Department of History Archives - Reynolds College Blog

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.”

History graduate students Elayna Eastin and Sarah Land present research at regional PAT conference

May 4, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Elayna Eastin and Sarah Land, two MA students from Missouri State University’s Department of History, recently presented their research at the regional Phi Alpha Theta (PAT) conference.

The conference was held March 14 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Phi Alpha Theta is the national History Honor Society.

This year’s conference theme was “250 Years of US and the World.”

Papers highlight American role in world affairs

Eastin and Land selected topics that highlight America’s role in world affairs, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For both students, this was their first time to present at a professional history conference.

“As the faculty advisor for PAT, I was so proud of both students for the excellent presentations they delivered,” said Assistant Professor Chelsea Davis.

Eastin discussed her research on 19th-century Yokohama, Japan. In “Harbor Of Change: The Social And Cultural Whirlwind of 19th-Century Yokohama,” she shows how after 1859 the port city became an international trade center by developing a robust tourism industry.

Now in her first year of graduate studies at Missouri State, Eastin also works as an archivist at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Long term, she is also considering furthering her education at the doctorate level.

Meanwhile, Land presented a historiographical paper, “World War I and Wilson: America’s Place in Global History.” Her paper explored how scholarship on America’s influence during the post-World War I era has changed over the past 30 years.

Land, who will graduate this spring, hopes to one day pursue a doctorate in history.

Digital humanities strategies enhance interdisciplinary research

April 20, 2026 by Reynolds College

The online encyclopedia Britannica defines the humanities as “those branches of knowledge that concern themselves with human beings and their culture.”

In the 21st century, digital technology now dominates all fields and professions, including the humanities. As a result, the field of digital humanities (DH) has emerged as an innovative approach to blending the two.

“There’s a lot of scholarship on what digital humanities is and isn’t,” said Assistant Professor Leah Washburn. “Ultimately, I think it is an area that acknowledges technology as an asset to fields that are often associated with older scholastic traditions.”

One of the most attractive features of DH is its ability to foster interdisciplinary research and teaching, according to Washburn.

“At its core, digital humanities celebrates an interdisciplinary turn in the humanities,” she said. “It invites exploration and inquiry across multiple platforms, fields and subjects in a way that highlights connections between knowledge bases.” [Read more…] about Digital humanities strategies enhance interdisciplinary research

Phi Alpha Theta launches “Tasting History” series

April 14, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta (PAT), the history honor society, has found a unique way to get people curious about history—through food and drink.

With assistance from the Department of History, the organization held its first ever “Tasting History” series March 4 in Strong Hall.

“Tea in East Asia and the British Empire” offered historical comparisons and connections regarding the globalization of tea, said Dr. Chelsea Davis, assistant professor of history. Davis also serves as faculty advisor for PAT.

According to Davis, PAT secretary Rob Manganiello first came up with the idea for a tea tasting event. After taking a class with Assistant Professor Linshan Jiang, Manganiello suggested PAT host a tea tasting activity for the public. During that class, Jiang discussed the history and culture of the Chinese tea ceremony while serving tea to her students.

Davis estimated 35-40 people attended the event. She is thrilled with the outcome.

“People seemed to have positive reactions to the tea tasting and the lecture,” she said. “Attendees were excited by the prospect of this becoming a recurring event.”

Two women and one man standing behind a table filled with teas and serving materials — Making history tangible and fun. L-R: History professors Dr. Chelsea Davis and Dr. Linshan Jiang with Xiao’ou Gong, Chinese Program Specialist in the College of Business.

Military history class builds professional and personal skills

March 24, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Many students might agree that taking a class at 8 a.m. had better be worth the effort to even get out of bed.

Apparently, Dr. Jeremy Neely’s Military History (HST 315) is.

Neely, associate professor and undergraduate director in the Department of History, has been teaching HST 315 for nearly 10 years. He assumed responsibility for the class upon the retirement of Emeritus Professor William Piston.

Now, he teaches the class every semester, almost always at that dreaded early morning timeslot. Even so, the course regularly fills to capacity. Each semester, roughly 30 students decide that this 8 a.m. class is worth the effort.

American history with a global context

Chronologically, HST 315’s topics start with America’s colonial period and usually ends in the early 21st century, according to Neely.

“The course covers as much as I can squeeze into 15 weeks,” he said. “We cover a lot of ground, which unfortunately means that we don’t linger on any particular period for very long. Some events are more consequential than others, of course, so we do spend a bit more time on watershed events like the American Revolution and the Civil War.”

Even with the focus on American military history, the class still places that history within a global framework. American leaders have always been aware of the country’s position on the world stage, even during periods of isolationism, Neely noted. As an example, the Philippine-American conflict (1899-1902) was the topic during one class session.

“One of the recent turns in historiography is an effort to frame the American past within a wider global context,” Neely explained. “I’ve tried to help students see that you can’t understand the history of the United States without a sense of where it fits within the world around it.”