Education | West Plains Daily Quill

Marissa Ayers, right, a senior at Couch High School, was one of 30 students selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship as part of the Missouri STEM Signing Day. She will be attending Missouri State University-West Plains this fall. With her at the event is MSU-WP Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Orf.

MSU-WP student receives scholarship during Missouri STEM Signing Day

Marissa Ayers, a senior at Couch High School in Myrtle who will be attending Missouri State University-West Plains this fall, was one of 30 students selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship as part of the Missouri STEM Signing Day. more

5/13/24

The Willow Springs High School graduating Class of 2024

Willow Springs High School Class of 2024 graduates

Willow Springs High School’s Class of 2024 celebrated graduation exercises Saturday. more

5/9/24

West Plains R-7 welcomes new band director

The Zizzer Pride Band has a new leader. more

5/9/24

250 students to receive degrees, certificates at MSU-WP Commencement on Saturday

A total of 250 students will be candidates for graduation from Missouri State University-West Plains during the 2024 commencement ceremony Saturday at the West Plains Civic Center. more

5/8/24

Alton Elementary School art students had a massive display recently showcasing their talents, put together by art teacher Annie Whitten. The show has been held annually for several years, but this was the second year a theme was chosen. This year was "Under The Sea," and featured two-dimensional and three-dimensional art from preschool through fifth grade students. This large piece, made to look like a coral reef, was constructed with recycled and upcycled materials like cardboard packaging and tubes, painted dry pasta pieces and stacked paper cups, plus conventional materials like paper mache and pipe cleaners. It was the centerpiece placed near the entrance, and enhanced by special lighting to make it look as if it was underwater and glowing.

Winners of Alton Elementary School 'Under the Sea' art show announced

ALTON — Winners in Alton Elementary School’s recent "Under the Sea" themed art show are among entries from 280 students. The event showcased the work of all students in the school and was part of an elaborate and colorful display by art teacher Annie Whitten that filled the halls of the school and ended with an awards ceremony. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 5/7/24

S.T.A.R. Orientation dates set for new students registering for summer session, fall semester classes

New students planning to enroll in 2024 summer session and/or fall semester classes at Missouri State University-West Plains can sign up now for the university’s STudent Advising and Registration (S.T.A.R.) Orientation. more

5/2/24

Members of the Friends of the Garnett Library at Missouri State University-West Plains hosted a chili supper March 15, which raised $700 to support initiatives at the Garnett Library. Dave Hale, franchisee of the Wendy’s restaurant in West Plains, donated the chili for the event. More than 65 area residents enjoyed the hearty meal and participated in several lively rounds of bingo. University officials thanked the event’s volunteers, including cochairs Kay Garrett and Carol Silvey. From left: Friends members Eleanor Kambouris, Paula Sharp, Karen Davis, Tiffany James-Young and Garrett; Hale and his daughter Sophie; and Friends members Pat Smith and Silvey.

Chili supper raises $700 for Garnett Library

4/27/24

MSU-WP Calendar of events

Below are several upcoming events at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), many of which are open to the community. Feel free to clip this calendar and keep it for your reference to make sure you don’t miss any events that might interest you. Also listed are several important dates on the university’s calendar that area residents might want to keep in mind. more

4/27/24

Officials of the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains welcomed nearly 60 visitors to the center’s open house celebration April 2 in the Garnett Library. Those who attended were excited to view the center’s archives and learn more about its mission, said officials. “The grand opening went extremely well,” said Rebekah McKinney, director of library services at the Garnett Library and a member of the OHRC advisory board. “People were looking at the items in our collection, and they were excited that we had past issues of the West Plains Daily Quill for viewing. Former Quill correspondent Denise Henderson Vaughn was delighted to hear that we had the Quill negatives from 1959-2003.” The center, which houses an archive of materials related to the south-central and southeast Missouri Ozarks, is open any time the Garnett Library is open for researchers, regional history enthusiasts, students and other community members to view. From left are OHRC board members Anthony Priest and Dr. Jason McCollom; artist Farley Lewis of Springfield, whose mural of a wagon crossing an Ozarks creek hangs in the center; OHRC board members Chuck Kimberlin and Kathleen Morrissey; MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster; McKinney; and OHRC board member Neva Parrott.

Ozarks Heritage Research Center celebrates open house

4/26/24

MSU Outreach to offer 2 new education degrees at MSU-WP

Area educators interested in learning how to hone their teaching skills or prepare for leadership roles among their peers are encouraged to enroll in two new degrees being offered locally by Missouri State University’s Outreach office on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus. more

4/26/24

R-7 now enrolling for summer school classes

As the 2023-2024 academic year draws to a close, note West Plains R-7 School District officials, it's time for parents to “start planning your summer adventures,” and among them is the option for students to participate in summer school programs at West Plains Elementary, Middle and High schools. more

4/16/24

“Throughout the West Plains R-VII School District, educators tirelessly nurture and inspire students of every age,” shared district Communications Director Lana Snodgras in a recent announcement naming the 2024 finalists for Educator of the Year. “From parents to students, colleagues to community members, we've reached out to gather stories of the teachers who have truly made a positive impact. After careful consideration, we've distilled these nominations into our top six finalists.” Early this month, each finalist was surprised by district officials as they presented the educators with the title of Building Level Educator of the Year, Snodgras explained, adding, “Yet, the top recognition awaits as we prepare to select the District Level Educator of the Year from this exceptional group.” All six will be celebrated during a district faculty and staff awards banquet to be held May 16. Those named are West Plains Elementary RTI teacher Adriane Wooderson, Zizzer Pride Academy teacher Tonya Davis, Southern Missouri Technical Institute auto technology teacher Wayne Hansen, West Plains Middle School sixth grade teacher Korrie Vance, South Fork Elementary second grade teacher Nichole Riggs and West Plains High School person finance teacher Sandra Roberts.

R-7 names Building Level Educators of the Year

4/16/24

MSU-WP Alumni, Friends Picnic is May 2; all invited

Officials with the Missouri State University-West Plains office of advancement and the MSU Foundation invite alumni, friends and community members to the annual Alumni & Friends Picnic May 2 in the exhibit hall at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. more

4/16/24

WP Education Foundation launches fundraiser giveaway with business support

A fundraiser supporting classroom innovation grants from the West Plains Education Foundation has been launched, offering an opportunity to enter for a chance to win $5,000 in cash. more

4/16/24

Snodgras honored with state PR award

Lana Snodgras, director of communications for West Plains R-7 School District, has been recognized with a state public relations award by the Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA). more

4/12/24

Dr. Wesley Davis, West Plains R-7 School District superintendent, was recently celebrated by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) for 25 years of dedicated service in educational administration. “Over the last 25 years, Dr. Davis has exemplified excellence, serving in various capacities that include 19 years at the district administration level and six years as a building principal,” shared R-7 District Communications Director Lana Snodgras. Davis served as the superintendent of schools in the Greenfield School District and Cabool School District prior to assuming his current role with the West Plains School District. The recognition of Dr. Davis' commitment to education took place at the awards banquet during the MASA Spring Conference, held March 20 at Lake Ozark. “We extend our gratitude to Dr. Davis for his leadership and dedicated service to our students, staff and community,” added Snodgras.

R-7 superintendent recognized for 25 years in education administration

4/10/24

A hands on experience is needed to learn agricultural operations, and that's just what is promised by the Missouri State University-West Plains agriculture program, which got a recent boost from Dr. Linda Wulff-Risner. Wulff-Risner is a professor of agriculture and the owner of Risner Stables. She made the recent decision to gift the 40 acre facility to the university, to assist in the growth of the agriculture program. Classes have been held there for some time, and plant sciences student Irvin Johnson is shown repairing an electric fence that was damaged by deer running into it.

Chancellor: Impact of ag professor's 40-acre gift to MSU-WP 'inestimable'

The Missouri State University-West Plains campus recently expanded by about 40 acres, thanks to a generous gift from Dr. Linda Wulff-Risner, a professor of agriculture there for about 30 years. The donation of her property, Risner Stables, will allow the university to expand its agriculture program as part of the matching portion of a MoExcels grant applied for through the Missouri Department of Higher Education. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 4/4/24

Officials with MFA Oil recently awarded a $2,000 grant to Missouri State University-West Plains to support the university’s agriculture program. University officials said the money will be used to purchase simulation equipment for the animal science program to provide hands-on training opportunities for students. University officials thanked Debbie Branson, director of foundation relations with the Missouri State University Foundation in Springfield, for securing the grant for the campus. On hand for the presentation were, from left, MFA Oil delegate Randy Pace, MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster, Director of Development and Annual Giving Rachel Peterson, Dean of Career and Technical Education Cathy Boys, Professor of Agriculture Dr. Linda Wulff-Risner, MFA Oil West Plains Plant Manager Matt Warren, Southeast District Manager Trevor Honeycutt, MSU-WP Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Orf and MFA Oil Southeast District Operations Manager MG Behrend.

MFA Oil awards $2K grant to MSU-WP for ag program

3/23/24

Sheila Barton, center, director or workforce development programs at Missouri State University-West Plains, retired from her position March 1 after 10 years of service. Barton was hired Feb. 12, 2014, as the project manager for the university’s education and training programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. On July 1, 2019, she was named director of workforce development programs. Barton received a certificate noting her years of service and a piano arch mantle clock from MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster, left. With them is Cathy Boys, dean of career and technical education.

Barton retires from MSU-WP after 10 years

3/23/24

‘Astronomy in Ozark Heritage’ theme of 3rd annual Academic Symposium

“Astronomy in Ozark Heritage” is the theme of the third annual Academic Symposium at Missouri State University-West Plains, set for May 2 at the West Plains Civic Center. more

3/23/24