The Centennial Committee has been working on Centennial plans since 2011. The committee is co-chaired by Alumni Relations Director Colleen Kowich and Public Relations and Marketing Director Mallory Murray.
In the coming months, the committee will be making plans for events for employees, students, alumni and the community. A large campus and community celebration in honor of Founders’ Day will be held in September. The first day of classes in 1915 was Sept. 20, but Cathe committee wanted Founders’ Day to coincide with Missouri Western’s Family Weekend.
Although plans are not final, the committee is tentatively planning a number of initiatives. such as displays on campus and throughout the community, a speaker series, commissioning of an art piece, a Black and Gold Ball and an employee rally.
In 1982, Dr. M.O. Looney, former Missouri Western president, commissioned Dr. Frances Flanagan to write the institution’s history from 1915, and that published book covered events up to 1983. As part of the centennial, the University commissioned Diane Holtz to research and write the history from 1983. Her book will cover events through January 2015, and will come out in time for Founders’ Day in September 2015.
Mark your calendars and plan on celebrating 100 years of transforming lives. Oh, and speaking of calendars, the committee is creating centennial calendars, too!