By Doreen Mshana – Morningside Activities Council (MAC) has a new face: Annette McNamara, the new student activities coordinator. Originally from Ackley, Iowa, McNamara spent years living across the country, with stops in California, the Lake of the Ozarks, and Nashville. She spent five years traveling 80,000 miles in a converted school bus while running a non-profit organization, and she currently resides in Moville. After visiting family in Iowa and realizing she wanted to settle closer to home, she joined Morningside University to bring people together through fun, and creative campus experiences.
McNamara aims to maintain open communication with students and serve as a bridge for on and off campus activities. Her strategies center around early event announcements, learning from past traditions, and creating welcoming environments. Whether handing out Rice Krispies or hosting large-scale events, her focus remains on mental health, student well being, and fostering lasting friendships.
Exciting new programs and revived traditions she plans to champion include the Golden Horseshoe, Painting the Spoonholder, and various mental health initiatives. She notes, “I think traditions on campuses make the college experience more memorable. Without discounting the importance of why you are at college you might not remember the grade you got in a certain class, and while obviously you should remember the knowledge you obtained you certainly will remember the night you and your friends painted the Spoonholder.”
To maximize engagement, McNamara plans to focus heavily on cross-promoting activities with various campus departments and clubs to raise awareness. MAC events hope to help every student make the most of their four years.
Outside of Morningside, McNamara runs a photography business and will soon open a non-profit studio in downtown Sioux City on September 5th: “I will run my non-profit, Beautiful Strength, out of there, as well as do photography.” In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending Kansas City Chiefs and Mustang athletic games, and spending time with her rescue pitty mix, Scout, whom she rescued in Arizona in 2023.
You can find her at the office located in room 120 Lewis Hall, email her mcnamaa@morningside.edu, or you can attend Morningside Activities Council (MAC) every Monday at 7:00pm in Student Government.
Morningside, let’s welcome Annette McNamara and share memories!
Leave a Reply