High Tech for Student Health

Central Methodist’s safety measures – including rapid antigen testing, temperature checks, and virus-killing ionization machines – are among the most comprehensive nationwide.

CENTRAL Going High-Tech to Safeguard Student Health

As higher education stood at a Response Committee. the fourth floor of the Inman Center. In the crossroads this fall, Central Methodist Central purchased an antigen testing classroom, Central added additional sections of University rose above its peers with machine over the summer, and COVID-19 courses to reduce class sizes and technology in safety measures among the most comprehensive testing started in earnest this summer with each classroom to allow for in-seat and online nationwide. staff and faculty. Multiple rounds of testing learning simultaneously.

At the center of Central’s efforts was continued through the fall semester. Central A final and significant piece to Central’s extensive cleaning. CMU added a third-shift was one of just a handful of schools nationwide safety efforts included the purchase of several cleaning crew and relied heavily on the use of a with a universal testing program. ionization air cleaners for buildings. Drake said Protexus electrostatic spray gun for widespread Simultaneously, CMU implemented a face much discussion has occurred surrounding air sanitization. covering policy requiring students, employees, recirculation in buildings, and Global Plasma

Cleaning, however, was just one part and guests to wear face coverings indoors. Solutions’ ionization air purifiers achieve a of a six-point plan that includes COVID-19 Students and employees were provided with 99.4 percent reduction of COVID-19 in just 30 testing for all students and employees, a face masks from the university. minutes of use. covering policy, facial recognition temperature The university installed multiple facial “I can’t guarantee we’ll be COVID-free,” monitoring, virus-killing ionization machines recognition stations to monitor temperature. Drake said at the beginning of the semester. in buildings, and distancing that includes The monitors also detect whether someone is “But I can guarantee that our efforts to additional class sections and classroom wearing a face covering and reminds them of protect the health of our CMU community are technology for remote learning. our policy if they’re not wearing one. absolutely the best we can produce.

“We are doing everything we can for our Planning efforts to achieve better distancing “I think that is what families expect of us, students and our community,” said President began in the spring, Drake said, and changes along with providing a top-notch educational Roger Drake, who praised the advice he were significant in student dining, where experience that positions our students well for received from his Board of Trustees’ Pandemic Central has added a second dining area on employment and for life.”

Bronze Eagle Sculpture Marks Sacrifices, Struggles of Class of ‘20

Central Methodist University’s class of 2020 overcame unimaginable obstacles and challenges and faced disappointment with grace. Their classes moved online, their sports seasons were halted, and they went home without proper goodbyes. Even their graduation was delayed.

Yet, these courageous alumni wanted to leave a mark. They came up with a unique and fitting class gift to commemorate their struggles – a bronze eagle that now stands outside of T. Berry Smith Hall, symbolizing the class’ resilience, tenacity, and valiant spirit.

The majestic sculpture was dedicated September 13, just after graduation.

“The students wanted to do something everlasting and leave a legacy,” said Brad Dixon ‘07, dean of students.

Dixon and President Roger Drake gave credit to Taylor Rumsey ’20 and Rachel Buyck Hahn ’19, the student government president and vice president for the 201920 school year. They developed the idea for the statue after the COVID-19 pandemic forced Central to cancel an on-campus concert appearance by hip hop artist Bryce Vine. The SGA leadership proposed that the unused concert funds be applied to the statue.

President Drake loved the innovative idea and, “I approved it right away. They’ve (class of 2020) gone through so much. This will be a very special place and will help our campus forever remember what this class went through.”

Drake told the crowd at the dedication ceremony that the eagle is a perfect symbol for the class of 2020.

“All other birds seek shelter during a storm,” he said. “Only the Eagle rises above it.”

Rumsey said she hoped the sculpture would be an icon on the campus for many years to come, representing strength, bravery, and perseverance during difficult times.

“We want it to be more than just a sculpture of bronze that you can see from many places on campus,” she said. “(We want it to be) representative of the core values of CMU students.”

The 72”x57”x40” sculpture stands approximately 50 feet from the granite stone representing the class of 1920.