President one of three honored for 35 years of service to PSU

Three of the 84 employees that Pittsburg State University will honor at its annual Service Recognition Ceremony have been at PSU for 35 years. One of those is the university's president, Tom Bryant. Bryant first came to PSU as a member of the faculty in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1970. He was named president in 1999.

Other 35-year pins will go to Larry Nokes, director of the university's Physical Plant; and Gary McGrath, a member of the faculty in the Department of Mathematics.

Pins will be awarded to employees for 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, and 10 years of service. Together, those honored represent 1,335 years of service to PSU. The Service Recognition Ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on May 1 in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom of the Overman Student Center. A reception honoring this year’s recipients will be held following the ceremony.

---Pitt State---

Christman to lead PSU College of Education

Steve Scott, dean of the Pittsburg State University College of Education, announced this week that James C. "Chris" Christman, has been selected interim dean of the college. Christman will assume the position when Scott becomes vice president of Academic Affairs at the end of the academic year. Christmas has served as chairman of the Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies in the College of Education since 2002.

Christman, Scott said, "is committed to continuing the good work we have underway and to making the College and teacher education even stronger."

Christman received a bachelor of science degree in social science from Missouri Southern State College and both a master's degree and education specialist degree in secondary school administration from Pittsburg State. He received a doctorate in educational administration from Oklahoma State University.

Christman began his professional career as a social science teacher at Galena High School and served in the same role at Webb City High School. His school administration experience includes a stint as administrative assistant at Webb City High School, assistant superintendent at Galena USD 499 and superintendent at USD 499.

Christman is a frequent consultant for school districts in Kansas and surrounding states. He has helped 10 Kansas districts develop long-term or strategic plans and has helped a dozen school districts in Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana with searches for superintendents.

---Pitt State---

Play examines issues of racism, political correctness

In a production opening on Thursday, April 27, the Pittsburg State University Theatre will examine the touchy issues of racism, reverse racism and political correctness in contemporary American Society. "Spinning Into Butter," a play by Rebecca Gilman, will open at 8 p.m. on April 27 in PSU's Studio Theatre. The theater is located in Grubbs Hall at the corner of Joplin and Cleveland streets. "Spinning Into Butter" will run nightly through April 29. A matinee performance will be staged at 2 p.m. on April 30.

Reviewers have called "Spinning Into Butter" a "brave, honest, intelligent and important" play. Gilman's characters, confronted with racism at a fictional American college, are so concerned with doing the politically correct thing that they fail to do the humanly right one, one reviewer wrote.

The title of the play comes from Helen Bannerman's 1921 book, "The Story of Little Black Sambo," which tells of some tigers who stole Little Black Sambo's clothes and then argued over who was the grandest of them. The tigers chased each other around a tree, spinning so fast they ultimately spun themselves into butter, which little Black Sambo then uses to eat with his pancakes.

This show is directed by Stephanie A. Super and the ensemble cast is played by Lucy Miller-Downing, Austin Laverty, Rachel Ayers, Roy Hatcher, Jacob Schreiner, Erik Hyde and Tyler Davis.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children, and $6 for PSU faculty and staff. PSU students are admitted free with a valid ID. Tickets are available through the PSU Ticket Office (630-235-4796) and at the PSU Studio Theatre door.

For information, please call the Department of Communication at 620-235-4716.

---Pitt State---

Job outlook better for new PSU grads

According to a report issued this week by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), U.S. employers expect to hire nearly 14 percent more new college graduates in 2005-6 than they did the previous year. Pam Ehlers, director of Career Services at Pittsburg State University, said today that those predictions are right in line with trends she is seeing this spring at PSU.

Additionally, Ehlers said, salaries in some areas are improving, as well. Some graduates with highly sought after technology degrees, she said, are getting starting offers near $60,000.

The NACE report, titled "Job Outlook 2006 Spring Update," is based on a national survey of employers. Of those surveyed, 60 percent said they planned to hire more new college graduates this year. Another 22 percent said they planned to hire at the same level as last year.

The service industry led the way with an expectation of hiring 16.4 percent more new graduates than they did last year. Manufacturers said they plan to hire 11 percent more and government and non-profit agencies said they plan to increase hiring by 9 percent.

For more information:
Pam Ehlers: pehlers@pittstate.edu, 620-235-4140.
NACE: <>

---Pitt State---

PSU Jazz Ensembles & Choir to perform

The Pittsburg State University Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Choir will present their final Pittsburg concert of the 2005-2006 school year at 7:30 p.m. on April 25. The concert, in Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium at 5th and Pine in downtown Pittsburg, is free.

The concert features music from the 1940s to contemporary big band works.
PSU graduate Lisa Gerstenkorn will be featured in the original Frank Sinatra arrangement of his classic, "Fly Me to the Moon." Russell "Rusty" Jones, a member of the PSU Music Department faculty, will also be featured on a beautiful ballad written by Los Angeles film composer Patrick Williams. Williams and Jones were band members when both were students at Duke University.

The program also includes pieces by contemporary flugelhorn player Chuck Mangione, classic Count Basie tunes, a bit of Latin with "The Girl from Ipanema," some Kenton, and some Manhattan Transfer.

For more information, call Bob Kehle, director of Jazz Studies, at 620-235-4474 or e-mail him at rkehle@pittstate.edu. Additional information on PSU Jazz Studies and the Department of Music may be found on these Web sites: www.pittstate.edu/music and www.pittstate.edu/music/jazz.html.

---Pitt State---

Collegio, Kanza staffs win awards

Pittsburg State University's Collegio newspaper and Kanza yearbook staffs won 84 individual awards at the annual spring conference of the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press. The conference was held April 9-10 in Wichita.

In addition, the Collegio won the All-Kansas award for best collegiate newspaper in its division, and the Kanza won the Gold Medalist award in the yearbook division.

The individual entries placed first, second, third or honorable mention in media categories such as writing, photography, design and editing. Ten students and their publications adviser attended the conference.

Last fall, the Kanza received first place Best of Show and the Collegio received fifth place Best of Show at the national convention of the Associated Collegiate Press in Kansas.

For more information on PSU student publications, call Gerard Attoun, student publications adviser, at 620-235-4809, gattoun@pittstate.edu or visit the publication Web sites at:
www.pittstate.edu/kanza/
www.psucollegio.com/

---Pitt State---

Students told to be on the watch for mumps

Pittsburg State University's Student Health Services this week urged students and others on campus to watch for signs of the mumps. The alert is in response to a recent outbreak of the disease in Kansas, primarily in persons ages 20-30.

The University of Kansas has seven confirmed cases of the mumps, but Dr. David Parris, director of Student Health Services at PSU, said today that there have been no confirmed cases at Pitt State.

As a service to the campus community, Student Health Services has created links on its Web page www.pittstate.edu/health to a statement about mumps and to frequently asked questions about the illness.

Student Health Services has asked students who develop symptoms of mumps to call them at 620-235-4452 so they can be evaluated and tested for mumps.

According to Dr. Parris, mumps is a viral illness, spread by droplet contact with infectious respiratory secretions – the same way the common cold is spread. Symptoms of mumps are swelling and discomfort in the jaw (salivary gland) area, on one or both sides. Fever, body aches, and cough are sometimes present. The incubation period is usually 16-18 days although it may vary from 12 – 25 days. Mumps is contagious three days prior to and four days after the onset of symptoms. A person is most contagious 48 hours prior to the appearance of symptoms.

---pitt state---

PSU & community groups plan rally against domestic violence

A coalition of Pittsburg State University and community groups will sponsor PSU's fourth annual Take Back Back the Night March and Rally at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 21, at Timmons Chapel. The sponsors are the Women's Studies Club, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Men Against Violence Program (MVP), and Students Against Violence Through Education (SAVE) at PSU, and the Crisis Resource Center of Southeast Kansas, Inc.

The purpose of the march and rally is to help raise awareness about gender violence. This year's event has been designed to bring together university and community organizations to protest violence against women and to promote awareness of this epidemic in our society.

The evening will begin at Timmons Chapel. Just before it gets dark, participants will gather in front of the chapel to begin their march around campus. The march is intended to help women feel empowered and feel safe in their own streets at night. National crime statistics indicate that three out of five sexual assaults occur at night, with the largest proportion occurring between 6 p.m. and midnight. The marchers will meet back at Timmons Chapel for guest speakers, music, a candlelight vigil, and a speak-out.

This year's featured guest speakers will be Gene & Peggy Schmidt, of the Stephanie Schmidt Foundation. The Schmidt's 19-year-old daughter, PSU student Stephanie Schmidt, was murdered in 1993. The Schmidts often speak at functions across the United States. Their presentations help to educate junior high, high school, and college students and help raise awareness about violent crimes and violent crime prevention. They have successfully written and changed six laws in Kansas.

Cherokee County Sheriff, Steve Norman, will also speak about the S.P.I.D.E.R. (Sexual Predator Identification & Response) Program and the PSU SART, SAVE, and MVP programs will perform an educational skit.

Featured musician, Amanda Rainey, will perform during the candlelight vigil at the University Lake to honor the victims and survivors of violence, particularly sexual assault. Afterwards, there will be a survivor speak-out where survivors, friends of survivors, and others are encouraged to speak if they desire.

For more information, please contact:
Jen McFall and Goldie Prelogar, event coordinators, psuwomen@yahoo.com or 620-704-2451
Meekin Norman, CRC Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, meekinn@gmail.com or 620-231-8692
Heidi Himebrook, SART/SAVE, hhimebrook@hotmail.com 816-590-3432
Brenton Garrett MVP senor_moustache@mailcity.com or 620-249-9067

The PSU Women's Studies Club is a university and community organization that help examine the diversity of women’s lives, experiences, and voices in our multicultural and globalized world through activism.

CRC is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the adult and child victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in the ten county area of Southeast Kansas. Their services include but are not limited to: crisis intervention services, advocacy services, child exchange and visitation center, emergency transportation services for mothers and their families, referral services for medical treatment, and legal services.

SART is a group of students trained to respond appropriately and compassionately to calls from sexual assault victims and survivors and/or individuals interested in discussing the issues gender-based violence. In their response, both emotional support and information about possible options victims might have are provided.

SAVE is a group of female students dedicated to providing education and awareness to girls and women on gender-based violence, including sexual assault and rape, partner violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.

MVP is a group of male students dedicated to preventing violence by providing education and awareness to boys and men on the issues of gender-based violence. SAVE/MVP work together to present to college students, as well as high school and middle school students.

---Pitt State---

CAPS 13 at PSU receives 8 state awards

Pittsburg State University's CAPS 13 (Cable Access Pitt State) won eight wards at the Kansas Association of Broadcasters annual banquet in Topeka today.

Students from Pittsburg State competed in a variety of broadcasting categories against students from all other colleges and universities in the state of Kansas.

First place winners were Kevin Pickman, a senior from Atchison, for his undergraduate entertainment program "Grave" and Yu-Kai Lin, Taiwan, for his graduate entertainment program "Liberty Avenue."

Second place winners included Brad Hester, a senior from Bucyrus, Kan., for his 30-second public service announcement for "CrossQuest;" Hester and Brian Caulkins, a junior from Coffeyville, for their enterprise news package "Laundry;" Brandon Taylor, a senior from Lee's Summit, Mo., and Ene Tuyliyeva, a senior from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, for their public affairs program "SIFE Knows;" and Christina Brown, a senior from Joplin, Mo.; Jacob Schreiner, a senior from Sharon, Kan.; Kevin Pickman, a senior from Atchison, Melissa Young, a senior from Lamar, Mo.; Pam Peters, a senior from Richmond, Kan.; Ryan Anderson, a senior from Bartlesville, Okla.; Brice Rockers, a senior from Garnett, Kan.; Dannie Wesley, a senior from Miami, Okla.; Chesney Kraft, a senior from Burlington, Kan.; Josh Ames, a senior from Winfield, Kan.; Kristen Livingston, a senior from Neodesha, Kan.; Hester and Caulkins for their entertainment program "Gorillavision."

Honorable Mention also went to Trent Kling, a freshman from Wichita; Angelo Fears, a sophomore from Kansas City, Kan.; Lori Wadhams, a senior from Stilwell, Kan.; Zack Howard, a junior from Pittsburg; and Brown in the Sports Play-By-Play category for "NCAA D2 Playoffs vs. Northwest Missouri State" and the Student Association of Broadcasters and Dr. John Franklin's General Literature class for their entertainment program "Creative Productions."

CAPS 13 is Pittsburg State University's cable access channel airing student programming on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the school year. Troy Comeau, director of broadcasting is very proud of this year's accomplishments.

"Eight awards are the most we've ever won at Pittsburg State," Said Comeau, "I think this not only says a lot about the quality of students we have at Pitt State, but also to the commitment the administration has put into our program."

Comeau was referring to the recent facility upgrades and the additional faculty position in video/audio production that was given to the Communication Department for next fall.

"We are now in a position to grow and this is an exciting time for our communication students." said Comeau. "The administration saw our needs and the students of Pittsburg State are now beginning to reap the rewards of their hard work."

For more information, contact Troy O. Comeau, director of Broadcasting, 620-235-4721.

---Pitt State---

PSU announces $679,000 gift

Thanks to the generosity of one "quiet, unassuming" woman, Pittsburg State University has received an unrestricted gift of $679,000. In her will, Alma Viola Cassin stipulated that one-half of her estate would go to PSU.

Jack Overman recalls Ms. Cassin fondly as a loyal employee of the university and as a family friend.

"She was a very close friend of my mother's," Overman said. "Every Sunday for many years I would go over to the apartments where (Ms. Cassin) lived and bring her over for Sunday dinner."

Overman said Ms. Cassin was a very quiet woman who never sought the limelight or attention. She worked at the university for more than 40 years, beginning in 1928. For most of her years at PSU, Cassin was as an assistant to Belle Provorse, the long-time secretary to President William Brandenburg and the university's chief business officer.

Overman recalled that nearly 30 years ago, he and Rex Crowley first talked to Ms. Cassin about making a provision for the university in her will. He said Ms. Cassin had never married and had no close relatives other than a niece and nephew.

"I'm sure it was comforting to her to make some provision for an institution that she loved and was such a big part of her life," Overman said.

Ms. Cassin died in 1988. From that time until 2005, her estate was held in trust and, in accordance with Ms. Cassin's wishes, interest from the trust was disbursed to two surviving relatives. The death of the last of those relatives late last year made the principle available for disbursement.

For more information, contact Brad Hodson, director of development, at:
bhodson@pittstate.edu
620-235-4769


---Pitt State---

Pittsburg ready for first Art Walk

On April 14th, Pittsburg's streets will be a place for local artists and art lovers to not only enjoy the spring weather, but also to share their love of fine art and music. The event is the city’s first annual "Art Walk," which will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 9 p.m.

Stephanie Bowman, a member of the faculty in the PSU Art Department and director of the PSU art galleries, said the idea for a community art walk had its genesis several years ago.

"When I arrived in Pittsburg back in 2001, one of the first people I met was Alan Ross," Bowman said. "His commitment to the community and his love for the people and history of Pittsburg was quickly apparent… and in those first few months I came to know and see the community as Alan did. When I first learned of Alan and LaStacia's vision to see an Art Walk happen in Pittsburg, I was not surprised because an event like this is intended to bring the people and talent of a community together in a fun, interesting and exciting way. Karl Lipscomb’s experience with a much larger, but similar event in Springfield gave the early planning meetings a goal to work towards, and we all set about doing what we could to create an event that is common in many cities around the country. And although Pittsburg does not have the population of other places it has all the heart and all the art it needs for this event to take off."

Bowman said displays will be set up in shops along the downtown area, from the Decorum on 9th street to the Wishing Tree at Euclid, allowing participants the opportunity to stroll from place to place, absorbing the sights and sounds. Area musicians will be stationed throughout the area, adding sound to sight for the walkers.

Exhibits will also be set up in various studios throughout Porter Hall on the PSU campus to showcase the work of a number of PSU faculty and students. The exhibits will range from ceramics and paintings, to jewelry and digital artwork. Additionally, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in outdoor art activities that are guaranteed to bring out their 'inner artist.' Community Art Night activities at Porter Hall begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 7:30 p.m. The studios will be open from 7-8 p.m.

Some of the artists involved in Art Walk are: Marjorie Schick, Malcolm Kucharski, James Oliver, Rhona Shand, Sharri Lindsay, Gregg Krepps and Bowman. Music will be provided by "Barak Hill," playing acoustic rock and alternative country, "Three Old Hippies," "Blood Red Moon," the "Ben Miller Band," and many other solo performers.

Parking will be available throughout the downtown area, and on campus. A reception will follow the scheduled events, beginning at 9 p.m., at the Wishing Tree, 212 S. Broadway. Organizers say they are eager for feedback from Art Walk participants so they can make the second annual Art Walk even bigger and better.

For more information:
Stephanie Bowman, PSU Art Department: 620-235-4305
Alan Ross, the Wishing Triee: 620-232-2377
Karl Lipscomb, Lipscomb Design Studio: 620-230-0477

---Pitt State---

PSU honors student employee of the year

(Devin Gorman, right, reacts to the news that he has been chosen Pittsburg State University Student Employee of the Year.)

Pittsburg State University on Wednesday honored Devin Gorman, a senior marketing major from Parsons, as the 2006 Student Employee of the Year. Devin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Gorman, Parsons, is an office assistant in the Development Office. He is a graduate of Parsons High School. At the end of the awards ceremony, David Hogard, assistant director of the Career Services Office, announced that Gorman's nomination had already been submitted to the state level and he has been chosen Student Employee of the Year for the State of Kansas. Gorman’s name will now be submitted for the regional competition.

Lyndsi Kjonegaard, a junior management major from Choteau, Okla., was named first runner up and Stephanie DeWees, a senior communication major from Lakin, Kan., was named second runner up. Kjonegaard is the daughter of Greg Kjonegaard, Choteau, and is a junior marketing major. She is a graduate of Choteau-Mazie High School. She works as a student secretary in the Office of Technology Management. DeWees is the daughter of Joe and Paula Korbe, Lakin, and is married to Richard DeWees. The couple lives in Frontenac, Kan. Stephanie is a graduate of Lakin High School. She works as a student secretary in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

In nominating Gorman for the Student Employee of the Year Award, his supervisor, wrote that Gorman "interacts quietly and confidently with major donors, university administrators, PSU Foundation Board members and other university stakeholders."

Gorman was praised for the extra effort he expends to help visitors to campus who stop by the Development Office for direction and assistance.

"Devin is truly an ambassador for the entire institution, not just the Office of University Development," the nominator wrote.

Gorman has put his minor, graphic arts, to work in the office.

"His talent as a graphic artist is truly exceptional and is of great benefit to the Office of University development," the nominator wrote.

---Pitt State---

Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Africa

The Pittsburg State University African Students Association will share the "Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Africa" with the campus and the community at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7, in the Overman Student Center.

ASA President Andrew Ikpeme said the group's goal is for each person attending to feel as if he or she has actually tasted, heard and seen the rich and diverse cultures of Africa. Ikpeme said the students will prepare a wide array of traditional African dishes for visitors to sample. Additionally, the students will conduct a number of fashion shows featuring colorful traditional African dress and will also perform traditional African dances and songs.

Tickets for the event are $3 for PSU students and $5 for non-students. For information, call Ikpeme at 620-875-2195.

---pitt state---

ISA hosts dance

The PSU International Student Association (ISA) will host a dance from 8 p.m. until midnight on Friday, April 7, in the dance studio in the Weede Physical Education Building. There will be snacks, drinks, and prizes. Admission is $2.

For more information, contact Jeff Hashman, ISA adviser, at 620-235-4682 or by e-mail at jhashman@pittstate.edu; or Siau Hung Gouw, ISA president, at 620-875-2099 or by e-mail at siauhung_80@yahoo.com.

---Pitt State---

New shows open in PSU galleries

Two new shows will open in the Pittsburg State University art galleries this week. Taking Time, an exhibition of the works of Pittsburg artists Sherri Lindsay and Gregg Krepps, will open April 7 in the University Gallery in Porter Hall, where it will run through May 8. A reception for the artists will be held from 5-8 p.m. on April 7. A special guest at the reception will be Mrs. Lilly Keeney, who will be celebrating her 94th birthday. Mrs. Keeney is an accomplished artist in her own right and is the wife of the late Bert Keeney, a former faculty member.

Lindsay and Krepps share an affinity and obsession with time and materials. Lindsay designs intricate and detailed surfaces for her sculptural forms and functional boxes or pins from thousands of tiny pieces of egg shells. Krepps creates his ceramic pieces using an intensive burnishing technique that requires countless hours of patience and persistence.

Departures is a show of the work of Amanda Hood. It runs April 8-13 in the second floor Student Gallery in Porter Hall. A reception for the artist will be held from 6-8 p.m. on April 8.

Hood captures an intimate landscape in an otherwise sterile and transitory environment. Using airport imagery, the artist draws upon memories and emotions to create oil paintings that are rich in light and texture.

The University Gallery is open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Student Gallery is open from 8 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Admission to the galleries is free.

For gallery information, please call the PSU Department of Art at 620-235-4302 or visit the gallery Web site at www.pittstate.edu/art/gallery.html.

---Pitt State---

PSU offers summer classes in Paraguay

Some of the faculty call it PSU south – way south. Catolica Universidad in Asuncion, Paraguay, may not be a satellite campus for Pittsburg State University, but a new program means that students can easily take Pitt State classes there.

Alice Sagehorn, a member of the PSU a member of the faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and director of the PSU in Paraguay Program, said a new program makes it possible for PSU students to pick up general education credits this summer and have a rich international experience at the same time.

Sagehorn said that for American students who are reluctant to commit to a semester or a year abroad, the summer program is a perfect option. Offering general education courses in Paraguay is another way for us to open the international experience to more students, Sagehorn said. The courses to be taught this summer are "General Literature," May 22-June 14; "Environmental Life Science," June 19-July 27; and "Speech Communication," July 31-Aug. 18.

"These are general education classes taught in English by PSU professors," Sagehorn said.

Students who enroll in the summer classes in Paraguay will be housed with host families in Asuncion, Sagehorn said.

"As much as possible, we hope to be able to match up American students with the families of Paraguayan students who are also taking PSU classes," Sagehorn said.

Staying with host families not only improves the cultural experience for the American students, according to Sagehorn, but also keeps the cost down. She said that the American students could expect to pay just $15 a day for lodging. Additionally, they will also need to pay for airline fare and for their visa. The cost for the classes is $155 per credit hour. Sagehorn pointed out that the program is not restricted to PSU students.

Sagehorn said that unlike some other parts of the world, Paraguay is still a very welcoming place for Americans.

"They are very friendly," Sagehorn said. "They know Kansas because of the long history between Kansas and Paraguay, which extends back to 1968 when the Kansas Paraguay Partnership and its Paraguayan counterpart, the Comite' Paraguay Kansas, were created."

The summer classes are part of the ongoing Pittsburg State University in Paraguay Program, which includes a number of Paraguayan students who are currently enrolled in PSU classes at Catolica Universidad. Students in the program can earn up to 48 PSU credit hours over two years at Catolica Universidad. A number of the Paraguayan students enrolled in the program eventually come to Pitt State, Sagehorn said. Currently, 12 students from Paraguay are pursuing degrees at PSU and others are now studying at other universities in Kansas and the U.S.

For more about the Pittsburg State University in Paraguay Program, call Sagehorn at 620-235-4499 or Heather Eckstein, interim co-director of Admission and Enrollment Services at 620-235-4265, or visit the program Web site at www.pittstate.edu/admit/paraguay.html.

---Pitt State---

PSU Automotive Engineers plan car & bike show

The Pittsburg State University Society of Automotive Engineers Chapter will hold its sixth annual Pittsburg State University Car & Bike Show on Saturday, April 22, in the parking lot north of the Kansas Technology Center at Ford and Rouse Streets in Pittsburg. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and costs $10.

Awards will be announced at 2 p.m. First and second place winners will be chosen. Classes include: Mopar, GM, Ford, Non-Big 3, Motorcycles, Trucks, and Imports. Specialty awards will be given for best of show, paint and engine. In addition to the competition, organizers plan games, prizes and a live band.

For more information, contact Charles Toler at toler_30@hotmail.com or Trent Lindbloom at 620-235-4198.

---Pitt State---

Students plan Kids Fun Fair

Students in the Social Work Club at Pittsburg State University will hold a Kids Fun Fair from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, in Pittsburg's Lincoln Park. The activities planned include clowns, a cake walk, bouncing gym, balloon darts, three-legged races, face painting, a duck pond, treasure chest, fishing wall ring toss and inflated slide. There will also be an egg hunt and door prizes.

The club will charge small fees for the games and for food sales with all proceeds going to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Crawford County.

In case of rain, the Fun Fair will be held in the Weede Physical Education Building on the PSU campus.

For information, contact Lynn Kritikos at kritikosl@hotmail.com.

---Pitt State---

Library Friends holds Children's Book Festival

The Friends of Axe Library at Pittsburg State University will hold its first annual Children's Book Festival from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, in the east lobby of the Weede Physical Education Building. The festival will be held in conjunction with the Young Author's Conference on the same day.

Many authors have donated representative samples of their work to be sold. Most are signed and many are decorated with a small drawing or a note. Several picture books in the collection will appeal to youngsters. Those titles include "Sea Giants of Dinosaur Time" and "North American Wolves." Others, such as "Ties that Bind, Ties that Break," which involves a young woman from 1920s China who rejects her family's demand to bind her feet, will appeal to middle school and high school readers.

Authors from abroad have also contributed, such as the renowned British author, Michael Bond, creator of Paddington Bear. Bond autographed his copy of "A Bear Called Paddington" with tiny paw prints. In the non-fiction category, books such as "Count on Us: American Women in the Military" will be for sale. Another non-fiction tale is "Dog of Discovery," which tells the uplifting and heartbreaking story of Seaman, Meriwether Lewis’ Newfoundland dog, who accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition. Seaman risked his life many times chasing bears and buffalo away and assisting with the hunting.

Since its creation in 1988, the Friends of Axe Library group has planned and supported many projects for library improvement, including purchases of furniture, films and books. The group has also sponsored numerous lectures, an art exhibition and the publication of a campus guidebook.

For more information about Axe Library or the Friends of Axe Library, please visit the PSU Web site at www.pittstate.edu and click on the library link or call the library at 620-235-4880.

---Pitt State---