Reynolds College Blog

Brown Bag Concert Series launches second season April 9

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Missouri State University’s “Brown Bag Concert Series” is back for its second season, boasting a diverse lineup of creative performances.

This year’s performances include country, indie-pop, folk and opera. Performers were selected through an application process.

Hosted once again at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA), the event series is free and open to the public. The amphitheater is located immediately north of Craig Hall in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park.

“We are thrilled with the increase in applicants for this special spring campus event,” said Mark Templeton, Executive Director of JGA Marketing and External Relations. “Bring your lunch and have a relaxing time while enjoying some great performances.”

All performances start at noon. Public parking will be available starting at 11 a.m. across Grand Street in Parking Lots 22 and 24.

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Meghan McKinney named a top 10 finalist in the 2023 NPR College Podcast Challenge  

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Since 2022, Missouri State University journalism senior Meghan McKinney has been honing her skills in public radio.

She works as a student reporter and announcer at KSMU Radio, the region’s NPR affiliate based at Missouri State.

From submission to success

Recently, McKinney submitted an entry to the 2023 NPR College Podcast Challenge.

In its third year, the competition aims to find the best college podcasts in America. Entries must be three to eight minutes long about any topic.

McKinney’s podcast titled, “Breaking from the Bible Belt,” made it to the top 10 out of over 500 submissions from current undergraduate college students and recent graduates across the country.

“In it, I tell the story of a girl who’s trying to navigate religious trauma, deconstruct her childhood conservative Christian faith and articulate what she believes,” McKinney said.

“Being one of the top 10 finalists is exciting. I had forgotten I submitted an entry until NPR contacted me with the news. Such great news before my upcoming graduation reassures me of my abilities.”

As a finalist, she won $500. [Read more…] about Meghan McKinney named a top 10 finalist in the 2023 NPR College Podcast Challenge  

“Talking History” brings scholarship to public radio

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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.

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