Current Issue: Volume 20 - Number 15 - October 21, 2005
Safe Halloween at McCormick Hall
McCormick Hall, located on the MSSU campus, once again will open its doors to area children for a "Safe Halloween" event, slated for 6-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31.
Come and have fun trick-or-treating indoors. All area youth in grades six and under are welcome to attend. Admission is free.
The Safe Halloween event is sponsored by the Residence Hall Association, Student Activities and Sodexho Food Management Services
KA chapter takes part in "Hearts and Hammers"
The Kappa Alpha (KA) chapter in Joplin performed some recent philanthropic work in connection with the "Hearts and Hammers" project.
A group of KA members labored throughout the day to make some much needed improvements in the home of an 80-year-old widow in Joplin named Virginia. (She was deemed "Sweet Virginia" by the KA chapter.) Although in good health for her age, the woman had no way to perform the physical labor to improve her house and lacked the financial resources to have the work professionally done.
Cooper says the KA chapter worked from about 8:30 in the morning until 5 p.m.on the house.
"I was very proud of my brothers this weekend and I felt that they needed to have their accomplishments shared with others," says David Cooper of Eagle Picher Industries. "Whoever says that fraternities only party should be around to see the other things that Kappa Alpha does," he adds.
British, American educators hold discussion this morning
British and American educators are studying leadership practices with local school officials and members of the MSSU Teacher Education department this week to help students learn, achieve and meet education standards established in both nations to measure learning mastery.
A work-study session is slated for 8 a.m.-10 a.m. this morning in Room 113 of Taylor Hall. A panel discussion will follow at 10 a.m.
Members of the MSSU Teacher Education Department and local school systems are working with a team from the British Southampton Educational Council (SEC) this week as part of the International Leading 2 Learn Project.
The Friday discussion will cover K-12 teaching, teaching strategies, administration responsibilities, parent-teacher communication, curriculum issues and a wide variety of related topics. Ultimately, it is hoped that both groups will take the best from their different systems to benefit teachers and educators in both nations.
Three administrator/faculty teams from an infant school, a middle level school, and a secondary school, along with a representative from the Southampton Education Council, are making a 10-day visit to the area.
"Our role, in this evolving project, is project facilitation, instruction on the education systems, project and resource guidance, and information dissemination. An additional component of the project is the opportunity for increased collaboration and collegial relationships with our partner school systems," says Vikki Spencer, Teacher Education.
Ballet Folklorico Tierra Mestiza performance Sunday
The Institute of International Studies at Missouri Southern State University will present a special appearance by Ballet Folklorico Tierra Mestiza at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23 in Taylor Performing Arts Center.
The performance is free and open to the public.
Ballet Folklorico Tierra Mestiza is dedicated to maintaining the beauty, traditions, and culture of Mexico and other Caribbean countries. Formed in 2001 in Tulsa to promote Mexican culture and to preserve traditional Mexican folk dances and costumes, the group features 26 dancers ranging in age from 6 to 14.
Dances and culture from the Mexican states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Michoacan, Tamulipas, Sinaloa, and Jalisco and the countries of Colombia, Nicaragua and Venezuela are highlighted in the group’s performances.
Career Services to make presentation at today's Brown Bag
Today's Brown Bag presentation and free lunch for faculty/staff will feature Pat Hurley and Lynsey Schwabrow, Career Services. Their topic: is "A Tour of Career Services: Linking Students, Faculty and Employers." The presentation will take place in Room 310 of the Billingsly Student Center today, beginning at approximately 12:10 p.m. and concluding at about 12:50 p.m. to accommodate those with classes.
Lunch is free to those attending the session. The mini-buffet will be outside BSC 310. If you have questions contact Betsy Griffin, Academic Affairs, at ext. 9555. Free lunches are a courtesy of Academic Affairs and Sodexho Food Management Services.
Fall Choir Concert Tuesday night
The MSSU Fall Choir Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25 in Taylor Performing Arts Center on campus. The performance is free and open to the public according to Bud Clark, Music.
The excitement starts with Missouri Southern's show choir, Southern Exposure. They will do a 20-minute musical spoof of Westside Story called Southside Story. This fast-paced comedy written by Bud Clark, catches the life and spirit of two gangs that have formed on the south side of Joplin, the Rats and the Armadillos (they came up from Arkansas!)
The concert will then feature the Missouri Southern Chamber Choir and the MSSU Concert Chorale singing a wide variety of choral selections.
A dedication will be held in memory of the late Jeremy Kushner, Music.
Upward Bound students on campus today
Upward Bound's next student shadowing is today, Friday, October 21. Kathy Feith, Upward Bound, says approximately 20 students from Webb City High School are going to class with college students today.
The students will attend classes and take part in a wide range of activities that the college students do on a regular basis. The goal is to help the UB students to see just how much fun (and work) college truly is.
"Please make our students feel welcome," Kathy says, "and you may see them again in the future as students in your classes."
Debate Squad travels to Creighton University Double-Up
Missouri Southern State University Speech and Debate Squad recently competed in the Annual Creighton University Double-Up Tournament, Oct. 13-16 in Omaha, Neb. A total of 67 tournament debaters from 21 colleges and universities representing 13 states took part in the competition.
At the tournament, Matt Templeton, Carthage, qualified for elimination rounds with a 4-2 record in the junior varsity debate division.
Templeton lost a quarterfinal round to a debater from Washburn University on a 2-1 decision.
Kelly Larson, Forensics Director, says the team is traveling this week to Bowling Green, Ky. to attend the Western Kentucky University speech and the Hilltopper Classic Tournament.
Campus groups sponsor raffle
Tickets are now on sale for a raffle sponsored by Alpha Kappa Delta, the Sociology Honor Society, and the Student Nurses Association. The drawing will be held Friday, November 11.
Grand prize is 2 tickets to the K.C. Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers game on Dec. 24. Other prizes include a free sitting and 8 x10 from Accents Photography by Terra, free passes to Hollywood Theatre, free movie/game rentals at Blockbuster, and other items to be announced later.
Tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10. Call Richard Miller, Social Sciences, at ext. 9565 for a ticket
Student Nurses Association sponsors 5-K run tomorrow
On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Student Nurses Association is having its third annual “Run For Your Life” 5K run.
Fees are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the run. Those wanting information on advance registration should call Sheila Hart, Nursing, at (417) 625-9630 or the MSSU Nursing Department at (417) 625-9322.
Lori Morgan, the group’s 5-K Committee Chairperson, says registration starts at 6 a.m. at the Missouri Southern cross-country track located near Fred Hughes football stadium. The 5-K Run starts at 7:45 a.m.
Money raised will go to support the Student Nurses Association and the activities the organization provides in the community.
Murder mystery at Missouri Southern
The Murder Mystery Players of St. Louis will visit Missouri Southern Oct. 27 to perform a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. This will be an interactive performance of "Undead Again."
Everyone can participate and come in costume if they like," says Melanie Epperson, Student Services. "A wonderful dinner will be provided," she adds.
The Dinner Theatre will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27 in the Connor Ballroom of Billingsly Student Center. Tickets are $10 for faculty, staff and guests and $5 for actively enrolled students. Tickets must be purchased in advance in the Student Activities Office. For information, phone Melanie at ext. 9346.
Grad Expo "one stop shop" for upcoming graduates' needs
Missouri Southern’s Grad Expo is slated for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 on the first floor of the Billingsly Student Center.
The Expo will provide over 500 upcoming graduates a “one stop shop” to take care of pre-graduation needs. Students can pick up caps and gowns, order announcements and diploma frames, receive information from the MSSU Alumni Association and meet with representatives from the Financial Aids, Career Services and the Southern Business Office.
"Upcoming grads should not miss out on a fun event to celebrate graduation," says Liz Scheurich, Bookstore.
Southern Media Showcase day set for MSSU
More than 350 area high school and middle school teachers and students will be in attendance on Thursday, Oct. 27 for the annual "Southern Media Showcase Day." The event brings together students interested in print and video communications for a day filled with presentation and awards.
This is the 9th year for the event to be sponsored by the Department of Communication at MSSU. Activities begin at 9:15 a.m. in Webster Hall Auditorium on the MSSU campus.
"This is our biggest crowd yet," says Judy Stiles, KGCS-TV General Manager. "We're pleased to see so many regional schools bringing their students and entering our newspaper and video competition." Students from schools throughout the region are invited to participate in the annual competition and attend the events.
This year's program will feature the presentation of the Pioneer Broadcaster Award.
The keynote address this year will be presented by Dave Koester, Chief Assignment Editor at KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. Koester will share his experiences in the newsroom in dealing with crisis coverage in news. Koester graduated from Missouri Southern and began his broadcast career in Joplin, before moving on to Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He has coordinated news efforts for a number of major stories, including the Edmond Post Office massacre, the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, and the deadly May 3 tornado in Moore, Okla.
For more information, contact Judy at ext. 9777 or Ward Bryant, Communication, at ext. 9710.
Flu shots slated for Nov. 1-2
Flu shots will be given at MSSU from 8 a.m. - 12 noon on Nov. 1 and from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2. The shots will be given in Room 313 of the Billingsly Student Center.
The cost will be $15, payable by cash or check. Students may bill the cost to their MSSU accounts. Faculty and staff should be aware that the influenza vaccinations are not covered under the University's current insurance plan if received at the MSSU flu clinic. The shot will only be reimbursed through the flexible spending account with the proper receipt. To be covered through insurance, the vaccination must be administered and billed through a physician’s office.
Southern Symphony to present "An Evening of Classical Fun”
The Department of Music will present the inaugural concert of the Southern Symphony Orchestra, “An Evening of Classical Fun,” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Taylor Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.
Under the baton of Kexi Liu, Music, the Orchestra will perform works by Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart. The Joplin High School Orchestra, directed by Terry Dolanc, will make a special guest performance.
Southern Symphony Orchestra consists of 60 members, including university students and faculty members, local community members, and qualified high school students. The Orchestra is a welcome addition to the performing arts in Joplin and the Four-State area.
The Orchestra will have an annual season of two concerts, as well as a pops performance.
FACULTY/STAFF NOTES
Gregory Dagnan, Criminal Justice, has been invited to serve on the Advisory Committee to the National Task Force on Community Preparedness and Response. As a Charter Member, Greg will attend the formation meeting in Washington, D.C. on Nov.15. The Advisory Committee to the Task Force will be comprised of corporate, community, academic, law enforcement, fire & rescue, medical and EMS representatives. Municipal, county, state, and local government leaders also will take part.
James Capeci, Amber Carr, and Nancy Schiavone, Library, attended the the 5th annual Brick and Click Libraries: An Academic Library Symposium in Maryville Oct.14. They participated in several sessions that included marketing library databases with Google, getting the most out of Spiva's new federated search engine, learning how to adapt instruction for the international student population and promoting services to freshman.
Two poems by Bill Kumbier, English, "Maleconia" and "Metamorphosis: Bay of Bengal at Chennai," have been published in Roux Magazine (Summer 2005).
Wendy McGrane, Library, says a plaque recognizing MSSU's recipients of the Governor's Award for Teaching Excellence is now on the wall in the Faculty Reading Room (413A) of the library. This was acquired at the suggestion of Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Richard McCallum and was funded by the Academic Affairs office.
J.J. Spurlin, Criminal Justice, competed against teams from Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri in Tournament of Champions at Side Pockets in Independence, Mo. It was a 32 team tourney which you qualify for by your record in your individual leagues. His team won 3rd place which includes $750, trophies, & an opportunity to compete in the APA National Team Championships in Las Vegas next summer. His team team’s record was 6-1 which included winning 5 rounds in a row of sudden death play. Team members included four MSSU graduates, JJ Spurlin, Sylvia Spurlin, Jason Spurlin, and Debbie Spurlin.
For Sale: White side-by-side Kenmore refrigerator and freezer for sale. Ice and water dispenser on the door. Great condition, only 4 years old. Asking $350 or best offer. For more information, call ext. 9521.
For Sale: Swing Set: 4 x 4 construction. 2 swings, trapeze, rings, slide, and play platform. All chains have plastic coverings. Excellent condition.$150. Call 782-8731 after 3 p.m
