Student Government Association – News

Welcome Week kicks off the fall semester at Missouri Western

kheier — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 13:00:37 +0000

The campus and St. Joseph communities welcome students back to Missouri Western at Western Warm-Up Aug. 30, 2021.

Aug. 26, 2022–��߲�� students will be introduced to all that campus and the community have to offer during Welcome Week activities Aug. 28 through Sept. 2, sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and Griffon Activity Programming (GAP).

“Students will have the chance to connect with other students, campus resources and services, registered student organizations and community businesses,” said Josh Clary, student development director. “Welcome Week provides not only the tools students need to be successful, but will also help them make Missouri Western their ‘home away from home.’”

Welcome Week activities include

Sunday, Aug. 28

Griffon Launch, 5:30 p.m., Baker Fitness Center parking lot: A back-to-school bash with free food, games and fireworks.

Monday, Aug. 29

Western Warm-Up and Part-time Job Fair, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fulkerson Center and Enright Community Rooms, Spratt Hall 214-216: A walk-through vendor fair to give students a chance to learn about local businesses, community organizations, student organizations and job opportunities.

Back 2 School Bingo, 8-11 p.m., Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219: Music, bingo and prizes presented by Griffon Activity Programming.

Tuesday, Aug. 30

Make a Splash with Fraternity & Sorority Life and GAP, 5-8 p.m., Kelley Commons: Free BBQ, music and giant water inflatables.

Wednesday, Aug. 31

Griffon Grub Crawl, 6-8 p.m., Commons Building: Get to know the different residence halls. A different food will be served at each hall, concluding with an ice cream bar at Spratt Stadium.

Movie Night on the Football Field, 8:30-11 p.m., Craig Field at Spratt Stadium: A showing of the movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” on the giant video board.

Thursday, Sept. 1

Tailgate featuring Sungbeats, 5-6:30 p.m., Baker Fitness Parking Lot: The Griffon football season gets underway with the first tailgate party of the year featuring beatboxing by Sungbeats.��

Griffon Football Season Opener, 7 p.m., Spratt Stadium: Griffon football kicks off the 2022 season against Central Oklahoma.

Friday, Sept. 2

National College Colors Day T-shirt Exchange, starting at noon, Center for Student Involvement, Blum 207 and throughout campus: A team will be riding a golf cart through campus, giving out a free Missouri Western t-shirt in exchange for a shirt from another school, either college or high school.

Just Dance Night and Madden Tourney, 7 p.m., Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219: Wrap up the first week of classes with a fun night of video games, with prizes for the winners.

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

Scott, Bloodgood top SGA elections

kheier — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 13:39:40 +0000

April 14, 2022–The recently completed Student Government Association elections at ��߲�� included a historic first. Nathan Scott, senior business major from Savannah, Missouri, becomes the first Missouri Western student to be elected to three terms as SGA president.��

Lauren Bloodgood, junior biology major from St. Joseph, Missouri, was elected as vice president. Bloodgood currently serves as SGA’s director of student involvement. Scott and Bloodgood were unopposed on the ballot.

Elected Senators were:

Michaela Anderson, junior psychology major from Brentwood, Missouri
Emma Donaldson, senior political science major from St. Joseph
Rokhaya Drame, sophomore biology major from Kansas City, Missouri
Garrett Jackson, sophomore construction engineering technology major from St. Joseph
Connor Peters, senior business major from Kansas City, Missouri
Dasia Stalder, senior business major from Kansas City, Missouri
Maya Simms, junior criminal justice major from Kansas City, Missouri
Anne Thomas, junior business major from Anabel, Missouri
Caitlyn Thompson, junior business major from Princeton, Kansas
Artemii Udovenko, sophomore psychology major from Vladivostok, Russia

Scott, Bloodgood and the elected senators will serve during the 2022-23 school year.

Student Social Workers host Walk for the Homeless

kheier — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 21:28:43 +0000

Oct. 29, 2019—The Organization of Student Social Workers at ��߲�� will host their annual Walk for the Homeless at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 beginning at 6^th and Messanie in Downtown St. Joseph.

The 2-mile walk is intended to raise awareness about homelessness in St. Joseph. The route passes by many of the community services offered to support the homeless.

The registration fee of $20 includes a t-shirt and food. Register online at . Funds raised help members of the homeless community obtain ID cards, birth certificates and transportation.

Co-hosts for the walk include Summers Motors and Northwest Health Services. Sponsors include Mosaic Life Care, Missouri Care, Home State Health, UFCW Local 2 and Missouri Western’s Student Government Association.

��߲�� is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Missouri Western hosts Diwali celebration Oct. 24

kheier — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 16:09:06 +0000

Oct. 18, 2019—The Indian Student Association at ��߲�� will host its fifth annual celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in the Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219. The celebration is free and open to the public.

Diwali is celebrated by people of all cultures in India, and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The Missouri Western celebration will feature authentic Indian food, dance performances, fireworks and floating lights.

The event is cosponsored by Missouri Western’s International Center, Student Government Association, the Graduate School, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Department of English and Modern Languages and the Department of Biology.

Griffons celebrate Homecoming ‘Through the 90s’

kheier — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 21:24:02 +0000

Oct. 3, 2019—��߲�� alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community will celebrate Homecoming 2019 Oct. 6-13, including the Homecoming football game vs. Missouri Southern at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The theme this year is “Roarin’ and Soarin’ Through the 90s.”

The annual Homecoming Parade will step off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at 11th and Faraon in Downtown St. Joseph, in front of City Hall. It will proceed southwest on Frederick Avenue to Francis Street, west on Francis to 4th Street, south on 4th to Felix Street and east on Felix to the parade’s end at 10th and Felix.

Unless otherwise noted, events are free and open to the public. To register for alumni events, visit missouriwestern.edu/alumni/homecoming.

Sunday, Oct. 6

Let’s Drive In to Homecoming

7-9 p.m., Fulkerson Center
Bring blankets and pillows and watch “Toy Story 4” on one of four big screens. Popcorn and beverages will be provided.

Monday, October 7

Black & Gold Day

Wear your Missouri Western black and gold, take a picture and post on social media. #MWSUAlumni #BlackandGoldDay. Do you work with other Griffons? Take a group photo.

Griff Sweep

1-3 p.m., Habitat for Humanity, 3131 Frederick Avenue
Student groups participate in community service.

Sweating to the 90s

6-8 p.m., Fulkerson Center
WERQ, Hip Hop and Zumba dance fitness classes

Tuesday, October 8

Griffon Employee Alumni Breakfast

7-8 a.m., Blum Union Food Court

Let’s Get 90s Trivia Night

7-9 p.m., Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219

Wednesday, Oct. 9

90s Silent Party

6-8 p.m., Fulkerson Center
There are a limited number of headphones available, so come early.

Thursday, October 10

Blood Drive

8 a.m.-4 p.m., Blum Union Hoff Conference Rooms, 218-219
Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule a specific time through the Center for Student Involvement, 816-271-4159.

SGA Reunion

7 p.m. Spratt Hall Enright Rooms, 214-216
Network and compete in a trivia contest with current members of SGA, WAC (formerly CAB), and RHA. All former SGA, CAB, RHA members are invited to attend. Check the website for more information and pricing. Registration required.

Friday, October 11

Alumni Golf Outing

9:30 a.m. Registration; 10 a.m. Shotgun start
Fairview Golf Course
$50 per person or $200 per team of four

SGA Reunion Lunch and Campus Tour

Noon, Hall of Fame Room, Spratt Memorial Stadium
The SGA Reunion continues with lunch followed by a campus tour. Registration required.

Alumni Awards Banquet

5:30 p.m. Reception, 6:15 p.m. Dinner and Program
Fulkerson Center
$35 per person or $280 for a table of 8
Registration required
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. Jamel Santa Cruze Wright ’00, president, Eureka College
- GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award: Chelsey Kusek ’09, Lead Elementary Art Teacher, North Kansas City School District
- Herb ’35 & Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University: Pat Dillon, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer, Mosaic Life Care
- Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Tom Rachow, Department of Biology
- Great Griffon Awards: Craig School of Business & Technology – Jake Cunning ’16; Liberal Arts and Sciences – Duane Martin ’89; Professional Studies – Mary Vaughan ’79; School of Nursing and Health Professions – Jaime Bartley ’17
- Student Leadership Awards: Clifford Hughes ’55 Award – Ben Allen ’19; Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian International Student of the Year – Shi Qing Ong ’19; Graduating Student of the Year – Evan Banks ’19

Pep Rally

7-9 p.m., Looney Arena

Bonfire

9 p.m., behind Spratt Stadium

Saturday, October 12

Parade

9 a.m., Downtown

Future Griffs Fun Zone

1-2:30 p.m., Remington Hall
Free family fun

Free Tailgate

2 p.m., Parking Lot H

Football game

Griffons vs. Missouri Southern State University
4 p.m., Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium

Sunday, October 13

Forever Griffons Luncheon

11:30 a.m. social, lunch at noon
$15 per person
Hall of Fame Room in Spratt Memorial Stadium
Registration required

Documentary filmmakers bring ‘Man on Fire’ to Missouri Western

kheier — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 20:43:19 +0000

Sept. 26, 2019—��߲�� will host a screening of the 2018 documentary film “Man on Fire” and a workshop with the filmmakers on Oct. 3 and 4. The events are free and open to the public.

“Man on Fire” focuses on Grand Saline, Texas, a town east of Dallas with a history of racism, a history the community doesn’t talk about. The shroud of secrecy ended when Charles Moore, an elderly white preacher, self-immolated to protest the town’s racism in 2014, shining a spotlight on the town’s dark past.

The film, directed by Joel Fendelman and produced by Fendelman and James Chase Sanchez, won the David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award from the International Documentary Association, the Best Student Award at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival and the Feature Film Programmers Choice Award at the Sidewalk Film Festival. Last year, it aired on the PBS series “Independent Lens.”

“Man on Fire” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101. The filmmakers will lead a workshop on implicit bias and white supremacy at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4.

The events are sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education, Center for Student Involvement, the International Center and the Student Government Association.

Missouri Western commemorates Women’s History Month

kheier — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 18:16:12 +0000

March 1, 2019—��߲�� will honor March as Women’s History Month with a series of events that are free and open to the public. The theme of Women’s History Month 2019 is “What Is and Is Not Feminist?” Unless otherwise noted, all events will be at 6 p.m. in the Hoff Conference Room, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219.

Monday, March 4, “Feminist or Not?”

Dr. Melinda Kovács, associate professor of political science, gives the introductory lecture to set up the theme of the month-long event series.

Tuesday, March 5, “Is Science Feminist?”

Tri Beta Honor Society and the Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, under the direction of Dr. Csengele Barta, associate professor of biology, host a discussion of women’s participation in science and its relevance to feminism.

Wednesday, March 6, “Women’s History Trivia”

The Center for Multicultural Education, under the direction of Latoya Muhammad, hosts a fun event that will test participants’ knowledge of women’s history. Sign up in Blum 207.

Thursday, March 21, Poetry Open Mic: “What is Feminism Anyway?”

Dr. Marianne Kunkel, assistant professor of English, takes Women’s History Month off-campus and hosts the event at Mokaska Coffee Company, 617 Felix Street in Downtown St. Joseph, in collaboration with Third Thursdays.

Monday, March 25, Women of the Future Guest Speaker: Heather Evans

Women of the Future (WTF) and Student Government Association (SGA) bring Dr. Heather Evans to campus to discuss her new research about politics and exotic dancers.

Tuesday, March 26, Feminista Jones, 7 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt 101

CME brings Feminista Jones, a Philadelphia-based social worker, feminist writer, public speaker and community activist to present insights into intersectional feminism.

Wednesday, March 27, “Socialist Feminism: A Historical Perspective”

Dr. Emily Gioielli, assistant professor of history, lectures on a key historical element of feminism.

Griffon Block Party planned Downtown Saturday

kheier — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 17:34:29 +0000

Downtown St. Joseph businesses invite ��߲�� students to come downtown and see the holiday lights, shop and be entertained during the Griffon Block Party from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. The first 100 students get free Frito Pies and hot cocoa with student ID at the concession stand at 7^th and Felix Streets.

The Griffon Block Party will include a celebration of Missouri Western football’s victory last Saturday in the Agent Barry Live United Bowl in Texarkana, Arkansas. Mayor Bill McMurray will present a proclamation to Coach Matt Williamson and the team at 7 p.m. in the Felix Street Square Gazebo.

Downtown businesses will provide specials to students all evening long.

The Student Government Association is providing free transportation from the Blum Student Union to Felix Street Square from 6 to 11 p.m.

For more information, contact the Student Government Association at 816-271-4409 or 573-292-5415.

Story-telling activist, poet Amal Kassir speaks Sept. 26

kheier — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 14:32:54 +0000

Amal Kassir

Amal Kassir, a young Muslim Syrian-American poet, storyteller and activist, will speak at ��߲�� at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Kassir has performed in 10 countries and more than 45 cities. She has conducted workshops, given lectures and recited her poetry in venues ranging from youth prisons to orphanages to refugee camps to universities to churches to community spaces for the public. She advocates for education and building individual agency in underserved and vulnerable populations, especially through writing.

Kassir’s appearance is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education, the International Center, the Department of Communication and Journalism and the Student Government Association.

Legal Aid presents family law rights Sept. 20

kheier — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:08:14 +0000

An attorney from Legal Aid will talk about family law rights at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 in Blum Student Union, rooms 222 and 223 on the campus of ��߲��. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Divorce, child support and orders of protection against abusive partners are among the topics that will be covered. The program will help anyone with family law problems or who knows someone with these problems.

Legal Aid holds office hours on campus every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. in Blum 213. The presentation and office hours are co-sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Legal Studies Association.