Launching a new era of music education and music performance in central Washington, Central Washington University will open the doors to its new, state-of-the-art music education building on Sunday, Oct. 3.

The $29-million facility measures approximately 70,000 square feet and features a 600-seat concert hall, 150-seat recital hall, 30 practice rooms, four rehearsal rooms and several classrooms and faculty studios.

Among its most impressive features are a main entry with high ceilings and tall windows for natural light and a main performance hall with VIP boxes. In addition, walls and ceilings of rehearsal rooms are tailored to particular music groups. For instance, the choir room is shaped and outfitted differently than the orchestra room.

"This building means a tremendous step for the department of music and the community," Dr. Chris Aspaas, CWU director of choral activity, says. "Guest artists will now be lured to the region in part due to the quality of performing spaces. For an institution of higher learning, this kind of facility is almost unheard of."

Design of the two-phase facility began in 1999. Studio Meng Strazzara served as the project architect-engineer. With Lydig Construction filling the role of project contractor, construction of Phase 1, including the concert and recital halls, started in October 2002. Phase 2, involving the classrooms, practice facilities and faculty studios, began the following year.

"We thank our legislative delegation and other friends of Central in the state Senate and House who worked long and hard to provide the funding we needed to achieve our goal for all the people of the state," CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre notes.

The first performance in the new building, featuring students and faculty, will take place Sunday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m.

Noting his high respect for "regional, teaching universities," George Cole has accepted the position of Central Washington University's new development officer for the College of Arts and Humanities and College of the Sciences.

In announcing Cole's hiring, Dr. Paul Baker, CWU vice president of university relations, said, "George brings a wealth of experience working in the non-profit sector and in establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships. We are very excited about George joining and making an impact on the Central team."

For the past four years, Cole has served as director of development for Montana PBS in Bozeman, Mont., where he was the primary fundraiser for a statewide public television system that serves more than 60 communities.

He was responsible for major donor and membership fund-raising activities involving some 8,300 pledging households. Cole also successfully led a $9.6 million capital campaign to convert Montana PBS to a digital transmission system.

"I enjoy building relationships and friendships," Cole points out, "and I think that's a primary tool in fundraising. When you're talking about such things as scholarships for university students or other projects, they can be intangible. But, they have great merit. So, the ability to talk with people about something that might be a bit intangible -- but is needed to help build bright minds - is the kind of work that excites me."

Cole, a graduate of the University of Montana, Missoula, with bachelor's degrees in political science and history, will begin his CWU responsibilities on Oct. 1.

On Sept. 2, Central Washington University received bids from five general contactors seeking to head up work on the new 228,261-square-foot, three-story Student Union and Recreation Center and associated site work on the Ellensburg campus.

The low bid was received from Lydig Construction Inc. of Spokane, which was subsequently awarded the construction contract, in the amount of $40,743,000, according to Bill Yarwood, CWU major capital projects manager.

Construction work on the project site is scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 27.

Lydig has also been involved with renovation work on Black and Kamola halls and McConnell Auditorium. In addition, it served as general contractor for both the new CWU music education building and Ellensburg High School.

The student union portion of the new facility, scheduled to open in April 2006, will include dining services, the University Store, tenant spaces, a theatre, meeting rooms, student government and administrative offices, and the student radio station.

The recreation center, scheduled to open in January 2006, will include a four-court gymnasium, elevated running track, rock climbing wall, fitness/cardiovascular and strength training areas, group exercise rooms, outdoor equipment rentals and locker rooms.

The official groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Thursday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m. The ceremony at the project site will be followed by an afternoon celebration including a barbecue, live entertainment, climbing wall, competitions and giveaways.

The Central Theatre Ensemble (CTE) 2004-05 season has been announced.

It begins with "Lloyd's Prayer," by Kevin Kling, a quirky, modern comedy about Bob, a boy raised by raccoons, who meets Lloyd, an ex-con and huckster who is bent on making a quick buck off of "Bob the Beast Boy."

"Lloyd's Prayer" opens Oct. 28, with performances through Nov. 6, in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre.

The French Restoration comedy "Tartuffe," by Moliére, opens Nov. 12, with performances through Nov. 21, in McConnell Auditorium. The play is about Orgon and his mid-life crisis, during which he adopts a religious severity. Leading Orgon in his piety is Tartuffe, a conniving hypocrite. Through the comic adventure, the truth about Tartuffe is finally revealed.

Fall quarter concludes with "SHORTS: An Evening of Original Plays," written and directed by CWU students, Dec. 1-4 in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre.

CTE will co-sponsor Ellensburg's first Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering, on Feb. 11 and 12, with world-class entertainers appearing on the McConnell Auditorium stage.

That will be followed by the "Dr. Betty Evans Original One Act Festival," also written and directed by CWU students. Four plays are shown each evening. The festival runs March 1-5 in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre.

CTE will then launch the Youth Theatre Tour production of "Charlotte's Web." Performances are slated for the Milo Smith Tower Theatre April 22-30,.

CTE concludes the season with "Frankenstein," by Victor Gialanella, adapted from the novel by Mary Shelley, May 12 through 21 in McConnell Auditorium.

The CTE box office will open for business on Oct. 4 and will be open weekday afternoons and one hour prior to curtain at the performance venue.

In most cases, children under the age of 6 will not be admitted to CTE productions. Parents with questions can call the box office for more information.

Gerard HOGAN, library, served as a volunteer library associate at the Glacier National Park Library in West Glacier, Mont., during July and August. The library is open to the public but primarily serves park service staff, interpreters, naturalists, and researchers. He assisted in reference, cataloging, rare book processing, indexing and various other tasks for the newly relocated facility.

Martha KURTZ, chemistry and science education, presented a session titled "Chemistry Can Be Fun" to high school GEAR UP students from Renton on July 28. The students learned about acids and bases and used them to do some metal chemistry ultimately creating a copper-plated ornaments and copper, "silver," and "gold" pennies. In addition, Kurtz and students Michelle NEWLAND, Tyler RICE, Jonathan BETZ, Matthew BREWER and Krista STROM hosted 50 GEAR UP 6th and 7th grade students for the 2004 Way Cool Science Discovery Camp Aug. 10-12. The middle school students participated in sessions titled soap and disease, kitchen chemistry, facial reconstruction, forensics, and heart and lungs. The camp was once again a huge success.

Patrick LUBINSKI, anthropology, had a single author article published this summer, entitled "Rabbit Hunting and Bone Bead Production at a Late Prehistoric Camp in the Wyoming Basin." The article was published in the journal "North American Archaeologist" (Vol. 24, pages 197-214).

Terry MARTIN, English, has an article in the most recent issue of Inland: A Journal for Teachers of English Language Arts, and an article forthcoming in WILLA: NCTE's Women in Literature Assembly Journal. She also had poems published in the most recent issues of "The Sow's Ear Poetry Review" and "MaryJanesFarm," and forthcoming in "Calyx," "Rattle," "ByLine" and "Tundra."

Charles REASONS, law and justice, published an article entitled "Civilian Review: Some Observations" in "Law Enforcement Executive Forum" July, 2004). The article overviews the literature concerning external review of police departments by civilian led bodies. The journal is dedicated to major issues in policing in the United States.

Mary Ellen REIMUND, law and justice, has had an article, "Confidentiality in Victim Offender Mediation -- A False Promise?" accepted for publication in the "Journal of Dispute Resolution."

Christian I. SCHNEIDER, professor emeritus of foreign languages, presented organ concerts this summer in Scotland, France and Germany. In Glasgow, Scottish musicians performed Schneider's "Sonata da chiesa." He also gave recitals at the historic organ in the Cathedral of Langres, in France, the Castle Church at Altenburg, Germany (near Leipzig), with an instrument formerly played by J. S. Bach, and at the Silbermann Monument in the Stiftskirche in Lahr (Black Forest), where Schneider served as an organist during his high school time there. He also performed several of his new compositions for organ.

Bang-Soon YOON, political science, published a book chapter on "Gender Politics in South Korea: Putting Women on the Political Map," in Korea Economic Institute, Confrontation and Innovation on the Korean Peninsula, (Washington, D.C.: Korea Economic Institute, 2003), pages 120-133.

CWU WELLNESS HOUR CHANGES

The 20th annual Central Wellness Hour began Sept. 22. There are several new instructors this year, increased wellness options and some new fitness machines.

However, because of the Nicholson Pavilion remodeling, Wellness Hour participants will not have a locker available to them until after Nov. 1. That means that women must use the old men's P.E. locker room, while men are using the varsity men's locker room. While participants can still change and shower, with towel service available, valuables should not brought to Wellness Hour.

In the case that a locker is absolutely necessary, the CWU pool locker rooms is available on a daily basis only. The showers there may also be used.

For those who may have left items in the locker, they have been taken to Nicholson 116 and may be picked up there.

YOUR INPUT SOUGHT

The computer science department at is seeking software project proposals for consideration for our majors' senior capstone projects. The ideal project is one that is well defined, not easily satisfied with commercial off-the-shelf software, and requires some custom programming effort.

The computer science majors' senior capstone projects require students to work together in groups of four to five to develop solutions to real-world software problems for real clients.

Fall quarter is spent interviewing the client and performing requirements analysis and specification to ensure the right product is developed. Winter quarter is devoted to implementation of the project.

Projects are expected to be finished at the end of the spring term.

Project proposals may be suggested by e-mail to Jim Schwing (schwing@cwu.edu) at extension 1432

SEATTLE SYMPHONY TICKETS

CWU will present the Seattle Symphony in concert Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the university's music education facility. The performance is sponsored by Cave B Estate Winery, Coca-Cola, Puget Sound Energy, Lydig Construction and the associated students of CWU (ASCWU) board of directors.

Assistant conductor Christian Knapp will lead the orchestra in a program that includes Tchaikovsky's Serenade in C major for Strings, Op. 48; Stravinsky's Suite from Pulcinella; and Mozart's Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, "Jupiter."

Tickets for the performance are $25. They're available at the SUB ticket counter, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by calling extension 3513 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door (cash or check only).

CWU EMPLOYEES

Civil Service new hires: Michael Buttrey, Credentials Evaluator II, Registrar Services; Denee Caterson, Office Assistant III, Admissions; Lee Davis, Transportation/Mail Lead, Facilities Management; Colleen Feeney-Griffith, Early Childhood Program Specialist, Early Childhood Learning Center; Catherine Gibb, Program Assistant (SEVIS), Office of International Studies and Programs; Rafael Gomez-Vilchis, Custodian, Facilities Management; Colleen Hall, Custodian, Facilities Management; James Henkel, Construction Coordinator, Facilities Management; Brian Holmgren, Program Assistant, Facilities Management; Theresa Huss, Food Service Supervisor I, Dining Services; Karen Lasik, Early Childhood Program Specialist, Early Childhood Learning Center; Tammy Moad, Office Assistant III, CWU-Wenatchee Center; Cindy Parker, Cook, Dining Services; Sarena Perry, Office Assistant II, Provost; Sandra Stuffer, Office Assistant III, CWU-SeaTac at Green River Community College; Jamin Thomas, Cook, Dining Services; Tammy Wilson, Fiscal Specialist II, College of the Sciences.

Civil Service job changes: Pam Buchholz, Custodian, Facilities Management; Todd Peterson, Cook, Dining Services; Wanda Waldron, Secretary Senior, Art.

Exempt new hires: Julie Cloninger, Senior Director of Development, University Relations; Jerry Enriquez, Project Coordinator, CAMP, College Assistant Migrant Program; Lee Lundquist, Project Coordinator, HEP, High School Equivalency Program; Robert Mahan, Occupational Therapy, Special Education Teacher Center; Megan Schmidt, Counselor/Clinical Psychologist, Health, Counseling and Wellness.

Exempt job changes: Lynne Imamshah, Coordinator, Campus Community Coalition, Wildcat Wellness Center; Chris Smart, Coordinator, Media Production and Development, Multimedia Technology & Instructional Support.

Friday, October 1
CWU Army ROTC: "Manastash Dash." Race to the top of the Manastash Ridge, 7 a.m. (from the parking lot at Cove and Manastash Road). Free registration 30 minutes prior to race. Awards for top finishers from Mountain High Sports.
Volleyball: CWU women vs. Western Oregon, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion.
First Friday Comedy Night: 8 p.m., SUB Club Central.

Saturday, October 2
Yakima River Clean Up. Football: CWU vs. Humboldt State, 1 p.m., Tomlinson Stadium.
Volleyball: CWU women vs. Humboldt State, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion.

Sunday, October 3
Grand Opening: New Music Education Building.
1:30 p.m.: CWU Marching Band parades to the new facility.
2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting ceremony.
2:15 p.m.: Community open house and student performances.
3 p.m.: Final concert

Tuesday, October 5
Classic Film Series: "Osama," 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass.

Wednesday, October 6
Music: Linda Marra, faculty voice recital, 7 p.m., Music Education Building.
Papa John's Coffeehouse: 8 p.m., SUB Club Central.

Thursday, October 7
Groundbreaking ceremony: SUB/REC, 11:30 a.m.

Friday, October 8
Diversity Education Center: "Box City: An Experiential Look at the Plight of the Homeless." 5 p.m. $3 donation or nonperishable items. Location: TBA

Saturday, October 9
Music: Suzuki Festival, all day, Music Education Building.
Football: CWU vs. Eastern Oregon, 1 p.m., Tomlinson Stadium.

Sunday, October 10
Music: Faculty Showcase Concert, 4 p.m., Music Education Building.

Monday, October 11
Campus Activities/Diversity Education Center: "An Evening With Danny and Paul" (from MTV's Real World New Orleans), 7:30 p.m., SUB Ballroom.

Tuesday, October 12
Classic Film Series: "Manchurian Candidate (2004)," 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass.

Wednesday, October 13
Music: Seattle Symphony, 7:30 p.m., Music Education Building. $25. Tickets: 509-963-3513.

Friday, October 15
Homecoming Dance
Women's Soccer: CWU women vs. Concordia (Ore.), 3 p.m., university soccer complex.
Music: Larry Zalkind, Trombonist, 7 p.m., Music Education Building.

Saturday, October 16
Football: CWU vs. Western Oregon (Homecoming), 1 p.m., Tomlinson Stadium.
Campus Life: "Drew Carey's Improv All Stars." 8 p.m. Nicholson Pavilion. $47 premium floor, $37 general admission, $25 CWU students. Tickets: 509-963-3513.

Sunday, October 17
Music: Alumni Showcase Concert. 4 p.m. Music Education Building.

Tuesday, October 19
Presidential Speaker Series: Dr. David M. Abshire, "The Grace and Power of Civility: Commitment and Tolerance in the American Experience." 7 p.m. McConnell Auditorium.
Music: John Michel, Faculty Cello Concert, "Bach Cello Suites - part 1," 7 p.m., Music Education Building.

Wednesday, October 20
Music: John Michel, "Bach Cello Suites - part 2," 7 p.m., Music Education Building.
Classic Film Series: "Battle of Algiers," 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass.
Papa John's Coffeehouse: 8 p.m., SUB Club Central.

Friday, October 22
Volleyball: CWU women vs. Alaska Anchorage, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion.
Soccer: CWU women vs. Simon Fraser, 3 p.m., university soccer complex.

Saturday, October 23
CWU Open House (for prospective students), various locations across campus, 10 a.m.
Music: Sonatina Festival, all day, Music Education Building.
Volleyball: CWU women vs. Alaska Fairbanks, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion.
Music: Seattle Peace Chorus, 8 p.m., Music Education Building.

Sunday, October 24
Music: Shirley Diamond, Faculty Saxophone Recital, 7 p.m., Music Education Building.

Monday, October 25
Soccer: CWU women vs. Seattle, 3 p.m., university soccer complex.

Tuesday, October 26
Classic Film Series: "Duck Soup"/"The Navigator," 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass.
Music: String Studio Recital, 7 p.m., Music Education Building.

Wednesday, October 27
Music: Benjermin Leslie, Student Cello Recital, 7 p.m., Music Education Building.
Papa John's Coffeehouse: 8 p.m., SUB Club Central.

Thursday, October 28
Theatre: "Lloyd's Prayer," 7 p.m., Milo Smith Tower Theatre. $12 general, $8 students, $10 seniors.

Friday, October 29
Wildcat Wellness Center: "Free Latte Day," 9 a.m. West side of Kamola Hall (across from McConnell Auditorium).
Music: Orchestra Halloween Concert, noon and 7 p.m., Music Education Building.
Theatre: "Lloyd's Prayer," 8 p.m., Milo Smith Tower Theatre. $12 general, $8 students, $10 seniors.

Saturday, October 30
Soccer: CWU women vs. Humboldt State, noon, university soccer complex.
Football: CWU vs. Western Washington (Cascade Cup), 1 p.m., Tomlinson Stadium.
Theatre: "Lloyd's Prayer," 8 p.m., Milo Smith Tower Theatre. $12 general, $8 students, $10 seniors.

Sunday, October 31
Theatre: "Lloyd's Prayer," 2 p.m., Milo Smith Tower Theatre. All seats $8.
Soccer: CWU vs. Seattle Pacific, 3 p.m., CWU soccer complex.
Boo Central: 5-8 p.m., SUB.