Dr. Bruce Speck next President of MSSU

On Friday, Jan. 18, Missouri Southern State University announced the selection of Bruce W. Speck, Ph.D., as President of Missouri Southern State University.

The announcement was made by Chairman of the MSSU Board of Governors, Mr. Dwight Douglas, at a news conference on campus.

Dr. Speck has most recently served as Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Austin Peay State University (APSU) in Clarksville, Tenn., one of six universities in the Tennessee Board of Regents System. From 2001-2005, Dr. Speck served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and tenured Professor of English at APSU.

Mr. Douglas said Dr. Speck was chosen with the unanimous approval of the Board of Governors and the Search Committee as well as a vote of confidence from the MSSU Faculty Senate.

Before joining APSU, Dr. Speck served at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of English and Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1999-2000) and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of English (2000-2001).

Dr. Speck's academic credentials include a Ph.D. in English with emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1980-1984), a Master of Arts in English from Wayne State College in Nebraska (1978-1980), and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Northern Colorado (1973-1975).

Special guests at the news conference included area legislators, members of the search committee, community representatives and Speck's wife, Carmen. Dr. Speck and his wife have three grown children, Heidi, Ryan and Rose-Marie.

President to begin work February 4

Dr. Speck visits with MSSU employees

In a message to employees earlier this week, Acting President, Dr.Terri Agee, said Dr. Bruce Speck will begin his role as the new MSSU President on Feb. 4.

"Please join me in extending a warm Southern welcome to Dr. Speck and his wife, Carmen, as they lead the Southern family through the exciting times ahead," Agee said. "Many individuals have stepped up during the transitional period, and I want to extend a special thank you to Rob Yust and Linda Eis for overseeing the business affairs of the university," she continued. "Rob will be assuming the role of Asst. Vice President for Business Affairs, and Linda Eis, will continue to serve the university as the Treasurer."

Dr. Speck announced last Friday that Agee will serve as Senior Vice President and John Messick will serve as Vice President of Academic Affairs. Messick fills the post being vacated by Richard McCallum, who will be the new President at Dickinson State University (N.D.). Richard Miller has been named the Assistant Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences and will continue to serve as Social Sciences Department head.

Today's Brown Bag

Wendy McGrane, Library, will speak on "Showcase Your Accomplishments" at today's Brown Bag Lunch for faculty and staff.

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 presentation.

Go green for Legacy Day

Legacies of alumni will receive the opportunity to explore what Missouri Southern is all about at this year’s annual Legacy Day.

A legacy is a child lucky enough to have one or more relatives that graduated from or attended MSSU. On Saturday, Feb. 9, these legacies will have the opportunity to show their green colors while having fun with Missouri Southern’s fellow Lions.

Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m., and an assortment of interactive classes will follow at 3 p.m. The classes will be taught by MSSU Teacher Education majors in the Taylor Education Building. The classes will allow each legacy to bring home a little piece of MSSU. Activities wrap up at 5 p.m.

Legacies are invited to help cheer on the Lions at the double-header basketball game against the Fort Hays State tigers. The women will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Elisa Bryant, Alumni Association, at (417) 625-9355.

14 BVI students complete Business Administration degree

Thirteen BVI students will graduate with the bachelor-of-science degree in business administration from the Missouri Southern State University at a ceremony to be held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Auditorium on Sunday, Jan. 27.

This represents the second cohort of students in the BVI who will be graduating with bachelor’s degrees from the university. The 13 are all graduating with the B.S. degree in Business Administration.

President of HLSCC Dr. Michael O’Neal is among those who will give remarks at the graduation ceremony, while the keynote address will be delivered by Chairman of the College’s Board of Governors Dr. Charles Wheatley.

Missouri Southern is one of several institutions with which the HLSCC has academic affiliations. As part of the arrangement, academic credits of students from the College are transferable to MSSU.

Both institutions are currently discussing the possibility of offering a degree program to another cohort of BVI students.

Memorial for Saltzman

The campus community is invited to a special memorial gathering for English professor Art Saltzman at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 3 at the Spiva Art Gallery of MSSU. Readings and other tributes will take place. Members of Dr. Saltzman's family will be in attendance.

Art, who was the author of numerous books of essays and articles, died suddenly on Jan. 8. Art joined the Missouri Southern faculty in 1981. In 2003 he received Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

A signing for his most recent book, Solve for X, was held on Dec. 3 at Hastings in Joplin.

His creative writing has appeared in a wide variety of journals including Gettysburg Review, Iowa Review, Black Warrior Review, Ohio Review, River City, Fiction International, Gulf Coast and Mid-American Review.

Awards for his writing include the First Series Creative Nonfiction Award (Mid-List Press, 2001), Nebraska Review Creative Nonfiction Award, Roy Ames Memorial Essay Award (Literal Latte), Columbia Nonfiction Award, Victor J. Emmett Memorial Essay Award and six Pushcart Prize nominations.

Rawlins earns certification

Richard B. Rawlins, a professor in the Robert W. Plaster School of Business Administration, has become one of approximately 4,500 financial professionals in the U.S. to become a Certified Financial Manager (CFM).

The CFM program was established by the Institute of Management Accountants to encourage further development in financial management and to provide for recognition of financial professionals.

Candidates must sit for a comprehensive examination of financial management and related subjects and must have at least two years of financial management and/or management accounting experience.

“In achieving this certification, Rawlins displayed proficiency in many facets of accounting and financial management,” said Dennis Whitney, vice president of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. “His abilities in these and related fields undoubtedly make him a valuable member of your organization.”

Rawlins is a professor of Finance and Economics and heads the Certified Financial Planning program.

Literary Lions to discuss Mockingbird

The Literary Lions Book Club is seeking participants for this semester's literary work, the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The book won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for literature.

Since its original publication, the book has never been out of print in hardcover or paperback. It has sold over 30 million copies and been translated into over 40 languages. The book was adapted for the screen in a movie starring Gregory Peck.

Dr. Jude Meche of the Missouri Southern English & Philosophy Department will serve as moderator and will lead discussions at all meetings.

• The group will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13 for an introduction to To Kill a Mockingbird and the life and career of author Harper Lee.

• The group will meet at 6:30 on Thursday, March 27 for a discussion of the book.

• At 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10 the group will view the film version of the novel.

All meetings will be held in MSSU’s Spiva Library near the University Java coffee shop. The total cost to participate is $25 for the general public or $15 for Friends of the Spiva Library group members. The opportunity to participate is limited to the first 15 participants. Those interested should respond no later than March 3.

Literary Lions participants’ individual copies of To Kill a Mockingbird will be donated back to the Spiva Library. Those wanting to participate or obtain additional information should call the Literary Lions Book Club, by calling the Alumni Office (417) 625-9355.

Final Nights for Praying for Rain

The Theatre Department will present Robert Lewis Vaughan’s Praying for Rain, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26 in the Bud Walton Theatre.

Rachel Roberts directs this drama, the first of the 2008 MSSU season, which opened Jan. 22.

Marc is a high school senior who drifts into criminal behavior after an accident ends his career as an athlete. Without a clear sense of his identity, and in spite of the efforts of Miss K., the compassionate teacher in charge of his detention, Marc cannot resist the influence of toxic acquaintances.

The production is rated "M" for mature audiences and may include explicit language and/or action. For theatre production information or requests for accommodations related to a disability, call Terri Spencer, Theatre, at (417) 625-9393. For reservations, contact the MSSU Box Office at (417) 625-3190.

Athletic Alumni Reunion and Reception

All former athletes from Joplin Junior College, Missouri Southern State College and Missouri Southern State University are invited to attend the Missouri Southern All Athletic Alumni Reunion and Reception on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Past Missouri Southern and JJC athletes are asked to visit a special registration table set up in front of  Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium at 12:30 p.m. for tickets and information.  Those taking part will receive goody bags and game tickets. 

The day starts with the women’s game tipping off at 1 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 3 p.m. against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.  Alumni athletes will be recognized during half time of the men’s basketball game.   

At the end of the men’s game, a reception for the former JJC and Missouri Southern athletes will take place in Young Gymnasium. For information, contact Elisa Bryant, Alumni Association, at (417) 625-9355.

Children’s Haven featured on program

The Children’s Haven in Joplin will be the subject of an upcoming edition of the KGCS-TV program Newsmakers.

Children's Haven provides a solution for families in crisis who otherwise have no other means of support or resources to adequately care for their children in a critical time of need.

Program host, Judy Stiles, will interview Children’s Haven Director, Stephanie Theis.

Stephanie Theis describes the services provided for families in crisis, and how they provide a safe place for children to stay. She shares background about the facility which is celebrating its 5th anniversary.

Theis also will talk about the ways community support and volunteerism help the organization.

The station, day, date, and airtimes are:

• KGCS: Mon. Jan. 28 & Wed. Jan. 30 -5:30 p.m.
• KOAM: Sat. Feb. 2 - 5:30 a.m.
• KOZJ: Sun. Feb. 3 - 12:30 p.m.

KGCS to air speech

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day presentation at Missouri Southern by Jonathan Sprinkles will air at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 on KGCS-TV. Sprinkles spoke about "Leadership, Vision and Choice" to the audience gathered in Webster Auditorium on the MSSU campus.

The KGCS airing is part of the "MSSU Lecture Series" programming, featuring guests who visit campus. The speech may be seen on UHF channel 57, Cable One channel 7 and Mediacom channel 77.

Cheer & Dance Clinic scheduled

The 2008 Cheer and Dance Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Feb.  9 at MSSU’S Young Gymnasium. Hours are 1 - 3 p.m. Registration will begin at 12:45 p.m.

The clinic is designed for children in grades K-8. Cost of $15 includes a t-shirt & basketball half-time performance at MSSU that day against Ft. Hays State. The game begins at  5:30 p.m.  Participants will receive free admission to the game. Parents will be admitted for $5.

Pre-register before Feb. 1 to guarantee receiving a t-shirt. Instruction includes cheers, chants, jumps, stunts, dance, & lots of fun! For more information or to print off a form, visit http://www.mssu.edu/news/2008/cheerclinic08.html .

FACULTY/STAFF

Alan Adkins and Laura Adkins, Mathematics, attended the TEDS-M (Teacher Education Study-Mathematics) meeting in Orlando Jan. 5 - 7. Missouri Southern was chosen to take part in this international study funded by Carnegie Corporation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GE, and Boeing to study the preparation of mathematics teachers worldwide.

Mark Comstock, Accounting, has been appointed to a site visit team for the Associated Collegiate Business Schools and Programs accreditation agency Feb. 28-March 6 at the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates.

Tiffany Cossey, Robert Plaster School of Business Administration, had the article “Five Items You Did Not Know You Could Deduct” printed in the Jan. 21 edition of the Joplin Business Journal.

Mari Beth Linder, Nursing, has been selected as an item writer for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Certification Exam. The Certification exam offered to foreign nursing school graduates is used by 80% of US Boards of Nursing as a prerequisite for licensure in the US. Item writers will convene in St. Kitts, West Indies March 30 - April 5.

Wendy McGrane, Spiva Library, says the library held a staff training day on Jan. 9. Employees took part in a full day of team-building and training. In addition to departmental instruction and updates, guest speakers from across campus presented information on personality types, customer service, professionalism, and technology. Speakers included Kelly Wilson, Advising, Counseling & Testing, Beverly Block and Carla Huntington, Robert Plaster SOBA, and Debbie Woodmansee, ITS. Ann Quade, Library Secretary, was voted Library Employee of the Year.

Rusty Raymond, Music, will participate as a judge to serve on a panel jurying auditions for the 2008 Missouri All-Collegiate Band. The All-Collegiate Band is selected once every four years and is performing at 8:30 p.m. tonight, at the Missouri Music Educators Association convention at the Tan-tar-a Resort in Osage Beach. This year's guest conductor will be Dr. Myron Welch from the University of Iowa.

The ITS Help Desk Staff cordially invites you to a special Open House. Friday, January 25 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Second floor of the Library (Just above the Coffee Shop.) Come meet the people on the phone! Cookies & Punch for Faculty, Staff and Students

CLASSIFIED

For Sale: Washer & dryer. $400 for both. White. Great condition. Newer. In good working order. Potential buyer could see them work. Will sell dryer for $175 and washer for $225. Call Dave at (417) 529-0463.

For Sale: Full sized matching sofa and love seat. Color is solid tan, suede fabric. Good condition. Will sell set for $200. Make appointment to see. Call Dave at (417) 529-0463.

For Sale: 1998 Toyota Camry. Leather, Sunroof, All Power, New Tires and Brakes. $4500. Call (417) 438-6209.