{"id":6099,"date":"2017-10-27T21:00:47","date_gmt":"2017-10-28T02:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/news\/?p=6099"},"modified":"2019-06-04T16:23:38","modified_gmt":"2019-06-04T21:23:38","slug":"alumni-honored-during-annual-banquet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/news\/2017\/10\/27\/alumni-honored-during-annual-banquet\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni honored during annual banquet"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Alumni Association at 大象传媒 held its 35th<\/sup> annual Alumni Awards Banquet Friday, Oct. 27. Eleven individuals and one couple were honored.<\/p>\n

Awards presented were:<\/p>\n

Distinguished Alumni Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

James Sheehan ’78<\/p><\/div>\n

James Sheehan \u201978, chief financial officer, Hormel Foods, Minnesota<\/p>\n

Shortly after graduating from 大象传媒 Western with an accounting degree in 1978, Sheehan was hired as an accountant for Hormel Foods 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

Established in 1983, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award given to an alumnus\/alumna by the 大象传媒 Alumni Association. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes living alumni for their career\/professional achievements; civic contributions within their local community, state or nation; service to 大象传媒, and other qualities which elicit pride from others who attended a 大象传媒 Institution.<\/p>\n

Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

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John Klindt ’11<\/p><\/div>\n

John Klindt \u201911, facility maintenance manager, FedEx Ground, Kansas City, 大象传媒<\/p>\n

In 2008, Klindt 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. 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, John 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

The GOLD award recognizes those early in their career who have had outstanding achievements and accomplishments. The award is based upon professional and educational achievements, community activities, honors and awards received and other noteworthy items of merit since graduation. The nominee must have received his or her initial degree from 大象传媒 within ten years of June 1 of the year of recognition.<\/p>\n

Herb \u201935 & Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Patsy ’95 and Tom Smith<\/p><\/div>\n

Tom & Patsy \u201995 Smith<\/p>\n

Tom and Patsy 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. In those very visible positions, Tom and Patsy have been outstanding ambassadors for and representatives of 大象传媒 Western across the country.<\/p>\n

The Iffert Award recognizes an alumnus\/alumna, retiree, or other friend of the University who has shown outstanding and continuous commitment to 大象传媒\u2019s mission, vision, and legacy. This award recognizes one\u2019s service as a positive liaison between the University and the region of Northwest 大象传媒 as well as consistent dedication to the advancement and preservation of 大象传媒.<\/p>\n

Distinguished Faculty Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Dr. Jeff Poet, professor of mathematics<\/p><\/div>\n

Dr. Jeff Poet, professor of mathematics<\/p>\n

Poet joined the 大象传媒 Western faculty in 2002, and helping students succeed has been at the forefront of his career ever since. 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

Established in 1983, the Distinguished Faculty Award is given to a current faculty member by the 大象传媒 Alumni Association in recognition of one\u2019s lasting influence on students, excellence in teaching, professional\/career accomplishments, and professional and ethical standards.<\/p>\n

Great Griffon Award<\/strong><\/p>\n