The Alumni Association Board of Directors recently announced two new categories of alumni recognition to be presented at the awards banquet on Oct. 27 as part of Homecoming. The Great Griffon Awards will recognize alumni from each College and School who exhibit outstanding contributions to the workforce, society or the University. The Alumni Student Leadership Awards will recognize three graduating students with the Clifford Hughes ’55 Student of Color Award, the International Student of the Year Award and the Senior of the Year Award.

Mary Vaughan ’79, association president, noted that the Alumni Association will continue to present its current awards – the Distinguished Alumni Award, the GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) award, the Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University and the Distinguished Faculty Award.

Nominees for the Great Griffon Awards must have graduated at least one year between graduation and nomination or completed at least 24 credit hours at any Missouri Western institution, and bring pride to Missouri Western through their career achievements, volunteerism, or humanitarianism. They do not have to be working in their degree field. The nomination must include why the nominee should be considered a Great Griffon and list any known career achievements and/or community service.

Nominations have closed for 2017, but nominations for 2018 will be accepted until March 1, 2018. To nominate someone for a Great Griffon Award, email Colleen Kowich at ckowich@missouriwestern.edu or send information to Kowich at 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt 106, St. Joseph, MO 64507.