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• Vol. 114 • Issue 5 • Feb. 19, 2021
We Are UCM Replaces Fall 2020 Homecoming MATTHEW GOLDSMITH News Editor With the cancellation of Homecoming this
a student here. I think of the friends that
fall, “We Are UCM: Education for Service”
I have in my work environment, and then
served as an alternative way to bring the
also the community as a whole and how
UCM community together.
they have embraced our family … It is our
A week of events culminated in the We
home,” Rutt said.
Are UCM celebration on Feb. 12 at the
Christina Kerns, Assistant Director of
Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Student Activities, said it was important to
Beth Rutt, director of student activities,
have We Are UCM to promote school spirit,
said 15 organizations participated and each
especially with the lack of a traditional
had 15 attendees. There were also about
homecoming experience in 2020.
45 other people who attended.
“We want people still to be excited about
Rutt said We Are UCM is a part of UCM’s
The “We Are UCM” celebration featured the announcement of Donation Creation, Bowling for Kids’ Sake and royalty court winners. Photo by Skye Melcher
being Mules and to be here on campus,
Are UCM. Ford created biographies for
150th anniversary celebration, with next
and so if it was a way for us to encourage
the candidates and helped provide their
fall’s Homecoming being the culminating
community and school spirit,” Kerns said.
information to the public.
event.
Kerns said that while it has been a
“It’s an opportunity for us, all of these
“I created some of the bios ... so that people could vote,” Ford said. Ford’s role at We Are UCM gave her the
over the past 150 years and where we are now,” Rutt said.
“What I’m really excited about is the number of student organizations that were
For Rutt, who graduated from UCM in
opportunity to encounter multiple student perspectives on campus. Ford spoke about
still involved,” Kerns said. “There was
1978, We Are UCM brings to mind the
some really good energy going into this
people she has met during her time in
week, and so I am happy with how things
Warrensburg.
happened, especially in a pandemic year.”
“When I hear We Are UCM, I think of
Senior public relations major Faith
my close friends that I made when I was
Ford served as the royalty chair for We
enjoyed it,” Ford said. Drew Nardolillo, programming graduate organized the door decorating competition for We Are UCM and helped out at the celebration, which he thought went well. Nardolillo said We Are UCM was important to have because it provided a safe alternative to a culminating college
Are UCM as a whole. “It’s all great coming together for this We
event like Homecoming for seniors. “This was our attempt at giving students something that was socially distanced and
to see all sides of UCM through this. So,
safe and scratched that itch, so to say, for
it’s been a great experience, and I’ve really
that sort of event,” Nardolillo said.
University of Central Missouri Celebrates 150 Years ANNA FURNEY Reporter
events throughout the year, including
This year is the University of Central
exhibits, historical tours, picnics,
Missouri’s 150th anniversary. During
shows, pep rallies and concerts.
the anniversary, students and faculty
“We’ve survived a lot in 150 years, so we’re celebrating a little bit and we’re
school.
just hoping that everybody will come
Amber Clifford-Napoleone,
and celebrate too,” Clifford-Napoleone
professor of anthropology and the
said.
director of the McClure Archives
Best also said UCM’s 150 years have
and University Museum, is an expert
positively impacted the community
on UCM’s history. She said she is
and are worth celebrating.
excited to celebrate the school and its
“From my perspective as president,
accomplishments this year.
it’s certainly an honor to serve
“When the university opened, it
the university during a time
wasn’t a university, it was Warrensburg Normal No. 2,” Clifford-Napoloene
accomplishments of the university over
said. “It was a teachers’ college and
the last 150 years,” Best said. “It also
it was one building, and everything happened in that one building.” In 1871, the school we now know
puts into perspective the need for us to Built in 1871, the same year the University of Central Missouri was founded, Old Main was the hub of
Taryn Duffy, president of History Club
as the University of Central Missouri opened its doors to 30 students. Over the
and admitting women. Additionally,
years, the name changed four times —
international students started attending the
Central Missouri State Teachers College
university in the 1920s.
in 1919, Central Missouri State College in
UCM President Roger Best, who became
and a half buildings by that time. But they
Even though the school burned, the
president of UCM in 2018, has been
faculty did not allow for it to negatively
in 1972 and the University of Central
working for the university since 1995. Best
impact the students.
Missouri in 2006.
said he is also excited for this anniversary.
“The campus burned to the ground and
“The one thing I haven’t seen change, in
what happened the next morning was that
Napoleone said. “The place where people
the 25-plus years that I’ve been here, is
faculty and boarding houses and hotels
used to tie up their horses and mules is
our faculty and staff’s dedication to our
opened their doors and faculty members
the place we call the Quadrangle … And
students,” Best said.
taught in their homes, and students came
that’s pretty indicative of how the campus changed.”
UCM has also had its fair share of challenges throughout its 150 years.
Clifford-Napoleone said some
there and took classes,” Clifford-Napoleone said. “We never missed a single day of class, and the class of 1915 graduated on
characteristics have been progressive since
nearly the entire campus to the ground,”
the school’s opening, including employing
Clifford-Napoleone said. “There were three
and Phi Alpha Theta, which is UCM’s history honor society, said she believes this year’s celebrations are a way for students
1945, Central Missouri State University
“Everything has changed,” Clifford-
continue that hard work.”
time.” UCM has planned several celebratory
to connect with the past and explore broader themes. “I am sure not many people realize, but this school was founded the same “Oftentimes people approach history as a large, global idea of what happened in the world on this day and so on, but local history is important, too.” Duffy said she believes this year’s events are a perfect opportunity to show students how the university began. “This school has a story, and it is our job to tell and celebrate that story,” Duffy said.
News
2 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 5 • Feb. 19, 2021
University Organizations Serve Warrensburg MADISON PRESTON Reporter The We Are UCM community service day on Feb. 12 allowed students to illustrate UCM’s motto, “Education for Service,” through service projects. Student organizations teamed up to complete various service projects on
Bethany Paul, chair of parent relations of Delta Zeta, said this event provides her community. “I wanted to do this project because welcoming as a new student to UCM,”
campus. Projects included creating tie from recycled t-shirts for area animal clinics and Valentine’s Day cards for students in quarantine and those at local nursing homes. Phi Sigma Pi President Sydney Conley
all so caring.” Boessen said she hopes Valentine’s remembered. “Everyone deserves to feel special and
said this is an important cause to her. crucial need in the community right now.” all this cold weather we’ve been having, which I hope will have a good impact on the community,” Conley said. Emma Boessen, president of Ladies Inspiring Versatility, hopes their project spreads joy. “We wanted to spread some good vibes
Community day gives students the opportunity to learn what community service means to them. means so much to me. I have volunteered a lot before, and it always is so rewarding
over two years ago, I would go visit him than us,” Kaitlynn Heussner, sophomore member of Delta Zeta said.
Valentine’s Day,” Boessen said. “Also, we thought they would really enjoy getting cards since most can’t have visitors due to the current COVID precautions.”
Erin Frazier, sophomore secondary education major, makes Valentine’s Day cards for students in quarantine and the residents of Ridgecrest Nursing Center. “It’s awesome because one of my sisters was telling us earlier that she was born premature, so she spent a lot of time in the NICU,” Fraizer said. “This is all really impactful for her because she’s able to give back to the NICU nurses and to the kids who are in Children’s Mercy.” Photo by Skye Melcher
Conley said this event allowed members of her organization to bond.
community,” Conley said. Boessen said she hopes these cards help
in the nursing home anytime I could ... but many people never got a single visitor.
nursing home residents feel less alone. “My favorite part of the event was just
“My favorite part of the event was Valentine’s cards would be,” Boessen said. from my organization because we got to
“Before my grandpa passed away a little
to me.”
Junior psychology major Sondra Bellard (left) is a member of Phi Sigma Pi. Her organization a lot of different things to do, and they’re all going to really good causes,” Bellard said. “It’s nice to be able to help out a whole bunch of different people in one setting.” Photo by Skye Melcher
A student ties a recycled t-shirt to create a cat toy for Community Day. These toys will be donated to local animal clinics. Photo by Skye Melcher
News
Muleskinner 3 • Vol. 114 • Issue 5 • Feb. 19, 2021
Students Donate 4,362 Pounds of Food to Campus Cupboard ABRAM TABOR Reporter Students from 12 different organizations
Another difference from previous years is that all of the donated food goes to the Campus Cupboard. Normally, the food
built structures out of non-perishable food
would also be taken to the Johnson County
items to donate to the Campus Cupboard,
Food Center, but COVID-19 precautions
on Monday Feb. 9 in the Student
prevented that from happening this year.
Recreation and Wellness Center. The
While the end goal of the event was
sculptures were built as part of Donation
to give food items to those in need,
Creation, one of several events held for
Ahkeituame said that they really wanted to
the We Are UCM celebration. After the
make it exciting for students.
celebration on Friday, the creations were
“It’s a different kind of service. Like,
taken down and donated to the Campus
you’re donating food, but you’re having fun
Cupboard, totalling a weight of 4,362
at the same time and also exhibiting what
pounds of food for those in need.
your organization can do,” Ahkeituame
Beth Rutt, director of student activities
said.
and the student recreation and wellness
One organization that was part of the
center, said the event was one of many
event was Ladies Inspiring Versatility, a
On Feb. 12, different organizations created structures made of nonperishable food for the
focused around the theme “We Are UCM: Education for Service.” “Since the model for the university is education for service, that’s what we’ve been concentrating on on any of our
and form lasting friendships. The group submitted a sculpture modeling an Etch-ASketch with UCM spelled out on it. “We decided to take place in Donation
projects,” Rutt said. “We’re trying to see
Creation because it is a fun way to give
how many hours of service our student
back to the community. Not only were
body can donate in honor of President
we able to donate food, but we also got
Best, president of our university.”
to make a cool display with the items we
With a minimum requirement of 100 items in their structures and four hours to build, the students started working. “There was a really great turnout, and
brought,” LIV President Emma Boessen said. During the We Are UCM celebration, the winner of Donation Creation was
they were really excited about it,” Esther Ehino Ahkeituame, a graduate student with
creation made by Delta Zeta and Alpha Tau
the Higher Learning Commission who was placed in charge of the event, said.
The sculpture weighed 770 pounds.
Ahkeituame said there were some big
Freshman Libby Troutwine from Delta
changes from the last Donation Creation,
Zeta talked about her experience with the
which was held in October of 2019.
event.
“This year is quite different because
“It was awesome,” Troutwine said. “I
The second place Donation Creation was built by Sigma Kappa and Lamba Chi Alpha. The
enjoyed about the building process. “I think my favorite part was really
“Also, I think it was going to a great cause, helping out local UCM students, people
we judge the winners based off of the
liked it because it brought everyone closer
pounds of food they donated and not their
together to do something that’s really
getting to buy the cans. The look that you
I may be going to class with or in other
creation,” Ahkeituame said. “Many of the
good, to help people around us.”
see on people’s faces as you’re walking
organizations with. So, I think it’s a big
out with like three shopping carts full of
thing to try and help those people out in
cans is kind of priceless,” Sanner said.
any way I can.”
organizations were quite creative with that.”
Corbin Sanner, a sophomore history major from Alpha Tau Omega, shared what he
Student Government President Justin Cobb Leads University MADISON PRESTON & MEAH COPELAND Reporter & Sports Editor
“I’m incredibly proud of him, of course. It doesn’t surprise me. He’s intelligent,
Last spring, they got engaged on a hike at
make it hard to not be inspired to lead,
Grand Canyon National Park.
recalling a recent Ranger Challenge, in
outgoing and dedicated to things he goes to tackle,” Jeremy said. Cobb’s leadership is multi-faceted as it includes being involved with the University
which there was 100% attendance for a six me balance everything,” Cobb said. Boessen has been able to watch Cobb grow as a leader over the six years they have been together.
Training Corps, American Democracy
enjoyed the We Are UCM celebration on Feb. 12. Photo by Meah Copeland
For Justin Cobb, a junior double major
“Seeing him go from the 15-year-old
mile run at 5:30 a.m. with pouring rain, 15 mph winds and the temperature was only 25 degrees. “The purpose and discipline of the Army really called out to me, and I applied for
Project, Homecoming Advisory Board and
high school student to the man he is today
an ROTC scholarship my junior year,” Cobb
Student Government Association. Cobb
has given me a lot of opportunities to
said. “When I received it, I had to decide
was elected president of SGA in the 2020
see his leadership ability grow,” Boessen
what program I wanted to attend. UCM
spring semester.
said. “He is never afraid to tackle an
was perfectly located and the Fighting
opportunity or challenge to lead people.
Mules Battalion is one of the top programs
empowering the student voice, and as
He just has a drive to make things better,
in the country and the best in the country.
the president, it is my duty to take the
and it’s contagious. He is always going
It was an easy choice.”
“SGA as a whole is charged with
and working on something, whether that
in political science and international
With plans to enter active duty as
studies, a typical day begins at 4:40 a.m.
the students,” Cobb said. “This manifests
be helping me or bouncing from campus
with ROTC training until 7 a.m., when he
in a number of different ways, but the
meeting to another campus meeting.”
returns home to eat breakfast. The rest
main ones are searching out areas of
of his day consists of classes, attending
improvement on campus for students,
science major and SGA secretary, said Cobb
meetings or skills training for the Ranger
being the voice of the student body to the
makes SGA enjoyable.
Challenge, before returning home to eat
administration and also servicing in an
dinner, do homework and workout.
administrative capacity to make sure SGA
welcoming and exciting environment,”
said. “ROTC has taught me how to plan,
operates as smoothly as possible.”
Tremain said. “For me personally, I can
how to command a formation, how to
Cobb said Emma Boessen, a junior
always look forward to SGA meetings and
make decisions under pressure and how to
his family to serve. He credits his father,
early childhood education major, is an
events because I know that he’ll be there to
motivate others. ROTC also instills a sense
Jeremy Cobb, who was a Sergeant Major in
essential part of his support system. The
light up the room when he needs.”
Cobb decided to join the military in high
the Army, for his leadership interests.
Cade Tremain, a sophomore political
“Justin makes SGA an extremely
Cobb also said his fellow ROTC cadets
graduation, Cobb says the ROTC is a foundation for his future. “ROTC is all about developing leaders for the Army of tomorrow. All aspects of leadership are taught and tested,” Cobb
me every day.”
Features
4 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 5 • Feb. 19, 2021
Chance Riddle Selected King
Chance Riddle, senior criminal justice major, was crowned We Are UCM king. Riddle is a member of Alpha Tau Omega.
Sesquicentennial Royalty Candidates SKYE MELCHER Features Editor
Chance Riddle, Senior Criminal Justice Major, Alpha Tau Omega
Sarah Edington, Senior Events Marketing Management Major, Ladies
Logan Roling Finance Major, Sigma Pi
Submitted Photo
Inspiring Versatility, Submitted Photo
Submitted Photo
Kendra Dankenbring, Senior Communication Studies, Sigma Sigma Sigma Submitted Photo
Carter Cramsey Marketing Major, Lambda Chi Alpha Submitted Photo
Hannah Staul Submitted Photo
Alex Waisner Marketing Major, Sigma Phi Epsilon. Submitted Photo
Alpha Gamma Delta Submitted Photo
Brendon Hickman Marketing Major, Theta Chi Submitted Photo
Once he was announced as the winner cheers of joy. “I’m a little shaky, but I’m honestly honored. And I’m happy that my guys are here to share it with me,” Riddle said. Riddle’s parents sat alongside his fraternity brothers as they watched their candidate being announced as king. Instead of receiving a crown for winning king, Riddle was given a medal in UCM’s school colors. After taking pictures with his parents, multiple other approached him to take pictures with and to be congratulated. In the photo above Riddle is standing with queen candidate, Hannah Staul. Their organizations worked together to build their donation creation and banner. Photo submitted by Chance Riddle
Brittané Curry Named Queen
Senior communication studies major Brittané Curry was crowned We Are UCM queen on Friday, Feb. 12. Curry is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. When Curry was announced as queen, her sorority sisters applauded and expressed excitement. After winning, Curry said, “I
Natalie Green
Bailey Schaefermeier, Senior
Sammie Gordon, Junior
Criminal Justice Major, Alpha Omicron Pi Submitted Photo
Nursing Major, Alpha Phi Submitted Photo
Fashion Merchandising Major, Gamma Phi Beta Submitted Photo
Brianna Rodriguez Elementary Education Major, Sigma Kappa
Briley Wade, Marketing Major Tau Kappa Epsilon
Lexi Burkemper Psychology Major, Alpha Sigma Alpha
Submitted Photo
Submitted Photo
Submitted Photo
honestly feel great. I worked really hard. I have a lot of people who support me so this is honestly one of the best things that could have happened.” She celebrated with her sorority sisters and took pictures together after being announced queen. She also called family members who weren’t able to make the event to tell them the news. Along with Curry’s sorority sisters and family, she received congratulations from student activities staff and other candidates. Photo by Skye Melcher
Features
Muleskinner 5 • Vol. 114 • Issue 5 • Feb. 19, 2021
King and Queen Crowned at We Are UCM Event SKYE MELCHER
Features Editor University of Central Missouri
banners and posters.
organizations presented royalty candidates
We Are UCM queen Brittané Curry, senior
during the We Are UCM event, which
communication studies major, made a shirt
celebrated 150 years of UCM history.
and a sweatshirt with her face on it and
Royalty voting was held on Feb. 9 through
surrounded herself with positive people to
a Google form posted on the UCM Student
give her hope.
Activities Facebook page. Christina Kerns advised the Homecoming committee, who organized the We Are UCM. She explained 50% of the
“I have such an amazing support system and I’m so blessed to be able to have won this,” Curry said. Along with promoting themselves and their organizations, royalty candidates
votes. The judging criteria also includes
had to research and prepare a video of
an interview, which accounts for 25% of the nominees total, and 25% comes from the video the students produced. These
UCM for its 150th anniversary. Many of the candidates learned
portions are scored by independent panels
interesting facts about the university’s
of judges and are also not disclosed.
history. Ladies Inspiring Versatility nominee
after being announced as We Are UCM King and Queen on Friday Feb. 12. at the Student and
“I think We Are UCM, even though
Sarah Edington is a senior event marketing
Wellness Recreation Center. Photo by Skye Melcher
management major. She was chosen to
that they thought that it would be a
adaptability through the university,”
good idea to have me as the face of the
Dankenbring said.
it’s a single event, I feel like it’s a good accumulation of just every facet of life here at Central Missouri,” Chance Riddle, senior
“We all had to do videos about a topic
organization.” Edington said.
The university had to consider all safety
criminal justice major and We Are UCM
from the history of UCM, and it was a
king, said.
really cool thing,” Edington said. “I got to
Homecoming after it was canceled in
sure the student body and faculty were
learn all this stuff that I was like, ‘Wow, I
the fall because of COVID-19. Senior
safe while planning a way for everyone to
had no idea that happened.’”
communication studies major Kendra
celebrate.
We Are UCM candidates were decided by their organizations before the application process began. Some of the things they
We Are UCM was held in place of
Dankenbring was the queen nominee for
precautions to host the event and to make
“I think with social distancing procedures
took into consideration when deciding
deciding who would be nominated for
Sigma Sigma Sigma to be nominated as
and everything going on in the world,
were academic standing, involvement and
the We Are UCM royalty, Ladies Inspiring
their queen candidate, and she said she felt
the people who put this together did a
personality.
Versatility thought it would be a good idea
honored to be a part of the event.
phenomenal job,” Sammie Gordon, junior
Each candidate prepared in different ways to promote themself and their organization, many of them made shirts,
to present a fresh face to campus. “It’s interesting, it’s a little bit out of my comfort zone, but I’m really appreciative
“I feel like it just shows the ability to
fashion merchandising major and nominee
adapt, through changing homecoming
for Gamma Phi Beta said. “Students are
to We Are UCM, it showed a lot of
very appreciative of that.”
Features
6 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 5 • Feb. 19, 2021
Students Create Banners for We Are UCM Competition
OLIVIA GIBBS & GABBY ELLIS Reporters
The University of Central Missouri hosted
top,” Bailey said.
a Spirit Banner Competition for the We Are
Beth Rutt, the director of student
UCM event from Feb. 8 to. 12. The banners
activities, said the competition was open
were placed around the Student Recreation
to any student or student organization on
and Wellness Center, with voting open
campus. In place of a window decorating
Feb. 8 to 11. The top three banners were
competition, the spirit banners encouraged
announced Feb. 12 at the We Are UCM
students to spread out more to work and
Celebration, hosted at the SRWC.
still be able to social distance.
During events like Homecoming,
“We used a popularity vote on social
monetary prizes are awarded to winners
media and a 60/40 judges vote to balance
of events like the banner competition.
out the awards,” Rutt said.
However, the banner competition was a
Judges cast their votes based on how
morale booster for student organizations
well the space is used in the banners, how
on campus, who have had a number
the colors look and how well the banner
of events taken from them during the
ties into the overall theme, “Education for
COVID-19 pandemic.
Service.” It was announced on Feb. 12 that
For students active in Greek life, We Are Omega and Delta Zeta won second place a year in which they have been able to
and Tau Kappa Epsilon and Alpha Gamma
participate. Solomon Bailey, President of
Delta won third place in the competition.
Alpha Tau Omega, was excited for some sense of normalcy for Greek organizations. “I enjoy seeing all of the Greek
Phi Sigma Pi’s spirit banner was placed in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center during “I didn’t expect to win at all. Making the banner was a lot of fun, so it was nice to win,” Myra Cornwell, member of Phi Sigma Pi, said. Photo by Skye Melcher
“I wasn’t expecting to win, but I’m happy we did,” senior Emily Hintz, Brother At Large for Phi Sigma Pi, said. “We all came
organizations exercise their creativity in a
together and worked hard on the banner,
passionate effort to put their chapter at the
so I’m glad all our hard work paid off.” Tau Kappa Epsilon and Alpha Gamma Delta’s banner was displayed in the SRWC. Many participants in the event said being creative boosted morale on campus. “The spirit banners encouraged some level of normalcy for traditions at UCM,” Beth Rutt, director of student activities, said. Tau Kappa Epsilon and Alpha Gamma Delta placed third in the spirit banner competition. Photo submitted by
of the Greek organizations exercise their creativity in a passionate effort to put their chapter at
University and Warrensburg Celebrate by Decorating their Doors SKYE MELCHER & BETHANY SPITZMILLER Features Editor & Managing Editor
During We Are UCM, students and their
“It was open to all, we did some
Junior communication major Audrey
organizations, staff and local businesses
Activities and a criminal justice professor.
intentional outreach, Kerns said. “We
Murphy is the manager at SC Fuel. She
participated to show their support of the
Local business SC Fuel also showed their
posted it in the UCM daily, we posted it
said it was very complicated to decorate a
university by decorating their doors.
UCM pride.
through all our social media channels
business door because there’s only so much
and we reached out to Warrensburg’s
space with open signs and business hours.
Multiple organizations competed,
Student Activities Assistant Director
including Alpha Phi, Delta Zeta, Alpha
Christina Kerns advises the homecoming
main street to have community members
Omicron Pi, Sigma Kappa and Lambda
leadership committee, who planned We
involved.”
Chi Alpha. Ladies Inspiring Versatility and
Are UCM where winners were announced
Spotlight also decorated doors. There
on Friday Feb. 12.
were multiple university employees who
Kerns said it was exciting to see how
participated, such as employees from
everything came together. Votes for the
Academic Programs & Services, the McNair
door decorations were cast via Facebook.
Alpha Gamma Delta and Tau Kappa
“I think it brings the whole community together, and it’s not just the university,” Murphy said. “I think the university has
Epsilon won for the organizations, criminal
a lot to do with the community, but I also
justice professor Benecia Carmack won for
think that us being part of it helps a little bit with that too.”
for the community.
Photos from Student Activities
Sports
Muleskinner 7 • Vol. 114 • Issue 5 • Feb. 19, 2021
UCM Student Organizations Bowl for Kids’ Sake ZAYIN BARNES & MEAH COPELAND Reporter & Sports Editor On Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, Greek Life and the Student Activities Association organized a fundraising event called Bowl for Kids’ Sake at the Union Bowling Center. They partnered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Johnson County and donated $880. Dane Ross, who is a match specialist at BBBS of Johnson County, accepted the donation. He said the money will mainly be used to host events for the kids and bigs, who are mentors in the program. It will be especially useful during Christmas time to help families get presents. “I’d like to say thank you to everyone who participated,” Ross said. “It’s nice to see people working for the community to put towards good effort for a good cause.” Taylor Suiter, graduate assistant of leadership and student organizations, was the organizer for Bowl for Kids’ Sake. While Suiter did not choose the event she led, she was still thrilled to be a part of the activities. “I really like events like these,” Suiter said. “It’s just really good to see that there are groups that are still actively really wanting to get involved wherever they can or however they can.” From both nights, there were a total of 25 organizations that participated in the Bowl
because there’s audience here to cheer you on,” senior Whitney Jones said. “People are still involved for homecoming week and it looks different, but it is a good turnout.” Photo by Lauryn Morrow
hangout with one another all the time,”
shoes and anywhere that people can touch.
community as we are campus life,” James
Ryan Gordon, senior pre-physical therapy
It takes about 20 minutes to clean the
said. “This event was very coordinated, and
major and Sigma Tau Gamma member,
whole bowling center.
we are very happy to work with We Are
For Kids’ Sake. The results were combined from both nights to determine the was Alpha Kappa Lambda. Alpha Sigma Alpha third place was Sigma Pi. The Bowl for Kids’ Sake event was also part of Greek Week, which is a week of events where all Greek organizations compete and are showcased. The Bowl for
said. “It strengthens the
The Bowl for Kids’ Sake event raised $880 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County
Kids’ Sake event allowed
whole Greek community, both sororities and fraternities. We are here for much more than the negative stigmas, and positive experience.” Like other areas on campus, the bowling alley must take COVID-19 precautions. Bowling Manager Billy James prioritized keeping everyone safe during the event. The bowling
organizations to earn points for those
center is only allowing a maximum of 30
competitions.
people in at a time. There can be six people
“I really enjoy nights like these because it builds community and relationships between chapters that don’t necessarily
bowling, they sanitize balls, seats, tables,
“We are very much a part of the
UCM.”
Sports
8 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Alumni Band Reconnects Virtually and Celebrates UCM History
MEAH COPELAND Sports Editor
has made an impact on the lives of many alumni.
to hang the uniforms. Pursell said the
During the event, there were two presentations given. Best welcomed the
for the rest of the uniforms. The Marching
they had on the Marching Mules.
so they can replace old instruments and
“So grateful for everyone’s support,”
give more scholarships to high school students.
such a tremendous impact for our current students.”
The alumni virtual event concluded with their board meeting. Some people stayed
Pat Smithson, a representative for the
Russ Coleman, who has been the director of bands for 32 years, conducted the Alumni Band members. “It’s too bad we can’t get together to play this year,” Coleman said. “But time will tell when we can have time to play again.” Photo submitted by Alumni Band Historian Pat Setser
Every year, the University of Central Missouri Alumni Band performs at homecoming, where they play the school
band along with Julia Baumanis. The UCM Alumni Band is made up of graduates who were members of the
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social
they were together was in February 2020,
Sciences, gave a presentation to the
so everyone listening to each other’s
group about the projects for the Marching
stories and heard about how their lives
Mules.
have been since the pandemic started.
Pursell put on a powerpoint presentation and it shows how much of a family that donations that were given to the band,
we are,” Alumni Band Vice President
which made the purchase of new uniforms
Sandy Green said. “It’s something that I
possible. They purchased 285 new
Marching Mules. game. Usually at concerts, Russ Coleman
“It is a great way for everyone to stay
would conduct two pieces, and Anthony
connected with each other and the
Pursell would also conduct two pieces.
university,” Fischer said. “It gives us an
However, because of the pandemic, the group was unable to get together. The
The alumni virtual event was hosted by
president of UCM Alumni Band Bret
Fischer and Pursell. There were about
Fischer and director of bands Anthony
30 people, mostly alumni, in attendance.
Pursell made the decision to have a virtual
UCM President Roger Best attended
event during the We Are UCM celebration
the event, along with Eric Honour and Russ Coleman. Honour is the head of the music department. Coleman was the
current band. Pursell manages the UCM
UCM director of bands for 32 years. He
The Alumni Band practiced in February 2020 for their upcoming event. They were getting ready to perform on President’s Day. Russ Coleman is conducting the group. They spent three hours practicing before the concert started. Photo Submitted by Alumni Band Historian Pat Setser
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