Lion-Hearted Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2006
Lee Elliff Pound
(417) 625-9355

 

JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Mary Helen Harutun, Joplin, will receive the Lion-Hearted, 2006 Award from the Missouri Southern Alumni Association according to Lee Elliff Pound, Alumni Association Director.

 

Mary Helen Harutun

The Award recognizes individuals who, although not Missouri Southern graduates, are outstanding supporters of MSSU.

Mrs. Harutun’s award will be unveiled at the Alumni Awards Dinner the evening of Friday, Oct. 13 at the Joplin Ramada Inn. She also will be recognized at halftime of the MSSU homecoming football game the next day.

Mary Helen Harutun is a longtime piano teacher and supporter of music and music education in the Four State area. She and her husband, the late Miney Harutun, attended classes at Joplin Junior College during the depression.

 

For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Harutun lived near at 16th and Joplin streets in Joplin.

 

Mrs. Harutun says the marble mantel in the Mission Hills Mansion’s front living room brought back memories of the days when she and husband, hosted Saturday evening performances in their home and studio.

 

“Miney and I would host students and their parents every Saturday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on two seven foot grand pianos during the school year, with students giving their best professional performance. They would play recital and contest pieces in front of our fireplace, with their parents as the audience.”

Earlier this year, Mary Helen Harutun became a major contributor to the effort to raise $1.3 million to restore the historic Mission Hills Mansion on the Missouri Southern State University campus.

 

“This is the right project for me,” she said upon touring the mansion. “M.H. - Mary Helen … M.H. - Miney Harutun … M. H. … Mission Hills Mansion. It’s just perfect,” she commented.

 

At the present exterior remodeling is well underway at the Mansion, with workers removing and restoring the structure’s red tile roof and restoring its white stucco walls.

 

“We want to express our sincere gratitude to Mrs. Harutun for her help in the restoration project,” says Lee Elliff Pound, Missouri Southern Alumni Association Director. “Thanks to her, the Mansion will be a structure that students and community members can use and enjoy for years to come.”

 

When the restoration project is complete, the Mansion will host many events on the main floor. One goal of the Alumni Association is to host an annual Christmas sing, with the piano by the fireplace in honor of Mary Helen and Miney Harutun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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