From the President

Greetings from Missouri Southern! The fall semester started on a high note, and I wish all Crossroads readers could have joined our staff and faculty in welcoming students to campus in August.

I share with you the two themes in the conversations I enjoyed with new and returning students. First, students were truly excited to return to more face-to-face classes and activities, and they appreciated our efforts to do so safely. They told me they valued the personal relationships and experiences that have long been a hallmark of a Missouri Southern education. The other theme was how important the unique learning experiences offered by MSSU were to their educational experience.

This issue of Crossroads highlights examples of our engaging campus environment and student experiences that help set MSSU apart. You will learn about the amazing international experiences of Addie Siebenthal, who studied in five countries and devoted her summer to a research project in Armenia. You will also learn about how our campus cadaver lab — celebrating its 10-year anniversary — provides learning opportunities that are rare as part of an undergraduate education. As a campus, we are committed to providing such “immersive learning environments,” in part, because there is clear evidence that student learning and success are enhanced when students are engaged in these opportunities. In telling the remarkable story of a four-generation MSSU family, this edition of Crossroads also reminds us of how our university has impacted lives and uplifted Joplin, the Four States region, and beyond for decades. Over the past year, I have enjoyed many conversations with alumni who told me how the opportunity to attend MSSU changed the course of their lives. In doing so, they often cited faculty and staff including Dr. Conrad Gubera, Dr. Al Cade, Dr. Pat Lipira, Darren Fullerton, and others who were outstanding educators, mentors and role models. It’s all a reminder that the arc of the university and the region are inextricably connected. The university is not an island, it is a bridge to our community and to the future.

Whether it be through philanthropic support, encouraging a prospective student to consider Missouri Southern, or serving as an ambassador for the university in your community, you are making a difference. We are grateful for your support!

Enjoy this issue of Crossroads, and Go Lions!

Lions Together,

Dr. Dean Van Galen

President, MSSU