SPRINGFIELD – Highlighting the interdependence and saying “thank you” for past support are the two major goals for the first Missouri State University Community Caravan, which will focus on eight locations in the first three weeks of April. The theme of the 2008 Caravan is “What the Public Affairs Mission Means to You.”

University officials will work with local planning committees to plan a day-long event that will include these elements: one or more civic/economic impact events; school visits; media contacts; visits with individual donors and alumni; and an evening event for prospective students and their parents.

“Missouri State has enjoyed a strong tradition of support from southwest Missouri,” said Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel. “We appreciate this tradition, but we are not sure we have expressed our thanks as much as we should. And, we probably haven’t highlighted the many meaningful connections the university has with each of these communities. We have powerful stories to tell about how our public affairs mission is put into action in each of these communities.”

Nietzel said that the caravan will be an annual event and may be expanded in future years to include other areas. The caravan is intended to supplement, not replace, the regular alumni events and Bears Caravan stops that occur already.

University officials are organizing local planning committees, which will include a combination of alumni, parents, friends, donors and community leaders. The planning committees will help establish the schedule and program for each day. Those details will be announced as they are completed. The intent is that the locations will rotate and vary from year-to-year.

The 2008 dates and locations are listed below.

2008 Missouri State University Community Caravan

What the Public Affairs Mission Means to You