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Graduate student Brian Smith awarded Silver Snoopy for remarkable aerospace work
April 23, 2025

Graduate student Brian Smith awarded Silver Snoopy for remarkable aerospace work

On Brian Smith’s ’10, living room wall, next to a July 21, 1969, issue of “New York Daily News” hangs a personalized portrait signed by all four crew members of Artemis II, the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft around the Moon, set to launch in April 2026. Reid Wiseman, mission commander for the flight, gave Smith and his EaglePicher Technologies team members this gift last May.

Maddox Studdard placed on Missourian Nextgen Under 30 and Joplin Globe’s 20 Under 40
February 27, 2025

Maddox Studdard placed on Missourian Nextgen Under 30 and Joplin Globe’s 20 Under 40

Missourian Nextgen Under 30 is awarded to nominees described as young, ambitious, and creative individuals pushing boundaries in their field. This honor is awarded to around 35 people in the state of Missouri. Studdard was also placed on Joplin Globe’s 20 Under 40, which honors individuals making an impact on the area’s business and entrepreneurial sector.

MSSU Closed February 20, 2025, Due to Extreme Weather Conditions
February 19, 2025

MSSU Closed February 20, 2025, Due to Extreme Weather Conditions

Due to inclement weather, Missouri Southern State University will be closed on February 20, 2025. The university will shift to an online learning and work model for the day.

Creating the future: MSSU alumna designs HR hiring process using AI
February 18, 2025

Creating the future: MSSU alumna designs HR hiring process using AI

From serving as the former president of MSSU’s Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), to engaging in work-based learning projects at La-Z-Boy and the City of Joplin, alumna Allison Tillman, ‘24, has an impressive history of participating in projects bigger than herself, so when Ramin Zarrabi—plant manager of Ruskin in Parsons, Kansas—offered Tillman an internship, she was thrilled.

MSSU Closed February 19, 2025, Due to Extreme Weather Conditions
February 18, 2025

MSSU Closed February 19, 2025, Due to Extreme Weather Conditions

Due to inclement weather, Missouri Southern State University will be closed on February 19, 2025. The university will shift to an online learning and work model for the day. Faculty and staff who are able to work remotely are encouraged to do so. If you have any questions, please reach out to your supervisor. Stay safe!

MSSU to Close February 18, 2025, Due to Extreme Forecasted Weather Conditions
February 17, 2025

MSSU to Close February 18, 2025, Due to Extreme Forecasted Weather Conditions

Due to the forecast of significant snow, Missouri Southern State University will be closed on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

“This beginning / in a loop of infinity:” Zachary, ‘16, and Kelsey Baughman, ‘15
February 13, 2025

“This beginning / in a loop of infinity:” Zachary, ‘16, and Kelsey Baughman, ‘15

In 2014, Kelsey Akee found herself in a Spanish class. The Bella Vista, Arkansas native wanted to attend school outside of her hometown but still nearby, and with its affordable tuition, Missouri Southern is where she ended up.

Love and Basketball: Christian Bundy, ‘23, and Brooke Stauffer, ‘22
February 13, 2025

Love and Basketball: Christian Bundy, ‘23, and Brooke Stauffer, ‘22

Relationships of any sort is being a part of a team, and that’s what brought Christian Bundy and Brooke Stauffer together. The now-engaged couple came to Missouri Southern because it was close to home and because of basketball.

MSSU Closed February 12, 2025, Due to Extreme Weather Conditions
February 12, 2025

MSSU Closed February 12, 2025, Due to Extreme Weather Conditions

Missouri Southern State University will be closed on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. The university will transition to an online learning and work model.

A Lesson in Love: Katherine, ‘95, and Chris Mitchell, ‘95
February 11, 2025

A Lesson in Love: Katherine, ‘95, and Chris Mitchell, ‘95

Although “You can’t hurry love,” often rings true, it does have its own pace, which is what the Mitchells experienced in 1995. Katherine and Chris came to Missouri Southern to study education. While they were both in the same department, the couple didn’t share any classes. But she had noticed him in February, after the final meeting of their professional semester.

Their Chemical Romance: Lacy and Jarrett Epperson, ‘17
February 11, 2025

Their Chemical Romance: Lacy and Jarrett Epperson, ‘17

What science brings together, no one can separate, and one of those things is the Eppersons. Webb City natives Lacy and Jarrett came to Missouri Southern for the affordable education. The university allowed them to live at home and form new connections.

Stephanee Schiding awarded Dr. Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Honor Award
February 05, 2025

Stephanee Schiding awarded Dr. Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Honor Award

Stephanee Schiding, master instructor and lifetime wellness coordinator in Missouri Southern’s kinesiology department, was awarded MOSHAPE’s Dr. Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Honor Award.

Cardinals Caravan Returns to MSSU for Fan-Focused Event
January 23, 2025

Cardinals Caravan Returns to MSSU for Fan-Focused Event

KGCS-TV and the Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Department of Communication hosted the highly anticipated Cardinals Caravan event at the Taylor Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The event, which was free to the public, brought baseball fans together to meet some of the St. Louis Cardinals’ top players and alumni.

MSSU campus to close on Monday, January 6
January 06, 2025

MSSU campus to close on Monday, January 6

Due to road conditions and extreme low temperatures, the Missouri Southern campus will be closed on Monday, January 6th. MSSU will pivot to an online learning and telework model. Faculty and Staff, if you have the capabilities to work from home we would appreciate if you would do so. Check in with your supervisor regarding any questions you might have.

Missouri Southern thanks volunteers for preparing Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center for Christmas
December 20, 2024

Missouri Southern thanks volunteers for preparing Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center for Christmas

Missouri Southern State University would like to thank the volunteers who helped bring the holiday spirit into the Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center—better known as “The Mansion”—by decorating the historic home for Christmas.

Graduating Student Highlight: Brenna Jones
December 19, 2024

Graduating Student Highlight: Brenna Jones

The world needs more creators, and Joplin native Brenna Jones is one of them. Jones is a quadruple threat, graduating as an Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation major with an illustration certificate.

Graduating Student Highlight: Brian Cowles, Sr.
December 13, 2024

Graduating Student Highlight: Brian Cowles, Sr.

Another changemaker will be out in the world when Brian Cowles, Sr. graduates with his degree in international and political affairs this Saturday. Although a St. Louis native, his heart and home reside in Joplin.

Graduating Student Highlight: Allison Tillman
December 13, 2024

Graduating Student Highlight: Allison Tillman

Another leader is out in the world as Allison Tillman graduated today. Although a distance education student, Tillman still found a way to make an impact on her hometown of Joplin from her current home in Johnson City, Tenn.

MSSU police hosting gift drive
November 05, 2024

MSSU police hosting gift drive

Missouri Southern Police Department is hosting Compassion in Action, a gift drive for Lafayette House, from now until Dec. 9. Lafayette House is a non-profit organization offering support for those experiencing domestic violence and addiction, aiming to provide a haven for men, women, and children.  

“Where science meets compassion:” Lacy Epperson
September 26, 2024

“Where science meets compassion:” Lacy Epperson

On South Neosho Boulevard stands Mitchell’s Drug Store where pharmacist Lacy Epperson works as director of pharmacy clinical services. One day she can be found giving vaccinations and dispensing medications; the next, setting up for a community outreach vaccination clinic, or maybe she'll be teaching the store’s diabetes education program classes for people to learn how to self-manage their diabetes alongside other conditions—a program she established; or even overseeing the on-site pharmacogenomics testing. Her day-to-day responsibilities are always different and fulfilling.

John & Nancy Messick Provide Gift to Lions Forward Campaign
September 23, 2024

John & Nancy Messick Provide Gift to Lions Forward Campaign

The Messicks have established an endowment for the program, providing a current gift and including MSSU in their estate plans. The endowment will offer ongoing financial support, ensuring students have access to modern equipment and resources.

Russ and Suzy Alcorn Provide Gift to Lions Forward Campaign
September 04, 2024

Russ and Suzy Alcorn Provide Gift to Lions Forward Campaign

n recognition of the profound impact Missouri Southern had on his life, Russ, along with his wife Suzy, has made a generous six-figure commitment to fund several Russ & Suzy Alcorn Scholarships. Alcorn’s gifts are a combination of current and estate gift commitments.

Missouri Southern to host Artist Talk on photographer Paul Zizka
September 04, 2024

Missouri Southern to host Artist Talk on photographer Paul Zizka

Missouri Southern will host an Artist Talk via Zoom with award-winning Canadian photographer Paul Zizka on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. in Webster Hall’s Corley Auditorium.

Lions Forward Campaign
August 28, 2024

Lions Forward Campaign

Crossland Construction, a supporter of Missouri Southern State University for more than three decades, has made a $250,000 leadership gift to the university’s Lions Forward Campaign. The gift aligns with Crossland’s commitment to education and their belief in the transformative power of learning, company officials said.

MSSU Accounting Graduate Provides Gift to Lions Forward Campaign
August 21, 2024

MSSU Accounting Graduate Provides Gift to Lions Forward Campaign

Today we recognize a Kansas City-area accounting graduate and their spouse who took a unique approach to their support for MSSU.  “We included MSSU in our estate plans with an intent to fund a scholarship.  But we also wanted to do something that provided a more immediate benefit to a student.