Message from Chancellor Shirley Lawler to Faculty and Staff
Greetings to all!
I hope your spring semester is winding down on a positive note. It is hard to believe that we are wrapping up this academic year. It seems like only yesterday we were helping students move into the Lofts on a hot August afternoon.
I had the pleasure this past Sunday of awarding 17 scholarships to the graduating class of West Plains High School. What a wonderful experience to see that outstanding group of young people complete their high school years and look forward to the future with excitement. I’m thrilled that many of those seniors will join us on the Missouri State-West Plains campus along with seniors from other area high schools. Many of our staff members have been going out several nights a week to deliver scholarships to various graduations and senior recognition nights across the region.
We have had a year packed full of activities, and I have enjoyed attending each and every one of those events. If your student organization is having an event during the summer months, please let us know about those activities, and we will be happy to attend if at all possible.
As the academic year draws to a close, I look forward to seeing all of you at commencement; we have over 250 associate’s degree graduates and over 50 bachelor’s and master’s degrees being awarded on May 18. It will be a great day to celebrate with our graduates!
The summer session and fall semester are right around the corner, and we will continue to focus on recruiting, advising and enrolling students. This effort is key to fulfilling our mission and even more so in a year when most, if not all, two-year institutions are projecting a decrease in enrollment. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work that has went into the recruitment and retention efforts so far this year. Let’s keep reaching out to current students who haven’t enrolled yet for the fall semester and prospective students who could benefit from one of our academic programs.
As always, please feel free to drop by and have a cup of coffee. I always enjoy having a discussion regarding your programs, your departments, and your vision for the future. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing summer. Perhaps I will see you at some of the upcoming events . . .
- May 13, Late Night Breakfast, 8 to 10 p.m., Grizzly Lofts Sole Cafe
- May 17, Commencement Practice, 1 p.m., West Plains Civic Center arena
- May 18, Commencement, 10 a.m., West Plains Civic Center arena
Always remember, what you do each day for students does make a difference.
Shirley Lawler