St. Joseph, Mo. – May 1, 2012 – Missouri Western State University and the MWSU Foundation presented awards to 10 faculty and staff members and 18 retirees were honored during the University’s 2012 Awards and Retirees’ Recognition on May 1.

Awards presented were:

  • Presidential Citation Award-Service to Campus Colleagues: Cindy Spotts-Conrad, financial aid
  • Presidential Citation Award-Service to University: Peggy Ellis, Western Institute
  • Presidential Citation Award-Service to Western Students: Elaine Bryant, student success
  • Jesse Lee Myers Excellence in Teaching Awards: Dr. Cary Chevalier, biology; Dr. Mary Still, psychology; Dr. Daniel Trifan, history, philosophy and geography
  • Dr. James V. Mehl Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship: Dr. Matthew Edwards, music, and Dr. Shensheng Tang, engineering technology
  • Dr. James J. Scanlon Service-Leader Award: Chad Elifrits, Western Reception Diagnostic Correctional Center (staff), and Dr. Nathanael May, music (faculty)

The 18 retirees honored contributed nearly 440 years of service to Missouri Western, an average of 24 years per person. They are:

  • Mona Bledsoe, physical plant
  • Rhonda Brewington, registrar’s office
  • Dr. Kenneth Dagel, history, philosophy and geography
  • Dr. Nancy Edwards, education
  • Judy Fields, academic affairs
  • Ramona Finley, criminal justice, legal studies and social work
  • Dr. Jane Frick, English, foreign languages and journalism
  • Rosalie Guyer, student services
  • Alice Harless, physical plant
  • Ken Lewis, physical plant
  • Dan Nicoson, university advancement and the MWSU Foundation
  • Sandra Phillips, library
  • Dr. John Rushin, biology
  • Dr. David Steiniche, economics, political science and sociology
  • Dr. Ann Thorne, English, foreign languages and journalism
  • Roger Voelkel, nursing and allied health
  • Dr. Phillip Wann, psychology
  • Beth Wheeler, external relations

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.

—end—