Alumni Relations

Missouri Western State University - Griffons Night at the Mustangs
2022-07-16 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Phil Welch Stadium, 2600 SW Parkway, St. Joseph, MO, 64503, United States
We look forward to seeing you when we paint Phil Welch Stadium black and gold on Saturday, July 16 as the St. Joseph Mustangs (St. Joseph Tenderloins for that night!) take on the Jefferson City Renegades. A limited number of FREE tickets are available. Activities include Missouri Western booths with games, prizes, photo opportunities for all ages and post game fireworks.
And you can ring the bell! We can’t wait to see the stadium full of Griffons!

Tickets will be available for pick up in the Alumni Welcome Center – Spratt Hall 105, until noon on Wednesday, July 13th. If you are unable to pick your tickets up before the game, they will be available at the Alumni tent at the stadium until 6:45 p.m. and at the will call window after that.

Register below before all the tickets are gone!

Football Game – MWSU vs. Northeastern State
2021-10-16 16:00 | Spratt Stadium, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Join us for an exciting Homecoming game. Kickoff will be at 4:00 p.m.
Child Admission (6 and under): Free
Youth Tickets (7-18): $10
Alumni General Admission (Adults) Tickets: $15
Purchase your tickets here. They will be available for pick up at the Spratt Stadium Will Call.
We are no longer accepting reservations for these events. Please contact Alicia Otto at 816-271-5670 or aotto@missouriwestern.edu for more information.

Tailgate – Homecoming 2021
2021-10-16 13:00 - 15:30 | Parking Lot H, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Join us before the game in Parking Lot H for a tailgate featuring local – and some alumni – food vendors.
Come to the Alumni tent, update your record and score a free t-shirt while supplies last!
Connect and reconnect with current and retired faculty from Biology, Chemistry, Health Professions, Craig School of Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Engineering Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.
Those scheduled to attend include: Adrienne Johnson, Dan Shepherd, Beth Potts, Elizabeth Thorne-Wellington, Mike Ducey, Jeff Woodford, Jon Rhoad, Steve Lorimor, Natalie Mikita, Gary Clapp, Len Archer, Rick Swartz, Jerry Zweerink, Tom Rachow, Rich Crumley, Bill Andresen and many others!
You may bring your alcohol in cans or plastic bottles. Remember your plastic cups! No glass please.
We are no longer accepting reservations for these events. Please contact Alicia Otto at 816-271-5670 or aotto@missouriwestern.edu for more information.

Homecoming Parade – 2021
2021-10-16 10:00 | 10th & Francis, N 10th St & Francis St, St. Joseph, MO, 64501, United States
The annual Homecoming parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. The parade will leave from City Hall (10th & Francis), go west on Francis to 6th Street, go north on 6th Street to Faraon, go east on Faraon to Frederick, merge northeast onto Frederick to 13th:

Bands will go south at 13th Street to Faraon, then west on Faraon to end at City Hall.
The rest of the parade will continue to 16th Street

Get downtown early to find your favorite spot!
Parade Route Map

Alumni Awards Banquet – Homecoming 2021
2021-10-15 18:00 - 20:30 | Fulkerson Center, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Join fellow alumni as well as faculty, staff and community members as we celebrate outstanding alumni achievement.
6:00-6:30 – Cocktails and Conversation
6:30-8:30 – Dinner and Program
$40 per person or $240 for a table of 6

Distinguished Alumni Award: Teresa Fankhauser ’79, Executive Director, Allied Arts Council, St. Joseph, MO
Distinguished Faculty Award: Stephanie Stewart ’97, School of Nursing and Health Professions, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO
GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award: Crystal (Potter) Graham ’13, Regulatory Affairs Officer at PATH, Bellevue, WA
Herb ’35 & Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University: Tom Richmond, Parts Distribution Manager, Altec Industries, Inc., St. Joseph, MO
Great Griffon Awards:

Business and Professional Studies – Susan Campbell ’01, Head of SJC Marketing, St. Joseph, MO
College of Science and Health – Gary Baumann ’09, ’12, Group Leader QA Investigations at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and Author, St. Joseph, MO
College of Liberal Arts – Dan Ramming ’97, Art Teacher and Yearbook Adviser, Central High School, St. Joseph, MO
College of Liberal Arts – Derek Coats ’02, Deputy Chief of Staff to United States Senator Roy Blunt, Jefferson City, MO

Student Leadership Awards:

Clifford Hughes ’55 Award – Isaiah Colbert ’21
International Student of the Year – Liam Nevin ’21
Graduating Student of the Year – Mackenzie O’Neill ’21

We are no longer accepting reservations for these events. Please contact Alicia Otto at 816-271-5670 or aotto@missouriwestern.edu for more information.

Blood Donors are Out of this World
2021-10-13 10:00 - 16:00
Blood Drive Truck at Blum Union from 10 am – 4 pm

Griffs Sweep
2021-10-12 14:00 - 17:00
Community Service projects from 2 – 5 pm
Learn More

Night Under the Stars
2021-10-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Spratt Stadium, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Showing of the new movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy” at Spratt Stadium

Meet Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, MWSU’s 6th President via Zoom
2021-04-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
The Missouri Western State University Board of Governors voted unanimously on Thursday, Feb. 25, to name Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy Missouri Western’s sixth president. Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, formerly Missouri Western’s vice provost, has been serving as interim president since Aug. 3, 2020.
Dr. Kennedy became Missouri Western’s vice provost in January, 2020, after being selected through a nationwide search. In that role, she focused on a number of elements of Missouri Western’s strategic plan, Pathways to Excellence, including strengthening student success, creating new partnerships and expanding applied learning.
Before coming to Missouri Western, Dr. Kennedy was dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology and interim dean of the College of Health Professions at the University of Akron. She had been at the University of Akron since 1997, beginning as an assistant professor of social science. Her administrative experience began as a department chair in 2002. She became associate dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology in 2014, becoming dean in 2016. In that role, she established several key partnerships with industry and other educational institutions. She added leadership of the College of Health Professions in 2017.
Dr. Kennedy grew up in Kansas City, graduated from Ruskin High School and has family in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Psychology, Graduate Certificate in Gerontology and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Applied Cognitive Aging, all from the University of Akron.

The Zoom link for this event will be sent to you by email after completion of registration.

Land of Egypt Tour (CANCELED)
2020-05-20 - 2020-05-31
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.
Please join the Alumni Association and Dr. Jimmy Albright for an unforgettable tour of Egypt.
On May 20-31, 2020, we will spend 12 days touring “Ancient Egypt and the Nile River” from Cairo to Aswan.
More information here.

Nomination Deadline - Alumni Awards
2020-05-01
The deadline for nominations for the Alumni Awards is May 1.

Student Leadership Awards:

Graduating Student of the Year
Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian International Student of the Year
Clifford Hughes ’51 Award

Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University
GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade)
Distinguished Faculty
Distinguished Alumni

Learn More

MIAA Basketball Supporters to Gather in KC
2020-03-06 15:30 - 17:30
Join us as we celebrate bother teams in the postseason! Griffon fans will gather together at Bar Central at the Downtown Kansas City Marriott (200 W 12th Street) around 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 6.
Games will be played at Municipal Auditorium (301 W 13th Street).
Women’s tip-off at 2:15 p.m. Men’s tip-off at 6 p.m.
Game tickets can be purchased from eh front desk of the Griffon Indoor Spots Complex or by calling (816) 271-4481, at the Municipal Auditorium box office or through Ticketmaster.

Future Griffs at the Chocolate Factory
2020-02-17 15:30, 2020-02-17 13:30
One of our most popular events for Future Griffs! Future Griffs get to make a chocolate treat at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. They will also have an opportunity to take a photo with Max!
Parents and grandparents are welcome.

Forever Griffons Homecoming Luncheon
2019-10-13 11:30 - 14:00 | Spratt Hall – Enright Room 216
Alumni from Junior College through the Class of 1979 are invited to join us at the Forever Griffons Luncheon. Receive a campus update from President Matt Wilson and reminisce with your classmates in Spratt Hall, Enright Room 216.
11:30 a.m. – Social Time
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – President Wilson Welcome
1:30 p.m. – Student Performance
2:00 p.m. – Conclusion

Football Game - MWSU vs. Missouri Southern
2019-10-12 16:00 | Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Child Admission (6 and under): Free
Youth Tickets (7-18): $5
Alumni General Admission (Adults) Tickets: $10
Purchase your tickets here. They will be available for pick up at the Spratt Stadium Will Call.

Tailgate - Homecoming 2019
2019-10-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Parking Lot H, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Join us before the game for a FREE tailgate. Alumni T-shirts will also be given out while supplies last. Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. You may bring your alcohol in cans or plastic bottles. Remember your plastic cups! No glass please.

Future Griffs Fun Zone
2019-10-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Remington Hall, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Bring your kids or grand kids and join us in Remington Hall for fun, food and games. Free Future Griffons T-shirts at registration while they last!

Homecoming Parade - 2019
2019-10-12 09:00
The annual Homecoming parade steps off at 9:00 a.m. The parade will leave from the corner of Frederick & Faraon, go down Frederick to Francis; Francis to 4th Street; 4th Street to Felix, ending at Felix and 10th Streets. Get downtown early to find your favorite spot!

Alumni Awards Banquet - Homecoming 2019
2019-10-11 17:30 - 20:30 | Fulkerson Center, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Join fellow alumni as well as faculty, staff and community members as we celebrate outstanding alumni achievement.
5:30 p.m. Reception, 6:15 p.m. Dinner and Program
$35 per person or $280 for a table of 8

Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. Jamel Santa Cruze Wright ’00, president, Eureka College
GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award: Chelsey Kusek ’09, Lead Elementary Art Teacher, North Kansas City School District
Herb ’35 & Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University: Pat Dillon, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer
Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Tom Rachow, Department of Biology
Great Griffon Awards: Craig School of Business & Technology – Jacob Cunning ’16; Liberal Arts and Sciences – Duane Martin ’89; Professional Studies – Mary Vaughan ’79; School of Nursing and Health Professions – Jaime Bartley ’17
Student Leadership Awards: Clifford Hughes ’55 Award – Benjamin Allen ’19; Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian International Student of the Year – Shi Qing Ong ’19; Graduating Student of the Year – Evan Banks ’19

Registration required.

SGA Reunion Lunch and Campus Tour
2019-10-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Spratt Memorial Stadium – Hall of Fame Room, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Lunch begins at 12:00 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Room at Spratt Stadium. After lunch, we’ll take a tour of campus starting at 1:30 p.m.
Lunch is $17.
Register Now

Golf Tournament - Homecoming 2019
2019-10-11 09:30 - 16:00
Join us at Fairview Golf Course for our annual Homecoming Golf Tournament. We are taking reservations for individuals or teams of four.
Individual Entries: $50
Team Entries: $200
Registration for individuals and teams begins at 9:30 a.m.
Tee-off is at 10:00 a.m.

SGA Reunion Networking & Trivia
2019-10-10 19:00 | Spratt Hall – Enright Room 214
Please join us for a networking reception and trivia games to kick off the 2019 SGA Reunion!
Reception is $5. Kids 12 and under are free.
Register Now

SGA Reunion - Homecoming 2019
2019-10-10 - 2019-10-12
Join fellow SGA, CAB, WAC, and RHA alumni for two days worth of fun and reminiscing. We’ll start on the evening of Thursday, October 10 networking with current SGA members. On Friday, we’ll have a campus tour and lunch for alumni, and on Saturday join us for the parade, tailgate and football game!
Register Now

Alumni Employee Breakfast - Homecoming 2019
2019-10-08 07:00 - 08:00 | Blum Union Food Court, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Join us in the food court again this year as we celebrate a special group of alumni – our alumni employees! Breakfast, a special gift and prize drawings will be provided.

Black and Gold Day - Homecoming 2019
2019-10-07
Kick off homecoming week by wearing your Missouri Western wear or black and gold. Post a selfie – or a group shot of you and your alumni co-workers in your black and gold – and hashtag it #BlackAndGoldDay

Forever Griffons Lunch and Learn
2019-09-04 11:00 | Spratt Memorial Stadium – Hall of Fame Room, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
Join us for our Forever Griffons Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, September 4! The fun starts at 11 a.m. in the Hall of Fame Room in Spratt Memorial Stadium.
President Matt Wilson and his wife, Noriko, will talk about their experiences living in Japan.
We are serving an Eastern Influences Chilled Buffet and cost is $15 per person.
Reservations required — register online at missouriwestern.edu/alumni/lunchandlearn/ or call (816) 271-5670.
The menu:

Teriyaki Salmon on Sweet Chili Cucumber
Orange Glazed Chicken with Sesame Spinach
Coriander Peanut Ramen Noodles
Szechuan Green Beans
Assorted Cookies
Iced Tea & Water

The schedule:

11:00 am – Check-in and Mingle
11:30 am – Lunch
12:00 pm – President Wilson’s Presentation

Griff Up Downtown
2019-08-22 17:30 - 19:30
WELCOME THE GRIFFON CLASS OF 2023!! Join the Missouri Western family – students, faculty, staff, alumni – and community members in downtown St. Joseph to welcome the incoming freshmen class for Griff Up Downtown hosted by Craig School of Business & Technology and Griffon Edge.
Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. in Felix Street Square. Hear from St. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray ’70 and Missouri Western President Matt Wilson. Then, bring your family and join us at Geneo’s Pizza & Pub for networking. Parking is available after hours in the Mosaic parking garage.

Future Griffs/Club Max Day at Chiefs Training Camp
2019-08-12 08:15 | Bill Snyder Pavilion, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO, 64507, American Samoa
Register Now

What: Future Griffs/Club Max Day at Chiefs Training Camp
When: Monday, August 12, 2019 – Practice Starts at 8:15am
Where: MWSU Campus, Chiefs Training Camp – Pavilion (for registration)
Cost: FREE
Each participant will receive:
• A chance to win (4) tickets to a Chiefs Game (one winner)
• A chance to be a helmet walker with a Chiefs player (two winners)
• A coupon for a free hot-dog and bottle of water
• MWSU fall athletic schedules and posters
• A meet and greet with MWSU football players
• The chance to take a photo with Max the Griffon
• Up close and personal viewing of the Chiefs as they get ready for the season
• Play time at the Chiefs Kids Zone
Don’t forget your sharpies for autographs – it is Defensive Backs Autograph Day!

Griffons Uncorked
2019-06-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Room 108, 722 Felix Street, St. Joseph, MO, 64501
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FUTURE ALUMNI EVENTS

Join the St. Joseph Alumni Chapter at one of the newest hotspots in town – Room 108 – for this year’s Griffons Uncorked! Located in downtown St. Joseph, Room 108 is next to Felix Street Gourmet and offers a full-service bar, two gathering spaces and a rooftop deck that overlooks the City of St. Joseph.
Your early registration fee of $15 per person. includes catering from the Ugly Duck Supper Club, a wine tasting and full serving of your favorite wine following the tasting. A cash bar will be available for additional beer, wine, cocktail or soda purchases. Registration at the door is $20 per person.
