Awards and Recognition

Alumni Awards Past Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Awards

  • 2025 – Jim Reinert ’73
  • 2024 – L.B. Galbearth ’94 and Natalie Hawn ’00
  • 2023 – LaVell Rucker ’03 and Kimberly Warren ’92
  • 2022 – James Beesley ’81 and David Carter ’78
  • 2021 – Teresa Fankhauser ’79
  • 2020 – Patrick Modlin ’88
  • 2019 – Dr. Jamel Santa Cruze Wright ’00
  • 2018 – Keith Evans ’78, MD, PT, DPT
  • 2017 – James Sheehan ’78
  • 2016 – Wayne Chatham ’90,Β Jeff Mittie ’89,Β Ellen Sommer, ’93
  • 2015 – Scott Graham ’78, Col. Andrew Halter ’86, Dr. Ken Rosenauer ’74 and Hon. Larry Stobbs ’74
  • 2014 – Capt. Keith Hoskins ’88 and Bob Vecchione ’75
  • 2013 – Jack Jeffers ’82 and Col. Mike Pankau ’84
  • 2012 – Donna Jean Boyer ’64, Al Landes ’74 and Dr. Michael Mastio ’95
  • 2011 – Eric Bruder ’93, Jacqueline Lewin ’66, Dr. Bernie Patterson ’73 and Sen. Rob Schaaf ’79
  • 2010 – Craig Fuchs ’84, Linda Judah ’82/’94 and Steven Koenig ’86
  • 2009 – Dirck Clark ’85, Richard Durst ‘ 72 and Brent Porlier ’82
  • 2008 – Chris Danford ’78, Daniel Kellogg ’82 and Cheri Kempf ’85
  • 2007 – Edward Haffey ’62, Tom Norsworthy ’75 and Mary Jane Fields Schoen ’47
  • 2006 – Dennis Atkins ’77, John Mullican ’87 and Julia Schneider ’67
  • 2005 – Col. Stephen Cotter ’78, Dr. Robert Couldry ’71, Esther George ’80, Tegwin Pulley ’63
    and Dr. Melody Smith ’87
  • 2004 – Dan Kampen ’81, Sean Nash ’91, Thomas Schneider ’64 and Nanette Wolford ’73
  • 2003 – Patrick Conway ’93, Dan Danford ’78, Molly Pierce ’77 and Jeanne Webb ’71
  • 2002 – Judge Weldon Judah ’72, Thomas Kalin ’55 and William McMurray ’70
  • 2001 – Dr. Algalee Poole Adams ’39, Darrel Ashlock ’75 and Steven Perry ’83
  • 2000 – Dr. Rebecca Mackoy ’76 and Jill Miller ’73
  • 1999 – Karen Baker ’61, Charles Bruffy ’82, Dr. Jeanne Daffron ’75 and Sharon Kosek ’77
  • 1998 – Charles Burri ’55, Glenda Kelly ’89 and Dwight Scroggins ’76
  • 1997 – Ron Auxier ’73, Joseph Gray ’42, Dr. Matthew James ’78 and Hugh Miner ’40
  • 1996 – Helen Gettys ’51 and Sally Radmacher ’81
  • 1995 – Forrest Hoff ’58, Al Kost ’32, Mark McDonald ’73 and Patricia Rashid ’53
  • 1994 – Dr. William H. Gondring, M.D. ’56, Dr. Donald E. Michel, Ph.D. ’40, Robert W. Roth ’73
    and Mary Claudia Wolters ’82
  • 1993 – George Roth ’39, Richard Sipe ’61 and Leah Spratt ’21
  • 1992 – John Beihl ’57, Dr. Michael Baltezor ’72, Dr. James Conant ’72, Louise Lacy ’19 and Mark Pankau ’73
  • 1991 – Joe Friedman ’39, Jeffrey Hilleson ’39, Edward Hirsch ’33 and William Zimmerman ’74
  • 1990 – Dr. Jerry Chambers ’67, Dr. Deam Hunter Ferris ’32, Charles Larson ’51 and Byron Myers ’55
  • 1989 – John Birch ’72, Jean Paden Brown ’73, Dr. Harry Sauer, Jr. ’54, Dr. John Stanley ’76
    and Harriet Jane Hutchinson Wingo ’36
  • 1998 – Thomas Baumann ’34, Richard DeShon ’54, Robert Douglas ’37 and Frances Flanagan ’35
  • 1997 – C. Neil Dubach ’48, James Hayes ’71 and Diane Oliver ’76
  • 1996 – Dr. Isadore Farber ’36, Roderick Fletcher ’48, Dr. Wilbur McDonald ’33, Ernest Steinman ’42
    and Joyce Winston ’73
  • 1985 – Frank Connett, Jr. ’42, Robert Keener ’55, Milton Litvak ’38, Bertha Ann Parker ’72
    and Edna Swafford Pumphrey ’32
  • 1984 – John Downs ’35, Herbert Iffert ’35, Maude Wickam Nold ’26, Charles Redmond ’40 and Alexandra Santa Cruz ’73
  • 1983 – Alvin Liberman ’36, Christel Marquardt ’70, W. Dale Maudlin ’71, David Morton ’42 and Blaine Yarrington ’37

Distinguished Faculty Awards

  • 2025 – Dr. Teddi Deka
  • 2024 – Tammie Conley
  • 2023 – Elissa Zorn ’12/’17
  • 2022 – Thomas Brecheisen
  • 2021 – Stephanie Stewart ’97
  • 2020 – Dr. Regan Dodd
  • 2019 – Dr. Tom Rachow
  • 2018 – Dr. Bill Church ’89
  • 2017 – Dr. Jeff Poet
  • 2016 – Dr. Bob Bergland
  • 2015 – Don Lillie
  • 2014 – Dr. Susie Hennessy
  • 2013 – Dr. Cary Chevalier
  • 2012 – Roger Voelkel
  • 2011 – Dr. Jane Frick
  • 2010 – Dr. Leonard Archer
  • 2009 – Frank Thomas
  • 2008 – Carol Roever
  • 2007 – Dr. Dennis Rogers
  • 2006 – Richard Crumley
  • 2005 – Sharon Gray
  • 2004 – Dr. Steven Greiert
  • 2003 – Dr. Todd Eckdahl
  • 2002 – Kathleen Andrews
  • 2001 – Dr. Matthew Gilmour
  • 2000 – Dr. William Andresen
  • 1999 – Dr. Diane Gorcyca
  • 1998 – James Grechus
  • 1997 – Dr. Jeanie Crain
  • 1996 – Diane Winston
  • 1995 – Dr. Charles Erickson
  • 1994 – Dr. Cordelia M. Esry, Ph.D.
  • 1993 – Dr. John Rushin
  • 1992 – Dr. John Tapia
  • 1991 – Dr. Carl Phil Mullins
  • 1990 – Dr. Joseph Ripple
  • 1989 – Isabel Sparks
  • 1988 – Elizabeth Latosi Sawin
  • 1987 – David Ashley
  • 1986 – Dr. Patrick McMurry
  • 1985 – Gerald Zweerink
  • 1984 – Nancy Tanner Edwards
  • 1983 – Dr. Francis Kessler

Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Awards

  • 2025 – Colton Saunders ’18
  • 2024 – Kaleb Johnson ’15
  • 2023 – Michael Sewell ’19
  • 2022 – Engoma Fataki ’20
  • 2021 – Krystal Graham ’13
  • 2020 – Isaac Collins ’11
  • 2019 – Chelsey Kusek ’09
  • 2018 – Dr. Brian A. Dow ’11
  • 2017 – John Klindt ’11
  • 2016 – Shannon Swanson White ’06
  • 2015 – Hon. Elijah Haahr ’05
  • 2015 – Kelsey McFarland ’08
  • 2015 – Seth Lyons ’08
  • 2014 – John Fabsits ’04
  • 2013 – Dan Bradford ’04
  • 2013 – Candice Quarles ’05
  • 2012 – Jonn-Thomas Casey ’02
  • 2011 – Dr. Shannon Brewer ’01
  • 2011 – Kylee Strough ’03
  • 2010 – Natalie Leonard-Redmond ’00
  • 2010 – Stan Pearson II ’02

Great Griffon Awards
(FA – Fine Arts; CSB&T – Craig School of Business & Technology; LAS – Liberal Arts & Sciences; N&HP – Nursing & Health Professions; PS – College of Business & Professional Studies; SH – College of Science & Health)

  • 2025 – Terry Brock ’85/’94 – LA
  • 2025 – Phallin Thornton ’11 – SH
  • 2025 – Tona Williams ’00 – PS
  • 2024 – Courtenay Wills ’02 – LA
  • 2024 – Kate Schaefer ’00 – PS
  • 2024 – Peggy Gaines ’76 – SH
  • 2023 – David Jordan ’74 – PS
  • 2023 – Jeff Stubblefield ’83 – SH
  • 2023 – LaTonya William ’03 – LA
  • 2022 – Bryan Alford, Jr. ’12 – LAS
  • 2022 – Obie Austin ’95 – SH
  • 2022 – Marta Gill-Sansone ’89 – PS
  • 2021 – Susan Campbell ’01 – PS
  • 2021 – Derek Coats ’02 – LAS
  • 2021 – Dan Ramming ’97 – LAS
  • 2021 – Gary Baumann ’09/’12 – SH
  • 2020 – Greg VerMulm ’89 – CSB&T
  • 2020 – Brett Esely ’01 – PS
  • 2020 – Lee Murdock ’10 – N&HP
  • 2019 – Jacob Cunning ’16 – CSB&T
  • 2019 – Duane Martin ’89 – LAS
  • 2019 – Jaime Bartley ’17 – N&HP
  • 2019 – Mary Vaughan ’79 – PS
  • 2018 – Jaime Habersat ’99 – CSB&T
  • 2018 – Patrick Larsen ’15 – FA
  • 2018 – Kristi Bailey ’00 – LAS
  • 2018 – Dr. Rachel Pepper ’03 – PS
  • 2017 – Corky Marquart ’84 – CSB&T
  • 2017 – Marrita Black ’73 – FA
  • 2017 – Mary Beth Schmitz ’99 – LAS
  • 2017 – Diane Waddell ’66/’91 – N&HP
  • 2017 – LaSahundra Randolph ’03 – PS

Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University

  • 2025 – Robert Sigrist ’94 and Kimberly Sigrist ’93
  • 2024 – Sharon Kosek ’77
  • 2023 – Dennis Rosonke
  • 2022 – Dave Summers
  • 2021 – Tom Richmond
  • 2020 – Mary Shuman
  • 2019 – Pat Dillon
  • 2018 – Drew Brown
  • 2017 – Tom and Patsy ’95 Smith
  • 2016 – Jerry ’71 and Linda Myers
  • 2015 – Hon. Bill Falkner
  • 2014 – Carlos and Carol Moya
  • 2013 – Barbara Crumley
  • 2012 – Zack Workman ’74
  • 2011 – Dave Shinneman
  • 2010 – Sen. Charlie Shields
  • 2009 – Charlie β€˜55 and Patti ’55 Burri
  • 2008 – Stan and Doris ’51 Hall
  • 2007 – Dr. George Richmond

Student Leadership Awards

  • 2025 – Mackenzie DeVine ’24 – Graduating Senior of the Year
  • 2025 – Lauren Nylund ’25 – Graduating Senior of the Year
  • 2025 – Mariana Casadiego Morales ’25 – International Student of the Year
  • 2024 – Elizabeth Reese ’24 – Graduating Senior of the Year
  • 2024 – Roger Collins ’24 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2024 – Artemii Udovenko ’24 – International Student of the Year
  • 2023 – Taylor Edwards ’23 – Graduating Senior of the Year
  • 2023 – Briana Ward ’23 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2022 – Joshua Rencher ’22 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2022 – Arnold Crayton, Jr. ’21/’22 – Graduating Senior of the Year
  • 2021 – Isaiah Colbert ’21 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2021 – Liam Nevin ’21 – International Student of the Year
  • 2021 – Mackenzie O’Neill ’21 – Graduating Senior of the Year
  • 2020 – Jordan (Jay) Alford ’20 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2020 – Federica Salmaso ’20 – International Student of the Year
  • 2020 – Merle Phillips ’20 – Graduating Student of the Year
  • 2019 – Benjamin Allen ’19 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2019 – Shi Qing Ong ’19 – Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian International Student of the Year
  • 2019 – Evan Banks ’19 – Graduating Student of the Year
  • 2018 – Alexis Williams ’18 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2018 – Sanhith Chinta ’18 – International Student of the Year
  • 2018 – Mariatul Dianah Hidzir ’18 – Graduating Student of the Year
  • 2017 – Bre’Auna Watkins ’71 – Clifford Hughes ’55 Award
  • 2017 – Deir Monteil Dominguez ’17 – International Student of the Year
  • 2017 – Rey Wilkinson ’17 – Graduating Student of the Year

Honorary Alumni Award

An Honorary Alumni Award is given at the discretion of the Alumni Association Board of Directors to an individual who has faithfully served ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ Western and evoked pride among its constituents, but is not an alumnus/a.

It is given only when someone meets the merits of the award rather than every year.

All of the ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ Alumni Awards are awarded to nominees through a rigorous selection process and at the pleasure and discretion of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association.

All recipients of the Alumni Awards and their accomplishments are intended to reflect the values, excellence and integrity of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½.

RECIPIENTS

Howard McCauley

Howard McCauley served the Office of Admissions for more than three decades before retiring this year. In 1979, he was hired at ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ Western as football offensive line coach under Head Coach Rob Hicklin, but moved to Admissions in 1985 as interim director.

When Howard began guiding Admissions, there were approximately 3,900 students, he had two full-time and two part-time employees working for him, and they shared space with the Registrar’s Office. Under his tenure, enrollment has grown to just under 6,000 students.

From his earliest days as director of Admissions, Howard stressed customer service. He noted that, at the time, public universities did not focus on customer service, and Howard knew that if
they did, it could help grow ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ Western’s enrollment. β€œIt was always about serving students.”

Howard earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Northeast ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ State University (now Truman State) and a master’s in school administration from University of Central ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½.

Looking back on his career, he says he is most proud of the students that he was able to help or give a second chance to, and β€œmany, many went on to prove me right.”

β€œIt’s been a privilege to represent ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½,” he said. β€œAlumni should be very proud to be a Griffon.”

He and his wife, Beth, have two sons and one daughter.