Spring 2026 - Talon

FINISHING AHEAD

National Champion Renews Faith at Central THE MAGAZINE FOR EAGLE ALUMNI

A Tribute to Our Board of Trustees Dr. Roger Drake, President

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TALON

n my duties as president of Central Methodist University, I have the responsibility and privilege of speaking often with my fellow leaders and executives from other colleges and universities. These conversations are beneficial for many reasons, but among my favorite is that I always come away from those talks with a deeper appreciation for our outstanding board of trustees and the amazing board chairs – Glenn Cox, Tad Perry, and Nancy Peacock – I’ve gotten to work with over the last 13 years.

When I tell my fellow presidents about how my house fills up with trustees during board meeting weeks, they can’t imagine it. The dedication of our trustees to come and spend multiple nights in a town without a hotel, whether they’re taking advantage of our hospitable lodgings at the Coleman and McGraw houses or the passable amenities of my own, is foreign to many of my colleagues.

The reality for most of them is that the typical practice at colleges like ours is to have about half the number of board members that we have, and even though all their trustees are local or regional, they still struggle to reach a quorum for an official meeting. That stands in stark contrast with our board, where it’s rare that any one of our 40 board members will miss a meeting. Whether they have to fly in from several states away or attend the session on a video conference, our trustees have an unmatched dedication to our University and our mission.

What’s even more important than simply showing up – even when that is not as simple as it sounds – is doing the work to really make meaningful change, and our board most certainly fulfils that duty as well.

Outside of meeting sessions, they frequently do research into different topics of importance, sending me articles and talking amongst each other about how best to help Central. Trustees frequently meet offline between meetings with me, and whether that’s because they don’t trust me or not is up for debate, but either way, the result is the same: better outcomes for our students and our University’s future.

Those results from my tenure alone speak for themselves. The innovative idea of Digital U by our former trustee Bob Courtney set Central up to stay ahead in an increasingly online world and allowed us to pivot to online learning during the pandemic, leagues better

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than many of our competitors. Our board has been bold and forward-thinking in keeping our facilities up to date as well, making major renovations to Stedman Hall, Linn Memorial, and Assembly Hall, as well as huge upgrades to the baseball and softball fields and Clingenpeel Hall.

All these improvements make our students’ lives better on campus and make Central a more attractive place to spend four years earning a degree.

This year, the board has moved ahead with approving funds for our entry into the AI space. This significant investment into the academic implementation of new technology across campus will help Central stay ahead of the competition as higher education continues to evolve.

And while those big investments and bold plans tend to get all the glory, it’s the little things these trustees do for the Central community that really shine. Whether it’s our two most recent board chairs speaking on their experiences to this year’s Leadership Central cohort, board members giving presentations to classes or mentoring staff and faculty, or our many alumni trustees encouraging their fellow Central graduates to give back to their alma mater, the love they have for this place means everything.

At one of my previous jobs, there was not a single board member who was an alumnus of the university they represented. That couldn’t be further from the truth here, where the vast majority of our board are Central alumni who know the culture, who take the success of this University personally. Central is a place that gets into the fabric of one’s being and pulls you back into its orbit, and it’s to our great benefit that so many of our trustees have never been able to resist that gravitational pull.

I could not be more thankful for this board or the individuals who have led it since I arrived in Fayette.

Their leadership, philanthropy, and dedication have helped us reach heights I could hardly have imagined 13 years ago, and I cannot wait to see how much more we can do together.

CMU Senior Staff Dr. Roger D. Drake, President Dr. Rita Gulstad, Provost Brad Dixon ’07, Vice President for Student Life

Central Methodist University

TALON Spring 2026 Magazine

Chad Gaines, Vice President for Technology and Planning

Campus Updates........................................................................................ 4

Dr. Melissa Mace, Vice President for Enrollment Management

How CMU is Integrating AI with Purpose................................................... 12

Dr. Bill Sheehan Jr. ’84, Executive Vice President Julee Sherman, Vice President for Finance and Administration

Spring 2026 Graduation............................................................................... 8 Vonder Haar Finds Harmony in Music Education Career............................. 14 Career Center Enters New Era Under Rogan............................................ 16 Williams Retires as Regional Dean.............................................................. 18 Gallery Hosts Warhol Portraits.................................................................... 19

Talon Staff

Memoir Details 1975 Baseball Season........................................................ 20

Joe Waner Director of Marketing and Communications 660-248-6629 | jwaner@centralmethodist.edu

Estes Field Clubhouse Dedicated................................................................ 22

Emily Kesel, Editor Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications 660-248-6684 | ekesel@centralmethodist.edu Katie Bedsaul Media Content Coordinator 660-248-6391 | kbedsaul@centralmethodist.edu

2026 Hairston Hall of Fame....................................................................... 24 National Champion Finds Faith, Success at Central...................................... 26 2026 Luetjen Memorial Golf Tournament................................................... 29 Spring Sports Wrap-Ups............................................................................. 30 Awards Presented at 2026 MLK Luncheon................................................. 35 Four Awarded as Central Scholars.............................................................. 36 Scholarships Earned at CGT, Center Stage.................................................. 37

Alysha Galla Social Media Specialist 660-248-6865 | algalla@centralmethodist.edu

Academic Lectures Cover Important Topics................................................ 39

Rachel Moore Assistant Athletic Director / Director of Athletic Communication 660-248-6358 | rmoore@centralmethodist.edu

Lester Family to Fund Full-Tuition Scholarship.............................................. 42

Stasia Sherman Director of Alumni Engagement 660-248-6239 | ssherman@centralmethodist.edu

Alumni News & Notes............................................................................... 44

Alissa Watkins Director of Annual Giving 660-248-6683 | awatkins@centralmethodist.edu

Contributing Writers: Carrie Strodtman ’03 Lauren Strange ’25

Students Live Central’s Mission on International Trips.................................. 40 Over $90,000 Raised on Second Annual Giving Day.................................. 42 Ziegler Steps in as Alumni Board President................................................. 43 In Memoriam............................................................................................. 46 Alumni Socials............................................................................................ 50

Upcoming CMU Events: Athletic Auction................................................................................ July 17 Men’s Basketball Golf Tournament.......................................... October 3 Homecoming........................................................ October 30-November 1 Visit www.centralalumnievents.com for more information.

On The Cover: CMU’s National Champion Haley Bellamy ’26 at graduation photo by Lauren Strange ’25 Our Mission CMU fosters a diverse and caring community, empowering students to become lifelong learners, committed to academic excellence, prepared to engage in a complex world.

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Campus Update

Smashing Success

CMU students had multiple classes held outside once the weather turned warm.

Professor Jesse Bronson’s serial crime and profiling class did a hands-on crime scene analysis by smashing melons and soda cans with various tools outside of T. Berry. Dr. Tyler Kenefake had his trigonometry class measure the height of the clock tower by using equations. Professor Crystal Cooper held her nursing class outside on the Stedman steps.

Annual Conference

CMU was well represented again at this year’s Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. President Roger Drake preached at the Service of Recognition, while the Chorale performed at both the alumni dinner and Sunday Service. A pair of Central alumni, Abby Peper ’16 and Kaitlyn Walker Gibson ’17, also became ordained elders by the Church at the event on June 7. Brett Reith ’23 was commissioned as a provisional elder.

Educators in Action

The education department visited Falcon Club at Daly Elementary twice this semester. On the first trip, the groups read a book to the students, followed by an art project correlating to the book. On the second trip, the groups performed a puppet show and then helped the students create their own puppets.

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Campus Update

Anson Lab Research

Five students from the Anson Research Lab presented at the Great Plains Students’ Psychology Convention in March. Katie Majors, Abagail Winter, and Brooke Rowley presented “The Relationship Between Caffeine Intake, Sleep Quality, and Mental Focus,” and Leyton Kelso and Brock Jenkins presented “Seeing Red: Lighting and Its Effect on Performance and Mood.”

Nutrition at the Market Central Methodist’s sports nutrition class participated in a grocery store scavenger hunt at C&R Market in April. The students searched for nutritious options to eat off-campus and investigated new food items that they have possibly not used before in cooking.

Observatory Open Houses

The Morrison Observatory held three open houses throughout the spring semester, including a special open house for Valentine’s Day. The open houses saw the largest turnout in the last 50 years.

Science Presentations

Avery Brown, Sadie Burchett, and Wyat Martin presented posters of their original research at the annual Missouri Academy of Science conference in April. Brown and Burchett studied the framing effect, while Martin and Peter Hartmann (not pictured) conducted an experiment examining the halo effect in relation to indicators of status.

Trips to Jefferson City

International students attending Central Methodist University traveled to the state capitol on March 11 for the 2026 International Education Day, sponsored by the Study Missouri Consortium.

Students from political science classes also took a field trip to visit the capitol in Jefferson City, meeting with public officials to help understand the important role of public service. The trip was a way of transitioning from theoretical concept in the classroom to understanding real life politics.

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Campus Update

Leach Awarded Gulstad Scholarship

Three Rivers College student Sophia Leach became the first Three Rivers student ever to be honored with the prestigious Gulstad Full-Tuition Transfer Scholarship to attend Central Methodist University. In a special presentation at Three Rivers on April 16, Leach was honored by a number of officials from both institutions.

Central Enters Partnership with UAHT

Central Methodist University has announced a new partnership with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) meant to expand educational opportunities for UAHT students and provide valuable benefits for faculty and staff.

Through this agreement, UAHT and CMU will offer students 2+2 degree programs in business, general technology, health professions, and nursing.

Students will complete their first two years at UAHT before transferring to CMU to finish their bachelor’s degrees either online or on CMU’s campus.

CMU at ACTF

Central Methodist University was once again well-represented at the American College Arts Festival this year. CMU has attended the Festival since 2004 and this year achieved two milestones for the first time.

Senior Gram Coalier was the Region V winner of the Gary Garrison TenMinute Play Festival, advancing to national competition for the first time in Central’s history. Coalier was also at the center of another first for CMU and the Little Theatre, as Central entered its production of The Firebugs as a participating production for the 2027 Festival. Representatives from ACTF attended the show in April and nominated the show for consideration. Dr. Mark Kelty and the rest of the theatre department will be notified in December whether the show will be included in the next Festival.

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IN THE COMMUNITY

Golf Builds Beds

The men’s and women’s golf teams built beds for the Boonville chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The beds go directly to youth in town so no child has to sleep on a floor.

Spring Service Day

On April 7, 250 CMU students, organizations, and staff members participated in the annual Service Day, lending a hand to the community where help was needed.

Boys and Girls Club

CMU’s Puckett Fieldhouse played host to the local Boys & Girls Club Community Carnival in late April, part of Central’s ongoing cooperation with the local chapter in support of youth in the community. In addition to the volunteers from several Greek life chapters helping out on the day, President Roger Drake serves on the Fayette BGC advisory council, and several Central students work as part-time youth development professionals running day-to-day programs. Central also provides access to the Phillips-Robb Recreation Center pool during the summer months.

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Spring 2026

Commencement

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early 300 graduates were celebrated by their family and friends at Central Methodist University’s Puckett Fieldhouse on May 9, as another academic year ended with the spring commencement ceremonies. Students walked across the stage to receive their master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees after years of hard work and dedication.

Addressing the graduates and all in attendance as the commencement speaker this semester was CMU board of trustees vice chair Terry Henderson, a 1983 graduate himself. Henderson worked at Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America for 30-plus years in various executive positions, retiring as a general manager of administration, supporting both Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Troy, Mo. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Jackson, Tenn. He started his career with Toyota’s subsidiary, Bodine Aluminum, in 1992 when they began operations in Troy. Henderson completed rotations at Toyota’s vehicle assembly plant in Princeton, Ind. as general manager for human resources in safety and security and at Toyota’s North American headquarters in Plano, Texas as general manager of human resources business advisors, supporting all twelve North American manufacturing facilities.

Henderson holds a BA in political science from Central and a master’s in administration from Lindenwood University. Throughout his career, he has served his community in various board leadership positions for the Troy Chamber of Commerce, Tri-County YMCA, Lincoln County Medical Center, and Mercy Health Foundation-Lincoln. He currently serves on boards for Lincoln County Industrial Development Authority, Gateway Alliance Against Human Trafficking, and the Lincoln County YMCA Exploratory Committee. He also serves on the finance committee for St. Stephen UMC of Troy.

Following the commencement address and conferring of degrees, three graduating seniors were recognized as this year’s achievement award winners. Based on nominations by the faculty and students, Brad Dixon ’07, vice present for student life, handed out the top three awards to Abigail Michael, Noah VanGundy, and Madison Gorrell.

“Choosing this year’s recipients was no easy task, especially with such an accomplished graduating class,” said Dixon, who also graduated with a master’s degree in education on the day. “With eight students earning a perfect 4.0 GPA and many more demonstrating exceptional

Abigail Michael

leadership and service, the selection process was both challenging and inspiring.”

Michael was named this year’s Victoria Award winner. Given annually to a graduating student, the Victoria Award recognizes someone who, in the opinion of the faculty and fellow students, has best demonstrated dedication and the principles of Central Methodist University.

Graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, Michael earned a number of awards and recognitions throughout her time at Central and served in leadership roles for several different student organizations.

VanGundy was named this year’s recipient of the Human Relations Award, recognizing him as the student in the class showing the most promise in human relations and human adjustment. The award is given annually to the student who sets an example of leadership and excellence and develops an ability to work well with others.

A criminal justice major, VanGundy has a history of “broad and meaningful” campus involvement and served many leadership roles while a student. He was also inducted into the National Honor Society of Criminal Justice, in recognition of his academic success and commitment to his field of study.

The most prestigious award – the Selecman Award – was given this year to biology and chemistry major Madison Gorrell. Established in 1957 by former Central student Bishop Charles Selecman, the award is presented to the student who has displayed the following characteristics to an extraordinary degree: good citizenship on campus, scholarship, religious leadership, moral and spiritual qualities, and outstanding achievement.

Gorrell, who graduated summa cum laude with honors in the major, was involved extensively as a student and campus leader. She also represented Central as a voting delegate at the Gamma Sigma Epsilon national conference and spent ten weeks last summer conducting an in vivo drug study on a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disorder as part of the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, S.D. These and all the graduates have made Central proud of their accomplishments and will continue to do so as valued alumni.

Evelyn Ponce, Cylas Worley, Suzu Narusawa, Alvin Bramhagen, and Maja Henriksen

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Altin Shabi, Alvin Bramhagen, William Nilsson-Bilander

Matt Hamilton

Elli Teubert, Mary Copeland

Joana Conceicao, Hailey Dreier, Kiya Kolb

Quenia Butler, Karlee Lachance, Kynleigh White, Ehress Cunningham, Danielle Johnson

Haley Cotter, Makayla Albert, Carly Robbins, Isabella Proctor

Karington Harrell

Terry Henderson ’83

Tony Ulima, Mackenzee Troost, Isaiah Foy, Rylee Baker

Below: Max Blankenship, Hayleigh Coats, Sadie Burchett, Caleb Raley, Matt Hamilton, Jordyn Williamson, Madisyn Conway, Trinity Thompkins, Tyler Hershey, Kaydee Hummel, Samantha Maddux

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Achievement Awards Spring 2026 ABE Award – Matthew Higginbotham Accounting Excellence Award – Grayson Blackburn Outstanding Senior in Accounting Award – Matthew Higginbotham ACDA National Student Choral Musician Award – Cecilia Rancatore Alpha Epsilon Delta Anatomy Award – Abigail Erickson Alpha Epsilon Delta Harold L. Momberg Award for the Outstanding Pre-Med Student – Madison Gorrell Alpha Epsilon Delta Physiology Award – Kylleen Gibson Banking and Finance Excellence Award – Haden Kelly Noble Emmett Baskett Scholarship in Business Award – Jessica Alverson Freese Dr. John Bellefeulle Excellence in Organic Chemistry – Kylleen Gibson and Kyle Smarko Beta Beta Beta Outstanding General Biology Students – Caleb Baker and Miya Kemp Early Bird Award – Meckenzie Jones Clyde and Hazel Blattner Mathematics Award – Javier Laso Salazar Dr. Richard T. Bond Mathematics Award – Abigail Michael General Business Award (Business Administration) – Cruz Valencia Outstanding Senior in Business Award – Chase Dawson Herman C. Byrd Award – Matthew Simons, Jr. CMU Biology Alumni Award – Kyle Smarko R. Paul Drummond Memorial Award – Elizabeth Berry Estill Entrepreneurship Award – Diana Ondobo Gentry Estill Award for Total Business Excellence – Kevin James Susan Estill Award for Total Business Excellence – Ehress Cunningham Gamma Sigma Epsilon Excellence Award in General Chemistry – Caleb Baker and Miya Kemp Dr. Joseph E. Geist Prize in Performing Arts – Gram Coalier Lisa Powell Goessling Merit Scholarship – Hayden Leeds David Goodwin Award – Kylie Dickinson Chester E. Hanson Outstanding Computer Science Award – Dillan Lembke Martin C. Harral Memorial Music Award – Wesley Miner Herrick-Colpitts Opera Award – Colleen Allen and Tyler Hershey Hickman Award for Music – Mariah Nichols The Keith House Band Fellow – Brandon Prince Inscape Drama Award – Harmony Andrews Inscape Poetry Award – Caleb Raley Inscape Fiction Award – Colin Lawrie Inscape Creative Nonfiction Award – Kaelyn Johnson Inscape Visual Art Award – Donovan West Inscape Cover Art Award – Mina Himmel International Business Award – Suzu Zausawa Nancy Thompson Jones Gem Award – Emeline DeLapp Dr. Glenn R. Joyce Memorial Award – Remington Davis Golden Kane Award – Clara McCracken Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Award – Ephram Weiseman Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Theatre Arts – Harmony Andrews Dr. Roger Lembke Computer Science and Mathematics Award – Dillan Lembke Mike Magyar Fine Arts-Leadership Award – Elizabeth Boyd Excellence in Management Award – Cody Hughes Future Marketing and Advertiser Award – Alexis Daro Marketing and Advertising Excellence Award – Kaysie Jolley Professor Paul A. Montemurro Award – Jordyn Williamson MTNA Student Achievement Award – Tyler Hershey

Dane Nelson Memorial Award – Caleb Raley Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award – Emma Deana Paninka Emerging Nurse Leader Award – Nathan Neill OTA Outstanding Student Advocate Award – Jordyn Ball OTA Outstanding Professional Performance – Kiya Kolb Outstanding Nurse Clinician Award – Lukas Aubuchon and Aiden Jonas Outstanding Nursing Scholar Award – Trista Leonard and Taylor Rogers Pannier, Cavanaugh and Robb Excellence in Education Award – Emily Neumann and Garren Vroman Dr. Larry J. Peery Award for Excellence in Physics – Ephram Weiseman Dr. Jerry Priddy Mathematics Award – Belen Castillo Romo Phi Mu Alpha Honor Award – Caleb Raley Phi Mu Alpha Scholastic Award – Caleb Raley Excellence in PTA – Samantha Picha Raney Winter NAfME-C Award – Jordyn Williamson Glenn C. Riegel Student Science Award – Kyle Smarko Sarah Rutherford Prize – Emma Deana Paninka W.D. Settle Memorial Music Education Award – Jacob Cullom Ken and Nancy Seward Band Fellow – Matt Hamilton Seward Award for Band Excellence – Matt Hamilton Shallenburger Accounting Principles Excellence Award – Abigail Evans Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award – Jordyn Williamson Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award – Samantha Maddux SNA Community Award – Kayla Karpe Luther T. Spayde Award – Jacob Cullom Sport Management Award – Maja Henriksen Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Freshman Award – Evan Coats Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Musician Award – Abigail Evans and Piper Merrill Swinney Conservatory Super Hero Award – Morgan Kallmeyer and Chase Staton Helen Puckett Thogmorton Award for Excellence in Music – Cecilia Rancatore Erwin and Hazel Wiedle Outstanding Nursing Graduate – Kaydee Hummel Dr. Ferris H. & Leona Woods Award – Kylleen Gibson Jeff Wilcox “Raising the Bar” Award – Abigail Michael Beneke Psychology Research Award – Sadie Burchett Sigma Epsilon Pi Ethan M. Arroyo Gavin J. Shoush Emma Deana Paninka Alanna R. Crumley Madison J. Gorrell Zane Meyer Maja Henricksen Madison S. Eames Abigail P. Michael Emily G. Neumann Caleb Raley Max K. Blankenship Kyle J. Smarko Gram G. Coalier Elzie A. Umstattd Robert J. Prewett Katie M. Gaines Thomas Libbert Whitney L. Hackman Rimon Beyene Dillan A. Lembke Samuel Rost Emily N. Ratliff Samantha V. Maddux Hailey A. Vanskike Hayleigh D. Coats Lauren Bissen

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PUTTING THINKING FIRST:

How CMU Is Integrating AI with Purpose

By Carrie Strodtman ’03

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t the heart of Central Methodist University’s approach to artificial intelligence is a simple belief: AI should support learning, not replace it. As AI tools become increasingly common in classrooms, workplaces, and everyday life, CMU has chosen to keep human thinking at the center by emphasizing student reasoning, judgment, creativity, and ethical decision-making.

CMU first began exploring AI as part of ongoing conversations about teaching and learning. Faculty were experimenting with emerging tools before generative AI became part of the national conversation, and when tools such as ChatGPT became widely used, the University moved quickly into dialogue.

Early concerns about academic integrity and misuse soon expanded into broader questions about AI literacy, responsible use, and how to design learning experiences that help students think critically and use AI with intention.

A defining strength of CMU’s approach has been the breadth of faculty involvement. Faculty from across disciplines have participated in professional development, explored classroom applications, raised thoughtful concerns, and shared ideas with one another. With support from the board of trustees, CMU created opportunities for faculty to explore how AI can enhance teaching and learning while preserving

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academic rigor. Rather than avoiding questions about integrity, accuracy, and student dependence, the initiative created space for faculty to examine those concerns together and test new instructional approaches.

As a result, the conversation has begun to shift from simply restricting AI use to designing learning experiences that teach students how to use AI thoughtfully and responsibly. At the center of this work is the idea that students should think first and use AI as a support rather than a substitute. Through assignments that require explanation, evaluation, and reflection, faculty are helping students build habits of thoughtful AI use that connect directly to career preparation and lifelong learning.

That broad, interdisciplinary approach matters. In a liberal arts environment, students are not simply trained to use tools; they are challenged to ask better questions, consider ethical implications, communicate clearly, and apply knowledge across contexts.

Across disciplines, including education, business, health sciences, athletics, the arts, social sciences, and the humanities, students will need to understand how AI is changing the work they are preparing to do.

CMU’s commitment to thoughtful AI integration is also shaped by what is happening beyond campus. Through the

Top: Carly Edwards and Noah Kee, both 2025 graduates, were Innovation Award winners last spring for their AI integrated project.

Above: Dr. Dori Waggoner ‘92, dean, presents an award to Dr. Heng-Yu Chen, associate professor of physics, for creative and thoughtful use of AI to enhance student learning.

Faculty AI Pedagogy Taskforce, the University surveyed regional employers across industries where CMU graduates pursue careers and developed an industry report on AI and workforce readiness. The findings were clear: employers are already adopting AI, and they increasingly expect new graduates to bring foundational AI literacy into the workplace. Just as important, they continue to value critical thinking, communication, ethical judgment, adaptability, and the ability to keep learning as technology changes. For CMU, the report affirmed an opportunity to prepare students for an AI-enabled workforce while staying grounded in the University’s mission.

As CMU moved from conversation to classroom practice, the need for a shared, guided AI platform became increasingly clear. After piloting BoodleBox, a collaborative AI platform designed for education, CMU is expanding access for faculty and students through new funding. The investment supports structured, transparent AI use connected to learning goals while also reflecting an equity commitment, helping ensure that students are not limited by the tools they can afford or left to navigate AI without guidance. BoodleBox also gives faculty a clearer window into how students are engaging with AI, allowing them to focus less on detection and more on guiding and strengthening the learning process.

Ethics and responsibility are woven throughout the initiative, from faculty development to student assignments.

Faculty and students are exploring data privacy, bias, transparency, and the limitations of AI-generated content, while students are encouraged to question outputs, verify information, and reflect on the consequences of overreliance. Together, these efforts are creating multiple entry points for students to develop AI literacy throughout their CMU experience.

CMU’s AI strategy is already taking shape in student learning. The AI for Everyone course, launched in Fall 2025, makes AI literacy accessible to students across majors by introducing how AI systems work while emphasizing critical thinking, ethical considerations, and real-world applications. CMU is also extending AI literacy into the first-year experience through AI-focused modules in the freshman orientation course, where students will learn what AI is, how generative AI tools work, what responsible use looks like, and why privacy, accuracy, and academic integrity matter.

This work reflects a larger institutional vision. CMU is not approaching AI as a trend to chase or a threat to manage, but as a significant shift in how students will learn, work, and engage with the world. Grounded in its mission to prepare students for meaningful lives, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning, the University is treating AI literacy as part of a modern liberal arts education. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, CMU’s approach remains focused on what matters most: helping students build habits of thinking, judgment, and discernment that will serve them long after today’s technologies have changed.

Lessons on AI: Student Reflections from AI for Everyone Student reflections from CMU’s AI for Everyone course show how students are learning to use AI with judgment, responsibility, and human thinking at the center:

AI can and will make mistakes, create hallucinations, and provide misleading information, so it is important that there is a human that can check the information given.

-Carly Robbins

Being human means being the boss of the technology.

AI is just a tool, like a baseball bat, but you still have to be the one to swing it. We should stay curious, work hard, and never let a computer do our thinking for us.

-C.S.

Being human in an AI-rich world means using your critical thinking and many forms of intelligence (emotional, etc.) before relying on AI to answer everything for you. I believe everyone should always try to do things on their own before going to AI. -Sade’ Mitchell

I learned that AI does not think like humans, it predicts responses based on patterns. This changed how I see technology as a tool that supports learning, not replacing it.

-R.L.

I believe AI will support my work as a teacher because I can use what I learned about creating bots, and it may be able to help me save time, provide quick solutions, and allow me to spend more time focusing on my students and their needs.

-Kaylyn Campbell

Five years from now I see AI being a normal part of whatever job I’m doing. The skills that will still matter are knowing how to ask good prompts, how to question the answers, and how to mix AI’s help with my own judgement.

-Elijah Crutch

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Vonder Haar Finds Harmony in Music Education Career

By Emily

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usic has been at the center of Violet Vonder Haar’s life for as long as she can remember. From learning to play guitar at nine years old to fronting her own band after graduating from Central Methodist University in 2010, the Prairie Home, Mo. native has always had a particular soundtrack to her life. That’s why it should come as no surprise that her career has been built on sharing that passion with others, even though at times it has felt like her dreams and ambitions were out of reach.

One specific dream was planted in her mind when, as a senior in high school, she visited the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, and came away with a vision of one day creating her own community fine arts school.

“It always felt like it was way too far off, way too big of an undertaking,” said Vonder Haar. “But I thought, ‘Maybe someday.’”

“Someday” turned out to be June of 2022, when Vonder Haar and her wife, Phylshawn Johnson, helped open the doors of Compass, Inc. in Columbia. Though the organization had been part of the community since 2007, this opening marked the beginning of a new chapter for all involved, and today Compass serves all ages of music students in an array of lessons, camps, and other engaging events.

The road to making that dream a reality has taken many twists and turns, but each step of the way, Vonder Haar has kept her passion for music and teaching at the forefront – even though she didn’t think at first she “would have the patience” to be a teacher.

“I was worried about making music my job, because I didn’t want to kill the joy of it,” she said. But when her high school music teacher took her on as a cadet teacher for elementary classes, everything changed. “All of a sudden I realized that I really enjoyed teaching, and I had this wealth of patience that I didn’t have in any other realm of my life.”

After that realization, Vonder Haar began looking into colleges

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Photo by Rebecca Allen

Kesel

during her senior year, and through a recommendation for a vocal coach she came across Dr. Mary Jane Nance ’80 and Central Methodist University. Not only did Nance help her find her voice again after a stint with vocal nodes, she helped Vonder Haar see the school and campus where she’d spend her next four years as part of a music department in transition.

Vonder Haar went on to earn her bachelor’s in music education after learning from teachers like Nance, Claude Westfall, and Skip Vandelicht ’77, but even then it seemed as though she would take a different path than many of the outstanding music ed majors that have come through Central. She recalls “dreading” her class on directing and says she knew she didn’t want to be a band or choir director, like many have gone on to do.

She kept her word, working as a teacher in both private and public settings after graduation, as well as starting her band – Violet and the Undercurrents – with her now-partner. For several years, the two worked to a steady but tiring routine of teaching throughout the week and touring with the band on the weekends.

Then the world shut down in 2020 due to the pandemic, and it gave Vonder Haar time to think about her other dreams.

“We had gotten really serious about the band when we released an album in 2018, so we’d been touring extensively,” she said. “We were nearing burnout when everything had shut down, and actually, I think it was a blessing in disguise.”

The shutdown gave them time to think about finding a home for the Compass camps, and when things began to open back up in 2021, they found the perfect space on University Avenue in Columbia.

“We knew instantly that this was it. It just felt like a school already,” said Vonder Haar, who serves as the programs director for Compass. “We signed a lease before we knew what we were going

Photo by Fiona Young

to do, just going with our intuition and feeling like it was the right choice.”

That intuition served them well, as soon after, the organization received a grant that paid down the renovation on the space “almost to the dollar” and raised significant funds from within their own community of fans, former students, and community members. The renovations were complete and the doors opened in summer of 2022, and since then the space has served as a welcoming and accessible place for anyone to learn about music, in any way that speaks to them.

“Our goal and our intention with every program that we do [at Compass] is to make music accessible and to make it a fun and enjoyable experience,” Vonder Haar said. “It’s really student-led, based on whatever the student wants to learn, and as long as they’re having an enjoyable experience, that’s really what matters the most for us.”

A small sampling of the wide variety of programs that provide those experiences for students of the school includes the Intergenerational Rock Band choir, an entry level choir for ages 8 to 80 that sings pop and rock songs backed by a rock band; the Jam Night, an overnight lockin where students arrive in the evening and do activities throughout the night before performing a “very sleep-deprived” showcase in the morning; Little Rockstars Camp, a camp for girls using music as a selfempowerment tool; music trivia nights; youth open mic nights; and other choirs and camps.

Vonder Haar also directs the Compass a capella choir, just one of her directing responsibilities she admits she didn’t expect to enjoy while a Central student but has grown to embrace.

“I don’t know why I had such a resistance to [directing], but when something feels a little uncertain or makes me fearful, that’s usually where I try to go, because I know that there’s something there,” she said.

The mindset has paid dividends, with Compass continuing to thrive, along with the rest of her work: giving private lessons, continuing to perform with Violet and the Undercurrents, and serving as the director of music ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia. Vonder Haar is also the founder of an all-female rock orchestra, the Jane Doe Revue, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for

women and various organizations in the state. Her work has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including the Missourian Progress Award in the Arts, which she received in 2022 alongside Johnson.

Throughout it all, it’s been the lifelong love of music and the desire to help people that have driven her each step of the way. And she encourages current music education students at Central to keep those passions the priority in their work.

“There’s always somebody who is going to resonate with what you’re doing, and there’s not one particular path for getting there. There’s so many ways to make music and have musical experiences, it doesn’t have to be one way,” she said.

“You’ve just got to follow what you love. Music unites us, it connects people, and it reminds us of our shared humanity. It heals us.”

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Career Center Enters New Era Under Rogan Office Helping Students with Workplace Transitions

By Emily Kesel

16 The Talon | Spring 2026

C

entral Methodist University’s new director of the Career Development Center, Cindy Rogan ’25, has only been a part of the CMU community for a few years, but she’s already seen the University from more angles than most ever get to experience.

She arrived in Fayette as the administrative assistant for the office of advancement and alumni relations in 2023 and has since earned her bachelor’s degree online and begun work towards a Master of Business Administration. She’s experienced the convenience of a CMU online education while still being on campus, has gotten to know the ins and outs of the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) firsthand, and can claim her place among the very alumni with whom she used to work.

Put all these perspectives together, along with her experience in the non-profit business sector, and a perfect candidate for the career development director begins to take shape.

“Earning my communications degree through our CGES program was an invaluable experience. It allowed me to navigate Central’s online student experience while still being on campus every day, really the best of both worlds,” said Rogan, who took over as director of the James C. Denneny Jr. Career Development Center in January, following the retirement of former director Mary Lay. “I was able to build strong working relationships with my professors while completing coursework that fit around my schedule.”

Rogan says she didn’t come to Central with the intention of entering the realm of career services, but the opportunity to utilize her connections on campus and work more with students was an enticing one which happened to line up with the completion of her degree last December.

“I was very excited to step into my new role, which combines my experience in training, recruitment, and management with crosscampus, student focused initiatives,” she said. “I’m passionate about helping students prepare for and navigate a future that will look very different from what we knew at their age.”

In her first semester in the position, Rogan has indeed had plenty of opportunities to teach and guide CMU students through the steps of applying for their own jobs, and it’s been no easy task thanks to a rapidly changing, newly AI-powered hiring process. While the Career Center’s resume guidelines had already been thoroughly revised by previous staff, the team has worked on additional updates to ensure it remains compatible with evolving AI recruitment tools.

At the same time, Rogan and the Career Center are enhancing implementation of AI-readiness resources into workshops, one of several ways the office is continuing to adapt its services to meet the demands of today’s job market.

“The hiring and interview landscape our students are entering now looks very different from how it did five years ago,” said Rogan.

“I’m excited about the way we are expanding access for our students, both on campus and for our CGES students and alumni.”

That emphasis to include alumni and CGES in their efforts extended to this April’s Business Week, during which the Career Development Center team and the business faculty put on multiple events each day from April 12 through the 17th. The week began with a presentation by 1994 graduate John Brown, who spoke on “Finding Direction When Plans Change.” Brown, a 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, graduated with a plan to enter the medical field but has worked as a TV news anchor for most of his career.

Throughout the rest of the week, the Career Center hosted sessions on “Building Your Brand,” as well as a virtual coffee chat with Susan

Hart ’86, professional headshot sessions, a tie-tying tutorial, and a networking hour during which students had the chance to interface with alumni while practicing their networking skills. The Career Closet was open all week as well, for students who needed to borrow professional clothing for interviews or other events.

“I’m excited about the way we are expanding access for our students, both on campus and for our CGES students and alumni.”

The week culminated in a four-hour campus career fair, with the addition of virtual appointment times available for CGES students to speak with recruiters in their chosen fields.

“The whole week [was] designed to really make sure that all of Central’s students, both on campus and online, are prepared and ready for their future career,” said Rogan. “It was focused on business, but we had students from all degree programs there to participate. All our students, freshmen through seniors, in Fayette and online, got to benefit from these events.”

Overall, Rogan is happy to take over an office that has been running smoothly and providing great service to the CMU community, and ready to keep pushing it even further to provide even more benefits in a new era.

“I think a lot of what has been done over the past few years has been done exceptionally well, and it’s time to move it forward into the future that our students are entering,” she said.

For more information on the Career Center, email career@centralmethodist.edu or visit the Career Services web page.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 17

Williams Retires as Regional Dean After 16 Years

By Emily Kesel

A

fter leading Central Methodist University’s Park Hills campus as the site coordinator for a decade and a half, regional dean Jeffrey Williams retired from the position this summer.

Williams has played a key role in Central’s College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) work in the area for nearly 16 years, first joining the staff in 2010 after retiring from a 25-year career in public education. He first served as an advisor for education majors and became the site coordinator within a year, beginning a tenure that would see the Park Hills site and CGES in general grow exponentially.

“It doesn’t seem like that long ago, but when I first started with CMU, there were only a handful of online classes available to students,” Williams said. “CMU has been forward-thinking enough to really expand those opportunities online and at other campuses, and it has really allowed us to reach out to a wider audience.”

As the coordinator for Central’s largest extended campus site, Williams has had a firsthand look at the impact of the University on the Park Hills community especially, noting that “there are thousands of alumni in this region” as the result of the partnership between Central and Mineral Area College (MAC). And while the method of serving students has changed from solely in-seat classes at MAC to a combination of traditional and online services, the quality of the education has remained high.

Williams was also a driving force behind the Central Career Changers (C3) Apprenticeship Program, in which full-time school employees can accelerate their path to earning degrees and becoming teachers by completing coursework at no cost and in an expedited format. What began as a partnership between Central and MAC has since grown into a statewide program under Williams’s guidance.

Williams cites that program’s success as one of the examples of work he was proud to do with Central, recalling one student in particular who was able to use his experience as a paraprofessional to earn C3 credits and graduate with a bachelor’s degree through the apprenticeship program.

18 The Talon | Spring 2026

“He’s doubled his family’s income being hired to be a teacher, and now he’s reached out to me saying he might want to earn his master’s and be a principal someday,” said Williams. “Those are the cool stories that show how CMU as an entity and I as part of it are able to positively impact people’s lives.”

Along with all those students he’s served, Williams counts his own life as one that has been positively impacted by CMU as well. He says after leaving public education, he didn’t intend to get back into education and intended to only stay at Central for a little while.

“And now 16 years have passed, but I’ve had the opportunity to meet and get to know so many people that I never would have been exposed to before, people who became some of my very best friends,” Williams stated.

While he’ll be retiring from the regional dean position – and handing over the reins to his wife and current CGES veterans affairs advisor Hilary Williams – he plans to stay on as an adjunct advisor for education majors and student teachers in the area. It’s further evidence of Williams’s commitment to improving lives through education and why Central has been a perfect fit for him for more than a decade and a half.

“In my view, the biggest thing that education offers people is hope – hope that they can make more of themselves, improve who they are, improve their family’s lives,” he said. “And in my time at CMU, I think we’ve done a good job of continuing to be affordable for students and making that possible.”

Gallery Hosts Warhol Portraits in Winter Exhibit Shows Feature Missouri Artists

By Emily Kesel

T

he Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, on the campus of Central Methodist University, had the pleasure of hosting two works by one of the country’s most famous artists as part of its “Winter Wonderland” exhibit from February to April.

The pair of Andy Warhol portraits, generously loaned by Drs. Beth ’82 and Todd Whitaker, were on display in the Bingham Gallery and brought many visitors to campus for a rare experience.

“To support the arts in general and the university is an honor,” said Beth, who began her Central career as a music major before finding her passion in elementary education. “We’re happy to provide an opportunity for people to get to see these works. They’re really unique and interesting, and they’re Warhols, so everyone needs to see them.”

Santa Claus and The Witch, both from Warhol’s “The Myths” collection, were displayed along with a number of pieces from the Gallery’s permanent collection that complemented Warhol’s work.

Warhol, who passed away in 1987, was known as the face of the Pop Art movement of the 20th century and painted the Myths series to reflect the theatricality of America and Hollywood.

In addition to the Warhol display, both the winter and summer shows have showcased local Missouri artists past and present. The winter show featured an exhibit of watercolor works by Missouri artist and educator Marilynne Bradley. Bradley’s works feature many familiar scenes from “middle Missouri,” as she has spent her career painting and giving workshops in Arrow Rock.

“For 40 years, I was there painting everything, so I know everything that’s in Arrow Rock and Rocheport,” Bradley said, adding that she was “one of the first” to ride the Katy Trail from Clinton to St. Charles, painting all along the way. “I did around 120 paintings over two years from along the Katy Trail, and some of those [were] in this show.”

Meanwhile, the “Summer Diversions” show – currently running until July 23 – features unique glass art by Fayette resident Patricia Rubinelli. Her exhibit, titled “Bubbles: The Shape of Breath,” will be on display in the Geist Gallery. A native of Columbia, Rubinelli earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas before moving on to a career as a painter, photographer, and glass artist. After studying and working on both coasts of the United States, she returned to Missouri and has focused on establishing a glass studio for continued exploration of the material.

Rubinelli says her exhibition “traces an ongoing exploration of how invisible forces—breath, heat, gravity, and motion—can be shaped into form.” The pieces show her transition from photographic studies of light refractions to work in three dimensions with her early glass work, then further work with color within the glass.

Rubinelli also expressed her gratitude toward Tyler Pierson and Dr. Joe Geist – Gallery curator and registrar, respectively – and said the opportunity to be featured in the show is a special one.

“I feel incredibly honored to be included in such a beautiful space alongside such talented artists. Having a show in the town where we live makes it especially meaningful, and I’m very much looking forward to meeting more people from the community through the exhibit,” she said. “I’ve been so grateful for the chance to work with Joe and Tyler. They’ve been absolutely wonderful, and they have made the experience feel all the more special.”

Works by Brother Mel Meyer, S.M. and Fayette native Monte Crews were also part of the winter and summer shows, respectively.

The two Missouri artists’ work have long been features of the Gallery’s permanent collection.

For more information on the Gallery or to schedule a special tour outside normal hours (1:30-4:30 every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), contact Pierson at tpierson@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6304.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 19

s e l g a E e l c Mira Memoir Tells the Story of 1975 Baseball Championship

By Emily Kesel

W

hen the 1975 Central Methodist Eagles baseball squad defeated William Jewell College to complete a most unlikely conference championship, it took “about five minutes” for it to sink in just what they’d done.

It took far longer for the whole story to be told in the way it deserved, but more than 50 years later, the Eagles’ miracle season is finally getting its due glory.

Released in December 2025 and penned by the team’s own assistant coach, former professional pitcher DeWayne Mason, Baseball’s Greatest Miracle: The Inspirational Story of My High School Hero, Thirteen Gritty Players, and Our Historic Comeback Season tells the tale of Central’s nearly unbelievable turnaround from bottom-dweller in the Heart of America Conference to champions in the space of one incredible season of baseball.

Mason says the idea for the memoir has been with him for decades, since shortly after the season ended and head coach Steve Phipps suddenly changed course in a conversation between the two of them to suggest that “someone should write a book about that season.”

“Over the years we would always talk about it, and he would always say that ‘somebody’ should write a book about that season,” Mason said of Phipps, his friend and hero since their days at Van Horn High School in Independence. “And I was always thinking to myself, ‘Well, one of these days, if I can become a good enough writer, I might try to write that book.’”

As Mason’s career went on, taking several turns through coaching, writing/editing, teaching, and being a student himself, he built up just the skills he needed to carry out that dream. Armed with the experience and connections necessary and more free time upon his retirement, he finally set out to tell one of the greatest baseball stories to ever be put to the page.

20 The Talon | Spring 2026

What Makes a Miracle

For a sport that has existed in some form for nearly two hundred years, it may seem far-fetched to be able to claim that Central’s 1975 season is the most miraculous in all of baseball, but anyone familiar with the Eagles’ path to glory can certainly understand the case presented.

Prior to the ’75 season, William Jewell had racked up 11 of 13 conference titles and eight straight, with a national championship to boot. Central, on the other hand, was perennially in the bottom of the standings and staring down multiple decades without a trophy. And while Phipps – a football coach with no baseball experience who was forced to take the head coaching job – had brought in Mason to provide some guidance ahead of the 1974 season, the Eagles once again finished in last place and didn’t seem poised to rise much higher.

Coming back the next year with a team full of scrappy, determined athletes and a pair of coaches with the right combination of psychological mastery and baseball know-how, though, Central eventually found themselves in a position almost no one expected: a championship showdown against the Cardinals for the right to the Heart trophy.

The final game itself played out like something from a scripted movie, a back-and-forth affair with the Eagles seemingly triumphant in the ninth inning, only to be on the wrong end of a blown call that extended the game. All hope seemed lost when Jewell went on to take a three-run lead in extra innings, but fate and senior Dave Stoll had other ideas.

Stepping to the plate for his final collegiate at-bat with the bases loaded, Stoll completed the Eagles’ miracle season and his own dream of finally winning a trophy with one swing, an “ultimate” grand slam to win the game and the championship. It’s a chill-inducing scene in

Mason’s book, described in conscientious detail by a coach who still believes there was no other outcome possible that day.

“Our team was a team of destiny,” says Mason. “I don’t care who they put on the field that day, we would have still beaten them.”

As stunning and exciting as the game and season were, though, the claim of owning baseball’s “greatest” miracle is a rather lofty one.

But Mason was determined to prove his point, and he painstakingly articulated the criteria for such a claim and researched any and every possible counterpoint. He read dozens of stories and books, called on writers and baseball fans across the country offering cash to anyone who could provide a greater miracle on the diamond. He even got in touch with the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., eventually receiving feedback from the curator and chief historian.

The research all told the same story: based on Mason’s criteria, nothing else could compete. Examples of major league teams’ turnaround seasons simply didn’t have the same “David and Goliath” aura that makes the Eagles’ story so compelling.

Thus, when it came time to title his long-planned memoir – the first of several he hopes to complete – Mason was confident in his choice.

Team of Destiny

From the first pages of Mason’s book, it’s clear that his affection for his high school hero is the driving force behind the story, and indeed, the dedication page pays special attention to Phipps for his “inspiration, friendship, and collegiality.”

“That story is a redemption story of myself, but also of Steve Phipps and what he ended up doing with that [baseball] program,” said Mason.

“The book is a tribute to him. He did truly inspire me.”

Mason is not alone in that, either. Charlie Brown ’78, a freshman pitcher on that historic squad and current member of the selection committee for the Hairston Hall of Fame, credits both Mason and Phipps’s work in getting the team to the championship but specifically remembers Phipps as an inspiring figure.

“Phipps was more of a psychologist than he was a baseball coach,” Brown said. “He figured out the way you thought and then would use that by telling you something that would make you want to do what he wanted you to do.”

Brown says he’s taken Phipps’s lessons with him throughout his life, recalling strategies and lessons like “Perfect practice prevents poor performance,” which was a philosophy that guided him and his teammates throughout that historic season.

Ultimately though, Brown sees the story of his freshman season as one of the power of teamwork, camaraderie, and what can be accomplished when every member of a group is valued and understands the importance of their input, however big or small.

“My part was pretty small in all of this, but I was treated like I was somebody and not just a freshman rookie carrying the equipment,” said Brown, known as “CB” to his teammates and coaches. “We really had an ability to get along as teammates. We ribbed each other, we were on each other all the time, but the guys were a lot of fun to be around.

We were a pretty loose bunch, and we didn’t realize what we were doing. We didn’t realize we were getting ready to win a conference championship.”

Fifty years after that championship, Brown and the rest of his teammates – save for three that sadly passed away before this year – have enjoyed the “long overdue” opportunity to have their story told.

Mason has been pleased with the reaction from the players and the reception by the public at large, saying he feels “blessed” to have had the opportunity to write the Eagles’ story. A story that will indeed live on as baseball’s greatest miracle, until a greater one comes along.

Even after that day comes, though, Central’s miracle Eagles can still provide plenty of lessons for generations of baseball fans, athletes, and readers alike.

“What I think people should take away from this book,” Mason says, “is that even if you’re down – even if you’ve been down for 40 years as a program, or you’ve been down for three years as a baseball player, or your whole career like Dave Stoll, never getting to the championship – if you keep working hard and you just believe, then…guess what?

“That season changed my life,” he said. “It gives me chills to even think about it.”

Baseball’s Greatest Miracle is available for purchase in hardcover, paperback, and ebook editions on Amazon.com.

The Lineup – Meet the Central Eagles who made up the miraculous championship squad from 1975. The team was inducted into the Hairston Hall of Fame in 2009.

Bob “Bish” Bishop - senior, pitcher/first baseman Brad “Chicken Head” Brinkman - senior, pitcher/outfielder Charlie “CB” Brown - freshman, pitcher Rex “Cincy” Currin - freshman, outfielder/second baseman Bobby “Elmer” Gould - junior, pitcher/second baseman Jim “Wick/Jug Head” Holtwick - junior, third baseman Steve “Kliner” Kline - junior, shortstop

John “JK” Kurtz - junior, catcher Don “Preacher” McLean - freshman, pitcher Rick “Rhodesy” Rhodes - sophomore, outfielder/pitcher Dave “Tates” Stoll - senior, first baseman/left fielder John “Duke/JS” Stoll - sophomore, catcher/designated hitter Rodney “Rod” Young - freshman, outfielder

Spring 2026 | The Talon 21

From left: Fayette baseball coach Andy Oeth, Falcons captain Payton Oeth, CMU board of trustees member Jay Jacobs, Eagles captain Ryan Malzahn, and CMU head coach Nate Breland ’06 celebrate the dedication of the new clubhouse at Estes Field.

Estes Field Clubhouse Completed, Dedicated

C

entral Methodist University, Fayette High School, and the Fayette community at large came together on April 25 to celebrate the dedication of the completed baseball clubhouse at Estes Field.

Funded in part by a generous donation from board of trustees member Jay Jacobs and his wife, Kelly, the state-of-the-art clubhouse and new outfield scoreboard have made Estes Field one of the premier baseball facilities in the Heart of America Conference and the NAIA. Beyond just being the home of the Eagles, though, the field and clubhouse are used by the Fayette Falcons baseball squad led by Coach Andy Oeth. The clubhouse includes a dedicated locker room for the Falcons in addition to the one used by the Eagles, as well as meeting spaces, storage, and locker rooms for visiting teams and umpires.

The project is one of the first to be completed for Eagle Pride: The Campaign for Central’s Future. Upgrades to the baseball and softball complexes at Central are just part of the campaign’s focus on updating athletic facilities for the benefit all CMU student athletes.

At the dedication ceremony ahead of a doubleheader sweep against Benedictine College, CMU board chair Nancy Peacock ’82, expressed her thanks to the Jacobs family for their contributions to Central and Fayette. Oeth and Central’s head coach, Nate Breland ’06, also spoke on the transformation of the baseball facilities over the years and the outstanding partnership between the University and the school district.

The captains of the Eagles and Falcons – Ryan Malzahn and Payton Oeth, respectively – spoke as well, noting the high quality of the Estes Field facilities compared to other fields they visit throughout their seasons.

The players and coaches presented Jacobs with a custom uniform during the dedication, featuring elements of both the Fayette and CMU jerseys. Jacobs shared his thoughts on the history of baseball in Fayette – of which he was a part, as a player on the local Babe Ruth league team – and thanked Dr. Roger Drake, CMU president, for his leadership and vision.

Following the dedication ceremony, visitors enjoyed refreshments and exclusive tours of the new clubhouse.

22 The Talon | Spring 2026

EAGLE ATHLETIC AUCTION

7.17 EA

2026 E T I C AT H L

GLE

A DECADE OF IMPACT

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 | PUCKETT FIELD HOUSE Join us for an energetic evening of silent & live auctions, dinner, and an inspiring program. All proceeds directly support our student‑athletes—funding travel, equipment, and facility upgrades. Last year’s auction raised $184,000+; your bids help our Eagles compete and succeed.

Tickets, sponsorships, and donations: cmuauction26.givesmart.com

MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

Make a planned gift to Central: · Leave a gift in your will or living trust to Central Methodist University. · Make Central Methodist University a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. · Recommend grants from your donor advised fund. · Give appreciated assets, such as stock.

When you inform Central of your intentions, you join a growing group of alumni and friends as part of Central’s Heritage Society.

sstegeman@centralmethodist.edu 573-690-2008

centralmethodist.myplannedgift.org/

Spring 2026 | The Talon 23

On hand to be honored at the basketball game on Hall of Fame weekend were (front/left) Jayton Johnson, Marc Russell, Junior Kazeem, Wilfried Nyamsi, Rebecca Harbison, Mark Harbison, Rodrigo Paredes, Morgan Vetter Grosse, (back) Hunter Gilliam, Rian Marques, Alex Nichols, Alberto Pangrazzi, Fabio Tarnowski, Dan Schmidlin, Vince Gelei, and Jeff Blauvelt.

Hall of Fame Inducts Seven Individuals, Two Teams

T

he Central Methodist University Department of Athletics welcomed seven individuals and two teams as the newest inductees of the Hairston Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 17.

The following inductees were recognized at halftime of the men’s basketball game after a ceremonial luncheon where they were each celebrated for their contributions to Eagle Athletics.

Morgan Vetter Grosse ’15 was a two-year member of the women’s basketball team in 2013-14 and 2014-15. A standout sharpshooter from Moberly Area Community College, Vetter made an immediate impact for the Eagles in her first season, leading the country in three-point field goals made per game (4.097) and total threes made (127), with the latter setting the single-season school record. For her efforts, she was named to the Heart All-Conference First Team and was tabbed as the Heart Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, she earned Honorable Mention All-America honors from both the NAIA and the WBCA. As a senior in 2014-15, she once again led the country in three-point field goals made (119) and knocked down a school record 10 threes against Bay Path in 2013. The native of Salisbury, Mo. was recognized as a second team all-conference selection and earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors for the second consecutive season. In just two years, she finished her career with 949 total points and finished second in career three-point baskets made with 246.

Andrew Greiwe ’13 pitched two seasons for the Eagles Baseball program in 2012 and 2013. A native of Macon, Mo., Greiwe helped build the program into a championship contender during his time in Fayette. As a senior, he was named the Heart Pitcher of the Year and a Heart First Team All-Conference selection, posting a 9-1 record through 11 starts with eight complete games, including a perfect game against Graceland in April 2013. He was named both the Heart and NAIA National Pitcher of the Week for his performance against the Yellowjackets. As a member of the 2013 program, Greiwe and the Eagles won the conference regular-season championship and conference tournament championship, while also qualifying for the program’s first-ever appearance in the NAIA national tournament. They would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. He finished his career with

24 The Talon | Spring 2026

a 16-3 record in two years on the bump and is still second all-time in career earned run average (2.57). He is also No. 10 all-time in career strikeouts (155). Greiwe was also recognized as the CMU Estes Male Athlete of the Year.

Jeff Blauvelt ’09 played for four years on the men’s basketball team, from 2005 to 2009. During his four seasons in Fayette, he scored 1,126 points, becoming the 24th player in program history to join the 1,000-point club. During his senior season in 2008-09, he scored 601 points and averaged a team-best 17 points per game. Blauvelt helped lead the Eagles to a 28-7 record, the third most wins in program history, and an appearance in the Heart Tournament Championship game. The Eagles advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, upsetting No. 4 Georgetown in the first round. That team would later be enshrined into the Hairston Hall of Fame in 2015. For his efforts during his senior season, Blauvelt was recognized as a Heart First Team All-Conference selection, an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, and the Estes Male Athlete of the Year at CMU. Blauvelt graduated from Central with a degree in recreational management and a minor in counseling. He now works in the construction industry and has been married to his wife, Ashton, since 2015. Jeff enjoys coaching their twin boys, Harrison and Hawkins, in both football and basketball.

Stephanie Sullivant Kleyh ’11 played four seasons for the Eagles Softball program, from 2008 to 2011. Kleyh was a two-time team captain for Central and played in 208 career games, which included 206 starts. She was a three-time Heart First Team All-Conference selection at third base, as well as a two-time NFCA All-Midwest Region First Team selection. She helped lead her team to both a Heart Regular Season and Tournament Championship in 2008, and a regular season crown in 2011. Her name can still be found in the Top 10 of numerous career and single-season statistical categories including career RBI (4th – 149), career doubles (T-1st – 58), career home runs (T-8th – 17), single-season hits (T-10th – 70), and single-season doubles (2nd – 20). As a senior in 2011, Kleyh led the program with 70 hits, 50 RBI and 20 doubles.

Academically, Kleyh was a two-time Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete, a two-time Academic All-District First Team honoree, and a 2011

CoSIDA Academic First Team All-American. She was awarded the James Luetjen Scholar-Athlete Award, which is awarded to the junior athlete with the highest GPA, with leadership and community service also in consideration. She was also named the Darla Pannier Outstanding Female Athlete. Kleyh graduated with a degree in business management and a double minor in mathematics and Spanish.

Dan Schmidlin ’10 has been a part of CMU soccer since he arrived on campus in 2008. In his first six seasons, Coach Schmidlin coached both the men’s and women’s programs, before solely focusing on the women’s program after the 2013 season. In 18 seasons, he has amassed a combined record of 300-141-35, and a 250-90-27 record with the Eagle women’s team. Schmidlin reached 300 career wins in Central’s Heart Tournament Semifinal win over Benedictine on November 8, 2025.

His 250 career wins with the women’s program puts him in the Top 25 of all-time winningest coaches in NAIA history. Under Schmidlin’s guidance, the women have qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in eight straight seasons, including two quarterfinal appearances and a semifinal trip in 2021. Additionally, Central has dominated the Heart of America during that span, winning seven regular season conference championships and six tournament titles. From October 2018 to 2023, the Eagles went undefeated in 64 consecutive home matches at Davis Field. Schmidlin is a five-time Heart of America Coach of the Year (2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025) and has coached 91 All-Conference selections and 23 All-Americans.

Mark ’76 and Rebecca Harbison ’77 have been part of the CMU family for nearly over decades. Mark was a member of one of CMU’s first men’s soccer teams, helping launch a tradition that continues today, while Rebecca was an active student leader and loyal supporter.

Together, they’ve opened their home and hearts to generations of students and their families, both international and American. Through the International Friendship Family Program, they’ve shared meals, encouragement, and friendship, becoming familiar faces at athletic events and trusted mentors off the field. Their care has reached across borders, reassuring families around the world and strengthening bonds here at home. For their devotion to Eagle athletics, their generosity toward students and families, and their lasting example of hospitality, Mark and Rebecca Harbison are proudly welcomed into the Central Methodist Hairston Hall of Fame.

Led by Hairston Hall of Fame Coach Alex Nichols, the 2018 CMU Men’s Soccer team won the school’s first-ever National Championship, defeating rival Missouri Valley College in the title game on December 1 in Irvine, Calif. After a 2-2 tie in regulation and overtime, the game was decided on penalty kicks, with CMU coming

out on top 4-3. Goalkeeper Vince Gelei made a key stop before Alberto Pangrazzi converted the game-winning penalty kick to put Central in the history books. Additionally, the team won the program’s first Heart Regular Season Championship to earn a berth into the national tournament, finishing the year with a 21-2-2 record and a 9-1-1 mark in the Heart of America. The 2018 squad featured five NAIA AllAmericans, highlighted by the NAIA National Player of the Year and NAIA First Team All-American, Adrian Gutierrez. The coaching staff was named the United Soccer Coaches Association Staff of the Year, and Nichols was named the NAIA Coach of the Year.

Team members include Nichols, assistant coaches David Macsicza and Marc Russell, graduate assistant Rafael Ortiz Ferreira, and volunteer assistant Ricardo Olaya. Players on the squad were Harry Porritt, Kim Schwensen, Vince Gelei, Santiago Sierra, Andrea de Simone, Connor Blitz, Wilfried Nyamsi, Jordan Vancauwenberge, Luc Alvarez, Rodrigo Paredes, Junior Kazeem, Adrian Gutierrez, Guzman Pery, Aivars Emsis, Colin Horn, Victor Luengo, Alejandro Izaga Ibarrola, Andras Szaraz, Saad Mohacht, Fabio Tarnowski, Marcos German, Daniel Hernandez, and Alberto Pangrazzi.

The 2019 men’s soccer team won the University its second consecutive NAIA national championship, finishing the year with a 25-1 record, a Heart Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championship, and a No. 1 national ranking. The team broke numerous school records along the way, including most wins in a season, fewest losses in a season, and highest single-season winning percentage.

Central was dominant on the field all season, ranking first in the nation on goals scored (123), second in assists (97), and second in shutouts (15). In the national tournament, the Eagles outscored their opponents 18-2 and defeated Hastings College in the championship game, 3-1. For the second straight year, the program earned five NAIA All-Americans, the coaching staff was recognized as the NAIA United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year, and Alex Nichols was named NAIA Coach of the Year.

Team members include head coach Alex Nichols, assistant coach David Macsicza, graduate assistants Rafael Ortiz Ferreira and Ricardo Olaya, and athletic trainer Ryan Novatny. Players included Harry Porritt, Vince Gelei, Hunter Gilliam, Andrea de Simone, Vincenzo Centrella, Luc Alvarez, Rodrigo Paredes, Junior Kazeem, Daniel Hernandez, Guzman Pery, Martins Veckagans, Colin Horn, Fabio Tarnowski, Victor Luengo, Christian Sanchez Ortiz, Jayton Johnson, Mark Csongradi, Carlos Scheckermann, Marcos German, Jakub Lacko, Qian Grosvenor, Alberto Pangrazzi, Alejandro Soerum, Rian Marques, and Zachary Simon.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 25

National Champion Finds faith, Success at Central Bellamy Wins Indoor Pentathlon Title

By Alysha Galla

26 The Talon | Spring 2026

“Not to toot my own horn, but I knew I was going to win nationals.”

C

entral Methodist University senior Haley Bellamy was confident that she was going to win the pentathlon heading into the NAIA Indoor National Championship in February, as long as she remained disciplined and embodied the spirit of a champion. She did just that, becoming the first female indoor national champion for CMU in more than 20 years.

“I trained every day, running and lifting during the summer for this,” said Bellamy, who later finished runner-up in the same event during the outdoor season. “I got even closer to God and started affirming myself every day. I would wake up saying I was going to win nationals. I have videos in my phone of me talking to myself about what it was going to take for me to win.”

When she found out she was the winner of the pentathlon – an event that combines five events into one – she says she felt overwhelming gratitude for God, for herself, for her coaches, and for her teammates who helped her get to that spot.

Kenny Anderson, head track and field coach, knew she could win, too.

“The talent and ability have always been there,” he said. “What made me believe she could win was her discipline, resilience, and willingness to stay committed through the hard days. Haley never ran from adversity. Her work ethic is one of the biggest reasons she’s had the success she’s had. She doesn’t need constant motivation from us as coaches because she already holds herself to a very high standard. A lot of people see the medals, but they don’t always see the sacrifices, discipline, and emotional toughness behind them. Haley lives that part every day.”

Bellamy credits Anderson and assistant coach Kailey Johnson ’24 for playing a tremendous role in her successful track and field career at CMU. “Coach Kenny and KJ gave me the platform to be 100 percent myself at all times,” she said. “They speak life into me. There is not an idea or goal that I had that they did not believe I could accomplish. They are a huge reason, coupled with God Himself, that I won nationals. They ignited a flame in me that I thought died after my ACL tear [in high school]. I was honestly broken, and they restored my faith in myself.

I love them with all my heart. I would not have the accolades I have if Coach Kenny had not taken a chance on me and if KJ had not coached

me to be my absolute best and embody mentally what it takes to be the best.”

That list of accolades Bellamy has accumulated under Anderson and Johnson is long. On top of being a national champion, she’s a four-time NAIA All-American and a five-time Heart Conference champion in the three years at CMU. She was also named the South Central Regional Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year.

That’s only the athletic side of her CMU career. On the academic side, she’s a College Sports Communicator (CSC) Second Team Academic All-American, a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete, and a two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Student-Athlete.

Bellamy’s journey to becoming a national champion was not an easy road, though. A torn ACL during sectionals her senior year of high school caused one of the hardest times in her life. She missed out on going to state even though she qualified in all of her events, but she refused to let it get her down. She went to therapy twice a day while still attending track practice to stay in the atmosphere and push herself to get back. After only five months, she was back on track.

Even after making her comeback, though, her collegiate career didn’t begin at CMU. Bellamy attended two other schools and fell out of love with track and field before a fateful meeting with Anderson.

The two crossed paths at an indoor training facility during a break when she was practicing in connection with her AAU team, and his guidance left a lasting impression.

“Back then, I was a terrible hurdler. I saw him watching me, but I did not know who he was, and I kept messing up, so I felt kind of embarrassed. He came over, corrected my hurdles, and I believe moved them,” Bellamy recalled. “Suddenly, I was actually able to make the hurdle. That whole practice, I had been stutter-stepping and starting over, but the one correction he made changed my whole practice.”

She and Anderson talked, and Bellamy explained to him that she and the school she was attending weren’t aligned. They exchanged contact information, and Anderson continued to check in on her periodically, believing she had many gifts to bring to the CMU team and campus.

Continued on next page

Spring 2026 | The Talon 27

“When I first saw Haley, I thought she had so much untapped potential on the track and that her positive, bubbly, and contagious energy could be very beneficial for our culture at Central,” Anderson said.

Bellamy came for her first visit in March of 2023 and committed to CMU soon after in what she says turned out to be the best decision of her life. In an unexpected way, her transition to Central turned out to be as beneficial to her personal and social life as her athletic career.

“I am a kid who was used to fast-paced living. I am from St. Louis, so being in Fayette taught me to slow down a little, breathe, and relax,” said Bellamy. “I was stuck in the mindset that my friends were my friends, and anybody else, I did not have to talk to. Being here for three years now, I have learned that is a terrible mindset to have.

Networking and just connecting with all types of people on a personal level is so important. Exposing myself to different walks of life, and Coach Kenny putting me in front of different people, has changed my perspective on life and human beings so much. It has made me more open, more communicative, and ultimately more myself. I really found a home away from home in this little town.”

Coach Anderson has seen how much she has grown while at Central, too.

“Haley has grown tremendously since being at CMU,” he said.

“She cares deeply about the people around her, values relationships, and she’s someone her teammates naturally gravitate toward. Early on, a lot of her growth came from learning how to trust being herself.

Now, she carries herself with confidence, poise, and purpose.”

Not only did CMU make her a better person and help her slow down and enjoy life, Bellamy says it also helped her grow her faith in God. Along with her teammates and coach, she attended church every Sunday at Urban Empowerment in Columbia. She says she has always been spiritual but “truly found God here at Central Methodist.”

“I learned from my teammates how to freely worship and how to be comfortable professing my love for God,” she said. “That is why this team is not just a team for me. These are my sisters and brothers.

Now, every day I wake up and thank God immediately, thanking Him for any and everything throughout my day. There is not a day where

28 The Talon | Spring 2026

Jesus is not on my tongue or in my mind. For that, I thank God and CMU. I am a better woman because of this school and because of the teammates I have who love God so intentionally and intensely.”

Bellamy attributes this change in her life to Anderson’s example of leading by faith, which aligns with the coach’s priorities in his work.

“My goal is simply to lead with authenticity, love people well, and create an environment where athletes feel supported spiritually, mentally, and emotionally,” he said. “I do think that openness has encouraged more athletes to become curious about faith and growth.

When athletes see coaches and teammates living with peace, purpose, and consistency, it naturally sparks conversations. Haley has been a huge part of that. She leads by example. She’s genuine in her walk with Christ, and I think people respect that about her.”

Outside of her journey in faith and her athletic career, Bellamy was also involved in Alpha Epsilon Delta and the African American Student Union during her time at Central. She shadowed Dr. Nancy Peacock ’82, president of the board of trustees, on an internship trip, and she currently works as an intern at the Addison Research Lab in Fayette.

The success people see now is only a small part of who Bellamy is, though.

“She’s an outstanding athlete, but she’s an even better person,” Anderson boasted. “She’s represented Central Methodist well. As a coach, you’re proud of championships, but you’re even prouder when an athlete grows into the kind of person who can impact others long after their athletic career ends. Haley is absolutely one of those people.”

Bellamy graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and interdisciplinary studies. She will be completing her MBA at Missouri Baptist while serving as an assistant track and field coach for the Spartans. Her future goals are to invest in real estate and own several businesses.

“I could not ask for a better college experience,” she concluded. “I truly found myself at Central Methodist, and I am so grateful for God and Coach Kenny for helping me get here.”

Members of the Luetjen family came out to support the golf tournament in memory of Dr. James Luetjen, who served Central Methodist University for decades as a professor, coach, and athletic director.

2026 Luetjen Memorial Golf Tournament The 35th Annual Dr. Luetjen Golf Tournament took place at Hail Ridge Golf Course in Boonville on June 13, with more than a hundred players from the CMU community coming out to support Eagle Athletics. Despite a rainy afternoon, the event was a success, raising money for the CMU athletic teams and honoring the life and career of Dr. James Luetjen.

Rodney Black ’07, Brad Dixon ’07, Dyllon Harper, and Spenser Washington

Rich and Stefanie West, Joel Smith, Josh Little, and Mark Dempsey ’85

Brittany Woods, Eric King ’14, Haley and Brandon Floyd ’08

Mick Spaulding ’92, Doug Fessler, Jon Bishop ’95, Jeff Sherman ’83, Darren Pannier ’90, Matt Sherman ’10, and Brad McCarty ’94

Tyler Watkins, Dan Schmidlin ’10, Fred Smith ’85, and Brad Bauer ’95

Spring 2026 | The Talon 29

Sports Wrap-up Jenna Orman

RODEO Central Methodist University was represented at this summer’s College National Rodeo Finals by freshman Jenna Orman, who blew through the competition in barrel racing to lead the Eagles throughout the season.

Orman, a business major, brought home the title of 2026 Ozark Region Champion in barrel racing, qualifying for the national finals in Casper, Wyo. from June 13 to 21. Her trip to nationals marks the first time CMU has been represented in Casper, after an athlete qualified in 2020 but the competition was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Orman’s success is just part of what coach Amanda Phipps considers an outstanding season.

“We have had a really remarkable year,” said Phipps. “We have been recruiting some really awesome athletes and hope our team is even stronger next year.

Most of our team will return for next year’s season.”

The women’s team finished the season fifth overall in Ozark Region competition, out of 15 teams. In addition to Orman’s impressive season, junior Hinsli Dease finished 11th on the year in the breakaway event, earning 195 points for the team, while junior Nealia Courtois came in 18th in barrel racing after a late-season injury to her primary horse.

Photo credit: Ty Ferrell

Ryan Malzahn

BASEBALL The Central Methodist baseball team, led by head coach Nate Breland ’06, closed out the 2026 season in Heart Conference Championship with a 28-22 overall record. In an incredibly tough conference, the team finished the regular season tied for fifth with a 16-12 conference record. At the conclusion of the season, senior Ryan Malzahn was named the Heart Baseball Player of the Year, the fifth Eagle to earn the honor in the last six years. He also earned a Gold Glove for his play in left field and was named to the All-Conference First Team. He earned player of the week twice and led the conference in home runs with 16. Dariel Rios, Gavin Whitehurst, and Zeb Wede joined him on the All-Conference list, landing on the Second Team. Academically, the program earned 10 NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognitions.

Kaysie Jolley

SOFTBALL

The CMU softball program made its sixth consecutive NAIA National Championship Opening Round appearance after mounting a dramatic comeback victory over the number one seed Missouri Baptist to win the Heart Conference Championship. The Eagles, led by Pat Reardon ’90, grabbed their fourth conference tournament title in the last five years and finished the season ranked 20th in the NAIA. The team’s season came to a close in the opening round final as they fell 1-0 to the number one team in the nation, Madonna. The Eagles finished conference play tied for second in the Heart with a 20-8 mark. They closed out the season with a 40-17 overall record. Prior to the conference championship, eight members earned Heart of America All-Conference honors. Emma King was named the Heart Freshman of the Year, as well as a First-Team selection. She was joined on the First-Team by seniors Joely Crider, Kaysie Jolley, and Elizabeth Palumbo. Karlie Barnum and Madison Roberts earned Second Team honors, and sophomore Maddie Holly earned Honorable Mention recognition. Jolley and junior Kinlei Boley were Heart Gold Glove selections.

Academically, the program earned 22 NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognitions.

30 The Talon | Spring 2026

Sports Wrap-up

MEN’S BASKETBALL

CHEER

Lilly Brown

The Central Methodist competitive cheer team placed second in the nation at the NCA Collegiate Cheer National Championship under firstyear head coach Abigail Rosa ’22. The Eagles earned a runner-up finish in the Intermediate Small Coed NAIA division which featured five programs from around the country. The team delivered a standout performance in the finals after finishing fifth in the preliminaries, pushing them into second by .0602 points. The second-place finish marks the program’s highest national placement since 2022.

STUNT

Under first year Head Coach Abi Rosa ’22, the Central Methodist STUNT team completed its fourth season as a program in 2025-26.

The Eagles picked up two wins in their first tournament of the year, including a 10-0 shut out of St. Norbert and an 8-0 win over Buena Vista. CMU also took part in the first triple overtime game in their history against Quincy University on February 6th, ultimately falling 20-19. The program qualified for their second straight NAIA National Tournament in Bethany, Oklahoma, where they finished fourth. Kiera Driskell, Emery Mitchell, Kenna Cartwright, and Sierra Nickerson were each named Honorable Mention All-Tournament selections.

DANCE

The Central Methodist men’sbasketball team, led by Matt Sherman ’10, finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 19-11 overall record and a 12-8 mark in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Central clinched the No. 5 seed in the Heart Conference tournament and began with a 75-66 victory over Missouri Baptist in the quarterfinals. The Eagles fell to No. 1-seeded Graceland on Feb. 27 in Lamoni, Iowa, by a score of 79-55 in the Heart Conference Semifinals. Three members of the program were named to Heart of America All-Conference teams. Seniors Isaiah Reams and Raphael Gay made First Team All-Conference, with senior guard Tyson Oghene named to the Third Team. Gay also earned All-Defense honors for his defensive play. Reams was also named to the inaugural NAIA All-Region Midwest Team by the NABC. Four Eagles picked up eight Heart Player of the Week honors throughout Tom Sowoolu the season. Gay picked up four Player of the Week honors including three in a four-week span midway through the season. Reams earned two Player of the Week honors, and Austin Prater and Oghene each earned one Player of the Week honor.

Academically, six Eagles were named to the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list, and Thomas Sowoolu was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The Central Methodist Women’s Basketball team, under second-year Head Coach Dustyn Yung ’10, finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-14 record and a 10-10 mark in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Eagles strung together a 6-0 streak in the middle of conference play. The team’s season came to a close in the Heart Conference Quarterfinals in Olathe, Kansas. The Eagles had two placed on the Heart All-Conference lists – graduate Kaitlyn Patke was placed on the Heart All-Conference Second Team, and freshman guard Tayla Robinson was named to the All-Conference Third Team. Academically, six Eagles were named to the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list.

MEN’S BOWLING

The Central Methodist Men’s Bowling team competed in 10 tournaments under head coach Kevin Duncan during the 2025-26 season. CMU posted a pair of top five finishes at both the Lindenwood Classic in November in St. Charles, and the Columbia Cougar Clash December 7th in Columbia, Missouri. The Eagles qualified for the Heart of America Conference Tournament as the No. 8 seed in late February in Columbia. CMU opened tournament play in the winner’s bracket against topseeded Mount Mercy. Despite a strong effort, Central Methodist fell 2-0, sending the Eagles into the consolation bracket early in the championship. In the opening round of the consolation bracket, Central squared off with Culver-Stockton College in Game 5. Culver-Stockton claimed the 2-0 match victory, ending the Eagles’ run in the tournament. While facing Culver-Stockton, sophomore Lane Hook bowled a perfect 300 game, the first in program history for the Eagles.

WOMEN’S BOWLING Claire Schmiedeskamp The Central Methodist Envy dance team, led

by Matt Fohn ’20, placed second in the nation in poms at the NDA National Championships on April 9-10 in Dayton Beach, Florida. On the first day of competition, the team placed second in the pom preliminaries, advancing to the finals round the following day. The team also competed in the hip hop division at nationals, placing fifth overall. The runner-up finish is the program’s first top-two finish since 2024.

Alexis Livesay

The Central Methodist Women’s Bowling program competed in 10 tournaments under head coach Kevin Duncan during the 2025-26 school year. Central posted a fifth-place finish at the Lindenwood Classic Nov. 2 in St. Charles, Missouri. The highlight of the year came in early November, when the program hosted its first-ever home tournament, the Mid-Missouri Invitational, on December 5th in Glasgow. The Eagles were joined by Cottey College and the University of Central Missouri.

Central finished third at the conclusion of the five-team games format after knocking down 3,428 total pins. Cottey came in second with 3,448 pins, while UCM won the tournament after knocking down 4,114 pins. CMU’s best game was in game two with a score of 778. Two of Central’s individuals placed in the top five of the event, as Savannah Rutar placed fourth and Alexis Livesay fifth.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 31

Sports Wrap-up

ESPORTS

The Central Methodist Esports team, led by Tyler Molnar ’21, came in second place in the third-annual Heart Rocket League Tournament Championship, their best finish in program history.

They closed out the tournament with a 2-2 record. The Eagles placed second in the regular season standings with a 6-1 record. At the conclusion of the season, sophomore Daniel Richmann was named to the Heart Rocket League Second Team All-Conference.

Brock Jenkins

MEN’S GOLF

The Central Methodist men’s golf team, led by Fred Smith ’85, finished the fall and spring seasons with four individual top-five finishes – Zane Downey placed second at the William Penn Shootout, Cylas Worley and Kennan James tied for fourth at the Fall CMU Invitational, and Worley placed fifth at the William Woods Spring Invitational.

Academically, the team placed Travis Allen, Hayden Deweese, and Brock Jenkins on the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list.

WOMEN’S GOLF

MEN’S WRESTLING

The Central Methodist women’s golf team, led by Fred Smith ’85, finished the season with six top-five finishes including secondplace finishes at the Graceland Fall Invitational and the CMU Fall Invitational. The Eagles placed ninth at the Heart of America Conference Championship with sophomore Reagan Bell finishing in the top-20. Bell led the Eagles for the majority of the season, earning three top-five places and a top-20 finish in all but one invitational.

Academically, the team placed Bell and Lauren Williams on the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list.

Lauren Williams Roman Garcia The Central Methodist men’s wrestling team, led by Graham Karwath, qualified a program-record nine wrestlers for the NAIA National Championships: Arojae Hart, Drake Jenkins, Kevin Olavarria, Eric Hodge, Roman Garcia, Griffin Ray, Cameron Cornman, Garine Gibson, and Austin Foye. Under thirdyear head coach Graham Karwath, the team finished tied for 14th place in the National Championship with two AllAmericans, junior Roman Garcia (fourth place) and senior Arojae Hart (sixth place). Garcia, now the first three-time NAIA All-American for CMU, was named the Heart Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler. Hart finished his CMU career as a two-time national qualifier and NAIA All-American. In regular season, the Eagles finished with a 6-9 dual record and a third-place finish in the Heart championship. Following the conclusion of the season, six Eagles were named National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar AllAmericans: Cornman, Gibson, Hart, Jenkins, Landon Morris, and Gavin Shoush. They also had six wrestlers named to the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list.

32 The Talon | Spring 2026

WOMEN’S WRESTLING

Berlin Kiddoo

The Central Methodist women’s wrestling team, led by Tim Prescott, qualified five wrestlers for the NAIA National Championships: Yusneiry Agrazal, Allyssa Johnson, Berlin Kiddoo, Zoey Mzeru, and Emily Neumann. Kiddoo and Johnson each grabbed a win at the national championship before falling in the consolation brackets. Under second-year head coach Tim Prescott, the Eagles placed four wrestlers fourth or better in their weight classes in the Heart Conference Championships, including two runner-up finishes. In regular season, the Eagles finished with a 3-4 dual record and a fourth-place finish in the Heart of America Conference Championship. Academically, the team placed three wrestlers on the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list.

Logan Bass

MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD The Central Methodist men’s indoor track and field team, led by head coach Kenny Anderson, produced two NAIA AllAmericans and tied for 17th out of 68 teams at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships. Corlando Chambers finished runner-up in the 600 meters to earn All-America status, and Wilton George placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles to earn All-America status. The team was represented on the national stage in six events by seven athletes: Logan Bass (4x400m relay), Corlando Chambers (600m run, 4x400m relay), Wilton George (60m hurdles), Isaac Lawson (400m dash, 4x400m relay), Brian Shine (triple jump), Azaan Stoughtenborough (triple jump), and Tyrone Summerall (4x400m relay). At the Heart Conference Championship, the team placed fourth with two gold medalists.

Sports Wrap-up

WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Sadie Burchett

The Central Methodist women’s indoor track and field team, led by head coach Kenny Anderson, had another standout season. The team produced nine NAIA All-Americans including national champion Haley Bellamy, and placed third at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships. The team won their secondconsecutive Heart Conference Championship, their fourth championship in a five-year span.

On the national stage, Bellamy captured the national title in the pentathlon. Also earning All-

America status was Akeelah Knox (2nd - 60-meter hurdles), Shannon O’Neil (4th – pentathlon), Annemarie Koerner (5th – pentathlon), the 4x400-meter relay team, Diane Ondobo, Allena Rowland, Aroa Carballo, and Bailey Arceneaux (5th), and Rowland (7th - 400 meters). The 17 individuals representing CMU at nationals included Bailey Arceneaux (600m run, 4x400m relay), Haley Bellamy (High Jump, Long Jump, Pentathlon), Aroa Carballo (4x400m relay), Ta’Mya Davis (Triple Jump), Akeelah Knox (200m dash, 60m dash, 4x400m relay), Annemarie Koerner (Long Jump, Pentathlon), Deborah Martinez (4x400m relay), Tafaol Mohamed (60m hurdles), Diane Ondobo (600m run, 4x400m relay), Shannon O’Neil (60m hurdles, Pentathlon), Zakiya Porter (60m dash, 200m dash), Hannah Reed (4x400m relay), Zyaire Robinson (4x400m relay), Allena Rowland (400m dash, 4x400m relay), Maria Sahagun (200m dash), and Joana Vakasobuduru (Pentathlon).

Following the season, Coach Anderson was named the South Central Regional Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year as well as the Heart Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year. Bellamy was named the Regional Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year.

Corlando Chambers

MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

The Central Methodist men’s outdoor track and field team, led by Kenny Anderson, placed seventh in the nation at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor National Championships. The Eagles earned 10 NAIA All-Americans. The team placed runner-up at the Heart Outdoor Championships with five conference titles.

On the national stage, the 4x400-meter relay team, comprised of Logan Bass, Isaac Lawson, Corlando Chambers, and Tyrone Summerall, placed second to earn All-America status. Cortney Watkins, the Heart Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Meet, earned a bronze medal in the 100-meter hurdles. Also earning All-America status were Corlando Chambers (3rd – 800m), Oliver Cabana (4th – 800m), Tyrone Summerall (5th – 400-meter hurdles), Logan Bass (7th – 400-meter hurdles), and Brian Shine (7th – triple jump).

The Eagles had 11 qualify for the National Championship. The qualifiers were Logan Bass (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay), Corlando Chambers (800m, 4x400m relay), Oliver Cabana (800m), Wilton George (100m hurdles, 4x100m relay), Isaac Lawson (400m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay), Brian Shine (triple jump), Azaan Stoughtenborough (triple jump), Tyrone Summerall (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay), Cortney Watkins (100m hurdles), Che Wickham (4x100m relay), and Charles Young (4x100m relay).

WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Bailey Arceneaux

The Central Methodist women’s outdoor track and field team, led by Kenny Anderson, had a historic season. The team tied for seventh at the NAIA National Outdoor Championships, finishing with nine NAIA All-America honors. Prior to nationals, the Eagles grabbed their third Heart Outdoor Championship title in the last four seasons and won eight gold medals. Central Methodist was consistently ranked No. 2 nationally and had six events rated No. 1 in the national Event Squad Rankings.

On the national stage, the Eagles had nine competitors finish in the top-eight. Haley Bellamy finished runner-up in the heptathlon, earning All-America status. Also earning All-America status were the 4x100-meter relay team, Zakiya Porter, Akeelah Knox, Maria Sahagun and Zyaire Robinson (4th), Annemarie Koerner (5th – heptathlon), Shannon O’Neil (6th – 400-meter hurdles), and Allena Rowland (8th – 400-meter hurdles).

The Eagles had 15 qualify for the NAIA National Championships. The qualifiers were Bailey Arceneaux (200m, 400m, 4x400m relay), Haley Bellamy (heptathlon), Aroa Carballo (400m hurdles), Zaria Jones (100m hurdles), Akeelah Knox (100m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay), Annemarie Koerner (heptathlon), Deborah Martinez (400m, 4x400m relay), Tafaol Mohamed (100m hurdles), Shannon O’Neil (400m hurdles), Diane Ondobo (400m), Zakiya Porter (100m, 4x100m relay), Hannah Reed (400m hurdles), Zyaire Robinson (4x100m relay), Allena Rowland (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay), Maria Sahagun (4x100m relay), and Joana Vakasobuduru (heptathlon, javelin).

Following the season, Coach Anderson was named the South Central Regional Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year, and Assistant Coach Kailey Johnson was recognized as the South Central Regional Women’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year. Anderson was also named the Heart Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year for the third straight year.

Academically, the program earned eight NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognitions.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 33

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Scan or go to givetocentral.org to join the 1854 Society today 34 The Talon | Spring 2026

From left: AASU president Claireece Cross, MLK Bright Future Award winner Auniyeuh Matlock, Lea Tindall Memorial Award winner Brian Valentine, and AASU vice president Natalie Calcatera at the 2026 MLK Luncheon on January 19.

Awards Presented at 2026 MLK Luncheon

C

entral Methodist University and the African American Student Union (AASU) invited the Fayette community to campus on Monday, January 19 for the annual MLK Luncheon honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Held in the Inman Student and Community Center, the event successfully brought students, faculty, and staff together with members of the community.

Claireece Cross and Natalie Calcatera, AASU president and vice president, each spoke briefly before campus chaplain Scotty Wall led the room in prayer and a meal was served. Following lunch and a video about King’s life and impact, Mackenzie Hustead ’17, AASU advisor and assistant director of student retention, spoke briefly about her own work on campus and efforts to have an impact on Central students and the world. She then invited Cross and Calcatera to present the two annual awards given at the event.

The 2026 Lea Tindall Memorial Award was presented to Brian Valentine, recruitment specialist for the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, and CMU student Auniyeuh Matlock was named the 2026 Bright Future Award recipient.

The Tindall Award recognizes individuals who exemplify a dedication to serving others in the spirit of Dr. King and who are deserving of honoring the memory of Ms. Lealure Tindall. Cross described King’s message of service and courage, along with Tindall’s example of kindness and leadership, as the guiding tenets for recognizing Valentine as this year’s award recipient.

“Within this past year, [Valentine] has been a key factor in uniting our Cabinet members and inspiring ideas within AASU, showing what real leadership is, just as MLK displayed,” said Cross.

“We think of the commitment and the work that Dr. King did, and personally I am encouraged, because it reminds me that every day we have to get up and make a choice,” Valentine said upon receiving his

award. “We have to make a choice to care, love, listen, participate, and show up.”

The MLK Bright Future Award honors young leaders who embody Dr. King’s values of education, service, leadership, and social justice.

Recipients like Matlock – a pre-nursing major from Henderson, Texas – inspire bold dreams, foster unity, and drive meaningful change, carrying forward MLK’s legacy of equality and progress. The award highlights the power of service, justice, and uplifting humanity to shape a brighter future. “[Matlock] has been very active and attentive within AASU, always willing to lend a helping hand whenever we’re tackling anything,” said Calcatera. “[She has] displayed MLK’s values through showing up, wanting to form a community, and having a bright attitude.”

Matlock thanked the AASU officers and those in attendance for the recognition.

Cross closed the event by wishing that everyone go forth and continue to build the unity, justice, and peace that Dr. King longed for.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 35

Four Awarded as Central Scholars

Students Receive Full-Tuition Scholarships

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our outstanding high school students were awarded this semester with full-tuition scholarships after winning the third annual Central Scholars competition at Central Methodist University. Grayson Miller (bottom left) of Edina and Javan Smoot (top right) of Cairo were named Eagle Select scholarship winners, while Boila-Vania Kostov (bottom right) of Bulgaria was selected as the Pre-Health Scholar, and Hannah Keiser (top left) of Keytesville was the winner of the Valedictorian Scholarship.

“Central Scholars continues its exceptional record of attracting highachieving academic students to compete for full-tuition scholarships.

This year’s participants have an average GPA of 3.8,” said Dr. Melissa Mace, vice president for enrollment management. “The resumes, essays, and interviews of these participants simply amaze me, and I am so proud they want to make CMU their college home.”

To be eligible for the Central Scholars competition, students needed to meet a high school GPA minimum of 3.5 and apply to participate. Each participant submitted an essay and resume and was interviewed by a panel of alumni, faculty, and staff.

Following the scholarship competition in February, the winners were surprised at their schools by CMU staff, in front of their classmates and families.

Grayson Miller, an Eagle Select scholarship recipient, plans to major in business administration and participate in track & field while at Central. He says he enjoyed the experience of competing in Central Scholars and is relieved to know his hard work in high school has paid off.

“I think that these last four years have taught me what commitment and involvement can do for you,” said Miller. “’Grateful’ doesn’t really describe it, but that’s the word I’d use. It’s honestly a big sigh of relief [to receive the full-tuition scholarship.]”

Also receiving the Eagle Select scholarship for full tuition was Javan Smoot, who plans to major in music education and participate in as many band and choir organizations as possible while on campus.

36 The Talon | Spring 2026

Already an assistant director for the seventh-grade band at his school, Smoot is looking forward to learning more about music and directing from the Swinney Conservatory faculty.

“I think the thing that excites me most about going to Central Methodist is the faculty and staff,” said Smoot, who noted that he’s already received meaningful help from CMU’s Dr. John Perkins on his trumpet performance. “I think the unique way they can shape my experience is the most exciting thing.”

This year’s Pre-Health Scholarship winner is Bulgarian international student Boila-Vania Dimitrova Kostov, who attends Gateway Legacy Christian Academy in Florissant. Kostov hopes to play basketball for the Eagle women’s team while earning a degree as a pre-med major.

“What excites me the most about continuing my education [at Central] is the fact that I get to get closer to my dream of becoming a doctor,” she said. “I really want to be able to help people. I’ve had a lot of experience with hospital visits and doctors in general, so I really want to be able to help them and to help people.”

Rounding out the full-tuition winners from the Central Scholars competition is Valedictorian Scholarship recipient Hannah Keiser, who plans to major in exercise science. A participant in numerous student organizations at Keytesville High School, Keiser was able to use her previous experience to help alleviate some of the nerves of competing in such an important event.

“I was nervous during the interview [on Central Scholars Day], but I’d done a couple of interviews before for FFA offices, so I kind of knew what to expect,” said Keiser, who also noted that she is looking forward to attending a college similar to her high school in class size.

For more on Central Scholars and all the many scholarship opportunities at Central Methodist, visit https://www. centralmethodist.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships.html.

Contact the office of admission at 660-248-6251 or admissions@ centralmethodist.edu for more on how to apply to Central.

Scholarships Earned at CGT, Center Stage

Music, Theatre Students Rewarded

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ore than two dozen talented students from across the region performed at the annual Central’s Got Talent and Center Stage competitions at Central Methodist University on February 19, earning music and theatre scholarships of various sizes. After multiple rounds of auditions, full-tuition scholarships were awarded to Tegan Graves of Ste. Genevieve, Memphis Eckert of Fulton, and Gabriel Porter of Thayer.

Dr. Melissa Simons, dean of the Swinney Conservatory, expressed her enthusiasm for all the talent on display in the competition and her hope that all the students who competed will be on campus as students in the fall.

The first big award on the day was presented in the Center Stage competition for theatre, where students can compete in acting or theatre production. Simons and theatre professor Mark Kelty presented the Terri Rohlfing Theatre Arts Scholarship to Tegan Graves, who performed “Big Bright Beautiful World” from Shrek the Musical.

“The people [at CMU] are very nice and welcoming, and from the talent I’ve seen, there is no doubt that this is the place to hone my skill and truly excel at what I love,” said Graves on why he is interested in attending Central.

In the Central’s Got Talent portion of the day, students competed by auditioning instrumental or vocal pieces before faculty judges. Six finalists were selected to perform again in front of an audience, and two winners were selected. This year’s finalists included John Sepulvado of Dexter, Samantha McCulloch of Holden, Rachel Harris of Mineola, Memphis Eckert of Fulton, Gabriel Porter of Thayer, and Max Hansen of Blue Springs. Eckert and Porter were chosen as the winners for their talents in vocal performance and trumpet, respectively.

Eckert, whose parents are both musicians, says she has been singing her whole life and became interested in studying at CMU after a special visit to campus.

“I came and did the Music Major for a Day [experience] and loved it,” said Eckert, who performed A Spring Morning by Henry Carey. “I also like the idea of continuing to study [opera and vocal performance] with Dr. Jonathan Ray.” Porter, who prepared pieces for both trumpet and euphonium for the competition, says he has grown up “surrounded by music” and is excited to continue to study it among his peers at Central.

“I loved the opportunity to come up and play for the college,” said Porter, who performed The Maid of the Mist by Herbert L. Clarke for his final audition.

“My previous band director went to CMU and spoke highly of it as well. I also love how this is a smaller campus, and I am excited to study with likeminded people.”

Every competitor on the day left with a sizeable scholarship for both their academic excellence and their music or theatre talents. The remaining competitors for the day included Juan David Prada Barros of Cogua, Colombia; Margaret Ramsey of Mexico; Natalie Zimmerman of Pontiac, Ill.; Aurelia Potter of McPherson, Kan.; Arianna Fucile of Versailles; Maggie Kramm of Glasgow; Margaret Heimericks of California; Catelyn Weise of Columbia; Presley Weingart of Osage Beach; Rachel Knight of Windsor; Zy’Keriyah Napier of Marshall; Jackson Rudderforth of Paris, Javan Smoot of Jacksonville, Evan Martinson of Hannibal, Corina Ross of Salisbury, Micheal Simons of West Plains; Taylor Crandall of Ashland, Wyatt York of Fayette; and William Schultz of Carl Junction.

Dr. Melissa Simons with Gabriel Porter (top) and Memphis Eckert (above) receiving their Central’s Got Talent full-tuition scholarship checks.

Dr. Mark Kelty presents Tegan Graves (below) with his Center Stage full-tuition scholarship check.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 37

Central Homecoming Oct. 30-Nov.1

38 The Talon | Spring 2026

Academic Lectures Cover Important Topics

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uest speakers for the spring 2026 Academic Lecture Series at Central Methodist University shared their insight and expertise on a wide range of topics.

Read on for more details about each lecturer and their career.

Gil and Ruth Fleer Lecture Dr. Scott Paeth

Dr. Ambereen Sleemi

The 2026 Gil and Ruth Fleer Lecture took place on Wednesday, March 25, as Dr. Scott Paeth spoke on “Public Theology and Democratic Pluralism.”

Paeth is a professor of religious studies and peace, justice, and conflict studies at DePaul University. Working in the fields of Christian ethics and public theology, he is the author or editor of eight books and numerous articles.

He is currently co-editor of the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. He has lectured around the world, including in Beirut, Lebanon; Pune, India; and Dunedin, New Zealand.

Besides his contributions to the academic profession, Paeth is also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and he has worked with a wide variety of organizations including SCUPE/OMNIA, Interfaith Playdate, Chicago Interfaith Worker Justice, and the Confessing Christ National Steering Committee.

A prolific author and a popular speaker, he has written editorials to a number of newspapers, and was featured on PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. His most recent book is titled Christianity and Identity: Authoritarianism, Democracy, and Public Theology (Cascade, 2026).

Dr. Harold W. Sunoo World Peace Lecture

Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies

The newest iteration of the Dr. Harold W. Sunoo World Peace Lecture Series took place on Thursday, April 9 at CMU, with Dr. Ambereen Sleemi giving the latest annual address.

Sleemi’s lecture was titled, “First Do No Harm: A Health Report from Gaza,” and took place in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church.

Dr. Ambereen Sleemi is a board certified urogynecologist and obstetric fistula surgeon.

She is the executive director and co-founder of the non-profit International Medical Response and is on the executive committee of the International Society for Obstetric

Fistula Surgeons (ISOFS). Sleemi leads IMR urogyn/fistula surgical teaching programs in various global sites including Ukraine, Liberia, Pakistan, and the Gambia.

Dr. Sleemi’s interests lie in medical education, expanding surgical training in areas of need, and working for equity in healthcare delivery across the globe. Her recent experience in the field includes working with mothers in Gaza who have been affected by the ongoing war.

Dr. Thomas A. Perry Faith & Science Lecture

On April 21, CMU welcomed Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies back to campus to give the 2026 Perry Lecture on Faith and Science. Davies’ lecture, titled “Science, Religion, and the United Methodist Social Principles,” marked the second time he has presented in CMU’s academic lecture series, following his 2021 Fleer Lecture address in which he spoke on the climate crisis and the need for ecological community.

Davies is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics and Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility at Oklahoma City University, where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 30 years. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he has served as Chair of the Board of Church and Society from 2015 to 2018 and co-chair from 2023 to the present. He serves as the environmental ethics consultant for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

Davies has led and implemented a number of initiatives in coordination with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, including a Methodist Higher Education Global Ethics Initiative from 2008 to 2012, a United Methodist Higher Education Interfaith Initiative from 2015 to 2020, and a Global Methodist Higher Education Social and Ecological Responsibility Initiative from December 2016 to 2025. He also served as executive director of the Leadership, Education, and Development (LEAD) Hub in the United States from 2018 to 2025. Davies has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 39

Dr. Roger Drake, CMU president, poses with the students who embarked on a mission trip to San Lucas, Guatemala over the 2026 spring break.

Students Live Central’s Mission on International Trips

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tudents from Central Methodist University enjoyed unique opportunities this year to travel abroad and share their faith with different communities.

A group of five students in the RL290 course experienced a trip to Spain for their class on Vocation and the Human Pilgrimage in the Christian Tradition. Led by Rev. Scotty Wall, CMU chaplain, and Brady Banks of the Turnaround Collective, the students explored the intersection of vocation and human flourishing, drawing on the Christian tradition and practice of pilgrimage as a framework for discovery of personal calling and purpose.

The trip to Camino de Santiago de Compostela was funded by a generous donor – board of trustees member Randy Washburn ’70 – who has assisted with the program and plans to continue for the next five years.

Students embarking on the 10day pilgrimage included Kyson Jackson, Lauren Shields, Raylee Young, Mechelle Vermillion, and Violet Benjamin. The trip took place in January after students completed

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the RL290 course in the second half of the fall semester.

Over spring break, 16 students participated in a mission trip to Guatemala alongside Wall and Dr. Roger Drake, CMU president, among others. The trip included work with the Friends of San Lucas Construction Program and Rogers Strickland, a business owner, author, and friend of Central who uses his funds and resources to help build homes and community buildings in San Lucas.

Friends of San Lucas, as an organization, supports more than 20,000 people in San Lucas Tolimán and surrounding communities in seven program areas including healthcare, education, and construction.

In participating in these trips, Central’s students were able to live out the CMU mission of fostering diverse and caring communities, becoming lifelong learners, and engaging in a complex world.

Central is always proud to offer these opportunities to its students and to support their work in making the world a more caring place.

CMU students outside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain

Rev. Scotty Wall and CMU students with Randy Washburn ‘70, far left, who helped fund the pilgrimage to Spain

EAGLE PRIDE: POINTS OF PROGRESS

Catch up on what’s happened this semester with Eagle Pride: The Campaign for Central’s Future:

The campaign for Central’s future

• Baseball and softball initiatives have exceeded goals; a new clubhouse was dedicated at Estes Field • The endowment goal of $3 million has been surpassed, along with $7.5 million raised to support student experiences, scholarships, and long-term financial stability • Strong progress continues to be made in support of People and Programs, the Central Annual Fund, and campus improvement efforts • We remain focused on transformational capital projects – renovation of T. Berry Smith Hall, enhancement of the Alexander Practice Fields, and updates to the football and track facilities – to enrich the student experience and strengthen our athletic programs

To learn more visit centralmethodist.edu/alumni/index

Career Services Do you remember the excitement of your first job after college? Or the little nuanced details you learned while navigating your career?

What if there had been someone to remind you why you chose this career path, someone to guide you to a running start?

The James C. Denneny Career Development Office at Central aims to prepare every student to enter the workforce with the tools they need for their future, and you can help! Your experiences can provide invaluable insight and guidance. Contact us to find out more about mentorship opportunities!

DID YOU KNOW?

Central’s Career Development office is available to all of our alumni.

We can help with resumes, career advice, coverletters, and more.

Contact Us career@centralmethodist.edu 660-248-6986

Spring 2026 | The Talon 41

Lester Family to Fund Full-Tuition Scholarship

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new full-tuition scholarship will soon be available for qualifying pre-med students at Central Methodist University, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Carl ’61 and Catherine Lester. The Dr. Carl O. & Catherine A. Lester Pre-Med Scholarship Fund will be fully-funded in three years and is just a part of the Lesters’ legacy of support that demonstrates Dr. Lester’s commitment to Central and his profession as an orthopedic surgeon.

“I am proud to be a Central Methodist grad from the pre-med program,” said Dr. Lester. “I have no hesitation to recommend CMU to future medical students.”

Lester, who earned a chemistry degree from Central before going on to medical school at the University of Illinois, has also given back to Central as a member and president of the alumni board and through regular donations to the Central Annual Fund. The Lesters previously established a Pre-Med Hall of Sponsors Scholarship in 2021, which will continue to be funded.

“We could think of no greater reason than the shortage of doctors and postgraduate debt to promote our scholarship,” said Dr. Lester.

The Lesters currently reside in Marshalltown, Iowa. They have three daughters and recently celebrated two grandsons’ graduations from medical school.

Over $90,000 Raised on Second Annual Giving Day

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or the second year in a row, the Central Methodist University community came together to surpass the goals set for Giving Day, raising more than $90,000 on March 25.

“CMU Giving Day was, once again, a tremendous success. Thanks to the incredible support of alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and even current students, we received 219 gifts and raised more than $90,000 to benefit CMU,” said Dr. Bill Sheehan ’84, executive vice president.

“This event truly showcased the strength and spirit of the Eagle community.”

Sheehan and his staff in the office of alumni and advancement made the day extra special for donors by sending thank-you video messages to every person who made a gift on Giving Day. Donors contributing $500 or more received personalized messages from Sheehan within 24 hours of their gift. All donors also received video

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messages from students as well, thanking them for their contributions to their education and future.

Overall, Central raised $90,144 from 219 unique gifts, with contributions being made to the Central Annual Fund, scholarships, academics, athletics, or fine arts, depending on the donor’s preference.

More than $51,000 went to the Annual Fund, the area identified as the greatest need.

Gifts were received from 27 different states within the U.S., and alumni from every decade from the 1950s to the 2020s participated in giving.

Organizers are already looking forward to next year’s Giving Day, but anyone still wishing to make a gift may do so at any time at givetocentral.org.

Ziegler Steps in as New Alumni Board President

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tarting a new term as president of the Central Methodist University Alumni Association is 1991 graduate Julie Biesemeyer Ziegler, a former political science major who has worked in politics, advocacy, and community organization in various roles since her time at Central.

After a decade in Washington, D.C. contributing to the offices of Senator John Danforth, Congresswoman Jane Harman, and the United Nations Foundation, Ziegler moved home to southwestern Illinois, where her focus shifted from national politics to local service.

She worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois, participating in judicial campaigns and leading an educational referendum, and became a driving force in parent-teacher organizations across various educational levels. She was recognized for her dedication as the Volunteer of the Year in 2013 by Illinois District 90.

A co-founder of Lifelong Music in O’Fallon Schools, Ziegler champions music education and raises fund for resources for music in schools. She is active in numerous community organizations, leading the O’Fallon Women’s Club and the Empty Bowl Luncheon for the O’Fallon Community Food Pantry.

As she continues her career of service and begins her term as alumni board president, Ziegler shared some thoughts and stories with The Talon and her fellow alumni:

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CMU? HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON CENTRAL, AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES OF BEING A STUDENT?

Ziegler: My parents graduated from Morningside University, a Methodist institution, and my mom wanted me (ok, maybe insisted) to attend a religious college, too. Several friends from my childhood church, St. Andrew UMC in Florissant, Mo., already attended CMU. I was looking for a small learning environment where I wouldn’t be just a name on a piece of paper and could be involved in many different activities. I attended Central Methodist from 1987 to 1991.

During that time, I was active in Delta Pi Omega sorority and the Greek Council; I was a member of the choir; and I was a political science major and fellow for that department under Dr. John Carter, who even after working in DC and on Capitol Hill with many of our country’s big thinkers, I consider to be one of the most intelligent people I have ever encountered. CMU is where I met some of my very best friends AND had a really good time. There are too many memories to be able to tell all -- dinner in the Mabee Dining Hall, parties at the Park and the Tracks, a snowball fight inside the Fayette city pool, dances at the Eyrie, and late-night runs to Midway for B ‘s and G’s. Thank goodness this was all before every second was caught on camera!

WHERE DID LIFE TAKE YOU AFTER YOU GRADUATED FROM CENTRAL?

Ziegler: After Central I spent almost a decade in Washington, D.C. What an exciting time to be in our nation’s capital! I was lucky to work in the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Emerson Electric lobbying office and for Ted Turner’s United Nations Foundation.

After that I moved home, married Dr. Brett Ziegler ‘87, and decided to focus on making my corner of the world a better place as a mom and community volunteer.

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AS AN ALUMNA SINCE GRADUATING, PRIOR TO THIS NEW ROLE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL ALUMNI? Ziegler: My husband, Brett, and I have always loved reconnecting with our CMU friends, whether at the alumni socials, CMU Day at the Zoo or Ballpark, attending CMU choir performances, and especially attending Homecoming. I have been a member of the Alumni Board since 2022 and was elected president this year. I love being on the Alumni Board and would encourage more people to apply and join the fun. We are always looking for new members from all decades.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN THIS NEW ROLE AS THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT?

Ziegler: My goal is to reach out and get more alumni involved in attending events and contributing to CMU. What do I mean by contributing? Of course, monetary donations are always welcome, but there are so many in-kind donations that are needed. Alumni could volunteer to talk to students about their professions, the importance of the work, and allow current students to shadow for a day. Alumni could encourage current high school students to tour and apply to CMU. We all need to know that the number of students available to attend college is declining -- part decline in population, part cost, part push for the trades, etc. This is going to impact our beloved institution, and we need to be proactive as alumni to counter those factors. Talk, talk, talk about CMU to your friends and neighbors!

WHY WAS THIS PRESIDENCY A ROLE YOU WANTED TO PURSUE?

Ziegler: May I mention foreshadowing? While cleaning out my bedroom at my parents’ house this year, I found a copy of a letter I wrote to Dr. Joe Howell asking for a Hall of Sponsors scholarship. In the letter I promised to be involved as an alumnus and give back to the university. What a great feeling to have fulfilled that commitment!

My favorite quote has a biblical origin (Luke 12:48) and is, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I have been blessed in so many ways, and it is my responsibility to serve Central Methodist in return.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 43

Alumni News & Notes

1960s

Bill Schoening ’64 retired after 58 years with the Association for Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA).

1980s

Kevin Cantwell ’80 was appointed by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe to serve on the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Rebecca Jackson Galloway ’82 received the Fayette R-III School District’s 2026 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.

Sue Jackson ’82 recently supported the successful launch of a new Home Plus Memory Care facility in Kansas, partnering with a first-time owner and entrepreneur. She collaborated closely with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and city officials to develop required policies, manuals, and operational documents, while also overseeing renovation progress to ensure compliance with life safety and

building codes. The facility has now been approved for occupancy and is welcoming its first residents. Sue is currently exploring her next career opportunity.

1990s

John Brown ’94 earned the Winter Park Florida Chamber of Commerce Champion of the Year Award. He was also named the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists Outstanding Anchor.

Tina DeClue ’95 was awarded the 2026 David W. White Outstanding Service to Education recognition. She serves as the family school liaison for Bartley Elementary and Fulton Middle School, acting as a support system, advocate, and mentor for students and families in Fulton Public Schools.

Chris Smoot ’97 is the flag football head coach with Cottey College.

Geoffrey Macy ’98 is the Ladue School District superintendent.

2000s

Kyle Schroer ’02 is teaching world history, geography, and contemporary issues at Hermann High School. He is also coaching football and track & field with the Gasconade County R-1 School District.

Chris Polizzi ’07 is the special teams coordinator with the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

2010s

Katie Siegel ’11 was appointed by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe to serve on the Missouri Workforce Development Board.

Starlyn Ritter ’11 received the Visionary Voice Award 2026 from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

The 51st Annual Alumni Band Concert was held Saturday, June 6, with former band members from across the decades returning to campus to share their talents and play with the band. Guest conductors for the event included Bob Hansen ‘67, Skip Vandelicht ‘77, and current director of bands Chuck Moore ‘91.

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Alumni News & Notes Tyler Bredehoeft ’12 is the men’s head basketball coach with Columbia College.

Lindsey J. Wyatt ’13 is the Camdenton R-III School District middle school assistant principal.

Geofrey Bilabaye ’15 was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal on April 12, 2026.

Blake Hackman ‘19 and Alexis Head ‘21 were married March 27, 2026.

Savannah Jeffries ’19 is a family nurse practitioner with Bothwell Regional Health Center’s walk-in clinics.

Eugene “The Talking Sax” Peebles, a 1987 graduate of Central Methodist University, completed an ambitious 50-state cycling fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The Resilience National Bicycle Tour began Saturday, May 2, in Kinloch, Mo., in north St. Louis, the community in which he grew up and, at age 10, survived a catastrophic bicycle accident that left him unconscious for 10 days.

“This tour is about resilience,” Peebles said.

“It’s about honoring those who fight every day, remembering those we’ve lost, and raising support for the American Cancer Society so no one battles alone.”

Supporters were able to follow the tour, donate, and join local segments of the ride as Peebles traveled across all 50 states. Every mile was dedicated to someone’s story of hope.

More information on Peeble’s life and career can be found on his website: www.thetalkingsax.com.

Stephen Main ’19 was named the 2026 Men’s Golf Coach of the Year by the Heart of America Athletic Conference for his coaching with Missouri Valley College.

2020s

Kate Randolph ’20 is a boardcertified family medicine physician assistant with Missouri Baptist Sullivan Bourbon Medical Office.

Jesse Imbierowicz ’20 graduated from the Eastern Missouri Police Academy as the top in his class. He also served as class commander and is now serving with the O’Fallon, Mo. police department.

Rian Marques ’20 was named the 2025-2026 Most Valuable Player in the Major Arena Soccer League for his season playing for the KC Comets.

Hayden Hackman ‘21 and Abbie (Hale) Hackman ‘21 welcomed their first child, Lane Douglas, on December 27, 2025.

Shawn Simmons ’21 is the running backs coach with the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

The Swinney Conservatory of Music celebrated the annual Band Legacy Weekend on March 22, with a luncheon and concert celebrating the CMU Band and the individuals who have made it legendary. At the luncheon, former director of bands Skip Vandelicht ’77 was honored for his contributions. Then, at the 2026 Seward Legacy Concert, Professor Chuck Moore ’91 and the band gave a special performance for the crowd in Linn Memorial Church. Senior Matt Hamilton was also recognized as this year’s recipient of the Seward Award for Band Excellence.

Pat ‘90 and Leslie Reardon ‘91 connected with Lynn ‘89 and Todd Miner ‘89 in a chance meeting this year in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Send us your pictures of chance meetings with fellow CMU alumni across the globe to be featured in a future issue of the Talon.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 45

In Memoriam

1940s

Emily Firestone Guion ’43 of Bowling Green, Ohio died Feb. 24, 2025.

B.L. Paul McGhee ’47 of Dexter, Mo. died Oct. 17, 2025.

Joyce Hartzel White ’48 of Oklahoma City, Okla. died Feb. 22, 2026.

Myra Glee Turner Parkhurst ’49 of Eagleville, Mo. died Oct. 13, 2025.

1950s

Betty J. Van Booven Hemeyer ’50 of Slater, Mo. died Dec. 9, 2025.

Bettie Schooler Martin ’50 of Richmond, Mo. died Mar. 28, 2026.

Dorothie French Seymour ’50 of Fairfax, Mo. died Jan. 8, 2026.

Frank Sikes French ’51 of Chapel Hill, N.C. died Feb. 7, 2025.

Ellis Anderson Jones ’51 of Malden, Mo. died Jan. 23, 2026.

Rosalie Kruger Pappas ’52 of Hobbs, N.M. died Dec. 24, 2025.

Gary Nelson Blaylock Sr. ’53 of Clarkton, Mo. died Feb. 7, 2026.

Ruth Crowe Drissell ’53 of Ballwin, Mo. died Feb. 24, 2026.

Billee Rigg Herndon ’53 of Kansas City, Mo. died Jan. 29, 2026.

Kenneth E. Blakely ’56 of Fayette, Mo. died May 30, 2026.

Nancy Balzer Holt ’56 of Vestavia Hills, Ala. died Apr. 1, 2025.

Willa Lee Yoder Kampman ’56 of Arvada, Colo. died Aug. 11, 2024.

Dorothy Gould Luther ’56 of St. Louis, Mo. died Oct. 29, 2025.

Richard D. Schultz ’56 of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. died Apr. 16, 2026.

Mary Frances Brennecke Clark ’57 of Grand Junction, Colo. died Jun. 27, 2025.

Helen Ruth Foster Harder ’57 of Hannibal, Mo. died Jan. 17, 2026.

Douglas D. Sleade ’57 of Decatur, Ill. died June 25, 2024.

R. Frederick Alexander ’58 of Fayette, Mo. died Mar. 31, 2026.

Ethel F. Schneider Blaise ’59 of Fayette, Mo. died Feb. 23, 2026.

Nancy Owens Bratz ’59 of Round Rock, Texas died Apr. 13, 2026.

1960s

Kenneth A. Brayford ’61 of Searcy, Ark. died May 14, 2025.

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Earl P. Dick ’61 of Ashland, Mo. died May 11, 2024.

Jerome Arthur Kuny ’61 of St. Paul, Minn. died June 16, 2024.

Ward G. Overall ’61 of Chesterfield, Mo. died June 26, 2025.

Stuart Emmert Jr. ’62 of Scottsdale, Ariz. died Aug. 28, 2025.

Walter Edgar Jordan ’62 of Dallas, Texas died Jan. 16, 2026.

Kathryn Ricketts Ziker ’62 of Peoria, Ariz. died Apr. 19, 2026.

Francis Louise Martin ’63 of Columbia, Mo. died Dec. 16, 2025.

John Ryland Wulfekammer ’63 of Joplin, Mo. died Mar. 28, 2026.

Sherry Jean Shook Perkins ’64 of Slater, Mo. died Dec. 25, 2025.

Mary Kirk Reid ’64 of Temple Terrace, Fla. died Jan. 7, 2026.

Glory J. Harrison Angerer ’65 of North Little Rock, Ark. died Jan. 29, 2026.

Lexie Williams Jr. ’65 of Senatobia, Miss. died Dec. 21, 2025.

Marjorie Paulette Shockley ’67 of Jackson, Mo. died Feb. 23, 2026.

Mary Kaye Breeden Rogers ’68 of Dixon, Mo. died Jan. 13, 2026.

Janet Marie Roussin Bennett ’69 of Macon, Mo. died Feb. 16, 2026.

1970s

Sally Wagener Johnson ’70 of Millersville, Mo. died Jan. 30, 2026.

Robert George Schroer Jr. ’70 of Montgomery City, Mo. died Apr. 5, 2026.

Venetta S. Rowlison Stephens ’73 of Chesapeake, Va. died Mar. 16, 2026.

Phillip J. Brucks ’74 of Nixa, Mo. died Apr. 30, 2026.

John P. Bartley ’75 of Charleston, Mo. died Mar. 22, 2026.

John R. Smart III ’76 of Somerset, Ky. died Feb. 11, 2026.

Sharon Perkinson McNeill ’77 of Foristell, Mo. died Mar. 4, 2026.

1980s

Fr. Alan Dominic Lenk ’82 of St. Louis, Mo. died May 3, 2026.

Clayton C. Loos ’82 of Tulsa, Okla. died Apr. 22, 2025.

Kathryn A. Winegard ’83 of Marshfield, Mo. died Dec. 21, 2025.

Bruce J. Jaco ’88 of Columbia, Mo. died Mar. 31, 2026.

R. Andrew Morrow ’88 of Rogersville, Mo. died Feb. 17, 2026.

1990s

Tanis Swanegan Clay ’93 of Fayette, Mo. died Feb. 28, 2026.

Michael Edward Patterson ’95 of Livonia, Mich. died Jan. 28, 2026.

2000s

Martha Ann SanSoucie ’03 of Farmington, Mo. died Nov. 18, 2025.

Justin Blake Holder ’06 of Lee’s Summit, Mo. died Sep. 15, 2025.

Paul Michael Fred Blanchard ’09 of Inverness, Fla. died Jan. 21, 2026.

2010s

Kamren Shaun Seiling ’13 of Centralia, Mo. died Jan. 21, 2026.

2020s

Marissa Elizabeth Etwaroo ’21 of Maryland Heights, Mo. died Jan. 22, 2026.

Devin Ray Silvey ’23 of St. Joseph, Mo. died Apr. 8, 2026.

CMU Friends, Former Faculty, and Staff

Charla Bankhead of Moberly, Mo. died Dec. 28, 2025.

Earl D. Burns of Farmington, Mo. died May 2, 2026.

Carol Platt Butler of Hermitage, Tenn. died Feb. 18, 2026.

Marsha Davis of Fayette, Mo. died Nov. 26, 2025.

Byron C. English of Farmington, Mo. died Jan. 2, 2026.

Jolene Leach of Chamois, Mo. died Jan. 24, 2026.

Tim Monnig of Glasgow, Mo. died Apr. 27, 2026.

Richard Donald Morrison of Pensacola, Fla. died Mar. 12, 2026.

Elva E. Needles of Kansas City, Mo. died Apr. 13, 2025.

Peggy Roda of Springfield, Mo. died Feb. 26, 2026.

Shirley Shields of Trenton, Mo. died Apr. 29, 2026.

Connie Ury of Maryville, Mo. died Dec. 21, 2025.

In Memoriam

Kathryn Winegard

K

athryn A. “Kay” Winegard, 88, passed away this past winter, preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Richard “Dick” Winegard. She was born on the summer solstice, June 21, 1937, and died on the winter solstice of last year, Dec. 21, 2025.

She is survived by two children, Renée Marie Winegard ’83 of Springfield and Richard Blair Winegard ’93 and his wife, Lauren, of Marshfield; eight grandchildren, Grant (Laura), Rachel (Austin), Derrick, Nikki (Dalton), Alex (Kaitlyn), Ragan, Abby, and Ben; and six great-grandchildren, Wrenly, Elise, Rorie, Axle, Charlie, and Sylvan.

Winegard was born to Martin Leo and Mary Henrietta (Dedman) McCord in Burlington, the oldest of three children. Her parents; stepmother, Clara Mae McCord; sister, Elizabeth “Bette” Schemmel; and brother, Richard “Dick” McCord, all preceded her in death.

She graduated from Burlington Catholic High School and received an Associate of Arts degree from Central Methodist College, where she worked in the registrar’s office from 1972 until 2018, becoming registrar in 1984. She was awarded Registrar Emerita in May 2018, prior to her retirement that June.

In the 1960s, she met and married Dick in

Burlington, and they moved to Fayetteville, Ark., where he attended the University of Arkansas, earning graduate degrees of MA and PhD. She attended a few classes herself and worked in the registrar’s office while being mother to Renée and Blair. They moved to Fayette when Dick graduated and accepted his lifetime position as a professor in the English Department at CMC. In 2018, Kay and Dick moved to Marshfield to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Winegard loved her job and the people she worked with and did not want to retire.

She also loved to read historical romance novels and was active in several local groups through the years, including PEO. She was an expert seamstress, making many of her beautiful clothes, and was adept at many types of needlework, including counted cross stitch, crochet, and needlepoint. Her favorite color was red, which she incorporated into much of her style, including her favorite lipstick called Love That Red. Her lifetime goal, set in high school, was to visit all 48 states in the U.S. mainland, which she was proud to accomplish. Her love of travel also allowed her to visit England, Scotland,

Wales, and Greece with Central’s Janaway Program, and later France and Canada.

Her family will forever miss her beauty, style, and flair, but most of all, her love of family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard C. and Kathryn A. Winegard Scholarship through Central Methodist University.

The Central Annual Fund is our primary financial resource for fostering the academic, social, and spiritual growth of CMU students.

With your support, we can provide scholarships, classroom essentials, and everyday needs that enhance the overall Central experience for our students.

Make your gift today at GiveToCentral.org.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 47

In Memoriam

Fred Alexander

R

obert Frederick (Freddie) Alexander ’58 passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on March 31, 2026. He was 90 years old.

Alexander was born November 13, 1935 in Boonville, Mo. to Harold Bradley and Ruth Katharine (Kueckelhan) Alexander. On August 16, 1958 he was united in marriage with Barbara Miller ’56 of Fayette.

Alexander contracted encephalitis at the age of 5 and was unable to speak or walk for some time and was delayed in starting school.

He graduated from Fayette High School in the class of 1954. In high school, he played basketball and was active in the Future Farmers of America, where he earned the State Farmer Degree in ‘54. After graduation he attended Central, the University of Missouri, and finally returned to Central. Rather than finish the final semester to graduate from Central, Alexander instead started his own ready-mix concrete business in Fayette, cleverly named Freddi-Mix. His business expanded to eventually include plants in Glasgow and Boonville as well as Fayette. Among his most notable projects include the concrete elevator for Henry Summers in Fayette (now Fayette MFA), which required 24-hour concrete delivery for a week. It was during this

48 The Talon | Spring 2026

week that he left the project just long enough to clean up and get married, but returned to work before dawn the next day.

In the mid-1970s, Alexander began strip mining coal near Higbee, and this adventure defined his life and fueled stories for the rest of his life. In 1991, he was invited by the US government to join a 20-member delegation to the Soviet Union to tour coal facilities to share information and technology. This delegation was a small part of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Perestroika reform, an effort to bring Soviet industries into modern times. Just weeks after his visit, an attempted coup led to the collapse and dissolution of the communist Soviet government, as hard liners opposing the reforms attempted to take over and end the reforms but were rebuked by the people.

The coal mine also gave Alexander access to dynamite, which was occasionally involved in some of his legendary capers, one of which involved a stump at the Fayette Golf Club.

When coal mining in Howard County ended, Alexander applied his expertise to rock quarries. He was brought in by Boone Quarries to revive an ambitious but struggling project to quarry rock underground and preserve the caverns for use as underground storage. The caverns were particularly suited to cold storage, as the constant temperature and humidity underground made it efficient to keep cool. He was successful in reorganizing the project and the underground storage facility created is still in operation today. In one instance, a portion of the rock ceiling of the cavern collapsed and hundreds or thousands of tons of rock fell to the ground just moments after Alexander had been inside inspecting the conditions prior to resuming operations.

In his later years, Alexander operated an excavation business and had a passion for building lakes and ponds. He applied this by building Meadow Lakes Estates, a residential subdivision which incorporated several lakes he designed and built on the property.

Alexander also operated the family farm, raising cattle and growing crops during every phase of his life. He took great pride in serving Central Methodist as a member of the board of curators and later the board of trustees. He helped a struggling campus see its way through tight economic times in the early 1980s. Some say Central would have closed at the time if it weren’t for his leadership and understanding of the facilities by restarting a coal boiler and providing the college with coal on credit at a time when the college could not pay. He was the first to speak up in opposition to a plan by the college administration to demolish Classic Hall. Those in attendance will attest that if Alexander had not spoken up, the plan would have been formalized. Instead, once he spoke his opposition, other members of the board were able to voice their opposition, and Classic Hall was saved. Once he decided his time on the board of trustees was to conclude, he was given Trustee Emeritus status.

He was also given the President’s Medal by Dr. Roger Drake, CMU president, in 2021. The medal ceremony was one of his final public appearances, and he was able to be present for and hear people celebrate him and tell some of his immense life story. In a way, it was like he was able to attend his own “celebration of life,” something that most people don’t get to do.

Fred and Barbara also gave the University a plot of land situated

In Memoriam next to campus, where the current Alexander Practice Field lies, and will be home to major planned facility upgrades, including a new soccer stadium.

Alexander loved the outdoors and spent many days quail hunting with his beloved bird dogs Dixie and Peanuts and his great friend and hunting partner Joe Davis. He was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed building ponds, stocking the fish and then catching the fish.

He was locally renowned for cooking fish, and some of his best times were entertaining friends and family while frying fish.

Alexander served on the county school board, was a member emeritus of the Fayette Round Table Club, and served as a member of Linn Memorial United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold ’32 and Katharine, his beloved daughter Laura Beth Alexander, a great-granddaughter Kayleigh Hilderbrand, and his brother Brad. He is survived by

his wife, Barbara, of the home; daughters Leslie (Frank) Foiles of Overland Park, Kan., Lynne Alexander, Leigh (Tom) Hilderbrand ’94; and son Rick (Shelby ’97) Alexander, all of Fayette. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he is survived by Alex (Kaylynn) Hilderbrand, Vince (Baylee) Hilderbrand, Max (Pacha) Hilderbrand, Hank (Samantha) Hilderbrand, Virginia Claire Alexander, Charles Alexander, all of Fayette and Luke (Rachel) Foiles and Jenna Foiles of Overland Park, and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Neil Pulliam; sister-in-law, Linda Alexander; and nephews, James Alexander and Tucker Pulliam.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Fayette Senior Center, Central Methodist University Eagle Pride Campaign, Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, or to another charitable organization of your choice.

The Alexander family celebrated with Fred at his CMU President’s Medal ceremony in 2021.

Spring 2026 | The Talon 49

Alumni Social

Alumni Social – Kansas City, MO

Central Methodist alumni gathered at Boulevard Brewing Company on Wednesday, April 29 for their annual alumni social.

Shawna ’87 and Keith Frazier ’86

Patrick Brackson ’97 and LaTrice Lester

Lee Brumitt ’81 and Nancy Yuelkenbeck ’78

50 The Talon | Spring 2026

Andrew Johannes, Natalie Van Horn ’20, Lauren ’19 and Tim Beasley ’19

Clayton ’70 and Lori Smith

Nick ’65 and Kristi Auer ’67

Tracy Jones ’94, Shawna Frazier ’87, Susan Sherry ’89, and Susan Stegeman ’84

Marie ’73 and Kyle Hern ’73

Alumni Social

Alumni Social – Columbia, MO

Central Methodist alumni gathered at Logboat Brewing Company on Wednesday, May 6 for their annual alumni social.

Back row: Alex Clawson ’11, Zach Niemeier ’09, Matt Buckman, Chris Buckman ’01, and Travis McCann ’08 Front row: Breanne Clawson ’12, Alexandria Buckman ’12, Julie Parrish ’05, Tanna Niemeier, and Taylor McCann ’12

Paden ’16 and Martha Kleinhesselink ’18

Natalie ’91 and Chuck Moore ’91

Travis ’08 and Taylor McCann ’12

Kent ’75 and Laura Moreland and Sherry Smith ’77

Kenny Anderson, Tim Jackman ’81, and Dustyn Yung ’13

Jasmine Stewart ’24 and Abi Rosa ’22

Jean Magyar ’86, Lisa Berry ’86, Mary Melkersman Vollmer ’87, Jill Tatum ’86, and Gay Litteken ’88

Spring 2026 | The Talon 51

Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID Jefferson City, MO Permit No. 210

411 Central Methodist Square Fayette, MO 65248-1198 Change Service Requested