THE
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
M I S S O U R I
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y More than 100 years in print
Volume 108, Issue 28 | the-standard.org The Standard/The Standard Sports
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Caitlin Shukwit could be the next American ninja warrior. See page 4.
Key to the game:
Perseverance
Cal Ripken Jr. says drive and competition are keys to success in baseball and life
Photo courtesy MSU Photographic Services
University President Clif Smart sits down with Cal Ripken Jr. for a Q & A session after Ripken’s speech for Public Affairs Week in JQH Arena on April 14.
By Mike Ursery The Standard @MikeUrsery
JQH Arena resembled Camden Yards on April 14 when Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Cal Ripken Jr. made an appearance as the keynote speaker for Public Affairs Week. The theme for Ripken’s speech was “get in the game,” and he used that speech to describe principles he applied to achieve success during his career in Major League Baseball. Ripken earned the name “Iron Man” during his career after accomplishing what will be forever known in baseball lore as The Streak. He played in 2,632 consecutive games, a record once held by New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig. Ripken stood on the stage and gave a presentation on what he called “the eight elements of perseverance that make a difference.” He spoke about things such as drive and competition but emphasized that his passion for playing baseball was the main factor behind his success. “If there is one thing on this list that allowed
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It’s the love of what you do that will carry you through the tough times. — Cal Ripken Jr.
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me to break the record, it’s that I loved being a baseball player,” Ripken said. “It’s the love of what you do that will carry you through the tough times, the really bad times.” While Ripken’s speech was mainly about his experiences and lessons learned while playing baseball, he explained how the same traits could be used to strive at any life venture. One such trait he touched on was competition, and he explained that there are two forms of competition: competing against yourself and against others. “Competing against yourself requires you to take a hard look at yourself,” he said. “Analyze who you are and learn what are your strengths and your weaknesses. You also have to have the courage to practice your weaknesses out in front of everyone. I’ve found that very few people are willing to do that because when you practice your weaknesses, you expose yourself.” After Ripken finished his presentation, University President Clif Smart walked onto the stage and conducted a Q & A session with Ripken, reading questions submitted by members in the audience. u See CAL, page 10
MSU hosts agriculture honor society national convention
By Rebecca Biundo The Standard @rebeccabiundo
On April 16-18, Missouri State University held the 56th Delta Tau Alpha National Convention at the Darr Agricultural Center. DTA, an agricultural honor society, has chapters across the nation but all came together at MSU for an educational experience. The national convention brought in schools from around the country. Schools included Eastern Kentucky University, Southeast Missouri State, Abeline Christian University, Arkansas State University, Fort Hays University, Tennessee Tech University, College of the Ozarks and Central Missouri. Jessica Ratliff, a senior animal science major, served as the DTA national vice president of the midwest for the 2014-2015 year. “DTA stands for ‘dedicated to agriculture,’ and our honor society is a professional association for students involved in (agriculture) who excel as leaders and are passionate about promoting agriculture, leadership and volunteerism,” Ratliff said.
Over the three days, students attended different events like general speaker sessions, an agriculture quiz bowl and a field trip to Dr. Jason Salchow’s farm. Salchow teaches animal science at MSU and owns a family farm in the Ozarks. “The convention included a banquet with speaker Garrett Hawkins from Missouri Farm Bureau, a volunteer event with Ozarks Food Harvest and a community garden,” Ratliff said. “We took a trip to veterinarian Dr. Salchow’s farm to learn about his managing practices and unique view of agriculture.” During the banquet, several awards were given out. Morehead University won the Agriculture Quiz Bowl, while Sam Houston State University took home the Corbus Award, an award for overall chapter performance. Hawkins, the director of National Legislative Programs for Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, was this year’s keynote speaker. “Excited to be at @missouristate this evening to speak at the Delta Tau Alpha National Convention! #SHOWMEDTA #ag #MOFB,” Hawkins said via Twitter.
Photo courtesy Jessica Ratliff
Agriculture students hosted the Delta Tau Ratliff said that meeting such a diverse group of students who all share the same passion for agriculture was her favorite part of the convention. “The DTA Convention is a place where professional connections are made that I am sure I will carry with me throughout my career,” Ratliff said.
Alpha national convention April 16-18. Ratliff said this year’s convention was noteworthy due to all of the planning and hard work that went into the convention. “Hosting the convention for other colleges around the United States was a huge success thanks to the amazing Delta Tau Alpha Chapter we have here and the officer team that put it all together,” Ratliff said.