Thursday, January 20, 2011

Ambassador to Angola discusses global issues on the campus of C-SC
Culver-Stockton College is proud to announce Ambassador to Angola Dan Mozena will be on campus Tuesday, February 1, 2011 to discuss global issues and current events. Mozena was appointed as ambassador to Angola in 2007. Through his work, Mozena has made developing and supporting U.S. policies to help southern Africa fight and win the war against HIV/AIDS, strengthening and improving governance, enhancing regional stability and promoting economic growth his highest priorities. While visiting Culver-Stockton College, Mozena will address key issues of U.S. foreign policy related to the developing world and can discuss the recent events surrounding the leak of cables through the website WikiLeaks.  Ambassador Mozena will take part in a forum beginning at 7 p.m. in Merillat Chapel inside the Robert W. Brown Performing Arts Center on the campus of Culver-Stockton. Members of the media are invited to attend the forum. A full schedule of events will follow. For more information on Ambassador Dan Mozena, log on to the U.S. Department of State website at www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/95595.htm.

C-SC BLE focuses on risk management and the economy
The Culver-Stockton College annual Business Leadership Exchange will feature Stephen J. Hall, C-SC graduate and managing director of AHM Financial Group, LLC.  Hall’s presentation, “The Current Economic Climate’s Impact on Risk Management Services,” will focus on the effect of the current economy on the finance industry and its clients. The presentation will be held Tuesday, January 25 at 11:30 a.m., in the Merillat Chapel inside the Robert W. Brown Performing Arts Center on the campus of Culver-Stockton College. Read more online.

C-SC students and faculty give back to school in Blue Creek, Belize
Dr. Lauren Schellenberger and Dr. Indiren Pillay, faculty leaders of the Belize and Guatemala Study Abroad course, issued a voluntary challenge to the 16 students enrolled in the course—to raise as much money as possible to purchase supplies for the elementary school in the Mayan village of Blue Creek, Belize. Blue Creek, Belize is located in the southernmost district of Belize, deep within the rainforest.  Culver-Stockton College students and faculty visited the Blue Creek Rainforest Preserve as part of their 12-day course to study tropical ecology. Students were organized into teams and competed to raise the most money by collecting donations from college and community members as well as friends of the college. Their efforts, which included selling handmade bracelets and collecting money at the four-way stop in downtown Canton, yielded nearly $1,000.  With these funds, classroom supplies such as pencils, crayons, scissors, notebooks, printer supplies, and even a laptop computer were purchased.  “The students’ efforts far exceeded my expectations. This speaks volumes about their character, and it illustrates the fact that our students are ready, willing, and able to make a difference not only locally, but also globally,” said Dr. Schellenberger. Dr. Pillay added, "I am extremely proud of the effort our adventurers made in raising funds for the school.  It was also a wonderful opportunity for all of us - students and faculty- to begin an ongoing relationship with the students and teachers of the Blue Creek School that will last well beyond this study abroad course." On December 6, students and faculty delivered the laptop computer and 100 pounds of school supplies to the Blue Creek School. They were even invited back to play games and talk more with the students at the end of the school day.  “We want our students to understand the importance of leaving a positive impact on the communities we visit while abroad.  Providing school supplies for the children of Blue Creek is a good way to help our students make a real connection with the people of Belize,” said Dr. Schellenberger. Mark Porter, a senior nursing major from Kohler, Wisconsin, added, “The experience was very rewarding. Being able to bring what we would call 'simple' school items and watching the joy that filled both the children's and faculty's hearts was awesome. It really makes me appreciate every small thing in my life.” The Belize and Guatemala Study Abroad course focused on tropical rainforest ecology and marine biology. The course started with an exploration of the Mayan ruins of Tikal in Guatemala. Students and faculty then spent three days at a remote and rustic field station in the Maya Mountains of southern Belize learning about the rainforest from Mayan guides. Finally, they spent five days studying marine biology and ecology at a field station located along the world’s second largest barrier reef off the coast of Belize.

Eight students named to Missouri All-Collegiate Choir
Culver-Stockton College is proud to announce eight students have been named to the Missouri All-Collegiate Choir. Madelyn Person, junior business major from Belton, Mo.; Hannah Kauffmann, sophomore music education major from Festus, Mo.; Kacey Kennedy, junior music education major from O’Fallon, Mo.; Kristen Knupp, junior psychology major from Wyaconda, Mo.; Joseph Burbach, senior theatre major from Grant City, Mo.; Rylan Swank, freshman music education major from St. Joseph, Mo.; Matthew Deardorff, senior music education major from Versailles, Ill.; and Josh Kollitz, sophomore music major from Grant City, Mo., were selected to perform as members of the All-Collegiate Choir. The All-Collegiate Choir will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association convention held Jan. 26 through 29 in Osage Beach, Mo. Read more online.

Culver-Stockton Tabs Michael Prunty as Next Men’s Soccer Coach
Michael Prunty has been named Culver-Stockton College’s fifth men’s soccer coach as announced by Athletic Director Greg McVey today. He succeeds Stephen Peck, who directed the program to a 7-26-1 overall record the past two seasons. Prunty recently completed his only season as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Prunty, a native of Adel, Iowa, was active in all facets of the program and assisted in recruiting, practice planning and leading weekly strength and conditioning sessions for both the men and women’s programs. “I am very excited about the opportunity to lead the Wildcat men’s soccer program,” said Prunty. “This is an exciting time at Culver-Stockton College and very honored to be a part of this exceptional community.” Prunty was previously an assistant men’s soccer coach at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, for two seasons. In 2008, Prunty helped lead the Bees to the NAIA National Tournament and a No. 4 seed in the country. While in Davenport, he co-founded and was the lead coach for Black Select Soccer Club and trained teams with Quad Cities United and the Eastern Iowa Soccer Association. His Black Select teams competed in showcases and tournaments across the Midwest. Prior to coaching at St. Ambrose, Prunty was a staff trainer and team coach at Colorado United, one of the largest clubs in Denver, Colo. He was team coach for the U11 boys and a staff trainer for the U16 boys, U17 boys, and U17-U18 girls. He also conducted private training sessions for several club members. Prunty has additional coaching experience coaching in Central Iowa. He was team coach and academy trainer for Vision Soccer Academy. He also assisted with high school programs in Winterset and Waukee, Iowa.  A 2004 graduate of Simpson, Prunty was a starter for the Storm soccer program. He graduated in a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2004, and received his master’s of education degree from St. Ambrose University. Prunty also has the NSCAA Premiere Diploma and is an associate staff member for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Dates set for Culver-Stockton College full-tuition scholarship competition
Culver-Stockton College will offer qualifying students the opportunity to compete for a full-tuition scholarship during the annual Pillars for Excellence Scholarship Competition. The competition is by invitation only and will be held Saturday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011. The Pillars for Excellence Scholarship is a full-tuition merit award, which may be renewed for four years. All Pillars for Excellence competition participants receive some scholarship funding and are invited to join the Culver-Stockton College Honors Program. If you are eligible and you would like to compete, sign-up online by Jan. 28, 2011 at www.culver.edu/pillars. Read more online.