Faculty Accomplishments Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Percussion Studio hosts first Discovery Day event

July 27, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Percussion Studio recently held its first Discovery Day learning clinic for area middle and high school students.

Thirteen area students participated in the event, held in April this year on the Springfield campus. Participating students came from Springfield’s Cherokee Middle School, Central High School and Parkview High School as well as Neosho, Nixa and Ozark schools.

Students did not need to audition to attend, according to Dr. Yun Ju Pan, assistant professor in the Department of Music. “Anyone with an interest in learning percussion is warmly welcome,” she said.

The Percussion Studio consists of all music major and minor students who take private percussion lessons. The result is a sense of community and collaboration, Pan said. “For us, the Percussion Studio is like a family—a place where students learn, hang out, practice and rehearse together. They are constantly learning from and supporting one another.”

LaBarr family takes the stage at Carnegie Hall

June 24, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Dr. Cameron LaBarr, director of choral studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor, was invited by the National Concerts organization to conduct a performance at Carnegie Hall April 11, 2026. He collaborated with Dr. Michael Barrett, former director of choral activities at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, to conduct the National Concert Chorus.

Cameron LaBarr conducted several pieces composed by his wife and Missouri State alumna, Susan LaBarr. She currently serves as a National Concert composer-in-residence. Those selections were “Where the Light Begins,” “Grace Before Sleep” and “The Cardinal and the Roller.”

The program also featured Parker Payne, artist-in-residence and collaborative pianist in Missouri State’s Department of Music. He accompanied the performers on piano.

Additionally, 10 Missouri State students sang in the concert, They were Kaden Chapman, Eto Tagur, Gio Hernandez, Anne Copiaco, Destiny Romero, Ashlee Martin, Katie Penkalski, Jonah Hagerty, Cole Dobbs and Nolan Scotidis. Several Missouri State alumni, faculty and staff also attended the performance to show their support.

This was Cameron LaBarr’s first official project with National Concerts. He and Barrett will appear again at Carnegie Hall in April 2027. The program will be similar in format to the 2026 performance. Susan LaBarr will once again serve as composer-in-residence.

Professors emeriti Lopinot and Ray present archaeological research in Trinidad and Tobago

June 1, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University professors emeriti Dr. Neal H. Lopinot and Jack H. Ray presented a summary of two decades’ worth of historical and archaeological investigations March 2, 2026, at the University of the West Indies-St. Augustine campus.

Among the guests at the presentation were Chief Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community, representatives from several local and national tourism organizations, members of Citizens for Conservation and the Landmarks Committee of the National Trust.

During the event, Lopinot and Ray discussed their historical research at La Reconnaissance, a former cacao plantation located in the Lopinot Valley. They also discussed their archaeological excavation at Guaico Tamana, a former flintknapping production site.

Prior to the event, Lopinot and Ray returned all artifacts recovered from both sites to the University of the West Indies and the National Trust.

Judy Awards presented at fifth annual ceremony, honors outstanding achievements

May 19, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) celebrated its fifth annual Judy Awards May 6, 2026, at The Old Glass Place.

The event honors the legacy of Judith Enyeart Reynolds by recognizing the achievements of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends within the RCASH community.

Once again, Associate Dean Jake Simmons opened the ceremony. Announcing this year’s award winners were hosts Dr. Julia Troche and Dr. Perry Mears. Dean Shawn Wahl presented the Dean’s Awards.

Student groups earn Dean’s Champion and Distinction honors

Among this year’s Dean’s Champion Award winners were two student groups who have upheld Missouri State’s public affairs mission while demonstrating academic excellence.

Winners included the Missouri State Model United Nations team, along with their sponsor, Dr. Ashley Leinweber. The ARKTOS Saxophone Quartet, along with their sponsor, Dr. Matthew Tracy, were also recognized.

The Dean’s Award of Distinction honor went to the Missouri State Pride Marching Band, along with its directors and sponsors: Dr. Brad Snow, John Sullivan, Maxine Sullivan, Chris Church, Amy Perkins, and the band’s Drum Majors.

Dean’s Legacy Awards recognize English faculty

This year, the Dean’s Legacy Awards went to three retiring faculty members from the Department of English: Dr. Linda Moser, Tracy Dalton and John Turner.

Dalton and Turner recognized as outstanding senior instructors

Wahl honored Tracy Dalton and John Turner for their efforts as senior instructors.

The pair received the award because of “the long-term impact they have had in defining the rank of Senior Instructor,” Wahl said. Their legacy, he noted, has been “defined by innovative pedagogy and a commitment to service.”

“They have enhanced the academic environment for both faculty and students alike through exemplary teaching and service,” Wahl said.

Moser’s “visible and profound” influence praised

The third Legacy Award recipient was Dr. Linda Moser, professor of English and former department head.

“Linda is the kind of leader who never needed to announce her presence to be felt,” Wahl said. “As department head of English, she led from within—by example, with care and with a humility that made everyone around her better.”

Wahl expressed admiration and gratitude for Moser’s research, teaching and leadership accomplishments.

“Linda, you have left a legacy here that will endure,” Wahl said. “You are an example for how leaders can build a culture of trust, respect and excellence.”

Esteemed alumna Susan LaBarr honored

This year’s Dean’s Award for outstanding alumni went to Susan LaBarr.

LaBarr earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Master of Music in Music Theory from Missouri State University. She studied with now emeritus professors Dr. Peter Collins and Dr. John Prescott. She also sang in the Missouri State Chorale under the direction of Dr. Guy Webb.

Now, LaBarr is not only an editor at Walton Music, the premier publishing house for choral music, she is also a highly sought-after composer, having recently completed a composer-in-residence assignment at Carnegie Hall in New York.

“Her compositions are performed by all-state choirs, Grammy-winning professional choirs, school, church, and community choirs and everything in between,” Wahl said when announcing LaBarr’s award. “Aside from her incredible musical ability, perhaps the greatest attribute that everyone always talks about is her kind heart and genuine care for those people around her.”

Awards commemorate Reynolds’ legacy

Named in honor of Reynolds, a dedicated staff member and role model for many years in the English department, the Judy Awards cover a variety of contributions to the college, ranging from traditional awards in teaching, research and service to those that recognize collaboration and other efforts that highlight the pillars of the University’s public affairs mission.

Except for the Dean’s awards categories, winners were nominated either by their peers or self-nominated, then selected by representatives from each academic department serving on the Judy Awards selection committee.

Dr. Erin Wehrman featured in Mind’s Eye

May 5, 2026 by Strategic Communication

Congratulations to Dr. Erin Wehrman, associate professor in the department of communication, media, journalism and film at Missouri State University, on her feature in Mind’s Eye magazine.

As an expert in family and interpersonal communication, Wehrman studies how communication can help people adjust to life after losing a spouse, focusing on the role it plays in shaping relationships and identity.

Research feature story now online

The Mind’s Eye story featuring Wehrman’s research is now published online.

Excerpt:

“I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

This sentiment is often expressed by people who are grieving the loss of a spouse.

“Identity is complex,” said Dr. Erin Wehrman, associate professor in the department of communication, media, journalism and film at Missouri State University. “We don’t have just one singular identity.”

External factors, such as the people we interact with and the places we go, combine with internal factors, such as our personal experiences and our physiology, help to construct a self-identity.

Relationships play a big role in building and maintaining that identity.

Read the full story