Current Issue: Volume 21 - Number 1 - January 13, 2006
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. observance next week
The annual breakfast to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will take place at 7 a.m., Monday, Jan 16 on the third floor of the Billingsly Student Center. Faculty, staff and students may attend the breakfast. Faculty and staff should RSVP at ext. 4426 or by e-mailing Al Cade, Teacher Education, at cade-a@mssu.edu. Students must RSVP with the Student Support Center at ext. 9324 or the Student Activities Office at ext. 9346. Seating is limited.
On Thursday, Jan 19, writer and race relations expert Daryl Davis, author of the book Klan-Destine Relationships, will deliver the keynote address for MSSU's celebration of Dr. King's life and work. Davis will speak at 10 a.m. on, Jan. 19 in Webster Hall Auditorium at MSSU. The presentation is free and open to the public.
In Klan-Destine Relationships, Daryl Davis walks on the edge with one foot dangling over the precipice. His stories of surprise meetings with Klan leaders unaware of his skin color and of attending KKK rallies have the suspense of a Hitchcock thriller and have left audiences nationwide riveted to their seats in disbelief.
On a quest to do nothing more than explore racism and gather information for his book, the author of Klan-Destine Relationships eventually became the recipient of robes and hoods by Klan members who came to him to rescind their beliefs.
Davis earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Howard University. An accomplished blues and R&B musician, he performs regularly with his own Daryl Davis Band. He has toured extensively with Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and other stars.
A Student Celebration Luncheon will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, Jan. 19 in the Connor Ballroom of the Billingsly Student Center. This event will feature Michael Rodgers of the English & Philosophy Department faculty at Missouri Southern.
The MSSU Office of Academic Affairs, Campus Activities Board and Southern Impact will sponsor events. Those with requests for accommodations are asked to contact Melanie Epperson at (417) 625-9346 at least 72 hours prior to the event
Radio Station to Feature Musical Tribute
88.7KXMS will musically underscore the national holiday on Jan. 16 with two hours of music honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 10 a.m.-11 a.m. hour will feature Vernon Jordan in New Morning for the World (Daybreak of Freedom) by Joseph Schwanter.
At 4 p.m., there will be newly-released music by Dave Brubeck performing with the Dave Brubeck Trio and chorus, The Gates of Freedom with text by Dr. King. Jeff Skibbe, KXMS General Manager, says details with full listings and links to purchasing the recordings found at this web address: http://www.mssu.edu/pages/kxms/January.htm#16.
African Art on display during Black History Month
In celebration of Black History month, selected items from the African art collection of Missouri Southern State University will be on view Jan. 16 to Feb. 10 in the Spiva Art Gallery of MSSU.
Most of the items are from Sub-Saharan Africa. The objects reflect African views of power, gender and life stages. Most of the objects are ritualistic in nature but some are utilitarian.
They range from wooden masks and sculpture to woven textiles and ceramics. Many African cultures are represented including the Ashante, Baule, Dan, Kuba, Kongo, Lega, Luba and Mkonde.
The collections were donated to MSSU by a variety of individuals. These include John and Pam Finley, Marianne Keown, Ben Pickard, Guy Mace and Vivian Olson. Additional items were made possible through MSSU Institute of International Study grants and the Missouri Southern Art Department. In all, Missouri Southern has over 250 items in its African art collection.
The Spiva Gallery of MSSU is located on the university campus. It is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, free of charge.
For further information contact, V.A. Christensen, Gallery Coordinator, at (417) 625-9631.
Legacy Day scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28
Each year the Alumni Association sponsors Legacy Day, a day of fun and learning for the children of Missouri Southern graduates. This year’s theme is “Our Hearts are Green and Gold.” A “Legacy” is a kid lucky enough to have one or even two relatives who have attended or graduated from MSSU.
Legacy Day activities will begin with registration at 2 p.m., Saturday Jan. 28. Activities will wrap up at 5:30 p.m., just in time for the men’s and women’s basketball games against Missouri Western. Each Legacy Day participant will receive a total of four tickets to use at either or both of the games.
The age groups included in the Legacy Day will be ages 5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and, for the first time, 14-17. The first 40 applicants in each age group and will receive a Legacy Day t-shirt. For the third year the Teacher Education department will assist with Legacy Day activities. This year the Art and Chemistry departments will also be involved with the activities.
Exciting new additions to Legacy Day will include a campus tour and a mixer with different clubs’ participation. Representatives from campus clubs and organizations will be on hand to answer questions and give information to the 14-17 year old age group.
The other new addition is Missouri Southern’s annual Cheerleading Clinic. The Clinic will give valuable instruction to younger students from 9-11 a.m. and High School students from 11:30-12:30 p.m. in Young Gymnasium. The cost is $10.For more information about the Cheerleading Clinic contact Karen Talbott at ktalbott@mail.wccards.k12.mo.us.
Legacy Day 2006 will be an exciting day filled with Lion Pride. If you know a kid lucky enough to be a Legacy who would like to participate in Legacy Day 2006, you have three ways to register, online at www.mssu.edu/alumni or by calling the Alumni Association at (417) 625-3068.
Ozarks Public Television to air Piano Competition documentary
Ozarks Public Television will air a special documentary about the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition, Keeping the Music Alive, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.
Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the success of the biennial event, which attracts pianists from around the world. Interviews feature community supporters, pianists, and internationally-recognized judges. The program looks at how the Joplin area supporters have maintained a high level of competition at a time when arts and music programs are facing challenges elsewhere.
“We’re glad that OPTV has decided to air this program,” says Judy Stiles, KGCS-TV General Manager. “This gives an even larger audience a chance to learn about the success of the competition.” The program was produced by station staff at Missouri Southern State University.
The Ozarks Public Television airing will feature the program throughout the OPTV system, originating out of Springfield. Springfield-area viewers may see it on Channel 21, KOZK, and Joplin-area viewers may see it on Channel 26, KOZJ.
Cardinal Caravan to arrive at Webster Hall Monday afternoon
St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fans in the Joplin area will have a chance to meet and hear from current and former players during the Cardinals Caravan tour, planned for Monday, Jan. 16, in Joplin. The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Webster Auditorium.
Current St. Louis players scheduled to visit are pitcher Adam Wainwright, outfielder Skip Schumaker and pitcher Tyler Johnson. Two players from the Springfield Cardinals organization will be present, shortstop Brendan Ryan and first baseman Juan Diaz.
Former Cardinal third baseman Ken Reitz and former pitcher Ken Dayley, players for the team in the 1970s, also will be in attendance at the Caravan appearance.
Cardinals TV announcer Bob Carpenter will serve as host for the program. Players will make comments, and fans will have a chance to ask questions. Following the program, fans will be able to get autographs. Autographs will be limited to one item per player.
Door prizes will also be given away at the event. The activities are open to the public, free of charge.
“We’re proud to help bring the Cardinals Caravan to area fans,” says Judy Stiles, KGCS-TV General Manager. KGCS has been the local television affiliate for Cardinals telecasts since 1988.
KGCS-TV, located at Missouri Southern State University, operates as a service of the MSSU Department of Communication.
Recognition planned for Junior College athletics
Exciting times are planned for Saturday, Feb.18 when the men’s and women’s basketball teams from Missouri Southern State University will host Truman State University.
On that day Lion athletes of the past will be connected with our University’s present and future.
Special activities will honor and recognize former players of all sports, as well as coaches, athletic trainers, cheerleaders and the support staff of the former Joplin Junior College and the Jasper County Junior College. The JJC and the JCJC players, the Athletics department, and the Alumni Association will take part.
In order to locate former Joplin Junior College and Jasper County Junior College players your help is needed in finding as many as we can so they can be recognized. As the date grows near details will be forthcoming.
Those wanting identify themselves or someone else as a Junior College Athletics participant and those wanting more information should contact Elisa Bryant in the Alumni Association Office at (417) 625-3068.
Estate Planning course offered this semester
The course Estate Planning will meet Monday nights at 6:30 – 9:15 p.m. this semester at Missouri Southern State University. The hybrid course will meet once weekly with other coursework completed by students through the Blackboard ™.
This course is one of five courses required for the MSSU certificate in financial planning. When a student has received the certificate he/she has met the education requirement to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination.
MSSU is one of a limited number of universities in the U.S. with a registered program. Estate Planning would be an excellent course for any one interested in financial planning or estate planning and/or who would like to start preparing for this great job opportunity. The field of financial planning has been one of the fastest growing job fields in the U.S. for each of the past five years.
The class’s instructor, Christopher W. Dumm, is a counselor-at-law with his practice limited to estate planning, business and tax planning and wealth protection. He received his B.S. degree in Business Administration at the University of Missouri Columbia after completing a double major in Finance and Economics. He earned his J.D. from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
He is an active participant in the Missouri-Kansas Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys and the Southwest Missouri Estate Planning Council and is the current President of the Planned Giving Council of the Four States.
For more information on the class call Richard Rawlins at (417) 625-9716 or e-mail rawlins-r@mssu.edu.
Coming to a treadmill near you: The battle of the bulge
Now that the holidays are over and a new semester and a new year have begun, the Wellness Program will be staffing the Mayes Student Life Center for early morning workouts. Darren Fullerton, Recreation & Wellness, says the Student Life Center will open at 6:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Jan. 16, to accommodate the faculty/staff requests for early morning workout times.
"We hope everyone will take advantage of this exercise to improve personal fitness," Darren says.
Art Saltzman, English, has had two essays accepted. "Clique Song" will appear in Under the Sun, and "Duck-Rabbit Variations" will appear in Baltimore Review.
.For Sale: Great Dane puppies. Ready after Jan. 16. Two male black puppies, 2 female black puppies and one male puppy that is gray with black spots. Parents registered; papers available on puppies. $100 dollars down to reserve. Priced at $300 and up. Call (620) 223-9635 or (620) 704-3808 for additional information. Can also call Judy at ext. 3167 for more details.
