Awards and Recognition

Alumni Awards Banquet

Every year at Homecoming, the Missouri Western Alumni Association honors accomplished alumni for outstanding contributions to their field, their university and/or their community.

RSVP for the banquet a griff.vn/alumbanquet

Congratulations to the 2026 Alumni Award Honorees!

Shawn Malone '87
Shawn Malone '87Distinguished Alumni Award
Kim Weddle '00
Kim Weddle '00Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Pam Clary
Dr. Pam Clary Distinguished Faculty Award
Makenna Snyder Hood '17
Makenna Snyder Hood '17 Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award
Rick Leahy
Rick LeahyHerb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University
Philana Blakely '01
Philana Blakely '01Great Griffon Award
College of Science and Health
Shawna Jackson '93
Shawna Jackson '93 Great Griffon Award
College of Liberal Arts
Fr. Richard Rocha ’87
Fr. Richard Rocha ’87 Great Griffon Award
College of Business & Professional Studies
Maya Burnsides '25
Maya Burnsides '25Graduating Student of the Year

Nominations

If you would like to nominate someone for an award, please see the nominations page and follow the instructions listed for each award.