Celebrating public affairs leadership

One of the highlights of each year at Missouri State University and in Springfield is the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame, where we honor individuals who embody our statewide public affairs mission. This year, we’ll celebrate three remarkable inductees:

• Shawn Askinosie, chocolatier and sustainable farming advocate
• Marie Carmichael, longtime educator and developer
• Rose O’Neill, America’s first published female cartoonist and creator of the Kewpies

Their lives reflect the essence of our public affairs pillars: ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. Each has left an indelible mark through service, creativity and perseverance. Thank you to our selection committee and everyone who has helped in highlighting these special individuals.

I invite you to join us at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 at The Old Glass Place in Springfield for the induction ceremony and banquet. It’ll be a powerful evening of storytelling and inspiration.

Helping students thrive

We know that hunger can be a hidden barrier to student success. That’s why I’m especially proud of our new Bears Share program. The program connects students with leftover food from campus meetings and events. When an event ends, organizers can quickly notify students, who then have the opportunity to pick up a serving.

The program is being piloted with students currently enrolled in the Bear Pantry, with the goal of expanding as it develops. Students interested in signing up can do so through the Bear Pantry.

The brainchild of Teri Trickey and a group of dedicated staff and faculty, Bears Share is possible thanks to their leadership and our partnership with Chartwells. By reducing food waste and ensuring students have access to hot meals, this initiative is a simple but impactful way we can live out our public affairs mission and build a stronger community of care.

National recognition in cybersecurity

I’m also thrilled to share that Missouri State has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2030. This recognition, awarded by the National Security Agency, affirms the strength of our information technology and cybersecurity department.

This achievement was made possible through the leadership of Dr. David Meinert, Dr. Lawrence Yang and Dr. Xiang Guo, with support from colleagues across campus. It demonstrates the collaborative spirit that makes our university strong and positions us as a leader in preparing students for critical roles in protecting our nation’s digital infrastructure.

Thank you for making Missouri State a special place

Last week was a busy time on campus. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and administrators volunteered their time to put on two big events.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make Party in the CUSA such a success. From food trucks and games to a pep rally and movie on the field, it was a fantastic way to celebrate our move into Conference USA and the start of our first FBS season. I’m especially grateful to the many staff, students and community volunteers who made the evening possible and created a welcoming, fun atmosphere for all.

Finally, thank you to everyone who participated in House Calls last week. Nearly 100 faculty, staff and administrators joined our resident assistants in visiting with students living on campus. Together, we welcomed them to Missouri State, answered their questions and made sure they knew about the many resources available to support their success.

House Calls has become a wonderful tradition at our university — one that allows us to connect personally with students early in the semester and remind them they’re part of a caring community. I truly appreciate everyone who gave their time to make our students feel at home.

Thanks for checking in. It’s a great day to be a Bear!

Biff