Reynolds College Blog

2024 World Language Day “Just for Fun” recruiting event big success

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The Department of Languages, Cultures, and Religions (LCR) hosted its “2024 World Language Day—Just for Fun” recruitment event April 16 in the PSU Ballroom.

Over 400 high school students from across the Ozarks attended the event.

The organizers, Cristina Sepulveda-Hinojosa, Dr. Maria Alejandra Cerdas Cisneros and Jeff Loughary, along with LCR department head Dr. Stephen Berkwitz, started planning the event in October 2023.

“It took us almost six months to organize it,” said Sepulveda.

The purpose of the event is twofold, Sepulveda added. One goal is to encourage or motivate students to attend Missouri State University. The other is to encourage students to study languages.

“[We want to] motivate them to continue studying a foreign language and make them aware of the advantage they will have professionally by studying a foreign language,” she explained.

three teens sitting on floor doing an activity
High schoolers enjoyed foreign language activities like relays, karaoke, dances and crafting.

Interdisciplinary and community outreach key part of event

One of the early goals of the planning committee was to reach out in an interdisciplinary capacity to academic departments outside of its college home in the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH).

“We thought about which departments could gain from prospective students who can speak foreign languages and therefore invited them to join our event,” Sepulveda explained. “Now we realize that it was a success, and we are happy to have done it that way.”

“It has been an enriching experience working with international business, hospitality and education, because we have realized that by joining forces, we also increase resources and the possibility of success. We all benefit,” she added.

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MSU Chorale performs in South Korean international music festivals

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The Missouri State University Chorale was invited to represent North America at the 8th annual Jeju International Choir Festival and Symposium on Jeju Island, South Korea, Feb. 17-27.

The Chorale also performed in the Incheon Free Economic Zone International Choral Festival and the Pacem World Choir Festival.

During their stay, the Chorale sang in several of South Korea’s finest performing arts centers, alongside choirs from Estonia, Latvia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

“This trip was my first out of the country and I couldn’t be happier that it got to be with such an amazing, supportive group of people,” said Alandra Hutchens, a junior vocal music education major.

“People were weeping, with ear-to-ear smiles”

The Chorale enjoyed performing a wide variety of music—from American folk songs and spirituals to the music of Bob Dylan and Ruthie Foster—during their visit, according to Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies.

“The Chorale performed a choral arrangement of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are a-Changing,’ which was quite meaningful to the singers and the audiences,” LaBarr said.

“With every new emotion we were trying to convey, the crowds were right there with us,” said Chorale baritone Gabe Adams. “Not only were we, as a choir, incredibly excited to share our music with the audiences, the audiences were also excited to hear what we had to share.”

Group of people singing
Graduate student Erich Eastman performs with the MSU Chorale at the Jeju Arts Center.

During their visit, the students enjoyed meeting and singing for Korean composers Hyo-Won Woo and Jihoon Park, as well as performing with traditional Korean drums played by Go Seokjin.

“Performing ‘Arirang’ with the Korean drums was the moment I truly understood how meaningful this song is, and it will be a profound memory of mine,” said sophomore vocal performance major Addison Collins. “The reaction of the audience solidified that for me, as people were weeping with ear-to-ear smiles—so touching and joyful.”

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MSU brings life to Day of the Dead

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With hundreds of people in attendance, the Missouri State Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions hosted the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival on Nov. 2.

The annual festival is a deeply rooted tradition in certain areas of Mexico and has gained popularity in recent years. It can be celebrated on the first and/or second day of November.

“This festival is a fusion of the All-Saints Day Christianity celebration and aspects of the Aztec culture,” Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez de la Vega, MSU associate professor of Spanish, said.

Rodriguez de la Vega described the event as a “joyful celebration” where people remember their loved ones who have died. [Read more…] about MSU brings life to Day of the Dead