Lynn M. Lansdown, Author at Reynolds College Blog

Spring semester keeps Paws to the Polls busy

May 22, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The fall election season may be over, but that doesn’t mean Paws to the Polls (PTTP) slows down. Missouri State University’s student civics organization continued its education and outreach activities throughout the Spring 2025 semester.

After enjoying a team building activity of “Kahoot” trivia in late January, the group got back to work in February, said Dr. Suzanne Walker-Pacheco, professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology and PTTP’s faculty advisor.

First, PTTP members attended a Grupo Latinoamericano information meeting on Feb. 15, where they provided voter information. Later that month, seven members visited four local high schools to continue their voter registration drive. PTTP partners on this event every semester with the League of Women Voters.

Also in February, the group updated its five-year report and sponsored its first Paws to the Polls sticker contest. Students submitted artwork for stickers that Paws members could give away during events.

“The sticker contest was designed to engage students and to encourage voting by giving away stickers at our events,” Walker-Pacheco said.

Missouri State University professors deliver second conference on poverty

May 21, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University and the Center for Ozarks Poverty Research (COPR) hosted the second annual Community Conference on Poverty April 11, 2025, on the Springfield campus.

Anthropology professor Dr. Marnie Watson and sociology instructor Christina Ryder founded COPR. They currently serve as co-directors for the organization. They also teach in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG), part of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) at Missouri State.

Journalist and anthropologist Dr. Brian Goldstone was the conference’s keynote speaker. In addition to discussing his latest book, “There is No Place For Us: Homeless and Working in America,” Goldstone participated in a panel discussion and signed copies of his new book afterward.

Watson and Ryder saw an opportunity to build the second conference around the theme of housing and employment with the release of Goldstone’s book. Conference topics and themes differ each year, they said.

“Each year we choose a different angle to look at poverty from,” Watson said. “The first year we focused on housing and homelessness. This second year the focus was on housing and employment, specifically individuals who are unhoused and working.”

Art and design students create new Reynolds College marketing materials

May 20, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

This spring, seniors Chloe Gramelspacher and Olivia Michaelson were selected by the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) to create a marketing and branding project for its Center for Student Success.

Both are BFA graphic design students within the Department of Art and Design.

RCASH’s Director of Marketing, Communications and External Relations, Bryce Bewley, commissioned the project. It involved creating 12 posters to represent each department and school within the college. These poster images will be used by the student success center.

“The project was an opportunity for design students to engage in hands-on pedagogy to showcase university and college specific brand-work,” said RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jake Simmons.

Fourth annual Judy Awards celebrate Reynolds College excellence

May 14, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) held its fourth annual Judy Awards May 2, 2025, at The Old Glass Place.

Two women standing at podium during ceremony. — Jennifer Murvin and Dr. Judith Martinez hosted the 2025 ceremony.

The event honors the legacy of Judith Enyeart Reynolds by celebrating the achievements of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends within the RCASH community.

RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jake Simmons opened the ceremony, followed by hosts Dr. Judith Martinez and Jennifer Murvin, who announced the 2025 winners. RCASH Dean Dr. Shawn Wahl then presented the Dean’s Awards.

Mock Trial students recognized

For the first time, the Judy Awards recognized a student organization for its achievements. Missouri State’s Mock Trial Team, from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, received the Dean’s Champion Award.

“The Mock Trial Team is the first student group being recognized with a Judy Award,” Wahl said, adding that the team competes at regional and national levels.

“I am especially proud of our students who compete against larger public and private universities,” he said.

Two staff members merit recognition

Another first this year was to recognize two Staff Impact Award recipients instead of one. The awards went to Christy Titus of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and James Chang from the Department of English.

“The Staff Impact Awards recognize outstanding Reynolds College staff who focus on building and maintaining conditions of excellence for students and faculty,” Wahl said. “Christy and James are both deserving of this special recognition.”

English department wins award of distinction

The awards ceremony concluded with the Department of English receiving the Dean’s Award of Distinction for excellent performance as an academic unit over the past year.

“The English Department continues to raise the bar with high quality research and teaching innovation, including graduate program expansion,” Wahl said. “In addition, the department maintains robust dual credit offerings.”

Awards commemorate Reynolds’ legacy

Named in honor of Reynolds, a dedicated staff member and role model for many years in the English department, the Judy Awards cover a variety of contributions to the college, ranging from traditional awards in teaching, research and service to those that recognize collaboration and other efforts that highlight the pillars of the University’s public affairs mission.

Except for the Dean’s awards categories, winners were nominated either by their peers or self-nominated, then selected by representatives from each academic department serving on the Judy Awards selection committee.

Creative writing student Damilola Oyedeji one step closer to a long-cherished goal

May 1, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Damilola Oyedeji is a poet. But she wants to be even more. She plans to become a professor, researcher and writer.

Oyedeji came to Missouri State University in Fall 2023 to pursue a Master’s in the English-Creative Writing track in the Department of English. She graduates this May with that degree in hand.

And now, her goal is within sight. This fall she enters the doctoral program in English at Texas Tech University.

“I have always wanted to be a professor since a young age, and for me, this is a step closer to achieving that dream,” she said.

Gaining career and scholarly experience

While studying at Missouri State, Oyedeji gained valuable career experience working as a writer for the university. She split her time writing for the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the university’s Strategic Communication office.

Oyedeji described her work experience as a “huge privilege and useful opportunity.”

“I have had the opportunity to interview and work with professors, alumni and students doing great things,” she said. “It has also improved my writing and given me workplace experience for professional writing. I now have both creative writing and professional writing experiences.”

Scholarly conference “a groundbreaker”

Even more importantly, Oyedeji has built a strong scholarly foundation while at Missouri State.

Encouraged and guided by Dr. Shannon Wooden and Dr. Lanya Lamouria, she gained conference experience in March when she presented her research at the Pop Culture Association’s national conference in New Orleans. It was Oyedeji’s first time to present research at a conference.

According to Wooden, the paper was already nearing publishable quality and highlighted Oyedeji’s professionalism and work ethic. “She worked on it like a scholar more than a student,” Wooden said.

Oyedeji credited Wooden with getting her to the conference in the first place. “If I can present a paper today at a conference, it’s because of her.”

She said the presentation went better than expected.

“I received some great questions and had the chance to connect with professors from other universities who were genuinely interested in my research,” Oyedeji explained. “I think the most fulfilling part was being able to say, ‘Here’s what I’ve been working on.’ After spending the past year reading and writing on this topic, presenting it felt like a meaningful milestone.”

“For someone going to doctoral school, I know I will be attending a ton of conferences, even if not to present, to network,” she added. “This is a groundbreaker for me.”

Young woman sitting at study table with books — Damilola Oyedeji in the Siceluff Hall Student Lounge.

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