C O A L E S C E N C E

Even though the public affairs theme has shifted from “Sustainability” to “Evolving Economic Realities,” Missouri State University continues to make progress toward sustainability. “Continuing Path to Sustainability,” a series of speakers and exhibits, will be held at Plaster Student Union Nov. 18 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. to educate the public and showcase the sustainability efforts of the Springfield and campus community.

Missouri State University will celebrate Native American Heritage month throughout November. This year’s theme is “Living in Many Worlds.”

Citing a combination of personal and professional reasons, Missouri State University President Michael T. Nietzel today announced that he will step down as president by Dec. 31, 2010.

In recognition of their long-standing involvement with and support of Missouri State University, T. Edward Pinegar, Jr. and Carol Pinegar of Springfield were selected to receive the 2009 Bronze Bear Award. The Pinegars will be the tenth recipient of the award, which is presented to those who have exhibited “extraordinary achievement and/or outstanding support” for Missouri State.

Veteran Springfield Police Department commander Donald Clark will be the new director of safety and transportation at Missouri State University. He begins his duties Nov. 16, pending approval of the Missouri State Board of Governors. Clark will succeed Gary Snavely, who recently retired from the post.

A celebration of 171 years of combined service will be held Oct. 30 as Missouri State University honors six former employees during its annual Wall of Fame ceremony. The ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom.

The southwest Missouri community is invited to join the celebration of Missouri State University’s “The Ultimate Adventure” Homecoming. Students will celebrate with festivities Oct. 26-31, while most of the community events will be held Oct. 30-31.

The Missouri State University nursing department graduate program will host a panel discussion and community forum, Healthcare Reform and Healthcare Providers, from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28. The forum will be held at The Library Center auditorium, 4653 S. Campbell.

Missouri State University won the University Economic Development Association's (UEDA) 2009 Award of Excellence for its work on the IDEA Commons at the annual symposium Oct. 11-13. Missouri State received this award in the category of Community Development.

The Missouri State University department of technology and construction management (TCM) announces the re-tooling of the Center for Industrial Productivity, now known as the Center for Project Innovation and Management Education (C-PRIME).

The Missouri State University College of Health and Human Services will present the multidisciplinary forum “Health and Happiness in Hard Times: Access, Affordability, Action” from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 26.

The Missouri State University department of nursing and Center for Homeland Security are co-sponsoring the public affairs event Psychological First Aid from 9 a.m-5p.m. on Oct. 17 in the Plaster Student Union Theater. Dr. Melissa Brymer and Dr. Jo Sornborger of the Terrorism and Disaster Program, National Center for Child Traumatic Stress at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Duke University, will be the guest speakers.

Dr. Wenping Qiu, associate research professor of agriculture at Missouri State University – Mountain Grove, received a $230,483 grant from the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN), a program of the U.S. Department of the Agriculture. This new funding will assist in establishing The Midwest Grapevine Tissue-Culture and Virus Testing Laboratory as it generates, certifies, maintains and delivers virus-tested grape varieties that are suitable for the Midwest grape and wine industry, according to Qiu.

The Missouri State University department of political science will host “Taiwan and the Chinese Mainland: Cross-Strait Relations in a Time of Transition,” an international workshop and symposium, Oct. 17 from 8:30 a.m-6 p.m. at Plaster Student Union, Room 313.

The bids are in, and replacing the lights at Plaster Sports Complex will cost $492,000. Therefore, given the University’s budget situation, the project is being delayed.

Missouri State University’s experts will uncover the scientific mysteries of space elevators, sex and evolution, and sensor technology in the public lecture series hosted by the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. During this series, faculty members from a variety of disciplines will present three lectures throughout the fall and spring semesters in Temple Hall, Room 002.

Missouri State University will host its annual “Jeans and Jewels” event at the Mountain Grove Campus from 5-7:45 p.m. Oct. 17. The event will showcase vineyard tours, a silent auction, wine tasting, live music and dinner. Guests are encouraged to wear jeans and jewelry to the event.

Ozarks Public Television (OPT), Brown Derby International Wine Center and Andy’s Frozen Custard are teaming up once again for the Friday Night TV Dinner and Wine and Food Celebration Nov. 6-8. The weekend is a celebration of exquisite wine and fine foods with all proceeds benefiting OPT children’s programming.

Missouri State University is continuing its cornerstone commitment to advance academic integrity and ethical values with its “Today’s Focus on Integrity” event, Oct. 5-7 in Plaster Student Union (PSU).

Dr. Gloria Galanes, Missouri State University professor of communication, was selected as the Provost Fellow for Public Affairs for 2010-11. As Provost Fellow for Public Affairs, Galanes will be responsible for the Public Affairs Conference in April 2011 and for promoting the public affairs mission of the university.