Maria Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic Archives

Missouri State University’s Paws to the Polls (PTTP) organization has stayed busy with its voter education and engagement activities, as the election year has seen an increase in campaigns and voter interest.

Campus voter fair a big success

On Feb. 15, PTTP welcomed Representative Melanie Stinnett (R) of District 133 to meet with them on campus. The group discussed voting access and how legislators can work together across the aisle in Jefferson City.

The meeting was a precursor to PTTP’s voting fair, which it hosted on the Missouri State campus March 5 to bring attention to the April municipal election.

Over 400 students and 16 campus offices and organizations participated in the fair to demonstrate how they engage with the campus and the larger community.

Food, fun and voting facts

Young man standing with two mascots — Student Government Association cabinet member Jace Rather with Big Dill and Bill. Photo credit: Oliver Hart.

Joining the fair were the League of Women Voters, the Informed Voter Coalition and Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller.

The League and the County Clerk’s office registered students to vote and answered voting-related questions.

Schoeller and his team also brought voting equipment so students could use the machines and become acquainted with the voting process.

Along with providing important voter information, PTTP ensured there was plenty of food and fun for participants.

Pickleman’s Gourmet Café provided free cookies, while PTTP provided pizza. Meanwhile, participants enjoyed a photo booth where they could get their pictures taken with Boomer the Bear, Schoolhouse Rock’s Bill and Pickleman’s Big Dill.

Attendees also played voting and trivia games for prizes and decorated their PTTP shirts at a tie-dye booth.

PTTP will host another voter fair in October ahead of the 2024 general election. [Read more…] about Paws to the Polls continues busy spring

The next generation of designers and illustrators

The Design and Image Exhibition gives emerging artists and designers throughout the BFA in Design program an opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional venue.

“This exhibition is a long-standing tradition in the department,” said Vonda Yarberry, head of the Department of Art and Design. “It is curated as the ‘best works’ from all design and illustration classes from sophomore to senior level students.”

The event, curated by design faculty Maria Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic and Jacek Fraczak and artists-in-residence Balazs Faa and Ola Wiecierzewska, allows visitors to explore projects and topics of interest to current students and celebrate the next generation of designers and illustrators.

“It’s a great show, one of our biggest of the year,” Yarberry added.

Brick City Gallery is located at 215 W Mill St, Springfield, Missouri. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 417-836-6794 for more details.