Recently we were visited by a KY-3 reporter who came to interview CASL Director Kathy Nordyke about the new summer Forsyth project our office is involved in. Check out the story here.

To provide a little background–Forsyth Mayor Ronald Potter approached Missouri State administrators this spring requesting assistance on the development of a new summer educational and recreational program for approximately 200 grade school students who qualify for the subsidized meal program. The half-day outreach/meal program will run several days a week, from July 9 to August 15 in Forsyth.

CASL will use a global education curriculum package designed by Heifer International in order to introduce children to different cultures around the world and to teach them about sustainable solutions toward ending poverty. This helps to meet the University’s Public Affairs mission for developing cultural competency and promoting inclusion and diversity. Learning activities will incorporate Geography, Music, Art, Science, Math, Civics, History, Language Arts, Reading, Recreation, and more. The program will be administered by Forsyth volunteers as well as members of Kappa Alpha, the oldest fraternity on MSU’s campus, who will assist with curriculum development. Local churches and service organizations in the Forsyth area are also supporting this program.

The goal is to expand the Forsyth program next summer in order to solidify relationships in outlying communities and to provide future service-learning opportunities for Missouri State students. Collaborative partners include MSU’s Alumni Association, the Office of Student Development & Public Affairs, Office of Student Affairs, International Services, and others.