Stacey Trewatha-Bach Archives - Reynolds College Blog

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.

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

Public Affairs Essay Contest winners announced

January 18, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Six MSU students were recognized for their outstanding essays at the ninth annual Dr. Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest awards ceremony Nov. 16, 2023.

Essays addressed the 2023-24 public affairs theme, “Navigating the Now: Tradition, Innovation and Wisdom in a World of Change.”

Political science major Timothy G. Wellman earned first place for his essay, “When may quitting, pivoting, or falling back be the best steps forward?”

Wellman received a cash prize of $1500, and an additional $500 was donated in his name to Children’s Hope International, his charity of choice.

Second place winners were junior economics major Ashley Foster and junior biology major Alyssa Xiong. Foster and Xiong each received a $300 MSU Bookstore gift card, sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.

Senior psychology major Olivia Grandberry, senior political science and biology major Oliver Grace and freshman English education major Jordan Fleske each received a cash prize of $125 for their third place entries.