Current Issue: Volume 16 - Number 13 - Dec. 14, 2001
Regents unanimously approve surcharge
The Missouri Southern State College Board of Regents voted unanimously at its meeting Monday, Dec. 10, to impose a $12 per credit hour surcharge for the upcoming spring and summer semesters. The surcharge addresses likely serious cuts by the state of Missouri in funding for colleges and universities. In July of this year, the state withheld 5 percent of the operating budget from the colleges. The effect of this at Missouri Southern was a reduction of $1 million in operating funds and $9.5 million in construction funds. President, Julio León, told Regents on Monday night that the Associate Commissioner for Higher Education informed his office on Nov. 26 of possible additional withholdings from the budget for the 2002, to be followed by possible core budget cuts in 2003.
Missouri Southern is by no means the only institution taking steps to meet possible cuts in appropriations. Missouri Western State College imposed a $10 per credit hour surcharge for the spring semester. Northwest Missouri State University approved a $5 per credit hour surcharge. Southwest Missouri State University approved a $6 per credit hour tuition increase for the upcoming semester. State officials have left open the possibility that even more cuts might be on the way.
The state may defer payments of appropriations to schools as early as April of this year, Dr. León warned Regents. That would force each institution to rely on its reserves or borrow to make up the difference.
"It is difficult to know exactly what the state is going to do," Dr. León said. "But we know something is definitely coming. It is inevitable."
Schmidt to speak at 37th Commencement tomorrow
Missouri Southern State College will conduct Commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15 in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The 309 prospective graduates will be awarded 331 degrees during the Missouri Southern's 37th Commencement. Herb Schmidt, President of Contract Freighters Inc, (CFI) will be graduation speaker. Mr. Schmidt joined CFI in 1984, and has over 20 years experience in the trucking industry. He was appointed President of CFI May 1, 2000 by the CFI Board of Directors. Mr. Schmidt most recently served as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He has served as Vice President of Safety, Vice President of Administration and Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to CFI, Mr. Schmidt worked with United Parcel Service in operations and industrial engineering. He graduated summa cum laude from Missouri Southern State College in 1977. Participating in the ceremony will be students who complete their degree requirements at the end of the current semester.
Thirty-two to graduate with honors tomorrow morning
Thirty-two students will graduate with Honors Saturday. Seven students earned a four-year grade point average of 3.9 or above on a 4.0 scale and will graduate Summa Cum Laude.
Students earning perfect 4.0 GPAs were Alexander A. Belt, Joplin, Cheryl A. Cowgur, Seneca, Melissa Marie Deshayes, Longmont, Colo., Damian Krzysztof Kalinowski, Gdynia, Poland, Wendy Lee Phipps, Lamar, and Mary E. Spencer, Welch, Okla.
Nine students will graduate Magna Cum Laude with grade point averages of 3.80 to 3.89. Another nine will graduate Cum Laude with grade point averages of 3.70 to 3.79
.Three students receiving associate degrees are graduating with first honors (grade point averages of 3.90 or above). They are Cathleen A. Field, Carl Junction, Robert C. Nunnally, Joplin, and Charity JoLynn Rolando, Nevada, Mo. Nunnally received a perfect GPA of 4.0. One other student, Nicole LeAnn Gregory, Creighton, received third honors with a grade point average of 3.70-3.79.
Respiratory Therapy students compete in Texas
Respiratory Therapy students in the Missouri Southern/Franklin Technology Center consortium competed at the International Respiratory Congress in San Antonio, Tex., Dec. 1-4. The students represented Missouri at the national competition. The team consists of students Christopher McFall, Michael Dunson and Caleb Lewis, all of Joplin, and Victoria Chance of Osage Beach. Glenda Pippin, Director of the Respiratory Therapy Program at MSSC/FTC, accompanied the students to the competition. They competed against teams from Nebraska, Minnesota, Montana, Iowa, and Connecticut. The two-day preliminary competition ended with Missouri losing to Connecticut in overtime and placing fifth. The students received a standing ovation when it was announced that the team consisted entirely of Respiratory Therapy students. . The majority of the teams competing in the competition at the national level consist of educators and practitioners with several years experience in the field. Teams from Missouri Southern/Franklin Technology Center have won the state competition the last four years.
Suzuki students to perform in play-in concert
Missouri Southern Suzuki Violin Academy students of Jon Gayman, Kexi Liu and Elizabeth Meisinger and Roberta Sluder, Music, will perform a Play-In concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, at Webster Hall Auditorium at Missouri Southern. The leaders in the Play-In concert are Emily Higginson, Melissa Hoffmeister, Sam Jones, Alan Liu, Isaac Murphy, Toby Murphy and Kylee Tripoli. Piano accompanists are Becky Higginson and Tascille King. Area violin students are invited to join MSSVA students in the Play-In. For details of the program, contact MSSVA director, Kexi Liu, Music, at ext. 9681.
Fire Fighter I & II courses offered next semester
Missouri Southern State College's Fire Training Program will offer the Fire Fighter I & II Course Jan. 14-May 8, 2002. The course is approved by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety and is International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certified. It will transfer to all other IFSAC states including Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The course will be offered from 6-10 p.m., Monday and Wednesday evenings. Daylong classes will also be held on four Saturdays during the semester from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course will cover aspects of firefighting, safety, rescue, fire prevention and incident management and will be a mixture of classroom and hands-on application, including several live burn evolutions. It will also include certification in Hazardous Materials at both the Awareness and Operations levels. The cost of the course is $450, which includes all books, training materials and supplies. A partial tuition reimbursement from the Division of Fire safety is available upon successful completion of the certification exam. The course will be held in Room 147 of the Missouri Southern Justice Center. Seating for the course is limited. It is imperative that those planning to attend pre-pay to insure a seat in the course. For registration, information on costs or to obtain additional details, contact Brenda Norman, Criminal Justice, at (417) 625-9328 or e-mail norman-b@mssu.edu
Let your computer mouse do the walking!
It's easier than ever to stay in touch with events on campus! Simply click on the the "CALENDAR" or "Weekly Calendar" section of the choices listed to the left of the text area of Accents! to find out what's going on each week on campus. Don't miss that next cultural event, colloquium or film. Let your computer mouse do the walking and stay "in the know".
Lost Children's Network program highlights missing children
Missouri Southern, in cooperation with the Lost Children's Network, will add a half hour program to the SI-TV (Southern Instructional Television) network that highlights missing children. It will feature photos of children that are currently missing. The show can be seen over SI-TV on cable systems in Lamar, Carthage, Monett, Aurora, Neosho and Pierce City. KGCS-TV, which airs on Joplin/Webb City Cable channel 7 and UHF channel 57, will air the program in Joplin, Webb City and Carterville. Jerry Williams, Lifelong Learning/Continuing Education, says. " I think that featuring missing children very much coincides with the mission of a Division entitled Lifelong Learning. It just seems like something we should be doing." For more information, contact the Lifelong Learning/Continuing Education office at (417) 625-9368. Teachers Association presents KGCS with award KGCS has received a Media Award in the category of "Educational Service Announcement" for outstanding reporting of news in education from the Missouri State Teachers Association according to Judy Stiles, KGCS. She attended the most recent Joplin R-VIII School Board meeting to accept the award. "KGCS appreciates the support and recognition from the Joplin Teachers Association and the Missouri State Teachers Association, as well as the support from the Joplin R-VIII School District." Judy says. "We have a sincere interest in supporting education. As a station serving the community, we are proud to be able to provide this service linking the schools and the community. We enjoy working with the local schools and look forward to continuing to do so in the future." Judy adds that KGCS is currently in the process of producing a number of 30-second public service announcements in conjunction with the Joplin R-VIII School District. One promoting the Parents as Teachers program has been completed, and will soon be seen on local television stations.FACULTY/STAFF NOTES
Michael Yates, Social Sciences, presided over the session on "Washing Out Students for Failure in Internship, Practicum, or Clinical Components of Teacher Education Programs: Best Practices and Worst Nightmares at the National Convention of the Education Law Association in Albuquerque, N.M..
Boys & Girls Clubs of S.W. MO Flag Tournament Slated for Jan. 5.
Call (417) 438-8653 or (417) 483-8632 for sign-up and details on leagues for ALL ages (6-person teams). Youth: Grades 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, $60 team entry fee. Young Adult: Grades 9-12, $75 team entry fee. Adult: Over $75 team entry fee. Top Gun (most competitive): $75 team entry fee Powder Puff: Grade 9 - Adult (Ladies League) $75 team entry fee.
CLASSIFIED
Must Sell: 15' Alumacraft fishing
boat with trailer and 40 h.p. Mercury motor, power trim, trolling
motor, fish finder, two live wells, and full cover. All lake ready.
Good, clean boat. Only asking $1850. Call Ext. 9527 or 417-548-6135.
For Sale: 1991 Ford Ranger King Cab, automatic, 100,000
miles, good shape, tires only one year old. Runs great. $4,100. Call
625-9554 or work at 625-5134.
For Sale: 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, Green, Grey Cloth, all power, posi-trac rear end, towing package, 91,000 miles, serviced regularly, $13,750. Contact ext. 9770.
For Sale: Acoustic guitar and case, as good as new. Beautiful blonde woodwork, with gold metal tuning knobs and top-quality electronic pickup. Cost $400 new, will sacrifice for $300. Would make a great Christmas present. Contact ext. 9506 or call (417) 359-5980.
