Chris Herr Archives - Reynolds College Blog

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.

Accounting, Biology, Math…and the Arts?

April 10, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, or “RCASH,” offers students a variety of academic studies and professional opportunities. Art, theatre, dance, music, communication, history, sociology, languages, criminology and political science are just some of RCASH’s programs.

Opportunities are indeed abundant. Just ask Veronika Yerina, Rocky Lane and Caroline Wolfe.

Yerina, Lane and Wolfe are all pursuing non-RCASH degrees. Yerina, a junior, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biology. Lane will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Wolfe will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics and will continue her studies through Missouri State’s accelerated master’s program.

Yet these students are also supplementing their degrees with arts-intensive programs and courses. For each of them, there are no contradictions. Studying the arts has improved their professional prospects. They also believe it has made them better humans.

Theatre and dance alumna Madelynn Ayen makes professional stage debut

February 20, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University theatre and dance alumna Madelynn Ayen has made her professional stage debut as a co-star in the production of “Little Miss Perfect.”

Currently, the show is running at the Olney Theatre in Olney, Maryland, through March 8. The musical is based off a song written by Joriah Kwamé and performed by Taylor Louderman. That performance became a viral TikTok hit in 2020.

A story about the musical, also written by Kwamé, appeared in the Feb. 6 issue of the Washington Post.

Ayen plays Malaya Cruz, an openly queer foreign exchange student from the Philippines. She meets Noelle Sanders, a teenager who also struggles to navigate today’s world while grappling with questions of sexual identity and religious guilt. The story revolves around their friendship and how each inspires the other to live freely and authentically.

Audiences should prepare to laugh, cry and enjoy some great music, Ayen said. “Some incredible people have put their entire hearts and souls into this story, so be open to receiving all it has to offer!”

Wellness Week celebrates good health and good habits

November 12, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

For the fifth year, the Department of Theatre and Dance has sponsored Wellness Week, a three-day event for its students that provides information on how to maintain their physical, emotional and financial well-being.

Typically scheduled right before fall break each year, the event provides students with opportunities to engage in a wide range of health-related activities. They can also choose to hear from expert speakers on topics ranging from nutrition to digital and social media time management.

“Wellness Week is always one of the highlights of my year,” said Associate Professor Azaria Hogans, Wellness Week committee chair. “Wellness Week is depression prevention, social isolation prevention and, overall, the embodiment of prioritizing student mental health and well-being.”

This year’s Wellness Week committee members were theatre and dance Department Head Dr. Chris Herr, Assistant Professor Nikki Ferry, Assistant Professor Karen Sabo and Artist-in-Residence Kathleen Hains. Among their many tasks, the committee helped organize event activities, scheduled speakers and venue locations and promoted the event on social media. Hogans also handled budgeting and program analytics.

According to those analytics, Hogans said the event garnered over 300 attendance touch points this year.

Students listening to a presentation — A student asks a question during the “Logged in, Stressed Out: Managing Stress and Screen Time” session, conducted by LPCs Chiara Citterio and Katie Harrison of Missouri State’s Counseling Center.

MSU’s School of the Arts honored at 38th Annual Ozzies

October 30, 2023 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s School of the Arts, part of the Judith Enyeart Reynold’s College of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, was honored with the Arts Champion Award at the 38th Annual Ozzie Awards Oct. 14, 2023.

In addition, MSU’s Dr. Steve Willis, professor of art education, was honored with the Ozzie’s Excellence in Arts Education award.

The Ozzie Awards are sponsored by the Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC). The SRAC supports visual, performing, literary and film/media arts organizations across 27 Missouri counties.