Reynolds College Blog

“Collaboration” reveals hard work and big dreams of Missouri State dance students

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Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance wraps up the 2024-25 season with its annual Spring Dance Concert.

Titled “Collaboration,” the concert continues this year’s theme of “Connection.” It will feature a variety of both student and faculty choreographed performances.

This year’s concert is coordinated by Associate Professor of Dance Azaria Hogans.

Evening showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 24-26. Matinee showtime is 2:30 p.m. April 27. All performances will be held in Coger Theatre in Craig Hall.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors. Special advance rates are available for students with an MSU ID.

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Collaborating to connect

Using an interdisciplinary approach, the concert emphasizes connecting dance with different disciplines, Hogans said. “Every work that will be on the stage has some element of interdisciplinary exploration. This ranges from collaborations with animators to costume construction to STEM concepts and processes.”

Hogans is excited about how audiences will experience the performances.

“Even if an audience member does not know a lot about dance, they will be able to appreciate the interdisciplinary connections made in this concert,” she said. “[They] will be able to see concepts, ideas and maybe even themselves represented in the works.”

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Kids Donation Drive for local center runs through April 14

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Kenzi Seay, a senior criminology and criminal justice major, has organized the Kids Donation Drive in coordination with the Greene County Family Justice Center (FJC).

Seay is collecting donations until April 14. The organization is asking for toys, books or children’s hygiene products.

Collections boxes will be available across campus until April 7. A collection box will remain in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice main office (Strong Hall, Room 207) until April 14.

But even after April 14, people can still help out.

“The Family Justice Center is always collecting donations for victims of domestic violence,” Seay said. “They also have volunteer opportunities, if you’d like to help in a hands-on way.”

Public affairs mission in action

According to senior instructor Caryn Saxon, the Kids Donation Drive was entirely Seay’s initiative and serves as an excellent example of Missouri State’s public affairs mission.

“I could not be more impressed and proud of Kenzi’s work on this,” Saxon noted. “She observed a problem, created a solution and then took action to make her vision a reality. Through her efforts, she is spreading awareness about FJC while also giving others a way to contribute to their mission.”

Seay volunteers at FJC and also interns with its partner agency, Legal Services of Southern Missouri. She began volunteering in October 2024 and started her internship in January 2025. Her duties include answering phones, clerical work and intake interviews.

“It’s a really interesting experience working as both an intern and volunteer in different parts of the building because I am able to see the process from start to finish in different roles,” she noted.

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Annual Juried Student Exhibition on view March 7-April 4

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The Department of Art and Design’s Annual Juried Student Exhibition (AJSE) has returned this spring to celebrate the creativity and achievements of students across the department.

The exhibition is on view March 7-April 4 at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

A special First Friday Art Walk event will be held April 4 from 6-9 p.m.

Professional exhibition experience

The AJSE gives students an opportunity to present their work in a professional gallery setting, gaining valuable experience in the exhibition process. This showcase highlights a range of artistic practices, fostering engagement with the broader art community.

“The annual juried exhibition is an excellent chance for the public to see some great work by our students, but it’s also an excellent learning opportunity for our students to practice their skills in applying for exhibition opportunities, preparing professional-level documentation of their work and ideas,” explained Vonda Yarberry, art and design department head.

Potential exhibitors must submit an application. They also undergo formal, expert jurying.

“Not all students who apply will have their work accepted,” Yarberry said. “But all students will have the opportunity to understand how the process works and will be able to practice skills they are learning in the classroom.”

Mark J. Hall Best in Show Award

The Mark J. Hall Best in Show Award will once again be presented in honor of its namesake, a former student whose passion for the arts continues to inspire. This prestigious award recognizes the most outstanding work in the exhibition and celebrates students’ artistic excellence and innovation.

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MSU opera students shine in national competition

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Missouri State University’s Opera Theatre achieved an impressive milestone, qualifying for the 2025 Robert Hanson National Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition in January.

Three sophomore standouts represented the university during the competition. Jb Love (music performance), Ryan McIntosh (music education) and Veronika Yerina (double major vocal performance and biology) are all members of MSU’s “Opera Bears” club.

MSU Opera director Dr. Ann Marie Daehn and Dr. Chris Thompson, both professors in the Department of Music, oversaw the students’ performances.

“This is a huge accomplishment for our students and speaks to their talent, dedication and hard work,” Daehn said.

Sending three sophomores was a deliberate choice, Daehn added. Most schools tend to send more experienced seniors or returning finalists.

“We focus on giving opportunities to all performers, even younger students,” she said. “This is about providing every one of our students the chance to grow.”

The National Opera Association (NOA) hosted the event at its national conference in Savannah, Georgia. The competition aims to recognize and promote artistic excellence in opera performance in college and university programs.

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Paws to the Polls wraps up successful 2024

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Members of Missouri State University’s Paws to the Polls (PTTP) organization spent the Fall 2024 semester in a whirlwind of activity, concluding with the 2024 presidential election.

The group oversaw a variety of outreach events dedicated to providing voting information and encouraging registration. They kept pace throughout the fall semester, attending conferences and fairs, giving talks and distributing information.

Civic engagement creates learning opportunities

In August, PTTP worked with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of the League of Women Voters to present at the city’s Youth Civic Leadership Institute.

At the event, PTTP president Grace Wasson and vice president Amanda Gott ran a panel discussion and oversaw a voter simulation activity for high school students.

During September, PTTP continued its high school student voter information activities, collaborating again with the League of Women Voters. They held a voter registration information event for area high schools and registered 22 voters.

Also that month, the group coordinated a voter registration drive with the Springfield NAACP and the League of Women Voters at Springfield’s historic Washington Avenue Church.

For Gott and Wasson, working with the local community proved to be an invaluable learning experience.

“I found out very quickly that we not only register voters, but we [also] provide people with information on the voting process, upcoming elections, non-partisan resources for staying informed and much more,” Gott said. “I saw it as an opportunity to learn about voting and Missouri legislation, as well as an opportunity for engaging with my peers, my campus and my community.”

Gott, a sophomore double majoring in anthropology and modern language, joined PTTP in fall 2023.

Wasson had a similar reaction when first encountering PTTP. She joined the organization in fall 2022.

“I care deeply about local issues and civic engagement,” said Wasson, a sophomore political science major. “Paws felt like the perfect way to get involved and meet incredible, passionate people.”

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