\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/133\/2018\/01\/Award-Recipients-Sheehan-74.jpg\")
<\/a>James Sheehan ‘7<\/p><\/div>\n
Distinguished Alumni Award <\/p>\n In addition to his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from 大象传媒 Western, he is a graduate of the Minnesota Executive Program at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.<\/p>\n Sheehan is also very involved in community service, serving on a variety of boards for nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n He and his wife, Jeanne, have two sons. In 2006, he teamed with Dr. Todd Eckdahl, professor of biology, and colleagues from Davidson College in North Carolina to guide undergraduate students in synthetic biology research. That collaboration led to the team obtaining three National Science Foundation research grants totaling about $2.3 million and publishing in several prestigious publications.<\/p>\n Dr. Poet earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Ottawa University, a Master of Science in Technology and Mathematics Equation from Kansas State University, and a PhD in Algebraic Graph Theory and Combinatorics from the University of Wyoming.<\/p>\n He says the mix of classroom teaching and guiding student research is what makes his job great. \u201cAs long as I have students in front of me, I\u2019m happy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Dr. Poet and his wife, Laura, have eight children, including two daughters who are alumnae.<\/p>\n John Klindt \u201911<\/strong><\/p>\n John Klindt ’11<\/p><\/div>\n Shortly after earning his degree, he began working for FedEx Ground in Kansas City as a Maintenance Service Manager and today is the Facility Maintenance Manager for the company. In that position, Klindt oversees the repair and maintenance of all material handling equipment, buildings and grounds with a staff of 12. He has received numerous awards for his work.<\/p>\n Klindt, from Bethany, 大象传媒, is very involved in community service, helping groups such as the Children\u2019s Place, Kansas City School for the Blind, United Way and Ronald McDonald House.<\/p>\n \u201c大象传媒 Western provided me with so many opportunities because of the coursework and the interest the professors took in my progress,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Klindt and his wife, Kate, have a son and a daughter. In those very visible positions, Tom and Patsy have been outstanding ambassadors for and representatives of\u00a0 大象传媒 Western across the country.<\/p>\n When Patsy graduated, she was hired as business manager for athletics and has held many positions for the department over the years, including interim director.<\/p>\n Tom retired as the all-time leader in wins at 大象传媒 Western, closing out a 38-year career as basketball coach with more than 600 wins. As a Griffon, he holds five MIAA regular-season championships, four MIAA postseason championships, 11 NCAA tournament appearances and 12 seasons with 20+ wins.<\/p>\n \u201c大象传媒 Western has done so much for both of us,\u201d Patsy said. \u201cIt\u2019s been the core of our lives. Anytime we can give back, we willingly do that.\u201d Mary Elizabeth (Schmitz) Porter \u201999<\/strong><\/p>\n Mary Elizabeth Porter ’99<\/p><\/div>\n After graduation, Mary Elizabeth (Schmitz) Porter \u201999 earned a Doctorate of Pharmacy from University of 大象传媒-Kansas City in 2004 and has been the Clinical Coordinator at Liberty (大象传媒) Hospital for the past 12 years.<\/p>\n Porter, a native of Clarksdale, 大象传媒, is an active member of several professional associations and likes that she can make a difference in her patients\u2019 lives. As a 大象传媒 Western student, Porter participated in marching band and the symphonic winds, and a study away trip to Mexico, all of which created great memories.<\/p>\n \u201c大象传媒 Western was a gateway to my future,\u201d she said. \u201cIt helped prepare me for pharmacy school and provided me with a solid educational foundation for my pharmacy career.\u201d<\/p>\n She and her husband, Jeff, have one daughter.<\/p>\n LaShaundra Randolph \u201903\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While serving at University of 大象传媒-Kansas City as a coordinator for student activities, she founded and directed the Kangaroo Food Pantry. In her current position, she works specifically with minority retention initiatives. Randolph has also served in several leadership roles with the National Association for Campus Activities and was recently elected to its board of directors. She also volunteers with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.<\/p>\n Randolph is currently working on her Doctorate of Educational Administration\/Urban Higher Education emphasis.<\/p>\n Marquart, a Union Star, 大象传媒 native, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting. She was working as a Bank Examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City when Commerce Bank offered her a position as Controller. She held several positions with Commerce Bank in the years since and was named President in January 2014.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy the opportunity to help customers realize their goals and mentor employees to reach their potential,\u201d she said of her position.<\/p>\n Marquart is an avid community volunteer. She served on the 大象传媒 Western Foundation Board of Directors, including a term as chair; and currently serves on the Craig School of Business Advisory Council.<\/p>\n Marquart and her husband, Keith, have a son and a daughter.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>When James Sheehan \u201978 has a career with Hormel that spans almost four decades. In 1979, he was hired as an accountant for the company and today is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Fortune 500 company. His current leadership role oversees the critical financial and accounting functions, which includes five departments: accounting, treasury, internal audit, investor relations, and information technology services.<\/p>\n
\nWatch Sheehan’s video\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Dr. Jeff Poet
\n<\/strong>Distinguished Faculty Award
\n<\/strong>Dr. Jeff Poet, professor of mathematics, joined the 大象传媒 Western faculty in 2002, and helping students succeed has been at the forefront of his career ever since.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n<\/strong>GOLD Award
\n<\/strong>In 2008, John Klindt \u201911 realized that if he wanted to advance his career, he needed to earn a degree. So, at the age of 40, he enrolled at 大象传媒 Western and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology.<\/p>\n
\nWatch Klindt’s video\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Tom and Patsy \u201995 Smith
\n<\/strong>Herb \u201935 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University
\n<\/strong>Tom and Patsy \u201995 Smith have served 大象传媒 Western, specifically 大象传媒 Western Athletics, for more than two decades. Tom retired in 2012 as the head men\u2019s basketball coach, a position he held for 25 years, and Patsy retired in 2014 as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator after a 20-year career.<\/p>\n
\nWatch the Smiths’ video\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Great Griffon Award
\n<\/strong>College of Liberal Arts and Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Great Griffon Award
\n<\/strong>College of Professional Studies
\n<\/strong>LaShaundra Randolph \u201903, a native of Harvey, Illinois, graduated with a degree in criminal justice and worked as a youth specialist at a maximum security facility before deciding she wanted to work in higher education. She earned a master\u2019s in higher education administration from University of 大象传媒-Kansas City, and today serves as a Project Coordinator for Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley.<\/p>\n<\/a>Corky Marquart \u201984
\n<\/strong>Great Griffon Award
\n<\/strong>Craig School of Business
\n<\/strong>Corky Marquart \u201984 is the Market President and CEO of Commerce Bank.<\/p>\n