Public Affairs

RCASH student wins third place in public affairs essay contest

December 5, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Freshman Design/Technology/Stage Management major Iris Vallier, a student in the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Science and Humanities (RCASH), won third place in the 11th annual Dr. Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest.

Young man presenting an award to a young woman — Iris Vallier receives her award certificate from Sigma Pi President Nate Walls.

Vallier received an award certificate and a $150 cash prize.

The annual contest is open to all Missouri State full-time undergraduate students, according to Stacey Trewatha-Bach, assistant director of the Office of Public Affairs Support.

“The contest is a joint undertaking between the MSU Sigma Pi fraternity, its alumni through the Institute for Development of Ethics and Leadership and the MSU Office of Public Affairs Support,” she said.

Along with a $1,500 cash prize, the first place winner received $500 to donate to a charity or non-profit of choice, Trewatha-Bach said. Sigma Pi fraternity’s alumni non-profit organization, IDEAL, provides these prize funds.

Second place winners receive a $300 MSU Bookstore gift card, sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. Third place winners receive $150.

Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9

April 2, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Political Science and Philosophy will once again host its “Conversation Series” April 9 with “Trump’s America: A Nation at a Crossroads?”

The event will begin at 4 p.m. in Glass Hall, Room 101, with refreshments served at 3:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Civil conversation between a Democrat and a Republican

Two influential authors and educators, a Democrat and a Republican, will discuss Donald Trump’s electoral victory and presidency. What does it mean for, and about, America, and why did he win?

The two speakers will conduct a civil conversation based on their knowledge of, and long experience in, American politics. [Read more…] about Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9

Two RCASH faculty members recognized for community service

February 18, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Two faculty members of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) have been selected for Missouri State University’s 2025 community service award.

Associate Professor Dr. Judith Martinez and Associate Professor Dr. Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk received the Excellence in Community Service Award during a ceremony Jan. 28.

The award recognizes MSU personnel who give back to their communities outside their normal work capacity.

“The 2025 recipients have all exceled at demonstrating how the public affairs mission can be put into action,” said Stacey Trewatha-Bach, assistant director of the Office of Public Affairs Support.

The award is presented annually to two faculty and two staff members. Each honoree receives a plaque and a one-time cash award of $1,500, funded by the MSU Foundation.

MSU staff members Carrie High, Custodial Services, and Crockett Oaks III, Business Support Services at the West Plains campus, were also recognized. [Read more…] about Two RCASH faculty members recognized for community service

Now taking applications for CSI Camp 2025

February 6, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Back for its third year, Missouri State University’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) camp will host two full sessions during Summer 2025.

Incoming high school students — freshmen through seniors — are eligible to attend the program, which is sponsored by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ).

The first camp is scheduled for June 9-12. The second camp will be held July 28-31.

Sessions run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Since CSI camp is a day camp only, the university does not offer nightly accommodations or transportation to MSU from hotels.

Camp tuition remains $275 per camper, the same as last year. Tuition fees include a camp t-shirt and daily lunch.

Each camp can accept up to 40 students.

MSU hosts National History Day Regional competition March 1

February 28, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University will once again host the Region VII competition for National History Day (NHD) March 1, 2024, in the Plaster Student Union.

First round judging starts at 9 a.m., followed by potential run-off rounds. The award ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m.

Each year, NHD competitions showcase historical research projects developed by students grades 6-12. Students compete individually or in groups to curate museum-like exhibits, create documentaries, write historical papers, put on a performance or develop a website.

Students in the Region VII competition represent schools in Springfield as well as Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Laclede, Oregon, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright counties.

Region VII winners advance to the state-level competition, held in Columbia, Missouri, in April. State winners advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C., in June.

The 2024 NHD theme is “Turning Points in History,” according to the organization’s website.

An educational curriculum, not just a contest

National History Day ends with an exciting competition, but it starts several months earlier as an educational curriculum, according to Sara Zandi, who has served as Region VII coordinator since 2018.

“National History Day is a yearlong academic program that 6-12 grade educators choose to incorporate into their classroom curricula,” Zandi explained. “The curriculum focuses on project- and inquiry-based learning to scaffold learners’ historical thinking and information literacy skills.”

In a given academic year, teachers from 15 different middle and high schools in and around Springfield include NHD in their curriculum, Zandi estimated. The highlight of all that hard work—the competition itself—typically showcases 150-200 student projects.