This year the Marketing Department has had a major impact on the Springfield and Moore, Okla., communities. The MSU Marketing Club held its third annual car show to benefit Convoy of Hope in April and Dr. Ron Clark mobilized quickly to create t-shirts to benefit those affected by a tornado in Moore, Okla., in May.

The MSU Marketing Club — consisting of about 30 students — planned, coordinated and executed the 3rd annual Marketing Club Car Show to Benefit Convoy of Hope on April 20. The purpose of the show is threefold: 1) to give Marketing Club members hands-on experience planning and marketing a large-scale event, 2) to bring car enthusiasts from the Ozarks to campus to experience MSU’s public affairs mission in action, and 3) to raise money for a local organization, Convoy of Hope, which mobilizes relief in the wake of major natural disasters in the U.S. and abroad.

Marketing Club students secured sponsors to cover the operating costs of the car show logistics.  This year’s sponsors included: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Springfield’s Perfect Tint, 104.7 The Cave, WiseGuys Screen Print, Bistro Market, 104.7 The Cave, BWI Sanitation, Qdoba, Taco Bell, Bohannon Auto Services, Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar, Bambino’s Restaurant, Majestic Mobile Auto Detailing, Koriya Healthy Fresh Kitchen, Student Book Exchange, BJ’s Trophy Shop and Alexandria Marketing Research Group. About 90 classic, muscle and exotic cars were featured at the show. The event showcased Convoy of Hope’s Mobile Command Center, which was later sent to the Moore, Okla., relief effort. The event raised $4,000 for Convoy of Hope. Marketing Club students also volunteered with Convoy of Hope to give more than money.

Dr. Ron Clark, assistant professor of marketing, serves as the co-advisor of the MSU Marketing Club, along with Dr. Alex Hamwi, assistant professor of marketing.

Clark first got the idea to create an MSU t-shirt to raise money for tornado victims in May 2011, following the Joplin tornado.  On May 22, 2011 Clark was watching the Weather Channel to get information about the storm system heading toward Springfield.  He tuned in just in time to see the images of the Joplin tornado damage at St. John’s Regional Medical Center.  At that moment he felt compelled to help, but knew only first responders were allowed in the area.  Knowing devastation in Joplin was massive and the community needed help, Clark wanted to help “rally our Maroon Nation.”

That day, he called former student Chandler Hoovens and his father, Jim Hoovens of WiseGuy Printing, and worked with them on the Marketing Club Car show T-shirts. The first batch of “Bear Hugs for Joplin” t-shirts raised more $7,000 for the Joplin victims.  “We split the checks between the American Red Cross and Convoy of Hope.  When we presented the Convoy of Hope check to them, they gave us a tour of their Springfield facility, and we came to realize what a great organization they truly are.  When the Moore, Okla., disaster happened, it was deja vu. Once again, I called Chandler, but this time we knew who to contact and we had a great partner in Convoy of Hope.  We focused on tying our product to Convoy’s ‘Help Moore’ program,” Clark says.  The first batch of “Bear Hugs to Help Moore” shirts have already raised more than $4,000.  Shirts can be purchased at the MSU Bookstore in person or online at http://t.co/vodvAuxqDR for $15.