lecture and tour opens the School of Art and Design’s Art and Architecture Series on Saturday, Sept. 30.

The Faculty Artist Series will feature Catherine Consiglio, associate professor of viola, and pianist Michael Palmer in recital Tuesday, Oct. 3, and tubist Phillip Black Thursday, Oct. 5. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in Wiedemann Recital Hall.

Gerre Hancock, considered to be the finest improviser in the United States, will open the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series. Hancock is organist and conductor of the Choristers at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Musical theater came into its own as an art form with "Oklahoma!"

Second Stage Theatre will open its season Sept. 28-Oct. 1 with five performances of the powerful modern drama "Suburbia" written by Eric Bogosian.

In a brief ceremony, a wreath will be placed at Memorial ’70 at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2.

Award-winning novelist Denise Chavez will appear in Wichita this fall during the 21st Kay Closson Women Writing Series, a series presented annually by WSU’s Center for Women’s Studies. Chavez will read from her work at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8.

Successful businessman and former Shocker men’s basketball coach Gary Thompson looks at life during and after coaching at the major college level during the Distinguished Alumni Speaker Breakfast Series Oct. 2.

It’s a world premiere

An hour-long documentary about the making of the Plaza of Heroines, from construction to dedication, will premiere at Plaza Celebration 2000 at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, in 107 Devlin Hall. WSU alumna Valda Lewis filmed the video, which will be on sale at the event.

Nearly 1,500 people have dedicated bricks, granite pavers and benches in honor of more than 1,000 women in the plaza, a project by the Center for Women’s Studies and the WSU Foundation. Recent honorees and recipients of scholarships from the project’s proceeds will also be introduced at the ceremony.

For more information, call 978-3358.

Row, row, row your boat

WSU’s rowing team will hold a 24-hour Row-A-Thon starting noon Saturday, Sept. 23, on the Arkansas River by the Wichita Boathouse. Folks can sponsor one-hour slots at $10 per hour, and the coaches will offer lessons for $10 a session per person. Rowing apparel and other items will be on sale. The proceeds will help cover team travel costs. For more information, call head coach Calvin Cupp, 978-5285.

Last call for golf classic

You have until 10 p.m. today (Thursday, Sept. 21) to enter the Heskett Center Fall Golf Classic, being held at the Pine Bay Golf Course in Derby at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The cost is $120 per four-member team and includes green fees, prizes and lunch. Golf cart rentals are extra. Call 978-3082 for more information.

And the winners are …

Sophomores James Preston of Douglass, son of Barbara Tschetter-Preston, director of Talent Search-Project Discovery, and Megan Enns of Wichita East, daughter of physician assistant instructor Sue Enns, won the $1,000 scholarships given to children of WSU faculty and staff during a special recruiting event held earlier this month.

Can you s-p-e-l-l?

Start practicing for the faculty/staff spelling bee being held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Rhatigan Student Center courtyard as part of Shocktoberfest. There will be two divisions, one for faculty/staff, the other for administrative assistants. For more information, call the Student Activities Council, 978-3495. Rain site will be the RSC Fireplace Lounge.