Archives for October 2024

Linguistics program hosts Dr. Michael Marlo for 2024-25 colloquium series

October 18, 2024 by Reynolds College

Photo of Dr. Michael Marlo — Dr. Michael R. Marlo

Missouri State University’s linguistics program will host Dr. Michael R. Marlo for MSU’s Fall 2024 Linguistics Colloquium event 12-1 p.m. (CT) Nov. 14, 2024, via Zoom.

Marlo is an associate professor of English at the University of Missouri and editor of the Contemporary African Linguistics series of Language Science Press.

His presentation is titled “Meru tonal dialectology: a new collaborative project in African linguistics.”

According to event coordinator Dr. Antoinette Barffour, Marlo’s presentation will focus on the tonal systems of Bantu languages, specifically the Luyia language, which is spoken in western Kenya and eastern Uganda.

“In this session of the colloquium, we are honored to have as speaker Dr. Marlo, whose research centers on under-studied African languages,” said Barffour, associate professor of French and applied linguistics at MSU.

“Several indigenous African languages are endangered, and this problem is in part attributable to the fact that these languages are grossly under-studied,” Barffour explained. “We strongly encourage all students to join our colloquium, as it offers an opportunity for them to gain insights into the structures and use of human languages. Participants will appreciate the cultural value in learning about a lesser known language and its speakers.”

This virtual event is open to all students, faculty, staff and anyone interested in these areas of study.

CAR research archaeologist Christopher Bodine presents at NASA symposium

October 16, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University Research Archaeologist Christopher Bodine recently presented his work at the “NASA and Archaeology from Space” symposium, held Sept. 18-19 at NASA’s Space Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Bodine, who works at the Bernice S. Warren Center for Archaeological Research, presented “Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR): SAR Data for Detection and Preservation in North American Archaeological Contexts.”

Symposium attendees came from a diverse range of organizations and institutions, Bodine noted. These included NASA, the National Laboratories system, UNESCO, North American and European universities and private industries.

Many of these individuals have been essential in developing and applying arial remote sensing techniques in archaeology, he added.

Emeritus professor Bob Westenberg lands role in Neil Diamond musical

October 15, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Retirement has been good for Bob Westenberg, emeritus professor from Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

Not only is he now living near his children and grandchildren in Colorado, he’s also landed the job of a lifetime.

Westenberg is currently on a national tour, playing famed singer Neil Diamond in “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.”

The show launched Sept. 21 and will continue through August 2025.

Scheduled appearances include the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri, Oct. 29-Nov. 10.

Get tickets to St. Louis performance

Audition leads to offer

Westenberg said he learned about the role through an old acquaintance from his New York days.

Bob Westenberg.

“Jim Carnahan of Carnahan Casting…reached out about two years ago and asked if I was interested [and] available to audition for the Broadway show,” he explained.

Westenberg then compiled and sent an audition tape with the help of Heather Luellen, Music Director and Accompanist in the theatre and dance department, and MSU theatre and dance alumna Olivia Schmitt, who read the scene with him.

He got a callback to New York, but had to wait to learn more about his future.

“Last November, they called again to have me go to New York for a session with the music director, Sonny Paladino, and also to see the show,” Westenberg said. “This audition was to replace Mark Jacoby in the role on Broadway, as they thought he was leaving when his contract ended at the end of December.”

But Jacoby decided to stay with the show, so Westenberg was offered the national tour.

Exhibition series on Ozarks culture now open

October 11, 2024 by Reynolds College

A new exhibition series on Ozarks history and culture is now open at the Park Central Branch Library in Springfield, Missouri.

The project is supported by Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design, the Park Central Branch Library, Springfield-Greene County Library System, the Missouri Humanities Council and the Missouri Humanities Trust Fund.

The series runs from October 2024 through September 2025.

Six exhibitions feature Ozarks artifacts

Directed by Dr. Billie Follensbee, art and design professor and Museum Studies Program Coordinator, the project consists of six exhibition and presentation topics that explore the culture and history of the Ozarks. The Park Central Branch Library will host each exhibition.

“The artifacts in these exhibitions have been generously loaned to us by different museums and collections in the region,” Follensbee said. These regional entities include the History Museum on the Square, the Christian County Museum and the Rose O’Neill Museum and Bonniebrook Historical Society.

“[These are] smaller institutions that do not have the funding or personnel to research these collections,” Follensbee explained.

Woman in green dress in front of exhibit — Dr. Billie Follensbee stands in front of the current exhibition at the Park Central Branch Library.

MSU Chorale Tours South America

October 11, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University Chorale conducted its first tour of South America when the group visited Chile and Argentina in May 2024.

The tour spanned 17 days and seven cities.

“These trips provide a fantastic opportunity for our students to share wonderful moments of music making together,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies. “But more than that, they will share in life experiences from exploring the outdoors to sharing meals with people from all over the world.”

The Chorale performed with several university and local choirs, singing pieces from all over the world.

The repertoire included selections from Europe and North America, including an original song composed by MSU alumnus Erich Eastman. The Chorale also sang several South American pieces, ranging from contemporary choral works to arrangements of folk songs.

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