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Table of Contents 44 Money management 46 Pickwick Place 48 Roommates 52 Twitter accounts to follow 53 Fashion trends for this fall 54 Local coffee shops 56 Dining halls 57 Bear snapshots 61 Standard multimedia projects 62 Thrift stores CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS 64 FSL 66 SGA and SAC 67 Political clubs 68 MRC 69 Multicultural organizations 70 Women’s organizations 71 Campus ministries and organizations 72 Volunteer programs 73 Residence life
Standard staff Advertising staff Joel Grieshaber sales Kayla Thompson sales
Editors
Greta Cross editor-in-Chief Desiree Nixon news editor Todd Dearing life editor Stephen Terrill sports editor Diana Dudenhoeffer digital editor Jaylen Early visual editor Allison Davis copy editor Kaitlynne Atchley copy editor Maquelle Huntley copy editor Shannon Noonan copy editor Victoria Conway copy editor
Reporters
Afton Harper staff reporter Ash Garza staff reporter Blake Haynes staff reporter Brayden Ash staff reporter Britney Huish staff reporter Caroline Mund staff reporter Cole Sutton staff reporter Connor Wilson staff reporter Jack McGee staff reporter Kamran Choudry staff reporter Katie Dolan staff reporter Kelsey Benack staff reporter Lauren Johns staff reporter Molly Del Rossi staff reporter Molly Roeder staff reporter
Noah Tucker staff reporter Paige Newton staff reporter Paige Nicewanner staff reporter Reginald Lee Jr. staff reporter T.J. Scott staff reporter Taylor Schwartz staff reporter Victoria Scroggins staff reporter Annelise Pinjuv staff reporter Cole Trumble staff reporter Tinsley Merriman staff reporter Zoe Brown staff reporter
Visual Staff
Caleb Stafford designer Katie Batliner designer/illustrator Kjella Page designer/illustrator Sydney Arlt designer Leah Stiefemann photographer Russ Bray photographer Sinjin Delmore photographer Alyssa Vandegrift cartoonist Jadie Arnett designer Madison Harper designer/illustrator Brenna Lumley photographer Kaitlyn Stratman photographer Kate Brown photographer Kendra Kernal photographer
Professional staff
Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager
74 Visual arts clubs 75 LGBTQ clubs and organizations 76 STEM organizations SPORTS AND RECREATION 78 Football 80 Women’s golf 81 Men’s golf 82 Men’s soccer 83 Women’s soccer 84 Baseball 85 Softball 86 Beach volleyball 87 Volleyball 88 Hockey 89 Tennis 90 Women’s basketball 92 Men’s basketball 94 Swim 95 Track 97 Foster Recreation Center
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is published by The Standard, 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 Standard staff.
Cover design by Greta Cross
4 Letter from the editor-in-chief ACADEMIC LIFE 10 Academic department housing 12 Public affairs 14 Majors and the Career Center 16 Campus study spots 20 Computer lab guide 21 TRIO student resources 22 Bearline 24 What to know as a freshmen 26 Textbooks STUDENT LIFE 28 Off campus study spots 30 Bear pantry 32 Hidden gems 34 Local music 36 Restaurants 38 Coming soon 40 Dorm essentials 41 Homesickness 42 Living off campus 43 Academic calendar
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Last year, I served as The Standard’s digital editor. I updated our social media accounts, posted stories onto the website, managed our four podcasts (Check us out on Spotify @TheStandard) and with wrote stories and took photos whenever I had the chance. After some heavy consideration, I decided to apply for editor-in-chief, as the transition appeared pretty seamless since The Standard has been working towards a digital-first model for awhile and I’d been working with digital content for a full year. Well, digital-first turned into digital-only. Some bittersweet news you may or may not have already known — The Standard is transitioning to an online-only publication this school year. Yes, this breaks my heart because it represents the direction print journalism is going, and I think physical newspapers are the most important journalistic medium. However, this is also an exciting time. The Standard gets to be at the forefront of change, and I have full confidence that our staff is ready for the new road ahead. What are some new things you can expect this school year from The Standard? First, I would like to clarify that not all of Greta Cross/THE STANDARD our content will be online-only. We will still print physical copies of our special sections, photograph my second semester. such as Back to Campus (obviously, as the The Standard began to engulf my life. And copy is most likely in your hands right now), honestly, I’ve been engulfed ever since. the Career and Housing Guides and Basket-
Cross: The transition from print to digital GRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto If you would have told me two years ago I would be the editor-in-chief of The Standard, I never would have believed you. This isn’t a position I saw myself in as a freshman — even as a sophomore I hadn’t imagined it — but now that I’m here, I’m excited for the opportunity to make my mark at The Standard. I grew up in the small, rural town of Mokane, Missouri. My high school didn’t have a journalism program. The closest thing we did have to journalism was our yearbook. As a high school senior, I decided to attend the nearest career center, where I enrolled in a broadcast journalism class. Every morning, at the crack of dawn, I would load up on a bus to make the half-hour drive to the career center. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the journalistic style of storytelling. I didn’t care about high school life — where I sat at lunch, senior prom or even graduation. All I wanted was to tell stories. Upon arriving at Missouri State, I got involved at The Standard as early as I could, attending the eight-week reporter training my first semester and beginning to report and
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ball Preview. We are actually adding a handful of new special sections to our publication schedule this year, so expect to see more niche content on newsstands! Rather than a physical weekly paper, we will be sending out weekly email newsletters to interested students, faculty and staff, alumni and Springfield community members. Newsletters allow us to reach a larger, more diverse audience and give us the opportunity to showcase more of our multimedia projects. Speaking of multimedia projects, we have plans to expand The Standard’s video department. In the past, we produced The Standard Statement, a weekly broadcast-style video highlighting the week’s top news. In its place, we will share a variety of videos on a weekly and biweekly basis, including The Standard Sports Recap — we produced this last year — along with individual news and lifestyle packages, a cooking show and a weather broadcast. My biggest goal this year is to improve engagement with you — our reader! I want to strengthen our connection. We need readers and our readers need us to provide them with important, factual — sometimes intriguing — information. Although I never imagined myself here, I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead an incredible staff through the corridors of changes to come. For now, bear up and support local journalism!
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Meet The Standard’s 2020-21 Editorial Board M. TODD DEARING Lifestyle Editor @mtodddearing
For me, the lifestyle section at The Standard has always had great potential, and as this year’s lifestyle editor, my hope is for us to exceed all expectations of the coming year. During the 2020 spring semester I had the privilege to work as the music beat reporter, an ex-
perience that inspired me to bring the lifestyle section to the forefront of local culture and art. The Missouri State University and Springfield communities are culturally vibrant. Even during the COVID-19 outbreak, local artists found ways to express creativity through projects like Lawn Art With Neighbors and the Queen City Shout Quarantine Open Mic. These pandemic projects inspired DESIREE NIXON News Editor @DesireeNixon17
Hello everyone! I hope you guys had a fantastic summer, similar to how we are going to have a fantastic year! I am Desiree Nixon, The Standard’s News Editor for the 2020-21 school year. Here are some fun facts to get to know me: I am from Springfield and am an only DIANA DUDENHOEFFER Digital Editor @kisstein
Welcome back, Bears! Let’s raise our glasses to a spectacular fall 2020! My name is Diana, and I’m the digital editor for the 2020-21 school year. I’m a junior journalism major with a minor in sustainability. I’m a cancer, my Myers-Briggs is ENTJ and I’m left-handed!
Welcome back, Bears! My name is Jaylen Early, and I am The Standard’s Visual Editor this school year. I have been with The Standard as a staff photographer since my freshman year, and I am absolutely thrilled to take on this leadership position. In addition to being the Visual STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor @Stevethe2nd Greetings and salutations Bears! I am Stephen Terrill, the face at the helm of The Standard’s sports section. I spent last school year as a beat writer, covering men’s soccer, the Ice Bears and hosted the sports podcast, The Growl. When I am not covering teams that
child. And, I binge-watched The Blacklist all summer, which is an amazing show and everyone should watch it. Something else amazing is the weather. Since I was 9 years old I have wanted to be a meteorologist. After MSU I am going to be pursuing that dream as I plan to attend the University of Missouri to get a graduate degree in atmospheric sciences. When I am not watching Blacklist, I
Even though I do my share of reporting, my roots at The Standard have been in copy editing. Now, you might not think copy editing is a very glamorous position, but I disagree. Copy editors have one of the most important jobs there is; they work behind the scenes, dotting every i and crossing every t (sometimes quite literally) to make sure the very best version of a reporter’s work goes out for the world to see. Oh, the power a copy editor holds! JAYLEN EARLY Visual Editor @jaylenearly
me: My goal is to merge these two communities into one interactive experience. I feel there is a disconnect for the paper between the projects of students in a curriculum and their passion projects they complete outside of class. I hope to break this divide and invite more artists to share their works in our paper and online mediums. As always, I want the lifestyle section to be there for new local business-
have a Missouri State logo attached to them, I usually watch my favorite professional teams: the New York Islanders, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals and the esports organization Team Solo-Mid. I understand one of those is in no way local, but if you ever come across me on campus feel free to ask about it. I will gladly tell you why the New York Islanders are the greatest team to ever exist. I hail from a small town in the far cor-
or trying to forecast the weather I am thinking about what to do with The Standard this year as editor. I will admit, I am only a sophomore and wrote for The Standard for a semester before getting this position. But that doesn’t make me any less qualified. I have a history in broadcast journalism and ironically this year our paper is going to be digital-first. With this opportunity, I plan on helping reporters make video
That’s why I’m thrilled to be in the digital editor position this year. I consider it to be one of the most crucial positions, especially in the era of digital content. It’s 2020, y’all! People aren’t reading print as much as they used to. Instead, people are looking to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for their news. Pushing even more content on The Standard’s social media is a very exciting task for me, and I can’t wait to get started!
Editor, I take photos for one of our ongoing projects, Neighbors, and I also co-host The Standard’s music review podcast, Between the Headphones. When I am not working for The Standard, you will catch me enjoying live music, collecting records, painting, spending way too much money on iced coffee, reading or watching reruns of King of the Hill. I am currently a junior studying art
es. However, I feel this will need to be prioritized more following the COVID-19 pandemic’s damage, which have impacted small businesses across the country. This next year has many exciting changes coming to The Standard. It is my hope that I can, with the help of our talented staff, make the life section something every MSU student can be excited about.
Engagement is going to be a big priority this year. I want to get more readers, more people liking and commenting and more excitement stirred up about student journalism! I believe with my whole heart that the work of student journalists is more important than ever before, and the folks at The Standard are changing the world every day with all of the amazing things they’re doing. So thank you, dear reader, for your support.
with an emphasis in photography and a minor in art history. I want to utilize my background in art to help The Standard produce its most creative visuals yet. Photos and graphics are what pops out first to our readers, so I want our visual staff to use their skills to create eye-catching visuals that compliment our articles, and make our viewers want to keep reading. Since our publication is transitioning to digital only, I want to encourage our
ner of northeast Missouri called Memphis. It has a population of 2,000 people, but finds a fair bit of enjoyment in the lively prep sports scene in northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois. These last few years, The Standard has taken pride in providing professional and interesting coverage of all MSU athletics. As long as there are sports to cover, we will be there. This year we are going to push our Twitter coverage even harder
packages to give a more well-rounded story. And, I am really excited to see what comes out of our YouTube channel. My hope is we start getting some great content out there weekly. Stay tuned for some mini-documentaries and weather forecasts. Subscribe to us at MSU-The Standard to keep up with that content. I cannot wait to edit and produce for you the readers this next year! Have a great year. Go Bears!
team to use this as an opportunity to explore more ways to visually support our content. I hope to guide our team to experiment artistically with their visuals, but to also fine tune their technical skills along the way. My goal is to push the visual team out of their comfort zone and support them as they grow as artists, and as individuals this school year.
than we have in the past. The best place to start with that would be my own account: @Stevethe2nd. From there you can easily find all of the other talented folks working here. I fully believe this year will provide us many interesting ways to show you both what happens on the field, and what happens in practices and player meetings. It is a challenge I am ecstatic to take on.
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Academic Department Housing
Illustration by Diana Dudenhoeffer/THE STANDARD
Strong Hall houses the College of Humanities and Public Affairs.
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
GRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto
• Department of Biology (Temple Hall) • Department of Chemistry (Temple Hall) College of Business • Department of Computer Science (Cheek • School of Accountancy (Glass Hall) Hall) • Department of Finance and General Business • Department of Geography, Geology and Plan(Glass Hall) ning (Temple Hall) • Department of Information Technology and • Department of Hospitality Leadership (Pummill Hall) Cybersecurity (Glass Hall) • Department of Mathematics (Cheek Hall) • Department of Management (Glass Hall) • Department of Physics, Astronomy and Ma• Department of Marketing (Glass Hall) terials Sciences (Kemper Hall) • Department of Merchandising and Fashion Design (Park Central Office Building) • Department of Technology and Construction Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters Management (Glass Hall) • Department of Art and Design (Brick City) • Department of Communication (Craig Hall) • Department of English (Siceluff Hall) • Department of Media, Journalism and Film (Craig Hall) • Department of Modern and Classical Languages (Siceluff Hall) • Department of Music (Ellis Hall) • Department of Theatre and Dance (Craig Illustration by Diana Dudenhoeffer/THE STANHall) DARD
Glass Hall houses the College of Business.
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)
College of Humanities and Public Affairs
McQueary College of Health and Human Services
• School of Anesthesia (O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Building) • Department of Biomedical Sciences (Professional Building) • Department of Communication Studies (Professional Building) • Department of Kinesiology (McDonald Hall) • School of Nursing (Professional Building) • Department of Occupational Therapy (O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Building) • Department of Physical Therapy (McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall) • Department of Physician Assistant Studies (Professional Building) • Department of Psychology (Hill Hall) • Department of Public Health and Sports Medicine (Professional Building) • School of Social Work (Pummill Hall)
• Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Strong Hall) • Department of Economics (Strong Hall) • Department of History (Strong Hall) • Department of Military Science (Freudenberger House) • Department of Philosophy (Strong Hall) • Department of Political Science (Strong Hall) • Department of Religious Studies (Strong Hall) William H. Darr College of Agriculture • Department of Sociology and Anthropology • Department of Agribusiness, Agricultural Education and Communications (Karls Hall) (Strong Hall) • Department of Animal Science (Karls Hall) • Department of Environmental Plant Science and Natural Resources (Karls Hall)
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Raise Your Voice High TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @merrimantinsley Each year, Missouri State University hosts a Public Affairs theme that upholds its three pillars: ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. This year’s theme is “The Power of Voice.” A committee of students, faculty and staff, chooses a theme each year, and it is finalized by the Public Affairs Academy Directors Mary Ann Wood and Candace Fisk. Wood said while the theme will be a good one to explore during the 2020 presidential election, it is not solely based on the election. Amanda Broduer, associate biomedical professor, is the Public Affairs Fellow for the 2020-2021 school year. While she did not pick the theme, she said she greatly appreciates it and believes it is relevant and important. “I think it is a broad topic that applies to all of the colleges at the university,” Broduer said. “I feel
that advocacy, or giving voice to others, is extremely important. I also think that it ties in with current issues and how students consume information and consider expertise.” Broduer said communication is vast, and learning your own voice can help you communicate better in the modern day. “Each of us must find our own voice that represents our personal values, beliefs and attitudes,” Broduer said. “This process is shaped by experience, education, culture, geography, adversity and many other factors. The evolution of one’s voice allows individuals to express themselves and to advocate for others through oral and written communication, the arts, political dialogue and in many other ways.” Cell biology graduate student Cole Horned is also excited for the theme. Horned is the director of Public Affairs for the student body and said he was part of the committee that chose the theme. “My previous involvement with the office has helped me realize just
how important our roles in society are, especially in the wake of the coronavirus,” Horned said. “We are living in very historical times, and I can only hope that it will bring us closer together and that we might all become more culturally competent, engaged in our communities and demonstrate ethical leadership throughout and after this is all over.” The committee also chooses the MSU common reader to connect with the theme. The common reader is a book chosen to “provide a common academic experience and create a greater sense of community among students, faculty and staff,” according to the Public Affairs portion of MSU’s website. It is used in GEP courses as a common text freshman read. This year the common reader is “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover. The Public Affairs Conference will be Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2020 via Zoom conference. The conference will have one keynote speaker, three plenary speakers and 22 different panels with 27 invited
Illustration by Katelyn Betz/THE STANDARD
The three pillars of public affairs at Missouri State are ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. The theme for the 2020-2021 school year is “The Power of Voice.” guest speakers. Broduer said the committee is also working on a pre-conference event to showcase the arts, as well as planning a board game and escape room night for students. Broduer said the keynote speak-
er has not been announced. Broduer confirmed three plenary speakers as MSU alumni Marcus Engel, professor of law at the University of Missouri School of Law Lyrissa Lidsky and American Author Sue Klebold.
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Career Center helps students prepare for futures
abilities and personality.” Missouri State also offers a course, Exploring Major and Careers (IDS 120), that allows students to spend a semester looking into potential future careers and learning how to make career choices for themselves, as well as how to work with others. IDS 120 helps students to develop skills in areas like networking, developing effecIllustration by Katelyn Betz/THE STANDARD tive career documents and goal The Career Center on campus can help students who havsetting, according en’t declared a major or for those who are having second to Todd Euglow thoughts about their major. who teaches IDS 120. Euglow also CAROLINE MUND works at the Career Center as a career resource specialist. Staff Reporter “I would say that nearly all students who @cemund32 take this course indicate in their course evalMissouri State University’s Career Center uations that they have made significant prognot only offers one-on-one career counseling ress towards choosing a major and/or career to students, but also helps them write cover by the end of the semester,” Euglow said. letters and resumes, practice interview skills When it comes to a major, Euglow shared and look for internships and job opportunities. what he feels is important to keep in mind The Career Center also holds events, such when choosing the right career path. as the Career Fair and Resume Madness, “Although there are many factors students which is held every year around campus should consider, a few primary ones include where students bring a printed copy of their what majors align with their unique skills/ resumes to have them reviewed. Students can strengths, what majors align best with some also go to mock interviews and etiquette din- of their career goals, are their opportunities ners to learn manners and conversation skills to learn more about this major,” Euglow said. during meals for interviews. “It’s important that students research the maCareer Center director Kelly Rapp said jor requirements fully before making an ofthe Career Center is also a place for students ficial change so that they can have a better to come if they haven’t declared a major or idea of what to expect.” The two Career Center locations are in are having second thoughts about a major. Rapp said the first step students should Glass Hall room 276 and Carrington Hall take is to create a Handshake account. The room 309. Career Center uses Handshake to schedule “We work hard to ensure that we meet the appointments, send messages to students, individual needs of each student who uses look for jobs and send out notifications to our services and spend a considerable amount students for upcoming events on campus. of time developing resources and opportuniStudents can access Handshake through the ties to assist students no matter where they Missouri State Career Center webpage at may be in their career development process,” careercenter.missouristate.edu. Euglow said. Services are free for MSU students and The Career Center also uses assessment quizzes such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator alumni. Rapp said she encourages students and Kuder Journey to get more information to come to the Career Center. about careers that students potentially would “We aren’t scary, we aren’t intimidating, do well in. you don’t have to come in (wearing) a full “(They’re) for personality inventory,” suit and have your whole career figured out, Rapp said. “(they) assess skills, interests, that’s what we are here for,” Rapp said.
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Best on-campus study spots ZOE BROWN @zoe_zoebrown Depending on your mood, different study spots on campus may lend themselves well to your workflow. Whether you’re a social studier or prefer privacy, there is bound to be a study spot for you.
Second floor of Glass Hall
If you prefer a modern vibe while studying, the booths on the second floor of Glass Hall may be the perfect spot. Glass Hall has a large open-access computer lab for students on this floor, so you can easily print off paFile photo by Jaylen Early/THE pers or notes. It also has many spaSTANDARD cious booths to spread out and start Glass Hall’s construction was cramming for an exam. completed in October 2017 Glass Hall is home to Einstein’ and is home to the College of Bros. Bagels, so pick up a bagel and coffee and get to work! Business. But you don’t have
to be a business major to enjoy this modern study zone.
study. The building is busy throughout the day, especially during the lunch rush, but in the morning and afternoon, students are sure to find a comfy booth to get plenty of work done. The first floor of the PSU is a particularly good study spot, especially in the area around Starbucks — away from the upstairs food vendor noise. Here, students are likely to run into many familiar faces, making the spot excellent for group work. On the first floor of the PSU, students have access to computers and printing services. If you like the convenient location but need to be free from distractions, try the third floor of the PSU. Here, you’ll find booths and chairs with less of the commotion from students coming through the PSU. These factors make the PSU a one-stop-shop for all studying needs.
those who know of it. It has all you could want — privacy, silence and an incredible view. On the second floor of the library at the end of the wall of windows heading toward Strong Hall, there is a short opening and hallway. At the end of the hallway is a small room with a couch and a table. On sunny days it is filled with light and has a perfect view of the John Q. Hammons Fountain. Here, students can sip coffee as they read in seclusion or perhaps take a study break to people-watch as students pass from class to class.
First floor of Siceluff
Siceluff, one of the oldest buildings on campus, is a hidden gem for studying. Siceluff is home to the modern and classical languages department and was recently renovated in keeping with the classical style of the building. Siceluff is located on the Plaster Student Union Carillon in the library historic quad and welcomes students The close proximity to food and The Carillon, otherwise known as with its tall stone pillars — it looks coffee make the PSU a great place to the Bell Tower, is highly coveted by and feels quintessentially “college.”
Inside the building on the first floor are a few tables and comfy chairs perfect for doing a bit of creative writing or reading up for a literature class. The dark wood tables and maroon chairs make you want to curl up with a good book before going off to your next class. This is a typically quiet area to study with minimal distractions.
Tables by John Q. Hammons Fountain
If you need to study but love to be outside, try getting a table by John Q. Hammons Fountain — between Temple Hall and Duane G. Meyer Library. Enjoy beautiful weather at the center of campus, likely within close proximity to many of your classes. The fountain offers relief from a hot day walking around campus, so feel free to dip your toes while taking a study break. This is a great place to study with friends or enjoy the serenity of the fountain while finishing assigned class readings.
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Need a printer and need it fast? The Standard’s computer lab guide
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High-speed printer (black and white, color) Large format and 3-D printing
Cheek Hall 150
The open-access computer lab in Cheek Hall is located on the first floor. If entering the academic hall through the south doors, turn down the first hallway on the left until you come to the computer lab on the right-hand side. The bright blue walls and orange chairs are hard to miss. According to Missouri State’s Computer Services Help Desk webpage, Cheek Hall’s computer lab offers: • • • •
32 Windows-based PCs 2 Apple iMacs Scanners High-speed printer (black and white, color)
A Monoprice drawing tablet, used typically for graphic design, is also available for check-out in Cheek Hall’s computer lab.
Glass Hall 229
The open-access computer lab in Glass Hall is located on the second floor. According to Missouri State’s Computer Services Help Desk webpage, Glass Hall’s computer lab offers:
Illustration by Diana Dudenhoeffer/THE STANDARD
Students are alloted $60 per academic year through BearPrint. Each standard 8.5” x 11” black and white page costs $0.08, and a color page is $0.75. GRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto
• 66 Windows-based PCs • 4 Apple iMacs • 4 collaboration stations to enable four laptops to be hooked up to a large TV • Scanners
A Monoprice drawing tablet is also available for check-out in Glass Hall’s computer lab. Along with the three main open-access computer labs on campus, there are a handful more throughout the different lecture halls. For more information, check the lecture halls’ corresponding department webpages.
Moving off-campus, there are computer labs open to art and design students at Brick City, located in downtown Springfield. The technology offered Across Missouri State’s campus, there are three in each lab varies but ranges from: open-access computer labs available for use by all • Apple iMacs students. • Scanners Meyer Library 105 • High-speed printers The open-access computer lab in the Duane G. According to the art and design department’s Meyer Library is located on the first floor. If entering the library through the main, south doors, take webpage, the computer labs in Brick City 1 are a right up the steps or ramp, then take a left into the open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. side door, which is across from the first floor ele- to 5 p.m. Friday, 12-6 p.m. Saturday and 2-8 p.m. Sunday. vators. The Brick City 3 foundation computer lab, loAccording to Missouri State’s Computer Services Help Desk webpage, Meyer Library’s com- cated in room 218, is open 12-6 p.m. Saturday and 2-8 p.m. Sunday. puter lab offers: For non-open-access computer labs, hours may fluctuate if the labs are being used for course in• 102 Windows-based PCs struction. • 24 Apple iMacs To sign in to campus computers, students should • Microsoft Office Suite • Adobe Creative Cloud (on all iMacs and some use their Missouri State login, which includes a MSU Outlook email and password. PCs) • Scanners
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TRIO Programs Offer Student Resources to Encourage Success
MSU Visual Media
TRIO WORKS pins sit on a tabletop at the TRIO Programs and Multicultural Student Retention National TRIO Day celebration in February of 2019. Kathryn Dolan Staff Reporter @kathryndolan98 Cassandra Hearsch graduated from Missouri State University last spring with a degree in general studies. During her time at MSU, she was able to take advantage of several services offered by the TRIO programs. TRIO is a national organization offering services to students in sixth grade through graduate school. MSU offers two TRIO programs on campus, including Upward Bound, a program geared toward high school students, and Student Support Services, a program for college students. TRIO frequently assists first-generation college students, students with financial issues and students who are disabled. The organization offers one-on-one tutoring services, monthly adviser appointments, a peer mentoring program and much more. After being referred to explore TRIO’s resources, Hearsch sent in an application and was paired with an adviser who provided her with both educational and emotional support. “The TRIO staff are amazing,” Hearsch said. “Besides always making sure my grades were good, they made sure I was doing OK mentally. TRIO is one of those offices that just really, really cares for students.” Rebecca Stewart, executive director for
TRIO programs, has been working with TRIO for almost four years, holding various positions around the country. “We consider ourselves to be a family, and we treat all of our students that way,” Stewart said. “I think students just feel they can be comfortable and be themselves.” According to Stewart, TRIO programs currently serve over 200 MSU students. “Missouri State has about a 35% first-generation student rate,” Stewart said. “With a percentage that high, we need this program to help support those students coming to campus.” All TRIO services are free to students, however, there is a short application process. Forms can be found on the MSU website or in the TRIO office, located in the library adjacent to the Bear CLAW. After eligibility is determined, a customized program is tailored to best serve the student. Hearsch invites students to check out TRIO and give its services a try. “I left TRIO with people I can contact for the rest of my life,” Hearsch said. Hearsch encourages struggling students to push through hard times and to take advantage of the many resources the university offers. “I had to get over myself and admit I needed help,” Hearsch said. “Once I got past that, I realized how many organizations on campus were there to help. Don’t be afraid to reach out.”
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BEAR LINE
Getting the most out of Missouri State’s shuttle service ERIN FRAZIER Staff Reporter @efrazier2019 The first day of school evokes nerves even the most emotionally iron-clad individuals cannot escape. This does not change at the collegiate level. However, Missouri State University provides a variety of resources that can make the adjustment to adulthood and autonomy less nerve-wracking and more fluid. A popular resource for students is the Bear Line. The Bear Line is a shuttle bus service that transports students to different parts of the main campus, downtown and some student housing. “There are almost 40 stops that the Bear Line stops (at) and we have up to 15 shuttles running at one time,” said Cole Pruitt, manager of transportation. “This allows the Bear Line to serve over one million student riders every year.” According to the MSU’s transportation services website, the average wait time for a bus is anywhere from 5-15 minutes, but it is recommended to allow yourself 15-25 minutes from the start of your class to ensure that you arrive on time. Additionally, the Bear Line is accessible to students who have physical handicaps. “Each shuttle has special lifting devices for wheelchairs,” the website said. “There is full use of the Bear Line for all people.” According to the transportation services’ website, the Bear Line’s weekday hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters. There are eight weekday routes:
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Purple
The Purple route stops at Greek Row, Woods House, Plaster Student Union, Foster Recreation Center, Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, JQH Arena, Elm Street and Scholars House.
Red
The Red route travels to Bear Park North and South, Art Annex, Carrington Hall, Plaster Stadium, the library and JQH Arena. The evening and weekend hours for the Bear Line are 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday. On Thursday, the Bear Lines run from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. but are not availBlue able Friday and Saturday evening. The Blue route travels to many The two routes that run during of the residence halls: Woods the evening are: House, Scholars House, Sunvilla Tower and Kentwood Hall. Maroon North Maroon North makes stops at Green Bear Park North, Sunvilla Tower, The Green route travels to Lots 44/51, Kentwood Hall, Park non-academic buildings: Hammons Central Square District, Brick City, Student Center, JQH Arena, Foster the Morris Center, and the Meyer Recreation Center, Bear Park North Alumni Center located downtown. and Plaster Student Union, as well as some of the residence halls. Maroon South Maroon South stops at Bear Gold Park North, Hammons Student The Gold route travels to uni- Center, Glass Hall, Bear Park versity buildings downtown: Mey- South, the library, Foster Recreer Alumni Center, Morris Center, ation Center, Plaster Student Park Central Office Building, Union, Woods House, Scholars Brick City and MSU parking lot House, Greek Row, and Elm Street. numbers 47 and 48. Joseph Elwood, a sophomore Gold Express geography major, has nothing but The Gold Express route stops positive things to say about the at many of the same locations as Bear Line. the Gold route, but it runs every “It’s really nice when you get five minutes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. back late and have to park at Bear as opposed to the 10-15 minute Park North,” Elwood said. “It also periods of the other routes. helps a lot if it’s really cold so I don’t have to deal with the weathOrange East er.” The Orange East route is a According to Pruitt and the hodgepodge, making stops at Plas- transportation website, the Bear ter Student Union, Monroe Apart- Line is paid for with a small perments, MSU parking lots 22/24, centage of student fees. TransporKings Street, Art Annex, Car- tation costs are calculated using a rington Hall, Bear Park South, standard of 11 miles per day and Duane G. Meyer Library and Fos- mileage rates provided by the Internal Revenue Service. This ter Recreation Center. means that there is no need to pay Orange West upon entrance or exit of the shuttle, The Orange West route makes maximizing efficiency. stops at Plaster Student Union, Katie Baird is a sophomore biWoods House, Hutchens and Ham- ology major who frequents the mons Houses, Wehr Band Hall and Bear Line. many of the main streets located “I liked it; the drivers are alnear the university. It also goes ways super kind,” Baird said. “It from Carrington Hall to Bear Park was a great way to get across camSouth. pus safely and quickly, especially
File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Students can ride the Bear Line to safely get to and from classes, dorms, apartments and several other areas off-campus. when the weather was bad or it was late at night.” The Bear Line is a shuttle service that does it all: maximizes efficiency, provides a reliable and friendly method of traveling on and
off-campus and is accessible to all students. Ultimately, it is just one facet of Missouri State which makes college feel like a home away from home.
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Bear Crew volunteers joyfully push a cart filled with luggage for a student outside of Freudenberger House on Friday, Aug. 17, 2019.
When I was a freshman . . . What you should know going into your first year of college KELSEY BENACK Staff Reporter @kelseybenack For incoming freshmen, arriving at college can seem daunting, and many may have an overwhelming amount of questions. A handful of Missouri State upperclassmen share tips and tricks they wish they would have known as college freshmen. Hannah Stash, Missouri State alumnus, suggested students walk through their class schedules before the first day of classes. “Walk around campus and familiarize yourself with the buildings your classes are in,” Stash said. “I had a class in the football stadium, and when I asked people what building my schedule said I should be in, they didn’t have a clue. It’s best to figure that out ahead of time.”
The Missouri State website gives the individual addresses of each building on campus, and students can use this resource if they are unsure of where a class may be located. Fiona Lefresne, athletic training graduate student, advised students to get to know the people on their floor. She said this was how she met her best friends with whom she lived for two years. “Labor Day weekend, everyone went home on my floor,” Lefresne said. “This one girl was going door-to-door on our floor to find someone to eat dinner with, and I was the only one who answered. We went to dinner, and because of that we ended up great friends.” Sav Rose, history education major, encouraged students to participate in the Welcome Weekend events. Welcome Weekend events give students opportunities to
THE-STANDARD.ORG get to know other people. Bear Bash and New Student Festival are two examples. “Go to the Welcome Weekend events, even if it feels weird because you don’t really know people,” Rose said. “It’s fun, and you’ll find people to talk to.” For fall 2020, Welcome Weekend events will look a little different. In response to the coronavirus outbreak, MSU will spread out events over the course of a week in order to promote social distancing. Graduate assistant and academic advisor Maria Meluso recommends that students invest in a good quality rain jacket instead of using an umbrella. “The first time it stormed and I had class, I used an umbrella from one of my Italian great aunts thinking I’d be protected,” Meluso said. “One gust of wind pulled the umbrella inside-out. I walked to class in the pouring rain with a useless, broken umbrella and was soaked the rest of the day. However, bonding over that experience helped me become friends with some of my other soaked classmates, and we are still friends today.” Meluso also mentioned that college clubs and organizations function differently than high school ones. She recommended a different approach. “Pick one organization you feel strongly about, even if it isn’t Greek (Life),” Meluso said. “I thought I had to join a bunch like I did in high school to fit in. But the one I stuck with is the one I now lead, even in graduate school. Find that one thing that makes you happy, and start there.” Hannah King, graduate student, said as a freshman she consistently misplaced her
THE STANDARD keys, locking herself out of her room. “At least until you get into the habit of having your keys with you at all times; don’t be afraid to wear them around your neck or make a routine out of it,” King said. “It will pay off even if you feel a bit ridiculous at the time.” King also said that students may benefit from becoming familiar with their class syllabi. “Take notes on your syllabus and know the policies,” King said. “Asking your professor something that is already stated in the syllabus is a big no-no and is pretty embarrassing. But all other questions are pretty much fair game and will even help you build rapport.” If freshmen share multiple classes with people, King said they should get to know them. “Meet people in your classes.” King said. “I can’t tell you how many people I shared multiple classes with, and asking their name after the fifth class together can be a bit awkward. You don’t have to be besties, but you might find a study buddy or someone to share notes if you have to miss a class.” Sarah McCoy, senior religious studies and psychology major, said students should not be afraid to ask for help. “If you don’t know something, just ask,” McCoy said. “Campus is full of wonderful people who are there to help you. If you don’t know who to ask, ask someone anyways. They will likely be able to get you to the right person if they don’t know the answer. Practicing being bold doesn’t always mean you’ll do it perfectly, but practice makes progress.”
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MSU pride band Brass & Sass perform for students at the North Mall during Bear Bash on Friday, Aug. 17, 2019.
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Alternative ways to rent textbooks
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Amazon also offers students free, two-day shipping through a Prime Student membership. Amazon provides a six month free trial and $6.49 a month afterwards. TINSLEY MERRIMAN According to Amazon’s website, students may receive either a new or used textbook. All used Staff Reporter books are in “acceptable” condition, and lists its @MerrimanTinsley definition as no water damage, no spine damage, While the Missouri State University bookstore no cover damage, no missing pages, no smoke or sells and rents textbooks to students, there are sevfire damage and no odors. eral alternatives for off-campus textbook retailers. Amazon does not promise supplemental maLocated near MSU’s main-campus is Text terial such as CDs or online codes when renting Bucks, which serves both MSU and Ozarks Techtextbooks. It also encourages customers to keep nical Community College students looking to buy writing and highlighting in rented textbooks “to a and sell textbooks. minimal amount.” Text Bucks has two locations: 607 E. Madison Chegg allows students to directly search for Street and 601 N. National Ave. their textbooks by ISBN code, title or author’s The Text Bucks website allows students to diname. Besides being a textbook rental and purrectly select their semester, department, course and chasing site, Chegg offers a four week trial of its section for purchasing or renting textbooks. Text “Chegg Study” program with most purchases. The program allows students to ask professionals quesBucks offers in-store pick up or online shipping. The Text Bucks website also stipulates speciftions about the material while studying. ic dates and conditions for textbook refunds. Text“Access solutions for thousands of popular books for interstitial classes are only refundable textbooks,” the Chegg’s website states. “Search through the first day of classes, while new-condiour archive of 6 million+ solved questions or ask tion textbooks must be returned in new condition questions by taking a photo of your homework. Get in-depth answers from our subject experts in for a refund. Refunds through a credit card will be subject as little as 30 minutes.” to a 5 percent refund fee. Chegg allows students to refund physical textOn the internet, Amazon and Chegg offer stubooks within 21 days of ordering, but the refund dents the opportunity to buy or rent textbooks. Kaitlyn Stratman/THE STANDARD period starts right after the order is placed. Digital Amazon rents textbooks for one semester at a Austin Sickmyre, Text Bucks manager, waits behind the counter to help stutextbooks have a 14-day return period. time, but students also have the ability to rent When returning physical books, Amazon and dents with textbook purchases and returns. monthly, for up to 90 days. Chegg cover shipping costs.
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Study Block? Here’s where to go for the best off-campus study spaces DIANA DUDENHOEFFER Digital Editor @kisstein If the same old study spots on campus aren’t working anymore and you need a change of scenery, there are plenty of stellar spots off campus that can provide the ideal environment to cram for the upcoming test or to grind on that paper due at midnight.
Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
Studying outside can work wonders for productivity. Increased natural energy, reduced stress and improved mood are some of the benefits of working and studying outdoors, according to Ashford University. That’s why I recommend setting up camp in one of Springfield’s parks. Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park is one of my favorite study spots off campus. Sporting plenty of benches and picnic tables in the shade, the serenity at Nathanael Greene offers a peace of mind you might not be able to get on a daily basis. When the weather is right – sunny, breezy, not too humid – heading to a park for your next study session might be just what the professor ordered. The top of the botanical center at Nathanael Greene also has tables overlooking a pond, which is a truly amazing view for studying. Possibly one of the most helpful features of Nathanael Greene is the vast garden landscapes. Beautiful gardens and meandering trails like these are great for a short stroll to clear your head during a study break. Nathanael Greene is open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
The Library Center
The Library Center is located just south of James River Freeway at 4653 S. Campbell Ave. The library is quite large, but its size does not leave an intimidating impression, as the layout of the building features several small, comfortable nooks. Kathleen O’Dell, the library’s community relations director, said there are a plethora of resources available at the library for students aside from a calm and comfortable study environment. Test proctoring, public computer access and interlibrary loans (borrowing resources from other libraries) are some of the services The Library Center offers. Patrons can also check out Chromebooks and iPads for in-library use. “If we don’t have the book or DVD or CD Photos by Kate Brown/THE STANDARD that you want, we can get it for you from thouNathanael Greene/ Close Memorial Park is located at 2400 S. sands of other libraries across the country (that)
Scenic Ave.
we have partnerships with,” O’Dell said. O’Dell said students living on campus whose permanent address is outside of Greene County are able to sign up for a free library card. One of the biggest differences between The Library Center and the Duane G. Meyer Library on campus is the study rooms. At The Library Center, patrons using personal study rooms receive a key to the room. So if you leave the room to browse the bookshelves, your belongings stay safe. Study rooms are available for reservation online at thelibrary.org. O’Dell also explained that the library staff is well trained to monitor patron conduct. “They’re equipped to respond if someone feels uncomfortable around another library visitor,” O’Dell said. “It is a very safe place.” The Library Center is one of 10 branches in the county, so most services offered at The Library Center are also available at other locations. Through August 31, library summer hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The library also has an in-house coffee shop called Mudhouse, not to be mistaken for Mudhouse Coffee located downtown.
Mudhouse Coffee
Mudhouse Coffee is located just off of Park Central Square, a 10-minute walk from campus, at 323 South Ave. The hissing of milk frothers, the clinking of silverware and the general hustle-bustle of a well-populated coffee shop can be a great motivator for a serious study session. Freshman Conor Hughes has been working at Mudhouse for about a year. He said his favorite part about the coffee shop is its homey feel and pleasant vibe. “It’s a really chill atmosphere in here,” Hughes said. “There is a lot of background noise, but there’s not an overpowering amount.” Why do people choose Mudhouse over other study spots? “Well, we have good coffee,” Hughes said with a laugh. In addition to drinks and snacks, Mudhouse offers a variety of environments all in one building, from bright, casual seating near the entrance to dimly-lit, more secluded tables near the back. Whether you’re doing a solo-study or in a study group, Mudhouse is the next place to check out. Mudhouse is open for dine-in; COVID-19 reduced hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
When it comes to studying smart, changing up the study location can be one of the best techniques for productivity. Next time you’re at an impasse for your research paper, or if you’ve been re-reading the same paragraph in your textbook without actually comprehending the words, try mixing up the physical environment of your study space. Springfield has a wide variety of places to make the studying experience as enjoyable as possible.
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Bear Pantry offers help to the university community JACK McGEE Staff Reporter To combat food insecurity at Missouri State, the Bear Pantry has helped students for over a year and looks to continue making an impact in the community. Alex Johnson is a director at the Center for Community Engagement at MSU that oversees the Bear Pantry, which has been a member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance since its establishment in 2019.
“I think having an accessible place for students to get food is necessary.” -MSU alumnus Kayli Owens MSU is a part of a movement, reflected by the College and University Food Bank Alliance’s 700+ members with means to prevent college students from going hungry while going to school. “We are fortunate to have support from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members,” Johnson said. “I think that food insecurity is a real and scary thing,” said MSU alumnus Kayli Owens. “I think having an accessible place for students to get food is necessary.” Based on a study conducted by the Ozarks Food Harvest, up to 15% of Southwest Missourians don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and 67% of recipients must choose between paying for food or utilities. Food banks are popping up all around the country, with some, like Bear Pantry, exclusively geared to help university communities. The Bear Pantry is one of the many growing initiatives of MSU’s Center for
File photo by Kendra Kernel/THE STANDARD
The Bear Pantry is located in University Hall. For questions, call or text 417-699-0415.
Community Engagement that has been boasting a Carnegie Classification for a decade. They aim to “... foster and promote more collective community impact …” and this has been displayed through the help and support of students and faculty who work at the Bear Pantry. The impact of a group of volunteers can be immense, and so can every donation. Bear Pantry offers multiple avenues for anyone to help the cause. Money contributions can be given by cash, card, check or money order and offers the possibility for charitable income tax deductions, according to Bear Pantry’s page on the Missouri State website. Donation drives are another helpful way to collect food and necessities. Lastly, in the age of online shopping, an assortment of perishables, nonperishables, hygiene items and toiletries can be sent directly to the Bear Pantry from their own Amazon wish list, which can be found at missouristate.edu/cce/donate.htm. “Academic departments and student organizations have conducted food and hygiene drives, students have developed advocacy campaigns, and alumni have made generous donations to support Bear Pantry efforts,” Johnson added. These volunteers and contributions were made for helping people, and they offer the opportunity for anyone to reach out and utilize their resources. Bear Pantry has a first time user form, followed by an online shopping form, where one can pick what food and hygiene items they need most. Bear Pantry is located in University Hall. Hours may vary, but they can be reached at 417-699-0415 with any questions. Bear Pantry’s Twitter account, @ msu_bearpantry, provides a glimpse of the help they give and receive from not only across campus, but also the Springfield community. For students who would like to get involved as volunteers at Bear Pantry, Johnson encourages them to contact him at BearPantry@missouristate.edu.
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“Chabom is a cool tea place where there’s so many different types of loose leaf tea, including flower tea bombs, spices and dried herbs from different countries and different tea sets,” Carrillo said. “Before you decide to buy loose leaf tea, you can actually get a cup of that tea brewed at the tea bar they have, so you can taste it.” MSU alumnus Allison Saiko said she would always visit St. Michael’s, specifically for its banana bread. St. Michael’s sits on the corner of South Avenue and West McDaniel Street. “I hardly ever hear people talking about it, but it’s something I always get for friends when they visit from out of town,” Saiko said. Elizabeth Moore, senior interior design major, said she visited European Cafe with her friends when she was first living in the dorms. Now, when she visits the cafe, she experiences the nostalgia of her freshman year of college. “European Cafe has the best blueberry lavender lemonade,” Moore said. European Cafe is located on Park Central East, right off the square.
KELSEY BENACK Staff Reporter @kelseybenack As the fall 2020 semester kicks off, returning Missouri State students prepare to once again visit their favorite local restaurants, businesses and other unique spots.
Food Grace Rowland, MSU alumnus, said one of her favorite Springfield restaurants is Van Gogh’s Eeterie. Van Gogh’s is located on Commercial Street, also known as C-Street. “Van Gogh’s is unique because there aren’t any other places around here where you can try Dutch food, and they have the best Amsterdam fog, which is like a London fog but green,” Rowland said. “The atmosphere is really cool; they have these big murals of Van Gogh and real wooden clogs up on the wall.” More of Rowland’s favorites include That Lebanese Place and Cafe Cusco on C-Street. “That Lebanese Place, for me, is all about the food,” Rowland said. “I love Mediterranean food and their’s reminds me of the Mediterranean Bistro back in Bolivar, Missouri. I would also recommend Cafe Cusco on C-Street for an opportunity to try Peruvian food. They’ve got rabbit, goat and duck, if you’re feeling adventurous, but they have classic chicken and beef dishes too and some delicious desserts.” Alumnus Sadie Carrillo, Missouri State also recommends Cafe Cusco for its Peruvian-inspired food. “My favorite thing to order is the Lomo Saltado,” Carrillo said. “It’s honestly a great place to go for date night.” Another one of Carrillo’s Springfield favorites is Chabom Teas and Spices, another C-Street option.
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Parks and Attractions
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Cafe Cusco, a quaint Peruvian restaurant, is located at 234 E. Commercial St.
Moore also visited Founders Park frequently when she was an underclassman. The park, built to resemble a quarry, is located on East Water Street and features an amphitheater for concerts. “Founders Park is full of history, and I learned so much when I went there,” Moore said. “It’s also fun to just climb all over the concrete blocks all day.” Debra Zerr, senior fashion design and product development major, said one of her favorite spots is 1984, a vintage arcade in downtown Springfield. “The 1984 arcade downtown is the coolest place ever, and it’s super reasonably priced to play whatever and however
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Seek out Springy’s hidden gems
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Founders Park is located at 330 E. Water St., near Brick City in downtown Springfield. many games you want — all old arcade games and old pinball Farmers Park is where the farmers market of the Ozarks machines that require quarters,” Zerr said. is held and has multiple unique, little shops. Senior merchandising and product development major “Farmers Park is special to me because it is a local place Julia Manthei recommends Farmers Park and said it has a that supports many small businesses,” Manthei said. very fun and relaxing atmosphere, especially in the summer.
There are hundreds of restaurants and businesses in Springfield waiting to be explored, and Springfield has a website that organizes them by category. Visit SpringfieldMO.org and look under the “ Things to Do” tab for more food and attractions.
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Sounds of Springfield and where to find them M. TODD DEARING Lifestyle Editor @mtodddearing
Springfield is home to a vibrant community of arts, culture and music sure to fit the taste of anyone. Here are just some of the artists and venues Springfield has to offer. Emalee Flatness, Missouri State University sophomore history major, is a prolific bluegrass musician who has played at numerous festivals and shows with her band Po’ Anna, as well as winning the National Endowment of the Arts Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge in 2019 for her song “Carolina.” Combining her two passions of history and music, Flatness has written several songs which capture the mythos
File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Indigenous Rejj of St. Louis belts out a lyric at The Grove in April 2020. The Grove has since closed to the public.
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The Outland Complex at 326 South Ave. is a 15-minute walk from campus.
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Dylan, member of The Show Boys, plays a note during the Back to School Bash at Front of House Lounge in downtown Springfield in January 2020. of the past. “A lot of young folk are hesitant to listen to bluegrass or folk music,” Flatness said. “However, I would urge everyone to give it a try, since folk music is the root of almost all American music, and continues to grow and develop.” Cole Simmons, also known as Brat Pitt, is a local indie pop artist who frequents venues like the Outland Complex and Lindberg’s Tavern. A fan of the local music scene, Simmons lamented the drought of shows during the COVID-19 lockdown.
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Jacob Radle strums a chord at the Magic Bean on Kimbrough Avenue on March 14, 2020.
“I think that time apart from live music has grounded everyone in this humble reality,” Simmons said. “I’ve come to the conclusion that we’ve taken those shows for granted.” Simmons expressed a great excitement to get back to performing live. “Shows to me are just full of love and community,” Simmons said. “I am sure other places are like Springfield in that sense but this is where I live and that makes it special for me.” Another MSU student artist, sophomore vocal/choral education major Sam Coyour, has performed his solo act at several shows, including the SAC hosted Coffee Shop Sound in the PSU. A vocalist with experience in instruments like the saxophone, piano and guitar, Coyour has developed a unique pop sound with influences from jazz and musical theater. “I probably have the most respect for jazz music,” Coyour said. “Hearing jazz makes you think about music in such different ways.” For venues with lots of shows and a lively atmosphere, look no further than the Outland Complex. A staple of the Springfield music scene for 30 years, the venue is split into three venues, including The Outland, The Outland Ballroom and Front of House Lounge, each with a unique vibe. The Outland Complex has seen artists from Reverend Horton Heat to Tech N9ne. “The Outland is the venue of Springfield Missouri, period,” said Johan Collins, founder of Springood, a booking company for numerous places and events around Springfield including The Outland Complex. “It has so much flavor and heart, and it really offers something for everybody.” For bigger performances, check out the Gillioz Theater. As Springfield’s largest venue, The Gillioz has seen artists from Henry Rollins to Josh Turner on its stage. As a nonprofit organization, it’s open to volunteers for anyone interested.
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Looking for a new downtown favorite? LAUREN JOHNS Staff Reporter @lje2017 If you’ve grown sick of the monotony of frozen dinners or former fast food favorites, take a chance on something new by taking a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of campus. There are a handful of restaurants which are so conveniently located, many of them are only minutes away from campus — perfect for a quick bite in between classes or a weekend outing with friends.
The Aviary Cafe
According to Samantha Seigel, sophomore electronic arts major, the Aviary is a rustic, French-inspired restaurant that is famous for its wide selection of crepes, with a welcoming staff and a fun atmosphere. “I haven’t been to that many restaurants in Springfield since I haven’t been here that long, but for my birthday my friends took me to the Aviary,” Seigel said. “If you go to the Aviary on your birthday, you get a free crepe,” Seigel said.
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Aviary, a rustic French cafe, has two Springfield locations, the closest of which is in downtown Springfield on Walnut Street.
Pappo’s Pizzeria
Pappo’s Pizzeria is known for its wide array of specialty pizzas and appetizers, according to their website. “Pappo’s Pizzeria is great for groups
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Pappo’s Pizzeria has two Springfield locations. The closest one to campus is at 221 E. Walnut St.
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Black Sheep has three locations in Springfield. The one closest to campus is downtown, at 209 E. Walnut St. and families,” Jade Johann, sophomore electronic arts major, said. “It’s not too expensive, especially when you split the cost between a group. (They have) nice service as well.” According to Johann, the dessert options are undeniably cheap but delicious, with half a dozen brown butter chocolate chip cookies for $6.99. “I always order the Lone-Star BBQ Chicken specialty pizza and the Meat Lover specialty pizza,” Johann said. “Each type of pizza was good, but ordering the cookies for dessert was the best part.” The closest location to campus is 221 E. Walnut St.
Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes
Black Sheep Burgers has a reputation of being one of the best burger joints in Missouri, according to their website. “This place is a bit costly, but you get what you pay for which is good in quality and quantity,” Johann said. “(There is) good service and a fun atmosphere.” Based on her past visit, Johann said she enjoyed the Cowboy Carl Burger, salt and pepper fries and the Elvis shake. “The portions there are really big,” Johann said. “(The) fries can easily be shared by the table and the Cowboy Carl Burger can be split between two people. Also, the Elvis shake can be ordered without the banana for those who aren’t fans. That’s how I had mine, and it was really good.” The closest location to campus is 209 E. Walnut St.
Tinga Tacos
Despite the smaller menu, Tinga Tacos specializes in the unique and gourmet. Open until 2 a.m. on Saturdays, the restaurant is the perfect destination to satisfy late night cravings, according to their website. “It can become expensive depending on how many tacos you order,” Johann said. “The service was good. The location was pretty small, so (it’s) not ideal for larger groups.” Johann said she ordered the Double Deuce Taco and two of the Tinga Tacos. “They were both very good,” Johann said. “The Tinga Taco might require a bit of an acquired taste, though, because it has pickled carrots in it, giving the taco a sweeter taste than most.” For those who order three tacos, a side of chips is only a dollar — with your choice of guacamole, salsa or queso, Johann said. However, one side is enough for the whole table to share. Tinga Tacos is located at 308 W. McDaniel St.
Kai
According to their website, Kai is known for its Asian fusion fare and creative cocktails. Delshun Johnson, junior computer animation major, frequents Kai for its inexpensive and wide selection of sushi rolls. “The customer service is great as well as the sushi,” Johnson said. “I ordered the California roll with a cup of water and it was about $8 for a plate (two rolls).” Kai is located at 306 S Campbell Ave.
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Entertainment we’re looking forward to this fall DAVID WHEELER Former Critic @DontTellThe_Elf
Movies Dune:
Illustration by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
History tells us that film and television adaptations of Frank Herbert’s legendary science There’s plenty of media projects to be excited about in the coming months.
fiction novel, “Dune,” are routinely joined with failure. However, with writer-director Denis Villeneuve, director of “Arrival” and “Blade Runner 2049,” taking on the story, and with a cast that includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and so many others, it would seem we will finally get the grand adaptation the landmark novel deserves. The spice must flow. In theaters Friday, December 18, 2020.
Movies
The French Dispatch:
Dune:
COLE TRUMBLE Critic @Cole_Tr
The latest comedy-drama film from eccentric director Wes Anderson, who previously diI am interested, but I do not like Timothee Chalamet as our leading boy, and I am rected “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Starring a massive ensemble cast, concerned about it being a big name seller that compromises the film. Other than biases including Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan and Elisabeth Moss, and described as a love about the cast, I am optimistic as it looks to be made leaning a little bit away from just letter to journalists, the film is set in the outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twen- another action movie,since Dune is actually a really slow book about politics. tieth-century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in “The French The Suicide Squad: Dispatch Magazine.” In theaters Friday, October 16, 2020. Best case scenario is that this plays like a parody of the first Suicide Squad movie, Last Night in Soho: which looks like it could be that case with Taika Waititi, John Cena and Idris Elba joinThe new film from Edgar Wright, writer and director of “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz” ing the cast. Considering the previous film became a benchmark of what a bad movie and “Baby Driver.” Taking a step away from comedy, “Last Night in Soho” is Wright’s first looks like, I am actually excited at the prospect of a major comic book movie that is horror film. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, who previously starred in “The Witch” and “Split,” we making fun of itself. Perhaps the bitter hipster in me hopes DC will become the anti-Marfollow an aspiring fashion designer as she is mysteriously able to travel to 1960s London, but vel and make movies that destroy the reputation of comic book movies as legitimate the longer she stays in the past, the more reality begins to unravel. In theaters Friday, Septem- cinema. But, I definitely think DC movies will improve as soon as they learn to not take ber 25, 2020. themselves so seriously. Additionally, this film is directed by James Gunn and has a score created by Tyler Bates (Guardians of the Galaxy, John Wick) and is expected to release August 6, 2021.
Television
Quentin Tarantino:
Not that any information is out there but Quentin Tarantino will be making his “final An upcoming HBO drama miniseries starring Jude Law, Naomie Harris, Katherine Waterston, movie” soon and details are sure to start slipping out, like it is going to be “epilogue-y” Paddy Considine and Emily Watson. An original story created by Dennis Kelley, the mystery according to his interactions with a culture minister in Moscow. series follows the individual journeys of a man and woman who arrive on a seemingly cultish island at different times. Premiering in Fall 2020.
The Third Day:
The Undoing:
Television The Curse:
Originally pushed back due to complications with COVID-19, this HBO drama finds Nicole There’s still not a whole lot of in formation out there about “The Curse.” Nathan Kidman reteaming with “Big Little Lies” writer David E. Kelly for a miniseries adaptation of Fielder and Ben Safdie will star in a half-hour comedy about a couple whose marriage a novel about a successful marriage therapist whose life unravels after a murder and the disap- experienced trouble when a house they purchase turns out to be haunted as they manage pearance of her husband. Premiering in Fall 2020. the problems on their HGTV show, “Flipanthropy.” “The Curse” will arrive to Showtime but there is no information on when, as the pilot is still being worked on.
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Top 10 Dorm Essentials MOLLY ROEDER Staff Reporter @molly_r8r
Blue Light Glasses
Blue light glasses are a newer item that I never knew I would need until I got to college. A lot Shopping for your freshman year dorm can of college work is done online, and blue light be hard, especially when there are so many glasses protect your eyes from a computer or things you may not know you need! phone’s blue light waves, help you stay focused We’ve got you covered with the top 10 dorm and reduce tired eyes. The benefits are worth it essentials at Missouri State University. and there are some on Amazon for only $20.
Snacks!
The great thing about college life is that you get to choose what you eat in your dorm. It’s important to have a good balance between healthy snacks, as well as some sweets when you want to treat yourself. Be sure not to stock up on all junk food, because the freshman 15 is a very real thing. Plus, who doesn’t love a good bowl of fruit every once in a while?
Crates/drawers for under your bed
Storage in dorm rooms can be tricky, especially because you are moving so much stuff into such a tiny space. Crates and drawers are essential to maximizing the amount of space you have. Depending on the dorm building you live in, you might be able to raise your bed. In some dorms, the beds do not raise, but you can still find crates to go under it so you can utilize that space. Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
With so many cords and chargers in a technology-reliant world, power strips are a necessity for dorm life.
Rollable Three-tier Cart
A reliable, three-tier cart is a must for your dorm. You can put anything from makeup or snacks to medicine in it. The best part about a cart is that it rolls, so you can move it freely throughout your dorm. It is convenient and helps students utilize the small amount of space in the dorms.
Power Strip
A power strip is another important item to bring with you to college. Ask any college student, and this is one thing you will not want to forget. With all of the different chargers and plug-in devices in today’s world, two outlets will not be enough. To maximize the use of the outlet, buy a power strip.
Table Fan
Let’s face it. No one can really control the temperature in the dorms. Once the heat comes on, the dorms can get insanely hot, which is why it is so important to have a fan at your disposal. Having a fan will keep the air flowing in your dorm and cool you down when it’s too hot.
Planner
Having a personal planner is important to keep track of assignments throughout the year. College is different from high school in the sense that you are largely responsible to know when things are due. Your professors will not always remind you about your assignments, which is why it is crucial to have a planner.
Rain Boots
If you’ve ever heard anything about Springfield, you have probably heard that the city gets its fair share of rain. Nothing is worse than walking across campus in wet tennis shoes, so invest in a pair of rain boots.
Pictures
For a lot of incoming freshmen, it is the first time you will be away from home for such a long period of time. Having a handful of pictures to put on your wall and remind you of your home will help you if you are ever feeling homesick. If you are feeling homesick, there’s an article in this issue to help you with that as well.
BearWear
Last but not least, stock up on some BearWear! The bookstore on campus has plenty of BearWear to choose from, and you can even find some clothing online on the bookstore’s website. You’ll need to be repping your new school to show your bear pride wherever you go.
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Take risks, make friends DESIREE NIXON News Editor @DesireeNixon17 Freshman year of college can be an exciting experience. However, it can also be nerve-racking for students. They move away from homes and sometimes don’t have anyone at school to talk to. Upperclassman and the counseling center offer support and advice for new students. Alumnus Courtney Denbow came to Missouri State without a large support system. Her hometown was five hours away and she only knew one person at MSU. “You have to be willing to try new things and get out of your comfort zone in order to really be a part of the community,” Denbow said. Denbow said she soon discovered she is in charge of creating her own experience. Fiona Lefresne, a graduate athletic training student, came to MSU from Florida and knew no one. She knew she had to talk to people she did not know in order to do things. “What helped me was asking the other peo-
Graphic by Katelyn Betz/ THE STANDARD
Students away from home for the first time are in charge of creating their own experiences.
ple on my (residence hall) floor to do things, even if we didn’t know each other,” Lefresne said. “My friend circle slowly expanded from there.” Lefresne said her friend circle grew and she began to love MSU. She said she loved it so much she decided to stay for two more years to get her master’s degree. Her loneliness was overcome.
Rhonda Lesley, director of Magers Health and Wellness’ Counseling Center, offers similar advice she said students need to know that being homesick and lonely can be normal for some freshmen. However, that should not determine your experience. “Acknowledge the feelings as being a normal part of being away at a new space,” Lesley said. This may be somewhat normal, however,
Lesley said students should not feel alone. “Recognize you are not alone in your feelings,” Lesley said. “There are plenty of other new students longing for their friends and family back home.” In order to move past those feelings, Lesley said she advises students to go out and try something new. They should try to be involved and reach out to others. However, if that does not work, Lesley said the university has resources to help. “If you are feeling depressed or anxious to the point it is significantly impairing your ability to do what you need to do, schedule an appointment with one of the counselors in the counseling center,” Lesley said. The MSU’s counseling center offers free counseling services to students, Lesley said. “Students taking at least one credit hour may utilize up to eight sessions of counseling per semester,” Lesley said. “The sessions help students get back to ‘normal’ or find a ‘new normal.’” In order to make an appointment at the counseling center, call 417-836-5116. Lesley said her personal advice to students is to have a good balance of sleep, exercise and social life. “Balance seems to be a huge part of the secret to success as a college student,” Lesley said. For more information regarding the counseling center visit the counseling center’s website at counselingcenter.missouristate.edu.
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Living off-campus for the first time can be scary, but you don’t have to do everything yourself. Relying on friends, neighbors and roommates can be one way to ease the burden of being on your own.
Tips, tricks for living off-campus CARISSA CODEL @CarissaCodelTV Not living at home or in a dorm for the first time can be tough. However, there are a few tips and tricks which might answer a few questions about living off-campus. Tayler Detten, an alumnus of MSU, made safety a priority. “I got a big, scary-looking dog for security reasons and everyone knew, so nobody messed with me ever in years of living alone,” Detten said. Detten said if you don’t want to pay the price for a home security system, consider buying door chime sensors that sound like an alarm. “A four pack is $20,” Detten said. “My neighbors at a really sketchy place used to comment on my ‘alarm’ all the time.” Detten said that when she was out of town, her friends would drive by her home to make sure everything was fine. If you live alone, Detten said to get close with neighbors. “Try to make friends with one or two neighbors so they can help look out for you,” Detten said. “Let people know what
you’re doing, since nobody’s home to know if you’re safe or not.” Grace Murray, a senior entertainment management major, offered tips which help with the transition of moving off-campus. “Always plan an extra 30 minutes for parking and commute,” Murray said. Aside from having enough time to get onto campus, Murray also offered advice for having enough money for food. Murray said it is helpful to make a “standard grocery list” that fits a budget and go to the store at regular intervals. Not only will the way students get food when living off campus, but students’ health will change as well. “Exercise since you won’t be walking around campus as much and try not to go back and forth to home between classes,” Murray said. Murray said separating your work and chill space is also important. “Get as much work done as you can on campus between classes, so that home is more of a reprieve,” Murray said. Whether it be safety or practicality, living off-campus for the first time is going to be a big change, so just learn as you go.
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Academic Calendar Fall 2020
Spring 2021
Aug. 3: Fall Intersession classes begin Aug. 14: Fall Intersession classes end Aug. 17: Classes begin Sept. 7: Labor Day holiday (no classes) Oct. 6: First Block classes end Oct. 7: First Block final exams Oct. 8-Oct. 9: Fall Holiday (no classes) Oct. 12: Second Block classes begin Oct. 18: First spring commencement Nov. 24: Thursday evening classes (4 p.m. or later) meet; Tuesday evening classes do not meet Nov. 25-29: Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes) Dec. 3: Last day of classes Dec. 4: Study Day (no classes) Dec. 5-10: Final exams period for full semester and second Block classes Dec. 11: Commencement Jan. 4: Winter Intersession
classes begin Jan. 8: Winter Intersession classes end Jan. 11: Classes begin Jan. 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes) Feb. 15: Presidents Day (no classes) Feb. 17: Monday evening classes (4 p.m. or later) meet; Wednesday evening classes do not meet March 4: First block classes end March 5: First block final exams March 8: Second block classes begin March 13-21: Spring Break (no classes) April 1-4: Spring Holiday (no classes) May 6: Last day of classes May 7: Study Day (no classes) May 8-13: Final exams period for full semester and second bock classes May 14: Commencement Information from “2020-2021 Academic Calendar” on Missouri State University’s website.
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Money Management Guide Spending wisely, building credit and dealing with debt while in college LAUREN JOHNS Staff Reporter @lje2017 For some, going away to college is the ultimate form of adulting. The newfound freedom can allow for memorable moments; however, there are a few pitfalls. With no reminders that it may be a bad choice to go out for dinner every day of the week or to splurge on that new iPhone, some find themselves in debt. “Something as simple as setting up an Excel spreadsheet and going ahead and writing out all the monthly expenses can help you manage how much money you have coming in and how much is available to you,” said John Rabon, economics instructor at Missouri State. “You should include an amount for food and transportation and give
yourself a monthly limit of, say, $100, as well as a weekly limit.” According to Rabon, whenever he visits the ATM, he selects the bare minimum he needs for the week and assigns a daily dollar amount on food. “A good number I’ve heard is $15 a day for meals, (6 days of the week),” Rabon said. “Maybe assign a reduced amount for one day of the week, like Sundays. If you decide to treat yourself with a more expensive meal, you can pull out a bit of extra money.” Rabon encourages students to build up a “piggy bank” while at college. “Nobody knows what the job market will be like (when you graduate),” Rabon said. “It might take a couple months to find a job, and you’re going to want to have money to live on during that time.” Rabon advises getting a credit card and
building up credit, which is gained by the amount of money borrowed and successfully paid back at the end of the month. “What you don’t want to do is get a high interest credit card and build up a huge balance before you pay it off,” Rabon said. “You can go to any local bank and get a starter credit card — maybe even something that’s prepaid, and you can start building up your credit that way. People run into risk when they get a credit card and think it’s free, and they never had to pay it back.” Credit history is based on how many ontime payments are made. Using a credit card for a recurring payment such as Netflix is ideal. Patricia Hilton, senior graphic design major, is a non-traditional student who started college in the fall of 2017. Hilton had to take time off due to cystic fibrosis, a genetic lung
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disease. After receiving a double lung transplant, she was able to return to college with the help of a vocational rehab center and FAFSA, which paid for her tuition and books. “I was 26 when I started, and I was married,” Hilton said. “I used to live on-campus and make my lunch everyday, so it’s definitely different now.” Hilton said she realized she needed to continue making her own food and limit eating out to once a month. “Classes were harder and more involved than I’d expected (during my return) and school became a full-time job,” Hilton said. “I started putting aside money in a bank account.” Hilton suggests starting a savings account to only access for emergencies, with a minimum of $500 as a single student or a minimum of $1000 as a married student. If you need to pull out money for loans, make sure you only take what you need, according to Rabon. “The temptation is going to be to take out as much as you can, but then you run the risk of messing with your opportunity cost,” Rabon said. “It will affect what you can do in the future, like taking nice vacations.” A similar scenario can be used when purchasing a meal plan. According to Rabon, students should only pay for the bare minimum of meals they need. If you know you won’t eat three meals a day, go for less.
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“Nobody knows what the job market will be like (when you graduate). It might take a couple months to find a job, and you’re going to want to have money to live on during that time.” -Economics instructor John Rabon Despite living off-campus, Hilton said she and her husband struggled to pay for groceries until they learned how to better budget their money. “My husband and I went through a financial class and we were practicing budgeting everything we put money in,” Hilton said. “It gave us more power over where our money went. It took many months to get our grocery bill down, but we learned to always be in agreement where our money went. We are stronger for it.” Regardless of purchases, being aware of the cheaper alternatives is also important while budgeting. “With textbooks, the campus bookstore is bound to be more expensive, so take advantage of Google and check out Amazon, or ask the professor if you can use an older
edition,” Rabon said. “Or, if an access code is required, some people sell access codes for a discounted price. “For groceries and other necessities, try Walmart. There are locations everywhere in Springfield. Just keep in mind that an item can be on sale in one location but still be cheaper at a different store.” Money management is pivotal for a successful livelihood, according to Rabon. Those who know when to turn down splurges will be better off in the long run. “A great thing about college is if you want to go to Waffle House at 3 a.m., you can,” Rabon said. “No one is there to tell you that you shouldn’t or that dropping $100 on a bar tab is a bad call. It’s up to you to stay organized.”
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Pickwick Place: A quaint escape not far from campus joying food, trying out their great wine selection or bloody mary mix, which is made in-house. “It’s my favorite place to sit outside with my fiance, friends and dogs when it’s nice out,” Loretz said. “The atmosphere The historic Rountree neighborhood is home to students, there is just great.” families and an array of local businesses, nestled close to Missouri State’s campus. Within the neighborhood lies Pickwick Place, Rountree’s retail strip. Despite its close proximity to Ott’s Pasta campus, visiting the shops and restaurants feels like a quaint 1437 E. Cherry St. Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. escape. Pickwick Place is at the intersection of Pickwick Avenue and Cherry Street, less than a 10 minute walk from Domino’s Ott’s Pasta is a local Italian restaurant across Cherry Street Pizza on National Avenue near main-campus. from Cherry Picker + Fare. Ott’s local charm can be enjoyed by dining in or ordering carryout. Cherry Picker + Fare Alyssa Decker, a junior hospitality leadership major, said 601 S. Pickwick Ave. she enjoys calling ahead to pick up her food. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “The package makes it look a little small, but in reality it is packed with food and flavor,” Decker said. “It’s also fresh, Cherry Picker + Fare is a coffee shop, restaurant and bar on which always makes anything automatically better.” the corner of Cherry Street and Pickwick Avenue. The rustic Decker said her favorite order is fettuccine served with salinterior and exterior seating area creates an all-natural environ- ad and bread for just over $5. ment. Along with being a popular restaurant, Ott’s Pasta also offers As for seating, there isn’t much inside, but there are more a community compost, serviced by the Springfield Compost seats outside in a fenced-in front porch. Collective. Isabella Loretz, a senior hospitality leadership major, said Cherry Picker + Fare is a great place to sit outside, while enGRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto
Tie & Timber Beer Co. 1451 E. Cherry St. Hours: Monday-Thursday 2-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday 12-8 p.m.
Tie & Timber Beer Co., a local brewery — popular with students 21 and up — is on Cherry Street, behind Ott’s Pasta. According to the Tie & Timber Beer Co. website, the area where the bar now sits was originally a lumberyard along the Chadwick Branch of the Frisco Railway. Guests can enjoy a beer inside or on the patio, surrounded by the sound of live music. Loretz said Tie & Timber is her favorite brewery in Springfield because of the welcoming atmosphere. “I’ve met the nicest people there and it gives off a total Colorado vibe,” Loretz said. “Plus, their beer is great.”
Skully’s Food Truck 1427 E. Cherry St. Tuesday-Saturday 14-8 p.m. (or until sold out)
Skully’s Food Truck is located on the corner of Cherry Street and Pickwick Avenue, across from Ott’s Pasta. The permanent food truck offers an array of fresh international cuisine, but be aware, their hours may fluctuate because they’ll close early if they sell out. Vanessa Guzman-Slater, junior hospitality leadership major, said Skully’s is one of her favorite places to eat near campus. “I love the concept of a ramen food truck because these guys are able to prove that high quality, flavorful food doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive,” Guzman-Slater said. “As well, in creating a more traditional style than what Springfield is used to on its own is pretty cool, considering how important diversity is to the area.”
Tea Bar and Bites 621 S. Pickwick Ave. Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tea Bar and Bites is a gourmet cafe two doors down from Queen City Cycles on Pickwick Avenue. Graduate student Hailey King has worked at Tea Bar and Bites for about a year and said it has a quaint, antique feel with works from local artists rotating in each month. The cafe has a small garden, which is used to supply the ingredients for the majority of the daily specials, King said. Along with serving fresh breakfast, lunch and dinner options, the cafe offers monthly themed dinners for guests to enjoy. According to the Tea Bar and Bites website, themed dinners are a 5-course meal prepared by the cafe’s executive chef Marty Almaraz. While at dinner, guests can enjoy live music performed by a local artist. King said Tea Bar and Bites is the perfect place for a girl’s Sunday brunch or lunch with grandma. These restaurants are just a handful of the local businesses you can find in Pickwick Place. Other popular student favorites include: • • Illustration by Katelyn Betz/THE STANDARD • Featuring more than a dozen unique restaurants and shops, the Rountree neighborhood has something for • •
everyone.
Queen City Cycles Team Taco Zen 3 Spa & Bodyworks Imo’s Pizza Josh Mitchell Fine Art Gallery
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New roomie? No problem!
Illustration by Madison Harper/THE STANDARD
When it comes to a healthy roommate relationship, communication about boundaries can ensure everyone is on the same page. PAIGE NEWTON Staff Reporter @PagesofPaigeM Most freshmen hope as they come into college they’ll become fast friends, or at the very least friendly acquaintances, with their dorm or suite roommates. Most freshmen, though, have never experienced sharing a room, especially one so small. Things can quickly take a turn for the worse if boundaries and expectations of all parties are not set and agreed upon. Setting boundaries and expectations early on can help prevent future fights and encourage a positive, honest relationship between roommates. Nick Speake, an alumnus, said practicing communication is the most important thing to do when living with a roommate. Speake also said it’s important to establish what belongings are shareable and what ones aren’t. “Sharing is caring, but it’s still important to have your own things,” Speake said. “Share your TV or food, but also make it clear what
you don’t want your roommate to use.” Speake said freshmen should invite their roommates on outings with them. “The worst your roommate can say is, ‘no,’ so don’t be afraid to ask,” Speake said. “Whether it’s going to the dining hall, a shopping trip or even to get the mail, sometimes just asking is enough to build a connection over time.” Speake also said roommates should come to an agreement on room cleanliness. “Talk about how clean you think the dorm room should be, and try to come to an agreement with your roommate by finding a middle ground,” Speake said. “Also, establish a rotation for cleaning. If you live in a suite, then someone can clean the bathroom while someone cleans the kitchen. Each cleaning day, the roommates can switch.” Shelby Michael, a junior fashion merchandise and design major, said roommates should show respect and be fair to each other in the shared living space. “Clean up after yourself if you make a mess and divide the space equally,” Michael said. Michael recommended being open to new
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File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Freudenberger House is located right in the center of campus and is MSU’s largest residence hall, housing more than 700 students.
File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Monroe Apartments is a little different from the campus residence halls. Monroe residents live in the building on 10-month contracts and enjoy a private bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. things. “Be open to new experiences and friends,” Michael said. “More than likely, your roommate will have other friends and hobbies. You could meet new friends through them and pick up new hobbies.” Brianna Eisenbarth, a senior psychology major, said to be respectful of when your roommate or suitemates are trying to sleep. “Try to be quiet in the mornings if they are still sleeping, and keep the volume low on your laptop or TV at night,” Eisenbarth said. Eisenbarth also said to be respectful of sharing the kitchen space in the suites. “If you see your roommate is using the
kitchen, try to wait to use it, so you’re not in their way,” Eisenbarth said. “After you are done in the kitchen, clean up your dishes soon after, and clean up any messes you may have made.” Eisenbarth said while not necessarily essential, it’s respectful to let your roommate know if you’re having a guest over. “If you know you’re going to be having someone over or having someone visit, it’s nice to give your roommate a heads-up,” Eisenbarth said. When in doubt of a rule for living with your roommate, follow the Golden Rule: Treat others how you want to be treated.
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5 MSU Twitter accounts every student should follow
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Twitter is a popular student resource for staying up-to-date on campus events and activities.
CARISSA CODEL @CarissaCodelTV Navigating college as a freshman — let’s be honest, even as a senior — can be challenging because you feel like you are out of the college loop. If you want to be “in the know” about Missouri State, you may turn to social media to help you out. Here are the top five Twitter accounts you should follow if you’re an MSU student.
Missouri State @MissouriState
The first one is, obviously, the official Twitter of Missouri State University. Not only does it send out information about the university, but there are often instances of humor as well. You will be able to find out if classes are canceled or what MSU officials are doing for the university, while letting out a few chuckles.
can go to SGA to have their voices heard. SGA shares campus information directly pertaining to students. The president and vice president this year are Tara Orr, @MOStateSBP, and Blake Haynes, @BLAMHAY: It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give them a follow either.
Student Activities Council @MOStateSAC
The Student Activities Council’s purpose is to plan activities for students on campus, such as seeing a movie in the PSU Theatre, game nights and more. Twitter is a good resource for updates about what activities are happening — where and when. It’s a good place to look if you’re looking for some wholesome fun. Sometimes there’s food.
The Standard @TheStandard_MSU
Yes, I’m asking you to follow us on Twitter. It’s a source of news for campus and Clif Smart @ClifSmart (with one F) Springfield. Plus, we write about things that If you don’t know already, Clif Smart is matter and interest students. Now that we are the president of MSU. He’s the one making digitized, you can get breaking news updates the big decisions and he’s basically a celeb- throughout the week. rity on campus. One time he talked to someone standing next to me. It was awesome. While those are the best Twitter accounts He’s constantly on social media and frequent- to follow to stay up-to-date, there are still ly posts updates about what work he’s doing more if you want to follow a specific sport or club. Basically, every organization at MSU for MSU. has a Twitter account, and all are extremely Missouri State SGA active. @MOStateSGA Happy tweeting! MSU’s Student Government Association is the college’s governmental body. Students
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Back to School with Vogue Eight fashion trends for fall 2020 skirts or dresses for tailgates are essential, especially when it’s still 90 degrees outside for the first few games. Also, nothing says scholarly chic like a plaid skirt or dress coupled with a sweater.
The tonal
Who says you can’t wear only one color? Now is the time to pick eye-catching colors, like green or red, and layer on the tones or shades of it.Avoiding neutrals like black and brown makes things more fun. While this trend may seem limiting, it’s not. You can convey different moods from the shades you choose. For green, earthy tones make you look natural and peaceful, whereas bright tones can make you look energized.
The knee-high boot
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Hey guys, it’s Paige! Knee-high boots are versatile and come in various styles and materials. They can add an edgy flair to your look. PAIGE NEWTON Staff Reporter @PagesofPaigeM As school starts and summer comes to a close, fresh fashion trends will be ushered in with the changing leaves. While your first instinct may be to bring out your crewnecks and leggings to live in for the next couple of months, consider having some fun and adding creativity to your wardrobe. Whether you’re just going to classes on campus or planning for a fun night out, one of these eight street trends, as predicted by Vogue magazine for fall 2020, might offer inspiration for your outfit.
The white dress
Long story short: these make you look bada**. The great thing about them is they come in different styles and materials, ranging from leather to suede. Knee-high boots can be paired with almost any outfit, offering more of an edgy look and warmth (looking at you, short hemlines). Some extra advice: These shoes are perfect to wear when going out to protect your poor toes from being trampled on.
The animal print
Animal prints make a statement and will make you feel fierce. If you have an otherwise simple outfit, animal print can act as the accent piece you need. You can find belts, shoes, jackets, purses and almost anything else in animal print. Fake fur cheetah print coats and jackets have become very popular lately, but don’t be afraid to branch out. Zebra and snake prints are some of the more adventurous ones you can experiment with.
The shades of brown and beige
Brown and beige are THE colors for the season. According to Vogue, the best looks are the ones that use richer, earthier tones. Next time you go thrifting, see if you can find a cozy sweater in those colors. Dress it up as much, or as little, as you want.
The leather-on-leather look
This is exactly as it sounds. You wear leather from head to toe. It makes you look tough but also like you’re in a rock band. Of course, if you do decide to do that, I would recommend showering yourself in baby powder to prevent the worst chafing of your life. Don’t be like Ross. Be a conscious consumer when trying to achieve this look. Leather has an immense carbon footprint and does impact animals, so consider buying fake or secondhand leather.
For my fellow messy eaters, I know the idea of this probably makes you cringe. Hear me out: Nothing will make you look more ethereal or romantic — like standing on a craggy cliff that overlooks the ocean while staring longingly with the wind whipping your hair — than a flowy, lacy or sheer white gown. If that isn’t your style, there are other options available, be- The eclectic cause a white dress has become as basic as jeans or Never feel like you have to follow a trend. Trends t-shirts. White is no longer just for a bride. are just there to offer inspiration. Some people have strong, personal tastes they don’t like to deviate from. The short hemline As always, dress in what makes you feel your best While this style might be chilly in the late fall, it’s and feels true to you. Don’t be afraid to break the rules. very liberating. Whether you’re short, average or tall, Who knows? Your look might just inspire the next take the opportunity to show off your legs. Maroon trend.
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Five of Springfield’s best coffee shops ZOE BROWN @zoe_zoebrown Depending on my mood and circumstances, I go to coffee shops around Springfield that serve different purposes. I’m likely to be found in a local coffee shop working or chatting with friends in my free time. I love settling down to read with a warm cup of coffee or getting energized with an iced latte to get my homework done as fast as possible. I have four criteria for what makes a good coffee shop: quality of coffee, atmosphere, location and general energy. Here is a list of my top 5 coffee shops in Springfield.
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It has hardwood floors and exposed brick, keeping with its downtown surroundings. Homey and dim, Mudhouse is one of my favorite shops to visit, especially in the evenings. Mudhouse is located next to Boogie, across from Ernie’s Piano Bar and The Outland Complex on South Avenue. All the nightlife around Mudhouse brings a lively energy to the area. One of the best features of Mudhouse is the hours. Mudhouse is open until 11 p.m., whereas most of the other coffee shops close at 8 or 9 p.m., which makes this one of the best places to cram for an exam or crank out a lengthy paper. During busy times of the school year — around midterms or finals — the small shop can fill up fast, so don’t plan to do large group work in the space. Mudhouse has a lot of character, but their regular coffee is
Kingdom Coffee
Best coffee and best overall
Located on Market Avenue downtown, Kingdom is my #1 choice for coffee shops in Springfield. Despite being located downtown where parking can be scarce, there is a free public parking garage directly across from the coffee shop, so you don’t have to worry about walking far or getting towed. Kingdom offers a lofty, open and light atmosphere perfect for studying or socializing. Whenever I have friends visiting Springfield, Kingdom is often the first place I bring them. The location makes you want to buy a loft apartment and sit on a daybed overlooking the city while listening to Tame Impala on a vinyl record. It’s a vibe. Kingdom’s interior is picture-perfect yet functional. The coffee shop has ample seating with tables of nearly every size, as well as a bar overlooking the street for individual work. I’ve found myself Shazaming the music in Kingdom on more than one occasion. The trendy, ambient din keeps me coming back. Don’t get me wrong, Kingdom didn’t just win best overall for being hip and aesthetic — undoubtedly, they have the best coffee in Springfield. When I go, I either order a house coffee or a plain latte. Iced or hot, their lattes are the best in town. Their coffee is smooth, rich, mild and a bit sweet, without any acidic aftertaste. Kingdom is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Springfield. Kingdom Coffee also offers to-go coffee options through phone and online ordering and free delivery on whole bean coffee bags.
Photos by Kate Brown/THE STANDARD
Eurasia’s menu isn’t limited to coffee. The cafe also offers tea, smoothies and confections.
Eurasia Coffee Co.
Best aesthetic, good coffee, spacious seating, unique location
Eurasia Coffee Co. is one of my favorite places to visit on Commercial Street. C-Street is about 10 minutes away from campus and is home to many local restaurants and shops. I love an excuse to go to C-Street. It has a downtown feel but is separate from the area around Park Central Square. Eurasia feels like an escape itself, and as the name indicates, the shop feels very earthy and eclectic. It features a mix of dark wood, greenery and exposed brick. There is a raised platform at the entrance of the shop with bright lighting where many college students are known to take artsy photos with their coffee. Truly a Springfield staple. Eurasia also has great coffee, tea, smoothies and small treats. This is another place I like to bring visiting family and friends.
Mudhouse Coffee
Traveller’s House has two Springfield locations. The The warm lighting and diverse collection of art inside Mud- one closest to MSU is on National Avenue in Boomhouse Coffee contribute to the coffee shop’s cozy and local vibe. er Town Studios, just east of campus.
Best hours, good service, good location
The Coffee Ethic
not my favorite. Mudhouse has a bottomless cup for about $3, which is a good deal, but I often don’t enjoy their selection of batch brew coffee. However, their personable baristas and menu of food, desserts and indulgent specialty drinks make up for it.
Best location, outdoor seating, best people-watching
The Coffee Ethic has the most interesting location of all the shops listed. It overlooks Park Central Square, which makes you feel like you are in the heart of the city. Getting a seat by the window guarantees you an incredible opportunity to people-watch. They also have outdoor seating on the square — perfect for sunny days or observing events on Park Central Square. On the inside, the hardwood floors and exposed brick of The Coffee Ethic are modernized by the pairing of a modern bar and trendy seating. There are high ceilings which allow for lots of light to flow through the coffee shop. The Coffee Ethic has a simple, no-funny-business menu of coffee which they roast in-house. Their coffee is delicious and unpretentious.
Travellers House Coffee & Tea
Best place to socialize, close to campus
The Coffee Ethic opened on Park Central Square more than a decade ago, and it’s since become one of Springfield’s favorites.
Travellers House Coffee & Tea is located across the street from Missouri State on National Avenue, which makes it a great place to go if you live on or close to campus. For this reason, Travellers House is one of my favorite places to socialize. Typically, I get a plain latte at most coffee shops, but when I go to Travellers, I order a hot caramel brulee latte. This is one of their signature drinks as well as one of my personal favorites. Travellers has a pleasant atmosphere but feels less cozy than Mudhouse and less trendy than Kingdom, Coffee Ethic or Eurasia. It feels open and clean but does not always have enough seating.
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File photo by Kaitlyn Stratman/THE STANDARD
Blair-Shannon is one of three residence halls on campus with a dining hall. The buffet-style cafeterias feature a different menu every day.
What to know about eating at the dining halls AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888 The residence halls on Missouri State University’s campus are equipped with communal kitchens, often on the first floor of each building. But most college students living on campus don’t regularly cook meals because the dining halls provide fresh food every day. Garst, Blair-Shannon and Kentwood are the three dining halls on campus. They are all equipped with salad bars, pizza stations and burger and hot dog bars. With so many options available in the buffet-style cafeterias, students may find it hard to decide on what to eat. Abby Beyer, junior speech pathology major, said she regularly used the panini press to make sandwiches and chicken quesadillas when the offered main entrees didn’t satisfy her at Garst. Beyer said she would ask for grilled chicken, grab cheese from the salad bar and tortillas from the sandwich area. She’d then shred the chicken and load all of her ingredients into the tortilla and cook it on the panini press. Sour cream can be located in the communal fridges to top or dip the quesadillas. “It was seriously a lifesaver,” Beyer said. “You can’t ever go wrong with a cheese or chicken quesadilla.” Beyer also recommends checking out the soup options daily. The dining halls also offer options for students with dietary restrictions. Graduate student Veronica Halter was glu-
ten, dairy and sugar free when she ate at Garst during her undergraduate years. She said it felt like she was eating the same meals for a while — an omelet, a salad or grilled chicken. She said the dining services improved after more students spoke up about their dietary restrictions. “I feel like every semester of my time at MSU they have had more options of foods for anyone with dietary restrictions during mealtimes in the spring and fall,” Halter said. Students should be familiar with some basic dining expectations. First of all, remember to bring a BearPass ID, but don’t be afraid to wear pajamas, said Emilee Kivett, junior psychology major, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner. Morgan Grace, a graduate student, said, “I’m not going to lie, when I first arrived, nobody told me that I had to have my ID scanned at the dining hall. I literally walked in and the poor attendant was like ‘Hey, wait.’” There is no shame in eating alone either. Kaci McLaughlin, junior entertainment management major, said it’s important to get used to eating alone. “It may be uncomfortable at first, but after a while, it’ll get easier and some might even enjoy eating alone,” McLaughlin said. All the dining halls on campus are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday. On weekends, Blair-Shannon is open from 8 to11 a.m., and 5 to 7 p.m. Garst is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Kentwood hours for fall 2020 were not available at press time. Each semester, either Garst or Blair-Shannon will host late night from 9 to 11 p.m. during weeknights. Students often attend late night for a hot meal if they missed regular dinner or want a late-night snack. Dining menus are available through MSU’s Dine On Campus app or their website, dineoncampus.com. All students living in the residence halls must have a meal plan, but those without one can eat at their dining hall of choice for $8.
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Bear Snapshots
File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Students dance before Rally in the Valley at Hammons Student Center during welcome weekend festivities Aug. 17, 2019.
Check out some of our favorite student life photos from the last year!
File photo by Greta Cross/THE STANDARD
From left to right, Dalton Tummons, Julie Feuerborn and Amanda Schilling dip their feet in the water during Fountain Day on April 10, 2019.
File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Sharon Castro celebrate Holi on the North Mall on March 30, 2019.
File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Jarett Fickbohm waves a MSU towel in the air during the first home football game tailgate on Saturday, Sept. 21.
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Bear Snapshots: Homecoming
File photo by Jaylen Early/ THE STANDARD
LEFT: Maddie Arnold sings to the crowd during her Rockstar performance at Hammons Student Center on Oct. 22, 2019. Rockstar is one of the many Homecoming traditions at MSU, where students may participate in a singing competition in front of the student body.
File photo by Jaylen Early/ THE STANDARD
RIGHT: A student paints a homecoming design on the windows of Plaster Student Union on Oct. 20, 2019. Each year, student paint the PSU’s windows in an artful competition.
File photo by Brenna Lumley/ THE STANDARD
LEFT: Angelo Garbutt celebrates after recovering a fumble in the homecoming game against University of Northern Iowa on Oct. 26, 2019.
File photo by Greta Cross / THE STANDARD
RIGHT: Rachel Mast cheers during a Homecoming pep rally at Hammons Student Center on Oct. 24, 2019. The cheerleaders, Sugar Bears and Pride Band performed during the pep rally.
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Bear Snapshots: Tailgating
File photo/THE STANDARD
The smell of grilling and barbecuing fills the air at a MSU tailgate on Sept. 15, 2018.
File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Students enjoy a fall tailgate before a football game on Sept. 21, 2019.
File photos by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
Students and their families enjoy a tailgate before a home football game on Sept. 21, 2019.
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Bear Snapshots:
Bears enjoy time on campus no matter the season!
File photo/THE STANDARD
ABOVE: Students wrestle in the snow during an university-wide snow day. LEFT: Students create snow angels in the snow outside of Hammons House. File photo by Greta Cross /THE STANDARD
File photos by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
As the leaves begin to turn for autumn, students walk across campus in fall 2019.
Sitting by the fountain, students enjoy the company of a furry friend amid Fountain Day festivities on April 10, 2019. Fountain Day is an annual tradition at MSU.
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Not just a print newspaper
The Standard’s multimedia projects GRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto The Standard has been a print publication since its establishment as The Southwest Standard in 1912. With the advancement of technology and increased use of the internet, The Standard has implemented several multimedia projects over the years to engage a digital audience.
phen highlights the latest in Missouri State sports. The Growl was started by last year’s sports editor Amanda Sullivan. Episode length: 10-15 minutes
Critics’ Corner
Critic’s Corner is a biweekly entertainment podcast, hosted by Cole Trumble. Every other week, Trumble discusses a timely topic related to the entertainment industry. In the past, Trumble has disVideo packages cussed Academy Award nominations, how he Video has evolved through many phases at rates movies and reviewed movies and televiThe Standard throughout the last decade. sion shows. The Standard Statement, a weekly broadEpisode length: 15-30 minutes. cast-style video highlighting top stories, was started in January 2018 in the break and supply Between the Headphones room of Clay Hall, The Standard’s office. Last Between the Headphones is year, the news editor at the time Carissa Alford a weekly music review podcast began recording The Standard Statement in hosted by editor-in-chief Greta Strong Hall’s broadcast studio, often featuring Cross and visual editor Jaylen guests and news package created by staff re- Early. The two discuss single and album reporters. leases, along with interviewing musicians from This year, instead of featuring a singular, the Springfield music scene. weekly broadcast, The Standard will produce Episode length: 10-15 minutes. individual video packages, created by staff reporters from the news, lifestyle and sport secColumn Inches (Col.In.) tions each week, along with a weekly weather Column Inches, or Col.In. is forecast update and other lighthearted content. a biweekly podcast hosted by Subscribe to The Standard’s YouTube chandigital editor Diana Dudenhoefnel to stay up-to-date on all of our video projfer. Every other week, Dudenects. hoeffer interviews a staff member at The Standard about one of their recent Standard Sports Weekly stories, diving into the behind-the-scenes proStandard Sports Weekly, similar to The Stan- cess of interviewing and writing. dard Statement, is a weekly broadcast-style Episode length: 15 minutes. video highlighting Missouri State sports. Standard Sports Weekly can also be viewed on The Neighbors Standard’s website or YouTube channel. Neighbors is a biweekly phoStandard Sports Weekly began as Standard to essay project profiling MisSports Update in March 2014 and has evolved souri State and Springfield comover the last six years. Last year, senior sports munity members through reporter Claire Niebrugge hosted the show, portraiture and long-form feaintroducing Bears Scoreboard, a segment ded- ture stories. Editor-in-chief Greta Cross writes icated to running through the previous week’s the stories and visual editor Jaylen Early photographs the subjects. Neighbors can be viewed Missouri State sports scores. This year, Standard Sports Weekly will con- each week via The Standard’s Instagram, @ tinue to be hosted by a staff sports reporter. thestandard_msu or The Standard’s website.
Podcasts
Social Media
The Standard has four podcasts, streamable Follow The Standard on all social media on SoundCloud and Spotify. platforms to stay up-to-date on all Missouri State news.
The Growl
The Growl is a weekly sports podcast hosted by sports editor Stephen Terrill. Each week, StePodcast logos by Madison Harper/THE STANDARD
Facebook: @TheStandardMSU Twitter: @TheStandard_MSU Instagram: @thestandard_msu Facebook: @TheStandardMSU Twitter: @TheStandard_MSU Instagram: @thestandard_msu
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Springfield’s thrifting hot spots Where to go for the best deals in town GRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto Thrifting, the act of shopping at second-hand stores, flea markets or garage sales, has become increasingly popular among college students in recent years. In 2019, it was predicted that one in three Gen Z-ers would buy secondhand, a 46% increase from sales in 2017, according to thredUP’s 2019 Resale Report. People who thrift frequently do so for multiple reasons, including sustainability and cost efficiency. 108 million tons of non-renewable resources are used each year to produce clothing and the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled every second, Thredup’s report states. Thrifting is a classic example of reducing, reusing and recycling. Rather than throwing out old items, donate them and consider stopping by a secondhand store to purchase reusable products instead of buying new. Not only is thrifting impactful on the environment, but it is also cost-efficient — a benefit for most college students. There are thrift stores on nearly every corner in Springfield, but there are a handful of student favorites that shouldn’t be passed up.
(STD) Springfield Textile Department Flea Market 1820 E. Trafficway St.
STD Flea Market, or Springfield Textile Department, is a large flea market with over 100 vendor booths inside. The flea market includes a variety of products from antique furniture, vintage clothing and even a few newer handmade pieces, such as inspirational, modge-podge wall decor and custom decal ashtrays, featuring the faces of That 70’s Show characters. Jack Morgan, junior hospitality major, said the flea market is a great store to get lost in. “They have countless aisles with very unique items that have multiple purposes,” Morgan said.
Thrift Haven, MCB and Red Racks are three popular thrift stores in Springfield.
Thrift Haven
1312 S. Glenstone Ave.
Thrift Haven, a nonprofit organization, donates all proceeds to Fair Haven Children’s Home, a foster home neighborhood located in Strafford, Missouri, according to the organization’s website. Thrift Haven sells clothing, appliances, electronics and more. Camryn Mahnken, junior global studies major, said Thrift Haven’s selection is a hit or miss, but she always leaves with something. “Their prices are not inflated like many other thrift stores in the area, (and) I love that my money goes to a good cause when I shop there,” Mahnken said.
MCB (Missouri Council of the Blind) New Image Thrift Store 2713 N. Kansas Expressway
MCB New Image Thrift Store is another nonprofit organization. All proceeds are collected and distributed back to the Missouri Council of the Blind. According to its website, MCB is the largest blind consumer organization in Missouri, with over 700 members. Alyssa Decker, junior hospitality leadership major, said MCB New Image Thrift Store is one of her favorite secondhand stores in Springfield, as she’s always able to leave with the best products. “I’ve always found the best finds at their store, including more than just clothes, like books and vinyl,” Decker said. “I also love that it’s local and the profits Various locations are used for good.” With over 20 thrift stores in Springfield to choose There are three Red Racks Thrift Stores in Spring- from, college students are bound to find a few hidden field, all with their own flare. Red Racks, owned and gems for a reasonable price.
Red Racks Thrift Store Brenna Lumley/THE STANDARD
operated by the Disabled American Veterans, sells clothing, accessories, furniture and an array of media, including books, movies and vinyl records. A signature department at all Red Racks locations is a “vintage shop,” which includes hand-picked, curated items. These products are usually priced higher than other clothing and accessory items. Morgan said Red Racks is his favorite thrift store in Springfield. “I enjoy going into one because there is always something unique to be found,” Morgan said. “I also like that Red Racks proceeds go to help veterans.” Frequent customers can sign up for Red Racks text alerts to be notified about sale dates.
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FSL recruitment plans continue for fall 2020 ZOE BROWN @zoe_zoebrown While some schools hold fraternity and sorority recruitment the week before classes begin, Missouri State’s FSL recruitment starts the Thursday of the first week of classes. This year, it will be held Thursday, August 20 through Monday, August 24.
Sorority Recruitment
Junior marketing major Katie Sulzner, vice president of recruitment for Alpha Chi Omega sorority, said she enjoys the MSU recruitment process because it helps potential new members ease into college life before recruitment week. “You have the opportunity to adjust to those bigger things first, like moving in and welcome events,” Sulzner said. “That Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday you get to tackle your schedule and then recruitment starts.” Junior interior design major Sarah Kantra, president of Alpha Chi Omega, agrees with Sulzner and said this timeline helps students learn time management. Kantra said recruitment week can help students see the time commitment of balancing class, homework, and sorority meetings and events. “It gives you a little bit of a preview of what your semester is going to look like if you do join a sorority,” Kantra said. Through recruitment week, each day gets
increasingly more formal, according to Sulzner. The first two days are the most casual and serve as an introduction to all the chapters on campus. Day 1 and 2 events begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The third day, deeper conversations begin between chapters and potential new members to see if their values align. Taking place on Saturday, this is called sisterhood and philanthropy day. Sunday is preference day, where potential new members begin to choose which houses they feel best represent their values. Monday is the culmination of sorority recruitment week, known as bid day. On this final day, houses formally invite potential new members to join their chapter. “Everyone is just so excited for bid day and welcoming home new girls,” Kantra said. Sulzner echoed the same excitement. “Leading up to bid day, the whole time you’re working to find these girls that are going to lift up the chapter so everyone is so excited because you have no idea what’s going to happen and who’s going to join,” Sulzner said. “It’s just a crazy rush of energy.” Sulzner recommends that potential new members check out the various chapter’s websites before going through recruitment so they can familiarize themselves with the different sororities on campus. Optional letters of recommendation from sorority alumni can be used while going through
File Photo by Kaitlyn Stratman/ THE STANDARD
Students celebrate bid day in fall 2019 by taking a selfie.
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File photo/THE STANDARD
Sigma Pi members watch bid day in fall 2018 from the roof of the fraternity house. recruitment but are not a deal-breaker in getting one. a bid from a chapter. As a potential new member, “They can provide you with a network when Sulzner said she was worried about not having looking for jobs, give you valuable leadership letters of recommendation, but now she tells experience, provide you with great memories girls going through recruitment not to stress about it. “Because we’re a values-based recruitment, that’s really unique to Missouri State, we’re focused more on the values a girl has rather than what she’s wearing or how she looks, things like that,” Sulzner said. “We try to make it as un-superficial as possible.”
Fraternity Recruitment
Fraternity recruitment takes place at the same time as sorority recruitment but it is a less formal process. Fraternities host informal events such as bowling parties, barbecues or game nights for potential new members to get acquainted with the brothers of different fraternities. Christian Holferty, a junior history major, is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and former executive board member. He recommended meeting brothers from different fraternities on campus during rush week. “Look into every fraternity out there,” Holferty said. “Every fraternity has something special about it.” Unlike sororities, fraternities can give out bids before the designated bid day. Holferty advised not to sign a bid unless the person is certain they want to join that specific fraternity. Holferty also encouraged potential new members to enjoy the recruitment process as much as possible. “You will meet excellent people across the FSL and MSU community that could possibly become lifelong friends,” Holferty said. Holferty said though fraternities sometimes get a bad rap, there are many benefits to joining
File Photo by Greta Cross/THE STANDARD
Gamma Phi Beta members cheer during bid day in fall 2019. and some of the best friends you’ll ever have,” Holferty said. “That being said, you can’t be a wallflower.” “More likely than not, you will become a more fulfilled and prepared person than you were coming into Missouri State,” Holferty said. Students can sign up for recruitment during the first week of classes.
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SGA and SAC: Student boards on campus working for students
SGA has a suggestion box on their website for opinions and ideas related to the student body for students to fill out whenever they like. There are also organizations aimed at hosting fun game nights and other free activities for the student body.
Student Activities Council
AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888 There are many campus organizations at Missouri State University. Student Government Association and Student Activities Council are two which work to improve students’ experiences on campus.
File Photo/THE STANDARD
Student Government Association
Sitting in Glass Hall from left to right: Student Body Vice President Blake Student Government Association, also known Haynes, Student Body President Tara Orr, and cabinet member Apryl Myers.
as SGA, Student Senate or Student Council, works as a student connection to the MSU Board of Governors. The organization mainly works on projects and events around campus which will benefit students. 2019-2020 student body president Abdillahi Dirie focused on mental health. Dirie worked at Magers Health and Wellness Center and hosted MSU’s first health and wellness week, where he and his staff educated students on mental health resources on campus, according to a Jan. 22 SGA blog post by Dirie.
Dirie was involved in SGA for four years and he said his senior year as student body president was a blast. “I enjoyed interacting with many students and speaking up for them, from going to Jefferson City on advocating on behalf of students to always making sure the committees I am on are putting students’ needs first,” Dirie said. Dirie said he enjoyed working with students and administrators on passing the mental health fee of $8 to expand mental health resources and
the Wyrick project to expand the Multicultural Resource Center. Dirie also began a project to move the Office of Student Engagement to the Level One Game Center. Tara Orr, this year’s student body president and former chief of staff, said her administration’s plans have changed because of COVID-19, but they want to bond more with students. Orr said she is looking forward to designing the spaces for the new Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Student Center.
Student Activities Council’s mission is to provide fun and educational activities that students want to get involved in, according to the MSU website. SAC is funded by the student involvement fee, which is included in MSU’s tuition for students taking more than 12 credit hours. SAC is made up of nine committees: public affairs, live entertainment, campus events, after hours, publicity, marketing, vice president of operations and membership development. Junior hospitality leadership major Alyssa Decker, campus events chair for this year, said she will plan and coordinate events she thinks students will care about, like eating a free meal at the Rise n’ Shine breakfast. Decker said all students should attend SAC events, as they’re basically paying for them. “All of them are so much fun and everyone in SAC is so friendly and loves to see you there,” Decker said One of the major events the after hours committee hosts is the MO State Fair. The annual spring fair typically has rides, games and snacks. Students interested in learning more about SAC can attend weekly meetings on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union room 313.
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Like politics? There’s a club for that DESIREE NIXON @DesireeNixon17 News Editor When students arrive on campus, they may be unsure of their political beliefs. Luckily, Missouri State University has the opportunity for students to explore different political backgrounds and topics. There are many organizations students can get involved in, including College Republicans, College Democrats, Young Americans for Liberty, Generation Action, Bears for Life, March for Our Lives and Animal Rights Club. Each club focuses on different aspects of the political spectrum. According to the College Republicans Campus Link page, it says they “engage in activities supporting Republican candidates and ideals.” Students can keep up with the organization’s most recent events on the club’s Facebook page, Missouri State CR. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the College Democrats’ Campus Link page states, “this is an organization that unites and builds upon the
progressive ideology of the Missouri State University campus.” The organization’s Campus Link description goes on to explain the organization is active in promoting candidates. Madeline Schatz, 2019-2020 president of College Democrats and MSU alumnus said, “I would tell students — every door you knock, every phone call you make to advocate for a policy or a candidate, counts.” The final straight political based organization is Young Americans for Liberty. According to the Campus Link page, “YAL seeks to recruit, train, educate and mobilize students on the ideals of liberty and the Constitution.” According to the Young Americans for Liberty YouTube recruitment video, this organization is based on a direct interpretation of the Constitution. The last four political organizations are not centered around the direct or indirect representations of the Constitution. Instead, they are focused on specific issues. Lauren Woodall, a sophomore political science major, is part of Generation Action. She explained that this
group is centered around reproductive rights and equality. Once a year, the group goes to lobby in Jefferson City for bills pertaining to reproductive rights. However, that is not all they do. They also provide a place for communication. “Members go to coffee talks, where they discuss issues relative to equality and reproductive rights such as abortion and contraceptives,” Woodall said. Another group related to reproduction is Bears for Life. According to the Campus Link page, this organization is “helping young people make abortion unthinkable and obsolete on our campus.” This club has attended the March for Life protest in Washington D.C., which advocated pro-life policy. This is not to be confused with the March for Our Lives, a different political organization on campus. On the Campus Link page, March for Our Lives is a non-partisan group that advocates for “common-sense” gun laws. The final political organization on campus advocates for “common-sense” animal rights. As ex-
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those who cannot help themselves,” Elliot said. Regardless of the position, MSU has many different organizations students can be a part of. Political science professor, Kevin Pybas, said he thinks students should get involved in organizations, as everyone has a stake in what happens. Pybas acknowledges that it may feel overwhelming at first to get involved in something that seems so far away from you. HowFile photo by Desiree Nixon/THE STANDARD ever, Pybas said he thinks Animal Rights Club member Jessica Al- that should not be the outbright stands in front of the JQH Arena look. “Someone is going to to protest animals in the circus. rule over you,” Pybas said. plained on the Campus Link page, “Someone is going to make decisions Animal Rights Club does community about policies that we live under, and service at animal shelters, donates to as difficult as it is to affect change and them and demonstrates at events pro- make a meaningful difference, that is still a better alternative than withdrawmoting animal welfare. Senior computer science major ing completely.” These political clubs, and more, Noah Elliot, president of Animal Rights Club, said their objectives go can be found in full detail on the MSU Campus Link website. beyond the tasks they complete. “I think really what we’re trying Disclosure: Madeline Schatz to do with our activism is give a voice worked on The Standard staff. to the voiceless and to try and help
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File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD
The Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Center had been in the Freudenberger House basement, but plans are in place to relocate it to the Plaster Student Union.
Multicultural resource programs available to students BRITNEY HUISH Staff Reporter @brithuish The Multicultural Resource Center is located in the lower level of Plaster Student Union and offers services and programming to all students, staff and faculty and is dedicated to creating a more empathetic student body by building a stronger, more progressive campus community. Services as listed on its webpage include a lounge and entertainment area and a small computer lab for students to relax, eat, study and have access to a smart TV. The MRC offers more than just these services, including spaces for LGBTQ+ students: The Room of Reflection, which allows individuals or small groups to meet in a quiet space for fellowship, and the Transitions Closet. According to Multicultural Programs LGBTQ+ Student Services, the Transitions Closet is “a free, anonymous resource available to any student going through some form of life transition, including but not limited to: transgender students beginning or continuing to change clothing choices, international students transitioning into the United States and students preparing to transition out of Missouri State into full-time employment.” In addition, the MRC hosts programs to accommodate a variety of students and cultures. “There are heritage months celebrating different cultures (committed to) understanding what they have done historically,” former Student Body President Abdillahi Dirie said. Dirie said the MRC often co-programs with other organizations on campus, like Student Activities Council, to put on events and that Black
History Month, Women’s History Month, Native American Heritage Month and Latinx Heritage Month are among the other heritage months the MRC celebrates. During Welcome Weekend, the MRC hosts the “Belong-B-Q” to kick off the school year and Dirie said this is one of his favorite Welcome Weekend events. “They do Lunch and Learn, where you eat lunch and discuss a diverse topic and at the end of the semester, they hold a Multicultural Services Graduation ceremony highlighting diverse students who are graduating,” Dirie said. Lunch and Learn takes place throughout the fall and spring semester and the topics discussed can sometimes occur jointly during identity and heritage months. Dirie said the MRC has various different planning committees which rely on the Diversity fund as a resource, which is used to promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice at Missouri State University. “The space multicultural services occupies communicates to students the importance of that area and the new office space will benefit students by being centrally located,” said Kimberly Martin, director of multicultural programs. Last spring, students voted to approve funding to relocate the MRC and Mary Jean Annex to the location of the Office of Student Engagement in the Plaster Student Union. Martin said this could bring new opportunities for other spaces on campus, such as Disability Services. Any information regarding the MRC and other multicultural programming can be found on the Missouri State website under the Multicultural Resource tab.
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Submitted photo
Members of MSU’s chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma, a multicultural sorority.
A look into NPHC and Sigma Lambda Gamma Britney Huish Staff Reporter @brithuish With diversity initiatives booming at Missouri State, there are many different multicultural organizations on campus available to students. Outside of the programming offered by the Multicultural Resource Center, students have the opportunity to join historically African American fraternities and sororities and other multicultural Greek life. NPHC, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, has five active chapters on campus, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta. MSU alumnus Jon Moore Jr. was the president of the Mu Epsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity. “NPHC is where we conduct our business as members of Black Greek Letter Organizations, BGLO, and also serves as a resource to help guide us through the school year,” Moore said. Moore said NPHC mainly serves as the body for its members’ organizations but does host a few events on campus. “NPHC hosts Meet the Greeks and the Homecoming Step-Show with individual organizations hosting educational events, community service projects and fundraising events throughout the semester,” Moore said. “My chapter was chartered May 4, 1984, so the week of May 4 is Kappa Week,” Moore said, referring to events Alpha Kappa Psi hosts. Moore said each chapter of NPHC has a week of events on campus and oftentimes two weeks, as they are exercised as a week of service. Their impact goes beyond their members,
with many NPHC organizations offering scholarship opportunities to non-Greek members on campus while learning about another group. For women interested in a multicultural sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma is looking for new members. Alondra Longoria, junior and president of Sigma Lambda Gamma, said SLG is committed to, “empowering womxn by creating a welcoming environment and taking pride in our distinct cultures and backgrounds.” The term “womxn” is an alternative spelling of “woman” to be inclusive of trans and non-binary women and avoids the suggested sexism from suffixes such as “man” and “men”. Longoria said their focus is to strive for high academic achievements and community involvement while implementing Sigma Lambda Gamma’s mission of bringing cultural awareness and creating good leaders to positively influence their community. “This group of strong independent womxn were the first to welcome me and accept my identity,” Longoria said. “Joining Sigma Lambda Gamma was the best decision I could have made.” Longoria said getting involved in SLG made her feel more accepted at MSU, especially as a first-generation college student. “They gave me that community I was needing especially as a Latina in a Predominantly-White Institution,” Longoria said. The recruitment process for both Sigma Lambda Gamma and NPHC are both unique and incoming freshmen can find information regarding NPHC recruitment on the Missouri State National Pan-Hellenic Council webpage and SLG recruitment information on their Instagram, @missouristategammas.
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Sisterhood without the sorority price tag ZOE BROWN @zoe_zoebrown Though more women than men enroll and graduate from college in the US, higher education has not always been welcoming to women. Still, there is a gender gap in classroom participation, with men contributing to classroom discussions more often than women. Women are similarly underrepresented in the highest-ranking faculty positions at MSU. Outside of the classroom, college-age women are 3-4 times more likely than women as a whole to experience sexual assault. These factors may prompt college-age women to see out female safe spaces. The largest campus organizations for women are sororities which have membership dues amounting to hundreds of dollars per semester. If you want the safe-space of sisterhood without the price tag, Missouri State University has an array of female clubs to choose from. Mariah Spangler is a junior and the team director for the MSU chapter of Delight Ministries, an all-female reli-
gious organization. Their mission is to bring Christ to college women from all walks of life. “We’re just for girl power and learning about Jesus, wherever you’re at, wherever you’re from,” Spangler said. “We just want to know you and we want to learn about the world together.” Spangler joined Delight as a freshman and said it has been a place for her to grow spiritually. “It is just so encouraging to have a group of women that I know are going to be there for me,” Spangler said. “They’re going to be there to celebrate me and champion me through the ups in my life. And they’re going to be a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen when I’m not doing so hot.” Having Delight as a safe space has been empowering for Spangler, especially since it can sometimes be intimidating exploring a new organization, idea or faith as a woman, she said. “That kind of newness and introductory feeling is always like there’s always added pressure when there’s another gender and other sex around,” Spangler said. Spangler, who is also a member of the Sugar Bears dance team, describes being on the team as a similar sisterhood experience to a sorority. “You can find it in a sorority, you can find it on women’s athletic team, you
THE STANDARD can find it in an all women’s club, but just to know that you have people that are going to have your back on a good day and on a bad day, that’s really what sisterhood is,” Spangler said. “And that what I’ve seen through all of the female groups have been a part of.” Delight meets every Tuesday for Bible study, worship, and small group time but does local service projects as well. “Last year, we focused on service in the Springfield community but this year, we’re going to focus more on the Missouri State community,” Spangler said. “We’ll be doing once a month service events on Missouri State’s campus.” Alongside their service events, Delight has a social element as well. They have what Spangler calls “sisterhood events” which are typically activities like movie nights, bonfires, or hanging out at one of the member’s houses. “I’m sure any woman who’s in a sorority or any other group can attest that sisterhood is so important to have in your life,” Spangler said. Sister Circle and Gamma Alpha Lambda are two other faith-oriented clubs for women. Camryn Mahnken, junior and president of the American Association of University Women, echoes similar sentiments as Spangler.
THE-STANDARD.ORG AAUW is a national organization that “exists to empower and advocate for women in all aspects of life, from education to social to career,” said Mahnken. Mahnken initially joined the club as a freshman to be able to speak out about women’s issues as well as make like-minded friends. “AAUW has provided me with the opportunity to meet a great community of women, all with different fields of study, interests, and backgrounds,” Mahnken said. “I’ve made friends who share the common goal of empowering one another throughout our educational journeys.” Mahnken said AAUW members can gain friendships, volunteer experience, education, and networking skills through the organization. Mahnken emphasizes the importance of spaces where female voices are valued and encouraged. “The years one spends on a college campus are so formative to each person’s identity and future, and I believe that offering a space where women feel free to be themselves can be an extremely helpful part of navigating those formative years. “Receiving the validation and mutual respect offered in a female space allows members of the group to develop
a stronger sense of self and feel supported by women who understand what one another go through on a daily basis — that is important,” Mahnken said. AAUW meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Besides regularly scheduled meetings, the club hosts service and social activities. “As the club always does, I’m aiming for AAUW to attract more women in need of support and community this year,” Mahnken said. “More specifically, though, I hope for AAUW to host more accessible, on-campus events such as salary negotiation workshops and lectures from prominent women in the Springfield community.”
Other women’s organizations:
Professional organizations • Women in Economics • Missouri State Women in Construction Musical clubs • Sound Bearrier, all-female a cappella group, • A Cub Bella, all-female a cappella group Sports • Women’s Club Lacrosse • Women’s Club Volleyball • Women’s Ultimate Frisbee • Women’s Club Soccer • Women’s Club Basketball
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Campus ministries and religious organizations available to MSU students
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Mario Trejo
Missouri State University offers a variety of campus ministries across campus. BRITNEY HUISH Staff Reporter @brithuish Campus ministries and religious organizations have a large presence at Missouri State University, with over 13 campus affiliated groups, such as Chi Alpha, Christian Campus House, Gamma Alpha Lambda and STUMO. These organizations allow for students to build friendships and make connections within their faith. MSU alumnus Emily Daily is a member of Christian Campus House, a non-denominational ministry on campus. “It has helped me grow spiritually through family groups and mission trips and I’ve made some of my closest friends here,”Daily said. Daily said what sets Christian Campus House apart from other ministries is that it is medium-sized and is structured more around scripture. Their mission, as stated on their website, reads, “Christian Campus House seeks to provide a caring fellowship where college age people can find and expand their relationship with God and learn to be doers of the Word.” “They can either come to our back to school events or the first 8:01 (CCH’s Bible study) over the summer which are held on Tuesdays at 8:01 p.m. at the Christian Campus House on Bear Blvd,” Daily said, explaining how those interested can join. For those more involved with fraternity and sorority life and interested in exploring campus ministries, Student Mobilization, more commonly known as STUMO, is majority FSL and brings together both interests. “This allows you to bond all throughout Greek life,” said senior religious studies major
Chris Iverson. Students do not have to be in FSL to join, as STUMO seeks to be heard all throughout MSU and the surrounding community. “The main mission is to mobilize college students with the gospel to be spread all around campus and throughout the world after college,” Iverson said. Iverson is a member of Delta Chi and was invited to join by an older member in the fraternity, making this almost his second year in STUMO. “It slowly made me think more and more about my own personal walk with God,” Iverson said. STUMO gives students the opportunity to travel by attending a conference in Oklahoma City over winter break and a nine-week discipleship program to Florida over the summer. “Both of these times in my life were filled with challenge, community, wisdom, forbearance, and gratitude,” Iverson said, explaining his time traveling with STUMO. In terms of strengthening his faith, Iverson said STUMO has helped him grow spiritually and wants to help incoming freshmen grow in their faith. As the 2020 spring semester ended early to adapt to social distancing guidelines, STUMO launched an online platform for members to continue worship and stay connected with friends. STUMO Online launched March 20, 2020, and has new podcast episodes Monday-Friday, new blog posts Monday, Thursday, Friday and hosts a live broadcast every Wednesday at 8 p.m. For more information regarding STUMO and Christian Campus House, visit MSU’s Campus Link.
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Springfield’s volunteer hotspots LAUREN JOHNS Staff Reporter @lje2017 Through volunteering, students get to actively help their community while keeping up with the requirements of scholarships and extracurriculars. Whether you’re looking for a one-time activity or a greater commitment, Springfield has an abundance of opportunities.
Greene County Parks
Greene County Parks accommodates a wide range of facilities and locations, including sports facilities, pools, gardens and over 75 miles of trails. Most of the volunteer work caters to larger groups, rather than individuals, according to officer Jenny Edwards of the Greene County Park Board. “It’s easier to formulate a group once or one person several times,” Edwards said. “For individuals, we would need them to fill out an application and do a background check for many of the opportunities we have.” Greene County Parks partners with Springfield Botanical Gardens, where volunteer work ranges from working in the Botanical Center Building to mulching, weeding and planting in the gardens. If running and biking trails are more your speed, Ozark Greenways hosts volunteer days to clear paths of trash and debris. For larger groups like sororities and fraternities, Miracle League, a special program designed for individuals with disabilities, is applicable. Each athlete is given a buddy and they play baseball. “Big groups come to sponsor their team, wearing matching uniforms and partnering up with players to help them as needed,” Edwards said. “I dare you to go and not want to come back. It’s tons of fun.” The Springfield Parks Board is also partnered with the Dickerson Park Zoo. Those 21 and older who want a one-time volunteer oppor-
tunity can apply to work during “Brew at the Zoo.” “We need people who can serve beer, collect trash, serve food, guide foot traffic (and) help extra vendors who may be on-site,” said Chelsea Hoover, special events and volunteer coordinator for the Zoo. “I don’t have a system in place for signing off on hours, but I will be flexible in doing what I can for students who need me to.” The Dickerson Park Zoo typically offers unpaid internships for students over the summer, aimed more towards postgraduates, according to Pamela Price, conservation education director for the Zoo.
Eden Village (The Gathering Tree)
According to their website, Eden Village prides themselves in creating Eden Village is a tiny home community on Division Street. relationships and a community with the disabled and homeless. The organization was founded in the fall of 2010, when members of a small church The best part of this volunteer experience is building relanoticed the steadily-growing concentration of homeless people tionships with others, Ewens said. “The children are always such a joy to spend time with whethin downtown Springfield and wanted to take action. “This organization helps the homeless population of Spring- er that be playing house, playing on the playground or even field by providing them with beautiful communities and homes holding one of the babies for hours,” Ewens said. “FAC is always to live in,” said Connor Ewens, senior music/vocal-choral ma- a blast.” jor and co-president of MSU’s Bear Service Team. “The leaders Despite volunteering most of his time with Eden Village and in charge of this project are so passionate about what they do Foster Adopt Connect, Ewens wants to give credit to all charities and their passion is absolutely contagious, especially once you’re in the area. able to interact with and meet the wonderful people who live in “There are a large amount of amazing programs you can volunteer with in Springfield that are just as deserving as the the communities they have created.” As stated by the website, the causes of homelessness cannot organizations I chose to discuss,” Ewens said. be addressed until fundamental needs are taken care of, like food, clothing and shelter. Campus and Community Gardens “My time spent with Eden Village startCampus Gardens are run by Missouri State’s Sustainability ed with helping them paint the community Commission and Student Government Association, making them center at their first location,” Ewens said. conveniently located and tied directly into the campus programs. According to their website, the gardens provide fresh produce “I fell in love with the people and with the mission and have continued to come back to students and members of the community. Clubs and organiand help through things like gardening, zations are encouraged to participate and earn service hours. To cleaning and whatever tasks they need done learn more, contact CampusGarden@Missouristate.edu. in order to create a beautiful living comFor another off-campus option, look into Springfield Community for their community members.” munity Gardens. They have 19 gardens listed on the website in the Greene County area and are working to support new farmers. Foster Adopt Connect “I have a strong passion for the environment and living in According to their website, Foster Adopt harmony with it, and community gardens does a great job showConnect has over 20 years of experience casing and educating volunteers about this,” said graduate stuworking in Missouri Foster Care, working dent Kenya Reeves, former president of MSU’s Green Student to create brighter futures for the neglected. Alliance. “Campus Gardens also does a great job with this, and “Foster Adopt Connect is another great gives a lot of students opportunities to help in their garden, as organization that’s not as well known and well as donating most of their harvest to people in need in the is in constant need of help and volunteers,” community. They partner up with several food banks throughout Ewens said. “This is essentially a support Springfield.” and informational group for foster families Students interested in learning about more volunteer opporin Springfield. The group (Bear Service tunities can contact United Way. Team) often collaborates with meets once “They are an umbrella organization that helps advocate and Photos by Brenna Lumley/THE STANDARD a month and we volunteers are able to spend raise money for lots of organizations across the United States, time with their amazing kids while their and they have an office here in the Ozarks that can help you,” The Dickerson Park Zoo is a 15-minute drive northwest of campus. guardians have a meeting.” Edwards said.
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Getting involved in Residence Life KATHRYN DOLAN Staff Reporter @kathryndolan97 The Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services department assists students both inside and outside the classroom. According to the Missouri State website, Resident Life provides students with healthy dining, well-maintained facilities and approachable staff members. Travis Schilla, the coordinator of leadership development and programming, has been working for Residence Life for six years. He said his favorite part of the job is getting to work with students who are excited about creating opportunities on campus. “(Students) want to be planning activities and planning programs,” Schilla said. “They want to find ways to engage the campus and advocate for their peers.” Each residence hall has a council, where a group of students work together to be a voice for their community. Students advocate for new equipment and new policies by speaking to administrators. “(Students) might put on a cooking class or they might help take students downtown to explore Springfield,” Schilla said. A student activity fee is collected from all students, which allows Hall Council to receive funding so Residence Life can plan engagement opportunities for students. “We really want to make sure (students) have a say in how
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that money is spent,” Schilla said. “So if (students) feel like their (residence hall) doesn’t have the right cooking utensils, or they want to advocate for a new pool table, they have autonomy to be able to do that.” Schilla said this system gives students a chance to speak up and use their voice while learning more about community engagement. One impactful initiative, coinless laundry, was proposed by a student and passed by Hall Council. Students also helped advocate for movie rentals from the front desk. Schilla said most students probably don’t realize those decisions came directly from Hall Council but they’re still really impacted by them. Schilla said he believes becoming a resident assistant is one of the best opportunities a student can take on campus. “It is a lot of work,” Schilla said. “But the benefits and opportunities that it creates for you are unmatched.” File photo by Kate Brown/THE STANDARD Schilla said resident assistants are given a The Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services office is located lot of trust in order to help make an impact on the students living on their floors. He believes on the first floor of Hammons House. resident assistants get a lot of career development opportunities, the resident assistant position at Scholars House. “The community there is just fantastic,” Alexander said. “We regardless of what field they’re going into. Caleb Alexander, a junior computer science major, was a res- have really good attendance at events.” This year Alexander hosted the house’s first “TED Talk” and ident assistant in Scholars House his sophomore year at Missouri State. After the outbreak of the coronavirus, Alexander was able over 60 residents attended. Many residence assistants put extra time and effort into their to keep his job, but was moved to Hutchens House. “After quarantine I really didn’t do normal RA (tasks),” Alex- hall decorations; Alexander said work ethic plays a big role in ander said. “There was no event planning or decoration making, getting residents to show up to an event. “You’ve got to devote a lot of time to being an RA — it isn’t just rounds and making sure everything was in line.” Alexander was very excited when Missouri State offered him for everyone,” Alexander said.
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MSU offers clubs for the artistically-inclined
explains the organization promotes ceramics throughout town by hosting exhibitions, workshops and lectures. Clayworks has been involved in several arts events in Springfield such as Artsfest, MSU May Day and Springfield Sister City events. The organization also has organized bi-annual pottery Photo courtesy of professor Kevin Hughes of Clayworks. sales on campus, where stu“Adaptation” measures approximately 48”x12”x2” dents can view and purchase and was made by senior Chelsey Klosterman, a dual student ceramic pieces. Clayworks advisor and art BFA in 3D Studies and BSED major. Klosterman made the piece, which is made of ceramic and barbed wire, and design associate professor Kevin Hughes said the club is for her senior show spring. for anybody with an interest in ceramics. DIANA DUDENHOEFFER “Working with clay can almost be a magical Digital Editor experience for some and frustrating for others,” Hughes said. “Most people find it really amazing @kisstein that they can actually make something out of a Sketchbooks and cameras and ceramics, oh formless lump of earthen material that when submy! Whether you hope to work professionally jected to an appropriate amount of heat becomes in visual arts or enjoy the arts as a hobby, Missouri State University’s clubs and organiza- an object that can last thousands of years.” Hughes said students on the fence about jointions have you covered. ing Clayworks should simply stop by and try it American Institute of Graphic Arts out. According to the Campus Link webpage for “I would encourage anyone who is uncertain the American Institute of Graphic Arts, AIGA about joining the organization to come to one of was established in 1914 and is “a global commu- our events and see how fun it is to work with nity of design advocates and practitioners,” which clay,” Hughes said. focuses on building a community of people who value creativity and design while teaching students Student Photographic Society about the professional design world. The goals of the Student Photographic Society, Maria Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic, an art and according to the Campus Link webpage, involve design assistant professor and the faculty advisor education, sharing interests, and raising awareness for American Institute of Graphic Arts, explained of the creative potential of photography. that AIGA has members from different creative Students do not have to be photography majors areas including design, illustration, photography, in order to join the Student Photographic Society. as well as marketing and advertising, but students According to Campus Link, one of the benedon’t have to major in these areas to join the club. fits of joining the club, is allowing students to The MSU chapter of AIGA has around 30 build experience, serve the community and netstudents on the roster, and meetings are every work with others in the field of photography. other Tuesday from 8:15-9:15 p.m. at Brick 1, room 302. Students in Design “We welcome all and always suggest students “Students in Design was created in order to come and hang out with us,” Gerasimchuk-Djord- enhance the education of graphic design and iljevic said. lustration students, as well as instill values of Students are able to attend workshops, con- teamwork, community involvement and self-imferences, visit speaker events and get feedback provement in its members,” the Students in Design on their portfolios in coordination with other Campus Link said. chapters of AIGA in St. Louis and Kansas City. The goal for Students in Design is to raise Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic encourages readers awareness by educating students through field trips, visiting artists, exhibitions, workshops, deto follow AIGA on social media: partment-wide activities, volunteerism and Facebook: @sgfaiga fund-raisers, according to the Campus Link page. Instagram: @aiga_springfield For more information about visual arts clubs Clayworks and organizations, visit https://art.missouristate. The Campus Link webpage for Clayworks edu/student-organizations.htm.
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LGBTQ+ resources to use at Missouri State M. TODD DEARING Lifestyle Editor @mtodddearing There are numerous LGBTQ+ organizations at MSU. The LGBTQ Resource Center, meant for LGBTQ+ identifying students, is in the Multicultural Resource Center Annex in the basement of Freudenberger House. It offers multiple resources to students, including a place for LGBTQ+ students to lounge and an extensive library of books and movies. Overseeing the LGBTQ Resource Center is the director of multicultural programs, Kimberly Martin. With 20 years of experience in student affairs and five years in diversity and inclusion, Martin aims to serve the student community by making MSU inclusive. “I have been an assistant director of D&I in a medical school, and director of a cultural center,” Martin said. “The MSU faculty and staff have been very helpful, ready to assist in any way, and I have been very pleased. I’m loving it here.” For other resources and help, look no further than Transitions Closet. Transitions Closet is an open resource for all students to access as a free and anonymous way to get clothes for any purpose regarding transition. This includes transgender students in need of clothes for the gender they identify as, international students and students leaving MSU to enter the workforce. Melaqueer is a student organization meant to create a community for LGBTQ+ students of color. They meet every other Tuesday in the MRC Annex to discuss issues that affect their lives. “I would say that for my freshman year, I wanted to find this type of community early so that I could find people with shared experience with being a black queer person like myself,” 2019-2020 Melaqueer Community Engagement Chair and junior art/painting major Naysa Adams said. “If you want to be able to find an organization with other queer people of color, fun conversation and overall a safe space to be comfortable in your identity, this would be the organization for you.” Spectrum is a social student organization that means to create a safe environment for LGBTQ+ students with weekly meetings located in the MRC Annex Lounge every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Spectrum also aims to create positive visibility for the LGBTQ+ community through advocacy and activism. Similar to Spectrum, Advocates is another student organization that serves as a professional forum for positive social change for MSU’s
LGBTQ+ community. However, Advocates focuses on providing resources for students wanting to enact positive change in their communities. Safe Zone is an MSU program meant to identify students, staff, faculty and community members who are supportive of the LGBTQ+ community with a two-hour training course. The course takes participants through self reflection activities, as well as teaching basic vocabulary and general issues facing the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. An expansion of Safe Zone, Gender Zone, is a similar program for transgender and intersex identity. Set to be piloted this fall, the training will delve more deeply into gender as a social construct to help participants understand issues within the community. In the LGBTQ+ Student Services section on missouristate.edu, there is a tab labeled TRANS* @MSU, which offers easy access to resources, such as a map of all gender-neutral bathrooms on campus. The tab also displays official campus policies regarding the chosen name policy, non-discrimination policy and the on-campus housing policy. Organizations can be found at the MSU Belong-B-Q for new students at the Foster Recreation Center at 5 p.m. on Aug. 16.
File illustration by Kristina Khodai/THE STANDARD
LGBTQ+ pride is celebrated during LGBT History Month in October.
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STEM organizations on campus MOLLY ROEDER Staff Reporter @molly_r8r Missouri State University has no shortage of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM organizations for students to get involved in on campus.
From clubs like the Society of Science Educators to the economics club, there is an organization for everyone interested in STEM at Missouri State. Ashley Schunzel, president of the Society of Science Educators (SoSE), has been a member of the club since it was founded in 2017.
Photo submitted by Ashley Schunzel
Club members pose at a National Science Teachers Association Conference.
THE STANDARD The club aims to “increase awareness of teaching as a profession in formal and non-formal settings, while developing effective science teaching practices as well as leadership skills,” Schunzel said. Students interested in the club can attend monthly meetings and professional development events hosted by SoSE and volunteer at science-related activities, such as the science olympiad and the science and engineering fair. A club on campus that deals with technology is the Computer Science club, which aims to take advantage of the capabilities of technology to make the lives of others easier. Siming Liu, assistant professor of computer science and the club’s chapter advisor, said the Computer Science club helps students get ready for job interviews, learn how to program in python— a coding language — while also teaching members to problem solve. Liu said his favorite part about being in the club is the chance to meet “enthusiastic students who are excited about a variety of interesting topics in computer science.” The club also teaches students how to use widely-used software development programs, such as GitHub,
THE-STANDARD.ORG which puts members a step ahead of other job candidates. The club even created an extension which helps MSU students organize their four year plan. Along with science and technology-based clubs at MSU, there are also several clubs available to engineering majors. Engineering clubs available for students include the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which both provide unique and professional opportunities for future engineers. Students who are interested in math-related fields, such as economics, should consider joining the Economics club. This club focuses on how economics affects everyday life, keeps up with the job market and furthers educational opportunities for students interested in economics, which you can find more about on their Campus Link page. While there is not a specific math club at MSU, there is a process students can go through if they are interested in creating one. According to the Missouri State website, students must attend a meeting to discuss student funding, find
Photo submitted by Ashley Schunzel,
Society of Science Educators club members learn how to make light bulbs last longer.
an advisor and students to support the organization, get it approved by the Student Government Association and go through training. The process could take a couple weeks or months, but if a student is passionate enough, nothing will get in the way of starting a club. The amount of opportunities for STEM majors at MSU are endless, and the clubs are not just for STEM majors. Anyone interested in the subject is encouraged to get involved.
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Football looks to move forward with new coach STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor @Stevethe2nd The Missouri State football team is now under the direction of Bobby Petrino. Petrino comes to Missouri State after coaching at schools like Louisville and Arkansas — as well as a 13-game stint as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. He coached NFL MVP Lamar Jackson during his time at Louisville. He takes over a Bears team that went 1-10 last season, but he said the
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MSU’s new football coach, Bobby Petrino, speaks at a press conference in January 2020. team is not focusing on prior seasons. “We’ve tried to come in and say ‘let’s not worry about what’s happened here in the past,’” Petrino said. “We’re tearing off the rearview mirror and looking forward.”
Even before Petrino was hired, the biggest question mark for the team was who would be the starting quarterback after three-year starter Peyton Huslig played his final game in 2019. The apparent answer has come in the form of Jaden Johnson, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Southern Mississippi in the spring. Johnson was a four-star recruit in high school and was originally recruited by Petrino to play at Louisville. “I know Jaden really well,” Petrino said. “He’s very, very bright — really understands the game of football. He’s a big and physical player that can stand in the pocket and make throws. He’s not a flashy runner like a Lamar Jackson, but he can run.” The Bears’ playbook will still be taking shape when the season starts — the loss of the spring season due to COVID-19 took away time Petrino planned to use to figure out what the strengths of the roster are. “I’ve always liked to throw the football,” Petrino said. “We’re going to try to throw the football down the field, we’ll do a drop-back passing game, and some play action too. We have to be able to throw and catch, especially in the early games.” The running game is less defined — a result of the spring cancellations. “You have to be able to run the football to win,” Petrino said. “We’ll put the whole offense in, and then we’ll figure out how we can mold it around our starting quarterback. Whether it’s a read-option or a power running game — we’ll have to figure out in a short period of time what our identity is going to be.”
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File photo by Kaitlyn Stratman/THE STANDARD
The Bears enter the home field before playing South Dakota State in November 2019.
File photo by Kaitlyn Stratman/THE STANDARD
The Missouri State football team huddles at the beginning of a game against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in November 2019. Part of that identity is already formed. Petrino has brought an air of confidence to the Bears. He said when he was hired one of his goals was to win a national championship at Missouri State. The team has not made the postseason since 1990. A national championship may not come in his first season, but Petrino
has foundational goals for this year. “The number one thing we need to do is do the things we need to do to win,” Petrino said. “If you go out and do your best job individually and don’t worry about the scoreboard — wins take care of themselves.” Those wins will have to come in a tough Missouri Valley Football
Conference. The MVFC sent 4 teams to the postseason in 2019, including champions North Dakota State. The Bison have won eight of the last nine FCS national championships. The Bears plan to open their season at Oklahoma on Sept. 5, but the schedule could change with COVID-19.
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Women’s golf excited to hit the links
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Junior Abby Cavaiani lines up a shot during the fall 2019 season. COLE SUTTON Sports Reporter @ColeSutton23 With the final three tournaments of last season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Missouri State’s women’s golf team is looking to make the most of every competition in the 2020-21campaign. Head coach Kevin Kane said he believes that when, not if, golf returns, the squad will be ready. “I’m fairly optimistic that our sport is well equipped to handle this as anything,” Kane said. “I’m guessing we’ll have to do things like taking temperatures and other health precautions. I see us being able to start on time.” The Bears’ roster will look very similar to last year’s with Sophia Sadaro being the only departing senior. Kane will rely heavily on his freshman and sophomores coming into next season. “I really enjoy this bunch of kids, I think we have the potential to be really good,” Kane said. “If you look at the core of my team, most are freshman and sophomores who got about twothirds of a season of growth, development and maturity that didn’t really cost them anything.” Kane said he recognizes how important finishing strong with the short game can be for MSU. “As a team we need to be better with our short game and make more putts — 10-15 ft. birdie
putts — things like that,” Kane said. We’re probably better ball strikers than putters, and we need to catch up with that.” Kane said the roster is full of competition and this year may be just as competitive, if not more, to find a spot on the squad. Kane knows that the teams’ success will go through Sophomore Abby Cavaiani. “(Cavaiani) is a coach’s dream,” Kane said. “She works hard and lives the right way on and off the course. I’ve never been around a golfer as even-keel as she is. Every good team needs to have a horse, and Abby is our horse.” Cavaiani led the Bears in every single tournament last season, including five top-10 finishes. She placed third in the Payne Stewart Memorial Tournament, MSU’s best placement, and was named the MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Kane is certainly looking forward to the season beginning, but above all else is reuniting with his players. “This team and group of kids I probably enjoy being around as any team I’ve ever had — and I’ve been doing this a long time,” Kane said. “I guess I’m just looking forward to being around them everyday again. There’s hard work, experience, talent, there’s a lot to be excited about.” The MSU women’s golf team is slated to hit the links for the first time of the season around early September.
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High hopes for ‘more experienced’ men’s golf team NOAH TUCKER Sports Reporter @noahtucker04 The Missouri State men’s golf team looks to build on a solid year of growth going into 2020. The Bears’ previous season was one that revolved around youth. Head coach Neal Stafford said the young team, which included five newcomers, grew a lot last season and “showed a lot of promise.” In 2019, the Bears had a steady season as a team, posting multiple top-10 finishes before their season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included sixth place at the Derek Dolenc Invitational and fourth place finish at the Austin Peay State Intercollegiate. “The guys got more and more comfortable each day, and have shown tangibles to be successful,” Stafford said. With golf being considered a spring sport, the NCAA’s ruling to extend a year of eligibility applies to the team. This is most important for senior Lukas McCalla, who graduated in fall 2019. McCalla announced he will return for a fifth season while entering a graduate program. McCalla has been a regular in the Bears’ lineup, and Stafford described him as “a great guy and solid leader who helps set the tone for the rest of the team.” Another upperclassman who will help lead the way for the Bears is Western Kentucky transfer Crimson Callahan, a junior. Callahan was a consistent player throughout the season for the Bears, averaging a score of 73 across 21 rounds played.
“Callahan had a terrific year last year, and spent a lot of time in our 1 spot,” Stafford said. Another returner for the Bears includes Glendale High School graduate Christopher Obert, a redshirt junior, who also tallied 21 rounds last season. Along with him, sophomore Carter Lee and a trio of freshmen in Eric Byun, Austin Gillund and J.P. Lavalle will all compete for playing time in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots. Perhaps the most promising of all returners for the Bears is sophomore Max Kreikemeier. As a freshman in 2019, Kreikemeier made an instant impact with several individual top-10 finishes. He held a team-best average round score of 72, which in part is due to multiple sub-70 rounds he shot through the season. “Max is a very steady player who always seems in control,” Stafford said. “He adjusted to the college game well and was able to break the program’s single-season scoring average for a freshman.” Stafford has high hopes for the team this coming season, and he said he believes the key to success is “maintaining a focus to get better and improve on something every day.” Stafford said he believes this pursuit will result in more relaxed and confident play as the season progresses. As the Bears continue to gain experience, competition for playing spots will help further the team’s growth. “There are countless ways to play great golf,” Stafford said. “For us, the talent is there. We just have to keep things simple and MSU Visual Media not waiver in our mindset despite what our situation may look like.” Lukas McCalla is returning for a fifth season after The men’s golf team is expected to begin its fall season in the NCAA extended eligibility for spring athletes. mid-September, but exact dates are still to be determined.
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Bears Soccer look to continue momentum after hibernation COLE SUTTON Sports Reporter @ColeSutton23 The Missouri State men’s soccer team had one of the greatest seasons in Missouri State sports last season. Undefeated at home and against conference opponents, MSU’s only loss of the season was in the NCAA tournament against the No. 8 UCF Knights. Head coach Jon Leamy is just one of many who are itching to see the Bears hit the pitch again in 2020. “The bottom line is the team needs to be ready and as soon as they tell us to get going we’ll be ready for that,” Leamy said. “Whenever it is we need to hit the ground running, that is what we’re gonna do.” The Bears competed in two spring friend-
lies before the remainder were canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but MSU came away with two victories. The Bears took down Oral Roberts 1-0 and Rogers State 2-1 on March 7. These matches gave Leamy a glimpse of what to expect in August. “Really good first outings,” Leamy said. “Tons of things you identify that went well, and some others to improve on. We had a good foundation, we’re excited about the guys returning and we have a lot of talent and dedication with coaches busting their butts to make this team fantastic.” Coming into the 2020 season, MSU added nine new prospects to the roster from all over the world. These new players will join a Bears lineup who lost four seniors last season, including leading goal-scorer Matthew Bentley who was drafted in the fourth round of the MLS draft by Minnesota UnitFile photo by Christian Cuozzo/THE STANDARD
The Bears lined up at the end of their last game in November 2019. The season ended 18-1-1. ed FC. “If you’re relying on a first-year freshman to really carry a team, that usually doesn’t happen; it takes adjustments,” Leamy said. “We have a really great group of veterans that have gone through some matches in the fall and training in the spring, and we have some talent that we feel can score and create goals.” Though only four seniors departed from MSU, there will still be plenty of intrasquad competition to make the starting 11. “Jobs are wide open,” Leamy said. “No
“Whenever it is we need to hit the ground running, that is what we’re gonna do.” -Men’s soccer Head coach Jon Leamy
one has a job to start and the guys know that, that’s how they approach it. We expect a good, competitive team with some guys who know how to play, and that’s what Missouri State is all about.” File photo by Kaitlyn Stratman/THE STANDARD Although jobs are open, MSU will return Senior forward Josh Dolling (left) and junior midfielder Jack Denton celebrate their starting goalie and three out of four
after a goal against Valparaiso in September 2019.
starting defenders to sure up the back end for the Bears. The midfield will be an interesting position to watch for Leamy and company going into the season, though. “(Junior forward) Nicolo Mulatero and (sophomore midfielder) Aadne Bruseth have gotten considerable playing time in the 4-33 out on the wings,” Leamy said. “Anytime you change a team it’s always a different energy and dynamic, but we have versatility with some interchangeable parts, and we think goals will come.” In terms of scheduling, the dates and start times of the season are up in the air. Leamy said the actual opponents may change as well. “We had a schedule that was pretty wellset a couple months ago, but now with where the situation is we’re probably going to look a little more regional if we can,” Leamy said. “We have games against Tulsa, UMKC, SIUE, and we know we’re still going to get the usual home and away matchup with conference opponents.” While the uncertainty of the future is still daunting, Leamy will continue to keep his spirits high whenever the Bears get back on the field. “We will welcome back any student, faculty, staff, anyone in the community — the more the merrier,” Leamy said. “We want people to come out and have fun and hopefully we can be a good vehicle for it, as well as our other sports teams.”
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Brewer said the team is taking to the system change well. The coaches are also encouraging the players to be more aggressive and do less of what Brewer calls “pass and watch.” The shift to a more aggressive mindset is a change from last year’s emphasis on time of possession. The team’s goals for the fall include the usual winning the conference tournament and regular season title, as well as having a winning season. Another goal Brewer set is to blend the group into a team that plays hard BRAYDEN ASH for each other. Brewer said he likes the incoming recruitSports Reporter ing class. He has known the class for a few @Brady_A_Ash years now and expects them to have strength The Missouri State women’s soccer team in numbers to fend off the jitters of being looks to improve on a solid 2019 season this new players on the team. year. Head coach Rob Brewer said he is very “The new class is very motivated and athexcited for the season to start. letic,” Brewer said. “I’m a little unsure of “We have 13 or 14 returners who have how some of them will react to missing their started for us in the past,” Brewer said. “We high school season, but I think they will come also have a very strong recruiting class with in hungry because of that.” The COVID-19 pandemic has caused big nine new players.” Brewer expects the new class to elevate changes in the Bears normal offseason the play of the returners by increasing the schedule. Four of the team’s five scheduled spring games were canceled when Missouri State canceled all athletic events for the remainder of the semester. The game was against the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The team has adapted by deeply dissecting the film of that one game and meeting with each player to review it. “It has been tough not being able to be around the players,” Brewer said. “We have had several meetings on Microsoft Teams, a program similar to Zoom, to stay in touch and to review film.” Brewer expects several returners to step into leadership roles, both on and off the field. Goalkeeper Kaitlin Maxwell, the reigning Missouri Valley Conference File photo/THE STANDARD Goalkeeper of the Year award winner, is returning for a fifth Senior midfielder Emma Skornia fights for a season as a redshirt senior and she loose ball during a game against the Illinois understands the importance of State Redbirds on Oct. 25, 2019. leadership. Brewer said junior Midfielder competition for play time. Anna Durnin was “at times quite often our The Bears finished last season with a re- best player on the field in the fall.” He said cord of 11-5-2. A 4-3 overtime loss to Illinois Durnin has progressed recently and is exState in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley pected to really establish herself in her poConference Tournament ended their season. sition. Brewer and the other coaches have impleThere are several incoming players who mented a big system change for the upcom- Brewer also expects to make an impact. ing season. Among them are Dragana Andonovski and “The lineup will start the same, but we Ingrid Perkins. Andonovski was on campus will be interchanging players in different in the spring, so she has been in the weight positions,” Brewer said. “For example, we room and in team practices. Brewer said Percan put someone who usually plays outside kins is a “cold-blooded goal scorer,” who he forward in at outside back or vice versa. This is excited to see in action. has already opened up more offensive opporThe Bears plan to start play with exhibitunities for us.” tion matches in September.
Women’s soccer moving to improve in 2020
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Baseball Bears are striving for postseason play T.J. SCOTT Sports Reporter @iamtjs_ Five returning seniors. Potentially impactful junior college transfers. A strong pitching staff. These are pieces that could lead the Missouri State baseball team to success in the 2021 season. Like many spring sports teams, the Missouri State baseball team saw their season come to an end at the hands of COVID-19. The Bears were on their way to play the University of California Irvine when the season was suspended. At the time, games were only suspended until March 30, but days later the season came to an end. “Shock” is how head coach Keith Guttin described the mood of the team when the season ended. “As I walked through the locker room on the way to the meeting, every guy was on their phone staring at it,” Guttin said. The Bears only played 17 games and finished the shortened season with a 9-8 record. Even with the shortened season, there were some
bright spots for the team. The pitching staff was a bright spot for the Bears as they held their opponents to a .232 batting average. File Photo by Bailey Vassalli/THE STANDARD Along with its p r o m i n e n t Pitcher Logan Thomazin pushes off the mount to pitch against pitching, MSU Central Arkansas in February 2019. also saw its offensive numbers trend upwards towards the end of the bats were starting to come alive for the Bears as they ended the season in a 13-3 victory over Southern the season. “I thought our pitching was pretty consistent,” Illinois Edwardsville. Guttin said. “Looking at the numbers, our starting Due to the shortened season, the NCAA and MSU pitching. I thought overall that pitching was the strong have granted an extra year of eligibility to players spot.” whose final season was cut short or canceled entirely. Several MSU players are taking advantage of this The Bears only gave up five or more runs in three games during the 2020 season. They also recorded extra year of eligibility. Senior infielder Ben Whetstone, catcher Logan Geha, outfielder Jack Duffy and relief one shutout and several one and two-run games. While the pitching thrived in the shortened season, pitcher Nate Witherspoon will be returning to Spring-
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field for the 2020 season. “They’re leaders,” Guttin said. “Logan was a captain. Ben was a captain. Jack’s definitely a leader and one of our most talented players.” Senior Logan Wiley’s return to MSU was somewhat up in the air. “We were kind of unsure about him,” Guttin said. “He’s told us that if he doesn’t sign a free agent contract that he will come back as well.” That brings the total to five returning seniors for MSU. “They’ve kind of seen everything,” Guttin said. “I think their experience will definitely benefit the newcomers.” Speaking of newcomers, Guttin highlighted a few junior college transfers that could make an impact on the team in the upcoming season. “We have a right-handed pitcher from Crowder junior college. We have a right-handed pitcher from Jefferson (College). And we have an outfielder from Johnson County Community College.” The Bears are also bringing in a catcher/first baseman from Iowa Western and another four-year college transfer who could help on the infield. COVID-19 has derailed many plans since its culmination in the U.S. One plan it hasn’t derailed is the baseball team’s plans to make a run in the postseason. “The goal every year is to play in the NCAA tournament, and as you play in it, have success,” Guttin said. “I don’t think that has ever not been the case and I don’t think it’ll ever change.” The Bears play their home games at Hammons Field. A schedule for the 2020 season has yet to be released.
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The softball team shouts an energetic chant before a game in April 2019.
Key returners to lead way for tested softball squad NOAH TUCKER Sports Reporter @noahtucker04 The Missouri State Softball team has high expectations for the 2021 season following a promising showing during their 2020 non-conference schedule. The Bears posted a 7-12 record before the season got cut short by COVID-19. Although not the most impressive on paper, the team showed a lot of promise against arguably the toughest non-conference schedule of any Missouri Valley Conference team. Some of the Bears highlights from the previous season included victories over Baylor and Creighton and two one-run losses to nationally ranked Oklahoma and Minnesota. “Our team did a lot of growing through some of our early season struggles,” said head coach Holly Hesse. “Playing the likes of Oklahoma, Baylor and Ole Miss we saw what it takes to play against some of the nation’s best.” MSU’s pitching and defense stood out as the strong suit in 2020 and was key to some of their biggest victories. This will remain true for the coming spring season. The Bears were led in the circle by an ace pitcher — senior Stephanie Dickerson — who has been a force for several years. Dickerson posted a 1.43 ERA through nearly 54 innings pitched, which was tops in the MVC. “(Dickerson) was able to put up great numbers in the shortened season and did so without a single easy start,” Hesse said. “She’s always able to pitch at a high level, even against the best offenses.” “I believe with the players we have returning our pitching and defense will be
there,” Hesse said. “Our key is going to be consistently producing offense against those higher level opponents.” Through 19 games last season the Bears averaged 2.4 runs per 7 innings. A major part of the Bears offense in the spring of 2020 were a pair of freshmen in catcher/third baseman Tess Weakly, who led the team with a .333 batting average, and infielder Olivia Krehbiel who showcased a .314 average. “Tess is a consistent hitter who adjusted well to the college game,” Hesse said. “We’ll look for her to build upon that in the coming season.” Other key contributors to the Bears’ offense included the middle infield combo, juniors Kelly Metter and Daphne Plummer who each had their fair share of base hits and run production. Offense aside, Hesse said this year’s squad is going to have to find ways to grind out wins in low scoring contests. With the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility rule, the Bears will return two of its seniors from last season: catchers Darian Frost and Madison Orr. Hesse said each returning senior “plays a crucial role,” and will be looked to for leadership beginning in the offseason. The Bears look to continue to improve in the fall during their short eight-game season which includes a mid-October tournament against a handful of in-state universities. “It’s a good measuring stick for the team going into the spring, so that we can stack up and see what we need to improve on as we head into the 2021 season,” Hesse said. The Bears will host their home games at Killian Stadium within Springfield’s Killian Sports Complex.
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Beach Volleyball to be part of new program in 2020 Budget cuts prompt volleyball, beach volleyball to join together
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Junior Sam Brinkman and graduate Sara Demmer celebrate during the 2019 season. STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor @Stevethe2nd
The Missouri State University beach volleyball team went through a few program changes over the summer. Beach volleyball was consolidated with MSU’s indoor volleyball to form one program after head coach Terri Del Conte left after three seasons to become head coach at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Volleyball head coach Steven McRoberts has become the director of volleyball. Russ Friedland will be the beach head coach and the associate head coach for the indoor team. This change to the program was done due to budget cuts MSU athletics underwent over the summer. MSU athletics lost $650,000 when the NCAA basketball tournaments were canceled in the spring due to COVID-19. “At this point it’s what’s best for our athletic department,” McRoberts said of the change in a radio interview with Art Hains on JOCK 98.7 FM. “We’re very excited to be working with these young ladies.” MSU’s first beach volleyball season as a program was in 2018 after MSU used the sport as a replacement for the women’s field hockey program that was cut due to budget restraints. Beach volleyball normally plays in the spring and the schedule includes tournaments across the nation. A finalized team schedule has yet to be released.
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Volleyball looks to bounce back after program-worst season TJ SCOTT Sports Reporter @iamtjs_ The 2019 season was one plagued with turmoil and losses for the Missouri State volleyball team. After parting ways with long-time head coach Melissa Stokes due to NCAA violations, the team suffered its worst record in program history, finishing 10-22 on the season. It took some time to find a replacement for the winningest coach in program history, and they found that with coach Steven McRoberts. McRoberts holds a 587-245 record in his 23 years of head coaching experience at Lubbock Christian, Central Arkansas, Tulsa, and Ole Miss. He also has 21 winning seasons. McRoberts is aware of the program’s lack of success last year and is prepared to return the program to its winning ways. “It’s our plan to have a bounce-back season,” McRoberts said. “This program expects it. There’s a lot of pride in the program.” The Bears will have 10 returning players from the 2019 season and seven new recruits, pushing the roster total to 17 players. “The only thing I know is to prepare these young ladies the best I can and do it through hard work,” McRoberts said. “We really do have a great group of young ladies.” Even with adding seven new players, the team lost two key players to transfer. Junior Laynie Dake, the team’s kill leader in 2019, and sophomore Chloe Rear will not return to MSU this season. “The first thing you want is players that are 100% bought
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The Bears celebrate after winning the fifth set against Bradley University in November 2019. into you, the program and the university,” McRoberts said. “I wish those players well, but if we want to bounce back we can’t do it with players who have one foot in the water.” Even with being eager and having faith in the team, McRoberts acknowledges the struggles that the COVID-19 pandemic poses. “It’s going to be a tough transition, I’m not going to lie,” McRoberts said. “We’ve probably had maybe 10 practices under our belt together. We were really going to get it going after spring break, but we didn’t get that opportunity.” Another area that COVID-19 has impacted is recruiting.
McRoberts said that there has been a lot of virtual recruiting through video tours of the campus and facilities as well as watching films of the recruits. “I’m confident that we have players coming in that are going to help us,” McRoberts said. “We took our time on a lot of these players and I feel confident with the grouping we’re going to put out there in the fall.” With distancing restrictions in place, the team has found unique ways for the team to bond and build chemistry in preparation for the upcoming season. “The main thing is communication,” McRoberts said. “We’ve been doing Zoom calls every Monday and Thursday.” Along with their regular Zoom sessions, the team has done team and culture building exercises. “We went through a book with each other called ‘Chop Wood Carry Water.’ It’s a great team-building book,” McRoberts said. “We do ‘what went well Wednesday.’ You shoot a video or take a picture and tell the team what’s going well on that day.” As for the physical preparation for the season, McRoberts and his staff have supplied the team with exercise material and they will be given a summer program as well. “The ones that can get to a weight room — it will be important for them to do that,” McRoberts said. “The ones that can’t — they’ll need to do a lot of bodyweight stuff. We need to be physically ready to go.” The schedule is subject to change due to COVID-19, but McRoberts is still looking forward to every match. “I’m excited for the first one, McRoberts said. “That’s going to be exciting for us to see how the season goes.” The Bears play their home games in the Hammons Student Center right next door to JQH Arena.
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Brady Griffin blocks a shot attempt during a February 2019 game.
Ice Bears have high hopes for 20th season STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor @Stevethe2nd The Missouri State club hockey team is looking to return to the postseason after missing the national tournament last season. The Ice Bears play in Division I of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The ACHA has over 400 teams across three men’s divisions and two women’s divisions. Last season the team placed 30th out of 70 Division I teams. The two seasons prior the Ice Bears made it to the national tournament, which takes only the top 18 teams. Head coach Jeremy Law said the team is looking to make a return to top 10 form. A resurgence will have to be done through a combination of new and familiar faces, including last season’s top forward line of senior center Josh Bell, junior winger Hunter Cooley and senior winger Alex Rubin. The three combined for 100 points last season. Senior defensemen Brian Schumacher and Sam Hiserodt are back for a fifth year and will likely be the top defensive pairing. Senior goaltender Brady Griffin is also returning for a fifth year. In net he is joined by senior goaltender Bailey Stephens. The pair have split goalie duties the past two seasons. “I’m excited with our fifth-year commitments,” Law said. “These guys have been here a long time,
and they know how I like to do things. They’ll be good mentors to the younger guys.” The Ice Bears will have a balanced roster in terms of age thanks to the new faces. There are at least six players in each class, which is a departure from last season’s roster that had 13 seniors on it. The age balance is going to have a big effect in the defensive third of the ice. “We have a lot more defensive depth this year,” Law said. “We were short-handed all of last year, and that’s no knock on the guys. We were just short on numbers. This year we have 10 committed defensemen that all have experience at a high level. My gut tells me that we’re going to be good on the back end.” The Ice Bears will need defensive depth as the Western Collegiate Hockey League, which the Ice Bears are a part of, is expanding to 10 teams this year — up from seven. The Ice Bears will be in the east division which includes Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma, Colorado and Colorado State. Both Oklahoma teams have been top-ranked teams in recent years. The west division will have Arizona, Arizona State, and new teams Nevada Las Vegas, Utah and Grand Canyon. Both Arizona teams and UNLV were ranked in the top 20 DI teams last season. Law said he thinks the combination of roster depth and quality opponents to play will allow the team to compete at a high level. “I expect us to definitely be more successful than we were last year,” Law said. “Not to be arrogant or cocky but I fully expect us to be at nationals in Boston come March. Our goal is to always be a top-10 team in the country, and we have the potential to do that.” The Ice Bears plan to open the season at home against Illinois State on Sept. 25, but that could change with the state of COVID-19. The Ice Bears play their home games at Jordan Valley Ice Park at 635 E Trafficway St in downtown Springfield, which is a 15-minute walk from campus.
THE-STANDARD.ORG Brayden Ash Sports Reporter @Brady_A_Ash The Missouri State tennis Bears bring a lot of experience competing in collegiate matches into the upcoming season. The team was starting to get back on track after a rough start to the season in the 2019-2020 season when the remainder of matches were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bears had won two of their last three matches to bring their record for the season to 4-7. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to spring athletes. This helps the tennis Bears a lot as they return the entirety of last year’s roster. “We had a lot of experience last year,” head coach Mallory Weber said. “The freshmen got to get their feet wet with college tennis, so it’s kind of like they got a year under their belt and they get to hit reset and do it again.” Weber said she is excited about the depth the team is bringing back for this season. The biggest goal of the team is to win the Missouri Valley Conference championship and compete in conference matches in April. Weber said she is unsure of what the schedule will look like, so she plans to use whatever non-conference matches the team has to prepare for the conference season. The team is bringing in three new players, two freshmen and a transfer student from the
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Women’s Tennis looks to use returning chemistry in 2020
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Alye Darter plays against Southeast Missouri State in March 2020. Darter is a graduate student and will return with an extra year of eligibility. University of Alabama at Birmingham, without and Weber said she is excited to get them on campus and see the impact they make on the lineup. losing anyone from last year’s roster. Transfer Hana Sisirak and returner Alye DartThe freshmen, Tiffani Nash and Mary Houston, committed early in the fall 2019 semester, er are both starting graduate school at MSU and
decided to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA to play another season. Weber said the team will have a great core of senior leadership. “(Darter) was a senior last year and already has that experience and leadership under her belt,” Weber said. “(Sisirak) brings experience from UAB and that will help her be a leader even though this is a new environment for her. Then we will have Ellie Burger and Claire Martin as seniors as well, and they have both played a lot of matches over their three years.” Weber said she is looking forward to establishing some form of a normal routine with the team in the fall. Throughout the pandemic, she said the team stayed in touch and communicated every week. They have done online activities related to mental training and watching tennis related videos and other similar exercises. The players have been practicing individually however they can. Weber said some players came down to Springfield to do workouts over the summer, but she was not allowed to be involved in those workouts because of NCAA rules. The plan for the upcoming year is to use the fall season to find the team identity and build team chemistry. “It’s really helpful that we have a lot back from last year,” Weber said. “I think it’s going to be a little more cohesive and consistent because we didn’t lose many people and we are adding a few new faces.” Tournament play is likely to start in September while the regular season will start in January 2021.
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Lady Bears look to build on historic season TJ SCOTT Sports Reporter @iamtjs_ The Missouri State women’s basketball team will have high expectations heading into the 2020-2021 season. The Lady Bears ended the 2019-2020 season with a 26-4 record and a perfect 15-0 record at home and won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title outright for the first time since the 2011-2012 season. They were also consistently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 and ended the season as the No. 23 team in the country — all while being led by first-year head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton. However, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out both the MVC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. The program has a history of success, and Agugua-Hamilton said she believes the team can continue it. “Next year we gotta continue to work,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “I mean, we set the bar pretty high. The bar’s way up there in the sky.” Along with success, a constant with the Lady Bears last season was not receiving the national recognition many believed they deserved. While being consistently ranked in the AP Top 25 while in a mid-major conference, many
thought the Lady Bears were better than some of the teams ranked in front of them. MSU may not play in a Power Five conference, but Agugua-Hamilton believes the team’s schedule will provide challenges. “It’s going to be a competitive schedule,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “I think it’s important to continue to push our team in the nonconference and get ourselves prepared for conference play. Our conference is going to be tough, and we want to be able to make a run and go back to back.” Repeating last season’s success will be a tough task for the Lady Bears, especially with the departure of senior guard Alexa Willard and senior forward Shameka Ealy. “On and off the court, they’re great,” Agugua-HamFile photo by Kendra Kernel/THE STANDARD ilton said. “Shameka had some Teammates on the bench jump to their feet after senior Bri Ellis makes a 3-pointer during a really big shots and some good game against Valparaiso in March 2020. key rebounds and blocked
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Senior Jasmine Franklin tosses the ball during a game against the Indiana State Sycamores in February 2020. shots. (Willard) was tremendous all year. She’s the hardest working kid I think I’ve ever coached.” The task ahead is preparing for the upcoming season, and COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into a lot of the offseason plans for college teams — including the Lady Bears. “First it was permissible to do workouts — then it wasn’t permissible,” Agugua-Hamilton said in an early April interview. “It’s been kind of up in the air with a lot of things. So right now, everything is voluntary with the workouts they’re doing. “I do think they’re motivated and they’re doing some work on their own. But at the end of the day, when we get back together physically, I know that there’s going to be some work to be done.” Even with only graduating two seniors, the
Lady Bears added more talent through recruiting. “The recruits are super excited,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “The ones that we have coming in, Dani and Paige, are both praying and hoping they can come in June.” The recruits Agugua-Hamilton mentioned are Danielle “Dani” Winslow and Paige Rocca. Winslow is a 6-foot wing player and a threestar recruit from Olathe South High School. Winslow is also a top-10 prospect at her position. Rocca is a 5’8” guard from Iowa City High School. Rocca is ranked 372nd nationally and eighth in Iowa. The Lady Bears play their home games at JQH Arena, also known as “The Q.” Their 20202021 schedule had not been released at press time.
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Basketball Bears look to make plays this season STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor @Stevethe2nd
Entering year three under head coach Dana Ford, the Missouri State basketball Bears are looking to be more consistent than last season. Before last season even began, the Bears were picked to win the Missouri Valley Conference. That title ended up going to Northern Iowa, while the Bears placed seventh with a record of 16-17. This season will see an increased emphasis on playmaking, something Ford said the team needs more of. “I think playmaking was a part of last year’s team that we really lacked,” Ford said on an episode of “Inside the Cave,” an interview series with Missouri State coaches. “We lost one of the best playmakers in the conference in Josh (Webster), and we didn’t do a good enough job replacing him.” Ford said the additions of NJCAA Division I All-American Demarcus Sharp, a transfer from Colby Community College in Kansas, and Skylar Wicks, a 6’6” freshman forward from Florida, will help the team make File Photo by Jaylen Early/The Standard plays. Sophomore Isiaih Mosley shoots a layup The Bears’ backcourt will have to have a different look this season, due during a January 2020 game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at JQH Arena. to both graduation and transfers. Last season’s leader in playing time, guard Keandre Cook, as well as the graduation and being healthy. Prim played late-season spark plug Ross Owens, gradu- limited minutes last season due to a lingering knee injury. ated in the spring. “I don’t anticipate (Prim) not being Redshirt senior guards Tyrik Dixon and Josh Hall and sophomore guard Ford Cooper healthy this year,” Ford said on “Inside the Jr. have all entered the NCAA transfer por- Cave.” “Last year’s injury was brought to our attention literally on the day of our seatal. Sophomore guards Ja’Monta Black and son tip-off. We had to adjust a lot of what Isiaih Mosley, who were starters at times we had practiced when that happened. When last season, may see more playing time be- healthy though, we feel like he’s one of the cause of the departure of so many guards. best players in (the MVC).” The Bears’ non-conference schedule will The guard position is going to be more of a utility spot than a singular role, accord- be more local than it has in years past due ing to Ford. to the lack of money college athletic depart“We’ve kind of moved away from the ments have as a result of COVID-19. Ford traditional point guard, shooting guard, said MSU has reached out to a lot of Division small forward,” Ford said on “Inside the I colleges in the area to schedule games, but Cave.” not all schools have said yes. There are fewer changes in the frontcourt The Bears’ season will start near the end for the Bears, with only Tulio Da Silva grad- of October or beginning of November, but uating. the start date could be changed as the Senior forward Gaige Prim will likely COVID-19 pandemic progresses. They play see an increase in minutes due to Da Silva’s their home games in JQH Arena.
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A challenging year lies in wait Sports are back. I think. As I sit here in mid-July writing this, the MLB, NHL and NBA seem on track to return to play within a few weeks. The NCAA also seems poised to return, but at a cost. COVID-19 testing is an expensive endeavor, and for mid-major schools like Missouri State, it is a strain on an already tight budget. This year is going to be interesting for MSU athletics. If the MSU football team does not play its opening game against Oklahoma this fall, the university is out $1.2 million in athletic funding. Half of that is from the canceled NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in the spring, and the other half is the guaranteed money from OU as payment for the game. Volleyball and beach volleyball have already been consolidated into a single program due to budget cuts for the upcoming year. Head coach Steven McRoberts, in his first year in Springfield, has given the impression of being excited to take on the challenge. I would not want to be in his position, especially with the burden of being in charge of an indoor team
STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor @Stevethe2nd that has had a tumultuous past year. If the OU football game is canceled, I am not sure what MSU’s course of action will be. MSU is at the point where cutting sports will cause trouble for their NCAA and federal aid standing. In order to be a Division I school, a university must offer at least six men’s sports.
MSU has six. Cutting women’s sports is equally hard. The current count of 10 women’s sports is kept that way in order to remain Title IX compliant. It would be unfortunate to see any program go in the event the money is not there. I have had interactions with a fair number of coaches and players on most teams during my time at The Standard, and all of them have been professional and welcoming to me. In addition, the athletes are all playing games they have devoted a significant amount of time to. It would be sad to see their hard work ripped away by circumstances beyond anyone’s control. Now, that is a fairly depressing view of what the sports year could be at MSU. It could also surprise us. Things could turn out all right with precautions like widespread testing and masking coming through for us. There could be a repeat playoff appearance for the men’s soccer team and another season in the top-25 for the Lady Bears. Sports are a positive force in the world. I just hope by the time the date rolls around for
File photo by Jaylen Early/The Standard
Will football tailgate parties be back this fall? Will games even be played? Time will tell. kickoff, puck drop, first pitch and so on, things are in place to have them.
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Seniors Anna Miller (left) and Libby Howell have been on the swim and dive team since 2017.
Diving into next season REGINALD LEE JR. Sports Reporter @ReginaldLeeJr16 With sports likely returning to colleges in the fall semester, both players and coaches on Missouri State’s swimming and diving teams continue to strategize on what their next plans will be this season. The swimming and diving season had completed for Missouri State before COVID-19 caused a cancellation in the spring semester, but it was still a shock to head coach Dave Collins. “You go on spring break thinking you’re going to be back in a week —you don’t go back thinking I’m not going to see this group of people for six or seven months,” Collins said. “My role has shifted from dealing with college students to teaching my elementary-aged daughters’ classes. Definitely more challenging.” The athletes in swimming and diving have the advantage of being coached and competing year-round via Olympic and safety exemptions. Most NCAA athletes have time periods where they cannot be directly coached. Collins said he thinks the pandemic wouldn’t affect their future plans and that it may be beneficial to them. “For us we really don’t ever take breaks —
and that’s including coaches,” Collins said. “I think you’re going to have the most motivated athletes we’ve ever had in the fall, you’re going to have coaches so excited to get back with their athletes and refreshed with new ideas; and you’re going to have healthy athletes.” Incoming freshmen for the most part have been the main priorities for both teams as Collins said he thinks they have had a harder situation forced on them. “They got graduation ripped out from them, some of them got their season ripped out from them, and they’re nervous because they’re getting ready to take the next step in their career to the college level and they’re not able to train right now,” Collins said. In regards to exactly how training is going during quarantine, Collins said he plans on implementing new boxing training techniques during preseason to prevent a dip in performance. “This seems like a good time to do it,” Collins said. “As a way to get fit, as a way to strengthen our bodies, get some cardio —do something different and have some fun.” The swimming and diving season will likely begin in October.
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Racing back to the regular season REGINALD LEE JR. Sports Reporter @ReginaldLeeJr16 With a new school year here, the Missouri State track and field and cross country programs will return to play. With all sports canceled last spring due to the coronavirus outbreak, many collegiate players and coaches are spending their time planning on how they are going to adjust after a presumed resumed season. MSU Track and Field and Cross Country director Jordan Fife has had a busy offseason preparing for a return to running. “We have GroupMe texts that we are regularly communicating on outside of seeing each other everyday,” Fife said. “Whether it’s talking about training, how things are going or just trying to find something fun and different to touch on as a team.” Both the track and cross country teams have had weekly Zoom meetings where professional athletes share thoughts on the current situation all
athletes are in and how to move forward. “You really start to realize how much your team means to you and how much your sport and job means,” Fife said, describing his biggest adjustments to the paused season. “Not being able to be there for them in-person, to help them through training, to help keep them motivated and see those performances come into fruition, having that being taken away has been very hard.” Only two seniors will not be returning to finalize their season. Fife said the players have been honored by the team as they were approaching their conference championships. Optimism is the mindset for the team, as Fife said he believes the free time from COVID has only given them the opportunity to get better. “We feel like we’re going to have an even better team next year,” Fife said. “With the very minimal losses, then a lot of newcomers coming in as well as freshmen who were here a year ago just getting that almost full year of experience, we will be back hungrier
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Junior Edna Dar approaches the end of her first mile during a race at Missouri Southern State University in September 2019. than ever.” With all the restrictions COVID-19 has and may cause, running outside has always been available. This keeps the runners in shape and ready for their sport. Unlike other sports, track and cross country don’t necessarily need
gym access to train. However, Fife said this hasn’t halted motivation in players. “I know even speaking with coaches in our sport from other universities, everyone is having a tough time trying to keep the student athlete motivated in that athletic realm, Fife said. “What
that [return] date looks like, the sooner everybody is gonna find that motivation again.” The women’s cross country team will likely start their season near the end of August, and women’s track will likely start in January 2021.
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Foster Rec helps students to overcome gym anxiety and build lifelong habits DIANA DUDENHOEFFER Digital Editor @kissein Ah, college! It’s the place where young people find themselves endowed with all sorts of new freedoms. Go wherever, whenever! Sleep when you want! Eat what you want! But these new freedoms can come at the cost of your health, especially once all those late-night trips up National Avenue to Taco Bell start to add up. Let me tell you, the freshman 15 — and the “Mo-State 28” for us overachievers — is no myth. A popular solution is to regularly hit the gym to maintain a healthy body. The Foster Recreation Center sees an average of 2,0003,000 patrons come through its doors each day, according to the director of campus recreation Ashleigh Lewellen. But heading to Foster Rec can be intimidating especially in a part of life where so many changes are taking place all at once. The building’s tall ceilings, daunting rows of treadmills and unbearably heavy weights are enough to make blood run cold. For senior digital film and TV production major Michael Mayrand, going to the gym isn’t as intimidating as it used to be. “You just got to get to the point where you realize that everybody is there for the same
reason, and that’s to improve themselves,” Mayrand said. In addition to the proper mindset, Mayrand said he’s been able to get over his gym anxieties by implementing a couple of simple solutions. He recommends listening to music at full volume and going to the gym either early in the morning or at night to avoid the crowds. Lewellen said anxieties about going to the gym are common. “I believe gym anxiety comes from the pressures built within society,” Lewellen said, mentioning the enormous amounts of advertisements people are exposed to every day featuring people who “look healthy.” “If you take that and top it with pieces of heavy multi-functional equipment, loud bangs of the barbells and hundreds of people looking sweaty and determined, then I’d say it’s pretty intimidating.” Lewellen said she and her team try to create a welcoming atmosphere at Foster Rec to break down the barriers that come with an intimidating facility. She said the rec center has something for everyone, but in order for students to be successful, they have to be willing to give it a try. One thing students can do in order to overcome gym anxiety is to try to take some pressure off of themselves, Lewellen said. “Be humble and realistic about your ability
and goals,” Lewellen advised. “Try to hone in and focus on what is making you anxious. Is it because you don’t know how to use the machine? Or is it because you simply don’t know what to do? “Knowing the answers to these questions can help you build a plan to be more successful,” Lewellen said. She also recommended planning a workout prior to arriving to alleviate some stress. “Part of our mission is to help develop a healthy File photo by Nina Todea/THE STANDARD and engaged citizen,” Foster Rec Center is located in the center of campus, Lewellen said. “To me, this means giving you an op- next door to Blair-Shannon house and Freddy House. portunity now to learn, practice and implement physical health,” Mayrand said. healthy habits that will stick for a lifetime. One of the best things students can do in Long-term consistency always prevails over order to make the gym a more positive expeshort-term intensity. rience, Mayrand said, is to not go alone. “This is a perfect time in life to explore and “Go with a partner – someone to back you battle those fears of using a gym,” she said. up,” Mayrand said. Hours for the fall semester are Monday Mayrand said he didn’t go to a gym regularly before college. Nowadays he tries to go through Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to Foster Rec four days a week. “It makes me feel good to improve on my to 11 p.m.
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