Outstanding Graduate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2009
Lee Elliff Pound
(417) 625-9355

 

Lauren Bates

JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Lauren Bates has been named “Outstanding Graduate” by the Missouri Southern Alumni Association at Missouri Southern State University. 

 

The award will be formally announced at the Honors Convocation scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 in Taylor Performing Arts Center at Missouri Southern.
               
Bates is a senior Marketing and Management major with an English minor. She will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.
               
Bates grew up in Salem, Mo.  She is the daughter of Jeanie Bates and the late Laurel Bates of Salem.  She is a graduate of Salem High School.
               
Lee Elliff Pound, Director of Alumni Affairs at Missouri Southern, says the Outstanding Graduates are selected on the basis of superior involvement and leadership on campus and community, high academic achievements, and respect of fellow students and faculty.
 
Bates was recruited by Missouri Southern to came to the university on an athletic scholarship to play college volleyball.   She chose MSSU because of its competitive volleyball program and its membership in the MIAA conference.  She was a part of a 2006 team that went to national championships.

 

Bates says she will never regret her decision to attend Missouri Southern.

 

“I loved the campus layout, friendly staff, helpful advisors and the business program. I was also enthralled about getting to compete against other top athletes,” she states.

 

“On a funnier note, I also liked the Lions mascot,” Bates says.

 

Bates, a member of Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) for four years, currently serves as Vice President of the organization.  “High involvement with  this organization has lead me to have strong relationships with local business owners and has opened a window of opportunity in the legal world with business law,” she states.

 

“This club has helped shape me into the modern day business woman.”

 

Another key role Bates played at MSSU was as a Freshman Orientation Leader. The Orientation program helped ease freshman into college life at MSSU.

 

“My role as an orientation leader was to facilitate the freshmen towards school pride, school involvement, and knowledge of services MSSU offers,” she says.  “Getting to be a teacher and sharing my advice and training with students was priceless. I still have 'my students' come up to me and ask me questions or laugh about how class was fun."  

 

“I have friendships from that experience that I will never lose," she adds.

 

During her time at Missouri Southern, Bates served as a member of the MSSU Student Senate which she calls the " embodiment of the student voice.”  Bates credits Senate membership for giving practice at being a delegate and understanding the power of compromise.

 

In October of 2007, Lauren Bates was chosen by MSSU students as Homecoming Queen.  She reigned over the "Let the Good Times Roar" festivities, rode in the Homecoming Parade and was introduced at the Homecoming football game.

 

She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Honor Society, International Poets Society, Missouri Southern Student Senate, DEX, the Pre-Law Club and the International Business Club. She received a 2004-06 Patrons scholarship and won an International Scholarship to study in Italy.

 

Bates’ community activities include helping the homeless at the Souls Harbor Mission and helping with the Special Olympics.

 

“Being a former MSSU athlete and recalling all of the joys and skills I received from playing sports I want those children to have just the chance to experience athletics,” she says.

 

She also has worked with Paul Mitchell’s cosmetologist graduates to put on a breast cancer awareness runway show.

 

“The models doing the show were paired up with a survivor of breast cancer or with a female battling the disease,” she recalls. 

 

“The goal of this show was to donate all the admissions proceeds to the breast cancer foundation.  The event was amazing; many women spoke of their trials and tribulations and were an encouraging inspiration to many women.”

 

Lauren Bates plans to take the LSAT (law school aptitude test) this June.  But before going to Law School, she plans to spend at least a full year in Germany, learning about German business practices and, in a larger sense, the global economy.

 

“I plan on taking a position working in the marketing department in Frankfurt.  On the long term I would love to get some traveling under my belt but eventually settle down and work for a law firm dealing with civil law.”

 

Bates says her happiness has resulted from help from others. 

 

"First and foremost, thanks to God who is merciful and generous with his forgiveness and blessings. To my father who instilled the importance of a college education. To my mother who was the kind arms I need to hold me when times get hard. To my sister who taught me the importance of free thinking and spirited ideas. Thanks to my brother for making me tough. Thanks to Niki Ansell for her friendship and listening to my ideas.

 

"I have to say thank you to many other friends, special individuals and professors here at Missouri Southern who have made my University experience not only happy but memorable," Bates says.

 

 

 

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