Missouri Western announces 2024 alumni award winners

Sept. 19, 2024-The Missouri Western State University Alumni Association will honor 11 individuals at the annual Alumni Award Banquet during Homecoming Week. The banquet will be held on Oct. 18 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center. The event is open to everyone and the cost is $40 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets to the banquet, visit griff.vn/alumbanquet.

Honorees are listed below.

The Distinguished Alumni Awardis the highest award given to a Missouri Western alum. It recognizes living alumni for their career and professional achievements; civic contributions within their local community, state or nation; service to the University and other qualities that reflect the values of Missouri Western. This award is given to alumni with a difference of at least 11 years between attendance and nomination.

This year's recipients are:

• Dr. L.B. Galbearth Jr. '94. Operations Officer for the U.S. Army Reserve's 811th Hospital Center in Independence, Missouri. He is also an independent certified coach, teacher, trainer and speaker with The John Maxwell Team. Galbearth earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and Bachelor of Science in political science from Missouri Western. He holds a graduate certificate in emergency and disaster management and a master's degree in health sciences from Touro University. He is a graduate of the Army Command General Staff College and the Naval War College Command and Staff. He also holds a doctorate degree in education with a focus on leadership and management and is a consummate professional working in the private sector and military industry.

• Natalie Hawn '00, president and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Hawn graduated from Missouri Western with a Bachelor of Science in communications, emphasis in public relations. She has been an active volunteer in the St. Joseph community, and currently serves on the following boards: St. Joseph School District Foundation, Specialty Industries, Innovation Stockyard and St. Joseph Sports Commission. At the state level she is on the executive committee and serves as the treasurer for the Hawthorn Foundation and is a commissioner of the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission. She is a 2024 recipient of Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe's Women of Achievement Awards. Nationally, Hawn serves in the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Leadership Academy representing the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard.

The Griffon Of the Last Decade (GOLD) Awardrecognizes those early in their career who have had outstanding achievements and accomplishments. The award is based on 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 Missouri Western State University within ten years of June 1 of the year of recognition.

This year's recipient is Dr. Kaleb Johnson '15, assistant principal at Lindbergh Elementary School in the St. Joseph School District. He holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education (grades 1-6) with an emphasis in general science from Missouri Western, then earned a Master of Science in educational leadership and an educational specialist degree in school superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University. Dr. Johnson completed his educational doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from Baker University in 2024. Prior to his current role, he taught at both Lindbergh and Hyde Elementary Schools. Additionally, he has served as a curriculum advisor, instructional coach and summer school principal. Dr. Johnson was recognized as a 2022 Teacher of the Year finalist and a Shining Star Award recipient. He is also dedicated to volunteering in the local community, serving on committees such as the United Way's Community Investment Council.

The Herb '35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the Universityrecognizes an alum, retiree or other friend of the university who has shown outstanding and continuous commitment to Missouri Western State University's mission, vision and legacy. This award recognizes one's service as a positive liaison between the university and the region of northwest Missouri, as well as consistent dedication to the advancement and preservation of Missouri Western State University.

This year's recipient is Dr. Sharon Kosek '77. Dr. Kosek received a bachelor's degree in business education from Missouri Western State College, then earned vocational certification and a Master of Science in vocational business education from Northwest Missouri State University, and a specialist degree in vocational business education and Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri Columbia. Dr. Kosek served as the business curriculum coordinator for the St. Joseph School District. One of her major contributions to the district was a high school senior requirement for graduation: personal finance. This one-semester course included a ten-hour volunteer requirement and became a model requirement for many school districts across Missouri. Dr. Kosek has served as president of 16 organizations including the America's Second Harvest Food Bank, the Cotillion for Achievement and the North Central Business Education Association.

The Distinguished Faculty Awardis given to a current faculty member in recognition of a lasting influence on students, excellence in teaching, career accomplishments and professional and ethical standards.

This year's recipient is Dr. Tammie Conley, assistant professor in the Department of Nursing. She has 27 years of nursing experience in clinical practice in various roles primarily at Saint Luke's Health System in Kansas City. She spent five years as nursing faculty at UMKC, where she coordinated the Community Health Course and taught various MSN courses in the Nurse Educator track. Dr. Conley earned her MSN in Nursing Education from UMKC and obtained a master's degree in public health and a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Missouri. During the pursuit of her Ph.D., she was selected to be a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholar and was awarded the Jonas Global scholarship. This allowed her to travel to the Dominican Republic to implement a mobile hypertension clinic for the underserved Bateyes of the migrant Haitian sugar cane workers. Dr. Conley has traveled on multiple medical missions providing health care to underserved communities in Ethiopia and Honduras, and in January 2025, she will take a group of MWSU nursing students to Belize.

The Great Griffon Awardsrecognize alumni from each college and school who exhibit outstanding contributions to the workforce, society or the university. Employment in the area of study is not a requirement and nominees can be recognized for career achievements or for service to their community, state, nation or the University. This year's recipients are:

• College of Liberal Arts: Dr. Courtenay Wills '02, associate director of apprenticeships and custom training at the Washburn Institute of Technology

• College of Business and Professional Studies: Judge Kate Schaefer '00, presiding judge over the 5th Judicial Circuit, serving Andrew and Buchanan Counties
• College of Science and Health: Peggy Frazier Gaines '76, retired middle school teacher and coach in the St. Joseph School District

The Alumni Student Leadership Awardsrecognize students graduating in December or May of the current academic year who have made a significant impact on the University through leadership, volunteerism or humanitarianism. This year's recipients are:

• International Student of the Year: Artemii Udovenko '24 graduated with honors in May with a Bachelor of Science in psychology
• Graduating Senior of the Year: Elizabeth Reese '24 graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Law as well as an Associate of Science and Certificate in Legal Assistant
• The Clifford Hughes Award (named in honor of the first African-American graduate of the St. Joseph Junior College): Roger Collins '24 graduated with honors in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in digital animation

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.

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