The Missouri Western State University Engineering Technology Advancement Committee presented awards to a student and a community leader at their annual awards banquet March 25. Korbin von Stentzsch, a junior majoring in manufacturing engineering technology, was presented with the Student Excellence Award. Al Landes, president and chief operating officer of Herzog Contracting Corp., received the Community Excellence Award.
The Engineering Technology Student Excellence Award recognizes a current student in the engineering technology program for their academic excellence, leadership and service. Von Stentzsch came to Missouri Western from Half Moon Bay, Calif., but attended Frankfurt International High School in Oberursal, Germany. He is currently employed by Johnson Controls in St. Joseph, where he is a Six Sigma Black Belt. He was unanimously selected by the engineering technology faculty due to his strong work ethic and excellent grades. In addition to receiving a plaque, von Stentzsch also will receive a $1,000 scholarship if he chooses to enroll in Missouri Western’s Master of Applied Science in Engineering Technology Management after receiving his undergraduate degree.
The Engineering Technology Community Excellence Award recognizes a member of the engineering technology industry who has shown outstanding and continuous commitment to advancing the field as well as support for Missouri Western’s mission, vision and legacy. Landes has been employed with Herzog Contracting for 42 years, guiding it from a small regional Midwestern company into a nationwide highway, mass transit and structures contractor. He is a native of Missouri and attended Missouri Western, receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Missouri Western Alumni Association last year. He is active in many community and industry organizations, and was one of the founders of the Engineering Technology Advance Committee.
The Engineering Technology Advancement Committee was created in 2009 to provide private industry support to Missouri Western’s department of engineering technology. Members of the committee raise funds for scholarships, endowments, specialized equipment and other needs; provide internship opportunities to current students; make guest speakers available; promote construction-related careers in northwest Missouri; and provide funding and support for Missouri Western’s Association of General Contractors Student Chapter.
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. Missouri 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.