Students Erica Terrell and A. Lynn Cassani at the Great Plains Students’ Psychology Convention.

April 15, 2026鈥揟wo 含羞草社区 psychology students were honored for their research presentations at the Great Plains Students’ Psychology Convention last month at the College of the Ozarks.听

Erica Terrell, senior psychology major from Gladstone, Missouri, presented a poster authored by students from a Fall 2025 research team (Ava Garaway, Lauren George, Autumn O鈥橞rien, Kylan Stout, and Erica Terrell) titled “Contributions to College Leadership Formation.” The poster won a second-place award.

A. Lynn Cassani, senior psychology major from St. Joseph, delivered an oral presentation of her Majors Honors research, entitled, “Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and the Professional鈥檚 Point of View.” Cassani鈥檚 presentation also won a second-place award.

The Great Plains Students鈥� Psychology Convention provides an annual forum for psychology students in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska to exchange ideas, discuss relevant topics, and gain experience presenting papers.听

Terrell and Cassani were accompanied by Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology.

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 .

April 23, 2024–含羞草社区鈥檚

Udovenko, from Vladivostok, Russia, was inducted into Alpha Chi in October 2023. Selection for this prestigious honor society requires students be in the top 10% of juniors, seniors and graduate students.听

Candidates for the H.Y. Benedict Fellowship must be nominated by their advisor and submit an academic paper in their field of major. Udovenko was awarded for his honors thesis entitled, 鈥淧rejudice and comprehensibility of accented speech in hiring decisions.鈥澨�

The fellowship honors Alpha Chi鈥檚 first president, Dr. Harry Yandell Benedict and provides $3,000 toward the first year of graduate study.听

Udovenko is set to graduate Missouri Western in May and was recently accepted to the Ph.D. program in Management at the University of Memphis.

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

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

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

Justice Galloway (left) and Ashlyn George during their poster presentation.

May 9, 2023–Two 含羞草社区 psychology students presented their research at the Psi Chi division of the Midwestern Psychological Association in Chicago last month.

Ashlyn George, senior from St. Joseph, and Justice Galloway, junior from Atchison, Kansas, presented a poster titled “The relationship between gender role identity, personal care products, and brand loyalty in consumers,” sponsored by Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology. They conducted their research in fall 2022 as part of the Psychology 303 (research team) class.听

Co-authoring students who did not attend the conference were Rebecca Lewey, senior from Cameron, Missouri; Madison Brady, senior from Millersville, Maryland; Faith Vandel, senior from St. Joseph; and Jordan Hall, junior from St. Joseph.

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 27, 2023鈥揂t 含羞草社区, most classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday, with Gold Fridays set aside for applied learning opportunities outside the classroom. On the last Gold Friday of the spring semester on April 28, there will be three public events showcasing student projects by Missouri Western students.

Gold Fridays PORTAL Poster Showcase
10 a.m.
Remington Hall Atrium second floor

Students who have participated in applied learning activities (research, internships, etc.) will display posters illustrating the results of these activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask the students questions about their posters.

Psychology Research Day
Check in starts at 11 a.m., program begins at 11:30 a.m.
Eder Hall, room 101

Prospective students can get an immersive look at Missouri Western鈥檚 Psychology Program by participating in Research Day. Meet faculty, talk to current students and learn about their poster sessions, and tour the Psychology Lab. Complimentary lunch will be provided. Check-in will be 11-11:30 a.m. Students can pre-register at .听

Eighth Annual Griffon Film Festival
Doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m.
Missouri Theatre, 715 Edmond Street, Downtown St. Joseph

Senior Cinema students will be presenting their thesis films to the world at this event. After the films there will be an awards ceremony and Q&A session with the filmmakers. This event is open to the public and tickets will be available for $5 on the day of the event at the Missouri Theatre box office. Students, faculty and staff get in free with a valid MWSU school I.D.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 .听

April 21, 2023–Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology at 含羞草社区, was recently elected national secretary of the .听

Dr. Deka continues as an advisor to the Missouri Western Lambda chapter of Alpha Chi and as secretary of the Northern Plains region.

Dr. Deka has taught in Missouri Western鈥檚 psychology department since 1997. She received her bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University.

Alpha Chi is a national college honor society for college juniors, seniors and graduate students of all academic disciplines. The society was founded in 1922 to promote and encourage academic scholarship by recognizing high-achieving students.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 .听

Psi Chi is open to psychology majors or minors in the top 35% of their class. Inducted in a March 14 ceremony were Ashlyn George and Liz Williams, both senior psychology majors from St. Joseph.

Missouri Western鈥檚 Department of Psychology offers a Bachelor of Science degree and minors in cognitive sciences and psychology. Students receive a broad education in psychology that prepares them for careers and graduate school as well as a lifetime commitment to learning.

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

Participants gather in Remington Hall for the chemistry demonstration finale during a past Super Science Saturday. Photo courtesy St. Joseph Museums.

Jan. 24, 2023–含羞草社区 and the St. Joseph Museums will host the 23rd annual Super Science Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28听 Admission is $5 for adults and children over 5. Children 5 and under are admitted free.听

Science educators from Missouri Western and area high schools will present STEM-related activities and demonstrations in math, physics, chemistry, biology, meteorology, psychology, engineering technology, nursing and more. The Griffon Mobile Lab will offer hands-on experiments in the parking lot.听

Other presenters include the Remington Nature Center, News-Press Now, and American Water.听

Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance at .听听

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 .

Students Artemii Udovenko, Foster Scheerer, Jordan Klaassen, Stephanie Turner and Star Violett (l-r) were inducted into Psi Chi in November 2022.

Nov. 30, 2022–Five 含羞草社区 students were recently inducted into Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.

Psi Chi is open to psychology majors or minors in the top 35% of their class. Inductees this fall include:

• Jordan Klaassen of Lee鈥檚 Summit, Missouri
• Foster Scheerer of St. Joseph
• Stephanie Turner of St. Joseph
• Artemii Udovenko of Vladivostok, Russia
• Star Violett of Savannah, Missouri

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 .

July 11, 2022–Adults without a college degree can learn about ways to increase their earning potential through three Find My Path Days offered by 含羞草社区 in July and August.

鈥淔ind My Path Days are career advising events that will help people identify what professions would best match their interests, explore realistic educational pathways to get there, and even learn about funding opportunities that may be available to help pay for their classes,鈥� said Dr. Jerri Arnold-Cook, director of Missouri Western鈥檚 Career Development Center.听

Attendees can learn more about Missouri Western鈥檚 microcredentials, short-term education programs that provide real skills to help learners qualify for jobs related to laboratories, marketing, communications, education and human services. Missouri residents will also learn about book scholarships and childcare voucher opportunities as well as additional funding opportunities through the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph.

Find My Path Days will be held:

• Thursday, July 14, 1-4 p.m. at 含羞草社区
• Tuesday, July 19, 1-4 p.m. at 含羞草社区
• Saturday, Aug. 13, 1-4 p.m. at Rolling Hills Library in St. Joseph.

The events are free, but preregistration is required at griff.vn/path/. Registrants will receive the Strong Interest Inventory by email and are asked to complete the survey at least three days before their Find My Path Days program. The inventory will help identify potential careers and provide learners with guidance on the education they need to enter the field. Those educational pathways may include one of Missouri Western鈥檚 five microcredentials:

• Applied Behavior Support Services
• Digital Media
• Chemical Laboratory Technician
• Early Childhood Education
• Special Education

Find My Path Days are hosted by Missouri Western and the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph. Additional funding is provided by the Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation. Questions can be directed to Dr. Arnold-Cook, jarnoldcook@missouriwestern.edu or by calling 816-271-4206.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 .