One of the best parts of being a Bear? We never run out of reasons to celebrate our campus community. We put together the following list of recent achievements, just in case you could use an infusion of good vibes.

And here’s the mind-blowing thing: This list isn’t close to being exhaustive. Consider it a sampler platter of the latest in student success, faculty recognition and community engagement.

Student Success

Meaningful Milestone

• What Happened: On October 4, Missouri State’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program held its first-ever White Coat Ceremony. Seventy-six students celebrated the transition to the professional phase of their training.
• Words to Remember: “As you don your white coat, you’re embracing compassion, responsibility, maintaining the highest ethical standards and continually striving for excellence in your practice.” —Dr. Marcia Himes, director of the DPT program

Bravo

• What Happened: Adonis Garcia, a cello performance major in the department of music, auditioned for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and won the position of principal cello.
• Words to Remember: “I come from one of the most dangerous cities in the world… my mother tried to keep me and my sister away from the daily violence and crimes. She put me in baseball, swimming and soccer, but I did not like sports at all. Then she heard something about an orchestra close to our neighborhood, and since that day I have been playing the cello.” —Adonis Garcia

Earning Accolades

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  What Happened: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recognized Missouri State’s student chapter with its highest accolade for student chapters: the Superior Merit Award. To earn this distinction, the chapter met a series of operational and program-related criteria.

• Words to Remember: “…It communicates to prospective employers that MSU has a strong, achievement-oriented HR program that prepares students for leadership.” —Dr. Wesley Scroggins, professor of management.

For the Win

• What Happened: In September, Paul Broske II, a Bear Power graduate, took part in the Special Olympics Gaming for Inclusion. Broske was nominated by Special Olympics Illinois and Special Olympics International. He traveled to Redmond, Washington, to collaborate with Microsoft and Mojang on a coding project.
• Words to Remember: “My experience in the Bear Power program gave me a taste of college life and prepared me for future job positions.” —Paul Broske II
• Rewind: Bear Power, a five-semester program that offers a challenging and accommodating college experience for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, began in 2018. This fall, the program welcomed its largest class to date.

Faculty Recognition

Bright Ideas

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  What Happened: Two College of Education faculty were recently selected for Fulbright programs. Dr. Jennice McCafferty, associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences, was selected for the fellowship “Tuko Pamoja: Tanzanian Creativity and Perspectives in an Era of Climate Change,” which was funded by a Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad grant. Dr. Paul Ajuwon, professor in the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies, was selected as a 2024–25 Fulbright U.S. Scholar. In January, he’ll travel to Nigeria, where he’ll work to strengthen special education curriculum and outreach.

• Words to Remember: “I want to find out directly from them how we can contribute to remedy the problems they face in the process of building a sustainable system for educating and increasing the employability and integration of the vulnerable in the Nigerian society.” —Dr. Paul Ajuwon
• Outcomes: McCafferty completed her fellowship this summer. She recently touched base with College of Education News to share some takeaways, including: “Some of the people who are best positioned to create real change aren’t always the most visible. They’re often embedded in their communities, responding to challenges with local, creative solutions.”

Best in Tech

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  What Happened: Dr. Ravi Thambusamy, associate professor of information technology and cybersecurity, was recognized at the 2024 Springfield Tech Council’s Annual Awards Gala. Thambusamy, who was nominated by a former student, was named Technology Educator of the Year.

• Words to Remember: “For these IT leaders to recognize what I do in my classroom as award worthy is incredibly gratifying. It is external validation that I’m going above and beyond what a typical technology educator might do in their classes.” —Dr. Ravi Thambusamy

Outstanding Honor

• What Happened: Region 7 of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) honored Dr. Sanjay Tewari, associate teaching professor in the cooperative engineering program, with its Outstanding Faculty/Practitioner Advisors Award. Tewari’s record of mentorship and his engagement with ASCE initiatives at national and international levels helped earn him this recognition.
• Words to Remember: “This recognition isn’t just for me, but for all the students who contribute to our work. They’re the driving force behind the research and successes we achieve.” —Dr. Sanjay Tewari

The Bellis Award

• What Happened: This year’s Darr College of Agriculture (DCOAG) scholarship banquet, where 127 students received awards totaling over $241,000, marked the first presentation of the Jim Bellis Student Impact Award. This award, which honors longtime DCOAG staffer Jim Bellis, recognizes a DCOAG faculty or staff member who exhibits extraordinary commitment to fostering student achievement and growth. The first Bellis Award recipient was Matt Wommack, assistant professor in the School of Agricultural Science and Conservation.
• Words to Remember: “[Matt Wommack] is one of the most dedicated, reasonable, smart and truly passionate faculty members I have ever had.” —Student nomination form

Community Engagement

Commemorating Code Talkers

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  What Happened: In June, Dr. William Meadows, professor in the department of sociology, anthropology and gerontology, traveled to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Meadows presented “Native American Code Talkers in Europe in World War II” and took part in a ceremony that honored Comanche Code Talkers.

• Words to Remember: “[Opportunities like this one] promote MSU’s anthropology program, while supporting the university’s commitment to public engagement, global citizenship, knowledge preservation and diversity.”

Leadership News

• What Happened: There’s a new leader at the Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute (OEWRI). Marc Owen, who’s been with OEWRI since its founding in 2005, is now the director. Owen looks forward to continuing and strengthening OEWRI’s mission by conducting research and offering technical expertise in water resources management.
• Words to Remember: “The work we do at OEWRI is crucial — not just for compliance with environmental laws — but for the health and identity of our communities.” —Marc Owen

Growing Forward

• What Happened: The 12th Annual Ag Celebration with Alumni and Friends, hosted by DCOAG’s Alumni and Friends Committee, raised $29,278 for student scholarships. This event has raised more than $540,000 over the years.
• Words to Remember: “As we look toward the future of the college and embrace our farm-to-fork mindset, it means so much to have the support of our alumni and donors. They’re lighting the way for the agricultural leaders of tomorrow.” —Dr. Melissa Bledsoe, DCOAG dean