April 14, 2026–含羞草社区鈥檚 third annual Griffon Esports Camp will be held May 26 through May 29.

Hosted by the Recreation Sports Management program, the camp will give participants the opportunity to use their passion for esports to promote personal growth and career development.听

Day sessions will run from 2 to 6 p.m. daily, for students ages 10 to 18. Games played will be Fortnite, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. and Valorant.听

Match night sessions will also be offered for campers 14 to 18 years old from 7 to 9 p.m. Games played will be Fortnite, Rocket League, Overwatch and Valorant.

Campers will:

• Earn a certificate of camp completion
• Learn computer science-related subjects
• Increase competition skills
• Develop self-esteem and physical capabilities

The registration cost for the full day camp is $150 per camper for all four sessions, or $40 per camper for each individual day. Match night registration is $65 per camper.听

Parents can register their children at .听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

March 19, 2026鈥揟he 含羞草社区 Social Work program and Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph will host a poverty simulation from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, March 27 in the Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218/219. There is no charge to attend.

Attendees will 鈥減lay鈥� characters during the simulation. They will have to work with other 鈥渇amily members鈥� or on their own to manage life with limited resources.听

鈥淧overty is not a concrete term,鈥� said Jana Frye, assistant professor of social work and BSW field education director. 鈥淚t may be different for different people, locations, with or without supports. This activity does have a lot of fun or silly moments. But it also brings to light the difficulties that those living in poverty face every day.鈥澨�

This activity is valuable for any person that works with people in any area of life, Frye said. It is also valuable for students who will someday be working in the community. At the end, there is a time to share and process the experience.

The Social Work program will provide 2.5 CEUs, for free, for any professional needing them.

Email Frye, jfrye3@missouriwestern.edu, for more information.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Oct. 22, 2025–含羞草社区鈥檚 Social Work Program will host the 15th annual Walk for the Homeless on Friday, Nov. 7 in downtown St. Joseph. Check in begins at 4 p.m.听听

The walk will begin at 4:30 p.m. at 6th and Messanie, next to the Downtown Health Center. Walkers will follow the migration path the homeless take through downtown to access services designed to meet their basic needs.

The goal of this annual event is to raise awareness about the homeless population living in St. Joseph. All money collected will help the homeless in the St. Joseph area with costs for birth certificates, IDs, job searches and miscellaneous needs.

Go to for more information and to register for the event. Volunteers are also welcome and donations can be made through the website.

It is open to the public and free to walk, but participants are encouraged to purchase an event t-shirt for $20. Proceeds benefit the Downtown Health Center’s Homeless Fund.

含羞草社区 students receive $5 off per registrant by entering coupon code GOGRIFFS.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Dr. Maureen Raffensperger, professor emerita, pins 2023 physical therapist assistant graduate Kennedie Kieffer during a May 2023 ceremony. All 14 of the PTA graduates who took the national board exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt.

Sept. 27, 2023–All 14 students who graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at 含羞草社区 this year passed the national board exams on their first attempt.

鈥淎 100% pass rate on a national exam is an exceptional achievement, and I am proud to congratulate our students for their outstanding performance and our faculty who prepared them so diligently,鈥� said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. 鈥淭he PTA program is an outstanding example of the way Missouri Western prepares our students for life after graduation.鈥�

Missouri Western鈥檚 100% pass rate on the compares to a national average of 83.6%. The students鈥� success is the result of some deliberate changes the program has made to better prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy.听

Dr. Maureen Holtz

鈥淲e have been working very hard the past three years to make curriculum changes to reflect the needs of the workforce and to better prepare students for the board exam,鈥� said Dr. Maureen Holtz, assistant professor and director of the PTA program. 鈥淭he attainment of a 100% first-time pass rate underscores the legacy of quality and commitment to excellence that the MWSU PTA program has demonstrated since its beginning 25 years ago.鈥�

Missouri Western PTA students not only do well on the board exam, they earn employment in the field. Holtz says the program has had a 100% job placement rate after one year in each of the last three years, and she expects that to continue with the Spring 2023 class.

鈥淲hile the success of our graduates on the board exam certainly demonstrates the high level of knowledge attained in the program, we as a program are most proud of the level of professionalism that our students have developed, which prepares them to continue to grow as health care professionals,鈥� Holtz said.

Missouri Western offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree that prepares students for a rewarding hands-on healthcare career in a variety of clinical settings. The program begins each fall, and students take a total of 72 credit hours over four semesters and two Summer sessions.

The 2023 PTA graduates will be honored for their 100% pass rate at halftime of the Griffon football homecoming game vs. Emporia State Saturday. Also honored will be the December 2022 nursing graduates, who also achieved a 100% pass rate on their licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Honorees are:

Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award given to a Missouri Western alum. It recognizes living alumni for their career/professional achievements; civic contributions within their local community, state or nation; service to 含羞草社区, and other qualities which elicit pride from others who attended Missouri Western.听

LaVell Rucker 鈥�03, Social Worker

As a non-traditional student, Rucker received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work from MWSU in 2003 followed by her master鈥檚 degree from the University of Kansas in 2004. She has been employed by St. Joseph School District as a school social worker addressing mental health needs and providing services to middle and high school students for 20 years.听

Caring for others鈥� needs and seeing the value in all walks of life, Rucker has served on numerous boards making decisions to better families and the community. She currently serves on Mosaic Life Care鈥檚 Board of Directors, is a Black Archives Museum board member, an EMPAC (a political action committee) board member and a United Way Allocations committee member.

Kimberly Warren 鈥�92, CEO of MidCity Excellence听

Warren graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Northwest Missouri State. A passionate and dedicated leader in St. Joseph, she has served as CEO at MidCity Excellence (MCE) Community Learning Center for 22 years, engaging hundreds of youth and their families annually, organizing city-wide expos and events that celebrate diverse cultures and promote value and exposure.

Warren is also the driving force behind The American Grant Writing Services, a consultation firm that has secured nearly 600 501(c)(3) non-profit designations in 43 different states. She has been selected four times as a state arts council grant reviewer, and volunteers as an assistant pastor at Faith Family Worship Center.

GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade)听

The GOLD Award recognizes those early in their career who have had outstanding achievements and accomplishments. The award is based upon professional and educational achievements, community activities, honors and awards received and other noteworthy items of merit since graduation no more than 10 years ago.听

Michael Sewell 鈥�19, Mannix Law Firm

Sewell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication from 含羞草社区, and graduated from law school in 2022. He currently works for a law firm in Salem, Oregon, that specializes in helping businesses and nonprofits. Sewell also spent the 2023 legislative session in Oregon working as a staffer for a state representative.听Sewell volunteers his time by serving as a commissioner for a housing authority in Polk County, Oregon, as a national committeeman for the Young Republicans of Oregon, as a Rotarian, and while in law school, served as a volunteer firefighter. In his free time, Sewell plays saxophone in the Salem Symphonic Winds, is a licensed parachutist and an avid motorcyclist.

Herb 鈥�35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University

The Iffert Award recognizes an alum, retiree or other friend of the University who has shown outstanding and continuous commitment to Missouri Western鈥檚 mission, vision and legacy.

Dennis Rosonke, CFO of Meierhoffer Funeral Home

Rosonke earned a degree in accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and became a licensed Certified Public Accountant. In 1997, Rosonke accepted the opportunity to move to St. Joseph while working for the accounting firm Clifton Gunderson. In 1999, he began his current position as chief financial officer for Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.

Rosonke served on the Missouri Western Foundation Board of Directors for 10 years and is a former chairman of the board. In addition, Dennis is a former chairman of the board of the United Way, an active volunteer in the St. Joseph School District, a member of the Mosaic Life Care Finance Committee and a board member of both LifeLine Foods and the St. Joseph Youth Soccer Association.

Distinguished Faculty Award

The Distinguished Faculty Award is given to a current faculty member in recognition of one鈥檚 lasting influences on students, excellence in teaching, professional/career accomplishments and professional and ethical standards.

Dr. Elissa Zorn 鈥�12/鈥�17, RN to BSN Coordinator and Assistant Professor

Dr. Zorn received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Western and entered the nursing profession as a critical care nurse working in ICU and Burn. After guest lecturing on burn care at her alma mater, she discovered a passion for teaching. Dr. Zorn returned to MWSU to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing with a Nursing Education focus. Upon graduating she worked as a nursing professional development specialist at Liberty Hospital, and returned to Missouri Western in 2019 as the RN-BSN coordinator, helping fellow nurses in the profession reach their goals.听

Great Griffon Awards

The Great Griffon Awards recognize alumni from each college and school who exhibit outstanding contributions to the workforce, society or the University. Nominees do not have to currently work in the area in which they studied and can be recognized for career achievement, service to local communities, states, nations or the University.

College of Liberal Arts 鈥� LaTonya Williams 鈥�03

Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English/Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in English/Public Relations. She obtained a Master of Business Administration in October 2022 from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Management degree. Since October 2020, Williams has been the executive director of Bartlett Center, a nonprofit community center that specializes in child care and community outreach. She also serves as the current president of the St. Joseph School District Board of Education. Williams is the proud mother of three daughters, Arianna (MWSU class of 2022), Lyric and Jaydaci.

College of Business & Professional Studies 鈥� David Jordan 鈥�74

Jordan is a St. Joseph native, a retired business teacher with the St. Joseph School District and a former adjunct professor at MWSU. He has always guided students in the classroom learning process, but he believes building relationships with students enhances the learning process and leads to successful outcomes. One of his most memorable experiences as a teacher was being selected by the 2016 senior class to be their graduation speaker. Today, Jordan continues to teach part time for the St. Joseph Adult Education and Literacy program, is a St. Joseph Public Library Board Trustee and is an active member of the Cotillion for Achievement and the Buchanan County University of Missouri Extension Council.听

College of Science & Health 鈥� Jeff Stubblefield 鈥�83

Stubblefield graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Leisure Management (Recreation Management). His mother was also a student at that time; classmates in one biology section included both his mother and his future wife, Jolene. Stubblefield is the director of parks and recreation for the City of Maryville and is president of the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association. He helped his family establish the Sandra J. Stubblefield Memorial Scholarship in honor of their mother at Missouri Western. Stubblefield is the proud father of two children, Jared and Julia. Sadly, they lost Jared in 2003.听

Student Leadership Awards

The Alumni Student Leadership Awards recognize graduating students (December or May of the current academic year) who have made a significant impact on the life of the University during their tenure through leadership, volunteerism, or humanitarianism.

Graduating Senior of the Year 鈥� Taylor Edwards 鈥�23

Edwards, originally from Lansing, Kansas, graduated Magna Cum Laude with degrees in music education and music performance. She has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the University with the 2023 Graduating Student of the Year Award and the Dean Hoff Outstanding Achievement Award. During her time as a Griffon, Edwards was an orientation leader, student ambassador and resident assistant. Edwards was the drum major in the Golden Griffon Marching Band and was a leader in the Jazz and Wind Ensembles. She is the principal trombonist in the Fountain City Academy Brass Band and has had overwhelming success in brass banding both nationally and internationally.

Clifford Hughes 鈥�55 Award 鈥� Briana Ward 鈥�23

Briana Ward, originally from Sparta, Illinois, will graduate with a degree in business management and a concentration in entrepreneurship. As a student, she was involved in Western Activities Council, cheer, Missouri Western Dance Company, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was a Griffon Edge Ambassador. Ward was selected as the 2022 Ms. Black and Gold hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. She is currently part of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. In her free time as a student, she assisted teachers at elementary schools in the St. Joseph School District, dedicated time to help at soup kitchens, walked and fed dogs at the shelter and volunteered time at Second Harvest.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听

April 14, 2023–The 含羞草社区 School of Nursing and Health Professions will host a Health Professions Open House for prospective students on Wednesday, April 19.听

Participants will be able to meet with Missouri Western faculty and learn more about careers in health, sport and exercise science, nursing, physical therapy assistant, population health management, respiratory therapy and social work. Tours of the state-of-the art labs in Murphy Hall are included. Light refreshments will be served.

Check-in will begin at 5 p.m. in the Eder Hall Lobby, with activities scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30. Admission is free, but advance registration is requested at .听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

The Children鈥檚 Lifetime Sports Academy began in 1973. Instruction is offered from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ages 8-10 receive introductory instruction in a number of lifetime sports. Ages 11 and 12 receive intermediate instruction, with an emphasis on outdoor adventure activities. Activities include canoeing, archery, gun safety, swimming, bowling, golf and fishing.

Registration is limited to 150 students. The cost is $85 for the first child in a family and $75 for each additional child. For more information, call 816-271-4491 or visit .

The Adventure Sports Academy started in 2015 as a way to build on the success of the Children鈥檚 Lifetime Sports Academy. Instruction is offered in scuba diving, regatta races, high ropes course and more. The week culminates with an overnight outdoor camping experience. Classes are held from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and from Thursday evening to Friday morning.

Registration is limited to 25 students. The cost is $170 for the first child in the family and $160 for each additional child. For more information, call 816-271-4491 or visit www.missouriwestern.edu/hper/asa/.

Each participant in both camps will be given one free sno-cone per day. Additional sno-cones can be purchased for $1 each.

含羞草社区 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

In addition to the basketball game, this family-friendly event will feature an ice cream eating contest, half-court shot contest, 50/50 raffle and more fun activities.

Midwest Adaptive Sports is a Kansas City-based nonprofit focused on positively impacting the lives of those with physical, cognitive or behavioral challenges through adaptive recreational and competitive sports.

The competition is being organized by students in a class taught by Dr. Linda Oakleaf, assistant professor of recreation. For more information, contact Dr. Oakleaf at LOakleaf@missouriwestern.edu.

含羞草社区 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

The Children鈥檚 Lifetime Sports Academy began in 1973. Instruction is offered from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ages 8-10 receive introductory instruction in a number of lifetime sports. Ages 11 and 12 receive intermediate instruction, with an emphasis on outdoor adventure activities. Activities include canoeing, rappelling, fishing, archery, obstacle course, pickle ball, racquetball and many others, including swimming in the newly renovated Thomas Eagleton Indoor Swimming Pool.

Registration is limited to 150 students. The cost is $85 for the first child in a family and $75 for each additional child. For more information, call 816-271-4491 or visit .

The Adventure Sports Academy started in 2015 as a way to build on the success of the Children鈥檚 Lifetime Sports Academy. Instruction is offered in canoeing, scuba diving, ropes courses, martial arts, rappelling and skeet shooting. The week culminates with an overnight outdoor camping experience. Classes are held from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and from Thursday evening to Friday morning.

Registration is limited to 25 students. The cost is $170 for the first child in the family and $160 for each additional child. For more information, call 816-271-4491 or visit www.missouriwestern.edu/hper/asa/.

New this year, each participant in both camps will be given one free sno-cone per day. Additional sno-cones can be purchased for $1 each.

含羞草社区 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

The Children鈥檚 Lifetime Sports Academy began in 1973. Instruction is offered from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ages 8-10 receive introductory instruction in a number of lifetime sports. Ages 11 and 12 receive intermediate instruction, with an emphasis on outdoor adventure activities. Activities include canoeing, rappelling, fishing, archery, obstacle course, pickle ball, racquetball and many others, including swimming in the newly renovated Thomas Eagleton Indoor Swimming Pool.

Registration is limited to 150 students. The cost is $80 for the first child in a family and $70 for each additional child. For more information, call 816-271-4491.

The Adventure Sports Academy started in 2015 as a way to build on the success of the Children鈥檚 Lifetime Sports Academy. Instruction is offered in canoeing, scuba diving, ropes courses, martial arts, rappelling and skeet shooting. The week culminates with an overnight outdoor camping experience. Classes are held from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and from Thursday evening to Friday morning.

Registration is limited to 25 students. The cost is $165 for the first child in the family and $155 for each additional child. For more information, call 816-271-4491 or visit www.missouriwestern.edu/hper/asa/.

含羞草社区 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .