the review washburn university
The Kansas Koyotes will take on the Iowa Blackhawks in an upcoming rivalry matchup. Page A6 Serving Washburn University since 1897
volume 136, Issue 26 • wednesday, May 5, 2010
Out with the old... WWW.WASHBURNREVIEW.ORG • (785) 670-2506 • 1700 S.W. College • topeka, kan. 66621
An overview of the accomplishments of the Love/Onek administration
Photo by Heather Ramsdell, Washburn Review
WU Feels the “Love”: Garrett Love, former president of WSGA, and Caley Onek, former vice president and current president of WSGA, held true to their campaign promises. Highlights of their term include Success Week, Bod Alert and several other accomplishments.
But one of the biggest changes this administration has seen this year is the changes within the Washburn Transformational Experience. Much collaboration was required with faculty and administration regarding this program and the changes that students wanted to see. “Our job is to represent students and be the voice of the students,” Love said. Onek agreed, saying it was necessary to gather research on “what the students wanted and how much they really knew about the program.” When conversations erupted about making the program optional, it was clear that this decision was what the students wanted after a unanimous vote through the WSGA Senate proved that it was in favor of this change. This vote triggered conversations with faculty and administration. This wasn’t the only topic to bring students and faculty together though, as the development of a student Success Week required a lot of communication and discussion. “Forming relationships with faculty was so important in this process,” Onek said. “It was a big step getting everybody on board, but with their support, the program can continue to develop in the future.” Onek also said this process required a lot of backing from faculty, and has allowed the program to be approved on multiple levels. The program will go before general faculty May 12, followed by the Board of Regents for final approval. While this concept of forming relationships on campus was vital to the success of many WSGA Please see NEW page A4
Nirvana isn’t just a band from the 90s. Learn what nirvana means for a Buddhist.
Godzilla and Friends Festival returns to campus this weekend.
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unteer work for various factions of the community as well as possible volunteer time at Washburn. In addition, McDonald said he simply plans to do activities that he enjoys such as watching sports and listening to music. “Or just sitting on the balcony watching the clouds,” he said. McDonald decided to retire so he could take care of his wife, Alice, at home. He took advantage of the voluntary early-retirement package that Washburn offered this year. “I’m retiring, but I’m not leaving. That’s what I’ve been telling everybody because you can’t leave something that you love,” said McDonald. He said he would be returning to campus frequently. “Once a week to pick up the Review,” he said with a laugh. McDonald said that throughout his career at Washburn, the students have been his favorite part. “It certainly isn’t cleaning toilets,” he said. McDonald, more personably known on campus as Gary, said he wanted to impart a message to all students and faculty before he departs. “Say thank you from me,” he said. He also said he would like to see everyone treat each other, and themselves, with respect, and to not forget to appreciate our lives. “I hope I never get so used to the world that it no longer seems wonderful,” he said.
Gary McDonald has a familiar face. Many students get to know the Memorial Union custodial worker as he makes his rounds around the basement of the union, always stopping to chat. At the end of the spring semester, McDonald, 62, will be retiring from his work at Washburn. He has been employed at the university since the fall of 1990. “To me it’s probably one of the greatest places to be and to work,” he said, “and it’s certainly been a privilege and an honor to serve the students of this university. As far as I’m concerned, it’s probably just the greatest job on campus I’d say.” McDonald’s job duties include cleaning up after students and faculty in bathrooms, offices, common and eating areas. He works throughout the day, every day of the week, and sometimes can be found in the Union in the evenings. The Topeka native said his dedication to the job comes from his desire to also serve the community. “Because Washburn is the community,” he said. “It’s the greatest thing Topeka has going for it.” Monday, McDonald was honored by student activities and Greek life with the Gary McDonald award— named after McDonald for “his dedication and unselfish giving of his time and efforts to promoting the Washburn community well above what any reasonable person could ask.” In his retirement, McDonald said he would like to do vol-
Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. Reach him at benjamin.fitch@washburn. edu.
Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review
A Community of His Own: Gary McDonald received the Gary McDonald Award from Student Activities and Greek Life for his dedication to the Washburn community. McDonald is retiring at the end of the semester but plans to maintain a campus presence.
Men’s tennis will compete in the NCAA tournament tomorrow.
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last spring,” said Love, also stating that primary focus of the program was to help students save money, and to connect with faculty to provide students As always, the end of the year with the tools they need at a reasonbrings a great deal of change. Change able cost. During this past year, four is already underway within the Wash- textbooks were available for rent in the burn Student Government Associa- bookstore. That number has increased tion as the 2009-2010 administra- to seven for the upcoming school year. tion has officially handed over the Another goal that saw progress reins to the administration for the this year was in the realm of campus 2010-2011 academic school year. safety. The Washburn Campus Watch But a reflection of the previous ad- program was established and formed ministration’s journey proves that partnerships with the Washburn Unithe year was undoubtedly a success. versity Police Department, the Topeka With a camPolice Departpaign strategy “ ment, represenadvocating for tatives from the Our job is to textbook rentals, District Attorcampus safety, a ney’s office and represent students Bod Alert messagmembers of ing system, a userthe Safestreets and be the voice of friendly Washburn Coalition. The the students. Transformational goal of the proExperience and a gram is to make student Success Washburn UniWeeks, former versity the safWSGA President est campus in - Garrett Love Garrett Love and the country. Former President, WSGA Vice President In addition Caley Onek had a ” to increasing lot to look forward safety on camto. And as these pus, WSGA five goals started sought to inout as campaign promises, the Wash- crease school spirit to help students burn community quickly realized that have the best Washburn experience all five goals were going to see sig- possible. One of the efforts to accomnificant progress throughout the year. plish this was the evolution of Bod Washburn University is the first Alert, a text messaging system that public institution in Kansas to offer alerts those who sign up of events a rental program, and it has proven taking place on campus. With more to be a useful tool for students, fac- than 700 students signed up, comulty and Washburn’s own bookstore. munication about campus activities “We started working on this idea and events has significantly increased.
Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW
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Lauren Eckert WASHBURN REVIEW
McDonald: retiring, but not leaving WU
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