Dr. Jennifer Elder receives the Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James V. Mehl Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship at the faculty and staff awards and retirement celebration at Missouri Western on May 2, 2025.
May 7, 2025–Missouri Western State University honored several employees during the 2025 Faculty and Staff Awards and Retirement Reception on May 2.
Awards were presented to eight individuals. They are listed below, with excerpts from their nomination materials.
Outstanding Academic Advisor: Dr. James Carviou, associate professor of journalism. A student wrote that Dr. Carviou’s advice “has helped me improve as a student, a journalist and a worker. In times where I just needed someone to talk to, James was there to listen and help.”
Missouri Western Award for Teaching Excellence
- Dr. Lane DesAutels, associate professor of philosophy. “As a teacher, he is welcoming, engaged, and interested in the success of his students.”
- Mackenzie Evans, assistant professor of nursing. “Each experience in her classroom left me feeling inspired and cared for.”
Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Colleagues: Regina Young, administrative coordinator for the College of Science and Health. “She genuinely wants those around her to have the tools and clarity they need to succeed.”
Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Students: Angie Caswell, student housing assignments coordinator. “Angie is always looking for ways to make the student experience better [and has] profoundly impacted residents for over 12 years at Missouri Western.”
Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to the University: Jeannette Lorimor, accountant. “Her patience in explaining complex financial matters makes her an invaluable resource, particularly for those who may not have extensive accounting knowledge.”
Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James V. Mehl Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship: Dr. Jennifer Elder, assistant professor of mathematics. In her second year at Missouri Western, Dr. Elder has published nine articles in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James J. Scanlon Award for Staff Service to Community: Angie Osborn, administrative assistant in the Center for Service and Center for Military and Veteran Services. “She plays an active part in our service initiatives, working side-by-side with student volunteers and acting as a mentor and role model.”
The reception also honored 10 employees who have or will retire in the current academic year with a combined 178 years of service to Missouri Western. Honored retirees include:
- Cathy Bryson, Student Accounts
- Debbie Crisler, Marketing and Communications
- CW Ford, Physical Plant
- Teresa Harris, School of Fine Arts
- Roy Jacobs, Physical Plant
- Kathryn Lau, Counseling Center
- Dr. Steven Lorimor, Chemistry
- James Mulder, Library
- Bradley Stephens, Athletics
- Steve VanDyke, Marketing and Communications
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 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 missouriwestern.edu.