Oct. 23, 2026鈥揟he Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, plans to convene court at 含羞草社区 on Thursday, Oct, 29. The oral arguments will be held in the Kemper Recital Hall, Leah Sprat Hall room 101 on the 含羞草社区 campus beginning at 9 a.m.听

A three-judge panel consisting of Chief Judge Ted Ardini, Jr., Judge Lisa White Hardwick and Judge Gary Witt will hear oral arguments in four cases. After the oral arguments, the judges will take time to discuss the court system and take general questions from the audience.

Ardini will preside over the proceedings at 含羞草社区. He joined the Western District in 2016. Prior to his appointment, he served as counsel to the Missouri Attorney General and then as counsel to the governor of Missouri. Hardwick joined the Western District in 2001. Prior to her appointment, she served as a circuit judge in Jackson County (in the 16th Judicial Circuit). Before becoming a judge, she practiced law with the Shook, Hardy & Bacon law firm in Kansas City. Witt was appointed to the Western District in 2010. Prior to his appointment, he served as an associate circuit judge in Platte County. Prior to becoming a judge, he practiced law in Platte County and served in the Missouri House of Representatives.

The court regularly convenes court in Kansas City. For more than 25 years, however, the court has held dockets in several of the 45 counties in the court鈥檚 jurisdiction, which includes all of northwest Missouri and most of central Missouri. The court hears oral arguments outside of Kansas City to give individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see and to familiarize those attending with the court’s role in the judicial system.

.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Oct. 15, 2027鈥摵卟萆缜� will offer students a quicker pathway to a bachelor鈥檚 degree when it begins offering 90-credit-hour bachelor degree programs in criminal justice and child development in 2027. With the new programs, 含羞草社区 will be the first university in the state to offer more than one bachelor鈥檚 degree designed to be completed in three years or even less with transfer credit.

鈥淭hese Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs represent the kind of innovation that is vital for 含羞草社区 to succeed in today鈥檚 higher education environment,鈥� said Dr. Lenny Klaver, 含羞草社区鈥檚 president. 鈥淏y providing alternatives to the traditional 120-credit-hour undergraduate degree, we are saving our graduates time and money while more quickly preparing them to meet the workforce needs of our region.鈥�

Both programs will be offered online, and classes will be offered in seven-week sessions, so that students will have six potential start dates each year. Courses will be offered at the standard tuition rate of $328 per credit hour.听

鈥淥ur new 90-credit hour bachelor’s degrees meet the needs of students and employers in the region and beyond,鈥� said Dr. Jay Johnson, provost and vice president of academic affairs. 鈥淭his development continues to demonstrate that our faculty are innovative leaders in their fields focusing on student success and high academic standards.鈥�

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice will be offered beginning in January 2027. It offers three newly approved vocationally based minors: Law Enforcement, Forensic Science and Community and Institution Supervision.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to offer students this accelerated means to enter the workforce,鈥� said Dr. David Marble, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. 鈥淥ur rigorous coursework and opportunities for hands-on learning will have our graduates ready for careers in law enforcement, corrections, courts, investigations, community supervision and related public safety fields or for continued graduate study.鈥�

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Child Development will begin in August 2027. It will prepare students for careers working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a variety of settings without having to acquire a teaching certificate.听

鈥淚n addition to the online coursework, we partner with a variety of schools and teaching centers to provide our graduates with career-focused applied learning experiences,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Thorne Wallington, associate professor of education. 鈥淏y more quickly preparing our students for their careers, we can make a real difference in the lives of our youngest residents while meeting a critical workforce need.鈥�

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Sept. 18, 2026鈥揟he Craig School of Business at 含羞草社区 presents guest speaker Joe Runyan at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 in the Business Education Resource Center, Popplewell Hall room 308. The entrepreneur will present firsthand lessons on building, scaling, competing and successfully exiting entrepreneurial adventures. The talk is free and open to the public.

Joe Runyan is a lifelong Kansas City entrepreneur. After 13 years at Sprint, he founded Hangers Cleaners and grew it into Kansas City鈥檚 second-largest dry cleaner. He and his company gained national attention for competing successfully against Procter & Gamble鈥檚 Tide Cleaners, with coverage in the New York Times and on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

In 2014, he co-acquired the CRDN restoration franchise for the Kansas City region and helped build it into a leading restoration company before its sale in 2021. Hangers was sold to Pride Cleaners in 2023. He remains active in Runyan Land & Cattle Company and MOKAN Hemp Farms in Northwest Missouri.听

Runyan holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Trinity University and an MBA from the University of Kansas.

Runyan鈥檚 talk, 鈥淔rom Startup to Scale and Exit: A Kansas City Entrepreneur鈥檚 Journey,鈥� is part of the Alumni & Industry Insights Series by the Craig School of Business.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

July 13, 2026鈥揟wo 含羞草社区 Collegiate FBLA students finished in the top 6 at the National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, in June. They competed against students from around the world with cash prizes awarded to the top 3 places in each event and trophies in the top 10.听

Aden Monzon, senior accounting major from Oklahoma City, earned 2nd place in the Sports Management & Marketing event. Wyatt Fisher, junior management major with a concentration in entrepreneurship from Faucett, Missouri, received 6th place in the Business Law competition.

Also competing were Kylie Curtis, Ashton Roe, Valencia Chapman and James Phalen. Competitive events included Entrepreneurship, Business Law, Business Ethics, Marketing, Finance, Impromptu Speaking, Supply Chain and Sports Management & Marketing.

FBLA is a student organization focusing on leadership, service, and networking. Pam Klaus is the advisor.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

June 30, 2026鈥揃oehringer Ingelheim and 含羞草社区 have launched a new program to build the technical skills needed for careers in biomanufacturing. The program鈥檚 first class of students have completed the requirements to earn their certificates.听聽

The Bio-Process Certificate Program combines traditional classroom learning with hands-on training at Boehringer鈥檚 purpose-built Technical Training Center in St. Joseph. Instruction is led by 含羞草社区 faculty alongside Boehringer subject matter experts.听

The Technical Training Center features dedicated spaces that replicate key upstream and downstream bioprocessing activities, such as transfer panels and tank-transfer simulations that mirror real production workflows, a fully equipped laboratory, and a gowning airlock. The facility also includes a functioning filling machine with restricted access barriers, enabling students to learn aseptic processes at their own pace鈥攐utside of cleanroom constraints or production shutdown windows.听

鈥淥ur new Training Center of Xcellence and collaboration with 含羞草社区 reflect our commitment to investing in our workforce and supporting long-term development here in St. Joseph,鈥� said David Atchison, Head of U.S. Animal Health Global Supply, Boehringer Ingelheim. 鈥淎s our technology and products evolve, so do the skills required to manufacture them. By building a strong biomanufacturing training environment and partnering with 含羞草社区, we鈥檙e helping ensure our employees are prepared for what鈥檚 next.鈥澛�

While the initial group of students were Boehringer employees, the partnership aims to expand enrollment over time to include the broader St. Joseph community, helping build a strong pipeline of future biomanufacturing talent.听

鈥淏oehringer Ingelheim is a vital partner in the St. Joseph community, and this collaboration underscores a shared commitment to developing local talent,鈥� said Rebecca Lobina, 含羞草社区鈥檚 Director of Workforce Development. 鈥淭ogether, we are preparing a skilled workforce for careers in biomanufacturing while strengthening the region鈥檚 economic future.鈥澛�

Boehringer鈥檚 St. Joseph site is a key global supply and research and development site, producing livestock vaccines used across the U.S. and around the world. The company has invested more than $150 million in the site in recent years to enhance operations, including sustainability improvements, expanded technical training, and increased capabilities to accommodate future pipeline products.

###

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry鈥檚 top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at鈥�. 鈥��

About Boehringer Ingelheim – Animal Health business聽聽

Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at .听

About 含羞草社区

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

June 11, 2026鈥揇r Benedict Adams, associate professor of education at 含羞草社区, has

鈥淧edagogy for a Successful Multicultural Classroom. A Sociocultural-Based Method for Teaching and Reaching At-Risk Students鈥� was published earlier this year by Peter Lang International Academic Publishers.

鈥淭he book serves as a sociocultural-based method for both graduate and undergraduate students, providing practical frameworks that will be beneficial throughout their teaching careers,鈥� said Dr. Eric C. Sheffield, Western Illinois University. 鈥淥ne of the pressing issues in academia is classroom management. This book addresses this topic directly, offering practical tools and strategies for both experienced and novice teachers to effectively manage classrooms with at-risk students from diverse backgrounds.鈥�

Dr. Adams has been at 含羞草社区 since 2019. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Suffield University in Idaho, and Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Indiana University.

Dr. Adams was awarded the Outstanding Teaching Certificate of Excellence from Indiana University in 2014. In 2024, he was named Outstanding Teacher Educator at 含羞草社区 and in 2025, he received 含羞草社区鈥檚 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

May 13, 2026鈥揟he Small Business Development Center at 含羞草社区 will present a workshop titled Trademark Basics at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at The Launch Pad, 801 Felix Street in Downtown St. Joseph. The workshop is free.

The workshop presented by SBDC and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is designed to help small business owners learn the basics of filing for a trademark to protect their ideas, brand and creations before problems arise.听

Participants may register in advance at . For more information, contact Shelbie Wigington, SBDC business advisor, at swigington@missouriwestern.edu.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

April 29, 2026鈥揟he Small Business Development Center at 含羞草社区 will host a Small Business Summit in celebration of National Small Business Week on Thursday, May 7. This free event is designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners strengthen their financial knowledge, connect with local lenders and learn about valuable business resources.

Participants will receive hands-on training in QuickBooks, gain insights during a live Q&A with local bankers and lenders, and discover the no-cost advising, training and support available through the Small Business Development Center.

Whether you are starting a business, growing your company, or looking for funding opportunities, this summit will provide practical tools, expert guidance, and opportunities to connect with professionals who support small business success.

The summit will run from 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology, 4141 Mitchell Avenue. Register in advance at . For more information, call 816-271-5801 or email swignington@missouriwestern.edu.听聽

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

April 22, 2026鈥揟he Craig School of Business at 含羞草社区 invites the public to a financial planning workshop that will cover basic financial planning, investing and personal finance at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the St. Joseph Public Library East Hills Branch, 502 N. Woodbine Road in St. Joseph.听

鈥淥ur goal is to serve our community by empowering families through financial literacy,鈥� said Dr. Sel Dibooglu, chair of the Craig School of Business.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Topics include:

• The Foundation: Mindset & Inflation
• The Math Magic: Compounding & Rule of 72
• Investing Fundamentals: Asset classes and diversification
• Keeping What You Earn: Tax Shelters
• Investment Strategy & Risk
• Your Professional Team
  • CPA/Accountant/Tax Preparer
  • Financial Advisor
  • Fiduciary
  • Attorney
• Insurance Coverages

The workshop is for educational purposes only; no particular financial products will be sold or endorsed.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

April 6, 2026–The Center for Workforce Development at 含羞草社区 will present Python Training for the Supercomputer from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11 in the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology. There is a $45 fee for the general public to attend, with lunch included. The workshop is free for 含羞草社区 students, faculty and staff. To register, visit

The introductory workshop to the programming language Python workshop is built around data analysis for researchers and others within a science, technology, engineering or math field. This workshop will teach you to write programs that perform reproducible analyses.听

This is a workshop for beginners; no coding experience is necessary. Laptops will be provided.

The workshop will be led by Dr. Jeff Woodford, professor of chemistry and certified instructor.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .