U.S. Soldier in Iraq Attends Daughter’s MU Graduation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005

Contact: Megan Gill Telephone: (573) 823-0522

Columbia, Missouri (December 15, 2005) – On December 15, Missouri National Guard Lt. Col. Mitch Passini, currently stationed in Iraq, was able to watch his daughter Nicole graduate from the University-Columbia School of Nursing thanks to some last-minute wizardry provided by the Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) for the Missouri National Guard-Ike Skelton Training Site-Telecommunications Community Resource Center (TCRC) in Jefferson City.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., the TCRC contacted MOREnet Video Services Manager Pat Hunt, informing him they were experiencing technical difficulties with their plan to broadcast the 1 p.m. commencement for Lt. Col. Passini in Iraq. MOREnet was able to establish the connection between Jesse Auditorium and the Lt. Col’s location in Iraq in time for commencement and some interaction among members of the Passini family. "We enjoy being able to provide this kind of service," Hunt said. "When an opportunity comes along on short notice, we’re proud to be able to come through in a pinch."

Lt. Col. Passini has been the Battalion Commander of the 110th Engineers in Kansas City, Missouri, and the family currently makes its home in the Rolla area. Family members from Wisconsin even made the trip to Columbia for graduation festivities and were thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to Passini.

MOREnet Video Services offers one of the largest video conferencing networks in the education world, managing approximately 330 videoconferences and connecting more than 1100 sites per week.

About MOREnet

MOREnet links Missouri to a world of knowledge through a statewide research and education network.

Schools, public libraries, academic institutions and state agencies linked to the network have access to a secure broadband Internet connection, staff training, technical support and electronic resources, making equitable access possible across Missouri.