Woods Briefs: Fall 2019

News and notes about William Woods students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Updated continuously throughout the semester.

William Woods Students, Faculty, and Staff

Grace Herbek, ’20 interned with Missouri Botanical Gardens over the summer of 2019. As a Graphic Design major, graduating in 2020, Herbek used her skills to create content specific for the Gardens and to reach the public on the engaging events happening within the summer. One specific event Herbek worked on was the curation of the Garden Treasure Hunt, a series of photos giving families unique perspectives of the Gardens, including architecture and flora as well. “Working at the Botanical Gardens this summer gave me insight into the reality of having a job within the art world. As students, we don’t always see much of the pragmatic aspects of working in the arts, so this opportunity really let me peek into what life could be like as a graphic designer after university,” Herbek says regarding her experience. “My supervisor was extremely talented and helpful. Getting to meet all of the vendors was a great learning opportunity as well.” This series will continue through November 10th of this year, giving plenty of time for anyone curious to see the wonderful work was done by a WWU student!

Kailey Morris, ’20 received the Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators (MOSHAPE) Outstanding Student Major award. The purpose of the program is to honor outstanding future professionals in the state and to focus attention on the work they have accomplished. 

Grace Meinhardt, ’21 had a poem accepted for publication in The Little Death Lit’s 3rd issue. The publication is ran by a group of 2015 college graduates and they accept submissions from all over the nation.

Miriam O’Callaghan, Professor of Management, published her second book titled “Conscio-Smart” on leadership in a new-age business and industrial world. Dr. O’Callaghan is a lifetime educator whose passion, and higher purpose in life, is teaching. For her, teaching is an act of service to help students develop competencies that they need to succeed in the highly complex world of industry. She credits William Woods with allowing her to realize her real potential at work. 

CPT Brett Kirk, Instructor of Leadership and Military Science, was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain within the Missouri Army National Guard. CPT Brett Kirk is the OIC for the Show-Me GOLD program at William Woods University.

William Woods Alumni

Taylor Finkel, ’17 moved to Australia to work at Widden Studs, a thoroughbred breeding farm. She worked there for 10 months, and then moved to Kentucky to work on another breeding farm. “William Woods really helped me with time management. I had to balance extra-curricular activities, being in a sorority, and working with the horses. I also had a job outside of school and had to balance homework. That skill of time management definitely played a big role with where I am at now.”

Kathy Pabst, ’00 was elected President of the Missouri Society of Association Executives. Pabst is a director of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians in Jefferson City.