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Foundations of Excellence in the First College Year update

If you have been wondering what is going on with MSSU’s Foundations of Excellence in the First CollegeYear Project, check out the recent updates on the MSSU Accreditation Portfolio website www.mssu.edu/selfstudy. The Foundations of Excellence project is based on an aspirational model of best practices for the first year of college. Missouri Southern is using the first-year process as a special emphasis for re-accredidation by the Higher Learning Commission. Lyle Mays, CIS, designed the accreditation website and is keeping it up to date as the project goes forward.

The seven teams involved in the self-study process are developing reports of MSSU’s current situation and recommendations for improvement in relation to the nine dimensions that make up the Foundations of Excellence model. The MSSU teams met all of the First Year of College fall semester deadlines, including a Current Practices Inventory and the Philosophy, Organization and Faculty dimension reports. Each of these dimension reports as well as feedback on the reports from our Policy Center liaison, Dr. John Gardner, is now posted on the website. The remaining dimension reports will be completed by the end of the spring semester. After all of the dimension reports are completed the First-Year Task Force will have an opportunity to review and discuss all of the recommendations and develop action plans for improvement of the first-year experience.

As part of the data gathering for the First College Year self-study, a faculty/staff survey and first-year student survey were conducted in the fall. There was an incredible 84 percent response rate on the MSSU Faculty/ Staff Survey. Ours was the second highest of the 21 four-year institutions that completed the survey. The overall faculty/ staff response rate for all institutions participating in the Foundations of Excellence process was 61 percent. The response rate for MSSU students was 30.8 percent which was the average for the all of the students surveyed by the institutions involved in this process. The results of both Missouri Southern surveys can now also be found on our website under Referenced Documents.

If you have comments or questions about the Foundations of Excellence or Higher Learning Commission self-study projects, you can contact the self-study co-coordinators, Jack Oakes, CIS, and Betsy Griffin, Academic Affairs.

Remotes provide easier access for wheelchair-bound students

"Remote Activated" signs have popped up around campus. Students who use wheel chairs or have other related needs can now check out a small, key fob-sized remote which will open designated automatic exterior doors around campus. Bob Harrington, Physical Plant, and his staff made the student-suggested system a reality.

The service is designed to allow a person with a mobility impairment quick and easy access into buildings. Due to mechanical issues, not all doors could be activated. Look for the small, blue signs on the designated doors. For more information about the service or to check out a remote, contact Melissa Locher, Learning Center, at 625-9373.

National Issues Forum provides 2006 citizen dialogue

You are invited to be part of a National Issues Forum going on in many town halls and university campuses across America. The topic of the citizen dialogue is: “Making Ends Meet: Is there a way to help working Americans?"

A group of 12-14 citizens consisting of students, faculty, staff, and guests will discuss the current trouble many working Americans are having just to stay economically afloat. Different approaches to the problem will be addressed. Participants will be asked to read a brief brochure on background facts prepared by the non-partisan Kettering Foundation, and then meet to discuss the subject for 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

There is no fee to participate. To sign up, contact Ann Wyman, Social Sciences, by e-mailing wyman-a@mssu.edu, visiting Webster 229 or calling (417) 625-9697. Participants may select from the following times/dates:

• 3- 5 p.m., Friday, March 3;
• 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 7
• 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15.

Meetings will be held at University Java in the basement of Spiva Library. Additional sessions will be scheduled as needed. Sessions can be arranged for community organizations and church groups, etc. at their request.

Contemporary Series to feature Iraqi film

The Contemporary Foreign Film Series will show Turtles Can Fly (Iraq, 2004; 98 min.) at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3 in Cornell Auditorium of Matthews Hall. This is the first feature film shot in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

The story focuses on the enterprising “Satellite,” a 13-year-old Kurdish boy whose expertise lies in installing satellite dishes and translating the news of the (then) imminent U.S. invasion. His “business” is interrupted by the arrival of a clairvoyant boy and his quiet sister. The film is directed by Bahman Ghobadi.

For further information, please contact Bill Kumbier kumbier-w@mssu.edu or Nick Kyle at kyle-n@mssu.edu.

MSSU Chamber Choir Offers Singing Valentines

How much do you love your sweetheart? Enough to have a quartet come in formal attire and sing him or her a love song in four part harmony? The Missouri Southern Chamber Choir is hoping you care enough to have them come to your place of work, school, or home to fill your sweetie with delight, (or embarrassment) as they sing love songs that will say “I love you” when mere words are no longer strong enough!

“This will be the fourth annual singing of Valentines,” says Bud Clark, Music. “The Chamber Choir students have found themselves in tears from laughter when they have surprised a poor recipient of a Singing Valentine in a business meeting or a classroom filled with students that are more than eager to embarrass their teacher and see them blush.”

Clark says they have also seen tears of joy and genuine love that is expresses by those that send and receive this unique Valentine gift. “It is a great way for us to show our musical talents, as well as make someone happy on this special day,” says Clark. The choir is now taking orders and will sing during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14.

To order your beautiful Singing Valentine, call Bud at 625-9562. All proceeds will go toward financing the Chamber Choir’s tour of the Four State area at the end of February.

BANNER Bytes

Sandi Gieson, SunGard SCT BANNER administrative software project manager, says BANNER software will replace the current mainframe system and all of its core administrative systems, including Finance, Human Resources, Student, Financial Aid, Alumni and Foundation. The administrative software project also will include a Content Management System for the University’s Web site.

A contest is being launched to provide a moniker for the new system. One suggestion from campus has already been submitted by Debbie Dutch Kelley, Human Resources. Her suggestion was LEO (Linking Everything Online).

Ideally the name should have some reference to something identifiable to Missouri Southern, (as the above example references the lion mascot). To get the creative process started, Sandi offers the following suggestions for letter usage:

Grant to fund mining digital web site

Missouri Southern has received a LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) Cooperative Grant. Our project is entitled "Riches from the Earth: Geological and Industrial History of Jasper County," Charles Nodler, Archivist, says the project will create a digital web site of mining history through the collaboration of 4 organizations consisting of Missouri Southern State University, the Joplin Museum Complex, the Powers Museum, and Western Historical Manuscript Collection Rolla.

A total of $7,745.64 from LSTA to do the project. The grant period runs from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2006.

Today's Brown Bag

Today's Brown Bag presentation and free lunch for faculty/staff will feature Sabine Cramer, Foreign Languages. Her topic: is "Reverse Culture Shock." 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 1 p.m. classes.

Lunch is free to those attending the session. The mini-buffet will be outside BSC 310. Free lunches are a courtesy of Academic Affairs and Sodexho Food Management Services

Valentine Dinner to Benefit Mansion Renovation

Romance is in the air and the Student Alumni Association is having a Spaghetti dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day. Invite your sweetheart or friend to an evening of dinner, dancing and entertainment. The event will be held in the Conner Ballroom, on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. There will be dancing, music and entertainment.

The menu will include pasta with a choice of meat marinara or alfredo sauces, salad, breadstick, and dessert. Dinner for two is $14. The cost of single dining is $8.50. All dinners include a complimentary photo. Flower and candy packages are available with reservations, a carnation and candy is $3 or chooses a rose and candy for only $5. All proceeds benefit the Mission Hills Mansion Renovation Project.

Reservations can be made at the Alumni Office. Tickets must be paid for at the time of reservation. All tickets must be purchased by Feb.16. For more information call Deb Gipson, Alumni, at ext. 9673.

MSSU Graduate Named Missouri Sportswriter of Year by NSSA

Craig Vonder Haar, a graduate of Missouri Southern State University and sports reporter for The Missourian in Washington, Missouri, has received a major honor from The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA). Vonder Haar has been named the 2005 Missouri Sportswriter of the Year by the organization.

The Missourian serves Franklin county, including the cities of Washington, Union and St. Clair. Vonder Haar received a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from Missouri Southern State University in 1994. He is a graduate of Pacific High School. Vonder Haar has been with The Missourian since September 1996.

He has been nominated previously for the NSSA award. This is the first time he has won the award.

Vonder Haar beat out an all-star lineup for this year’s award. Others on the ballot included St. Louis Post-Dispatch writers Bernie Miklasz and Jim Thomas and Kansas City Star writer Joe Posnanski.

Vonder Haar will go to Salisbury, N.C., April 29-May 1 to attend the 47th Annual Awards Program. NSSA is headquartered in Salisbury, N.C., with its hall of fame in the city. This is the second year in a row that The Missourian has captured the top prize for sportswriters as awarded by NSSA. Last year, the paper's Sports Editor Bill Battle received the top award.

Vonder Haar is being honored with Frank Cusamano of KSDK Channel 5 from Missouri. Cusamano is the sportscaster of the year from Missouri. National award winners are Steve Rushin of Sports Illustrated and Jim Nantz of CBS Sports. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year are Phil Rizzuto of the New York Yankees Network and W.O. McGeehan of the New York Herald-Tribune.

Debaters compete in Gorlock Gala

MSSU's Speech and Debate Squad competed in the Annual Gorlock Gala Debate tournament Jan. 26-29 at Webster University in St. Louis. A total of 78 tournament debaters in the Lincoln-Douglas debate division took part. Additionally, there were 95 parliamentary debaters in the parliamentary debate division from 38 colleges and universities representing sixteen states.

At the tournament in the Lincoln Douglas debate, Michael Baca, sophomore from Neosho, and Dylan Slagel, sophomore from Aurora, qualified for elimination rounds. Slagel was defeated in the double octo-final round on a 2-1 decision. Baca went to the quarterfinal round before losing to a debater from Creighton University.

In novice parliamentary debate, Carthage freshman Matt Templeton and Cassville freshman David Reed qualified for elimination rounds. The MSSU team went to the semi-final before dropping a 2-1 decision. David Reed also won a Second Place Individual Speaker Award.

The team is now off until this weekend when they travel to Washburn University for the Spring Capitol Classic Feb. 3-4 according to Kelly Larson, Forensics Director.

Faculty Development Workshop

A faculty development workshop titled "Postmodern Pedagogy Engaging Generation NeXt and Other Students" featuring Mark Taylor of Arkansas State University-Beebe, will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 in BSC. All faculty and staff may attend. Dr. Taylor will present the model of “Postmodern Pedagogy” with practical skills for facilitating student engagement and learning in knowledge, application, and valuing dimensions. To reserve your space contact Betsy Griffin, Academic Affairs, at griffin-b@mssu.edu.

Sale at Bookstore

Ladies' Jansport black & white quarter zip hoods are on sale for $14.99 in the MSSU Bookstore. (The regular retail price $29.99.)

Don't forget about Valentine's gifts. The facility, in the bottom floor of the Billingsly Student Center, has everything you need to for that special someone.

To place an order please contact Liz Scheurich, Bookstore at 625-3035.

Nominations being taken

It is time again to nominate students for the Outstanding Graduate Award. Nomination forms are being sent to each department on campus and can also be accessed on the Alumni Association Web site. Each department is encouraged to consider a nominee. A letter of recommendation is required to accompany all nominations to provide personal information not obtainable through regular applications.In addition to this recommendation, the student will be contacted for further information regarding academics, leadership roles, activities, and club memberships. Nominations are due in the Alumni Office by 3 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13. For information call Deb Gipson, Alumni, at ext. 9673.

Health Fair Winners

Darren Fullerton, Campus Recreation/Wellness, says sver 300 faculty and staff members participated in this week's two-day Health Fair. Vendor prizes were won by Kathy Edwards (portable stereo from Valic) and Carolyn Meyer (whitestrips dental kit from Delta Dental). Other prizes, from MSSU Campus Recreation & Wellness, included the following:

Campus Recreation Prizes may be claimed in the Student Services Office, BSC 211. A special thank you goes out to all who took part.

Those with questions or suggestions regarding the Health Fair, should contact Darren at ext. 9392.

FACULTY/STAFF

Barbara Box, Nursing, participated on the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) Evaluation Review Panel January 25 in Chicago. Dr. Box has been appointed to the panel for a two year period. Panel members evaluate baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs seeking NLNAC accreditation that have been visited by program evaluators. The Evaluation Review Panel submits recommendations for accreditation to the NLNAC Commission for final approval.

Joey Brown, English, has had two more poems accepted for publication. "A Girl You Could Get, Pt.3" and "A Girl You Could Get, Pt. 4" will appear in the Spring/Summer issue of Phantasmagoria.

Dale Fletcher and Mike Fox of the Mechanical Maintenance Department of the Physical Plant attended a two day training seminar January 26-27 in Neosho sponsored by the National Swimming Pool Foundation. Both tested and received their Pool Operator's Certification.

Faculty members Marsi Archer, Michael Garoutte, and Mel Mosher assisted with the help of the Chemistry Club in making tie-dyed t-shirts and slime and helped students perform a chemical magic show at the Alumni Association's Legacy Day event on Saturday, Jan. 28. Club members included John Carr, Amber Cullum, Charles Grife, Amber Harris, Ali Kane, David Lewis, Sean Owens, Jamin Perry, Victoria Rigdon, Aaron Sanders, Josh Taylor, and Tessa Woods.

Patricia Murphy, English, will have an essay on a book-length poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning reprinted in the multi volume reference work, Nineteenth Century Literature Criticism. The essay originally appeared in a scholarly journal specializing in Victorian literature.

Christy Phillips, Student Services, says Joplin High School (JHS) is looking for judges for the Heart of the Ozarks Speech and Debate Tournament Feb. 10 and 11. If you are interested, please contact Amber Hemphill at JHS. She will email you a form to fill out and e-mail back. Ms. Hemphill's e-mail address is ahemphill@joplin.k12.mo.us.

An article by Paul Teverow, History, titled "Another Metaphor for Teaching Excellence: Machiavelli's The Prince" appeared in the January issue of The Teaching Professor.

CLASSIFIED

Free: National Geographic magazines (with slipcases), dating back to the late 1980s. Contact ext. 9777.

Wanted to Buy or Rent: Used saxophone in working condition for a student to try out for jazz band at school. Call ext. 9527.