Back to Campus Guide 2023

THE STANDARD

BACK TO CAMPUS

MISSOURI

STATE UNIVERSITY

Standard staff

I T C AN BE

Fountain Day is held every spring by the Traditions Council. While the date is not yet set, the event usually occurs after the weather is consistently warm in April, to celebrate the turning on of the Hammons Fountains.

FALL 2023SPRING 2024

August

21 — Full semester and first block classes begin

25 — Last day to change full semester and first block change of schedule

September

4 — Labor Day Holiday, no classes

27 — Last day to drop or declare pass/not pass for first block

October

10 — First block classes end

11 — Mid-semester, first block final exams

12-13 — Fall Break, no classes

16 — Second block classes begin

19 — Midterm grades available

21 — Homecoming

31 — Deadline to have name listed in Fall Commencement program

November

10 — Last day to drop or declare pass/not pass for full semester

18-26 — Thanksgiving Holiday, no classes

27 — Last day to drop or declare pass/not pass for second block

December

7 — Full semester and second block classes end

8 — Dead Day, no classes

9-14 — Final exam period

15 — Fall Commencement

19 — Final grades available

January

15 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday, no classes

16 — Full semester and first block classes begin

22 — Last day to change full semester and first block change of schedule

February

19 — Presidents Day Holiday, no classes

March

7 — First block classes end 8 — Mid-semester, first block final exams

9-17 — Spring Break, no classes

18 — Second block classes begin 21 — Midterm grades available

29-31 — Spring Holiday, no classes

31 — Deadline to have name listed in Spring Commencement program

April

TBD — Fountain Day

May

2 — Full semester and second block classes end 3 — Dead Day, no classes

4-9 — Final exam period

10 — Spring Commencement

14 — Final grades available

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@moment.of.wondurr

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Discover how we can help you!

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Durr: Finding your voice in college and using it too

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to campus Bears! Whether its your first or last time — or something in between — stepping on to the Missouri State campus for the start of the fall semester, it is great to see you all flooding back to MSU, and I am delighted to welcome you all back with our Back to Campus 2023 issue.

As we begin the year, it is clear that our campus, our city, our state and even our nation are in a period of uncertainty and concern; however, I find it crucial that we take the time to recognize the effort and impact we can have at the local level, and the beautiful community we are surrounded with. No matter your relationship with Springfield and MSU, whether you’ve lived here your whole life, or you’re finding yourself in the city for the first time, I hope this issue helps you learn all about the rich and diverse world right in MSU’s back yard.

I am thrilled this issue has found its way into your hands, and I hope you enjoy every page! Our Back to Campus issue is the culmination of months of hard work from The Standard’s entire staff. I hope you find in this issue evidence of our love for our community and our dedication to making sure every individual has equal access to crucial information.

Speaking of our staff, my name is Lillian Durr, and I am the editor-in-chief of The Standard. I joined The Standard in the fall of 2020 as a columnist, before becoming a department editor in the summer of 2021. I have served as editor-in-chief since the summer of 2022, and I am thrilled to be continuing in the position this year. Along with my work as editor-in-chief, I continue to serve as a columnist, photographer and reporter. I’m also one half of our podcast “At the MSUvies,” alongside entertainment and culture editor Casey Loving. We hope you’ll join us for our third season as we discuss our love for film and television, new and old.

I am a native of the greater-Springfield area, and a senior creative writing major here at MSU, with a minor in journalism. I have a long-standing passion for writing in all forms. As editor-in-chief I’m dedicated to continuing to use my passion to diversify the information we make available at The Standard. You can expect a variety of written articles, features, columns and critiques; photographs, galleries, illustrations and graphics; along with our podcasts and terrific video content.

To stay up-to-date on all things The Standard, make sure to subscribe to our free newsletter at the-standard.org/newsletter, visit our website the-standard.org and follow us on all of our socials!

I would also like to take a moment to thank the

page designers, graphic designers, photographers, reporters, advertising team and editors who made this issue possible. Your effort is endlessly appreciated and I can’t wait to start another year with you all.

If you would like to join our wonderful staff, we welcome students of all majors, ages, levels of experience and interests. We have an assortment of positions where you can find how your passions fit into the world of journalism, and you can practice a number of professional skills. Working for The Standard is a great experience, looks wonderful on a resume, builds your portfolio and you could even win an award for your work!

If you are interested, feel free to email me at Standard@missouristate.edu and we can talk more about possible roles for you on our staff. You can also attend one of our interest meetings, held in Clay Hall — 744 E. Cherry St. — on Friday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 21 at 4 p.m; or Thursday, Aug. 24 at 4 p.m.!

Before I bore you all too long, I’ll wrap up my letter by saying one thing: thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so deeply for supporting student journalism. The Standard staff is so grateful to be able to continue the work we are doing as journalists, and I personally am incredibly thankful you have picked up this tabloid and are supporting us in this endeavor. Have a great year, Bears!

DON’T MISS YOUR FIRST FLOOR

Meet our editors!

GET INVOLVED

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Hall Council

Residence Hall Association

National Residence

Hall Honorary

Resident Assistant

Conference Assistant

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Desk Worker Facilities Assistant

Recycling Coordinator

ResNet Consultant and Developer

Graphic Designer

MAKAYLA STRICKLAND Video Editor

D@m_strickland28

Welcome back to campus, Bears! My name is Makayla Strickland and I’ll be making the leap over to broadcast editor. I am a senior broadcast journalism and Intercultural Communication major. This will be my sixth semester working with this amazing, award-winning staff.

Outside of The Standard, I am still an avid sports lover, especially basketball; go Thunder! I’m also a Chiefs fan. I got the honor of working at the NFL Draft in April and was able to see all three Lombardi trophies that they had won, so that was super neat. I’m also an associate news producer at KOLR 10/FOX 49. I started there in January and have been able to learn a multitude of things that I can apply to the content I create here.

In my final year at Missouri State and with The Standard, I hope to create fun, fresh, enjoyable content while also providing the news you need to know. With a joy for storytelling, I have spent years practicing my skills in the field of journalism and I can’t wait to translate that into video form. From my beginning days as a general assignments reporter as a freshman, to my current editorial board position, I will continue to deliver accurate and thought-provoking news, this time visually!

CASEY LOVING Editor D@CaseyMLoving

Ahoy-hoy, Missouri State Bears! I’m Casey Loving, and I will be your entertainment and culture editor for the second year in a row. That means either the people in charge think I’m doing a good job, or nobody had the heart to tell me what I’m doing wrong. Either way, thanks everyone!

I am a communication major, with minors in film, mathematics and computer science, entering my fourth and — hopefully — final year as an undergraduate here at MSU. Some of my interests include writing, film, comic books and comedy, all of which I’m sure you can guess from my work in this publication. You can find me at the campus library working as a writing consultant, another job that I adore.

I’ve spent a lot of my life since high school as a reporter for various publications. You can read my work here, you can read it on Screen Rant, you can read it on kansas.com, just don’t read it late for dinner.

Writing for The Standard has easily been one of the best decisions of my time here at MSU. I’m not afraid of sounding cliché: the memories I’ve made on-staff are a big part of what made my college years great. Having experiences and meeting people like this are, to me, just as important a part of college as getting a diploma.

I hope you read along with us this year. We try to mix the fun with the important when picking stories, and both are worthy aspects of being an active student on campus. Perhaps more so, I hope you consider joining us and working for The Standard in my last year on staff. Whether you’re a writer, a photographer, a designer or any other aspiring journalist or creative, our staff is at its best when its at its biggest and most diverse, regardless of experience. I can’t wait for another year of stories and memories; I hope you’ll join along.

Introducing the 2023-24 Editorial Board

@Jenna_Murray5

Welcome back to campus my fellow bears! Those of you who have followed The Standard for the past couple of years may recognize me as last year’s campus life editor and as a reporter two years ago. However, if you’re new to campus or new to us, hi! My name is Jenna Murray and I am a journalism major and sustainability minor earning a certificate in advocacy writing. I couldn’t be more excited to continue my role as The Standard’s campus life editor during my senior year here.

As I enter my last year at MSU, I feel I have the experience to advise those just starting their college career. The next four years of your life will go by incredibly fast. While it can be easy to wish for the constant pressure of maintaining a high GPA and getting good grades to finally stop, my advice is to not rush it. Take it all in. There’s so much more to being here than essays and tests. Get involved, make new friends and take classes that interest you. Trust me, one day you’ll look back and wish that you could be starting your very first day of college all over again.

The realization that, after being in school for 17 years, I will have to do something completely new and different is terrifying. Despite, or perhaps because of this fear, I plan to make the absolute most of my fourth and final year at this university. A big part of that is the time and effort I look forward to putting into The Standard. We have written articles, podcasts and videos constantly being shared with the student body and I hope you will take advantage of this resource to stay informed on all things Springfield, MSU and more. We are so excited to be back and I wish everyone luck this year with all their endeavors!

Hello again Bears, and welcome back to campus! If you think I look familiar, you’ve probably seen me on this very page before. My name is Makayla Malachowski, and I’m returning to The Standard’s Editorial Board as the Springfield life editor! While that part of my role has not changed, I have taken up another position within our staff recently — since January, I’ve been our advertising assistant. So, if you see some really sweet ads (which you definitely will), I was part of the team who helped get those into this tab!

Outside of The Standard, I’m coming up on my senior year as a creative writing and journalism double major. For my fellow seniors, I know graduation feels like forever away, but it’ll be here before we know it. Now is the time to make our Missouri Statement and work hard! Don’t forget to have fun while you’re at it though — it’s important to make memories while you still can.

As always, our staff is working hard to bring some amazing content to you. If you haven’t already, you can sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with the stories we publish. You can also connect with us through our many awesome podcasts on Spotify and Soundcloud, so check those out too!

We are so excited to have you back. This year is going to be the best one yet!

Howdy, my name is Kylie Colbert and I am the co-sports editor here at The Standard. I have been with The Standard since February, I think. I don’t know, I kind of just showed up at some point. I am a journalism major and a creative writing minor. I have a total of two personality traits: hockey and being bad at driving. Contrary to growing up in the Chicagoland area, my favorite NHL team is the Colorado Avalanche. I also don’t drive here since I have a bad history of keeping vehicles intact. I also struggle to keep balance being that I have actively broken my ankles a few too many times. When I am away from The Standard, I am an RA in Wells House. Another fun fact about me is that over the summer my family and I moved to the Las Vegas area — which is 19 hours away from campus, but I am excited that I get to go home to Las Vegas for winter and spring breaks! While I am still new with the staff here at The Standard, I look forward to writing and creating some amazing articles regarding our sports here at MSU. I hope to see you all in the stands cheering on our amazing athletes!

Howdy sports fans! I’m William P. Bohlen, one of two coming to you from behind the sports editor’s desk.

As the ever-wise Michael Stipe once sang, “the time to rise has been engaged, you’d better best to rearrange,” and that is quite reflective of how I feel about this coming semester. For the last two years, I have been here, felt in many ways by you, our readers, but otherwise unseen; I have performed the duties of copy-editor for the sports section for all that time, but now “the time to rise” has come.

I can’t speak any more here without saying that, truly, I come standing on the shoulders of giants – the sports editors that came before Kylie and me, Stephen Terrill and Makayla Strickland helped me so much, not just to feel worthy of this as an editor, but to make me feel so welcome in The Standard’s office.

I’m currently a junior in the anthropology department, studying and specializing in primatology and archaeology. I added a journalism minor this semester.

I’m absolutely thrilled to be here, not only becoming more involved with editing, but also taking over some reporting duties. Obviously, I love our Bears in all the sports they play, but when it comes to professionals, Boston has much of my love; in baseball, I go for the Red Sox, in hockey, the Bruins. My darling, though, is soccer (football?), and for that, I cross the pond and cheer on Manchester City in the Premier League.

On my Twitter, bear with me, Bears, I’m still learning the platform. That said, you can find our sports articles, retweets from my teams, my opinions and maybe even some anthropology news! Here’s to a great new year!

JENNA MURRAY Editor D

WILLIAM P. BOHLEN Sports Editor D@wpbohlen

KYLIE COLBERT Sports Editor D@kyliecol8

MAKAYLA MALACHOWSKI Editor Q@mxkxlo__.

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Clif Smart Welcome Bears!

PRESIDENT CLIF SMART Guest Writer

D@ClifSmart

Let me be the first to welcome you to Missouri State University for the 2023-24 school year.

Whether you’re a new or returning Bear, you have a lot to look forward to this year. Before arriving on campus, I want to fill you in on what you can expect.

I’m happy to announce that our incoming freshman class will be one of the largest in recent years. I can’t wait for them to join us in the fall.

Missouri State’s focus has continued to be developing successful students who excel academically and engage their community. Last year, more than 4,422 students graduated and are now equipped to achieve their goals. Soon that will be you.

Not only is your academic journey important, but so is your campus life. Our team has been working hard to bring new features to our university.

Catch a show

We’re excited to announce the completion of the John Goodman Amphitheatre. The new amphitheatre is located in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park north of Craig Hall. It will be used as an outdoor classroom and multi-purpose performing and fine arts stage. You can look forward to many different opportunities for enjoying the arts in our new facility.

The Broadway series at Juanita K. Hammons Hall is bringing some great performances for the 2023-24 season. Shows include:

• Come From Away

• Jesus Christ Superstar

• Mean Girls

• Shrek the Musical

• Pretty Woman: The Musical

Make plans to attend one of these shows and keep an eye out for student discounts on tickets. You can also count on concerts and shows sponsored by the Student Activities Council (SAC) and other organizations throughout the year.

Building a better campus

This spring we completed construction on the Grand Street underpass. The underpass is a pedestrian tunnel that crosses under Grand Street connecting the parking lots to the south side of campus. This tunnel is fully accessible and equipped with an elevator. It will make getting from your car to campus much easier.

A new project you will see is the renovation of and addition to Blunt Hall. Construction started this summer and will be completed in early

Vreeland & Simcoe Taking you “to new heights”

Welcome back, Bears! We hope you all had an amazing summer, and we are so excited for you all to be on campus. We are Spencer Vreeland and Elizabeth Simcoe, and we will be serving as your student body president and vice president for the 2023-2024 academic school year!

2025, while renovations to the original part of the building should be complete by early 2026.

The expansion will include building:

• Modern and well-equipped labs.

• Office suites for departments housed in the building (biology; geography, geology and planning; and chemistry and biochemistry).

• Office space for graduate students.

• Collaboration space for students and faculty. I promise it will be worth the wait.

A new college

This summer we created a new college combining the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Humanities and Public Affairs. The Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is now the third-largest college at the university. This college demonstrates our continued support of the arts and humanities, and I look forward to seeing the work of its future students.

I believe these updates and many other campus events will make your college experience memorable and set you up for success.

Keep in touch

Last update. I believe clear communication makes everything better, so I want to hear from you. If you have any ideas for events or campus improvements, please email me at president@ missouristate.edu or contact me on Twitter @ClifSmart.

We have a lot to look forward to this year.

I’m happy you chose to be a Bear, and I look forward to seeing you around campus. Go Bears!

Being in our roles, we want to give a special welcome to those of you who are attending Missouri State for the first time. Whether you are just joining us in the fall, or transferring to our university for the first time, we are delighted to have you be on our campus! As for our returning students, we are so happy to have you back to continue your academic journey. Within our roles, we hope to serve the student body through our platform!

Our theme for our administration is “To New Heights.” During our campaign period, we aspired to take campus where it hasn’t been before. The opportunity to advance Missouri State through three areas. Effective engagement, inspiring innovation and advancing leadership. Within these three areas, we have over 25 initiatives that pertain to improving the student experience.

Starting with effective engagement, we believe in reaching out to all areas of campus. We want to make sure all individuals feel like they belong on our campus. Each student brings something unique to the table, and we want to be able to help assist all students across our campus. By focusing on areas on campus that can be researched, we can best suit the needs of every student.

Next is inspiring innovation for every single student. To grow as a person, we believe that we need to have a variety of resources available to us. Therefore, we created an area which focuses on being able to help students succeed within their college career -- whether this is through academics in their major, or joining an organization in which they can advance their leadership.

Speaking of leadership, our last area is advancing leadership! Advancing leadership comes in many shapes and sizes, but our goal is to make sure that our Bears leave campus with more than just a degree. In doing so, we create new opportunities for students to succeed not only in their academics, but throughout their entire college career.

By coming to Missouri State, each student has the capability to make their voice be heard. If our platform interests you, we implore you to get involved with Student Government Association. Not only will you be surrounded by a community of people wanting to make change, but it is one of the easiest ways to get involved on campus.

Our meetings are every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Parliamentary Room – Plaster Student Union, Room 313. Your voice is one of the most powerful tools each student has, and we want you to use it! Being able to be an advocate for change is so vitally important. By joining SGA, you have the chance to create viable solutions to help make an impact to the student body.

It is the start of a new academic year, and we are excited to see how the Bears make their Missouri Statement! As your newly elected student body president and vice president, we are ready to support all of you through this journey. If you ever need anything, or just want to chat, do not hesitate to reach out to either of us Sv66s@missouristate.edu or Simcoe1013@ missouristate.edu. We want all of you to know that you are well supported so please reach out to us if you need anything! We wish you all the best in this upcoming year!

And as always, GO BEARS!

Photo by Spencer Justice Q@spence_shots

Student Body Vice President Elizabeth Simcoe, Student Body President Spencer Vreeland and SGA Chief of Staff Becca Falgout pose in front of Carrington Hall.

Submitted by Spencer Vreeland

ELIZABETH SIMCOE and SPENCER VREELAND Guest Writers

Missouri State University President Clif Smart attends the SAC-sponsored May Day festival on May 10, 2023.

Finding your place

The need-to-know for getting involved at MSU

Screenshot from missouristate.presence.io

BearLink, Missouri State University’s organization information website, visitable at missouristate.presence.io, includes a list of student organizations, as well as information on how to join an organization or start your own.

MAKAYLA MALACHOWSKI Editor Q@mxkxlo__.

Did you know that Missouri State University has over 300 student clubs and organizations to be a part of? At MSU, there’s a club for everyone. In this listicle, you’ll learn how to find a club that piques your interest as well as other ways to get involved on campus.

Navigating BearLink

The Office of Student Engagement has a website with all of the organizations and clubs on campus. Whether you’re looking for a spiritual organization, sports team or even a club to try different cereals, BearLink has got you covered.

From the BearLink website, you can type a specific club into the search bar and see what results await you. If you’re not sure which club you’re looking for, you can click through the alphabetical list to learn more about each club on campus.

Once you’ve found the right club for you, you can find contact information for the club’s leader and get started. Visit missouristate.presence.io/organizations to learn more about MSU clubs.

Where to look

If you couldn’t find anything that looked like the perfect fit on BearLink, don’t fear – there are still other chances for you to get involved with student life. Sometimes, looking for clubs to join is as simple as looking around the buildings on campus.

Almost every academic building on campus has a bulletin board for students, faculty and staff to post opportunities on. These opportunities could be events held on campus, available internships, student employment or clubs looking for new members. When you see these, jot them down in your notebook or take a picture with your phone so that you can check them out later.

Events organized for students, by students

Not interested in joining a club just yet, but looking for a way to interact with your peers? There is always something going on at MSU, including sports games, concerts and movies.

Student Activities Council, otherwise known as SAC, puts on fun events for students to take part in. Some of their past events have included De-Stress Fest before finals week, movie showings and game nights.

Getting involved off campus

While there’s a lot for students to do on campus, there are also organizations off campus that would love to have you. Volunteer Ozarks is a website that you can visit to find volunteering opportunities in the area. Whether you’re looking for something ongoing or just something to do for the day, this website can help you find your match.

Visit volunteerozarks.com for more information on local volunteer opportunities.

For those who are new to campus, finding your place can be scary. However, getting involved can open up your world to new and fun opportunities.

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PINCHING PENNIES Tips for Bears on a budget

• Use the example statistics MSU provides for costs of tuition, dining and other expenses to help shape your budget.

As the semester begins, both new and returning students may be looking at ways to prepare themselves financially for the school year ahead. Vicki Jacobson, assistant director of the Missouri State University financial aid department, and Blake Arnold, the founder of MSU’s Financial Planning Association, have some advice they would like to offer to students.

The importance of budgeting

“Budgeting is number one,” says Jacobson. She says that students often have trouble keeping track of their spending, since most rely on debit and credit cards rather than cash, which is easier to monitor. In addition, Jacobson and Arnold both say that a lack of education on personal finance may also contribute to this phenomenon. To combat this, both suggest that students try to make some form of budget, as well as keep the following in mind:

• One size doesn’t fit all. Some people prefer to create their budget with pen and paper, while others use online spreadsheets and phone apps such as Mint and EveryDollar.

• Don’t get fancy if you have never had a budget before. The most important functions of a budget are to recognize what money is coming in and out. Creating categories for your spending can be helpful, but may cause confusion if too many are made.

• Students should prioritize their necessary expenses while being mindful of spending too much on their “wants.”

• College is prime time for developing good budgeting habits. Jacobson considers college a “safe environment” to learn how to budget because there are less risks involved to learn and practice. It’s unlikely that a university will kick you out if you miss a payment date, but a landlord might not be so generous. Additionally, investing at a younger age will yield more savings in the long run. Arnold stresses the importance of understanding compound interest, which is when students “earn interest not just on your initial investment, but also on the interest you earn over time.” Compound interest takes time to build, so it’s important that students start saving as early as possible.

• Create incentives for sticking to your budget.

• Your ability to budget fluctuates over time, so don’t stress if you aren’t able to save as much money as you previously have.

• Make sure you have enough money saved that you can support yourself in case of an emergency.

• Find someone to hold you accountable for sticking to your budget.

Take initiative and learn about personal finance

Arnold said another reason students may find difficulty managing their money is because of a lack of financial literacy education. Because of this, it’s important that students take initiative to learn more about personal finance. There are many resources to learn more about personal finance, including:

• YouTube videos, from channels such as “The Money Guy Show”

• Books

• Workshops

• Online articles

Take advantage of scholarship opportunities

Scholarships are a great way to lower the cost of college and can prevent students from getting excessive student loan debt. Nonetheless, a large portion of students don’t apply for scholarships because they don’t put in the effort to search for them, or because they assume they’re not eligible. In order to maximize opportunities, it’s important to take time to look for new scholarships, and to put genuine effort into applications.

Take advantage of student discounts

MSU offers lots of free activities and events for students to participate in. These include cultural events, concerts and movie nights on campus. These activities help you meet new people, and take a break from studying. Along with this, many businesses offer student discounts, so it’s useful to make the most of your student status.

Properly handling student loans

Both Jacobson and Arnold urge that students be careful with their student loans. It’s very important that students keep track of said loans, so that they get paid off before deadlines. Additionally, students should avoid using loans for other non-college related expenses, such as a trip or new TV.

MSU Real L.I.F.E.

The Office of Student Financial Aid offers MSU Real Literacy in Financial Education, which helps students to develop skills and knowledge in personal finance, create responsible borrowing habits and assist students who are having trouble paying their loans. Real L.I.F.E. also has free resources for students on the Office of Student Financial Aid site.

MSU Career Center

Another free resource for students to utilize is the MSU Career Center. The center offers career help in areas like resume reviews, interview preparation and assistance with job searches. Additionally, they host careers throughout the school year where you can meet with employers to learn about opportunities for internships and jobs.

Campus workshops

Campus workshops are held on campus, and are hosted by speakers from local organizations and businesses. They cover money management, and various other finance related tips. These events are also a great way to network and make connections, while at MSU, with students and leaders both in your academic field.

MSU’s new financial planning program

Starting this semester, MSU students will have the opportunity to join a new program ran by the MSU Financial Planning Association. In this program, students are paired with local financial advisors to offer a free hour of financial planning services. Participants receive guidance from certified financial professionals, allowing them to answer any questions and guide students through making finance-related decisions. If interested in this opportunity, send an email to Joshua Combs, the 2023-2024 president of FPA at Joshua377@live.missouristate.edu.

Take college seriously

It’s important for students to realize that going to college is a serious investment for your future. Make sure to be present in class, complete assignments on time and strive to work your best. Build relationships with professors in your area of study, utilize tutoring/ study group options and join campus clubs and organizations. In the long run, this will help you make the most out of your time at college.

Illustration by Dorottya Faa Q@disaaky

MAVIS PARKS Reporter

WHAT’SYOURSTORY?

COMMUNICATION

MEDIA

FILMJOURNALISM

PUBLICRELATIONSINTERCULTURAL

INTERPERSONAL

CONFLICTRESOLUTION

DEBATE

SOCIO-POLITICAL STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

ORGANIZATIONAL

ANALYSIS + CRITICISM

SCREENWRITING

PRINT, WEB, & BROADCAST

FILM+TVPRODUCTION

EXPLOREOURMAJORS , MINORS , ANDCERTIFICATES!

COME JOIN THE SYNERGY AND FIND YOUR VOICE!

FILM STUDIES

ELECTRONICARTS

VIDEO STUDIES

AUDIOSTUDIES

Find your way around the FRC

JENNA MURRAY Editor D@Jenna_Murray5

The Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center is a hot spot for Missouri State University students and staff wanting to stay active. In addition to workout equipment, the Rec Center offers facilities for a variety of sports and activities.

The men’s, women’s and universal locker rooms have in-locker combination locks and are available for all members. Hair dryers and SuitMate bathing suit spinners are also found in the locker rooms.

Additionally, the rec center is home to basketball and volleyball courts, which are open-use or are available for rent by MSU departments, student organizations and off-campus groups.

Take a look at this gallery to see what other facilities the rec center has to offer the campus community.

1. The indoor rock climbing wall is over 1,000 square feet and includes a boulder and cave area, according to the MSU website. Climbing equipment is available for rent. Several events are also hosted at the rock wall, including the GLOW climb every fall semester.

1.

3. 6.5 laps around this indoor track located on the second floor is equal to one mile. The track stretches around the second floor, including the fitness center.

4. The fitness center spans two floors and is set up with cardiovascular and strength-training equipment.

5. The three studio rooms are mainly used for dance and fitness classes. BearFit classes are scheduled throughout the week and include Pilates, self-defense, Zumba and more. The studio rooms are also available for rent.

Photos by Jenna Murray Q@Jenna_Murray5

2. The aquatic center includes a recreational pool with heated water, a water-current channel, spa, sauna, and lap lanes

Meyer Library

A long-standing resource for students new and old

Throughout the library are numerous study spaces including study rooms on the second floor that can be reserved by students in twohour time slots. There are 17 small study rooms and 10 group study rooms equipped with whiteboards or interactive screens that students can airplay their computer screens to.

In the basement of the library, students can use the Testing Center to take exams that their professors assign outside of class. There are locked cubbies for students to leave their personal belongings in while they are taking their tests. The Testing Center also offers a variety of exams aside from ones assigned by professors, such as the ACT and LSAT.

The library offers access to over 200 databases that include magazines, newspapers and journal articles in print and as electronic books. On the library homepage at the MSU website, the library has a search box called Discover@MSU where students can gain access to online versions of these databases. There may be versions that can only be retrieved in person, so students can also use the interlibrary loan system. An ILL allows students to have materials found for them and available to be picked up at the Meyer Library Information Desk or scanned and electronically delivered to their email address.

There are many other great resources available to students within the library, such as the Karen Horny Special Collections and University Archives, that Dr. Grace Jackson-Brown, a library professor, recommends they take advantage of. This service provides interesting history on the Ozarks and the university.

The Duane G. Meyer Library is located at the heart of the Missouri State University campus, across from the fountain. While libraries are known for their books, Meyer Library offers many other resources that help students achieve academic success.

The Center for Learning and Writing, better known as the Bear CLAW, offers a social and collaborative learning environment. The services offered here are subject area tutoring, peer mentors and coaches, the Writing Center and Presentation Center and office hours

for study session leaders and graduate assistants. It is located on the first floor, past the front desk.

The Bear CLAW offers student-led tutoring in mathematics, science, business and economics and political science and generalist topics. Students receive these services for free and are not required to make an appointment, though appointments are offered for select courses. For more information on the services provided by the Bear CLAW, visit bearclaw.missouristate.edu.

Diana Garland, the Director of Learning Commons for the Bear CLAW, helps students find tutors for classes that are not directly offered through the Center for Learning and Writing.

“If we don’t have a tutor for a particular class, I reach out to the academic departments for help identifying a tutor to help the students,” said Garland. “Many times, students just need a little guidance with learning strategies, time management or even just using a textbook. Our tutors can guide with that process for just about any subject.”

Garland believes all students should take advantage of the services offered because it can help better their grades as well as give them a sense of belonging when meeting the other students receiving academic help.

Also on the first floor is the computer lab where students can find PC’s, Apple iMacs and printers for students to use their printer allowance.

“Tapping into these materials is not only a fun adventure, but students may discover interdisciplinary materials to add to many different class assignments, which will make their presentations and projects interesting ones that stand out for exceptional research,” said Jackson-Brown.

Jackson-Brown also encourages students to speak with a librarian for help by scheduling a research consultation or using the online chat service. The librarians are a great resource to help guide students in the right direction with their research if they are having a hard time locating credible information.

To make an appointment with the Bear CLAW, reserve study rooms, use Discover@ MSU or schedule an appointment to take a test in the Testing Center, go to libraries. missouristate.edu.

Photo by Sloane Galindo Q@slee.createsthings

JILLIAN SMITH Reporter

D @jilliansmith_16

Pictured, students utilize the second-floor space of the library to study and complete classwork. The second-floor study lounge is one of many spaces for students to study in Meyer Library, including reservable group and individual study rooms, treadmill desks and couches.

How to feel safe and secure on campus Five resources that every student should know

so can visit the Learning Diagnostic Center at Suite 502 in the Meyer Alumni Center. The clinic tests for learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders that may affect learning or other areas of daily functioning.

According to the LDC’s website, evaluations cost $400 for MSU students and $500 for nonMSU students. If necessary, students can set up a payment plan with the Bursar’s Office.

For students seeking services for their disabilities, the LDC also offers an academic support program called Project Success. Once in the program, students receive individualized assistance ranging from academic to emotional to prepare them for the transition into higher education as well as the transition to the job market later on.

University Safety

along with mental and emotional well-being, it’s important to know how to stay physically safe on campus, too. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the services provided by the Department of University Safety. To see everything they have to offer, visit their website, https://www.missouristate.edu/Safety.

You may have seen the red emergency towers with a blue light on top around campus. These are the Blue Light Telephones. If a student ever feels unsafe, they can use these to connect to a dispatcher with one press of a button. The dispatcher can use security camera footage to find the student’s location and then help based on the situation.

photo/THE STANDARD

The Transitions Closet is one of the resources offered at the Multicultural Resource Center. The closet is available for students experiencing life transitions who are in need of clothing. According to the MSU website, these transitions include, but are not limited to, transgender students changing clothing choices, international students transitioning into the U.S. and students transitioning into full-time employment.

LILIANA HAYES Reporter

D@lilidarleen

When moving away to college, one of the first things people think about is getting used to being in a new place. This includes how to feel safe when far from home.

Thankfully, Missouri State University has a variety of resources dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of every student. These resources range from counseling sessions to having someone escort a student home at night.

Emotional security is just as important as physical safety, and this list features five resources that will satisfy both.

Multicultural Resource Center

Located on the first floor of the Plaster Student Union in Suite 101, the Multicultural Resource Center aims to meet the cultural needs of students

on campus. They host events during various heritage months and run the Belong-B-Que every Welcome Weekend.

The MRC offers a resource library filled with novels, test prep books and craft supplies for projects; a transition closet where students can either donate or obtain clothes during a transition in their life; and a room of reflection for students who need a quiet place for spiritual or religious practices. Conference rooms, study rooms and an event space can also be reserved.

These resources are open to all students, no matter their cultural background. The MRC is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. To learn more, visit their website at https:// www.missouristate.edu/MulticulturalPrograms/ mostatemp-mrc.htm.

Disability Resource Center

The Disability Resource Center’s goal is to provide equal access opportunity for all college

students by providing necessary accommodations. The center is located in Suite 111 of the Duane G. Meyer Library, but many of its resources can also be accessed on the website.

To get started, students with documented disabilities must first register with the DRC either in-person or online. From there, they can request accommodations, such as more time to take tests or extensions on due dates, for specific classes.

Students can also request an interpreter, register an emotional support animal and report a barrier at the DRC. A barrier is anything that can potentially stand in the way of a disabled student’s success on campus. These could be physical barriers like an unsafe ramp or the lack of braille on a sign, or something less tangible like a barrier in the campus policies or a professor’s curriculum.

Learning Diagnostic Center

Students who want to receive accommodations but don’t have the required documentation to do

If it doesn’t seem safe to walk home at night or while alone, students can call 417-836-5509 to request a campus safety specialist to escort them. This Safe Walk service can be used for the main campus but should not be treated as an alternative for the Bear Line as it’s for emergency situations.

MSU uses a mass notification system called Missouri State Alert. In the event of an emergency or campus closure, Missouri State Alert sends a message out to students, faculty, staff and the public.

Counseling Center

Many students don’t realize that they have access to eight free counseling sessions each semester as well as four free sessions over the summer. This is thanks to the counseling center. At the first session, a clinician will develop a care plan for future sessions based on what the student’s needs are.

If the issue is interpersonal, the Counseling Center also offers couples counseling and group counseling as long as each person involved is an MSU student. Emergency and crisis services are available in person during work hours and at any time on their crisis hotline 417-836-5116 or call campus safety at 417-836-5509..

The center is located in Suite 304 of Magers Health and Wellness Center, though most appointments are conducted through Zoom. The center is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri.

To learn more, visit their website at https:// counselingcenter.missouristate.edu/.

File

61st Tent Theatre season held in John Goodman Amphitheatre

This summer’s Tent Theatre productions marked the first time the annual productions were held in the John

The new John Goodman Amphitheatre has provided a new space for Missouri State’s Tent Theatre productions. The 2023 season website dedicates the year’s “Over the Top” theme to how this new setting will elevate the program’s legacy. “This unique, shared experience transcends entertainment, touching the hearts and imaginations of performers and audiences alike, and creating a bond through music and laughter.”

Housing 350 removable seats under a shaded pavilion, this addition to the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park located north of Craig Hall is an accessible and multipurpose stage. With high-quality technological components such as the LED wall and surround sound, this immersive, donor-funded plaza hosted its first season of theatrical performances this summer.

In addition to mobility accommodations and technological advancements, the amphitheatre provides a 90-degree rotation of the stage, so audience members will sit on the north side of the “old tent” facing south, to Grand Street.

“You will see a … sharped-up way to present theater on our quad of campus” said Tent Theatre marketing director Mark Tempelton.

For the Tent Theatre’s 61st year, three “Over the Top” summer productions will be taking place at the John Goodman Amphitheatre. The

first includes the 2022 revised “Anything Goes,” which showed on June 23-24, June 26th and July 1st. The romantic comedy musical takes place on an S.S. American cruise ship where a variety of passengers help a successful businessman “win the girl of his dreams,” according to the Missouri State website.

When deciding to present this show as the season opener, Templeton said, “It is a very large musical that many people know … the late Dr. Bradley directed this show in 1994. It was a fantastic show, and we decided to bring this one back in his honor.”

According to the Missouri State website, Ken Ludwig’s “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” is a “hilarious spin on Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles.’” This fast-paced parody play has performances on July 7-8th and July 10-14th. The season closer was “The Prom,” which follows Emma, a lesbian who is banned from her high school prom. The controversy receives national coverage and the support of ill-intending Broadway stars. This LGBTQ+ musical based on a true story was staged July 21-22 and July 24-29th.

Ticket prices for the updated space stayed the same as in previous years, as standard student tickets are $22 a show, or $84 for a student season pass. More details and ticket purchase information for future MSU productions can be found at theatreanddance.missouristate.edu.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

ALYSSA FARRAR Reporter

D@MoonaBlu

Goodman Ampitheatre.

A crash course in roommate relations

Jillian Smith Reporter

D@ jilliansmith_16

Students attending Missouri State University can room with friends or a random roommate, depending on their preferences. If students choose to room with a randomly assigned roommate, Residence Life does their best to pair them with someone they share similar interests with.

Random roommates are assigned by the university’s housing software, which evaluates the students’ answers to a series of questions on the housing application, and then makes matches based on both the information the students provide and what they tell the software should be considered priority information.

Jared Grimsley, the Director of Housing Assignments, said, overall, housing assignments are made based on available spaces, application completion date, private room

interest, living-learning community preferences, building and room style preferences, roommate preferences and roommate matching questions.

Residence Life also offers a room change process that allows students to switch to a different room with new roommates if they meet a new friend or have a hard time getting along with their current roommates.

“You and your roommate may have different communication styles, which can cause conflicts if these differences are not discussed before problems arise,” said Grimsley. “It can be helpful to discuss how you plan to handle conflict and develop a plan to split the responsibilities of living together in a room or suite.”

Resident Assistants can provide roommate agreements to students with topics to discuss about living together. These roommate agreements allow students to have open communication with each other and avoid conflict.

These agreements include topics such as cleaning habits and noise level preferences because living with someone new can be challenging.

Grimsley said that when differences arise, coming to an agreement may involve compromise, so it is important to be open and flexible, yet assertive about your own preferences.

Attending floor meetings held by RAs can help students make friends with the people on their floor while also providing them with information on events that their residence hall might be hosting.

Grimsley encourages all students to get involved on campus to make friendships and take advantage of their time at MSU.

“Step outside of your comfort zone and

join a student organization; there are over 300 to choose from,” said Grimsley. “If you’re willing to put yourself out there and meet people, you will.”

If you are having trouble making friends or getting along with your roommates, speak with your RA to help you find a solution. To learn more, visit reslife.missouristate. edu.

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SAC prepares nearly 50 events for students this upcoming academic year

BLACKSTONE Reporter

Student Activities Council is a student run organization that has an active presence on campus and with the student body. With seven committees and 75 members total, the organization's goal is to promote community between students and allow for more student engagement.

The events hosted by SAC include movie nights in the Plaster Student Union, holiday and seasonal events, concerts and other events that cater to different interests.

Sophomore child and family development major Kaile Harper is a SAC executive member that works to put on a variety of events.

“We want to create new events to widen our variety of student engagement so we're hitting all criteria of what people want to see on campus,” said Harper. “We want to host fun and educational events throughout the semesters.”

Harper is the head of the After Hours Committee, which will be combined with the Campus Events Committee starting during the fall 2023 semester. The organization will drop to seven committees instead of eight due to budget cuts. The two committees put on similar events so there won't be any dramatic change.

There will still be an event roughly each week of the semester, with 48 already planned for fall 2023, according to Harper.

The budget for SAC comes from the student involvement fee that is included in students’ tuition. The number of events as well as the types of events depend on how much the organization has in the budget. This can change from year to year depending on enrollment numbers.

SAC will start recruiting at Bear Bash, where new students will have the opportunity to learn about the different organizations on campus. For the 2023 fall semester, applications will open from the beginning of the semester until the first week of September when they will start the interview process. Potential members will interview with executive members, and according to Harper, the goal is to recruit around 25 new people.

“I would describe SAC as a fun way to make friends and get involved on campus,” said Harper. “It's a wonderful organization in general, very personable, outgoing and community-based.”

Information regarding SAC events and applications to join the organization can be found @MOStateSAC on their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.

EM

Photo by Spencer Justice Q@spence_shots

Members of SAC pose for a group photo at May Day 2023, one of the organization’s largest events of the year, held on the North Mall.

Alicia Mathis Professor and esteemed researcher shares her story and advice to new Bears

Alicia Mathis’ career as a distinguished researcher and professor began in a high school biology classroom in small town Mississippi, where her instructors nurtured her love of science.

Though Mathis loved the biology class, she didn’t realize it would one day blossom into a long, successful career.

“I didn’t really know what the opportunities were,” Mathis said. “I really thought at that time, if I thought about it at all, that biology was a medical field-type of career. So, I did not think I would major in biology.”

As a first-generation college student at the University of Southern Mississippi, Mathis found her introductory biology course most fascinating when she was trying to decide what to major in. Though she was “vaguely aware” of the biological opportunities outside the medical field, she took related courses in physiology, anatomy and cell biology alongside her friends majoring in biology. Unfortunately for Mathis, she was not met with the spark of interest that she was hoping for.

Later, Mathis’ curriculum required her to take an upper level botany course in dendrology — the study of trees. She said she was surprised to find that she loved the class, especially after participating in the field trips and other aspects of the course.

By the time she graduated, Mathis was still unsure of what she wanted to do for a career. She looked to graduate school to fix her uncertainty as she began to take ecology courses. Soon after, she found a flier about an animal behavior research project, and that is where Mathis found her niche. From there, she began her research involving amphibians, reptiles and fish, because she said they were “fun to watch” and “easy to keep in the lab.”

It wasn’t until 1993, after completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Canada, where she learned about fish and how they communicate using chemicals, that Mathis came to Missouri State University. MSU is where she found her first faculty job working with small fish such as minnows and darters.

What attracted Mathis to the university was the region and its opportunities for research, along with MSU’s reputation and the quality of research at the university. As a member of the faculty, she was able to work with students in the areas of research that she was interested in, which Mathis said has been a fun experience for her and her students.

In the 30 years that Mathis has been teaching at MSU, she said the quality and quantity of research in the biology department has blossomed, especially in undergraduate research. According to Mathis, the department has an average of 50 active research projects, all with the potential for attending professional conferences and submitting to scientific publications.

Mathis said an important part of her job is encouraging students to put their research into the world.

“Oftentimes, students feel that, because they’re not very experienced, that their research must not be on that high of a level,” Mathis said. “It gives students great confidence that the research they’re doing is actually at that national and international level.”

Jade Bailey, a first year graduate student, said Mathis’ philosophy has helped her grow in her time at MSU.

Bailey, like Mathis, has a special interest in behavioral ecology. In one of her current research projects, she is working with undergraduate students to learn more about the fright responses of salamanders. When Bailey was researching a program to pursue her master’s degree with, she came across Mathis’ research with hellbenders at the St.

Louis Zoo and was immediately interested in learning from Mathis.

According to Bailey, Mathis called her upon receiving her letter of interest, and the two hit it off. It is because of Mathis’ research that Bailey came to study biology at MSU and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in it after graduating with her master’s degree.

“She’s helped me become so much more confident and independent in my scientific skills,” Bailey said. “(She has) high but reasonable expectations. She makes me want to do better and gives me motivation to push myself to see how much I’m capable of doing.”

No matter what level a new MSU student comes to the university at, Mathis says it’s especially important to start thinking of themselves as a professional or transitioning professional so that they can quickly adjust to life after college by taking on the responsibilities of the profession they’re interested in.

“As a freshman, you will be required to take introductory courses that will expose you to major subjects,” Mathis said. “Pay special attention to what you find exciting and pursue that.”

As students go through their selected program, Mathis said there should become a point where students start to think about how each course – even introductory courses – can help them with their future career. By doing this, Mathis said the transition from student to professional will be made easier, and it will make everything much more meaningful to the student.

“(Students should be thinking), ‘how is the information I’m learning in this class going to make me be a better a better professional in my field?’” Mathis said. “There is no reason why you cannot be at the top of your field with a degree from Missouri State University. Our students could compete anywhere.”

Submitted by Jade Bailey

Alicia Mathis poses for a portrait in a biology lab in Roy Blunt Hall. Mathis has worked at Missouri State University since 1993. She began working at MSU after completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Canada.

MAKAYLA MALACHOWSKI Editor Q@mxkxlo__.

Where are the departments? Your guide to finding academic HQs at MSU

As Missouri State University continues their academic realignment, with departments and programs change college affiliations, names, leadership and locations, it can be hard to know where to find the many department offices at MSU.

Currently, MSU is organized into six colleges, subdivided into schools, department and programs. Below is a list of which building their offices are located in.

Note that some departments have facilities in more than one building and may be subject to change due to the ongoing realignment and renovations.

McQueary College of Health and Human Services

• Biomedical Sciences Department (Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall)

• Communication Sciences and Disorders Department (Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall)

• Department of Kinesiology (McDonald Arena)

• Department of Occupational Therapy (O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center)

• Department of Physical Therapy (McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall)

• Department of Public Health and Sports Medicine (Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall)

• Physician Assistant Studies Department (O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center)

• Psychology Department (Hill Hall)

• School of Anesthesia (O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center)

• School of Nursing (Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall)

• School of Social Work (Pummill Hall) Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

• Art and Design Department (Brick City)

• Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film (Craig Hall)

• Department of English (Siceluff Hall)

• Department of Music (Ellis Hall)

• Department of Theatre and Dance (Craig Hall)

• History Department (Strong Hall)

• Languages, Cultures and Religions Department (Siceluff Hall)

• Political Science and Philosophy Department (Strong Hall)

• School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Strong Hall)

• School of Defense and Strategic Studies (Hunters Branch)

• Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology Department (Strong Hall)

What to know about MSU’s Bear Line shuttles

Darr College of Agriculture

• Agribusiness, Agricultural Education and Communications Department (Karls Hall)

• Animal Science Department (Karls Hall)

• Environmental Plant Science and Natural Resources Department (Karls Hall)

• Department of Hospitality Leadership (Pummill Hall)

College of Business

• Department of Finance, Economics and Risk Management (Glass Hall)

• Department of Information Technology and Cybersecurity (Glass Hall)

• Department of Management (Glass Hall)

• Department of Technology and Construction Management (Glass Hall)

• Marketing Department (Glass Hall)

• Merchandising and Fashion Design Department (Park Central Office Building)

• School of Accountancy (Glass Hall)

College of Education

• Department of Childhood Education and Family Studies (Hill Hall)

• Department of Counseling, Leadership and Special Education (Park Central Office Building)

• Department of Reading, Foundations and Technology (Hill Hall)

• Department of Secondary Education (Hill Hall)

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

• Computer Science Department (Cheek Hall)

• Cooperative Engineering Program (Robert W Plaster Free Enterprise Center)

• Department of Biology (Roy Blunt Hall)

• Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Roy Blunt Hall)

• Department of Mathematics (Cheek Hall)

• Department of Physics, Astronomy and Material Science (Kemper Hall)

• Geography, Geology and Planning (Roy Blunt Hall)

The Bear Line is Missouri State University’s shuttle service. The shuttles are funded by a small percentage of the student fees that every student pays with their tuition, which then provides Bears unlimited, free access. There are six different routes to transport students, faculty and staff around campus and the surrounding area.

The routes — Blue, Green, Purple, Gold, Orange and Red — run from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday-Friday every fall and spring semester. When classes are not in session but the university is still open, the Maroon route is used in place of the other six.

Each Bear Line operates on its own fixed schedule that can be found on the website, the PassioGO! app and the My Missouri State homepage under the “Bear Line Shuttles” card. The schedules depend on the day of the week and the time of year, so make sure you double-check your route.

On the PassioGO! app, students can watch the shuttles move in real time. There, they can see where each shuttle is headed and how long the wait time will be.

In October 2022, Transportation Services implemented a request-and-go function into the app. There are specific request-and-go locations around campus, and if a student is within range of one, a green circle will appear on the bottom right of the screen. With that button, they can request a shuttle to their location.

The Bear Lines are dedicated to being ac-

cessible. All are equipped with a ramp or lift and have designated seating areas for students with disabilities.

If you notice an issue with the accessibility of a Bear Line shuttle, you can report the barrier to the Disability Resource Center to be investigated. There are also security cameras, emergency lights and GPS tracking on the shuttles to ensure the safety of students at all times.

Screenshot from PassioGo!

LILIANA HAYES Reporter D@lilidarleen

Illustration by Dorottya Faa Q@disaaky

At the corner of National Avenue and Grand Street, Craig Hall houses facilities for the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

Religious organizations offer close-knit community to new and returning Bears

cial events.

When settling into a new home, students may turn to their religious institutions for comfort. There are several religious organizations on and around campus for students to get involved in. See just a few below.

The Vine

Second Baptist Church, located at 3111 E. Battlefield Rd., hosts an organization called The Vine. According to the website, The Vine accepts everyone looking to worship, “wherever you find yourself in life, whatever your story may be.” To get involved with The Vine, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/TheVineSGF or secondbaptist. org.

Muslim Students Association

The Muslim Students Association seeks to provide a place on campus to grow the Muslim community at MSU. MSA also features events such as lectures, panels, discussions and other so-

MSA has many goals, including representing Islam in the best manner possible for the campus community, actively engaging both Muslim and non-Muslim students in a portrayal of the message of Islam as completely and accurately as possible and sponsoring events that contribute positively to the development of Islam and Muslims on campus.

Those interested in joining MSA can do so by visiting missouristate.presence.io to contact the association leader.

Impact

Impact is an on-campus organization that focuses on fostering intercultural relationships and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. To learn more about the organization or to join, visit missouristate. presence.io/organization/impact.

Ekklesia

Ekklesia is an on-campus religious organization that works to be inclusive for all. According to the website, Ekklesia is looking for students of all religions, identities and beliefs.

“We strive to make our campus and world a

WELCOME BACK MSU STUDENTS!

From the Missouri State English Department

Thinking of English?

more just, loving and peaceful place through critical thought, prophetic action and authentic spirituality,” says their website. “We hope you’ll join the conversation!”

For the 2023-2024 school year, Ekklesia has opened a new multicultural housing unit. The home is adjacent to Taco Bell and MSU’s Scholars House. Those interested in leasing can email housing@ ekklesiamsu.org or call 573-301-0792.

Catholic Campus Ministries

Located at 847 S. Holland Ave., Catholic Campus Ministries is a Christ-centered community “dedicated to the growth and development of each student for the good of the Church and society.”

Like many other spiritual organizations for students in Springfield, CCM serves students of MSU, Drury University and Ozarks Technical Community College.

CCM was also a finalist in The Standard’s Best of MSU 2022 for Best Campus or Student Ministry and Best Student Organization. The O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, where CCM is housed, was a winner for Best Place to Worship.

Regardless of your religious values and beliefs, there is a place or organization on campus that will welcome you. We hope this brief list helps you find your community!

For those interested in forming their own organization, visit organizations.missouristate.edu/ Guide.

Club sports provide on-campus options for staying active

JENNA MURRAY Editor D@Jenna_Murray5

Water skiing, fishing and archery are just a few of the many club sports that Missouri State University students have the opportunity to be involved in.

While MSU has several official sports teams for athletes, club sports are a different avenue that students can take to stay active and be more involved.

“Being a part of a club sports team is a great way to get a mental break from your studies,” said Morgan Jung, co-president of the women’s lacrosse team. “It’s important to create a balance between completing your schoolwork and having fun.”

There are currently 17 MSU club sports teams. Some of these teams are for sports that already have official teams, including soccer and tennis. Others are for more unique sports, like ultimate

frisbee and handball. Many of these teams travel and compete against other college teams.

“If high school athletes are missing the competition and team environment that sports gave them, club sports are a great fit,” said Taylor Bell, president of the handball team.

Club sports are different from official sports teams in several ways, including rigor and time commitment.

“Club sports are different from official sports teams because they are a lot more relaxed,” said Abbie Vester, co-president of the women’s lacrosse team. “We still have games against other schools but we don’t have as many practices and everyone makes the team.”

Funding for club sports also differentiates them from official sports teams.

“Most club sports are self-funded,” Jung said. “This means that each member of the team pays dues to help fund the activities the team will do over the course of the semester or year.”

Club sports allow students to pursue their athletic interests and be a part of a team. According

The women’s intramural lacrosse team poses for a group photo. The team is one of many club sports available to students interested in college athletics, without taking part in one of MSU Athletic’s official teams.

to MSU’s club sports manual, “Club Sports focus on combining learning new skills, practicing with fellow participants, competing with other clubs, and developing leadership skills.”

Club sports are monitored by MSU Campus Recreation and the Office of Student Engagement. They are not monitored by the official athletics department and are not required to follow National Collegiate Athletic Association regulations.

Because club sports teams are considered student organizations, new teams can be created

through following the guidelines outlined by the OSE on the MSU website. The steps include meeting with the co-curricular involvement coordinator, selecting an advisor and members, creating a constitution and submitting registration paperwork.

Most club sports have presidents to contact for more information and their own social media pages, which can be found at missouristate.edu/ Recreation/RecSports/club-sports.htm.

Submitted by Abbie Vester

Rush into the semester with Fraternity and Sorority Life

MAKAYLA MALACHOWSKI Editor

Fraternities and sororities are a great place to get involved with your peers on campus. Missouri State University’s fraternities and sororities host many events throughout the school year, such as dance competitions, leadership programs and networking opportunities. Learn more about MSU’s Greek life below.

Terminology

Incoming students that are interested in joining a fraternity or sorority should become familiar with some terms that apply to Greek life. Here are a few examples from MSU’s website:

• Bid – a formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority

• Chapter – a local fraternity or sorority

• Initiation – a ritual in which a new student gains full membership to their organization

• Philanthropy – a charitable fundraiser or service project sponsored by a fraternity or sorority

• Recruitment – the mutual choice and selection process to determine fraternity or sorority membership.

File photo/THE STANDARD

How does one get involved with a fraternity or sorority at MSU? Let’s walk through the process.

Getting Involved

MSU has 18 fraternities and 12 sororities, which are part of the Interfraternity Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Fifteen of the fraternities are governed by MSU’s IFC and the other three are governed by the NPHC. Visit www.missouristate.edu/StudentEngagement/FSL/how-to-join.htm for links to join the organization of your choice and to learn more about each of the fraternities and sororities at MSU.

Why should you get involved with FSL?

Starting a new school year can be nerve-wracking, especially for freshmen. Fraternities and sororities offer a special opportunity for new students to meet peers with similar interests and get involved with the university. Those who participate in MSU’s Greek life also engage with the community by volunteering and helping those in and out of their organizations.

For those interested in joining a fraternity or sorority, visit missouristate.edu/studentengagement/fsl/ for more information.

Fraternity and Sorority Life provides many opportunities for students to show their pride in Greek Life. Students can learn more about getting involved in FSL at Fraternity and Sorority Life 101 during Welcome Weekend.

Who, what, when, where, why The lingo you need to know at MSU

eat format. The menu features traditional entrees, pizza and pasta, hamburgers and French fries, a deli, a salad bar, a dessert bar and more.”

Hammons … and Hammons

Take a few steps and you’re sure to run into the Hammons name on the MSU campus. Most notably Hammons House, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts and Hammons Student Center bear the family name. The buildings’ namesakes John Q. and Juanita K. Hammons were husband and wife who donated over $30 million to the university during their lifetime.

Notably, the Hammons name can also be found on Hammons Field — home to the Springfield Cardinals and MSU Baseball Bears — and the John Q. Hammons Fountain at the center of campus.

Bear Park North/Bear Park South

Along with the multiple flat parking lots on campus, Missouri State University offers two parking garages: Bear Park North and Bear Park South.

Located on Cherry Street, between Juanita K. Hammons Hall and Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Bear Park North is a four level structure containing 1,241 parking spaces, according to the MSU website. The lot is available for all MSU parking permit holders.

SGA

The MSU Student Government Association, or SGA, is the representative body to the university, and is made up by an executive, legislative and judicial branch. The executive branch is currently led by Student Body President Spencer Vreeland and Student Body Vice President Elizabeth Simcoe, along with Senior Class President Paige Paxton. Students interested in getting involved with SGA can become a member of the senate by applying on behalf of a student organization, as a representative-at-large or as a class representative.

GSB

Great Southern Bank Arena, referred to as some by GSB or The Bank, was formerly named JQH Arena – named after John Q. Hammons. Due to the recency of the name change, you might hear students referring to the arena by a variety of names; however, all refer to the home of the MSU basketball teams, location of semi-annual commencements and Springfield concert venue.

The North Mall

While watching the many Instagram and Twitter pages of organizations at MSU, it’s likely you’ll notice advertisements for events being held at the “North Mall.” Located just north of the PSU, between Blair-Shannon House and the Baker Bookstore, the open space is host to a variety of campus events, including the annual Maroon and White Night, during homecoming week.

New and old students at Missouri State University hear a variety of nicknames, abbreviations and titles thrown around. Find below a quick guide of need to know vocabulary for MSU students stepping onto campus for the first time.

Freddy

The residence halls at MSU have a variety of names, but few have as widely used nicknames as Freudenberger House. The hall is

located next door to the PSU and accommodates over 700 residents, according to the MSU website. Students living in Freddy may live in two or three person rooms, and each hall has a community bathroom with individual shower stalls.

Garst

While Blair-Shannon’s has the same name as the residence hall, the dining hall between Hutchens and Hammons House has its own name: Garst Dining Center. According to the MSU website, “Garst Dining Center is a cafeteria-style dining facility with an all-you-can

At the corner of Holland Avenue and Grand Street, Bear Park South is the second four level parking garage, available to yellow parking permit holders, along with green permit holders on the third and fourth floors.

The PSU

The PSU, more formally known as the Plaster Student Union, sits at the center of campus and holds several important resources. Including food vendors like Subway, Panda Express and Starbucks; a convenience store; the SGA office; the Multicultural Resource Center; and the Bear Pass Card Office, the PSU is often filled with students running errands, meeting together, eating meals and taking a break between classes.

Roy Blunt/Temple Hall

GSB is not the only building to have gotten a new name recently. The former Temple Hall, home to the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, officially became Roy Blunt Hall in December of 2022.

Hall was initially built in 1971 and named for Allen Temple, who was head of the science department for nearly forty years.

The building now bears the name of recently retired Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt. The building was renamed after Blunt who “led efforts to appropriate more than $56 million to support health, life and physical science research, teaching and facilities at MSU,” according to MSU Strategic Communications.

Illustration by Dorottya Faa Q@disaaky

Bear Pantry provides resources for Bears facing food insecurity

The Bear Pantry is a food pantry on campus for Missouri State University’s faculty and students. The Bear Pantry was created in 2019 to help students get the resources they need, including food and hygiene products.

Alex Johnson, the director for the MSU Center of Community Engagement, said the goal of the Bear Pantry is to support faculty, staff and students.

“We know that students are less likely to succeed if they don’t have access to food. In a year, we anticipate serving about 850 people,” said Johnson.

Using the Bear Pantry is easy. Students and

faculty can go directly to the Bear Pantry where they will fill out a form to register to use the pantry for the academic year. From there, students will answer questions about what products they need. The form is also located on MSU’s website under the Bear Pantry tab.

The Bear Pantry partnered with AmeriCorps in 2022. Students that are interested in becoming involved with the Bear Pantry can sign up to be a part of AmeriCorps on MSU’s website.

“AmeriCorps supports a group of leaders from a community who are dedicating a year of service to our cause,” Johnson said. “Those AmeriCorps members are primarily addressing food insecurity in the region and helping us to build the capacity of the food pantry.”

The main volunteer event is food unpacking. While partnering with the Ozarks Food Harvest, the pantry receives around 800 to 1,500 pounds of food a week. Students also help with checking expiration dates and food quality to make sure it is safe for those using the pantry to eat.

Sam Wang, a member of the Bear Pantry’s leadership team, shared his experience volunteering.

“When you volunteer with the pantry, you get a sense of how many students use the resource,” said Wang. “When we tell people that most of the food we stock will be gone by next week, they always have a wow moment.”

The Bear Pantry also relies on donations from student organizations and departments. Some common items that the pantry is always needing include milk, eggs, meat, dried beans, deodorant and laundry detergent.

The Bear Pantry is located in the basement of University Hall, north of Wells House. The pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and is closed on the weekends.

Photo by Maddie Sherman Bear Pantry workers pose for a group photo. Those interested in volunteering at the Bear Pantry can sign up through its GivePulse page.

WE WANT YOU!

FIFTY CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS TELL YOU WHY YOU SHOULD BE THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THEIR CLUB

During the spring we asked student organizations on campus why both incoming and returning Bears should join their club this fall. Fraternities and sororities, academic clubs, club sports, acapella groups and more sent in their brief pitches on why you should be the next new member of their organization!

Below are fifty responses from various clubs on campus and why you should consider them while getting involved this upcoming school year.

A Cub Bella

A Cub Bella is a group full of stellar individuals who aim to provide a strong structure for students to express themselves through vocal music and performance.

Advertising Club

No matter your year or major, learn more about advertising, creativity, and professional development with Advertising Club.

Advocacy & Alliance

We are a social and support club for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. We’re really fun, provide a lot of resources around Springfield that a lot of people don’t know about and do what we can to build you up as an individual coming into the world!

African Student Association

We aim to educate, empower, motivate and enrich the student body for the purpose of community and global unity.

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Delta Pi has brought me women who encourage me everyday and push me to become the best version of myself in the most fun and loving ways!

American Chemical Society

We offer opportunities to (legally) blow things up and light things on fire!! #chemistry

Anthropology Club

It is human to be changed.

Association for Business Information

Technology Students

Overclock your IT career with A-BITS: Learn, Compete, Win, Repeat!

Bears Better Together

If you want to engage in interfaith cooperation and learn from those of different faiths to become a better leader and citizen, this is for you!

Bears L.E.A.D.

Transitioning to college can be hard, and Bears L.E.A.D. helps new students navigate challenges like time management, study skills, building community, navigating financial aid and more!

Brass Society

Brass Society is devoted to creating a community between all brass players here at Missouri State and bringing in world renowned guest artist to further educate and inspire musicians here on campus.

Campus Garden

Our mission statement is “serve, educate, grow” and we accomplish this by holding free events and volunteer hours.

Cereal Club

It’s such a chill and relaxed environment that everyone is welcome to come hang out in!

Club Handball Team

Joining the Handball Team introduces you to a new, challenging sport, keeps you active, and gives you a group of friends that become family!

Collegiate DECA

Collegiate DECA provides so many opportunities for professional growth, networking and FUN!

Collegiate FFA

For those who are interested in continuing their time in FFA, and giving back to the next generation of agriculturalists.

Criminal Justice Society

To become educated members about the Criminal Justice System in Springfield, as well as exploring new career opportunities in this field.

Economics Club

It’s not as nerdy as it sounds.

Entertainment Management Association

We provide students with opportunities to get their foot in the door in the entertainment industry, including trips to high profile events like the Super Bowl and Final Four.

Financial Management Association

FMA is beneficial due to the opportunities that involve networking with other members and finance professionals so everyone should consider joining, regardless of your major!

Gamma Pi Alpha

Presidential Scholars should join this exclusive honors fraternity to gain valuable leadership experience, boost their resumes and socially connect to other Presidential Scholars.

Gerontology Club

Students should join Gerontology Club because aging is inevitable and it is always good to learn about and help the older adults in our community.

Kinesiology Research and Career Club

The KRC club aids Missouri State students within the Kinesiology department in exploring career prospects, developing research projects and enhancing resumes and applications.

Lambda Pi Eta

Lambda Pi Eta is the National Communication Association’s official honors society, the organization provides students with the opportunity to learn more about scholarship in communication, careers after graduation and connect with other communication students.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management Organization

To learn about the highest growth field of business.

Lutheran Student Center

We have a campus ministry that inspires our members to become more engaged in their relationship with the Lord, connect with Christian peers and become involved within the Springfield community.

Missouri State Women in Construction

Our organization promotes and supports the inclusion of women in the construction industry.

Missouri State Women’s Club Soccer Team

Joining the MSU Women’s Club Soccer Team is a great way to compete and stay in the game in a non stressful, fun environment!

MO State Dance Co.

Students should join MO State Dance Co. because we offer a welcoming environment for people of all skill levels to pursue dance in a fun and casual setting.

MO State French Club

Everyone is welcome to join French Club, no knowledge of French required; go beyond the Eiffel Tower and learn what the subtitles are really saying!

MSU Clarinet Society

On top of musical growth you will experience whilst in this organization, you will join a clarinet family and community where everyone is loved, accepted and encouraged to be the best you can.

MSU Habitat for Humanity Student Chapter

Our organization works with Habitat for Humanity to build housing for low-income families in our community, so if you need volunteer hours, love construction projects or just want to support your community, join us!

Workers at the Campus Gardens move soil to prepare for spring planting. Located on the south side of the MSU Grand Street parking lots, the garden’s produce is donated to the Bear Pantry when harvested.

Photo by Maddie Sherman Q@mrs_artstudio

National Student Speech Language

Hearing Association

Students should join NSSLHA to build connections within the career fields of speech-language pathology and audiology!

Panhellenic Association

I think students should join Panhellenic chapters to find a community that provides leadership, a sense of belonging and an oppor-

tunity to enhance their college and academic experience at Missouri State University.

Phi Gamma Delta

Students should join Phi Gamma Delta because, we have a great group of guys that come from all walks of life, and they are always ready to support each other.

Phi Sigma Pi

We are a gender inclusive national honors fraternity dedicated to lifelong learning, inspiring members to be leaders and most importantly cultivating long lasting friendships in the process!

Pi Kappa Phi

Pi Kappa Phi will grow you as an individual and give you lifelong friendships and connections if you’re willing to put the effort into it.

Pre-Veterinary Club

If students want to learn more about veterinary medicine, how to prepare for veterinary school, and gain experience by learning from veterinarians and working animals, they should join pre-vet club!

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Our fraternity builds off campus and community involvement as well as academic success with the help of faculty from Missouri State.

Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society

Help us spread our love of literature! Join us for professional development opportunities, community impact projects and more, all while having a fun time and connecting with other students passionate about English.

Sketch Comedy Club

We’re just a group of friends trying to make each other laugh.

Social Work Club

Social work club works by providing volunteer opportunities as well as advocacy, impactful community changes and social justice for not only Missouri State students but for the community.

Sound Bearrier

Women making a difference through music and friendship!

Student Dietetic Association

The Student Dietetic Association is for students who want to connect with other students, learn more about nutrition and network with nutrition professionals in the community (not to mention try some yummy snacks at meetings)!

Students for a Sustainable Future

Our goal is to educate students about sustainability and to make MSU more sustainable!

The Beartones

The Beartones is an acapella group that provides students with a creative outlet for singing through performances, competitions and tours around the area, all while bonding through expression together.

The Standard

No matter your major or level of experience, come learn and grow alongside a staff of wonderfully talented writers, videographers, illustrators, photographers and editors!

The Vine

A loving and supportive community is essential in college, and The Vine is excited and ready to welcome you in and equip you to further your relationship with Christ!

Traditions Council

The goal of Traditions Council is to connect students to all that MSU and the Springfield area has to offer, so this organization is great for students looking to get involved and become aware of what’s happening around campus!

University Ambassadors

University Ambassadors is both a student organization and an on-campus job, so you can get paid while showing off your Missouri State pride by giving campus tours to prospective students!

Photo by Casey Loving D@CaseyMLoving

Members of The Beartones celebrate after placing second at the ICCA Midwest Quarterfinals in February.

Bohlen: In elections big and small, student votes matter

Making the most of your voice at the local level

WILLIAM P. BOHLEN Sports Editor

D@wpbohlen

As new and returning students march onto campus this August, some are coming from across the country or the world, while some are simply moving from across the city. For those who live here, Springfield is home, and for many it is the only one they have ever known. For others, it is just the place they go to school. However, no students time in Springfield is insignificant.

Thousands of students from out of town will live here, under Greene County and Missouri laws, work in Greene County and pay taxes to Missouri for between eight and ten months of the year. For as much time as students spend in Springfield, they deserve a voice in matters directly affecting them.

Yet despite this factor, the voter turnout is historically low in Springfield. Consistently, only 13 to 17 percent of eligible voters have voted in local elections. This is one of the leading motivators behind the Missouri State University initiative Paws to the Polls.

Paws to the Polls was formed in 2020 by professor of anthropology, Dr. Suzanne Walker-Pacheco, with a goal of making students and community members aware of local election matters.

“We are … making sure that everybody knows what they need to do to vote, to be registered to vote and to be prepared to vote.” Walker-Pacheco said.

As noted on the organization’s website, one of their methods of outreach to the student body is through classroom presentations, — often in First-Year Foundations courses and other general education classes. It was through a presentation such as this that I was first exposed to Paws to the Polls.

I had never been particularly interested in politics, seeing the entire concept as something of a necessary evil; that is, something we needed because we had not yet found a better solution to keeping society together. I gave very little attention to the local elections, because information about them was just so hard to find.

In my first semester of college, I enrolled in an anthropology course with Walker-Pacheco, and she devoted part of a class session to explaining the voter initiative to us. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I soon realized that it could be an answer to guilt towards not being more involved in my community.

According to Walker-Pacheco, my problem of a lack of information regarding local elections was a common one, along with misinformation

on the importance of local elections and poor communication around when and where they happen.

“People just don’t realize how important local elections are, and sometimes people don’t even know there is an election coming up,” she said. “The assumption is, by a lot of people, that it’s federal elections that seem to count because that gets the most press … but the truth is, on a dayto-day basis, frequently we’re more affected by who’s on our School Board and who’s on our City Council.”

Walker-Pacheco said this is because of what local governments actually do, and while they may not have the gravitas of the federal government, they do have the power to affect what our children learn in schools, to monitor and affect the quality and safety of our roads and protect other local interests.

“They’re the ones that we’re going to reach out to, sometimes if we have trouble, even with something like getting a birth certificate or something along those lines. They can, and are supposed to, be available to help us with those sorts of issues as well,” said Walker-Pacheco.

Graduate assistant to Paws to the Polls, Zion Riffe-Stevens attributed low turnout to the disillusionment younger people seem to be feeling with the politics of the United States.

“There is a perception that ‘my vote doesn’t matter’ yet around 15% of Springfield just decided the future of the city,” Riffe-Stevens said. “A vote does matter, especially when voter turnout is so small.”

In Spring of 2023, I finally joined Paws, not long before the February 27th candidate forum for Springfield mayoral and city council candidates

Not long after, I tabled with Paws at the April 4th Municipal Election, which Paws seeks to do whenever elections are held in Springfield, since the central polling place for the city is the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center on campus.

Though I have only been directly involved in Paws to the Polls for a semester, I have felt a great deal of satisfaction and fulfillment with the work I have been able to do. In addition to helping with the candidate forum and tabling, I have helped edit and deliver voter guides, which include nonpartisan sources and, during select elections questions and answers from local candidates.

In April, I was also able to join members of Paws on a trip to Jefferson City to show our support for bills like Missouri House Bill 219 and Missouri House Bill 248, which respectively seek to re-allow university IDs as a valid form of photo identification at polling places and to allow people on probation or parole to vote. We also

went to oppose bills like Missouri House Bill 333, aiming to require recording and live streaming of vote-counting, and Missouri House Bill 31 which would require Missouri Voters to register with a given party to vote in the primaries.

University IDs, like our BearPass, used to be valid photo IDs for voting, but in 2022, a section was added to Missouri House Bill 1878 that removed them as an option. Early debates around this were what prompted Paws to the Polls to take their paws to Jefferson City, said Walker-Pacheco.

“Most people were in agreement with [allowing university IDs to vote], but when the bill finally passed, the bill was actually 58 pages long and included a lot of provisions and not everybody that voted for the bill necessarily would have been in agreement with everything that was in the bill … so some bills get read more thoroughly than others, depending on their length.” Said Walker-Pacheco.

By not allowing students to use their university IDs, only students who have Missouri driver’s licenses or passports are able to vote, both of which can be difficult and costly to obtain. A student could unregister in their home state and get a Missouri ID, but what if they want to move home after college?

Junior anthropology student Isabella Rossi was among the student body affected by the decision. “I study, work and live here just like every other MSU student,” said Rossi. “My Colorado

ID does not mean that my life is unaffected by local elections, yet it keeps my voice unheard.”

It was also the ability to advocate for other people that attracted me to the initiative. It can feel quite difficult to have one’s voice heard or to make any meaningful change happen, but by registering students to vote, providing material to educate, speaking with legislators in person and voting, we are dramatically increasing the chance that change actually comes.

I am not alone in feeling this way. Newly elected Paws secretary Sam Wang, a student who became involved in Paws after the initiative helped him register to vote, said, “I think as a voter [Paws to the Polls] has helped me become more educated on issues but it’s also allowed me to advocate for others and inform and educate others about issues and just encouraging those to get involved.”

As new and returning students march onto campus this August, and several states, including Missouri, continue to deliberate over LGBTQIA+ issues, women’s reproductive rights, taxation, DEI initiatives and other issues impacting students, I ruminate on some questions. When will we all decide to get involved? When will we start electing local officials who represent who we actually are? When will we as youth and students realize we have the numbers to cause change?

Politicians whose names we all know, who we see on the news and either love or hate, got their start at local levels. If we want to change Washington, we must act locally first.

Members of Paws to the Polls pose on the steps of the Capitol building in Jefferson City, Missouri, during a trip to the capitol. Members of the group visited the Capitol in April of 2023 to show their support for higher-education related legislation.

Submitted by Paws to the Polls

Art exhibitions on campus provide opportunity for student artists

paintings (from that series) that was featured in last spring’s exhibition,” Aulbach said. “I started working on it last fall as I took an independent study class with Amanda Smith … I wanted to explore concepts of how we perceive the act of looking, and I have a fascination with warping perspectives so that they’re not entirely linear.”

Elliot Wheat, a senior with a major in computer animation, was included in the juried exhibition last spring.

“I’ve worked at the gallery for three years, so understanding some of the background behind building a full exhibition made the application process a lot easier,” said Wheat. “I filled out a form, sent in some pictures and then waited for an email response . The whole process felt very easy and streamlined to me.”

Aulbach and Wheat both said there were part of the submission process they felt could be improved.

tle more, but from the outside, I understand how that long wait can be difficult for other people,” Wheat said. “Additionally, there was an exhibition that I applied for with a five-page comic as a sequential art piece, but they didn’t end up having a sequential art category included, which was kind of a bummer for me.”

Wheat and Aulbach also offered advice for student artists interested in exhibiting their work.

Throughout the year, Missouri State University hosts numerous art exhibitions, providing artists on campus a place to showcase their works, and the chance to win awards. Exhibitions are usually set up within Brick City Galleries or in the Robert and Margaret

Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, but can also be set up in other locations, like the atrium of the Plaster Student Union and along the First Friday Art Walk trail.

Ellen Aulbach, a senior with a major in painting, spoke about her experiences exhibiting her past works and her preparation for an upcoming exhibition.

“I’m currently working on a body of work for my senior exhibition that is about my grandfather’s house, and I had one of my

“I think that it would be really interesting if (MSU) had students submit artist statements or bios to go along with their work,” Aulbach said. “When people looked at the art, they’d be able to have a little bit more insight into the art they would be viewing and the background behind it.”

“I remember the waiting game for a response was a little long and a little grueling. However, since I worked at the gallery, I understood the background processes a lit-

“I feel like a lot of people are really hard on themselves, thinking ‘this will never make it’, and you just gotta submit it and hope for the best, and you’ll usually be surprised,” Wheat said. “I feel like taking that first step and submitting your artwork is a very important one to take to make sure it gets seen. I also feel like the word needs to be spread about (the juried exhibition), because I feel like not a lot of people know about it and don’t get to take advantage of that opportunity, it’s totally free, and you can sometimes get cash rewards.”

“A lot of times, when students are turned down, it’s not because their work is bad, it’s just that they have so many other pieces that they wanted to include, they don’t have enough space to add any more,” Aulbach said. “Students who got their work in are very lucky … if you get turned down, always reapply for more exhibitions, at the university and elsewhere.”

Photo by Morgan Shearhart

Vanessa Lockhart’s senior project F*#&!ng Crybaby, was displayed in spring of 2023, featuring linocuts and screenprinted pieces. The piece was shown at the BFA in Art Senior Exhibition, in the Brick City Gallery.

TRADITION, INNOVATION AND WISDOM

MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY PREPARES FOR ANNUAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief Q@lillian_durr_art

Every fall, Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Conference recognizes the public affairs mission of MSU. Along with celebrating the mission’s three pillars — ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement — the conference is formed around the year’s public affairs theme.

According to the MSU website, the 2023 conference is exploring the theme “Navigating the Now: Tradition, Innovation and Wisdom in a World of Change.” The conference will be held Sept. 26-28, and includes a variety of in-person and virtual speakers and panels discussing this year’s theme, including keynote speaker Joe Montana.

Montana is a four time Superbowl Champion Quarterback, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, according to the MSU website.

“From the lectern, Montana now brings lessons of preparation, teamwork and performance under pressure to business audiences as a popular motivational speaker,” says the website. “In September 2005, Montana released his second book, ‘The Winning Spirit: 16 Timeless Principles That Drive Performance Excellence.’”

His presenter bio on the university website’s public affairs page emphasizes Montana not only as a player and winner, but as a

leader during his time in and out of sports.

Montana will be opening the conference on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. The keynote address is an in-person only event.

The conference will also welcome four plenary speakers: educator, organizer,writer and public intellectual Shay-Akil McClean; NPR Science Desk Correspondent Yuki Noguchi, ILL-Abilities Founder Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli; and LA Central Podcasts audio and video producer and broadcast journalist Diego Senior. McClean and Noguchi will speak live in the PSU Theater on Sept. 27 and 28 respectively, while Patuelli and Senior’s speeches will be available as live virtual events on Sept 28 and 27 respectively. Along with Patuelli’s speech, the ILL-Abilities International Dance Crew will perform on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in the PSU Theater.

Over a dozen presenters will also be included in the conference program, including improviser, artist educator and writer for the Emmy award winning “A Black Lady Sketch Show” Alrinthea Carter; CEO of Society for Public Health Education, William Datema; and writer, documentary researcher and social media storyteller, Mai Perkins.

All conference events are free of charge, require no registration and are open to the public. To view a complete conference schedule and more information on MSU’s public affairs conference, visit publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/2023.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

Physical public affairs pillars stand on the Missouri State Campus between Blair-Shannon House and the Magers Health and Wellness Center.

REMEMBER

These essential items when you leave for class on your first day

HEY MSU LOOKINGSTUDENTS! FOR A FULL-TIME WORK OPPORTUNITY?

We’re currently looking for an IT Business Development Representative in the Springfield Market. This position is sometimes known as a hunter. We’re looking for someone who can meet contacts at professional networking events and make some connections in the community we serve.

The individual will have a chance to learn about our technology solutions and meet and greet prospects for these solutions. They will be backed up by members of our dedicated sales and service teams and the subject matter experts. This is a great learning opportunity for someone who can hit the ground running.

Interested?

Head to www.sumnerone.com/about/careers > View Job Postings > and search for the IT Business Development representative job description OR contact us via email: ebrooks@sumnerone.com

Illustration by Dorottya Faa Q@disaaky

Roy Blunt Hall undergoes

following renaming

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief Q@lillian_durr_art

On December 16, 2022, Missouri State University held a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation and addition of Roy Blunt Hall. The event was attended by Sen. Roy Blunt and Gov. Mike Parson.

The event marked the beginning of a multiphased renovation/addition to Roy Blunt Hall which allows “the advancement of sciences for decades to come,” according to the project description on Construction Journal’s website.

Following the groundbreaking, phase one of the project has begun.

“The first phase will comprise a building addition on the northeast corner of the building to house research laboratories,” according to the description.

According to the Missouri State website phase one should be completed during the fall 2024 semester and cost $80 million.

Phase two will then provide “a backfill renovation to the existing building,” said the project description.

Together the project will add 77,000 sq. feet and renovate the existing 126,000 sq. feet.

The project will target a series of goals including reducing safety concerns caused by the building’s eight entrances.

“This new addition should help pull students into the building with a new main entry and minimal secondary entrances,” said the project

description.

The public notification of the construction said the removal of existing landscaping and hardscaping at the northeast corner of Roy Blunt Hall will be required for the project’s completion.

The design of the renovation and addition is being led by BNIM, an architecture firm based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Photos by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

Roy Blunt Hall was named after the former United States Senator in recognition of his efforts to appropriate more than $56 million for health, life and physical science facilities at Missouri State University. The removal or alteration of parts of the north and east sides of the building will also be required for the project’s completion.

Local festivals offer students a way to connect to Springfield

WILLIAM P. BOHLEN Sports Editor D@wpbohlen

Whether in-state or out-of-state, community involvement cannot be overlooked by students, especially freshmen. This may seem daunting at first, but one of the best ways students can achieve this connection is by attending any of the multiple festivals that will be held in Springfield this fall.

Japanese Fall Festival

Hosted at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, an offshoot of the Nathanael Greene Park, the festival is a celebration of Japanese culture and Springfield’s connection to Japan. Springfield is sister cities with Isesaki, Japan, and they have been since 1986.

There will be observational and interactive demonstrations as well as vendors selling souvenirs, snacks and other concessions. The festival will run the weekend of Sept. 8-10, from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Different days have different priced tickets. For more information, visit peacethroughpeople.org/events/japanese -fall-festival.

MO Food Truck Fest

Food trucks are becoming much more common in Springfield, as the market for them grows. In a celebration of food trucks, the 9th annual MO Food Truck Fest will take place at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 16. The festival will feature several cultures, represented by the vendors present, and live music.

Admittance and parking are free, since visitors will pay for food and drink at the trucks they choose to visit. Visitors can come and go or stay the entire length of the festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Coolers and other such outside food and drink are not permitted, but the event hosts encourage visitors to bring lawn chairs or blankets. To learn more visit mofoodtruckfest.wordpress.com.

Cider Days

Perhaps the most well-known festival on this list, Cider Days has been a Springfield staple for 25 years. Celebrated along Historic Walnut Street on the edge of downtown, just a few blocks north of campus, local artists, food vendors, craft vendors and musicians will be present at this autumn-themed festival held the weekend of Sept. 16 and 17.

Living up to the name, visitors can buy apple cider as either a hot or a cold beverage

File photo/THE STANDARD

Cider Days is one of two festivals hosted annually on Historic Walnut Street. The festival welcomes artists and craftspeople of all kinds. The 2023 festival will take place on Sept. 16 and 17.

– consider the weather when making a decision! Tickets to attend can be purchased online or at the front gate for $5. To learn more visit, itsalldowntown.com/ciderdays.

Pets and Pumpkins Family Festival

Nearing the Halloween season, this dog-friendly costume party/festival will take place on Park Central Square in the middle of downtown on Saturday, Oct. 21. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This festival is advertised as one of the largest costume festivals in the state, and hosts a contest as part of its events.

Tickets are $2 for both pets and people, which allows visitors complete access to activities. Proceeds go entirely to local organizations helping children and animals. To learn more visit itsalldowntown.com/calendar/ pets-and-pumpkins-family-festival-2023.

Welcome Weekend

Brings new Bears together to start the year off right

ALLIE FREE Reporter

Welcome Weekend provides many opportunities for new and returning students alike to connect with the MSU campus

Here’s a list of notable events scheduled for Welcome Week 2023:

Movie on the Mall: Shrek 2

Aug. 17, 8 p.m., North Mall (Rain location: Plaster Student Union Theater)

Student Activities Council will provide free popcorn for this outdoor movie screening. Bring a blanket, and catch this DreamWorks classic!

President’s Dessert Reception for New Families

Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m., Davis-Harrington Welcome Center

Hosted by MSU President Clif Smart and his wife Gail, this reception allows students and their parents to visit with campus administrators and staff while sampling desserts from

Missouri State Catering. The RSVP form can be accessed at missouristate.edu/BearsFamilies/ welcomeweekendfamily2022.htm.

Playfair and 2027 Class Photo

Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Plaster Sports Complex (Rain location: Hammons Student Center)

Members of the class of 2027 will participate in large-scale team building activities and take their class photo.

Rally in the Valley

Aug. 18, 8 p.m., Plaster Sports Complex

A traditional pep rally to get new students into the Missouri State spirit, with live music, yard games and free snacks.

Bear Bash

Aug. 19, 8 to 11:00 p.m., North Mall and Plaster Student Union Dubbed “the biggest back to school party on campus” by the Missouri State calendar,

While students settle in to the residence halls, there are a multitude of events planned for Welcome Weekend to get new Bears involved on campus.

Bear Bash will have a hypnotist, a mechanical bull, dueling pianos, carnival games, an obstacle course and many more stations with free items for students.

New Student Convocation

Aug. 20, 2 p.m., Great Southern Bank Arena

A mandatory event for freshmen living on campus, this official welcome ceremony’s guest speaker will be MSU alumna and efactory Assistant Director Paige Oxendine. University President Clif Smart will also speak to students at the event.

Belong-B-Que

Aug. 20, 5 to 7 p.m., Freddy House Courtyard (Rain location: Foster Recreation Center)

This free barbecue, organized by the Office of Multicultural Programs, provides students a way to learn about diverse groups on campus and watch live dance performances from numerous student organizations.

To view a full calendar of events during this year’s Welcome Weekend festivities, visit missouristate.edu/Welcome.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

The college student’s guide to Springfield food trucks

Sweet treats, street tacos, drinks and more, all on wheels

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief

Q@lillian_durr_art

Along with a host of stationary restaurants, Springfield is home to dozens of food trucks,

some of which are within miles of the Missouri State campus. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat, a savory snack or a delicious meal, Springfield has the food truck for you; however, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to look.

For students looking for food trucks to try,

driving down any road in Springfield you’re sure to notice a few. For those looking for a more solid starting point, the gallery below includes just a few of the options around town for those looking to get started on their tasty food truck adventure.

At 1535 E Battlefield Rd. in the Old Time Pottery parking lot is Fizz Sipsn-Sweets. The truck offerings include gourmet sodas, cream lemonades and sweet treats like cookie dough, pretzel bites and ice cream.

Just a few feet away from Fizz Sips-nSweets in the Old Time Pottery parking lot is Pedro’s Taco Truck. Pedro’s serves a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine, including the street tacos pictured above, which are served with your choice of meat on corn tortillas with cilantro, onion and salsa. Pedro’s and Fizz Sips-n-Sweets also share the lot with fellow food trucks Xurros and 3rabiana.

Located at 3867 S Campbell Ave., Swirly’s Ice Cream & Waffles offers a variety of signature ice cream flavors, bubble waffles and drinks. Pictured above, the truck’s signature swirly “The Starting Quarterback” is vanilla ice cream with Reese’s Puffs, Butterfinger, Banana and Peanut Butter Drizzle. Customers can also create their own mix by ordering “The Hipster” and selecting from Swirly’s many mix-ins.

Located near campus at the corner of Kimbrough Avenue and Elm Street is Gooey’s Grilled Cheese. The truck has a menu of unique grilled cheese sandwiches, like the rainbow grilled cheese pictured above, with mozzarella cheese on sourdough bread.

At the corner of Bennett Street and Glenstone Avenue is El Ranchito Sabores de Mexico, with a menu including tacos, tortas, quesadillas and asada fries, orderable with a variety of meats. El Ranchito Sabores de Mexico shares the space with Casa Kasina, a food truck serving Filipino cuisine.

Located in Metro Eats at 2463 W. Sunshine St., alongside Mama G’s Kitchen and El Salvador Pupuseria y Más, Lovecraft Farms offers a variety of coffees and kombuchas.

Grand Street Underpass project completion restores full access to Art Annex

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief

While the Grand Street Underpass — which connects Missouri State University parking lots 22 and 24 to campus facilities north of Grand Street through an underground tunnel — was officially reopened in May, work on the project continued this summer.

According to University Architect and Director of Planning, Design and Construction Mark Wheeler, work on cosmetic upgrades within the tunnel, new signage and the placement of handrails on the Art Annex’s southern stoop were all completed before the start of the fall semester.

Sewer improvements in the area also took place during the summer, according to Wheeler.

With construction on the underpass completed and full access to the Art Annex restored, the building will continue to be used by Classroom Instructional Technologies and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

According to Christopher Herr, interim head of the Department of Theatre and Dance, “We have continued to offer acting, voice and movement, design and other classes in the studio spaces on the first floor and second floor. The camera studio that we use for acting on camera classes has been temporarily

moved to a different location, but we are looking into bringing it back into the Annex this fall.”

The closing of the Grand Street Underpass and the Art Annex’s south entrance was the result of the Grand Street Underpass project, which sought to add a ramp and elevator to the Grand Street Underpass. The project aimed to make the underpass more accessible for all students and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to an Administrative Services notification from MSU, the Grand Street Underpass project closed access to the tunnel and the south side of the Art Annex in December of 2021, when contractors began preparing for construction. The project was initially intended to impact access through June 2022; however, due to delays, the area was not reopened until the spring of 2023.

According to previous coverage by The Standard, construction was delayed by effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, weather and infrastructural setbacks — largely the placement of sanitation and water lines in the area.

During the summer of 2022, MSU ultimately chose to clear the building of occupants while construction continued to complete the underpass and ensure the stability of the Art Annex.

Later that year, the building was reopened to occupants, with only access to the south entrance impacted by the continuing construction.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

The Art Annex, located at 1045 E Grand St., formerly was used as dance and acting studios, costume storage and more by the Department of Theatre and Dance. The building was closed during the Grand Street Underpass project.

The best Instagram accounts for need-to-know information for Bears

Missouri State University: @missouristate

President Clif Smart: @clifsmart3

Student Government Association: @mostatesga

MSU Athletics: @missouristbears

Student Activities Council: @mostatesac

Missouri State University Student Affairs: @msu_studentaffairs

Student Engagement: @mostateose

MSU Student Employment: @msu_studentemp

Bear Pantry: @mostatebearpantry

The Standard: @thestandard_msu

Ozarks Public Radio: @ksmuradio

Sartorial Magazine: @sartorialmag

The News-Leader: @springfieldnl

The Springfield Daily Citizen: @sgfcitizen

Multicultural Programs: @mostatemp

MSU LGBTQ+ Student Services: @mostatelgbtq

Missouri State Financial Aid: @msu_finaid

Alumni Association: @mostatesaa

MSU Public Affairs: @msupublicaffairs

Plaster Student Union: @msu_psu

Missouri State Dining: @mostatedining

Missouri State Libraries: @librariesmsu

Missouri State Bookstore: @mostatebookstore

Missouri State University: @MissouriState

President Clif Smart: @ClifSmart

Student Government Association: @MOStateSGA

MSU Athletics: @MissouriStBears

Student Activities Council: @MOStateSAC

Missouri State University Student Affairs: @msu_studentaffa

Student Engagement: @MOStateOSE

MSU Student Employment: @msu_studentemp

Transfer Students: @MoStateTransfer

The Standard: @TheStandard_MSU

The Standard Sports: @Standard_Sports

Missouri State University News @MoStateUNews

The News-Leader: @springfieldNL

The Springfield Daily Citizen: @sgfcitizen

Missouri State University Family Programs: @BearsFamilies

Multicultural Programs: @mostatemp

Missouri State Financial Aid: @MSU_FinAid

Alumni Association: @maroonation

MSU Public Affairs: @MoStatePA

Plaster Student Union: @MSU_PSU

Missouri State Dining: @MoStateDining

Missouri State Libraries: @LibrariesMSU

Missouri State Bookstore: @MoStateBkstore

Office of Student Financial Aid: @MSU_FinAid

Twitter accounts that are must-follows for staying informed around town

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Starship robots ferry food across campus with the click of a button

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief Q@lillian_durr_art

Students stepping foot on campus for the first time might be caught off guard by the racing white robots they pass on their way to class, but no worries. The Starship fleet comes in peace.

Introduced in September of 2022, the Starship Technologies robot fleet is a food delivery service run by 20 on-demand Starship robots. The robots ferry food from a variety of restaurants on campus to the orderer’s on-campus location.

Starship deliveries from a given vendor are available during that vendor’s regular opening hours and can be ordered on the Starship app.

According to the Missouri State University press release, “To get started, users open the Starship Deliveries app, choose from a range of their favorite food or drink items, then drop a pin where they want their delivery to be sent. They can then watch as the robot makes its journey to them, via an interactive map.”

Once the robot reaches the pinned location,

users can unlock the robot via an in-app notification and receive their delivery. Each Starship robot can carry about three shopping bags worth of goods.

The robots navigate using a mix of machine learning, artificial intelligence and sensors, and can be taken control of remotely by human monitors. These systems allow the robots to stop at crosswalks for traffic, avoid collisions with students in their path, climb curbs and travel in inclement weather.

According to the Starship website, the robots are battery-powered, providing “an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly solution to last mile delivery ... each charge lasts a full day of deliveries before needing to be recharged.”

The robots are secured to ensure orders aren’t stolen or tampered with. If a robot is lifted, tipped or tampered, the robots are designed to set off a deterring alarm. Additionally, the robot can only be unlocked by the customer using the app.

To start an order, the Starship app can be download from both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Users will then be asked

STARSHIP DELIVERS FROM Panda Express Subway

Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers

Starbucks Einstein Bros. Bagels

Queen City Soul Kitchen

Market - Cafe 1905

to select their university to see available vendors.

According to the Starship website, along with Missouri State University, Starship robots serve over a dozen other colleges including Arizona State University, Oregon State University, Purdue University and the University of Tulsa.

Photo by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

Between orders, Starship robots rest near vendors, including outside the northern entrances of Glass Hall and the Plaster Student Union.

Sunday 6pm: FREE Dinner at Multicultural House (between Scholars & Taco Bell)

Tuesday 8pm: LIBERATE Worship in the Union Club (PSU 400)

Thursday 12:30pm: Ekklesia Lunch Bunch (grab some lunch and meet in the food court)

Student engagement lags as students recover from pandemic trends

HOPE BLAYLOCK Reporter D@Hope66683115

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting effect on everyone’s lives. Its effects on students’ experiences at Missouri State University are no different; student engagement is still recovering from the outbreak of COVID-19.

Michael Frizell, the director of the Writing Center and Peer Assisted Study Session Program, says, “I believe almost all areas are seeing a downturn in engagement in comparison. Many faculty and student organizations are reporting low attendance in classes and meetings for organizations.”

Frizell says that the Writing Center had close to 4,000 appointments for the Fall of 2019. In the Spring of 2020, the Writing Center was on track for 3,500 appointments for the semester. During the spring 2020 semester, prior to the 2020 Spring break, the Writing Center saw about 1,200 appointments. For the rest of the semester, the center only saw 398 through virtual appointments. A downturn in student engagement was expected, but student engagement is still having a slow climb back to where it was prior to the start of the pandemic.

“Attendance never recovered,” said Frizell. “My theory was that when we came back, rigor would be upped in classes and that rigor would drive numbers up … but what happened was the rigor went up but engagement did not improve.”

Frizell said that when all of the classes went online, it changed the dynamic of how students were learning. They no longer had easy access to support services, so they were not as likely to be used.

“Current students either graduated from high school, transferred or were new students during the pandemic when co-curricular activities were primarily on pause,” said Tara Benson, the director of Student Engagement. “They created a routine and life without engagement activities and now we are playing catch up to showcase the value of involvement and engagement.”

Funding for campus resources can also be affected based on how much they are used. Since the beginning of the pandemic, projections for how much resources are used are not as easy to predict. However, Missouri State’s Office of the Provost has assisted the Writing Center.

“Post-COVID, the negotiations with the Provost Office have been helpful in letting us open that up and experiment on that,” said Frizell.

BACK

“They still want us to be frugal, but right now they want us to worry about what students need.”

Student engagement is more than just studying. Organizations within your major or clubs in an interest area can create a well-rounded atmosphere that can deepen your college experience. Connecting with different people and groups on campus can improve more than just grades.

“Student engagement in student organizations and meeting with tutors or consultants connects you to somebody on campus in a different way,” said Frizell. “You shouldn’t learn in isolation. College is about so much more.”

“Being involved in college has a direct impact on student retention and success. Involved students are often healthier, have better grades, manage time more efficiently and have stronger connections to the institution,” said Benson. “Most importantly, students gain a sense of belonging when they have connections both inside and outside the classroom,” said Benson.

Engagement will look different for each person, but there are a plethora of ways to get involved on campus; whether you want to work out at the Foster Recreation Center or star in a play, there is an opportunity for every student.

To learn more about student organizations on campus visit missouristate.edu/StudentEngagement/student-organizations.

“My favorite thing about being a business Bear is that there are many of us, so it is easy to build connections with people with similar goals.”

– Nia Harrison, Fashion Merchandising (’23)

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, student organizations, events and campus resources haven’t seen as much engagement with the student body as they did prior to the pandemic.

Photo by Spencer Justice Q@spence_shots

ITS YOUR UNIVERSITY: COVER IT.

IF YOU LIKE WRITING, EDITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, GRAPHIC DESIGN, VIDEO, OR ILLUSTRATION, THE STANDARD IS HERE FOR YOU!

IF YOU LIKE WRITING, EDITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, ILLUSTRATION, THE STANDARD IS HERE FOR YOU!

INTEREST MEETINGS WILL BE HELD ON AUG 18 3:00–4:00PM • AUG 21 & 24 4:00—5:00PM IN CLAY HALL, 774 E. CHERRY ST.

QUESTIONS? WE’D LIKE TO HEAR THEM!

STANDARD@MISSOURISTATE.EDU

A look ahead at this fall’s most anticipated films

with a few hours of free time can head to AMC, Alamo Drafthouse or The Moxie to see a wide variety of films coming soon. Learn about some of the biggest movies coming out during the fall semester below:

A Haunting in Venice (Sept. 15)

Mid-September brings a new murder mystery film in “A Haunting in Venice,” a sequel to 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and 2022’s “Death on the Nile.” According to IMDb, the film is set in the fallout of World War II, follows now-retired detective Hercule Poirot as he is dragged into yet another murder plot after attending a séance in Venice, Italy.

Screenwriter Michael Green adapts “A Haunting in Venice” from Agatha Christie’s 1969 story “Hallowe’en Party.” Kenneth Branagh returns to both direct and star as Poirot, joined by a new cast including this year’s Best Actress winner Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan and Tina Fey.

Kraven the Hunter (Oct. 6)

The summer blockbuster season may be over, but there are still plenty of new movies for students to see in the coming fall. Students

Following “Venom,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” and “Morbius,” Sony Pictures continues to expand its cinematic universe

of Spider-Man characters this fall with the release of “Kraven the Hunter.” Based on the comic book villain of the same name, “Kraven the Hunter” stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff, a man obsessed with proving he is the world’s best hunter, according to IMDb. Joining Taylor-Johnson in the cast are Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, Christopher Abbott, as well as Alessandro Nivola and Fred Hechinger as fellow Spider-Man villains Rhino and Chameleon respectively.

“Kraven the Hunter,” based on the character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, is written by Art Marcum, Matt Holloway and Richard Wenk. Directed by J.C. Chandor, “Kraven” is expected to be the first R-rated film in Sony’s Spider-Man cinematic universe.

Killers of the Flower Moon (Oct.

6)

October marks the latest release from director Martin Scorsese in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The three-and-a-half-hour film centers around an FBI investigation in the 1920s following the murder of multiple members of the Osage Nation, according to Apple. The film is adapted from David Grann’s book “Killers of the Flower Moon:

The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” with Scorsese and Eric Roth serving as screenwriters. With Scorsese at the helm and a stacked cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons and this year’s Best Actor winner Brendan Fraser, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is expected to be highly recognized this awards season.

Saw X and Five Nights at Freddy’s (Oct. 27)

Horror fans will be welcomed with a double feature of scary movies on Oct. 27 with the releases of “Saw X” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” Little is currently known about “Saw X” save for the return of Tobin Bell as the franchise’s iconic killer and trap-maker Jigsaw. The film will be directed by Kevin Greutert, director of “Saw VI” and “Saw 3D.” Screenwriters Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, who wrote the franchise’s eighth and ninth entries in “Jigsaw” and “Spiral: From the Book of Saw,” return for “Saw X.”

Released on the same day, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is a Blumhouse-produced adaptation of the popular horror video game of the same name. Josh Hutcherson stars as Mike Schmidt, a new night security guard for the family-centered restaurant Freddy Fazbear’s

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Pizza. Unfortunately for Schmidt, the Chuck E. Cheese-style animatronics of Freddy and his friends come alive with a murderous streak after midnight. Directed by Emma Tammi, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” also stars Matthew Lillard, Elizabeth Lail and Mary Stuart Masterson, with a screenplay by Tammi, Seth Cuddeback and video game creator Scott Cawthon.

Dune: Part Two (Nov. 3)

“Dune: Part Two” picks up directly after the events of the first film, with Paul and Lady Jessica Atreides now traveling with Stilgar’s Fremen clan. With the Baron Harkonnen having taken back Arrakis and the remaining Atreides allies scattered, Paul must grapple with his terrible purpose and premonitions to decide the future of his house and the universe.

Denis Villeneuve returns to direct the follow-up to his Best Picture-nominated sci-fi epic, adapting Frank Herbert’s classic novel alongside screenwriter Jon Spaihts. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Josh Brolin are among the returning cast, joined by newcomers to the series such as Austin Butler, Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken.

The Marvels (Nov. 10)

Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers returns in November’s “The Marvels,” a sequel to

2019’s “Captain Marvel.” According to Disney, the film takes place decades after the first movie, with Captain Marvel now working as a universal protector. When Danvers’ powers become unfortunately entangled with those of other heroes, she must work together with Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau, who were most recently seen in Disney+’s “Ms. Marvel” and “WandaVision” respectively.

Nia DaCosta directs the “The Marvels,” uniting three comic book heroines who have held the Ms. Marvel or Captain Marvel mantles. DaCosta is joined on screenwriting duties by Elissa Karasik, Megan McDonnell and Zeb Wells.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Nov. 17)

Perhaps the most anticipated film on this list for a predominantly Gen Z college campus, the Hunger Games returns to theaters this November with “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” The film is based on “The Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins’ “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” a prequel novel exploring the life of a young Coriolanus Snow years before his reign as Panem’s president.

Tom Blyth stars as Snow, who mentors Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray Baird after she is selected to be the female tribute for District 12. Francis Lawrence, who directed the pre-

vious three films in the “Hunger Games” series, returns to helm the newest film, with a screenplay by Michael Lesslie and “Catching Fire” screenwriter Michael Arndt.

Wish (Nov. 22)

For the studio’s 100th anniversary, Disney is releasing “Wish” this fall, a film based around the magical star upon which many Disney characters wish, according to Disney. The film mixes the old with the new for Disney, including a CG-animated adventure with a watercolor style inspired by the studio’s older animated features. Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine and Alan Tudyk star in “Wish,” written by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore and directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn.

Wonka (Dec. 15)

Timothée Chalamet stars in “Wonka,” a family adventure revolving around the younger days of the famous fictional candy man. “Paddington” and “Paddington 2” director Paul King directs the film, writing the screenplay alongside Simon Farnaby and Simon Rich. Joining Chalamet’s Willy Wonka in the cast are Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, who plays Willy’s mother, and Hugh Grant, who portrays an Oompa-Loompa.

Screenshot from IMDb

Must-see Springfield locations for first time Springfieldians

DESIREE NIXON Former Editor D@DesireeNixon17

Leong’s Asian Diner

One of the most Springfieldian stops on this list is to visit the original maker of Springfield-style cashew chicken. Springfield-style cashew chicken is a piece of Springfield culinary history, serving fried rice, fried chicken and a brown gravy sauce. David Leong, a World War II veteran, was the creator of Springfield-style cashew chicken. For more Leong’s coverage, visit www.the-standard.org/abcs_of_springfield

Bass Pro Shops

Aside from Springfield-style cashew chicken, another local gem is Bass Pro Shops. According to the Bass Pro website, Johnny Morris created Bass Pro Shops selling fishing lures out of his dad’s liquor store. Fast forward 51 years, Bass Pro Shops is one of the largest outdoor retailers in the country. The original store is located at 1

Bass Pro Drive, just a six-minute drive from campus.

Nathanael Greene and Close Memorial Park

One of the best parks in the city is located 10 minutes from the Missouri State University campus. Nathanael Greene Park features the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and dozens of parks.

“Lake Drummond sits on the south of the property with a link into the Ozark Greenway’s South Creek Greenway,” the Springfield Greene County Park website said. “The park also features the Dr. Bill Roston Butterfly House, the Gray-Campbell Farmstead, the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens and the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden.”

Pineapple Whip

Since it is still a toasty time of year back on campus, frozen treats are a must. Pineapple Whip is a dairy-free pineapple soft serve. There are several food trucks that serve Pineapple Whip throughout the city. Locations are at 1147 S. Glen-

stone, 2902 E. Sunshine, 1517 W. Battlefield and 3850 S. Campbell. Each location has the original “pineapple flavor and a second rotating flavor that changes from week to week,” the Pineapple Whip website said. Those flavors include Mango-Peach, Strawberry-Kiwi, Grape, Orange and Banana-Pomegranate (aka NanaGranate).

Pickwick Street

Pickwick Street is a hidden gem in Springfield. Near Pickwick and Cherry Street, there are restaurants such as Imo’s Pizza, Tea Bar and Bites, Ott’s Pasta, Skully’s Ramen, Cherry Picker Package & Fare and Team Taco. There are little stores like Pickwick Framing, Howler Bike Co. and The Local Bevy.

While you are in the area you can meet sweet Millie, a golden retriever and resident pottery expert, at Artistree Pottery. To top it all off, you can visit Tie and Timber Brewery for happy hour. All of these gems can be found in a quick three-minute drive from campus or a 20-minute walk.

Fun Acre

After your trip to Bass Pro Shops, take a three-minute drive to a nostalgia-filled mini golf course called Fun Acre. With old-school obstacles, this course is sure to give you all of the feels. At $3 a person, this is an affordable option for students looking for a study break. During the spring and fall, Fun Acre is open from noon-9 p.m. on the weekdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the week-

File photo/THE STANDARD

During the summer months, Pineapple Whips are a popular stop for Springfield residents, often garnering long lines of patrons.

ends. Winter hours, starging October 31, run from 2 p.m. until dark on weekdays and 12 p.m. until dark on weekends, weather permitting. Find all of the mini golf fun at 214 W. Glenwood St.

Great Southern Bank Arena

Located on the MSU campus, Great Southern Bank Arena is home to many events. In addition to athletic games, there are frequent concerts held at the venue. This fall, the lineup includes Alabama on Sept. 10, Bert Kreischer on Nov. 19 and Hardy on Dec. 2. For the most updated lineup to play at Great Southern Bank Arena, visit greatsouthernbankarena.com.

THE PLANT ROOM Springfield plant shop cultivates space for community and education

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief Q@lillian_durr_art

Those visiting The Plant Room are greeted by rows of pothos, succulents, ferns and flowers for sale. However, the shop, located at 1349 S. Glenstone Ave., is about much more than the price tags inside.

“This place is way more about community than making money,” said Emma Fear, co-owner of The Plant Room.

Emma and her husband Brandon Fear opened The Plant Room in June 2021. Before opening as The Plant Room, the couple had run their business out of their home for around half a year, under the name City’s Edge Botanicals. Quickly, the newly opened Plant Room solidified itself as a space for community and education in Springfield.

One way The Plant Room fosters a sense of community in their store is through their plantswap initiatives and events. According to Emma, the plant-swap began with the free cutting wall, located in the back of the shop. Community members bring in cuttings of their plants and exchange them with cuttings left on the “Trade Your Cutting” wall in the shop. The swap is free of charge and allows visitors to add plants to their collection, while also managing their own growing plants.

After the cutting wall’s success, the shop held a free seed swap and events for local artists.

“A lot of artists don’t toot their own horns though, so we try to do that for them,” said Emma. “They can come set up a booth — people that are up and coming, that haven’t really done too much so far — and they can sell their artwork and we’ll market for them.”

The artist events are free of charge for participating artists; additionally, the shop carries many artist-made goods throughout the year, including a variety of handmade and painted plant pots.

These events and programs build a community around the shop that, according to sales associate and MSU student Parker Fisher, doesn’t go unnoticed by customers.

“I can tell that customers are genuinely excited when they talk to my coworkers and I about their plants at home,” said Fisher. “I have shopped at many plant stores of similar specialty around Springfield, and I think what

makes The Plant Room different is the opportunity for customers to educate themselves through workshops hosted at the store.”

The Plant Room’s educational workshops are held multiple times a month, and according to The Plant Room’s Instagram page — @theplantroomsgf — recent topics have included how to care for aquatic plants, stained glass crafting, terrarium building and carnivorous plant care.

The education and community offered by workshops sets the store apart, according to Fisher.

“Customers love coming to the workshops, not only because they’re fun, but because they get to work with people who have similar interests and curiosities as them,” he said.

Providing room for education at The Plant Room is a direct result of Emma and Brandon’s appreciation for education. Both owners attended MSU as education students, before changing degree plans to embrace their passion for science. Emma said having space for visitors to learn was always important to her.

“When we first opened, I really wanted it to be a safe space for everyone to feel comfortable, to ask questions,” said Emma. “There wasn’t really anything like this in the area at the time, so we just wanted to be able to educate.”

While the workshops are currently a success, Emma said The Plant Room is hoping to further their educational efforts by working with local

college students. Currently, the shop sees many visitors from local colleges during the school year, and Emma said she wants to further develop those connections.

“We want to get more involved with the university,” said Emma. “We have a girl that’s doing an internship here through MSU, which is huge for us, just to bring awareness and be able to teach someone.”

Emma also said she hopes to encourage more women interested in agriculture and plant science to pursue work in the field despite potential obstacles.

“I graduated (from MSU) in 2017 and it took me until 2020 to be able to work in my field.” said Fear. “That was really tough because it’s a male dominated field, so I’d kind of given up.”

Then, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Emma said she was able to break into the field

by starting her own business.

“I think bringing awareness around what we’re doing can help women in my field have some more confidence to be able to know there are other things that you can do,” said Emma. “You don’t just have to be a farm hand. You don’t just have to work for someone. You can be your own boss.”

The shop’s efforts and dedication to providing a safe space within Springfield ensures that along with the rows of plants and artist made goods, visitors walking through The Plant Room’s front doors will also find themselves greeted by community building initiatives, educational opportunities and career encouragement.

To learn more about The Plant Room, visit their website shoptheplantroom.com or their Instagram page, @theplantroomsgf.

Photos by Lillian Durr Q@lillian_durr_art

The Plant Room’s cutting wall is located at the back of their store and includes a variety of plant cuttings donated by visitors, for other’s to trade and propagate to grow their own plant.

Along with their workshops and community events, The Plant Room has dozens of plant varieties for sale, perfect for both experienced plant-parents and novices alike.

Five books released in 2023 you might have missed

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief

Q@lillian_durr_art

While plenty of author’s latest works will be flying onto shelves this fall, there were lots of books published this fall you may have missed. Below are just a few of the books that have hit shelves so far this year and received high acclaim.

“All the Sinners Bleed”

Originally published on June 6, “All the Sinners Bleed” is the newest release from crime fiction writer S. A. Cosby.

According to Goodreads, “All the Sinners Bleed” is the story of Titus Crowne, the first Black man to be elected sheriff in Charon County, Virginia. “A school shooting rocks the town. A beloved teacher is killed by a former student, and as Titus attempts to de-escalate and get the boy to surrender, his deputies fire a fatal shot … In the investigation, it becomes clear that the student they shot had been abused by the dead teacher, as well as by unidentified perpetrators.”

The novel brings readers along as Titus works to solve the mystery while coming to terms with what it means to be a Black police officer in the American south.

In its first week, “All The Sinners Bleed” received a 4.47 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

“Love, Theoretically”

Ali Hazelwood published her first novel – a reworking of a “Star Wars” fan fiction she had written titled “The Love Hypothesis” – in 2022, and has since released several highly praised novels, including this June’s release “Love, Theoretically.”

According to Goodreads, Hazelwood’s most recent novel follows theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway. “By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend.”

The novel follows Elsie as her carefully crafted plan falls apart, when she discovers one of her clients’ brother is a member of the hiring committee for her dream job at MIT.

The novel debuted on Goodreads with a 4.3 out of 5 stars during its first week.

“Pageboy”

Actor Elliot Page’s highly awaited coming-ofage memoir “Pageboy” released this June to rave reviews. Along with viral acclaim online, the novel received extensive recognition from literary

critics and LGBTQIA+ advocates.

According to Goodreads, “Elliot will now be known as an uncommon literary talent, as he shares never-before-heard details and intimate interrogations on gender, love, mental health, relationships and Hollywood.”

The memoir is Page’s debut as an author, and ranked number one in hardback nonfiction on the New York Times Bestsellers List during its first week.

The book also received a 4.14 out of 5 stars during its debut week on Goodreads.

“Ander & Santi Were Here”

“Ander & Santi Were Here,” is author Jonny Garza Villa’s second published novel, with a third – “Canto Contigo” – already set to follow. The novel was initially published in May and is described on Goodreads as “a stunning YA contemporary love story.”

According to Goodreads, the novel introduces Ander Martínez, an aspiring muralist working at their family’s taquería while preparing for art school. “To keep Ander from becoming complacent during their gap year, their family ‘fires’ them so they can ... prepare for college. That is, until they meet Santiago López Alvarado, the hot new waiter.”

A month after its release, the novel stands at a 4.35 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

“Shubeik Lubeik”

According to literary publisher Penguin Ran-

dom House, “Shubeik Lubeik” is a debut graphic novel by author Deena Mohammed, an Egyptian comics artist and writer.

According to the publisher’s website, the story brings readers into the world of Aziza, Nour and Shokry who are linked by three wishes sold by a kiosk in Cairo. “Although their stories are fantastical — featuring talking donkeys, dragons and cars that can magically avoid traffic — each of these people grapples with the very real challenge of trying to make their most deeply held desires come true.”

As of June, the graphic novel has a 4.53 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Screenshot from Goodreads

Traditions Council is an organization whose main goal is to preserve and promote all 62 traditions on Missouri State's campus. This student run organization is known for events like Fountain Day, Bear Wear Friday, Study Day, and Rave In The Cave. Traditions Council encourages students to show school pride by putting together large events and giveaways.

Students are free to join us at either of these sessions where you can learn more about Traditions Council, meet our executive board and apply to be a member!

@MoStateTC

Aug 30 | 6PM-7PM | PSU 313 August 23 | 6PM-7PM | PSU 313

Questions?

Email tcoperations@missouristate.edu

Sit down and listen up with THE STANDARD

LILLIAN DURR Editor-in-Chief

Alongside our written content, The Standard’s staff produces a variety of multi-media journalism. For those who prefer receiving their news in audio or visual form, visit the-standard.org/video and the-standard.org/ multimedia/photo_galleries to see the latest video news packages and photo galleries covering campus and Springfield news.

Along with our regularly occurring video and visual news coverage, The Standard’s staff produces three podcasts you can catch on Spotify and Soundcloud!

Catch up with all things Missouri State Universtiy Athletics with our sports staff on “The Growl.” More of a movie person? No worries! Listen along to “At The MSUvies” to hear Casey Loving and I talk about movies playing here on campus.

And lastly, check in monthly for our editorial podcast “The Briefing,” where our editorial board talks about our best articles and visuals of the month.

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Football Bears aim to out hit and out hustle the opposition

who rushed for 711 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2022 season. Wright will be joined by junior wide receiver Raylen Sharpe, who Beard considers the “pound-for-pound, toughest guy on the team.”

The team improved at the offensive line, adding sophomore Erick Cade from Ole Miss and sophomore Hutson Lillibridge, a transfer from Tulane.

After spending three years under his father-inlaw, former head coach Bobby Petrino, Beard looks to honor aspects of his mentor’s game and bring it with him to the program.

“I want them to see a glimpse of themselves in the program and be proud of what they see on film every Saturday,” he said. “Petrino taught me how to be extremely detail-oriented. That no matter what you’re doing, you need to make sure you take the time and have the focus to make sure you do it right.”

The Missouri State defense finished the last four games of the season holding the opponent to an average of 15 points a game. This side of the ball has a new look, but junior linebacker Von Young will be back in the position after finishing his last campaign with 66 total tackles, along with P.J. Hall and Todric McGee, two defensive backs that have been developing with the program for two years.

Beard, a former Western Kentucky DB, knows it’s not just physical strength. It takes mental toughness, especially in the classroom.

“If you have a meeting with your professor at 11:30 a.m., make sure you’re there ready with a pencil in your hand to take notes,” he said.

Players have been out greeting the community at other MSU events. They want to build a sense of pride for the upcoming 2023 season.

“The basketball and baseball team have a huge advantage. They don’t have to wear helmets and you can see their faces,” Beard said. “I want our guys out into the community and get people fired up and have them know ours guys on a personal level.”

The Missouri State Bears are starting a new era after finishing the 2022 season with a 5-6 record. Former Defensive Coordinator Ryan Beard will take helm of the program. His mission: out hit and out hustle.

“You need to see guys giving max-effort on every single play,” Beard said. “Bodies flying around. It all goes back to our mantra: out hit and out hustle.”

This year, the focus isn’t all on the team’s expectations. It’s about getting back to trusting the process.

“We need to worry more about the process. We need to make sure we take it a day at a time, get

better at something every single day,” Beard said. “Our goal is to be better tomorrow than we were today.”

Building that culture doesn’t happen overnight and it takes a group of tough guys who really want to be better than they were yesterday.

“We’re going to be tough, hardworking and dedicated to what we do,” Beard said. “Everything you do gets a percent better. We want anyone who meets our kids to know that they have passion and purpose and they’re treated with love and respect.”

The Bears finished the 2022 season eighth in the

Missouri Valley Football Conference, with a 3-5 conference record. In their last four games of the season, the team went 3-4.

On Dec. 19, Beard was named the 22nd person to hold the top coaching title. At 33 years old, he will be the youngest coach to hold the position in program history.

“To be here as the head coach of Missouri State, it’s truly an honor,” said Beard. “One of the most humbling experiences I’ve been a part of.”

The Bears’ offense will be headlined by last year’s leading rusher, junior running back Jacardia Wright,

Beard, a Bowling Green, Kentucky native, joined the MSU staff in 2020 under Bobby Petrino. He held previous coaching positions at Western Kentucky and Central Michigan, and spent two years with the Louisville Cardinals as co-special teams coordinator and linebacker coach.

In college football, most people see success as wins and losses, recruiting and the transfer portal, but coach Beard said that he sees success as watching these young men grow.

“I thank god every day that I get to come be the head coach at Missouri State football and just to be a part of these young men’s life,” Beard said. “At the end of the day, these guys are still people and I want them to leave here better men than when they came.”

GARRETT SIMS Sports Reporter D@GarrettSims18

Photo by Charles Sargent Q@sargent_photag

Junior running back Jacardia Wright runs the ball during the April 15 Maroon and White game. The annual game sets MSU football Bears against each other on two opposing teams during Fan Fest.

New coach Tom Winkler looks ahead to first season with Ice Bears

Submitted by Missouri State University Ice Bears

KYLIE COLBERT Sports Editor D@kyliecol8

On April 17, 2023, Tom Winkler was announced as the new head coach for the Missouri State University Ice Bears.

“I have quite a bit of history with a lot of the kids on the team,” Winkler stated. “Some of these kids, I recruited in junior hockey. Jason Kelly played for me down at Point Mallard. There was a connection with the program. I knew at one point, they might be looking for a coach down the road. And timing is everything and from there, everything just worked out.”

Knowing a few of the players on the team, building a connection with the team was a relatively smooth process for Winkler.

“In the last month, I have reached out and spoken with most of the team, trying to speed the transition process up, have them get as familiar with me as quickly as possible.”

Winkler is still researching the playing style of the team, but he has strong plans for what he expects to do with them in the future. “Looking at it from my perspective I want us to play fast, I want us to play hard and I want to be a team that teams have to adjust to us. We want to dictate the pace of play. We want to be disciplined. Those are the things that we want to set the tempo for early on and make sure there is accountability.”

Winkler said that both sides of the play are important to winning games, but in order to win,

you need to score.

“We want the puck, you defend by not defending – by possessing the puck,” Winkler said. “When you don’t have it, you fight to get it back.”

He wants his team to be difficult to play against with strong forecheck and strong battles to retrieve the puck and return to the offensive zone.

“I don’t want to over-structure these kids, where they are thinking too much. Hockey is such a fast game, things happen so quickly; it has to be instinct.”

Winkler discussed the expectations of the team and the expectations the players have of him in return. “Kids want structure, they want to pay attention to details in practice, which is really cool because that’s their expectations of me. They expect me to hold them accountable. They expect me to have control over practice, they expect me to give them corrections.”

A major question Winkler said he asked himself was what he as an individual could do to positively affect the team as a whole. “We is better than me,” he said. This was one of the overarching expectations he has of himself and the team going into the next season.

During Winkler’s short time with the team, he said that “they seem very mature, they seem determined to get back to the national tournament and win. The point I am trying to make to them is that your ultimate goal should be a national title, but there are probably twenty-five steps to get to that stage. With the school year ending, we are at step one.”

Ice Bears forward Jason Kelly during the 2022-23 season. Kelly previously played under coach Winkler with the Point Mallard Ducks.

BASEBALL BEARS End strong season without claiming championship

The Missouri State Bears baseball team saw great improvement during the 2023 season, compared to the 2022 season, but the glory ran out in the MVC Championship. In MVC play, they went 18-9, with a .667 average, placing them second in the conference. Overall, they went 33-23 -- .589. This compares to 2022 where they finished 5th, winning 8 and losing 13 in conference play, and finishing with a .381 average.

Despite the relatively low winning percentage of the 2022 Baseball Bears, they ultimately took the championship and even made it into the NCAA Tournament. In spite of their greater standing and notable roster including graduate outfielder Cam Cratic, redshirt sophomore outfielder Spencer Nivens, freshman outfielder/infielder Zack Stewart and junior pitcher Brandt Thompson, the Bears could not claim the championship a second year in a row.

Falling once to Murray State in their first game of Championship play, they won their next two games, but were eliminated by Evansville on May 26.

Head coach Keith Guttin attributed the Bears’ struggles to challenges in the defensive side of play but highlighted the strength of pitching and hitting – something that could be observed just attending even one game.

Regarding defense, Guttin said, “I think that hurt us at times. Pitching and hitting were our strengths, and defense, of the three, was our weakest … we’re going to try and get better in critical positions on the field and it’s gonna be an emphasis all through the fall.”

The Bears are also facing some big roster changes as they prepare for their first games in the spring. Multiple players graduated in May, including Cratic and graduate infielder Mason Hull, and more have been picked in the MLB Draft. This includes some of the Bears’ most notable players, like Nivens (Kansas City Royals), redshirt sophomore pitcher Jake Eddington (Philadelphia Phillies) and senior pitcher Hayden Minton (Detroit Tigers).

Guttin called the changes brought on by graduation and the draft “part of the deal” of

playing college baseball, but he was not worried. “We do have some experience on the mound, we will return two first team All Missouri Valley Conference pitchers in Brandt Thompson, our Friday guy, and Garrett Ferguson, one of our relievers.”

As for position players, Guttin named junior utility player Cody Kelly, sophomore infielder Nick Rodriguez, junior infielder Dylan Robertson, freshman infielder Jake McCutcheon and freshman infielder Taeg Gollert, among others, to the returning list.

The Bears are not just looking to their returners to keep the team successful, however. Transfers from junior colleges and high school commitments are playing their part as well. “We’ve been busy in the portal trying to get some more position players and pitchers committed for next year,” said Guttin. “We’ve signed some junior college and some high school guys, so this is just the normal recruiting cycle, it’s just what you do in college baseball.”

The Bears’ season can’t be defined by a sour end, but by that 18-9 record. Guttin attributed that success to strong starting lineups and quality offense, especially in players like

WILLIAM P. BOHLEN Sports Editor D@wpbohlen -Keith Guttin

Thompson, Minton and Eddington. “Twenty-six out of 27 were started by those three guys … consistency and quality of our three weekend starters was a big piece.” Guttin said. Beyond the standings and numbers, the Bears also simply played excitingly. They repeated an underdog win against No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks for a second year in a row, winning 8-4. Beginning on April 7, they entered a winning streak in conference play which would last one day short of exactly a month.

This streak saw 13 wins, ultimately ending during the matinee game of a doubleheader with Murray State on May 6.

The Baseball Bears are looking ahead to what seems to be a bright next season with excitement from both new and returning players. Guttin spoke of Stewart as well as Thompson and Ferguson as returners fans should be anticipating will step into greater roles this coming season. The Bears will return to the diamond early in the spring semester.

Nick Rodriguez (right) and Spencer Nivens (middle) wait for the inning to start. Over the summer, Nivens was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in round five of the MLB draft and signed with the team.

Photo by Morgan Shearhart

Lady Bears welcome new talent by way of the transfer portal

D@kyliecol8

After Beth Cunningham’s first season as head coach for the Lady Bears, the team finished the season with a 20-12 record. They have also made a few new additions through the transfer portal for the coming season.

Lacy Stokes is a 5-foot-4-inch guard from Mount Vernon, Missouri. Stokes transferred from Missouri Southern State University after two seasons with the team. During her sophomore season, she totaled 623 points and started all 36 games. She has been awarded All-Central Regional Guard twice by the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association, MIAA Player of the Year, MIAA Freshman of the Year amongst other awards.

“Lacy's energy, competitiveness and character are all valuable qualities that will benefit our program,” said Cunningham. “I'm thrilled to coach her and happy to keep her playing in front of her hometown community."

Next, the Lady Bears bring in Katrine Jessen from Skovlunde, Denmark. Jessen is a 6-foot-4-inch forward who is a transfer from University of Kansas where she spent three seasons with the Jayhawks. During her previous season, she reached 25 rebounds during

her 20 games of the year. She had been awarded Academic All-Big 12 First Team twice and College Sports Communicators amongst other awards.

Of Jessen, Cunningham said, “Kat is exactly what we needed to add in our front court: a proven Division I post player with excellent size, mobility and an all-around game that fits perfectly with our style of play.”

The final transfer addition is Angel Scott from Edmond, Oklahoma. Scott is a 5-foot10-inch guard who transferred from Stephen F. Austin University. During her previous season at SFA, she totaled 44 steals and 57 assists. Scott and the Ladyjacks finished second in the WAC regular season.

“Angel is highly competitive and fits in perfectly with our team culture. She has a high basketball IQ, can handle the ball and brings in an outstanding perimeter shot that will stretch the floor for us offensively.” Cunningham said.

With the new additions from the transfer portal, the Lady Bears are hopeful for improvement this coming season.

The transfer portal brings not just new players to the Lady Bears, but also hope for continued improvement and future success. The team will begin their season at the end of the fall semester and carry on into the spring.

KYLIE COLBERT Sports Editor

Beth Cunningham speaks to the Lady Bears on the court. Cunningham will begin her second year as Lady Bears head coach in the 2023-24 season.

Photo by MSU Creative Services

MEN’S BASKETBALL Back and better than ever?

After a tough season last year, Missouri State University’s Men’s Basketball team is preparing to come back better. Towards the end of the year, the team started seeing things that they could build on and they plan to take that momentum into the upcoming up season.

Last year, the Bears signed ten scholarships and some of those players are coming back. Head coach Dana Ford said a lot of the players coming back has to do with the amount of playing time that some of the younger men got last year. Players like Chance Moore, Alston Mason and N.J. Benson all started to play better as they played more towards the end of the year. The coaches plan to carry this strategy forward and build around them.

From a roster standpoint, the Bears are losing Bryan Trimble Jr. and Kendle Moore, and two more players who put their names in the transfer portal — Jonathan Mogbo and James Graham. Ford said though it’s a lot of variables to factor

in, sometimes once the player names are in the portal, the coaching staff moves their focus on.

At the core of this season’s team are Donovan Clay, Chance Moore and Alston Mason. These players are major contributors and will be counted on not only by their coaches but freshmen and transfers too. The coaching staff’s goal was to attack a supporting cast recruitment in the portal this season.

The big transfer from Xavier University, Cesare Edwards, will play immediately and often said Coach Ford. Nick Kramer, from Saint Louis University, will add to the outside shooting. The team is also welcoming freshman talent to their roster. The team has one more scholarship to dispose of and Ford said it will more than likely go to a freshman.

The Bears need the recruits they bring in to contribute, but looking at the upcoming season, they probably won’t need them to step up as badly as last year’s crew. Going into this year, Ford said they have an idea of who the major contributors are going to be before the upcoming season. The team returns to the court late in the fall semester.

O’SHAYLA MULDROW Sports Reporter

Photo by Charles Sargent Q@sargent_photag Senior guard/forward Donovan Clay is among the returning players for the 2023-24 basketball season.

Swim and dive concludes their 2022-23 season on a high note

The 2022-2023 season for the men and women’s swimming and diving team ended on broken records, academic achievements and a championship. For the seventh season straight, the women’s swimming team took home the Missouri Valley Conference championship.

In a statement released by MSU athletic communications, head coach Dave Collins said, “I am so proud of this group of women. They were committed all year and fully bought into all aspects of our program.”

The team broke records in 400 freestyle relay, senior Jordan Wenner achieved a personal best in 100 freestyle and Collins was named Valley Swimming Coach of the Year.

In addition, Kelly Sego, Samantha Roemer, Lily DeSpain, Jordan Wenner, Cabrini Johnson and Anna Lucas were all named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete team. All MVC-Scholar Athletes maintained at least a 3.5 GPA and competed in the MVC championship.

Collins said, “we strive each year for excellence in the classroom as well as in the pool, so for this group to be a part of a championship team while

continuing to pursue academic success is special.”

Alongside the women’s team, the men’s team had a great season. A relatively younger team, they reached great heights in the Mid-American Conference Championship. Despite not taking home the title, they achieved 2nd place with over 100 points separating themselves and third place Southern Illinois University.

Senior Dylan Moffatt achieved his third straight gold medal in the 1650 freestyle in the MAC championship, finishing nearly thirty seconds before his second placed opponent.

Collins said, “to have such a young group continue to improve all year is exciting for the future. None of that would have been possible without a great group of upperclassmen and especially seniors. These four guys have given so much to our program, and I am very proud of each of them.”

In addition to an amazing athletic performance, the men’s team had six athletes reach the MAC All-Academic Team. Nicholas Schuster, Pawel Krawczyk, Bruno Guerra, Brunno Suzuki-Tomiyama, Austin Huskey and Moffatt all maintained a 3.4 GPA and competed in the MAC championship.

With the success of the 2022-2023 season and the young team they have, the swimming and diving Bears have a bright outlook going into their next season.

KYLIE COLBERT Sports Editor D@kyliecol8

Senior Dylan Moffatt has won gold in the MAC Championship for the 1650 freestyle three years in a row. Moffatt’s position on the team is freestyle.

Photo by MSU Creative Services

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Fall sports schedule

All dates are subject to change. Some schedules have not been announced at press time. For more information, and to keep up with dates, times and locations of games, visit MissouriStateBears.com.

Football

Sept. 1 Away Kansas

Sept. 9 Away UT Martin

Sept. 23 Home Utah Tech

Sept. 30 Away Southern Illinois

Oct. 7 Home North Dakota State

Oct. 14 Away Western Illinois

Oct. 21 Home Murray State

Oct. 28 Away Youngstown State

Nov. 4 Home Illinois State

Nov. 11 Home Northern Iowa

Nov. 18 Away South Dakota State

Volleyball

Aug. 19 Away Arkansas (Exh.)

Aug. 25 Away Texas A&M Commerce

Aug. 25 Away UTSA

Aug. 26 Away Texas Southern

Aug. 31 Home Kansas City

Sept. 1 Home UT Martin

Sept. 2 Home Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Sept. 8 Away Grand Canyon

Sept. 9 Away Iowa

Sept. 10 Away Central Michigan

Sept. 14 Home Lindenwood

Sept. 15 Home Western Illinois

Sept. 16 Home Arkansas State

Sept. 22 Away Valparaiso

Sept. 23 Away UIC

Sept. 29 Home Indiana State

Sept. 30 Home Evansville

Oct. 2 Home Southern Illinois

Oct. 6 Home Belmont

Oct. 7 Home Murray State

Oct. 13 Away UNI

Oct. 14 Away Drake

Oct. 20 Home UIC

Oct. 21 Home Valparaiso

Oct. 27 Away Evansville

Oct. 28 Away Indiana State

Nov. 3 Away Murray State

Nov. 4 Away Belmont

Nov. 10 Home Bradley

Nov. 11 Home Illinois State

Nov. 15 Away Southern Illinois

Nov. 19-22 Home MVC Championship

Men’s soccer

Aug. 9 Home Northeast Community Col lege (Exh.)

Aug. 13 Home Johnson County Community College (Exh.)

Aug 19. Away Creighton (Exh.)

Aug. 24 Away Maryland

Aug. 31 Away Kansas City

Sept. 5 Away Tulsa

Sept. 9 Home VCU

Sept. 16 Away Northern Illinois

Sept. 22 Home Belmont

Sept. 27 Away Saint Louis

Sept. 30 Away Bradley

Oct. 4 Home Memphis

Oct. 8 Home UIC

Oct. 11 Home Omaha

Oct. 18 Away Evansville

Oct. 22 Home Western Michigan

Oct. 27 Away Bowling Green

Nov. 1 Home Drake

Women’s soccer

Aug. 5 Home Kansas State (Exh.)

Aug. 12 Home Kansas City (Exh.)

Aug. 17 Away SIUE

Aug. 20 Home Oklahoma State

Aug. 24 Away Central Arkansas

Aug. 27 Home Oregon

Aug. 31 Home Oral Roberts

Sept. 3 Away Tulsa

Sept. 7 Home Lindenwood

Sept. 10 Away Missouri

Sept. 17 Away Murray State

Sept. 21 Home Illinois State

Sept. 24 Home Belmont

Sept. 28 Away Valparaiso

Oct. 1 Away UIC

Oct. 5 Home Drake

Oct. 12 Away Indiana State

Oct. 15 Home Northern Iowa

Oct. 19 Home Southern Illinois

Oct. 22 Away Evansville