Reynolds College Blog

Archives for November 2023

Dr. Christopher Lynch publishes new book on Machiavelli

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Man smiling for camera while holding book
Dr. Christopher Lynch proudly shows off his new book, “Machiavelli on War.”

Missouri State University’s Dr. Christopher Lynch, professor and head of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy, recently published his second book on the Italian military strategist and philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli.

“Machiavelli on War” has been published by the Cornell University Press.

The book is divided into four parts, beginning with an examination of Machiavelli’s role as a military official and his assessments of political problems.

Using Machiavelli’s diplomatic and government correspondence, his musings on military commanders, and writings such as “The Prince,” Lynch argues that Machiavelli was among the greatest of modern philosophers because he was the first modern philosopher of war. [Read more…] about Dr. Christopher Lynch publishes new book on Machiavelli

ASB 4-State Competition brings high school talent to MSU

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Man with microphone
ASB 4-State’s Brandon Goodwin encourages the student competitors.

Around 350 high school students from across several states competed in the Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting’s 4-State scholastic video competition Nov. 3-5, 2023, on the Missouri State University campus.

ASB 4-State has hosted the video competition for high school students since 2017, according to Brandon Goodwin, Director of Resources at ASB.

The competition features 24 different journalism and creative media contests that are held over a three-day period.

Students in the 2023 competition came from states including Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas and California, according to interim CMJF department head Dr. Deborah Larson.

Several local area high schools competed, including Central, Hillcrest and Nixa, as well as four high schools from the Lee’s Summit, Missouri, area.

“Some schools had as many as 60 kids competing in multiple categories,” Larson said. [Read more…] about ASB 4-State Competition brings high school talent to MSU

Fall 2023 BFA in Art Exhibition on view Nov. 27-Dec. 8

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Graduating seniors in the BFA in Art program are celebrating their artistic successes and growth in the BFA in Art Senior Exhibition.

Each semester graduating art students in the Department of Art and Design showcase their different media and concepts.

The works in the Fall 2023 exhibition include painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, drawing, animation and new media.

The exhibition is on view in Brick City Gallery Nov. 27-Dec. 8 and during the First Friday Art Walk Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m. [Read more…] about Fall 2023 BFA in Art Exhibition on view Nov. 27-Dec. 8

Dr. Perry Mears brings new chamber music to Midwest audiences

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Missouri State University’s Dr. Perry Mears, assistant professor of collaborative piano in the Department of Music, performed with oboist Michelle Vigneau, hornist Robert Patterson and cellist Craig Hultgren as part of the Iowa Composers Forum (ICF) Sept. 8, 9 and 10.

The ICF tours feature new music by composers from across the Midwest.

Informal performance format engages audiences

The tour adopted a unique format by holding performances in informal settings throughout Iowa. During the Casual Classics event at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, for example, the performers got to interact with the audience.

“Often times audiences can appreciate newer, more challenging music if the environment is casual, or in some way subverts their expectation of what a classical music event should be,” Mears said.

They also performed in house concerts, such as the historic Potter House in Decorah and a Frank Lloyd Wright House in Quasquaton.

“It was pretty amazing to perform in a Frank Lloyd Wright house,” Mears said. “It’s definitely not a commonplace experience. The piano [had] also been redesigned by Wright to match the sightlines of the living room decor, which affected its height and such, making for a singular performing experience.” [Read more…] about Dr. Perry Mears brings new chamber music to Midwest audiences

“History on Tap” series provides support and guidance for local history teachers

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One small idea to bring K-12 teachers and university scholars together in an informal setting has grown into the successful “History on Tap” series, and Missouri State University’s Dr. Michelle Morgan has helped pave the way.

Morgan, associate professor in the Department of History, became interested in the “History on Tap” event after learning of it through the Missouri Council for History Education (MOCHE). Morgan has been a member of MOCHE since 2011 and became a member of the board of directors in January 2022. She also serves on the program committee that coordinates the “History on Tap” series.

According to Morgan, the first “History on Tap” event was held in St. Louis when Debbie Schmidt, president of MOCHE, took inspiration for the event from a program she learned about through the National Council for History Education.

To achieve the desired informal atmosphere, the events started being held at local breweries.

“Hence ‘History on Tap,’” Morgan said. [Read more…] about “History on Tap” series provides support and guidance for local history teachers