THE MAGAZINE OF MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

SUMMER 2021 3 Hello, President Kennedy!

Help us look as good as we sound

Golden Griffons have marched millions of miles in uniforms purchased in 2005.

It’s time to boost the band with new threads, and YOU can march in step with us by visiting griff.vn/band. Our band represents Missouri 16 Western on the football field and SUMMER 2021 off during University and community 11 events. Sharp new uniforms provide SECTIONS FEATURES an opportunity to project our Griffon Pride! 5 Campus News 3 Hello, President Kennedy! 11 Griffon Sports Read about her journey to presidency and her hopes for the future. 19 Alumni News Partner with us to deliver the fresh 12 A Legacy for a Legend 27 AlumNotes new threads in time for the first Memorial scholarship to be established home football game! in honor of Tim Hoskins ’81. 16 Griffons Deliver at 30,000 Feet Alumnae were in the right place at the right time on a plane over the Pacific. 12

ON THE COVER 20 Leading by Example President Elizabeth Kennedy Lai-Monté Hunter ’99 walks us through his journey to becoming Photo by Joseph Presto Alumni Association President.

Missouri Western State University Foundation SPRING 2018 3 4525 Downs Drive | St. Joseph, MO 64507 foundation.missouriwestern.edu president’s PERSPECTIVE The MWSU Magazine is a ­publication for alumni and friends of Missouri Western State University and its predecessor institutions.

SUMMER 2021 Dear Friends, a safe and healthy environment for VOLUME 19/NUMBER 2 As you may recall, I was pleased our campus community. We believe to report in the last issue of the that it will be possible to provide our Editor magazine that we were able to finish students with an engaging, fulfilling Aubry Carpenter ’14 out the fall 2020 semester strong and and safe in-person, on-campus Design Editor in person. Once again, I am pleased to experience this fall. Kendy Scudder ’94 report that we were able to finish the There is much excitement in Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations spring semester in the same manner. the air as we eagerly look forward to Kim Weddle ’00 Despite the many challenges we the return of our cherished campus Contributors have faced, our Griffon community traditions. The Division of Student Kent Heier, Patti Long, Chrissy McCan, Ryan Menley, has worked tirelessly to provide Affairs and other departments are Alicia Otto ’20, Joseph Presto, our students with the high-quality collaborating creatively to plan a full Jennifer Stover education and collegiate experiences range of activities that can be held they expect from Missouri Western, safely either in person or in a more University President Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and I am most appreciative of engaging way virtually. Hundreds everyone’s efforts. of events are currently planned, Board of Governors Rick Ebersold, Chair As of this publication, we plan including many of our annual Kayla Schoonover ’77, Vice Chair to return to normal capacity in events which had to be put on hold PRESIDENT Al Landes classrooms, laboratories and other throughout 2020. Lisa Norton Lee C. Tieman campus spaces. This will allow us to One of those traditional Bob Wollenman ’72 convert many classes from hybrid/ events that we are planning for is KENNEDY! Hannah Berry, Student-Governor blended to 100% in person. It will also Homecoming. I invite you to join us allow us to move many larger classes on campus for Homecoming Week serving as Missouri Western’s Kennedy Missouri Western’s sixth president. It’s been Alumni Board AFTER Lai-Monté Hunter ’99, President back into regular classrooms, freeing (Oct. 10-16), which culminates in our interim president since July 2020, non-stop “go” ever since. Brian Gray ’90, Vice President up many of the campus meeting Homecoming football game against Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy was officially named Missouri A university presidency wasn’t on her list of career Mary Workman ’75, Immediate Past President rooms for other events. Northeastern State at 4 p.m. Saturday, Western’s sixth president in February 2021. goals when she graduated from Ruskin High School in Emily Baumann ’10, Marilyn Beck ’77, Importantly, however, we Oct. 16 in our beautiful Spratt From the moment she first stepped on campus to Kansas City. Like many teenagers, Kennedy wasn’t sure Linda Crabtree ’60, Jake Cunning ’16, will continue to follow science, Stadium. It’s sure to be an exciting interview for Missouri Western’s vice provost position what she wanted to do after graduation. Even though Jodi Deering ’01, Jaime Habersat ’99, James Jeffers ’73, Stacey Lawrence ’10, best practices and the latest time! in 2019, she knew it was a very special place. she and her sister were both enrolled in a local college, Leayn Losh ’88, Dennis Merritt ’01, recommendations from local, state Finally, I cannot thank you all “What I believe higher education should be all she wasn’t completely convinced that she had made the Kendell Misemer ’81, Natalie Redmond ’00, James Sanders ’84, Ralph Schank ’82, and national health authorities enough for your continued support about is embodied at Missouri Western, and I knew right decision. Meanwhile, her immediate family had Jordan Shadwick ’09, Janice Wallace ’98, in regard to the pandemic. Our for Missouri Western. Your support immediately that I wanted to become a part of this moved to Ohio, as her father had taken a new position Alexis Williams ’18, Tona Williams ’00 COVID-19 Response Team and of MWSU communicates to our institution and the Griffon family.” Everyone she there. At that point, a little homesick and unsure of members of our Physical Plant students, our faculty and our staff that encountered, both on and off campus, was so warm her future, she decided to move to Ohio to be with her Foundation Board continue working diligently to ensure our efforts have value, that you are and welcoming. “They say things happen for a reason,” family. She began school and started working on her Bill Grimwood, Chair Bob Wollenman ’72, Vice Chair invested in our success and that you she added, and to Dr. Kennedy, Missouri Western undergraduate degree. Pat Modlin ’88, Treasurer believe in our educational enterprise. has always felt like where she was meant to be. The After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Susan Pettigrew ’83, Secretary Dennis Rosonke, Immediate Past Chair And you’re telegraphing to the University’s history of welcoming students of all Psychology from the University of Akron (UA), she was community that MWSU is integral backgrounds was one of the attractions. “All any of us accepted into a Master’s-to-Ph.D. program at the same Ashley Albers, Kit Bradley Bowlin, to the success of our city, our county, need is an opportunity, and that’s what we provide at university. From there, she earned her Master of Arts in Eric Bruder ’93, Susan Campbell ’01, Ali Carolus, Wayne Chatham ’90, Jennifer Dixon ’89, our region, to our state and to our Missouri Western – the opportunity to achieve one’s Psychology, Graduate Certificate in Gerontology and Jason Grayson ’98, Darrell Jones ’88, nation. Those are incredibly powerful goals and aspirations,” Kennedy said. Doctorate in Psychology, Applied Cognitive Learning. Rodger Karn ’98, Jennifer Kneib-Dixon ‘89, Grace Link ’92, Todd Michalski ’93, messages which I deeply appreciate. Once in the role of vice provost, she shifted Kennedy’s graduate work launched her academic Brent Porlier ’82, Tom Richmond, Blake Schreck ’78, into high gear immediately. She focused on further career as she was hired by UA as an assistant professor Edward Stroud, Tom Tewell, Matt Thrasher ’95, Greg VerMulm ’89, John Wilson All my very best, implementation of Missouri Western’s strategic plan, of social sciences with a primary responsibility to including strengthening student success, creating oversee the university’s death and dying courses. new partnerships and expanding applied learning. She spent 17 years teaching undergraduate students Missouri Western Magazine Approximately six months after starting at Missouri across a variety of majors and participated heavily 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt Hall 105 Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy Western, she was named interim president, and a little in UA’s Institute for Life-span Development and St. Joseph, MO 64507 (816) 271-5676 Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy President more than seven months later, the Missouri Western Gerontology. Kennedy also worked as a bereavement [email protected] Missouri Western State University Board of Governors voted unanimously to name Continued on next page missouriwestern.edu/magazine

Missouri Western State University SUMMER 2021 is an equal opportunity institution. 3

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Kennedy’s personal life experiences, coupled with the firm belief in the importance of lifelong Provost retires; interim replacement named learning, have created her passion for her work today.

“I absolutely believe in the transformative impact that Dr. Doug Davenport, provost that has absolutely proven to be education, particularly higher education, can have for and vice president for academic the case,” Davenport said. an individual, his/her family, and our community as a and student affairs at Missouri As Missouri Western’s top whole. I’ve experienced it in my own life; I’ve witnessed Western State University, retired academic official, Davenport led it in my students’ lives, and I’ve seen the positive June 30, 2021. Missouri Western’s pivot away reverberations in many communities.” “During a time of transition from face-to-face learning during According to Kennedy, Missouri Western’s and unprecedented challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic, and relentless commitment to student success and the Doug has provided outstanding has led the planning efforts institution’s dedication to enriching and empowering leadership,” said Dr. Elizabeth for the University to return to our students is yet another hallmark of distinction. Kennedy, Missouri Western’s a more traditional on-campus president. “Not only is he part of environment this fall. With this in mind, it’s clear why her goals of Dr. Marc Manganaro enriching the relationships between the University and the team that has found creative In his associate provost role, community are front-and-center in her work. solutions to the challenges we Davenport oversaw Missouri Welcome, The opportunity to join Missouri Western was faced, he has overseen many of Western’s accreditation efforts, incredibly enticing to Kennedy. Also, after being away the strategic initiatives that will including the reaffirmation of Marc Manganaro from her family for so many years in Ohio, she wanted help lead Missouri Western into accreditation by the Higher to get back to the Kansas City area to be closer to the future.” Learning Commission in 2017. Dr. Marc Manganaro has been Dr. Kennedy meets with Missouri governor Mike Parson on campus. her loved ones and friends still in the region. She was Davenport came to Missouri He also led the team that appointed interim provost and vice attracted to Missouri Western’s position of vice provost Western in 2015 as associate developed Missouri Western’s president for academic affairs. specialist for a local hospice agency, providing grief because there was a “complete overlap” with academic provost for research, planning strategic plan, “Pathways to Manganaro has more than education workshops and engaging in various hospice programs she had worked with previously. Additionally, and institutional effectiveness. He Excellence.” 25 years of experience in higher programming. Missouri Western’s applied learning mission, became interim provost in July Davenport earned a Bachelor education administration. Most Beyond being a professor, Kennedy also held a abundance of opportunities for hands-on learning, 2018, and was named to the post of Arts from Central Bible recently, he completed a 16-month variety of positions at the University of Akron, which and, “just the complete commitment of faculty, staff, on a permanent basis a year later. College (now Evangel University), appointment as interim provost allowed her to develop solid administration skills in and administrators to support student success,” were “I knew from the moment a Master of Public Administration at Spring Hill College in Mobile, diverse academic settings. She definitely institutional qualities she I interviewed here that Missouri and doctorate in Political Science Alabama. He served for five years as provost and vice president for served as a department chair, In her own words could connect with. Western was the place for me, and from Texas Tech University. TO ALUMNI academic affairs and one year as associate dean, dean of two Although Kennedy’s time at “I appreciate your continued engagement with special advisor to the president at colleges (College of Applied Missouri Western has been marked the University. You are the best role models for Loyola University New Orleans. Science and Technology; College by uncertainty, she is ready to look our current students, who look to you, our alumni He has also held administrative of Health Professions) as well to the future. Kennedy believes and faculty positions at Gonzaga as on many committees and and graduates who have gone on to do so many that we have many positive areas to University and Rutgers University- task forces, including service impressive things. When I spoke at the Alumni be very excited about at Missouri Board Retreat in person, I had the opportunity to New Brunswick and served as a in the faculty senate as an Western. “We’re launching new consultant on academic program meet everyone and to hear about their Missouri executive committee member. programs, expanding applied initiatives at Balamand University Further, Kennedy also served Western stories and to learn why Missouri Western learning, connecting with our in Lebanon. in UA’s American Association is so precious to them. It’s so important to me that community, enhancing our campus Manganaro earned a Bachelor of University Professors Akron our alumni know how much they are appreciated grounds, returning to some of our of Arts in English from the Chapter, first as a member of the and how important their work is to us.” campus traditions that we had to University of Nebraska-Omaha, negotiation team for two collective cancel last year. With our students a Master of Arts in English from bargaining agreements and then returning back in person this fall, San Francisco University and a as the Chapter’s grievance officer for a little over three there is just “so much energy building. I’m very eager to doctorate in English from the years. She believes her broad experiences have provided see what the next year will bring.” University of North Carolina. her invaluable perspectives from both a faculty member “Truly, the sky’s the limit for what we can do and He started his duties at as well as from an administrator viewpoint. “While where we will go at Missouri Western,” she said. And Missouri Western on June 21. my background may not be unique, it has given me with Dr. Kennedy in the lead, we intend to soar. a rich history and unique skill set to do this job,” she stated. Dr. Doug Davenport

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 4 SUMMER 2021 5 campus NEWS campus NEWS

Two Governors appointed to Board Foundation hires new interim senior executive director Jean Ahwesh has joined the Fairmont State of the Executive On Feb. 25, 2021, said, noting Barbara Sprong, was Missouri Western Foundation University Foundation Course in Technology Bob Wollenman ’72 nontraditional and Norton’s mother, team. She began her position as and the University of Commercialization and Lisa Norton were first-generation her first employer, interim senior executive director Pittsburgh’s Children’s from the Donald sworn in to six-year students – like and the woman she of the Missouri Western Hospital Foundation. H. Jones Center for terms as Missouri himself – are near unequivocally counts Foundation July 6. Ahwesh has a Entrepreneurship Western Board of and dear to them. as her hero. Sprong Ahwesh has 30 years of Master of Business at Carnegie Mellon Governors members. “Our education believed in service experience in philanthropy, Administration University and is a Both are eager to serve and interaction to the community, including leadership positions in Marketing and Certified Fund Raising the University and use with others while and instilled that at West Virginia University’s Management from Executive (CFRE). their experience to we were students sense of duty and Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Waynesburg University Ahwesh will provide Jean Ahwesh continue to advance Bob Wollenman ‘72 helped formulate Lisa Norton commitment in her Louisiana State University’s and a Bachelor of Arts staff with outstanding Missouri Western, who we are. Connie children. “Serving Pennington Biomedical Research in Sociology and Social Welfare leadership as the search for a as they are both and I both enjoy serving the as a Governor is an honor for me Foundation, the Keystone from West Virginia Wesleyan permanent leader commences. St. Joseph residents with MWSU community and are and a job I take very seriously,” Foundation, Operation Smile, College. She is also a graduate deep-rooted connections to extremely committed to various Norton said. the University. organizations at the University,” Norton is also a former Wollenman graduated he said. professor at Missouri Western, from Missouri Western with a In 2017, Wollenman was which gives her a comprehensive marketing degree. He and his named Entrepreneur of the Year view of the University and wife, Connie ’72, own Deluxe by Missouri Western’s Center student interaction. Norton Truck Stop in St. Joseph, are for Entrepreneurship. hopes to continue to build community leaders and are Norton, president of greater connections between the staunch advocates for the BioZyme, Inc., also has strong University and community. “I have University. “We [Missouri ties to the University. She takes always felt like the University Western] play a key role in on this role with an additional was a gem that few who live serving those that might not sense of pride and obligation. in northwest Missouri truly otherwise have an opportunity The first woman chairperson understand as such,” she said. for a college education,” he of the Board of Governors, Harris named dean of Science and Health Dr. Crystal Harris as coordinator of director of the Department of has been named dean of our response to the Nursing and Allied Health, the College of Science COVID-19 pandemic. then became associate dean and Health. She has She deserves much of the School of Nursing and served as interim dean of the credit for Health Professions. As interim since the college was helping our campus dean, she helped establish two Previous Convocation speakers include: created one year ago. successfully navigate new undergraduate programs: 1993 Arthur Schlesinger Jr. 2002 Joseph Nye 2011 Thomas Friedman “Dr. Harris has through unprecedented cybersecurity and respiratory 1994 Jeane Kirkpatrick 2003 David Gergen 2012 T. Boone Pickens served Missouri challenges.” therapy. 1995 Cancelled (Colin Powell) 2004 Bob Woodward 2013 Doris Kearns Goodwin Western with Harris came to Prior to coming to Missouri 1996 David McCullough 2005 J. C. Watts 2014 Douglas Brinkley distinction for more Missouri Western in Western, Harris worked in the Dr. Crystal Harris 1997 Colin Powell 2006 Steve Forbes 2015 Tom Ridge than 20 years,” said 1999, beginning as a St. Luke’s Health System for 1998 Bill Bradley 2007 Sam Donaldson 2016 Cokie Roberts Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, nursing faculty member. 13 years, starting as a nurse and 1999 Jerry Linenger 2008 James Carville & Mary Matalin 2017 Martin Luther King III Missouri Western’s president. In 2013, she became coordinator finishing as director of St. Luke’s 2000 Patricia Schroeder 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 2018 Chris Wallace “Most recently, in addition to her of Missouri Western’s RN-to- Northland Home Care and 2001 Daniel Schorr 2010 Newt Gingrich 2019 Jon Meacham duties as interim dean, Dr. Harris BSN program. In the summer of Wright Memorial Home Care. 2020 Cancelled has provided invaluable leadership 2016, she began serving as interim

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 6 SUMMER 2021 7 campus NEWS campus NEWS

The Xi Omega Chapter of the International Honor The Nu Eta Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the Dr. Teddi Deka was honored for nine years of service Campus Kudos Society for Education, Kappa Delta Pi, initiated three international honor society in geography, welcomed three as honors director at the spring 2021 Honors Medal new members, Melissa Berger ’21, elementary education; new members, Konner Larkin, Tanner Merwin and Ceremony. Tori Brock, early childhood education and Tanner Bailee Romaker. Romaker was also given the Excellence Biology major Esther Par has won the prestigious Stan Merwin, history education; and honored outstanding in Geography award. Raechel Tittor ’21 was awarded the Directors Award for Hudson Research Grant Award from the Missouri graduates Kennedy Chavez ’20, early childhood her service as a student employee in the honors office at Native Plant Society for her research on the evolutionary education; Victoria Vaughn ’21, elementary education Wildlife conservation and management major Alyka the spring 2021 Honors Medal Ceremony. diversification of the temperate North American false and Emily Zawodney-Walkup ’21, secondary/K-12 Zahnd was awarded the prestigious American Society Dr. Gary Clapp, associate professor in the Department foxgloves plants with endangered prairie native species education. of Plant Biologists Summer Undergraduate Research which she is conducting with Biology Assistant Professor Fellowship Award for 2021. of Chemistry and director of the Kit Bond Science Dr. Tilo Roy. Seven students graduated in May with American and Technology Incubator, was credited with two U.S. Chemical Society Certification of their chemistry The History Department has awarded Kendra Carman, patents (10,729,673 and 10,993,927) for the synthesis Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Csengele Barta degrees: Leo Derr, Matthew Edlin, Kindall Henning, Adrian Dodson and Jordan Holkesvik the James R. and pharmaceutical applications of taxane particles. has been awarded the 2021 Primarily Undergraduate Emily Holland, Christopher Holcomb, Jacob Koonce Jordan History Honors Award; has awarded Shannon Biology faculty Dr. Tilo Roy was the plenary speaker Institutions Award of the American Society of Plant and Amanda Scoular. Evans, Tycen Gray, Jordan Holkesvik, Tanner Merwin Biologists. and Josian Schmedding the Scholastic Key Award for at the 38th Symposium and Annual Meeting of the The following students won Chemistry Department excellent GPAs, and has initiated Shannon Evans and Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines. Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Julie Jedlicka awards for the spring 2021 semester: Leo Derr, Edgar Brian Salsberry into the historians’ honor society, Phi Sally Gibson, library director, was elected as the vice conducted research at Spring Mountain Vineyard in C. Little Outstanding Chemistry Graduate Award; Alpha Theta. president/president-elect of the MOBIUS Board of St. Helena, California concerning the impact of bluebirds Cameron Hal, William Rosalee Medical Technology Directors. as pest control. Her research can be seen in a video on Award; Jessie Wright and Kendall Henning, Pam Klaus ’03, director of the Craig School of YouTube: griff.vn/bluebirds. Business Center for Franchise Development, has been Department of Chemistry Student Service Award; Austin Holmes, Elaina Jones and Dana Eplett Munaa Mbarak and Marlen Munoz-Franco, Len awarded the Missouri Business Education Association’s Seniors Heather Sadler, RHIT, HCS-D and Kimberly submitted artwork that was accepted into the Archer Chemistry Graduate Student Award; Nelson Northwest District University Educator of the Year. West, RHIT, were awarded two $300 student National Undergraduate Juried Exhibition at the Maxey, Zweerink Physical Chemistry Scholarship scholarships at the Missouri Health Information Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph. Award; Kyle Roller, American Chemical Society Management Association Annual Business Meeting for Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry; Bowyn their work in Missouri Western’s Health Information Ziebarth, American Chemical Society Undergraduate Management program. University sees funding increase from State of Missouri Award in Organic Chemistry; Kindall Henning, After several years of flat or decreasing funding, the Missouri Western also received a total of more than Associate Professor of Geography Dr. Dawn Drake American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award 2021 Legislative Session that concluded in May brought $3 million in capital improvement funding from House released the second edition of her book, “A Profile of the in Inorganic Chemistry; Jacob Koonce, American some good financial news to Missouri Western State Bill 12. The total includes $644,000 for improvements Farm Machinery Industry: The Power to Help Farmers Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Physical University. to Scanlon Hall, the residence hall that houses incoming Feed the World,” from Business Expert Press. Chemistry, and Catherine Cates, Missouri Western State University Award for Excellence in Biochemistry. Lawmakers approved a 3.7 percent increase in core freshmen and serves as the summer home of the Kansas Members of Missouri Western’s Lambda Chapter of funding to Missouri’s public universities. For Missouri City Chiefs during its annual training camp. HB12 also Alpha Chi National Honor Society won second place in The Missouri Western Model Arab League Delegation Western, that will mean an additional $823,123 for the included $2.5 million for general capital improvements the collaborative research team competition at the Alpha consisting of students Max Miller, Darby Hay, Jordan fiscal year that began July 1, 2021. on Missouri Western’s campus. Chi National Convention for their project, “Sterilization Miller, Tate McCoy and Sara Mosley, were named The good news didn’t stop there. House Bill 3, the “Our local and area legislative delegation always and the State: The Impact and Modern Remnants of Outstanding Delegation in Political Affairs at the 2021 appropriations bill for higher education, also included fights hard on Missouri Western’s behalf, and we are the Eugenics Movement.” Members include Hannah Great Plains Model Arab League virtual meeting. funding for the Department of Higher Education and extremely grateful for the additional funding that we will Berry, economics and English; Julia Stolfus, social work; Workforce Development’s GEER Excels initiative, receive in the coming fiscal year,” said Steve Johnston, The Department of Social Sciences and Humanities Jordan Holkesvik, history education, Matthew Bobela, which uses federal COVID-19 relief money to fund director of external affairs. recognized two students for academic success in political music education; and MacKenzie Grantham, biology/ projects that will allow public institutions to continue One other development that may affect Missouri science: Max Miller was recognized as the Outstanding health sciences; mentored by Dr. Angela Haas, history. to provide educational services to students, support Western’s finances in the future: public institutions Senior in Political Science and Dillon Schreckler was the ongoing functionality of the institution and drive of higher education will be permitted to exceed the Madeline Rislow, assistant professor of art, and Dr. Pam recognized as the Outstanding Graduate in Political progress toward recovery from the economic impacts limitation on tuition increases currently established by Clary, associate professor of social work, won the Spring Science. of COVID-19, either in terms of meeting specific the Higher Education Student Funding Act (HESFA) Advisor Shout-Out Awards from the Student Success workforce needs or removing barriers to student success. starting July 1, 2022. Since 2008, HESFA has limited and Academic Advising Center. For Missouri Western, GEER Excels will provide more tuition increases to no more than the change in the than $440,000 to help launch the University’s new consumer price index for the preceding year. bachelor’s degree program in respiratory therapy.

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 8 SUMMER 2021 9 campus NEWS griffonSPORTS

Program additions support workforce needs Spring 2021 athletics recap Missouri Western is adding Graduate School at Missouri theatre, or grades K through 12 several new programs to meet Western. “Graduates of our in art, music-instrumental, music- An unprecedented spring, student demand and the workforce program will earn initial State vocal, physical education and 2021 saw the full-swing return needs of northwest Missouri. of Missouri teacher licensure in Spanish. of Missouri Western Athletics as A new master’s degree secondary school subject areas For more information, a whole, which brought forth a beginning this fall will address along with their master’s degree.” visit missouriwestern. handful of historic firsts. the region’s teacher shortage. The Master of Arts in edu/education/mat, email Griffon men’s and women’s Students who successfully Teaching-Secondary program is [email protected] basketball maneuvered their complete the Master of Arts in designed for college graduates or call the Graduate School way through uncharted waters Teaching-Secondary (M.A.T.) will with degrees in a secondary at (816) 271-4394. of weekly COVID-19 testing, be certified to teach a secondary school curriculum area. It equips Missouri Western has also shutdowns and quarantines and school subject in Missouri. students to be effective teachers, received approval for two new managed to play every game on “The Master of Arts in professionally prepared to educate bachelor’s degree programs with their 2020-21 schedules, which Teaching provides a great a diverse student population. growing workforce demand – laid the foundation for the Hanna Williams prepares to run the 400-meter at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field opportunity for college graduates Graduates can be certified Bachelor of Science in Respiratory spring sports seasons to be National Championships in Allendale, Mich. Williams finished eighth in the race to become who might be looking to make a to teach grades 9 through 12 Therapy and Bachelor of played as normal. Missouri Western’s first-ever NCAA First Team Women’s Track and Field All-American. career change to enter the field in biology, business, chemistry, Science in Cybersecurity – But along the path to of education,” said Dr. Susan English, health, mathematics, and a certificate in Early “normal,” Griffon men’s basketball This spring also saw the program’s first-ever female All- Bashinski, interim dean of the social studies and speech and Childhood Education. brought back the “special,” fighting unveiling of women’s lacrosse, American with an eighth-place their way to the program’s first making Missouri Western the finish in the 400-meter dash at NCAA tournament appearance first public institution in the state the NCAA DII Nationals. A Dream Come True: ’21 graduate wins business competition in a decade. Guided by first-year to field a team. Griffon LAX GriffonGolf relied on head coach Will Martin, the made its historic debut on tradition to return to prominence

Hayden Glaubius ’21 ownership class this spring that The franchise awarded to Griffons also found themselves Feb. 26, defeating Culver- in 2021, with the men’s team first heard about Missouri prepared business plans for the Glaubius is the 32nd store to be nationally ranked for the first time Stockton 17-0 at Spratt Stadium. returning to the NCAA Western’s Center for Franchise store. Two finalists presented them awarded through the program. in nearly two decades. The Griffons, led by first-year tournament, and freshman Allycia Development while a student at to a panel of judges that included Alumni currently own 51 stores Spring 2021 saw every head coach Rachel Benzing, Gan advancing to the national Central High School in St. Joseph. Steven L. Craig and other business across the country, employing Griffon sport return to play in posted a 5-8 record in their championship round on the This spring, after competing in leaders, as well as representatives more than 600 people and some capacity – including the inaugural season. women’s side. the franchise competition and from Auntie Anne’s and alumni generating annual sales of traditional fall sports of soccer Track and Field added to Despite all of the challenges graduating from the Craig School franchise winners. approximately $29 million. and volleyball, whose seasons were its brief four-year history. Junior and obstacles of this unpredictable of Business, he was awarded an cancelled by the pandemic in 2020. Hanna Williams became the school year, Missouri Western Auntie Anne’s pretzel franchise. Jazmine Servance sprints by an opponent on Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The student-athletes maintained “It was always in the back their success in the classroom. of my head, and I was working freshman was one of five Griffons named All-Great Lakes Valley Conference in the women’s lacrosse team’s inaugural season. The spring semester saw a towards it, and now seven years department-wide 3.22 cumulative later, here we are today,” he said. grade point average, which is “Think about a kid that says, the highest cumulative GPA ‘I’m going to play major league in Missouri Western Athletics’ baseball’ when he’s 12,” said Seth history. Lyons ’08, one of the judges Fall 2021 is on schedule to and winner of the first franchise return to a normal routine, with competition in 2009. “He’s our Griffon football making its return major league baseball player. It’s pretty cool.” in September, and Kansas City Glaubius, a management Chiefs training camp having major, was one of 14 students in a returned to Missouri Western this summer. senior-level applied business Steve Craig, Pam Klaus ’03, director of the Craig School of Business Center for Franchise Development, and Hayden Glaubius ‘21 are pictured after the award announcement. - Contributed by Ryan Menley

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t’s the buzzer beater from brotherhood there. I wanted that, half-court, the 23-foot too!” So when Tim’s head coach, Rob I putt for eagle on the 18th Hicklin, offered Keith a full-ride hole, or for Parkville native and scholarship, he said, “Where do I Missouri Western graduate, sign?” Capt. Keith Hoskins ’88, it was Keith chuckled and added, being in the Spratt Stadium “Frankly, I wanted to be better stands watching his brother, than him.” Tim, six years his elder, make Keith radiated as he shared “the impossible catch.” other memories of growing up with “The Griffons were needing Tim. He smiled sheepishly as he told a big play,” Keith recalled. “We of how Tim taught him how to play had possession, but the stands G.I. Joe at age 7 and how much Tim were strangely silent. The ball loved music. “We would dress up was snapped for a post route and and play in our imaginary band. It Tim was in the end zone running was the old stuff – Elvis Presley, The full speed in one direction,” he Beatles. We would always be playing explained, drawing the route air guitar or air drums to that music,” in the air with his finger. “The Keith shared. quarterback zips a 30-yard pass, Tim Hoskins ’81 The lasting imprint that those but the ball is behind him. Then, memories of Tim and their shared somehow, Tim stops, leaps backwards, twisting in appreciation for Missouri Western is what inspired the air, completely defying the laws of physics, to Keith to initiate an endowed memorial scholarship catch the football. And the crowd just erupted!” in Tim’s name. Keith beamed. “Walking out of the stadium, I “Tim and I both had a tremendous opportunity remember people still in awe and asking, ‘How from Missouri Western in receiving both academic did he catch that?’” and athletic scholarships. They provided us with the This was a moment engrained in Keith’s resources, the skill set and the education to get out of A LEGACY FOR A memory when remembering his brother, Timothy L. college debt free so we could go out and do something Hoskins ’81. Sadly, Tim passed away on Jan. 21, 2021 with our lives,” Keith said. after a long decline in health. Certainly a legendary Tim completed his Bachelor of Science in play by the wide receiver inducted into the Griffon Business in 1981 and spent his career in social work, Hall of Fame in 1990, but according to Keith, Tim’s dedicated to the betterment of families and society. legacy goes much deeper. He worked for Boys Town USA in Omaha, Nebraska, “I learned so much about life and football from then later worked at Full Employment Council of LEGEND Tim. Yes, Tim was an amazing athlete, but Tim Kansas City. truly valued education,” Keith explained. “When “Tim always loved helping others. He was so he was put in the role of team captain, I remember loving, caring, giving and a great listener. He was You know that moment. him telling me stories about the responsibility, setting always a sounding board for me,” Keith explained. the example and of being a role model. I watched Keith graduated in 1988 with an electrical his transformation … His maturity and confidence engineering technology degree. Directly after, Keith It’s the making of a legend. sky-rocketed.” joined the U.S. Navy, completed Aviation Officer That transformation impressed Keith so much Candidate School and was designated a naval aviator that when it came time, he too would choose to in 1992, joining the elite team of demonstration pilot That snapshot of glory that gets etched seek his degree and play football for Missouri “Blue Angels” in 1999. He went on to earn a master’s Western. “Tim loved Missouri Western. He built a degree in national resource strategy and policy from in your memory bank for life. Continued on next page

Tim HoskinsMISSOURI ’81, WESTERNRodney Stephenson STATE UNIVERSITY ’81 and SUMMER 2021 12Marc Lewis ’82 pose at Spratt Stadium in 1981. 13 campus NEWS

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the Industrial College of Armed Forces in 2012 and Dr. James E. Sanders ’84 became commander of NAS Pensacola in March 2013. Griffons in the (Production) House He spent 27 years serving our country. Keith currently Tim, you were my first big lives in Pensacola, Florida and is the executive vice As the state’s designated Applied Learning The possibility for collaboration with Missouri time player that I got to president of branch operations for the Navy Federal University, Missouri Western is uniquely positioned to Western’s research students is impressive, too. Through come to MWSC. Watching Credit Union. offer opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. another affiliate, Griffon University, students produce you play was out of this “I’ve always wanted to get to a place in my life where These hands-on experiences enable students to grow, videos of Missouri Western research in short, easy-to- world. I know you will be I have the resources to give back to Missouri Western. explore and ultimately grasp how the knowledge they digest formats that can be easily consumed in today’s making big time catches With my brother’s passing, there was a clear opportunity learned in the classroom works outside the walls. fast-paced, digital world. in Heaven. Your days as to turn something bad into something good … to help One such opportunity emerging from Potter These productions rely heavily on greenscreen, a Griff will always be future MWSU students in the same way that we had Hall, but available to students of all disciplines, is motion graphics and visual effects. Post-production remembered. Praying for been helped. So now [in this scholarship] Tim’s legacy … Griffon Production House (GPH). Originating from visual effects are the essence of the third affiliate – you and your family. Tim’s name and the Hoskins name can live on forever in conversations between students and Fauxtoreality. “Visual effects [VFX] aren’t his spirit of helping others,” Keith said proudly. cinema professor Thomas Brecheisen, “Visual effects just spaceships and aliens,” Brecheisen said. “I believe it’s important that we all remember where GPH encourages students to hone their “VFX artists are the only artists who don’t we came from and give back,” he said. Keith went on to craft in cinematic arts, learn how to aren’t just want you to see their work. It should be say that he gives back to his parents in many ways, but work with others toward a common goal invisible to the audience to increase their explained that when it comes to institutions that have and see how pieces of the big picture fit spaceships suspension of belief.” helped to shape lives, “you can’t just pick up the phone together. “It’s a lot of fun,” Brecheisen and say ‘I love you. Thank you, College!’ No, at the end of Students from any major can and aliens.” added. “Students are learning these new the day, it’s a business. It takes resources. It takes people participate, with opportunities ranging techniques, and that makes our BAA truly remembering and giving back.” from production and camera operation - Thomas Brecheisen, unique across the country. We’ve infused MWSU cinema professor But is “legend” synonymous with “legacy?” By all to editing and special effects. With a [VFX] in our program so the students accounts, Tim is a football legend at Missouri Western. variety of projects, students can find an can start using it.” The unparalleled Forty years later, multiple football records still bear his opportunity that sparks their cinematic passion. opportunities provided to students through this name. But the reception yards and touchdown records GPH is truly a student-led applied learning program prepare them to enter the fast-paced career pale in comparison to the legacy, the emotional imprint, opportunity with three affiliates: GPH Live!, Griffon field upon graduation by keeping them up to date with he left on the people whose lives he touched. University and Fauxtoreality. industry standards. “Legacy doesn’t mean all the glitz, the glory, or all of GPH Live! films and produces video of live Ultimately, these students are using the techniques Rodney Stephenson ’81, Connie Hoskins, the accolades that go with the term ‘legacy’ in American performances on campus and in the community. they are learning in the classroom. And these Marc Lewis ‘82, and Tim Hoskins. culture. No, there are many ‘legacies’ out there – people Recently, to help overcome the restriction on live experiences afford a great advantage when starting that made a difference in their families or simply for audiences, more than a dozen Missouri Western their careers. people they’ve just met,” Keith said. “Legacy is touching students from cinema, music and art worked in “I don’t want them to be job-ready when they Marc Lewis ‘82 the lives of people in a way that forever changes people’s collaboration with A/V students from Central High graduate. Because of GPH, students will be job-ready lives.” Tim’s legacy lives on in Keith. It lives on in the School in St. Joseph on two video productions of before they graduate,” Brecheisen says. When going Tim, thank you for being lives of the kids he worked with at Boys Town. It lives Central’s musical, “The Addam’s Family.” for a job interview, he says he doesn’t want them to hear a friend, we had some on in all those he played football with. It lives on here “This was a sweet moment because we helped these “you’re hired,” but rather, “Where have you been good times in college that at Missouri Western, and because of Keith, Tim’s legacy wonderful students … share their hard work and talent all my life!?” I will never forget. I’m so will continue to be known to future generations of with their family and friends who couldn’t Although still in its infancy, GPH is certainly a happy we were able to students at Missouri Western. see them live,” Brecheisen said. “It’s one house we’re glad to have on our block! reconnect after all these For more information on how to contribute to the of my most cherished experiences, years. God speed my – Contributed by Patti Long Tim Hoskins Memorial Scholarship, please contact the and I’m very proud of our students’ friend, I’m sure you will be Missouri Western University Advancement department service to our community.” catching touchdowns at (816) 271-5670. in Heaven. - Contributed by Chrissy McCan

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 14 SUMMER 2021 15 campus NEWS Griffons Deliver at 30,000 Feet Flying from Kansas City to Honolulu takes a little over eight hours. Changing someone’s life forever takes mere minutes. Baby Raymond Missouri Western alumnae Lani Bamfield ’15 “Her sister-in-law yelling for help was the original and Mimi Ho ’18 recently helped change the life of announcement,” Bamfield said. She was talking about The “team” attending to Mounga and her 29-week “For the baby, at his age and size, to go as long as he Raymond Mounga – in fact, Lavi Mounga, who was also on preemie included Bamfield and Ho, their fellow NICU did without really any respiratory support was a big deal.” they actually helped his life a family trip to Hawaii, and her nurse Amanda Beeding, physician assistant Lindsey Bamfield said. “We were just kind of watching him the begin. The two registered family was about to get bigger. Maughan, and Dr. Dale Glenn, a family medicine doctor whole way and hoping for the best.” nurses are St. Joseph natives, Neither nurse hesitated when from Hawaii. It was a minute-by-minute situation When the pilot sent a flight attendant back to ask Missouri Western graduates they heard the call from behind where the entire team carefully tended to and watched if he needed to speed up, the response was a resounding and NICU nurses at North them on the large Delta jet that over mom and baby throughout the “YES!” He landed in Hawaii 45 minutes Kansas City Hospital. held nearly 300 passengers. remainder of the flight. Both nurses agree that they earlier than expected. Mounga and Baby While delivering Bamfield took off and Ho was Much like MacGyver on the TV definitely owe their professors Raymond were escorted off the plane babies is nothing new to just seconds behind her. show or the team behind the ill-fated first to much applause from the rest of either Bamfield or Ho, the “When her sister-in-law Apollo 13 flight, the team had to be and the program at Missouri the passengers and were immediately circumstances surrounding started screaming, she [Mounga] creative and fashioned life-saving Western a lot of credit – transported to Kapiolani Medical Center Baby Raymond’s arrival into was crowning, and by the time equipment out of what could be found Stephanie Stewart ’97, for Women & Children. The team were this world were a far cry from I got back there – maybe 30 on the plane. Shoelaces were used to able to visit Mounga and Baby Raymond the normal for either of these seconds later – she [Mounga] tie and cut through the umbilical cord, Dr. Christi Campbell and at the hospital and exchanged numbers. Griffons. The two friends was holding him already,” bottled water was microwaved to make Dr. Heather Kendall – Mounga texts them updates regularly. were on a birthday trip/ Bamfield said. a baby warmer and an Apple Watch to name just a few. Both nurses agree that they celebration to Hawaii. Mounga actually gave birth worked well to measure the baby’s definitely owe their professors and the “I decided to do travel in the tiny confines of the Delta heart rate. program at Missouri Western a lot of nursing, so we wanted to do a lavatory. A standard lavatory “I think we did the best we could with what credit – Stephanie Stewart ’97, Dr. Christi Campbell trip for my birthday,” Ho said. measures roughly 40” by 24 ½” we had, and I am thankful for the team that was there,” and Dr. Heather Kendall – to name just a few. They felt Since they had all been by 77” – definitely not the size Ho said. “I think we were definitely saying silent prayers incredibly prepared when they went out in the nursing vaccinated, Bamfield, Ho and of a typical delivery room. The throughout the entire flight because those babies can flip world, and they still remember what they learned from two friends were headed to delivery was not only a shock a switch just like that.” their instructors at Missouri Western. Hawaii (three of them were Lani Bamfield ’15, Mimi Ho ’18, Amanda Beeding along with mom, to the passengers – it was also Baby Raymond spent some time on the floor of They are confident in what they do because they all NICU nurses at North Lavi Mounga and baby Raymond. a shock to Mounga. When she the aircraft just feet from where Mounga had delivered do it for a living, and they received the best training Kansas City Hospital). Part boarded the plane for Hawaii, she him. Once he was stable enough, the team transferred from Missouri Western’s nursing program. But both of the way into the flight, the nurses had just woken had no idea she was even pregnant! One out of every 400 him to mom’s regular seat for some skin-to-skin love. agree they would much rather do it in a delivery up from a nap when they heard an announcement that pregnancies are cryptic, where the mother is not aware of But everyone knew they would be much happier when room than on an airplane. someone needed help. the fact that she is pregnant. mom and baby were safely delivered to the waiting hospital in Hawaii. - Contributed by Alicia Otto ’20

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 16 SUMMER 2021 17 campus NEWS alumni NEWS

Missouri Western serving with purpose From the Alumni Association President

Service has always been a Erica Dunn ’21 was one of Fellow Alumni, held on Oct. 15 and we hope to see you there! part of Missouri Western. The the first students to beta test It’s a great day to be a Griffon! Walking across campus and throughout the seal itself lists service as one of the program by signing up and Missouri Western State University buildings is complete nostalgia. Although the University’s key values, and completing three service credits. “I remains an institution committed the ability to revisit the past is present, the now students can receive up to really enjoy and value community to student success while fostering a visual signs of the future are quite impressive. three credits by serving 40 hours service, and earning school credits spirit of excellence. As an extension Each year, we work together to create new per credit and completing an seems like a win-win situation,” of the institution and valued partner, memories while reflecting on our past academic assessment. Dunn said. She focused her service the Alumni Association allows us experiences, which helped us become who Officially formed in January on children and spent the majority to maintain lifelong friendships and we are today. 2019 under the direction of of her service hours through establish professional connections We must evolve! As such, the Alumni Dr. Melody Smith ’87, the Mosaic Life Care Foundation’s among members of multiple generations. Board is working to establish a virtual Center for Service was emPowerU program. “I learned In collaboration with our beloved alma professional development program that will introduced to the students and that I have a really intense passion mater, we will achieve our goals as we be open to all alumni. Your attendance will the community in fall 2020, for serving and working for others. strive to engage, evolve and elevate allow you to expand your network while Lai-Monté Hunter ’99 after beta testing in the spring When I started serving, I was less during this vital season of the 51-year sharpening your skills for the workplace. In and summer. There was a need Kim Sigrist ’93, director of the Center for Service, collects sure about what I wanted my career existence of the Alumni Association. addition, we will integrate opportunities for for creative ways to serve the donations for the Campus Cupboard. to look like. As I went on, I really During our spring retreat, members of the you to insert your voice as we make every effort to community as COVID-19 began to understand that I wanted Alumni Board were able to speak with students achieve our annual measurable outcomes. played a large factor in limiting volunteering my career to look like serving and filling a need.” participating in our new esports program. The Griffon With your assistance, the Alumni Association opportunities as well as changing the on-campus So where does the Center for Service go from Esports Arena is amazing and has state of the art will elevate Missouri Western State University and environment to remote learning and availability of here? “As opportunities are starting to open up more, technology! Students reported that they were excited expand our reach across the country to potential students to serve. Students could choose from several finding additional partnerships in the community, and spent numerous hours in the Blum Student undergraduate and graduate students who will in the opportunities and activities that had been pre-selected continuing to build relationships with our students and Union joining the fun associated with competitive future refer to themselves as Griffons. As we enter by the Center. In addition, students could choose their to educate them about what the Center for Service gaming. In addition, we also visited the Campus into this next phase of our history, we look forward own service activity – from St. Joseph or their own does and the opportunities that are out there in the Cupboard. This is an outstanding resource within to the fellowship and lots of fun. Please remember to community at home – as long as it fell in line with community” is where Sigrist wants to direct her focus. the division of Student Affairs that provides canned share your fantastic news with us by completing an service to the community. The Center for Service has also created a G.I.V.E. goods and other nonperishable items. Many alumni alumni note with the Alumni Relations Office, and Kim Sigrist ’93, the Center’s current director, (Griffons in Volunteer Efforts) team to create internal and local businesses provided monetary donations know that there is much excitement to represent an was approached by Missouri Western’s president, partnerships and show Missouri Western as a whole the during the pandemic to assist those in need. institution committed to transforming lives! Dr. Kennedy, to lead the department. Kennedy was impact that is made within the community. How have you considered becoming engaged aware of Sigrist’s long-time involvement with the There will always be a need to serve the with the Alumni Association? As a Missouri Western Yours in service, University and in the community. Sigrist and Kennedy, community. There is also a need to educate new State University community member, we want to with backing from the Board of Governors, knew this generations about what opportunities are out there in ensure that you remain engaged at a comfortable program needed to continue to be a priority and wanted the community and to encourage students to serve after level. There are numerous opportunities for you to to see the Center succeed despite the challenge with graduation. volunteer and attend events in your local area or on Lai-Monté Hunter ’99 COVID-19. Smith emotionally reflects about the department campus. The annual Alumni Awards Banquet will be Alumni Association President The first chance to connect with students in a year after her retirement: “It gives me great joy to person and through social media was Random Acts know that’s my alma mater, that’s where I worked, of Kindness week in February 2021. Opportunities that’s where I was privileged to develop a program with included bringing to light the current service efforts on collaboration and input from many, many smart people. campus and offering stations to complete small service [The Center for Service] will continue to grow … to activities such as writing thank-you notes and painting focus on Missouri Western’s value of service.” kindness rocks. Several pop-up opportunities in Blum Union – Contributed by Jennifer Stover had also been well received by students throughout the semester. These were additional chances to reach This article has been edited for print publication. For more students who wouldn’t otherwise go and look for service details about the Center and its service projects so far, see the opportunities on their own. full article at missouriwestern.edu/magazine.

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 18 SUMMER 2021 19 alumni PROFILE

To get where he is today, Leading by example Hunter had to take that first, albeit scary, step away from home. When Lai-Monté Hunter ’99 beyond being first – it’s about His mother was sitting on the was considering college, there was how he’s been positioned to help bed crying as he was packing for a myth that African American organizations do something college. It was so monumental for men could not attain a four-year different, to be willing to accept him because he did not get it at degree. As a first-generation something different. Being an the time. Now, he thinks about college student, achieving that African American leader is a that each time he looks into the four-year degree became his culture shift from what we are face of a parent. immediate goal. used to seeing. He was voted When his mom cried as he While he was pursuing his in by his peers because he has packed, he thought, “You knew I degree, he felt that this was demonstrated that he is down was going to college; why are you only about his journey and for the cause. crying?” He gets it now. Hearing goals.“Later, I learned that it was But being the first in a his mother’s voice on the phone, Lai-Monté Hunter ’99 not just for me,” Hunter said. position is only the focus when he heard the memorable “It changed the trajectory of my temporarily. Quickly, the focus double ring of an outside call, that family.” That family included his switches to showing up in a way was located near Karl Bell ’92, was the motivation to know that mom, dad and three brothers, that has never been done before the director of multicultural he could do it. among many others, who are and making sure the organization education, who happened to be “We are an extension of the proud of his accomplishments. understands your perspective.“We the most influential person during students’ family and it really Unfortunately, neither of his then open the door for someone Hunter’s undergraduate years. means something to me,” parents are here to witness his else to do it after us,” Hunter said. When Bell was an admissions Hunter said. latest accomplishment. And what “We need to see ourselves, so we counselor during Hunter’s Because of the path that is his latest accomplishment? have an understanding that you undergraduate years, it wasn’t just Hunter has blazed, his younger On April 17, 2021, Hunter value diversity, and we also are about the work – it was about the brother and several nephews have was unanimously voted the first thinking about, ‘Hey, I have to do students being successful. all followed in his footsteps and African American president a good job,’ and give myself the Hunter also joined Alpha Phi received degrees. That is how of the Missouri Western State grace to do the job.” Alpha, the first intercollegiate overcoming the myth that African University Alumni Association Doing the job started early for historically African American American men cannot attain a Board of Directors. Hunter. He spent all four years fraternity, during his time as four-year degree changed the “I am a vessel – I am the first at Missouri Western serving in a Missouri Western student – trajectory of his family’s lives. but not the last,” Hunter said of one capacity something he He was the first but he his appointment. or another. “I am a vessel – I am the had dreamed certainly is not the last. He has been afforded the He spent four of since his opportunity to affect change. It’s years on SGA, first but not the last... sophomore - Contributed by Alicia Otto ’20 three years as a year of high senator and, in Being the first in a school. Upon his fourth year, joining, Hunter he became the position is only the received his first treasurer focus temporarily.” shingle, or for SGA. certificate, (Apparently, he - Lai-Monté Hunter ’99 of initiation. is a trailblazer!) Bell focused Missouri Western has been on what he called achieving full of firsts for Hunter. It is your “second shingle,” or college also where he had his first job degree. Showing mentorship, Top Left: Hunter with Engoma in higher education. In 2004- interest and investing in all of the Fataki ’20, SGA president, in 2019. Lower Left: Hunter with Dr. Vartabedian, 2005, he was hired as a first- students, Bell set an example that former MWSU president, in 2015. year instructor, and his office Hunter models to this day. Left: Karl Bell ’92 and Hunter present a check to the MWSU Foundation for the Top & Lower Right: 1999 yearbook photos Karl Bell Scholarship. MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 20 SUMMER 2021 21 alumni NEWS alumni NEWS

The MWSU Alumni Board welcomes two new members JAKE CUNNING In 2019, Cunning She resides in St. Joseph Jake Cunning ’16 was awarded the Alumni with her husband, Shawn, and is a human capital Association’s Great Griffon her daughter, Evelyn, who senior consultant Award for the Craig School of will be a sophomore at Bishop for Deloitte Business and Technology. LeBlond High School in the fall. Consulting in He is excited to be part of Shadwick is an active member Atlanta. Supporting the Alumni Board and hopes of the worship team at Grace clients within the to use his knowledge and talents Evangelical Church and enjoys consumer and life to help connect alumni back participating in community sciences industries, he to the University. theatre productions with works closely to develop strategies Robidoux Resident Theatre. to assess, manage and activate JORDAN SHADWICK As a student, she participated organizational and behavioral Jordan (Martinosky) in the Golden Griffon changes aimed at shifting the Shadwick ’09 is an Marching Band Color organizational culture. account manager at Guard, the Mystics Cunning also serves as the SJC Marketing in Dance Team, was a chief of staff for the Diversity, St. Joseph. She works member of Sigma Alpha Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to create and implement Iota International Music business development team at strategies while utilizing Fraternity and participated Deloitte where he is responsible marketing tactics to generate in theatrical productions. for the initial design and approach leads and achieve goals to improve As a proud Missouri Western to addressing the emerging DEI outcomes for her clients. graduate, Shadwick sees the value needs of clients. Prior to joining the SJC of Missouri Western as a pillar of Prior to joining Deloitte, Marketing team, Shadwick was a the community. She would like Cunning was the talent, learning talent services event coordinator at to see Missouri Western fully and organizational development Mosaic Life Care. embraced by the community specialist at Boehringer Originally from Nebraska City, and hopes that, as a member Ingelheim, USA. Nebraska, Shadwick graduated of the Alumni Board, she can Cunning, a native of with a Bachelor of Science in be a positive influence on past St. Joseph, received his Communication Studies – graduates to see continued growth Bachelor of Science in Business Public Relations. at Missouri Western. Administration – Management from Missouri Western’s Craig School of Business. SAVE As a student, Cunning THE DATE! worked in the President’s Office and says he loved his experience at Missouri Western State University Missouri Western. As an alumnus, he was a member of the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Homecoming & Network that planned Legacy Day during Homecoming week in 2018 – helping raise more Family Weekend 2021 than $10,000 and becoming the youngest member of the Clock October 15 -17 Tower Society, which honors donors who have made Missouri Western a beneficiary of their estate and financial planning.

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 22 SUMMER 2021 23 Congratulations Alumni Award Recipients

Teresa Fankhauser ‘79 Stephanie Stewart ‘97 Tom Richmond Krystal Graham ’13 Susan Campbell ’01 Gary Baumann ’09/’12 Distinguished Alum – Distinguished Faculty – Iffert Award –Tom Richmond Graduate of the Last Decade Great Griffon – Business Great Griffon – Teresa Fankhauser ’79 Stephanie Stewart ’97 Giving back comes easy (GOLD) – and Professional Studies – College of Science & Health – Gary Baumann ’09/’12 Teresa Fankhauser graduated Stephanie Stewart has for Tom Richmond; it’s in his Krystal (Potter) Graham ’13 Susan Campbell ’01 from Missouri Western with a been a registered nurse since DNA. The first recipient of this Krystal Graham earned a Susan J. Campbell is the head Gary Baumann earned his Bachelor of Science in Education 1997, having graduated with her award was his father, Dr. George Bachelor of Science in Biology of SJC Marketing, a full-service Bachelor of Science in Chemistry – Speech/Theatre. Bachelor of Science in Nursing Richmond, in 2007. – Health Sciences. She has marketing, communications and and his Master of Applied Science Fankhauser joined the from Missouri Western. Stephanie A lifelong community since used her education in both content company. A graduate in Chemistry, both from Missouri St. Joseph Allied Arts Council has worked in many areas of advocate, Richmond serves, or the animal and human health with a core focus on marketing, Western. in 2005 and currently serves as nursing, from medical-surgical has served, on the Board of regulatory industries – working Campbell brings more than 20 He serves as group leader for the executive director. She works to gerontological nursing. Directors for the Missouri Western for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal years in marketing, leadership and QA Investigations at Boehringer with local arts agencies, Missouri After taking an opportunity State University Foundation, Health and PATH, a global professional communications to Ingelheim Vetmedica. In 2021, he Western, the City of St. Joseph to teach in a licensed practical St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, nonprofit accelerating health her team. published his first science fiction and the St. Joseph School District nursing program, Stewart the Board of Trustees for the equity in low- and middle- In addition to her role book, “Convergence.” Baumann to foster the arts in St. Joseph. knew that nursing education Mosaic Life Care Foundation, income countries. with SJC Marketing, Campbell serves Missouri Western and the Her position includes working was where her heart was most the United Way Volunteer During her time at is also active in the local St. Joseph community through his with local, state and national happy. She began teaching in Center Advisory Committee Boehringer Ingelheim, Graham community, serving on a number volunteer efforts. organizations and agencies to Missouri Western’s prelicensure and has taken part in many other worked on the international of boards and committees for Upon graduation, Baumann affect positive changes for the baccalaureate program in community involvement endeavors regulatory affairs team, learning local organizations, including began working at BioZyme, a arts. August 2013. including Specialty Industries, the regulatory requirements for the Missouri Western State St. Joseph-area livestock nutrition Currently she is vice chair Stewart is currently pursuing Grace Evangelical Church, Japan, Russia, Australia, New University Foundation Board, and animal microbiology of the St. Joseph Downtown her doctorate and will complete Mosaic Quality Committee, Zealand and other emerging the Craig School of Business company. He continued to teach Community Improvement all requirements in May 2022. St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce markets for animal health Advisory Council, Rotary at Missouri Western for a few District and serves on the board She is a co-founder of (Economic Development), Sunrise biologics. International and the St. Joseph years where he could share his of the Missouri Association of the Freudenthal Center for Optimist Club, Valley Community Now at PATH, Graham Library Foundation Board. passion for science with students. Community Arts Agencies. Parkinson’s Disease, a nonprofit Food Kitchen, United Way of has shifted to human health and Campbell entered the Strategic In 2019, Baumann joined QA at Prior to joining the Allied organization that offers free Greater St. Joseph and Young Life. is currently a regulatory affairs Communication program with Boehringer Ingelheim. In March Arts Council, she served as programs to those diagnosed He currently serves as the officer where she provides expert the University of Missouri School 2021, he transitioned to his current managing director of the with PD. budget committee chair on the guidance throughout all phases of of Journalism in 2018, earning her role as group leader, Quality and Performing Arts Association of Missouri Western State University planning and subsequent clinical master’s in 2020. Compliance, Deviations. St. Joseph and co-owned the Ice Foundation Board and is a trials to gain World Health A St. Louis native, Campbell In April 2021, he celebrated House Theatre with husband member of the Western League for Organization Prequalification to now lives in Faucett, Missouri, his 12th wedding anniversary Erich Uhlhorn. Excellence and the Arts Society. address some of the most serious while her husband maintains the with his wife, Emily (also a Richmond has worked global health crises in low- and family farm. She is the mother chemistry department graduate). at Altec Industries since 1981 middle-income countries. of two children, one a college They welcomed their son, Bridger and is manager of Altec Parts She and her husband, graduate, and one currently Arcturus, into the world in Distribution. He and his wife Patrick, have two children and are pursuing her business degree. August 2020. Judy have four children and 12 located in the greater Seattle area. grandchildren. Continued on next page

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 24 SUMMER 2021 25 Congratulations Alumni Award Recipients Continued from page 25

and member of the Division II Colbert graduated in the spring. Legislation Committee. Majoring in business She served as a tutor for management and minoring in five nursing courses through the entrepreneurship, Colbert was Center for Academic Support all about being involved. He was and was named Golden Griffon named a two-time all-conference SAAC volunteer of the year in football player, along with being 2018-19. a two-time team captain. He was also a recipient of the Chris Faros Memorial Scholarship. He served as president of Dan Ramming ’97 Derek Coats ’02 Liam Nevin ’21 Mackenzie O’Neill ’21 his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, as well as peer mentoring during Great Griffon – Great Griffon – College of International Student of the Graduating Senior of the Year – his time with Missouri Western College of Liberal Arts – Liberal Arts – Derek Coats ’02 Year – Liam Nevin ’21 Mackenzie O’Neill ’21 Dan Ramming ’97 – all while running his own DJ Derek Coats received his Liam Nevin is from Brisbane, A St. Louis native, business, Swig the DJ, founded in Daniel Ramming has a Bachelor of Science in Political Australia and came to Missouri Mackenzie O’Neill was steadfast spring 2019. Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art Science from Missouri Western. Western in the fall of 2019. in the pursuit of her nursing and is currently an art teacher and Coats currently serves as He was heavily involved degree, all while balancing a yearbook advisor at Central High deputy chief of staff to United collegiate soccer career and with the international community Isaiah Colbert ’21 School in St. Joseph, Missouri. States Sen. Roy Blunt, where he on campus, offering rides to representing her fellow athletes Ramming has taught art has worked for 10 years. In that the airport or store and helping on the national stage. She was Clifford Hughes ’55 Award – and special education in various role, he oversees many aspects with emotional support. He was chair of the NCAA DII Student- Isaiah Colbert ’21 educational settings. He has taken of the day-to-day operations of also involved with the Missouri Athlete Advisory Committee Born and raised by his on additional duties as an advisor the senator’s offices throughout Western men’s soccer club team, (SAAC) E-Board and vice chair parents, Victor and Debra, in for different clubs and activities as the state and works closely with and served as a player and coach Kansas City, Missouri, Isaiah needed. the chief of staff on the senator’s in 2019 and 2021. In spring He has been involved major projects and strategic 2021, Nevin served as a volunteer with Downtown St. Joseph initiatives. Prior to Sen. Blunt, assistant coach with the Missouri redevelopment for more than Coats held various positions in Western women’s soccer team AlumNotes two decades, including as a board the offices of United States who finished second in their member and vice president of the Sen. Christopher S. (Kit) Bond, conference. 1970s 2000s 2010s Downtown Association. which were made possible He will return to Missouri Gregory Quinn ’76 has recently Aurora Kerns Isaac Collins ’11 Ramming was on the Trails because of an internship during Western in fall 2021 to begin accepted the position of assistant ’06/’09/’16 and his wife, West! Steering Committee for his last semester at Missouri an MBA program and serve as instructor – special education and her husband, Rachel, announce several years, and has been involved Western. the graduate assistant for the (functional skills) in the North Kansas Rick, announce the birth of their in other Allied Arts Council He and his wife, Kellie Ann, Missouri Western women’s City School District. the birth of their first child, Sage events. He donated his sculpture, reside in Columbia with their soccer team. first grandson, Emery Collins. “Reaching Skyward,” to be a son, Carter. Ayden Raphael Peck. Ayden was Sage was born on May 12, 2021. permanent part of Sculpture Walk. 1980s born to their daughter, Andrea ’15, Ramming has long been Daniel Williams ’87 retired in and husband Austin Peck on April 9, Jiliana (Newcamp) Lanning ’19 involved in the LGBTQ+ rights 2019 after 44 years in the computer 2021 and weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. is serving as the assistant vice movement in the greater St. industry, the last 24 of which he president retail manager for Joseph area. He was instrumental spent as the Director of Sales Gary F. Wells Bank. in creating a Missouri Western Operations at Hitachi. Baumann II scholarship to help LGBTQ+ ’09/’12 and families afford a better education. his wife, Emily He is currently the president of Baumann ’10, the Midland Empire Equality announce the Coalition, which organizes the birth of their son, Bridger Arcturus St. Joe Pride Festival. Baumann. Bridger was born on Aug. 24, 2020 and weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz.

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 26 SUMMER 2021 27 alum NOTES

In Memoriam We remember those who have passed away. If you want to include someone in this listing, please call (816) 271-5676, mail the information to MWSU Magazine, Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, or email [email protected].

Jerry Anderson, St. Joseph, Missouri, March 16, 2021. Hamilton Henderson ’66, St. Joseph, Missouri, Jerry was a professor of piano from 1972-2007. He started March 2, 2021 the local chapter of the professional fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Ralph Hill ’54, Navarre, Florida, Jan. 26, 2021 Sinfonia and the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda – Eta Mu during his career. He also established Noontime Concerts at Melinda Kastner ’80, St. Joseph, Missouri, June 21, 2021 First Presbyterian Church to showcase musicians from the Marion Keck ’60, St. Joseph, Missouri, April 29, 2021 university and area, which continued for 20 years until he retired from the church. Helen Irene Koch ’84, Country Club, Missouri, April 14, 2021 Mary Ann Bailey ’47, St. Joseph, Missouri, Jan. 23, 2021 Barbara Krueger ’87, St. Joseph, Missouri, For the first time, at the May 2021 Commencement, , St. Joseph, Missouri, Feb. 5, 2021 Margie Beggs ’71 March 13, 2021 the Missouri Western Alumni Association gifted legacy , Cosby, Missouri, April 30, 2021. students with a specific cord to wear at graduation. Zane R. Brickey Vernelle Linch ’38, St. Joseph, Missouri, Feb. 17, 2021 Zane served on the Missouri Western Engineering and This Legacy Cord recognizes the connection they Technology Advisory board. Richard (Dick) Lionberger ’76, Savannah, Missouri, share with their family members who graduated before April 28, 2021 them. Students with Missouri Western graduates in their Hilda Buckles ’75, Bolivar, Missouri, Jan. 15, 2021 family history (parents, step-parents, or grandparents) are Martin Marks ’84, Bigelow, Missouri, April 4, 2021 Larry Buckles, St. Joseph, Missouri, March 18, 2021. considered legacies. Undergraduate and graduate students Larry retired from the print shop at Missouri Western Joe Mazur ’58, St. Joseph, Missouri, March 6, 2021 were eligible. State University in 2006. Sarah McBrayer ’90, Port Charlotte, Florida, Allison Hildebrand ’21 is one of the first graduates to receive our new legacy cord. Allison received her Randy Butt ’79, Warrensburg, Missouri, April 26, 2021 May 29, 2021 bachelor’s degree in speech communication in May 2021. Richard E. Cates ’84, St. Joseph, Missouri, April 15, 2021 Doug Miller ’81, Valparaiso, Indiana, Feb. 8, 2021 “I would say being a legacy means MWSU is doing its job correctly,” Allison said. “It gave my mother Linda Chavez ’17, St. Joseph, Missouri, Jan. 25, 2021 Lesa Myer ’02, Kansas City, Missouri, May 27, 2021 the tools and education she needed to help me get to Ellen Church ’43, Nevada, Iowa, Jan. 26, 2021 Tamarra Nold ’76, St. Joseph, Missouri, Feb. 19, 2021 graduation, and I couldn't have done it without her.” Ervin Cook ’74, Columbus, Ohio, January 2021 David Pickett ’80, St. Joseph, Missouri, June 3, 2021 Allison’s mother, Rita Hildebrand ’11, agrees that it is cool. “It is such an accomplishment for both of us,” Leon Davis ’06, Imperial, Missouri, February 2021 Roxanna Rich ’00, St. Joseph, Missouri, May 8, 2021 added Rita, who graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s Lu Durham, Dearborn, Missouri, May 24, 2021. Jack Rose ’72, St. Joseph, Missouri, Feb. 26, 2021 degree in Education. When your legacy Griffon is ready to graduate, have Lu directed the first theater production at the MWSC Potter Cheryl Snodgrass ’70, Lathrop, Missouri, Feb. 20, 2021 Fine Arts Center. them go to missouriwestern.edu/alumni/legacy-cords and Larry Sonner ’56, Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 27, 2020 register for their legacy cord. Louann Erickson ’80, DeKalb, Missouri, April 5, 2021 Loah Stallard, St. Joseph, Missouri, Dec. 26, 2020. Jeffrey Thomas Fisher ’02, St. Joseph, Missouri, Loah’s name was incorrectly spelled in the Winter 2021 May 3, 2021 edition of the magazine. LeRoy Goucan ’49, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, April 28, 2021 Jane Urquhart ’41, Overland Park, Kansas, Nov. 28, 2020 Constance (Connie) Grover ’88, Kansas City, Missouri, Deborah Wallen ’93, Blue Springs, Missouri, Above: Allison at her May 2021 Commencement. April 2, 2021 Jan. 18, 2021 Below: Jack (father), Allison, Rita and Matt (brother) Deborah Hall ’03, St. Joseph, Missouri, March 4, 2021 Terry Wilson ’00, Ontario, Oregon, March 24, 2021 at Rita’s December 2011 Commencement. Kateryna Hasiak ’78, St. Joseph, Missouri, April 23, 2021 Michael Wysling ’96, St. Joseph, Missouri, David Hecker ’75, St. Joseph, Missouri, Jan. 23, 2021 June 21, 2021

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 28 Looking back – texting lingo

Did u txt ur bffl w/lingo back in 2011? Missouri this lingo, it added. While we’re not sure if shortcuts are Western students did, and “... it started infesting student still finding their way into formal essays, we’re sure the assignments ...” an article from the 2011 Griffon students have embraced an entirely new list of common Yearbook claims. “Getting papers done faster texting lingo, and that they would srsly rofl at the lingo by using language shortcuts was used only a decade ago! the favorite …” side effect of