Lecture Series Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Phi Alpha Theta launches “Tasting History” series

April 14, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta (PAT), the history honor society, has found a unique way to get people curious about history—through food and drink.

With assistance from the Department of History, the organization held its first ever “Tasting History” series March 4 in Strong Hall.

“Tea in East Asia and the British Empire” offered historical comparisons and connections regarding the globalization of tea, said Dr. Chelsea Davis, assistant professor of history. Davis also serves as faculty advisor for PAT.

According to Davis, PAT secretary Rob Manganiello first came up with the idea for a tea tasting event. After taking a class with Assistant Professor Linshan Jiang, Manganiello suggested PAT host a tea tasting activity for the public. During that class, Jiang discussed the history and culture of the Chinese tea ceremony while serving tea to her students.

Davis estimated 35-40 people attended the event. She is thrilled with the outcome.

“People seemed to have positive reactions to the tea tasting and the lecture,” she said. “Attendees were excited by the prospect of this becoming a recurring event.”

Two women and one man standing behind a table filled with teas and serving materials — Making history tangible and fun. L-R: History professors Dr. Chelsea Davis and Dr. Linshan Jiang with Xiao’ou Gong, Chinese Program Specialist in the College of Business.

Artist Janet Echelman to deliver public talk at Fox Theatre

April 8, 2026 by Reynolds College

Internationally recognized artist Janet Echelman will deliver a public talk about her work at 6 p.m. April 23 at the Historic Fox Theatre in Springfield, Missouri.

Head shot of Janet Echelman — Janet Echelman

Immediately after her talk, Echelman will sign copies of “Radical Softness: The Responsive Art of Janet Echelman,” edited by Gloria Sutton.

The Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities; the Department of Art and Design; Sculpture Walk Springfield; the History Museum on the Square and Bookmarx are co-sponsoring the event.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for not only the university community but also the greater Springfield community,” said Dr. Andrew Wasserman, assistant professor of art history. “As we think about the roles that art plays in society, the chance to hear from an artist directly gives all of us a chance to consider how we see and move through our local spaces.”

History department welcomes guest lecturer Dr. Rory Huang

March 6, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of History recently welcomed Dr. Rory Huang as a guest lecturer Feb. 23, 2026.

Huang is an assistant professor of history at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California-Los Angeles in 2023.

In her lecture, “Between Solidarity and Empire: Tahara Haruji’s Transpacific Vision,” Huang discussed the transpacific influences informing Tahara Haruji’s political vision. Haruji was a Buraku activist associated with the Suiheisha movement, Japan’s first nationwide human rights movement.

Huang spoke to students in Dr. Linshan Jiang’s Modern East Asia (HST 381) course. Several faculty, staff and students from other classes also attended the lecture.

Jiang, an assistant professor specializing in East Asian history and culture, coordinated the event. She estimated 40-45 people attended.

Social movements, diaspora and Buraku activism

Woman standing outside next to observatory — Dr. Rory Huang. Photo courtesy of Rory Huang.

Huang’s work focuses on Buraku minority rights, social movements and diaspora in the Japanese Empire.

According to her, the Burakumin were a historically marginalized group in Japan. Their social exclusion persisted even after legal discrimination was abolished.

Huang’s research highlights the Burakumin experience by examining Haruji’s time in the United States during the 1920s. While in the U.S., Haruji witnessed African American freedom movements and racial exclusion. These encounters influenced Buraku critiques of inequality and Japan’s own imperial contradictions.

Research a labor of love

Initially, Huang became interested in the Buraku as a research project while still an undergraduate student.

“During my stay in Nagasaki as an exchange student, a close friend revealed to me his Buraku identity and spoke extensively about his family stories,” she said. “Over the past decade, I went back to Japan frequently to learn more about those communities and their activism.”

The project continues to be a labor of love for Huang. She has worked on the topic since 2015. It was also the focus of her doctoral dissertation research.

Dr. Manuel Meléndez-Sánchez to speak Nov. 3

October 16, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Head shot of man in suit — Dr. Manuel Meléndez-Sánchez. Photo credit: Kellogg Institute.

Missouri State University’s Master of International Affairs (MIA) program will host a talk by Dr. Manuel Meléndez-Sánchez from 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Duane G. Meyer Library Auditorium.

The event is free and open to the public.

Meléndez-Sánchez will discuss the public security strategy of El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele’s in “The ‘Bukele Model’: Public Security and Democracy in El Salvador.”

Meléndez-Sánchez is currently a visiting fellow at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame. His visit is part of an informal speaker event series hosted by the MIA program and the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.

Department of Art and Design announces Fall Visiting Artists schedule

August 28, 2025 by Reynolds College

The Department of Art and Design is excited to welcome Emily Culver and William Lamson as part of its Visiting Artists, Designers and Scholars Series for Fall 2025.

Each artist will spend two days on campus connecting with students and faculty, with free public talks scheduled during their visits. Both will speak in the Jay Wasson Idea Loft at the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, 405 N. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65897.