Missouri State University alumni magazine by Missouri State University Office of Editorial and Design Services

FALL 2014

THE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

BEAR

SIBLINGS Some families are lucky enough to have maroon and white in their DNA. Here are a few stories of brothers and sisters who have made MSU a family tradition.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 3

It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter where you are.

Point. Click. BearWear

shop.MissouriStateBookstore.com All profits are reinvested in Missouri State University to support students.

Publisher: Missouri State University ofﬁce of publications Editors: Stacey Funderburk, Michelle S. Rose Designer: Amy Schuldt Class Notes Editors: Debbie Branson, Caitlin West, Candice Wolf Photographers: Bob Linder, Jesse Scheve, John Wall, Kevin White Writers: Jessica Clements, Nicki Donnelson, Don Hendricks, Paul Kincaid, Rick Kindhart, Stephanie Matthews, Mandy Morgan, Kelsie Nalley, Andrea Mostyn, Michelle S. Rose, Clif Smart, Shay Stowell, Courtney Wendel-Stevenson

FEATURES 10

OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Lori Winters Fan, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Wendy Ferguson, Executive Director of Development Denise Kettering, Director of Advancement Services Melanie Earl, Director of Annual Funds Jenny Crews, Director of Prospect Management and Research Stephanie Lashley, Senior Director of Donor Relations and Special Events Debbie Branson, Associate Director of Alumni Relations Karissa Jones, Assistant Director of Alumni Activities Candice Wolf, Assistant Director of Alumni Activities Angela Pinegar, Assistant Director of Advancement Services Cheryl Burnett, Director of Development Jacqui Coones, Director of Development Andrew Garton, Director of Development Patty Ingle, Director of Development Keri McKee, Director of Development Sophie Pierpoint, Director of Development Michael Whitley, Director of Development Lisa Clark, Director of Planned Giving Kevin Greim, Senior Director of Athletics Development Austin Schilling, Assistant Director of Athletics Development

BEAR SIBLINGS Once one brother or sister attends Missouri State, it’s a good guess that other siblings will want to become Bears as well. Here are stories about six families, from different decades, that have made MSU a tradition.

Phone: 417-836-4143 Fax: 417-836-6886 Email: Foundation@missouristate.edu Email: Alumni@missouristate.edu Joe Kammerer, Director of Development Missouri State-West Plains Melody Hubbell, Assistant Director of Development Missouri State-West Plains Phone: 417-255-7240 Fax: 417-255-7241 Email: Development@wp.missouristate.edu MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Richard F. Young, chair, Arlington, Mass. Robert A. (Tony) Foster, Springfield Robert C. Fulp, Springfield Billy E. Hixon, immediate past chair, ex officio, Springfield Karen L. Horny, Springfield Michael H. Ingram, vice chair, Springfield Gordon Kinne, Springfield Mary McQueary, secretary, Springfield Timothy B. O’Reilly, Springfield Patricia L. Sechler, Springfield Clifton M. Smart III, president, Missouri State University, ex officio, Springfield Joseph Carmichael, Board of Governors, Missouri State University, ex officio, Springfield Stephen C. Foucart, treasurer, ex-officio, Springfield W. Brent Dunn, executive director of the Missouri State University Foundation, ex-officio, Springfield Cindy R. Busby, assistant secretary, Springfield Phone: 417-836-4143 Fax: 417-836-6886 Email: Foundation@missouristate.edu Missouri State is published three times a year by Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springﬁeld, MO 65897 Postmaster: Send address changes to Missouri State, Office of Alumni Relations, 901 S. National Ave., Springﬁeld, MO 65897 Missouri State University adheres to a strict nondiscrimination policy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or on any basis (including, but not limited to, political affiliation and sexual orientation) not related to the applicable job requirements for employees in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Printed with soy ink. ALM 214 14

COVER PHOTO BY KEVIN WHITE

2014 BEARS OF DISTINCTION Meet the six people who will be honored this year at the 2014 Missouri State University Alumni Association awards. They will be recognized Oct. 17 as part of Homecoming.

THE FACULTY Dr. Sabrina A. Brinson, professor of childhood education, established two programs, Boys Booked on Barbershops and Girls Booked on Beautyshops, to fight aliteracy — having the ability to read but lacking the desire and motivation.

THE LAST CONCERT Dr. Guy B. Webb, who was the director of choral activities, conducted his final concert on campus May 4. He retired May 31 after 34 years at Missouri State and more than 50 years in his field.

CAMPUS NEWS

Wall of Fame inductees to be honored at Homecoming Five former faculty and staff members have been selected as the 2014 Wall of Fame inductees. The Missouri State Wall of Fame recognizes former employees who performed outstanding work while on campus and

demonstrated character and integrity. Nominees must have worked for the University full time for at least 10 years, and five years must have passed since they were employed full time at Missouri State.

THE 2014 WA L L OF FA M E C L ASS Linda Johnson: Former degree analyst who prepared the undergraduate catalog, oversaw the degree audit system and issued diplomas and certificates.

John McAlear: Former internal auditor who now serves as the Board of Governors secretary and as an unofficial University historian.

Marty Marty: Worked in several University areas, including the Academic Advisement Center, Writing Center, Greek Life and First Year Programs.

Dr. Donal Stanton: Former professor who created the socio-political communication major and led generations of Bears to become great debaters.

YOU’RE INVITED

The honorees will have their plaques added to the Wall of Fame following a ceremony held in conjunction with Homecoming.

Dr. George Swales: Former department head of finance and general business who helped the College of Business gain reaccreditation from the prestigious AACSB, or Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-International. Swales also served on the executive board of MBAA International.

WHEN: 4 p.m. Oct. 17 WHERE: Plaster Student Union Ballroom COST: Free and open to the public

Funding from legislative session now on hold The results of what was being called one of the most productive legislative sessions in recent memory are now on hold until after the September veto session. The Missouri General Assembly passed and sent to the governor a number of measures to fund higher education. For Missouri State University, it included a 5.2 percent increase in its operating budget amounting to about $4 million, $2.25 million in matching funds for a new Welcome Center and $20.4 million in bonding funds for capital improvements. On June 24, Gov. Jay Nixon announced a number of vetoes and withholdings he said were necessary because of several tax cut bills that passed the last day of the 2014 session. In all, the governor vetoed or withheld about $1.1 billion. The funding affected includes core operating funds, 4

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capital funds and statewide scholarship program funds. For Missouri State, it included vetoing the bonding funds and withholding the entire 5.2 percent increase in core budget and the $2.25 million in matching funds. In addition, the governor withheld the $1,325,000 line item to fund the occupational therapy program on the Springfield campus ($825,000) and a variety of health programs on the West Plains campus ($500,000). “What came out of the General Assembly made it a very good year,” said Missouri State President Clifton M. Smart III. “Now we are in flux. We are disappointed in the withholdings, especially the extent and the timing on the eve of the new fiscal year. We are hopeful that some or all of the withholdings will be released following the veto session.”

THE WELCOME CENTER Despite the uncertainty of funding from the state, the Board of Governors, at the recommendation of Smart and the administration, is proceeding with the $5.5 million Welcome Center. Funding for the center will be achieved in the following way: $1 million from the Missouri State Bookstore insurance settlement, $2.25 million from private gifts to the Missouri State Foundation and $2.25 million from a private naming gift. PERFORMANCE FUNDING In addition, the General Assembly passed, and the governor signed into law, a bill that establishes a higher education funding formula based on performance. It bases future funding 90 percent on performance and 10 percent on equity.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear alumni and friends: When students returned in August for the fall 2014 semester, they found the campus changed significantly since they left in May. For example: Four recreation/athletic venues totaling about $27 million have been completed or renovated, and are ready for students to use. Sunvilla Tower is prepped for a complete renovation, totaling approximately $12 million, that will take it out of service for a year. Kentwood Hall is again available as a residence hall after a $2.5 million renovation done during the summer. The $6.9 million renovation of Pummill Hall has started. Construction on the new $5.5 million Welcome Center has begun. Preparations are under way for the construction of a $20 million facility to house the new occupational therapy master’s program, as well as other health programs.

JESSE SCHEVE

New attractive concrete and metal signs marking the four corners of campus have been installed.

In fact, so much has happened since May that I don’t think our students will believe their eyes. It recently occurred to me: If the campus changes that much during a single summer, from May to August, what would alumni who have not been back to campus for five, 10, 15 or 20 years think of the changes since they left? With that in mind, I want to ask you to consider coming back to campus some time this year. Let me suggest three possible dates this fall. 1. WEEKEND OF A HOME FOOTBALL GAME: We are planning a number of special events surrounding our home football games. The stadium has been renovated, and BearFest Village has been refreshed. For more about the new BearFest Village, see page 36. We are excited about the potential of the 2014 Football Bears. 2. SHOWCASE WEEKEND: The fall Showcase is scheduled for Sept. 27, and is perfect if you have a college-aged family member who is interested in looking at Missouri State University. The day includes a number of special activities, from touring campus to visiting with faculty members. It is a great way to get a feel for the University and all it has to offer.

Keep up with President Smart: @ClifSmart

3. HOMECOMING: This year, Homecoming weekend is Oct. 17-18. As usual, there will be a full slate of activities, starting Friday with the Wall of Fame induction and the Alumni Association dinner and awards ceremony, and continuing into Saturday with the parade, football game and more. For more about this year’s Homecoming honorees, see pages 24-30. There is an old adage that says: If you are standing still, you are falling behind. I am pleased to report that Missouri State is not standing still and, therefore, moving full steam ahead. I hope you will come see how your University has changed. I think you will be proud of the progress. Very truly yours,

Clif Smart President

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CAMPUS NEWS

Board of Governors extends President Smart’s contract to 2022

JESSE SCHEVE

Clifton M. “Clif” Smart III received a strong evaluation from the Board of Governors for his work as president of Missouri State University. As a result, his contract has been extended and his term will continue through June 30, 2022. “The Board feels that Clif has done an outstanding job as president of Missouri State,” said Beverly Miller, chairwoman of the Board of Governors.

Smart was evaluated in nine major categories, including leadership, management and relationships within the University and the community. “I greatly appreciate the Board’s confidence in me and their enthusiastic support for the direction that the University is heading,” Smart said. “I also want to thank the faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors who contributed so much to a tremendous year.”

NEWS IN BRIEF President’s office reorganizes, welcomes new staff The new fiscal year starting July 1 brought staff changes and reorganization for the office of Missouri State University President Clifton M. Smart III. The changes involve two new administrators and three current ones. The responsibilities of Paul Kincaid, who recently retired as chief of staff and assistant to the president for University relations, have been redistributed: Ryan DeBoef, former legal counsel at Missouri State, is now the chief DeBoef of staff and assistant to the president for governmental relations. He is responsible for governmental relations at the state level. Dr. Jim Baker, vice president for research, economic Baker development and international programs, has added federal governmental relations to his portfolio. 6

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M. Suzanne Shaw is the new vice president for marketing and communications. Shaw She has responsibility for University communications, publications, web and new media, photographic services and athletics communications. There also will be changes in the general counsel’s office:

Groves

Penni Groves, who was general counsel, has at her request moved to the role of legal counsel.

Rachael M. Dockery is the new general counsel. Dockery comes to Dockery Missouri State from CoxHealth, where she served as assistant general counsel since 2010.

Professor receives geography award for Yellowstone project Dr. Judith Meyer, associate professor of geography, received the Anne White award from the Association of American

Geographers for her plans to digitally map and photograph an historic hiking trail at Yellowstone National Park. Her partner on the project is her husband, Dr. Bob Pavlowsky, professor of geography and director of the Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute. The Anne White award is given to life partners and married couples who are working together in geography. In the 1920s and ’30s, the 120-mile pack trail they are exploring became one of the most traveled paths in Yellowstone. In 1970, trail maintenance was discontinued, and the ecosystem is being allowed to reclaim the area. Meyer and Pavlowsky will create a digital map by hiking the trail and rephotographing scenes that were photographed in the 1920s and ’30s. “We then compare and analyze the photo pairs for evidence, if any, of landscape change over time,” Meyer said. As part of the award, she will receive $1,500 to help fund her field research. She also earns national recognition from fellow geographers and others in the field.

University cuts energy use for national competition Students, staff and faculty cut energy consumption in 22 buildings by almost 10 percent during the month of April. The University participated from April 5-25 in the Campus Conservation Nationals, a nationwide effort among 157 campuses to conserve electricity and water. This was the first time MSU competed. The campus community saved 138,943 kilowatt-hours by turning off lights, unplugging electronics, taking stairs instead of elevators, adjusting thermostats, keeping windows closed and similar actions. The 9.1 percent electricity reduction is equivalent to $9,909 of savings and the avoidance of 98 metric tons of CO2 emissions. MSU was among the top 20 institutions in electricity reduction, said Pilar Karlen, Missouri State energy manager. In addition, Missouri State challenged the University of Missouri to see which school could most reduce their carbon footprint and water consumption during April. Missouri State won the competition.

Join us for this year’s public affairs signature events These signature events help Missouri State put our public affairs mission into practice. There are seven events each school year, and these five are still to happen this fall and spring. Community Engagement

Project — Stomp Out Hunger: All Collegiate Shoe Drive When and where: Oct. 1-25, 2014, local area campuses What: Missouri State, Drury University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Evangel University and Southwest Baptist University will join together to collect used shoes to donate to Sole Food. Sole Food is a local project that accepts donated shoes, then partners with Shoeman Water Projects to sell those shoes to distributors in needy countries, such as Tanzania and Haiti. A portion of proceeds goes to Friends Against Hunger, and the remainder is used to purchase supplies that bring clean water to those who need it. To donate shoes or learn how you may otherwise contribute: Contact Director of Public Affairs Support Mary Ann Wood at maryannwood@missouristate.edu or 417-836-5073.

Public Affairs Convocation:

Eric Greitens When and where: 7 p.m. Oct. 28, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts What: Eric Greitens, the author of this year’s Common Reader “The Heart and the Fist,” will speak. The Common Reader is the book read by all first-year students. “The Heart and the Fist” is a memoir by Greitens, a humanitarian who became a Navy SEAL. Statewide Collaborative

Diversity Conference When and where: March 25-27, 2015, Plaster Student Union What: This conference helps develop and support diverse workplaces around the state of Missouri. All professionals are invited to attend.

Public Affairs Conference When and where: April 14-17, around campus What: This conference features lectures, panels and events that will explore this year’s theme of “The Ethical Citizen: Can you make a difference?” All events are free and open to the public. Missouri Public Affairs Hall of

Fame Induction When and where: April 17, time to be announced, White River Conference Center, 600 W. Sunshine St. What: The Hall of Fame honors those who have improved the lives of others through their academic, personal or professional achievements. Honorees must have a connection to the state of Missouri and serve as examples of global citizens who act consistently for the benefit of others. The event will be open to the public but require the purchase of a ticket.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANY OF OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS:

publicaffairs.missouristate.edu

You’re invited to a global feast Taste the cuisines of the world during banquet on campus.

BRUCE STIDHAM

The 36th annual International Banquet and Show, put on by the Association of International Students, will be held Nov. 15. You can feel great about attending: Proceeds benefit the Association of International Students scholarship fund.

Food TICKET LOCATIONS WILL BE POSTED ONLINE THIS FALL:

www.organizations. missouristate.edu/ais

A buffet, prepared by students under the supervision of advisors and catering staff, will be served in the PSU Ballroom. It will feature dishes — including vegetarian options — from different culinary traditions around the globe.

Entertainment After the banquet, the evening moves to the theater in PSU. There is a show with dances, music, skits and more representing different cultures.

Tickets This event has sold out in recent years, so be sure to get your tickets when they go on sale three weeks prior to the banquet, about Oct. 27. Tickets cover both the dinner and the show, and are $20 for the public and $15 for students. You may purchase tickets on campus Monday through Friday until they are sold out.

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News about student accomplishments, honors and service

KEVIN WHITE

CAMPUS NEWS

Bravo,BEARS!

Ad Team wins second-straight national competition

Student journalists take home awards from conference

Students successful at national media arts festival

The Missouri State University Ad Team recently took first place in the Challenge Your Energy IQ Case competition. This is the second consecutive win for the Missouri State Ad Team in this national competition, and is one of five national advertising and branding competitions the team has won in the last seven years. The client for the 2014 EdVenture competition was the American Petroleum Institute. As a part of the competition, the Ad Team designed and implemented a complete campaign including the creation of a unique event, the first ever “Energy Challenge!” Missouri State students had the chance to participate in this event by testing their energy knowledge to see how their scores measured up to previously collected scores from local students in the fourth grade. The intent was to educate both age groups on the importance of energy and its impact on the future. In early May, Ad Team members were notified that they were one of the top three teams and were invited to travel to San Francisco, California, to present their campaign to 15 executives from the top oil companies in the country. “Following the award ceremony, two major companies asked us to travel to their USA-based headquarters to present our research and campaign to all their corporate executives,” said Dr. Melissa Burnett, professor of marketing and director of the MSU Ad Team. “This speaks well to the strength of our students, advertising program and MSU.”

The staff of The Standard student newspaper won several awards at the annual Missouri College Media Association conference. Most notable are several high honors: The Standard won first place, best overall newspaper (Division 1) and first place, sweepstakes (Division 1). Nicolette Martin, a senior print and Internet journalism major, received high honors when she was selected as Journalist of the Year.

Students in the media, journalism and film department took several awards at the 2014 Broadcast Education Association National Festival of Media Arts, held in April in Las Vegas. Students placed in the following categories:

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OTHER RESULTS

Steph Anderson, first place, feature photography; second place, sports photography; honorable mention, sports photography; honorable mention, news photography Megan Gates, first place, news writing Tim Godfrey, first place, sports column Lindsey Howard, first place, editorial/op-ed page Nicolette Martin, first place, page-one design; first place, sports page; second place, regular column; second place, sports column Brent Rinehart, first place, advertising Kelsey Berry, second place, feature writing Evan Henningsen, second place, feature photography Sam Holzer, third place, sports writing Staff, third place, special section; third place, website home page

SCRIPTWRITING COMPETITION

Kellye Nelson, screenwriting for television and film graduate student, won first place in the feature category. Samantha Sweet, electronic arts/ video studies senior, won third place in the short subject category. DOCUMENTARY: LONG-FORM VIDEO

Sam Geneser, graduate student, Bret Hoy, senior arts/video studies major, Kaitlyn Manlove, graduate student, and David Mudd, graduate student, were awarded second place. NARRATIVE VIDEOS

Tied for third place were: Lucas Eubank, senior mass media/ digital film production major, and Jacob Holliman, junior mass media/digital film production major. Graduate student Adam Wagner, electronic arts/video studies senior April Clore and graduate student Travis Niedergerke. ANIMATION/EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED

Victor Pierce, graduate student, and Dalton Robbins, junior electronic arts/audio studies major, received an honorable mention.

PHOTOS BY KEVIN WHITE

The MarooNation Ball, started in 2013, is a black-tie-optional event with amazing live entertainment, mingling, dining and dancing. This fall, a MarooNation Ball will be held in St. Louis. In spring 2015, a gala will be held in Kansas City. ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

Unforgettable. Unbelievable. UNMISSABLE.

Each MarooNation Ball features musicians and other live performances. Guests may have cocktails and a sit-down dinner before a night of dancing. The galas attract a V.I.P. audience of Missouri State University alumni and friends. SUPPORTING STUDENTS

coming up in St. Louis and Kansas City

Proceeds will support future Missouri State Bears from the St. Louis or Kansas City areas. A MarooNation Ball scholarship has been started to benefit full-time Missouri State students from those metro areas who have financial need and embody the University’s public affairs mission.

WANT TO GO? It’s maroon spirit in black tie, all for a good cause…don’t miss it! ST. LOUIS When: Nov. 15, 2014 Where: Palladium Saint Louis, 1400 Park Place, St. Louis, Mo.

KANSAS CITY When: April 25, 2015 Where: The Gallery, 61 E. 14th St., an event space in the heart of the Power & Light District

TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS Individual tickets: $150 each Sponsorships: $2,500-$5,000 (sponsors are guaranteed a table for 10 at the ball, and will receive gifts and recognition)

Contact the Missouri State University Foundation for tickets or to become a sponsor: foundation@missouristate.edu

More than 45 new medallions awarded at annual Founders Club reception

College of Arts and Letters Dean Gloria Galanes was a medallion recipient. KEVIN WHITE

The Founders Club, Missouri State Founders, Platinum, Sterling, President’s, Silver University’s most prestigious and Bronze. organization for donors, held its This year, 46 new medallions were awarded to annual medallion reception June 28 alumni, friends, businesses and organizations in at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the recognition of their contributions to the University. Performing Arts. The event included a cocktail reception, Each year, medallions are awarded to entertainment and the presentation of medallions. Founders Club members whose LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINING THE FOUNDERS CLUB: cumulative giving www.missouristatefoundation.org/foundersclub has reached certain levels: MISS OU RI STAT E

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BEAR

SIBLINGS Missouri State doesn’t track exactly how many groups of brothers and sisters have enrolled since 1905, but if we had to guess, we’d use a purely scientific term: A gazillion. Once one brother or sister attends, it’s a good guess that other siblings will want to become Bears as well. Here are six stories about families throughout different decades that have made MSU a tradition.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF ALUMNI Keep the tradition going in your family! MSU has two scholarships available exclusively for students who are children and grandchildren of Missouri State graduates.

Continue the Tradition: For out-of-state children and grandchildren of graduates.

Centennial Legacy Leadership Scholarship: For an undergraduate student who is a child, grandchild, stepchild or stepgrandchild of a graduate. Find qualifications and how to apply:

missouristate.edu/ FinancialAid

(DECEASED)

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in music, 1945 CAREER: Former teacher of music and Christian education

VIRGINIA JOAN HOLT DOWNING MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in sociology and economics with a minor in history, 1951 CAREER: Retired from social work

DR. MILFORD OWEN HOLT MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in math and history, 1948 CAREER: Retired; former dean and professor emeritus of the College of Education, Southeast Missouri State University

LT. COLONEL ROLAND RAYMOND HOLT, USAF (RET.) AT MSU: Attended until 1950, when he joined the U.S. Air Force CAREER: Retired from the Air Force

LOIS LANE HOLT ALLEN

STANLEY WARNER HOLT

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in English with minors in history, library science and Latin, 1955

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in business, 1958

CAREER: Retired from teaching middle school

CAREER: Retired from management in sales

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY THE HOLT FAMILY

WILMA JEAN HOLT DAVIS

THE

HOLT FAMILY

This is a family steeped in MSU history. All six siblings (oldest, Jean, passed away in 2012) attended, and Milford, Virginia, Lois and Stanley all married fellow Bears. They were each successful in their careers, and several of the Holts earned master’s and doctoral degrees from other institutions since MSU did not offer graduate programs at the time. They now live across the nation, in California, Georgia, Maine, Michigan and Missouri. In 1982, on their mother’s 80th birthday, they decided to establish the Floyd M. and Bertha E. Holt Scholarship at MSU in recognition of their parents. VIRGINIA: We played tons of games together as kids. We played anagrams, a letters game, and slap, a numbers game. Those were Depression and World War II years, and we had to make our own cards from cardboard dividers in shredded wheat boxes. LOIS: My two older brothers would always find fun ways to do things. They both ran track, and some mornings when we were late leaving home to walk to school, they put me between them, held my hands, and RAN. I could swear they ran so fast my feet didn’t touch the ground. STANLEY: Because I was the youngest, I was the tag-along. Between my eldest sister Jean and me, there were 13 years. When I was in junior high my dad would take me to the track meets (at MSU) to watch my brothers run, so I got real familiar with the campus. MILFORD: On a Saturday in the spring of ’48, there was a track meet. I was co-captain of the track team that year. Two races were coming up, and the score was tied. I got first in the hurdles and Roland placed second, so our team didn’t have to

run (a relay) because there was no way the other team could have caught up in points. We were automatically declared the winning team. We got our picture in the News-Leader and the story was titled “1-2 Holt Punch” or something like that. ROLAND: Because I was a physical education major, I spent most of my time in McDonald Arena. It’s not as big as JQH is now, but back then, McDonald Arena was one of the best. There were temporary metal structures, Quonset huts, near McDonald. G.I.s were quartered there during World War II. When the war was over, soldiers came back to MSU and lived in those huts with their families. VIRGINIA: Ron, who became my husband, and I were co-editors of the Ozarko yearbook in 1951. At the time we were dating different people. The Ozarko office used to be on the bottom floor of Carrington, and we were in a room with big windows. Students would walk up and tap on the windows and we’d let them in, rather than making them walk around to the doors. Once, we went back to see the Ozarko offices where we fell in love and at that time it was campus security!

STANLEY: They had one residence hall, for girls only … the boys couldn’t be in there. If you had a date, you had to sign in at the lobby desk. Then the person at the desk would call the room to get the girl to come down and meet you. Then you had to have her back by 11 p.m. because they locked the doors. On Friday and Saturday night, you got to stay out until 12 a.m. MILFORD: MSU had good, long-time senior faculty. They had high standards for the students. LOIS: Many of the teachers with whom I later taught said their education courses didn’t help them much, and that was not the case with MSU. I was recognized as teacher of the year of one of the largest school systems in the U.S., and I know it was because I learned about teaching and writing at MSU. ROLAND: What do I admire most about my siblings? They all graduated college, they all made it. They all ended up at the top. That’s what we were taught. You try hard, and you work, and you can have a good life. By Shay Stowell, student writer, office of publications

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JUDGE CALVIN R. HOLDEN

MSU DEGREE: Started in 1967, went into National Guard; finished bachelor’s in political science with minors in history and economics, 1973

MSU DEGREE: Started in early 1970s, went into U.S. Navy; finished bachelor’s in political science, 1977

CAREER: Chair of the Midwest U.S.-China Association; founder and director of the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University; governor of Missouri 2001-05; Missouri State Treasurer 1993-2001; former representative from state’s 136th district

CAREER: Circuit judge, 31st judicial circuit (Greene County, Missouri)

STEVE HOLDEN MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in political science with a minor in economics, 1977 CAREER: Attorney; president of Holden & Carr multistate law firm

CINDY HOLDENHARTMAN MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in education with an emphasis in social studies, 1985 CAREER: Former educator and high school principal; now owns Pat’s Army & Sporting Goods store in Lexington, Missouri PHOTO SUPPLIED BY THE HOLDEN FAMILY

FORMER MISSOURI GOV. BOB HOLDEN

THE

HOLDEN FAMILY

The Holdens were raised in a household with a strong emphasis on education and helping people. Each of them rose to prominence in their chosen fields. They are tight-knit, talking at least once a week and gathering as often as they can despite living in different cities or states. They have a fun streak: The brothers surprised Cindy by showing up at her 50th birthday party in San Antonio, dressed as a mariachi band. BOB: I am the oldest, Cindy is the youngest. We had a farm with cattle and hogs, and we were the workforce. CALVIN: Growing up on a farm, you’re pretty close because you’re together all the time. Nobody will ever outwork or outthink my siblings. We worked 14 hours a day, 7 days a week on the farm, so we were prepared for the long days it takes to be a politician, judge, or the other jobs we have held. STEVE: My favorite childhood memories are simple: Baling hay in the summer, then going to the creek to swim. On Saturday nights, the one TV channel we got showed a movie. Mom would pop popcorn; we would split a couple bottles of Coke. CINDY: They are 8, 10 and 14 years older than me. I remember if they were shooting hoops, I couldn’t play unless I could spell a word and say what it meant. That’s how they taught me vocabulary. STEVE: We were raised on a farm eight miles outside Birch Tree, Missouri, a small town of only 400. So you’d think we’d be intimidated in New York, L.A., Dallas, but we’re not. Mom and Dad raised us to think we’re better than nobody — but nobody is better than us, either. All four of us are that way. We respect authority but are not intimidated by those who seem to have more wealth or power.

BOB: Mom and Dad always wanted us to go to college. CINDY: Dad wanted to have a degree and was unable due to financial reasons. STEVE: Bob picked MSU, and after that the rest of us never thought of going anywhere else. CINDY: We all lived in Freddy while we were there, and Bob and Steve were RAs. BOB: I lost the student body president election, but I was one of the first people to ask a woman to be MSU vice president. STEVE: Dr. Alice Bartee (late political science professor) was one of the single most important people in my life. She was my advisor. I may have made it in life without her, but I am not sure I would have made it as well as I did. CALVIN: Bartee was an amazing teacher. Another was Dr. David Heinlein (late political science professor). Those two helped me write well enough to practice law. BOB: Our second son is named John D. Holden. The D is in honor of both Heinlein and my wife Lori’s grandmother. Heinlein mentored me as a student; he advised me as a candidate. He was one of the brightest people I have ever met, and I still miss him every day.

CINDY: Our MSU educations have certainly led to my brothers and I doing well in life. STEVE: If there is any time in my life I would go back and do again, it would be MSU. I thought it was heaven. CALVIN: When mom passed away about 10 years ago, Bob said: Let’s look at creating a scholarship at MSU, where we all went, and put it in Mom’s and Dad’s names (the Lee and Wanda Holden Scholarship in Public Affairs). STEVE: We knew there were other farm kids out there like us who didn’t have the means to go to school. CINDY: If you have the determination and drive, and what’s holding you back is monetary resources, we wanted to help. BOB: The scholarship is so meaningful to all four of us. Thinking like a former governor, I want to help Missouri become a major economic influence in this global economy. We have to have a strong mental infrastructure, and that comes from higher education. Your level of education should not be dictated by how much money you have or don’t have. By Michelle S. Rose, writer/editor, office of publications

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DARRIN NEWBOLD

KEVIN NEWBOLD

DR. STEVE NEWBOLD

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in finance, 1982

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in accounting, 1984

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in biology, 1980

MISSOURI STATE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME: Inductee 2003 (football player 1979-82)

CAREER: Certified Public Accountant at Newbold & Newbold in Aurora, Missouri

MISSOURI STATE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME: Inductee 2000 (football player 1977-80) CAREER: Physician at Cox Family Medicine of Monett, Missouri

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CAREER: President/CEO at Community National Bank, Monett, Missouri

THE

NEWBOLD BROTHERS

Almost every member of the Newbolds’ extended family attended or graduated from Missouri State, starting with Steve, Darrin and Kevin’s mom and dad (known as “Big Poppy”) and their dad’s two brothers. Steve and Darrin married Bears, as did some of the three brothers’ grown children. Any combination of sons, daughters, parents, nieces, nephews, siblings-in-law, grandparents, etc., may be on campus at any given time, going to Bears games, attending theatre productions or heading to class. In fact, while they were on campus for their photo and interview, Kevin’s daughter Meghan, a sophomore, dropped by for hugs and a bit of familial teasing. STEVE: Our dad was probably the very first member of our family to go to college. DARRIN: I always tell people, he and I had a lot in common. He graduated with honors in three years, and it was an “honor” for me to get out after four and a half (laughing)! He had all three of us before he even started college. He commuted, and Mom took a job while Dad got his degree. Neither of his parents ever even drove a car, so he was motivated. STEVE: He insisted that his brothers, Uncle Al and Uncle Don, both get their degrees. DARRIN: When we were young, Dad took a job with Arthur Andersen accounting firm in St. Louis. We three fought like cats and dogs but were very close — it was nice to have my best buds built right in when we moved. We moved to Aurora later when Dad started his own practice.

STEVE: Our cousin Gary played football for the Bears, and going to watch the games is one of my fondest memories as a little bitty guy. Mom and Dad are probably getting close — maybe my aunt as well — to going to the most Bears games in the history of the University. KEVIN: As students, we were all on campus together for just one year. STEVE: Other than intramurals and pick-up basketball, we didn’t see each other that much. I was at Temple Hall and football practice. KEVIN: Darrin and I saw each other more, cause we lived together for a few years. I did pass by the football field several times during practice and heard Coach (Bill O’Neill) chewing them right out. DARRIN: That was a given! Steve and I have nothing but great things to say about (coaches) Rich Johanningmeier and Bill O’Neill. We still stay in touch with those guys. We had some fantastic experiences attending Missouri State.

STEVE: Heading into medical school, I had classmates who graduated from Harvard, and Dartmouth, and USC. I was very pleased after the first test to realize I had been well-prepared by my undergraduate degree. My MSU education let me compete with anyone, and that was very gratifying. DARRIN: Not to brag on my kids, but both of those girls got accepted into very competitive graduate programs. The foundation they got at good ol’ MSU got them into those schools. One is a physician’s assistant for a cardiovascular surgery group. The other just finished her master’s in dietetics and nutrition. STEVE: The institution obviously is a big part of our family. I don’t miss very many Bears games. We have a lot of pre-game family activities. DARRIN: Newbold family bleeds maroon. That goes without saying. By Michelle S. Rose, writer/editor, office of publications

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CLEMENT BALASUNDARAM

MSU DEGREE: Master of Business Administration, 2006

MSU DEGREES: Master of Business Administration, 2006; Master of Science in Project Management, 2013

CAREER: Procurement card coordinator, procurement services; per course faculty in the computer information systems department, Missouri State

CAREER: Financial reporting and tech specialist for financial services; per course faculty in the computer information systems department, Missouri State

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ISAAC BALASUNDARAM

THE

BALASUNDARAM BROTHERS

Clement and Isaac Balasundaram came to Springfield from Bangalore, India, together in 2004. Their plan: study for MBAs at Missouri State. They both graduated in 2006, and Clement got a job at MSU in early 2007. Isaac became a staff member later that year. In addition to their official MSU jobs — both of which have to do with the finances of the University — they are advisors to the Indian Students Association. CLEMENT: Missouri State had a tie with a school in India, so both of us took our prerequisites there so we could come here for our MBA together in 2004. Before we got here, we didn’t know anything about Springfield or Missouri State except Brad Pitt and “The Simpsons.” I think our story is a little different, coming from a different country and starting from scratch. When my brother and I moved to Springfield, we thought, “What are we getting ourselves into?” Everything, (including) going to Wal-Mart for the first time, was a cultural experience. ISAAC: Our hometown has about five million people, so there is always something going on. CLEMENT: A major difference is that it is very quiet in Springfield. ISAAC: Mom did all the cooking at home, so when we came here we had to learn how to cook. CLEMENT: That was a cultural experience in itself.

ISAAC: I used to work in Missouri State’s photo services, so if I wasn’t taking the pictures I was tagging along! And when we first came here, the Association of International Students helped us get used to things culturally, find apartments and make friends. So now we do the same things to help new students who come from India to Springfield. That’s a big part of what we do. We are on the other side of what we received as students. CLEMENT: We used to be students, then we started working here so we became staff, and now we also teach — so we’ve been students, staff, alumni and faculty. It’s pretty neat that we can play all those roles. We still participate in all of the Association of International Students’ events. We also go to Bears games — basketball for sure, we try to go to all the games! ISAAC: With Clement being the older brother, he has a natural ability to lead. He’s the one taking charge, taking control. It just comes easier for him to be in the limelight and to take on a leadership role, and then I take over the details and specifics.

CLEMENT: We have very different personalities. I think he’s more organized; everything is black or white, it’s this way or that way, there is no in between. My personality is absolutely in between, though. … (Isaac) helps me see one thing or the other on certain issues and problems. That makes life a lot easier. That’s one of the strengths that I admire about him, for sure. ISAAC: For the most part, our relationship has been pretty peaceful. CLEMENT: We’ve had as much sibling rivalry as you would expect from two brothers. I think as we’ve grown up our relationship has become more peaceful. ISAAC: I want to be flexible with all future plans and goals, because (as nonresidents) there are a lot of things that are out of our control, but we definitely like being in Missouri and on campus. CLEMENT: We enjoy working for the school — the atmosphere, and the climate, and the people. You have a fulfilled feeling at the end of the day. By Kelsie Nalley, student writer, office of publications

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ALEX HOWARD

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in organizational communication, 2008

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in management with international business administration emphasis, 2011

CAREER: Owner of The Guest List stationery company; stay-at-home mom

CAREER: Duty manager at USO Center, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

PHOTO BY BILLBAPTIST.COM

AMARI SHIELDS

THE

HOWARD SISTERS

Alex Howard and Amari (Howard) Shields are just two years apart, so growing up in St. Louis they had the maximum amount of both bickering and bonding. Their relationship deepened when their mother passed away when Amari was 14 and Alex was 12, and they found strength in their family bonds. Amari chose Missouri State for college, and when Alex also came to campus they saw each other pretty much every day. They moved to Texas together following MSU graduation. AMARI: Missouri State was one of the only schools that offered several of the majors I was considering. I loved the location, I loved the price and I loved the community. It’s such a compact campus — you can get anywhere in 10 minutes. ALEX: It’s because of Amari that I came to MSU. I had originally wanted to go to school in New York, but it was really expensive. Amari mentioned Missouri State and I was really glad I made the decision to come to Springfield. AMARI: She makes it sound like it was her own idea to come down to Springfield. She fought me tooth and nail on it! I was all about MSU; I was a SOAR leader. I was really excited when she enrolled. I was off-campus when Alex finally moved down to Springfield from St. Louis. I helped move her in to her first residence hall! It was great to have Alex on campus, so I could sneak in her room and take naps in-between classes.

ALEX: We are very close. She’s my best friend. And a big part of the closeness we have increased when we were at MSU together. Any time there was an event on campus we would go together. We went to football games and we were often in the Multicultural Resource Center. I lived in Hammons House, and we would always meet up for lunch. I always had a chicken pesto sandwich. Recently, we attended alumni events together in Houston. AMARI: We are definitely best friends. We talk to each other every day. ALEX: Growing up, we played Barbies and house; we were kind of opposites, though. She was really girly and I was a tomboy, so we made our games work together. We never had a rivalry but we bickered a lot when we were little. AMARI: Our dad told us that we could have a $5 allowance every week. But every

time we argued, we lost a quarter. Needless to say, we never got an allowance. We could fight all day — but at the same time, we always stuck up for each other. ALEX: When our mother passed away, we started to rely on each other. She’s always been protective of me since she’s my older sister, and she took on that motherly role. My sister is a very sincere and caring person. She would give you the shirt off her back. She has been the backbone of our family; she is the strongest person I know. My nephew has a rare blood disease and he takes chemo, and she’s been so strong through that whole situation. Everyone leans on her. AMARI: I’m a big scaredy-cat and she’s incredibly adventurous. She has moved to Afghanistan, yet I was freaked out when we moved to Texas. She’s not afraid of anything and never has been. By Mandy Morgan, graduate assistant, office of publications

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BRITTANY JONES

MSU DEGREES: Bachelor’s in history, 2011; Master of Student Affairs in Higher Education, 2014

MSU DEGREE: Bachelor’s in religious studies, 2012

CAREER: Academic advisor in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Academic Achievement Center at Missouri State

CAREER: Currently takes care of her youngest sister while her parents are at work

PHOTO BY KEVIN WHITE

A’DJA JONES

THE

JONES SISTERS

Listening to A’dja and Brittany Jones talk, you can hear the ease and familiarity that comes with growing up with someone as the sisters pick up and finish each other’s thoughts mid-sentence. This may not be the last you hear of the Jones sisters: A’dja recently accepted a position on campus, and their 8-year-old sister wants to be a Bear. A’DJA: We’re totally opposite for the majority of everything. I’m outgoing and social, kind of spontaneous.

We both played intramural basketball throughout college.

A’DJA: She’s a thinker and a very good listener.

A’DJA: I remember being so excited to go to college, but I was worried about leaving Brittany. She has been my left arm. Always. So I was so excited when she decided to come to Missouri State.

BRITTANY: A’dja gets recognized everywhere. When we go out to eat, she has to have 10 conversations with 10 different people.

BRITTANY: Before classes started, A’dja walked me around campus to show me where all of the buildings are so I wouldn’t panic.

A’DJA: We both played basketball for our high school in Doniphan, Missouri. The team was actually really good and we went to state.

A’DJA: (laughs) We couldn’t have that.

BRITTANY: I’m a lot more reserved.

BRITTANY: We got to play together a couple of times, but it was rare because we played the same position: center. A’DJA: We always hated playing against each other because it got competitive. But playing basketball, that’s just what we did.

A’DJA: We’re interested in a lot of the same things. We even got to take some classes together, which was so fun! One of my favorite memories is when we had a 12-page paper due and we sat in the library for hours and hours helping each other with research and topics. A’DJA: As a SOAR leader, I loved working with students, and when I became

a leadership consultant for Alpha Sigma Alpha (sorority) national headquarters, it really solidified my career path. I enjoy advising students and offering them different perspectives. History was my first passion, and now I have another: students. As a graduate assistant, I advised athletes at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Academic Achievement Center. Now I am a full-time academic advisor there. BRITTANY: Currently, I’m taking care of my little sister, Jayden, at home. Our mom and stepdad moved (to Springfield) last year, so it’s nice because we don’t have to miss holidays or anything anymore. A’DJA: I got to be there for Jayden’s birthday at Incredible Pizza, which was great. She already has a wardrobe of BearWear and wants to be a Bear. She can’t wait to come. By Courtney Wendel-Stevenson, new media specialist, alumni relations

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MEET THE

2014

BEARS OF DISTINCTION Here are the six honorees who will be recognized at the 2014 Missouri State University Alumni Association awards. These Bears will be honored at Homecoming in October.

MISSOURI STATE HOMECOMING WWW.MISSOURISTATE.EDU/HOMECOMING

OCT. 17-18

>> SIGNATURE EVENTS << Alumni Association awards dinner 5K walk/run Parade

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Football game Bears on the Square Saturday night event downtown

Student organization/ departmental gatherings

OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS MONTE KUKLENSKI, ’75 CAREER: Senior vice president of facilities and construction for Fox Networks Engineering and Operations DEGREES: Bachelor’s in theatre, MSU, 1975; master’s in directing/production, Southern Methodist University, 1980 RESIDENCE: Los Angeles area

MSU FAMILY TIES: His late dad, Dr. Joe E. Kuklenski Jr., ’49, was superintendent of Springfield Public Schools from 1970-81, and won this award in 1983. Joe met Monte’s late mother, June Kuklenski, in the MSU band. Monte’s sisters are also grads: Jill Scruggs, ’78, and Julie Peck, ’80.

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FAMILY: Wife, Valerie, and two children, Renee, 20, and Thomas, 16

Monte Kuklenski is among a storied group of MSU theatre and dance graduates who have gone on to high accomplishments. On campus, he shared the stage with friends John Goodman, Jack Laufer, Tess Harper and Kathleen Turner in Tent Theatre shows and other productions. After graduation, he acted in summer stock and dinner theaters around the Midwest. “I worked with a lot of my buddies from MSU on that circuit.” Next, he studied directing and production at Southern Methodist University. While he was there, the NBC network broadcast a live play from SMU. Kuklenski was the liaison between the school and the NBC production wing. “I kept those contacts,” he said. After continuing in Midwest theatre for a while, he said: “I have to try L.A. and see what I can do in TV.” His big break came in 1984 when he was the production/stage manager for the opening and closing ceremonies of the L.A. Olympics. Then, in 1988, “I got a call from an old friend who was working for a new, tiny network called Fox.” He interviewed

for a studio operations position, got it, and his role grew as the fledgling network grew. Now, he oversees the process of building and operating Fox broadcast centers around the country.

“If this award is anything, it’s an award to the quality of the school. That’s what should be celebrated.”

Your father got this award in 1983. How does it feel to earn the same honor? Incredible. If this award is anything, it’s an award to the quality of the school. That’s what should be celebrated. The other thing I credit is my family — there’s a real legacy there. My parents were from small towns around Springfield, both went to MSU and were in education all their careers. My sisters studied education there and both are teaching in Springfield. Why do you think so many MSU theatre alumni are successful? We had some incredible professors who didn’t expect us to just be students, but professionals. We also had a tight-knit

bond and supported each other despite our competitive profession. Also: If you can put a play together, you can put just about anything together.

What do you consider your most important accomplishments? Other than raising my children, staying in touch with old friends. I have lifelong friends from MSU — some famous, some not so famous — that I see here in Los Angeles. For example, John Goodman’s daughter recently got a job on the crew of the sitcom “New Girl.” I could look out my window and see her! It’s great — one of my best friends from college, his daughter now works on our lot! I feel like my life is starting to come full circle. That’s a real good personal feeling. By Michelle S. Rose, writer/editor, office of publications

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STAN LIPPELMAN, ’91 CAREER: Vice president of marketing, Bass Pro Group DEGREES: Bachelor’s in marketing, ’91, MSU; Master of Business Administration, ’96, University of Virginia LIVES IN: Springfield CHRIS IRWIN

FAMILY: Wife, alumna Kim, ’93; son, Hayden; daughter, Ella

OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS “What I love about MSU is the community — the amazing campus, the compassionate professors and the friendly students that truly make Missouri State University one of the top universities in America.” Stan Lippelman knows marketing. He has worked in the field nearly 20 years and managed a number of well-known brands — in fact, you have probably used a product he had a hand in developing. However, he started out on a different path. Lippelman originally came to Missouri State on a music scholarship and was in a rock band. An introductory marketing class piqued his interest and changed his career path. After graduating from Missouri State, Lippelman began his career with Noble & Associates, working on brands such as Kellogg’s, Heinz, MasterCard and CocaCola foods. After earning an MBA, he accepted a position with General Mills in Minneapolis, where he advanced to senior marketing manager. He worked on the development of new products for household brands such as Pop Secret and Lucky Charms. In fact, Lippelman introduced the

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“shooting stars” in Lucky Charms, which are still in the package today. Lippelman later returned to Missouri as director of marketing for Rawlings Sporting Goods in St. Louis, and quickly advanced to vice president. In 2004, he came back to his hometown. Lippelman is currently the head marketing officer for Bass Pro Group, which includes Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine Group and their direct businesses. What are some of your most important professional accomplishments? I am proud to have worked on some of the most powerful brands in the world. I have worked on the development of many new products, including Rawlings products that you still see worn today by major and minor league baseball players. I am exceptionally proud of the marketing we do at Bass Pro, and our team.

What are some of your favorite memories of MSU? Being part of the Ad Team with Dr. Melissa Burnett. I also loved getting up early to get tickets to Hammons Student Center to watch basketball in Spoon’s Temple of Doom (the arena’s nickname when the late Charlie Spoonhour was coach). How do you stay connected to your alma mater? We see friends and former professors at athletic events. We are members of The Founders Club. I serve on advisory boards for the marketing and athletics departments. What I love about MSU is the community — the amazing campus, the compassionate professors and the friendly students that truly make Missouri State University one of the top universities in America. By Stephanie Matthews, alumni relations

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA DEIDRE GOODWIN, ’92 CAREER: Actress/dancer/singer DEGREES: Bachelor’s in dance and bachelor’s in media/production, both 1992, Missouri State LIVES IN: New York City

SUPPLIED BY DEIDRE GOODWIN

FAMILY: Husband, Brant Amundson; parents Brenda and Michael Square; brother, Jarrod Goodwin

“I teach a lot now and love giving back to those who want to perform.”

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Little Step,” “Love and Other Deidre Goodwin’s combined film, Drugs,” “It’s Complicated,” television and Broadway credits “Across the Universe” and “The are extraordinary. Following MSU graduation, she gained Bourne Legacy.” Goodwin has experience overseas and in regional theater also appeared in several television series, such as “30 before moving to New York. Rock,” “Law & Order SVU” Goodwin has since and “Rescue Me.” worked with some of Goodwin has added the Broadway’s most revered role of teacher and mentor directors and to her resume. She has choreographers. She’s a taught dance and musical veteran of eight Broadway theater workshops across shows, among them “A the country, and is among Chorus Line,” “Chicago,” the musical theatre (where she captured the conservatory faculty at the dream role of Velma New York Film Academy. Kelly), “Nine,” “The Boys “I teach a lot now and love from Syracuse,” “Jesus giving back to those who Christ Superstar,” “The want to perform.” Rocky Horror Show” and In partnership the original companies of Goodwin in the 2002 film version of “Chicago” with voice teacher Kim “Chita Rivera: The Stern, she created Dancer’s Life” and “Never The Broadway Warm-Up, Gonna Dance.” a completely synchronized vocal and dance A stint as Merry Murderess June in the Oscar-winning film “Chicago” earned her a warm-up for professional performers, and produced a soon-to-be-released piece of the 2003 SAG Award for Best accompanying video. Ensemble. Other film roles include “Every

What have been some of your favorite roles so far? Velma Kelly in “Chicago” on Broadway and Shelia Bryant in “A Chorus Line” on Broadway. They are strong women who have fantastic journeys in classic musicals. As an actress, it was an honor to get a chance to play those roles. What are some of your favorite memories of MSU? Rehearsing after classes late at night, taking 20 to 22 hours a semester while working part time, doing dance concerts or musicals, yet still finding time to have a good time and get good grades. What do you love about MSU? That they gave me a chance. I had to work really hard, but I loved it. Through dance classes with an amazing teacher, Chyrel Miller, as well as acting, I found my “voice” and have been able to turn that into a career. By Stephanie Matthews, alumni relations

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KEELA (FOUGHTY) DAVIS,’06 & ’06 JESSE SCHEVE

CAREER: Director, Mercy Research & Development DEGREES: Bachelor’s in engineering physics, summer ’06; accelerated master’s in biology, December ’06, both MSU; PhD candidate, engineering management, ’14, Missouri S&T LIVES IN: Springfield FAMILY: Husband, Dan, ’05; children Elon, 4, Imara, 3, Adlai, 2

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA “Being able to see the products that we’ve created get onto the market and be beneficial to patients in improving their outcomes and improving the way that care is provided — that’s a great accomplishment.” Keela Davis was the first person ever hired by Mercy health system’s research and development division when it was new in 2007, and she has directed the division ever since. Mercy Research & Development, housed in Jordan Valley Innovation Center — part of Missouri State — takes ideas for new medical devices and improved health care procedures and then designs, prototypes, tests and patents products for partners who then license the technology, manufacture it and sell it. Davis is a humanitarian as well as a scientist. She travels to help orphans around the world, providing them with medical care and clothing while trying to help get them adopted. Davis and her husband, Dan, have adopted three children of their own: a 4-year old son from South Korea, and a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year old son from Congo.

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Which of your professional accomplishments makes you most proud? We started the research and development program from scratch, we’ve grown it, created a lot of products and have been able to do some really neat, unique things here. And I wouldn’t say we’re done. It’s not finished; it’s still a work in progress. Being able to see the products that we’ve created get onto the market and be beneficial to patients in improving their outcomes and improving the way that care is provided — that’s a great accomplishment. What do you do in your spare time? I spend a lot of time volunteering for a nonprofit adoption program and humanitarian aid program. I make a lot of trips to Congo and Nicaragua. I have been to Congo eight

times in the last 18 months. I’m starting a small company over there that will teach people who don’t have jobs or don’t have a trade how to do something, like make shoes and sell them, so I hope to create jobs. How did you become interested in humanitarian issues? We adopted our first child, and we traveled to South Korea to bring him home. That probably started the itch. Then we heard that Congo was one of the worst places on Earth for children, particularly young girls. We connected with some friends and a nonprofit organization that does adoptions and humanitarian aid there, and just decided we needed to go there and see what we can do. By Kelsie Nalley, student writer, office of publications

EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS DR. CINDY BAKER CAREER: Licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor. She is the founder and owner of Baker Consulting Services, Touchstone Helping Families, Touchstone Counseling and Garden of Healing Serenity Boutique. MSU DEGREE: Master’s in counseling, 1998 RESIDENCE: Ozark, Missouri

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FAMILY: Husband, Dr. Jay Baker; children, Josh Baker and Jenny Hornick (both Missouri State alumni)

Hanging above Dr. Cindy Baker’s desk is a print given to her by her father, inscribed with the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Baker strives to put those words into practice through her professional and personal life. Baker, a counselor and community leader who specializes in working with atrisk adolescents and families, has conducted more than 30,000 individual and family therapy sessions. Her work with — and on behalf of — hungry, abused, homeless and traumatized individuals has been memorialized with a brick at the Victims Memorial Garden in Springfield, a site in Phelps Grove Park that remembers crime victims and those who serve them. It reads: “Dr. Cindy Baker — An advocate for us all.” The impact her work has had is remarkable when viewed in light of the fact she didn’t begin her counseling career until her two children were in high school, 20 years after she graduated with her bachelor’s degree from a school in Kansas. Baker was once a national director of

human resources. In that career, she discovered her love for helping people work through challenging situations. She decided to pursue a counseling degree at Missouri State in the 1990s. Since then, Baker has earned a doctorate from the University of Missouri and has continued to follow her passion for aiding others. Her commitment is evidenced in her regular 10-hour workdays, pro bono public speaking engagements and multiple after-hours community service endeavors. How does it feel to receive this award? Of all the awards I’ve received, this one has touched my heart the most. Missouri State helped pave the way for my future by broadening my knowledge of people. It propelled me forward and offered me opportunities as a nontraditional student. What was it like for you to return to college as a nontraditional student? Going back to school was frightening, and it felt awkward being one of the oldest

“Missouri State prepared me for my journey and the accomplishments I have today.”

students, but I hope my experience as a nontraditional student can inspire others. I remember being approached by (psychology faculty member) Dr. David Dixon to represent Missouri State as a student on the Developmental Center of the Ozarks board. The goal was to prepare a student for philanthropic work. That was where I first met top community leaders. Missouri State introduced me to advocacy and my role as a civic leader. I ended up serving on the DCO board for a few years. How do you stay motivated to make a difference? My goal on a daily basis is to touch at least one person’s heart. When I wake up, I begin my quest to find that one person, and I always do. By Courtney Wendel-Stevenson, new media specialist, alumni relations

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AWARD OF APPRECIATION DR. DENNY PILANT CAREER: Emeritus professor of political science; taught at MSU from 1966-02 RESIDENCE: Springfield

When Dr. Denny Pilant began teaching political science at Missouri State in 1966, he planned on staying for only a few short years — academics move around, he thought. But he got the Bear bug, and retired after 37 years of service. Pilant served on community and school committees throughout the years, including the Bicentennial Committee for the Constitution, Legal Aid of Southwest Missouri and the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations. He was also a delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries and the Missouri Conference on Libraries in 1979. Through his committee work, he helped both Missouri State and the community. He worked on issues such as ensuring legal aid for those who could not otherwise get services, helping seniors stay in their homes and refining MSU’s system for dealing with students accused of cheating.

What do you consider your most important professional accomplishments? First, the accomplishments of my students. I had a number who went on to do very well. I taught Bob Holden and his wife, Lori, and Bob became governor of Missouri. Greg Curl was an executive for Bank of America, and is head of a sovereign wealth fund in Singapore. Many students went on to grad school, law school or teaching. One of my students got a PhD at Vanderbilt and is a professor of political science. Also, I was on the University planning committee for the public affairs mission, and helped our administrators implement it. And I was among the professors who helped start service-learning at Missouri State. We traveled to find examples of other schools with similar programs.

DARD

“I never worked a day in my life. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

1984 STAN

JOHN WALL

FAMILY: Wife, Mary, and three adult children, Andrew, Julia and John

The June 14, 1984, edition of The Standard newspaper featured a story about Pilant’s sailing class.

Why do you love MSU? The people, the faculty, my colleagues — they were all very congenial. One of the things I did for 10 years was teach a sailing class through the physical education department. I’m pleasantly surprised how many people still come up to me and say ‘I took your sailing class, and I still sail.’ I never worked a day in my life. I enjoyed every minute of it. Maybe committee meetings, not so much — but besides those, it was great. How do you stay connected to Missouri State? I’m an amateur French horn player, and I still play in the MSU Community Band. I’ve always enjoyed working with Jerry Hoover and the music department. By Shay Stowell, student writer, office of publications

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FIVE YEARS OF

Missouri State launched BearWear Fridays on Aug. 28, 2009. Since then, the campus — and beyond — has displayed maroon and white each week. Bears are also encouraged to upload images to “BearWear, BearWhere?” This Flickr site allows anyone, anywhere to show off Bear pride! It has more than 1,100 photos of Bears in sites from West Africa to WrestleMania, Broadway to the Alamo. And did we mention the cuuuute babies in tiny BearWear?! When you put a photo on the site, it may be chosen to represent BearWear Fridays on MSU’s homepage. See you in maroon and white soon!

SUBMIT YOUR

PHOTO!

gomaroon.misso

uristate.edu

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THE FACULTY A look at teaching, research, scholarly activities or service at Missouri State <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Dr. Sabrina A. Brinson Professor of childhood education and family studies; Missouri State University Diversity Fellow <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Story by Nicki Donnelson Photos by Bob Linder

Each book offered by the Boys Booked on Barbershops or Girls Booked on Beautyshops programs has been carefully selected.

Picking the right literature to counter aliteracy Imagine entering a restaurant and being unable to read the menu. Or

looking at a ballot on Election Day and not knowing which issue was being put forth. That is the startling scenario for one out of seven adults in the United States. Illiteracy is a concern for Dr. Sabrina A. Brinson, who advocates for learning reading skills early and reinforcing often. But she is equally concerned about the plague of aliteracy — having the ability to read but lacking the desire and motivation.

Brinson founded nationwide program Part of Brinson’s response to the problem of aliteracy was Boys Booked on Barbershops and Girls Booked on Beautyshops, which she established in 2004. These are programs now set up in neighborhoods and communities all around the United States. Professional organizations — currently more than 20 of them nationwide — partner with Brinson and locate a barbershop, beauty shop or other community location to establish a reading nook. Don’t clean out your garage to donate books to this great cause, though. Each book selection is carefully curated. “It’s important for people of any culture to see positive reflections of themselves. But it’s also equally important for people to have views into the lives of others,” Brinson said. With this in mind, she stays up-to-date with all the latest literature for children and tailors the reading nook recommendations to the specific shop’s needs based on the demographics and reading skills of its regular clientele.

“Once you get into the chair, the barber may say: ‘Tell me about that book you were reading.’ So the children get to see adults interested in reading, and have some follow-up that engages them just a little more.”

Fighting the ‘I don’t want to read’ attitude While these nooks could be in any community the professional organizations want to sponsor, they often show up in more diverse communities. This fits right in with Brinson’s three main research focus areas: 1), diversity, multiculturalism and social justice with an emphasis in African-American studies; 2), culturally responsive literature; and 3), the social, emotional and moral development of children. “When people refer to diversity and culture, we tend to have tunnel vision,” Brinson said. Instead of diversity being synonymous with race and culture, it’s also about gender, socioeconomic status, religion, language and so much more, according to Brinson. One study Brinson conducted with teachers asked them to identify two books in their library that showcased multicultural and diverse characters as the main characters. “Just two books — and they (the teachers in the study) couldn’t do it,” Brinson said. From that, she reasoned that the teachers were not incorporating diverse literature into their students’ studies, which could lead diverse students to feel insignificant. “What it says to others — the ones who are represented in the story — it lulls them into a false sense of superiority,” Brinson said. By offering high-quality books with well-written stories and mesmerizing illustrations about diverse characters, Brinson is fighting to win the battle against aliteracy. “You can counter that lack of motivation, that ‘I don’t want to read,’ by giving the child something they’re interested in,” she said. “It could be based on their ethnic group. It could be gender-related. It could be based on different types of intelligence they have or just some of their interests. And now, ‘Wow! I’m really interested in reading this book.’ And, of course, if I’m interested, I’m going to be engaged longer.”

Last Concert DR. GUY B. WEBB:

The

Story by Michelle S. Rose Photos by Jesse Scheve

r. Guy B. Webb sat almost alone backstage, focused and composed.

The soloists, the choral ensembles and the symphony orchestra members had taken the stage at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. He would be last out. Webb, the director of choral activities, was about to conduct his last concert on the MSU campus. The day was May 4, and the Juilliard-trained professor from Blue Springs, Missouri, was retiring May 31. It was time, he said, after 34 years of earning accolades at Missouri State and more than 50 years total in his field. Webb’s last MSU project would be directing Concert Chorale performances in England and Scotland from May 17-28. Come June 1, he would be celebrating the birthday of his wife, Barbara, instead of helping Bears delve into music. But first his attention was turned to the President’s Concert, MSU’s annual free presentation of a choral and orchestral masterwork. He selected “A German Requiem” by Johannes Brahms. Requiems can be dark; after all, they are performed as a memorial

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after a death. But this one, Webb said, is different. It’s one of his favorites because it has beautiful text about comforting the mourning, as well as wonderful music that celebrates life. A few days later, he would call conducting this piece the crowning achievement of his career. Many former students and longtime collaborators joined him on stage for the concert. That’s not uncommon — community members are actively involved in MSU choirs, and Webb said he is going to work with the Springfield Chamber Chorus into infinity. Melissa Scott, ’86 & ’10, was among the contributing voices. When she lost her father in her early 20s, Webb became a father figure. She and her husband, Dan, were backstage, encouraging people to give to a fund they have started. The Dr. Guy B. Webb Touring Scholarship will help choir students see the world. Webb is loved, admired and respected, the Scotts said, and directly after the concert, the adoration was apparent. Students, peers and community members lined up in front of Webb backstage to shake his hand, whisper a fond memory, say sincere thanks.

When Webb conducts, Melissa Scott said, he takes performers to another place. During this final concert on campus, she wanted to soak up enough of his presence to last her a lifetime. It was clear some of the other performers felt the same; throughout the hour of the requiem, people on stage and in the audience became emotional. Some looked down; some wiped tears. As the last notes hung in the air, Webb put down the baton. He blew a kiss to those on stage. He bowed. It was impossible to tell if the standing ovation was for this performance, or for all of the people he inspired in three decades at Missouri State.

Webb’s replacement is an alumnus Dr. Cameron LaBarr, ’07, was once a student of Dr. Guy B. Webb. He went on to hold choral positions at other universities. LaBarr returns to his alma mater this fall as LaBarr the director of choral studies. His wife, Susan Marek LaBarr, ’04 and ’07, is an

MSU alumna who is a singer, performer and composer. She was Missouri Composer Laureate for 2012 and 2013. Susan LaBarr was commissioned to create a piece for the President’s Concert in honor of Webb’s retirement. Her piece, “Blessing,” was performed prior to the Brahms concert.

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SPORTS

BearFest Village in new location BearFest Village, the spirit event held before every home football game, has moved! Here’s what you need to know about changes to the biggest tailgate party in the Ozarks. NEW LOCATION

As of Sept. 13, the first home football game, BearFest Village moved onto campus. It is now located north of Plaster Stadium, directly in front of McDonald Arena. Fans may still tailgate privately in parking lots as well — 18 and 24 will be general parking, and lot 22 (the former site of BearFest Village) will be reserved for Bears Fund members and football season ticket holders. MORE FOOD AND DRINKS

Campus vendors now offer food for sale to the public, offering a wider range of options for people who don’t want to bring and cook their own food. Soft drinks and beer are for sale. NEW TRADITIONS

IN THE

This new site allows MSU to better incorporate campus and the Football Bears into pregame festivities. The football team walks through BearFest Village a few times, including right before the game starts — getting both fans and players pumped up. The 2013-14 senior class gift was a new bronze Bear statue for the football stadium. Players run by and touch the statue for luck.

FACES CR

BearFest Village is open three hours prior to kickoff at home games (four hours on Homecoming). The tailgating event features gatherings organized by student organizations and University departments, as well as games, music and food. ALFRED LEWIS

The team now enters the stadium through the newly named Bill O’Neill Way, a gate paying tribute to the former coach and athletics administrator. The Pride band and MSU spirit squads hold a pregame pep rally in the Village. A live band or DJ is at each game. Renovations to the stadium now let us offer inexpensive berm seating in the north end zone. LEARN MORE, OR RENT TENTS AND TABLES FOR A GROUP:

www.missouristate.edu/ bearfestvillage

Sophomore

Webb City, Missouri

Johnson is coming off an exceptional freshman campaign. He saw action in all 12 games, and finished fifth in rushing and ninth in all-purpose yards. Johnson, who came to MSU from Webb City High School, had a season-high 54 yards on 10 carries in MSU’s home win over No. 24 Illinois State.

BEAR SIBLING: His older brother, Maddy Johnson, is a junior wide receiver for the Bears and caught 10 passes in 11 appearances in 2013.

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Missouri State baseball players Eric Cheray and Cody Schumacher were chosen during the 2014 Major League Baseball first-year player draft. At least one Bear has been picked in 28 of the last 29 MLB drafts dating back to 1986. Overall, the Bears have produced 128 players who have gone on to sign professional contracts during MSU’s 51 years as a varsity program, with 108 of those signings occurring during Keith Guttin’s 32-year tenure as head coach.

Eric Cheray The Oakland Athletics selected Cheray, an infielder and catcher from Topeka, Kansas, in the 17th round with the 522nd overall pick. However, Cheray decided to return to MSU for his senior season.

Cody Schumacher The St. Louis Cardinals picked Schumacher, a right-handed pitcher from Topeka, Kansas, in the 36th round (1,095th overall) of the 40-round amateur draft.

IT IO N ! S IB L IN G S E D Zack Cooley

Phoenix Johnson Football

Two Baseball Bears selected during major league draft

Football

Senior

Lebanon, Missouri

Cooley entered the 2014 season with 34 consecutive starts for the Bears and was an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honorable mention selection last season as one of the Bears’ co-captains. The starting left tackle completed 98 percent of his on-field assignments.

BEAR SIBLING: His younger brother, Alex Cooley, is a redshirt freshman offensive lineman for the Bears and will be MSU’s backup center this season.

Missouri State will host two Valley events in 2015 Missouri State has been selected to host a pair of Missouri Valley Conference championship events during the 2015-16 academic year. GOLF

MSU will serve as the host institution for the MVC men’s golf championship. WHEN: April 27-28, 2015 WHERE: The Club at Porto Cima golf course in Sunrise Beach, Missouri.

TRACK AND FIELD

For the first time in 20 years, the Bears will host the MVC outdoor track and field championships. “This will give us an opportunity to showcase the new Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on our campus, and will be a premier event right in the heart of our campus,” said Missouri State Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. Missouri State has hosted the MVC outdoor track and field meet just once, when the event was held at Plaster Stadium in 1995.

Get your tickets for fall sports!

WHEN: May 15-17, 2015 WHERE: Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium, just south of JQH Arena.

www.MissouriStateBears.com

The 2014 schedules have been completed for many Bears teams, including football, volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer.

Handball season starting again Women’s team reigns as current national champions The handball season is starting at Missouri State, and you should check out a match: Those people play to WIN. Last October, the Missouri State women’s handball team won the 2014 women’s trophy at the 62nd National Collegiate Handball Championships, hosted by the University of North Carolina. It’s hardly the first handball success at MSU; both the men’s and women’s teams — which are student organizations, not NCAA

Division I teams — have been national champions more than a few times since the first team was formed in the late 1980s.

Handball dates Oct. 17-19: Heart of America Handball Tournament, Overland Park, Kansas Oct. 24: Bear Bash Handball Tournament, Missouri State campus Dec. 5-7: Handballesta Handball Tournament, Overland Park, Kansas

Jan. 23-25, 2015: Missouri State Doubles Tournament, St. Louis Feb. 6-8: George Lee Invitational and Women’s Classic Handball Tournament, Dallas Feb. 18-22: USHA National Collegiate Handball Tournament, Portland, Oregon April 17-19: Missouri State Singles Handball Tournament, St. Louis May 1-3: Tallcorn Handball Tournament, Des Moines, Iowa

MissouriStateBears.com Tyonna Snow Basketball

Junior

Blue Springs, Missouri

Snow is one of the top defensive players in the MVC. She ranked fifth nationally last season with 93 steals. The junior averaged 13.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 steals per contest while starting all 31 games as a sophomore.

BEAR SIBLING: Snow’s older sister, Bry Snow, played for the Lady Bears from 2012-14 and graduated with a degree in sport administration. Tyonna and Bry combined to set Lady Bear single-game and season scoring records for sisters.

Kinsey McCarter Volleyball

Junior

Springfield

McCarter enters her junior season as MSU’s most experienced setter, with 34 career matches played.

BEAR SIBLING: McCarter’s older sister, Courtney McCarter, played for the volleyball Bears from 2010-12 and graduated with a degree in psychology. Kinsey and Courtney are the second set of McCarter siblings involved in MSU athletics: Their grandfather, Larry, and his brother, Jerry, played basketball for the Bears in the late 1950s and early ’60s.

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MarooNation events spread the spirit of maroon and white around the state and nation. At these Alumni Association events, Bears can catch up with friends, network with new contacts, win Missouri State prizes and learn about what’s new at MSU. We hope to see you soon!

APRIL 12 ST. CHARLES Nancy Johnson Fleer, ’81, Rod Fleer

MARCH 20

OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS

APRIL 2 JEFFERSON CITY Paula Hartsfield (standing), ’76, Kris Kalen Morrow, ’77 (left), Lynn Morrow, ’75

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APRIL 4

LEGACY OF LEARNING, KANSAS CITY Marty Greene, ’68, Jack Casper

APRIL 15 HAMMONS FIELD ALUMNI NIGHT Dustin McGuire, ’09, current student Cameron Stevenson, Cris Swaters, ’10 & ’11

APRIL 29 ROLLA Sandy Farrar, MSU Head Football Coach Terry Allen

Join us for upcoming events September Kansas City; St. Louis; Branson; northwest Arkansas; Stillwater, Oklahoma; MSU Day at Dickerson Park Zoo

October Houston; Dallas; Homecoming Nov. 15 MarooNation Ball in St. Louis

November St. Louis; Kansas City; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Alaska

January Florida: Orlando, St. Petersburg and Naples

December St. Louis; Kansas City; Washington, D.C.

MORE CITIES ADDED ALL THE TIME! CHECK WITH US ONLINE TO SEE TIMES AND DATES IN VENUES NEAR YOU, OR TO REGISTER TO ATTEND AN EVENT:

www.maroonation.missouristate.edu

MAY 1 WEST PLAINS MSU-West Plains Chancellor Drew A. Bennett, Virginia Underwood, ’04, Kay Garrett, ’63, MSU President Clif Smart

MAY 18

FAMILY DAY AT ST. LOUIS ZOO

JUNE 24 MOUNTAIN GROVE Terry Keller, ’80, Kaye Gasperson, Patsy Worrel, ’75, Roger Keller

JUNE 30 LEBANON ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Bob Garner, ’72, Malcolm Decker, ’69

JULY 19 BUSCH STADIUM ALUMNI NIGHT Assistant Lady Bears Basketball Coach Jackie Stiles tossed a first pitch — basketball style — at Alumni Night at Busch Stadium. The MSU Brass & Sass Band played the national anthem, and 1,000 Missouri State alumni and friends witnessed a Cardinals win.

JUNE 20 KAUFFMAN STADIUM ALUMNI NIGHT

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ALUMNI

ClassNotes 1969

1992

Leonard Hall, BS, Fort Myers, Florida, was awarded the Education Lifetime Achievement Award by the Software and Information Industry Association. His son, Adam Hall, presented the award.

Karen Paul Jolley, BS, Ozark, Missouri, was promoted to senior associate at BKD’s retail and business services team in Springfield.

1970 Rev. Reynold Tarpley, BSEd, Conway, Arkansas, director of His Place His Way ministry, organized volunteers and collected donations for victims of 19 tornadoes in northwest Arkansas in early 2014.

1974 Charles Harpool, BS and MBA, Little Rock, Arkansas, published his second book, “The Little Book of Leadership Wisdom.” His first book was “The Little Book of Planning Wisdom.”

1977 Thomas Overby, BS, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, founded Nedspice U.S. Inc., a distributor of more than 14,000 metric tons of spices and dehydrated vegetables per year.

1978 William Scott Cunningham, BFA, Brooklyn, New York, co-authored “Bad For You,” a book discussing common myths and fears parents have about raising children in the modern world.

1990 Dr. Thomas Bough, BSEd, Aurora, Illinois, the director of athletic bands for Northern Illinois University, published his first album titled “Concertos for Brass: The Music of Thomas Bough” through Summit Records.

1993 Julie Cromer, BS, Bloomington, Indiana, accepted a position as senior associate athletic director for administration and sports programs and senior women’s administrator at the University of Arkansas. She was formerly the senior associate athletics director for compliance and administration at Indiana University in Bloomington.

1994 Abraham Cole, BS, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was named managing partner of BKD’s Kansas City and Des Moines practices. He serves audit clients with a focus on higher education and insurance.

1996 Gino Gusmano, BS, St. Louis, joined Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale’s litigation practice group as an associate. He counsels clients on litigation, compliance and regulatory issues and serves the firm’s privacy/security practice group.

1996 and 2005 Matthew Skinner, BSEd, and Susan Frame Skinner, BSEd and MSEd, Springfield, had a son, Ezekiel Luke Skinner, on March 24, 2014.

1999 Patrick Hayes, BS, Gardner, Kansas, accepted a position with the transaction advisory services team at Kennedy and Coe accounting and consulting

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Alumnus who is chief of National Guard Bureau interviewed by David Letterman Missouri State alumnus four-star General Frank J. Grass, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, was interviewed June 23 on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” They discussed the role of the National Guard, and Grass told stories from his career. Grass was a military science instructor at MSU from 1988-91. At night, he took classes for a master’s degree in resource planning. He completed his thesis in 1997. Grass was the 2013 recipient of the Missouri State Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement award.

WATCH THE LETTERMAN INTERVIEW, EMBEDDED IN THIS MAGAZINE’S ONLINE PROFILE ON GRASS:

www.magazine.missouristate.edu/ genfrankgrass

firm in Lenexa, Kansas. He has more than 10 years experience in corporate finance. Nathan Tysen, BFA, Brooklyn, New York, received the 2014 Kleban Prize for most-promising musical theatre lyricist. He is a songwriter and performer. In addition, Tysen is an accomplished writer and performer of children’s music. He has written tunes for “Sesame Street” and “The Electric Company.”

2001 Samantha Peters Terrell, BS, Crane, Missouri, authored poetry that has been chosen for inclusion in the 2014 edition of DoveTales Literary Journal, published by the nonprofit organization Writing for Peace.

2002 Carolynn Bressie Lowry, BSEd, Carl Junction, Missouri, was named both the Carl Junction Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Carl Junction District Teacher of the Year. She teaches sixth grade.

2006 Jess Myers, BS and MAcc, Willard, Missouri, was promoted to senior manager of BKD’s WealthPlan team. He provides tax preparation, review and planning services.

2007 Jacob Barnes, BS, Cassville, Missouri, was named small business banking relationship manager for U.S. Bank. Continued on page 42

Travel with FELLOW BEARS! NOVEMBER 2014

Basketball shootout tournament in Alaska The menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Bears will participate in the Great Alaska Shootout, a tournament held around Thanksgiving and hosted by the University of Alaska-Anchorage. The shootout is scheduled for Nov. 26-29. MSU will have gatherings as part of the tournament.

APRIL 6-12, 2015

Masters Tournament Missouri State is once again offering a package to attend the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

APRIL 10-18, 2015

Belgium and the Netherlands

Bears say ciao to Tuscany Friends and alumni of Missouri State explored the art, food, history and culture of Tuscany during a trip to the Italian region June 11-19, 2014. A special package was offered, which included meals, hotels and other amenities. Excursions included exploring the medieval towns of Castellina and San Gimignano, tasting wine and olive oil at Castello di Monsanto wine estate, visiting regional food producers and having a private cooking demonstration.

Cruise the waterways of Holland and Belgium, from Amsterdam to Brussels. The trip includes stops to see cultural landmarks, art, museums, gardens and renowned cities. The seven-night cruise costs about $2,495 (not including air fare) and includes many meals.

AUG. 19-27, 2015

Scotland Stay seven nights at a first-class hotel in the town of Stirling and see the famed Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an army drum performance. The trip will be enhanced by programs by local experts. The cost of this trip is $3,290 (not including air fare) if booked by March 24, 2015.

Learn more about all MSU alumni trips: www.alumni. missouristate.edu

417-836-5654

ALUMNI

ClassNotes Continued from page 40 Angela Parsons, BS, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, competed for the title of Mrs. United States at the 2014 national pageant in Las Vegas.

2008 Drew Burbridge, BS, Republic, Missouri, and James Spears, BS, Pleasant Hill, Missouri, founded an independent film and television production company. One of their shows, “These Guys Can Cook,” will air on Roku streaming technology. Burbridge and Spears also worked on the 2014 Kansas City FilmFest. They are scheduled to release their first major feature film in 2015.

Edward Delconte, BS and MAcc, Springfield, was promoted to manager of BKD’s tax team. Brian Mazanec, MS, Chantilly, Virginia, received a PhD in public and international affairs from George Mason University.

2010 Luke Henson, BS, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was awarded a merit scholarship for the 2014-15 academic year at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi.

2011 and 12 Lindsay Dale, BS and MAcc, Gail Rogers, BS and MAcc, and Cathleen Ryan Salmon, MAcc, Springfield,

Darrell Hyche II (left), shown here in a 2013 Missouri State dance production, is now a member of the Modern American Dance Company in St. Louis. JESSE SCHEVE

were all promoted to senior associates for BKD’s tax team in Springfield.

Abigail Werner, BS, St. Louis, accepted a position as a tour guide with Collette Travel.

2012

2013

Blair Diel, MAcc, Topeka, Kansas, is now senior associate of BKD’s tax, accounting and consulting services in its southern Missouri practice.

Darrell Hyche II, BFA, St. Louis, joined the Modern American Dance Company in St. Louis. MADCO is a repertory ensemble with about 11 members.

IN MEMORIAM 1930s

1950s

Merle E. Hough, ’37 Moorpark, California

Norma Jean Gilmore Stepp, ’54 Shell Knob, Missouri

Josephine Roberts Kisser, ’38 Batavia, Illinois

Jerry A. King, ’55 Marshfield, Missouri

1940s Juanita K. Baxter Hammons, ’41 Springfield Lucile Caldwell Cassity, ’42 Springfield Billie K. Willey Rader, ’42 Springfield Lois L. Waters Melton, ’43 Independence, Missouri

Paul R. Kelley, ’58 Springfield Bonita Yeager Buckman, ’59 Bolivar, Missouri Major Marion L. Cooper, ’59 Springfield

1960s

Phillip C. Brock, ’44 Springfield

Larry R. Atwood, ’60 Springfield

Elsie Mantels Leamer, ’44 Springfield

Larry A. Gardner, ’61 Branson, Missouri

Donald R. Eagleburger, ’47 Springfield

Sue Housley Arnall, ’62 Springfield

William D. Battenberg, ’48 Springfield

Eugene A. Buyan, ’66 Springfield

Charles F. Lemons, ’49 Lockwood, Missouri Ray C. Wageman, ’49 Springfield

Doris A. Giles Clark, ’56 Mountain Grove, Missouri

1970s Louis J. Dean, ’70 Kennett, Missouri Joseph P. Schaffitzel, ’70 Springfield

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Mary Newland Clary, ’71 Springfield Robert W. Arnold, ’72 Lamar, Missouri Anna J. Page Stockton, ’73 Grovetown, Georgia Marily A. Robinson Braun, ’75 Fair Grove, Missouri Dr. James S. Key Jr., ’75 Medford, Oregon

Gertrude Inez Norris Einhellig, ’94 Springfield Brenda Sue White, ’99 Las Vegas

2000s Kristien A. Dupre’ Murphy, ’08 Springfield

2010s

Michael Keck, ’11 Harrisonville, Missouri

Gary J. Tyrrell, ’75 Springfield

Faculty/Staff

Debra L. Sullivan Dock, ’76 Springfield

Dr. John S. Bowdidge, faculty emeritus Springfield

David S. Preston, ’76 Springfield

Nadine Morrison Ebrite, staff Springfield

1980s

Veronica E. Mays, ’90, staff emeritus West Plains, Missouri

James G. Di Giovanni, ’80 Olathe, Kansas Barbara R. Detring Foster, ’81 Lawton, Oklahoma Peggy A. Cope Crabb, ’83 Overland Park, Kansas Teresa Melton-Symon, ’83 Prairie Village, Kansas

1990s Adam P. Hoover, ’91 Iowa City, Iowa

Donald R. Payton, ’50, staff Springfield Nicholas B. Roach, staff Topeka, Kansas Dr. Myron L. Taylor, faculty emeritus Eldon, Missouri

The final By Michelle S. Rose

This was supposed to be a column by Donald R. Payton, Missouri State’s unofficial historian and, for many decades, the author of the Payton Place column in various publications. Payton passed away June 7 in Springfield. He was 87. In our last email string in late May, we kicked around ideas: His thoughts on the new location of BearFest Village (he was a huge Bears fan). What the May Day celebration was like in the 1940s and ’50s. But he decided he wanted his column to explore this issue’s cover story: “Regarding my upcoming article, I will tie it in with the sibling theme.” He could find something to say on almost any topic. Payton, a 1950 grad and former student body president, had decades of MSU experiences upon which to draw. He started working at his alma mater in 1956, and was among the founders of public relations on campus. He oversaw an office that included information services, publications and alumni relations. After retiring in 1987, he continued to write for MSU publications. He also spoke at almost all annual Homecoming luncheons for Golden Bears, a milestone designation for MSU alumni who graduated from, or attended, 50 or more years ago. He was a prolific writer: He authored more than 75 published plays, some of which were performed while he was a student on campus. He was a poet, and his piece “Ode to the Fabulous Four” — about the back-to-back men’s basketball national championships in 1952 and ’53 — is on display in JQH Arena. In 2002, he was inducted to Missouri State’s Wall of Fame. In 2003, he was the recipient of the Alumni Association Award of Appreciation. So, for the final Payton Place, we leave you with quotes from the man himself. Goodbye, Don; we’ll miss all the stories.

Donald R. Payton (seated, in the middle of the couch) was elected student body president in April 1949. He is shown here with the 1949-50 student council. 1950 OZARKO

“

PAY T O N T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R S

“The ‘S’ club boys say

that the wearing of sports sweaters other than SMS sweaters on the campus is taboo, out, over. In other words, would those who have been wearing letter sweaters from other schools please refrain from doing so in the future.”

— Sports column, The Standard, Oct. 8, 1948

“On the afternoon of

Sunday, Oct. 20 … I attended a reception for Dr. (Virginia) Craig, held in a new building, Craig Hall, named in her honor. As I looked around, I knew that others had their own thoughts, their own personal memories, of this wonderful person who has meant so much to so very many of us.”

— Southwest Missouri State College Bulletin, November 1968

“McDonald Arena has touched the lives, in one way or another, in some time or another, of a majority of people residing in Springfield and the Ozarks. … Suddenly, names, faces, people and events, all of them linked in some magical way to McDonald, strummed gently on the harp strings of my mind.”

— Payton Place, Southwest Missourian, April 1985

“During my first year on the staff, the faculty-staff wives had their annual White Elephant Christmas party. Everyone brought an anonymous present for the gift exchange ... I donated a frayed, outdated, garish blue tie that was probably six inches wide (the current style was 1-1/2 inches, max). The

next morning I met (President Roy) Ellis in the hall outside his office. He was wearing — you guessed it — my old tie. Explained Dr. Ellis with a grin, “A group from the Senate Appropriations Committee is visiting the campus today. I want them to know how badly we need money.” — Payton Place, Southwest Missourian, spring 1993

“According to an item that appeared in The Standard in the 1930s, Dean Bertha Wells once told a female student: ‘Either your skirt is too short, or you are in it too far.’ … Since 1982, I’ve had the honor of addressing each 50-year reunion class and, yes, I’ve probably told that same story every year.” — Payton Place, Missouri State magazine, spring 2012

MISS OU RI STAT E

FA LL 2 01 4

O F F I C E O F A L U M N I R E L AT I O N S 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897

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Graduation gets

MAROONIFIED!

Last Look

A snapshot of traditions and student life at Missouri State

Check out a continuously updated roundup of social media comments and selfies related to all MSU graduations:

www.tagboard.com/ BearGrads

KEVIN WHITE

Bears who earned bachelor’s degrees May 16 were no longer in black regalia. Instead, they wore maroon caps and gowns. This was the first group to graduate after students and administrators agreed that they wanted to maroonify commencement. Some students decorated their caps with fun sayings, including “High heels high hopes,” “Hogwarts was too expensive” and “May the odds be ever in my favor.” Another new tradition: Graduates getting pictures with the Bear statue outside PSU.