Public Affairs Archives - Page 17 of 58

Art and Design to host Polish designers for book talk Oct. 6

October 1, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design will welcome special guests from Poland Oct. 6 to discuss the work of emeritus professor Roman Duszek.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. in Strong Hall 300. It is free and open to the public.

Co-authors Tomasz Bierkowski and Mariusz Wszołek will discuss their book “Visual Thinking,” a bilingual publication honoring Duszek’s teaching and career. Bierkowski and Wszolek are both professors at SWPS University in Wrocław.

Iwona Zalewska-Duszek is an emerita of the art and design department and will attend on Roman’s behalf.

Visit revives long-standing working partnership

Black and white image of older man — Roman Duszek

The visit builds on years of exchanges between Missouri State and art and design academies in Poland. The department has hosted a number of artists and educators in the past, including Bierkowski, Lesław Tetla, Marta Bożyk and Marcin Bialas.

“For us, the visit to MSU is particularly important. There could be no better place to tell the story of the professor and the book dedicated to him,” Bierkowski said.

In addition, faculty members have led workshops abroad through Erasmus+ partnerships. Students have also participated in this exchange, with work exhibited in Kraków and Katowice.

Dr. Cameron LaBarr appointed committee member of World Symposium on Choral Music

September 25, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Dr. Cameron LaBarr has been appointed to the artistic committee of the next World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM). The symposium will be held Aug. 23-28, 2026, in Macau, China.

LaBarr is the Clif and Gail Smart Professor in Music and director of choral studies in the Department of Music.

As part of the committee, LaBarr will help create the entire program of events, including concerts, lectures and workshops for the symposium.

Describing the WSCM as a true “coming together of current ideas from so many distant places,” LaBarr noted that it offers endless opportunities “for deep, enriching cultural engagement.”

The WSCM symposium is an initiative of the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM). The IFCM holds the event every three years.

Theatre and Dance presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in JGA Oct. 2-5.

September 24, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present the William Shakespeare classic, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-5, 2025, in the John Goodman Amphitheatre.

Theatre and Dance Professor Sarah Wiggin directs the play.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for students and seniors. MSU students can receive special advance purchase discounts with an MSU ID.

Purchase Tickets

Discussion panel on health of Ozarks Amish scheduled Sept. 26

September 19, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University will host a discussion panel, “Healthcare Among the Ozarks Amish: Navigating Religion and Medicine,” from 12-1:15 p.m. Sept. 26 in Strong Hall 200.

Panelists are Dr. Sarah Cimino and Dr. Ashlea Cardin. Cimino, a local dentist, operates The Tooth Truck, Inc. Cardin directs the master of occupational therapy program at Missouri State.

Associate Professor Dr. Philippa Koch of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions will serve as panel moderator.

The event is free and open to the public. Those interested can attend in person or via Zoom.

Panel focuses on Ozarks religious diversity and healthcare

The discussion panel is part of an Interfaith America grant recently awarded to Missouri State, Koch said. The grant focuses on local religious diversity and healthcare.

Koch is an Interfaith America Faith & Health Fellow.

“The Amish are particularly relevant to those engaged in healthcare and healthcare education in southwest Missouri, as there is a significant population of Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities.”

“I work on and teach religion and health in America,” she added. “The Amish have long been an important case study for me in research and teaching, and I am excited to bring healthcare experts to share their experiences working with our local community.”

Mark your calendar

Theatre and Dance alum Chance Nichols named creative strategy director for All Things Comedy

September 18, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University alum Chance Nichols, a 2017 graduate of the Department of Theatre and Dance, has been appointed Director of Network Creative and Strategy for the production company All Things Comedy (ATC).

Nichols, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, will oversee creative development and produce new podcasts, digital series, television shows, movies and other productions for ATC.

Many of Nichols’ duties involve both creativity and management. He helps comedians, writers and producers develop new show ideas. These include podcasts, television and live events. He also reviews launch and release strategies.

At the same time, he also advises the network regarding its current productions.

“I give notes on shows currently on our network that we either originally produced or acquired to provide creative feedback and consulting,” he explained. He also advises on best practices to optimize packaging for YouTube algorithms.

“I’m really excited to help other comedians and creative people get the projects they’re passionate about made exactly how they want to make them,” Nichols said. “ATC was founded under the motto ‘by comedians, for comedians.’ I just want to honor that legacy while looking to innovate and build upon it.”

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