Reynolds College Blog

Spring 2025 Visiting Artists speakers announced

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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.

[Read more…] about Spring 2025 Visiting Artists speakers announced

Sociology professor reflects on African American Heritage Trail marker honoring Mary Jean Price Walls

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The late Mary Jean Price Walls, who as a woman of color was denied entry to Missouri State University in the 1950s, has been honored with a historical marker celebrating her place on the Springfield-Greene County African American Heritage Trail.

The marker is located outside the Plaster Student Union, just west of Siceluff Hall.

Many members of the campus and Springfield communities gathered for a dedication ceremony at the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Center August 21. The marker was unveiled immediately after.

Walls received an honorary undergraduate degree from Missouri State in 2010. The university later named the Multicultural Resource Center in her honor in 2016.

Walls died July 6, 2020.

Celebrating the contributions of people of color

According to the organization’s website, Heritage Trail members work to recognize contributions people of African descent have made to local history. As part of that mission, the organization places physical markers at key historical locations throughout Springfield and Greene County.

Man standing outside next to sign giving two thumbs up
Dr. Lyle Foster gives two thumbs up at the Walls marker unveiling. Photo credit: Dr. Leonard B. Horton III.

Heritage Trail sites include the Sherman Avenue Corridor, Lincoln Cemetery, Miss Alberta’s Hotel, Silver Spring Park, the Downtown Square and Lincoln High School. Other important sites include Springfield’s historic black churches, such as Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Benton Avenue AME Church, Pitts Chapel United Methodist and Gibson Chapel Presbyterian Church.

According to Dr. Lyle Foster, Walls’ marker is the first Heritage Trail marker on the Missouri State campus. Foster is a Heritage Trail committee member and associate professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology.

Plans are in the works to recognize Missouri State’s Kentwood Hall next, Foster said.

“What we know as Kentwood Hall [is that] it played a role in the effort to desegregate public facilities in the city of Springfield,” he explained. “The story will help shed light on the effort to make public spaces available for everyone.”

[Read more…] about Sociology professor reflects on African American Heritage Trail marker honoring Mary Jean Price Walls

Jessica Barnes named Missouri History Teacher of the Year

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Missouri State University’s Jessica Barnes, per course instructor in the Department of History, has been named Missouri’s 2024 History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

According to its website, the Gilder Lehrman program “recognizes excellence in the teaching of history at the K–12 level.”

In addition to teaching part-time at Missouri State, Barnes teaches full-time at St. Clair Middle School in St. Clair, Missouri. She has been teaching K-12 for 17 years.

Barnes said she was nominated for the award by a colleague from Kansas City, Missouri. She learned about the nomination in April, and in July she learned she had won.

“I remember feeling very overcome and happy at the news, especially because I had been nominated and chosen by my peers across the state, making it a truly meaningful award,” Barnes said.

“This is a prestigious award that reflects the care and hard work that Jessica puts into her craft,” said history department head Dr. Kathleen Kennedy. “We are excited that she has received the recognition she richly deserves.”

[Read more…] about Jessica Barnes named Missouri History Teacher of the Year

From nurse to advocate

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With a new degree in hand and a passion for change, Missouri State University alumna Cheri Montgomery is committed to improving accessibility and empowering people with disabilities.

Spurred on by her desire to advocate for the disabled community, Montgomery enrolled in MSU’s master’s program in communication in 2022 and graduated in spring 2024.

Montgomery had previously worked as a nurse specializing in special needs/disabled pediatrics for about 20 years, but she could not continue and decided to pursue graduate studies instead.

“I had to stop working as a nurse because my condition changed from walking to needing a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery cited high-performing students, a convenient location, affordability and the institution’s commitment to quality education as factors influencing her choice to attend.

Also, having children who graduated from MSU made her a longstanding supporter of the university.

Commitment to inclusion

Since graduating in the spring, Montgomery has dedicated herself to advocating for people with disabilities.

“My history is with pediatric disability, so I’m staying committed to advocating for an inclusive society,” Montgomery said. “There are no reasons for anyone to be left behind.”

Photo of Cheri Montgomery
Cheri Montgomery

Currently, she works with Rides 4 Ability, a company that provides non-emergency transportation for those with or without disabilities, particularly in rural areas. The organization serves people of all ages, helping them get to medical appointments, meetings, grocery stores and more.

“I do administrative work like updating contracts and applying for new ones. We’re currently applying to establish a contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” Montgomery said.

She enjoys the services of Empower: abilities, a Springfield nonprofit offering services that empower people with disabilities to thrive in the community.

“This organization helps disabled people in various ways such as house modifications — building ramps and installing grab bars in bathrooms and showers. They helped me find employment with Rides 4 Ability,” Montgomery said.

She described a current initiative of Rides 4 Ability that trains individuals to evaluate restaurants, providing them $15 for their efforts.

The evaluations cover aspects like wheelchair accessibility of doors and bathrooms, respectful treatment by wait staff and the presence of accessible sidewalks to the restaurant.

“They’re compiling a database of disability-friendly restaurants in Springfield. This effort will enhance the dining experiences of individuals with disabilities, enabling them to enjoy meals with friends and family,” she said.

Montgomery has received her training and awaits the opportunity to participate in the survey. [Read more…] about From nurse to advocate

Lights, camera, Chiefs!

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A focus on maximizing opportunities and networking has led Austin Wood from Missouri State University football games to working for the Kansas City Chiefs franchise as part of its video production team.

Wood, who majored in digital film and television production in the Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film, began working for the Chiefs in 2022.

Working with the Chiefs’ video team

After graduating from MSU, Wood collaborated with Caleb Stillians to co-produce the hunting documentary series, “Rise Up” in Alaska, which paved the way for his position with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Caleb is a hunting guide in Alaska and we decided that pairing our skill sets could make something beautiful. What came out of it were two seasons of the show that propelled us into new opportunities,” Wood said.

“He got more brand deals and I got my position with the Kansas City Chiefs. My work on the show stood out to them and the rest is history.”

Now as part of the Chiefs team, Wood said he mainly works on “The Franchise,” a seasonal documentary that records and highlights the team’s stories. The series captures the essence of what the Chiefs are as a franchise and showcases the winning culture of the organization.

Austin Wood on football field
Austin Wood at Super Bowl LVIII on the field of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo credit: David Gray.

“The beauty of the show lies in the off-field features, where we go to the homes of players and staff to interview them and tell their story. We even go on a duck hunt with them out in the country,” Wood said.

He also films every home game and many away games all over the country.

“Before every game, I spend time brainstorming, editing and preparing. There’s always a lot to do, but I’m always grateful to work for a team in Kansas City — the town I was born in — that just won back-to-back Super Bowls and is making history every day,” Wood said. [Read more…] about Lights, camera, Chiefs!