Conferences Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Graduate students attend American Academy of Religion regional conference

May 14, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Four graduate students from the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions (LCR) presented their research at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Midwest regional conference April 16-18.

Religious Studies MA students Hezekiah Harrison, Ashley Jones, Michael Perez, and Seth Weidman attended the 2026 conference at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. Associate Professor Vadim Putzu accompanied the students to the conference. Putzu currently serves as chair of the Study of Judaism section of the Midwest AAR.

The AAR is the largest scholarly society for the academic study of religion, according to Putzu. The Midwest regional conference is especially vibrant, he noted, as it attracts hundreds of scholars at all career stages each year.

“It was a great opportunity not only for our students to share their ongoing research, receive relevant feedback, and keep up-to-date with current scholarship, but also for our faculty to network and to recruit,” Putzu said.

From 2021 to 2025, Missouri State University hosted the Midwest regional conference, Putzu added.

History graduate students Elayna Eastin and Sarah Land present research at regional PAT conference

May 4, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Elayna Eastin and Sarah Land, two MA students from Missouri State University’s Department of History, recently presented their research at the regional Phi Alpha Theta (PAT) conference.

The conference was held March 14 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Phi Alpha Theta is the national History Honor Society.

This year’s conference theme was “250 Years of US and the World.”

Papers highlight American role in world affairs

Eastin and Land selected topics that highlight America’s role in world affairs, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For both students, this was their first time to present at a professional history conference.

“As the faculty advisor for PAT, I was so proud of both students for the excellent presentations they delivered,” said Assistant Professor Chelsea Davis.

Eastin discussed her research on 19th-century Yokohama, Japan. In “Harbor Of Change: The Social And Cultural Whirlwind of 19th-Century Yokohama,” she shows how after 1859 the port city became an international trade center by developing a robust tourism industry.

Now in her first year of graduate studies at Missouri State, Eastin also works as an archivist at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Long term, she is also considering furthering her education at the doctorate level.

Meanwhile, Land presented a historiographical paper, “World War I and Wilson: America’s Place in Global History.” Her paper explored how scholarship on America’s influence during the post-World War I era has changed over the past 30 years.

Land, who will graduate this spring, hopes to one day pursue a doctorate in history.

Men’s and women’s choruses attend regional conference of American Choral Directors Association

April 29, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Two choruses from Missouri State University’s Department of Music performed at the southwestern regional conference of the American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) March 4-7 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music Dr. Cameron LaBarr directed the Men’s Chorus. Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco directed the Women’s Chorus.

Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne accompanied both ensembles.

Arktos Saxophone Quartet reaches final round of NASA Collegiate Quartet Competition

April 12, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Arktos Quartet advanced to the final round of competition at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) conference March 12-15 in Columbus, Ohio.

Arktos members are seniors Conlan Boatman and Lorelei Brem, sophomore Ryan Hunt and junior Preston Thorpe. All four students are Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education majors in the Department of Music.

By reaching the final rounds, the Arktos Quartet is now among the top student saxophone quartets in North America, said Assistant Professor of Music Matthew Tracy.

“Witnessing their musical and professional maturity has been a highlight of my year,” he said. “They are as exceptional in character as they are in talent.”

Arktos is the Greek word for bear, Tracy explained. The Ursa Major or “Great Bear” constellation is in the northern sky. The word arctic comes from Arktos.

The quartet will celebrate their accomplishments with a recital at 7:30 p.m. April 17 in Hamra Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Mark your calendar

Missouri State’s Model UN wins multiple awards at 2026 regional conference

April 9, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Several Missouri State students brought home awards from the Midwest Model United Nations (MMUN) Conference, held Feb. 18-21 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The team garnered three delegation awards and nine individual awards.

Twenty-two students from the university attended. Thirteen were from Dr. Ashley Leinweber’s Model United Nations (PLS 333) class. They were Corrigan Bielefeld, Delilah Boggs, Brooklyn Cortez, Ann Costanzo, Ameliya Gerlt, Kerrigan Hand, Madeline Hardwick, Jennifer Hedges, Sean Lay, Emma Mabary, Traven Madison, Harriet Melton and Christian Wood.

Nine Model UN Club students attended as well. They were Abigail Hardwick, Mehmet Karatas, Sewly Khatun, Keira Monroe, Daphne Pierson, Isabella Reed, Thomas Ryan, George Swayne and Ian Toney. Missouri State and Model UN Club alumna Chloe Mitchell also volunteered as legal staff for the General Assembly 4 committee, Leinweber said.

Leinweber serves as faculty advisor for the club. She is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.