UScellular Announces Three Winners of 7th Annual Black History Month Art Contest
UScellular recently announced the three winners of its 7th annual Black History Month Art Contest with Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia at a celebration at the club.
In recognition of influential Black STEM icons, Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia members were encouraged to create original pieces of artwork of important historical figures, world leaders, scientists, and educators who have made vital contributions to the world of STEM. Ten finalists were chosen by representatives from the Boys & Girls Clubs based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme, and overall impression and featured Mae Jemison, George Washington Carver, and Mary Jackson, among others.
“Working with Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia to celebrate Black History Month and to highlight the achievements of Black STEM icons such as Mae Jemison and George Washington Carver has been extremely gratifying,” said Kelli McAllister, store manager for UScellular in Columbia. “The creativity that club members displayed in their artwork was inspiring and we congratulate our participants and winners in this year’s contest.”
Public voting for the finalists’ art was available online, and the winning artists were awarded gift cards in the following amounts:
1st Place
Nalyn J. received $250 for the portrayal of Mary Jackson
2nd Place
Corey Wes received $150 for the portrayal of Mae Jemison
3rd Place
Kayziah B. Received $100 for the portrayal of Madam C.J. Walker
2023 Boone County Hall of Fame: Artist, Food Bank, and War Hero Selected
The Boone County Historical Society’s (BCHS) Endowment Trustees selected three new members for the Boone County Hall of Fame: Charles A. Morgenthaler (posthumous recipient), the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri (organization recipient), retired Colonel John W. Clark, USAF (living recipient).
These three esteemed enshrinees will be added to the elite Boone County Hall of Fame, which currently boasts 73 members. Each year one living recipient, one posthumous honoree and one business or organization are selected for enshrinement based on their lasting contributions in Boone County and beyond.
OATS Transit Receives Donation from Central Bank of Boone County
OATS Transit, a Missouri nonprofit organization, has received a donation from Central Bank of Boone County. The bank presented OATS Transit with a check for $1,000. The funds will be used to provide rides to Boone County residents needing access to community resources, which helps them live independently.
“Central Bank of Boone County is proud to support such an important organization,” said Judy Starr, the bank’s chief financial officer. “Creating independence for those who need a little help is a great way to serve our friends and neighbors.”
Gary Anspach, OATS Transit’s Mid-MO regional director, expressed the organization’s thanks.
“We are grateful that Central Bank of Boone County is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve,” Anspach said. “Central Bank of Boone County has enabled us to continue providing reliable transportation to Boone County residents.”
Columbia College Named Top-10 Most Military Friendly College in the Country
Columbia College was recently ranked among the top 10 higher education institutions in the country for military-affiliated students by MilitaryFriendly.com, which advocates on behalf of service members, veterans, and their families. The college earned the gold designation in the category of private, non-doctoral-degree institutions for the second consecutive year and has been ranked every year since 2010.
“We are proud this year to celebrate our 50th anniversary of partnering with the U.S. Armed Forces through our Columbia College Global network,” says Dr. David Russell, president of Columbia College and a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. “Nothing better exemplifies our mission than providing quality academic opportunities to those who have sacrificed greatly for our nation.”
Mizzou Graduate and Columbia Native Publishes First Novel
As an undergraduate in the Missouri School of Journalism class of 2020, Nicole Schroeder learned the importance of seeing stories through to the end. Of course, it often came at the cost of brevity while reporting as a student for the Missourian and Vox Magazine.
But her habit of chronic overwriting seems to have finally paid off. Over the past two years, it has led her to the end of a different writing venture: self-publishing her first novel, Twisted Fate: Playback’s Story. Schroeder’s book became available to readers worldwide after she published the novel under her own imprint, Lost Library Press.
The young adult superhero sci-fi novel follows Cassidy Sinclair, a freshman at Everett University, in the aftermath of a tragic accident that leaves her with a surprising new ability: the power to change the last decision she made. As she dons a new mantle with the help of an unexpected mentor, however, she starts to realize being a superhero isn’t what she expected. The right choice can make all the difference, but sometimes, there isn’t a right choice to make.
Schroeder’s time at MU inspired much of the book’s setting from the start, as well as the experiences of many characters in the story world.
Fifth Annual Columbia College Giving Day Raises Nearly $188,000
The Columbia College community rallied around a common cause to raise nearly $188,000 in support of the college’s fifth annual Giving Day. More than 260 donors combined to contribute the second-highest total in the history of the initiative.
The 24-hour endeavor encouraged alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the college to make a participatory gift that is put toward the college’s most immediate needs within the coming year.
The $187,915 raised from 261 donors helps the college strengthen academic and student programming, attract top-tier faculty, provide scholarships, bolster athletics, and benefit learners nationwide. Cougar student-athletes and coaches conducted personal outreach to connect with potential donors, epitomizing the teamwork behind the campaign’s success.
