Reynolds College Blog -

Military history class builds professional and personal skills

March 24, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Many students might agree that taking a class at 8 a.m. had better be worth the effort to even get out of bed.

Apparently, Dr. Jeremy Neely’s Military History (HST 315) is.

Neely, associate professor and undergraduate director in the Department of History, has been teaching HST 315 for nearly 10 years. He assumed responsibility for the class upon the retirement of Emeritus Professor William Piston.

Now, he teaches the class every semester, almost always at that dreaded early morning timeslot. Even so, the course regularly fills to capacity. Each semester, roughly 30 students decide that this 8 a.m. class is worth the effort.

American history with a global context

Chronologically, HST 315’s topics start with America’s colonial period and usually ends in the early 21st century, according to Neely.

“The course covers as much as I can squeeze into 15 weeks,” he said. “We cover a lot of ground, which unfortunately means that we don’t linger on any particular period for very long. Some events are more consequential than others, of course, so we do spend a bit more time on watershed events like the American Revolution and the Civil War.”

Even with the focus on American military history, the class still places that history within a global framework. American leaders have always been aware of the country’s position on the world stage, even during periods of isolationism, Neely noted. As an example, the Philippine-American conflict (1899-1902) was the topic during one class session.

“One of the recent turns in historiography is an effort to frame the American past within a wider global context,” Neely explained. “I’ve tried to help students see that you can’t understand the history of the United States without a sense of where it fits within the world around it.”

Department of Music shines at MMEA 2026

March 19, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Several faculty and students from Missouri State University’s Department of Music attended the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference Jan. 27-31 at the Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Dr. Paula Patterson, music department head, described the event as “a great success.” Among the highlights, Dr. Daniel Hellman, professor of music education, was inducted into the MMEA Hall of Fame. In addition, seven music students performed with MMEA’s All-Collegiate Orchestra.

Hellman inducted into Hall of Fame

According to the organization’s website, MMEA’s Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have “made a lasting or enduring impact on the stature and condition of music education in the state of Missouri.” This year, the organization selected Missouri State’s Dr. Daniel Hellman for that distinction.

Woman presenting a Missouri music award to a man — Dr. Daniel Hellman accepts his Hall of Fame award from MMEA President-Elect Chelsea Silvermintz. Photo credit: Missouri Music Educators Association.

Hellman said he felt “deeply honored and genuinely humbled” to receive the award. He was nominated for his long-term efforts to support music educators and students through teacher preparation, service, research and advocacy.

“Being recognized in a room filled with dedicated Missouri music educators was especially meaningful,” he noted. “I have an immense amount of respect for my colleagues around the state.”

Teaching is a “privilege”

Being a professor at Missouri State is both a privilege and a responsibility, Hellman said.

“My work involves helping future teachers in our undergraduate programs and current teachers in our graduate program turn their musicianship, their understanding of teaching, learning and research-informed ideas, into the daily decisions that they make with students.”

The rewards are clear, he added, because he sees the impact Missouri State’s music graduates have on students every single day. [Read more…] about Department of Music shines at MMEA 2026

Four acts lined up for annual “Brown Bag” concert series at JGA

March 17, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

For its third season, Missouri State University’s “Brown Bag Concert Series” continues to enliven April lunchtime with its lineup of talented performers.

Held once again at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA), the event is free and open to the public. The amphitheater is located immediately north of Craig Hall in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park.

All performances start at noon. Public parking will be available starting at 11 a.m. across Grand Street in Parking Lots 22 and 24.

“Bring your lunch, relax and enjoy some great music,” said Mark Templeton, executive director of marketing and external relations for JGA.

Mock Trial team advances to national competition rounds

March 12, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

One of Missouri State University’s Mock Trial teams has advanced to the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) of the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) annual national tournament.

Twenty-three teams from 15 different universities competed in the AMTA regional tournament Feb. 21-22. The University of Oklahoma’s College of Law in Norman, Oklahoma, hosted this year’s regionals.

Only six teams could advance to first round national competition, said Dr. Jordan Riddell, Mock Trial coach and faculty advisor. Riddell is also an assistant professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

This year, team 1083 from Missouri State was among those six.

Missouri State sent two Mock Trial teams to the regionals. “Both teams faced stiff competition, with each facing three teams from nationally ranked mock trial programs,” Riddell said.

Next stop: Memphis

The ORCS will be held March 20-22 in Memphis, Tennessee. Rhodes College hosts this year’s event at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center.

Missouri State’s team will need to finish in the top six to advance beyond the ORCS, Riddell said.

“Team 1083 will face strong competitors from nationally ranked programs,” Riddell said. “They may end up going head-to-head against teams from top-ten ranked programs like University of Texas, University of Georgia and Rhodes College.”

This season, Mock Trial students have competed in seven tournaments, Riddell said. Six of those tournaments were invitationals, including the annual Bear Brawl tournament, which Missouri State hosts. They also competed in tournaments at the University of Arkansas, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Columbia and the George Allen Courthouse, hosted by Texas A&M University, in Dallas, Texas.

French cultural ensemble celebrates Francophone music

March 11, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

French Honor Society students and Alain Gbenouga, a graduate student in French, have collaborated with Dr. Antoinette Barffour to create the first ever French Cultural Ensemble.

The ensemble is open to all interested students, regardless of their ability to speak French. Participants can expect to enjoy Francophone music and culture while building community through song, Barffour said.

“The French Cultural Ensemble is designed to bring students together through the joy of singing French and Francophone music,” she continued. “This is the first ongoing French music ensemble open to the broader university community. It offers a creative space where students from all backgrounds—whether or not they speak French—can participate.”

Barffour is an associate professor of French in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions (LCR).

The ensemble meets on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Plaster Student Union 317A. Contact Barffour to confirm dates.