[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 1997

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize an 
institution in southwest Missouri for promoting and laying the 
foundation upon which character is built. The institution I speak of is 
Southwest Missouri State University [SMSU] where I had the privilege to 
earn my master's in history. The award is the ``Templeton Foundation 
Honor Roll for Character Building Colleges.'' Some 135 institutions 
were selected out of 2,208 eligible universities and colleges. More 
impressive is that of the 6 percent of universities that were 
privileged to receive this award, only eight were public institutions 
and SMSU was the only public institution in Missouri to receive this 
award.
  In 1995, SMSU began a statewide mission in public affairs that 
focuses on developing traits within students that help them to become 
responsible citizens. That is why it is no surprise that SMSU would 
meet the standards needed to be recognized as a character building 
institution. Those standards considered as determinants of the award 
are the extent to which students are inspired to develop and strengthen 
their moral reasoning skills, the encouragement of spiritual growth and 
moral values, community building experiences, a drug-free lifestyle and 
whether the institution conducts critical assessments of its character-
building programs and activities.
  SMSU begins to establish each of these values when students start 
their first year through forums where nationally known role models 
emphasize personal responsibility and character. Freshmen also attend a 
mandatory class that focuses on responsible citizenship in a learning 
community. This class teaches that drug and alcohol abuse will not be 
tolerated but also demonstrates alternatives that encourage physical, 
social, and spiritual well-being. Frequent roundtable discussions focus 
on incorporating principle values that help a learning institution like 
SMSU flourish. More than 20 religious organizations on campus are very 
active and play an influential role in student life. The city of 
Springfield has benefited from the community involvement of SMSU where 
just last year students, faculty, and staff contributed more than 
69,500 hours of community service. SMSU students also are responsible 
for coordinating the nationwide ``Into the Streets'' program for the 
city of Springfield. SMSU surveys alumni and faculty to assess the 
civic involvement and also studies other universities to learn their 
assessment techniques.
  While I know that students, faculty, and staff of SMSU will celebrate 
this award, the community of Springfield and every parent whose child 
is attending SMSU should as well. Employees can know that when they 
hire someone with a degree from SMSU they can trust them to be faithful 
employees of character and good citizenship. Parents can be confident 
that when they send their children to SMSU they will learn not only 
book knowledge but also the values needed to produce good character.
  Finally may I add that we remember the words of Herbert Spencer when 
he said ``Education has for its object the formation of character.'' 
Thank you SMSU for making that your object as well.

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