May 1, 2023–含羞草社区 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 鈥� 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

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

含羞草社区 is a Bronze winner in the 37^th annual Telly Awards for a short video titled 鈥淎m I Interrupting.鈥�

鈥淎m I Interrupting鈥� was created by Missouri Western鈥檚 Instructional Media Center 鈥� Video Services for the Student Success and Academic Advising Center. The video tells the story of a frustrated professor in a faculty conference and of a student rushing across campus to get his PIN. The goal of the video is to teach students the best practices in being prepared for advisement in order to make the most of their collegiate career.

The cast is composed entirely of Missouri Western students, staff, and faculty, and features Dr. Jonathan Rhoad, associate professor of chemistry, and theatre/cinema student Thomas Delgado 鈥�16. Elliot Swope 鈥�14, video communications specialist, wrote and directed the spot, with writing assistance from Cathy Gann 鈥�80 and Elaine Bryant 鈥�04 in the Student Success Center and Kevin McQuirter, video communications specialist. Student Jeni Swope 鈥�16 was assistant director. The video can be seen at youtu.be/oFADkldxxhE.

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

A judging panel of more than 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work 鈥� entries do not compete against each other 鈥� rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit. Fewer than 10 percent of entries are chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly. Approximately 25 percent of entries are chosen as Winners of the Bronze Telly. There were more than 13,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries this year.

鈥淭he Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,鈥� said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. 鈥淢issouri Western鈥檚 accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.鈥�

To find out more about the Telly Awards visit .

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 .