CON V ERGING CA MPUS & COMMUNIT Y
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025
MARYVILLE, MISSOURI
NWMISSOURINEWS.COM
VOL. 113, NO. 14
@THEMISSOURIAN
FILE
Flags to fly at half-staff to honor life of former NW president
NATHAN NODA ASST. PHOTO EDITOR
Paddle-auction announcer Cindy Lemar holds up a pastry gift basket being auctioned off at the North Star Advocacy Center annual fundraiser March 20. The proceeds from the auction went toward supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.
REACH FOR THE STARS Advocacy center hosts annual fundraiser ASTRE SCHLAISS News Reporter | @AstreWords
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omestic violence affects millions every year, with 12 million people affected by intimate partner violence alone, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. One Maryville organization is looking to support those survivors. Linda Mattson, North Star Advocacy Center executive director, said she wanted to help those affected by domestic and sexual violence. This year, North Star Advocacy Center hosted its third-annual fundraiser 5 p.m. March 20 at Northwest’s Agricultural Learning Center. North Star Advocacy Center provides confidential services to anyone affected by sexual assault or domestic violence. It has a shelter for victims, their children and their pets. “Our mission statement is empow-
ering victims of domestic and sexual violence while trying to influence a culture change,” Mattson said. “We just try to take away any barrier that keeps them in an unsafe place.” She said the majority of the money raised at the fundraiser went to victim expenses. The funds helped victims receive necessary items, such as medication or car insurance, to get back on their feet. Smithville, Missouri, resident Linda Evans attended the fundraiser to support her sister Krista VonBehren, who worked as a social worker for North Star. Evans said it is important the event brings awareness and funds to North Star Advocacy Center. “I’m not here for the food or anything, but I like seeing what people have donated and the stories that they share,” Evans said. Evans has attended the event all three years it’s existed, noting its growth since the beginning. She said
she appreciated the larger space of the Agricultural Learning Center compared to the Rose Hill Acres Event Center to accommodate the growing attendance. Mattson said these growing numbers propel North Star Advocacy Center’s name in the community. Because of this, it received donations for the auctions used to raise funds.
SEE NORTH STAR | A5 MORE INFORMATION The Letter’s From Project will be featured in the April 9 and 23 issues. The Missourian is partnered with North Star Advocacy Center to allow anyone affected by sexual assault to share their stories. Letters should be emailed to advocate1@northstarac.org by April 20.
Former Northwest President Dean L. Hubbard died Sunday evening, according to an email sent by Northwest News to students, faculty and staff March 24. Hubbard was the University’s longest-serving president, performing from 1984 to 2009. The email said Hubbard, who was 85 years old and battling with kidney disease, died at his home surrounded by family. To honor Hubbard’s life, University President Lance Tatum ordered U.S. and Missouri flags on campus be flown at half-staff from sunrise March 25 to sunset April 4. “Jill and I extend our deepest sympathy to Aleta and the Hubbard family on the passing of Dr. Dean Hubbard, Northwest’s ninth president,” Tatum said in the email. “His 25 years of dedicated service to this institution were extraordinary, and his contributions to Northwest set the foundation for many of today’s accomplishments.” Hubbard’s time leading Northwest saw much growth and success, according to the news release included in the email. During his presidency, the University gained national recognition for its “Culture of Quality” and was also the recipient of the Missouri Quality Award four times under Hubbard. This makes Northwest the only educational institution in the state to accomplish that. The news release includes a full list of accomplishments.
Maurices stores nationwide welcome MAURICES DONATIONS donations to support women in need ANNA BAILEY Asst. News Editor | @AmBailey16
Throughout March — Women’s History Month — Maurices stores across the country have been accepting donations for I Support the Girls.
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We’ll also accept regular clothing that we can take to North Star just to help those women in need.”
KYNDALL PORTER MAURICES MARYVILLE SALES MANAGER
ISTG is a nonprofit organization that collects donations of new and unused bras and underwear, as well as packages of feminine hygiene products like tampons and maxi pads. These supplies are distributed to women experiencing homelessness. The Maryville Maurices will take donations until March 30, and will take them to North Star Advocacy Center. Maurices Maryville Sales Manager Kyndall Porter said 16 donations had been made by March 20. She said the store will accept almost any kind of donation. “I mean, we’ll gladly take them, whether it’s the bras…we’ll also accept regular clothing that we can take to North Star just to help those women in need,” Porter said. ISTG was founded by human rights advocate Dana Marlowe. The nonprofit began in 2015 after Marlowe spoke to a saleswoman who said, “Homeless women need bras,” and a lightbulb moment went
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off, according to ISTG. Since then, ISTG has helped nearly 6 million people, having collected and distributed over 37 million products worldwide, according to ISTG. Porter said the donation event not only helps women experiencing homelessness but also those in need of support due to other circumstances. “I think that it just brings awareness to our local women’s shelters that help support women that are going through domestic abuse, sexual abuse, trafficking, everything like that,” Porter said. Andrea Marsh, who was visiting Maryville and Maryville resident Sally Duff said they have not donated to ISTG but would consider it. Marsh said she believes clothing donation events typically fail to think about the need for undergarments, unlike ISTG.
SEE DONATIONS | A5
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bras, socks and underwear have been donated from Maurices.
INFOGRAPHIC BY SAVANNAH ATHY-SEDBROOK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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