Deutsche Meisterwerke tonight

The Southern Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Kexi Liu, Music, will present "Deutsche Meisterwerke," a concert of German masterworks at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, at Taylor Performing Arts Center.

The program includes one of the most beloved violin concertos ever written. Featured soloist Angie Cheng will perform with the orchestra Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor by Mendelssohn.

The program also includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, one of the greatest and most performed symphonies in music history and the joyous Invitation to the Dance by Weber.

Angie Cheng, a graduate of Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard School and Yale University, studied with Dorothy DeLay, Hyo Kang, and Aaron Rosand. She was featured in “Angel of Violin," a program produced by Shanghai Television Station, after she won a prize in an international competition in Germany when she was 11.

Cheng has performed with numerous orchestras in both America and China. Admission to the concert is free and there will be a reception after the concert.

AT&T Foundation makes major donation

(left to right): MSSU President Dr. Bruce Speck; AT&T Regional Vice President Kevin Vossen; MSSU Board of Governors Chair H. Dwight Douglas

AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy arm of AT&T Inc., announced on Wednesday, Nov. 12 that it is donating $100,000 to Missouri Southern to help fund technology requirements for its new student recreation center and bookstore.

The grant will provide funding for additional wireless capability for student areas, communication upgrades for the new offices and conference rooms and audio-visual equipment for a theater in the center.

“Missouri Southern is not an island entire of itself,” said MSSU President Dr. Bruce Speck, paraphrasing John Donne. “This type of assistance that helps us integrate new technology into both our administrative and student areas comes at a time when it is needed and appreciated," Dr. Speck continued.

“We are honored to help this prestigious institution,” said Kevin Vossen regional vice-president of AT&T Missouri.

“I would also like to commend state Senator Gary Nodler, and state Representatives Ron Richard and Bryan Stevenson for enacting progressive public policies that encourage companies to invest in Missouri and to make these this kind of financial commitment,” Vossen added.

"We express our thanks to the AT&T Foundation,” said H. Dwight Douglas, Chair of the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.

Music majors and minors ONSTAGE next Thursday

The MSSU Music Department will present ONSTAGE on Thurs., Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m., in Webster Hall's Corley Auditorium.

Susan Smith, Music, says this annual entertaining event will showcase the talents of forty voice majors and minors in staged opera scenes and musical theatre scenes exploring "What's Love Got To Do With It?"

The event is free and open to the public. For information, contact Susan at (417) 625-3048.

German contributions focus of presentations

William Keel, chair of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Kansas, will make two presentations today on campus.

• “Little Germanies in Kansas and Missouri: Kannst du Deitsch plaudern?” will be presented at 9 a.m. today, Friday, Nov. 14, in Corley Hall in Webster Hall.

• “Ei, du schöne Schnitzelbank!: A Never-Ending Story in American Popular Culture” will round out Dr. Keel’s presentations at 11 a.m. today in Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall.

The presentations are free and open to the public.

William Keel has a Ph.D. in Germanic Linguistics from Indiana University. His primary teaching and research interests are in German dialectology, Germanic philology, the structure of Modern German, and German-American studies. Since 1981, he has served as editor of the Yearbook of German-American Studies and, since 1986, as a member of the executive committee of the Society for German-American Studies.

He is internationally recognized as an expert on German settlement dialects (Sprachinseln) in the American Midwest and has lectured on that subject at several German universities and the Institut für deutsche Sprache in Mannheim.

Tree planting first step in larger plan

Trees have always covered much of the landscape at Missouri Southern State University. Then, last winter, many were irreparably damaged when two major ice storms hit the area.

A formal tree-planting ceremony took place Thursday, Nov. 13 outside the front entrance of Hearnes Hall.

The planting of the white red bud tree is the first step in the implementation of a larger plan to replace the trees. The development of the tree replacement plan for the MSSU campus has resulted from a faculty/staff-driven project working through Missouri Southern's Sustainability Committee.

Funds for the purchase of the trees come from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the clean-up after the ice storm last winter. An agent from the Missouri Department of Conservation, Tim Frevert, helped formulate the plan with the assistance of Dorothy Bay and Scott Wells of the MSSU Biology Department.

The formal tree planting will create a springboard to enable the Sustainability Committee and the University to plant additional trees, apply for grants for additional sustainable landscaping needs, and support additional sustainable initiatives and grants.

Missouri Southern’s long-term vision is to create a campus arboretum that will serve as an educational platform from which to promote botany, ecology, and sustainability programs.

Holiday Auction

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) invites the community to its Holiday Auction, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 15 at the First Community Church, 15th & Murphy Blvd. in Joplin. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. with the auction beginning at 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the group's scholarship fund for MSSU.

For information about the auction or joining the AAUW, call Mary Parker, ACTS, at ext. 9363.

Chocolate Festival a "sweet treat"

The P.E.O. Chapter GQ, of which Doris Walters and Charline Lewis, English, are members, will have its second annual Chocolate Festival this year at First Presbyterian Church, 6th & Byers in Joplin, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15. Doris and Charline have tickets for sale. Tickets, also available at the door, are $5 each. Children under 12 get in free.

The monies from the Chocolate Festival will go toward college scholarships for women who otherwise might not be able to afford to go. Donations are accepted if one wishes to donate and cannot come to the festival. To place an order, call Charline at ext. 9377.

ODK Initiation next Tuesday

The campus community is cordially invited to attend the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Initiation Ceremony and Reception to be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov.18 in the Cornell Auditorium of Plaster Hall.

ODK is the national leadership honor society and membership is based on outstanding leadership, scholarship and character. Bruce Speck, President of Missouri Southern State University, will be honored as the faculty initiate.

The society recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is considered to be a mark of highest distinction and honor. To see a list of initiates visit http://www.mssu.edu/news/2008/ODK08.html

For more information about Omicron Delta Kappa on the Missouri Southern Campus, contact Elaine Freeman, Teacher Education, at 625-9759.

Flu shots

Flu shots are still available. The shots cost $10 for students and $15 for anyone else affiliated with the university (spouse, family members, retirees, companions, etc).

Anyone interested in getting a flu shot needs to call 625-9323 and make an appointment. The campus Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Millennium Tennis and Fitness Club, located at 1227 N. Range Line Road in Joplin, is offering a morning filled with fun at the Millennium tennis courts just for MSSU faculty/staff. A free clinic and match play will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Nov. 15 at the club's indoor tennis courts. For more information, contact Marianella Padron at (417) 206-0202.

Gardasil Clinic next week

A free Gardasil Clinic will be held from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 17-18 at the MSSU Student Health Center in Kuhn Hall on the Missouri Southern campus. No appointment is necessary.

Held in cooperation with the Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Missouri, the Student Health Center will conduct the free Gardasil Clinic. Gardasil protects young women from 70 percent of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) strains that cause cervical cancer and 90 percent of the strains of HPV that cause genital warts.

The Gardasil Clinic is open to all local females between the ages of 18 and 26. All young women who attend the Gardasil Clinic at MSSU and begin their 3-shot series in 2008 are guaranteed to get the two remaining vaccinations for free in 2009. For more information, contact the Student Health Center at (417) 625-9323.

 

DIVERSITY FOR DUMMIES Diversity Training for MSSU Faculty /Staff Covers Race, Gender, Age, Sexuality, Religion, Culture, S.E.S. and more 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20 OR 1 p.m., Friday Nov. 21 Cornell Auditorium, Plaster Hall Learn to demonstrate diversity to students and co-workers and be culturally competent. Sponsored by ACTS and the MOSO Week Squad

Jazz Orchestra Concert November 25

The Missouri Southern Jazz Orchestra invites faculty, staff, students and community to attend its Swingin’ Holiday Show at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday Nov. 25 in the Corley Auditorium of Webster Hall at Missouri Southern State University.

Joining the Southern Jazz Orchestra (SJO) on this concert will be special guest vocalist Lendi Stirewalt, junior music major from Diamond.

This concert will, no doubt, put you in the “holiday spirit.” Stirewalt will sing several seasonal favorites.  The jazz orchestra will perform a variety of both holiday and traditional jazz selections Soloists include:

Neosho
Devon Toland, freshman music education major from Neosho (vibes)

Joplin
Levi Randolph, senior Music Education major from Joplin (saxophone)
Paul Whetstone, senior Music major from Joplin (trombone)

Webb City
Kyle Babbitt, junior Music Education major (saxophone)
Joe Sellers, visiting student from Webb City (piano)

Under the direction of Jeff Macomber, Music, the Swingin’ Holiday Show is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.

For more information, contact Jeff, Southern Jazz Orchestra Director, at (417) 625-9635 or call the MSSU Music Department at (417) 625-9318, FAX (417) 625-4040 or e-mail macomber-j@mssu.edu.

Meet the members of the Southern Jazz Orchestra online at:  www.mssu.edu/music/newjazzorchestra.html.

Keeping communities warm one coat at a time

Winter is approaching, and no one should have to go without such a basic necessity as a coat!

MSSU’S National Leadership Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa (OKD), is collecting clean, reusable coats, jackets to assist the One Warm Coat community service effort. Coats of all shapes sizes are welcome and children's sizes are most needed.

One Warm Coat is dedicated to distributing reusable coats, free of charge, directly to local children and adults. The program is a wonderful way for you and your family to pass along coats and jackets that you no longer need.

Bring your clean, reusable coats and jackets to any of the designated ODK Big Blue Boxes on campus (Hearnes Hall, Reynolds Hall, Spiva Library, Webster Hall, Taylor Hall, Music Hall, Kuhn Hall, Plaster Hall, SLC Cafeteria and McCormick Hall) from Nov. 3 - 24.

All donated coats will be given to Watered Gardens and City of Refuge for free distribution to the community in need.

Last year, Omicron Delta Kappa held the first annual One Warm Coat Drive. During that drive the group collected over 350 coats on the Missouri Southern State University Campus. ODK received special recognition for the project.

For information contact Elaine Freeman, Teacher Education, at 625-9759 or Sara Jones at (816) 752-5888.

Bookstore specials

Greg Needham, Bookstore, says several shirts and pullovers are on sale at great prices. To see photos of the merchandise click this link http://picasaweb.google.com/mssubookstore and click on the Lion's head.

MSSU celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week

The MSSU Small Business Development Center and the MSSU Center for Entrepreneurship will be offering a series of four workshops to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 17 - 23. This worldwide effort promotes entrepreneurial education and awareness. The website for Global Entrepreneurship Week lists events that are being held at educational institutions worldwide: http://www.unleashingideas.org/.

The following events are being held in The Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center next week to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week:

Aspiring Student Entrepreneurs - The First Steps to Starting a Small Business
This introductory workshop will provide college students with an overview of the critical first steps associated with starting a business. It is designed specifically for those who are thinking about starting a business. Participants will have an opportunity to assess their strengths and weaknesses, learn about the importance of planning, discuss legal and regulatory requirements, and identify sources of financing. Each participant will receive a Start-up Manual.
Monday, Nov. 17: 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., Plaster Hall Room 102, Free to MSSU Students

How to Place Your Business on the Web
The World Wide Web can be used as an effective communication and promotional tool by small businesses worldwide. This workshop is designed to give participants practical and useful information by having hands-on training about the Internet and Web page development.
Tuesday, Nov. 18: 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Plaster Hall Room 323, $20 per person

Conflict Resolution Skills for Entrepreneurs
Learn to express disagreements within a constructive framework. Build stronger business relationships by appropriately discussing conflicts while maintaining an atmosphere of mutual respect with co-workers and subordinates by expressing your viewpoints assertively and respectfully. Discussion will develop techniques to negotiate the best possible outcome for all involved. Relative needs and interests of each side will be appreciated, and points of resistance will be anticipated. Skills learned are applicable to professional as well as personal relationships.
Wednesday, Nov.19: 3 - 5 p.m., Plaster Hall Room 102, $55 per person

Using the Internet to Market Products and Services to Governmental Entities
(This workshop is offered in partnership with Heartland PTAC.) U.S. government agencies represent the world’s largest market, and contracts to purchase a variety of products and services. Learn how to target local, state, and federal government contracting opportunities. Learn where to find these offices through the services of a procurement assistance center. Find out where to locate information about government contracting on the Internet, and find resources that can assist you throughout the contracting process.
Thursday, Nov. 20: 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., Plaster Hall Room 109, $20 per person

To register for any of the events, call (417) 625-3128, or register online at www.mssutraining.com.

Media Showcase winners

The 2008 Southern Media Showcase winners were announced at MSSU on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Ward Bryant, Communication, says the Awards recognize outstanding work in video and print projects by area Middle and High School students who enter the competition. Winners were awarded with medals at a noon luncheon at the University. This was the twelfth year for the Media Showcase Awards, which are presented by the MSSU Communication Department.

A list of winners is available at http://www.mssu.edu/news/2008/mediashowcase_fall08.html.

KGCS wins national award

KGCS-TV has received a third place award in the Political Programming category from the Community Broadcasters Association. The Community Broadcasters Association represents over 2,600 Class A and LPTV stations nationwide.

The station was recognized for a Newsmakers interview with Congressman Roy Blunt.

"We're proud to receive this recognition on a national scale for our efforts to serve local viewers through informative programming," says Judy Stiles, KGCS General Manager.

KGCS operates on digital channel 22, reaching more than 167,000 households throughout the region. The station recently became the first in the Joplin television market to transition entirely to a digital broadcast signal.

The station is also seen on Cable One channel 7 and Mediacom channel 77. It operates as a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University.

FACULTY/STAFF

Elke Howe, Engineering Technology, presented to industry professionals on Quality Tools with Minitab and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis on the Missouri Southern campus Oct. 31 and Nov. 14.

Ken Kennedy, Public Safety and Wayne Thomason, Criminal Justice recently served as Evaluators for a Emergency Preparedness Drill at Labette Community College in Parsons, Kan. The drill consisted of a Mock Active Shooter and included Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Response.

CLASSIFIED

Home Needed: 16 month old brindle Pit Bull needs home. Daughter is moving and cannot keep the dog. Male dog is great with kids and strangers, still very much a puppy in behavior. Call ext 9800 if interested.

Japan Anyone? Consider an EF Tour to Japan for adults and/or students from approximately June 20 -30. Fees are $3,137 for students 22 and under; adults $3,427. Two-day extension to Hiroshima for additional $495. Fees include roundtrip airfare, hotels with breakfast & dinner daily, full time bilingual guide, 2 sightseeing tours in Tokyo and Kyoto led by licensed local guides, 9 visits to special attractions: Meiji Shinto Shrine, Sumida River cruise, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Lake Hakone cruise, Mount Komagatake cable car, Nijo Castle, Heian Shrine and Garden, Gold Pavilion and Osaka Castle; and a traditional tempura dinner. Brochures and sign-up information available in Taylor Hall 229B. Call Rebecca Gallemore at 659-5425 or cell (417) 540-3423.

For Sale: Blue Tweed Couch, $75; 2 blue tweed chairs in good condition $60 each. Walnut coffee table 2' x 6' $50.Beautiful wood! Also have a 2004 2 x 2 Toyota Tacoma, 81,000 miles, automatic, white, cloth seats, good condition. $13,300 or best offer. Photos available. Contact Becky at (417) 540-3423 or office (417) 659-5425.