Harmony highlights poetry, fiction, visual art, and essays from students across disciplines and is produced at 乱伦社区 (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鈥檚 student editors and contributors.听

鈥淭his 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,鈥� said Buckner.听

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

鈥淭he theme for this edition Harmony started with the front cover 鈥� 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,鈥� she explained.听

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

鈥淗补谤尘辞苍测 provides a vibrant platform for creative expression, collaboration, and community building,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t 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鈥攅xperiences 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.鈥澨�

Buckner added that he particularly wants to recognize Haxel.听

鈥淚 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,鈥� he noted.听

Vist Harmony online at .听

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

About 乱伦社区听

乱伦社区, 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.

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

鈥淭he students’ dedication to increasing our volume and coverage was a big reason why they placed in this category,鈥� Tomlinson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the work they did to clean up older sections and keep things up-to-date.鈥�

Editor-in-Chief Libby Skaggs earned two individual honors. She won second place in the Special Section category for her story 鈥淢y Classroom is Belize and Guatemala,鈥� which chronicled her experiences in Culver-Stockton鈥檚 three-week travel course.

鈥淭his story was so unique compared to the usual nominees,鈥� Tomlinson said. 鈥淟ibby鈥檚 piece was honest and interesting, highlighting an opportunity that鈥檚 special to C-SC.鈥�

Skaggs also placed third in Feature Writing for her article 鈥溌衣咨缜� Welcomes its 28th President.鈥� Tomlinson praised her professionalism and storytelling ability.

鈥淟ibby remained professional in her coverage while capturing the essence of the situation,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he is a naturally skilled writer with a good pulse on the campus.鈥�

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

鈥淥ur entire student staff should be credited with this honor,鈥� Tomlinson said. 鈥淭he landscape of online journalism moves quickly, and our students have adjusted well by focusing on deeper, unique perspectives that campus readers want to consume.鈥�

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

鈥淲e know we are on the road to being even better,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur 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.鈥澨�

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鈥檚 playoff-bound lacrosse and baseball teams, as well as an in-depth look at 乱伦社区鈥檚 financial responsibility score compared to schools in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.听

Visit the Wildcat Wire at .听

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.听

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.

The newly elected officers鈥擠r. Angel Knoverek (President), Dr. Mark Vander Ley (Treasurer), and Danielle Hamilton, MA (Secretary)鈥攁re all 乱伦社区 faculty members. Together, they bring extensive academic and clinical expertise to their leadership roles, and their efforts reflect the college鈥檚 deep commitment to community engagement and mental health advocacy.

鈥淏y strengthening the counseling profession, MCA will enhance the quality of mental health services available to individuals and families, contributing to healthier and more resilient communities,鈥� said Dr. Knoverek, who is also a licensed counselor for more than 25 years.

Knoverek first identified the need to revive the MCA while advising students in Culver-Stockton鈥檚 new Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program. After reviewing Missouri licensure regulations and learning that the MCA had disbanded, she and her colleagues began a year-long effort to bring the association back to life.

The MCA is now fully operational and working in collaboration with other state branches in the Midwest Region to offer continuing education opportunities and support for professional counselors.

Adding a creative and interdisciplinary dimension to the project, the association鈥檚 branding was developed by Victorya Knoverek, a senior at 乱伦社区 majoring in both graphic design and psychology. Victorya, who is also a first-year student in the MAC program, chose the MCA branding as her senior graphic design capstone project, taught by C-SC faculty member Sally Kintz.

Her work is now being used across MCA鈥檚 social media platforms and official correspondence,
with plans to implement the branding across the organization’s website in the near future.

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud that the relaunch of the MCA is not only faculty-led but also features the creative work of one of our outstanding students,鈥� Vander Lay added. 鈥淰ictorya鈥檚 interdisciplinary perspective has given the association a fresh and professional visual identity as we reconnect with counselors across Missouri.鈥�

The Missouri Counseling Association鈥檚 mission is to promote the development of professional counselors, provide advocacy in the field, and raise awareness around ethical and culturally inclusive best practices. Its vision is to enhance the quality of life for Missourians by supporting the counseling profession.

For more information or to set up an interview with one of the faculty team, contact C-SC Marketing & Public Relations at 573-288-6000, ext. 6728, or via email at pr@culver.edu.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.

Horner and his family are well-known members of the Canton community. He owns the Shelter Insurance Agency located in downtown Canton, and his wife, Kristy, is a retired elementary school teacher. Their son, Drew, graduated from 乱伦社区 in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

鈥淗aving the support of dedicated community members like Richard and Kristy Horner makes a lasting difference for our students,鈥� said Carla Boren, director of advancement for planned and leadership giving. 鈥淭heir generosity is a testament to the value of local partnerships and the deep connections 乱伦社区 shares with the Canton community.鈥�

乱伦社区鈥檚 Day of Giving, held annually on March 19, encourages alumni, parents, friends, and community members to support the College鈥檚 purpose, which is to prepare students to be bold, think big, and create change. Contributions from local partners like Horner help provide scholarships, campus improvements, and expanded experiential learning opportunities for students, which is a cornerstone of C-SC鈥檚 curriculum.

鈥淪upport from community partners like Richard Horner ensures our students have access to scholarships, mentoring, and hands-on learning experiences that equip them for success beyond the classroom,鈥� said Dr. Lauren Schellenberger, 乱伦社区 President. 鈥淏ecause of this investment, and ones like it, Wildcats can pursue internships, conduct research, and engage in real-world projects鈥攐pportunities that not only enrich their academic journey but also truly transform their lives.鈥�

For more information about giving opportunities at 乱伦社区, contact Boren at (573) 288-6000, ext. 6463, or via email at cboren@culver.edu.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.

Denim Day is the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign and encourages individuals to wear denim to help bring awareness to sexual assault.

According to Reyna Blakley, a grant project director at C-SC, Denim Day began more than 25 years ago.

鈥淭he day was established after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped to remove her jeans, implying consent. The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.鈥�

Denim Day is held annually, and helps highlight misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. Each year, millions wear denim on the last Wednesday in April to show their support for survivors and provide awareness.

This year鈥檚 campus event will take place in the Gladys Crown Student Center from 11 a.m.鈥�2 p.m. Activities will include:
鈼� Denim decorating
鈼� C-SC frame for photos
鈼� Resources/information
鈼� Goodies/giveaways
鈼� Wear Jeans with a purpose

乱伦社区 has also partnered with AVENUES, the domestic violence and sexual assault shelter and outreach program to provide additional activities and information. All donations made by C-SC faculty and staff to wear jeans will be given to AVENUES to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

C-SC offers resources and free confidential support and mental health services to students year-around. For more information about the services C-SC provides, visit /campus-life/counseling-wellness/.

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-23-GG-04472-CAMP awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.

Honor Band activities will officially begin at 8:30 a.m. The day will be filled with rehearsals and collaborative music-making, with the final performance taking place at 5 p.m. The concert will showcase the exceptional skills and teamwork of these young musicians and is free and open to the public.

鈥淲e are excited to host the best high school musicians from around Northeast Missouri and their directors. It is an honor to provide them with a venue in which to collaborate and showcase their talent,鈥� said Dr. Trent Hollinger, Professor of Music at 乱伦社区.

This year鈥檚 ensemble will be conducted by 乱伦社区 alumnus Mr. Rob Duss 鈥�76.

For more information, contact David McReynolds, Divisional Support Specialist for the Fine, Applied, and Literary Arts Division, at (573) 288-6000, ext. 6346.

Media inquiries may be directed to the Marketing & Public Relations Office at pr@culver.edu or (573) 288-6000, ext. 6728.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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 event

Bill Bass 鈥�95
William (Bill) Bass attended Culver-Stockton from 1991 to 1995, graduating with a degree in English education. He spent the early part of his teaching career in middle and high schools and served as a soccer coach. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in instructional technology with an emphasis in instructional design and holds a post-master鈥檚 certificate in online learning.

Bass currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, Missouri. In this role, he leads the district鈥檚 library and instructional technology programs, oversees grants and federal programs, and creates conditions to foster district-wide innovation in classrooms.

Throughout his more than 20-year career in education, Bass has held roles as a middle and high school English teacher, technology integration specialist, instructional coach, adjunct professor, graduate course designer for an edtech master鈥檚 program, and educational consultant. As a
speaker, writer and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable technology integration at all grade levels, working to empower both students and teachers through authentic learning experiences.

He has received several honors, including the ISTE Making IT Happen Award, the Divergent Award for Excellence in Literacy in a Digital Age Research, recognition as one of NSBA鈥檚 鈥�20 to Watch鈥� EdTech Leaders, and Teacher of the Year at Hazelwood East High School. Bass has served as past president of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Board of Directors, and as a member of the Executive Committee for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). He frequently consults with edtech startups and national organizations, and is an international presenter and speaker, collaborating with educators around the globe.

Bass has authored numerous articles and book chapters, as well as four books: From Inspiration to Red Carpet (ISTE, 2012), Digital Reading: What鈥檚 Essential in Grades 3鈥�8 (NCTE, 2015), and two editions of Leading from the Library (ISTE, 2019).

Kurt C. Schuett 鈥�97
Dr. Kurt C. Schuett attended 乱伦社区 from 1993 to 1997, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with Secondary Education. At C-SC, he was an active participant in campus life, playing baseball and holding leadership positions in Greek life as vice president and alumni chair of Lambda Chi Alpha, as well as serving on the interfraternity council.

Schuett received numerous honors during his time at Culver-Stockton, including the Myron F. Johnson Award, the Shannon Hall Award, the Lambda Chi Alpha Highest GPA Award, and the Guy Cooper Poetry Award. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in education in 2009 and a doctorate of education in 2021. In 2020, he was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success at Concordia University Chicago.

He began his teaching career at Clark County R-I High School in Kahoka (MO), where he taught English and German and coached multiple sports, including softball, baseball, basketball and track. He later returned to the Chicagoland area and has taught English at East Leyden High School since 2000. He also teaches AP Research as part of the College Board鈥檚 AP Capstone Program and serves as an adjunct professor at Concordia University Chicago.

Since 2005, Schuett has served as the head varsity softball coach at Leyden, where his teams have set school and state records and earned multiple championships. He is particularly proud that 60 of his former players have gone on to compete in collegiate softball while earning degrees鈥攕even of whom began their journeys at 乱伦社区.

Schuett was named the Illinois Coaches Association Softball Coach of the Year in 2024 and previously coached a team that earned national recognition from ESPN as a Fab 50 Girls Softball Team in 2012. In addition to his achievements as an educator and coach, he is an accomplished writer, with widely published short stories and poetry. He was nominated for the Pushcart Prize and is the author of the dystopian novel Insurgency and the academic book Beyond Digital Distraction: Educating Today鈥檚 Cyber Student (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024).

The 乱伦社区 Education Hall of Excellence award has been given annually to alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally in the field of education, brought honor to 乱伦社区 and/or made significant contributions to the college and/or their community. The award was established in 2007.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.

The event will be introduced by Lexi Tekell, president of Women of Promise, who will welcome attendees and introduce the speakers.

Durst, a 1996 graduate of 乱伦社区 and former dual-sport athlete in softball and basketball, currently serves as the Northeast Missouri area representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is also the junior varsity and assistant varsity coach at Quincy Notre Dame High School in Quincy, IL. With over 25 years of experience in teaching and coaching, Durst has built lasting relationships with athletes and coaches across the Tri-State region and beyond.

Niemann 鈥� a Canton, MO, native and a Western Illinois University graduate and former collegiate basketball standout 鈥� currently leads student-athlete development at Clemson University. She oversees leadership and personal growth initiatives for athletes, manages community engagement efforts, and serves as the secondary sport administrator for Clemson Men鈥檚 Basketball. Niemann is the founder of the POWER Women鈥檚 Leadership Academy, the only program of its kind in the country, and has raised nearly $3 million to support student-athlete development programs.

The evening is free and open to the public and will include remarks from each speaker, followed by an audience Q&A session:

• 7 p.m. 鈥� Welcome and introductions by Lexi Tekell
• 听7:05鈥�7:20 p.m. 鈥� Jennifer Durst: Reflections on her high school sports career and her current work with FCA
• 7:20鈥�7:45 p.m. 鈥� Tori Niemann: Insights on her career in collegiate athletics and the POWER Women鈥檚 Leadership Academy (NOTE: Tori will be sharing her story via video conferencing).
• 7:45鈥�8 p.m. 鈥� Q&A with attendees
• 8 p.m. 鈥� Closing remarks by Lexi Tekell

For more information, contact C-SC Marketing & Public Relations at pr@culver.edu.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.

Swain will share his insights and experiences in public affairs, strategic communications, and leadership across higher education, government, and the private sector.

Swain is the Assistant Vice President for University Communications at Harvard University, where he leads communications strategy and issues management for the nation’s oldest institution of higher education. His work helps advance Harvard鈥檚 mission in teaching and research through collaborative efforts across the University.

From 2009 to 2013, Swain played a significant role in shaping President Barack Obama鈥檚 economic recovery efforts following the Great Recession. He served as Assistant Administrator for Communications and Public Liaison at the U.S. Small Business Administration and later as Chief of Staff to SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills, a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Swain鈥檚 career in public service also includes key communications roles for U.S. Senator Evan Bayh, Indiana Governor Joseph E. Kernan, and Indiana First Lady Judy O鈥橞annon. In 2008, he served as communications director for Hillary Clinton鈥檚 Indiana primary campaign and Barack Obama鈥檚 historic general election win in Indiana.

In addition to his government service, Swain has led strategic communications and external relations for private sector organizations including Angie鈥檚 List (now Angi) and FedBid, Inc.

A native of Kennett, Missouri, Swain earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism from 乱伦社区 and a master鈥檚 in public relations from Ball State University.

The Kraus Lecture series holds special significance at 乱伦社区, established by Joe W. Kraus in loving memory of his wife, Kathryn Elizabeth (Betsy) Curtright Kraus. Both Joe and Betsy Kraus were alumni of 乱伦社区, with Joe earning undergraduate degrees in English and library science.

About 乱伦社区
乱伦社区, 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.