April 2006
STUDENTS IN THE NEWS

STUDENTS PRODUCE "HOW TO" GUIDE FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS

WJC STUDENTS SPEND SPRING BREAK HELPING OTHERS

EMILY WALES NAMED TRUMAN SCHOLAR

JENILEE MORRISON NAMED GOLDWATER SCHOLAR

CHRIS ROSSON NAMED TO USA TODAY ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN TEAM

MORE STUDENTS IN THE NEWS

STUDENTS PRODUCE "HOW TO" GUIDE FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS
In the wake of the late-summer devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, students at William Jewell College have responded to the impulse felt nationwide: "What can we do to help?" During the fall break trip to assist in the clean-up effort, students got a first-hand look at the damage, along with the scope of the need for assistance in rebuilding. That experience gave birth to a project that organizers hope will have an impact that reaches far beyond their hands-on efforts.

Responding to the Need: A Hurricane Relief Manual is the result of several months of reflection and planning by students who participated in the fall break rebuilding trip. Produced by the American Humanics Student Association at WJC, the "how-to" guide is intended to assist others in organizing relief efforts to the battered Gulf Coast region.

"Those participating in the trip last fall were overwhelmed by their experience and wanted to provide additional help to the people affected by the disasters," says Courtney Herren, a member of the American Humanics Student Association. "The manual is a product of that desire. While many participants hope to return to the area again to assist with the relief effort, we decided that creating a manual would be an effective way of furthering the relief effort, as it would assist others preparing to help those in need."

The manual is being distributed to college campuses nationwide, with printed expenses underwritten by William Jewell's Student Senate. It contains practical information on organizing a relief trip, including a guide to relief organizations to partner with, insurance considerations, advice on necessary immunizations, expenses to anticipate, sources of funding and transportation needs. The guidebook contains tips on promoting relief trips and attracting participants, along with sample documents including examples of promotional posters aimed at recruiting volunteers and soliciting funds. There is also an extensive Q&A section, as well as a list of items to pack for the trip.

A downloadable pdf of the Hurricane Relief Manual can be accessed at http://www.jewell.edu/william_jewell/gen/william_and_jewell_generated_bin/
documents/basic_module/Relief%20handbook.pdf

WJC STUDENTS SPEND SPRING BREAK HELPING OTHERS
For some students, Spring Break meant traveling to a beach for a week of rest and relaxation. For 35 William Jewell students, Spring Break 2006 was comprised of four days of hard work in the New Orleans area aiding in the clean-up efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The following provides insights from Jeff Buscher, Campus Minister and Coordinator of Student Ministries and Service Projects, and the Spring Break New Orleans Team regarding their time in New Orleans.

Friday, March 17 - Saturday, March 18: Following a 14-hour van ride from Liberty to New Orleans, our group checked into "Camp Algiers," the disaster relief headquarters in a city park, located just across the river from downtown New Orleans. The township of Algiers has transformed its park into a temporary "camp" facility with 21st century amenities including wireless internet access, free laundry facilities, big screen televisions and medical personnel on-site 24 hours. We were issued ID badges, a bag of bedding and assigned to a co-ed tent, that is, a "co-ed" tent with 300 other volunteers housed within its walls. Breakfast, boxed lunches and dinner were also provided at no cost to volunteers.
After checking in, we were immediately put to work. Our first day's assignments were in the homes of two New Orleans Police Officers, a captain and a detective. It took our group all day to carry out furniture and to remove the drywall. We also cleaned the yard and put a blue tarp on the roof of one of the homes. After having dinner and a brief devotion, everyone slept well. . . very well.
New Orleans Mission Crew at Work

Sunday, March 19: Today, we were sent to three homes in one neighborhood. Upon arrival, two of the homes had already been done, so everyone worked on the third home until we were provided a new assignment. By day's end, we had worked on five different homes. We'll return to finish two of them on Monday morning. Tonight, we enjoyed a nice dinner in the French Quarter, a walk along the river and a beignet at Café du Mond.

New Orleans Mission Crew Saves Precious Photos
Monday, March 20: We finished working on the two houses we started yesterday and worked on five others. In all, the students have torn down buildings and cleaned out homes that haven't been touched since Katrina devastated them. We have cried with the residents and have heard their complaints as well as their thanks for our help. We have worked hard, loved God, and others in His name. We feel we made a small but helpful contribution to New Orleans's healing process.

STUDENTS RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS
Emily Wales, a senior communication, political science and Spanish major has been named a recipient of the 2006 Truman Scholarship by the Washington, D.C.-based Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. Truman Scholars are chosen by independent selection panels on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability, and the likelihood of 'making a difference.'

Emily was interviewed by a selection panel March 10 in Kansas City. Panels typically include a university president, a federal
judge, a distinguished public servant and a past Truman Scholarship winner. Panels generally elect one scholar from each state and one or two at-large scholars from each region. "We are very pleased that Emily has been awarded this very prestigious scholarship," said Dr. Lois Anne Harris, Director of the college's Prestigious Fellowship Program. "Truman Scholars are among the very best and brightest students in the country."

Each Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premiere graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and special internship opportunities within the federal government. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class and be committed to careers in government or the not-for-profit sector.

The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to the nation's 33rd president. The Foundation awards scholarships for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. The activities of the Foundation are supported by a special trust fund in the U.S. Treasury. William Jewell has now claimed four Truman Scholars since the award was initiated in 1977.

The national Truman Scholar recipients will assemble beginning May 14 on the William Jewell campus for a weeklong leadership development program. They will receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence on May 21.

Jenilee Morrison has been selected to receive the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. She is a senior majoring in Oxbridge Molecular Biology and Bioethics. Morrison was selected on the basis of academic merit and scientific research potential from a field of more than 1,000 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premiere undergraduate award of its type in these fields. The scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

Morrison is a member of a William Jewell research team headed by Dr. Dan Heruth, professor of biology. The research team investigates how bacterial toxins induce cell death in single-celled eukaryotic organisms. As a first-year student she received an Oxbridge Honors Summer Research grant to fund her research at Jewell. In 2005, Morrison completed a summer research experience in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Kansas. Morrison is an active member of Jewell's American Women in Society (AWIS) chapter. Morrison also serves as the associate editor of The Undergraduate Journal of Environmental Ethics (www.ethicsjournal.org). The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.

"We are pleased to add Jenilee to our growing roster of national scholarship recipients," said Dr. Lois Anne Harris, director of the college's Prestigious Fellowship Program. "This recognition validates the exceptional work that our students are doing."
Christopher Rosson was named a finalist in this year's Rhodes Scholarship competition, and has been named a member of USA Today's Academic All-American First Team. Rosson is a senior business administration and economics major.

Rhodes Scholarships provide two or three years of study at Oxford University. The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest of the international study awards available to American students, were created in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, a British philanthropist and colonial pioneer. The first class of American Rhodes Scholars entered
Oxford in 1904. Rhodes applicants are chosen on the basis of high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership and physical vigor.

USA Today's All-USA College Academic Team program honors 60 undergraduates as representatives of all outstanding students at the nation's colleges and universities. The 20 members of the First Team have their photographs published and accomplishments noted in a two-page color spread in the national publication and receive a $2,500 cash award. The criteria are designed to find students who excel not only in scholarship but also in leadership roles on- and off-campus.

Last year, Rosson was named one of 159 students at colleges nationwide selected to receive the Gilman Scholarship. The Gilman Scholarship is presented by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education. Rosson used the Gilman award to study in William Jewell College's Oxford Overseas Study Course at Oxford University during the spring 2005 semester.

OTHER WJC STUDENTS IN THE NEWS

Kenneth Hartman and K.C. Maynes were selected to present research talks at the American Physical Society APS March Meeting in Baltimore. Physics professors Dr. Pat Bunton and Dr. Blane Baker served as faculty mentors for the students. Both faculty members also gave talks at the meeting.

Brett Jones has been selected as the recipient of the 2005 Heart of America Athletic Conference Commissioner's Scholarship Award. Jones is a senior history and political science major. Male student-athletes at William Jewell have recorded the highest average GPA out of 11 schools in the HAAC for three years in a row. Jones, with an impressive 3.977, achieved the highest GPA in men's sports and is being recognized with a $1,000 cash award for his accomplishments. Jones is the tight end for the Cardinal football team and a member of Phi Gamma Delta. Taking an average of 16 credit hours a semester, he is double-majoring in history and political science.

Sarah Fletcher was the grand prize winner and was awarded a $500 scholarship, a trophy, a new DVD/CD player, and the choice of a 10-week internship in either Orlando or Chicago with CNA Financial Corporation. Chris Glenn was first runner-up and was awarded a $250 scholarship, a new DVD/CD player, and a crystal plaque. These students scored the top two positions among emerging leaders during a recent executive leadership development program hosted by the 2005 Corporate Bound Academy Leadership Challenge at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Team winners for the three corporate challenges included the following Jewell students: Lynda French, first place, and Staci Robinson, second place, for the First American Corporation Challenge; Chris Glenn and Lilia Toson, first place, for the Wells Fargo Challenge; and Sarah Fletcher, first place, and Calvin Straughter, second place, for the CNA Financial Corporation Challenge. Each team was given a corporate and industry overview and asked to offer a solution to a corporate challenge.

Sarah Bader, Editor-in-chief of The Hilltop Monitor student newspaper, encourages alumni to catch up on the latest news from the "Hill" from the student perspective. Visit www.thehilltopmonitor.com for the latest editions.