The approaching Campus Appreciation Week at Missouri Southern will celebrate the beauty of nature and school pride.

"We're trying to get more school spirit," said Ann Marlowe, professor of English. "We're celebrating the 30th anniversary of Earth Day."

Marlowe is "spearheading" the activities during Southern's third annual Campus Appreciation Week.

"It started out with the pond celebration," Marlowe said. "It kind of bloomed into Campus Appreciation Week."

The pond celebration in 1998 marked the 25th anniversary of Southern's biology pond. Marlowe has added a variety of activities to next week's event, which begins Monday, April 17.

"We're going to have a poetry reading," she said. "It's going to be in the Mayes Student Life Center and it's open to faculty, staff, and particularly to students."

Marlowe said she encourages anyone to come to the reading at noon on Wednesday, April 19. Participants are welcome to read published poems or works of their own. Those who wish only to watch and listen are also invited to attend.

"I'm trying to get students more of an opportunity to experience things on campus," she said.

A slogan contest for Earth Day is currently underway for students and faculty. Entries must submit a three to five word slogan that represents Earth Day or the natural world.

"Last year's winner was 'Earth Day everyday' which is kind of neat," she said.

The deadline for slogans is noon on Friday, April 14. This year's winner will become a permanent fixture at Southern.

"We thought the winner could have their slogan and name on the metal tree tag of the tree we're going to be planting."

The tree planting ceremony will follow the poetry reading on Wednesday at 1 p.m. outside of Mayes Student Life Center. It will further show the school's appreciation of Earth Day by adding another life to the campus environment.

The last event of Campus Appreciation Week will be handled by the Campus Activity Board (CAB).

"We're doing a sidewalk decorating contest," said Val Carlisle, coordinator of student activities. "It's basically an art contest."

The sidewalk decorating contest is open to staff, faculty, and students. The themes are campus appreciation and involvement, nature, and Earth Day.

"We're going to contact faculty and departments, have them choose a square of sidewalk and draw on it," she said.

Campus Appreciation Week starts Monday, April 17 and will span until Friday, April 21. Students, staff, and faculty are all encouraged to participate and show their love of the campus, the natural world, and the anniversary of Earth Day.

Published by The Chart on 4-14-2000, as a brief.

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