MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
THE STANDARD October Issue Spooky season festivities and other fall happenings
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A note from the editor Happy Halloween! My personal favorite holiday! Midterms and fall break have come and gone and I trust you Bears got through it all and are now ready for some proper spooky festivities! Here at The Standard we have shared a few of our top Halloween events, favorite scary movies, candy opinions, and party safety tips to honor the season. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Standard issue without a few stories on the latest sports news. This month we have featured players from football and volleyball as well as a women’s soccer win that made history! I hope you enjoy all the vibes in this issue and the timely news coverage of other happenings around campus and Springfield. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a boo-tacular October!
Cover design by Ella Conklin On the cover: Pumpkins are a time-honored favorite decoration of the Halloween season. From mini pumpkins to gourds to painted bear pumpkins, they certainly make a lovely addition to front porches!
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is Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced Ella Conklin, Editor-in-Chief and edited by the students on The Standard staff.
DIVERSE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY MAKE AN IMPACT!
Kyle Fitzpatrick junior reporter
Edenfield junior reporter Standard staff Beau Delta Halley junior reporter Editors and leadership Ella Conklin editor-in-chief Jorja Lageschulte campus administration editor Hunter Meacheam campus activities editor Maddux Radosevic sports editor Rylie Robinson arts and culture editor Lucia Arreola Macazani all-topics editor Elizabeth Dedert assistant sports editor Sam Roehrig newsletter editor Ruby Knight chief graphics illustrator Reporters and junior reporters KC Culbertson sports reporter Collen Fuller reporter Ruby Knight reporter Olamide Ogunmolawa reporter Ayricka Pointer reporter Jamie Santner senior reporter Abby Sommer reporter Camryn Threlkeld reporter Harper Adams junior reporter Jenna Adams junior reporter Charlie Blumenkemper junior reporter
Olivia Lyon junior reporter James McCloskey junior sports reporter Calvin Pointer junior reporter Maddie Seever junior reporter Copy editors Dani Cook chief copy editor Harper Adams copy editor Candice Dalton copy editor Jazmin Mendenhall copy editor Hanna Nickles copy editor Aidyn O’Daniel copy editor Advertising & business staff McKenna Miller advertising sales assistant Cal Benedicto advertising designer James McCloskey distribution coordinator Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser
Connect with us! VISIT, WWW.SPRINGFIELDMO.GOV/JOBS @CityofSGF
/CityofSGF City of Springfield, Missouri
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Happy Halloween from Missouri State and Springfield
Seven events to check out this October CHARLIE BLUMENKEMPER Junior Reporter With everything from pumpkin smashing to haunted houses, Missouri State and the town of Springfield are preparing a busy, spooky Halloween for the 2026 season. The festivities on, and off campus alike are amazing opportunities for students to bond and celebrate the holiday. While many of these events are planned by Missouri State, there are also several hosted by Springfield and the surrounding area. There are numerous events scheduled throughout October for students and residents to enjoy!
SAC Presents: Bust A Pumpkin Oct. 29 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Plaster Student Union North Mall
SAC and Traditions Council is hosting a pumpkin painting event to celebrate the Halloween season! Students can paint a pumpkin and then save it or smash it. Smash out the stress of the semester with SAC!
Alpha Delta Pi and Pi Kappa Phi TrunkOr-Treat Screenshot from historiccstreet.org October 18 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. are here to give you a good spook! Alpha Delta Pi House Join Alpha Delta Pi and Pi Kappa Phi for FSL Nightmare on Elm Street candy, decorated trunks, and a fun Halloween Oct. 24 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. event with the community!
Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park Pumpkin Patch Tueday-Friday until Oct. 23 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3825 W Farm Rd. 146, Springfield, MO, 65807
Join the Missouri State FSL community for a trick-or-treat event on Elm Street! Enjoy a night of candy, costumes, community and friends as participating fraternity and sorority chapter houses transform for a night of trickEnter one of Springfield’s oldest and largest or-treating. haunted houses… if you dare. Hotel of Terror is a four story haunted house where guests es- Thriller on C-Street: Macabre Promecape the house at the end with a 99 foot slide. nade Its sister haunt, Dungeons of Doom, offers a Oct. 17 different vibe, but is just as scary not far from 7:00 p.m. 224 E. Commercial St., Springfield, MO, the hotel!
Come with your friends and enjoy a 2.5 acre pumpkin patch with pumpkins and gourds, sold by weight. Admission is completely free, so you can take in the fall vibes without breaking the bank. Additional attractions at the farm include hayrides, a cornmaze, horserides, and of course the pumpkins!
Hotel of Terror Every Weekend of October 7:00 p.m. 334 N Main Ave, Springfield, MO 65806
Field Of Screams-opens Every Weekend of October 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. 2142 N Sports Complex Ln., Nixa, MO, 65714
Additionally, numerous other Halloween pop-up events come throughout October in the Springfield and Southwest Missouri areas, so keep a lookout!
65803
See the spectacle of five large-scale performances of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” by the C-Street Zombies across a 6-block zombie crawl. The performance features hundreds of zombies and monsters! Make sure to get down One of Southwest Missouri’s premier haunt- to C-Street early to secure your spot to watch ed attractions, complete with two separate ex- the thrilling show! periences to frighten all who come. A half mile haunted trail deep in the woods with fog or a maze with clowns lurking to scare any lost guests. The Haunted Forest or Clourophobia
Screenshot from parkboard.org New to Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park is the Makers’ Market! On Oct. 17-18 the pumpkin patch will host local artisans and crafters selling their goods!
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Amid federal visa changes MSU continues to support international students JORJA LAGESCHULTE Campus Admin Editor Qjorjalageschulte
Illustration by Ruby Knight
International Services at Missouri State University continue to operate as usual after U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction to pause changes to duration of stay rules for international students with F-1 and J-1 status. This came just a day before the new system was to be implemented on Sept. 15. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a new rule on July 16. 2026. A lawsuit was brought against the final rule by multiple associations that advocate for international educators and universities. The case has not received a final decision yet and the final rule will remain paused until a conclusion
is reached in the federal court system. Director of International Services Patrick Parnell explained how the final rule would have affected the duration of status and international students. “The new rule states that duration of status will no longer exist, and that international students coming in the U.S. and both the F and J category are captive for four years, regardless of what they’re doing,” said Parnell. This rule would make the US Citizen Immigration Services the primary decision maker instead of universities and it would decrease the grace period from 60 to 30 days. The application fee would cost $420 for all extensions to the four year period. If an international student wanted to extend their stay after four years they would have to reapply through the USCIS. A student would have to reapply if they decided to pursue a higher level of study, took longer than four years to finish their degree, or if they were transferring to a different school (which is available to undergraduates only). According to the American Council on Education this paused change “reverses a policy in place since 1979, when the former Immigration and Naturalization Service began granting international students duration of status rather than requiring annual reapplication.” A majority of international students at MSU
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2026 | 5 have a F-1 visa, which is a standard student visa for high school to doctorate students. A J-1 visa is through the U.S. Department of State and is for the Exchanged Visitor Program. That program is specifically for visitors “participating in programs that promote cultural exchange” according to uscisguide.com. “Our international student population is extremely important to this campus, extremely valued,” said Parnell, “It’s just another barrier in recent years that really prevents us from maintaining and from growing this really important student base at Missouri State.” Although the paused rule casts a shadow of uncertainty around what the future of international services will look like Parnell states that “we are certainly open for business” and “we are doing everything we can.” Before the pause went into effect, International Services hosted nine workshops to inform international students about this change. “We’ve received no guidance from the federal government as to where our authority is gonna be affected,” said Parnell, “This rule implies that our functionality in that system will be severely affected. So that would be the first piece of what we can actually do as far as advising students, assisting students, supporting them, in their status needs, in whatever way.” For more information go to International Student Support on the Missouri State website.
“Bird” Lloyd
spreads his wings entering final season at Missouri State KYLE FITZPATRICK Junior Reporter Missouri State University linebacker Jared “Bird” Lloyd has been named by many as the focal point of the Missouri State defense as he looks to continue his dominant season. In the 2025 campaign, he led the Missouri State defense in tackles with 77, just a year after a devastating recreational vehicle crash that effectively ended his 2024 season. Lloyd would use a medical redshirt that season, as he was able to come back for what is now his senior year. In a recent interview, Missouri State playby-play announcer Corey Riggs said, “If there is a better linebacker in Conference USA football, then you can keep him, because I want Jared Lloyd.” Lloyd’s presence will be felt on the defense
this season as he looks to be Missouri State’s tackling leader for the second season in a row. Lloyd will be the one wearing the green dot this season and have full communication with Jack Curtis, Missouri State defensive coordinator, ensuring that the Bears give him the green light to go out and be the guy on the defense. Lloyd is one of the Bears returning on this defense and will no doubt take on a leadership role this season with new players on the outside. When asked who was the hardest person to stop on the Missouri State offense, Lloyd said, “I can’t pick just one; it’s all 11 guys.” This response feeds into the type of player that Lloyd has become and the type of man that he is trying to be. When asked why he was returning for his final year at Missouri State, he said, “Besides my kid, I wanted to stay at Missouri State because of the fact that I fell in love with Casey Woods and his coaching style.”
Photo by MSU Creative Services Lloyd (0) leads the Bears defensive line this football season. Lloyd has had his fair share of head coachLloyd’s nose for the ball and his improved es over his tenure at Missouri State, with Woods cover skills make him the most valuable asset being his third head coach over his five-year that Missouri State has on its defense. career with the Bears. He is in the upswing of his final season and is coming off a tough 1-3 non-conference slate.
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Casita de Miau
New cat lounge opens in collaboration with Humane Society JENNA ADAMS Junior Reporter Qjenna.adams10 On Aug. 26, 2026, couple Tori Liford and Diana Candelaria opened Casita de Miau. Located at 210 S Market Ave in downtown Springfield, Casita de Miau opened not only as a place for people to play and cuddle with cats, but also as a way for the Springfield community to connect. In addition to seeing cats, Casita de Miau partners with the Humane Society to help people adopt cats. In just their first four weeks of operation, Casita de Miau has had 11 adoptions from their facility. Liford and Candelaria were inspired to open a cat lounge while living in their Springfield neighborhood, which they said is overrun with cats. As they brought in more and more cats, they realized Springfield didn’t have a cat cafe for the community and were inspired to open Casita de Miau. Shortly after the idea for a cat lounge, they partnered with the Humane Society to bring in cats vetted and approved by the
Photo by Époce Photography Casita de Miau feautres seating around a beautiful, bright cat-focused store front.
Photo by Jenna Adams All the cats at Casita de Miau are available for adoption through the Humane Society.
shelter partners for adoption. Cats are selected to be at Casita de Miau based on a few traits. Social cats are a great fit for the cat lounge, which makes kittens more likely to be at Casita de Miau. Tori Liford, co-owner and graphic designer/ creative director for Casita de Miau said, “Kittens are typically a good fit because most have not yet acquired any antisocial traits or “bad” social habits yet. This is a great place to get them used to getting along with other cats and lots of different people of different temperaments and ages.” However, Liford also mentioned an older cat that was recently adopted. BamBam, a nineyear-old cat, was described as “sweet as can be.” If an older cat does well in a test room with other cats, they can come to Casita de Miau. In just its first month of opening, Casita de Miau has found major success. One of Casita de Miau’s most notable adoption stories is Bookmarx. Bookmarx is a local bookstore in downtown Springfield known for its bookstore
cat, Ms. C. Bookmarx recently adopted Truman, formerly known as Myers, from Casita de Miau. Now, Truman lives at the bookstore alongside Ms. C. Other than the adoption stories, Casita de Miau is proud to be a place for the community. They describe themselves as a “third place.” Liford defines this as, “essentially, a space where people of all interests, ages, and backgrounds can socialize without any specific expectation besides being kind.” The Springfield community can visit the cat lounge to socialize with others. This community connection matters to Casita de Miau. “One of my favorite experiences since opening the lounge is when people come in as strangers to the room of other visitors, but leave as new friends because they reached out and, for example, asked the person across the table to play a game from our shelves with them,” said Liford. For those interested in visiting Casita de Miau to study or play with cats, there are a few important things to know. For the safety of the
cats and their home, Casita de Miau is a shoesoff facility. They offer shoe covers or socks for sale if customers need them. Casita de Miau allows outside drinks in the cat lounge, but outside food is not allowed for the cats’ safety. For visitors 14+, Casita de Miau charges $10 for a 30-minute cat session or $16 for an hour. Discounted 3-hour study sessions are also available online, and you can add extra time at a discounted rate at the end of a cat session. If you find a cat at Casita de Miau that you really love, the adoption process is simple. People can let Casita de Miau know they’re interested in adopting one of the cats and fill out an application to be sent to the Humane Society. All adoption fees will go to the Humane Society after the adoption process is complete. Casita de Miau is grateful for the support the community has shown. “We can’t appreciate the cat lovers of Springfield enough for keeping this such a safe space of expression and relaxation - for the visitors and the kitties!” said Liford.
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Seven must-see horror movies LUCIA ARREOLA MACAZANI All-Topics Editor Qluciamacazani While there are so many thrilling and well-crafted horror movies, probably too many to list, there are a select few that are especially perfect to watch or re-watch for Halloween 2026. Horror as a genre explores the very depths of human emotion in ways that not every type of film is able to. From relatively recent releases to age-old classics, the films below explore horror in several different ways, including from a sci-fi perspective, an action angle, a comedy point of view and more.
“Backrooms” (2026)
Making his directorial debut, Kane Parsons’ creepypasta YouTube series became a fullfledged film in “Backrooms”. Referring to liminal spaces that become unsettling and make a person’s skin creep and crawl in awful discomfort, this movie captures that uncomfortable feeling everyone has experienced. Something as simple as empty office spaces with fluorescent lights or being in an airport in the middle of the night suddenly becomes a setting that is far more unsettling. Parsons amplifies this discomfort and is able to magnify it on the big screen, along with strong performances such as those from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. Theater-goers felt what these actors portrayed with such intensity that despite the low budget, this film was one of the most talked-about of the year.
“Obsession” (2026)
Continuing with the themes of YouTube-native filmmakers in the horror genre, Curry Barker brings us an age-old tale of “careful what you wish for” in “Obsession”. A ‘nice guy’ wishes for his ‘dream girl’ to love him, but this quickly turns into a nightmare. Not only for him, but more so for the character Inde Navarrette plays as the supposed dream girl. Losing her autonomy and forced to be a shadow of her former self, Navarrette plays a character that clearly has strength, wit and kindness buried under this nice guy’s wish. Played by Michael Johnston, this wisher is almost sympathetic towards audience members in the beginning only for him to fall deeper and deeper into the sarcastic stereotype of the typical nice guy. Everyone knows that guy: the one who claims to be people-pleasing but is actually selfish, transactional, and even cowardly. This film delves into themes of gender and culture in such a fascinating way that your eyes will hardly pull away from the screen, even when
they might want to because of the terrors that loss and less wrinkles, making the buyer feel like their young self again. Fargeat’s film goes persist. further: how much would someone be willing to go to feel young, beautiful and loved? Moore captures audiences in her performance as a supposedly old, run-down actress who has left her “better’ days behind her. Upon learning of a substance that could bring those days back, she hardly hesitates to jump at the chance, even if it means ripping herself apart. The other ‘part,’ played by Qualley, is a young, perky version of the same character under a different name. These counterparts are in a strange, almost mother-daughter relationship, which is implied by the film. But some audiences find themselves going deeper than that. These two bodies of the same person can also be seen as people struggling with eating disorders and trying to find a balance between their separate stages of life, but if a balance could be respected, the substance wouldn’t be needed in the first place.
pinnacle of their respective manhoods while Bateman becomes soaked in an anxiety-riddled sweat. His preoccupation with his looks, ego, and greed can be comparable with a few Wall Street men, but Harron pushes the idea into a realm of slight insanity. Or, psychosis.
“Jennifer’s Body” (2009)
Screenshot from IMDb.com
“Sinners” (2025)
Diablo Cody knew exactly what she was going for when she wrote and directed “Jennifer’s Body”. She wanted to comment on female friendships, the competition that can exist in them and how they actually seem to be filled with carnage. Teenage girls in high school can be brutal, and none as savagely cruel as the titular Jennifer, played spectacularly by Megan Fox. In more ways than one, Fox as Jennifer is biting in terms of sarcastic wit and literal devouring of fellow classmates, and the actress seems to relish it all. She really performs in this film and leaves audiences wanting more. Starring alongside Fox is Amanda Seyfried, the best friend and sometimes worst enemy of Jennnifer, a love-hate relationship that some people may find themselves relating to a little too much. Seyfried also stands out in spite of her character being the decidedly ‘dowdy’ friend, but both actresses play off one another very well with infectious chemistry. This movie did not dazzle expectations upon its first release, but over the years has become an undeniable cult classic.
Immediately accepted into the vampire genre as a staple in monster movie classics, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” placed a stellar cast of characters in the interesting setting of 1932 Mississippi, unexpected for a vampire film. Somehow, it works perfectly. Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku-and more-lead with experience and confidence in this new take on the classic vampire trope. Coogler is able to weave themes of race and culture in America through this film in a satisfying and absorbing way. Recognizing the inherent bloodthirstiness of the systems in place against his protagonists, Coogler’s addition of vamps help highlight the longing for creation and freedom. At the heart of the film is Miles Caton’s character, who the audience roots for in this wild ride of a movie. The former backup singer for H.E.R. commands certain scenes with “American Psycho” (2000) such passion that leaves audiences fixed on and Mary Harron’s dark satirical thriller stars talking about for long after it’s over. Christian Bale as a man who is so pressured to be the highest in perfection of all businessmen, “The Substance” (2024) that he just has to kill people to keep off the Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley star in ledge. “American Psycho” is strangely off-kilCoralie Fargeat’s “The Substance”, which deals ter, so absurd in some scenes that despite the with beauty standards, age in the industry and horror of what Bale’s character-Patrick society’s perpetual seeking of the fountain of Bateman-does, he almost comes off as funny. youth. Every other day there seems to be a new We have all ridiculed the scene where tradad for some miracle drug that promises weight ers compare business cards and treat it as the
Screenshot from IMDb.com
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975)
There is hardly a better end to our list than the cult classic musical comedy horror film starring the late Tim Curry. Upon news of his untimely end, several fans in tribute offered up quotes and scenes from his iconic character Dr. Frank-N-Furter from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Serving as an inspiring mad scientist, Curry clearly has fun with this madcap role and also performs as a very capable actor. He leads this outrageous story of an innocent couple getting a flat tire in a storm and happening upon a house filled with characters such as the aforementioned doctor and his latest creation, a man named “Rocky.” Along with the musical numbers and costume design, this movie pushed boundaries and inspired audiences to break traditions and indulge in full, free expression. Countless fans have dressed up in homage to the legendary characters and played with its queer themes and cultural influence. Over the years, this film has not lost its touch and certainly not lost its devoted fan base.
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Six goals scored for first time since 2004 Illustration by Ruby Knight
Photo by MSU Creative Services Five soccer Bears worked together to score six goals and defeat SIUE 6-1 on Sept. 20. KC CULBERTSON Sports Reporter Qgrillin_guy_kc Ever seen the movie “Tombstone” with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer? Well, on Sept. 20, Betty and Bobby Allison field may as well have been The O.K. Corral, as the Missouri State University women’s soccer team won in a shootout 6-1 against the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars. It was a clear and peaceful day when the Cougars of Illinois traveled down to the Ozark region. SIUE entered the match with a 2-2-3 record. Meanwhile, the Bears were looking to get a bounce-back-win after losing three in a row to Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas City that made the Bears 2-5-1. The Bears played with some ferocity in the first half. 26 minutes in and Maggie O’Keefe was the first one to draw and got the first goal of the game. Freshman Marleigh Allen followed shortly making it 2-0. The Bears defense looked like it was trying to prove something, as it allowed the Cougars to have only one shot on goal and had significant control of the ball. Then came the second half and things got ugly for the Cougars. Not even a full minute in, and Ellie Neath fired away and increased the Bears lead to three. Just three minutes later Lillie Rasmussen was next up on the line and made it 4-0. Not going down without a fight, SIUE scored
just 13 seconds later. Unfortunately for the Cougars, goalkeeper Kate Lewis fired a long ball to Rasmussen, who practically scratched that Southern Illinois goal off the board making it 5-1. The cherry on top for the Bears came in the twilight minutes of the game, when Addy Rozycki scored the final goal of the game, sealing it 6-1. When a team scores six goals, you are bound to get some unserious stats. First up, Missouri State had as many goals as Southern Illinois had shots, period. Second, all four grade levels scored. The freshmen Allen, sophomores Neath and Rozycki, the junior O’Keefe and the senior Rasmussen. The Bears have scored five goals many times before this, most recently against UIC in 2024. But the last time Missouri State women’s soccer scored six goals in the regular season was before the release of the iPhone, the Nintendo Wii, “Star Wars: Episode III” and even Youtube. On Aug. 29, 2004, the Murray State Racers traveled to southwest Missouri, where the Bears won 6-1. Kate Blair and Chelsea Anderson were the stars of the game for the Bears. Blair had four shots on goal and two goals. Anderson had two shots on goal, one goal and two assists. The game was also not shy of oddness, as Murray State scored on their own goal. This win was needed for the Bears as a conference play has been rocky for them so far. But, if they can put up scores that haven’t been seen since before some of them were even born, they might be able to pull through.
Halloween’s most controverisal candies deserve another try ABBY SOMMER Reporter Qabbys2025 Halloween is right around the corner, Bears! Whatever your plans are this Halloween, candy will undoubtedly play a role in them. Halloween encompasses every single type of candy, from sour suckers to rich chocolate. There are, however, some classic Halloween candies that are hotly contested. Some people absolutely love them, and some people absolutely hate them, and there doesn’t seem to be any in between. But do they live up to the hype? Who is right?
through the sweetness of the other candies and aren’t sour like Skittles or Warheads.
Tootsie Rolls
To many people, the obstacle to enjoying Tootsie Rolls lies in the difficulty of chewing them. Admittedly, it can be a struggle. They can start out rock hard, and then become so sticky that most of the candy sticks to your teeth. However, Tootsie Rolls have a unique, buttery chocolate flavor that can’t be beat.
Junior Mints
Many people find the strong peppermint flavor of Junior Mints to be overwhelmingly abrasive, comparing it to toothpaste. They also find the texture to be off-putting. However, these Candy Corn tiny treats can also be a perfect non-sour palate This sugary treat is one of the most highly cleanser to cut the sweetness from the other debated Halloween candies. To many, it is a candies. favorite and nostalgic Halloween candy. To others, it is pretty much wax mixed with sugar. 3 Musketeers However, setting aside the nostalgia and the Some think that 3 Musketeers are the blandwaxy texture, it has a nice flavor that almost est candies that you can get on Halloween. The simple filling of fluffy nougat, lacking the peatastes like marshmallows. nuts and caramel boasted by candies like SnickAlmond Joys ers or Milky Ways, can be a bit of a let down Many people don’t like this candy simply after all of the other candy. However, the noubecause they don’t like the two key ingredients: gat itself has a delicious, marshmallowy flavor almonds and coconut. To be fair, these are two that is delightful. unique flavors combined, so if you don’t like All in all, these candies get a worse reputathem, you hate them, and having the two mixed together could be even worse. However, Al- tion than they deserve. They all certainly have mond Joys can be a nice, refreshing palate their challenging aspects, but ultimately have cleanser if you have been eating the rich, choc- many redeemable qualities as well. This Halolate Halloween candy first. They can help cut loween, why not give them a try?
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LOGOS
A battle to be seen OLAMIDE OGUNMOLAWA Reporter Aristotle defined logos as the appeal to logic, the reasoned argument that persuades an audience. At Missouri State, LOGOS is also a journal. “LOGOS: A Journal of Undergraduate Research” showcases works of students of all disciplines, from paintings and comics to poems, fashion designs and dance performances, as well as traditional research papers. And every piece once was submitted for a grade in an undergraduate class, although students can still submit after they graduate. “When you think of LOGOS, you probably think it’s an undergraduate research journal, but that is a misunderstanding,” Aster Thao Ho, managing editor said. “We accept many forms of learning on the Missouri State campus. By referring to research, we don’t just mean scholarship or the paper, but also artwork.” Founded in 2007, LOGOS is the first undergraduate research journal in Missouri, and it is all student-driven. Next year, it will enter its 20th volume. When a piece is submitted, all identifying information is removed and sent to the editors and peer reviewers, who, if they feel like they can identify the author, are removed from that particular piece. “It goes through a faculty review as well, which also is blind reviewed, it’s not the teacher who graded it,” Allison Loughary, copy editor said. Even works that didn’t make the cut still receive feedback, sometimes multiple rounds of it. “Every piece and every feedback will be sent back to the author so that they can learn something,” Ho said. Unusual to most journals, peer review groups aren’t separated by major or college, but rather organized by last name, meaning
chemistry papers may be edited by English majors and vice versa. Loughary said that they do this so that they can “highlight and showcase our students rather than the colleges.” Before the pandemic, there were more than 100 submissions, but after that, numbers dwindled and the staff is trying to find ways to reach out again. “The challenge, I think, is making LOGOS great again,” Ho said. Editor-in-Chief Marshall Malone noted that submission peaks around English and Biology, however, other disciplines stay far and few. Although other disciplines are represented in the journal, Malone wants more. Malone recalled that he had talked to two computer science majors, who thought that their coding projects were not “appropriate” but he said, “we’ll find a way to get this project in LOGOS.” The staff goes into honors classes, post up flyers and train peer reviewers each fall. When Volume 19 is expected to come out this fall, Volume 20 is already in the beginning stages and applications are open to submit to Volume 20. Students who want to publish can simply go online and fill out a form. Once they are accepted, their works will be not only published in LOGOS, but also EBSCOhost, an international academic database. “There’s no downside to submitting a piece,” Malone said. “Even if you aren’t accepted immediately, it is a great learning experience.” Loughary, who has a piece in the upcoming volume, noted that even staff members can be authors, but also that some have been rejected, even when being on staff. “It only takes out about 10 percent out of the hard work that you already put in,” Ho said. “Why not?” Learn more about LOGOS: https://www. missouristate.edu/LOGOS
Photo by Olamide Ogunmolawa LOGOS is run by students amd takes a verity of work from students to complete thier annual volumes. Featured from left to right: Allison Loughary, copy editor, Marshall Malone, editor-in-chief, Aster Thao Ho, Managing editor.
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Moon City Press DELTA HALLEY Junior Reporter Qdlh0325
Moon City Press is Missouri State University’s literary publisher. It is housed in the English department. According to English professor and Director of the new MFA program in creative writing, Michael Czyzniejewski, Moon City Press’s editor-in-chief, the press has had “a growing reputation over the years.” They publish four titles a year and print a literary anthology, “Moon City Review.” Moon City Press holds annual writing contests and prints the winners in short stories and poetry collections. They also award the Editor’s Choice prize that is funded by donors. In addition to the reputation that they have cultivated over the years, they have a social media presence and advertise their contests. Entries come from all over the United States, and the world. However Moon City Press does not accept work from MSU students, encouraging them to reach outside the university. “We don’t consider work by (MSU) students because we consider that to be nepotism. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other outlets and we teach them to publish outside the university,” said Czyzniejewski. This is the national standard most universities follow and ensures Moon City Press’s good national reputation. Moon City Press allows students to be on staff who want to hone their skills in publishing
Photo by Ella Conklin Moon City Press publishes short story collections from authors.
and editing. Czyzniejewski says that students in the English Department, “whether it’s creative writing or literature or technical and professional writing, are looking for careers in editing and this is direct editing experience for (them).” The department offers English 640/540, Small Press Publication, every spring, where students execute a publication project for Moon City Press. This class is at the center of the publishing and editing certificate students can obtain. In any given school year, there are about 45 students on the Moon City Press staff. But for students, Moon City Press is more than just a publishing company. As Czyzniejewski says, “You can come here and talk to other poets and other fiction writers and other essayists about what’s going on in the world . . . [it gives students] this valuable experience in the world. It also gives them a community where they can meet.” They meet to talk about the contest entries and select what they are going to publish, but they also have pizza and conversations about more than just publishing and editing. Even students who do not plan a career in editing or publishing benefit from working at Moon City Press. They can see the selection process that their work will go through when they submit it to another publisher. Czyzniejewski explains, “Once they work for our press that kind of demystifies what the process is for them.” The press’s editor-in-chief compared Moon City Press to other iconic Missouri State traditions. The theater department has Tent Theater, the art department has beautiful galleries, and the athletic department has the football team. Czyzniejewski says, “in the English Department, we make books and that’s how we get our name out there, too.” He goes on to explain, “The university, they want us to provide this experience for students, but they also want to say, ‘hey, we do cool things here. We’re Missouri State.’”
Screenshot from Goodreads “Moon City Review” is a literary anthology featuring a wide selection of fiction and poems from many authors.
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Volleyball Bears
honored with Conference USA regular season accolades JAMIE SANTNER Sports Reporter Qjamiesantner The Missouri State University volleyball team entered Conference USA play with an 11-5 overall record and a 2-2 conference record after winning both the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Springfield, and the Hawkeye Invitational in Coralville, Iowa. Three Missouri State players earned weekly CUSA honors during a three-span: senior Brooke Eslinger, sophomore Hannah Gardner and freshman Halle Rillie. They earned CUSA Defensive Player of the Week, CUSA Setter of the Week and CUSA Freshman of the Week honors, respectively.
Brooke Eslinger
Photos by MSU Creative Services
Eslinger was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 7, after her remarkable performance in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational. She averaged 5.3 digs per set with a .978 service reception percentage during the invitational, helping Missouri State go 3-0 throughout the event and earning all-tournament honors afterward. The 21-year-old from Cleveland, Tennessee, collected 11 digs and went 15-for-15 on serve receive in the match against Little Rock on Sept. 3. She then had 20 digs and scored one point in the sweep against Northwestern State on Sept. 4, and tied a season-high 22 digs while Eslinger top, Gardner middle, Rillie bottom going 16-for-16 on serve receive and scoring one point against Indiana State on Sept. 5. Eslinger became Missouri State’s first player to earn CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors since joining the league last year.
Hannah Gardner
Gardner was named CUSA Setter of the Week on Sept. 14, in honor of her MVP performance at the Hawkeye Invitational. The sophomore averaged a triple-double
during Missouri State’s 3-0 performance in Iowa. Her per-match totals in the tournament included 12 kills, 18 assists and 11.7 digs. Gardner averaged 3.27 kills, 4.91 assists, 3.18 digs and 0.36 blocks per set, with a .279 hitting percentage. In th match against Incarnate Word on Sept. 10, the Springfield native had nine kills, 22 assists, 13 digs and three blocks. Against Southern Illinois University, she finished the match with 12 kills, 15 assists and eight digs, while hitting .281 On Sept. 12, Gardner put up impressive numbers against the hometown Iowa Hawkeyes. The setter hit .370 while recording 15 kills, 17 assists and 14 digs, helping the Bears secure the victory.
Hallie Rillie
On Sept. 21, Halle Rillie earned the CUSA Freshman of the Week award after her strong performance at the Missouri Challenge in Kansas City, MO. The 19-year-old from Santa Barbara, California, averaged 5.33 assists and two digs per set throughout the tournament. Rillie also had one kill and one ace in every match while helping set the Bears’ offense to a .258 hitting percentage across all three matches. The started her strong run with a double-double; the setter had 21 assists and 10 digs against Kansas City on Sept. 17. Rillie continued her success in the match against SEMO on Sep. 18, racking up 19 assists and nine digs, ending the tournament with 24 assists and five digs in the match against St. Louis on Sept. 19. The Volleyball Bears come back home on Oct. 9, to play a two-match series against the Sam Houston Bearkats. Both matches are located at the Hammons Student Center in Springfield, Missouri, with the first match starting at 6 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. match on Oct. 10. Admission is free for students who present their BearPasses at the door.
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Photo by Abby Sommer
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Reynolds Performing Arts Complex dedication honors largest one-time donation ABBY SOMMER Reporter Qabbys2025 In the largest one-time gift in the history of Missouri State University, the C.W. Titus Foundation honored the legacy of Judith Enyart Reynolds with an eight-figure donation. Much of this donation went to the Judith Enyart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex, which was dedicated on Sept. 17 with a special ceremony. As the new “front porch” of the university, the new complex represents a transformational moment for Missouri State. With state-ofthe-art studios and a black-box theater, students will now have opportunities like never before to hone their craft and present their work in cutting-edge facilities. The Dean of the Reynolds College Sean Wahl began by talking about what the facility represents. “The space that we’re celebrating and opening tonight is based upon love. It’s based upon lifting people up and taking care of our neighbors,” explained Wahl. “And that’s what’s so beautiful about the gift from the C.W. Titus Foundation and the Reynolds family, is that it empowers students, it lifts up students who don’t have that confidence to go to college because of being afraid not to be able to pay their tuition.” Along with projects like the performing arts complex, the Reynolds Foundation loves to foster participation in the arts, supporting students with passion for the arts with necessary
scholarships and tools. Reynolds Scholars Lily Jackson and Maddux Radosevic also spoke to the impact of the new performing arts center. “This facility is so much more than brick and mortar. It represents the value that is held in the arts, as well as the value in investing in our world’s future,” Jackson said. “The Judith Enyart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex embodies the superb nature of the Reynolds College and this institution. It will be a special place for dreams to become a reality. That’s what the Reynold’s College at Missouri State University does. It brings out the best in us,” Radosevic concurred. Tim Reynolds also spoke on behalf of his foundation and had a powerful message to give to the students who will be using this performing arts center. “When I was a child growing up, it was made very clear in my family that if you were successful, and you had the opportunity to give back, you do what you can do for those people that you can do something for… I’ve been able to do something like this.” “When I was in college… that was a big deal: has your life had meaning? Have you made a difference? Have you done something to make the world a better place? Thank you so much tonight because I feel like maybe we’ve reached that goal,” said Reynolds. The Judith Enyart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex has made and will continue to make a sizable difference in the lives of students and foster those same goals in those who use it for generations to come.
Remaining football schedule Oct. 14 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Nov. 28
Home Away Home Away Home Away Home
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*All dates are subject to change. For more information visit MissouriStateBears. com.
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Halloween safety tips Harper Adams Junior Reporter Qharperadams714!
Illustration by Ruby Knight
Halloween is a time for fun, costumes and making memories, but one unsafe decision can quickly turn a celebration into an emergency. With the holiday approaching, Springfield Police Sgt. Joshua Steele and Missouri State Associate Director of Campus Safety Todd Revell encourage students to take precautions to enjoy the holiday safely.
1. Have a plan and be prepared
Make sure you know where you are going and how you are getting home. If you are going out with friends, make an effort to stay together and share your locations in case you are separated. Steele emphasized the importance of staying connected with others. “The biggest safety concern is probably being alone, or where people don’t know where you are. It’s just not being in a group, or not being with somebody you feel safe and comfortable with,” Steele said. Before you go out, make sure you have all of the essentials you will need. Essentials may include a fully charged phone, an extra charger, cash and a student ID or government-issued ID.
2. Be careful with your drink
Always make sure your drink is covered and has not been tampered with. If you choose to drink alcohol, know your limits and do not allow a friend or anyone you are out with to pressure you into drinking more than you are comfortable with. If you drink too much, never drive. Instead, stay where you are and arrange a safe ride home, such as by calling a sober friend or using a rideshare service. Missouri State offers resources for students who are worried about drinking safety. Revell discussed some of the resources available through Missouri State, the Springfield Police Department and Community Partnership of The Ozarks. “Community Partnerships provide these for free. They’re (single-use) spike tests, so if you have an open container you can take one of these and see if your drink’s been spiked. It doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but it still happens,” Revell said. Spike tests, disposable drink covers and single-use breathalyzer tests are available at the Missouri State Police Substation.
3. Wear a safe and comfortable costume 4. Know what resources are available Costumes can affect personal safety. Be to you sure your costume is appropriate for the weather, is visible, and allows you to move freely in case you need to get out of a situation quickly. “Have appropriate costumes for the weather. And a lot of times with visibility, it’s not very clear when you’re wearing a mask and things like that out in the dark, and you could get hit by a car,” Revell said.
Missouri State’s Campus Safety office and the city of Springfield are there for students. If you or someone you know is highly intoxicated or in potential danger please call the Missouri State University Public Safety Department at 417-836-8870 or the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810. If you are in immediate danger, on or off campus, call 911. You
can also visit the Springfield Police Campus Substation at 636 E. Elm St., Springfield, MO 65806. “Sometimes college kids don’t wanna call people that are known to them,” Steele said, “but reaching out to public safety [in an unsafe situation] is essential. Where they might feel judged in other places, they’re probably not going to here. It’s just our job to keep them safe.”
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Jmariyae Robinson
The road to the triple crown catches in every contest and extended a reception streak that spans more than three seasons.
Chasing the records
Photo by MSU Creative Services Robinson works secure the reciving triple crown, owning records for total receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. ELIZABETH DEDERT Assistant Sports Editor Qelizabethdedert When Jmariyae Robinson stepped onto the field at Plaster Stadium for his fifth season with Missouri State University, he brought more than a steady set of hands and a school-record 35-game pass-catching streak. The senior wide receiver entered the 2026 season within reach of a rare feat in program history: Missouri State’s receiving triple crown. Robinson is chasing the school’s career marks for total receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Reaching all three milestones would place his name at the very top of
every major receiving category in the univer- ing a central role in the offense, Robinson logged 45 receptions for 500 yards and five sity’s record book. touchdowns. His consistent performance earned The journey to Springfield him a second-team selection on the Phil Steele Robinson was a three-star recruit who post- Freshman All-America Team. ed an impressive 1,323 receiving yards during Robinson continued his steady development his senior season at Cocoa High School, and through the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, leading turned down Football Bowl Subdivision offers the team in receptions, receiving yards and to join the then Football Championship Subdi- touchdown catches for the 2025 season. vision Bears. In an interview with KY3 Springfield, RobHis initial season at MO State offered a brief inson said, “It’s nothing short of a blessing. glimpse into his potential. The ball comes my way; I make a play.” Robinson played in three games as a true Through hard work and consistency, Robfreshman to preserve his redshirt status, record- inson’s performance during the 2025 season ing his first career catch on a 7-yard pass from helped guide the Bears during their transition former quarterback Jason Shelley. into Conference USA. Over his four years of His breakout season arrived in 2023. Play- active play, Robinson has recorded multiple
To complete the career triple crown, Robinson must eclipse established school thresholds across all three statistical categories. Entering the 2026 season, he held 128 career receptions across 35 collegiate games and needed 23 more receptions to break the school record of 150 receptions held by former Missouri State tight end Clay Harbor. The receiving yards record presents a similar target for the senior wideout. Having accumulated 1,724 receiving yards over his first four seasons at Missouri State, Robinson needed 497 yards to surpass the all-time school record of 2,221 yards held by former Bears wide receiver Jermaine Saffold. The touchdown column offers his narrowest path to a record. With 16 career receiving touchdowns through 2025, Robinson needed just three more touchdowns to break the school mark of 18 touchdowns by former Missouri State wide receivers Steve Newbold and Jeff Hewitt. With 38 career games now played across his collegiate tenure, every game provides an opportunity for Robinson to narrow the gap. As Missouri State moves through its schedule, each catch brings the senior wide receiver one step closer to making university history. Former Bears defensive tackle Dennis Heim, in a G5 Hive podcast episode, spoke about how Robinson helps lead the receiver room: “Last year that was led by Jmariyae Robinson, who’s a 6’1”, 165-pound senior this year. He had seven TD touches last year, averaged over 14 yards per catch and he led the team with 44 catches,” Heim said. “Jmariyae Robinson’s a great start with that.”
What lies ahead
With eight regular-season games remaining on Missouri State’s schedule, time remains for Robinson to narrow the gap once he returns to the field. The Bears face a challenging slate, as Conference USA play begins Oct. 8 at Western Kentucky, followed by a home matchup against Kennesaw State on Oct. 14. Each remaining contest will be crucial for Robinson as he pushes to make university history.
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