The Ragtag Film Society’s Board of Directors has added two members and elected new officers for its 2021 fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2020. 

Returning to the board is Dr. Stephanie Shonekan, Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Science and Professor of Music at the University of Missouri. Dr. Shonekan previously served on the RFS board from 2015-2018, but resigned when she took a position at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she was the professor and chair of the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies. 

About her return, Dr. Shonekan said, “During my two-year sojourn in Massachusetts I was constantly asked about Ragtag and the True/False Film Fest! I’m excited to rejoin the RFS Board at a time like this because it gives us the opportunity to be creative and to envision innovative ways of reengaging with our community through the stellar programming for which we are so well known.”

The board also welcomes a new member, the former (retired) Director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, Dan Lennon. Lennon relocated to Columbia in 2012 just prior to leaving his previous position as Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations for the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

A tourism marketing executive with decades promoting brand experiences, Lennon says, “Given Ragtag and True/False’s constant evolution and, in particular, the new challenges brought on by social, political, environmental, and public health issues locally and around the world, this is clearly an important and exciting time to be part of making decisions to guide RFS to continued success in the future.”

At the September meeting, the board voted on a new slate of officers, who would make up its Executive Committee for the 2021 fiscal year:

President, Gary Oxenhandler, Attorney at Law, Evans & Dixon, and retired Circuit Court Judge

Vice President, Carol Hurt, retired, State of Missouri

Treasurer, Michael Lefebvre, Investment Analyst, Shelter Insurance

Secretary, Betsy Garrett, Professor Emerita of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine

Past-President, Shon Aguero, Chief Banking Officer at Freedom First

Said Judge Oxenhandler, “In Columbia, we are very proud of our Ragtag Cinema and True/False Film Fest. Though it’s a challenging time for the movie business, we’ve assembled a strong, nimble leadership team. With the continued support of our staff, our volunteers and our community, we look forward to our return to the safe, full houses of the past.”

No members of the board are cycling off in this fiscal year, so the additions bring the total to 18 members, including two ex-officio members, one representing Bonavita Enterprises and one representing True/False Film Fest. For background information, see the RFS history page of the website.