C-SC students enjoy the sites of China.

Faculty and students travel to China

A group of C-SC students, faculty, family, and friends made the most of their Christmas break by traveling through China for 13 days as part of Culver-Stockton's study abroad program. The C-SC group was paired with a group of 13 MBA students and faculty from Kansas State University to explore the historical, cultural, and business offerings on this trip.

"What I enjoyed most was being exposed to the culture and taking in the ancient history that is so different from what is available in America," said Kim Gaither, associate professor of finance. "You can read all about the sites in books and on the internet, but you don't really appreciate the differences until you experience them firsthand."

The tour started in the northern part of China with the group visiting sites in Beijing including the Drum Tower area where everyone enjoyed rickshaw rides through the Hutang district, climbed the Great Wall, viewed the Olympic venues, and toured Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. Later they visited the older city Xi'an where they were able to walk through the dig sites and view the army of terra-cotta soldier. In Shanghai, the group ascended the highest tower in the city where they could enjoy breathtaking views of the city's architecture. The trip ended in southern China with visits to Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Click here to view the photo gallery.

According to Gaither, the students experienced a cultural shock when they arrived. "The food and the time change were the most difficult adjustments, but students accepted it and really matured throughout the experience."

"China was very overwhelming, exciting, beautiful, and worth visiting," said Emily Johnston, C-SC student. "I realized there is no place like home. American citizens don't realize what they have until they travel to another country where the land is littered, the wage rate is $200 a month in American dollars, and the living environment is often unsafe for your health."

The largest barrier was the language, but the tour guide, John Xhang, helped them learn phrases and used word games as a way to gain knowledge.

"Overall I felt the trip to China was a great experience," said Caly Kite, C-SC student. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the culture of another country as well as have a chance to tour some of the important businesses in China. There are so many beautiful places in China and that is something that will stay in my mind forever. I know that after going on this trip, I really appreciate being an American and the freedoms that we have."

Read about the adventure Culver-Stockton students experienced.

Mathieson to perform at First Union Congregational Church

In keeping with a Sunday Music Series tradition of more than 30 years, soprano Carol Mathieson, professor of music at Culver-Stockton, and pianist Leonora Suppan Gehrich will perform "Camera da Chiesa: Chamber Music" at the First Union Congregational Church, 12th and Maine, Quincy, Ill., at 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 27. The concert is free and open to the public.

Historically, middle Baroque instrumentalists played in small groups for wealthy nobles or church functions. Sunday's concert honors that era with a performance by Mat Shefcik on piccolo trumpet to accompany Mathieson in an Allesandro Scarlatti aria from the opera "Endemione e Cintia." A performer in the Chicago area, Shefcik plays principal trumpet with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and also teaches at Culver-Stockton College.

According to Mathieson, the clarinet was still rather novel when Louis Spohr wrote an obbligato in the "Six German Songs" that Mathieson will sing with Quincy University professor, Louis Margaglione. "Once standardized, the clarinet became a staple for all sorts of ensembles from orchestra to marching band to Dixieland," she said, adding that a favorite chamber grouping was piano with clarinet and bassoon. Quincy Park Band bassoonist Jane Holt will play the reed bass in a trio in the Rococo style on Sunday.

Chamber music also can include small parts of large works. Quincy University Choral Director Allen Means and Mathieson have sung in large productions with the Muddy River Opera Company; but, they will sing smaller baritone-soprano duets for "Camera da Chiesa."

Quincy University artist-in-residence Leonora Suppan Gehrich, who appears frequently in Europe and North America, will be Sunday's accompanist playing a variety of styles from continuo to transcription to authentic piano accompaniment.

Chi Omegas reunite in Farmington, Mo.

Chi Omegas reunite   

Chi Omegas who attended Culver-Stockton during the 1960s have gathered together every two years since 1999. The reunions have taken place in Quincy, Ill., Colorado Springs, Colo., St. Charles, Ill., and Washington, D.C.  The most recent reunion was in Farmington, Mo., where 32 Chi Omegas and some of their husbands shared stories of their days at Culver-Stockton. "We had the pleasure of having President Bill Fox and his wife Lynn join us for lunch at our home," said Kay Leftwich Ward. 

Attendees included:

Leslie Cassidy Abbott Jim Carr Jan Hartmann Chaney  Shirley Sanders Collier  Laura K. Doran  Betsy Fair  Patti Wolfe Gould  Joyce Haddow Hogeveen  Sue Toben Kovalick  Kitty Nies Krueckeberg  Joe MacDoniels  Karen Daniel Migas  Phyllis Abrams Parsons  Trenna Pickett  Carol Hopkins Swank Beth Ann Wildman Vaughan  Kay Leftwich Ward  Mary Sue Wildman

Jeanne Baxter Carfora Linda Shrader Carr      Carole Stout Clanton Sandy Noeth Davis Bev Nichols Dunn Lola Sapp Garrison Susanne Shaw Harris   Cathy Carmody Hubbard Walt Kovalick Donna Doran Mabry Rosie Grossenbacher MacDoniels Sandra Mason Nickell  Carolyn Hadsell Peter        Carol Smith Russell    Barbara Alford Torbjornsen   Sandy Ohne Vincent Frank Ward BarbYatesYamanishi

The next Mu Gamma, Chi Omega Reunion will be in San Antonio, Texas, in 2009. The National Chi Omega Convention will be July 11, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo.

 
Student interns at Adams County States Attorney Office

Melissa Elderton is spending her spring semester as an intern at the Adams County State's Attorney Office in Quincy, Ill. Elderton is a senior criminal justice major from Heyworth, Ill.

"I always knew that I wanted to be involved in some aspect of law," said Elderton. "My favorite shows growing up and still to this day are the 'Law and Order' programs."

Her internship will include spending her days with Gary Farha, assistant state's attorney, in the courtroom and other days assisting with paperwork.

"I am on track to go to law school and working on the application process right now," said Elderton. "The internship will help me decide if law is really my desired career field."

Where eagles fly: 5th Annual Canton Eagle Day

On Saturday, February 2, the Lewis County Conservation Department will focus high magnification spotting scopes near the edge of the Mississippi River for the 5th Annual Canton Eagle Day celebration. Sponsored by the Community Betterment Association, Canton Eagle Day offers free assisted eagle viewing to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mississippi River Park at Lock and Dam 20. Conservation Agent Brock McArdle will answer questions and provide information about eagles and other wildlife along the Mississippi River. Agent McArdle will also explain the design and function of the artificial roosts that have been erected on the riverbanks.

Dr. Joe Coelho, assistant professor of biology, Quincy University, will give presentations each hour about eagle habits and habitat inside the heated Lock and Dam 20 building. An award-winning wildlife photographer, Coelho will include several of his prize photos of local birds in his presentations. Coffee and hot chocolate will be available throughout the viewing day.

For further information, call Cindy Kell, Canton City Hall, 573-288-4413.

Dr. Scott Giltner, associate professor of history, along with Andy Walsh, associate professor of religion and philosophy, speaks about the Civil Rights Movement during the Martin Luther King, Jr., observance January 21.

John Tripp, senior lecturer in business, speaks to the C-SC education
students about "Entrepreneurs and Educators."