Lindenwood University College of Arts and Humanities

05/28/2026

✨ Celebrating Honors Graduate, Sofia Hernandez Otero! ✨

Since graduating in December 2025 with University Honors—Lindenwood’s highest academic distinction—Sofia has already begun shaping a brighter world. 🌍

With a degree in International Relations, certificates in GIS and Global Fluency, and minors in Geography and Public Health, she capped her Lindenwood journey with the prestigious 2025–2026 Rose Lyn Zanville Leadership and Character Award. 🏅

As an Honors Academy Student Ambassador, Sofia strengthened the that now define her impact—critical thinking, communication, leadership, empathy, and global awareness. Today, she brings those strengths to her role as a Project Coordinator with the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, managing Mental Health First Aid Missouri and equipping educators and professionals with essential support skills. 💛🧠

Reflecting on her journey, Sofia shared: “I am so grateful about my time at Lindenwood and happy to be recognized for all the hard work.”

Sofia’s story is exactly what the Lindenwood Honors Academy is built to cultivate. Our students design their own Honors journey, collaborate one on one with faculty, build meaningful mentorships, and complete enriched academic experiences that align with their passions.

Sofia, we are so proud of you! Your leadership continues to make an impact far beyond campus, and the community is lucky to have your voice and vision. 🦁💫

If you’re ready to go above and beyond, challenge yourself, and join a community of scholars who lead with purpose, the Honors Academy is here to help you build the future you imagine—and the one you haven’t imagined yet. 🌟

🔗LU Honors Academy: https://www.lindenwood.edu/academics/honors-academy/
🔗GIS certificate: https://www.lindenwood.edu/arts-and-humanities/human-culture-and-society/certificates/geographic-information-systems-certificate/ [Link in our bio]

05/26/2026

🎶 New Music Publication 🎶

We’re thrilled to celebrate the latest publication by Lindenwood University’s resident composer and Director of Bands, Dr. Trevor Frost — “Fantasia No.” 1 for alto saxophone and piano, published by Alias Press!

This piece marks the first installment in Dr. Frost’s “Fantasies for Wind Instruments” series, inspired by Vincent Persichetti’s iconic 25 Parables. It’s an exciting contribution to contemporary wind repertoire and a testament to the creativity thriving here in the College of Arts and Humanities.

At CAH, we believe true artistry comes from mastering both craft and creativity — the durable, transferable that prepare students for every future. Our music students learn from dedicated faculty like Dr. Frost, whose professional work models the excellence, innovation, and imagination we champion.

🎼 Interested in studying music at Lindenwood? Explore our programs, meet our faculty, and discover how CAH helps students tell their own stories through performance, composition, education, and more.

🔗Explore all our performing arts programs have to offer here: https://www.lindenwood.edu/arts-and-humanities/performing-arts/ [link in our bio]

05/22/2026

✨ Grow Your Language Skills with CAH! ✨

The Lindenwood University’s Language Lab (LARC11A) is where Spanish and EPP students build confidence, practice conversation, and strengthen vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and fluency — all with support from multilingual peers. 🌍

From tutoring and conversation partner sessions (a requirement for our Spanish minor) to the celebrations of holidays and festivals like Día de Mu***os, Las Fallas, to our first Hispanic Trivia Night, students experience language through community, collaboration, and fun! 🎉

For this past trivia night, students came together for Kahoot, Jeopardy, and conversation over churros, tequeños, and horchata — a wonderful example of experiential learning in action.

Thinking about a Spanish Minor? Students consistently share how prepared they feel following the completion of the program. As Lindenlink highlights:

“Many Lindenwood students—including Hammond and Davis—have expressed deep admiration for the university’s Spanish program… and the wide array of opportunities the program offers.”

📖 Read more from CAH student reporter Parker Kilen: https://lindenlink.com/staff_name/parker-kilen/

Ready to expand your world, your skills, and your future? Explore the Spanish Minor with the College of Arts & Humanities. 🦁

🔗 Learn more: https://www.lindenwood.edu/arts-and-humanities/english-language-interdisciplinary-studies/minors/spanish-minor/

05/21/2026

Congratulations to all our Lindenwood Honors graduates!

It was truly wonderful to recognize all 38 of these impressive students at the Honors Cord Ceremony, where each student received their cords and shared with us their favorite memories from their time at Lindenwood. The room was full of joy, pride, and the unmistakable spark that comes from students who have done the work, developed their , and are prepared for every future—even the ones not yet imagined. Their stories, reflections, and next steps remind us why these deeply human abilities—critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and empathy—are what set Lindenwood graduates apart from the rest.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Justine Pas (Professor of English and Honors Academy Director) and Dr. Travis McMaken (Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities) for helping bring this celebration to life, and to President John Porter, Provost Kathi Vosevich, and Jen Edler (Director of Alumni Relations) for their continued support of our honors scholars. Your leadership makes moments like this possible.

To our graduates, we are so proud of you! As you step into your next chapter, whether that’s graduate school, new careers, creative ventures, or opportunities still unfolding, we hope you’ll carry the magic of your Lindenwood experience with you. Keep in touch! We can’t wait to celebrate each of your accomplishments that are still ahead.

Here’s to your futures, Lions. Go make them extraordinary! 🦁✨

If you’re ready to follow in these amazing students’ footsteps, go above and beyond, challenge yourself, and join a community built around curiosity, leadership, and academic excellence, consider beginning your Honors Journey today.

🔗https://www.lindenwood.edu/academics/honors-academy/

📸 To view all original photos from the ceremony, visit out page or through the link in our bio.

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

Congratulations to all the students featured in this year’s Juried Student Exhibition, Awards Reception, and Student Art Market! With 163 artworks, 230+ attendees, and 18 student vendors, this event showcased the incredible talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of our Art & Design community.

A special shoutout to Julian Mohler, winner of Best in Show for The Passage of Time, and to all of our category award recipients. Your work reflects the innovation and artistic growth at the heart of CAH.

Thank you to juror Rachel Wilkins—founder of Conception Arts, host of the Smart Art Business podcast, author of Sell Out: The Definitive Guide to Selling Your Art Online, and a nationally recognized arts entrepreneur and cultural strategist—for sharing her expertise and supporting our students.

Ready to create, experiment, and grow with a community that champions your artistic voice and prepares you for every future? Join the Art & Design program at Lindenwood University.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.lindenwood.edu/arts-and-humanities/art-production-and-design/art-and-design-ba-bfa/ [link in our bio]

05/19/2026

Huge congratulations to Alyssa Hutchings (English, ’27) and Sophia Johnson (Art History, ’26) for presenting their research at the Meeting in the Middle undergraduate conference in Medieval & Renaissance Studies at UMBC!

Alyssa presented “Jasper Heywood: Translation, Morality, and Politics in Senecan Tragedy,” and Sophia shared “The Maquillage of Identity: Collaborative Portraiture Between Madame de Pompadour and François Boucher.”

Both projects grew out of coursework in Early Modern Literature and Eighteenth Century Art History, supported by faculty mentors Dr. Melissa Elmes (Associate Professor, English), Trent Olsen (Assistance Professor, Art History), and Dr. Justine Pas (Professor, English and Director, Honors College).

Conference organizer Dr. Larissa Tracy praised their professionalism, noting they were “a credit to their professor… very professional.”

Alyssa and Sophia reflected on the experience: ✨ “It was amazing!” — Alyssa ✨ “Everyone’s paper was brilliant… The level of scholarship was incredible.” — Sophia

For Alyssa, who plans to pursue graduate studies, considers this conference a meaningful step in her academic journey, solidifying her path toward medieval studies!

Interested in studying with faculty who champion student research and public scholarship? Join the College of Arts & Humanities at Lindenwood University and build the that prepare you for every future.

🔗 Learn more about the English BA: [link in our bio]

🔗Learn more about the Honors Academy: https://www.lindenwood.edu/academics/honors-academy/

05/18/2026

✨ Lindenwood Showcase 2026 Highlights! ✨

What an incredible day of scholarship, creativity, and community at the ’26 Showcase! Students and faculty shared powerful research, performances, and creative projects across campus — a true celebration of human centered learning and .

We’re proud to celebrate everyone from CAH who presented, specifically those who took home awards:
🏆 Kadence Berry (Philosophy and Religion BA; Honors Academy) — Exploratory Project Award (Oral) “Who Should Govern AI? Federalism and the Future of Artificial Intelligence Regulation.”
🏆 Aidan Byrnes (Music Business and Entrepreneurship BA) — Creative Project Award (Poster) “Artura”
🏆 Stephanie Greenhalgh (Writing Fiction MFA) — Creative Project Award (Oral) “A Twistedly Tragic Tale”

These students exemplify the creativity, rigor, and curiosity that define the College of Arts and Humanities. Their achievements, and the achievements of every presenter today, reflect the heart of our mission: empowering thinkers, makers, storytellers, and leaders who shape the world with empathy, adaptability, and critical insight.

And congratulations to our Honors Academy award recipients: Poster: Judah Davis, Brendan Finnery, Luisa Gonzalez, and Allison Schrumf. Oral: Ava Bilton and Piper Colantone

Thank you to all faculty, students, and supporters who made this day so meaningful.

This could be you next year! Join the College of Arts and Humanities and become part of a community where your ideas, creativity, and curiosity take center stage.
🔗[link in bio]

Here’s to another year of innovation, artistry, and academic excellence!

05/14/2026

Earlier in the spring semester, the Kappa Beta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at Lindenwood University proudly inducted 22 new members into the International English Honor Society. We were honored to welcome Young Adult author Shana Youngdahl as our guest speaker. Her thoughtful reflections on writing, activism, and the power of language offered inspiration to all in attendance. In recognition of her excellence as an author and advocate for English Language and Literature, she was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Kappa Beta chapter.

Membership in Lindenwood’s chapter reflects exceptional academic achievement and a deep commitment to the humanities. Undergraduate students—regardless of major—must complete at least two English courses beyond Composition I and II, rank in the top 35% of their class, and hold a 3.5 GPA. Graduate students must be enrolled in the MFA in Writing program and maintain a 4.0 GPA.

Beyond academic distinction, members of the Kappa Beta chapter engage in meaningful literacy initiatives each semester, including read a thons, essay writing bootcamps, book drives, and textbook exchanges. They also gain access to exclusive opportunities for scholarships, internships, publication, and paid leadership roles.

Congratulations to our newest inductees. Your dedication to language, storytelling, and human centered learning strengthens both our campus community and the broader world of English studies.

If you’re inspired by the power of language, creativity, and critical thinking, we invite you to explore all our amazing programs! Discover pathways that elevate your voice, sharpen your craft, and prepare you to lead with purpose in a world that needs thoughtful communicators more than ever.

🔗https://www.lindenwood.edu/arts-and-humanities/our-programs/ [link in our bio]

05/13/2026

✨ Celebrating Our Writing Center Leaders & the Power of the Humanities ✨

The Lindenwood University Writing Center team had the wonderful opportunity to attend the third annual Gateway Writing Center Conference at Saint Louis University —an energizing day dedicated to “Combatting Burnout and Complacency in the Writing Center.” The conversations were rich, the ideas were fresh, and the commitment to supporting student writers grew even stronger.

We’re especially proud of Writing Specialist and current master’s student Laura Reilly, who was selected to present to more than 75 attendees on “Mindfulness in the Writing Center,” a topic that speaks directly to the human-centered, student-first approach that defines our work in the College of Arts and Humanities.

Our tutors continue to embody the Lindenwood and CAH missions: preparing students for every future through Real Experience, Real Success, and the that matter in every field. Their engagement at this conference reflects the professionalism, curiosity, and care they bring to the Writing Center every day.

If you’re passionate about writing, storytelling, or helping others find their voice, explore the opportunities in our amazing English or Writing Programs!

🔗 English BA: https://www.lindenwood.edu/arts-and-humanities/english-language-interdisciplinary-studies/english-ba/
🔗 MFA in Writing: https://www.lindenwood.edu/arts-and-humanities/writing-mfa/
[link to our programs can be found through the link in our bio]