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“Talking History” brings scholarship to public radio

November 8, 2023 by Lynn M. Lansdown

If you like radio talk shows and podcasts, and if you find yourself drawn to history topics despite yourself, Missouri State University has just the thing for you.

It’s called “Talking History,” and it broadcasts on KSMU on the first Thursday of every month.

Created and co-hosted by associate professor of history Dr. Djene Bajalan and MSU student Patrick Needham and produced by Jessica Balisle of KSMU, the show features conversations “with historians and scholars about the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.”

Radio show and podcast formats

“Talking History” broadcast its first episode in April 2023. The show has evolved into two formats – a brief radio show and a longer podcast that can be accessed online at any time.

“The podcast is basically an extended version of the radio show,” Bajalan explained. “We are limited with our time on the radio (24 minutes). Therefore, we release an extended cut (‘Talking History Extra’) via KSMU where we continue our conversation.”

Bajalan and Needham just completed their October episode, featuring Ozarks history expert Dr. Brooks Blevins.

Balisle said the response to the Blevins episode has already been quite positive, describing it as “the most popular episode so far.”

Previous topics have included the Ottoman Empire, communications in ancient Rome, and China’s one-child policy.

Making sense of the world through the lens of history

October 31, 2023 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

Shania Dedigama, a Missouri State University first-year graduate student, has been fascinated by history and politics from an early age.

“My mom, a history enthusiast, read history books to me as a toddler,” Dedigama said. “From the age of six, I knew I wanted to study history and I told all my friends.”

Student poses with umbrella with castle in background — Shania Dedigama visits Dean Village in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Hailing from Sri Lanka, Dedigama earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the U.K. and a master’s degree in political science from the Netherlands. She is now pursuing another master’s degree in history at MSU.

“I chose MSU because it appeared as one of the best history programs on Google. MSU’s history program also gives me expertise not only in history, but also in political science,” Dedigama said.

She notes having expertise in two disciplines increases her prospects to work for organizations like the United Nations and the Council on Foreign Relations.

“I’ll also get a better chance of getting into an impressive PhD program in the future,” she added.

It is not surprising Dedigama has chosen to enhance her portfolio with another master’s degree.

“The workforce keeps growing; you must stand out,” Dedigama said.

After getting her first master’s degree, Dedigama worked as a journalist at News 1st, Sri Lanka’s largest private news organization.

During this period, she gained experience in investigative reporting and political writing.

“I sat on the journalists panel of a weekly political talk show called ‘Face the Nation,’” Dedigama said. “I interviewed politicians, economists and policy makers live on TV.” [Read more…] about Making sense of the world through the lens of history

MSU faculty get creative with Public Affairs mission

October 17, 2023 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University associate professor of history Dr. Julia Troche admits it. She is fascinated by the history of beer.

“I have always held an academic interest in the role of feasting (and drinking) in ritual and history,” said Troche, a specialist in Egypt as well as ancient history.

When she and her colleague, assistant professor of classics and global studies Dr. Bryan Brinkman, attended a local beer festival, they enjoyed visiting with brewery employees who thought their academic specialties were interesting.

From those conversations, Troche and Brinkman decided to coordinate a community-facing event about the history of beer that would align with MSU’s public affairs mission while using an interdisciplinary approach.

This would allow MSU faculty to share their expertise “in fun, accessible ways,” Troche said.

MSU alum Asa Leininger now successful Peace Corps Volunteer trainee

October 10, 2023 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The spring semester of Asa Leininger’s senior year presented him with a conundrum – he wasn’t sure what he was going to do after he graduated.

Leininger, who graduated from Missouri State University in May 2023 with bachelor of arts degrees in history and theatre, had no idea what his immediate future would look like.

“I really had no clue how I was going to apply what I had learned in my university studies within a professional setting,” Leininger said. “Likewise, I knew that I needed more stability than what professional summer-stock Shakespeare companies (theatre) had to offer.”

It was at that time that MSU’s Career Center hosted an information session with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, sponsored by the College of Education and MSU’s Peace Corps Prep program. Leininger attended the session and was immediately “hooked.”

“Honoring Experience: Centering Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023” event Oct. 9

October 4, 2023 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, will host a speaking event, “Honoring Experience: Centering Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023,” Monday, Oct. 9 from 5-6:30 p.m. in Strong Hall 401.

The event will feature four short presentations on the historical and contemporary experiences with Indigenous American communities, followed by a discussion forum.

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