Summer may almost be over, but ice cream is still in season in Joplin! Students gathered on the Billingsley Student Center Lawn for the annual President’s Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The event served as a warm welcome to the fall semester bringing the community of Missouri Southern State University together over scoops of ice cream, and conversations.

Dr. Dean Van Galen, President of MSSU, joined other members of MSSU’s faculty and staff in serving up the sweet treats. When asked about his favorite part of events like this, Van Galen said it was “…interacting with the students and hearing their stories, and how they’re college journey is going at MSSU.”

“[I love] seeing the students interact and have a good time and enjoy themselves,” Samantha Sweet, MSSU Director Of Student Activities, said.

“It’s a great way for students to have one on one conversations with [Van Galen] on how your semester is going,” Sadie Smiles, MSSU senior Exercise Science major, said, adding that it offers a welcoming start to the semester, reinforcing a sense of community at MSSU.

For more information on upcoming events, visit the MSSU Student Activities home page by clicking here.