WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Organizers say they are finalizing plans for Missouri State University-West Plains’ 50th anniversary reunion and concert Feb. 15 at the West Plains Civic Center.
The event will begin with a social hour featuring light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by a concert featuring a nationally known band with local ties, Ha Ha Tonka, at 8 p.m.
In addition, those attending could win one of the 50 prizes being given away during the evening or a grand prize that will be awarded right before the band takes the stage, according to Joe Kammerer, director of development.
“We’re expecting a large turnout for this momentous occasion. We’ve invited friends, alumni, past faculty and staff and former chancellors to attend,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with former student leaders whom I haven’t seen in a long time,” Student Life and Development Coordinator Rogers Taylor added.
The reception area for the reunion will feature special “decade tables” decorated with pictures and memorabilia from each of the five decades the campus has been in operation, Kammerer said. “The tables will be a focal point for groups to reunite, reminisce and share stories,” he explained.
Area residents who have photos, university memorabilia or other items representative of one of the five decades and would like to share them with the university to decorate the “decade tables” can contact Kammerer at 417-255-7240.
Kammerer said a limited number of tickets for the Grizzly Basketball team’s Feb. 16 homecoming game against Region 16 rival Three Rivers Community College also will be available for purchase at the reunion and concert. The annual homecoming game usually sells out, he added, so the tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
Although special invitations have been issued to former students, faculty and staff, everyone is welcome to attend the reunion and concert, Kammerer said. Tickets are $5 each and available through the civic center box office, 110 St. Louis St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays; call 417-256-8123 to order by phone. Or, tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster.com.
The reunion and concert will kick off a year-long celebration by university officials marking the campus’ 50 years of providing post-secondary educational opportunities to south-central Missouri. Several other 50th anniversary-themed activities and events are already on the 2013 calendar, including a 50th anniversary gala dinner and fundraiser Sept. 12 at the civic center and an anniversary celebration Sept. 16 at the Smith-London Centennial Bell Tower on Franklin Street just west of the Lybyer Technology Center. The latter will include a short ceremony, picnic and historic 50th anniversary photo. In addition, many other events held annually at the university will have a 50th anniversary theme, Kammerer said.
For more information about Missouri State University-West Plains’ 50th anniversary celebrations and events, call the development office at 417-255-7240 or e-mail WPDevelopment@MissouriState.edu.