At the beginning of each academic year, Central Methodist University faculty and staff come together for a welcome back message from President Roger Drake, who this year motivated a crowd of 250 Thursday at the Inman Student Center with a bright outlook for the university. He expressed great pride in Central’s sound financial status and strong student retention.
He also recognized several individuals for excellence in their professions, as well as their dedicated years of service to Central.
Drake presented four Omicron Delta Kappa Awards. Outstanding Professor of the Year went to Dr. Ashley Lough, a professor in biology. Two others faculty members were recognized with student-selected Momberg Gold Chalk Awards—Dr. Kendal Clark, assistant professor of physics; and Dr. Kevin Carnahan, associate professor of religion. The award for outstanding staff member of the year went to Smiley Library director Cynthia Dudenhoffer, CMU’s director of information resources and assessment.
Recognized for 35 years of service at CMU was one of the winningest active coaches in the country, men’s basketball coach Jeff Sherman.
Honored for 30 years of service were Dale Linhart, plant operations; softball coach Pat Reardon; and Maryann Rustemeyer from the Center for Learning and Teaching.
Three people were recognized for hitting the 25-year mark at CMU: Wally Eaton from plant operations, and faculty members Susan Long (psychology) and Eric Robinette (computer science).
There were also three honored for 20 years of service: Faculty members Richard Bradley (history) and Sally Hackman (education) and Al Shilling from Technology Services.
Six individuals hit the 15-year mark at CMU: Teresa Argent from the Center for Learning and Teaching, Denise Haskamp from the Ashby-Hodge Gallery, and faculty members Angie Cornelius and Megan Hess from nursing, Mark Kelty (theatre), and John Perkins (music).
Receiving recognition for 10 years of service were faculty members Kevin Carnahan (religion), Heather Dougherty (nursing), Associate Dean of Assurance and the Western Region Deb Degan-Dixon, Angela Thompson (CHES student services); and part-time CGES site coordinators Sandra Gilkey (Clinton) and Janice Ganther (Lake of the Ozarks).
Lastly, those recognized for serving Central for five years included Lynette Beeler (fine arts administration), Maria Bingaman (CGES-St. Louis), DaShayla Bush (CGES-Columbia), Brad Dixon (dean of student development), Rob Ehlers (assistant baseball coach), Lisa Maupin (Center for Learning and Teaching), Alex Nichols (men’s soccer coach), and faculty members Rebecca Fenton (occupational therapy assistant), Ashley Lough (biology), Jennifer Spielbauer (physical therapist assistant), and Laura Wiebe (fine arts).