Bears of Distinction

The Distinguished Grizzly Award recognizes up to two alumni or friends of Missouri State University-West Plains annually whose exceptional achievements, leadership, service or contributions have made a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond. Honorees exemplify outstanding character, a commitment to excellence and the spirit of Missouri State-West Plains, bringing distinction to themselves and the university.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award given by the Missouri State University Alumni Association. It recognizes those graduates who bring the highest distinction to themselves, their community and to Missouri State University. Candidates must exemplify the qualities of irreproachable character and outstanding citizenship.

Having these qualities, the selection committee will consider those whose participation has resulted in a “change for the better” in significant situations, institutions, movements or fields of endeavor and whose achievements bring the greatest honor to Missouri State University.

2025
Tess Harper '72 (YouTube: Harper)

2023
Roy Blunt '72 (YouTube: Blunt)

2022
Tom Strong, ’52 (YouTube: Strong)

2020-21
Gregory L. Curl, ’70

2019
Kay Alden Nelson, ’70

2018
Keith Rapp, '58*

2017
LTG Karen Dyson, ’80

2013
General Frank Grass

2012
Mary Jo Wynn, PhD*

2010
Bill and Virginia Darr

2008
William L. Rowe, Jr.

2007
Kenneth E. Meyer*

2004
Dr. Arthur L. Mallory*

2003
Dr. Robert J. Huckshorn*

2002
Dr. M.O. Looney*

2001
Paul J. Connery*

2000
John Q. Hammons*

1999
Harold K. Bengsch

*deceased

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes recipients who have typified the Missouri State University tradition of excellence for extraordinary professional distinction and/or exemplary volunteer service to society. They bring credit to the university by their personal accomplishment, professional achievement, or humanitarian service. Consideration may also be given to candidates who have maintained their campus ties as alumni.

2025
Nancy Allen, '78 (YouTube: Allen)

2024
John C. Cambier '70 (YouTube: Cambier)

2023
Anna Marie Presutti ’86 (YouTube: Presutti)

2022
Brad Thomas, ’84 (YouTube: Thomas)
Ann Page, ’90 (YouTube: Page)

2020-21
David D. Sater, ’69

2019
Randy D. Mooney, ’81

2018
Dan Shelley, ’82

2017
Dr. Margie Vandeven, ’90

2016
Ron Richard*

2014
Monte Kuklenski*
Stan Lippelman

2013
Barry Johnson

2012
Barb Bowden

2011
Larry D. Gragg, Ph.D

2010
Arthur Hurtado

2009
Kay Alden Nelson

2008
Mary Asher Tearney

2007
Edward D. Chapin
David L. Lenox
Alex N. Paradowski

2006
Virginia L. Fry*
James C. Wachtman

2005
Roy Green
Beverly Miller
Richard F. Young*

2004
James R. Bremer
William E. Kirkman
T. Edward Pinegar*

2003
Marla J. Calico
Grant W. Lawson*

2002
Robin E. Melton*
James E. Smith
Brig. Gen. William A. West

2001
James B. Anderson
Terry W. Thompson

2000
Hon. Roy D. Blunt
William A. Lacy*

1999
Ethel Farrell Curbow
Thomas L. Black

1998
W. Wayne Bischler
Dr. Barbara D. Burns

1997
James R. Craig*
Dr. Peggy Tuter Pearl

1996
Dr. Jerry L. Atwood
Dr. Jim D. Atwood
Hon. John C. Holstein*

1995
William H. Darr
John L. Harlin*
Maj. Gen. David E. White
Dr. Mary Jo Wynn

1994
Dr. Wanda R. Gray*
Marvin W. Ozley
Dr. Bernice S. Warren*

1993
Lt. Gen. John E. Miller

1992
Nancy Maschino Dornan
Lt. Gen. Neal T. Jaco

1991
Dr. S. Gaylen Bradley*
Maj. Gen. Robert L. Gordon

1990
Burl Henderson*
John D. Whittington*

1989
R. Dwain Hammons
Maj. Gen. Fred Marty*
Amanda Linkous Mahr*

1988
James O. Glauser*
William L. Rowe, Jr.
Dr. C. William Young*

1987
Dr. Harold D. McAninch
William Tillotson*
Thomas Strong

1986
Ray Forsythe*
Ramona Frazier McQueary*

1985
Dr. David B. Kesterson
Kenneth E. Meyer
Winnie Faulkenberry Weber*

1984
Woodrow W. Denney*
David D. Glass*
Dr. Raymond W. Lansford*
Clyde W. McConnell*
Robert B. Noble
Gene H. Ruble*

1983
Dr. Lois Peterson Callahan*
Don C. Dailey*
Dr. Joe E. Kuklenski, Jr.*
Neil C. Wortley*

1982
Basil J. Boritzki*
Dr. John E. Chapman*
Dr. Horace C. Dudley*
Dr. Quentin D. Ponder*
Champ M. Reese*

1981
Dr. Harlan Bryant*
Dr. William R. Cheek
John Q. Hammons
E. E. “Johnny” Johnson*

1980
Dr. Bonnalie Oetting Campbell
Dr. Arlene Crosby Mazzone
Eugene T. Scafe*
Dr. Ronald K. Wright

1979
Paul R. Brackley*
Dr. Donald N. Dedmon*
Dr. Byron W. Hansford*
Dr. J. L. Johnston*
W. W. “Webb” Morris*

1978
Hon. Don E. Burrell*
Dr. Joe E. House*
Ellis C. Rainey, Sr.*

1977
Dr. Leon Billingsly*
Dr. M.O. Looney*
Dr. Charles J. McClain*
Dr. Donald D. Shook

1976
Dr. Willard J. Graff*
Blunt H. Martin*
Admiral Max K. Morris
Dr. Frederic St. Aubyn*

1975
William G. Baker*
Retha Stone Baker*
Clarence C. Burnett*
Ernest H. Newcomb*

1974
Daisy Sifferman Cook*
Dr. John L. Lounsbury*
Dr. Lyle Owen*
Raymond A. Young*

1973
Dr. James R. Amos*
Capt. Edward D. Estes*
Kate Frank*
Dr. Jesse B. Johnson*

1972
Dr. Kirk L. Denmark*
Dr. Harry H. Knight*
Dr. Glenn O. Turner*

1971
Maj. Gen. Warren K. Bennett*
Dr. Charles K. Martin, Jr.*
Dr. Edwin L. Martin*

1970
Dr. Eugene E. Garbee*
Dr. Frank L. Padgitt*
Dr. Frederick M. Raubinger*
Hon.  A. P. Stone, Jr.*

1969
Howard A. Cowden*
Dr. Herbert W. Schooling*

1968
David R. Kennedy*
Dr. Frank R. Kennedy*
Dr. Hall Kennedy*
Harold A. Kennedy*
Ralph E. Kennedy*

1967
Dr. Harold Haswell*

1966
Dr. Keith Baker*
Dr. Everett Keith*

1965
Hon. Jack A. Powell*
Dr. Virginia Garton Young*

1964
Hon. Marion T. Bennett*

1963
Dr. Arthur Smith*

1962
Dr. Charles C. Killingsworth*
Dr. Robert J. Moon*

1961
Dr. Clyde Hill*
Morris Stephens*

1960
Dr. William E. Smith

1959
Dr. Roy Ellis*

1958
Frances Hamilton*
Brig. Gen. Ralph Snavely*

1957
Finis Engleman*
Dr. Dorothy Martin Simon*

1956
Hubert Wheeler*

*deceased

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes graduates 35 years of age or younger who have gained early and exceptional professional or civic achievement, reflecting honor on Missouri State University. The criteria for this award are weighted toward professional achievement and civic activities. Consideration will also be given to candidates who were active campus participants as students, as well as those who have maintained their campus ties as alumni.

2025
Callie Carroll-Swafford '13, '19 (YouTube: Carroll-Swafford)

2024
Tony D. Gunn Jr. ’18, ’19, ’20 (YouTube: Gunn Jr.)

2023:
Kimberly (Sutter) Schill '12 (YouTube: Schill)

2022
Rachel Robinson, ’12 (YouTube: Robinson)

2020-21
Tingting Qin, ’12

2019
Dr. Chad Walesky, ’07 and ’09

2018
Jody Glazner, ’10

2017
Dr. David Vinyard, ’07 & ’08

2016
Lincoln Hough

2014
Keela (Foughty) Davis
Deidre Goodwin

2013
Gloria Cohen Shomo

2012
Shawn O’Neail

2011
Andrea K. Bogart

2010
David Foley

2009
Daniel Adam Crumbliss

2008
Kelli Wolf Moles

2007
Dr. Dennis W. Smith, Jr.

2006
John F. Eilermann, Jr.

2005:
Vijay Pillai

2004
Marshall R. Krasser

2003
Dr. Barry S. Arbuckle
Kimberly C. Becking

2002:
Robin E. Melton

2001
Dr. David W. Osborne

2000
Dr. Denise Fredrick
Doug M. Pitt

1999
Pam Hicks Holmes
Bill Mueller, Jr.

1998
Richard H. McClure
Gary M. Tompkins

1997
Sterling R. Macer, Jr.

1996
Becky Geers Oakes

1994
Charles H. Armstrong
Dr. Kim Skeeters Finch
Hon. Bob L. Holden

1993
Gregory L. Curl

1992
William J. Noonan, III

1991
Michael H. Ingram

1990
Gordon L. Kinne

1988
Hon. Karen Mason See

1987
Linda Dollar

1985
Kathleen Turner

*deceased

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Affairs recognizes graduates who have exceptional achievements in their professional endeavors, while demonstrating outstanding commitment to the ideals of public service.

2025
Dr. Karla Eslinger, '92 '99 (YouTube: Eslinger)

2024
Dr. Kayla Hahn ’07 (YouTube: Hahn)

2023
Sara (Thomas) Lampe '71 (YouTube: Lampe)

2022
Patrick Hall, ’74 (YouTube: Hall)

2020-21
Dottie M. Lofstrom, ’81

2019
Michael W. Cossins, ’91

2018
Randall Eggert, '88

2017
Dr. Alanna Flath Bree, ’94

2016
Steven F. McDonald*

2014
Dr. Cindy Baker

2013
Judith Rowland

2012
Greg Burris

2011
Samuel L. Clifton

2010
Jason Hackmann

*deceased 

The Volunteer of the Year Award honors alumni who have made an extraordinary effort to advance the reach and impact of Missouri State university. This award celebrates individuals or groups who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership or service to the Missouri State community.

2025
Forvis Mazars (YouTube: Forvis Mazars)

2024 
Amelia (Bailey) Counts ’94 (YouTube: Counts)

2023
Friends of the Garnett Library (YouTube: Friends of the Garnett Library)

2022
Construction Management Advisory Board (YouTube: CMAB)

2020-21
MSU Choral Gala Committee

2019
Hospitality Leadership Wine Tasting and Action Committee

2018
St. Louis Golf Tournament Committee

2017
Darr College of Agriculture Alumni Committee

2016
John Brinkmann

2009
Lebanon Alumni Chapter

The Award of Appreciation honors retired faculty and staff members for achievement in their professional or academic field and loyalty to the university. Nominees are not required to be graduates of Missouri State university.

2025
Tina (Chasteen) Stillwell, '72 '80, Mark Stillwell (YouTube: Tina and Mark Stillwell)

2024
Dr. Yohannan “John” Abraham (YouTube: Abraham)

2023
David '74 and Sandra Byrd (YouTube: David and Sandra Byrd)

2022
Charlotte C. Hardin (YouTube: Hardin)

2020-21
Jerry W. Hoover

2017
Greg Onstot

2016
Julie A. Ebersold

2014
Dr. Denny Pilant

2013
Ivan Milton

2012
Dr. Ronald Bottin

2011
R.G. Amonker, Ph.D.*

2010
Karen Horny

2009
Lawrence S. Shields, MD

2008
Dr. Donal J. Stanton*
Dr. Robert L. Trewatha

2007
Dr. Nancy L. Curry*
John E. Patton*

2006
Dr. Robert H. Bradley*
Dr. Russell M. Keeling

2005
Bill Armstrong*
Dr. Wyman Grindstaff
Lois Tooley

2004
Dr. Kenneth W. Brown*
Mary Kay Hunter
Dr. Donald D. Landon
James E. Mentis*

2003
Dr. Vencil J. Bixler*
Wilda F. Looney*
Donald R. Payton*
Patricia R. Pierce*

2002
Maurice E. Edwards*
Robert M. Scott*
Dr. Peggy Stone Thomas
Mildred D. Wilcox*

2001
Dr. Byrne D. Blackwood*
Dr. Mary Alice Cantrell*
Dr. Paul L. Redfearn, Jr.*

2000
Leo E. Huff*
Dr. Mollie Autry Molnar*
Dr. Vernon E. Renner*

1999
Dr. Tom A. Stombaugh*
William J. Thomas*

1998
Dr. Ivan D. Calton*
Dorothy F. Padron

1997
Ilah M. Dixon*
Dr. Robert K. Gilmore*

1996
Dr. Violet Harrington Krischel*
Dr. Holt V. Spicer*

1995
Dr. Duane G. Meyer*
Howard R. Orms*

1994
Aldo A. Sebben*

1993
Neva Wiley Johnson*
Dr. Gerrit J. tenZythoff*

1992
Dr. Max H. McCullough*

1991
Dr. David Heinlein*

1990
Dr. Richard Wilkinson*

1989
Dr. L. Thomas Shiflett*

1988
Wilfred Adler*

1987
Dr. Grace Gardner*

1986
Elizabeth A. Mills*

1985
Dr. James R. Pollard*

1984:
Andrew J. McDonald*
Dr. Leslie Irene Coger*

1983
Dr. Mary Rose Sweeney*

1982
Dr. Don L. Calame*

1981
Florence Baker Bugg*

1980
Dr. James C. Snapp*

1979
Estle Funkhouser*

1978
Dr. Efton R. Henderson*
Marie Content Wise*

1977
James E. Bane*
Margaret S. Crighton*

1976
Laura Roman Dodd*
Horatio M. Farrar*

1975
Dr. O. P. Trentham*
Dr. Oreen M. Ruedi*

1974
Mareta Williams Pons*
Dr. Glenn E. Karls*

1973
Florence F. Compton*
Dr. Donald H. Nicholson*

1972
Dr. Richard E. Haswell*
Iva M. Ray*

1971
Esther M. Hennicke*
Dora M. Hennicke*

1970:
Elda E. Robins*
Jesse H. Collins*

1969
N. Bertha Wells*

1968
Floy T. Burgess*
Dr. R. W. Martin*

1967
Mayme Candler Hamilton*
Dr. Walter O. Cralle*

1966
Mary Adams Woods*
Dr. Harry A. Wise*

1965
Dr. Virginia J. Craig*
James W. Shannon, Jr.*

*deceased

The Bear of Excellence Award recognizes up to six alumni each year who are making a difference in big and small ways, through their commitment to community and the pursuit of excellence. They are uniquely accomplished alumni from diverse academic, professional and personal backgrounds.

2025
Robert H. "Bob" Boehmler Jr., '77 (YouTube: Boehmler)
Stacie Henderson Capece Minutolo, '95 (YouTube: Henderson)
Matthew Crutcher, '98 (YouTube: Crutcher)
Amanda Hedgpeth, '05 '07 (YouTube: Amanda and Andrew Hedgpeth)
Andrew Hedgpeth, '05 '09
Dr. Caleb Masterson, '06 '08 (YouTube: Masterson)
Dr. Jacob Swett, '12 (YouTube: Swett)

2024
Dr. Usamah K. Muhammad-Rodgers ’93 (YouTube: Muhammad-Rodgers)
Joseph S. Passanise ’91, ’93 (YouTube: Passanise)
Helen Prewitt ’76 (YouTube: Prewitt)
Scott M. Purvis ’88 (YouTube: Purvis)
Danielle (Yaggi) Storan ’08 (YouTube: Storan)

2023
Garrett Hawkins ’02 (YouTube: Hawkins)
Angel (Smith) Magasano ’92 (YouTube: Magasano)
Aaren (Williamson) Muex ’02 (YouTube: Muex)
Richard Ollis ’89 (YouTube: Ollis)
Melissa (Mantlo) Randol ’91 (YouTube: Randol)

2022
Sam Coryell Jr., '00 (YouTube: Coryell)
Dr. Erin Parrish, ’05 (YouTube: Parrish)
Richard Ollis, ’89 (YouTube: Ollis)
Gary Irwin, ‘74 (YouTube: Irwin)
Janice Dye, ’68 (YouTube: Dye)
April Porter, ’00 (YouTube: Porter)

2020-21
All frontline health care workers.

2019
Rebecca McLean, ’04
Sandy (Percival) Miller, ’85
Karen Rapier, ’93
David P. Rush, ’91
Jessica (Trout) Snider, D.O., ’02

2018
Dr. Mary Krause, '05
Andrew Shaughnessy, '07
Glen Cope, ’02

2017
Jennifer Fitzmaurice,’96
Dr. B. Cecile Reynaud, ’75
John Wanamaker, ’83
Capt. Rafiel Warfield, ’04

2016
James K. Bass
Michael A. Fulton
Leland L. Gannaway
Audrey Kimes Garard
Donald D. Shook
Cindy Wilson