Missouri State honors faculty, staff who exemplify public affairs mission, top retirees

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·3 min read

Part of the May meeting of Missouri State's Board of Governors meeting is set aside to honor top faculty and staff members still working on campus and retirees who left an indelible mark.

Provost John Jasinski announced the three faculty members and two staff members who received the board's Award for Excellence in Public Affairs. Each winner will receive $1,500 for research, professional development or projects related to their public affairs efforts.

The winners included:

  • David Cornelison, professor of physics, astronomy and materials science in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences;

  • Alan Tinkler, assistant department head for the english department in the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities;

  • Rebecca Woodard, professor of kinesiology in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services;

  • Jennifer Johnston, director of Teacher Training Programs for the English Language Institute; and

  • Juli Panza, director of Professional Education Services in the College of Education.

The board also approved adding six honorees to the university's Wall of Fame this fall. To be considered, they had to be nominated by MSU employees and must have significantly contributed to the success and positive experience of students, and worked at the university for at least 10 years.

MSU President Clif Smart described it as one of his favorite ceremonies each year. It will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Plaster Student Union. Their plaques will be added to the wall outside the grand ballroom.

More: At final MSU board meeting, retiring Clif Smart awarded key to the city, Bronze Bear

The 2024 inductees are Cindi Barnett, Julie Ebersold, Jack Knight, Rhonda Ridinger, Belva Worthen Prather and Nancy Schanda. Together, they have 228 years of service. Here are details:

  • Barnett, employed from 1987 to 2018, was the driving force behind the conception, development and construction of Foster Recreation Center. Her dedication to providing students with a modern, inclusive and engaging space for physical activity and wellness transformed the campus experience.

  • Ebersol, employed from 1976 to 2018, was director of alumni activities. She gave life to the Missouri State Alumni Association. Her careful attention to detail, creative spirit and polished professionalism laid the foundation for the organization to which more than 150,000 alumni proudly belong.

  • Knight, employed from 1974 to 2017, was the third full-time professor ever hired in the philosophy department. He taught students how to take deductive reasoning and apply it to the world around them for the next four decades.

  • Ridinger, employed from 1971 to 2017, was a kinesiology professor, advisor and field hockey coach, Ridinger was also a long-time member of the Faculty Senate and the Academic Program Review Committee, both of which she chaired. In 2010, she was inducted in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1979 national championship field hockey team.

  • Prather, employed from 1986 to 2015, was hired as a flute teacher for the music department and offered to help Jerry Hoover with the band. From there she was immersed, and the university eventually created the associate director of bands position for her. Through her directorship of the wind ensemble, she impacted thousands of music educators and band students.

  • Schanda, employed from 1973 to 2017, built the first college academic advising center — the Business Advisement Center — in the College of Business. She set a high standard for academic advising and developed eight semester plans still used as models. She actively participated in Staff Advisory Council, and later Staff Senate, advocating for all staff on campus.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: MSU honors faculty, staff who exemplify public affairs, top retirees