Announcements Archives - Page 2 of 29

Four acts lined up for annual “Brown Bag” concert series at JGA

March 17, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

For its third season, Missouri State University’s “Brown Bag Concert Series” continues to enliven April lunchtime with its lineup of talented performers.

Held once again at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA), the event is free and open to the public. The amphitheater is located immediately north of Craig Hall in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park.

All performances start at noon. Public parking will be available starting at 11 a.m. across Grand Street in Parking Lots 22 and 24.

“Bring your lunch, relax and enjoy some great music,” said Mark Templeton, executive director of marketing and external relations for JGA.

Tent Theatre’s Mark Templeton to retire, reception set for March 27

March 11, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Every year for nearly 30 years, Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre has been under the dedicated guidance of Managing Director Mark Templeton.

As of April 1, 2026, Templeton will step aside from his role with this cherished Ozarks tradition.

Templeton began working at Missouri State as a graduate assistant for the marketing director at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. In addition, he worked in a similar capacity over the summers with Tent Theatre, adding merchandising and vending operations to his workload.

In 1999, the Department of Theatre and Dance hired Templeton as a part-time employee. He worked in the box office and oversaw event coordination. Later that same year, he moved to a full time position as the department’s marketing director. Then in 2001, the department changed his job title to managing director to better reflect his expertise and include even more responsibilities.

Retirement reception March 27

A retirement reception celebrating Templeton’s career will be held 4:30-7:30 p.m. March 27 at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center. Please join the Reynolds College community in wishing him well, share many happy memories, and enjoy a few light hors d’oeuvres.

Mark your calendar

Call for musicians for third annual “April at the Amphitheatre” concert series

February 11, 2026 by Reynolds College

The “April at the Amphitheatre” brown bag music series is once again calling for musician applications.

Now in its third year, the series is open to artists from across the Ozarks. “Solo and group artists are welcome to apply. We are looking for a broad range of styles,” said Mark Templeton, executive director of John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA) marketing and external relations.

Selected artists will receive a $300 honorarium.

During the month of April, artists perform on Wednesdays during the lunch hour for approximately 45 minutes.

Performances will be held at the JGA in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park of Missouri State University.

All performances and are free and open to the public.

JGA and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities sponsor the event.

Contact Mark Templeton for more information.

Apply

Performance dates

April 1
April 8
April 15
April 22

Dr. Laura Hart featured in Mind’s Eye

February 5, 2026 by Strategic Communication

Congratulations to Dr. Laura Hart, associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University, for her recent feature in Mind’s Eye magazine.

Her research focuses on how people understand and cope with risk, especially risk caused by environmental factors that jeopardize a community’s physical and mental health.

Congratulations Dr. Hart!

The full story is now available online.

Excerpt

In the mid-2000s, several residents of Clyde, Ohio, including children, developed cancer at an alarming rate. Then, in 2012, nine feet of toxic sludge was discovered under the basketball court at a recreational park donated to the community by Whirlpool, the town’s largest employer.

Several affected individuals filed a lawsuit against Whirlpool, claiming these illnesses were caused by pollutants generated by its Clyde facility. Having already experienced reluctance from state officials to investigate suspected chemicals and their potential link to the cancer cases, the plaintiffs knew they would need the community’s support.

Yet many of Clyde’s residents angrily opposed the lawsuit.

Read the full story

Reynolds College announces appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as Director of Defense and Strategic Studies

January 20, 2026 by Reynolds College

Dean Shawn Wahl and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as the new director of Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS), located in Arlington, Virginia.

“Dr. Ford’s academic profile, extensive government experience, and expertise in defense and strategic studies make him the ideal leader to take DSS to the next level,” Wahl noted. “I am especially impressed with his foreign policy experience, diplomacy acumen and vision for the future of DSS.”

Starting immediately, Ford will work with DSS’ current director, Dr. John Rose, on the leadership transition process. Ford’s formal appointment begins on July 1, 2026.

Honored to serve

Ford said he is honored to serve as the next DSS director.

“Our graduates are what this country needs today,” he said. “I am grateful to Dean Wahl and the rest of his RCASH team for this opportunity.”

In particular, Ford recalled the legacy of DSS’ Dr. William Van Cleave, who started the program in the 1970s.

“I am honored and delighted to be carrying forward the proud legacy of national security education and scholarship pioneered by Professor William Van Cleave more than half a century ago, and built upon so successfully by Directors Keith Payne and John Rose,” he said.

“DSS has a strong tradition and a unique track record in producing national security professionals attuned to the requirements of defense and security in a challenging world,” Ford added.

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