Missouri State Magazine by Missouri State University Office of Editorial and Design Services

FALL 2013

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

Missouri State has alumni who live and work all around the world. Wherever you go — from Rome to Rio, Marrakech to Moscow, Shanghai to Sydney — you can bet a Bear is nearby.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 3

N COMING SOOON GT THE CARRIN ! COLLECTION

clothing and Our new line of r professionals accessories fo

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

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FEATURES

Publisher: Missouri State University, Ofﬁce of Publications Editors: Stacey Funderburk, Michelle S. Rose Designer: Amy Schuldt Alumni Notes Editors: Debbie Branson, Candice Wolf Photographers: Ben Adamson, Vickie Driskell, Bob Linder, John Wall, Kevin White Writers: Ben Adamson, Debbie Branson, Jessica Clements, Eric Doennig, Vickie Driskell, Monica Gray, Don Hendricks, Paul Kincaid, Rick Kindhart, Stephanie Matthews, Andrea Mostyn, Don Payton, Michelle S. Rose, Clif Smart, Mark Stillwell, Courtney Wendel-Stevenson

GLOBAL BEARS

Missouri State alumni live and work all around the world. Here, we share stories of former international students as well as U.S.-born graduates who now work internationally. We also give you some facts showcasing our commitment to developing culturally competent students and graduates.

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, Director of Donor Relations Debbie Branson, Associate Director of Alumni Relations Candice Wolf, Assistant Director of Alumni Activities Renee Fogle, Alumni Special Projects Coordinator Angela Pinegar, Assistant Director of Advancement Services Cheryl Burnett, Director of Development Keri McKee, Director of Development Dick Laird, Director of Development Michael Whitley, Director of Development Kevin Greim, Senior Director of Athletics Development Austin Schilling, Assistant Director of Athletics Development Andrew Garton, Foundation Scholarship Coordinator Phone: 417-836-4143 Fax: 417-836-6886 Email: Foundation@missouristate.edu Email: Alumni@missouristate.edu

THE FACULTY: DR. WAFAA KAF

Kaf, an audiology professor from Egypt, teaches a service-learning pediatric audiology class for doctoral students. With her supervision, students perform free hearing and middle-ear screenings for low-income and underserved populations.

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

Alumni Board of Directors Jeremiah Mee, President, ’93, Springfield Marilyn Bueker, ’76, Springfield Jim Cantrell, ’62, Springfield Kim Carlos, ’94, Kansas City, Mo. Al Ellison, ’57, Springfield Mary Kay Frazier, ’83, Springfield Brent Hanks, ’89, Ozark, Mo. Beverly Miller, ’73, Lebanon, Mo. Tyler Durham, student, Nixa, Mo. Taylor Juenger, student, Liberty, Mo. Foundation Board of Trustees Officers Bill E. Hixon, Chair, Springfield Rich Young, Vice Chair, Arlington, Mass. Mary McQueary, Secretary, Springfield Steve Foucart, Treasurer (ex-officio) Executive Committee Ethel Curbow, Springfield Robert Fulp, Springfield Mike Ingram, Springfield Gordon Kinne, Springfield Tim O’Reilly, Springfield Pat Sechler, Springfield Ex-Officio Clif Smart, President, Missouri State University Gordon Elliott, Member, Board of Governors, Missouri State University Executive Director Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement 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 or veteran status in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Prohibited sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence. In addition, the University does not discriminate on any basis (including, but not limited to, political affiliation and sexual orientation) not related to the applicable educational requirements for students or the applicable job requirements for employees. Printed with soy ink. ALM 284 13

FROM BASEBALL BEAR TO CARDINALS DOCTOR

Dr. Brian Mahaffey, a former Bears baseball player who went on to become the head team physician for Missouri State University intercollegiate athletes, joined the St. Louis Cardinals medical team in 2013.

Join us at alumni events around the nation OCTOBER

9:30-11:45 a.m. Oct. 5 Greenwood Homecoming Brunch and Awards Ceremony, Highland Springs Country Club, Springfield 6-8 p.m. Oct. 7 Chateau on the Lake, Branson, Mo. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 10 Hereford House, Leawood, Kan. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 11 The Houstonian Hotel, Houston

5-7 p.m. Oct. 12 Embassy Suites Dallas-DFW Airport North Outdoor World, Grapevine, Texas 4-6 p.m. Oct. 27 Mathew’s Kitchen, St. Louis, Mo. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30 Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Chicago

6-8 p.m. Nov. 19 Llywelyn’s Pub, Webster Groves, Mo. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas

DECEMBER

6-8 p.m. Dec. 1 Clyde’s of Gallery Place, Washington, D.C.

6-8 p.m. Nov. 7 Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Okla.

NOVEMBER

6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 Brio Tuscan Grille, Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Mo.

6-8 p.m. Nov. 12 Granite City Food & Brewery, Kansas City, Mo.

6-8 p.m. Dec. 19 Café Napoli, Clayton, Mo.

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5. Student success – Expand high-quality academic programs to increase opportunities for students. For iPhone

Dear Alumni and Friends: Late every summer, in conjunction with the Board of Governors’ retreat, we identify key goals for the coming year. While we will make progress on a number of our long-range goals during the next 12 months, we have identified eight major University-wide goals for 2013-14. I want to share those with you. 1. Enrollment – Continue to achieve modest annual growth consistent with the long-range plan goals. 2. Funding – Allocate, reallocate and generate new resources to achieve University priorities. 3. Accreditation – Develop the evidence to meet the criterion and core components necessary to achieve continued accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, as well as other major accrediting agencies. 4. Diversity and inclusion – Improve recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive student body and workforce.

is social!

6. Facilities and sustainability – Design, bid, identify funding sources and begin construction on priority academic and auxiliary facilities, with a continued campus-wide emphasis on sustainability. 7. Athletics – Be competitive, be compliant and be successful in the classroom. 8. Raising the profile – Continue to find ways to more effectively “tell the Missouri State story” to ever-increasing numbers of people in Missouri, the nation and around the world. Of these, the facilities goal stands out. Facilities matter and they have an impact on the other seven goals in one way or another. Facilities are tied to the quality of education we provide. They are key to our ability to recruit and retain the brightest students and most talented faculty. Facilities are important to the research and scholarly works in which our faculty are engaged. During the next five years, we need to address classroom and laboratory

needs for our growing health and science programs and our robust business program. We anticipate we will relocate some programs and renovate to meet the needs of others. High on our priority list: renovation of Pummill Hall, renovation and expansion of Glass Hall and renovation of Ellis Hall. A new Welcome Center is also high on our list to assist with recruiting. We also need to continue to refresh our residence halls and upgrade our athletic and recreational facilities. As you might imagine, funding these projects will be a major challenge. Having gone a dozen years without substantial capital funding from the state, we will rely on our own reserves, grants and private giving to assist with all of these projects. I hope you will follow our progress on all eight goals, but especially the facilities improvements we plan to make. I am convinced our ability to improve our facilities will dictate our success, not only in the next couple of years but well into the future. Very truly yours,

Clif Smart President

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Make plans now to gather for Homecoming 2013! GO BEARS! Football Game 1 p.m. Oct. 19

Alumni, you’re Bears Forever — so it’s time to head back to the den Oct. 18-19 to remember the past, meet the present and imagine the future at Homecoming! Here are the major events planned for Homecoming 2013.

Bears of Distinction Dinner and Awards Ceremony

6 p.m. Oct. 18 University Plaza Convention Center Honor an exemplary group of loyal Bears who make us all proud.

Plaster Sports Complex Cheer the Bears to victory when they defend the gridiron against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Enjoy the Pride Marching Band and royalty coronation at halftime.

Bear Tracks 5K Walk/Run

7 a.m. Oct. 19 Race starts at Plaster Student Union Test your Bear endurance and race to the finish line to win medals, trophies and cash prizes. Band of Bears Homecoming Parade 9 a.m. Oct. 19 John Q. Hammons Parkway Park yourself in a front-row seat to enjoy floats, bands and more in celebration of being a Bear Forever!

BearFest Village Tailgate Bonanza 10 a.m. Oct. 19

Parking lots south of Plaster Sports Complex BearFest Village is a gold mine of Missouri State spirit where all Bears gather to get their maroon on! Reconnect with former classmates at gatherings hosted by student organizations and University departments while enjoying music, food, vendor booths, games and more. Be sure to visit the Alumni Association’s MarooNation Tent!

Many more events! Complete Homecoming information is online, including: > List of gatherings hosted by colleges, departments, student organizations, Greek life and more > Hotel listings > Football ticket information > How to buy your Homecoming T-shirt in advance > Campus map www.missouristate.edu/homecoming

Want to know more? Email: alumni@missouristate.edu Call: 417-836-5654

Lori Winters Fan named new executive director of alumni relations She succeeds Julie Ebersold, who retired after leading the alumni relations unit since 1984. Lori Winters Fan was named the new executive director of alumni relations at Missouri State University in July. “I am looking forward to working with Lori,” said Missouri State President Clif Smart. “She has some good ideas about how to move our alumni program forward in the future and will be an excellent member of our team.”

Fan is a self-proclaimed MVC ‘Valley Girl’ Fan comes to Missouri State from Bradley University, where she had been the executive director of alumni relations since 1999.

“We are very excited to have Lori join the Missouri State family,” Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement, said. “She has extensive experience in alumni programming and I know she will fit in very well wearing the maroon and white.” Fan said she looks forward to serving the MSU community. “No doubt like my wonderful predecessor, I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have served my alma mater for so long as its chief alumni officer,” Fan said. “Being a MVC ‘Valley Girl,’ I am familiar with the tremendous pride that Missouri State alumni, students and faculty/staff feel for the institution and the quality educational experience it offers.”

Ebersold will be missed by many Fan replaces Julie Ebersold, who retired this summer after 30 years with the alumni relations unit. President Smart said he was constantly impressed with how well-liked Ebersold was with alumni across the country. He said she was a gracious hostess, exceedingly organized and unflappable, even in the face of last-minute surprises. “For thousands of alumni,” Smart said, “Julie Ebersold was the face not only of the Alumni Association but of the University. Believe me, that was a good thing for Missouri State. It has been a pleasure to work closely with her the past couple of years. She will be greatly missed.”

Want to get in touch with the Alumni Association? • Email: alumni@missouristate.edu • Web: www.alumni.missouristate.edu M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

Six former faculty, staff members recognized in 2013 Wall of Fame class Inductees selected for their outstanding work while on campus and demonstration of character and integrity. Members of the new class The 2013 class will be inducted during a formal ceremony held at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Plaster Student Union as part of Homecoming festivities. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Bartee

Cheek

Copeland

Marty

Onstot

Thompson

The 2013 Wall of Fame Class: The late Dr. Alice Fleetwood Bartee, political science professor for 38 years Dr. Bill Cheek, 34 years on campus as geography professor, acting associate provost and assistant and associate dean for the College of Natural and Applied Sciences Clint Copeland, approximately 16 years of service in the Career Center after three years of service with safety and transportation Retired Maj. Gen. Fred Marty, former vice president for administrative and information services and later associate vice president for administrative services; three years as West Plains chancellor Greg Onstot, first vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Missouri State

University Foundation The late Guy Thompson, registrar and scheduling officer who served the University from 1947-1969 “What a tremendous group we have to induct this year,” President Clif Smart said. “They cover a wide range of years and a wide range of responsibilities.”

About the Wall of Fame Nominations were gathered by the selection committee from faculty, staff and students. To qualify, 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 MSU. The nominees must be known and respected by various segments of the campus community, and their service must have resulted in meaningful change at the University.

Missouri State establishes International Leadership and Training Center

Center will provide language training, professional development; MSU partnering with Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce on initiative. Missouri State plans to deliver international leadership and professional development training by establishing the Missouri State University International Leadership and Training Center, known as ILTC. The Missouri State Board of Governors approved this initiative in June.

Demand expected to be high Missouri State will partner with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce to accomplish the ILTC’s first-year objectives without the University immediately hiring a director to establish and commence operations. The Chamber has agreed to provide services necessary to establish the ILTC in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in a Memorandum of Agreement. The mission of the ILTC is to provide high-quality noncredit language training coupled with international leadership and professional development programs customized to meet the needs of client 6

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organizations. This mission is consistent with Missouri State’s public affairs mission, particularly the mission’s focus on cultural competence, ethical leadership and community engagement. “The worldwide demand for customized training is enormous,” said Dr. Jim Baker, vice president for research, economic development and international programs at Missouri State. “The Missouri State University International Leadership and Training Center is positioned to respond to the immense market in human resource development. We are delighted to partner with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce in this exciting venture.”

Partnership with Chamber to last a year The agreement retains the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce to provide services related to the ILTC for a one-year term starting July 1, 2013. The Chamber has indicated that Brad Bodenhausen, executive vice president at the Chamber,

will provide the majority of the services. If the ILTC performs as anticipated, Missouri State expects to hire a full-time director to start on or about July 1, 2014. By fiscal year 2015, the University expects the ILTC to be self-sustaining with the potential for significant growth. Missouri State and the Chamber have worked together in the pursuit of international business development since 2004. Both organizations share the goal of expanding and deepening international connections with other universities, businesses, professional associations and individuals. MSU initiatives such as the Executive MBA program for Chinese professionals have increased the Springfield business community’s exposure to cultural understanding and business opportunities in China. Likewise, the MSU Springfield campus has proven to be a good location to host young professionals from China and introduce them to U.S. business practices and culture.

Participate in public affairs signature events for 2013-14 Whether you live near campus or a world away, we have plenty of ways for you to get involved with events that focus on community engagement, cultural competence and ethical leadership — the three tenets of the University-wide public affairs mission.

Donate used shoes to feed the hungry and create clean water Missouri State, Drury University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Evangel University and Southwest Baptist University will join together on a Community Engagement Project. This collaborative service project is called “Stomp Out Hunger: All Collegiate Shoe Drive.” The schools will work 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. A portion of the proceeds goes to Friends Against Hunger. The remainder of the proceeds purchases supplies to bring clean, fresh water to those who need it. In addition, the shoes are sent to countries that need affordable footwear, such as Tanzania and Haiti. Together, the schools hope to collect enough shoes from Sept. 28-Oct. 19 to qualify for a record-breaking entry. 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.

Pick up the Common Reader — then see the author speak on campus The Common Reader is the book read by all first-year students. This year, it’s “Start Something That Matters” by Blake Mycoskie, founder of Toms Shoes. Mycoskie will deliver the 2013 Public Affairs Convocation lecture at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. The lecture is open to the community. Free tickets will be available to Missouri State students, faculty and staff first, and will later be available to the general public. More information about ticket pick-up will be announced at a later date.

Join us for the Public Affairs Conference The 2013-14 Public Affairs Conference will be held April 8-11, 2014. This year’s theme is “Global Perspective: Why It Matters.” The purpose of the theme is to encourage attendees to develop awareness, skills and values that will equip them to work collaboratively, across nations and cultures, toward a more just and sustainable future. The conference features presentations, panel discussions and events that touch on business, family,

international issues, the arts and education. All events are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. If you don’t live near campus, you can still check out some speeches. We stream many plenary speakers live, and those videos will also be available on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ user/missouristate/.

Attend the first-ever Public Affairs Hall of Fame induction event Missouri State announced the creation of the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame in spring 2013, and nominations were taken for the first class until late August. The Hall of Fame honors those who improve 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 first-ever recipients will be inducted during a banquet and ceremony from 5 to 8 p.m. April 11, 2014, in a ballroom at the Oasis Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave. The event will be open to the public but will require the purchase of a ticket. For more info: www.publicaffairs. missouristate.edu/halloffame/.

KEVIN WHITE

Event commemorates 50th anniversary of March on Washington Missouri State was a supporting community partner for a Unity March and Celebration held Aug. 28 to mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the event at which Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The evening march started at Springfield’s Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge and continued to Park Central Square, where community and faith leaders spoke. M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

THE WORLD IS SHRINKING. The Internet, more access to international travel and an increasingly global economy have driven home the point that we are not alone — what happens in one place is likely to have an effect on another. Missouri State’s presence is continuously expanding beyond our state and national borders, including a branch campus in Dalian, China, because we know looking forward means looking at the world as a whole. HERE, WE CELEBRATE GLOBAL BEARS by sharing stories of former international students as well as U.S.-born graduates who now work around the globe. We also give you some facts showcasing our commitment to culturally competent students and graduates. SEE YOU in Springfield, São Paulo, South Africa, Shanghai, Sweden, Sydney — or wherever the world takes you!

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Are you a graduate living outside the U.S.? We’d love to hear from you! As soon as we know where you are, we can start giving you all the benefits received by international Missouri State graduates. Here’s how: Go to the Alumni Association website to update your contact information and tell us about your career and professional accomplishments; or Email us: alumni@missouristate.edu

Almost everyone profiled for this story answered the question “What is the one place you would tell other alumni not to miss?” See their answers with their stories online. W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

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China

Saudi Arabia

746

254

South Korea

NUMBER OF STUDENTS FROM THE TOP COUNTRIES REPRESENTED AT MSU IN SPRING 2013 Brazil

United Kingdom

India

International alumni No one is certain when the first international student came to Missouri State, but Ozarko yearbooks from the early 1950s through the 1960s document the start and growth of international student groups. Now, we welcome larger and larger numbers of Bears from other countries. In the next pages are four stories about international students who made the journey to Missouri State.

2003

2006

477

INTERNATIONAL ENROLLMENT GROWTH ON SPRINGFIELD CAMPUS

546

2009

2012

960 1,426

MISSOURI STATE HAS PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITIES IN:

Australia

England

Bosnia

France

Bulgaria

India

Brazil

Japan

Chile

Mongolia

China

Slovenia

Colombia

South Korea

Czech Republic 10

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‘Don’t give up, Do Won. Don’t give up.’ Do Won Hahn once lived in a refugee camp. Now, he has an address in a posh central Florida neighborhood where Tiger Woods once resided. Hahn has gone from a homeless teen to a lauded scientist who helped create pharmaceutical drugs used around the world. His journey to the United States started when he began corresponding with a legendary faculty member at Missouri State. By Michelle S. Rose

A DANGEROUS ESCAPE “I read the Korean news every day and think of you and what it may mean to you. … It is a sad world just now but after darkness there always comes a dawn.” — JULY 23, 1953 LETTER TO DO WON HAHN FROM MISSOURI STATE FACULTY MEMBER DR. ANNA LOU BLAIR, THEN THE FOREIGN STUDENT ADVISOR AND HEAD OF THE FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

Do Won Hahn was born in 1931 near the Yalu River, an aquatic border between North Korea and China.

He was born on the Korean side during a time when Korea was a united land ruled by Japan. However, at the end of World War II in 1945, the peninsula was divided into North and South Korea. The North was occupied by the Soviet Union, the South by the United States. “All the communists came to North Korea and tried to establish a new government,” Hahn said. “They tried to indoctrinate all young people to communism … so I looked for a chance to escape to South Korea.” Hahn was just a teen in 1947, a time of fear, hunger and unrest for him. He left

his home and family behind and, with another boy, took a dangerous journey by foot to the South. “I couldn’t believe I took that kind of risk. If I had been caught, I could have been taken to prison.” But he wasn’t caught — instead, he ended up in a United Nations refugee camp. From there, he took a train to Seoul, South Korea. He supported himself by working as a street vendor while attending high school. But he was determined to attend college — he just didn’t yet know where, or, more importantly, how.

A LONG-TERM STRUGGLE “I feel so helpless and I do so want to help you.” — OCT. 5, 1953 LETTER TO HAHN FROM BLAIR

Hahn arrived in South Korea just before the Korean War started in 1950.

He had friends in the Korean Army and had been allowed to live on an Army post. He met some American soldiers who hired him for various U.S. Forces jobs during the war, since he had studied English in school.

After earning his high school diploma, Hahn thought higher education was out of his financial reach until his American colleagues told him about scholarships and other opportunities. “I wrote letters to colleges in all 50 states,” Hahn said. He was shocked by the responses: Many not only encouraged him to apply, but said he would receive financial aid. The process of obtaining the necessary materials — including a passport, a student visa and evidence of a sponsorship and financial support from America — took tenacity and the help of a classmate’s father who was a government official. All told, it was a two-year ordeal. “To get just one signature took me three months,” Hahn said. “I was very persistent because I knew I was going to get an education, and going to America was my only chance. I surprised myself, actually, when I look back now.” (continued on next page)

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Above: Do Won Hahn (back row, third from the right) was an officer in the Cosmopolitan Club, an organization that promoted understanding of life in foreign countries. This photo of the club is from the 1956 Ozarko yearbook.

Below: Dr. Anna Lou Blair, pictured in 1956, became the head of the foreign languages department in 1944. She was a professor of German and French.

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A DEDICATED ADVOCATE “I think we have succeeded in making the necessary arrangements for you to study here at the College. You need not worry about causing me any ‘trouble.’ I do so much want to help you to carry out your plans to be of service to your country and your people, so that whatever I do is done with joy.” — MAY 1, 1953 LETTER TO HAHN FROM BLAIR

Documents finally in place, Hahn was ready for the U.S.

One college was his top choice. Dr. Anna Lou Blair, the foreign student advisor of what was then Southwest Missouri State College, had been writing to Hahn regularly after receiving his first letter. “She wrote me at least one letter every month, saying: ‘Don’t give up, Do Won. Don’t give up. I am going to extend the deadline, I am going to get the scholarship, no matter when you can come,’ ” Hahn said. Blair wrote to him about a room donated for his use, a job, free hot meals, a full scholarship. She sent him papers he needed for the

U.S. Consulate and assumed personal responsibility for his travel arrangements. She lamented when a letter to him bounced back to her, and rejoiced in 1953 when a truce was called in Korea. And she was the person who greeted him at the bus station in the spring of 1955 when he arrived in Springfield after a three-day trip from Korea. He had only a carry-on bag and $8 to his name. She took him to her house, where he would live temporarily. “She made me a sandwich and grape juice. That was my first lunch in Missouri. It was delicious.”

A HEAVEN IN THE MIDWEST “Every time I think of you, I feel glad that you are in such pleasant surroundings.” — JULY 19,1955 LETTER TO HAHN FROM BLAIR

Hahn quickly grew to love life in Springfield.

“Here I was coming from a war-torn land with burned-out buildings and shell-shocked people, to an enchanting college campus with plenty to eat and a comfortable bed in which to sleep,” Hahn wrote in memoirs he shared with Missouri State. “Even though I was attending classes by day and holding down three different

jobs … I didn’t care. This life was heaven … and I had just left hell.” He was one of just five or six international students on campus, and he joined the Cosmopolitan Club — a student organization co-founded by Blair in 1954 to promote understanding of life in other countries. “Everybody was so friendly,” Hahn said of the American students and faculty. “They invited me for dinner at their homes.” Hahn attended Missouri State from 1955 to 1957. One summer during those years, he worked at a Christian camp in Michigan established by William H. Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina Company. Danforth and Hahn became friends, and their talks combined with prayer convinced Hahn to “dedicate my life to some higher good.” He wanted to help Korea by improving farming methods, and knew this meant he needed to study agricultural mechanics. “At the time, Southwest Missouri State didn’t have that program,” Hahn said. He said good-bye to his Springfield friends as he transferred to Michigan State University.

A PHENOMENAL CAREER “From my earliest days, I wanted to make a contribution to society, to do something purposeful. Originally, my goal was to help increase food production. As fate would have it, I became involved in regulating the population. Perhaps those goals are not all that different. Ultimately, they both involve improving the quality of life for people around the world.” — DO WON HAHN’S MEMOIRS

Hahn earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in agriculture-related fields from Michigan State.

During that time he was dating a

woman named Kim, who had also come to Missouri State from Korea with the help of Blair. They kept up a long-distance relationship as she went to graduate school at the University of Missouri. They married while she was earning her master’s degree, which brought Hahn to Columbia, Mo., in 1963. He was expecting to spend six months there. To fill that time, he took a course in endocrinology — the branch of medicine that deals with hormones. To say he was good at this new field would be an understatement. After the course, the professor offered him a research assistantship. Hahn thought about the uncertain political climate in Korea. He decided to stay in Missouri and earn a PhD. That decision may have changed the face of medicine. In 1968, Hahn took a job with Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation, a subsidiary of the Johnson & Johnson company that focused on reproductive research. He evaluated current drugs and recommended new approaches to making drugs. One of his major accomplishments was the discovery and development, by himself and his colleagues, of norgestimate — a molecule used in contraceptives. “Norgestimate did not disappoint anyone,” Hahn wrote in his memoirs. “It went on to become the largest-selling contraceptive in the U.S. (under the trademarked name Ortho Tri-Cyclin).” He also worked on research projects that led to the development of a drug for precocious puberty, a childhood disease. By the time he retired in 2002, he had been promoted to Johnson & Johnson’s highest scientific position and won the company’s most prestigious awards. He was recognized around the world as a leading figure in contraceptive and reproductive science.

A TRIBUTE TO HIS MSU PATRON “I appreciated the stamps you sent, very much. That was thoughtful of you. And the nameplate that came just yesterday is simply beautiful. I am very grateful.” — JULY 23, 1953 LETTER TO HAHN FROM BLAIR

Back in Seoul in the 1950s, Hahn remembers hearing artillery fire all night. There were times he thought he would die from malnutrition.

Blair started him on a path that allowed him to leave that world behind. “I always thought about Dr. Blair, and thought: One day, if I have money, I will establish a scholarship in her memory. I wanted to remember her and her kind, friendly ways and dedication to helping underprivileged students.” In 1996, he founded the Anna L. Blair scholarship at MSU. It awards about $1,000 each year to five or six undergraduates who are majoring in a foreign language. And that’s not all: One of his three children, Anna, is named for Blair. Hahn also has a son named Charles and a daughter named Helen. All three are college graduates in professional jobs. When he left North Korea, Hahn didn’t know when he would return or what would become of himself or his family. In 1990, he went back for a reunion. His parents had passed away, but he was able to reconnect with others. “I think about how sad it is my parents never got to see how successful their son had become. I truly believe that somehow, though, they knew I was doing well.” When he thinks about his legacy, he thinks about sacrifices, hard work, contributions to humanity — and, most important to him, a caring and close family. “I am truly a happy man.” M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

‘One thing we have to never forget: The favor Dr. Meyer did’ A health crisis led John N. Akwar, a student from Cameroon, to ask for assistance from then-University president Dr. Duane Meyer — and the legendary Missouri State figure made such an impression that Akwar named his son Duane. By Michelle S. Rose

John Akwar had a dream of studying agriculture overseas to improve his career prospects, but he knew that meant he would have to leave his wife and three children in Cameroon.

He earned a scholarship to Missouri State in the 1970s, which brought him to the U.S. for the first time. “One day I went to Taylor (health clinic) and the doctor who took my blood pressure said it was through the roof,” Akwar said. “It was so extremely high, he was scared I might not make it through the week. I asked, what is the likely cause of this? They told me it was worry and stress. I said, only my wife can bring it down.” Dr. Duane Meyer had been the director of the MSU international student group at one point, and as president he made sure to meet most international students on campus. “We just enjoyed being around them, and would have international students to the president’s residence at least once a year,” Meyer’s wife, ’Lyn Meyer, said. In addition, the couple attended the same church as Akwar. Those ties gave Akwar the chance to

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talk with Meyer about his health scare. “He said, if my wife is the solution, he would do everything to get her here.” The process started with writing letters and making calls to consulates and the State Department. “My secretary at the time had experience as an attorney’s secretary,” Dr. Duane Meyer said. “I asked her if she could examine how many requirements had to be met to bring his wife to the United States. She did the research, then I prepared a letter, which I sent to the U.S. Department of State, explaining that we had John as our student and we would love to have his whole family and we hoped that they would permit her to come.” Thanks to these efforts, Bridget Akwar was eventually allowed to join her husband in Missouri — and, indeed, Akwar’s blood pressure and stress levels went down. While he was still a student at MSU, they found out they were going to have another child. “I told her, well, there is one thing we have to never forget: The favor Dr. Meyer did,” Akwar said. “We have to name this child after him to commemorate this

kind gesture. If it’s a boy, we name it after him; if it’s a girl, we name it after his wife.” Duane Akwar was born before John Akwar graduated in 1980 with a bachelor’s in agricultural economics. After that, the family relocated to

Texas, where Akwar earned a master’s degree in agricultural economics. Next, they went back to Cameroon where he worked in agri-business for 10 years. In the mid-1990s, seeing political instability in their home nation, the Akwar family returned to the United States. Akwar has lived in Houston and worked in the Texas criminal justice system ever since. He and Bridget raised a total of five children together — who are now doctors, nurses and teachers — before she passed away in 2005. By pure coincidence, the Meyers now also live in Texas, in the Dallas area. Last year, the two families were able to see each other for the first time in

years. Duane Akwar was graduating from medical school, and John Akwar wanted Duane and ’Lyn Meyer to be part of the celebration. “We decided we would go to the commencement to show our appreciation for him,” Meyer said. “It feels very good to be associated with such a high-achieving young man.” John Akwar said Duane, who is married and has a baby, was glad to see the former MSU president for whom he is named. “I was so pleased they were able to make it to the graduation,” Akwar said. “I had the opportunity to tell them how they have been so useful to our family.”

Top left photo: John Akwar, Dr. Duane Meyer and Dr. Duane Akwar gathered in 2012 after Duane Akwar’s graduation from medical school in Texas.

Below, large photo: John Akwar is the first student in the first row in this photo of the Association of International Students from the 1979 Ozarko yearbook.

Below, inset: Dr. Duane G. Meyer was president of the University from 1971 to 1983.

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

MSU ‘lets me have the responsibilities I have today’ Chile native Gonzalo Vargas came to the U.S. for undergraduate and graduate studies at Missouri State, and is now the finance director for Groupon Latin America. By Michelle S. Rose Gonzalo Vargas visited seven universities after he decided he wanted an education in the United States.

He could have skipped six. “If I was 18 again, I wouldn’t have visited the other places. I would have gone directly to Missouri State.” Vargas, who is from Santiago, Chile, came to MSU in 2001 to study politics and international business. He played intramural soccer and was involved with the International Student Association. Vargas came to MSU without knowing anyone: “I had no family or friends here — I had to be brave!” However, students and University community members “invited me to dinner and out at night.” That the MSU community wanted to make Vargas feel welcome makes sense to Steve Robinette, associate vice president for international programs. “The first time I met Gonzalo was in spring 2013 at a recruiting event in Santiago at our partner school, the University of Andres Bello,” Robinette said. “He’s the kind of guy you want to hang out with. He’s extremely competent with great business skills, but he also has a free spirit and is fun to be around.” Vargas liked MSU so much that after earning his bachelor’s in 2004, he stayed for graduate studies. Former MSU political science professor Mehrdad

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Haghayeghi, who now works for the U.S. Department of Defense, helped Vargas earn a graduate assistantship. “He was very inspirational to me, because he had a similar background of being from somewhere else,” Vargas said. “He was Iranian, and came to school in the U.S. ... He would say anytime you need anything, come back — not only in terms of school, but in terms of my personal life. I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if he had not done that. He was the first one to believe in me in the United States.” As a graduate assistant, Vargas helped teach courses in American democracy and comparative politics. He earned a master’s in global studies, with an emphasis in international economics and business, in 2006.

Vargas to speak on campus Steve Robinette, associate vice president for international programs, said Vargas is slated to speak at the Public Affairs Conference on campus April 8-11, 2014. More information will be available closer to the conference dates. Conference website: www.publicaffairs. missouristate.edu/conference

After that he held U.S.-based jobs in the finance sector, managing portfolios and analyzing accounts. About three years ago he took a job in Santiago with Groupon, one of the major players in online deal-of-the-day coupons. Vargas is Groupon’s finance director in Latin America, which means he has a leadership role in managing assets for the company in eight countries. He travels extensively to places such as Argentina and Brazil. He also goes to Groupon’s corporate offices in Chicago, ensuring he maintains ties to the U.S. and practices his three languages: Spanish, English and some Portuguese. “My Missouri State education definitely aided me, because I have both the U.S. background and Latin American background. This lets me have the responsibilities I have today.” Robinette said Vargas is becoming an unofficial Missouri State University ambassador in Chile. “At our event in Santiago, he talked about what it meant for him to go to MSU and how he’s a young alum who parlayed his MSU degree into his current success. All the students there sat in rapt attention. Since I met him we have emailed back and forth, and he has become a real resource for us as we talk about how Missouri State can be involved in Latin America.”

‘It was my dream to finish my master’s degree’ Fen Fu, from China, spent a year on campus in the Executive Option Master of Business Administration program. Dr. David Meinert, EMBA program director, says Fen is “definitely a proud Missouri State Xióng (Bear).” By Michelle S. Rose Fen Fu left a husband and daughter in her home of Guangzhou, China, for about a year to pursue a graduate degree in the United States.

“It was hard because I had never left for so long, but my husband supported me and encouraged me to do what I want to do. It was my dream to finish my master’s degree, and I could not have done it without his assistance,” Fen said. Fen came to Missouri State in 2010 to join the Executive Option Master of Business Administration program, known as EMBA. The EMBA uses an accelerated format, so students may complete the 33 credit hours in just one year. It was created in 2007 specifically to meet the needs of working Chinese professionals. During the program, students take 11 consecutive four-week courses, interact with guest speakers, take field trips to businesses, learn about the state and regional economy, and participate in social events. The goal is to give them a rich learning and cultural experience. “The EMBA students are really special. It’s a sacrifice to come over here, to leave jobs and families and complete a graduate program — especially in a second language,” said Dr. David Meinert, associate dean in the College of Business and director of the EMBA program. “We make sure the program provides a well-rounded foundation to

advance their careers.” Fen, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 2001 from the South China University of Technology, learned about Missouri State while exploring options for foreign study. “Fen saw the EMBA as a way to differentiate herself in her career,” Meinert said. “A big part of the degree is learning what it is like to live abroad, especially in the U.S., since many Chinese companies want employees to have a good working knowledge of the English language and American culture.” Fen explored outside of the classroom by becoming a football fan, cooking new recipes, shopping around Springfield and studying the Bible at a local church. But she was here for academics first, and said the program built her confidence while showing her a different style of teaching: In her previous courses, she said, most teachers presented information to the students. In the EMBA, faculty encouraged students to speak out, share their opinions and give the Chinese perspective on economics and marketing. “That was an adjustment! At first, I was silent and did not say much.” But Meinert, who taught Fen’s first class — a course in project management, the field in which she now works — encouraged group work, discussions and presentations. Fen began to open up and show her personality.

“She was a great role model in her cohort, always positive, inquisitive and supportive of her classmates,” he said. Fen, for her part, considers Meinert an inspiring leader. “I remember at the end of the class, he invited all the students to his house to have a big meal. That was really nice.” Fen is now back in China, working as a project manager for an interior and landscape design company. She was happy to return to her husband, Jackey, a product designer, and daughter, Cindy, 8, (who might follow in her mother’s footsteps and visit the U.S. one day — she just won third prize in a national primary school English competition). She and Meinert keep in contact through email and MSU events in China. “When I saw Fen at the alumni reception in Shenzhen, I talked to her about being in the alumni magazine and her eyes lit up,” Meinert said. “She is definitely a proud Missouri State Xióng (that means Bear). It goes to show, you can be a Bear anywhere.” Fen, who graduated in 2011, said she’ll always remember the pretty campus with its colorful flowers, the autumn weather and the kind professors. “When I left Missouri State I cried with my friends, but my family is in China so I am glad to be at home! Missouri State is a really good memory.” M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

WHERE STUDENTS WENT IN 2012-13

United Kingdom

21%

Latin and South America

TOP FIVE MAJORS MOST LIKELY TO STUDY AWAY

8% Other 5% Africa 5% Asia 7%

Australia

37%

International Business

Anthropology

Spanish

Geography, Geology and Planning

TIE: Biology; Global Studies

Europe

(excluding U.K.)

U.S. citizens abroad Missouri State’s Study Away Program began in 1972 when religious studies professor Dr. James Moyer led 17 students on a six-week excavation in Israel. Since that time, the number of participants has increased by a considerable amount. To help even more students learn in other countries, Missouri State colleges and departments have established scholarships to assist students with their study-away goals. After a study-away experience, which may be as short as a week or as long as a few semesters, many graduates are excited to live and work around the globe. In the next pages are three stories about American citizens — some of whom participated in the MSU Study Away program — who took a job in a different country after their time at Missouri State.

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

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258

NUMBER OF STUDY AWAY STUDENTS ON THE RISE

298 389 455

‘I look at the children and am amazed by them’ Justine Otte (far left in the photo), a former MSU student-athlete, met her husband after college. After they married, she moved to his native Germany and now teaches elementary-age students. By Courtney Wendel-Stevenson When Justine (Schramke) Otte stands in front of her classroom, she looks into the bright young eyes of students from around the world and listens to them switch from Korean to German to English in three sentences to three different classmates.

“As someone who lived in the States most of my life, I look at the children and am amazed by them,” said Otte, a fourthand fifth-grade homeroom teacher at Frankfurt International School in Germany. “All of them are bilingual, and many speak three to four languages.” Otte, who graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and in 2003 with an MBA in marketing management, loves creating new experiments and projects for her students. “Teaching at an international private school is different than teaching in the U.S.,” Otte said. “Our curriculum is inquiry-based, which means we have to find ways for students to discover the information themselves rather than telling them. It means that the classroom is your masterpiece.” Otte found her way to Germany through her now-husband, Moritz, a German native. She met him through her first love — field hockey — when they played in the Chicago Field Hockey Club. Field hockey is also what led her to teaching, and, before that, to Missouri

State — she was a member of the MSU field hockey team. “When I graduated, I was gung-ho about going into the business world,” Otte said. “I worked for a small start-up in the sports world and then for a TV network in Chicago, doing corporate America in a high-rise building, climbing the corporate ladder. But I reached a point and realized it wasn’t for me; I was sacrificing some of my personal values for the job.” Otte realized she was happiest when she was playing and coaching field hockey, and that a lot of what she loved about coaching she could find through teaching. “Coaching field hockey and teaching are similar; they both require creativity and helping people.” She was accepted into the inaugural class of the Chicago Teaching Fellows, a competitive, alternative certification program for people changing careers. It places graduates into high-needs schools. Otte went through an intensive six-week boot camp, then was placed into an inner-city seventh-grade classroom. “It was a sink-or-swim experience. It opened my eyes to a whole other part of the country. I didn’t realize what it was like to be poor in America until I was in a classroom pouring my heart out to 32 kids, trying to save their lives.” Otte said that as odd as it may seem to have a business education and become

a teacher, her experiences in the College of Business at Missouri State helped her succeed in the classroom. “Through the process of learning, studying and understanding business, you realize that almost everything you do is a business,” Otte said. “Running a classroom is a managerial project — you plan it, you design it.” Otte spent much of her time on campus immersed in the world of student athletes. This led her into an internship and, later, a graduate assistantship in the athletics development office. One of the main ways she stays connected to MSU today is through contact with former colleagues in athletics development. “Justine has the qualities that I knew would make her successful when she left Missouri State, and she has proven that,” said Brent Dunn, vice president for University advancement and former director of athletics development. Today, Otte spends less time on the hockey field and more time caring for her 2-year-old daughter, Juliet, and 7-month-old son, Jasper. She’s currently on maternity leave, but looks forward to returning to teach fourth grade. “It’s the children that make you want to get up and go to work,” Otte said. “It’s those excited, bright-eyed little people that greet you every morning and have these huge expectations for you.”

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

‘Fashion is another way people express themselves’ Stefanie Schmith, who moved to New York City the day after graduation, has designed accessories and clothing for some major brands. She now lives and works in Hong Kong. By Michelle S. Rose Stefanie Schmith remembers the first time she saw a handbag she designed being carried by a woman in the street.

It took everything she had not to run after the woman yelling: “That’s my handbag! I designed that!” Schmith, a 2005 graduate with a bachelor’s in clothing, textiles and merchandising, moved to New York City the day after graduation with her five closest friends from MSU. She worked for companies including Talbots, where she designed accessories such as bags, belts and shoes, and worked with factories and manufacturers to develop products. After five years with Talbots, she found an opportunity with Charlotte Ronson, a young, contemporary line. “They were prepping me to move to Hong Kong, and I moved there after working for them a year.” She had never lived or worked outside the States before, but for the past two and a half years she has been back and forth between Asia and NYC. “Hong Kong is very Western, but it’s still Asia. You will see Starbucks, McDonald’s and Outback Steakhouse next to an elderly local wearing a straw hat by a fish market and noodle shops. You can see it once was a British colony — almost everyone speaks English and there are many British expats around. Sometimes you feel like you’re in

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Asia, sometimes you feel like you’re in Anytown, U.K. It’s actually quite lovely.” Schmith is now a designer with Tillsonburg Apparel, a supplier to major brands in the U.S. and U.K. She mostly designs for four brands: one is fun and contemporary; one is for younger women but is more conservative and work-oriented; one has cruise and resort items for an older clientele; and one is a higher-end, classic American brand. Here’s how her job works: Representatives from the brands (which Schmith must keep confidential) come to Tillsonburg to talk with her and her peers. “The retailer will come to us every season and say they need a certain number of designs.” They talk to her about their brand’s image, and their color palette and inspiration for the season. They tell her if they want blouses or dresses, pants or skirts. They talk about pleats, sequins, necklines, prints and more. Then, “we have about six weeks to come up with concepts, create sketches, get mock-ups, go to factories, check samples and present our designs to the companies.” Schmith said Missouri State gave her a great foundation for this work. She still keeps in touch with some of her instructors, including Jenifer Roberts. Roberts remembers Schmith as a petite girl with a big voice and big talent. “Stefanie was very motivated; you

could just tell at graduation she had set high goals for herself,” said Roberts, an assistant professor in the fashion and interior design department. “Our graduates now stand on the shoulders of individuals like Stefanie, because she blazed the trail of going to New York and getting connections and good jobs. When she lived in New York, she would email us to let us know about internships, and joined us for dinners when we were there to network with our students. She would say things like, ‘When you get to New York just call me; I can help you out!’ ” Schmith has now found friends and fun in Hong Kong. They go out to dinner, barbecue on rooftops and hike to hidden beaches. “It’s pretty much always hot and humid, and on weekends and nights it feels like you’re on vacation. In some places, it feels like you’re in paradise.” She’s going to stay in Hong Kong as long as her contract allows, then move back to New York — both cities have special places in her heart. Either way, she’ll keep working in her field. “I am a creative person. I like music and art and film. I take those and put them into my work — fashion is another way people express themselves. Everybody gets up and gets dressed. And you can feel good in what you’re wearing. Fashion is my passion. I know that rhymes, but it’s true!”

‘I feel I really am helping build a safer China’ Brad Patton studied in China, fell in love with the country and now manages a company that rents workplace equipment to major manufacturers. He’s in Shanghai — or, as he calls it, “the greatest city in the world!” By Michelle S. Rose In 2005, Brad Patton had a decision to make: His three roommates were planning study-away trips to cities in Europe and Australia.

“I thought, geez, my whole house is going abroad. Being independent, I went over to the Study Away office to see where I could go that was different.” He heard about MSU’s China program. “I thought: If I don’t go now, I never will.” While at MSU’s partner school of Qingdao University, he took Mandarin classes, immersed himself in the culture and made friends. The place got into his blood. He graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s in management — and a minor in Chinese studies, added after his journey. “As I got ready to graduate, I knew I wanted to go back to China.” He looked for an American company willing to send a new grad overseas, but instead a friend told him about a job in the Kansas City area with Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, known as HERC. The global company rents equipment such as bulldozers, bucket trucks, lifts and power generators for business and government projects. Patton started with HERC in 2006, answering phones and coordinating sales. He learned new aspects of the business and was quickly promoted, eventually

running an entire Midwest division. In 2008, HERC wanted to expand in China. The American in charge of that expansion called Patton for cultural advice, and the two were soon in regular communication. “One day he said, ‘Look, we have gotten to the size where I can offer you a job here.’ ” Patton jumped at the chance, and in 2010 he and wife Lauren made the move to Shanghai. “My wife was raised by a family with the travel bug; she had been all over the world before we got married.” One of Patton’s former roommates, Zach Blome, ’06, said Patton is outgoing, adventurous and focused on success — all characteristics that help people who take jobs overseas. “I remember when he got back from China he was super-excited and had story after story; he was really impressed,” said Blome, now an audit leader at Wells Fargo Des Moines. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that he moved there.” Since 2010, HERC has grown its existing Chinese facilities and opened new ones. And when Patton’s general manager retired in 2012, the job was his. He now is responsible for overseeing the whole Chinese operation, from finances to marketing to human resources. He calls on VIP clients, convincing them to use HERC equipment for their projects. In China, it’s not unheard of to

see some construction practices that may not be best for the welfare of the workers. “I feel I really am helping build a safer China. I love convincing those clients to use our equipment to create a more safe and yet more efficient workplace.” And as far as fun goes, he says Shanghai, a metropolis of more than 23 million on China’s eastern coast, has even New York City beat. He and his wife, who have a 1-year-old daughter, Hayden, go on a date each week to explore. “It’s the greatest city in the world! It’s got the most amazing food — there are more authentic Italian restaurants here than almost anywhere in the world. There’s a place called Ultraviolet that does a five-hour, 20-course meal with 20 wait staff for just 10 diners. There are Michelin-starred chefs. There is also really amazing nightlife.” Patton gets back to the U.S. a few times a year, and meets up with Missouri State China program representatives when they are in town. He also hosted an American MSU student, letting the student job-shadow him for about a month. When his contract in China is up in about a year and a half, Patton could see himself working in another global location such as Central or South America. “I understand working in a foreign country,” he said. “I am open!” M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

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

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Dr. Wafaa Kaf Professor of audiology from Alsharqiya, Egypt

BOB LINDER

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Watch a video about Dr. Kaf’s work in the audiology department. W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

Two of Kaf’s children are Bears! Dr. Wafaa Kaf’s family: Husband Khalaf Abdelhakiem, math professor on leave from Assiut University; son Mohamed, graduated from MSU in ’13 with cell and molecular biology degree; daughter Alaa, now studying chemistry at MSU; daughters Arwa, 10, and Rahma, 8.

Many hearing screenings go like this: An audiologist plays tones to someone wearing headphones or sitting in a sound booth. The person being screened responds, letting the tester know the range of sounds he or she can hear. But what if the subject is an infant, or an adult with dementia, who can’t be expected to understand test instructions, raise a hand, press a button or talk to the screener? Dr. Wafaa Kaf has spent many of her 10 years at Missouri State researching ways to evaluate the hearing of these challenging populations. Kaf is most interested in detecting mild degrees of hearing loss using what are known as “electrophysiological measures” — ways to assess hearing that don’t rely on patient response, but instead objectively track the brain’s responses to sounds. She may use electrodes placed on a patient’s head, or probes inserted into a patient’s ear.

Why hearing screenings matter Kaf estimates that there are 35 million American children and adults with mild, moderate or severe hearing loss. “Hearing is one of the most important things for children because it is the precursor for them to develop the ability to talk,” Kaf said. Hearing loss may lead to stunted speech-language development, making children feel less competent and confident in school.

Addressing a community problem In 2005, Kaf started a service-learning pediatric audiology class for doctoral students. With her supervision, students perform free hearing and middle-ear screenings for low-income and underserved populations. The audiology students take portable equipment to community partner organizations. There, they screen subjects who are typically 6 months to 5 years old. Since the start of the class, she and her students have screened more than 400 children in the Ozarks.

Kaf ’s dedication to serving others doesn’t stop there. She often tells parents to bring their child to her lab at the Missouri State Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic for a full evaluation. She either supervises a graduate student or does the evaluation herself — and all of this is provided at no cost to the parent. Kaf estimates this service-learning class has saved parents in the community thousands of dollars. Her work also helps audiology professionals, since research about hearing screenings by Kaf and her colleagues has been published in national and international journals. Kaf is taking a sabbatical this fall to conduct a study on detecting mild hearing loss in young children. She started the study in the Ozarks and will continue it in Egypt, her home country. “It’s an intensive workload, but I feel I am their advocate,” she said of those screened by the service-learning class. “These are parents who are in the most need of that service for their children.” — Michelle S. Rose

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

The Missouri State volleyball team traveled to Nicaragua in late May for exhibition matches, community service and tourism activities. The Volleyball Bears lived out MSU’s public affairs mission by participating in service projects, including helping students with English at Barrio Planta school; volunteering at Los Pipitos, an organization that advocates for children with disabilities; and working with the Biblioteca Publica Movil, Nicaragua’s first lending library. The team also delivered sports gear and equipment to a youth sports association and school supplies to local schools. “The experiences we have had giving back are absolutely amazing,” Ashley Mason, a defensive specialist/libero, said.

“There are no adequate words. I feel so blessed and privileged to be working here with them!” Many of the students were glad to reach out to the community. “I was amazed that something we take so much for granted, like a public library, could be such a gift and true blessing to these children and families,” Olivia Brand, outside hitter, said of her experience with the Biblioteca Publica Movil. “Not only does this library lend books, but they also have computers and set up community events that promote education and literacy in the community.” The Bears played the Nicaragua and Honduras national teams at locations throughout Nicaragua and finished the trip 8-0.

BEN ADAMSON

Volleyball Bears say international experience was ‘absolutely amazing’

Volleyball Bear Simone House helped students at Barrio Planta school, where some Nicaraguan children come to learn English.

Read more about the trip to Nicaragua: www.MissouriStateBears.com

JQH Arena basketball complex project under way

Missouri State Board of Governors approves construction contract for Jim D. Morris Basketball Complex When JQH Arena opened in 2008, space was left for a locker-room complex with the anticipation it would be completed at a later date through private gifts. Now that vision will become a reality. Before the 2013-14 basketball season is completed, the Bears and Lady Bears will be using locker rooms, offices and meeting space in the Jim D. Morris Basketball Complex. The complex was named in spring 2013 in recognition of the lead gift from Morris, a Springfield philanthropist and long-time supporter of the University. The $3.7 million project, which is being funded exclusively through private contributions, began in June and is scheduled to be complete in November. DeWitt and Associates was awarded the construction contract May 15 at the Board of Governors Executive Committee meeting.

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“We already have one of the best arenas in the country, and the Jim D. Morris Complex will just make it that much better,” said Missouri State President Clif Smart. “We are indebted to the donors who are making this possible. Without the private support, this project simply doesn’t happen.” The Lady Bears locker room will be named in honor of the Pinegar family, and the Bears locker room will be named in honor of the McQueary family. Both of these families have provided significant gifts to support the project. Several other major gifts have been committed to the complex, while additional donations are being sought. The complex includes a new exterior entry off of Bear Boulevard, team locker rooms, player lounges and meeting rooms. It also includes offices for the men’s and women’s coaching staffs. The project includes a state-of-the-art

audio-visual system and an athletic training room, reception area and storage space. In addition, a mezzanine level will be constructed above the new basketball complex that can be used for additional storage and future expansion. “The impact this project will have on our basketball teams and their recruiting efforts will be tremendous,” said Kyle Moats, director of intercollegiate athletics. “This will definitely bring a sense of pride to everyone who wears maroon and white.”

Want tickets? See schedules for the Bears and Lady Bears basketball teams, learn about players and more online.

www.MissouriStateBears.com

Three Baseball Bears selected during MLB draft

JESSE SCHEVE

The St. Louis Cardinals selected right-handed pitcher Nick Petree in the ninth round. Petree, from Clinton, Mo., won many awards and honors since joining the Bears, including: First-team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection this spring First Bear to win MSU’s Dave Dickensheet Outstanding Pitcher award three times Semifinalist for USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award, which honors the top amateur player in the country Two-time MVC Pitcher of the Week honoree in 2013 College Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher of the Year Award candidate Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Year in 2012 ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove Award as NCAA Division I’s top defensive pitcher this past spring Only Bears’ representative on the MVC All-Defensive Team two years in a row. Petree led the Valley in strikeouts (111) while ranking second in the circuit in wins, innings pitched (100.1) and ERA. Additionally, he became the first MSU pitcher to log back-to-back 100-strikeout campaigns and climbed to No. 2 on the Bears’ career lists for both victories (27) and strikeouts (306) this spring. In May, Petree became the first player in the 50-year history of the Missouri State baseball program to earn All-America recognition in three different seasons with his selection as a second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball.

The Los Angeles Angels picked right-handed pitcher Grant Gordon in the 10th round. Gordon, who is from Salem, Mo., came off a solid senior season in which he posted a 3.66 ERA and team-best four saves in 25 appearances out of the Bears’ bullpen. The right-hander saved 12 games over his four-year career to rank fifth all-time at MSU, and ranks second on the Bears’ career pitching appearances list with 82. DUANE ATTEBERRY

Nick Petree picked by Cardinals

Grant Gordon goes to Angels

Luke Voit chosen by Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals selected catcher/first baseman Luke Voit in the 22nd round. Voit, from Wildwood, Mo., is a three-time All-MVC honoree who backstopped all but one of the Bears’ 54 games this season, recording a .299 batting average, two homers and team highs of 30 RBIs and eight stolen bases. He was named to Johnny Bench Award watch list each of the last two seasons and called each of the Bears’ 13 shutouts over the last two seasons, helping MSU lead the nation in that category in 2012. Voit finished his MSU career 16th on the Bears’ career hits list with 226 and 10th on the school’s all-time doubles chart with 48. JOHN WALL

Three Missouri State Bears were chosen in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Former Bear Mike Kickham makes big-league debut with Giants Former Missouri State University baseball standout Mike Kickham, a Springfield native, was promoted in May to the Major League roster of the San Francisco Giants. Kickham, a left-handed pitcher, made his debut in late May for the Giants, the defending World Series champions. Kickham, 24, played for Missouri State in 2010. He struck out 103 batters in 96.0 innings and won MSU’s Dave Dickensheet Outstanding Pitcher Award. Kickham is the first Bear to receive a Major League promotion since Brett Sinkbeil was called up by the Marlins in September 2010. He is the 10th Bear to be on a big-league roster in the last 11 years, and the 13th MSU player overall to reach the majors under Head Coach Keith Guttin.

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

‘More than a

DREAM COME TRUE’ Dr. Brian Mahaffey, a former baseball Bear who became the head team physician for Missouri State intercollegiate athletes, joined the St. Louis Cardinals medical team in 2013. All-American and the 1988 Mid-Continent Conference Co-Player of the Year. In 2013, a quarter-century later, Brian Mahaffey finally reached the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he still has those 42 homers among his career stats, Mahaffey’s “call-up” this year was not as a hitter — but as one of four Cardinals team physicians. He’s now sports medicine specialist Dr. Brian Mahaffey.

IN THE

The official medical providers of the St. Louis Cardinals gathered April 8 at Busch Stadium. From left: Dr. Brian Mahaffey, Dr. Jason Hand, Mercy Regional President Donn Sorensen, Dr. George Paletta and Dr. Lyndon Gross.

From 1985 to 1988, Brian Mahaffey carried one of the big bats in the Missouri State Baseball Bears lineup. Mahaffey set school records for career (42) and single-season (21) home runs. He earned three all-conference first team selections, and 2005 induction into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a three-time College Sports Information Directors of America Academic

Kenzie Williams Basketball n Sophomore

Mt. Vernon, Mo.

Williams, Missouri State’s top returning scorer, averaged 11.3 points per game a season ago and ranked ninth among freshmen in Lady Bear history with 351 total points. Additionally, the 5-foot-11 guard led Missouri State with 88 assists, made 43 three-pointers and played 32.9 minutes per game, ranked second on the squad with 58 steals, and shot 40 percent overall and 73 percent from the free-throw line.

W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

Renata Sander Swimming n Senior

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Sander shared MVC Swimmer of the Year honors in 2013 with MSU teammate Dora Kiss and Evansville’s Michelle Tipton. She earned All-MVC first-team honors for the third consecutive year and became one of the most decorated MSU swimmers in program history, winning five gold medals at the 2013 MVC Championships. She also won MSU Female Swimmer of the Year and MSU’s Junior Student-Athlete of the Year awards at the Bears All-Sports Showcase.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MERCY HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM

By Mark Stillwell

Mahaffey recently served as Missouri State’s head team physician

“I was very happy here playing baseball for the Bears,” Mahaffey said, “and when I went to medical school, my dream job was to come back here and be the Missouri State team physician.” Mahaffey, a native Springfieldian, reached that goal in 1998. He was affiliated with Mercy health-care system, and that year he began working with the Missouri State athletics training staff and Bears student-athletes in all sports. He became MSU head team physician in 2003. Mahaffey, and the Mercy sports medicine group, extended their service into professional baseball in 2005 as they started working with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Class AA team when the Springfield Cardinals began playing at Hammons Field. Mercy in St. Louis had an interest in adding a sports medicine component to its service for that area, and, Mahaffey said, “there were 550 physicians but they had no integrated orthopedics or athletics medicine practice and also didn’t have a building, so they were literally starting from scratch.” Plans are in the works for that program, and a facility in which to house it, becoming a reality in the near future. Along with talking about the new plans for Mercy in St. Louis, Mahaffey and Springfield orthopedists Dr. Rick Seagrave and Dr. Vic Wilson went to St. Louis in December and met with Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak and other ballclub officials. “We talked about how we do things in Springfield and our vision of sports

medicine, and within three weeks we had a signed contract. Our thoughts and theirs about development of the program and care of the players meshed very well.”

Pernell Joseph Track and Field n Senior

Mahaffey praises MSU; will continue to work with Bears program “Mercy, and myself personally, would not have this opportunity with the St. Louis Cardinals if it was not for our partnership with Missouri State University, our other community partners and great work by our whole staff,” Mahaffey said. “That staff includes many athletic trainers who graduated from the Missouri State

As a junior, Joseph capped a stellar indoor track campaign by earning All-MVC designation in the 60-meter dash. By season’s end, she owned Missouri State’s five-best times in the 60, including a school-record mark of 7.48 seconds at the 2013 MVC Indoor Championships. That historic mark doubled as the MVC’s second-best time of the season. Joseph was also part of the Bears’ 4x100 relay team that qualified for NCAA outdoor regionals.

Slide show

movie

Doctor of Medicine degree, 1993,

Mahaffey officially joined the Cardinals in January 2013, and was at the club’s spring training base in Jupiter, Fla., in early February, where his duties included giving physical exams to players in the Cardinals organization. “The Cardinals’ athletics training staff there has just been unbelievable,” Mahaffey said. “The players and coaches have been very welcoming and have shown a strong interest in looking for better ways to do things.” Mahaffey joins a Cardinals medical team that includes orthopedists Dr. George Paletta and Dr. Lyndon Gross as well as internist Dr. Jason Hand. Mahaffey’s duties include working as coordinator for health care for the Cardinals’ entire minor league system, which includes eight clubs in five states and the Dominican Republic. Each club has its own athletics trainer, a team physician and a strength-and-conditioning coach.

Vieux Fort, St. Lucia

Bachelor’s degree in biology, 1989,

Missouri State University

Lifelong Cardinals fan now providing team physicals

missouristatebears.com Online Exclusive

MAHAFFEY’S DEGREES

University of Missouri Columbia

(Note: Mahaffey’s wife, Sandy, is a 1988 Missouri State graduate!)

University sports medicine and athletic training program.” Jim Penkalski, MSU director of athletic medical and rehabilitation services and a member of the MSU staff since 1990, adds his perspective: “When Dr. Mahaffey came on the scene as head team physician for Missouri State athletics, his passion for sports medicine and his love for MSU were more than evident. He has been integral in helping propel MSU athlete health care to a level that most universities could only dream of. His efforts have secured a relationship with Mercy-Springfield, giving all MSU athletes quick access to the best health care around. “He is not only one of the best physicians I have had the pleasure of working with, but he is also a great teacher, and great friend.” Mahaffey will continue to work with the Missouri State program as a team physician along with Seagrave, Wilson and Dr. Landon Hough. “As a lifelong Cardinals fan,” he said, “this is more than a dream come true.” Mark Stillwell is a former sports information director for Missouri State. Now retired, Stillwell continues to write about Bears athletics in various publications.

Watch a video of Marcus Marshall and Coach Paul Lusk talking about Marshall winning MVC Freshman of the Year. W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

Marcus Marshall Basketball n Sophomore

St. Paul, Minn.

Last winter, the talented guard became just the second Bear ever to win MVC Freshman of the Year honors. Marshall joined Blake Ahearn (2004) on that elite list and later broke Ahearn’s freshman-scoring record by finishing with 368 points. Marshall, the top-scoring freshman in the MVC in 2013, was also the only freshman to be named to the Valley All-Newcomer team. He led the Bears in three-pointers (44) and knocked down 80 percent of his free throws, which ranked fifth in the league. M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

More than 20 medallions awarded at Founders Club reception The Founders Club, Missouri State University’s most prestigious organization for donors, held its annual medallion reception June 22 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Each year, medallions are awarded

to Founders Club members whose cumulative giving has reached certain levels: Founders, Platinum, Sterling, President’s, Silver and Bronze. This year, 22 new medallions were awarded to alumni, friends, businesses and organizations.

More about medallions Giving levels and more info online:

www.missouristate foundation.org/founders.htm

Fundraising efforts, practices recognized with two national awards For the third time in five years, Missouri State University won national recognition for its fundraising success from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, known as CASE.

Award notification: ‘Your institution is one of an exceptional group’ Missouri State University was the recipient of two 2013 Educational Fundraising Awards from CASE. Missouri State was selected to receive both an Overall Performance and a Sustained Excellence award. The Sustained Excellence award recognizes exemplary fundraising programs that have repeatedly won CASE Educational Fundraising Awards. Missouri State did not apply for this award; it was selected based on an analysis of fundraising data. A panel of judges selected winners based on several

factors, including a pattern of growth in total support, overall breadth in program areas, pattern of donor growth, the effect of the 12 largest gifts on total support and more. Of more than 400 colleges and universities considered, only 68 higher education institutions won an award (35 in Overall Performance and 33 in Overall Improvement). “Your institution is one of an exceptional group of colleges, universities, and independent schools recognized,” Brian Flahaven, the director of legislative, foundation and recognition programs for CASE, wrote when informing Missouri State University of its award.

MSU one of only seven schools to earn award in Sustained Excellence Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement, said Missouri State was

one of just four institutions in the United States to receive the 2013 award in Overall Performance in the CASE category of “Public Comprehensive” schools. In addition, Missouri State was one of just seven institutions in the nation to receive a 2013 Sustained Excellence in Educational Fundraising Award, a recognition based on the fact that the University received the Overall Performance award three of the last five years. “It is an honor to have Missouri State University recognized for this national award, and the entire University and our thousands of donors are to be thanked for their efforts,” said Dunn. “The fundraising success shows the generous private commitment to education and making Missouri State University a high-quality education institution of national caliber.”

Unforgettable.Unbelievable.UNMISSABLE. The first-ever MarooNation Ball is a black-tie optional event in St. Louis with amazing live entertainment, mingling, dining and dancing. When:

Evening of Nov. 2, 2013

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Where: Palladium Saint Louis, 1400 Park Place, St. Louis, Mo. About: It’s a gala for a great cause: All proceeds support future Missouri State Bears from the St. Louis area. Tickets: Individual tickets, $150; sponsorships $2,500-$5,000 Contact: Foundation@missouristate.edu or 417-836-4143

It’s Maroon spirit in black tie…don’t miss it! www.missouristatefoundation.org

Gohn Hall renovations complete, making it easier for West Plains-area students to complete degrees Gohn Hall is now the West Plains home of Missouri State Outreach The $2 million construction and renovation project, finished in May, was started in December 2011 thanks to a major gift commitment announced in September 2011. That gift came from the family that originally donated the home that became Gohn Hall: West Plains banker David Gohn and his sister, public educator Virginia Gohn Sapp of St. Louis, Mo. The home was built in 1928 by their grandparents, B.F. and Eva Arnold Wood. It was donated to the University in 2000. The recent renovations made Gohn Hall the permanent home in West Plains for Missouri State-Springfield’s growing Missouri State Outreach program, which allows students to attend MSU using interactive video classrooms and online courses, as well as traditional, face-to-face classes in the evenings or at off-campus locations. Outreach offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs on the West Plains campus. Gohn Hall now has classrooms for those degree-completion programs, as well as office space for employees affiliated with the Outreach program. Significant contributions from

the Gohn family, coupled with funds from the Springfield and West Plains campuses, made the project possible. These renovations will make it easier than ever for students in the West Plains area to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree without leaving their homes. Students can obtain an associate’s degree at Missouri State-West Plains, then complete a four-year program thanks to distance-learning technology found in Gohn Hall.

‘We believe that our parents and grandparents would be very pleased’ More than 200 area residents, dignitaries and community leaders — including members of the David Gohn family and the Virginia Gohn Sapp family — gathered May 17 for the Gohn Hall dedication and ribbon cutting. “My brother and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the West Plains campus and the continued education of future generations,” Sapp said in 2011 when the gift was announced. “We believe that our parents and grandparents would be very pleased that our family home will be incorporated into a facility where students can further their education

VICKIE DRISKELL

The eight grandchildren of West Plains banker David Gohn broke ground for the Gohn Hall renovation in December 2011. “The journey begins today of turning a home into a learning center,” he said that day. Now, Gohn Hall is fully renovated and ready for use.

VICKIE DRISKELL

The construction work on Gohn Hall had been the number-one capital priority for the campus.

Sister and brother Virginia Gohn Sapp and David Gohn cut the ribbon on Gohn Hall during a May 17 ceremony. Looking on are Peter Hofherr, (front row, left), a member of Missouri State University’s Board of Governors; Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett, (front row, right), and members of the Gohn and Sapp families.

and can obtain their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.”

Additional donations also lead to landscaping at Gohn this summer Trees, shrubbery, grass and a patio were also installed at Gohn Hall this summer thanks to donations from West Plains Bank and Trust Company and the Arch W. Shaw Foundation (Roger D. Shaw Jr. and William Shaw, trustees). The work was completed by Landscape Legends in West Plains and incorporated many of the same types of plants originally found at the home, according to Landscape Legends owner Karen Kattner. “The first time we met on the site to start the plan, David Gohn reminisced on his childhood memories and remembered the Foster hollies and magnolias,” Kattner said. “His hope was to incorporate the old traditional plants with the newer hybrids that are more size-appropriate and have abundant blooming time.”

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

MarooNation is Missouri State Alumni Association’s version of the ultimate road trip. By hosting events around the state and across the nation, the Alumni Association takes the spirit of maroon and white on the road to ensure alumni and friends stay informed, connected and involved with Missouri State University. Events are planned throughout the year.

Marshfield, Mo. A large crowd gathered May 1 at Sheila’s Place in Marshfield. Attendees heard from President Clif Smart. In addition, Art Hains — the voice of the Bears — hosted a conversation with Athletics Director Kyle Moats, Men’s Basketball Coach Paul Lusk and Women’s Basketball Coach Kellie Harper. From left: Peggy Clemons, Bill Clemons, ’58

West Plains, Mo. Missouri State-West Plains alumni and friends gathered May 2 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the West Plains campus. Attendees met University representatives, entered to win door prizes and indulged in Cajun cuisine, including a crawfish boil. From left: Kimberly Dake, Dr. Mark Dake, Dr. Tom Todd, ’79, Tracey Todd, Don Looper, ’94, Jeannie Looper, ’99

Cincinnati St. Louis Zoo On May 19, alumni and friends had two opportunities to make Missouri State connections at the St. Louis Zoo. MSU was a sponsor of the Make Tracks for the Zoo 5K, and Boomer and spirit squad members helped start the race. Inside the zoo, guests visited a MarooNation tent. From left: Kelly Richter ’07, Doug Richter ’07, MSU Director of Development Michael Whitley, ’96

W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

Dr. Gloria Galanes, dean of the College of Arts and Letters (in pink sweater), hosted a dinner June 6 at Maggiano’s Little Italy for Cincinnati-area alumni and friends. Ohio-based alumni and friends networked, caught up and learned about MSU news.

See more photos and find the next MarooNation event near you. W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

China: Beijing and Shenzhen Evanston, Ill. University representatives hosted a May 21 gathering at Prairie Moon Restaurant in Evanston, Ill. Those in attendance met students from the Inertia Dance Company based out of MSU, shared a meal and entered to win door prizes. Students there as part of the dance company included Melissa Huebner, Elizabeth Mach, Amy Vance, Caitlin Shukwit and Madalyn Foley.

Dr. Dave Meinert, associate dean for the College of Business, and Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement, visited the cities of Beijing and Shenzhen in China from May 24-26. Alumni and friends in attendance at either city’s gathering received dinner and a gift from the University. Guests also heard news about the MSU campus, had the opportunity to meet other alumni and participated in a door-prize drawing.

Kansas City: Missouri State Night at Kauffman Stadium More than 400 alumni and friends gathered June 21 at Kauffman Stadium for a pre-game tailgate before watching the Kansas City Royals take on the Chicago White Sox. MSU coaches and administrators were on hand to visit with guests. President Clif Smart with Royals owner David D. Glass, ’60

Mountain Grove, Mo. St. Louis: Missouri State Night at Busch Stadium Nearly 800 alumni and friends gathered June 1 at Busch Stadium to meet MSU coaches and administrators before watching the Cardinals play the San Francisco Giants. Attendees received T-shirts, enjoyed a buffet and watched President Clif Smart throw a pitch. This group of alumni work for St. Louis Sportservice at Busch, and helped make the pre-game gathering possible. From left: Paul Wray ’11, Kathy Hilgendorf ’05, Kimberly Pollihan ’12, Kylee Bushman ’11, Mackenzie Cline ’10

Alumni and friends in the Mountain Grove area gathered June 6 at the campus pavilion. Attendees entered to win door prizes, ate a meal and met President Clif Smart, Athletics Director Kyle Moats, Women’s Basketball Coach Kellie Harper and Men’s Basketball Coach Paul Lusk. From left: Frank Williams ’66, Mary Williams

Lebanon, Mo. Lebanon alumni and friends put on a scholarship golf tournament June 24, then gathered at the Cowan Civic Center for a dinner and silent auction where University coaches and representatives were in attendance. The day’s events raised more than $4,000 for Lebanon-area students. From left: Janis Decker, Malcolm Decker ’69, Gib Adkins ’79

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

ClassNotes 1962

Jerry Hall, BS, West Plains, Mo., a former Missouri State University board member, and his wife, Sue, were presented with the Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award at the Missouri State University-West Plains commencement ceremony. The award is given annually to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on the mission of Missouri State-West Plains.

1974

Charles Harpool, BS & MBA, is the president and CEO of Complete Computing, Inc., a networking solution and services provider based in Little Rock, Ark., where he resides. He is also the host of “The Complete Computing Show” on a Little Rock radio station and the author of “The Little Book of Planning Wisdom.”

1984

Rhonda Christopher, BS, Springfield, was promoted to senior managing advisor for the Springfield office of BKD CPAs and Advisors.

Share your good news!

1999

1993

2000

Derek (Blubaugh) Anthony, BS, a country music artist living in Keller, Texas, has released his newest single, “Cowboy Way.” The song was selected by the Dallas Cowboys to be played at all home games this season.

Robert “Skip” McQueen, BS, Leavenworth, Kan., was elected as a member of the Fort Leavenworth Retiree Council. The council supports issues for veterans in the Midwest.

Lt. Col. Michael Coleman, BA & MA, graduated from National Defense University’s College of International Security Affairs with a master’s degree in strategic security studies. Coleman will continue language training prior to returning to Afghanistan. He lives with his wife, Luanna Springman Coleman, BA ’95, in Fairfax, Va.

1990

1996

1986

To submit a Class Note: www.alumni.missouristate.edu Missouri State University Alumni Association 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897

also serves as both the Title IX coordinator and the DHR (discrimination, harassment and retaliation) administrator for Sacramento State.

William Bishop Jr., BS, Elk Grove, Calif., accepted a position at California State UniversitySacramento as the director of employment equity. Bishop

David Frenzia, BS, St. Louis, Mo., an attorney, became an associate with Armstrong Teasdale LLP in St. Louis.

Aaron Rickard, BS, Highlandville, Mo., was promoted to managing consultant at BKD CPAs and Advisors.

A company co-founded by Jill Cormier Meaux, MS, Lafayette, La., received the Small Business of the Year award from Junior Achievement of Acadiana. The company, Excelerant, specializes in individual, organizational and team leadership development.

2002

Robert Lundien, MS, Prairie Village, Kan., the counseling department chairman at Staley High School in Kansas City, Mo., was selected for the North Kansas City School District’s Culture of Excellence in Teaching Honor Cadre for 2012-13.

2003

Dr. Bradley Osborn, BSED, Derby, Kan., is an assistant professor of music theory at the University of Kansas. His current research project is a book-length study concerning meaning in the music of the English band

In Memoriam 1930s

Luella Kirby Baker, ’35 Alameda, Calif. Opal D. Grigg Lindenstruth, ’37 San Antonio Harold C. Owen, ’37 Seymour, Mo. George Frederickson, ’39 Denton, Texas Dimple Marlin Lusk, ’39 Modesto, Calif.

1940s

John Q. Hammons, ’40 Springfield Robert M. Garst, ’41 Midland, Texas Lucille Whitaker Soper, ’41 Springfield Martha Wray James, ’43 Ozark, Mo. Betty Scarborough Callaway, ’44 Springfield Leonard F. Ernstmann, ’46 Springfield

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Merilyn Morgan Montgomery, ’46 Greenfield, Mo. Lester B. Nichols Jr., ’47 Springfield Dwayne G. Blumenstock, ’49 Springfield Frank J. Reynolds, ’49 Springfield Evelyn M. Baker Wageman, ’49 Springfield

1950s

Fred M. McQueary, ’50 Springfield Mildred Denny Gollhofer, ’51 Sarcoxie, Mo. Juanita Dotson Blankenship, ’54 Springfield Janice P. Hall Barclay, ’56 Springfield Larry W. Giboney, ’56 Springfield Bill M. Williams, ’56 Springfield

Bobby G. Chastain, ’57 Springfield Elmer L. Anderson, ’58 Springfield Joyce Pease Bell, ’58 West Plains, Mo.

1960s

Terence W. Moore, ’60 Springfield George R. Rorebeck, ’65 Springfield Florene A. Dawson Harrison, ’66 Lawrenceburg, Mo.

Radiohead. Osborn writes and records music under the artist name BradleyHeartVampire.

2007

2004

Maggie Lehman, BFA, an actress, could be seen in a recent episode of “Criminal Minds.” Lehman, who lives in Valley Village, Calif., played Maya, an abused wife.

2005

Shannon O’Hagan, BS & MS, Lawrence, Kan., serves as the assistant director of international recruitment and articulation agreements at the University of Kansas.

LaTisha Canady Robinson, BS, Springfield, was awarded a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Patricia Burns, MSED, Neosho, Mo., was awarded a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Benjamin Grubb, BS, received a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law and will join Bass Law in Oklahoma City, Okla., as an associate attorney upon licensure. Grubb lives in Edmond, Okla., with his wife, Lauren Auchter Grubb, BS, ’06, and daughter, Lynlee.

2006

Sarah Wilson Merriman, MSED, Chicago, accepted a position at the University of Chicago as assistant director for housing administration, marketing and assessment.

Sharon K. Baker Murphy, ’66 Independence, Mo. Betty L. Greer Fowler, ’68 Marshfield, Mo. Joe D. Webb, ’68 Stockton, Mo. Doris J. Glen Young, ’68 Nixa, Mo. James T. Carrender Jr., ’69 Macon, Mo.

1970s

Jonna L. Tarr, ’76 Marshfield, Mo.

2008

the program advisor for the Student Organization Resource Fee.

2010

Natalie Hanrion, BS & MS, Washington D.C. metro area, is an emergency preparedness specialist/watch officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. She recently co-authored an article in the IAEM Bulletin, the newsletter of the International Association of Emergency Managers.

Dr. Jamie Hoelscher, BS & MAcc, Lake St. Louis, Mo., completed his PhD in accounting from the University of Nebraska and accepted a position at Southern Illinois University.

Kathryn Lightner Holmes, BS & MAcc, Springfield, has obtained the certified public accountant (CPA) designation. Holmes is employed by BKD CPAs and Advisors.

Veronica Munday, BS, Nixa, Mo., was awarded a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Tyler Smithson, BS, MBA & MAcc, Springfield, has obtained the certified public accountant (CPA) designation. Smithson is employed by BKD CPAs and Advisors.

Melissa Ohlfest, BS & MS, Champaign, Ill., accepted a position at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as

2011

Mark D. Wheatley, ’78 Jefferson City, Mo.

1980s

Julie L. Carter Messick, ’82 Springfield Katherine A. Bragg Glenk, ’83 Springfield Shelly K. Strick Copling, ’87 Phillipsburg, Mo. Laura M. Boughton Hiler, ’88 Mountain Grove, Mo.

1990s

Aaron Allen, BS, Lindsay Dale, BS & MAcc, and Lee Englund, BS & MAcc, have

Shirley J. DeLany, ’91 Republic, Mo. Patricia L. Harter Laney, ’91 Billings, Mo. Stanley J. Elmore, ’92 Joplin, Mo. Frank A. Tinney, ’94 Nixa, Mo. Stephen T. Smith, ’95 Oak Ridge, Tenn. Jerry D. Williams, ’96 Springfield

2000s

Russel A. Caldwell, ’03 Springfield

2010s

Cynthia M. Nagata, ’11 Springfield

Faculty/Staff

Dr. Ravindra G. Amonker, faculty emeritus Springfield Nancy Fay Howard, ’70 Springfield

been designated certified public accountants for BKD CPAs and Advisors. Allen and Englund are members of the audit department, and Dale is a member of the tax department. All three reside in Springfield. Joe Engler, BA, Jefferson City, Mo., was accepted to the public affairs master’s program at the University of Missouri. Ally Hartsfield, BS & MAcc, Caruthersville, Mo., has obtained the certified public accountant (CPA) designation. Hartsfield is employed by BKD CPAs and Advisors.

2012

Cathleen Salmon, MAcc, Springfield, has obtained the certified public accountant (CPA) designation. Salmon is employed by BKD CPAs and Advisors. Kelsie Young, BS, married Jeremiah Smith on June 8. Young serves as the graduate assistant for Missouri State’s Alumni Relations while she pursues a master’s degree. The couple resides in Springfield.

David G. King, ’71, staff emeritus Springfield Florence Ruth McKenney, faculty emeritus Springfield James E. Mentis, ’50, faculty emeritus Strafford, Mo. Dr. Carl D. Riegel, faculty Springfield Sara J. Whiteaker, ’89, staff Springfield

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

Awards given at West Plains alumni and friends picnic

VICKIE DRISKELL

The West Plains campus of Missouri State celebrated its 50th anniversary in May with a “Bayou Bash” that included the awarding of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Faculty/ Staff awards. From left: Missouri State President Clif Smart; Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dr. Tom Todd, ’79, a dentist in Mountain Grove; Distinguished Faculty/ Staff Award recipient Rita Fugate, emeritus professor of mathematics at MSU-West Plains; Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett.

DR. MONIKA FEENEY

First class graduates from School of Nurse Anesthesia

W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

The first class of the Missouri State School of Nurse Anesthesia graduated in June and included (from left) Allison McKay, Julie Roushdi, Shelby Little, Judd Winter, Savannah Clark and Jeff Peterson. Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who have graduate-level education in administering and monitoring anesthesia. This was the first class of master’s degree candidates to graduate from MSU’s School of Nurse Anesthesia; the program was formerly known as the St. John’s School of Anesthesia at Missouri State. In addition, Dr. Monika Feeney, ’04, the program’s director, was presented with the inaugural Excellence in Service Alumni Award in recognition of her efforts to ensure that the School of Nurse Anesthesia could be fully affiliated with Missouri State.

Explore Tuscany with alumni travel package Tuscany: A land of art, food, history, culture — and, in 2014, a land of Bears. Friends and alumni of Missouri State have an opportunity to explore this region in central Italy thanks to a group-travel package. The trip is scheduled for June 11-19, 2014. Excursions include exploring the medieval towns of Castellina and San Gimignano, tasting wine and olive oil at Castello di Monsanto wine estate, visiting hilltop villages and regional food producers, seeing a private cooking demonstration and spending some time on your own experiencing the food, architecture and ambiance of Florence and the surrounding area. Personal listening devices and English-speaking guides ensure you’ll get the most out of the experience. The price of about $3,000 per person includes many meals, seven nights in the town of Colle Val d’Elsa at the Palazzo San Lorenzo hotel and other amenities (does not include airfare).

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Learn more about the Tuscany package from the Alumni Association: www.alumni.missouristate.edu 417-836-5654

M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

‘You’re talking to the wrong person if you want to be discouraged’ Judge Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer uses the word “love” over and over again when talking about her profession. By Michelle S. Rose

BOB LINDER

EDUCATION Bachelor’s in history, 1973, Iowa State University Master of Science in Education, 1981, Missouri State University Juris Doctor, high honors, 1987, University of Arkansas

FAMILY Daughter, Katie, a physical medicine and rehab doctor in Springfield; married to Konrad, a physical therapist; they have a son, Callum Son, Grant, attorney in Springfield; married to Leticia; they have a son, Cruz, and a daughter, Vanessa

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HONORS AND ORGANIZATIONS Arkansas Law Review, Missouri Lawyers Weekly awards: published in ’86 - Best Appeals Court Judge, Educational committees through Southern District, 2009 Springfield school system - Honored Public Official, Women’s Past president, League of Justice Awards 2010 Women Voters Missouri Lawyers Weekly Women’s Justice Awards nominating committee, various years

In spring 2013, Missouri State magazine profiled three alumni who serve together on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, which covers 44 counties. We have since learned that a fourth person on that seven-member court is also a Bear! Judge Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer earned a master’s in education from MSU, and went on to become the first woman appointed to the Southern District appeals court. She is now the most senior judge on that court.

You originally planned to teach history. How did you go into law? I thought about going to law school after college, but I had no money. So I took a bunch of civil-service tests, and that led to a job in Mexico, Mo., at the Division of Family Services, where I investigated child abuse and neglect. I transferred with DFS to Springfield. Next, I decided to go to Missouri State for a master’s in education. Even after that degree, I kept thinking: I really want to go to law school. I taught part-time for a year at Parkview High School, but by then I had taken the LSAT and scored well enough to get in, and decided this was the time to do it! At that time, I was 32, we had two young kids, nobody knew whether I’d be a success or not — but it was something I really wanted. I started law school almost 10 years to the day after getting my bachelor’s, and graduated when I was 35. I play tennis with a woman who asked me about going to law school. She said, “I’m 50. That’s too old.” I said, “You’re talking to the wrong person if you want to be discouraged, because I’m going to tell you do it! … You will spend your years doing something you love.” So you found your passion in law. I loved law school, absolutely loved it, from the first day. When I got out of school I clerked for two years for a federal judge. Then I practiced law for about 15 years, and was a part-time municipal judge in night court — that was fun. Then I decided to apply for the Court of Appeals.

I was selected in 2001 and I still love being here.

man had committed the murder. The 18-year-old was not involved.

What was it like to be the first female judge on your court? We had judges who had never even hired a female clerk. They had never appeared in front of female judges. They had no women partners. They had no women associates in their law firms. So there was a learning curve for everyone.

You met MSU President Clif Smart in law school. What would you tell alumni about him? His brother, John, was in my section so I met Clif right away. I also played intramural sports with Clif ’s wife, Gail. I have to tell you, Gail Smart is one of the most impressive athletes you’re going to ever hope to meet! I have nothing but good to say about Clif. We knew he was really smart even back then. He’s a real straight-shooter. He’s going to do what he thinks is right. I don’t know if his sense of humor has come out at MSU — he has a really dry, hearty sense of humor! I was tickled he got the job of president, because I know he’s not just needing this as a resume-filler — he didn’t have to take that job. He cares about Missouri State and he’s going to make it the best he can make it.

Has the profession changed for women since then? Yes, in a huge way. Lawyers now have practiced with female partners or associates. They have appeared in front of female judges. This has not been a shock for them. My court now has a second female member, just within the past year. How would you explain your job? A civil or criminal case comes up on appeal, and that means someone is contesting the ruling by the trial court. We read and write most of the time. We read all the legal briefs and background of the case, and then write our opinions based on the law. We can agree or dissent with the first ruling, and with each other, in our opinions. How does your job make a difference? Every case is a story about someone’s life. I can tell you about an example of a case where an appeal changed a life. I wrote a dissent in a case in which an 18-year-old was convicted of murder, serving a life sentence. There was just something about the evidence that did not pass muster for me. The state Supreme Court said he deserved a new trial because of evidence that had not come in at the first trial. Ultimately, the prosecutor dismissed the charges. The person who had really shot the man confessed that he and another

What do you do outside work? I have played tennis with an informal group for about 35 years. I love golf. I bike, too, mostly for exercise, but a group of my tennis friends and I have done part of the RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). My favorite place to be, just for relaxing, is Table Rock Lake. How do you stay connected to Missouri State? I have lived in the Missouri State neighborhood for years, and I go to Tent Theatre and the Public Affairs Conference. And, of course, athletics. There’s a group of my tennis buddies who go to Lady Bear games. I am proud that Missouri State is our school. Various MSU athletes have tutored at Rountree Elementary, which was my family’s school. Both my kids love the Missouri State neighborhood so much that they have moved back into it.

“Gail and I have known Nancy since law school, and we have the utmost regard for her as a lawyer, as a judge and as a person. Her successful career reflects well on Missouri State University and the educational foundation she received here.” — Missouri State President Clif Smart M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

By Don Payton

A discussion of financial aid leads Don Payton to reminisce about topics from Hamlet to Homecoming, linked to the most unusual type of aid he can recall. Funny, after all this time, how often I’m reminded of things that occurred during my early years at then-SMS. For example, the University’s recent estimate that 78 percent of the current student body receives some sort of financial aid struck a resounding positive chord. Each year, according to the office of financial aid, more than $130 million is expended in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, work study or a combination of those. It wasn’t that way back when we were SMS students. Scholarships and financial aid were limited, to say the least. The G.I. Bill, of course, was a boon to

thousands. Also, the valedictorian from each high school in the then-32-county SMS district qualified for a scholarship that paid incidental fees ($21 a term) for one year. For the most part that was it, although there was a sprinkling of workstudy programs, mostly for athletes. There were no athletic scholarships yet. The college was not affiliated with the NCAA until the late 1950s. But even in “our day,” Missouri State was a bargain. And it’s good to note that it is still, especially considering that fees are lower than state and national averages, and room and board costs are among the lowest in the state. My first thought upon reading the info about student aid: “Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.” Which, in turn, reminded me of Hamlet’s most famous of all soliloquies, Dr. Virginia Craig’s unforgettable rendition of same, the derring-do of the mayor of Blue Eye (no kidding), and a most unusual example of financial aid. As I remember, an incident linking Hamlet’s “To Be or Not to Be” speech to the mayor of Blue Eye occurred Monday following Homecoming my sophomore year. During her 2 p.m. class, Craig gave us a dramatic portrayal (as was her wont) of Hamlet’s wrenching lamentation. It must have lasted 10 minutes and shifted continuously and with dramatic flair from one side of classroom A-42 to the other. That evening, a group of us were in The Standard office rehashing Homecoming, the Bears’ loss on the gridiron, the parade, and yes, Craig’s pulsating “consummation devoutly to be wished.” At that juncture, a cub reporter —

who seldom uttered a word — said if he could be anybody in the world for one day, it would be the mayor of Blue Eye. Let me explain. At that time, there was an SMS upperclassman who had a blue convertible (or was it green?). At Homecoming, he would drape a “Mayor of Blue Eye” sign on the side of his car, load the vehicle with gorgeous, screaming sorority women, and cut into the parade somewhere around the Hotel Moran, all the while cheering mightily for the Football Bears. “That,” proclaimed the cub reporter, “is a consummation devoutly to be wished...” As for an unusual example of student aid: In the mid ’50s a young SMS history prof, taking part in his first fall term registration in the field house, was engaged in the enrollment process when Dr. Walter Cralle, head of the sociology department, tapped him on the shoulder and asked: “Does your wife like turnips?” Responded the young prof: “I don’t know, why?” Replied Cralle: “There is a young man here from Wright County who’s a few dollars shy of having enough money to register. What he does have is a pickup load of turnips, which he is selling for 50 cents apiece. I put you down for six.” Years later, then-President Duane Meyer said it was the most unusual type of financial aid he’s experienced. See what happens when a mid-20thcentury graduate happens on to info about 21st-century financial aid? Don Payton, ’50, is former information services director at Missouri State University. Now retired, Payton continues to write for the University and area publications. Send him messages at Don_Payton@missouristatealumni.org.

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P U B L I C A F FA I R S

SPOTLIGHT

Online: See Laura’s photos from Cameroon. W W W. M AG A Z I N E . M I S S O U R I S TAT E . E D U

Peace Corps volunteer serves as cultural ambassador

KEVIN WHITE

Laura Kay Pearson works with children and teens in a rural area of Cameroon, learning about the African nation’s culture and sharing her American perspective.

ABOUT LAURA KAY PEARSON HOMETOWN: Springfield BACHELOR’S DEGREE: Religious studies and French, ’11 JOB TITLE: Full-time volunteer for the Peace Corps since 2011; serves as the Corps’ youth development coordinator in Diang, an eastern region of Cameroon FOREIGN LANGUAGE SHE SPEAKS: French: “I am very fluent if we’re talking about African-village French! … I definitely have an accent, and if you put me in Paris, I will not sound at all fluent among their high-level academia.” PLANS FOR THE FUTURE: “I’m sure that graduate school is somewhere along the line. I’m considering doing a third year of Peace Corps, but I would be moving into the city and I would be doing a lot more in partnership with a larger nongovernmental organization. I’m exploring the possibilities of doing long-term NGO work. My ideal would be to be based in the U.S., preferably not too terribly far from home, and then have an opportunity to go abroad intermittently.”

How did you decide to enter the Peace Corps? I heard about it when I was young, maybe 10 or 11. I come from a family that appreciates travel and discovery. My mom spent pretty much all of her 20s in Europe teaching for the Department of Defense. She graduated from Missouri State, taught for two years in small towns, then shipped out to Germany and spent seven years there. What do you do in Cameroon? I spend a lot of time hanging out with people! Peace Corps work has three goals: one, the work you are hired to do; two, helping the people in the country understand American culture; and three, bringing your knowledge about their culture back to the United States. Breaking stereotypes is probably the number-one most important role of the Peace Corps. What type of work do you do? I work in very remote areas with children whose families might not have a tradition of going to school. My first year, I did a lot of educational talks with youths about ages 12 to 14. We talked about things such as sexual and reproductive health, good communication, self-esteem and responsibility. I realized in Cameroon, the kids go in, sit, listen, copy down what’s on the board — they don’t do many discussions, critical-thinking exercises or classroom activities. A lot of my job in this second year is working with teachers and other adults in the community who are interested in learning about group work and activities that engage youth. What is your lifestyle in the village? I live in a concrete house. It’s probably not what any American would ever consider a nice house, but I’ve got a tin roof, I’ve got

walls, a concrete floor and I cook on a gas stove. There are mosquito nets to prevent malaria. We do have electricity in my village, but it’s only turned on about 30 percent of the time. If you walk two minutes out my door, you are in the forest. The Peace Corps covers all of my living expenses, and I get a stipend close to the payment of a third- or fourth-year teacher in Cameroon — the idea is, we are living life with the people the way they are living it. Probably one of the most important things I’ve learned in Peace Corps is: You can do a lot more than you think you can. It’s just a matter of habit. You think, “I can’t live without electricity or running water or heating or cooling.” I’m doing it! It’s fine. What is the most moving thing you’ve experienced? I’d say the plight of children, such as AIDS orphans. There are just too many kids and not enough people who can take care of them. Do you see that improving? I do. Young people in their teens, 20s and early 30s have a different mentality and that offers hope. They have better access to the Internet, and it’s becoming more abundantly clear to young Cameroonians that they don’t have to accept corruption or things the way they’ve always been. What’s the best thing about your job? I would say a lot of it has to do with people’s smiles. You walk down the road and easily say “bonjour” 20 times. You know the beginning of the movie “Beauty and the Beast,” where they’re saying, “Bonjour! Bonjour!”? That’s exactly what it’s like. Africans are very joyous people and that’s just contagious. So, on a day-to-day basis, I just love the people I’m around. M I S S O U R I S TAT E FA L L 2013

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Last Look

A snapshot of traditions and student life at Missouri State Decades of sharing different cultures The 1966 Ozarko was the first yearbook to officially list the Association of International Students as a social organization (though there had been previous, similar groups of other names). This image, from the ’66 Ozarko, shows a few Bears in a car with “Association of International Students” on the side. The Association of International Students is a robust group more than 45 years later, putting on cultural and social events and hosting the annual International Banquet & Show on campus. The event, usually in November, features a buffet of global foods, a fashion show, dance routines, music, skits and other performances. Anyone is welcome to attend. Want to go? See www.organizations.missouristate.edu/ais for time, date and place information and to purchase tickets!