Celebrating 111 years of Missouri State University

March 17, 2016 marks the 111th anniversary of the founding of State Normal School #4, which later became Missouri State University!

In celebration of this milestone, the R.E.A.L. Bears student organization in hosting a series of festive events.

Key details

What: MSU’s 111th Birthday
When: March 17, 2016
Where: Missouri State University campus
Who: MSU community members are encouraged to participate
How: Make a difference, give back and celebrate Missouri State

• Make a difference: Be a #CitizenBear and donate items for children’s birthday parties to Springfield nonprofit Wish I May.
• Give back: Show your Missouri State pride and support students in need by purchasing the inaugural Be a Bear T-Shirt.
• Celebrate: Learn about Missouri State history and celebrate the opportunity to be a Bear.

Make your post social media savvy

Below you’ll find suggested social media language and graphics to help spread the word about the 111th birthday.

• Tag your post with the official 111th birthday hashtag: #BirthdayBears
• Whenever possible tag Missouri State University or @missouristate
• When applicable, tag R.E.A.L. Bears or @REAL_Bears_MSU
• When applicable, tag Wish I May or @WishIMayforKids
• If applicable, tag the post with the Springfield, Missouri, hashtag: #SGF
• If you would like to provide a link for more information use http://www.missouristate.edu/birthdaybears/
• When you attend an event, share a photo or quote about the great time you’re having!

Visual assets

Sample social media posts

Best practices

How to tweet and make a Facebook post.

Sample tweets

• Join fellow Bears in celebrating @MissouriState’s 111th birthday! #BirthdayBears #SGF http://bit.ly/BdayBears16 [Insert a photo of your choice]
• Help make kids’ birthday parties possible by donating items to @WishIMayforKids! #BirthdayBears #CitizenBear http://bit.ly/WishIMay
• #GoMaroon, support students in emergency situations w/ the Be a Bear T-Shirt: http://bit.ly/BeABear #BirthdayBears [Insert the T-shirt photo]

Sample Facebook posts

Facebook event:

Join Missouri State’s Birthday Party: https://www.facebook.com/events/580819748747090

Post 1:

Caption: Life is sweet when you’re a Bear! Happy 111th birthday, Missouri State University! http://bit.ly/BdayBears16 #BirthdayBears

Post 2:

Caption: Purchase the first Be a Bear T-shirt to show your Missouri State spirit and support students in need through the Emergency Scholarship Fund: http://bit.ly/BeABear #BirthdayBears

Post 3:

Caption: Join fellow Bears in celebrating 111 years of Missouri State University! http://bit.ly/BdayBears16 #BirthdayBears