Current Issue: Volume 27 - Number 6 - February 20, 2009
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Child Development Center restored
The Missouri Southern State University administration and parents of children who use the MSSU Child Development Center have found a way to keep the center open. The MSSU Child Development Center was scheduled to be closed in May.
However, after discussions with concerned parents who use the facility and other administrative efforts, the University will keep the center open by increasing its daily fee and increasing the number of children cared for at the center. The University’s food service provider, SODEXHO, has volunteered to help serve hot meals at noon for the children in the program. The center’s cook will retire in May.
“We were very pleased that the parents of the children who have used this valuable program felt so strongly about the center that they stepped forward to help us solve this critical issue in a positive manner,” stated Bruce Speck, MSSU President.
“A representative group of parents have said they are willing to pay a higher daily fee, $26 compared to the current $23, which will keep the cost competitive for the Joplin area,” said Glenn Coltharp, Dean of the School of Education under which the Child Development Center operates.
“We also have a waiting list of people who want their children to be cared for at the center. We will increase the number of children we will accept.” he said. “We will start contacting those families immediately,” Coltharp said.
Not every child stays every day and with the additional children allowed to enter the center, Coltharp believes the center can have a larger base from which to operate, yet not overwhelm limited staff on a daily basis.
“The center has been subsidized by the University each year,” stated Coltharp. Families who have children in the center, mostly MSSU faculty, staff and students, were notified to provide ample time to find other services. “Fortunately because we provided so much time for parents, working together we have found a way to keep the center operating,” he said.
“We are glad we have reached what we feel is a fair and reasonable solution to this issue and we will continue to monitor this program, and others, to ensure our budget is balanced,” stated President Speck.
Children's play this weekend
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Southern Theatre will present the play The Commedia Cinderella at 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21 - 22 at Taylor Performing Arts Center at Missouri Southern State University. Ann Lile directs Lane Riosley’s interpretation of the classic fairy tale.
The characters in the play are poor travelers who have made all of their props and costumes from left-overs, hand-me-downs, and objects they have found. They have come to play the story of Cinderella. Because they bring their special talents to the performance, they tell our familiar old story in a brand new way.
Ticket costs for the play are $1 for adults and .50 cents for children age 12 and under. No free passes can be accepted.
The Missouri Southern Theatre Box Office is now open to take reservations. Call the Box Office at (417) 625-3190.
For theater production information call (417) 625-9393.
Phonathon continues
The 27th Annual Phonathon is in its second full week with students calling Sunday through Thursday evening each week.
Curt Betebenner, Foundation, lauds Bill Kumbier, English as the first faculty/staffer to make a pledge. Curt says earlier reports that Jeff Macomber, Music, had beat Bill to the punch were incorrect.
"We want to thank Bill for leading the home team effort, which now boasts 35 pledges for a total of $4,875," Curt says. "That's over half of last year's total and comparable with what was contributed at this point in the 2008 Phonathon," he adds.
Curt says thanks go to everyone supporting this year's Phonathon.
Grand Finale Concert features senior winner
Music lovers around the region will have another opportunity to hear Avan Yu, the 2008 Missouri Southern International Piano Competition grand prize winner, in the organization’s final concert.
Yu will perform with the Southern Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Kexi Liu, Music, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 in Taylor Performing Arts Center.. The evening’s program will include Piano Concerto in A Minor by Grieg and Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” by Beethoven. There is no admission charge.
At 21 years old, Yu has performed in recital and with orchestras in four continents and is the only pianist to win first prize in both the Junior and Senior divisions of the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition. As a result, he made his New York debut at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in October 2008, presented by MSIPC.
The March 5 concert will be the final offering of the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition, Missouri’s only international piano competition, and the 2007 recipient of the Missouri Arts Award in the Arts organization category sponsored by the Missouri Arts Council. Started in 1987, MSIPC, a nonprofit organization, staged 12 competitions, bringing pianists from around the world. The competitors were hosted by volunteer families from across the region for one week of competition and were judged by internationally renowned pianists.
“This Grand Finale concert will truly be a fitting conclusion to the piano competition,” said Vivian Leon, Director of MSIPC. “With this performance we are promising our supporters and friends a night to remember.”
In addition to the public concert, Avan Yu will perform for area school children, piano students, and Northwest Arkansas audiences during a residency from Feb. 27 to March 6.
Yu’s performances are underwritten in part by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council. For more information contact MSIPC at (417) 625-9755. Additional information about his background is available at www.avanyu.net.
Staff Senate formation The Staff Senate formation committee, after diligent research and discussion, has presented to the President’s Council the final draft document titled "The Missouri Southern State University Staff Senate Bylaws."
The President’s Council approved the final draft.
An email containing the bylaws and nomination form will be sent campus-wide the week of March 30. If you are an eligible staff employee, please consider serving on the Staff Senate. |
La Villa Espanola
The International Language Resource Center would like to announce the dates for this year's La Villa Española, (Spanish Village), a summer program for children ages 8-14. La Villa Española will be held for the fourteenth year this summer from July 12-17 on the MSSU campus. Villagers may choose from two types of accommodations; day camp or residential camp.
Villagers learn basic Spanish language skills, culture, geography, history, songs, dances and crafts in a very dynamic environment. They also take part in small and large group games, computer activities and recreational events such as swimming, an amazing race, scavenger hunt, and more.
No previous knowledge of Spanish is necessary, but advanced levels are also available. Scholarships are available for those with financial need. There are also many discounts that can reduce the price of camp by over 40% including an MSSU discount and an early bird discount.
For more information, visit our website at www.mssu.edu/international/ilrc/spanish.htm. To request a brochure, please call (417) 625-3140 or e-mail parker-l@mssu.edu.
National Issues Forum:Commit an Act of Self-Government
Early in our democracy, citizens gathered to talk and learn together about their common problems before deciding how to solve them. We can still gather and deliberate to create a reasoned public voice. Since 1981, National Issues Forums (NIF) has supported a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally-sponsored public forums for that purpose. Area residents, community organizations, and Missouri Southern students, faculty, and staff are invited to gather in small groups and deliberate on one of this year’s NIF topics:
The Energy Problem: Choices for an Uncertain Future
Tues 2/24: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Spiva Library Fireplace
Tues 3/03: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Spiva Library Fireplace
Democracy’s Challenge: Reclaiming the Public Role
Thurs 2/26: 3:30 -5:30 p.m., Spiva Library Fireplace
Breaking the Habit of Deficit Spending
Wed 3/04: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Spiva Library Fireplace
Thurs 3/05: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Spiva Library Fireplace
Read a brief brochure on background facts (prepared by the non-partisan Kettering Foundation), and then meet to talk informally about various approaches to the problem. There is no fee to participate, but you must reserve a seat.
For reservations or to arrange a forum for your group, contact Ann Wyman, Social Sciences at 625-9697 or e-mail wyman-a@mssu.edu.
Winter Concert March 3
The Missouri Southern Jazz Orchestra invites you to attend its Winter Showcase Concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 3 in Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall.
The Southern Jazz Orchestra (SJO) will feature student soloists like pianist Joe Sellers, vibraphonist Devon Toland, trombonist Derek Nordstrom, tenor saxophonist Kyle Babbitt, trumpeter Andrew Rosenthal, trombonists Eric Belk, and distinguished alum, Mr. Wes Smith, on alto sax.
The big band will perform Big Swing Face from the Buddy Rich band’s book (with drummer Arte Johnson playing the role of Buddy Rich), Ellington classics Oclupaca and Rockabye River, Billy Strayhorn’s ballad Lush Life, Frank Mantooth’s inventive arrangement of On Green Dolphin Street, and Herbie Hancock’s Cantaloupe Island.
The SJO is under the direction of Jeff Macomber, Music. This concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
For information contact Jeff at (417) 625-9318, FAX 417-625-3030, or e-mail: macomber-j@mssu.edu
Jazz Between Friends
The jazz recital title, Jazz Between Friends will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 9 in Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
Phillip Wise, Music, will be joined by a talented group of jazz musicians which includes: Robert Ensor, piano; Scott Harris, trumpet; Wesley J. Smith, saxophone; Robert Terry, bass; Joe Leiter, guitar; and Damon Graue, drums. A variety of jazz music will be performed including: Days of Wine & Roses, Bernie’s Tune, Beautiful Love, and A Child is Born.
Also slated for the concert are original compositions by Wise and Harris.
An accomplished trombonist, Phil has performed as a member of Clark Terry’s “BIG BAD” Band and has appeared in concert with Louis Bellson, Marshal Royal, “Snooky” Young, Mike Vax, Dave Stahl, and others.
Outstanding Graduate nominations
Nominations are currently being taken by the Missouri Southern Alumni Association for the 2009 Outstanding Graduate.
Please fill out the following form -- or include a nomination with the following information -- to the Alumni Association office located in the Hempen House south of Hughes Stadium in the House no later than 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27.
The form is available by clicking on this link: Outstanding Graduate Form
Andreini on TV
KGCS-TV will air a recording of the second performance of the Spring Piano Festival. A performance by Matteo Andreini from Feb. 12 will air on KGCS-TV at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.
Judy Stiles, KGCS, says the station is recording performances throughout the festival for broadcast on the station.
KGCS programming may be seen on digital channel 22 over the air, Cable One channel 7 and Mediacom channel 7
Bowling for Kids' Sake
Jim Kimbrough, Educational Talent Search, and the Jasper & Newton County Big Brothers Big Sisters organization invite the MSSU community to participate in the 3rd annual Rock-N-Bowl, Bowl for Kids' Sake campaign. The campaign began this week and will conclude on Saturday, March 7 at Carl Richards Bowl East. Flight times are 12 noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Early enrollers can pick their bowling times. Each bowler will receive two free games, a BFKS T-Shirt and all the pizza and soft drink he or she can consume. There will also be door prizes and a silent auction. Jim has 'Team Captain" packets and would be happy to deliver them to you. All you need to do is...
- Recruit four of your family, friends or co-workers to join you to bowl and pick up a packet at the Northpark Mall.
- Complete the 'Team Roster' and return the packet as indicated.
- Give team members a 'Bowler' Envelope and ask them to raise pledges. We are asking each bowler to raise a minimum of $60. There are prizes for bowlers who raise $100 or more.
- Stay in touch with your team to be sure they are getting those pledges.
- Challenge your colleagues to a little friendly competition (another department or office, student group, etc).
- HAVE FUN!
Board meeting to air The meeting of the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors, slated for 1 p.m. today in the KGCS-TV studio will air on KGCS by tape-delay at 7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22 says Judy Stiles, KGCS General Manager. |
Leon Polk Smith Exhibit runs through March 13
“American Masterpieces: Leon Polk Smith,” an exhibit at the MSSU Spiva Art Gallery, opened this week and will run through Friday, March 13. The exhibit contains two paintings, one collage, several artist-proof serigraphs, 12 larger-edition serigraphs and three larger-edition lithographs. Most of the works were completed between 1963 and 1987 and are on loan from the permanent collection of East Central University in Oklahoma.
Leon Polk Smith (1906-1996) was born near Chickasha, Okla. to parents who were part Cherokee. He grew up among Native Americans of the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. In 1934 he graduated from East Central University in Ada, Okla. He then moved to New York City, where he attended Columbia University. He remained in New York for the rest of his life. Much of Smith's work was inspired by American Indian artistic traditions and he frequently used canvases which were round or other non-standard shapes.
His geometrically oriented abstract paintings were influenced by Piet Mondrian and his style has been associated with the Hard-edge school of painting. Art works in this style often feature abrupt transitions between color areas with are often of one unvarying color. Color transitions often take place along straight lines, though curvilinear edges of color areas are also common.
Smoke-Free Youth Summit
Nearly 500 students and 150 adults from 75 high schools in Missouri gathered in Jefferson City on Feb.10-11 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel to participate in the Show-Me Smoke-Free Youth Summit. The event featured leaders from state and national organizations and Missouri legislators.
Nine students representing the group asked Gov. Jay Nixon for support to continue funding and to help continue to do our work in our communities and our state. Janice Dunaway, instructor for the Respiratory Care Program at Missouri Southern and Regional Facilitator for the program Smokebusters, attended the Summit with teens from 3 area schools, Jasper High School, Carl Junction High School, and Sarcoxie High School.
To learn more about this initiative, visit http://www.showmesmokefree.com or see a more detailed news release at http://www.mssu.edu/news/2009/smokefree09.html.
French film next offering in International Film Festival
As part of the 47th Annual International Film Festival, the Missouri Southern Film Society will show the film The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob (Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Cornell Auditorium. The film is free and open to the public.
This zany farce, directed by Gerard Oury and stars Louis de Funes. A racist, anti-Semitic businessman unwittingly stumbles upon a group of Arab terrorists and, in order to hide from them, disguises himself as a Rabbi. Then he is mistaken for the beloved "Rabbi Jacob" who hasn't been seen in France for decades. This leads to slapstick scenes that take place one after another.
Gerard Oury, a former member of the Comedie-Francaise, turned to film acting in the mid 1940s and began directing in the late 1950 Louis de Funes began a career as a comic in Paris nightclubs and on radio. He appeared in over 100 films and became the most popular comedian of the French screen by the 1960s along with Fernandel and Jerry Lewis.
The film is one of the few de Funes films to be released in America. It was nominated for a Best Foreign Film Golden Globe award. Box-office magazine called the film one of the funniest movies from any country. For information, contact Harrison Kash at (417) 673-1261.
Auditions next week: Mature actors sought
Time Klein, Theatre, will coordinate a student written and directed one-act play festival at the end of the semester. The one-acts will be performed April 13 - 18 in Bud Walton Theater. Auditions will be held from 4 - 6 p.m. Feb. 25 - 26, in the same location. No preparation is required. Cold readings will be provided. A total of twelve half-hour long shows will need approximately fifty roles.
"I'm going to have a plethora of juicy parts available for more "seasoned' actors," Tim says. "I would love for my students to have more mature and experienced actors for the roles of mothers, fathers, teachers, lawyers, although no previous experience is necessary."
For information, call Tim at 625-3023 or e-mail klein-t@mssu.edu
MSSU's Relay for Life Team thanks the MSSU community for their support of our fund raiser Dodge-Cancer-Dodgeball Tournament. This event helped us raise a total of $2,261. A total of 13 teams took part. "A special thanks goes out to all who participated," says Lora Burch, Career Services.
Natalie Bruce, ACTS, says the recent presentation of The Vagina Monologues raised a total of $595. Ninety percent of that went to Joplin's Lafayette House and the rest to the women of the Congo.
Robin Douglas, Lifelong Learning, is assisting with the Joplin Humane Society Fund Raiser. The group needs baskets or containers that are in good shape to use for silent-auction items. Robin will come to your office and pick them up. Also, if you have received a gift that just doesn't fit into your family decor you may donate it to JHS silent auction. For information or pickup, call Robin at ext. 9887.
CLASSIFIED
Two Houses for Lease: Two bedrooms, 1 bath, central heat & air, $500 month/$300 deposit at 2611 Rolla in Joplin. 1 year lease, no pets. ALSO: Two bedrooms, 1 bath, central heat & air, $495 month/$300 deposit at 3017 East 11th in Joplin. 1 year lease, no pets. Contact (417) 781-3166.
For Sale: 27" Advent Progressive Scan Flat Tube TV, Entertainment Center and DVD Player. $200 for all.
Contact Debbie Howerton at 9559 or email howerton-d@mssu.edu.
Situation Wanted: Missouri Southern student, willing to house-sit this summer for faculty/staff member or other community member. Contact Martha at e-mail mynatt-m001@mymail.mssu.edu.
Benefit: For Angela Webb, who suffers from lung cancer and requires intensive chemotherapy. She is the sister of Annita Miller who delivers mail at MSSU. The event is slated for Thursday, March 5 at the Kitchen Pass in Joplin. $5 charge at the door. Donations will be greatly appreciated. Meet Angela and enter raffles form 8 - 9:30 p.m. The Ben Miller Band begins playing at 10 p.m. Come support this awesome cause.
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