Chinese Theatre performances next week

Two performances of Chinese theater, one from Taiwan, the other from mainland China will be presented at Missouri Southern State University during the first week of October.
         

*   The Diabolo Dance Theater of Taiwan will  perform at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3 in Taylor Performing Arts Center. 

The performance is free and open to the public.

The Diabolo Dance Theater of Taiwan has merged traditional "diabolo" (juggling props consisting of a spool which is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks) with contemporary dance and gymnastics, becoming the first artistic performing group to combine these creative elements with theatrical ideas.
        
These young performers, ranging in age from 8 to 24, have mastered the skills of playing diabolo with musical rhythm, ballet, gymnastics, jazz, and martial arts.
        
Diabolos have been one of the most popular toys for children in China for over 4,000 years. Spinning, tossing, swinging, looping, and bouncing are the five basics in playing the diabolo. For better control of the rolling diabolo, a player needs to learn how to breathe along with the movement and how to concentrate on the flying diabolo. 

* Kung Fu Theater: "Tales from the Beijing Opera" will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 in Webster Hall Auditorium at MSSU. It is also free and open to all. 
        
A series of comic and dramatic scenes from China's most popular stories told in English and Chinese, this "kung fu" theater is a combination of music, dialogue, dance, mime, and acrobatics. These scenes capture the magic and beauty of China's most renowned performing arts tradition.

Kung Fu Theatre: "Tales from the Beijing Opera" is a series of short stories drawn from Chinese history, mythology and folklore. In spite of the high art connotations of its name, Beijing Opera is loud and colorful.

In a full show, several 20- to 45-minute-long stories are performed using English and Chinese dialogue, music, dance, mime, acrobatics, stage fighting, and singing.

The show is as visual and exciting as it is cultural and educational. The performers are professionally trained Chinese Beijing Opera actors, most of whom began performing before the age of ten.
        
The performances are being presented as part of the "China Semester" at MSSU. 

During the theme semester, special emphasis is placed on the art, history, entertainment, politics and overall culture of China's past, present and future.

Today's Brown Bag

Betsy Griffin, Academic Affairs, reminds faculty/staff about the Brown Bag lunch for today, Friday, Sept. 28. Willie Edwards, Teacher Education, will speak on "Improving Teacher Training in Pakistan: At Last, Best Hope?"

The Brown Bag will be held from 12:10 - 12:50 p.m. in the Keystone Room on the 3rd floor of the BSC. Lunch is provided courtesy of Academic Affairs and Sodexho.

Just pick up your lunch at the buffet and prepare for an interesting discussion. All faculty/staff are welcome to attend.

"Music, Menus & Masterpieces"

Music, Menus & Masterpieces" is a chefs' & designers' showcase presented by the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition slated for 2 - 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29 in the Alice H. Wilson Room of the Joplin Family Y South. 

The event will feature designers and florists, a gourmet cooking demonstration by Chef Michael Anthony Yonovak, a silent auction of fine art, antiques and masterpieces and music by Chet and Cecie Fritz and Jerry Holcomb.

A variety of local businesses have underwritten the event. To see a detailed list of activities, visit http://www.mssu.edu/msipc/news/mmm07.htm.

"Music, Menus and Masterpieces" benefits the 2008 Missouri Southern International Piano Competition.  Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the MSIPC office and the participating merchants.  Please call the MSIPC office at (417) 625-9755 for more information or tickets.

Chili cook-off Monday, Oct. 8

The Second Annual Homecoming Chili Cook-Off will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 8 on the first floor of the Billingsly Student Center. Participants must adhere to the following guidelines to take part:

• Cooking areas must be completely set up by 11 a.m. the day of the event.
• Chili must be prepared in advance.
• Chili is to consist of any kind of meat, beans, vegetables or combinations thereof, cooked with chili peppers, spices and other ingredients.
• Chili may be made with or without meat or beans.
• Contestants should bring a minimum of 5 quarts of chili, keeping in mind that the more you bring, the more people will be able to taste it and the more potential votes you will receive.
• A complete list of ingredients must be available for each entry.
• Contestants must be willing to eat their own chili.
• All contestants must provide their own heating apparatus- crock pots, or slow cooker, extension cords, and cooking utensils, and ingredients.
• Each entrant will be provided with one 8’ table and one chair.
• Participants must make sure all garbage is picked up from their area.
  

A $1 donation, taken at the door, will be assessed to allow for chili-tasting. All proceeds will benefit the United Way of Joplin.

Awards will be given to participants for: Best Overall Taste; Best Name of Chili; Best Presentation of Chili. Remember: Decorating your table using the theme "Let the Good Times Roll: Celebrating 70 Years of Lion Pride" will earn you more points.

Awards will be given at 1 p.m. in Billingsly Student Center, bottom floor. Forms must be returned to the Alumni Office by Thursday, Oct. 4.

For registration information, call Elisa Bryant, Alumni, at ext. 3068 or e-mail: bryant-e@mssu.edu.

"Let the Good Times Roar" at Homecoming 2007

Make plans to take part in activities surrounding Missouri Southern State University’s 2007 Homecoming, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-13. The theme is "Let the Good Times Roar: Celebrating 70 Years of Lion Pride."

• Friday’s activities will begin with the 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Campus Picnic on the MSSU Oval.
  
  
• That evening, the complimentary All Alumni Reception, sponsored by the Robert W. Plaster School of Business Administration and the MSSU Alumni Association will be held from 6-7 p.m. at the Joplin Ramada Inn.  Casual attire is recommended.
  
  
• At 7 p.m., the Alumni Awards Dinner will take place, also at the Ramada Inn.  The cost is $16 for members or $18 for the general Public.   Those honored will be Outstanding Alumni, the Lion Hearted Recipient, Hall of Fame Inductees, Outstanding Professors, Governor’s Award Recipient and the most recent Superior Service recipients.  Entertainment will be provided by Southern Exposure.  Business attire is recommended.
  
  
• On Friday night, a free block party for students featuring the band “Some Fun” from St. Louis will be held from 7 - 11 p.m. on campus.
  
  
• On Saturday, Homecoming Day, The Lion Pride Brunch will take place in the BSC Connor Ballroom at 9:30 a.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. The cost is $8 for Alumni Association members and Lionbackers members and $10 for the public. 
  
• A large number of bands and floats will be featured at the Homecoming Parade at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning on campus.  Students, faculty, staff, community and, especially, children are invited to attend.
  
  
• The Teacher Education Department will have a free reunion tailgate 12:30 - 2 p.m. on the parking lot of Hughes stadium.  This reunion is open to both students in and graduates of the Teacher Education program.
  
  
• Kickoff for the Homecoming game with the Fort Hays Tigers will take place at 2 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased for $5 in advance from the MSSU Alumni Association or $10 at the gate. Faculty/Staff/students get in free. 
  
  
•  Following the game, the Alumni Band post-game reunion will be held at 5 p.m. in Phinney Hall on campus.  The cost to take part is $10.
  

For a complete look at Homecoming Activities, contact the Alumni Association at (417) 625-9355 or visit http://www.mssu.edu/alumni/Homecoming.htm.

Homecoming departmental display contest

The Departmental Displays Competition was originated so that the celebration of Homecoming would be visible to those working and visiting our campus. Our Homecoming theme this year is “Let the Good Times Roar”. Your department may register by calling the Student Activities Office at ext. 9346 or e-mail Melanie Epperson, Student Activities, at epperson-me@mssu.edu.

The deadline for registration will be 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3. Display building may begin at 8 a.m. on Oct. 3. Display building must be complete by 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9. Judging will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

JUDGING
Judging will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 10. A panel of judges will be selected by the Student Activities Office.

PRIZES
Prizes will be 1st place – Office pizza party, 2nd place – Office donut party.

CONTEST RULES
Displays will be judged on the basis of creativity and originality, observance of theme and appearance. Winners will be announced at the picnic on Friday, Oct.12.            

Homecoming activities planned for students

A wide variety of activities are planned for students during Homecoming week (Monday, Oct. 8 - Friday, Oct 12) at Missouri Southern. For a complete list of events, see http://www.mssu.edu/news/homecoming_week_campus07.html

For more information contact Tori Christiansen, CAB, at (417) 625-9320..

Spiva Library celebrates Banned Books Week

Celebrate your freedom to read! Banned Book Week is sponsored by American Library Association, American Booksellers Association, National Association of College Stores, and others. Banned Books Week has been celebrated for 26 years to promote freedom to read. Even though censorship may be well intended, it limits the freedom of others to choose what they read, see, or hear. The First Amendment protects this freedom.

In Johnson vs. Texas Supreme Court, Justice William Brennan said, “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.”

This year Banned Books Week: “Ahoy! Treasure Your Freedom to Read and Get Hooked on a Banned Book”will be celebrated Sept. 29 – Oct. 6. There will be a display of books that have been either challenged or banned that are available in our collection. The display will be located on the main (third) floor of the library throughout the week. Please come hook a banned book and treasure your freedom to read.

Career Development Day next Wednesday

Career Development Day will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3 on the 3rd floor of the Billingsly Student Center.

This job fair is designed to help students make wise career choices by providing them with real-world information about a variety of careers. Professional dress is recommended and career-seekers are advised to bring a number of resumes.

All students and alumni are encouraged to attend. Career Break-Out Sessions, one-hour panel discussions, will help job seekers in various academic disciplines learn more about specific careers. On the previous evening, Tuesday, Oct. 2, a special Networking Reception will be featured from 6 - 8 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Billingsly Student Center. The event will feature valuable networking opportunities with employers.

The events are sponsored by the Office of Career Services at Missouri Southern State University. A list of employers registered to attend Career Development Day can be viewed at www.mssu.edu/career.

International photo contest

Who:  Students, faculty and staff who traveled abroad on a Missouri Southern sponsored trip in 2006 or 2007.

What: Photos must be representative of student study abroad. Entries must be printed on 8 1/2 X 11 paper or smaller. Electronic entries not accepted.

When: Entries must be received by 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 5, at the Institute of International Studies Office, Webster Hall, room 337 (3rd floor).

Where: Photos will be displayed Nov. 14 at the Study Abroad Fair, 9 a.m. —1 p.m., 3rd floor ballroom, Billingsly Student Center.

How: Prizes will be awarded in separate categories for students and faculty/staff, for first, second, third, with recognition for  honorable mention. Fair attendees will separately vote for a best of show in both categories, with that prize being announced Nov. 15.

Photos will be judged by a professional panel. Submitted photos become the property of  the Institute of International Studies and Missouri Southern State University, and can be used in advertising and promotional products. Contest is sponsored jointly by the IIS and MSSU, with the assistance of a Public Relations Class taught by Brenda Kilby, Communication. For more information, please contact Kilby at Ext. 9786 or Chad Stebbins, IIS, Ext. 9736.

Contemporary Foreign Film Series continues

The Contemporary Foreign Film continuing education class continues next Friday, Oct. 5, with a showing of the provocative and disturbing Heading South (Vers le sud) (France, 2005) at 7 p.m. in Cornell Auditorium, Plaster Hall.  The film probes the tensions and jealousies at stake when three women on holiday  who meet at a Haitian tourist resort find themselves competing for the sexual attention of a young islander.  At the center of the film are searing performances by Charlotte Rampling as the professor and Ménothy César as the object of her desire.

This film will be shown as part of a Missouri Southern Continuing Education class. The cost of the class is $10 per person per semester and those interested may register before the film Friday evening. Subsequent films will be shown this semester on Oct.19, Nov. 2, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7.

For further information about this film series, please contact Bill Kumbier, English, at kumbier-W@mssu.edu or
Nick Kyle, Art, at kyle-n@mssu.edu.

Chinese Film Festival presents The Blue Kite

The Chinese Film Festival at Missouri Southern will continue next week with a showing of The Blue Kite (Lan feng zheng).

The film will be shown at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2 in Cornell Auditorium in Plaster Hall at MSSU.

The 1993 film, directed by Tian Zhuangzhuang, is an outstanding and elegant epic about the experiences of one Chinese family through the 1950s and 60s, a period of vast political and social upheaval in China.

It has been called one of the best movies made about The Cultural Revolution. Actress Liping Lu stars as a woman who loses three husbands.

The recurrent voice of a radio announcer is a valuable part of the movie, providing political background on the Cultural Revolution which resulted in demonstrations, humiliations, imprisonments and executions. The blue kite is a symbol of life that flies high in the beginning but eventually spins out of control, and breaks.

The film is free and open to the public.

Pishkur work in New York exhibition

A work by Frank A. Pishkur, Art, is included in the second annual National Juried Exhibition, "History in the Making: Ceramic Traditions, Contemporary Pots" at The Gallery of the Genesee Center for the Arts and Education in Rochester, N.Y. This exhibition features contemporary ceramic forms that utilize techniques or follow formats originated with traditional (regional, ethnic, or culturally specific) historical ceramics. The exhibition opens on Sept. 28 and runs through Oct. 27.

Works by only 42 U.S. artists were selected by judge Val Cushing, former professor of ceramics at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.Discussing the historical example utilized in his own entry, "Jar with Inlayed Pattern," (stoneware with inlayed slip and Celadon glaze, 2006), Pishkur explains, "Inlaying a white slip or clay into a darker, stoneware clay is a very old ceramic technique often associated with Asian ceramics. It is especially common in traditional Korean sanggam (inlay) buncheong ceramics from the early Joseon Period."

Pishkur spent three semesters as a visiting professor of ceramics at Kyung Hee University in Suwon, South Korea. "In my work here at MSSU, I used a Chinese developed, high temperature Celadon glaze rather than a traditional buncheong (Korean) glaze," he explains.

Debate Team takes part in tournament action

Missouri Southern's Speech and Debate Squad competed in the Georgia Bowman Invitational Debate Tournament Sept. 21-23. The tournament was held at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.

A total of 54 tournament debaters from 11 colleges and universities representing six states took part.

At the first tournament of the year, junior Whitney Hart, junior Political Science and Communication major from Lamar, came closest to qualifying for elimination rounds with a 3-3 record.

MSSU Associate Professor of Communications Forensic Director Kelly Larson states: “In the first tournament of the year, we had a good start.” Larson says, “With such an expansive topic like assistance to Africa, we at least know what we have to work on and fix in the next 10 days before we compete again.”

The team will travel next week to the University of Central Missouri for the annual Missouri Mule debate tournament

Enrollment for Spring Law Enforcement Academy

Enrollment begins Monday, Oct. 1 for the next session of Missouri Southern's 600-Hour State Certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy according to Tim Wilson, Academy Training Coordinator.

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 Academy will meet Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. beginning Jan. 14. The Academy requires four Saturday classes per semester. Graduation will be held May 7, 2008.

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 Tim Wilson at (417) 625-9519 or e-mail wilson-t@mssu.edu.

Jiang to probe Chinese foreign policy

Two examinations of China’s foreign relations, one with the United States, the others with its Asian neighbors, will be presented by Maorong Jiang, Director of the Asian World Center at Creighton University, next week at Missouri Southern State University.

• The first presentation, titled “Uncontested Nationalism and Realpolitik in China’s Changing Relations with the U.S.,” will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2 in Webster Hall Auditorium. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Professor Jiang will discuss the changes in China’s political spectrum, trying to give a realistic evaluation on the emerging “big-economic power” mindset and its changing relations with the U.S. He explores the Chinese International Relations theory as to “see” what the future is going to be in the changing relations with that mindset manifested in the peculiar nationalistic way Chinese.

• The second presentation, “Modern China and Chinese Past: A Political Analysis of China-Japan-Taiwan Triangle,” will take place at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2 in Webster Hall Auditorium.

Admission is free and the public is invited.
   
FACULTY/STAFF

Dorothy C. Bay, Biology, published several new names of species previously unknown to science recently. They appear as "New Species of Stenospermation and Xanthosoma (Araceae) from Bajo Calima, Valle Department, Colombia" in Novon, Volume 17, Number 3, 2007.

Sheila Hart, Nursing, says he Student Nurse Association collected 43 units of blood Sept. 12 in the BSC. The goal was 35. Sheila thanks everyone who donated or otherwise assisted.

Two Missouri Southern employees, Bryce Darnell and Bart Tatum, Athletics, were among the recent Joplin Business Journal "40 under 40 Honorees" introduction.

CLASSIFIED

For Sale: 1978 Kincaid console piano, walnut finish, like new. Recently tuned and appraised at $2,500, asking $1,500. Call (417) 623-3199 or (417) 434-6631.

For Lease: Custom built immaculate mobile home on 7 private acres close in.  1,200 sq. ft.  2 bed/2bath.  All appliances, including washer/dryer.  Garage, all utilities and trash paid.  1 year lease.  $650.00 monthly,  $500.00 deposit.  Rental references.  For more info, call ext 9563 or 623-0025. 

Learn to Dance: Cha-Cha lessons are still open to beginners. Will also include Rumba and Mambo, as well as Two-Step, Waltz, and Jive later on. Sunday afternoons, 1-3 p.m., Joplin Square Dance Center, 1801 W. 2nd. The cost is $3 per person per session. No partner necessary. For more info, call Mary Castleberry, ext. 3133, or home 782-0158, or e-mail marymaryc@juno.com.

For Sale: Child's twin-size bed with two trundle drawers. Curved headboard and footboard w/slats. Knotty Pine. Excellent condition; barely used. Perfect for boy or girl. $200 (excluding mattress). Call 623-1280 for more information.

For Sale: 3,200+ sq. foot home in Briarbrook/Carl Junction area. 6 bedrooms, walkout basement, beautiful lot. $259,000. Call for more information: 540-3257.

For Sale: Desk with large desktop, two small drawers and two file drawers. $25; Twin Red metal frame/bottom bunk style - twin frame and mattress $50; Two hanging clothes storage moving boxes - $5. each; Papasan chair - round wicker frame w/black round cushion. $20 Call (417) 438-0649.

For Sale: 2006 Chevrolet Equinox LT 10,500 Miles; All Wheel Drive. Like new. Must sell. $18,500 or best offer. Sunroof, CD player, AC in back, factory warranty, Black with Silver-grey cloth interior; automatic. 25 mpg on the highway, 20-22 in town. Call Becky Gallemore at 659-5425, ( 417) 540-3423, cell or 782-9643, home.

Egypt Anyone? Consider a 10-day trip to Egypt in late June. The cost is approximately $3,200. That price covers air fare from Springfield, motel, breakfast and dinner except the cruise has 3 or more meals a day. Also included is a Nile cruise, a full-time bilingual guide and tickets to various museums and sites. For more details, call me Rebecca Gallemore at (417) 659-5425 or email gallemore-r@mssu.edu.