Homecoming 2018

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Table of Contents 4 Alumni reflect on 14 Kelli Carter homecoming 15 Summer Reid & 5 Getting involved Olivia Henson outside FSL 16 Katie Verry 6 Alumni events 17 Haley Swanigan 8 Committee spotlight 18 Zach Cull 9 Choosing a winner 19 Ryan May 10-11 Football preview 20 Andre McIntyre 12-13 Homecom- 21 Tyler Swearingin ing candidates 22 Tim Wilkinson

Advertising staff Matthew Brenneke sales Mark Phillips sales Hailey Gilbreath sales James Hunter graphic design

Editorial staff Cortlynn Stark editor-in-chief Emily Cole news editor Hanna Sumpter deputy news editor Nina Todea life editor Amanda Sullivan sports editor Kaitlyn Stratman photo editor Bill Sioholm digital editor

Reporters/Photographers Noah Standish senior reporter Layne Stracener senior reporter Blaine Wheeler senior anchor Ben Vickers videographer Alec Sahm videographer

Connor Wilson reporter Madison Bryan reporter Carissa Alford reporter Terry Chapman reporter Afton Harper reporter Bryce Derrickson sports reporter Cole Sutton sports reporter Claire Niebrugge sports reporter Kennedy Bright sports reporter Kyle Derringer sports reporter Monica Blake sports reporter Sam Grus sports reporter Bailey Vassalli reporter/photographer Megan Burke reporter/photographer Bradley Balsters copy editor/photographer Sarah Shepard copy editor Sarah Hollstrom copy editor

Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager

HOMECOMING GUIDE 2018 is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper.

The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.

Cover design by James Hunter

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Coming back home MSU alumni share their thoughts on homecoming, fight song NOAH STANDISH Senior Reporter @NoahjStandish A sea of maroon and white covers the concrete and bricks on the campus of Missouri State University. The smell of barbecue and the sound of laughter and blaring music fill the air.

It’s homecoming week.

As thousands of people crowd outside of Plaster Stadium with smiles on their faces, they’ll reunite with hundreds of families and alumni.

This year’s theme is “Bears Through the Ages.”

On Oct. 19, MSU will kick off the annual event in downtown Springfield. Parties, tailgates and parades will be held before the university’s football team takes on Western Illinois looking to extend their three-game winning streak.

Among the thousands of students on campus, hundreds of alumni are looking forward to the celebration of MSU pride and memories of their time on campus.

They’ll be home.

Austin Snider, an MSU alum who graduated in spring 2018, is a paraprofessional in St. Charles, Missouri.

It’s only been five months since he received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education, but he’s been anticipating a return to Springfield ever since.

“It’s just really exciting to go back and relive

those really fond memories from when I was an undergraduate,” Snider said. “I’m making the trip to Springfield to see a lot of my friends for the first time in several months. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

For Snider, MSU’s campus represents home thanks to the friends he made as a student. Now that he’s an alum, Snider said homecoming represents an opportunity to become reacquainted with those friends.

From the parade to the football game, he’s ready to tag along as if he never left.

“Anything that my friends are going to, I’m going to be there,” Snider said. “I’m just excited to be in the atmosphere and to be back on campus as part of the homecoming experience.”

That experience — of course — also includes MSU’s fight song. Approaching the homecoming football game, Snider anticipates it being a refrain he’s going to sing as often as possible.

“I’ll have (the fight song) on my Spotify queue ready to blast,” Snider said. “It might get a little obnoxious, but that’s what homecoming is all about.”

According to MSU’s website, the fight song was adopted in the 1960s and is formally titled “The Scotsman.” At the time, the university was known as Southwest Missouri State College.

Kelsey DeVasure graduated from MSU in spring 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in socio-political communication before earning her

Uphold tradition, our school we hold so dear We will be loyal, throughout our college years Fight for victory, while we stand up and cheer Let's hear it for the BEARS! B-E-A-R-S BEARS! M-I-S-S-O-U-R-I State! master’s in communication in spring 2018.

But Springfield is still a major part of her life that she’s excited to revisit.

“I think I’ll feel more like crying when I’m on campus just because it’ll be great to see everybody again,” DeVasure said. “I have a lot of friends who got married, so they don’t go out every weekend anymore.”

Now, DeVasure lives in Kansas City, Missouri, while attending law school at University of Missouri-Kansas City. But she said she still comes down to Springfield about twice a month for what she calls a more lively atmosphere.

“A lot of my friends are still in Springfield, so I come down to visit,” DeVasure said.

“UMKC is so much different because it’s more urban, so everyone commutes. It’s not the same at MSU where everyone lives together and does everything together.”

DeVasure said she’s most excited about the sense of comradery that comes with reuniting with friends from her time as an undergraduate student. One way she’s kept her pride as an MSU alumna is by teaching others the fight song.

“I’ve already been singing (the fight song) in Kansas City by looking it up on YouTube with my phone,” DeVasure said. “It had the lyrics on it. My boyfriend went to Evangel (University), so he doesn’t really know about a fun homecoming. I had to teach him.”

On Oct. 19, MSU will kick off its homecoming weekend for students, families and alumni. Thousands of Bears from hundreds of places will come together to reminisce on their time in Springfield.

For some, the party will be in their backyard, but for others, it will be a vacation in the city.

Regardless of how far they’ve travelled, when they’re in Springfield, they’ll be home.

File Photos/ THE STANDARD

Students from homecomings past celebrate the Bears at football games (far left), marching in the Pride Band (left) and holding signs at the parade (right).

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File photo by NINA TODEA/THE STANDARD

The MSU Pride Band marches in the Band of Bears Homecoming Parade each year.

Homecoming events for all MONICA BLAKE Sports Reporter @monicablak3 Homecoming is an exciting time on the Missouri State campus. There are many events students and alumni can participate in. Often times, students don’t realize you do not have to be in Fraternity and Sorority Life to get involved. A few events to show your Bear pride are listed below.

Thursday, Oct. 18

Pep rally — The winter sports pep rally rings in homecoming weekend at 6 p.m. on Thursday. This is a chance for students to hear winter sports athletes talk about their upcoming season and to get pumped for the football game on Saturday. All students are invited to stay after the pep rally for an FSL-sponsored event, “Yell Like Hell.”

Friday, Oct. 19

Field day — The annual MSU homecoming field day takes place from 5-6:30 p.m. for nonFSL students. It is located at the Betty and Bobby Allison Recreational Fields near Scholars House. Students are invited to register a team and compete against other students in childhood field day games.

Campus haunted tours — The MSU Folklore Club is sponsoring haunted campus tours from 6-9 p.m. The tour will include spooky narratives told by faculty, students and staff over the last 15 years. The tour costs $4 per person or $10 for a group of three.

Swimming and diving vs. Drury — Every year, the MSU swimming and diving team competes against cross-town rival Drury University during homecoming weekend. The meet will be

held at Hammons Student Center at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 20

Band of Bears Homecoming Parade — There will be floats, bands and other festivities down John Q. Hammons Parkway starting at 9 a.m. The parade is free and all students, alumni and Springfield residents are encouraged to attend.

Basketball sneak preview — This year, the men’s and women’s basketball teams are hosting a public practice. First-year men’s head coach Dana Ford and women’s head coach Kellie Harper will lead their teams in this practice at Hammons Student Center. Admission is free to all. The event takes place at 10 a.m.

Bearfest Village tailgate — A tailgate will be held on campus prior to the football game per usual. Festivities start at 11 a.m. outside Plaster Stadium.

Football vs. Western Illinois —The MSU football team, 4-2, is coming off a win against Indiana State last weekend. They will take on the Western Illinois Bulldogs who are 2-4 on the season. Last year, the Bears lost 49-30 against the Bulldogs. The Bears are currently ranked fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference, and the Bulldogs are ranked seventh.

Men’s soccer vs. Gonzaga — The men’s soccer team, 7-1-4, will compete against Gonzaga University at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs are 2-8-2 on the season. The Bears are currently ranked second in the MVC with only three more games before the conference tournament.

Sunday, Oct. 21

Women’s soccer vs. Loyola Chicago — The women’s soccer team will round out homecoming weekend by taking on Loyola Chicago.

The Bears are currently 7-6-2 and ranked sixth in the Valley. Loyola is ranked first in the Valley.

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Events for visiting alumni Lunches, parties and tailgates

from “Be a Bear” shirt sales to the Missouri State University Foundation, Fan said.

For questions or concerns regarding this event, contact Fan at 417-836-4155 Homecoming is a time to welcome back More information about this event can be alumni and friends to campus and create new found on the MSU Alumni Association webmemories while reflecting on the old ones. site.

Around campus, there will be many different events for alumni to attend during homecoming.

Here is a list of some to look into: AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888

Saturday, Oct. 20

Friday, Oct. 19 Class of 1968 50th Reunion Luncheon The class of 1968 will be having a luncheon on Friday. Check-in begins at 10:30 a.m., and a class photo will be taken at 11 a.m. The luncheon will then begin around 11:15 a.m. in the Kentwood Hall Ballroom.

Arthur Mallory, the fifth president of Missouri State University, will be a featured guest at this event, according to the Missouri State University website.

Each class member will be recognized with a certificate and given an opportunity to share a memory.

If interested, contact Debra Branson, associate director of Alumni Relations, to make arrangements.

More information can be found on the MSU Calendar of Events.

Welcome Home Kick Off Party The party is from 5-8 p.m. in the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center.

All alumni are invited, so there will be a diverse group of people, said Lori Fan, executive director of Alumni Relations.

Fan suggests arriving to the party closer to 6:30 p.m. There will be lawn games, and Andy’s Frozen Custard will be served.

Baker Bookstore will also present a check

Breakfast with Boomer On Saturday, from 10-11 a.m. after the homecoming parade, everyone is invited to eat breakfast on the second floor of Duane G. Meyer Library with family and friends.

Fan encourages families to register and pay in advance for their attendance.

Breakfast costs $5 in advance for adults and $3 in advance for children. At the door, adult registration costs $7 and child registration costs $5.

Contact Fan for questions or concerns regarding this event.

More information about this event can be found on the MSU Calendar of Events.

Golden Bears Luncheon The Golden Bears Club will be hosting a luncheon in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that will recognize all alumni who have graduated 50 or more years ago, according to the MSU website.

University President Clif Smart will welcome the group and provide a brief campus update. Following Smart’s welcome, Dean of Libraries Thomas Peters will talk about campus life in the 1950s and 1960s, Fan said.

The class of 1968 will then be inducted into the Golden Bears Club, an alumni association, with a lapel pin.

Contact Branson to make arrangements for this event.

MarooNation Tailgate At BearFest Village from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 20, the alumni association board will be grilling hot dogs and helping work the alumni tent.

Contact Jordan Taylor regarding questions or arrangements for this event.

Multicultural Services tailgate tent Multicultural services will also be working a tent at BearFest Village from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Black Alumni Council and TRIO will be hosting alumni reunions in this tent.

File Photo by EMILY COLE/THE STANDARD Contact Michele Smith, assistant vice president of student affairs at Multicultural SerThe Golden Bears Luncheon, an annual alumni event, welcomes alumni vices, for questions or arrangements regarding this event.

who graduated over 50 years ago.

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The homecoming committee plans events for homecoming weekend in March. They contact various people about competitions and providing food.

Homecoming: behind the scenes LAYNE STRACENER Senior Reporter @LayneStracener

About seven months before homecoming, while other students aren’t even thinking about it, the homecoming committee is brainstorming ideas and contacting people for the events.

The homecoming committee begins planning in March, right after the members are interviewed and selected. They work a few hours a week to begin with, but the hours grow to about five to 10 per week, depending on the job.

The committee has meetings once a month in the spring and once a week in the fall. There are coordinators for each event.

Homecoming chair Tobi Ponnle, a senior public relations major, said she enjoys planning and getting students involved. It’s her third year on the homecoming committee.

“I do love participating and being involved in it, but I think I get more enjoyment out of planning fun events other people can enjoy,” Ponnle said.

Graduate advisor Neil Bourgeois, a student affairs in higher education major, said his favorite part of being on the homecoming committee is working with the other students on the committee.

“I enjoy helping the students and seeing them grow through the experience,” Bourgeois said. “I like to see their excitement when their ideas come to life, and I also enjoy seeing all the excitement of all the students at Missouri State participating in the events.”

Ponnle added that she loves how people are always excited no matter the circumstance.

“It was raining at Decorate Downtown last

year, and there were still people having fun and making the best of it,” Ponnle said. “I think it just brings the best out of everyone that week.”

Royalty coordinator Kelsey Kraatz, a senior mathematics major, said homecoming is her favorite week on campus. It’s Kraatz’s second year on the homecoming committee. She said she enjoys working with others on the committee.

“I didn’t think I’d get this close to people on the committee,” Kraatz said. “It’s a lot of fun to have all these new friends each year.”

Not only does Kraatz enjoy making friends on the committee, but she said she enjoys seeing students, faculty and alumni join together for a week and seeing participating students build relationships as well.

“I like how relationships build within students that they may have not had before when students decide to team together during the week,” Kraatz said.

Bourgeois said the committee’s goal this year is to make homecoming more inclusive to all students. Kraatz said one way they are doing this is by having spirit tables throughout campus to give all students information about the events. The residence halls and many non-FSL organizations are also competing.

“I think a lot of people think it’s only an FSL thing, and that’s not what homecoming is about,” Kraatz said. “We want to make sure people feel welcome and invited to all events.”

Ponnle said the committee wants to make sure the events are not only about the competition. They are including other aspects such as food so people not involved in competitive events can still have fun.

“We want it to be more of a block party feel rather than just having a competition at a certain time and then everyone leaves,” Ponnle said.

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Crowned winners MADISON BRYAN Staff Reporter @MadisonBryan14 The crowd cheers and applause fills the air as the homecoming winners are being announced one by one.

Each group screams for their winner, thrilled that they won.

But how did they do it?

Homecoming week is filled with events to help each organization get points that are ultimately added up to announce the winners. These organizations are set up into three sections: Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Organizations and Residence Life.

This competition includes banners created and hung up for the student body to see in the Plaster Student Union, Yell Like Hell and the decorating of the floats that take part in the parade Saturday morning before the big game.

Everyone has their own plan to win.

“Our strategy, which is obviously winning, but making sure we get everything started earlier rather than later,” said Alec Green, an active member of Sigma Pi fraternity. “We’re trying to make sure our Yell Like Hell team has a routine they’re continually working on and that we’re getting better at and building the best float.”

There are 13 different events, and organizations receive points for each event they participate in. The banner created for the PSU alone is 50 points, and extra points are awarded for the first, second and third place winners of each event.

Organizations from the same section are allowed to team up and work together. However, they will still be judged separately.

During the homecoming game, Saturday, Oct. 20, the winners for each section will be announced during the third and fourth quarter and crowned on the field.

File Photo by NINA TODEA/THE STANDARD

Yell Like Hell is an event hosted for anyone to watch while a variety of organizations compete.

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Huslig and company bring the Bears back home for homecoming

be a menace if he gets loose. The Missouri State quarterback has five rushing touchdowns this season and averages 58.7 yards per game.

In the running game, the two teams are fairly similar.

Bears running back Jason Randall is averaging 59 yards per The Missouri State football team will take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks for homecoming weekend, Saturday, Oct. game with five touchdowns. The Leathernecks running back 20, at Plaster Stadium.

Steve McShane is averaging 47 yards per game with two touchThe Leathernecks’ record is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the downs.

Missouri Valley Football Conference. They topped Youngstown However, McShane is a double threat in the catch and run State, 45-38, fell 33-16 to No. 14 Illinois State on the road game. The senior has been on the other end of a touchdown pass from McGuire four times this season. during Week 7 and lost to No. 1 North Dakota State 34-7 last McGuire could not have made history without the help of week.

Despite the loss to a Football Championship Subdivihis wide receivers, though. Redshirt junior John Brunner is sion-ranked team, Western Illinois quarterback Sean McGuire averaging 62 yards per game. Tony Tate, a redshirt sophomore, made school history during the Illinois State game by beis averaging 55 yards per game. Each receiver has two touchcoming the all-time leader in passing yards and passing downs this season. touchdowns for Western Illinois.

The Bears are not lacking in the receiving game, either.

Junior Tyler Currie is averaging 39 yards per game and has two touchdowns this season. Wide receivers freshman Damoriea Vick and sophomore Lorenzo Thomas along with freshman tight end Jordan Murray are Huslig’s go-to targets. Vick and Thomas are each averaging over 40 yards per game. Murray has two touchdowns this season.

Missouri State has the overall upper hand in this game, despite McGuire and his record-breaking arm. Huslig and company have options. Whether or not the receivers are well-covered, there’s pressure on the quarterback, or the rushing game gets stuffed, the Bears’ offense has shown it can create plays.

Missouri State’s defense is second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in sacks with 19 for 134 yards.

Junior McNeece Egbim leads the Bears in tackles with 56.

Junior Angelo Garbutt and senior Jared Beshore are other defensive players that should cause the Western Illinois offense trouble.

Western’s defense is not lacking defense with senior Quentin Moon, who has 66 total tackles this season.

It doesn’t hurt that it’s homecoming weekend, either. With alumni in town and friends and family visiting current students, there should be a lot of buzz surrounding Plaster Stadium.

The family weekend atmosphere at Plaster gave the Bears a rowdy crowd to play for against Illinois State on Sept. 29, especially in the final seconds of the game when the Bears came away with the victory. The energy on Saturday should be no different, if not greater.

The Bears are coming off a loss on the road at South Dakota, a game they kept themselves alive in and one they could have come out on top. Missouri State is also fresh off a 29-26, last second win at Indiana State.

Missouri State is taking the home field for the first time in AMANDA SULLIVAN/THE STANDARD two weeks, and the Bears are hungry and ready for another win.

Quarterback Peyton Huslig runs toward the end zone. Huslig dove in the end zone and scored a Western Illinois is ready to take on the Bears, hopeful to break touchdown for the Bears. He currently has five rushing touchdowns and averages 58 rushing yards its losing streak on the road. per game.

The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

CLAIRE NIEBRUGGE Sports Reporter @claireniebrugge

Western Illinois has not won a game on the road this season, while Missouri State is undefeated on its home field.

The Leathernecks have scored first in every one of their games this season, with exception to the North Dakota State game, bringing the heat early on in the game. The Bears, though, have led at halftime in four of their six games, averaging about 19 points in the first half.

The quarterback comparison is interesting.

MSU quarterback Peyton Huslig is averaging 202 passing yards per game and throwing just as many touchdowns as interceptions — seven.

McGuire, on the other hand, is averaging 259 passing yards per game and completing 58 percent of his passes. While he has thrown nine interceptions in six games, he has also launched 14 touchdowns into the end zone.

Huslig has the upper hand, though. Not only does the Leatherneck defense have to cover the passing game, but Huslig can

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(Top) A Missouri State football player runs through three Illinois State players to break the tackle.

(Bottom) Peyton Huslig jukes out his Illinois State opponent.

Missouri State defeated Illinois State 24-21 on Sept. 29. The Redbirds were ranked No. 9 at the time. Western Illinois is not ranked and is 2-4 so far this season. The Bears are 4-2.

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Kelli Carter Senior Kelli Carter, special education major, was nominated to homecoming court by her sorority, Xi Omicron Iota.

What does being nominated mean to you?

“Being nominated means that I get to give my fresh viewpoint to what a homecoming queen should represent through my campaign.”

What are you involved in?

“I am currently the vice president of Xi Omicron Iota Sorority and have served on the Cru Campus Ministry leadership team for the past three years.”

What are your plans after college?

“After college, I hope to be an intern with Cru on our campus for one or two years.”

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Summer Reid Olivia Henson Senior Summer Reid, public relations major, was nominated to homecoming court by her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

Senior Olivia Henson, public relations major, was nominated to homecoming court by her sorority, Sigma Kappa.

What does being a homecoming nominee mean to you?

“To me, being a homecoming nominee means that people see you as someone who represents your sponsoring organization and Missouri State in a positive way. I would also add that it is very humbling. I never would have imagined that I would ever be on homecoming court.”

What statement would you like to make?

“I would really like to change the meaning behind homecoming queen. I believe that this is a great position to use to make an impact on Missouri State. My main platform point is to connect with the GEP program coordinators to work as a peer resource for freshman students.”

What does being nominated mean to you?

“It was an honor to have the women I respect and value so much choose me to represent them as their homecoming queen candidate.

The women of Sigma Kappa are some of the most kind, genuine, bold and selfless leaders I know. I am giddy knowing they believe I am a woman who represents those characteristics in her life and would best represent Missouri State as homecoming queen 2018.”

What are your plans after college?

“Directly after college, I hope to work as a leadership consultant for Sigma Kappa and spend my year growing and serving in other Sigma Kappa chapters around the nation.”

Photo submitted by Summer Reid

Photo submitted by Olivia Henson

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Katie Verry Senior Katie Verry, middle school education/ language arts and social studies major, was nominated to homecoming court by her sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma.

What does being a homecoming nominee mean to you?

“It means so much to me to represent not only my sorority, but the university. I never believed as a freshman walking onto campus for the first time that I would be where I am today. I never thought I would be so passionate about my college. I believe in everything Missouri State stands for and recognized the importance and privilege of attending a public-affairs-minded school. Being on court is an honor.”

What statement would you like to make?

“I think students should vote for me because I want to use this title and its responsibilities in a way that advocates for other students. I hope to be able to highlight the importance of mental health and how to take care of ourselves as college students. I also want to use Women’s HERstory month to promote the amazing female faculty, staff and leaders on campus.”

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Haley Swanigan Junior Haley Swanigan, elementary education major, was nominated to homecoming court by her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha.

What does being a homecoming nominee mean to you?

“I think more than anything it’s just such an honor to represent Alpha Sigma Alpha and to be recognized as a leader on campus. I’m really excited to use my platform to promote the Public Affairs Mission, something I am really passionate about, as well as shine a light on the Springfield Dream Center.”

What is the Springfield Dream Center?

“The Springfield Dream Center is located in Zone 1 of Springfield and serves to provide resources to families in the community to provide hope and help. This can look like anywhere from our satellite Crosslines food pantry to a free after-school program called the DC Academy that teaches kids about social and emotional growth that they may not have gotten otherwise.”

Is there anything else you’d like to say about homecoming?

“I’m just really excited for the week to start, to get to know the other candidates and to get everyone excited about the Bears.”

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Zach Cull Senior Zach Cull, socio-political communications major, was nominated to homecoming court by his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. What does being nominated mean to you?

“Being nominated is a privilege for me. Having the opportunity to represent my organization is very special to me. It’s also very exciting to get to interact with the campus community through the campaigning that I have done.”

What are you involved in?

“I am currently a member of my fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. I am a member of Order of the Omega. I am involved in Student Government Association. I am a University Ambassador, and I will be an emerging leaders facilitator in the spring.”

What are your plans after college?

“After college, I plan to go work for my fraternity’s national organization as a traveling leadership consultant advising chapters and working on chapter development across the nation.”

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Ryan May Senior Ryan May, speech and theatre education major, was nominated to homecoming court by his fraternity, Sigma Pi. What does being nominated mean to you?

“Being nominated alone, not even being on court, is very rewarding. The fact that my friends believe in me and all of the work that I have done on and off campus enough to nominate me to represent them is very special to me. Their support is, in a way, a reassurance that I have been a man that upholds our creed day in and day out. I couldn’t ask for more.”

What are you involved in?

“On campus, I am an active member of Sigma Pi fraternity. I have been trusted as their vice president, part of their recruitment team, new member educator and social chair. I am also a member of Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri, of which I am their current president. I was their

Student Government Association representative for a short period as well. Off campus, I am a volunteer and employee at Springfield Little Theatre where I have had the privilege of performing, teaching and helping with costumes.”

What are your plans after college?

“I would like to gain experience in my content field (theater) before moving into the teaching setting. After that, I would like to move into the classroom and start work on a master’s in performance studies. At some point, I would like to share theater at inner-city schools to reach people who may not have the means to experience theater otherwise. Beyond that, I have tossed around the ideas of becoming a college professor or a high school principal.”

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Andre McIntyre Junior Andre McIntyre, criminology major, was nominated to homecoming court by his fraternity, Delta Chi. What does being nominated mean to you?

“To me, it means that a student organization saw something in one of their members that really exemplifies what it means to be not only a part of their organization but an outstanding Missouri State Bear.”

What statement would you like to make?

“I just want everyone to get excited for homecoming because it’s going to be a blast for everyone at Missouri State. It’s the biggest and the best celebration of being a Bear.”

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Tyler Swearingin Senior Tyler Swearingin, psychology major, was nominated to homecoming court by his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha.

What does being nominated mean to you?

“Being a homecoming nominee makes me proud to have the opportunity to represent our amazing university and my fraternity, which have both given so much to me throughout my college career — my favorite being the leadership opportunities provided to me within the executive board of Pi Kappa Alpha and the many other organizations I have been involved in which have given me many opportunities such as the chance to travel across the country to a variety of leadership conferences and further develop myself as a student leader.”

What statement would you like to make?

“I would like to wish everyone a happy homecoming and our football players the best of luck in the homecoming game.”

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Tim Wilkinson Senior Tim Wilkinson, entertainment management major, was nominated to homecoming court by his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha.

What does being nominated mean to you?

“It’s an honor to be a part of the 2018 homecoming royalty court. I love to share my passion for Missouri State with other students, and this gives me a platform to do so.”

What statement would you like to make?

“My campaign is designed to help all students feel welcomed and appreciated. With my slogan ‘Come As You Are,’ we want to recognize and celebrate both the good and bad times because it is this that forms us into who we are today.”

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