Northwest Alumni Magazine Spring 2017 by Northwest Missouri State University

NORTHWEST THE MAGAZINE FOR NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

PIONEERS OF

SCIENCE: Stories of health and wellness David McDaniel â&#x20AC;&#x2122;73 I p. 8

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS Five launched in fall I p. 5

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS Solving neurological mysteries I p. 35

PROVIDING RELIEF

Helping patients with palliative care I p. 36

CULTURE NETS CHAMPIONSHIPS I p. 28

NORTHWEST

POSTCARD Members of the Bearcat men’s basketball team celebrate March 25 after their 71-61 defeat of Fairmont State (W.Va.) University in the NCAA Division II national championship game at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The win gave Northwest its first national championship in men’s basketball and made the University the first among Division II schools to win national titles in football and men’s basketball in the same academic year. The Bearcat football team earned its second consecutive national championship and sixth overall in December.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE Vol. 50 | Issue 3 Editor Mark Hornickel ’01, ’13 mhorn@nwmissouri.edu Designer Kim Ziegler ’16 kimz@nwmissouri.edu Design assistants Ashlee Hendrix ’08 Wes Rockwood ’14 Photographer Todd Weddle ’96 tweddle@nwmissouri.edu Photography assistant Jay Bradway Carly Hostetter Editorial assistants David Boyce Mitzi Craft Marchant ’91, ’09 Teresa Darrah Gustafson ’97, ’05 Mike Johnson ’85 Laurie Drummond Long ’92 Rhonda Mannasmith Bob Machovsky ’15 Katie Machovsky ’16 Sam Mason ’88 Scott Nielson ’01 Dr. Lonelle Rathje ’97, ’03 Alexis Ryan Brandon Stanley ’01, ’16 Lori McLemore Steiner ’85 Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09

THE MAKING OF A DETECTOR David McDaniel ’73

The Northwest Alumni Magazine is published three times a year by the Office of University Marketing and Communication, 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.

contents 14

TRADITIONS BOOSTING

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Multipurpose complex to increase engagement

GIFT ENDOWS

PROFESSORSHIP Donation supports instrumental music

Dear Friends

Northwest News

16 Advancing Northwest 19 Alumni Connections 26 Bearcat Sports 34 Class Notes

Northwest Missouri State University is an equal-opportunity, co-educational university and does not discriminate based on race, sex, disability, age, national origin or religion. Printed in the USA.

DEAR

FRIENDS Momentum is a word that is commonly used to describe the environment at Northwest Missouri State University. In the fall of 1962, I enrolled with the then-largest freshman class to enter Northwest. To my knowledge I was the only pre-med student on campus. Most students seemed to be in agriculture, business or education, so the lack of formal advising for health students was understandable. Over the years, it has been gratifying to see the tremendous growth in pre-professional students enrolling at Northwest. There has been ample support from faculty in advising them, and there have been support groups for the students. The School of Health Science and Wellness, launched at Northwest in 2015, for the first time provides a true home for all of the preprofessional study areas. Equally important, advising is available to those students who are contemplating but not yet decided on a professional career. In academic affairs, curriculum revisions and a move toward profession-based learning also helps ensure career-ready students in a more timely fashion. Campus life places an enhanced focus on diversity, equity and inclusion with the addition of a vice president to supervise that area and through a recent Greek Life Visioning Process. Regarding facilities, Northwest recently completed the Robert and Virginia Foster Fitness Center and completed a campus master plan. We anticipate future projects, including an indoor activity center, an agriculture learning center, and an admissions and visitors center. Momentum doesn’t just happen. It is the result of many painstaking decisions by the administration, leadership teams, faculty, staff and students as well as the Board of Regents. I truly believe this has led to a more vibrant campus and a brighter future for all who love Northwest.

NORTHWEST FOUNDATION INC. ’16–’17 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Arnold Johnson ’77, Houston, Texas

Vice President Jennifer Dawson Nicholson ’71, Kansas City, Mo.

Immediate Past President Mark Doll ’80, West Des Moines, Iowa

Board Members Dr. Robert Burrell ’70, Denver, Colo. John Cline ’75, Overland Park, Kan.

Chair, Northwest Board of Regents 4

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Paul Jennings ’75, West Des Moines, Iowa John Moore ’78, Raymore, Mo. Angela Booth Moskow, Basking Ridge, N.J. William Oellermann ’72, Mansfield, Texas Linda Nichols Place ’72, ’09, Albany, Mo. Patricia Hagan Poulos ’75, Highland Village, Texas

Karen Daniel ’80, Belton, Mo.

Mary Hamilton Purdy ’72, Davidsonville, Md.

Ken DeBaene ’81, Long Branch, N.J.

Thomas Sanchez ’02, Washington, D.C.

Myra Turner Evans ’77, Tarkio, Mo.

Jayma Elmore Sandquist ’90, Indianola, Iowa

Mike Faust ’74, Omaha, Neb.

Dennis Sapp ’68, Gig Harbor, Wash.

Don Foley ’78, Ames, Iowa Eric Geis ’01, Shawnee Mission, Kan. Troy Greenfield ’90, Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. Patrick Harr

Carl Hughes ’76, Kansas City, Mo.

Ken Scribner ’87, Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Carol Blom Spradling ’88, Maryville

Jerry Hagg, Dearborn, Mo.

Brad Stephens ’98, Butler, Mo.

Jacqueline Vincent Henningsen ’66, Arlington, Va.

Gary Thompson ’76, Princeton, Mo. John Teale ’73, Maryville

David Holmes ’79, Prescott, Ariz.

Stan Zeamer ’70, Huntingdon, Pa.

Ex-Officio Directors Dean L. Hubbard, President Emeritus, Kansas City, Mo.

Laurie Drummond Long ’92, Development Officer laurie@nwmissouri.edu

Mike Johnson ’85, Executive Director

Bob Machovsky ’15, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving rmachov@nwmissouri.edu

B.D. Owens ’59, President Emeritus, West Des Moines, Iowa

Sam Mason ’88, Development Officer smason@nwmissouri.edu

University Advancement

Scott Nielson ’01, Associate Athletic Director/External Affairs and Development scottn@nwmissouri.edu

John Jasinski, University President

Mike Johnson ’85, Vice President mikej@nwmissouri.edu Brooke Weldon Bowles ’02, Accounting Clerk and Scholarship Coordinator bbowles@nwmissouri.edu Mitzi Craft Marchant ’91, ’09, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations mitzi@nwmissouri.edu Teresa Darrah Gustafson ’97, ’05, Development Officer teresa@nwmissouri.edu Gabrielle Hawkins ’16, Annual Fund and Donor Relations Specialist ghawkins@nwmissouri.edu Carma Greene Kinman ’85, Executive Assistant ckinman@nwmissouri.edu

Dr. Lonelle Rathje ’97, ’03, Director of Development and Campaign Coordinator lonelle@nwmissouri.edu Lori McLemore Steiner ’85, Finance Officer and Executive Director of Advancement Services steiner@nwmissouri.edu Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09, Alumni Relations and Advancement Communications Specialist brenda@nwmissouri.edu

NORTHWEST NEWS

NEW FOOD PANTRY ASSISTS STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES IN NEED

Northwest added another resource last fall to assist students and employees by opening its Pay it Forward Food Pantry, a source of food and necessities for individuals who experience food insecurity and hunger. The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of Student Affairs, grew out of a loan program established in 2008 to assist students struggling financially and connect them with resources to be successful financially,

socially and academically. “While working with our Pay it Forward students, we noticed an increase in the need for food and personal hygiene items,” Sue Nickerson ’09, executive secretary for the Office of Student Affairs, said. “We felt that barriers such as food insecurity should not prohibit our students from achieving a college degree.” The food pantry is accessible daily and staffed by University Police. The Pay It Forward Committee stocks and maintains the pantry shelves to ensure quality products are available. It offers non-perishable foods, such as canned fruits and vegetables, boxed macaroni and cheese, and packaged goods. It also offers personal hygiene items, such as soap, shampoo, toilet tissue, feminine products and toothpaste. Monetary donations to support the food pantry may be directed to the Northwest Foundation and are tax deductible. Call 660.562.1248 or email advance@ nwmissouri.edu for more information.

NEW PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH CAREERS Northwest, in September, marked the opening of five more professional schools with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the University’s continued momentum as an educational partner that is meeting students’ needs for career preparation. The ceremony at the Memorial Bell Tower ushered in a new academic structure and focus on profession-based learning at Northwest. Professional schools, Provost Dr. Timothy Mottet explains, represent

“I feel very committed to making sure that everyone who leaves this institution is career-ready on day one.”

Dr. Timothy Mottet, Provost

academic units closely aligned with a profession, while academic departments contain broader disciplines. Northwest’s new schools are the School of Computer Science and Information Systems, Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business, School of Education, School of Communication and Mass Media, and School of Agricultural Sciences. They join the School of Health Science and Wellness, which Northwest opened in 2015. “I feel very committed to making sure that everyone who leaves this institution is career-ready on day one,” Mottet said. “For the graduates of this institution, we are preparing them to be a professional who will be making significant contributions to their families, to the communities in which they serve and to organizations in the industries that they work and shape and move them forward.”

Maryville named one of ’Safest College Towns’ for second consecutive year Maryville is one of the “Safest College Towns in America” for the second consecutive year, according to a report released by SafeWise, an online resource for home security and safety information. Maryville comes in at No. 28 on the list of cities, up from No. 32 last year. Also for the second consecutive year, it is the only Missouri college town on the list. “Maryville is a city that displays its civic pride through public and private beautification projects and cooperative efforts that bring residents together for the betterment of the town,” Safewise reported. “These ideals are mirrored by Northwest Missouri State University, which includes servant leadership, collaboration, and providing beautiful surroundings in its core mission and values.” City Manager Greg McDanel ’02 said the safety ranking is a testament of the high level of collaboration by law enforcement agencies throughout the region – Maryville Public Safety, the Nodaway County Sheriff ’s Department, the University Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol – and their work to maintain a healthy relationship with the community and encourage residents to remain diligent in reporting. The agencies provide several educational programs focused on issues that are important to students. “It’s an asset to our community to be one of the safest,” McDanel said. “Maryville is a safe community. It’s a place you can send your students and your children and know that they’re going to have a safe education experience during their time in Maryville.”

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NORTHWEST NEWS

NATIONAL GROUP RECOGNIZES NORTHWEST FOR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY PRACTICES Northwest student Lamon Phillips, University Police Chief Clarence Green ’94, ’10 and diversity coordinators Gabrielle Ray ’14, ’15 and Edward Gibson ’13 attended the Minority Access National Role Models Award Gala Oct. 1 in Washington, D.C. Green was recognized as a Minority Access National Role Model. Ray and Gibson accepted an institutional award on the University’s behalf.

HISTORY STUDENTS UPDATE LOCAL MUSEUM’S MILITARY EXHIBIT As the nation remembered the attack on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago in December, Northwest students unveiled a refurbished exhibit featuring military uniforms, paraphernalia and history of local men and women at the Nodaway County Historical Society Museum. The students in Assistant Professor of History Dr. Elyssa Ford’s local history practicum course spent the fall redesigning the military history display and conducting research for the purpose of adding new elements to the exhibit.

The redesigned exhibit features Nodaway County connections and stories of the University’s and region’s roles during the Civil War, world wars and the Vietnam War. “A lot of times students maybe get some of this experience in graduate school, but in all honesty this is a lot more hands-on experience and a much more complete exhibit than most people in graduate school end up doing,” Ford said. “It’s good experience for them and it’s really great for the museum to have these new exhibits coming in.”

Kiley Dukes, a student in Northwest’s local history practicum course, prepares a military uniform for display at the Nodaway County Historical Society Museum in Maryville.

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From left, Tower Design Editor Courtney Leinen, ACP Executive Director and former Tower Advisor Laura Widmer ’79, current Tower Advisor Steven Chappell, Tower Editor-in-Chief Haley Vickers and Tower Managing Editor Elizabeth Brown display the Pacemaker award presented to Tower at the Associated Collegiate Press National Media Convention in Washington, D.C.

Tower yearbook captures Pacemaker at national media convention The Tower yearbook was named a Pacemaker winner at last fall’s Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) National College Media Convention in Washington, D.C. The 2015 Tower was led by Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Schriver ’16. Schriver, an editor-in-chief of Tower for three years, was a Pacemaker finalist for her first book in 2014, but it was her second that brought the gold to Northwest. Her third yearbook, the 2016 Tower, was submitted for the Pacemaker in December, and winners will be announced at the 2017 fall convention. “We would always compare our work to Pacemaker books and now we are one,” Schriver said. “To actually have won after being a finalist all those years validates all the work we put into that book. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who worked on it.” Tower, along with The Northwest Missourian, is in the ACP Hall of Fame for its sustained excellence. The yearbook, a perennial Pacemaker finalist, last won in 2012 for its 2011 book. The Pacemaker is considered the preeminent award a college media publication can receive.

BLOOD DRIVES LEAD REGION IN SAVING LIVES Northwest student Dillon Espey gives blood during the annual fall blood drive sponsored by Student Senate in collaboration with Community Blood Center. Northwest collected 392 units during last fall’s three-day drive and was the region’s top participating university for the second consecutive year.

NORTHWEST NEWS

DELUCE COLLECTION SHOWCASES ART HISTORY The name Olive DeLuce is synonymous with Northwest and its fine arts program. Now the memory and work of her father has reclaimed a prominent place in the building that bears her name. Before retiring last summer as professor of art, Phil Laber ’76, with the help of a small group of students and Lynne Gilbert ’15, administrative specialist to the president, resurrected the Percival DeLuce Memorial collection, a gift to the University after Olive’s passing in 1970. “The work we’ve done within the last 2½ years was to discover the magnitude of the collection and then also put it contextually into the larger picture of the University collection,” Laber said. “When we started going through that, we discovered that there’s so much more outside of the Percival DeLuce collection.” In fact, the Percival DeLuce collection is an extension of what the art department terms as the University Collection. Throughout Northwest’s history, largely at the direction of Olive DeLuce, artworks were purchased and collected. They were added to the collection as class gifts, donations, or commemorations of faculty service and visiting artists. They include a pair of Rembrandts purchased by Percival DeLuce during the 1800s, a Thomas Hart Benton painting, two Mary Cassatt paintings and a signed original by Swiss-German artist Paul Klee. “This collection is ripe for research, so if someone wanted to do

Lynne Gilbert ’15, administrative specialist to the president, and Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski take in a representation of Percival DeLuce’s studio during a sneak peek of the Percival DeLuce Memorial Collection.

research, publish articles or books,” Laber said. “There’s all kinds of information here that could notarize Northwest for this valuable asset that it has.” A representation of Percival DeLuce’s studio features a handful of his paintings, two Napoleonic chairs, his easel and a 17th century Boulle desk. There are depictions of a young Olive, who was born in 1888, throughout the collection, including an oil painting of the girl writing at the Boulle desk. The collection contains sketches DeLuce drew during his 20s and his tours of museums, galleries and studios in Europe. It also includes about 100 etchings representing well-known paintings of the 1800s that DeLuce kept.

SANDBOX BRINGS MAPPING CONCEPTS TO LIFE

Assistant Professor of Geography Dr. Brett Chloupek (center) demonstrates for faculty members the augmented reality sandbox he helped build to help students grasp geography and mapping concepts.

Northwest Assistant Professor of Geography Dr. Brett Chloupek was looking last year for a better way to teach landform interpretation to his maps and map interpretation students when he stumbled onto a YouTube video depicting a piece of technology that at first appeared complex. Through some collaboration and ingenuity with Michelle Allen ’13, a lab technician in the Department of Natural Sciences, students are seeing geography concepts under a new light with the impressive augmented reality sandbox. The tool at first appears like a typical sandbox. But the sand surface becomes a virtual playground for learning the fundamentals of map interpretation when Chloupek turns on the computer, three-dimensional Kinect camera and projector suspended over the box. The 3-D camera maps the sand surface and measures elevational changes, feeding information to

the computer. In return the projector displays contour lines onto the sand. When students move the sand to form mountains, valleys and other landforms, the contour lines immediately shift to the new landscape. In addition to moving the sand to build a specific landscape, rain can be simulated by holding a hand over the surface, resulting in images of water flowing across the contour lines to lower elevations. Consequently, students learn how topography manages water. “It looks complex, but the concept is actually really simple,” Chloupek said. “It’s something that students find a lot of interest in and something that’s usable beyond just geography.”

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“I’ve always liked the challenge. There’s a puzzle to solve.” Dr. David McDaniel

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By Mark Hornickel Design by Kim Ziegler Photography by Todd Weddle

DAVID MCDANIEL

THE MAKING OF A

DETECTOR At first sight, the cubicle farm where David McDaniel ’73 comes to work every day hardly seems like the environment one would expect to find a renowned physicist with more than 50 patents and the development of a revolutionary medical instrument on his résumé. But that’s part of the unassuming presence McDaniel has taken on over 34 years at GE Healthcare. McDaniel, a principal engineer with the medical systems unit of General Electric Company, is the technical brain behind the global company’s PET scan machine. Since devising the foundation GE needed to produce its original “Advance” PET scan during the early 1990s, McDaniel has shaped the architecture behind generations of PET scanners, contributing to electrical and software designs, algorithms, image analysis

and the diagnosis of an infinite number of patients throughout the world. Colleagues have called him “the go-to guy within the organization for as long as PET engineering has existed” and “the father of every invention in PET detection” since GE unveiled its first machine. “I love solving problems,” McDaniel said. “The reason I wanted to go here and not in a research field is that I like the handson. I’m building. Construction. Here it is. There’s something useful. I’ve always liked the challenge. There’s a puzzle to solve.”

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McDaniel ran a tandem-style VandeGraaf accelerator as a graduate and doctorate student studying nuclear physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Top photo: Senior physics majors at Northwest in 1973 were, left to right, David Killian, Bill Jackson, Jim Jacobs, Harold Eck and McDaniel. Lower photo: McDaniel, as a senior systems engineer with GE Healthcare, stands to the left of colleagues in 2006 during an inspection of a PET scan machine.

ADVANCED STUDIES McDaniel has always been a problem solver. He put his hands to work and developed a solid work ethic while growing up on his parents’ Redding, Iowa, farm. Science appealed to him, but McDaniel didn’t begin seriously considering it as a career possibility until he reached high school at Mount Ayr Community School, which honored and inducted him into its hall of fame last fall. There, McDaniel had the good fortune of learning from a retired Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor. “He had degrees in physics, chemistry, mathematics and education,” McDaniel said. “By the time I graduated from high school, we had already done freshman physics and chemistry and mathematics.” After earning his high school diploma in 1969, Northwest was McDaniel’s next logical step. The college was near his home and it was affordable. He fulfilled his physical education requirement by taking a 7:30 a.m. bowling class at the old alley in the J.W. Jones Student Union. He spent one summer cleaning floors in Roberta Hall. McDaniel’s recollection of Northwest catches a spark, though, when he talks about the days he spent taking classes and conducting experiments in the physics department. The shine was still fresh on the new Garrett-Strong Science Building and the small size of the physics department 10

allowed McDaniel and his peers to learn at a fast pace while gaining hands-on experience. After NASA completed its Gemini space program, they acquired some of the equipment for their studies. They studied quantum mechanics and general relativity at a level normally reserved for graduate studies. “We had basically one-on-one teaching,” McDaniel said. “It was fantastic. We blew through all the physics courses very quickly, and then we went into advanced studies.” During the summer of 1971, McDaniel married Brenda Payne, with whom he grew up and attended school in Mt. Ayr. She worked in the financial aid office at Northwest while David pursued his degree. Their apartment became a gathering place for the “physics nerds.” McDaniel earned his bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in mathematics and maintained a 4.0 grade-point average throughout his academic career at Northwest. “I came out of Northwest with a knowledge and background in physics and mathematics that was unpassed,” McDaniel said. “It was a small dedicated group of mathematics teachers and physics teachers,

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and graduate school was easy because we’d been doing it for a year.” McDaniel received offers to attend graduate school at Kansas State University, the University of Maryland and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He spent the summer prior to his senior year at Kansas State conducting physics research with the support of a National Science Foundation grant but opted for Madison because it offered more opportunity. He made the most of his education at UW, completing master’s and doctorate degrees in nuclear physics by 1980. He stayed there for two more years as a research associate in the physics department and then spent the 1982-1983 academic year as a postdoctoral fellow in radiology at the University of Texas Medical Center in Houston.

TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE GE hired McDaniel in 1983 to work at its Waukesha, Wisconsin, facility as a senior systems engineer in the then-new field of X-ray advanced technology engineering. But at the same time researchers were

McDaniel inspects a PET scan machine in a testing bay at GE Healthcare’s Waukesha, Wisconsin, facility. McDaniel is responsible for designing the small detectors that line the interior ring of the machine.

priming another piece of technology to transform the medical field, and in 1989, GE called on McDaniel to join its new PET division as a senior detector physicist. PET, an acronym for positron emission tomography, was rapidly developing from an experimental piece of equipment, and commercial technology companies saw an opportunity to make it more accessible while enhancing health care. The PET scan is an imaging test that shows how organs and tissues are working, and it can be used to detect cancers and heart conditions. Patients are injected with a sugar-based tracer that enters the blood flow, and the scan measures chemical activity within cells. That’s where McDaniel comes in. The PET scan is no use without a detector that pinpoints two gamma rays shooting in opposite directions when a positron and electron annihilate. The resulting data allows doctors to locate abnormalities in the body. “(The tracer) gets concentrated in muscles that are using sugar, such as your heart, and it gets in the brain, which uses sugar for metabolism,” McDaniel said. “Cancer, which is busy doing division, uses sugar. Tumors in the body light up like a light bulb.” The detectors McDaniel designs are just 4.5 centimeters and contained in dozens of modules lining a drum that the patient slides through for a scan. “Those modules generate the information for each gamma ray, including when it arrived and which crystal it hit, and how much energy it had,” McDaniel says. The wonder of it all is not lost on McDaniel, who still keeps the

Above: McDaniel is part of GE Healthcare’s “detector group” and works in a pod with two other physicists to design PET scanning machines. Left: McDaniel’s collaboration and research for GE has taken him to locations throughout the world. He has experienced an Israeli desert in August and Siberia in December, pictured here, where the high temperature was -32 degrees.

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The detector, measuring just 4.5 centimeters, is the heart of every PET scanner. One detector is contained in each of the dozens of modules that line a drum inside each machine, and they generate the data doctors need to locate abnormalities in patients’ bodies.

slide rule he used as a student at Northwest. Handheld calculators were new then and 24 kilobytes was the limit for two computer users to share. Now, users have a million times that storage space in gigabytes. The computational power of that 4.5-centimeter detector in the PET scan used to take up a closet-sized cabinet. GE Healthcare’s PET initiative has grown rapidly from “a garage shop” when it started in 1989 while the performance and efficiency of the machines has improved significantly. Early PET scanners cost more than $2 million and now sell for well under $1 million, with the module accounting for a significant percentage of that cost. Those first machines also took about 45 minutes to complete a scan, and the latest machines can do it in a minute – or seven minutes to complete a full body scan.

STILL DEVELOPING Today GE Healthcare employs about 46,000 people worldwide. It invests more than $1 billion a year in research and development to support its core strengths of biosciences, medical imaging and information technologies. At the Waukesha facility where McDaniel works, GE Healthcare’s PET scanners are designed, assembled, tested and shipped directly to the hospitals that will put them to work. McDaniel shares a pod of cubicles with two other physicists, known as the “detector group,” who are largely responsible for the design of the PET scan. A white board on the wall behind his desk chair is a mess of numbers and formulas. A pair of mugs sitting atop his desk shelf read “Computer Genius” and “Rocket Scientist.” The detector group collaborates with a group of electrical engineers in another pod of cubicles a few steps away. McDaniel jokes about the detector group “having loud arguments about 10 picoseconds.” The whole scene conjures comparisons to the popular sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” but McDaniel shrugs off 12

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that notion. “GE has a very strong attitude of reinventing itself and changing continuously with the need,” he says. “It is a big corporation and, as any big corporation or big organization, there is a level of rigor.” The detector group is constantly working on the next generation of PET scanning machines. The detector itself is refreshed every three to five years with the goal of designing a more reliable and efficient machine at a lower cost. It’s a mantra in which McDaniel takes a lot of pride. “This is not the iPhone where we’re coming out with an iPhone next year,” he says. “Development is long, depending on the design.” During its latest design, McDaniel and his team made a breakthrough on the PET scanner’s cost that made PET technology available to a larger set of hospitals that couldn’t afford it previously. “The lowered cost has allowed PET to go to places in the world it couldn’t go before,” he says. “Hospitals can see more patients in a day.” In 2015, GE recognized McDaniel for his contributions to the PET scan and career excellence with its GE Edison Award, a prestigious honor named for the company’s famous founder, Thomas Edison. Letters supporting McDaniel’s nomination came from around the world. In his unassuming manner, McDaniel acknowledges he was deeply honored by the award and then speaks to a vision statement on a wall in the GE Healthcare facility. The statement at the foot of a staircase reads, in part, “Let’s make better health for more people. We are at work making the world work better.” “I’m always proud of the next machine,” he said. “When you do a design, there’s always trade-offs and how much value you put on different pieces. We have always put a very high priority on our ability to detect the gamma rays versus some other parameters and cost. We don’t design a detector. We design a scanner to meet a clinical need.” ■

“I came out of Northwest with a knowledge and background in physics and mathematics that was unpassed,”

David McDaniel

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ADVANCING NORTHWEST

PLANS FOR NORTHWEST MULTIPURPOSE COMPLEX UNFOLDING FACILITY TO BOOST STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

For decades Northwest has been a leader among its peer institutions in the areas of recruitment and retention. Now, as the race to attract and keep students continues to evolve and a strong partnership with the city of Maryville works to boost economic development, Northwest is shaping plans for a facility that will meet a multitude of University and community needs. With the support of surrounding communities and businesses, plans to build a multipurpose facility are moving forward, and the project represents the single largest public-private partnership in Northwest’s 111-year history. The estimated $20 million initiative is using multiple financing sources, including commitments from the University, private donors and community supporters. Maryville residents showed their support of the

project in November by voting to approve a transient guest tax to advance tourism and economic development in the city. A portion of the funding from the transient guest tax will assist with the construction and operation of the complex. Building the facility is a strategic focus of Northwest, both in its strategic plan and campus master plan. “We’re really realizing four goals – focusing on health and wellness; athletic competitiveness; recruitment, engagement and especially retention of our students; and partnerships with the city, the county and the broader community, which are very important to us,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “It would help us realize significant goals that are aligned with our strategic plan.”

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Early plans for the 137,250 square-foot facility call for recreation and exhibition space, an indoor flooring system, 100-yard practice turf, 300-meter indoor competition track, spectator seating and tiered meeting rooms. The facility, to be located just northwest of College Park and Bearcat Stadium on the Northwest campus, is expected to be an economic driver for the region, hosting a variety of University and community activities year-round in addition to serving as a practice facility for athletics teams. Club sports and student organizations at Northwest will actively use the facility. It may also host intercollegiate and high school track meets, community fundraisers, exhibitions, trade shows and business gatherings. With a capacity of 7,000 people, Northwest expects it will be a venue for a variety of special events such as commencement ceremonies and concerts, too. “There are reasons communities get behind these projects,” Maryville City Manager Greg McDanel ’02 said. “There is a lot of opportunity here for additional events that would enhance community tourism and economic development.” The facility could provide numerous social as well as recreational opportunities for Northwest students and local youth. “The multipurpose complex is essential to

ADVANCING NORTHWEST

FOUNDING 50 TEAM

the expansion and interaction possibilities for events that the Student Activities Council hosts,” said Emily Porter ’16, a graduate assistant for the student-led organization responsible for planning and administering social, cultural and recreational activities for Northwest students. “Events such as our concert and Late Night at the Rec would benefit greatly due to the amount of students who participate. A space that is as versatile and large as the multipurpose complex would be a game changer in the types of activities we are able to provide to larger groups of students year round.” For Bearcat athletics teams and other student organizations that regularly practice outdoors, the facility provides an additional space for the days when weather conditions are less than ideal. The Bearcat Marching Band, for example, begins to lose valuable rehearsal time when cooler, dreary November days set in over Maryville. “Much like many of our student-athletes, the BMB struggles to rehearse in inclement weather — particularly the cold,” Director

of Athletic Bands Dr. Katy Strickland said. “Once temperatures approach freezing, instruments don’t function or easily break and playing on metal mouthpieces can lead to performer injuries. The ability to use the indoor facility during times like these, along with heavy rains and severe heat, will help us continue to take the BMB to the next level so we can follow the Bearcat football team deep into the season with greater success than ever before.” The multipurpose facility will provide a space for athletics teams that is more conducive to their needs and a competitive edge against their NCAA Division II and MIAA peers. Currently, Northwest teams practice in the cramped lower level of the Lamkin Activity Center during their offseasons. The Northwest Multipurpose Complex, however, will include configurations for softball and baseball fields as well as tennis courts. “When we have to come indoors we do not have an area where we can see live action – whether that is hitting, fielding or pitching,” Darin Loe, Northwest’s head baseball coach, said. “We can do drills and hit in the cage, but you just can’t replicate the competitive action of pitcher versus hitter. “With the multipurpose complex, we would be able to continue with our drills and preparation as we do now. However, it would add the live component with the ability to virtually scrimmage and work on that pitcher versus hitter situation all the way up to our first outside competition in the spring.” Northwest already has commissioned a schematic design of the facility, and an architect and engineer study is underway. Construction could begin as soon as July and take less than one year to complete.

As Northwest envisions the future of the University and the surrounding region, it is attracting philanthropic partnership for a multipurpose facility through its Founding 50 Team. This group of leadership donors has partnered with the University and are giving $50,000 or more to help make the project a reality. Individuals and families interested in giving to support the Northwest Multipurpose Complex are encouraged to contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or alumni@nwmissouri.edu.

TEAM CAPTAINS

Mel ’67 & Valorie Booth Carl ’76 & Cheryl (Deweerdt) ’78 Hughes City of Maryville, Mo. Nodaway Valley Bank

ALL STARS

Richard ’75 & Cathy Baier Don ’59 & Ann Beeson Rob ’83 & Sue Bolin Bob ’70 & Seal Burrell Don & Stacy (Lee) ’88 Carrick John Cline ’75 Kelly ’80 & Kathy (Heath) ’97 Crawford Karen Daniel ’80 Mark ’81 & Julia (Scott) ’82 Doll Gene ’76 & Sue (Merrigan) ’78, ’89 Dorrel Mike ’84 & Heather Flanagan Michael L. Faust ’74 Pat & Teri Harr Ron Houston & Dennis Dau ’70, ’71 John & Denise (Kirby) ’90 Jasinski Doug ’72 & Linda (Keller) ’73, ’90 Kinder Bill ’76 & Jodie (Hamilton) ’77 Mackintosh Don ’76 & Debbie McDonald Miles T. ’77 & Kayla J. McDonald Rich & Bernie Mendenhall Midland GIS/Midland Surveying Monaghan/Hannon Family John ’78 & Suzy Moore Bill ’72 & Jane Oellermann Alan L. ’70, ’71 & Mike Peterson ’06, ’10 Families Brock & Karen Pfost Roger Pugh Jim & Mary (Hamilton) ’72 Purdy Ken ’87 & Jeanette Scribner SSM Health Robert Lee & Doris Ann Stanton Brad Stephens ’96 The Sunderland Foundation Ron ’79 & Janell Taylor John ’73 & Kris (Ketelsen) ’91 Teale Gary ’76 & Kathy Thompson Dick & Kay Thomson Mel ’77 & Carol Tjeerdsma Jeff ’84 & Shelley Wangsness Wells Bank Tom Wood ’78 Stan ’70 & Gina Zeamer

A big Bearcat thanks to the generosity of our lead philanthropists!

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

ADVANCING NORTHWEST

“The University is a jewel in northwest Missouri. It’s really supportive of the small rural communities where kids like I used to be need an opportunity to get an education. There are so many dedicated people, and it gets better every single year.” Jennifer Dawson Nicholson ’71

SECURITIES

DONATE

Vice President, Northwest Foundation Board of Directors 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient

LASTING L E G A C I ES

Thinking back to growing up about 30 miles east of the Northwest campus in Grant City, Missouri, Jennifer Dawson Nicholson ’71 can hardly think of a time when her family did not support the University. Nicholson’s grandfather, W.M.C. Dawson, owned a local bank and was a member of Northwest’s Board of Regents from 1951 to 1975, serving one term as vice president and two terms as president. “Growing up, of course, we were big Northwest fans, and I knew that I would go there,” Nicholson said. “My grandfather was very high on the people in the business area. There was never any question in my mind that I would go there, just because he was so associated with it.” Nicholson, the first female to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance at Northwest, began her finance training at age 16 by working alongside her grandfather at Citizens Bank of Grant City. After completing her degree at Northwest, she was hired by the former First National Bank in Kansas City. In 1988, she co-founded an investment management business, and in 1998, she became sole owner and president of the firm, now known as Nicholson Capital Management. Now, Nicholson is giving back to the University that has meant so much to her family and set the path for her successful career in financial management. Since 2014, Nicholson has made annual gifts of appreciated stock toward the W.M.C. Dawson Scholarship endowment honoring her grandfather. The scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement with preference given to students earning a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher. “I encourage everyone really to consider looking at their portfolios and seeing if it couldn’t work for them to be able to make periodic, systematic contributions to however they want to help the University,” Nicholson said.

When you donate securities to Northwest, you receive the same income tax savings that you do when you write us a check but with the added benefit of eliminating capital gains taxes on the transfer, which can be as high as 20 percent. Making a gift of securities to support Northwest’s mission is as easy as instructing your broker to transfer shares or, if you have the physical securities, hand-delivering or mailing certificates along with a stock power to us in separate envelopes. Using separate envelopes safeguards your gift as the certificates will not be negotiable without the stock power.

Contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or advance@nwmissouri.edu to find out about the many advantages of donating appreciated securities.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

ADVANCING NORTHWEST

COUPLE CREATES SCHOLARSHIP IN HONOR OF FITNESS COACH

Arne Johnson ’77 stands in front of “Plant Perceptions,” an art installation at the Noble Energy campus in Houston, where he is senior vice president of general counsel and secretary.

JOHNSONS ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT DREAMS OF ATTENDING COLLEGE With a recent six-figure gift to the Northwest Foundation, Arne Johnson ’77 and his wife, Mary Le, established the Arne and Mary Le Johnson Powering Dreams Scholarship as well as the Arne and Mary Le Johnson Scholarship, which focus on students’ academic and financial needs. While Mary Le is an architect in Houston, Arne is the senior vice president of general counsel and secretary for Noble Energy, an independent oil and gas company. He heads the corporate affairs legal department, the company’s corporate compliance department, and global security and government relations. The Johnsons consider their gift to Northwest as an opportunity to help students earn a quality education. Coming from modest backgrounds, they understand the importance of financial assistance for education. “To us, philanthropy, in general, is a way to make a real difference in the world,” Arne said. “In this context, philanthropy is really about creating opportunities for others that in a lot of cases we have been fortunate to have ourselves.” Arne, who serves as president of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors, attributes his career success to the high values and principles he developed at Northwest. “I studied political science and public administration at Northwest, and I think that was what sparked my interest to go to law school,” he said. “I believe more than anything else, just learning the importance of solid values are things that have been helpful.” After learning more about the TRIO program at Northwest and scholarship opportunities, Arne and Mary Le wanted to assist people interested in attending the University but who may not have the financial resources to do so. Launched at Northwest in 1986, TRIO is a federally recognized educational outreach program designed for students with disadvantaged backgrounds. The Johnsons believe students who face and overcome the greatest challenges are often the University’s greatest success stories. “We found that supporting scholarships helps people get the education they need,” Arne said. “Quite simply, Northwest is an excellent value proposition in providing a good education. The academic excellence the school provides is at a very reasonable price. We also feel like our support at Northwest makes a difference.”

A Nebraska couple’s connection with a Northwest alumna will soon benefit future Bob and Jan FitzSimmons Bearcats pursuing degrees in corporate recreation and wellness. Bob and Jan FitzSimmons, of Lincoln, Nebraska, are honoring Northwest alumna Amy Munro-Kounovsky ’08 by establishing the Amy Munro-Kounovsky Scholarship. Beginning with 2017-2018, Amy Munro-Kounovsky ’08 a $500 scholarship will be awarded to a Northwest junior or senior majoring in corporate recreation and wellness and enrolled in a recreation internship. Munro-Kounovsky graduated from Northwest with degrees in corporate recreation and wellness and therapeutic recreation, and she became American College of Sport Medicine certified in 2008. After graduation, she accepted a position at Prairie Life Fitness in Lincoln and works as a personal trainer. The FitzSimmons value a healthy lifestyle, and Jan is a member at Prairie Life. Six years ago, she was looking for a personal trainer and connected with Amy. When Munro-Kounovsky got married in 2016, Jan wanted to honor her as a wedding gift. The FitzSimmons endowed a scholarship in her name as a tribute to her and their belief in education. “The scholarship that Bob and Jan put in my name is one of the most generous things anyone has ever done for me,” Munro-Kounovsky said. “I feel extremely lucky and thankful to be a part of something that will help students fulfill their dreams of helping others through health and wellness.” The FitzSimmons understand the impact scholarships have on students’ lives. Bob graduated from high school in 1958 and received a four-year scholarship to attend Kansas University. Jan received a scholarship as a student at South Dakota State University. They view endowed scholarships as an opportunity to leave a legacy to the communities that have paved the way for their careers and lives. “I think there is a lot of deserving young students who haven’t been able to attend the college they wanted to because of the cost,” Bob said. “Scholarships are out there. I encourage them to do a lot of research and apply for as many as they can.” NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

CASH GIFT ESTABLISHES ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP IN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC For the first time in its history, Northwest Missouri State University will offer an endowed professorship after receiving a $500,000 cash gift in honor of an alumnus and supporter of instrumental music. The gift establishes the Dennis C. Dau Endowed Professorship in Instrumental Music. The endowment fund remains open and capable of receiving additional contributions at any time for the purpose of funding the professorship. “The instrumental music program is very strong now, and this will enhance it and make it more lucrative to hire people in the future,” Dau ’70, ’71 said. “This was a way to help the instrumental music department and provide something that would continue into the future.” An endowed professorship gives special recognition to a faculty member for continued exemplary service to their field, based on outstanding teaching, creative and scholarly activity, and contributions through professional organizations and service beyond

the regional level. It recognizes individuals who maintain a high level of productivity and impact during an extended period of time and are considered role models for faculty, staff and students. “An endowed professorship is a hallmark of a great university and we are long overdue for endowed professorships,” Provost Dr. Timothy Mottet said, adding that Northwest is seeking additional endowed professorships. “Endowed professorships are used to recognize exceptional faculty, enhance faculty professional development, enrich learning opportunities for students, and recruit and retain high-performing faculty.” The Dennis C. Dau Endowed Professorship in Instrumental Music will be offered initially to a current faculty member who meets the endowed professorship criteria through a recommendation of the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and an appointment by the provost. The title will be held for a term specified at the time of the award and

TRADITIO tra.di.tion A way of thinking, behaving or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family or society for a long time.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

Dennis C. Dau ’70, ’71

renewable by recommendation of the dean and reappointment by the provost. Dau, a native of Manning, Iowa, played the snare drum in the Bearcat Marching Band and the clarinet in Northwest’s wind symphony on his way to earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education at Northwest. His career as an educator took him to Farragut, Iowa, and then to Maryville High School, where he was a band director from 1979 until his retirement in 1999. “Northwest gave me the building blocks to be a band director,” Dau said. “I’m pleased that I’m able to give back now after having a career in music. I’m very proud of the department and the students that they prepare.”

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WELCOMES BLACK ALUMNI AND FRIENDS CHAPTER The Northwest Alumni Association on Feb. 25 commemorated the addition of its 21st chapter, the Black Alumni and Friends Chapter, with a social gathering and halftime recognition at the Bearcat men’s basketball game. About 30 Northwest alumni and friends attended the event where Alumni Association Board President Linda Nichols Place ’72 and Bob Machovsky ’15, director of alumni relations and annual giving, presented the chapter with a banner. Otealet Newman ’75 serves as the chapter’s president, Kelvin Parker Sr. ’76 is vice president, and Marcus Mack ’77 is secretary. Machovsky praised the new chapter’s members for their commitment to Northwest. “We expect great things from this group,” Machovsky said. “We look forward to them engaging with our other chapters, with our students and our faculty and staff. Recruiting students to the University also is one of our main goals as the Alumni Association. We mentor, we connect and we promote, and those three pillars are going to help drive our actions.” The addition of the chapter also furthers Northwest’s strategic goal of enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion. During the last year, Northwest has implemented a new structure to broaden diversity,

NORTHWEST

Founding members of the Northwest Alumni Association’s Black Alumni and Friends Chapter are (front row, from left) Paula Rector Davis ’91, Gabrielle Hawkins ’16, Jo Wright Pinkins ’76, Sharon Ford Parker ’77, Marcus Mack ’77, Kevin Hawkins Jr. ’13, ’15, (back row) Brian H. Givens Sr. ’76, Marian Jackson Mack ’77, Kelvin Parker, Sr. ’76, Otealet Newman ’75 and Rory Fitzpatrick ’80.

equity and inclusion efforts across the campus for students and employees as well as its community. The University created the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and welcomed Dr. Juanita Simmons in August as its first vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

ALUMNI

N O RTHW E ST M IS S O U R I S TAT E U N IV E R S I T Y

CHAPTERS For more information about how to get involved with your local chapter, contact the Northwest Alumni Association at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni. ARIZONA CHAPTER Chartered March 23, 2001 BAND ALUMNI CHAPTER Chartered Sept. 8, 2001 BLACK ALUMNI AND FRIENDS CHAPTER Chartered Feb. 25, 2017 CENTRAL IOWA CHAPTER Chartered Aug. 1, 2002 CHICAGO CHAPTER Chartered Jan. 12, 2008 COLORADO CHAPTER Chartered Jan. 12, 2004 DALLAS CHAPTER Chartered June 23, 2006 EASTERN IOWA CHAPTER Chartered May 6, 2010 GRIDIRON CHAPTER Chartered May 13, 2011 JAPAN CHAPTER Chartered July 21, 2005 KANSAS CITY CHAPTER Chartered Jan. 25, 2001

MARYVILLE CHAPTER Chartered Sept. 22, 2001 MID-MISSOURI CHAPTER Chartered April 12, 2007 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER Chartered Feb. 29, 2004 SOUTHERN IOWA CHAPTER Chartered April 1, 2006 SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER Chartered April 9, 2009 ST. JOSEPH CHAPTER Chartered May 20, 2002 ST. LOUIS CHAPTER Chartered May 15, 2008 TWIN CITIES CHAPTER Chartered Sept. 16, 2010 WASHINGTON, D.C. CHAPTER Chartered June 11, 2011 WESTERN IOWA/EASTERN NEBRASKA CHAPTER Chartered June 5, 2003

2016-2017 NORTHWEST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors gathered for their fall meeting during Family Weekend in September. While on campus, board members attended the Alumni Awards Banquet, Family Weekend Open House at the Alumni House, visited the Hy-Vee Bearcat Zone tailgate and cheered on the Bearcat football team. The 2016-2017 Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors includes (front row, from left) Faith Spark; Marsha Alsbury Leopard ’71, ’76; Dennis Bunch ’69, ’76; Joyce Seals Roddy ’75; Paula Rector Davis ’91; (second row) Dustin Wasson ’03; Katie Brown; Abby Stephens Elliott ’06, ’08; Jay Liebenguth ’80; (third row) Linda Nichols Place ’72, ’09; Michelle Mattson Drake ’98; Randy Cody ’99; Anitra Germer Svendsen ’05, ’07; Allison Kahre Kreifels ’06, ’11; (fourth row) Rich Tokheim ’82; Gabrielle Hawkins ’16; Bob Machovsky ’15; Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09; (back row) Kory Schramm ’95; and Bob Stalder ’88; (Not pictured: Mark DeVore ’71, ’75).

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

MASON JOINS UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT AS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Sam Mason ’88 has joined the staff in Northwest’s Office of University Advancement as a development officer. He assumes a role previously held by Steve Sutton ’71, who retired in December after more than a decade in Northwest’s alumni relations and advancement area. Mason earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwest in broadcasting with a business emphasis. He joins the University Advancement team with 27 years of customer service, team management and sales experience. Since June 2013, he had served Northwest’s National Public

ALUMNI CHAPTER

NEWS

Radio affiliate, KXCV-KRNW, as an underwriting sales executive, significantly raising underwriting and program sponsorships to record-setting levels. In his new role, Mason is tasked with fundraising responsibilities including identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors to support the University and the Northwest Foundation. He will serve as a development liaison to academic departments and personnel to nurture philanthropic support. He is active in the Maryville community as a member of the Maryville Host Lions club and helped lead the reinvention of the Maryville Farmers Market last summer. His wife, Andrea Smith Mason ’90, is a third and fourth grade instructor at Northwest’s Horace Mann Laboratory School, and the couple has three daughters.

Get involved today!

For more information about getting involved in a Northwest Alumni Association chapter, call 660.562.1248 or email alumni@nwmissouri.edu. Twenty-one alumni chapters comprise the Alumni Association, and more are being formed.

WESTERN IOWA/EASTERN NEBRASKA ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Members of the St. Louis Alumni and Friends Chapter assisted at the tailgate party prior to the Bearcat football game at Lindenwood University. Pictured are Sue Johnson Hockensmith ’72, Debbie Cooper ’76, Dave Cooper ’81, Pat Baker Haynes ’96, Pat Roddy ’75, Laura Hockensmith and Debbie Spencer Lehman ’79.

ST. LOUIS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The St. Louis Alumni and Friends Chapter hosted a tailgate party at the Bearcat football game at Lindenwood University in October. The chapter sold chances to win a basket full of Northwest paraphernalia and raised more than $350 for the St. Louis Alumni and Friends Chapter Scholarship Fund. In December, the chapter hosted a watch party to cheer on the Bearcats in the NCAA Division II National Championship football game. Members of the chapter also supported the women’s and men’s basketball teams in February when they played at Lindenwood University. The chapter will host its Ninth Anniversary Chapter Celebration in May at Patrick’s at Westport. Summer and fall activities will be planned. Information regarding the events will be shared on the chapter’s Facebook page at NW Alumni St. Louis and through emails from the Northwest Alumni Association. For more information, contact Sue Johnson Hockensmith ’72 at sahockensmith@aol.com or the Northwest Alumni Relations office at 660.562.1248. 20

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

The Western Iowa/Eastern Nebraska Alumni and Friends Chapter, formerly the Nebraska/Western Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter, is under new leadership. Monthly socials are being organized throughout the Omaha and Council Bluffs area on the first Thursday of every month. For more information about the chapter, contact Sean Gundersen ’10, ’13 at bearcatalumni@gmail. com. Follow the chapter on Facebook at Northwest Missouri State Alumni & Friends Western IA/Eastern NE Chapter.

WASHINGTON, D.C., ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The Washington, D.C., Alumni and Friends Chapter announces its new officers are President Mary Stoll ’77, Vice President Cretia Rowlette Meier ’84 and Secretary Cody Uhing ’15. The chapter hosted a barbecue in September and parties to watch the Bearcats in the NCAA Division II football semifinal and championship games in December. For more information about the chapter, send an email to bearcats.dc@gmail. com and follow the chapter on Facebook at Northwest Missouri State Alumni – DC Chapter.

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

CENTRAL IOWA ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The Central Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter meets the first Thursday of every month at Rookies Sports Bar and Grill in Clive for social events. In addition to monthly socials, the chapter organized several exciting events in 2016. The chapter hosted its annual outing at an Iowa Cubs game in July, and Bearcats gathered for a pre-game tailgate and enjoyed a spectacular fireworks show after the game. In August, members of the chapter volunteered at the Northwest booth at the Iowa State Fair and participated in the State Fair parade with Bobby Bearcat. The chapter hosted watch parties for the Bearcat football team’s playoff games against Emporia State University and Ferris State University. The chapter also continues to raise money for a scholarship fund through raffles at monthly social events. For more information, contact IowaBearcats@gmail.com and follow the chapter on Facebook at Northwest Missouri State University Central Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter.

Roxanna Swaney ’84, Donna Ward Thompson ’58 and Damian Valline Bridges ’84 sit with Santa Claus at the Kansas City Alumni and Friends Chapter Holiday Social.

KANSAS CITY ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Northwest alumni and friends attended the Iowa Cubs game in July. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Claire Patterson Mellick ’11, ’13; Janice Young Meyer ’72; Jane Laughlin Sullivan ’74; Faith Spark; Betty Meyn ’71; Laura Peterson Lacina ’07; Libby Hutzler Miller ’91; Paul Nielsen ’74; (middle row, left to right) Bob Machovsky ’15; Katie Layman Machovsky ’16; Martin Johnson ’90; Randy Lacina; (back row, left to right) Ted Spark; Jim Meyer ’72; Ben Taylor ’72; Phil Patterson ’74, ’78; Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09; and Dennis Spark ’73.

The Kansas City Alumni and Friends Chapter hosted its annual holiday social at Riverstone Retirement Community in Kansas City. Special guests were Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski and Santa Claus. This family-friendly event was well attended by alumni and friends of all ages. For more information about the Kansas City Alumni and Friends Chapter, contact Bob Stalder ’88 at nwalumnikc@ gmail.com. Follow the chapter on Facebook at Northwest Alumni Association – Kansas City Alumni & Friends Chapter.

BAND ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

More than 50 members participated in football game day activities Sept. 17 during the 2016 Band Alumni Day. Members also participated in the Homecoming parade in October, riding on the Alumni Association float and performing throughout the parade. Follow the Band Alumni and Friends Chapter on Facebook at Northwest Band Alumni Association. The Central Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter participated in the 2016 Iowa State Fair Parade. Representing the chapter by carrying a banner are Dennis Spark ’73 and Dennis Bunch ’69, ’76.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

TOURIN’ BEARCATS ENJOY TRIP TO LONDON Northwest alumni and friends traveled to London in September as part of the Tourin’ Bearcats, the Northwest Alumni Association’s travel program. The trip, which included eight alumni and friends, featured visits to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Stonehenge, Salisbury, London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The group also enjoyed a traditional pub dinner. Upcoming trips include the Pacific Northwest and California, June 18-25; the Colors of New England, Sept. 30 through Oct. 7; and a Spotlight on Tuscany, Nov. 7-15. For more information, contact the Northwest Alumni Association at 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni.

Eight Northwest alumni and friends traveled in September to London as part of the Tourin’ Bearcats travel program. Pictured, from left, are Barbara Haar, James Haar, Jack Bohnenblust ’67, Judy Kimmet Bohnenblust ’67, Lori McLemore Steiner ’85, Julie Woodard Guthrie, Karen Karg Woodard ’79, ’98 and Mike Steiner ’85.

SOUTHERN IOWA ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The Southern Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter hosted its annual social in April in Creston. Special guests were high school seniors who were headed to Northwest in the fall. Also on the program were two current Northwest students, one finishing her freshman year and one student-athlete finishing his junior year. Brad Elliott ’04 spoke about getting involved in the community after graduating. The chapter participated in numerous parades during the summer, assisted at the Northwest Alumni Association booth in Mount Ayr during RAGBRAI and at the Iowa State Fair. Family events are being planned. For more information about getting involved, contact Darin Goins at 816.260.7565.

The St. Joseph Alumni and Friends Chapter hosted its annual barn party in October. Members enjoyed a potluck dinner and learned to square dance.

ST. JOSEPH ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The St. Joseph Alumni and Friends Chapter hosted its annual barn party in October and gathered at The Pizza Shoppe in November. The chapter also adopted a family for the Christmas holiday. For more information about the St. Joseph Alumni and Friends Chapter, contact nwalumnistjoe@gmail.com.

Florence Abarr Lawhead ’42 and Jim Meadows ’62 connected at the Southern Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter event in April.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

GOLDEN YEARS SOCIETY REUNION OCT. 20-21

Homecoming Weekend

HONORING THE

CLASS OF 1967

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 1967! This year marks your 50-year anniversary and entry into the Golden Years Society. Save the date and join us for your 50-year reunion celebration during Homecoming weekend. The Northwest Alumni Association will commemorate your milestone and welcome you into the Golden Years Society with a luncheon, class photo, campus tour and much more. Information regarding hotels and registration will be sent closer to the date.

GOLDEN YEARS SOCIETY REUNION, HONORING THE CLASS OF 1966 Members of the Class of 1966 returned to campus to celebrate their Golden Anniversary during the Homecoming weekend in October. Pictured are (front row) Carl Henningsen, Jackie Vincent Henningsen, Ann Shamberger McClung, Ginny Bright Thompson, Carol Crawford Curry, Zeta Combs Davidson, Twila Pittsenbarger Halter, Ray Briscoe (second row) Bob Rempe, Cliff Duffield, Richard Petersen, Mike Spolar, Jim McClung, Carl Hinton, Dick Borchardt, Larry McDonald.

STAY CONNECTED

We are looking for volunteers to serve on the Class of 1967 Reunion Committee and help make phone calls to reach members of the class. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions regarding the reunion, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 660.562.1248 or alumni@nwmissouri.edu.

DISCOVER THE MANY BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. • Attend an alumni event in your area. • Volunteer at an alumni event. • Get involved with an alumni chapter in your area. • Recruit a student. • Become a mentor. • Serve on the alumni board. Contact the Alumni Relations Office at Northwest Missouri State University for more information. 660.562.1248 alumni@nwmissouri.edu

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

SAVE THE DATE

Alumni 2017

AWARDS BANQUET FRIDAY, SEPT. 22, 2017 6 P.M. SOCIAL 6:30 P.M. DINNER 8 P.M. AWARDS PRESENTATION J.W. JONES STUDENT UNION BALLROOM

The Alumni Awards annually are awarded to outstanding individuals who personify the University’s tradition of excellence through their service and achievements. More information, including the 2017 recipients, will be included in the fall issue of the Northwest Alumni Magazine.

The 2016 Alumni Award Recipients are (front row) Steven Wallach ’77, Distinguished Alumni Award; Willard “Bud” Tice, Honorary Alumni Award; Abdul-Kaba Abdullah ’02, Young Alumni Award; (second row) Doug Cushman accepting on behalf of the late Cathran Cushman, Distinguished Faculty Emeritus Award; Greg McDanel ’02, Public Service Award; Robert Moulder ’86, Turret Service Award; (back row) Dr. Deborah Johnson Toomey ’94, ’96, Distinguished Faculty Award; Linda Nichols Place ’72, ’09, Alumni Board President; Dr. John Jasinski, Northwest President.

NOW OPEN! N O R T H W E S T M I S S O U R I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y - K A N S A S C I T Y

Earn an affordable, quality education at Northwest-Kansas City, a state-of-theart facility offering students opportunities to complete undergraduate degree programs or advance their knowledge through graduate programs. NorthwestKansas City offers completion programs in business, communication, computer science, criminology, education, health science and psychology. Northwest-Kansas City is located at the Northland Innovation Campus, 6889 North Oak Trafﬁcway, in Gladstone, Missouri.

KANSAS CITY

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

For more information visit www.nwmissouri.edu/kc/

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

EXPANDING ALUMNI HOUSE Foundation announces $1 million gift in honor of board member

Construction is underway at the home of the Northwest Foundation after it received a gift to expand the facility and rename it to honor a passionate Northwest alumnus. The Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation of Omaha’s $1 million gift honors its director Michael L. Faust ’74 for his support of the Scotts’ civic and philanthropic activities, his 36 years of service to Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc., where Walter Scott was chairman and chief executive officer, and his loyalty to Northwest. The gift was designated for renovations, an addition to include offices and a conference room, and future maintenance needs at the Northwest Alumni House. The structure also will be renamed the Michael L. Faust Center for Alumni and Friends. “Honoring Mike Faust with a namesake center for alumni and friends is so very appropriate as he stands for Bearcat connections through and through,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “We are grateful to the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation and their celebration of Mike’s passion for making all things Bearcat better for generations to come.”

An addition to the renamed Michael L. Faust Center for Alumni and Friends is expected to be completed in the fall through a gift from the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation.

As the Northwest Foundation Board’s longest-serving director, Faust has witnessed nearly one third of its history since joining in 2002, serving as a committee chair during his first year and continuing in leadership roles ever since. He served as president of the Board from 2008 to 2010. Faust, who has given generously to fund scholarships and facility upgrades at Northwest, retired in early 2015 as the assistant to the chairman of Kiewit, an employee-owned general contracting company based in Omaha, Nebraska. “This gift was a surprise, both for me and for the Northwest Foundation, which hadn’t solicited the grant,” Faust said. “But when Dr. Jasinski and three of our school directors attended my retirement party, it made

Walter aware of the level of my involvement with Northwest and likely planted the seed for this gift to happen.” The Alumni House is the center of activity for the Office of University Advancement and the Northwest Foundation. Known to local residents as the Townsend home, a group of Northwest alumni purchased the property in 1980. It annually hosts homecoming activities, holiday celebrations and other gatherings throughout the academic year. To this day, the property is owned and maintained by the Northwest Foundation, while its purchase, renovations and repairs have all been made possible solely through private contributions.

NORTHWEST FOUNDATION WELCOMES SEVEN NEW MEMBERS The Northwest Foundation Inc. has appointed seven new members to its Board of Directors to help guide the University’s advancement and grow private support. The Northwest Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, is responsible for receiving, investing, stewarding and disbursing private support on behalf of the donors of Northwest Missouri State University for the benefit of the institution, its students, faculty, staff

Eric Geis ’01,’02

Dr. David Holmes ’79

Bill Oellermann ’72

and alumni. The Foundation, governed by a 32-member volunteer board, is staffed by members of Northwest’s Office of University Advancement. Board members may serve up to two three-year terms. For more information about the Northwest Foundation, visit www. nwmissouri.edu/alumni/foundation/.

Patricia Poulos ’75

Thomas Sanchez ’02

Dennis Sapp ’68

Ken Scribner ’87

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BEARCAT SPORTS

WINTER

SPORTS RECAP Women’s basketball returns to postseason

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Bearcat women returned to the postseason for the first time since 2014 but lost their first round matchup in the MIAA tournament, ending their season with a 9-18 record. The Bearcats began the season 5-0 but struggled against MIAA opponents. The women put together their most impressive performance of the season when they beat Fort Hays State, the 23rd-ranked team in the country, 92-80, Jan. 21 at Bearcat Arena. Junior forward Tanya Meyer, who finished with a game-high 28 points and a game-high 11 rebounds against Fort Hays, was named to the All-MIAA Second Team. She led the MIAA with 19.5 points per game, finished second with 9.8 rebounds and was third in field goal percentage, shooting 48.4 percent. She also tallied a teambest 12 double-doubles on the season, scoring in double figures 20 times in 23 games. On Feb. 25 against Lincoln, Meyer became the 26th player in Northwest history to reach the 1,000 point mark. Senior Jasmin Howe garnered MIAA honorable mention accolades. She averaged 14.0 points and 4.3 rebounds for the year.

Tanya Meyer

She also knocked down a career-best 64 three pointers, giving her 103 for her career.

INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD The Northwest track and field teams finished competition Feb. 26 at the MIAA Indoor Championships at Missouri Southern, where the men placed eighth and the women were ninth. The men’s distance medley team of Tim Grundmayer, Derek Templeman, Joe Anger and Ryan Cox won their event in a time of 10:13.12. Cox also earned All-MIAA honors with a third-place finish in the men’s mile, running a time of 4:16.37, and Brandon Phipps earned All-MIAA honors with a third-place finish in the 5,000-meter run, finishing in a time of 14:55.46. For the women, Jordan Hammond placed sixth in the 400-meter dash, running a time of 57.47, and anchored the women’s 4x400 relay that took third in a time of 3:54.70.

NORTHWEST HONORS 2016 M-CLUB HALL OF FAME CLASS The 2009 Bearcat national championship football team headlined as Northwest honored its 2016 M-Club Hall of Fame class in October with six former studentathletes and an MIAA Championship men's tennis team. 1996 Men’s Tennis: (L to R) former Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Redd ’66, current Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma ’77, Trystan Crook ’97, Nick McFee ’97, Rob Veasey ’89, ’93 and Head Coach Mark Rosewell.

Julie Caputo ’94 (women's tennis)

Shelley Lewis ’85 (softball)

Hunter Henry ’11 (men's basketball)

Myles Burnsides ’09 ’10 (football)

Chad Thompson ’99 (football)

Pam Cummings ’98 (women’s basketball)

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2009 football team: (L to R) (front row) Joel Osborn ’09, ’11, Matt Meinert ’13, Jon Goss ’07, ’09, Kyle Kilgore ’11, Rod Williams, Nick Rhodes ’11, Blake Bolles, Jake Soy ’11, Elliot Easley ’10, Dane Wardenburg ’10, ’14, Head Coach Mel Tjeerdsma ’77, (second row) Jesse Pierce ’10, ’12, Adam Vondrak ’10, ’12, Bill Baudler ’09, ’11, Tyler Roach ’09, Sean Paddock ’09, ’11, Roberto Davis, Marcus Martin ’11, Jason Wiseman ’10, Michael Stadler ’10, Abe Qaoud ’09, (third row) Brandon Clayton ’08, ’12, Myles Burnsides ’09 ’10, Chad Kilgore, Troy Matthews ’09, ’11, Clint Moore ’10, Ike Urum-Eke ’09, Ryan Jones, EJ Hawkins ’10, Marciele Surrell ’11, Derrick Hightower ’11, Brian Shannon, LaRon Council ’10, Coach Charlie Flohr ’03

Brayden Clews-Proctor, Nolan Zimmer

Maddy Bruder

Izzy Romano

Taylor Gardner

Romain Boissinot

FALL

the top finisher in each meet throughout the fall, earning a 10thplace finish at the MIAA championships. Overall, the women were 10th at the MIAA meet and 19th at the NCAA Central Region championships in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Volleyball grabs first-ever national ranking

SOCCER

SPORTS RECAP VOLLEYBALL The last time a Bearcat volleyball team defeated Central Missouri was 1984, but a 3-0 win in Warrensburg over the 11th-ranked Jennies put an end to a streak that had reached 67 straight victories. The win was one of the many highlights for the resurgent women’s volleyball team, which started the season with a 15-game winning streak that propelled the Bearcats into the American Volleyball Coaches Association national rankings for the first time in school history. They surged as high as No. 16 in October. Nine student-athletes were named to the MIAA academic honor roll. Sophomores Maddy Bruder and Olivia Nowakowski, junior Sarah Dannettell and senior Jackie Becker earned MIAA scholar athlete accolades. Bruder was named to the All-MIAA first team, senior Miranda Foster earned second team honors for the third time in her career, and Dannettell, Becker, Nowakowski and junior Alexis Williams were selected to the honorable mention team. The Bearcats ended the season at 22-9, earning the program’s most wins since 1999 and a sixth-place finish in the MIAA.

CROSS COUNTRY The Bearcat men captured top four team finishes in five of the seven meets they competed – including a team title at the Bearcat Open. A second-place team finish at the MIAA meet in late October was followed by a third-place team finish in the NCAA Central Region Championships. Three runners earned All-Region honors with top 10 finishes, including sophomore Brayden Clews-Proctor (second), senior Nolan Zimmer (sixth) and senior Wick Cunningham (eighth). At the Division II national championships in Saint Leo, Florida, the runners finished 19th. Junior Sammy Laurenzo led the young women’s squad. She was

Seven student-athletes were named to the MIAA Honor Roll for the Bearcats, who finished the season 4-12-1 overall and 2-9 in the MIAA. Junior defender Hanna Goetz was named an MIAA Scholar Athlete. Newcomer Izzy Romano joined Goetz with All MIAA honors and earned MIAA Freshman of the Year, leading the team with six assists and tying junior Danielle Wolfe for the team lead with four goals.

TENNIS The men completed the fall as the 12th-ranked team in the country and atop the Central Region rankings. The women were chosen as the No. 6 team in the Central Region. Four men finished the fall ranked in the top 20 regionally in singles play, led by senior Romain Boissinot at No. 3 (No. 38 nationally) and sophomore Sergi Fontcuberta at No. 4 (No. 42 nationally). The doubles team of freshman Jorge Serrano and junior Mauro Tete finished as the third best doubles team in the region. On the women’s side, Tania Teruel completed her first collegiate fall season as the 17th-ranked singles player in the region.

WOMEN’S GOLF The women’s golf team finished second out of 11 teams in the weather-shortened Super Region Fall Preview in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in October. Junior Gia Zupancic tied for fourth overall at the event, posting a 77, and junior Maddie Propst recorded a top 10 individual finish as well. The Bearcat Fall Classic at Mozingo Lake Golf Course Oct. 10-11 marked the largest-ever home tournament for Northwest, featuring 14 NCAA Division II teams. The Bearcats finished eighth as senior Taylor Gardner was 14th individually. Her score of +1 (73) in the final round was tied for the second lowest round in program history.

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BEARCAT SPORTS

CULTURE

W1NS Bearcats claim first men’s basketball national championship, sixth in football As student-athletes at Northwest, Adam Dorrel ’98, ’00, in football, and Ben McCollum ’03, ’05, in men’s basketball, had front-row seats to watching hall of fame coaches lead their respective teams and build a championship culture at the University. In 2016-2017, with Dorrel and McCollum at the helms of those teams, Northwest accomplished what no other NCAA Division II athletics program had done before by winning national championships in football and men’s basketball in the same academic year. 28

The men’s basketball team finished the season 35-1, while the Bearcat football team achieved a second consecutive 15-0 national championship season. “The culture is here for everybody,” said Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma ’77, who led the football program’s turnaround as a head coach from 1994 to 2010 and won three of its national championships. “The tremendous support that we get, starting with the University and then the community and our alums, it’s infectious, and it’s made it so much fun to have what we’ve got. I don’t know how you can even put words to that, but it’s just great.” The Bearcat men’s basketball team led from start to finish March 25 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to beat Fairmont State (W.Va.) University, 7161, in its first national championship game. The basketball team was nearly perfect on the season and in the championship game against a talented and gritty Fairmont team. “We came out with no fear, which was unbelievable,” McCollum said. “I knew if we had any chance to beat them, you have to kind of bully the bullies. They get after it so much and make it really difficult for you. I was happy with our guys’ performance.” During the previous three years, the basketball team’s season ended in the Central Region championship game –

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Division II’s “Sweet 16” round – by a combined deficit of eight points and twice to the eventual national champion. Last year, was particularly heartbreaking when the Bearcats fell at the Sanford Pentagon by two free throws with five seconds left to Augustana (S.D.) University, which won the national title. “This is special,” junior forward ChrisEbou Ndow said. “We wanted to go down swinging. If we were going to lose, we weren’t going to lose easy. We have an unbelievable group of seniors. It is only fitting they go out this way.” The one small chink in the chain during the basketball season occurred as the Bearcats reached the stretch run. The Bearcats’ offense wasn’t flowing as well as it was in December, January and most of February. Northwest, which began the season 24-0, lost its only game Feb. 18 at

Top row: D’Vante Mosby, Chris-Ebou Ndow. Second row: Kyle Zimmerman hands off to Phil Jackson II, Justin Pitts. Third row: Anthony Woods, Randy Schmidt. Fourth row: Jordan Bishop, Collin Bevins and Nick Hess, Zach Schneider

BEARCAT SPORTS

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BEARCAT SPORTS

Junior forward ChrisEbou Ndow drives to the basket against a Fairmont State player in the NCAA Division II men’s basketball national championship game.

“It was loud. It was packed. When you get a gym, regardless how big it is, completely full, it is very overwhelming. It had a good buzz. It was definitely an extremely fun environment.” Ben McCollum Head Coach, Men’s Basketball

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BEARCAT SPORTS

Players, coaches and staff were joined by the McCollum family to celebrate the men’s basketball team’s national championship March 25 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Missouri Southern before clinching the MIAA regular season title, MIAA postseason tournament title and its first-ever No. 1 seed in the Central Region tournament. Northwest hosted the regional tournament for the first time in school history, which brought capacity crowds and an electricity never seen before in Bearcat Arena. “It was loud. It was packed,” McCollum said. “When you get a gym, regardless how big it is, completely full, it is very overwhelming. It had a good buzz. It was definitely an extremely fun environment.” For the national championship game, Northwest fans also filled

Ben McCollum, Head coach

Justin Pitts, Junior guard

the Sanford Pentagon in green, making it a sold-out crowd of 3,250 that included former Northwest President Dr. Dean Hubbard and former men’s basketball head coach Steve Tappmeyer, who is the program’s winningest coach. Tappmeyer led Northwest to Elite Eight appearances in 2002 and 2004 with teams that included McCollum and Northwest assistants Austin Meyer ’06, ’08 and Andy Peterson ’07, ’08, ’10. “It is such a special place, and it is really being done the right way,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “We are so proud of our student-athletes, our coaches and our support system. Our support system is just the absolute best.”

Ben McCollum, head coach DII Bulletin Coach of the Year, NABC Coach of the Year, MIAA Coach of the Year Justin Pitts, junior guard Bevo Francis Player of the Year; DII Bulletin Player of the Year and All-America First Team selection; Basketball Times Player of the Year and All-America First Team selection; NABC Player of the Year and All-America selection; D2CCA All-America First Team selection; Central Region Player of the Year and All-Central Region First Team selection; MIAA Player of the Year and All-MIAA First Team selection; NCAA Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player; NCAA Central Region Most Outstanding Player; MIAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player; set Northwest career record with 1,929 points and set single season records with 754 points, 435 assists, 275 shots made and 553 shots attempted.

D’Vante Mosby, senior forward Honorable mention All-MIAA selection, Mosby reached the 1,000-point mark in his college career on Dec. 6 Chris-Ebou Ndow, junior forward All-MIAA Third Team and MIAA All-Defensive Team selection Zach Schneider, senior forward All-MIAA second team, broke MIAA record for threepointers (301) Dec. 31 Ryan Welty, freshman forward On Dec. 17 tied a Northwest single-game record with nine three-pointers, going 9-of-9 and finished the game with a career-high 29 points. His 16 consecutive threepointers during that stretch also set an MIAA record. Anthony Woods, senior guard Honorable mention All-MIAA team selection Nine student-athletes on MIAA Academic Honor Roll: Zach Schneider named MIAA Scholar-Athlete

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BEARCAT SPORTS

Members of the Northwest football team, coaches and their families celebrated the program’s sixth national championship Dec. 17 on the field of Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

“We just care about each other. The team that really cares about each other, has players that step up.” Phil Jackson

Senior running back

The winning culture also was present when the football team claimed its sixth national title – breaking an NCAA Division II record – with a 29-3 victory over the University of North Alabama in its national championship game Dec. 17 at a snowy Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The victory was the culmination of a 30-0 run for the Bearcats during the last two seasons as the team’s 16 seniors, in four seasons at Northwest, claimed three national championships and went an unheard of 55-2. “We just care about each other,” senior running back Phil Jackson, who rushed for two touchdowns in the championship game, said. “The team that really cares about each other, has players that step up.” Undaunted by the heavy snow, wind and brutal sub-zero wind chill, junior wide receiver and backup quarterback Randy Schmidt rushed for a game-high 96 yards. He completed five passes, one of which went for the first touchdown of the game. He also caught two passes for 25 yards and played on special teams. 32

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To return to the national championship game, the Bearcats claimed a 35-20 victory against Ferris State (Mich.) University one week prior that may go down as one of the greatest feats in the Bearcats’ lustrous playoff history. The Bearcats overcame three game-ending injuries to key starters and a first half deficit to earn a spot in their 10th Division II championship game. “As we say all the time, it is that family aspect,” junior running back Jordan Grove said. “We stay around all summer and build a bond. We are all brothers out here. We all stick together and believe in each other.” Said Dorrel after that game, “I’ve been part of a lot of big games here as an assistant coach and head coach, and I don’t know if I have seen a team grind out a victory against a better team than we did today.” For the first time all season, the game situation looked bleak. The Bearcats fell behind 13-7 because of a couple of turnovers. The injuries to key starters, including senior quarterback Kyle Zimmerman, were mounting up. In the second quarter, the Bearcats put together an impressive 10-minute stretch that gave the Bearcats a 21-13 halftime lead. The Bearcats never trailed in the second half, but they faced a dire situation again when Ferris State scored with 9:51 left in the third quarter and held a slim 21-20 lead. Offensively, junior backup quarterbacks Jonathan Baker and Schmidt led the Bearcats. “It is that next-man up mentality,” senior safety Jack Young said. “Our coaches preach it all year long. It doesn’t matter what injuries you have. It is so amazing to see all the group of guys come out and everybody be ready to play no matter what happens.”

BEARCAT SPORTS

Adam Dorrel Head coach

Charlie Flohr Offensive coordinator

Collin Bevins Senior defensive lineman

Wright perfect fit for Northwest

Simon Mathiesen Senior kicker

Jacob Vollstedt Senior linebacker

Kyle Zimmerman Senior quarterback

Adam Dorrel, head coach AFCA Division II Coach of the Year, MIAA Coach of the Year Charlie Flohr, offensive coordinator FootballScoop Division II Coordinator of the Year Collin Bevins, senior defensive lineman AFCA All-America First Team selection, Northwest career record holder in tackles for loss (57.0) and sacks (33.0) Simon Mathiesen, senior kicker Made 53rd career field goal Nov. 12 to break Northwest record Jacob Vollstedt, senior linebacker Don Hansen Division II Co-Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Zimmerman, senior quarterback Kansas City Sports Commission Downtown Marriott Sportsman of the Year, Harlon Hill runner-up, CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year for Division II football, MIAA Offensive Player of the Year 48 student-athletes on MIAA Academic Honor Roll Kyle Zimmerman, TJ Schieber, Jordan Grove, Caleb Mather and Simon Mathiesen named MIAA Scholar-Athletes Don Hansen All-America selections First team: senior linebacker Jacob Vollstedt; Second team: senior quarterback Kyle Zimmerman, senior offensive lineman Jamie Thieman, senior defensive lineman Collin Bevins, senior defensive back Kevin Berg; Third team: senior offensive lineman Chase Sherman; Honorable mention: junior tight end and fullback Jordan Grove, senior kicker Simon Mathiesen, senior defensive lineman Cass Weitl D2CCA All-America selections First team: senior linebacker Jacob Vollstedt, senior defensive back Kevin Berg, senior offensive lineman Chase Sherman; Second team: senior defensive lineman Collin Bevins, senior quarterback Kyle Zimmerman D2Football.com All-America selections First team: senior defensive lineman Collin Bevins, senior linebacker Jacob Vollstedt; Second team: senior kicker Simon Mathiesen; Honorable mention: senior quarterback Kyle Zimmerman, senior defensive back Kevin Berg Associated Press Little All-America selections First team: senior defensive lineman Collin Bevins; Second team: senior quarterback Kyle Zimmerman; Third team: senior defensive back Kevin Berg, senior offensive lineman Chase Sherman

When Rich Wright ’96 was a graduate assistant for the Bearcat football program in 1995 and 1996, he would sometimes dream with the other graduate assistants about one day becoming the head coach at Northwest. Just two days after the football program won its sixth national championship, Wright stood in front of a filled room at the J.W. Jones Student Union and humbly accepted a standing ovation when he was introduced as the new head football coach. “We were witness to something special that was happening and we knew it,” Wright said. “That dream turned into a goal and today that goal is reality. I am blessed beyond belief to have this opportunity.” In the past six seasons, Wright guided one of the fiercest defensive units in all of Division II as the Bearcats’ defensive coordinator. As the Bearcats’ head coach during that same time, Adam Dorrel ’98, ’00 guided Northwest to three national titles in the last four years. He turned that success into a new coaching opportunity and was introduced as Abilene Christian University’s new head football coach at a press conference three hours before Wright stepped to the podium. “We are flat out thrilled,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “What a great day for Northwest. From a decision-making point of view, this is about the easiest you can ever make because you have the premier program and a premier coach in waiting. We are thrilled for the University and obviously for the football program.” Wright, a native of Hamilton, New York, has been a member of the Bearcat coaching staff since 2004, serving as the program’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach the past six seasons. Since the 2004 season, Northwest is 163-22 overall and 119-10 in MIAA play. He has helped lead Northwest to eight NCAA title games, capturing four championship trophies. He is married to Sarah Kriz Wright ’98, and they have two daughters, Grace and Kate.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

CLASS NOTES Emma Lee Vance Morgan ’39 recently celebrated her 99th birthday and continues to follow Northwest news and athletics from her home in Houston.

CLASS NOTES A LIVING LEGACY

Morgan is appreciative of Northwest education at age 99 Sitting in a favorite chair inside her apartment on a rainy afternoon in Houston, Emma Lee Vance Morgan ’39 reflected on her life and some of the experiences she had at Northwest. She turned 99 years old Feb. 8 and remains proud of the education she received eight decades ago. Emma Lee, a valedictorian at Smithville (Missouri) High School, enrolled in the fall of 1935 at what was then Northwest Missouri State Teachers College, majoring in commerce and math. She had been inspired to follow in the footsteps of her mother, who earned a college degree in 1904. “I wasn’t a little stay-at-home,” she said. “I wanted to go places and do things.” She put herself through Northwest by working as a secretary for Dean J.C. Miller. In 1938, when Miller left to accept the presidency at another college, future Northwest President J.W. Jones assumed the dean’s role and Morgan stayed as his secretary until 1941. She worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday, except when she left the office to attend classes. The details aren’t as clear as they used to be, but Emma Lee fondly recalls attending dances, Homecoming events and other social activities on the Northwest campus. She claims she never missed a Bearcat football or basketball game as a student. She also met June “J.P.” Morgan, her husband of 57 years, at Northwest. J.P. had taken a break from school to teach and earn enough money to finish his degree when he returned to Northwest around 1937. “That’s when the sparks flew – not immediately, but they did fly,” Emma Lee said. Emma Lee and J.P. married in 1941 as the United States was close 34

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to entering World War II. “We were married secretly because if we were married he wasn’t eligible for the draft,” Emma Lee said. “We didn’t want anyone to say that we got married just so he wouldn’t be drafted. So we got married, and as soon as he was drafted we announced it.” J.P. later earned a law degree at the University of MissouriColumbia, and the Morgans eventually settled in Jefferson City, Missouri. The couple raised three children while J.P. went on to become an attorney and later a judge on the Missouri Supreme Court from 1969 until 1982, serving as chief justice from 1977 to 1979. He served on Northwest’s Board of Regents from 1961 to 1969, and he wrote and issued the Oath of Office to Dr. B.D. Owens ’59 during his 1977 presidential inauguration. Tragically, J.P. died in Jefferson City in 1998 as the result of a car crash. Emma Lee moved to Houston two years ago to be closer to her son, Bill, and daughter-in-law, Sara. Today, Emma Lee enjoys following the Bearcats online. She watched the football team win its most recent NCAA Division II National Championship in December and kept up with the success of the men’s basketball team. She’s lived a full life, having traveled the world, dined with former President Bill Clinton and sunk four holes-in-one as a once avid golfer. On her 99th birthday, though, Emma Lee said it was “just another day.” As she looks forward to her 100th birthday, she says she’ll continue to “keep on doing what I can, and what I can’t I’ll try.”

CLASS NOTES

1950s Barbara Robertson ’50 was an elementary school teacher in St. Joseph, Missouri, for 33 years. She taught at Edison and Eugene Field elementary schools. W. Keith Adams ’52 and Phylliss Stevens Adams ’51 live in Thornton, Colorado. Keith retired from Denver Public Schools after many years and Phylliss retired as professor emeritus at California State University, San Bernardi.

1970s Gary Esbeck ’70 recently retired after 38 years of work at Hormel Foods and moved from Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, to Naples, Florida. He spends summers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to be near his daughter and grandchildren. Leo Riley ’74 retired from Edward Jones in June 2016. After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked

as a certified public accountant for 20 years and then as an investment advisor for 21 years. He lives in Liberal, Kansas, with his wife, Linda, who also attended Northwest.

during a 33-year teaching career, retiring as student media director at Northwest in 2012.

Tom Danner ’75 was honored Oct. 29, 2016, by the Iowa Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at its banquet in Des Moines. He enjoyed a successful career in education and coaching during 40 years at Newman Catholic, Western Dubuque and Wahlert Catholic, where he retired in 2011. As a head coach his teams posted a combined 150-47 record with 23 state qualifiers and two state champions. He was a four-time District Coach of the Year and was Iowa 3A Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2011.

1980s Karen Daniel ’80 was unanimously elected in October to a one-year term as chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce by the Chamber’s Board of Directors. She is chief financial officer of Black & Veatch.

Laura Widmer ’79 has been named executive director of the National Scholastic Press Association, a national organization headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that supports scholastic journalism at the middle school, high school and college levels. Widmer advised student media at middle school, high school and college levels

’72 Paula Moyer Savaiano ’72, ’73 recently published two children’s books, “My Gramma and Her Pogo Stick” and “My Gramma Has Ants in Her Pants.” Both books are about her mother, Jeanne Bahl Moyer ’50. Paula is a retired elementary teacher and lives in LeClaire, Iowa, with her husband, Angelo Savaiano ’72, ’74. He is a sales consultant for LLC Savy Solutions.

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

Tunell solves neurological mysteries Dr. Gary Tunell ’67 figured he would become a college professor when he graduated from Northwest. But as he furthered his education, Tunell concluded he needed to help people find solutions to health issues, particularly those afflicted by serious neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and Lou Gehrig’s disease. Today, Tunell is a neurologist affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, and he is active in research to find cures for those diseases. “There are animals who get muscular dystrophy, same as humans do,” he said. “I became interested in that and I thought, ‘I respect the animals who gave the ultimate sacrifice, but we didn’t help them.’ I thought maybe we could help people.” Tunell believes researchers are on the cusp of a cure for Alzheimer’s. In recent clinical trials he administered, patients have received an antibody intravenously to dissolve proteins that clump in the brain, called amyloid. Getting rid of the amyloid, however, has not restored patients’ memories. “What we need is a better way to predict

’76

Dr. Gary Tunell returned to Northwest last fall to share his experiences as a neurologist during a roundtable luncheon with faculty and students in the University’s School of Health Science and Wellness as well as athletic training staff.

earlier on, and then we will have a cure within two to four years, I think,” he said. “If I knew you were building up amyloid in your brain, I could give you that medicine before you became forgetful and that would keep you from getting Alzheimer’s.” Northwest, Tunell says, opened a door to all the opportunities he’s had since earning his bachelor’s degree – from receiving a scholarship to attend graduate school at Kansas State University to running clinical trials in search of a cure for Alzheimer’s. “It prepared me very well with all of the basic sciences,” he said. “I enjoyed every class that I took. When I took geology and botany, I liked those even though I didn’t want to pursue that. I thought there were great professors at that time, and I think I was very well prepared to go on to graduate school and even medical school.” To read more of this story, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/magazine/

Terry Lesher lives in Westboro, Missouri, where he is a farmer. He and his wife, Cathy, have 10 grandchildren. Terry recently published his first children’s book, “Fire Truck #1274 Finds Its Way Home.”

’84 Nancy Edwards Andrew retired in June 2016 after teaching 32 years in the Gallatin R-V (Missouri) School District. She taught special education and Alternative (STARS) Behavioral School. Her husband, Tim, works for Bridgeman’s Wrecker Service in Gallatin, and their son, Kyle Andrew ’09, married Bethany Flef in Estes Park, Colorado, on Sept. 24, 2016.

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CLASS NOTES

Dr. Manon Boddaert speaks with faculty members in Northwest’s School of Health Science and Wellness Dr. Sue Myllykangas and Dr. Terry Long about her work in palliative care.

PROVIDING RELIEF Boddaert helps patients in palliative care

While reviewing Dr. Manon Boddaert’s extensive list of experiences, presentations and achievements, it might seem that Northwest is just a footnote to her career in medicine. But the 1982-1983 academic year, when Boddaert left her home in the Netherlands to study abroad at Northwest, was a transformative one that helped her develop a self-confidence that benefitted her in her career. An expert in palliative care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, Boddaert has served since 2014 as medical advisor and project manager for the National Quality Standard for Palliative Care at the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization. She is a frequent lecturer and author of several articles on the topic, and she returned to Northwest recently to speak with therapeutic recreation students and faculty in the School of Health Science and Wellness about her work. “It’s great to give back to the University that helped me find my place in life,” she said. In 1982, Boddaert chose to study at Northwest because it offered more opportunities than other colleges she was considering. Boddaert acclimated to the Midwest and established friendships she still maintains today. She found the environment at Northwest to be inviting and comfortable. She enjoyed the compact campus 36

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and close-knit student body that was unlike the urban university settings in her home country. “Because you are from abroad, they are interested right from the start and they come look for you,” she said. “That made it easy and that made me realize that I could be who I was instead of having to adapt to fit in. It really helped me to find my individual persona.” In palliative medicine, Boddaert assists and comforts patients who are nearing the end of their lives. She found her passion for the approach when, during her medical school residency, she was placed on a ward for children with AIDS, other immune deficiencies and bone marrow transplants. She gained valuable experience in treating young patients as well as consoling their parents. “Society is about fighting and not giving up,” Boddaert said. “Patients and family put that on themselves that that is how they should cope with their illness. But that means that if they don’t survive, they weren’t very good fighters. That’s a tricky position to be in.” Palliative care, Boddaert says, is not about fighting or giving up but about coming to terms with an illness and helping families find relief. It’s an open conversation about death. “We don’t want to be confronted with our own death or the death of somebody else,” Boddaert said. “If you can make the transition with the patient and the family to accepting death and to life completion, that’s very rewarding.” To read more of this story, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/magazine/

CLASS NOTES

’07

’98

Steve Serrano recently was named program director of KMXV Kansas City. He became a full-time on-air personality in 2008, eventually becoming music director and assistant program director. He also is co-host on KCWE-TV, along with multiple charity events throughout the Kansas City area. He hosts Mix 93.3’s mobile DJ and Production Company and works with the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Comets. Patricia McIntosh Theiss ’83, ’88 retired in July 2015 after 32 years as an elementary teacher in Princeton, Missouri. She lives in Princeton with her husband, Steve. Loran Chick ’88 lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and works as a photogrammetric project manager for Surdex Corporation. Michael French ’89 graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in counseling. He has accepted a full-time position as a mental health counselor at Great Circle Counseling in Independence, Missouri. Michael and his wife, LeeAnn, are in their fifth year as foster parents through KVC Behavioral Health Systems. Last year, they adopted their 20-year-old-daughter who has been with them since her 16th birthday, and they are currently fostering two girls. The family lives in Kansas City, Kansas.

1990s Allen Andrews ’90, a Missouri state representative, was named Freshman Legislator of the Year for his role in shaping legislative proposals related

’00 Kim Bolch Roth ’98 (right) and Toni Parkins ’00 showed their Northwest pride during a visit to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim in October. They have been friends since meeting in South Complex during their first days at Northwest. to higher education during the 2016 session. In November, he was elected to a second two-year term. Marla Ferguson Benjamin ’92 published her first novel, “A Light in the Dark,” in May 2016. She resides in Omaha, Nebraska.

Elizabeth Jennings Boxley ’95 was appointed to the North Central Missouri College Foundation Board. She is media specialist and senior language arts instructor at Princeton Junior-Senior High School and is an adjunct speech instructor for North Central Missouri College. She coaches Princeton’s Scholar Bowl team and is the advisor for the National Honor Society. She also serves on the Grundy Electric Nominating Committee and the Princeton R-V School Improvement Team. Thomas Cole ’95 ’97 was appointed in December 2016 as city administrator for the city of Raytown, Missouri, where he had worked as economic

M E D I A

/nwmissourialumni

Connie Petersen ’95 recently received the Way Klinger Teaching Enhancement Award at Marquette University, an award given annually to a team of two or more faculty members to develop, implement and evaluate a specific teaching project. She is artistic assistant professor of digital media and performing arts at Marquette in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she has taught for 15 years.

Linda Boehm Blume ’94, ’11 and her husband, Brent, were married in June 2016 in Kansas City. Linda has two daughters, Madison, 18, and Cassandra, 12. Brent’s daughters are Payton, 18, and Avril, 14. They live in Omaha, Nebraska, where Linda is vice president of operations for Spring Card Systems.

Northwest Alumni Association S O C I A L

development administrator for the city since 2009. His wife, Katherine Mason Cole ’96 is assistant children’s pastor at Liberty Christian Fellowship.

N E T W O R K @NorthwestAlumni

For a complete listing of all Northwest social media networks, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/media/social.htm.

Tom Szlanda ’97 ’99 was named principal at Hastings (Nebraska) High School prior to the 2016-2017 school year. He had served as one of two assistant principals at the high school for the last seven years.

2000s Elizabeth Kohmetscher Mosaidis ’00 recently published a book, “The Stepmom Project,” aimed at helping stepmothers gain insight into their roles and navigate difficult relationships. She is a senior international educator at Arizona State University and resides in Gilbert, Arizona.

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 self-addressed envelope for the photo to be returned, or email it, in high resolution, to alumni@nwmissouri.edu.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

CLASS NOTES

Matt Pearl ’00, ’02 owns Pearl Publishing Inc. with his wife, Emily, and recently purchased a third weekly newspaper, The Grant City Times-Tribune in Grant City, Missouri. The company also publishes The Tri-County News in King City and Stanberry, Missouri, and The Albany Ledger in Albany, Missouri. The couple welcomed a third son, Noah, in August, to join brothers James, 5, and Emmett, 3.

’12 Anthony Williams, a sergeant with Northwest’s University Police Department, was named among the recipients of the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) first 40 Under 40 Award for leadership and commitment to the profession. Williams joined the University Police Department in 2010 and is a member of its crisis intervention team.

’14 Zachery Watts and Carla Hustead ’13 were married July 23, 2016, in Sumner, Missouri.

Sarah Barton Thomas ’00 is middle school director at The Montgomery Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, and was recently appointed to the Leadership Montgomery Legacy Class XXXIII. She lives in Montgomery with her rescue pup, Toby. Andrew Gaddis ’01, ’04 , ’11 completed his educational doctorate degree in district leadership and policy in July 2016 at the University of Kansas. He was awarded Secondary Principal of the Year in 2016 for Kansas Area 1 by the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals. Tiffany Burnes Thompson ’02, ’07, ’12 and her husband, Matthew, were married in St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 4, 2016. They live in Liberty, Missouri. Tiffany is a social studies teacher in the St. Joseph School District. Geoff Heckman ’03 was named Missouri School Counselor of the Year by the Missouri School Counselor Association. He has served as counselor at Platte County R-III High School since 2014 and is president-elect of the state association. Alex Tuttle ’03 and Kerri Steffens Tuttle ’03, ’04 announce the birth of their daughter, Ellie Lynn, on July 8, 2016. The family lives in California, Missouri, as Alex is a budget analyst for the Missouri Senate in Jefferson City and Kerri is a senior trainer for Missouri Farm Bureau, also in Jefferson City.

Daniel McKim ’04 earned his fourth title at the 2016 International Highland Games Federation World Championships in June in Anchorage, Alaska. He is employed as Midwest representative for Sorinex Exercise Equipment in Kansas City, Missouri. Jan Hoth ’05 was honored in November among 100 St. Louis-area educators to receive an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. She is a language arts instructor at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, Missouri. Sandy Englert Steggall ’06 ’09 assumed the role in July 2016 of superintendent of the Clinton County (Missouri) R-III School District. She previously taught, was a principal and served as director of secondary education in the St. Joseph School District.

2010s Jason Orme ’10, ’12 is a talent acquisition lead for Lutz, a Nebraska-based accounting and business solutions firm. He began his career at Lutz in 2012 when he joined the firm as a staff accountant and was promoted to senior accountant in 2015, where he specialized in the agriculture, manufacturing and distributing industries. Chase Miller ’12 and Shelly Southworth Miller ’12 were married in March 2015. They live in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where Chase is a doctor of physical therapy at North Kansas City Hospital and Shelly is a paid search specialist for Turn The Page Online Marketing. Shyloh Stafford-Jones ’13 lives in Kihei, Hawaii, and is manager of diversified crop operations for Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. Lily White ’15 was hired in September 2016 as executive director of the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce.

FOLLOW NORTHWEST!

(Clockwise from R) Larry Brown ’62, Earl Boyd ’63, Bob Beck ’65, Gary Hultquist ’64, Jim Evans ’63 and Dale Sporleder ’63 reunited for a Northwest football game in October. The men were members of the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

/nwmissouri

/nwmostate

@nwmostate

/nwmostate

@nwmostate

/northwestvideo

For a complete listing of all Northwest social media networks, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/media/social.htm.

CLASS NOTES

Have you seen these 1967 graduates?

The following alumni who graduated from Northwest in 1967 are considered “lost” because the University does not have a current physical mailing address for them. Their 50-year class reunion is this fall, and they won’t want to miss out on the fun of reuniting with fellow Bearcats. If you recognize individuals on the list, please provide Northwest with their contact information (i.e. address, phone number, email address, married name) or ask them to email alumni@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1248. Kathleen McGowan Timothy McGuire Sheryl Means Daryl Mercer Ramona Tasler Moran Linda Morris Carol Mussey Paul O’Connor John McClain Oxley

James Patee Judith Nelson Patten Thomas Przybylski Rosalie Redman Donald Robbins Peter Rodda Reed Roderick Linda Rusco Joseph Salcedo

Phillip Sauvago Mary Scharpnick Kenneth Schindler Albert Schlensig Mary Schlesselman Helen Schnuelle Paulette Sleister Fredrick Sorensen Stephen Sorensen

Sandra Stalker Wilson Tatman Dennis Tenney Kathleen Tuggle Lee Van Fosson Lee Van Houtan Robert Wallace Evelyn Ware James Weibel

John Whitcomb Jo Williams Shirley Williams Ronald Wineinger Johanna Winzenread

Northwest Alumni Association

Northwest Night at the K The Northwest Alumni Association is finalizing details for Northwest Night at the K in Kansas City, Mo. Wear your Bearcat gear and get your picture taken with Bobby Bearcat, the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship football trophy and 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship men’s basketball trophy.

Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Thursday, June 8, 2017 Tailgate at the Hall of Fame Pavilion | 5-7 p.m., program at 6 p.m. (west side of stadium, tailgate ticket required to enter tent)

First pitch | 7:15 p.m.

Ticket Packages (includes tailgate ticket, game ticket and Northwest pennant): GordoNation Sect. 208 | $75 (includes a GordoNation t-shirt and Alex Gordon big head) View Box Sect. 417 | $55 • Tailgate ticket includes a meal of grilled hotdog, cheeseburger, pasta salad, baked beans, chips, lettuce salad, cookies, bottled water and soft drinks. • Ticket packages are limited and while supplies last. Deadline to reserve is June 1. • Tickets can be picked up at the green Northwest Alumni Association tent located outside the Hall of Fame Pavilion beginning at 4:30 p.m. the night of the game. Already have tickets to the game and want to attend the tailgate? Contact the Alumni House at 660.562.1248 for details. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/events or call the Alumni House at 660.562.1248.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

IN MEMORIAM

Northwest extends its condolences to the families and friends of these individuals. Dina Miller Arnold (attended), 54, of Macon, Missouri, died Nov. 15, 2016, in Columbia, Missouri. John J. Christman (attended), 72, of St. Joseph, Missouri, died Aug. 4, 2016. He worked in information technology at Seitz Foods, N & X Trucking and Ruan Transportation. He retired from Lowe’s. William I. Churchill ’71, ’72, 81, of Edmond, Oklahoma, died Oct. 26, 2016. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1960 and worked in electronics at Univac, General Dynamics and RCA during the 1960s. He then worked in data processing, administration, as a teacher and was Oklahoma University’s director of auxiliary services. He later worked in electronics and club supply distribution, car sales, and oil and gas software development. From 1988 to 1998, he managed Fort Cobb Fuel Authority and then helped develop video-over-cell phone technology. From 2000 to 2010, he worked for Cleary Exploration, Cleary Petroleum and Zenith Minerals. Dwaine Crigger ’69, 70, died July 4, 2016, in Springfield, Missouri. He taught in the art department at Missouri State University for 39 years, retiring in 2011. Judith Adams Crigger ’68, 70, died July 4, 2016, in Springfield, Missouri. She taught elementary school for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mother. Robert Durant (attended), 76, of Savannah, Missouri, died Dec. 30, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was a clinical psychologist in Frisco, Colorado, and then taught psychology in Fort Collins, Colorado. After his retirement from teaching, he traveled the country with a private car racing team and returned to Savannah, working part-time for WRDCC in St. Joseph. Sara Eaton, 70, died Nov. 11, 2016, at her home in Naperville, Illinois. She taught English at Northwest during the late 1980s.

Jim Fall, Jr., 79, of Maryville, Missouri, died Aug. 9, 2016, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Jim published the Albany (Missouri) Ledger and The Stanberry (Missouri) Headlight, earning three General Excellence awards from the Missouri Press Association. In 1989, he became editor of The Daily Forum in Maryville and later co-founded the Maryville Free Press, where he was the first to write stories about what would become Mozingo Lake Recreation Park. Jim later served as executive director of the Montana Newspaper Association before returning to Maryville, teaching editing courses at Northwest and writing a column for The Daily Forum. He was elected to the Maryville City Council in 2011, and served as mayor in 2013. In 2014, he became executive editor of the restructured Daily Forum. He also served as president of the Northwest Missouri Press Association and of Newspaper Association Managers Inc. Patricia Farris ’87 (master’s), 83, of Gower, Missouri, died Dec. 14, 2016. Richard Fast ’79, 59, of Villisca, Iowa, died Dec. 9, 2016, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a farmer with D and J Farms, sharing the family business with his son for the past 20 years. He served on various committees with the Villisca United Methodist Church, was a clerk for the East Township of the Villisca Trustees, served on the Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Directors, was a lifetime member of Villisca Alumni Friends Association and served as a volunteer for the Villisca EMTs. Dennis Fastenau (attended), 73, of Maumelle, Arkansas, died Sept. 28, 2016. After serving in the Vietnam War, he enjoyed a career in computer programming with various financial institutions. Opal Gray Fisher (attended), 92, of Grant City, Missouri, died Sept. 27, 2016, in St. Joseph, Missouri. She began her teaching career in a oneroom schoolhouse in 1946 and was one of the first teachers in the Head Start program, which she entered after taking a break from teaching to raise her family. She served as president of the Worth

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

County Senior Citizens Board and chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary. David Goughnour ’92, 46, of Thornton, Colorado, died May 30, 2016. He survived the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City while employed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. He worked in GIS/ GPS his entire career, most recently with TopCon Positioning Systems Inc. Judi Hamman Green ’59, 75, of Marion, Louisiana, died July 9, 2016. Charles Leslie Greene ’49, 91, of Kansas City, Missouri, died Aug. 4, 2016. After serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II, he taught in Kansas City, Missouri, public schools for a few years. He then worked as a switchman for the Santa Fe Railway for one year and Kansas City Southern Railway for 32 years. Lee Hageman, 81, of Maryville, Missouri, died Dec. 1. He was a faculty member in the art department from 1967 to 1998, serving as department chair from 1978 until his retirement. He designed and created the silver Chain of Office worn by the Northwest president at commencement ceremonies as well as the gold and silver mace for Dr. B.D. Owens’ 1977 presidential inauguration and medallions worn by the Board of Regents during commencement.

IN MEMORIAM

Terry Hartley ’70, 69, Galesburg, Illinois, died Nov. 18, 2016, in Peoria, Illinois. He taught school in Burlington, Iowa, for three years and owned Rheinschmidt’s Carpet Center in Galesburg.

Steve James (attended), 71, of Overland Park, Kansas, died July 19, 2016. He worked for Retail Credit Company in Kansas City, Missouri, and later worked in the tire supply business, retiring in 2006.

Michael Hershberger ’98, 40, of Overland Park, Kansas, and formerly of Tecumseh, Nebraska, died Oct. 3, 2015.

Mary Kathryn Bowman Johnson (attended), 86, died July 21, 2015, in Wichita, Kansas. She taught grades one through eight in a one-room schoolhouse before she married. She and her husband, Charles, moved to Spokane, Washington, where she worked for the Air Force. When Charles started building houses, she was his bookkeeper and assistant. After moving to Kansas City in 1964, she worked as a benefits authorizer for the Social Security Administration and was a Mary Kay Cosmetics sales person for many years. In retirement, Mary and Charles moved to Sun City, Arizona, and enjoyed careers as realtors.

Maxine McDermott Hill ’48, 86, of Kansas City, Missouri, died Nov. 1, 2016. She taught elementary school in Omaha, Nebraska, and was a flight attendant for United Airlines. She later moved to Kansas City and worked for American Express Travel Agency. In 1975, she was appointed general manager of the Raphael Hotel. In the 1980s, she was elected the first woman president of the Hotel/ Motel Association of Greater Kansas City, and she was named Hotelier of the Year in 1994. She retired in 1996. Ruth Marriner Hollenbeck ’61, 98, of Concordia, Colorado, died Sept. 17, 2016. She taught school and served overseas with the American Red Cross. David Holland ’58, 84 died Oct. 9, 2016, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He served in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Admirals’ Band at the Naval Air Station in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before completing his music degree at Northwest. He taught music in the Quitman, Skidmore, Maitland and Holt County school districts, all in Missouri. He also was active in community bands and organizations, and he is a member of the Holt County Music Hall of Fame. James Hulse ’69, 75, of Grain Valley, Missouri, died July 9, 2016, in Raymore, Missouri. He taught speech and debate at Bishop LeBlonde High School in St. Joseph, Missouri. He served during the Cold War in the U.S. Navy. He moved from New Zealand to Missouri in 2008 and lived in the Kansas City area, working as a manager for Cargill. Margaret Maxwell Hutton (attended), 84, died Nov. 18, 2016, at Redlands (California) Community Hospital. She worked for the Redlands School District, spending most of her time at Mentone Elementary School, until her retirement in 1987.

David Kinen ’98, 46, of Atlantic, Iowa, formerly of Chillicothe, Missouri, died Dec. 17, 2016. He began his teaching career at Holt County R-II in Mound City, Missouri, and Meadville R-IV. David then began a 12-year teaching and coaching career at Chillicothe R-II School District. As a wrestling coach, he led two teams to top-15 state finishes and coached 37 individual state qualifiers, 12 state medalists and one state champion. He was inducted into the Missouri Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Atlantic/ CAM Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015. Charles Lee Kissick ’51, 94, of Chillicothe, Missouri, died Dec. 28, 2016. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a teacher in Iowa. After retiring, he moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where he worked as an office manager for an orthopedic specialists group. Michael Koenig ’75, 63, died July 7, 2016. He lived in Colorado and worked his entire career in the dairy processing industry. Kenneth Lane (attended), 88, died July 31, 2016, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He worked in sales. Michael Leisman (attended), 54, died July 9, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

He farmed in the Rock Port, Missouri, area prior to joining the Rock Port Market family business, where he was manager of the store for 15 years. After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and working on casino construction, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he joined the crew responsible for the building of the Desert Dome at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. He then returned to the family business in Rock Port. In 2010, he purchased a semi and founded and operated Mike Leisman Transportation. He also served on the Rock Port Volunteer Fire Department for 16 years. Carrick Linthicum (attended), 20, of Rock Port, Missouri, died Aug. 3, 2016, at his home. He was taking online computer coding classes through Northwest. Max Lykins (attended), 84, of Albany, Missouri, died Aug. 24, 2016. After service in the U.S. Navy, he went to work for his father’s company, Lykins Truck and Tractor. He was hired as the executive director for the newly formed GCARC in 1980, where he served until his retirement in 1997. Aaron Mansour ’94, 45, of Creston, Iowa, died Jan. 30. He worked as a production coordinator at KSHB TV in Kansas City, Missouri, for 17 years and for a short time at KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska. Gerald McClurg, (attended), 78, of Edwards, Missouri, died Oct. 20, 2016. He and his wife, Glenda, made their home in Pickering, Missouri, for a short time and later in Maryville, Missouri, where he farmed and worked as a cable splicer for United Telephone Company. In 1989, they moved to Marshall, Missouri, where he drove a gas truck for MFA. In 2000, they moved to their home near Edwards. He owned and operated Main Street Coin Bag in Warsaw, Missouri. Roy McKenzie Sr., 83, died Sept. 18, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas. He taught at Northwest before serving as a faculty member in the business school at Texas Wesleyan University for 32 years.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

IN MEMORIAM

Mary Ann Richardson Micke ’71, 67, of Moberly, Missouri, died Aug. 10, 2016, in Columbia, Missouri. She directed the choir at Moberly Middle School from 1976 until her retirement in 2011. She also played piano at the Moberly First Baptist Church and gave private piano lessons. Max Miller ’53, 85, of Ericson, Nebraska, formerly of Graham, Missouri, died July 12, 2016, in Burwell, Nebraska. Max was a farmer and insurance agent. Robert Miller, ’65, 75, of Columbia, Missouri, died Sept. 15, 2016. During his 35-plus year career with the University of Missouri Extension, he served on various committees and boards and received numerous recognitions and awards. Sean Newton ’97, 43, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, died Aug. 27, 2016. He worked for Meierotto’s Midwest Jewelry. Donald Norton ’58, 83, of Hayward, Wisconsin, died Aug. 16, 2016, in Duluth, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, earning the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was an industrial arts teacher for the Milwaukee Public School System for 32 years until his retirement in 1989. Don and his wife, Ruth, also operated Hallmark Antiques in Hayward for several years. Klaris “Kay” O’ Dell ’67, ’73, 86, of St. Joseph, Missouri, died Dec. 27, 2016. She was a teacher and counselor for the Osborn and Stewartsville school districts in Missouri. Margaret Osborn ’63, 95, of DeKalb, Missouri, died Aug. 20, 2016. She retired from DeKalb High School as a teacher after 30 years of service. G. Thomas Poe ’73 (master’s), 70, of Kansas City, Missouri, died Nov. 21, 2016. He taught mass communication, cultural theory, film history, writing and other courses at the University of MissouriKansas City, winning the Missouri Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching, the national Opera America Award for Outstanding Arts Education, and the Arts and Sciences Award for Outstanding Teaching. Dean Roberts ’61, ’68, 78, of Brentwood, Tennessee, died Aug. 20, 2016, at his home. He began his career as an educator in the junior high school in Conway, Iowa, and went on to teach at Bedford (Iowa) High School and Shawnee Heights High School in Topeka, Kansas, where he also coached basketball. He retired from Tennessee State University, where he served as professor, department head and associate vice president of academic affairs, for 32 years of service.

Roy Rupp ’51, 87, died July 20, 2016, at his home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Roy served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Reserves. After beginning his career in education in 1953 by coaching and teaching in Elmo, Missouri, he held a variety of positions in schools throughout Missouri, including head basketball coach at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, principal at Centralia High School and principal at Brookfield High School. In 1966, he was appointed superintendent of schools in Brookfield, Missouri. He spent 14 years managing Brookfield schools before moving to Kansas City, Missouri, to serve as the director of buildings and grounds for the Raytown School District, retiring in 1986. Dana Sharp ’57, 82, of Maryville, Missouri, died Oct. 26, 2016. He was an educator for 35 years, retiring as principal of Eugene Field Elementary School in Maryville. Darleen Boleski Shelton ’63, 88, died May 21, 2016, in St. Joseph, Missouri. She taught business at Savannah (Missouri) High School for 29 years before retiring in 1992. Nonda Hilsenbeck Sherbo (attended), 72, of Gladstone, Missouri, formerly of Maryville, Missouri, died Dec. 21, 2016. She retired as a customer service manager from General Electric Company. Margaret “Peg” Winchester Slaugh (attended), 102, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, died Aug. 22, 2016. Peg worked for Armstrong World Industries as a scheduler and estimator for 32 years, retiring in 1979. Edward R. “Ward” Smith ’69, 72, of Surry, New Hampshire, died Nov. 5, 2016. In 1975 he and his wife, Helen, moved to New Hampshire where he became co-owner of Cheshire Airways. In 1976 they bought a farm in Surry, where he raised chickens, turkeys, pigs, beef cattle and draft horses. Glen Stenzel ’66, 71, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, died Oct. 17, 2016. He taught industrial arts in North Kansas City for two years before returning to the family farming operation south of Hamburg, Iowa. Steven Street ’77, 61, of Stet, Missouri, died Dec. 17, 2016, in North Kansas City, Missouri. He began his career teaching physical education and coaching at Stet R-XV High School. He became principal at Stet in 1982, retiring in 2008. He taught driver’s education in Chillicothe and was a volunteer fireman for several years.

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.

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

Dr. Patricia VanDyke, 81, of Maryville, died March 13. She was a Northwest faculty member in the English department from 1969 to 1992 before transitioning into administration. She was director of the University’s Talent Development Center from 1986 to 1995 and assistant vice president of academic affairs from 1992 to 1995. In 1995, she was named dean of libraries and served in that role until her retirement in 2001. Gary Veitz ’79, 59, of Creston, Iowa, died Sept. 1, 2016, at the Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston. Gary taught for two years in Maxwell, Iowa. His family moved to Creston in 1982 where he taught math for 34 years, retiring in May 2016. Alethea Spotts Weber Veylupek ’77, 65, of Austin, Texas, died April 6, 2016. She was director of nursing at Brackenridge Hospital from 1987 to 1994. She worked as a home health care nurse for children with disabilities until the time of her death. Arthur Whitworth, 92, died Nov. 27, 2016, in Winterset, Iowa. He worked as a piano tuner. Ronald Wray ’56, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri, died Dec. 13, 2016. Ron was an educator of 40 years, teaching elementary through high school physical education, industrial arts and drafting classes at Adair-Casey, Treynor and Waterloo, Iowa, and at Tonganoxie and Shawnee Mission Northwest high schools in Kansas. He coached football, basketball and track and coordinated the Distributive Educational Clubs of America at Shawnee Mission Northwest and taught drivers education at Bonner Springs High School. He served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and later as a staff sergeant in the Army National Guard. Walter “Gerry” Wurster ’57, 81, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, formerly of Lenox and Mt. Ayr, Iowa, died Aug. 11, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gerry joined the Air National Guard and trained in the Air Force Cadet Pilot School in Texas. He worked as an insurance adjuster for American Family Insurance until his career with TWA began in 1963. He flew the Convair 880, the Boeing 707, 767 and 747. After moving to San Francisco, California, he flew Mac Charters, which transported soldiers to Vietnam. He retired in 1992.

PEOPLE JUST LIKE

YOU

It’s because of the volunteer support of countless alumni and friends – spirited people like Claire Patterson Mellick – that Northwest continues to thrive.

“I volunteer for the Central Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter because it is a great way to stay connected to Northwest. Involvement with Northwest does not have to end after your time on campus, so I encourage all alumni to find a local alumni chapter and attend events. By staying involved after graduation, I have come to know many great Bearcats of all ages around the Des Moines area that I would not have had the opportunity to know during my time on campus. In addition to chapter events, volunteering at the Iowa State Fair each summer is something I really enjoy. It’s an opportunity to connect with fellow Northwest alumni and share all of the wonderful things that Northwest has to offer prospective Bearcats.” Claire Patterson Mellick ’11, ’13, Des Moines, Iowa

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248.

NORTHWEST

ALUMNI

N O RT H W E S T M IS S O UR I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

Photos by Jim Smith, This area would be for bylines.

NORTHWEST THE MAGAZINE FOR NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Maryville, MO Permit No. 215

ALUMNI MAGAZINE I SPRING 2017

Northwest Missouri State University Office of University Advancement 800 University Drive Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Stay in touch with us: www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni 660.562.1248 alumni@nwmissouri.edu

Join the touring bearcats on their up coming trip

Colors of New England Sept. 30 through Oct. 7 $3,329 per person*

Nov. 7-15

$500 deposit due at time of reservation.

$3,199 per person*

Highlights:

• • • • • • • • • • •

Spotlight on Tuscany $500 deposit due at time of reservation. Deposit due May 1, 2017.

Boston Woodstock Quechee Gorge Stowe Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory Rocks Estate North Conway Lake Winnipeasaukee Cruise Kancamagus Highway Boothbay Harbor Lobster Dinner

Highlights:

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Final payment due Aug. 1, 2017.

Montecatini Terme Florence Lucca Gothic Line Siena Winery Tour Pisa San Gimignano

Final payment due Aug. 1, 2017.

Both trips include:

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Roundtrip airfare from Kansas City, air taxes, hotel transfers Seven breakfasts Three dinners Transportation from Maryville to Kansas City International Airport

Make your reservation today. Limited availability. *Prices based on double occupancy and departure from Kansas City International Airport; taxes and fees/surcharges and hotel transfers; cancellation waiver and insurance available for purchase; all rates are per person and subject to change, based on air inclusive package from Kansas City International Airport. For more information, contact the Northwest Alumni Association at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1248.

NORTHWEST

M I S S O U R I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

ALUMNI A S S O C I A T I O N

For more information about this trip, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/travel or to book, call the Tourin’ Bearcats Help Desk at 800.869.6806. Sponsored by the Northwest Alumni Association and KXCV-KRNW, Northwest’s NPR affiliate.