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 10
Middle School & High School Honor Choir
7 p.m. Free Concert
Fulkerson Center 

February 11
Zuzu African Acrobats
7 p.m.
Spratt Hall Kemper Recital Hall

February 13
Jazz Festival
7:30 p.m.
Potter Hall Theater

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

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.

Women's Basketball
Griffon women's basketball (7-2) started a break from conference play with a 91-50 rout of Peru State
(3-6), Dec. 16 in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons led all 40 minutes and had four players score 10 or more points. Eleven Griffons played double-digit minutes and every one of them scored at least a point with eight scoring six or more. Missouri Western shot 54.2% from the field and scored 20 or more in each quarter while holding the Bobcats to 34.6% shooting and no quarters with more than 17 points.

The women jumped out to a 27-9 lead through the first 10 minutes of the game, shooting 65% in the first quarter. The Griffons are coached by first-year head coach Candi Whitaker.

Next up, the Griffons play at 5 p.m. Dec. 18 at the University of Illinois-Springfield. Over the semester break, the team will play Dec. 31, and Jan. 4 and 6 at home. On Jan. 9, they play at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas on Jan. 11.

Men's Basketball
The Griffon men currently hold a 4-6 record overall and 1-1 in conference play. They beat University of Central Missouri 67-63 on Dec. 5 and lost to Lincoln University 89-66 on Dec. 7.

Next up is a nonconference game at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the University of Illinois-Springfield. They will then play at 1 p.m. Dec. 21 at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. Three home games will follow on Dec. 31, Jan. 4 and Jan. 6 before they head out on the road again Jan. 9.

Griffon Football
The football team finished the 2019 season 9-3 by trouncing Henderson State (9-3) in the Agent Barry Live United Bowl on Dec. 7 in Texarkana, Arkansas. It was the 300th all-time win for Missouri Western football, and the nine wins were the first time since 2012. The Griffons also became the first team to ever win the Live United Bowl twice, as they won last year's game.

Trey Vaval was named MVP after breaking the Live United Bowl record with 225 return yards.

Griffon Track & Field
Both the men's and women's track and field teams kicked off the 2019-20 season at the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic on Dec. 6 and 7 at Northwest Missouri State University.

Griffon track and event records were broken at the event.

• Riley Gorham and Savannah Simmons won events for the Griffons, as Gorham took first in the one mile run with a time of 4:20.50 and Simmons placed first overall in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.72. Gorham's time for the mile also broke the meet record.
• Simmons also placed third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.60.
• Bailey Gilbert broke the program record for the long jump with 5.75. That distance was also an event record breaker.
• Gilbert also finished sixth in the Pentathlon with Lynzi Miller finishing fifth in the event.
• Missouri Western's 4X400 meter relay teams were also strong performers. The women's team placed fifth overall with a time of 4:01.74, while the men finished in sixth with a time of 3:22.18.
• Tara Bergman broke her own program record in the women's shotput with 12.28 meters.
• Graham Buresh placed fourth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.84.
• Mackenzie Miller placed sixth in the women's one mile run with a time of 5:40.30. Ashley Clay also set a personal record in the mile with a time of 5:45.54.
• Clay also placed fourth in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 3:32.39.
• Kelsey Cox placed third in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 11:07.40.
• Tyler Meadows placed fourth in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2:54.62.

Next up is the Graduate Classic Jan. 17 and 18 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Volleyball
The third time was not a charm for Griffon volleyball (17-13) as the Griffons fell in three sets to Northwest Missouri (21-8) in the opening round of the MIAA Championships to end their season.

After two five-set thrillers with their rivals in the regular season, Missouri Western dropped the first set 25-12, the second 25-18 and the third 27-25. The Griffons hit .068 in the first with a 29 sideout percentage. Missouri Western kept the second close until the Bearcats closed out the set outscoring MWSU 10-4. The back-and-forth third set included eight ties and six lead changes. Sam Duncan got a Griffon rally going in the third, serving on five points of a 6-0 run for the team. With Northwest leading 23-20 in the third, MWSU scored four straight to give MWSU the serve on the first game point. The teams traded points back and forth until the Bearcats ended it with back-to-back kills.

Men's Basketball
Men's basketball has had a busy couple of weeks and are currently standing at 3-5. They lost to Western Colorado 86-82 on Nov. 30 in the Thanksgiving Classic in Grand Junction, Colorado. On Nov. 29, they lost to Colorado Mesa University 94-92 in overtime.

The Griffons had two home wins Nov. 17 and Nov. 20 against Missouri S & T (66-64) and Nebraska Christian College (101-34).

Next up is a game against the UCM Mules at 7:30 p.m. in Warrensburg.

Women's Basketball
Griffon women won their fifth straight win against Florida Southern on Nov. 30 at the Fairfield Inn Classic at the St. Joseph Civic Arena. They won 74-67 in that matchup. The previous four wins were against McKendree University (52-50), College of St. Mary (Nebraska) (100-51), Southwest Baptist University (84-63) and University of Minnesota-Duluth (77-61). The women's record is 5-1 overall.

Next up, the women play at 5:30 p.m. at UCM in Warrensburg.

Football
Griffon football will make it second straight appearance in the Agent Barry Live United Bowl on Dec. 7. Fans planning to make the trip can find ticket, travel and game information below. The game will be at noon on Saturday, Dec. 7 in Razorback Stadium in Texarkana, Arkansas. Tailgating can begin at 8 a.m. and the gates open at 10 a.m. Stadium/Tailgating Map

 TICKETS 

• A limited number of general admission ($10) and student ($4) tickets will be available for purchase at the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex beginning Dec. 2.
• General admission tickets are also available online.
• Student tickets cannot be purchased online.

  LODGING 

• Group rates ($59.20-$71.20) available for MWSU fans at Comfort Suites Texarkana 
  (870) 216-8084
• Group rate ($80) also available at Holiday Inn & Express Suites Texarkana (903) 233-0008
• Other area accommodations can be found here.

  JEANS, BOOTS, AND BBQ TEAM BANQUET 

• Friday, Dec. 6, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Texas High School
• Tickets - $25 (6-and-up)

  PEP RALLY 

• Immediately following Jeans, Boots and BBQ Banquet
• Texas High School

President Matt Wilson will introduce the new director/head coach who is tasked with creating Missouri Western’s varsity and club esports programs at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 in the Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219.

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.

Dec. 23-Jan. 1
Winter Break
No classes, offices closed

Dec. 31, Jan. 4 & 6, 23 & 25
Women’s and Men’s Basketball
Looney Complex

January 13
Spring Semester Begins

January 20
Martin Luther King Day
Campus Closed

January 22
Martin Luther King, Jr. Reception
6 p.m.
Blum 218-219
Drum Major for Justice Award recipients will be recognized, and poet Kyla Lacey will read her poetry. To make a reservation, call (816) 271-4150 or email cme@missouriwestern.edu by Jan. 15.

February 11
Zuzu African Acrobats
7 p.m.
Spratt Hall Kemper Recital Hall

February 6
Jazz Festival
Potter Hall

February 10
Middle School & High School Honor Choir
7 p.m.
Fulkerson Center 

February 17
Presidents Day
Campus Open
Classes Held 

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

The Career Development Center is hosting an All Majors Career Fair on  Thursday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center.  

If you are seeking employment opportunities or if you are an employer who is seeking talented candidates, please join us!

Seeking employment opportunities:

• Bring your resume and be ready to network with over 50  employers

Participating as an employer:

• There is no cost to register
• You will be provided with 1 5-foot table and 2 chairs
• Guest access to MWSU WiFi Network
• Parking passes will be available at the registration table
• Register on the following link: All Majors Career Fair - Employer Registration 
• Deadline to register is 4:30 p.m. Monday, December 2.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Claudia Baer at cbaer1@missouriwestern.edu.

Alumni are invited to join the Griffon Block Party in downtown St. Joseph on Saturday, Dec. 7.

There will be caroling and Griffon cookies, and specials and promos from downtown businesses
2-6 p.m. - Visit Santa – Concession stand
4 p.m. - Story hour with Will Stuck – Manic Snail
5-8 p.m. - Horse/Carriage Rides – Holiday Alley (Felix Street between 7th and 8th)
5-8 p.m. Free Hot Cocoa – Concession stand

Every evening from Nov. 30 through Dec. 22, downtown will host Merry Memories: A Holiday Window Tour and visitors vote on their favorite merchant window displays.

Visit WWW.DOWNTOWNFIRST.ORG/holidaysdowntown for more information.