By Jeff Murphy,
                                                									January 26, 2016
                                             
                                             
                                              
                                              
                                             
WARRENSBURG, MO – Motorists traveling between Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit are getting
                                                a lot of exposure to the University of Central Missouri, with UCM finding a creative
                                                way to take the Learning to a Greater Degree message into the streets and highways
                                                of west central Missouri .
                                             
                                             Beginning in January, the university put into service two buses that are wrapped in
                                                vinyl graphics that feature university marks and photos. These vehicles, provided
                                                by Apple Bus, are used to transport students from the Warrensburg campus to Lee’s
                                                Summit and back as part of a shuttle service for UCM students, which is now in its
                                                third year of operation.
                                             
                                             Design and photography for the wraps were made possible through the Office of University
                                                Relations, which worked in cooperation with the transportation service provider and
                                                the Office of Student Experience and Engagement, which coordinates the shuttle bus
                                                program. Gator Graphics in Warrensburg placed the wraps over the yellow school buses
                                                to give them a custom look incorporating UCM’s graphic identity and red and black
                                                school colors.
                                             
                                             Embedded into the graphics are the words, “Learning to a Greater Degree,” which is
                                                how UCM articulates its strategic position as an institution committed to engaged
                                                learning, future-focused academics, developing a worldly perspective, and a culture
                                                of service. Along with photos of university students in graduation attire is a website
                                                where students can go for additional information about UCM.
                                             
                                             “This has truly been a team effort that involved cooperation between different campus
                                                units and our transportation provider, Apple Bus,” said Shari Bax, vice provost for
                                                student experience and engagement. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to find
                                                an additional benefit for our shuttle bus program. We’re not only providing a vital
                                                service for students who need transportation to and from classes at UCM – Lee’s Summit,
                                                but as the buses make their routes several times a day, we have the opportunity to
                                                remind other travelers about opportunities at UCM.”
                                             
                                             The shuttle bus service is a pay per ride/per direction opportunity that enables students
                                                to travel betweenUCM’s main campus in Warrensburg to UCM – Lee’s Summit, and back.
                                                The cost for students is $5 each way. To learn more about the service, including a
                                                schedule for spring 2016, visit ucmo.edu/shuttle.