The first commission is a newly re-voiced arrangement of There’s a Meeting Here Tonight. Originally written for the professional tenor-bass ensemble Cantus of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the work has been reimagined for SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) voices, allowing more choirs to experience its American Gospel folk style.

Culver-Stockton students will premiere the piece during the Fall Choral Concert, which is set for Sunday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Merillat Chapel Recital Hall in the Robert W. Brown Performing Art Center on the C-SC campus. The concert is open free to the public.

The second commission is a brand-new composition by acclaimed composer Timothy C. Takach, created expressly for the �������� Choir. Written in a traditional choral style with piano accompaniment, this world premiere will highlight the ensemble’s artistry at the Spring Choral Concert Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 3 p.m. in Merillat Chapel. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

“Commissioning new music not only expands the canon but also strengthens our students’ education by giving them a creative role in bringing new works to life,” said Dr. Andrew Schroetter, Director of Choral Music at Culver-Stockton. “Learning a piece no one has ever performed before demands deep listening, problem-solving, and collaboration. It’s an experience that will shape their musicianship long after graduation.”

As part of the project, Takach will visit campus in spring 2026 to rehearse with the choir and deliver a lecture on composition, music entrepreneurship, and professional performance. His involvement provides students with direct access to a composer whose works have been performed by ensembles such as Roomful of Teeth, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and The Boston Pops.

For Dr. Leenhouts, supporting this project reflects both a personal passion and a commitment to enriching student learning. A lifelong choral singer and member of The City Choir of Washington, D.C., she was first introduced to Culver-Stockton through her husband, Joseph MacDoniels ‘63, a longtime trustee and current emeritus member of the �������� Board of Trustees. Over time, her connection to the College grew through support of student awards and scholarships.

“It was last spring while on campus that I decided I wanted to do something that reflected my love of choral singing,” said Leenhouts. “Commissioning these works underscores the vital role that music, and choral music in particular, plays in a liberal arts curriculum. For students, this experience will challenge them, as well as cultivate pride in bringing new music into the world. I hope these pieces will inspire them now and for years to come, while also bringing recognition to the College.”

Learn more about Culver-Stockton’s academic programs in music at /majors/.

The free event is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 26 from 3–5:30 p.m. in the Nichols Baseball Field parking lot on the Culver-Stockton campus.

Community members are invited to bring their children in costume for an afternoon of safe and festive fun. This is a Teal Pumpkin-friendly event; non-candy alternatives will be available.

For more information, contact Dr. Lacy Harrison, assistant professor of education, at lharrison@culver.edu.

The 2025 Alumni Honorees are:

• Elisa (Mineck) Harris ’95 — Distinguished Alumna
• Kent Clow ’78 — Leadership & Service Award
• Alexis (Westerhausen) Gumm ’11 — Outstanding Young Alumna
• Cindy McCutchan ’95 — Dome Award
• Edie Wolf — Honorary Wildcat

These exceptional individuals, who represent the highest ideals of ��������, will be celebrated at the Alumni Honors Banquet on Friday, Oct. 24. The event will take place from 5:30–9 p.m. in the Meaders Lounge of the Gladys Crown Student Center.

The evening will feature a plated meal and a ceremony to recognize the honorees for their significant contributions to their communities and professions. The cost to attend is $35 per person.

All are invited to join in the celebration of these outstanding members of the Culver-Stockton community. To register for the Alumni Honors Banquet and/or for more information about Homecoming 2025, please visit: .

“Welcoming Kevin back to campus for Homecoming makes this exhibition especially meaningful,” said Jennifer Bock-Nelson, assistant professor of studio art and director of the Mabee Art Gallery. “His work reflects not only his talent and dedication as an artist but also the strong foundation he built here as a student. It’s exciting for our students and community to see how a Culver-Stockton education can grow into a lifelong creative journey.”

Dingman, who earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in art, has built a career rooted in photography, exploring a wide range of processes including bromoil, cyanotype, E-6, black-and-white, and digital. He said his work has consistently centered on the action and quality of light, reflecting his lifelong passion for capturing experiences through imagery.

His exhibition brings together a wide sampling of his career, featuring subjects and processes that span decades, alongside new prints from more recent work.

“This will be a show you’ll want to walk through more than once,” Dingman said. “I expect people will connect with different images in different ways, which is the nature of art.”

Returning to the Hill to exhibit in the Mabee Gallery, where he once worked as a student, is particularly meaningful for Dingman.

“It’s always nice to return where you started, to share your progress with those who knew you then, as well as a new audience who might see something different,” he said.

Dingman also offered advice for today’s Culver-Stockton art students: “When it comes to art, nothing is outdated, so be open to the old and established along with the new. That’s how breakthroughs are made.”

Kevin Dingman: A Retrospective runs from Saturday, Oct. 25 – Friday, Dec. 5. The Mabee Art Gallery, located in the Herrick Foundation Center on Culver-Stockton’s campus, is open Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and entry is free and open to the public.

For more information about majoring in art at C-SC, visit /majors/art/.

Dr. El-Bermawy teaches courses on medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacy ethics, microbiology, drug design, stereochemistry, instrumental analysis, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy and drug analysis, pharmacology of medicinal agents, diseases in the 21st century, and medicinal chemistry for honors. He is the chair of the department of chemistry and mathematics and coordinator of physics and physical science. He also is the pre-health advisor.

For more information about majors available in biology and chemistry at ��������, visit /majors/.

Participants will spend the day in interactive sessions with the Culver-Stockton marching band, cheerleading squad, and dance team. The experience is designed to give students a behind-the-scenes look at how college-level groups prepare for and execute game day performances. The event will culminate with students performing alongside the college groups during the Wildcats’ home football game.

“This event is for any student who loves the thrill of preparing for game day but wants to see it on the next level,” said Dr. Alexander Kirby, associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at Culver-Stockton. “We are excited to offer a hands-on experience where students can build and participate in an on-field performance and truly feel what it’s like to be part of the Wildcat spirit.”

The event is open to all high school students with an interest in marching band, cheer, or dance. Information is being sent to prospective students as well as area high school directors and coaches.

Check-in will begin at the campus field house, where students will receive a welcome before breaking into their respective groups for specialized workshops. All registered participants will receive free admission to the football game and a meal voucher for the concession stand. The event will conclude at the end of the football game.

Registration is required to attend. To register for the event and for more details, please visit .

Accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the online program allows candidates to work full time in a classroom while completing their coursework. Once enrolled, candidates are immediately eligible to be hired by school districts. The program is designed for working professionals, with all classes offered online and asynchronously. Students can begin at five different points throughout the year and can complete the certification in as little as one year, though most finish in 18 to 24 months.

“The teacher shortage crisis continues to impact schools across Missouri and the nation, particularly in rural communities,” said Cindy Whiston, associate professor, chair of the education department, and director of student teaching at ��������. “Our program offers schools a vital resource by enabling them to hire qualified candidates while those candidates complete their training. This helps fill classroom vacancies quickly.”

Whiston explained those enrolled in C-SC’s ALT certification program bring diverse professional experiences into education, enriching classrooms with real-world perspectives. She added that one of the aspects that makes Culver-Stockton’s program unique is faculty members’ personal connection to students.

“We combine support, along with affordability and flexibility, with the rigor needed to prepare successful educators. This program helps passionate individuals make the transition into teaching while ensuring schools receive the qualified educators they urgently need.”

Learn more about Culver-Stockton’s ALT Teacher Certification program via C-SC’s Master of Education webpage at /master-of-education/.

“We are honored to once again be recognized by U.S. News & World Report, particularly in the areas of Best Value and Social Mobility,” said �������� President Dr. Lauren Schellenberger. “These rankings affirm our deep commitment to providing an accessible, high-impact education. Our focus on experiential learning ensures that students graduate with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to launch successful careers and lead meaningful lives.”

In the 2026 rankings for Regional Colleges in the Midwest, Culver-Stockton ranked No. 9 for Best Value, No. 8 (tied) for Top Performers on Social Mobility, and No. 28 (tied) overall.

About the Rankings

The Top Performers on Social Mobility ranking measures how successful colleges are at enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students. U.S. News & World Report evaluates this based on students awarded federal Pell Grants, the majority of which go to those with adjusted gross family incomes under $50,000.

The Best Value ranking is calculated by considering a school’s academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student receiving the average level of need-based financial aid. According to U.S. News, the higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the value. Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included in the Best Value list.

U.S. News & World Report evaluates institutions on multiple criteria, including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, faculty resources, financial resources, student excellence, and alumni giving.

The award, supported by the James Edward Scherbarth and Paul Francis Mosley Giving Fund, celebrates mid-career artists who embody creativity and resilience. For Bock-Nelson, who lives with Tourette’s Syndrome, the recognition affirms both her artistic journey and her role as a mentor to students.

“I was hesitant to apply because I know others face larger obstacles,” she said. “Tourette’s is something I’ve often sought to hide, but naming my disability embraces my neurodiversity and speaks to the challenges I’ve faced. I don’t know if I would be an artist if I didn’t have Tourette’s; it shaped how I see the world and gave me the ability to hyperfocus on details, time, and perspective.”

Bock-Nelson’s work explores perception, balance, and the tension between order and chaos. She draws on satellite images and underwater recordings to offer viewers a fresh perspective on the world around them. Recently, she has begun experimenting with light and prisms, inspired by her travels to places like Alaska’s glaciers.

In addition to her own artistic practice, Bock-Nelson is dedicated to helping Culver-Stockton students find their creative voices. She encourages a growth mindset in the studio and often shares her own missteps as part of the learning process.

“I hope all my students, especially those who are neurodivergent, feel valued for what they contribute to art and society,” she said.

Earlier this year, she also received an individual artist grant from the Illinois Arts Council. With the support of these honors, Bock-Nelson is entering a new chapter in her career, pursuing exhibitions, residencies, and new creative projects.

“Challenges can be obstacles or opportunities for growth,” she said. “This award recognizes that art continues in spite of, and often because of, our differences. I hope my story inspires others to embrace their own unique perspectives.”

See Bock-Nelson’s work at . For more information about majoring in art at �������� visit, /majors/art/.

DeWaard, who is also the chair of the department, began serving as a CFR Higher Education Ambassador two years ago. His newly appointed distinguished ambassador role includes an eight-month initiative that helps faculty bring global affairs into the classroom through exclusive resources, peer collaboration, and innovative teaching practices. In this role, he will also serve as mentor and leader for new ambassadors, help guide discussions at CFR events, and co-present with CFR Education staff at events throughout the year.

“This opportunity allows me to connect with colleagues across the country who are equally dedicated to strengthening global awareness and civic engagement,” DeWaard said. “I look forward to bringing new perspectives and resources back to Culver-Stockton to enhance the educational experiences of our students.”

DeWaard’s recognition underscores his dedication to civic learning, global literacy, and academic leadership at C-SC. His involvement also supports the college’s mission to prepare students for informed, active citizenship in an interconnected world.

“We are immensely proud of Dr. DeWaard’s work in this important program,” said Dylan Marney, chair of ��������’s Civic Engagement, Humanities, and Performing Arts division. “He brings tremendous knowledge of political science and world affairs, a commitment to government working better for the public good, and dedication to enhancing student civic engagement and quality of life in the community. We are confident that his expanded involvement with CFR will bring valuable insights to the Hill and connect our students here with an expanding community of citizens and professionals.”

The Council on Foreign Relations is a think tank dedicated to promoting nonpartisan understanding of international relations and improving public dialogue on key global issues. Its mission is to foster collaboration between academia, policymaking, and the public. The Education Ambassador program connects impactful teachers and scholars across the world with open educational resources, professional development opportunities, and a growing community of global educators committed to equipping students to meet the challenges of today’s connected world.

Learn more about ��������’s political science program at /majors/political-science/.