Lynn M. Lansdown, Author at Reynolds College Blog

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.”

Model UN launches competitive season at ACMUN/OKMUN conference

November 20, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Members of Missouri State University’s Model United Nations (Model UN) attended the 2024 joint Arkansas Collegiate Model United Nations (ACMUN) / Oklahoma Model United Nations (OKMUN) Conference Nov. 2.

Over 20 MSU students served as Model UN delegates in the following councils: United Nations General Assembly First Committee (GA1), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Council of the Arab League (AL).

The conference, hosted by Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, promotes collaborative learning and research in pursuit of solving prominent international issues such as cybersecurity and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, said Dr. Ashley Leinweber.

Leinweber is the Model UN faculty advisor and is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy at Missouri State.

In addition to serving as faculty advisor since 2013, Leinweber helped form MSU’s current Model UN chapter. A previous organization, the World Affairs Council (WAC), was disbanded around 2010, Leinweber said.

First competition of the season a big success

This was the first Model UN competition for the MSU team this academic year, Leinweber said. It was also the first time MSU had attended the ACMUN/OKMUN conference.

“We were unsure what to expect,” Leinweber added. “The fact that two of our students won awards was very impressive.” Typically, the teams participates in 1-3 competitions a year.

“We always attend the four-day Midwest Model United Nations conference in St. Louis in February,” Leinweber said. “We are hoping to raise enough funds one day to attend other conferences, especially the National Model United Nations held at the UN Headquarters in New York.”

Meanwhile, for the past two years MSU has hosted the Great Plains Model Arab League conference and will host it again in April 2025.

Women’s Chorus fundraising campaign in full swing through Nov. 30

November 18, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University Women’s Chorus recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for its first international concert tour.

The tour launches in May 2025 and covers five cities throughout Germany and the Czech Republic.

“This concert tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to travel and share their music with international audiences and to engage with international choirs and conductors,” said Dr. Erin Plisco, associate director of choral studies and associate professor in the Department of Music.

The fundraising campaign runs through Nov. 30 and has set an initial goal of $25,000. Funds will be used to defray travel costs, Plisco said.

Currently, over 80 students participate in the chorus.

Hard work brings increased national recognition

Founded in 2014, MSU’s Women’s Chorus has achieved national prominence and has steadily increased its number of invited performances at state, regional and national conferences, Plisco noted.

Plisco assumed direction of the chorus in 2018.

“Our students are dedicated and hardworking,” she continued. “The group rehearses for 50 minutes, three times per week, and gives several performances on and off campus throughout the year.”

As one example of the group’s dedication and growing prestige, Plisco cited their blind invitation to the 2023 American Choral Directors Association.

“Receiving an invitation to perform at the national ACDA conference is considered by many in the choral field as the height of achievement in choral ensemble performance in the United States,” Plisco explained. “It is a highly competitive and coveted honor that not many conductors and choirs experience in their lifetime.”

Audiences can view several of the ensemble’s performances through the MSU Choral Studies Youtube platform. The group plans to record and release six more videos this year, Plisco said.

MSU Chorale to present “The Sounding Joy” holiday concert Dec. 8

November 18, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University Chorale will present “The Sounding Joy,” 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Christ Episcopal Church, 601 E. Walnut St., Springfield.

Tickets are $20. Seating is limited.

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An “enchanting concert” for the holidays

The Chorale will perform under the direction of Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor in Music and director of choral studies.

LaBarr said this year’s concert showcases several Christmas-related selections from sixteenth-century texts and melodies, arranged to “familiar and beloved” carols.

“With a wide range of composers, arrangers and styles, it is sure to be a heart-warming musical experience,” he said.

The church’s atmosphere adds to the festive nature of the concert, LaBarr added.

“One of the unique aspects of this particular concert is the intimacy of the space at Christ Episcopal Church,” he said.

Event creates lasting memories

Kenny Kabak is Christ Episcopal Church’s Director of Music and Youth Ministries. He described last year’s Chorale performance as “one of the most memorable musical events in Christ Church’s recent history.”

“A packed audience filled the sanctuary, captivated by the singers’ expressive delivery and stunning musicianship,” Kabak recalled. “The Chorale’s inspired performance left a lasting impression, reminding us of the power of music to unite and uplift.”

“We are thrilled to be an integral part of the arts in the community, and this has quickly become an absolute highlight of the year,” LaBarr said.

Bear Brawl Classic shines light on Mock Trial program

November 15, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Mock Trial teams from across the country descended on the Missouri State University campus Nov. 1-3, 2024, to compete in the annual Bear Brawl Classic Mock Trial tournament.

The Bear Brawl Classic is one of many invitational tournaments across the nation that utilize American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) rules and case materials.

MSU’s Mock Trial team not only hosted the event but also competed along with eight other schools. Those schools were Bellarmine University, Hendrix College, Rhodes College, Saint Louis University, University of Central Missouri, University of Mississippi, University of Missouri-Kansas City and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Representatives from MSU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice organized the tournament. These included Mock Trial coordinators Dr. Jennifer LaPrade and Dr. Jordan Riddell, MSU alum and founding team member Chris Johnson and graduate assistant Samantha Trowbridge.

“The preparation for a tournament like this is a big lift and very time consuming,” said Dr. Brett Garland, head of the criminology and criminal justice school. “Drs. LaPrade and Riddell and our Mock Trial team members deserve a lot of praise for organizing and facilitating this event. I’m personally very proud of them all.”

MSU’s Mock Trial team will next compete at University of Missouri-Kansas City Nov. 22-24.

Tournament winners

Rhodes College took first place in this year’s Bear Brawl Classic. St. Louis University placed second, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln placed third.

Bellarmine University won the Spirit of AMTA award, given to the team that best exemplifies the ideals of honesty, civility and fair play. University of Nebraska-Lincoln received an Honorable Mention.

Top honors for Collison

MSU also garnered some impressive wins during the event.

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

“This is my first-ever perfect rank, so I was extremely excited,” Collison said.

Collison started the season playing both a witness and an attorney, but said he will play character witnesses for the remainder of the competitive season.