COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS NEWSLETTER

Missouri State University

VOLUME 7-1   Fall 2004

Dean's Corner: Dean Lorene Stone

Dear Friends of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs,

It is with great pride that I welcome you to this edition of the CHPA Newsletter.  As reported on the following pages, this is an important and exciting year for Missouri State and the College of Humanities and Public Affairs.  To begin with, this year is Missouri State's 100^th birthday!  It is my opinion that our College is well-positioned as we celebrate the University's history and prepare to build a legacy for the next 100 years.  Special events, showcasing the centennial theme of "Daring to Excel," have already taken place on campus and will continue throughout the academic year.  I encourage you to join us in the festivities.

Second, this is the last year of Missouri State's first-ever comprehensive fund-raising campaign.  We are confident that the $50 million goal will be reached.  As state appropriations account for a smaller and smaller percentage of the University's budget, our dependence on external sources of funding grows.  Thus, we are extremely grateful for the continued financial support of our CHPA alums and friends.  If you have not already contributed, won't you consider helping us achieve our goals by making a gift to the campaign?  An on-line pledge can be made at  https://ws.missouristate.edu/giving/.  Your investment in our vision and mission is essential to guaranteeing a quality educational experience for our students.

Third, President Keiser will retire at the end of June 2005, so we will be searching for and hiring a new president in the spring.  The results of this presidential search will have an impact on the immediate future of Missouri State.  If you are interested in the presidential search.  Certainly the hiring of a new president will bring excitement and new challenges to the University.

In conclusion, there are a number of innovative things in the works for the College of Humanities and Public Affairs.  Our faculty and staff continue to work very hard to provide the best value, the best scholarship support, and the best academic programming so that we can keep the dream of a college education alive for the thousands of students we serve.  Until next time…….

The Fall 2004 All-College Meeting included a reception in the Strong Hall Atrium, as well as the introduction of new faculty in the College by their Department Heads, and the presentation of College Awards in Teaching, Research, and Service by Dean Stone. This was followed by brief remarks by Dr. Bruno Schmidt (VPAA), who outlined several academic issues and initiatives for the coming year.  Concluding the meeting was the State of the College address by Dean Lorene Stone.  The full text of Dean Stone's remarks and the list of award winners, along with their award abstracts, are linked to the College web page at http://www.missouristate.edu/chpa.

Lieutenant Colonel Jon M. Riley, Military Science Department Head, graduated from The Citadel in 1987 with a BA in English.  He received his MS in International Relations from Troy State University in 1995.  A Chemical Corps officer, LTC Riley has served on active duty for 17 ½ years during which time, he has traveled extensively in both the U.S. and abroad.  He served in combat operations during the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and during operations enforcing the Iraq no-fly zones in 1998.  His previous assignment was on the Department of the Army Staff at the Pentagon.

The first person to hold the Blanche Gorman Strong Endowed Chair in Protestant Studies is Dr. John Schmalzbauer.As a member of the Religious Studies Department, Schmalzbauer will teach both undergraduate and graduate level classes in the sociology of religion and in church history.  He holds a Ph.D. degree from Princeton University and comes to Missouri State from Holy Cross University.  Dr. Schmalzbauer is currently a co-investigator on a Lilly Foundation grant that will examine campus ministry programs at college and university campuses throughout the nation.

Dr. Bradley Thayer comes to the Defense and Strategic Studies Program from the University of Minnesota Duluth where he has taught for the past several years. He has been a Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a consultant to the Rand Corporation.  Most recently, he is the author of Darwin and International Relations: On the Evolutionary Origins of War and Ethnic Conflict (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2004).  His Ph.D. degree is from the University of Chicago and his areas of specialization include American foreign and defense policy, international relations theory, and international security studies (including terrorism and great power behavior).  He also will be bringing an expertise in European politics and political theory to his new position at Missouri State.

The Religious Studies Department has two other new faculty members joining them in the 2004-2005 academic year.  While Dr. Martha Finch is enjoying a year as a post-doctoral fellow at Princeton University, Dr. Mary Beth Lamb will serve as her replacement.  Dr. Lamb holds a Ph.D. degree from the Graduate Theological Union, and she brings an expertise in Native American religions to our students.  Beginning her first year as an Assistant Professor is Dr. Austra Reinis, who replaces the now retired Dr. Stanley Burgess.  Dr. Reinis, who holds her Ph.D. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, will teach courses in Church History.  She has previously taught at the School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon.

First Annual CHPA Scholarship Banquet

Beginning a new College of Humanities and Public Affairs tradition, Dean Stone welcomed scholarship donors and recipients to a banquet in late October.  At the banquet, each Department Head introduced the students who had received scholarships, and brief remarks were made about the donors who had provided the funding for these scholarships.  This was the first opportunity that many donors had had to meet the students who were currently benefiting from their gifts to the university, and it was clear from the level of conversation and the wide smiles that all felt this was a tradition that should be continued. Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Dr. Don Landon and his wife Lea were joined at their table by the recipient of the Donald D. Landon Public Affairs Scholarship, Augusta Gabriel.   Dr. Martin H. Boone and Mrs. Rose Marie Boone were joined by Sabre Nap, Christine Tibbs, and Carla J. Heifner, recipients of the Boone Religious Studies Graduate Scholarship, as well as Meghan Faries and  Rachel McBride, who received the Boone Religious Studies scholarship for undergraduate students.  Also among the participants were Mr. Wayne Bischler and his wife Janet who were pleased to meet and talk with Chinedum Erondu, the recipient of the Bischler Scholarship in Political Science.  Other donors present were Mrs. Elizabeth tenZytoff, who was paired with Logan Staggs, a recipient of the tenZytoff Undergraduate Religious Studies Scholarship,

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Dinka, Dr. and Mrs. Bill Brown, and Dr. Lloyd Young and his wife Lyn.  The recipient of theRobert Anthony Foster Scholarship in Philosophy,  Lacey Friedly, and the recipient of Foster Scholarship in History, Adam Holmes, interacted with Mr. Robert Foster andhis wife Lyn.  Other scholarship recipients in attendance included Abigail Hagy (Judy Owens Geisler Memorial Scholarship), Craig Nicoletti (Leo Huff Scholarship), and Jennifer J. Shank (Donald H. Nicholson Scholarship.)  Benefiting from other History scholarships were Emily K. Behlmann (H.D. Harmon Scholarship), Jessica Barnes (Phi Alpha Theta Scholarship), Stephen Kramer (Mari-France Jones Scholarship),and two recipients of the History Bowl Scholarship -- Eric Barr and Darren Wood. Other recipients recipients present included Cynthia Berry (James P. Robinson Ecumenical Center Scholarship), Kelly Maloney (Walter O. Cralle Scholarship), James Rigdon (Judge Jack A. Powell Memorial Scholarship), Adam Hill (Horace Haseltine Memorial Scholarship), and Tamara Wilfong (Scholarship in Societal Studies).

Herb Merrick graduated from Missouri State in 1975 with a major in Political Science and minors in History and Military Science.  He was commissioned into the United States Army as a Field Artillery officer and served in the military for 22 years (retiring in 1998).  During his years of service he had a variety of assignments at all levels around the world, culminating as the Chief of Curriculum Operations at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  Mr. Merrick is still with that college serving as an Assistant Professor of Strategic and Operational Studies, specializing in effects-based operations in the 21st century.  He has written several articles on the early years of the Command Staff College and on European political issues.  He is currently developing an article on the human rights issues surrounding the Roma peoples in the "New Europe."  He maintains an interest in Egyptian Dynastic change from his days at Missouri State and is involved in a number of civic and professional organizations.  Mr. Merrick follows Missouri State sports and other campus activities closely.  He is married to Carolyn Cox Merrick, also of the Missouri State class of 1975.  She is a Resource Manager for the Center for Army Lessons Learned, also located on Fort Leavenworth.  They have one daughter, Kristina, who will graduate from Missouri State in December 2004 with Honors in International Business, Geography, and French.

Mid-America Conference on History

From September 30th to October 2nd, the Missouri State History Department hosted the 26th Annual Mid-American Conference on History.  This year's coordinators were Missouri State historians Dr. James Giglio, Dr. W. Robert Miller, and Dr. John Chuchiak.  Missouri State President John Keiser (who is a Historian) also participated in the conference, chairing a session on Labor History.  One essential part of the conference was the book display that allowed participants to examine recently published volumes.  Dr. James Giglio and Dr. Stephen Rabe from the University of Texas at Dallas were able to showcase their co-authored volume,  "Debating the Kennedy Presidency."

This popular event began in 1977, when the Department of History at Missouri State established the Mid-America Conference on History as a biennial conference. Professor Jim Giglio was its originator and its first coordinator. The intent of the conference was to accommodate historians primarily in the Midwest who could not afford the expense of national meetings while providing opportunities for social interaction rarely found at national meetings.  In 1980, the University of Kansas requested the conference on alternate years and soon Oklahoma State University and the University of Arkansas became conference hosts on a rotating basis. In 1996, Washburn University sponsored the conference in conjunction with the Kansas State Historical Society and Kansas Wesleyan University.  Last year the University of Memphis joined the universities hosting the conference.

From the beginning, the Mid-America Conference has drawn national attendees even though the bulk of the attendees are from the mid-west. While the conference has been marked by continual growth in recent years, the atmosphere of a small conference remains. Indeed, close friendships have been made at the Mid-America, contributing to the large number of returnees. From the outset, the Mid-America has drawn historians in all stages of their careers. Doctoral students, professional historians, and independent scholars have all been invited to share some aspect of their work.  For more information on the conference, consult their web site: http://history.missouristate.edu/FTMiller/MAC04/mac04.htm.

The civic partnership between CHPA and the Greene County Library Center continues during the Fall 2004 semester with three presentations by CHPA faculty.  Each of these presentations is designed to acquaint the general public with issues that affect their lives and that will be a part of the current election year conversation.  In this way the public can benefit from the expertise found in the College, and faculty members are given the opportunity to meet the general public and answer questions.

The first presentation was given by Dr. John Hoftyzer (ECO), who spoke on the topic, "It's the Economy, Stupid."  Playing off the political slogan used by then Presidential candidate, Bill Clinton, Dr. Hoftyzer discussed various issues of concern to voters prior to the national election, such as the loss of jobs, tax issues, the war in Iraq, and the oil crisis, and then examined their economic impact in both the short and long term.

In the second presentation of the series, Dr. Mark Rushefsky (PLS) spoke to a group about the issues of the upcoming November election.  He laid out a series of voter concerns over the war in Iraq, the worldwide war on terrorism, health care for seniors and the uninsured, the "outsourcing" of jobs to other countries, and the various positions taken by each of the major candidates on these issues.

Michael Sheng (HST) shared his expertise on current events in China with the gathering at the Library Center.  He placed particular emphasis on the future of U.S.-China relations, both politically and economically. Dr. Sheng also discussed the related issue of U.S. relations with North Korea and Japan.

Innovative New Approach to Teaching Reflects Public Affairs Mission

This semester, Dr. Michael Carlie and Dr. Gary Brock took an old course, SOC 152: Social Problems, and gave it a new look. Students study nine social problems (family, education, environment, terrorism, etc.) on a four-day cycle.  On the first day, the instructors present issues associated with that problem.  On the second day, an academic who has done extensive research in that area speaks to the class.  On the third day, someone from the Springfield community, who is actively involved in resolving that social problem, is invited to class.  On the fourth day, Dr. Carlie and Dr. Brock meet with half the class to discuss a review they have written of a current newspaper article, what they have learned about the problem being considered, and the solutions that they propose.

The instructors note that the most rewarding aspect of this course is the private social action component.  They stress that everyone can become part of the solution for the problems they are studying.  Therefore, each student is required to engage in some private action.  This semester the140 students have served food to the homeless, organized groups to help disenfranchised individuals, helped build housing, worked to register voters, volunteered at animal shelters, picked up trash, marched for a variety of issues, volunteered to work with disadvantaged children, read to children in schools, and wrote letters to their local newspaper, congressman, U.S. representative or senator, President Bush, and foreign governments.

In this way, students are able to take what they have learned in class and apply it in their community.  Dr. Brock and Dr. Carlie express the hope that this public affairs aspect of the course will motivate students to remain involved and informed citizens throughout their academic careers at Missouri State and following graduation.

International Aspects of CHPA Activities and Faculty

Field Experience in Jamaica

Anthropology Professor Bill Wedenoja  was in Jamaica this past summer serving as an adviser for the Bluefields People's Community Association.  Accompanying him was Chris Smith (second from left), who graduated from Missouri State in December 2003.  This is the third summer that Dr. Wedenoja has takent students to Jamaica.  The BPCA was started in 1987 and has become a model for community development in the region.  The Missouri State group attended the grand opening of the BPCA computer center, which is providing instruction for eight area primary schools, and conducted a survey of 439 students at those schools, producing a report for the BPCA on student computer access and experience.  During their stay, Chris also created a detailed map of the community while Dr. Wedenoja worked on a history of the BPCA.

Fulbright Scholar Joins Political Science Department

Professor Arstan Kulnazarov comes to Missouri State for the 2004-2005 academic year as a Visiting Fulbright Scholar.  He is the Vice Rector of  International Relations and Chair of the department of World Languages at Kyrgyz-Uzbek University in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. He holds a Ph.D. from Tashkent State University. Professor Kulnazarov's research interests include conflict resolution management and comparative politics of the former Soviet Union, Islam, and Central Asian Studies.  He has published several articles on Islam and conflict resolution management. During 2004-2005,  Dr. Kulnazarov will conduct research as a member of the Political Science Department of Missouri State University. His main project is to study cultural interaction as a major positive contributory factor in regional conflict resolution in Central Asia. Professor Mehrdad Haghayeghi (PLS), who is also a scholar of Central Asian studies, invited Dr. Kulnazarov to the Missouri State campus to conduct collaborative work on issues of mutual interest.

History Professor Spends Fulbright Year in Africa

During the 2004-2005 academic year, Dr. Jamaine Abidogun (HST) will lecture and perform research on gender perspectives in Nigerian secondary education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.  Dr. Abidogun is one of approximately 800 American faculty and professionals who will travel abroad to some 140 countries through the Fulbright program. Established in 1946 by legislation introduced by the late Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program's purpose is to build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.

Student Activities and Achievements

Students serve as Landmine Network Interns in Washington, DCThe Landmine Survivors Network (LSN) was co-founded by Dr. Ken Rutherford (PLS).  It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with six network offices located in Bosnia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Jordan, Mozambique, and Vietnam.  Rutherford Summer Fellowships are paid positions and have been offered to Missouri State students for the past four years.

Judy Kiagiri (Landmine Survivors Network Intern, Rutherford Fellow):  Judy is the 4th Missouri State Rutherford Fellow to serve at LSN. She describes her experience by saying: "I am working with the Finance and Administrative department and particularly on some specific projects that the F&A dept had for me. Not only have I been analyzing data for each network to try and determine how much Direct Assistance LSN is using in the networks, but I have also helped in funds-analysis of other NGO's in similar lines of work with LSN.  Especially exciting is the new vision that LSN is heading into with partnerships, presences in other countries and regionalization as a whole. I have learned a lot to say the least. If it were not for the fact that I still have schooling to finish, LSN is definitely somewhere I would want to be if only just to see this exciting growth. Just this past week, I got to meet the network Finance Assistants during their workshop which was a fantastic success and a rare opportunity since I also got to meet the network directors in May. One of the most exciting sessions was the regionalization presentation and the effect it would have on the Finance Assistants and the Networks as a whole. This opportunity has affirmed my resolve to work for the ban of landmines, for victim assistance and for disability rights." For more information see

Ryan Overfield (Summer 2003 Intern, now employed by Land Mine Network): "I provided logistical and administrative support with the organization of international conferences, served as a liaison to conference participants, conducted background research on disability issues to strengthen advocacy efforts for the International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, and compiled and analyzed existing research for a study to assess legal measures taken by mine-affected parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in fulfilling their obligation to provide victim assistance. I also started volunteering with the International Rescue Committee (originally founded by Albert Einstein) on weekends helping newly arrived refugees." 

Missouri State Student Participates in Princeton Summer Program

On the recommendation of her Professor, Dr. Martha Finch (REL), Missouri State Religious Studies major/Gender Studies minor Rachel McBride was accepted into the Princeton University Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.  She worked with Dr. Marie Griffith of Princeton University, researching the topic "Muscular Christianity." Although the movement that she researched had its origins in a British literary movement sparked by the novels of Charles Kingsley, in her paper Rachel emphasized Muscular Christianity as it developed into a uniquely American phenomenon. She then looked specifically at how "manliness" was constructed, performed, and redefined in this context in the sexual arena.

Transitions

Dr. Frank Mazzella (PLS) died on July 31, 2004.  He had just retired after serving the Political Science department for 34 years and being named an Emeritus Professor.  Dr. Mazzella was married for 36 years to Alora Mazzella, who survives him along with two son and a daughter.  He attended City College of New York for his undergraduate degree and received his Ph.D. from Indiana University in political science.  During his tenure at Missouri State, Dr. Mazzella regularly taught classes in Latin American politics, US-Latin American relations, and comparative politics, as well as sections of the American Democracy and Citizenship course.  He focused his research efforts on Latin American politics, and European Union, and Italian politics.

Dr. Charles Hedrick, Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, will retire at the end of the Fall 2004 semester.  He has been a member of the Religious Studies Department since 1980, during which time he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in New Testament and Early Christian Origins.  An internationally known scholar, Dr. Hedrick has published several books and dozens of articles in professional journals.  He has taken students to participate in archaeological excavations in Egypt and Israel, and has taught several times in the Missouri London Program. He has held numerous offices in the Society of Biblical Literature and is a member of the International Jesus Seminar.  In his retirement, Dr. Hedrick is planning several research trips and the writing of at least two books -- besides visiting the beaches of Greece.

College Phonathon a Huge Success

The recently completed College of Humanities and Public Affairs phonathon garnered a record number of gifts and dollars.  A record 455 individual gifts and pledges totaling $32,637 were raised during the 10 day mid-October calling period.  The phonathon surpassed last year's totals of 332 gifts and $19,555.  The gifts and pledges benefited all eight departments within the College and 41 different funds.

Many graduates may have noticed a change in the time of year that the calling took place.  During the past several years the College phonathon occurred during the month of July.  Due to some recent changes, this year's calling took place in October during the traditional academic year and that made a real difference.

There is still time to assist the College and its eight departments with funding for the 2004-2005 academic year.  Graduates and friends can make gifts online through the Missouri State Foundation website located at https://ws.missouristate.edu/giving/pledge2.asp?major=CHPA or if you prefer we can send you information through the mail.  For more information contact Bob Beumer, Director of Development, at 417/836-4547 or rfb131t@missouristate.edu

The College of Humanities and Public Affairs would like to thank all graduates who have made a gift or pledge during the phonathon and invite others to help support the CHPA students and faculty.