There were no injuries reported from either the fire department or
Excide Technologies, the employees performed an excellent job of
safely evacuating the buildings and for their quick notification of the fire department.

The fire was determined to be accidental in nature upon further
investigation by Fire Investigator Troy Long of the Salina Fire
Department, it was identified that fire had extended in to the ventilation system (Bag House #8) which serves as the filtration unit for the lead smelting pot inside the structure.

The book, illustrated by Priti Gulati Cox, is the first-person narrative of a young boy who moves with his family from the city to a small farm in Kansas. By working in his family’s garden and through encounters with friends, the narrator learns about farming and food in a variety of places, including China, Mexico, Nigeria and India.

The initial project, including the book’s creation and its display in the Salina Public Library in January and February 2006, was funded by a Horizons Grant from the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission. Cox and Van Tassel published the book this fall through their own company, Two Trees Publishing. For more information, call 785-536-4300.

Van Tassel has taught writing and American literature full-time at Bethany College since 2005. Last year, she received the Mortvedt Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership. She is a member of The Land Institute’s Prairie Writers Circle. Her essays and articles on place, ecology, motherhood, and travel have appeared in AlterNet, Counterpunch, Mamazine, Transitions Abroad and World Hum, and her essay “The Places We Find Ourselves” was selected as “Notable Travel Writing” in “The Best American Travel Writing 2007.”

Cox, a native of Hyderabad, India, lives and works as a visual artist in Salina. She was a graphic artist in India before moving to Salina in 2000. Her work has been on display at various locations in Kansas, including the Sandzén Gallery in Lindsborg, Kansas. She has also been commissioned by a number of major public events, including Salina’s Smoky Hill River Festival and The Land Institute’s Prairie Festival. In 2008, her painting/installation “Unfinished Portrait” commemorated the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives in the Iraq war.

Persons with the following health plans, who bring their cards, may be covered:
Medicare Part B; Medicaid; Children’s Mercy, Unicare, Private Medicare Advantage Plan C

Everyone 6 months of age and older will be eligible. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Household members with babies younger than 6 months of age are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated for influenza. If you have questions called the Salina-Saline County Health Department

The 2008 Alumni Award recipients are Brenda (Brzon) Bott (’79), Paola, Kansas, Philip Coleman (’68), Salina, and Dr. Stefanie (Milam) Greiten (’02), Sunnyvale, California, will be honored during the annual Alumni Dinner Friday (October 10).

Brenda (Brzon) Bott (’79), Paola, Kansas
Alumni Achievement Award

Bott is the 2008 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award. The award was established to recognize alumni for outstanding accomplishment in his/her chosen field.

A teacher at Shawnee Mission West High School, Bott has been a science educator for 27 years. In addition to her teaching at Shawnee Mission West High School, Bott also has served as an Associate Professor at Johnson County Community College, teaching a variety of Biology courses.

Additionally, Bott is the creator of the Shawnee Mission School District’s Biotechnology Program. According to a story about the program that appeared in the Kansas City Star (September 10, 2007), “Shawnee Mission’s program is distinctive because it’s designed to appeal to a wide range of students: those heading toward advanced degrees in science and a future in research as well as those who hope for careers as lab technicians.” The program offers students a hands-on experience in a biotechnology lab and includes career shadowing, guest speakers, and research projects.

Philip Coleman (’68), Salina
Alumni Service Award

Coleman is the 2008 recipient of the Alumni Service Award. This award was established to recognize alumni for notable and devoted loyalty to Kansas Wesleyan.

Coleman has served Kansas Wesleyan in a variety of ways since his graduation in 1968. He has served as a nine-year member of the University’s Board of Trustees and has served in various capacities with the Alumni Association, including four years as President. Coleman is a 38-year member of the Alumni Association and a long-time member of the Kansas Wesleyan Athletic Booster Club. Coleman also served as President of the W Clan for five years. He has served on the Kansas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee for a number of years, and is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame. He and his family have served as a host family for numerous members of the Men’s Basketball Team.

Coleman has worked on behalf of the University on a number of fund-raising campaigns and is a long-time contributor to the University. Coleman also has served as chair of the University’s real estate committee.

Additionally, Coleman has taught numerous classes at Kansas Wesleyan and presented a variety of management and employee seminars. He volunteers his time to the University for a variety of activities, including ushering at Commencement and assisting with Buck Meals, the Sunday night meal sponsored by University United Methodist Church.

Dr. Stefanie (Milam) Greiten (’02), Sunnyvale, California
Young Alumna Award

Greiten is the 2008 recipient of the Young Alumna Award. This award was established to recognize alumni 35 years of age or younger for their extraordinary achievements and service.

Greiten is an astrochemist working with NASA scientists at the Ames Research Center and the SETI Institute in California. She received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Arizona in 2007. Her dissertation was “Studies of Astrochemistry in molecular clouds, circumstellar envelopes and comets via radio astronomy and mm/sub-mm spectroscopy.” Her research projects included Galactic and circumstellar isotope ratios, cometary chemistry, carbon chemistry in planetary nebulae, and a spectral survey of an oxygen-rich Supergiant.

“To her credit, Stefanie’s contributions have helped shape the interdisciplinary field of astrochemistry. She is best known among astrochemists for measurements of carbon isotopes in interstellar clouds, stars and comets. This research has documented chemical changes that have led to our understanding of the origin of carbon and how this element has been distributed throughout the universe and within the Solar System. Her work on carbon extends from the outer limits of our Galaxy to our own backyard, wrote Susan Wyckoff, an Emeritus Professor of Physics at Arizona State University who has worked with Greiten.

“Stefanie has also discovered complex carbon-bearing molecules in comets and distant stars. Her work has contributed to our understanding of the chemistry that culminated in the development of life on Earth. Her current work at Ames is also forging new frontiers. She is now conducting experiments to understand the origin of the molecular precursors to life on Earth. No research topic could be more fundamental or relevant today. I have no doubt that she will continue to accomplish spectacular scientific results in the years to come,” Wyckoff added.

Total student enrollment for the semester is 587 students, a nine percent increase from last fall’s 537 students. The jump in total enrollment represents the college’s fourth best year-to-year percentage increase since 1976.

“As we celebrate Homecoming and the opening of our new apartment-style residence hall this week, we also celebrate the campus-wide efforts that have helped so many new students become valuable members of the Bethany community,” said Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III. “Bethany continues to make progress towards meeting our near-term enrollment goal of 750 to 800 students.”

This year’s student body includes 248 new students, as compared to 212 last year. First-time freshmen enrollment increased dramatically, with 178 freshmen this fall. This represents a 39-percent increase from last fall’s 128 freshmen. There also are 70 transfer students.

The increase has meant that, until students moved into Bethany’s new apartment-style residence hall this week, the four residence halls on campus were filled at 97% capacity.

Nearly ninety percent of freshmen – 159 of 178 students – are participating in at least one performance area of music, art or athletics. Of these, 49 are participating in two or more performance areas.

“Students are looking for an institution where they can be involved, inside and outside the classroom, and where their efforts matter. I think this is what they find at Bethany. Beginning with this year’s service trip to Greensburg, Bethany’s new students are already making a difference on campus and in local communities,” said Tricia Hawk, dean of admissions and financial aid.

More Bethany students now come from international countries. This year, 45 students represent 28 international countries on campus, as compared to 26 students from 15 countries last fall. Every continent except for Antarctica is represented.

“As our economies and cultures become more and more interrelated, it is even more important than ever that we come to know people from different backgrounds and cultures. These students enrich our lives and hopefully help us to look at ourselves and our country with a broader understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the world,” said Sharon Bruce, international student coordinator.

Bethany students also come from 29 states, with the highest populations coming from Kansas, Texas, Colorado and California.

Overall, the student population is 49% female and 24% U.S. ethnic minority, up from 23% last year. About 17% of students self-identify as Lutheran.

(picture is the freshman class of Bethany College)