SouthernFest '09 slated for Aug. 2-3

Kevin Greim, Athletics, says the first-ever Lion Pride Dinner/Auction will be held at Downstream Casino Resort the evening of Sunday, Aug. 2. The annual Rod Smith Green and Gold Golf Classic will be held on Monday, August 3 at Eagle Creek Golf Club (formerly Loma Linda). This fun, two-day event will serve as a fund raiser for the various sports at Missouri Southern.

"There are many ways to be involved and many ways to register," Kevin says. "You can be a sponsor of SouthernFest, you can play in the golf tournament, you can attend the dinner/auction or you can do all three!"

Online links below will guide you through the registration process and will give you detailed information on SouthernFest '09. Those with questions may call (417) 625-3075.

To get started, visit the online link to the home for SouthernFest: http://www.mssu.edu/athletics/southernfest09.htm.

Kleindl to head Academic Affairs

Brad Kleindl has been named Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at Missouri Southern.

Kleindl will retain his position as Dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business Administration until a permanent Vice President for Academic Affairs is named. The University will launch a national search for a new Vice President of Academic Affairs.

"I appreciate the work Jack Oakes provided as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and I wish him the best as he returns to teaching," President Bruce Speck said.

"I am delighted that Brad is willing to serve dual roles as Dean and in Academic Affairs for a period," Dr. Speck said "and I believe he will be an asset to the university as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Williams elected to Distance Learning post

Jerry Williams, Joplin, Assistant Vice President for Lifelong Learning, was elected President of the Missouri Distance Learning Association last week at meeting in Tan-Tar-A resort in Osage Beach, Mo.

The Missouri Distance Learning Association is an umbrella organization for all distance learning in the in Missouri and has the functions of sharing information, education and technology between member organizations and members. It meets annually a differing locales with in Missouri, and the executive committee meets monthly via video conferencing.

He has served as Treasurer and Executive Member of the National Educational Broadband Association for past 7 years.

Jerry received a B. S. from University of Nebraska, an M.A. from Bowling Green State University and an Ed.D in Geography from Oklahoma State University.

For more information, visit http://www.mssu.edu/news/2009/jerrywilliams09.html.

Missouri Southern makes the news

Two stories in The Joplin Globe have focused on Missouri Southern. The first, headlined"Hola: 79 enrolled in MSSUs Spanish Language Village" is available at http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_194215950.html.

The second, a note on positive increases in enrollment for the summer semester is online at http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_193223341.html.

Lifelong Learning 2009 Summer Institute Betty Baker, Lifelong Learning, reminds all interested parties not to miss the last week of the Lifelong Learning 2009 Summer Institute! All sessions will be held in the Library, Room 418. This training is free and open to anyone who is teaching a course at Missouri Southern and wanting to use Blackboard to enhance; hybridize; or teach entirely on-line. The focus is on enrichment through course design and multimedia. Creating Screen Capture Video with Audio July 20: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. July 21: 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sometimes even using your voice doesn’t quite convey how to do something in a computer program. Jing is a free application that allows you to create very short video tutorials when you need a little showing to go with the telling. Find out where to get and how to use this tool to create short video files. This session may also be used to fulfill your training requirement for the developmental contract. Demonstrate any computer application; use your PowerPoint presentations to create streaming video with audio lectures; zoom in to show just the area on the screen you are referencing, use text captions to accommodate the hearing impaired, along with your voice to reinforce concepts or difficult to grasp materials. Like plain audio files, these videos can also be compressed into various streaming or downloadable formats. Taping a Video Course Introduction, Demo, or Supplement July 22 and 23 :9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. You can be the star of your own video! In our classroom studio, in your own office or classroom, down at the pond or out on the oval, Lifelong Learning is at your service to videotape short course introductions, demonstrations of hard to picture procedures, or supplementary lectures that can be placed on our streaming server and linked to through your blackboard courses, or as part of a public pod cast to give prospective students a glimpse of your teaching style!

Exit Interviews

Sheila Saba, Financial Aid Office, reminds students that all graduates with student loans are required to complete exit counseling/interviews prior to July 30. The interviews can be completed in person or they can be completed online.

Information can be obtained by contacting Financial Aid at (417) 625-9325 or saba-s@mssu.edu.

Sheila emphasizes that a policy of "No Exit Interview = No Records" is firmly enforced for graduates with student loans.

Web Content Management Package review

The University is in the midst of evaluating Web Content Management System packages. The campus is invited to attend presentations from three vendors (see details below). Morning sessions in Cornell Auditorium are reserved for vendor presentations. An abbreviated presentation will be offered from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in Plaster Hall Room 303.

Hands-on experience with each product will be available from 2:30 - 4 p.m. for members of the CMS Selection Committee, content managers or prospective content managers. Thirteen stations will be reserved for CMS Selection Committee members with another 22 stations available to other members of the campus, so if you plan to attend that portion, please let me know.

"A Content Management System will provide a powerful tool to more efficiently and more effectively manage our web site," says Rod Surber, University Relations & Marketing. "It also will allow the University to improve the Web site functionality and systematically update its appearance," he adds.

The CMS Selection Committee will make a recommendation to the President's Council when the evaluation process is completed.Also, if you currently manage any part of your department or division's web site, please send your contact information and the Web site you manage to Rod or call him at (417) 625-9365,

Following are the dates and times of the presentations:

Tuesday, July 21 -Hannon Hill
9 a.m. - Noon: Cornell Auditorium, Plaster Hall
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Plaster Hall Room 303 (Computer Lab with 35 stations)

Thursday, July 23 - Ektron
9 a.m. - Noon: Cornell Auditorium, Plaster Hall
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Plaster Hall Room 303 (Computer Lab with 35 stations)

Monday, July 27 -OmniUpdate
9 a.m. - Noon: Cornell Auditorium, Plaster Hall
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Plaster Hall Room 303 (Computer Lab with 35 stations)

FACULTY/STAFF

John Knapp, Physical Science, Interim President of the Missouri Southern Chapter of the AAUP (American Association of University Professors), will attend the AAUP Summer Institute at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., July 24 - 26.He will attend work shops on "Organizing 101: Building a Strong Chapter," "Faculty Compensation," "Campus Communications: Mobilizing Members, Influencing Administrators, and Building Alliances," and "How to Make Friends and Influence People: Working with the Media." For questions or to suggest items for him to research at the Institute, contact him at his cell phone at (417) 437-2472, or by e-mail. Or you can pick his brain later at the MSS Chapter social he is planning for Aug. 28.

Frank A. Pishkur, Art, Coordinator of the Brown Bag Luncheon Lecture Series, is collecting proposals for presentations for the upcoming school year. Presentations should be planned to last no more than 45 minutes, including time for questions, answers, and group discussion. If you are interested in presenting please e-mail pishkur-f@mssu.edu. Include presentation title, 3 -5 sentence description of content, resources needed and/or format of presentation (MS PowerPoint (tm) on a laptop with digital projector, slide projector, television with vcr/dvd, or other needed equipment). Scheduling preferences and/or concerns. Faculty presenting about research conducted during a sabbatical will be given first priority in scheduling. For additional information, call Frank at ext. 9735.

Lora Burch, Career Services, is going to jail for MDA. Please help bail her out. In doing so, you'll be providing help and hope to kids and adults served by MDA in our community. To make a donation, go to: https://www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/88458/Participant/burchl/Default.aspx

CLASSIFIED

Rummage Sale: The MSSU Cheerleaders and Dancers are holding a rummage sale this Saturday, July 18 at Hughes Stadium. It will run from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For Sale: 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT - black, sunroof, newer tires, clean car - good condition and well maintained. $4800. Call (417) 529-8091 or (417) 622-0864.

For Sale: Samsung new in box DVD upconverter player Takes standard DVD up to HD quality when played on HD television, $55. Also have G.E. Compact fridge counter high w/4" freezer. 1 door, black, $80 o.b.o. (417) 627-9154.

For Sale: Green antiqued girl's bedroom set (full size bed, dresser, vanity): $400. Call (417) 625-9849 or e-mail howe-e@mssu.edu.

For Sale: 92' Geo Metro car 4-door hatch (no back seat). 60,000 miles newer engine, $2,000.Call (417) 627-9154.

For Sale: 2005 Honda Shadow Spirit 750, Black/chrome, excellent condition, solo and Mustang seat included, extras, $3700. Call Pete at (417) 793-5035 or e-mail vigil-d@mssu.edu.