STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Ms. Macioe Firsching is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
In addition to her work in the classroom, she has served as a resident assistant, a tutor in the Center for Academic Support, and teaching assistant for an introductory biology lab. Macioe has also been active in numerous student organizations, including two years as President of Beta Beta Beta. She also volunteers at local animal rescue and education centers.
Macioe is from Edwardsville, Illinois. Her future plans include pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Colorado State University.
Mr. Ethan Lowe is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Early Childhood Education.
In addition to his studies at Missouri Western, he organized a documentary screening of “Class of Covid-19: A Documentary Film” with a question-and-answer session. He has also taken on a leadership role in the new St. Joseph chapter of the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children.
Ethan is a product of the St. Joseph School District, and while he was still student teaching was hired by the District as a contract teacher. After graduation, he plans to continue teaching Special Education Preschool at The Lake Contrary Early Learning Center.
Reggie Parksel is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Reggie is a non-traditional student who has been a positive role model to his peers. A husband and father of three who has served in the community many ways, including as a football coach, Reggie has modeled resilience and perseverance in returning to Missouri Western to pursue his nursing degree.
His fortitude and dedication embody what it means to be a Griffon.
Caitlyn is graduating with a Business Management Degree with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. She is from Williamsburg, Kansas, a small town with only 400 people.
Caitlyn was a student leader in her high school, involved in many activities and playing softball and cheerleading. She grew up watching her family own and operate a now 50-year-old family restaurant.
In her four years at Missouri Western, she worked as a Resident Assistant and Student Mentor for three years. Caitlyn has also served for the Student Government Association as the Director of Griffs Give Back working closely with the Center for Service in executing community service events for the student body, faculty/staff, and St. Joseph community.
Outside of her university career, Caitlyn has helped her mother with the family business and working a few positions in the events/wedding industry.
Hannah Berry of Liberty, Missouri, graduates Suma Cum Laude with her Bachelors of Science in Economics and minor in English Studies. She has served in the highest position of student leadership as Student Governor on the Missouri Western Board of Governors. Hannah was appointed to the board position by Missouri Governor Mike Parson to serve as a representative and advocate of student voice for a two-year term. In her time as a Griffon, Hannah has also been involved in the Student Government Association, President of the Missouri Lambda Chapter of Alpha Chi National Honors Society. She is a Missouri Western Honors Program student, completing both General Studies and Majors Honors. She has also worked as a content tutor in the Center for Academic Success assisting other Griffons in their economics courses.
Hannah received the Honors Scholastic Key Award for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average and a Gold LEADS pin given to students who exhibit the following qualities of leadership, excellence, academic success, determination, and service. Hannah will be taking a gap year to live abroad in Germany before returning to the US to attend law school. She would like to specialize with a focus on international law.
Matthew Bobela, a St. Joseph, MO native, is a senior Vocal Music Education Major and a recipient of their prestigious Golden Griffon Scholarship. Maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, Matthew sang tenor and served as a section leader in the MWSU Chamber Singers and Concert Chorale. He has thrice performed at the annual Missouri Music Educators Association conference in All-State and All-Collegiate choirs, and he is the 2019 Champion of MWSU’s annual Concerto/Aria Competition. He was president of the university’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education, a brother of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity, and an active member of the MWSU Honors Program, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Matthew worked at the Center for Academic Support as a content tutor for Music Theory and Calculus II as well as an Honors Department office assistant.
A devoted servant of the local Catholic and arts communities, Matthew is the choir director at the Cathedral of St. Joseph and enjoys promoting the arts through his work with the St. Joseph Symphony and Creative Arts Productions Boards of Directors. In addition to his school and church choirs, Matthew can be heard singing on two albums which he produced, recorded, and directed as parish fundraisers. Recognition of Matthew’s endeavors in his school, church, and community include the 2018 Mayor’s Distinguished Citizen Award for Outstanding Youth for the City of St. Joseph, one of the St. Joseph News Press 2018 “20 Who Count,” the 2019 Allied Arts Council Youth Artist Award, and the MWSU Dean Hoff Outstanding Achievement Award in April 2021.
Whitney earned a degree in Psychology while at Missouri Western State University. While she was here she served as the President of Psi Chi, the International Honors Society for Psychology Majors, as well as Psychology Club. Through Psi Chi she has learned how to lead, to coordinate, and to help. More importantly she has learned what it means to lead when conscious of the things she is ignorant too. Whitney worked with others in creating a workshop for undergraduate clinical opportunities, a graduate school workshop, an R-programming workshop, a grant for the funding of a new communal study room for psychology students, and weekly study nights.
Whitney was a research assistant for the Cognitive Science Laboratory in the psychology department, and a research assistant for the Music Cognition and Aesthetics Research Laboratory at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Through those positions, she had the opportunity to present at multiple international and national conferences, co-author, and independently coordinate research proposals.
From these opportunities, Whitney was offered a position as a Research Coordinator at Saint Louis University, which she gladly accepted.
Briana Reed is a graduating Convergent Journalism Major who served in multiple leadership positions during her time at Missouri Western, including serving as co-coach for the Missouri Western Dance Company and as Secretary of Senate and Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association. She has also been a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Student Involvement Committee, and the Society of Collegiate Journalists. And recently, she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She volunteered with harvesters in Kansas City, been involved with the Silence the Hate Movement, and is a minister of the Oasis Church, formerly Zion Grove Baptist Church in Kansas City.
Alyssa served as the Treasurer of the Organization of Student Social Workers, Secretary of Active Minds, Leader of a group project on how to improve our campus’s Title IX, Volunteered in Numerous Events: Boy Scouts Day, Army Guard Party, Walk for the Homeless, Change for Change, & more. She has always been on either the Deans and/or President’s Honor Rolls. Also a part of the Phi Alpha Honor Society. Alyssa ended up contracting COVID-19 and was unable to attend the commencement in person, but was able to record her speech in advance to be played at the ceremony.
Eugenia Wallace was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. At a young age, she developed a passion for serving others while falling in love with the law. Growing up in the foster care system, Wallace served on the Missouri State Youth Advisory Board, advocating for foster youth across the state, drafting and implementing legislation that is still in use today. By the age of 16, Wallace was a college athlete at Missouri Western State University. There, she quickly became involved with several organizations. Over the course of four years, Wallace performed over 400 hours of community service, served on multiple executive boards, started a nonprofit organization, spoke at the 2019 commencement ceremony, and earned two degrees. Currently, She attends Washington University of St.Louis, School of Law, obtaining a Master’s degree in Legal Studies, where she will continue on as a candidate in the Juris Doctorate program.
Her love for community development sparked the creation of her corporation Female Force Association, which is an organization dedicated to building businesses while building connections, empowering women of color all over to be the best version of themselves. Through Female Force, she has been able to give away business grants, scholarships, teach women the importance of entrepreneurship, all while implementing positive change within her community.
Wallace captured the title of Miss Black Student Union in 2015 and quickly began serving those around her. This accelerated her interest in pageantry. Now, she currently holds the title of Miss Black Missouri International Ambassador, 2022. The beautiful crown and sash she wears are nice but her mission is much deeper than the surface. Wallace is determined to make the most of her title and allow these opportunities awarded to her to help those who really need a voice. Through her platform Female Force, she has been doing just that. Wallace believes when women support women, incredible things happen, she has no plans of stopping now. With plans to build the entrepreneur community within her home state, she also plans to pour into those in need through several local projects and initiatives. Wallace understands there is power in the light we hold as individuals. During her reign as Miss Black Missouri International Ambassador, 2022, she is dedicated to motivating and developing the next generation to let their light shine as well.
Dianah, an international student from Malaysia, received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations; graduating Cum Laude. Dianah spent three years, here, in Missouri Western. She was very involved on campus as the president of the International Student Council, a program assistant at the Center for Multicultural Education, a member of the Alpha Chi College Honor Society and an editor for the Griffon Yearbook.
Besides educating and sharing about her beautiful culture with others, she enjoys working with people from various different backgrounds, and claims travelling and music to be her main interests. She has also never stopped sharing her talent in singing ever since her freshman year.
She is the first among her two siblings to graduate from college. She’d like to recognize her family members for their endless support, even from afar.
Dianah spoke about how she and her friends have left a significant mark in Missouri Western, and how all of us will remember that “They Were Here.”
Connor Samenus earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, double majoring in Finance and Accounting, as well as Honors in General Studies, and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Connor served as the Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association, President of Phi Delta Theta, a representative on the Craig School of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Council, a Resident Assistant in both Scanlon and Juda, and was a Registration Leader for Griffon Edge. Additionally, Connor participated in two honors societies, Alpha Chi and Beta Gamma Sigma. He was active in the community of St. Joseph through community service, and helped to raise awareness for ALS and Breast Cancer. Connor was also the 2015 Missouri Western Homecoming King.
Connor is the fourth member of his immediate family of four to be a graduate of Missouri Western. Connor will begin his career at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City as an Analyst in July.
Connor’s Commencement speech is entitled, “What it means to be a Griffon.”
Ida Haefner graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Zoology. Ida is from Hillsboro, Missouri, just south of St. Louis. She was involved in many activities on campus including Tri-Beta, the Biological Honors Society where she held a leadership position for the last three years of her time on campus; the Student Honors Organization, Alpha Chi; and the Student Government Association, where she served as Director of Communication in 2014-2015 and the 2015-1016 student body President. When she left MWSU, Ida pursued her dream of becoming an Animal Keeper, and later an Animal Curator for a Zoo or Aquarium. Her long-term goal is to become the President of the United States.
Alex Atkinson received his Bachelor of Science degree in speech communication with a concentration in public relations. Alex was very involved on campus in the Student Ambassador program, Western Activities Council, Registration Leaders, Griffon Edge Leaders, Max’s Maniacs, Homecoming Steering Committee and Phi Delta Theta, where he served as chapter President. Alex served in the community through his involvement in Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life and the ALS Foundation, where he achieved the status of “Iron Phi” by raising $1,000 for ALS research and completing a 5K for ALS. After graduation, Alex moved to Oxford, Ohio to serve as a Leadership Consultant position for his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta.
Julia Buescher received her Bachelor of Science in Recreation Sport Management with a concentration in sport management and two minors—one in General Business and one in Speech Communication. She was an active member of the Student Government Association as Vice President of Western Activities Council, a Griffon Edge and registration leader for two years, past Panhellenic Vice President, and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.
Immediately after graduation, Julia worked in Louisiana at the Global Scouting Bureau, and traveled to the University of Brighton to attend the Rugby World Cup International Conference. Julia’s Commencement speech was titled: “Taking Action & Being Your Own Hero.”
Kendra was very involved on campus as a Griffon Edge Leader, staff member for the Griffon Yearbook, and a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, where she held the highest position of chapter president. Kendra served as a Rho Gamma sorority recruitment counselor and was the 2014-2015 Panhellenic Council president. Additionally, Kendra served as a Student Senator and participated in the Communications Department’s study abroad program for 2 years. Kendra was also the 2014 Missouri Western Homecoming Queen.
Kendra worked on campus as a tele-counselor and student assistant in the theatre, cinema and dance department. She was active in the community with Special Olympics, The Allied Arts Council, Second Harvest Food Bank and The St. Joseph Mustangs.
Kendra’s commencement speech was entitled, “Transforming Lives, One Griffon at a Time.”
Derek Thompson was the Commencement speaker at our first outdoor commencement ceremony in Spratt Stadium. Derek graduated with a Vocal Music degree. During his time on campus, Derek served as the Phi Sigma Kappa Vice President; the Student Government Association Director of Student Relations; in multiple theatre productions; as the President of the Student Honors Organization President; a concert chorale member; and as a Resident Assistant.
Derek’s Commencement speech was entitled, “Don’t Step on the Seal, and Other Ways to Graduate from Missouri Western.”
Quincy Hawkins earned a Health Science degree from Missouri Western. Quincy was involved in Phi Delta Theta during his college years; he is now a Safety Coordinator at Herzog. His Commencement speech was entitled, “Growth.”
Nicole Kerr graduated with a degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology. Hailing from Brisband, Queensland, Australia, Nicole volunteered at international student orientation, participated in the international lecture series during her time at Missouri Western. Her Commencement speech was entitled, “Transformations.”
