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2023 Judy Awards hosts Larson, Golden and Horton on stage at The Old Glass Place
Dr. Deborah Larson, Mary Lynne Golden and Dr. Leonard Horton III host the 2023 Judy Awards ceremony

Continuing to celebrate excellence at the 2023 Judy Awards

June 22, 2023 by Lynn M. Lansdown

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).

Victor Matthews speaking at podium
Dr. Victor Matthews speaking after receiving Dean’s Legacy Award

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.

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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.

Filed Under: Awards & Accolades, Faculty & Staff Accomplishments, News, Student Accomplishments Tagged With: Judy Awards

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