Alumni News & Notes Looking Forward to Reuniting with Central Family Gosh, I’ve missed you all so much! I’ve missed seeing old friends, getting hugs, raising a glass, and simply being able to visit the campus. The good news is things are changing, slowly but surely. But things are changing. We still need to be careful and take precautions, but we are beginning to see the light. I was almost giddy when I went to get my vaccine, because I knew it would be life-changing. I am looking forward to the day when we can all be together again. The Alumni Relations team is busy working on some of the annual events we missed last year, such as Alumni Band, the Athletic Auction, Luetjen Golf Tournament, and Homecoming, just to name a few. I’m especially excited about Homecoming this year. You all know how much I love Homecoming, but this year it will be extra special. We are planning on honoring our 2020 and 2021 Distinguished and Young Alumni at a special brunch on Sunday. I can’t wait! Are you making plans to attend any of these events? How have you been keeping in contact with your friends from Central? I’ve been so fortunate to connect via a weekly Zoom happy hour with some of my closest friends. I’ve also gotten to see my Alumni Board colleagues on our Zoom meetings. Life has changed so much for all of us over the last 14 months. Our time together and our relationships are so important to living our best lives. Let’s make the most of each opportunity when we can all be together again. Cherish those times! In the immortal words of that ’70s classic by Peaches and Herb, “Reunited and it feels so good…” I look forward to being reunited with my Central family. Central Forever,
President, Alumni Association Board of Directors
CORRECTIONS
The Braxton Rethwisch Hall of Sponsors Scholarship (correction to recipient) was established in 2016 by fellow Mokers and long-time personal friends of Braxton Rethwisch. Braxton was a fixture of Central, arriving in the fall of 1960 and becoming a Moker in 1960-61. When he graduated in 1964, he joined the staff at Central, which became his only employer for 51 years. His interaction with fellow Mokers and students of Central for 51 years provided him 55 years of Moker connection with the organization. Braxton’s time with the Mokers served 71% of the years of the Moker existence! Over the years, Braxton was a constant source of keeping many of the Moker brothers connected to their alma mater, including at the annual Cardinal game each fall. Braxton was also responsible for bringing generations of students to Central. Over the years, his name became synonymous with Central and Central recruitment. Generations of alumni
28 The Talon | Spring 2021
Alan Strickler, ’60, and Joy (Ownbey) Strickler, ’72, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on January 29, 2021. Brenda (Fountain) Bruce, ’64, was named Professional of the Year for 2021 by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide for her outstanding contributions and achievements in the music education field.
1980s
Marilyn (Bremer) Atkinson, ’81, retired after 28 years with Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc. Timothy Jackman, ’81, was named the president and CEO of Previsor Insurance Company in Columbia, Mo. Jacqueline (Allred) Cheary, ’82, received the 2020 Midwest Regional Welk Resort Presidential Circle of Excellence Award. Dr. Beth Whitaker, ’82, was announced as the winner of the University of Missouri 2021 Outstanding Teaching Award. Clarence Smith, ’84, is the coordinator of music at Metropolitan Community CollegePenn Valley, where he teaches Jazz history, music appreciation, and percussion.
Laura Blair, Class of 1986
We feel it is important to note a couple of corrections to our scholarship column in the Fall 2020 Talon, and in doing so share a little history.
1960s
credit Braxton for their recruitment. Braxton passed away November 29, 2020. The ’20‘21 recipient of the Braxton Rethwisch Hall of Sponsors Scholarship was freshman criminal justice and psychology major Matt Barker from Holden, Mo. The Mitchell Jacobs Turnage Hall of Sponsors Scholarship Est. 1997 (corrected spelling Jacobs) was established in loving memory of Mitchell Jacobs Turnage by his parents, Wallace Jacobs Turnage, Jr., ’65, and Edwina Kent Wagner Turnage, ’65, and by the family of L.W. Jacobs III, ’52. Mitchell was the grandson of James H. and Ramah Kent, ’32, Wagner and Wallace J. (Jake), ’39, and Ann Turnage. Mitchell Jacobs Turnage tragically passed away in May 1997 as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident. He was 23. Mitchell attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. The ’20 -‘21 recipient of the Mitchell Jacobs Turnage Hall of Sponsors Scholarship was sophomore accounting major Zachary Severns of Lewistown, Ill.
Kenny Wyatt, ’84, head boys basketball coach at Salisbury R-IV High School, was named the Lewis and Clark Conference Boys Coach of the Year. Scott Garcia, ’87, founder and president of Premier Estate and Income Planning LLC based in St. Louis, introduced a new program called the 90-90-90 Estate Plan.
1990s
Kevin Bucher, ’90, announced his resignation as the State Fair Community College Lady Roadrunners head basketball coach. Leslie (Peters) Reardon, ’91, principal at Hannah Cole Primary School in Boonville, Mo., is retiring after 30 years. J.B. Waggoner, ’91, was named board chairman for the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation. Tim Edwards, ’92, principal at Boonville High School in Boonville, Mo., is retiring after 29 years.
