PSU establishes new scholarship for veterans

A new scholarship at Pittsburg State University is ensuring that for members of the armed services, paying for college won’t take a backseat to life’s financial obligations.

A supporter of PSU has stepped forward to create a new endowed scholarship for military veterans who want to attend the university. The PSU Veterans Endowed Scholarship will be available for veterans who have served in any branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserve.

Lou Steele, a farmer from nearby Arcadia, Kan., said he and his wife Polly (BSE ’50) decided to establish the endowment after recently catching an interview with a veteran on a public radio station in Kansas City. The veteran discussed his experience attending college on the GI Bill after World War II, and said he was shocked to discover the limitations of financial aid available to veterans today.

“This man is a member of the Greatest Generation and he felt it isn’t right (that more assistance isn’t available),” said Steele, who turned to the PSU Office of University Development to establish the scholarship. “There are always people who fall through the cracks, no matter what the law says and what the rules are. There just isn’t enough help for them.”

The Kansas Board of Regents does award scholarships to cover tuition for Kansas high school graduates who have served in the current Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts, and the national GI bill offers varying levels of assistance to qualified veterans and their family members. But this privately funded endowment, available for veterans who qualify for GI benefits, is the first of its kind for those attending PSU.

“I see these folks who have been employed full-time with the military and they come back and don’t qualify for financial aid because they’re looking at last year’s income,” said Sherry Roberts, the veterans certifying official at PSU. “If you receive money from the GI bill and most of it goes toward housing and living and you can’t work many hours while going to school, this scholarship will be a big help.”

The endowment will generate money for scholarships by earning interest off Steele’s gift. He says his goal is to encourage more donors to add to the gift, making the scholarships either larger or more numerous. It will be a great help, Steele said, for veterans who want to attend school but just can’t find a way to afford it.

“We’ve got a lot of people who get involved in the Reserve and the first time they come home they may have a job. But the second time they come home they may not,” he said. “It isn’t going to do any harm to have this here for them.”

It’s certainly meaningful for Steele, who served in the Marine Corps during World War II. After leaving the military, he considered college but eventually joined the family business in Arcadia. His parents, James Steele and Dawn (Dunton) Steele, were graduates of Pitt State.

Ellen Carter, a major gifts officer for the PSU Development Office, said the university scholarship committee, in consultation with Roberts, will award the scholarship to three or four students a year. First preference will be given to those veterans demonstrating the greatest financial need.

“There are extenuating circumstances that GI benefits sometimes don’t cover,” Carter said. “This will give military personnel the extra help they need to get reestablished and be able to continue with their education.”

Additional donations to the PSU Veterans Endowed Scholarship fund are welcome. For more information, contact the Office of University Development at 620-235-4768.

---Pitt State---

PSU honors winter graduates

On Friday, Dec. 14, an estimated 575 students participated in Pittsburg State University’s 12th winter commencement exercises in the Garfield Weede Physical Education Building on the PSU campus. Graduates in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Business, and the College of Technology received their degrees at the evening ceremony.

Attached is a list of those students who received their degrees. Students are listed by nation, state and hometown. Parent or spouse information is also included as provided by the student.

Please contact the PSU Office of Public Relations at 620-235-4122 or by e-mail: cmathes@pittstate.edu if you have questions.


Abbreviations for degrees offered by Pittsburg State University:

BA – bachelor of arts
BAS – bachelor of applied science
BBA – bachelor of business administration
BFA – bachelor of fine arts
BGS – bachelor of general studies
BM – bachelor of music
BME – bachelor of music education
BS – bachelor of science
BSE – bachelor of science in education
BSET – bachelor of science in engineering technology
BSMT – bachelor of science in medical terminology
BSN – bachelor of science in nursing
BST – bachelor of science in technology
BSVTE – bachelor of science in vocational technical education
MA – master of arts
MBA – master of business administration
MET – master of engineering technology
MM – master of music
MSN – master of science in nursing
EDS – specialist in education
TEC2 – two-year certification in a technical program such as auto service or electricity
AAS – associate of applied science (two-year degree)

Nation or State
Hometown
Graduate............................... degree...................................... parents

China
Sichuan
Wen Si.................................... BBA..................................... Weidong Si

Colombia
Bogota
Gabriela Sandoval Johnson...... BSE................... David Johnson (spouse)

Hong Kong
Tseung Kwan O
Yu Yin Lee.............................. BBA................................... Yee-kar Lee

India
Delhi
Piyush Kumar Goyal................ BSET..................... Basant Kumar Goyal

Japan
Nagano
Sho Omiya.............................. BST.............................. Takaharu Omiya

Tokyo
Ikue Hashimoto....................... BA............................ Yukiko Hashimoto

Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Hui Chang Ng......................... BST.......................................................

Nigeria
Lagos
Ben Nwagwu.......................... BST....... Deacon & Mrs Isdore Nwagwu
Babatunde Akinola Samuel...... BBA.......................... Babatunde Samuel

Paraguay
Asuncion
Romelia Paola Gonzalez........... BS........................... Mr Carlos Gonzalez
Jose Luis Taboada Varela........ BST................. Mr & Mrs Jose Taboada

Taiwan
Benchian City
Ya-chi Chou............................ BSET............................. Tseng-pei Chou

Taichung
Lai Jui-Chun............................ BBA......................................................

Taipei
Chun-ying Chiu........................ BST.............................. Chiu Chin-chuan

The United States

Colorado
Greeley
Thomas Joseph Roche............. BST....................... Faith Roche (spouse)

Illinois
Altamont
Michelle Lee Harper................ BBA.................. Mr & Mrs Kyle Harper

Taylorville
Trent Douglas Bates................ BAS.................................. Tracy Seaton


Wood Dale
Scott M. Schneider Jr.............. BAS.............. Mr & Mrs Scott Schneider

Iowa
Bettendorf
Ryan Paul Scherling................. BBA................. Mr & Mrs Syd Scherling

Kansas
Abilene
Evan Lucas Anderson.............. BST................. Mr & Mrs Jay Anderson

Altamont
Matthew Ray Huddleston........ BBA......................................................

Andale
Tracy Lynn Patry..................... BS....................... Mr & Mrs Steve Patry

Andover
Ashley Nicole Altrui................. BA...................... Mr & Mrs Mark Altrui

Arkansas City
James William Jarvis................ BGS.................. Mrs Lori Jarvis (spouse)
Jesse N. Palmer....................... BS........................ Mr & Mrs Jim Palmer
Tyson Seth Taylor................... BS...................... Mr & Mrs Chris Taylor

Arma
Samantha Kay Cleland............ BBA........................ Mr Richard Cleland
Dana Marie Crepinsek............. BBA............... Mr & Mrs Dan Crepinsek
Thomas Riley Hartzfeld............ BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Joe Hartzfeld
Tricia Renee Underwood......... BGS........... Mr & Mrs John Underwood
Melinda Arnella Weber............ BSE...................................... Dina Leslie

Bartlett
Chasnie Neighbors.................. BBA................ Mr & Mrs Bill Neighbors

Basehor
Daley Leintz............................ BSE..................... Mr & Mrs Glen Leintz
Jeremiah Caleb Pant................ BST................................. Marian Fauller
Nathan Jon Weddum............... BBA.............. Mr & Mrs Dean Weddum

Baxter Springs
Ryan Douglas Cannon............. BSE................. Mr & Mrs Larry Cannon
Lacey Ann Garvin.................... BSE................... Mr & Mrs Doug Garvin
Stephanie Renae Kuehn........... BBA.................................. Janice Kuehn
Lisa Ann Williams.................... BS.........................................................

Bronson
Ashley Ann Worthington.......... BS................................ Rhonda O’Brien

Buffalo
Crystal Jo Glynn...................... BMT................. Mr & Mrs Russel Glynn

Caney
Sarah Beth Anderson............... BSE............................... Theresa Fischer

Carbondale
Daniel Dale Shively.................. BST................. Mr & Mrs Duane Shively

Chanute
Allen T. Arthur........................ BBA.............................. Charlene Arthur
Nicholas Andrew Crownover.. BS.......... Samantha Crownover (spouse)
Kristy Jo Hartman................... BSE.......................................................
Steven Hedden........................ BSN................................. Dean Hedden
Andrew C. Hurst..................... BS..................... Mr & Mrs Robert Hurst
Viola Jean Law........................ BS.........................................................
Taryn A. Romine..................... BS.................................... Tanya Romine
Mathew Shields....................... BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Dude Shields
Tyler Lee Vernor..................... BST................... Mr & Mrs Fred Vernor
Jesse K. Williams.................... BGS................... Mr & Mrs Jeff Williams
Justin Willis.............................. BS...................... Mr & Mrs David Willis

Cheney
Corey J. Richardson................ BSET............... Mr & Mrs Mike Holland

Cherokee
Joshua David Boulware........... BBA................ Mr & Mrs Joel Boulware


Cherryvale
Arthur N. Beye........................ BSE............... Mrs Dyann Beye (spouse)
James Casey Licktieg.............. BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Jim Licktieg
Alexis A. Sanders.................... BS........................... Mr Darwin Sanders
Jodi Lynn Schierlman............... BA............... Mr & Mrs John Schierlman

Chetopa
Joel N. Jarrett.......................... BA............................. Ms Toni Overman
Jessica Rene’ Walker.............. BMT........................... Ms Joyce Walker

Coffeyville
Ronald G. Edmond.................. BST.............. Mr & Mrs James Grimmett
Jacob Allen Harbaugh.............. BSET........... Mr & Mrs Darrel Harbaugh
Corey Kneedler....................... BS.................... Mr & Mrs Jim Kneedler
Bobby Dean Larimore............. BST............. Mr & Mrs Robert Larimore
Matthew A. Schmidt................ BST............................... Mr Phil Schmidt

Columbus
Ryan Daniel Atkinson.............. BA................. Mr & Mrs Keith Atkinson
Diana Louise Handshy............. BS.................... Mr & Mrs Bob Handshy
Blair N. Holding...................... BS................. Mr & Mrs David Simpson
Holly Michelle Jarrett............... BBA................... Mr & Mrs Herb Jarrett
Melinda Pauline Kasten........... BSE................. Mr & Mrs Gilbert Brown
Valarie Smith Keely................. BSE.......................................................
Veronica Sue Messer.............. BST................ Mr & Mrs Gerald Messer
Barbara J. Potter..................... BGS.......................................................
Craig Lee Tabor...................... BST.................................. Mr Jeff Tabor
Shiloh J. Williams..................... BSET............................ Ms Bertha Elliot

Derby
Jennifer L. Taylor..................... BS..................... Mr & Mrs Terry Taylor
Sonja Nicole Wilson................ BST................... Mr & Mrs Chet Wilson

Douglass
Jered Lawrence Windorski...... BS................................ David Windorski

Easton
Heather Lorraine Baima........... BSN................... Mr & Mrs Harold Sass

Elk City
Kassie Ann Bagley.................. BS.................... Mr & Mrs Mike Matney

Erie
Anthony P. Coover.................. BBA................. Mr & Mrs Dave Coover
Stan B. Greve.......................... BS.........................................................
Tiffani Ladean Hurst................ BS......................... Mr & Mrs Lyle Hurst
Nathan A. Stipp...................... BBA..................... Mr & Mrs Gary Stipp

Eudora
Andrew Cameron Bell............. BST......................... Mr & Mrs Don Bell
Wesley Hinman....................... BA.................... Mr & Mrs Gary Hinman

Farlington
Megan Dawn Felt.................... BBA........................... Mr Mark Stewart

Fort Scott
James Kiel Beckham............... BSE................ Mr & Mrs Bob Beckham
Bryan P. Bishop...................... BBA..................... Mr & Mrs Pat Bishop
Roann Blake............................ BSE................ Mr Kenny Blake (spouse)
Nicole Rene Brown................. BS........................... Ms Christine Brown
Cassie L. Culp......................... BS................................. Mr Gerald Culp
Jinelle Gonzales....................... BSN......................................................
Wendy Suzanne Korinek......... BBA............... Mr & Mrs Eldon Korinek
Patrick Alan Riley.................... BBA................................ Ms Mitzi Riley
Holly Diane Shelden................ BSN........................... Ms Mary Shelden
April Beth Nation Stock.......... BBA.............. Mr & Mrs Norman Nation
Stephanie Skeen Wescoat....... BA....................... Mr & Mrs Ray Skeen

Frankfort
Rodney A. Stewart.................. BSV.............. Mr & Mrs Verneil Stewart

Franklin
R. Michael Pommier................ BST................. Mr & Mrs Ron Pommier

Fredonia
Lindsay Brooke Appelhans...... BS............... Mr & Mrs Larry Appelhans
Jessica Lynn Bracken.............. BSE.......................................................
Jill Susanne Cannon................. BBA......................... Ms Shelley Cannon
John Jessie Evans.................... BST..................... Mr & Mrs John Evans
Michael E. McCambridge........ BSE.......................................................
Ronald N. Rice Jr.................... BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Ronnie Rice

Frontenac
Kim Abercrombie.................... BST......... Mr & Mrs Larry Abercrombie
Whitney Brunetti...................... BBA.................... Mr & Mrs Jim Brunetti
Elizabeth Kathleen Maus.......... BS....................... Mr & Mrs Terry Maus
James William Townsend......... BS.........................................................

Galena
Alex Christopher Hart.............. BST.................... Mr & Mrs Dennis Hart

Galesburg
Gregory Alan Melching............ BA................... Ms Donna Lee Melching

Garden City
Jacqueline Fry......................... BS........................... Mr & Mrs Gary Fry

Gardner
Heather Nichole Walter........... BSE................... Mr & Mrs Greg Walter

Garnett
Gerald Francis Rochefort......... BS............................... Ms Jean Simpson

Girard
Amy L. Bartlow....................... BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Terry Smith
Peggy L. Bechdoldt................. BS................... Mr & Mrs Roger Holmes
Ryan M. Carr.......................... BSET.....................................................
Grant Benjamin Carson............ BST................ Mr & Mrs Marlin Carson
Jonathan Lukas Cheney........... BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Nick Cheney
Amber Franklin....................... BBA................. Mr & Mrs Jerry Franklin
Kurt Russell Garner................. BA............................ Ms Maxine Garner
Tara Marie Gustin.................... BSN............... Mr David Gustin (spouse)
Vanessa D. Sweet................... BGS........................ Ms Donna Westhoff
Julie Dianne Thyer................... BST................ Mr & Mrs Gene Pontious
Matthew Emery Tilley.............. BBA............................... Mr Steve Tilley
Theresa A. Wymore................ BSE............... Mr Don Wymore (spouse)

Goff
Mark A. Niehues..................... BST.............. Mr & Mrs Wayne Niehues

Goodland
Bill R. Finley............................ BSV........ Mrs Jacqueline Finley (spouse)

Halstead
Bailey A. Bishard..................... BS..................... Mr & Mrs Tom Bishard

Harper
Caleb J. Sneary....................... BSET.................. Mr & Mrs Ron Sneary

Hepler
Heather Lynn Tersinar............. BA..................... Mr & Mrs Jeff Tersinar

Hiawatha
Halley Joan Spellman............... BSE................. Mr & Mrs Rod Spellman

Hoisington
Adam Willis............................. BSE..................... Mr & Mrs Greg Willis

Humboldt
Dana F. Michael...................... BA................ Mr & Mrs Joseph Michael

Hutchinson
Demitris Sawatzky................... BSE....................... Mr & Mrs Don Reed
Michael P. Turner.................... BST............................ Mr Robert Turner

Independence
Deborah Lena Blessent............ BS................. Mr & Mrs Sam Burchfield
Melinda L. Clark..................... BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Bobby Clark
Lindsay Gale Dunham.............. BA.................. Mr & Mrs Glynn Dunham
Michael Lee Hardin................. BSE................ Mr & Mrs Walter Panyeh
Cora Rebecca Hardy............... BSE.......................... Ms Barbara Hardy
Theron M. Landwehr............... BBA........... Mr & Mrs Russell Landwehr
Thomas A. Martinez................ BS................................ Lisa G. Martinez
Karrie Ann Ross...................... BME.................. Mr & Mrs Steven Ross
Sally Sue Tucker..................... BS....... Karen (and the late) Herb Tucker
William John Tucker................ BSET.....................................................

Iola
Jennifer L. Barnes.................... BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Steve Barnes
Kristen Michelle Bevard.......... BS....................... Mr & Mrs Guy Young
Richard James Bevard............. BS.................... Mr & Mrs Tom Bevard
Taylor Sydney Ford................. BST.................. Mr & Mrs Michael Ford
Matt D. Loomis....................... BSE................. Mr & Mrs David Loomis
Dimity Mangrella-Haner........... BSE............................. Deborah Jackson
Eugene E. Myrick.................... BS.........................................................
Kayla Marie Stout................... BST................................. Ms Jane Stout
Stephen Dean Zornes.............. BBA................................... Ms Jo Stone

Kansas City
Brent Edward Hicks................ BST................................ Ms. Teri Hicks
Jana G. Horchem..................... BSE................ Mr & Mrs Brad Horchem
Nicholas L. Martin................... BST.................. Mr & Mrs David Martin
Daniel Joseph Sanderson......... BST.......................... Mr Dan Sanderson
Michial A. Templeton II........... BS.........................................................

Kingman
Zachary Wayne Stucky............ BST................ Mr & Mrs Gardell Stucky

Kiowa
Nathan Eugene Domnick......... BBA................... Ms Kayan Tompkinson

Lane
Hailey Magdalena Poss............ BSE..................... Mr & Mrs James Poss

Lawrence
David Arthur Grote.................. BS...................... Mr & Mrs Terry Grote
Adrian Miles Hunt................... BST............................... Ms Kelley Hunt

Leavenworth
Nathaniel J. Baker................... AAS........................ Mr James Baker Jr.
Jeffrey Alan Oatney................. BST........................ Ms Debbie Williams

Lenexa
Matthew Joseph Bennett.......... BME................ Mr & Mrs Larry Bennett
Peter John Burger.................... BST.................. Mr & Mrs David Burger
Nathaniel David Craft.............. BST............... Mr & Mrs Raymond Craft
Aaron Michael Doleshal........... BAS.............. Mr & Mrs James Doleshal
Kendra Michelle Geiger........... BSET................ Mr & Mrs Phillip Geiger
Kathleen M. Haun................... BS....................................... David Haun
Gregory James Rawlings.......... BSE................... Mr & Mrs Ed Rawlings
Cathlyn Sieczkowski................ BA............ Mr & Mrs Mike Sieczkowski

Linn Valley
Joanna Susan Dokos............... BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Paul Dokos

Louisburg
Lindy Sue Davison................... BST................. Mr & Mrs Dean Davison

McCune
Trey Allen Bennett................... BGS............. Mr & Mrs Stephen Bennett
Brandie S. Jacquinet................ BA.................... Mr & Mrs Joe Jacquinet

McLouth
Wayne Allen Wrosch............... BST............................. Mr Gary Wrosch

Moran
Cheyne A. Sager..................... BST.............................. Susan M. Young

Mound City
Kreg Colby Holt...................... BST...................... Mr & Mrs Larry Holt
Tristian Brooke Wurtz............. BS................................. Mr Chris Wurtz

Moundridge
Lindsey L. Carpenter............... BBA.......... Mr & Mrs Randall Carpenter

Mulberry
Amy Marie Bright.................... BS....................... Mr & Mrs Jack Bright

Mulvane
Mark Meek............................. BST.................. Mr & Mrs Gerald Keck

Newton
Benjamin Littleton.................... BST................ Mr & Mrs Harry Littleton

Olathe
Lucas John Creten................... BST............................... Mr Gary Creten
Kelly Ann Cummings............... BBA.......... Mr & Mrs Dennis Cummings
Zachary William Gipson........... BA.................. Mr & Mrs Gerald Gipson
Linda Marie Graverholt............ BSE............... Mr & Mrs Bob Graverholt
Katie Susanne Hansberry......... BSE............. Mr & Mrs Craig Hansberry
Caitlyn Hansen........................ BSE................... Mr & Mrs Matt Hansen
Terri Houston.......................... BME............. Mr & Mrs Russell Houston
James Patrick Johnson............. BST........... Mrs Aimee Johnson (spouse)
N. Caroline Macclymont.......... BSE.......... Mr & Mrs Doug Macclymont
Clinton Penn Mccabe.............. BST................. Mr & Mrs Mike Mccabe
Matthew Schoenfelder............. BS............... Mr & Mrs Bill Schoenfelder
Lindsay J. Shineman................ BS........................ Mr & Mrs Steve Goe
Kyle P. Sosna......................... BS........................ Mr & Mrs Ron Sosna
Jacklyn Kimberly Welch.......... BBA.................. Mr & Mrs Larry Welch

Olpe
Matthew Medenciy.................. BBA.......... Mr & Mrs Charles Medenciy

Opolis
Jamie Lennon Arthur................ BA................................ Mr Larry Arthur

Osawatomie
Amber Nicole Wingerter.......... BS.......................... Ms Gloria Wingerter

Oswego
Brandon J. Bentley.................. BBA.................... Mr & Mrs Jim Bentley
Chad W. Eddington................. BST................ Mr & Mrs Ron Eddington
Craig Allen Hellwig.................. BSET............... Mr & Mrs Mark Hellwig
Cara Marie Spriggs................. BSE..................... Mr & Mrs Joe Spriggs
Michelle Leann Zwahlen.......... BSE.............. Mr & Mrs Dennis Zwahlen
Shandi L. Zwahlen................... BA................ Mr & Mrs Mike Zwaahlen

Ottawa
Timothy Keith Mobley............. BS................ Mr & Mrs Richard Mobley

Overbrook
Kevin Andrew Smith............... BST...................... Mr & Mrs Neil Smith

Overland Park
Lindsey Ann Baumann............. BSE.......................... Ms Shari Baumann
Kellan Coleen Bennett............. BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Chris Bennett
Chelsa Marie Blythe................ BS.................... Mr & Mrs Homer Curtis
Christopher James Hawkins..... BST................... Mr & Mrs Jim Hawkins
Luke J. Hibbs.......................... BST................... Mr & Mrs Bruce Hibbs
Maudie Lena Irsik................... BSE.............................. Ms Donna Jones
George Kyle Mason................ BBA................. Mr & Mrs Kevin Mason
Bethany Pence......................... BSE...................... Mr & Mrs Rex Pence
John Matthew Nathan Shannon BST
Ryan Matthew Smith............... BST................................. Douglas Smith
Steven Andrew Tarchala.......... BA.................. Mr & Mrs Marc Tarchala
Crystal Trueblood.................... BA................................ Ms Shirley Betts
Jonna Ann Yencic.................... BBA................... Mr & Mrs John Yencic

Parker
Devin C. Kerr......................... BBA.................................. Keith Adams

Parsons
Bryce Matthew Butler.............. BST..................... Mr & Mrs Rick Butler
Sara Lynn Franchett................ BS................................. Ms Lynn Schauf
Kyle Leigh Gould.................... BST..................... Mr & Mrs Don Gould
Holly Marie Hoffman............... BSE.............. Mr & Mrs Dennis Hoffman
Lori Kay Jaramillo................... BSE............................ Ms Carole Veenis
Jared A. Ludwig...................... BST................. Mr & Mrs Mark Ludwig
Amanda L. Nelson.................. BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Dan Nelson
Stacie Nicole Nutter................ BBA.............................. Mr Tom Tanner
Heidi Lee Reeves.................... BBA................ Mr & Mrs David Reeves
James Joseph Smith................. BSE............................ Ms Alberta Smith
Kala Marie Weidert................. BSE................. Mr & Mrs Gary Weidert
Dana D. York......................... BSN................. Mr David York (spouse)

Pittsburg
Christopher Donald Bennett..... BST........................... Ms Donna Bennett
Bret Charles Colyer................. BBA.................. Mr & Mrs Donn Colyer
Alexia Ann Deal...................... BS........................ Mr & Mrs Terry Deal
Nicholas A. Dellasega.............. BBA................. Mr & Mrs Joe Dellasega
Mickey Ewing......................... BS.........................................................
Justin Michael Garrow............. BST............................ Ms Linda Garrow
Letitia Anne Harbin.................. BSE.......................................................
Kayla Denise Hill..................... BSE......................................... Larry Hill
Teresa G. Jameson.................. BSE.............................. Trena G Cooper
John Byron Johnson................. BGS.................................. Jack Johnson
Alison Jo Kavanagh................. BSE........................ Ms Susan Kavanugh
Brian William Lamb................. BST...................... Mr & Mrs Dan Lamb
Linda Lee Larson.................... BGS.......................................................
Elizabeth Ann Loy................... BSE....................... Mr & Mrs Mark Loy
Alexandra A. Martin................ BS........................ Mr & Mrs Phil Martin
Andrea Peterson Mattson........ BA.............. Mr & Mrs Richard Peterson
Abbie Maxwell........................ BS..................... Mr & Mrs Jim Maxwell
Jeremy William North.............. BBA......................... Ms Elizabeth North
Matthew Michael Plank........... BA...................... Mr & Mrs Mike Plank
William R. Russell Jr................ BSV.......................................................
Andy Smith............................. BST...................... Mr & Mrs Rick Smith
Emily M. Susnik...................... BSE..................... Mr & Mrs Bob Susnik
Jennifer Christine Werner......... BBA................ Mr & Mrs Mark Werner
Jessica Laynne Wharran.......... BS..................... Mr & Mrs David Cloke

Pleasanton
Aaron J. Ashcraft.................... BS.............................. Mr Mike Ashcraft
Sherry Lynn Baldwin............... BSE................ Mr & Mrs Ronnie Basore
Destinee Lee Stark.................. BSE................... Mr & Mrs Duane Stark
Jessica D. Staton..................... BS............................ Ms Janet Fairbanks

Pomona
Megan Alane Pettinger............. BS............................ Ms Teresa Oshman

Pratt
Kirstin Amundson.................... BBA.................... Ms Rose Mary Morris

Redfield
Marci Russell........................... BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Curtis Russell

Riverton
Marie Nunn Allsup.................. BGS............................... Ms Treva Nunn
Corey D. Hearon..................... BST................. Mr & Mrs Kevin Hearon
Shannon High.......................... BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Tom Dugert
Sam A. Martin Jr..................... BST................. Ms Judy Martin Riverton
Brandi Ladawn Rogers............ BSE............................... Ms Gail Truster
Andrea Leighann Wassom....... BSE............... Mr & Mrs Bayne Wasson

Rose Hill
Adam R. Pompa...................... BSET................... Mr & Mrs Joe Pompa

Saint Marks
Scott G. Morris....................... BS............................... Ms Rose Duncan

Saint Paul
Emily A. Mattox...................... BBA................. Mr & Mrs Steve Mattox
Christina O'Brien..................... BSE........................... Ms Janice O'Brien
Amy Marie Paulie.................... BS........................ Mr & Mrs Rich Paulie
Lori Umbarger......................... BS.........................................................
Stacie A. Westhoff.................. BBA............ Mr & Mrs Dennis Westhoff
Johanna Lynn Winter............... BA................... Mr & Mrs Kelly O'Brien

Salina
Kimberly D. Coad................... BSV................................ Lloyd Cochran

Shawnee
Mary Caroline Crady............... BSE.................................... Lydia Crady
Andrew Brian McMahon......... BS.............. Mr & Mrs Daniel McMahon
Christine Elizabeth Megee........ BA.................... Mr & Mrs Mark Megee
Christopher Meyer.................. BSET.............. Mr & Mrs Joseph Meyer
Crystal Lynn Paxson................ BSE......................... Ms Barbara Paxson
Abigail Jo Spencer................... BSE.......................... Ms Jackie Spencer

Thayer
Kory Nicole Stafford............... BSE................. Mr & Mrs Greg Stafford

Tonganoxie
David M. Lindquist.................. BST................ Mr & Mrs John Lindquist

Topeka
Christopher A. Fritton.............. BS.................. Mr & Mrs Richard Fritton
Melissa Sue Hurley.................. BS..................... Mr & Mrs Daryl Hurley

Uniontown
Erin Eldridge............................ BBA.................. Mr & Mrs Ron Eldridge

Valley Center
Janelle Marie Klein.................. BSE................... Mr & Mrs Arnold Klein

Victoria
Shawn J. Billinger.................... BST................. Mr & Mrs Keith Billinger

Wamego
Jay Daniel Fath........................ BST........................ Mr & Mrs Dan Fath

Weir
Aaron Lee Tupman.................. BST................ Mr & Mrs James Tupman

Wichita
Frank E. Cheney III................. BSE................. Mr & Mrs Frank Cheney
Jessica Jane Hardison.............. BS.................. Mr & Mrs Trent Hardison
Trenton Andrew Kling............. BS....................................... Vickie Kling
Sarah A. Lynch....................... BS..................... Mr & Mrs David Lynch
Kyle Mailman.......................... BST............ Mr & Mrs Rodney Mailman
Amiee Denise Moore............... BS.............................. Ms Linda Jackson
Zachary Dean Weast............... BBA................. Mr & Mrs Roger Weast
Daniel W. Winfrey................... BST.......................... Mr Steven Winfrey

Winfield
Nicholas Eldon Tong............... BAS..................... Mr & Mrs Mike Tong

Kentucky
Fort Knox
Ashliegh Shae Mccarty............ BSE................... Mr & Mrs Phillip Tabor

Maryland
Baltimore
La'quisha Nichole Betrand....... BS....................................... Ms Tina Hill

Missouri
Aurora
Catherine J. Marlin.................. BST.................. Mr & Mrs Kevin Marlin

Belton
Anthony Ray Wilkins............... BA...................... Mr & Mrs Ray Wilkins

Butler
Jeremy M. Culler..................... AAS.............................. Ms Angie Culler

Camden Point
Jacob Wayne Adkins............... BSET............. Mr & Mrs Vernon Adkins

Carl Junction
Shay M. Laurance................... BST............................ Suzzette Laurance
Michael Matney....................... BGS................................... Greg Matney
Kristen Talent.......................... BS......................... Mr & Mrs Bill Talent

Carterville
Melanie W. Evitts.................... BSE.............................. Ms Marion Liles

Carthage
Robert Shane Lankford........... BSE............. Mr & Mrs Bobby Lankford
Brian Allen Potter.................... BGS................ Mr & Mrs Charles Potter
Charles A. Tullis...................... BSET...................... Mr & Mrs Jim Tullis
Natalie Ranette Womack......... BSE........................... Mr John Womack

Cleveland
Amber Nichole Bernard........... BS................................ Ms Kay Bernard

Columbia
Brandon Charles Bong............. BAS.................... Mr & Mrs Robb Bong

Diamond
Deborah Ann Shaffer............... BSE................. Mr & Mrs Roy Gebehart

El Dorado Springs
Chance Bland.......................... BST................................... Ronald Bland
Jannah Lael Farrington............. BSE...................... Mr & Mrs Joe Barger

Harrisonville
Lacey Janelle Fisher................. BBA................. Mr & Mrs Russell Fisher
Kristen Gayle Vaughn.............. BSE.................. Mr & Mrs J. D. Vaughn

Hume
Stephanie Michelle Hyder........ BBA.................... Mr & Mrs Greg Finkle

Jasper
Allison Fahy Thomas............... BBA..................... Mr & Mrs Steve Theil

Joplin
Brenton Daniel......................... BS................... Mr & Mrs Harold Daniel
Deanna Lyn Holeman.............. BS............. Mr Robert Holeman (spouse)
Malissa B. Miller..................... BBA................................. Mr Ron Miller

Kansas City
Darlene Lynn Freeman............. BA.......................... Ms Brenda Freeman
Kyle Allen Romine................... BS................ Mr & Mrs Michael Romine
Jason Caine Stafford................ BS........... Mrs Jennifer Stafford (spouse)

Lamar
Ashley Buckner....................... BBA............... Mr & Mrs Steve Buckner

Latour
Clifton Robert Landers............ BAS................ Mr & Mrs Garry Landers

Lebanon
Meredith Allen......................... BS................ Mr & Mrs Robert Getsfred

Lee's Summit
Brannon David Minton............. BA......................... Ms Charlotte Minton
Amanda Elizabeth Saunders..... BSE............... Mr & Mrs Mike Saunders

Liberal
April Marie Gilmartin............... BS................. Mr & Mrs James Gilmartin
Jody Elizabeth Henegar............ BSE.......................................................
Caryn Diane Yokley................ BS................... Mr & Mrs Buddy Kelsey

Lockwood
Lucas Wayne Rader................ BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Mike Rader

Marionville
Sheryl Ann Melton................... BSE................. Mr Dale Melton (spouse)

Marshall
Ilsi Umana Gonzalez................ BA.............. Mr & Mrs Domingo Umana

Milo
Sara Joann Parrack................. BSE................... Mr & Mrs Tom Earnest

Mindenmines
Laney Elizabeth Beaman.......... BS................ Mr & Mrs Wayne Beaman

Monett
Maria Guadalupe Aldaba......... BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Jaime Aldaba

Neosho
Matthew Kimbrough................ BST............. Mr & Mrs John Kimbrough
Robert L. Krattley................... BS................... Mr & Mrs Mark Krattley
Seth Brandon Stockam............ BST............... Mr & Mrs Steve Stockam

Nevada
Kara D. Krohn........................ BSE............................. Ms Jamie Wilson
Dustin Matthias Mitchem......... BBA..................... Ms Connie Heathman
Bradley Duane Ogle................ BBA................... Mr & Mrs Randy Ogle
Clare Nicole Quitno................. BA.......................... Ms Margie Greenlee
Ryan D. Renwick.................... BGS............... Mr & Mrs Butch Renwick
Susan Meredith Shopper......... BST.......................... Ms Diana Shopper
Jill Lucinda Slates.................... BS................................ Ms Cindy Slates
Mandy Stark........................... BSE................. Mr & Mrs Mike Forkner
Sherry Lea Wagenknecht......... BS..... Dr. Dwight Wagenknecht (spouse)
Traci Werner........................... BS..................... Mr & Mrs Troy Werner

Pineville
Bryan Tyler Davis.................... BSE.................... Mr & Mrs Larry Davis

Republic
Kayce Lynne Seiler................. BST............................... Ms Mary Seiler

Rich Hill
Tara Louise Wheatley.............. BSN.............. Mr & Mrs Terry Wheatley

Seneca
Nathan R. Whitekiller.............. BBA..................... Ms Denise Whitekiller

Webb City
Abby Ausborn......................... BSE................ Mr & Mrs Rusty Stanford
Bryson Clark........................... BS...................... Mr & Mrs Roger Clark
Aaron Keeton......................... BST................. Mr & Mrs David Keeton
Melissa Lynn Lawson.............. BS.................................... Carla Lawson
Stephanie L. Peek................... BA.......................... Mr & Mrs Jim Peek
Abby Roth.............................. BBA.................... Mr & Mrs James Roth
Sheena Ann Phillips................. BBA................. Mr & Mrs Doug Probert

West Plains
Holly Jo Phillips....................... BS............................. Ms Bonnie Phillips

New Mexico
Albuquerque
Zane Martin Dye..................... BS....................... Mrs Jodi Dye (spouse)

Corrales
Barry Lamont Mills Jr.............. BST................ Mr & Mrs Barry Mills Sr.

New York
Peekskill
Clement Yuri Knight................ BS.................... Ms Chrysanthia Dawson

North Dakota
Bismark
Steven J. Sahr......................... BBA........................ Mr & Mrs Jim Sahr

Ohio
Marshallville
Bradley D. Grimm................... BST................ Mr & Mrs Rickey Grimm

Oklahoma
Bartlesville
Stacey A. Davis....................... BSE................ Mr Dustin Davis (spouse)
Timothy J Thomas................... BSET......................... James W. Thomas

Chouteau
Dusten Wayne Johnson............ BBA.......................... Ms Debra Johnson

Clinton
Emily Sue Gastineau................ BS.............................. Dr Kirk Gastineau

Commerce
Jeffery D. Miller....................... BSET............... Mr & Mrs Delbert Miller

Copan
Whitney Brooke Neighbors..... BBA............. Mr & Mrs Scott Neighbors

Fairland
Tijana N. Victor...................... BS..................... Mr & Mrs David Victor

Grove
Joshua Paul McElhaney........... BGS.......................... Ms Elizabeth West
Stephanie Nacole Miller........... BSE................. Mr & Mrs Randall Fidler

Miami
Lisa Jean Bell.......................... BSE.................................... Mr Ken Bell
Lindsay Kaye Fiedler............... BSE................. Mr & Mrs Randy Fiedler
Crystal Leigh Gleaves.............. BSE.............. Mr & Mrs Steve Hudspeth
Shelly Loftin............................ BSN.............................. Geraldine Loftin
Deborah F. Hill Perry.............. BS................. Mr Eugene Perry (spouse)
Erin Ashby Smith..................... BME............................... Ms Debi Smith
Emily Lynn Weece................... BSE................................... Rudy Schultz

Moore
Ryan Steven Nutt.................... BA...................... Mr & Mrs Randy Nutt

Oklahoma City
Cordell Thomas Ballew............ BST.................... Mr & Mrs Stan Ballew

Sayre
Michael Todd Anderson.......... BST.............. Mr & Mrs Larry Anderson

Tulsa
Michael D. Cook..................... BGS................. Mrs Tara Cook (spouse)

Vinita
Walter C. Busch...................... BS................................... Mr Will Busch
Jennifer Lynn Zagar................. BSE................. Mr & Mrs Sherman Snell

Texas
Waco
Shamekia S. Berkley............... BSE................. Ms Cynthia Hines Prairie

Wisconsin
Du Chien
Ashley M. Rice........................ BSE.................. Mr & Mrs Chuck Christ

Graduate Students

Brazil
Soracabo
Maria Carolina De Souza Cardoso.................................................... MS

Cameroon
Limbe
Fomo Nyuyki Sendze.............. MBA

Finland
Espoo
Terhi Tuulia Hovi..................... MBA

India
Hyderabad
Swetha Bantu.......................... MS

Pune
Dipali P. Rajguru..................... MS

Republic of South Korea
Seoul
Misoon Kim............................ MA

Taiwan
Chia Yi
Tung Hsing Yang..................... MS

Kaohsiung
Yu-Hung Kao......................... MET
Chun-Chang Liang................... MET

Keelung
Pei-Jung Li.............................. MBA

Pingtung County
Chunkuan Chiang.................... MS

Taichung City
Yu-Hsiu Liu............................. MBA

Tainan
Chi-Hsien Lu........................... MBA
Yu-Chen Yang........................ MS

Tainan City
Ching-Wen Kao...................... MS

Taipei
Liang-Hung Kuo...................... MBA
Sho-Hsien Su.......................... MS
Mei-Lan Sun........................... MS
Wen-I Lin............................... MS

Thailand
Meung Songkhla
Wannarat Sookngam............... MBA

United States

California
Paramont
Adoracion Asuncion Reed....... MA

Colorado
Brighton
Keith Eldred Alquist III............ MS

Illinois
Bradley
Joshua A. Allison..................... EDS

Kansas
Altamont
Michelle L. Vance................... MS

Americus
Amy Michelle VanGundy......... MS

Basehor
Debra Lue Hallier.................... MS

Baxter Springs
Jenifer J. Bingham.................... MS
Christi M. Mattix..................... MBA

Cambridge
Joshua J. DeWeese................. MS

Chanute
Denise M. Warhurst................ MS
Briana Lynea Wilkerson........... MS

Cherryvale
Chad W. Knight...................... MS

Coffeyville
Teressa Lynn Carr................... MS
Lisa Renae Childress............... MS
Debra Ann Davis..................... MS
James A. Littleford.................. MS
Karen S. Littleford-Rittenhouse MS
Timothy Ryan Muller............... MET
Delia M. Northup.................... MS
Lisa L. Payne.......................... MS
Amanda B. Rains..................... MS
Lora Marie Stalford................. MS
Tara Marie Thompson............. MS
Deborah A. Vacca.................. MS
Lucas Avery Warren............... MS

Coldwater
Micah Jo DeWeese................. MS

Columbus
Josie Irene Hall........................ MS
Kathy D. Murray..................... MS
Jennifer D. Sherrod.................. MS
Sarah E. Stevens..................... MS

Derby
Jennifer Rose Hefel.................. MS

Elk City
Brian Eugene Rothgeb............. MS

Fort Scott
Jessica A. Allison..................... MS
Rosemary L. Wallace Harris.... MS
Wilson Harlow Payne.............. MA
Kimberly Ann Townsend......... MS

Fredonia
Travis Brendan Githens............ MS
Jeremy S. Neuenschwander..... MS
Ashley Dawn Rutherford.......... MS

Frontenac
Caitlin E. McMurry.................. MA

Girard
Larry Dean Herlocker.............. MS
Heather L. Horton................... MA
Jacob R. Lehman..................... MET
Marla L. McClelland............... MS

Glen Elder
Gary P. Odle........................... MS

Goodland
Brenda Louise Chatfield........... MS

Hesston
Charla Shawnta Heddin........... MS

Hutchinson
Kristen Lois Shelite.................. MS

Independence
Beth A. Capps........................ MS
Landon Richard Diveley........... MS
Angela Suzanne Kaiser............ MS

Iola
Joshua D. Cunningham............. MET
Matthew B. Kerr..................... MS
Travis Micha Robb.................. MS

Kansas City
Stephanie D. Kimbrough.......... MS

La Cygne
Tally Suanne Butler.................. MS

Lakin
Stephanie J. DeWees............... MA

Liberty
Marcy A. Mitchell................... MS

Little River
Douglas E. Deeds.................... MS

Longton
Juli L. Young........................... MS

Louisburg
Heather Nicole Ross................ MS

McCune
Janie Allyn Wilson................... MS

Neodesha
Pamela K. Busch..................... MS
Barbara S. Grieve.................... MS
Jay S. Sherrod......................... MS

Newton
Jeffery Max Buxman................ MET

Overland Park
Christina M. Auvigne............... MS

Parsons
Rhonda K. Cole...................... MS
Devin Bryce Gorman............... MBA
Ryan Steven Odaffer............... MS
Joel J. Thomspon..................... MS

Pittsburg
Christel L. Benson................... MS
Jennifer L. Cronister................ MS
Jeffrey L. Geiger...................... MS
Jessica Diane Gester................ MBA
Nancy J. Hicks........................ MS
Ekaterina A. Kolesnikova........ MBA
Marcus Jackson Lanning.......... MS
Julie K. Mahnken.................... MS
Bethany Ann McCarty............. MS
Whitney L. Rogers................... MS
Vanessa Rita Do Rosario......... MBA
Kathryn Ann Rosenblad........... MS
Lisa Anne Rutledge.................. MS
Teresa M. Spangler................. MS
Jasminka L. Stojadinov............ MS
Blake K. Webster................... MS
Manishwar P. Singh................. MS

Riverton
Paige Leah Barker................... MS
Shelly Lynn Livingston............. MS

Sedan
Denise Loraine Signer.............. MS

Thayer
Amanda Lanan Whittley........... MS

Tonganoxie
Melissa R. Pennington.............. MBA

Ulysses
Garrett Kendall Reist............... MA

Uniontown
Mitchel Stephen Spainhoward.. MBA

Wichita
Gabriel F. Anderson................ MS

Missouri
Anderson
Susan J. Needham................... MS

Carl Junction
Erin Michelle Wilson................ MA
Adrienne Michelle Young......... MS

Carthage
Connie L. Anderson................ MS
Clinton Ryan Dunkle................ MS
Kathy M. Pester...................... MS
Dana J. Sisk............................ MS

Diamond
Amy Ruth Bien........................ MS
Jenny L. Jones......................... MS

Joplin
Shanda M. Carter.................... MS
Wendy R. Wachs Denton........ MS
Marshella K. Simmons............. MS
Carmen N. Stotts.................... MA
Amy I. Wright......................... EDS

Kimberling City
Nicholas Weeks...................... MBA

Lee’s Summit
Jennifer Elizabeth Crozier......... MS

Mindenmines
Melissa Ann Smith................... MS

Neosho
Kimberly N. Baker.................. MS

Nevada
Cheryl Ranea Schulze.............. MS

Schell City
Jonathan Seth Gayman............. MM

Nebraska
Louisville
Jennifer D. Singer.................... MS

New York
Brooklyn
Ann M. Wick.......................... MS

North Carolina
Millers Creek
John Paul Sloop....................... MA

Oklahoma
Bartlesville
Christy Allgood....................... MS
Patricia J. Harrell..................... MS
Jamie Lynn Hessert-Reagan..... MS

Miami
Joni L. Kruse........................... MS
Sally J. Walker........................ MS

South Coffeyville
Darcey L. Hooper................... MS

Texas
Ralls
Kari A. Coble......................... MS

---Pitt State---

Storm packs punch to campus landscape

Thanks to their abundance of trees and well-tended shrubbery and flowers, university campuses are generally known for being some of the most beautiful areas within a community. But with last weekend’s storm causing trees to crack and fall under the heavy weight of the ice, it’s no surprise that the landscape of the Pittsburg State University campus has come out from the storm damage with more than a few fallen limbs.

Due to the severity of the storm, approximately 90 percent of the trees on campus have experienced damage. In about half of the trees, that damage is significant.

“There are major limbs that fell off these trees that are needed to make a tree balanced and look whole,” said Larry Miller, supervisor of the university’s ground maintenance crew. “There are going to be a few trees that we have to cut down entirely.”

Miller estimates that over the next few weeks, crews will permanently remove about 5 percent of the trees on campus, including three trees located by the old bookstore (near Axe Library), another east of Horace Mann, and a Chinese elm located on the Oval.

One tree that survived but will require major trimming and TLC, said Miller, is the most significant tree on campus: the water oak located on the southeast side of the Overman Student Center. Recorded by the Department of Forestry as a state champion tree, it is the largest water oak in the state of Kansas. In addition to the oak’s significant damage, another large white pine on the Oval experienced its share of destroyed limbs, as well.

The shrubbery on campus has also taken a blow, and Miller says he’ll be looking into additional landscaping funding next year to absorb the cost of planting new trees and foliage.

“Many of the trees will be unsightly until they grow out on their own,” Miller said, adding that the last major storm in 2002 doesn’t compare to this week’s damage. With a crew of 14 full-time employees, he’s prepared for chainsaws to be worn out over the next few weeks. “A storm like this makes every tree left all the more valuable. Having lost so much at once, we’re going to try to make them look like something.”

---Pitt State---

Commencement activities keep graduates busy

With Pittsburg State University’s 12th annual winter commencement scheduled for Friday night, several activities for graduates, their friends and families will be held leading up to the 7:30 p.m. ceremony.

Graduates are invited to take part in one of the university’s most beloved traditions: ringing the Centennial Bell, an activity they performed years ago as new freshman to mark their arrival at Pitt State. The bell, located at the southwest corner of Axe Library, will be available for ringing from 1-11 p.m. on Friday.

At 10 a.m., the Department of Military Science will host a commissioning ceremony for Anthony Wilkins. The ceremony’s guest speaker will be LTC Howard Wheeler, the commander of Kansas National Guard Armored Battalion 1-635. Wilkins, who will officially graduate Friday evening (and will be married the next day), will go on to serve with the military police corps.

From 4:30-5:30 p.m., College of Technology graduates and guests are invited to a reception at the Kansas Technology Center Rotunda. Then from 6-7 p.m., all graduates and their families are invited to attend the 2007 Commencement Reception, where light refreshments will be served. Faculty members, university administrators and staff will also be in attendance. The reception will be held on the second floor mezzanine of the Garfield W. Weede Physical Education Building.

For more information on commencement activities, contact the Office of Public Relations at 620-235-4122.

---Pitt State---

Department of Music Christmas CD on sale

For fans of Christmas music preferring something a bit more original than the pop jingles on the radio this time of year, the Pittsburg State University choral program has a special offering this season.

“Sounds of Winter,” newly produced CDs of holiday music performed by the choirs of PSU, are on sale through the Department of Music. The CD features recordings from past PSU Choir concerts, as well as new music recorded this fall. The tracks include carols, seasonal folk songs, chants, and compositions from the Renaissance through the mid-19th century. Several works composed by members of the PSU Department of Music faculty are also included.

The CDs are available for $15. For more information or to place an order, contact Susan Marchant at 620-235-4476 or at smarchan@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---

Local electricians attend timely seminar at Pitt State

In the aftermath of the ice storm that has left many area residents in search of an electrician, a timely seminar at Pittsburg State University will ensure these tradesmen have a fresh education on what people need right now.

The Electrical Technology Program at PSU is presenting electrical certification re-training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at the Kansas Technology Center. Organized last September, the sold-out event will welcome approximately 100 electrical workers from throughout a 100-mile radius to learn about important requirements of the National Electrical Code, the rules pertaining to the safe wiring and electrical connections to buildings.

The eight-hour seminar meets the new annual educational requirements for licensed electricians throughout the state of Kansas, who must complete six hours of training by Dec. 31. The requirements are already in place in Oklahoma and are expected to be in place soon in Missouri. The requirements affect any licensed electrician doing work in the state of Kansas.

Electricians attending the seminar will be focusing on critical aspects of electricity that have come into focus this week. With some electric companies requiring customers without power to hire electricians to service meter bases prior to the company reconnecting power to their homes, the seminar will cover: electrical installations in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities; connecting meter panels and the electrical service; and safely connecting electric generators to homes and buildings, among other things.

Pittsburg State University has been training licensed electricians for the past 57 years, and has approximately 50 students in the program each semester.

For more information on the seminar or on how it will benefit local electricians and electrical customers, contact Jeff Brooks, associate professor of technology studies, at 620-235-4829.

---Pitt State---

Tuesday finals snack break cancelled

Tuesday's Finals Snack Break scheduled from 9-10 p.m. at Gibson Dining Hall has been cancelled. The Dining Hall will be closing early this evening (at 6 p.m.) due to weather concerns.

Wednesday night's Finals Snack Break remains on schedule from 9-10 p.m.

---Pitt State---

PSU to hold winter commencement

Despite the winter storm that briefly interrupted finals week at Pittsburg State University, a total of 575 students are eligible to participate in winter commencement ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 14. Commencement exercises begin at 7:30 p.m. in the John Lance Arena in the Weede Physical Education Building.

Three PSU alumni will be honored at commencement with the PSU Alumni Association’s Meritorious Achievement Award. They are Robert L. Bailey, retired chairperson, CEO, and president of the State Auto Insurance Companies; Dr. Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center; and Dr. David L. Sallee, president of William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. A reception for the award winners will be held at 5 p.m. at the Wilkinson Alumni Center.

Immediately preceding commencement, graduates, their families and friends are invited to the traditional President’s Reception, which begins at 6 p.m. on the Mezzanine in John Lance Arena.

---Pitt State---

PSU grad overcomes obstacles to finish degree

(At right: Education degree candidate Jody Henegar, center, pictured with her daughters.)

Six years ago, Jody Henegar was viewing life from a much different vantage point.

Facing a dissolving marriage, the reality of going back to work after more than a decade as a stay-at-home mom, and an unexpected medical diagnosis that all four of her children had a rare form of cystic fibrosis, Henegar understandably felt like she didn’t know where to take her next step.

With one year of college in her past, however, she had a lingering feeling she had started something back then that was worth finishing now.

It has taken six years of attending part-time due to her work schedule and children’s illnesses, but on Friday, Dec. 14, Henegar will finally graduate from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor of science degree in education.

“I feel like a great burden is being lifted off me,” said Henegar, 40, who lives in Liberal, Mo., and is completing her student teaching at the Bronaugh (Mo.) School District. “I did a lot of praying. I think it was God that got me through it.”

Although she struggled with motivation at times, she credits curriculum and instruction faculty Dr. Julie Samuels, Dr. June Taylor, and Mrs. Kathy Spillman for encouraging her to become the first person in her family to earn a college degree – not an easy task when, due to life’s struggles, she was forced to drop out three different times.

Much of what needed her attention was the persistent respiratory problems of her youngest daughter, Michaela. After discovering she had cystic fibrosis, the other children were checked. All tested positive for the rare form, which is caused by a gene mutation.

“My kids were essentially guinea pigs. Everyone wanted to do testing, and doctors were networking and doing this as a case study,” said Henegar, who had to take her youngest to multiple medical appointments and administer medication to her when Michaela was at home. Later, when her son had a serious four-wheeler accident that required surgery, Heneger had to drop out and then restart the next semester once again.

The encouragement her family and PSU instructors gave her to stay in school was bolstered by her co-workers at the elementary school in Liberal, where she had taken a job as a paraprofessional, transcribing schoolwork into Braille for a blind student. The teachers offered her books and help with lesson plans to keep her on track.

“That made it easier,” Henegar said. “I don’t think a lot of people have those kinds of resources and support.”

Then there was the issue of finances. With four children to support, Henegar tried to earn extra money and groceries by giving rides to members of the nearby Amish community who needed to travel to town, and by cleaning her church each week. When she neared the end of her coursework and needed to leave her job to make time to student teach, she sold her house in order to live off the home’s equity while she finished school. Each semester, she made it a priority to pay her tuition in full so as not to accrue loan debt.

“Life just slaps you in the face sometimes and you learn what hardship is,” she said. “I would hear other students in my classes talk about how non-traditional students are overachievers and I would think ‘If you only knew the things I’m going through’,” she said.

With graduation on the horizon and opportunities in sight, it all seems worth it now. Henegar’s children, now ages 19, 17, 14, and 11, are in good health, and she will soon begin work as a Title 1 Aid at the Liberal School District while she waits for a teaching position to become available. Achieving the goal of earning her bachelor’s degree has motivated her to do more: Heneger says she would like to work on a master’s degree that would prepare her to teach children with vision problems.

“I knew I had to do this for my children so I could better their lives,” she said. “I just encourage everyone to hang in there and take it a day at a time.”

---Pitt State---

Performing Arts and Lecture Series presents "Babes in Toyland"

The Pittsburg State University Performing Arts and Lecture Series will present one of the most beloved Christmas musicals from the past century this weekend at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium.

“Babes in Toyland,” the story of a little girl who escapes life’s worries by traveling to Toyland and meeting a host of entertaining characters, will be performed by Windwood Theatricals at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7.

Tickets are $12 for the general public; $10 for those 65 and older, 17 and under, and for PSU faculty and staff; and free for PSU students. Tickets are available through the PSU Ticket Office by calling 620-235-4796 or by going to http://www.pittstate.edu/union/tickets/.

For more information on the performance, call Campus Activities at 620-235-4795.

---Pitt State---

Music Department welcomes musicians for TUBACHRISTMAS

The Pittsburg State University Department of Music will host a Christmas concert this weekend that will welcome performers from throughout the Four States.

The department will present 2007 TUBACHRISTMAS Concert and Sing-a-Long at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Northpark Mall in Joplin. TUBACHRISTMAS is an open concert that invites community members who play tuba, euphonium, or baritone to perform. TUBACHRISTMAS concerts are held in cities throughout the nation during the month of December. This year, concerts will be held in 13 different cities in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

The day begins with registration at 10 a.m. at the Webb City High School band room. Rehearsal will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon, when performers will move to the Sears Court of the Northpark Mall for the afternoon show.

Registration is $5 and includes a 2007 TUBACHRISTMAS button. Cost for music is $12, unless performers already have a copy of “TUBACHRISTMAS Carols” (2nd ed.).

The community is invited to attend to the free performance. For more information, contact Doug Whitten at 620-235-4070 or visit the national TUBACHRISTMAS Web site at www.tubachristmas.com.

---Pitt State---

Pittsburg State honors three alumni for achievement

Pittsburg State University will honor three alumni with its Meritorious Achievement Award during commencement activities at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 14. The PSU Alumni Association established the Meritorious Achievement Award in 1958. It is the highest award presented by the association. The Meritorious Achievement Award is based on career achievement. Candidates for the award must have demonstrated substantial professional growth and advancement over an extended period of time. The candidate’s activities, including participation and leadership in civic and professional organizations at the local, state, and national levels, is also considered by the awards committee in selecting the recipients.

The December recipients of the award are: Robert L. Bailey, the retired chairman, CEO and president of the State Auto Insurance Companies; Roy Jensen, M.D., the director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center; and Dr. David L. Sallee, president of William Jewell College.


Robert L. Bailey, BA ‘55

Bob Bailey is the retired chairman, CEO and president of the State Auto Insurance Companies. He is the author of the book “Plain Talk About Leadership” (Franklin University Press, 2002), and is a columnist for Rough Notes magazine, one of the nation’s leading insurance industry publications.

Bailey earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in language and literature-speech in 1955. Bailey is the director emeritus and former chairman of Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. In 2006, Franklin honored Bailey with an honorary doctorate degree.

Under Bailey’s leadership between 1983 and 2000, the State Auto Group added 13 insurance companies and several other subsidiary companies. He was instrumental in taking the company public in 1991 with the formation of State Auto Financial Corporation. Company sales rose from $214 million to more than $1 billion during that time and State Auto became one of the top performing property/casualty insurance organizations in the U.S. At the same time, both service levels and employee morale improved, thanks to a strong focus on communications, recognition and motivation.

Upon his retirement from State Auto Insurance Companies in 2000, Bailey began a new career speaking, writing and consulting on building successful businesses through leadership, ethics, customer service, strategic planning and selling value.

In 2000, the Professional Insurance Agents Association named Bailey the Insurance Industry Person of the Year. Bailey serves or has served on numerous industry and private boards. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and the Sarasota (Fla.) Chamber of Commerce.

Bailey and his wife, Sylvia live in Sarasota, Fla. The have three children: Janet Baas, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; Nancy Baker, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Jim Bailey, of Medina, Ohio.


Dr. Roy Jensen, BS ‘80

Roy Jensen, M.D., is the director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center where he is leading an effort to achieve the National Cancer Institute’s designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Jensen also serves as director of the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute and is the first William R. Jewell, M.D., Distinguished Kansas Masonic Professor in Cancer Research. Jensen is also a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and a professor of anatomy and cell biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. In addition, he is an adjunct professor of molecular biosciences at the University of Kansas.

Jensen earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in biology and chemistry from PSU in 1980 and an M.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1984.

Prior to joining the University of Kansas, Jensen gained national recognition as a cancer researcher at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center where he was a significant contributor in helping the program achieve National Cancer Institute designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Jensen’s research has focused on the function of the hereditary breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the characterization of premalignant breast disease. He is also a nationally recognized consultant in breast pathology.

Roy Jensen and his wife, Linda, live in Gardner. They have three sons, Andrew, Brett, and Derek.


Dr. David L. Sallee

David L. Sallee is the president of William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. Sallee earned a master of science degree with a major in physical education from Pittsburg State University in 1976. He went on to earn a doctor of philosophy degree in adult and higher education from the University of Oklahoma in 1993. Sallee also holds an associate’s degree from Crowder College and a bachelor of arts degree in physical education from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Sallee was named president of William Jewell College in 2000. Since that time, the college has been named by Time magazine as the Liberal Arts College of the Year. In 2004, the Princeton Review picked William Jewell as a “Best Value.” Jewell’s students have received three Truman Scholarships, a Marshall Scholarship, three Goldwater Scholarships and three USA Today All-Academic recognitions. Two students have been Rhodes Scholarship finalists.

During his tenure, William Jewell reversed a 10-year enrollment decline and in 2005 had the highest number of applicants in its history. The college completed a $70.2 million campaign in 2002 and has worked through a number of very difficult financial issues.

Sallee is very involved in the community and is a member of numerous boards and councils. Among them are: the American Humanics National Board of Directors, the Hillcrest Ministries Board of Directors, the Clay County Economic Development Council, the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, the Liberty Rotary Club and the Liberty Hospital Foundation Board.

Sallee and his wife, Mary, live in Liberty, Mo. They have two grown sons, Andrew and Patrick.

---Pitt State---