(From Missouri Southern State University) Missouri Southern State University is pleased to announce that Abi Almandinger (‘96) will join the University Advancement team as director of alumni and donor relations, beginning November 3, 2025.
A proud MSSU alumna, Almandinger brings a diverse background spanning education, legal services, translating and interpreting, entrepreneurship, and leadership in non-profit and governmental organizations.
Most recently, she served as director of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Carthage, overseeing operations for seven parks, the municipal pool, golf course, event venue, and Civil War Museum. During her tenure, she spearheaded more than $5 million in capital improvement projects, upgrading playground and restroom facilities and launching several new recreation programs for the community.
Previously, Almandinger served as executive director of Vision Carthage, a community revitalization organization focused on beautification and economic development. She led numerous projects in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Hearts and Hammers, and the City of Carthage to strengthen the city’s historic downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Her community involvement includes service on several boards and committees, including Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation; Carthage Historic Preservation; GRO Carthage; and Battle of Carthage, Inc. She has been recognized with the ATHENA Award for civic leadership and the Red Cross American Hero Award for her “Joplin’s Found Photos” project following the 2011 tornado. In 2022, she was named one of Joplin Magazine’s Women of Distinction.
Please join us in welcoming Abi Almandinger to Missouri Southern State University.
Was fired in Carthage. Harassed employees. Financial Mismanagement. Why would Southern open themselves up to this…what a disaster.
ReplyDeletebecause they realized that she’s a good hard worker and will do what’s best for the community. don’t be so negative
DeleteFired from Carthage.
ReplyDeleteHow did she spearhead the improvements? I was a part of that process, she was absent. Only came in after the fact and changed what the stakeholders and community wanted.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t she tear down Rock Stadium in Carthage? She collaborated with Greg Dagnan to shut down Carthage Baseball n hopes that it would lead to a political victory. The only thing she accomplished was to tear down a historic facility and ruin the season for many Carthage baseball players and the families like mine!
ReplyDeleteRock stadium is still there. I drive by it last night.
DeleteOne person is not responsible for the demise of Carl Lewton Stadium. It was decades of neglect and failure from investment in the venue from the community as a whole. Besides, the new ballpark built by the high school is better than anything Carthage has ever had.
DeleteSome of these comments are insane. Don’t get on the bad side of the self important people of Carthage. What’s amazing is how well people do when they leave that place. Nothing is ok over there.
ReplyDeleteEven more amazing the number of completely useless/useful idiots that get sent out to do the dirty work and get absolutely nothing in the return for their bidding.
Thankfully most of the worst troublemakers will be in the inside Joplin obituary columns soon enough.
This comment is disgraceful as is Randy Turner to allow it. Shows the nature of that side and the moderator.
DeletePointing out the fact that there’s a lot of people over the age of 70 who were horrendous to people.
DeleteFacts are facts, most of these people will be gone soon enough and all their kids left the area because they can’t stand their parents.
Fresh start Carthage coming soon
Randy has been around a long time and covered thousands of news stories/city councils/county commissions in and around Carthage. If I want anyone’s opinions on who is trouble and who is good…….its probably his.
DeleteCurious if she’s going to hire Zeb for a position or are they package deal anymore? At least she held on to her position in Carthage a tiny bit longer than he did. Maybe the honeymoon phase is over with them.
ReplyDeleteI think you’re a bit misguided. There was definitely no package deal there, ever
DeleteThat’s funny. Zeb Carney was a traitor to her and others at the city. He literally got caught red-handed.
DeleteUh, does she know anything about fundraising? Nothing in her background here indicates this has ever been a job focus. Lots of luck, MSSU!
ReplyDeleteIt’s never what you know it’s who you know.
ReplyDeleteMSSU, honestly did you do ANY due diligence? Why do you want the baggage she brings to your organization? What’s next? Greg Dagnan as director of security operations? Nate Dally as legal counsel? Dan Rife as Dean of Students? Enjoy this bed you’ve made.
ReplyDeleteYou sound bitter. What did the City of Carthage do to you? This is either Mark Peterson or Tiffany Cossey. Still trying to put your nose where it doesn’t belong. I am surprised you didn’t mention that the city didn’t hire your pick for police chief and golf pro.
DeleteSounds like its u that need a hug.
Delete@10:53 truly the only thing that happened is Tiffany got recalled, marks charges are still active. Bren is a polished version of Dan and has literally made almost every decision the exact same way Dan would have.
DeleteThey maybe got some board appointments, but that’s normal.
They didn’t get to make any real decisions on departments. Pretty hilarious that so many people publicly piled on to a situation and nothing changed for them.
The losing will continue
Abi is a strong, independent, intelligent person with a strong work ethic. MSSU is fortunate to have her on staff.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Abi and she was wonderful! MSSU is lucky to have her!
ReplyDeleteAbi is a wonderful person! I’ve known her for years and she has a kind heart!
ReplyDeleteMSSU will rue the day they hired Abi.
ReplyDeleteThis comment section is absolutely wild. Imagine being this starved for attention and drama. Instead of “insider info” maybe y’all should develop some outside interests.
ReplyDeleteMSSU hired a Director of Alumni and Donor Relations; it appears some of you should consider a Director of Emotional Intelligence.
Carthage loss, MSSU gain! Abi will do great things a Missouri Southern!
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny how you still have the CCU people showing up to hound Abi, I even read a Dagnan shot in here.
ReplyDeleteThey claim victory over the great civil war of 2023-2024 in Carthage. But they are all still so angry. It’s because they didn’t win.
The mayor now sees that most of their talking points were BS, Pete is still set for trial, Tiffany is still recalled, fire department went to the good guys, police department went to the good guys, works went to the good guys, CWEP had to freeze their rates benefitting everyone, shady land deals silenced, city hall stayed with the good guys, parks and rec didn’t go to the CCU either.
What did you gain from all this, removal of 3 people from city positions? What did that pave the way for, for the CCU? Nothing, you got nothing. You will continue to get nothing, and like it.
These comments are wild. Imagine being this starved for drama. Some of you should trade “insider info” for outside interests.
ReplyDeleteMSSU made a great choice for their Director of Alumni and Donor Relations. Meanwhile, it appears some of these folks have an opening for a director of emotional intelligence.
It was beginning to look like there was a mass burial of the we're old Carthage and better than everyone else group. I see by the comments which group is still alive, well and spouting but not adding facts. Thanks for the entertainment. It's all it is.
ReplyDeleteThere are a whole lot of deluded folks that will be really surprised when Mark takes a plea deal. He can't possibly be thinking he can win at trial? Well it probably depends who he is listening to~
ReplyDelete