MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
THE STANDARD
Student tension with President Williams returns to campus ... pg. 13
Ice Bears mid-season recap ... pg. 17
Pride Band presidential inaugural parade performance canceled ... pg. 14
A note from the editors
Well, it’s 2025! How does time pass so quickly? Happy new year, Bears! Kicking off the year is The Standard’s Best of MSU 2024 survey. Voted by the MSU community during the fall 2024 semester, Best of MSU is a questionnaire that awards the “best of” all around the Springfield area. For nearly 15 years, MSU community members have voted on their favorite food and drink, services, retail, campus life activities and more! This year’s survey resulted in winners like Hudson/Hawk, Bambino’s Café, and Potter’s House. Throughout this issue, you’ll see the winner and two finalists for each category.
Best of MSU giftcard winners can be found on pg. 11.
The new year has also brought new changes to The Standard. Former CoEditor-in-Chief Em Blackstone graduated at the Fall 2024 Commencement on Dec. 13, 2024. Liz Garcia and Jayden Pettus will remain Co-Editors-in-Chief for the spring 2025 semester, but will miss Em and her contributions deeply. The Standard’s website was also recently updated, reflecting a more modern design. You may notice on the homepage that a new “Recent News” column features our most reccently-published stories for easy access.
Lastly, a new podcast made possible by The Standard has launched! Everything in Between, hosted by our very own Liz Garcia, covers trending pop culture moments through an analytical lens. The Growl, our sports podcast, will also re-
Standard staff
Editors
Liz Garcia co-editor-in-chief
Jayden Pettus co-editor-in-chief
W. Paul Bohlen sports editor
Madison Reece assistant editor
Reporters and visual artists
Ella Conklin reporter
Elise Dust reporter
Becky Gardner reporter
Maura Curran reporter
Arden Dickson photographer
Robin Garner reporter
Matthew Huff photographer
Daisha Jackson photographer
Jude Jenkins reporter
Spencer Justice photographer
Maddux Radosevic reporter
Madison Reece reporter
turn this semester. For more information, visit the-standard.org/podcast.
We hope the snowy start to the semester soon brings you sunny skies and blooming fields. In the meantime, enjoy The Standard’s Best of MSU!
Sincerely, Liz and Jayden
THE STANDARD
Cover design by Liz Garcia
Best of MSU logo by Cadance Ruth
On the cover: Best of MSU is a questionaire that surveys students’ favorite places, organizations, items and more around Springfield and on campus.
THE STANDARD
is Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by the students on The Standard staff.
Rylie Robinson reporter
Piper Ruebling reporter
Faith Sappington reporter
Jackson Wright reporter
Kamryn Stofer reporter
Kaylee Vaughan photographer
Aden Zuccarini reporter
Copy Editors
Isabel Gamble
Liliana Hayes
Ruby Knight
Advertising staff
Cadance Ruth advertising designer
Caedran Yeidel advertising sales assistant
Professional staff
Jack Dimond faculty adviser
FOOD & DRINK
BEST BURGER
Winner: Black Sheep
Finalist: Freddy’s
Finalist: Five Guys
BEST WINGS
Winner: Buffalo Wild Wings
Finalist: Wingstop
Finalist: Coyote’s Adobe Café
BEST COFFEEHOUSE
Winner: Potter’s House
Finalist: 7 Brew
Finalist: Mudhouse
BEST FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE
Winner: Doordash
Finalist: Starship Food Delivery
Finalist: Uber Eats
BEST RESTAURANT FOR DELIVERY
Winner: Domino’s
Finalist: Insomnia Cookies
Finalist: Pickleman’s
BEST PLACE FOR A DATE-NIGHT DINNER
Winner: Bambino’s Café
Finalist: Texas Roadhouse
Finalist: Kai After Dark
BEST PLACE TO TAKE YOUR PARENTS FOR DINNER
Winner: Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Finalist: Springfield Brewing Company
Finalist: Bambino’s Café
BEST BARBECUE
Winner: Black Sheep
Finalist: Whole Hog Cafe
Finalist: Gettin’ Basted
BEST PLACE TO EAT ON CAMPUS
Winner: Einstein Bros. Bagels
Finalist: Chick-fil-A
Finalist: Panda Express
BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD
Winner: Subway
Finalist: Bambino’s Café
Finalist: Rama Thai
BEST BAR FOOD
Winner: Big Whiskey’s
Finalist: Springfield Brewing Company
Finalist: Bricktown Brewery
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Winner: MudLounge
Finalist: Springfield Brewing Company
Finalist: Big Whiskey’s
BEST BEER SPECIALS
Winner: Springfield Brewing Company
Finalist: Tie & Timber Beer Co.
Finalist: Mother’s Brewing Company
BEST LATE-NIGHT FOOD
Winner: Taco Bell
Finalist: Domino’s
Finalist: Steak ‘n Shake
BEST FAST FOOD
Winner: Raising Cane’s
Finalist: Chick-fil-A
Finalist: Culver’s
BEST SANDWICH
Winner: Pickleman’s
Finalist: Chick-fil-A
Finalist: Firehouse Subs
BEST MEXICAN FOOD
Winner: Jose Loco’s
Finalist: Mexican Villa
Finalist: Tinga Tacos
BEST ASIAN FOOD
Winner: Rama Thai
Finalist: Panda Express
Finalist: Kai After Dark
BEST SUSHI
Winner: Kai After Dark
Finalist: Nakato
Finalist: Haruno
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
Winner: Bambino’s Café
Finalist: Nonna’s Italian Café
Finalist: Olive Garden
BEST FROZEN TREAT
Winner: Andy’s Frozen Custard
Finalist: Pineapple Whip
Finalist: Braum’s
BEST DESSERTS
Winner: Andy’s Frozen Custard
Finalist: Insomnia Cookies
Finalist: European Café
BEST SALAD
Winner: Olive Garden
Finalist: McAlister’s Deli
Finalist: Panera Bread
BEST BARGAIN MEAL
Winner: Taco Bell
Finalist: McDonald’s
Finalist: Wendy’s
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Domino’s
Finalist: PaPPo’s
Finalist: Imo’s
BEST SPRINGFIELD-AREA RESTAURANT
Winner: Black Sheep
Finalist: Gailey’s Breakfast Café
Finalist: Greek Belly
BEST MANICURE/PEDICURE
Winner: Aqua Nails
Finalist: Lucky Nails
Finalist: Pink + White Nail Studio
BEST BODY PIERCING
Winner: Kaleidoscope
Finalist: Body Piercing by Qui Qui
Finalist: Next Generation Tattoo & Body Piercing
THANK YOU for selecting us as... Missouri State Students
• Best Place For MSU Apparel
• Best Place To Sell Textbooks
• Best Place To Buy textbooks
• Best Place To Rent Textbooks
• Bear Necessities As Best Convenience Store Finalist
Happy New Year Bears! Welcome Back for Spring Semester
BEST TATTOOS
Winner: Kaleidoscope
Finalist: Tattoo Coven
Finalist: Next Generation Tattoo & Body
Piercing
BEST BARBER SHOP
Winner: Hudson/Hawk
Finalist: Great Clips
Finalist: Sport Clips
BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: Studio 417 Salon
Finalist: Great Clips
Finalist: Luxe Salon
BEST TANNING SALON
Winner: Sun Tan City
Finalist: Palm Beach Tan
Finalist: So Tan
BEST SPA SERVICES
Winner: Grove Spa
Finalist: 417 Beauty By Sam
Finalist: European Wax Center
BEST WIRELESS SERVICE
Winner: Verizon
Finalist: AT&T
Finalist: T-Mobile
BEST PHONE REPAIR
Winner: Best Buy
Finalist: AT&T Store
Finalist: We Fix It Phone Repair
BEST STORAGE FACILITY
Winner: A-1 Self Storage
Finalist: Sixty 5 Self Storage
Finalist: Storage Climate Controlled
RETAIL
BEST THRIFT/RESALE STORE
Winner: Red Racks
Finalist: Uptown Cheapskate
Finalist: Goodwill
BEST FLEA MARKET OR ANTIQUE MALL
Winner: STD Flea Market
Finalist: Relics
Finalist: Ozark Treasures
BEST USED FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Red Racks
Finalist: Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Finalist: Goodwill
BEST ECLECTIC STORE
Winner: Earthbound Trading Co.
Finalist: Ms. Gilmore’s Tea Room
Finalist: Relics
BEST SPORTS/OUTDOOR GEAR
Winner: Bass Pro Shops
Finalist: Academy Sports + Outdoors
Finalist: Lululemon
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Winner: T.J. Maxx
Finalist: Old Navy
Finalist: Target
WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!
Hope you had a good break! Here’s what SAC has in store for you!
Career Camp: Gear Up for Growth
2/4 @5-7PM in PSU 308, 312, & 314
Trivia Frenzy
2/6 @7-10pm in PSU Grand Ballroom
I Heart SAC Week:
Blooms & Bites
2/11 @ 11-2PM in the PSU Food Court
Fashion Show
2/12 @ 7-9PM in the PSU Theater
10 Things I Hate About You
2/13 @7PM in the PSU Theater
Cupid on Campus 2/14 @11-2PM Around Campus
BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Bass Pro Shops
Finalist: American Eagle
Finalist: Old Navy
BEST SHOPPING CENTER
Winner: Battlefield Mall
Finalist: Tanger Outlets
Finalist: Primrose Marketplace
BEST CONVENIENCE STORE
Winner: Kum & Go
Finalist: Bear Necessities
Finalist: Casey’s
BEST GROCERY STORE
Winner: Aldi
Finalist: Hy-Vee
Finalist: Walmart
BEST GAMING SPOT
Winner: 1984
Finalist: Meta Games Unlimited
Finalist: Contender Esports
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Winner: Alamo Drafthouse
Finalist: AMC Springfield 11
Finalist: Moxie Cinema
VOTED BEST
HAPPY HOUR
Come and visit to see why!
ENTERTAINMENT
BEST DANCE CLUB
Winner: Martha’s Vineyard
Finalist: Club Rodeo
Finalist: Midnight Rodeo
BEST CONCERT VENUE
Winner: Great Southern Bank Arena
Finalist: Juanita K. Hammons Hall
Finalist: Gillioz Theatre
BEST PLACE TO HEAR LOCAL BANDS
Winner: Juanita K. Hammons Hall
Finalist: Tie & Timber Beer Co.
Finalist: Classic Rock Coffee
BEST PLACE TO HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS
Winner: Potter’s House
Finalist: Plaster Student Union
Finalist: Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
BEST SPRINGFIELD-AREA ATTRACTION
Winner: Wonders of Wildlife
Finalist: Bass Pro Shops
Finalist: Nathanael Greene/Close
CAMPUS LIFE
BEST PLACE TO STUDY ON CAMPUS
Winner: Meyer Library
Finalist: Glass Hall
Finalist: Plaster Student Union
BEST ON-CAMPUS SERVICE
Winner: Bear Line
Finalist: Meyer Library
Finalist: Counseling Center
BEST PLACE FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Winner: Amazon
Finalist: Walmart
Finalist: Target
BEST PLACE FOR MSU APPAREL
Winner: MSU Bookstore
Finalist: Rally House
Finalist: Walmart
BEST PLACE TO SELL TEXTBOOKS
Winner: MSU Bookstore
Finalist: Facebook Marketplace
Finalist: Amazon
BEST PLACE TO BUY TEXTBOOKS
Winner: MSU Bookstore
Finalist: Amazon
Finalist: ThriftBooks
BEST PLACE TO RENT TEXTBOOKS
Winner: MSU Bookstore
Finalist: Amazon
Finalist: Chegg
BEST SORORITY
Winner: Delta Zeta
Finalist: Alpha Delta Pi
Finalist: Alpha Chi Omega
BEST FRATERNITY
Winner: Theta Chi
Finalist: Lambda Chi Alpha
Finalist: Kappa Sigma
BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION
Winner: Paws to the Polls
Finalist: Convoy of Hope
Finalist: Harmony House
BEST CAMPUS OR STUDENT MINISTRY
Winner: Catholic Campus Ministry
Finalist: Hill City Salt Co.
Finalist: Ekklesia
BEST STUDENT ORGANIZATION
Winner: Pride Band
Finalist: Student Activities Council
Finalist: Student Government Association
HOUSING
BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Winner: MoState Properties
Finalist: TLC Properties
Finalist: Bryan Properties
BEST ON-CAMPUS HOUSING AMENITIES
Winner: Blair-Shannon House
Finalist: Monroe Apartments
Finalist: Heitz House
BEST AMENITIES IN OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING COMPLEX
Winner: Bear Village
Finalist: Vue on Walnut
Finalist: The 505
BEST OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING COMPLEX
Winner: Bear Village
Finalist: Vue on Walnut
Finalist: The 505
BEST MSU RESIDENCE HALL
Winner: Blair-Shannon House
Finalist: Heitz House
Finalist: Monroe Apartments
BEST PET-FRIENDLY HOUSING COMPLEX
Winner: Bear Village
Finalist: Vue on Walnut
Finalist: The Villages at Nathanael Greene
BEST UNIVERSITY SPORTS TEAM
Winner: Football
Finalist: Women’s Basketball
Finalist: Baseball
BEST CLUB SPORTS TEAM
Winner: Ice Hockey
Finalist: Women’s Volleyball
Finalist: Women’s Basketball
SPORTS & REC
BEST INTRAMURAL SPORT
Winner: Sand Volleyball
Finalist: Volleyball
Finalist: Soccer
BEST PARK
Winner: Nathanael Greene/Close
Memorial Park
Finalist: Phelps Grove Park
Finalist: Jordan Valley Park
BEST BIKE TRAIL
Winner: Lone Pine Trails
Finalist: Frisco Highline Trail
Finalist: South Creek Greenway
BEST BIKE SHOP
Winner: Sunshine Bike Shop
Finalist: A&B Cycle
Finalist: Howler Bike Co.
BEST SPORTS VENUE
Winner: Great Southern Bank Arena
Finalist: Hammons Field
Finalist: Plaster Stadium
BEST PLACE TO WORK OUT
Winner: Foster Recreation Center
Finalist: Nathanael Green/Close Memorial Park
Finalist: Planet Fitness
BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE
Winner: Deer Lake
Finalist: Betty Allison Junior Golf Course at Oscar Blom
Finalist: Rivercut Golf Course
BEST MINI-GOLF COURSE
Winner: Fun Acre
Finalist: BigShots Golf
Finalist: Getaway Golf
Student tension returns for spring semester after MSU president faces lawsuit in Utah
Ruby Knight REPORTER
Qrubyrknight
Following a lawsuit against President Richard “Biff” Williams, news of which broke in the midst of the fall 2024 semester, the Missouri State University student body has expressed distaste for his behavior.
Over winter break, while campus was relatively quiet, college social networking app YikYak was buzzing. A photo posted on the app showed an explicit message about MSU’s president (F*** BIFF) written in the snow covering the Freudenberger House courtyard.
In early November, newly inaugurated MSU President Richard “Biff” Williams was hit with a lawsuit by three of his former colleagues from Utah Tech University, where he served as president for a decade. During his last few months, Williams arranged a phallic display of vegetables on the porch of a coworker who had recently undergone a vasectomy — an event that has become known to the MSU student body as “zuweenie-gate.”
Utah Tech was formerly known as Dixie State University, until the school’s name was changed in 2022 due to the origins of the word “dixie” being associated with slavery and the Confederacy. This, along with other components of the case, caused racial tensions to run high across MSU’s campus. Around the same time news of Williams’ scandal broke, a slew of racist graffiti and verbal assaults against members of the campus’s Black community ensued. Black students were also targeted in a nationwide scandal involving a mass of anonymous racist texts that followed the results of the 2024 presidential election.
Despite Williams’ repeated attempts to patch his relationship with the MSU community, making appearances at the Student Government Association (SGA) and Faculty Senate meetings, heated statements against the new president have popped up through a variety of mediums. One of the leading Instagram accounts protesting Williams’ position, @ bearsagainstbiff, currently sports 302 followers. Another account made in the same vein, @zuweenie_gate, took a more comedic approach, selling “zuweenie” t-shirts and “raising awareness one sale at a time,” according to their bio.
While the snow display and the message it carried were fleeting, the sentiment seemed to have resonated with multiple students. Soon after the start of the 2025 spring semester, identical lettering was discovered in the snow in front of Strong Hall.
Whether these letterings were the product of an individual or perhaps a larger group or movement is unclear. Also unclear is where exactly campus free speech policies stand on writing in precipitation. “Chalking,” or writing on the sidewalk with chalk, is a similar activity which stands as an important medium of advertising on campus. All this considered, established guidelines are in place about what sentiments can be conveyed under the feet of students.
According to the university’s G5.02 Expressive Activity
Policy, approved by the Board of Governors in late 2017, “all individuals may exercise the right of assembly, free speech, and expression throughout the outdoor areas of campus, when doing so does not disrupt the academic mission or daily university functions, and is consistent with university policy regarding time, place, and manner limitations.”
The document goes on to state that Strong Hall Amphitheater, where one of the messages was written, is one of the “most appropriate (locations) for outdoor forums, rallies, demonstrations and other similar activities.”
The document goes on to describe that “time, place, and manner limitations” include threats of violence and harm to another individual.
“Expression that is obscene, defamatory, or consists of fighting words, threats of physical harm, incites imminent lawless action, or is otherwise not entitled to protection as expression is not permitted,” the document reads. The snowy script seems to fall outside this guideline in one or more ways.
LEFT: A flyer displayed in the elevator of Brick City 1, one of three buildings housing the Department of Art and Design, on Dec. 5. It is unclear who created the flyer.
ABOVE: The words “F*** BIFF” are stomped into the snowed-over amphitheatre in front of Strong Hall.
Photos by Liz Garcia
Pride Band’s performance at presidential inaugural parade canceled due to weather, venue capacity
Rylie Robinson REPORTER Qrylie04.robs
Missouri State University’s Pride Marching Band was to represent Missouri at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20 as the only marching band from the state to attend. As of Jan. 19, the band announced they are unable to perform at the inaugural parade due to extreme weather and venue capacity.
“While this is a disappointing turn of events for us all, we are extremely grateful for this opportunity and will continue to showcase our time in DC,” said an Instagram story posted to the Missouri State University Instagram account.
Brad Snow, director of bands, first applied for the band to attend back in December.
“We had to submit an application that included a resume for the band, video footage of the band and letters of recommendation,” Snow said.
Snow said Rep. Eric Burlison, a Missouri State alumnus, wrote the letters of recommendation. Snow submitted the initial application because he felt the exposure would benefit the band program and the university.
“We are always looking for ways to increase the profile of our band program and the university as a whole,” Snow said. “We viewed this as an incredible opportunity to add to the amazing legacy of the Pride Band.”
After finding out they were accepted on Dec. 23, 350 band
members began working tirelessly to prepare.
“I was extremely excited since only one organization per state was picked,” Snow said. “I was equally anxious because I knew that we would have to do a tremendous amount of planning and preparation in a very short period of time.”
Some students held the same regard for the opportunity, looking forward to performing on such a broad stage.
“When I found out about the news, I was really excited,” said Ashlynn Hilton, a freshman color guard member. “It’s such a great opportunity, and I think it’s amazing that we get to represent the state of Missouri.”
Though the band feels honored about the opportunity, it’s not the first time in MSU’s history a student group would be present at a presidential inauguration. In 2017, the MSU Chorale performed at the 58th presidential inauguration, the beginning of the first term of current President-elect Donald Trump.
Amongst the excitement for this opportunity, there has been some controversy around the band’s participation in Trump’s second inauguration.
“We have only had a handful of students that elected not to participate,” Snow said. “For everyone else, we have been focusing on what we are performing for, not who we are performing for.”
The band’s music planned for the inaugural parade was able to be performed and recorded at Georgetown University and has been posted to the Missouri State University and Pride Band Instagram accounts.
Around 10 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2025, the Missouri State University Instagram account posted to their story announcing the Pride Band would be unable to perform at the Inaugural Parade.
The MSU Instagram was being taken over by Pride Band members Adia, Ashley, Ally and Isa who have shared moments from the band’s trip to Washington D.C.
Screenshot from @missouristate on Instagram
File photo/The Standard
Brad Snow (center), director of bands, applied for the Pride Band to attend the presidential inauguration in December 2024.
Student account hold limit reduced to $1,000
Becky Gardner REPORTER Q_becky.gardner_
Missouri State University is adjusting the current balance students must be below to register for the summer 2025 and fall 2025 semesters.
The current hold amount is $2,000. Moving forward from the spring 2025 semester, the hold amount will be lowered to $1,000.
The Office of Financial Services says the $2,000 limit was a result of adjustments made to help students who were facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, Missouri State’s hold amount was $200, per federal regulation.
Lamar Curtis, Missouri State University’s Collections Coordinator, explained that while the $2,000 limit helped students in the short term, it created long-term problems.
“What we noticed is that it was kind of becoming detrimental to the students overall,” said Curtis. “Students might see that $2,000 and think they are okay, but what happens is the $2,000 seems to balloon and get to a point where they can’t just go and request financial aid.”
The university sent emails to students whose balances were near or above the $1,000 threshold, advising them to contact Financial Services or Financial Aid for assistance.
Students have expressed concerns about the hold amount being lowered.
Gabrielle White, a senior majoring in marketing, transferred to MSU for affordable and attainable tuition that MSU has a reputation of offering.
“My initial reaction was frustration to be honest,” said White. “Seeing that the minimum amount owed gets lowered when they are sparse with scholarships and financial aid, it is really disappointing.”
White uploaded a screenshot of the email she received from the Office of Financial Services to YikYak, an anonymous social media app for college students, to see who else was concerned about this upcoming change.
“When I posted the screenshot of the announcement email, a lot of users on here gathered and were equally upset and concerned with how the affordability of their schooling will be impacted,” said White.
Curtis says this adjustment is going into place when it is to give students more time to plan ahead. He says if students aren’t attending summer classes, they will have from now until August to get their balance below $1,000. Even so, students like White feel they will still be impacted regardless.
“It’s more stressful for all of us when the cost and requirements don’t allow us to make payments in amounts that work for our budget,” said White.
The Office of Financial Services plans to gradually lower the hold amount from what is now $1,000 down to $200 eventually. However, Curtis says this change will not be sudden.
“We didn’t want to jump from $2,000 down to $200,” said Curtis. “We are going to look at it, see how it’s doing for students, and then reevaluate the decision.”
The policy change will not affect Spring 2025 registration but will apply to students registering for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025, with the hold being placed on their account on March 25, 2025, when the first sequence of registration opens.
My Student Records Advising Notes Enrollment Verification Holds Test Scores
View Grades
Students who have a balance around or over $1,000 and need assistance with financial planning can contact the Office of Financial Services via email at FinancialServices@missouristate. edu or can schedule a meeting online with Missouri State University financial aid counselors. Beginning March 25, 2025, students with “account balances of $1000 or more” will have holds placed on their accounts, according to the My Missouri State homepage. Holds on student’s accounts may prevent them from registering for classes. Students can visit the My Student Records card on their My Missouri State account to view any holds placed on their accounts.
Tamera Jahnke took over as interim provost after it was announced that John Jasinski moved up his retirement date to Feb. 1, 2025. Jahnke previously served as associate provost from 2005 to 2006.
MSU interim provost named after Jasinski moves up retirement date
Liz Garcia CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Qliz.vanessa__
A new interim provost has been named shortly after it was announced on Dec. 6 that current provost John Jasinski moved up his retirement date from June 30, 2025, to Feb. 1, 2025. Jasinski’s last day on campus was Dec. 20.
Tamera Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS), began serving as interim provost on Dec. 21 and will hold the position until a permanent candidate is selected. CNAS Associate Dean Jorge Rebaza-Vasquez will act as interim dean for the department while Jahnke fills the interim provost role.
“I am deeply honored to
accept the role of interim provost and am committed to serving Missouri State University with humility, integrity and dedication,” said Jahnke in a press release from the university.
Jahnke has served the CNAS as dean for 18 years and was previously head of the chemistry department for nine years. From 2005 to 2006, she acted as associate provost for the university.
In October, the university announced Jasinski’s intention to retire. Although his original retirement date was set for June 30, 2025. Jasinski’s final day will now be Feb. 1, 2025, and he will use accrued leave and other vacation time until then. The soon-former provost will be out of office for the month of January 2025.
“Dr. Jasinski has made lasting contributions to Missouri State University during his tenure as provost, particularly in unifying our academic affairs initiatives,” said President Richard “Biff” Williams in a university press release.
“While we will miss his leadership,” he continued, “we are fortunate to have Dr. Tamera Jahnke step into this crucial role. Her service to our university and extensive leadership experience make her exceptionally qualified to guide our academic affairs forward during this transition period.”
A provost search committee was put together and is led by co-chairs Brad Bodenhausen, vice president for community and global partnerships, and Marjorie Shav-
“Her service to our university and extensive leadership experience make her exceptionally qualified to guide our academic affairs forward during this transition period.”
- Richard “Biff” Williams
ers, associate dean for the College of Education. The search committee consists of 17 faculty and staff members. Currently, over 60 candidates have applied for the provost position.
First-round interviews will be conducted this month with Williams expected to make his selection for provost in March 2025. The first date of provost applicant consideration was Dec. 2. Faculty Senate Chairelect Mike Foster has provided updates on the Provost Search Committee’s efforts to the Faculty Senate in their November and December meetings. At the Senate’s Dec. 5 meeting, Chair Scott Zimmerman announced the change in Jasinski’s retirement plan.
John Jasinski served as university provost from 2022 to 2024, previously serving as president of Northwest Missouri State University from 2009 to 2022.
Photo provided by MSU Strategic Communications
Photo provided by MSU Strategic Communications
Halfway through season, Ice Bears tell different tales
Jayden Pettus CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DPettusJayden
As both teams have now surpassed the halfway mark of the 2024-25 season, the Missouri State University Division I and Division III Ice Bear teams have fared quite differently.
The DI Ice Bears, led by Head Coach Tom Winkler, are currently sitting below a .500 winning percentage with a record of 10-12-2 in 24 games. Meanwhile, Head Coach Cody Blevins’ DIII team won its first 11 games and now holds a record of 15-5-1 in 21 games.
Division I Ice Bears
After splitting the first four series of the ‘2425 season, the DI Ice Bears were unable to gather momentum and sputtered throughout the fall semester. The team lost four straight games in October to fall to 4-6-2, but their record got a bump when they swept the Colorado State University Rams to move back to 6-6-2 during the first week of November. Still yet, the Ice Bears couldn’t find consistency, losing two games, winning two and losing two more to complete the fall semester with an 8-102 record.
Winkler’s DI team returned to its inconsistent ways coming out of winter break, opening the 2025 portion of the season with a sweep of the McKendree University Bearcats on Jan. 10 and 11, and following that up by getting swept at home by the University of Las Vegas-Neva-
da Rebels. The team moves to a record of 10-12-2 as they prepare to head down the final stretch sitting outside the playoff picture. Currently ranked No. 32 in the American Collegiate Hockey League (ACHA) national rankings, the team will need to move up at least seven spots to qualify for the national tournament.
To the Ice Bears’ credit, the Rebels are the No. 2 ranked team in the nation and defeated the reigning NCAA champion University of Denver in an exhibition match earlier this season. The team kept both games close and even held a lead more than once, which ultimately will help the Ice Bears in the ACHA national rankings.
DI Top Performers
Freshman goalie Brady Govero makes a pad save during the DI Ice Bears’ weekend series against the UNLV Rebels on Jan. 17 and 18.
Graduate defenseman Tommy Ramer leads the Ice Bears in points with 28 — eight goals and 20 assists — in 24 games. Six of the veteran defenseman’s seven goals have come on the power play, and he is currently one of two DI skaters scoring at a point-per-game pace.
Freshman forward Duke Boccardi has been a surprising standout for the team, collecting eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 24 games played. Much like Ramer, Boccardi feeds on power-play points, amassing 12 points —
Graduate defenseman and DI Ice Bears leading point scorer Tommy Ramer
28 points in 24 games.
half his total — on the man-advantage, so far.
Senior forward Jack Dapron has led the DI squad in goals so far this year, as the fourth-year forward has racked up nine goals in 24 games up until this point in the season.
Freshman goalie Brady Govero joined the team this season and immediately made an impact, making appearances in 16 games, with a record of 6-5-2.
Bulger goes international
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 season, Ice Bears’ 2023-24 top scorer and now-sophomore forward Hunter Bulger was selected as a member of the ACHA’s USA National Team, which is currently participating in the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire’s 2025 World University Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
Through four games played in the winter games, the USA team is a perfect 4-0, topping Poland, 6-2, Japan, 5-1, Slovakia, 6-5 in a shootout and Ukraine, 5-1. Bulger is scoring at a point-per-game pace in the tournament with four goals in four games.
Division III Ice Bears
Contrary to the DI team’s inconsistent start, the DIII Ice Bears have been on a roll since the first puck drop.
It took 43 days for the DIII team to be defeated after the start of the season. The team won 11 consecutive games to start the year before dropping a game against the University of Nebraska in early November. The following weekend, the Ice Bears hosted the Route 66 Showcase, finishing the round-robin tournament with a 2-1 record in three games. The team hit a skid coming out of the showcase, winning
just one of the last four games of the semester. The DIII Ice Bears came out of the winter break with a home-and-home series against the University of Arkansas, splitting the series at a game apiece to move to a record of 15-5-1 with just eight games remaining in the season.
DIII Top Performers
Junior forward Isaac Cooper has led the DIII team in goals and points this season, scoring 14 and adding 10 assists for 24 points in 18 games played. Three of Cooper’s 14 goals have come as game winners this season, the most of any skater on the DIII team.
Senior forward Braden Harwell has played well for the Ice Bears, scoring nine goals and picking up 11 assists for 20 points in 20 games played. Junior and freshman forwards Tyler Culleton and Will Casseau share third place for team points with 19 each.
Junior goaltender Espen Reager has been lights out in net for the team, carrying an 8-21 record through 11 games played, with a solid .914 save percentage and a 2.43 goals against average.
Heading down the stretch
With both teams now having less than 10 games left in the season, a postseason appearance looks to be in the cards for DIII, but DI has work left to do if they want to reach the top 25 ranking needed to qualify for the ACHA National Tournament in March.
The DI team heads to the Arizona State University campus to play the Sun Devils in the former home of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, Mullett Arena, on Friday, Jan. 24. DIII will hit the road to Sioux Falls, Iowa, to take on the Dordt University Defenders on the same day.
Photo by Shanna Stafford, Qshanna_staffordphotography
skating in the offensive zone during the team’s weekend series against the UNLV Rebels on Jan. 17 and 18. Ramer currently sits with
Photo by Shanna Stafford, Qshanna_staffordphotography
Missouri State Athletics bring excitement to spring
W. Paul Bohlen SPORTS EDITOR Dwpbohlen
Missouri State University has one more semester in the Missouri Valley Conference before it moves to Conference USA this summer, and there are lots of stories to talk about in that time.
Here’s a look at the sports that will be playing this spring and how those who played over break fared in that time.
Men’s Basketball
Round two of Cuonzo Martin’s Bears haven’t been as impressive on the scoreboard as his first iteration of the team. Currently, they sit at the bottom of the MVC with a 7-12 overall record and an 0-8 conference record.
The Bears have also lost the last seven games they’ve played, with their last win coming before Christmas on Dec. 22 when they defeated the University of California, Santa Barbara, 68-56 at home.
While their scores have been zeroes and their free throw shooting is far below par for a Division I program, the team itself is looking good from a game standpoint.
Sophomore guard Dez White is probably the best athlete they have, averaging just under 16 points per game and consistently sinking his free throws.
Junior guard Vincent Brady II and junior forward Michael Osei-Bonsu have also shown they belong in the starting lineup, though Brady still has lots to improve on from the charity stripe, and Osei-Bonsu regularly ends up in foul trouble.
Freshman guard Zaxton King also regularly impresses as a freshman starter in the point guard position.
Currently, the Bears’ weakest link is really Cuonzo’s own son, senior guard Chase Martin, who struggles in passing, has one of the lowest percentages from beyond the arc with .179, hasn’t been making his free throws and generally struggles to keep up for how much time he’s been playing.
Missouri State, still looking for a conference win, as well as their first win in 2025, returns to Great Southern Bank Arena on Jan. 25 to face the Drake University Bulldogs.
Women’s Basketball
While the men’s team hasn’t won in 2025, the Lady Bears have not lost in 2025.
Missouri State women’s basketball is currently 13-4 overall and 5-1 in the MVC, sitting at third place in the conference.
Leading the team on the court is senior point guard Lacy Stokes for her final year as a part of the Lady Bears, and she keeps improving, seemingly with every game. She’s been a con-
Photos by W. Paul Bohlen, Qanthro_paul_ogist
While junior guard Vincent Brady II (left) and teammates have been playing well individually, the team is still strugging to come together to play a solid team game. Senior guard Lacy Stokes (right) and company have been rolling as of late. The Lady Bears have yet to lose a game in 2025.
sistent shooter from the paint, beyond the arc and from the free throw line, and she gets exactly what she wants to get done.
Other returning guards, like senior Paige Rocca, sophomore Kaemyn Bekemeier and sophomore Kyrah Daniels have also put up fantastic performances.
While the team has seen struggles, particularly in their own free throw shooting, Bekemeier and Rocca have made up for a lot of that lost ground, and their cohesion has made them a team to be feared.
The Lady Bears are home at The Vault on Jan. 24 and 26 to face Drake and the University of Northern Iowa.
Baseball
The final season of legendary baseball coach Keith Guttin’s career didn’t go quite as storybook as the team might have hoped, but his successor brings a clean 0-0 slate to the program.
Guttin didn’t stay retired for long, he’s still around the team as director of special projects, working on fundraising events and other types of Baseball Bears happenings, but his former associate head coach is now the head coach.
Joey Hawkins continues the program’s tradition of the player to coach pipeline, as only the third head coach in its long history.
There’s not much that can be expected about the season right now besides the fact that the team returns standouts of last year like senior infielder Nick Rodriguez, junior outfield Zack Stewart, sophomore outfielder Caden Bogen-
pohl, junior outfielder Taeg Gollert and junior pitcher Garrett Ferguson.
The Baseball Bears had one fall game under Hawkins, the Battle for Bell event, a yearly game played between Missouri State and Drury University, where the Bears hit seven home runs, winning 28-3.
They’ll show what they can really do on Feb. 14-16, starting their season in Huntsville, Texas, against Sam Houston State University, future opponents in Conference USA.
Baseball returns to Springfield on Feb. 28 for the home opener, when the Bears host the University of Louisiana Monroe.
Track and Field
The Track and Field Bears opened their season on Dec. 7 with the Crimson and Gold Invitational, hosted by Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. The Bears had 15 top-10 placements in Kansas.
On Jan. 17, the Bears traveled to Columbia, Missouri, to face the in-state foe University of Missouri at the Show-Me Showdown and won the relay.
The Bears travel to Pitt State once more on Feb. 21 for the Gorilla Classic and Mizzou twice on Jan. 25 for the Bob Teel Invitational and Feb. 7 for the Missouri Invitational..
Beach Volleyball
The Beach Bears were the first Missouri State sport to join Conference USA, playing last season as members, and they’ll precede the rest of MSU there again this season.
Last year was an impressive one for the team. After struggling through a 9-13 season in 2023, head coach Ashley Emery got the team going in 2024 to finish with an impressive 26-7 record.
Adding to the excitement, senior stars of the indoor volleyball team — which plays in the fall — Maddy Bushnell and Morgan Sprague, as well as redshirt sophomore Jaycee Fixsen will be joining the Beach Bears this spring.
The beach team starts its season off on Feb. 21 and 22 with the Missouri State Tournament and are home the next weekend with the Beach Bear Bash.
Acrobatics and Tumbling
The first of two new sports to Missouri State, acrobatics and tumbling begins its short season on Feb. 9, facing off against Presbyterian College and Bluefield State University at Presbyterian’s home in Clinton, South Carolina.
The Bears of acrobatics and tumbling will be home three times in their inaugural season, facing Augustana University on Feb. 15, Duquesne University on Feb. 22 and Baylor University on March 8.
Acrobatics and tumbling is headed by coach Kimberlee Adkins, previously head coach of Davis and Elkins College’s program.
STUNT
STUNT is the other new sport at MSU, led by head coach Kennedy Wingbermuehle, formerly head coach of Central Methodist University.
Unlike others, STUNT has no home games scheduled for their inaugural season, currently only listing six tournaments at other universities between Feb. 7 and the end of March.
Their first invitational tournament will be to Dallas to face Oklahoma Baptist University and California Baptist University on Feb. 7 and the University of Texas and Michigan State University on Feb. 8.
Tennis
Since last season, the Tennis Bears saw a coaching change, as former head coach Ellie Burger moved to MVC rival Belmont University.
Austin Hale — previously an assistant coach of cross-state school Missouri Baptist University and head coach of the University of Saint Mary’s tennis programs — is now at the helm of the Bears’ program.
Their spring season has only just started, with a 6-1 loss at Arkansas State University on Jan. 17. The Tennis Bears won’t open at home until Feb. 7, when they host the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
MVC play begins March 22 at Valparaiso University.
