Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

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CROSSROADS 1979 is dedicated to Leon Billingsly who chose from many roads the one that led him here “and that has made all the difference.” 21

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Perhaps no other college or university administrator in the state was as respected in the Missouri legislature as Leon Billingsly. His thorough knowledge of the legislative process and his ability to work honestly and diplomatically with the government officials spelled success for the college in receiving continued legislative support for its growth. Dr. Billingsly worked diligently with faculty, administra¬ tion and Board of Regents Trustees in developing a college curriculum which combines strong academic dis¬ ciplines and advanced vocational and technical training. In providing studies that would aid employment in the Joplin area, he felt that the college was paying the city back for the tremendous support it had given the college. “We’ve tried to give the city something tangible in return for what they’ve done for us,” he said. His high academic standards and knowledge of curriculum development led to his appointment to the evaluation team of the North Central Accreditation Program. In 1977, SMSU honored him with an Outstan¬ ding Alumnus Award presented to him by President Duane Meyer, a long time friend and colleague, (pictured right) That same year he also received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Joplin Chamber of Commerce, the first recipient of the award not primarily involved in com¬ merce. His ability to establish rapport with people in all areas of the city’s life helped create and maintain the en¬ viable “town and gown” rapport which the community and the college enjoy. On a campus of 4000 students, not many students can really know the president or even have opportunity to meet him personally. But Dr. Billingsly was always accessible to students, always willing to listen and help with their problems, to carefully explain circumstances with which they might not agree, or to share happily in their accomplishments. We were all privileged to be, as a Joplin Globe editorial stated following his death, in the presence of a un¬ common, common man ... He used the same measure of strength, magnetism and vigor in helping build college buildings as he did in helping to build character—as far as one can, as best as one can. No community or its people are left unmarked or uninspired when a Leon Billingsly passes by.” i 20

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The Missouri Southern State College music department provides a wide variety of activities for students and members of the faculty and community. The many organizations on campus are comprised of students who are both majors and non-majors in the field of music. One of the most popular groups is the orchestra. This group is made up of members of the faculty as well as students and musicians from the surrounding area. The MSSC Orchestra concentrates on classical period music for their performances. The “Lion Pride” marching band is a very popular organization on the MSSC campus (top right). This organization, which practices an average of three or more hours a week during the fall semester, has more members than any other ensemble in the music department. The “Lion Pride” performs at all Lion football games, participates in homecoming activities, and the “pep” band performs at all Lion basketball games throughout the year. During the Spring semester, the MSSC Concert Band organizes. This group practices for three hours a week as a group, and the individual members spend several hours with individual practices and sectional rehearsals. The Concert Choir is an organization which consists of about fifty members. The Concert Choir consists of both music majors and non-majors, and performs a wide variety of choral music. A smaller, more select group than the Concert Choir is the Collegiates. Members of the Collegiates are usually music majors and are selected from Concert Choir members. This group is more diverse in their perfor¬ mance. They include traditional as well as popular music. In the instrumental department, a small, select group is the Brass Choir. This ensemble performs chamber music at concerts and recitals. I i l 22