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Northwest Missouri State University


Academic and Departmental Organizations

102 River Wildlife Club
President: Paige Schones
Advisor(s): Dr. David Easteria
Accounting Society
President: Zachary Cox
Advisor(s): Steve Ludwig; Rahnl Wood
Mission: To bring together accounting majors in an environment that is focused on building relationships and networking with fellow classmates and professionals in the accounting field.
Purpose: To promote Scholarship in the study of Accounting.
To provide interaction between, and a professional environment for students of accounting and other related fields outside the classroom.
To foster high ethical and moral standards for its members toward the community.
To provide opportunities for association among its members, professional organizations and practicing accountants.
To instill in its members a continuing desire for self improvement.
ACM (Association for Computing Machinery)
President: Cody Duncan
Advisor(s): Dr. Gary McDonald; Dr. Merry McDonald
Mission: ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to advancing the arts, sciences, and applications of information technology. With a worldwide membership ACM is a leading resource for computing professionals and students working in the various fields of information technology.

Purpose:

The Northwest Missouri State University Student Chapter of ACM is committed to providing computer science students with opportunities for out-of-class professional exposure and social interaction.  Specific objectives are:

A. To promote an increased knowledge of the scientific, design, development, construction, language, and applications of computers;

B. To promote a greater interest in computing and its applications; and

C. To provide a means of communication between persons having interest in computing.

The chapter uses a team-centric structure.  This utilizes intercommunication between teams to move the chapter forward in its professional growth.

The professional team's main goal is to provide an environment for the chapter's  members to develop professional skills for tomorrow's workplace.  This includes facilitating communication with industry, arranging field trips to local and regional corporations, and providing programs to keep the members abreast of new developments in the computing field.

The social team promotes camaraderie among all members and nurtures relations between faculty and student members.

ACM-W (Association for Computing Machinery - Women)
President: Christine Ferguson
Advisor(s): Diana Linville; Carol Spradling

Mission:

ACM-W's mission is to celebrate, inform and support women in computing, and work with the ACM-W community of computer scientists, educators, employers and policy makers to improve working and learning environments for women.  This includes promoting activities that result in more equal representation of women in CS such as mentoring or role modeling; monitoring the status of women in industrial and academic computing through the gathering of statistics; providing historical information about women's accomplishments and roles in CS; and serving as a repository of information about programs, documents and policies of concern to women in CS.

Through international and local activities and chapters, educational outreach, recognition of leading women in CS, cooperation with other organizations, and the dissemination of information via newsletters, blogs, and reports, ACM-W promotes the growth and development of women seeking to attain careers in computing.  (Taken from the National ACM-W website http://women.acm.org/who_we_are/index.cfm).

Purpose: The purposes of the ACM-W Society are:
A. To encourage women to participate in computer-related studies and careers.
B. To build a network of contacts for women in computer-related fields.
C. To prepare women in computer-related studies to be marketable in the industry.
D. To promote a congenial atmosphere among women studying computer-related fields.
Agronomy Club at Northwest Missouri State University
President: Travis Miller
Advisor(s): Dr. Tom Zweifel
Mission: To stimulate the interest in the profession of the field Agronomy.
Purpose: The purpose of this club is to enhance a spirit of cooperation and helpfulness among students in the agricultural sciences. To support the Agriculture Department of this institution. To promote the profession and continued study of Agriculture.
Alpha Kappa Psi
President: Donnie Merriman
Advisor(s): Ben Blackford; Michelle Nance
Mission: Alpha Kappa Psi is recognized as the premier developer of principled business leaders.
Purpose: Alpha Kappa Psi is a co-ed professional business fraternity. AKPsi serves the dual purposes of education and brotherhood. We seek to give our members the information and orientation necessary to succeed in a professional career after graduation. AKPsi builds a feeling of brotherhood and friendship and a support structure that each and every member can depend on and contribute to for the betterment of themselves and their brothers. AKPsi meshes both of these aims into one purpose: to build in our members a professional attitude and ethic while building social and professional relationships that will be strong and long-lasting.
Alpha Tau Alpha/Collegiate FFA/PAS
President: Jesica Wells
Advisor: Rod Barr
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)
President: Kristin Terry
Advisor(s): Charlotte Steins
 Purpose: To provide professional development community service, social interaction, and recognition of members for Family and Consumer Sciences majors.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (The Loess Hills Chapter)
President: Tim Janousek
Advisor(s): Dr. John Paul Pope
American Choral Director's Association
President: Jon Logan
Advisor(s): Dr. Stephen Town
 Mission: The mission of the American Choral Directors Association is to inspire excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition, and advocacy.
Purpose:
  1. To Foster and promote choral singing which will provide artistic and spirited experiences for the participants.
  2. To foster and promote the finest types of choral music to make these experiences possible.
  3. To foster and encourage rehearsal procedures conducive to attaining the highest level possible in musician ship and artistic performance.
  4. To foster and promote the organization and development of choral groups of all types in schools, colleges, and churches.
  5. To foster and promote the organization and development of choral societies in cities and communities.
  6. To foster and promote the intelligent and understanding of choral music as an important medium of artistic expression.
  7. To foster and promote significant research in the field of choral music.
  8. To foster and promote composition of superior quality in both music and text for all choral combinations.
  9. 9. To cooperate with all organizations dedicated to the development of musical culture in America.
  10. 10. To disseminate professional news and information about choral music.
American Marketing Association
President: Denise Dibben
Advisor(s): Allison Hoffmann; Brenda Jones
Mission: To offer opportunities for members to enhance existing marketing and leadership skills, while fostering long-term relationships with one another, national AMA, and our community.
Purpose: American Marketing Association (AMA) helps their members obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of marketing skills. To fulfill these goals, speakers from various businesses come to educate members and several field trips for tours and seminars are arranged.
Council for Exceptional Children
President: Katie Whelan
Advisor: Dr. Shirley Steffens
Mission: Our mission is to advance the education and knowledge of pre-service teachers for individuals with exceptionalities and to promote related educational, scientific, and charitable purposes.
Purpose: The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the welfare and education of exceptional children and youth.
Criminal Justice Club
 Advisor(s):  Kimberly Casey
Digital Electronic Media (DigEM)
 President: Cameron Ramaekers
 Advisor(s): Carol Spradling; Jody Strauch
 Mission: DigEM will provide opportunities for networking and post-graduation insight to current students in the Interactive Digital Media, Computer Science, Graphic Design, and other fields here at Northwest Missouri State University.
 Purpose: To provide students in the Interactive Digital Media, Computer Science, Graphic Design, and other fields with connections and insight to prepare them for the workforce after graduation.
ECHO
President: Rachel Kakareka
Advisor: John Katsion
Purpose: The purpose of the organization shall be:
a. To promote an interest in the fields of communications and public relations.
b. To provide fellowship among students and faculty.
c. To represent student needs and wants as they relate to the professional fields of communications and public relations.
d. To provide a forum for the presentation of innovative ideas to benefit of the University community.
Family and Consumer Science Education
President: Sadie Vorbrich
Advisor: Charolette Stiens
Purpose: The purpose of Family and Consumer Science Education Organization is to expand opportunities for pre-professional experiences for Family and Consumer Science Education majors.
Future Physical Education Professionals Club
President: Matt Moylan
Advisor: Gina McNeese
Gamma Theta Upsilon
President: Lonny Branstauder
Advisor(s): Eva (Yi-Hwa) Wu
Mission:
  • To further professional interest in Geography by affording a common organization for those interested in the field.
  • To strengthen student and professional training through academic experiences in addition to those of the classroom and laboratory.
  • To advance the status of Geography as a cultural and practical discipline for study and investigation.
  • To encourage student research of high quality, and to promote an outlet for publication.
  • To create and administer funds for furthering graduate study and/or research in the field of Geography.
Purpose: To provide a platform for academically qualified GIS and Geography students to further the goals of Gamma Theta Upsilon.
Geo Club
President: Taelor Barrett-Jones
Advisor: Renee Rohs
Purpose: The purpose of the Geo Club is to provide academic and social activities in the fields of Earth Science, Geology, and Geography for active members of the club.
Health & Human Services Future Professionals
 President:  Chaz Grippando
 Advisor:  Alice Foose
 Mission: The purpose of the Health and Human Services Future professionals of Northwest Missouri State University shall be to promote professional development and a sense of fellowship among its members, the entire student body and the surrounding community. To enhance knowledge of the profession while gaining needed certifications and to encourage student interest in the fields of Health, Physical Education, Recreation Dietetics and other related programs or related fields through additional professional development with other professionals
 Purpose:
Minority Educators of Northwest Missouri
 President:  Andrea Goering-Stafford
 Advisor(s):  Steve Bryant
 Mission:  Preparing to teach in a Diverse world, One step at a time

 Purpose:

To gain experience and form a network of people who have a Major, or an interest, in an education field. We will learn from each other’s past experiences, gain new perspectives in how to teach in our content area being a minority, and how to better relate to students of all cultures. We will also do volunteering, and observing to make us more comfortable in the classroom, and give us more experience teaching. We will be resources for each other. This organization will better us as minority educators and those that want to educate minority students.

*Minority Educators of Northwest Missouri includes but is not limited to minority education majors, minors, advisors, and professors at Northwest Missouri State University as well as those wanting to teach a diverse population of students.

National Association for Music Education
President: Kyle Zimmerman
Advisor(s): Dr. Christopher Gibson
Mission: To advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all.
Purpose:

Through its many programs, activities, publications, and conferences, MENC addresses all aspects of music education and works to ensure that every student shall have access and exposure to a balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction. By promoting the best possible music education for all children and advancing music education as a profession, MENC's objectives are to:

  • Provide information, resources, and services for music education professionals.
  • Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas through publications and meetings.
  • Promote music as an essential area of study.
  • Foster the use of the most effective techniques and resources in music education.
  • Investigate curricular needs and develop resources for effective music education.
  • Develop criteria, guidelines, and evaluation procedures for music education.
  • Encourage excellence in music education by recognizing individual achievements and contributions to the profession.
  • Maintain an effective liaison with national and international organizations that have allied interests in arts and music education.
Northwest History Club
President Brent Jackson
Advisor Dawn Gilley, Matt Johnson
Northwest Student Dietetic Organization
President: Kendra Quick
Advisor(s): Karen From
Mission: Northwest Student Dietetic Association strives to provide professional development and cultural enrichment for future dietitians.
Purpose: This organization's purpose is to prepare students for the dietetic internship process and future careers.
Northwest Student Chapter of Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
President:  Taylor Wharton
Advisor(s): Dr. Brian Haile and Dr. Mary Shepherd
Mission: We see to promote the interest and study of mathematics through promotion, lectures, and social events.
Purpose: The chapter is organized and will be operated exclusively for educational and scientific purposes and, in furtherance thereof, specific objectives are:
1. To promote an increased knowledge of mathematics;
2. To promote a greater interest in mathematics and its applications; and
3. To provide a means of communication among persons having an interest in mathematics.
NWMSU Block and Bridle
President:  Bailey Marriott
Advisor:  Callie Walker
NWMSU Horticulture Club
President: Taylor Olson
Advisor: Rego Jones
Mission: Continued education on all horticultural topics.
Purpose: Provide networking and coordination with other students as well as various components of the horticulture industry.
NW Phi Beta Lambda
President: Benjamin Throm
Advisor(s): Lisa Bishop
Mission: Phi Beta Lambda is a non-profit educational association for students preparing for careers in business, entrepreneurial or business-related fields. The association prepares students for employment by promoting competent, aggressive business leadership, increasing understanding of American free enterprise, establishing career goals, encouraging scholarship, promoting efficient money management, and developing character and self-confidence. Co-curricular activities encourage career development, civic service, economic education, community involvement and business advocacy. Partnerships are formed with Chambers of Commerce, local businesses, industries, and government. An extensive skills competition program is offered to challenge members in their academic pursuits.
Purpose:

The purpose of PBL is to provide opportunities for postsecondary students to develop
vocational competencies for business and office occupations and business teacher education. PBL is
an integral part of the instructional program and in addition promotes a sense of civic and personal
responsibility.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
President: Reed Pattee
Advisor(s): Dr. William S. Richardson
Mission:

The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest fraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students; the advancement of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater.

Purpose: Brotherhood through music.
Phi Sigma Tau (Philosophy Club)
President: Dustin McMahon
Advisor(s): Dr. Richard Field
Mission: Its essential purpose is to promote ties among philosophy departments in accredited institutions and students in philosophy nationally. In addition to providing a means of awarding distinction to students having high scholarship and interest in philosophy, Phi Sigma Tau also promotes interest in philosophy among the general collegiate public.
Purpose: The objects of the Society shall be: (1) to serve as a means of awarding distinction to students having high scholarship and personal interest in philosophy; (2) to promote student interest in research and advanced study in this field; (3) to provide opportunities for the publication of student research papers of merit; (4) to encourage a professional spirit and friendship among those who have displayed marked ability in this field; and (5) to popularize interest in philosophy among the general collegiate public.
Pre-Health Occupations Club
President: Brett Copley
Advisor(s): Dr. Gretchen Thornsberry
Mission: To help students in the pre- health fields network, as we give back to the community and strive for an overall concept of the medical professons in which we pursue!
Purpose: The purpose of the organization is to help promote knowledge and skills to students who are interested in pursuing careers in the health field.
Psychology/Sociology Society
President: Jacob Peace
Advisor(s): Dr. Roger Neustadter; Dr. Kyoung-Ho Shin
Mission: The mission of Psychology/Sociology Society is to learn more about Psychology and Sociology in an academic, peer group.
Purpose: The purpose of Psychology/Sociology Society is to learn more about Psychology and Sociology in a fun, academic environment.
Sigma Alpha
President: Tasha King
Advisor: Lurinda Gilliand 
Mission: Cultivating Professional Women in Agriculture.
Purpose: The objective of this sorority shall be to promote its members in all facets of agriculture and to strengthen the bonds of friendship among them. It is the purpose of the members to strive for achievement in scholarship, leadership and service, and to further the development of excellence in women pursing careers in agriculture.
Sigma Alpha Iota
President: Lauren Moravec
Advisor(s): Dr. Rebecca Dunnell; Sheila Phillips
Mission: The Mission of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity is to encourage, nurture and support the art of music.
Purpose: TO FORM chapters of women college students and alumnae who have a sincere interest in music.
TO UPHOLD the highest standards of music.
TO FURTHER the development of music in America and throughout the world.
TO GIVE inspiration and encouragement to members.
TO ORGANIZE the cultural life of Sigma Alpha Iota members as a contributing factor to their educational growth.
TO SUPPORT the ideals and goals of the member's Alma Mater.
TO ADHERE to the highest standards of citizenship in school, community and fraternity life.
Sigma Tau Delta - English Honor Society
President: Kaitlin Hartman
Advisor: Brenda Ryan
Mission: Sigma Tau Delta is the foremost international English honor society.  It  recognizes outstanding English majors and minors and provides them with scholarly, creative, and social opportunities.  The Northwest chapter of Sigma Tau Delta is celebrating its 82nd year on campus.  The organization strives to promote English, English education, and writing as vital and worthy disciplines.  It also provides of means of honoring exceptional students and giving them an opportunity to present critical and creative work at the organization's annual convention.
Purpose: The purpose of Sigma Tau Delta is to recognize exceptional English majors and minors and to promote the overall discipline of English, English education, and writing.  The organization provies students with an academic and a social forum for interacting with other English majors.  It also presents opportunities for scholarship and for presenting at the organzation's national convention.
Social Sciences Research Group (SSRG)
President: Justin Hicks; Kassaundra Victor
Advisor(s): Carla Edwards & Ryan Wessell
Mission: The Social Sciences Research Group was formed to promote student understanding of research processes. Students have the opportunity to be actively involved in creating, planning, and carrying out independent research projects under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Student projects may culminate in a presentation at an appropriate conference.
Purpose: To allow students to gain experience with experimental design and oral presentation skills while working collaboratively with other students and closely with other faculty.  This will help students build their resumes and earn quality letters of reference and, thus, prepare them for the workforce and graduate school.
Society of President's Scholars
President: Sara Frueh
Advisor(s): Dr. Jenny Rytting;
Mission: To show appreciation to the university for our scholarships by giving back to the academics of Northwest.
Purpose: Our purpose is to present two academic events each year.  The first is the Last Lecture series which gives a professor a chance to give a lecture to an audience on anything they would like.  The other is an academic symposium to celebrate the works of Northwest students.
Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS)
President: Alex Bolick; April Logemann
Advisor(s): Dr. Michael Hull and Mohammand Meziani
Mission: The professional development of young chemists and to educate the public about chemical issues
Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA)
President: Michelle Madsen
Advisor(s): Dr. Virgil Freeman
Purpose: The Student Missouri State Teachers Association is a pre-professional organization dedicated to preparing education majors for tomorrow's classrooms. SMSTA is open to all education majors interested in keeping up-to-date with current trends in the field.
The Northwest Missourian
President: Trey Williams; Ben Lawson
Advisor: Steven Chappell
Mission: The Northwest Missourian aims to provide the news important to members of the campus and community while also providing a professional and learning environment for students.
Purpose: The Northwest Missourian publishes 4,000 copies every Thursday for 28 weeks out of the school year. Papers are distributed on campus as well as throughout the community. The Northwest Missourian covers news on campus as well as in the community and Northwest and Maryville High School sports.
Tower Yearbook
President: Kari Kolts
Advisor(s): Steven Chappell
Mission: The purpose of a yearbook is to tell the unique story of the students at the university during the given year. This means the year's story told in any yearbook ought to be like no other story in any other yearbook. We are historians. This means that we do not impose our ideas or views on any group or person, but rather record a story on how it actually happened. Yearbooks function as history books, memory books, public relation tools and as business ventures.
Purpose: The purpose of a yearbook is to tell the unique story of the students at the university during the given year.