DR. AYA KUBOTA, professor of American literature at Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo, Japan, receives a locally-made pillow sham, quilted lap blanket and a Grizzlies coffee mug from Dr. Phillip Howerton, associate professor of English at Missouri State University-West Plains, at this year’s Ozarks Studies Symposium. Kubota joined Dr. John Han, professor of English and creative writing at Missouri Baptist College, to discuss “A Place of Restoration, Recreation, and Safety: The Ozarks in The Shepherd of the Hills, The Bald-Knobbers and The Witness” during the symposium Sept. 18-19 at the West Plains Civic Center. This year’s theme was “The Lure of the Ozarks.” (Missouri State-West Plains photo)
Award, gift handed out at Ozarks Studies Symposium