Perry Mears Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Judy Awards presented at fifth annual ceremony, honors outstanding achievements

May 19, 2026 by Lynn 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.

Rescue One benefit recital “Paw and Tail” scheduled for March 9

February 12, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Missouri State University and the Department of Music will host a benefit recital for Rescue One at 7:30 p.m. March 9 in Ellis Hall’s C. Minor Recital Hall on the Springfield campus.

“Paw and Tail: A Benefit Concert for Rescue One” is free and open to the public. Representatives from Rescue One will be available to provide information about pet adoption and collect donations.

Mezzo-soprano Dr. Loralee Songer, accompanied by Assistant Professor Perry Mears on piano, will perform a variety of animal-themed songs. Professor Jill Heyboer will join them to play the flute during Andre Previn’s “The Giraffes go to Hamburg.”

Responsible animal care

Rescue One is a foster-based animal rescue organization in Springfield, Missouri, according to Rebekah Redwing, development director at Rescue One.

“While our goal is always to help animals find loving homes, we also work to fill critical gaps in services for animals in our community,” Redwing noted. “This includes our Emergency Rescue Team that partners with law enforcement, our Outreach Program that provides free food, vaccines, and spay/neuter assistance for low-income families, our SafePet program, which provides temporary fostering for victims of domestic violence, and more.”

Redwing said she felt honored that Missouri State selected Rescue One for their benefit recital. “We are hopeful this event will help raise awareness about the importance of responsible animal care.”

Four Missouri State voice students win at CRNATS

December 8, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

Four Missouri State University vocal performance students placed in the final rounds of the Central Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (CRNATS) student auditions Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

Veronika Yerina, a junior vocal performance and biology double major, placed first in the upper division treble category. She sang Mozart’s “Dove sono i bei momenti.”

Senior vocal performance major Kyleigh Hendrix placed second in the upper division treble category, while sophomore vocal performance major Mara Bannister placed third in lower division treble. Payton Ballinger, who is pursuing a master’s in vocal performance, placed third in advanced division.

All four now advance to the national semifinals, which will be held in the spring of 2026.

Other students participating in the CRNATS competition were Abigail Teberian, Allison Britt, Aryan Neece-McHaffie, Ella Greninger, Noah Maddox, Jacob Leath, Parker Ohman, Kaitlyn Wilson and Wade Bogart. Eight of these students advanced to the semifinal rounds.

Several members of Missouri State’s music faculty traveled with the students. They were Dr. Carol Chapman, voice area coordinator; Dr. Perry Mears, assistant professor of collaborative piano and accompanist; Dr. Chris Thompson, professor of vocal music; Dr. Ann Marie Daehn, professor of vocal music and Opera Workshop; Visiting Artist Kara McBain; and Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the Department of Music.

“We are all very proud of the students that participated in the auditions,” Chapman said.

Reynolds College collaborative concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

November 19, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

The Department of Music is excited to announce a concert coordinated by Missouri State University’s Choral Union, Symphony Orchestra and dance students from the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Featuring Johannes Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52,” the collaborative effort is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public.

Before and after the concert, members of Mu Phi, Missouri State’s music fraternity, will be on hand to collect canned good donations.

“Universally adored” music

Brahms originally composed the waltzes for choir and piano four hands, explained Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco. Later, however, he transcribed several of the movements for choir and orchestra.

“Brahms is accessible for both choir and orchestra, and the music is charming and universally adored,” she said.

Plisco and Missouri State’s Orchestra Director, Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, will share conducting duties for the Liebeslieder. In addition, some of the music department’s graduate conducting students will conduct a few of the movements.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Dr. Perry Mears and Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne will perform the movements written for just piano and choir.

The concert will also feature additional selections from the orchestra and choir performing separately, Plisco said.

An orchestra on stage — The Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. Photo credit: Kevin White/Missouri State University.

Missouri State students excel at national singing auditions

August 7, 2024 by Lynn Lansdown

Three Missouri State University students from the Department of Music’s voice program took top honors during the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 27-28.

Matthew Juhlin, Theron LePage and Veronika Yerina all advanced to the final rounds and placed in their respective categories, according to Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the music department.

Juhlin placed first and LePage placed second in the Upper Classical TBB (Tenor, Baritone and Bass) Voice category. Juhlin and LePage study voice with Dr. Chris Thompson.

Yerina, who studies voice with Dr. Carol Chapman, placed third in Lower Classical Treble Voice category.

All three received certificates of recognition and monetary awards for their performances.

Emma Gulovsen, Zoe Juhlin, Ryan McIntosh, Tanner Munson, Emily Owings and Jan Veljak all advanced to the semifinal rounds.