“Be bold” is a phrase Emilie Harrison tries to live out in her daily life. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Harrison balances her marketing and graphic design studies with sorority life, honors fraternities and planning the upcoming publication of a new campus fashion magazine. She also performs freelance graphic design work in her free-time.

However, when a close friend pushed her to enter the 2018 Be A Bear T-Shirt Contest, she knew she could make room in her busy schedule.  “I like every opportunity I can get to make myself more experienced and to learn. So I just did it immediately!” Harrison said.

After a month of brainstorming, Harrison finally found what she had been looking for. Harrison’s design is inspired by the family-like atmosphere of Missouri State University.

A design for Bears

The family atmosphere of Missouri State’s campus has been a part of Harrison since her freshman year. She knew she wanted this to be a part of her design. “Everyone is kind of like a family. Everyone is just genuinely nice to each other. I just wanted to emphasize that aspect of our school because it’s so special and unique,” Harrison said.

“I wanted to champion the uniqueness of the Missouri State spirit.”

When designing her T-shirt, Harrison used white words on a contrasting maroon background and proclaimed to readers, “Be bold” and “Be a bear.” Incorporating sleek and clean shapes and designs, Harrison wanted to represent the MSU experience. “It just makes you think about your individuality as a bear but also of your unity at the same time. I just wanted to champion that uniqueness of the Missouri State spirit.”

Be bold; be a bear.

The goal of the Be A Bear T-Shirt Contest is to raise money and awareness for the Emergency Scholarship Fund. As a student who attends Missouri State with the help of financial aid, Harrison recognizes the need for scholarships like the Emergency Scholarship Fund.

The Be A Bear T-Shirt Contest has already had an impact on Harrison. “It’s just a really neat, real-life opportunity. Especially being in school, you don’t get a whole lot of those opportunities.” She’s most excited to have a creative outlet to continue to grow as a graphic designer. “This is something that is my idea. It’s come from my brain, and it’s not something someone else wants me to do.”

If Harrison were to win the contest though and see her design on T-shirts all across campus, she would hardly be able to contain her excitement. “Honestly, I think I would get giddy every time I saw someone wearing it. I would feel kind of famous!”

About the Be a Bear T-Shirt Content

The Be a Bear T-Shirt Contest is a way MSU students can engage with the university and help their fellow students. Each year students submit their designs for consideration, and a committee of professionals and students chooses one as the final design. Proceeds from the T-shirt help support the Emergency Scholarship Fund.

This year three designs were chosen and now, it’s up to you, the student body to decide which one you want. Voting begins February 19 at 8 a.m. and will close at noon on Friday, February 23.