Washburn University
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volume 138, Issue 14 • wednesday, January 18, 2012
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Boyack switches jobs, Smith named interim director Brian Dulle
WASHBURN REVIEW
Some changes have taken place for the spring 2012 semester in the admissions office at Washburn University. Last semester, Morgan Boyack moved into another position within the office of academic outreach. Richard Liedtke, director of enrollment managment for Washburn, said Boyack chose to move to a different position. This created an opportunity for Liedtke and his team to go into a search for someone to take the position of director of admissions on an interim
Susan Smith
Interim Director of Admissions 2012
basis. “What we are doing is bringing in an interim director so that we can do a national search, and I need someone in the director of admissions position while we do that search,” said Liedtke. That search led to Susan Smith becoming the interim director of admissions at Washburn University. “Smith has a wonderful background and experience in admissions to take us through this next semester while we search nationally for a new director of admissions,” said Liedtke. Smith earned her undergraduate degree at Northwest Missouri State University, receiving her bachelors degree in Psychology/Sociology. She
doesn’t have a masters but is working toward a masters in public administrations. Smith started working at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kan., in 1984 as an admissions counselor, and worked there until 1986, when she moved to Park University in Parkville, Mo. “At Park University, I started as an admissions counselor,” said Smith. “I did just about everything, from being the event planner for student orientations, registrations and scholarships. At one point I was the admissions counselor for the international students, and then I was in charge of communications, handling outgoing letters and newsletters.” Smith said at one point she was responsible for all of the work-study students in the admissions offices at Park University. “At one time, I had 19 students reporting to me and it was like herding cats, but it was one of the most fun experiences that I had while I was a supervisor for those students,” said
University of St. Mary 1984-1986
Graphic by Katie Child, Washburn Review
Smith. Liedtke said that Smith has strong business-analysis skills, and she will help him and his team review their processes and their systems so that they can become more streamlined and serve students in a quicker and better fashion. “If we are taking 20 steps to do one thing and we can reduce it to 10, and that reduces my time sitting on a file so that I can work on another file, it just helps us process that much more,” said Liedtke. Liedtke said applications are up for the fall 2012 enrollment. Overall applications are up 15.7 percent, while freshmen applications are up 17.6 percent and transfers are up 12.7 percent. “Our goal is to continue enrollment growth on a positive track,” said Liedtke. “We are currently experiencing great success from year-to-date, but we always have to be careful because we have to finish. We’ve introduced people to the Washburn Experience and now we have to maintain those relationships throughout the process, so when it
Park University 1986-2010
comes time and those students are comparing us to other institutions, we are at the front of their thoughts.” Smith worked at Park University long enough to retire. Her other profession since August 2010, is selling real estate with her husband, Ken Smith, as well as consultant work for Ottawa University with their admissions and advancement office. “I’m excited to be here at Washburn, and I am still learning and asking a lot of questions so that I can give feedback,” said Smith. “Something I hope I can do is give a different perspective on the process of things.” Smith said her favorite part of working with admissions is the opportunity to do something different everyday. “Just seeing the students coming in and hearing what their hopes are for the future makes it a fun environment,” said Smith.
Brian Dulle is a senior mass media major. Reach him at brian.dulle@ washburn.edu.
Ottawa University 2010-2011
Washburn University 2012
A&E
Sports
Blues ride six game win streak into Lincoln WU drops Emporia State in round one of Turnpike Tussle at Lee Arena Sam Sayler
WASHBURN REVIEW
Free from the oppressive shackles of academic study, the Washburn University Lady Blues basketball team exploded past all adversaries, never losing a single game over winter break. Victims to the Tao of WU over the past month include Fort Hays State, Truman State, Missouri Western State, Central Missouri, Southwest Baptist, Missouri Southern State and Pittsburg State Universities. The most recent casualty of the Lady Blues before returning for the spring semester was the Emporia State University Lady Hornets this past Saturday, 73-66. A key component to WU’s victories has been Tiara George, junior forward, who has shot 77 percent over the past six games. “We brought in Tiara George at mid-semester,” said Ron McHenry, Washburn head coach. “It was good for her just to go in and practice and play and really focus. She’s starting to become a bigger part of the team.” While McHenry typically doesn’t look forward to winter break as a time to improve on basketball, he feels it was beneficial for the girls on the team. “We have a lot of kids with some difficult degrees,” said McHenry. “Cassie and Dana are in nursing. That takes a lot of time and energy. To be at the level they are, sometimes that takes a toll on you. When we go out there fresh, and school’s not going on, we can concentrate more on what we want to do.” According to McHenry, the time away from studying makes no difference, as his team always has basketball on their minds. “Every day, it’s the same time, and
Photo courtesy of Topeka Civic Theatre
Loads of Laughter: Topeka Civic Theater provides live entertainment with Laughing Matters, Laughing Matters Junior and The Senior Class. They use comic sketches, games based on audience suggestion and improvisation to entertain their audiences.
Topeka Civic Theatre makes ‘Laughing Matter’ Tricia Peterson
WASHBURN REVIEW
Photo by Richard Kelly, Washburn Review
Hussle and Tussle: Washburn’s Ebonie Williams battles for a loose ball during the first installment of the 2012 Turnpike Tussle against Emporia State. Washburn won 73-66. it’s the same routine,” said McHenry. “You can work on a lot of things. You can put new things in, and you can work new kids into your system.” Despite what McHenry called great rebounding and defense, the coach said
that the Lady Blues have to bring a high level of competition, especially against a formidable opponent like ESU.
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Topeka Civic Theatre is the place to go for a night of improv, games and shenanigans, provided by the members of Laughing Matters Improvisational Comedy Troupe and Laughing Matters Junior. Laughing Matters, Laughing Matters Junior and The Senior Class offer comic sketches and games based on audience suggestion. Laughing Matters was started in 1993 by TCT’s artistic director Shannon Reilly, and Laughing Matters Junior began in 2008. Laughing Matters Junior is directed by Dorianne Rees, who has also been involved in Laughing Matters for 10 years. “I take what I learn in Laughing Matters and apply it to [Laughing Matters Junior], only keep it cleaner,” said Rees. “We use Laughing Matters Jr. as a kind of training ground for Laughing Matters.” To join, the junior show individuals must be at least 14 years old and can be up to 19 years old, which means Washburn students can partici-
pate. High schools from around the area such as Washburn Rural, Topeka High, Topeka West and Seaman also have students participating. It’s a good way to get experience for future acting and also to move up to Laughing Matters some day. “All these kids come every Sunday and are willing and ready to work,” said Rees. “We rehearse, go over the rules of improv and learn the games.” All shows feature audience participation, skits and improvisational bits. For example, last Saturday they did a skit called “Speed Dating.” One actor leaves the room and three other come to the stage. The audience then decides who each actor will be and what kind of problem they have. One was Willie Wonka with diabetes, two was Arnold Schwarzenegger with a high-pitched voice and three was Waldo with a gas problem. The first actor returns to the stage and proceeds to go on three speed dates and when she is finished, she must guess who each one was supposed to be. This is just one example of the games they play for the audi-
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Welcome Back Students!
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* Frame Kits * Speakers
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* Computer Mouse * Index Cards
Remember 1/20/12 is the last day for a full textbook refund with receipt.