Reynolds College Blog -

International Affairs program to host Dr. Leonardo Villalón Oct. 23

October 8, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Master of International Affairs (MIA) program, part of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy, will host a discussion on Africa’s Sahel region from 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Meyer Library Auditorium.

Featured speaker Dr. Leonardo Villalón will present “A Perfect Storm in the World’s Poorest Region: Security, Democracy and Climate Change in Africa’s Sahel.”

Villalón is Professor of Political Science and African Studies at the University of Florida.

“Dr. Villalón is one of the world’s foremost experts on Sahelian politics,” said Dr. Gabriel Ondetti, Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Political Science and MIA program director. “He has published numerous books, articles and book chapters on the region.”

The event is free and open to the public.

Biennial Faculty Exhibition at Brick City Gallery Oct. 4-Nov. 1

October 6, 2024 by Reynolds College

The Biennial Faculty Exhibition, sponsored by Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design, will be on display 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 4-Nov. 1 at the Brick City Gallery. The Exhibition Center will be closed Oct. 10-11 during MSU’s Fall Break.

Held every two years, the exhibition features a wide range of media and techniques. The artwork reflects the perspectives MSU’s art and design faculty bring to their diverse and innovative work. Visitors can view works that engage personal stories, reflections on the past, spirituality, environmental themes and much more.

“Students see their professors as active professionals, and so their points of view in the classroom take on a different significance,” said Vonda Yarberry, art and design department head. “Seeing works by professors in different disciplines [that] address similar topics deepens students’ awareness about multiple approaches to content and inspires students to try new things.”

The department’s gallery programming also strives to show students different approaches to professional art and design practice, which are highlighted in the numerous other exhibits offered throughout the year.

“Legacy: Celebrating the Art + Design Department” opens Oct. 4

October 6, 2024 by Reynolds College

This fall, the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and the Department of Art and Design will host “Legacy: Celebrating the Art + Design Department,” an exhibition honoring all who helped shape the department’s history since it began.

A special reception will be held 6-9 p.m. Oct. 18 at the center, bringing together alumni, faculty, friends, and family.

The exhibit runs from Oct. 4-Nov. 1., coinciding with the university’s homecoming celebrations. The Exhibition Center will be closed Oct. 10-11 during MSU’s Fall Break.

“I am thrilled that so many faculty are planning to attend,” said Vonda Yarberry, art and design department head. “We’ve also heard from many alumni who are excited to meet up with their friends and former professors.”

Anthropology Club kicks off academic year with increased membership numbers

October 4, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Anthropology Club held its first interactive meeting for the 2024-25 academic year Sept. 9 in Strong 405.

The topic? Flintknapping, a term used by anthropologists to describe different methods to make stone tools.

On hand to demonstrate the ancient technique were Professor Elizabeth Sobel and Associate Professor Scott Worman from the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG). Both professors regularly participate in archaeology-related sessions with the club.

Things looked a little different this time, though.

Club officers Kyra Uphoff, president, and Erin Ashford, secretary, watched as students kept filing into the small lab room. Ashford started looking for more chairs.

By the time the meeting started, attendees were spilling out into the hallway.

Ashford later said that roughly 30 people attended the meeting, breaking previous attendance numbers. Typical attendance is 15-20, according to Uphoff.

Man kneeling on floor in front of students demonstrating rock tools. — Dr. Scott Worman demonstrates flintknapping techniques.

What is flintknapping?

“‘Flintknapping’ refers to making flaked stone tools, essentially making tools by breaking small pieces of rock – flakes – off of a larger piece – a core,” Worman said. “It is the process used to make things like spear points, arrowheads, knives, scrapers and similar tools.”

Woman working with stone tools — Dr. Elizabeth Sobel demonstrates flintknapping techniques.

Worman and Sobel demonstrated three general flintknapping techniques to the group: bipolar, percussion flaking and pressure flaking.

“We like to incorporate all three flintknapping techniques into our hands-on experience so that the students understand all three approaches,” Sobel said. “Some students discover that they enjoy or have a knack for one technique more than the others.”

According to Worman, using the bipolar method requires placing a small core on a large stone, called an anvil, and striking it with another large stone, called a hammerstone.

“It is relatively easy and was often used when the rocks used to produce tools were too small to hold easily,” Worman explained.

Percussion flaking requires holding the core in one hand and striking it with an implement held in the other hand, Worman said. Pressure flaking is similar, but instead requires the individual, called a “knapper” to hold the core while applying steady force to the edge with a rod-shaped object, usually made of antler. Pressure flaking is often used to put “finishing touches” on tools made by percussion flaking, he added.

After finishing the demonstration, Worman, Sobel and club officers handed out rocks, protective gloves, lap cloths and goggles so attendees could practice.

RCASH sees record participation in Education Abroad programs for 2023-24

September 27, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

During the 2023-24 academic year, the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) witnessed a record number of student participation in Missouri State University’s Education Abroad program.

According to a report issued by Elizabeth Strong, Director of Education Abroad, out of a total of 428 MSU students enrolled in an education abroad program, 181 came from RCASH. The vast majority of those trips were faculty directed.

Strong noted that this number represented a “significant increase” from 107 the previous year, the combined participation of the former colleges of Arts and Letters (COAL) and Humanities and Public Affairs (CHPA) that now make up RCASH.

In addition, of all RCASH undergraduate students graduating in 2023-24, 28% participated in an education abroad program, representing nearly one third of all RCASH undergraduates for the academic year.