Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!

Written by: Megan O'Neill PC09

"Wait, you know about sports?"

I wish I’d tallied every time those words were uttered to me. In most cases, I’m just getting involved in a conversation — something as simple as the lack of Mizzou’s offensive depth or the SEC’s draft stock this year. But yes, I do know “about” sports, and I can also tell you that the media landscape as it relates to the female voice in sports is bleak.

It’s scarce and frustrating, but most of all I think for the gregarious groups of women in media, it is a motivator. I cannot speak for everyone, but for me, it’s incentive enough to create a voice in that arena and build the content I want to read, and especially want to produce.

I work full time for a publishing company in Chicago and get home from work every day to do more work. That leads us to ZOUNation Magazine, a brand new publication that aims to tell the stories of Mizzou’s bolstering athletic community. There’s a certain amount of access that media personnel have to the athletes, coaches and alum who make up the athletic program. Our goal is to share that access with our readers.

The first thing you’ll notice about the magazine is the quality. I graduated from Mizzou with an emphasis in magazine publishing, and though I’ve worked on a number of titles, this publication takes the cake: heavier paper stock, a significant emphasis on photography and content to match. It’s meant to be collected and celebrated. So while other magazines are trimming and slimming down, we’re really catering to the fan who still enjoys holding and reading print.

Being a woman gives me a different perspective through which I can shape the magazine’s editorial path. But it doesn’t drive it. I work with my publishers to create our editorial voice and strategy. The support we’ve had is really incredible, and the future and potential is beyond exciting.

I look at the female sports media landscape that surrounds us, and there are signs of progress that exist. Look at Alison Overholt, editor-in-chief at ESPN The Magazine. She made history with her promotion to that title in February — the first woman to be named editor of a major sports magazine in the U.S. There are top-ranking female editors, writers, producers and directors at major outlets. They frame the careers that are possible for young women. But where a ripple effect of growth needs to happen, I think, is within smaller channels and at lower levels.

There’s a bit of an Erin Andrews effect with sideline reporting, although female dominated, is just a step in the ladder. As young women recognize that, maybe 10 years from now, sports pages, programs and platforms headed by women won’t be such an anomaly, right? That’s the hope, at least.

So go subscribe to ZOUNation, apply for careers in sports media, and reach out to women in sports: coaches, athletes, and businesswomen. Stand strong when someone at the bar is surprised that you like sports.

And, if you’re me, pass on that rhinestoned pink jersey.

Congratulations to our Future Veterinarian!

Written by: Jamie Selman PC14

Surprisingly, I do not have the typical story of most college veterinary students who have known since a young age that they wanted to be veterinarians. My memories as a young child would be more accurate if I were sitting on the couch watching my younger sister give our dog a checkup with a toy stethoscope.  My sister and I have always loved animals. She wanted to be a veterinarian all her life, while I didn’t even think of it as a career option until my senior year of high school. I became interested in veterinary medicine after my dog started having thyroid problems and was seemingly at the vet every other week.  I spent a lot of time in the clinic with her and soon called local veterinarians to see if I could come in and shadow them at their offices.

When I was looking at schools to apply for undergrad, Mizzou peaked my interest. It had a program called “Pre-Veterinary Medical Scholars” which was essentially a pre-acceptance into Mizzou’s vet school if I was accepted as a high school student.  I was accepted late in my senior year of high school, and consequently decided to attend Mizzou.

During my undergrad I have been fortunate enough to shadow at Mizzou’s vet school and experience hands-on participation as an Animal Science major. I have gotten a lot of practical experience and knowledge about livestock animals throughout my coursework and have had the privilege to view a tie back surgery on a Budweiser Clydesdale. Every week I am thankful to handle and learn more about live animals, and that is unprecedented to any other major at Mizzou. Although it is a challenging and time consuming path, I truly believe every second of hard work will be worth it in the end.  It is bittersweet that my undergrad years are coming to a close, but I know the real journey is starting next year.

After diligently completing all of my pre-vet scholar requirements I was accepted into the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine for the fall of 2016!  I am so excited to start my journey in becoming a veterinarian.  After I graduate in four years I hope to do a surgical internship and eventually open my own small animal practice. Most of all, I am excited to have the opportunity in working every day to advocate for animals that do not have a voice to speak for themselves.

Steering Committee Spotlight

Emily Ladig and Haley Leopold

Greek Week Steering Committee - 2016

Written by: Emily Ladig - PC13

This spring, I am lucky enough to serve as a Steering Committee member for Greek Week, in which it is my job to help plan events for Greek students over the course of a three-week period in April. 

More specifically, I am on the Public Relations Committee. Part of my job consists of coordinating sponsorships and profit shares, developing the Greek Week Rulebook, designing merchandise and creating social media content. It’s exciting coming up with new ways to raise funds and makes it all worth the while knowing that all the money we raise will go towards 6 beneficiaries. Last year, Greek Week raised over $75,000, and we are hoping to beat this goal!

Additionally, it is extremely rewarding to have the opportunity to hold a position that goes hand in hand with my major (Journalism – Strategic Communication), which assists in giving me experience towards my future career. Not only do I love what I am doing, but also working with my 17 other SteerCo members, directors and advisor is a blast. I have made great friends already. It is an honor getting to work with other Greek students who are just as dedicated and passionate as myself about the Mizzou Greek community and the community of Columbia as a whole.

While it is sad not being able to participate in Greek Week events with my sisters, it is gratifying being able to give back to those who need it. I am happy to take part in planning events that so many students are able to participate in. So far, it has already been an incredible experience and I am thrilled to continue planning events for such awesome causes. I am so thankful to have an opportunity like this and I look forward to seeing Greek Week 2016 take place this April!

Homecoming Steering Committee - 2016

Written by: Haley Leopold - PC13

Homecoming Steering Committee is the core of Mizzou’s greatest and longest-held tradition. Steering Committee members are carefully selected MU students that take on the task of planning, organizing and running all of the Homecoming festivities each year.

After leaving an info session at the Reynolds Alumni Center, I knew that the 2016 Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee was something I was very passionate about becoming a part of. The process began with an online written application and in return, I was invited for my first interview.

A few days later, after much anticipation, I received an email inviting me back for a second interview with the directors of the upcoming Steering Committee. On the night of my final interview, I arrived feeling more nervous than ever, but I was prepared to make a good impression.

With much anticipation, I awaited the results from my interview. That night, I received a call from one of the directors congratulating me on being chosen as a member of the 2016 Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee! I nearly fell out of the chair and I thanked the director profusely for the opportunity with a huge grin on my face. To my surprise, they already had a meeting planned for us the next morning at 6 a.m.

I was waiting somewhat patiently by the door at 6 a.m. sharp. Within the next 5 minutes I was in a car with several other new Steering Committee members who I had not previously met, but we were all very excited to reach our destination. It was great to get to know so many new friends and even see some familiar faces. I am beyond grateful and so very happy to be a part of this organization. I can’t wait to see what this opportunity holds for me!  

Alpha Phi Executive Board Travels to Dallas!

Written by: Jenna Boessen - PC14

Top row: Brianna Hunt, Samara Rothstein, Hannah Hartlieb, Jessica Wolff, Hannah Scaturro, Bailey Davis  Bottom row: Skylar Suppes, Ashtyn Scruggs, Kelly Gorniak, Katie Pulio, Kira Swearingen, Natalie Cundiff

Our Executive Board flew down to Dallas, Texas this past Friday for the annual Alpha Phi Southern Quadrant Leadership Conference. Our girls spent the weekend alongside other Alpha Phi Executive Boards from schools like the University of Alabama, Clemson University, and the University of Kentucky learning how to utilize their positions and exchanging ideas.

Our Alpha Phis split amongst their specified departments and attended workshops where they were able to share new ideas and brainstorm on goals for the upcoming year. Each board member had the opportunity to add her own creativity as well as speak on behalf of the Omicron Chapter as a whole. They received great critiques and plan to put the new knowledge in action. Ashtyn Scruggs, the Vice President of Marketing, said she and other girls in her department focused on philanthropy, creating a brand, and marketing tactics that will benefit Alpha Phi in the future.

Hannah Hartlieb and Deana Gage

The Executive Board traveled back with great news and recognition for our chapter from attending the annual awards banquet at the leadership conference. The Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi proudly received "Excellence in Continuous Open Bidding", "Most Improved Scholarship" and "Most Improved Chapter". Most of all, we are excited to have qualified as a top ten chapter in the Southern Quadrant, otherwise known as the "Order of the Lamp”. We feel honored to have received these awards and are extremely proud of the accomplishments made in the past year for Omicron. We would like to thank our advisors along with our CCA, Nora Baker, and CCM, Jen Ryback, for their dedication to our chapter.

Top row: Samara Rothstein, Jessica Wolff, Hannah Scaturro, Natalie Cundiff, Brianna Hunt, Bailey Davis, Kira Swearingen Bottom Row: Ashtyn Scruggs, Katie Pulio, Hannah Hartlieb, Nora Baker, Skylar Suppes, Kelly Gorniak

While the weekend in Dallas seemed to be solely work, the girls still enjoyed being with one another and growing together as an Executive Board. They bonded over ice cream and even a conference-wide pajama party. More importantly, each went beyond their departments and got to know each other better as individuals so that they can truly work together as a team this year. Your Alpha Phi Executive Board plans to keep the momentum up for Omicron in the coming year! 

Pictured: Katie Pulio, Brianna Hunt, Skylar Suppes, Jess Wolff, Samara Rothstein, Bailey Davis, Ashtyn Scruggs, Hannah Scaturro, Kira Swearingen, Hannah Hartlieb, Kelly Gorniak, Natalie Cundiff