alumni magazine
Northwest Fall 2013
The magazine for Northwest Missouri State University alumni and friends
2013 Homecoming
Alumni Awards
Paw Window Decal
Fall Classic
Fit
sole
for the
Angela Wasko ’12
People just like you It’s because of the volunteer support of countless alumni and friends – spirited people like Dennis and Faith Spark – that Northwest continues to thrive. “After attending our first Northwest alumni social, we knew it was the right fit. Over the years, we have formed lasting friendships and look forward to the meetings each month. We’ve served on the Central Iowa Alumni Chapter’s board as social chairman and secretary. One of our favorite activities is working the Northwest booth at the Iowa State Fair where we can connect with alumni and experience the enthusiasm of future Bearcats! We also enjoyed the Hawaiian cruise with the Tourin’ Bearcats a few years ago. We’ve definitely learned firsthand, “once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat!” Dennis Spark ’73 with his wife, Faith Central Iowa Alumni Chapter Urbandale, Iowa If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248.
Show your Bearcat pride by displaying this complimentary paw decal on your vehicle ‌ or in your office, in your classroom, on your refrigerator or anywhere else where others can clearly see your passion for the Green and White! Download screensavers, wallpapers and social media covers at www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/pride.
Northwest Fall 2013
Volume 47 Issue 1 alumni magazine
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The magazine for Northwest Missouri State University alumni and friends
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Fit for the sole Angela Wasko’s giving heart and her desire to connect with other people led her to Los Angeles where she’s begun her career with TOMS, a popular shoe and accessories company that gives footwear and eye care to others in need. Wasko credits the mentors and experiences she had as a Northwest student, as well as her Midwest upbringing, for guiding her to where she is meant to be.
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Bearcat nation rejoices One of the most successful and well-respected coaches in the history of collegiate athletics, Mel Tjeerdsma, was named the University’s director of athletics this spring. The announcement was a surprise to many, as Tjeerdsma had retired from Northwest in 2010 following 17 years of service where he orchestrated one of the greatest football program transformations in the NCAA.
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Feeling a little ‘hoarse’ Dr. Matt Povlovich, co-founder of the Tennessee Equine Hospital, intended to pursue a career in the medical profession, but with his farm background, soon realized he preferred patients of the four-legged variety and entered vet school as opposed to medical school. Today, he operates a world-class equine center near Nashville.
In every issue
Editor Mitzi Craft Lutz ’91, ’09 mitzi@nwmissouri.edu
5 Dear Friends
Designer Melinda Kelsey mkelsey@nwmissouri.edu
6 Northwest News 10 Cover Story 14 Alumni Connections 21 Advancing Northwest 25 Bearcat Sports 29 Class Notes
Photographer Darren Whitley whitley@nwmissouri.edu Design Assistants Wes Rockwood Kim Ziegler
Editorial Assistants Gina Peterson Bradley ’87 Philip Gruenwald ’13 Teresa Gustafson ’97, ’05 Mark Hornickel ’01, ’13 Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09 Mike Johnson ’85 Elisa Lanter Laurie Drummond Long ’92 Rhonda Mannasmith Bob Machovsky Taylor Neff Scott Nielson ’01 Lori McLemore Steiner ’85 Steve Sutton ’71 Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09 Steve Wieberg
The Northwest Alumni Magazine is published twice a year by the Office of University Relations, the Office of University Advancement, Northwest Missouri State University and the Northwest Foundation Inc., 800 University Dr., Maryville, MO 64468-6001. The mission of the Northwest Alumni Magazine is to foster connections between alumni, friends and Northwest Missouri State University. The University strives to inform readers of the accomplishments of Northwest’s alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students and to positively position the University in the hearts of its many constituents to increase public and private support. Northwest Missouri State University is an equal-opportunity, coeducational university and does not discriminate based on race, sex, disability, age, national origin or religion.
Printed in the USA.
Dear Friends
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Students embrace opportunity to break spring break tradition The simple mention of the term “Spring Break” may bring back many memories of your college experience. In addition to providing a well-deserved respite from classes and studies, Spring Break also provides students with an opportunity to enjoy the warmer temperatures, travel, make a few extra dollars at work or relax while spending time with family and friends. But many of today’s students seek even more from this annual “week off,” which is why colleges and universities – including Northwest – have embraced the concept of offering an Alternative Spring Break for students. ASB, as it’s often referred, was developed to prepare students for roles as active citizens. During ASBs, students typically travel to underserved communities with diverse cultures where they work on intensive projects addressing social issues – particularly poverty, homelessness, hunger and illiteracy. Concepts of social justice, economic disparity and community outreach are explored in the hands-on learning environment. As the coordinator of Northwest’s Alternative Spring Break program, I have had the opportunity to watch students develop as leaders, become civically engaged and have impactful educational experiences while participating in life-changing trips. Angela Wasko ’12, featured in this issue’s cover story, is a perfect example of someone whose life has been transformed due, in part, to her participation in four of Northwest’s Alternative Spring Break trips. Most recently, 24 Bearcats traveled to New York City for our 10th ASB trip and participated with a Youth Service Opportunity Project
Northwest Foundation Inc. ’13-’14 Board of Directors President Holly Murphy-Barstow ’81, Omaha, Neb. Vice President Mark Doll ’80, Des Moines, Iowa Immediate Past President Dan Runde ’81, Platte City Board Members Mike Abildtrup ’68, Ft. Dodge, Iowa Virgil Albertini, Fairway, Kan. John Baker, Maryville Jeff Borchardt ’82, Olathe, Kan.
that serves the city’s hungry and homeless. While volunteering, we prepared and served meals at soup kitchens; provided recreational activities and companionship to young, formerly homeless children; distributed food and supplies at food pantries; socialized and brought snacks to people in drop-in centers and assisted in special projects such as cooking dinner for the Brooklyn Women’s Shelter and distributing clothing at a clothing bank. Realizing that each person’s story was different and the situations for homelessness varied, each student returned to Maryville with an increased sense of compassion and understanding of the true meaning of being homeless and hungry. Frequently, people tell me I have the best job in the world, and yes, I am fortunate to have the opportunities to provide Bearcats with lifechanging experiences that continue to engage them as alumni in making a difference. We like to say we are making a difference one paw print at a time!
Amy Pettit Nally ’91, ’12 Director of Volunteer, Service Learning and Civic Engagement Center
Mary Hamilton Purdy ’72, Davidsonville, Md.
Mike Johnson ’85, Executive Director
Bill Brown ’63, Platte City
Juan Rangel ’91, Kansas City
Betty Johnson Bush ’60, Maryville
Paul Schieber ’81, Overland Park, Kan.
B.D. Owens ’59, President Emeritus, West Des Moines, Iowa
Terry Day ’65, Kansas City Toni Cowen Espey ’83, Parkland, Fla.
Kory Schramm ’95, Johnston, Iowa Owen Straub ’86, Kansas City
Don Foley ’78, Ames, Iowa
John Teale ’73, Maryville
Troy Greenfield ’90, Kansas City
Gary Thompson ’76, Avon, Conn.
Bill Hedge ’74, ’77, ’89, St. Joseph
Ex-Officio Directors
Arnold Johnson ’77, Houston, Texas Jennifer Dawson Nicholson ’71, Kansas City
Northwest students participating in the Alternative Spring Break program spent a portion of their time volunteering at CHIPS Soup Kitchen in the Bronx.
Dean L. Hubbard, President Emeritus, Kansas City John Jasinski, University President
University Advancement Mike Johnson ’85, Vice President mikej@nwmissouri.edu Brooke Bowles ’02, Accounting Clerk bbowles@nwmissouri.edu Teresa Gustafson ’97, ’05, Director of Strategic Donor Development teresa@nwmissouri.edu
Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09, Director of Alumni and Donor Relations pollyh@nwmissouri.edu Carma Kinman ’85, Executive Assistant ckinman@nwmissouri.edu Laurie Drummond Long ’92, Development Officer laurie@nwmissouri.edu Bob Machovsky, Annual Giving Manager rmachov@nwmissouri.edu
Lori McLemore Steiner ’85, Finance Officer and Executive Director of Advancement Services steiner@nwmissouri.edu Steve Sutton ’71, Major Gift Development Officer ssutton@nwmissouri.edu Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09, Alumni Relations and Advancement Communications Specialist brenda@nwmissouri.edu
Scott Nielson ’01, Associate Athletic Director/External Affairs and Development scottn@nwmissouri.edu
Fall 2013
Northwest Alumni Magazine
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Northwest News
Northwest welcomes transformation of dining services Beginning this fall, Northwest students have an array of new menu choices along with added conveniences such as smartphone and online ordering options and expanded hours to satisfy every student’s craving. Construction crews were busy throughout the summer providing a complete transformation to the dining areas in the J.W. Jones Student Union as well as The Station and the B.D. Owens Library. The enhancements are part of a new five-year contract with Aramark. “Our students are our focus, and these changes address feedback we’ve gained from them,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Matt Baker. “The enhancements will help create a more dynamic and energetic dining program that is aesthetically pleasing and meets student demand for nationally recognized brands.” The new menu choices provide more variety and value as well as healthy options. Students benefit from a comprehensive health and wellness program that impacts menu development and recipes while being offered an array of fruits and vegetables, expert advice and nutritional information. Enhancing its emphasis on sustainability, Northwest Campus Dining also is maintaining its practices of recycling and composting and using local producers with the addition of an on-campus farmers market. The first floor of the Student Union features
a new “residential” dining area with a Mediterranean kitchen offering hearth-baked pizza as well as pasta dishes, produce market and deli, an all-American grill, Tex Mex cuisine, fresh bakery and exhibition stations as well as a Mongolian grill. The dining area, which is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week, features digital menu boards, improved seating areas and laptop charging areas. The Student Union’s second floor includes a remodeled retail dining area consisting of Einstein Bros, Red Mango, Chick-fil-A, Zen Asian Cuisine and Provisions on Demand (P.O.D.) convenience options. Papa John’s, previously in the Union, has moved to The Station and now offers on-campus delivery. And sure to be a hit, the new Novel Grounds coffee shop in the library includes Starbucks, and enhanced vending areas are located in several academic buildings. The remodeling project, funded by prepaid commissions from Aramark, is the most extensive at the Student Union since the building underwent a complete renovation during the 1998-1999 academic year. n
In early August and prior to the start of fall classes, construction crews were busy putting the finishing touches on the new and renovated campus dining venues, including Starbucks Coffee located in the library’s Novel Grounds coffee shop and a Mediterranean kitchen and Mongolian grill in the student union.
Northwest men don heels to support domestic violence victims Last spring, men throughout campus voluntarily slipped on a pair of high
Northwest Alumni Magazine
heels to help educate others about the effects of rape, sexual assault and gender violence while raising money for the Children and Family Center of Northwest Missouri, a domestic violence shelter in Maryville. The Interfraternity Council sponsored the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event and watched as fraternity members stumbled their way through
Fall 2013
campus holding signs and wearing shirts with the saying, “Put Yourself in Her Shoes.” Spectators undoubtedly had fun watching the men stumble and fall, said James Ford, who helped organize the event, but the message was a serious one. “This was a good way for our men on campus to get involved with showing that we care about the women in the community – those
who have been physically assaulted or verbally assaulted,” Ford said, “and that we can, and should, stand up for women.” As part of the event, a court victim advocate for the Children and Family Center and a victim of domestic violence shared information about the cycle of domestic violence. More than 200 people were on hand to support the cause, raising nearly $1,600 for the center. n
Northwest News
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Students experience Europe’s music history during summer tour Seventeen Northwest students began their summer by experiencing music history and gaining new perspectives outside of the classroom. In May, Dr. Ernest Kramer, Northwest professor of music, took students on a 17-day tour that spanned six European countries. One Maryville middle school and one Maryville high school student also joined the group, totaling
20 travelers – the largest group Kramer has hosted. In the past, alumni have participated in tours and are welcome to do so for the next tour, scheduled for 2015. Kramer, who teaches music history at Northwest, has organized and led eight tours over the past 16 years. This year’s tour included stops in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland and England. The group visited cities where
Dr. Ernest Kramer (right) recently led a group of students on a tour of six European countries, giving them an opportunity to experience music history firsthand.
Summer students favor online classes Northwest reached a milestone as students taking at least one online course comprised 70 percent of the University’s total enrollment this summer. The enrollment totals support Northwest’s ongoing initiative to strategically convert select courses to online instruction in response to student demand, which gives students more flexibility during the summer
months. “This enables students to return home to work or engage in an internship and continue to take courses from Northwest faculty from any location,” Provost Dr. Doug Dunham said. “Ultimately, this means students will be able to complete their degree in a more timely fashion by providing them with an option they might not otherwise have.” n
major composers lived and worked, giving students the opportunity to see and experience these historic places. “I see the tour as a culminating way to experience music history outside of the textbook,” Kramer said. “My goal is to make music history come alive for the students.” Students visited Salzburg, Austria, where Mozart was born and raised; St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy, where many composers visited during their careers; and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy, where sacred works were performed by composers and musicians. Students also visited Paris, France, and London, England, which both hold rich music history. “A lot of times in history classes it seems like the people and places you learn about are very distant, but to be able to go to some of these great composers’ houses and see where they worked and lived really brings them to life,” said Natalie Burgon, a senior music major. n
Entrepreneurs in training Brian Weaver ’95 (right), founder and CEO of Overland Park, Kan.based Anthem Media Group, was the keynote speaker at the second annual New Venture Pitch Competition sponsored by Northwest’s Department of Business. The event is designed to expose students to the process of building and presenting a business plan as well as to encourage them to consider entrepreneurship as a potential career. Participants explore a potential business idea and then receive valuable feedback from successful entrepreneurs and experienced professionals who fill the judging panel, many of whom are Northwest alumni. During Weaver’s address, he reviewed the challenges he faced on his way to building his company and urged students to embrace their creativity, research problems and solve them in order to become successful entrepreneurs. n
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Northwest Alumni Magazine
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Northwest News
Students travel to NYC for design studies course Ten Northwest students broadened their knowledge of design and varied media while visiting New York City in early May. The trip exposed the students to leading advertising agencies, design firms, publishing houses, broadcast media and interactive firms. The trip spotlighted potential career choices in each area of study and informed students on career search preparation as well as portfolio tips and ideas of what is expected once hired. Students received three academic credits by partici-
pating in the trip and completing a related project. “This experience has changed me in a way that almost puts me at ease,” senior graphic design major Kaitlyn Amberson said. “At this time in my life when I’m about to be out in the ‘real world’ it really helps knowing that all of the people I met have been in my position. It excites me to see what my future has in store.” Students were also exposed to artistic expression during museum tours as well as observations of the surrounding architecture,
advertising and pop art that and learn how to be successdefines New York City. ful,” Graves said. n Chris Graves, assistant professor of graphic design, led the course and traveled to New York City with the students. He has led the travel course each of the last four springs. “It is critically important for design students to be exposed to some of the world’s best creative agencies, to learn In addition to touring design and advertising from them firsthand agencies in NYC, students spent some time in Rockefeller Center.
Northwest builds on reputation for energy conservation Northwest, which continues to be a leader in energy conservation and using alternative fuels, has been recognized as one of the nation’s top energy-reducing schools based on results of the 2013 Campus Conservation Nationals. The competition ranked Northwest among the top five institutions in the nation for reducing energy usage between 16 and 19 percent in participating buildings. Northwest saved 89,582 kilowatt-hours, averted 168,504 pounds of carbon dioxide and saved $5,374 during the four-week competition. That is the equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions from 13 passenger vehicles, CO2 emissions from 7,086 gallons of gasoline and CO2 emissions from electricity use in nine homes for a year. “Northwest has a proud tradition of sustainability and conservation, and our success in Campus Conservation Nationals demonstrates that,” Dan Boyt, the University’s energy manager, said. “Energy conservation is a top priority at Northwest, and we will strive to keep the momentum going.”
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Northwest’s tradition of sustainability, now three decades old, dates back to 1982 when the University established a biomass energy system using wood chips under then-President Dr. B.D. Owens. In 1990, Northwest enhanced its energy program by adding discarded newspaper, corrugated and cardboard boxes, magazines and other clean paper products to its alternative fuel processes. In 2001, Northwest began using animal waste from its farm to create a virtually odor-free pellet that is burned as fuel. Last fall, the University adopted an energy policy to further curb energy waste by establishing standards for scheduling and temperature setpoints across the campus. Northwest is partnering with its facility services manager, Aramark Higher Education, to implement a program to improve energy efficiency and focus on energy consumption reduction strategies across the campus. The energy program is anticipated to yield annual utility savings of more than $300,000. In fact, the overwhelming response by Northwest employees
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and students to the renewed effort to curtail energy usage resulted in more than $60,000 savings during the month of December by taking simple acNorthwest saved tions such more than $60,000 as lowering thermostats during the month of and turnDecember by taking ing off and unplugging simple actions such as items not in lowering thermostats use. Additionand turning off and ally, Northunplugging items not west recycles plastic, in use. aluminum, glass, copper, brass and steel it collects on campus, and it collects food waste discarded at Campus Dining locations for composting. In 2012, the University realized more than $17,000 in savings by diverting about 35 percent of its trash from the local landfill. n
Northwest News
Everyone’s a recruiter:
How alumni can best help recruit future Bearcats
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Northwest is embracing new and innovative ways to recruit future generations of Bearcats. As alumni, there are things you can do to help. Here’s a list of potential ways you can make a difference.
Help spread the word on social media. n Post about your experience as an alumnus at Northwest or why Northwest is an excellent choice for a prospective student – write whatever is close to your heart and would help illustrate what makes Northwest such a great University. n Share news releases that appeal to prospective students or your areas of interest. On the top of every Northwest news release (found at www. nwmissouri.edu/media) are easy buttons that allow you to quickly share on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and through email. Host an online chat for prospective students. n Consider hosting an online chat for prospective students who live in your region or who are interested in your academic area of study or career path. Contact Jeremy Waldeier ’97, ’09, associate director of admissions, at 660.562.1722 or jeremyw@nwmissouri.edu if you are interested in hosting a chat. Reach out to prospective students you know in your community. n Consider church youth groups, high school organizations with which you volunteer and other prospective students you know in your community. Tell them why you love Northwest and why they should consider Northwest. n Give a prospective student admissions materials. Contact Waldeier at 660.562.1722 or jeremyw@ nwmissouri.edu for copies of viewbooks. Attending an event at a high school, such as a career day, where you know there will be a lot of prospective students? Consider taking some admissions materials with you or promoting Northwest in your remarks. n Host a recruitment night with other alumni to get prospective students together to share stories about the Northwest experience.
The little things make a difference. n Wear your Bearcat gear or place a decal on your vehicle and be proud wherever you go! The conversations and connections you make while wearing your Green and White can make a difference. n Learn the basic facts that a prospective student needs to know so you can be prepared to answer questions in your community. You can find the virtual admissions publications at www. nwmissouri.edu/admissions/brochures.htm. n Complete the online Refer a Bearcat form at www. nwmissouri.edu/admissions/leads/refer.htm. n Submit a short video or written testimony to brandon@nwmissouri.edu about how Northwest or the academic department in which you were involved made a positive impact on you. n
Fall 2013
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Fit
for the
sole
With a giving heart and desire to connect with people, Angela Wasko finds her place at TOMS By Mark Hornickel
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Photography by Darren Whitley
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Design by Kim Ziegler
For Angela Wasko ’12, life is meant for building relationships and connecting with people. The seeds of that philosophy were planted on an Iowa farm, sprouted on the Northwest Missouri State campus and are maturing in Los Angeles. “I remember entering college with a narrow perspective of life and of the world, and I will probably say the same thing in four years after being in the workforce,” Wasko said. “But I think it’s really important to have incredible professors that believe in you and challenge you and want to see you be successful. I’ve had a lot of strong mentors in my life who have always given of themselves. So I’m a firm believer in when you surround yourself with people like that you become like that.” Just a little more than one year removed from earning her bachelor’s degree at Northwest, Wasko is the U.S. digital merchandise coordinator at TOMS – a shoe and accessories company that has exploded over seven years with the help of a college-aged demographic that places a renewed emphasis on philanthropy and helping others. For every pair of shoes someone purchases, the company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need under its trademark One for One model. Since Blake Mycoskie launched the company from his Venice, Calif., apartment in 2006, TOMS has given away more than 10 million pairs of shoes in 59 countries. In 2011, TOMS added sunglasses, using the same One for One model to provide eye care. A couple years ago, it all seemed so foreign to Wasko. But the 23-year-old believes, right now, with her live-in-themoment personality, that she’s in the place she’s meant to be. Photos above: Angela Wasko fostered her interests in leadership and volunteering as a Northwest student. She was active in Alternative Spring Break, a student group for volunteer service, and traveled with the group in 2012 to work at a center for under-resourced children in South Carolina (left) and in
2010 to the Dominican Republic (center). In 2011, as Northwest’s Student Activities Council lecture chair, Wasko led an effort to bring TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie to the campus for a lecture (right) and eventually landed a summer internship with TOMS.
A farm girl at heart Wasko grew up on a farm in Pocahontas, Iowa – population 1,789, compared to Los Angeles’ 3.82 million people – with her parents and two sisters. During summers, her father made her walk sheep, among other chores, at the crack of dawn. She helped tend gardens for her aunt and uncle, attended Catholic school, was active in the local 4-H and competed at the county fair. Her high school graduating class numbered 63 students. It was that kind of upbringing that shaped her character. Wasko still considers herself more of a farm girl than a California girl. “It’s so cliché, but I think in the Midwest there’s just this sense of family and community,” Wasko says. “That whole element of putting others before yourself was always something that was stressed, and being a servant and helping others was very important to me. That was something that was instilled in me, and I hope it always remains in me.” When it came time to choose a college, Wasko toured all kinds, from small private colleges to Iowa’s large state universities, from Minnesota to Missouri. But a pair of Northwest alumni, Wasko’s high school mock trial coach, Tim Magill ’72, and a family friend, Angie Cook ’97, nudged her to consider Northwest. She chose Northwest but admits she missed Iowa and seriously considered transferring during those nerve-racking first couple months of college. “I’m so glad I didn’t,” she says now. “It’s hard. When I moved out to L.A., too, there was that adjustment period of finding community and finding your place and feeling like you belong.”
Finding a community Wasko eventually found her community in Wells Hall, choos-
ing to study public relations and advertising. She counts Dr. Matt Walker and Dr. Bayo Oludaja, faculty members in Northwest’s Department of Communication and Mass Media, as two early influencers at the University. “Angela was one of those students who never took a class off,” Walker said. “She was always ready to go and worked hard on everything. You just knew she had the potential to really go far and do great things. At TOMS, she is really in a good spot. She has a big heart for helping people, and she is in a position where she can use her talents and fulfill her goals.” It was Oludaja who ingrained some words of wisdom that stick with Wasko. “People are made for relationships. We’re supposed to meet people and connect,” he said during one class discussion. “That, I think, was probably some of the best advice I received at Northwest,” Wasko says. “To have that kind of dialogue in all of his classrooms was really eye-opening to me, and I think it’s better than any type of material that I could ever have read from a textbook.” Wasko found a sense of community in Northwest’s student groups, too. Alternative Spring Break (ASB), a volunteer service organization at Northwest, was a perfect group for Wasko to be involved because she could connect with people and help others. She actively participated in ASB during all four of her years at Northwest, traveling with other students to
assist with cleanup efforts stemming from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, work at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic, assist with cleanup efforts in Florida after the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill, and work at a center for under-resourced children in South Carolina. “She was always striving for that next ride to give her a new impactful experience or finding that awesome connection to further her personal career goals,” recalled Amy Pettit Nally ’91, ’12, Northwest’s director of volunteer and service learning. “She was enthusiastic and passionate about volunteering and helping others in need.”
The buzz about TOMS At some point during her second year at Northwest, Wasko began to hear the buzz about TOMS that was sweeping across college campuses. A friend had a pair of the shoes, prompting Wasko to check out the company’s website. Without hesitation, she ordered her first pair – Pink University Classics – and wore them with pride across campus. Today, that well-worn pair of shoes is part of a TOMS-themed memory box that hangs on her bedroom wall while another 30 or so pairs of TOMS shoes occupy her closet. “My heart has always beat for things like that. It just beats for helping others,” Wasko says. “This is perfect. I can make a purchase, and I’m helping someone at the same time. It is very simple. That’s what is so great about the One for One model. People understand it. People get it.” Around that same time, Wasko had been elected lecture
chair of the Student Activities Council, which organizes and sponsors concerts, lectures and other activities for Northwest students. Enthusiastic and empowered by her role, Wasko attended the National Association of Campus Activities Conference in Boston. There she saw a young, shaggy-haired, California-tanned entrepreneur by the name of Blake Mycoskie – TOMS founder and “chief shoe giver” – offer a two-minute teaser of the lecture he gives to college-aged audiences. Little did Wasko know then those two minutes would be the gateway to her career. “I was like, ‘He’s coming to our campus,’” Wasko said with a determination in her eyes. “I went straight to his agent, and I said, ‘We have to bring him. TOMS is up and coming. It’s going to be so great.’” Wasko arranged for Mycoskie to visit Northwest in April 2011, and he shared his story with a large crowd at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts. After the post-lecture meet-and-greet, Mycoskie’s driver was late to pick him up. Oludaja’s advice – “meet people and connect” – resonated with Wasko. “I wasn’t just going to abandon him and say, ‘See you later, good luck finding your way back to Kansas City,’” she recalls. Wasko hung out with Mycoskie and the two talked internships. He asked for her email address, and Wasko had an email from TOMS’ recruiting director waiting in her inbox by the time she returned home that night.
Hitting the ground running Above: “My heart has always beat for … helping others,” Wasko says of TOMS’ One for One model. Wasko learned about the company as a student at Northwest and developed a passion for its mission. Center photos from top to bottom: Wasko spells the word “give” with fellow TOMS interns during the summer of 2011; a shadow box contains memorabilia from that internship; she cares for a toddler during a recent visit to an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, with her church in Santa Monica, Calif.
Wasko navigated the intense interview process and was among 16 college students from throughout the country selected for the 2011 summer internship program at TOMS. Some 8,000 people applied. As an intern, Wasko was exposed to all areas of the TOMS enterprise to help her gain a complete understanding of its business model. That summer, TOMS was introducing its line of sunglasses, giving Wasko the opportunity to be on the ground floor of that product’s launch.
“I learned about how they were going to implement this other aspect of the giving model and began to understand why we give, how we give, where we give,” Wasko said. “My manager got me going right away and handed me tasks, and I remember just hitting the ground running, and it didn’t really stop.” Naturally, Wasko focused again on building relationships and connecting with people. She committed herself to seeking advice from TOMS employees, whether over coffee or lunch, about working at the company and building a career. Still, she wasn’t convinced Los Angeles was right for her. When she departed Los Angeles at the end of the summer of 2011 for her senior year at Northwest, she doubted she’d return to the city.
Mixed blessing After graduating from Northwest in the spring of 2012, Wasko moved to Washington, D.C. Having completed two service-oriented summer internships there previously, D.C. appealed to her far more than L.A. She jumped at an internship opportunity in D.C. with a young non-profit that plans birthday parties for homeless children. While the internship didn’t pay, Wasko worked as a tour guide on the side. She interviewed for a job with the United Nations, but that hit a dead end. “It’s just what my heart wanted at that time,” Wasko said of returning to D.C. “I wasn’t about to just go back home and wait for an opportunity, so I seized an opportunity. I was able to grow and ground myself and tell myself, ‘This is the real world. There isn’t any college left. You don’t have a syllabus for the next four years of your life.’” As her internship was ending, Wasko logged onto Facebook, unsure about her next move. Connections came into play again. She noticed pictures her TOMS internship manager posted of his “giving trip” – a sort of company gift TOMS awards to employees in honor of their service. Wasko commented on the photos. They traded messages. Then, on the day she left D.C. to return to Iowa, he phoned her with a job offer she couldn’t refuse. “He really challenged me, and I really appreciate that he believes in me and trusts in me,” Wasko said. “Sometimes I just sit and wonder, ‘how am I working at such an incredible company’ and ‘how is it that I was given this opportunity.’”
Fueled by giving Now employed at TOMS for a year, Wasko can’t help but wonder what opportunities lie ahead for her. Her rocksolid faith keeps her grounded, along with her commitment
to giving and serving others. She has watched TOMS’ growth firsthand since she was an intern there. In the last year, she has transitioned from being hired as an online merchandising coordinator to the U.S. digital merchandise coordinator, a reflection of TOMS’ global expansion. Wasko and her An Iowa farm girl at heart, Wasko has found her team are charged place with TOMS in Los Angeles and has watched with the strategic the company’s growth firsthand since starting as an placement of intern there two summers ago. products online. She is directly responsible for receiving product samples, arranging photography and working with TOMS’ creative department to generate promotional content. She oversees the creation of assets and determines ways to keep the TOMS homepage looking fresh, fun and clean so customers can easily find the shoes they want. She enjoys the challenge of promoting TOMS products, but more importantly its giving model. “When we direct you to our site, we want you to purchase shoes or sunglasses, but we want you to understand the meaning behind those purchases,” Wasko said. “We want people to know they bought a pair of shoes, and TOMS will fulfill our mission and give a pair of shoes to a child in need.” In June, TOMS rewarded Wasko with the opportunity to spend a week in Peru on her first giving trip. She traveled with a select few TOMS employees and contest winners and witnessed TOMS’ One for One model in action. “The harder I work at my job, the more products we can sell, the more shoes and sight we can give,” Wasko said. “This was something I tried to think about each day as an intern, and it’s still something I strive for each day. … Giving is what fuels us, so that’s what keeps me going.” And as she goes, Oludaja’s words continue to circulate in her ears. “I can still hear him saying it,” Wasko says. “‘We are made for relationships. We are made to connect with people,’ and it’s so true. I think that anytime you find that you are connected with people, you have this sense of community and you’re happy.” n To view video excerpts from Angela Wasko’s interview with the Northwest Alumni Magazine, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/magazine.
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Homecoming 2013 October 25-26
Alumni Connections
Variety Show Thursday, Oct. 24, and Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. n Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts n Free n Tickets required; call 660.562.1212 to reserve a ticket; tickets may be acquired the night of the performance, if seats are available n
Homecoming 5K Run Friday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. (9 a.m. registration) n Raymond J. Courter College Park Pavilion n Wear a light-colored shirt; participants will be “painted” throughout race n Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Foundation and St. Francis Hospital and Health Services’ mammography program COST: $20 (includes free T-shirt)
Flag-Raising Ceremony
Hy-Vee Bearcat Zone Pregame Festivities
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Friday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m. Joyce and Harvey White International Flag Plaza n Free
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M-Club Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony Friday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. n J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom COST: $20 n
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Homecoming Golf Classic Friday, Oct. 25, noon n Two-person scramble n Mozingo Lake Golf Course COST: $45 per person n
Volleyball vs. Washburn Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. n Bearcat Arena COST: $5 n
Homecoming Welcome Saturday, Oct. 26, 8 a.m. n Alumni House n Free refreshments n
Saturday, Oct. 26, noon College Park n Free
Homecoming Barbecue Saturday, Oct. 26, noon Raymond J. Courter College Park Pavilion COST: $6.50 n n
Bearcat Football vs. Missouri Southern Saturday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. Bearcat Stadium COST: $17 reserved, $12 adult general admission (standing room only), $10 reserved seating K-12 or visiting students (Homecoming football tickets available to the general public beginning Sept. 16)
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Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. The parade starts at the corner of Ray and College Avenue, proceeds east to the main University entrance at Fourth Street, continues east on Fourth Street to Main, past the courthouse square and ends at the corner of Fourth and North Vine.
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Volleyball vs. Emporia State
Homecoming Parade
Register/Order Tickets
Saturday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Bearcat Arena n Free
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Tickets will not be mailed; they must be picked up at the event. Football tickets may be purchased online at www. nwmissouri.edu/tickets or via check, made payable to Northwest Missouri State University and mailed to Student Services Center, 800 University Dr., Maryville, MO 64468. (Checks must be received by Oct. 19.) Contact Michele Steinmeyer at 660.562.1977 or msteinm@nwmissouri. edu to make reservations and purchase tickets to the M-Club Hall of Fame Banquet. Call 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/ alumni/events to register for the Homecoming Golf Classic. Contact Emma Clark at s507785@mail.nwmissouri. edu to register for the Homecoming 5K run. Register before Oct. 4 to receive a free T-shirt.
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Seats are assigned on a best-available basis. n All ticket sales are final. n Ticket prices include Missouri sales tax.
Places to Stay MARYVILLE
Comfort Inn 660.562.2002 Holiday Inn Express 660.562.9949 Super 8 660.582.8088 ST. JOSEPH
America’s Best Value Inn 816.364.3031 Days Inn 816.279.1671 Drury Inn 816.364.4700 Hampton Inn 816.390.9300 Holiday Inn 816.279.8000 Ramada Inn 816.233.6192 Stoney Creek Inn 816.901.9600 Events are subject to change/ cancellation
The barbershop quintet, including Ken Lucas, Maynard Potter, Dick Bateman, Jim Litsch and John Flora, entertained between skits during the 1962 Variety Show.
Honoring the Class of 1963
Itinerary
The Golden Years Society Reunion welcomes all classmates from 1963 and before to attend Homecoming. Mark your calendar for Oct. 25-26 and make plans to return to campus.
FRIDAY, OCT. 25
For more information, contact the Office of University Advancement at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
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9 a.m. Welcome reception, Alumni House 10 a.m. Campus bus tour 11 a.m. Reunion photo, Kissing Bridge 11:30 a.m. Luncheon, J.W. Jones Student Union 2 p.m. Flag-raising ceremony, Joyce and Harvey White International Flag Plaza 5 p.m. Golden Years social, Alumni House 6:30 p.m. M-Club Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony, J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom*
SATURDAY, OCT. 26
8 a.m. Homecoming Welcome, Alumni House 9 a.m. Parade with VIP seating Noon Hy-Vee Bearcat Zone pregame festivities, College Park Noon Homecoming barbecue, College Park* 2 p.m. Football vs. Missouri Southern, Bearcat Stadium* REUNION COST: $20 *additional cost
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Alumni Chapter News Get involved today!
For information about getting involved in a Northwest Alumni Association chapter, call 660.562.1248 or email alumni@nwmissouri.edu. There are currently 19 alumni chapters, and more are being formed. ST. JOSEPH CHAPTER The St. Joseph Chapter started the New Year off by re-gifting those unwanted holiday gifts at a dinner at the Ground Round. In February, the chapter had its largest turnout at the annual Mardi Gras social at Boudreaux’s. St. Joseph Beverage hosted the March game night social and potluck, and the second annual “Minute to Win It” event was full of laughs as members competed in some ridiculous events! The chapter kicked off the summer with a luau at the home of Jerry and Susan McKnight ’74 Clevenger. The St. Joseph Chapter invites all area alumni and friends to join in the festivities and also follow the chapter on Facebook at Northwest Missouri State University Alumni and Friends St. Joseph Chapter. n MID-MISSOURI CHAPTER Members of the Mid-Missouri Chapter enjoyed a happy hour in March at Southside Pizza and Pub in Columbia. In April, the chapter cheered the Missouri Tigers to victory
during the MU vs. Auburn baseball game. There was plenty of sunshine and visiting as well as young future Bearcats playing together. Chapter members also enjoyed a social in May at Prison Brews in Jefferson City as well as the chapter’s annual event in July at D. Rowe’s in Columbia. For more information and event listings, visit the Mid-Missouri Bearcats on Facebook or on Twitter @MidMoBearcats. n
1. The St. Joseph Chapter gathered at Boudreaux’s in downtown St. Joseph to celebrate Mardi Gras.
CENTRAL IOWA CHAPTER The Central Iowa Chapter has changed the location for its First Thursday socials to Overtime Neighborhood Hub, located at 4810 NW 86th St. in Urbandale. In April, chapter members sampled local beer at a new brewery in Des Moines, and in June, the chapter hosted its annual Iowa Cubs outing at Principal Park in Des Moines. In August, chapter members volunteered their time to assist with building a Habitat for Humanity home. For more information on upcoming events, email Iowabearcats@gmail.com. n
3. The Mid-Missouri Chapter gathered in March for a social at Southside Pizza and Pub in Columbia. Enjoying the camaraderie were, from left, Jamie Webster ’09, Lydia Farmer Melton ’09, ’11, Cherine Heckman ’77, ’83, Kevin Heckman, Clint Prange ’04, ’05, Terry Barnes ’70, ’72, Steven Yaple ’04, Dave Teeter ’86, Steve Moss ’87 and Mark Partise ’02. Those in attendance who are not pictured are Sheryl Meiergerd Partise ’02, Michael Head ’02, ’03 and Phil Capps ’96.
2. Members of the Mid-Missouri Chapter hosted a happy hour at Prison Brews in Jefferson City in May. Pictured are (front row, from left) Chrissy Beck Jolley ’02, Gayla McKinnie ’71, (back row) Phil Capps ’96 and Sheryl Meiergerd Partise ’02.
4. Travis Lehman ’06, Navid Fahlapour, Laura Peterson ’07 and Tyler Martin ’06 of the Central Iowa Chapter toured the 515 Brewing Company in Des Moines.
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Alumni Connections
Alumni Chapter News 1. The Southern Iowa Chapter presents a check to Laurie Long to endow the Southern Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter Scholarship. Pictured are, from left, Joen Gross Brown ’69, Karen Mills Shawler ’65, Tiffany Gale ’05, Cindy Goins ’98, Darin Goins, Laurie Long ’92, Joan Lynch Jackson ’65, Larry Giles ’64, Dennis Bunch ’69, ’76 and Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09. 2. Susan Johnson Hockensmith ’72, Karen Irmer Coulson ’89, ’95 and Bob Coulson ’74 toast the St. Louis Chapter’s signature drink, the Bearcat Bomb. 3. Dennis Bunch ’69, ’76, Darin Goins, Larry Giles ’64 and Cindy Goodale Goins ’98 staff the raffle table at the Southern Iowa Chapter’s anniversary social. 4. Celebrating the fifth anniversary as a chapter were St. Louis alumni and friends, including (front row, from left) Anne Alexander Gross ’90, Barbara Bosch Alexander ’82, ’86, Joyce Seals Roddy ’75, Karen Irmer Coulson ’89, ’95, Jane Alexander ’87, (second row) Laura Hockensmith, Susan Johnson Hockensmith ’72, Barbara Meznarich, Pat Roddy ’75, Valerie Byrn ’01, Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09, director of alumni and donor relations, (third row) Dana Hockensmith, Jerry Meznarich ’62, Bob Coulson ’74 and Regent Joe Bosse ’72.
SOUTHERN IOWA CHAPTER The Southern Iowa Chapter hosted its annual social in April at the Crestmoor Golf Club in Creston, Iowa. Special guests from Northwest included Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09, Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09, Dr. Matt Baker, Jill Wood Baker ’87, ’01, Scott Nielson ’01 and Laurie Drummond Long ’92. Three incoming freshmen from Creston and Mount Ayr also attended with their parents. During the event, the chapter presented a check to officially endow the Southern Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter Scholarship. The first scholarship will be awarded to a southern Iowa student for the 2014-2015 academic year. The chapter also concluded its Bearcat T-shirt quilt and autographed football raffle. All proceeds from the raffle went to the chapter scholarship fund. Chapter members assisted at the Northwest men’s and women’s basketball games during Northwest Alumni Association Day at Bearcat Arena. Watch for details about the chapter’s upcoming trips to Northwest’s Encore events. n
ST. LOUIS CHAPTER The fifth anniversary of the St. Louis Chapter featured a visit by Joe Bosse ’72 of the University’s Board of Regents as well as drawings for golf and St. Louis Cardinals tickets, Northwest trivia and the introduction of the Bearcat Bomb, the group’s new signature drink (alcoholic or nonalcoholic). In addition, chapter members gathered in April for the St. Louis Cardinals opening day watch party and in August for an afternoon of bocce ball. All St. Louis area alumni and friends are invited to join in the fall activities, including the Oct. 5 winery get-together and the Oct. 19 Northwest vs. Pitt State football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. St. Louis alumni who would like to purchase chapter T-shirts should contact Jane Alexander ’87 at jalexchi@yahoo.com. For more information about the St. Louis Chapter, follow the NW Alumni St. Louis Facebook page or contact the Northwest Alumni Association at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248. n
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Alumni Connections
KANSAS CITY CHAPTER The Kansas City Chapter hosted the 11th Annual First Friday Happy Hour at The Landing in Liberty. The February event was organized by Steve Bierle ’86, ’92, Casey Goff ’88 and Kurt Jackson ’88. In March, the chapter assisted in hosting alumni events around the MIAA Basketball Tournament. Both men’s and women’s teams joined alumni at McFadden’s in Kansas City’s Power and Light District for postgame festivities. The Snake Saturday Parade was March 16. Even though the weather was chilly, the chapter participated in its annual barbecue not too far from the parade route and, through raffle items and donations, raised about $100 for the chapter scholarship fund. In May, the chapter hosted a “Welcome to Kansas City” happy hour at McFadden’s for recent Northwest graduates who moved to Kansas City. For more information on the Kansas City Chapter
and its fall/winter events, contact the chapter at nwalumnikc@gmail.com, visit blogs.nwmissouri.edu/kcalumni/ or connect on Facebook at NWMSU Alumni Association – Kansas City Alumni & Friends Chapter or on Twitter @NWKCAlumni. n
1. Casey Goff ’88, Kurt Jackson ’88 and Steve Bierle ’86, ’92 organized the 11th Annual First Friday Happy Hour at The Landing. 2. Kansas City Bearcats tried to keep warm at the chilly Snake Saturday Parade in North Kansas City.
MARYVILLE CHAPTER The Maryville Chapter assisted with the Northwest Alumni Association Day at Bearcat Arena in February. The chapter also hosted a social at Carson’s Sports Grill following the spring football game in April. In September, the chapter plans to host a welcome reception for the new Northwest faculty and staff. For more information or to find out how to get involved, contact the Northwest Alumni Association at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248. n
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Northwest Alumni Association Social Media Network
/nwmissourialumni
@NWMSUalumni
For a complete listing of all Northwest social media networks, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/media/social.htm.
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Alumni Connections
Congratulations!
2013 Alumni Association Award recipients You’re Invited The Northwest Alumni Association honors individuals who have given of their time, talent and service to Northwest. All Northwest alumni and friends are invited to attend the Alumni Awards Banquet. It’s a great way to start Family Weekend and salute these deserving individuals. n
Friday, Sept. 27
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J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom
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6 p.m., social
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6:45 p.m., dinner
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8 p.m., awards presentation
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$30 per person
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$200 for a table of eight
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/ alumni/events/awards/ registration.htm or contact the Northwest Alumni Association at 660.562.1248 or alumni@nwmissouri.edu.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD
Dr. Al Cade Dr. Al Cade ’83, ’85 is interim dean of the School of Education at Missouri Southern State University and previously served as assistant dean and chair of the Teacher Education Department. Cade has held positions in collegiate teaching, coaching and administration at Northwest, Missouri Southern and Minnesota State University-Mankato and spearheaded the development of a diversity committee at Missouri Southern. He lives in Joplin.
Cindy Pickerel Cindy Pickerel was active in the St. Joseph Alumni Chapter before recently moving to Colorado. Now, she and her husband, Mark, are involved with the Colorado Alumni Chapter. She retired in 2012 from the St. Joseph School District as a Spanish teacher and department chair and now spends her time hiking, snow-shoeing, cycling, baking and antiquing. She lives in Broomfield, Colo.
DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD
Dr. Aaron Johnson Dr. Aaron Johnson, who joined Northwest in 2007, is an associate professor in the Department of Natural Sciences. He also serves as the director of the Honors Program, chair of the Distinguished Lecture Series Committee and is the geology discipline coordinator. Johnson is national vice president of the Central Region of Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the national Earth science honorary society, and associate editor of the Journal of Geoscience Education. He lives in Maryville. DISTINGUISHED FACULTY EMERITUS AWARD
Al Sergel Al Sergel retired in 2004 after 37 years of fulltime teaching, serving the last 23 years as the director of bands at Northwest. During his tenure at Northwest, the band program grew in numbers and reputation, and he was the co-founder of the Four State Honor Music Festival that helped recruit students to Northwest’s music department. He came out of retirement in 2012 to return to Northwest to direct the Bearcat Marching Band. He lives in Kansas City.
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TURRET SERVICE AWARD
Dr. Wayne Woolsey Dr. Wayne Woolsey ’70, ’71 spent 32 years in education as a teacher, coach, elementary, middle school and high school principal and assistant superintendent. Following retirement, he was a Northwest faculty member and served as a facilitator for the Missouri Leadership Academy where he assisted with training nearly 3,000 active and aspiring principals. He also is instrumental in organizing golf tournaments that raise scholarship dollars for Northwest students. He lives in Excelsior Springs. YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD
Keaton Guess Keaton Guess ’08 is a senior account manager at Yahoo! While at Northwest, he was president of Tau Kappa Epsilon, leading the fraternity to win the national organization’s Top Teke Award. He also was involved in Blue Key, Mortar Board, Cardinal Key and Order of Omega. He was an assistant coach for the Maryville High School soccer team, was a member of the X-106 executive staff and was a print ad designer for The Northwest Missourian. He lives in New York City. n
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Tourin’ Bearcats experience ‘Taste of the Danube’
Thirty-six Northwest alumni and friends traveled to Europe in April to cruise the Danube River as part of the Tourin’ Bearcats, the Northwest Alumni Association’s travel program. The trip included a stop in Vienna with tours of the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Wachau Valley, home of many Austrian wines, and a visit to the Benedictine Abbey in Melk. Travelers also enjoyed sightseeing in Bratislava, Slovakia, including St. Martin’ Cathedral, and Budapest, Hungary’s capital.
Enjoying dinner on the riverboat cruise were (from left) Sam Hiner, JoAnn Bortner Hiner ’90, Bill Brown ’63, ’76, Jo Karen Brown, Anne Jones and Andy Jones ’65. To learn about the next Tourin’ Bearcats trip, view the ad on the back of this publication.
2014 Alumni Awards call for nominations The Northwest Alumni Association annually recognizes alumni, faculty, retired faculty and friends who have brought distinction upon themselves, their profession and Northwest, and nominations are currently being sought for the 2014 Alumni Association Awards.
Award nomination deadline: March 1, 2014
Nominations must be submitted on the forms provided by the Northwest Alumni Association. Contact Brenda Untiedt for a nomination form at 660.562.1248 or alumni@nwmissouri.edu or complete the appropriate online form at www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/events/awards/nominations.htm. Nominations will not be considered unless the entire nomination form is complete. The Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors’ Programs Team will make final selections at its 2014 spring meeting.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recognizes Northwest alumni for exceptional professional and personal achievement and extraordinary distinction in their chosen field
Honorary Alumni Award Honors Northwest friends who have served, promoted and loved the University in the tradition of a loyal graduate
Distinguished Faculty Emeritus Award Recognizes former faculty members for their outstanding teaching, service and/or research contributions at Northwest Distinguished Faculty Award Recognizes present faculty members for their outstanding teaching, service and/or research contributions at Northwest
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Turret Service Award Acknowledges graduates or former students whose significant contributions of time and talents benefit and promote the University and the Northwest Alumni Association Young Alumni Award Honors graduates of the last decade for their exceptional achievements in career, public service and/or volunteerism that bring honor to the University
As the 2008 Turret Service Award recipient, I know what an honor it is to be recognized by the Northwest Alumni Association. There are many people who have served and promoted this great institution, and the Northwest Alumni Association recognizes these well-deserving individuals who have given so much. I encourage you to nominate someone – it only takes a few minutes.
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Joan Lynch JacksonFall ’65 2013
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Alumni Connections
Prior to the St. Joseph Mustangs game, Northwest announced the recipient of its Young Educator of the Year Award, which was presented to a Savannah teacher, Lauren Roiser (right), by Darryl Johnson ’92, ’98, a recent inductee into the National Teachers Hall of Fame and Dr. Joyce Wake Piveral ’70, ’74, dean of Northwest’s College of Education and Human Services.
Breaking a world record For the third consecutive summer, Northwest alumni and friends filled historic Phil Welch Stadium for Northwest Night at the St. Joseph Mustangs. In addition to the players wearing green jerseys in support of Northwest, the night included a tailgate and Northwest-related activities, and Larry Mannasmith ’71, Northwest’s assistant director of admissions, sang the national anthem. Fans also helped break a world record (above) for the most first pitches thrown simultaneously. The record previously stood at 119 pitches, but fans broke that mark by simultaneously throwing 150 pitches, involving 300 individuals – that’s pitchers and catchers. n
MISSION: The Northwest Alumni Association fosters lifelong relationships through initiatives and opportunities that advance the University and its alumni, future alumni and friends.
Northwest Alumni Association eliminates annual membership fee
2013-2014 Board of Directors
The Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors voted in April at its biannual meeting to discontinue the association’s membership fee. In the past, any annual donation of $50 per person or $85 per couple would provide Alumni Association membership. The current structure now allows for all Northwest graduates to become members. “We realized the membership incentives weren’t substantial enough to encourage alumni to participate in a paid membership program,” said Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09, director of alumni and donor relations. “With the fee waived, we are now exploring opportunities to encourage other segments of our alumni and friends
President Kory Schramm ’95, Johnston, Iowa Vice President Linda Nichols Place ’72, Albany Past President Amy Willits Harlin ’95, Smithville Members Karen Logullo Bader ’86, ’95, Aurora Bill Brooks ’91, Dearborn Dennis Bunch ’69, ’76, Johnston, Iowa Anitra Germer Clark ’04, ’07, St. Joseph Paula Rector Davis ’91, Lee’s Summit Mark DeVore ’71, Branson Jim Goecken ’92, Maryville Joan Lynch Jackson ’65, Redding, Iowa Chrissy Beck Jolley ’02, Jefferson City Jay Liebenguth ’80, Louisburg, Kan. Joyce Seals Roddy ’75, St. Peters Faith Spark, Des Moines, Iowa Dave Teeter ’86, Montgomery City Rich Tohkeim ’82, Omaha, Neb. Jeremy Waldeier ’97, ’09, Maryville Ex-Officio Board Members Mike Johnson ’85, Vice President of University Advancement Holly Murphy-Barstow ’81, President, Northwest Foundation, Omaha, Neb. Lori McLemore Steiner ’85, Finance Officer and Executive Director of Advancement Services Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09 Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09, Alumni Relations and Advancement Communications Specialist
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population to get involved, with added incentives for businesses and corporate membership.” While the Northwest Alumni Association’s mission is to foster lifelong relationships through initiatives and opportunities that advance the University and its alumni, future alumni and friends, Howard said the Alumni Board also discussed ways to encourage alumni to stay connected with Northwest once they graduate. “Currently there are 19 alumni chapters across the country, including one in Japan,” she said. “In areas where there may not be a large number of alumni living in a concentrated area, often there are alumni and
friends who are interested in organizing events and activities for those associated with Northwest. I would like to identify ‘point people’ in those areas to connect with when there’s a University function near their community or to help coordinate other Bearcat gatherings closer to their hometowns.” If you are interested in learning how many Bearcats live near you or if you would like to organize a chapter or other Northwestrelated activity, contact the Northwest Alumni Association at 660.562.1248 or alumni@nwmissouri. edu or connect via Facebook at www.facebook.com/ nwmissourialumni or Twitter @NWMSUalumni. n
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Alumni provide funding for upgrades to University farm Michael Abildtrup ’68 and his wife, Linda, have committed $250,000 in current and deferred gifts to Northwest to assist with planned improvements at the University’s R.T. Wright Farm that include a proposed Agricultural Resource Center. Michael and Linda, who attended Northwest, remember their time on campus fondly. Now retired, the couple lives in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Michael remains active and connected to Northwest as a member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors. But it’s Michael’s agriculture and business experience, as well as the couple’s positive experiences at Northwest, that fueled their decision to provide monetary assistance for farm upgrades. Operated by Northwest’s Department of Agricultural Sciences, students benefit from a number of hands-on experi-
ences at the 448-acre Wright Farm, which is home to beef, swine, dairy, poultry and sheep herds as well as row, silage and hay crops. As proposed, the Agricultural Resource Center will serve as a multipurpose facility at the Wright Farm to provide hands-on field laboratory resources and research to supplement and enhance the academic curriculum. The space will allow for greater use of farm crop, soil and livestock resources for research and scholarly activities as well as for public and private functions such as agricultural producer meetings, workshops, shows and contests. “We are experiencing a unique era in agriculture where Northwest has the opportunity to be a regional center for agriculture with the expertise and technology needed to be a leader,” Michael said. At Northwest, Michael
earned a degree in business management with an accounting emphasis and was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, homecoming committees and a professional business fraternity. Linda studied secondary education with a history emphasis. After graduating from Northwest, Michael joined the Air Force, and he and Linda married that winter. Michael served four years in the military and kick-started his business career by landing a job as the grain and feed department manager of a cooperative in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. During the next 40 years, he served as CEO of three Iowa-based farmer-owned cooperatives. n
With their gift, Michael and Linda Abildtrup will help ensure Northwest’s farm remains an important laboratory for agricultural students and improve the resources available at the facility.
Celebration recognizes student achievements, donor support Northwest celebrated the academic successes and achievements of its students during the inaugural Northwest Academic Celebration. More than 250 Northwest students were recognized at the April ceremony alongside many of the donors who support them through scholarships. The celebration was a collaborative event that brought together students, faculty and staff representing each of the University’s three academic colleges, its graduate school and the academic departments within those colleges, scholarship donors as well as friends and families of students. It was the first of its kind in this format, a change from previous academic celebrations at the University that were organized and hosted by each of the academic colleges.
“Private giving and private support will become even more crucial to institutions like ours moving forward,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “We have laid the groundwork and will continue developing a culture of ongoing philanthropy. I speak for all Bearcats when I say we are forever grateful to our donors for their continued contributions to Bearcat nation.” The celebration also featured multiple presentations showcasing the talents of Northwest students, and select students offered reflections about the ways they have benefitted from scholarships and internship opportunities. n
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The Northwest Academic Celebration gave Clara Swoboda (center), the recipient of the Jake Cavanaugh Memorial Scholarship, an opportunity to personally thank Jake’s parents, Curt and Jane Cavanaugh.
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Advancing Northwest
Fond memories lead alum to assist art students
Richard Allman ’75 chose to donate his entire estate to Northwest to assist students interested in art.
Richard Allman ’75 is giving a deferred estate gift to Northwest with a current value of more than $500,000. A portion of the estate gift will be designated for the endowed Richard Allman and Margaret Peterson Three-Dimensional Art Scholarship, named in honor of Richard’s late wife. The remainder of the estate gift will be used to benefit Northwest ceramic and sculpture programs. “This is a beautiful testamentary gift that recognizes and continues to provide for differentiation within our Department of Fine and Performing Arts,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “Thanks to Richard Allman and his late wife, Margaret Peterson, for inspiring so many to follow their passion in providing difference-making legacies throughout Northwest.” After graduating, Allman served the U.S. Army until 1978, when he enrolled in the University of Central Missouri’s secondary education program. After graduation, UCM hired him as an art instructor. He taught there four years and
met his future wife, Margaret, a painting professor emeritus at UCM. Allman began teaching elementary and middle school art in the Kansas City School District in 1993 and retired in 2011 to support his wife during her battle with cancer. While considering how his gift could benefit Northwest, Allman visited the University and was impressed with the Fire Arts Building. Allman also noticed how much Northwest has grown since he was a student. “When they gave me the tour and I saw the facility, it blew my socks off,” Allman said. “It’s better than the facilities at a lot of other colleges that have Master of Fine Arts programs.” Now retired, Allman enjoys the house and studio he built on 10 acres in Peculiar. “I want to make sure Northwest can use this gift to help young art students,” Allman said. “This is the best place the money can go.” For more information about giving to Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at advance@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248. n
Alumnus to assist history, social science majors through scholarship Mitchell Akers ’87 has made a sixfigure deferred estate gift to endow the Mitchell Akers Scholarship Fund for the purpose of assisting Northwest social science education and history majors. Reflecting on his own experience at Northwest, Akers said it would have been impossible for him to obtain the quality education he received without financial assistance. He recognizes the need for financial assistance is greater today as costs rise and new generations seek to attend college. Akers, who lives in Kansas City, stands as a proponent for providing access to higher education as a gateway to new opportunities. “My success in my chosen career of public service is a direct result of the education I received at Northwest,” Akers said. “In terms of self-development, that experience was the most interesting and gratifying time of my life. The scholarship fund is a way to provide or,
Northwest Alumni Magazine
at least, help future generations to obtain the same opportunities to develop their strengths and use them to reach their aspirations. Education is the one equalizer that opens the door to all the other possibilities.” Akers, originally from Anita, Iowa, was the youngest of five siblings and the only one to attend college. He did so by securing Pell Grants, Regents scholarships and Guaranteed Student Loans. He also participated in the work-study program. “The quality of education I received was invaluable thanks to the professors and their ability to motivate and encourage learning,” he said. In 1990, with the assistance of Career Services and the Outstanding Scholars Program, Akers was hired as a contract specialist intern with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). He progressed through the ranks and now serves as a branch chief and supervi-
Fall 2013
sory contract specialist. His responsibilities include directing, awarding and administering architect-engineer and construction contracts in the St. Louis metro As a Northwest student in area and the 1980s (above), Mitch Akers was thankful for the the state of financial assistance he Iowa. Along received. the way, he has received many accolades, including Federal Energy and Water Management Awards and the GSA Environmental Award. For more information about giving to Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or advance@nwmissouri.edu. n
Lasting Legacies “Giving back to Northwest has never been a question. Once we were in a position to make significant gifts, we decided it would be more rewarding to start giving now while we can enjoy it.” John Teale ’73 with his wife, Kris Teale ’91
John ’73 and Kris ’91 Teale have benefitted for decades from the opportunities provided at Northwest and its mission to help students succeed. Now, the longtime Maryville couple is seeking to assist the University and its students with a six-figure gift. The Teales recently decided to repurpose a life insurance policy into a gift that fulfills their philanthropic desires and assists Northwest where its need is greatest. “We are beginning with a life insurance policy that we had taken out years ago for a much different purpose,” John said. “As our life situation changed, we discovered that we could repurpose the policy by gifting ownership of the policy to the University.” After John completed his degree in industrial technology, the couple stayed in Maryville and John joined Midland Engineering Inc., where he became a partner in 1976 and president in 1989. Now in its fourth decade, the company has evolved and changed its name to Midland Surveying Inc. and expanded its operations, adding Midland GIS Solutions LLC in 2000. Although John retired in 2012, the businesses currently boast about 30 employees who have attended or graduated from Northwest. “We were extremely impressed with the quality of students and
willingness of their instructors to accommodate our needs while insuring that the students had a meaningful learning experience,” John said. “The instructors do a tremendous job in preparing these high-achieving performers to become industry leaders of tomorrow, and we are grateful for that win-win relationship.” As a member of departmental professional advisory teams at Northwest, John also shares feedback about curriculum and trends in his industry, participates in mock interview days and provides opportunities for countless students through directed graduate projects, internships and full-time employment. The Teales have a long and deep family legacy at Northwest. Their two sons, Greg and Adam, as well as their daughters-inlaw are Northwest alumni. John’s brother and sister, Kris’s sister, nieces and nephews attended the University, too. “The friendships and relationships that have been created at Northwest, both as students and alumni are priceless,” said John, who was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. “We have built many lifelong friendships, many of which we maintain contact today. We have a tremendous pride in Northwest and believe that much of our success is due to the educational and social experiences that were gained as students and active alumni.”
A gift of life insurance is an easy way to ensure a legacy for future generations of Bearcats. Consider these advantages: n Make a significant new asset for the University while taking no major assets away from the donor’s own beneficiaries
n Tax-deductible donor contributions
n Long-range pledges are made possible with small, manageable deposits n Does not offset the donor’s will or estate plan
Contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or advance@nwmissouri.edu to find out about the many advantages of creating a gift through life insurance.
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Alumni Profile
Staying in the game: Former Bearcat on top of football safety Every new incident, every new study, brings new concern about football and concussions and whether a rough and sometimes punishing sport is safe. Lawsuits have been filed. Youth participation has slipped. Even the nation’s president is wondering: Should parents think twice about letting their sons don a helmet and pads and head onto a field to play? Nick Inzerello ’98 takes the question and issue to heart. An undersized but heady and sure-handed receiver, he played four years at Northwest and helped lay the foundation for what’s now one of the NCAA’s signature Division II programs. As senior director of football development for USA Football, the national governing body of youth and amateur football, Inzerello is front and center in the development of appropriate player and team training programs, in the education and certification of coaches – in reinforcing and engraining safety at the sport’s grass-roots level. He and the Indianapolis-based organization work in partnership with the National Football League, its 32 teams and its players’ union. “It’s an important time for our game at every level,” Inzerello said. “You have parents asking, ‘Why should I let my youngster play? Are the coaches certified? What type of practice plans do they
use?’ It’s our responsibility to make sure we’re setting standards in football to ensure a better, safer experience.” Among those tracking his work: his former coach at Northwest and current athletics director, Mel Tjeerdsma. “I’m really proud of Nick,” Tjeerdsma Northwest alumnus and former Bearcat football player Nick Inzerello ’98 (center), meets with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and former said. “He’s at a national NFL player Michael Strahan to discuss player safety. Inzerello has level and sometimes applied the experiences he had at Northwest to his professional career a world level at what and is now senior director of football development for USA Football. he’s doing. And he’s (submitted photo) helping to make the game of football better.” to the Olympic Committee for five years Inzerello, who graduated from as coordinator of athlete marketing and Northwest with a degree in public digital media. The latter job took Inzerello relations, has long been special to the to the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Hall of Fame coach. He was a part of Australia, and the 2002 Winter Games in Tjeerdsma’s first Bearcats recruiting Salt Lake City, Utah. class in 1994, a group that went from He joined USA Football in 2003, when an 0-11 finish that fall to back-to-back he was one of just five staff members. Now, Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics there are about 60. Association championships and D-II The non-profit governing body, the playoff berths when Inzerello was a official youth football development junior and senior. partner of the NFL, holds more than 80 He started focusing on a career in training events annually, offers education athletics administration as a junior for coaches and game officials and skill and landed an internship with the development for players and provides U.S. Olympic Committee in Coloresources for leagues and administrators. rado Springs, Its membership spans all 50 states and 49 Colo., a year countries abroad. later. The Among other things, Inzerello helps “It’s an important time for USOC hired oversee the Heads Up Football initiative our game at every level. him back that stages clinics and sets up local “safety after graducoaches.” A pilot program that operated in … It’s our responsibility ation, he three leagues in Virginia, California and moved on to Indiana a year ago is expanding this year to make sure we’re setting a graduate to hundreds of leagues across the country. standards in football assistantship His department also runs NFL Flag, in media and the league’s flag football program for 5- to to ensure a better, safer public affairs 17-year-olds, and the national Punt, Pass with the & Kick skills competition. experience.” NFL’s Buffalo “What I’m doing now,” said Inzerello, Nick Inzerello ’98 Bills, and he the married father of three, “is giving back went back to a game that’s given me so much.” n
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Fall 2013
Bearcat Sports
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6 individuals, 2 teams to enter athletics M-Club Hall of Fame Five outstanding former student-athletes, a long-time faculty-athletics administrator and two MIAA championship teams have been chosen for induction into the M-Club Hall of Fame this fall. This year’s banquet and induction ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by contacting Michele Steinmeyer at 660.562.1977 or msteinm@nwmissouri.edu by Friday, Oct. 11. Inductees will also be recognized during the Homecoming football game Saturday, Oct. 26. Herb Dieterich
A fixture on the Northwest campus as faculty-athletics representative from 1928 to 1968; also served Northwest as principal of Horace Mann Laboratory School, as an education professor and chairman of secondary education; posthumously inducted John Edmonds ’03, ’05
Football, 1999-2003; two-time All-MIAA linebacker; member of a national championship squad and four MIAA championship teams; named a National College Football Scholar-Athlete in 2003 (the only Bearcat to ever receive this award); finalist for the “Academic Heisman,” which recognizes the top college football player in any division with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance Gena Lindsay ’06, ’08
Tennis, 2003-2006; two-time MIAA MVP; in the top five in
several categories including career singles wins, singles wins in one season and career doubles wins; earned first-team singles All-MIAA in 2005; twice received MIAA Sportsmanship Award Clint Prange ’04, ’05
Track and field, 2002-2006; three-time NCAA discus champion; in 2005, was third in the NCAA indoor shot put and won the outdoor shot put title with a throw of 66-1, a mark that still stands in Division II track and field record books; one of the most decorated athletes in Bearcat track and field history; received the Ken B. Jones Award, recognizing the top allaround MIAA student-athlete Steve Savard ’88
Football, 1982-1985; twice named first-team All-MIAA as a feared linebacker in the middle of the Bearcats defense; led the team in tackles three times during his career; ranks
second all-time in tackles with 441; spent time in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys; currently the radio voice of the St. Louis Rams Diane Kloewer Sprick ’84
Basketball, 1981-1984; her 633 points and average of 21.1 points per game in 1984 are the best single-season marks in school history; fourth all-time in career points (1,489); one of only 16 players to accumulate 1,000+ points/500+ rebounds in her career; two-time firstteam All-MIAA selection; CoSIDA Academic AllAmerican
1984 Softball Team
Captured the school’s first MIAA softball title; outscored opponents 158-57; held opponents to a .196 batting average; competed in the NCAA Division II regional n
1992 Women’s Tennis Team
Undefeated in the MIAA with a final team record of 22-5; team featured three MIAA singles champions and one doubles team champion; team combined for a school-record 144 singles victories and the fourth most dual wins in a single season
John Edmonds ’03, ’05, the only Bearcat ever to be named a National Football Scholar-Athlete, will be among the 2013 M-Club inductees.
Tjeerdsma receives warm welcome as new AD
Mel Tjeerdsma fields questions from the media following the news conference announcing his return to Northwest as director of athletics.
If you’re looking for an example of the meaning behind the phrase “once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat,” look no further than Northwest’s new athletic director, Mel Tjeerdsma. Tjeerdsma, who received his master’s from Northwest in 1977, returned to campus this spring to oversee the athletic department after an outstanding tenure as the leader of the football program from 1994 to 2010. “For 17 years, Northwest was our home, and we’re excited to return to Maryville,” said Tjeerdsma at his introductory press conference, referring to himself and his wife, Carol. “The Northwest athletics program has a rich and outstanding tradition, and it is my goal to see it continue to thrive and improve in the years to come.”
Since departing Northwest in February 2011, Tjeerdsma coached Team USA to a world championship at the 2011 International Federation of American Football World Cup in Austria. He also was a member of Austin College’s Institutional Advancement development team where he led athletics fundraising efforts. Most recently, he served the NCAA, piloting the Coaches Connection program that used prominent former coaches to create a more effective dialogue between coaches and the Division II governance structure and staff. Tjeerdsma succeeded Wren Baker, who resigned in February 2013 to become the deputy athletic director of external affairs at the University of Memphis. n
Fall 2013
Northwest Alumni Magazine
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Bearcat Sports
Bearcat athletes find success in spring season Golf It was a historic spring season for the women’s golf team as sophomore Steph Charteris became the first Bearcat golfer in program history to compete in an NCAA postseason event, finishing 28th in the NCAA Central Region Championship. Junior Cassie Lowell, the defending MIAA champion, led the way at the MIAA Championships for Northwest, finishing in a tie for third in the snow-shortened event and helped her team to a third-place finish overall. By season’s end, the Bearcat golf team captured three first-place finishes and two second-place finishes.
Softball The Bearcat softball team began the year in dominating fashion with a school record 7-0 start on its way to outscoring opponents 56-18 to open the season. Senior pitcher Jenna Creger completed a stellar career posting a 2.17 ERA and setting a school record by pitching 554 career strikeouts. Overall, the team posted a 27-19 record and qualified for the MIAA postseason tournament. Four seniors and one junior represented the Bearcats with AllMIAA honors, led by first-team selection Hailee Hendricks at second base.
Baseball
Lluis Altimires (left) and Sergio De Vilchez celebrate a victory helping the Bearcats to a fourth straight conference championship.
The Bearcat baseball team closed the season by winning 13 of its final 18 games and a 22-27 overall record, just missing an opportunity to compete in the MIAA postseason tournament. Ryan Abernathy received his second All-MIAA selection,
this time as a second-team member after hitting .319 and finishing in the top 10 in the league in runs, triples, walks and stolen bases. He was joined on the All-MIAA second team by Eric McGlauflin, who posted a .454 slugging percentage.
Tennis The Bearcat men’s tennis team, with a 20-4 record, advanced to the NCAA tournament for the eighth straight season. The men advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2007 as freshman Sergio De Vilchez and junior Lluis Altimires paved the way to a fourth consecutive MIAA Championship. De Vilchez was named MIAA Freshman of the Year while head coach Mark Rosewell was named MIAA Coach of the Year and four Bearcats earned first-team honors. The Bearcat women came up just shy of advancing to a second straight MIAA Championship match and eventually fell in the third place match. Alexis Bartek combined with fellow Bearcat Guilherme Narducci on the men’s side to each claim the MIAA Sportsmanship Award.
Track and Field Four Bearcats highlighted the track and field season earning a spot in the NCAA Championships in Pueblo, Colo. MIAA pole vault champion Will Haer joined junior John Petroff in the discus on the men’s side while Chloe Wichmann competed in the heptathlon and Ashton Nibert earned a spot in the 400-meter dash. The Bearcats also saw Anne Herbert win an MIAA title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase while Eli Smith earned All-MIAA honors in the 400-meters. n
Basketball wrap-up The women’s basketball team, led by Coach Mark Kellogg, finished 15-13 and returned to the MIAA tournament where Northwest pulled off a 77-72 upset over Missouri Southern in the opening round before falling to No. 1 seed Washburn. Head Coach Ben McCollum took his men’s basketball team to its second consecutive trip to the MIAA tournament after finishing the regular season at 18-9. The Bearcats defeated Missouri Western, Northeastern State and Fort Hays State on their way to the MIAA championship game in which they fell to Central Missouri in overtime. n
Smith returns as women’s basketball head coach Northwest Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma officially welcomed Michael Smith ’98 (master’s) back to Northwest at a May 13 news conference to introduce him as the new women’s basketball head coach. Smith, 39, returns to Northwest as the seventh head women’s basketball coach after five seasons as the head coach at Truman State. Smith spent two seasons, from 1996 to 1998, as a graduate assistant for the Bearcats under the late Wayne Winstead – Northwest’s all-time winningest women’s basketball coach.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
During his tenure at Truman State, the Bulldogs increased their win total each season and advanced to the MIAA Tournament the last three seasons. He helped lead the Bulldogs from the bottom of the conference with an 8-19 record in his first season to a 20-6 record in 2012-13. To view Smith’s introductory news conference, visit www. youtube.com/bearcatsports. n
Fall 2013
Michael Smith ’98 (left) is greeted by Northwest Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma. Under Smith’s guidance at Truman, nine players earn all-conference honors.
Bearcat Sports
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Athletics introduces new look, online store For nearly two decades, Northwest athletics teams have been represented by the Bearcat paw. On April 20, in front of nearly 1,000 fans in Bearcat Arena, an enhanced look – with the Bearcat paw remaining the primary athletics mark – was unveiled. “The paw has been and will continue to be Northwest Missouri State athletics. I feel I have as much invested in the paw over the last 20 years as anyone, and this modern look will serve Bearcat athletics well into the future,” said Mel Tjeerdsma, former Northwest head football coach and current director of athletics. “The integrity of the paw is still intact and will continue to bring pride to all Bearcats.” The design of the new look evolved through a multi-
step effort that included extensive design research and numerous focus groups with alumni, students, coaches, student-athletes, faculty, staff, community members and businesses. The new logos – designed in a way to maintain a contemporary and consistent appearance in print and apparel – include a modernized paw, a new Bearcat head, a series of word marks and a font unique only to Northwest. In addition, a “kid-friendly” Bobby Bearcat was created to appeal specifically to children. Several secondary marks were created for use as well, including a set of
Bearcat eyes and claw marks. The new look is in the process of being phased in throughout campus, and changes will be made over a period of time as the lifespan of existing marks expires and as budgets allow. In addition to enhancing the athletics brand, the Department of Athletics has a new online store, www. ShopBearcats.com, that offers a large selection of Bearcat apparel. The store may also be accessed via northwestbearcats.com. Bearcat fans can choose from a large variety of items including clothing, hats, collectibles, luggage, gifts, youth merchandise and much more. n
For the 12th consecutive year, two of Division II’s perennial football powers – Northwest and Pittsburg State – will meet in Kansas City for a crucial MIAA showdown. This year’s matchup will be extra special because the two teams will not meet during the 2014 regular season due to the expanded MIAA conference, marking at least a temporary end to the fall tradition fans from both schools look forward to each year. The Bearcats hold an 8-3 advantage over the Gorillas since the beginning of the neutral site clash in 2002. Saturday, Oct. 19 Arrowhead Stadium 3 p.m. kickoff Parking lots open at noon Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Field-level tickets: $25 for adults; $10, ages 3 to 18 and Northwest students with ID
XII
2002
Northwest Night at the Power and Light
Family package: $60, includes admission for two adults and two children (must be purchased in
Children 2 and under sitting on an adult’s lap are admitted free
To order tickets, call 660.562.1212 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or purchase online anytime at www.nwmissouri.edu/tickets. Bearcat fans are encouraged to join the Northwest Alumni Association for a pregame gathering at the stadium. Details are forthcoming.
2013
OCTOBER 19, 2013 – 3 p.m.
Club level tickets: $37, all ages
person at Northwest’s Student Services Center)
This spring, the MIAA honored 199 Northwest student-athletes for their hard work in the classroom as part of the league’s 2012-13 academic awards. Senior cross country standout Jordan Esry (above) was one of eight Bearcats to earn MIAA ScholarAthlete honors by posting a flawless 4.0 GPA. The Bearcats also had 177 student-athletes who had earned at least a 3.0 GPA. n
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Free pep rally for Bearcat fans of all ages n KC Live outdoor courtyard in the Power and Light District n 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18 n Giveaways, spirit performances, guest speakers and more
Fall 2013
Northwest Alumni Magazine
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Bearcat Sports
2013 BEARCAT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m. vs. Saginaw Valley State Sept. 14, 6 p.m. vs. Central Missouri Sept. 21, 7 p.m. at Fort Hays State (Hays, Kan.) Sept. 28, 1 p.m. vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Family Weekend) Oct. 5, 2 p.m. at Northeastern State (Tahlequah, Okla.) Oct. 12, 1 p.m. vs. Central Oklahoma Oct. 19, 3 p.m. vs. Pittsburg State (Kansas City, Fall Classic at Arrowhead) Oct. 26, 2 p.m. vs. Missouri Southern (Homecoming) Nov. 2, 2:37 p.m. vs. Washburn (MIAA TV game)
Whether you’re in Omaha, Dallas, Kansas City, Phoenix or beyond...
Don’t miss a single play! Listen on the radio n
KXCV, 90.5 FM Maryville
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KCXL, 102.9 FM Kansas City*
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KRNW, 88.9 FM Chillicothe
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KCXL, 1140 AM Liberty*
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KKWK, 100.1 FM Cameron
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KMA, 960 AM Shenandoah* *select games
Nov. 9, 1 p.m. at Emporia State (Emporia, Kan.)
Listen on the web
Nov. 16, 1:30 p.m. at Missouri Western (St. Joseph)
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Home games bolded
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www.northwestbearcats.com
Listen on your phone or tablet
The Hy-Vee Bearcat Zone opens two hours prior to kickoff in College Park (across the street from the west entrance to Bearcat Stadium) before all home games. Admission is free, food is available for purchase and don’t miss the pep rally featuring the Bearcat Marching Band, Bearcat Steppers and cheerleaders.
Download the NPR or TuneIn Radio apps (via KXCV)
There’s no need to pack the grill for the Bearcat road games. Food and beverages are sold by Countryside Bistro prior to all regular-season road games, excluding the Fall Classic at Arrowhead.
Notes regarding tailgating/alcohol To ensure the safety and enjoyment of Northwest fans as well as all individuals on campus, please observe the following regulations on Bearcat football game days: n
Campus parking lots used for tailgating open four hours prior to kickoff and must be cleared within 90 minutes of the end of game.
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Possession and/or consumption of alcohol may take place only in parking lots 60, 62 and 63.
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No possession and/or consumption of alcohol is allowed in College Park.
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Possession and consumption of alcohol must cease no later than the start of third quarter.
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Kegs and glass containers are not allowed.
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No one under the age of 21 is permitted to consume or possess alcohol.
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Anyone possessing and/or consuming alcohol shall possess valid photo identification establishing that he/she is 21 years of age or older and comply with a request to show such identification when requested by law enforcement, game security personnel or a University official upon request.
To view the complete tailgating policy, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/athletics/tailgatingpolicy.htm.
For the latest schedule and ticket information, visit www.northwestbearcats.com.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
www.kxcv.org
Fall 2013
Same flagship station, same broadcast team As it has since 1999, KXCV 90.5 FM – the most powerful FM station in the region – serves as the flagship station and provider of all Bearcat sports broadcasts. KXCV is the 100,000-watt FM public radio station that broadcasts from the Northwest campus. The professional broadcast team of John Coffey ’82 and Matt Gaarder ’97 provide the play-by-play and color commentary for all Bearcat football and basketball games. Coffey began in 1985 as the “Voice of the Bearcats” while Gaarder joined the broadcast team prior to the 1999 season. BEARCAT FLAGSHIP STATION
Class Notes
1973
Cynthia Jones is senior associate director of athletics at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Marilyn Meyer is assistant metro editor at the Halifax Media Group in Lakeland, Fla. Darlene Dixon Partlow retired in September 2011 after 34 years of service with the United States Postal Service in Menlo, Iowa, serving as postmaster since March 1998. She was named Iowa Postmaster of the Year in
2011 by the Iowa League of Postmasters. She taught business courses at Stuart-Menlo High School prior to her career with the USPS.
1974
William Hull retired in April from Country Financial in Bloomington, Ill., after 29 years of service. He began his career with the company in 1984 as a payroll programmer analyst and also held positions in applications development, IT training and server
support and IT support specialist. He and his wife, Mickey, have relocated to Seneca, S.C., where they plan to build a retirement home, travel, boat, fish, golf and volunteer.
for 30 years. He and his wife, Lucy, live in Sunrise Beach, have continued their world travels and are the parents of two grown children and two granddaughters.
Marvin Silliman (master’s) worked at Northwest as an administrator for 16 years and in 1985 joined Edward Jones as an investment representative, opening an office in Fort Scott, Kan. He retired from Edward Jones as a limited partner in 2007 and moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, where he had spent weekends
1975
Delcia Beeks McBroom retired from teaching vocal and instrumental music after 36 years. She taught most recently in the Jefferson C-123 School District for 15 years, and prior to that she taught at school districts in North
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Nodaway, North Harrison and Montgomery County.
1976
Dave and Judy Tietjens ’77 Fairchild live in Hamilton where Judy is a teacher and Dave is the head football coach at Penney High School. Dave coached the Penney Hornets to an undefeated season and the 2012 Class I State Football Championship and also led the Hornets to state championships in 2009 and 2010.
Stadlman translates art skills into sports images, creates company Baseball’s opening days are special. No two ways about it, Ryan Stadlman ’97, says. So when the Kansas City Royals played their first game at home in April, he settled into his seat in Kauffman Stadium and took in all the sights, sounds and mesmeric sensations. A little more than 15 years ago, the Maryville native left Northwest with a degree in studio art. His focus then was on photography and drawing. He’d eventually get hooked on moving images – video, motion graphics, animation – and today owns a Kansas City-area firm, S Group, that produces marketing and other videos for an array of clients ranging from a prominent, Chicagobased food and beverage packager to the Royals, American League rival Seattle Mariners and pro hockey’s Calgary Flames. Stadlman has also freelanced for the Kansas City Chiefs and a succession of broadcast and cable networks: Fox, TBS, CMT, TLC, MTV and Animal Planet. Pro sports teams also have come to appreciate Stadlman. He has worked with baseball’s Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Tampa Rays, football’s Denver Broncos and basketball’s San Antonio Spurs. Stadlman has produced the opening
video, head shots, interviews and other content carried season-long on the Royals’ towering CrownVision board for three consecutive years. “Opening Day, that’s your day to go and enjoy, just sit back and look at it and go, ‘Wow, we did it,’” Stadlman said. Pro sports franchise or corporate client, Stadlman’s mission is the same: Tell a story, and do it in a unique and comRyan Stadlman ’97 has taken the photography and drawing pelling way. Be creative. skills he practiced as a student to Kansas City where he’s launched a firm that produces marketing videos for a variety Northwest equipped him for of clients including the Kansas City Royals and several that, he says. other professional sports teams. Growing up in Maryville – his father, Rollie Stadlman ’70, Maryville Daily Forum and worked for a former member of Northwest’s Board two campus radio stations and on weekof Regents who also helped start public ends for a local radio station. He also fit radio station KXCV in 1971 – Stadlin work as a disc jockey at a local bar. man made a visit to Northwest and was “I was working all the media angles I drawn to the one-on-one attention from could have possibly worked in that town, faculty. In its art program over the next now that I think about it,” he said. several years, he found himself chalStadlman has won three regional lenged and inspired. Emmys, 11 Tellys and collected a couple “I hate the cliché ‘thinking outside of ADDY awards from the Kansas City the box,’ but it was truly looking at chapter of the American Advertising things differently, approaching things in Federation. a way that’s not the norm,” he said. Throughout his college years, StadlFor more information about S-Group, man shot photos for Northwest and the visit www.sgroupcreations.com. n
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Northwest Alumni Magazine
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Class Notes
Upon entering Northwest, Robyn Brinks Lockwood ’91, ’93 knew she wanted to be a writer. However, she never anticipated that her education would propel her to the heart of Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, Calif., to become a writer for well-known academic publications and teach at Stanford University. After earning her bachelor’s in journalism and master’s in English from Northwest, Lockwood was a full-time editor for publisher McGraw-Hill and part-time faculty member for several years in St. Louis. She later worked for Elsevier, which publishes medical and science books. Then she earned an appointment as a lecturer in the graduate program at Stanford University and now also serves as coordinator for one of Stanford’s summer program: American Language and Culture. “I feel very lucky – like I have the best of both worlds,” Lockwood said. “I get to teach and write. I’m a stronger teacher because I work on relevant materials, and I can use my teaching to help write materials for students everywhere.” Lockwood recently finished a textbook titled “Skillful” for MacMillan
1977
Janet Stuck Jelavich (master’s ’86) retired from teaching honors English IV/dual credit and English II at Maryville High School after 21 years. She also taught at Savannah, Bishop LeBlond, Northwest Community College, Missouri Western, Southwest Iowa Community College and Northwest, teaching a total of 33 years. She and her husband, Mark, will be relocating to the Kansas City area.
Education and has written ancillary products for textbooks, but the turning point in her career was when she was asked to be an author and editor of the six-volume Four Point textbook series. Its focus is on the four primary skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in a realistic, integrated format as well as the two primary language bases of vocabulary and grammar. She said the basis of the series, written for University of Michigan Press, was driven by the need for her students and other college-bound students to succeed at the demanding level necessary at Englishspeaking universities. The American Language and Culture Program that Lockwood manages is a four-week summertime program offered to students from China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau. Lockwood works to prepare students for academic writing and speaking. The program also doubles as a cultureimmersion program. During the school year, Lockwood is a lecturer for the English for Foreign Students department, and she teaches graduate students advanced English,
1978
Kevin Kelley (master’s ’91) was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in April, five years after his induction into the Kansas Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. He recently retired from coaching at Central High School in St. Joseph, where he finished his career with 514 wins. He previously coached in Savannah and Troy, Kan., and had championship appearances with all three schools.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Fall 2013
Jimalee O’Connor is case manager and shelter operations coordinator at the YWCA in St Joseph.
1979
Mark Nusbaum announced his retirement from coaching after his basketball team at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City won its first state championship since 1989. He has coached for the last 14 years at Rockhurst, following stops at Liberty and O’Hara and two schools in Iowa, and in 2010 he became the sixth coach in Missouri
upper-level writing, listening and speaking courses. Beyond the classroom, LockAn avid traveler, Robyn Brinks wood has Lockwood ’91, ’93, incorporates a collecher experiences overseas into her classroom and textbooks. tion of stamps in her passport. She said she particularly enjoys experiences overseas, where she can witness language barriers, experience culture differences and share a mutual understanding with her students of what it is like to live and communicate in a different language and culture. “Every place has something about it that I love,” Lockwood said. “Whenever I get the chance, I’m on a plane. I don’t want to forget what it’s like to not understand the language I’m immersed in. That way I can understand the challenges that my students face.” n
history to win 500 games. He will continue to teach math and keep his position as assistant golf coach at Rockhurst.
1980
Charles Smith was elected president of the Missouri National Education Association in April. He is the organization’s first black president and began his duties Aug. 1. He is a 27-year veteran of the public schools in Missouri, working most recently as a communications arts teacher in the Center School District in
south Kansas City. He also taught journalism and served as the high school newspaper advisor and communication arts department chair. On leave from the Center School District for the past six years, Charles worked full time for the 35,000-member state affiliate of the NEA, attending state board of education and Missouri Advisory Council of Certification for Educators meetings, chairing MNEA’s budget committee, working with the Future Educators Association and serving as the advisor to the MNEA Bylaws Committee.
PHOTO BY RODNEY SEARCEY
Lockwood’s path combines love of writing, travel, teaching
Class Notes
1981
Tammy Bryan Kisker (master’s ’96) retired from teaching after 29 years. She spent the last 13 years teaching fifth grade in Maryville and had also taught at West Platte, Pleasant Hill and Fairfax. She plans to move to Platte City to be near her children and their families.
1982
Victor Morales is head of the educational half of Voice of America Worldwide English Operations in Washington, D.C.
Barb Stoll Sherry (master’s ’92) retired from teaching kindergarten and second grade in the South Nodaway School District after 27 years with the district. She taught a total of 31 years, teaching previously in Holt County.
1983
June Carson is retired and works part time as a book editor for her husband, Sam Drew Carson, a former professor of quantitative methods at Northwest. They live in Long Ashton, Bristol, a historic area in England that was home to actors Carey Grant and John
Cleese, explorer John Cabot and early evangelist John Wesley. 1 Dan Danford (master’s) is a registered financial advisor for the National Football League Players Association’s Registered Financial Advisor Program, which offers wealth management solutions to players. He is also principal/CEO of the Family Investment Center in St. Joseph and, in 2012, was featured in the book “America’s Top Financial Advisors.”
Tim Klocko (master’s ’84) was promoted to senior vice president of finance and administration at Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga. He
joined TU in 2009 as vice president of finance and administration. He previously served as controller at Grand View University in Iowa and controller and vice president of finance at Stephens College in Columbia.
1985
Brady Abel was installed in March as senior pastor of United Church of Sun City, Ariz. He had served as pastor of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Sedalia for eight years prior to being called to United Church. Prior to the ministry, he worked for 18 years in sales, advertising and marketing.
Navy V-12er fondly recalls time on campus Seventy years ago on July 1, 1943, I arrived in Maryville, one of 400 Navy V-12 students. We were in training for Navy Midshipman School. We soon fell in love with the beautiful campus of Northwest Missouri State College and also the friendly town of Maryville. Our commanding officer was Lt. Ralph Brown, assisted by four other officers, three chief petty officers and 10 enlisted men. We were integrated into the regular student body and attended their classes, instructed by their very capable faculty. The president of the college was Dr. Lamkin assisted by Dean J.W. Jones. We soon became accustomed to our “bell bottom trousers” and “coats of Navy blue.” Reveille came before dawn, and we ran in formation through the streets of Maryville. I was immediately impressed with the friendliness of the entire community, from the businesses downtown to the churches and their congregations. They all made us feel at home and helped prepare us for the adventures that lay ahead. While at Northwest, I had the honor of being elected to the Student Senate, representing the senior class. Every Saturday was a Navy inspection held on the football field. I played trumpet in the Navy band on these occasions.
# Photo submitted (see pg. 33)
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What’s new with you? New job? New child? New spouse? New address? Send your latest news to the Northwest Alumni Association at alumni@ nwmissouri.edu, use the enclosed envelope or complete the online class notes form at www. nwmissouri.edu/ alumni/magazine/ classnotes.htm. You may also submit a photograph. Please include a selfaddressed envelope for the photo to be returned, or email it, in high resolution, to alumni@nwmissouri. edu. n
I had three roommates, E.D. Rustand, Irvin McClure and Leland McGraw. When we had liberty on a weekend, McClure, McGraw and I would hitchhike back to Des Moines. Later we all graduated from Midshipman School. Some came from Northwestern University in Chicago and others from Columbia University in New York, where we received our Naval officers commission. We all served in the Pacific for the remainThe Navy V-12 and V-5 programs der of the war. provided a much-needed injection of After the war we all completed our men onto the Northwest campus during college educations. McClure was an World War II, and a sailor (above) proudly attorney in California, and McGraw displayed his membership in the V-12 program, which was on campus between was treasurer of Chevron Oil Co. 1943 and 1945. in San Francisco. I returned to my hometown in Carlisle, Iowa, where I became president and chairman of the board of the local bank, retiring after 45 years. Although I was 90 years of age in July, I still remember and hold dear to my heart the memories of those times spent on the Northwest campus in the wonderful community of Maryville. Sincerely, W.R. (Bill) Schooler Sr.
Fall 2013
Northwest Alumni Magazine
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Class Notes
Erle Bennett will be inducted into the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He has been the head coach at Centralia High School for the last 19 seasons after spending five seasons as the defensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He spent a portion of his early coaching career on the staff at North Nodaway and was head coach at Worth County. He also has been recognized by his peers as the Clarence Cannon Conference Football Coach of the Year nine times since 1996 and was named the Missouri Class 2 State Coach of the Year in 2003. He has a combined overall record of 173-76. His mother, Elizabeth Bennett Eulinger ’63, of Independence, is a retired Cameron school teacher. Erle and his wife, Danielle, have three children, Mary Kate, 10, Claire, 8, and Cullen, 6. 2 Kevin Corless is
co-defensive coordinator for the Georgia Southern University football team. He was previously the assistant coach for linebackers.
1988
John Knorr is a purchasing systems administrator with the YMCA of Middle Tennessee in Franklin, Tenn., and is the director of music at the Franklin United Methodist Church. Jim Moore is president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and received the Tribute Award from CASE District VII in March. CASE is a professional association serving educational institutions and advancement professionals who work in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. Steve Savard is coanchor of the 10 p.m. newscast at KMOV Channel 4 in St. Louis. He became KMOV’s sports director in 1994 and has been the radio play-byplay voice of the St. Louis Rams since 2000. He has won six Emmy awards since joining KMOV.
1989
Kevin Daniel is the assistant superintendent of academic services in the Raymore-Peculiar School District. Hope Robinson is a federal law enforcement officer in Chicago.
1990
Sunil Ahuja will be moving to Chicago, having accepted a position as vice president for accreditation relations. Kelly Collins Circle is associate academic dean at DeVry University in Kansas City. Michael and Kelley Lynch ’91 Lorenz live in Suwanee, Ga., with their two children. Kelley teaches fifth grade at Suwanee Elementary School in Gwinnett County, Ga., and will begin her 20th year at this school in the fall. She recently completed her teacher leadership Ed.D. degree from Walden University with an emphasis on parental involvement in reading with upper elementary students.
David Schieszer is vice president of strategy at the CMI Group in Dallas.
Robert, have three grown children and three grandchildren.
3 Ronald Wilson and Lisa Spies (att. ’85-’86) were married Jan. 4 in Independence. Ronald is an IT systems administrator 3 for General Motors at the manufacturing plant in Kansas City, Kan. They live in Independence.
1993
1992
Libby McLeran Blazevich is a school social worker for the Heartland Area Education Agency in West Des Moines, Iowa. Paul Burger is a geography professor at the University of NebraskaKearney and is owner of Spatial Analysts Inc. Steve Houts (master’s ’97) retired after teaching seventh-grade science in Maryville for 21 years. Nina Russell Wiederholt (master’s) retired from Eugene Field Elementary School in Maryville after teaching 26 years. She taught fifth-grade science, fourth grade and was a kindergarten para-professional. She and her husband,
Kelly Harrison Blair has been promoted to vice president of oncology products at MedSolutions in Nashville, Tenn. Ryan Ellis is a managing partner at Ellis Law Offices PC and an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Trevor Pyle is senior consultant for homeland security at Teracor Inc. in Frederick, Md. Steven Shelton is with Shelton Legal Services PLLC in Kenton, Mich., and was named a 2012 “superlawyer” in Michigan.
1994
Shannon Bass is a night auditor at Drury Inn in Kansas City. Scott Klein is a business analyst at CSC Systems in Omaha, Neb. Mike and Carmen Wendler Schaefer live in Ottawa, Kan., and have a daughter, Sydney, and
Northwest Fund
UNRESTRICTED POSSIBILITIES
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Fall 2013
# Photo submitted (see pg. 33)
1
PHOTO BY J. MCBEE
Class Notes
1. Dan Danford ’83
PHOTO BY JENNIFER ARCHDEKIN/MO NAT’L GUARD
3. Ronald ’90 and Lisa Spies (attd. ’85-’86) Wilson
4
5
1997
Thomas Cole is chief instructor and owner of Vaquera Defense LLC in the Kansas City area.
Tracy Bottoms completed his educational doctoral degree at William Woods University in May. He has been employed in the Keytesville R-III School District as superintendent since 2011 and lives in Huntsville.
Chris Gegg is news director at WISN-TV Channel 12, the ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, Wis.
Sandra Andes Cowherd is an underwriter for the Universal Group in St Joseph.
1995
2. Kevin Corless ’85
3
2
a son, Payton. Carmen is a middle school principal, and Mike is a buyer for Ottawa Truck (Cargotec).
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4. Marc Vasquez ’97 5. Shannon Holaday ’02 6. Jason and Michaela Hand ’03 Soyland 7. Dale Sharp ’12
6 7
Teresa Foland is the customer service marketing manager at Syngenta in Kansas City. Andy and Shelley O’Donnell Lancaster live in Olathe, Kan., and have two daughters, Abbie, 12, and Hailey, 8. Andy was promoted to accounting manager at Sprint where he is responsible for all of Sprint’s regulatory compliance. He has worked for
Sprint since 1997. Shelley is a preschool teacher’s assistant at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, working with 4-year-olds several days each week. Scott Pummell is a law student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is clerking at the Law Offices of Stephen A. Boush in Kansas City.
Harry Redman is GIS coordinator with Planning and Development District 3 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Doug and Jill Templin ’98 Ronk announce the birth of Julia Lee on Aug. 6, 2012. She joins Molly Annette, 4. They live in Kansas City, where Doug is an environmental geologist at Arrowhead Contracting, and Jill is a contract specialist at the Kansas City International Airport.
To be successful in this competitive and challenging environment, Northwest must have flexible dollars that can be used as needed to fulfill the mission and objectives of the University. The Northwest Fund provides extraordinary possibilities to support students, faculty and the entire University community for generations to come.
Unrestricted dollars are vital to Northwest’s success. With your support, the possibilities are endless. Support Northwest with a gift to the Northwest Fund at www.nwmissouri.edu/giveonline or contact Bob Machovsky, annual giving manager, at 660.562.1248 or rmachov@nwmissouri.edu.
Fall 2013
Northwest Alumni Magazine
34
Class Notes
4 Marc Vasquez joined UMB in Kansas City as an interactive marketing manager where he is responsible for leading UMB’s email marketing and social media efforts.
1998
Kyle Elliott is a land transportation planner for the city of Kansas City. Matt Marquez is a sales agent at White Glove Transportation in New York City. Joel Splan is chief executive officer of Galen Healthcare Solutions, a professional and technical services company that helps physician groups transition to electronic health records. He previously served as the director of information services, chief security executive and director of technology and infrastructure management at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. Neal Young is a sales manager at GE Power & Water in Kansas City.
1999
Jerry Nevins is the owner of Snow & Company, an
artful frozen cocktail bar in the Crossroads District of Kansas City. Kyle Stewart is an account manager at Geographic Information Services in Birmingham, Ala.
2000
Adam Horn is a lidar technologist for Incubation HNTB in Kansas City. Jarrod James is a vice president at RIA Compliance Consultants in Omaha, Neb. Jon Mitchell is managing director of Mobo Tours in Atlanta, Ga. Tracy Stoehr is assistant dean of admissions at the University of Nebraska Law School. Casey Symonds is an owner and partner of Kelly, Symonds & Reed LLC in Lee’s Summit.
2001
Mitch Munson and his wife, Jenny, were married Sept. 30, 2011, in Bar Harbor, Maine. He received a master’s in managerial communication with a human resources concentration from Bellevue University in January.
Upcoming events
Sept. 2013
27 Frid
For up-to-date campus events, visit www.nwmissouri.edu and click on the calendar icon.
ay
For more information on alumni events, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni or call 660.562.1248. For complete sports schedules and the latest information on Bearcat athletics, visit www.northwestbearcats.com. Call the Student Services Center at 660.562.1212 for ticket information.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Fall 2013
2002
Brian Boone and his wife, Allisen, announce the arrival of their first child, Cadence Angel, on May 15. Brian is a physical education teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, and they live in Omaha, Neb. Marilyn Walker Cotter retired after teaching second grade in the Jefferson C-123 School District for 10 years. She previously was an administrative assistant for St. Joseph Light & Power. She and her husband, Bob, have two grown sons and a new grandson. 5 Shannon Holaday
was promoted to the rank of major with the Missouri Army National Guard on May 5. He serves as the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade training officer and executive officer for the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade headquartered in Kansas City. Both his wife, Kara, and daughter, Kendra, were on hand to pin on his new rank. Shannon has been with the Missouri Army National Guard for 19 years. James Houchin is IT manager at ConAgra Foods in Omaha, Neb. Quentin Kearney is co-owner of Results Real Estate Services LLC in Kansas City. Matt Wilson is a visiting faculty member at Harvard University. He will maintain his tenure-track home in the Department of Geography at the University of Kentucky where he is an assistant professor and co-directs the New Mappings Collaboratory. He holds a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Washington, where he also earned a master’s degree.
2003
DeAnn Huber Davison and her husband, Chris, welcomed a son, William Christopher, on Oct. 4, 2012. He joins a sister, Charlotte, 4. They live in Maryville, where DeAnn is a financial counselor at St. Francis Family Health Care and Chris is an HVAC technician at First Choice Heating and Cooling. Kadi Willming Holmberg is a hospice social worker at Tabitha Health Care in Lincoln, Neb. Brandon and Erin Polaski ’05 Schlake announce the birth of Ellianne Janel on Nov. 7, 2012. She joins Addyson, 6, and Charlotte, 3. Brandon is the Eastern U.S. merchandising manager at Horizon Milling, Cargill Inc., in Wayzata, Minn., and Erin is a stay-at-home mom. They live in Carver, Minn. 6 Michaela Hand
Soyland returned to Cerner Corporation as a senior documentation developer after working as the assistant director of Avila University’s Upward Bound program in Kansas City and completing her M.A.Ed. in teaching and learning. She married Jason Soyland on April 14, 2012, and they live in Kansas City.
2004
Joseph Bainum is a millwright for Local Union 1529 in Cameron. Jennifer Cooper Jensen and her husband, Brandon, announce the birth of Makenna Lynn on Jan. 30. She joins Kolton, 5. They live in Maryville, where Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom and Brandon is the owner of Jensen Construction.
Steven and Jennifer Van De Vyvere ’05 Yaple announce the birth of a son, Logan, in September 2012. They live in Columbia, where Steven works for Lincoln University and Jennifer is director of communications for the Missouri Senate.
2005
Samantha Butler lives in Plattsburg and is a reimbursement officer for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. She was previously employed by the Missouri Department of Social Services. Heather Lafon is owner of Heather Lafon Photography in Sugarland, Texas. Benjamin Watts is a dispatcher for the Lenexa, Kan., Fire Department.
2006
Ben Harness is a senior key account manager at RJ Reynolds in Philadelphia, Pa.
2007
Sara Chamberlain is an associate in product liability at Thompson Coburn LLD in St. Louis. Trevor Hayes is a researcher for the NFL Network in Los Angeles. Abby Gartner is managing attorney at the Law Studio of Gartner & Sosa LLC in Omaha, Neb.
2008
Clara Anderson is a hospice bereavement specialist at Northcare Hospice in Kansas City.
Class Notes
35
Tennessee locale ideal for equine veterinarian If your favorite country musician is a horse-owning resident in Tennessee, it’s safe to say that Dr. Matt Povlovich ’92, co-founder of the Tennessee Equine Hospital, has probably worked with his or her horse. “It has been a privilege to get to know many of the incredible musical talents who reside in Nashville,” Povlovich said. “We have even employed people who have gone onto successful music careers. It’s fun to watch these people now on television who used to shovel manure at my hospital!” Upon entering Northwest, Povlovich had intentions of eventually applying to medical school. However, as he progressed through the curriculum, he realized he would rather work with animals. “I grew up on a farm so this was a natural transition into the decision to work toward becoming a veterinarian,” Povlovich said. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Povlovich earned his doctorate in veterinarian medicine from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He credits his seamless transition to the unmatched education and preparation Northwest provided him. “Some of my first years at the veterinary school were actually less strenuous than those I took at Northwest,” he said. “The entire teaching staff in the science department at Northwest during that Aaron Baker is campus life coordinator with housing at the New College of Florida in Sarasota, Fla. Aaron Catron is a territorial sales representative at DA-Com Corp. in Columbia. Alex Drury is a recruiter at the Jacobsen Group in Chicago. Nikkie Hamilton married Cory Holtwick in June 2010. They have a daughter, Ava, 2, and a son, Drake, 1, and live in
time could be stacked up against any in the country.” Povlovich traveled to Tennessee after recognizing the region’s need for an equine veterinary hospital. With a large horse population and the nearest equine clinic four hours away, horse owners were forced to travel great distances to get medical care for their animals, which proved to be life-threatening to the horses. After Povlovich toured some of the largest equine hospitals in the country and faced unique building needs, the Tennessee Equine Hospital was opened. “Anyone who has undertaken a large building project or even a small one can attest, there are many bumps along the way,” Povlovich said. “We were building a state-of-the-art hospital with many of the same aspects as a human hospital, but it needed to withstand movement of 1,200-plus pound, unpredictable animals.” The Tennessee Equine Hospital is located in Thompson’s Square, Tenn., just south of Nashville. It employs eight equine veterinarians and 10 staff members. Povlovich is the Team Leader for Sport Horse/Lameness. The title stemmed from his vast interest in sports medicine and allows him to work with regenerative medicine and serve as a member of the International Society of Locomotor Pathology, a group of veteri-
Henryville, Ind., where Nikkie is a senior accountant at GKN Sinter Metals. Jason Peters is a compliance officer for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Compliance Programs in Kansas City. He lives in Plattsburg.
2009
Chris Hawkins is an attorney at the Will and Trust Center in Kansas City.
# Photo submitted (see pg. 33)
Ryan Smith is a general assignment reporter at Channel 47 Action News in Jacksonville, Fla.
2010
Heather Jackson received a master’s in clinical mental health counseling in December 2012 and is now in the counseling psychology Ph.D. program at Colorado State University.
Dr. Matt Povloich ’92, co-founder of the Tennessee Equine Hospital, said it’s an exciting time to be an equine veterinarian. “I can honestly say I have never watched the clock during my 17 years in practice. I feel fortunate to have been given this gift to allow me to do what I do.”
narians from around the world dedicated to advancing and sharing knowledge pertaining to the equine athlete. The world-class equine center includes climate-controlled stalls, an isolation ward, a pharmacy and a laboratory. The facility allows for advanced surgical, medical and nuclear imaging services and an outdoor sand area for evaluating soft tissue. For more information about the Tennessee Equine Hospital, visit www.tnequinehospital.com. n
Annaelise Mack is a hazard mitigation consultant at Flanagan & Associates in Tulsa, Okla., and is pursuing a master’s degree in executive development: public sector at Ball State University. Drew Van Dyke is the news editor at the Moberly Monitor-Index in Moberly. He previously served as a general assignment reporter for the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, covering both news and sports.
Fall 2013
2011
Emma Bergin is pursuing a master’s degree in international human rights law at Aboakademi University in Helsinki, Finland. Valerie Buijsse is a real estate agent at REA Immofluisterarr BVBA in Belgium. Chris Edwards is a sales associate with Lockton Affinity in Kansas City.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Class Notes/In Memoriam
Stephen (master’s) and Tabitha Biermann ’08, ’09 Waigland announce the birth of their first child, Kipton Mark, on March 29. Stephen is an assistant principal at Minnie Cline Elementary, and Tabitha is a first-grade teacher in the South Holt School District. They live in Savannah.
2012
Brian Ascheman is case manager for United Community Services, a prison release/reentry program. Jason Browning and Madison Adkins were married Feb. 23. They live in Marshall, where Jason works for Weber Seeds and Madison is a commercial banker at the Exchange Bank of Missouri.
Kyle Hendricks is a reporter/anchor at KMBZ radio station in Kansas City. Karen Kepka is a housing coordinator for Catholic Charities in Maryville. 7 Dale Sharp retired in April from the Missouri Army National Guard after serving 13 years as a citizen-soldier and almost 10 years with the active duty Army. The majority of his career was with the 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion, headquartered in Maryville. During his active-duty service, he was stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash., Fort Drum, N.Y., and Okinawa, Japan. While with the National Guard he has also served on deployments to Germany and Kosovo. He and his wife, Kelli, have three children, Melissa, Emily and Abby.
Megan Simpson is special events coordinator at Park University in Kansas City.
In Memoriam Robert Allen ’49 93, of Charleston, S.C., died June 27. He was an educator in several public schools and later became a civilian instructor with the Department of Defense, retiring from Charleston Air Force Base in 1982. Dewey Allgood Jr. 91, of Rolla, died April 23. He was an assistant football coach at Northwest in 1949. Larry Belt ’53 81, died Feb. 16 in Jacksonville, Fla. He retired as president of Borg Warner Acceptance Corporation after 31 years. Andrew Betz ’78 56, died June 12 in Austin, Texas. After working on a farm in Arkansas, he spent 20 years in the Army. Upon his retirement from the Army as a major, he had a short stint as an
PHOTO BY JAMES R. GARVEY/EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY
36
entrepreneur and then used his military training in procurement and supply chain management for the oil and gas industry. Gregg Borkowski ’81 55, died June 14 in Denison, Iowa. He had a 32year career at Farmland in Denison, most recently serving as group supervisor of process. Robert “Paul” Botts ’49 died May 6 in Corvallis, Ore. During his early career, he was a veterinarian for the U.S. Public Health Service, spending most of this time doing research on the control of heart disease. He taught at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine, then worked as a research veterinarian for the Environmental Protection Agency in North Carolina and Oregon for 13 years. He retired from
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Fall 2013
Johnson inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame Six years ago, Darryl Johnson ’92, ’98 (second from left) was named Missouri Teacher of the Year and this summer he was one of five inductees into the prestigious National Teachers Hall of Fame. Johnson has taught English and communication arts at Smithville High School for the past 18 years, his writings have been published nationally, and his lesson plans have been featured as best educational practices. As part of his National Teacher of the Year duties, Johnson recently visited U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and talked policy with his staff, expressing his concern about student safety as well as the need to address salaries and teacher recruitment and retention. Johnson was recognized at an induction ceremony this summer and congratulated by (from left) Michael D. Shonrock, Emporia State president; Andy Tompkins, president/CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents; and Lindy Whetzel, chair of the National Teacher Hall of Fame Board of Trustees. n
the Public Health Service/ EPA in 1983 at the rank of captain. Bonnie Briley ’72 63, died Nov. 25, 2012, in Springfield. He worked for the federal government and was a health program representative for the state of Missouri, retiring after more than 30 years. Neal Brown ’63 (master’s) 82, died Dec. 17, 2012, in Corning, Iowa. He taught at Corning High School from 1957 until he retired in 1991. During this time, he coached junior high football and wrestling and ran his own painting business in the summers and after retiring. Edward Burris ’49 88, died June 9 in Shawnee Mission, Kan. He was a high school business teacher in Hopkins, a
principal in Jefferson City and later became a reading consultant with several textbook publishing companies.
reimbursement manager at Humana Hospital Group and later became engaged in several business and professional ventures.
Helen Hodgin Burris ’46 88, died Jan. 18 in Overland Park, Kan. She taught music in Graham, Hopkins and Maryville and retired from Cherokee Elementary in the Shawnee Mission School District, where she taught first grade.
Stephen Claussen ’73 66, of Iowa City, Iowa, died May 31. He worked at banks in Ricketts and Schleswig, Iowa, for 20 years. He also was a guidance counselor in the Elk Horn-Kimballton School District and worked at Alta Community Schools. He then taught English in China, living and working there for eight years.
Velda Jennings Carden ’64, ’74 90, died June 10 in Lincoln, Neb. She began teaching in 1943 in Worth County and ended her 31-year teaching career in Craig. John Chenoweth III ’63 72, of Estero, Fla., died Dec. 19, 2012. He was a Certified Public Accountant, working for 17 years as the regional
James “Dennis” Coates ’71 64, of Lake Worth, Fla., died Feb. 8. Prior to becoming dean of the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla., he owned and operated a school transportation company
# Photo submitted (see pg. 33)
In Memoriam in Savannah, South Holt and Avenue City and was regional director for Carpenter School Coaches. Gladene “Deanie” Sherard Collins ’59 75, died Jan. 10 in Wooster, Ohio. She was extremely active in the Kansas City North community and was instrumental in making Kansas City known as “The City of Fountains.” Allan Coon ’85, ’87 49, of Shawnee, Kan., died May 23. He began his legal career in 1992 when he accepted a position as an associate at Morrison & Hecker in Kansas City. He worked with Watson & Marshall law firm in 1994, where he remained until accepting a position at Hubbard, Ruzicka, Kreamer & Kincaid in 1996. He became a member of the firm in 1999. Charlene “Chuck” Welsh Cox ’52 83, of Genesee Village, Colo., and Grant City, died Jan. 21 in Golden, Colo. She was an artist and designer at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City and then became an award-winning jewelry designer and, with her husband, operated several antique stores in Colorado, Missouri and Kansas. Edward Cox ’92 (master’s) 82, died Jan. 9. He worked for the Missouri State Highway Patrol for eight years and then was ordained in the Disciples of Christ Church. He taught English in the Rock Port School District, was dean of students at Tarkio College and taught English part time at Iowa Western Community College. He served the church in Rock Port and later became pastor of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Shenandoah, Iowa. He retired from the
church in 1995 and from teaching in 2003. David Crites ’75 60, died May 18 in Tulsa, Okla. He was a Certified Public Accountant and an accounting software consultant. Clifford Dahl ’58 81, of Rockford, Ill., died April 10. He was employed in the areas of education, engineering, sales, wood refinishing and home design. Mary Winifred Caton Dempsey ’41 93, died Dec. 22, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Robert “Ed” Duzenberry ’69 66, of Blue Springs, died June 10. He taught remedial reading and learning disabilities in Kearney and Blue Springs. He later held a variety of sales and management positions in the telecommunications, insurance and residential construction industries. Richard Elliott ’50 84, of Kansas City, died Nov. 6, 2012. He was a research chemist. Dorothy Neil Ellis ’39 94, of Lee’s Summit, died May 26. She taught in rural schools in DeKalb County for seven years, was a substitute teacher in Raytown for several years and was a library clerk at Fleetridge School in Raytown. Joseph Fleming ’70 65, died March 21. He taught journalism, literature and writing at Shawnee Mission (Kan.) South High School and sold yearbooks for Intercollegiate Press and printing for Spangler. He worked the last 17 years at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City. James “Curt” Gaffney ’53 81, died May 30. He taught music in Rock Port
and served as principal of Maysville High School, Bloomer and Edison schools, Kirn Junior High School and Abraham Lincoln High School. He retired as director of special education in the Council Bluffs (Iowa) School System. Bill Gamble ’49 90, of Gladstone, died June 20. He retired from the Kansas City School District in 1984, where he taught industrial arts for more than 25 years. Belvidene Crain Garrett ’43 91, of Sun City West, Ariz., died Feb. 19. She was a teacher, clerical worker and homemaker. Maurice “Maury” Geist ’49 87, of Ames, Iowa, died March 22. He taught and coached in Corning, Red Oak, Mount Ayr and Creston, Iowa, before joining the Iowa State University Department of Admissions. Barbara LaMar Gromer ’57 77, died Nov. 19, 2012, in Phoenix. She taught in Sheridan and later became a veterinary laboratory technician, working at several labs in the Kansas City area for almost 20 years. Georgia Kirwan Gummig ’51 86, died April 29 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was an elementary teacher in the St. Joseph and Arcadia, Calif., school systems. James Hainey ’50 88, of Belton, died May 18 in Warrensburg. He taught at Union Star High School and then joined the Air Force for 18 years. He later worked at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental School as a conference coordinator for 20 years, retiring in 1989.
Karen Metting Harris ’65 69, died April 19. She retired in 2000 after working 35 years for the state of Missouri. Donald Hepburn ’38 95, died April 14. He was a high school teacher in the Los Angeles (Calif.) Unified School District from 1945 to 1975. Charles “Leo” Humphrey ’59 76, of Essex, Iowa, died Nov. 11, 2012, in Omaha, Neb. He was a teacher and administrator for several schools in southwest Iowa. His last position before retirement was with the IKM Community School District. He was also a school bus driver, a volunteer fireman in Farragut, Iowa, a carpenter, and a park caregiver for the city of Essex. Barbara Anderson Hunt ’46 89, of Rock Port, died April 28 in Olathe, Kan. She was the vocation home economics teacher at Rock Port High School from 1946 to 1951, and from 1966 to 1987 was a social worker, serving as county director for the Division of Family Services and Atchison County Welfare offices. Linda Leslie Hutchinson ’85 64, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, and
37
Maryville, died Nov. 20, 2012. She was a nurse and care facilities manager. Maurice Ingram ’54 80, died Jan. 28. He taught at El Paso (Texas) High School and Texas A&M University. He helped establish El Paso Community College, serving as an instructor, department head, division head and curriculum assistant to the vice president. He retired from his full-time position in 1991 and continued to work 10 more years in the curriculum area on a parttime basis. Robert “Bob” James ’59 76, of Bryan, Texas, died Dec. 28, 2012, in Decatur, Ill. He taught high school science in Odessa and later, as a professor of science education at Kansas State and Texas A&M, he trained and mentored science educators and also directed the Texas Alliance for Science. Brian Jobes ’72, ’75 63, of Grinnell, Iowa, died Oct. 2, 2012. He taught junior high industrial technology in the Topeka (Kan.) Public Schools and high school and junior high industrial technology in the Grinnell Public Schools. He then joined the United States Postal Service and worked in the Grinnell Post Office.
Let us know If you learn of the death of a Northwest graduate, please submit in writing or via news clipping the name of the deceased (and maiden name, if appropriate), year(s) of graduation from Northwest, date of death, age, city of death, city of residence and a brief listing of career accomplishments. In addition, submit your relationship to the deceased and your daytime telephone number to the Office of University Advancement, 800 University Dr., Maryville, MO 64468-6001, fax to 660.562.1990 or email alumni@nwmissouri.edu. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity. n
Fall 2013
Northwest Alumni Magazine
38
In Memoriam
Judith Fann Altfillisch Kehm ’76 71, formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, died Dec. 19, 2012, in Scottsdale, Ariz. She was a librarian for the Lake View-Auburn Schools in Lake View, Iowa, and then was a librarian and middle school history teacher in Atlantic, Iowa, from 1983 to 2007. Alfred Kyle ’64 77, died June 23 in Kansas City, Kan. He was a judge of the Western District on the Platte County Court. Kim McAndrews Limond ’83 50, of Clinton, Iowa, died Feb. 11. She was a reference librarian and assistant director at the Clinton Public Library for more than 25 years.
Byron Milbank ’50 88, of Maryville, died May 27. He was owner/operator of the Milbank Oil Company and also farmed near Clearmont. Eunice Bender Miller ’61 97, formerly of Albany, died May 21. She was a teacher, retiring in 1976. Marjorie Shipley Moses ’55 87, of Burlington Junction, died Dec. 20, 2012. She taught first through eighth grades in rural schools, and taught third and fourth grades in the Westboro school system in Atchison County for 17 years. She then taught in the West Nodaway School District for 13 years and retired from teaching after 37 years.
Sheryl Warren Mathews ’80 55, of Springfield, died April 8. She was a preschool teacher at Southern Baptist Seminary in North Kansas City, worked in respiratory therapy for several years at Bethany Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., and later worked as an LPN. Marvin McMorran ’50 88, of Bettendorf, Iowa, died Jan. 15. His first five years of a 40- year teaching career were in one-room rural schools in Adams County, Iowa, and his remaining years of teaching were in the Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley school districts. After his retirement in 1986, he was a volunteer teacher for 19 years at the Continuing Education Center in the GED program at Scott Community College. Norin Meredith ’37 100, died Dec. 28, 2012, in Tualatin, Ore. From 1953 until his retirement in 1976, he lived and worked in Kansas City.
Wendel Myers ’74 60, of Princeton, died Nov. 17, 2012. He was employed by Grand River Mutual Telephone Corp., serving as general manager from 2004 to 2012. Sherry Sawicki O’Brien ’86 50, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, died Dec. 30, 2012. William “Bill” Phares Jr. 90, died March 3 in Lee’s Summit. He was a businessman in Maryville for more than 30 years and helped establish Phares Oil Co. He also was a former member of the Northwest Board of Regents.
Northwest Alumni Magazine
Fall 2013
Donald Pipes ’49 84, died April 12. He was an administrative assistant to the city manager of Park Ridge, Ill., then served as the city manager at Wayzata, Minn., for eight years. In 1963, he was appointed the first city manager of Overland Park, Kan. In 1973, he took a position with the Chemagro Division of the Mobay Chemical Corp. After three years he returned as Overland Park’s third city manager, retiring in September 1999 after serving 33 years. Hazel Planck ’59 83, of Jamesport, died March 20 in Trenton. She taught at Brown Rural School for four years, Red Rural School for three years and 30 years at Tri-County School. After retirement in 1985, she was a substitute teacher for many years. Ralph Quimby ’51 85, of Mesa, Ariz., died June 11, 2012. He taught math and science in Maitland, Graham and Skidmore before moving to Phoenix, where he taught at Carl Hayden High School for 25 years and served as chairman of the math department, retiring in 1987. George Redden ’64 73, of Trenton, died March 17. He was a high school history teacher and football coach in the West Nodaway School District and in Earlham and Albia, Iowa. He also coached football at Park Hill and Trenton high schools and was an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency for 12 years. Patricia Bolin Roach ’71, ’90 63, of St. Joseph, died Nov. 29, 2012. She taught third grade at Coleman Elementary School in St. Joseph for 30 years.
Juan Rocha ’70 83, of Kansas City, died Feb. 13. He retired as state director for migrant education from the state of Kansas. Margo Wilkinson Rogers ’65 69, of Raymore, died Jan. 24. She worked at St. Luke’s Hospital and Midwest Research Institute and then was employed in the hospital lab at Research Belton Hospital from 1986 to 2012. Paul Ross ’53, ’57 81, of Clarinda, Iowa, died Jan. 10. He taught and coached basketball at Braddyville (Iowa) High School for several years in the 1950s and was an agent for the Internal Revenue Service for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1987. Doris Hiles Tabor Schroeder ’39 94, died April 19. She spent more than 40 years as a professor and taught at the University of Nebraska and California State University, Long Beach. Marvin Skinner ’62 73, died April 11 in Des Moines, Iowa. He taught at Mormon Trail Community School in Garden Grove, Iowa, then taught and coached at BondurantFarrar (Iowa) Community Schools, where he retired in 1997 after 25 years as elementary principal. Genella Pemberton Smith ’43 91, of Springfield, died May 19. She was a home economics teacher in Fair Grove. ✚ John Smith ’84, ’86
51, of Oro Valley, Ariz., died March 29. He worked at New Mexico State University, Kansas State University and the University of Arizona, and, throughout the United
States and internationally, assisted producers with the development of efficient dairy operations. Judith Davids Smith ’73 74, died Feb. 16 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. She taught in the Pinellas County School District in Florida for 28 years before retiring in 2005. Woodrow Southard ’69 66, of Omaha, Neb., died Feb. 13. Roland Stanton ’62 72, of DeBary, Fla., died Dec. 12, 2012. He spent his career in Chicago with Liberty Mutual, retiring in 1999. Joe Thompson ’52 83, of Woodbury, Minn., died May 8. He worked for 3M, retiring after 32 years with the company. Margaret Putnam Trout ’67 86, died March 18 in St. Joseph. She taught at Mark Twain, Hall and Pershing schools in St. Joseph. Dorothy Truex 97, of Little Rock, Ark., died April 18. She served as Northwest’s dean of women from 1941 to 1945. Sherry Jones Wray ’12 51, of Maryville, died March 29. She was a cashier for 20 years at Gray’s Truck Stop in Maryville. Charles “Bob” Wright ’50 86, of Concord, Calif., died May 31. He worked at the Shell refinery in Martinez, Calif., for 27 years before retiring. Pat Wynne 74, of Maryville, died April 27. He was a professor in Northwest’s biology department from 1972 until his retirement in 2000.
✚ A scholarship has been established at Northwest in memory of this individual. To make a contribution, call 660.562.1248.
Now and
The J.W. Jones Student Union has been an iconic, multipurpose building throughout much of Northwest’s history.
Then
An expanding student population led to the construction of the union beginning in 1950. Originally named the “House That Jack Built,” it was renamed the J.W. Jones Student Union in 1956 after Jones, Northwest’s first president who had earned his doctoral degree. In 1965, a renovation allowed for dancing space in the third-floor ballroom as well as more meeting rooms and dining areas. The following year, a $1.5 million addition in the form of a six-lane bowling alley (left) was installed on the first floor alongside a bookstore and barbershop. In the 1980s, the barbershop and bowling alley were removed. The west side of the building displayed a 13-foot Bobby Bearcat mosaic (top right) until removal in 1999 when it was substituted with an outdoor patio and wall of windows, which are currently in place. Today, the Union’s dining area has been extensively remodeled (top left) with a first-floor dining area and a second floor that consists of well-known retail food vendors as well as the Student Engagement Center and the Bearcat Bookstore. A ballroom and meeting rooms continue to occupy the facility’s third floor.
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Stay in touch with us: www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni 660.562.1248 Contact us by email: Address changes: alumni@nwmissouri.edu Class notes: alumni@nwmissouri.edu Letter to the editor: mitzi@nwmissouri.edu
Escape the cold and join the Tourin’ Bearcats in
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Jan. 4-9, 2014
at a Five-Star all-inclusive luxury resort
Prices start at $2,169 per person*
Jan. 4-11, 2014
Prices start at $2,699 per person*
Trip Highlights • Stay at the Marival Residences and World Spa, a five-star all-inclusive luxury resort (www.marivalresidence.com) • 1,410 square-foot one-bedroom units • Free food and drinks at the resort’s amazing restaurants and bars, including a wine bar • Private beach club with VIP services, including food and bar service, beach beds, cabanas and music • One free select excursion (such as catamaran sailing, sea lion encounter, zip lining and more) • Unlimited championship golf on four separate courses (transfers and cart rental additional) • Other activities nearby • Roundtrip air and travel insurance included
• $250 per person deposit due at booking • Final payment due Oct. 4 *Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Upgrades are available. Airfare is estimated and out of Kansas City International. Baggage fees may apply. Prices are subject to change.
PUBLIC RADIO FROM NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
For more information or to book this luxury vacation, call the Tourin’ Bearcats Help Desk at 800.869.6806. Sponsored by the Northwest Alumni Association and KXCV-KRNW, Northwest’s NPR affiliate. Mark your calendar for the Tourin’ Bearcats trips to Alaska next summer and the Panama Canal next fall.