During Homecoming 2013, the College of Arts and Letters has invited alumni back to campus to speak to current students, their family, alumni, faculty and staff about how the arts and letters have impacted their lives and how Missouri State University laid the foundation they needed for success.

One of the panels this year, Building Community – How the Arts and Letters Help Build Stronger Communities, will feature three alumni from COAL sharing their experiences as professionals after their time at MSU. Katie McElfresh (now Katie Buford), is an art history major, looking forward to reliving the sense of community that Homecoming brings.

McElfresh graduated with her B.A. in Art History in 2011 and now works in Nixa as the city recreation specialist in charge of summer camp art and art history programs. McElfresh was nominated by the art history professors in the department of art and design, to share more about her involvement in the community.

“Being a part of a new Homecoming tradition is a great honor. Being able to help others follow their passion and succeed in the ‘real world’ means a lot to me. I would have loved the opportunity to ask questions and hear from alumni who have made the decisions new and current students face,” said McElfresh.

Hear more about her experiences in art history and how she is helping to build a stronger community during the panel discussion at noon on Saturday, Oct. 19, in the Coger Theatre.