Awards – 91ֱ��

91ֱ�� Honors Faculty Excellence with Reuling and Helsabeck Awards

Clayton Thomas — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:58:09 +0000

91ֱ�� (C-SC) proudly recognized two outstanding faculty members for their exceptional contributions to student learning and academic excellence during C-SC’s annual Honors Convocation held on May 6.��

Dr. Melissa Holt, associate professor of psychology, received the Helsabeck Prize for Excellence in Teaching, the College’s highest honor for classroom instruction. Dr. Lisa Prowant, assistant professor of biology, was awarded the Walter S. Reuling Faculty Prize for Innovation in Student Learning, honoring her remarkable dedication to experiential learning and student engagement.��

“These two extraordinary educators embody the heart of Culver-Stockton’s mission,” said 91ֱ�� President Lauren Schellenberger. “Their dedication to excellence in teaching and innovative approaches to learning are transformative, not only for their students but for the entire campus community.”��

Dr. Holt joined C-SC in 2012, and she teaches psychology courses on such topics as statistics for social sciences, research methods, social psychology, biological psychology, sport psychology, and the psychology of marketing. She is also the coordinator of experiential education and travel director. Dr. Holt earned her doctorate and master of science degrees in experimental psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA) and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Mary Washington (Fredericksburg, VA).��

Dr. Prowant joined C-SC in 2020, and she teaches such biology courses as general biology, ecology, and debates in science. She earned her doctorate at Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY), her Master of Science degree in biological sciences at Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS), and her bachelor’s degree in biology at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS).��

About 91ֱ��

91ֱ��, situated on 140 acres in Canton, Missouri, atop The Hill overlooking the Mississippi River, was founded in 1853 by members of the Disciples of Christ Church. Today, more than 1,000 students from around the world shape their futures in academic excellence with opportunities in 80 majors and minors, five graduate programs, 21 NAIA inter-collegiate athletics, 35 diverse student organizations, and many campus-life events.

91ֱ�� Professor Featured on International Horror Film Studies Discussion Panel

Clayton Thomas — Wed, 21 May 2025 18:42:34 +0000

Dr. Alissa Burger, associate professor of English at 91ֱ��, recently served as a featured speaker on an international panel organized by the British Association of Film, Television, and Screen Studies (BAFTSS).��

The online panel discussion, “No Safe Space: Places and Spaces of Horror Cinema,” took place April 30 and brought together several leading horror film scholars for a discussion on the significance of space and place within the genre. The panel was hosted as part of the Horror Studies Special Interest Group’s “Weekday Night Bites” series, a public program aimed at scholars and fans alike.��

Burger was invited to participate by panel organizer Christina Brennan, a fellow contributor to Edinburgh University Press’s Devil’s Advocates series, a collection of critical monographs each focused on a single horror film.��

“It was an incredible group of panelists, and we’re all familiar with and have used one another’s work in our own research and writing on horror films,” Burger said. “That made it particularly exciting to come together for this conversation.”��

Burger’s contribution to the panel focused on her 2023 Devil’s Advocates volume, which offers a close reading of director Andy Muschietti’s IT Chapter One (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019). She explored the ways in which physical and psychological spaces in those films function as characters in their own right and contribute to the horror narrative.��

With all panelists examining films through the lens of space and place, Burger said it was enlightening to see how different subgenres and directors handle these concepts. “It ranged from place as almost a character to place being literally unknowable and indefinable,” she said.��

Approximately 20 attendees participated in the live event, with nearly 100 more registered to receive a recording. Burger said the audience included a mix of horror scholars and enthusiasts who posed thoughtful questions and offered connections between the featured films.

The experience not only aligned with Burger’s ongoing research — she is currently working on a book about literary geography in Stephen King’s work, under contract with Palgrave Macmillan — but also provided a valuable opportunity for international scholarly engagement.��

“It’s essential to be part of these larger conversations, especially on an international scale, to see how scholars from different cultures bring their own readings to specific films,” Burger said. “I was thrilled to contribute and represent 91ֱ�� alongside some of the most prominent horror film scholars in the world.”��

Burger frequently incorporates her research into her teaching, including her recent course ENG130: The Short Fiction of Stephen King. She said opportunities like this panel help connect students with broader scholarly dialogues and showcase the academic caliber of 91ֱ��.��

“We may be a small college here on ‘The Hill,’ but our students and faculty do big things,” Burger said. “I hope this kind of visibility helps demonstrate the exciting work happening at Culver-Stockton.”��

The panel included Christina Brennan (The Vanishing, 1988), Steve A. Wiggins (The Wicker Man, 1973), Rob McLaughlin (Poltergeist, 1982), Mark Fryers and Marcus Harmes (The Woman in Black, 1989), and Miranda Corcoran (The Craft, 1996). The discussion was moderated by Shellie McMurdo and Laura Mee, chairs of the BAFTSS Horror Studies Special Interest Group.��

A recording of the event will be made available by BAFTSS at a later date.��

About 91ֱ��

Culver-Stockton’s Harmony Literary Magazine Earns 1st Place in National Contest

Clayton Thomas — Wed, 07 May 2025 15:44:10 +0000

Harmony, 91ֱ��’s student-led literary magazine, was recently awarded First Place in the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) 2025 national contest, a prestigious recognition honoring excellence in student publications.��

Harmony highlights poetry, fiction, visual art, and essays from students across disciplines and is produced at 91ֱ�� (C-SC) under the guidance of Dr. Ralph Buckner, assistant professor of English. He noted that winning the ASPA award celebrates the creativity, collaboration, and literary talent of C-SC’s student editors and contributors.��

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my talented team of students. It was a year-long process of advertising, gathering submissions, and putting together the entire edition that makes this recognition so well deserved,” said Buckner.��

The award-winning issue of Harmony incorporated complex yet classical themes, according to lead graphic designer Tabitha May Haxel.��

“The theme for this edition Harmony started with the front cover — the idea of hidden happiness in the world we live in with our hidden emotions. We also integrated the theme of good and bad, light and darkness. The organization of art and literature goes from light, to dark, then back to light again,” she explained.��

Buckner also shared what Harmony brings to the student experience.��

“H��ǲԲ� provides a vibrant platform for creative expression, collaboration, and community building,” he said. “It offers students a space to share their voices through the literary and visual arts, fostering a culture of creativity and intellectual exploration. Contributing to or working on Harmony helps students develop such valuable skills as writing, editing, design, and project management—experiences that can complement

academic learning and enhance resumes. It also cultivates a sense of ownership and pride as students see their work published and celebrated by peers.”��

Buckner added that he particularly wants to recognize Haxel.��

“I know putting together the edition is a challenging task, and she excelled at it. I would also like to give a shoutout to Randi Lynne Green. She has been helping me since last Fall, helping push for submissions and coordinate events around Harmony,” he noted.��

Vist Harmony online at .��

ASPA’s annual contest evaluates student publications from across the country, with awards based on content quality, editing, design, creativity, and overall presentation.��

About 91ֱ��

91ֱ��’s Wildcat Wire Earns Three Awards at Missouri College Media Association Ceremony

Clayton Thomas — Thu, 01 May 2025 14:25:11 +0000

The Wildcat Wire, 91ֱ��’s student newspaper, recently earned three awards at the Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) Awards Ceremon, including second place honors for Best Website and Special Section, and a third place award for Feature Writing.

The Wildcat Wire took second place for Best Website in Division 3, which includes 8–10 schools annually. Tyler Tomlinson, lecturer of communication and adviser to the Wildcat Wire, credited the student staff’s dedication for the recognition.

“The students’ dedication to increasing our volume and coverage was a big reason why they placed in this category,” Tomlinson said. “I’m proud of the work they did to clean up older sections and keep things up-to-date.”

Editor-in-Chief Libby Skaggs earned two individual honors. She won second place in the Special Section category for her story “My Classroom is Belize and Guatemala,” which chronicled her experiences in Culver-Stockton’s three-week travel course.

“This story was so unique compared to the usual nominees,” Tomlinson said. “Libby’s piece was honest and interesting, highlighting an opportunity that’s special to C-SC.”

Skaggs also placed third in Feature Writing for her article “91ֱ�� Welcomes its 28th President.” Tomlinson praised her professionalism and storytelling ability.

“Libby remained professional in her coverage while capturing the essence of the situation,” he said. “She is a naturally skilled writer with a good pulse on the campus.”

Tomlinson also acknowledged the contributions of other student staff members, particularly Halle Jennex, who played a major role in upgrading and maintaining the website.

“Our entire student staff should be credited with this honor,” Tomlinson said. “The landscape of online journalism moves quickly, and our students have adjusted well by focusing on deeper, unique perspectives that campus readers want to consume.”

Tomlinson emphasized that while the recognition is rewarding, the staff sees it as a foundation for future growth.��

“We know we are on the road to being even better,” he said. “Our staff has grown a lot in the last year, and we are putting together much stronger pieces. The students are excited to see how much better we can get going into the 2025-26 school year.”��

Coming up, the Wildcat Wire will feature articles from students traveling to Germany, the Netherlands, and Washington, D.C. Other planned coverage includes profiles on the college’s playoff-bound lacrosse and baseball teams, as well as an in-depth look at 91ֱ��’s financial responsibility score compared to schools in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.��

Visit the Wildcat Wire at .��

The MCMA awards represent a significant measure of excellence for college journalism in Missouri. The organization, dedicated solely to college newspapers and yearbooks in the state, offers the only formal opportunity to compare work among peer institutions.��

About 91ֱ��
91ֱ��, situated on 140 acres in Canton, Missouri, atop The Hill overlooking the Mississippi River, was founded in 1853 by members of the Disciples of Christ Church. Today, more than 1,000 students from around the world shape their futures in academic excellence with opportunities in 80 majors and minors, five graduate programs, 21 NAIA inter-collegiate athletics, 35 diverse student organizations, and many campus-life events.

C-SC chapter of Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society inducts 14 members

vervocity — Wed, 12 May 2021 17:25:34 +0000

Under the guidance of chapter advisor, Jim Cosgrove, professor of business, the following Culver-Stockton students were added to Sigma Beta Delta in recognition of their high academic achievement and willingness to pursue a life of wisdom, honor and aspirations:

Undergraduate candidates:

Kyla Berrey, a senior business administration and marketing major from Quincy, IL
Maxwell Blaschke, a junior marketing and sport management major from Maple Plain, MN
Gracie Bunge, a junior accountancy and finance major from Golden, IL
Brooke Bishop, a senior healthcare management major from Strafford, MO
Madison Drummond, a junior international business major from Winterset, IA
Alexander George, a junior business administration major from Canton, MO
Lexie Gordanier, a junior business administration major from Hannibal, MO
Madelyn Haley, a junior accountancy major from Liberty, IL
Thomas Hendren, a senior accountancy major from Palmyra, MO
William Knake, a junior business administration major from Havana, IL
Montserrat Caparros Rodriguez, a senior business administration and finance major from Barcelona, Spain

Master of Business Administration candidates:

Gerard Bruscino, an MBA student with a specialization in management from Burraneer, Australia
Sarah Lung, an MBA student with a specialization in management from Camp Point, IL
Lisa Rainey, an MBA student with a specialization in healthcare management from St. Louis, MO

Maria Berhorst, lecturer in business, was also inducted into Sigma Beta Delta as an honorary member. Berhorst received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Missouri in Columbia in 2004 and her master’s degree with a focus in nursing administration from Walden University in Minneapolis in 2006.

Sigma Beta Delta was founded in January 1994 and established to honor students who have attained superior records in business programs in schools and colleges with regional accreditation. Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest national recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter.

More than 400 chapters have been established in 47 states and internationally. Sigma Beta Delta has more than 80,000 members.