Missouri Western's Department of Communication and Journalism has combined the Griffon News, Griffon Yearbook and Griffon Update (video) under the umbrella of Griffon Media, and the department is hiring a director to work with students in all three programs.

If you are interested in applying, click here. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

Griffon Media is holding an open house at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 in Murphy 207.

Baseball
The baseball team opened its season Jan. 31 at Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee, Oklahoma with a 5-3 win, but dropped the next two games there. Games Feb. 7, 8 and 9 brought them to a 1-6 record.

Next up is a 4-day series in Joplin, Missouri: 1 p.m. Feb. 14, 10 a.m. Feb. 15, 4 p.m. Feb. 16 and 10 a.m. Feb. 17. The Griffons play their first home game at 3 p.m. on Feb. 21.

Football
Griffon football signed 57 on National Signing Day Feb. 5. The signing class includes several in the area and representation from 14 states.

Men's Basketball
Griffon men have a six-game winning streak going since winning every game since Jan. 23. On Jan. 30, they beat the University of Central Oklahoma 83-74 and on Feb. 1, Newman University 81-57. The men returned home on Feb. 5 and 8 to beat Lincoln University on Feb. 5 81-71 and the University of Central Missouri Feb. 8, 84-80.

The win on Feb. 5 matched the men's longest MIAA winning streak in 17 years. Their then- 8-4 conference record was the best since 2010. Their win over Central Missouri on Feb. 8 kept them perfect at home this season. The men are now 13-11 overall and 9-4 in the conference.

Next up is 7:30 p.m. at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas and 3:30 p.m. Feb. 15 against Missouri Southern in Joplin. They return home at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 against Pittsburg State and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 against Missouri Southern.

Women's Basketball
For the first time in the season, Griffon women's basketball suffered consecutive losses with a heartbreaking defeat at Central Oklahoma, 70-69, on Jan. 30. The Griffons used a 22-4 run in the final seven minutes of regulation to take a 69-68 lead, but UCO got the game-winning put-back layup off an errant 3-point attempt with seven seconds remaining.

That two-game skid was stopped at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas on Feb. 1 with a 70-59 win. The women continued their winning ways with their next two home games. The Griffons beat Lincoln University 72-53 on Feb. 5 and University of Central Missouri 67-57 on Feb. 8.

Missouri Western handed Central Missouri its first MIAA loss of the season and snapped its 15-game winning streak. The Jennies had not lost since Feb. 9, 2019. It also snapped a streak of seven straight MWSU losses to the Jennies.

The win with Newman's loss on Saturday clinched the team's spot in the MIAA Women's Basketball Championships to be held March 4-8 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.

The women now stand at 17-5 overall and 9-4 in the conference. They will play Pittsburg State at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in Pittsburg, Kansas and at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Joplin, Missouri against Missouri Southern. The Griffons return home at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 to play Pittsburg State.

Softball
Softball opens its season Feb. 14 at the Arkansas-Monticello DII Challenge in Bentonville, Arkansas. The women were ranked #2 in the MIAA preseason coaches poll. Game times are as follows:

10 a.m. Feb. 14, Southwest Baptist University; noon Feb. 14, Harding University; 2 p.m. Feb. 15, Quincy University; and 4 p.m. Feb. 15 University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Tennis
Tennis opened its season Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and 2 at the Genesis Health Club in St. Joseph for the Stoney Creek Hotel Tennis Classic. They lost to Augustana University and Arkansas Tech University, but had wins over Newman University and Truman State University.

The team will travel to Shawnee, Oklahoma to play Oklahoma Baptist University at 3 p.m. on Feb. 15 and Durant, Oklahoma to play Southeastern Oklahoma State University at 11 a.m. on Feb. 16.

Track & Field
Griffon Track traveled to Pittsburg State University to compete in the PSU Invitational on Feb. 1. Multiple Griffons finished in the top-25 of their respective events and a few hit personal bests.

On Feb. 8, Hanna Williams broke her own school record and won the 600-meter run for the second time this season on Saturday. Griffon Track finished action at the Bearcat Invite with 11 top-10 finishes, along with multiple personal bests.

The Career Development Center has moved to the Blum Student Union and has a new director, Megan Raney.

The center can assist you with developing your resumes and cover letter and provide guidance on your employment search. The Career Development Center provides  resources on their website Handshake, an online tool for searching employment opportunities. The website also offers help with interview techniques and a free online career personality assessment tool.

For more information, call (816) 271-4292 or email careercenter@missouriwestern.edu.

Dr. Karen Koy, associate professor of biology, co-authored a paper, “The Anthropocene Fossil Record of Terrestrial Mammals,” in the peer-reviewed journal Anthropocene. 

The authors were subsequently interviewed by Science Magazine, the official publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, for an article titled, “What Fossils Will Modern-day Civilization Leave Behind?” Science Magazine is the most important science journal in the United States. There was also an article about their work in Discover Magazine, "Archeologists of the Future: Sorry About All the Livestock."  

The Bushman Planetarium on campus has public shows scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 and at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5.

The planetarium will show “Journey to the Stars” on Jan. 30. Witness the life and death of stars in our sky, including our own sun. Extraordinary images captured by telescopes on Earth and in space, combined with stunning never-before-seen images of physics-based simulations, will launch you through time and space for an incredible trek through our night sky. Tour stellar formations, explore new celestial mysteries and discover the fascinating story that connects us all to the stars.

The show on Feb. 5 will be “Extreme Planets.” For centuries, humanity has wondered whether we are alone in the Universe. Now, we are finally one step closer to knowing the answer. With the discovery in 1995 of the first planet orbiting another star, we now know that planets are not unique to our own Solar System. In fact, these “extrasolar” planets now appear to be quite common. No one has yet found an Earth-like world with conditions similar to ours, but it now seems only a matter of time. This production explores what makes a planet “Earth-like” in the first place and takes an immersive full-dome tour of several worlds that just might fit the conditions we’re looking for.

The Bushman Planetarium in Agenstein Hall features a Digistar 4 projection system and a dome that is tilted slightly, rather than directly overhead, making viewing easier.  A 17-channel stereo sound system enhances the viewing experience.

Planetarium tickets must be purchased in advance, either online at missouriwestern.edu/planetarium or in person at Agenstein Hall, room 140 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets are not available at the door.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, students, seniors and military.

Track and Field 
Missouri Western Track and Field had 10 top-10 finishes at the Northwest Open in Maryville, Missouri on Friday and Saturday. The Griffons continued to make positive strides, including placing multiple personal bests.

Personal records in the throwing events was the highlight. Tara Bergman broke the program record and placed sixth in the shot put with 12.36 meters, while Kallin Sheppard placed seventh and broke her indoor season personal-best with 12.26 meters. Tanner Butterfield also broke the program record in the weight throw and placed fifth with 16.01 meters. Dallas Thompson also set a one-meter PR in the shot put with 15.24 meters.

The Griffons also placed high within the running events. Derek Dixon placed third overall in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:15.43. The men's 4x800-meter relay also placed second with a time of 8:10.56. Paige Kvale highlighted the Griffon women's runners placing fifth in the 1000-meter run with a time of 3:14.53.

The Griffons will travel to Pittsburg, Kansas on Feb. 1 to compete in the Pittsburg State Invitational.

Women's Basketball
Griffon women brought home a win, 71-53, against Northwest Missouri State in Maryville on Jan. 18. A 75-58 fieldhouse win on Jan. 23 against Fort Hays State snapped No. 10 Fort Hays' nine-game winning streak and gave the Griffons a 9-0 record at home. Unfortunately, the women lost 60-57 to University of Nebraska-Kearney on Jan. 25. The Griffons season record to date is 14-4 over all and 6-3 in the conference. Head coach is Candi Whitaker.

Next up are two away games – 5:30 p.m.  Jan. 30 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 1 against Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. The Griffons return home for two on Feb. 5 and 8.

Men's Basketball
The men had two wins and one loss in their last three games. They lost to No. 2 Northwest Missouri State 81-68 on Jan. 18 and beat Fort Hays State 79-63 on Jan. 23 and University of Nebraska-Kearney 81-75 on Jan. 25. The men's record stands at 9-11 overall and 5-4 in the conference. Men's head coach is Sundance Wicks.

Next up games against University of Central Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Edmond and a 3:30 p.m. matchup Feb. 1 against Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. That is followed by two home games Feb. 5 and 8.

The library in the Hearnes Center has created a display of John E. Downs '35 that will run through the end of the spring semester.

Downs, who was a state Senator, played an integral role in moving Missouri Western to its present location and establishing the four-year college. Downs Drive, the circular drive around the campus, was named in his honor.

The exhibit explores Downs' life, including his military service, political career, civic awards, and contributions to Missouri Western. He passed away in 2003.

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Lundy, collections specialist, at rlundy3@missouriwestern.edu.

How do you get children excited about science and math? Treat them to the experience that is Super Science Saturday! They can solve the math maze, try biology, physics, chemistry, and weather experiments, meet amazing creatures, and much more!

Super Science Saturday will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Agenstein and Remington halls on campus. Admission is $3 for adults and students. Children five and under are free. Parking is free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available in advance at stjosephmuseum.org/events. For more information, call (816) 232-8471 or visit the St. Joseph Museum website at stjosephmuseum.org.

The day will include hands-on activities related to math and science, courtesy of the faculty of MWSU, Hy-Vee, KQ2, KNPN, the Remington Nature Center, and area high school instructors. In the chemistry area, Missouri Western chemistry professors will present their ever-popular chemistry shows every 15 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m. In the atrium of the second and third floors, there will be “Weather Center" activities as well as a "Weather Forecasting Technology” area where children can practice giving weather reports in front of a green screen, just like the pros! Be prepared to meet all kinds of native creatures including reptiles courtesy of the Remington Nature Center. Programs on the creatures featured this year will be held at 11 a.m. and at 12, 1, and 2 p.m. In the Bushman Planetarium, there will be brief shows every 10 minutes. On third floor, there will be “sight and sound” themed experiments with a glow wall and a 3-D holograph illusion area.

Missouri Western students will soon have the opportunity to earn $500 scholarships in a shooting competition against Missouri Western President Matt Wilson. The, "Shoot Against the Prez" competition will be held at halftime of 10 Griffon basketball games with a grand finale competition scheduled for the final home games of the 2019-20 season.

The Shoot Against the Prez contest is open to current Missouri Western students who plan to also attend in the Fall of 2020. In order to be selected to compete, students must sign up using the form below:

SIGN UP TO BE REGISTERED

Two students will be randomly selected for each contest, one during halftime of the women's game and another during halftime of the men's game. Selected students will have 60 seconds to make as many free throws as possible. President Wilson will then have 60 seconds to make as many 3-point shots as possible. If the student makes more free throws than President Wilson's made 3-point number, they will be awarded a $500 scholarship for the Fall 2020 semester. If President Wilson wins, the $500 will be donated to Missouri Western's Center for Service.

Students who defeat President Wilson will also become eligible for a Grand Finale contest on Feb. 25, 2020. A larger scholarship amount will be announced closer to the Grand Finale competition date. The final scholarship amount will be based on donated funds collected during the campaign.

WATCH: MWSU Highlights $500 Scholarship Competition

Donations Welcome!
Please consider donating to the Shoot Against the Prez competition. All funds donated will directly benefit scholarships. Griffon basketball alumnus Wayne Chatham '90 pledged a $1,000 kickoff donation matched by a $1,000 donation by President Wilson. To donate to the competition, click here, and click on "Shoot Against the Prez" in the drop-down menu.

Lacrosse Coach Named
Rachel Benzing was hired as the head coach of Missouri Western's newest sport, women's lacrosse. Benzing brings experience in the region as a student-athlete and coach in addition to experience starting Division II women's lacrosse programs in the midwest region.

Benzing comes to MWSU after helping usher in women's lacrosse programs at Lynn University and Maryville University. She spent two years at Maryville before moving on to help build the program at Lynn. After two seasons as a lacrosse student athlete at University of Maryland Baltimore County, Benzing finished her playing career at Lindenwood University where she was a two-time All-American.

In 2014, Benzing led Division I UMBC in assists and ranked fifth in the America East in assists per game. Benzing holds the Lindenwood career record for assists per game after helping the Lions to two NCAA Division II national semi-final appearances. In 2017, Benzing was named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year, first team All-Region and first team All-American. Benzing was a two-time first team All-RMAC selection and also earned second team All-Region and third team All-American honors in 2016.

Benzing also served as head coach of the St. Louis Samurai and St. Louis Lacrosse Club from 2017-19. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in nutrition from Lindenwood in 2017.

Men's Basketball
After home games Jan. 4 and 6, and away games Jan. 9 and 11, Griffon men are sitting at 7-10 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA Conference. They beat Rogers State University (Oklahoma) 79-67, and Northeastern State (Oklahoma) 76-71 in an overtime win. Losses were with Washburn 86-76 and Emporia State 81-68.

Next up is an away game in Maryville against Northwest Missouri State Jan. 18. Men play at 3:30 p.m. They return home for games at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 against Fort Hays State and 3:30 p.m. Jan. 25 against University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Women's Basketball
Women's basketball continued its winning ways with three out of four victories in their last four games Jan. 4, 6, 9 and 11. The Griffons' record is 12-3 overall and 4-2 in the MIAA Conference. They beat Rogers State (Oklahoma) 76-61 on Jan. 4, Northeastern State (Oklahoma) 86-63 and Washburn in Topeka, Kansas 58-47. Their only loss the past two weeks was to Emporia State Jan. 11, 74-70.

Next up is Northwest Missouri State at 1:30 Jan. 18 in Maryville. They return home for two -- 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23 against Fort Hays State and 1:30 p.m. Jan. 25 against University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Women's Soccer Recognized for Sportsmanship
For the sixth consecutive year, the women's Griffon soccer program received a Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award from the United Soccer Coaches Association. The Griffons received the silver award for exhibiting fair play, sporting behavior and obedience to laws of the game.

The Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award is given to United Soccer Coaches members at four levels. Teams honored at the platinum level went an entire season without a player or coach receiving a yellow card or red card. Teams honored at the gold, silver and bronze levels are based on a percentage calculated by the total number of cards received by players and coaches divided by the team's total number of games played. One hundred forty-three teams were recognized through this set of awards for their efforts.

The Griffons received only three yellow cards throughout the span of the 2019 season. Missouri Western also had zero red cards throughout their campaign.

During the season, Griffon soccer also received the United Soccer Coaches Academic Award for the sixth consecutive season.

Last fall, Missouri Western launched a number of unique and innovative initiatives under its new president, Matt Wilson. Below is a video that explains these new programs: Center for Service, Griffon Guarantee Scholarship, Gold Fridays, a Global Center and Esports.

Websites have also been set up for all the initiatives if you want more information about them.

Men's Basketball
The Missouri Western men's basketball team (4-8) dropped its third straight game 87-75 at Rockhurst (5-4) on Dec. 21. After a 10-day break, the team hosted Avila University Dec. 31 and snapped its losing streak. Hot shooting gave the Griffons a 95-56 victory. 

The Griffons host MIAA Conference-opponent Rogers State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 in the Looney Arena. They will play at home again at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6 against Northeastern State University, another member of the MIAA.

They will be on the road at Washburn University on Jan. 9 and Emporia State Jan. 11.

Women's Basketball
The women's basketball team headed into the winter break with a three-game winning streak and advanced that to four against Avila University on Dec. 31, beating the Eagles 76-48.

The Griffons host MIAA Conference-opponent Rogers State at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 in the Looney Arena. They will play at home again at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6 against Northeastern State University, another member of the MIAA.

They will be on the road at Washburn University on Jan. 9 and Emporia State Jan. 11.

Doug Minnis, a pioneer, founder and leader of the Griffon baseball program through its first 30 years passed away on Dec. 26 at the age of 90.

Coach Minnis started Missouri Western's baseball program in 1970 and recorded winning seasons in its first 11 years. During that time, the team qualified for the NAIA District Tournament 10 times including six District 16 Championships. Minnis' 1975 club advanced to the NAIA World Series. He also was instrumental in leading Griffon Athletics' transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II.

Minnis retired following the 1999 season after achieving 683 career victories and producing eight Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame members along with two of his teams (1971 & 1975).

Following his retirement, Minnis remained active in the athletics department, serving as the officials host for home football and basketball games. He was also active in the Gold Coat Club annual membership drive and the Griffon Athletics Hall of Fame committee.

A plaque commemorating Coach Minnis' career was dedicated and installed in April 2011 in conjunction of the opening of the Spring Sports Complex on campus.

The career of Coach Minnis has been recognized at the highest level by nine different organizations, including the Griffon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990, the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame also in 1990, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and the St. Joseph Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

February 13
Jazz Festival
5:50 p.m. Concert
Fulkerson Center

February 13
Poet -- FreeQuency
7 p.m.
Spratt Hall Kemper Recital Hall

February 17
Presidents Day
Campus Open
Classes Held 

Feb. 21-March 20
Twin Cups and Off the Table
Juried Exhibition
Potter Hall Gallery
Reception 5-7 p.m. Feb. 21

February 22
Griffon Showcase for Prospective Students
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Blum Union
Missouriwestern.edu/admissions/visit

February 25
International Cooking Class
Algerian Pancakes -- Beghrir
4 p.m.
Commons Building (by Residence Halls)

February 26
Javier Colon
7 p.m.
Spratt Hall Kemper Recital Hall

March 9-13
Spring Break
No Classes, Offices are Open

March 17 
Tea & Talk
Noon
Eder 101

March 23-27
Entrepreneurship Week
Free Workshops Monday-Friday

March 23
Marimba Madness Concert
7:30 p.m.
Potter Hall Theater

March 31
International Cooking Class
S. Korea Sushi Roll - Gimbap
4 p.m.
Commons Building (by Residence Halls)

Missouri Western's new esports director Christian Konczal visits with students after the announcement of the new esports program.

Missouri Western took the first step toward launching its new esports programs, announcing that Christian Konczal as the program’s first director/head coach.

“The addition of esports provides students the opportunity to come together and collaborate in a team setting, providing not only recreational opportunities but academic opportunities in a variety of fields,” said Matt Wilson, Missouri Western’s president. “Christian is familiar with both the operational and academic sides of esports and I’m confident he will build an outstanding program that will attract top students and help them develop the critical skills of leadership, communication, team-building and collaboration.”

Konczal is currently an adjunct professor at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont and serves as event staff for the University of Akron Zips Esports in Ohio. He received a Master of Fine Arts in Emergent Media from Champlain and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Vermont.

Esports is organized team-based, multiplayer competitive video gaming. Competitions among collegiate teams and professionals can take place in arenas in front of large audiences and are streamed on the internet or broadcast on television. Collegiate esports is growing, with more than 130 universities nationwide with competitive varsity teams, including 16 in Missouri. Missouri Western will be just the third public university in the state with an esports team.

Konczal will be responsible for building Griffon Esports from the ground up, recruiting varsity and club teams to compete in a variety of video games to be determined by student interest. The program will be structured much like traditional varsity athletics, with team members participating in tryouts, wearing uniforms, maintaining practice schedules and adhering to a code of conduct and academic standards.

For more information, visit missouriwestern.edu/esports. You are invited to offer feedback regarding the esports program at Missouri Western at this link, as well.

Below is the schedule for viewing Missouri Western's Winter Commencement and the Master's Hooding Ceremony on Missouri Western Television:

Tuesdays and Thursdays at nooon
Dec. 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 and Jan. 2

Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 21 and 28

Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 22 and 29

The Commencement will be shown first, followed by the hooding ceremony.