When faculty members in the social science department found out they received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education last year they were ecstatic.

When they found out they received a second grant from the government this year, words to describe their emotions were hard to come by.

“We did a happy dance,” said Dr. Larry Cebula, associate professor of history.

The social science department, in partnership with the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence, the George Washington Carver National Monument and the Harry S Truman Library received a $1 million Teaching History Through Biography grant last month.

Southern will use the money to help prepare pre-service students in the teacher education program to become better history teachers. Money will also be used to purchase computers, library books, cameras and a variety of digital equipment for classrooms.

“It’s going to benefit Missouri Southern tremendously,” Cebula said.

Although a portion of the grant will go toward new equipment, a good portion of it will go toward a series of seminars for Southern students and area history teachers.

The seminars will focus on a variety of topics including civil rights, colonial times, the Underground Railroad and Lewis and Clark.

Students interested in the seminars need to fill out an application, which will be available by the social science department in late November.

“These seminars allow us to really expand significantly what we can do,” said Dr. Richard Miller, social science department head.

Miller said the seminars will be intense, but will be worthwhile for students that are accepted. Students receive a stipend, college credit and the opportunity to participate in a summer trip.

In summer 2004, Cebula will take students to Virginia to study the state’s colonial history. It’s a trip to show future history teachers and current history teachers the appropriate material to teach to students.

“These seminars are not a how-to-teach history program,” Cebula said. “It’s what to teach and make sure the teachers get it right.”

Pam George, project director with the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence in Webb City, said the Center was happy to hear the news that they would be receiving the grant.

“We’re so thrilled,” George said. “It’s very impressive.”

Although the grant is geared toward history, Miller said he’s sure the grant will have a much greater impact.

The grant elevates the University and makes connections with teachers throughout Southwest Missouri,” Miller said.