RCASH Highlights Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Tent Theatre 2026 season opens June 18 with “Around the World in 80 Days”

June 8, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre opens the 2026 season with the zany classic, “Around the World in 80 Days.”

Assistant Professor Karen Sabo of the Department of Theatre and Dance makes her Tent Theatre directorial debut with Mark Brown’s adaptation of the beloved Jules Verne novel.

Performances are June 18-20 and 22-26 at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA).

All show times are 8 p.m.

Ticket information

Individual, group, and season tickets are now on sale. Patrons can purchase by mail, calling the box office at 417-836-7678 or 1-888-476-7849, or buying online.

On show days, Tent Theatre patrons can pick up their tickets at the will-call kiosk. It is located next to the Amphitheatre and opens at 6:30 p.m.

Visit TentTheatre.MissouriState.edu for further event information.

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Music student Lyndon Wilson places first at Missouri Percussive Arts Society competition

June 4, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Lyndon Wilson, a senior music major in the Department of Music, placed first and second in two separate categories at the Missouri Percussive Arts Society (MOPAS) Day of Percussion competition April 25 at Battle High School in Columbia, Missouri.

Wilson placed first in the collegiate snare drum competition and second in the collegiate marimba competition.

“I was absolutely thrilled when I heard that he had won second place in the marimba division,” said Dr. Yun Ju Pan, assistant professor of percussion in the music department and Wilson’s instructor. “Then, to my complete surprise, I heard his name announced for first place in the snare drum division. I couldn’t help myself—I jumped up and cheered for him! Seeing his hard work recognized in that moment was incredibly rewarding as his teacher.”

For his snare drum competition, Wilson selected Thomas Kotcheff’s Obbligato Snare Drum Music No. 1, “The Power of Love.” He performed Peter Klatzow’s “Dances of Earth and Fire” for the marimba competition.

Communication alumnus Luke Thomas enjoys growing San Antonio Spurs brand

June 2, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

To hear Missouri State University alumnus Luke Thomas describe it, his job with the San Antonio Spurs professional basketball franchise isn’t just a marketing job. It is “storytelling in a physical space.”

“Every detail, from the environment to the messaging to the way a fan interacts with a moment, is communicating something,” Thomas said. “My job is to make sure that message is intentional, cohesive and something people actually want to be a part of.”

Thomas’ job title is Experiential Marketing Manager, Strategic Growth for Spurs Sports and Entertainment. He joined the organization in early 2026. His responsibilities include planning large-scale fan activations, community events and other activities that “connect the Spurs to new and existing audiences,” he said.

“In Austin, this work comes to life across a series of tentpole moments throughout the year,” Thomas said. These include Spurs Week Austin, SXSW, Austin City Limits, Formula 1, and the Spurs International Half Marathon. The activities are designed to grow the Spurs’ brand in Austin and expand its presence globally, especially in Europe and Mexico.

“We just did an event in Paris for the playoffs,” Thomas cited as an example of the Spurs’ global marketing campaigns. “We will be back in July, and then we are playing games in Paris and Manchester, England, in January.”

Before his current position with the Spurs, Thomas worked at Walt Disney World in Park Planning and Integration. In that role, he managed large-scale operational and event logistics at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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.

History and social work programs collaborate for Shiori Itō speaking event

May 20, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University faculty members Dr. Linshan Jiang and Stacy Johnson got an idea during a Writing Circle event sponsored by the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL).

Johnson was intrigued when Jiang mentioned she would be hosting an event featuring activist Shiori Itō. Jiang is an assistant professor in the Department of History. Johnson is a licensed clinical assistant professor in the Social Work program.

“We began discussing how meaningful the experience could be for social work students,” Johnson said. “From there, we collaboratively developed an outline designed to create a deeper and more meaningful learning experience for students.”

The result? The social work and history programs collaborated to bring Itō to Missouri State’s Springfield campus for a two-day speaking event April 20-21, 2026.

Itō is a Japanese journalist and filmmaker whose work focuses on gender equality and human rights issues. She published her memoir “Black Box” upon which the documentary is based, in 2017. Time magazine named her one of its “100 Most Influential People” in 2020.

Close up of young woman standing at the front of a classroom — Shiori Itō listens as a student shares their story.

Students take lead in coordinating event

Two young women giving a presentation in a classroom — Breauna Cater (L) and Hannah Byers co-facilitate Shiori Itō’s informal talk to Missouri State’s social work students.

First, Itō spoke to Jiang’s Modern East Asia students April 20. Over 60 people attended that event. During that session, Itō defined the Me Too movement and explored its history and repercussions in Japan and China. She also took questions from Jiang and the audience.

The next day, April 21, Itō met informally with Johnson’s social work students, fielding questions and listening to their observations. Seniors Hannah Byers and Breauna Cater co-facilitated the discussion. Both are majoring in social work, and Byers is president of the Social Work Club.

“Our facilitators, Hannah and Breauna, did an amazing job,” Johnson said. “We intentionally wanted the experience to be student-led in order to promote engagement, reflection and active participation.”

“It was a great honor meeting Shiori Itō,” Byers said. “Listening to her story of resilience and courage inspired me to be a better advocate and future social worker. I look forward to sharing her powerful story with others.”