Current Issue: Volume 17 - Number 31 - May 9, 2003
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The Missouri House of Representatives gave final approval on Wednesday, May 7 to legislation which will rename Missouri Southern State College as Missouri Southern State University-Joplin. Missouri Southern president, Dr. Julio León, informed faculty/staff of the approval in an e-mail late Wednesday afternoon.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, and Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Joplin, "This name change is long overdue, and it took a great deal of work on the part of the whole Southwest Missouri delegation," said Sen. Nodler. "Missouri Southern is doing the quality of work that a university does, it just lacked the name. We believe this name change will allow Southern to compete more effectively in the educational environment of our region."
In addition to changing Missouri Southern's name, Senate Bill 55 will eliminate the Missouri Southern State College Board of Regents and replaces it with a Board of Governors, that will be set up much like the Southwest Missouri State University Board of Governors. The new board, which will have a statewide mission, will consist of seven voting members and one non-voting member. Five of those members will be from the institution's primary coverage area, and two from outside that area.
"This change in the Board of Regents reflects the changes that have already taken place at Missouri Southern," said Sen. Nodler. "MSSC is no longer a Joplin College, or a Southwest Missouri college, it is truly a statewide university." Missouri Southern will be required to discontinue all associate degree programs by July 1, 2008. Southern has already established a cooperative agreement with Crowder College in Neosho in an effort to begin this process, and Crowder is expected to assume many of the associate degrees now offered at Southern.
"This will be beneficial not only to the Joplin area, but to the Missouri University higher education system as a whole, by making us more competitive with the Kansas system and by making it more cooperative within the Missouri University system," said Rep. Stevenson This bill also incorporates language from Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Sen. Nodler, which would allow the Coordinating Board of Higher Education to promote cooperative agreements between Missouri colleges and universities. These cooperative agreements allow institutions of higher education to offer programs, including graduate degrees, on the campuses of other colleges. Any diploma awarded for graduate degrees under such a cooperative agreement will now include the names of both institutions.
"Cooperative agreements go a long way in promoting Missouri's colleges and universities," Sen. Nodler said. "This region is in a unique position because we border three other states, that all offer graduate degree programs within easy driving access. Southern has lost a lot of quality students who crossed the border to earner a master's degree." MSSC already has cooperative agreements with: Southwest Missouri State University, Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Educational Administration, Masters in Elementary Education or Reading Specialist, Masters in Social Work, Masters in Accountancy; University of Missouri - Kansas City, Masters of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner); and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Masters in Criminal Justice.
The bill now goes to the Governor's desk and requires his signature.
Dr. Martin to deliver commencement address
Missouri
Southern State College will conduct itsm40th Commencement ceremonies
on Saturday, May 17 at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Two
ceremonies will be held. The first, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., will
include graduates from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School
of Technology. Associate Degree recipients will also receive their
degrees at the first ceremony.
The second ceremony, scheduled for 12 noon, will include graduates from School of Business Administration and the School of Education and those receiving Bachelor of General Studies Degrees. A total of 577 students will be awarded a total of 622 degrees during commencement ceremonies.
Missouri Southern Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. J. Larry Martin, will deliver the Commencement Address. Dr. Martin, a veteran of the Missouri Southern faculty and administration, recently announced his intention to retire after 38 years. A professor of mathematics, Dr. Martin is a graduate of the University of Tulsa and received his doctorate from the University of Georgia.
Lifetime Sports Academy planned
The Eighth Annual Children's Lifetime Sports Academy is scheduled for 12:30-5 p.m., June 9-12 on campus. Children of all abilities, ages 7-12, are welcome to attend. Several children of Southern faculty/staff have become star campers. Patsy Lipira, Kinesiology, says fishing has been added to the list of activities available in June. Kids will also receive instruction in bowling, golf, racquet sports, frisbee, and a number of other games and activities that can be enjoyed throughout life. Readers interested in receiving a flyer and/or registration form may e-mail Patsy who will then send the information through campus mail. A $10 discount is offered for children of Missouri Southern faculty/staff.
KGCS to air campus activities
KGCS-TV will air a number of special programs focusing on campus activities next week. At 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, a tape of the Honors Convocation program will air followed at 9 p.m.by a tape of the May Board of Regents meeting. Live coverage of commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 17. The ceremony including the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Technology will be aired at 9:30 a.m., followed by the noon ceremony with the School of Business and the School of Education. Judy Stiles, KGCS General Manager, says the station also will carry Joplin High School's commencement live Saturday night, She says persons wishing to purchase tapes of the Missouri Southern commencement ceremonies may contact her at ext. 9777. KGCS airs on Joplin/Webb city cable channel 7 and UHF channel 57. Funds raised help support the student broadcast group, the National Broadcasting Society.Alumni Association seeks nominations
The Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the Outstanding Alumnus Award and the Lion Hearted Award. Nominations are due by May 31 at the Alumni Office. A letter of nomination is preferred for the Outstanding Alumnus Award. It should include career achievements and significant contributions and service to the community, state or nation. The Lion Hearted Award is for individuals who are not alumni of Missouri Southern but have made unmatched contributions to the College. The award is based on outstanding service, financial support, student recruitment, or other efforts on behalf of Missouri Southern. The nominee may be a faculty member. Forms for both awards were distributed in campus mail. Alumni Awards Chairman Chad Stebbins, Institute of International Studies, says those needing a form should contact Lee Pound, Alumni Association, at ext. 9355.Phonathon update
Curt Betebenner, Foundation, says calling for this year's phonathon concluded last week. Calls were made from Jan. 26 through April 24. "During that time our team of student callers made over 40,000 calls attempting to contact 8,467 alumni and friends," Curt says. "We were able to contact 5,164 of that total and 1,376 of those contacted made a pledge to the annual fund.
He reports that a total of $99,302 in pledges was made this year, skimming the edge of the $100,000 goal. Over $58,000 of the total was pledged by Southern alumni. Friends and businesses made over $31,000 in pledges. Missouri Southern faculty/staff pledged $10,210.
"This is the largest amount pledged by faculty and staff during the past five phonathons," Curt says. "This shows that those of us working here care and support Southern when we have needed it most. Everyone who helped can take pride in the commitment you have shown and for what you are doing tosupport Missouri Southern."
Calling all St. Louis Cardinal baseball fans!
How would you like a chance to win two tickets to the Memorial Day game May 26 in St. Louis, when the Cardinals play the Houston Astros? KGCS is holding a campus-wide e-mail contest to give away two tickets. To enter, send the correct answer to the following question to Judy Stiles, KGCS General Manager, at stiles-j@mssu.edu.Albert Fred Schoendienst turned 80 years old this year, and continues to help the team as a coach. What is his nickname? Please respond by Wednesday, May 14.
Lifelong Learning announces Summer Sessions
Lifelong Learning announces its fourth annual Summer Institute Sessions which will be held during the afternoons Monday through Thursday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. On-Line Blackboard Training will be held June 5-23. Hands-On: Microsoft Office Application Software training including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will be held June 9-12 and, finally, Demonstration: Beyond the Basics! including Producer; web pages, audio and video, is slated for July 7-10. Seating is limited. For information or to sign up, call Linda Garza, Lifelong Learning, at ext. 9384.
"Active Living" program this September
A program titled "Active Living & the Art of Motivating People to Move" will take place on the Missouri Southern campus on Sept. 12. Patsy Lipira, Kinesiology, says the program will include an appearance by Robert Sweetgall, America's leading advocate for walking for wellness. Sweetgall has written books on walking and wellness, has presented workshops and seminars all over the United States and has walked across America seven times. The September 12 event will include a full day of sessions on walking, including a Brown Bag Lunch for faculty/staff and an evening session on "Walking to Lose Weight and Reduce Heart Disease Risk." For information, contact Patsy Lipira at ext. 9573. xxRobert Sweetgall
Suzuki Violin Academy students to perform Missouri Southern Suzuki Violin Academy students of Jon Gayman, Kexi Liu, Elizabeth Meisinger and Roberta Sluder, Music, will perform two recitals on Saturday, May 10, at Webster Auditorium on MSSC campus. The first recital starts at 1:30 p.m. and the second at 3 p.m. The piano accompanists are Jon Gayman, Becky Higginson and Tascille King. The recitals are open to public and admission is free. For more information, please contact Kexi Liu, Director of the Suzuki Violin Academy, at (417) 625-9681.
Phi Delta Kappa holds banquet
The Missouri Southern Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa held its annual PDK-KODE TV Outstanding Educational Awards Banquet Thursday, May 8, in Billingsly Student Center. Al Cade, School of Education, says "Outstanding Educational Awards" winners for 2003 included:- ESL Program, Southwest City Elementary, McDonald County R-1 School District
- Robots In the Classroom, Southwest Middle School, Southwest R-V School District
- Freshman Transition Program, Monett High School, Monett R-1 School District
- Take Home Activity Bag Program, Irving Elementary School, Joplin R-8 School District
Remind students about financial aid deadline
Students wishing to be processed for financial aid for the 2003-04 academic year need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. They should remember to use the FREE web site, available through the U.S. Dept. of Education, to file a FAFSA. The site is www.fafsa.ed.gov. Cheryl Dobson, Financial Aid, says recipients must have all required documentation on file in the Financial Aid Office by July 1 to be considered for payment deferment based on pending grants, loans, or other aid. The FAFSA can take up to four weeks processing time by the U.S. Dept. of Education before we receive the results. Remind your students to file the FAFSA NOW!
Discount for La Villa Española
A special offer is available for MSSC faculty and staff for our summer program for children ages 8-13 for La Villa Española, the Spanish Village. La Villa is a Spanish immersion camp where children learn Spanish language, crafts, dances, songs, and other aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures. The dates of the camp are July 13-18. Children of college employees can attend the camp for a reduced price of $300 for residential campers and $200 for day campers. For more information please visit our web site at www.mssu.edu/comm/ilrc/spanish.htm. If you have any questions please contact Tatiana Karmanova, Communications, at ext. 3109.
Holley Goodnight, Student Support Services, says the following dates have been set for the Fresh Start program: June 16, 18, 19, July 14, 16 and 17 and July 21, 23, and 25. A night session will be held on July 15. Fresh Start is designed for first time freshman. Both traditional and non-traditional students enroll through the program to prepare them for their college experience.
William Huffman, School of Business, had a presentation accepted for the American Accounting Association's annual meeting this August in Honolulu. The title of his presentation is Fluency Training as a Pedagogical Tool to Improve Performance of Undergraduate Students Enrolled in the First Financial Accounting Course.
Ann Marlowe, English, did a formal critical review for Bedford-St. Martin's composition textbook titled Making Sense, A New Rhetorical Reader by Cheryl Glenn.
Bill Stevens, School of Business Adminstration, recently served as one of the reviewers for two chapters of Wiley Publishing's forthcoming 7th edition of Management, by John Schermerhorn.For Sale by Owner: 12 year old, 2,340 sq. foot custom built house on 1.4 acres just outside Joplin city limits. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, beautiful rock fireplace with insert, huge deck enclosing an above ground swimming pool and a sunroom. Sellers are the original owners. Will consider taking your home as a trade or can provide financing (no down, no qualifying ) to the right person. Asking price $152,750.00 Call Marty Conklin, Kinesiology/Athletics, at ext. 9713 or 782-7432.
For Sale: 1979 Plymouth 15-passenger van, $1,200 or best offer. Call 625-9315 from 8-5 or 417 842-3087 evenings and weekends. Contact ext. 9315.
For Sale: Have a perfect vacation with an Orlando, Florida Time Share. Only five minutes from Universal Studios. Call (417) 439-7769 or ext. 9551.
For Sale: Complete Karaoke set-up, top quality, professional level. Excellent sound, 400 songs included on CD-G discs. All you need is a p.a. system and a t.v. Great for parties or fun around the house, $500, negotiable. Call Steve Smith, News Bureau, at ext. 9506 or (417) 359-5980.
