In its evaluation, the Board was unanimous in its praise for Nietzel again for 2007-08. The Board cited Nietzel's effective work with state and federal governmental leaders; his relationship building with alumni, donors and friends, especially his increased travel and appearances at alumni functions around the country; his effective communication with all constituent groups; his success in dealing effectively with a variety of challenges; and his effective budget management and fund-raising.

Nietzel (pronounced KNIT-zel) began July 1, 2005, as Missouri State's ninth president. He came to Missouri State from being provost at the University of Kentucky.

Nietzel had been at the University of Kentucky for 32 years. He was named provost of the University of Kentucky on Nov. 1, 2002. Nietzel was also professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky. He held a joint appointment on the faculty of the University of Kentucky College of Law. Prior to being named provost, he served as acting provost for 18 months and as dean of the Graduate School for four years.

Nietzel joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky in 1973 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1977 and professor in 1981. From 1977-90, Nietzel served as director of the clinical psychology training program at the University of Kentucky. In 1991, he was named chair of the department of psychology and he completed a second term as chair in 1997.

He received his B.A. from Wheaton College in 1969, and his M.A. degree in 1972 and his Ph.D. in 1973, both from the University of Illinois.
Nietzel's research interests include the areas of forensic psychology, jury decision-making and the assessment of psychotherapy outcomes. He has written several leading books and more than 85 scholarly articles in these areas. He has served on the editorial boards of numerous journals in the areas of clinical psychology and legal psychology, and he has been elected a Fellow in both the American Psychology Association and the American Psychology Society.

SPRINGFIELD — Five former Missouri State University faculty and staff members will be recognized for their combined 149 years of full-time dedicated service with plaques on the university’s Wall of Fame located in Plaster Student Union.

Approved during the Board of Governors meeting today (May 15), the 2008 Wall of Fame Class includes: Dr. Robert H. Bradley, Dr. Russell Keeling, John Province, Dr. Russell Rhodes and Lois Tooley. The 2008 class of inductees will be honored during a special ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Plaster Student Union, Ballroom West. The event will be open to the public.

Those chosen for induction to the Wall of Fame by the selection committee were nominated by faculty, staff and students. Nominees must have worked for the university full time for at least 10 years. Additionally, five years must have passed since the individual was last employed full time at Missouri State. Those nominated must be known and respected by various segments of the campus community for their demonstrated character and integrity; their service must have resulted in meaningful change at Missouri State.

“The Wall of Fame tells the Missouri State University story one person at a time,” said President Michael T. Nietzel. “We are proud to honor another remarkable class of dedicated faculty and staff who consistently went above and beyond their job descriptions to educate and serve the students who chose to come to Missouri State.”

Information regarding each honoree is below.

Dr. Robert H. Bradley, former head of the university’s theatre and dance department, has provided audiences some of the most inventive, original and memorable productions of the last 30 years. Bradley served the university for 39 years, and his work has been witnessed by tens of thousands of theatre-goers. A strong advocate for the arts and the freedom of expression, Bradley spearheaded the effort to produce the controversial play “The Normal Heart” on campus in 1989. He has seen many of his students make it to Broadway and Hollywood and continues to follow their success by traveling to New York and California. His former students include actors Tess Harper, Kathleen Turner, John Goodman, Jack Laufer, Deirdre Goodwin and Kyle Dean Massey.

Dr. Russell Keeling wore many hats during his 34-year career at Missouri State University. Communication professor, associate dean, acting vice president, assistant to the president, acting president and chief executive officer are a few of his many titles. As acting president, Keeling guided the university through a transitional period with integrity and reliability. An innovative professor of communication, Keeling’s classes were the highlights of many students’ schedules. His influence continued after his retirement as he taught several courses each year.

Known as a “go-to-guy,” John Province often worked late, through his lunch hour and on his own time to make sure the university’s computer systems were in proper working order. Province helped plan, organize and lead every mainframe system upgrade during his 23 years in computer services where he served as coordinator of technology and systems programming. One former colleague said that as an administrator, Province expected his staff to work hard, but he never shied away from helping his staff meet their personal needs: “John was a great counselor and he’d even help you fix the gear shift on your car.”

A true citizen-scientist, Dr. Russell Rhodes served the university for 26 years as biology department head, interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services and director of the Center for Scientific Research and Education. He was also a two-term member of the Springfield City Council and other civic organizations. Considered a “master advisor” by his peers, Rhodes advised numerous graduate students and more than 100 undergrads. Many of his peer-reviewed papers included his students as primary or secondary authors, allowing those students hands-on participation in the discovery and reporting functions of science. Many of his students have moved on to successful careers because of his investment in their lives.

Lois Tooley took every step possible to care for the students at Missouri State – and she always made time for her colleagues, too. A counselor by trade, Tooley served the university for 27 years, rounding out her career as assistant vice president for student academic support services. She was a proud member of the university community and advanced its public affairs mission daily by devoting herself to the advocacy of others. She has been described by her colleagues and friends as vibrant, wise, compassionate, and as a “life saver.”

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Evangel University’s teacher education program has proven its commitment to producing quality teachers by once again successfully passing an accreditation review by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The review was completed in fall 2007, and the final report was issued last week. NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a professional accrediting body for schools, departments and colleges of education. Evangel has held NCATE accreditation continuously since 1972. “Studies show that teacher quality is the most important factor in K-12 student achievement,” said Dr. Glenn Bernet, academic dean and vice president for academic affairs at Evangel. “Professional accreditation is one way to assure the public that Evangel is graduating well-qualified teachers ready for today’s classrooms.”

The NCATE report

In its final report, the NCATE Board of Examiners highlighted a strength of Evangel University is “the concerted effort each faculty person makes to individualize for student needs.” The visiting team was also impressed with the transformation of the campus in the past 10 years. “Evangel University is to be commended for its campuswide development of new facilities to meet the needs of its students,” they said.

The value of NCATE

Out of approximately 3,600 colleges and universities nationwide, only 623 have earned accreditation by NCATE, and those institutions produce two-thirds of the nation’s new teacher graduates each year. “We are very pleased to receive this recognition and the continuation of national accreditation for our teacher education program,” said Dr. Becky Huechteman, chair of Evangel’s Education Department. “Our students come from all 50 states, and many return home to teach. The NCATE accreditation is what enables them to easily do so.”

NCATE-accredited schools must meet rigorous standards that emphasize teacher performance. They focus on what teacher candidates should know and be able to do, and they expect candidates to demonstrate specific skills prior to the completion of the program. Founded in 1954, NCATE continues its mission today: the profession and the states working together for excellence in teacher preparation and development.

For more information about Evangel University’s teacher education program, visit www.evangel.edu, and click on the Academics button.

For more information about NCATE, visit www.ncate.org.

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University has launched four new programs to assist students who want to continue their educations. All four programs begin this fall.

Three of the new incentive programs assist students who have either “stopped out” of a degree program, or who have graduated from college and now would like to sample a graduate course. All three programs provide a financial incentive for students who elect to return to college to finish their degrees or who want to explore their options for advanced graduate study.

The fourth program will provide financial assistance to City of Springfield employees who are participating in the City’s education reimbursement program.

“We want to increase the number of college graduates,” says Dr. Belinda McCarthy, Missouri State Provost. “It’s that simple. Graduating is not only good for the graduates; it’s good for the state. And, we also want to make it easy for anyone to sample our graduate program, whether it’s for advancement purposes, personal interest or just to satisfy a curiosity. We believe these three initiatives help accomplish those goals by encouraging and assisting students who want to resume their educations at any level.”

The four new programs and the qualifications for each are:

Complete Your Degree Incentive Grant - Undergraduate – students in this program will receive a one-time grant of $500 toward their cost of attendance in the fall semester 2008. To qualify, students must: be a degree-seeking undergraduate student who last attended Missouri State prior to the fall semester of 2006 and had completed at least 80 credit hours; or have graduated from Missouri State University-West Plains with an Associate of Arts degree prior to the fall semester of 2006; be in good academic standing at the time of last enrollment; have not earned a degree from another institution since leaving Missouri State; and apply for readmission by Aug. 29 and enroll for at least six credit hours in fall 2008.

Complete Your Degree Incentive Grant - Graduate – students in this program will receive a one-time grant of $500 toward their cost of attendance in the fall semester 2008. To qualify, a student must: be a degree-seeking graduate student admitted to Missouri State; have last attended Missouri State prior to the fall semester of 2006; and have completed 15 credit hours toward the degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Eligible students will be expected to apply for readmission, consult with a graduate adviser, and enroll for at least three graduate credit hours in fall 2008.

Graduate Incentive First-Time Tuition (G.I.F.T.) – this program provides a chance for students to sample graduate studies by taking one three-credit-hour course with the cost reduced by $250. The three-hour graduate course is available for credit to any post-baccalaureate student who is registering for the first time in the Graduate College. Post-baccalaureate students are persons who have earned an undergraduate degree, but who are not part of a formal master’s or doctoral program. The G.I.F.T. program is intended to appeal to students who have been considering graduate education, but who have been hesitant to start back to school. To be eligible, students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (completion of the Graduate Record Exam is not required) and complete a brief application form which includes listing their undergraduate degree.

City of Springfield Tuition Reimbursement Program – as a pilot program, Missouri State will provide a discount of $250 to City of Springfield employees who qualify for and take a course at Missouri State under the City’s tuition reimbursement program. The $250 discount will apply to each Missouri State course in which the employee enrolls.

“We believe that these initiatives come at a time when advanced education is more important than ever,” said Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel. “These four programs provide increased accessibility to our programs at an affordable price for additional students. We are pleased to assist in this way. We are particularly pleased to give some extra help to the City of Springfield during its tough budget times.”

For more information about any or all of these programs, call Susan Cohen in the adult/commuter student services office at (417) 836-6364 or use this web site: http://ec.missouristate.edu/evening/scholarships.htm.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. — The 2008 Commencement ceremony for Ozarks Technical Community College will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at Hammons Student Center on the Missouri State University campus. Jim Anderson, president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, will be this year’s keynote speaker.

The event will honor those who have earned associate degrees or certificates during the 2007-2008 academic year. This year, 1,040 students are eligible to graduate; approximately 450 are expected to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

“We are looking forward to a great event this year,” says Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College. “With Jim Anderson as our speaker, and the Springfield Symphony once again providing the music, it is sure to be a memorable tribute to the accomplishments of our graduates.”

Ozarks Technical Community College offers associate degrees and certificates in a variety of technical, allied health, and general education programs. Classes are available at the main campus in Springfield, and at the Richwood Valley campus in Christian County. Additionally, courses are available at the Education Centers in Lebanon, Branson and Waynesville, and a complete Associates degree can be earned through the College’s online classes. For more information, visit www.otc.edu.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Evangel University and Walton Construction will celebrate on Monday, May 19, at 11 a.m., as the last piece of steel is put into place on Evangel’s new administration building, Ralph M. Riggs Hall.

A banner will be hung from the steel as it is raised into position. Construction workers have been asked to autograph the beam in honor of their labor. Faculty and staff will also sign the beam as a testimony to the growth of the Evangel campus.

The event will include a picnic luncheon for the construction workers at 11:30 a.m., provided by Evangel.

“This celebration marks a major milestone in Evangel’s campus development,” said Jim Williams, vice president for institutional advancement. “This facility will put a new face on the Evangel campus and will house offices for the president, five vice presidents and their support staffs.”

It will also mark the final piece of the campus development plan that started in the mid-’90s and has included eight major projects.

BUILDING SIGNIFICANCE

The new Administration Building is named in honor of the Rev. Ralph M. Riggs, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God 1953-59, who spearheaded the movement to establish Evangel University.

The new three-level building is a 69,000-sq.-ft. facility that is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008. Dedication is planned to coincide with Evangel’s Homecoming in October 2009.

Evangel University is built on the site of the former O’Reilly General Hospital. The first classes were held in 1955, when Evangel’s campus was covered with nearly 100 WWII-era Army barracks. Today, one remains, and it will come down when Riggs Hall is completed.

The project was designed by Sapp Design Agency.

Nancy Brown Dornan and Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh to receive honorary doctorates

SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State University will confer 2,104 degrees to students this spring during commencement ceremonies May 16 at Hammons Student Center.

Degrees in the College of Business Administration will be given out at 10 a.m. Degrees in the College of Arts and Letters, College of Education and College of Humanities and Public Affairs will be given out at 1:30 p.m. Degrees in the College of Health and Human Services and College of Natural and Applied Sciences will be given out at 5 p.m.

Nancy Brown Dornan will receive the Doctor of Public Affairs at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony. A committed community leader, Dornan is the president of the Urban District Alliance, which coordinates cooperation among a number of Springfield organizations. She also sits on the board of directors for the Ozark Technical Community College Foundation and for the Gilloz Theatre, where she was a former president. Dornan served as president of the Springfield Landmarks Preservation Trust from 1993 to 2007 and guided the $8.3 million renovation of the Gillioz Theatre and adjacent Netters Building. Dornan had been instrumental in founding the Walnut Street Historic Neighborhood Association, the Historic Walnut Street Development, LLC, and the Artsfest. Currently, she is active in various renovation projects in downtown Springfield, including the redevelopment of the Busy Bee and single family residences around Walnut Street.

Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh will receive the Doctor of Science at the 5 p.m. commencement. Savage-Rumbaugh, an internationally-known scholar doing important research in language and cognition, is known for her work with bonobos, also known as pygmy chimpanzees. She was a founding member of the Great Ape Trust of Iowa which houses bonobos, orangutans, chimpanzees and gorillas in an effort to promote research and conservation efforts. Savage-Rumbaugh has written five books, made nine films, and authored or coauthored 170 journal articles.

A total of 1,604 baccalaureate degrees, 465 master’s degrees, four specialist degrees and 31 doctorate degrees will be conferred. Beyond the standard expectations, 135 students will be recognized for their work with a more rigorous curriculum in Missouri State’s Honors College. Scholastic honors will be given to 130 students who will graduate summa cum laude (with a grade point average of 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale), 131 who will graduate magna cum laude (with a GPA of 3.75-3.89) and 525 who will graduate cum laude (with a GPA of 3.4-3.74).

Caleb Lines, senior religious studies major from Monett, will graduate summa cum laude with a 3.92 GPA and has been on the dean’s list every semester. After graduating, Lines will attend Yale Divinity School.

“I see myself working in a congregational ministry,” said Lines. “The church needs to help people use faith to reshape what’s wrong in church and government and stand up for what’s right. A lot of departments at Missouri State, with their public affairs mission and focus on diversity, lead to an end result of social justice.”

Lines said his experience at Missouri State has heightened his sense of social justice. A Spanish minor, Lines traveled in the summer of 2007 to Guatemala on a scholarship from the department of modern and classical languages.

“I went there to learn Spanish mainly, but I volunteered for an impoverished school system, and that profoundly changed me,” Lines said.

After returning to Springfield, Lines founded a chapter of United Students for Fair Trade at Missouri State to help respond to the poverty and environmental issues he observed in Guatemala.

Lines was also a tutor for Habitat for Humanity, a youth pastor at South Street Christian Church and has been a member of the Pride Band for four years.

Lines offers some advice for current and prospective students: “Go in with an open mind. Expect and allow yourself to be changed by education. It’s not good if you leave the same way you came in. I’m glad I ended up at Missouri State. It was great for me and I will look back fondly at the memories I made here.”

SPRINGFIELD, MO. —The 2008 graduating class of Ozarks Technical Community College’s Surgical Technology program will gather on Monday, May 12, at 11 a.m., by a new tree and Memorial Bench outside Lincoln Hall on the Springfield campus. Planted by the Surgical Technology students, the tree is in memory of classmate Debbie Berger, who was killed in a car accident a few months ago.

Students from the College’s Construction program — B.I. Francka, Sam Cook, Kala Robertson, Josh Quick, Gabe Rhoades and Will Lahne — built the Memorial Bench and installed it earlier this week. The students involved in constructing the bench will also be present Monday morning, with the exception of Gabe Rhoades, who is being deployed for military duty on Sunday.

Additionally, a memorial scholarship was awarded to Monica Belcher, a student who had worked closely with Berger and was looking forward to graduating with her this spring. Berger’s family hopes to provide the scholarship each year to a student in the Surgical Technology program.

Photo of scholarship being awarded in the Surgical Technology lab. L-R: Arlene Chriswell, Surgical Technology Program Coordinator, Monica Belcher, Berger’s daughter and husband, and Stephanie Brown, Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events.

SPRINGFIELD — Kelsey Beck is the 2007-08 recipient of the Joseph N. Boyce/Wall Street Journal Award. Beck, a sophomore from Blue Springs, Mo., is a cell and molecular biology major.

“Kelsey demonstrates leadership on and off campus and has used these skills to develop a biotechnology internship program that will benefit both Missouri State students and her field,” said Dr. Carol Shoptaugh, professor of psychology and chair of the selection committee. “This unselfish commitment to the betterment of the community is why she received this honor.”

Beck has worked with a faculty adviser in the biomedical sciences department to develop an internship program for students in the department and is working to create partnerships with companies including Genetech, Monsanto and Glaxo-Smithkline. Beck also serves as vice president of intellectual development for her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega; as director of outreach for the Lutheran Student Center; and as public affairs chair for Phi Eta Sigma. She volunteers at Cox Health Walnut Lawn Urgent Care Center, at the YMCA, and with several campus organizations.

The Joseph N. Boyce/Wall Street Journal Award is a $1,000 award given to one student who exemplifies Missouri State University’s public affairs mission: “To produce citizens of enhanced character, more sensitive to the needs of the community, more competent and committed in their ability to contribute to society and more civil in their habits of thought, speech and action.”

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., May 8, 2008 — Drury’s Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems, Dr. Muthu Karuppan (pronounced: Moo-too Kah-roo-pun) and six of his students have been given passes to the 16th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia May 18-22.

Karuppan frequently takes students to Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam as a study abroad trip. This year, the students have been fortunate enough to get free passes to the event, frequently referred to as the “Olympics of IT,” thanks to Dato’ Kong Cho Ha, the former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and currently the Deputy Minister of Finance.

This biannual conference sports a Who’s Who assembly of information and communications technology experts from around the globe highlighted by an appearance by Microsoft’s Bill Gates via holographic technology. Other speakers include India’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology and Intel’s Dr. Craig Barrett.

“I would say that we are probably the only student group from Missouri attending this conference,” says Karuppan. “Months of planning and work went into arranging this trip. Normally the conference is $1,200 per person, but I asked around and talked to the right people, and we got passes for free.”

More than 100 global leaders in business, government and academia are scheduled to speak, addressing topics ranging from socio-economic issues involving information and communications technology, to the future of the Internet.

“There was a great amount of excitement when we heard that we would be attending the World Congress on Information Technology,” says Tyler Wilburn, one of Karuppan’s students. “Not only attending it, but free of charge as well.”

MCF’s mission is to acquire resources to help educate students in member private liberal arts colleges and universities

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – May 8, 2008 – The Missouri Colleges Fund today announced that the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation has contributed $15,000 to the Missouri Colleges Fund.

This grant underwrites the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Scholars Program by providing scholarships at each of the 16 member schools. The scholarships will be awarded by the member schools on the basis of financial need to outstanding qualified students pursuing degrees in business, marketing and/or communications.

“The Missouri Colleges Fund is very grateful for this gift from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation,” said Mike Backer, MCF president. “Enterprise recognizes the importance of education and significant impact that an educated workforce has on Missouri’s economy.”

MCF member schools are independent baccalaureate degree-granting liberal arts and comprehensive colleges and universities in the state of Missouri. Their income is derived primarily from private sources.

Missouri Colleges Fund member schools include Avila University, Kansas City; Central Methodist University, Fayette; Columbia College, Columbia; Culver-Stockton College, Canton; Drury University, Springfield; Evangel University, Springfield; Fontbonne University, St. Louis; Hannibal–LaGrange College, Hannibal; Maryville University, St. Louis; Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis; Park University, Parkville; Rockhurst University, Kansas City; Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar; Westminster College, Fulton; William Jewell College, Liberty; and William Woods University, Fulton.

The MCF was incorporated in 1952 as a partnership of private enterprise and the member independent colleges and universities in the Show-Me State. The Fund is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt corporation; therefore, all contributions to the Fund are tax-deductible up to the limits prescribed by the law.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Evangel University will host an Open House on Monday, June 16, for those interested in the university’s Degree Completion Program.

The reception will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the first floor lobby of Trask Hall (AB2). There is no charge and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Those who attend will be able to ask questions about the program and meet the professors. The $25 application fee is waived for those who apply during the Open House.

Evangel’s Degree Completion Program offers bachelor’s degrees in management, communication and human services as well as an associate of arts in general education.

The program is designed for students to finish their degree in approximately two years by attending class once a week. The cost is $160 per credit hour.

“The Degree Completion Program expands access to education for working adults,” said Dr. Linda Wellborn, director. “We provide applied and accelerated classes so that adult learners may achieve personal, professional, and academic goals in an environment supportive of faith and learning.”

Please RSVP by calling Emily Park at (417) 865-2811 ext. 7229.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. — Ozarks Technical Community College will honor its GED graduates with a ceremony on Monday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m., at the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield. Robert Griffith, Coordinator of the College’s Branson Education Center, will be the keynote speaker. Griffith has led the Branson Education Center in record growth over the last year, bringing enrollment at the site up by more than 30% since the fall of 2007.

This year’s event will honor the 325 students who earned their GEDs this year. More than 3,000 students participate in the GED program each year. Some students are taking the courses to work on basic skills, including those with limited English speaking ability; about half indicate that earning the high school equivalency diploma is their goal.

“Earning a GED will open doors to immeasurable educational opportunities for these students,” says Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College. “These students have worked hard to complete this program, and their accomplishment deserves special recognition.”

The GED, a high school equivalency diploma, is earned through a rigorous class, capped by a comprehensive five-part test and essay. Each year, more than 10,000 Missourians earn their GED. Sixty-five percent of GED test-takers plan to enter college, technical or business school within the next year.

Additional student accomplishments noted

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University student Anthony Saitta won first place at the joint meeting of the Missouri Valley and Missouri Branches of the American Society of Microbiology March 14 at William Jewel College in Liberty.

Saitta, a graduate biology student from Ozark, won for his presentation, “Microbial Source Tracking Using Host Specific Bacteroides on the Wilson’s Creek Tributary in the James River Basin of Southwest Missouri.”

“Methods now can determine pollution but can’t determine where it’s coming from,” Saitta said. “This research is about using molecular, cellular and microbiology methods to be able to identify the sources.”

Saitta took first place out of 24 presenters at the meeting. “It was definitely a good experience and I believe it will help in the future. I’m proud of it,” Saitta said.

Dr. John Steiert, professor of biology, helped Saitta develop the research presented.

The Missouri State University Marketing Club won two awards at the 30th annual International Collegiate Conference April 5 in New Orleans. The Marketing Club, a chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA), won the Outstanding Marketing Week Award and the Outstanding Professional Development Award.

“The awards were based off of a chapter plan which each chapter in AMA must create in the fall,” said Steve Palubiak, Marketing Club president.

According to the AMA, the Outstanding Marketing Week Award is given to chapters that “conduct the most outstanding and creative programs/activities during AMA Marketing Week.” Marketing Club activities during that week included a bake sale; barbecue and movie night; and meetings with leaders of companies such as KMOV News and Rams Radio.

The Outstanding Professional Development Award is given to chapters who have shown the most development over the course of the previous year. The success of Marketing Week, the creation of a book containing resumes of marketing club members and the quality of guest speakers were all factors in receiving this award.

Of the several hundred collegiate chapters of the AMA, only seven received the Outstanding Marketing Award and only 13 won the Outstanding Professional Development Award.

Missouri State students Lucas Rengstorf and Gwenda Schlomer, graduate students in the geospatial science Master of Science program, won awards at the national meeting of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) April 19 in Boston, Mass.

Renstorf, from Pelican Rapid, Minn., won the AAG Cartography Specialty Group’s 2008 Masters Thesis Grant for his proposal, “Web-Based Interactive Cave Mapping: A Case Study of Fitton Cave, Arkansas.” Rengstorf received a cash prize of $100. Dr. Xiaomin Qiu, assistant professor of geography and geospatial science, was Renstorf’s adviser on the project.

Gwenda Schlomer, from Stover, was the winner of the AAG Geomorphology Specialty Group’s 2008 Masters Student Paper Award for her oral presentation, “Sedimentological and Geochemical Indicators of the Pre-Settlement Boundary in Overbank Floodplain Deposits of the Little Buffalo-Dutch Buffalo River System, North Carolina.” Schlomer received a cash prize of $250. Dr. Robert Pavlowsky, professor of geography, was Schlomer’s adviser on the project.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. May 6, 2008 —Drury University invites the public to participate in the Drury University Institute of Mature Learning study of “The Immigrant Experience.” Undoubtedly, there are an increasing number of people immigrating to America and we can learn about their experiences in order to better understand each other.

These classes will be held in the Olin Library or Bay Hall on Drury’s campus for six sessions throughout June and July (see below for specific class details and dates). These classes begin at 2 p.m. each Tuesday and will last for one hour.

Institute for Mature Learning membership is only $35 for all courses for an entire year. There is also a special rate of $2.00 per session for the Immigrant Experience.

Session Details

Sessions May 20 & 27 on "Negotiations in Business & Life," also "Ethics and Financial Shenanigans," taught by Dr. Amy Lewis and Dr. Rod Oglesby of Drury Breech School of Business in Hearth Room at Bay Hall

Immigrant Experience beginning June 3 with "A Brief Introduction and History," discussion of the waves of immigration plus a documentary "They Came to America" led by Bill Longman, curriculum chair, member of Ozarks Genealogical Society. In Olin Room at Olin Library.

June 10 on "Out of One, Many” focusing on Irish and especially German immigration and Ozarks settlement led by former state representative David Rauch serving on advisory board of the German-Austrian-Swiss Heritage Society of the Ozarks. In Olin Room at Olin Library.

June 17 on "Immigrants to America: Did They Fit In?” An examination of European immigrants to America from the early 19th century through World War I with an emphasis on changing reactions to them by native Americans. George Hummasti, professor of history Missouri Sate. In Olin Room at Olin Library.

June 24 on "Post World War I & II Immigrants," the personal stories of several immigrants including a former member of the Polish Olympic team, chaired by retired Federal prisons chaplain Sol Codillo. In Hearth Room in Bay Hall.

July 1 on "Coming to Ellis Island and Other Ports of Entry" as destinations for many seeking freedom, with conclusion of the documentary "They Came to America" led by Mary Blanche, president of the Institute and former teacher. In Olin Room in Olin Library.

July 8 on "The Spanish-Mexican Population in Early America" as found in Florida and the Southwest in Colonial times up to World War I, led by David Adams, retired professor of history, MSU. In Hearth Room of Bay Hall.

Three other sessions: July 15 on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s early years taught by Rev. Maurice Tate, pastor and teacher MSU-Bay Hall; July 22 "What's New and What's Happening on Broadway" by renowned theatre director Bob Bradley-Olin Library; Basic of Autism by two parents, attorney Rick Schnake & Springfield educator Mary Nelson-Olin Library.

Immigrant Experience will continue in September on literature and in November on films related to immigrants and then in February '09 on immigrant food.

For further information please contact the Drury University Institute for Mature Learning at (417) 873-6952 or email at iml@drury.edu.

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Ronald R. Bottin, dean of Missouri State University’s College of Business Administration (COBA), has announced his plans to retire in January 2009. He has headed the state’s largest business school since 1990.

Under his leadership, COBA and the School of Accountancy attained accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 1992. This was only the second time in AACSB’s history that initial accreditation of a business school and an initial separate accreditation of an accounting program was granted in the same year. Reaffirmation of accreditation for both programs was attained in 1997 and most recently in October 2007. AACSB reports that there are 10,265 schools world-wide offering business programs with only 169 (1.6 percent) earning business and accounting accreditation.

“It indeed has been my privilege and honor to work with a group of outstanding administrators, faculty, staff and students,” Bottin said. “The College of Business has made significant strides since 1990 and I thank everyone for allowing me to be a part of this outstanding team. I would also like to say a special thank you to all of our alums, corporate supporters and friends who continue to invest in the College of Business, as we could not have built a quality program without their assistance.”

During Bottin’s tenure, total enrollment in COBA increased by 47 percent since 1995 to approximately 4,600 students. The MBA program also grew from 166 students in 1995 to approximately 400 students in 2007, which includes 102 international students from 36 countries.

“Ron Bottin has been a highly successful dean for our university,” said Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel. “His accomplishments are many in number and outstanding in quality. The university has been wonderfully served by his leadership, and we are extremely grateful to Ron for all that he has done for the institution and the business community.”

Bottin has placed a strong emphasis on international education. He led a curricular change for a six credit globalization requirement for all COBA majors, and spearheaded efforts to establish linkages and partnerships with 14 European and Asian business programs, including a “twinning agreement” in India and an agreement with the number one ranked university in Beijing, China, (Tsinghau University) to offer an Executive MBA degree.

In recognition of his contributions to global education, Bottin received the Messenger of International Peace award from the Center of Research and Cooperation, La Paz, Bolivia, in 1996. He was also recognized by the Academy of Business Administration with the International Leadership Service Award in Athens, Greece, the same year.

COBA achieved several notable marks of distinction in the computer information systems department under Bottin’s leadership. In 2007, IBM and the university announced the first Bachelor of Science in IT service management in the United States. This degree was created as the result of a partnership with IBM whereby the CIS department was provided with hardware, software and service resources valued at more than $5 million. In addition, the master’s degree in computer information systems (MSCIS), designed to meet the needs of full-time working professionals, was ranked in the top 10 by Computerworld magazine.

“Ron has been an outstanding leader for the College of Business Administration, attracting strong faculty, generating significant student demand and working effectively with corporate and individual donors to grow the size and quality of our business school,” said Provost Belinda McCarthy. “His shoes will be very hard to fill.”

Endowments with the Missouri State Foundation supporting the College of Business increased from less than $500,000 when Bottin began to approximately $14 million at present. Included in that total is funding raised for student scholarships, five endowed chairs and 16 endowed or annually-funded professorships.

Bottin, who has held the David D. Glass Distinguished Leadership Chair since 1998, came to Missouri State from the University of Wisconsin-La Cross, where he held the positions of department head of accountancy, associate dean and dean from 1976-90. Prior to that, he served on the faculties at Western Illinois University and Iowa State University.

Bottin earned his doctorate from the University of Missouri in 1974. He also holds an MBA from the University of South Dakota and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from Buena Vista University.

Bottin indicates he is looking forward to spending quality time with family and friends, traveling and considering several other part-time professional opportunities.

The search for a replacement has begun, with an expected starting date between January and July 2009.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Missouri State University has a new tool to notify students, faculty and staff of urgent safety or weather situations. The mass notification system uses a variety of methods to quickly contact campus subscribers and will be broadly tested for the first time on May 6.

When activated, Missouri State Alert will cycle through each subscriber’s contact methods to deliver the message. The system is capable of contacting users via land or mobile phones, email, pagers and text messages. More than 9,000 students, faculty and staff have already subscribed to the system.

“We are very excited about the number of people who have subscribed to Missouri State Alert,” said Ken McClure, associate vice president for administrative services. “This tool will allow us to notify our campus community in a timely and efficient manner about emergency situations or weather alerts.”

Missouri State Alert is open to students, faculty and staff. It will only be used in the following situations:

· Immediate threat/violent situation on campus
· Security alert
· University closings, early dismissal, delayed start
· Severe weather alerts
· Other emergency situations of an extreme nature
· Periodic testing of the system

Follow-up information about alerts will be posted to the Springfield campus homepage or West Plains campus homepage, depending on who the alert affects.

A test of the Missouri State Alert system will be conducted at 1:50 p.m. May 6. All messages will clearly indicate that the contact is a test. The system is set to cycle through each subscriber’s contact methods up to three times. Users can stop the notification process by responding to any of the messages.

In addition to the Missouri State Alert notifications, the university may also warn the campus community through other methods, including messages on the http://www.missouristate.edu/ and http://www.wp.missouristate.edu/ home pages, blue-light safety phones, two-way radios and vehicle public address speakers. More information about Missouri State Alert is available at www.missouristate.edu/alert

A recent Missouri State University class project on a related subject indicated that two-thirds of the students contacted opposed allowing students, faculty and staff to carry guns on campus. The students questioned preferred to have an armed presence on campus, which is in place now with the Springfield Police Substation officers, according to McClure.

SPRINGFIELD ¯ Dr. Kristene S. Sutliff has been named acting associate provost for student development and public affairs at Missouri State University, pending approval by the Missouri State Board of Governors. The appointment is effective June 1. A national search is currently being conducted for a permanent associate provost in this area.

“I can’t think of a better person to fill this new position,” said Provost Belinda McCarthy. “Kris has experience as an assistant department head, program director, IDS 110 instructor – she knows how to get things done and cares passionately about student success.

Sutliff joined the Missouri State English department in 1979, where she is now the assistant department head and professor of English, as well as director of the Ozarks Studies Institute. She has a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State, a master’s from Arkansas State University and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.

Sutliff has coordinated the professional/technical writing program at Missouri State since 1979. She has won six university and College of Arts and Letters awards for teaching and service. Last year she was named Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor by the Missouri State Graduate College and also won the Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award as well as an Outstanding Advisor Certificate of Merit from the National Academic Advising Association.

“Due to the restructuring of academic affairs and student affairs, the office for student success is being reorganized to focus more on total student development from the point of enrollment through graduation,” said McCarthy. “Kris’s efforts will involve planning and oversight of student and academic affairs programs, such as SOAR, advisement, first-year experience and public affairs as related to general education and the majors. The goal is to ensure that all academic, co-curricular and support programs at Missouri State University promote student success and the public affairs mission.”

“I look forward to working with faculty and staff as we help students make the transition to university life and help them develop both a thirst and an ability for community engagement, cultural competence and ethical leadership,” said Sutliff.

This position replaces the associate provost for student success, previously held by Dr. Cindy Pemberton, in an acting capacity.

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University today (May 1) awarded its first Public Affairs Professorship to Dr. Sandra Byrd, professor of accountancy. Missouri State Provost Belinda McCarthy presented the award during Byrd’s Principles of Accounting class this morning.

The endowed professorship was established to recognize faculty members who have excelled at enabling the university to carry out its public affairs mission. The Public Affairs Professorship includes a stipend from the Missouri State University Foundation in the amount of $7,500 over and above the recipient’s base salary. One faculty member will receive the award each year.

“Sandra Byrd best personifies the public affairs mission of the university – community engagement, cultural competence and ethical leadership,” said McCarthy. “Her tax service program to low income individuals serves an extremely diverse part of the community in a field where the importance of ethics is paramount. The program she administers utilizes students in all that it does, ensuring that our graduates will have the skills and abilities to successfully carry out this mission in their own work and lives.”

In 2000, Byrd expanded the Missouri State Public Service Tax Clinic, which includes the Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs and the Low Income Tax Clinic (LITC). She also founded and coordinates the ATLS (Across the Life Span) financial network community coalition in 2001. Through ATLS, Missouri State students work with community organizations to assist families living in poverty and senior citizens.

Between January 2001 and April 2007, Missouri State students and senior community volunteers participating in ATLS’s VITA/TCE program, supervised by Byrd, have helped working families and seniors receive tax refunds of more than $6 million.

Between January 2001 and December 2006, Missouri State students working in the LITC program closed 439 tax controversy cases involving 529 tax issues and provided service to 3,710 English as a Second Language individuals

Since spring 2001, Dr. Byrd has supervised 189 students working in the VITA/TCE program providing more than 14,000 hours of service to the community and 22 students who have worked in the LITC program have provided over 6,600 hours of service.

To be considered for the award, a faculty member must be at the associate professor, professor or distinguished professor rank; have a distinguished record of performance in teaching, research and service; and provide evidence of distinctive work and accomplishments in support of the university’s public affairs mission.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. — Jim Anderson, president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, will present the commencement address at Ozarks Technical Community College’s annual ceremony, to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at Hammons Student Center on the Missouri State University campus.

Before joining the Springfield Chamber in 1988, Anderson served for nine years as president of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, he served as a teacher and administrator in the Jefferson City Public Schools. Anderson has held leadership positions with a variety of business and community organizations, including the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri, United Way of the Ozarks, the Urban Districts Alliance, and the Community Relations Board for the U. S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners. Additionally, he has been appointed to positions on the Missouri Business Council, the Total Transportation Commission, and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

“We are honored to have such a dynamic businessman and speaker, and a long-time supporter of the College, as our guest for this year’s commencement,” says Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College. “We look forward to this opportunity for him to share with our graduates.”

A recipient of both the Springfieldian of the Year and Missourian of the Year awards, Anderson has also been given the Lifetime Achievement in Business award from the Springfield Business Journal. He has been named an “Outstanding Alumnus” by Missouri State University, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Drury University in 2002.

SPRINGFIELD- Missouri State University will host the 2008 Agriculture Forum on Friday May 2 in the White River Room at Bass Pro Shops.

Representative Roy Blunt, Missouri’s 7th District Congressman; and Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau President, will discuss national and state issues that impact agriculture. Following their 10-minute introductory comments, Janet Adkison, KMZU Farm Director from Carrollton, Mo., will moderate the question and answer portion of the event.

“While history shows that agriculture plays the most basic role in the wellbeing of our country, the pressures it faces today from many fronts result in a constant reexamination of our policies and practices,” said Dr. Anson Elliot, head of the Missouri State University department of agriculture. “These speakers can help us focus our attention on these challenges.”

Over 200 people are expected to attend, including Farm Bureau members from the region, agricultural business leaders, cattlemen, local legislators, university students, and faculty.

Dinner for the event will begin at 6:30 and a ticket for the meal and forum can be purchased for $20 by contacting the department of agriculture office at (417) 836-5638. Those who wish to attend the forum alone can attend at no cost and arrive 7 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University Concert Choir will be performing their fourth auditioned solo performance at Carnegie Hall on Memorial Day, May 26, at 7 p.m. They previously performed at Carnegie in 1992, 1996 and 2000.

In addition to the Carnegie performance, the Concert Choir will be performing in 21 cities in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and New York.

In the past 24 years, the EU Concert Choir has toured in the 48 contiguous states, Canada, the Bahamas and 15 countries in Europe. The Choir has also performed for the Missouri Music Educators Conference and for President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

The repertoire of the Concert Choir ranges from classical to contemporary sacred literature. The program is as varied and energetic as the 43-member choral ensemble.

The Concert Choir is directed by Sharon Wilkins who has served on the Evangel faculty since 1984. Wilkins received her music education from Evangel, Drury University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Wichita State University, Georgia State University and Missouri State University.

For additional information, contact Lynne Hall at (417) 865-2815 ext. 7212.

Evangel is the national Assemblies of God university of arts, sciences and professions, offering more than 100 academic programs of study. Approximately 2,000 students enroll annually from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.

Evangel is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Council on Social Work Education.

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University student Katie Schmidt was chosen a finalist in a national writing competition sponsored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

Schmidt, a senior social work major from Camdenton, Mo., submitted an editorial piece, “Waiting on the World to Change.”

Contestants were required to respond to the prompt: what advice would you give the next United States President on preventing and responding to threats of genocide and related crimes against humanity? The contest was judged by Mia Farrow, actress and UNICEF goodwill ambassador; Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson; and John Prendergast, co-chair of ENOUGH, a project of the Center for American Progress.

“Katie is among several of our undergraduate majors who have received recognition beyond our campus,” said Dr. Etta Madden, interim director of the School of Social Work. “We’re delighted that through the skills learned and enhanced in social work, she has brought positive attention to the university.”

Schmidt is the founder and president of the Missouri State chapter of STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 17, 2008 —Former Missouri Sen. Jack Danforth will participate in a public discussion as part of the W. Curtis Strube Ethics in Business and Lyceum Series on Tuesday, May 6 at 3 p.m. at Drury University's Stone Chapel, located on the corner of Central Street and Benton Avenue.

The event is free and open to the public; however, a limited number of tickets are available. For ticket information, call the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association at (417) 831-2783.

Danforth retired from the Senate in 1995. Since then he has become an author, a partner in an international law firm and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

The Rotary Club of Springfield, Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise, Rotary Club of Springfield North, and Rotaract Club of Springfield collectively sponsored Danforth’s trip to Springfield. The afternoon event is sponsored by Drury University, the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Springfield, and Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation. Special thanks to Great Southern Bank and the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center for their support of the visit.

Media will be allowed to videotape/photograph Danforth’s speech. The Senator will be available to the media after the speech from approximately 3:45-4 p.m. in a room adjacent to the Stone Chapel reception hall.

The Lyceum Series serves the mission of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation by bringing educational events and public forums on law-related topics to our community. The W. Curtis Strube Ethics in Business speaker series is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Springfield in memory of Dr. W. Curtis Strube, a longtime Springfield business leader, Drury professor, and Rotarian. This year's event is the inaugural program of the W. Curtis Strube Ethics in Business speaker series.

SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State University’s Computer Institute has entered into a training partnership with Illinois-based Security Certified Program (SCP), LLC, to provide official SCP courses to students in the Springfield area.

The Computer Institute, located in the Jim D. Morris Center for Continuing Education in downtown Springfield, is part of Missouri State University’s Extended Campus. The Computer Institute offers information technology (IT) training to help individuals and companies meet the challenges of the fast-changing computer software and hardware environment.

“I am very excited about the Computer Institute’s partnership with SCP,” said Rick Cooper, program manager for the Computer Institute. “The certifications they offer are going to be very important to IT professionals in the private sector. They are also becoming a requirement for anyone involved in IT in the military and contractors doing work for the Department of Defense.”

SCP develops multi-level, vendor neutral, security certification and training programs which enable individuals to acquire necessary job skills and earn certification. Certifications include: Security Certified Network Specialist (SCNS), Security Certified Network Professional (SCNP) and Security Certified Network Architect (SCNA). Training is available through the SCP network of authorized training partners worldwide.

For more information about the Computer Institute, visit http://ci.missouristate.edu.

For more information about SCP, visit www.SecurityCertified.Net.

SPRINGFIELD — Kurt Heinlein, assistant professor of theatre and dance at Missouri State University, recently published the book “Green Theatre — Promoting Ecological Preservation and Advancing the Sustainability of Human and Nature.”

The book addresses an aspect of the theatre world that has yet to be fully acknowledged.

“There are some papers that have been written about the subject, but no books that I know of until now,” Heinlein said.

Examining how theatre production can be used to draw people’s attention to ecological change and environmental problems that are facing society is a focus of the book. By taking the concept of sustainability and setting it as the backdrop for theatre performance, Heinlein hopes to strike a chord with the audience’s inner connection with nature.

“Theatre can be used to rethink about the way we live,” said Heinlein. “Green issues are something that traditionally seem to be looked at from a scientific standpoint. We need to start looking at some of the non-traditional ways to look at green issues like ‘green theatre.’”

Throughout the 240 pages of “Green Theatre,” Heinlein discusses themes that have been successful in green theatre and how select green performers, such as the popular Las Vegas show the Blue Man Group, have been able to thrive. Heinlein also addresses the successes and failures in green theatre and tries to show how green themes need to be presented in order to gain acceptance from the audience.

Heinlein hopes that his book will help some people realize that they can do more to help preserve the environment. “Everyone knows that there needs to be change. The only two real questions that exist are: one, will we think about changing and two, will we change?”

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 24, 2008 —Polynesian dance troupe Blue Hawaii will perform traditional dances at Weiser Gymnasium Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for CBOY Projects; a humanitarian effort in Zambia led by Drury student Candy Gentry designed to develop health, agricultural and educational programs in Zambia.

Besides the Polynesian dancers, Convoy of Hope will be on hand to display the water purifier that will help provide drinking water to orphans in Zambia. Drury SIFE team members that travelled to Zambia in March 2007 will be in attendance to share their experiences.

Tickets to the event are $8 for adults, children ages 5-12 are $5 and children under four are free. Money raised will go toward CBOY Projects’ next trip to Zambia to provide water purifiers for orphans.

Candy Gentry is a former Peace Corps volunteer and a current Drury student who, after working in Zambia with the Peace Corps, decided to continue to help her friends in Zambia. Gentry formed CBOY projects (the people of Zambia gave Gentry the nickname “CandyBoy”) with the intent of providing humanitarian funds and supplies to the people of Zambia.

SPRINGFIELD – Two students from the Missouri State University Branch Campus at Liaoning Normal University in Dalian, China, recently won first place in the regional English Debating Competition in Dailan during the 12th Annual Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press Cup competition.

Zeng Nanqing and Yeng Wanrong, both sophomores, were the winning debaters. The team was coached by Missouri State alum Victor Chang, who now teaches English at the branch campus in Dalian.

Nine universities in Dalian enrolled 28 teams in the competition. The winners from each region will participate in the national competition held in Beijing at the end of May.

In June 2000, Missouri State entered into an agreement with Liaoning Normal University of the People’s Republic of China to establish the Branch Campus (LNU-MSU College of International Business) on the campus of LNU. The Branch Campus currently offers a two-year Associate of Arts degree program offered through West Plains and a Bachelor of Science in General Business degree offered through Missouri State University’s College of Business Administration. The Branch Campus programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Missouri State–Branch Campus in Dalian has a diverse student body. Students from the United States, Africa, Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mogolia and all over Asia are enrolled in classes at the Branch Campus.

For more information on the Branch Campus in Dalian, visit the campus’ webpage at http://chinacampus.missouristate.edu/.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Four-hundred-twenty-six students will participate in Evangel University’s 50th Commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 2. The ceremony will be held in the James River Assembly of God auditorium.

Nearly 4,000 family and friends will be present to celebrate with the second-largest graduating class in Evangel’s history.

“Our guests have been advised to arrive early,” said Evangel spokesman Paul K. Logsdon. “Traffic can back up for 45 minutes on the roads leading to James River for graduation, so we encourage people to arrive early and enjoy a cup of coffee from their in-house Starbucks.”

Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, will give the address. Dr. Wood is a 1962 graduate of Evangel.

Evangel enrolls nearly 2,000 students from all 50 states and abroad, and offers more than 85 academic programs that are on the cutting edge of today’s professional fields.

The following degrees will be awarded:

Founded in 1955, Evangel is the national Assemblies of God university of arts, sciences and professions.

Dr. Robert H. Spence succeeded Dr. Ashcroft as president in 1974. Spence is the longest-tenured college president in the state of Missouri, and one of the longest-tenured in the nation.

Evangel is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Council on Social Work Education.

Biography of Dr. Wood

Dr. George O. Wood was elected chief executive officer of the Assemblies of God at the 52nd General Council in August 2007. As general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, USA, part of the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, he is a member of the denomination’s Executive Leadership Team and Executive Presbytery. The church has more than 12,300 congregations in the United States with some 2.8 million members and adherents.

Prior to his present position, Wood served the church as its general secretary for 14 years. He was assistant superintendent of the Southern California District from 1988-93. He pastored Newport-Mesa Christian Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., for 17 years. During his tenure, the church experienced significant growth, relocated and constructed new facilities, and gave $1 million to world missions in the last biennium of his pastorate.

The son of missionary parents to China and Tibet, Wood holds a doctoral degree in pastoral theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., and a juris doctorate from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, Calif. He also is an attorney and a member of the California State Bar.

Wood did his undergraduate work at Evangel University (College) in Springfield, Mo., and served the college in several capacities including that of director of spiritual life and student life from 1965-71. He was ordained by the Southern Missouri District in 1967.

SPRINGFIELD — With more than two months remaining in its fiscal year, the Missouri State University Foundation has already set a new record of $11,852,059 million in gifts received. The previous record was $11,826,286 in 2005-06.

“We are obviously very pleased we have already surpassed our record set a few years ago and we still have two more months to go in this fiscal year,” said Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement. “Investing in higher education is important to the future and is changing lives. We are very appreciative of our donors making this fiscal year the best ever in the history of the Foundation.”

Some of the significant gifts over the year include: the Guy Mace Endowed Professorship in Engineering, gifts from the Darr Family Foundation and Journagan Construction for the Darr Agricultural Center, the Bill Berry Endowed Scholarship and the Dr. Robert W. Martin Research Fellowship. In addition, more than $3.4 million has been given in support of JQH Arena this year.

The Missouri State University Foundation was established in 1981 as the fund-raising arm of the university. Since 1981, the Foundation has received $142 million in outright gifts and another $31 million in deferred gifts has been committed.

To date this year, the Foundation has received more than 27,000 gifts and is averaging more than $1 million in gifts per month.

The Foundation’s endowment now stands at more than $55 million.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Beginning this fall, more low-income students will qualify for a tuition, fees and books need-based scholarship at Missouri State University. The income cap for the Missouri State Promise Scholarship, which was awarded for the first time in the fall of 2007, will increase from 100 percent to 150 percent of the national poverty level for freshmen and transfer students entering the university in the fall of 2008.

“Low family income is a very significant barrier for students to attend and graduate from college,” said Missouri State University President Michael T. Nietzel. “Low-income students are seven times less likely to complete college than their peers with higher incomes. Missouri State University sees education as a great equalizer. We’re committed to helping low-income students attain a college degree without incurring a great deal of debt. More than 30 students benefitted from this scholarship in 2007-08, and we expect 30-50 more students to qualify as a result of raising the income cap.”

The university was able to increase its support for the Promise Scholarship because of a revised state program, approved in 2007, to better address financial need and because of significant contributions from private donors.

“The Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program has increased the amount of support that many low-income Missourians received to attend college,” said Nietzel. “This additional state support and the generosity of donors have allowed us to extend our university assistance to more families.”

First-time freshmen who are Missouri residents are eligible for the Promise Scholarship, as are transfer students from Missouri community colleges who are Missouri residents and have earned an associate’s degree. To qualify, students must be from families that are at or below 150 percent of the poverty level as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. For a family of three, the current level is $26,400. Students must also meet the selective admission requirements on the Springfield Campus.

Incoming freshmen will be eligible to receive the scholarship for four years, provided they continue to meet academic requirements, document financial need and meet the income threshold. Transfer students will be eligible to receive the scholarship for two years, provided they meet the same renewal requirements.

The Missouri State Promise Scholarship pays the difference between the cost of tuition and required fees and any grant or gift aid the student might have received, such as a Pell Grant, state aid and scholarships from private donors or other grant programs. The scholarship covers tuition and required fees for 15 credit hours for both fall and spring semesters, and up to $900 per year for books. In short, students who are at or below 150 percent of the poverty level will not pay a cent nor have to take out any loans for tuition, fees and books for their education at Missouri State – four years for incoming freshmen and two years for transfer students.

For example, with the estimated cost of tuition and fees for 2008-09 being $6,356, and for a student who has $4,731 in Pell grant and $1,300 scholarship aid, Missouri State would pay the difference between the two: $325. In addition, the university would provide up to $900 annually to cover the cost of books, for a total Missouri State Promise Scholarship of $1,225.

“It is important to understand, however, that this is not a free ride,” said Nietzel. “Students will still need to pay housing and living expenses. We hope this will allow qualifying students to support their remaining expenses with one part-time job or other income.”

SPRINGFIELD, MO. —Fifty-eight students from Logan-Rogersville public schools will visit the campus of Ozarks Technical Community College on Wednesday, April 23, to receive free dental work as part of the College’s Spring Sealant Day. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the dental labs located in Lincoln Hall, on the Springfield campus.

Held twice a year, the Sealant Day events provide an opportunity for the College’s first-year dental hygiene students to gain hands-on experience, while also allowing area elementary, middle and high school students to receive free, quality dental care. The work done in the labs will include oral exams, dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants and x-rays as needed.

Ozarks Technical Community College’s Dental Hygiene program has held the Sealant Day event once per semester since 2003.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Two Evangel University biology students won awards for their presentations at the Missouri Academy of Sciences Convention in Joplin, Mo., on April 18.

Michael Bold, senior from Aurora, Ohio, was awarded first place in the biochemistry section, collegiate division for his presentation, “A Novel Chip Interacting Class III E2 Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme.”

Nathan Johnson, senior from Kansas City, Mo., was awarded second place in the biochemistry section, collegiate division for his presentation, “The Human-Eye Dystrophin Transgene Insertion Site for a Potential Cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.”

Bonnie Carsten, senior from Stockton, Kan., and Stephen Morey, senior from Sioux City, Iowa, also presented.

“Our students performed exceptionally well,” said Dr. Glenner Richards, associate professor of biology. “Bonnie and Stephen also gave very impressive presentations.”

SPRINGFIELD, MO. — At the monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Ozarks Technical Community College, held Monday, April 21, two new members of the Board were officially sworn in by Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff. Dr. Maryellen Stratmann, a former nuclear radiologist, and J. Howard Fisk, owner of J. Howard Fisk Limousine Co., have each been elected to a six-year term on the Board.

Following the swearing-in of the new Trustees, the Board elected its new officers. The officers will serve in those roles for two years. Replacing Don Clinkenbeard as President of the Board is Larry Snyder, owner of Larry Snyder & Company, a commercial and industrial construction business. Jacqueline McKinsey, founding member of the College’s Board of Trustees, was elected to the position of Vice President. Former educator and public school administrator Dolores Brooks was elected to serve as Secretary, and Fisk was chosen as Treasurer.

After the meeting, a reception was held in honor of departing Board members Don Wessel and Frank Farmer, both founding members of the Board of Trustees of Ozarks Technical Community College. In recognition of their commitment to the College from its inception, Wessel and Farmer each received a number of resolutions and honors from local, state, and national governments, as well as a gift and plaque from the College.

SPRINGFIELD — The state of Missouri has been guided by four varied versions of its constitution since officially becoming a state in 1820. Thorough historical analysis of those four constitutions (the last major rewrite occurred in 1945) reveals that Missouri – a border state in the Civil War – was caught in a see-saw battle of tension between the North and the South.

That analysis, and in-depth study of all of America’s 50 state constitutions, can be found in a new book, “The Constitutionalism of American States,” edited by Dr. George E. Connor, acting head of Missouri State University’s political science department and associate professor of political science; and Dr. Christopher W. Hammons, associate professor of political science at Houston Baptist University. The 848-page book is published by University of Missouri Press.

“The most important thing I’ve learned during the process of putting this book together is that state constitutions define a people,” Connor said.

Each of the book’s 50 chapters is written against the backdrop of a model presented by constitutional scholar Dr. Donald S. Lutz in his book, “The Origins of American Constitutionalism.” According to Connor, this new book – based on Lutz’s theory – allows each state constitution to be studied in relation to the United States constitution and to one another. Lutz, who wrote the foreword to the book, is a professor of political science at the University of Houston.

“I approached this project thinking that Don’s theory would apply across the board,” Connor said. “That was the case with every state except Utah, which, based on its population, should be governed from a Mormon perspective, but isn’t. But we now understand Utah better by proving Don wrong, so our original precept does apply.”

A total of 64 authors contributed to the book, including several who are in academia, as well as a state supreme court chief justice, a former state representative, a former university president and a state parliamentarian. Two Missouri State University graduates – Connor’s former students – also contributed.

“Having so many authors enhances the book,” Connor said. “They see Don’s theory in different ways. Each chapter includes color, story and history.”

Connor, who wrote the Montana chapter, said that the people who wrote the constitutions cannot be ignored: “If you don’t understand the powerful people of Montana, then you don’t understand the constitutional history of the state.”

The book is organized geographically by region – New England, Mid-Atlantic, Border, Southern, Midwestern, the Plains, Mountain West and Western.

The project began more than five years ago. And during that time, the authors faced several challenges, including changes in several of the constitutions. “Over the five or six years we’ve been writing this, constitutions have changed,” Connor said. “So we’ve tried to keep up as best we can.”

Connor said the book was written primarily to be used as a reference book. He believes it will be a valuable resource for academia, law libraries, statehouses, politicians and anyone who has an interest in how state constitutions define a people. The editors and authors have agreed that all proceeds from the book will be donated to the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, where Lutz was treated after suffering a stroke and continues to aid in his rehabilitation.

“We wrote this book to honor Don, and in the end we never lost track of why we were doing it,” Connor said.

More information can be found at http://press.umsystem.edu/fall2007/connor.hammons.htm

SPRINGFIELD – The 36th annual Pummill Math Relays will he held April 23 in Hammons Student Center. Area high schools will send their best math students to match wits with their peers in 15 individual and team events. This event will attract approximately 1,000 students from 45 schools.

The relays are sponsored by Missouri State University’s mathematics department and will begin at 9:30 a.m. with an opening assembly and welcoming remarks by department head Dr. Yungchen Cheng. The competitions begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., in time for awards to be distributed in the main arena by College of Natural and Applied Sciences Dean Dr. Tammy Jahnke.

Graduating seniors with outstanding participation in the relays will be eligible to compete for two scholarships, the $2,000 MSU Math Relays Scholarship and the $500 Mathematics Department Scholarship. Students receiving a first-place award in any of the 15 events may also apply for the $500 Lawrence E. and Crystal Pummill Scholarship, with preference given to mathematics education majors.

The event is free and open to the public. A complete schedule of events is available online at http://math.missouristate.edu/44088.htm. For more information, contact Dr. Lynda Plymate, professor of mathematics, at 836-4152.

Contact: Dr. George Wolf (417) 836-5600

Physics and astronomy department presents NASA observing night

SPRINGFIELD – The physics, astronomy and materials science department will host a public observing night from 8:30-10:30 p.m. April 25 at Baker Observatory in Marshfield, Mo.

Visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy the night sky from a dark place and to view planets, stars and galaxies through the observatory telescopes. If skies are cloudy on the scheduled night, the event will be postponed to April 26 at the same time.

For more information, contact Dr. George Wolf, professor of physics and astronomy, at 836-5600.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A fundraiser for Evangel University students traveling to Kenya, Africa, this summer will be held at The Incredible Pizza Company from 5-9 p.m., Thursday, April 24.

Fifteen percent of the night’s proceeds will go toward the trip to Kenya. Gift cards worth $12 can be purchased for $10, of which $5 will benefit the trip.

Dr. Grant Jones, professor of psychology at Evangel University, will be leading the team of 11 students to Kenya, Aug. 14-26 to learn how refugees, orphans, AIDS patients and church members emotionally and psychologically cope with tragedy and political unrest.

The team will visit refugee camps and schools to provide encouragement and psycho-educational training to children about AIDS. Additionally, they will teach models of healing and forgiveness to pastors at the Kenya Assemblies of God General Council.

“We believe our students possess both clinical skills and a compassionate faith that serves as a perfect combination for this need,” Jones said. “I hope this trip provides for them a sense of call to international psychology service."

The students participating are:

Lisa-Marie Brown, senior psychology major from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Keith Clouse, senior psychology major from Rogersville, Mo.
Luke Davidiuk, senior psychology major from Monroe, N.C.
Jenna Kitts, senior psychology major from Clinton, Iowa.
Rachel Kraus, senior psychology major from Fenton, Mo.
Jorge Lima, senior biblical studies major from San Francisco, Calif.
September Sherwood, senior psychology major from Nevada, Iowa.
Heather Sparks, senior psychology major from Worcester, Mass.
Giselle Stadler, senior psychology major from Trumbull, Conn.
Katy Ward, senior psychology major from Nixa, Mo.
Priscilla Yokomizo, senior psychology major from Englewood, Colo.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University campus is alive with color, as dozens of tulip beds have responded to this week’s warmer weather. A total of 17,901 tulips were planted last fall, according to Dave Boneck, grounds assistant.
	Nicole Benecasa, senior from Springfield, Mo., and Tim Fraticelli, senior from Wheatfield, Ind.

“The community is invited to stop by the campus on North Glenstone over the weekend and enjoy the flowers,” said Evangel spokesman Paul K. Logsdon. “And don’t forget your cameras!” Evangel is a national college of arts, sciences and professions, drawing nearly 2,000 students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries. Founded in 1955 on the site of the former O’Reilly Army Hospital, Evangel has undergone a total transformation into a state-of-the-art university.

Construction is currently under way for the 69,000-sq.-ft. Riggs Administration Building. Completion is anticipated for late fall. (Photos: Paul K. Logsdon)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 17, 2008- 200 sheep, that’s how many sheepskins it took to make one vellum Bible. Vellum is an animal skin prepared especially for writing. The Drury Archives will showcase a collection of medieval and early modern era books, including books made of vellum, in the basement of the Olin Library Friday, April 18 from 1-3 p.m.

Bill Garvin, the Drury archivist, has worked to document each piece, the author and the century that it was produced. It’s interesting to see the book covers, the animal skin pores, to compare vellum to early paper and be in the presence of the antiquities, some 500 years old!

The Drury Archives have many sheets of medieval parchment with writing; also there is a 16th century book from the printing house of Aldus Manutius, a well-known Venetian printer.

People are encouraged to come and go at their leisure and encounter a part of the historical past.

Visit www.drury.edu.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. —Dr. LaRaine Bauer, coordinator of the newly formed Middle College, a collaborative effort of Ozarks Technical Community College and Springfield Public Schools, will be a featured speaker at Governor Matt Blunt’s Summit on Business and Education, to be held in Joplin on Friday, April 18.

Dr. Bauer will present the details of the Middle College as an example of how Ozarks Technical Community College is helping to develop 21st century skills in Missouri’s students. Other presenters at the summit will include representatives from business and industry, as well as teachers and administrators from all levels of education.

The Middle College program will place underserved high school juniors in the Diesel Technology or Early Childhood Education programs at Ozarks Technical Community College. College instructors and administrators will tutor the students in such areas as public speaking, writing and employability skills, while providing them with an opportunity to achieve a high school diploma, earn free college credits, and practice their job skills through area internships with local business partners. Students are referred to the program by their high school counselors, and are selected from all Springfield public high schools.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. — The Evangel University Board of Directors met on April 10-11 and has reelected President Robert H. Spence for his eighth five-year-term of service.

Spence first assumed the leadership of Evangel on May 1, 1974, and his current term expires at the end of April 2009.

“Dr. Spence is a leader among leaders—we are honored to work with him and pleased that he has agreed to this extension,” said the Rev. John Lindell, chairman of the board.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the average tenure of college and university presidents was 8.5 years in 2006, the last year for which data is available.

“Our research shows that Dr. Spence is the third longest-tenured president currently serving in the U.S.,” said Paul K. Logsdon, spokesman for the Evangel. “He will complete 34 years on April 30. I found one president that has served 40 years and one that has served 35 years—both in Louisiana.”

Background

Dr. Spence was a member of the Evangel Board of Directors when he was asked to assume the leadership role in 1974.

During his tenure, he has guided the transformation from a college campus of mostly WWII-era barracks to a state-of-the-art University. Eight major construction projects have been completed during the past 12 years, and the new Riggs Administration Building is currently under construction.

“Evangel had four modern brick residence halls, the library, dining hall and gym in 1974,” said Logsdon. “The rest of the campus was comprised of barracks left over from the O’Reilly Army Hospital.”

Though his most visible contribution to the Springfield region is his leadership at Evangel, Dr. Spence has served on the boards of more than 15 community and business organizations, most notably as president/chairman of the boards of City Utilities, CoxHealth Systems and the Chamber of Commerce.

He is also chairman of Springfield’s annual Day of Prayer observance.

Dr. Robert H. Spence was recognized for outstanding service and leadership in 2004 when he was named the Springfieldian of the Year by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. He also received the 2004 Missourian Award, presented by the American Heart Association.

Dr. Spence remains in demand as a speaker, spending almost every weekend on the road at churches, colleges and conferences across the country. His wife, Anne, often travels with him and has long been considered Evangel’s greatest recruiter.

Evangel is the national Assemblies of God university of arts, sciences and professions, offering more than 100 academic programs of study. Approximately 2,000 students enroll annually from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.