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

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Cram left: A crowd p eoser, Jacob Johnston performs as a dancing clown in the homecoming parade. Alpha Mu Gamma member Andria Rentie recruits potential studenU (or the foreign language honorary at the Organizational Fair. The Sound and the Fury headlined the Benefit for Baier concert put on by KZLX and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity to raise money for the Trenton R. Baier Foundation and the Christopher Reeve Foundation, photoi by Trevor Hayti on ) £rk Slwfer The centennial year of our University brought new features to campus and celebrations of 100 years. The Centennial Statue and Centennial Garden provided tangible memories of our history Jflige !Wibers for Greek Rush helped bolster the groups ' membership and strengthened the production for fHomecom- ing. We celebrated the school ' s anniversary through our Home- coming floats, clowns and skits. Many groups chose to reen- act the history of the University, but the men of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia won 1 st place with their skit, which spoofed Bock to the Future. We established a new tradition with the Second Annual Northwest Powwow at Bearcat Arena, which celebrated Na- tive American culture in the area. The new Student Activities Fee brought entertainers such as Chris Cagle and Margaret Cho to campus. The popular entertainers attracted ma ny students for the performances. We knew that our year would be unique like our school. As we celebrated 101 years, we also celebrated our school as the one and only one home of the Bearcats. trends I celebrations I features

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Covered in bronze, Christine Foster and Al- len Long recreate the new Centennial Statue during the Homecoming parade. The Comput- ing Services float placed first for competitive entries, photo by Trevor Hayes

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nn¥ Structured progress Campus renovations address concerns, update facilities. NeivFreshmen • Residence Halls from left: A worker welds on the roof of the new amphitheater. Bob Ge st ie- ating installs a vent in the wall of the theater located across from the Mary Linn Performing Arts Center. An inside view of the theater shows the progress of the construction, photo fay Meredith Currence from left: A banner displays the ap- pearance of the new residence halls under construction. The south side of Roberta Hall is exposed for the first time after demolition of Hudson and Perrin halls. An empty lot is the site for new residence halls, photo by Meredith Currence As one building representing the long-standing legacy of the University fell to the ground, ground breaking for onofher began for decades of memories. In spring 2004, officials voted on the demolition of 50-year-old hHudson and Perrin residence halls and began construction in summer 2005 for new freshman residence halls To raise money for the new residence halls, Support Staff sponsored o brick sale, where actual bricks that held ' ,the walls of Hudson and Perrin together were sold. Natalie Smith bought a brick as a way to remember her residence hall experiences. Il was a pretty old building, but I still have a lot of memories from there, Smith said. In Hudson, you had to get to know each other because of how close the rooms were and how there was no air conditioning, except for in one room where many people congregated when it was hot. I think the new Hudson Perrin will attract more people because they will hove better rooms than we did, Along with residence hall additions, the University built the Fire Arts Building to move many three-dimensional art classes out of Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building ' s basement. According to Ray Courter, vice president for Finances and Support Services, ideas for a new art building began about 10 years earlier. It has been obvious for many years that the basement has been inadequate for the programs offered, Courter said. In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency determined the basement was a risk factor due to the poor air circulation and lock of electrical outlets. After this review, administrators needed to take action. (They) put in a lot of money and effort into this project with health and safety as a priority, Department of Art chairman Kim Spradling said. Officials also recognized the need for not only a safer art building, but one that could better cater to students needs. We also needed better facilities in terms of what architects did, Spradling said. It ' s better laid out and easier to maneuver around more efficiently. Creating new opportunities for students also became a priority for the biology department. In September, the Universit broke ground for a biosciences department east of the Forest Village Apartments to utilize a new major in biotechnology. Along with a new major, the University recruited companies such as Ventria Biosciences, to set up business to allow students to get first-hand experience and better help the local economy. It is important to have new products to sell to customers to sustain the University ' s role in societ , Courter said. Courter said having companies work with the University on the projects would not only benefit finances, but also benefit community finances by bringing in employment. The University pursued financial endeavors and constructed new monuments to represent the school ' s history. According to Courter, a Centennial Garden located between South Complex and Douglas Hall was erected to honor the University ' s 100-year history. In addition, the College Pork amphitheater west of Mary Linn Performing Arts Center was constructed. The facility would be used for theater performances and other events suitable for the outdoors. The theater also reflected entertainment history, It shows how life occurred 100 years ago and how information and entertainment was conveyed to them, Courter said. As new monuments commemorating the 100 years of University history were built, many old memories lived on in students and staff. Writer j Brent Burklund Designer j Ashlee Mejia