Current Issue: Volume 21 - Number 6 - February 17, 2006
Fourteenth Annual Langston Hughes Celebration February 24
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The Fourteenth Annual Langston Hughes Celebration will take place at 7 p.m., Friday Feb. 24 in Webster Hall Auditorium at MSSU.
Doris Walters, English, says featured speaker, Carmaletta Williams, will speak on the topic "Mother to Son: the Letters of Langston and Carrie Hughes." She has an essay on this topic coming out in the near future in a book of critical studies on the Joplin-born writer. She is the author of Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me: Langston Hughes in the Classroom.
The evening will also include performances of poetry and music and a drawing for children under age 12 to win three picture book biographies of Langston Hughes
Carmaletta Williams is an associate professor of English at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas. She has won a number of distinguished teaching awards including the Burlington Northern-Sante Faculty Achievement Award, two Distinguished Service Awards from Johnson County Community College and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching,
She has been the recipient of the Kansas Professor of the Year award, and the League for Innovation's Innovation of the Year award for her videotape Sankofa: My Journey Home. This video was a result of her Fulbright-Hays Award for study in Ghana, West Africa.
Williams recently returned from West Africa, where she established a faculty exchange between L'Ecole Nationale de Poste et Telecommunications and Johnson County Community College.
The event, co-sponsored by the Joplin NAACP, is free and open to the public.
Signing ceremony today
Missouri Southern President Dr. Julio León has invited all employees to a signing ceremony set for 11 a.m. today, Friday, Feb. 17, in Billingsly Student Center Room 314.
MSSU will be signing a cooperative master's agreement with Southeast Missouri State University. SEMO President Kenneth W. Dobbins will be present for the signing ceremony.
88.7KXMS to air "Intelligent Designs" documentary tonight
American RadioWorks ® , the documentary unit of American Public Media, says 88.7KXMS/Fine Arts Radio International ® will broadcast one of its recent radio documentaries, “Intelligent Designs on Evolution,” at 5 p.m. tonight, Friday, Feb. 17.
The controversy over evolutionary teaching is as lively today as ever. As many as nineteen states have taken up the battle over the teaching about the origins of life. Yet there still seems widespread confusion about “Intelligent Design.” What is this rival theory and what are the motivations of its proponents? Is this a debate of God vs. science or science vs. science? And why has this debate re-surfaced, some 80 years after Williams Jennings Bryan, Clarence Darrow and John Scopes sparred over science, religion and academic freedom?
The documentary explores the Intelligent Design movement with (among many) its “founder” Phillip Johnson, Pulitzer Prize winning historian Ed Larson, and a national radio drama tour of the Scopes trial, starring Edward Asner.
“Intelligent Designs on Evolution” was produced by Mary Beth Kirchner.
Sculptor Jeff Garrett to demonstrate techniques
Crowder College art instructor, Jeff Garrett, will demonstrate his techniques of slip casting with ceramics, which he incorporates into multi-media sculptures, in a Visiting Artist Workshop at Missouri Southern State University. He will also give a presentation showcasing how mold making and casting is used in his artwork.
The one day workshop will start at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 in room 105 (Sculpture Studio) of the MSSU Department of Art. The artist’s lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in a location to be announced. The workshop and lecture is free and open to all students and the public.
Mr. Garrett’s work can be viewed at: www.jeffgarrettart.com.
Garrett says characteristics of dada, pop, and funk are present in his work and creative process, including the humor inherent in funk art. Language, wit, and the visual pun are present, but equally matched by form.
Garrett is a Graduate with Distinction of Indiana State University where he earned his Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics and was awarded the Kraig A. Gibbons Memorial Award for Sculpture and a President’s Choice Purchase Award. He is a member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. Garrett recently set up a studio and resides in Joplin.
For more information, contact Frank Pishkur, Art, at ext. 9735 or e-mail pishkur-f@mssu.edu.
Contemporary Film Series to feature French comedy
The Contemporary Foreign Film Series will show Look at Me (France, 2004) at 7 p.m. tonight in Cornell Auditorium in Matthews Hall.
This sophisticated, subtle comedy follows the relentless efforts of a young woman, Lolita, to get her self-absorbed, egocentric father to notice her, especially once she discovers she has a talent of her own and has attracted a male friend who likes her for herself. The film was directed by Agnes Jaoui.
Look at Me was the winner of Best Screenplay at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. All showings are free and open to the public, though the sponsors welcome donations of $10 per person for the series from those who attend regularly.
For further information, please contact Bill Kumbier, English, at kumbier-w@mssu.edu or Nick Kyle, Art, at kyle-n@mssu.edu
Southern Symphony Orchestra to perform
The Department of Music will present “An Evening of Romantic Dances,” a concert by the Southern Symphony Orchestra, at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, at Taylor Performing Arts Center at MSSU. Admission is free.
Under the baton of Kexi Liu, Music, the orchestra will perform The Moldau by Smetana, polkas by Strauss, Hungarian dances by Brahms, waltzes by Tchaikovsky, and Slavonic dances by Dvorak. The Neosho High School Orchestra, directed by Alyssa DePew, will make a special guest performance.
Southern Symphony Orchestra consists of 60 members, including university students and faculty members, community members, and selected high school students.
For further information, contact Kexi at (417) 624-8795 or e-mail liu-k@mssu.edu.
MSSU debaters compete in Boston
Missouri Southern State University Speech and Debate Squad traveled to Boston, Mass for the Annual Suffolk and Simmons University Swing dual debate tournaments Feb. 10-13. A total of 40 tournament debaters from 19 colleges and universities represented 11 states.
Kelly Larson, Forensics, says at the tournament on Saturday, freshman Victor Cook of Stella, Mo., was undefeated in the preliminaries posting a 4-0 record.
Cook went all the way to the semi-final before dropping a 2-1 decision to a debater from Creighton University. Creighton was the tournament winner on Saturday.
The second half of the tournament, slated for Sunday at Suffolk University and hosted by the University of Florida, was cancelled by the school due to 18 inches of snowfall in the Boston area.
The team is now off until Friday when it heads to the Missouri State Speech and Debate Championships held at Drury University in Springfield, Mo.
A taste of India
Munawar Ahmed, Sodexo, invites faculty and staff to join the students and enjoy some delicious recipes from India all next week during lunch at our International Bar in Mayes Dining Hall. Menu items will be available from 11 a.m .to 1 p.m. for only $3.50.
"While at the Dining Hall please stop by and say hello to Chef Scott Teal and the rest of the Sodexho team," Munawar says. "I'm am sure they will appreciate the feedback."
Please check the Menu Hot Line at ext. 3796 for information on daily specials.
Missouri Southern Athletic Director Sallie Beard. |
Newsmakers to feature interview with Southern A.D.
An upcoming edition of the public affairs program Newsmakers features an interview with Missouri Southern Athletic Director, Sallie Beard.
Beard discusses her role as Athletic Director with program host, Judy Stiles. Beard also will talk about her involvement with the NCAA Division II Management Council, as a representative from the MIAA conference.
A large portion of the program focuses on the recent report by the Stadium Strategic Planning Committee to the Board of Governors, focusing on needs for updating and renovating Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
The program will air at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 on KOAM-TV and at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19 on KOZJ Public Television.
Newsmakers is a service of the Communication Department of Missouri Southern State University.
MSSU employee teams wanted
The offices of the Student Support Center, Housing and Student Activities will be hosting a Southern Olympics at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 14 in Young Gymnasium and Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
Holley Goodnight, Student Support Center, says the event is held in conjunction with MSSU's Safe Spring Break programming. Approximately 5-10 faculty/staff teams are needed to participate against MSSU student teams. (A 10-team limit exists.) Faculty and staff will compete against Southern students. "This is guaranteed to be a fun and entertaining event," Holley says.
Teams will be made up of 3 members - male, female or coed. All members must compete in events including cycling relays, curling-shuffleboard, bing bag toss, moon pie eating contest and more. All team members will receive a Free T-shirt.
Sign up in the Student Support Center or call ext. 9559.
Expo to provide “one stop shop” for upcoming graduates
Missouri Southern’s Grad Expo is slated for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 8 on the third floor of the Billingsly Student Center. This year, the event is combined with the Spring Job Expo.
The Grad Expo will provide over 500 upcoming May and July graduates a one stop shop to take care of pre-graduation needs. Students can pick up caps and gowns, order announcements, receive information from the MSSU Alumni Association and meet with representatives from the Financial Aid, Career Services and the Southern Business Office. Popcorn, cake and refreshments will be available.
“The Grad Expo is a one stop shop for graduating seniors to get all last minute details taken care of,” says Liz Scheurich, Bookstore. “We hope to alleviate graduation stress and bring everything the students need to them,” she adds.
Those with questions may contact Liz at (417) 625-3035.
Joplin City officials to speak on park, street projects
Joplin Parks & Recreation Director, Jerry Calvin, and Joplin Public Works Director, David Hertzberg, will talk about Joplin city projects on an upcoming edition of the KGCS-TV program Newsmakers .
Host Judy Stiles, Communications, will interview Calvin and Hertzberg. This program will provide an update on projects involving sales tax increases approved by voters in the City of Joplin. In 2001, voters approved a one-quarter cent increase for parks/storm water projects. In 2004, they approved a three-eighths cent increase for transportation projects.
Both guests will discuss the projects completed, as well as the ones still planned. They also will share information about the ten-year plans for projects. The parks projects completed include the renovations of Ewert and Cunningham pools and neighborhood parks. Future work is planned on Memorial Hall and the development of a new athletic complex near Schifferdecker Park.
The program will air on three stations at four times.
- At 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20 and at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22 on KGCS-TV.
- At 5:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 25 on KOAM-TV
- At 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26 on KOZJ-TV.
KGCS airs on Joplin/Webb city cable channel 7, UHF channel 57 and Mediacom channel 77. The station is a service of the Communication Department of Missouri Southern State University.
Blunt proclaims Child Passenger Safety Week
Gov. Matt Blunt is joining Missouri doctors and officials, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Highway Safety representatives, and members of the Columbia Safe Kids Coalition to discuss child passenger safety.
"I signed a proclamation declaring this week Child Passenger Safety Week in Missouri because I believe it is every parent's and caregiver's obligation to think first and foremost about ensuring their child's safety when traveling," Blunt said. "It is our responsibility to always make sure children are properly restrained and to never compromise their safety."
Trauma specialists from University Hospital reiterated the tragic consequences of cutting corners when it comes to child safety. When used correctly, child safety seats are 71 percent effective in preventing fatalities for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. The use of belt-positioning booster seats lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent compared to the use of vehicle safety belts alone. As children grow, how they sit safely in a car, truck, van or SUV changes. Follow the 4 Steps for Kids for the best protection:
- Use rear-facing infant seats from birth to at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds;
- Use forward-facing toddler seats from age one and 20 pounds to about age four and 40 pounds;
- Use booster seats from about age four to at least age eight - unless the child is 4'9" or taller; and
- Use safety belts at age eight or older or taller than 4'9".
It is always important to remember that children age 12 and under are safest when properly buckled in the back seat of a vehicle.
For more information about child passenger safety visit www.saveMOlives.com or call MoDOT's Highway Safety Division at 1-800-800-BELT.
Missouri Southern Faculty Senate President Nii Abrahams, Finance/Economics/International Business, and President-Elect William Huffman, Accounting, attended the Missouri Association of Faculty Senates (MAFS) meeting in Jefferson City. While there, they discussed higher education issues with Senators Goodman and Nodler and Representatives Emery, Hunter, Richard, Ruestman, Stevenson and Wilson.
Charles Nodler, Archivist, has been asked to serve as a member of the Executive Board of the Gene Taylor Library and Museum in Sarcoxie.
Paul Teverow, Social Science, faculty sponsor of the Model UN Club, and Caleb Gallemore, Rebeeca Elo, and John Conrace, members of the club, spoke to the February 14 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Joplin. Their presentation focused on how participation in Model UN advances MSSU's International Mission and on the benefits that Model UN offers to student participants.
Want to Buy: Best Buy "NSync" collectible figurine of Justin Timberlake. Proceeds benefited the Best Buy Children's Foundation in 2001-2003. Would prefer NRFB but will take in any condition. Contact ext. 9506.
For Sale: The Cougar Card is back! This is the best buy one get one free card in town. The cost is $10, but you'll save much more than that as you can use it up to 24 times at any of 12 different merchants. See the card at: www.collegeheights.org. Contact Bill at ext. 9778 for delivery of your card.
