Science museum name to honor Warren and Rita Shuck

Warren Shuck Rita Peck Shuck

A Florida couple who spent their childhood in northwest Missouri will be honored for their generous support of Northwest Missouri State University during a dedication ceremony for the Warren S. and Rita Peck Shuck Museum of Life Sciences.

The dedication, which is open to the public, will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at the museum, which is located on the third floor of Northwest’s Garrett-Strong Science Building.

Opened in April 2006, the museum was established by Northwest’s Department of Biological Sciences. It features the most complete mastodon skull found and known to be on display in Missouri as well as a microscopy exhibit and collections of mollusks, fossils, mounted birds and other artifacts.

Dignitaries scheduled to take part in the dedication include Northwest President Dean L. Hubbard; Dr. Charles McAdams, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Northwest Regent Doug Sutton; Dr. Gregg Dieringer, chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences; and Jim Blackford, president of the Northwest Foundation. Erin Cahill, a student majoring in wildlife ecology and conservation, will deliver closing remarks.

The Shucks, who live in Destin, Fla., will be unable to attend the ceremony, but said they are honored by the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on the Northwest campus.

Warren Shuck was raised in St. Joseph, and Rita Shuck grew up on the Peck family farm near DeKalb. The couple was drawn to assist Northwest when they learned they share the University's commitment to multicultural understanding.

They also believe that establishing the Warren S. and Rita Peck Shuck Scholarship is an ideal way to ensure that family, friends and future students feel at home on the Northwest campus -- a positive experience shared by Rita Shuck's parents, Oliver and Virginia Peck, who attended the University.

Likewise, it was the Shucks' recognition of the importance higher education, and of the study of science in particular, that led to the museum being named in their honor.

"It is Mr. and Mrs. Shuck's wish that everyone who visits the museum will find inspiration from the past to benefit our society and future discoveries," said Hubbard. "Northwest would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Shuck for their dedication to excellence in higher education."

For more information about the Warren S. and Rita Peck Shuck Museum of Life Sciences dedication on Oct. 25, call Laurie Long at 660.562.1248.

The museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. To schedule an individual visit, call Northwest’s Department of Biological Sciences at 660.562-1388.

For more information, please contact:

Mitzi Lutz
Advancement Communications Specialist
Office of University Advancement
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468
mitzi@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: (660) 562-1248
Fax: (660) 562-1990
www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni

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