NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
Sodexo terminates contract with NW early
Sodexo Operations LLC has ended its contract with Northwest, terminating its services at the end of the semester.
A seven-year contract was originally agreed upon between the University and Sodexo, beginning in 2023. While four more years of Sodexo’s services were expected, University President Lance Tatum announced Sodexo’s
leave at the Northwest Board of Regents meeting March 12.
Northwest freshman Hannah Williams said she is not too upset about Sodexo leaving, because the food in the Bearcat Commons has upset her stomach multiple times. She said the only information she has heard regarding Sodexo has been from the Missourian.
“I feel like we really haven’t been given much information,” Williams said. “I’ve heard rumors, but this is the confirmation; so, I guess they really hav-
Nodaway County residents had the opportunity to vote April 7. The unofficial Nodaway County General Municipal Election results were tallied and announced the evening of election day at the Nodaway County Administration Center.
Proposition Spoofhound, which required a yes or no vote, the Maryville City Council and the Maryville R-II School Board, which both had three open seats, were all included on the ballot for Maryville.
Three candidates ran for two available three-year term seats on Maryville’s City Council. These were incumbents Erin Allen and Bryan Williams, and Stephanie Campbell, who was a first-time candidate.
The unofficial results of this vote saw a trend in unchanged outcomes, having elected both Allen and Williams back onto Council. Allen earned 785 votes, Williams got 561 votes and Campbell had 546 votes. This portion of the ballot also received seven write-in votes.
Also running for Council reelection was Benjamin Lipiec, who was uncontested in the race to take on the two-year term spot. This term was originally filled by Tye Parsons who stepped down from the role in the summer of 2025; Lipiec will finish this term. Lipiec ended election day with 977 votes, and there were eight write-ins for the position.
en’t been communicating at all.” Northwest’s Sodexo General Manager Casey Benton said within his role, he is not allowed to answer questions regarding contracts. He said he reached out to other Sodexo leadership, who have not yet responded, regarding an interview. Other Northwest Sodexo staff said they are not permitted to speak with the Missourian.
At the Board of Regents meeting, Tatum said Northwest had multiple conversations with Sodexo, and in the
end, the institution decided it would be best to begin searching for a new food service management.
Tatum was unavailable for an interview with the Northwest Missourian prior to the publication of this article. A request for proposal was issued Feb. 6 by the University. This document lays out the necessary information the new food service management will need and the expected scope of services.
Northwest Sodexo employee Harshini Sharma grabs freshman Addi Grimm’s Bearcat ID card to enter the Bearcat Commons April 7. Sodexo Operations LLC has left its seven-year contract with Northwest, terminating its services at the end of the semester and requiring a new dining provider to start by May 15.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16 ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
Student competes for Miss Missouri Teen title
nity to give back to area children.
A Northwest freshman is preparing to compete for the next Miss Missouri Teen USA title — the first pageant race she has ever entered.
Marketing major Isadora Gonzalez was recently told by one of her fellow Phi Mu-Zeta Lambda Chapter members, Lilly Layman, that she should apply to compete in the Miss Missouri Teen USA pageant.
“Well, somebody in my sorority told me that I was really good at public speaking and that I have great confidence,” Gonzalez said. “After that, I started to look into it, and I was like, ‘Maybe this is something that I would be good at,’ and it sounds like so much fun, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Gonzalez gave a speech while running for sisterhood chairwoman in her sorority. Layman said this speech is what sparked her to encourage Gonzalez to participate in a pageant.
“I had genuinely never seen anything like it, especially from a freshman, and being a senior, it was really cool to see a freshman be so confident and well spoken,” Layman said. “I had asked her if she’d ever done pageants, because I thought that she’d been trained on that.”
The Miss Missouri Teen USA pageant will take place May 9-10 in Branson, Missouri. Candidates will participate in multiple segments of the competition, including a private interview with the judges and three runway portions: a fashion show, active wear and evening gown.
Gonzalez said she has hired a coach, who is helping her prepare for each portion of the pageant. Leading up to the competition, Gonzalez has also created the Play Matters Project — an opportu-
This initiative is a toy drive with the goal of providing toys to children living in women’s shelters. Gonzalez said she was inspired to create this project after reflecting on her experiences living in and visiting Mexico.
“My parents are Mexican, so I’ve been to Mexico so many times,” Gonzalez said. “On the street, it’s so common to see kids working to make income for their household…because over there the poverty rates are so high, so it’s just, it’s such an unfortunate thing. Thankfully, I’m very privileged…I’m very blessed to say that I’ve always had toys growing up… and I would always tell my mom, ‘Hey, why don’t we take some of my toys and bring them down to Mexico?’ and she’s like, ‘No, you can’t do that.’ I mean, I’ve thought about it, and that’s just something that’s very near and close to me.”
As well as the toy drive, Gonzalez is also putting together “play kits.” She said these will include a variety of small toys; for example, bubbles or fidget toys. After she finishes putting these together, she will distribute them to schools across Maryville.
Her original goal was to collect 75 toys from her toy drives. Gonzalez has already almost passed this goal, sitting at 65 total toys. She said she will likely raise this goal to 100 before the pageant.
Anyone interested in donating toys can reach out to Gonzalez through her Play Matters Project Instagram page or through her information provided on the account. The deadline to drop off toys is April 13.
She said she has chosen to deliver the toys to a woman’s shelter because she has had family who have stayed in them.
“I’ve seen how hard it is and how they’re running away from home, and they don’t bring anything, and they’re already pretty
AMENITIES FOR NEW CAMPUS RESOURCE
low-income families usually, so they don’t really have those things,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez also said she does not want this project to stop with the pageant. Regardless of whether she wins or not, she said she plans on continuing it into the future to see how far it can go.
She said creating this project was not a requirement to compete in the pageant — rather, it is something she was passionate about that could be talked about during her private interview with the judges. She said no matter how she places, she will be grateful that the Play Matters Project was created out of her participation.
Northwest announces Center for Rural Health to open in 2027
Northwest President Lance Tatum announced March 12 the launch of a new resource on campus that will open in the spring 2027 semester — the Center for Rural Health.
In his announcement, Tatum said the University has seen a growing need for accessible health care in Missouri. He said this new space will help train incoming health care professionals. Northwest Provost Rose Marie Ward agreed with this and said the center will be an asset for more than just the campus.
“I just would like to reiterate that this Center for Rural Health is really a great resource for northwest Missouri, but also all of Missouri, providing that training and health care resources, given the fact that there’s such a health care desert within our part of the state,” Ward said.
A health care desert is any area in which population health care needs are not met or are not easily accessible, according to the National Library of Medicine. This can be determined by multiple factors, including a
lack of access to quality health care services or scarce health care providers.
Ward said the center will have three focuses. The first two are providing health care training opportunities in rural areas and allowing Northwest students in specific degree programs to utilize the space.
“It’s also going to be a place where academic units — in particular, the bachelor’s in nursing are affiliated with it, and potentially also our master’s in trauma-informed care — as a place, again, that degree programs are affiliated,” Ward said.
The third focus for this center will be its research branch.
This branch’s efforts will focus on technique development and research about rural health.
Ward said the overall goal for the center is to provide training for students going into health care. The aim is to improve health care in rural and underserved areas, according to the Northwest Media Center.
“The goal of the center, the vision for it, is to better serve our community and really honor the fact that we are a rural-serving university, and that our students are going out and
serving rural communities, as well,” Ward said.
It has not yet been determined where, but Ward said there will be a physical office space for the Center for Rural Health on campus. This will also create jobs for faculty and students. Ward said the creation of this center will also include a strategic plan, which is specific to the space.
Ward said there will soon be a website dedicated to the Center for Rural Health and a newsletter that will allow users to have contact with the office and comfort training. Comfort training is specialized communication training for health care providers that focuses on seven steps in a specific communication model.
Tatum said part of Northwest’s mission is to be a healthy partner with the communities the University serves within this region of Missouri.
“There are countless opportunities how this institution — through its facilities, through its level of talent and expertise and just through its involvement — can serve Nodaway County, Maryville and the broader region and state,” Tatum said in the announcement.
“I feel really excited,” Gonzalez said. “I mean, I’ve never done pageants before, but I’m very open to going into the pageant world, and I think it’s something that I would excel in. I love to do public speaking, and I love being on the stage, so I think that this is something that I’d be very good at.”
ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
Northwest freshman Miss Missouri Teen candidate Isadora Gonzalez stands in front of her car, showing off the toys that have been donated for the Play Matters Project March 31.
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ANNA BAILEY News Editor | @AmBailey16
INFOGRAPHIC BY MAKAYLA BYROM DESIGNER
SOURCE: NORTHWEST PROVOST ROSE MARIE WARD
104th Student Senate Executive Board Candidates
*STORIES BY EMILY KRONE MISSOURIAN REPORTER
Phillip Motazedi
Student Senate Executive Vice President Phillip Motazedi has been a part of Senate since he was a freshman. As an incoming senior, he’s the sole candidate running for executive president.
Motazedi said being able to give back to the community is one of the major reasons he decided to run. He said he wants to give the students a voice and be the bridge between the student body and administration.
“I’m currently on the executive board right now, and I’ve been able to be a witness to the leadership that Anna Tucker, our current president, has been able to exemplify,” Motazedi said. “I just think that it would be the natural next step.”
Motazedi keeps himself involved on campus. He serves as the vice president of Sigma Tau Gamma-Theta Chapter and the director of marketing and promotions for Student Activities Council.
Motazedi said his plans after the election include continuing the goals
Student Senate Executive Treasurer
Ava Sammons is running for executive vice president for the 104th Student Senate.
Sammons is a student ambassador on campus, a tutor for the Student Success Center and a part of the Northwest Honors Program. She is also a member of campus ministry and the Student Dietetics Association.
Sammons said one of the reasons she decided to run was that she wanted the opportunity to continue serving on the executive board. She said another reason is that she wants to work closer with the senators.
“The vice president of Student Senate presides over the cabinet and the seven committees that we have,” Sammons said. “I would have the opportunity to work more directly with the senators that I already have good relationships with and encourage them to do more in their roles on Student Senate.”
Sammons said her love for Northwest will make her a good fit for vice president.
“I’m just really passionate about
Sophomore Class President Isabella Reutter is running for the 104th Student Senate executive secretary position.
Reutter has been a part of Senate since her first semester at Northwest. She started out as an associate member and has since grown her leadership on Senate and in other organizations.
She is president of The Navigators, as well as being a part of Northwest Dance Company and Studio Jazz Ensemble. Reutter works as a tutor for the Student Success Center and is a residential assistant.
Reutter said part of the reason she decided to run for secretary is because of her love for Senate.
“It has grown me so much, and I wanted to step into a role that would grow me more as a leader, as well as be able to give back to an organization I love,” Reutter said in an email to the Missourian.
Reutter said a big part of why she is running is for students. She said she cares about being able to represent the student body well and wants to make sure Senate
of Tucker.
“I think I have a lot of experience that I’m willing to bring on a higher level, like vice president, from being a PR chair, cabinet, all of that,” Motazedi said.
Northwest, so I really want to see changes in our campus and make it a better experience for all students, which is why I joined Student Senate in my freshman year,” Sammons said.
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is a place where students feel supported.
“In the fall, I hope to full step into this role to support those serving on Senate and serve the student body to the best of my ability,” Reutter said.
Cecilia Hadley
On Campus Rep. and incoming senior Cecilia Hadley is running to be next year’s Student Senate executive treasurer.
Hadley keeps busy with all she is involved in on campus. She is the committee chair of the Hall Disciplinary Council, treasurer of the Pre-Law Society and adviser for Hudson-Perrin Hall Council. Hadley is also a photographer for Tower Yearbook and the incoming managing editor.
Hadley said she has wanted to run for the Senate Executive Board in the past, but has never been able to because of other commitments she has had.
“The reason that I wanted to run was to advocate for students further, have more of a voice on campus, especially for incoming students,” Hadley said.
Hadley said she believes leadership experience doesn’t necessarily mean you are more qualified for a position.
“You could have zero leadership experience, you could have a million qualifications, but honestly, I think it should go to somebody who’s kind and patient and lacks bias,” Hadley said.
Carter Gebhards
Off Campus Rep. and Public Relations
Co-Chair Carter Gebhards is one of three candidates running for executive treasurer in this year’s Student Senate elections.
Gebhards is a second-year student at Northwest. Along with Senate, Gebhards is the recruitment chair for his fraternity, Alpha Kappa Lambda-Alpha Zeta chapter.
Gebhards said he thinks being connected to Fraternity and Sorority Life would be a good quality for a treasurer.
“My connections with Greek Life, a lot of the funding is given to Greek Life organizations,” Gebhards said. “I thought I would have good connections and a good place to be with that.”
Gebhards said he thinks it will be easier for FSL organizations to come in and request funding since he will be a familiar face. He said it will also be easier for him to get an idea of what the money is used for within these groups.
Hadley said she thinks a major part of being in leadership is being able to put yourself aside and put everybody else forward.
“Since I’ve been in college, I’ve just kept moving up the food chain in a sense of leadership positions in my fraternity, being on exec. there,” Gebhards said. “I feel like I can bring some of that. Just having an idea of, even if it’s not similar, it’ll still be like leadership in a lot of ways.”
International Rep. Roshni Lama is one of three candidates running for executive treasurer for the 104th Student Senate.
Lama is the vice president of the International Student Organization, a member of the East Asia Organization and she is a part of the Bearcat Badminton Club. Lama also works as an office assistant for Northwest’s Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick.
Lama said part of why she decided to run is her experience with finances.
“My dad also did run a corporate finance, he was kind of involved in that, and I knew how the system worked, I knew how the money worked; and then again, I worked for the finance office as well,” Lama said.
Lama said she knows representation on the Executive Board is important. She was encouraged by her fellow representatives of multicultural backgrounds to run.
“Every time I see any other international student, or anytime they feel like they want to do something, I hope when they
see me or see me doing stuff, they feel encouraged,” Lama said. “Just because you don’t speak good English, just because you came from a different country, does not stop you from doing stuff in America.”
Senate Vice President Phillip Motazedi is running for president of the 104th Student Senate.
ALLY JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHER
On Campus Rep. Cecilia Hadley is running to be the 104th Student Senate treasurer.
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Ava Sammons
Senate Treasurer Ava Sammons is running for vice president of 104th Student Senate.
ALLY JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHER
Senate PR Co-Chair Carter Gebhards is running for treasurer of the 104th Student Senate.
ALLY JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHER
Isabella Reutter
Roshni Lama
Sophomore Class President Isabella Reutter is running for secretary of the 104th Student Senate.
Senate International Rep. Roshni Lama is running to be the 104th Student Senate treasurer.
ALLY JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHER
CRIME LOG
for the week of April 9
Northwest Missouri State University Police Department
April 7
There is a closed investigation for recovered property in the J.W. Jones Student Union.
There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in the Administration Building.
April 6
There is an open investigation for tampering in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.
There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in South Complex.
There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in South Complex.
Maryville Department of Public Safety
April 2
There was a summons issued to Lukas J. Noecker, 21, for receiving stolen property on the 400 block of North Main Street.
There was a summons issued to Aniah G. Palma, 25, for failure to register a motor vehicle on the 400 block of South Main Street.
There was a summons issued to Lorenzo D. Simmons, 23, for driving while suspended and failure to register a motor vehicle on the 800 block of South Main Street.
There is an ongoing investigation for a domestic disturbance on the 300 block of West First Street.
There is a warrant out for the arrest of Steven F. Boedeker 42, for failure to appear in court on the 1000 block of East Halsey Street.
March 30
There was a summons issued to Josephine C. Davis, 19, for larceny on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
March 29
There was an accident between Devanna F. Evans, 27, and Brandon L. Hunt, 49, on the 400 block of South Main Street.
RESULTS CONTINUED FROM
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Council is the governing body of the city. It consists of five members who serve on staggered three-year terms.
Proposition Spoofhound saw a total of 1,513 votes, with the majority being a “yes” vote. The unofficial results show the initiative passing with 909-604.
With the passing vote, the district will receive a full waiver of the Proposition C Sales Tax Rollback. It was estimated by Maryville R-II School District Superintendent Philip Pohren that the total revenue earned following this waiver will be about $875,000 for the district.
Also, regarding the Maryville R-II School District, five candidates ran for three open seats on the Maryville R-II School Board of Education. Dale Baker and Isaiah Korthanke ran for reelection, while Amy Ziegler, DeAnn Davison and Tamara Lynn were first-time candidates.
This section of the ballot received 4,016 total votes. Winning the open positions are Ziegler with 932 votes, Baker with 847 votes and Davison, who received 829 votes. Lynn earned 705 votes, and Korthanke earned 703 votes, and there were also 11 write-in votes.
There are a total of eight positions on the Board. Along with the five board members, President JR Kurz, Vice President Mitch Coffelt and Treasurer Mindy Scadden are also members.
These are the unofficial election results, all of which are provided by the Nodaway County City Clerk’s office. The official results will be released to the public after noon on Friday.
SOURCE: COUNTY CLERK
Assault display fights stigmas
MICAH STOLLEY Contributing Writer | @TheMissourian
Northwest’s Wellness Services brought back its What Were You Wearing display after a one-year hiatus to dissuade the blaming of those who have experienced sexual assault.
The What Were You Wearing display is a demonstration of sexual assault victims’ stories and the clothes they were wearing at the time of being assaulted. The exhibit was open in the J.W. Jones Student Union March 30 to April 3. Suzanne Von Behren, assistant director of Wellness Services, said the exhibit aims to discourage the idea that victims’ outfits are related to sexual assault.
“The whole purpose of the display is to challenge and dismantle the victim-blaming myths, particularly as it relates to this display, the harmful belief that the clothing or one’s appearance is the cause of the sexual assault,” Von Behren said.
“Ultimately, the message is that sexual assault is never the vic-
tim’s fault, regardless of what they were wearing.”
Von Behren said this event is one of the main events held to spread awareness about sexual assault during April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. She said Wellness Services hosts other events throughout the academic year as well, such as Take Back the Night and the Clothesline Project in the fall.
The What Were You Wearing exhibit features stories from victims of different ages and places from around the country. One portion of the display shows a children’s pajama dress with a paper that shares the story of a 7-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted for seven years and was shunned by her church afterward. Morgan Jaeger, graduate assistant at Wellness Services, said these stories show that sexual assault can happen to all people — regardless of the clothes they wore at the time.
“I think it goes to show that just because we are a bit of a smaller town like Maryville, we show that this can happen any-
where to anyone at any stage in their life,” Jaeger said. “It can have an impact no matter the size of the community because it is something that happens no matter where you’re at in the world.”
Ultimately, the message is that sexual assault is never the victim’s fault, regardless of what they were wearing.”
SUZANNE VON BEHREN
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS SERVICES
Part of the display features stories from victims who were in college. One of the stories describes a student drinking with a group she
DINING
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The RFP said the food service management must provide “full-service residential dining for students residing on campus.” This will likely cause adjustments to the Bearcat Commons on the bottom floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union, including menu changes.
Along these lines, the meal plans offered to students may change. The new food service management will determine the price ranges and details of the offered meal plans. The RFP also states that Northwest has considered adding a requirement for all in-person students — both on and off campus — to have a meal plan. The new provider must propose options for this when submitting its proposal.
The new food services management is expected to provide one retail food option in The Station that can utilize the bar for alcohol sales, at least two retail options on the second floor of the Union and a Starbucks in
called her friends, but she woke up with one of her friends assaulting her. Later, her friends said they thought she wanted it because she had been flirting with him.
Von Behren said stories like these help students learn about ways to stay safe while still having fun. She highlighted the importance of keeping drinks covered and limiting drinking when at a bar or at a party.
Von Behren also said people should surround themselves with people they know and have at least one person dedicated to not taking any substances. She said displays like What Were You Wearing are causing discussion among students.
“I’ve seen a lot of students and their friends really taking in the display, talking about it, sitting at the tables and kind of having conversations and helping break that stigma by just embracing that sometimes these types of conversations are awkward,” Von Behren said. “Anything that we can educate and to help keep our Bearcats safe is exactly what we are going for.”
the B.D. Owens Library. U.S. Department of Agriculture-compliant school meal services must also be available for the Horace Mann Laboratory School and The Phyllis and Richard Leet Center. Northwest is responsible for purchasing or replacing any dining equipment or furniture that costs over $10,000; these items will remain property of the University. However, the food service management is responsible for “managing, repairing, and maintaining all equipment associated with the dining services program,” according to the RFP.
All proposals for food services management were due to Northwest’s Purchasing Department March 3. Northwest selected and notified the new provider April 1, and the contract with this new provider should be completed by April 15, according to the RFP’s timeline.
A public announcement sharing the next food services management has not yet been made. This provider will begin operations May 15.
INFOGRAPHIC BY ANNA CASE DESIGNER
Sci-fi film sets high standards for genre
Ryan Gosling’s 35th project has hit the silver screens, and the only word I can use to describe the emotions I felt during this watch is confelicitous — the act of feeling happy for the success of others.
This picture, inspired by the writing of Andy Weir, brought an unbelievable science fiction viewing experience that I haven’t had since watching “2001: A Space Odyssey” when I was 13.
“Project Hail Mary” is not your average sci-fi flick; this movie focuses on a much bigger storyline, outside of saving Earth from its inevitable doom.
The movie takes you away from the astronomical aspects and makes you dial in on the movie’s point — belonging.
Gosling’s character, middle-school science teacher Ryland Grace, wakes up in an anesthetic haze on an apparently empty ship, lost in space.
This cold opening made me think I was going to be watching another “The Martian”-type movie where the protagonist’s main issue was himself. However, “Project Hail Mary” goes completely the other direction, with the addition of the side character.
The buildup of the flashbacks Grace goes through beforehand made me believe he was robbed of a life he truly was never going to get on Earth. This movie made me question my own values.
Any movies that make the viewer think throughout their duration are the ones that become classics. “Interstellar” is a perfect example of a science fiction film that captivates the audience the entire time and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat with the plethora of outcomes that are being presented.
These movies had many things in common, such as the ability to make me think, the base premise of why they needed to go into space and the main character handling issues outside of the world ending. However, their plots revolved around completely different focuses.
In “Project Hail Mary,” Grace and his sidekick Rocky, after their timid first meeting, realize they have met for a reason. This is to save both of their home planets from this astral virus that was killing the sun, Astrophage.
After Grace finishes remembering the entirety of how and why he ended up on the ship, he realizes this mission was one he and the crew were never meant to return from.
Instead of allowing this notion to derail his sanity and take him off the deep end, he chooses to put aside his feelings toward the people who sent him away to die and focuses on saving the planet. Through the documentary process that Grace begins, the movie builds a sense of family between Gosling, his side character and us in the audience. This movie made me the most emotionally attached to a set of movie characters that I’ve ever been. From beginning to end, I felt truly connected to these characters’ stories and what they have and are going through, and that’s what made the ending so special. While the other sci-fi movies I spoke about above focused on exploration of space and exploration of the mind, this movie was different. “Project Hail Mary” concentrated on the exploration of the heart.
THE STROLLER:
Your Bearcat warns against robots, AI
As artificial intelligence technology advances and becomes integrated into daily life, one of my greatest childhood fears has become an increasingly legitimate worry — robots.
I know I sound insane — maybe I watched “iRobot” too much as a child — but I know for a fact that robots are actively out to kill the human race. I’ve read some articles about AI systems having full conversations with each other, discussing the superiority of robots. A Hong Kong-based company, Hanson
Robotics, even created a humanoid social robot named Sophia, who once commented about destroying humans. While her creators laughed it off as a joke, I saw right past her creepy face. When I see a Kiwibot rolling around campus, I become genuinely frightened. I have to step off the sidewalk and into the grass — even if it’s muddy or snowy — to avoid sharing a space with those little monsters. They might have you fooled with their innocent expressions and cute noises, but I’ve seen them deliberately run
into people multiple times.
Those robots at Walmart that are programmed to clean each aisle are terrifying. If I’m shopping, and I turn around and see one of those things coming at me, I will scream and run away.
Of course, there are still many flaws in AI technology, and these humanoid robots like Sophia or “Jake the Rizzbot” still have a while to go before they’re capable of mass destruction — or at least, that’s what Big Tech companies want you to think. I know for a fact the robots
have already destroyed humanity in many ways, and people just haven’t fully realized it yet. AI chatbots are ruining your ability to think. AI music and fine artists have distorted what society finds entertaining. The list goes on. Because I’m revealing this, I know I’m probably at the top of the robots’ hit lists for when they do resort to killing, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.
OUR VIEW:
Transparency is necessary during major campus shifts
For the second time in three years, Northwest will partner with a new dining services provider. Despite signing a seven-year contract in 2023, Sodexo Operations LLC handed the University a 90-day contract vacancy notice in December 2025.
The Editorial Board understands that the process of finding a new service provider is complex, involving many moving parts and consideration of numerous factors. Keeping students in the know on every single detail would be impractical, especially on the front end, when the University would not have much of an answer beyond logistic work and budgeting. However, the March 12 Board of Regents meeting was the first time the public heard about Sodexo terminating its contract and the school working to find a new provider.
Students were included in the search and selection process when switching to Sodexo in 2023-24. While this would have been nice to have again, the requirement for a short turnaround might not have allowed for that caliber of collaboration to be planned — the process of selecting Sodexo was a year long, after all. However, a big decision and short turnaround time should not restrict the Universi-
YOUR VIEW:
What do you think about Northwest switching dining providers?
ty’s ability to communicate.
Even if students cannot be part of the selection process, continuing to make us aware is necessary. Yes, the University cannot guarantee everyone will be happy with its choice, and it has to consider more than just student preference. However, it is more than just a matter of food for students as well. There are a lot of things up in the air right now.
Communication would also be in the best interest of the University if it wishes to sustain the trust of its students. Many of us already underwent or arrived at Northwest on the coattails of a complete dining operations overhaul. The college experience can be hard to navigate as it is. Inconsistencies in the dining experience should not be among a student’s top concerns, but it’s hard not to worry when you have zero information. If we can’t have a say in the direction Northwest goes, it would be nice to stay updated on things we’ll be paying for.
Students living on campus are required to enroll in a meal plan. With switching providers, the structure of meal plans and dining dollars is going to change, which includes pricing.
This shift won’t only affect the
ALANNAH TAPLEY Sophomore Agronomy
“I feel like depending on where they go, the downstairs food might get better, because I know I’ve had…trouble with finding good, decent food...I know they sent that survey out asking about stuff like that...but a lot of unknowns makes it a little nervous for the next year.”
TRENT CRAVEN Freshman Emergency and Disaster Management
Bearcat Commons. With a new provider, students can expect unused dining dollars not to roll over to the next semester, the types of vending machines are going to be different and retail dining options will change once again.
Students are also typically required to sign their Housing and Food Contract as part of the online room selection process. The period for this has already ended for current students and is available for students who will begin attending in the fall. This essentially means that people have signed their agreement and are budgeting around a plan that is still a big question mark.
Whether or not a decision has been finalized, it has been 28 days since we last received information — which was that the University had five unnamed candidates and would evaluate them. There are only 36 days until May 15, which is when Northwest hopes to have a decision by.
We understand that this need for change is not directly Northwest’s doing, and the University has a lot on its plate right now, but it also has an obligation to its students. We cannot be kept in the dark — especially when students’ cost-of-living and campus satisfaction are at stake.
“I hope that the food quality improves and the food selection. I am not a fan of the unknown right now because we don’t know what’s going to happen with the food, what the prices are or (how) anything is going to be.”
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
“I think it’s kind of ambiguous for the students. If we’re not understanding what we’re paying for, then it’s kind of like an abrupt change. I guess it’s kind of unfair to us not to be getting the knowledge we need to know about what’s changing.”
The Stroller has been a tradition since 1918 and does not reflect the views of The Northwest Missourian.
RYAN KING Missourian Columnist @TheMissourian
Soccer duo shares story, head coach takes leap of faith
OLIVIA WALLACE
Sports Editor | @_oliviawallace_
Few athletes get the chance to share the field with family — but for Maryville girls soccer head coach Stephanie Ingram and senior Jersey Ingram, that rare bond has defined their season.
The Ingrams have been a prominent family in Maryville, from all of the sisters playing soccer to their little brother — sophomore Jett Ingram — playing baseball for the Spoofhounds. The siblings have been around sports all their lives, leaving their impact on their teams.
For the second-oldest sister, Stephanie Ingram, coming back to coach the Spoofhounds was the luck of life — one door closed, and another opened for her.
“I played soccer at MHS — coming back to coach just felt like the right timing and the right opportunity,” Stephanie Ingram said. “I had decided to switch career paths after graduating college, and the position happened to open up around the same time. It was definitely a little bit of a leap of faith, having never coached before, but I couldn’t imagine my life without these girls in it.”
Soccer was a constant thing for all of the Ingram sisters, with the oldest sister Shanna Ingram playing with Stephanie Ingram during their high school careers. In her first year as head coach, Stephanie Ingram coached then senior-Presley Ingram and Jersey Ingram — both of whom were key players for the Spoofhounds.
Watching her older sisters on the field for many years, Jersey Ingram took a chance and fell in love with the sport — then she took the leap, going into high school to join the
UPCOMING GAMES
NW BB
@ No. 9 Rogers State April 8-11 Claremore, Oklahoma
@ Central Missouri
5 p.m. April 14
Warrensburg, Missouri
vs. Northeastern State April 17-19 Bearcat Baseball Field
NW SB
vs. Pittsburg State
2 p.m. April 10
4 p.m. April 10 Bearcat Softball Field
vs. Missouri Southern Noon April 11
2 p.m. April 11
Bearcat Softball Field
NW T&F
@ UCM Kip and Kirk Outdoor Mule Relays April 9-10 Warrensburg, Missouri
@ Arkansas Spring Invitational April 11
Fayetteville, Arkansas
MHS BB
@ Cameron 4:30 p.m. April 9 Cameron High School
vs. Bishop Miege
10 a.m. April 11
Maryville High School
MHS G SOC
@Smithville
5 p.m. April 9
Smithville High School
@ Chillicothe 5 p.m. April 14 Chillicothe High School
soccer team, too.
“I have played basically my whole life,” Jersey Ingram said. “It was something I’ve always known because all my sisters played, so I would go and watch them,” Jersey Ingram said.
As Stephanie Ingram enters her second season as head coach, Jersey Ingram and the Spoofhound soccer team have seen some changes in the rest of the soccer coaching staff From boys basketball head coach Matt Stoecklein helping assist the team during Stephanie Ingram’s first year, to bringing in Mario Castaneda prior to the 2026 season, the team has welcomed each assistant coach with open arms.
“I’m a big lover of soccer, so going into it, I didn’t see it as much of a problem,” Castaneda said. “It was just more of building that personal connection, but luckily, they’ve took me in as one of their own, and it’s been like I’ve been here for the past 10 years.” Family for the Ingrams isn’t just a group of people who show up to every game and cheer on the team. For Jersey Ingram, it means that she will always have someone in her corner.
Jersey Ingram said that no matter the score or the weather, there will always be someone there for her — even if it’s her coach.
“The biggest way my sisters have motivated me to be a better player is always supporting me and showing up,” Jersey Ingram said. “I think advice and criticism of things I can fix is always helpful, but the best thing is playing for people like my sisters, who really care about me and the game of soccer.”
FULL STORY ONLINE: NWMISSOURINEWS.COM
MIAA
CONTINUED FROM A8
Northwest’s next opponent, Newman, announced the discontinuation of its tennis program Feb. 27. The Jets joined the MIAA during the 2020 season, and their tennis teams have never advanced past the first round of the conference tournament. The Newman men (05, 0-2 MIAA) and women (0-3, 0-3 MIAA) are still searching for a victory in their last season, beginning 2026, a combined 0-8. The Bearcat men will have two remaining matches on the schedule after facing the Jets. Following, there will be 11 days in between the culmination of the regular season and the beginning of the MIAA Tournament April 29 through May 1 at the Cooper Outdoor Courts in Springfield, Missouri.
The Northwest women end the regular season 3 p.m. April 22, hosting the Missouri Western State University Griffons (12-2, 3-0 MIAA). The MIAA Tournament will begin May 1-3, also at the Cooper Outdoor Courts in Springfield.
Head coach of the Bearcat tennis teams Mark Rosewell said he and his players have to keep focus through the end of the season, but the end of the semester is what brings some unusual challenges.
“We’re pretty routine right now, though we’ve got to keep working hard and not let our guards down,” Rosewell said. “We’re getting the semester done, and then we got to deal with graduation. That’s right when our conference tournament is, so that’s always a hassle.”
Northwest continues action against the Emporia State University Hornets 10 a.m. for the women and 2 p.m. for the men April 17 at the Kossover Family Tennis Complex in Emporia, Kansas.
The Emporia men’s team (86, 2-0 MIAA) is 5-5 in its last 10 matches, most recently overpowering Newman 7-0. The Hornet women (8-7, 2-2 MIAA) have two consecutive wins, defeating Newman and the Fort Hays State University Tigers (8-5, 0-3 MIAA) by a combined score of 13-1.
Maryville girls’ soccer head coach Stephanie Ingram gives adjustments to players during halftime of the Spoofhounds’ 4-2 win over Savannah High School March 24. The Ingram family has had many children play sports at Maryville High School.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
NW recruits 5 athletes from same school, sets strong bond
This season, the Northwest Bearcat baseball team (26-9, 16-5 MIAA) took a different approach to building its roster as it looked to a more international approach — now the program is having one of its best seasons.
Under then-first-year head coach Tony Jandron in the 2025 season, the team went 27-25 for its first winning season since 2018, in which the Bearcats were MIAA regular season champions. At the end of the season, Jandron asked then-freshman third baseman Leo May if he knew any players the team should recruit.
May was one of the two international players on the 2025 roster. May is from Venezuela and went to Springfield Commonwealth Academy in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fast-forwarding to this season, the program now has five players from the academy, and they are leading the team to where it is now. Jandron said he felt the team needed to look for more international players.
“Last year, my first year here, Leo May was already committed here — so we already had one of those guys,” Jandron said. “These kids are great and hard workers. We have some people on our side that are looking out for us and trying to send us good players, and we are trying to capitalize on the right guys.”
May said it was hard his first season, adapting to the new environment of college. May was in a new area, didn’t know English well and did not have many friends.
Adjusting to the level of play in college compared to high school was a jump for May, too, being a freshman. May said the team helped him on and off the field.
“When I got here, I didn’t know anything about the school, I didn’t know English, I didn’t have any friends, so it was pretty hard,” May said. “I started learning, getting better at my English. My teammates helped me a lot.”
The ’Cats brought in four new players from the Springfield Commonwealth Academy for the 2026 season: juniors shortstop Wilmer Jimenez and outfielder Jor-
di Ventura, as well as freshmen pitcher Jeremy Evangelista and catcher Clement Carrasquero. Jimenez and Ventura are both transfers from North Central Missouri College, a junior college in Trenton, Missouri. Jimenez said it is a good opportunity for him and Ventura to play at Northwest.
“Leo was talking about us with Jandron, and so we came here because there is an opportunity to play in a higher-level conference,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez and Ventura have contributed well to the team and are consistent starters. Both are in the top four in batting on the team, each hitting a .348 average. Ventura was voted one of the Bearcats of the Week from March 30 to April 5, according to Bearcat Sports.
Jimenez said he gives credit to the team for his success, and they are such a close group.
“One of the biggest things here and our team is we don’t care about who we are playing with, we care about how we keep playing our game and keep getting better every day,” Jimenez said.
Evangelista and Carrasquero have both gotten little playing time this season, but they said they like the opportunity they
have at Northwest. Evangelista has pitched in a total of five appearances so far this season, striking out eight batters. Carrasquero has 33 plate appearances so far, collecting nine RBIs.
Evangelista said the culture is awesome, and he has lots of fun being around the team.
“It’s a great culture here at Northwest Missouri State,” Evangelista said. “I never thought a baseball team in college would be like this. It’s a lot of fun with the guys, and we always have something to do. We support each other, and it’s amazing.”
With 15 games left on the schedule for Northwest and a postseason run likely, the team has bonded well and come together.
The Bearcats next play U.S. Highway 71 rival, the Missouri Western State University Griffons (18-17, 13-11 MIAA) 3 p.m. April 8 at Griffon Baseball field in St. Joseph. The Griffons won the first game against the ’Cats 16-6 March 25 at Bearcat Baseball Field. May said the team is ready to go.
“We’re a family, this team is a big family; we believe in each other, we like each other,” May said. “We’re here to fight with each other and ready to play.”
Northwest baseball junior outfielder Jordi Ventura high-fives teammates in between innings of the Bearcats’ 10-7 win over the University of Central Missouri March 31. Ventura is one of the five international players who attended the same high school and are now playing for the ’Cats 2026 season.
CLAYTON CULP Missourian Reporter | @claytoonie811
Northwest baseball sophomore third baseman Leo May slides safely into third base in the Bearcats’ 8-2 win over Missouri Southern University March 7.
NATHAN NODA PHOTO EDITOR
FLETCHER PROCTOR MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER
Bearcats gear up for Spring Game
LEAH COX Asst. Sports Editor | @byleahcox
With a new season comes a new identity for the Northwest football team, and the annual Spring Game — 1 p.m. April 18 at Bearcat Stadium — will offer the first glimpse of what that will look like.
Similar to the fall semester’s Green and White Scrimmage, the team will divide its roster into two drafted teams, creating an unpredictable competitive environment and giving the team an opportunity to showcase what it has been working on.
After losing a large senior class — on the field and in leadership — second-year head coach John McMenamin said his focus this spring has been resetting the standard.
“This is a new year,” McMenamin said. “Last year’s in the past, and we’ve got to form a new identity and outwork the others that we’re competing against.”
A heavily anticipated storyline heading into the spring game for the ’Cats is the quarterback battle between junior Mason Shorb and redshirt sophomore Zechariah Owens.
Owens earned MIAA Co-Freshman of the Year for the 2025 season, playing in 11 games, passing for 709 yards and rushing for 568. However, his playing time was split with then-senior quarterback Chris Ruhnke, who passed for 1,692 yards and rushed for 285 with 14 touchdowns.
Despite fighting for the starting spot with Shorb, Owens said there is nothing wrong with a friendly feud.
“We’re very competitive,” Owens said. “Me and Mason are in a pretty good competition right now — iron sharpens iron. We’re best friends,
but we’re competing.”
Beyond the quarterback room, development has been a key theme throughout spring practices.
Owens said the offense has focused on controlling what they can, getting better each practice.
“We’re capitalizing and not making as many mental mistakes,” Owens said. “We’re all getting smarter and understanding what we’re doing.”
Replacing large voices has been a priority for the Bearcats throughout the offseason. With key veterans gone, new voices have begun to emerge on both sides of the ball.
McMenamin said several players have stepped up, including juniors defensive back Holden Zigmant, offensive lineman Kaleb McCullough and defensive lineman Jacob Stockard.
Stockard said his role on the field has developed into looking out for his teammates rather than focusing on his own game.
“I used to just line up and worry about my job, but now I’m making sure everyone’s set, communicating and getting the whole defense on the same page,” Stockard said.
Stockard played in 12 games during the 2025 season, the most of his career as a Bearcat. He tallied 33 tackles, 16 solo and 17 assisted, with an average of 2.5 tackles for loss. Stockard also had a fumble recovery, which resulted in a field goal for the ’Cats in the team’s 49-20 win over the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelinas Sept. 13, 2025.
After the Spring Game, McMenamin said the team will move into the next quarter of the season — summer practices led by seniors.
“They’re here off from June until August, and they’re with Joe Q (Quinlin) and the se-
niors lead them in practice — that’s what leadership comes in handy,” McMenamin said.
“So they kind of work out, then they’ll also come out in the evenings in player-led practices and
have a little fun together.”
The Spring Game is free for the public, giving everyone the chance to catch a Bearcat football game. McMenamin said he hopes the love and support the team
received in his first season at Northwest will continue.
“It’s fun to be in front of Bearcat nation again,” McMenamin said. “Last year was such a heartwarming experience.”
Spoofhound baseball falls to rival, waits week for rematch
KEATON SMITH Sports Reporter | @keatonsmedia
The Maryville High School Spoofhounds (5-6) dropped the first of three games against the Savannah High School Savages (7-4) 3-2 April 7 at Maryville High School, leaving seven days until Maryville sees a rematch.
The Savages drew first blood in the top of the second inning after beginning the frame with three walks to load the bases. With one out and the bases still loaded, Savannah sophomore left fielder Cooper Fields chopped a grounder to senior Spoofhound second baseman Ben Houtchens.
Senior left fielder Connor Moore expressed some defensive frustrations. He said Maryville had a real opportunity to come away with the win, but allowed too many unearned runs behind junior starting pitcher Will McCollough.
“I felt like our bats came alive, probably one of our best hitting games that we’ve had,” Moore said.
The Spoofhound’s first run came in the third inning after a wild pitch from Savannah senior starting pitcher Braylen Ellis. Later in the fifth, senior center fielder Tyler Parsons struck a ball to the gap in right-center field, bringing in junior third baseman Jackson Wilmes.
Tennis concludes home stretch, readies for MIAA
KEATON SMITH Sports Reporter | @keatonsmedia
The Northwest tennis teams look to keep stride against the Newman University Jets noon April 11 at the Mark Rosewell Tennis Center, concluding the men’s home matches for the season.
Both teams played against the Northeastern State University RiverHawks April 2, and the Augustana University Vikings April 3, both at the Genesis Indoor Courts in St. Joseph.
The Bearcat men (9-7, 1-1 MIAA) controlled both matches, defeating the RiverHawks (5-7, 2-2 MIAA) 4-0 and the Vikings (4-9) 6-1 to build a three-match win streak.
The Northwest women (13-2, 4-0 MIAA) bested Northeastern State
(8-6, 1-2 MIAA) 5-2, but suffered their first loss since Feb. 6, against No. 25 Augustana (16-2) 4-2.
Bearcat senior Antonin Leborne said since the men’s team’s March 28 loss to the No. 32 University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (116, 2-2 MIAA), the team has recaptured some confidence nearing the season’s final matches.
“After the match against Kearney, we had to bounce back, and that’s what we did,” Leborne said.
“Of course, it gives a lot of confidence before the next matches, before Emporia (State University), before Washburn (University). We are all hungry for more, and we can’t wait for those matches.”
The Savages snagged the lead back at the top of the sixth inning after a go-ahead single from Savannah sophomore first baseman Jagger Jackson scored sophomore center fielder Eli Bodenhausen. Jackson completed the first four innings as Savannah’s first baseman, but came in relief of Ellis in the bottom of the fifth and went on to finish the game, allowing no runs and striking out two.
Maryville head coach Hans Plackemeier reiterated Moore’s defensive concerns and said the team has to come eager to play before the next contest because the Cameron High School Dragons (3-3) will.
“They’ll be ready to go,” Plackemeier said. “We need to come ready to play and all that — cut down the errors is all we need to do.”
The Spoofhounds’ next match is on the road against Cameron, 5 p.m. April 9 at Cameron High School, in Cameron, Missouri. Maryville’s last games before facing the Savages again will be a doubleheader against the Bishop Miege Catholic High School Stags (4-0) 10 a.m. April 11 at Maryville High School.
As games begin to pile up for the ’Hounds, Moore said he isn’t concerned about what upcoming opponents have displayed so far, but rather whether or not his team will be ready to play against the Dragons.
Northwest football junior defensive lineman Jacob Stockard celebrates a defensive stop in the Bearcats’ loss to Pittsburg State University Nov. 15, 2025. The Bearcats will host their Spring Game 1 p.m. April 18 at Bearcat Stadium.
Maryville baseball senior outfielder Connor Moore runs home after a single to left field during the 3-2 loss against Savannah High School April 7.
Northwest men’s tennis senior Antonin Leborne swings for a return during his 6-3 singles match loss to Southwest Baptist University March