FULTON - Amber Cox, a William Woods University alumna who has spent nearly seven years with the Women's National Basketball Association's (WNBA) Phoenix Mercury, will return to her alma mater to become director of intercollegiate athletics.

“Amber is the first female, and the first alum, to hold this position,” Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, WWU president, said. “I am so pleased that she has accepted this opportunity; she is going to be a fireball!”

Barnett praised Cox's experience and enthusiasm.

"Amber brings a wealth of diverse experience to the position of athletic director. As a former student-athlete at William Woods, she also brings that unique perspective. I am confident in her ability to lead the Owls to an even higher level of achievement in intercollegiate athletics, with the appropriate focus on character development, academics, sportsmanship and athleticism. As the first female athletic director in WWU's history and her background working in the professional sports arena, it will be exciting to see how the program prospers with her unique touch," she said.

Cox replaces Larry York, who has retired after 11 years as athletic director at William Woods and 23 years as AD at Jefferson City High School.

“It’s a unique and exciting opportunity to return to my alma mater and serve as the director of athletics,” Cox said. “My time as a student-athlete at The Woods provided me with invaluable tools, both personal and professional.

“My hope is to contribute to the great traditions of William Woods athletics and enhance the experience of every one of our student-athletes. I look forward to working with our talented coaches, faculty and staff, under the great leadership of Dr. Barnett, to take this already-successful athletic department to the next level.”

Cox earned her Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from William Woods University in 1996, with a major in communications and a minor in physical education. She completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at WWU in 1998.

Most recently Cox was chief operating officer for the Mercury, and prior to that she was senior director of marketing and promotions. The franchise won two WNBA Championships during her tenure.

Before moving to Phoenix, Cox was assistant director of athletics/media relations and development for Columbia College for four years. She worked for the American Midwest Conference for six years as sports information director and commissioner. She also served a year as Region V sports information director.

Other experiences include two years as accounts supervisor at Visionworks Marketing and Communications, and two years as assistant sports information director and assistant basketball coach at WWU while earning her MBA.

While a student, Cox worked as an assistant forestry information specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation and completed a photography internship at the Missouri House of Representatives. She also served as editor of WWU’s student newspaper.

Cox played basketball for the William Woods Owls from 1992 to 1996. She was a three-time AMC All-Conference player and was named NAIA Honorable Mention All-America in 1994-95.

William Woods University offers 13 sports—men and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track and field, as well as baseball, softball and women’s volleyball. This past academic year the Owls captured three American Midwest Conference tournament championships and qualified nine individuals and four teams for the NAIA National Championships.

This past year WWU had five All-Americans. In addition, 18 student-athletes were selected NAIA Scholar-Athletes, and 71 were named Academic All-Conference. Also, five WWU teams earned NAIA Scholar Team status.

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Southeast Missouri State University has named 897 students to its Dean’s List for academic achievement during the 2011 summer session. Students named to the list earned at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and completed at least six degree credit hours during the summer session. ]br\]br\ The names as released by the university of area students includes:

Advance: Lindsey G. Mace, Miranda D. Nixon, Richard L. Nixon, Elizabeth F. O'Connor, David J. Vangennip.

Bell City: Taylor K. Eaki.

Bernie: Amanda N. Appleton, Jennifer K. Brown.

Bloomfield: Catlynn B. Campbell, Heather N. Chasteen, Judi D. Hampton, Corey A. Noles, Brittney N. Roper.

Dexter: Lacy L. Bennett, Cory M. Botts, Dorothy Ellison, Nicole L. Garner, Christopher C. Graves, Janet K. Guethle, Whitney L. Hickman, Kody A. Hindman, Kerri M. Lane, Wesley D. Montgomery, Ashley D. Seymore, Mandin D. Tice.

Essex: Christine N. Barnes, Reese W. Palmer, Carros L. Shidler, Ashley L. Watson.

Parma: Jordan C. Passley.

Puxico: David H. Crain, Justin F. Townsend.

Risco: Carol S. Hollis.

CAPE GIRARDEAU – Southeast Missouri State University will welcome students for the start of the 2011-2012 academic year with a weekend of activities Aug. 18-20.

“I am so excited about the events we have planned for all of our students during Opening Week 2011,” said Theresa Haug-Belvin, director of Student Transitions. “I am confident they will assist our new students with their transition to our campus community.”

First-year students who want to unpack early can do so on Aug. 18 during the Early-Bird Move-In. Early-Bird check-in is scheduled for 6-8 a.m. in the Student Recreation Center-North. Regularly scheduled first-year check-in is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., also in the Student-Recreation Center-North.

Events on Aug. 19 begin with a Welcome Convocation at 10 a.m. in the Show Me Center. New students will be welcomed by Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, Harry Rediger, mayor of Cape Girardeau, and Patrick Vining, Student Government president, and will receive information about Opening Week activities.

New students can connect with members of the Southeast faculty, staff and experienced student leaders during Southeast 101 sessions at 10:45 a.m. at various campus locations. Interactive activities are planned that will provide further information about the campus, and lunch will be served.

College meetings are scheduled for 2-4 p.m. at various locations that will give students the opportunity to hear from the deans of their colleges and interact with faculty members from their departments. Shuttles will be available to take students back to the Show Me Center parking lot at the conclusion of the meetings.

Honors students and students interested in learning more about the Jane Stephens Honors Program are invited to meet their colleagues in the honors community from 3-6 p.m. at the Honors House, located at 603 N. Henderson. Snacks and refreshments will be available.

The annual Great Ice Cream Pig Out is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center-North. This all-you-can-eat University tradition features ice cream served by Southeast students and administrators followed by a juggling performance.

On Aug. 20, activities begin with a First STEP enrollment program from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Center. The activity is for first-year students who have not yet attended an orientation session and enrolled in their fall semester courses.

Opening Week leaders will give campus tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. by the fountain in front of Kent Library. It is recommended that students bring their class schedules, so they can learn where their classes are located.

The Academic Support Center will host an academic and student support session at 3:30 p.m. in the University Center Program Lounge that will provide information to Academic Enhancement Program students and first-generation college students.

A second Honors Open House is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. The Honors House has desktop and laptop computers, Wi-Fi access, television, stereo and a full kitchen for the use of honors students as they study or relax.

The Student Activities Council welcomes new and returning students to campus with a free viewing of “Soul Surfer” and free popcorn at 7 p.m. in Rose Theatre.

Students are encouraged to indulge in relaxation while attending the annual Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Welcome Back Picnic from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Show Me Center. Activities, giveaways and food will be available, and the Cat’s Pajamas Vocal Band will perform live at the event. The picnic is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Chartwells Educational Dining Services. Entertainment at the picnic is sponsored by the Student Activities Council.

More than a dozen ShowMe State colleges and universities are listed among the nation’s top 650 institutions of higher learning by Forbes Magazine.

The magazine says its list reflects the quality of the school’s teaching, career prospects, graduation rates and low levels of debt, which measures student debt loads and default rates. The number of alumni who go on to win prestigious scholarships and fellowships, such as Marshall and Fulbright and Rhodes, is also factored into the equation.

Washington University in St. Louis was ranked highest among Missouri colleges and universities at 113. The flagship campus of the University of Missouri system - University of Missouri at Columbia - came in 386, while the University of Missouri-Kansas City ranked at 603, Missouri State at 605 and the University of Missouri – St. Louis at 629.

Forbes ranks Williams College, a private school in western Massachusetts number one. Annual costs at Williams College runs to $55,000, yet the magazine notes the school has one of the highest four-year graduation rates and its students routinely win national awards and are rewarded with high paying careers.

Missouri institutions in the Forbes ranking include:

• Washington University in St. Louis (#113)
• College of the Ozarks, Pt. Lookout (#191)
• William Jewell, Liberty (#233)
• Westminster College, Fulton (#248)
• Rockhurst University, Kansas City (#250)
• St. Louis University, St. Louis (#326)
• University of Missouri – Columbia (#386)
• Truman State University, Kirksville (#431)
• Maryville University, St. Louis (#484)
• Webster University, St. Louis (#486)
• Drury University, Springfield (#573)
• University of Missouri - Kansas City (#603)
• Missouri State University, Springfield (#605)
• University of Missouri - St. Louis (#629)

They marched out onto the field with their heads held high, marching smartly to a simple cadence, and proud of their accomplishments after a work-filled week.

The Marching Bearcat Band unveiled the 2011 field show to parents and friends on Friday evening after a week of hard work and dedication during the annual before-school band camp.

Freshmen to mighty seniors, they held their heads high, instruments with pride and performed the newly learned music and marching maneuvers.

“It’s been a successful week,” said DHS band instructor Scott Rybolt. “They worked hard all week.”

Pride was seen in the smiles of the parents and in the determination on the field by the students.

This year’s Marching Bearcats field show will feature of the music of the rock group Chicago – including hits like “25 or 6 to 4,” and “Does Anyone Really Know What Time It is.”

The band will take the field for the first time at the home opener when the Bearcats go against St. Genevieve on Friday, Aug. 26 at Charles Bland Stadium.

Drum majors for the 2011-2012 season include Joseph Greer, Kendra Stevenson and Lauren Dudley. Directors are Scott Rybolt and Jim Wade.

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