Issuu

Much like the beginning of each semester, each edition of Crossroads magazine brings with it a new sense of excitement. We’re excited because it’s a fresh start. We’re excited because it’s another chance to shine a spotlight on our accomplished alumni, students, faculty and staff and the great things happening at Missouri Southern. And we’re always excited to serve as a cheering section for our campus. This issue is no different; there’s plenty to be excited about. You’ll meet John Jungmann, ’98, who serves as the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools – Missouri’s largest school district. Senior biology majors Gil Johnson and Whitney Blodgett discuss a research project that earned them honors at an international anatomy conference in London. Diana Vu, ’18, shares memories of her late sister, Vivian, and how she was inspired to join the Peace Corps. Dr. Michael Howarth previews his latest book, which should be required reading for young adults with a love of film. And you’ll also learn about a new drone program set to take flight next fall at Missouri Southern. Our Lion community, which stretches from our campus in Southwest Missouri to points all around the globe, is also a tremendous source of pride. As you turn the pages, we want you to feel that same sense of excitement and pride in your alma mater and the pivotal role this institution plays in our community. We hope you enjoy reading our latest issue of Crossroads. As always, we want to hear from you! If you have a story idea, news or comments about this publication, drop us an email at crossroads@mssu.edu. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the holiday season. We’ll see you again in 2020! Editor Crossroads Magazine Missouri Southern State University

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Dr. Alan Marble President Dr. Brad Hodson Executive Vice President

Dr. Paula Phillips Carson Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Rob Yust Vice President for Business Affairs Darren Fullerton Vice President for Student Affairs

Jared Bruggeman Director of Athletics

Crossroads Magazine is produced by the Office of University Relations and Marketing. Heather Lesmeister, Director Mike Olmstead Chloe McMain Scott Meeker Brian Mehrens Curtis Almeter Kayla Monteleone Brad Belk Ashley Eriksen Megan Vest

A Note from the President

Alumni Update

Around Campus

Social Media

The Next Generation of Aviation Drones take flight during Lion Fly-In

Service and Community Tim Arr, ’17, says job with Indian Health Services an enlightening experience

Safety in Numbers Grad’s exhibit explores personal stories of assault, harassment

A Lasting Legacy Second scholarship created in honor of Vivian Vu

Anatomy of an Award Students receive recognition at international conference

COVER: A Great Journey Dr. John Jungmann, ’98, talks path to leadership of Missouri’s largest school district

Essential Viewing Dr. Michael Howarth’s latest book compiles films every high-school student should see

School of Arts & Sciences

School of Business

School of Education

School of Health Sciences

Voices of Southern

Student Assistant Keaton Campbell

Special Contributors Kevin Greim Chelsea Conley Lee Elliff Pound Meagan Adams Justin Maskus Zach Dobbs

Crossroads is produced three times a year and is distributed to more than 35,000 alumni.

40 Athletics 42

Class Notes

Picture This

Why I Give CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

My colleagues are familiar with the philosophy of servant leadership and have heard me address the topic on many occasions. It’s an organizational model that encourages selflessness, mutual respect and empowerment throughout the campus community … including students, alumni and other friends of the university. Our sincere desire is for every member of the Lion family to be a happy, fulfilled and effective contributor to the success of our students and the advancement of our university.

“Tell me and I forget; teach me and I may remember; involve me and I learn.” It’s a quote that’s often attributed to Benjamin Franklin or Chinese philosopher Xun Kuang, among others. Google has yet to settle the argument. Either way, it’s a philosophy we have taken to heart here at Missouri Southern. Missouri Southern State University is a powerful force in the region, but we could not be successful without the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff, along with the support of our faithful alumni, devoted patrons and generous friends in the business community.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

In our particular setting, servant leadership requires that we not only focus on ushering students into the higher education system, but we must also dedicate ourselves to guiding them successfully through the system. We strive to accomplish this by helping them conquer the various challenges that arise as they incrementally advance toward graduation. By supporting our students as they learn, develop and ultimately achieve their goals, we are modeling servant leadership so they can “pay it forward” someday by helping others. But, you don’t have to be on campus every day to be of service to our Lion community. It can be as simple as sitting in the stands to cheer on our student athletes; “liking” and sharing a story on social media about our amazing students, faculty and staff; or donating to a department or program that made a meaningful impact on your own life. As Lions, this philosophy of engagement and service helps us deepen our connections to one another and to be a part of something much bigger than we could ever achieve alone. It shapes the character of our university, clarifies our purpose and is proven in the quality of our graduates. Enjoy this issue of Crossroads, and best wishes to you and yours during this holiday season.

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

The “MSSU World Tour” rocked the campus during the 2019 Homecoming celebration, held Oct. 4-5. Events included the annual picnic, parade and awards dinner, as well as an event celebrating 35 years of television programming for KGCS-TV. Kailey Hall, a senior biology/pre-dental major from Pittsburg, Kan., was named Homecoming Queen. Brendan O’Connell, a junior biology major from Republic, Mo., was named Homecoming King. Several alums were recognized with special awards recognizing their accomplishments and support for the university. Tresa Ryun Roth, ’87, accepted the Distinguished Alum award on behalf of her late husband. Robert Roth, ’86, a special agent with the FBI, was one of the first to respond after the Pentagon was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. He was later diagnosed with multiple myeloma as a result of exposure to the air in and around the Pentagon and died in 2008. Tresa has worked in Washington, D.C., to further the support for the survivors of 9/11. “It’s humbling to know he is thought of here and it’s an honor for our family,” Roth said during her visit to campus.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Also recognized as a Distinguished Alum was Emily DeFranco, ’92, a productive clinician scientist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and the Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The 2019 Outstanding Alum awards went to Dr. Brande Harris, ’95, an attending physician for the United States Air Force; and Esdra Lamy, ’00, who serves as vice president for station sales at Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution in Los Angeles. This year’s Outstanding Family Award went to the Mark and Stacie (Riggs) Baker family. Both graduated from Missouri Southern’s School of Education in 1992. Mark serves as superintendent of the Carthage R9 School District, while Stacie has taught fourth grade in Carl Junction for 27 years. They have two children, Emilee and Alex Baker. Emilee, a junior education major at MSSU, was the 2017 recipient of the Golden Lion Award in recognition of her volunteerism efforts. Alex is a junior at Carl Junction High School and has been recognized for his athletic abilities. Nominations for the 2020 Homecoming awards can be submitted online by visiting mssu.edu/alumni and clicking “Recognition Awards.”

RENOVATION PROJECTS TRANSFORM REYNOLDS HALL

CAMPUS MOURNS LOSS OF BENEFACTOR BOB CORLEY

When Nixon Hall was opened in January as the new home for the Mathematics Department, it had a ripple effect that has led to a number of improvements to Reynolds Hall.

Bob Corley, a longtime Joplin businessman and generous benefactor of Missouri Southern State University, died Friday, Sept. 6.

“Right after classes ended in May, we started 11 renovation projects,” says Dr. Crystal Lemmons, chair of the Biology Department. “We began shifting rooms to make use of the space we gained and make the space we already had more usable for what we need.” Those projects included the creation of an expanded biotechnology research area; a more spacious computer lab; an expansion to the snake lab; and relocation of the herbarium, which now offers more room for the nearly 11,000 plant specimens. Two of the former math classrooms were combined to create a room that can accommodate up to 60 students.

‘A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL HONOR’

New lighting and new paint helped to accentuate the newly redesigned areas that are helping to meet the increasing emphasis on student research, says Lemmons.

Dr. Alan Marble, MSSU president, announces retirement Referring to his time as president of Missouri Southern State University as one of the greatest personal and professional honors of his career, Dr. Alan Marble announced his upcoming retirement during this fall’s All-Employee Welcome Back meeting. “Six years ago, I was afforded one of the greatest personal and professional honors of my career when I became the first alumnus to serve as president of this distinguished institution,” he said. “I am honored to have served alongside Missouri Southern faculty and staff as we’ve made great strides in research, student success, teaching and community impact. We are continuing to come together, for the good of our students, as a dynamic, strong and thriving university. “Because of this positive momentum, my family and I believe this is the right time for me to step down. Through much self-reflection, I have decided to re-energize and refocus on my family. I am excited to spend more time making precious memories with them.”

Marble said that he will retire as of June 30, 2020.

“We all share the same high hopes for this institution, and finding the right leader to continue our forward momentum and campus culture that was established under Dr. Marble’s tenure is key to our success. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible throughout this process. We want to hear from everyone as Missouri Southern continues to play a large role in the economic growth of the community.”

FA L L 2 0 1 9

Corley provided financial support for such programs as KXMS, the International Piano Competition and the International Mission, as well as for the Reynolds Hall remodeling project and repairs to Taylor Performing Arts Center. He established the W. Robert Corley Endowed Professorship in Marketing Fund, and Webster Hall’s Corley Auditorium and the W. Robert Corley Dental Hygiene Clinic are both named for him.

“Mr. Corley was a faithful friend and longtime supporter of Missouri Southern State University,” said Dr. Alan Marble. “He firmly believed that education is a fundamental element in the fabric of a civil and just society, and his numerous gifts and endowments will touch lives for many generations to come.

“We fully understand the eagerness expressed by our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community as we prepare for the next chapter in our history,” she said.

Over the years, he made a number of contributions to Missouri Southern that will continue to have a far-reaching impact on the university.

In 2008, he pledged a significant gift that will fund scholarships at the university in perpetuity.

The Board of Governors is moving forward with the search process that will select Missouri Southern’s sixth president. Alison Hershewe, chair of the Board of Governors’ personnel committee, will also chair the presidential search committee.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

Corley, who grew up in Columbus, Kan., graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in business administration. He moved to Joplin and in 1951 opened the Duds Shop and later the Attic and Accents on South Main Street.

“We will miss him terribly, but we will remember him with great fondness and sincere gratitude.”

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

FUNDRAISING EFFORT INCREASES OPPORTUNITIES AT LION CUB ACADEMY The latest addition to the Lion Cub Academy playground was unveiled this fall. The OmniSpin Spinner is a merry-go-round that is wheelchair and walker accessible. Nikki Tappana, the center’s director, says it is designed for vestibular stimulation – how the inner ear and brain communicate to maintain balance. “The OmniSpin can help better improve children’s motor skills,” she says. “It’s not just for normally developing children, but also children with delayed development.” Last year, Leadership Joplin kicked off a fundraising effort to purchase the new equipment after taking a tour of the Lion Cub Academy. Cody Chaffin, a member of the 2018 Leadership Joplin class, says it was project that “tugs at my heartstrings.”

“The main focus of this effort was to close the gap between kids across all different ability levels,” he says. “The goal comes from the belief that all kids deserve the opportunity to have fun, to be engaged, to learn and be educated.” Other donors, including the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and Anne Sharp, also helped to meet the $15,000 fundraising goal. In 2017, the former Child Development Center moved to its new home across Newman Road, where it shares space with the Joplin Regional Center. It serves children ages 1 to 5, including children of students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as the community.

NEW DOWNTOWN MURAL TAKING SHAPE Downtown Joplin is getting another splash of color thanks to a new four-panel mural being painted under the Sixth Street viaduct. Spearheaded by associate professor Burt Bucher, in conjunction with the Downtown Joplin Alliance, the murals showcase three different lions as well as a familiar-looking lantern. “We’re using Missouri Southern as a platform, but I didn’t want this to be a marketing project,” says Bucher, who has worked on the project along with students. “Each lion will represent a famous alumni or member of the community. “But this isn’t about painting a pretty picture. It’s about cleaning up the space. The lantern isn’t just an academic

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

symbol, but it’s about bringing light into the darkness – an illuminated, clean space.” Lauren Weiss, a junior art major, says she’s excited to see the project join the ranks of the city’s other murals. “I was happy to see the murals coming up all over Joplin after the tornado,” she says. “It’s really helped a lot of places.” Like Bucher, she sees the new project as having a larger meaning than beyond the lions and lantern as symbols of the university. “It doesn’t have to be solely related to Missouri Southern,” Weiss says. “The lions can also mean having pride in your town.”

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Drones take flight during Lion Fly-In

“ t’s all about takeoffs and landings,” says Brian Jones, bringing the white, DJI Phantom 3 in for a gentle landing in the field near the campus tennis courts.

Jones, who is developing the program for Missouri Southern, had a nearly 30-year career in the Air Force and another 18 flying commercial aircraft carriers.

Standing under a small tent nearby, Jones works the remote while keeping an eye on the monitor and receiving instruction from another member of the local Civil Air Patrol (CAP).

“I became interested in drones because my goal has been to fly as many different things as I could,” he says. “The Department of Transportation under our last two presidential administrations has called unmanned systems ‘the next generation of aviation.’ Younger people need to get involved to know where this is going and I wanted to give them the same opportunities I’ve had.”

Showing off the drone capabilities was the focus of the Lion Fly-In, held in August at Missouri Southern. Beginning in the fall of 2020, the University will offer three courses designed to prepare students for certification to fly small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). The courses will range from an introduction to sUAS operations to their design, production and application, and professional piloting practices. Along with CAP representatives, including a group of young cadet members, the weekend event also brought in several members of the local Sky Kings RC Club. Allen Hamlin, the chief of police in Indian Point, Mo., and a member of the Civil Air Patrol, was among those gathered to demonstrate the capability of drones. He said they have become an important tool for law enforcement. “We started using them because of their search and rescue capabilities,” he said. “You can search a grid while watching on a monitor. The Highway Patrol is using them for their mapping aspects and disaster assessment.

Tim Arr, ’17, says job with Indian Health Services an enlightening experience For Tim Arr, his work as an environmental health officer with the Indian Health Service in Lawton, Okla., is more than just a job. “I get to go to work and be part of the community,” says Arr, who graduated in 2017 with a degree in environmental health and safety. “Even just miles from home, I get to experience something diverse and exposure to different ways of life and norms. It’s enlightening.” In August, he was invited to return to Missouri Southern to speak to the incoming freshman class as part of the First-Year Student Convocation.

Jones says he reached out to the administration at Missouri Southern to gauge interest in launching a drone program and was pleased to hear back almost immediately.

“I was a little nervous, but honestly it was a great experience,” says Arr. “I wanted to let them know that when you enter college, you’re not alone. It can be the greatest learning experience and the start of a career, like it was for me.”

“I really want to keep the aviation profession going,” he says. “There will be problems if we don’t educate ourselves. The density of air traffic is not going down, and with the explosion of unmanned systems it’s getting really high.”

As a student, he did a 2015 internship with the Indian Health Service in Reno, Nev., as part of the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training Extern Program. He followed up with a second internship in Billings, Mont. After graduating, Arr joined IHS as a civilian before being commissioned as an ensign into the agency, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. In May 2018, he was commissioned as an officer. As a lieutenant (junior grade), his job continues to offer diverse experiences, including food safety inspections and industrial safety checks.

“There are huge implications for our field and we’re just at the tip of the iceberg.” 16

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

ome left only a simple mark – a tacit acknowledgement of their experience. Others left personal accounts.

He said it was love

Stay strong Praying for you all It wasn’t your fault

Had to get a restraining order

Grad’s exhibit explores personal stories of assault, harassment

Laughed at and not taken seriously

“It’s a hard topic to discuss, but when you look at these mirrors – as devastating as these marks can be – you can also really sense positivity when you read them,” says Kidd, noting the many expressions of support and love.

Taking in the contents of Jaclyn Kidd’s exhibit “Safety in Numbers” – which was displayed during the summer and early fall in Joplin’s Rapha House International – is a sobering reflection on sexual assault gathered as part of the recent Missouri Southern graduate’s research project.

Kidd, who recently graduated with a BFA in graphic design, began the project for her Honors thesis and later displayed the results as an installation in the campus art gallery. She was invited to also display it at Rapha House, where she has volunteered for the last year.

During the Spring 2019 semester, Kidd placed mirrors in men’s and women’s restroom stalls on campus. People were asked to leave a mark if they had ever experienced sexual assault, rape, threats or harassment.

Founded in 2003, the Joplin-based organization works to end trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.

“I didn’t expect the volume (of responses) and the reactions that people had to it,” says Kidd. “I had to bring blank sheets of paper to add as supplements to some of them. In one of the women’s restrooms, the mirror had been filled so someone wrote their entire story on a piece of notebook paper and taped it to the mirror. They felt compelled enough to share it and wanted someone to see it.” Not everyone responded in a positive manner. One mirror was broken, while others had comments and notes wiped clean. Kidd regularly documented the responses with photographs so comments and marks which were lost could be recreated. But among the marks and devastating personal accounts are also messages left to let others know they are not alone.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

“The staff (at Rapha House) has always been very supportive of what I do,” says Kidd. “They were very receptive of the exhibit and wanted to bring it here so the public would have a greater opportunity to see and discuss it.” Sexual assault is a very serious issue, she says, and society has become better about openly discussing it. “What this exhibit intends to do is bring that to a local level,” she says. “It’s horrible and we don’t like to talk about it, but it’s happening. It’s your friend … it’s the person at the grocery store.” “I hope that people (who view the exhibit) can take an interest in the issue and educate themselves so they can speak more compassionately about the people around them.”

An international studies major, she was also a member of the university’s Honors Program. In the aftermath of her death, the Vivian Vu Heart for Humanity Scholarship was created in her memory. Earlier this fall, a new endowed scholarship was announced – the Vivian Vu World Community Scholarship. “I was surprised to learn that a second scholarship was made in honor of Vivian,” says Diana. “It meant a great deal to my family that the person responsible for creating the scholarship took the time to reflect on who Vivian was as a person … the requirements and purpose for it are exactly what Vivian would have wanted.”

Second scholarship created in honor of Vivian Vu

n Vietnamese, the word “diu” is directly translated as “tender.” But for Diana Vu, ’18, it has a deeper meaning.

“It is often used to describe someone whose physical beauty radiates from their personality,” she says. “I mention this word because that’s how I would describe Vivian’s presence with people. Her personality captivated the people around her.”

Vivian, her younger sister, was a sophomore at Missouri Southern when she died Nov. 23, 2017, in an eight-vehicle crash near Hamel, Ill., while returning from a Model United Nations Conference in Chicago. Five other students and their faculty sponsor were injured in the crash.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

The new scholarship is intended to honor Vivian’s commitment to global education and awareness, as well as her exceptional capacity for building and sustaining friendships. To be eligible, students must: be a sophomore or junior; have studied or made plans to study abroad; have taken a range of courses that show an interest in international issues and global cultures; have participated in Model UN, Model European Union, Arab League or other comparable international simulation; and show a strong commitment to community building efforts.

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Diana is currently living in Mongolia as a volunteer with the Peace Corps – an idea first suggested by her sister. “Vivian was actually the first person to suggest I look into the Peace Corps,” says Diana. “I don’t think anyone understood me like she did … she knew it was the perfect fit for me and pushed me toward that direction.” Health education was recently implemented as part of the country’s school curriculum. Working with her counterparts at the school and from other non-governmental organizations, she helps to plan and facilitate health lessons for children in grades six through 12. “The end goal is to promote and extend a sustainable health education program at my permanent site,” she says. “Aside from gaining field experience in public health and satisfying my wanderlust, I wanted to fulfill Vivian’s last advice to me. “I don’t think I will ever have a connection with anyone like I did with Vivian, but it’s reassuring knowing I was fortunate to have 20 years of it with her. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

The senior biology majors have made waves with their project, which could change the way anatomists analyze their data. It’s a project that began last year in Missouri Southern’s cadaver lab and led to a new idea and collaboration with Dr. David Penning on statistical analysis. “I was enrolled in Dr. Alla Barry’s Advanced Human Dissection class, and found that one of the cadavers had a variation in the brachial plexus,” says Johnson. “The nerve network, which sends signals through the shoulder and arm, was missing the medial pectoral nerve and instead had two lateral pectoral nerves. I found a published paper about the variation the cadaver had, but the way they did their statistics, the assigned statistical values were wrong.” He took his findings to Penning, an assistant professor of biology and environmental health, who taught Johnson’s biostats course. The seeming statistical errors in the paper seemed in line with something the class had recently discussed. “We got to the topic of pseudoreplication, and the class learned how conceptually hitting copy and paste on data can lead to false conclusions,” says Penning. “Almost by happenstance, the first paper Gil found (on the nerve variation) was poorly designed.”

Students receive recognition at international conference The loud high-five reverberated throughout the hall filled with PhDs and students from prestigious medical schools around the globe. Had you asked beforehand, Gil Johnson and Whitney Blodgett would never have expected to hear their names announced during the awards ceremony at the 19th Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists, held Aug. 9-11 at the ExCel convention center in London. “I hadn’t even worn my suit to the banquet … just blue 22

jeans and a collared shirt,” says Johnson. But when they were announced as the recipients of the runner-up award for the Cave Young Investigator Poster Prize, a high-five between the two Missouri Southern State University students seemed like the perfect response. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

significant number of them had pseudoreplication, using inferential statistics to draw incorrect conclusions about the population. For example, anatomists incorrectly counted multiple measurements – such as two legs – from a cadaver, rather than treating the body as a single sample. They presented their findings at the American Association of Clinical Anatomists’ annual meeting, held in June in Tulsa, Okla. Competing against medical students and PhDs from around the country, they received the Sandy Marks Jr. Award for their poster presentation in the education category. “We were celebrating, and I said we should try to go to the London conference,” says Blodgett. “I asked Dr. Barry, but I didn’t expect her to say yes.” Quick arrangements were made for the students to travel to London to attend the conference. Runner-up recognition for the Cave Young award is rare, and it marked the first time any American institution had been recognized since 2014. “When people think about human anatomy, it’s ‘We already learned it 500 years ago. There’s nothing left to discover,’” says Barry. “But that’s a very wrong understanding.

Johnson enlisted his classmate, Blodgett, to help him sort out where the paper’s authors had gone wrong. While anatomy isn’t her field of study, the methodology needed to study the issue was right in her wheelhouse.

“We’ve discovered so many different variations. Technology such as MRI and CT scans give us a better chance to learn about the human body and determine what is ‘normal anatomy’ and the variations of this normal.”

“I’m more on the wildlife side of biology,” says Blodgett. “But I like statistics and like doing research, writing papers and finding out new things. I had never heard of pseudoreplication before.”

Penning says he was “pleasantly unsurprised” at the awards. “Their project evolved organically from a couple different observations, and we have been putting in hard work together for months.

But statistics, says Johsnon, is a “universal language” when it comes to its applications in the research field. “You can take it and play in someone else’s back yard,” he says. “You’re just analyzing the data.” Their research of other peer-reviewed material found a

“He and Whitney are both outstanding students, and they went for it.”

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

here are a couple of things you notice when sitting down to talk with Dr. John Jungmann.

The first is the use of the words “we” and “our.” As the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools discusses his role within the district, there’s very little “me” or “I.”

“That spurred out of my journalism class … my teacher, Mary Kuhn, helped connect me with the Democrat and created this opportunity to engage with the adult world at the age of 16. Those experiences really shaped me. They created confidence, shaped my understanding of political dynamics and education, and put me on my course.”

Instead, it’s “our mission.” It’s “what we work to deliver.” As he speaks, there’s very much a sense of collective effort – one that can be seen in action outside his office door within the district administration building. It’s just days before the start of the 2019-20 school year in what has become that state’s largest school district, and the wide, open office is bustling with activity. Then there’s the obvious passion Jungmann has for education, his community and for creating a level playing field for each and every student, no matter their background.

Meaningful learning Jungmann grew up in Lamar, the youngest of six kids. While education wasn’t initially on his career radar, he definitely appreciated the impact made by his time at Lamar High School. “We had some great teachers and a principal who always encouraged me,” he says. “I was inspired by educators and became the first of the six kids to pursue a four-year degree.” As he began his studies at Missouri Southern, it was as a freshman who had already been bitten by the journalism bug. As a high-school student, he began covering sports for the local newspaper, the Lamar Democrat. “I started as a sports writer when I was just a sophomore in high school,” says Jungmann. “I also did some general assignment stories, covering school board and city council meetings.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

While he continued to write full-time for the Lamar newspaper, Jungmann couldn’t forget the lasting impact that educators had on his life and soon felt called to switch his major to education. “It was a great journey for me,” he says of his time at Missouri Southern. “It was a smaller college environment and I had a good rapport with my teachers. The Education Department created learning experiences for us that were meaningful.

“I was able to do my student teaching in Lamar and do a junior-level internship in Carthage. As a commuter, fulltime worker and first generation college student, it was perfect for those scenarios.”

‘A fulL education experience’ Jungmann graduated from MSSU in December of 1998, returning to Lamar High School as an English teacher. After three and a half years, he continued his career in Monett. His colleagues encouraged him to continue his education and he pursued his master’s degree at Missouri State and his doctorate at the University of Arkansas. His career arc took him from the front of the classroom to an assistant high-school principal position, and then middle-school principal before serving four years as Monett’s superintendent. He later served as superintendent of Liberty Public Schools before the position in Springfield opened in 2014.

“What’s drawn me throughout my career is where to have the most impact on the most students, and to raise a family,” says Jungmann. “Springfield was an opportunity to serve more students closer to home.” So what does the day-to-day look like for the Springfield superintendent? It’s all about collaboration in service of the district’s mission, he says. “In general, my job is to collaborate with our team of amazing educators and support staff to support our 25,000 students,” says Jungmann. “It’s working with our leadership team, our board of education and our community on casting the vision and mission of this system and then monitoring to ensure we’re executing on behalf of our kids.

“Springfield is an education environment. There’s education through Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Drury University, Evangel University and Springfield Public Schools. By the time you add all of those together, there’s somewhere around 60,000 students going to school every day, from early childhood through graduate school.” He and his wife, Kerry, are the parents of three girls – ages 17, 14 and 7 – which offers a completely different view of the school district. “We’re blessed to have a full education experience every day, from both work and through the eyes of our kids,” he says.

“We want to make improvements to graduation rates and programming to better serve our students. Our mission is to ensure every student has the opportunity to encounter engaging, personal and relevant learning experiences every day.” Successful initiatives have include the Launch program, which offers online opportunities for students from 200 schools across the state; and Ignite, which ensures students across the district have the same access to the Internet, online resources and technology. Perhaps the biggest indicator that the vision is taking hold in the community was the April 2 passage of Proposition S, a bond issue planned to address 39 projects throughout the district. It called for renovations and reconstruction at six buildings, an early childhood education program expansion and safety upgrades throughout the district. Voters approved the initiative, with 61 percent casting votes in favor.

family

“We’re incredibly blessed to have a community that values public education and rallies around our students in a multitude of ways,” says Jungmann.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

s he compiled the entries for his latest book,

book, such as ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’ ‘Ferris

there were certain criteria Dr. Michael Howarth

Bueller’s Day Off’ and ‘The Breakfast Club.’ But I

wanted films to meet in order to be included in

wanted films from different genres and different time

“Movies to See Before You Graduate from High

periods … films that will appeal to a wide audience.

School.” “Sometimes you’re looking for a film that’s “I was looking for films that respect what it means

inspirational; other times you want a film that’s

to be a young adult,” he says. “They needed

ridiculous and fun.”

to accurately portray the problems, issues and emotions that young adults face – such as wanting

Each entry in the book includes basic information

to be independent, dealing with friends, dating, or

about the movie, such as its writer and director, cast

wanting to separate from your hometown and do

members, rating and runtime. “The Gist” breaks

your own thing.”

down the plot and why the film is important for young audiences to see.

The book, which will be published Dec. 15 by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, represents a year of

“I also recommend another film for a double feature,

work for Howarth, an associate professor of English

which is not one of the 60,” says Howarth. “So there’s

and director of MSSU’s Honors Program.

actually 120 movies, if you think about it.”

“Every film on the list I watched at least once. Most

The appendix includes several “Top-Five Lists,” such

I watched twice,” says Howarth. “The first time was

as the Top Five Breakups and the Top Five Coolest

to get a feel for the film itself. The second time I

Parents.

watched with a notepad so I could pause the movie to take notes on certain scenes and ideas.”

The soon-to-be-released book isn’t Howarth’s first. In 2014, he published “Under the Bed, Creeping:

The 60 films included in the book represent a broad

Psychoanalyzing the Gothic in Children’s Literature,

range of genres – from classic dramas such as James

and two years later his first novel – “Fair Weather

Dean’s “Rebel Without a Cause” and ‘The Last

Ninjas” – was released. His latest effort already has

Picture Show,” to contemporary releases such as “It:

him thinking about another project in a similar vein.

Chapter One,” “Ready Player One” and “Call Me By Your Name.”

“This book didn’t include anything from television,” he says. “You could write a whole other book on

“I started by making a list of probably 150 films,” he

coming-of-age TV series.”

says. “There were several I knew had to be in the

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

CLIFF ERWIN RECOGNIZED WITH OUTSTANDING TV ALUMNI AWARD

ART PROFESSOR SPEAKS AT DOMINICAN REPUBLIC CONFERENCE Taylor Moon, an assistant professor of graphic design at Missouri Southern, was recently featured as a speaker during the 2019 Caribbean Developers Conference in the Dominican Republic. “I heard about next year’s themed semester focusing on the Caribbean, and was interested in opportunities for scholarly research on how they deal with art and graphic design,” Moon says. “I was researching conferences and found this one and saw they had an application for speakers. I submitted a proposal for a session on how 3D graphics, tactile arts and 2D vectors could be combined. I was selected for that talk.” The annual conference, held Oct. 4-5 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, features software and entrepreneurs from around the world presenting on timely topics in the fields of IT and business. The lineup for this year’s event featured speakers from Microsoft, IBM, Megsoft, Amazon and other companies and organizations.

“Oftentimes, people in my role are taught to package designs that are then handed off to web developers,” says Moon. “It was exciting to engage with these web developers to see

what happens after that handoff and how software is formed … I was a little star-struck seeing some of the influencers of technology.”

Moon, who joined Missouri Southern for the Fall 2019 semester, teaches digital design. A graduate of the University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara, she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oxford. 30

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

As part of this year’s Homecoming festivities, KGCS celebrated its 35th anniversary with a special dinner that honored the recipient of the Outstanding TV Alumni Award.

His experience at KGCS included work in front of the camera and behind the scenes, which provided him the background that has allowed him to succeed in the field.

The recipient of the award, which was established in 2014, was Cliff Erwin.

“As I look back from where I am now in my career, I was able to get a sense of every job,” he says. “It gives you an idea of what everyone around you is doing.

Erwin, who graduated from Missouri Southern in 2004, is the broadcast studio manager for the University of Kansas Health System. He got his start in broadcasting as a freshman at MSSU. “I started right away with KGCS,” he said. “That’s one of the great things about Missouri Southern … you can get right into the craft you want to do. I was able to pick up a camera and learn to tell a story in a different way than I did in high school, which was print.” Erwin’s career included working for KSN in Joplin, and later KY3 in Springfield as the station’s first multimedia journalist – where he received a Missouri Broadcasters Award. His coverage at the health system, in conjunction with KCTV5 in Kansas City, earned him an Emmy in 2017.

“One of my favorite memories is when, at the last minute, our director got sick during a Saturday night football game. I had to direct and provide color commentary at the same time. It was stressful, but fun. It was one of those situations, like, when are you ever going to do that again?” During the dinner, which included video highlights from the station’s 35 years, Joplin Mayor Gary Shaw presented Erwin with a special proclamation celebrating his distinguished career. “I was very honored,” said Erwin. “It’s unexpected … something you think might come at the end of your career.”

SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ENGAGED IN RECORD NUMBER OF INTERNSHIPS A record number of students from the Social Work Department have been placed in internships for the fall semester. A total of 36 students are working at locations in Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, says Tara Garrity, a master instructor of social work. While some are engaged in traditional roles of social workers – meeting and providing assistance to clients – others are performing a variety of duties with other organizations.

agencies, such as Webb City CARES, which is an extension of the Webb City school district; or Fostering Hope, which assists kids in foster care,” says Garrity. “Another student is working with younger students at schools in Pea Ridge, Ark. “It’s a really diverse group of field agencies this year. We teach our students a lot of skills and knowledge in the classroom, but the classroom is a completely different environment than the real world. This is a capstone event for these students to apply their knowledge in a real social work setting before they graduate and look for full-time employment.”

“We have quite a few students working with non-profit M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

SYMPOSIUM FOCUSES ON ART AS A BUSINESS If you’re hoping to market your skills as an artist, it doesn’t hurt to have an understanding of the field of business. That was the idea behind the Nanette Philibert Business of Art Symposium, held Oct. 23 at Missouri Southern.

DR. DOMINIC BUCCIERI INVITED TO PRESENT AT COPENHAGEN CONFERENCE Dr. Dominic Buccieri, an assistant professor of international business, was invited to attend the Academy of International Business’ 2019 conference, held June 24-27 in Copenhagen, Denmark. “I submitted a paper to the conference last fall and it was accepted to be presented,” he said. Buccieri’s paper was titled “The Effects of Entrepreneurial Cognition on Positioning and Performance of International New Ventures.” “I researched the internationalization of small firms,” he said. “I find it to be an interesting topic because firms that are smaller tend to have less people, less human resources, less financial capital and less financial backing. I wanted to look at their entrepreneurial characteristics to help them overcome some of those challenges and compete with larger firms.” The conference was held at the Copenhagen Business School, one of the leading universities in the field of international business. “There were top scholars from a lot of big-name universities,” said Buccieri. “It was an opportunity to not only present my research but also talk about other current, relevant topics and emerging topics in the world of business. It gives you insight and perspective from scholars’ who are living and breathing it, and interesting perspectives to incorporate into my own research and teaching.”

Presented by the Small Business Development Center and the Art Department, the annual event offers expert insight into the business side of the arts. Presenters included representatives from Connect2Culture and the Joplin Regional Artist Coalition, as well as a trio of Missouri Southern graduates: Khalief Steele, ’15, a graphic designer for Little Bird Marketing; Michael Steddum, ’15, an artist who has attended festivals around the country; and Michael Barnhart, ’98, a regional artist who lives in Arkansas.

“The business side is really important, whether you want it to be or not,” he said. “You’re getting a degree in art to make money. Even if that’s not your main focus, it’s important to know about everything that goes with it.” This was the fifth year for the event. Formerly known as the Art as Business Symposium, the event was renamed in honor of Dr. Nanette Philibert, the former chair of the Department of Management, Marketing and International Business who passed away earlier this year. “She was the person ultimately responsible for this symposium’s existence,” said Ken Surbrugg, a consultant with the Small Business Development Center. “It was inspired by a class project she started and it grew over the years from her support and interest in the subject.”

Steele spoke about the value of becoming involved in arts organizations and competitions.

KAHLIEF STEELE, ‘15

“You can bring those concepts back and talk about things in a way that helps students relate to them if they’re working at a small business or thinking about opening a small business. Maybe some of these marketing skills or ways of innovating are not conventional, but they can help expand the footprint of smaller businesses in this area.”

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

TWO NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE The School of Business has created two new certificate programs that are designed to have broad appeal. The Entrepreneurial Operations Certificate and the Entrepreneurial Planning and Management Certificate launched with the start of the fall semester. “We’ve always had a minor in entrepreneurship,” said Lisa Robinson, director of the university’s Small Business Development Center. “We also had a three-hour certificate program, but that didn’t make sense because the state of Missouri recognizes nine-hour certificates.” The two programs are available totally online for those who aren’t able to come to campus, said Robinson. But they also are designed to be valuable to students across the educational spectrum. “The appeal is that these certificates can apply to art students who are going to own a business, or environmental science students who want to own a business,” she said. “We want to reach out across campus. They’re also marketed to anyone who comes in the SBDC. You can apply and take these classes without having been admitted toward degree ROBINSON completion.” 33

NEW MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIP PARTNERS TEACHERS WITH JUNIOR INTERNS Nicole Hart, ’15, a third-grade teacher at Joplin’s Columbia Elementary, is the first recipient of a new scholarship designed to partner teachers with junior interns from Missouri Southern.

NEW COHORT CREATED IN MCDONALD COUNTY A newly created cohort is allowing some students to complete their degree without having to make the drive to campus. The Higher Learning Commission recently approved the creation of an off-site cohort in the McDonald County R-1 School District.

Students in the Teacher Education program are required to take a practicum in one of the university’s community partner schools. Hart, who is working on her Master of Science in EducationAdministration degree, says her job as a cooperating teacher is to host the intern and evaluate their performance. “When the junior interns come in, they observe for a while to see how the classroom is run and your classroom management style,” says Hart. “They also have to teach two lessons and I have to score them.”

“When students enter this cohort they can complete their BSE in Elementary Education, grades 1-6,” said Dr. Susan Craig, interim department chair of Teacher Education. “They don’t have to come to campus to take classes. Everything is delivered there.”

The new scholarship offered through the master’s program awards recipients tuition for one credit hour. Hart, who is currently hosting junior Riley Ingram in her class, has served as a cooperating teacher for two interns. The scholarship will cover two credit hours during her final semester before graduating in May 2020.

The key part is its authenticity – a two-year program that will take students from tentative admission to graduation, and will include practicum, or field placements – located in a partner school.

“(The scholarship) was new and I learned about it from an email,” says Hart. “It’s really an added benefit for this program.”

“That’s unprecedented at Missouri Southern,” said Lorinda Hackett, interim dean in the School of Education. “And what makes this particularly unique is that not only can they complete their degree, but it’s located in a school where the students will receive the kinds of experiences that aren’t as easily maximized when they’re taking classes here on campus – because they’re in a school.” The cohort’s geographical location will be favorable to both MSSU students and transfer students in the region. It will also assist less traditional students, many of whom are parents, because classes won’t typically begin until 9 a.m. and will be finished by mid-afternoon.

Hart is in her fourth year of teaching at Columbia and hopes to one day become a school principal. Having worked with “an amazing” cooperating teacher when she herself was a junior at MSSU, she says she was more than happy to play that role. “I just want to be for someone what my cooperating teacher was for me,” she says.

RILEY INGRAM

Missouri Southern professors Dr. Jennifer Stegall, Dr. Jeri Goswick and Brian Neugebauer began teaching at the new location this fall. NICOLE HART, ‘15 CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

“Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It’s something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success.” The quote, credited to legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, is one of many Warren Turner shared with his students – members of the university’s faculty, staff and administration – taking the Office to 5K class this fall at Missouri Southern. “My biggest job is motivating them, so I send out sayings weekly and constantly give them handouts,” said Turner. “People sometimes aren’t self-motivators, so you have to do things to help them with that situation.” Turner, a member of the MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame, MIAA and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, is legendary in his own right, having served as baseball coach from 1977-07 and taking teams to national tournaments five times. The university’s new baseball stadium was dedicated in his honor in 2015. Coaching the 5K class, which concluded with a 5K on campus before the Thanksgiving break, is a way to give back to Missouri Southern, said Turner.

Its existence will benefit McDonald County, as well - considering MSSU students will have the opportunity to do their student teaching within the R-1.

WARREN TURNER LEADS OFFICE TO 5K COURSE

“I’m trying to pay back for all that Missouri Southern did for me over the years,” he said. “If I can pay back by helping faculty and staff improve their fitness levels and stay in shape, then I feel pretty good about it.” 35

EMS SIM LAB GETS TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES The addition of interactive technology is offering an enhanced learning experience for students studying to become paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Located in Room 312 of the Julio S. León Health Sciences Center, the EMS Sim Lab features two ambulance simulators that were completed last fall. They allow students to experience the issues and challenges that will face them when treating patients in the back of a real ambulance.

GIPSON CENTER LAUNCHES WITH TWICE THE NUMBER OF EXPECTED STUDENTS The new bachelor’s of science degree in healthcare leadership launched this fall with twice the number of students as expected. “We planned to have 25 students, but we started with 54,” said Melinda Brown, director of the new Gipson Center for Healthcare Leadership. An open house was offered in October, giving the campus a chance to see the new classrooms, conference rooms and offices. The center, announced last year, is designed to give students the background needed to succeed in one of the fastest growing sectors of the healthcare field.

GRACIE SMITH

Emblazoned on a wall within the center is its mission statement: “To improve and transform healthcare through innovative education of today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.”

The addition of new technology to the lab has allowed for an even more immersive experience for students. Upgrades to the lab include two 50-inch television monitors; video cameras that allow instructors to view students engaged in exercises from a nearby room; two 65-inch monitors with computers that will run EMS-specific software, demonstration videos, PowerPoint presentations and student polling; as well as lab tables and demonstration areas.

“This is an exciting opportunity and advancement for the EMS program here at MSSU,” said Ted Lee,

associate professor of emergency medical services. “A lab that is as fully immersive and realistic as

possible in a classroom setting will bring a totally new educational environment to EMS education.”

Freshman Gracie Smith says she was excited to join the program as it combines two of her interests. “I had an interest in going into pre-med, but I’ve also had a passion for business,” she says. “This was something that brought them both together.” Smith, who hopes to eventually become a hospital administrator, says she’s enjoying her classes, several of which are led by actual healthcare professionals.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

In conjunction with the Missouri Health Equity Collaborative (MOHEC), Missouri Southern hosted a healthcare career expo in October in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. “The MOHEC consortium consists of numerous entities in the Southwest Missouri region such as Carthage Tech, Franklin Tech, Crowder College, Freeman Health System, Mercy Health System and MSSU,” said Sherry Whiteman, respiratory care educator with MSSU and Franklin Technology Center. “We want to make sure students really know what the healthcare profession offers so they can make informed decisions about their career choices.” The fair featured nearly 50 booths, with morning sessions aimed at high-school students, demonstrating skills healthcare providers may actually perform. It was open to the community in the afternoon, serving as a hiring event.

“We have a good mix (of adjunct instructors) from Freeman Health System and Mercy Hospital Joplin,” says Brown. “They bring a lot to this program.”

CAREER EXPO OFFERS WINDOW INTO HEALTHCARE FIELD

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

BECCA DISKIN

DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID

subject areas such as regulations, compliance and all the nuts and bolts of financial aid processing.

“People who work in the financial aid profession have to have that knack,” she says. “Customer service isn’t easy when you’re talking about money, and federal paperwork is not always simple.”

It’s to help elevate people in our profession to another level. There’s no financial aid degree, but it carries a lot of weight to go through specific training and understand certain concepts. For people who wish to be promoted or who are looking for another job that’s a step up in their career, having this credential is proof to the hiring team that they’re qualified.

t’s a job that requires detailed knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations, but it’s also about the “human connection,” says Becca Diskin, director of financial aid for Missouri Southern.

Earlier this year, Diskin – who serves as treasurer (and next year as president-elect) for the Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel – was selected to serve on a national task force to develop a credentialing exam for financial aid administrators.

HOW DID THAT OPPORTUNITY COME ABOUT? Our national financial aid organization – the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators – was looking for people to serve on an advisory group to help design and write the credential exam. They selected financial aid administrators from all over the country. There were about 15 or 20 of us that convened in Washington, D.C., and did a crash course test-writing workshop, then used our experience and knowledge of the field to help write the exam.

WHAT IS THE EXAM USED FOR?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB AT MISSOURI SOUTHERN? I like the challenge of taking something complex and explaining it to people so they can understand it. I love that in the financial aid profession, we’re not just dealing with rules, regulations and paperwork. We’re dealing with people and helping them through a complicated process. You can have Student A, but Student B right beside them looks completely different. Maybe they’re a non-traditional student, or maybe they have a family, or they’re from out of state, or living in the dorms for the first time. Every student has a different story to tell. There’s a challenge to that, but it’s also intriguing. You get to know the student a little bit as we use our resources to help them.

It’s a credentialed exam that financial aid administrators can choose to take – it covers different

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

| FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft. “He’s worked hard and he’s figuring everything out. Once you figure it out at linebacker the game slows down.” As for football beyond college – it hasn’t been discussed. “Haven’t touched it,” Jordan said. “I want him to be the best he can be every day and dominate this league, but I also want him to enjoy his four years. Mine went by so fast. That’s why I feel blessed to be able to watch him. I’m seeing what my parents saw. It’s like God is replaying it for me because my time flew by.”

There’s no doubt JoJo makes his father proud, but it’s something nonfootball-related that really pushes the needle.

CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS SUCCESSFUL AT MIAA, NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

“(Jared Bruggeman - director of athletics at MSSU) told me a story one day about how he was approached on campus by a professor who couldn’t stop talking about how nice and well-mannered my son was,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.

After repeating as team and individual champions at the MIAA Cross Country Championships at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course on Oct. 26, the Missouri Southern men, and sophomore Gidieon Kimutai, followed suit on Nov. 9 during the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships, which were also hosted by the sixth-ranked Lions.

“I mean, all those tackles are great, but that’s what makes me proud. That’s way better than any stat on a football field.”

FOUR INDIVIDUALS/TWO TEAMS INDUCTED INTO MSSU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON... AND THEN SOME RICHARD JORDAN JR. BREAKS SCHOOL RECORD They say records are meant to be broken – and they would be correct. On Oct. 19, Richard Jordan Jr. tallied 25 tackles in a 49-19 loss to Washburn.

“I remember telling (my dad) once that one day when I go there I’m going to break (the record),” said JoJo. “He laughed at me. And I was like, ‘Why are you laughing? I’m serious.’ He said, ‘You’re named after me so if you do, there’s still going to be a Richard Jordan at the top.’”

You read that correctly: 25 tackles.

True.

It puts the sophomore linebacker atop the school’s singlegame record list for tackles, a list that also includes his father, MSSU and MIAA Hall of Famer Richard Jordan.

By the way, the feat wasn’t a fluke.

“It’s in his DNA,” said Jordan. “My kids can play the game of football.” The elder Jordan (whose nickname is “Dirt”) ranks in the Top 5 of that list (18 vs. Southwest Baptist in 1994, and 20 vs. Pittsburg State in 1996). Junior (whose nickname is “JoJo”) flew by Pops, as well as former Lion great Ron Burton (21 vs. Missouri S&T in 1993), to take the top spot. 40

Jon Lantz (football), Matt Cambpell (men’s track and field), Kyle Rutledge (men’s track and field) and Chris Turner (men’s track and field/ football), as well as the 1981-82 women’s basketball team and 199900 men’s basketball team were all inducted into Missouri Southern’s Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 19. Lantz coached the Lions through their most successful period as an NCAA Division II program, winning an MIAA title in 1993. Eight former

players of his are in the Hall of Fame. Campbell, Turner and Rutledge went first, second and third in the pole vault at the 2005 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The 1981-82 women’s basketball team were the NAIA national runners up, while the 1999-00 men’s basketball team has been the most successful men’s program - going 30-3 and making a trip to the NCAA Final Four.

Their second-straight regional victory – third for the program since 2009 – qualified them for the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in Sacramento, California. Kimutai repeated as the individual champion and improved to 5-0 on the season. He traversed the 10k course in a time of 29:14.5, besting his time from last year by more than 30 seconds. The women, coming off a third place finish at the MIAA Championships, finished eighth at the NCAA Regionals. Also, for a second-straight year, Jamie Burnham was named the MIAA Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.

GIDIEON KIMUTAI

JoJo recorded 18 tackles in the season opener against Nebraska-Kearney back on Sept. 5 and finished the season with 18 tackles against Pittsburg State on Nov. 16. What’s more, his dad was here to see it. He was also here for the Washburn game. In fact, he’s here for every game. “I am just so proud of him,” said Jordan, who was named MIAA Defensive MVP in 1996 - a year after being named Co-Defensive MVP of the league – and was selected by the CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

CHRIS TURNER

MATT CAMPBELL KYLE RUTLEDGE

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Jeremy Willman, ’98, is the director of software development for Jack Henry & Associates in Springfield, Mo. Jessica (Matistic) Rosswick, ‘99, is a senior manager at Centene Corporation in St. Louis, Mo. L E T U S K N O W W H AT ’ S G O I N G O N I N Y O U R L I F E ! E M A I L U S AT A L U M N I A S S O C @ M S S U . E D U

1970s Stephen Jones, ‘74, is an associate attorney with Zwicker & Associates PC in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

1980s Jane (Wiss) Ballard, ‘80, won a Silver Award for photography at the annual Membership Show at artCentral in Carthage, Mo. Joe Bidinger, ‘80, is the director of distribution and transportation at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Mo. Eric Brown, ‘81, is the CEO of inSearchX in Boca Raton, Fla. Wayne Ball, ‘84, is a high-school mathematics instructor with the Turner USD 202 School District in Kansas City, Kan. Dr. Janet Kavandi, ‘80, retired from NASA after 25 years of service. Carrie (Holyfield) Ball, ’89, is the pharmacy manager for Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Mo.

1990s Thomas Bruner, ’90, is an IT support specialist for GKN Driveline FIRENZE in Garland, Texas. Keith Brown, ‘91, is an adjunct professor of psychology at Harris Stowe State University in St. Louis, Mo. He is also a senior clinical therapist, chief executive officer of 1st Impressions Career Consultant Firm and owns Keith’s Catering. 42

2000s

Rodney Neece, ‘92, is the owner of Stewart & Neece Land Surveying in Joplin.

Robert Eudy, ‘00, is a superintendent for SDB Contracting Services in Forney, Texas.

Dr. Beverly (Neal) Rodgers, ‘93, was named the 17th president of MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill.

Kent Long, ‘00, is a district sales manager for Wraser Pharmaceutical in the Midwest Region.

Erron Wright, ‘93, works at Goo’s Dojo Karate School in Neosho and Joplin, Mo.

Lisa Sweet, ‘01, is an academic advisor at MSSU after retiring from Mark Twain Elementary School, where she taught first grade for 17 years.

Dr. Robyn Gordon, ‘94, is the Dean of Technical Education at Ozark Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo. Dr. Charles Henry, ‘94, received the ACS Measurement Science Lectureship Award from the American Chemical Society. The award is for outstanding contributions to measurement science over the last decade. Henry is a professor at Colorado State University. Raymond Sippel, ‘94, is an IS technical specialist for BJC Healthcare in St. Louis, Mo. Tiffani Claussen, ‘95, is the chief financial officer of American Products in Springfield, Mo. Patti Gilliland, ‘95, is a DFA revenue division tax manager for the State of Arkansas. Rhonda Nelson, ‘97, is the chief financial officer for Mascot Media in Fayetteville, Ark. Charles “Brad” Sill, ‘98, is the senior vice president of the enterprise program management office for MidAmerica Apartment Communities in Memphis, Tenn. He also serves as the treasurer for the non-profit Tribe & Glory, which focuses on women’s entrepreneurship in developing countries.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

| FA L L 2 0 1 9

Julie Wengert, ‘01, is the associate vice president for student affairs/dean of students at Missouri Southern State University. Blake Bard, ‘02, was named to the 2019 class of 40 under 40 by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Blake Deardorff, ‘02, is the national account director for SodaStream USA in Bentonville, Ark. Linda Percy, ‘02, is the human resources manager for Marlin Network in Springfield, Mo. Dustin Parker, ‘03, ‘04, is the manager of Sports Medicine at Mercy-Joplin. Terrell Shewmake, ‘03, is a technical support senior manager for Jack Henry in Houston, Texas. Elisa Bryant, ‘04, was named Rotarian of the Year by Joplin’s Daybreak Rotary. Shannon (Frerer) Stuckenburg, ‘04, is the CEO and co-founder of Genesis Systems.

Jalon Peppmiller Smith, ‘05, is the Director of Curriculum & Instruction for both campuses of Indiana Math and Science Academy. They are K-12 and K-8 schools and teach all content areas, but with emphasis on math and science. Angela Troutz, ‘05, is the vice president of Fidelity Bank/Oklahoma Fidelity Bank in Tulsa, Okla. Tracy (Hass) Cordova, ‘07, is an associate experience product innovations manager for Walmart in Bentonville, Ark. Barb Gombosi, ‘08, was recently named Project Manager at MGL energija Gasparic d.o.o. at Profesionalna Psiholoska Praksa. Jacob Garrison, ‘08, is the executive director of Claremore Main Street Inc. in Claremore, Okla. Craig Gullett, ‘08, was promoted to Director of Student Activities at MSSU. Jason Honzell, ‘08, is the manager of EHS, facilities and maintenance at Mark Andy, Inc. in St. Louis, Mo. Mark Ostendorf, ‘08, is ERP administrator for DCA Outdoor in Kansas City, Mo. Ryan Goodwin, ‘09, is a security investigator supervisor for UPS in Mesquite, Texas. Juan Hernandez, ‘09, is a business banker at Great Western Bank in Wichita, Kan. Luke McCarty, ‘09, is a senior financial advisor for McPherson Financial Group in Melbourne, Fla. Shannon Smith, ‘09, is a Farmers Insurance Agent and recently opened the Shannon Smith Insurance Agency in Joplin. Kathryn Wenzel, ‘09, is a director and script writer for EverMore Media in Miami, Okla. Patricia Woods, ‘09, is a training facilitator at Leggett & Platt Inc. in Carthage, Mo.

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

2010s Sarah Leard, ‘10, is an analyst for SAIC in Broomfield, Colo. Aimee Mitchell, ‘10, is a juvenile probation and parole counselor for the Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Center in Tulsa, Okla. Ellen Vogt, ‘10, is a program coordinator for United Way in Joplin. Cody Belk, ‘11, is a TSA lead for the Joplin Regional Airport. Jesse Cordova, ‘11, is a sales manager for Visit Rogers in Rogers, Ark. Sarah Kubena, ‘11, is the HR/AESOP coordinator for the Bentonville Schools in Bentonville, Ark. Brennan Martin, ‘11, is the execution director at Diageo in Miami, Fla. Landon Adams, ‘12, is now the vice president of student life at Cottey College in Nevada, Mo. Nathan Bramwell, ‘12, is the associate athletic director at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. Zach Brasher, ‘13, is a regional sales manager for Bound to Stay Bound Books. Krystal Varela, ‘12, is a senior financial analyst for McKesson in Irving, Texas. Courtney (Atkinson) Palmer, ‘13, is an ELA teacher/ coach at Azle Junior High School in Azle, Texas. Lindsey (LaPlante) Quigley, ‘13, is the owner of LinWay Building Services in Golden Valley, Minn. Jason Davis, ‘14, is an operations supervisor for Coldpoint Logistics in Edgerton, Kan. Grant McConnaughey, ‘14, is the director of engineering (policy admin) at BriteCore in Springfield, Mo.

Dean Miller, ‘14, is the executive director for Restoration of Hope Project in Springfield, Mo.

Skylar Phillips, ‘18, is a sports and performance coordinator at the Joplin Family YMCA.

Linda Peterson, ‘14, is an estimating/project coordinator for Facility Systems Inc. in Overland Park, Kan.

Jami (Church) Purcell, ‘18, is a manager of recruiting for Locum Leaders in the greater St. Louis area.

Eryn Walters, ‘14, is the business manager for the West Plains Civic Center in West Plains, Mo.

Dimitra (Boman) Summers, ‘18, is a leasing agent at RBC Rentals in Joplin.

Kylee (Eyermann) Cantrell, ‘15, is a project coordinator for POGUE Construction in McKinney, Texas.

Karen Cook, ‘19, accepted a position teaching first grade with the Miami Public School District.

Kaleb Forkner, ‘15, is the assistant golf professional at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn. Neha Bang, ‘16, finished her second year of med school at KCUMB and will be doing rotations at Freeman for her third year. She is a part of the inaugural class of 2021. Jordan Comer, ‘16, is an assistant content marketer for Little Bird Marketing in Joplin. Staci Sonntag, ‘16, is a third-grade teacher at Oakhill Day School in Gladstone, Mo.

Abby Burken, ‘19, is a human resources assistant at Freeman Health System in Joplin. Marc Doll, ‘19, is the bureau chief of the City of St. Charles Fire Department in St. Charles, Mo. Bethany Pagel, ‘19, is a second-grade teacher for Webb City Public Schools in Webb City, Mo.

Carlie Cartwright, ‘17, is a replenishment manager for Walmart in Bentonville, Ark. Jocqui Davis, ‘17, is an enterprise operation specialist for Worldwide Express in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Jolene Jenkins, ‘17, is a background verification specialist at J.B. Hunt in Northwest Arkansas. Dirk Dunkle, ‘18, is a group director of audience development at Lee Enterprises in Bloomington, Ill. William Juneau, ‘18, is a public relations specialist for Total Highspeed Internet Service in Nixa, Mo. Sharon Kailer, ‘18, is a sixth-grade teacher at Southwest City Elementary, a part of the McDonald County School District. She teaches English/language arts and social studies. Samantha Maestas, ‘18, is a training specialist for Arvest Bank in Bentonville, Ark. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

Curtis Almeter, ‘14, married Victoria Bass on October 6.

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Dates as of November 1, 2019

ALUMNI

Ty, ‘15, and Brenna (Barr) Anderson, ‘13, welcomed Case Alden on Dec. 31, 2018.

Ely and Kristen (Dunn) Epperson, ‘12, welcomed Baylor Wayne on June 3, 2019.

Kevin, ‘12, and Carrie (Spry) Burgi, ‘10, welcomed Brooks Glavine on June 14, 2019.

Brandon and Alyssa (Karel) Williams, ‘09, welcomed Rami Michelle on July 8, 2019.

Dale Allen, ‘59 | Sept. 28, 2019

Sally Kirk, ‘63 | July 11, 2019

John Shoemaker, ‘66 | Sept. 10, 2019

Edward Atwood, ‘77 | Aug. 17, 2019

Bernard Koch, ‘71 | May 29, 2019

Christina Stephens, ‘01 | July 15, 2019

Margaret Bartlet, ‘90 | June 25, 2019

Bradley McClintock, ‘88 | Aug. 30, 2019

Christopher Terry, ‘06 | Aug. 1, 2019

Ronald Coffey, ‘58 | July 14, 2019

Louis Norvell, ‘75 | Aug. 18, 2019

Lynna Tomlin, ‘75 | Sept. 28, 2019

Karen Cooper, ‘60 | June 27, 2019

Arthur Pullum, ‘75 | July 19, 2019

Robert Tonjes, ‘49 | Aug. 21, 2019

Winifred Cullers, ‘64 | July 6, 2019

Ronald Purcell, ‘91 | Sept. 11, 2019

Billie Dampier, ‘76 | July 14, 2019

Nils Ranum, ‘65 | May 23, 2019

Mary DeArmond, ’82 | May 26, 2019

Robert Ratliff, ‘47 | July 1, 2019

Lewis Decocq, ‘76 | Sept. 27, 2019

Todd Roberts, ‘11 | Sept. 12, 2019

Jerry Gray, ‘60 | Sept. 2, 2019

Kenneth Schroer, ‘76 | Sept. 25, 2019

Euleta Griffith, ‘79 | June 27, 2019

Jami Shearhart, ‘82 | Aug. 12, 2019

Trevor Hill, ‘15 | July 28, 2019

Gary Shipman, ‘79 | Sept. 24, 2019

Matthew and Valerie (Melton) Morrow, ‘10, welcomed Gideon Christian on Aug. 24, 2019.

Tristan, ’13, and Kaley Routledge, ’17, welcomed Jack Thomas Routledge on Aug. 23, 2019.

Kellen, ‘13, and Adelie (Campbell) Cox, ‘16, welcomed Lawson Thomas on Aug. 27, 2019.

Glenn Wilson, ‘55 | June 25, 2019 Past member, Foundation Board and Board of Governors

FRIENDS Doris Brock | June 17, 2019

John Esther | July 6, 2019

Kay Profiri | July 3, 2019

Anthony Calwhite | Sept. 19, 2019

Thomas Geisert | Aug. 10, 2019

Ralph Sill | June 23, 2019

Dick Cooper | June 19, 2019

Benjamin Hensley | July 9, 2019

Carol Stark | Aug. 14, 2019

Bob Corley | Sept 6, 2019

Don Miller | July 3, 2019

Jerry Starkweather | Oct. 1, 2019

Max Dodson | Aug. 28, 2019

Harold Mitts | Sept. 15, 2019

Carol Tupper | June 29, 2019

R E T I R E D FA C U LT Y / S TA F F

Lalbiakngheta “Biaka” and Lora (Dean) Zaidarhzauva, ‘09, welcomed Malsawmi “Sawmi” on Sept. 11, 2019.

Myra “Carlene” Shember | Library | July 5, 2019 Dr. John Windle | Dental Hygiene | Sept. 26, 2019

The Summer 2019 edition incorrectly noted the department in which Dr. Bob Steere taught at Missouri Southern. Steere, who passed away on April 18, taught in the Teacher Education Department.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

picture this

Travel and lifestyle photos submitted by our Lion students and alumni To submit a photo for consideration, please email Crossroads@mssu.edu

Why I Give

1 ST - GRANT STEBBINS CURRENT STUDENT

2ND - KYLIE ATKINSON CURRENT STUDENT

DR. ELKE HOWE

For nearly 10 consecutive years, Dr. Elke Howe has made it a priority to donate to the Engineering Technology Department at Missouri Southern. The department head, who has been with the university since 2001, knows the impact donors have on her program and students. “Using modern tools means having high-tech equipment, and that can be expensive,” she says. “A few years ago, Leggett & Platt donated an industrial robot system; we’ve had 3D printers donated; and recently a mystery donor gave us a piece of equipment for our CNC machine that will accelerate tool changes.” Howe says that there is a great case to be made for the university’s own faculty and staff to make individual gifts. “I love coming to work every day, and I feel lucky to have this job,” Howe says. “I don’t look at it as giving back to my employer, but giving to a university that does a great job for its students and the community.” Kevin Greim, associate vice president for University Development, says faculty/staff giving at Missouri Southern is a source of pride.

“Sometimes the difference between a great student experience and an exceptional one comes down to the generosity of a donor,” he says. “Dr. Howe and many others realize they can impact their own programs with their own philanthropy.”

- STEFAN MODIGH

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

“Cave Entrance at La Mer de Glace” This photograph was taken at the man-made ice cave near Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France. The cave is dug from the Mer de Glace glacier which is melting at an alarming rate, about 30-40 meters per year.

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

FA L L 2 0 1 9

To discuss a planned gift with the Missouri Southern Foundation, please call 417-625-3104. M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

3950 East Newman Road Joplin, Missouri 64801

If you are a parent of an alum and they no longer live with you, please call 417-659-LION or visit www.mssu.edu/alumnicontact to update their contact information!