Welcome
The Office of Academic Affairs, led by Dr. Jeanne Daffron, Provost, ensures the quality and integrity of all academic programs. Here you will find access to the information and resources that make up the university’s rich academic life. At Missouri Western, students’ experiences inside and outside the classroom are seamlessly integrated in an environment where faculty, staff and students live, learn and serve the broader community.
CHILDREN’S LIFETIME SPORTS ACADEMY – On June 5 – 9, the Children’s Lifetime Sports Academy was held with approximately 145 campers ages 8 – 12 attending. These children received introductory instruction in a number of lifetime sports, including outdoor adventure activities such as canoeing, rappelling, fishing, archer, obstacle course, pickle ball, racquetball and many others, including swimming.
ADVENTURE SPORTS ACADEMY – On June 5 – 9, the Children’s Lifetime Sports Academy was held for approximately 25 children who had completed grades 6 through 8. This event is a way to build on the success of the Children’s Lifetime Sports Academy. Instruction is offered in canoeing, scuba diving, ropes courses, martial arts, rappelling and skeet shooting. The week culminated with an overnight outdoor camping experience.
TWO ALUMNI AWARDED BUSINESSES – On June 2nd, the Craig School of Business announced that Jorge Belcher and Jacob Blaylock have won business opportunities through the school’s franchise program. Both were finalists from a senior-level applied entrepreneurship class this spring. Blaylock was awarded a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store in Petaluma, California. Belcher will be given the program’s first non-franchise opportunity. Support from the program and the Craig School’s Center for Entrepreneurship will help him expand a vehicle sales business he started in 2013. Pam Klaus, hosted the Celebration of Entrepreneurs dinner on June 1, and the final competition for franchise ownership on June 2.
ART, HOPE AND IMMIGRANT ANECDOTES – To celebrate Immigrant Heritage month, artists Kathy Liao, Yoonmi Nam and F. Maria Velasco shared their stories of culture shock, loss of memories, identities and the reinventing of self in pursuit of the American dream on June 3 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. Liao is an assistant professor of art at Missouri Western.
PRAIRIE LANDS WRITING PROJECT – The Prairie Lands Writing Project recently hosted two summer youth writing programs at MWSU for the Saint Joseph School District (May 22-June 15). “Super Writers” was the Elementary School Writing Project, with approximately 120 students participating, and “Creative Minds” was the Middle School Writing Project, with approximately 35 students participating. Students attended sessions with PLWP Teacher Consultants which combined writing and reading activities with workshops and local publishing opportunities. PLWP Co-Director Elisabeth Alkier (Bode Middle School) directed the program, assisted by five additional PLWP Teacher Consultants from SJSD. These programs have been a popular draw for area youth for many years, strengthening Missouri Western’s partnerships with local schools and providing opportunities to showcase our campus to potential future Griffons and their parents.