Missouri State’s Reynolds College of Arts & Letters continued to honor the legacy of Judith Enyeart Reynolds by celebrating the achievements of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends through distinction at the Second Annual Judy Awards, held at The Old Glass Place on May 11, 2023.
Named in honor of Reynolds, the Judy Awards cover a variety of contributions to the college, ranging from traditional awards in teaching, research and service to those that highlight collaboration and inclusion efforts and foreground the pillars of the University’s public affairs mission. Except for the dean’s awards category, winners were nominated either by their peers or self-nominated, then selected by representatives from each academic department serving on the Judy Awards Selection Committee.
This year’s ceremony provided additional reasons to celebrate as, effective July 1, the Reynolds College enters a new chapter with its realignment with the former College of Humanities and Public Affairs (CHPA) into the new Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (now referred to as RCASH).
Part of the celebration included recognizing the career of Dr. Victor Matthews, who has worked at Missouri State University for 39 years and as Dean of CHPA since 2009. Matthews, who will retire June 30, received the Dean’s Legacy Award from Dean Shawn Wahl with University President Clif Smart and Provost John Jasinski in attendance.
“Faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends shape the Reynolds College Legacy.” — Dean Shawn Wahl
Building on the legacy of previous leaders remains important, Wahl noted, and honoring Matthews’ own legacy highlights that mission with the academic transformation of both RCOAL and CHPA into RCASH.
“Dean Victor Matthews exemplifies leadership legacy. The Reynolds College community is grateful for his many years of service to the university, and it has truly been an honor to have worked with him on the combined college,” Wahl added.
The 2024 Judy Awards will expand to cover the combined Reynolds College.
Hosts Dr. Deborah Larson, Dr. Leonard Horton III and Mary Lynne Golden announced the following winners of the Second Annual Judy Awards.
Individual Awards
Spirit Award
John Prescott
Bear Up Award
Richard Todd Payne
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Award
Andrew Twibell and Colby Jennings
Undergraduate Advising Award
Vanessa Rodriguez de la Vega
Graduate Mentorship Award
Suneeta Thomas
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Erin Sedra
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Mara Cressey
Teaching in the Arts Award
Fatih Benzer
Teaching in the Letters Award
Kristin Harper
Research in the Arts Award
Daniel Ketter
Research in the Letters Award
Mitzi Kirkland-Ives
University Citizenship Award
Vonda Yarberry
Community Citizenship Award
Shauna Smith
Newcomer Award
Kristen Stout
RCOAL Diversity Council Award
Lu Maimone
Department Award
Pulse Award
Department of Art and Design
Dean Awards
Dean’s Legacy Award
Victor Matthews
Dean’s Alumnus Award
Michel Minor
Dean’s Champion Awards
Angela Barker
Aaron Qiu
Greg Rainwater
Alan Tinkler
Holly Holladay
Stephen Spates
Visit the Judy Awards webpage to find more information and award descriptions.
All photos credit to Jesse Scheve, Missouri State University Creative Services. You may view the complete 2023 Judy Awards gallery online.