October 9, 2009

Lion Tales: Mike Moss

Mike Moss

Over 700 people ply their skills and professions at Missouri Southern State University. Who are these people we greet daily and rely on?  Too many times we pass one another only briefly as we hurry from one assignment or project to the next. 

This edition’s Lion Tales standout is Mike Moss, Physical Plant.  Mike works as a custodian in Webster Hall.  A Carl Junction resident, Mike has worked at Missouri Southern for the last three years.  In his off hours Mike has many pursuits but don’t let his friendly, low-key approach fool you.  For one thing, he's been know to ride a motorcycle (a Harley-Davidson).

For another, he has a commitment to public service. He has been the mayor of Carl Junction for the last four years.

Mike’s primary jobs on campus are the cleaning and care of Webster Hall classrooms and floors.  He also helps set up Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall for many of the lectures, presentations and other events that are held there. Following presentations he breaks down those set ups and returns the auditorium to a consistently neat and organized state.

Mike's professional life before coming to Missouri Southern was in retail. He spent 32 years working for the Consumers supermarket chain and, after that, the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Pittsburg.

Can some of his duties in Webster Hall be “unusual?”

“Well, one time a student brought a pony into the building for a demonstration speech,” Mike recalls.  “By the time the speech was over the pony had left a few 'reminders' of his visit all over everywhere.  So yes, occasionally some special situations come up,” he laughs.

“My role model is President Harry S Truman,” Mike declares. “He was a man from Lamar Missouri who rose to the highest office in the land but who had no college education. He used common sense to lead the country.”

Mike supports several special causes including the Carl Junction Fire Department’s Boot Block for MDA and Cancer Awareness. Mike has served as an Alderman to Carl Junction for seven years and as the current Mayor for four years.  He has been a Democrat committeeman for Ward 2 in Carl Junction for 11 years.  He has served as President of the Moss Springs Cemetery association.  

In his hours away from work, he relaxes by riding a Harley-Davidson Sportster and playing golf.

Mike has been married 33 years to his wife Patty who works for Jasper County as a Deputy Elections Clerk.  They have two sons.   Robert graduated  with Bachelor of Science of Communications degree from MSSU. He works for Habitat for Humanity in Knoxville, Ky.  His son Ryan works for the Joplin Special Road District.  Ryan's wife Allie is an employee of Freeman Hospital.

Story by Stephen Smith. Photo courtesy of The Chart.

Beimdiek Recreation Center Dedication

Dedication ceremonies for the Beimdiek Recreation Center will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at the new facility. MSSU president Bruce Speck will preside over the ceremonies and introduce guests. MSSU Board of Governors chair Rod Anderson and Will Lynch, president of the MSSU Student Senate, will make remarks.

Also speaking will be members of the benefactors, the Biemdiek Family and Dr. Robert Willcoxon. The Beimdiek Family will unveil a plaque and Ribbon Cutting will be held by the Joplin and Webb City Area Chambers of Commerce.

Tours of the new structure will be provided. The Biemdiek Center provides 71,000 square feet of space for students. The project also includes renovation of the Billingsly Student Center. The facility features a new bookstore on the second floor and many student, campus and community meeting areas. In addition, Beimdiek Recreation Center includes three basketball/volleyball courts, aerobic workout rooms, spacious and modern locker rooms, 150-seat Blue Ray digital movie theater, a weight and cardio exercise area with more than 100 pieces of equipment, an elevated indoor walking/jogging track and an inspiring glass overlook to MSSU's Bodon Soccier Field and Biology Pond. The new Willcoxon Health Center provides a spacious up-to-date facility for students, faculty and staff to receive health services.

In addition to meeting rooms, the third floor of the complex features the Connor Ballroom, classrooms and administration offices. The architect for the project was RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines. The project contractor was R.E. Smith Construction of Joplin.

Medical School presentation

President Bruce Speck has announced a special informational presentation about the proposed medical school at MSSU for the campus community.

Representatives from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, the Joplin medical community, and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce will be at the session which is set to begin at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12 in Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall.

All interested parties are invited to attend.

Rabbit Hole to run Oct. 13 - 17

Left to right: Brenda Jackson, Ashley Trotnic and Kelsey Amann

Southern Theatre will present the play Rabbit Hole at 7:30 p.m. Oct 13 - 17 in the Bud Walton Theatre at MSSU. Tim Klein, Theatre, will direct the play written by David Lindsay-Abaire.

What is the appropriate response when a cataclysmic tragedy shatters a well-planned and organized suburban middle class life? Is there a correct way to grieve and move forward with a new life now that the old one is lost? Is it worth it to keep forging ahead, or would it be better to scrap the old paradigm and start a new life somewhere else away from anything familiar which could remind you of your former happiness?

These are the topics explored in Lindsay-Abaire's 2007 Pulitzer Prize winning drama. Soul -searching in nature, this play challenges everyone who comes into contact with it to evaluate these questions on a deeply personal level.

"Rabbit Hole presents a tragedy and its consequences with utter candor, and without sentimentality," said a writer in USA Today. "The dialogue is most impressive for capturing the awkwardness and pain of thinking people faced with an unthinkable situation-and eventually, their capacity for survival, and even hope."

Rabbit Hole is for mature audiences only. Students under the age of 17 will not be admitted. The Box Office is now open from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. To make reservations, visit the Box Office or telephone (417) 625-3190.

MSSU, OTC to assist companies

Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) and Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) are partnering to provide businesses in the Springfield area training on doing business with the government.

MSSU and OTC will offer seminars designed to help businesses learn how to locate and obtain contracts from local, state and federal government agencies/installations. The first seminar will be presented as follows:

What: "Winning Government Contracts - The First Steps"
Where: OTC's Center for Workforce Development, 614 North Washington Avenue, Springfield, Mo., Room 10
Date: Friday, Oct. 16
Time: Registration at 8:45 a.m. Seminar from 9 a.m. - 12 noon.
Cost: No charge to the public

MSSU personnel will be on hand to conduct the seminar. The schools also will provide one-on-one counseling to businesses through MSSU's Heartland Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) by appointment.

Heartland PTAC is funded in part by the Department of Defense (DOD), which administers the congressional program. There are 90 PTACs throughout the country.

To register for the seminar e-mail attendee name, company name and daytime phone number to CWD@otc.edu. Space is limited so reserving a seat for the seminar is important. For more information call Heartland PTAC at (417) 625-9538.

bordertown accepting student submissions

Each year, the staff of bordertown seeks out the best student writers from the MSSU campus. The goal has always been to achieve excellence and showcase the student’s voices, The staff for the 2010 issue of bordertown is actively seeking creative writing submissions from students of MSSU. We are considering all forms of creative writing, including: poetry, fiction, creative-nonfiction, and all subcategories thereof.

The last date submissions will be accepted is Oct. 30, 2009. Remind your students that this is their chance to be heard and become a published author. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. For more information, contact Joey Brown, English at ext. 9708.

For submission guidelines, visit http://www.mssu.edu/news/2009/bordertown09.html.

New phone books

Rae Surber, Switchboard, says the AT&T yellow phone books are available in the Information Window in Hearnes Hall.

"Please come by and pick one up as soon as possible," Rae says. "I still have some of the Names & Numbers phone books for those who may want one of those," she adds.

You are asked to recycle your old phone books in the blue recycle bins located behind the bookstore (new location) and behind the Student Life Center.

The Visitor shows tonight

The third feature film for the fall season of the Contemporary Foreign Film Series will be the The Visitor (USA, 2008; 104 minutes). The film will be shown at approximately 7 p.m. tonight, Friday, Oct. 9, in Cornell Auditorium in Plaster Hall on the MSSU campus.

This film will be shown as part of a Missouri Southern continuing education class. The cost of the class is $10 per person per semester and those interested may register before the film Friday evening. Subsequent films will be shown this semester on Oct. 23, Nov. 13, and Dec. 4.

Though this remarkable and moving independent film has been available on DVD for a few months, you may have overlooked it. Starring Richard Jenkins of HBO’s Six Feet Under, the film explores what happens when a burned-out professor takes the risk of involving himself in the lives of an immigrant couple who have taken up residence in his New York apartment. Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers described the film as a “heartfelt human drama that sneaks up and floors you.” Written and directed by Tom McCarthy.

For further information about this film series, contact Bill Kumbier, English, at kumbier-w@mssu.edu, or Nick Kyle at kyle-n@mssu.edu.

Canada Semester activities

Recycling and collecting

Mike Kennedy, Biology/Environmental Health, says MSSU's recycling program is still up and collecting. Please continue to encourage and participate in the collection of paper, plastic bottles, and cardboard. He says the recycling program wants to expand to include the collection of cans, althougth the budget for that is very slim.

"There will be another grant proposal to the Region M board this fall, so if you have any good ideas let me know," Mike says.

Expect to see and hear more about the "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" program.

FERPA memo to employees

The Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law designed to protect the privacy of a student’s educational records. All staff should be aware that the institution can be held liable for wrongful release of information. If in doubt about a request for information, contact the Registrar’s Office.

ALL requests from Law Enforcement Officials must be cleared by the Registrar’s Office, regardless of the nature of the information requested. All subpoenas are to be hand delivered to the Registrar’s Office on the day the document is received. The Registrar’s Office processes all subpoenas received by the university.

Faculty must be especially diligent to maintain compliance regarding posting of student information in their offices, classroom or on any electronic source.

All data posted by or about a student in Blackboard or on the MSSU web page is considered an educational record covered by FERPA.

Special note regarding Student Home Pages: FERPA stipulates that participation in this type of forum can not be a requirement as part of course credit. The student must be allowed to participate with an "alias" and without a picture being published or given an alternative assignment for credit.

Since FERPA does not allow disclosure of information as to whether a particular student is enrolled in a given course, faculty may not allow access to any data in a course with an online component to be viewable by guests or other individuals not enrolled in the course, without express written consent from the students enrolled in the course.

Additionally, students who have invoked the privacy act can request to have their name withheld from other members of the course. These requests must be honored.

Also a reminder that any paper containing confidential information for a student (SSN, S ID, grade, financial information, etc.) should not be placed in trash or recycled. These must be shredded. Check with your department head for the location of bins for materials to be shredded. Address all questions to Cheryl Dobson, Registrar, at ext. 9340.

Open insurance enrollment

The annual opportunity to review the insurance products employees have and determine their choices for the next calendar year has begun.  Human Resources has sent information by email and posted it on the HR website: www.mssu.edu/hr under “Open Enrollment”.  And by now each full time employee has received in campus mail a memo with details of their current selections and a purple election form for completion.

If employees want to make any changes to their plans, specific enrollment and/or change forms are required and are available in HR (Hearnes Hall Room 217).

Informational Meetings to be held with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield representatives to discuss the four health plan choices for 2010.

Meetings consisting of presentations of the health plan choices, a question and answer period, and an in-person tutorial presentation of web-based resources for employees will be conducted.  Cornell Auditorium in Plaster Hall has been reserved for these meetings.  Employees are encouraged but not required to stay for the full session. 

Those dates and times are:

* Tuesday, 10/13/2009 - beginning at 8:30 a.m.
* Wednesday, 10/14/2009 - beginning at 8:30 a.m.
* Thursday, 10/15/2009 - beginning at 2 p.m.
* Friday, 10/16/2009 - beginning at 8:30 p.m.

HR staff to conduct outreach program.
For the week of Monday Oct. 27 through Friday, Oct. 30, a staff member will be at BSC Room 356 to serve as an Open Enrollment resource.  Employees can turn in forms and ask questions. This may give folks more privacy and reduce the wait time in the Hearnes Hall HR office.  Forms can also be turned into the HR office.  Due to the personal nature of the material, it is recommended to not put the forms in campus mail.

The deadline for Open Enrollment for employees is Friday, Oct, 30.  Employees must turn in their purple election forms and any other enrollment change forms by 5 p.m.

Cafeteria Plan enrollment for Flexible Spending Accounts available on line.
The cafeteria plan materials are being sent to employees by postal or email.  Due to the success of the on-line enrollment last year, ASI is again using this format.  Simply go to www.mocafe.com click on “Enrollment” and follow the instructions.  HR reports that many employees participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts offered that allows them to put pre-taxed money aside (thus reducing their tax liability) for later reimbursement of out-of-pocket child care or healthcare expenses.  Although ASI has a later deadline of 12/1/2009, it is recommended to take care of this enrollment early so as to not overlook it. The MO Café informational booklet is also posted on the HR web page

Pennies for Peace

Help support education in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Drop off your loose change in any of the Pennies for Peace jars around campus through Oct. 16.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PENNY?

Pennies for Peace is sponsored by: ACTS (Advising, Counseling, and Testing Services), CAB (Campus Activities Board), International Student Services and the Teacher Education Dept. (W.I.S.E.).

If you have any questions about Pennies for Peace go to www.ikat.org or contact Sony Yang at Yang-X001@mymail.mssu.edu or Nate Hicks at Hicks-N002@mymail.mssu.edu.

Office of the Registrar staff updates

Cheryl Dobson, Registrar, says several positions in her office have been revised in recent months. Following is a list of those individual and their new duties.

Betsy Leighninger – Systems Coordinator, ext. 9513
This summer Betsy’s position was revised to reflect the job duties she assumed with the implementation of the degree audit system (CAPP) and various other technology related functions.  Primary duties include coordination of Degree Audits (CAPP), Banner/Lionet Student Information System Coordination, Academic Petition Processing, Web Page Maintenance, Backup Transfer Articulation and Backup Registrar Functions

Char Swope – Records Assistant, ext. 9336
Char works at the front counter and assists students and staff with processing of various requests. These include Customer Service, Outgoing Transcripts, Enrollment Verifications, Data Maintenance, Graduation Applications and Academic Petitions Letters.

Charly Smith – Transcript Analyst, ext. 5444
Charly recently replaced Amber Higgins who transferred to the Financial Aid Office.  Her main duties include Incoming Transfer Credit Articulation, Incoming Athletic Transfer Eligibility, Academic Petition Processing, and Articulation Agreements.

Brenda McDaniel – Banner Student Module Specialist, ext. 9591
This August, Brenda began reporting to the Office of the Registrar.  Her current main duties include coordination of Schedule and Catalog Maintenance in Banner, Publication of Schedule and Catalog, Archive of Academic Policy and Course Syllabi, Faculty Assistance Catalog and Room Scheduling and Reservations.

Other office members include:
Denice Brown – Records Assistant, ext. 9389
Karen Layne – Department Secretary, ext. 9515
Rae Surber and Suan Richardson – Switchboard, ext. 9598/9300

Cheryl Dobson – Registrar, ext. 9340.

Lifelong Learning Newsletter

The Lifelong Learning "What's New" newsletter is now. The newsletter features several articles including "A New Twist on Taxonomy" by Jerry Williams, plus a Lifelong Learning BlackBoard Training Session schedule for this fall as well as items on audio files and the Baby Steps course.

To see the publication, go to Lifelong Learning.

Comments sought from Staff Senate

The MSSU Staff Senate seeks your opinions, questions and feedback about issues related to the University and its operations, particularly pertaining to staff related functions.

A form established by the Staff Senate and available at http://www.mssu.edu/staffsenate/commentform.htm is designed to give you a means to provide information - positive, negative or simply informative.

While you may provide your name, this form allows you to submit comments anonymously, it is the Staff Senate's desire that members of the MSSU staff not abuse this opportunity and requests that submissions maintain a collegial attitude when providing information or comments to the Staff Senate. Please be as specific as possible when referring to MSSU policies, procedures, events or circumstances.

Staff members may also submit comments, suggestions or questions to Staff Senate members in an unmarked envelope via campus mail or by contacting any Staff Senate representative.

A listing of Staff Senators is available at http://www.mssu.edu/staffsenate/staffsenators.htm .

Something for everyone at your library

Whether you need books and articles for a research paper, a place to study, or simply want to relax with a movie night; there is Something for Everyone @ Your Library!

Spiva Library is a member of the academic consortium MOBIUS. What does this mean for you? You can search for books not only at Spiva Library, but over 60 other academic and public libraries within the state; including University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, St. Louis University, University of Missouri Kansas City, and Springfield Greene County. You can search, find, and request books to be sent here in a few simple steps. The best part? It is a free service for all students, faculty, and staff.

There are seven study rooms in the Library! Four individual study rooms, two group study rooms, and one room equipped with a computer and projector for working on group presentations. All of these study rooms checkout at the Main Circulation desk for a 2 hour period. Also take advantage of the Quiet Room on the 4th floor.

Make it a FREE Movie Night! Our DVD collection contains the American Film Institute’s (AFI) Top 100 films of all time and the AFI Top 10 of 10, plus past Academy Award Nominees and Winners including: Slumdog Millionaire,  Revolutionary Road, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the Rocky series, and Titanic - just to name a few! The collection is located on the 3rd floor by the fireplace. Checkout up to 5 at a time for 1 week!

Become a fan of Missouri Southern Spiva Library on Facebook where you can search for books and articles directly from the online catalog, view tutorials, see upcoming events, and much more! Also follow us on Twitter at MSSULIBRARY!

FACULTY/STAFF

Mike Fox, Facilities Improvements, attended the 2009 Missouri School Plant Managers Association annual conference in Lake Ozark, Missouri, Sept. 27 - 29. At the convention, he was elected to the MSPMA Board as special representative for colleges and universities.

Bob Harrington, Physical Plant, says approximately half of lot 38 will be blocked off and reserved for a special function in BSC on Monday, Oct. 12. If this is where you normally park, please understand that only half of the lot will be available that day and you will need to park elsewhere on campus," Bob says. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Wayne Thomason, Criminal Justice, says the annual CareerFest and Open House in September had an oustanding turnout. Wayne says a total of 196 students/potential students and 11 counselors took part. Agencies participating included: Police Departments from Carthage, Fayetteville, Joplin, Lees Summit, Monett, Neosho, Republic, and Webb City; Sheriff's offices from Jasper County and Greene County; Missouri Dept of Corrections (Probation & Parole); Missouri Dept. of Social Services; Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources; Missouri Highway Patrol; FMG Publications; and the U.S. Army.

CLASSIFIED

For Sale: 2005 Honda Shadow Spirit 750; black/chrome; modified exhaust, extra custom seat and accessories; excellent condition; $4000. OBO. Call Pete at (417) 793-5035 or email blackshadow750@gmail.com or vigil-d@mssu.edu.

For Sale: 2200 sq. ft. lake front house for sale in Shell Knob, Mo. on Table Rock Lake. Boat dock available at King's River Marina nearby. 2 - 4 bedrooms, central heat/air. Propane heat, electric water heater and air. 2 baths, 1.5 garages, front and back decks. Newer roof, recent siding, totally remodeled and ready to move into. Includes appliances, window coverings, new carpet, walkout basement, new tile, paint, fans and fixtures. Must see to appreciate. $162,900. Call (417) 540-3423. To see pictures, e-mail gallemore-r@mssu.edu,

Service Available: In-home daycare; ages 0-2 yrs., SE Joplin, Kelsey Norman School area. Please call Sarah at (417) 626-2635.

Moving Sale: 4630 Belmont (S. on Range Line to 44th Street, turn right, left on Belmont) Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. only. Oval oak dining room table and 6 chairs with 4 extensions and matching glass door hutch; antique bookshelf; area rugs, medium to small; Asian painted screen; designer linens, "theme" linens for girls ages 3-12; toys in very good condition, home decor items, closet shelving and storage units; new picture frames; entertaining items, dishes, china, serving pieces, wine glasses and wine racks; five-piece Pier 1 rattan set; antique rocker; white wicker headboard; complete Kitchen Aid cookware, Books for both children and adults. Call (417) 825-7003.

Accents is published during the fall and spring and summer semesters. Visit Accents archives for other past issues.
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