Teddi Deka, professor of psychology and honors program director at Missouri Western State University, is Missouri Western’s recipient of the 2015 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education. She has taught at Missouri Western for 18 years.
Regan Dodd, assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation, was appointed Missouri Western’s faculty athletics representative for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). She succeeds Dr. Brenda Blessing, who had served in that role since 2000.
Three alumni were selected to own and operate their own businesses in June as part of the University’s unique entrepreneurship program: Ross Theesen ’15, Ernest Chamblee ’11 and Mindy Schimming ’14. These three join 16 other stores in 11 states. Several of the program’s alumni have gone on to a second franchise opportunity, with more expected to open this year.
Senior graphic design major Taylor King had a series of posters accepted to the National Student Show and Conference 11 sponsored by the Dallas Society of Visual Communications. King was just one of 20 students nationwide accepted into the Poster category of the competition.
A sculpture design, “Turbine,” by students Heather Lafromboise and Jake Proffit and Assistant Professor of Art Neil Lawley won the public vote to be one of four pieces to be installed as part of the Canoe Art Imagine Art installation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Construction professional Dustin Lafromboise was also part of the team.
The following students received awards at the Missouri College Media Association: Christina Wade, Personality Sketch, first place; Hardy Ho, Sports Design, first and second place; and John Ellis, Sports Photography, second place.
Alex Atkinson was named Missouri’s Student Employee of the Year by the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators. Atkinson, senior speech communication major, works in the Office of Admissions. There were 53 nominations for state and regional consideration.
David McMahan, associate professor of speech communications, published his third book: “Internet Communication.” McMahan was also selected as the President of Central States Communication Association.
David McIntire, assistant professor of music, was named recipient of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Spotlight Award. He and Andrew Lee, who was also recognized, formed Irritable Hedgehog Music in 2010 and have released 11 physical albums.
Student Jeni Swope received a Gold Circle Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at New York University for her photo that appeared in the 2014 Griffon Yearbook.
Pete Hriso, associate professor of art, had three short animations selected for the 3rd International Motion Festival 2015 film festival.
The University of Texas at Tyler purchased “Portrait: Attribute, Bird,” a piece of art by Teresa Harris, associate professor of art, for its permanent collection. The work had been accepted into the 30th Annual International Exhibition at the Meadows Gallery at the university.
Fountain City Brass Band, founded by Lee Harrelson, associate professor of music, received the North American Brass Band Championship title at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was the band’s fifth championship title.
“Scribble,” a sculpture by student Mark Bush Jr. was the only sculpture selected in a national competition to be displayed in front of the Brookings Art Council in Brookings, South Dakota, for one year.
Students won the following awards at the Technology Professionals National Collegiate Conference: Greg Williams, first place, Enterprise Systems; and Danyel Becker, first place, Professional Banner.
