Mustang Ovations

The SMSU Deans' Office hosts the annual Mustang Ovations event each spring. The event highlights achievements from the past year including faculty publications, presentations, and accolades. The Campus Compact President's Awards and SMSU Equity Teaching Fellows are be announced. The recipient of the Cathy Cowan Award is recognized. The event was created salute to academic excellence, distinctiveness, and meaningful engagement.

The entire campus community celebrates the achievements of the Mustang Family.

This year's celebration is Thursday, April 18 at 4:00-5:30pm in the SMSU Conference Center Ballroom.

2024 Campus Compact Award Recipients

Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact President’s Civic Engagement Leadership Award: Amanda Sieling

Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact President’s Community Partner Award: Marshall Public Schools; Jeremy Williams and Beth Ritter

Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact President’s Student Leadership Award: Hannah Meyer

Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact Engaged Campus Award for Community Collaboration (Statewide Award) for their work in The Social Support Collaborative: SMSU University Public Safety 

2023-2024 Equity Teaching Fellows

In 2022, SMSU initiated a special faculty development opportunity in support of the SMSU Vision to be recognized throughout Minnesota and beyond for being an inclusive and student-centered university. It provides recognition and support for faculty who engage in a series of designated, ongoing equity-oriented professional development activities and reflection. The following faculty who completed one or more Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) courses during 2023-2024 and submitted documentation identifying and reflecting on implemented changes are recognized as Equity Teaching Fellows:

• Teresa Henning
• Laurie Johansen
• Laura Koenig

 

Academic Year 2023-2024 Achievements:

COWAN AWARD:

2024 – Ms. Māra Wiggins, Professor of Library and University Librarian

PUBLICATIONS AND CREATIVE WORKS

Alyssa Anderson: Associate Professor of Biology

Anderson, A. (2023). Size distribution and population flux of the flat tree oyster, Isognomon alatus in Two Inland Lakes on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Proceedings of the 3rd Joint Symposium on the Natural History and Geology of The Bahamas, p. 86-92.

Tetta Askeland: Associate Professor of Theatre

Scenic Design and Scenic Painting for Sponge Bob the Musical. Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. Clinton, IA. 2023.

Stage Manager, Scenic Designer, and Scenic Painter for Leading Ladies Cabaret. Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Clinton IA. 2023.

Askeland, T. (2024). Grading for Equity in Theatre, United States Institute of Technical Theatre,

Alma Hale: Professor of Art

“Fauxtoshop: Photoshop Manipulations” exhibition at the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council art gallery.

Stephen Kingsbury: Professor of Music

Kingsbury, S. (2024). “Resisting the Tyranny of the Barline: Teaching Metric Stress and “Meter” in Renaissance Polyphony.” ChorTeach, Volume 16, Issue 1, pages 10-20.

Kandy Noles-Stevens: Associate Professor of Education

Noles Stevens, K. & VanOverbeke, D. (2023). Implementing equitable practice-based teacher education to advance rural STEM teacher candidates’ pedagogical and content knowledge. [Submitted and accepted paper]

Mary Risacher: Associate Professor of Education

Risacher, M., & Fier, S., (2023). Reflective course evaluation as a complement to traditional course evaluation. The Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 24(3), 43-61.

Debbie VanOverbeke: Professor of Education

Noles Stevens, K. & VanOverbeke, D. (2023). Implementing equitable practice-based teacher education to advance rural STEM teacher candidates’ pedagogical and content knowledge. [Submitted and accepted paper]

Matthew Zabka: Associate Professor of Mathematics

“Combinatorial Exploration of Morse–Smale Functions on the Sphere via Interactive Visualization.” 2023 Topological Data Analysis and Visualization (TopoInVis) pp. 51-60.

 

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Cindy Aamlid: Professor of Sociology

Aamlid,C. (2023, June 20). Equity Outcomes Realized. [NED Talk Presentation]. Minnesota State Board of Trustees Joint Meeting of Academic Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittees. St. Paul, MN.

Alyssa Anderson: Associate Professor of Biology

Anderson, A. (2023, June). Confidence and Community: Achieving Critical Student Outcomes Through Field-Based Research Projects in a Faculty-Led Study-Abroad Experience. [Presentation]. The 4th Joint Symposium on the Natural History and Geology of The Bahamas. Gerace Research Centre, San Salvador Island, The Bahamas.

Anderson, A. (2024, January). Unlocking the secrets of winter streams with Bugs Below Zero. [Presentation, Virtual event.]. Minnesota Master Naturalist Program.

Tetta Askeland: Associate Professor of Theatre

Askeland, T. (2024, January 17). Grading for Equity- Standards-based Grading. [Presentation at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival]. Des Moines, IA. January 17, 2024.

Askeland, T. (2024, January 18). Trash to Treasure: Recycled Materials Workshop.  [Presentation at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival]. Des Moines, IA.

Askeland, T. & Schmidt, N. (2024, January 18). Thinktank: Theatre Practical Assessment. [Presentation at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival]. Des Moines, IA.

Askeland, T. (2024, May 14). Sound Design for High School Theatre: QLab. [Presentation at Creston High School]. Creston, IA.

Askeland, T. (2024, May 13). Vectorworks for Lighting Design. {Presentation at Creston High School]. Creston, IA.

Michelle Beach: Professor of Education

Beach, M. & Syring, L. (2024, January 18). Neurogenetics of Brain Structure Alterations in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Results Gained from Selected rMRI Brain Scans Notating Correlations with Mathematical Abilities. [Presentation at 25th International Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disabilities]. Honolulu, Hawaii.

Toni Beebout-Bladholm: Assistant Professor of Education

Beebout-Bladholm, T.M. (October, 2023). Finding Joy. [Presentation, GOLD College, Southwest Minnesota State University]. Marshall, MN.

Kris Cleveland: Associate Professor of Exercise Science

Cleveland, K. (2024, March 2). Barbell (and accessory) Lifts with Modifications for Injury or Dysfunction. [Presentation at the National High School Strength and Conditioning Association Minnesota State Meeting]. Minnetonka, MN.

Fike, J., Cleveland, K., & Peterson, S. (2024) Personalized Fitness Training Improves Exercise Attitudes and Mental Well-Being. [Poster presentation at the 96^th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association]. Chicago, IL.

Maryjane Dunn: Assistant Professor of Spanish

Dunn, M. (2023, November 3-4)."Pilgrimage as a Freshman Seminar Theme.” 2023 Pilgrimage Symposium, Institute for Pilgrimage Studies at the College of William & Mary. Williamsburg, VA. November 3-4, 2023.

Dunn, M. (2024, March 9). "Being a Medieval Pilgrim: The Pilgrims' Mass in the Santiago Cathedral, circa 1150." 27th Annual Gathering of Pilgrims, American Pilgrims on the Camino. Hunt, TX. March 9, 2024.

John Ginocchio: Professor of Music

“Unhelpful Conducting Habits Learned from "Helping" Students.” Presentation at the South Carolina Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference. Columbia, SC. February 9, 2024.

“Planning and Teaching a Popular Music Performance Class.” Presentation at the Oregon Music Education Association Conference. January 13, 2024. 

Laurie Johansen: Professor of Nursing

Johansen, J. (2023, September 30).  “The Future of Nursing in Reducing Nursing Program Admission Barriers.” Presentation at 2023 National League for Nursing (NLN) Education Summit.  Washington, DC.

Johansen, J. (2023, July 25). “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rural Nursing.” Presentation at 2023 International Rural Nursing Conference. Johnson City, TN.  

Stephen Kingsbury: Professor of Music

Lead the SMSU Chorale through a week-long European tour of Austria and the Czech Republic, with performances at Schönbrunn Palace, the Vienna City Hall, and Melk Abbey. Vienna, Austria and Prague, Czech Republic. December 13-20, 2023.

Conductor, Region 2A, Subsection 6 Honor Choir at Martin County West High School. Sherburn, MN. March 11-12, 2024.

Conductor and Clinician for the 2024 Murray County Central Junior High Choral Festival. Slayton, MN. March 15, 2024.

Adjudicator at 5 MSHSL Large Ensemble Festivals. Rush City (3/6), Martin County West (3/12), Redwood Valley (3/13), Lakeview (3/25), Apollo H.S., St. Cloud (3/27).

Adjudicator at 6 MSHSL Solo and Ensemble Festivals. Mankato (3/4), Mankato (3/23), Lakeview (4/4), Benson (4/6), Fulda (4/8), Minnewaska (4/10).

Kandy Noles-Stevens: Associate Professor of Education

Noles Stevens, K. & VanOverbeke, D. (2024, January 3). Implementing equitable practice-based teacher education to advance rural STEM teacher candidates’ pedagogical and content knowledge. [Presentation at the Hawaii International Conference on Education]. Honolulu, HI.

Monica Miller: Office and Administrative Specialist, Sr.

Murray County Central FFA: Women in Agriculture. (2023, November 21). [Panelist at Murray County Central High School]. Slayton, MN.

Mary Risacher: Associate Professor of Education

Risacher, M. & Fier, S (2023). Reflective course evaluations: Impact on teaching and learning [Presentation]. 3rd World Conference on Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education (WCAHSSE-Paris-2023) October 16-17, 2023, in Paris, France.

Risacher, M. & Fier, S (2023). Reflective course evaluations: Impact on teaching and learning [Presentation at Northwestern Health Sciences University]. Faculty Presentation September 27th, 2023.

Risacher, M.  (2023). Powerful teaching [Presentation]. ED 301 - The Teaching & Learning Process & Lab September 18th, 2023.

Lindsay Rohlik: Assistant Professor of Nursing

“Disparities in Mental Health Support for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth in Rural High Schools.” School Nurses of Minnesota Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN. November 4, 2023

“Disparities in Mental Health Support for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth in Rural High Schools.” Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference. Duluth, MN. April 29, 2024

Amanda Sieling: Associate Professor of Justice Administration

Sieling, A. (2024)“Restorative Justice.” It Begins with Us. Southwest Minnesota State University. Marshall, MN. February 13, 2024.

LeAnne Syring: Associate Professor of Special Education

Syring, L., (2023, October 31.) “The Para-to-Special Education program at SMSU.) Championing Special Educators: Strategies for Recruitment & Retention in Educator Preparation.  American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) working with Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR) is hosting the national affinity group, 1st National Conference invited speaker (1 of 2) speaking.

Beach, M. & Syring, L. (2024, January 18). “Neurogenetics of Brain Structure Alterations in Autism: Results Gained from Selected rMRI Brain Scans Notating Correlations with Mathematical Abilities.” [Presentation at 25th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disabilities]. Honolulu, Hawaii,

Will Thomas: Professor of Accounting

Thomas, W. (2024, February 17).“Incorporating Sustainability Topics in an Undergraduate Auditing Course.” [Presentation at the Sustainability, ESG, and Accounting Conference sponsored by the American Accounting Association]. Washington, DC.

Renee Ullom: Assistant Professor of Education

Ullom, R (2024, January). “Making Professional Development Personal with Self-Study.” [Presentation at the National Literacy and Reading Recovery Conference (LitCon)]. January 27-30, Columbus, Ohio.

Debbie VanOverbeke: Professor of Education

Noles Stevens, K. & VanOverbeke, D. (2024). Implementing equitable practice-based teacher education to advance rural STEM teacher candidates’ pedagogical and content knowledge. [Presentation] Hawaii International Conference on Education, January 3, 2024.

Matthew Zabka: Associate Professor of Mathematics

“An Introduction to Topological Data Analysis with Applications to Social Networks.” 2023 International Conference for Topology and its Applications, Nafpaktos, Greece. July 4, 2023.

“Applied Topology -- All Week!” Kutaisi International University Applied Topology Seminar, Kutaisi, Georgia. November 13 -17. 2023. 

 

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Tetta Askeland: Associate Professor of Theatre

Certificate of Merit in Scenic Design for The Enchanted Bookshop. Kenney Center American College Theatre Festival. Des Moines, IA. January 16, 2024.

Maryjane Dunn: Assistant Professor of Spanish

Premio Internacional Aymeric Picaud 2024 (International Aymeric Picaud Award 2024), Liga de Asociaciones de Periodistas del Camino de Santiago. Pamplona, Spain. April 13, 2024.

 

EXTERNAL GRANTS

Adam Alford: Assistant Professor of Agronomy

MN Corn Research and Promotion Council. Hands-on Learning for Future Ag Professionals: Impacts of Fertility ($6,800 Funded). March 2024.

MN Soybean Research and Promotion Council. SMSU’s Continuing Commitment to CCA-Education and Training. Adam M. Alford. ($5,050 Funded). March 2024.

Adam Alford: Assistant Professor of Agronomy

Utilization of wheat fertility trials to enhance educational opportunities for future ag professionals ($13,000). Adam M. Alford, Elliot Vaughan. MN Soy Research and Promotion Council. February 2024.

Adam Alford: Assistant Professor of Agronomy

2024 MN Soy Research and Promotion Council, ($14,250 Under Review) Training future ag-professionals on NDVI use and impacts in soybean production via hands-on learning. Adam M. Alford, Matthew J. Zabka. MN Soy Research and Promotion Council. February 2024.

John Ginocchio: Professor of Music

Southwest Minnesota Arts Council. Arts in the Schools Grant $4,000. September 26, 2023.

Alma Hale: Professor of Art

Received $1,000 Arts Grant to help produce the “Fauxtoshop: Photoshop Manipulations” exhibition from the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council.

Elliot Vaughan: Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

Utilization of wheat fertility trials to enhance educational opportunities for future ag professionals ($13,000). Adam M. Alford, Elliot Vaughan. MN Soy Research and Promotion Council. February 2024.

Matthew Zabka: Associate Professor of Mathematics

Received $20,784 grant from Minnesota Tele-Media for a Remote Learning Studio for Southwest Minnesota State University. February 2024.

2024 MN Soy Research and Promotion Council, ($14,250 Under Review) Training future ag-professionals on NDVI use and impacts in soybean production via hands-on learning. Adam M. Alford, Matthew J. Zabka. MN Soy Research and Promotion Council. February 2024.