In his new book, White Masculinity in the Recent South, Trent Watts examines the way southern men have been represented in pop culture since World War II, from southern Protestant churches to the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The idea grew from Watts’ interest in the 20th century South.

Yinfa Ma, Curators’ Teaching Professor of chemistry, received the 2008 J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education from the American Chemical Society’s division of analytical chemistry.

Hirtz to lead design centerPaul Hirtz, EMgt’95, MS EMgt’97, PhD EMgt’02, assistant director of the Student Design and Experiential Learning Center, was named interim director of the center. He took over the new role on Nov. 26.

Led by senior Michelle Rader, a team of S&T aerospace engineering students is trying to improve the speed of construction in space.

Don’t let barriers get in the way of future success, Joan Woodard, Math’73, told a group of nearly 600 graduating seniors during December 2008 commencement.

David Van Aken, professor of metallurgical engineering, was named Curators’ Teaching Professor of materials science and engineering during commencement Dec. 20. He joined the Missouri S&T faculty in 1993.

Ten honorary professional degrees were awarded during the Dec. 20 commencement exercises.