As I mentioned last week, this week is the annual Public Affairs Conference. I hope you will take some time to look at the schedule and attend some of the sessions.

Dr. Robert Ballard, this year’s featured speaker, will give his presentation tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Juanita K. Hammons Hall. Ballard is the explorer who discovered the wreckage of the Titanic in 1985. His presentation will give his personal account of that experience. No registration or tickets are required to attend.

Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame

On Friday evening we will induct this year’s class into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are Jean Carnahan, Peter Herschend, Lane McConnell, General John J. Pershing and Phyllis Washington.

Jean Carnahan was Missouri’s first lady and our first female U.S. Senator. She has been a life-long advocate for children and families.

Peter Herschend is co-founder and co-owner of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (formerly Silver Dollar City, Inc). An education champion, Herschend has been instrumental in promoting higher standards for Missouri’s public education system for more than two decades.

Lane McConnell founded the Farmers Market of the Ozarks. The market is home to more than 110 farmers and was named the number six farmers market in the country in 2015.

Gen. John J. Pershing, a native of Laclede, Missouri, led a distinguished military career culminating with his rank as General of the Armies. He is most recognized for his leadership during World War I.

Phyllis Washington is a former vice president of the Missouri State University Board of Governors. She began her career as an educator in 1968 in Kansas City. After just a few years as a teacher, she was named principal of E.F. Swinney Applied Learning Magnet, one of the first magnet schools in the Kansas City school district’s court-ordered desegregation plan.

The Public Affairs Hall of Fame induction ceremony is one of my favorite events of the year. It’s not too late to purchase tickets. I hope to see you there.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!