Nursing – News

��߲�� creates scholarship for transfer nursing students

kheier — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:35:58 +0000

April 17, 2026–��߲�� is creating a new scholarship for transfer students who want to pursue a degree in nursing.

“We know that there is a continual need for additional nurses in northwest Missouri, and ��߲��’s ability to educate those nurses is second to none,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president. “Our program has been educating nurses for 55 years and has grown to become of the most respected nursing schools in the state. Students who have started their college careers elsewhere and are wanting to prepare for a career in nursing now have additional resources that will make a quality ��߲�� education even more affordable.”

The ��߲�� Transfer Scholarship for Nursing is for students transferring from a community college or another four-year institution to pursue a degree in nursing from ��߲��. Award recipients receive $500, renewable for up to two years. The application process is simple, and the scholarship can be combined with other awards, but there is a limited number of scholarships available each year.

To qualify, you must be a transfer student, admitted to ��߲��, and have nursing declared as your major.

Missouri Western’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program accepts up to 60 students each semester. The program has a graduation rate of more than 90%, a job placement rate of more than 95%, and graduates regularly exceed state and national averages for first-time pass rates on the NCLEX national licensing exam.

To learn more about the new scholarship, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing/nursing-transfer-scholarship/.��

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

��߲�� named top nursing school in Missouri��

kheier — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:46:00 +0000

Sept. 8, 2025–The nursing program at ��߲�� has been ranked the top nursing school in Missouri by .��

“The Department of Nursing takes great pride and care in preparing our students well, and it’s wonderful to see that work recognized in this way,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, department chair. “I thank the faculty and staff in our department and across campus for their dedication to our students’ success, and the students for working so hard to make this recognition possible.”

“All of us on campus, our many healthcare partners around the region, and countless patients who have been cared for by our nursing graduates have long known about the excellence of ��߲��’s nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president. “It’s gratifying to see that excellence recognized by a trusted independent resource. I commend Dr. Kendall and her faculty and staff colleagues for this outstanding recognition. I also thank the thousands of nursing students and alumni over the years whose remarkable contributions to the profession reflect so well on their alma mater.”

The website’s methodology relies heavily on NCLEX-RN pass rates, saying the national licensing exam provides one of the best ways to determine a nursing program’s ability to prepare students for the workforce. They call ��߲��’s pass rates “remarkable” – 98.8% of graduating nursing students who took the exam in 2023 passed the exam on their first try, and a perfect 100% in 2024. In fact, four of the last six nursing cohorts have had a 100% pass rate.

“��߲��’s BSN program offers an exceptional nursing education pathway with impressive credentials,” according to . “Students benefit from a comprehensive curriculum integrating general education and specialized nursing courses, supported by state-of-the-art simulation labs and diverse clinical experiences in St. Joseph and Kansas City. With small class sizes ensuring personalized learning, experienced faculty, and CCNE accreditation, this program provides robust training for aspiring nurses.”

The rankings also describe ��߲�� nursing as military-friendly and focusing on practical skills.

Missouri Western’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program accepts up to 60 students each semester. The program has a graduation rate of 80%, and a job placement rate of more than 95%.

Missouri Western, Mosaic announce first Nursing Scholars of Promise class

kheier — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 22:08:08 +0000

July 14, 2025–A dozen students who graduated from nine high schools this spring will receive a top-notch nursing education with the promise of employment after graduation. ��߲�� and Mosaic Life Care have announced the first class in the innovative Nursing Scholars of Promise program.

“What an exciting day!” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “I don’t think you’re going to find a program like this in the country, providing the financial, the academic and the career support that nursing students need. And we know our students will get an excellent education: our nursing program has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for its 100% first-time passage rate on the NCLEX licensure exam for multiple cohorts. We’re proud to partner with Mosaic Life Care in providing this unique opportunity to these talented students.”

“”We are thrilled to welcome this first class to ��߲�� and then to our Mosaic team,” said Mike Poore, CEO of Mosaic Life Care. “Partnering with MWSU to offer this new program for nursing students is an investment in the future of health care for the communities we serve. By supporting students through their education and ensuring they have an immediate position in our hospital system after graduation, we’re building a strong, skilled workforce and ensuring compassionate, high-quality care for generations to come.”

Missouri Western and Mosaic announced the new initiative last fall. The Nursing Scholars of Promise program covers three-quarters of the cost of earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Missouri Western. In exchange, the students agree to work at Mosaic for four years following graduation.

The first Nursing Scholars of Promise are:

Bishop LeBlond High School, St. Joseph: Grant Ahrens
Central High School, St. Joseph: Delanie Anderson, Chloe Butler, Elizabeth Fite and Jayden Ingram
Lafayette High School, St. Joseph: Danica Whetsell
Excelsior Springs High School: Lundyn Smith
Lansing (Kansas) High School: Claire Schultz
Mid-Buchanan High School: Remington Hildebrand-Page
Park Hill High School: Marin VanBatavia
Riverside High School: Kelbie Brendle
Savannah High School: Madison Kendall

In addition to the financial support and employment opportunity, the program also includes a dedicated advisor to support their academic and employment success. The advisor will work with nursing faculty and the team at Mosaic to monitor the students’ academic performance and coordinate the logistics of employment with Mosaic. Students will begin working in a hospital environment as freshmen up to eight hours a week, to experience what it’s like.��

“I’m really excited to work at the hospital while I’m in school,” Lundyn Smith said. I think it’ll help me stay in practice and make everything I’m learning feel more real. I can’t wait to begin my journey at ��߲��!”

��߲�� 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 .

Missouri Western, Mosaic Life Care to provide innovative, affordable path for promising students to pursue their nursing careers

kheier — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:25:57 +0000

Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Mike Poore sign the Nursing Scholars of Promise agreement in the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Community Lab at ��߲�� on Nov. 7.

Nov. 7, 2024 – ��߲�� and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.��

“The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income.”��

“In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation,” said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. “With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new ’grow-our-own’ program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses.”��

This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region’s healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University’s respiratory therapy program.��

“Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway,” said Kennedy, “the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone.”

For more information and to apply to the Nursing Scholars of Promise, visit the Department of Nursing website.

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

Collaborative research team wins at Alpha Chi National Convention

plashbrook — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:08:23 +0000

April 23, 2024–A team of four undergraduate students from ��߲�� won the Trisha Yarbrough Collaborative Research Competition at the Alpha Chi National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on April 6. The victory came with a $5,000 award.

The winning team was made up of seniors Jordon Anderson, nursing major from St. Joseph; Juniper Brown, political science major from St. Joseph; Mercedes Mareske, digital animation major from Frankford, Missouri; and Tia Vernon, education major from North Kansas City, Missouri. Their research project was titled “Artificial Intelligence and Selective Exposure: Generating a Public Perception.”��

To compete, students from diverse majors collaborated on a scholarly paper centered on the conference theme, which was “Innovative Scholarship for Tumultuous Times.” Their project was sponsored by Dr. Angela Haas, associate professor of history.��

The Missouri Western Chapter of Alpha Chi, sponsored by Dr. Haas and Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, celebrated its 35th anniversary this year as an honors society at MWSU.

News release written by Patty Lashbrook, sophomore convergent journalism and public relations major.

State grant to support RN to MSN-Nurse Educator program

kheier — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:09:23 +0000

Jan. 9, 2024–For the third year in a row, ��߲�� has received a state grant to address the growing nursing shortage. The $386,780 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing will be used to develop an accelerated program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree to get master’s degrees that will prepare them to teach in Missouri schools of nursing.

“We’re grateful to the State Board of Nursing, Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for recognizing the importance of educating nurses in the state,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “Our nursing program does an outstanding job of educating not only the nurses of tomorrow, but the nurse educators of tomorrow as well.”

The program will allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to quickly attain a Master of Science in Nursing, nurse educator track from Missouri Western. The grant will provide scholarship support for ten students who agree to teach in a Missouri school of nursing for at least three years after completing the accelerated RN to MSN program.

“An often overlooked factor in the nursing shortage is the shortage of faculty that limits capacity at nursing schools across the country,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing. “This grant will enable us to prepare more clinical nursing faculty to work in the state of Missouri.”

According to the , a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in a 2022 survey of 909 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country. Besides the vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 128 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.

The program will begin in August, with applications accepted beginning in March. RNs who are interested in learning more can email nursing@missouriwestern.edu.��

The grant was one of 20 totaling $5 million last month.

“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high demand fields such as nursing,” Gov. Parson said.��

The latest grant follows a 2023 award that supported a pilot program to help licensed practical nurses remain on the job while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and to allow greater use of Missouri Western’s clinical simulation lab.��

“We were one of just two schools of nursing in the state to get grants in all three years, which I believe reflects the stellar quality of our program, our faculty and our graduates,” said Dr. Laura Reynolds, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Kendall and all of our nursing faculty and staff for the amazing work that they do.”

The grants are part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP).

Nursing programs accreditation extended for maximum term

kheier — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:05:01 +0000

Missouri Western nursing students helped administer flu shots and provide health education during the Student Wellness Fair Oct. 18, 2023, in the Fulkerson Center.

Nov. 27, 2023–The baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs at ��߲�� have been reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for 10 years, the maximum length of time allowed for accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are now accredited through Dec. 31, 2033.��

“The outstanding care that our nursing graduates provide to patients throughout the region and the country is the best evidence of the quality of our nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “This accreditation provides additional assurance to students and employers that nurses who graduate from Missouri Western are well prepared for the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. I congratulate the Nursing Department faculty, staff and students for their outstanding work.”

The accreditation process is a thorough review of the nursing program based on four standards: mission and governance; institutional commitment and resources; curriculum and teaching-learning practices; and program outcomes. The nursing department began the process with a self-evaluation in 2021. CCNE then sent an accreditation team for an on-site evaluation earlier this year. Based on that team’s report, in October the CCNE Board of Commissioners ruled that all four standards had been met and there were no compliance concerns noted.

“Accreditation is a painstaking process that takes a lot of work by a lot of people, including our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners,” said Dr. Heather Kendall, chair of the Department of Nursing. “It’s very gratifying that our work resulted in accreditation for the maximum of 10 years, and I think it says a lot about the quality of our program and the quality of our graduates.”

Nursing education at Missouri Western dates back to 1971, when a two-year associate degree program began accepting 15 students per year. The four-year program has been nationally accredited since it began in 1986, when it accepted 20 students per year. The pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently enrolls up to 120 students per year. The department also offers an RN to BSN track that allows current registered nurses to obtain their bachelor’s degree in an online, flexible format that accommodates working schedules. RNs can earn their BSN degree in as little as 12 months. ��

The Master of Science in Nursing was added in 2010, and offers concentrations in health care leadership and nurse educator. The College of Science and Health and the Craig School of Business also partner to offer a MSN/MBA degree.

For information about Missouri Western’s nursing program, visit or call 816-271-4415. For more information about CCNE accreditation, visit .��

The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at ��߲�� are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

��߲�� 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.

Nursing professor receives scholarship from MLC Foundation

kheier — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:02:49 +0000

Laura Nold, assistant professor of nursing at ��߲��, recently received a scholarship from the Mosaic Life Care Foundation.��

The 2023 Lowell C. Kruse Healthy Choices. Healthy Lives. Scholarship provides financial assistance to a first-year, full-time graduate student studying in areas leading to improved quality of life for the residents of the Mosaic Life Care service region. This includes careers in health care administration, early childhood development, not-for-profit management and educational leadership.��

Nold is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice with a focus on leadership and innovations in healthcare. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Master of Science in Nursing-Health Care Leadership in 2014, both from Missouri Western. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice with a focus on leadership and innovations in healthcare.��

2023 Alumni Award Winners Announced

kheier — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:00:14 +0000

July 28, 2023–The ��߲�� Alumni Association has announced the names of those who will be honored at the annual Alumni Award Banquet on Sept. 29 during Homecoming Week. For more information and to purchase tickets to the banquet, 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 ��߲��, and other qualities which elicit pride from others who attended Missouri Western.��

LaVell Rucker ’03, Social Worker

As a non-traditional student, Rucker received her bachelor’s degree in social work from MWSU in 2003 followed by her master’s 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.��

Caring for others’ 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’s 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 ’92, CEO of MidCity Excellence��

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)��

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.��

Michael Sewell ’19, Mannix Law Firm

Sewell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication from ��߲��, 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.��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 ’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’s 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’s lasting influences on students, excellence in teaching, professional/career accomplishments and professional and ethical standards.

Dr. Elissa Zorn ’12/’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.��

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 – LaTonya Williams ’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 – David Jordan ’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.��

College of Science & Health – Jeff Stubblefield ’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.��

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 – Taylor Edwards ’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 ’55 Award – Briana Ward ’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.

Employees honored at Faculty and Staff Awards and Retirement Reception

kheier — Mon, 01 May 2023 14:24:02 +0000

May 1, 2023–��߲�� presented nine faculty and staff members with awards and recognized 17 retirees at the 2022-2023 Faculty and Staff Awards and Retirement Reception on April 28.

Award winners include:

Outstanding Academic Advisor: Dr. Lane DesAutels, associate professor of philosophy. “He is willing to go above and beyond to make sure the students understand their future academic path.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to the University: Jessica Frogge, administrative coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and the Griffon Office of Applied Learning. “Jessica’s institutional knowledge, technical skills, and commitment to MWSU are definite strengths and keys to her success.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Students: Dane Eckert, senior manager in Technology Services. “Dane has been consistently involved, responsive, competent, and reliable in addressing a broad range of technical challenges.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Colleagues: Amber Halstead, math coordinator in the Center for Academic Support and Staff Association president. “Amber is a team player in every sense of the word and … sees herself as a steward for the University and its employees.”

Missouri Western Award for Teaching Excellence:

Dr. Aracely Newton, assistant professor of biology. “She cares deeply about the success of her students and provides multiple opportunities for them to get feedback and learn the materials.”
Dr. Elizabeth Thorne Wallington, assistant professor of education. “Dr. Thorne Wallington forms deep connections with her students, both as a faculty member and an advisor.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James V. Mehl Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship: Dr. James Okapal, professor of philosophy. “Marrying science fiction and fantasy literature with the philosophers’ study of ethics, Dr. Okapal published six peer-reviewed articles, offered three scholarly presentations, and delivered two invited lectures last year.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James J. Scanlon Award for Staff Service to Community: Jeremy Acton, grounds supervisor for Physical Plant. “Jeremy has through his example and leadership made a positive contribution to the University.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James J. Scanlon Award for Faculty Service to the Community: Dr. Jennifer Jackson, associate professor of communication. “Jennifer has used applied learning in her classes to serve our community…helping teach her students while giving back to community clients.”

The reception also honored 17 employees who have or will soon retire with a combined 269 years of service to Missouri Western. Honored retirees include:

Roger Adams, Physical Plant
Dr. Susan Bashinski, Graduate Studies
Shelle Browning, Physical Plant
Greg Dillon, Athletics
Janice Dillon, Business Office
Dr. Crystal Harris, College of Science and Health
Karma Hartong, School of Nursing and Health Professions
Robin Kelly, Department of Education
Dr. Steve Klassen, Department of Computer Science, Math & Physics
Greg Kriewitz, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science
Dr. David McIntire, School of Fine Arts
Peggy Payne, Admissions
Deb Singleton, Department of Communication
Cindy Spotts-Conrad, Financial Aid
Dan Stevens, Academic Advising
Buzz Verduzco, Athletics
Deana Wennihan, Financial Aid