The University of Missouri Rural Sociology Department contingent in attendance at the Annual Meetings included rural sociology Ph.D. students Kenny Sherin and Faustine Williams; undergraduate minor in rural sociology and major in Biochemistry, Mariah Thomas; and faculty members David O’Brien, Jere Gilles, Steve Jeanetta,  Ken Pigg, Mary Leuci and Mary Grigsby.

POSTERS PRESENTED

Of the four poster awards two others, making a total of three, were won by Mizzou graduates now in faculty positions!

Alyssa Higgins, also an undergraduate minor in Rural Sociology and Biochemistry major collaborated with Mary Grigsby in presenting a poster entitled: “Content Analysis of Coverage of Culture in Introductory Sociology Textbooks.”

PAPERS PRESENTED

Graduate student Kenny Sherin presented a paper titled “Preparing for Rural Ministry:  A Qualitative Analysis of Curriculum used in Theological Education to Prepare Clergy for Ministry in a Rural Context,” that provided an overview of preliminary analysis that is part of his dissertation research.

Faustine Williams and Steve Jeanetta presented a paper providing insights into “Understanding the Life Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors after Diagnosis, Treatment and Beyond.”

Faculty papers included Rural Sociologist, Jere Gilles’ collaboration with Corinne Valdivia, a faculty member in Agricultural Economics, and others, sharing knowledge about “Women’s Participation in Marketing Decisions on the Bolivian Altiplano.”

Mary Grigsby presented a paper on “Ideas Held by Missouri Noodlers for and Against Legalization: Everyday Resistance and Social Action.”  Grigsby also served as a panelist for the Critics Meet Author session on “Those Who Work, Those Who Don’t: Poverty, Morality and Family in Rural America,” by Jennifer Sherman.

Mary Simon Leuci presented on “Engaging Legislators in Understanding of Context and Social, Demographic and Economic Changes.”

The Mizzou contingent made time for dinner out together too.

Photo of Mizzou winners together. From left to right: Phil Howard, Anna Kleiner, John Green, and Faustine Williams.

Photo of Mizzou winners together. From left to right: Phil Howard, Anna Kleiner, John Green, and Faustine Williams.

From left to right are Mary Grigsby, Kenny Sherin, Steve Jeanetta, Faustine Williams, Mariah Thomas, and David O’Brien after dinner at Fork, a Boise restaurant featuring local foods and beverages.

From left to right are Mary Grigsby, Kenny Sherin, Steve Jeanetta, Faustine Williams, Mariah Thomas, and David O’Brien after dinner at Fork, a Boise restaurant featuring local foods and beverages.

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Alyssa Higgins

Faustine Williams and Steve Jeanetta

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