RCASH Highlights Archives - Page 7 of 79

History and social work programs collaborate for Shiori Itō speaking event

May 20, 2026 by Lynn 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.”

Judy Awards presented at fifth annual ceremony, honors outstanding achievements

May 19, 2026 by Lynn 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.

Environmental Communication class highlights university’s public affairs mission

May 18, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

When communication majors began enrolling for Spring 2026 classes, they encountered a new offering: Environmental Communication. Structured as a second block online class, this was the first time Environmental Communication had been offered as part of the communication studies curricula.

The course is another choice within the fully online option of the communication studies program, according to Senior Instructor Jay Howard. Its purpose is to help students understand the role of communication in negotiating the relationship between people and the environment.

Howard, who teaches in the Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film, created the class as a special topics course. He was thrilled when 29 students enrolled, a number just a bit over the class limit.

Most of the students were upper level communications majors, Howard said. “But we did have people from other majors as well find their way into the class, which I was happy to see. And if I get to teach the class again, I’d love to continue to expand and have people enrolled from all across the university.”

Consumers of environmental messaging

Throughout the course, Howard stressed to students how all members of a society are “consumers” of environmental communication. While not everyone will become a public official or climate activist, he noted, people engage in and consume environmental communication daily.

“We need to be able to critically evaluate [this communication] and have some tools for knowing whether the messaging coming at us is accurate or not,” Howard said. “See what they’re trying to get us to do, and why, and whose agenda is being served.”

Because environmental issues tend to affect entire communities and societies, not just individuals, the topic itself can have a wide reach and impact.

“It’s big, it crosses boundaries, has all kinds of stakeholders that all have to cooperate,” Howard said. “There’s a collective action problem. And when you’re trying to coordinate action, you have to use communication.”

Graduate students attend American Academy of Religion regional conference

May 14, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Four graduate students from the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions (LCR) presented their research at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Midwest regional conference April 16-18.

Religious Studies MA students Hezekiah Harrison, Ashley Jones, Michael Perez, and Seth Weidman attended the 2026 conference at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. Associate Professor Vadim Putzu accompanied the students to the conference. Putzu currently serves as chair of the Study of Judaism section of the Midwest AAR.

The AAR is the largest scholarly society for the academic study of religion, according to Putzu. The Midwest regional conference is especially vibrant, he noted, as it attracts hundreds of scholars at all career stages each year.

“It was a great opportunity not only for our students to share their ongoing research, receive relevant feedback, and keep up-to-date with current scholarship, but also for our faculty to network and to recruit,” Putzu said.

From 2021 to 2025, Missouri State University hosted the Midwest regional conference, Putzu added.

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

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