Photographer Darren Whitley whitley@nwmissouri.edu
Design Assistant Teresa Carter ’91
Assistant Photographer Scott Gibson
Editorial Assistants
Domnick Hadley
Jessica Hartley
Megan Heuer
Kristine Hotop
Alec Jennings
Laurie Drummond Long ’92
Mary Ann Lowary
Teresa Macias ’97, ’05
Stu Osterthun ’83
Lonelle Rathje ’97, ’03
Mark Stewart ’03
Anna Summa ’01
Steve Sutton ’71
Brenda Untiedt ’00
Chad Waller
Extreme campus makeover
Campus icons such as Roberta Hall, the Administration Building and Colden Pond (as shown in this 1942 photo) will forever have a place in Northwest’s history. During the past decade, new landmarks such as The Station, the Centennial Garden and Forest Village Apartments have appeared. With so many changes, there’s no doubt that when many alumni return to campus they barely recognize their former home away from home.
Profession of faith
Michael Vinson ’99, a member of Delta Chi fraternity when he was a student at Northwest, would often slip away to nearby Conception Abbey to pray. After a stint in the corporate world, Vinson is now an ordained priest – Father Anthony.
Oh, so close
The Bearcats did all they could to stop the Grand Valley State University Lakers from taking home the NCAA Division II National Championship trophy, but they came up just a few yards short, losing 21-17 in a thriller of a game which wasn’t decided until a lastsecond play.
in the USA.
The Northwest Alumni Magazine is published three times a year by the Office of University Advancement, Northwest Missouri State University and the Northwest Foundation Inc., 800 University Dr., Maryville, MO 64468-6001. Production is provided by the Office of University Relations.
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LETTERS in response to articles in the Northwest Alumni Magazine are welcomed. Please limit your letter to 200 words, and include your name, year of graduation, address and daytime phone number. Address correspondence to Mitzi Lutz, Editor, Northwest Alumni Magazine, Alumni House, Maryville, MO 64468-6001; fax, (660) 562-1990; e-mail, mitzi@nwmissouri.edu. Letters may be edited for style, clarity, civility and length.
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WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Send a letter to the editor today. Address correspondence to Mitzi Lutz, Editor, Northwest Alumni Magazine, Alumni House, Maryville, MO 64468 or by e-mail to mitzi@nwmissouri.edu.
Letters to the editor
Dear Northwest Alumni,
I traveled to Florence, Ala., for the Division II national football championship game as a Grand Valley State University Laker fan. I returned a Bearcat fan. I went expecting to see a great football game. I saw that. What was unexpected was the respect I would gain for our opponents (the Bearcats) and their fans.
I witnessed several interactions between Laker and Bearcat fans. While the often drunken Laker fans yelled obscenities, cussed and made obscene gestures at any Bearcat fans who ventured near their territory, the Bearcat fans remained poised and polite. What class! It’s not easy to ignore the rude nature of a crowd. But you did it with class and dignity, proving that the better team did not necessarily win. A football game is just a game. How you behave in life is much bigger. So take a bow. This is one Laker who took notice. I was impressed. Please accept my apologies for the actions of others.
the last century have become teachers, considering that the school’s original intent was to train future educators. Teachers may not be rich, but they are rewarded with the satisfaction of doing a good thing. I was a teacher for more than 20 years, so I speak from experience. Unfortunately, teachers often go unnoticed considering they have made such a significant difference in the world. Keep up the good work with the magazine. I enjoy receiving it.
Dear Editor,
How can we improve?
Please let us know what you think of the Northwest Alumni Magazine by taking the online survey at www. nwmissouri.edu/alumni/ alumniMagSurvey. htm With your assistance the magazine will continue to improve with every issue. Thanks!
There were no losers on the field either. Your Bearcats came to play with an impressive game plan and a well-prepared football team. Wow! It turned out to be a great game that could have gone either way in the end, and nobody can argue that either team did not earn it. Best of luck in the future. I hope Laker fans can learn to be more like the Bearcats in the future and less like a bunch of drunken sailors.
Greg Brown
Dear Editor,
Thank you for such a nice piece on teachers in the last Northwest Alumni Magazine. I’d bet the majority of Northwest graduates over
Donald P. Osborn ’76
Sorry that the national championship game ended the way it did. However, the Bearcats did not come out as “losers.” They did a fine job against a great team and surprised the sports writers who had made them the underdog. They represented the school very well. We are proud of their performance. Winners and losers, in the game of life, are not measured by a numerical number. To us, the Bearcats are “WINNERS” regardless of the score of one game on one day! Congratulations to the coaches and players for a job well done. Go Bearcats!
Frank ’49 and Donna Ward ’58 Thompson
Thousands of Northwest fans traveled to Florence, Ala., to support their Bearcats in the national championship game. The crowd’s enthusiasm – demonstrated in a positive way – even caught the attention of a Laker supporter who said he returned home a Bearcat fan.
I remember when ...
Traveling and competing with the speech and debate team was always an experience. I’ll never forget Dr. Robert Bohlken wanting a late-night rhetorical analysis of Nixon’s “Checkers” speech, playing Dr. George Hinshaw’s word games while traveling for endless hours in university vans or stopping on the way home from tournaments at Dr. Jim Leu’s mother’s house in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, for chicken-fried steak and all the fixings. Most of all, I’ll never forget the other Bearcats who started out as teammates and ended up good friends.
David L. Boman ’77
Iremember the night the Administration Building burned. I was working as a waitress at Pagliai’s, and the delivery boy (also a Northwest student) came in and told us the Administration Building was on fire. We didn’t believe him, but after work we went to campus and stood in the parking lot watching the firefighters and people passing boxes of records out, trying to save whatever they could. I was graduating the next month, and I kept thinking they may not let me graduate if all the records burn! I’ll never forget the feeling of helplessness as we watched it burn.
Doni Mollus Fry ’79, ’92, ’94
Iremember when the Palms was “born.” Rick Tate and Mark Cuddy bought the bar in 1979. I don’t remember what its name was, but they were the pioneers that helped make it what it
Do you remember these events?
1956
William Rickenbrode, also known as “Mr. Bearcat,” receives the M-Club’s highest honor at the basketball game versus Kirksville. He is presented with a blanket sporting the letter M from the letterman’s club, with four bars and a star.
Towers in the Northwest
1966
Northwest begins to offer a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science major in psychology. Previously, only a minor existed. The Northwest Missourian
KDLX gets a new transmitter which improves transmissions and allows the new buildings on campus to receive the broadcasts. The Northwest Missourian
is today. It’s a great gathering spot for students and alumni, and I’m sure it holds some special memories for many Northwest students.
Kurt Suchomel ’81
Iremember when the Wind Ensemble went on its annual tour performing at high schools throughout the region. In an attempt to embarrass Director of Bands Al Sergel, some of the members slipped an inappropriate picture between the pages of one of his scores. He caught on that something was up and out-smarted us all by conducting the entire piece without even opening the music.
IJim F. Johnson ’92
remember when resident assistants had to report early to the halls and the women RAs of Millikan Hall decided to go over to the football practice field by Phillips Hall and run through the sprinklers. We had a blast until the “little green men” came and told us that we had to leave because we were flattening the grass. We all thought it was hilarious that women would flatten the grass, but the big, burly football players who were in full pads wouldn’t!
Arthena
Prather Dye ’98
1976
A policy is abolished which requires men visiting Franken and Hudson halls to be escorted by a female at all times. The Northwest Missourian
The business department acquires a $5,300 IBM Memory Typewriter to train future businesspeople in typing skills. The Northwest Missourian
1986
Students are allowed to have visitors of either sex stay in dorms with them from Friday night to Sunday night. The Northwest Missourian
The Regional Electronic Catalogue Access Library (RECAL) replaces the card catalog in the B.D. Owens Library. The Northwest Missourian
1996
Colden Hall is temporarily closed for renovations, and faculty offices are relocated to Perrin and Douglas halls. Transitions: A Hundred Years of Northwest
The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house on West Cooper Street is destroyed by fire. The Northwest Missourian
The Bearcat Den on the first floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union, also known as “grease,” was a popular spot for students from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Brown appointed to Northwest’s governing
board
Rachelle Rojas Brown ’93 was recently appointed to serve a five-year term on the Board of Regents, Northwest’s governing panel.
Brown, who lives in Platte City, spent nine years as a higher education professional at Avila University in Kansas City and William Jewell College in Liberty. She is currently involved in volunteer activities at the Touched by Cancer Foundation and the First Christian Church of Platte City.
Brown is married to second-term state Rep. Jason Brown, a 1993 Northwest graduate. n
Academy team wins top Model U.N. honors
A team of students from the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing at Northwest took the first-place trophy at the Mid-American Model United Nations competition.
The Model United Nations competition simulates the functions of the real U.N. with teams of students assuming the role of national delegations. The Missouri Academy team represented France.
Team members now turn their attention to a larger Model U.N. for a competition that will include students from across the United States and several other countries. n
Activities fee translates to top entertainment
Northwest students saw a $35 activities fee on their bills for the first time during the fall 2005 trimester.
Jeremiah Lawson, assistant director of campus activities, said the fee is being used to bring at least one large entertainer to campus for the spring and fall trimesters.
“The new student activities fee pays for a lot of the new campus events such as concerts, movies, lecture series, multicultural events and Northwest Week events,” Lawson said.
During the fall trimester, the activities fee helped to provide acts such as comedian Margaret Cho and country singer Chris Cagle. In the spring, comedian Wanda Sykes graced the Northwest stage.
The activities fee also funds a new entertainment series, “Wednesdays Live,” in the J.W. Jones Student Union which features smaller acts such as acoustic soloists, local bands and comedians. n
Commissioned anthem premiers at centennial concert
Aspecially
commissioned anthem, “Traditions and Transitions,” composed in honor of Northwest’s 100th year, received its premier performance on the Northwest campus in January.
Dr. Paul Brink from the University of Louisville School of Music composed the anthem. The work was performed by Northwest’s Wind Symphony and Tower Choir.
Carl Kling, assistant professor of music and director of bands at Northwest, said “Traditions and Transitions” pays tribute to the many contributions and achievements of students, faculty and staff over the past 100 years.
“I think this music illustrates that the whole centennial celebration reflects the idea that one generation builds on the accomplishments of the last,” Kling said. “To me, that ties into the whole concept of the Northwest family.” n
Dr. Paul Brink is the composer of “Traditions and Transitions,” a specially commissioned anthem created in honor of Northwest’s centennial year.
The new student activities fee generated enough funds to bring several big-name entertainers to campus, including country singer Chris Cagle, who performed in a packed Bearcat Arena.
Northwest students “embedded” during military exercise
Three Northwest mass communication students recently played the role of embedded journalists during military exercises at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.
The students spent nearly three days at the CGSC and were accompanied by Doug Sudhoff, assistant professor of mass communication.
Sudhoff said the students were there to participate in an “end of session exercise” for mid-career officers finishing their studies at one of the Army’s premier training grounds for future generals and senior military commanders.
The exercise was designed to simulate a peacekeeping mission. The Northwest students were embedded with a small team of officers and were responsible for filing daily stories.
“Each team was given a scenario and told to plan a U.S. military response,” Sudhoff said. “Our students were embedded with these groups and played the same roll embedded correspondents are playing today in Iraq. They were introduced to the officers in their group, and then they were on their own to establish relationships and gather information for stories.”
The students also gained experience in synthesizing unfamiliar information – another key journalistic skill. In many cases, Sudhoff said, they were required to comprehend technical, acronym-filled military jargon before shaping it into sentences that the average newspaper reader would understand. n
As Army officers participated in a peacekeeping exercise at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., three Northwest mass communication students, including photographer Michael Dye, who took this image, gained experience as embedded reporters.
TDC celebrates 20-year anniversary with April 21-22 reunion
The Talent Development Center will celebrate its 20th anniversary in conjunction with Northwest’s centennial year with a reunion on April 21-22.
“You won’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate 100 years of Northwest and 20 years of the TDC,” said Leslie Galbreath, TDC director. “There will be the opportunity to reconnect with friends and former colleagues, to meet other generations of TDC staff and to see the sweeping changes to the Northwest campus through the eyes and hearts of current TDC employees.”
The celebration will include a social on Friday, April 21, followed by events on Saturday, April 22, such as campus tours, social opportunities
and a banquet where Dr. Patt VanDyke, TDC director emeritus, will deliver the keynote address. Now located in the Administration Building, the Talent Development Center is where students have turned for the last 20 years to enrich their academic experience and performance. Nearly 450 TDC student employees have served their student colleagues as tutors, supplemental instructor leaders, office assistants, mentors, graduate assistants and graduate tutors.
For more information about the TDC’s 20th anniversary celebration, call (660) 562-1726 or visit the reunion Web site at www.nwmissouri. edu/dept/tdc/. n
Grant assists with mental health issues
Northwest is one of 22 colleges and universities nationwide selected to receive suicide prevention grants from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Northwest will receive about $75,000 in the first year of the three-year program. Assistant Health Director Virginia Murr said the money will be used to develop a comprehensive prevention program that includes training on mental health issues for students, faculty and staff; creation of a University mental health hotline and Web site; and development of a mental health crisis response plan.
Murr said the grant also will allow her to work more closely with parents and families so that they are better informed about the mental health pitfalls students face.
“We want them to have information about the college experience before their student gets here,” she said. “They need to know what the year looks like, and where there will possibly be bumps in the road.” n
Advancement office welcomes two Bearcats
Two Northwest alumni have recently joined Northwest’s Office of University Advancement. Anna Bradshaw Summa ’01 is the office’s database specialist. Prior to coming to Northwest, she was a project coordinator for General Electric in Kansas City. Polly Parsons Howard ’00 is a new devel-
opment officer. She is responsible for a caseload of prospects and donors in seeking gifts to the Northwest Foundation. For the last five years, Parsons Howard has been a news anchor and reporter at KQTV Channel 2 in St. Joseph. Summa can be contacted at summa@nwmissouri.edu and Parsons Howard at pollyh@nwmissouri.edu. Both offices are in the Alumni House. n
Ground-breaking grant turns dreams into reality
Northwest sophomore Ashley
Bally always knew that college was definitely part of her future.
As a child, Bally bounced between seven schools throughout Iowa and Missouri. Finally settling down at St. Joseph’s Benton High School, she found her niche and quickly became involved in the school’s newspaper as a reporter and business manager.
Receiving encouragement from both her parents and a journalism instructor, Bally began taking steps to ensure that her hopes of reaching college would become a reality.
“I had been planning on college forever,” she said. “Growing up, my parents had always encouraged me to further my education past high school, especially in the sense that they didn’t, so I took 11 hours of college credit in my high school.”
In high school, Bally maintained a 3.0 grade point average and simultaneously worked two jobs. In the midst of her school work, she applied to several area universities – with Northwest being her top choice – and received acceptance letters from each institution.
She said that applying to college wasn’t difficult, but finding ways to pay tuition presented a problem. Coming from a low-income family, Bally knew she’d have to rely on outside sources. Bally’s GPA secured her nearly $10,000 in private scholarships. However, she was still short a great deal of money – a problem that was quickly alleviated by Northwest’s American Dream Grant.
Bally was visiting her father in Maine when
she discovered Northwest had awarded her $5,000 courtesy of the American Dream Grant program.
“I had worked all of my senior year trying to earn enough money and to receive scholarships to pay for my education. My parents don’t help with my tuition or fees, and I never ask them for money,” she said. “When I found out I had received the American Dream Grant, that sealed it. I was definitely coming to Northwest and would not have to take a single student loan.”
Bally said the American Dream Grant played a pivotal role in achieving her collegiate aspirations.
“Without the American Dream Grant I would not be here,” she said. “I most likely would have stayed home and attended Missouri Western, or I would be up to my ears in debt. I have always wanted to come to Northwest, and the grant made it possible for me to get here and pursue my dream to become a journalist.” n
The American Dream Grant is Northwest’s groundbreaking needs-based financial aid initiative that really is making dreams come true for undergraduates who might otherwise find a college education beyond their financial reach. Students qualifying for the American Dream Grant come from families with incomes of $30,000 or less and must meet Northwest’s moderately selective admissions criteria. Unlike other needs-based programs, the grant pays virtually all college expenses, including tuition, room, board, books and the use of a computer during the first two years of study at the University. The students can make up any remaining costs through working a few hours each week on campus.
Summa
Parsons Howard
As the features editor for the Northwest Missourian, Ashley Bally spends many hours in the publication’s newsroom. Bally, a recipient of the American Dream Grant, is pursuing her dream to become a journalist.
Campaign on track to double its original goal
Since its early beginnings, Northwest has prided itself on being a leader and innovator. The recent Campaign for Northwest is no different.
The first capital campaign in Northwest history was publicly launched in 2002 with the goal of $21 million for the 21st century. This goal was passed early on during the campaign thanks to transforming gifts of $10 million for student scholarships and $5 million for the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth College of Business and Professional Studies.
Today, Northwest is proud to announce that the Campaign for Northwest is on track to exceed more than $42 million to support student success and scholarships, equip the excellent faculty,
supply cutting-edge technology and provide stateof-the-art facilities to the campus.
“The original $21 million goal will not only be doubled, but it will happen a year and a half ahead of schedule,” said Orrie Covert, vice president for university advancement.
“For this, everyone associated with Northwest should be proud of what has been accomplished.”
The overwhelming generosity to the Campaign for Northwest is a true testament of the University and the impact it has had on those who have been touched by its majesty. Its leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends have all played a major role in ensuring Northwest’s future for the next 100 years and beyond. n
Seeking international ambassadors
The Society of International Ambassadors is an opportunity available to 20 Northwest supporters who make a yearly $300, $500 or $1,000 commitment for a five-year period.
These funds are directed to an annual series of programs that expose students and members of the community to cultural diversity and enhance their global perspective as well as help increase college access to underrepresented populations.
To join or learn more about the Society of International Ambassadors, please contact Northwest’s Office of University Advancement at (660) 562-1248. n
Current SIA Members
Frank & Kathleen Baudino
Tom Carneal
Cleopas Samudzi & Fungai Chanesta
Orrie & Sara Covert
Jim Fletcher & Carol
Cowles
Sandra Cox
Richard & Suzanne Frucht
Richard & Karen Fulton
Ron Houston
Dean & Aleta Hubbard
Gary & Merry McDonald
Kent & Nicole Porterfield
Jeff Foot & Jeaneth Puriel
Max & Lynn Ruhl
Kichoon Yang
Dr. Bayo Oludaja, associate professor of communications/theatre/languages, joined others with international interests at a reception to welcome Northwest’s international students to campus and to learn about a newly-formed society.
campus
EXTREME MAKEOVER
Northwest’s own version of a reality show has been nearly 10 years in the making. Fortunately, there’s no end in sight.
Whether you love ’em or despise ’em, the everincreasing presence of reality shows on television can’t be avoided. Watch enough of the tube and you can see babies being born, former celebrities attempting to lose weight, “survivors” backstabbing each other to win a million dollars and, of course, nose jobs, tummy tucks and everything in between. Fortunately, none of these scenarios are taking place at Northwest. Instead, what is happening parallels the feel-good reality show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” An extreme campus makeover that many alumni and friends would tune in to had the camera crews visited Maryville during the past decade. With so many physical changes at Northwest, there’s no doubt that when alumni return to campus they barely recognize their former home away from home.
Since the mid-1990s, a transformation has occurred on your “old” campus.
Based on feedback from alumni, faculty and students – people like what they see.
Written by Mitzi Lutz
Design by Melinda Kelsey
Photography by Darren Whitley
“Survey results consistently indicate that students are really impressed with our facilities,” said Bev Schenkel, dean of enrollment management.
“I truly believe that the dedication Northwest has shown to improving its facilities greatly assists us in the recruitment process. When prospective students and their families visit campus, Northwest is sending an important message that we are a forward-looking institution that takes pride in everything we do.”
Unlike many long-range planning documents that are tucked away in a filing cabinet, the pages of Northwest’s 20-year construction plan are showing signs of wear and tear from continual reference and updating.
“Northwest has made more than $200 million in capital improvements in the last 15 years,” said Ray Courter, vice president for finance. “Our peers are envious when they hear how much we’ve spent, which is unheard of for a campus our size.”
So where’s all of this money for construction coming from? At one time, the state of Missouri picked up a large part of the tab, but since the late 1990s, state funding for higher education for capital improvements has nearly ceased. New sources of funding – the sale of revenue bonds, private donations and the University’s maintenance and repair funds – are continually being tapped.
As a result, Northwest is confident its vision for the future needs of students, faculty and alumni has staying power. Furthermore, its understanding of continual facility “makeovers” could very well start a trend amongst its higher education peers – a trend that will surely outlast the appeal of reality TV.
College Park Pavilion
College Park Pavilion, located on the west side of campus across from Bearcat Stadium and the Performing Arts Center, is a performance space with a 50-foot-wide stage and is equipped with theatrical lighting and sound equipment. The pavilion has a dressing area, indoor storage space and two covered shelter areas on either side of the stage. College Park is frequently used for reunions, picnics, student gatherings and festivities held in conjunction with games at Bearcat Stadium. The new pavilion will improve the quality of current park activities while making the area a practical venue for a much broader range of events. The structure was completed in October 2005 for $800,000.
Joyce and Harvey White International Plaza
The desire by Harvey White, a Horace Mann graduate, and his wife, Joyce Smith White ’51, to show Northwest’s connection to the world resulted in the creation of the Joyce and Harvey White International Plaza. The grand display of 54 flags along two parallel sidewalks just west of Colden Pond is an impressive and majestic site – day and night. The flags, which follow United Nations protocol, are representative of countries of current students and alumni. At the entrance of the International Plaza is a wall of donors and five clocks displaying time zones throughout the world. The project was completed in 1998 entirely through $400,000 in donations.
Under Construction: Hudson and Perrin Halls
Northwest is currently in the second phase of its Residential Life Master Plan. This phase includes the removal of Perrin and Hudson halls and the addition of freshman suites in their space. The contemporary-designed buildings will include 498 beds for freshmen. The rooms will be in a “pod” concept featuring five-room neighborhoods. The new residence halls have a $31.7 million price tag and will be complete in the summer of 2007. n
Clockwise: College Park Pavilion, re-construction of Hudson and Perrin halls into freshman suites, the International Plaza’s flag-raising ceremony
Northwest architectural icon to be commemorated
The Fifth District Normal School was founded in 1905, but it took another five years before the first academic building was ready for students and faculty. “Academic Hall,” now known as the Administration Building, has withstood tornado, fire, renovation and state funding shortages.
As part of the University’s centennial, a group of emeriti faculty and administrators and alumni will host a special commemoration of the building this spring. All are invited to attend festivities beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 4.
Longtime Northwest administrator Dr. Bob Bush heads up the committee of volunteers who are donating their time for the event.
“For many of the committee members, this will be a memorial to the fire of July 1979
– most of us were here at the time, and we want to pull together not just memories, but also mementos of that historic night,” Bush said. “It was a night that changed Northwest’s history.”
The entire building was damaged in the blaze that brought fire departments from across northwest Missouri. The theatre was so severely damaged it was later razed, but the remainder of the building was saved for renovation. The campus radio station was located in the building at that time and while it had significant losses, was operational the next day in an alternate location.
Bush said displays and an address by Dr. B.D. Owens, Northwest’s president at the time, will be featured at the event. Owens is credited with procuring renovation funds from the state for the building as well as enough money to build a new library and the Performing Arts Center. Additionally, the funding covered costs of remodeling the library into a classroom building, Wells Hall. n
Commencement ceremony salutes first graduating class
Northwest will continue its centennial celebration in August with an official centennial commencement ceremony. The ceremony, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, will mark the 100th anniversary of the institution’s first graduation. Northwest President Dr. Dean L. Hubbard will present the commencement address. Special music and other features of the first commencement will be a part of the ceremony. Descendants of the first graduating class are invited and will be asked to stand for recognition. All Northwest emeriti faculty, past administrators and past presidents and their families also are offered a
special invitation.
A commemorative program will be printed and a reception will be at the International Flag Plaza.
The Fifth District Normal School classes began in June 1906, and members of the first class were ready to receive their teaching certificates a few months later on Aug. 6. More than 40 students took part in the first ceremony. The reason for the large number of graduates was because students who completed their work at another state Normal school were asked to go through graduation at the new school in Maryville. n
The devastating fire on July 24, 1979, destroyed 60 percent of the Administration Building – the University’s signature building.
The first step after the fire was contained was to salvage as much as possible from the building. Volunteers played a crucial role in the recovery.
St. Joseph chapter to host Summer Bash
The 2006 Summer Bash Alumni Reunion is just around the corner, and all Northwest alumni and friends are invited to take part in the
Although the Alumni House has been the site of past Summer Bash reunions, this year’s event will be hosted by the St. Joseph Alumni and Friends Chapter at the Stoney Creek Inn in St. Joseph.
festivities. Instead of taking place in Maryville, this year’s event will be in St. Joseph, hosted by the St. Joseph Alumni and Friends Chapter of the Northwest Alumni Association.
Summer Bash will be Saturday, July 29, at the Stoney Creek Inn, located at 1201 Woodbine Road at the intersection of Woodbine and Frederick, right off I-29 in St. Joseph.
The theme will be “Trails Northwest,” and there will be plenty of great food, music and fun for all Bearcats. The cost is $25 in advance or $35 at the door. To reserve a hotel room at the Stoney Creek Inn, please call (816) 901-9600.
Watch your mailbox for a registration form, and contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (660) 562-1248 or alumni@nwmissouri.edu for more information. n
Alumni ski trip to Colorado slated for January 2007
The expanded Tourin’ Bearcats travel program for Northwest alumni and friends will include a Colorado ski trip in January 2007.
The tour bus will depart from Maryville, and the trip will include three days of skiing the Summit. Although trip details will be finalized shortly, reservations are currently being accepted.
“We’ve had a good response to the Tourin’ Bearcats program in the past, but many of these trips have been too costly for some alumni or they fall during a time of year that makes it hard to get off work,” said Steve Sutton, director of
Members
Joe Zelenz ’52, Cedar Hill, Texas
Matt Borgard ’80, Downers Grove, Ill.
Mel Young ’67, Lincoln, Neb.
Doug Schmitz ’92, Savannah
Northwest Alumni Association
2005-2006 Board of Directors
President
Kay Thomas ’71, Blue Springs
Vice President
Tim Sullivan ’75, Urbandale, Iowa
Past President
Greg Wilson ’85, Omaha, Neb.
Chairwoman, Alumni Programs Committee
Paula Northup Miller ’95, Mound City
Chairman, Membership Comm.
Vic Kretzschmar ’70 ’71, Hemple
Chairman, Chapters Committee
Vinnie Vaccaro ’73, Liberty
Hal Wilmarth ’69, Maryville
Steve Moss ’87, Columbia
Dave Snider ’80, ’83, Olathe, Kan.
Patty Bolin Roach ’71. St. Joseph
Paul Jennings ’75, West Des Moines, Iowa
John McCune ’73, Des Moines, Iowa
Larry Maiorano ’69, Lenexa, Kan.
Neil Neumeyer ’98, Kansas City
Ex-Officio Board Members
Orrie Covert, Vice President for University Advancement
Steve Sutton ’71, Director of Alumni Relations
alumni relations. “After talking to many Northwest alumni, we’ve had a huge request for adding domestic trips to the Tourin’ Bearcats program. Therefore, we’ve put together several travel opportunities – such as an annual ski trip – that should appeal to alumni and friends of all ages and interests.”
To make reservations or for more information about the Tourin’ Bearcats ski trip or future trips, please contact Northwest’s Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@nwmissouri.edu or (660) 562-1248. n
Brenda Untiedt ’00, Alumni Relations Specialist
Peggy Purdy, Accounting Specialist
Mike Faust ’74, Co-Chair of the Annual Giving Committee, Northwest Foundation, Inc.
Mercedes Johnson ’97, Co-Chair of the Annual Giving Committee, Northwest Foundation, Inc.
Kansas City Chapter
Chartered Jan. 25, 2001
President Jana Hanson ’02
Vice President Amy Harlin ’95
Secretary Cindy Akehurst ’01
Arizona Chapter
Chartered March 23, 2001
President Allyn Calhoun ’82
Band Alumni Chapter
Chartered Sept. 8, 2001
President Bill Williams ’76
Vice President Ron Martz ’78
Secretary Bob Rice ’00
Maryville Chapter
Chartered Sept. 22, 2001
President Jamie Long ’93
Vice President Roger Bundridge
St. Joseph Chapter
Chartered May 20, 2002
President Marvin Fine ’64
Vice President Dave Price ’70
Secretary Denise Kretzschmar ’71
Central Iowa Chapter
Chartered Aug. 1, 2002
President Kory Schramm ’95
Vice President Nick Wallace ’00
Secretary Lu Ann Manrose Hood ’76
Nebraska/Western Iowa Chapter
Chartered June 5, 2003
President Dave Morgan ’85
Vice President Joe Glab ’01
Secretary Eric Dunlap ’88
Colorado Chapter
Chartered Jan. 12, 2004
President Adam Hunt ’00
2006 Summer Bash Reunion
n July 29
n Stoney Creek Inn, St. Joseph n $25 in advance
Visit www.nwmissouri.edu for more alumni travel opportunities!
Southern California Chapter
Chartered Feb. 29, 2004
Co-Chairperson Linda Balducci ’71 (San Diego)
Co-Chairperson Don Schenkel ’56 (Los Angeles)
Southern Iowa Chapter
President Joan Jackson ’65
Vice President Kevin Klommhaus ’92
Secretary Karleen Stephens ’77
Dallas Chapter
President Dep Tripp ’92, ’96
Vice President Les Clark ’00
Secretary Jennifer Fenner ’03
Japan Chapter
President Yuki Osawa ’97
Vice President Mamiko Noda ’03
Secretary Aya Takahashi ’00
1. Northwest alumni from the Dallas area gathered in November as part of a focus group to initiate a Dallas alumni chapter. Those attending were (front row, from left) Les Clark ’00, Chris Marple ’02, (second row) Monte Jensen ’87, Jealaine Vaccaro Marple ’00, Jennifer Fenner ’03, (back row) Bob Farris ’79, Steve Sutton ’71, Deb Tripp ’92, ’96, Chris Johnson ’93, ’94 and Joe Zelenz ’52.
2. Jana White Hanson ’02, president of the Kansas City chapter, announced door prize winners at the Bearcat Zone prior to the Fall Classic at Arrowhead.
3. Jennifer Hewitt Smith ’86, Kendal Smith and Diane Watson ’87 assisted with the Alumni Association’s table at the Fall Classic at Arrowhead.
4. Members of the Kansas City chapter gathered in December for the First Friday Happy Hour at The Quaff. Special guests were (from left) Northwest student Sarah Ferguson and alumni Tina Gaa ’93 and Loree Sheldon Gentry ’94, Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders.
(opposite page)
5. Roxanna Swaney ’84, Brian Stewart and Shelley Vassmer ’85 gather at The Quaff for the NCAA semifinal football game between Northwest and North Alabama.
Alumni chapter news
MARYVILLE
Members of the Maryville Chapter hosted a Super Bowl party in February at the Maryville Country Club. Chapter members and Bearcat fans attended several watch parties throughout Maryville for the NCAA Division II National Championship football game. Persons interested in becoming involved with the chapter should contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (660) 562-1248. n
DALLAS
In November, nine Northwest alumni from the Dallas area gathered at Castle Hills Country Club and met with Steve Sutton, director of alumni relations, to discuss forming a Dallas alumni chapter. Because there are more than 300 Northwest alumni in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, this is an ideal location for an alumni chapter. The following officers were elected: President Deb Tripp ’92, ’96, Vice President Les Clark ’00 and Secretary Jennifer Fenner ’03. The group also met this winter to discuss chapter goals and to plan an alumni event in Dallas this spring. n
CENTRAL IOWA
The Central Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter had a wine, beer and cheese tasting event in Ankeny, Iowa. The chapter also gathered at Howell’s Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch
in Cumming, Iowa, where Northwest alumni and friends enjoyed horse and tractor rides and children’s activities. Two weekends in a row, huge Northwest crowds took over Champps in West Des Moines to watch the Bearcat football team on television. Each event included giveaways, sweepstakes drawings (with money collected to help establish a scholarship) and lots of cheering. In January, the chapter hosted the fourth annual Bearcats at the Bucs hockey game. On April 30, the Bearcats will invade the Des Moines Playhouse for the musical “Pump Boys & Dinettes.” In June, the chapter will host its annual golf classic, and in July, there will again be a Northwest Day at the Iowa Cubs game. If you would like more information on events or how to become involved, contact Kory Schramm ’95 at (515) 986-5806. n
KANSAS CITY
During the past year, the Kansas City Alumni Chapter has worked to recruit new members and develop social functions that not only bring in new faces, but also help generate funds for the chapter scholarship program. The chapter recently met its $10,000 goal to create the KC Alumni Chapter Scholarship. The chapter kicked off the fall sports season with its First Friday Happy Hour at The Quaff in August and hosted a social and barbecue at The American Royal. In
October, the chapter assisted with the Fall Classic at Arrowhead. Three Chiefs Cheerleaders, who also are fellow Bearcats, made an appearance at the last First Friday Happy Hour of the year. The Quaff was packed with Northwest fans to view the NCAA football semifinal and championship games on television. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Kansas City Alumni Chapter, please contact Jana White Hanson ’02 at (816) 724-4062. n
JAPAN
The Japan Alumni Chapter, Northwest’s first international chapter, was founded in July. One of its goals is to promote Northwest to Japanese students who wish to study abroad. In November, three officers participated in the U.S. University Fair in Tokyo and provided support at Northwest’s booth. They also provided counseling services to current Japanese students at Northwest. The chapter plans to advertise Northwest in study abroad-related magazines published in Japan. n
ARIZONA
The Arizona Alumni Chapter sponsored watch parties in Peoria, Ariz., and Mesa, Ariz., for the semifinal and championship football games. For events like this, the chapter sends announcements via e-mail. If you didn’t receive information about the watch parties and would like to receive announcements about similar chapter events in the future, please send your e-mail address to alumni@nwmissouri.edu. n
SOUTHERN IOWA
The new Southern Iowa Chapter recently elected officers and made committee appointments. Members participated in the
Northwest Homecoming parade. A large group gathered at Smith’s Spirits and Sports in Mount Ayr, Iowa, to watch the Bearcats play in the national championship game. The chapter is looking for more alumni and friends in the southern Iowa area to get involved. To find out more about the chapter, contact Joan Lynch Jackson ’65 at (641) 782-2210. n
NEBRASKA/WESTERN IOWA
The Nebraska/Western Iowa Chapter has hosted several successful events this year – some that exceeded 80 in attendance. All Northwest graduates, spouses, family and friends are invited to the monthly social gathering on Thirsty Thursday (the first Thursday of every month) at Old Chicago Restaurant in downtown Omaha’s Old Market. Please let us know if there are any Northwest professors or other University leaders who you think would be good guest speakers for our chapter. Send your ideas to dlmnw1985@yahoo.com. n
ST. JOSEPH
The St. Joseph Chapter meets at 6 p.m. on the second Friday of each month at the Stoney Creek Inn. Chapter members pledged $300 and participated in a leukemia/cancer “Light The Night Walk” in September and also were on the Alumni Association’s float in the Northwest Homecoming parade. The chapter sponsored a bus to the Arrowhead game, and there was a watch party for the national championship football game. In May, the chapter will have a float in the Apple Blossom Parade and will host Summer Bash in St. Joseph on July 28-29. n
6. Dr. Phil Heeler (left), professor of computer science/information systems, joined members of the Japan alumni chapter at the U.S. University Fair in Tokyo.
7. Members of the Southern Iowa chapter gathered at Smith’s Spirits and Sports to watch the televised Bearcat football game. Pictured are (front row, from left) Kevin Klommhaus ’92, Darrel Dodge ’77 ’98, Larry Brown ’62, (back row) Joan Lynch Jackson ’65, Angi Dodge ’77 and Joen Gross Brown ’69.
8. St. Joseph chapter members Doug Schmitz ’92, Betty and Ken Wallace (both cancer survivors), Mark Pickerel ’76 and Kay Pierpoint Medsker ’70 participated in “Light the Night” in St. Joseph for the Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society.
9. The St. Joseph chapter sponsored a pregame tailgate party at Missouri Western before the Sept. 17 Bearcat-Griffon football game. Not only was the tailgate a success, but the Bearcats won, 31-21.
10. Bearcat fans welcomed the Northwest football team to St. Joseph’s Rosecrans Airport where the team chartered its flight to the semifinal game in Florence, Ala. Pictured are Vic Kretzschmar ’70, ’71, Dave Price ’70, Patty Bolin Roach ’71, ’90, John Coffey ’82 and Mark Pickerel ’76.
Student alumni association formed
A new campus organization hopes to connect Northwest students to alumni and create a smooth transition from being a student to an active alum.
A group of Northwest students has met several times to develop the organization and define its goals. Similar to the Northwest Alumni Association, Club Green members will pay annual dues and be invited to a variety of activities and events planned specifically for members. They also will be encouraged to attend events sponsored by the Northwest Alumni Association.
“We want current students to understand the concept of the Northwest Alumni Association before they leave campus,” said Steve Sutton, director of alumni relations.
“This is a great opportunity for students to join a fun and energized group while at the same time have a direct link to alumni who may be able to assist students with their career path.” n
1955 Golden Years reunion
Members of the Class of 1955 gathered on campus for the 2005 centennial-themed Homecoming. While on campus, they enjoyed a campus/community bus tour, luncheon, flag-raising ceremony at the International Flag Plaza, Homecoming brunch, parade, barbecue and football game. Pictured are (front row, from left): Susan Buckley, Martha Polsley Gamble, Claire Wallace Neil, Donald Lyle, B.H. Pennel, Marie Lucille Hunzinger Pennel, Barbara Fox Hannon, Elizabeth Jane Goodwin Miller, Alma Murrell Oldfield, Dona Walker Miller, Jane Wiechmann, Donna Clothier, Melvin Clothier, (middle row) Donald Miller, Frank Bayless, Mick Ayres, John Parham, James Gaffney, Geraldine Ideker Gaffney, Avis Murrell Woods, Mizella Lemar Pearson, Carolyn Pumphrey, Doris McKinley Gray, Donald Harren, George Miller, Jack Wiechmann, Earl Bridgewater, Bonnie Henderson Foster, (back row) Max Pierce, John Barrett, Harold Smith, Joyce Brown Smith, Frank Bollinger, Robert Pumphrey, Ron Hargin and Donald Foster. n
n AIA (American Insurance Administrators) offers life, health, long-term care, personal property and casualty insurance to members of the Northwest Alumni Association. Call (800) 922-1245 for more information, or explore your options online at www. AlumniInsuranceProgram.com/NWMissouri.
n Choice Hotels International offers a 15 percent discount at more than 5,000 participating Choice Hotels International locations worldwide (Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge and Rodeway). Book a room by calling (800) 258-2847 and mention the special rate identification number 00802186 dedicated to Northwest Alumni Association members.
For a complete list of membership benefits, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/ALUMNI or call (660) 562-1248.
Class notes
1939
MARY RUTH ESPEY
CLEVENGER lives in Savannah and celebrated her 90th birthday on Dec. 15. She taught in Nodaway and Andrew counties, retiring from the Savannah School District.
1953
RALPH DUNCAN and his wife, Vera, celebrated their 60th anniversary on Oct. 20. Now retired, he was a teacher in Missouri, Iowa and Colorado. They live in Loveland, CO, and have two children and three grandchildren.
1960
JOHN AND MARLENE TAYLOR (’57)
CRACRAFT celebrated their 50th anniversary on Aug. 7. John taught in Iowa, retiring in 1991 from Marion Independent Schools. Marlene taught in Missouri and Iowa and retired in 1992 from Rockwell-Collins in Cedar Rapids, IA. They have three children and seven grandchildren. They live in Bayonet Point, FL.
1969
WILLIAM KANE was honored by the American College of Preventive Medicine for his leadership as the college’s chief executive officer
from 1981 to 1989. He has authored more than 90 books, chapters and journal articles and is currently a health education professor at the University of New Mexico. He and his wife, Ann, live in Red Lodge, MT.
1974
DEBORAH GOALBY is a program coordinator for distance learning at Northern Arizona University. She was previously a nationally certified workforce development professional at the University of Arizona. She has a master’s degree in secondary education from Southern Illinois University and has done post-graduate work in gerontology.
GENE HARMEGNIES is director of sales with Shipcom, a leading pro-
ADENA BOLTINGHOUSE FRALEY (MASTER’S ’73) was recognized as a 2005 WalMart Teacher of the Year. She also was recognized as 2004 Teacher of the Year for Sylvania Schools in Ohio. She has been a second-grade teacher at Stranahan School since 1973. She and her husband, Paul, live in Sylvania, OH. Their son, John, is a University of Toledo graduate and their daughter, Elizabeth, is a senior at Bowling Green State University.
Doctor provides more than medical care to less fortunate
Whentraveling to Honduras, Guatemala and Cuba, Dr. Martin Kanne ’75 uses his skills as a physician to help the less fortunate in third-world countries. He uses his heart to do even more.
“The most important and fulfilling aspect of this work is the sharing of human love and concern,” he said. “The medical care rendered is not the main point of the mission, but instead it is the exchange of human concern and the sharing of God’s love.”
Kanne, who lives in Kansas City, works through Volunteers in Mission with the United Methodist Church and has been assigned to as many as 100 patients in the mountains of Honduras treating chronic skin infections and malnourishment in children.
“The people of Honduras and Guatemala need our help because of the lack of medicine and medical care in the rural mountainous areas,” he said. “There are very few cars, and even if medicine and supplies were available, the people are so poor they cannot afford them.”
His wife, Ramona Rope Kanne ’74, recently accompanied him to Cuba. She said what Cubans need more than the muscle of volunteer labor or the skilled hands of a caring physician is monetary comfort.
“There is definitely a divide between the haves and the have-nots,” she said. “We were told that while our hosts would gladly welcome us, embrace us and put us to work, it is mostly our cash that they need.”
Whether the apparent needs are medical or monetary, the Kannes agree that the most important aspect of their mission work is to show their hosts that United States’ citizens care and want to help. n
Through the United Methodist Church’s Volunteers in Mission, Dr. Martin Kanne ’75 treats many patients in desperate need of health care.
vider of integrated supply chain RFID applications. He was previously vice president of the global systems and solutions division for Telxon Corp.
1975
TERESA CUMMINGS
BELLINGHAUSEN is a school improvement consultant with the Heartland Area Education Agency 11. She lives in Adel, IA, with her husband, Hal.
1977
SUSAN NOONAN was named an Art Educator of Iowa in October. She has taught kindergarten through fifth-grade art at Inman Primary in the Red Oak, IA, School District for 17 years.
1979
WILLIAM PERKINS (MASTER’S ’83) ◆ is director of Asia ERP Implementation with Air Products and Chemicals Inc. in Singapore. He and his wife, Pamela, have two sons, Michael, 9, and Jack, 3.
LORE MCMANUS
SOLO ◆ is vice president of public relations at Strategic America where she recently completed a two-year principal-intraining program, earning shareholder status of Principal.
1980
KAREN DANIEL ◆ has been appointed to the board of directors of Snap-on Incorporated, a global leader in tools, di-
agnostics and equipment. As executive vice president and chief financial officer of Black & Veatch Corp., she oversees all financial functions for the corporation.
1981
SAMUEL ALLEN (MASTER’S ’03) is a social insurance specialist for the Social Security Administration. He is working in the Kansas City South office doing post-entitlement of supplemental security benefits. He lives in North Kansas City.
1982
STEPHEN ALLEE is senior vice president of operations with Canary Resources Inc. He is a member of the company’s senior management team for its Kansas Coalbed Methane operations, headquartered in Stilwell, KS. He was previously with Osborn Energy, LLC.
1985
FRANCIS AND LINDA SCHMITZ (’99, ’03) MATTSON announce the birth of Alex Clifton on Dec. 7. He joins Todd, Renae, Craig and Madelynn. They live in Conception Junction.
1986
SANDRA SMITH HAGGARD and her husband, Michael, are Christian missionaries to the Hakka people in Taiwan. They have taught English in Taiwan since 2004.
1988
ROSS BULLINGTON was a finalist for the 2005-2006 Missouri Teacher of the Year
program. He is an eighthgrade science teacher at Washington Middle School in the Mehlville School District. He also is on the board of directors for the Missouri National Education Association. Ross and his wife, Rebecca, live in West St. Louis County with their children, Hannah, Rachel and Christian.
RODNEY GRAYSON works in the quality control area at Snorkel in St. Joseph. He previously taught and coached in the St. Joseph School District.
TIM (MASTER’S ’96) AND SUSAN MILES (’87) MATTSON have moved back to Maryville with their two sons, Nic and Tate. Tim is director of curriculum and assessment for the Savannah School District, and Susan is a part-time secretary at Maryville High School.
1989
KEVIN (MASTER’S ’95, SPECIALIST ’97) AND MAUREEN DIKE (’90, MASTER’S ’00) DANIEL live in Lee’s Summit with their children Micah, 9, and Sophie, 2. Kevin received his doctoral degree in educational leadership from Saint Louis University and has been promoted to associate superintendent for instructional services in the Raymore-Peculiar School District. He also is president of Fired Up Presentations and does staff development work for schools in Missouri and Kansas.
MICHAEL FRENCH is a supervisor with United Parcel Service in Kansas City, KS.
RUSS RUNGE is an economic developer for the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation.
1990
GARRY STEFFEN has been promoted to major in the U.S. Marine Corps. He serves with the 8th Communication Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC.
1991
STACY ADAMS is the head football coach at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN. Previously, he was the team’s assistant coach for 14 years.
DARREN AND SHANTEL SONDGEROTH (’95, ’99) FARNAN announce the birth of Maggie Marie on Nov. 10. She joins Brady. They live in Maryville.
KARENSUE CALHOON HENSLEY and her husband, Brent, announce the birth of Wyatt on Feb. 3, 2005. He joins five siblings. Karensue has been a middle school counselor for nine years in the Joplin School District. Her husband is in management at Target.
STACY COOPER HUGHES and her husband, Clint, announce the birth of Kyler Cooper on May 11. He joins a brother, Jase. Stacy is a kindergarten teacher in the Rock Port School District. They live in Rock Port.
CHRIS THOMAS is a salesman for Charles D. Jones, a wholesale supplier of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. He and his wife, Jenifer, live in Fort Collins, CO, where she is the stress
Keep in touch
As life changes, your classmates and friends want to know. Tell us what has been going on in your life by using the enclosed envelope, by fax at (660) 562-1990 or e-mail at alumni@nwmissouri.edu. You may also submit a color photograph. Please include a self-addressed envelope for it to be returned or e-mail it to alumni@nwmissouri.edu. Photographs with children or pets will not be accepted. n
management program coordinator for Colorado State University.
1992
DAVID GOUGHNOUR is the director of sales for GeoSpatial Innovations Inc. in Denver, CO. He is responsible for all dayto-day sales operations as well as developing the company’s distribution channel. Previously, he was a business partner program manager for Trimble.
1994
JEFFREY FELTON has been activated with the HHC 110th Engineer Battalion out of Kansas City. He is currently
located at Talill AFB in Iraq. His wife, Diane, and three children remain in Kansas City.
KAYLA
NELSON
HOLSCHER ◆ is owner of Kayla’s Custom Designs in Palestine, IL. She also is vice president of production for Hephats.com. She has four children: Ryan, Eric, Evan and Krescene Kayla. Her husband, Robert, is a farmer.
representative with Textron, and Laurie is a business analyst with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. They live in West Des Moines, IA.
COLBY AND LAURIE MILLER (’96) MARRIOTT announce the birth of Reid Anthony in November. He joins Gage, 3. Colby is a factory sales
Character-building coach
As a lay basketball coach for a private high school in Columbia, S.C., Lonnie Emard ’81 takes his players to a team camp every summer. This year, the boys traveled a long way from home – to their coach’s alma mater – to attend Northwest’s team camp. Emard said his team always arrives at camp a day early to perform community service work in the community they’re visiting. While they were in Maryville, Emard and his players were put to work building a fence, cleaning up a fireworks display and clearing moss from the swimming area at Mozingo Lake. They also participated in Northwest’s teambuilding challenge course at the lake. Emard, whose son Aaron is on the team, works for Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. n
MINDI MCCOY ◆ earned a master’s degree in higher education from Iowa State University in 2003 and obtained a real estate license in 2005. She works with high schoolaged students at Des Moines Area Community College and practices real estate in the Des Moines area.
1995
BRANDON AND COLEEN MCMAHON (’94) JOHNSON live in Kansas City with their 1-year-old twins, Meredith and Ryan. Brandon is an area manager with AmeriPride Services, and Coleen is a special education teacher at Platte County High School.
SHARI BLUNT MYERS and her husband, Randy, announce the birth of Vanessa Raye on Dec. 6. She joins Alex. They live in Maryville.
CHRIS GEGG is executive producer at WXYZ-TV in Detroit, MI. He moved to Motown from Nashville, TN, where his work was nominated for an Emmy Award.
RICK (MASTER’S ’96) AND KRIS EASTEP (’96) HANSEN announce the birth and adoption of Taylor Elizabeth on Nov. 15. Rick is a human resources manager with the Federal Reserve Bank, and Kris teaches second grade in the Liberty Public Schools. They live in Kansas City.
PAULA HOLTMAN and Andrew McCrea were married July 8 in Jacksonville Beach, FL. She teaches Spanish at Shoal Creek Elementary School in the Liberty School District, and Andrew is self-employed as a farmer, broadcaster and leadership trainer. They live in Cameron.
CHRISTY LUCAS MUCKEY and her husband, David, announce the birth of Lia Kaitlyn on March 19, 2005. Christy is an account executive for her family business, Lucas Promotional Products, and David is an accountant with Alcatel in Plano, TX. They live in McKinney, TX.
AMY JONES WILLARD and her husband, Andy, announce the birth of Andrew John on Sept. 6. He joins Taylor and Baylee. They live in Maryville.
1996
GARY BRADLEY is the city administrator in Grain Valley.
STEVEN (ROB) COLERICK is the administrator/CEO at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital in Humboldt, IA. He was previously executive director of Sunflower Health Network in Salina, KS.
JEREMY POYNTER and his wife, Wendy, announce the birth of Julia Elise on Aug. 30. They live in Ft. Worth, TX.
1997
BETHANY TISON BESAND and her husband, Christopher, announce the birth
of Connor Christopher on Nov. 8. Bethany is the special events coordinator at Judevine Center for Autism in St. Louis. Chris works at Citigroup in O’Fallon. They live in St. Charles.
RICHARD BIRD and Diane Kruse were married July 30 in Maryville. Richard is employed with the Division of Family Services in St. Joseph, and Diane is employed with AMCOR in Des Moines, IA. They live in Maryville.
TIMOTHY AND TIFFANI EVANS EDWARDS announce the birth of Aiden Jules on Nov. 12. He joins Alexander, 3. Tim and Tiffani both work at Hy-Vee. Tiffani is an assistant manager, and Tim is a meat market manager. They live in Decatur, IA.
TIM FLAHERTY is a criminal defense attorney in Florida
CURTIS LIVENGOOD AND CARRIE HOWARD (’02) were married Aug. 1 in Los Cobos, Mexico. Curtis is employed with Roger Livengood and Associates in Rock Port, and Carrie teaches middle school math in the Tarkio R-I School District where she also is the head volleyball coach. They live in Tarkio.
MARK AND JENNIFER ELLIOTT MEYER announce the birth of Gabriel Jacob on July 9. He joins Andrew, Madeline and Josiah. Mark is a bricklayer with J.E. Dunn Construction, and Jennifer is a homemaker. They live in Pleasant Hill.
LES (MASTER’S ’99) AND REBECCA JENSEN (’99) NEW announce the birth of Tyler Wayne on Oct. 12. He joins Jacob and Kristin. They live in Maryville.
of Missouri-Kansas City. She is a cornea transplant coordinator for Heartland Lions Eye Banks. They live in Kansas City.
Papillion-LaVista Public Schools.
CHRISTY PALLAS and Paul Huss were married April 16, 2005, in Omaha, NE. She works for U.S. Property as a property manager, and Paul works for Lincoln Benefit Life. They live in Lincoln, NE.
1998
JIM DAVIS (MASTER’S ’00) and his wife, Dixie, announce the birth of Delton James on Aug. 8. He joins Davin. They live in Maryville.
BECKY DOYLE and Tim Ferris were married Sept. 3 in Salix, IA. They live in Edgewater, CO.
LISA ALLEN DUNFIELD and her husband, Scott, announce the birth of Grace Diane on Sept. 27. She joins Keaton, 2. They live in Shenandoah, IA.
JILL CANNON HOLLINGSWORTH and her husband, Chad, announce the birth of Ashley Ann on April 9, 2005. She joins a sister, Megan. Jill is a special education teacher at the Grinnell (IA) Middle School. Chad is a state trooper with the Iowa State Patrol. They live in Grinnell, IA.
MELISSA KRITZER and Donald Williams were married Sept. 4. Melissa received a master’s degree in social work in May from the University
DANIEL LENTZ (MASTER’S) and Licia Beaver were married July 16 in Ellwood City, PA. Daniel is an assistant principal at Freedom Area High School, and Licia is a computer and business teacher at Aliquippa High School. She also is pursuing a master’s degree in administration and policy studies at the University of Pittsburgh. They live in Ellwood City, PA.
ANDREA MILLER OJERT ◆ and her husband, Hokan, announce the birth of Ian Lars on July 29.
MICHELLE DRAKE is in customer service with Cardell Kitchens in San Antonio, TX. She recently bought a new home at 8402 Chickasaw Bluff, Converse, TX.
1999
LAURIE DENOUDEN and Nathan Beach were married July 30 in St. Joseph. Laurie is employed with DenOuden and Associates Financial Services in communications, and Nathan is a software engineer with Cerner Corporation. They live in Platte City.
TINA MEYER DEITER and her husband, Chris, announce the birth of Austyn Marie on Dec. 7. They live in Raytown.
MIKE AND MELISSA
CHECKSFIELD (’00) GRZYWA live in Papillion, NE. Mike is a territory manager/field sales trainer with CR Bard Inc., and Melissa is a teacher in the
MATTHEW AND TENNA HOOPER (MASTER’S ’02) HAZEN announce the birth of Lane Tyler on Dec. 1. He joins Ella. They live in St. Joseph.
LORI HEFFNER LAGER and her husband, Kevin, announce the birth of Gabriel Paul on Dec. 2. He joins Emma and Nathalie. Lori is the manager of Tri-C Housing and also is secretary and treasurer for Kevin Lager Distributing Inc., a company owned by her husband. They live in Conception Junction.
JENNY CERVENY LAWRENCE and her husband, Allan, announce the birth of Landen Charles on Oct. 1. They live in Gardner, KS.
DAN MCCHRISTY is an agent with Enterprise Realty in Maryville. He lives in St. Joseph where he has invested several years in the construction and building materials business.
DIANNA NETH WEBSTER and her husband, BJ, announce the birth of Cameron Jay on May 5. Both are employed in the Kearney School District. Dianna is a third-grade teacher, and BJ teaches sixth-grade math.
2000
CASEY AND SHANNON FLINN (’01) BEANE announce the birth of Mason Casey on June 27. Casey is the new business coordinator with United Healthcare in Kansas City, and Shannon teaches business at Park Hill High School. They live in Kansas City north.
MAKING AN ONLINE DONATION TO NORTHWEST IS SAFE AND EASY.
www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni
Your generous gift to Northwest is always appreciated.
(You’re also welcome to use the giving form included on the envelope in the center of this magazine.)
ALAN BUCKWALTER AND SAHRENE FELDMAN (’99) were married March 18, 2005. They live in Kansas City.
CHAD AND VICTORIA HUFF (’02) CORY announce the birth of Charles Arthur in July. Chad is in his fifth year of marketing and advertising at Union Broadcasting in Overland Park, KS.
BRUSHing up
Northwest students volunteer several weekends a year to perform community service work as part of the University’s BRUSH program. Since the program started, students have helped improve 15 local residences. n
Victoria is pursuing a master’s degree in marketing from Webster University and owns her own graphic and web design business, DesignsAE.com.
CHAD GASTLER and his wife, Amy, announce the birth of Cooper Joseph on Sept. 7. He joins Kamryn. They live in Maryville.
University and is pursuing a master’s degree. Chad is a commodities trader for Archer Daniels Midland. They live in Quincy, IL.
2001
GEORGE (MASTER’S ’02) AND JULEE PALTANI (’99) BOOTH announce the birth of Dominic Joseph on Nov. 18. He joins Sebastian, 2. George is director of finance with Superior Chevrolet, and Julee is a stay-at-home mom. They live in Raymore.
BRYAN AND TAMMI LUKE GROW ◆ announce the birth of Bryna Jean on Aug. 25. They live in Maryville.
JEFFREY DUFF AND NOELLE JAGGER (’03) were married July 16 in Tarkio. Jeffrey is in quality control/quality assurance with Antigen Laboratories Inc., and Noelle is a special education teacher in the Lathrop School District. They live in Liberty.
CHAD HELLUMS
is an assembly supervisor over the scissor line at Snorkel in St. Joseph. He previously worked for Altec as a service supervisor.
HOLLY HOUK and Brian Ingle were married July 23 in Liberty. Holly is a grower with Family Tree Nursery, and Brian is a technical support analyst with Cerner Corporation. They live in Kansas City.
JOSHUA AND SARAH WILSON MCMAHON announce the birth of Darby Veronica on Aug. 10. Joshua graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Law School in May and is an attorney with the Mountain States Legal Foundation in Colorado. Sarah is an art educator.
LYNSEY ROBINSON and Jason Curtis were married April 2, 2005, in Kansas City. Lynsey is a sales assistant with Community America Credit Union in Lenexa, KS, and Jason is a sales representative with Cerner Corporation.
2002
ASHLEY MCCLAIN and Bryan Vaughn were married Dec. 18 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Ashley is a kindergarten teacher in the Raytown School District, and Bryan is self employed. They live in Kansas City.
MARK WEIS and Nicole Hartenbower were married Sept. 3. Mark is a physical education teacher and coach in the Savannah School District, and Nicole is a physical education teacher and coach in the St. Joseph School District.
2003
RACHEL CRAIG JENKINS and her husband, Travis, announce the birth of Rylee Irene on Aug. 23. They live in Fairfax.
KIMBERLY KAJOK and Aaron Bugjo were married Sept. 3. Kim is a regional sales manager at Customsolutions and also volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Kansas City. Aaron is a technical director for GE Transportation Systems. They live in Liberty.
LAURA HARVILLE and Chad West were married Nov. 5. Laura is an admissions counselor at Quincy
JILL WILMES LAGER and her husband, Alan, announce the birth of Peyton Gregory on Dec. 1. He joins Mackenzie Marie. They live in Rock Port.
DAN DOZAR AND JANELLE MCMULLEN were married Oct. 22 in Independence. Janelle is an admissions and recruitment representative at Avila University, and Dan is an editor for NBC Action News. They live in Independence.
JOHN TATUM (MASTER’S) is a defensive coach with the Missouri Southern football team. He was previously the defensive backs coach at Upper Iowa University.
CASEY TEDROW is an admissions coordinator for Johnson County Community College. She is working on a master’s degree in higher education at the University of Kansas.
BRANDON SCHAAF AND MEGAN WHITTEN (’04) were married Aug. 13 in Norfolk, NE. Brandon is a location manager for Farm Service Co., and Megan is a substitute teacher. They live near Randolph, IA.
2004
KARI BRYSON (MASTER’S) and Taylor Crouse were married May 21 in
MARY NETH ’76
51, died Sept. 14 in Columbia. She had taught women’s and gender studies at the University of Missouri since 1995. She also taught at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA, and American University in Washington, D.C. She also had been a Landmarks Visiting Scholar at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. An Adopt-aBearcat Scholarship will be awarded in her memory.
EVELYN PIXLER NEWBERG ’34
92, died Sept. 27 in Maryville. She was a teacher and homemaker.
MONA PENNINGTON NURSKI ’41 died Oct. 16. She taught for 30 years and retired from the Kansas City School District.
MARY MENDENHALL O’RILEY (HORACE MANN) 88, died Oct. 6 in Maryville. She was a homemaker.
MIKE PERKINS ’71
56, died Sept. 15. He was the maintenance supervisor for the Smithville R-II School District for 27 years.
JOANNE HOFER SHARP ’55
75, died Aug. 2 in Kansas City. She was an elementary teacher for 39 years, including 27 years in Belton, before retiring in 1992.
JOYCE SCOTT SHEFFIELD ’67 61, died Nov. 20 in St. Joseph. She was an elementary teacher in Kansas City, KS, and Columbia.
EDWARD SHELTON ’42 84, died Sept. 16 in Independence. He retired in 1982 after 35 years of service as a public school educator. He served 25 years in the Independence School District as
principal and assistant superintendent.
MILLARD SMITH ’67 60, died July 5 in Kansas City.
FRANKIE WILSON WARD ’28 99, died Nov. 26 in Cameron. She taught for 50 years, retiring in 1977.
LEMUEL WATKINS ’44 (HORACE MANN) 78, died Dec. 11 in Maryville. He was an auditor for the A&P Food Stores in Kansas City for many years.
RICKY WAYNE WEST ’77 51, died July 26 in Kansas City. He was an Internal Revenue Service agent in Kansas City for 25 years before retiring in 2004.
This 224-page collection of photographs and events during the last 100 years at Northwest is now available.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will fund scholarships at Northwest.
COST:
Limited supply. Order yours today!
Tourin’ Bearcats cruise to Canada and New England...
