Hard work and dedication – it’s what all employers want from staff members.

At Missouri State University’s Staff Service Awards program Jan. 10, the university honored several categories of staff.

Missouri State announced the two winners of its Staff Excellence in Community Service Award and the six winners of its Staff Excellence in University Service Award. Forty-six staff who retired from the Springfield campus were honored. The university also recognized 201 staff from the Springfield campus for reaching a five-year longevity milestone in 2017.

Two honored for community contributions

The Excellence in Community Service Award recipients are Tara Benson, director of student engagement, and Scott Schneider, director of business and support services at the West Plains campus.

Six honored for service to university

The Staff Excellence in University Service Awards were presented to:

• Michele Bogart, senior records technician in human resources
• Bruce Cavitt, academic advisor at the West Plains Student Advisement and Academic Support Center
• Caryn Cook, academic administrative assistant, sports medicine and athletic training
• Nicki Donnelson, assistant director of university communications
• Corey Tracy, media systems technician at the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning
• Stacey Trewatha-Bach, coordinator of public affairs special projects

46 staff members retire in 2017

The 46 staff members who retired in 2017 represent more than 850 years of combined service to the university and an average of 17 years of individual service. Staff retirees from the Springfield campus include:

• Alan Benton – 28 years
• Sherry Blunt – 32 years
• Laurie Bryson – 28 years
• Darrell Bucher – 40 years
• Alicia Coverston – 11 years
• Jennifer Crews – 19 years
• Michael Egan – 21 years
• Gail Emrie – 6 years
• Christie Englis – 27 years
• Robert George – 30 years
• Lois Goldade – 18 years
• Dennis Hendershott – 15 years
• Don Holdt – 16 years
• Nancy Hudson – 18 years
• Phillip Jacobs – 28 years
• Lisa Langston – 17 years
• Steven Lowery – 17 years
• Shauna MacDonald – 16 years
• Daniel Maloney – 8 years
• Tina McManus – 9 years
• Barbara McMeekin – 18 years
• Kandi Miller – 9 years
• Harry Monzella – 10 years
• Donald Moreno – 19 years
• Nancy Myers – 20 years
• Donald Northrip – 28 years
• Barbara Opfer – 8 years
• Peggy Piekarski – 12 years
• Carol Plymire – 9 years
• Stephen Robinette – 18 years
• Terry Rowland – 18 years
• Janice Rund – 10 years
• Diane Sandefur – 8 years
• Robert Scott – 8 years
• Jeanne Sevart – 6 years
• Craig Shikles – 30 years
• Vicki Simons – 16 years
• Dorothy Singleton – 16 years
• William Steele – 11 years
• Robert Thurman – 12 years
• Linda Totten – 33 years
• Richard Uffmann – 34 years
• Thomas Van Someren – 34 years
• Earl Wall – 9 years
• Donald White – 15 years
• Kirk Whittington – 18 years

Front: Gary Stewart, Cindi Barnett, Christine Edwards and Frederick Muegge. Row 2: Tammy Wiley. Row 3: Robert George, Lynn Dickison, Michael Murphy and Raymond Phillips.

Employees recognized for up to 40 years of service

Also recognized were Missouri State employees who had achieved a five-year longevity milestone.

The longest serving employees recognized at the ceremony were those with 40 years of service:

• Raymond Phillips
• Douglas Willson

Those recognized for 35 years of service include:

• Keith Guttin
• Ann Orzek
• Gary Stewart

Those recognized for 30 years of service include:

• Cindi Barnett
• Steven Braden
• Lynn Dickison
• Chris Edwards
• Robert George
• Michael Murphy
• Craig Shikles

Those recognized for 25 years of service include:

• Jane Dewberry
• Tom Kile
• Jon Leamy
• Michael Massey
• Loren McManus
• Frederick Muegge
• Dwayne Swigert
• Tammy Wiley
• Darren Young