Archives for February 2024

Dr. James Parsons to present paper commemorating Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

February 20, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Distinguished Professor Dr. James Parsons of the Department of Music has been invited to present at a conference commemorating the 200th anniversary of the first performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

The symphony was first heard in Vienna, Austria, May 7, 1824.

Parsons and six other Beethoven scholars will present their research at the Center for Beethoven Research at Boston University March 27, 2024.

Paper calls for new examination of “Ninth’s” choral finale

Because Beethoven’s “Ninth” was the first to join voices and instruments, it has garnered the attention of music scholars like Parsons.

In his conference paper, “What the Choral Fantasy can tell us about the Choral Finale,” Parsons examines the relationship between Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Opus 80 (1808) and the choral finale of the Ninth Symphony, Opus 125 (1824).

“The principal themes of both Fantasy and finale are remarkably similar,” Parsons said. “What no one previously has discussed is how the texts of both Fantasy and finale are also similar.”

When researching the 1808 sketches for the “Choral Fantasy,” Parsons discovered that Beethoven wrote part of the text, with the Viennese writer and poet Christoph Kuffner completing the piece using Beethoven’s “hints.”

Scholars have dismissed the 1808 pieces as “cloying” and “clumsy” and not worth serious consideration, Parsons said, but ignoring the 1808 piece has presented problems in understanding the history of the “Ninth.”

“Taking the ‘Choral Fantasy’s’ text seriously and then the relationship between words and music, a very different story can be told, one that tells us something new about the Fantasy itself and the finale of the ‘Ninth,’” Parsons explained.

Sample page from sketches Beethoven made for the “Choral Fantasy” in December 1808. Photo credit: James Parsons.

Mock Trial’s winning season driven by talent, determination and hard work

February 16, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

When Dr. Jennifer LaPrade organized MSU’s first-ever Mock Trial team in Fall 2020, it was in the middle of the pandemic.

Young woman giving presentation — Victoria Ogbeifun argues for the prosecution during Mock Trial practice.

That season, the team competed entirely through Zoom.

Fast-forward to 2024, and the Mock Trial team is competing in person against schools like the University of Arkansas and University of Missouri.

And they’re racking up the wins.

The team has won eight team awards and 22 individual awards this season. Mock Trial president and team captain Victoria Ogbeifun, a senior chemistry and microbiology double major who plans to attend medical school, has alone garnered six of those awards for her roles as both prosecuting and defense attorneys.

The team’s record has been so impressive, they were recognized at MSU’s Feb. 16 Board of Governors meeting for their outstanding achievements.

Sights set on regionals

Coming off their recent victories, the team is preparing for the first rounds of regional competition at University of Oklahoma in Norman Feb. 23-25.

“If we are one of the top teams there, we advance to the next level. If we are not one of the top teams, our competitive season is over, so we are working hard to be one of the top teams so we can keep going,” LaPrade said.

According to the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), winning teams from each regional competition advance to one of eight Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) tournaments in March. ORCS winners will advance to the National Championship Tournament in April.

At their regional competition, MSU will compete against teams from University of Arkansas, Collin College, Hendrix College, Howard Payne University, Kansas State University, University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma, Rhodes College and Texas Tech University.

Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues Feb. 22

February 14, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Department of Political Science and Philosophy will hold its second “Conversation Series” event 4-5:45 p.m. Feb. 22, 2024, in Karls Hall 101.

Photo of Steven Smith of University of San Diego — Professor Steven Smith (Courtesy University of San Diego)

Guest speakers Steven Smith, J.D. and Sanford Levinson, Ph.D., J.D. will lead the audience in exploring the question “Does America Need a New Constitution?”

Smith is the Warren Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of San Diego, where he co-directs both the Institute for Law and Religion and the Institute for Law and Philosophy. He has held named professorships at the law schools at Notre Dame and University of Colorado.

Smith has also published nine books on many aspects of the law, with special emphasis on the Constitution and religious freedom. He earned his law degree from Yale University and his B.A. from Brigham Young University.

Levinson holds the Garwood Centennial Chair in Law at the University of Texas Law School at Austin. He taught politics at Princeton University and in numerous programs abroad, and he has held several visiting professorships.

Photo of Sanford Levinson Of University of Texas - Austin — Professor Sanford Levinson (Courtesy University of Texas – Austin)

Levinson has written seven books and hundreds of articles, reviews and commentaries on many constitutional issues, with a special emphasis on flaws in the U.S. Constitution and the need for a new constitutional convention. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard, his J.D. from Stanford and his B.A. from Duke.

“Smith and Levinson are two of the most renowned experts on the constitution in the country,” said Dr. Christopher Lynch, professor and head of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. “Both are experts not only on the U.S. Constitution but on constitutions as such.”

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available at 3:30 p.m., and the event will start at 4 p.m.

MSU’s Army ROTC announces 2024 summer training and full-tuition scholarship

February 13, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

MSU’s Army ROTC encourages students from all academic majors to attend a five-week summer training program for a chance to earn a full tuition scholarship.

Eligible students who complete the summer training and remain in ROTC can apply for a full-tuition, two-year Army ROTC scholarship valued at over $30,000, according to Phillip Roberson, Scholarship and Enrollment Officer and adjunct faculty in the Department of Military Science.

“Although Army ROTC is an opportunity for all students and all academic majors, this transformative opportunity is unique to students graduating in 2026,” said Roberson.

Training sessions, all held at Fort Knox, Ky., will take place throughout summer 2024.

Giving students a competitive edge

The training program focuses on leadership, teamwork and physical fitness, Roberson said, and gives students a “competitive edge” in their careers.

“By joining the Army ROTC program, you open doors to diverse career placements,” he explained. “Whether you choose active duty, the Army National Guard, or the US Army Reserves upon graduation, our program equips you with the skills needed for success in both military and civilian sectors without requiring a change in your academic major.”

Roberson described the scholarship as Army ROTC’s commitment to support exceptional individuals by providing them with financial freedom during their college years.

Students interested in the 2024 summer program should contact Roberson for more information about summer training, scholarship eligibility and the numerous benefits of joining the Army ROTC.

“The first step for any student who may be interested in ROTC is to contact me, and the pathway to get to summer training is through my office,” Roberson explained. “During the initial meeting, I will review a student’s eligibility and help them pave a path forward that makes the most sense for them.”

“Every student is different and requires a personalized plan to help them through this process,” he added.

Army ROTC 2024 Summer Training Dates

May 31-July 4
June 5-July 9
June 10-July 14
June 15-July 19
June 20-July 24
July 25-July 29
June 30-Aug. 3
July 5-Aug. 8
July 10-Aug. 13
July 15-Aug. 18

Explore opportunities in Army ROTC and Military Science

Nine MSU students awarded Gilman Scholarships for Zambia Education Abroad program

February 12, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Nine students, five representing various programs within the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH), have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for the 2024 Zambia Education Abroad program.

The nine recipients are Ellie McAvin (Anthropology), Kendall Platner (History Education), Destiny Shaw (History Education), Noah Maddux (Music Education), Medley Linton (Psychology and Criminology), Rylee Forman (Political Science), Drew Donigan (Information Technology/Cybersecurity), Syed Usman Ali (Cellular and Molecular Biology) and Isabella Robillard (Biology).

McAvin, Platner, Shaw, Maddux, Linton and Forman are all students within the RCASH community.

Gilman a big step toward funding education abroad

Only students who are U.S. citizens and are Pell Grant recipients qualify for a Gilman Scholarship. Students can apply by either the March or October deadlines to be considered for a summer program.

Gilman awards bring much-needed assistance for students who want to participate in an education abroad program, according to Dr. Mary Willis, professor and head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology.

Willis’ study abroad program in Zambia is just one of several Education Abroad programs offered at MSU. Students applying for a Gilman can use their award toward any of MSU’s Education Abroad opportunities.

“In every year that I have taken students [to Africa], I have had Gilman Scholarship recipients as part of the program,” Willis said. “This past fall of 2023, more students applied for the Gilman than I have ever had apply before – 10 applied and 9 received awards.”

Historically, study abroad has been viewed as an elite activity, according to Willis. The Gilman was created to ensure all students who are interested in international study have the means and opportunity to do so.

By providing assistance to students, the Gilman will ease some of the financial burden of paying for the trip to Zambia, Willis said.

But not all of it.

“The trip is $9,500. Gilman provides from $3,000 to $5,000,” she said.

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