MSSU News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2008

Dr. Michael Garoutte
(417) 625-9748

JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Students invited to join the prestigious Honors Program at Missouri Southern State University were introduced during a formal signing ceremony on Friday, May 2 in the Connor Ballroom of Billingsly Student Center at MSSU.

Missouri Southern welcomed its academic team with enthusiasm similar to that given star athletes who make a decision to attend a college or university. Many high school teachers, counselors, administrators and family members watched the students made their choices official.

Missouri Southern President Dr. Bruce Speck welcomed the students as they took this important step in their educational career. All the students will attend Missouri Southern this fall and several have already completed a number of college hours. Also welcoming the students was Missouri Southern Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. John Messick.

The signing ceremony continues a tradition established when the Honors Program was developed in 1984. Entrance into the program is by invitation and requires a composite score of 28 or above on the ACT or a grade point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale. The program offers honors sections of general education courses and special honors courses in selected areas.

"We had a very strong pool of candidates, said Dr. Michael Garoutte, Director of the Honors Program. "These 39 students will have the chance to receive the best that Missouri Southern has to offer and also to give their best to Southern for years to come," he added.

The students, known as Honors Scholars, receive scholarships in varying amounts. Many receive a renewable, four-year, full tuition scholarship, and some of those with an ACT composite of at least 31 receive additional Evans Scholarship funds to cover on-campus room and board.

Incoming Honors freshmen this year have an average ACT score of 29. Their average grade point is 3.91 during their high school years.

Honors Signing, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, Mo.
High School
Name/Hometown

Landon Adams, Carl Junction, Mo.
Carl Junction High School

Back Row (l to r) : Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Jill Adams & Lance Adams, parents.
Front Row: Landon Adams, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Emily Arnold, Pea Ridge, Ark.

Pea Ridge High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Director; Paul Arnold & Claudia Arnold, parents.
Front Row: Emily Arnold, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Laura Barr, Joplin, Mo.

Joplin High School.

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Kathryn Barr & Ron Barr, parents.
Front Row: Laura Barr, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Nathan Bramwell, Sarcoxie, Mo.

Sarcoxie High School.

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Greg Bramwell, father; Nikki Bramwell, sister; Sharon Bramwell, mother.
Front Row: Nathan Bramwell, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Audrey Buckland, Webb City, Mo.

Webb City High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Peter Buckland & Vana Buckland, parents; Mrs. Terry Rose, Webb City Gifted Education Teacher.
Front Row: Audrey Buckland, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Blair Chrisenberry, Moundville, Mo.

Nevada High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Chris Pettibon. Front Row: Blair Chrisenberry, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President

Krisa Clark, Neosho, Mo.

Neosho High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Tracy Clark & Robert Clark, parents.
Front Row: Krisa Clark, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Randon S. Coffey, Webb City, Mo.

Webb City High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Randy Coffey 7 Seantel Coffey, parents.
Front Row: Randon S. Coffey, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Kristen Dunn

Avilla, Mo.

Sarcoxie High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Lisa Dunn & Kevin Dunn, parents.
Front Row: Kristen Dunn, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Jonathan Englebert, Joplin, Mo.

Joplin High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Virginia Englebert, mother.
Front Row: Jonathan Englebert, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Kylie Fischer, Noel, Mo.

Neosho High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Donna Hart. Front Row: Kylie Fischer, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Brandon Cody Gallemore, Seneca, Mo.

Seneca High School

Left to Right: Brandon Cody Gallemore, Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President

Amber Heiskell, Neosho, Mo.
Neosho High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Stacy Heiskell, sister; Tim Heiskell & Crystal Heiskell, parents.
Front Row: Amber Heiskell, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President

Amber Judy, Neosho, Mo.

Neosho High School

Back Row (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Vickie Cannon, mother.
Front Row: Amber Judy, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President

Joanna Lee, Carthage High School

Carthage, Mo.

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Stephanie Lee & Rev. James Lee, parents.
Front Row: Joanna Lee, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Matthew James Lenhart, Joplin, Mo.

Joplin, Mo.

Left to Right: Matthew James Lenhart, Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President

Taylor McClelland, Washington, MO

Washington High School

Left to Right: Hal McClelland, father, Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director.
Front Row: Taylor McClelland, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Blake McDonald, Fayetteville High School,

Fayetteville, Ark.

Back Row: (l to r): Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Darin McDonald, father; Sherry Fry, mother.
Front Row: Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Mark Medlin, Joplin, Mo.
Joplin High School

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Kent Medlin & Christi Medlin, parents.
Front Row: Mark Medlin, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Bethany Moore, Nevada, Mo.

Nevada High School

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Dale Moore, father, Blake Moore & Logan Moore, brothers.
Front Row: Bethany Moore, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Tom Mourning, Joplin, Mo.

Joplin, Mo.

Back Row: Tom Mourning I, father; Leann Stausing,Teacher; Phillip Travis, Speech & Debate Coach; Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director.
Front Row: Tom Mourning II, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Anna R. Nine, Neosho, Mo.

Neosho High school

Back Row: Elmer Batschelet, grandfather; Karen Nine & Mike Nine, parents; Lonnie Nine & Willa Dean Nine, grandparents; Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director.
Front Row: Anna R. Nine, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Amy Pearce, Edmond, Okla.

Edmond North High School

Left to Right: Tammy Pearce, Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director. Front Row: Amy Pearce, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Michael E. Price, Joplin, Mo.

McAuley High School

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Rob Ketron & Janet Ketron, parents.
Front Row: Michael E. Price, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Cassie Rakes, Seneca, Mo.

Seneca High School

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Mark Rakes, Tink Rakes, LaVetta Rakes, Amy Ortega, Nancy Cass.
Front Row: Amy Rakes, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Breck Royer, Carthage, Mo.

Carthage High School

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, William Freed, Kyle Royer, Kristy Royer. Front Row: Breck Royer , Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Dawson Urrutia, Ft. Smith, Ark.

Union Christian Academy

Back Row: Christy Puckett, mother. Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director. Front Row: Dawson Urrutia, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

David Selby, Reeds Springs, Mo.

Reeds Springs High School

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director;Patty Selby & Matt Selby, parents; Jessica Selby, sister.
Front: David Selby, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Katlyn Smith, Carl Junction, Mo.

Carl Junction High School

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director; Jeff Smith & Carol Smith, parents.
Front Row: Katlyn Smith, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Maegan Vanderplow, Joplin, Mo.

Joplin, Mo.

Back Row: Dr. Michael Garoutte, Honors Program Director, Michelle Duncan, Dorothy Corp. Front Row: Maegan Vanderplow, Dr. Bruce Speck, MSSU President.

Additional students, not present at the signing, included:

Hollister High School
Mykelnn Youngblood, Hollister, Mo.

Homeschooled
Ashley Brooks, Ellensburg, Wash.
Karen Fuhrmeister, Miami, Okla.

Jasper High School
Breck Allen, Carthage, Mo.

Littleton High School
Danai Noftz, Littleton, Colo.

Miguel DeCervantes High School of Spanish Lang.
Ivaylo Vassilev, Sofia, Bulgaria

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