Jason Jolley Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Scouts earn badges at MSU’s Merit Badge University

February 21, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University resumed its Merit Badge University (MBU) program by holding a one-day camp Jan. 25, 2025, on the Springfield campus.

In total, 116 scouts from St. Louis, Kansas City, Joplin, Lebanon, Webb City, Aurora, Carl Junction, Carthage, Ozark, Clever, Springfield, Republic, Nixa, Branson, Rogersville and St. Robert participated in the event.

Program director Dr. Michael Suttmoeller, associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and coordinator of the Conservation Law Enforcement Certificate, said several RCASH faculty volunteered to help the scouts earn various merit badges.

Suttmoeller acknowledged MSU’s faculty and RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jason Jolley for their support and effort. “I really appreciate all of the hard work and preparation that they each did to deliver high quality courses for the scouts,” he said.

Reviving a great idea

When Suttmoeller learned that MSU had hosted a merit badge program several years ago, he decided reviving the program would be a great idea. He immediately began organizing the event, recruiting faculty and arranging the logistics.

“A merit badge university was previously held at MSU, with the last date being 2016. None had been held since that time until 2025,” Suttmoeller said.

“I have been exposed to merit badge universities at other institutions and recognized that this was a program that could benefit both Scouting America as well as MSU.”

Digital Humanities Lab now accepting project proposals

February 14, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Digital Humanities Lab (DHL) is now accepting project proposals for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

“We are excited to be able to offer financial and tech support for innovative research projects,” said Dr. Heidi Backes, associate professor of Spanish and one of DHL’s original founders. “These will be showcased through our website and in annual events hosted by the lab.”

Those interested in applying or wanting more information can visit the DHL website. The website provides information about the proposal process, the project proposal form and other FAQs.

DHL is accepting proposal applications through March 10, 2025.

About the DHL

The DHL, which opened in Fall 2024, is a collaborative effort between the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the Missouri State University Libraries.

Headquartered in the lower level of the Duane G. Meyer Library, the DHL provides resources and guidance for faculty and students to create digital scholarship projects.

The DHL offers multiple hardware and software resources commonly used in the humanities. These include computer workstations, photography and video equipment, scanners, drones and image editing, data analysis and design software packages.

Contact information

For questions related to the lab, contact DHL Faculty Advisory Committee co-chairs RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jason Jolley and Library Interim Dean Rachel Besara.

Reynolds College and University Libraries to open Digital Humanities Lab Fall 2024

August 29, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University will have a new Digital Humanities Lab (DHL) beginning Fall 2024, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the Missouri State University Libraries.

Located in the lower lever of the Duane G. Meyer Library, the DHL will provide resources and guidance for faculty and students to create digital scholarship projects, according to RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jason Jolley.

A ribbon-cutting opening ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 17 in the lower level of Meyer Library.

The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Using technology to study cultures and societies

According to Jolley, the term “digital humanities” reflects an interdisciplinary approach to studying the humanities using digital tools and technologies. Subjects as wide-ranging as literature, languages, history and philosophy can all benefit from digital humanities research.

The primary goal of digital humanities research, he added, is to learn more about human societies. “Digital humanities scholars use computational methods to analyze, visualize and interpret cultural artifacts and texts,” Jolley said. “By employing techniques such as text mining, data visualization and digital mapping, digital humanities projects provide new insights and perspectives on human culture and society.”

Digital humanities scholars also use complex tools in their research, Jolley explained. Examples include high-resolution digital cameras, virtual reality systems for immersive historical experiences, scanning technologies and 3D modeling.

“These tools enable researchers to capture, analyze and present humanities data in innovative ways, making research more accessible and engaging to broader audiences,” he said.

Finally, in another use for digital humanities, research can be shared through online archives, interactive exhibits and open-access publications.

Missouri State’s new DHL will offer all these resources to students and faculty throughout the university community.

Faculty forum series highlights ancient Mediterranean world scholarship

September 5, 2023 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Egyptologist Dr. Julia Troche and ancient history scholar Dr. Bryan Brinkman saw an opportunity to build scholarly community when the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences were recently formed.

The two RCASH faculty members have created Cultures and Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (CRAM), a “brown bag” forum series highlighting research and scholarship conducted by Missouri State University faculty.