Missouri State Magazine Fall 2015

FALL 2015

THE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

GET READY TO

Head Football Coach Dave Steckel, a man with a proven record of success on the field, is ready to take Missouri State football to new heights.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 3

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Come to the Bookstore for Missouri State Bears football apparel and other sports merchandise, located on campus next to Taylor Health and Wellness, across the way from the Plaster Student Union.

Publisher: Missouri State University office of publications Publications director: Stacey Funderburk Magazine managing editor: Michelle S. Rose Magazine art director and designer: Amy Schuldt Class Notes editors: Debbie Branson, Candice Wolf Photographers: Brandon Carry, Bob Linder, Andrew Petersen, Jesse Scheve, Kevin White Writers: Lucie Amberg, Nicki Donnelson, Don Hendricks, Trysta Herzog, Rick Kindhart, Stephanie Matthews, Andrea Mostyn, Michelle S. Rose, Mark Stillwell OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Lori Winters Fan, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Wendy Ferguson, Executive Director of Development Denise Kettering, Director of Advancement Services Melanie Earl, Director of Annual Funds Jenny Crews, Director of Prospect Management and Research Stephanie Lashley, Senior Director of Donor Relations and Special Events Debbie Branson, Associate Director of Alumni Relations Candice Wolf, Assistant Director of Alumni Activities Angela Pinegar, Assistant Director of Advancement Services Jacqui Coones, Director of Development Andrew Garton, Director of Development Patty Ingle, Director of Development Keri McKee, Director of Development Sophie Pierpoint, Director of Development Karl Schmidt, Director of Development Lisa Clark, Director of Planned Giving Kevin Greim, Senior Director of Athletics Development Matt McDonough, Assistant Director of Athletics Development Phone: 417-836-4143 Fax: 417-836-6886 Email: Foundation@missouristate.edu Email: Alumni@missouristate.edu

FEATURES 12 COACH STEC TAKES COMMAND The new head football coach, who was among the top assistant coaches in the nation last year, has started to build his own program at Missouri State.

Joe Kammerer, Director of Development Missouri State-West Plains Melody Hubbell, Assistant Director of Development Missouri State-West Plains Phone: 417-255-7240 Fax: 417-255-7241 Email: development@wp.missouristate.edu MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jim Anderson, co-chair Lori Matthews, co-chair Dan Cogswell, chair-elect Tina Stillwell, vice chair Brad Coy, secretary MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Richard F. Young, chair, Arlington, Mass.

Robert A. (Tony) Foster, Springfield Robert C. Fulp, Springfield Billy E. Hixon, immediate past chair, ex officio, Springfield Karen L. Horny, Springfield Michael H. Ingram, vice chair, Springfield Gordon Kinne, Springfield Mary McQueary, secretary, Springfield Timothy B. O'Reilly, Springfield Patricia L. Sechler, Springfield Clifton M. Smart III, president, Missouri State University, ex officio, Springfield Joseph Carmichael, Board of Governors, Missouri State University, ex officio, Springfield Stephen C. Foucart, treasurer, ex-officio, Springfield W. Brent Dunn, executive director of the Missouri State University Foundation, ex-officio, Springfield Cindy R. Busby, assistant secretary, Springfield Phone: 417-836-4143 Fax: 417-836-6886 Email: Foundation@missouristate.edu Missouri State is published three times a year by Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897 Postmaster: Send address changes to Missouri State, Office of Alumni Relations, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897 Missouri State University adheres to a strict nondiscrimination policy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability or veteran status in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. In addition, the University does not discriminate on any basis (including, but not limited to, political affiliation and sexual orientation) not related to the applicable educational requirements for students or the applicable job requirements for employees.

Printed with soy ink. ALM 199 15

20 THE FACULTY The work of Sarah Williams, assistant professor of art and design, is gaining national recognition. Williams' work shows her perspective on rural America, which she loves.

22 A "SUPER" SEASON The Baseball Bears had a record-setting season, making it all the way to an NCAA Super Regional — the final step before the Division 1 College World Series.

ON THE COVER: Head Football Coach Dave Steckel was named Missouri State UniversityÕs 20th head football coach in mid-December 2014. PHOTO BY KEVIN WHITE

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Keep up with President Smart: @ClifSmart

DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS: ThereÕs a lot to be excited about as we head into a new school year, from new academic programs welcoming their first students to fantastic additions to the physical campus.

ADVANCES IN HEALTH CARE EDUCATION

We are committed to addressing the projected shortages of qualified health care providers in the state and nation. Our students know there will be increased demand for these careers, which has led to tremendous growth within the College of Health and Human Services in the last decade.

The buildings that housed some programs had reached maximum capacity, making it clear that Missouri State needed new accommodations.

One amazing new facility will give us the ability to prepare care providers at the best possible level: The O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center.

Ground was broken for the center in summer 2014, and the building was ready for classes this fall.

A clinic to help us treat the uninsured Missouri State is going to be part of the solution as our community looks at the

problem of providing health care to vulnerable and underserved populations. The O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center will house a primary care clinic that will serve uninsured adult patients who are not eligible for coverage under Medicare or Medicaid.

The clinic will be a partnership between Missouri State, Mercy health care system and The Kitchen nonprofit organization.

MSU and Mercy will operate the clinic.

Missouri State students will be able to receive hands-on training in collaboration with Mercy medical staff, and may earn practicum hours required for their degrees while working in the clinic.

The goal is to open the clinic in October.

New occupational therapy masterÕs program Occupational therapists plan and direct treatment and programs that help disabled people become self-sufficient, allowing them to fully participate at home, school, work and play.

A graduate program in this area was proposed a few years ago to address the

shortage of occupational therapists around the region, state and nation.

The first students in Missouri State’s master’s program, the state’s first program of its kind south of I-70, started courses this fall.

WELCOME CENTER UPDATE

The Davis-Harrington Welcome Center, Missouri State’s new “front door,” is officially open.

It has a lobby, offices, a 100-seat auditorium and more. It is our new designated starting place for tours, and gives us a venue to hold admissions presentations and showcase information about the University.

The center was finished this summer.

NEW BACHELORÕS FOR NONTRADITIONAL STUDENTS

The Bachelor of Science in General Studies degree program started this fall. This is a great option for nontraditional students, and is ideal for adult learners who have a number of college credits and would like to complete a four-year degree. We hope it appeals to currently employed people who seek a bachelor’s degree to advance in their careers.

As always, learn more about the progress at Missouri State by visiting our website or following me on Twitter.

Very truly yours,

The Davis-Harrington Welcome Center is officially open. The University's new "front door" is the designated starting place for all tours.

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Clif Smart President

Join us for this yearÕs public affairs signature events These signature events help Missouri State put our public affairs mission into practice.

There are seven events each school year, and these five will happen this fall and spring.

STATEWIDE COLLABORATIVE DIVERSITY CONFERENCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT Ñ SAMMYÕS WINDOW When and where: Oct. 5-9, 2015, local area campuses What: Missouri State, Drury University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Evangel University and Southwest Baptist University will join together in the Fostering Futures service challenge to collect items for Sammy’s Window, a nonprofit that provides foster and adoptive families with clothing, food, hygiene items, furniture, school supplies and baby equipment. To learn how you may contribute: Contact Director of Public Affairs Support Mary Ann Wood at maryannwood@ missouristate.edu or 417-836-5073.

When and where: March 16-18, 2016, on campus PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONVOCATION: WES MOORE When and where: 7 p.m. Oct. 20, 2015, JQH Arena What: Wes Moore, the author of this year’s Common Reader “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates,” will speak. The Common Reader is the book read by all first-year students.

Moore is an Army combat veteran and social entrepreneur. His book examines the lives of two children named Wes Moore (one of them him) born blocks apart within a year of each other.

Both grew up fatherless in similar neighborhoods; both ran into trouble with the police. How, then, did one grow up to be a Rhodes scholar, veteran, White House Fellow and business leader, while the other ended up a convicted murderer serving a life sentence?

What: This conference helps develop and support diverse workplaces around the state of Missouri. All professionals are invited to attend.

MISSOURI PUBLIC AFFAIRS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION When and where: Evening of April 14, 2016, John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Education Center, 600 W. Sunshine St. What: The Hall of Fame honors those who have improved the lives of others through their academic, personal or professional achievements.

Honorees must have a connection to the state of Missouri and serve as examples of global citizens who act consistently for the benefit of others. The event will be open to the public but requires the purchase of a ticket.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE When and where: April 5-8, 2016, on campus What: This conference features lectures, panels and events that will explore this year’s theme of “Building Healthy Communities: Body, Mind and Spirit.” All events are free and open to the public.

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CAMPUS NEWS

BEING THE BEST IN THE WORLD,

BY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD:

Ad Team wins State Department competition Students created a digital campaign to combat violent extremism Missouri State UniversityÕs Ad Team, a student group in the College of Business, won first place in an international competition sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

The competition was called “Peer to Peer: Challenging Extremism.” Teams were tasked with creating online and social media campaigns that could help prevent violent extremism and compete for attention against groups that recruit online, such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State.

Ad Team originally competed with more than 20 other international universities, and was chosen as the only U.S. team in the final three.

Teams presented June 4 to a panel of judges comprising State Department officials, media executives, terrorism experts and academics. The other two finalists were from Australia and Canada.

The event received media coverage from National Public Radio, which announced Missouri State’s win the day after the competition.

THE ONE95 CAMPAIGN Ad Team’s approach is called the One95 campaign, and it centers on the idea that it is possible to affect 195 countries starting with one person, spreading to one community and then beyond.

It combines a website with a presence on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using photos and the hashtag #EndViolentExtremism.

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The website encourages people to participate offline in their own communities. It has lesson plans for teachers and a list of initiatives around the world that are working to prevent violent extremism.

The website also includes videos of people speaking about how violent extremism has affected their lives.

REACTIONS TO THE CAMPAIGN Missouri State President Clif Smart was at the D.C. presentation.

“It was a privilege to see the Ad Team in action,” Smart said.

“I could not agree more with the panel of judges, who praised the students’ presentation as truly outstanding and polished. It makes me proud to lead Missouri State to see this caliber of students representing us on the world stage.”

Dr. Stephanie Bryant, dean of the College of Business, said the presentation fits Missouri State’s public affairs mission.

“The materials developed by these students and their advisor, Dr. Melissa Burnett, have the capacity to affect lives and change the world for the better,” Bryant said. “We could not be more proud.”

This is the third consecutive year for the Ad Team to win first in a competition.

“We are thrilled to have placed first,” said Lanae Flatness, Ad Team president.

“After the response from the judges and audience members, we hope One95 will continue to grow and spread across the globe.”

Participate in One95 VIEW THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN

www.one95.org MAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA POST We encourage you to post a One95 photo on social media!

Find preferred hashtags and more on the campaign website.

Five former faculty, staff members selected for Wall of Fame Induction ceremony scheduled for Oct. 16 Five former faculty and staff members will be inducted into the Missouri State University Wall of Fame, which recognizes former employees who performed outstanding work while on campus and

demonstrated character and integrity.

Nominees must have worked for the University full time for at least 10 years, and five years must have passed since they were employed full time at Missouri State.

T H E 20 1 5 C L A S S Dr. Ronald Bottin: Former dean of the College of Business who led during periods of great change. He helped the COB attain prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. He also established study-away opportunities and new academic programs and expanded ties with the business community.

Dr. Dominic Capeci Jr.: History professor and the first person on campus to receive the title of distinguished professor.

He is an internationally recognized scholar in the area of African-American history who helped originate the Black History Month Committee and create MSU’s African-American Studies program.

YOUÕRE INVITED

Dr. Mona Casady-Niewald: Emeritus professor in the management department.

She focused on how to train a workforce using evolving technology in business, and also developed curriculum and managed the Introduction to University Life course. She was recognized for her efforts to improve student retention and success with the Outstanding Advocate Award from the National Resource Center for the Freshman Experience. She was also responsible for establishing the Missouri Association of Faculty Senates.

The honorees will have their plaques added to the wall outside Plaster Student Union Ballroom during a formal ceremony held in conjunction with Homecoming.

Dr. Curtis Lawrence: Served as the dean of the University College and dean of the Honors College during his more than 30 years on campus. He helped to develop web-based advising, the Writing Center and the master advisor training program.

William (Bill) Rowe, Õ61: A name synonymous with Missouri State University athletics. Rowe retired as director of athletics in 2009 after 47 years on campus, including stints as head baseball coach, athletics business manager and assistant athletics director.

Rowe helped Missouri State gain Division I NCAA status and helped lead Bears teams to more than 45 NCAA tournament appearances.

WHEN: 4 p.m. Oct. 16 WHERE: Plaster Student Union Ballroom COST: Free and open to the public

More than 50 new medallions awarded at annual Founders Club reception

President Clif Smart (from left) with platinum medallion recipients Carolin and Bill Hixon and their grandson, Nolan Smiley.

The Founders Club, Missouri State UniversityÕs most prestigious organization for donors, held its annual medallion reception June 27 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

Each year, medallions are awarded to Founders Club members whose cumulative giving has reached certain levels: Founders, Platinum, Sterling, President’s, Silver and Bronze.

This year, 54 new medallions were awarded to alumni, friends, businesses and organizations in recognition of their contributions to the University.

The event included a cocktail reception, entertainment and the presentation of the medallions to the recipients.

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CAMPUS NEWS

Cal Ripken Jr. speaks at Public Affairs Conference: ÒIron ManÓ offers play-by-play on success in life, baseball

By Trysta Herzog, graduate assistant, office of publications

Cal Ripken Jr. knows a thing or two about perseverance.

He spent his entire 21-year baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles. The former shortstop and third baseman played 2,632 consecutive games, breaking the record for consecutive games played and earning the nickname “Iron Man.” USING BASEBALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN During the Public Affairs Convocation speech he gave April 14 at JQH Arena, he talked about sports ethics and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, the nonprofit he created to help disadvantaged young athletes around the globe.

“We go into the toughest neighborhoods.

We target the kids who sometimes are thought to be nonfixable,” he said. Those children are paired with adults, such as law enforcement officers, and are taught baseball basics.

“The kids now run to the police officers as opposed to running away from them.

We’ve had really good success.” This program also taught him that these children need safe places to play. “We’ve built synthetic replicated-grass fields … I think we just finished our 39th field.”

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2) Follow your passion.

“If there’s one thing on this list that allowed me to break the record, it is that I loved being a baseball player. It’s the love of what you do that will carry you through the tough times.”

SHARING LIFE ADVICE FROM HIS PERSONAL PLAYBOOK He described the assets he thought fast-tracked his career and led to personal success. The list, Ripken said, was born out of a question a reporter posed to him: What traits would a player need to break your record for consecutive games?

His thoughts on that topic became the basis of his book “Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance that Make a Difference.” Here are a few pieces of the advice Ripken imparted to the crowd at Missouri State.

1) Have the right approach.

“Attitude is everything. My job was to come to the ballpark every day ready to play. It’s the manager’s job to choose who plays. If he chooses me, then I play. The manager really created this thing called ‘the streak,’ but it was my willingness and my attitude that made it happen.”

3) Be competitive.

Competition “brings out the best in all of us. … You have to have the courage to go out there and not only practice your strengths, but to practice your weaknesses in front of everybody. I found that very few people were willing to do that.”

4) Be consistent.

“You can’t always get the game-winning hit, and you can’t always make the game-saving catch. It’s all the things you can do in between those two that will define your value.”

5) Be a person of conviction.

“When you feel you are right, you have to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes when you do that, you can be labeled stubborn. I was labeled stubborn.”

Ripken’s visit was largely sponsored by Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks with additional support from the Missouri State University Foundation.

coming up in…

St. Louis

Springfield

WHEN: Dec. 5, 2015

WHEN: June 25, 2016

WHERE: Palladium Saint Louis, 1400 Park Place

Kansas City

WHERE: The Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis St.

WHEN: April 2, 2016 WHERE: The Gallery, 61 E. 14th St.

The MarooNation Ball is a black-tie-optional event with amazing live entertainment, mingling, dining and dancing.

It’s MAROON spirit in black tie … don’t miss it!

Tickets and sponsorships INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: $150 each • SPONSORSHIPS: $2,000-$5,000

Sponsors will be guaranteed a table at the ball, and will receive special gifts and recognition

Contact the Missouri State University Foundation for tickets or to become a sponsor!

417-836-4143 • www.missouristatefoundation.org

CAMPUS NEWS

NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME STUDENTS ON THE RISE:

New Bears find their place at Missouri State The Missouri State University campus community greeted 3,194 first-time students in mid-August, and the Springfield campus opened fall semester with 20,334 students.

These strong numbers mean the University is poised to set enrollment records when the official census is conducted later in the semester.

The annual Welcome Weekend, held this year Aug. 14-16, introduced the new

Bears to campus life and welcomed returning students.

Highlights of Welcome Weekend include Playfair, Bear Bash, New Student Convocation, Bear Path and New Student Festival.

OPENING-DAY ENROLLMENT BY THE NUMBERS

387 MORE

% 8.5 INCREASE

% 7.4 INCREASE

first-time students than in 2014

in underrepresented students

in students from other states

1987:

the last year MSU had an increase this large in first-year students

(up 13.8 percent)

3,747:

all-time record number of freshmen, set in 1989 (prior to selective admission standards)

Foundation finishes year with second-highest total in history The Missouri State University Foundation, the fundraising arm of the University, had another strong year.

The $19,206,438 raised during Fiscal Year 2015, which ended June 30, topped last’s year’s total of $18,377,965 and is second only to the $20,311,218 raised in 2012.

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scholarships, equipment and other needs across campus.

“I continue to be amazed by the support of our alumni and friends,” Missouri State President Clif Smart said.

“The numbers speak for themselves and are impressive, but the significance lies in what this allows us to provide for our students, faculty and programs.”

During FY15, the Missouri State

University Foundation received 46,407 gifts from 21,068 donors.

Additionally, nearly $2 million in deferred gift commitments were received.

The outright gifts are already being used on campus.

The deferred gifts will come to the university at a later date through bequests, trusts, annuities, life insurance and other instruments.

President Smart to lead Missouri higher education council Missouri State University President Clifton M. Smart III was elected president of the Council on Public Higher Education in Missouri, known as COPHE, at the groupÕs June 2 meeting in Springfield.

COPHE’s mission is to support and advance Missouri’s public four-year

universities while increasing understanding and appreciation for public higher education among state leaders and the public. COPHE comprises Missouri’s 13 public universities and their presidents or chancellors. Those leaders voted for Smart and the other new officers.

“It is important that we coordinate our

advocacy efforts and provide as much assistance as we can in charting the course for higher education in Missouri,” Smart said. “We look forward to partnering with our community colleges, the legislature, the governor and others as we continue to move education at all levels forward in Missouri.”

NEWS IN BRIEF Vice president wins national diversity award Dr. Kenneth Coopwood, vice president for diversity and inclusion Coopwood at Missouri State University, was nominated and selected as a recipient of the INSIGHT Into Diversity’s Diversity Visionary Award.

This is the only national individual honor in higher education of its kind.

It was presented to Coopwood as a tribute to his past and present contributions, future vision, dedication and long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Under Coopwood’s leadership, initiatives that support and carry out Missouri State’s intent to recruit a diverse student body have grown during the past three years, including initiatives that strengthen the University’s overall accreditation position.

Employees win awards for public affairs Three faculty and two staff members were awarded the Excellence in Public Affairs award in May from the Missouri State University Board of Governors.

The recipients were recognized for creating ways for students to succeed, involving students in diverse and meaningful public affairs

opportunities and for leadership in seeking solutions to important social and community issues.

Recipients: Isaac Balasundaram, Õ06, procurement card coordinator and the advisor for the Indian Students Association. He helps ensure a successful college and cultural transition for international students, particularly those from India.

Lisa McEowen, Õ94, library associate at Duane G. Meyer Library, has been involved in numerous service activities both on campus and in the community, including the Statewide Collaborative Diversity Conference.

Dr. Chris Barnhart, professor of biology. His work with students and community partnerships has affected endangered species, federal water quality regulations and environmental sustainability.

Keri Franklin, Õ99, director of assessment, assistant professor of English and the founder and co-director of the Ozarks Writing Project, has improved public education through writing techniques and training others to teach.

Dr. Renee Moore, Õ94 and Õ97, professor and department head of child and family development at West Plains, has created opportunities for students to manage community programs such as the Poverty Simulation and Read While You Wait.

faculty members and learn about social and academic life.

The fall Showcase is scheduled for Oct. 31, and is perfect if you have a college-aged family member who is interested in looking at Missouri State.

Learn more about Showcase: www.missouristate.edu/showcase 3,000+ degrees awarded at latest commencements Missouri State University conferred 2,416 degrees during the May 15 spring commencement, and 604 degrees at the July 21 summer commencement.

Both ceremonies were held at JQH Arena.

In spring, 1,885 bachelor’s degrees, 485 master’s degrees, five specialist degrees and 41 doctorate degrees were conferred.

In summer, 310 bachelor’s degrees, 282 master’s degrees, seven specialist degrees and five doctorate degrees were awarded.

MSU’s Commencement Hub online has student stories, social media posts, photos and other multimedia experiences updated before, during and after all commencements: www. missouristate.edu/commencement Introduce a new Bear to campus during Showcase If you know a student interested in Missouri State, we hope to see you both at Showcase.

Showcase is an open house for high school and transfer students and their families.

Visitors will tour campus, meet

MBA ranked among top programs for veterans Missouri State’s Master of Business Administration program was included on the 2015 Best Online Programs for Veterans list published by U.S. News & World Report.

This was the first year that U.S. News, which publishes news, opinions, consumer advice and analysis, ranked online MBA programs for veterans. About 120 programs made the list.

“For those military personnel on active duty, the MSU MBA online program is a great option.

It provides the flexibility to take courses when it’s convenient,” said Dr. Elizabeth Rozell, associate dean of the College of Business and director of the MBA program.

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GET READY TO

Itﾃ不 a new era in Missouri State football as

COACH STEC takes command Story by Michelle S. Rose Photos by Kevin White

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M

issouri State University Head Football Coach Dave Steckel was focused on the action April 11 at Plaster Stadium during the annual Maroon and White Spring Football Game, putting his hands on his hips, crossing his arms and cupping his hands over his mouth to call out to players and the other coaches.

When Breck Ruddick threw a 75-yard touchdown pass, he clapped just as heartily as those in the stands.

The only time he took his eyes off the field during the scrimmage game was when he wrote notes on his clipboard.

Calm intensity. Clear dedication.

These are some of the hallmarks of the man determined to take MSU football to new heights. ÔA NEW ATTITUDE AND CULTURE BEGINS TODAYÕ Steckel, 57, was named as the University’s 20th head football coach in mid-December 2014 after a nationwide search.

“Stec,” as he strongly prefers to be called, has 33 years of coaching experience. For the 14 seasons prior to coming to MSU, he was with the University of Missouri Tigers as an associate head coach and the defensive coordinator for linebackers.

During his time there, the Tigers rose to national prominence with back-to-back Southeastern Conference East Division titles in 2013 and 2014.

“His reputation within the industry is impeccable, and he has a proven track record of success,” said Kyle Moats, Missouri State’s director of athletics. “He has coached and recruited in the toughest league in America. … With him, a new attitude and culture begins today.” ÔNATIONAL EXPOSURE YOU CANNOT PURCHASEÕ The chance to build a winning program increases significantly with a hire of this caliber, said Missouri State University President Clif Smart.

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“When we started the search, we had no idea someone of this pedigree would be interested,” Smart said.

“When we learned he was, we operated on two tracks: negotiating with Stec and preparing a pool of alternative candidates should those negotiations fall through.”

Smart said a winning program could have positive ripples throughout the University, increasing MSU pride and morale.

“Successful athletic programs bring national exposure you cannot purchase. Our recent baseball success is a great example of that,” Smart said.

“Anything we do to raise the profile of the University increases the value of the degrees our graduates hold.

That’s not just true in sports — it’s also true for academic successes and community projects. A rising tide floats all boats.”

PUTTING TOGETHER A NEW PROGRAM Stec has revamped MSU’s coaching staff with many new faces, and quite a few have ties to the University of Missouri program.

“I’m excited to be able to bring in such a talented batch of young coaches,” Steckel said.

“They all bring tremendous knowledge and enthusiasm to the table, as well as an understanding of how we plan to put this program together.”

There has been a shift in how the players have been performing this spring and summer, Moats said.

“How they are responding to him is really the key, in my opinion,” Moats said.

“They have been just great. They love the new sense of excitement and have really responded very well to the energy his entire staff has brought. The other thing is how differently they react on field, with a new sense of urgency he has been promoting.”

Stec planned to improve the team’s fundamentals — especially strength and speed — in the 2015-16 season.

“I just want us to get better every day,” he said, “and that’s all you can ask for.”

STEC’S BIO HOMETOWN: Fullerton, Pennsylvania

MILITARY: United States Marine Corps, 1975-78

ALMA MATERS: BachelorÕs in elementary education from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, 1982 MasterÕs in physical education from Miami University in Ohio, 1984

CAREER: 1983 Ñ Miami University in Ohio (graduate assistant) 1984 Ñ Ball State University in Indiana (assistant coach, defensive line) 1985 Ñ University of Minnesota (graduate assistant) 1986-87 Ñ Dickinson College in Pennsylvania (assistant head coach, offensive coordinator) 1988-91 Ñ Lehigh University in Pennsylvania (assistant coach, special teams/linebackers) 1992-95 Ñ University of Toledo in Ohio (assistant coach, defensive line) 1996-2000 Ñ Rutgers University in New Jersey (assistant coach, defensive line/linebackers) 2001-14 Ñ University of Missouri - Assistant coach, linebackers, 2001-08 - Defensive coordinator, linebackers, 2009-10 - Associate head coach/defensive coordinator, linebackers, 2011-14

FAMILY: He and his wife, Mary Beth, have a daughter, Amanda. He is the younger brother of longtime NFL coach Les Steckel.

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STEC,

IN HIS OWN WORDS: ÔI want players who are passionate about Missouri StateÕ

The head coach discusses the integrity he saw at MSU that convinced him to work here, the way he

MISSOURI STATE MAGAZINE: First of all, how do you like to see your name spelled in print?

STEC: Stec. S-T-E-C. MS: Your full name?

STEC: Dave Steckel. But why use Dave?

Everybody calls me Stec.

MS: So it’s all right for MSU fans to call you Stec?

STEC: That’s the only thing I respond to.

When my daughter was starting school, my wife called me up and said, “We have a problem. Amanda doesn’t know your name.”

I said, “She doesn’t know my name?!” So I got home that night, and I said, “What’s my name?” She said, “Dad.” I said, “No, no, no, if something happens at school, if someone has to get ahold of me, who do they call? What’s my real name? My whole name?”

She said: “Stec Steckel.”

MS: At MSU, we tell students to follow your passion, find your place. How did football become your passion? What was your first exposure to the game?

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STEC: Two memories flew to my mind.

I think my first experience was on my birthday; I think I was 7 years old.

My brother was a high school senior. He took me into the locker room after that game on my birthday. The other experience was Little League.

MS: You decided to work at MSU after you toured campus. What was it that sold you?

STEC: The people. The commitment from President Smart and Kyle Moats. I wanted to make sure I was working with people of integrity and people of their word. And I wasn’t going to take the job until after I saw the campus and facilities, which really didn’t mean as much to me as meeting them. You can always build something different — but you can tell integrity by a person’s eyes.

MS: How did your past catchphrase “giddy up” originate?

STEC: It’s “Bear Up” now — I never say “giddy up” anymore. I used to say “giddy up” because I love “Seinfeld;” I love Cosmo Kramer and I wanted a catchphrase.

MS: What’s it like to make the transition to head coach from assistant coach?

STEC: I get to yell at everybody now.

MS: What are the most important traits you’re seeking as you recruit?

STEC: You mentioned the word passion — I’m looking for kids who are passionate. I want players who are passionate about Missouri State.

I want people who are dying to graduate from this University and dying to be great football players.

MS: What is your definition of a great football player?

STEC: My definition? It’s a person who has God-given talent, who uses and multiplies that talent.

And in order to use and multiply those talents that God gave you, you got to be able to take coaching. If they take coaching — and I think I’ve hired bright, young, intelligent coaches — if they listen to ’em, they can become great football players.

MS: What are the main challenges and the main positives you’ve seen so far with this program?

STEC: Everything’s a positive. The glass can either be half full or half empty. My glass is

e builds team loyalty, what fans can expect from him Ñ and what he expects from them in return.

half full, and I put a couple cubes of ice in there and fill it up.

But the real daily obstacle of being a head coach is the transition, which I am continuing to make every day. I deal with everything within the program. I take that responsibility very seriously. First of all, I believe there’s a right way and a wrong way to do things.

And second of all, I want to enhance the college experience for my players — so I have my hands in everything, because everybody who is in contact with my players is important. They have to have the same philosophy that I have with the players. I’m talking about the equipment staff, the medical staff, the coaches, the administrative assistants, the athletics communication staff.

Anyone who comes into contact with my players has to have the same philosophy and concerns that I have regarding my players.

My philosophy is that those students will have a great college experience, and they will graduate. And then they will go out and become successful. And they give me their money to help enhance our budget.

It’s called the circle of life. It’s like “The Lion King,” you know? Simba has to grow up and go out and then come back and conquer the world.

MS: Many of your former players have spoken about their loyalty to you and desire to play hard for you ...

with that. But if they have expectations, then so do I. Stay in the stands and support your team.

STEC: Where did you hear that?!

MS: How have you made the transition to Springfield? Have you had a chance to explore at all yet?

MS: Reading everything I could get my hands on. A lot of the Missouri players were sad that you were going, but glad they got the chance to play for you. What do you think it takes to build that sort of a bond between player and coach?

STEC: Trust. It starts off with communication. Communication builds trust. Trust builds loyalty. Loyalty builds love.

At the end of the day, we had a love/hate relationship. I loved them, and they hated me.

MS: I’m not sure that’s true. So what can fans expect when they come to games this season? What type of football will they see?

How would you describe it?

STEC: Fast. Disciplined. Physical. Now, what I expect to see from the fans is that they stay in the stands till the fourth quarter.

Every time there’s a third down, I expect them to take their keys out and start rattling them for “key down.” They have expectations of us, which I respect, and have no problem

STEC: Explore it? I know my office and where I am living. My absolute beautiful asylum is when I go out there on Plaster with the boys. For example, yesterday was one of the most hectic days of my life. When I got on the field, it was like everything left.

MS: This magazine goes to all alumni. What message do you have for MSU alumni?

STEC: I hope they love their University as much as I do. I hope they come back and support football players who are going to join them in the ranks of future alumni. And I hope they Bear Up. MS: Is there anything else you think readers need to know?

STEC: You know, I’m just Stec. (Pointing to an item in his office): See my little plate up there, Popeye? I am who I am and that’s who I am.

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MSU ON STEC:

Q&A with Athletics Director Kyle Moats

He is incredibly passionate about Missouri State, and that energy in all he does comes across immediately.

He has a big personality. He just loves life, and that will come across in the first minute of seeing him.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE STEC TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER MET HIM? He’s extremely passionate and energetic.

Those are the two things I automatically think of.

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WHY DOES HIS TENURE MAKE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MSU FOOTBALL? For one thing, his reputation in the state of Missouri and in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. Those are places where he has successfully recruited, and in which his staff has been entrenched.

There’s no question about his knowledge of the game. His success at MU is unquestionable. I knew he had the skills and the knowledge when we hired him.

But what I didn’t know personally was his personality — how much passion he has for working with his players. When I talk to players who have played for him, or see past players, you know just how much they care for him and how hard they play for him.

Once we give him time to establish himself, we will have that same atmosphere here. And that means success.

THIS MAGAZINE IS FOR ALL MISSOURI STATE ALUMNI. WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO TELL ALUMNI? The biggest thing is to give us a chance.

We’ve had a long history in football, and have had past success here. It’s a new time, a new era — I am more excited about football than ever. Springfield and the University community are at an all-time high for excitement.

I encourage them to come back. Not just for football — though the new BearFest Village and the stadium renovations are something to see.

The University has also changed. Come back to see all the good things that are happening, from the improvement of the physical campus to the energy from the leadership of President Smart. There are a lot of great things happening that will make you proud.

STEC’S RECENT SUCCESSES He was one of just five finalists for

the 2014 Frank Broyles Award, which honors the nationÕs top assistant coach. He was the only defensive coach among the finalists.

He helped produce a total of

15 all-conference linebacker selections at MU, including players who have gone on to the National Football League. Three of his linebacker pupils are still active in the NFL: Andrew Gachkar (Dallas Cowboys), Zaviar Gooden (Tennessee Titans) and Sean Weatherspoon (Arizona Cardinals).

He helped coach MU to 10 bowl

appearances.

Baseball Head Coach Keith Guttin, Boomer and Coach Stec met on the field during Missouri State University Alumni Day at Busch Stadium. Stec and Guttin both threw ceremonial first pitches for the June 13 game.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Oct. 3, Indiana State University (Terre Haute, Indiana)

Oct. 17, HOMECOMING:

were named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Shane Ray (2014) and Michael Sam (2013). In addition, Aldon Smith was the Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2009.

GET MORE INFO OR BUY TICKETS: WWW.MISSOURISTATEBEARS.COM

HOME GAMES Sept. 12, FAMILY WEEKEND: Chadron State College (Chadron, Nebraska)

He helped coach two students who

AWAY GAMES Illinois State University (Normal, Illinois)

Oct. 31, South Dakota State University (Brookings, South Dakota) Nov. 14, SENIOR DAY: University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

Sept. 5, University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee

Oct. 24, University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota

Sept. 19, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas

Nov. 7, Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio

Oct. 10, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois

Nov. 21, North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota

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THE FACULTY A look at teaching, research, scholarly activities or service at Missouri State <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Sarah Williams Assistant professor of art and design >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Story by Nicki Donnelson Portrait by Bob Linder

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Painter’s work gaining recognition; solo shows planned around U.S.

P

olice lights cut through the night sky, and Sarah Williams, assistant professor of art and design, knows she looks suspicious.

She’s skulking through dark streets photographing buildings for inspiration for her oil paintings. These low-quality snapshots help her recreate a story of the rural America that she loves.

Occasionally, she gets taken down to the police station on her quest to capture images of her subjects. But usually, in her small hometown of Brookfield, Missouri — where she photographs most often — they recognize that she’s on a mission.

“I’m working from these terrible little snapshots that I take, and I love for them to be bad because it makes me be inventive,” Williams said.

From these resource shots, she knows the shape of the building and location of the light source, but she adds in detail and color — color is her passion — to showcase these buildings’ unique structures.

“I’m just really fascinated with how you can indicate the way of life, or someone’s existence or personality, through the way they’ve built whatever it is they use.”

COPING WITH HOMESICKNESS THROUGH PAINTING Growing up in rural Missouri has influenced Williams’ art.

After moving to the Dallas metro area for her graduate work, she began taking photos on her home visits and putting this inspiration on the canvas.

“I was having this crisis because I didn’t recognize anything, and I’ve always grown up in a small area where I could go by landmarks. … I completely lost my sense of place.”

Through her paintings, she started to share the uniqueness and slower pace of the rural way of life, sometimes through an abandoned highway or a dark night sky against an aging industrial building.

Recently, she’s begun incorporating more residential settings into her work and experimenting with the feeling of voyeurism. She’s trying to capture the feeling that the viewer is standing on the sidewalk staring at the houses to see what is visible inside.

“I’ve got this series of small houses with big picture windows, and you can see the giant TVs glowing through the windows, so there’s that acidic artificial light that’s happening.”

CREATING ART ON AISLE FIVE Open-air paintings are often created in a serene location that results in paintings of landscapes, but as a student, Sarah Williams did a series of open-air paintings in the aisles of her hometown Wal-Mart. She remembers being met with questioning glances.

“I was in the middle of this culture with everybody doing their shopping, painting from observation – the light on the linoleum, the displays, or the bananas were $1.60.”

SHOWS COMING UP AROUND THE NATION IN 2015, 2016 For a young artist, Williams has received a lot of recognition for her body of work.

Her oil paintings were displayed at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, Wyoming, in spring 2014, and she showed at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, where she taught a course called Weekend in the Wild that took students to Yellowstone.

In February 2015, she had her largest solo show to date in Houston, Texas, at the McMurtrey Gallery where she showed more than 30 pieces.

She also was selected for a solo show at the George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles in September 2015, and will have one at the Talley Dunn Gallery in Dallas in January 2016.

Want to see or hear more?

View her selected works online: sarahwilliams-paintings.com Watch a video in which Williams talks about the places she holds dear: www.missouristate.edu/mindseye

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A

SUPER season Photos by Kevin White

The Baseball Bears had a fantastic, record-setting season, making it all the way to an NCAA Super Regional Ñ the final step before the Division I College World Series.

Their season ended in early June when they lost two of three games in the Super Regional series to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

“I really wanted this for our players, more than anything,” said Head Coach Keith Guttin.

“I’ve been in this for a long time, and they are probably the most unselfish group I’ve ever been around.”

In one of his weekly Clif ’s Notes addresses, President Clif Smart wrote: “The success of our baseball program resulted in literally hours of national TV coverage on ESPN and more than 800 media stories generated throughout the state and nation.

“This will have a significant impact on our efforts to enhance Missouri State’s profile as we continue to recruit students and market the University nationally and internationally.”

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HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS: The team racked up a school-record 49 total wins, and were on a 19-game winning streak (the nation’s longest!) when they headed into the Super Regional.

The Bears were a national seed (number 8) for the first time as a Division I program.

Because of the team’s great success, Missouri State won the bid to have the NCAA Tournament Regional played at Hammons Field, where MSU had record-setting ticket sales. The Regional, which was won by the Bears in three games, attracted 22,772 spectators over three days. This Regional title was the second in school history (first was in 2003).

Matt Hall, a left-handed pitcher, matched the Bears’ single-season record with 12 victories. He led all of Division I baseball in strikeouts, setting Missouri State and Missouri Valley Conference records for strikeouts in a season (171). He also earned first-team All-America honors.

Both pitcher Jon Harris and infielder Joey Hawkins earned Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors.

Harris won MVC Pitcher of the Year and Hawkins won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Hawkins, infielder Dylan Becker and closer Bryan Young also established new program standards. Becker had an MSU all-time high of 55 walks, while Hawkins laid down 29 sacrifice bunts and recorded 192 defensive assists to break his own MSU records in each category.

Young saved a program-best 16 games.

Four Bears — Hall, Harris, Young and third baseman Jake Burger — were named to All-America teams by Collegiate Baseball. This is the largest number of Bears ever chosen for this honor in one season.

Four Bears — Hall, Harris, Hawkins and Tate Matheny — were selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Hall was taken by the Detroit Tigers, Harris by the Toronto Blue Jays, Hawkins by the St. Louis Cardinals and Matheny by the Boston Red Sox.

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SPORTS

RECORD-BREAKING FORMER BEAR

READY TO COACH Blake Ahearn, who shot free throws better than anyone in NCAA history, has played professionally around the world and returns to Missouri to teach the next generation.

By Mark Stillwell

Blake Ahearn is turning the page.

After years of scoring points and shooting free throws at a record pace, Ahearn is stepping aside from the professional basketball wars and will start imparting his knowledge to high school students.

A pro player in this country and abroad for eight years since his Missouri State graduation in 2007, Ahearn has been named the new head boys’ basketball coach at Clayton High School, a Missouri Class 4 school near Ahearn’s home in suburban St. Louis.

Ahearn joins a notable list of Bear standouts from the Barry Hinson era at MSU who have gone into coaching: Scott Brakebill (Õ02) has returned to his prep alma mater as an assistant basketball coach at Bolivar (Missouri) High.

Trevyor Fisher (Õ05) spent five years as director of basketball operations under Hinson and head coaches Cuonzo Martin and Paul Lusk before winning back-to-back state championships in his first two seasons as head coach at Republic (Missouri) High.

Terrence McGee (Õ03) has rejoined his old boss and has been an assistant for the past three seasons to Hinson on the men’s team at Southern Illinois University.

IN THE

Dale Lamberth (Õ08) has coached at Springfield Hillcrest and Crane High in Missouri.

FACES CR

Anthony Shavies (Õ05), Robert Yanders (Õ02) and William Fontleroy (Õ00) have all coached youth basketball teams in the Springfield area.

All but Fisher played professionally overseas after their MSU days, but Ahearn’s impact was considerable. After setting NCAA Division I season (.975) and career (.946) records for free-throw percentage, leading the nation in free-throw shooting for three years and winding up the sixth leading career scorer in Bears basketball annals with 1,677 points, Ahearn became the leading career scorer in the National Basketball Association Developmental League and went on to play in Spain, Italy, China, Ukraine and Puerto Rico. He also reached the NBA for short stints with the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz.

“It’s very gratifying to see these young men enter the coaching profession,” Hinson said. “They get to become teachers and have a profound and positive influence on the lives of young people. Their own playing days enable them to bring a level of leadership to the kids they are coaching that is really special.” Hinson notes that every one of his former players now in the coaching ranks was a Bear basketball captain at MSU. Ahearn and his wife, Ricki, were married in 2011 after having dated since they were high school sophomores.

“With two young daughters and another on the way, it’s time to settle down and take care of my family, and the chance to stay

Senior

W W W .M A GA ZIN E . MISSO U RISTATE.EDU

Mark Stillwell is a former sports information director for Missouri State. Now retired, Stillwell continues to write about Bears athletics.

Camyn Boone Atwood, Kansas

Chvatal, MSUÕs most improved player last season, averaged 8.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 31 starts to help the Lady Bears to a third-place Missouri Valley Conference finish and WNIT bid. She ranked fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding, and fifth with a .483 field goal percentage, shooting at least 50 percent from the floor in 18 contests, and grabbing at least 10 rebounds on nine occasions with four double-doubles.

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involved with basketball is a tremendous opportunity for me, and I’m very excited about it,” Ahearn said.

Ahearn’s pro playing saw considerable extremes. After his time in the NBA D League and with the Heat, Spurs and Jazz, he played on a team in Dongguan, China, a metropolitan area of 25 million people where plane trips to road games sometimes lasted six hours.

Also, he was in his first season playing for Budivelnyic in Ukraine in 2013-14 when rioting and civil war broke out in that country not far from the Kiev hotel in which he was living. His family was in Kiev with him, and he recalls bringing them back home to safety and then returning to the war-torn country to finish the basketball season.

“There have been some memorable and wonderful experiences in the NBA, the D League and all over the world,” Ahearn said. “I’d love to get one more good crack at a regular job playing in the NBA, but I can look back on all this and not have a moment’s regret.”

WD

Hillary Chvatal Basketball

Ahearn as part of the Utah Jazz

Basketball

Senior

Seattle

Boone was one of the Missouri Valley ConferenceÕs top newcomers a year ago, and is the BearsÕ top returning scorer and rebounder after he posted 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for MSU as a first-year transfer.

He also blocked 25 shots and converted better than 57 percent of his field goal attempts during his junior season in 2014-15. He is one of five returning starters for fifth-year head coach Paul LuskÕs squad.

EXPERIENCE THE BEARS:

FALL SEASONS HAVE KICKED OFF VOLLEYBALL The 2015 schedule includes a total of 31 matches, 13 of those at Hammons Student Center in Springfield. This will be the 20th season under head coach Melissa Stokes. The season began Aug. 28-29 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the Bears played three schools. In addition, Missouri State University will host the 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Volleyball Championship this fall.

Hammons Student Center hosts the league tournament for the ninth time in program history during Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26-28.

MENÕS SOCCER The 2015 schedule includes 16 regular-season games and three home exhibitions. The team, back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference regular-season champions, will host nine matches at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on the Missouri State campus. The regular season began Aug. 28 when the Bears traveled to the University of South Florida.

WOMENÕS SOCCER The 2015 schedule features seven regular-season and two exhibition matches at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium. The team began the regular season Aug. 21 when they faced Idaho State in the first-ever meeting between the programs. The regular-season home opener was Aug. 28.

FIELD HOCKEY An experienced Missouri State team will head into a regular-season schedule with 17 games, which includes four Big Ten opponents and two 2014 NCAA tournament participants. Missouri State opened its season Aug. 28 on the road. The first home game will be held Oct. 4 at the Betty and Bobby Allison North Stadium.

CROSS COUNTRY The Bears opened the 2015 schedule Sept. 1 at the Bob Timmons Classic at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, and will have four additional regular-season meets. The Missouri Valley Conference championships will be held Oct. 31 at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana, followed by a Nov. 13 trip to Lawrence, Kansas, for the NCAA Midwest Regional at the University of Kansas.

SEE THE BEARS IN ACTION! View all schedules and get your tickets for events.

www.MissouriStateBears.com

MissouriStateBears.com Uvis Kalnins Swimming and diving

Dora Kiss Senior

Valmiera, Latvia

Kalnins is an All-American and Olympic hopeful going into 2016, and competed in two of the worldÕs most prestigious events during the summer. He is a three-time all-conference selection and two-time NCAA Championships qualifier. Kalnins finished just five spots shy of All-American status at the NCAA meet in the 400-yard individual medley on March 27, 2015.

Swimming and diving

Senior

Budapest, Hungary

Kiss broke two school and conference records in both the 200-yard butterfly and 500-yard freestyle as MSU won the Missouri Valley Conference title in 2015. Kiss is a three-time first team all-conference selection who completed two ÒBÓ standard times that made her eligible for the NCAA Championships during the 2014-15 season.

She has an opportunity to become the first Missouri State womenÕs qualifier at the NCAA meet in 2016.

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Join us for

OCT. 16-17

WWW.MISSOURISTATE.EDU/HOMECOMING

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CONCERT IN JQH ARENA: EARTH, WIND & FIRE

BAND OF BEARS HOMECOMING PARADE

8 p.m. Oct. 16

9 a.m. Oct. 17

Get down with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees known for hits such as ÒShining Star,Ó ÒSeptember,Ó ÒLet's GrooveÓ Ñ and many more!

Tickets: $65; missouristatetix.com

Join your Missouri State friends on John Q. Hammons Parkway to enjoy floats, bands and all the other festivities!

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BEARFEST VILLAGE 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17 Visit the new MarooNation Alumni Association tent to connect with fellow Bears and enjoy food and beverages.

NATIONAL

ENWOOD ORATORY CHOOL WOODS HOUSE TAYLOR HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

Homecoming Headquarters

BEAR BLVD.

BLAIR-SHANNON HOUSE

DAVIS-HARRINGTON WELCOME CENTER

BAKER BOOKSTORE FREUDENBERGER HOUSE

McDONALD HALL & ARENA

MADISON

ROBERT W. PLASTER STUDENT UNION

WELLS HOUSE

Access everything you need at Homecoming Headquarters in the new Davis-Harrington Welcome Center! Pick up maps, tickets or information, enjoy refreshments or sign up for events including Breakfast with Boomer.

CHEEK HALL CARRINGTON HALL

SICELUFF HALL

PUMMILL HALL ROBERT W. PLASTER STADIUM

HILL HALL

POWER HOUSE KARLS HALL ART ANNEX

PAGE

ELLIS HALL

BELMONT

CRAIG HALL

GRAND

MAY 16, 2009

FLORENCE

DELMAR

ALUMNI AWARDS CELEBRATION MOVES TO SUMMER 2016

BEARS FOOTBALL GAME

BEARS ON THE SQUARE

2 p.m. Oct. 17

Evenings of Oct. 16, 17

Cheer the Bears to victory as they take on the Illinois State University Redbirds. At halftime, see the Pride Marching Band and the coronation of the Homecoming king and queen.

Alumni and friends are invited to a good time in downtown Springfield!

Enjoy food and drink specials at participating restaurants, and soak in the maroon and white spirit.

The Alumni AssociationÕs event to recognize outstanding graduates is moving from Homecoming weekend. This change spreads out significant alumni events over the year, allowing all Bears to fully focus on Homecoming in the fall. The award recipients, who will be named in late 2015 or early 2016, will be honored at an event June 10, 2016 Ñ youÕre invited, so save the date!

Learn about award categories or make a nomination:

www.missouristate. edu/alumniawards

Bear Vows: A match made at Missouri State Story by Trysta Herzog Photos by Jesse Scheve

Two alumni marry in the place they met: The Duane G. Meyer Library.

A

lumni Hongduo and Ryan Knuckles-Li credit an out-of-service restroom for the beginning of their love story.

Both were studying at Duane G. Meyer Library when nature called for Hongduo Li, an international student from the city of Luoyang in China’s Henan province.

The bathroom closest to her was closed, so she trekked across the library in search of the next nearest loo.

On her way, she saw Ryan Knuckles, who had weeks earlier impressed her with his fluency in Mandarin Chinese.

“He came to a table I was sitting at with a group of my friends. We were surprised that an American spoke such fluent Chinese,” Hongduo said. When she saw him for that second time, she properly introduced herself and “the rest is history,” she said.

She would learn that Ryan lived in China for seven years before pursuing a business degree at Missouri State.

He would learn of Hongduo’s struggles in the classroom to keep up with conversational English.

They leaned on each other as they worked to finish their respective degrees, a master’s in business administration for her and a bachelor’s in international business administration for him. And when it came time to propose — at a Chinese New Year celebration in her hometown surrounded by her family and fireworks — they decided to memorialize their “meet cute” forever with a summer library wedding.

Missouri State’s event and meeting services helped finalize the couple’s arrangements and the date was set: June 6, 2015.

Debbie Letterman, assistant director of “I couldn’t have asked for a better event and meeting services, said the coordinator. Debbie did such a great job.

University has hosted a few campus And we feel very blessed to have had so weddings, but not as many as she’d like. much support from the University.”

“A lot of people don’t think of having a With the carillon towering above them wedding on our and soft roar of the campus because we fountains behind don’t have a regular them, Hongduo chapel,” she said. “It said the moment takes people that she walked toward have a vision, like Ryan was touching.

Hongduo and Ryan.”

“The bells rang The Knuckles-Lis 11 times, and then were actually legally we began the married in a small ceremony,” Hongduo service in June 2014, said. “The feeling Hongduo and Ryan Knuckles-Li but they wanted a was so sacred graduated in 2013 and moved to ceremony on campus because that’s the St. Louis. They knew they wanted and a gathering of first place we met.” to be married at their mutual alma friends and family in mater. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE COUPLE Later that Springfield. And evening, the although Chinese wedding party women and American men don’t usually moved to a Springfield hotel where the take their spouse’s last name, they bucked couple joined their families in a reception tradition and combined their names: “So celebrating Hongduo’s Chinese heritage. when we have a son, we’ll name him Hongduo and Ryan wore traditional Bruce … Bruce Knuckles-Li,” Ryan joked.

Chinese wedding attire: a red qipao dress In 2013, after both had graduated, the her mother bought for her in China, and couple moved to St. Louis, where she is a red and gold changshan for him. As is marketing specialist at Quaker Windows custom, Ryan led the veiled Hongduo into and Doors, and he is a stockbroker at the ceremony where they served tea to their Scottrade. Despite the distance from parents. Ryan’s family even learned a little Springfield, they were resolved to marry at Chinese to participate fully in the ceremony. their alma mater.

“That’s actually very meaningful to me and “Nobody had married on the library to my parents because that’s where we come steps before, so I didn’t expect I could get from. That’s our culture,” Hongduo said. so much support (from MSU),” Hongduo The couple said they look forward to said. The day was nearly perfect, she said, more years supporting Missouri State. thanks in part to Letterman, who acted as “We are both proud to be Bears, and wedding planner throughout the couple’s we’d like to express our thanks to MSU … time on campus. and the out-of-service restroom!”

Want to plan a Missouri State wedding?

Missouri State has several venues from which to choose.

Whether youÕre looking for an intimate setting for 75 guests or less, or a large formal affair for 600, Missouri State can accommodate your event and help you plan it.

Talk with our event and meeting services experts.

eventmeetingservices@missouristate.edu

See venue details: www.missouristate.edu/conferences

417-836-5652

MarooNation events spread the spirit of maroon and white around the state and nation. At these Alumni Association events, Bears can catch up with friends, network with new contacts, win Missouri State prizes and learn about whatÕs new at MSU. We hope to see you soon!

MARCH 27 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI LEGACY OF LEARNING EVENT FOR EDUCATORS Malinda Allman Spencer, Õ82, Stacey Webb, Õ81

APRIL 23

ST. LOUIS

APRIL 28 SPRINGFIELD ALUMNI NIGHT AT HAMMONS FIELD Peter Tsahiridis, Õ99, with wife Kristine and son Dimitri

APRIL 21 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Missouri State Assistant Director of Alumni Activities Candice Wolf, Mike Minor, Õ80

APRIL 23 NEVADA, MISSOURI Jeni Seitz, William Seitz, Õ71

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MAY 7 WEST PLAINS, MISSOURI MSU President Clif Smart; Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award winner Dr. Ed McKinney (former professor of history at Missouri State University-West Plains); Distinguished Alumni Award winner Dr. John Mulford (West Plains R-7 School Superintendent); West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett

Join us for upcoming events SEPT. 29

OCT. 6

OCT. 16-17

OCT. 22

Branson, Missouri

Rolla, Missouri

Homecoming

Houston

OCT. 23

NOV. 5

NOV. 10

NOV. 17

Dallas

Tulsa, Oklahoma

St. Louis

Kansas City, Missouri

NOV. 17

DEC. 5

DEC. 10

DEC. 17

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Washington, D.C.

St. Louis

Kansas City, Missouri

FEB. 3, 2016

FEB. 21

MARCH 7

JUNE 10

Springfield

New York City

Springfield

MAY 1 SPRINGFIELD Craig Claussen, Õ13, Shaina Dunn, Õ15

Alumni Night at ÒWickedÓ Part of the Broadway season at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

MAY 17

Wine tasting reception to benefit Missouri StateÕs department of hospitality and restaurant administration

Alumni Association awards banquet

ST. LOUIS ZOO

More cities added all the time!

Check with us online to see times and dates in venues near you, or to register to attend an event:

www.maroonation. missouristate.edu MAY 23

WUHAN, CHINA

MAY 25

BEIJING, CHINA

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See more photos of these and other events, and find an upcoming MarooNation event near you!

WWW.MAGAZINE.MISSOURISTATE.EDU

MAY 28

MONETT, MISSOURI

MAY 28 WASHINGTON, D.C. Vijay Pillai, Õ91; Akira Kawada, Congressional Affairs for the Embassy of Japan; Manav Bahl, Õ04; Strader Payton, Õ06; Osman Deen, Õ06

JUNE 13 ST. LOUIS ALUMNI DAY AT BUSCH STADIUM Rachel Henady, Tara Hamann Calton, Õ03, and daughter, Holly Marko and Tina Chasteen Stillwell, Õ71 and Õ80

JUNE 29 LEBANON, MISSOURI ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT, DINNER AND AUCTION LeAnn Mather, Curtis Mather, Hannah Calhoun, Keith Calhoun, Õ87

MAY 30 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Betty Rutz, Charlie Rutz, Õ76, Jason Hendren, Tracey Hendren, Õ94

JUNE 18 COLUMBIA, MISSOURI Mid-Missouri area alumni and friends connected at the home of alumnus Dr. Jerry Atwood, Õ64.

JULY 7 BOLIVAR, MISSOURI Debbie Robinson, Dale Robinson, Õ76, Cheryl Gerry

JUNE 4 MOUNTAIN GROVE, MISSOURI Denise Green, Õ75; Rita Davis, Õ69; Patsy Worrel, Õ75; Janis Richmond, Õ71; Missy Gourley, Õ90

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JUNE 21 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI ALUMNI DAY AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM Michelle Groner Pierceall, Õ93, Bruce Pierceall and family

JULY 23

JOPLIN, MISSOURI

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your pride by wearing BearWear every Friday and decking out your office or home with Missouri State gear:

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GIVE BACK

high school students to find their place at Missouri State:

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Tell everyone you are proud to be a BEA

R!

ALUMNI

ClassNotes 1952

1972

Jonah White, BS, Michael, Illinois, the founder of Bob Garner, BS, Billy Bob Teeth and a Lebanon, Missouri, was motivational speaker, awarded the Missouri spoke to students Interscholastic Athletic in an MSU media Administrators literacy class AssociationÕs this spring.

Distinguished Service White currently Award for his support has dozens of of the Lebanon R-3 products in School DistrictÕs development and athletic programs. is in negotiations WHITE to continue his reality show ÒBilly John Roby, BS, St. Louis, BobÕs Gags to Riches,Ó has joined St. Louis-based which aired in 2014 on Tarlton Corporation as leader the Discovery Channel. for the firmÕs Concrete Restoration Division.

Thomas Strong, BS, Springfield, was granted an honorary doctorate from Missouri State University at the May 2015 commencement ceremony. Strong, now retired, is one of the most successful trial lawyers in MissouriÕs history. He maintains an office at Strong-Garner-Bauer, and has been involved in many professional associations for attorneys. His notable volunteer leadership at Missouri State has included serving as president of the Alumni Association, co-founder Alex Harrold, BS, Westport, and charter member of Newfoundland, an author, has the basketball published a novel titled booster club, ÒWe Never Had a member of the Prophet.Ó The work MSU Board of draws from HarroldÕs Governors, and newspaper columns president of the that appeared in the Missouri State Newfoundland and University Labrador newspaper, Foundation. He The NorÕwester. also assisted the STRONG University in obtaining its name Jean Clarkin Darnell, BS change in 2005. and MSEd Õ90, Rolla, Missouri, was named executive director of The Community Partnership in Rolla.

Dr. John W. Adams, Clarkin founded the BS, Longwood, Florida, is organizationÕs Capable serving as the executive Kids and Families program, associate pastor of serving families with children administration and education with disabilities. She now at First Baptist Church oversees all programming Sweetwater in Longwood. for the organization.

Adams earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Midwestern Derek Mitchell, BS, Raymore, Baptist Theological Seminary Missouri, has joined the in Kansas City. He has been Lawing Financial team in serving in ministry for Overland Park, Kansas. more than 45 years.

1978

1979

1980

1970

1993

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1994 and 2011 Stephen Milosevich, BFA 2011, and Nicole Van Giesen, BFA 1994, New York City, are part of the crew and cast of the Broadway musical ÒFun Home,Ó which won five Tony Awards in 2015 Ñ including best musical Ñ and was nominated for 12. Van Giesen is an understudy for two roles.

Milosevich is the showÕs substitute stage manager.

1997 Anthony D. NaÕayem, BS, Springfield, co-founder, managing member and senior consultant for Eagle Eye Business Solutions, LLC, has recently been certified by the Ethics and Compliance Officer Association as a Leading Professional in Ethics and Compliance, or LPEC, and by the International Association of Risk and Compliance Professionals as Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional, or CRCMP.

1999 Seth Murray, BS, Springfield, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Springfield, has been named to the list of AmericaÕs Top 1,200 Advisors: State-by-State published by BarronÕs magazine. The annual list recognizes financial advisors who represent the highest levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success.

2001 Lauren Hawkins, BS, Willard, Missouri, an attorney, has joined the Husch Blackwell firmÕs Springfield office as an associate with their corporate team. Hawkins most recently served as counsel for companies in several industries including construction, real estate, resort and hospitality.

2003 Nathan Eckert, MS, Stoddard, Wisconsin, received the Rachel Carson award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The award recognizes an individual whose pursuit of applied conservation science has led to extraordinary results in fish and wildlife conservation. Eckert has been the mussel propagation biologist at the USFWSÕs Genoa National Fish Hatchery since 2010.

Shem Unger, MS, San Marcos, Texas, has accepted a faculty position at Wingate University in North Carolina. He completed his doctorate at Purdue University and a post-doctoral experience at Savannah River Ecology Lab at the University of Georgia.

2005

2010

2013

Steve Snowden, BMus, Austin, Texas, a composer, was selected as a winner in the 2015 Lake George Music Festival Composition Competition. Snowden won with his piece ÒAppalachian PolaroidsÓ for string quartet and electronics.

Luke Henson, BS, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, a law student at the Mississippi College School of Law, was recently awarded the Amjur award for Compliance in Financial Institutions.

Caitlin Chapin, BS, Ozark, Missouri, was recognized by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Diamond 9, a group of former high school, college and American Softball Association standouts.

2008 Joshua Cook, BS, Springfield, has been accepted into the counselor education doctoral program at the University of Arkansas. Cook also accepted a graduate assistantship as a counselor-in-residence for the university, where he will work in the housing department and with the counseling and psychological services program through the health center.

2012 Summer Rascoll, BS, Columbia, Mississippi, is a news anchor/reporter for WCBI in Columbus.

Zharif Zainal Abidin, BS, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has accepted a position as the head of procurement at the International University of Malaya-Wales, located in Kuala Lumpur.

Michael Gulledge, BS, Wentzville, Missouri, was recently promoted to professional business management with AT&T in St. Louis. Gulledge was formerly associate-applications developer. His new role will involve developing technical and business solutions for managing data and projects in the companyÕs chief compliance office.

Amanda Morgan, BS and MA Õ15, Chicago, is a technical writer at kCura, an Òe-discoveryÓ industry that develops apps for the legal field. E-discovery software helps users find and share legal documents electronically.

2015 Tyler Dean, BS, Springfield, has been accepted to the accelerated master of science program in biomedical science at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

IN MEMORIAM 1930s Bessie Atkinson Scott, Õ38 Fordland, Missouri Hester R. Holman Boone, Õ39 El Dorado Springs, Missouri

1940s Dr. Allan W. Bosch, Õ44 South Portland, Maine Robert E. Gammon, Õ46 Springfield Ruth Guin Phillips, Õ47 Springfield Mynatt W. Scott, Õ49 Mount Vernon, Missouri

1950s Evelyn R. Day Butts, Õ50 Springfield Maurine A. McClurg Haymes, Õ52 Springfield Donald M. Nelson, Õ52 Springfield Norma L. Smith Calhoun, Õ54 Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas

Charles J. McClain, Õ54 Columbia, Missouri

Sharon M. Hardecke, Õ63 Springfield

Bob D. Pyeatt, Õ55 Springfield

Robert ÒRobbyÓ R. OÕNeal, Õ63 Springfield

Dr. John W. Dowdy Jr., Õ56 Jefferson City, Missouri Lilburn E. Smith, Õ57 Tucson, Arizona Robert Ikerd, Õ58 Conway, Missouri Bonnie L. Boone, Õ59 Springfield Fred R. Coppinger, Õ59 Ozark, Missouri

1960s Wayne E. Barlow, Õ60 Seymour, Missouri

Terry L. Garrett, Õ66 St. Louis Margaret ÒFayeÓ Adams, Õ68 Mount Pleasant, Michigan M. Max Freeman, Õ68 Mountain Home, Arkansas

Teresa E. Deck Bumgarner, Õ78 Springfield

Robert ÒSpenceÓ Jackson, Õ94 Jefferson City, Missouri

Nancy J. McFarlandGregory, Õ79 Springfield

Richard F. Allen, Õ97 Theodosia, Missouri

1980s

Frank E. Bryan, Õ97 Peace Valley, Missouri

Terry W. Steinbaugh, Õ80 Willard, Missouri

Faculty/Staff

Anna C. Mills Talley, Õ81 Springfield

Dr. Loren L. Denney, Õ57, faculty emeritus Springfield Woodfin C. Garrett, faculty emeritus Springfield

1970s

Carol S. Brewer Asberry, Õ83 West Plains, Missouri

Ruth E. Buckels Henslee, Õ70 Springfield

Michael B. Ewing, Õ84 Springfield

David W. Holmes, staff Springfield

Lauren Linkhart Thomas, Õ85 Springfield

Carolyn ÒLynnÓ Wellman Livingston, faculty Springfield

Sondra ÒSandyÓ S. Wright Peterson, Õ86 Springfield

Dr. Ivon H. Lowsley Jr., faculty emeritus Springfield

Anne George Billings, Õ71 Springfield

Wilma Grabeel Klineline, Õ60 Ava, Missouri

Arena V. Lorenz Hay, Õ71 Nixa, Missouri

Twila J. Long Keeling, Õ61 Clever, Missouri

Gene M. Kell Smith, Õ71 Springfield

Nancy M. Hembree Dougherty, Õ62 Springfield

Barbara L. Swearingen Bollinger, Õ73 Blue Springs, Missouri

Francis M. Kunkler, Õ62 Springfield

Ronald ÒBudÓ K. Fadler, Õ74 Republic, Missouri

1990s Sylena M. Bagley, Õ90 St. Simons Island, Georgia

Dr. Eric D. Shade, faculty Springfield

Steven D. Gooch, Õ91 Sedalia, Missouri

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1941 & 1964 SPOTLIGHT

Inez Bowman (then Inez Inmon) was in the Bruin Boosters in the 1937 Ozarko. At left, her portrait in the 1940 Ozarko.

D

r. D. Kim Bowman and her mother, Inez, share many things in common.

They both love teaching. Inez Bowman, now 97, educated elementary students during her career in the 1940s. Kim, 72, is an associate professor of modern languages at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

They are both world travelers. Inez’s late husband and Kim’s father, former Missouri State University Dean of Students Homer Bowman, was an Army colonel whose posts moved the family to Germany and Italy.

Kim has since lived in various locations including Mexico and Spain.

And now, both are Missouri State

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Mother, daughter now both Golden Bears Golden Bears, a group for all alumni who graduated from, or attended, Missouri State 50 or more years ago.

Inez graduated from then-Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in 1941 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Kim followed her 23 years later with a bachelor’s in English and French (and later earned several graduate degrees from other institutions).

Inez, a Golden Bear for nearly 25 years, is also a GrandBear, a designation for alumni who received a degree 70 years or more ago or are at least 90 years old.

“It means a lot to me that my mother was a Golden Bear and that I can be one, too,” Kim said. “She always stayed connected

with her friends through Golden Bears.”

Inez has fond memories of campus involvement. “I was a Bruin Booster (the women’s pep squad), and in the F Square Club, a social group.”

Kim was also involved in campus organizations, including student government, French Club, the Delta Phi Kappa honor society and the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. To her surprise, she was reunited with some of her college pals at her first Golden Bears dinner last year.

“It was amazing, after 50 years, to see them again,” she said. “One of them, I found out, was doing mission work in Central America, so we could get together on some projects.”

(Above) Dr. D. Kim Bowman is in the second row, second from the right in this 1964 Ozarko photo of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. Her father, Col. Homer Bowman, was in the same yearbook Ñ he was the ROTC department head at the time.

(Above left): Her portrait in the 1964 Ozarko.

WHO ARE THE GOLDEN BEARS?

Kim’s sister, Jane Bowman Stonner, is also an alumna. After 20 years in the nursing profession, she came back to school to complete her degree. She earned a bachelor’s in nursing in 1993, and now has a master’s and is a nurse practitioner.

She hopes to one day officially join her family in the Golden Bears Club, and has already been to a dozen or so of the group’s annual luncheons. She’s enjoyed seeing the reconnections Inez and Kim have been able to make.

“Mother has had former second-grade students join the ranks of the Golden Bears, and she has certainly enjoyed visiting with them. She knew (notable alumnus and late staff member) Don Payton personally and

Inez Bowman (left) and her daughter Dr. D. Kim Bowman, photographed in Inez's home, are both Missouri State Golden Bears.

PHOTO BY KEVIN WHITE

always loved his trips down memory lane.

She is an amazing woman and a loyal Bear!”

Jane will be 93 by the time she’s eligible for the Golden Bears in 2043, and maybe she and Kim will share one more thing in common with their mother: a long life filled with many more Bears gatherings.

As Kim said: “I’m looking forward to more connections.”

— By Trysta Herzog, graduate assistant, office of publications

This program recognizes all alumni who graduated from, or attended, what is now Missouri State University 50 or more years ago. Golden Bears are invited annually to a meal and program in their honor during Homecoming weekend.

GOLDEN BEARS LUNCHEON 2015 WHEN: 11 a.m. Oct. 17 WHERE: PSU Ballroom WHAT: Tom Peters, dean of library services, will give a presentation on the ÒOzark Jubilee,Ó a country music variety show based in Springfield.

It aired on national television in the 1950s and Õ60s.

RSVP: 417-836-5654 WWW.MISSOURISTATE.EDU/ GOLDENBEARS

1986

SPOTLIGHT

THE UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE Instead of competing in her first Ironman, Menghini applied her strength and determination toward recovery.

Immediately following the strike, she couldn’t see, and her arms were paralyzed.

She regained movement within four hours; within six months, her 20/20 vision was restored.

And although doctors were initially concerned with how the strike had affected her heart, she finally made it to Ironman the following year.

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Former volleyball Bear now an Ironman Ñ despite being hit by lightning REACHING HER GOALS A lifelong athlete, Menghini has now completed seven Ironman Triathlons and 150 marathons. Her favorite events include the London Marathon and the Kona Ironman in Hawaii, where she was one of just 100 participants selected from a lottery of 40,000.

Menghini, a former high school volleyball and track coach, thrives on the thrill of competition — something she refined during her time as a defensive specialist and outside hitter under legendary Missouri State volleyball coach Linda Dollar.

Menghini’s marathon success has roots in those days, when Dollar required the team to run miles at Phelps Grove Park.

“I thought I hated running,” Menghini remembered, laughing. But once she started, she never looked back.

Susan Cooper, ’80, who suggested this profile on Menghini, summed up her friend: “She’s a phenomenal athlete, role model and parent.”

— By Lucie Amberg, new media specialist, office of Web and new media

BY THE NUMBERS 3 years playing volleyball for Missouri State (earned a bachelorÕs in mathematics and computer science)

5 children with husband Matt 7 Ironman competitions 17 years coaching high school volleyball

150 marathons

RACE PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TERRI FIALA MENGHINI

BOLT FROM THE BLUE Just days before, as Menghini biked along a highway in the Colorado foothills, lightning struck her — entering her neck and passing through her heart before exiting through her leg. Menghini lost consciousness and found herself in the hospital, where she began to understand what had happened.

The lightning briefly stopped her heart, but a series of fortunate coincidences helped her survive. When she fell from her bike she landed hard on her left side, which restarted her heart. Then drivers spotted her and quickly called emergency personnel.

Perhaps luckiest of all, Menghini was at peak physical condition thanks to months spent training for her first Ironman Triathlon, a grueling competition consisting of swimming, biking and running events.

“I was in the best shape of my life,” she said. “And I felt like I’d been given a second chance at life.”

KEVIN HARE PHOTOGRAPHY

O

ne August day in 2009, Terri Fiala Menghini and her family were midflight as their plane began to experience severe turbulence.

When she saw the concern spreading across her kids’ faces, Menghini said: “Don’t worry; if God wanted to take me, it would’ve happened a week ago.”

2014

SPOTLIGHT

Special education teacher wins award during first year in classroom Broderick’s passion for working with special education students started when he was a high school athlete.

“My senior year, my basketball coach asked me to take his P.E. class.” An eighth-grader with cerebral palsy who used a wheelchair would be in the class, and the coach wanted Broderick to mentor that student. “We hit the ground running — doing activities together, playing sports. I modified any game we played so he could participate and get everything he could out of it.”

That bond grew into a career ambition.

At MSU, he found excellent mentors.

“Missouri State is phenomenal at teaching behavior management, techniques and strategies,” he said. “The rigor of Missouri State special ed is comparable to the best programs across the country.”

The feeling of admiration is mutual:

MSU HAD TWO OUTSTANDING BEGINNING TEACHERS A second Missouri State alumnus also won an Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award in spring 2015. Trey Allen is a 2013 graduate of the physical education program in the department of kinesiology. At the time of the award presentation, he was in his second year of teaching physical education at Wilder Elementary in Springfield.

KEVIN WHITE

O

n the last day of his first year as a teacher, Blaine BroderickÕs classroom was ready for summer: Chairs were stacked on tables, books were corralled in plastic tubs, the dry erase board was clean.

His fourth and fifth graders were at an end-of-year assembly, giving Broderick, a special education teacher at Summit Intermediate in Nixa, time to reflect on a great start to his career.

In spring 2015, he won a Missouri Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award from the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. The group gives out about 60 of these awards each year.

Broderick said he was fortunate to be selected but is just as proud of the progress he has seen from his students this year.

“In special education, school goes beyond curriculum. They are learning to interact socially with adults and peers.”

For example, one fifth-grade boy started the year at a first-grade reading level — negative behavior had gotten in his way.

“He and I connected very early in the year, and his reading went up,” Broderick said. “I never speak down to my students or belittle them. I’m not a yeller. Instead of going straight for the usual punishment, we talked about what he did and why it was wrong, and how to do it better the next time.”

Broderick also helped a fourth grader who was harming himself and others.

“I went over situations with him before they happened in the classroom. He would practice good behavior, and then he would go do it. After that one-on-one interaction, I’ve hardly had to get on to him — and his reading level shot straight up.”

Broderick was nominated for his award by Missouri State’s College of Education.

“Blaine was outstanding in our program,” said Dr. Tamara Arthaud, head of the department of counseling, leadership and special education. “He was not only strong academically, but was a leader in student organizations and did a lot of volunteer work. We checked with his principal at Nixa, and she thought he was very deserving of this award. She and I both wrote letters of recommendation.”

This year, Broderick is working with sixth graders. He hopes to stay in special education for a few years, then teach in mainstream classrooms, then move into administration.

He is currently studying for a master’s in educational administration at Missouri State and expects to graduate next year.

“I think a teacher can have one of the biggest impacts — if not the biggest impact — on a student’s life,” he said. “I know everybody can pinpoint at least one or two teachers that made them say, ‘I love coming to school.’ I do hope to be in the top one or two teachers in a few kids’ lives.”

— By Michelle S. Rose, writer/editor, office of publications MI S S OU RI S T AT E

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OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Parents: If this issue of Missouri State is addressed to your daughter or son who has established a separate permanent address, please notify us of the new address: 417-836-5654 or alumni@missouristate.edu

Last Look

A snapshot of traditions and student life at Missouri State

Creative birthday cards used to recruit new Bears Missouri State students Loreal Byrd (left to right), Sarah Hoyt, Michelle McDonald, Jessica Helms and (inset) Katerina Oberdieck send birthday cards to prospective students as part of their work at the campus visit desk. Most of the students decorate the cards with pictures, designs, etc. Ă&#x2018; some are pretty impressive pieces of artwork! The possible new Bears who receive them have been boasting about them on social media.

PHOTOS BY BOB LINDER