Mr. MSU celebrates its 30th year

Allyson Putman
Contributing writer

File photo by Nate Brelsford/The News

It’s the same ol’ song and dance for Mr. MSU as Alpha Omicron Pi celebrates the event’s 30th anniversary tonight in Lovett Auditorium.
Mr. MSU is an all-male pageant the Delta Omega chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi hosts to raise money for its philanthropy, the National Arthritis Foundation. This year the Mr. MSU pageant is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the theme “Dancing Through the Decades.”
Taylor Cline, philanthropic chair for Alpha Omicron Pi and senior from Crofton, Ky., said she is excited about the upcoming event.
“I chose the ‘Dancing Through the Decades’ theme to incorporate 30 years of music and dance with the 30 years of Mr. MSU,” Cline said.
While popular culture has changed the styles of music and dance showcased in the contest each year, the format of Mr. MSU has only experienced a few changes over the past three decades, Cline said.
“Why change it when its always worked in the past?” she said. “This year the show is expected to be bigger with an opening number and a video from the first Mr. MSU.”
To help celebrate this milestone, Cline estimates roughly 200 alumni and 1,000 guests in attendance.
Mr. MSU provides organizations all over campus with an opportunity to nominate one man to represent Murray State. Cline said this pageant has proven to be successful for Alpha Omicron Pi in their philanthropic efforts. Last year, Mr. MSU raised $6,700 for the National Arthritis Foundation and had more than 800 guests in attendance.
Debra Noble, organizer of the first Mr. MSU, Barbara Zipperian, former Alpha Omicron Pi international president, and Don Robertson, vice president of student affairs, will judge the contest.
“Because of the milestone, we really wanted Debra and Barbara to be a part of it and Don is a very influential man on campus as well,” Cline said.
Robertson is active in many student activities and has judged pageants before on different university campuses.
“There are a number of factors that we will be looking at to determine who will be the representative,” Robertson said.
The criteria used in the judging will include a submitted essay, interview portion, talent competition and stage presence. Students have also had the opportunity to be a judge at the “Best Legs” table in the Curris Center this week.
Greg Deahl, senior from Hanson, Ky., is competing in the pageant for the first time.
“I think that I have good school spirit and that’s what you need for Mr. MSU,” Deahl said.         Deahl is one of 14 men competing in the pageant. He said he is representing the Agriculture Leadership Council and his performance for the talent competition will be drumming.
Cline said that the winners of the pageant receive a plaque, crown, sash and the honor of being named Mr. MSU.
The show is at 7 tonight at Lovett Auditorium. Tickets are available at the “Best Legs” table for $5 today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at the door for $7. All proceeds go to the National Arthritis Foundation.
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