Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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««. Travis Roth looks at the commencement program duringthe graduation ceremonies. The class of 1994 was the first to graduate in the newly- renovated LamkinGym. Photo by Jon Britton. a.in rin rig I uuires Day STUDENTS GET FRESH BEGINNING IN NEW GYM By Angela Tackett On the morning of the 88th commencement for Northwest ' s graduating students, thunderclouds poured down rain, slowing occa- sionally to a cold drizzle. Ushers donned in hard hats dodged puddles outside the under construction Bearcat Arena to direct people inside and to hand out programs. Inside, the scene was different. The newly- renovated gymnasium was chaotic as families tried to find seats and take last minute photos of the graduates. Seniors adjusted their caps and gowns while they gave hugs to friends and fellow graduates before the ceremony began. The graduates were seated prior to the com- mencement, a practice which started the previ- ous year, and from the crowd, family and friends could read the tops of caps which read expressions such as, I ' m out of here. After the academic procession. President Hubbard addressed the crowd. This was a special day for us as a University, Hubbard said. In particular for this facility, Lamkin Activity Center. This was the first commencement ceremony to be held in the newly-renovated gymnasium. In contrast to past years, the temperature in Lamkin was cooler and seating was not a problem. The renovations to Lamkin made graduation a more pleasant event because the seating and the heat were not a problem, Robbie Oehlertz said. William Session, 1973 Northwest alumnus and managing principal of The Session Law Firm in Kansas City, Mo., delivered the com- mencement address. He spoke of three points: vision, self examination and reward. The primary reward each of you should seek in life, as I see it, is to satisfy your obligation to maximize those talents that have surfaced during your years here, Session said. Session, who received his bachelor of science in what was then the cutting edge major of business and computer science, commented on the advantage Northwest students had. You all just do not know how rewarding it will be by having the electronic campus experience, Session said. All of you have this experience. Only those who majored in that degree or program when I was in school had that benefit. But each and everyone of you have been exposed and I guarantee you will find you will be rewarded for it in the future. When Session finished speaking, Hubbard gave out the Distinguished Alumni Award to Robert Tebow, 1952 graduate, and the Distin- guished Service Award to Edward Douglas, the past president of the Board of Regents. Patt VanDyke, interim vice president, pre- sented the candidates with their diplomas. The graduates left the renovated gymnasium to find the rain still pouring down. However, the rain did not hinder the day ' s events because the candidates were on their way to start a future as college graduates. Graduation ' IS

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Northwest seniors anticipate their turn to receive a diploma during the graduation ceremony. Candidates received their diplomas from Patt VanDyke, interim vice president. Photo by Chris Tucker. Students makelight of their years of hard work. This element of humor eased the tension of the graduation ceremony . Photo by Chris Tucker. 14 • Student Life

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MOZINGO AND BYPASS PROVIDE EXPANSION AND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES Finished Interest By Chera Prideaux Even though many students did not believe The multi-million-dollar project had been de- there was much happening in Maryville, the veloped as a 400-acre state park recreational Highway 71 Bypass and Mozingo provided facility. Mozingo was on its way to becoming a changes that may not have been apparent, but significant tourist attraction for Maryville, in- still affected them. creasing commerce for area businesses in the The bypass was completed in late July after process, rain delays of more than a year. The highway The project was expected to become a vital allowed many students an easy trip to and from park by the summer of ' 95 and included activi- school. Anotherpartoftheprojectwastherecon- ties like camping, hiking and boating, struction of Main Street, which included the The goal ofthe project was two-fold, David replacement of asphalt. Angerer, city manager, said. Students had positive reactions to the conve- Angerer hoped Mozingo would accomplish nience ofthe highway. two things: a secure source of drinking water for It was nice to not have to go through down- the community and an aide for increase in eco- town Maryville to get to St. Joseph, Angle nomic development. Schieber said. I didn ' t have to go through all the In addition, the project would increase tourism traffic. in Maryville and would promote Maryville in The highway also allowed drivers a safer order to attract businesses. According to means of traveling within Maryville. Angerer, the University could also benefit by It kept all the 18-wheelersoffthe main drag, gaining use ofthe land. Shawn Gregory said. I had seen cars hit because The University will be able to use the land for of the trucks that couldn ' t get turned at the recreational purposes and research, Angerer stoplight. said. We think it offered some very positive Another convenience ofthe highway comple- benefits to the University, and we wanted them tion included students being able to get out of to feel like they had a definite stake in Mozingo. tov nore quickly on their way home. Mozingo would also increase recreational 1 I would leave school, it would take opportunities for students, twice ng on Friday afternoons to get out of I used to work at Smithville Lake and the town be ! here were so many people leaving Mozingo project would be great for Maryville, andd rivin .er because ofthe construction, Kim Kinder said. It would be something stu- Mandy Carh lid. dents could do here. The Mozingc. -rojeci. which was completed in The Mozingo project and Highway 7 1 bypass thesummerof ' 94, also benefitted students and impacted many students lives in one way or the community. another. 16 Student Life