Joe Biden told a crowd estimated at more than 700 at Missouri Western State University Thursday that November’s election will be “the most important” they will have ever voted in.
There seemed to be some truth to that, given the nearly two hours that students, even Republican students, waited in line in the cold morning air, and then for another hour or more inside for Mr. Biden to take the podium.
But for Western freshman Andrew Gibson, it’s his first election. While some students (there were about three dozen total at the event) wore shirts emblazoned with Barack Obama’s image, the self-proclaimed “total Democrat” was wearing a black T-shirt with the visage of 1960s lead singer Jim Morrison from the “Doors.”

OSBORN, Mo. — If it weren’t for Lloyd Edwards’ distaste for English beer, he might never have met Muriel Partridge, his wife of 65 years.

A Central High School teacher has resigned following allegations of what school officials called an “inappropriate relationship” with a male student.

A boat is foundering in stormy waters. Let’s say that boat is the credit crisis.
“Regardless of who did what,” said Dr. Reza Hamzaee, economics professor at Missouri Western State University, “we need to mobilize our thoughts and make the best decision how to take this boat to shore.”
Congress tried to bring the boat to shore Friday, giving final approval to the $700 billion rescue plan of the financial system. Local economists say a majority of the public, and even lawmakers, don’t understand the issues surrounding the plan, also referred to as a “bailout.”

Nearly every facet of Northwest Missouri State University’s enrollment figures show increases.

In planning for the future, some goals are seemingly more out of reach than others.

A $1.14 million grant recently secured by Northwest Missouri State University gives a major boost to its nascent nanoscience program.

The message from Washington, D.C.,’s most intriguing couple was fairly direct Tuesday — you’re living in historic times; get involved.
James Carville and wife, Mary Matalin, were the featured speakers at Missouri Western State University’s “Convocation on Critical Issues.” The annual event has hosted names such as Bob Woodward, Colin Powell and Steve Forbes during the past 15 years. Mr. Carville is a Democrat, and Ms. Matalin describes her political affiliation as a conservative Libertarian.
“You have a ring-side seat to history,” Ms. Matalin said to more than 800 high school students and hundreds of Western students, teachers and community members at a packed M.O. Looney Complex. “I’m almost jealous.”

The stark contrast between one of Washington, D.C.,’s most interesting couples proved comedic and informative Monday.
James Carville and Mary Matalin, in town for today’s “Convocation on Critical Issues” at Missouri Western State University, entertained a packed house Monday evening at a pre-convocation dinner at Western’s Fulkerson Center.

Students considering their future careers have never had more resources to find what will suit them best.
Money doesn’t always factor into the choice. Though they can dream big — with confidence — they don’t necessarily dream of big money.
Teresa Klassen, a senior at Central High School, knows that pursuing a career in editing or publishing might not be the most financially lucrative of decisions.
“It’s important to be able to afford a life,” she said, “but I’m going to do what I want to do in the end ... not torture myself with math and science.”