Southern prepares for Discovery Days
Tere Hogan

Staff Writer

It is that time of year again when a couple hundred high school and transfer students will invade our campus to get a glimpse of what it is like to be a student at Missouri Southern. It is the beginning of Discovery Days hosted by the Admissions department. 

 The purpose of having Discovery Days is to introduce the campus to students who may be interested in attending Missouri Southern,  said Derek Skaggs, Director of Enrollment Services.

Students will come to learn about the campus, the degree programs that are offered what it is like to be a student at Southern.

The first Discovery Day will be Saturday at the Anderson Justice Center. The event starts at 2 p.m. when Dr. Julio Le n, College President, will welcome students and their parents. Admissions and financial aid counselors will speak about the requirements to attend Southern and how to get the money to pay for it all. Next, Southern Ambassadors will take small groups on tours of the campus and residence halls.

At 4 p.m. students can pick from a number of short lectures during the break out sessions. These lectures will cover topics that are important to new students like the honors program, residence hall life and campus activities. Holley Goodnight, coordinator of new student programs, will talk specifically about the Fresh Start programs and Freshman Orientation.

 The freshmen year is a big transition for many kids,  Goodnight said.  They need to know what to expect. 

After the break out sessions, students will pair up with faculty members at a cookout prior to the Lions football game against Truman State.

The next Discovery Day will be Friday, Nov. 1. This will be primarily focused on students interested in health care professions.

Besides talking about housing, admissions and financial aid, these students will have an opportunity to talk to professors and students currently teaching and enrolled in health care classes.

Two more Discovery Days follow on Monday, Feb. 10 and Friday, April 4, 2003.  the Discovery days are open for any high school, transfer or nontraditional student.

Southern offers tours Monday through Friday and some Saturdays throughout the school year. For more details on how to set up a tour persons should contact the Admissions office 782-6772.