Brown Bag luncheon presentation focuses on different kind of Mardi Gras

The next Brown Bag Luncheon has been scheduled for noon Friday.

Jude Meche will present, “A Different Kind of Mardi Gras: Les Courirs des Mardi Gras des petites villes d’Acadiana.”

The presentation will be held in the Billingsly Student Center Room 310.

Lunch is free and provided.

The next Brown Bag Luncheon will be Feb. 24 and presented by Susan Craig and Kathy Feith.

For more information and questions, contact Betsy Griffin at 625-9555.

College Goal Sunday schedule allows students to find help with financial aid

The Lumina Foundation is sponsoring the College Goal Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Cornell Auditorium.

This is a national program which was created to inform and assist students with gathering financial aid information and filling out the FAFSA application online.

The program is open to any seeking help with their financial aid.

Students should bring, Social Security number (can be found on Social Security card), Driver’s license (if any), 2005 W-2 forms and other records of money earned, 2005 untaxed income records, Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records, 2005 bank statements, 2005 business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment record, an alien registration card (if one is not a U.S. citizen).

Forms for outstanding student nominations now being accepted

Nominations for the Outstanding Student Award are now being accepted. Nomination forms will be sent to each department. However, forms can be found online at the alumni office’s Web site.

A letter of recommendation must accompany all applications. The letters will provide information not obtainable by other forms. In addition to this form, the student will be contacted for more information on academics, involvement and leadership.

Applications are due back to the alumni office by 3 p.m. Monday. Questions should be directed to Deb Gipson at 625-9673.

Plans underway for 14th-annual Langston Hughes local celebration

Plans are underway for the 14th annual Langston Hughes celebration at Southern. At 7 p.m. Feb. 24 in Webster Hall auditorium, Carmaletta Williams will present a night of music, poetry and new insight into the life of Hughes. Williams is the author of a book on Hughes used in the classroom. She has also monitored poetry circles and performed the roles of characters in Hughes’ works.

The event is free to the public.

Alumni Association seeks help searching for former JuCo players

Special activities will be performed to recognize the former players of all sports on Feb. 18, when the men’s and women’s basketball teams host Truman State University.

During the day, all former players, coaches, trainers, cheerleaders and support staff members from the former Joplin Junior College and the Jasper County Junior College will be recognized for their work and effort.

The JJC and the JCJC players, the athletics department and the Alumni Association will take part.

These organizations are asking for help in locating former players or anyone wanting to be recognized.

For more information, contact Elisa Bryant in the Alumni Office at 625-3068.

Pro Musica commissions composer to write new piece with grant money

A grant from the National Endowment for the Arts is allowing Pro Musica to commission American composer Paul Schoenfield to write a new piece for string quartet titled, “The Sower.” The Joplin area will be the first to hear this new piece.

The new composition will be presented at 7 p.m. Feb 23 at the Calvary Baptist Church. General admission is $10, but is $30 for the champagne reception at the Spiva Center for the Arts after the concert.

For more information, call 626-8194 or 623-8865. Or, visit the Pro Musica Web site

at www.promusicajoplin.org.

FMA Finance Leader’s Conference scheduled to be in New York City

The 2006 FMA Finance Leader’s Conference has been scheduled for March 30-31 in New York City.

FMA members get a discount, and FMA membership fees are $35. To sign up, see Brian Nichols before Feb. 17. Contact Nichols at 625-9599 for more information.

Three-man teams may begin signing up for Southern Olympic competitions

The Southern Olympics is looking for teams to join in several competitions. The teams must be made up of three members and all members must compete in all events.

All members will receive a free T-shirt.

The competitions include team flag, cycling relays, curling/shuffle board, figure skating, bobsledding, biathlon relay, gymnastics/giant twister, puzzle, bean bag toss and moon pie eating.

All this will take place at 8 p.m. March 14 in Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Free food will be available, and fans and spectators are welcome to attend.

The first 100 fans will receive a free T-shirt. Faculty and staff will compete against students.

The games are limited to the first 50 teams, and all teams must sign up by March 10 in the Student Support Center.