A Letter from Adrianne Burns, Director of University Advancement
At Missouri State, students can improve their college experience and create endless memories that they can carry with them long after graduation. This can be done through school spirit!
This simple yet effective concept is often overlooked at Missouri State but can become the difference between just being at a school and being at our school. Through school spirit, students can be a part of something exciting and unique. As Missouri State Bears, we should work to promote our university and ensure its betterment for future students.
School spirit is important because it sets the tone for various aspects of the school and its students. When the student body is involved in events on and off campus, it demonstrates a passion for Bear Pride that is immeasurable and contagious. I believe that school spirit translates into higher expectations of one’s self and surroundings, pushing for positive changes at the university and abroad.
There are several ways you can show your Bear Pride at Missouri State: wear your Bear Wear or Maroon every Friday, attend a sporting event, tailgate for events, support campus wide competitions, and involve yourself in events such as Homecoming. Engaging in these simple actions is great for our school because it encourages a common bond between fellow students, faculty, and staff alike.
The Student Government Association is also working hard to promote Bear Pride through numerous projects and initiatives. Such projects include improving student seating at the Plaster football stadium, bringing replica athletic jerseys to the University Bookstore, and promoting Boomer and Growl in the Springfield field area and beyond. We’re also working to promote Missouri State to potential students by creating a Top Ten Reasons list of why students attend Missouri State, coordinating new recruitment efforts among academic departments, and establishing traditions at Missouri State that students can look forward to taking part in.
In addition, The Missouri State Alumni Association also welcomes student support and participation in their efforts to continue the school spirit momentum beyond graduation. By sharing student stories of school pride and of current successes in sports, clubs, organizations, and in the classroom, we may foster the nostalgia felt by alumni for their beloved alma mater. To be an Alumni of Missouri State is a special experience because you have the unique opportunity to give back to our university through contributions to our Foundation as well as serving as an example of how Missouri State has been vital to your success.
I encourage students to show their love for Missouri State every single day, because it truly is wonderful to be a Bear.