Moos, Nichols, receive "Outstanding Teacher" awards

Brian Nichols (top) & J. Chris Moos

Faculty members J. Chris Moos and Brian Nichols, Business, received "Outstanding Teacher" awards, announced during 48th commencement ceremonies at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Saturday, May 12. 

Students and colleagues nominating the teachers praised them for their commitment to students and to Missouri Southern.

Moos, Instructor of Finance and Economics & International Business, joined the MSSU faculty in 2003.  He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Wichita State University.  He served as President/CEO of King Press Corporation from 1999-2002 and has also held key positions at Display Technologies Electrohome, Inc., Ingersoll-Rand Waterjet Division and CPRFK/Center Industries Corporation.

One student who nominated Moos wrote:  “He puts in major effort to support the international student travel programs.  One example was when he brought a short-term group to China last year.  When things needed adjustments for the program he was actively involved with making sure they were made.  He did not ignore them.”

Another student wrote, “I have had the privilege of taking two classes with him.  His demeanor in a classroom environment is superb on campus as well as on line.  I see Mr. Moos as a great asset to MSSU and its student population for many years to come.”

Nichols, Assistant Professor of Finance & Economics and International Business, joined the Missouri Southern faculty in 2004.  He received his Bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University where he was Outstanding Graduate, Outstanding Honors Graduate and Outstanding Graduate in Economics and Finance in 1993.  He received his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and is involved in Doctoral study at the University of Arkansas.

Those making nominations referred to him as an instructor who “has the ability to inspire both loyalty and thought in students.”  The student declared: “Professor Nichols doesn’t just ‘talk the talk,” he ‘walks the walk.’  He expects excellence, so he demonstrates excellence.  If he says that he will help you understand a concept, he takes the time to do so, regardless of how busy he may be at the time.” 

Another student nomination stated: “Professor Nichols is a great teacher.  He has intensive knowledge of his teaching subjects as well as the ability to communicate that knowledge to his students”.

Blunt signs historic higher education bill

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt, local legislators, Missouri Southern State University President, Dr. Julio Leon and other dignitaries participated in the signing of a historic education bill on May 25 in front of an audience of more than 200 at Missouri Southern State University.

Gov. Blunt commented that the audience was the largest he had seen during his tour of other universities for the official signing of the legislation - Senate Bill 389.

Dr. Leon pointed out that Missouri Southern students will benefit greatly by the increased grants that will result. "Currently MSSU students qualify for about $180,000 in grants from the state, but the new Access Missouri program will mean nearly 900 students will qualify for about $1.8 million in grants."

Many have called the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Gary Nodler (R-32), the most significant higher education legislation in Missouri in years.

To see a news release from Gov. Blunt's office, visit: http://www.gov.mo.gov/press/JoplinHigherEdPlan052507.htm

Honor for Missouri Southern archivist

Charles Nodler

Charles Nodler, associate professor and archivist in the Spiva Library, was honored as the 2007 Outstanding Alumnus of Crowder College on June 11.

He was honored during the annual Crowder College Foundation banquet, at the Longwell Museum in the Elsie Plaster Center on the Crowder College campus.

Charles Nodler graduated from Crowder College in 1973 with an associate's degree after first serving in the U.S. Army.

He then earned a bachelor's degree in history from Missouri Southern, a master's of arts in history from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master's of arts in library science from the University of Missouri.

Summer Jazz Orchestra Concert June 28

The MSSU Music Department will sponsor a Summer Jazz Showcase concert by the MSSU Summer Jazz Orchestra, with special guest vocalist Kathy Macomber.

The showcase concert will take place in Webster Auditorium on the MSSU campus at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28. The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

Outstanding local musicians who love to play big-band music are invited to volunteer their considerable talents to the Summer Jazz Orchestra. Among those invited are local music educators, MSSU music alumni and current MSSU music students.

Directing the Summer Jazz Orchestra is MSSU music professor, and newly-appointed director of the Southern Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Macomber.

Among selections the band will perform is Swing Era classic Artie Shaw's Begin the Beguine, the instrumental ballad Polka Dots and Moonbeams, hard-swinging numbers from the libraries of Count Basie and Woody Herman, vocal features including My Funny Valentine and Peggy Lee’s hit Fever and modern arrangements including Mark Taylor’s Federal Blues Express.

AmeriCorps VISTA program hosted by MSSU

Missouri Southern recently received approval from Missouri Campus Compact and the Corporation for National and Community Service to participate in a statewide AmeriCorps VISTA program. A VISTA member will be placed on campus to assess community needs and to help faculty members build civic engagement through service-learning.

The program, slated to begin in July, will link relevant courses at participating campuses with community agencies that intend to eradicate poverty and assist single, head-of-household females with children under the age of 18 living in the home. The project will span three years on each campus.

“This project has the ability to positively impact poverty in Missouri while instilling the value of service to others in Missouri’s next generation of leaders,” said Melissa Mace, Missouri Campus Compact executive director.        

Missouri Campus Compact is affiliated with Campus Compact and is a member organization of college and university presidents established to strengthen civic engagement partnerships between Missouri’s post-secondary institutions and the communities they serve. 

For more information about the Missouri Southern State University’s AmeriCorps VISTA program and a complete job description, please contact Patricia Hurley, Career Services, at (417) 625-9343 or hurley-p@mssu.edu.

Summer Jazz Orchestra Concert June 28

The MSSU Music Department will sponsor a Summer Jazz Showcase concert by the MSSU Summer Jazz Orchestra, with special guest vocalist Kathy Macomber.

The showcase concert will take place in Webster Auditorium on the MSSU campus at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28. The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

Outstanding local musicians who love to play big-band music are invited to volunteer their considerable talents to the Summer Jazz Orchestra. Among those invited are local music educators, MSSU music alumni and current MSSU music students.

Directing the Summer Jazz Orchestra is MSSU music professor, and newly-appointed director of the Southern Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Macomber.

Among selections the band will perform is Swing Era classic Artie Shaw's Begin the Beguine, the instrumental ballad Polka Dots and Moonbeams, hard-swinging numbers from the libraries of Count Basie and Woody Herman, vocal features including My Funny Valentine and Peggy Lee’s hit Fever and modern arrangements including Mark Taylor’s Federal Blues Express.

Spanish Language Village July 15-20

Villa Española, a Spanish Language Village, will take place July 15-20 at Missouri Southern State University.

The Village will offer a taste of Spanish-speaking cultures for 8 to13-year-olds who spend a week on the MSSU campus. Participants choose from residential or day camp.

Villa Española is a unique immersion program, which is now in its twelfth year. Its mission is to develop young people's Spanish language skills, to encourage their understanding of other cultures, and to educate responsible citizens with a global perspective. No prior foreign language experience is required. Advanced levels of instruction are available for those who have previous knowledge of Spanish.

Villagers will learn basic Spanish language skills, culture, geography, history, songs, dances and crafts. The faculty and staff include native speakers of Spanish, American Spanish teachers and students who have studied and lived in Spanish-speaking countries.

Campers will take part in small and large group games, computer activities and recreational events such as soccer, swimming and others. Villagers will receive a Southern "passport" and pass through immigration and exchange U.S. currency for Spanish pesetas.

For curriculum, cost and other information contact Tatiana Karmanova, International Language Resource Center, at (417) 625-3109, fax at (417) 625-9585 or e-mail karmanova-t@mssu.edu.

Two students receive Spencer-Bartlett Respect Awards

Two students are the recipients of Spencer-Bartlett Respect Awards at Missouri Southern State University.

Stephenie Rhema Bergen, Carthage, and Eric Norris, Monett, received Spencer Bartlett First Awards.

Bergen graduated summa cum laude in May with a Bachelor’s degree in English and was named outstanding student in the English Department.

Norris has served as president of the Student Senate and as the student representative to the Missouri Southern Board of Governors. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Management last month.

Since 1970, the Spencer-Bartlett Respect Award has been given to selected students who are above average in their studies and who demonstrate respect for God, the United States of America and their fellow man.

Redbirds on KGCS

KGCS-TV will air an additional St. Louis Cardinals baseball telecast, on Saturday, June 23. The team has revised the schedule, and added the game to the broadcast schedule. KGCS will air the game against the Philadelphia Phillies beginning at noon.

Cardinals telecasts on KGCS may be seen on UHF channel 57, Cable One Channel 7, Mediacom Channel 77 and cable systems served by Southern Instructional Television.

Women's Leadership Conference

A Women's Leadership Conference will take place from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 26 in Cornell Auditorium in Plaster Hall. Payment in advance is $10.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, manager, or just starting in your career, this conference will provide you with information about how women can enhance their professional leadership skills. This is a great opportunity network with other business women.

Our speakers will cover leadership, networking, and teamwork topics. We will work on improving people skills and workplace communication techniques. Join us for an afternoon of training and networking. Co-sponsored by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council.

RSVP at (417) 625-3128 or visit www.mssutraining.com.

Session to focus on cultural change in southwest Missouri

The Ozark Regional Alliance, which seeks to provide educational opportunities to meet the challenges created by cultural change and immigration in southwest Missouri will sponsor "Coping with Cultural Changes in our Communities."

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from agencies and organizations in Jasper County. The session is slated for 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 10 at the Family Neighborhood Center at 706 Orchard Street in Carthage.

For information, contact Jinny Hopp of the University of Missouri Extension Center at (417) 358-2150 or e-mail hoppy@missouri.edu

Joslin receives Greef Award

Kassandra Joslin of Miami, Okla., a senior English major with an emphasis in teaching, was the spring 2007 recipient of the Robert J. Greef Award.

Joslin was named “Outstanding English Education major” at the annual Honors Convocation in May at Missouri Southern, thereby qualifying her for the award.

The Greef Award is an honor presented by the Missouri Association of Teachers of English (MATE). It is a state-level award for a graduating English major who has chosen a career in English teaching. The criteria for the award include academic excellence in the field of English education, leadership, character and participation in department activities.

The award honors Robert J. Greef, a teacher at Central Missouri State University.

Law Enforcement Academy enrollment underway

Enrollment is underway for the next Day and Night sessions of the 600-Hour State Certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy according to Wayne Thomason, head of the Criminal Justice Department at MSSU.

Upon successful completion of the Academy, the Missouri Department of Public Safety will certify eligible students as Peace Officers in the state of Missouri.

The Day Academy will meet Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning Aug. 20. The Academy requires five Saturday classes per semester. Graduation will be held Dec. 13. Night Academy classes will also begin on August 20. Classes will be held during the evening and on five Saturdays for two semesters.

Those taking part receive training in Missouri criminal statutes, constitutional law, criminal investigation, patrol techniques, defense tactics training, physical training, firearms training and other skills and abilities deemed necessary by the state for Missouri law enforcement officers.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Those interested in enrolling should contact Wayne Thomason to set up appointments for enrollment at (417) 625-9684 or e-mail thomason-w@mssu.edu.

FACULTY/STAFF

Beverly Block, Business, presented a paper at the Academic Business World International Conference in Nashville, May 28-30. The paper was entitled, "Engaging Students in the Online Environment through Multimedia." The paper was written by Beverly, Janet Buzzard, Business, and Betty Baker, Lifelong Learning.

Art Saltzman, English, has had an essay accepted for publication in The Pinch (formerly known as River City, in which Saltzman's essay "Which Reminds Me" appeared in 2005). "The Loneliness of the One-Hit Wonder" will appear in the Spring 2008 issue.

CLASSIFIED

For Sale: Airwalk machine counts calories, distance, and keeps track of time, $75. Also have a 1934 upright piano w/ beautiful cherry finish. Tuned. $500 firm. Have Casio keyboard, stand and stool, $65. Call ext. 3131 or e-mail honeycutt-p@mssu.edu. Pictures available.

For Sale: Mamiya/Sekor, 35mm, SLR camera, Model 1000DTL. Built in spot and averaging meter. 1:1.8 55 mm lens. Instruction manual included. In excellent condition. Also included: Lentar 1:3.5 200mm lens; Lentar 1:2.8 28mm lens; Vivitar Auto 2X Custom-Tele Converter; Kalcor Extension Tube set for macro closeups. Various filters, shutter release cable and other attachments, including an electronic flash. Asking $100. Camera can be seen in office of Robert Clark in Webster Hall 134.

For Sale: Riding Lawnmower (Yardman by MTD), 17 hp. Briggs and Stratton, 42" cut, has bent crankshaft, and needs starter, other work, (no battery included). Asking $85. Call (417) 529-6813.

For Sale: 96 Ford Taurus GL Wagon, dark green, 127K, auto., 3.1 V6, power everything, good shape $2200. Call extension 9799 or (417) 455-1232.

For Sale: Pacifica GT 400 electric potter's wheel with a 13-inch aluminum throwing head that turns both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Includes 3 bat heads and a removable splash pan. Only about 30 hours have been spent using this wheel. As-new condition. Retail: $719. Asking: $600. Can send pictures and more details. Contact msutliffsanders@gmail.com.

Want to Buy: Camera lenses for a Minolta Maxxum 7000 35mm auto-focus camera. Anything that fits would be of interest. Please call ext. 3160, or (417) 499-5106, or email parrish-n@mssu.edu.

Free: Heavy duty Allied moving boxes. Have More than 60 small, medium, large, and wardrobe boxes. These boxes were used to move a family to Missouri. Boxes have markings, but are still in great shape for another move. Pick up at house or delivered to campus. Contact locher-m@mssu.edu.

For Sale: 2002 Ford Taurus 1 owner! 26 mpg on hwy. 91,500 miles. Maroon with beige interior. $5100 or best offer. Great car; must see to appreciate. Call (417) 782-9643 or (417) 540-3423.