Issuu

“Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” It’s a lyric from John Lennon’s song “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” and one that seems appropriate for 2020 – a year in which predictability decided to take something of an extended vacation. It’s doubtful anyone had “global pandemic,” “economic upheaval” or “civil unrest” factored into their resolutions or big picture outlook for the year. And yet here we are. This fall semester at Missouri Southern looks much different than in years past. Masks, social distancing, the absence of MIAA athletic events … it’s not what we’re used to, but a situation that has found the entire campus community seeking ways to adapt in order to continue to fulfill our mission. And if you think about it, that’s an important part of life – rolling with the punches and finding ways to deal with whatever obstacles are put in our path. You’ll find a number of examples of that mindset in this issue of Crossroads. In the following pages, you’ll meet: David Goad, whose initial college career in the early 1980s was derailed by a serious car accident. More than 30 years later, he’s returned to MSSU to get a fresh start on his studies. 2

Dr. Jana Thomas Coffman, a Spanish/French instructor who began the year living with her family in Honduras and this summer took a pandemicinspired leap of faith with a new house and new job in Southwest Missouri. Christine Ibeagi and Haylee Plyburn, juniors who took the initiative to team up and address the issue of emotional well-being among their classmates. And last, but certainly not least, our new president – Dr. Dean Van Galen – who has stepped into the role amid a time of uncertainty to help chart a course for the university that keeps the focus on our commitment to student success. We hope you enjoy this issue of Crossroads. If you have a story idea, news to share or comments on this issue, we want to hear from you. Drop us a line at crossroads@mssu.edu. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you again in 2021! Editor Crossroads Magazine Missouri Southern State University

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Dr. Dean Van Galen President Dr. Brad Hodson Executive Vice President

Dr. Paula Phillips Carson Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Voices of Southern

Agents of Change

Club Med First Yours to Lose cohort dons white coats as they begin

medical school at KCU

Driven David Goad returns to MSSU to work on degree more than 30 years after accident

Building a Community

discuss mental health issues

Making a Connection

Juniors Christine Ibeagi, Haylee Plyburn create club to

Melodee Colbert-Kean, ’99, uses Facebook program to start a dialogue

COVER: Committed to Success University welcomes Dr. Dean Van Galen as sixth president

Special Contributors Kevin Greim Chelsea Conley Lee Elliff Pound Meagan Adams Justin Maskus Clayton Shilling

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Business

College of Education

College of Health Sciences

38 Athletics

Around Campus

Crossroads Magazine is produced by the Office of University Relations and Marketing.

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

new COVID tests

Jared Bruggeman Director of Athletics

Heather Lesmeister, Director Mike Olmstead Chloe McMain Scott Meeker Curtis Almeter Kayla Monteleone Pat Nagel Brad Belk Ashley Eriksen Megan Vest Jordan Coleman

Alumni Update

Dr. Chuck Henry, ‘94, partners with CSU colleagues to create

Rob Yust Vice President for Business Affairs Darren Fullerton Vice President for Student Affairs

Class Notes

Lion Cubs

In Memoriam

Donor Impact Report

Why I Give

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MAKE THE Since MOVE 1996

Proud Supporter of MSSU

See Where Your Future Can Take You PEOPLESBANKOFSENECA.COM Our Lion Alumni

Locations in Joplin and Seneca 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

ALUMNI HONORED DURING SPIRIT WEEK 2020 While traditional Homecoming activities were not observed this year, the Missouri Southern Alumni Association celebrated with Spirit Week 2020 – an opportunity to recognize several outstanding members of the Lion family. “This is our way of enjoying Missouri Southern pride in a safe and distanced manner,” says Lee Elliff Pound, director of alumni and constituent relations. “Next year, when we are able to return to normal, we will recognize our 2020 award recipients alongside the 2021 honorees.” 2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUM: ANDY THOMAS, ‘80 Thomas began his professional art career in the fall of 1991, creating unique oil paintings that tell a story from his Maze Creek studio in Carthage, Mo. His action-filled, Western art can be found in magazines, books and National Park Service brochures. Thomas has two series of paintings featuring the U.S. presidents – Republicans and Democrats. He adds to them as the presidents change. A copy of his latest version is currently hanging in the White House.

documenting rare and endangered species. For more than a decade, he has worked primarily on capturing images of the grassland grouse and their fragile habitat. He is a staff wildlife photographer with the Missouri Department of Conservation, contributing images and stories to publications such as Missouri Conservationist, Xplor and others. His awards include Missouri Photojournalist of the Year in 1999 and the Mark of Excellence from the Society of Professional Journalism. In 2018, he was accepted as an associate fellow in the International League of Conservation Photographers.

2020 OUTSTANDING FAMILY: THE WEAVERS David and Laura Weaver are both 1989 graduates of Missouri Southern and their family has become strong supporters of the university over the years.

2020 OUTSTANDING ALUM: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG, ‘02

David is in charge of MSSU’s Koinonia Christian Campus Ministry, and has also owned Weaver Photography in Joplin for more than 20 years. Laura received her doctorate in education from Saint Louis University in 2005 and is the special services director for the Diamond R-IV School District.

Paothong is an award-winning nature/conservation photographer who has been focused on

They have been married for 35 years and have four children: Brandon, ’12; Michael, ’14; Rachel, ’16; and Joshua, an eighth grader. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

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FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES RESUME FOR FALL 2020 A Friday afternoon in September found members of the Lion Pride Marching Band perched on a hill overlooking Freeman Hospital, performing highlights from their game day repertoire for hospital employees and patients. “It all started in the spring, making the transition from what we normally do,” says Don Linn, director of bands. “It became clear that we wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to play at football games or parades. So how do you get music to the people? From that was born the idea of the community outreach pep bands.” The band’s performances around the community were among the many ways faculty and students adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to return to face-toface classes on campus. Masks became a required fashion accessory. Building entrances were outfitted with hand-sanitizing stations. Classrooms were equipped with disinfectants. Courses with larger numbers of students were moved to bigger

rooms to allow for social distancing. And it wasn’t uncommon to occasionally see – when the weather was nice – instructors holding class outdoors. “In order to meet the needs of our students, faculty have employed multiple methods,” says Dr. Mikh Gunderman, president of Faculty Senate and an assistant professor of criminal justice. The HyFlex course model employed by some instructors allowed students to attend class in person or virtually, he says, while “digital backpacks” offered tools to allow for unique and engaging learning experiences online. “As crazy as times are right now, I’m so glad Missouri Southern is doing the most possible to keep us safe,” says Avery Brown, a sophomore respiratory therapy major. “Just simple things like teachers spraying and wiping off every desk, chair and door handle in the classroom before the next class enters helps show that the university cares about student safety.”

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HEWITT JOINS MSSU AS DEAN OF ADMISSIONS Dr. Shellie Hewitt joined Missouri Southern in September as the new Dean of Admissions. Hewitt, who has worked in higher education for the last 12 years, came to Missouri Southern from the University of Central Missouri, where she served as director of Graduate and International Student Services since 2017. “Although I’ve only been at MSSU for a short time, I already feel like part of the Missouri Southern family,” said Hewitt. “I feel blessed to have an amazing admissions team who are passionate and enthusiastic about the many new strategies and initiatives we’re putting in place to grow our student body. “We have so many wonderful education opportunities to offer and I’m excited to share those experiences with many future Lions.”

BARRY

HUFFMAN

BARRY, HUFFMAN HONORED AS OUTSTANDING TEACHERS Dr. Alla Barry and Dr. William Huffman were recognized as 2020’s Outstanding Teacher award recipients earlier this fall. Students make the nominations for the annual awards, which honor the instructors who have made a positive impact in front of the classroom. Barry, an associate professor of biology and environmental health, began working at Missouri Southern as an adjunct instructor in the Foreign Languages Department before joining the biology faculty. She says the recognition inspires her to work even harder. “I want to satisfy my own requirements for this award,” Barry says. “I have to prove that I deserve it … it’s my responsibility every single day to be a better teacher.” Huffman, a professor of accounting, has been with Missouri Southern for two decades. He previously served as the coordinator for the Master of Accountancy program. He says he feels humbled to have received an award based on nominations from the students he teaches. “It’s the students who have kept me going,” says Huffman. “It’s great to see them catch on, and see that lightbulb pop on over their heads. I love hearing their stories about what their plans are for the future.”

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Caribbean Semester 2020

CARIBBEAN SEMESTER EVENTS GO VIRTUAL A variety of in-person and virtual events have been offered this fall as Missouri Southern celebrates the Caribbean Semester. “The theme semester is a Missouri Southern tradition and has been in existence since 1997,” said Dr. Chad Stebbins, director of the Institute of International Studies. “The Caribbean Semester is our 24th.”

Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica. Topics have included art, the real pirates of the Caribbean, the Haitian Revolution, voodoo and Cuban sports. While COVID-19 presented some unique challenges this semester, it has also offered an opportunity to reach a wider audience. For those unable to attend the events, many have been recorded and archived on Zoom. Stebbins said they’ll be available to view through at least the end of the academic year at mssu.edu/caribbean.

Events have celebrated the history and culture of 13 independent countries – Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba,

PROJECT STAY APPROVED FOR NEARLY $1.5 MILLION GRANT The Project Stay program at MSSU was recently approved for a grant by the United States Department of Education that will provide nearly $1.5 million for the program over the next five years.

you will evaluate the effectiveness of your plan. There are bonus points for meeting the goals you’ve set for the grant. We always meet or exceed our goals. This time we received a perfect score.”

Project Stay works with qualified students to provide resources that will ease the transition through college and on to graduate education and professional life. It’s part of the federal TRIO programs established by the Higher Education Act created in 1965.

Project Stay serves 175 students at MSSU, offering financial literacy, scholarships, advising, tutoring, job-shadowing opportunities and counseling services, among other resources. All services are provided free of charge.

“We’ve been on the Missouri Southern campus for 20 years, so we’ve had four previous grant cycles,” said Dr. Debbie Fort, director of the program. “The application process is very lengthy. You have to demonstrate a need (for funding), provide community information, letters of support from the university and community, and a lot of data. You have to have a plan of operation, an institutional commitment and establish how

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here was a bit of reverse culture shock involved when Dr. Jana Thomas Coffman and her family arrived in Joplin at the end of July. For the last two years, they had lived in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, and made the decision to move back to the United States in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘A FAMILY ADVENTURE’ I’m originally from Oklahoma. I taught high-school Spanish and English for 10 years, then moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to get my doctorate. In 2018, my husband was saying he’d never had the chance to live abroad. We were trying to raise our kids bilingual so we decided to move to Latin America. I happened to have a friend there and I asked if they had any openings at (DelCampo International School). They had some openings so I taught English there and my husband taught social studies. It’s a city of about a million people, so it was totally different than anything I had done before. It was a family adventure for two years. We learned so much about the culture. We had twins there (in 2019). Baby No. 3 turned out to be Babies No. 3 and 4. Honduras has a really amazing maternity program. You have six weeks paid time off at the end of your pregnancy, and another six weeks when the baby is born. We were able to get great medical care.

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COMPLETE SHUTDOWN COVID hit about three weeks after the United States. I saw what my parents were going through and was able to get groceries and hand sanitizer before it ran out. Once the virus hit, Honduras shut down completely. They only opened supermarkets and pharmacies. You could only go out once every two weeks depending on your ID number. Seeing how cavalier Americans were – considering golf and nail salons as essential – while we were locked down and seeing a Third World country handling the epidemic better was kind of mind blowing.

A BLIND MOVE At first, we thought we’d stick it out there and stay with our jobs. But as it looked like the economy was getting worse, we decided it would be better to be home where we had family. The U.S. embassy was sending emails that were getting more and more frantic … ‘The border is going to shut and you’ll be stuck here.’ They had embassy flights for American citizens. They repatriated about 6,000 American residents and we were among the very last to go. We didn’t know anything about Joplin. We did a few FaceTimes … we bought a house and took a job and then we came here to see them. It was totally blind and very high stress. There was definitely some reverse culture shock (in coming back to the U.S.). People were following the traffic rules, it was much quieter and we were able to go out to eat again for the first time in months. I like the small-town feel here. We can get around much faster (than in Honduras). I’m excited to get to know some people, join a church and make friends in my department. 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. Chuck Henry, ’94, partners with CSU colleagues to create new COVID tests

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ike many schools around the country, Colorado State University swiftly made the pivot to online learning in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Buildings at the Fort Collins, Colo., campus were closed to all but those performing essential duties. Dr. Chuck Henry, a ’94 graduate of Missouri Southern who teaches chemistry as well as chemical and biological engineering at CSU, and his colleagues found that the research they were conducting in their lab was definitely considered essential. “The university shut down with the exception of essential research,” he says. “COVID was considered essential research. We wore masks and practiced social distancing. It hasn’t been business as usual, but we’ve still been effective in what we’re able to do.” Henry, along with two researchers who specialized in virology and chemical engineering, had been working on projects focused on simple virus-detection devices. “We were using the fundamentals of chemistry to detect bacteria and plant viruses,” he says. “When the COVID outbreak started, it was natural to pivot to the SARS virus. One thing that I’ve always enjoyed about chemistry is that if you understand the fundamental principles, you can apply them to different but similar situations.” Their work has yielded three disposable devices that are similar to a home pregnancy test and use a finger prick, nasal or saliva swab to get a diagnosis in as little as 10 minutes. The tests have been licensed by three separate companies and could move into production within the next sixth months to a year. The researchers were also named semi-finalists in the COVID XPrize competition – in which researchers around the globe are working to develop cheap and easy-to-use tests. “The next step is testing true clinical samples to ensure the accuracy of the test meets the needed criteria, and to line up partnerships with those who can make and distribute the tests,” he says.

Henry says his interest in chemistry developed at an early age. “My dad was a chemistry professor at College of the Ozarks,” he says. “That’s where I got my passion for chemistry as well as the ability to learn core concepts and use them to solve problems people really care about.” Henry says it was a combination of factors that led him to study chemistry at Missouri Southern. “The smaller classes sizes gave me the ability to really interact with the faculty and other students,” he says. “From a professional perspective, it positioned me to go into grad school and my current academic career. “A lot of the training I got there was practical and useful to help me on the business side. I’ve been involved in a number of start-up companies, and the training I got outside of my chemistry classes helped prepare me to lead some of these efforts.” Henry says he’s happy to be collaborating with his colleagues and student researchers on a project that is tackling such a timely concern. “One of the things my lab has always enjoyed doing is working on problems that have fundamental gaps that need to be addressed, but also have real-world impact on a shorter term,” he says. “For me personally, it’s pretty exciting to be working on something that could help protect vulnerable populations and reopen the country.”

“We’re using a different set of reagents, so we won’t get into the same supply chain issues that other tests use.”

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Inaugural Yours to Lose cohort dons white coats as they begin medical school

ne by one, each student was introduced. They stepped to the front of Connor Ballroom to formally sign their name into a register and donned a green lab coat – a garment mean to symbolize the start of a new journey. The ceremony held the morning of Aug. 19, 2017, introduced the inaugural cohort of the Yours to Lose – Advanced Medical School Acceptance Program. It marked the start of an accelerated, three-year journey toward a bachelor’s degree in biology, along with early acceptance to Kansas City University’s new Joplin campus. The two schools had officially partnered for the one-of-akind program, which was designed to pave the way for a seamless transition to medical school for a select group of students. Successful completion would mean early acceptance to KCU without requiring them to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Now, three years after that first cohort began their studies, they have completed their journey at Missouri Southern and have donned their white coats for classes at KCU. We recently spoke to several members of the first graduating cohort and their adviser about Yours to Lose, their experience in the program and what’s ahead.

DR. DONNA JOHNSON, YTL ADVISER: I wasn’t involved in the development of the program, but I thought it was a wonderful opportunity. Direct medical programs are pretty rare. Area students can come here to do their undergraduate work, then go to medical school and hopefully practice here and meet the need of the physician shortage we have. And even if the students aren’t from this area, by the time they live here for seven years perhaps they’ll want to settle down in this area. Elijah Elliot, from Oswego, Kan., visited Missouri Southern the summer before starting his senior year of high school. It was during that visit that he first heard about Yours to Lose. ELLIOT: As I learned more about it, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I was on pace to graduate in three years anyway, and not having to take the MCAT was a huge deciding factor. Butool Mustafa, from Frisco, Texas, learned about Yours to Lose while researching fast-track medical school programs online.

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MUSTAFA: It was a really crazy, long road. My parents are immigrants and I’m their oldest child, so applying for college was a whole new ballgame. While I was looking at different programs, an ad for Missouri Southern popped up. I initially applied and filled out a separate application for the program. In late January, I received a request to visit campus and interview. I went through the interview process and toured the campus … a month or two later, I received the letter saying I’d gotten in.

JOHNSON: We have what we refer to as ‘themed courses.’ Oral communication is one … the emphasis is on client communication. How do you speak to someone that doesn’t have your knowledge base? How do you deliver bad news?

Even before classes began, the YTL students found that Missouri Southern had created an environment designed for them to bond before embarking on a rigorous course of study.

ELLIOT: Those classes helped us stay focused, gave us more skills and made us more prepared. It’s definitely a huge perk for the program. In art, they stressed looking beyond the painting and to see specific details. It was a way to kind of mold your diagnostic skills. As a physician, you need to look beyond what’s in front of you to see the finer details.

JOHNSON: There was a group chat created the summer before they began. They came in knowing each other and formed strong friendships, like a group of siblings. Sarah Forman, a YTL student from Carthage, agrees. FORMAN: They became the people I was closest with throughout college. I could probably call on them for anything I needed. We would do different activities, volunteer and join clubs. Me and two others went through (the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority) together.

FORMAN: When we took the oral comm class, we had to give speeches about different diseases. We had to do a lot of research to not only understand (the topic) but to be able to present and teach other people. There was a medical Spanish class where we had to learn phrases you wouldn’t learn in a regular Spanish class.

As their three-year journey progressed, the curriculum continued to build upon what they learned, with an emphasis on anatomy and physiology. FORMAN: I think our second year was probably the most difficult. But after class, several of us would often go to a study room to go over everything together.

As classes began, the students found an intensive, science-heavy course of study. Even some of the general education courses had been adapted to suit their needs as future physicians.

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Sometimes if there’s something you couldn’t understand, other people in the class could describe it better. MUSTAFA: Looking back, the time really flew by. But I did a lot of stuff that made me feel like I had the full college experience. During the summer of my second year, I had the opportunity to study abroad … I took an anatomy class in Italy. The cohort began with 26 students; 15 of those graduated as part of the inaugural group. JOHNSON: We hope we’re selecting those really focused students who will go on to medical school, but they’re only 17 or 18 years old. When they make that decision at such a young age, some of them are sure to change their mind. However, most of those (who left the program) stayed in the medical arena. One is applying to physical

therapy school, another wants to become a physician’s assistant. They just realized maybe medical school wasn’t their calling. I really expect this group to be vibrant leaders at KCU. They all have the potential, drive and stamina that is required. Maybe they felt like they were guinea pigs, and perhaps they were, but I think once everyone can see their success – and I’m certain they’ll be successful – that will really spark the YTL program. FORMAN: I think that taking all the different classes has prepared me for the fast pace and depth of material in medical school. ELLIOT: I had to adapt my studying and time management, but it should be a smooth transition into medical school because of that.

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David Goad returns to MSSU to work on degree more than 30 years after accident

ore than 30 years after leaving Missouri Southern, David Goad is getting a do-over on his college career.

Goad remembers driving home from Kansas along West Seventh Street during a severe storm back in 1984, but what happened next is a blank. From those who witnessed the accident, he later learned that his ’69 Impala went off the road and into a ravine near the state line. “I was in a coma for five days, and in ICU for two weeks,” he says. “When I was out of the coma I would talk to people, but people who knew me knew something wasn’t right.” It wasn’t until he was moved to the Brady Building (of the former St. John’s Regional Medical Center) that he awoke one morning and everything seemed to click into place. “I looked up and saw a TV on the wall in a corner, and looked over and saw a wheelchair,” Goad says. “I asked the nurse if my parents knew where I was and to tell them I was awake.” The severe head injury he sustained in the accident, along with neurological issues that required rehabilitation to learn to walk again, brought an end to his time as a Missouri Southern student.

CFI, a screen-printing company and Schwan’s. When most of the sales staff at his most recent job was let go due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he began considering the idea of returning to Missouri Southern. His wife, Stephanie, ‘97/’04, serves as an international admissions counselor in the MSSU Admissions office. “I was never a great student back in the day, so I’m learning to have better study habits than I did before,” he says. Though he’s having to retake some of the classes he first took in the 1980s, the 57-year-old has something going for him this time out as he returns to study computer information science – focus. “One of the big reasons for not continuing college back then was not being able to keep my mind focused on it,” he says. “I thought maybe this was the best time for me to go back to school and get more computer knowledge.”

“I tried to come back after the accident and get things on track, but my body wasn’t functioning right,” he says. “There were times I’d try to stand up and practically fall down.” Goad worked a variety of jobs in the ensuing years, including for Sutherlands, a buyer for a company that manufactured garage door openers and for

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Juniors Christine Ibeagi, Haylee Plyburn create club to discuss mental health issues

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he idea came to Christine Ibeagi this past spring, a time many people were spending in isolation. “It was the feeling of being shut in and not knowing what the next steps were … I felt some mental fogginess and I knew other people felt that way too,” says Ibeagi, a junior health promotion and wellness major. “I wanted to create something positive; a safe place for students to talk about depression, anxiety and stress.” At the same time, another student on campus had similar thoughts. “I’ve struggled with my own mental health throughout the years,” says Haylee Plyburn, a junior psychology major. “I’ve met a lot of students who have had a hard time coping and thought it was important to recognize that and build a community on that basis.” Both students reached out to Dr. Debbie Fort, director of Missouri Southern’s Project Stay program, to share their ideas for a club that could help raise awareness about emotional well-being.

“This is something that is really needed on campus,” Ibeagi says. “It’s imperative to have something that recognizes and talks about mental health. It’s a vulnerable topic. During our first meeting, we played a game that addressed some of the misconceptions about mental health. Depression isn’t the same with everybody. “We’ve had people contact us through Instagram, because some people are scared to talk about it. We want to get people comfortable with it. We want to grow the club in numbers, get consistent funding and incorporate events on and off campus.” Fort says that Ibeagi and Pyburn are clearly passionate about the club and have shown a lot of initiative in getting it off the ground. “For them to be so proactive and move so quickly on this, I haven’t seen that before,” she says. “They put the gears in motion and it’s been really amazing.” RAW meets biweekly on Thursday evenings in Billingsly Student Center. Follow the club on Instagram at @RAWellbeing_.

After Fort put them in contact with one another, the students launched a new club – Real About Well-being (RAW) – designed to serve as a healthy outlet for students struggling with mental health. “I was surprised to learn (another student had a similar idea),” says Plyburn. “I was nervous about it until I met Christine and we got along so great. We had similar ideas for events and activities. It’s almost like it was meant to be.” RAW is designed to create a positive conversation about mental health issues and dispense with any stigma surrounding the topic.

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Melodee Colbert-Kean, ’99, uses Facebook program to start a dialogue

n the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Melodee ColbertKean had thoughts she wanted to express.

Joined by her cousin, Doniqua, they used a phone and Facebook Live to have a discussion about race, justice and other issues that became part of the national conversation over the summer of 2020. Fast forward a few months, and there’s a three-camera setup and lighting rig for the latest edition of “The Colbert Connection.” Broadcast live every Tuesday evening from the dining room of her Joplin restaurant – ME’s Place – it’s obvious that the production has grown significantly. “Basically, we want to educate, we want to entertain and we want to have a conversation,” she says of the weekly program shared via Facebook. “We like to listen to other people’s opinions and we don’t judge people for their viewpoint. This is your chance to talk and we’ll listen. “Now, we’ve got some stuff to say too, and it is what it is.” Colbert-Kean, a ’99 graduate of Missouri Southern who served 14 years on the Joplin City Council – including a term as the city’s first African American mayor – isn’t one to shy away from a difficult discussion. It’s healthy, she says, especially if it’s working toward something positive.

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“We do talk about politics … Trump, Biden … and we respect your opinion,” she says. “There’s so much negativity going on right now. We want to look toward solutions.”

Recent guests have included Dr. Melinda Moss, superintendent of Joplin Schools; Joplin Police Chief Sloan Rowland; and Dr. Dean Van Galen, Missouri Soutern’s new president.

On this evening, their discussion topics range from the countdown to the presidential election, schools returning to face-to-face instruction and hair – specifically, the difference between professional hair and “pandemic” hair. They’re joined midway through by Erik Theis, Jasper County Circuit Court Administrator, who is on hand to talk about the juvenile justice court and drug court programs.

In addition to Colbert-Kean, there are other Missouri Southern connections behind the scenes on “The Colbert Connection.”

“We don’t have a set agenda (for picking guests),” Colbert-Kean says. “We just want it to be someone we think will be interesting for the public to hear from … people who need to have their voices out in the community.”

Former students Josh Shackles and Jessica Johnson handle the technical production details. Victor Sly, a member of the University Police Department and president of the Joplin chapter of the NAACP, serves as casting director by helping book guests to appear on the weekly program. “We hope to grow this show and have a studio, sponsors, all of that,” Colbert-Kean says of what the future holds for “The Colbert Connection.”

WE ARE AT THE TOP OF OUR CLASS! The Joplin Globe has won numerous awards, including eight first-place awards, in the 2020 Missouri Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.

FIRST-PLACE AWARDS:

SECOND-PLACE AWARDS:

EMILY YOUNKER, community service - tobacco funds spending KIMBERLY BARKER, best story about rural life or agriculture - annual farm show story ANDY OSTMEYER, best story about the outdoors - Trout fishing JIM HENRY, best sports news story and sports columnist - Liberal student returning to softball NATHAN MILLS, best information graphic Back to School info graphic JOPLIN GLOBE STAFF, best editorial pages J-MAG STAFF, best magazine or alternative publication SARAH COYNE AND AMANDA STONE, AllArea Academic Excellence Team program

KEVIN MCCLINTOCK, best feature story Granby wheelbarrow and Eagle Picher, best business story ROGER NOMER, best news photograph - Wheaton tornado aftermath, and best feature photograph

PLUS 16 THIRD-PLACE AND HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS.

KIMBERLY BARKER, best breaking news story Carl Junction tornado SARAH COYNE, best columnist - humorous Parenting column ROGER NOMER, best feature photograph April 2019 Horse Sale NATHAN MILLS, best information graphic 2019 NBA finals, and best page design SARAH COYNE AND AMANDA STONE, best newspaper in education - annual stock market game JOPLIN GLOBE STAFF, best front page JOPLIN GLOBE STAFF, best online newspaper or website

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

University welcomes Dr. Dean Van Galen as sixth president

n July 1, Missouri Southern welcomed Dr. Dean Van Galen as its sixth president, during a time of unique challenge in the university’s history. When it comes to taking the reigns as a university president in the midst of a global pandemic, there is no roadmap, he says. What attracted Van Galen to Missouri Southern goes well beyond today’s challenges, but is grounded in the university’s mission and commitment to students. “Missouri Southern has some truly outstanding attributes, including the strong commitment to student success by its faculty and staff, and the international theme within its mission,” he says. “I’m excited to lead an institution that is unique and very much aligned with my educational priorities and values.” Spend some time speaking with Van Galen and you’ll find that the student experience is a frequent theme as he talks about his new role and the importance of higher education.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE His passion and focus on education is something that comes naturally, as he has experienced it firsthand from both sides of the equation. As a first generation college student attending the University of WisconsinWhitewater in 1980, Van Galen says it was a professor who helped shape the path his life has taken. “Dr. Ed Drexler was an outstanding faculty member who taught my analytical chemistry class,” he says. “He enjoyed interacting with his students and, while I didn’t realize it at the time, he became a role model for me and shaped my academic trajectory and my career. “He really inspired me to not only pursue chemistry as a major but to teach it at the college level. I understand the difference he made in my life, and I was able to return about 15 years ago and thank him. I know that these type of transformational experiences also happen every day at MSSU.”

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Van Galen went on to earn his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and began his career in higher education as a chemistry professor at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. From the classroom, he transitioned into positions of leadership within that university and later at the University of West Florida. From 2009 to earlier this year, he served as chancellor at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He brings to Missouri Southern both academic experience and strengths in external relations and fundraising. A passion for education is one of the ties that bind the Van Galen family. In fact, he and Mary – his wife of 36 years – actually met in the classroom. “We were in a computer science course together in 1982. The story goes that I noticed Mary because she received a higher grade than I did on our first test—which is true,” he says with a laugh. “But that’s not the full story.”

Mary holds master’s degrees in nursing and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and has taught adult English-language learners from 19 different countries in rural Wisconsin. They have an adult daughter, who is a public school teacher.

WELCOME TO MISSOURI SOUTHERN Shortly after their arrival on campus, the Van Galens received a personalized introduction to the campus and community. Students from around the area offered the couple tours of their home towns. “It was wonderful to get to know a few Missouri Southern students at a personal level, and to have them provide tours of their home towns. This gave us a unique perspective on the communities in our region,” he says. “So far, we’ve taken tours of Joplin, Carthage, Carl Junction and Baxter Springs (Kan.). It’s an awesome way to get to know the area.”

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“My favorite memory so far was when (senior elementary education major) Emilee Baker took me to Randy’s DriveIn in Carl Junction. Randy opened up the restaurant early that day and we enjoyed a delicious Bulldog Shake.”

“Mary and I both enjoy travelling and experiencing different people and cultures. That’s one of the reasons we were initially attracted to Missouri Southern … the international aspect of the university’s mission.”

He has also taken the opportunity to meet with regional community and business leaders, legislators and faculty and staff members around campus.

As he continues his first year as president, Van Galen says it is his intention to keep listening and learning more about the campus and community, to build stronger connections with Joplin and the region, and to further the university’s commitment to student success.

On their own time, the Van Galens are getting to know the area on their own, and he cites Joplin’s Frisco Trail as a favorite spot to do some running. “I’ve been a runner for almost 40 years,” he says. “These days, I’ll run 5 and 10ks, and I enjoy it as a way to relieve stress.”

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“It’s clear to me that Missouri Southern is a place that is committed to the success of its students and I want to build on that theme,” he says. “I want every one of our students to have an engaging, positive experience on campus, and be well-prepared for future chapters of their lives.”

SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECT AIMS TO RESTORE TRAIL NEAR BIOLOGY POND A unique ecosystem on the Missouri Southern campus is getting some much needed TLC thanks to a student-led project. Restoring a 300-meter walking trail near the Biology Pond is the focus of Jeremiah Cline’s service-learning project through the Biology Department. “The trail is pretty run down,” says Cline. “I found it my freshman year when I was walking around campus with my roommate at the time. It was overgrown, but not as much as (it is now).” The trail dates back to at least the 1970s. The pond was formerly an Olympicsized swimming pool at the former Mission Hills Estate before it was torn out in 1972. The trail winds through the natural habitat, which includes a springfed swamp. Over time, it has become congested with invasive species, washed out in places and blocked by downed trees. When Cline suggested the project, his advisor, Dr. David Penning, wasn’t entirely sure how viable an undertaking it would actually be. “Everyone wants to do something like this until they make first contact with the enemy and realize the gauntlet they’ve signed up for,” Penning says. “But it’s morphed into something way larger than either of us thought it was going to be.” There was an online fundraiser through GoFundMe, the Biology Club chipped in toward the effort, and several of Clines’ classmates have volunteered their time to help clear the trail. “My goal right now is removing at least three of the invasive species – winter creeper, Russian olive and Japanese honeysuckle,” says Cline. “I want to help the native plants grow, take back the trail and establish a good tread. I’d like to also put out picnic tables where students can study.” 28

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STUDENTS TAKE A STAB AT LEARNING SWORD-FIGHTING BASICS Students with an interest in learning the history and basic techniques of sword fighting formed the new Historical Sword Fighting Club this semester. “We have a stage combat class next semester, but there are no HEMA organizations in town,” says Erick Wolfe, chair of the Theatre Department

CLUB PAIRS WITH INTERNATIONAL & POLITICAL AFFAIRS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION EVENTS While there is no shortage of studies and think-pieces explaining why young adults don’t vote in high percentages, don’t tell Nicki Whitehead it’s because they don’t care. “We do care,” says the Missouri Southern junior political science major. “But there are barriers that can get in the way of voting.” The Political Science Association, the student organization for which Whitehead serves as president, paired with the International & Political Affairs program to host three voter registration events on campus this fall. “For college students who are going to school but live out of town, they don’t always have time to drive home to go to their polling place,” says Whitehead. “A lot of states have very confusing Secretary of State websites (that provide voting information).” The club offered paper registration forms, tablets for registering online and information on how students could locate their polling place. Dr. Nicole Shoaf, assistant professor of political science and adviser to the PSA club, says she saw an increased interest and enthusiasm about the upcoming election among her students.

The Historical European Martial Arts Alliance focues on the study and practice of historical fighting techniques, though Wolfe isn’t partial to the “European” label, which sounds exclusionary. Sword fighting is an art form that had no gender or ethnic barriers as it developed, he said. “I thought a HEMA club would be an activity where students can have a socially distanced activity,” he says. “You’ve got a big, six-foot weapon in your hand, so no one’s getting closer to you than six feet; and, it’s something different.” The first meeting found 10 students on hand for an overview that touched on some of the “great stories and stupid incidents” throughout the history of sword fighting. They then were able to get their hands on Wolfe’s collection of stage swords and historically accurate practice weapons to begin learning some basic techniques. Those interested in participating are free to come and go as they please throughout the two-hour meetings. If weather permits, the club will get outdoors for practice sessions. And Wolfe is quick to remind participants that safety is paramount. “You will never go fast, and you will never hit each other,” he says. “Just show up and have a good time.”

“That’s in part due to the president tweeting his messaging directly to the country, and the sheer fact that because of the pandemic people are paying more attention to state and local government than they have in past years,” she says. 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

PAPER CO-AUTHORED BY DR. HASSAN BUTT EXAMINES COVID EFFECTS ON EQUITY MARKETS As a newly-minted Ph.D. stuck at home during the pandemic, Dr. Hassan Butt found that it was the perfect opportunity for research relevant to his field. An assistant professor of financial economics who joined the Missouri Southern faculty this fall, he was among the four co-authors of “Deaths, Panic, Lockdowns and U.S. Equity Markets: The Case of COVID-19 Pandemic.” The short paper was recently published by the “Financial Research Letters” journal and subsequently linked to by the World Health Organization.

“You’ve seen how COVID has impacted every aspect of our lives,” he said. “We looked at how the COVID effects translated to the stock market. When you get into stock market research, it can become really complex. We tried to keep it simple.”

Using mobility trends collected from Apple, global news sentiment data from RavenPack (an analytics platform for financial professionals), and COVID information collected by Johns Hopkins, they were able to study the impacts of the coronavirus on stock prices. The data collected for the paper demonstrated the significant increase those factors had in terms of market illiquidity and volatility. Butt’s role in putting the paper together ranged from conceptualization and formal analysis to the writing, review and editing process. It was compiled in a matter of days, though the review process for the journal took significantly longer. “What happened was the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health started collecting some of the papers that were published and adding them to their libraries,” he said. “That’s how my paper got linked. “Being a very young Ph.D. at the early stage of my career, having that paper published and recognized by the WHO was a very big deal. And I’m glad that since I just joined the faculty here, credit went to Missouri Southern State University.” 30

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MSM PROGRAM GOES FULLY ONLINE Launched in the fall of 2016, the Master’s in Management program has received a few upgrades this semester. “We wanted to be able to reach a broader market,” said Dr. Jeff Zimmerman, dean of the Plaster College of Business. “Classes are 100 percent online in 8-week sessions. It’s designed so you can finish within a year.” Open to those who have a bachelor’s degree from any background, the master’s program allows students to select a focus of study – either general management or human resources. Going fully online gives students a convenient way to prepare for management roles in their chosen fields. In addition to the online focus, Zimmerman said the program’s curriculum has also undergone changes. “We listened to the feedback we received during the first few years of the program,” he said.

CERTIFICATE DESIGNED TO HELP BUSINESS OWNERS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET The Center for Entrepreneurship at Missouri Southern offered an Entrepreneurial Planning and Management Certificate entirely online for the Fall 2020 semester. The certificate is designed to prepare individuals to create a business plan for the purpose of starting and managing a new business, said Ken Surbrugg, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. The online program has been made available through an a new initiative administered by the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development.

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“The state of Missouri has a program called Return Strong,” he said. “It’s designed to help individuals who have been displaced or are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This covers not just the legal components of establishing a business entity, but investigating the idea or opportunity.” The 9 credit-hour program was designed to be completed in just one semester. Students meeting qualifications were able to receive a Return Strong training voucher that provided up to $4,000 toward the certificate. 31

NEW ARCHERY & AIR RIFLE COURSE TEACHES STUDENTS THE BASICS OF THE SPORTS “You’re going to take your first shot today,” Sarah Trout tells the nine students gathered at the back of the gymnasium. Before them are two racks of air rifles, and a shooting range and backdrop that were assembled at the beginning of class. Trout issues two short whistle blasts signaling them to collect their rifles and enter the range, then works her way down the line one at a time to check each student’s position and that they are loading correctly. After shooting a single pellet at the reactive target – which displays a bright orange mark where hit – she issues them five more to help sight their rifle correctly. The recent class session marked the first day Trout’s students in Archery & Air Rifles used the air rifles, after spending the first several weeks working with bows. “They learn basic archery skills for a regular compound bow, and then progress to using compound bows that have releases and sights,” says Trout. “They learn the terminology, the parts of the bow and maintenance. “When it comes to air rifles, again, they learn the nomenclature, range setup and steps for shooting success. The class is for basic knowledge of both activities.” This is the first semester Trout has taught the class at Missouri Southern. She taught K-12 for a number of years and launched a youth archery program in Lamar. For the last several years, she has helped organize the annual Academy Sports and Outdoors Shootout, which is held in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, a competition which draws hundreds of students from fourth through 12th grades. “Archery is a huge competitive activity in the Four States,” says Trout. “For it to just end when kids go to college is kind of sad. Right now, this is set up to be

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just an introductory class, but if it builds to be something bigger, I am certified to be a competitive archery coach.”

TEACHER EDUCATION EXPANDS DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

Autumn Hulderman, a senior psychology major, says she grew up hunting and fishing as well as shooting with a bow and was excited to learn a class would be offered at MSSU.

The Teacher Education Department is expanding opportunities for high-school students to get a jump start on their college studies.

“It’s really great for people who haven’t had this kind of experience,” she says. “It’s such a great activity, whether you’re alone or with friends and family.” Though it wasn’t her first experience using a bow, the introductory class is allowing her to hone particular skills. “I never had the opportunity to shoot indoors … it was always outdoor shooting,” Hulderman says. “I’ve been able to focus on correct form, positioning and technique, and we’re really emphasizing safety.”

LOCHER RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING ADVISER Dr. Melissa Locher, associate professor of teacher education, was recently recognized as 2020’s Outstanding Adviser. Students are invited to nominate faculty members for the annual award in recognition of exceptional academic advising. Locher, who has been with Missouri Southern for 25 years – including service in the Learning Center and five years as an adjunct instructor – said she was humbled that her students took the time to make the nomination.

High-school students from Webb City, McDonald County, Southwest Washburn and Lamar have joined Carthage and Carl Junction in offering Education 100 as a dual-credit course. They can take the introduction to teacher education course while in high school and earn three hours of college credit. “The course covers a lot of different things, but it’s basically an introduction to the profession,” said Dr. Susan Craig, department chair. “They have experience as students, but this gives them real world experience on what it looks like from a teacher’s perspective.” There are currently 25 area high-school students taking part in the program, she said. “There’s a built-in practicum where students will spend time in classrooms in their district outside of their own to see what that looks like so they can make informed decisions about their career choice,” Craig said. “Our hope is they’ll be interested in coming to Missouri Southern after they graduate.”

“I value and cherish the time I have with my students,” she said. “Advising season is one of my favorite times of the year because I get to sit down and visit with each of them. To know that time was useful and valuable to them is fantastic.”

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NURSING DEPARTMENT TRAINING STUDENTS TO BE ‘BACKBONE OF PATIENT CARE’ The Nursing Department received an injection of new blood for the start of the Fall 2020 semester. A total of nine new faculty members have been added to the program, says Dr. Lisa Beals, interim department chair. New to the program are Dr. Jo Ellen Branstetter-Hall, assistant professor of nursing; Wendy Chrisenbery, clinical instructor; Kathleen Cowley, clinical instructor; Memory Curry, assistant professor; Cheryl Ekenes, clinical instructor; Chris Floyd, clinical instructor; Kimberly Herchenroeder, clinical instructor; Sunny Lawrence, professor of nursing; and Heather Winesburg, nursing advisor. “We’re also getting ready to start a major curriculum revision,” says Beals. “The program hasn’t had a revision for several years. We’re working with a curriculum expert out of Oregon who is going to help us totally revamp the curriculum for our students. It will be a major overhaul that includes our mission, framework, courses and how we deliver them.” Skilled nurses are in high demand all over the country, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Probably now more than ever, the public is acutely aware of how important we are to health care,” Beals says. “”I would say nurses are probably the backbone of patient care, certainly in hospital settings but also in community settings.” There are currently more than 110 students in Missouri Southern’s nursing program. Mercy and Freeman hospitals in Joplin, as well as several other local and regional facilities, are still able to provide students with clinical experience they need.

“The great thing about Southern is we also have a wonderful simulation center which serves as an augment to the clinical experience,” Beals says. “Now more than ever, technology is being used to provide education through virtual simulations. It’s a great addition to our program.”

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RADIOLOGY STUDENTS ALLOWED TO FINISH CLINICALS DURING PANDEMIC With every major, there are certain criteria that must be met in order to be eligible to graduate. For the 10 seniors in Missouri Southern’s radiologic technology program last spring, that included completing their clinical rotations and competencies through area hospitals – a task thrown into doubt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic’s spread in the U.S. worsened in March, healthcare locations around the country had to re-evaluate student access for precautionary reasons.

DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENTS BRUSH UP FOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER For the second year in a row, the Dental Hygiene program has made “Change-ing Smiles” a top priority. Change jars were distributed around campus in an effort to raise funds to benefit not only the program, but to meet the dental needs of residents throughout the community, says senior Emily Gilpin, president of the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association at Missouri Southern. “October is actually National Dental Hygiene Month,” says Gilpin. “Last year was the first year (for the campaign), so we’re bringing it back again. The funds go to a variety of local causes and wherever our community needs come about.”

Any worries were quickly alleviated with a call from the director of radiology services at Freeman Health System. The hospital allowed all of the Missouri Southern seniors to complete their clinical competencies, regardless of where they had been doing their rotations. Through Freeman’s assistance, all of the seniors were able to complete their competencies by the end of March and remain on track for graduation. “It was a big relief to not have that uncertainty,” said Stephanie Coyle, who graduated from the program in May. “It meant a lot. It definitely shows the heart of Freeman, their commitment to the community and our students.”

Last year, the “Change-ing Smiles” fundraiser brought in more than $750. The student group hopes to surpass that total by raising more than $1,000 this year. Gilpin says some might not be aware, but the campus dental hygiene clinic sees a variety of patients – including students, family members and community residents. “It really helps us to grow as clinicians and to be able to feel confident in the skills we’ve learned, whether it’s providing cleanings, taking X-rays or impressions,” she says. “I think we have a really wonderful program.”

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LAFERLAS HONORED WITH NEW ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER IN NEZ A special ribbon-cutting ceremony held Oct. 16 marked the dedication of the new LaFerla Academic Advising Center in the North End Zone Facility. Don and Gloria LaFerla have provided generous support to Missouri Southern for more than 30 years, including multiple endowed scholarships, support for lecture rooms and labs, and membership in the Lionbacker program. Don is a retired executive with Leggett & Platt, while Gloria is retired from IBM. They have two sons, Mike and Jeff, who are both graduates of Missouri Southern. Don is a previous member of the Missouri Southern Foundation board. In 2019, the family was honored with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award during the annual Lantern Society Dinner.

The room in the North End Zone building offers a space for student-athletes to work on their studies and receive support from academic advisers Jessica Heuertz and Rachel Jennings. “This is an extraordinarily generous and impactful gift,” said university president Dr. Dean Van Galen during the ceremony. “It demonstrates a true commitment to the core of why the university exists, and it sends a wonderful message that we are committed to helping our studentathletes succeed in all aspects of their lives – whether on the field or in the classroom. “Our campus would not be the same without Don and Gloria and their wonderful family. I know I speak for countless students, faculty, staff and the Board of Governors when I say thank you.”

“Over a year ago, Gloria and I were talking about ways we might be able to increase our financial support of Missouri Southern,” Don said. “We called Dr. Brad Hodson (executive vice president) and he brought over eight to 10 brochures for us to look at, and one of them was for an athletic academic support center. “We had the opportunity later that fall to visit with (head football coach) Jeff Sims. We asked him, ‘If you had one wish, what would it be?’ He didn’t hesitate. He said, ‘We need academic help for our students.’ That pretty much convinced us this was the program we wanted to support.”

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JAMIE VOEGELI, ’11, WINS STATE AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS It was his first time ever competing at the Oklahoma Amateur Golf Championships, but former Lion Jamie Voegeli made it look like he was a seasoned veteran as he won the event on July 21-23 at the Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, Okla. Voegeli played for the Lions from 200711, including as a member of a team that competed in an NCAA Regional in 2008 and 2009. His low round occurred in his junior season when he shot an openinground seven-under par, 65 at the North Alabama Fall Classic. Voegeli had stopped playing golf competitively, but recently started up again after he and a friend of his, Tyler Hunt, teamed up to win the Tulsa Golf Association Four-Ball Championship in 2017. Both had entered the State Amateur Championship and ironically when the draw came out, the two could have faced each other in the finals, but it was just Jamie who made it there. Hunt, however, caddied for Voegeli in the final round providing support and advice to his friend. “After hitting a good drive on 15, we both were debating on what club to use on my second shot,” Voegeli said. “He thought I may be a little hesitant to hit the three wood and suggested we go for the five iron and be safe. I told him that I really wanted to hit a three wood. I’ve had it since I was in seventh grade and it was my dad’s and other than my putter, it’s my favorite club in the bag. “He said, ‘All right, commit to the hit, hit it to the left side of the green and if it fades it’ll be a perfect shot.’ I hit it 260 (yards) in the air and had a 25-foot put for eagle. After that, I had a pretty good feeling I was going to close it out.”

’72 FOOTBALL TEAM INDUCTED INTO MISSOURI SPORTS HALL OF FAME The 1972 Missouri Southern NAIA Football National Championship team was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Football Sports Enthusiasts Luncheon last month in Springfield. “This honor is well-deserved and representative of the fine studentathletes and coaches that I had the privilege of working with,” said former head coach and athletic director Jim Frazier. “I am very proud of this special group of young men.” The 1972 team won the NAIA Division II Championship by defeating Northwestern College of Iowa, 2114 in Joplin. Under the direction of Frazier, the team finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record. Led by quarterback Ray Harding, tackles Terron Jackson and Charles Hendricks, linebacker Barry Korner and defensive back Jack Duda, the Lions blitzed through the regular season en route to the championship.

And close it out, he did. He made a birdie on 14 and another on 15 to put him three up with three holes to play. Voegeli sealed the match with a 10foot birdie put on the 17th hole to take the final match 3 and 1. Overall, Voegeli won six matches over the three-day span. He played 104 holes with 26 birdies and four eagles, including a hole-in-one on a 194-yard shot with a six-iron.

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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 Dr. Mark Patterson, ‘77, is a general pediatrician in Roanoke, Va. Stephen Smith, ‘77, is a reporter for NewsTalk KZRG radio in Joplin. This spring, he was awarded the “Best in the State” award from the Missouri Broadcasting Association for the news series “No Place Like Home - A Look at Homelessness in Southwest Missouri.” Kay (Albright) Burtzloff, ‘79, was sworn in as a member of the Seward County Community College Board of Trustees on January 20 after being elected in November 2019. Alan Marble, ‘79, was named Crowder College’s Alum of the Year for 2020. Rob Morris, ‘79, is a territory sales manager for The Carlstar Group, Carlisle Brand Tires in Olathe, Kan.

1980s Lindy Snider, ‘80, completed his 30th season of officiating Missouri high school basketball this spring. He is based out of Springfield, Mo., and officiates in the Southwest Missouri area. Glen Baker, ‘84, is director of sales at Apseq Heating Group in St. Louis, Mo. Cheryl (Walker) Boyd, ‘84, is a special education teacher at Jane Long Intermediate School in Bryan, Texas. Mona Jarvis, ‘84, is a DBAdmin, team administrator and lab administrator for EDS in Plano, Texas.

Kevin Sanderlin, ‘84, is the business development manager for SGS Testing Labs, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Laura (Logan) Walker, ‘88, is a chemotherapy nurse for the Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute in Joplin.

1990s Kora Anderson, ‘90, ‘09, is the health services coordinator for Nevada R-5 School District in Nevada, Mo. Trent Walker, ‘91, is the director of risk management for Employer Advantage in Joplin. Melissa (Harter) Smith, ‘92, is a registered dental hygienist at Republic Dental Care in Republic, Mo. Michael D. Petersen, ‘94, was promoted to global sales training and development manager at BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital. Allison (Candela) Pittman, ‘94, was named the Joplin Schools Teacher of the Year. She is a math teacher at South Middle School. Paul Baker, ‘96, is a field trainer at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Cherie Riley, ‘99, has earned an additional degree in music therapy. She is a music therapist at Renewed Mental Health in Joplin.

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2000s Amber (Harwell) Duncan, ‘00, is the business manager for RE Smith Construction. Jarod Roll, ‘00, is a professor of history at the University of Mississippi. He is the author of three books, most recently “Poor Man’s Fortune: White Working-Class Conservatism in American Metal Mining, 1850-1950,” a labor history of miners in Joplin, Webb City and the wider Tri-State district.

Katherine Hargrove, ‘07, was named a 2020 Golden Apple Award recipient by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a fifth-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary.

2010s Renae Brownfield, ‘10, is a science teacher at Carthage Junior High School in Carthage, Mo.

Kristal Swopes, ‘00, is a marketing teacher at El Dorado Springs High School in El Dorado Springs, Mo.

Briana (Roark) Michaud, ‘10, is a teacher at Truman Middle School is St. Joseph, Mo.

Amie Cooper, ‘01, is a staff clinical psychologist for OCH Jasper County Clinic in Carthage, Mo.

Erin Snodgrass, ‘10, was named a 2020 Golden Apple Award recipient by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. She is first-grade teacher at Cecil Floyd Elementary.

Will Carr, ‘04, is a Missouri Department of Conservation agent in Jasper County. He was named the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Southwest Regional Outstanding Agent of the Year for 2020, the MDC’s Missouri Outstanding Agent of the Year and also received the Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year. Tashena Vickers, ‘04, was named a 2020 Golden Apple Award recipient by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. She teaches at South Middle School. Jill (Elbert) Onstott, ‘05, was named Barton County’s Woman of the Year by the Barton County Chamber of Commerce.

Randon Coffey, ‘12, ‘18, is the director of marketing at Cottey College in Nevada, Mo. Brandon Weaver, ‘12, published a book entitled “Tales of the Autistic Developer-Senior Developer.” Weaver was also recently promoted to L7 IC (individual contributor) staff engineer at Square in San Francisco, Calif. Nathan Eddy, ‘13, is an insurance agent with American Family Insurance in Joplin. Chase Cox, ‘14, works in project management/ux design for a startup company called Midwest Logic in Kansas City, Kan.

Diane Southard, ‘05, is a K-12 district instructional technology coach for Carl Junction Schools in Carl Junction, Mo.

Anthony Le, ‘14, is a chiropractor and owner of Buena Vida Chiropractic in Springdale, Ark.

Philip Michaud, ‘06, is a trust advisor at US Bank in St. Joseph, Mo.

Madison (Pollock) Hardy, ‘14, was promoted to student success specialist at Ozark Technical Community College’s Republic Education Center in Republic, Mo.

Dana-Mae Abram, ‘07, is the principal of Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary in the Kansas City School District in Kansas City, Mo. Stacy Hall, ‘07, along with her husband, Colt, are the inventors and owners of Potty Safe. In May, they showcased their product on the TV show “Shark Tank.”

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Ashley (Larson) Jorgensen, ‘14, received her Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. She is now starting a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Shelby (Deckard) Le, ‘14, is a nurse at the NWA Surgery Center in Fayetteville, Ark.

Christian Wall, ‘18, is pursuing his juris doctorate at the Charleston School of Law in Charleston, S.C.

Crystal (Wagner) Merritt, ‘14, is a court liaison for the Jasper County Juvenile Office.

Lauren Brown, ‘19, is a community arts assistant for Connect2Culture in Joplin.

Donna Nesbit, ‘15, is a community support specialist at Preferred Family Healthcare in Joplin. She is also finishing up a dual master’s in clinical mental health/school counseling.

Riley Burbridge, ‘19, is a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Branson, Mo.

Sadie Flood, ‘16, is a psychometrist at UCLA Operation Mend in Los Angeles, Calif. Zachary Harmon, ‘16, is a human resources business associate at General Mills in Joplin. Austin Huggins, ‘16, is a FSQA supervisor with Tyson Fresh Meats in Waterloo, Iowa. Bethany Walles, ‘16, is a teacher at Kelsey Norman Elementary in Joplin. Brooke Praytor, ‘17, is the assistant director of Joplin First United Methodist Preschool. Dana Stiles, ‘17, earned her master’s degree in psychology and is currently pursuing her doctorate in experimental psychology from Saint Louis University.

Aubrey Endicott, ‘19, is a registered nurse at Freeman Health System in Joplin. Erin Felker, ‘19, is a respiratory therapist at University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kan. Adam Grimes, ‘19, is the owner of Airwear Graphics LLC in Carl Junction, Mo. Austin Gripka, ‘19, is a fifth-grade teacher for the Neosho School District in Neosho, Mo. Freddie Landers, ‘19, signed a deal to play baseball for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. Mendy Roth, ’19, is a teacher at Anderson Elementary in Anderson, Mo. Brian Way, ‘19, is deputy chief of police for the Liberal Police Department in Liberal, Kan.

Kelsey (Sexson) Harmon, ‘18, is a special education teacher at South Elementary in Neosho, Mo.

Laurren Yust, ‘19, is a youth services worker for the State of Missouri in Mount Vernon, Mo.

Brandi (Isbell) King, ‘18, is a teacher at the Carl Junction Junior High School in Carl Junction, Mo.

Brandi (Larson) Beck, ‘20, is the quality manager at EaglePicher Technologies in Seneca, Mo.

Morgan McBride, ‘18, is a first-year medical student at KCUMB.

Elyjah Clark, ‘20, has signed to play professional basketball in Europe. Clark will play for the Ankar Anadolu Basketball Club in the Turkish Basketball Second League.

Joel Rios, ‘18, is a correctional officer at Plainfield Correctional Facility in Plainfield, Ind. Dusti (Nabors) Tilton, ‘18, is a communications assistant for TAMKO in Joplin.

Kylie (Buttram) Whitehead, ‘20, is an English teacher at Seneca High School in Seneca, Mo.

Joseph VanHorn, ‘18, is a senior technical specialist for Edward Jones in Webb City, Mo.

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Terrance, ‘10, and Amber Scott, ‘12, welcomed Zion Elijah on Dec. 17, 2019.

Eric and Hannah Hubbard, ‘18, welcomed Malakai William on May 5, 2020.

Samuel Hydar, ‘13, and Ashley Trotnic, ‘12, welcomed Evelyn Ann Charlotte on July 20, 2020.

Scott, ‘11, and Amanda Clipp, ‘09, welcomed Reese Lillian on Feb. 6, 2020.

Nicole Corcoran, ‘11, welcomed Dover Patrick Anthony on June 9, 2020.

Lacey Messick, ‘03, welcomed Colt Levi on August 13, 2020.

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

Elbert, ‘15, and Shonte (Clay) Fulgham, ‘14, welcomed Elias Lee on April 13, 2020.

JD, ‘08, and Erin Hergenrother welcomed Duffy Carroll on July 6, 2020.

Blake and Sarah (Joles) Slagle, ‘09, welcomed Knoelle Elizabeth on Aug. 23, 2020.

Ryan and Kelli (Price) Mahler, ‘08, welcomed Kya June on May 2, 2020.

Brandon and Abbey (McCoy) Jones, ‘16, welcomed Bennett Rae on July 10, 2020.

Blake and Megan (Walker) Morrison, ‘09, welcomed Finley Jae on Sept. 26, 2020.

Dates as of September 30, 2020

ALUMNI Cleo Allen, ’46 | June 26, 2020

James Dayringer, ’58 | Aug. 6, 2020

Evelyn Liggett, ’02 | July 3, 2020

Brenda (Hedges) Allison, ’85 | Aug. 24, 2020

Judy (Holden) Dixon, ’62 | Sept. 8, 2020

Zoltan Mikoliza, ’48 | Sept. 18, 2020

Bill Duke, ’61 | July 15, 2020

Oscar Morris, ’75 | Aug. 9, 2020

Anna (Cummins) Dye, ’58 | May 31, 2020

Gary Newberry, ’79 | March 23, 2020

Gary Armstrong, ’71 | July 20, 2020 Lydia (Buford) Beaver, ’18, ‘20 | June 30, 2020 Meg Berrian, ’78 | May 31, 2020 Ronald Besendorfer, ’90 | March 25, 2020

James Fay, ’84 | July 16, 2020

Mel Newdigger, ’79 | Sept. 18, 2020

Vicki Franklin, ’78 | May 11, 2020

Cary Norman, ’70 | May 10, 2020

George Garlock, ’89 | Aug. 13, 2020

Alumni Board, former member

Judy Birk-Tutin, ’75 | Aug. 19, 2020

Keith Glades, ’81 | April 20, 2020

Diane Ohmart, ’90 | Sept. 1, 2020

Margie (Butler) Branch, ’64, ‘69 | June 18, 2020

Jim Harlan, ’92 | July 24, 2020

Kenna Peters, ’11 | Aug. 22, 2020

Milo Harris, ’49 | March 12, 2020

Daniel Reed, ’86 | July 15, 2020

Bill Haughawout, ’42 | July 20, 2020

Larry Robertson, Jr. , ’70 | April 1, 2020

Bob Higgins, ’42 | April 2, 2020

Sherrill Schofield, ’72 | April 20, 2020

John Campbell, ’51 | April 21, 2020 Shaloy Castle-Higgins, ’88 | Aug. 5, 2020 Ione Chancellor, ‘71 | June 17, 2020

Board of Regents, past member and Alumni Board, former member

Joseph Cole, ’85 | May 21, 2020

Jerry Hoffman, Jr., ’83 | June 26, 2020

Phylis (Wolgamott) Collinsworth, ’72 | June 7, 2020

Joan Humphrey, ’72 | Sept. 17, 2020

Michael Crumbliss, ’77 | March 31, 2020 Eddie Dawson, ’60 | March 19, 2020

Joel Newby, Jr., ‘47 | May 16, 2020

Becky Kolb, ’84 | July 15, 2020 Sherry (Lemasters) LaFave, ’02 | Aug. 24, 2020

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Patricia Vann, ’03 | April 9, 2020 Gary Warren, ’79 | Sept. 20, 2020 Bruce Welch, ’95 | May 2, 2020

Sharon Wideman, ’71 | June 18, 2020 Ruth Wilhite, ’60 | Aug. 11, 2020 JP Williams, ’84 | March 26, 2020 James Williams, ’84 | Sept. 14, 2020

FRIENDS Freddie Billingsly | Aug. 30, 2020

Con Mills | June 18, 2020

Leland Browne, Jr. | July 6, 2020

Mae Neece |June 4, 2020

William Costley | July 9, 2020

Henry Pullum, Sr. | April 29, 2020

Steven Downey | June 4, 2020

MSSU Hall of Fame honorary member

Sherrie Greenlee | Aug. 2, 2020

John Reeves | Sept. 9, 2020

Gary Hall | June 29, 2020

Billy Ross | July 28, 2020

Eldon Howery | March 3, 2020

Larry Smith | Aug. 15, 2020

Bob Lamb | Aug. 28, 2020

Randy Weiss | July 1, 2020

Missouri Southern Foundation, past board member and Board of Regents, past member

Jim Zerkel | Aug. 1, 2020

Pat Lamb | Aug. 24, 2020

Missouri Southern Foundation, past board member and Lion-Hearted recipient

Dixie Lankford | July 29, 2020

RETIREES Dr. Willie Edwards | Aug. 27, 2020 Teacher Education

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. Floyd Belk, who passed away on Sept. 24, had a distinguished association with Missouri Southern. He graduated from Joplin Junior College in 1948 – a member of the first graduating class after World War II. He was captain of the Lions football team and later married the Crossroads yearbook queen, Nancy Moss. In 1966, Belk began his 24-year career at Missouri Southern as the director of admissions and registrar. His final 16 years were spent as the vice president of academic affairs. In 1978, following the death of President Billingsly, he was selected to serve as interim president. He received the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1990. 43

External support has never been more important than it is right now for universities. At Missouri Southern, donations we receive from alumni and friends have tremendous impact. Scholarship gifts change lives. Facility gifts improve learning environments. Departmental gifts lead to study abroad, research and internship opportunities. The experiences we provide our students go from great to exceptional. What is the life cycle of a gift? How do Foundation scholarships help Southern students? What can private gifts accomplish for a college campus? How can you be involved? All of these answers and more can be found on the following pages in our Donor Impact Report. We hope you enjoy reading how our university is positively affected by acts of generosity.

Dr. Dean Van Galen President 44

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT:

Sallie Beard, Foundation Board President, Dr. Dean Van Galen, University President, Lisa Sweet, Alumni Board President

2020 FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS • • • • • • • • • •

Russ Alcorn Sallie Beard Beverly Block Scott Boudreaux Scott Brothers Deron Burr Chris Churchwell Larry Cowger Ashley Davis Perry Davis

• • • • • • • • • •

Christopher Dumm Daryl Deel Nancy Good Delores Honey Steve Koelkebeck Larry McIntire Vicky Mieseler Mike Moore John Motazedi Edwin Mwangi

• • • • • • • • • •

Joseph Newman Karen Rutledge Brian Schmidt Patrick Scott Anne Sharp Dan Stengel Tammy Trent Bryan Vowels Terry Wachter Dot Willcoxon

• • • • •

Troy Richards Will Roderique Karen Sandridge Lisa Sweet Tina Waggener

2020 ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS • • • • • •

Keith Aubele Brad Belk Jean Campbell Robert Corn Ben Crowe Linda Dean

• • • • • •

Cliff Erwin Bruce Fisher Holley Goodnight Cameo Harrington Michael Howarth Shally Lundien

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IMPACTFUL STATS

TOTAL DOLLARS RAISED.

TOTAL NUMBER OF DONORS.

ALUMNI DONORS.

Grown from $2.5 million in FY17 to a record $4.8 million in FY20. This number includes gifts of cash and stock, as well as commitments made to future gifts including documented planned gifts.

Total number of donors has grown from 1,474 in FY17 to 1,935 in FY20

Alumni donors have grown from 506 in FY17 to 708 in FY20, with a record 841 in FY19.

• Foundation Board of Directors has grown from 14 members in 2015 to 30 members in 2020. • Total assets held by the Foundation has grown 18% from $35 million in 2015 to $41 million in 2020. • Outreach - Crossroads Alumni Magazine circulation has grown from approximately 6,000 recipients in 2014 to 35,000 recipients in 2020. • Fundraising Income FY20: $3.2 million (includes gifts of cash and stock including payments from pledges raised in previous years). • Since 2015, 82 new Foundation endowments have been created. • Lionbackers, the MSSU Athletics Booster Club, invested more than $123,000 back into the Athletics Department during the 2019-2020 academic year.

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

CHECK OUT HOW WE RECOGNIZE OUR DONORS AND ALUMNI! LANTERN SOCIETY: A group of loyal alumni and friends who take pride in seeing MSSU grow and who have demonstrated a passion for our students’ success by exceeding $10,000 in lifetime giving. Lantern Society members receive special recognition and invitations to a variety of events throughout the year.

Have you ever wondered what actually happens when someone gives to Missouri Southern? Follow the steps below to see the Life of a Gift.

SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY: Each year, this award is presented to an individual and organization who have demonstrated truly outstanding levels of support through gifts to the Foundation. LOYAL LIONS: Our Consecutive Year Givers Club is comprised of donors who have made gifts to the Missouri Southern Foundation for at least three consecutive calendar years. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD: Presented to an MSSU graduate for their outstanding accomplishments, commitment, and initiative in a professional, business, or public service area. 25+ years from graduation. OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD: Presented to an MSSU graduate for their outstanding accomplishments, commitment, and initiative in a professional, business, or public service area. 10-24 years from graduation. LION-HEARTED AWARD: Presented to someone who embodies the true heart and soul of Lion Spirit and has made significant contributions to the institution, either through monetary or voluntary assistance. OUTSTANDING FAMILY AWARD: Presented to a multiple generation family of Missouri Southern Lions recognizing their outstanding impact on MSSU. SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD: Presented to an MSSU graduate who has made significant contributions to their community through their time, actions, talents, and dedication. To nominate someone for an award, please visit www.mssu.edu/alumni or call 417-659-LION

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Over

MISSOURI SOUTHERN

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

380

Foundation scholarships were available in the 2019-2020 academic year

Over

660

MSSU students received a Foundation Scholarship

$1,112,402 in Foundation Scholarships awarded

In each of the last two fiscal years, MORE THAN $1 MILLION has been transferred from the Foundation to the university for student scholarships. This is the first time in school history this number has surpassed $1 million.

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: Beth Tong, Tracy Gipson, Bill Gipson Photo taken off campus

PATRON SCHOLARSHIP: Think of this type of scholarship as “money in, money out.” A donor chooses to fund a scholarship. The entirety of the donation goes directly toward funding that scholarship. Example: Jane Donor gives $1,000 to fund a new scholarship. The recipient’s student account is credited that amount. To fund the scholarship again the next year, Jane would contribute another $1,000 donation.

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP: Think of this type of scholarship as an “investment.” A donor contributes at least the minimum amount to establish an endowment ($25,000). The donation is invested and never spent. Only the earnings are used for the purpose of the scholarship. Example: Joe Donor commits to donating $5,000 per year for five years. Once the endowment reaches $25,000, the investment earnings are used every year to fund a scholarship. Endowments are perpetual…they never go away!

GIPSON HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP Established in 2018, the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program is the backbone of the Gipson Center for Healthcare Leadership. The program was made possible by a generous $1 million gift from Bill and Tracy Gipson. Part of that gift provides scholarship funding for students. This fall, scholarships were awarded to 13 students in the program – including Beth Tong. “I want to be in a position where I can do something more administrative than clinical,” says Tong, a junior healthcare administration major. “It takes an army of non-clinical staff behind the doctors and nurses to get things done, and there are a lot of different administration areas that have a broad effect on people.” It’s a bit of a cliché, the Gipsons say, but there’s truth in the value of paying it forward. “Through the years, we’ve been blessed with opportunities, and this is one of the ways we can help others,” says Tracy.

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

WHAT CAN PRIVATE GIFTS ACCOMPLISH? 48

ROOM 113 is the Gene Taylor Education building’s most frequently used room. Classes, external groups, prospective student tours and professional development opportunities are all hosted in the space. Thanks to the passion of our Foundation donors, this room is now up-todate for our Lions.

Thanks to our Foundation donors, our Lions Golf studentathletes now have a brand-new INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY. Equipped with two ball flight simulators, a player lounge and putting green, the beautifully renovated space gives our men’s and women’s golf teams access to year-round practice.

REYNOLDS HALL has been renovated to include the latest in science technology for our students. With over 35 donors, this state-of-the-art update has provided Missouri Southern students with tremendous academic advantages and has moved MSSU to the forefront in recruiting high-achieving students interested in the sciences. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

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LIONS HELPING LIONS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND & THE LION CO-OP The COVID-19 pandemic brought immediate and very real needs for many of our students. Because of the generosity of Foundation donors, we were able to aid over 200 students through the Lions Helping Lions student assistance fund. Private donations have also been the sustaining force behind the Lion Co-Op, a food and personal supply pantry which has helped hundreds of students fight food insecurity since its opening in the fall of 2018.

PLANNED GIVING LEAVES A LEGACY!

THERE ARE BENEFITS FROM GIFTING FROM YOUR IRA! Sometimes, an individual who holds an IRA does not necessarily need the income from that IRA. While the CARES Act has eliminated the Required Minimum Distribution for IRA holders for the 2020 tax year, the rules around the Qualified Charitable Distribution did NOT change. This means if you have an IRA and are over 70 1/2 years of age, you can gift up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to a charity like the Missouri Southern Foundation and that gift is NOT considered taxable income. 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

YOU CAN CHOOSE WHERE YOUR DONATION IS ALLOCATED! It’s called being “donor-centric,” but that’s just a fancy way of saying we want YOUR gift to impact the area of YOUR choice! Give where you have a PASSION. We have hundreds of funds set up in the Foundation to receive your gift, so give where you feel strongly!

GIFTS OF STOCK ARE A GREAT OPTION! Donating appreciated stock is easy and has many advantages. By transferring stock directly to Missouri Southern, the donor avoids capital gains taxes and will also be able to deduct the full fair-market value.

We encourage you to consult your attorney, tax professional or financial advisor when considering gifting from your IRA, planning an estate gift, or gifting with a transfer of stock. We would also love to visit with you about any of these options. Please give the Development Office a call at 417-625-3104 or 417-625-9622.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can create a legacy and make a difference at Missouri Southern by establishing a planned gift for the university. The most common planned giving tool is to make bequest within your will or trust. Bequests can be a set amount, a percentage of an estate, shares of stock, or a residual bequest. We would like donors to let us know if they’ve included us in their will as they will be inducted into the Legacy Club and enjoy the benefits of this prestigious group.

“I wanted to pass along my gratitude to those who have helped put the Lions Helping Lions Student Assistance Fund together. I have been continually blown away by Missouri Southern’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and hope to be able to give back to the institution that gave me a shot at my dreams after I graduate. Thank you to everyone for the generous help in a very uncertain time. Thank you for truly looking out for the students at Missouri Southern. I am so grateful to the institution and to those of you who support it. Missouri Southern has been my home for the past three years and I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done.”

FOUNDATION MISSION The Missouri Southern Foundation was established in 1967 as a separate 501(c)(3) that exists to foster, cooperate, and assist in the growth, development, and advancement of Missouri Southern State University. • The Foundation is audited externally each year and received another clean audit from The Whitlock Co. for fiscal year 2020. • All Foundation expenses of $500 or more, including scholarship disbursements, are approved by the Finance Committee of the Foundation Board of Directors. • The Foundation is supported by staff members in the Offices of Development and Alumni Relations who work in close partnership with university administration, deans, faculty, and staff to secure contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Alumni and friends of Missouri Southern often ask, “How can I help?” To that, we say “Advocate, nominate and donate.” ADVOCATE: If you know someone who is considering their higher education choices, encourage them to give us a look. You already know this, but we offer a quality college education and experience at a very affordable cost. Our admissions and financial aid teams are ready to talk about starting a journey toward a lifechanging degree. Visit www.mssu.edu to fill out an application. Enrollment begins November 16 for the Spring semester, and begins April 26 for the Fall 2021 semester. NOMINATE: Our alums are doing amazing things all over the country, and all over the world. Help us honor them and tell their stories by nominating a Lion for one of our alumni awards (see page 46). You can also send your Crossroads story suggestions to crossroads@mssu.edu. We’d love to share the tales and travels of our graduates with the rest of the Lion family! DONATE: At Missouri Southern, we can truly say that every gift matters. If you want to make a difference in the lives of our students, we’ll put your gift to work right away. There are many ways to give: Online

Checks

Stock

Planned Gifts

We encourage you to consult your attorney, tax professional or financial advisor when considering making a charitable gift. We want you to know you’re always a Lion and hope you’ll stay involved and in touch with Missouri Southern wherever you are. Go Lions!

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WHY I GIVE JULIA MACK FAHRIG, ‘86 When Julia Mack Fahrig began her studies at Missouri Southern in 1981, it was as a non-traditional student with three children … the youngest just three weeks old. She received a financial boost when she learned she was a recipient of the Edna C. Drummond Science Scholarship. The scholarship helped her along her path to her bachelor’s of science in biology, which in turn helped open doors down the road. “I never expected to get a scholarship as a non-traditional student,” Fahrig says. “It really helped me financially because I didn’t have to borrow all that money.” She says she’s never forgotten what it mean to her to receive the scholarship as a Missouri Southern student, and recently made the decision to create her own endowed scholarship. The Julia Mack Fahrig ‘Second Chance’ Scholarship will benefit a non-traditional female student from the Four State Area who is studying biology. The recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. “When I received my scholarship, I had to maintain a certain grade point average,” says Fahrig. “It gave me a goal other than to simply graduate. “Whoever gets this scholarship will be walking their own path. They’re not in school for fun and games, but because they really need to be and need a second chance. Earning a scholarship may put them on steadier ground for whatever reason and could certainly lighten the load.”

To discuss making a gift to the Missouri Southern Foundation, please call 417-625-3104 or 417-625-9622. To make a gift online, visit www.mssu.edu/giving.

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!