YOUR LETTERS 4-29-11

Embarrassed by MSSU

After graduating in December of 2008 I was very proud of my degree from Missouri Southern State University. Not only did I enjoy my experiences, but was able to grow as an individual and in turn I believe that has helped me into a successful career as a professional.

However, after learning news of my advisor, teacher, and good friend T.R. Hanrahan being let go of his duties, I have never been more upset and embarrassed of where my degree has came from.

By no means do I consider myself an award-winning writer (which has been a product of The Chart and Mr. Hanrahan) nor do I consider myself a great writer, (which Mr. Hanrahan and The Chart has produced in great number) however, I do owe a great deal of credit to "one of our own" for where I am today.

So sit in here in my office wondering just how many others feel the same sentiment I do. With the boom of social networking and texting I didn't have to wonder long as I have seen this story blasted with similar disdain as I currently have including a good number of text messages that I would happily save for any administration, or public figure that would care to test the waters.

This brings me to the greatest point I need to make, the first amendment. Administration at Missouri Southern has just let go not only one of the finest teachers I have had in my college career. I feel as though the university is dismissing someone based on the first amendment rights of The Chart and every American individual for that matter. Has there really been so much controversy that an individual's livelihood has been taken from him? Please let us not forget our first amendment right the United States government has given each and everyone of us, which ironically allows me to write this.

TR Hanrahan has been a substantial voice not just in media circles, but also in the lives of many students who have walked through Webster Hall. I have since moved on from Joplin and Missouri Southern, and have continually stood behind and defended many naysayers about the community and university. However, I feel as though it has come back to bite me as our administration has an agenda that has been discovered and is trying to stomp it out. I fully understand how politics work, and this is a part of that, but when you start limiting the freedom of press you have gone to far. Remember, it is not our fault you choose to respond with "no comment" or have a "gag order" about the university, but it just appears as shady and that's where the real journalism and investigation comes in.

Phillip Dowden

MSSU Class of 2008

I learned from Hanrahan

As a journalist I was taught to uncover the truth, no matter how big or how small that truth may be. I was taught that a pen was a form of power and all the awards on the wall were just a sign that the truth you had been searching for had been found. As a student journalist I was taught many things, but what's important is who I learned them from. Everything I learned, I learned from a teacher who was not only a great professor, but a better man.

As a former Chart editor, I learned my life lessons from T.R. Hanrahan. Not only did he teach me how to be a great journalist, but he taught me how to be strong-willed, resilient, and brave. He stood by me, as well as, all of his other students even when the school did not. He believed in our rights to the First Amendment even when this school tried to deny them. He put our newspaper back on the stands, even when this school took it off. And most importantly, he continued to run stories that his students uncovered even when it threatened his job.

I understand that the University has a reputation to uphold, but as far as I'm concerned T.R. helped student after student uncover truth within their own school. He led student journalists to awards and made Southern a power house in the media realm. Now am I wrong, or is that not what this school hired him to do? He was hired to teach students, and to shape future journalists. He wasn't hired to lie or to cover up mistakes. He simply did what was morally right and to do anything different would have been a contradiction to anything he had ever learned or taught.

Relieving T.R. of his position will not hide Southern's issues, but instead make all of the Chart writers dig harder for the truth that T.R. wanted so desperately for them find. T.R. made every single one of us a good journalist, and this school should be ashamed to let someone of such value be so expendable.

His loss will not only be felt by the communications department, but campus-wide. T.R. truly is a great teacher who wants nothing more than to see the people he taught to reach their full potential. I know that I would have never reached mine without him.

For the students who have never had him as teacher, I'm sorry. Missouri Southern took a great learning experience away from you. For those of us who have had the pleasure to be called one of his children, stand up for him. Don't let him leave quietly. "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Continue to uncover the truth no matter the consequence. And for T.R., thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me and for the rest of us. Thank you for the memories and all the late night advice. I hope you find a university that believes in you just as much as your students have. You truly are the best teacher I have ever had and no amount of words could ever tell you how much I appreciate your honesty and integrity.

As for Dr. Speck, you're definitely not Charlie Sheen right now because after this move, you're not winning.

Meagan Morrison

Former Chart staff member

MSSU made big mistake

MSSU has made possibly the biggest mistake in its history by firing The Chart advisor, T.R. Hanrahan.