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MSU students win Emmy Award for documentary

May 7, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Students from Missouri State University’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film have won a 2024 Student Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)—Mid-America for an episode of their documentary, “Discovering Dickerson Park Zoo.”

Episode 3, “Medicine of Dickerson Park Zoo” not only won the Student Emmy for Best College Non-Fiction Long Form, it also won second place from the Missouri Broadcast Education Association in the Video Documentary category.

Another episode, “Education of Dickerson Park Zoo,” was nominated for a Student Emmy for Best College Non-Fiction Short Form.

The entire documentary is a nine-episode web series filmed and edited by students taught by Jon Mabee, associate professor of film and television.

Mabee co-directed the documentary, along with Autumn Girgin, a recent graduate of the MFA in Dramatic Writing program. Mabee was also one of the producers.

“The National Academy of Arts and Sciences-Mid America Emmy competition is one of the most prestigious of the awards festivals that we compete in, since they are judged by professionals in the industry,” said CMJF department head Dr. Deborah Larson. “With two wins and one nomination this year, our students showed how we can compete at this level.”

“This also speaks volumes about our faculty who mentor them and the production and journalism programs we offer to our students,” Larson added.

“Real world” project based on client need

The zoo documentary project came about when Mabee, who has worked with the Dickerson Park Zoo on other projects, agreed to help the zoo create content to celebrate its 100th birthday.

This was an opportunity for students to be involved in “real-world applications” that reflect content taught in CMJF courses, Mabee said.

During the project, Mabee supervised roughly two dozen students, some of whom were enrolled in his Client-Based Video Production (MED 385) and Editing for Film & TV (MED 466) courses.

Total production time was about 20 weeks, Mabee estimated, with about three weeks devoted to actual filming. The project began in March 2023 and concluded in December.

Man working with woman on film camera — Associate professor Jon Mabee with student videographer Amelia Kotulski.

MSU professors Putzu and Schmalzbauer lend expertise to “Kehila Kedosha.”

April 29, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Ozarks Public Television (OPT) will broadcast the premiere of “Kehila Kedosha: Jewish Heritage in the Missouri Ozarks,” May 9 at 8 p.m., with an encore presentation scheduled for May 13 at 8 p.m.

The documentary, produced by Dax Bedell, assistant manager of TV Production at OPT, highlights the history of Jewish migration, assimilation and heritage in the Missouri Ozarks.

“The story of the Jewish experience in the Missouri Ozarks is one that has been largely untold,” Bedell said. “‘Kehila Kedosha’ aims to shed light on some of this rich history and the indelible impact the Jewish community has had in shaping our collective culture.”

“It is a narrative that resonates far beyond the Ozarks, reminding us of the profound contributions immigrants have made to the fabric of our nation,” he added.

The documentary is built around the research of MSU faculty emeritus Dr. Mara Cohen Ioannides. Cohen Ioannides has written multiple books and articles about Jewish life and identity, including “Creating Community: The Jews of Springfield, Missouri” and her most recent work, “Jews of Missouri: An Ornament to Israel.”

Dr. Michelle Morgan honored with Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education

April 29, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Associate professor of history Dr. Michelle Morgan was recently honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education.

She was nominated for the award by Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, head of the Department of History.

Morgan first learned she had been selected for the Governor’s Award during the Faculty Awards reception, when she was also being recognized for her Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“The committee selects the Governor’s Award from among the winners of the Foundation Award but does not tell the individual until the reception,” Morgan explained. “It was quite a surprise!”

The award does not have a monetary component, but Morgan received a plaque and attended a luncheon in Jefferson City, Missouri, that honored other Governor’s Award recipients.

Creating citizens and scholars through critical thinking

Morgan, who teaches American history with an emphasis on the American West and American empire, said her coursework spans both historical content and social studies education methodology.

“All of these courses engage my students with learning and teaching about both the laudable and the difficult moments of our country’s past,” Morgan explained. “Grounded in the scholarship of historical thinking and inclusive classroom practices, my teaching fosters students’ ability to ask rigorous historical questions, analyze sources and draw informed conclusions.”

Morgan believes her teaching, which she described as involving “an extensive amount of time digging into primary source materials,” cultivates important critical thinking skills that serve to help students develop as both citizens and scholars.

“[These skills] play a crucial role in preparing our pre-service social studies teachers for the challenges of teaching authentic history in our current environment,” she said.

Morgan cites her American West class as an example of her teaching method and strategy.

In this course, she requires her students to research a historical memorial or monument related to the American West.

Students analyze the commemorated event or person. They then analyze the creators of the memorial to identify and explore the meaning those creators wanted to convey.

From there, students write a proposal to add context, modify content or craft an addition to the memorial to provide a more nuanced interpretation of the past.

Classroom photo of teacher facing students — Dr. Michelle Morgan teaches a seminar class. Photo credit: Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University.

LaPrade and Sandel receive FCTL honors

April 25, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Two faculty members from the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities have been awarded the 2024 Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) Teaching Excellence Award.

The honorees, associate professor Dr. Jennifer LaPrade and associate professor Dr. William Sandel, teach in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Only four faculty were selected overall for the award.

Each year the FCTL recognizes faculty members who have been nominated due to their demonstrated teaching excellence and dedication to student success.

“Bill and Jennifer take teaching to another level,” said Dr. Brett Garland, head of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “Both are constantly experimenting with new techniques and have a wonderful ability to motivate students to aim higher and push their limits.”

“They are like all great teachers who recognize that both learning and teaching are a process—and they are committed to continuously refining the art of teaching,” Garland continued. “I think their students pick up on that and become energized from it.”

Nominated faculty members go through a rigorous application process, with the FCTL recognizing top applicants with the distinguished excellence in teaching award.

Dr. Steve Willis receives National Art Education Association distinction

April 22, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The National Art Education Association has honored Dr. Steve Willis, professor of art education in the Department of Art and Design, with the 2024 Gilbert A. Clark and Enid Zimmerman Leadership Advocacy Award.

Dr. Steve Willis

The NAEA recognized Willis at its national conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 4-6, 2024.

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” Willis said. “The award is presented to one person a year. To be selected is an outstanding achievement.”

Highlighting commitment to arts advocacy

The NAEA’s 2024 Awards Program Booklet describes the award as honoring “art educators who donate their time, effort, and expertise to advancing art education in all sectors, yet frequently their contributions are not brought to public notice.”

In addition, the award “recognizes a member who in his or her career has evidenced leadership and has effectively promoted and supported art education in local, regional, national and/or international venues.”

Willis said art advocacy remains an important professional goal.

“With 46 years in the classroom, I continue to advocate for the arts at all levels regionally, nationally and internationally,” he said. “A comprehensive curriculum including arts education should be available to every student in every location.”

About the NAEA

Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators. The mission of the NAEA champions creative growth and innovation by equitably advancing the tools and resources for a high-quality visual arts, design and media arts education throughout diverse populations and communities of practice.

Explore opportunities in art and design

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