Matt Hartman in Alaska last year for the Levinas conference
Matt Hartman, Spring 2013 MSU Religious Studies M.A. alumnus, will be bicycling across America this summer as part of the Bike & Build organization’s mission of building affordable houses. To read Matt’s story, see his page on the Bike & Build website:
Bike & Build organizes cross-country bicycle trips that benefit affordable housing groups. This is the first time for Matt to participate in the bike trip and we wish him a successful and enjoyable trip!
Now is the time to register for the 2013 AAR/SBL Meeting in Baltimore – November 23-26, 2013 – to receive $150 on the registration rates! Register before June 16, 2013 to receive the discount.
Thanks to everyone who attended our Spring 2013 MSU Religious Studies Graduation Reception last Friday before commencement! We love celebrating our students’ success and meeting their families, not to mention noshing on cookies and brownies. Congratulations, graduates, we are so proud of you!
Here are a few photos of the early arrivals at our reception:
Congratulations to Religious Studies professors Dr. Leslie Baynes and Lora Hobbs for their recent awards during the 2013 All-Faculty Recognition Reception!
Dr. Baynes, Associate Professor, received the Director’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Research in the Honors College Awards for Teaching, Research, and Service. The Director’s Award acknowledges the exceptional research accomplishments of MSU’s Honors College faculty and recognizes a faculty member’s research excellence. Dr. Baynes models the ideal scholar/teacher who has not only made a significant contribution to her own field of research (Second-Temple Judaism and Early Christianity/New Testament/Apocalypses/C.S. Lewis), but has also helped expand the growth and development of honors education at MSU.
Ms. Hobbs, Senior Instructor, was awarded the Best in Category for Course Technology and Media Value in the Online Course Recognition awards for her class, REL 100 – Introduction to Religion. Ms. Hobbs’ research includes Women in religions, and the scholarship of teaching (student motivation; teacher’s role in student engagement, autonomy and competence; student motivation and success as face-to-face time decreases and technology increases).
Dr. Leslie Baynes, Associate Professor in Religious Studies, was recently interviewed by Nicki Donnelson for the Missouri State Journal radio program on KSMU about her book, The Heavenly Book Motif in Judeo-Christian Apocalypses 200 BCE-200 CE (Brill 2011). Dr. Baynes explains this common motif that is found in ancient texts and the meaning people attached to being included or excluded in the book. You may listen to the broadcast here: http://ksmu.org/article/professor-explains-heavenly-book-54424
All MSU Religious Studies graduates from Summer 2012, Fall 2012, and Spring 2013, and their families are invited to attend our annual Religious Studies Graduation Reception in Strong 251 (Religious Studies office) on Friday, 17 May, 2:30-4:00 p.m. (before the 5:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony). Snacks and coffee will be provided. Please RSVP to JaneTerry@MissouriState.edu. See you then!
Be Bold, Be Brief, Be Witty, Be Seated: How to Present a Paper at an Academic Conference
Dr. John Schmalzbauer
Today, Tuesday, in Strong Hall 205 at 3:30 p.m., join Dr. John Schmalzbauer, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, along with graduate assistants Harrison King and Sarah A. Riccardi as they discuss how to prepare for presenting papers at conferences in the humanities.
This event is hosted by Theta Alpha Kappa (TAK) and the Religious Studies Club. Everyone is invited!
MSU’s Academic Advising staff, with Christina Bowles, center.
Congratulations to MSU REL alumna Christina Bowles for being selected as Outstanding New Advisor by the National Academic Advising Association! Along with Christina, two other MSU Academic Advising staff were honored: Judy Pickering (Outstanding Advising Award, Primary Advising category) and Tracie Burt (Outstanding Advising Administrator). MSU’s advising staff have received 30 national awards since 1997!!!
Next Monday, 22 April at 7:30 p.m. in Carrington 208, Dr. Darren Grem, University of Mississippi, will talk on “Of Chicken Sandwiches and the Christian Right: The World of Chick-fil-A.” Everyone is invited to this free event!
Parking is available in Lots 22 and 24, south of Grand and just west of National.
Everyone is invited to attend a free panel on Thursday, 11 April, 1:30-2:45 p.m. in the PSU East Ballroom on the Missouri State University Campus: “Inclusion, Excellence — and Religion?” Our very own Dr. Austra Reinis is moderating this panel. Click on the image, below, to see the flyer.
