Officials with the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will host a presentation about “The First Americans” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the OHRC.
The center is inside MSU-WP’s Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St., in West Plains.
Carol Silvey, emeritus professor of history at MSU-WP, will discuss the history of the “first” Americans, how they reached the continent approximately 12,000 B.C. She will delve into their language groups and how it developed as it spread across the land.
She also will discuss the Native Americans of the 1700s and 1800s and their impact on what became the United States of America.
More about Silvey
Silvey joined the university staff on Sept. 1, 1968, as a history instructor. She remained in the classroom until August 1994 when her nine-month faculty appointment changed to a 12-month administrative appointment upon being named director of development for the local campus.
While a faculty member, she was promoted to assistant professor of history in August 1979 and associate professor of history in August 1988.
In April 2017, she was appointed to a six-year term on the Missouri State University Board of Governors. During that time she served as both vice chairman and chairman of the board.
In October 2012, she became the first staff member from MSU-WP selected for the MSU Wall of Fame. The award recognizes and honors employees who have excelled at Missouri State and significantly contributed to the success and positive collegiate experience of students.
Silvey received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Southwest Missouri State College, now Missouri State University, in 1964 and her masterʼs degree in education from the University of Missouri in 1968. She also has done post-graduate work at the University of Missouri.
The presentation is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information about the event, contact Rebekah McKinney at 417-255-7949 or RebekahMcKinney@MissouriState.edu.