Archives for January 2025

A momentous Bear Bash tradition

January 28, 2025 by Sewly Khatun

Celebrating four decades of camaraderie and competition, the Bear Bash has become more than just a handball tournament.

It honors tradition and community support for Missouri State University’s Hall of Fame Handball Program. This handball competition remains a top one in the Midwest, drawing participants from colleges nationwide.

It was renamed in 2022 to honor the late Dr. Thomas Burnett and preserve his impactful legacy. A hall of fame coach, he founded Missouri State’s handball program.

A successful and meaningful competition

The competition from Nov. 8-10, 2024, brought together 120 participants, marking the highest attendance since pre-pandemic times.

There were 16 divisions with players ranging from teens to older adults. They included current and former professional players and freshmen who only started playing recently.

Matches started on Nov. 8 and concluded on Nov. 10 with the crowning of champions in all 16 divisions. A victory in the Men’s B Doubles Championship by Doug Randolph and Hayden Hopkins was especially memorable.

Randolph, who is from the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education, made a $1 million donation to the handball program last year in honor of Burnett. Hopkins is Burnett’s grandson and a senior sport and recreation administration major at Missouri State.

“Playing and winning with Randolph was very special to me, as he donated in my grandfather’s name to honor his legacy,” Hopkins said.

Left to right: Hayden Hopkins, Doug Randolph, Alexandro Snyder and Ashley Fuselier. — Left to right: Hayden Hopkins, Doug Randolph, Alexandro Snyder and Ashley Fuselier

Honoring a transformative gift

Randolph’s generous donation helps to ensure the handball program’s long-term sustainability.

On Nov. 9, a banquet at Hotel Vandivort celebrated Randolph’s contribution.

“This event not only honors 40 years of achievements, but also strengthens the foundation for the program’s future,” said Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement.

At the banquet, Sam Hall, a senior in nursing major and the team’s current president, received a scholarship for his exceptional leadership of the handball program.

The banquet also included inspiring speeches reflecting on the program’s past and its hopeful direction forward. A “pass the mic” session allowed alumni and players to share their stories and program memories.

“This program didn’t just shape my skills — it shaped my life,” shared one alumnus during the session. “The friendships, lessons and memories I’ve gained here will stay with me forever.”

Securing a strong future

According to Christian Madsen, head coach of the handball team, Randolph’s donation highlights the program’s deep community connection and secures its future.

He works with Jeni Hopkins, a faculty advisor and Burnett’s daughter, to guide the program. Hopkins also serves as assistant director of Greenwood Lab School.

“Doug Randolph’s generosity ensures this program continues to provide opportunities for students to grow, connect and thrive,” said Hopkins. As a family member and as an alum, we’re so appreciative for Mr. Randolph and the generosity of his foundation to Missouri State.”

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Living out Missouri State’s public affairs mission

January 24, 2025 by Sewly Khatun

Simoriah Longhorn, a graduate student in nutrition and dietetics at Missouri State University, was one of six outstanding students who received the 2024-25 Citizen Scholar Award, one of the university’s top student honors.

The Citizen Scholar Award celebrates students who exemplify academic success and the university’s public affairs mission.

It was created in 2007 as a special Board of Governors program to recognize outstanding citizen scholars at Missouri State. The university’s faculty and staff members submit nominations each fall.

Embracing opportunities

Growing up in O’Fallon, Illinois, Longhorn considers this recognition a significant milestone in her academic journey.

“Receiving the 2024-25 Citizen Scholar Award is an incredible honor. It also reflects the mentorship and encouragement I’ve received from my professors and department staff,” she said.

She chose Missouri State for its strong nutrition and dietetics program and welcoming environment that fostered growth.

“My mentors and peers believed in my abilities, encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and pushed me to be my best self,” Longhorn said. “Their support helped me build confidence in myself, explore new opportunities and take on leadership roles I never imagined.”

Besides academic pursuits, her time at Missouri State includes serving as president of Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honor society and promoting cultural engagement through La Barraca (The Hut).

“MSU has truly exceeded my expectations in every way and I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today,” Longhorn said. 

When she graduates in May 2026, she plans to become a registered dietitian, helping others improve their health, while exploring her passion for different cultures through travel.

Broadening horizons in Springfield and abroad

Longhorn volunteered at Ozarks Food Harvest in Springfield during her undergraduate studies. This allowed her to give back to the community and gain a deep sense of empathy for others.

As an undergraduate, she had two minors – Spanish and biomedical sciences. She also earned a Basic Spanish Communication Undergraduate Certificate and a Foundations of Nutrition Undergraduate Certificate from Missouri State.

During her spring break in 2024, Longhorn studied abroad for one week in Antigua and Guatemala City. She travelled to rural schools to conduct nutritional screenings for children and helped the nutritionists at Convoy of Hope at Guatemala City to record the childrens’ growth charts.

Also, while there, she helped another organization called Center for Outreach, Development and Friendship (CADA), where she gave nutrition presentations to women in the CADA program.

Longhorn believes these opportunities have broadened her worldview and deepened her understanding of diverse cultures. Through her combined experiences locally and abroad, she has developed strong leadership skills and cultural competence. She has also enriched her life by engaging with communities.

Inspiring others

As a Citizen Scholar, Longhorn hopes to inspire other students to make a difference in their own communities.

Longhorn shared one of her favorite quotes, which deeply resonates with her and contributed to her personal growth: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” (Maya Angelou).

Her experiences on and off campus thus far highlight that leadership is about creating meaningful change and uplifting those around us.

“Missouri State helped me discover my purpose and realize the power of small acts of kindness,” Longhorn said. “We all have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life.”

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A voice of hope for rural communities

January 17, 2025 by Sewly Khatun

After more than two decades at Missouri State University, Dr. Susan Dollar, a professor in the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, will retire on Jan. 31, 2025.

Throughout her career, Dollar has promoted rural health initiatives, mentorship and global learning experiences, leaving a lasting impact on students and communities alike.

“Dollar’s career has been defined by her dedication to serving communities, mentoring students and promoting global learning,’ said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, associate dean of McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS). “Her impact on MSU and on the social work profession will be felt for generations to come.”

From the Air Force to social work

Dollar’s path to social work began with her commitment to serving others.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in health services management from the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) in 1981, she served five years as a U.S. Air Force supply officer. This role took her to Florida, Illinois and Germany.

Her time in the Air Force sparked a desire to address broader social challenges and serve underprivileged communities.

“I wanted to make a difference in communities that needed it the most,” Dollar said.

That desire led her to pursue a Master of Social Work from Mizzou in 1990. Upon completion, she spent 10 years working for a nonprofit addressing rural health disparities in southeastern Louisiana. 

To further explore her growing interest in rural health and community engagement, Dollar earned a doctorate in social work from Tulane University in 1998. Her research focused on retention in therapeutic communities for polydrug abusers – a critical area in addressing health disparities.

Finding a home at Missouri State

In 2000, a former professor invited Dollar to interview for the assistant professor of social work position at what was then Southwest Missouri State University. The university’s public affairs mission and interdisciplinary approach to education resonated with her.

“I chose Missouri State because of its public affairs mission,” she said. “It aligned with my values and passion for community service, teaching and research.”

Dollar joined the university in 2001, bringing her expertise in rural health and community practice to the classroom. Her hands-on experience enriched her teaching, helping students connect theory to practice through real-world activities.

Reflecting on her 24 years at MSU, Dollar expressed gratitude for her colleagues and students.

“It’s been a great career – I’d give it a 4.8 on a 5.0 scale!” Dollar said.

Empowering communities through education

Dollar became a leading faculty member in community-focused research projects, working with students and other colleagues on grant-funded initiatives. These projects included a health outreach for Latino communities in rural southwest Missouri and computer literacy programs for older adults.

“One of the most notable points in my career was co-writing and managing community health grants funded through the Missouri Foundation for Health,” Dollar said.

The first grant, “Salud Para La Vida (Health for Life),” was worth $305,000 over three years between 2003 to 2006. This project was designed to address Latino health needs in southwest Missouri and train health professionals in rural practice with Latino populations.

The second grant, “Senior Health U (SHU),” was a health literacy grant for older adults funded for $168,000 from 2010 to 2012. Students supported older adults in building computer skills and understanding medical terminology, focusing on using plain language to explain technical information.

One of her proudest achievements came in 2014. She served as a Fulbright Scholar in Russia, where she taught community health at Buryat State University in Ulan Ude, Siberia.

“It was an eye-opening experience, especially working with the Buryat culture,” she said. “The people’s warmth and hospitality left a lasting impression on me.”

A legacy of mentorship and global learning

Dollar’s passion for teaching and mentoring has shaped countless MSU students. She encouraged them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations through practical learning experiences.

Her “Salud Para La Vida” (Health for Life) project involved students providing health screenings.

“Seeing students engage with communities and make a tangible difference was incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Her efforts in engaging students extended beyond Missouri. Dollar led study away trips to Ireland for MCHHS students and accompanied other faculty on trips to Vietnam, Bhutan and Australia. These experiences gave students a global perspective on community health and social work. 

She hopes her students remain curious and innovative in their careers.

“I want students to present information and practice from a research-informed perspective,” she said. “Curiosity and ethical practice go hand in hand as they complement each other.”

An emphasis on problem-solving techniques

Dollar encourages students to follow the problem-solving techniques she practices and teaches in social work classes. She strengthens these lessons by sharing insights from her leadership experience as director of the School of Social Work from 2008 to 2012.

“When you work in an organization, there will be inevitable challenges. It’s best when you learn to respond to crisis or unfamiliar situations by using rational problem-solving methods,” she said.

In social work, we are guided by the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics, a set of principles and practices that guide practice.

“We also know how to explore various options and ensure we consult with those most affected by the issue before making a decision. That’s how I’ve tried to conduct myself and deal with problems.”

Dollar's amazing brown trout catch. — Dollar’s amazing brown trout catch.

“If you’re ever lost or stressed in the social work program, the unspoken rule is simple: Go to Dollar,” said Dr. Amanda Keys, associate professor in School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences. “She has a way of making you feel seen and valued. When she speaks, her words carry weight and provide guidance that you need.”

Looking ahead: retirement and beyond

As Dollar prepares to retire, she looks forward to spending time on personal projects. These include traveling, fly fishing and working on woodturning and ceramic projects with her wife, Deb.

While she plans to take a year off from volunteering, she remains committed to staying connected to the human services field.

“There are so many service opportunities out there,” she said. “I want to do international volunteer work, but first, I need to find the right nonprofit organization to partner with.”

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