University announces cost-cutting measures

The state of the economy dominates nearly every discussion in every corner of American society at this time, and Missouri Southern State University is no different.

Missouri’s new Governor, Jay Nixon, Wednesday announced that an agreement was reached with Missouri’s public four-year colleges and universities. In fiscal year 2010, the institutions will receive the same state appropriation they received in fiscal year 2009, according to the agreement that is subject to legislative review.

In return, the institutions have pledged not to raise tuition or academic fees during the 2009-2010 school year.

“To turn this economy around, we must ensure that Missouri’s workforce is trained and prepared for the jobs of the future, and Missouri students must have access to an affordable four-year degree,” Gov. Nixon said. “While students in many other states are likely to face double-digit tuition increases next year, Missouri students can rest assured that their tuition rates will stay the same. It will take more of these innovative, collaborative agreements to get our economy moving in the right direction.”

MSSU's President Bruce Speck said he appreciated the Governor's bold step to support higher education at this time. “This action helps remove the uncertainties and allows us to plan accordingly. Missouri Southern has long been a leader in providing affordable and accessible education with extraordinary quality. We also have been a leader in using the state's resources wisely and efficiently. We are fully behind this effort that the Governor will take to the legislature.”

For further details, visit http://www.mssu.edu/news/2009/costcutting09.html.

Final nights for Saved or Destroyed

Southern Theatre will present Harry Kondoleon's Saved or Destroyed at 7:30 p.m. for two final nights, Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24, in the Bud Walton Theatre.

Jade Leggott, senior theatre student, directs the play. For a cast list, see http://www.mssu.edu/news/2009/savedordestroyed.html.

Saved or Destroyed is a play about a play. The audience watches as a group of troubled actors tries to portray some rather dysfunctional characters. Their rehearsal takes an unexpected turn as the line between reality and illusion becomes less and less distinct.

Harry Kondoleon was the recipient of the 1983 Obie Award for most promising playwright. In his brief career, he received honors and fellowships from many organizations, including the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts. Kondoleon died of AIDS in 1994 at the age of 39. Saved or Destroyed was his last play.

Saved or Destroyed is rated "M" for mature audiences. The production includes language, action and subject matter believed to be inappropriate for audience members under the age of 18. 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.

Saltzman Memorial Fund update

One year ago, longtime Missouri Southern English professor and widely-published author Art Saltzman passed away suddenly at his home in Joplin. Several weeks later, a Memorial Fund was established to purchase books for the Spiva Library in his memory.

Wendy McGrane, Library Director, has put together a letter giving interested parties an update on activities that have taken place since that time.

Wendy writes: "It cost approximately $900 to purchase the titles this year. If that amount represents the typical annual cost of acquiring the award-winning titles, we currently have resources in the Saltzman Memorial Fund to cover purchases for another year. Since we would like to make similar book purchases every year, I encourage you to consider donating to the Saltzman Memorial Fund so that we may continue to honor Art’s memory by bringing valuable resources to the library."

The full letter is available online by visiting http://www.mssu.edu/spivalib/Saltzman.shtml

bordertown submissions sought

Missouri Southern’s literary journal, bordertown, is accepting writing submissions for the 2009 publication. Current students, alumni, and faculty are encouraged to submit. The staff is looking for unique, fun, interesting, and obscure creative fiction, non-fiction, prose, poetry and critical essays.

The submission deadline is Feb. 11. Chosen writers will be published and featured with their picture and biography.

Please submit to: bordertown, c/o Joey Brown, Hearnes Hall Room. 300, Missouri Southern State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801.

Job Search Workshop Feb. 4

MSSU's Career Services will offer a Job Search Workshop from 5:30 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4 in Spiva Library, Room 420.

The workshop will cover all types of job search topics including resume review, access to the Southern Job Network, interviewing skills, preparation for the April 1 job fair, a job search action plan and salary negotiation.

The workshop is free and open to currently enrolled students and alumni.

Space is limited, so please call 417-625-9343 or go to http://www.mssu.edu/career/ to register for this event.

Spring into fun at Legacy Day

Legacies of alumni will receive the opportunity to find out what MSSU is all about at this year’s "Legacy Day." This year's theme of the annual event is “Spring into Fun with Missouri Southern.”

A legacy is a kid lucky enough to have one or even two relatives that attended or graduated from MSSU. On Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, these legacies will have the opportunity to chill with some of Missouri Southern’s fellow Lions and have a little fun at the same time.

Registration for the annual event will be held from 2:30 - 3 p.m., and a collection of interactive classes will follow from 3-5 p.m. The classes will be taught by Missouri Southern Teacher Education majors in the Taylor Education Building.

The legacies are invited to help cheer on the Lions at the double-header basketball game against the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats. The women will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the men will tip off at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact the Alumni Association at (417) 659-LION (5466).

Happy Birthday, "Joplin Kid"

Today, Friday, Jan. 23, is the birthday of "The Joplin Kid."

Percy Wenrich, known as "The Joplin' Kid," was born Jan. 23, 1880. Wenrich wrote the tunes for the popular songs "Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet' (1909) and "When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose" (1914).

Wenrich wrote his first tunes in Joplin and later moved to Chicago where he attended a musical conservatory and, after running out of money, played in saloons, wrote music and honed his craft.

"Ashy Africa -- An African Rag" appeared in 1903, followed by "Peaches and Cream Rag" in 1905, then "Noodles" and "Chestnuts" in 1906. "Fun Bob", "Sweet Meats Rag", "Dixie Darlings", "Flower Girl" and "Bombay" were all eclipsed in 1907 by his first nationally successful rag, "The Smiles." He also wrote "Moonlight Bay," "Sail Along, Silvery Moon" and many other popular songs.

Wenrich died in New York City in 1952.

Jeff Skibbe, 88.7/KXMS, says a photograph and more details of his life story are linked on the KXMS homepage posted at http://www.mssu.edu/kxms.

New student-produced program debuts

A new student-produced program highlighting the creative talents of area video producers, Halfway, premieres next week on KGCS-TV. The program features short video productions from around the area. It is produced by Patricia Pham, an MSSU communication major.

Halfway will air Monday, Jan. 26 at 9:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 9:30 p.m. on KGCS-TV. Programming may be seen on digital UHF channel 22, Cable One Channel 7 and Mediacom Channel 77.

The station operates as a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University.

Contemporary Foreign Film Series

The Contemporary Series' annual January dinner and movie will take place Friday, Jan. 30 at the Cafe on the Route in Baxter Springs. The group will view the 2006 film, The Wedding Director, from legendary auteur Marco Bellocchio staring Sergio Castellitto as a famous film director who inadvertently winds up in Sicily filming a princess's wedding.

The director, Franco (Castellitto), can't accept the fact that his daughter is marrying a devout Catholic. Worse still is the fact that he has to film what is now the 100th adaptation of Alessandro Manzoni's The Betrothed, and so he escapes from Rome to find refuge in a sheltered spot on the coast of Sicily.

There he meets a host of colorful characters: a man who earns a living filming weddings, an aging film director who faked his own death so that he could enjoy the admiration denied him while he was "alive," and an impoverished prince, who relies heavily on his daughter making a financially advantageous marriage.

The Wedding Director was screened in official competition (Un Certain Regard) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006 and won three Italian Golden Globe Awards for Best Feature film, Revelation Actress (Donatella Finocchiaro) and Best Cinematography.

The movie plus dinner and dessert (wine and beverages provided by Ron Forgey) will cost $17 per person which includes tax and tip. Please RSVP to ron.forgey@sbcglobal.net. Please respond quickly because an accurate head count is needed to send to the restaurant (featured on the Food Network program Drive Ins, Diners and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri).

Cancer Awareness Night

Breast and Prostate Cancer Awareness Night is set for Jan. 31 at the MSSU Basketball games vs. Southwest Baptist. The MSSU women play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men. The night is sponsored by Freeman and St. John's.

MSSU's women will be wearing pink uniforms that night and those will be auctioned off to the 13 highest bidders. All proceeds from the sale of the uniforms will be donated as well. Those who are interested in bidding on a jersey can go to http://www.mssu.edu/athletics/09breastcancer.htm for more information.

"Bids will also be accepted at the game," says Kevin Greim, Athletics. "We encourage all faculty and staff to come out that night to support the Lions and the cause. Since admission is free for faculty and staff, please consider making a donation on the way in."

A portion of gate receipts, plus all money donated at the gates will be donated to the Hope 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation (designated for breast cancer research/awareness) and the American Cancer Society (designated for prostate cancer research/awareness). Members of both Hope and ACS will be staffing the entrances to accept donations and to disperse information on breast and prostate cancer.

Future Lions Day Jan. 24

Future Lions Day will be held Saturday, Jan. 24 at Leggett and Platt Athletic Center & Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium.

Karen Bryant, Admissions, says over 1,000 local high school students and potential transfer students from junior colleges have been invited to attend the MSSU Lions -Truman State Bulldogs game at no charge.

Women’s action gets underway at 1 p.m. The men's game begins at 3 p.m. Games are played in Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Free pizza and information on attending MSSU will be provided in Young Gymnasium between games for all high school students interested in attending Missouri Southern.

Reservations are required. To reserve a place, go to www.mssu.edu/admissions or call (417) 625-9364.

Dodge Cancer Dodgeball Tournament

Join the MSSU Relay for Life Team on Feb. 14 for the first ever Dodge Cancer Dodgeball Tournament.  The charity event will be held at Young Gymnasium (connected to the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center) on the MSSU Campus beginning at 9 a.m.  Teams may be co-ed, if desired, and consist of 6-10 players with an entry fee of $10 per person.  Concessions will be available and a Silent Auction will be taking place in the lobby of the gymnasium from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. 

Do your last minute shopping for Valentine’s Day while at this event.  Admission is free to the public with all proceeds from the entry fee and silent auction going to the American Cancer Society to help support research in their mission to cure cancer.  For more information please contact Josh Doak, Housing, at (417) 659-4460 or e-mail him at doak-j@mssu.edu.

To register your team, go to FACEBOOK and search for MSSU Relay for Life Dodgeball Tournament and sign up today.

Literary Lions seeks participants

The Literary Lions Book Club is seeking participants for this semester's literary work, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson.

Wendy McGrane, Spiva Library, will moderate the discussions on the book.

The book tells the story of the men and women whose lives were irrevocably changed by the 1893 Chicago World Fair, and of two men in particular: a brilliant architect who brought the fair to life and a serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their deaths. Spicing the narrative are the stories of a cast of historical characters including Buffalo Bill, Scott Joplin and Theodore Dreiser. The book is a work of non-fiction written in a novelistic style.

All meetings will be held in MSSU’s Spiva Library near the University Java coffee shop. 

* The group will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 5 for an introduction to The Devil in the White City.
* The group will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19 for discussion of the book.
* At 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26, the Book Club will view the film The World’s Greatest Fair.

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 Feb. 23

Literary Lions participants’ individual copies of The Devil in the White City will be donated back to the Spiva Library.  Those wanting to participate or obtain additional information should call the Alumni Office (417) 625-9355.

FACULTY/STAFF

Tom Edwards, Art adjunct, was featured in the Jan. 10 edition of the Benton County Daily Record. The article showcased his sculptural entry, a 750 pound abstract work of welded steel titled “Lion” at Sculptors Dominion International, Inc. in San Antonio, Tex. for its upcoming season. Tom's entry is part of their Sculptor’s Invitational, an annual international outdoor educational exhibition specializing in large to colossal-sized sculptures. This scale of work, although part of the established traditional arts, often goes under served due to expenses and logistics. The article also explores the connections between his teaching and his work as a sculptor. For further information visit http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/Area/69618/ or Dominion at http://www.sculptorsdominion.com/.

Joey Brown, English, is a nominee for the 2009 Pushcart Prize in poetry. The Pushcart recognizes the best work in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published by small presses during the previous year. She was nominated for "Tornado Poem" which appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of Argestes. Winners will be announced in April.

Larry Flatt, Teacher Education, will present a paper titled, "The Only Predictable Thing About An Autism Spectrum Disorder Is That, It Is Unpredictable," at the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education's Spring 2009 Conference April 3 in Jefferson City. The paper acquaints beginning teachers with an overview of the many disabilities that now fall under the Autistic Spectrum Disorder umbrella. It also provides first year teachers with insights on recent Autistic Spectrum Disorder research.

Mari Beth Linder, Nursing, and Alan Schiska, Radiologic Technology, published a peer reviewed manuscript titled "Radiologic Advances in the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer" in the December 2008 edition of the Journal of Radiology Nursing, an international nursing publication.

Frank A. Pishkur, Art, and nine Arts and Crafts course students visited the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts in downtown Joplin on Jan. 14. Students saw examples of contemporary studio pottery by artists from across the nation in the "Jed Schlegel and Friends" exhibition. The course explores the historical/contemporary usage of the word "craft," focusing on its relationship to the five traditional fine craft media; Clay, Wood, Metal, Fiber, and Glass. Students also explored artist Clifford West's incorporation of traditional craft processes and materials (weaving, precious metals) in sculpture by viewing a separate exhibition at the Spiva Center.

Jed Schlegel,Ceramics Continuing Education, will present an artist lecture at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts as part of "Art in the Afternoon" programming. He will discuss clay masters featured in the exhibition, “Clay Nation: Jed Schlegel and Friends.” Pieces by Bede Clark, John Tilton, Tom Coleman, Ellen Shankin, Matt Long, Nicholas Joerling, Peg Malloy, Judith Duff, and Jan McKeachie-Johnston are part of this sophisticated collection of ceramic works along with a selection of Jed's own works. For information, visit http://www.spivaarts.org/ .

CLASSIFIED

Situation Wanted: Former Nanny, now MSSU staff member, available for night and weekend babysitting. For more information call (816) 519-1586.

Free: Puppy looking for a family to play with. Part Black Lab & Pit Bull, female, 5 months old, loves to play and romp outside, Good with kids, too. Will deliver! Call 529-3676 or 625-9399.

For Sale: BLACKBERRY 8800 AT&T w/ 2 gig memory card. 4.5 O.S. No contract, unlocked. $170 or best offer. Also looking for used 7 or 9 inch laptop would consider some trading. 627-9154.

For Sale: Walnut coffee table, $45; 2 medium blue tweed living room chairs, $20 each, very clean and great condition; lighted Nativity scene for front yard $35; lighted deer $35; 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4 x 2 white truck. 83,000 miles, automatic, new tires, excellent condition, $12,000. Call Becky Gallemore at (417) 659-5425 or (417) 540-3423

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