Current Issue: Volume 16 - Number 16 - Jan.18, 2002
Langston Hughes Centennial activities underway
Activities surrounding the Centennial Celebration of Joplin's favorite son, Langston Hughes, are underway. Langston Hughes was born Feb. 1, 1902 in Joplin. Considered by many to number among the greatest American poets of the 20th century, he is particularly admired for his innovative use of blues and jazz rhythms in poetry to express his African American cultural heritage. He also wrote novels, short stories, plays, opera lyrics and books for children. Hughes was the central figure in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and was a powerful voice against racism. A new postage stamp, featuring Hughes' portrait, will be issued in New York City on his birthday. The Joplin Stamp Club will issue a commemorative cachet, a second-day cancellation. Specific activities in Joplin include:
- Jan. 4-28: In Celebration of Langston Hughes: Black Art, Ancestral Legacy: African-American artists interpret the question, "What is Africa?" through visual arts, writings and masks. Student works inspired by Hughes included in Upstairs Gallery. Spiva Center for the Arts, 222 Wall, Joplin, MO. Call (417) 623-0183.
- Jan. 23: Langston at the Green Room: An open microphone presentation featuring poetry by African-American poets. Mike Rodgers, English, will perform "as" Langston Hughes. 8:30 p.m. to close, Green Room, 1602 Main in Joplin.
- Jan. 24: Unveiling Langston: A sculptured bust of Langston Hughes by Nicole Hughes and Dewane Hughe, Art, will be installed at its permanent home at the Joplin Public Library. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Library, 300 Main, Joplin. Telephone (417) 623-7953.
- Jan. 24: Student Architect Presentation: Three students of Drury College, Springfield, Mo., will present drawings of a potential Cultural Center Inspired by Hughes. Showing begins at 6:30 p.m., Post Memorial Art Reference Library, 300 Main, Joplin.
- Jan 31: Three-day Langston Hughes Centennial Conference (through Feb. 1): To be held at Missouri Southern State College. Nationally known scholars meet to discuss and assess Langston Hughes' literary works. Topics include connection to music, politics, Africa, African-American culture, and more. Contact Brian Vescio, English, at ext. 9366.
- Jan. 31: Langston Hughes Centennial Banquet: 7 p.m., Connor Ballroom, Billingsly Student Center, MSSC campus. $15 per person. Tickets available through Jan. 28 at MSSC ticket office. Telephone (417) 625-9366. (No charge to those wanting to hear speakers, but not take part in banquet.)
- Feb. 1: Langston Hughes Reading Day: Groups and individuals of all age spend time reading or listening to works by Langston Hughes. The Dream Keeper is the suggested collection. To register groups of more than 10 or to volunteer to read contact Doris Walters, English, at ext. 9644. Reading locations include: 6 a.m., Great American Bagel; 7 a.m., Carver Nursery School; 8 a.m., Joplin City Hall; 9 a.m.-Noon,Joplin Public Library; Noon-3 p.m., Spiva Library; and, 3-6 p.m., Northpark Mall.
- Feb. 1: 10th Annual Langston Hughes Celebration: 6:30 p.m., Memorial Hall Auditorium, 8th & Joplin Streets, Joplin. A birthday bash with noted Hughes biographer, Arnold Rampersad, entertainment by poet Quincy Troupe, music by Jeff Robinson Trio, and a student presentation.
- Feb. 2: A Night with Langston Hughes: 7 p.m., Webster Hall Auditorium, Missouri Southern State College. Mike. Rodgers, English, will perform "as" Langston Hughes. Free and open to the public.
- Feb. 2: Art Exhibit: 8 p.m. Opening Reception, Spiva Art Gallery of MSSC, Newman & Duquesne Roads, Joplin, MO. The exhibit continues through March 1. Works featured by 21 regional artists inspired by the literature of Langston Hughes.
- Feb. 3: Gospelfest: 3 p.m., Webster Hall Auditorium, MSSC. Gospel music featured by choirs and soloists from throughout the 4-State area (Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma).
- Feb. 10: Langston in the Afternoon: 2 p.m., Spiva Center for the Arts, 222 Wall St., Joplin, MO An assortment of poetry readings, storytelling and music featuring special youth presentations.
Missouri Southern's Child Development Center achieved recognition of excellence through Missouri Accreditation in December, 2001. Accreditation signifies that the Center possesses an exemplary program offering quality service to children. The CDC is included in the "Directory of Accredited Programs" located on the Missouri Accreditation web site. This directory, which serves as a useful guide to parents seeking a high quality program for their children, may be reached at www.moaccreditation.org. The Center was first accredited in July, 1996. Amber Tankersley, Director, says this is the third accreditation in the history of the Child Development Center.
One-acts include works by Horovitz, Albee
The theatre department's first production for the spring semester will be two student-directed one-acts, Line by Israel Horovitz, directed by Jason Engstrom and The Zoo Story by Edward Albee, directed by senior theatre major James Jordan. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m., Jan.22-26, 2002 in the Bud Walton Theatre. Reservations can to be made in the Taylor Lobby from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weekdays) or by calling the box office at 625-3190. Ticket prices are $3 for adults and $1 for senior citizens and high school students. This show is rated M for mature audiences only. Today's Brown BagToday's Brown Bag Lunch will feature Doris Walters, Holly McSpadden, and Cliff Toliver, English. The topic will be 20th century writer, Langston Hughes. The presentation will be from 12:10 to 12:50 in BSC 310 (House of Lords Room). All faculty and staff are invited. Pick up your free lunch at the mini-buffet outside the room and then come inside to enjoy the presentation.. Free lunches come as a courtesy of Academic Affairs and AmeriServe Food Management Services
Get ready for some chili!
The Criminal Justice Student Association urges faculty and staff to show off their culinary expertise in the Chili Cook Off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23, in Room 125 of the Criminal Justice Building. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross and donations will also be accepted. The cost of entering the contest has now been waived. Lunch for those not entering, including one drink, is $3. The prizes for the contest are as follows: Grand Prize - $100; 2nd Place - $50; and 3rd Place - $25. To enter your chili in the cook off, contact Mike Hulderman at ext. 3092.Free German class for children
A free German Class for children ages 8-13 will be offered at the Joplin Public Library's "storytelling room, from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. each Wednesdays beginning Jan. 23, according to Tatiana Karmanova, Communications. The classes will run through May 8. The instructor will be Austrian native, Vanessa Lewis. The class is sponsored by the MSSC International Language Resource Center. For more information contact Tatiana Karmanova at ext.3109.
FACULTY/STAFF NOTES
J. Mari Beth Barr, Ph.D., R.N.C. recently had a chapter published in M.A. Child health nursing (pp. 57-74), Hogan & J.E. White (Eds.) The citation is: Barr, J. M. B. (2003). Chapter 3: Eye, ear, nose and throat problems. The book is published in Upper Saddle River, N.J. by Prentice-Hall.
Carolyn Billingsley, Secretary to the College President, will be retiring at the beginning of next month. Dr. Leon is planning a Retirement Reception for her in February so that we will all have an opportunity to wish her well. An exact date will be announced later.
Beverly Block, Business, presented a seminar Dec. 10 entitled "How to Control Your Time" to Firstar Bank employees.
Paul J. Kaldjian, Geography, was awarded First Honorable Mention for his study, Urban Food Security and Contemporary Istanbul: Gardens, Bazaars and the Countrysidein the Malcom H. Kerr Dissertation Awards, Nov. 19 in San Francisco. Mahmoud Ibrahimm, California State Polytechnic University History Department, said a final group of seven papers, all excellent in quality, were judged on the basis of originality and contribution to the field, methodological significance and rigor, depth and extent of the research/how the sources were used, and quality of the presentation, including the writing style, readability and accessibility to those outside the field. Ibrahimm said Paul's study was particularly timely because demographic changes are making issues of food and sustainability a primary focus in the Middle East. For additional information on the Malcolm H. Kerr Dissertation Award and its recipients, please take time to visit http://w3fp.arizona.edu/mesassoc/Kerr/kerr.htm
Brad Kleindl, Business, made a presentation at the CASE District 6 2002 Annual Conference in St. Louis in early January. His presentation was entitled: “Untangling the Web For Higher Education: Best Practices for E-Commerce and E-Business.”
David Richards, Social Science, has been named Syllabi Collection Editor for the Human Rights section of the American Political Science Association.
Don Schultz, CAM, recently presented a seminar in "Jigs & Fixtures" to the Manufacturing community. This seminar was presented in Manhatten and Wichita, Ks., Casper, Wy. and Denver, Col.. Approximately 60 engineers attended.
Shira Yehudit, born at 3:30 a.m., Jan. 6 to Angela and William Tannenbaum,History. The baby weighted 8 lbs., 14 oz. and measured a whopping 21½ inches
CLASSIFIED
For Sale: Hunter green sofa and loveseat 2 months old, like new, asking $800 for both. Please call Tom at ext. 3192 or Ken at 623-5640.
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.
For Sale: Two leather bomber style ladies jackets, one bronze and one pearlized with light quilted lining, size L, only worn once. One white leather blazer with two patch pockets, size 12, never worn. Contact ext. 9700. Priced very low.
For Sale: Very nice Dean acoustic guitar with built-in electronic pickup and case, $320. Also, last chance to get Charles Banks Wilson's signed, dated, framed lithograph, "Boy on the Creek" for a mere $220. Call ext. 9506 or 359-5980.
For Sale: 1995 Blue Chevy Astro 8 passenger van. Call ext. 9559 or (620) 783-5493.
For Sale: 1999 Dodge Stratus, 26,000 miles, charcoal, all power but seats, reduced $7200. !994 Geo Tracker, 92,000 miles, green, $2000.00 reduced 9770
