Throughout each semester, Missouri Southern's curriculum changes. For the fall of 2007, there will be 21 campus-wide changes made to the curriculum. In the Board of Governors meeting on March 23, Dr. Richard McCallum, vice president of academic affairs, presented the changes and the board passed them all.
By the end of this month, the Mission Hills Mansion will be fully renovated. The building has been vacant since August 1992, and the theme for this project has focused on renovation, not remodeling. The Missouri Southern Alumni Association has coordinated with Charles Nodler, University archivist and Brad Belk, executive director of the Joplin Museum Comlex, to study photographs of the original Mansion.
On April 11, one of Missouri Southern's own will be honored with the Governor's Outstanding Teacher Award in a ceremony at the University of Missouri-Columbia. James Gray, professor of Business Administration, recently learned of his award, and as the date approaches still follows the same principles he installed in his first class in 1969.
Although it is still too early to speculate, the signs point to residence halls being at full capacity again next fall. "I hope they will be," said Adam Griffin, resident director. "The contracts are already starting to come in. We have about 300 so far. Being at full capacity is a good thing.
A presentation of software systems will be demonstrated at 12 p.m. April 10 in the Cornell Auditorium in Plaster Hall. Ryan Goodwyn, junior computer forensics major, Jo Obeto, sophomore computer science major, and Hartford Tunnell, associate professor of computer information sciences, will present to foreign language directors, businesses and students.
Effects of the January ice storm are still being felt on Missouri Southern's campus. Bob Harrington, director of the physical plant, has been on kept from work due to a broken femur suffered during the storm. However, he is recovering nicely. "We're doing better," he said, "They've got me on this crazy brace gadget and a bone stimulator.
It looks like Old Navy and Sears are finally getting a new neighbor. CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., recently announced the addition of clothing store Steve & Barry's Joplin's Northpark Mall. The store, which will take residence in the former Montgomery Ward store, draws in many people with its focus on providing most of its stock for less than $10.
For three weeks, three Missouri Southern education majors will go to the British Virgin Island of Tortola to participate in their student teaching program. "It's a great experience going to Tortola," said Dr. Al Cade, department head of teacher education.
Recent statewide surveys confirm gambling percentages are increasing among Missouri college students. During the last week of April in Billingsly Student Center, the counselors from Student Support Center will be handing out information on the dangers gambling.
After 11 years at Missouri Southern, Holley Goodnight, coordinator of new student programs, is leaving but she is not saying goodbye. Goodnight plans to continue teaching as an adjunct but she will leave her office in the Student Support Center to work with an adult education program in Carthage.
After more than 30 years at Missouri Southern, lifelong learning will say goodbye to its vice president, Dr. Jack Spurlin. Spurlin began working at Southern in 1975 after his extensive law enforcement career. His résumé at Southern includes stints as the Police Academy training coordinator, department head and dean of the school of technology.
A new career opportunity for one faculty member lies at the University of Arkansas. Mark Lloyd, admission counselor, will be leaving Missouri Southern April 23. His new position will be the assistant director of admissions for U of A. "I've been here eight years, so leaving is hard but the career opportunity is good," he said.