October: Briefly in the News

STEPHENS COLLEGE

Stephens College has created a strategic plan to reduce tuition called “The Stephens Solution.” This plan ensures that no student will pay more than $22,500 in tuition annually starting in the 2019-2020 academic year. This is down from the current maximum of $30,750. Students will continue to have access to need- and merit-based financial aid to reduce costs further based on their own unique situations.

WOODHAVEN LEARNING CENTER AND ENCIRCLE TECHNOLOGIES

Woodhaven has joined forces with EnCircle Technologies to provide greater educational opportunities for students with autism and other barriers to education. The newly united organization hopes to provide learning opportunities for tech-based skills as well as the skills needed to be successful in community-based employment.

“We are ensuring that together we can meet the diverse needs of our community now and for years to come.” — Mark Palmer, CEO, Woodhaven

VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS

Employees from Veterans United Home Loans traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to assist the Oglala Lakota people in improving their reservation. During the week-long trip, 16 employees assisted with general home repairs and built outhouses, bunk beds, wheelchair-accessible ramps, and porches.

SPECTRUM LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMS

Charter Communications Inc. announced the launch of Spectrum Internet Gig for residential customers and Spectrum Business Internet Gig for small and medium-sized businesses in Columbia. Spectrum Internet Gig is available to more than 70 percent of the company’s footprint and will be available throughout most of Spectrum’s 41-state service area by the end of the year.

MFA OIL ACQUIRES GAS COMPANY

MFA Oil Company, a farmer-owned energy supply cooperative, has acquired the propane and farm fuel operations of Frazier Oil & LP Gas Company, an independent retailer based in Gower, Missouri. Frazier Oil has serviced residential, agricultural, and commercial customers all over central Missouri. MFA Oil is the eighth largest propane retailer in the United States. The company supplies fuels, lubricants, and propane.

“Frazier Oil’s propane and farm fuel business is a natural fit for our company, and we are excited to welcome their customers.” — Jon Ihler, VP of Sales and Marketing, MFA Oil Company

BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER ROBOTS

Boone Hospital Center is celebrating its 10th year providing robotic prostate cancer surgery. Over the past 10 years, Boone Hospital urologists have performed over 750 prostate cancer robotic surgeries. The surgeries are performed using the da Vinci robotic system, which is operated by hand and foot controls. Research has shown that robotic surgery leads to less pain, smaller scars, and an easier recovery.