MSSU students are highlighted for their achievements at Global Leaders ceremony

Joplin, MO – Nineteen students were recognized during a special pinning ceremony on Sept. 28 for their participation in the Global Leaders program at Missouri Southern State University.

Launched in 2021, students are invited to participate in Global Leaders based on a combination of ACT and GPA scores. Each participating student will have access to $4,000 in private funds that can be used toward international travel, leadership development, undergraduate research, or travel to academic conferences.

“The pinning ceremony is meant to highlight our students and their goals,” said Ryan Orcutt, director of the Global Leaders program. “We have donors, students and their families from all over the world watching.”

Alexander Page, a sophomore international student from Sweden majoring in chemistry, was one of the students honored during the pinning ceremony.

“It means a lot to me being in this program, especially being an international student,” said Page. “My goal is to get into the FBI’s forensic science division but to also learn more skills in leadership and be open minded to other leaders and ideas.”

The event was attended by Global Leaders students, staff and donors to the program. It was livestreamed for those – such as Page’s family – who could not be there in person.

“The ceremony was great,” Page said. “It was nice to see everyone, especially the donors, to see the faces of the people who helped us get where we are today.”

Students participating in the 2022 pinning ceremony were:

Elizabeth Appelbaum, freshman nursing major, Waterloo, Ill.

Hannah Beashore, sophomore dental hygiene major, Shawnee Mission, Kan.

Madison Beeley, freshman biology major, Lawrence, Kan.

Chelsea Blount, freshman psychology major, Pea Ridge, Ark.

Ayden Cook, freshman nursing applicant, Anderson, Mo.

Edward Emanuel, freshman CIS/mathematics major, Carl Junction, Mo.

Kellen Hoerning, freshman elementary education major, Joplin

Nicholas Horton, freshman history major, Joplin

Ellie Lawson, freshman undeclared major, Joplin

Darin Oplotnik, senior biology major, Fair Grove, Mo.

Alex Page, sophomore chemistry major, Sweden

Morgan Robinson, freshman undeclared major, Webb City, Mo.

Madison Rues, freshman chemistry-forensic science major, Pleasant Hope, Mo.

Mia Scrimgeour, freshman legal affairs major, New Zealand.

Elizabeth Seeley, freshman international affairs major, Liberty, Mo.

Tamaki Seimiya, exchange student, Japan.

Yuna Seo, exchange student, South Korea

Kristian Strzelecki, freshman international affairs major, Carl Junction, Mo.

Aliyah Wagner, sophomore dental hygiene major, Park Hills, Mo.