McCollom receives Excellence in Public Affairs award

Jason McCollom, center, associate professor of history and chair of the arts, humanities and social sciences department at Missouri State University-West Plains, received the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Public Affairs from the MSU Board of Governors. The award recognizes university employees for ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. Each recipient receives $1,500 to support research, professional development or public affairs initiatives. McCollom works with the Ozarks Heritage Research Center and Ozarks Studies Symposium, connecting academic research with public audiences through partnerships, archival work and student projects. With McCollom are MSU Board of Governors members Lynn Parman, left, and Travis Freeman, right.