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

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Finale Graduates reach the end of the besinning A, .n anxious group of graduates attended the Univer- sity ' s 78th Annual Spring Com- mencement May 5 in Lamkin Gymnasium. Terry D. Noah Sr., a 1952 Nor- thwest graduate, delivered the commencement address to 600 degree recipients. Noah told the graduates to use their knowledge as they entered the college of hard knocks and to continue learning, think- ing and doing their homework. In addition, he asked them to stand up for their principles and he challenged Celebration Mixed emotions are felt by spring graduates. Kenny Jaynes hugs a friend following the ceremony on May 5. Jaynes graduated with a bachelor ' s of science degree in wildlife, conservation and ecology. He returned in the fall as a graduate student. -Photo by E. Barrera Tassle Everything should be perfect during graduation. Cherie Hunt adjusts her roommate ' s, Sherry Rea, tassle before the commencement march in Lamkin Gym. -Photo by E. Barrera them to be as good as they could be in whatever they did. Noah was vice president of the William B. Tanner Company in Memphis, the world ' s largest media-placement company, and was honored with the presenta- tion of the Distinguished Alumni Award. A positive mental attitude and a can-do spirit would open doors and opportunities, Noah said, and he urged the grads to pass their happiness on to others. Five baccalaureate recipients were graduated Summa Cum Laude, the honor bestowed on those whose cumulative grade point average was 3.95 or better . The Summa Cum Laude graduates were Debra Duffy, Beth Hughes, Laurie Langer, Kevin Miles and Leslie Ide. Two other graduates, Tobi Whiteside and Dave Kopp, were presented the Edw ard P. Morgan Citizenship Awards, an annual award recognizing male and female students who had dem- onstrated the greatest apprecia- tion of, and capacity for, the responsibilities of American citizenship. -Maryann McWilliams i 22 Graduation

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•jddv A Rewarding Volunteers benefit from special students ' special sort of Olympics was held in Ricken- brode Stadium April 18. Approximately 425 athletes participated in the 15th Annual Area I Special Olympics. The games were sponsored by the Kennedy Foundation and Area I Special Olympics. Almost 400 volunteers were on hand to organize events, work as huggers and coaches and keep statistics. Athletes were mentally and or physically handicapped, but that did not seem to deter from their determination. The kids were just incredible, volunteer Kathy Rogers said. They gave their all. Olympians showed their athletic skills in the 50-meter dash, relays, mile run and other events. Twenty- sent represen- track and field eight schools tatives. Participation was the key, said Gerald Wright, assistant pro- fessor of elementary and special education and area coordinator. Everyone on the field was in- volved in something, Wright said. Smiles were everywhere. Winners of each event wore their ribbons proudly all day. For the Special Olympians rib- bons were an additional thrill, but winning was not the most im- portant thing. There were no losers in their eyes, volunteer Mary Piston said. They all considered themselves winners just to be in the Olympics. When they did win a ribbon, they would get ex- cited and hug each other. Another volunteer, Linda Stevens, also felt rewarded. I dressed as a clown and visited with everyone, she said. I patted everyone on the back whether they did good or bad, won or lost their event. The feel- ing I got couldn ' t be replaced with any other feelings in the world, Stevens said. It was hard to express the feeling unless you were there to experience it, Stevens said. I felt like I had made their day a lot better and decided they had made mine brighter too. For Wright, his reward was having the games run so smoothly. Things went very well, he said. There were minor pro- blems of course, beca use things don ' t always run exactly as they should. But if there was a reward, it was to know things were available for the people who needed them. For some athletes, their ' special ' performances didn ' t end at Northwest. Close to 40 Special Olympians went on to compete in May at the State competition. A smile here, hug there and perhaps even a ribbon. Olym- pians seemed happy and en- thusiastic about their perfor- mances. Volunteers profited too. There were so many rewards in working with the handicap- ped, Stevens said. They are one of the most loving and cheerful groups of people. -Bonnie Corrice Winning smile Achievement creates a winning smile on every Olympian ' s face. They are awarded ribbons for their ac- complishments in each event. Roger Bassi pins a first place ribbon on a Special Olympic competitor. -Photo by E. Bar- rera. Special Olympics 21

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Waiting Six hundred graduates gather before com- mencement ceremonies May 5. The tradi- tional procession into Lamkin Gymnasium formed along the Horace Mann sidewalk. -Photo by E. Barrera Advice Be happy, be smart and be yourself stresses Terry Noah during his graduation speech. Noah, 1984 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, was the key commencement speaker at the spring ceremonies. -Photo by E. Barrera Graduation 23