The 2024–25 academic year ended strong, with a string of student accomplishments across campus. We’ve compiled a few examples of the successes that fill us with pride.

So Much to Celebrate

‘Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity’

In May, the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble capped off the semester by traveling to Costa Rica for a performance at Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica. Dr. Brad Snow, associate professor of music and director of bands, calls it “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that broadened our students’ musical and cultural horizons.”

He adds, “Sharing our music on an international stage not only deepened their artistic growth but also created unforgettable memories that will shape them as musicians and global citizens for years to come.”

No. 1 Ranking

The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) ranked Missouri State’s screenwriting program No. 1 in its 2025 rankings of schools based on the creative achievement of students. “The rankings… are founded on the results from the BEA Festival of Media Arts,” according to the BEA news release. “Comparison of institutions is done by looking at outcomes. Those outcomes are the quality and consistency of student’s creative works from one participating institution as compared to others. While BEA has been systematically evaluating student work for over 30 years, the annual rankings are based on the past five-year period of student success.”

Since 2022, when BEA began releasing program rankings, Missouri State screenwriting has earned the top spot every year. Missouri State’s audio program came in at No. 3 on the 2025 list, and the film and video program ranked No. 8.

Successfully Engineered

In March, 12 students from the cooperative engineering and computer science programs represented Missouri State in the circuits, robotics, 3M-T, cyber and ethics competitions at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Region 5 Annual Business Meeting and Student Competitions.

In April, a Missouri State delegation attended the Emerging Researchers National Conference, where Dr. Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi, associate professor in the cooperative engineering program, says, “Our students’ poster and oral presentations were absolutely amazing.” One of them, Talon Mitchell, brought home Second Prize for oral presentation in his category.

And at the American Society of Civil Engineers Mid-America Symposium, Dr. Sanjay Tewari, associate teaching professor in the cooperative engineering program, tells us: “I witnessed the resilience of our students as they dealt with various challenges while competing against students from 18 universities in seven states. In between competitions, they were working on various homework assignments in addition to taking care of logistics and preparing for next rounds!” Their commitment paid off with First Place in Steel Bridge (aesthetics category), Fourth Place in Surveying (overall) and Third Place in 3-D Printed Bridge (overall).

Very Fine Design

The Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) selected two students from the art and design department to create a branding project for the RCASH Center for Student Success.

Chloe Gramelspacher and Olivia Michaelson designed 12 posters, each representing a different RCASH academic unit. “I was confident that our students had the creativity, skill and professionalism to bring this project to life,” says Bryce Bewley, RCASH director of marketing, communications and external relations.

Good GAME

In April, three Missouri State students traveled to Quinnipiac University in New York for Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum XIV. William Ayers, Eli Cox and Van McNutt, all students in the department of finance, economics and risk management, were among 1,000 GAME attendees who gained insight into investment strategies.

“Hearing directly from portfolio managers and chief economists gave me a much clearer picture of how professionals think about risk and opportunity in today’s market,” Cox says.

Great Debate

Dr. Eric Morris, director of forensics and professor in the department of communication, media, journalism and film, tells us that Missouri State’s Holt V. Spicer Debate Forum had a fantastic season. It yielded the following results:

• 170 debates won by the Bears (including head-to-head wins over teams from the University of California, Berkeley; Emory University; Harvard University; Georgetown University and others)
• 19 separate tournaments
• Four tournaments hosted at Missouri State (two high-school level, two college level)
• 60 competition days (including most weekends of the fall and spring semesters)

Notable moments also included a First Place finish at the American Forensic Association National Debate Tournament and 18 top-15 placements.

“This was a great season, with deep debates over climate policy and artificial intelligence,” Morris says. “We were happy to qualify two teams to the National Debate Tournament and win or place at several tournaments. And nearly all our debaters will return to debate labor policy next fall!”

Notching Wins in NOLA

Representatives of Missouri State’s chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) traveled to New Orleans in April for the 2025 AMA International Collegiate Conference. Dr. Jenifer Skiba, chapter advisor and associate professor of marketing, led the delegation, which included 13 students.

Competition highlights include a Second Place finish in the Marketing Business Simulation competition and an Honorable Mention in the Perfect Pitch competition. The chapter was also named outstanding in three major annual report categories.

Mock Trial With Style

Missouri State’s Mock Trial team won 20 awards across five tournaments, including six team awards and 14 individual awards. This brings the team’s overall awards count to 82 throughout its five-year history.

“I’m incredibly proud of these students,” says Dr. Jennifer LaPrade, associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the team’s coach. “I’ve watched them grow in confidence, leadership, critical thinking, teamwork and presentation skills. They are the leaders of our future.”

Biz Bears Shining Bright

Building on their success at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference, Missouri State’s FBLA chapter competed at the FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference from May 31–June 2. Courtney Pham, senior instructor of marketing, led the trip as the chapter advisor.

Biz Bears brought home big honors, including the Distinguished Chapter Award, eight top-five finishes and 12 top-10 finishes.

As Thao Tran, president of Missouri State FBLA, prepared for the competition, she told us: “Getting ready for FBLA Nationals has been such a great way to prepare for the real world. I’ve learned how to present my ideas clearly, work well with my partner and stay calm under pressure. It has also pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and take on challenges that will develop my skills. Overall, it’s made me feel way more prepared for the professional world.”

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In the News

• Dr. Marjorie Shavers, associate dean of the College of Education, and Melisa Hamilton, community coordinator at the efactory, were selected for Leadership Springfield’s Signature Class 49. In a news release, Carrie Richardson, executive director of Leadership Springfield, said, “We were inspired by another very strong year of applicants. We appreciate the many local employers who partner with us to invest in leadership development and recognize the value of talent retention and community engagement in building a stronger Springfield!”
• Dr. Bernard Kitheka, associate professor in the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, received a 2025 Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship. The Springfield News-Leader and the Springfield Business Journal covered his upcoming fellowship.
• Dr. Mark Smith, dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services, gave Biz 417 a tour of his office and shared insights about leadership, like “As you change and grow, you need to have courage, you need to have brains and you need to have heart.”
• The Springfield Daily Citizen spoke to Dr. Chloe Bolyard, associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences, about Show-Me Women Paddlers. It’s a paddling club she founded “to help women in the Ozarks find community on the water.”