I want to welcome our new and returning students, faculty and staff to campus as we start a new school year. Please mark your calendars to participate in the many activities throughout campus that mark the beginning of the fall semester.

Giving faculty tools to succeed in the classroom

The 31st Showcase on Teaching and Learning is this Wednesday in the Plaster Student Union. Highlights include keynote presentations titled Universal Design for Learning That You Can Do Today and Inclusion of Diversity at Missouri State University. You can find more information on the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning website.

On Thursday, the office of the provost will host the annual All Faculty Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the PSU Ballroom. I will make brief remarks at the luncheon. My presentation will focus on the university’s student success initiative, including efforts to help students complete their degree programs and efforts to enhance the rigor and quality of our academic programs.

Join the fun of Welcome Weekend

Move in begins for most students at 8 a.m. on Friday. We have a tradition of having Bear Crew teams of faculty and staff at the residence halls to help students and their families carry their belongings to their rooms. If you have registered to be part of this year’s Bear Crew, please plan to come out and join us. If you have not registered but still want to help, please contact Gail Andrews at 417-836-4779.

Following move in, we have a number of events for our new and returning students on Welcome Weekend. Faculty and staff are welcome (and encouraged) to attend. These events include a See You Later Brunch at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the dining centers, New Student Convocation at 2 p.m. on Sunday in JQH Arena, and the New Student Festival at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Plaster Student Union.  You can find a full schedule of Welcome Weekend events on the webpage.

Please also join me at the Pride Marching Band’s annual Concert-On-The-Green at 7 p.m. on Sunday night in Plaster Stadium. The band will give us a sneak peak of some of the music the marching band will be using throughout the fall season. Please come out and support the Pride Bands and their new director, Dr. Brad Snow.

Get to know our students

Finally, this year’s Residence Hall House Calls will be at 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 31. During House Calls, faculty and staff reach out to residence hall students and give them an opportunity to interact with faculty, staff and administrators on a more personal level. By visiting individual rooms in the residence halls, volunteers welcome students, help determine if they need any assistance, and answer any questions they may have. I participate in House Calls each year, and I would encourage each of you to participate as well. You can sign up for House Calls by completing the online form.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!