DOZENS OF STUDENTS, faculty, staff and community members celebrated the grand reopening of Missouri State University-West Plains’ Putnam Student Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house Tuesday, Aug. 31.

The center, located at 127 1/2 Jefferson Ave., was renovated during the summer to repair damages caused by the 2009 ice storm and to make the center more student friendly.  It houses the campus’ cafeteria and food services office, a student game room, an internet cafe and computer lab, and the office of student life and development.  A portion of the center was donated to the university in 1986 by the late Dr. D. J. and Grace Putnam of West Plains to serve as a bookstore and student center; members of the family, including their daughter Rosalie Putnam of Branson, were in attendance.  The university acquired the remainder of the facility in 1993.  With the ribbon are, from left, West Plains Mayor Joe Evans; West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Judy Ingalsbe; Missouri State-West Plains Director of Development Elizabeth Grisham; Chamber Ambassador Jennifer Doss; Student Life and Development Coordinator Rogers Taylor; Food Services Manager Mozella Jett; Chancellor Drew Bennett; Rosalie Putnam’s daughter-in-law Jennifer Kapp, holding daughter Jolie Rose; Rosalie Putnam, holding grandson Jadon Kapp; Chamber Ambassador Diana Brown; and Chamber Executive Assistant Courtney Judd.  (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)