Archives for December 2024

Spring 2025 Visiting Artists speakers announced

December 30, 2024 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design announces the Spring 2025 Visiting Artist Series, featuring artists Steve Snell and Sage Dawson.

Snell and Dawson will visit the MSU campus to share their expertise and engage with students through public lectures and studio visits.

Both public lectures are free and open to the public. They will be held in the Jay Wasson Idea Loft, located in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, 405 N. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65897. For more information, contact the Department of Art and Design at 417-837-2330.

Artists to meet with students during visits

During his two-day visit, Snell will visit graduate and upper-level BFA studios to share insights with students regarding his approach to storytelling and community engagement.

Dawson earned her BFA from MSU and has an MFA from University of New Mexico. During her stay, she will conduct studio visits with graduate and upper-level BFA students. She will also select awards for the Annual Juried Student Exhibition and attend the First Friday Art Walk on the evening of March 7.

MSU’s Dr. Andrew Wasserman publishes book on public art

December 18, 2024 by Reynolds College

Public art serves as a powerful medium for expressing cultural identity, fostering community connections and engaging with our environments.

That’s according to Dr. Andrew Wasserman, assistant professor in Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design.

In his new book, “The World Atlas of Public Art,” Wasserman embarks on a global survey that highlights the diverse practices of public art over the past six decades.

The landscape of public art has become increasingly complex, Wasserman said. The book was thus inspired by a desire to document how artworks interact with public spaces, as well as the meanings public artworks hold within different contexts.

As a result, the book goes beyond documenting the visual appearance of works to explore what public art signifies for various communities.

Published by Yale University Press, “The World Atlas of Public Art” was recently mentioned in The New York Times.

Defense and Strategic Studies launches new scholarly journal

December 11, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) has published the inaugural issue of its online journal, “Defense and Strategic Studies Online,” or DASSO.

“We are very pleased to announce the release of the first issue of the DSS program’s flagship publication,” said the Hon. Christopher A. Ford, professor of defense and strategic studies and DASSO’s editor.

“This is one example of the excellent work that helps elevate our academic profile,” said Dean Shawn Wahl of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Other members of the editorial board are Dr. Gary L. Geipel, Dr. Kerry M. Kartchner and Col. Curtis D. McGiffin, USAF (ret.).

First issue explores U.S. policy in Asia

DASSO’s first issue features an introductory essay by the journal’s editorial board and articles on American responses to Asian policies.

“The first issue of the journal includes articles on data-driven analysis of Chinese grand strategy, historical lessons for a potential U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan from Thucydides and more recent great power conflicts, and how America’s adversaries strive to weaponize its moral integrity against it,” Ford said.

“This online journal showcases articles, essays, book reviews, and other commentary written by MSU faculty and students, as well as contributions from outside the MSU community,” he added.

The editorial board invites submissions for publication in future issues of DASSO, Ford said. Those interested can email DASSO for more information.

Read DASSO

MSU-led exhibition wins prestigious international award

December 10, 2024 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

A group of Missouri State University professors, students and international scholars curated an international museum exhibition that won the 2024 Miguel Covarrubias Award at the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) Awards in Mexico Sept. 3.

Titled “Ídolos, Persistencias y Resistencias” (Idols, Persistences and Resistences), the exhibit received recognition in the “Museums, Museography and Research in the Museum Design and Exhibition” category. It was hosted and designed in collaboration with the Regional Museum of the National Institute for Anthropology and History’s Palacio Cantón in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.

The Miguel Covarrubias Award from INAH honors achievements in museum studies and cultural research. It recognizes top research, thesis projects and cultural exhibitions in Mexico for their role in preserving historical narratives and promoting museum scholarship.

The exhibition first debuted in February 2023 at the Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatán, Palacio Cantón. It received international acclaim, establishing it as a standout exhibit among over 70 other museum projects.

“This award will cement MSU’s reputation as a leader in international museum curation and interdisciplinary scholarship,” said Dr. John Chuchiak, distinguished professor of history at MSU and chief curator and designer of the exhibit.

Man explaining an exhibit to a group — Dr. John Chuchiak gives a guided tour of the exhibit.

Mock Trial season off to great start

December 9, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Mock Trial season is off to a great start.

That’s according to Dr. Jennifer LaPrade, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice and head coach of the Mock Trial team.

“We have a talented, bright, hard-working group of students on the team who are growing by leaps and bounds every week,” she said. “We are having a lot of fun this season.”

Already notching up the wins

During the recent Bear Brawl Classic, held on the MSU campus Nov. 1-3, the Mock Trial team not only played tournament hosts, they also got to hone their competitive skills.

They also notched up a few wins.

Junior criminology and criminal justice major Zackary Collison won top honors for outstanding witness. He received a perfect 20/20 for his role as a defense witness.

Meanwhile, Josh Roberts, also a junior criminology and criminal justice major, won an outstanding witness honor. Delilah Boggs, a junior political science and philosophy major, won an outstanding attorney honor.

Success at UMKC

Group of smiling students holding trophies — Placing third at the UMKC Mock Trial tournament were Zackary Collison, Layna Mangiapanello, Kenta Otani, Kathryn Wagner, Josh Roberts, Hannah Killion and Ben Huinda.

At the UMKC tournament held Nov. 22-24, Mock Trial members added more wins to their already successful start.

In the overall competition, one of MSU’s two Mock Trial teams placed third out of a total of 26 teams.

In addition, two team members won individual awards at the UMKC event. Sophomore criminology and criminal justice major Masey Washington won an Outstanding Attorney award, and junior math/math education double major Layna Mangiapanello won an Outstanding Witness award.

“It is incredible to witness what Mock Trial has become at Missouri State in such a short time,” said Dr. Brett Garland, head of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “Prior to Dr. LaPrade’s arrival in 2020, there was nothing like it on campus. Going into its fifth year, our Mock Trial team is now regionally and nationally recognized as an up-and-comer, competing neck-and-neck with some of the best in the country.”