Dr. Shawn T. Wahl, Dean of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH), has been honored with the 2025 Rick and Dee Uebel Award.

Created in 2019 and named after key supporters Rick and Dee Uebel, the award honors long-term commitment, generosity and support of the Missouri State University Choral Studies program.

Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor Dr. Cameron LaBarr, along with the Missouri State University Choral Studies program, presented Wahl with the award Oct. 18 at the annual Choral Gala event, held at The Old Glass Place in Springfield, Missouri.

“I can say without a doubt that Dean Wahl’s support has been and continues to be critical to the success of all the arts programs at MSU, including the MSU Choirs,” LaBarr noted. “He’s the absolute faculty and student champion, with a work ethic second to none.”

Student-driven honor recognizes commitment and advocacy

According to LaBarr, a committee nominates individuals for the award. The committee consists of past award recipients, current students and alumni, and the director of choral studies.

“Selection is based on significant commitment to the choral program, internal and external advocacy, and other factors involving support of the students in the MSU Choirs,” LaBarr added.

In their anonymous comments, choral students highlighted Wahl’s advocacy, repeatedly describing him as their champion and “number one fan.”

“Dr. Wahl is our number one supporter,” one student wrote. “I’ve come to learn that showing up for others makes a huge difference and impact on them…He might not realize how appreciative we are of this or how much WE feel appreciated by him.”

“He is without doubt our number one fan and our biggest ally,” said another student.

“Dr. Wahl approaches every concert and interaction with the most open heart,” observed another student. “As students, we can feel genuine warmth in his persistent and intentional support of the choral program.”

“He has such faith in our mission, and without him much of what we do would not be possible,” commented another student.

Feeling valued

Students were also quick to note how Wahl’s interactions with them made them, and their hard work, feel valued.

“Dean Shawn Wahl is so wonderful, supportive, and makes all of us feel like unique and special individuals in his heart,” one student wrote.

“It’s such a rare and special thing to have a Dean who truly champions the music program the way Dr. Wahl does,” said another student. “He’s someone who not only shows up but goes above and beyond to make us feel valued.”

“I will always remember how Dr. Wahl not only celebrated our performances but also reminded us of the deeper value of what we do, the way choral music connects people, builds resilience and creates belonging,” said another student.

Inspiring with humility and kindness

Finally, students highlighted how Wahl consistently modeled humility and kindness in his interactions with them.

“I’ll never forget meeting Dr. Wahl for the first time my freshman year in the Welcome Center. A simple hello that changed my life,” one student recalled.

“Dr. Wahl was so genuine and personal when I first met him,” another student commented. “The next few events I saw him at, he remembered me and made sure to talk to me.”

One student noted how Wahl’s attitude “pushes us to do better and to make an impact. Knowing we always have a supporter means more than we could ever express.”

“He is truly one of the kindest souls I’ve come to meet and speak to, and he has a heart for every single student he encounters” another student wrote.

“Feeling seen and valued by someone, especially the Dean of RCASH, is something that really touched me and keeps me going!” said one student.

Uebel Award deeply meaningful

Wahl described the Uebel Award as “one of the most impactful awards I have ever received” because of the student nomination.

The award is also deeply personal.

“I dedicate moments like this to my late mother, Evelyn Klaerner Wahl,” he explained. “In the last months of her life, she visited Mo State and made a special request to attend a Chorale concert in January 2019. She was so impressed with the student’s talent and program quality.”

Apparently, whenever Wahl speaks with choral students, they immediately see and feel that inspiration.

“His professionalism, hard work, humility, kindness and positivity play such a vital role in making the Missouri State choral program the great, worthwhile, special thing that it is,” said one student.

“He is a familiar face in the audience, cheering us on and always letting us know how important we are to the University and how capable we are of making a difference in the world,” another student observed. “I hope that when I am a music teacher that I have a school administrator like him — an adult figure who never fails to advocate for, uplift and inspire my students and show them that they matter.”

Uebel award recipients

• 2019: Rick and Dee Uebel
• 2020: Dan and Melissa Scott
• 2021: Rose Mary Owens
• 2022: Gerrit Scheepers
• 2023: Clif and Gail Smart
• 2024: Larry and Glenna Frazier
• 2025: Shawn T. Wahl

Photo credits: Kevin White/Missouri State University.