DR. ED MCKINNEY, left, emeritus professor of history at Missouri State University-West Plains, was recognized by members of the Ozarks Studies Symposium committee for his many years of service to the symposium and for his contributions to Ozarks music. The plaque presentation was made by Professor of English Frank Priest at this year’s symposium following McKinney’s music panel presentation. The symposium was hosted Sept. 18-19 by Missouri State University-West Plains academic affairs office and featured presentations on the topic “The Lure of the Ozarks.” (Missouri State-West Plains photo)
DR. AYA KUBOTA, professor of American literature at Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo, Japan, receives a locally-made pillow sham, quilted lap blanket and a Grizzlies coffee mug from Dr. Phillip Howerton, associate professor of English at Missouri State University-West Plains, at this year’s Ozarks Studies Symposium. Kubota joined Dr. John Han, professor of English and creative writing at Missouri Baptist College, to discuss “A Place of Restoration, Recreation, and Safety: The Ozarks in The Shepherd of the Hills, The Bald-Knobbers and The Witness” during the symposium Sept. 18-19 at the West Plains Civic Center. This year’s theme was “The Lure of the Ozarks.” (Missouri State-West Plains photo)