The Chart Online

College celebrates 65th anniversary at Homecoming
Allison Rosewicz

Editor-in-Chief

This year, Missouri Southern is planning a sensational Homecoming.

The theme for the week before the Homecoming football game, Oct. 28-Nov. 2, is Sensational Sixties in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the College.

I hope we have a lot of participation, said Julie Blackford, director of student activities. We have a lot of good events.

All events throughout the week are free to students.

The 2002 Homecoming royalty was chosen after voting Oct. 22 and 23. The king candidates are Robby Ball, Residence Hall Association; David Sparky Mink, Sigma Tau Delta; Brandon Rabel, Koinonia; Christopher Crabtree, Native American Student Association; and John J.C. Magoffin, College Orientation. The queen candidates are Melissa Oberman, Residence Hall Association; Sarah Cunningham, Student Alumni; Jennifer Jackson, Koinonia; Seafha Blount, Native American Student Association; and Mysti Byrd, College Orientation.

Monday students can take part in Picture This, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the second floor of the Billingsly Student Center. Students can have their faces superimposed on a 5x7 color glossy that can be made to look like their favorite magazines.

From 12-2 p.m., Tuesday, students can participate in the CAB-sponsored Think Fast game show on the second floor of the BSC. The winner receives $200 in cash.

The talent show also takes place at 6:30 p.m. in Taylor Auditorium, sponsored by Student Activities.

Cassie Price, sophomore nursing major, said the talent show is her favorite activity of Homecoming week.

It s a lot of fun, she said.

Wednesday, students can make their own music video from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the second floor of the BSC. Students can lip synch and have the video recorded on VHS or DVD. The activity is sponsored by the CAB.

The Student Senate and the Residence Hall Association will also sponsor Casino Night from 7-10 p.m. in the Lions Den. Sabrina Tyndall, junior general arts major, and the CAB will also sponsor the MSSC Family Skate Night from 7-9 p.m. at Webb City Skate Land. Students should bring their student identification to enter. Treat bags will be available for children.

This is targeted at families, but any student can get in, Blackford said.

Thursday, the RHA will host Safe Halloween from 6-8 p.m. in the residence halls.

Student Activities and the CAB will host the all-campus picnic from 10:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursday, featuring food and laser tag. A pep rally and the presentation of Homecoming royalty takes place at noon on the campus oval.

This is a bigger deal than the first-week picnic, Blackford said.

The Alumni Awards reception, sponsored by the school of business and the Alumni Association, occurs at 6 p.m. at the Joplin Ramada Inn. The dinner takes place at 7 p.m. The cost is $15, and business attire is required.

Student Activities, the CAB and Campus Recreation will also sponsor a movie night from 7-11 p.m. in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Spider-Man will be shown first, followed by Triple X. Concessions will be sold, and all proceeds will go to the United Way.

Homecoming day begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 with the Alumni Hall of Fame Brunch in Billingsly s Connor Ballroom. The cost is $7.50 per person.

The Homecoming parade begins at 11:30 a.m. The football game versus Missouri Western begins at 2 p..m.

Blackford said the College is following the basic plan for Homecoming as in years past.

Hopefully, we can try some new things next year, she said. We re always open to suggestions. The CAB is always looking for new ideas.

Price said she thinks Southern does not do enough to promote Homecoming and the week s activities.

There s not very much school spirit at all, she said. They need to find ways to get more people involved.

Blackford said Homecoming is what the students make of it.

We really want students to participate, she said. Homecoming is for them.